cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The mammalian rete testis--a morphological examination.

The fine structure of the rete testis was examined in several primates, domestic animals and rodents. The rete testis consists of a series of interconnected wide channels lined with a simple cuboidal to columnar epithelium, resting on a thick basal lamina. Beneath the basal lamina dense bundles of collagen fibrils and a few blood vessels, lymphatics or nerve tissue are found. The epithelial cells are characterized by large, deeply indented nuclei, spherical or short rod-shaped mitochondria, supranuclear Golgi profiles, some cisterns of rough endoplasmic reticulum, free ribosomes and numerous micropinocytotic vesicles in the ectoplasmic regions. Smooth endoplasmic reticulum, secretory granules, lysosomes or other types of dense bodies are rarely seen. The apical surface of the cells bears numerous microvilli and a single very long flagellum which is presumed to be motile. Adjoining lateral cell membranes exhibit a juxtaluminal tight junction, elaborate interdigitations and desmosomes. The basal plasma membrane is highly irregular greatly increasing its surface area of contact with the underlying interstitium. The nuclei of the rete epithelial cells contain pale-staining, spherical structures, 2 m in diameter, composed of circularly oriented fine filaments. The significance of the nuclear structures remains unknown. Thorotrast was injected into the lumen of the hamster and rat rete testis and 30 minutes later the proximal portion of the excurrent duct system of the testis was prepared for electron microscopy. Whereas the ductuli efferentes and first part of the epididymis possessed numerous apical vesicles filled with the thorotrast, this electron opaque substance was rarely found in the epithelium of the rete testis. Thus, incorporation of particulate matter into the lining cells of the rete from its lumen is apparently less active than in the epithelium of the ductuli and epididymis. Vascularly introduced intercellular tracer compounds such as lanthanum nitrate or horseradish peroxidase did not enter the lumen of the rete testis from the interstitium. These tracer molecules appeared to be blocked by the juxtaluminal tight junction separating adjacent epithelial cells. This latter observation suggests that a blood-testis barrier exists at the level of the rete testis epithelium. Although physiological studies have indicated that the composition of fluid secreted in the seminiferous epithelium is considerably modified in the rete testis, the present morphological study does not provide additional evidence to support a secretory or absorptive function for this region of the excurrent duct system of the testis.
Influence of Electrode Characteristics on DC Point-to-Plane Breakdown in High-Pressure Gaseous and Supercritical Carbon Dioxide

Discharges in supercritical conditions is a new field in plasma science. The supercritical phase has distinctive properties that may allow for unique plasma processing applications. In this paper, we study plasma generation in a point-to-plane geometry in the micrometer scale. The effects of needle characteristics, including tip diameter and plane electrode surface roughness, on discharge initiation are studied. The influence of pressure, temperature, and fluid density on breakdown voltage and reduced breakdown electric field are also investigated.
Managing complexity in heterogeneous system specification, simulation, and synthesis

System-level design is characterized by a behavioral specification and heterogeneous hardware/software implementations. Exploring the design space is essential for good design. Specifying and managing complex design flows, tracking dependencies and tool invocations, and maintaining consistency of design data and flows are key issues that enable efficient design space exploration. In order to manage the complexity of this design process, an infrastructure that manages these issues, transparent to the user, is presented. These concepts have been implemented in the Ptolemy environment within a framework called DesignMaker. An example design flow for multiprocessor synthesis is presented in some detail to illustrate the features of DesignMaker. The end objective of the framework is to facilitate a flexible system-level codesign assistant.
Combining acoustic and electric stimulation in the service of speech recognition

The majority of recently implanted, cochlear implant patients can potentially benefit from a hearing aid in the ear contralateral to the implant. When patients combine electric and acoustic stimulation, word recognition in quiet and sentence recognition in noise increase significantly. Several studies suggest that the acoustic information that leads to the increased level of performance resides mostly in the frequency region of the voice fundamental, e.g. 125 Hz for a male voice. Recent studies suggest that this information aids speech recognition in noise by improving the recognition of lexical boundaries or word onsets. In some noise environments, patients with bilateral implants can achieve similar levels of performance as patients who combine electric and acoustic stimulation. Patients who have undergone hearing preservation surgery, and who have electric stimulation from a cochlear implant and who have low-frequency hearing in both the implanted and not-implanted ears, achieve the best performance in a high noise environment.
The Trouble With Bibliographies: Where Is Mezhov When You Need Him?

This is a review of twelve bibliographies that reflect the holdings of the Russian collection in Hamilton Library at the University of Hawaii focusing on Siberia, the Soviet/Russian Far East, and Russia in Asia and the Pacific, especially Russians in China. The chosen titles represent a mixture of the great, the average, and not-so-good that the author has used over the past four decades. While there is a question about the usefulness of bibliographies in this digital age, most of the old standards should still play a role in academic scholarship.
Examining the Relationships Between Bone Tissue Composition, Compositional Heterogeneity, and Fragility Fracture: A Matched Case-Controlled FTIRI Study.

