cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Materials informatics: From the atomic-level to the continuum

Abstract In recent years materials informatics, which is the application of data science to problems in materials science and engineering, has emerged as a powerful tool for materials discovery and design. This relatively new field is already having a significant impact on the interpretation of data for a variety of materials systems, including those used in thermoelectrics, ferroelectrics, battery anodes and cathodes, hydrogen storage materials, polymer dielectrics, etc. Its practitioners employ the methods of multivariate statistics and machine learning in conjunction with standard computational tools (e.g., density-functional theory) to, for example, visualize and dimensionally reduce large data sets, identify patterns in hyperspectral data, parse microstructural images of polycrystals, characterize vortex structures in ferroelectrics, design batteries and, in general, establish correlations to extract important physics and infer structure-property-processing relationships. In this Overview, we critically examine the role of informatics in several important materials subfields, highlighting significant contributions to date and identifying known shortcomings. We specifically focus attention on the difference between the correlative approach of classical data science and the causative approach of physical sciences. From this perspective, we also outline some potential opportunities and challenges for informatics in the materials realm in this era of big data.
The 1985-1986 Taulbee survey

The Computing Research Board's latest survey on the production and employment of Ph.D.'s and faculty in computer science and engineering depicts a young, optimistic discipline where supply may not always meet demand.
Tuning ligand field strength with pendent Lewis acids: access to high spin iron hydrides

Geometrically flexible 9-borabicyclo[3.3.1]nonyl units within the secondary coordination sphere enable isolation of high-spin Fe(II)-dihydrides stabilized by boron–hydride interactions and a rare example of an isolable S = 3/2 reduction product. The borane-capped Fe(II)-dihydride: (1) rapidly deprotonates E–H (E = N, O, P, S) bonds to afford borane-stabilized Fe adducts and (2) releases H2 upon exposure to π-acids. The Lewis acids provide an avenue for redox-leveling in analogy to the near constant operating potential for N2 reduction in nitrogenase.
Sacred realms in virtual worlds: The making of Buddhist spaces in Second Life:

Second Life, a virtual world, has been heralded by some scholars and transhumanists as a sacred, “heavenly” space. Through detailed ethnographic work on Buddhist religious spaces in Second Life, th...
Triphosgene and DMAP as Mild Reagents for Chemoselective Dehydration of Tertiary Alcohols

The utility of triphosgene and DMAP as mild reagents for chemoselective dehydration of tertiary alcohols is reported. Performed in dichloromethane at room temperature, this reaction is readily tolerated by a broad scope of substrates, yielding alkenes preferentially with the (E)-geometry. While formation of the Hofmann products is generally favored, a dramatic change in alkene selectivity toward the Zaitzev products is observed when the reaction is carried out in dichloroethane at reflux.
Unexplainability and Incomprehensibility of Artificial Intelligence

Explainability and comprehensibility of AI are important requirements for intelligent systems deployed in real-world domains. Users want and frequently need to understand how decisions impacting them are made. Similarly it is important to understand how an intelligent system functions for safety and security reasons. In this paper, we describe two complementary impossibility results (Unexplainability and Incomprehensibility), essentially showing that advanced AIs would not be able to accurately explain some of their decisions and for the decisions they could explain people would not understand some of those explanations.
Information Needs of Informal Caregivers in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder

ABSTRACTResearchers examined questions of caregivers for individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) by means of a) a content analysis and b) a thematic analysis of posts on an online pee...
Founding and Growing Adobe Systems, Inc.

Founded in 1982, Adobe Systems heralded several of the technological innovations necessary to precipitate the emergence of desktop publishing as well as many features of modern office computing, digital media, and graphic arts. In this paper, Adobe founders Charles Geschke and John Warnock cover their professional history, the conception of Adobe Systems, and its growth. They also explain the technology behind the advances in computer printing, electronic file transfer, and digital art and photography. Adobe, its products, and its engineers played a key role in these developments, which enabled desktop publishing and the publishing revolution.
Influence of nitrogen fertilization and defoliation frequency on nitrogen constituents and feeding value of annual ryegrass.

Two experiments were conducted to determine the seasonal effects of N fertilizer (NF) and defoliation interval (DI) on specific N fractions within annual ryegrass (AR) and overall usage of AR N by growing lambs. In Exp. 1, NF (0, 112, 224, and 336 kg of N/ha) and DI of 2, 4, or 6 wk were factorially applied to AR plots. Both decreasing DI and increasing NF increased N levels in AR in a manner that depended on harvest date (NF or DI x harvest date interaction, P .05) by NF or DI. Although NF had no effect ( P >.05) on in situ disappearance of DM, decreasing the DI seemed to reduce the severity of the season-induced reduction in DM disappearance (DI x harvest date interaction, P =.04). In Exp. 2, NF (0 or 224 kg of N/ha) and a DI of 2 or 6 wk were factorially applied to AR plots. Fresh, frozen AR was fed in semipurified diets (48% of DM as AR) to four wether lambs (23 ± 1.3 kg) using a 4 x 4 Latin square. Diets including AR had greater ruminal DM and plant N digestibilities when AR had a 2-wk vs a 6-wk DI with NF but had reduced digestibilities when AR had a 2-wk vs a 6-wk DI without NF. Lambs retained more N when fed diets with fertilized vs unfertilized AR (P =.01) and when fed diets with AR harvested every 2 wk vs every 6 wk (P =.08). Data suggested that forage management scheme and advancing plant maturity affected ryegrass N distribution and ruminal usage in manners that had only minor consequences relative to animal performance.
New Transit Measurements of WASP 43b and HD 189733b

