cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MicroRNAs as regulators of prostate cancer metastasis

Prostate cancer causes significant morbidity in men and metastatic disease is a major cause of cancer related deaths. Prostate metastasis is controlled by various cellular intrinsic and extrinsic factors, which are often under the regulatory control of various metastasis-associated genes. Given the dynamic nature of metastatic cancer cells, the various factors controlling this process are themselves regulated by microRNAs which are small non-coding RNAs. Significant research work has shown differential microRNA expression in primary and metastatic prostate cancer suggesting their importance in prostate pathogenesis. We will review the roles of different microRNAs in controlling the various steps in prostate metastasis.
Primary care physicians' experience with zoster vaccine live (ZVL) and awareness and attitudes regarding the new recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV)

Abstract Background The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) has routinely recommended zoster vaccine live (ZVL) for adults ≥60 since 2008; only 33% of eligible adults received it by 2016. A recombinant zoster vaccine (RZV) was licensed in 2017 and ACIP recommended in January 2018. Our objectives were to assess among primary care physicians (1) practices and attitudes regarding ZVL and (2) awareness of RZV. Methods We administered an Internet and mail survey from July to September 2016 to national networks of 953 primary care physicians. Results Response rate was 65% (603/923). Ninety-three % of physicians recommended ZVL to adults ≥60, but fewer recommended it to adults ≥60 with a prior history of zoster (88%), adults > 85 (62%) and adults ≥60 on low-dose methotrexate (42%). Several physicians recommended ZVL in ways that are not recommended by ACIP including to adults 50–59 (50%), adults ≥60 with HIV (33%), and adults ≥60 on high dose prednisone (≥20 mg/day) (27%). Nineteen percent of physicians stocked and administered ZVL and did not refer patients elsewhere for vaccination, 37% did not stock and only referred patients to receive it, and 44% both stocked/administered and referred elsewhere. Twenty-three % (n = 115) of physicians who had ever administered ZVL in the office (n = 490) had stopped, citing primarily financial issues (90%). Only 5% were ‘very aware’ of RZV. Conclusions Physicians report not recommending ZVL to certain ACIP-recommended groups, but report recommending it to some groups for which the vaccine should be avoided. Implementation of recommendations for RZV will need to consider financial barriers and the complex patchwork of office-based and pharmacy delivery ZVL has encountered.
Diffusion of polymer-grafted nanoparticles in a homopolymer matrix

Molecular dynamics simulations are used to study the diffusion of polymer-grafted nanoparticles (PGNPs) in polymer. The diffusivity of PGNPs in the homopolymer matrix is investigated as a function of graft length and grafting density, and it is compared to that of bare nanoparticles with comparable effective size. Our results indicate that, in addition to the increase in the effective size of PGNPs due to grafting, the interpenetration of matrix polymers into the grafted layer also plays an important role in the mobility of PGNPs. In systems consisting of both PGNPs and bare particles, the spatial arrangement of the bare particles was found to be having a significant influence on the mobility of PGNPs. At low graft length and high grafting density, the matrix chains dewets the grafted layer, due to autophobic dewetting, creating a sharper interface between the matrix and the grafted layer. The bare particles then migrate to the interface creating a barrier around the PGNPs that hinders the matrix-graft interpenetration and results in the higher mobility of PGNPs. Our results emphasize the importance of polymer-particle interface on the dynamic properties of polymer nanocomposites.
Multipath Broadband Localization, Bathymetry, and Sediment Inversion

Transmission of linearly frequency modulated pulses generates receptions at a vertical line array that can be cross correlated with the source signal to provide estimates of the oceanic waveguide impulse response. For short ranges, distinct path arrivals can be identified including the direct, surface reflection, bottom reflection, and sediment reflection. Accurate estimation of arrival times of such paths is tightly related to successful inversion for source location and water column depth and sound speed and, subsequently, estimation of sediment sound speed and thickness. To achieve accurate estimation, particle filtering is applied to the received time series at 16 phones combined with a simple cross-correlation method. Using linearization, arrival time probability density functions are connected to the geometry and water column sound-speed parameters, providing point estimates as well as probability densities. These are then employed in sediment sound speed and thickness estimation. The results, obtained from the application of the method to data collected during the Seabed Characterization Experiment, are consistent with prior information on the site.
Irreducibility of the three, and two and a half dimensional Hall-magnetohydrodynamics system

