cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Short-term regulation of multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 in rat and human hepatocytes

The short-term regulation of multidrug resistance-associated protein 3 (Mrp3/MRP3) by cAMP and PKC was investigated in sandwich-cultured rat and human hepatocytes and isolated perfused rat livers. The modulator glucagon (500 nM) and the phorbol ester PMA (0.1 muM) were utilized to increase intracellular cAMP and PKC levels, respectively. In glucagon-treated rat hepatocytes, efflux of the Mrp3 substrate 5-(6)-carboxy-2',7'-dichlorofluorescein (CDF) increased approximately 1.5-fold, even in hepatocytes treated with the organic anion transporter (Oatp) inhibitor sulfobromophthalein (BSP). Confocal microscopy revealed more concentrated Mrp3 fluorescence in the basolateral membrane (less diffuse staining pattern) with glucagon treatment. PMA had no effect on Mrp3 activity or localization in sandwich-cultured rat hepatocytes. Glucagon and PMA treatment in isolated perfused rat livers resulted in a threefold increase (14 +/- 4.6 mul.min(-1).g liver(-1)) and a fourfold decrease (1.3 +/- 0.3 mul.min(-1).g liver(-1)) in CDF basolateral clearance compared with control livers (4.7 +/- 2.3 mul.min(-1).g liver(-1)), whereas CDF biliary clearance was not statistically different. In sandwich-cultured human hepatocytes, glucagon treatment resulted in a 1.3-fold increase in CDF efflux and a concomitant increase in MRP3 fluorescence in the basolateral membrane. In summary, cAMP and PKC appear to be involved in the short-term regulation of Mrp3/MRP3, as demonstrated by alterations in activity and localization in rat and human hepatocytes.
Engineering Functional Cartilage Grafts

Articular cartilage is the specialized connective tissue that covers diarthrodial joints (e.g., hip, knee, and shoulder) and serves a load-bearing and lubrication function. As the tissue is avascular, it exhibits a poor healing capacity when injured. Joint arthroplasty, comprised of metal and plastic prostheses, has a limited lifespan after implantation and are ideally reserved for cases of significant traumatic injury and pervasive arthritis. As such, there have been significant efforts to develop cell-based strategies for cartilage repair. Accordingly, there is great anticipation regarding the role that stem cells can serve as a cell source for generating functional articular cartilage grafts. There is a need for both the use of animal cells and models as well as parallel development using human cells to successfully translate these strategies to the clinic.
Heart Failure and Cardiac Dysfunction in Diabetes

Heart failure is a well-recognized clinical problem in patients with diabetes. The Framingham Heart Study demonstrated that patients with diabetes have an increased incidence of heart failure, which contributes significantly to their high cardiovascular morbidity and mortality (1,2). The age-adjusted risk of developing heart failure was 2.4 times higher in diabetic than in nondiabetic men. In women, the impact of diabetes was even more striking, with the risk of heart failure being 5.1 times greater in the presence of diabetes. The incidence of heart failure in older patients was substantial: 22–27 per 1000 patient years over 18 years. Although Framingham and many other studies did not distinguish between patients with type 1 and type 2 diabetes, the majority of their patients had type 2 diabetes. However, in the era before treatment with combined oral hypoglycemic agents, many patients with type 2 diabetes were treated with insulin and such patients had a four- to fivefold increased risk of heart failure compared to nondiabetic patients.
Families of Youth Who Have Sexually Offended: Understanding Shared Experiences and Moving Towards a Typology

Theoretical frameworks like Family Systems and Ecological Theories that postulate youth development is shaped by interconnected and interdependent systems begets further inquiry into classifications of such systems. Developing family typologies of youth who commit sexual crimes may inform etiology, service approaches, and judicial responses. In collaboration with a state Sex Offender Management Board, this study analyzed the perspectives of treatment providers (N = 19) on families of youth who have committed sexual crimes. Using deductive coding strategies including hypothesis and elaborative coding; observer triangulation and inter-subjective agreement; constant comparison analyses; and other rigorous qualitative techniques, findings confirmed and expanded upon extant literature. Results revealed a spectrum of open and closed family systems and common experiences including distorted perceptions of sexuality, protection of the family system, and other contextual influences. Findings are integrated with the theoretical frameworks and recommendations are offered to improve practices and typological research.
Preparation of activated carbon from un-hydrolyzed biomass residue

