cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Performance characteristics of a rapid immunochromatographic assay for detection of pandemic influenza A (H1N1) virus in children

Rapid tests for diagnosis of influenza are valuable assets in the management of influenza in pediatric patients. However, test performance fluctuates with virus subtypes. We assessed the test characteristics of Influenzatop®, a rapid immunochromatographic influenza A and B test, in detecting pandemic 2009 influenza A (H1N1) in children up to 18 years of age, using reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) as the gold standard. Three hundred and one pediatric outpatients with influenza-like illness were included into the study. Overall sensitivity of Influenzatop® was 64% (95% confidence interval (CI) 56–71%) but increased to 92% (95% CI, 80–97%) when performed between 24 and 48 h after onset of symptoms. Positive Influenzatop® results among RT-PCR-positive patients were associated with higher viral load. No significant variation in test performance could be detected when analyzed by age and high versus low prevalence period. Overall test specificity was 99% (95% CI, 95–100%); positive and negative predictive values were 98% (95% CI, 93–99%) and 70% (95% CI, 63–76%), respectively. Conclusion: Influenzatop® rapid influenza test is a sound tool in the diagnosis of H1N1 in pediatric patients when employed 24–48 h after onset of symptoms.
64. Roles of glucocorticoid receptor and microRNA in repeated social disruption stress-induced glucocorticoid resistance in splenic macrophages

Chronic social stress has attracted interest due to its deleterious impact on health psychologically and physiologically. It has been shown using rodent models of chronic social stress, e.g., repeated social disruption stress (RSD), innate immune cells develop insensitivity to glucocorticoid (GC) stimuli and contribute to enhance inflammatory responses. Previous studies have found that one of the immune cells that is GC insensitive in response to RSD is the splenic macrophage, however, the underlying molecular mechanisms that contribute to this process are not fully understood. Current data showed RSD modified GC receptor expression and increased the expression ratio of FK506-binding protein 51 (FKBP51) to FKBP52, favoring to blockade of nuclear translocation of GC–GC receptor complexes in splenic macrophages. Using a NanoString nCounter miRNA Expression assay and the internet-based DIANA-micro T-CDS database (ver 5.0), the expression of 6 microRNAs was increased by RSD. The two highest expressed miRNAs (miRNA-29b and 340) were overexpressed in L929 cells and were found to completely block LPS-induced overexpression of GC receptors. These data suggest that miRNAs play a critical role in RSD-induced GC resistance in splenic macrophages, especially via an epigenetic mechanism of GC receptor expression at least. This was supported by grants funded through NIH/NIMH: R01MH093473 and R01MH097243.
Populations on fragmented landscapes with spatially structured heterogeneities : Landscape generation and local dispersal

The goal of this investigation was to study the effects of spatially structured habitat heterogeneities on locally dispersing single-species populations. In this investigation, the environmental heterogeneities were not randomly distributed, but rather were clustered by specifying probabilities of small local configurations of the landscape, as in local structure or pair approximations. This allows the study of landscapes with the same amount of habitat loss but different levels of fragmentation or clustering. I describe a simple algorithm for generating such structured landscapes. Spatially explicit simulations of population models on these landscapes were performed using stochastic cellular automata and compared to predictions from mean-field and pair approximations, for which detailed derivations are presented. For populations with local dispersal, I show that the spatial correlations of habitat types completely determine equilibrium population density on suitable sites and that the amount of suitable habitat has no effect, precisely the opposite of what the mean-field approximation predicts. When habitat types are randomly distributed on the landscape, the two approximations do almost equally well, and thus the additional complexity of the pair approximation is not justified. However, when habitat types are not randomly distributed, the mean-field approximation gives qualitatively incorrect predictions for population response to varying habitat heterogeneity. Thus, pair approximations combine some of the best features of spatially explicit and implicit models and serve as a useful supplement to those methods for understanding spatially structured ecological systems, especially where environmental heterogeneities are spatially correlated.
Nature and possible causes of droughts on the canadian prairies‐case studies

There has been increasing interest in recent years in the study of droughts because of their economic, social and political impacts on society. Two summer droughts that affected the Canadian Prairies in 1961 and 1967 are examined. Based on a synoptic climatological approach, the investigation reveals that droughts occurred when the weather type WR (mid-tropospheric ridge dominant) was persistent with a ridge over western Canada. A study of the 1976–1977 winter drought supports this interpretation. In all three cases, a quaststationary mid-tropospheric ridge over western Canada acted as a block which displaced the jet stream, cyclones and moist air masses to a location north of the Canadian Prairies, while anticyclonic circulation under the high pressure ridge gave atmospheric stability and dry conditions on the Canadian Prairies.
CO2 migration and pressure evolution in deep saline aquifers