Abstract The Hall-magnetohydrodynamics system has been considered by many to play an important role in astrophysical plasmas, star formation and magnetic re-connection. The Hall term mathematically elevates the magnetohydrodynamics system from a semi-linear to a quasi-linear type, and standard results which are well-known for the Navier–Stokes equations and the magnetohydrodynamics system, such as the local well-posedness in the non-diffusive case as well as the uniqueness of the weak solution in case the solution depends only on two spatial variables, are completely open for the Hall-magnetohydrodynamics system. Because the Hall-magnetohydrodynamics system is not known to be globally well-posed even if the solution depends only on two spatial variables, a typical method to prove ergodicity for the two-dimensional Navier–Stokes equations, such as Hairer and Mattingly (2006), seems to have no chance. In this manuscript, we take advantage of the structure of the Hall term, follow the work of Flandoli (1997), and prove its irreducibility property. In order to elaborate on the effect of the Hall term, we also prove analogous results for related systems such as the magnetohydrodynamics system, Benard problem, magnetic Benard problem, micropolar fluid system, as well as the magneto-micropolar fluid system. At the time of writing this manuscript, due to a technical difficulty, the strong Feller property of the Hall-magnetohydrodynamics system is an open problem.
Fool Me Twice? The Reemergence of Rofecoxib and the Orphan Drug Act.

This commentary considers the implications of applying the Orphan Drug Act to products that may be at risk for off-label prescribing after approval.
Self-efficacy and Physical Activity in Overweight and Obese Adults Participating in a Worksite Weight Loss Intervention: Multistate Modeling of Wearable Device Data.

Background: Physical activity is associated with a reduced risk of numerous types of cancer and plays an important role in maintaining a healthy weight. Wearable physical activity trackers may supplement behavioral intervention and enable researchers to study how determinants like self-efficacy predict physical activity patterns over time. Methods: We used multistate models to evaluate how self-efficacy predicted physical activity states among overweight and obese individuals participating in a 26-week weight loss program (N = 96). We specified five states to capture physical activity patterns: (i) active (i.e., meeting recommendations for 2 weeks), (ii) insufficiently active, (iii) nonvalid wear, (iv) favorable transition (i.e., improvement in physical activity over 2 weeks), and (v) unfavorable transition. We calculated HRs of transition probabilities by self-efficacy, body mass index, age, and time. Results: The average prevalence of individuals in the active, insufficiently active, and nonvalid wear states was 13%, 44%, and 16%, respectively. Low self-efficacy negatively predicted entering an active state [HR, 0.51; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.29–0.88]. Obesity negatively predicted making a favorable transition out of an insufficiently active state (HR, 0.61; 95% CI, 0.40–0.91). Older participants were less likely to transition to the nonvalid wear state (HR, 0.53; 95% CI, 0.30–0.93). Device nonwear increased in the second half of the intervention (HR, 1.73; 95% CI, 1.07–2.81). Conclusions: Self-efficacy is an important predictor for clinically relevant physical activity change in overweight and obese individuals. Multistate modeling is useful for analyzing longitudinal physical activity data. Impact: Multistate modeling can be used for statistical inference of covariates and allow for explicit modeling of nonvalid wear. See all articles in this CEBP Focus section, “Modernizing Population Science.”
mosaicFlye: Resolving long mosaic repeats using long error-prone reads

Abstract Long-read technologies revolutionized genome assembly and enabled resolution of bridged repeats (i.e., repeats that are spanned by some reads) in various genomes. However, the problem of resolving unbridged repeats (such as long segmental duplications in the human genome) remains largely unsolved, making it a major obstacle towards achieving the goal of complete genome assemblies. Moreover, the challenge of resolving unbridged repeats is not limited to eukaryotic genomes but also impairs assemblies of bacterial genomes and metagenomes. We describe the mosaicFlye algorithm for resolving complex unbridged repeats based on differences between various repeat copies and show how it improves assemblies of the human genome as well as bacterial genomes and metagenomes. In particular, we show that mosaicFlye results in a complete assembly of both arms of the human chromosome 6.
Masked by Trust: Bias in Library Discovery

Modern life is increasingly driven by algorithms, including those behind search engines and library discovery systems. While librarians routinely caution users to consider bias on the web, they are...
The Goyesque Gaze: Image, Violence, Dignity-Potency

This work interprets a series of widely neglected interventions by the Spanish painter Francisco de Goya that are fundamental to understanding how we see history and violence in our contemporary wo...
The application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in fulminant myocarditis

Fulminant myocarditis is a myocarditis of acute hemodynamic disorder as the main performance, with acute onset, rapid progression and high mortality.It will lead to serious arrhythmia and cardic shock, which may be delay to the diagnosis.There is no specific medicine for this disease currently, which is treated with symptomatic and supportive therapy in general.The application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation is an effective measures for the treatment of acute fulminant myocarditis in recent years.In this article, we made a review on the application of extracorporeal membrane oxygenation in fulminant myocarditis at present. Key words: Fulminant myocarditis; Extracorporeal membrane oxygenation,
Early Transplantation in Acute on Chronic Liver Failure: Who and When

