cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Audio-Visual Autoencoding for Privacy-Preserving Video Streaming

The demand of sharing video streaming extremely increases due to the proliferation of Internet of Things (IoT) devices in recent years, and the explosive development of Artificial Intelligent (AI) detection techniques have made visual privacy protection more urgent and difficult than ever before. Although a number of approaches have been proposed, their essential drawbacks limit the effect of visual privacy protection in real applications. In this paper, we propose a cycle Vector Quantized Variational Autoencoder (cycle-VQ-VAE) framework to encode and decode the video with its extracted audio, which takes advantage of multiple heterogeneous data sources in the video itself to protect individuals’ privacy. In our cycle-VQ-VAE framework, a fusion mechanism is designed to integrate the video and its extracted audio. Particularly, the extracted audio works as the random noise with a non-patterned distribution, which outperforms the noise that follows a patterned distribution for hiding visual information in the video. Under this framework, we design two models, including frame-to-frame (F2F) model and video-to-video (V2V) model, to obtain privacy-preserving video streaming. In F2F, the video is processed as a sequence of frames; while, in V2V, the relations between frames are utilized to deal with the video, greatly improving the performance of privacy protection, video compression, and video reconstruction. Moreover, the video streaming is compressed in our encoding process, which can resist side-channel inference attacks during video transmission and reduce video transmission time. Through the real-data experiments, we validate the superiority of our models (F2F and V2V) over the existing methods in visual privacy protection, visual quality preservation, and video transmission efficiency. Our codes and more data are now available in.
Deep Reinforcement Learning based Group Recommender System

Group recommender systems are widely used in current web applications. In this paper, we propose a novel group recommender system based on the deep reinforcement learning. We introduce the MovieLens data at first and generate one random group dataset, MovieLens-Rand, from it. This randomly generated dataset is described and analyzed. We also present experimental settings and two state-of-art baselines, AGREE and GroupIM. The framework of our novel model, the Deep Reinforcement learning based Group Recommender system (DRGR), is proposed. Actor-critic networks are implemented with the deep deterministic policy gradient algorithm. The DRGR model is applied on the MovieLens-Rand dataset with two baselines. Compared with baselines, we conclude that DRGR performs better than GroupIM due to long interaction histories but worse than AGREE because of the self-attention mechanism. We express advantages and shortcomings of DRGR and also give future improvement directions at the end.
Evaluating the Impacts of Speed Limit Increases on Rural Two-Lane Highways Using Quantile Regression:

Understanding speed selection behavior of drivers following speed limit increases is critically important. To date, the literature has largely focused on freeways and the effects of speed limit cha...
Metacomprehension and regressions during reading and rereading

Studies have found that metacomprehension accuracy tends to be poor, but there has also been evidence that rereading a text may improve metacomprehension accuracy. One explanation for this rereading effect is that readers can attend more to the metacognitive level during rereading than the initial reading. However, prior experiments used paradigms that make it difficult to determine if improvements in metacomprehension are due to differences in online comprehension monitoring during reading. Backwards eye movements—regressions—are sensitive to difficulties in comprehension processes, implying a relationship with online monitoring. The current study uses eye tracking to examine online monitoring and its effects on metacomprehension judgments and accuracy in order to further understand the rereading effect. Participants either read texts once or reread texts and made judgments of learning while their eye movements were recorded. The rereading effect was not observed when examining the relationship between judgments of learning and test performance, but a similar rereading effect was observed when examining the relationship between regressions and test performance. The findings suggest that the rereading effect is related to usage of metacomprehension cues related to regressions when making judgments.
Truth and Error of Conscience According to the Magisterium of the Church

The relation of truth and error in conscience according to the newer actual Magisterium of the Church is the theme of this article, following a hermeneutic of reform in continuity (Benedict XVI). Emphasis is given first on Veritatis splendor by Pope John Paul II, then on Humanae vitae by Pope Paul VI and finally, in a special way, to Amoris laetitia by Pope Francis. A focus is laid on the dimension of virtue education since this helps the persons involved not only to grasp the truth of relevant moral values but also to realise morally good acts with the help of Divine grace. Even in situations of personal limitation, there is always a light of God telling the person how to know and do the good.
The Grassmann Oscillator

I would like to present in this chapter a little toy. We start by considering the Lagrangian $$ L = \frac{1}{2}\left( {{{\dot q}^\alpha }{C_{\alpha \beta }}{{\dot q}^\beta } - {\omega ^2}{q^\alpha }{C_{\alpha \beta }}{q^\beta }} \right) $$ (1) where the q α are anticommuting variables, and the indices α and β run from 1 to n. The matrix C α β has to be antisymmetric of course, and therefore the number n has to be even if we want the matrix C α β to be invertible. This is the case we will consider.
Controlled Vapor−Liquid−Solid Growth of Indium, Gallium, and Tin Oxide Nanowires via Chemical Vapor Transport

