cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bile acids: regulation of synthesis.

Bile acids are physiological detergents that generate bile flow and facilitate intestinal absorption and transport of lipids, nutrients, and vitamins. Bile acids also are signaling molecules and inflammatory agents that rapidly activate nuclear receptors and cell signaling pathways that regulate lipid, glucose, and energy metabolism. The enterohepatic circulation of bile acids exerts important physiological functions not only in feedback inhibition of bile acid synthesis but also in control of whole-body lipid homeostasis. In the liver, bile acids activate a nuclear receptor, farnesoid X receptor (FXR), that induces an atypical nuclear receptor small heterodimer partner, which subsequently inhibits nuclear receptors, liver-related homolog-1, and hepatocyte nuclear factor 4α and results in inhibiting transcription of the critical regulatory gene in bile acid synthesis, cholesterol 7α-hydroxylase (CYP7A1). In the intestine, FXR induces an intestinal hormone, fibroblast growth factor 15 (FGF15; or FGF19 in human), which activates hepatic FGF receptor 4 (FGFR4) signaling to inhibit bile acid synthesis. However, the mechanism by which FXR/FGF19/FGFR4 signaling inhibits CYP7A1 remains unknown. Bile acids are able to induce FGF19 in human hepatocytes, and the FGF19 autocrine pathway may exist in the human livers. Bile acids and bile acid receptors are therapeutic targets for development of drugs for treatment of cholestatic liver diseases, fatty liver diseases, diabetes, obesity, and metabolic syndrome.
Chain Reaction: Expert Debate and Public Participation in American Commercial Nuclear Power 1945–1975

Acknowledgments 1. Professionalisation and politics in twentieth-century America: from fission to fusion 2. The promise of the proministrative state: nuclear experts and national politics, 1945-1947 3. Forging an iron triangle: the politics of verisimilitude 4. Triangulating demand: the AEC's first decade of commercialisation 5. The centrifugal push of expertise: reactor safety, 1947-1960 6. The magnetic pull of professional disciplines, issue networks and local government 7. Nuclear experts on top, not on tap: mainstreaming expertise, 1957-1970 8. Nuclear experts everywhere: the challenge to nuclear power, 1960-1975 9. Conclusion: harnessing political chain reactions Notes Bibliography Index.
The Characteristics of a Low Temperature In Situ Shale Oil

A 40$ API crude shale oil has been produced from the Green River Formation in the Piceance Creek basin of Colorado by injection of hot natural gas at a controlled temperature. The quality of the shale oil differs very markedly from the customary shale oil from the same formation produced in a high temperature retort. The characteristics of the oil fractions have now been determined. These included distillation analyses, viscosity, and pour point determination. Kinetic data on the production of the shale oil under the conditions used in the field, but carried out on a small scale in the laboratory are presented. A possible mechanism for the production of this oil, as well as a mechanism for the production of shale oil by more usual high temperature methods is presented.
Temporal Bone Malignancies

Primary temporal bone tumors are rare. Suspicious lesions of the ear canal should be biopsied for diagnosis. Surgical resection to achieve negative margins is the mainstay of treatment. Small tumors can be treated with lateral temporal bone resection. Parotidectomy and neck dissection are added for disease extension and proper staging. Higher staged tumors generally require subtotal temporal bone resection or total temporal bone resection. Adjuvant postoperative radiotherapy has shown improved survival for some patients. Chemotherapy has an emerging role for advanced stage disease. Evaluation and management by a multidisciplinary team are the best approach for patients with these tumors.
Risk communication considerations to facilitate the screening of mass populations for potential contamination with radioactive material.

Experience gained during a field training exercise with a Medical Reserve Corps unit on the screening of large groups of individuals for possible contamination with radioactive material revealed that while exercise participants were generally attentive to the proper use of protective equipment and detectors, they tended to overlook important basic risk communications aspects. For example, drill participants did not actively communicate with the persons waiting in line for screening, a step which would provide re-assurance, possibly minimize apprehension, and would clarify expectations. When questioned on this issue of risk communication, drill participants were often able to craft ad hoc messages, but the messages were inconsistent and likely would not have significantly helped diminish anxiety and maintain crowd control. Similar difficulties were encountered regarding messaging for persons determined to be contaminated, those departing the screening center, and those to be delivered to the media. Based on these experiences, the need for a suggested list of risk communication points was identified. To address this need, a set of risk communication templates were developed that focused on the issues likely to be encountered in a mass screening event. The points include issues such as the importance of remaining calm, steps for minimizing possible intake or uptake, considerations for those exhibiting acute injuries, expected screening wait times, the process to be followed and the information to be collected, the process to be undertaken for those exhibiting contamination, and symptoms to watch for after departure. Drill participants indicated in follow-up discussions that such pre-established risk communication templates would serve to enhance their ability to assist in times of emergency and noted the potential broader applicably of the approach for use in responses for other disasters types as well. Language: en
Lichens, Sun, and Fire: A Search for an Embiid-Environment Connection in Australia (Order Embiidina: Australembiidae and Notoligotomidae)