In this study, un-hydrolyzed (UHS) biomass residue generated from enzymatic hydrolysis of corn stover was used for activated carbon production. Activated carbons were prepared by high-temperature chemical activation method, with phosphoric acid and Zinc chloride (ZnCl2) as the activation agents. A factorial design was used to optimize the activation process, and five different parameters (pretreatment methods, impregnation ratio, activation time, activation temperature, and temperature increasing rate) were analyzed with respect to their influence on BET surface area and pore volume. At optimized activation condition (i.e., co-precipitation pretreatment method, impregnation ratio 1.5, activation time 60 min, activation temperature 500 °C and heating rate 60 °C/min), activated carbon is obtained with surface areas and pore volumes approaching 1117 m2/g and 0.12 cm3/g, respectively. The capacity of methylene blue adsorption from aqueous solutions could reach 279 mg/g and adsorption isotherm fits Langmuir model. Iodine number of the prepared activated carbon was comparable to that of commercially available material. The prepared activated carbon was characterized using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis, Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA), and energy-dispersive spectrometry (EDS).
Unsupervised Estimation of Mouse Sleep Scores and Dynamics Using a Graphical Model of Electrophysiological Measurements

The proportion, number of bouts, and mean bout duration of different vigilance states (Wake, NREM, REM) are useful indices of dynamics in experimental sleep research. These metrics are estimated by first scoring state, sometimes using an algorithm, based on electrophysiological measurements such as the electroencephalogram (EEG) and electromyogram (EMG), and computing their values from the score sequence. Isolated errors in the scores can lead to large discrepancies in the estimated sleep metrics. But most algorithms score sleep by classifying the state from EEG/EMG features independently in each time epoch without considering the dynamics across epochs, which could provide contextual information. The objective here is to improve estimation of sleep metrics by fitting a probabilistic dynamical model to mouse EEG/EMG data and then predicting the metrics from the model parameters. Hidden Markov models (HMMs) with multivariate Gaussian observations and Markov state transitions were fitted to unlabeled 24-h EEG/EMG feature time series from 20 mice to model transitions between the latent vigilance states; a similar model with unbiased transition probabilities served as a reference. Sleep metrics predicted from the HMM parameters did not deviate significantly from manual estimates except for rapid eye movement sleep (REM) ([Formula: see text]; Wilcoxon signed-rank test). Changes in value from Light to Dark conditions correlated well with manually estimated differences (Spearman's rho 0.43-0.84) except for REM. HMMs also scored vigilance state with over 90% accuracy. HMMs of EEG/EMG features can therefore characterize sleep dynamics from EEG/EMG measurements, a prerequisite for characterizing the effects of perturbation in sleep monitoring and control applications.
Reconciling geologic and geodetic model fault slip-rate discrepancies in Southern California: Consideration of nonsteady mantle flow and lower crustal fault creep

In Southern California, slip rates derived from geodesy-constrained elastic models are lower than geologic rates along the Mojave and San Bernardino segments of the San Andreas fault and the Garlock fault. In contrast, the summed geodetic rate across the Mojave eastern California shear zone (ECSZ) is significantly higher than the summed geologic rate. We show that geodetic and geologic slip rates in Southern California can be reconciled using a viscoelastic earthquake cycle model that explicitly incorporates time-dependent deformation due to nonsteady interseismic fault creep in the lower crust and viscous flow in the upper mantle. To reconcile geologic and geodetic model rates, our model requires that the southern San Andreas fault and the Garlock fault are in the late stages of the earthquake cycle, resulting in lower current deformation rates than the cycle-averaged rate. Our model implies that the ECSZ and the San Jacinto faults are in the early stages of the earthquake cycle, resulting in high current deformation rates.
A Practical, Targeted, and Stealthy Attack Against WPA Enterprise Authentication.

Wireless networking technologies have fundamentally changed the way we compute, allowing ubiquitous, anytime, any-where access to information. At the same time, wireless technologies come with the security cost that adversaries may receive signals and engage in unauthorized communication even when not physically close to a network. Because of the utmost importance of wireless security, many standards have been developed that are in wide use to secure sensitive wireless networks; one such popular standard is WPA Enterprise. In this paper, we present a novel, highly practical, and targeted variant of a wireless evil twin attack against WPA Enterprise networks. We show significant design deficiencies in wireless management user interfaces for commodity operating systems, and also highlight the practical importance of the weak binding between wireless network SSIDs and authentication server certificates. We describe a prototype implementation of the attack, and discuss countermeasures that should be adopted. Our user experiments with 17 technically-sophisticated users show that the attack is stealthy and effective in practice. None of the victims were able to detect the attack.
Oviposition of Culex tarsalis (Diptera: Culicidae) Differs on Water Conditioned by Potential Fish and Insect Predators.

The response of egg-laying Culex tarsalis Coquillett (Diptera: Culicidae) to water conditioned by three fish species used for mosquito control and three predatory aquatic insect species was examined in laboratory binary choice experiments. Oviposition by Cx. tarsalis was 72% less on water conditioned with the arroyo chub, Gila orcutti (Eigenmann & Eigenmann) (Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) relative to control cups containing aged tap water, but no significant difference was found in the numbers of egg rafts laid on water conditioned with the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas (Rafinesque), Cypriniformes: Cyprinidae) and the control treatment (water aged 24 h). Mosquito oviposition on water conditioned with the predominantly herbivorous/algivorous California Mozambique tilapia hybrid (Oreochromis mossambicus (Peters) × Oreochromis urolepis hornorum L. (Perciformes: Cichlidae)) or predatory insects (nymphs: Sympetrum corruptum (Hagen) (Odonata: Libellulidae); adults: Thermonectus basillaris (Harris) or Cybister fimbriolatus (Say) (Coleoptera: Dytiscidae)) did not differ significantly relative to that onto water aged for 24 h. As compared with water aged 24 h and water conditioned with diving beetles, oviposition by Cx. tarsalis was significantly lower (≥53%) when live predatory diving beetles were present in oviposition cups. Gravid Cx. tarsalis females do not respond equally to putative semiochemicals in water conditioned with the piscine or aquatic insect predators of immature mosquitoes tested here.
Depression in Medical Students: Gene-Environment Interactions

