cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defensins promote fusion and lysis of negatively charged membranes

Defensins, a family of cationic peptides isolated from mammalian granulocytes and believed to permeabilize membranes, were tested for their ability to cause fusion and lysis of liposomes. Unlike alpha-helical peptides whose lytic effects have been extensively studied, the defensins consist primarily of beta-sheet. Defensins fuse and lyse negatively charged liposomes but display reduced activity with neutral liposomes. These and other experiments suggest that fusion and lysis is mediated primarily by electrostatic forces and to a lesser extent, by hydrophobic interactions. Circular dichroism and fluorescence spectroscopy of native defensins indicate that the amphiphilic beta-sheet structure is maintained throughout the fusion process. Taken together, these results support the idea that protein-mediated membrane fusion depends not only on hydrophobic and electrostatic forces but also on the spatial arrangement of the amino acid residues to form a three-dimensional amphiphilic structure, which promotes the efficient mixing of the lipids between membranes. A molecular model for membrane fusion by defensins is presented, which takes into account the contributions of electrostatic forces, hydrophobic interactions, and structural amphiphilicity.
Superconductivity through percolation in Gd1+xBa2−xCu3O7−δ

Abstract Percolation theory is used to interpret the transport and magnetic properties of the series of oxide superconductors Gd 1+ x Ba 2− x Cu 3 O 7−δ (0⩽ x ⩽0.5). The resistivity shows a plateau below the intragranular critical temperature T c0 when x ⪖0.3 and a bulk transition to θ=0 occurs at a lower temperature T c . The behavior of θ ( T ) near T c fits T − T c ) μ with μ =0.5 for x =0.4 and μ=0.6 for x =0.5, close to the theoretical value of 2 3 . No corresponding plateau is observed in σ ( T ) at H =100 Oe even though it is predicted by theory.
HPLC Determination Chlorogenic Acid in Do-Zhong (Eucommia ulmoides) Leaves by Ultrasolic Extraction

In order to analysis of chlorogenic acid in Do-Zhong(Eucommia ulmoides), ultrasolic extraction was used to prepare the sample. With yield of chlorogenic acid as index, The effect of ethanol concentration, ultrasolic power. extraction time, and the ratio of solid to liquid were studied. The extracts were then analysis by high-performance liquid chromatographic (HPLC) method. The results shown that the optimum extraction conditions were as follows: 70% ethanol(w/w) , extraction power 200W, extraction time 18 min, stock ratio 1:10(g:mL). For HPLC analysis, the calibration plot was linear (R2=0.9993) in the concentration range 200&#65374;1000µg/mL for chlorogenic acid,The method was precise with relative standard deviation for chlorogenic acid range between 1.50&#65374;2.55%. The recovery of this method were between98.46 -100.05%.The method could be used as a practical technique for detect chlorogenic acid in Do-Zhong for it was samples rapid, simple, sensitive, convenient..
Dynamic maintenance of multidimensional range data partitioning for parallel data processing

Star schema has been a typical model for both online transaction processing in traditional databases and online analytical processing in large data warehouses. In the star schema, the dominant volumes of data are stored in the relationship table in terms of databases or the fact table in terms of data warehouses. Sometimes this relationship or fact table is called multidimensional table, cube, or data set. In this paper, we present a parallel method to partition the fact table in terms of multidimensional space for parallel star query processing. Also a dynamic approach to maintain load balance among all the processors is given in terms of a set of heuristics for the cases when the fact table undergoes frequent updates such as insertions/deletions. The multidimensionally partitioned data sets in the fact table are stored as leaf nodes in a multidimensional range tree, and each data set stored in the leaf node is mapped into each processor for parallel data partitioning and star query processing. As far as load balance is concerned in each of processors, we try to maintain the distribution of data volumes as uniform as possible by the set of heuristics for the star query processing in OLAP.
Pegylated interferon for recurrent hepatitis C in liver transplant recipients with renal failure: a prospective cohort study