Fourier transform infrared imaging (FTIRI) provides information on spatial distribution of the chemical composition of thin tissue specimens at ∼7 µm spatial resolution. This study of 120 age- and bone mineral density (BMD)-matched patients was designed to investigate the association of FTIRI variables, measured in iliac crest biopsies, with fragility fractures at any site. An earlier study of 54 women found hip BMD to be a significant explanatory variable of fracture risk for cortical bone but not for cancellous bone. In the current study, where age and BMD were controlled through matching, no such association was observed, validating the pairing scheme. Our first study of unmatched iliac crest biopsies found increases in collagen maturity (cancellous and cortical bone) and mineral crystal size (cortical bone only) to be a significant explanatory variable of fracture when combined with other covariates. The ratio for collagen maturity has been correlated to the amount of enzymatic collagen cross-links. To assess the impact of other FTIRI variables (acid phosphate substitution, carbonate-to-phosphate ratio, and the pixel distribution [heterogeneity] of all relevant FTIRI variables), we examined biopsies from a matched case-controlled study, in which 60 women with fractures were each paired with an age- and BMD-matched female control. With the matched data set of 120 women, conditional logistic regression analyses revealed that significant explanatory variables of fracture were decreased carbonate-to-phosphate ratio in both cancellous (odds ratio [OR] = 0.580, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.37-0.909, p = 0.0176) and cortical bone (OR = 0.519, 95% CI 0.325-0.829, p = 0.0061), and increased heterogeneity (broadened pixel distribution) of collagen maturity for cancellous bone (OR = 1.549, 95% CI 1.002-2.396, p = 0.0491). The observation that collagen maturity was no longer linked to fracture in age- and BMD-matched samples suggests that age-dependent variation in collagen maturity may be a more important contributory factor to fragility fractures than previously thought. © 2015 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research.
Electrical properties and crystal structure of (Hg, Pb) Sr2(Ca, Y)Cu2O6+δ

Abstract The (Hg, Pb) based 1212-type cuprate (Hg, Pb)Sr2 (Ca,Y)Cu2O6+δ with Tconset up to 100 K was synthesized. The effect of O annealing on Tc was studied. Rietveld refinements of the structure were carried out with a tetragonal structure of space group P4/mmm. A local disorder was observed in the (Hg, Pb)Oδ layers. Better refinement results were obtained using models in which (Hg, Pb) atoms and O(3) atoms are shifted off their ideal positions from (0, 0, 0) to (x, 0, 0) or (x, x, 0) and from ( 1 2 1 2 , 0) to (x′, 1 2 , 0) or (x′, x′, 0), respectively. The refined composition is (Hg0.651Pb0.300Cu0.049)Sr2− (Y0.264Ca0.616Hg0.120)Cu2O6.84. According to the mixed valence concept of Cu 2+ 3+ and Pb 2+ 4+ , Pb is most likely at 4 + valence.
Complications and Additional Thoughts

Below are listed additional issues that we have experienced in the past. Hopefully, reading this list will help prevent them from happening to you. If not, perhaps the framework we give will help you in moments of stress.
Involution of the Thymus Dependent Lymphoid System

Evidence from clinical and experimental analyses has revealed deficiency of immune function with age in some individuals or animals and not in others (1–6). The immune deficiencies observed during aging are similar to those produced or accelerated by neonatal thymectomy (2–8). Cell mediated immunity deteriorates spontaneously at an earlier age in autoimmune susceptible strains than in autoimmune resistant strains of mice (2,5,8,9). We have suggested that there is a progressive quantitative loss of post-thymic cells during aging (2–4, 7).
Phonological Optimization and Syntactic Variation: The Case of Optional That

0. Introduction The principle of Phonology-Free Syntax (see papers in Zwicky, 1969) states that syntax should not be influenced by phonological constraints. This predicts that choice in syntactic variation should not be affected by phonological constraints, such as the avoidance of identical adjacent elements (Frisch et al., 2004; Leben, 1973). Only a few studies have investigated the extent to which phonological encoding can influence syntactic encoding and they have come to conflicting results (see Bock and Eberhard, 1993; Haskell and MacDonald, 2003; MacDonald et al., 1993). I investigate the influence of phonological optimization at different levels of linguistic form on so called optional that, as in the following complement clauses (CC*s) and relative clauses (RC*s):
Fourier Transform Direct Frequency Comb Spectroscopy in the Near- and Mid-Infrared

Fourier transform spectroscopy using near- and mid-infrared femtosecond optical frequency comb sources will be discussed, including the sensitive detection of trace molecular species within strongly absorbing gaseous mixtures.
Extreme monolayer-selectivity of hydrogen-plasma reactions with graphene.

