cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Spontaneous testicular atrophy occurs despite normal spermatogonial proliferation in a Tp53 knockout rat.

Summary The tumor suppressor protein p53 (TP53) has many functions in cell cycle regulation, apoptosis, and DNA damage repair and is also involved in spermatogenesis in the mouse. To evaluate the role of p53 in spermatogenesis in the rat, we characterized testis biology in adult males of a novel p53 knockout rat (SD-Tp53tm1sage). p53 knockout rats exhibited variable levels of testicular atrophy, including significantly decreased testis weights, atrophic seminiferous tubules, decreased seminiferous tubule diameter, and elevated spermatocyte TUNEL labeling rates, indicating a dysfunction in spermatogenesis. Phosphorylated histone H2AX protein levels and distribution were similar in the non-atrophic seminiferous tubules of both genotypes, showing evidence of pre-synaptic DNA double-strand breaks in leptotene and zygotene spermatocytes, preceding cell death in p53 knockout rat testes. Quantification of the spermatogonial stem cell (SSC) proliferation rate with bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) labeling, in addition to staining with the undifferentiated type A spermatogonial marker GDNF family receptor alpha-1 (GFRA1), indicated that the undifferentiated spermatogonial population was normal in p53 knockout rats. Following exposure to 0.5 or 5 Gy X-ray, p53 knockout rats exhibited no germ cell apoptotic response beyond their unirradiated phenotype, while germ cell death in wild-type rat testes was elevated to a level similar to the unexposed p53 knockout rats. This study indicates that seminiferous tubule atrophy occurs following spontaneous, elevated levels of spermatocyte death in the p53 knockout rat. This phenomenon is variable across individual rats. These results indicate a critical role for p53 in rat germ cell survival and spermatogenesis.
A New Approach to Capital Budgeting in Closely-Held Firms and Small Firms:

The traditional application of the net present value method in capital budgeting involves the use of market derived discount rates such as the cost of capital. Justification of these discount rates stems from the separation principle that states that investment decisions can be made independent of shareholders' tastes and preferences. The purpose of this paper is to show that the separation principle does not hold for closely-held firms and small firms, and, accordingly, market-derived discount rates are inappropriate. Two capital budgeting techniques which are appropriate for these firms are presented.Accept/reject decisions for capital budgeting projects are often made using a technique known as “net present value” (NPV).1 Using the NPV method, acceptable projects are those for which the project's cost is less than the present value of the project's cash flows discounted at the firm's cost of capital; in other words, acceptable projects have a positive NPV. The firm's cost of capital is usually taken to...
Extracellular vesicles: mediators and biomarkers of pathology along CNS barriers

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are heterogeneous, nano-sized vesicles that are shed into the blood and other body fluids, which disperse a variety of bioactive molecules (e.g., protein, mRNA, miRNA, DNA and lipids) to cellular targets over long and short distances. EVs are thought to be produced by nearly every cell type, however this review will focus specifically on EVs that originate from cells at the interface of CNS barriers. Highlighted topics include, EV biogenesis, the production of EVs in response to neuroinflammation, role in intercellular communication and their utility as a therapeutic platform. In this review, novel concepts regarding the use of EVs as biomarkers for BBB status and as facilitators for immune neuroinvasion are also discussed. Future directions and prospective are covered along with important unanswered questions in the field of CNS endothelial EV biology.
Likelihood Ratio Testing for Zero Variance Components in Linear Mixed Models

Mixed models are a powerful inferential tool with a wide range of applications including longitudinal studies, hierarchical modeling, and smoothing. Mixed models have become the state of the art for statistical information exchange and correlation modeling. Their popularity has been augmented by the availability of dedicated software, e.g., the Mixed procedure in SAS, the lme function in R and S², or the xtmixed f un c t i on i n STATA.
Optimum Energy Efficiency and Age-of-Information Tradeoff in Multicast Scheduling

We study the optimum scheduling of a multicast system, where a server transmits information to multiple users via multicasting based on requests from the users. To improve energy efficiency, the server can queue and bundle the requests from different users based on the requested contents, and serve all users requesting the same contents in a later one-time transmission. A longer waiting time can increase the average number of users served in each multicasting transmission, thus improve the energy efficiency. The higher energy efficiency is achieved at the cost of the timeliness of the information, which can be measured by using age-of-information (AoI). The goal of this paper is to identify the multicast scheduling strategy that can optimize the tradeoff between energy efficiency and AoI. Using optimum stopping theories, we develop optimum stopping rules that can minimize a cost function expressed as a weighted combination of AoI penalty function and energy efficiency, where the weight coefficient is used to adjust the tradeoff between the two. Specifically, we consider the case that the AoI penalty grows exponentially with time, and show that the optimum scheduling can be formulated as a simple threshold test with a low complexity one-step look ahead stopping rule. The proposed multicast scheduling strategy can achieve the optimum tradeoff between energy efficiency and AoI penalty.
Cytoskeletal changes correlated with the loss of neuronal polarity in axotomized lamprey central neurons

