cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
PPARy in Adipocyte Differentiation

Adipocytes play a critical homeostatic this process is peroxisome proliferator activated recep- role in energy balance and, more recently, have been tor y (PPARy), a member of the nuclear hormone recognized to function as endocrine cells as well. receptor superfamily that is activated by natural fatty Excess adipocyte mass is a defining feature of obesity, acid derivatives including eicosanoids as well as as well as a risk factor insulin resistance and diabetes pharmaceuticals including the antidiabetic thia- mellitus. Adipocytes derive from fibroblast-like precur- zolidinedione compounds. This review will emphasize sor cells, whose differentiation is characterized by a the key role of PPARy in adipogenesis. timed cascade of transcriptional events. Central to
Incarcerated Battered Women: A Comparison of Battered Women Who Killed Their Abusers and Those Incarcerated for Other Offenses

The present study compared battered women incarcerated for killing/seriously assaulting their abusers with battered women incarcerated for other offenses to explore possible similarities and differences in the characteristics and experiences of the two groups as well as to determine what factors may lead some battered women to use lethal force against their partners. Comparisons were made on a number of variables including sociodemographic factors, characteristics of the battering relationship, alcohol/drug use of battered women and their abusers, perceived social support, actions taken to end the violence, prior criminal behaviors, and childhood trauma factors. Findings revealed that women in the homicide/assault group were older, in the relationship longer and experienced a longer duration of violence in this relationship. They also experienced more frequent and severe battering, including sex assaults and sustained more injuries than those in the comparison group. Further, battered women who killed/seriously assaulted their partners were more likely to believe that their lives were in danger, were less likely to use violence against their partners, and were less likely to have a prior criminal record or to have served time previously. The implications of the findings are discussed.
Conducting the Neural Symphony of Memory Replay.

Hippocampal sharp-wave ripple oscillations and sequence replay events are important for memory. Ramirez-Villegas et al. present a model that dissects cellular mechanisms of SWR generation in the CA3-CA1 circuit, and explains the network features of slow-gamma coordination and sequence replay.
How Does Obesity Impact Pediatric Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction

Purpose To assess the relationship of elevated body mass index (BMI) on postoperative outcomes, including graft rupture, contralateral anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear, new meniscus injuries, isokinetic strength testing, and range of motion (ROM) in a large group of pediatric patients. We also sought to calculate the risk of graft rupture in overweight patients with small femoral or tibial tunnels. The secondary objective was to evaluate the association between BMI and concurrent meniscus tears and the need for meniscectomy at the time of primary ACL reconstruction. Methods We retrospectively reviewed all pediatric patients undergoing primary ACL reconstruction at our institution. BMI percentile for age was used to categorize children as having normal BMI or being overweight or obese per Centers for Disease Control and Prevention guidelines. Demographic data, intraoperative findings and techniques, postoperative complications (including graft rupture, contralateral ACL tear, and meniscus injuries), ROM, and isokinetic strength testing were recorded. Univariate analysis was followed by stepwise, logistic regression to control for confounders. Results Of the 1,056 patients included, 535 (50.7%) were male and 521 were (49.3%) female, with a mean age of 15.1 ± 2.4 years. The average BMI was 23.1 ± 4.7. There were 675 (63.9%) children with normal BMI, 228 (21.6%) who were overweight, and 153 (14.5%) who were obese. In multivariate analysis, children with elevated BMI had a higher rate of concurrent meniscus tears compared with those with normal BMI (76.3% vs 70.2%; P = .02) and 1.6 times higher odds of requiring a meniscectomy (95% confidence interval, 1.2-2.2; P Conclusions After ACL rupture, overweight and obese children sustained more overall meniscus tears and more irreparable meniscus tears than those with normal BMI. Graft size did not impact the risk of early graft failure in overweight patients. With an appropriate rehabilitation protocol, there was no increased risk of graft rupture, contralateral ACL injury, or new meniscus tear in early follow-up. Level of Evidence Level III, retrospective comparative study.
Adult Neurogenesis, Glia, and the Extracellular Matrix

In the adult mammalian hippocampus, new neurons arise from stem and progenitor cell division, in a process known as adult neurogenesis. Adult-generated neurons are sensitive to experience and may participate in hippocampal functions, including learning and memory, anxiety and stress regulation, and social behavior. Increasing evidence emphasizes the importance of new neuron connectivity within hippocampal circuitry for understanding the impact of adult neurogenesis on brain function. In this Review, we discuss how the functional consequences of new neurons arise from the collective interactions of presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons, glial cells, and the extracellular matrix, which together form the "tetrapartite synapse."
A rare case of metastatic small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma of the lung presenting as isolated thrombocytopenia