Abstract In 2005, the IPPC Special report on carbon dioxide capture and storage (SRCCS) summarized the state of knowledge about CCS as an emerging technology for reducing CO2 emissions to the atmosphere. At the time of writing, the emphasis of the SRCCS was on understanding the fate of injected CO2 whereas less attention was paid to effects of pressure buildup associated with CO2 injection. Since then, the CCS community has significantly improved the knowledge base and addressed many of the technical gaps mentioned in 2005. A large body of research has been devoted to identify and verify the main processes that control CO2 migration, trapping, and containment in deep saline aquifers. Much work has also been conducted to better understand the magnitude and implications of reservoir pressure buildup in response to large CO2 storage projects. The aim of this paper is to provide a summary and overview of the most relevant recent (since publication of the IPCC SRCCS) literature and findings in the areas of CO2 migration and pressure evolution. The paper first summarizes recent findings related to CO2 plume migration and trapping, based on analytical and numerical modeling studies as well as several field injection tests conducted to examine the fate of injected CO2 in various subsurface settings. The paper then discusses pressure effects as a function of space and time, including the effects of confinement (boundary conditions), highlights possible unwanted pressure impacts such as pressure-driven leakage and geomechanical damage, analyzes potential capacity constraints, reviews current concepts for pressure management, and closes with a discussion about use of pressure signals for advanced monitoring.
Headache and Facial Pain: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment

Headaches affect 90% of the population sometime during their life. Most are benign and fleeting, some are serious and life-threatening, and others require ongoing medical consultation and treatment. A careful history and physical is necessary to establish a differential diagnosis and to guide the choice of testing to make an accurate diagnosis. The most common types of headaches are discussed in this review. They are divided into primary and secondary headache disorders as classified by the International Headache Society. Primary headache disorders include migraine without and with aura, cluster and tension-type headaches. Secondary headaches are those that occur as a result of some other disorder and include brain tumors, rhinosinusitis, diseases of intracranial and extracranial vasculature, and temporomandibular joint disease.
Partial Anomalous Pulmonary Venous Return with Intact Atrial Septum

Partial anomalous pulmonary venous connection in association with an intact atrial septum is uncommonly encountered in adults. Symptoms may result if the single anomalously draining vein results in elevation of right-sided heart pressures, enlargement of these chambers, and pulmonary hypertension. The condition is clinically indistinguishable from an atrial septal defect of the ostium secundum type and often requires cardiac catheterization with oximetry, selective dye dilution curves, and angiography of the pulmonary veins for diagnosis. Correction of the abnormality surgically is associated with mini-mum morbidity and mortality, and often results in the complete resolution of symptoms and signs of right-sided hemodynamic overload.
CIKS (Act1 or TRAF3IP2) mediates Angiotensin-II-induced Interleukin-18 expression, and Nox2-dependent cardiomyocyte hypertrophy

Chronic elevation of angiotensin (Ang)-II can lead to myocardial inflammation, hypertrophy and cardiac failure. The adaptor molecule CIKS (connection to IKK and SAPK/JNK) activates the IκB kinase/nuclear factor (NF)-κB and JNK/activator protein (AP)-1 pathways in autoimmune and inflammatory diseases. Since Ang-II is a potent activator of NF-κB and AP-1, we investigated whether CIKS is critical in Ang-II-mediated cardiac hypertrophy. Here we report that Ang-II induced CIKS mRNA and protein expression, CIKS binding to IKK and JNK perhaps functioning as a scaffold protein, CIKS-dependent IKK/NF-κB and JNK/AP-1 activation, p65 and c-Jun phosphorylation and nuclear translocation, NF-κB- and AP-1-dependent IL-18 and MMP-9 induction, and hypertrophy of adult cardiomyocytes isolated from WT, but not CIKS-null mice. These results were recapitulated in WT-cardiomyocytes following CIKS knockdown. Infusion of Ang-II for 7days induced cardiac hypertrophy, increased collagen content, and upregulated CIKS mRNA and protein expression in WT mice, whereas cardiac hypertrophy and collagen deposition were markedly attenuated in the CIKS-null mice, despite a similar increase in systolic blood pressure and DPI-inhibitable superoxide generation in both types of animals. Further, Ang-II-induced IKK/p65 and JNK/c-Jun phosphorylation, NF-κB and AP-1 activation, and IL-18 and MMP-9 expression were also markedly attenuated in CIKS-null mice. These results demonstrate that CIKS is critical in Ang-II-induced cardiomyocyte hypertrophy and fibrosis, and that CIKS is an important intermediate in Ang-II-induced redox signaling. CIKS is a potential therapeutic target in cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and congestive heart failure.
Cerium fluoride, a new fast, heavy scintillator

The authors describe the scintillation properties of cerium fluoride CeF/sub 3/, a recently discovered, heavy (6.16 g/cm/sup 3/), inorganic scintillator. Its fluorescence decay lifetime, measured with the delayed coincidence method, is described by a single exponential with a time constant of 20+or-1 ns. The emission spectrum peaks at a wavelength of 340 nm, and drops to less than 10% of its peak value at 315 nm and 460 nm. When a 1-cm optical-quality cube of CeF/sub 3/ is excited with 511-keV photons, a photopeak with a 20% full width at half maximum is observed at approximately half the light output of a bismuth germanate (BGO) crystal with similar geometry. Also presented are measurements of the decay time and light output of CeF/sub 3/ doped with three rare-earth elements (Dy, Er, and Pr). The short fluorescence lifetime, high density, and reasonable light output of this scintillator suggest that it would be useful for applications where high counting rates, good stopping power, and nanosecond timing are important, such as medical imaging and nuclear science. >
Intraoperative MR imaging