Axotomy within 500 μm of the soma (close axotomy) causes identified neurons (anterior bulbar cells or ABCs) in the lamprey hindbrain to lose their normal polarity and regenerate axons ectopically from dendritic tips, while axotomy at more distal sites (distant axotomy) results in orthotopic axonal regeneration from the axon stump. We performed immunocytochemical, electron microscopic and in situ hybridization analyses comparing ABCs subjected to close and distant axotomy to elucidate the mechanism by which neuronal polarity is lost. We show that polarity loss in ABCs is selectively and invariably preceded and accompained by the following cellular changes: (1) a loss of many dendritic microtubules and their replacement with neurofilaments, (2) a loss of immunostaining for acetylated tubulin in the soma and proximal dendrites, and (3) an increase of immunostaining for phosphorylated neurofilaments in the distal dendrites. We also show that these changes do not depend on either the upregulation or spatial redistribution of neurofilament message, and thus must involve changes in the routing of neurofilament protein within axotomized ABCs. We conclude that close axotomy causes dendrites to undergo axonlike changes in the mechanisms that govern the somatofugal transport of neurofilament protein, and suggest that these changes require the reorganization of dendritic microtubules. We also suggest that the bulbous morphology and lack of f-actin in the tips of all regenerating sprouts supports the possibility that axonal regeneration in the lamprey CNS does not involve actin-mediated "pulling" of growth cones, but depends instead on the generation of internal extrusive forces.
ESVERIFY: Verifying Dynamically-Typed Higher-Order Functional Programs by SMT Solving

Program verifiers statically check correctness properties of programs with annotations such as assertions and pre- and postconditions. Recent advances in SMT solving make it applicable to a wide range of domains, including program verification. In this paper, we describe ESVERIFY, a program verifier for JavaScript based on SMT solving, supporting functional correctness properties comparable to languages with refinement and dependent function types. ESVERIFY supports both higher-order functions and dynamically-typed idioms, enabling verification of programs that static type systems usually do not support. To verify these programs, we represent functions as universal quantifiers in the SMT logic and function calls as instantiations of these quantifiers. To ensure that the verification process is decidable and predictable, we describe a bounded quantifier instantiation algorithm that prevents matching loops and avoids ad-hoc instantiation heuristics. We also present a formalism and soundness proof of this verification system in the Lean theorem prover and a prototype implementation.
Engineering the mode of morphogenetic signal presentation to promote branching from salivary gland spheroids in 3D hydrogels

Previously we developed a fibrin hydrogel (FH) decorated with laminin-111 peptides (L1p-FH) and supports three-dimensional (3D) gland microstructures containing polarized acinar cells. Here we expand on these results and show that co-culture of rat parotid Par-C10 cells with mesenchymal stem cells produces migrating branches of gland cells into the L1p-FH and we identify FGF-7 as the principal morphogenetic signal responsible for branching. On the other hand, another FGF family member and gland morphogen, FGF-10 increased proliferation but did not promote migration and therefore, limited the number and length of branched structures grown into the gel. By controlling the mode of growth factor presentation and delivery, we can control the length and cellularity of branches as well as formation of new nodes/clusters within the hydrogel. Such spatial delivery of two or more morphogens may facilitate engineering of anatomically complex tissues/mini organs such as salivary glands that can be used to address developmental questions or as platforms for drug discovery. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Hyposalivation leads to the development of a host of oral diseases. Current treatments only provide temporary relief. Tissue engineering may provide promising permanent solutions. Yet current models are limited to salivary spheroids with no branching networks. Branching structures are vital to an effective functioning gland as they increase the surface area/glandular volume ratio of the tissue, allowing a higher output from the small-sized gland. We describe a strategy that controls branch network formation in salivary glands that is a key in advancing the field of salivary gland tissue engineering.
A possible role of multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) in basic fibroblast growth factor secretion by AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma cells: a survival molecule?

Kaposi's sarcoma (KS) is considered a disorder of cytokines. Basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) is produced by AIDS-associated KS (AIDS-KS) cells and supports their growth in an autocrine and paracrine manner. bFGF lacks a signal sequence; therefore, its mechanism of secretion is unclear. In this study, we investigate the role of two important members of ATP-binding cassette transport proteins, the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) and multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP), in the secretion of bFGF from AIDS-KS cells. Expression of P-gp and MRP was examined at both the protein and the mRNA levels by flow cytometry and RT-PCR respectively. Intracellular and secreted bFGF was measured by ELISA. AIDS-KS cells expressed MRP at both the mRNA and the protein levels; however, no P-gp expression was detected at either the mRNA or the protein level, Probenecid, a putative inhibitor of MRP efflux function, in a concentration-dependent manner, inhibited bFGF secretion, with a concomitant increase in intracellular bFGF, demonstrating that probenecid blocks bFGF secretion without inhibiting its synthesis. In addition, probenecid induced apoptosis in AIDS-KS cells. AIDS-KS cells expressed fas, bcl-2, and bcl-xL genes but lacked fasL and bax gene expression. These data suggest that bFGF is secreted from AIDS-KS cells via a probenecid-sensitive transporter, most likely by MRP. Furthermore, probenecid appears to induce apoptosis in AIDS-KS cells by depriving them of the growth promoting activity of bFGF. These data suggest that MRP may play a role as a survival molecule in AIDS-KS cells.
Review of rationale and progress toward targeting cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) for male contraception

Cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) is a member of the larger cell cycle regulating CDK family of kinases, activated by binding partner cyclins as its name suggests. Despite its canonical role in mitosis, CDK2 knockout mice are viable but sterile, suggesting compensatory mechanisms for loss of CDK2 in mitosis but not meiosis. Here, we review the literature surrounding the role of CDK2 in meiosis, particularly a cyclin-independent role in complex with another activator, Speedy 1 (SPY1). From this evidence, we suggest that CDK2 could be a viable nonhormonal male contraceptive target. Finally, we review the literature of pertinent CDK2 inhibitors from the preclinical to clinical stages, mostly developed to treat various cancers. To date, there is no potent yet selective CDK2 inhibitor that could be repurposed as a contraceptive without appreciable off-target toxicity. To achieve selectivity for CDK2 over closely related kinases, developing compounds that bind outside the conserved adenosine triphosphate-binding site may be necessary.
Coagulopathy in Malnourished Mice Is Sexually Dimorphic and Regulated by Nutrient‐Sensing Nuclear Receptors

Liver dysfunction, including coagulopathy, is a prominent feature of protein-energy malnutrition. To identify mechanisms underlying malnutrition-associated coagulopathy, we administered a low-protein low-fat diet to lactating dams and examined hepatic transcription and plasma coagulation parameters in young adult weanlings. Malnutrition impacted body composition to a greater extent in male versus female mice. Transcriptional profiles suggested opposing effects of nutrient-sensing nuclear receptors, namely induction of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor α (PPARα) targets and repression of farnesoid-X-receptor (FXR) targets. Coagulopathy with decreased synthesis of fibrinogen-α (FGA) and factor 11 (F11) was observed in malnourished male animals but not female animals. In primary mouse hepatocytes, FXR agonist increased and PPARα agonist decreased Fga and F11 messenger RNA expression. Nuclear receptor DNA response elements were identified in the Fga and F11 gene regulatory regions, and opposing effects of FXR and PPARα were confirmed with luciferase assays. Unexpectedly, hepatic PPARα protein was markedly depleted in malnourished male liver and was not enriched on Fga or F11 response elements. Rather, there was loss of FXR binding at these response elements. Reduced PPARα protein was associated with loss of hepatocyte peroxisomes, which are necessary for bile acid biosynthesis, and with decreased concentrations of bile acids that function as FXR ligands, most notably the FXR agonist chenodeoxycholic acid. Conclusion: Malnutrition impairs growth and liver synthetic function more severely in male mice than in female mice. Malnourished male mice are coagulopathic and exhibit decreased hepatocyte peroxisomes, FXR agonist bile acids, FXR binding on Fga and F11 gene regulatory elements, and coagulation factor synthesis. These effects are absent in female mice, which have low baseline levels of PPARα, suggesting that nutrient-sensing nuclear receptors regulate coagulation factor synthesis in response to host nutritional status in a sex-specific manner.
Optimal design of solar-driven electrolytic hydrogen production systems within electricity markets

Abstract Hydrogen has the potential to be a key contributor toward a low-carbon economy. Generating hydrogen by electrolysis using renewable energy is one way to support a decarbonized economy; however, its cost is not typically competitive with the carbon-emitting incumbent technology, steam methane reforming. The ability of electrolysis to integrate with electricity markets presents a unique cost reduction opportunity due to the perceived future availability of low and zero-marginal cost renewable energy sources. Additionally, as renewables, and particularly, photovoltaics are installed on the grid, they have a value deflation effect. This work evaluates solar-electrolysis configurations using a mathematical programming framework to maximize system net present value. The framework has been tested with specific weather conditions and financial mechanisms in California. Our findings indicate that a spectrum of potential cost competitive solutions is available for systems that (i) have market configurations resembling hybrid retail/wholesale, resulting in a hydrogen production cost range of US$6.2 kg−1–US$6.6 kg−1, or full wholesale market participation, reducing production cost to US$2.6 kg−1–US$3.1 kg−1, and (ii) achieve projected future cost reductions.
Effect of Twin Schmid Factor on the Tension Twinning Activities in a Highly Textured Mg-3Al-1Zn

We investigated the effect of twin Schmid factor on the tension twinning of individual grains in deformed textured Mg-3Al-1Zn samples. The samples were deformed to ~3% strain (normal-direction compression and tension, rolling-direction compression and tension, and 45 o compression). Statistical analyses on the electron backscatter diffraction results revealed tension twinning generally obeys the Schmid law for individual grains, regardless of whether the global stress state favors tension twinning or not. The strong dependence of tension twinning on Schmid factor is in contrast to the reported weak correlation of dislocations and Schmid factor in the same material system. Such observations are anticipated to advance the understanding of the Schmid factor effect on the deformation behavior of polycrystalline Mg alloys.
FlexScore: Quantifying Flexibility