Acute on chronic liver failure (ACLF) is a unique syndrome that afflicts patients with chronic liver disease and results in high short-term mortality, > 50% at 28 days in patients with severe ACLF (grade 3, ACLF-3). Given this prognosis, there is an urgent need to understand risk factors for this condition, as well as selection criteria for patients who may benefit from liver transplantation (LT). Several studies have identified risk factors for developing ACLF, including higher model for end-stage liver disease score, anemia, and morbid obesity, as well ACLF mortality, such as infection, increasing organ failures, and higher white blood cell count. Prognostic tools are now available as online calculators. Regarding LT in ACLF, data suggest that even patients with ACLF-3 may do well after LT, with 1-year survival > 80% in several studies. Improvement in organ failures prior to LT, higher donor quality, and lack of mechanical ventilation further improve outcomes. Importantly, ACLF-3 patients may have higher short-term wait list mortality than patients listed status-1a, suggesting that increased LT prioritization may be warranted. ACLF is a high-mortality condition that frequently responds well to LT. Ongoing efforts to understand the natural history of ACLF and predictors of improved post-LT survival will facilitate LT criteria for this condition, which may ultimately include increased LT prioritization for selected patients.
Chinese and US Preschool Teachers' Beliefs about Children's Cooperative Problem-Solving during Play.

Many researchers have investigated the cooperative problem solving (CPS) of children during play; however, there is a lack of studies focused on teachers’ beliefs about how to support the development of children’s CPS in classrooms. This study aims to investigate the pedagogical beliefs of Chinese (n = 3) and US (n = 3) teachers about the CPS of children during play and their decision-making capabilities in supporting children to advance this skill in classrooms. A semi-structured interview was conducted with the integration of video-stimulated recall approach in order to achieve this aim. Results confirm that the Chinese and US teachers believe that children are competent and have the autonomy to decide how to solve problems with their peers. The beliefs are similar across the teachers, whereas their execution of these beliefs varies, which reflects their cultural uniqueness in scaffolding and creating classroom environments.
Wildfire Risk Mitigation: A Paradigm Shift in Power Systems Planning and Operation

Managing the risk of wildfires has been arguably the biggest recent challenge of electric utilities with infrastructure located in the wildland-urban interface. Utilities are deploying solutions for wildfire risk mitigation, such as public safety power shutoffs, which are counter-intuitive from a reliability-centric operation paradigm. This article presents an overview of the challenges, implications, and potential strategies for wildfire risk mitigation in power systems, and introduces the vision for a wildfire-resilient power system. The wildfire risk management strategies presented in this article range from fault prevention methods such as structural hardening, vegetation management and implementing advanced protection systems, to arc-suppression and ignition prevention methods. This article also identifies relevant research opportunities associated with implementing wildfire mitigation techniques on power systems.
Foreign Investment in Northern Ireland Property Post-Brexit

Northern Ireland, which is a part of the United Kingdom, has surged as a country with strong and stable economic growth, an innovative investment environment and an important connection to the EU with its shared border with Ireland. Brexit will effectively disconnect Northern Ireland from the EU and could have lasting effects on trade between the two entities. In this short article, we examine the unique laws on foreign investment in Northern Ireland and how the investment environment for real property may change in a post-Brexit world.
The Stress of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Beyond the Data.

BACKGROUND: The year 2020 will go down in modern history as the one ravaged by a pandemic, the one which humbled the entire world. From the richest and most advanced nations to the poorest and least developed it exposed all of our vulnerabilities. The loss of life, health disparities and economic adversities, aggravated by political and ideological tensions, added multiple layers of stress and anxieties to an already stressed American society. METHODS: The educational institutions in the United States from the central to the local units demonstrated coherence in leadership, guided with flexibility and compassion, which paved the way for smooth operations. However, the anxiety among students and faculty on university and college campuses, is undeniable. In-person instruction was haulted. Research labs and officeswere locked down or operating with limited personnel Thus, the challenges to have timely instruction and to move the research enterprise forward have been enormous. Provided here is a perspective gathered from a literature search using PubMed and google with search words "COVID-19, stress, college students", "COVID-19, stress, US graduate students", and "COVID-19, stress, postdoc researchers". RESULTS: This article is an opinion piece, part personal and part peer experiences. It is presented in light of studies suggesting that the COVID-19 pandemic has imposed significant mental stress and anxiety upon students and faculty members within the academy. CONCLUSION: Loss of face-to-face interactions as a result of virtual instruction, lack of in-person mentoring, and loss of research productivity has taken its toll on the mental health and well- being of the academic community. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, the ingenuity of the human spirit has innovated solutions to catch up on research productivity and to pursue academic excellence.
Minimally Invasive Esophagectomy

Minimally invasive esophagectomy is performed for surgically resectable esophageal cancer, cases where there are high-grade dysplasia of the esophagus and massive esophageal dilatation due to benign disease (e.g., end-stage achalasia, Chagas’ disease). This chapter describes indications, essential steps, variations, and complications of this procedure. It provides a detailed template operative note for the procedure.
Effects of Preoperative Breathing Exercise on Postoperative Outcomes for Patients With Lung Cancer Undergoing Curative Intent Lung Resection: A Meta-analysis