This investigation is the Þrst to quantify the degree of habitat specialization for any species within the little-known order Embiidina. The lichen and plant communities found in the habitats of two sympatric species, one living on lichens encrusted on granite and another feeding in leaf litter, were characterized using a process of ordination and cluster analysis. Differences among 40 samples and their relationships to environmental factors were probed statistically using SpearmanOs coefÞcient of rank correlations generated by comparing rank similarity matrices of the census sites. The lichen eater, Notoligotoma hardyi (Friederichs), was more abundant in areas with strong southern exposures and was associated with higher lichen abundance. They preferentially grazed on particular lichens, the Þrst indication that an embiid shows specialization in feeding. The detritivore, Aus- tralembia incompta Ross, was closely associated with particular plant communities, especially those less susceptible to Þre. Their colonies were more common in rockier, coastal areas and less abundant in grasslands and habitats dominated by Eucalyptus. Insight into ecological variation within the order can guide further exploration of other traits (such as silk structure and function and primitive social behavior) in this rarely studied group of insects.
Storage Characteristics of Brown Shrimp (Penaeus aztecus) Stored in Retail Packages Containing CO2-Enriched Atmospheres

The use of modified atmospheres containing CO2 was effective in retarding microbial growth during refrigerated storage of retail packaged fresh brown shrimp (Penaeus aztecus). The inhibitory effcct seemed proportional to the CO2 tension. The surface pH of shrimp stored in air increased rapidly during the initial storage period while a decrease in pH occurred in all the samples stored in CO2-enriched atmospheres. Shrimp stored in modified atmospheres also had significantly lower total volatile nitrogen (TVN) values as compared to shrimp stored in air. Changes in the head-space composition were observed in all the atmospheres tested throughout the storage period, and were largest for shrimp stored in air.
Empirical Antimicrobial Therapy for Bloodstream Infection Due to Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus: No Better than a Coin Toss

Background.Despite the high prevalence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) infection in the hospital, the proportion of patients with MRSA bacteremia who receive appropriate empirical therapy remains suboptimal.Objective.To investigate the proportion of patients with MRSA bloodstream infection (BSI) who received appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy and to identify risk factors associated with receipt of appropriate empirical therapy.Methods.We studied a cohort of patients from 10 hospitals. The primary outcome was the proportion of patients who received appropriate empirical antibiotic therapy for MRSA BSI. Appropriate therapy was defined as receipt of daptomycin, linezolid, quinupristin-dalfopristin, or vancomycin within 1 calendar day after the first blood culture result positive for S. aureus (ie, before antimicrobial susceptibilities were known). Multivariable logistic regression was used to determine variables associated with receipt of appropriate empirical therapy.Results.The study included 562 patients with MRSA BSI. The mean (± standard deviation) age of the patients was 64 ± 16 years, and 288 (51.2%) were male. Only 291 (51.8%) patients received appropriate empirical therapy. Patients were more likely to receive appropriate therapy if they required hemodialysis (odds ratio [OR], 1.36 [95% confidence interval {CI}, 1.00–1.85]), had undergone knee or hip arthroplasty (OR, 3.04 [95% CI, 1.21–7.6]), had a central venous catheter at admission (OR, 1.72 [95% CI, 1.01–2.93]), or had a McCabe score of 1 at admission (OR, 1.83 [95% CI, 1.16–2.83]). Bowel incontinence (OR, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.19–0.92]) and BSIs categorized as primary (OR, 0.41 [95% CI, 0.27–0.63]) were associated with a decreased likelihood of receiving appropriate empirical therapy.Conclusions.Only half of patients with MRSA BSI received appropriate empirical therapy. Factors associated with receiving appropriate empirical antibiotics included the presence of a central venous catheter at admission and a history of joint arthroplasty. Surprisingly, prior MRSA infection was not predictive of receipt of appropriate antimicrobial therapy.
Multi-core/tile Polymorphous Computing systems

Polymorphous computing systems have been introduced in multi-core/tile architectures as a result of the DARPA Polymorphous Computing Architectures (PCA) program. We will review the state-of-the-art in multi-core systems, first by reviewing the PCA developed systems, and secondly by reviewing recently announced multi-core chips. The PCA-developed USC-ISI/Raytheon/Mercury MONARCH chip in addition to the general-purpose (post)-processing cores contains reprogrammable hardware for high-performance sensor-based (pre)-processing. This paper describes the application of polymorphous computing in embedded processing application domains. We will be particularly interested in the performance benefits gained from additional reconfigurable hardware in multi-core chips.
Salvage Lymph Node Dissection for Prostate Cancer Nodal Recurrence Detected by 11C-Choline Positron Emission Tomography/Computerized Tomography

Purpose: We report salvage lymph node dissections for prostate cancer nodal recurrence detected by 11C-choline positron emission tomography/computerized tomography in the setting of increasing prostate specific antigen after radical prostatectomy.Materials and Methods: Retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who underwent salvage lymph node dissection for prostate cancer nodal recurrence. Only patients previously treated with radical prostatectomy were included in the study and those with evidence of local recurrence were excluded from analysis. Primary end points included biochemical recurrence, systemic progression and cancer specific mortality.Results: From 2009 to 2013, 52 men underwent salvage lymph node dissection. Before salvage lymph node dissection 78.8% (41 of 52) had some form of therapy after radical prostatectomy. Median age at salvage lymph node dissection was 60 years and median prostate specific antigen was 2.2 ng/ml (IQR 1.4–3.7). The median number of lymph nodes dissect...
Real-time RF spectrum analyzer: Components and system development