Small cell neuroendocrine carcinoma (SNEC) is a high grade and poorly differentiated neuroendocrine tumor which typically presents as a primary pulmonary neoplasm near the bronchial region. Due to the aggressive nature of the tumor, there are many ways it can initially present, mostly involving the lungs. We present a case of a 68-year-old male patient who initially presented with new-onset of severe thrombocytopenia with superimposed pneumonia. It was late in the progression of the disease that histopathology from the bone marrow confirmed SNEC, which presented only after it metastasized to the bone marrow by way of a rare paraneoplastic syndrome. Furthermore, the bone marrow biopsy revealed atypical markers not commonly seen in SNEC. Since this was such an atypical presentation of SNEC, management was limited to stabilization of the patient. The patient expired two weeks later.
OC29 Respiratory syncytial virus hospital admission and outcome in ireland among infants born less than 32 weeks gestation in the era of changing palivizumab prescription guidelines

Background Mortality and morbidity among children with Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) bronchiolitis is higher among infants born prematurely and those with chronic lung or congenital heart disease. Palivizumab is a monoclonal antibody that provides passive immunity to RSV and can modify the disease course in high-risk infants. In 2006, the American Academy of Paediatrics published a clinical practice guideline recommending that infants born less than 32-weeks gestation receive Palivizumab if aged less than twelve months at the start of the RSV season. An updated guideline in 2014 however, advised that only infants less than 29-weeks should receive Palivizumab in the absence of other indications. The aim of this study was to determine the impact of changing guidelines on RSV-related hospital admissions, management and outcome among infants born Methods Data was collected prospectively for all patients admitted with RSV bronchiolitis from 2004–2017 at a tertiary paediatric hospital. The two groups of interest were infants born Results There were 2851 admissions with RSV-bronchiolitis during the study period. There were 39 infants Conclusion The 2014 updated AAP-guidelines on Palivizumab use has been associated with reduced prescription in the 29–32 week gestation group. This change has not resulted in increased frequency of hospital admission or PICU admission among infants
Stakeholder perception on corporate reputation and management efficiency: Evidence from the Spanish Defence sector

This article examines the relationship between the concepts of efficiency and corporate social responsibility (CSR). The main aim is to discuss if CSR policy has an effective influence which leads to a high degree of technical efficiency. Accordingly, the image projected to society should be strengthened. Under this scenario, an equivalent level of confidence in the public sector should be expected. Otherwise public decision‐makers should reformulate their SR strategy, since the impact would not only be economic but would also lead to a negative externality in relation to the image that the sector projects to society. Accordingly, a case study for the Defence sector in Spain is part of this article. Given a set of discretionary variables, the Spanish Defence Delegations efficiency for the 2015–2017 period is assessed by means of data envelopment analysis technique. A bootstrap procedure is used to eliminate the bias of the estimates and obtain a robust ranking. The results show that efficient management does not have the expected positive effect on the Army's corporate reputation as measured by the image perceived by the stakeholders. Implications for practice and limitations of this study conclude the article.
An outbreak of respiratory syncytial virus B infection in a private school

2012年9月22日江西省某学校报告数十例发热、呼吸道症状病例,且前期检测9份鼻咽拭子流感病毒和肠道病毒均为阴性,病因不明,为此本研究对疫情开展了调查,结果报告如下.1.对象与方法:(1)病例定义:①疑似病例:2012年9月1-24日该学校学生、教职员工及其周边居民出现发热症状者(体温≥37.5℃);②确诊病例:疑似病例+鼻咽拭子呼吸道合胞病毒核酸阳性者. 关键词：B型呼吸道合胞病毒;暴发;聚集性发热
Scheduling split intervals with non-uniform demands

Abstract We study the problem of maximizing the throughput of jobs wherein each job consists of multiple tasks. Consider a system offering a capacity of one unit. We are given a set of jobs, each consisting of a sequence of r tasks. Each task is associated with a demand and an interval where it should be scheduled. Each job has a profit associated with it. The objective is to select a subset of jobs having the maximum profit such that at any point of time the cumulative demand of the selected jobs does not exceed the system capacity. Prior work has presented O ( r ) -approximation algorithm for two special cases: (i) unit demands – all tasks have a demand of one unit; (ii) uniform demands – for any job, all its constituent tasks have the same demand. We study the general setting wherein the tasks of a job can have non-uniform demands. We present an O ( r ) -approximation for the case where all the tasks have demands at most 1 ∕ 2 . The prior algorithms are based on the fractional local ratio technique, which we do not know how to generalize for the setting of non-uniform demands. Instead, we devise an algorithm based on the randomized rounding strategy. Our approach also provides alternative simpler algorithms for the unit and uniform demand settings. We next extend the algorithms to the more generic scenario wherein each task is associated with a processing time and a window consisting of release time and deadline, and design pseudo-polynomial time O ( r ) -approximation procedures.
A Topological Low-Pass Filter for Quasi-Periodic Signals

This letter presents a two-stage topological algorithm for recovering an estimate of a quasi-periodic function from a set of noisy measurements. The first stage of the algorithm is a topological phase estimator, which detects the quasi-periodic structure of the function without placing additional restrictions on the function. By respecting this phase estimate, the algorithm avoids creating distortion even when it uses a large number of samples for the estimate of the function.
Inhibition of Pyruvate Kinase From Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum by IMP Is Independent of the Extra-C Domain

The pyruvate kinase (PYK) isozyme from Thermoanaerobacterium saccharolyticum (TsPYK) has previously been used in metabolic engineering for improved ethanol production. This isozyme belongs to a subclass of PYK isozymes that include an extra C-domain. Like other isozymes that include this extra C-domain, we found that TsPYK is activated by AMP and ribose-5-phosphate (R5P). Our use of sugar-phosphate analogues generated a surprising result in that IMP and GMP are allosteric inhibitors (rather than activators) of TsPYK. We believe this to be the first report of any PYK isozyme being inhibited by IMP and GMP. A truncated protein that lacks the extra C-domain is also inhibited by IMP. A screen of several other bacterial PYK enzymes (include several that have the extra-C domain) indicates that the inhibition by IMP is specific to only a subset of those isozymes.
COVID-19 Response Strategies at Large Institutes of Higher Education in the United States: A Landscape Analysis, Fall 2020.

