cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mining Higher-Order Association Rules from Distributed Named Entity Databases

The burgeoning amount of textual data in distributed sources combined with the obstacles involved in creating and maintaining central repositories motivates the need for effective distributed information extraction and mining techniques. Recently, as the need to mine patterns across distributed databases has grown, Distributed Association Rule Mining (D-ARM) algorithms have been developed. These algorithms, however, assume that the databases are either horizontally or vertically distributed. In the special case of databases populated from information extracted from textual data, existing D-ARM algorithms cannot discover rules based on higher-order associations between items in distributed textual documents that are neither vertically nor horizontally distributed, but rather a hybrid of the two. In this article we present D-HOTM, a framework for Distributed Higher Order Text Mining. Unlike existing algorithms, D-HOTM requires neither full knowledge of the global schema nor that the distribution of data be horizontal or vertical. D-HOTM discovers rules based on higher-order associations between distributed database records containing the extracted entities. In this paper, two approaches to the definition and discovery of higher order itemsets are presented. The implementation of D-HOTM is based on the TMI [20] and tested on a cluster at the National Center for Supercomputing Applications (NCSA). Results on a real-world dataset from the Richmond, VA police department demonstrate the performance and relevance of D-HOTM in law enforcement and homeland defense.
Nonlinear Viscoelastic Dynamics of Nanoconfined Wetting Liquids

The viscoelastic dynamics of nanoconfined wetting liquids is studied by means of atomic force microscopy. We observe a nonlinear viscoelastic behavior remarkably similar to that widely observed in metastable complex fluids. We show that the origin of the measured nonlinear viscoelasticity in nanoconfined water and silicon oil is a strain rate dependent relaxation time and slow dynamics. By measuring the viscoelastic modulus at different frequencies and strains, we find that the intrinsic relaxation time of nanoconfined water is in the range 0.1-0.0001 s, orders of magnitude longer than that of bulk water, and comparable to the dielectric relaxation time measured in supercooled water at 170-210 K.
Changes in protein synthesis during stratification and dormancy release in embryos of sugar maple (Acer saccharum)

Protein synthesis in dormant embryos of sugar maple (Acer saccharum) was investigated in seeds stratified at 4°C or incubated at 15°C. Seeds stratified at 4°C germinated after 27 days; seeds incubated at 15°C failed to germinate. Stratification increased the embryo's capacity for protein synthesis by day 11 as measured by in vivo incorporation of [35S]-methionine into purified protein. At 4°C protein synthesis in the embryonic axis rose in a linear fashion prior to germination, whereas in cotyledons it increased until day 20 and then declined. Analysis of radiolabelled proteins by two-dimensional gel electrophoresis revealed that the levels of specific proteins were altered by temperature, primarily in the cotyledons. Several proteins were expressed in the cotyledons at 15°C but were absent in unstratified embryos and in embryos stratified at 4°C. That is, the expression of these proteins was repressed during stratification and release from dormancy. Levels of other proteins in the cotyledons declined at 4°C during stratification. We suggest that one or more of these proteins may be associated with the inhibition of growth of the embryonic axis imposed by the cotyledons.
Direct vapor jet printing of three color segment organic light emitting devices for white light illumination

Organic-vapor jet printing (OVJP) is used to directly pattern small molecular weight electrophosphorescent white organic light-emitting devices (WOLEDs) consisting of parallel stripes of separate red, green, and blue OLEDs. The spatial patterning of the WOLEDs with peak forward viewing external quantum and luminous efficiencies of 7.1±0.3% and 7.0±0.4lm∕W, respectively, is accomplished by transporting the vapors of organic semiconductors through a nozzle to a translating sample substrate. Using multiple color segments to generate white light allows for the individual optimization of each color, is continuously color tunable, and can be used to compensate for differential aging of the constituent dopants. The theory and experimental results of WOLED printing via OVJP are discussed.
Dung of Mammuthus in the arid Southwest, North America

The discovery of a unique organic deposit in a dry cave on the Colorado Plateau, southern Utah, permits the first comparison of the physical characteristics and the diet of the dung of the extinct mammoths from the arid Southwest, North America, with that of mammoths from Siberia and northern China, the only other known locations of such remains. The deposit buried beneath sand and rockfall is composed primarily of mammoth dung, estimated at over 300 m3. Radiocarbon dates on dung boluses indicate that the mammoths frequented the cave between approximately 14,700 and 11,000 yr B.P. (the range of ages at 2σ). The desiccated boluses, measuring approximately 230 × 170 × 85 mm, are nearly identical in size to dung from extant elephants. The largest contents in the dung are stalks measuring 60 × 4.5 mm. Grasses and sedges dominated the diet, although woody species were commonly eaten.
Mammaglobin-A is a tumor-associated antigen in human breast carcinoma