We utilized a vapor−liquid−solid growth technique to synthesize indium oxide, gallium oxide, and tin oxide nanowires using chemical vapor transport with gold nanoparticles as the catalyst. Using identical growth parameters, we were able to synthesize single crystal nanowires typically 40−100 nm diameter and more than 10−100 μm long. The products were characterized by means of X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and high-resolution transmission electron microscopy (HRTEM). All the wires were grown under the same growth conditions with growth rates inversely proportional to the source metal vapor pressure. Initial experiments show that different transparent oxide nanowires can be grown simultaneously on a single substrate with potential application for multicomponent gas sensors.
Postoperative use of the hydrogen-sensitive, platinum-tipped electrode. Detection of residual left to right shunts

Abstract Seventy-seven patients submitted for surgical correction of left to right cardiac shunts were studied postoperatively by the hydrogen-sensitive, platinum-tipped electrode technic. The series was composed of atrial septal defects (51 patients), ventricular septal defects (20 patients) and a miscellaneous group (6 patients). Positive hydrogen electrode studies indicating persistent postoperative shunting were observed in 5 atrial septal defects (10%), 9 ventricular defects (45%) and 3 of the miscellaneous group. In this series, surgical closure of atrial septal defects was quite successful (90%), the results being better for secundum (94%) than for primum defects (60%). Operative closure of ventricular septal defects was less successful (55%) for either uncomplicated defects (60%) or those complicated by pulmonic stenosis (53%). In each of 8 patients results obtained from electrode studies were confirmed by catheterization or by further surgery. Twentytwo patients whose atrial defects were considered closed retained the split of the pulmonic second sound; therefore, this sign does not necessarily indicate a persistent shunt. It is concluded that the hydrogen-sensitive, platinum-tipped electrode technic offers a simple, sensitive and accurate method for evaluating operative success in the repair of various left to right cardiac shunts.
An Unsettling Development: The Use of Settlement Related Evidence for Damages Determinations in Patent Litigation

The federal courts have struggled to define the role that prior third-party settlements should play in determining damages for patent infringement. Although the use of such evidence is governed by the Federal Rules of Evidence, appellate and district courts have failed to reach consensus regarding the appropriate application of these rules. Most recently, in ResQNet v. Lansa, the Federal Circuit noted that the most reliable evidence of damages for infringement may be a license that emerges from a previous settlement. This decision prompted a flurry of new rulings by district courts regarding the admissibility and discoverability of evidence of previous third-party settlements. These rulings have made matters worse: Although these decisions reflect an admirable attempt at clarifying the scope of Rule 408, they have wrought confusion on patent practitioners as new splits across the federal districts — and even within single districts, including the Eastern District of Texas — have emerged. This confusion suggests that we need to take a fresh look at the relevant governing evidentiary principles. Our examination reveals that Federal Rule of Evidence 408 precludes the admission of any settlement-related evidence for the determination of damages. However, such evidence is nevertheless discoverable. This disconnect between the discoverability and admissibility of settlement-related evidence leaves something to be desired — especially when considered together with several features unique to patent litigation. In particular, the rise of nonpracticing entities (or “patent trolls”), an increased reliance on expert testimony, and new studies on bench and jury trials undermine the traditional policy rationales that underlie Rule 408. Although prevailing law suggests that settlement-related evidence should play only a limited role in patent damages calculations, this examination of Rule 408’s underlying policies suggests that the Advisory Committee to the Judicial Conference and Congress ought to reconsider the continued viability of the Rule.
Analysis of the five glycosylation sites of human α1-acid glycoprotein

Orosomucoid (OMD) contains complex bi-, tri- and tetra-antennary glycan chains. Subfractionation of OMD into three molecular variants using concanavalin A lectin chromatography is based on variations in these complex structures. Standard h.p.l.c. profiles have been developed to analyse the percentage and distribution of the glycoforms present at each glycosylation site in OMD and its molecular variants. The ability to quantify the glycoforms present at each site allows us to extend the earlier results of others and resolve the remaining questions concerning the glycan structures of these variants. Most significantly, the proportions of bi-, tri- and tetra-antennary chains differ at each site for the three molecular variants. The most strongly retained variant from concanavalin A is uniquely capable of possessing biantennary chains at all five sites, whereas the unretained variant is completely devoid of biantennary chains. Only glycosylation site II of the five present is 100% biantennary in the retained and weakly retained variants. In addition, the two gene products of OMD were differentially glycosylated. Molecular masses of the glycoforms were verified by matrix-assisted u.v. laser desorption mass spectrometry. On the basis of the site distribution of oligosaccharides in the variants, efforts were made to understand the factors that control the processing of the carbohydrate chains in OMD. The results indicate that the 'site-directed' model of processing offers the most consistent explanation for the structures seen at the individual glycosylation sites of OMD.
Retrieving Ẹbọ as Spirit: The Foundation of Authentic Christian Pneumatology Among the Igala, Nigeria