Abstract Objective To determine the benefits of preoperative breathing exercises on hospital length of stay (LOS), pneumonia, postoperative pulmonary complications (PPC), 6-minute walk distance (6MWD), forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in patients undergoing surgical lung cancer resection. Data Sources PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science Core Collection, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials were comprehensively searched from inception to March 2021. Study Selection Only studies including preoperative inspiratory muscle training (IMT) and/or breathing exercises compared with a nontraining control group were included. The meta-analysis was done using Cochrane software for multiple variables including LOS, pneumonia, PPC, 6MWD, FEV1, mortality, and HRQOL. Data Extraction Two authors extracted the data of the selected studies. The primary outcomes were LOS and PPC. Data Synthesis A total of 10 studies were included in this meta-analysis, 8 of which had both IMT and aerobic exercise. Pooled data for patients who performed preoperative breathing exercises, compared with controls, demonstrated a decrease in LOS with a pooled mean difference of –3.44 days (95% confidence interval [CI], –4.14 to –2.75; P Conclusions Preoperative breathing exercises reduced LOS, PPC, and pneumonia and potentially improved 6MWD in patients undergoing surgical lung cancer resection. Breathing exercises in combination with aerobic exercise yielded greater reductions in LOS. Randomized controlled trials are needed to test the feasibility of introducing a preoperative breathing exercise program in this patient population.
CLOUD BAND MORPHOMETRY: AN ALTERNATIVE APPROACH TO SATELLITE IMAGE ANALYSIS

This research assesses the use of Cold Front Cloud Band (CFCB) morphometry as an indicator of the characteristics of air masses at cold fronts. Measurements of the configuration of the CFCB (i.e., length, width, length/width ratio, and radius of curvature) are made using GOES/SMS satellite imagery. CFCB height and air mass characteristics of temperature, specific humidity, 500 mb wind velocity, and 500 mb vorticity are derived from NWS surface and upper air charts. Nonparametric correlations are utilized to relate CFCB morphometric variables to the selected characteristics of maritime tropical (mT) and continental polar (cP) air masses as they meet to form cold fronts over the eastern United States. CFCB-Air Mass relationships resulting in higher correlations are examined through two series of interpretive tests. The stronger correlations imply a direct relationship between CFCB height and 500 mb vorticity and between CFCB length and cP specific humidity; and inverse relationships between both the CFCB le...
Human Monorchism: A Clinicopathological Study of Unilateral Absent Testes in 65 Boys

AbstractWe reviewed the medical records of 65 boys with surgically and pathologically proved monorchism. A striking laterality to the left side was identified. In 83 per cent of the patients wolffian structures were present and in 20 per cent microscopic evidence of a terminal nubbin of hyalinized, calcified or hemosiderin-containing tissue was noted. These findings strongly suggest that in most instances of monorchism a testis had been present and had undergone subsequent in utero degeneration. Characterization of the hormonal changes associated with unilateral absent testes was done by determining fasting morning levels of luteinizing hormone and follicle-stimulating hormone. In a subgroup of monorchid boys and age-matched prepubertal unilateral cryptorchid boys luteinizing hormone release factor stimulation also was performed to determine if endocrine analysis could predict the absence of 1 testis.
“Giving You Something to Make You Wise.” A Peircian Joke About Teaching?

There are a number of points on which I believe Torill Strand and I agree. For instance, she warns us of an impending “[E]ra of informationalism, transnational knowledge economies, and by implication an epistemification of everyday life.” If I understand all this correctly, I share her worry about our age of information overflow and misinformation that might wash away the ancient dikes of criticism that have been essential educational tasks as philosophers (of education). I share her worry about “knowledge economies” and the encroaching “epistemification” of the everyday if that means the whimsical child’s play of picking up some relativistic perspective, “perception,” or other epistemic Barbie doll, and idly coddling it until it loses its novelty and is then discarded for another whimsical “perception.” I also agree with her elaboration of C. S. Peirce’s comment on surprise as a learning experience that bridges the familiar with the novel and unexpected and that forms a double consciousness.
Standards for a user‐system interface language in on‐line retrieval systems: The challenge and the responsibility

Standards are generally accepted and documented sets of conditions to be fulfilled. They are of several kinds: dimensional, performance, testing, technical terms and symbols, and codes of practice. It is proposed that the conversational language used in interactive retrieval systems should become standard at least as far as the technical terms and symbols used by the user are concerned. If that effort is successful, a standards effort in the area of a code of practice or recommended methods for operation could be developed. Then, and only then, could dimensional standards (to secure exact interchangeability) be effected. In the opinion of the author, the other two areas of standards work (performance standards and testing standards) lie outside the effort of a standards sub‐committee working within the ANSI Z‐39 or X.3 areas, at least as it relates to a user language for interactive retrieval systems.
Renal tumour nephrometry score does not correlate with the risk of radiofrequency ablation complications.