Known exoplanets not only provide excellent targets for students who are learning to acquire data with remote observatories and to process the data but also fulfill a scientific need for repeated measurements to determine the stability of known parameters. We present recent measurements taken by undergraduate students with a remotely accessed telescope at the Dark Skies Observatory Collaborative in West Texas on two well-studied exoplanets. WASP 43b has a published orbital period of 0.81347753 days and its host K7V star has a visual magnitude of 12.4. HD 189733b has a published orbital period of 2.21857312 days around its K1V star of visual magnitude 7.67. Both planets orbit within the corona of their host stars and, as such, appear to experience changes in their orbital periods, transit timings, and other parameters. We examined the historical trends, combined them with our measurements in the mid-transit timings for the stars, and determined there are significant changes. Astronomers– from college students to professionals–need this continued monitoring in order to keep system models up to date.
The isotopic composition of pedogenic carbonate as a record of pCO2: Insights from the Late Paleozoic of tropical western Pangea

Abstract The use of the carbon isotope composition (δ13C) of pedogenic calcite as a proxy for pCO2 was established over three decades ago and remains a primary means of investigating climate history. Over time, an increased understanding of the systematics of pedogenic carbonate precipitation has improved the constraints on interpreting paleoatmospheric composition from the isotopic composition of calcrete. We review the development of the use of pedogenic δ13C as a proxy for pCO2 over geologic time, with focus on the late Paleozoic. We illustrate the discussion with specific examples from the late Carboniferous through early Permian icehouse climate interval and present new as well as previously published data from strata of Virgilian (Late Pennsylvanian) through Wolfcampian (early Permian) age collected in northern and south-central New Mexico, which was located in tropical western Pangea during the late Paleozoic. Our success in fitting pCO2 values we generate through new analyses to previously published paleo-pCO2 curves strengthens the rationale for use of these data as proxies for paleoclimate and suggests the potential for their use as a correlation tool.
Psychiatric Symptomatology, Mood Regulation, and Resting State Functional Connectivity of the Amygdala: Preliminary Findings in Youth With Mood Disorders and Childhood Trauma.

Background As mood dysregulation and hyperarousal are overlapping and prominent features of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and mood disorders (MD) including bipolar disorder (BD), we aimed to clarify the role of trauma and MD on the resting state functional connectivity (RSFC) of amygdala in MD youth with or without trauma exposure, and healthy controls (HC). Methods Of 23 subjects, 21 completed the magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) protocol, 5 were excluded for subject motion, leaving final sample size of 16: nine subjects with MD (5/9 with trauma), and 7 HC. Youth were assessed with Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia for School Aged Children-Present and Lifetime Version (K-SADS-PL), and other behavioral measures including Young Mania Rating Scale (YMRS). Imaging data were acquired using functional MRI in 3-T scanner. Imaging included T1-weighted structural MRI and 6-min resting state acquisition. Results In between group analysis, the average correlation coefficients between left anterior cingulate cortex (Acc) and left insula cortex with left amygdala regions were significantly larger in HC compared to the patient population. Connectivity between left amygdala and left cingulate cortex shows a significant negative correlation with YMRS severity. Conclusions In this preliminary study, MD with trauma youth had more manic symptoms and difficulties regulating anger. While MD youth showed reduced RSFC of left amygdala with left acc and left insula, no significant difference between the subgroups of children with MD was observed. However, when looking at both clinical groups together, we observed a significant correlation of RSFC of left amygdala to left acc, and YMRS scores.
Testing the efficacy of a hospital-based violence intervention programme: protocol and design.

Introduction Hospital-based violence intervention programmes (HBVIPs) are a promising strategy to reduce trauma recidivism and promote safety among victims of violent injury. While previous studies have demonstrated cost-effectiveness and positive impact on the lives of victims, there are a number of key limitations in the study designs of this evidence base. This study seeks to address the methodological shortcomings of previous research, determine the efficacy of HBVIPs using a randomised control study design, and provide a better understanding of successful service allocation within an HBVIP. Methods and analysis The current study is 1 of 12 demonstration projects being implemented around the country with the purpose of bolstering the ability to provide effective, culturally appropriate and trauma-informed services for boys and men harmed by violence. We propose a randomised control trial in which male victims of violence receive one of two interventions: treatment as usual versus enhanced services. The purpose is to determine which intervention leads to reductions in trauma recidivism over the period of 1 year from contact with the programme. Differences will also be monitored on measures of mental health, quality of life and attitudes towards violence. Analyses employed will include Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression with death and recidivism being the outcomes of interest. Ethics and dissemination Study procedures have been approved by the Institutional Review Boards of the University at Buffalo and four hospitals. Results will be submitted for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
Pre-emption, Deterrence, and Self-Defence: A Legal and Historical Assessment