Ẹbọ is divine Spirit. It is the creative and sustaining principle with which the Supreme Being—Ọjọ creates and re-creates the Igala universe. It is through ẹbọ as spirit, that Ọjọ reveals God’s self through the earth deity—anẹ, the ancestors—ibegwu and other nature spirits. Therefore, as spiritual beings ẹbọ have autonomous iconic existence apart from its physical representation in Idols, effigies and artifacts—ode. Through symbolic-ritual actions, ẹbọ makes Ọjọ accessible and beneficiary to the human through the ministry of healing and charisma. In the 1920s, while recognizing the positive influence of the ẹbọ—ibegwu cult among the Igala, the Ajokodo Bible translated the spirit as ibegwu. During the later missionary era, ẹbọ was diminished and demonized. As a result, ẹbọ lost its spirit connotation and dangerously become a synonym of idol—ode. On account of this pejorative association the 1970 translation of the Igala bible translated divine spirit as afu—wind, instead of ẹbọ—ibegwu. The appreciation of ẹbọ as spirit has enormous implication for Igala Christian Pneumatology—science of the spirit and the Holy Spirit. The conception of any authentic Igala Pnuematology must first confront the reality ẹbọ as divine spirits in the Igala spirit—world. In essence, the appropriation of the word afu for spirit constitutes not only an escapism, but a monumental hindrance to theological inculturation. In this essay, I argue that there is an aspect of ẹbọ as spirit of the divine obtainable only ritual action—worship, that is fundamentally lacking in the concept of afu as spirit. In that, among the Igala, afu has no cult, or ritual significance. My take in this essay can be stated as follows: unless we know what is spirit within the Igala world we cannot claim to know what the Holy Spirit is doing in the lives of the Igala Christian.
The Enhancement and Validation of a Vehicle Engine Cooling System Simulation for a Heavy Duty Diesel Truck

The Vehicle Engine Cooling System Simulation (VECSS) developed at Michigan Technological University in 1982 was enhanced to the extent that it can be used as a cooling system design tool for a heavy duty diesel truck. The enhancements are described in the present paper, while the use of the VECSS as a cooling system design tool is presented in the companion paper, «The Use of the Vehicle Engine Cooling System Simulation as a Cooling System Design Tool»
Ozone generation in an atmospheric pressure micro-plasma jet in air

Summary form only given. Microhollow cathode discharges (MHCDs) offer the possibility to generate non-thermal plasmas in atmospheric pressure gases, including air, by relatively simple means. The MHCD plasma results from a direct current discharge between two molybdenum electrodes (0.25 mm thick) that are separated by an alumina insulator of the same thickness. A tapered discharge channel is drilled through all layers, leaving a 0.2 mm wide opening in the cathode and an opening of /spl sim/0.1 mm in diameter in the anode. By flowing air at atmospheric pressure through this hole, a plasma jet with typical dimensions of millimeters in the axial direction is generated. The gas temperature of the jet can be controlled by varying the gas flow rate. At high flow rates (>0.2 L/min), gas temperatures close to room temperature have been measured by means of micro-thermocouples. The cold plasma was found to be a source of ozone as measurements of the ozone concentration using absorption spectroscopy at the mercury lamp wavelength (253.7 nm), and iodometric titration show. At an air flow rate of 0.4 L/min, we found >1000 ppm ozone in the exhaust stream. Besides serving as an ozone source, the cold plasma jet has the potential for applications such as surface treatment of organic and other heat sensitive materials, and plasma surgery.
MicroRNA and Epigenetics: Diagnostic and Therapeutic Opportunities

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are a large family of post-transcriptional regulators of gene expression that control cellular and developmental processes by targeting messenger RNAs (mRNA). These small non-coding RNAs (ncRNAs) are aberrantly expressed in cancer, and are known to contribute to tumorigenesis and disease progression. Therapeutic strategies based on modulating miRNAs activity are emerging due to the ability of these ncRNAs to influence cellular behavior. MiRNA levels predict disease prognosis and overall patient survival, and reconstituting their basal levels has been proven to inhibit tumor growth and metastasis. Different delivery mechanisms have been tested in vivo, however many challenges need to be overcome before their utilization in the clinic. Moreover, it has been found that circulating miRNAs in body fluids have the potential to reshape cancer diagnosis and prognosis by functioning as biomarkers and indicators of progression and metastasis. These miRNAs as biofluids-based biomarkers provide an alternative strategy for early diagnosis and treatment of cancer patients.
Ablating spinal NK1-bearing neurons eliminates the development of pain and reduces spinal neuronal hyperexcitability and inflammation from mechanical joint injury in the rat.