Abstract Background Hepatitis C (HCV) universally recurs following orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT), representing an important cause for retransplantation. Although it is often treated with interferon and ribavirin, ribavirin is contraindicated in the presence of renal failure. In this setting of renal failure, pegylated-interferon monotherapy may be useful for recurrent HCV in liver transplant patients. Methods Between June 2001 and November 2002, patients with recurrent HCV were screened to determine if they were eligible for treatment. Renal failure was defined as serum creatinine greater than 1.8 mg/dL. HCVRNA and liver biopsies were performed prior to treatment, end of treatment (EOT) and 6 months after EOT for those who were HCV-RNA negative at EOT. Patients were followed prospectively after starting weekly pegylated-interferon alpha 2b 1.0 μg/kg (Schering-Plough, Kenilworth, NJ, USA). Results Among the 45 patients with recurrent HCV screened, 9 were eligible, including 8 men and 1 woman of average age 55 years. Eight patients were intolerant to the treatment requiring discontinuation within the first 3 months. Two patients developed a sustained response to HCV eradication. One patient who completed treatment has normal liver tests but is still viremic. Conclusion Pegylated-interferon alpha 2b is poorly tolerated in liver transplant recipients with recurrent HCV and chronic renal failure. Larger, prospective studies are required to determine the optimum duration of treatment and the impact of treatment on histology and quality of life.
System integration and development for biological warfare agent surveillance

A wide variety of technical needs exist for surveillance, monitoring, identifying, or detecting pathogens with potential use as biological terrorism or warfare agents. Because the needs vary greatly among diverse applications, tailored systems are needed that meet performance, information, and cost requirements. A systems perspective allows developers to identify chokepoints for each application, and focus R&D investments on the limiting factors. Surveillance and detection systems are comprised of three primary components: information (markers), chemistries (assays), and instrumentation for "readout". Careful consideration of these components within the context of each application will allow for increases in efficiency and performance not generally realized when researchers focus on a single component in isolation. In fact, many application requirements can be met with simple novel combinations of existing technologies, without the need for huge investments in basic research. Here we discuss some of the key parameters for surveillance, detection, and identification of biothreat agents, and provide examples of focused development that addresses key bottlenecks, and greatly improve system performance.
Economies of racism: grounding education policy research in the complex dialectic of race, class, and capital

The intent of this paper is to interrogate the current theoretical discourse in education concerning issues of race and class. The authors maintain that in recent years educational theory and critical policy discourse have unintentionally become splintered in such a way that race and class theories are employed separately, without much analysis of the concomitant ways race and racism are both embedded in and productive of the material processes of production and exploitation that characterize capitalism. The authors propose the framework of economies of racism to make sense of the complex unity that brings white supremacy and capitalist accumulation together in a single dialectic. Drawing from recent work on race and class in critical social theory, the authors first make their case for the theory and formulation of economies of racism in society and education, and follow this with an analysis of current educational policy research via the theoretical lenses posited through this dialectical framework.
Glutathione Biosynthesis in the Postimplantation Rat Conceptus in Vitro

Glutathione (GSH) biosynthesis in Day 10 rat conceptuses was characterized in whole embryo culture by evaluation of net rates of GSH replenishment in whole conceptuses, embryos. and visceral yolk sacs (VYS); uptake and distribution of [35S]cysteine and [35S]methionine from the culture medium; incorporation of 35S-labeled amino acids into GSH; and efflux of [35S]GSH into the culture medium. Diethyl maleate (DEM, 500 μM) depleted intracellular GSH pools in embryo and VYS to 30% of control values within 45 min. Restoration of GSH pools in VYS began immediately and continued at a rate of 295 pmol/ conceptus/hr until GSH concentrations exceeded initial control levels at 4 hr. GSH pools in the embryo remained depleted for over 2 hr, followed by resynthesis at initial rates of 118 pmol/ conceptus/hr. [35S]Cysteine (0.2 mM) uptake from the culture medium resulted in whole conceptus accumulations that reached 1.6 nmol/conceptus. The portion of intracellular free cysteine obtained through uptake of extraconceptal amino acid was 40-90 pmol/conceptus and represented less than 20% of the total free intracellular cysteine. [35S]Methionine (0.2 mM) accumulation surpassed that of cysteine at all time points by two- to threefold. [35S]Cysteine, added 2 hr after DEM, was incorporated into GSH at rates of 126 pmol/conceptus/hr during the first hour. By 4 hr, rates of incorporation had declined to 22 pmol/conceptusfhr. L-Buthionine-[S,R]-sulfoximine (1 mM) completely eliminated incorporation of [35S]cysteinc into GSH. Net efflux of [35S]GSH into the culture medium accounted for less than 40 pmol of total GSH when measured 5 hr after DEM addition. Although effectively transported into the conceptus and readily utilized in protein synthesis, 35S from methionine was not incorporated into GSH under any conditions tested. After chemical depletion, de novo GSH synthesis occurs exclusively in the VYS. Embryonic recovery begins only after GSH pools in the VYS are replete. Prolonged embryonic GSH depletion and slower recovery rates indicate that the embryo may be selectively susceptible to chemical insult following depletion of GSH.
Rapid-framing CCDs with 16 output ports for laser guide star sensors