Abstract Purpose To examine the pandemic response plans of institutes of higher education (i.e., colleges and universities), including COVID-19 prevention, enforcement, and testing strategies. Method Data from the largest public (n = 50) and private (n = 50) US institutes of higher education were collected from October 30 to November 20, 2020. Results Most institutes of higher education (n = 93) offered some in-person teaching in the Fall 2020 semester; most adopted masking (100%) and physical distancing (99%) mandates. Other preventive strategies included on-campus housing de-densification (58%), classroom de-densification (61%), mandated COVID-19-related training (39%), and behavioral compacts (43%). Testing strategies included entry testing (65%), testing at regular intervals (32%), population sample testing (46%), and exit testing (15%). More private than public institutes implemented intercollegiate athletics bans, behavioral compacts, and suspension clauses for noncompliance. Conclusions Variability in COVID-19 prevention and testing strategies highlights the need for national recommendations and the equitable distribution of sufficient pandemic response resources to institutes of higher education.
Celiac plexus neurolysis for abdominal cancers: going beyond pancreatic cancer pain.

Introduction Celiac plexus neurolysis (CPN) has been verified for mitigating pancreatic cancer pain. However, information regarding CPN's use beyond this remains limited. Objectives Identify which cancers benefit from CPN, which symptoms improve, and when symptoms improve. Methods Retrospective analysis was conducted on 173 patients who received CPN for pain caused by various malignancies. Mean symptom changes on the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory (MDASI) from baseline to 2 weeks, 1 month, and 2 months after CPN were analyzed overall and then by cancer type: pancreatic (all stages and stages III-IV), hepatobiliary, and nonpancreatic, nonhepatobiliary gastrointestinal (NPNH-gastrointestinal). Results Eighty-two pancreatic, 43 NPNH-gastrointestinal, 14 hepatobiliary, and 34 patients with other cancers met inclusion criteria. Statistically significant changes included decrease in the pain score at 1 month by 1.01 points for all cancers, 1.65 points for all pancreatic cancers, and 1.88 points for late-stage pancreatic cancers. At 2 months, pain decreased by 1.50 points for all cancers, 1.68 points for all pancreatic cancers, 2.37 points for late-stage pancreatic cancers, and 1.50 points in NPNH-gastrointestinal cancers. At 2 months, quality of life improved by 1.07 points for all cancers and 1.53 points for all pancreatic cancers. Sleep improved at 2 months for all cancers by 0.73 points and 1.60 points in late-stage pancreatic cancers. At 2 months, pancreatic cancer patients improved in general activity by 0.93 points, walking by 1.00 points, and working by 1.12 points. Conclusion Celiac plexus neurolysis can decrease cancer symptom burden beyond pain including quality of life and sleep for pancreatic and nonpancreatic cancers, as well as general activity for pancreatic cancers.
Imaging of the Symptomatic Male Breast

The incidence of breast cancer in male patients is extremely low. As a result, male patients are not routinely screened for breast cancer. However, there are specific instances in which breast imaging is indicated in symptomatic male patients. Similar to breast imaging in women, mammography and ultrasound remain the mainstays for evaluation of male patients. In this chapter, we provide an overview of the anatomy of the male breast, appropriate imaging indications and modalities, various benign and pathological disease processes encountered upon imaging male patients, as well as the epidemiology of male breast cancer.
An Extension of the Theory of the Optimum Burning Program for the Level Flight of a Rocket-Powered Aircraft

The optimum burning program for the horizontal flight of a rocket-powered aircraft is analyzed and discussed. The results of previous theories are extended to cover the general problem of minimizing an arbitrary function of the final values of time, mass, distance, and velocity. By using the indirect methods of the calculus of variations, it is shown that the totality of extremal arcs is composed of zero thrust sub-arcs, sub-arcs to be flown with maximum engine output, and variable thrust sub-arcs. For the latter, a closed solution is obtained. Particular problems, such as maximum range, maximum endurance, minimum propellant consumption, and maximum velocity increase, are treated within the general frame of the present theory for various types of boundary conditions. Detailed attention is devoted to the thrust programing which maximizes the range for the case where the overall flying time is prescribed. A method for constructing extremal paths is supplied under the assumption of a parabolic drag polar having either constant coefficients or coefficients depending on the Mach Number. An important difficulty associated with the linear aspect of the present problem is constituted by the fact that the LegendreClebsch condition fails to yield any information on the minimum or maximum character of the Eulerian paths. Moreover, the Weierstrassian function is zero at all points of the variable-thrust sub-arc. This difficulty is overcome with a generalization of a previous method of the same author, based on the use of Green's theorem.
Levels of Metacaspase1 and Chaperones Related to Protein Maintenance in Alcoholic and Non-alcoholic Steatohepatitis

Metacaspase 1(Mca1), in a recent study, extended the life span of the yeast Saccharomyces cerevisiae. Elevated Mca1 expression counteracted aggregation and accumulation of misfolded proteins and ex...
A simple instrument for the determination of the intensity, frequency, and duration of labor.

