cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Universal grey system theory for analysis of uncertain structural systems

The uncertainty present in many structural systems is commonly modeled using probabilistic, fuzzy, or interval approaches depending on the nature of uncertainty present. The probabilistic approach ...
THE STRIPED LYNX SPIDER, OXYOPES SALTICUS HENTZ (ARANEAE: OXYOPIDAE), AS A VECTOR OF A NUCLEAR POLYHEDROSIS VIRUS IN ANTICARSIA GEMMATALIS HÜBNER (LEPIDOPTERA: NOCTUIDAE)

The potential for transmission of a nuclear polyhedrosis virus of Anticarsia gemmatalis Hubner (AgNPV) by the striped lynx spider, Oxyopes salticus Hentz, was examined in the laboratory. Activity o...
Teaching Hypothesis Testing With Playing Cards: A Demonstration

In elementary statistics courses, students often have difficulty understanding the principles of hypothesis testing. This paper discusses a simple yet effective demonstration using playing cards. T...
Finance constraints or free cash flow

It has long been argued that firms prefer internal to external finance for funding investment. Modern literatures in industrial organization, macroeconomics, and finance argue this preference is caused by information asymmetries. There are, however, important disagreements about the effect of the asymmetries. Asymmetries may lead to binding financing constraints, or they may allow managers to use free cash flow for unprofitable projects. Each model predicts a different relationship between investment and changes in debt finance and this paper estimates this relationship using firm-level data. The principal findings are that both financing constraints and the agency costs of free cash flow affect investment in a manner consistent with a life cycle model of the firm.
OXYGEN THERAPY FOR ACUTE MYOCARDIAL INFARCTION: AN UPDATED META-ANALYSIS

Oxygen therapy has been recommended by guidelines for the management of acute myocardial infarction (AMI). However, the clinical effect of routine oxygen therapy in patients with AMI who do not have hypoxemia at baseline is controversial. A meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) was
Usability Challenges in Smartphone Web Access: A Systematic Literature Review

Systematic literature reviews facilitate methodical understanding of current advances in a field. With the increasing popularity of smartphones, they have become an important means to access the web. Although the literature on this topic is growing in recent times, there has been no effort yet to systematically review it. This paper reports on a systematic literature review of primary studies from 2007 to 2012 that concern mobile web usability. We identify the usability dimensions tested and the testing procedures adopted in the literature. We anticipate that our work will not only help researchers understand the current state of usability testing of mobile web but also identify the areas where further research is needed in addressing the challenges identified.
NEUROTROPHIC FACTORS | Activity-Regulated BDNF Expression: Contributions to Synaptic Plasticity and Neuroprotection

The discovery that seizures increase the production of neurotrophic factors, including the multifunctional neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), provided the first evidence that gene expression for growth and survival factors is regulated by neuronal activity in adult brain. These findings further suggested a role for BDNF in epileptogenesis and its morphological correlates, and stimulated research into the more general questions of how activity-dependent neurotrophin expression contributes to synaptic plasticity and neuronal viability. Studies of synaptic plasticity have established that BDNF is critical for the production of long-term potentiation (LTP) by naturalistic theta burst afferent activity, and is therefore also probably critical for memory encoding. Recent studies, described here, have identified cellular mechanisms through which BDNF promotes LTP, have shown that levels of the neurotrophin can be elevated through positive modulation of glutamatergic transmission, and have provided evidence that such increases can be used to (i) restore activity-induced synaptic plasticity in animal models of cognitive impairment and (ii) protect hippocampal neurons from ischemic insult.
Comparison of Measured Compressional and Shear Wave Velocity Values with Predictions from Biot Theory

Sediment samples were collected from homogeneous shallow-water areas off the coast of northern Florida for the purpose of characterizing the sediment surface as a part of high-frequency acoustic experiments. Relatively undisturbed cores up to 50 cm long were collected by divers from medium sand, fine sand, and mud. Values of permeability, porosity, and grain size in addition to compressional and shear wave velocities were determined in the laboratory from cores to make comparisons between predicted and measured acoustic velocities. Shear wave velocity measurements were made with a modified Hamilton frame and were used to calculate shear moduli for use as model inputs. Predictions of acoustic velocities are made from the Biot model, elastic model, Gassmann theory (close pack sphere model), and Wood formula. The ability of a theoretical model to predict velocities near measured values improves as more inputs describing the sediment composite system are incorporated into the model. Through manipulation of the pore size parameter in the Biot model, predicted and measured velocity values may be made identical. Of the discussed models, only Biot theory demonstrates the dispersion of velocity with frequency.
The Settings and the People

My most concentrated clinical experience with impulsive individuals occurred during 2 years spent in the U.S. Public Health Service. This time was spent at the National Institute of Mental Health, Clinical Research Center, Lexington, Kentucky, also known as the “Narcotics Farm” or NARCO.
The effects of online courses with multimedia in learners' perceived satisfaction and effectiveness of E-learning

THE EFFECTS OF ONLINE COURSES WITH MULTIMEDIA IN LEARNERS' PERCEIVED SATISFACTION AND EFFECTIVENESS OF E-LEARNING
Oscillatory False Triggering of Parallel Si and SiC MOSFETs during Short-Circuit Tum-off