Many wireless communication links quickly hop between narrow frequency channels. Many such connections can occur simultaneously in the same band and hop in a standard pseudorandom frequency pattern dwelling a predetermined time in each channel. To sense modern communication, a real-time spectrum analyzer is very useful. One large advantage of real time analysis is that it only records data in active channels because it can determine the activity in each time interval. Another advantage is that communication that is not adhering to FCC standards can also be discerned. A van full of RF amplifiers, digitizers, and Fourier analysis equipment has been used for this job in non-real time. We chose to attack this design by providing many identical signal paths, one for each frequency channel. A number of RF components had to be developed to make this circuit power efficient and fit a small footprint. The initial broad band signal from an antenna sees low noise amplification (LNA) and then is divided into many identical RF signal paths using silicon germanium integrated circuits (SiGe RFICs). Each of these RF signals is filtered by one filter in a ladder of frequency adjacent SAW filters. The output of each SAW device is compared with the RF power seen in the previous time interval to see if there is less or more of a signal. Up to this point the system has been low- power analog. Once the RF channel powers are quantified, the system uses a digital signal processor (DSP) to further analyze signal characteristics.
Life-threatening, preventable hyperkalemia in a nursing home resident: case report and literature review

A 70-year-old male nursing home resident, hospitalized for weakness and lethargy, was found to have life-threatening hyperkalemia. Concomitant use of potassium chloride, spironolactone, and propranolol appeared the likely offending agents. Hyperkalemia is common in the elderly, resulting from a combination of potassium homeostasis disorders, disease processes and certain medications. In particular, older adults in the nursing home on spironolactone and potassium replacement preparations should have serum potassium monitored frequently, particularly in the presence of renal insufficiency and diabetes. Also included is a review of literature illustrating alterations in potassium regulation in older adults and a suggested approach to potassium-related disorders in the nursing home setting.
Protection in multigranular waveband networks

Feature Issue on Waveband Switching, Routing, and Grooming As the number of wavelengths in wavelength-division-multiplexed (WDM) systems continues to increase, the switching fabrics of optical cross connects (OXCs) will become increasingly complex. This complexity can be reduced by introducing multigranular optical cross connects (MG-OXCs) into the network. A MG-OXC is capable of switching an entire group of wavelengths through a single switch port, thereby reducing the required number of switching ports and the complexity of the switch fabric. We consider the problem of establishing active and backup paths for connections in networks with MG-OXCs. The problem of establishing protected connections for a given traffic demand in multigranular networks differs from the protection problem in standard wavelength-routed networks in that the primary objective in multigranular networks is to minimize the number of switch ports in the network. The mode of protection (dedicated or shared) affects the ability to aggregate and route traffic together. We formulate the problems of dedicated and shared protection in the form of Integer Linear Programs (ILPs) to optimize the total number of ports. Since solving the ILPs for large networks is intractable, we propose a graph-based heuristic that attempts to solve the problem of routing and waveband assignment in an integrated manner. The heuristic reduces the total number of ports in the multigranular network. We also study the effect of shared protection on the port count.
Simple method to determine β-lactam resistance phenotypes in Pseudomonas aeruginosa using the disc agar diffusion test

Background Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a major opportunistic bacterial pathogen in nosocomial infections because of the increasing prevalence of resistance to many of the commonly used antibiotics. To ensure optimal efficiency of antibiotic treatment against this species, antibiotic susceptibility tests must be interpreted with caution. Most microbiologists now consider it essential to characterize the antibiotic resistance expressed by isolates. Particular resistance mechanisms may be suspected when the bacterium is resistant to several antibiotics in the same family (for example beta-lactam agents). Methods Using the disc agar diffusion test, a simple method was developed to distinguish between the common beta-lactam resistance phenotypes of P. aeruginosa and, consequently, the possible resistance mechanism(s). Over a period of 5 years, we analysed 6300 P. aeruginosa strains isolated from various pathological specimens collected from different wards of Cochin Port-Royal Hospital, and reference and collection strains. Each strain had the wild-type phenotype or an acquired resistance phenotype. Eight anti-pseudomonal beta-lactams (ticarcillin, cefotaxime or moxalactam, cefepime or cefpirome, imipenem, ceftazidime, aztreonam, cefsulodin and ticarcillin + clavulanic acid) were used as phenotypic markers. Results The following markers were sufficient to distinguish between the wild-type phenotype and the various acquired resistance phenotypes: beta-lactamase synthesis, reduced cell wall permeability and/or increased expression of efflux transporters (active efflux). Detection of resistance phenotypes allows 'interpretive reading' of antibiotic susceptibility tests. Conclusions Clearly, improved interpretation of antibiotic susceptibility tests is important for a better appreciation of the effect of antimicrobial agents on bacteria such as P. aeruginosa.
Paul trapping of charged particles in aqueous solution