Objectives To assess whether the R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score (consists of [R]adius [tumour size as maximal diameter], [E]xophytic/endophytic properties of the tumour, [N]earness of tumour deepest portion to the collecting system or sinus, [A]nterior [a]/posterior [p] descriptor and the [L]ocation relative to the polar line) is associated with complication risk in patients that have radiofrequency ablation (RFA) for small renal masses (SRMs). To evaluate a standardised system for predicting complication risks which has not been studied. Patients and Methods We reviewed the records of all patients who underwent RFA at our institution between May 2001 and May 2011. RFA was performed using a temperature-based system and a 25-G nine-tine array needle probe. Patients with preoperative imaging available for R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scoring were included. R.E.N.A.L. composite scores, tertile stratification and preoperative patient characteristics were analysed for significance in relation to complications. Complications were defined using the Clavien-Dindo classification system. Results In all, 199 patients had preoperative R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scores available; 170 underwent percutaneous RFA and 29 laparoscopic RFA. The mean (range) American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) score was 2.6 (1–4). The mean (range) tumour size was 2.4 (0.7–5.4) cm. Overall, 14 complications were identified; 10 minor (Clavien I–II) and four major (Clavien III–IV). There was no significant association between complications and R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry score, R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry tertiles, tumour diameter, tumour location or ASA score (P > 0.05). Conclusion R.E.N.A.L. nephrometry scoring fails to predict complications of RFA for SRMs when using a temperature-based nine-tine array probe.
Pattern Classification Using a Quantum System

We consider the possibility of using a quantum system to classify binary patterns. Motivations for doing so include the potential for classification systems to exist on a scale not possible with current classical logic circuits and the potential for quantum systems to perform computations not feasible on classical systems [1] [2] [3] [4]. The idea of using quantum systems as neural information processing systems is not new [5] [6] [7] [8] [9] but is not yet well understood. Here, we present some analysis and empirical results for furthering such investigations. Specifically, let B={0,1} and let T={(xi, yi)} be a set of m pairs of points xi in B and labels yi in B. We would like to construct a quantum system for correctly labeling those points in T and for generalizing in a reasonable way to label other points z∈B with z∉T. In other words, we would like to construct a quantum classification system that approximates the function f: B→B from which the set T was drawn. The use of entanglement for just such a task has been discussed in [10]. We consider three variations on incorporating the information contained in the set T into a quantum classification system based on Grover’s iterative search algorithm [2]. The three methods will be described and compared and empirical simulation results from some very simple classification problems will be presented.
Linear optimal tracking control: An adaptive dynamic programming approach

This paper addresses the optimal output regulation problem of linear systems with unknown system dynamics. The exogenous signal is presumed to be generated by a continuous-time linear exosystem. Firstly, we formulate the linear optimal output regulation problem (LOORP). Then, we give an offline solution of LOORP to design the optimal static state-feedback servoregulator by solving an algebraic Riccati equation (ARE) and a regulator equation. Instead of solving these two equations directly, by using state, input and exogenous signals collected online, we employ an approximate/adaptive dynamic programming (ADP) technique to seek online approximations of above equations whereby we get the approximated optimal servoregulator. Rigorous stability analysis shows that the closed-loop linear system is exponentially stable. Also, the output of the plant asymptotically tracks the given reference. Simulation results demonstrate the effectiveness of the proposed approach.
Polar Cap Variations and the Interplanetary Magnetic Field

This paper reviews research involved with direct and inferred determinations of the polar cap size and location, as well as their relationships with the interplanetary magnetic field. “Polar cap” is defined here as the region of open geomagnetic field lines encircled by the auroral oval. The first part of the paper reports the progress in the observation and understanding of polar cap size variations as related to changes of the interplanetary magnetic field magnitude and direction obtained by scaling the global auroral distributions from DMSP auroral pictures. Some new results on configurational changes of the auroral oval (i.e., the polar cap) with different orientations of the interplanetary magnetic field are also discussed. There are indications of the dawn-dusk and sunward-tailward displacements of the auroral oval in association with the interplanetary magnetic field By and Bx components, respectively. It is obvious from this review that a better understanding of the interaction between the terrestrial magnetosphere and the interplanetary magnetic field requires further efforts, both observational and theoretical.
Reactivity and stability investigation of supported molybdenum oxide catalysts for the hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of m-cresol