A series of small rapid-framing CCD designs have been designed, fabricated, and tested for use as adaptive optics sensors for laser guide star image correction. To reduce video bandwidth and thus minimize readout noise, these CCD's employ 16 output amplifiers. Designs with 2 different formats (64 X 64 and 128 X 128) and with three different output amplifiers structures have been produced.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Are Members of the Fungal Genus Pneumocystis (a) Commensals; (b) Opportunists; (c) Pathogens; or (d) All of the Above?

The author has declared that no competing interests exist. The author's research on Pneumocystis is funded by the United States National Institutes of Health Grant R01 AI076104 and the Medical Research Service, Department of Veterans Affairs. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
Primary malignant bone tumors of the hand

Malignant bone tumors of the hand are rare and few centers have extensive experience in the care of patients with these lesions. Eighteen patients with 22 lesions were evaluated at our institution. There were nine chondrosarcomas, four hemangioendothelial sarcomas, two cases each of osteosarcoma and fibrosarcoma, and a single case of Ewing's tumor. The average age of the patients was 39 years. Ten lesions each were located in the metacarpals and phalanges, with two lesions in the carpus. There were nine local recurrences, which appeared at an average of 24.5 months (range, 3 to 74 months). Curettage procedures resulted in the highest rate of local recurrence (85%). Three patients died of metastatic disease. Surgical control of these lesions requires careful preoperative planning and wide surgical margins. Regular oncologic follow-up is necessary.
Transport Behavior of Hairless Mouse Skin During Constant Current DC Iontophoresis, Part 2: Iontophoresis of Nonionic Molecules with Cotransport of Polystyrene Sulfonate Oligomers

ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study was to characterize changes that occur in the iontophoretic transport of nonionic probe permeants in hairless mouse skin epidermal membrane from the anode to cathode when polystyrene sulfonate (PSS) oligomers are cotransported from the cathode to anode. The experiments were conducted with trace levels of the nonionic probe permeants: urea, mannitol, and raffinose. In order to systematically assess changes that occur as a result of having PSS in the cathodal chamber, the steady-state transport parameters of the membrane and the experimental permeability coefficients of the probe permeants were determined and compared with results obtained from earlier baseline experiments where both the cathodal and anodal chamber media were phosphate buffered saline. In addition, the physicochemical properties of the PSS solutions were determined including the solution viscosity and conductance as well as the mobilities of individual PSS oligomers. The effective pore radii of the transport pathways were calculated using a theoretical expression based on simultaneous diffusion and electroosmosis. Compared with the baseline results, the calculated radii were found to have increased up to around twofold and the iontophoretic fluxes of the probe permeants increased by as much sixfold.
THE THEORETICAL VALUE OF A STOCK RIGHT: A COMMENT