We experimentally demonstrate the feasibility of an aqueous Paul trap using a proof-of-principle planar device. Radio frequency voltages are used to generate an alternating focusing/defocusing potential well in two orthogonal directions. Individual charged particles are dynamically confined into nanometer scale in space. Compared with conventional Paul traps working in frictionless vacuum, the aqueous environment associated with damping forces and thermally induced fluctuations (Brownian noise) exerts a fundamental influence on the underlying physics. We investigate the impact of these two effects on the confining dynamics, with the aim to reduce the rms value of the positional fluctuations. We find that the rms fluctuations can be modulated by adjusting the voltages and frequencies. This technique provides an alternative for the localization and control of charged particles in an aqueous environment.
An SOLR calibration for accurate measurement of orthogonal on-wafer DUTs

Orthogonal CPW thrus are notorious for generating undesired modes due to the bend discontinuity. These undesired modes are not accounted for in conventional calibration methods such as SOLT, LRM, and TRL, since they require, by definition, well-behaved thru standards. In this paper, we will demonstrate through experimental results how the Short-Open-Load-Reciprocal thru (SOLR) approach, which avoids imposing any dependency on the nature of the thru standard itself, provides a superior calibration.
Meaning in the Age of Social Media, by Langlois, G.

What we call “meaning” occurs when things get connected to one another through processes that render some of those things significant and some insignificant. We call “signs” some of the things thus...
Methods for effective fluorophore injection and imaging of lymphatics in small animals

Morbidity and complexity involved in lymph node staging via surgical resection and biopsy calls for staging techniques that are less invasive. While visible blue dyes are commonly used in locating sentinel lymph nodes, since they follow tumor-draining lymphatic vessels, they do not provide a metric to evaluate presence of cancer. An area of active research is to use fluorescent dyes to assess tumor burden of sentinel and secondary lymph nodes. The goal of this work was to successfully perform fluorescence imaging of IRDye®680RD in the lymphatics, in a repeatable manner.
Fixed Points, Nash Equilibria, and the Existential Theory of the Reals

We introduce the complexity class źź$\exists \mathbb {R}$ based on the existential theory of the reals. We show that the definition of źź$\exists \mathbb {R}$ is robust in the sense that even the fragment of the theory expressing solvability of systems of strict polynomial inequalities leads to the same complexity class. Several natural and well-known problems turn out to be complete for źź$\exists \mathbb {R}$; here we show that the complexity of decision variants of fixed-point problems, including Nash equilibria, are complete for this class, complementing work by Etessami and Yannakakis [13].
Blood Progenitor Cells and Donor Lymphocyte Transfusion: the New Modes of Marrow Transplantation

Traditionally, hematopoietic support for high dose chemotherapy and radiation therapy has been harvested from bone marrow from either the posterior iliac crests, sternum or tibia (in small children). With the clinical use of hematopoietic colony-stimulating factors, substantial increases in hematopoietic progenitors and stem cells capable of reestablishing hematopoiesis after myeloablative therapy can be obtained in peripheral circulation. By apheresis, these cells can be collected and use as a source of hematopoietic cellular reconstitution after autologous or allogeneic transplantation. Numerous studies have documented that autologous transplantation of peripheral blood progenitors results in rapid hematopoietic recovery leading to an almost preferential consideration of peripheral blood progenitor cells over bone marrow as a source of hematopoietic cells for autologous and allogeneic transplantation.
Building School District Capacity to Conduct Functional Behavioral Assessment.

For decades, research has shown that function-based support is effective in reducing the frequency and severity of problematic student behaviors. One way for schools and districts to implement thes...
SCREENING TESTS FOR THYROID DISEASE AND RHEUMATOID ARTHRITIS AS A ROUTINE HOSPITAL PROCEDURE.

The purpose of a screening test is "to separate from a large group those who have a high probability of having the disease under study so that they may be given a diagnostic work-up, and if diseased, brought to treatment." 39 A successful screeningprocedure should be simple, sensitive, in­ expensive, and relatively specific. The present study was initiated to deter­ mine whether recently developed technics for the detection of thyroid antibodies and for rheumatoid factor would fulfill the abovementioned criteria in the detection of un­ suspected cases of thyroid disease or rheu­ matoid arthritis, or both, in a medium-sized (424-bed) general hospital. MATERIALS AND METHODS Serum samples were obtained from unselected hospital admissions over a 4-month period. Group I consisted of aliquots of serums collected for routine serologic tests for syphilis (STS), excluding serums from patients on pediatric and neuropsychiatric services. Group II consisted of blood samples submitted for protein-bound iodine (PBI) determinations during the same period. Serums from apparently normal, healthy blood donors, employees, and prenatal patients were used as controls (Group III). All serums were tested within 2 clays of collection. When the tests were completed, the positive reactions were reported to one of us (L. R.) who examined each patient when possible.
Advertising Strategies in a Dynamic Oligopoly

The author uses a dynamic model of oligopolistic advertising competition, in which competitors are assumed to make a series of single-period advertising decisions with salvage values attached to achieved sales in each period, as the foundation for empirical analysis of the competitive situation involving the three largest ready-to-eat cereal manufacturers, Kellogg, General Mills, and the Post Division of Philip Morris’ General Foods. The primary insight of the author's empirical analysis is that General Mills places a higher future value on achieved sales than do the other competitors in the market.
QUANTITATIVE GENETICS OF RESPONSE TO COMPETITORS IN NEMOPHILA MENZIESII: A GREENHOUSE STUDY.