This study investigated the interaction of genetic, environmental, and psychological factors in predicting depression and anxiety symptoms in medical students. First-year medical students (n = 141) completed measures of anxiety, depression, hope, and spiritual meaning at three time points during the first year. Buccal samples were utilized to genotype each individual at the s/l variant in the promoter region of the serotonin transporter gene (5-HTTLPR). A subset (n = 91) completed a measure of recent stressors. Mean levels of depression increased during year one of medical school. Presence of the s/s genotype in the promoter region of the 5-HTT gene was associated with greater increases in depression, but only in association with higher numbers of recent stressors. Spiritual meaning and hope were found to counteract genetic susceptibility to stress-related depressive symptoms in the more vulnerable s/s group.
Surgical treatment of persistent symptoms following cholecystectomy.

Symptoms of biliary tract disease are not always relieved after a primary operation. The incidence of overlooked common duct stones indicates the need for operative cholangiography at the time of primary biliary tract surgery. Nonsurgical disease also may cause a patient's symptoms. A complete survey of the entire gastrointestinal tract is mandatory to reduce the number of secondary operations.
Constraint Back-Propagation

This chapter describes the Constraint Back-Propagation procedure [54,55] of the STABB program described in Chapter 4. The procedure uses the RTA Method for shifting bias. Three experiments with LEX and STABB show the procedure in action. Following those are a statement of the requirements for using the Constraint Back-Propagation procedure, an annotated trace of the procedure’s activity during part of the first experiment, and a discussion of problems with possible solutions or directions for further work.
Three ironclad warships—The archaeology of industrial process and historical myth

Three ironclad warships, C.S.S.Georgia, U.S.S.Cairo, and U.S.S.Monitor, are discussed as examples of industrial process in the United States Civil War period. In their archaeological study the author and others have relied principally on explanatory methodologies that stress their definition within social and technological contexts. This explanatory protocol is examined within concepts of technology which involve the function, and functioning, of manufactured things both within their own era as well as in present-day life. This consideration examines the mythologization of historic things, particularly shipwrecks, and cites the need to identify and account for this occurrence within the archaeological and historical analysis of these or any other industrial sites.
No Cheerleading Allowed: The Impact of Biedeger v. Quinnipiac University and the Future Title IX in College Athletics

Title IX has been the most important legal theory used in gender discrimination cases. The first type of Title IX cases involved participation rates of females in athletics. The second area being litigated under Title IX involves equitable financial assistance. The third area of potential litigation involves other benefits” that schools provide to athletic teams. The first part of this article discusses the legislative history of Title IX and the OCR Policy interpretation of Title IX. The second part of this article will provide a background of the case Bieidiger v. Quinnipiac University, and discuss case that competitive cheerleading is not a sport for Title IX compliance. Finally, this article will conclude with the how the governing body for Title IX compliance interpret what is a sport for Title IX in the future, and be considered an “equal athletic opportunity” for the underrepresented gender at an undergraduate institution.
Neuroprostheses for spasticity control

Spasticity is a major source of morbidity after many neurological disorders. Management of spasticity involves multiple approaches and results can be unsatisfactory. Functional electrical stimulation (FES) has been applied through various techniques including transcutaneous electrical stimulation, stimulation of peripheral nerves, implanted stimulators, and spinal cord stimulation. Overall results have been inconsistent and there is a lack of well-conducted randomized studies to compare the results of FES with those of standard of care treatment. One future trend of relevance is the application of reversible electrical peripheral nerve block.
Plasma exchange was more effective than plasma infusion for thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura

Source Citation Rock GA, Shumak KH, Buskard NA, et al. Comparison of plasma exchange with plasma infusion in the treatment of thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura. N Engl J Med. 1991 Aug 8;325:393-7.
Natural rubber nanocomposites

ABSTRACTNatural rubber obtained from a milky colloid (latex) extras mainly from the tree Hevea Brasiliensis is approximately 95% cis-polyisopren has important physical properties. Among its shortcomings are resistance to aging and thermal stability that limits its applications. The use of fillers in rubber is almost as old as the use of rubber itself. ZnO originally used for whiteness was the first “active” filler. In 1904 carbon black was discovered and since then became the most important powder used in rubber technology. Recently various mineral and organic nanoparticles are studied as reinforcements for elastomers in view -with minimum amounts – to achieve required properties. Natural rubber nanocomposites bring together mechanical and thermal properties from the rubber matrix and special characteristics of the nanoparticles.
Characterization of Particles Created By Laser-Driven Hydrothermal Processing