The policy of the United States, outlined in the 2002 National Security Strategy, whereby the US claims a right under international law to engage in pre-emptive use of force to prevent a rogue state's development of nuclear weapons, or any weapons of mass destruction (WMD), is unnecessary and therefore unlawful under customary international law of self-defence. This conclusion is reached through a comprehensive and intensive assessment of the normative reactions of politically effective actors to China's development of nuclear weapons during a two-year period between the Cuban Missile Crisis and China's first test in October 1964. While pre-emptive use of force against China, a rogue state, was considered by both the United States and most likely by the Soviet Union, neither used force to prevent it developing nuclear weapons. Since a policy of pre-emptive use of force was unnecessary for either state's self-defence, it would have been unlawful under customary international law. Given that the current str...
Case Studies in the Political Economy of Tax Reform

Faced with looming fiscal issues after the most recent financial crisis, state governments have increasingly taken steps toward tax reform. The reforms they have undertaken range from lowering tax rates to removing exemptions and credits to simplifying the tax code. The relative success and failure of reform efforts depend not only on the specific type of reform but also on the political economy surrounding the reform process, as well as on the economic climate in the state instituting reform. This study first analyzes some overall trends in state efforts to reform tax codes. Then, using case studies of five states that recently implemented reforms, this study finds some commonality in the specific features of the tax reforms as well as in the political economy surrounding the reform process. These findings motivate a discussion of the common features of successful reforms.
Wall Street QE vs. Main Street Lending

Monetary and fiscal authorities reacted swiftly to the COVID-19 pandemic by purchasing assets (or "Wall Street QE") and lending directly to non-financial firms (or "Main Street Lending"). Our paper develops a new framework to compare and contrast these different policies. For the Great Recession, characterized by impaired balance sheets of financial intermediaries, Main Street lending and Wall Street QE are perfect substitutes and both stimulate aggregate demand. In contrast, for the COVID-19 recession, where non-financial firms faced significant cash flow shortages, Wall Street QE is almost completely ineffective, whereas Main Street lending can be highly stimulative.
Abstract 447: Ac-SDKP Suppresses TNFα-induced ICAM-1 Expression In Endothelial Cells Via Inhibition Of IκB Kinase And NF-κB Activation

N-acetyl-seryl-aspartyl-lysyl-proline (Ac-SDKP) is a naturally occurring tetrapeptide that prevents inflammation and fibrosis in hypertension and other cardiovascular diseases. We previously showed that Ac-SDKP decreased transcription factor NF-κB activation in angiotensin II-induced hypertension and also reduced intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) expression in an experimental autoimmune myocarditis and hypertension animal model. However, the mechanisms by which Ac-SDKP down-regulated ICAM-1 expression are unclear. TNFα is a proinflammatory cytokine that induces ICAM-1 expression on different cell types. We hypothesized that Ac-SDKP suppresses TNFα-induced ICAM-1 via inhibition of IκB kinase (IKK) and subsequently by blockade of NF-κB activation. Human coronary artery endothelial cells were treated with Ac-SDKP or vehicle and then stimulated with TNFα (0.5 ng/ml). ICAM-1 protein expression and phosphorylation of IKK (p-IKK), inhibitory κB (p-IκB), p38 (p-p38) and ERK (p-ERK) were measured by Western Blot. Activation of NF-κB was determined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). ICAM-1 expression was virtually undetectable under basal conditions, but greatly increased by TNFα. Ac-SDKP dose-dependently suppressed TNFα-induced ICAM-1 expression (set at a value of 1.0 arbitrary units, AU) to 0.67±0.13 (p<0.05), 0.51±0.12 (p<0.01) and 0.39±0.09 AU (p<0.01) at 0.1 nM, 1 nM and 10 nM, respectively. In addition, Ac-SDKP (10 nM) inhibited TNFα-induced p-IKK from 1.0 to 0.71±0.02 AU (p<0.01). Ac-SDKP also inhibited TNFα-induced IKKβ expression from 1.0 to 0.64±0.12 AU (p<0.05), without affecting IKKα expression. Furthermore, Ac-SDKP inhibited TNFα-induced p-IκB from 1.0 to 0.54±0.03 AU (p<0.01). EMSA results showed that Ac-SDKP inhibited TNFα-mediated activation of NF-κB, which was 0.63±0.04-fold of TNFα-treated cells. However, Ac-SDKP had no effect on TNFα-induced p-p38 and p-ERK. Thus, we conclude that Ac-SDKP inhibits TNFα-induced IKK and subsequent degradation of IκB, thereby preventing NF-κB activation and ICAM-1 expression. These inhibitory effects are independent of p38 and ERK.
Reconstruction of the intertwining operator and new striking examples added to “Isospectral pairs of metrics on balls and spheres with different local geometries“

The intertwining operator constructed in [Sz1,Sz2] does not appear in the right form. It is established there by using only the anticommutators. The correct operator must involve all endomorphisms, which are unified by the Z-Fourier transform. Although some of the correct elements of the previous constructions are kept, this idea is established by a new technique which yields the various isospectrality theorems stated in the papers on a much larger scale. The new results include new isospectrality examples living on sphere$X$ball- and sphere$X$sphere-type manifolds. Among them, there are such discrete isospectrality families where one of the members is homogeneous while the others are locally inhomogeneous (striking examples). Furthermore, a large class of new isospectrality families are constructed by $\sigma$ deformations.
New Hemolysin (γ) Produced by Escherichia coli