We study the effect of remote hydrogen plasma on graphene deposited on SiO2. We observe strong monolayer selectivity for reactions with plasma species, characterized by isotropic hole formation in the basal plane of monolayers and etching from the sheet edges. The areal density of etch pits on monolayers is 2 orders of magnitude higher than on bilayers or thicker sheets. For bilayer or thicker sheets, the etch pit morphology is also quite different: hexagonal etch pits of uniform size, indicating that etching is highly anisotropic and proceeds from pre-existing defects rather than nucleating continuously as on monolayers. The etch rate displays a pronounced dependence on sample temperature for monolayer and multilayer graphene alike: very slow at room temperature, peaking at 400 °C and suppressed entirely at 700 °C. Applying the same hydrogen plasma treatment to graphene deposited on the much smoother substrate mica leads to very similar phenomenology as on the rougher SiO2, suggesting that a factor other...
A job-centric approach to user-level intrusion detection

Intrusion detection attempts to detect attacker activity should the preventive measures be inadequate. User-level intrusion detection attempts to deter and curtail an attack even after the system has been compromised. In this dissertation, the problem of user-level intrusion detection is approached in a more holistic manner. Currently known user-level intrusion detection algorithms rely on establishing statistically that an observed stream of commands belongs to a person other than the profiled user. However, by viewing the command stream merely as text, several useful properties about how a user uses a computer system are lost or incorrectly represented. The first part of the dissertation deals with this shortcoming. A novel higher order representation of a user's profile is proposed, which includes the hierarchical notion of jobs/tasks, followed by the basic units of functionality which a user requires to accomplish these tasks and then the actual commands. Such a representation is a significant departure from known techniques and provides several benefits such as user involvement in the security process, lowered false positive rates and per job profiling. Depending on which site the security system is deployed and what level at that site, a range of IDS components may be exposed to direct attack. Indeed, if the IDS is very effective, then the IDS itself becomes a more lucrative target. This is particularly of concern to a user-level IDS which is implemented in close vicinity to the user. In this dissertation, this specific issue is also addressed, wherein a structural analysis of dependencies reveals the ideal tamper-resistant configuration. Finally, investment in security systems of any kind and where they are planned to be installed requires careful deliberation. The fact that various options cannot be tried and tested on a live network, leaves the security analyst with very little leeway. Threat models provide a very useful and viable alternative in this regard. However, for user-level threats, currently known techniques such as attack graphs and privilege graphs are not appropriate. Instead, a new model is proposed called the key challenge graph, which specifically looks at user-level threat modeling. (Abstract shortened by UMI.)
Mental health, public health and depression, a bioethical perspective

Summary This paper is a preliminary look at what public health might look like when applied to the distinctive challenges that involve mental and behavioral disorders . These challenges are practical and methodological, but also ethical. An apparent worldwide epidemic of depression, with high costs in morbidity and mortality, has become the concern of health policy. At the same time, criticism has drawn attention to limitations in the ethical and philosophical foundations of biomedical ethics. Angus Dawson rejects the prominence of autonomy as the preeminent value of bioethics; the contractual obligations as at its core; and the idea that law and regulation exhaust its focus, for example. These limitations suggest biomedical ethics must look towards public health for its model. My discussion about envisioning public mental health from a bioethical standpoint is framed around three features associated with ordinary public health: an emphasis on prevention; a practice of protecting all for the sake of some; and a goal of limiting contagion. Each of these features has parallels when we turn to mental and behavioral disorders. On account of distinctive vulnerabilities of the target population, and the range, variety, and nature of the disorders involved, some applications are distinctive to the mental health setting. These are illustrated through a look at important and ground-breaking policies: preventive strategies developed through Australia's beyondblue organization and Black Dog Institute. The concept of prevention is shown to have ambiguities complicating its application to depression. The practice of protecting all for the sake of some is shown to have particular relevance to mental and behavioral disorders due to both features of those disorders themselves and to social attitudes about them. And significant parallels with contagious physical conditions are noted in light of the way “memes” spread through today's culture, affecting and engendering behavioral and probably emotional disorder. In the emergence of public mental health, we are now seeing initiatives such as the Australian ones, together with revised attitudes towards environmental causes of mental disorder. Public health offers a model with both promise and problems for mental health, I conclude. Its philosophical tenets cannot ever replace, but can supplement the liberal models underlying more traditional bioethics. Yet even well-designed preventive programs employing the educational approach most agreeable to liberal traditions, hold potential ethical dangers over what is taught, and how.
Vascular Injuries in Combat-Specific Soldiers during Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom

Background This study sought to identify vascular injury patterns among combat-specific cavalry scout personnel within the Iraq and Afghanistan Wars. Methods The Armed Forces Medical Examiner System and Joint Theater Trauma Registry were queried for all injuries with the cavalry scout designation from 2003 to 2011, including those both wounded in action (WIA) and killed in action (KIA). A description of vascular injury, combat causality care statistics, mechanism of injury, and demographic data were recorded. Results Sixteen percent (n = 111) of the 701 cavalry scouts with a combat wound sustained a vascular injury. Among cavalry scouts sustaining vascular injuries, 69% were caused by an explosive mechanism of injury, 63% were KIA, and 29% had a major extremity amputation. Cavalry scout soldiers with a vascular injury were significantly more likely to result from explosion (P Conclusions The high rates of KIA and extremity amputation among cavalry scout soldiers with a vascular injury denotes the lethality of these combat injuries. Uniformly equipping soldiers with battlefield tourniquets and educating them on their prehospital use might improve the survivorship of those servicemembers sustaining a compressible vascular injury.
Transient and persistent conduction abnormalities following transcatheter aortic valve replacement with the Edwards-Sapien prosthesis: a comparison between antegrade vs. retrograde approaches

Electrocardiographic conduction abnormalities following transcatheter aortic valve replacement (TAVR) with the Edwards-Sapien valve (ESV) are not uncommon and may be transient. We sought to examine the clinical time-course of conduction abnormalities after TAVR with ESV and determine risk factors for persistent abnormalities. In this single-center prospective study, 116 consecutive patients underwent implantation of the ESV after approval by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Demographic, clinical, and intra-procedural variables were collected in a registry, including ECGs before, immediately after, and at discharge from hospital. Conduction abnormalities were analyzed including PR interval lengthening, QRS widening, left bundle branch block (LBBB), and high-grade AV block. There were 92 patients included in the analysis. A total of 41 new conduction abnormalities were observed in 31 (34 %) patients: 7 new PR prolongation, 14 QRS widening, 14 new LBBB, and 5 high-grade AV block requiring permanent pacemaker. Of the 41 new CAs, 11 (27 %) were transient; of the transient abnormalities, 9 (82 %) resolved within 24 h of the index procedure. Chronic kidney disease was a risk factor for the development of a persistent abnormality and for need for PPM. Antegrade approach was associated with the development of persistent LBBB and persistent QRS widening. A significant proportion of conduction abnormalities after ESV implantation improved prior to discharge from the hospital, usually within 24 h. CKD is associated with persistence of abnormalities and with need for PPM. Antegrade approach increases risk for new intraventricular conduction delays, including LBBB.
Viral infection of bovine bronchial epithelial cells induces increased neutrophil chemotactic activity and neutrophil adhesion.

1. Acute bronchitis secondary to viral infection is associated with an influx of neutrophils. We hypothesized that bronchial epithelial cells are capable of releasing neutrophil chemotactic activity in response to viral infection. 2. To test this hypothesis, primary cultures of bovine bronchial epithelial cells were inoculated with a bovine respiratory pathogen, bovine herpes virus-1. 3. Supernatants collected from inoculated cells, before signs of toxicity, demonstrated significant neutrophil chemotactic activity using a blind well chamber neutrophil chemotaxis assay. Lipoxygenase inhibitors markedly reduced the amount of neutrophil chemotactic activity released after bovine herpes virus-1 inoculation. Analysis of arachidonic acid metabolites in cell supernatants by reverse-phase h.p.l.c. confirmed that leukotriene B 4 , a potent neutrophil chemoattractant, was released. 4. We also confirmed that adhesion of neutrophils to bovine herpes virus-1-inoculated bronchial epithelial cells was increased and mediated in part by the neutrophil integrin, LFA-1. 5. Thus, virally infected airway epithelial cells release leucocyte chemoattractants and hence adhesive interactions, functions that are likely to be important in the inflammatory acute response to viral infection.
Depolarization in three dimensions: Theoretical formulations and empirical results

Depolarization of wireless communication signals in two dimensions is a well studied phenomenon. However, with systems being deployed in ever more cluttered environments, this work herein illustrates that depolarization should be considered a three dimensional effect. The work presents analytical frameworks to study depolarization in three dimensions and empirical results illustrating its potentially significant impact.
Introduction to object-oriented discrete event simulation with OOSimL language

In most Computing academic programs, simulation is an important application area. This tutorial provides a short overview of object-oriented modeling and presents a gentle introduction to object-oriented modeling and simulation using the new simulation language OOSimL. This simulation language was designed and developed for teaching OO simulation to students of computing (Computer Science, Software Engineering, and related disciplines). The OOSimL simulation language is suited for small simulations models used in teaching; it is also suited to for developing models of large and complex systems. The OOSimL compiler generates Java source code and therefore a program that implements a model can integrate with any Java library. Standard object-oriented concepts learned with Java are reinforced using the OOSimL language.
When are Firms Sued for Making Optimistic Disclosures

Recent research finds a positive association between disclosure tone and future securities lawsuits and concludes that optimistic qualitative statements subject firms to litigation risk. We examine whether this association varies between forward and non-forward-looking statements due to asymmetric legal protections related to these two types of disclosures. We find that only the tone of non-forward-looking statements is associated with subsequent shareholder lawsuits. Our results suggest that firms are not sued for optimistic statements regarding future events, consistent with the safe harbor provisions effectively mitigating litigation risk for qualitative forward-looking disclosures. Furthermore, we find evidence suggesting that the link between non-forward-looking disclosure tone and future litigation is attributable primarily to a failure of firms to adequately disclose bad news rather than by firms’ excessive positive statements or “hype”. Future research should consider managers’ divergent reporting incentives for forward versus non-forward-looking statements when correlating measures of disclosure tone with other outcomes or determinants.
Isolator: accurate and stable analysis of isoform-level expression in RNA-Seq experiments