Abstract The facet joint is a common source of pain, especially from mechanical injury. Although chronic pain is associated with altered spinal glial and neuronal responses, the contribution of specific spinal cells to joint pain is not understood. This study used the neurotoxin [Sar 9 ,Met(O 2 ) 11 ]-substance P-saporin (SSP-SAP) to selectively eliminate spinal cells expressing neurokinin-1 receptor (NK1R) in a rat model of painful facet joint injury to determine the role of those spinal neurons in pain from facet injury. Following spinal administration of SSP-SAP or its control (blank-SAP), a cervical facet injury was imposed and behavioral sensitivity was assessed. Spinal extracellular recordings were made on day 7 to classify neurons and quantify evoked firing. Spinal glial activation and interleukin 1αα (IL1α) expression also were evaluated. SSP-SAP prevented the development of mechanical hyperalgesia that is induced by joint injury and reduced NK1R expression and mechanically evoked neuronal firing in the dorsal horn. SSP-SAP also prevented a shift toward wide dynamic range neurons that is seen after injury. Spinal astrocytic activation and interleukin 1α (IL1α) expression were reduced to sham levels with SSP-SAP treatment. These results suggest that spinal NK1R-bearing cells are critical in initiating spinal nociception and inflammation associated with a painful mechanical joint injury. Perspective Results demonstrate that cells expressing NK1R in the spinal cord are critical for the development of joint pain, spinal neuroplasticity, and inflammation after trauma to the joint. These findings have utility for understanding mechanisms of joint pain and developing potential targets to treat pain.
Effects of Bleeding on Electrolyte Excretion and on Glomerular Filtration

Removal of small amounts of blood from sitting subjects caused reduction of sodium excretion without alterations in creatinine clearance, or in apparent cardiac output (electrokymographic method). This reduction could be prevented by compression of the neck. The experiments support the concept of an homeostatic central mechanism which regulates the volume of extracellular fluid by altering sodium excretion. If such a mechanism exists it is apparently activated by changes in the volume of body fluids rather than by changes in cardiac output.
Optimal orientation of flakes in oriented strand board (OSB)

Panelized housing can reduce both the cost and construction time of residential housing. The panels, generally comprised of rib-reinforced OSB sheets, are assembled into floor, wall, and root structures. Irrespective of application, commercially available OSB sheets incorporate flakes oriented generally in the longitudinal direction along the faces and in the cross direction in the core. This often results in directional material properties that are not ideally suited for the specific application, requiring excessive sheet thickness and flake density in order to provide the necessary strength. It is proposed that through proper orientation of flakes, material properties of OSB can be tailored to a specific application, resulting in appreciable improvement in load-bearing capacity over commercially available OSB of equal density. In this paper we present a method for determining the near-optimal orientation of flakes in OSB sheets under specific loading. Using three-point bending and rupture tests, we experimentally verify that OSB with optimally oriented flakes is significantly superior to commercially available OSB of equal density.
Spectrophotometric titrations of ferricytochrome C with ferrohexacyanide in the pH range 5 to 7

Spectrophotometric titrations were conducted on the system horse heart ferricytochromec plus ferrohexacyanide in the pH range 5 to 7 and at temperatures 8, 18, 22 and 28°C. A difference extinction coefficient for reducedvs. oxidized cytochromec at 550 nm of 21 mmol−1cm−1 was used in part of the evaluations. On the assumption that only one electron-transferlinked proton dissociation is effective for both ferro- and ferricytochromec in this pH range, various possible models are developed with only three conforming with the experimental pH dependence of the spectrophotometric equilibrium constant. The data conform best to a model with protonic dissociation constants between pH 5 and 7 such that the reduced cytochromec species is at least a factor of 3 more acidic than the one for oxidized cytochromec (with pK″H ≈ 6). This interpretation holds least for the data at 22°C, which points to a structural rearrangement at about this temperature (Czerlinski and Bracokova, 1973; Zabinski and Czerlinski, 1974; Zabinski, et al., 1974). While the extinction coefficient of ferrocytochromec shows no significant change with pH and temperature, the one for ferricytochromec does: it is about 5% larger at pH 5 than at pH 7 (550 nm). Graphs for the absorption change of ferricytochromec (pH 7 as reference) document the details over the wavelength range 500 to 750 nm.
“Brick-and-mortar” synthesis of free-standing mesoporous carbon nanocomposite membranes as supports of room temperature ionic liquids for CO2−N2 separation

Abstract Free-standing mesoporous carbon−graphitic carbon nanocomposite membranes with controllable pore size (7.3−11.3 nm) were synthesized by the “brick-and-mortar” method, carbon black (CB) as “bricks” and soft-templated phenolic resin-based mesoporous carbon (MC) as the “mortar”. Immobilization of imidazolium-based room temperature ionic liquids ([Cnmim][Tf2N], n=2, 4, and 6) in the MC−CB membranes produced a series of supported ionic liquid membranes (SILMs) that are permselective for separation of CO2−N2 gas pair. Strong capillary forces resulting from the well-developed mesoporosity of the MC−CB membranes greatly enhanced the stability of the supported ionic liquids. This enabled the SILMs to operate under transmembrane pressures as high as 1000 kPa without degrading their separation performance. This makes it possible to apply SILMs to high-pressure CO2 capture and separation processes, where high transmembrane pressure would greatly increase the permeate flux through the membranes.
On the formaldehyde-bisulfite-hydroxymethanesulfonate equilibrium

Abstract The dissociation constant for the aqueous equilibrium OHCH 2 SO 3 − = HCHO + HSO 3 − (where HCHO includes the hydrated form) has been determined via vapor pressure measurements to be 1.17 ± 0.14 × 10 −7 at pH 4 and 293 K, in excellent agreement with kinetic and spectroscopic measurements.
Involvement of chromosome No. 22 in neuroblastoma