Abstract A simple, inexpensive instrument is described which helps differentiate true from false labor. No special training is necessary to operate it. Several graphs have been presented illustrating some of the uses of this apparatus.
Cleavage of cellubrevin by tetanus toxin does not affect fusion of early endosomes

Tetanus toxin is a potent inhibitor of neurotransmitter release, which acts as an intracellular metalloendoprotease that selectively cleaves synaptobrevin, a major membrane protein of synaptic vesicles. Recently, synaptobrevin has been found to form an ATP-dependent complex with N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion protein (NSF) and soluble NSF attachment protein, which are known to function in endosome fusion. Furthermore, a highly homologous isoform of synaptobrevin, named cellubrevin, was identified that is expressed in virtually all tissues in the endocytic pathway and is cleaved by tetanus toxin light chain in vitro, suggesting that cellubrevin may have a general function in intracellular fusion events. In the present study, we have analyzed whether cleavage of cellubrevin by tetanus toxin influences the ATP-dependent, N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive fusion of early endosomes in vitro. Our results show that endosome fusion is not affected by tetanus toxin although cellubrevin is almost completely proteolyzed, suggesting that the function of NSF in endosome fusion does not involve cellubrevin.
Optimal Fiscal Policy and the Banking Sector

What should the government’s fiscal policy be when banks hold significant amounts of public debt and the government can default on its debt obligations? This question is addressed using a dynamic stochastic general equilibrium model where banks face constraints on their leverage ratios and adjust lending to satisfy regulatory requirements. In response to negative productivity shocks, the government subsidizes the banking sector by increasing bond repayments. This helps to sustain private sector lending. When government consumption exogenously increases, however, the government optimally taxes banks and partially defaults on its debt. Debt issuance is procyclical to ensure equilibrium in the deposit market. With an opening of the economy, the government uses less aggressive tax and default policies. JEL Classification: E32, E62, F41, H21, H63 Key words: Business Fluctuations, Debt, Fiscal Policy, Government Bonds, Ramsey Equilibrium, Optimal Taxation
Landscapes of Origin in the Americas: Creation Narratives Linking Ancient Places and Present Communities

Reviewed Medium: book Year: 2009 Pages: 280 Publisher: University of Alabama Press ISBN: 978-0-8173-1673-0 (hard cover). Prices: $48.50 USD(hard cover).
Protection of Measles Virus by Sulfate Ions Against Thermal Inactivation

Rapp, Fred (Baylor University College of Medicine, Houston, Tex.), Janet S. Butel, and Craig Wallis. Protection of measles virus by sulfate ions against thermal inactivation. J. Bacteriol. 90:132-135. 1965.-The infectivity of measles virus in water is rapidly destroyed at temperatures of 37 C and above. More than 50% of the infectivity is lost after 1 hr at 25 C, and almost 90% loss of infectivity occurs within 24 hr at 4 C. Magnesium chloride enhances the inactivation of the virus at all temperatures tested. Addition of either magnesium or sodium sulfate protects the virus against thermal inactivation. The stabilizing effect is demonstrable at temperatures ranging from 4 to 56 C, but is especially pronounced through 45 C. Prolonged storage (up to 6 weeks) of the virulent virus at 4 C in 1 m magnesium sulfate permits retention of substantial infectivity, whereas storage at 4 C in either water or 1 m magnesium chloride results in a loss of infectivity approximating 99% after 2 weeks. Magnesium chloride also enhances inactivation of the attenuated vaccine strain of measles virus. The attenuated virus, however, is strongly protected by magnesium sulfate against thermal inactivation, and retention of infectivity for long periods of time at 4 C seems feasible when the virus is kept in 1 m magnesium sulfate.
COSMOLOGICAL TESTS FOR A TWO POTENTIAL THEORY OF ELECTROMAGNETISM

By considering the propagative properties of the potentials in a two potential theory of electromagnetism we arrive at signatures characterisitc of a two photon theory when the two photons in the theory have a small rest mass and mix together in the Lagrangian.
Thermal image analysis for anxiety detection

We propose a revolutionary concept for detecting suspects engaged in illegal and potentially harmful activities in or around critical military or civilian installations. We investigate the use of thermal image analysis to detect at a distance facial patterns of anxiety, alertness, and/or fearfulness. This is a totally novel approach to the problem of biometric identification. Instead of focusing on the question "who are you" we focus instead on the question "what are you about to do". Documented preliminary results clearly indicate the feasibility of the idea.
Dynamics of Tropical Cyclone Intensification: Deep Convective Cyclonic “Left Movers”