This paper presents the occurrence of potentially destructive oscillation in paralleled power MOSFETs during short-circuit events. Paralleling discrete power devices is desirable in many designs in order to increase power output. Short circuits cause high voltages, saturation current and local temperatures creating unstable environments within devices. Current redistribution can occur between device gates in this environment which can excite oscillation in parallel circuitry if not properly accounted for. Analysis of the phenomenon including experimental results are presented along with mitigation steps.
ω-Hyponormal operators

The class of ω-hyponormal operators is introduced. This class contains allp-hyponormal operators. Certain properties of this class of operators are obtained. Among other things, it is shown that ifT is ω-hyponormal, then its spectral radius and norm are identical, and the nonzero points of its joint point spectrum and point spectrum are identical. Conditions under which a ω-hyponormal operator becomes normal, self-adjoint and unitary are given.
Gender and Race: Employment Opportunity and the American Economy, 1969–1991:

The author examined the relationship between gender and race with regard to economic conditions and employment opportunities between 1969 and 1991. The study showed that women in general and white ...
Impact of Effective Systemic Therapy on Metastasectomy in Stage IV Melanoma: A Matched-Pair Analysis.

Although resection historically played a prominent role in the treatment of metastatic melanoma, recent advances have altered the therapeutic landscape, and potentially the role of surgery. We examined surgical selection and metastasectomy outcomes before and after the onset of the effective drug therapy era. Patients with stage IV melanoma were identified and characterized by treatment era (either 1965–2007 or 2008–2015) and by systemic therapy agents. BRAF and/or MEK inhibitors, as well as checkpoint inhibitors, were included as modern agents. Selection factors for metastasectomy were examined by era. A matched-pair analysis of outcomes of surgical and non-surgical patients receiving modern systemic agents was performed. Among 2353 eligible patients, 1065 (45.2%) underwent surgical treatment. Factors associated with selection for metastasectomy in the early era included female sex, no prior stage III disease, single-organ involvement, and M1a (vs. M1c) disease (all p < 0.007). In the current era, the proportion of surgically treated patients increased modestly (54.5% vs. 44.7%, p = 0.02) and age was the only independent selection factor (p < 0.01). Surgery followed by modern therapy in 47 matched pairs was associated with higher 5-year melanoma-specific survival (MSS) versus modern therapy alone (58.8% vs. 38.9%, p = 0.049). Multivariable regression showed single-organ involvement (hazard ratio [HR] 0.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.21–0.90, p = 0.02) and first-line surgery (HR 0.47, 95% CI 0.23–0.98, p = 0.04), as well as use of modern agents (HR 0.29, 95% CI 0.21–0.40, p < 0.001), were independently associated with improved MSS. While modern systemic agents have improved outcomes in stage IV melanoma, metastasectomy remains associated with favorable survival. Resection remains a viable therapeutic approach, possibly worthy of prospective evaluation.
Relevant and current issues faced by American institutions of higher education as they attempt to design and implement affirmative action plans vis-à-vis admissions and faculty/staff hiring policies and practices

This article provides an overview of opposing perspectives on affirmative action and makes a case for affirmative action on the grounds of diversity and from the perspective of a necessity to remedy past discrimination (Hasnas, 2018; Wright & Garces, 2018; Kaplin & Lee, 2013). My argument employs Hurtado, Milem, Clayton-Pedersen, and Allen’s (2010) four (4) dimensions of educational programs and practices needed in assessing diversity in the institution: historical legacy of inclusion/exclusion of racial/ethnic groups; structural diversity regarding numerical representation ; the psychological climate of perceptions and attitudes ; and the behavioral climate dimension. Additionally, because the expressed consideration of race and gender in admissions and hiring processes have legal implications, I provide legal guidelines and precedents to mitigate litigation.
Electron dynamics during the reignition of pulsed capacitively-coupled radio-frequency discharges

The authors report on phase resolved optical emission spectroscopy (PROES) measurements of pulsed capacitive coupled plasmas (CCPs) through argon. The PROES results indicate that under some conditions, the electron heating mechanism can be changed substantially from that dominant in continuous CCPs. The normally dominant α heating mode of electropositive plasmas can be aided by a drift-ambipolar (DA) heating mode during the early portion of the reignition. The DA heating mode is ordinarily only found in electronegative discharges. The authors found that Ar discharges pulsed at 10 kHz only exhibited the α heating mode throughout the reignition process, while those pulsed at 0.1 kHz exhibited a mixed α and DA heating mode during the reignition. The differences in the two heating modes cause substantial differences in the spatial pattern of the light emission from the plasma in addition to an overshoot in the light emission intensity.
Problems for Predictive Information

Predictive information is a popular and promising family of information-based theories of biological communication. It is difficult to adjudicate between predictive information-based theories and influence-based theories of biological communication because the same acts seem to count as communicative on both theories. In this paper, I argue that predictive information theories and influence-based theories give importantly different descriptions of deceptive signals in some non-evolutionarily stable communicative systems by citing a novel case observed in nature. Moreover, predictive information gives a counter-intuitive description to the case while some of its rival influence-based theories do not. I argue that there are no clear ways for defenders of predictive information to respond to this apparent problem without sacrificing important virtues of their theory or deflating the difference between the rival views.
Building creative confidence through an interdisciplinary creativity course: Changes in creative challenges and creative personal identity