Abstract Background. Mammaglobin-A is an attractive target for immune-based therapy for patients with breast cancer because of its exclusive expression in breast cancer. In this study, we attempted to identify immunogenic T cell epitopes restricted by human leukocyte antigen (HLA)-A2 in mammaglobin-A protein. Methods. To identify HLA-A2-restricted immunogenic epitopes from mammaglobin-A, 7 candidate peptides were synthesized and tested for immunogenicity. Each peptide was tested for binding to HLA-A2 in a HLA-A2 stabilization assay. Furthermore, T lymphocytes from 7 healthy donors and 1 patient with breast cancer received 3 weekly stimulations with autologous peptide-pulsed dendritic cells. Stimulated T cells were tested for specific recognition of peptide and tumor cells by interferon-γ enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Results. HLA-A2 binding assays showed that all designed peptides could bind to HLA-A2. Two of the 7 peptides (MAM3 and MAM7) successfully induced peptide-specific T cells. However, only MAM3-specific T cells recognized the mammaglobin overexpressing breast cancer cell line, MDA415 transfected with HLA-A2. In contrast, MAM3-specific T cell did not recognize wild type MDA415 or MDA415 transfected with HLA-A24, or the mammaglobin negative, HLA-A2 positive breast cancer cell line, MCF-7. Conclusions. Mammaglobin-A-derived peptide, MAM3, can induce mammaglobin-A-specific immunity and could be useful for vaccine strategies for patients with breast cancer. (Surgery 2003;133:74-80.)
A Short-Term Physical Activity Randomized Trial in the Lower Mississippi Delta

Background The purpose of this study was to determine if a short-term pedometer-based intervention results in immediate increases in time spent in moderate-to-vigorous physical activity (MVPA) compared to a minimal educational intervention. Methods A sample of 43 overweight adults 35 to 64 years of age participated in a one week pedometer-based feasibility trial monitored by accelerometry. Participants were randomized into a one-week education-only group or a group that also wore a pedometer. Accelerometer-measured MVPA was measured over 7 days at baseline and again for 7 days immediately post-intervention. Results Minutes of MVPA increased significantly in the overall sample (p = 0.02); however, the effect of adding the pedometer to the education program was not significant (p = 0.89). Mean (±SE) MVPA increased from 12.7±2.4 min/day to 16.2±3.6 min/day in the education-only group and from 13.2±3.3 min/day to 16.3±3.9 min/day in the education+pedometer group. The correlation between change in steps/day and change in MVPA was 0.69 (p<0.0001). Conclusions The results of this study suggest that the addition of a pedometer to a short-term education program does not produce added benefits with respect to increasing physical activity in the Lower Mississippi Delta. Trial Registration ClinicalTrials.gov NCT01264757
Chemical synthesis of an aluminum nitride/ boron nitride nanostructured composite material

Abstract Aluminum nitride/boron nitride composite material is of interest becuase the constituent phases posses (i) high thermal conductivity combined with optical transparency over a wide spectral range, (ii) excellent dielectric properties and (iii) high mechanical strength. As a consequence of these attributes, a chemical processing route has been developed to produce nanostructured AlN/BN material. The method involves low temperature conversion of an aqueous solution of simple aluminum, boron, and nitrogen containing compounds to form intermediate precursor material. This material is essentially a gel, and subsequent high temperature conversion produces AlN/BN composite. Characterization studies reveal the material to be nanoporous and contain a distribution on AlN and BN nanoparticles. Details of the process, together with structural and microscopic features of the nanostructured material are discussed.
Impact behaviour of an oscillator with limiting stops, part II: Dimensionless design parameters

A procedure is presented for predicting the intensity and frequency of contacts of a damped oscillator with flexible stops. The procedure utilizes extensive numerical results in constructing design charts in terms of dimensionless groups of the system physical and excitation parameters. Several observations are made concerning the general impact behaviour of the oscillator with its limiting stops.
Piscirickettsia salmonis, a major pathogen of salmonid fish in Chile☆

Abstract Piscirickettsiosis has resulted in extensive losses among salmonid fishes cultured in southern Chile. It occurs at many seawater sites near Puerto Montt, where recurring epizootics have frequently resulted in mortality approaching 90% among the coho salmon (Oncorhynchus kisutch) cultured there. Three other salmonid species reared in netpens in these waters are also subject to the disease. A unique rickettsial agent, Piscirickettsia salmonis (type strain LF-89), has been isolated in cell culture and demonstrated to be the causative agent of piscirickettsiosis. The obligately intracellular nature of P. salmonis and its occurrence only in salt water suggest that a natural reservior of infection is maintained by one or more poikilotherms in the marine environment. Identification of this source of infection and elucidation of the natural mode(s) of transmission of the agent are high research priorities. Annual importation of eggs into Chile from salmonid-growing regions in the Northern Hemisphere provides a supply of fish for culture, but one which may have limited natural resistance to fish pathogens unique to Chilean waters. The epizootics of piscirickettsiosis amply demonstrate one unfortunate consequence of the interaction of native species with non-indigenous fish species introduced for aquaculture.
Dietary intake of vitamin D during adolescence and risk of multiple sclerosis