While RNA-Seq has enabled great progress towards the goal of wide-scale isoform-level mRNA quantification, short reads have limitations when resolving complex or similar sets of isoforms. As a result, estimates of isoform abundance carry far more uncertainty than those made at the gene level. When confronted with this uncertainty, commonly used methods produce estimates that are often high-variance---small perturbations in the data often produce dramatically different results, confounding downstream analysis. We introduce a new method, Isolator, which analyzes all samples in an experiment in unison using a simple Bayesian hierarchical model. Combined with aggressive bias correction, it produces estimates that are simultaneously accurate and show high agreement between samples. In a comprehensive comparison of accuracy and variance, we show that this property is unique to Isolator. We further demonstrate that the approach of modeling an entire experiment enables new analyses, which we demonstrate by examining splicing monotonicity across several time points in the development of human cardiomyocyte cells.
Financial Management in Agriculture

Chapter 1: Nature and Scope of Financial Management Chapter 2: Financial Statements and Information Flows Chapter 3: Financial Analysis and Control Chapter 4: An Overview Of Financial Planning Chapter 5: Credit Risk Assessment and Lender-Borrower Relationships Chapter 6: Capital Structure, Leverage, and Financial Risk Chapter 7: Risk Management Chapter 8: The Time Value of Money Chapter 9: Investment Analysis Chapter 10: Costs of Financial Capital Chapter 11: Investment Analysis: Inflation, Risk, and Financial Planning Chapter 12: Ownership and Leasing of Farm Land Chapter 13: Leasing Non-Real Estate Assets Chapter 14: Market Structure of Agriculture: Contracts, Integration, and Financing Chapter 15: Financial Markets in a Global Setting Chapter 16: The Management Environment for Financial Institutions Chapter 17: Loan Pricing and Profitability Analysis Chapter 18: Financial Intermediaries In Agriculture Chapter 19: Legal Aspects of Agricultural Finance Chapter 20: Business Organization in Agriculture Chapter 21: Outside Equity Capital in Agriculture
Serum Asymmetric and Symmetric Dimethylarginine and Morbidity and Mortality in Hemodialysis Patients

Background Asymmetric (ADMA) and symmetric dimethylarginine (SDMA) are putative uremic toxins that may exert toxicity by a number of mechanisms, including impaired nitric oxide synthesis and generation of reactive oxygen species. The study goal was to determine the association between these metabolites and cardiovascular outcomes in hemodialysis patients. Study Design Post hoc analysis of the Hemodialysis (HEMO) Study. Setting & Participants 1,276 prevalent hemodialysis patients with available samples 3 to 6 months after randomization. Predictor ADMA and SDMA measured in stored specimens. Outcomes Cardiac death, sudden cardiac death, first cardiovascular event, and any-cause death. Association with predictors analyzed using Cox regression adjusted for potential confounders (including demographics, clinical characteristics, comorbid conditions, albumin level, and residual kidney function). Results Mean age of patients was 57±14 (SD) years, 63% were black, and 57% were women. Mean ADMA (0.9±0.2μmol/L) and SDMA levels (4.3±1.4μmol/L) were moderately correlated (r=0.418). Higher dialysis dose or longer session length were not associated with lower predialysis ADMA or SDMA concentrations. In fully adjusted models, each doubling of ADMA level was associated with higher risk (HR per 2-fold higher concentration; 95% CI) of cardiac death (1.83; 1.29-2.58), sudden cardiac death (1.79; 1.19-2.69), first cardiovascular event (1.50; 1.20-1.87), and any-cause death (1.44; 1.13-1.83). Compared to the lowest ADMA quintile ( Limitations Single time-point measurement of ADMA and SDMA. Conclusions ADMA and, to a lesser extent, SDMA levels are associated with cardiovascular outcomes in hemodialysis patients.
Kinetic path towards the passivation of threading dislocations in GaN by oxygen impurities

Defect tolerance can be critically important for optoelectronics. GaN, specifically, tolerates a relatively large concentration of threading dislocations, but the physical origin of this tolerance remains a mystery. First-principles calculations reveal the removal of deep-level states from edge dislocations by oxygen passivation. This removal is, however, not a thermodynamic ground state but kinetically driven. Oxygen incorporation during growth can be harmful; it becomes beneficial if introduced in the cooling-down phase or post-growth thermal treatment at a significantly lower temperature. Our findings extend first-principles defect study to the nonequilibrium regime where low-diffusion-barrier defects affect electronic behavior of semiconductors in unexpected fashion.
The Non-standard Approach to the Theory of Information: Reflections on Definition and Measurement of Information