Abstract The vapor-phase hydrodeoxygenation (HDO) of m-cresol is investigated at 593 K and H2 pressures ⩽1 bar for supported catalysts comprised of 10 wt% MoO3 dispersed over SiO2, γAl2O3, TiO2, ZrO2, and CeO2. Reactivity data show that all catalysts selectively cleave C O bonds without saturating the aromatic ring, thus effectively transforming m-cresol into toluene at moderate to high conversions. MoO3/ZrO2 and MoO3/TiO2 feature the highest initial site time yields (23.4 and 13.9 h−1, respectively) and lowest first-order deactivation rate constants (0.013 and 0.006 h−1, respectively) of all catalysts tested after ca. 100 h on stream. Characterization studies demonstrate that the supports play an important role in stabilizing partially reduced, coordinatively unsaturated (CU) sites in surface oligomeric Mo moieties. Post-reaction X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy shows that the catalysts with higher activity feature larger proportions of intermediate oxidation species (Mo5+ and Mo3+). In contrast, the catalysts with lower reactivity show different oxidation states: bulk MoO3 features mostly Mo4+ and metallic Mo species, while MoO3/CeO2 features a high proportion of Mo6+ species. An inverse correlation is established between the catalyst activity and both the maximum hydrogen consumption temperature obtained during temperature programmed reduction, and the support cation electronegativity (with the exception of MoO3/CeO2).
Modulation of O6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase in rats following intravenous administration of O6-methylguanine

The purine analogue O 6-methylguanine is an effective biochemical modulator of the DNA repair protein O 6-alkylguanine-DNA alkyltransferase. Inactivation of the alkyltransferase by O 6-methylguanine sensitizes tumor cells to nitrosoureas in vitro . The pharmacokinetics of O 6-methylguanine were evaluated in female Sprague-Dawley rats following administration of a single 40 mg/kg i.v. bolus dose. Two-compartment pharmacokinetic analysis revealed a terminal elimination half-life of 2.3 ± 0.68 h, a total body clearance of 6.0 ± 0.53 ml/min/kg, and a volume of distribution at steady state of 948 ± 186 ml/kg. To inactivate the alkyltransferase, 80 mg/kg O 6-methylguanine was given at 0 and 2 h. Alkyltransferase decreased in bone marrow, kidney, lung, spleen, and intestine by 20–90%. Regeneration of alkyltransferase activity was observed 22–70 h after the first bolus dose of O 6-methylguanine. A continuous infusion protocol, which achieved a steady state serum concentration of 10.3 ± 1.5 µg O 6-methylguanine/ml at 15 h, resulted in a similar degree of inactivation of tissue alkyltransferase to that observed following bolus drug infusion. O 6-Methylguanine tissue concentrations, including that determined in brain, were 1.7- to 4-fold higher than that in serum, indicating that O 6-methylguanine is concentrated in most if not all tissues. These studies establish pharmacokinetic parameters of O 6-methylguanine in rats and suggest that effective biochemical modulation of alkyltransferase can be achieved in vivo . Further studies are indicated to assess the extent to which biochemical modulation of alkyltransferase reduces tumor nitrosourea resistance in vivo .
The effect of fresh bone marrow cells on reconstruction of mouse calvarial defect combined with calvarial osteoprogenitor cells and collagen/apatite scaffold

Fresh bone marrow cells have already exhibited its advantages as osteogenic donor cells, but the combination between fresh bone marrow cells and other donor cells utilized for bone healing has not been fully explored. To highlight the impact of fresh bone marrow cells on scaffold-based bone regeneration, single or a combination of calvarial osteoprogenitor cells (OPCs) and bone marrow cells (BMCs) were used as donor cells combined with collagen-apatite scaffold for calvarial defect healing. The host and donor contributions to bone formation were assessed using histological and GFP imaging analysis. Although the amount of new bone formed by different cell sources did not show significant differences, the origin of the bone formation in the defects mainly depended on the types of donor cells employed: when only calvarial OPCs were used as donor cells, a donor-derived bone healing instead of host-derived bone ingrowth was observed; when only fresh BMCs were loaded, the host bone could grow into the defect along the lamellar structure of the scaffolds, but the amount of new bone formed was significantly lower than the defect loaded with calvarial OPCs only. The combination of calvarial OPCs and fresh BMCs had similar amount of new bone formation as the group loaded with calvarial osteoprogenitors alone, but did not induce any host-derived bone formation. These results provide compelling evidence of the importance of fresh BMCs to induce host-implant integration in bone tissue engineering.
Molecular Evolution at the decapentaplegic Locus in Drosophila

Using an elaborate set of cis -regulatory sequences, the decapentaplegic (dpp) gene displays a dynamic pattern of gene expression during development. The C-terminal portion of the DPP protein is processed to generate a secreted signaling molecule belonging to the transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) family. This signal, the DPP ligand, is able to influence the developmental fates of responsive cells in a concentration-dependent fashion. Here we examine the sequence level organization of a significant portion of the dpp locus in Drosophila melanogaster and use interspecific comparisons with D. simulans, D. pseudoobscura and D.virilis to explore the molecular evolution of the gene. Our interspecific analysis identified significant selective constraint on both the nucleotide and amino acid sequences. As expected, interspecific comparison of protein coding sequences shows that the C-terminal ligand region is highly conserved. However, the central portion of the protein is also conserved, while the N-terminal third is quite variable. Comparison of noncoding regions reveals significant stretches of nucleotide identity in the 3′ untranslated portion of exon 3 and in the intron between exons 2 and 3. An examination of cDNA sequences representing five classes of dpp transcripts indicates that these transcripts encode the same polypeptide.
An agent-based domain specific framework for rapid prototyping of applications in evolutionary biology