Intraoperative MR imaging has become a safe and effective technology that has revolutionized the way neurosurgery is performed. Benefits include the ability to update data sets for navigational systems, to monitor tumor resections, to adjust the approach to intracranial lesions, and to guide functional and drug or cell delivery procedures. Use of this technique can help avoid inadvertent injury of important anatomic and vascular structures. In addition, complications such as ischemia or hemorrhage can be detected early. Intraoperative MR imaging is particularly useful for ensuring that brain biopsies yield diagnostic tissue and for assessing the completeness of tumor resection. As is true for any new technology, the benefits of intraoperative MR imaging must be examined carefully to guarantee appropriate use. Many neurosurgical procedures do not require real-time image guidance and can be performed safely using current surgical techniques, including microsurgical methods and frameless and frame-based stereotaxy. Other tumor resections, tumor biopsies, and surgical and interventional procedures distinctly benefit from the sophisticated information provided by intraoperative imaging techniques. In surgery for low-grade gliomas, intraoperative MR imaging has found general acceptance, whereas its usefulness to monitor the resection of high-grade gliomas remains controversial. The economic issues related to intraoperative MR imaging cannot be overlooked. The acquisition of an intraoperative MR imaging system is associated with considerable expense, and its performance increases the cost of equipment and the operating time. Despite these additional expenses, intraoperative MR imaging can lead to a potential overall cost reduction in the treatment of certain patients if long-term cure can be achieved, repeat resection can be avoided, or procedure-associated morbidity can be reduced. Although intraoperative MR imaging techniques hold tremendous potential, the definition of their appropriate role in the delivery of successful and cost-effective medical care awaits further study.
Effect of ionization and acceleration of As-source beam on low-temperature epitaxial growth of GaAs on exact (100) Si

Abstract The growth of GaAs films on on-axis (100) Si was studied using ionized source beam epitaxy (ISBE) at the growth temperatures in the range of 160–280°C. A single crystal GaAs layer could be epitaxially grown on Si at a substrate temperature as low as 160°C by using an accelerated partially ionized As-source beam. Both ionization and acceleration of the As beam enhanced two-dimensional growth of GaAs even when As-incorporation was not a rate-limiting factor. It is believed, however, that the energy required for the single crystal growth (especially at a temperature as low as 160°C) was mostly provided by the acceleration of the ionized source beam. The quality of the GaAs crystal depended on the As-to-Ga flux ratio. Both ionization and acceleration of the As-beam gave rise to an increase in the GaAs growth rate in situations where As-incorporation could be one of the rate-limiting steps in the growth of the GaAs crystal. The surface morphology, crystallinity, and microstructure of the epitaxial GaAs films grown on Si (100) were evaluated using in situ reflection high energy electron diffraction, X-ray diffraction, and cross section transmission electron microscopy.
Forcing function generator using conductive plastic

THE LAST FEW YEARS have seen the field of servo-mechanisms develop into one of the leading branches of engineering. Along with this rise has come an increasing need for instruments to be used in this field. One of the most important of these instruments is the signal generator necessary to provide a forcing function signal to the servo system being studied.
Guidance technique for automated air traffic control.

A guidance technique has been developed for flying an aircraft automatically along curved trajectories. The technique consists of a set of algorithms for automatically synthesizing flight profiles, i.e., the horizontal trajectory, the altitude and speed profiles, and a time sequence of commands. The flyability of the synthesized profile under wind disturbances and initial conditions error is verified by closing the loop around the synthesized trajectory and flying it in a computer-simulated jet aircraft. A control law having longitudinal, lateral, and heading deviation from the synthesized profile in the feedback loops is used for the simulated flight. The performance of the system is excellent, errors that are initially zero never exceed 230 ft, and large initial errors are reduced rapidly. The system also behaves quite well under wind disturbance.
Loving without understanding: Raimon Panikkar’s ontological pluralism

Raimon Panikkar is one of the most sophisticated and most profound among contemporary pluralists of religion. His pluralism is radical because it is rooted in the very nature of things, in the pluralism of being itself, beyond all perspectivalism and indeed beyond truth and falsity taken as intellectual categories. I discuss several issues regarding his position. Is he indeed a pluralist or a monist in disguise? Does he do justice to the uniqueness of each religion? Is he not prematurely introducing the eschatological ideal of the harmony of opposites into the historical world where opposites often produce bloody conflicts?
Sensitivity to allatostatins of corpora allata from larval and adult female Diploptera punctata