The mathematical theory of communication and semantic theory of information have been reflected on. Any one of them, while discussing an aspect of information, cannot constitute an approach to a complete theory of information.
Acetyl CoA Carboxylase: A potential therapeutic target in thyroid cancer

2370 Introduction: Many human tumors display a high rate of de novo fatty acid synthesis. This is reflected in an elevated activity and expression of lipogenic enzymes such as Fatty Acid Synthase (FAS) and Acetyl CoA Carboxylase (ACC) which are considered potential targets for therapeutic intervention. However, this pathway has not been studied in thyroid cancer. We hypothesize that lipogenic enzymes are important modulators in thyroid cancer progression and survival and may be potential therapeutic targets in thyroid cancer. Study Design: We grew 10 thyroid cancer cell lines derived from different types of thyroid tumors including follicular, papillary, and anaplastic carcinomas. Cells were collected and their RNA and DNA were isolated by phenol extraction. FAS , ACC , TGF-β and BAD expression levels were examined by RT-PCR. Gene copy number was determined by real time PCR. ACC enzyme activity was suppressed using the specific inhibitor, TOFA, and cell viability was measured by MTT assay. Cells were collected at 2 day after drug treatment and gene expression was measured by RT-PCR. Results: We detected high expression of FAS in some cell lines, while most thyroid cell lines showed elevated ACC expression. To see if there is relationship between expression and gene copy number, we examined FAS and ACC gene copy number in all 10 thyroid cancer cell lines. The FAS gene was occasionally gained or lost, whereas, ACC was gained in most of the cell lines. Interestingly, gains in ACC gene copy number correlated with increased mRNA expression. Next, ACC enzyme activity was suppressed using the specific inhibitor, TOFA. TOFA was cytotoxic to all thyroid cancer cell lines, with the two papillary carcinoma lines (KAT5 and KAT10) the most sensitive. Deprivation of palmitic acid is considered the basis of TOFA mediated cytotoxicity. To test this we added palmitic acid along with TOFA to the KAT 5 cells. Cell viability was decreased by TOFA in a dose dependent manner; however, viability was completely restored by addition of palmitic acid. With TOFA treatment cells no longer grew in clusters, cell proliferation was slowed leading ultimately to cell death. Because of these changes and to investigate a possible molecular mechanism for the cytotoxicity, we examined TGF-β and BAD expression in response to TOFA treatment. We found TGF-β expression was increased by TOFA in a dose dependent manner and expression of the pro-apoptotic regulator BAD was increased as well. BAD activity is modulated by TGF-β and, more importantly, its over-expression is known to increase sensitivity to apoptosis. Thus in addition to direct cytotoxic effects, TOFA may enhance sensitivity of other chemotherapeutic drugs by modulating TGF-β. Conclusions: Our results show that ACC is highly expressed in human thyroid cancer cells and plays an important role in their survival. Furthermore, our study suggests that the lipogenic enzyme ACC is potential therapeutic target in human thyroid tumor.
Nonmeasurability of the baryon number of a black-hole

One of the most astonishing features of gravitational collapse is the presumed (( ideal perfect ion, of the final state. All theoretical evidence favors the Israel-Carter conjecture, which says that the most general final configuration of gravitational collapse is a Kerr-Newman black-hole. If this conjecture is true, then it follows that the only measurable quantum numbers of a black-hole are mass, charge and angular moment u m t h e s e three quantities being the only adjustable parameters appearing in the KerrNewman metric. Any other particularity tha t the collapsing matter had fades away. Now, baryon number, one of the key quantities of particle physics is not in the list. The validity of the Israel-Carter conjecture implies then that the baryon number of a blaek-hole is not observable and consequently, as JOHN WHEELER says (1), that the law of conservation of baryons-i f not violated--is transcended in blaek-hole physics. However, as pointed out by BEKENSTEIN (2), the proofs of increasing generality of the * uniqueness of a black hole ,, given by CARTER (3), HAWKING (4), ISIr (5) and WALD (3), have not explicitly taken into account the possible effect of strong interactions which arc precisely the characteristic interaction of the baryons and which are per excellence the ~ measuring tools , for baryon number. An important step in this direction has been taken by BEKENSTEIN (3) himself who has been able to show tha t no classical meson fields, which meet some regularity conditions, can exist outside of a black-hole. Although this result probably implies tha t a black-hole cannot have any interactions mediated by mesons, even when the quantum nature of the fields is taken into account, an approach dealing with a quantum meson field from the very beginning would help to clarify the matter. Such a t reatment is given below.
After Marx, the Deluge: A Review of Nach Marx: Philosophie, Kritik, Praxis, edited by Rahel Jaeggi and Daniel Loick