A new hemolysin (gamma) of Escherichia coli, active in the absence of viable bacteria, has been recognized in mutants resistant to nalidixic acid. Nalidixic acid affects either the production or release of the hemolysin.
Divergent Functional Roles for p90rsk Kinase Domains

A unique and highly conserved structural feature of ≈90-kDa ribosomal S6 kinase (p90rsk or RSK) is the presence of two non-identical kinase domains. To explore the mechanism of RSK activation, a cloned human RSK cDNA (RSK3) was used to generate and characterize several site-directed RSK mutants: K91A (N-Lys, NH2-terminal ATP-binding mutant), K444A (C-Lys, COOH-terminal ATP-binding mutant), N/C-Lys (double ATP-binding mutant), T570A (C-Thr, mutant of the putative MAPK phosphorylation site in subdomain VIII of the C-domain), S218A (N-Ser, mutant of the corresponding NH2-terminal residue). Epitope-tagged RSKs were expressed in transfected COS cells followed by immunoprecipitation with or without prior in vivo epidermal growth factor stimulation. Kinase activity (S6 peptide) of N/C-Lys and N-Lys was ablated (and partially impaired with N-Ser). In contrast, both C-Lys and C-Thr retained high levels of kinase activity and were capable of responding to stimulation. C-Lys also retained partial kinase activity toward other substrates (c-Fos, S40 ribosomes, protein phosphatase 1 G-subunit, histones, and Leu-Arg-Arg-Ala-Ser-Leu-Gly (Kemptide)) whereas NLys did not. The isolated NH2- and COOH-terminal domains were also expressed; the C-domain was inactive, whereas the N-domain retained partial activity. Relative to wild-type, both N-Lys and C-Lys (as well as N-Ser and C-Thr) underwent partial in vitro autophosphorylation that was further stimulated by EGF protein tyrosine phosphatase. We conclude that 1) the NH2-terminal RSK kinase domain mediates substrate phosphorylation; 2) both domains contribute to autophosphorylation; 3) the putative MAPK phosphorylation site is not required for growth factor-stimulated autophosphorylation or kinase activation.
Expression and function of GLUT-1 and GLUT-2 glucose transporter isoforms in cells of cultured rat pancreatic islets.

We have previously investigated glucose induction of glucokinase, glucose usage and insulin release in isolated cultured rat pancreatic islets (Liang, Y., Najafit, H., Smith, R. M., Zimmerman, E. C., Magnuson, M. A., Tal, M., and Mastchinsky, F. M. (1992) Diabetes (1992) 41, 792-806). Here we studied the expression and function of GLUT-1 and GLUT-2 glucose transporter isoforms, using the same system, i.e. isolated pancreatic rat islets immediately after isolation or cultured in the presence of 3 or 30 mM glucose for as long as 10 days. We found by immunofluorescence microscopy and Western and Northern blot analysis of islet extracts that GLUT-1 expression was induced in islet beta-cells in tissue culture both with low or high glucose present. The induction of GLUT-1 was specific to beta-cells but was not present in all beta-cells and was not detected in alpha-cells. GLUT-2 expression was also specific for beta-cells and was not observed in all beta-cells. Some beta-cells in culture coexpressed GLUT-1 and GLUT-2. The expression of the two glucose transporters was regulated in the opposite direction in response to glucose concentration in the culture medium. GLUT-1 was more effectively induced when glucose was low, and GLUT-2 expression was more pronounced when glucose was high in the culture media. Another difference between the two glucose transporters was that GLUT-2 expression was increased while GLUT-1 expression was decreased as culturing continued as long as 7 days. Thus, after 7 days of culture GLUT-2 expression in beta-cells was nearly the same at low and high glucose, whereas GLUT-1 was practically absent no matter what the glucose level was. In attempts to correlate GLUT-1 and GLUT-2 expression to beta-cell function glucose uptake and glucose-stimulated insulin release in fresh and cultured islets were measured. In freshly isolated islet glucose uptake was estimated to be 100-fold in excess of actual glucose use. Glucose uptake was reduced by 7-day culture to about one-third of that observed in freshly isolated islets no matter what the glucose concentration of the culture media. We conclude that in the present experimental system GLUT-1 and GLUT-2 expression and function are not closely associated with glucose usage rates or the secretory function of beta-cells.
Characterization of the growth of murine fibroblasts that express human insulin receptors. II. Interaction of insulin with other growth factors.