Abstract This study aims to identify, using various characterization techniques, the changes suffered by glassy materials as result of being subjected to laser-driven hydrothermal processing (LDHP). The overarching goal of the research was to verify if LDHP was more or less likely to comminute elements such as Fe and Ti. LDHP is an innovative technique used for the dissolution of submerged materials for subsequent chemical analysis. Two naturally occurring glasses, obsidian and tektite, were used as example targets in this study. Characterization of sample materials before and after laser processing was conducted through multiple techniques such as optical microscopy, X-ray diffraction, scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, and energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy. Examination of the untreated base material, in bulk and crushed form, established a baseline for comparison to particles created by laser processing of the same material. The analytical methods employed here provided data on micrometer- and nanometer-sized particles, including their crystal structure, microstructure, and chemical composition. The bulk and crushed obsidian and tektite samples contained inclusions rich in several transition elements, most notably iron or titanium. Analysis of liquid media collected after laser processing of bulk obsidian and tektite samples revealed fine particles rich in the same elements. Qualitative evidence suggests that the laser-driven hydrothermal process preferentially partitions the transition metals in to the submerged liquid from the mostly amorphous silica matrix thus selectively enriching the supernate.
Learning prospect theory value function and reference point of a sequential decision maker

Given a decision problem, the reference point of a person determines whether the outcomes are perceived as gain or loss and influences the decision. In this paper, we assume that a person is given the same decision problem repeatedly, and the person chooses an action to maximize her value function while her reference point could possibly change over time. We estimate the value function and the reference point of the person from the observed actions by constructing a hidden Markov model and using the expectation-maximization algorithm. Then we test the suggested algorithm on the data set of New York City taxi drivers.
Legal Responses to Genocide and Other Massive Violations of Human Rights

What can the enlightened sectors of the international community do to prevent and halt the proliferation of genocides and massive human rights violations around the planet? We evade the obvious, albeit costliest answer-to arrest them before, or at least while they are happening, by any means necessary: to stop them by stopping them. Instead, we focus on actions after the fact. One method, which is particularly favored is to create courts to try the perpetrators of atrocities. Indeed, in the course and the wake of the atrocities committed in Cambodia, southern Sudan, the former Yugoslavia, Haiti, Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire-the list grows relentlessly-many in the international community call for the creation of ad hoc or standing international criminal courts to deal with the gravest of international legal delicts. Courts are indispensable institutions in many domestic criminal and civil systems, and any polity, no matter how structured, must construct mechanisms of varying degrees of institutionalization to apply the law to concrete cases. But lest we fall victim to a judicial romanticism in which we imagine that merely by creating entities we call "courts" we have prevented or solved major problems, we should review the fundamental goals that institutions designed to protect our public order seek to fulfill. National legal systems allocate different responsibilities to criminal and civil law, but common to all legal systems is a set of fundamental sanctioning goals for the protection, restoration, and improvement of public order. While these fundamental goals have been expressed in many forms, they may be synthesized into seven specific goals:' (1) Preventing imminent discrete public order violations; (2) Suspending current public order violations; (3) Deterring, in general, potential future public order violations; (4) Restoring public order after it has been violated; (5) Correcting the behavior that generates public order violations;
Strategic Acoustic Control of a Hummingbird Courtship Dive

Male hummingbirds court females with a high-speed dive in which they "sing" with their tail feathers. The male's choice of trajectory provides him strategic control over acoustic frequency and pressure levels heard by the female. Unlike related species, male Costa's hummingbirds (Calypte costae) choose to place their dives to the side of females. Here we show that this minimizes an audible Doppler curve in their dive sound, thereby depriving females of an acoustic indicator that would otherwise reveal male dive speed. Wind-tunnel experiments indicate that the sounds produced by their feathers are directional; thus, males should aim their tail toward females. High-speed video of dives reveal that males twist half of their tail vertically during the dive, which acoustic-camera video shows effectively aims this sound sideways, toward the female. Our results demonstrate that male animals can strategically modulate female perception of dynamic aspects of athletic motor displays, such as their speed.
C. elegans AWA Olfactory Neurons Fire Calcium-Mediated All-or-None Action Potentials.