THE PAPER by George Herberton Evans, Jr., "The Theoretical Value of a Stock Right" (Journal of Finance, Vol. X, No. 1, March, 1955), is in need of considerable clarification. The argument which is particularly disturbing and which is, in fact, the essence of the article is the assertion that investors who use the conventional value-of-rights formula do so on the basis of a rather rigid set of assumptions concerning earnings, dividends, price-earnings ratios, and others. If this is taken literally, then the proposition is false. For, given that an investor wishes to buy the stock of a particular company, i.e., at the given market price Ml he finds that this investment is more attractive than any other alternative use of his assets (just why he believes it is better is irrelevant); and, given that the stock is selling ex-rights, then it is perfectly rational to use the formula to determine whether it is more economical to purchase the stock directly or indirectly through the use of rights. Ignoring transaction costs, if the value yielded by the value-of-rights formula is greater than the current market price of the rights, then it is less expensive to buy the rights and exercise them. If the relationship is the reverse, then it is more economical to buy the stock directly. There is obviously nothing implied by this procedure with respect to earnings, dividends, and so forth. It is true that this particular use of the formula is not necessary for the purpose of making this decision. For the investor could adopt the alternative procedure of comparing the sum of the total current market value of the number of rights required to buy one share and the subscription price with the current market price of the stock. The action to be taken here is rather obvious. Moreover, it is quite apparent that traders can use the formula in the same way for arbitrage purposes. Again, it is not necessary that they do; but they can, and some undoubtedly do, use it in this way. This brings us to what I believe is the real issue and perhaps the source of the confusion. What is the precise meaning of the valueof-rights formula? In the case where stock is selling rights-on, the
Autonomous observation under uncertainty

The authors address the problem of observing a moving agent. They advocate a modeling approach for the visual system and its observer, where a discrete event dynamic system framework is developed and events are defined as ranges on parameter subsets. A system for observing a manipulation process in which a robot hand manipulates an object is proposed. The hand/object interaction is recognized over time, and a stabilizing observer is constructed. Low-level modules are developed for recognizing the events that cause state transitions within the dynamic manipulation system. The work examines closely the possibilities for errors, mistakes, and uncertainties in the manipulation system, observer construction process, and even identification mechanisms. The system utilized different tracking techniques to observe and recognize the task in an active and goal-directed manner. >
Radiofrequency catheter ablation of supraventricular arrhythmias

For most types of supraventricular arrhythmias medical treatment with antiarrythmic drugs is not completely effective. In addition to poor or sporadic efficacy, such drugs can be associated with a number of bothersome and even fatal side effects (although rarely), proarrhythmia, cost, and inconvenience. It is for these reasons that non-pharmacologic interventions, initially using a surgical approach and more recently utilising catheter ablation, have played an increasingly important role in the management of cardiac arrhythmias. Catheter ablation can be defined as the use of an electrode catheter to destroy small areas of myocardial tissue or conduction system, or both, that are critical to the initiation or maintenance of cardiac arrhythmias. Arrhythmias most likely to be amenable to cure with catheter ablation are those which have a focal origin or involve a narrow, anatomically defined isthmus.#### Key points Over the past two decades, catheter ablation has evolved from a highly experimental technique to first line treatment for many cardiac arrhythmias. Before 1989, catheter ablation was performed primarily with high energy direct current (DC) shocks. More recently, DC energy has been replaced with radiofrequency energy as the preferred energy source during catheter ablation procedures. This article reviews the current state of knowledge about the technique, indications, and results of radiofrequency catheter ablation for the …
Some problems with measuring and describing rape presented by the serial offender

This essay discusses the capacity of the serial offender to alter measurements, descriptions, and generalizations about crime. Using police case file data, lone offender—one assailant rapes are classified according to the number of assaults committed by the same person before he is apprehended by the police. The classifications are examined within numerical, geographical, and ecological frameworks. The way in which serial offenders greatly influence data instability is shown. Specifically, the highest rape areas are mainly the result of serial offenders. However, there is clear indication that geographic locations and the ecological distribution of series offenses can vary radically from one year to the next.
Prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in bariatric patients: a histologic assessment