Adolescence may be an important etiological period in the development of multiple sclerosis (MS), and studies suggest that adequate vitamin D nutrition is protective. Here, the authors examined whether dietary intake of vitamin D during adolescence decreases the risk of MS in adulthood. In 1986 in the Nurses’ Health Study and in 1998 in the Nurses’ Health Study II (NHSII), women completed a food frequency questionnaire regarding their dietary intake during adolescence. From this, daily intake of vitamin D was calculated. Adolescent diet was available for 379 incident MS cases confirmed over the combined 44 years of follow-up in both cohorts, and for 67 prevalent cases in the NHSII who had MS at baseline (1989). Cox proportional hazards models were used to calculate relative risk estimates and 95% confidence intervals. Total vitamin D intake during adolescence was not associated with MS risk. Intake of ≥400 IU/day of vitamin D from multivitamins was associated with a non-statistically significant reduced risk (RR compared to no intake = 0.73, 95% CI: 0.50–1.07, P = 0.11), whereas intake of whole milk, an important source of dietary vitamin D, was associated with an increased risk. The possibility of opposite effects of vitamin D and milk intake on MS risk should be considered in future studies.
Elementary students' definitions and self-perceptions of being a ‘good musician’

The purpose of this study was to examine young children's definitions of what it means to be a ‘good musician’ and perceptions of themselves as good musicians. The researcher conducted interviews with 347 students in grades 1 through 4 in one US school district, coded the transcripts for salient characteristics and calculated frequencies of these characteristics within and across grade levels. Additionally, students' ratings of themselves as ‘good musicians’ were analyzed by grade level and sex. Playing instruments, practising and singing were the most frequently mentioned characteristics of a ‘good musician’ at all grade levels. However, other characteristics fluctuated with grade level, suggesting that students' perceptions of what it means to be a ‘good musician’ may relate to their own experiences. A statistically significant difference in students' perceptions of themselves as good musicians by grade level suggests that students in grade 1 perceive themselves to be better musicians than do older stud...
Extracellular Calcium Sensing and Extracellular Calcium Signaling

The cloning of a G protein-coupled extracellular Ca(2+) (Ca(o)(2+))-sensing receptor (CaR) has elucidated the molecular basis for many of the previously recognized effects of Ca(o)(2+) on tissues that maintain systemic Ca(o)(2+) homeostasis, especially parathyroid chief cells and several cells in the kidney. The availability of the cloned CaR enabled the development of DNA and antibody probes for identifying the CaR's mRNA and protein, respectively, within these and other tissues. It also permitted the identification of human diseases resulting from inactivating or activating mutations of the CaR gene and the subsequent generation of mice with targeted disruption of the CaR gene. The characteristic alterations in parathyroid and renal function in these patients and in the mice with "knockout" of the CaR gene have provided valuable information on the CaR's physiological roles in these tissues participating in mineral ion homeostasis. Nevertheless, relatively little is known about how the CaR regulates other tissues involved in systemic Ca(o)(2+) homeostasis, particularly bone and intestine. Moreover, there is evidence that additional Ca(o)(2+) sensors may exist in bone cells that mediate some or even all of the known effects of Ca(o)(2+) on these cells. Even more remains to be learned about the CaR's function in the rapidly growing list of cells that express it but are uninvolved in systemic Ca(o)(2+) metabolism. Available data suggest that the receptor serves numerous roles outside of systemic mineral ion homeostasis, ranging from the regulation of hormonal secretion and the activities of various ion channels to the longer term control of gene expression, programmed cell death (apoptosis), and cellular proliferation. In some cases, the CaR on these "nonhomeostatic" cells responds to local changes in Ca(o)(2+) taking place within compartments of the extracellular fluid (ECF) that communicate with the outside environment (e.g., the gastrointestinal tract). In others, localized changes in Ca(o)(2+) within the ECF can originate from several mechanisms, including fluxes of calcium ions into or out of cellular or extracellular stores or across epithelium that absorb or secrete Ca(2+). In any event, the CaR and other receptors/sensors for Ca(o)(2+) and probably for other extracellular ions represent versatile regulators of numerous cellular functions and may serve as important therapeutic targets.
Cell Ratio Bounds for Reliable SRAM Operation

Based on read and write failure analysis, lower and upper bounds for the cell ratio are provided to guide designers in optimizing SRAMs for stability and performance. Simulations show that the error of the proposed closed-form expression is within 10%, an improvement of 20% compared with previously reported bounds. Moreover, considering unequal transistor threshold voltages achieves an additional 13% accuracy improvement.
On the effect of functionally graded materials on resonances of rotating beams

Radially rotating beams attached to a rigid stem occur in several important engineering applications. Some examples include helicopter blades, turbine blades and certain aerospace applications. In most studies the beams have been treated as homogeneous. Here, with a goal of system improvement, non-homogeneous beams made of functionally graded materials are explored. The effects on the natural frequencies of the system are investigated. Euler-Bernoulli theory, including an axial stiffening effect and variations of both Young's modulus and density, is employed. An assumed mode approach is utilized, with the modes taken to be beam characteristic orthogonal polynomials. Results are obtained via Rayleigh-Ritz method and are compared for both the homogeneous and non-homogeneous cases. It was found, for example, that allowing Young's modulus and density to vary by approximately 2.15 and 1.15 times, respectively, leads to an increase of 23% in the lowest bending rotating natural frequency of the beam.
The origin of the electrostatic perturbation in acetoacetate decarboxylase