Domain-specific accelerators achieve high performance and efficiency at the cost of reduced adaptivity to functionality changes, i.e., flexibility. Balancing efficiency and flexibility is important for accelerator designing. There is not, however, a commonly accepted metric for flexibility. We propose FlexScore as a flexibility metric based on the relationship between flexibility and goodness metrics, such as performance. FlexScore does not incorporate domain-specific or hardware-specific knowledge and, thus, is applicable to general accelerator design. We present FlexScores of three well-known DNN accelerators and observe that there is 45 percent FlexScore difference among them and show how architectural changes could improve FlexScore by up to 21 percent, demonstrating the usefulness of FlexScore in evaluating, comparing, and trading-off different architectures.
Fully automated radiosynthesis and quality control of [18F]FES for human breast cancer imaging

1005 Objectives: 16α-[18F]Fluoroestradiol ([18F]FES) is the most successful estrogen receptor (ER) targeting radiopharmaceutical to date, and clinical [18F]FES-PET has been extensively used to assess the ER expression in breast cancer and to monitor the response of breast cancer to antiestrogen therapy. To address local investigator needs for [18F]FES-PET, we sought to adapt established literature methods to our in-house multi-purpose 18F-radiosynthesis module for [18F]FES production for human use. Methods: [18F]FES was synthesized in a two-step-one-pot strategy using a fully automated synthesis sequence on our home-built automated multi-purpose 18F-radiosynthesis module. Cyclic sulfate precursor MMSE was radiolabeled via a nucleophilic 18F-fluorination with TBA[18F]F, and followed by a hydrolysis step with 20% 1 N H2SO4/CH3CN. The radiolabeled mixture was purified by semi-preparative reversed-phase (RP) high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) with a C18 column followed by solid-phase extraction (SPE) with a C18 Plus Sep-Pak cartridge trap/release formulation to give [18F]FES. Quality control (QC) procedures of the final radiopharmaceutical produced in three consecutive batches were conducted to assure that [18F]FES met release specifications for clinical investigation laid out in the United States Pharmacopeia (USP) and European Pharmacopeia (Ph. Eur.). Results: The radiochemical yield of [18F]FES was 30-35% decay corrected to end of bombardment (EOB) based on H[18F]F. The overall synthesis time was 75-80 min. The radiochemical purity was >99%, and the molar activity (Am) was 182-232 GBq/µmol at EOB. The dose mass of FES in all three repeating batches was less than 3.6 µg per administrated dose (6 mCi or 0.222 GBq). The [18F]FES dose produced in three validation runs met all QC criteria for clinical use. Conclusions: Facile fully automated radiosynthesis of [18F]FES in a home-built 18F-radiosynthesis module was achieved. [18F]FES was produced with moderate radiochemical yield, reasonable overall synthesis time, high radiochemical purity and Am. The radiopharmaceutical [18F]FES meets all QC criteria for human breast cancer imaging application. Research Support: Indiana University Department of Radiology and Imaging Sciences.
Assessment of Factitious Psychological Presentations (FPP): an Overlooked Response Style in Forensic Practice

Forensic practitioners face continuing challenges in differentiating factitious presentations from malingering, which may be particularly salient in civil forensic cases. In striking contrast to malingering, very little research has studied factitious psychological presentations (FPPs). To address this virtual void, the Inventory of Self and Interpersonal Problems (I-SIP) was developed with two primary scales to address motivations: Factitious (FACT) and Antisocial Characteristics (ANT-C). The I-SIP was tested on 80 inpatients under both genuine and feigning (factitious or malingering) conditions. As predicted, factitious feigners evidenced a dramatic spike on the FACT scale that clearly differentiated it from the other conditions with 90% or higher accuracy. In addition, a ratio between the two primary scales improved the specificity between factitious and malingered presentations. Professional implications are discussed, including the use of the I-SIP as a preliminary alert for factitious presentations.
People mistake the internet’s knowledge for their own

People frequently search the internet for information. Eight experiments (n = 1,917) provide evidence that when people "Google" for online information, they fail to accurately distinguish between knowledge stored internally-in their own memories-and knowledge stored externally-on the internet. Relative to those using only their own knowledge, people who use Google to answer general knowledge questions are not only more confident in their ability to access external information; they are also more confident in their own ability to think and remember. Moreover, those who use Google predict that they will know more in the future without the help of the internet, an erroneous belief that both indicates misattribution of prior knowledge and highlights a practically important consequence of this misattribution: overconfidence when the internet is no longer available. Although humans have long relied on external knowledge, the misattribution of online knowledge to the self may be facilitated by the swift and seamless interface between internal thought and external information that characterizes online search. Online search is often faster than internal memory search, preventing people from fully recognizing the limitations of their own knowledge. The internet delivers information seamlessly, dovetailing with internal cognitive processes and offering minimal physical cues that might draw attention to its contributions. As a result, people may lose sight of where their own knowledge ends and where the internet's knowledge begins. Thinking with Google may cause people to mistake the internet's knowledge for their own.
Development of spanish l2 competence in a synchronous cmc (chat room) environment: the role of visually-enhanced recasts in fostering grammatical knowledge and changes in communicative language use