Creative confidence can be reflected in our identities and behaviours. The study explored perception changes in creative challenges and creative personal identity among first-year-in-college studen...
Scaling of Hugoniot curves for shock-compressed liquids

In previous studies of shock compression, pressure P, specific volume v, specific internal energy e, shock velocity U s, and particle velocity u p have typically been presented in a dimensional form. For different materials, the plots of P − v, P − u p, or U s − u p, often called Hugoniot curves, are different. Here, we predict the behavior of shock-compressed liquids through proper scaling of the Rankine–Hugoniot (RH) equations and dimensionless Hugoniot curves. The characteristic density and velocity scales are the density ρ 0 and bulk speed of sound c b 0 of the undisturbed liquid, respectively. Two dimensionless numbers arise from the scaled RH equations, one for the initial condition of pressure and the other for the initial condition of internal energy. Under normal conditions, these two numbers do not affect the solutions of the dimensionless RH equations. The dimensionless Hugoniot curves P / ( ρ 0 c b 0 2 ) vs v ρ 0, U s / c b 0 vs u p / c b 0, and P / ( ρ 0 c b 0 2 ) vs u p / c b 0 of different liquids merge reasonably well onto a single curve. The dimensionless Hugoniot curve v ρ 0 vs U s / c b 0 or v ρ 0 vs u p / c b 0, often omitted in the previous work, is thus found to be useful in the understanding of shock compression. The v ρ 0 vs U s / c b 0 curve clearly shows that the dependence of the specific volume ratio v ρ 0 on U s / c b 0 is different for moderate and strong shocks. For a moderate strength shock ( U s / c b 0 ≲ 10), a new approximation relation is proposed for shock velocity U s and particle velocity u p as ( U s − u p ) / c b 0 ≈ ( U s / c b 0 ) n, where the exponent is determined empirically as n = 0.55 − 0.6. This new approximation relation is different from the commonly used linear relation between U s and u p and better predicts the behavior of shock-compressed liquids. Using the new approximation relation, the ratio v ρ 0 under moderate strength shocks can be approximated by a power law v ρ 0 ≈ ( U s ∗ ) n − 1. For stronger shocks, the decrease in the specific volume ratio is slower and is bounded.
Lipoprotein Insulin Resistance Index Reflects Liver Fat Content in Patients With Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

The recently developed lipoprotein insulin resistance index (LP-IR) incorporates lipoprotein particle numbers and sizes and is considered to reflect both hepatic and peripheral IR. As tissue IR is a strong component of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) pathogenesis, we aimed to assess the degree by which LP-IR associates with hepatic fat content. This was a single-center retrospective analysis of patients with NAFLD. LP-IR, the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and adipose tissue IR (Adipo-IR) were measured simultaneously. Liver fat content was estimated by FibroScan controlled attenuated parameter. Associations were assessed using Spearman's correlation and multivariate linear regression. The study included 61 patients. LP-IR was correlated with HOMA-IR (ρ = 0.30; P = 0.02), typically thought to reflect hepatic IR, but not with Adipo-IR (ρ = 0.15; P = 0.25). Liver fat content was significantly associated with Adipo-IR (ρ = 0.48; P < 0.001), LP-IR (ρ = 0.35; P = 0.005), and to a lesser degree with HOMA-IR (ρ = 0.25; P = 0.051). The association of liver fat with LP-IR was limited to patients without diabetes (ρ = 0.60; P < 0.0001), whereas no association was seen in those with diabetes. In a multivariate model, Adipo-IR, LP-IR, and diabetes were independently associated with liver fat and together explained 35% of the variability in liver fat. Conclusion: LP-IR is a reasonable measure of IR in non-diabetic patients with NAFLD and is associated with hepatic fat content. Although adipose tissue is the major contributor to liver fat, the additional contribution of nonadipose tissues can be easily estimated using LP-IR.
GPU-Based, LDPC Decoding for 5G and Beyond

In 5G New Radio (NR), low-density parity-check (LDPC) codes are included as the error correction codes (ECC) for the data channel. While LDPC codes enable a low, near Shannon capacity, bit error rate (BER), they also become a computational bottleneck in the physical layer processing. Moreover, 5G LDPC has new challenges not seen in previous LDPC implementations, such as Wi-Fi. The LDPC specification in 5G includes many reconfigurations to support a variety of rates, block sizes, and use cases. 5G also creates targets for supporting high-throughput and low-latency applications. For this new, flexible standard, traditional hardware-based solutions in FGPA and ASIC may struggle to support all cases and may be cost-prohibitive at scale. Software solutions can trivially support all possible reconfigurations but struggle with performance. This article demonstrates the high-throughput and low-latency capabilities of graphics processing units (GPUs) for LDPC decoding as an alternative to FPGA and ASIC decoders, effectively providing the high performance needed while maintaining the benefits of a software-based solution. In particular, we highlight how by varying the parallelization strategy for mapping GPU kernels to blocks, we can use the many GPU cores to compute one codeword quickly to target low-latency, or we can use the cores to work on many codewords simultaneously to target high throughput applications. This flexibility is particularly useful for virtualized radio access networks (vRAN), a next-generation technology that is expected to become more prominent in the coming years. In vRAN, the hardware computational resources will become decoupled from the specific computational functions in the RAN through virtualization, allowing for benefits such as load-balancing, improved scalability, and reduced costs. To highlight and investigate how the GPU can accelerate tasks such as LDPC decoding when containerizing vRAN functionality, we integrate our decoder into the Open Air Interface (OAI) NR software stack. With our GPU-based decoder, we measure a best case-latency of $87~\mu \text{s}$ and a best-case throughput of nearly 4 Gbps using the Titan RTX GPU.
Introduction: Mathematical Sciences and Naval Engineering