Abstract Corpora allata from adult and larval Diploptera punctata females were tested for sensitivity to inhibition of juvenile hormone synthesis by allatostatins in vitro . Inhibition by allatostatin 1 was consistently high (60–82%) after larval and adult moults and thereafter changed with corpora allata activity. In 0–8-day virgin females, with relatively constant juvenile hormone synthesis, the sensitivity of the corpora allata remained relatively constant (51–71%). Mated females in both the first and second vitellogenic cycles showed similar changing patterns of inhibition: low inhibitions (35 and 50%) at the peaks of the two cycles of juvenile hormone synthesis and an increase to maxima (83 and 77%) as juvenile hormone synthesis declined. During the 60-day pregnancy between the two cycles, rates of juvenile hormone synthesis remained low, yet the sensitivity to allatostatin 1 declined gradually. This pattern of sensitivity of adult corpora allata was also observed with allatostatin 4. Sensitivity of corpora allata from 2-day virgins and first- and second-cycle females to allatostatin 1 showed a pronounced increase between 10 −9 and 10 −8 M for all ages tested except day 50 in which a marked increase in sensitivity occurred between 10 −8 and 10 −7 M. In penultimate-instar larvae the sensitivity of the glands to inhibition by allatostatin 1 decreased to 29% one day after the midstadium peak of juvenile hormone synthesis, and recovered only slightly as juvenile hormone synthesis subsequently decreased. In final-instar larvae also, the sensitivity of the corpora allata declined after the moult, but this occurred as juvenile hormone synthesis decreased. Inhibition remained low even as juvenile hormone synthesis began to increase at the end of the final stadium. Similar sensitivities to allatostatins 2, 3 and 4 were found for corpora allata from penultimate- and final-instar larvae.
A method of beam-couch intersection detection.

At the time of treatment planning it would be useful to know whether part of the treatment beam passes through the patient/couch support assembly before it passes through the patient. In the previous work of Yorke, the range of gantry angles leading to beam–couch intersection was found as a function of couch translation for symmetric field sizes and for zero couch rotation. Yorke’s method has been extended to include couch rotation, dual independent jaws, and multi-leaf collimator(MLC) field shapes. In addition, the new method is also applicable in the situation of the couch top located above the isocenter. For a clinically treatable, 20×20 cm field configuration in a linac, the range of gantry angles leading to beam–couch intersection are different by 6.7 degrees for a couch rotation angle of 25 degrees when compared to no couch rotation. The new method agrees with data within the setup and measurementuncertainties for a variety of field sizes including an oval shaped MLC field, and various couch locations, couch, and collimator rotation angles.
Dirty snow after nuclear war

It is shown that smoke from fires started by nuclear explosions could continue to cause significant disruption even after it has fallen from the atmosphere, by lowering the reflectivity of snow and sea ice surfaces, with possible effects on climate in northern latitudes caused by enhanced absorption of sunlight. The reduced reflectivity could persist for several years on Arctic sea ice and on the ablation area of the Greenland ice sheet.
Simulation and a-house-heating problem

In this paper, a personal vexation, the author's struggle with heating bills, is neatly turned to some profit.
Surface Reengineering of RPA70N Enables Cocrystallization with an Inhibitor of the Replication Protein A Interaction Motif of ATR Interacting Protein

Replication protein A (RPA) is the primary single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) binding protein in eukaryotes. The N-terminal domain of the RPA70 subunit (RPA70N) interacts via a basic cleft with a wide range of DNA processing proteins, including several that regulate DNA damage response and repair. Small molecule inhibitors that disrupt these protein-protein interactions are therefore of interest as chemical probes of these critical DNA processing pathways and as inhibitors to counter the upregulation of DNA damage response and repair associated with treatment of cancer patients with radiation or DNA-damaging agents. Determination of three-dimensional structures of protein-ligand complexes is an important step for elaboration of small molecule inhibitors. However, although crystal structures of free RPA70N and an RPA70N-peptide fusion construct have been reported, RPA70N-inhibitor complexes have been recalcitrant to crystallization. Analysis of the P61 lattice of RPA70N crystals led us to hypothesize that the ligand-binding surface was occluded. Surface reengineering to alter key crystal lattice contacts led to the design of RPA70N E7R, E100R, and E7R/E100R mutants. These mutants crystallized in a P212121 lattice that clearly had significant solvent channels open to the critical basic cleft. Analysis of X-ray crystal structures, target peptide binding affinities, and (15)N-(1)H heteronuclear single-quantum coherence nuclear magnetic resonance spectra showed that the mutations do not result in perturbations of the RPA70N ligand-binding surface. The success of the design was demonstrated by determining the structure of RPA70N E7R soaked with a ligand discovered in a previously reported molecular fragment screen. A fluorescence anisotropy competition binding assay revealed this compound can inhibit the interaction of RPA70N with the peptide binding motif from the DNA damage response protein ATRIP. The implications of the results are discussed in the context of ongoing efforts to design RPA70N inhibitors.
Voice—for whose benefit? Identity—at whose expense? Changing minds—at what cost? A rejoinder to Jackson