Acetoacetate decarboxylase (AADase) has long been cited as the prototypical example of the marked shifts in the pK(a) values of ionizable groups that can occur in an enzyme active site. In 1966, it was hypothesized that in AADase the origin of the large pK(a) perturbation (-4.5 log units) observed in the nucleophilic Lys 115 results from the proximity of Lys 116, marking the first proposal of microenvironment effects in enzymology. The electrostatic perturbation hypothesis has been demonstrated in a number of enzymes, but never for the enzyme that inspired its conception, owing to the lack of a three-dimensional structure. Here we present the X-ray crystal structures of AADase and of the enamine adduct with the substrate analogue 2,4-pentanedione. Surprisingly, the shift of the pK(a) of Lys 115 is not due to the proximity of Lys 116, the side chain of which is oriented away from the active site. Instead, Lys 116 participates in the structural anchoring of Lys 115 in a long, hydrophobic funnel provided by the novel fold of the enzyme. Thus, AADase perturbs the pK(a) of the nucleophile by means of a desolvation effect by placement of the side chain into the protein core while enforcing the proximity of polar residues, which facilitate decarboxylation through electrostatic and steric effects.
Immunoactive cannabinoids: Therapeutic prospects for marijuana constituents

Marijuana, the common name for Cannabis sativa, is a widely distributed hemp plant whose dried flowering tops and leaves have been used for medicinal purposes for 12,000 years by some estimates (1). The article by Malfait et al. (2) in this issue of PNAS is relevant to the question of whether such traditional uses of marijuana could be clinically justifiable today.
Relationship of Sex, Sex Guilt, and Experience to Written Sexual Fantasies:

The influence of sex, sex guilt, and sexual experience on college students sexual fantasies was examined. Twenty-one males and forty-nine females handed in at least three written-out sexual fantasies which were rated on a fantasy checklist. Male fantasies were found to be more explicit, and mention group sex more often than female fantasies. Females mentioned themes of romance and commitment more often than males. Sexually experienced subjects tended to have more explicit fantasies than sexually less experienced subjects. The level of sex guilt did not discriminate among subjects. Subjects who defined themselves as nonreligious had more explicit and richer sexual fantasies.
Enhancement of closed-state inactivation in long QT syndrome sodium channel mutation ΔKPQ

ΔKPQ, a three amino acid [lysine (K), proline (P), glutamine (Q)] deletion mutation of the human cardiac Na channel (hH1), which is one cause of long QT syndrome (LQT3), has impaired inactivation r...
Ecosystem-based management institutional design: Balance between federal, state, and local governments within the Gulf of Mexico Alliance

Abstract We present a case study of the organizational framework of the Gulf of Mexico Alliance (GOMA), which was implemented to promote the use of ecosystem-based management (EBM) at a regional level. GOMA is a state-led initiative formed to protect and restore coastal and marine resources of the Gulf of Mexico. Representatives of the US Gulf States, together with their federal partners, clearly defined ecological, social, and economic short- and long-term objectives to be reached through regional collaborations. The aim of this paper is to show how GOMA, and particularly the Ecosystem Integration and Assessment Priority Issue Team, in its attempt to apply ecosystem approaches to manage marine resources, modified the common organizational scheme by implementing partnerships at various governmental (federal, state, local) and nongovernmental levels. We address the following major points considered to be of importance for EBM implementation: (1) multilevel cooperation, (2) stakeholders’ involvement, (3) sharing of information, (4) bridging science and policy, and (5) consensus-based decision making.
Production of Fatty Acid Components of Meadowfoam Oil in Somatic Soybean Embryos

The seed oil of meadowfoam ( Limnanthes alba ) and other Limnanthes spp. is enriched in the unusual fatty acid Δ 5 -eicosenoic acid (20:1Δ 5 ). This fatty acid has physical and chemical properties that make the seed oil of these plants useful for a number of industrial applications. An expressed sequence tag approach was used to identify cDNAs for enzymes involved in the biosynthesis of 20:1Δ 5 ). By random sequencing of a library prepared from developing Limnanthes douglasii seeds, a class of cDNAs was identified that encode a homolog of acyl-coenzyme A (CoA) desaturases found in animals, fungi, and cyanobacteria. Expression of a cDNA for the L. douglasii acyl-CoA desaturase homolog in somatic soybean ( Glycine max ) embryos behind a strong seed-specific promoter resulted in the accumulation of Δ 5 -hexadecenoic acid to amounts of 2% to 3% (w/w) of the total fatty acids of single embryos. Δ 5 -Octadecenoic acid and 20:1Δ 5 also composed L. douglasii expressed sequence tags that encode a homolog of fatty acid elongase 1 (FAE1), a β-ketoacyl-CoA synthase that catalyzes the initial step of very long-chain fatty acid synthesis. Expression of the L. douglassi FAE1 homolog in somatic soybean embryos was accompanied by the accumulation of C 20 and C 22 fatty acids, principally as eicosanoic acid, to amounts of 18% (w/w) of the total fatty acids of single embryos. To partially reconstruct the biosynthetic pathway of 20:1Δ 5 in transgenic plant tissues, cDNAs for the L. douglasii acyl-CoA desaturase and FAE1 were co-expressed in somatic soybean embryos. In the resulting transgenic embryos, 20:1Δ 5 and Δ 5 -docosenoic acid composed up to 12% of the total fatty acids.
A planar model of the knee joint to characterize the knee extensor mechanism