‘After Marx’ or ‘According to Marx’. Thus translates the intentionally ambiguous title of ‘Nach Marx’, an international collection of twenty diverse essays in German on Marx and social philosophy today. ‘Nach Marx’ contains over five hundred pages of contributions from twelve prominent German philosophers and sociologists (Hauke Brunkhorst, Alex Demirovic, Rainer Forst, Axel Honneth, Rahel Jaeggi, Daniel Loick, Andrea Maihofer, Oliver Marchart, Christoph Menke, Hartmut Rosa, Michael Quante, Titus Stahl), six American political philosophers, German idealists, and historians (Wendy Brown, Daniel Brudney, Raymond Geuss, Frederick Neuhouser, Terry Pinkard, Moishe Postone), along with a British Hegelian philosopher (Andrew Chitty) and a French political thinker (Etienne Balibar). Although the book is divided into six themed parts (I. Freedom and Community, II. Normativity and Critique, III. Truth and Ideology, IV. Right and Subjectivity, V. Critique of Capitalism and Class Struggle, VI. Political Praxis), the essays are mostly individual excurses in Marx scholarship.
The Association of Cinnabar and Bitumen in Mercury Deposits of the California Coast Ranges

A review of the literature from around the world indicates that the association of bitumen and cinnabar in mercury deposits is widespread. Such deposits are commonly associated with sedimentary rocks; the compositions of igneous rocks in the vicinity of these deposits are highly variable, suggesting that anomolous heat rather than igneous rock type may be important to their formation. These deposits are commonly spatially coincident with anticlines or domes, which suggests that the focusing of buoyant fluids may be critical to their formation. The morphology of mercury ore bodies throughout the world is controlled by permeability, whether primary or secondary. On the deposit scale, mercury ore is spatially correlated with solid or liquid bitumens, or gas.
A Comparison of the Reactivity of Pd Supported on ZnO(101̅0) and ZnO(0001)

The dependence of ZnO surface structure on Pd/ZnO-catalyzed methanol decomposition was investigated by using model catalysts consisting of Pd films and particles on ZnO(1010) and ZnO(0001) single crystals. XPS studies showed that vapor-deposited Pd grows two dimensionally at 300 K and agglomerates into particles upon heating. Temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) experiments showed that CO adsorption was weaker on Pd/ZnO(0001) relative to Pd/ZnO(1010) and that PdZn alloy formation was more facile on the ZnO(0001) compared to ZnO(1010). Large differences in the amount of CO produced during methanol TPD on the Pd/ZnO(0001) and Pd/ZnO(1010) samples were also observed and attributed to the presence of highly active sites at the Pd−ZnO(0001) interface. Comparisons to high surface area Pd/ZnO catalysts indicate that similar structural effects may also influence their reactivity.
Reactor Dynamics of PEM Fuel Cells

Polymer electrolyte membrane (PEM) fuel cells are complex multiphase chemical reactors, whose principal products are water and an electric current. The basic operation of fuel cells has been reviewed previously in this volume. Hydrogen and oxygen are fed on opposite sides of an ion-conducting polymer. Hydrogen is oxidized to protons at a catalytic anode and the protons are conducted across the membrane where they react with oxygen and electrons to make water at a catalytic cathode. The proton current is driven by the chemical potential difference of hydrogen between the anode and cathode. When an external load is connected across the anode and cathode, an electron current passes through the external load, matched by a proton current through the ion-conducting membrane. The current is limited by both the external load impedance and the internal resistance of the ion-conducting membrane. The internal resistance of the polymer electrolyte membrane depends on the water content of the membrane. The water ionizes acid moieties providing mobile protons, like protons in water [1–3]. Absorbed water also swells the membrane, which may affect the interface between the polymer electrolyte and the electrodes. Nafion, a Teflon/perfluorosulfonic acid copolymer, is the most popular polymer electrolyte because it is chemically robust to oxidation and strongly acidic. The electrodes are commonly Pt nanoparticles supported on a nanoporous carbon support and coated onto a microporous carbon cloth or paper. These structures provide high threephase interface between the electrolyte/catalyst/reactant gas at both the anode and cathode. There are multiple transport and reaction steps in a fuel cell. Many of these reaction and transport processes are discussed in other chapters. PEM fuel cell designs have been heuristically derived to achieve high power output. Many proprietary methods of membrane-electrode assemblies have been developed, as well as complex structures of the flow fields, to provide the
Omeprazole: Effective, Convenient Therapy for Zollinger—Ellison Syndrome

The acute and long-term effects of omeprazole on gastric acid secretion were examined in 11 patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Basal gastric acid secretion was inhibited by 50% 3 h after a single 60mg dose of omeprazole and 78% 4 h after administration of omeprazole. Patients were treated with a single daily dose of omeprazole, and the dose requirement was defined as the lowest dose of omeprazole that would reduce gastric acid secretion to 50% 48 h after administration of omeprazole. Omeprazole continued to inhibit gastric acid secretion during 1–9 mo of therapy and patients remained free of toxicity or side effects related to omeprazole. Omeprazole is a highly effective inhibitor of gastric acid secretion in patients with Zollinger-Ellison syndrome. Because of its potency and long duration of action, omeprazole offers an advance in convenient medical therapy for Zollinger-Ellison syndrome compared with the histamine H 2 -receptor antagonists.
Biofuels in Air and Ground Transportation