Summary Neurons in Caenorhabditis elegans and other nematodes have been thought to lack classical action potentials. Unexpectedly, we observe membrane potential spikes with defining characteristics of action potentials in C. elegans AWA olfactory neurons recorded under current-clamp conditions. Ion substitution experiments, mutant analysis, pharmacology, and modeling indicate that AWA fires calcium spikes, which are initiated by EGL-19 voltage-gated CaV1 calcium channels and terminated by SHK-1 Shaker-type potassium channels. AWA action potentials result in characteristic signals in calcium imaging experiments. These calcium signals are also observed when intact animals are exposed to odors, suggesting that natural odor stimuli induce AWA spiking. The stimuli that elicit action potentials match AWA’s specialized function in climbing odor gradients. Our results provide evidence that C. elegans neurons can encode information through regenerative all-or-none action potentials, expand the computational repertoire of its nervous system, and inform future modeling of its neural coding and network dynamics.
The occurrence of ethanolamine and galactofuranosyl residues attached to Penicilliumcharlesii cell wall saccharides

Abstract Penicillium charlesii incorporates 3H or 14C from 3H- or 14C-labeled ethanolamine into an -alkali soluble, alcohol -insoluble fraction obtained from cell walls. Dansyl ethanolamine was isolated from this alcohol-insoluble fraction following dansylation and hydrolysis. The alcohol-insoluble material was non-dialyzable and contained galactofuranosyl, glucosyl, phosphoryl, amino acyl and variable quantities of uronosyl residues. The lack of detectable quantities of mannosyl residues in this material suggests that the galactofuranosyl-containing cell wall polymer is distinct from the peptidophosphogalactomannan which is obtained from culture filtrates of P . charlesii (Gander et al ., (1974) J. Biol. Chem. 249 , 2063).
Architecture for A User Interface Management System

The term User Interface Management System has been coined to represent a set of software tools for the construction and control of the interaction dialogue between the user and the computational resource. This set of software tools will have a significant impact on the structure of applications in the future. Its advantages include faster and more reliable application development, consistent user interfaces across application domains, and easily modifiable user interfaces. Also, the user interface management systems are an essential experimental tool for research in the human computer interface. This paper describes a brief hi story of UIMS and an architecture for a specific UIMS to provide an adaptable user interface.
Chronic hepatitis B: integrating long-term treatment data and strategies to improve outcomes in clinical practice.

A number of agents can reduce viral replication in patients with chronic hepatitis B, but most patients do not undergo a curative response to these drugs and therefore require long-term therapy. Thus, recent studies have investigated the long-term safety, efficacy, and resistance profiles of several antiviral nucleotide/nucleoside agents: lamivudine, telbivudine, adefovir dipivoxil, entecavir, and tenofovir. The most recent data have revealed that lamivudine and telbivudine produce high rates of resistance when treatment is continued for 2–5 years; as a result, these agents are no longer preferred for first-line monotherapy. Entecavir and tenofovir, on the other hand, appear to have favorable safety and efficacy profiles when used as monotherapy, with very low rates of resistance over 5 years. In order to help clinicians incorporate these data into clinical practice, this monograph will review recently published data on hepatitis B antiviral medications, as well as explore when to consider cessation of therapy. The treatment of special patient populations and the need to screen patients for hepatocellular carcinoma will also be discussed.
New Iglesias resectoscope with continuous irrigation, simultaneous suction and low intravesical pressure.

AbstractThe new Iglesias resectoscope that allows simultaneous suction, continuous irrigation and low intravesical pressure is described. Advantages of this instrument include no interruption, better endoscopic vision by a continuous clear inflow of more than 600ml. per minute, a low intravesical pressure less than 10mm. Hg during the transurethral resection, shorter operating time, less bleeding, easier teaching and no more wet floor and wet surgeon. Since the entire amount of irrigating fluid is collected blood loss can be calculated and the amount of absorption can be determined.
A Gestalt Perspective on the Psychology of Thinking

Gestalt theory, one of the major “schools” of psychology during the first half of the twentieth century, recently returned to prominence because of the enormous relevance to current research in cognitive science and other areas. Core concepts in Gestalt theory are dynamic self-distribution, structure, relational determination, organization, Pragnanz, reorganization, insight, and understanding. The most basic principle of Gestalt theory is that most wholes in nature are not merely the sums of their constituent elements, nor just more than the sums of their parts, but qualitatively entirely different from some additive product. Gestalten are dynamic structures the qualities and nature of which determine the place, role, and function of their constituent parts. Several examples illustrate how productive human thinking involves transforming a confused, opaque, incomprehensible problem situation into a clear, clean Gestalt or organization which makes sense, is coherent, and generates insight about the genuine nature of the problem structure and its solution.
Digital identity – From emergent legal concept to new reality

Abstract Over the past decade, digital identity has gone from a largely unrecognized emergent legal concept to something that is now well known, but still not fully understood. Most individuals now know that they have a digital identity but its legal nature, its transactional functions, and its implications now and for the future, are not generally well understood. This article tracks the emergence of digital identity from the time it was recognized as a new legal and commercial concept to the present time; and outlines its impact and significance for individuals, governments, the private sector and even what is means to be a nation and a citizen in the digital era. The author recounts her experience in recognizing the implications of digital identity in 2006 to its current importance and the implications of future evolutions including an international digital identity, the groundwork for which is being laid now.
Fiber Renaissance for the Next Millennium