To determine the potential for adaptation to a local biotic environment, we examined the magnitude and nature of genetic variation in response to neighboring plants within a natural population of the native California annual, Nemophila menziesii. A total of 22 plants from a natural population were crossed in three reciprocal factorials. The progeny were grown in a greenhouse in nine treatments that varied in conspecific density and in the density of a naturally co-occurring grass species, Bromus diandrus. Increasing the density of each species significantly reduced individual survival, fruit number, and dry weight. Among survivors, we found small to moderate heritability of dry weight within treatments. Additive genetic correlations (rA ) of dry weight between competitive regimes were generally large and positive. In no case were they significantly different from 1, as expected under the null hypothesis that the relative performance of the genotypes under consideration is the same in all environments. On the basis of these results, we cannot conclude that the structure of genetic covariation within this population would promote genetic differentiation in response to locally varying conditions of density of these two species. Aspects of the experiment that may have compromised our ability to detect rA differing from 1 are discussed.
The Cross-Cultural Validation of the Three-Factor Model of Fit

The three-factor model of fit advanced by Cable and DeRue using a U.S. sample included person-organization (P-O) fit, needs-supplies (N-S) fit, and demands-abilities (D-A) fit. In this paper, we test conceptual and functional equivalence of the fit model cross-culturally, replicating Cable and DeRue’s work. Employee-supervisor paired responses were collected in Russia (N=233) and China (N=193). Conceptually, our results demonstrate that both Russian and Chinese employees distinguish between P-O fit, N-S fit, and D-A fit. Functionally, the results show that, similarly to that in the U.S., in Russia and China, P-O fit is linked to organizational identification, perceived organizational support, organizational citizenship behaviors, and intentions to quit, while N-S fit is related to intentions to quiz, job satisfaction, career satisfaction, and occupational commitment. We also found several functional differences. In Russia, the results supported the links, originally hypothesized but not found in the U.S.,...
Uncertainty in life cycle greenhouse gas emissions from United States natural gas end-uses and its effects on policy.

Increasing concerns about greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the United States have spurred interest in alternate low carbon fuel sources, such as natural gas. Life cycle assessment (LCA) methods can be used to estimate potential emissions reductions through the use of such fuels. Some recent policies have used the results of LCAs to encourage the use of low carbon fuels to meet future energy demands in the U.S., without, however, acknowledging and addressing the uncertainty and variability prevalent in LCA. Natural gas is a particularly interesting fuel since it can be used to meet various energy demands, for example, as a transportation fuel or in power generation. Estimating the magnitudes and likelihoods of achieving emissions reductions from competing end-uses of natural gas using LCA offers one way to examine optimal strategies of natural gas resource allocation, given that its availability is likely to be limited in the future.In this study, the uncertainty in life cycle GHG emissions of natural gas...
Future Reality: How Emerging Technologies Will Change Language Itself

Just as notebook computers once freed us to take our computers with us, smartphones freed us to walk around with computers in our pockets, and wearables will soon free us from needing to hold a screen at all. Today, as high-quality virtual and augmented reality begins to become available at consumer prices, the "screen" will soon be all around us. But the largest long-term impact here may not merely be one of form factor, but rather one of language itself. Once wearables become small enough, cheap enough, and therefore ubiquitous enough to be accepted as part of our everyday reality, our use of language will evolve in important ways.
The expression of human IL-32-IgG4(Fc) fusion gene in CHO/DG44 cell line

【Objective】The study constructed eukaryotic expression vector IL-32-IgG4(Fc)-pOptiVEC for expression of IL-32-IgG4(Fc) fusion protein in CHO cells.【Method】IL-32 gene was amplified by PCR from the cDNA library of human CD4+ T cell after LPS induction and inserted into IgG4(Fc)-pOptiVEC resulting in an eukaryotic expression vector IL-32-IgG4(Fc)-pOptiVEC.Then the eukaryotic expression vector was identified by enzyme digestion and sequencing.The CHO/DG44 cells were successfully transfected with the lined plasmid IL-32-IgG4(Fc)-pOptiVEC by Lipofectamine TM2000 and confirmed by detecting mRNA of the IL-32 in the transfected cells by RT-PCR.The positive clones were further screened in the presence of MTX at different concentrations.The IL-32-IgG4(Fc) fusion protein was purified from medium from the transfected CHO/DG44 clones by protein G affinity chromatography and then its expression and bioactivity were identified by SDS-PAGE and Western-blot.【Result】A 564 bp long cDNA sequence of human IL-32 gene was cloned by PCR.The sequence of IL-32 was consistent with that reported in GenBank.Eukaryotic expression vector IL-32-IgG4(Fc)-pOptiVEC was confirmed constructed successfully by restriction enzyme digestion,and was transfected into the CHO/DG44 cells which were further selected in presence of MTX.The immune activity of the fusion protein was verified by Western-blot,and its relative molecular weight was about 50 ku,which was very close to its expected value.The production of IL-32-IgG4(Fc) fusion protein was increased obviously by MTX selection.【Conclusion】An eukaryotic expression vector IL-32-IgG4(Fc)-pOptiVEC has been constructed successfully and the recombinant CHO/DG44 cell clone that can steadily express IL-32-IgG4(Fc) fusion protein with bioactivity has been obtained.
Investigation on Wear Characteristic of 45 Steel Under Direct Current Steady Magnetic Field