Abstract Cytogenetic studies on neuroblastoma tissue from a 17-year-old girl showed a single karyotypic abnormality, del(22)(q13). The relationship of this abnormality to previously described abnormalities in neuroblastoma and to other malignancies is discussed.
Thermohaline Oscillations Induced by Strong Steady Salinity Forcing of Ocean General Circulation Models

Abstract A series of numerical experiments is conducted with a three-dimensional ocean general circulation model and a two-dimensional counterpart both designed for efficient integration over diffusive (millennial) time scales. With strong steady salinity fluxes (salting at low latitudes and freshening at high), basin mean temperature and several other diagnostics show a series of self-sustaining oscillations. The oscillations termed deep decoupling oscillations, exhibit halocline catastrophes at regular intervals, followed by warming deep decoupled phases (when the deep overturning is weak), cooling flushes, and in the lower range of salinity forcing, a coupled phase when the deep ocean advective/diffusive heat balance is almost, but not quite, met. It is suggested that oscillations arise when a steady overturning circulation encounters a contradiction: the poleward salt and heat transport needed to maintain convection in the polar ocean requires more overturning than is consistent with the reduced therm...
Exploring Structural Features in Predicting Social Network Evolution

In this paper, we present a novel approach to incorporate the activity features in measuring the influence of member activities on the social network evolution. Conventional methods analyze social networks and make predictions based on all cumulative members and activities. However, since inactive members do not contribute to the network growth, including them in analysis can lead to less accurate results. Based on this observation, we propose to focus on the active population and explore the influence of member activities. We present a model that can incorporate various activity features and predict the evolution of the social activity. At the same time, an algorithm is adopted to select the most influential activity features. The experiments on two different types of social network show that the activity features can predict the evolution of the social activity accurately and our algorithm is effective to select the most influential features. Additionally, we find that the most significant activity features to determine the network evolution vary among different types of social network.
Direct observations of the mass flocculation of diatom blooms: characteristics, settling velocities and formation of diatom aggregates

Abstract Blooms of chain-forming marine diatoms were observed in the process of aggregating into centimeter-sized flocs of marine snow in surface waters of the Santa Barbara Channel, California. These aggregates were composed of a rich assemblage of living, actively photosynthesizing diatoms dominated by the setose genus Chaetoceros and by chain-forming Nitzschia spp. Flocculation of one bloom occurred in as little as 24 h, and bloom flocculation apparently was not triggered by nitrogen-limitation. Marine snow of diatom origin was also abundant during spring, summer and early autumn throughout the Southern California Bight, suggesting that diatom flocculation is a seasonally significant source of marine snow. Resting spores rarely occurred within either newly formed or aged diatom flocs. The mean in situ settling velocity (± S.D.) of newly formed flocs was 117 ± 56 m d−1, two orders of magnitude faster than unaggregated Chaetoceros. Rapid, episodic export of surface-derived primary production to the ocean bottom via mass flocculation and settlement of diatom blooms can occur prior to consumption by pelagic grazers and significantly effects marine food webs, oceanic flux processes, and diatom biology.
C4H8+ isomerizations by theory

Abstract Structures, energies and reaction coordinates for much of the C4H8 + potential surface were obtained by ab initio and density functional theories. Most C4H8 + isomers are demonstrated to be mutually accessible below the threshold for the lowest energy dissociation, consistent with inferences from earlier experimental data. The “virtual intermediates” (point that reactions pass through corresponding to a conventional structure but lacking a corresponding potential minimum) CH3+CHCH2CH2 and + CH 2 CH(CH3)CH2 are found to be very important in C4H8 + rearrangements. CH3+CHCH2CH2 is accessed from the 1-butene cation by a 1,4- and a 1,2-H-shift, the 2-butene cation by a 1,2-H-shift and the 1-methylcyclopropane cation by ring opening. All reactions through CH3+CHCH2CH2 begin or end with a 1,2-H-shift going to or from the 1-butene ion. The 1-butene cation appears to form rather than the more stable 2-butene cation because the minimum energy pathways down from higher energy transition states go to the 1-butene cation side of the transition state that connects the 1-butene and the 2-butene ions. Perhaps charge localization on the CH carbon directs these pathways to the 1-butene cation by a carbocation-like rearrangement. Predicted competition between 1,3- and consecutive 1,2-transfers across double bonds, despite 1,2-shifts being energetically strongly favored over 1,3-shifts in other systems, is another interesting feature of C4H8 + reactions. The lowest energy isomerization found in this work was a 1,5-H-shift in the 1-pentene ion. In contrast to CH3+CH CH2CH2 , CH3+CHCH2CH2CH2 appears to inhabit a potential energy minimum, albeit a shallow one. The order of the critical energies for different ring sized transfers is 1,4 > 1,3 ≅ 1,2 > 1,5 in the CnH2n + ions examined, differing from the order 1,3 > 1,4 > 1,2 > 1,5 established for other homologous series of aliphatic radical cations.
Inhibition of N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine-induced esophageal tumorigenesis in rats by green and black tea