Mathematical modeling and analysis of system behavior are at the core of the development of high-tech system. Modern engineering sciences, to include naval engineering, call for more sophisticated mathematical and statistical methods in order to efficiently understand and resolve the increasing complexity of the tasks at hand. There is a need of a deeper understanding of the mathematical tools most needed to proper support naval research. Indeed, invariably, in the press to “get on with it,” highly complex issues are addressed by engineers using existing tools and knowledge to produce approximate methods and results that have not been rigorously substantiated and are thus subject to unintended consequences, most importantly, breakage/failure in unpredictable circumstances. Nowhere is this situation more chaotic than in the field of information extraction, signal and image processing, acoustics, and nonlinear vibration analysis where a “witches’ brew” of inadequately posed concepts, questionable/unrecognized assumptions, approximations of convenience, and heuristically defined metrics combined to yield what could be reasonably described as bordering on “technological sorcery.”
Combined scattering-referenced and co-doped aerosol phosphor thermometry using the Ce,Pr:LuAG phosphor

As a means of increasing the temperature range of high-precision measurements for aerosol phosphor thermometry (APT), the co-doped Ce,Pr:LuAG phosphor was investigated for use with simultaneous Pr3+-scattering-referenced APT (SRAPT), Ce3+-SRAPT, and co-doped APT techniques. Phosphor characterization was performed in a heated air jet at atmospheric pressure, and APT performance was estimated for the three simultaneous imaging techniques. A method for combining temperature measurements using a weighted average approach is discussed in detail and demonstrated via heated air jet imaging experiments. The combination of techniques results in a usable temperature range for the Ce,Pr:LuAG phosphor of 300 to at least 900 K, with better than 35 K estimated temperature precision from 500 to 900 K at a seeding density of 120 mm-3, improving diagnostic precision and temperature range over that of any single APT technique using the Ce,Pr:LuAG phosphor. The combination of SRAPT and co-doped measurements may improve the temperature range and performance of other similar phosphors as well.
Postoperative alkaline reflux gastritis. Surgical implications.

Abstract Six patients who had previously had gastric surgery exhibited the features necessary for the diagnosis of postoperative alkaline reflux gastritis. The clinical, endoscopic, and gastric secretory findings are discussed. The surgical management by means of a Roux-en-Y gastrojejunal type of anastomosis is discussed with a comment on the pertinent histologic data. Follow-up data are presented as well as the results of other studies on the subject of alkaline reflux into the stomach and the clinicopathologic effects thereof.
Who might I have been

We can consider ways in which a given individual, A, might have been different. In many cases such thoughts indeed preserve the identity of A: he might have been born in France, for example if his mother, pregnant with him, had gone to France. But the thought that he might have had different parents altogether (i.e. different from the ones he actually had) seems no longer a thought about A: we are now considering a different person. What underlies this common-sense distinction? An influential view is that the identity of an individual is given by the particular gametes from the union of which that individual is formed. The paper considers: (a) the motivation of the view; (b) its consequences, particularly for population policy, in utero damage and genetic defects, and rights which are possibly associated with these matters; and (c) its problems, particularly with genetic repair and monozygotic twinning. The paper discusses the merits and the dangers of supposing that the common-sense distinction is conventional or baseless; and the related question whether increased understanding of the genome should make us think in terms of types rather than individuals.
Philosophy of Religion as Border Control: Globalization and the Decolonization of the “Love of Wisdom” (philosophia)

Mainstream philosophy of religion, particularly in its Anglo-American variant but also in the Continental tradition, is preoccupied by parochial questions that derive from its heritage in liberal Protestantism on the one hand, and the secular Enlightenment on the other. Yet the parochialism is masked by the material and intellectual history of colonial domination that permits “Western” philosophers to pose their questions as ostensibly universal questions asked ofreligion byphilosophy. The process of globalization, however, recalls philosophy from such preoccupation with “border control” to be the loving pursuit of wisdom. The author examines how modern philosophy of religion, including some of the contributions of postcolonial theory, has, by classifying them as religions, subalternized many of the world's wisdom traditions. He concludes by advocating a renewed and more expansive form of philosophy of religion as loving pursuit of wisdom, nourished by a clearer self-critical grasp of its historic situation and limitations.
Architecture of Supra-Governmental International Financial Regulation

Supra-governmental regulatory institutions (SNRs) resemble bridges that span gaps in the jurisdiction of individual–country regulators. The most important bridges address cross-country problems of crisis management and development finance not just as forums but as portfolio lenders as well.
Purification and characterization of the RNA-directed DNA polymerase of a primate type-D retrovirus: Mason-Pfizer virus.