Taking into consideration some gaps observed in SLA research---noticing, recasts, input enhancement (IE),...---and in CALL/CMC research, a study was conducted among 12 advanced FL Spanish learners to assess whether and how, by communicating with a Spanish native speaker in 5 written chat-room sessions, their language competence would develop in the following areas: (1) communication strategies; (2) communicative acts; and (3) grammatical knowledge of verb tense-aspect-mood (TAM) assignation. Subjects were assigned to a specific feedback condition/group (A: +recast, -enhancement; B: +recast, +enhancement; and C: no feedback) under which their TAM errors were treated in the sessions. Few research studies have concentrated on the effectiveness of recasts for grammatical acquisition; rather, they tend to focus on conversational aspects (e.g. Lyster & Ranta, 1997; Ohta, 2000) while the scarce grammar-based recast research has yielded positive results (e.g. Doughty, & Varela, 1998; Ishida, 2004; Mackey, & Philp, 1998). On the other hand, IE, typically an enhancement of the perceptual salience of input in applying the "input flooding" technique (Francis, 2003), has yielded mixed results, but some studies have found a facilitative effect for IE (cf. e.g. Doughty, 1991; Francis, 2003; Jourdenais et al., 1995; & Shook, 1994). Because of their relatively ineffective, rather implicit nature when used in isolation, in this study recasts were combined with IE assuming that IE---a tool not traditionally used in SLA as an additional measure of feedback---might strengthen the recast and render it more effective for uptake of the linguistic forms. Based on the properties of the resulting combined feedback (group B: enhanced recast), it was anticipated that enhanced recasts would be a more powerful tool, and, as a result, the following sequence of gain in grammatical knowledge would be found: group B (enhanced) > group A (non-enhanced) > group C (no feedback). The findings reveal that groups B and C had the highest overall gains in verb TAM assignation and group B was superior in most grammatical contexts. In the case of communication strategy and communicative act use, the sequence of gain was: group A > group B > group C.
Nutritional Ecology of Ctenophores—A Review of Recent Research

Publisher Summary This chapter summarizes information on nutritional biology (from observations on living animals mostly in the laboratory) of ctenophores and discusses attempts to utilize laboratory data to interpret environmental fluctuations. Fraser, Kremer, Greve have pointed out that ctenophores should not be considered merely wasteful “dead ends” in the food chain. They may act, sometimes, to balance the ecosystem by restraining an overabundance of copepods from virtually eliminating all phytoplankton from the water column at a time when other more useful predators are failing to do this. The phytoplankton would also receive a positive stimulation to renewed growth by virtue of the high percentage of ingested nitrogen being returned in a dissolved form back to the water column. It is possible that the result might otherwise be the production of dead copepod biomass that accumulated in the sediments and was lost to the water column. Growth rate and fecundity of ctenophores are highlighted. The chapter also discusses seasonal variations in ctenophore populations.
Good governance and trade policy : are they the keys to Africa's global integration and growth?

Turning the economies of Sub-Saharan Africa around requires badly needed national policy reform-abandoning the region's restrictive fiscal, monetary, property, and wage policies and trade barriers. Economists often argue that the level and structure of a country's trade barriers and the quality of its governance policies (for example, regulating foreign investment or limiting commercial activity with red tape) have a major influence on its economic growth and performance. One problem testing those relations empirically was the unavailability of objective cross-country indices of the quality of governance and statistics on developing countries' trade barriers. Ng and Yeats use new sources of empirical information to test the influence of trade and governance policies on economic performance. They use a model similar to those used in the literature on causes and implications of economic growth but focus more heavily on the World Bank's index of the speed with which countries are integrating into the world economy. Their results show that countries that adopted less restrictive governance and trade policies achieved significantly higher levels of per capita GDP; experienced higher growth rates for exports, imports, and GDP; and were more successful integrating with the world economy. Regression results indicate that national trade and governance regulations explain over 60 percent of the variance in some measures of economic performance, implying that a country's own national policies shape its rate of development, industrialization, and growth. Their tests provide new insights into the phenomenon of economic convergence, showing that poorer open countries are integrating more rapidly into the global economy than others. This finding parallels what others have observed about economic growth rates. They test their empirical results in a case study asking whether inappropriate national policies have caused Sub-Saharan Africa's dismal economic performance. The evidence strongly supports this proposition. Indices of the quality of national governance show that African countries have generally adopted the most inappropriate (restrictive) fiscal, monetary, property, and wage policies and that their own trade barriers (including customs procedures constraining commercial activity) are among the world's highest. Improving African trade and governance policies to levels currently prevailing in such (non-exceptional) countries as Jordan, Panama, and Sri Lanka would be consistent with a sevenfold increase in per capita GDP (to about $3,500) and an annual increase of 3 or 4 percentage points in the growth rate for this variable. This paper - a product of Trade, Development Research Group - is part of a larger effort in the group to accelerate the trade and growth of developing countries. The authors may be contacted at fng@worldbank.org or ayeats@worldbank.org.
The activation of proaccelerin by bovine thrombokinase (with notes on the antithrombic activity of phenylmethyl sulfonylfluoride).