Applebaum acknowledges the importance of the questions that Jackson raises and also clarifies some claims that Jackson mistakenly attributes to her. Applebaum queries Jackson's identification of ‘unreasonableness’ with ignorance and cautions that a concern for students becoming ‘reasonable’ must not preclude the possible costs to those who must endure the education of the privileged.
A comparison of Dodgson's method and the Borda count

In an election without a Condorcet winner, Dodgson's Method is designed to find the candidate that is “closest” to being a Condorcet winner. In this paper, we show that the winner from Dodgson's Method can occur at any position in the ranking obtained from the Borda Count, the plurality method, or any other positional voting procedure. In addition, we demonstrate that Dodgson's Method does not satisfy the Independence of Irrelevant Alternatives axiom.
Durkheim, Jamesian pragmatism and the normativity of truth

In his lectures on pragmatism presented in the academic year 1913—14 at the Sorbonne, Durkheim argued that James’s pragmatist theory of truth, due to its emphasis on individual satisfaction, was unable to account for the obligatory, necessary and impersonal character of truth. But for Durkheim to make this charge is only to raise the question whether he himself could account for the morally obligatory or normative character of truth. Although rejecting individualism may be necessary for explaining the existence of norms, it is not sufficient. I argue that Durkheim never succeeded in providing a full account of normativity. Of course, this is a problem that remains unresolved today. Nevertheless, Durkheim took an important step beyond James in recognizing the insufficiency of his individualist account of truth.
Conduct Objectives in Teaching the New Testament

HE first question raised by a consideration of conduct objectives in teaching the New Testament concerns the title itself. It seems rather obvious that teaching aims must varyin accordance with differences in age, experience and maturityof the groups to be taught. A teacher of grade school children in a week day school of religious education is presumed to be vitally interested in the conduct of her pupils and feels free to use biblical materials in establishing habits that contribute to the development of sound character. Here the Bible may be appealed to as an external authority withour raising questions as to the nature of such authority. In college, however, there appears to be a decreasing emphasis upon the conduct elements of the Bible and an increasing stress upon problems that have a primarily intellectual appeal. By the time one reaches graduate school the emphasis upon the New Testament as a living and vital challenge to conduct in the twentieth century is all but wholly lost, except perhaps for a course in the so-called social teachings of Jesus, if my experience in two graduate divinity schools representing two different denominations in two widely separated parts of the country is any criterion. I desire, therefore, to restrict the ensuing discussion to teaching in the undergraduate liberal arts college. Accepting this limitation we may next ask what the educational objectives of liberal arts teachers are or should be. Are they, or should they be, primarily concerned with the professional and vocational objectives of the student? We would probably agree that among the educational aims of liberal arts teachers should be
On a subfactor generalization of Wallʼs conjecture

Abstract In this paper we discuss a conjecture on intermediate subfactors which is a generalization of Wallʼs conjecture from the theory of finite groups. We explore special cases of this conjecture and present supporting evidence. In particular we prove special cases of this conjecture related to some finite dimensional Kac algebras of Izumi–Kosaki type which include relative version of Wallʼs conjecture for solvable groups.
'Skidding' of the CRRES G-9 barium release

A simulation study and experimental data of the CRRES G-9 ionospheric barium release are presented. The simulation study is based on a 2D electrostatic code that incorporates time-dependent coupling to the background plasma. It is shown that the densest portion of the barium ion cloud 'skids' about 15 km within the first three seconds following the release, consistent with the optical data analyses.
The Array Network Facility Seismic Bulletin: Products and an Unbiased View of United States Seismicity

Online Material: Movies of temporal deployment of USArray and seismicity: event processing flow chart; travel‐time and magnitude statistics plots; tables of earthquake catalogs, magnitude bias, and picked arrivals. The Array Network Facility (ANF), funded by the National Science Foundation Earthscope‐USArray project, is responsible for (1) collection of all transportable array (TA) station data and generation of station metadata; (2) their delivery to the Incorporated Research Institutions for Seismology Data Management Center (IRIS‐DMC). (3) Providing useful interfaces for field operations personnel at the Array Operations Facility (AOF) to obtain state‐of‐health information; (4) TA station command and control, such as seismometer mass centering and calibration; (5) collection of data from contributing regional network stations; and (6) data quality monitoring and control. Herein, we provide a brief overview of the evolution of USArray operations with emphasis on aspects relevant to the production of the ANF Seismic Bulletin. To begin operations at the ANF, real‐time acquisition of continuous three‐component broadband seismic data from 62 regional stations in California was initiated in April 2004. Seismic and state‐of‐health data from TA stations started flowing to the ANF shortly thereafter, with 73 stations transmitting data continuously by the end of 2004. A steady influx of data from newly deployed TA stations ensued with the first footprint of 400 USArray stations operating by mid‐September 2007 (Figs. 1a and 2a). USArray then began to migrate or roll eastward at an annual rate of about 200 stations, with the second and third distinct footprints being deployed by September 2009 and 2011, respectively (Fig. 1b and c). Deployment of the last distinct footprint was completed by October 2013. Figure 1d shows …
Dendritic cell–T cell interactions: CD8αα expressed on dendritic cells regulates T cell proliferation