Abstract The effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1), epidermal growth factor (EGF), platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF), and insulin on DNA synthesis were studied in murine fibroblasts transfected with an expression vector containing human insulin receptor cDNA (NIH 3T3/HIR) and the parental NIH 3T3 cells. In NIH 3T3/HIR cells, individual growth factors in serum-free medium stimulated DNA synthesis with the following relative efficacies: insulin ⩾ 10% fetal calf serum > PDGF > IGF-1 ⪢ EGF. In comparison, the relative efficacies of these factors in stimulating DNA synthesis by NIH 3T3 cells were 10% fetal calf serum > PDGF > EGF ⪢ IGF-1 = insulin. In NIH 3T3/HIR cells, EGF was synergistic with 1–10 ng/ml insulin but not with 100 ng/ml insulin or more. Synergy of PDGF or IGF-1 with insulin was not detected. In the parental NIH 3T3 cells, insulin and IGF-1 were found to be synergistic with EGF (1 ng/ml), PDGF (100 ng/ml), and PDGF plus EGF. In NIH 3T3/HIR cells, the lack of interaction of insulin with other growth factors was also observed when the percentage of cells synthesizing DNA was examined. Despite insulin's inducing only 60% of NIH 3T3/HIR cells to incorporate thymidine, addition of PDGF, EGF, or PDGF plus EGF had no further effect. In contrast, combinations of growth factors resulted in 95% of the parental NIH 3T3 cells synthesizing DNA. The independence of insulin-stimulated DNA synthesis from other mitogens in the NIH 3T3/HIR cells is atypical for progression factor-stimulated DNA synthesis and is thought to be partly the result of insulin receptor expression in an inappropriate context or quantity.
The verification of codiagnosability in the case of dynamic observations

We consider the verification of the properties of diagnosability and codiagnosability in discrete event systems where observations are dynamic. Instead of having a fixed set of observable events, it is assumed that the observability properties of an event are state-dependent: an event occurrence at a state will be observable to a diagnosing agent if that agent activates in time the sensor corresponding to the event or receives a communication about the occurrence of the event. In this context, the known polynomial-complexity tests based on verifier automata for the properties of diagnosability and codiagnosability with fixed observable event set(s) are no longer directly applicable. We develop a new testing procedure that can handle state-based dynamic observations and remains of polynomial complexity in the state space of the system. This new testing procedure employs a covering of the state space of the system based on cluster automata, which enhances its computational efficiency. Based on cluster automata, a new type of verifier automaton is built, called the C-VERIFIER. Our use of cluster automata and C-VERIFIERS also yields computational savings in the special case of fixed observable event sets.
Microscales of Turbulent Heat and Mass Transfer

Publisher Summary This chapter presents the discussion on dimensional arguments leading to microscales of complex (buoyant, two-phase, thermocapillary, reacting, unsteady) turbulent flows and to interpret the empirical heat and mass transfer correlations in terms of these scales. The chapter explains that a general methodology is needed not only for recovery of the foregoing scales but also for discovery of the microscales of more complex (buoyancy driven, two-phase, thermocapillary, reacting, pulsating) flows. The chapter introduces heat transfer, contains three sections on convection, two-phase film, and microgravity. The chapter demonstrates microscale foundations of well-known heat transfer correlations. The chapter introduces models based on microscales and correlates additional experimental data. It begins with forced convection and ends with natural convection. The mass transfer contains two sections on diffusion flame and pulsed combustion. The microscale foundations of mass transfer correlations are illustrated in the chapter in terms of fuel consumption in turbulent diffusion flames.
Development and in vitro evaluation of core–shell type lipid–polymer hybrid nanoparticles for the delivery of erlotinib in non-small cell lung cancer

Core-shell type lipid-polymer hybrid nanoparticles (CSLPHNPs) have emerged as a multifunctional drug delivery platform. The delivery system combines mechanical advantages of polymeric core and biomimetic advantages of the phospholipid shell into a single platform. We report the development of CSLPHNPs composed of the lipid monolayer shell and the biodegradable polymeric core for the delivery of erlotinib, an anticancer drug, clinically used to treat non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Erlotinib loaded CSLPHNPs were prepared by previously reported single-step sonication method using polycaprolactone (PCL) as the biodegradable polymeric core and phospholipid-shell composed of hydrogenated soy phosphatidylcholine (HSPC) and 1,2-distearoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphoethanolamine-N-[methoxy(polyethylene glycol)-2000 (DSPE-PEG2000). Erlotinib loaded CSLPHNPs were characterized for physicochemical properties including mean particle size, polydispersity index (PDI), zeta potential, morphology, thermal and infrared spectral analysis, drug loading, in vitro drug release, in vitro serum stability, and storage stability. The effect of critical formulation and process variables on two critical quality attributes (mean particle size and drug entrapment efficiency) of erlotinib loaded CSLPHNPs was studied and optimized. In addition, in vitro cellular uptake, luminescent cell viability assay and colony formation assay were performed to evaluate efficacy of erlotinib loaded CSLPHNPs in A549 cells, a human lung adenocarcinoma cell line. Optimized erlotinib loaded CSLPHNPs were prepared with mean particle size of about 170nm, PDI<0.2, drug entrapment efficiency of about 66% with good serum and storage stability. The evaluation of in vitro cellular efficacy results indicated enhanced uptake and efficacy of erlotinib loaded CSLPHNPs compared to erlotinib solution in A549 cells. Therefore, CSLPHNPs could be a potential delivery system for erlotinib in the therapy of NSCLC.
Phylogeny and functional conservation of sigma(E) in endospore-forming bacteria.