AbstractDeep convective processes play an important role in tropical cyclone (TC) formation and intensification. In this study, the authors investigate the interaction between discrete buoyant updrafts and the vertically sheared azimuthal flow of an idealized TC vortex by adapting the updraft–shear dynamical framework to the TC. The authors argue theoretically that deep updrafts initiating near the TC radius of maximum wind (RMW) may propagate with a component left of the mean tangential flow, or radially inward toward the TC center. Results suggest that these unique TC updrafts, or “left movers” with respect to the mean azimuthal flow, may play an active role in TC intensification.The notion that updraft-scale convection may propagate with a component transverse to the mean flow is not at all new. Cyclonic midlatitude supercell thunderstorms often deviate from their mean environmental flow, always to the right of the environmental vertical shear vector. The deviant motion arises owing to nonlinear intera...
THERMAL GROOVING BY SURFACE DIFFUSION: MULLINS REVISITED AND EXTENDED TO MULTIPLE GROOVES

We extend the original Mullins theory of surface grooving due to a single interface to multiple interacting grooves formed due to closely spaced flat interfaces. First, we show that Mullins’ analysis for one groove can be simplified by using Fourier cosine transforms instead of Laplace transforms. Second, we solve the corresponding problem for an infinite periodic row of grooves. For both of these problems, symmetry considerations ensure that the interface conditions reduce to boundary conditions. Third, we solve the problem for two interacting grooves. Continuity requirements at the groove roots require sliding at the interfaces or tilting of the groove roots. We adopt the latter model. We find that the groove roots tilt until the surface curvature of the semi-infinite profiles is eliminated.
Thrust vectoring for single-stage-to-orbit, horizontal takeoff, horizontal landing, space vehicles

The preliminary design of a horizontal takeoff, horizontal landing, single-stage-to-orbit, rocket-powered space vehicle was performed. The purpose was to examine technology requirements for future small payload launch vehicles. The distinguishing aspect of the design was the utilization of thrust vectoring to provide half of the lift at takeoff. The inclusion of a canard was necessary to provide additional lift at takeoff and to balance the moments produced with thrust vectoring. A weights estimation, an aerodynamic assessment, a trajectory analysis, and a gear weight analysis were performed. The takeoff weight of the resulting vehicle was approximately 1.26 million pounds, based on advanced technology structures and subsystems. The vehicle was designed to deliver a 5000-pound payload to a polar orbit.
Exponential base change based on symmetry

This article examines the recurrence obtained for Catalan numbers based on their description of the number of unique binary search tree structures possible with n distinct keys. The straightforward recurrence obtained, when transformed into a recursive method, obtains the solution in 3n method invocations. With a small change based on symmetry, this can be changed to obtain the solution in 2n method invocations. Of course, one can obtain the solution in massively fewer operations (O(n2)) in a dynamic programming/memoized solution.
On using orthogonal functions with singular systems

On etudie en detail une methode d'analyse des equations differentielles singulieres de la forme Ex˙=Ax+Bu, x(O)=x 0
Timely airway stenting improves survival in patients with malignant central airway obstruction.

Background The survival of patients with malignant central airway obstruction is very limited. Although airway stenting results in significant palliation of symptoms, data regarding improved survival after stenting for advanced thoracic cancer with central airway obstruction are lacking. Methods Fifty patients received a total of 72 airway stents for malignant central airway obstruction over a two-year period at a single institution. The Medical Research Council (MRC) dyspnea scale and Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance status were used to divide patients into a poor performance group (MRC = 5, ECOG=4) and an intermediate performance group (MRC ≤4, ECOG ≤3). The SPSS version 16.0 (SPSS Inc, Chicago, IL) and Microsoft Excel (Microsoft, Redmond, WA) were used to analyze the data. Survival curves were constructed using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis method and a log-rank test was used to compare the survival distributions among different groups. Results Successful patency of the airway was achieved in all patients with no procedure-related mortality. Stenting resulted in significant improvement in MRC and ECOG performance scores ( p p Conclusions Airway stenting resulted in significant palliation of symptoms in both groups as evaluated by MRC dyspnea scale and ECOG performance status. Compared with historic controls, a significant survival advantage was seen only in the intermediate performance group. We postulate that timely stenting of the airway, before the morbid complications of malignant central airway obstruction have set in, results in improved survival.
Impact of domestic content requirement on the US tobacco and cigarette industries

Abstract Using a log-linear equilibrium displacement model we quantify the impact of the recent domestic tobacco content requirement on US cigarette manufacturing. We investigate effects on US growers and manufacturers, and competing tobacco imports. The policy increased domestic use of US-grown tobacco, but induced a small negative output effect. Tobacco imports decreased substantially. The paper also discusses the political-economic incentives for US manufacturers to comply with such policies. The political cooperation between US growers and manufacturers decreases the opposition of the latter to protectionist policies championed by the former.
Endothelial cell cytoskeletal alignment independent of fluid shear stress on micropatterned surfaces.