Through the kindness of Dr. J. H. Milstone we were able to perform clotting studies with purified bovine thrombokinase. Phenylmethyl sulfonylfluoride was found to inactivate bovine thrombin. Bovine thrombokinase, freed of traces of contaminating thrombin by treatment with phenylmethyl sulfonylfluoride, behaved in a manner similar to activated Stuart factor. Kinetic studies with this purified clotting factor and partially purified bovine proaccelerin supported the hypothesis that bovine proaccelerin is changed by the enzymatic action of thrombokinase to an agent which converts prothrombin to thrombin. The reaction between thrombokinase and bovine proaccelerin requires phospholipid and calcium and is blocked by soybean trypsin inhibitor. The similarities between human activated Stuart factor and bovine thrombokinase are apparent.
Multi-robot rendezvous in the plane

In this paper, we discuss a multi-robot rendezvous problem. The aim is to design decentralized control laws for N robots moving in the horizontal plane in order to reach an unpredictably moving point at the same time. The rendezvous problem is modeled using the relative kinematics equations. Our control laws are derived using the integration of geometrical rules with the relative kinematics model. Two approaches are used, namely reference-robot and leader-follower. In the first approach the robots move independently from each other, but they depend on the motion of the reference trajectory. In the second approach the motion of each following robot depends only on its leader, and the motion of one leader depends on the motion of the reference trajectory. Each follower has one leader. For both approaches, two control laws are derived for each robot. Our strategy is illustrated using various simulation examples.
Detecting trend in randomly switched measurements

We introduce a new trend detection problem inspired by real-time monitoring applications where the origin of the measurements is uncertain: The observed sequence under the alternative hypothesis is the result of a random switching between two sequences, each with a trend. The association between each measurement sample and the two sequences is unknown to the detector. We propose a Generalized Mann-Kendall trend detection algorithm, and show via simulation that it achieves better performance than the Mann-Kendall algorithm for problems with randomly switched measurements. We show that the test statistic can be calculated using an Mixed Integer Linear Programming (MILP) solver. We also show that computing the Generalized Mann-Kendall test statistic can be cast as a Max-Bisection problem, connecting the computation of test statistics to graph optimization.
Andere Erkrankungen mit Auswirkung auf den Bewegungsapparat

Durch spastische und schlaffe Lahmungen kommt es zu Form- und Funktionsstorungen am Bewegungsapparat. Es entstehen Kontrakturen, Bewegungseinschrankungen, Muskelatrophien, Gelenkkapselschrumpfungen, Fehlbelastungen der Gelenke mit Arthroseentwicklung usw.
Impact of Glucose Meter Error on Glycemic Variability and Time in Target Range During Glycemic Control After Cardiovascular Surgery.

Background:We retrospectively studied the impact of glucose meter error on the efficacy of glycemic control after cardiovascular surgery.Method:Adult patients undergoing intravenous insulin glycemic control therapy after cardiovascular surgery, with 12-24 consecutive glucose meter measurements used to make insulin dosing decisions, had glucose values analyzed to determine glycemic variability by both standard deviation (SD) and continuous overall net glycemic action (CONGA), and percentage glucose values in target glucose range (110-150 mg/dL). Information was recorded for 70 patients during each of 2 periods, with different glucose meters used to measure glucose and dose insulin during each period but no other changes to the glycemic control protocol. Accuracy and precision of each meter were also compared using whole blood specimens from ICU patients.Results:Glucose meter 1 (GM1) had median bias of 11 mg/dL compared to a laboratory reference method, while glucose meter 2 (GM2) had a median bias of 1 mg/...
The effect of dietary fat on lipogenesis in mammary gland and liver from lactating and virgin mice.

1. Virgin and lactating C3H mice maintained on laboratory chow were transferred to a high-fat (15% corn oil) or a fat-free diet 3 days before being killed. 2. The linoleate content of liver, mammary gland and milk was decreased in lactating mice given the fat-free diet but was increased in those fed on the high-fat diet. Changes in linoleate content and mammary gland followed a similar but much less marked trend in virgin animals. 3. Hepatic fatty acid synthesis in lactating and virgin mice fed on the fat-free diet was higher than in corresponding animals fed on either the chow or the high-fat diet. The lipogenic capacity of livers from mice fed on either the chow or the high-fat diet was greater in lactating than in virgin animals. These changes in hepatic lipogenic capacity were accompanied by alterations in the specific activities of certain enzymes involved in fat synthesis. 4. Mammary gland from virgin and lactating animals showed no such adaptation to dietary fat. Results indicate that fatty acid synthesis in neither mammary-gland parenchymal cells nor mammary-gland adipose cells can be influenced by dietary fat in the same way as in the hepatocyte.
Current state of the art in nontraditional analog circuit simulation

Nontraditional analog circuit simulators are defined to mean methods that extend the capabilities of SPICE and/or use different solution algorithms. The methods currently being explored can be classified as new solution algorithms, qualitative analysis methods, and visual or physical approaches. An overview of these efforts is given. >
Suppression of the antibody response by phorbol esters in the mouse is due to an effect on the nylon wool adherent cell population.