The wear characteristics of 45 steel pin against W18Cr4V ring on improved MPV-1500 tester under the DC magnetic field and dry sliding friction at room temperature were studied. Results indicate, with the increase of the magnetic field strength, the wear mass loss of the sample decreases first and then increases. Under no magnetic field conditions, the wear surface is the deep groove shape and concave; after applying the magnetic field, the wear surface is smooth and grind meal. With the magnetic field strength gradually increasing, the wear surface has adhesion.
Mapping of the Human Renin Transcription Start Site - Evidence for a Single Functional Promoter

The 5' flanking region of the human renin gene contains two putative promoter sequences (TATA boxes), named P1 and P2. These are located in positions -77 to -71 and -29 to -23 respectively, each followed by a possible translational start site (AUG). In order to identify whether these sequences are functional in the kidney, we employed the RNAse protection assay. Total RNA extracted from human kidney cortex was hybridized with labeled cRNA probes complementary to the 5' flanking region of the human renin gene. After digestion with RNAse, protected hybrids were identified by electrophoresis on polyacrylamide/urea gels and autoradiography. Results showed that only P2 is active in human kidney resulting in a single transcript. This suggests that human kidney renin is synthesized as a single preproform.
Analysis of Stick-Slip

When moving slowly machines are likely to exhibit stick-slip, a periodic cycle of alternating motion and arrest. Stick-slip determines the lower performance bounds of a machine, the lowest sustainable speed and the shortest governable motion. In applications that place a premium on precise motion, an understanding of the dynamics of stick-slip and its possible elimination take on great value.
Comfort's Cost

The most distinctively human impulses — the artistic or philosophic impulse — begin in awe and apprehension at the vast incomprehensibility of the world. Today, however, this anxious wonder might be cured with a generous dose of Prozac. Some worry that the desire for self-knowledge has been replaced by a feel-good therapy that dulls the unease that is part of being human. According to one view, human beings must always be aliens in this world, tormented by longings for immortality and understanding, ill at ease with a self-consciousness and a capacity for good and evil that is denied to the rest of creation. Yet the natural world might have something to tell us about the human self or the soul. A review of Peter Augustine Lawler, Aliens in America: The Strange Truth About Our Souls (ISI Books, 2002).
Mechanotransduction of Shear Stress by the Endothelium

The ability of endothelial cells to convert forces from blood flow to biochemical signals underlies vascular health and disease. While the mechanisms of endothelial cell mechanotransduction are still an area of ongoing research, a picture is emerging that encompasses the temporal and spatial complexity of blood flow patterns and the highly heterogeneous and dynamic mechanical properties of endothelial cells. In this framework, cell sense blood flow-induced shear stress through specialized structures such as the glycocalyx, membrane microdomains, focal adhesions and adherens junctions, where forces are converted to biochemical signaling cascades via alterations in protein conformations and associations. The result of these processes are the production of vasodilators and the activation of genetic transcription factors that lead to changes in endothelium permeability, adhesiveness to circulating leukocytes and platelets, and changes in vascular diameter. Therefore, understanding the mechanobiology of endothelial cells is at the heart of promoting vascular health and predicting, diagnosing, treating, and preventing vascular disease.
Neonatal Hypertonia and Maternal Smoking

A detailed neurologic examination was performed in 6-week-old infants enrolled in a study of effects of in utero cocaine exposure, while controlling for concomitant cigarette smoking exposure and other variables, and results are reported from the University of California, San Francisco, CA.
Spectrum handoffs with mixed-priority queueing model over Cognitive Radio Networks

In this paper, we propose a mixed preemptive and non-preemptive resume priority (PRP/NPRP) M/G/1 queueing model for the modeling of the traffic in Cognitive Radio (CR) Networks with prioritized transmissions. A traffic-adaptive spectrum handoff scheme is then developed based on the proposed queueing model for delay sensitive applications. This spectrum handoff scheme reduces the delivery time of the delay-sensitive applications for secondary users (SUs) while ensuring the overall performance of the network by avoiding overly frequent spectrum handoff between SUs. In the experiment section, we compare with two recently proposed queueing models using the traffic-adaptive spectrum handoff scheme and show the superior performance of the proposed approach.
Increased TREM-2 expression on the subsets of CD11c + cells in the lungs and lymph nodes during allergic airway inflammation