Dendritic cells (DC) are the most potent antigen presenting cells in all tissues. Reports from our laboratory and others show unique functions for tissue DC that express CD8α [1–3]. The CD8αα homodimer differentiates lymphoid (CD8α+) from myeloid (CD8α−) murine DC, and is distinct from the CD8αβ heterodimer expressed on T cells. Both CD8αα and CD8αβ molecules are able to bind MHC class I, and CD8αβ interacts with MHC class I which contributes to activation of CD8+ T cells. However, there are no reports indicating that DC-derived CD8αα may have a role in DC-induced T cell activation. Instead, CD8αα on DC has been regarded as a cell lineage marker rather than a molecule that could contribute to functional differences between myeloid and lymphoid DC [4]. We have recently reported that compared to CD8α+ DCs, CD8α− lung DC have differential abilities to stimulate proliferation in allogeneic T cells [1]. In the current study we investigated the role of CD8a molecules in DC-induced T cell responses. Moreover we asked if CD8 molecules expressed on DC utilized the downstream signaling molecule, Lck, also known to be used in T cell signaling.
Extreme discordant phenotype methodology: an intuitive approach to clinical pharmacogenetics.

Pharmacogenetics represents “the study of variability in drug response due to heredity”. Of the more than six dozen pharmacogenetic differences described in the medical literature, the majority of these variations occurs in drug-metabolizing enzyme genes and others in drug receptor and drug transporter genes, whereas many others have not yet been explained on a molecular basis. It is clear that “drug efficacy” or “drug toxicity” represents a multiplex phenotype, i.e. interaction between the drug (or its metabolites) and the gene products (enzymes, receptors, other targets) of two, and usually many more than two, genes. Because there is a gradient in these phenotypes (efficacy or toxicity), it is extremely important to select patients having the most unequivocal phenotype possible—if one wishes to find the gene(s) responsible for the trait. The method of “extreme discordant phenotype” (EDP) is therefore highly recommended. Using EDP methodology, DNA sequence variants (genotype) can be unconditionally correlated with drug efficacy or toxicity (phenotype). EDP methodology is mathematically intuitive and, in essence, has been used in a number of previous clinical pharmacogenetic studies. This EDP approach should be applicable to virtually any pharmaceutical agent in patient populations.
Melt crystallization of syndiotactic polypropylene in nanolayer confinement impacting structure

Abstract Layer multiplying coextrusion technique was used to fabricate films with hundreds of alternating layers of a crystallizable polymer, syndiotactic polypropylene (sPP), and an amorphous polymer, polycarbonate (PC). Atomic force microscopy and wide-angle X-ray scattering revealed the absence of any oriented crystal morphology of sPP in the extruded layered films. An approach of isothermal melt recrystallization of sPP nanolayers revealed the formation of oriented lamellae under the rigid confinement of hard glassy PC layers. X-ray scattering data showed that sPP crystallized as stacks of single crystal lamellae oriented parallel to the layers at high crystallization temperatures. As the crystallization temperature decreased, on-edge lamellar orientation was preferred. Formation of in-plane lamellae was attributed to heterogeneous bulk nucleation, while nucleation of on-edge lamellae was initiated at substrate interface. It was observed that as the layers thickness reduced, the orientations of both in-plane and on-edge lamellae became sharper. Detailed analysis of crystal orientations in 30 and 120 nm sPP layers was carried out. Melt recrystallization of 30 nm layers revealed formation of in-plane lamellae above 90 °C and mainly on-edge lamellae below 70 °C. At intermediate temperatures, formation of mixed crystals was reported. In 120 nm layers, crystallization temperature of 100 °C was required to form in-plane crystals, while on-edge lamellae were formed below 90 °C. We also investigated crystallization onset for on-edge and in-plane lamellar nucleation. Although, the two crystal fractions were significantly affected as a function of crystallization temperature, it was noticeable that both crystal habits were initiated at the same time. The results suggested that the relative growth rates of in-plane and on-edge crystal orientations was responsible for different fractions of the two crystal orientations at a given crystallization temperature. Oxygen transport properties of melt recrystallized sPP layers were measured. When the melt recrystallization temperature increased from 85 to 105 °C in 120 nm sPP layers, at least one order of magnitude enhancement in the barrier properties was observed. It was evident from the X-ray data that the amount of in-plane crystal fraction increased with increasing crystallization temperature. In-plane crystals acted as impermeable platelets to oxygen flux resulting in improved gas barrier properties. A similar effect was observed in 30 nm sPP layers over a temperature range of 60–105 °C. A correlation between in-plane crystal fraction and the oxygen permeability was obtained from X-ray and oxygen transport data analysis. It was shown that the permeability decreased exponentially with increasing in-plane crystal fraction.
Bank loan officers' perceptions concerning independence, objectivity, and reliability when external auditors also perform tax compliance activities for nonpublic clients