In this study, we investigated the effects of green tea and black tea, when given either during or after carcinogen treatment, on esophageal tumorigenesis in male Sprague-Dawley rats. Rats were treated with N-nitrosomethylbenzylamine (NMBzA) (2.5 mg/kg, s.c., twice weekly) for 5 weeks; 39 weeks after the initial dose of NMBzA, 65% of the rats had esophageal tumors with an average of 1.4 +/- 0.3 tumors per rat. In the groups of rats receiving 0.6% of decaffeinated green tea (DGT) or decaffeinated black tea (DBT) (6 mg tea solids/ml) as the sole source of drinking fluid during the NMBzA-treatment period, esophageal tumor incidence and multiplicity were reduced by approximately 70%. When the tea preparations were given after the NMBzA treatment period, the esophageal papilloma incidence and multiplicity were reduced by approximately 50%. The volume per tumor was much smaller in rats that received black tea after the carcinogen treatment period. In a second experiment, NMBzA was given to rats at a dose of 3.5 mg/kg (s.c., twice weekly) for 5 weeks; after 16 weeks, the tumor incidence was 82% and tumor multiplicity was 6.7 +/- 1.2 tumors per rat. In the groups of rats receiving 0.9% regular green tea (RGT) or DGT after the NMBzA treatment period, tumor multiplicity was decreased by > 55%. The volume per tumor was reduced by approximately 60% in the rats receiving 0.9% RGT. Histological analysis indicated that both the incidence and multiplicity of esophageal carcinoma was decreased by either RGT or DGT. The blood and urine levels of green tea polyphenols due to tea administration were determined in rats, and the levels were comparable to those in humans after tea ingestion. The above results indicate that both green tea and black tea can inhibit the tumorigenic action of NMBzA during the period of carcinogen treatment and the subsequent molecular events important for esophageal tumorigenesis.
Direct determination of recoil ion detection efficiency for coincidence time-of-flight studies of molecular fragmentation

Abstract Molecular fragmentation of diatomic and small polyatomic molecules caused by fast ion impact has been studied. The evaluation of the cross sections of the different fragmentation channels depends strongly on the recoil ion detection efficiency, ϵ r (single ions proportional to ϵ r , and ion pairs to ϵ r 2 , etc.). A method is suggested for the direct determination of this detection efficiency. This method is based on the fact that fast H + + CH 4 collisions produce C 2+ fragments only in coincidence with H + and H + 2 fragments, that is, there is a negligible number of C 2+ singles, if any. The measured yield of C 2+ singles is therefore due to events in which the H + m of the H + m +C 2+ ion pair was not detected and thus is proportional to 1−ϵ r . Methane fragmentation caused by 1 MeV proton impact is used to evaluate directly the recoil ion detection efficiency and to demonstrate the method of deriving the cross sections of all breakup channels.
Pulmonary tuberculosis after lung transplantation

During a 5-year study period, we diagnosed pulmonary tuberculosis in two (2%) of 94 lung and heart-lung transplant recipients. Each infection occurred 3 months after bilateral lung transplantation in the presence of evidence implicating donor-to-recipient transmission of the pathogen. The radiographic patterns of pulmonary tuberculosis were subtle: narrowing of the middle lobe bronchus of the right lung caused by an endobronchial granulomatous mass (n=1) and a focal cluster of small nodules in the upper lobe of the left lung and small bilateral pleural effusions (n=1). Each patient achieved complete clinical and radiographic response after antituberculous therapy. We conclude that Mycobacterium tuberculosis may be transmitted directly by a donor lung and may involve bronchial mucosa, pulmonary parenchyma, and pleura.
Logarithmic Level Comparison for Small Deviation Probabilities

Log-level comparisons of the small deviation probabilities are studied in three different but related settings: Gaussian processes under the L2 norm, multiple sums motivated by tensor product of Gaussian processes, and various integrated fractional Brownian motions under the sup-norm.
Serum IgE Levels in Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Infection

Background Increased serum IgE levels are associated with advanced HIV infection. The magnitude of the increase has varied greatly between studies which generally did not assess potential confounding factors. Objective To determine whether the increased serum IgE levels reported with HIV infection is affected by demographic or behavioral factors, we studied injection drug users, women, and minority ethnic and racial groups with HIV infection, for whom little data now exist. Methods A prospective cross-sectional study of ambulatory patients with or at risk for HIV infection was performed. We enrolled 83 injection drug users and 56 non-drug users seropositive for HIV and 43 seronegative at-risk individuals from an Infectious Diseases clinic and a longitudinal study of HIV infection in injection drug users in the Bronx, New York City. Fifteen HIV-seronegative non-atopic controls were also studied. Total serum IgE levels were measured by a solid phase fluorescent assay and lymphocyte phenotypes were measured by monoclonal antibodies. Results On multiple linear regression analysis, HIV infection ( P = .01) and advanced HIV disease ( P P Conclusions Increased serum IgE levels were associated with HIV infection, the highest levels existing in those with advanced HIV disease. Women had lower IgE levels than men, independent of HIV status. Active or past drug use, race, and age were not found to be independently associated with serum IgE levels. Further studies are necessary to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the increased serum IgE levels seen with HIV infection and its associated immunodeficiency, and to substantiate and explore the decreased levels found in women.
A nonrestrictive concurrency control protocol for object-oriented databases