Endothelial cells (ECs) in athero-protective regions are elongated with actin and microtubule fibers aligned parallel to the direction of blood flow. Fluid shear stress (FSS) affects EC shape and functions, but little is known about shape-dependent EC properties that are independent of FSS. To evaluate these properties, ECs were elongated on micropatterned (MP) 25 μm wide collagen-coated lanes (MPECs) and characterized by cell shape index, actin and microtubule alignment, and polarization of the microtubule-organizing center (MTOC). ECs on non-patterned surfaces were also exposed to FSS. MPEC elongation was microtubule-dependent (and actin-independent); shape indices and cytoskeletal alignment were comparable to FSS-elongated ECs. Cytoskeletal alignment was lost when MPECs were exposed to perpendicular FSS, but not parallel FSS. MTOC polarization was FSS-dependent. Thus, by isolating EC elongation and cytoskeletal alignment from FSS, micropatterning creates a platform for studying EC shape-related cellular functions that are independent of FSS.
ISDN: a customer perspective

Early projected benefits of the integrated services digital network (ISDN) are evaluated from a customer premises equipment (CPE) perspective. It is argued that economic conditions continue to affect ISDN investment in the USA. Worldwide customer acceptance of ISDN is contrasted with earlier projections and shown to be running at about 25% of earlier projections. IBM's current ISDN product set is discussed briefly. Even though the rollout of services has not yet achieved expectations, IBM believes the potential for ISDN use by customers is significant. >
Future wireless experimentation: a testbed perspective

Wireless network testbeds have become increasingly important for realistic, at-scale experimental evaluation of new network architectures, protocols and radio technologies. Wireless testbeds such as ORBIT and GENI campus networks are being used for experimental research on a wide variety of research topics including dynamic spectrum access, cognitive radio networks, DTN, vehicular networks, future Internet architecture and so on. Increasingly, these testbeds are also being federated to cater for experimenter needs, which cannot be fulfilled by a single testbed, and to provide a wider variety of environmental settings at different scales. We will start this talk with a brief overview of existing and planned large-scale public domain testbed initiatives. This will be followed by discussion of impact of: a) increasing complexity of the wireless devices, b) scale and heterogeneity of the testbeds, c) attempts to harmonize and standardize management frameworks and d) complexity of planed experiments. We will conclude the talk by pointing out some of the key remaining challenges for the successful deployment of next generation of wireless network testbeds.
An algebraic role for energy and number operators for multiparticle states

Abstract The role of the hamiltonian in the symmetry structure of a two-dimensional conformal field theory is reviewed in the context of Kac-Moody algebras. We explore a natural way to extend a Kac-Moody algebra to include the hamiltonian and number (or level operator in conformal field theory) operators in a generalized symmetry. In particular, both operators may be in the Cartan subalgebra of one of the recently discovered Borcherds algebras. Several representations of Borcherds algebras are computed to show their typical features. We study the extension of affine su(2) to a Borcherds algebra in some detail, and explicitly demonstrate the above claims.
Cancer-associated genomic regions (CAGRs) and noncoding RNAs: bioinformatics and therapeutic implications

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs (ncRNAs, RNAs that do not code for proteins) that regulate the expression of target genes at the posttranscriptional or posttranslational level. Many miRNAs have conserved sequences between distantly related organisms, suggesting that these molecules participate in essential developmental and physiologic processes. miRNAs can act as tumor suppressor genes or oncogenes in human cancers. Mutations, deletions, or amplifications have been found in human cancers and shown to alter expression levels of mature and/or precursor miRNA transcripts. Moreover, a large fraction of genomic ultraconserved regions (UCRs) encode a particular set of ncRNAs whose expression is altered in human cancers. Both miRNAs and UCRs are frequently located at fragile sites and genomic regions affected in various cancers, named cancer-associated genomic regions (CAGRs). Bioinformatics studies are emerging as important tools to identify associations and/or correlations between miRNAs/ncRNAs and CAGRs. ncRNA profiling has allowed the identification of specific signatures associated with diagnosis, prognosis, and response to treatment of human tumors. Several abnormalities could contribute to the alteration of miRNA expression profiles in each kind of tumor and in each kind of tissue. This review is focused on the miRNAs and ncRNAs as genes affecting cancer risk, and we provided an updated catalog of miRNAs and UCRs located at fragile sites or at cancer susceptibility loci. These types of studies are the first step toward discoveries leading to novel approaches for cancer therapies.
A mouse chromosome 11 library generated from sorted chromosomes using linker-adapter polymerase chain reaction.

We describe the generation of a mouse whole chromosome library using sequence-independent polymerase chain reaction (PCR) to amplify sequences contained in DNA extracted from flow sorted chromosomes.
Composition and Structure of the Martian Upper Atmosphere: Analysis of Results from Viking

Densities for carbon dioxide measured by the upper atmospheric mass spectrometers on Viking 1 and Viking 2 are analyzed to yield height profiles for the temperature of the martian atmosphere between 120 and 200 kilometers. Densities for nitrogen and argon are used to derive vertical profiles for the eddy diffusion coefficient over the same height range. The upper atmosphere of Mars is surprisingly cold with average temperatures for both Viking 1 and Viking 2 of less than 200°K, and there is significant vertical structure. Model calculations are presented and shown to be in good agreement with measured concentrations of carbon monoxide, oxygen, and nitric oxide.
Prescription habits for preventative medications among pediatric emergency department physicians at an inner-city teaching hospital