Abstract Background Studies on rates of Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in morbidly obese patients awaiting bariatric surgery are conflicting because of small sample size and variability in diagnostic testing. The objective of this study was to determine the rate of biopsy-proven active HP infection in morbidly obese patients undergoing bariatric surgery. Methods Retrospective analysis was done on all morbidly obese patients who underwent bariatric surgery between 2001 and 2009. All patients underwent preoperative upper endoscopy with biopsy to evaluate HP status. All endoscopies and surgeries were performed by a single endoscopist and surgeon, respectively. Data were analyzed with Student t test, Pearson χ 2 test, and logistic regression for multivariate analysis. Results The 611 patients included 79 males (12.9%) and 532 females (87.1%). Mean age was 39.9±10.7 years, and mean body mass index (BMI) was 47.8±6.4 kg/m 2 . The overall HP infection rate was 23.7%. Rate of infection did not differ between gender (22.8% in males, 23.9% in females; P = .479) or BMI (48.6±6.5 kg/m 2 in HP-positive patients, 47.5 ± 6.4 kg/m 2 in HP-negative patients; P = .087). Patients with HP were older compared with those without infection (41.2 versus 38.7 years; P = .016). Hispanics had a higher prevalence of HP (OR 2.35; P = .023). Conclusion Increasing BMI is not an independent risk factor for active HP infection within the morbidly obese patient population. Need for invasive testing to detect HP infection in these patients should be re-evaluated. Other methods of detecting active HP infection should be considered as an alternative to invasive or serologic testing.
Design considerations of sinusoidally excited permanent magnet machines for low torque ripple applications

Several high performance applications such as electric power steering require, the motor drive to produce smooth torque with very stringent torque ripple requirement. This paper is focused on various machine design considerations that can be used in reducing the torque ripple of a sinusoidally excited permanent magnet (PM) brushless DC (BLDC) motor. The paper quantifies the various sources of torque ripple, which may be minimized by appropriate design considerations. The paper discusses the factors influencing the harmonic content of the induced voltage, effect of slot/pole combination, winding distribution and magnetic saturation. Design optimization is directed to minimize cogging torque and the harmonic contents in the back-emf, thus reducing the overall torque ripple. Comprehensive finite element analysis along with experimental data is provided to validate the theory. The research demonstrates that saturation in the magnetic circuit is another major contributor to the torque ripple and torque nonlinearity as the current increases. A model is developed to study the saturation effect on torque linearity and is verified by FE simulation. Design techniques have been provided to minimize the overall torque ripple and increase the torque linearity.
Leaf Isoprene Emission Rate Is Dependent on Leaf Development and the Level of Isoprene Synthase

Isoprene (2-methyl-1,3-butadiene) is a major volatile hydrocarbon produced by many plant species. Here we report that in velvet bean (Mucuna sp.), isoprene emission is strongly dependent on leaf developmental state and that changes in extractable isoprene synthase activity parallel isoprene emission rates during leaf development. Both leaf emission and enzyme activity exhibit over 100-fold increases from leaf emergence to leaf age 14 d and exhibit similar patterns to 23 d. This suggests that the enzyme, isoprene synthase, is responsible for the in vivo production of isoprene and that the level of the enzyme regulates the pattern of isoprene emission in response to leaf development.
Genetic substructure in cynomolgus macaques (Macaca fascicularis) on the island of Mauritius

Nonhuman primates are commonly used in biomedical research as animal models of human disease and behavior. Compared to common rodent models, nonhuman primates are genetically, physiologically, behaviorally and neurologically more similar to humans owing to more recent shared ancestry and therefore provide the advantage of greater translational validity in preclinical studies. The cynomolgus macaque (Macaca fascicularis) is one of the most commonly used nonhuman primates in academic and industry settings, yet population genetic research has revealed significant substructure throughout the species distribution that may confound studies. Cynomolgus monkeys introduced to Mauritius specifically have previously been thought to maintain the least genetic heterogeneity of all cynomolgus monkeys, although recent work, including work from our lab, suggests macaques from Mauritius too may harbor cryptic substructure. To evaluate putative substructure in Mauritian cynomolgus macaques, we designed a panel of 96 single nucleotide polymorphisms based on preliminary findings from previous work to screen 246 of cynomolgus monkeys from two primary suppliers. Results from this study support substructure in Mauritian macaques and suggest a minimum of two populations and maybe three on Mauritius, with moderate admixture. These findings inform the natural history of these monkeys suggesting either a previously unrecognized physical or ecological barrier to gene flow on Mauritius and/or the breakdown of historic substructure resulting from the history of macaque introduction to the island. These findings are relevant to ongoing research using these models in part because of increased appreciation of segregating common variation with functional effects and may be used to better inform animal selection in preclinical research.
Water insoluble cationic poly(ester amide)s: synthesis, characterization and applications