Abstract This study examines bank loan officers' perceptions of auditor independence, objectivity and the reliability of the report on the financial statement when the attest auditors also provide (1) tax compliance services to the nonpublic entity that they audit, and (2) tax compliance services to executives of said entities. The primary issues addressed are (1) whether performing the external audit and providing tax compliance services for the same entity affects the aforementioned perceptions, and (2) whether adding tax compliance work for the executives of the entity affects these perceptions. We used a between-subject design and bank loan officers as participants. Findings based on 181 participants indicate that bank loan officers generally perceive a significant difference in independence and objectivity when the auditor also performs tax compliance work for the audited entity. On the other hand, loan officers do not perceive a significant difference concerning the reliability of the report on the financial statements. Similar results hold when tax compliance services for entity executives are added to the services performed with the exception that perceptions regarding the reliability of the report on the financial statements are also reduced significantly. Implications and limitation of these findings are discussed.
Partial deficiency of coagulation factor XI as a newly recognized feature of Noonan syndrome

Four patients with stigmata and cardiovascular abnormalities of Noonan syndrome were found tohave prolonged partial thromboplastin times. Coagulation evaluation disclosed that each had partial deficiency of blood coagulation factor XI (range 25 to 45% of normal; mean 35%). Factor XI deficiency has not been recognized as one of the stigmata of Noonan syndrome. Because of the hemostatic stress of cardiothoracic surgery, factor XI deficiency should be sought in patients with Noonan syndrome.
Spatial variability of soil organic carbon in grasslands: implications for detecting change at different scales.

Abstract Extensive data used to quantify broad soil C changes (without information about causation), coupled with intensive data used for attribution of changes to specific management practices, could form the basis of an efficient national grassland soil C monitoring network. Based on variability of extensive (USDA/NRCS pedon database) and intensive field-level soil C data, we evaluated the efficacy of future sample collection to detect changes in soil C in grasslands. Potential soil C changes at a range of spatial scales related to changes in grassland management can be verified (α=0.1) after 5 years with collection of 34, 224, 501 samples at the county, state, or national scales, respectively. Farm-level analysis indicates that equivalent numbers of cores and distinct groups of cores (microplots) results in lowest soil C coefficients of variation for a variety of ecosystems. Our results suggest that grassland soil C changes can be precisely quantified using current technology at scales ranging from farms to the entire nation.
Pathogenesis of Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension The Need for Multiple Hits

Pulmonary hypertension can be classified into 4 categories: pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH), pulmonary venous hypertension, pulmonary hypertension associated with hypoxemia, and pulmonary hypertension due to chronic thrombotic or embolic disease. PAH is a progressive and often fatal condition that predominantly affects women. Approximately 10% of patients diagnosed with PAH without a demonstrable cause have a family history of the disease and are referred to as having familial PAH (FPAH), whereas the remainder are classified as having idiopathic PAH (IPAH). See p 607 Regardless of the initial pathogenic trigger, the elevated pulmonary arterial pressure and vascular resistance in patients with FPAH and IPAH are primarily caused by sustained pulmonary vasoconstriction, lumen obliteration of small- and medium-sized arteries and arterioles in association with the formation of plexiform lesions and in situ thrombosis, and concentric thickening of pulmonary arteries resulting from intimal fibrosis, and medial hypertrophy resulting from excessive proliferation of smooth muscle cells.1 The plexiform lesion, a histological hallmark of FPAH and IPAH, has been demonstrated to result from monoclonal proliferation of endothelial cells, migration and proliferation of smooth muscle cells, and accumulation of circulating cells (eg, macrophages, endothelial progenitor cells).1,2 These observations suggest that the pulmonary vasculature in FPAH and IPAH patients is phenotypically different from that in normal subjects because of inheritable or acquired mutations (or polymorphisms) of certain genes that are specifically involved in regulating proliferation, apoptosis, and differentiation in pulmonary arterial smooth muscle cells (PASMCs) and pulmonary arterial endothelial cells (PAECs). The pathogenesis of PAH remains incompletely understood; however, heterozygous mutations of the bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) receptor type II (BMP-RII) gene ( BMPR2 ) have been implicated in the development of both FPAH and IPAH.3,4 BMPR2 mutations, which are distributed in the 13 coding exons of the gene and its flanking intronic sequences, have been identified …
Role of pore size on the electrochemical oxidation of 5-hydroxytryptophan in a silica sol–gel matrix