We propose an algorithm for executing transactions in object-oriented databases. The object-oriented database model generalizes the classical model of database concurrency control by permitting accesses to class and instance objects, by permitting arbitrary operations on objects as opposed to traditional read and write operations, and by allowing nested execution of transactions on objects. In this paper, we first develop a uniform methodology for treating both classes and instances. We then develop a two-phase locking protocol with a new relationship between locks called ordered sharing for an object-oriented database. Ordered sharing does not restrict the execution of conflicting operations. Finally, we extend the protocol to handle objects that execute methods on other objects thus resulting in the nested execution of transactions. The resulting protocol permits more concurrency than other known locking-based protocols.
Further Evidence for Direct Pro-Resorptive Actions of FSH

We confirm that FSH stimulates osteoclast formation, function and survival to enhance bone resorption. It does so via the activation of a pertussis toxin-sensitive G(i)-coupled FSH receptor that we and others have identified on murine and human osteoclast precursors and mature osteoclasts. FSH additionally enhances the production of several osteoclastogenic cytokines, importantly TNFalpha, likely within the bone marrow microenvironment, to augment its pro-resorptive action. FSH levels in humans rise before estrogen falls, and this hormonal change coincides with the most rapid rates of bone loss. On the basis of accumulating evidence, we reaffirm that FSH contributes to the rapid peri-menopausal and early post-menopausal bone loss, which might thus be amenable to FSH blockade.
Albert Balows, Ph.D.

![Figure][1] A “Renaissance man,” “a consummate clinical microbiologist,” and “a prolific author and editor” are just a few of the terms used by many to describe Albert Balows, Ph.D., to whom we owe a debt of gratitude for shaping and elevating the discipline of clinical
Glutamate synthase from Bacillussubtilis: In vitro reconstitution of an active amidotransferase

Summary In Bacillus subtilis , two mutants, designated gltA and gltB , have been found to lack the enzyme glutamate synthase. When extracts from these two mutants were mixed together, an active enzyme was reconstituted. Since modification of an inactive enzyme to an activated form does not seem likely, we propose that the gltA and gltB mutations affect the two non-identical subunits which form glutamate synthase.
Erk1/2 Mediates Leptin Receptor Signaling in the Ventral Tegmental Area

Leptin acts on the ventral tegmental area (VTA) to modulate neuronal function and feeding behavior in rats and mice. To identify the intracellular effectors of the leptin receptor (Lepr), downstream signal transduction events were assessed for regulation by direct leptin infusion. Phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (pSTAT3) and phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase-1 and -2 (pERK1/2) were increased in the VTA while phospho-AKT (pAKT) was unaffected. Pretreatment of brain slices with the mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase -1 and -2 (MEK1/2) inhibitor U0126 blocked the leptin-mediated decrease in firing frequency of VTA dopamine neurons. The anorexigenic effects of VTA-administered leptin were also blocked by pretreatment with U0126, which effectively blocked phosphorylation of ERK1/2 but not STAT3. These data demonstrate that pERK1/2 may have a critical role in mediating both the electrophysiogical and behavioral effects of leptin receptor signaling in the VTA.
Therapeutic applications and uses of inhalational anesthesia in the pediatric intensive care unit.

Objective:To review the physical properties, end-organ effects, therapeutic applications, and delivery techniques of inhalational anesthetic agents in the pediatric intensive care unit.Data Source:A computerized, bibliographic search regarding intensive care unit applications of inhalational anesthe
The role of the 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptors in the stimulus effects of hallucinogenic drugs. III: The mechanistic basis for supersensitivity to the LSD stimulus following serotonin depletion.

The present study was designed to determine the effects ofp-chlorophenylalanine (PCPA) andp-chloroamphetamine (PCA) administration on (1) the levels of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) in rat brain, (2) the sensitivity of LSD-trained rats to the stimulus effects of LSD, and (3) the maximal levels of 5-HT2A and 5-HT2C receptor mediated phosphoinositide (PI) hydrolysis in rat brain. PCA and PCPA both produced a significant depletion of whole brain 5-HT and 5-HIAA concentrations. The depletion of serotonin with PCPA, but not PCA, resulted in supersensitivity of LSD-trained subjects to the stimulus effects of LSD. Neither PCPA nor PCA treatment altered the maximal level of 5-HT2A receptor-mediated PI hydrolysis. However, PCPA, but not PCA, treatment resulted in a significant upregulation (46%,P<0.05) of the maximal level of 5-HT2C receptor mediated PI hydrolysis. These data suggest that upregulation of the 5-HT2C receptor mediates the supersensitivity to LSD discriminative stimulus which follows the depletion of central nervous system serotonin by PCPA.
Characterization of used automotive oil filters for recycling