We reported a new family of water insoluble, biocompatible and biodegradable cationic arginine and phenylalanine based poly(ester amide)s (Arg-Phe-PEAs) for potential biomedical applications. The Arg-Phe-PEA consists of 3 building blocks: amino acids, diols, and dicarboxylic acids and was prepared from both L-arginine and L-phenylalanine amino acids by solution polycondensation. The structure and properties of Arg-Phe-PEAs were characterized by standard physicochemical methods. In vitro biological tests of the Arg-Phe-PEAs included enzymatic biodegradation, cell attachment and proliferation, and macrophage inflammation tests. The enzymatic biodegradation tests showed that the biodegradation rate of Arg-Phe-PEAs can be controlled by regulating the polymer composition (the ratio of Arg to Phe). The cellular tests indicated that the bovine aortic endothelial cells (BAECs) have very good cell attachment and proliferation on the Arg-Phe-PEA surface. The in vitro inflammation data showed that the Arg-Phe-PEAs induced far lower inflammatory response than FDA approved biomaterials. By a nano-precipitation method, Arg-Phe-PEAs were formulated into nanoparticles (NPs) with particle sizes below 200 nm. The protein release profiles from Arg-Phe-PEA NPs showed that the introduction of arginine significantly enhanced the protein encapsulation efficacy and changed the protein release rate compared with pure phenylalanine based poly(ester amide)s (Phe-PEAs).
The localization of spectrin on the inner surface of human red blood cell membranes by ferritin-conjugated antibodies.

Spectrin, a major protein constituent of mammalian red blood cell membrane preparations, has been localized on the inner surface of human red blood cell membranes by techniques that utilized specific ferritin-conjugated antibodies and fixation of membranes shortly after hemolysis so as to allow penetration of the ferritin-antibody labels. The labeling of spectrin was shown to be specific by the following criteria. (a) Nonhomologous ferritin-conjugated antibodies did not specifically bind to either membrane surface. (b) Blocking the membrane-bound spectrin with excess unconjugated antispectrin antibodies prevented ferritin-antibody labeling. (c) Removal of spectrin by treating the membrane preparation with a low ionic strength buffer containing ethylenediaminetetraacetate and β-mercaptoethanol prevented labeling by specific ferritin-conjugated antibodies.
Using the Baby-Babble-Blanket for infants with motor problems: an empirical study

Children with motor problems often develop to be passive, presumably because of an inability to communicate and to control the environment. The Baby-Babble-Blanket (BBB), a pad with pressure switches linked to a Macintosh computer, was developed to meet this need. Lying on the pad, infants use head-rolling, leg-lifting and kicking to produce digitized sound. Data is collected by the BBB software on the infant's switch activations. An empirical study was carried out on a five-month-old infant with club feet, hydrocephaly and poor muscle tone to determine what movements the infant could use to access the pad, whether movements would increase over a baseline in response to sound, and what level of cause and effect the infant would demonstrate. Videotapes and switch activation data suggest that the infant:1) could activate the device by rolling his head and raising his legs.2) increased switch activations, over a no-sound baseline, in response to the sound of his mother's voice.3) was able to change from using his head to raising his legs in response to the reinforcer.
Using optimization to achieve efficient quality of service in voice over IP networks

For Internet telephony to be a viable alternative to the public switch telephone network (PSTN), efficient and high quality communications are required. This paper proposes an optimization algorithm that selects parameters like the coding scheme, packet loss bound, and maximum link utilization level in a voice over IP (VoIP) network The goal is to deliver guaranteed quality of service (for voice) while maximizing the number of users served. A VoIP architecture is also discussed that could use optimization algorithms to dynamically provision VoIP networks.
mTOR Controls FLIPS Translation and TRAIL Sensitivity in Glioblastoma Multiforme Cells