The RNA-directed DNA polymerase of the primate type-D retrovirus Mason-Pfizer virus was purified using ion-exchange and affinity chromatography, and molecular sieving. The enzyme was shown to have a molecular weight of approx. 80 000 as determined by sedimentation analysis, molecular sieving and sodium dodecyl sulfate polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The purified RNA-directed DNA polymerase retained its ability to use a heteropolymeric RNA as a template. The Mason-Pfizer virus RNA-directed DNA polymerase was also characterized as to its divalent cation preference for several synthetic primertemplates and for heteropolymeric RNA. Mg2+ was preferred as its divalent cation for all primer-templates except oligo(dG).poly(rC)m for which it prefers Mn2+. The Mason-Pfizer virus enzyme was also shown to have a pH optimum of 8-8.5 and a temperature optimum of 37-40 degrees C. The stability of the Mason-Pfizer virus RNA-directed DNA polymerase was shown to differ when measured using different primer-templates.
Maternal Acceptance and Child Functioning.

This study is a replication and extension of previous research linking maternal acceptance and child functioning. Five levels of maternal acceptance, distin guished primarily in terms of the mother's responsiveness to the child's needs, were conceptualized as enemies hurting, opponents contending, business part ners bargaining, allies facilitating, and companions harmonizing. Interviews and videotapes of 24 mothers interacting with their child were scored for level of maternal acceptance. Moderate consistency occurred in maternal acceptance scores across raters, methods of assessment, and situations. The children, aged 6 to 8 years, were rated by mothers, fathers, and teachers on measures of social and intellectual functioning. The results replicated previous findings of substan tial correlations between maternal acceptance and teachers', but not mothers', ratings of social functioning. These relationships held when child intellectual functioning, maternal education, and family SES were partialled out. The results are compared to some prevailing views on childrearing.
The Structure of the Disaccharide Unit of the Renal Glomerular Basement Membrane

Abstract The disaccharide unit of the glomerular basement membrane has been studied in regard to its detailed structure and its linkage to the peptide portion. Graded acid hydrolysis of glycopeptides containing this unit resulted in a more rapid release of glucose than galactose and indicated that glucose was in the external position. Isolation of a disaccharide consisting of glucose and galactose with galactose in the reducing position confirmed the sequence of the unit. Studies by methylation, periodate oxidation, and galactose oxidase treatment of the isolated disaccharide, as well as of glycopeptides containing it, indicated that the glucose is linked glycosidically to C-2 of the galactose. The anomeric configuration of this linkage was shown to be α on the basis of studies with α- and β-glucosidases. These findings indicated that the isolated disaccharide was 2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-d-galactose. Alkaline hydrolysis of glycopeptides or of the entire basement membrane permitted isolation of glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine in 80 to 90% yield. Upon mild acid hydrolysis of this compound, glucose was released preferentially, and galactosylhydroxylysine was obtained in about 80% yield. Studies of N-acetylated glycopeptides indicated that the stability to acid of the galactosylhydroxylysine bond is markedly influenced by the charge on the e-amino group of the hydroxylysine. Both α- and β-galactosidases were used to study the anomeric configuration of the galactosylhydroxylysine linkage. The β-galactosidase was effective in cleaving this bond, but only when the galactosylhydroxylysine was in its N-acetylated form. These studies are consistent with the following structure for the disaccharide unit and its peptide attachment: 2-O-α-d-glucopyranosyl-O-β-d-galactopyranosylhydroxylysine. Measurement of the glucosylgalactosylhydroxylysine content of the basement membrane could be performed directly on the amino acid analyzer after alkaline hydrolysis of the basement membrane. Such analyses indicated that there are 14.5 disaccharide units per 100 mg of the basement membrane (17.3/1000 amino acid residues). All of the glucose of the basement membrane occurs in the form of this hydroxylysine-linked disaccharide unit. The disaccharide units could be removed from the peptide chain by a single Smith degradation.
IFN-inducible protein 10/CXC chemokine ligand 10-independent induction of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis.

In multiple sclerosis (MS) and its animal model, experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), autoaggressive T cells traffic into the CNS and induce disease. Infiltration of these pathogenic T cells into the CNS has been correlated with the expression of the chemokine IFN-inducible protein (IP)10/CXC chemokine ligand (CXCL)10, a chemoattractant for activated T cells, and its receptor CXCR3, in the CNS of both MS patients and mice with EAE. In the present study, we report that targeted deletion of IP-10 did not diminish the expression, severity, or histopathology of EAE induced by active immunization with 100 μg of myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein peptide (MOG)p35–55. However, we found that IP-10-deficient mice had a lower threshold for expression of disease compared with wild-type littermates. EAE induced by immunization with 5 μg of MOGp35–55 resulted in more severe disease characterized by a greater number of CNS lesions and infiltrating mononuclear cells in IP-10-deficient mice compared with wild-type controls. IP-10-deficient mice immunized with MOGp35–55 demonstrated increased levels of IFN-inducible T cell α-chemokine/CXCL11 mRNA in the CNS and decreased levels of monokine induced by IFN-γ/CXCL9 mRNA in draining lymph nodes, suggesting differential compensation for loss of IP-10 in lymphoid vs parenchymal tissue compartments. EAE in IP-10-deficient mice induced by low-dose immunization was associated with enhanced Ag-specific Th1 responses in the draining lymph node, which corresponded with diminished lymph node TGF-β1 expression. Our data demonstrated that IP-10 was not required for the trafficking of pathogenic T cells into the CNS in EAE but played an unexpected role in determining the threshold of disease susceptibility in the periphery.
The Continuing Importance of the Declaration of Helsinki