Abstract Most of the over 425 million automotive oil filters used each year in the US are land disposed raising the risk of polluting ground- and surface-water, wasting valuable natural resources, and consuming limited landfill space. Oil filters removed from a vehicle for disposal contain 30–50 wt.% steel and 45–60 wt.% used motor oil depending on the design. Although several different processes are used to recycle used oil filters, an important factor to the recyclability of oil filters is the design of the oil filter. This study examines oil filters to determine the effect of design on the recyclability of oil filters allowing for improved recyclability in future products. The factors that were shown to increase recyclability of filters (higher percentage steel content) were decreasing overall weight, decreasing volume, smaller aspect ratios, and shorter filters.
Drug therapy for persons with developmental disabilities: Legislation and litigation

Abstract Given the current Zeitgeist that psychologists be granted medication prescription privileges, it is important that as clinicians they be aware of the legislation and litigation that currently provide guidelines for the use of psychotropic drugs. Recent legislation and litigation arising from the use of psychotropic drugs with persons who are developmentally disabled are used as the basis for discussion, although the implications cover all clinical populations typically served by psychologists for whom medication may be a viable treatment option. At present, institutions, physicians, and drug companies can be held legally and financially liable for injuries resulting from the use and misuse of psychotropic medication. The same conditions will apply to psychologists if or when they begin prescribing medication.
Using simulation to determine the costs of offering caps on adjustable rate mortgages

This paper presents a methodology for using simulation to determine the cost of offering caps on adjustable rate mortgages. Caps represent a series of options, too complex to be evaluated with the options pricing model. A simulation model offers the ability to cost a variety of combinations of caps, thus providing flexibility in product offerings. Our results indicated that adjustable rate mortgages tend to be priced quite cheaply in the market. Cap costs appear to be higher than lenders may believe.
26S proteasomes and immunoproteasomes produce mainly N‐extended versions of an antigenic peptide

Protein degradation by proteasomes is the source of most antigenic peptides presented on MHC class I molecules. To determine whether proteasomes generate these peptides directly or longer precursors, we developed new methods to measure the efficiency with which 26S and 20S particles, during degradation of a protein, generate the presented epitope or potential precursors. Breakdown of ovalbumin by the 26S and 20S proteasomes yielded the immunodominant peptide SIINFEKL, but produced primarily variants containing 1–7 additional N‐terminal residues. Only 6–8% of the times that ovalbumin molecules were digested was a SIINFEKL or an N‐extended version produced. Surprisingly, immunoproteasomes which contain the interferon‐γ‐induced β‐subunits and are more efficient in antigen presentation, produced no more SIINFEKL than proteasomes. However, the immunoproteasomes released 2–4 times more of certain N‐extended versions. These observations show that the changes in cleavage specificity of immunoproteasomes influence not only the C‐terminus, but also the N‐terminus of potential antigenic peptides, and suggest that most MHC‐presented peptides result from N‐terminal trimming of larger proteasome products by aminopeptidases (e.g. the interferon‐γ‐induced enzyme leucine aminopeptidase).
Optical conductivity of the Hubbard and t-J models.

We calculate the optical conductivity \ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega}) of the Hubbard and t-J models on 10- and 16-site lattices, respectively, using a Lanczos method. Results are presented for various values of the couplings U/t, J/t, and band fillings, using free- and periodic-boundary conditions. We discuss the behavior of the kinetic energy in the ground state, the distribution of spectral weight of \ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\omega}) between low and high energies and the sum rule. Indications of a Drude-like peak at low energy in the one-hole subspace are observed in both models. Assuming that holes behave like independent (mass-renormalized) particles in the normal state of the superconductors, our results also suggest that the optical midinfrared broadband observed experimentally can be explained by hole excitations of strongly correlated systems.
Social security in an aging society

Abstract Most of the recent claims that Social Security faces major financial challenges in the years ahead rely on the recognition that the US population is aging. Indeed, the coming wave of baby-boomer retirements plays a continuing role in calls for ‘reform’ of the program. However, the general aging of the population ensures that the problem will not go away even when that generation passes on. This paper focuses on the demographic trends facing the US (and world)—why is the population aging, and how fast? Will this lead to an intolerable burden on future generations of workers? While most of the public discussion focuses on Social Security's long-term finances, what really matters is whether the economy will be able to produce a sufficient quantity of real goods and services to provide for both workers and dependents in, say, the year 2080. If it cannot, then regardless of Social Security's finances, the real living standards of Americans in 2080 will have to be lower than they are today. Any reforms...
The Link Between Adherence to International Standards of Good Practice, Foreign Exchange Spreads, and Ratings

This paper examines the relationship between adherence to international standards of good practice in policy-making and two key indicators of access to capital markets and the cost of this access: spreads and sovereign ratings. In contrast to other work, this study reviews a broad set of indicators for adherence to international standards. The estimations are conducted for emerging market economies, and pay particular attention to issues of persistence in spreads and ratings and nonlinearities in the relationships. The main finding confirms the expectation that standards are indeed relevant. Accounting standards and property rights are especially important for spreads, in addition to data transparency (SDDS subscription). Accounting standards and corruption are especially important in explaining ratings in addition to trade protectiveness (not a standard).