As we enter 21st century, technical advances are dramatically influencing the world of fibers, fabrics and textiles. Today, technology can provide us with fabrics that imitate and actually improve upon nature's best fibers. In the next millennium, textiles will not just be an extension or simple alternatives to natural or synthetic fibers, but will provide superior functionality in broad and emerging sectors of the economy from space to super conductivity and agriculture to geotextile. This will be accomplished through modern business strategies for enhanced stakeholder value and highly efficient production schemes with no adverse impact on the environment and development of precisely specified molecules for new textile platforms.
Mapping the Neutralizing Epitopes of Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli K88 (F4) Fimbrial Adhesin and Major Subunit FaeG

Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains that produce immunologically heterogeneous fimbriae and enterotoxins are the primary cause of neonatal diarrhea and postweaning diarrhea in young pigs. A multivalent vaccine inducing protective immunity against ideally all ETEC fimbriae and enterotoxins could be effective against diarrhea in young pigs. However, developing a vaccine to broadly protect against various ETEC virulence determinants has proven challenging. Recently developed structure- and epitope-based multiepitope fusion antigen (MEFA) technology that presents neutralizing epitopes of various virulence determinants at a backbone immunogen and that mimics epitope native immunogenicity suggests the feasibility of developing multivalent vaccines. With neutralizing epitopes from ETEC fimbria F18 and enterotoxins being identified, it becomes urgent to identify protective epitopes of K88 (F4) fimbriae, which play a major role in pig neonatal and postweaning diarrhea. In this study, we identified B-cell immunodominant epitopes in silico from the K88ac fimbrial major subunit (also adhesin) FaeG and embedded each epitope in a heterogeneous carrier for epitope fusions. We then immunized mice with each epitope fusion protein and examined epitope antigenicity and also neutralizing activities of epitope-induced antibodies. Data showed that while all nine FaeG epitope fusions induced antibodies to K88ac fimbria, anti-K88 IgG antibodies derived from epitopes MTGDFNGSVD (ep1), LNDLTNGGTK (ep2), GRTKEAFATP (ep3), ELRKPDGGTN (ep4), PMKNAGGTKVGAVKVN (ep5), and RENMEYTDGT (ep8) significantly inhibited adherence of K88ac fimbrial bacteria to porcine intestinal cell line IPEC-J2, indicating that these peptides were the neutralizing epitopes of K88ac fimbrial major subunit FaeG and suggesting the future application of FaeG epitopes in ETEC vaccine development.IMPORTANCE Enterotoxigenic Escherichia coli (ETEC) strains producing K88ac fimbriae and enterotoxins are a major cause of porcine neonatal diarrhea and postweaning diarrhea in the United States. Currently, there is no vaccine to induce broadly protective antiadhesin and antitoxin immunity against ETEC-associated diarrhea. To develop a broadly effective ETEC vaccine, we need to target the most important if not all ETEC virulence determinants. While conventional vaccinology approaches encounter difficulties at integrating or including heterogeneous ETEC fimbria and toxin antigens into a vaccine product, multiepitope fusion antigen (MEFA) structural vaccinology provides a new platform to combine neutralizing antigenic elements or epitopes from various heterogeneous virulence factors for broad immunity and protection. Identification of the neutralizing epitopes of K88ac fimbria from this study added the last antigens to an MEFA-based multivalent vaccine against ETEC-associated diarrhea in pigs. An effective vaccine against pig diarrhea can significantly improve swine health and well-being and reduce economic losses to the swine industry worldwide.
Diabetes and Lipid Metabolism in Nonhuman Primates

Publisher Summary Diabetes mellitus occurs spontaneously or it can be induced in non-human primates. Most animal models that are used to duplicate human disease fail to manifest all the metabolic changes and syndromes seen in human patients; they are indispensable to studies of selected aspects of these diseases. Primates, which are related taxonomically to man than other laboratory animals, can be valuable to such studies; even with them, direct analogies might not be warranted. There are known metabolic and evolutionary disparities between human beings, apes, monkeys, and prosimians. The changes that are inadvertently produced during most studies might exacerbate potential metabolic defects. Among such changes are diet, stress induced by confinement, and a breakdown in the normal social structure that exists among the primates in the wild. As a further complication, primates are as heterogeneous as human beings so that individual monkeys react differently. Thus, in studies involving primates, there is a need to define the genus-species, to identify the environmental changes that might contribute to the disease state, and to recognize differences in individual primates.
A generalized label correcting method for optimal kinodynamic motion planning

An optimal kinodynamic motion planning algorithm is presented and described as a generalized label correcting (GLC) method. Advantages of the technique include a simple implementation, convergence to the optimal cost with increasing resolution, and no requirement for a point-to-point local planning subroutine. The principal contribution of this paper is the construction and analysis of the GLC conditions which are the basis of the proposed algorithm.
The Ordination and the Exercise of the Priesthood of the Baptized in Augustine, Chrysostom, and Aquinas