The Helsinki Declaration, adopted in 1964, became a landmark document for research ethics and for the protection of human subjects. Since then, additional complexities have emerged. The advance in biomedical research protocols and medical technologies dictates further discussion of the emerging concerns in this field. This article explores the following concerns related to research with no consent given in advance, using incompetent subjects, international participation, and the role of independent research committees.
Effect of disorder on the trapping of Frenkel excitons in three-dimensional systems

A numerical study is made of the effect of disorder on the trapping of Frenkel excitons in three-dimensional systems atT=0 K. A Gaussian distribution of optical transition frequencies is assumed. The disorder enhances the decay of ak = 0 exciton created by pulsed optical excitation, but reduces the overall exciton trapping rate. An interpretation of the results in terms of increased exciton scattering and reduced exciton mobility is outlined.
Role of kainate/AMPA receptors in induction of striatal zif/268 and preprodynorphin mRNA by a single injection of amphetamine.

Abstract The role of kainate/AMPA excitatory amino acid receptors in d -amphetamine (AMPH)-induced behavioral changes and the induction of immediate early gene and preprodynorphin (PPD) mRNA in various regions of rat forebrain was investigated with quantitative in situ hybridization histochemistry. Three hours after a single injection of AMPH (5 mg/kg, i.p.), PPD mRNA and mRNA of the transcription factor zif/268 , but not c- fos , was increased in dorsal striatum (caudate). Zif/268 mRNA was also increased in the sensorimotor cortex. Pretreatment of rats with DNQX, a kainate/AMPA receptor antagonist, did not affect the behaviors elicited by AMPH. However, the AMPH-stimulated increase in PPD and zif/268 mRNA levels in striatum, but not zif/268 mRNA in cortex, was blocked by DNQX pretreatment. In contrast, DNQX alone attenuated basal (constitutive) levels of zif/268 mRNA expression in sensorimotor cortical, but not in striatal, neurons. These studies indicate that kainate/AMPA receptors mediate the induction of zif/268 and PPD mRNA expression in the caudate nucleus induced by a single injection of AMPH. The fact that DNQX blocked genomic, but not behavioral, responses to acute AMPH suggests that kainate/AMPA receptor mechanisms may be involved in the long-term (possibly sensitizing) effects, rather than the acute effects, of the drug. In addition, tonic kainate/AMPA receptor stimulation may play a key role in maintaining constitutive expression of the zif/268 gene in cortical neurons.
Catalytic hydrotreating of 1-methylnaphthalene as a screening test

Abstract Eight Co/Mo/Al 2 O 3 catalysts from commercial suppliers, along with SnCl 2 , have been studied for the hydrotreating of 1-methylnaphthalene (1-MN) in a stirred autoclave at 450 and 500°C. The predominant catalyzed reaction at 450°C is ring hydrogenation (RHG); at this temperature hydrodemethylation (HDM) is appreciable but little affected by catalysts, and ring hydrocracking (RHC) is very low. With presulfided catalysts at 500°C, HDM predominates and RHC becomes appreciable; the extent of RHG is much less at 500° than at 450°C. SnCl 2 , slightly catalyzes HDM, but it is a very poor catalyst for both RHG and RHC. The RHG activity is much greater at 450°C for all the presulfided catalysts than for the as-received ones. Final autoclave pressure correlates well with the extent of 1-MN conversion by RHG and RHC.
Carboxyhemoglobin Levels in Humans: Effects of Altitude

AbstractThese studies were conducted to determine the effects of altitude on endogenous blood carboxyhemoglobin (COHb) concentrations and on COHb concentrations produced by breathing carbon monoxide (CO). COHb concentrations were determined at sea level (SL) and at altitude (HA) in human volunteers breathing ambient air (group I) or 9 ppm CO for 1 hr (group II). Breath CO measurements were also made in both groups. The first measurements were made at College Station, Texas (elevation 330 ft) and the second at Hoosier Pass, Colorado (elevation 11,540 ft) after 20 hr at altitude. Blood drawn from the finger was immediately frozen for COHb and hemoglobin analysis in Lubbock, Texas. Alveolar air samples, collected in aluminized Mylar bags, were analyzed for CO in Warren, Michigan. In group 1 subjects, COHb levels increased significantly (p <.05) from 0.790% and 0.795%, respectively, in males and females at SL to 0.947% and 0.945% at HA. The overall increase for both groups was approximately 20%. In group 2 su...
Heat Transfer in Coaxial Jet Mixing With Swirled Inner Jet