Conservation of the sporulation processes between Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp. was investigated through evolutionary and complementation analyses of σE. Alignment of partial predicted σE amino acid sequences from three Bacillus spp., Paenibacillus polymyxa and five Clostridium spp. revealed that amino acid residues previously reported to be involved in promoter utilization (M124, E119 and N120) and strand opening (C117) are conserved among all these species. Phylogenetic analyses of various sigma factor sequences from endospore-forming bacteria revealed that homologues of σE, σK and σG clustered together regardless of genus, suggesting a common origin of sporulation sigma factors. The functional equivalence between Clostridium acetobutylicum σE and Bacillus subtilis σE was investigated by complementing a non-polar B. subtilis σE null mutant with the spoIIG operon from either B. subtilis (spoIIG Bs) or C. acetobutylicum (spoIIG Ca). Single-copy integration of spoIIG Bs into the amyE locus of the σE null mutant completely restored the wild-type sporulation phenotype, while spoIIG Ca only partially restored sporulation. Maximal expression of spoIIG Ca–lacZ occurred approximately 12 h later than maximal expression of spoIIG Bs–lacZ. Differences in temporal expression patterns for spoIIG Ca and spoIIG Bs in the B. subtilis background may at least partially explain the observed sporulation complementation phenotypes. This study suggests a common phylogenetic ancestor for σE in Bacillus spp. and Clostridium spp., although regulation of σE expression may differ in these two genera.
The Amount of Sex Information Learning Obtained During Early Adolescence

Reports the findings of a survey of sex information among 1152 middle class US college students. They were asked to identify their initial sources of information on 12 sexual concepts. In addition they indicated the age when they 1st learned these concepts and wrote a definition for each of the 12 terms. Results indicate that 99% of initial sex information is learned in the early adolescent years or earlier. Females tended to learn from more reliable sources than males although both learned more from peers than any other source. The overall accuracy in understanding sexual concepts was high which is interpreted within this study as a positive indicator of early adolescents learning about sex. (authors modified)
Stimulation of reactive oxygen, but not reactive nitrogen species, in vascular endothelial cells exposed to low levels of arsenite.

Abstract Elevated levels of arsenite, the trivalent form of arsenic, in drinking water correlates with increased vascular disease and vessel remodeling. Previous studies from this laboratory demonstrated that environmentally relevant concentrations of arsenite caused oxidant-dependent increases in nuclear transcription factor levels in cultured porcine vascular endothelial cells. The current studies characterized the reactive species generated in these cells exposed to levels of arsenite that initiate cell signaling. These exposures did not deplete 5′-triphosphate, nor did they affect basal or bradykinin-stimulated intracellular free Ca 2+ levels, indicating that they were not lethal. Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) spectroscopy, including spin trapping with carboxy-PTIO (cPTIO), demonstrated that 5 μM or less of arsenite did not increase NO levels over a 30-min period relative to NO release stimulated by bradykinin. However, these same levels of arsenite rapidly increased both oxygen consumption and superoxide formation, as measured by EPR oximetry and spin trapping with 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline N -oxide (DMPO), respectively. Pretreatment of the cells with DPI, apocynin, or superoxide dismutase abolished arsenite-stimulated DMPO-OH adduct formation. Finally arsenite increased extracellular accumulation of H 2 O 2 , measured as oxidation of homovanillic acid, with the same time and dose dependence, as seen for superoxide formation. These data suggest that superoxide and H 2 O 2 are the predominant reactive species produced by endothelial cells after arsenite exposures that stimulate cell signaling and activate transcription factors.
Transfer from a simulation environment to a live robotic environment: are certain demographics better?

The ability to remotely operate an unmanned vehicle while simultaneously looking for suspicious targets and then classifying those targets is not a trivial skill. This study looked at different training approaches to make better use of simulation as a first training step. When transferring to a live environment, the operators could be grouped into two categories according to whether they passed live training criteria or not. There were clear performance differences between these groups. The group that failed to pass criteria had poorer performance overall, more SA errors, and spent more time in training. Post-hoc analysis showed differences in the demographics between those who passed and those that did not. Male participants and younger participants were more likely to achieve criteria. There were no differences in gaming experience and perceived sense of direction.
The Eighth Pediatric Interventional Cardiac Symposium (PICS-VIII) and Second Emerging New Technologies in Congenital Heart Surgery (ENTICHS-II)

In this issue, a second set of review articles written by notables in the field of pediatric interventional cardiology is presented. These topics were discussed during the PICS and ENTICHS–2004 held in Chicago. As we mentioned in the previous review issue, 700 professional from more than 50 countries attended this symposium. Many live cases were performed and transmitted live via satellites from 10 cardiac centers in Europe and the United States during this meeting. In addition, there were many lectures given by the course-distinguished faculty. In this review issue of Pediatric Cardiology, 11 papers are presented. These were written by the PICS–2004 speakers. The first two papers discuss catheter closure of ventricular septal defects. Dr. Masura discusses the perimembranous ventricular septal defects, and Dr, Thanopoulos discusses muscular ventricular septal defects. This is followed by Dr. Ewert’s article, which discusses challenges encountered during catheter closure of patent ductus arteriosus. Then, two papers discussing patent foramen ovale (PFO) and new devices are presented; Dr, Morandi and colleagues discuss the association between migraine headaches and PFO, and Dr. Hein and colleagues discuss new devices for PFO and the left atrial appendage. Drs. Kumar and Tynan review the issues and difficulties of performing interventional procedures for congenital heart disease in Third World countries. This is followed by a new area of imaging written by Raval and colleagues for the use of MRI to guide pediatric endovascular procedures. Then, Dr. Ing discusses the topic of stent and delivery to target lesions. Specifically, he discusses the issue of intraoperative stenting and use of intraoperative angiography in collaboration with surge ions. The final two articles discuss embolization techniques; Tan and colleagues review the retrieval of coils and device, and in a review article Dr. Walsh discusses advanced embolization techniques. Finally, Ruiz discusses the latest aspects of transcatheter valve repair/replacement. He focuses on the aortic and mitral valves. We are certain that the two review issues of Pediatric Cardiology will significantly add to our body of knowledge in this continually evolving area of pediatric interventional cardiology. The next PICS/ENTICHS in September 2005 will be held in Buenos Aires, Argentina, immediately preceding the Fourth World Congress of Pediatric Cardiology and Cardiac Surgery.
Some results on the capitulation problem