Whereas Augustine, Chrysostom, and Aquinas are all cited as sources for the doctrine of the priesthood of the baptized in Lumen gentium , not one left behind a treatise devoted to the topic. The author of this article provides a survey of the baptismal priesthood in the thought of the three doctors with respect to two theological concepts: (1) the Christian’s participation in the priesthood of Christ through incorporation into his Body, or their ordination, and (2) the exercise for which the baptismal priesthood is ordained, namely to worship God both in the liturgy and through a life of virtue. The author aims both to illuminate the thought of each theologian and to show the concordance of Aquinas’s thought with that of his predecessors.
Single-Cell Omics Reveals Dyssynchrony of the Innate and Adaptive Immune System in Progressive COVID-19

A dysregulated immune response against the SARS-CoV-2 virus plays a critical role in severe COVID-19. However, the molecular and cellular mechanisms by which the virus causes lethal immunopathology are poorly understood. Here, we utilize multi-omics single-cell analysis to probe dynamic immune responses in patients with stable or progressive manifestations of COVID-19, and assess the effects of tocilizumab, an anti-IL-6 receptor monoclonal antibody. Coordinated profiling of gene expression and cell lineage protein markers reveals a prominent type-1 interferon response across all immune cells, especially in progressive patients. An anti-inflammatory innate immune response and a pre-exhaustion phenotype in activated T cells are hallmarks of progressive disease. Skewed T cell receptor repertoires in CD8 T cells and uniquely enriched V(D)J sequences are also identified in COVID-19 patients. B cell repertoire and somatic hypermutation analysis are consistent with a primary immune response, with possible contribution from memory B cells. Our in-depth immune profiling reveals dyssynchrony of the innate and adaptive immune interaction in progressive COVID-19, which may contribute to delayed virus clearance and has implications for therapeutic intervention.
Individualized robotic organ-sparing surgery in a paediatric case of renal perivascular epithelioid cell tumour.

Background Perivascular epithelioid cell tumours (PEComas) represent a rare group of mesenchymal tumours with an unpredictable outcome. They are usually observed in middle-aged women whilst they are very rare in children, with limited cases described. Due to the rare anatomical location in kidneys, a correct diagnosis and treatment is really challenging. Methods We observed and treated a case of kidney's PEComa in a 14-year-old boy. Results An individualized approach based on anatomical (3D CT-reconstructions) and histopathological (US-guided preliminary biopsy) features lead us to perform a successful robotic-sparing surgery enabling the preservation of two-thirds of the kidney involved. Conclusions A meticulous preoperative planning in selected patients can lead to a minimally invasive approach even in some paediatric kidney's neoplasms.
Perceptual transparency and the temporal structure of experience

According to the Matching Thesis (MT), the temporal structure of experience in time matches the apparent temporal structure of the objects and events represented in the content of perceptual experience. In this paper I critically address attempts to show the MT on the grounds that perceptual experience is transparent: that experiences themselves possess no introspectively discernible temporal structure apart from that of the apparent objects perceived. Pace such a Transparency Argument for the MT, I argue that considerations of perceptual transparency can in fact ground no view about the relationship between the temporal structure of perceptual experiences and the apparent temporal structure of objects and events that experience represents. I defend this outcome against a line of objection having to do with self-knowledge.
Three-dimensional modeling of EUV photoresist using the multivariate Poisson propagation model

Background: As target feature sizes for EUV lithography shrink, it is becoming ever more important to understand the intricate details of photoresist materials, including the role of the “third dimension”—the dimension perpendicular to the wafer. With resist thicknesses shrinking toward the single-digit nanometer scale alongside target linewidths, small changes in resist performance in this dimension will have a greater overall effect on pattern quality. Aim: To use modeling to understand the effect that the third dimension has on resist performance, in particular the interplay between the third dimension and resist stochastics. Approach: We developed a three-dimensional version of the multivariate Poisson propagation model, a stochastic resist simulator. As a test case for the model, we explore the role of acid diffusion in the so-called third dimension by simulating 105 vias at a series of z-blur conditions. Results: Our model suggests that increased z-blur yields an improvement in both dose to size and pattern uniformity without sacrificing resolution. Conclusions: We have developed a 3D resist model that can simulate large numbers of contacts. Early results from the 3D model show improved patterning performance can be achieved by increasing the z-blur.
Credit Ratings Migration: Quantifying Obligor Risk

This study focuses on estimating credit rating migration probabilities using a continuous-record approach while controlling for the effects of idiosyncratic and systematic risk factors. Short- and long-run relationships between asset quality and obligor ratings are modeled and quantified using Moody's Default Risk Service (DRS) data on long-term bonds, rated during the 1970-2007 time period. The contribution to existing risk management literature is two-fold: first, the use of a continuous-record model addresses the problems of data sparsity and control for resulting estimation errors; second, the implementation of a methodology allowing us to to precisely identify the stages of the business cycle enables us to determine the incremental impact of idiosyncratic and systematic risk factors on rating transitions probabilities, resulting in more precise estimates of credit rating migration trends. Results confirm the previous empirical finding in that obligor characteristics and business cycle stages have a strong effect on the dynamics of credit ratings, with a stronger effect observed in longer-horizon models. The importance of the business cycle effect on credit ratings is further illustrated by computing a forecast content for the business cycle variable in our model.
Combustion Science and Technology