Phorbol esters, in particular 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), have been shown to have profound effects on most biological systems including tumor promotion. Presented here are studies on the acute toxic effects of TPA, and the effects of phorbol esters on thein vivo andin vitro, T cell-dependent, antigen-specific antibody response in the mouse. The LD50 of a single i.v. dose of TPA in the mouse was 309 μg/kg. Acute toxic effects included lethargy, hypothermia and enlarged, hemorrhagic spleens at the higher doses. TPA was shown to be a potent inhibitor of thein vivo primary antibody response as measured by the IgM antibody-forming cell (AFC) response to sheep red blood cells (sRBC). The ED50 of a cumulative i.v. dose was 145 μg/kg administered the day before and the day of immunization (72.5 μg/kg/day). A cumulative dose of500 μg/kg (250 μg/kg/day) resulted in a 100% suppression of the response. Thisin vivo exposure to TPA did not alter B cell/T cell ratio in the spleen. Phorbol ester analogs inactive in other biological systems were also inactive in thein vivo AFC response. Thein vitro AFC assay was used to determine what cell type was being affected by TPA. Separation of the adherent spleen cells into B and T cell populations was done using nylon wool columns and anti-theta plus complement treatment. Experiments with these cell populations indicated that TPA produced suppression of the response due to an effect on the nylon wool adherent cell population.
Coexistence of PSP and MSA: a case report and review of the literature

Progressive supranuclear palsy (PSP) is a neurodegenerative tauopathy characterized by Parkinsonism, vertical gaze palsy, and early falls. The neuropathology is characterized by neurofibrillary tangles, tufted astrocytes, and coiled bodies, but some brains show other pathologic processes. To investigate the frequency of α-synuclein pathology in PSP with immunohistochemistry and to report the clinical and pathological features of a case of PSP with concomitant Multiple system atrophy (MSA) (PSP/MSA), 290 cases of PSP were screened for α-synuclein pathology with immunohistochemistry. Double-labeling immunohistochemistry was performed on a case of PSP/MSA. Among the PSP cases screened for α-synuclein pathology, a single case of PSP/MSA was detected. The patient was an 86-year-old woman with clinical features consistent with PSP. She had no documented dysautonomia or cerebellar signs, and imaging studies were not diagnostic of MSA. Pathological examination showed τ-immunoreactive neuronal and glial lesions consistent with PSP as well as α-synuclein immunoreactive glial cytoplasmic inclusions diagnostic of MSA. Double-immunolabeling studies showed no co-localization of α-synuclein and τ in most neuronal and glial lesions. Based upon the findings in this case, the neuropathologic changes of PSP and MSA are distinct and independent processes, but they can occasionally coexist.
A p85α-osteopontin axis couples the receptor ICOS to sustained Bcl-6 expression by follicular helper and regulatory T cells

Follicular helper T cells (TFH cells) and follicular regulatory T cells (TFR cells) regulate the quantity and quality of humoral immunity. Although both cell types express the costimulatory receptor ICOS and require the transcription factor Bcl-6 for their differentiation, the ICOS-dependent pathways that coordinate their responses are not well understood. Here we report that activation of ICOS in CD4(+) T cells promoted interaction of the p85α regulatory subunit of the signaling kinase PI(3)K and intracellular osteopontin (OPN-i), followed by translocation of OPN-i to the nucleus, its interaction with Bcl-6 and protection of Bcl-6 from ubiquitin-dependent proteasome degradation. Post-translational protection of Bcl-6 by OPN-i was essential for sustained responses of TFH cells and TFR cells and regulation of the germinal center B cell response to antigen. Thus, the p85α-OPN-i axis represents a molecular bridge that couples activation of ICOS to Bcl-6-dependent functional differentiation of TFH cells and TFR cells; this suggests new therapeutic avenues to manipulate the responses of these cells.
MONTE CARLO METHODS IN FUZZY NON-LINEAR REGRESSION

We apply our new fuzzy Monte Carlo method to certain fuzzy non-linear regression problems to estimate the best solution. The best solution is a vector of triangular fuzzy numbers, for the fuzzy coefficients in the model, which minimizes an error measure. We use a quasi-random number generator to produce random sequences of these fuzzy vectors which uniformly fill the search space. We consider example problems to show that this Monte Carlo method obtains solutions comparable to those obtained by an evolutionary algorithm.
A mathematical theory of size distributions in tissue culture.