Silica sol–gels that are prepared by room-temperature processing are suited as matrices for voltammetry in the absence of a contacting liquid phase because the electrolyte encapsulated within the pore volume supports charge transport. We hypothesized that when the electrode process involves a coupled chemical reaction, the pore size can influence the product distribution. This hypothesis was tested with 5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTPP) as the electroactive species because the cation radical formed by its oxidation can react to form a simple dione or larger dimer, trimer, and oligomer products. Microporous and mesoporous silica sol–gels, which have respective pore diameters in the A and nm ranges, were the solid-state electrolytes. Glassy carbon (GC) electrodes were used initially; however, experiments in aqueous solution showed that passivation precluded applications in a solid electrolyte. Boron-doped diamond (BDD) electrodes yielded the same voltammetric signature as that of GC but passivated more slowly. In accord with the hypothesis, the oxidation of 5-HTPP at BDD in microporous silica yielded voltammetry suggesting that dione formation was the primary oxidation pathway. With mesoporous silica, the analogous experiment suggested dimer formation. The voltammetric interpretation was consistent with the results obtained by chemical oxidation of 5-HTPP in these matrices followed by product identification by mass spectrometry.
Negotiating Exclusion: MSM, Identity, and Blood Policy in the Age of AIDS

In the US, blood donors face a variety of restrictions that leave many people excluded entirely from the donor pool. This paper explores the specific circumstances and meanings surrounding the dono...
Instability of thermocapillary–buoyancy convection in shallow layers. Part 1. Characterization of steady and oscillatory instabilities

Combined thermocapillary–buoyancy convection in a thin rectangular geometry is investigated experimentally, with an emphasis on the generation of hydrothermal-wave instabilities. For sufficiently thin layers, pure hydrothermal waves are observed, and are found to be oblique as predicted by a previous linear-stability analysis (Smith & Davis 1983). For thicker layers, both a steady multicell state and an oscillatory state are found to exist, but the latter is not in the form of a pure hydrothermal wave.
CryoPlasty therapy of the superficial femoral and popliteal arteries: a reappraisal after 44 months' experience.

Objectives Long-term patency remains a significant hurdle in the minimally invasive treatment of arteriosclerosis in the superficial femoral (SFA) and popliteal arteries. CryoPlasty therapy (PolarCath, Boston Scientific Corp, Natick, Mass) is a novel approach designed to significantly reduce injury, elastic recoil, neointimal hyperplasia, and constrictive remodeling. The technique combines the dilatation forces of percutaneous transluminal angioplasty (PTA) with cold thermal energy applied to the plaque and vessel wall. We previously reported a technical success rate of 96% and a 12-month freedom from restenosis rate of 82.2%. However, a review of the original cohort supplemented by experience with a further 47 lesions has demonstrated less desirable results. Methods From December 2003 through July 2007, 92 lesions in 64 consecutive patients were treated and followed up for a median of 16 months with statistically significant follow-up at 24 months. Results The immediate technical success rate was 88%. Nine stents were immediately required after unsuccessful CryoPlasty (9.8%) five of which were as a result of a dissection. No unanticipated adverse events occurred, specifically, no thrombus, acute occlusions, distal embolizations, aneurysms, or groin complications. Vascular calcification was responsible for technical failure in six of the 11 immediately unsuccessful procedures. Freedom from restenosis for successfully treated lesions was 57% and 49% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. CryoPlasty of heavily calcified lesions, vein graft lesions, and in-stent stenosis faired poorly. Excluding these lesions from analysis would have resulted in an immediate success of 94% (81 of 86) and freedom from restenosis of 61% and 52% at 12 and 24 months, respectively. However, on an intention-to-treat basis, freedom from restenosis was 47% and 38% at 12 and 24 months, and CryoPlasty added approximately $1700 to the cost of each procedure. Conclusion Analysis of this expanded, longer-term data suggests that our earlier, smaller study provided an overly optimistic appraisal of the benefits of CryoPlasty. It is possible that a larger analysis might have identified a subset of patients or lesions that would benefit from CryoPlasty, but considering the additional cost, we no longer use this technique in our practice.
Juridical and Financial Considerations on the Public Recapitalisation and Rescue of Financial Institutions During Periods of Financial Crises (Part I)

As well as a consideration of why the lender of last resort facility should be used for emergency situations and systemically relevant institutions in particular, an interesting point which will be considered in this paper is the comparison between the European Central Bank (ECB) Recommendation and its application by the Commission in the Re capitalisation Communication, specifically with its Annex, where the Commission explains how it determines the price of equity or own funds (ordinary or common shares) – balancing the “real value” with the “market value” within a crisis context. This paper will also consider how to transform the Crisis into an opportunity in order to minimise tax burdens to taxpayers – as well as making financial markets more efficient. Furthermore, whether the Commission and Member States have applied the methodology (the determination of the price of equity – as stated in the Annex to the Re capitalisation Communication) in determining the price of equity with respect to the capital of banks acquired by Member States, will be addressed. Such consideration could provide a vital key to determining the real value of State Aid and the best possible price for which capital could be sold.Given the scale of government intervention and State rescues which occurred during the recent crisis – as well as the prominence accorded to measures aimed at preventing and limiting distortions of competition, calls have been made for competition authorities to take on more formidable roles in designing and implementing exit strategies. In order to foster competition as much as possible, it is proposed that ”governments should provide financial institutions with incentives to prevent them from depending on government support once the economy begins to recover.”