Abstract Let K be an unramified abelian extension of a number field F with Galois group G. K corresponds to a subgroup H of the ideal class group of F. We study the subgroup J of ideal classes in H which become trivial in K. There is an epimorphism from the cohomology group H−1(G, ClK) to J which is an isomorphism if G is cyclic; ClK is the ideal class group of K. Some results on the structure of J and ClK are obtained.
NUB1, a NEDD8-interacting protein, is induced by interferon and down-regulates the NEDD8 expression.

Abstract NEDD8, a ubiquitin-like protein, covalently conjugates to cullin family members. It appears to control vital biological events through its conjugation to cullins. To study how this conjugation pathway is regulated, we performed yeast two-hybrid screening by using NEDD8 as a bait and isolated a cDNA fragment encoding a potent down-regulator of the NEDD8 expression. Here, we report this novel regulator, NUB1 (NEDD8Ultimate Buster-1). NUB1 is composed of 601 residues with a calculated 69.1-kDa molecular mass. It is an interferon-inducible protein and predominantly localized in the nucleus. The NUB1 message is specifically expressed in adult human testis, ovary, heart, and skeletal muscle tissues and is developmentally down-regulated in mouse embryos. In biochemical analysis, we found that NUB1 overexpression leads to severe reduction of NEDD8 monomer and NEDD8 conjugates in cells. This reduction is not due to down-regulation of NEDD8 transcription, but due to post-transcriptional mechanism. As expected from this activity, overexpression of NUB1 had a profound growth-inhibitory effect on U2OS cells. Thus, NUB1 is a strong down-regulator of the NEDD8 expression and appears to play critical roles in regulating biological events, including cell growth.
The serotonin-1A agonist ipsapirone prevents ethanol-associated death of total rhombencephalic neurons and prevents the reduction of fetal serotonin neurons.

Abstract Previously, this laboratory showed that in utero and in vitro ethanol exposure significantly reduces developing serotonin (5-HT) neurons and that treatment with a 5-HT 1A agonist such as buspirone or ipsapirone prevents the ethanol-associated loss. The present study investigated whether ethanol decreases fetal rhombencephalic neurons, including 5-HT neurons, by causing apoptosis. We also investigated whether ipsapirone prevents the ethanol-associated deficit of fetal rhombencephalic neurons by reducing apoptosis. The results of these studies strongly suggest that the ethanol-associated reduction in fetal rhombencephalic neurons that accompanies both in utero and in vitro exposure to physiological concentrations of ethanol is associated with increased apoptosis in these neurons. A physiological concentration of ethanol (i.e., 50 mM) increases apoptosis in fetal rhombencephalic neurons and decreases the number 5-HT neurons. It also appears that the 5-HT 1A agonist ipsapirone provides neuroprotection to these neurons by reducing apoptosis. Another mechanism by which ethanol-associated apoptosis can be blocked is by including serum proteins in the media at a concentration of 1% or higher; this concentration of serum proteins is high in comparison to the protein concentration in cerebrospinal fluid.
RpoS, H-NS, and DsrA influence EHEC hemolysin operon (ehxCABD) transcription in Escherichia coli O157:H7 strain EDL933

Escherichia coli hemolysin, also termed α-hemolysin, is a virulence factor for extraintestinal E. coli . Hemolysin operon ( hlyCABD ) transcription is inhibited by the nucleoid-associated protein, H-NS. This inhibition is stronger at lower growth temperature. This study investigated transcription of the homologous EHEC hemolysin (enterohemolysin) operon ( ehxCABD ) in EHEC O157:H7 strain EDL933. We examined the influence of H-NS, the σ factor RpoS, and the small RNA DsrA, which is known to inhibit H-NS function and to stimulate RpoS synthesis. During growth at 30 °C, DsrA overexpression increased ehxA transcription in the wild type but not in an hns deletion mutant. During growth at 37 °C, DsrA overexpression increased ehxA transcription independent of hns genotype. This indicates that DsrA influences ehxCABD operon transcription by two different routes, one (at lower temperature) at least partially dependent on H-NS, and one (at higher temperature) independent of H-NS. An rpoS deletion mutant expressed nondetectable levels of ehxA mRNA regardless of growth temperature or DsrA overexpression, indicating that the RpoS σ factor is essential for ehxCABD operon expression.
Psychiatric implications of health and illness in a Maya Indian group: a preliminary statement.