A simple planar static model of the knee joint was developed to calculate effective moment arms for the quadriceps muscle. A pathway for the instantaneous center of rotation was chosen that gives realistic orientations of the femur relative to the tibia. Using the model, nonlinear force and moment equilibrium equations were solved at one degree increments for knee flexion angles from 0 (full extension) to 90 degrees, yielding patellar orientation, patellofemoral contact force and patellar ligament force and direction with respect to both the tibial insertion point and the tibiofemoral contact point. The computer-derived results from this two-dimensional model agree with results from more complex models developed previously from experimentally obtained data. Due to our model's simplicity, however, the operation of the patellar mechanism as a lever as well as a spacer is clearly illustrated. Specifically, the thickness of the patella was found to increase the effective moment arm significantly only at flexions below 35 degrees even though the actual moment arm exhibited an increase throughout the flexion range. Lengthening either the patella or the patellar ligament altered the force transmitted from the quadriceps to the patellar ligament, significantly increasing the effective moment arm at flexions greater than 25 degrees. We conclude that the levering action of the patella is an essential mechanism of knee joint operation at moderate to high flexion angles.
General statistical inference for discrete and mixed spaces by an approximate application of the maximum entropy principle

We propose a method for learning a general statistical inference engine, operating on discrete and mixed discrete/continuous feature spaces. Such a model allows inference on any of the discrete features, given values for the remaining features. Applications are, e.g., to medical diagnosis with multiple possible diseases, fault diagnosis, information retrieval, and imputation in databases. Bayesian networks (BNs) are versatile tools that possess this inference capability. However, BNs require explicit specification of conditional independencies, which may be difficult to assess given limited data. Alternatively, Cheeseman (1983) proposed finding the maximum entropy (ME) joint probability mass function (pmf) consistent with arbitrary lower order probability constraints. This approach is in principle powerful and does not require explicit expression of conditional independence. However, until now the huge learning complexity has severely limited the use of this approach. Here we propose an approximate ME method, which also encodes arbitrary low-order constraints but while retaining quite tractable learning. Our method uses a restriction of joint pmf support (during learning) to a subset of the feature space. Results on the University of California-Irvine repository reveal performance gains over several BN approaches and over multilayer perceptrons.
The response of the coupled tropical ocean–atmosphere to westerly wind bursts

Two different perspectives on El Nino are dominant in the literature: it is viewed either as one phase of a continual southern oscillation (SO), or alternatively as the transient response to the sudden onset of westerly wind bursts (WWBs). Occasionally those bursts do indeed have a substantial effect on the SO—the unusual strength of El Nino of 1997/98 appears to be related to a sequence of bursts—but frequently the bursts have little or no impact. What processes cause some bursts to be important, while others remain insignificant? The question is addressed by using a simple coupled tropical ocean–atmosphere model that simulates a continual, possibly attenuating, oscillation to study the response to WWBs. The results show that the impact of WWBs depends crucially on two factors: (i) the background state of the system as described by the mean depth of the thermocline and intensity of the mean winds, and (ii) the timing of the bursts with respect to the phase of the SO. Changes in the background conditions alter the sensitivity of the system, so that the impact of the bursts on El Nino may be larger during some decades than others. Changes in the timing of WWBs affect the magnitude and other characteristics of the SO by modifying the energetics of the ocean–atmosphere interactions. A reasonable analogy is a swinging pendulum subject to modest blows at random times—those blows can either magnify or diminish the amplitude, depending on their timing. It is demonstrated that a WWB can increase the strength of El Nino significantly, if it occurs 6 to 10 months before the peak of warming, or can reduce the intensity of the subsequent El Nino, if it occurs during the cold phase of the continual SO. Copyright © 2002 Royal Meteorological Society.
Homologous human blood protein separation using immobilized metal affinity chromatography: protein C separation from prothrombin with application to the separation of factor IX and prothrombin.