Dendritic cells (DCs) are professional APCs that traffic to the draining lymph nodes where they present processed antigens to naive T-cells. The recently discovered triggering receptor expressed on myeloid cells (TREM)-2 has been shown to be expressed on DCs in several disease models, however, its role in asthma is yet to be elucidated. In the present study, we examined the effect of allergen exposure on TREM-2 expression in the airways and on DC subsets in the lung and lymph nodes in murine model of allergic airway inflammation. Sensitization and challenge with ovalbumin reproduced hallmark features of asthma. TREM-2 mRNA expression in the whole lung was significantly higher in the OVA-sensitized and -challenged mice which was associated with increased protein expression in the lungs. Analysis of CD11c+MHC-IIhi DCs in the lung and draining lymph nodes revealed that allergen exposure increased TREM-2 expression on all DC subsets with significantly higher expression in the lymph nodes. This was associated with increased mRNA expression of Th2 and Th17 cytokines. Further analyses showed that these TREM-2+ cells expressed high levels of CCR-7 and CD86 suggesting a potential role of TREM-2 in mediating maturation and migration of DC subsets in allergic airway inflammation.
IL-10 Producing Regulatory B cells are Decreased and Functional Impaired in Myasthenia Gravis

Myasthenia gravis (MG) is a prototype of antibody-mediated neuromuscular disease causing fluctuating weakness and disability. Experimental autoimmune MG (EAMG) is an animal model of human MG. In our previous study, adoptive transfer of CD1d hi CD5 + B cells expanded in vivo by GM-CSF prevented and suppressed EAMG; and IL-10 production within CD1d hi CD5 + B cells played an important role in immune regulation of EAMG. In this study, we aimed to analyze the frequency and function of these regulatory B (Bregs) subsets (CD38 hi CD24 hi and CD5 + CD1d hi ) in MG patients and healthy controls. We found that MG patients had lower frequencies of Breg subsets (CD38 hi CD24 hi and CD5 + CD1d hi ), and lower percentages of B10 cells within each subset compared to controls. Depletion of CD38 hi CD24 hi B cell subset from the PBMCs of MG patients did not lead to any significant increase in the percentage of CD4 + IFNγ and CD4 + TNFα, in contrast to healthy controls. We concluded that IL-10 producing regulatory B cells were decreased and functional impaired in MG patients, which might suggest a crucial role of Bregs in the development of MG.
Alloy Engineering of Topological Semimetal Phase Transition in MgTa 2 − x Nb x N 3

Dirac, triple-point, and Weyl fermions represent three topological semimetal phases, characterized with a descending degree of band degeneracy, which have been realized separately in specific crystalline materials with different lattice symmetries. Here we demonstrate an alloy engineering approach to realize all three types of fermions in one single material system of MgTa_{2-x}Nb_{x}N_{3}. Based on symmetry analysis and first-principles calculations, we map out a phase diagram of topological order in the parameter space of alloy concentration and crystalline symmetry, where the intrinsic MgTa_{2}N_{3} with the highest symmetry hosts the Dirac semimetal phase, which transforms into the triple-point and then the Weyl semimetal phases with increasing Nb concentration that lowers the crystalline symmetries. Therefore, alloy engineering affords a unique approach for the experimental investigation of topological transitions of semimetallic phases manifesting different fermionic behaviors.
Demodulation of faded wireless signals using deep convolutional neural networks

This paper demonstrates exceptional performance of approximately 10.0 dB learning-based gain using the Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) for demodulation of a Rayleigh-faded wireless data signal. We simulate FSK demodulation over an AWGN Rayleigh fading channel with average signal to noise ratios (SNR) from 10 dB to 20 dB. The most recent and accurate classifier is the Deep Convolutional Neural Network (DCNN) which resulted in the lowest error bit probabilities between 0.00128 to 0.00019 for the range of SNRs. A comparative study has been applied between DCNN and other machine learning classifiers such as Support Vector Machine (SVM), Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA), Multi-Layer Perceptron (MLP) which give bit error probabilities between 0.021 to 0.002, and Quadratic Discriminant Analysis (QDA) which gives bit error probabilities between 0.027 to 0.003. Frequency-shift keying (FSK) demodulation using matched filtering showed bit error probabilities between 0.025 to 0.0025. We also discuss the complexity issues with the DCNN regarding decoding rates and training set sizes. This work shows how much the DCNN would provide substantial benefit as the demodulator.
“Tell Me So That I Can Help You”: Private Information and Privacy Coordination Issues in the Context of Eldercare

In order to provide competent care to aging parents, adult children, and older parents must renegotiate long-standing privacy boundaries that allow caregivers access to parents’ private information...
Lessons learned from wet washing the 6.5m MMT primary mirror in-situ