Resume L'etude dont on fait ici le compte rendu se compose de deux parties. Dans la premiere partie on examine les conclusions pour la psychiatrie, qui sont implicites dans les croyances et les usages medicaux des Indiens mayaesques de Tenejapa, Chiapas, Mexique. La methodologie consistait d'une deduction systematique qui visait a preserver les categories conceptuelles indigenes. Les renseignements ainsi obtenus ont ete examines comme systeme independant, et on a fait peu d'efforts pour evaluer ce systeme en fonction de sa correspondance aux principles de medecine occidentaux ou scientifiques. L'activite du guerisseur en ce qui concerne le diagnostic et le traitement indique semble expliquer en partie sa puissance et son importance dans la communaute. A Tenejapa, comme dans d'autres unites mayaesques socio-culturelles, des croyances au sujet du developpement de la maladie et des pratiques qui visent au controle de la maladie sont etroitement liees aux relations interpersonnelles. De certaines facons l'absence de maladie implique que l'individu vit dans un etat d'harmonie sociale et psychologique, tandis que la maladie suggere le contraire. L'activite du guerisseur l'entraine a explorer la vie du malade au point de vue interpersonnel. La seconde partie de l'etude concerne une maladie psychologique populaire. A Tenejapa cette etiqutte de maladie s'applique a ceux dont la conduite sociale est extremement anormale. Les causes supposees de Hawihel ont ete presentees, ainsi que l'eepece de conduite qui semble indiquer la presence de cette maladie. Un resume clinique, prepare par un enqueteur, a illustre les traits caracteristiques de Howihel, et comment l'unite sociale de Maya essaie de venir a bout de cette maladie.
Third Prize: Prostaglandin E2-3 Receptor Is Involved in Ureteral Contractility in Obstruction

Background and Purpose: We previously found that prostaglandin (PG) E2 contracts acutely obstructed ureters while relaxing normal ureters. This study investigated the procontractile effects of the PG EP3 receptor in PGE2-mediated contractility in obstructed and normal porcine ureters. Materials and Methods: We created unilateral ureteral obstruction laparoscopically using titanium clips in farm pigs; the contralateral ureters were dissected as sham controls. Ureters were harvested 48 hours postobstruction, cut into 5-mm segments, and suspended in water-jacketed tissue baths in Krebs buffer. Tissues were equilibrated for 1 hour, and spontaneous contractile rates were recorded. After 2 hours of incubation in Krebs (controls) or pertussis toxin (Gαi signaling-protein inhibitor [EP-3 blockade]) 500 ng/mL, a concentration– response curve (10−9 M–10−5 M) to PGE2, PGF2α, sulprostone (EP 3 agonist), or 0.01% ethanol (vehicle) was created (N = 4). Results: In the normal ureters, PGE2 relaxed both pertussis toxin-t...
An agent-based approach equipped with game theory: Strategic collaboration among learning agents during a dynamic market change in the California electricity crisis

Abstract An agent-based approach is a numerical (computer-intensive) method to explore the complex characteristics and dynamics of microeconomics. Using the agent-based approach, this study investigates the learning speed of traders and their strategic collaboration in a dynamic market change of electricity. An example of such a market change can be found in the California electricity crisis (2000–2001). This study incorporates the concept of partial reinforcement learning into trading agents and finds that they have two learning components: learning from a dynamic market change and learning from collaboration with other traders. The learning speed of traders becomes slow when a large fluctuation occurs in the power exchange market. The learning speed depends upon the type of traders, their learning capabilities and the fluctuation of market fundamentals. The degree of collaboration among traders gradually reduces during the electricity crisis. The strategic collaboration among traders is examined by a large simulator equipped with multiple learning capabilities.
A REEVALUATION OF THE THRESHOLD EXPOSURE LEVEL OF INHALED JP-8 IN MICE

C57BL/6 mice were nose-only exposed to JP-8 jet fuel at average concentrations of 45, 267, and 406 mg JP-8/m3 for 1 hr/d for 7 days to further test the hypothesis that exposure to JP-8 concentrations below the current permissible exposure level (PEL) of 350 mg/m3 will induce lung injury, and to validate a new "in-line, real-time" total hydrocarbon analysis system capable of measuring both JP-8 vapor and aerosol concentrations. Pulmonary function and respiratory permeability tests were performed 24 to 30 hr after the final exposures. No significant effects were observed at 45 or 267 mg/m3. The only significant effect observed at 406 mg/m3 was a decrease in inspiratory dynamic lung compliance. Morphological examination and morphometric analysis of distal lung tissue demonstrated that alveolar type II epithelial cells showed limited cellular damage with the notable exception of a significant increase in the volume density of lamellar bodies (vacuoles), which is indicative of increased surfactant production, at 45 and 406 mg/m3. The terminal bronchial epithelium showed initial signs of cellular damage, but the morphometric analysis did not quantify these changes as significant. The morphometric analysis techniques appear to provide an increased sensitivity for detecting the deleterious effects of JP-8 as compared to the physiological evidence offered by pulmonary function or respiratory permeability tests. These observations suggest that the current 350 mg/m3 PEL for both JP-8 jet fuel and for other more volatile petroleum distillates should be reevaluated and a lower, more accurate PEL should be established with regard human occupational exposure limits.
DOES CLIMATE STILL MATTER

We may be discovering climate as it becomes less important to well-being. A range of technologies appears to have lessened the vulnerability of human societies to climate variation.