Protein C (PC) is a natural anticoagulant and antithrombotic present in human blood at a concentration of 4 μg/mL. Its deficiency can result in excessive clotting and thrombosis. Protein C can be obtained from human blood plasma; however, there are other coagulant proteins in blood, including prothrombin (factor II), which is present in relatively large amounts and is one of the most active components. Protein C and prothrombin are homologous proteins with similar biochemical features; therefore, immunoaffinity chromatography is used for their separation. However, this technology is very expensive, protein C recovery and activity is low, and contamination problems with mouse antibody are likely. Immobilized metal affinity chromatography (IMAC) utilizes the protein metal-binding properties for protein separation. Protein C has twelve surface-accessible histidines, which are the major metal-binding groups for IMAC separation. After investigating metal ion-binding properties of protein C, we used an IDA-Cu column to separate protein C and prothrombin. Following protein adsorption to the column, prothrombin was washed out using a sodium phosphate buffer containing 2 mM imidazole and protein C was recovered with 15 mM imidazole in the buffer. The mild elution condition allows a high protein C activity and a high recovery. Also, this technology introduces no immunoglobulins, and it is relatively inexpensive. IMAC could replace the immunoaffinity technology for the large-scale separation of protein C from blood plasma Cohn Fraction IV-1. In addition, this work demonstrates a significant application of this technology for the separation of factor IX from prothrombin. Prothrombin has proven to be a harmful contaminant in factor IX cocktails that have been administered to humans in the treatment of hemophilia B.
Mean Strain Effects on the Fatigue Behavior of Superelastic Nitinol Alloys: An Experimental Investigation☆

Abstract Experimental fatigue study has been conducted in this paper to investigate the effects of mean strain on the fatigue behavior of superelastic Nitinol in short life regime. Nitinol alloys are used in many applications such as aerospace and bioengineering in which these alloys may be subjected to cyclic loading with mean strains/stresses. For traditional metals, presence of tensile mean strain/stress can significantly reduce fatigue lives. For superelastic Nitinol alloys, however, a more complex behavior is observed under tensile mean strains and ironically some beneficial effects of tensile mean strains have been reported in the literature. This paper aims to experimentally study the effects of tensile mean strains on the fatigue resistance of superelastic Nitinol alloys. Fatigue tests were conducted at room temperature (∼24 °C) where the material shows superelastic response. Strain-controlled uniaxial fatigue tests with and without tensile mean strains were conducted on standard solid circular specimens. Cyclic deformation and fatigue of the material was studied. Results from this study demonstrates the detrimental effects of mean strain on the fatigue of superelastic Nitinol at least for comparatively large strain amplitudes. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) was used to investigate the fracture surface and observe the crack initiation sites. Inclusions such as TiC particles located at or near the surface were found to serve as the main crack initiation sites.
Timeline Planning in the J-TRE Environment

Timeline-based representations constitute a quite natural way to reason on time and resource constraints while planning. Additionally timeline-based planners have been demonstrated as successful in modeling and solving problems in several real world domains. In spite of these successes, any aspect related to search control remains a “black art” for few experts of the particular approach mostly because these architectures are huge application developments environments. For example, the exploration of alternative search techniques is quite hard. This paper proposes a general architecture for timeline-based reasoning that brings together key aspects of such reasoning leaving freedom to specific implementations on both constraint reasoning engines and resolution heuristics. Within such architecture, called J-tre, three different planners are built and compared with respect to a quite challenging reference problem. The experiments shed some light on key differences and pave the way for future works.
The Reform of Energy Subsidies in Iran: The Role of Cash Transfers

We study Iran’s energy subsidy reform program of 2010 and argue that the key to its success was a cash transfer intended to compensate households for price increases. We use survey data from the first three months of the program, before other economic shocks confounded the picture, to study the program’s effect on the incomes and expenditures of households. We find that rural families that had less access to banks actually participated in greater numbers; that the poorest and richest income deciles participated least; and that, at least in its early phase, the program’s net effect was pro-poor. We argue this last fact explains the program’s smooth start.
Characteristics of simultaneous thawing and erosion of frozen sand

An ablation model of frozen soil in which the thaw front does not coincide with the breakup front is proposed.
PSYCHOSOCIAL FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH THE ADJUSTMENT OF BASIC TRAINEES IN THE U. S. ARMY

Self-report data from 114 basic trainees referred to a military mental health facility at Fort Bragg for adjustment difficulties were compared to equivalent data obtained from a random sample of 40 trainees at the same installation in the summer of 1968. Greater adjustment difficulties were associated with involuntary enlistment, failure to complete high school, poorer grades in high school, previous arrest record or psychiatric care, urban background, abuse of drugs or alcohol, and self-description as a “loner.” No significant differences were found by race, age, or marital status.
Initiation factors in protein synthesis of liver and skeletal muscle of rats force-fed a threonine-devoid diet.