A model for growth of a tissue culture consisting of cell clumps is given. A set of equations for following the size distribution of clumps is used to determine total biomass accumulation. Existence and uniqueness of a solution to the equations is proved, and estimates of the biomass growth is given in a number of situations.
Typification of Linnaean plant names in Caryophyllaceae

Lectotypes, neotypes and epitypes are designated by 20 specialists for 45 previously untypified Linnaean plant names belonging to the family Caryophyllaceae. These newly proposed types support the current usage of the names concerned. Earlier but ineffective or supersedable type statements are discussed.
On the principle of conditioning and convergence to mixtures of distributions for sums of dependent random variables

Abstract Some sufficient conditions of stable convergence to mixtures of distributions for sums of dependent random variables are presented.
A comparison of the effects of paraquat and diquat on lung compliance, lung volumes and single breath diffusing capacity in the rat.

Paraquat intoxication in its initial stage is characterized histologically in the lungs by atelectasis, hyaline membrane formation, alveolar edema and vascular hemorrhage often into the interstitium or air spaces. Information on the functional modification of paraquat-damaged lungs has been lacking. We evaluated lung volumes, single breath diffusing capacity of the lungs for carbon monoxide (DLCO) and static lung compliance (Cst(L)) in rats treated with paraquat or diquat. Measurements were made 12, 24, 48, and 72 h after treatment. Paraquat by intratracheal (i.t.) instillation 0.5 mg/kg or by intraperitoneal injection (i.p.) 27 mg/kg significantly decreased (P less than 0.01) the body weight, total lung capacity (TLC), functional residual capacity (FRC), vital capacity (VC), residual volume (RV), DLCO, apparent alveolar volume (VA) and Cst(L). At a lower dose level (13.5 mg/kg), the effects of paraquat peaked at about 24 h following treatment, causing a significantly decreased (P less than 0.01) VC and TLC. Diquat i.t. or i.p. had little effect on the lungs. However, diquat i.p. decreased body weight (P less than 0.01) and caused a slight increase (P less than 0.05) in VC. The data obtained are consistent with the known pathological changes seen in paraquat-damaged lungs in that, by both routes, paraquat caused severe lung damage associated with decreased elasticity of the lungs and thorax, destruction of gas exchanging alveolar surfaces, and edema. These changes were detected reliably by lung function measurements.
Discharge after tonsillectomy in pediatric sleep apnea patients.

Abstract Objectives Outpatient tonsillectomy has gained favor in recent years, however patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome have been excluded from outpatient surgery criteria. It is the practice of the senior author to discharge patients after tonsillectomy with a respiratory disturbance or apnea hypopnea index of 5 or less. The purpose of this study is to examine the respiratory complication rate based on respiratory disturbance or apnea hypopnea index, and co-morbidities in order to determine which pediatric patients with obstructive sleep apnea/hypopnea syndrome can be safely discharged after tonsillectomy. Methods All patients undergoing tonsillectomy with the diagnosis of obstructive sleep apnea made by polysomnography by a single surgeon from 2008 to 2011 were included. Decision to admit was based on respiratory disturbance or apnea hypopnea index, body mass index, and comorbidities. All inpatient notes, phone calls, and follow up visit documentation were monitored and reviewed for post operative complications. Results 104 patients were included, 74 patients were admitted post operatively, and 30 were discharged home. There were no complications in the group that was discharged home. In the group that was admitted, there was two minor and two intermediate complications, including desaturations to 92% and 83% requiring oxygen, and wheezing requiring breathing treatment. All complications occurred in patients with respiratory disturbance or apnea hypopnea index of 11 or greater. Conclusion Our data suggest there is a correlation between higher respiratory disturbance or apnea hypopnea index and post operative complications. Patients with an RDI of
Small dimension Bragg reflectors formed by air-isolated GaAs layers

We demonstrate a process for the fabrication of air-isolated microstructures based upon impurity diffusion disordering and selective etching of multilayer structures. The process is illustrated by the fabrication of 5 and 22 μm wide Bragg reflectors with reflectivities in excess of 95%.
The Politics of Curriculum Reform

Legislative politics are legislative politics-whether in that premier legislative arena, the U.S. Congress, in state or local legislative bodies, or in a university. Thus, empirical research on politics is relevant to the university situation, and professional training as a political scientist is useful in developing strategies to bring about institutional change. These conclusions are based on my experience as a participant in a two and one-half year process at American University which reshaped undergraduate distribution requirements. Applying political science analysis to the experience illuminates the parallels between policymaking in diverse institutions, and confirms assumptions of our discipline: that political processes determine outcomes, and that the political science perspective assists understanding. And, a report on the process of curricular change may be helpful to those who are engaged in a similar endeavor on other campuses.'
Time limits in the control of pollution systems

Abstract Exponentially growing pollution systems are examined from the point of view of control. A simplified mathematical model is used. Employing optimal control theory, we show that it is not always possible to drive the state (level of pollution) of such a system to a desired level. We prove that the state has to be smaller than certain bound for the system to be controllable. A specific example illustrates these ideas. The importance of this research lies in the fact that it shows the existence of certain state, and, consequently, time limits in the process of controlling the system.