After gathering spectrophotometer data from the 6.5m primary mirror at the MMT Observatory (MMT) for over ten years, the MMT has developed a soap and water wash procedure that effectively removes contaminates from the surface of the mirror without damaging the bare aluminum coating. While the in-situ soap and water wash requires a small amount of telescope downtime, these washes are still scheduled to take place every six months. The frequency of the washing was selected to keep the mirror performance as close to a fresh coating as possible throughout the year and to extend the recoating interval without allowing the reflectivity degrading more than 3% from a fresh coating. After being in service for almost two years, the spectrophotometer measurements indicate the 2016 primary mirror coating is on-track to maintain the specified reflectance for five years. This paper outlines the soap and water wash procedure developed for the MMT primary mirror and presents spectrophotometer data throughout the life of the 2005 and the 2016 mirror coatings.
The Impact of `Greater Dhaka Flood Protection Project' (GDFPP) on Local Living Environment – The Attitude of the Floodplain Residents

This paper aims to examine the impact of large-scale structuraladjustments (like the Greater Dhaka Flood Protection Project, GDFPP) on local living environment.It focuses the importance of environmental factors in flood hazard mitigation, and examines theenvironmental attitudes of the floodplain residents arising from the large-scale structural adjustments.Based on `perceived natural hazard research perspectives', this paper examines: (i) the reasons for persistentfloodplain occupation, and (ii) the importance of environmental factors in the choice, motivations and decision-makingof floodplain residents. This research used data collected from 300 households situated inthe eastern part of Dhaka. The face-to-face household survey data provided individuals' responses to a structuredquestionnaire on hazards and environment. Survey concerned urban floodplains, and looked fordata on housing, household characteristics, and residents' attitudes. Results of interview surveys wereused to: (i) explore the reasons of floodplain occupation, and (ii) residents' attitudes to tolerable levelof flood risk and willingness to accept environmental change resulting from the proposed structural embankments inthe eastern perimeter of Dhaka City, Bangladesh. Findings revealed that floodplain occupation (by theindividuals' decision-making) was a result of overall reaction to the Government's structuraladjustment policies that resulted from institutional, locational and socio-economic factors. The attitude survey results provided residents' perception to hazards and environment to be dependenton the socio-economic factors – but in a complex manner, many factors are interrelated.In addition to support for structural embankments, the study sample displayed a common concernand widespread environmental awareness. In terms of any `trade-off' between thebenefits (resources) from the embankments and costs (hazards) due to the detrimental impact on environment, the residents of Dhaka, despite some concern forsacrificing embankments for environment, tended to show a generalconsensus for embankments.
Some Fundamental Problems in the Selection and Justification of Discrete Alternative MCDM Methods

The selection of the most appropriate, or "best," discrete alternative MCDM method is important in many applications. The problem of selecting the "best" MCDM method is itself an MCDM problem that does not have an obvious solution. This paper addresses several general concerns and complicated features of the selection problem. The paper argues that discrete alternative MCDM methods have inherent limitations, as the validity of a method cannot be established formally. An approach for substantiating MCDM methods is suggested, and some directions for future research are outlined.
Observation of n-type behavior in Fe-doped tetrahedrite at low temperature

Abstract Tetrahedrite exhibits favorable thermoelectric properties, while also being composed of non-toxic and earth-abundant elements. Although tetrahedrite has been studied extensively as a p-type thermoelectric, n-type behavior in this material has not yet been observed. We report the first findings of n-type conductivity in tetrahedrite observed over a temperature range of 80 to 310 K, with typical p-type conductivity found at higher temperatures. Herein, we characterize electrical and thermal transport properties on these samples from 80 to 673 K. Mechanical alloying and modified polyol synthesis methods were used to synthesize Fe-doped samples (Cu12-xFexSb4S13 with x = 1, 1.3, and 1.5) by solid-state and solution-phase approaches, respectively. Elemental analysis by energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was conducted to investigate the relationship between thermoelectric properties and chemical composition. A maximum ZT = 0.67 at 673 K was obtained for Cu10.5Fe1.5Sb4S13 synthesized by the modified polyol process. Our observation of negative Seebeck coefficient values in the low-temperature regime should serve as a foundation for further study of n-type behavior in tetrahedrite materials.
Gradations of cyclic rings and homogeneity of their nil and Jacobson radicals

A formula for the number of gradations, up to equivalence, of cyclic rings by cancellative monoids is given. As an application, the nil and Jacobson radicals of cyclic rings are shown to be homogen...
Guodian: A New Window for Understanding the Introduction of Buddhism into China

This chapter will argue that the Guodian corpus has a coherent religious philosophy that is best characterized using Prasenjit Duara’s term “dialogical transcendence.” Being dialogical means that transcending does not involve a departure from the human realm, and this is inclusive of all the messiness entailed therein. The model for how Guodian religion functioned is surprisingly analogous to later religious beliefs in China. In particular, it has a striking resemblance to the Buddhist sutra Vimalakirti. Contextualizing Guodian in this large span of religious history is necessary to avoid seeing it as merely a social philosophy. The humanism inherent in both Guodian and Vimalakirti is a hugely significant element of the Chinese religious experience and it has remained so through the present day. The comparative lens employed in this chapter has the ability to clarify both our understanding of Guodian and also later developments in Buddhism. Specifically, Guodian offers new insight into why particular Buddhist sutras became popular in China.