In this paper we present a brief overview of the ΦLOG project, aimed at the development of a domain specific framework for the rapid prototyping of applications in evolutionary biology. This includes the development of a domain specific language, called ΦLOG, and an agent-based implementation for the monitoring and execution of ΦLOG’s programs. A ΦLOG program – representing an intended application from an evolutionary biologist – is a specification of what to do to achieve her/his goal. The execution and monitoring component of our system will automatically figure out how to do it. We achieve that by viewing the available bioinformatic tools and data repositories as web services and casting the problem of execution of a sequence of bioinformatic services (possibly with loops, branches, and conditionals, specified by biologists) as the web services composition problem.
Lack of Associations of Ten Candidate Coronary Heart Disease Risk Genetic Variants and Subclinical Atherosclerosis in Four U.S. Populations: the Population Architecture using Genomics and Epidemiology (PAGE) Study

Background A number of genetic variants have been discovered by recent genome-wide association studies for their associations with clinical coronary heart disease (CHD). However, it is unclear whether these variants are also associated with the development of CHD as measured by subclinical atherosclerosis phenotypes, ankle brachial index (ABI), carotid artery intima-media thickness (cIMT) and carotid plaque.
Compositional variability of terrestrial mantle apatites, thermodynamic modeling of apatite volatile contents, and the halogen and water budgets of planetary mantles

Abstract Apatites in ultramafic xenoliths from Hawaii, Kamchatka, Nunivak Island, Lunar Crater volcanic field and the Navajo volcanic field have variable volatile (F, Cl, OH) compositions that correlate with their petrogenesis. Apatites in metasomatized lherzolite/harzburgite xenoliths are relatively Cl-rich whereas apatites in igneous pyroxenite and amphibolite xenoliths are relatively F-rich. Our results support the generalization of O'Reilly and Griffin (2000) that metasomatic apatites tend to be Cl-rich and magmatic apatites tend to be F-rich. Mantle metasomatism may largely be the consequence of devolatilization of Cl-rich fluids from subducted lithosphere. However, the occurrence of metasomatic xenoliths far removed from subduction zones (e.g., Bullenmerri) as well as the geochemistry of Cl in some plume basalts and diamonds indicates that not all metasomatism is subduction-triggered. Thermodynamic modeling of the influence on apatite compositions of variable F, Cl, H2O, and P abundances, as well as temperature, is consistent with the idea that terrestrial mantle fluids are H2O-rich, and that halogen enrichment in terrestrial apatites need not represent large absolute halogen abundances in the fluids. The models indicate that the occurrence of volatile-poor calcium phosphate (merrillite/whitlockite) in the Martian and terrestrial mantles is facilitated by halogen- and phosphorus-rich and water-poor environments — the rarity of this assemblage in the terrestrial mantle compared to Mars is consistent with the relatively wet and halogen- and phosphorus-poor nature of the terrestrial mantle compared to that of Mars.
Nonlinear Vibration of Heated Co-rotating Disks

Nonlinear vibrations of co-rotating disks with thermal effects are investigated under non-uniform temperature distributions relative to airflow induced by disk rotation. For analytical investigation of thermal effects, the temperature distribution patterns are obtained through the heat transfer coefficients measurements. The natural frequencies for symmetric and asymmetric responses of an 86 mm diameter computer memory disk are computed. When the disk is heated, its stiffness becomes larger for the two lowest nodal diameter numbers and smaller for the other nodal diameter numbers. This implies that the vibration of heated, rotating disks for the higher nodal diameter numbers may be induced more easily than the cooled one.
Mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns of the acetoxy and trimethylsilyl derivatives of all the positional isomers of the methyl hydroxypalmitates

Mass spectrometric fragmentation patterns and the diagnostic and characteristic ions are presented for the acetoxy and the trimethylsilyl derivatives of all 15 of the positional isomers of the methyl esters of hydroxypalmitic acids.
A GENERALIZATION OF THE FOREIGN TRADE MULTIPLIER