Introduction. As asthma presentation is episodic, patients with acute exacerbations often present in the emergency department (ED) where preventative regimen may not always be addressed. Addressing initiation and modification of controller medications in the setting of an acute exacerbation may facilitate improved asthma control and decrease the frequency of ED visits, particularly so for families who receive most of their asthma management in the ED. However, this aspect has not yet been explored. Methods. We reviewed a random sample of 363 charts, 10% of the total number of asthmatic children, aged 2–18, seen from January to December 2007 in the pediatric ED of an urban teaching hospital located in Bronx, NY, USA. We quantified the frequency of modification of the preventative regimen and the influence of seasons on this practice. Results. Of these 363 children, 42.4% of patients were not previously on a controller medication. Of these, 9.7% were started on a new controller medication, with a significan...
Donor excitation spectrum in n-type aluminum antimonide☆

The absorption spectrum of Te-doped AlSb measured at low temperatures shows excitation lines which can be attributed to optical excitation of the donor electron.
Effects of chlorine and other water quality parameters on the release of silver nanoparticles from a ceramic surface

Abstract A quartz crystal microbalance was used to determine the effects of different water quality parameters on the detachment of silver nanoparticles from surfaces representative of ceramic pot filters (CPFs). Silver nanoparticles stabilized with casein were used in the experiments. The average hydrodynamic diameter of the nanoparticles ranged from 20 nm to 100 nm over a pH range of 6.5–10.5. The isoelectric point was about 3.5 and the zeta potential was −45 mV from pH 4.5 to 9.5. The silver nanoparticles were deposited onto silica surfaces and a quartz crystal microbalance was used to monitor silver release from the surface. At environmentally relevant ranges of pH (4.8–9.3), ionic strength (0 and 150 mol/m 3 NaNO 3 or 150 mol/m 3 Ca(NO 3 ) 2 ), and turbidity (0 and 51.5 NTU kaolin clay), the rates of silver release were similar. A high concentration of sodium chloride and bacteria ( Echerichia coli in 10% tryptic soy broth) caused rapid silver release. Water containing sodium hypochlorite removed 85% of the silver from the silica surface within 3 h. The results suggest that contact between CPFs and prechlorinated water or bleach CPF cleaning should be avoided.
Safety and efficacy of preoperative sorafenib therapy in facilitating cytoreductive surgery in renal cell carcinoma.

With 65,000 new cases in the USA in 2013, the incidence of kidney cancer has doubled in last decade and accounted for 13,600 deaths in 2013 [1,2]. Renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which consists of 80% of kidney cancers in adults [3], presents with advanced or metastatic stage in approximately a third of patients. A third of earlystage RCC will subsequently recur or progress to metastatic disease after initial nephrectomy [4]. Historically, once surgical options were exhausted, metastatic RCC was regarded as refractory to any systemic therapy. The identification of the role of VEGF and mTOR in the development and progression of RCC has led to the discovery of several targeted therapies. Many of these agents, including tyrosine kinase inhibitors (sorafenib, sunitinib, pazopanib and axitinib), VEGF inhibitor (bevacizumab used in combination with IFN-α) and mTOR inhibitors (temsirolimus and everolimus) have now received US FDA approval. Despite all these advancements, metastatic RCC still remains an incurable disease with a median overall survival rate in the range of approximately 2 years [4]. In this article, we discuss the role of cytoreductive surgery in the era of targeted agents, and the role of preoperative use of sorafenib.
The bisretinoids of retinal pigment epithelium.

The retina exhibits an inherent autofluorescence that is imaged ophthalmoscopically as fundus autofluorescence. In clinical settings, fundus autofluorescence examination aids in the diagnosis and follow-up of many retinal disorders. Fundus autofluorescence originates from the complex mixture of bisretinoid fluorophores that are amassed by retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells as lipofuscin. Unlike the lipofuscin found in other cell-types, this material does not form as a result of oxidative stress. Rather, the formation is attributable to non-enzymatic reactions of vitamin A aldehyde in photoreceptor cells; transfer to RPE occurs upon phagocytosis of photoreceptor outer segments. These fluorescent pigments accumulate even in healthy photoreceptor cells and are generated as a consequence of the light capturing function of the cells. Nevertheless, the formation of this material is accelerated in some retinal disorders including recessive Stargardt disease and ELOVL4-related retinal degeneration. As such, these bisretinoid side-products are implicated in the disease processes that threaten vision. In this article, we review our current understanding of the composition of RPE lipofuscin, the structural characteristics of the various bisretinoids, their related spectroscopic features and the biosynthetic pathways by which they form. We will revisit factors known to influence the extent of the accumulation and therapeutic strategies being used to limit bisretinoid formation. Given their origin from vitamin A aldehyde, an isomer of the visual pigment chromophore, it is not surprising that the bisretinoids of retina are light sensitive molecules. Accordingly, we will discuss recent findings that implicate the photodegradation of bisretinoid in the etiology of age-related macular degeneration.
Secretory immune responses in the mouse vagina after parenteral or intravaginal immunization with an immunostimulating complex (ISCOM)