Use of biofuels in aviation and ground transportation is increasing. The advantages of biofuels include their broad availability, carbon neutrality, environmental friendliness with potential economic and social benefits for the local communities. Bioethanol and biodiesel are by far the most prominent because of their ease of substitution of the conventional fossil fuels. Due to stringent quality standards in the aviation industry, rigorous testing of the biofuels is crucial. A number of feedstocks and technological routes are being explored for biofuel production including hydrotreated vegetable oils, Fischer-Tropsch fuels, synthesized iso-paraffinic fuels and alcohol-to-jet fuels. Some commercial flights have started using biofuels. Even though bioethanol and biodiesel are being blended with conventional fuel, there are still technological and economical challenges that prevent this fuel type to completely replace fossil fuels. The concept of bio-refinery which will utilize all parts of the biomass and transform all the co-products to value-added chemicals will give the biofuel industry a more competitive economic edge. Biofuels are promising alternatives and their use will continue to increase in the near future.
Obsolete Easement: You Can Do it But Can You Legalize it?

Commentary on a recent California decision permitting a servient tenant to alter the dimensions of an existing easement, but not to extinguish it and the imcompatible consequences of those two inconsistent approaches.
Diagnosis and management of patients with the antiphospholipid syndrome

The antiphospholipid syndrome is an autoimmune disorder characterized by venous or arterial thrombosis, recurrent pregnancy loss, and thrombocytopenia combined with laboratory tests that indicate the presence of antibodies against phospholipid-binding proteins. The antibodies are directed against a complex of phospholipid with a protein such as β2-glycoprotein I (β2-GPI) or prothrombin and are detected by means of phospholipid-dependent coagulation assays (known as assays for lupus anticoagulants) and by ELISAs that contain β2-GPI and a phospholipid (e.g., cardiolipin). The antiphospholipid syndrome can be associated with other connective tissue disorders such as systemic lupus erythematosus or may be the only manifestation of an autoimmune disorder. Management of patients with this disorder usually includes anticoagulation, which has been found to reduce the rate of recurrence of venous and arterial thrombosis as well as the rate of fetal loss.
The lack of impact of fair value accounting: a commentary on ‘“fair value” accounting as the normative Fisherian phase of accounting’

This commentary argues that the question of fair value measurement is a non-issue from the standpoint of accounting standards setting, as well as for issuers and users of financial statements. In o...
On the evolutionary origins of insect seminal fluid proteins.

Abstract In most cases, proteins affect the phenotype of the individual in which they are produced. However, in some cases, proteins have evolved in such a way that they are able to influence the phenotype of another individual of the same or of a different species (“influential proteins”). Examples of interspecific influential proteins include venom proteins and proteins produced by parasites that influence their hosts’ physiology or behavior. Examples of intraspecific influential proteins include those produced by both mothers and fetuses that mitigate maternal resource allocation and proteins transferred to females in the seminal fluid during mating that change female physiology and behavior. Although there has been much interest in the functions and evolutionary dynamics of these influential proteins, less is known about the origin of these proteins. Where does the DNA that encodes the proteins that can impact another individual’s phenotype come from and how do the proteins acquire their influential abilities? In this mini-review, I use insect seminal fluid proteins as a case study to consider the origin of intraspecific influential proteins. The existing data suggest that influential insect seminal fluid proteins arise both through co-option of existing genes (both single copy genes and gene duplicates) and de novo evolution. Other mechanisms for the origin of new insect seminal fluid proteins (e.g., retrotransoposition and horizontal gene transfer) are plausible but have not yet been demonstrated. Additional gaps in our understanding of the origin of insect seminal fluid proteins include an understanding of the cis-regulatory elements that designate expression in the male reproductive tract and of the evolutionary steps by which individual proteins come to depend on other seminal fluid proteins for their activity within the mated female.
Using Panel Data to Identify the Effects of Institutional Characteristics, Cohort Characteristics, and Institutional Actions on Graduation Rates

Institutional graduation rates occupy a prominent place in institutional research and public policy. Graduation rates are used in the College Scorecard, state performance funding initiatives, and potentially affect a significant proportion of public institutions revenues. Despite their widespread use, research suggests that institutional graduation rates are most strongly related to students’ entering characteristics and stable institutional characteristics, but are only weakly related to characteristics institutions can directly control. One set of institutional characteristics that appears to be related to graduation rates are expenditures for instruction, academic support, student services, and institutional support. However, inconsistencies in research findings raise the possibility that estimates of the effects of expenditures on graduation rates may be biased due to omitted variables (i.e., unobserved heterogeneity). The present research uses within-/between-effects panel data models with IPEDS panel data to account for omitted variable bias and examine the effects of institutional characteristics, cohort characteristics, and institutional expenditures on graduation rates.