Convective heat transfer data are presented for coaxial jet mixing in a constant-diameter tube. The inner jet diameter was approximately twice the annular gap dimension. Water, with a nominal inlet Prandtl number of 6, was used as the working fluid. For the inner jet, Reynolds numbers of 30,000 and 100,000 were examined and the swirl number was varied from zero to one. Annular flow rates were characterized by a ratio of annular-to-inner jet axial momentum, which was varied from 0 to 8.3. In all cases the annular jet was unswirled. Plots of local Nusselt numbers show minima and maxima corresponding to the separation and reattachment associated with wall-bounded recirculation
Assessment of passive knee stiffness and set point

The purpose of this study was to identify values of the nonlinear passive knee joint stiffness, K p , and the passive knee set point angle, θ p , that allow inclusion of a term in the equation of motion that is often overlooked in dynamic models. Five healthy subjects were tested using the "Push-Pull Test" in which the leg shank was allowed to come to static equilibrium at its resting angle, θ FR , pushed to flexion, allowed to return to θ FR , and then pulled to extension. The shank was held motionless for several seconds at 0.2 rad. increments, with the holding angles, θ h , seen in the data as plateaus following each change in angle. Data were analyzed to determine the moment due to passive stiffness at each holding angle, the nonlinear stiffness coefficient over the range of movement, and the unique set point of the passive stiffness.
L1 retrotransposition is suppressed by endogenously encoded small interfering RNAs in human cultured cells

LINE-1s, or L1s, are highly abundant retrotransposons comprising 17% of the human genome. Most L1s are retrotransposition defective; nonetheless, there are ∼100 full-length L1s potentially capable of retrotransposition in the diploid genome. L1 retrotransposition may be detrimental to the host and thus needs to be controlled. Previous studies have identified sense and antisense promoters in the 5′ UTR of full-length human L1. Here we show that the resulting bidirectional transcripts can be processed to small interfering RNAs (siRNAs) that suppress retrotransposition by an RNA interference (RNAi) mechanism. We thus provide evidence that RNAi triggered by antisense transcripts may modulate human L1 retrotransposition efficiently and economically. L1-specific siRNAs are among the first natural siRNAs reported in mammalian systems. This work may contribute to understanding the regulatory role of abundant antisense transcripts in eukaryotic genomes.
HIV-infected mothers' perceptions of uncertainty, stress, depression and social support during HIV viral testing of their infants.

To explore relationships between mothers’ uncertainty about infant HIV serostatus with stress, distress, depressive symptoms, and social support during infant HIV testing. This prospective longitudinal study of 20 HIV-infected mothers involved a prenatal visit and five postpartum visits clustered around infant HIV viral testing. Maternal uncertainty about infant HIV serostatus significantly decreased over time (p < 0.001). Before testing, uncertainty was inversely related to social support (r = −0.67), and positively related to perceived stress (r = 0.54), interpersonal social conflict (r = 0.57), symptom distress (r = 0.62), and depressive symptoms (r = 0.50); these relationships persisted throughout the infant testing period. Mothers with depressive symptoms during pregnancy demonstrated significantly more uncertainty within a few weeks after birth than mothers without depressive symptoms (p < 0.05). Several weeks after learning their infants were HIV negative, mothers’ uncertainty was only associated with social conflict (r = 0.49). Maternal uncertainty about infant HIV status declined significantly over time. There were no changes in perceptions of stress, distress or social support. Mothers with depressive symptoms experienced greater uncertainty about infants’ HIV status. Strategies to enhance support and treat depressive symptoms may reduce the uncertainty, stress, and distress HIV-infected mothers experience during viral testing of their infants.
Stability of implants and natural teeth as determined by the Periotest over 60 months of function.

Abstract Various methods for evaluating tooth mobility have been developed throughout the years, but their acceptance has been limited because of the subjectivity associated with their use. In recent years, the Periotest has been studied and used to evaluate the mobility of natural teeth and is claimed to be potentially reliable in assessing the stability of the implant-bone interface. Few clinical implant studies have used natural teeth as controls to monitor changes in mobility associated with dental implants. The Dental Implant Clinical Research Group initiated a long-term clinical study in 1991 to assess the influence of design, application, and site of placement on clinical success and crestal bone height. As part of the study, Periotest values (PTVs) were recorded for 2623 of the 2998 implants placed and uncovered. For the statistical analysis, 2623 implants were tested at second-stage surgery, with the number of implants tested varying at each follow-up visit. Data were collected from investigators...
Rapid loss of blood-brain barrier P-glycoprotein activity through transporter internalization demonstrated using a novel in situ proteolysis protection assay

Blood–brain barrier (BBB) P-glycoprotein activity is rapidly reduced by vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) acting via Src and by tumor necrosis factor-α acting via protein kinase C (PKC)β1. To probe underlying mechanism(s), we developed an in vivo, immunoblot-based proteinase K (PK) protection assay to assess the changes in the P-glycoprotein content of the BBB's luminal membrane. Infusion of PK into the brain vasculature selectively cleaved luminal membrane P-glycoprotein, leaving intracellular proteins intact. Intracerebroventricular injection of VEGF partially protected P-glycoprotein from proteolytic cleavage, consistent with transporter internalization. Activation of PKCβ1 did not protect P-glycoprotein. Thus, VEGF and PKCβ1 reduce P-glycoprotein activity by distinct mechanisms.
Young Children's Immediate Memory of Word Classes in Relation to Social Class.