Abstract Immunostimulating complexes (ISCOMs) are subunit vaccines that are particularly effective in producing immunity against systemic viral infections, but their effectiveness against mucosal infections has received little attention. To study their ability to produce mucosal immune responses in the female reproductive tract, a model ISCOM was prepared containing sheep erythrocyte membrane proteins, and anti-erythrocyte IgA and IgG titres in mouse vaginal washings were measured after immunization at parenteral or local mucosal sites. The ISCOM was prepared by a modified procedure that resulted in incorporation of 10–15% of initial membrane protein compared with 1–5% previously reported. Electrophoretic analysis demonstrated that four out of five erythrocyte membrane proteins were incorporated into the ISCOM, and electron microscopic observations indicated that the ISCOM had a cage-like structure with a diameter of 40 nm, similar to previous ISCOMs. Immunization in the pelvic presacral space (p.s.-p.s.) stimulated significantly higher anti-erythrocyte IgA titres in vaginal fluid than were produced by intraperitoneal (i.p.-i.p.), subcutaneous (s.c.-s.c.), intravaginal (i.vag.-i.vag.), or i.p.-i.vag. immunizations with the same vaccine. Specific IgG titres were less dependent on the route of immunization, with p.s.-p.s., i.p.-i.p. and s.c.-s.c. administration all giving similar high titres while i.p.-i.vag. treatment induced lower titres. These observations using a model ISCOM indicate that mucosal immune responses against membrane proteins were elicited in the female reproductive tract, and that non-mucosal immunization in the pelvis was a more effective route of administration than local application of the ISCOM to the vaginal mucosa.
An Active Color Separation Sensing Technique

Dynamic on-line color separation measurement of printed graphic images is a process which is difficult to accomplish in real time. Variations in the paper and ink quality can significantly add to the difficulty in measuring the area coverage of each of the primary colors. For some applications, this type of measurement must often be performed while the graphic image is moving, thus requiring the sensor to both measure and process the image data in real time. An optical technique for primary color separation in graphic color ink images will be described. A suitable system model has been developed which includes the contributions from the optical source, paper, inks and system optics. Detection algorithms and computer software have also been developed to simulate the color separation process. In addition, a laboratory detection system has been assembled and used to test the validity of the system model. The system model, algorithms, and the experimental detection system will be discussed, and the results of this color separation capability will be presented for both the simulation mode and the actual laboratory measurement mode.
5-Hydroxyuracil can form stable base pairs with all four bases in a DNA duplex

NMR studies, UV-monitored melting experiments, and ab initio calculations show that 5-hydroxyuracil, produced by the oxidative de-amination of cytosines by reactive oxygen species, can form stable base-pairs with dA, dG, dC and dT residues in a DNA duplex, providing a basis for the in-vivo incorporation of 5-hydroxyuracil during DNA replication.
Lithium reversibly inhibits microtubule-based motility in sperm flagella

The sliding-tubule hypothesis of flagellar movement has strong experimental support, but our present knowledge of the mechanism by which this sliding is coordinated and converted into flagellar oscillation and bend propagation is quite limited. Among the few facts known are: (1) calcium has a role in regulating the asymmetry of flagellar waveform, (2) the initiation or activation of motility in spermatozoa from several species involves a cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation reaction, and (3) the conversion of tubule sliding to bending does not require the radial spokes or central tubules. Inhibitors are valuable tools for investigating mechanisms involved in cellular function, and we report here that Li+ in low concentrations reversibly inhibits the microtubule-based movement of reactivated sea urchin sperm flagella. The evidence indicates that the action of Li+ is directed primarily towards one or more regulatory sites through which Ca2+ modulates the asymmetry of flagellar waveform, rather than towards dynein ATPase itself. Lithium also appears to inhibit the sperm adenylate cyclase, but this action does not seem to be relevant to its inhibition of normal motility. Our findings indicate the need for considerable caution when using ATP analogues supplied as the Li+ salt.
Early studies of native ribonuclease P, including discovery of its essential RNA component.

Early work onE. coli ribonuclease P led to the detailed characterization of the native enzyme, which culminated in the discovery and initial characterization of M1 RNA and the demonstration thatE. coli RNase P contains an essential RNA component.
Fourth-order interference of joint single-photon wave packets in lossless optical systems.

We examine the fourth-order interference properties of two photons at a lossless four-port optical device. The photon pair is represented by a joint single-photon wave-packet state with arbitrary spectral composition. We explicitly determine the coincidence probabilities at the output ports of a beam splitter and a Mach-Zehnder interferometer when the incident wave packet is described by a joint Gaussian spectral distribution and the two photons are incident one at each port of the device. For uncorrelated and distinguishable input photons, the fourth-order interference is readily understood in terms of the particle or wave behavior of each photon acting separately. On the other hand, highly correlated photon pairs, such as those generated from spontaneous parametric down-conversion, exhibit fourth-order interference effects at the output of the interferometer that depend expressly on the joint nature of the photon-pair wave packet, and cannot be described by the particle or wave behavior of either photon.