In the introductory section, some of the fundamental concepts and theories of combustion science such as higher heating value of fuel, air to fuel ratio, flammability limits, ignition, and flame temperature are discussed. Premixed and diffusion flames are then defined and some guidelines for their analysis and understanding are outlined. Finally, the fundamentals of coal combustion are discussed. Then the technology involved in the combustion of the three most common types of fossil fuels, namely gas, oil, and coal, is discussed along with some design parameters for the combustion chambers. The most recent advances in fossil fuel combustion technology are pointed out and some of the associated problems with each fuel are explained. Finally, the impact of fossil fuels on the environment and some of the techniques available for reducing their impact are pointed out. Keywords: Combustion; Heterogeneous combustion; Definitions; Terminology; Gaseous fuels; Fossil fuels; Soot; Nitrogen oxides; Sulfur oxides; Design; Emission control; Liquid fuels
Scalable Management and Data Mining Using Astrolabe

Astrolabe is a new kind of peer-to-peer system implementing a hierarchical distributed database abstraction. Although deigned for scalable management and data mining, the system can also support wide-area multicast and offers powerful aggregation mechanisms that permit applications to build customized virtual databases by extracting and summarizing data located throughout a large network. In contrast to other peer-to-peer systems, the Astrolabe hierarchy is purely an abstraction constructed by running our protocol on the participating hosts - there are no servers, and the system doesn't superimpose a specialized routing infrastructure or employ a DHT. This paper focuses on wide-area implementation challenges.
Self-heating enhanced impact ionization in SOI MOSFETs

Impact ionization (II) originates from energetic carriers in the channel. The II current is not only a monitor of device reliability, but also affects the current drive of partially-depleted (PD) SOI transistors by charging up the floating body and hence varying the threshold voltage. Due to the low thermal conductivity of buried oxide, SOI MOSFETs are susceptible to the local thermal heating generated in the channel. This SOI-specific self-heating effect (SHE) provides a source for carrier heating, which may determine impact ionization. In this paper we report an enhanced impact-ionization phenomenon caused by SHE in SOI MOSFETs.
Attracting Cycles and Isochrons

In Section A of this chapter we associate a phase with each state of an attracting limit-cycle oscillator during dynamics in the absence of any perturbing influence. In Section B a stimulus smoothly alters the trajectories so that phase changes in peculiar ways, even discontinuously. This analysis is intended to apply to smooth dynamics. Accordingly, in Section C references are compiled to models that violate this precondition and thus do not fall within the purview of this chapter.
Effects of elevated CO2 (FACE) on the functional ecology of the drought-deciduous Mojave Desert shrub, Lycium andersonii

Abstract Elevated CO 2 may improve the productivity of cool-season active (‘drought-deciduous’) shrubs in the deserts of southwestern North America by reducing early-season phenological constraints imposed by low leaf area when photosynthetic capacity is high and later-season physiological limitations from declining photosynthesis and midday water potentials. Altered productivity under elevated CO 2 would depend on the specific responses of short-shoots that only provide early-season leaf area display, and long-shoots which determine annual growth increment in these plants. We measured plant water relations, photosynthetic gas exchange, and growth in short- and long-shoots of the drought-deciduous shrub, Lycium andersonii , under Free Air CO 2 Enrichment (FACE) in the field in an intact Mojave Desert ecosystem. We were specifically interested in the differential effects CO 2 enrichment would have on short-shoots and actively growing long-shoots during canopy development. Net photosynthesis ( A net ) was similar in elevated compared with ambient CO 2 , but stomatal conductance ( g s ) was reduced by 27% in both shoot types. L. andersonii growing in elevated CO 2 had larger leaves on short-shoots, and more leaves per shoot length on long-shoots. Enhanced leaf growth did not counter lower g s , and midday plant water potential was similar between treatments. In both short- and long-shoots, down-regulation of light-saturated photosynthetic electron transport rate ( J max ) occurred under elevated CO 2 . However, the balance between rubisco efficiency (estimated by the maximum carboxylation rate of rubisco, V cmax ), and electron transport capacity ( V cmax / J max ) remained constant in short-shoots, but increased in elevated CO 2 grown long-shoots. Apparent quantum requirement was similar, while light-saturated photosynthetic rates ( A max ) decreased by approximately 30% under elevated CO 2 in both shoot-types. These results suggest that elevated CO 2 lowered investment to photosynthetic electron transport capacity and whole-plant water use, even when leaf growth was stimulated. Such canopy dynamics are likely to enhance the ability of this drought-deciduous species to better cope with the highly variable inter- and intra-annual climate regimes characteristic of North American deserts.