SummaryYoung rats were force-fed for 3 days a complete purified diet or one devoid of threonine. Initiating factors prepared from the ribosomes of livers of experimental animals stimulated polyphenylalanine synthesis and the binding of 14C-phe-tRNA and 14C-met-tRNA to a greater extent than those from the livers of control animals. In contrast, initiation factors and also elongation factors showed decreased activities in the skeletal muscles of experimental animals in comparison to those from control animals.
A Study of the Pterylosis and Pneumaticity of the Screamer

The South American screamers (family Anhimidae) are best known, perhaps, for their unusually extensive system of air sacs, their almost continuous feathering, and their many archaic structures. Numerous references to these peculiarities may be found in the literature, but few articles include more than a brief mention of them. Garrod (1876) reports that the pterylosis of Palamedea cornuta and Chauna cristata (but not C. chavaria) was described by Nitzsch in 1840. He also states that the plumage of C. chavaria does not differ greatly from that of C. cristata, except that there is no bare ring around the neck. Apparently no detailed study of the air sacs of any of these species has been made. The present study is based on the examination and dissection of a single formalin specimen of C. chavaria, the viscera of which had previously been removed. The specimen came from the aviaries of W. J. Sheffler. Lack of comparative material has, unfortunately, made some of the observations tentative rather than definite. I gratefully acknowledge the valuable suggestions and criticism of Dr. Loye H. Miller, of the University of California at Los Angeles, under whom this work was done.
Use of the Ornithine Decarboxylase Promoter to Achieve N-MYC-Mediated Overexpression of a Rabbit Carboxylesterase to Sensitize Neuroblastoma Cells to CPT-11

Overexpression of specific transcription factors by tumor cells can be exploited to regulate expression of proteins that induce apoptosis or activate prodrugs, thereby producing tumor-selective toxicity. A majority of advanced-stage neuroblastomas overexpress the transcription factor N-MYC, and this overexpression is associated with poor prognosis. This study describes regulation of expression by N-MYC, via the ornithine decarboxylase (ODC) promoter, of a rabbit liver carboxylesterase (CE) that activates the prodrug CPT-11. Chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter assays and CE activity assays in transiently transfected neuroblastoma cell lines (SJNB-1, SJNB-4, NB-1691) and rhabdomyosarcoma cell lines (JR1neo20, JR1Nmyc6, JR1Nmyc9) support this approach as a potential method for sensitizing tumor cells to CPT-11. Clonogenic assays with IMR32 human neuroblastoma cells which express N-MYC and that had been stably transfected with a plasmid containing an ODC promoter/CE cassette corroborated results of enzyme activity assays. Specifically, IMR32.ODC.CE cells expressed approximately eightfold more CE activity than IMR32.CMV.neo cells; and 5 μM CPT-11 reduced the clonogenic potential of IMR32.ODC.CE cells to zero, while 50 μM CPT-11 was required to produce the same effect with IMR32.CMV.neo cells. Current experiments focus on adenoviral delivery of an ODC promoter/CE cDNA cassette for potential virus-directed enzyme prodrug therapy applications.
The UN in 2016: A Watershed Moment

In light of the upcoming United Nations General Assembly Special Session on Drugs (UNGASS) in 2016, the author calls on country representatives attending UNGASS to consider a series of pathways to make the current global drug policy in line with human rights.
Epigenetics in Cancer: What's the Future?

Epigenetics is a rapidly expanding field that focuses on stable changes in gene expression that are not accompanied by changes in DNA sequence and that are mediated primarily by DNA methylation and histone modifications. Disruption of the epigenome is a fundamental mechanism in cancer, and several epigenetic drugs that have proved to prolong survival and to be less toxic than conventional chemotherapy were recently approved by the FDA for cancer treatment. These include azacitidine (Vidaza), decitabine (Dacogen), vorinostat (Zolinza), and romidepsin (Istodax). Promising results of combination clinical trials with DNA methylation inhibitors and histone deacetylase inhibitors have recently been reported, and data are emerging that describe molecular determinants of clinical responses. Despite significant advances, challenges remain, including a lack of predictive markers, unclear mechanisms of response and resistance, and rare responses in solid tumors. Preclinical studies are ongoing with novel classes of agents that target various components of the epigenetic machinery. In this review, we focus on recent clinical and translational data in the epigenetics field that have potential in cancer therapy.
Characterization of mean transit time at large springs in the Upper Colorado River Basin, USA: a tool for assessing groundwater discharge vulnerability

Environmental tracers (noble gases, tritium, industrial gases, stable isotopes, and radio-carbon) and hydrogeology were interpreted to determine groundwater transit-time distribution and calculate mean transit time (MTT) with lumped parameter modeling at 19 large springs distributed throughout the Upper Colorado River Basin (UCRB), USA. The predictive value of the MTT to evaluate the pattern and timing of groundwater response to hydraulic stress (i.e., vulnerability) is examined by a statistical analysis of MTT, historical spring discharge records, and the Palmer Hydrological Drought Index. MTTs of the springs range from 10 to 15,000 years and 90 % of the cumulative discharge-weighted travel-time distribution falls within the range of 2−10,000 years. Historical variability in discharge was assessed as the ratio of 10–90 % flow-exceedance (R 10/90%) and ranged from 2.8 to 1.1 for select springs with available discharge data. The lag-time (i.e., delay in discharge response to drought conditions) was determined by cross-correlation analysis and ranged from 0.5 to 6 years for the same select springs. Springs with shorter MTTs (<80 years) statistically correlate with larger discharge variations and faster responses to drought, indicating MTT can be used for estimating the relative magnitude and timing of groundwater response. Results indicate that groundwater discharge to streams in the UCRB will likely respond on the order of years to climate variation and increasing groundwater withdrawals.
Technological growth of fuel efficiency in european automobile market 1975–2015