SUMMARY Fictitious Centralism in large enterprises. In order that each of the threads of an increasingly complicated business enterprise may be kept in hand, they are all actually made to converge at the highest level. But this centralisation is fictitious; for, in reality, it leads to an overburdening of the man at the top, who is thus rendered incapable of performing his proper function—namely, to take decisions. Instead, he becomes the weakest link in the routine. Imperfect delegation, i. e., the delegation of matters for treatment without simultaneous surrender of competence, condemns those in the middle grade to subaltern standing, in which they too are unable to take any decision or assume the responsibility that goes with the taking of decisions. The typical result is that nobody decides, that—to exaggerate slightly—the life of an industrial concern is controlled not by definite volition but by the law of cause and effect. Imperfect delegation is one of the causes of the hypertrophy and sluggishness of the internal bureaucracy of business concerns. The fact of clinging to theoretical powers which in reality are not exercised has, for instance, the result that the modern forms of accounting practice not only fail to give the internal life of a big enterprise the elasticity and commerciality which they quite well could have given it, but, instead, lead to a multiplication of bureaucratic processes. The negative effects of the fictitious centralism which distinguishes the industrial system from the great organisations of the past (e. g. the ancient polis and the feudal state, both of which tended to delegate too many rather than too few functions) are certainly well known, yet it seems impossible to overcome it. This fact is only to be explained in the light of the history of ideas (“Geistesgeschichte”). From his predecessor, the capitalistic entrepreneur, the present-day manager has taken over the automatic equation of what he does with work, and the consequent justification of his social position in his own eyes and those of society. This attitude, which was alien to most of the leading groups in history, prevents him from extricating himself from the vicious circle which he has got into as the result of fictitious centralism.
Comparative abilities of lanthanide ions La3+ and Tb3+ to substitute for Ca2+ in regulating phospholipid-sensitive Ca2+-dependent protein kinase and myosin light chain kinase

Abstract Although lanthanide ions La 3+ and Tb 3+ were only slightly able to substitute for Ca 2+ to activate phospholipid-sensitive Ca 2+ -dependent protein kinase (PL-Ca-PK), they potentiated the ability of a suboptimal concentration of Ca 2+ to stimulate the enzyme. In comparison, the lanthanides were much more effective Ca 2+ substitutes for myosin light chain kinase, a calmodulin-sensitive Ca 2+ -dependent protein kinase. Both enzymes, however, were inhibited by high concentrations of lanthanides either in the presence or absence of Ca 2+ . Similar effects of the lanthanides were also noted on phosphorylation of endogeneous substrates in the particulate fraction of rat brain stimulated by either phosphatidylserine/Ca 2+ or calmodulin/Ca 2+ . The La 3+ - or Tb 3+ -stimulated activity of PL-Ca-PK, as the Ca 2+ -stimulated activity, was inhibited by various agents, such as trifluoperazine, polymyxin B, cobra cytotoxin I, melittin, and spermine.
The inverse classification problem

In this paper, we examine an emerging variation of the classification problem, which is known as the inverse classification problem. In this problem, we determine the features to be used to create a record which will result in a desired class label. Such an approach is useful in applications in which it is an objective to determine a set of actions to be taken in order to guide the data mining application towards a desired solution. This system can be used for a variety of decision support applications which have pre-determined task criteria. We will show that the inverse classification problem is a powerful and general model which encompasses a number of different criteria. We propose a number of algorithms for the inverse classification problem, which use an inverted list representation for intermediate data structure representation and classification. We validate our approach over a number of real datasets.
Optimum prediction with a mean weighted square error criterion

The linear prediction theory is examined using a mean weighted square error criterion. A specific nondeterministic weighting function is used. The problem is reduced to that of solving integral equations which are written in terms of correlation functions which can be calculated by averaging over the ensemble. A complete solution is given for the problem using Gaussian statistics with no correlation between noise and true signal.
Doubling of the Proton Magnetic Resonances of Certain Organophosphorus Compounds

WE have found that some of the proton magnetic resonances of the alkyl groups of several types of organophosphorus compounds are doubled. This doubling is in addition to the resonance multiplication that would be predicted from coupling with other magnetic nuclei in these compounds. So far we have observed resonance doubling for three types of structures. Type (I) is exemplified by 2-propylphenylphosphinyl chloride. In compounds of this type, the alkyl group is directly linked to the phosphorus atom. Type (II) is exemplified by di-2-butyl phenylphosphate or di-2-butyl phenylphosphonate. In such compounds the alkyl group is linked through an oxygen atom to the phosphorus atom. Type (III) is exemplified by di-2-propyl phenylphosphonite, in which the phosphorus is trivalent.
Attributional Style and Its Relationship to Self-Esteem and Academic Performance in Black Students

The types of casual attributions made regarding successful and unsuccessful life events are related to a number of variables including depression and self-esteem. High self- esteem individuals tend to internalize their success outcomes and externalize their failure outcomes more than do low self-esteem individuals. The objective of this exploratory study was to investigate the relationship between attri butional style and self-esteem and attributional style and academic performance in Black high school and college students. The results indicated that an internal attributional style for negative events was negatively associated with self-esteem. A stable attributional style for negative events was negatively associated with academic performance. An internal attributional style for positive events was negatively associated with academic performance. It was concluded that attributional style can be useful for understanding self- esteem and academic performance in this population.