To investigate immediate recall of nouns, verbs, and function words, using a word analogue to the digit-span memory test, two studies were carried out, one with 60 children in the kindergarten, first and second grades and the other with 60 pre-kindergarten children. Half of the subjects in each set lived in a lower class neighborhood, the other half in a middle class area. In each study, lower class children, in comparison with middle class children, showed a significantly greater recall of verbs and nouns than of function words. The results are consistent with the proposal of Basil Bernstein that children from poverty environments use relatively fewer function words when compared with their peers from more affluent homes.
John Dewey's unknown critique of marginal utility doctrine: instrumentalism, motivation, and values.

During the late nineteenth century, marginal utility theory became the dominant ideology of the new academic discipline of economics. This article explicates and discusses previously unexamined lecture notes prepared in 1913 by John Dewey on marginal utility doctrine. After briefly characterizing the state of marginal utility doctrine, Dewey's criticisms are shown to derive from his instrumentalism and general theory of value. In Dewey's view, marginalism privatized value and by doing so induced moral agnosticism, a condition of permanently suspended judgment regarding individual and social needs that was likely to undermine the foundations of a democratic community since it immunizes value against collective appraisal by public bodies. Moreover, while marginal utility theory represented a serious concerted attempt to deal with substantive problems of value in economics and the economy, to Dewey it was ultimately a form of apologetics for the existing mode of social relations.
Expression of a sorcin missense mutation in the heart modulates excitation-contraction coupling

Sorcin is a Ca2+ binding protein implicated in the regulation of intracellular Ca2+ cycling and cardiac excitation-contraction coupling. Structural and human genetic studies suggest that a naturally occurring sequence variant encoding L112-sorcin disrupts an E-F hand Ca2+ binding domain and may be responsible for a heritable form of hypertension and hypertrophic heart disease. We generated transgenic mice overexpressing L112-sorcin in the heart and characterized the effects on Ca2+ regulation and cardiac function both in vivo and in dissociated cardiomyocytes. Hearts of sorcinF112L transgenic mice were mildly dilated but ventricular function was preserved and systemic blood pressure was normal. SorcinF112L myocytes were smaller than control cells and displayed complex alterations in Ca2+ regulation and contractility, including a slowed inactivation of L-type Ca2+ current, enhanced Ca2+ spark width, duration, and frequency, and increased Na+-Ca2+ exchange activity. In contrast, mice with cardiac-specific o...
ATPase activity of the MsbA lipid flippase of Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli MsbA, the proposed inner membrane lipid flippase, is an essential ATP-binding cassette transporter protein with homology to mammalian multidrug resistance proteins. Depletion or loss of function of MsbA results in the accumulation of lipopolysaccharide and phospholipids in the inner membrane of E. coli. MsbA modified with an N-terminal hexahistidine tag was overexpressed, solubilized with a nonionic detergent, and purified by nickel affinity chromatography to approximately 95% purity. The ATPase activity of the purified protein was stimulated by phospholipids. When reconstituted into liposomes prepared from E. coli phospholipids, MsbA displayed an apparent K(m) of 878 microm and a V(max) of 37 nmol/min/mg for ATP hydrolysis in the presence of 10 mm Mg(2+). Preincubation of MsbA-containing liposomes with 3-deoxy-d-mannooctulosonic acid (Kdo)(2)-lipid A increased the ATPase activity 4-5-fold, with half-maximal stimulation seen at 21 microm Kdo(2)-lipid A. Addition of Kdo(2)-lipid A increased the V(max) to 154 nmol/min/mg and decreased the K(m) to 379 microm. Stimulation was only seen with hexaacylated lipid A species and not with precursors, such as diacylated lipid X or tetraacylated lipid IV(A). MsbA containing the A270T substitution, which renders cells temperature-sensitive for growth and lipid export, displayed ATPase activity similar to that of the wild type protein at 30 degrees C but was significantly reduced at 42 degrees C. These results provide the first in vitro evidence that MsbA is a lipid-activated ATPase and that hexaacylated lipid A is an especially potent activator.
Malaysia in 2004: Out of Mahathir's Shadow?

During 2004, Prime Minister Abdullah Ahmad Badawi faced the difficult challenge of carving out his own brand of leadership, maintaining economic competitiveness, and redefining Malaysia abroad. This article assesses his success and argues that Abdullah has created a new identity but ironically made himself more politically vulnerable.
Studies on the state of insulin in blood: dissociation of purified human blood insulin complex(es) by incubation with adipose tissue extracts in vitro.

Blood insulin complexes examined for insulin activity in vitro by the rat diaphragm assay under specified conditions did not exhibit full insulin activity. Incubation of the blood insulin complexes with crude and purified human and rat adipose tissue extracts resulted in an increase of insulin activity in the resin eluates. Extracts from other tissues, such as human liver, kidney and muscle and from rat diaphragm, did not produce similar results. It is suggested that adipose tissue extracts may contain a system which produces either free insulin from the blood insulin complexes or other forms of insulin which could be utilized by the rat diaphragm.