Abstract This paper looks at the technological growth of new car fleet fuel efficiency in the European Union between 1975 and 2015. According to the analysis results, from1975 to 2006 the fuel efficiency technology improvements were largely offset by vehicles' increased weight, engine size, and consumer amenities such as acceleration capacity. After 2006, downsizing in weight and engine capacity was observed in new car fleet, while fuel consumption decreased by 32% between 2006 and 2015. We adopt a statistical method and find that from 1975 to 2015, a 1% increase in weight would result in 0.3 to 0.5% increments in fuel consumption per 100 km, and a 1% reduction in 0–100 km/h acceleration time would increase fuel consumption by about 0.3%. Impacts of other attributes on fuel consumption are also assessed. To meet the European Union's 2021 fuel consumption target, downsizing of cars, as well as at least maintaining fuel efficiency technology growth trend observed between 2005 and 2015, are needed. Government policies on controlling improvement in acceleration performance or promoting alternative fuel vehicles are also important to achieve European Union 2021 target.
The Call to Serve–The Call to Lead

This chapter brings to life calling and what it means to be an emergency services responder. It looks at certain areas that become part of the leader’s calling, as well as the benefit to the leader from serving their followers. An individual is called to a career in emergency services. The profession, being one of personal sacrifice, places the individual in harm’s way, and transcends the notion of being simply a job. Being an emergency responder becomes the identity of the individuals that perform the work. That calling to serve brought the leaders to the career field. That same calling is the leader’s call to lead. In addition, this chapter offers a pathway for emergency services leaders to look inward at their own calling and use it to become stronger leaders for the community of responders.
Structure and mechanical properties of improved cast stainless steels for nuclear applications

Casting of stainless steels is a promising and cost saving way of directly producing large and complex structures, such a shield modules or divertors for the ITER. In the present work, a series of modified high-nitrogen cast stainless steels has been developed and characterized. The steels, based on the cast equivalent of the composition of 316 stainless steel, have increased N (0.14–0.36%) and Mn (2–5.1%) content; copper was added to one of the heats. Mechanical tests were conducted with non-irradiated and 0.7 dpa neutron irradiated specimens. It was established that alloying by nitrogen significantly improves the yield stress of non-irradiated steels and the deformation hardening rate. Manganese tended to decrease yield stress but increased radiation hardening. The role of copper on mechanical properties was negligibly small. Analysis of structure was conducted using SEM-EDS and the nature and compositions of the second phases and inclusions were analyzed in detail. No ferrite formation or significant precipitation were observed in the modified steels. It was shown that the modified steels, compared to reference material (commercial cast 316L steel), had better strength level, exhibit significantly reduced elemental inhomogeneity and only minor second phase formation.
Sex-specific functional UGT2B17 deletion polymorphism increases risk for lung cancer.

A180 UGT2B17 is a phase II metabolizing enzyme that mediates the detoxification of the tobacco smoke carcinogen, NNK, by converting its major metabolite, NNAL, to its glucuronide, NNAL-Gluc. A common deletion allele (~30 % prevalence in whites) encompassing the entire UGT2B17 gene was identified and found to reduce the rate of NNAL glucuronidation in human liver microsomes in vitro. The goal of the present study was to determine if the UGT2B17 deletion genotype is associated with reduced rates of glucuronidation in vivo and with increased risk for lung cancer. We developed a novel multiplex real-time PCR assay to genotype the UGT2B17 gene deletion. In a screening of 82 white smokers, the urinary concentrations of NNAL and NNAL-Gluc were measured. A significant decrease in urinary NNAL-Gluc to NNAL ratio was observed among smokers with the UGT2B17 deletion [(0/0)] genotype when compared to smokers with at least one intact UGT2B17 allele (p-value=0.049). This association was only observed in females (p-value=0.058); no association was observed in males (p-value=0.597). In an analysis of 398 white subjects with newly-diagnosed primary lung cancer and 697 white controls, a significant increase in risk for lung cancer was observed in women with the UGT2B17 (0/0) genotype when compared to women with at least one intact UGT2B17 allele (OR=2.0, 95 % CI=1.04-3.75). This association was specific for women with adenocarcinoma (OR=3.2, 95 % CI=1.48-6.90). No association was observed between the (0/0) genotype and risk for lung cancer (OR=0.7, 95 % CI=0.39-1.39) or specifically for lung adenocarcinoma (OR=1.3, 95 % CI=0.58-3.09) in men. The sex-specific association of the UGT2B17 gene deletion polymorphism with urinary NNAL glucuronidation phenotype and increased risk for lung adenocarcinoma is consistent with animal model studies demonstrating that NNAL is a selective inducer of lung adenocarcinoma, and with in vitro studies demonstrating that UGT2B17 may be down-regulated by male androgens. This is the first study demonstrating a sex-specific link between a common genetic variant and lung cancer risk.