The tumor-selective, proapoptotic, death receptor ligand tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) is a mediator of antitumor drug activity and in itself is a promising agent for the treatment of human malignancies. Like many tumors, however, glioblastoma multiforme (GBM), the most fatal form of glioma, exhibits a range of TRAIL sensitivity, and only a small percentage of GBM tumors undergo TRAIL-induced apoptosis. We here show that TRAIL resistance in GBM is a consequence of overexpression of the short isoform of the caspase-8 inhibitor, c-FLICE inhibitory protein (FLIP(S)), and that FLIP(S) expression is in turn translationally enhanced by activation of the Akt-mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR)-p70 S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) pathway. Conversely, pharmacologic or genetic inhibition of mTOR, or the mTOR target S6K1, suppresses polyribosomal accumulation of FLIP(S) mRNA, FLIP(S) protein expression, and TRAIL resistance. In archived material from 12 human GBM tumors, PTEN status was a predictor of activation of the Akt-mTOR-S6K1 pathway and of FLIP(S) levels, while in xenografted human GBM, activation status of the PTEN-Akt-mTOR pathway distinguished the tumors inherently sensitive to TRAIL from those which could be sensitized by the mTOR inhibitor rapamycin. These results define the mTOR pathway as a key limiter of tumor elimination by TRAIL-mediated mechanisms, provide a means by which the TRAIL-sensitive subset of GBM can be identified, and provide rationale for the combined use of TRAIL with mTOR inhibitors in the treatment of human cancers.
Packet Buffer Management for a High-Speed Network Interface Card

Packet buffers in a smart network interface card are managed in a way to reduce any packet losses from high-speed burst incoming data. Currently, two types of packet buffer management techniques are used. They are static buffer management and dynamic buffer management techniques. Dynamic buffer management techniques are more efficient than the static ones because they change the threshold value according to network traffic conditions. However, current dynamic techniques cannot adjust threshold instantaneously. Thus, packet losses with dynamic techniques are still high. We, therefore, propose a history-based buffer management scheme to address the issue. Our experiment results show that the history-based scheme reduces packet loss by 11% to 15.9% as compared to other conventional dynamic algorithms. Keywords -packet buffer; network interface card; layer 3 and 4 protocols; VHDL; static and dynamic buffer management.
Clarifying the role of two-component regulation in antibiotic killing

Understanding how antibiotics kill bacteria is of vital importance because it may identify new therapies that enhance the efficacy of established drugs.…
Prenatal diagnosis of the Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome

We report on the prenatal diagnosis of Beckwith-Wiedemann syndrome (BWS) in a pregnancy monitored because of a previously affected child. The proposita had classical stigmata of BWS including macroglossia, omphalocele, and typical ear creases. Chromosomes were 46,XX. Both parents and the extended maternal family were clinically normal. In a subsequent pregnancy by another father, the mother had serial ultrasound monitoring at 13.5, 18, and 19 weeks gestation which showed an enlarged abdominal circumference and a 2-cm omphalocele. At termination the female fetus weighed more than two times the expected weight, had striking hypertrophy of skeletal muscles, a protuberant abdomen, and a 2-cm omphalocele and characteristic facial appearance. Autopsy confirmed generalized organomegaly. This is the first report of the prenatal diagnosis of BWS prior to 20 weeks in an at-risk family. The recurrence in this family emphasizes the difficulty in providing accurate genetic recurrence risks in BWS and suggests that ultrasonographic prenatal diagnosis should be offered to families even when the case appears to be "sporadic."
A Novel Method of Ring Removal From the Aging Finger

A simple, inexpensive method for removal of a ring from a swollen finger in elderly patients is described. This technique is similar to application of an Esmarch bandage prior to a surgical procedure. The technique uses a sheet rubber blood-drawing tourniquet, a hemostat, and a lubricant. In over 250 cases, this method has failed only once and no complications have been noted.
Placing the enslaved at Oak Alley Plantation: narratives, spatial contexts, and the limits of surrogation

ABSTRACTAs iconic landscapes of the American South and significant heritage tourism destinations, Southern plantation museums have traditionally erased slavery and the enslaved from their narratives of the antebellum past. Recently, some plantation museums, such as Oak Alley Plantation in Louisiana, are commemorating the enslaved within their landscapes and narratives, although often in limited and insufficient ways. In this paper, I draw on theories of symbolic excavation and commemorative surrogation to understand both the difficult memory work necessary to include the history of slavery at plantation museums and the fact that such museums or memorials act as surrogates for the lives of enslaved women and men that have been lost from our social memory. Using photographic documentation, content analysis, and textual analysis, I then examine the Slavery at Oak Alley exhibit to argue that fully assessing the efficacy of such commemorative surrogates requires that they be placed within the spatial narrative...
Family risk profiles and school readiness: A person-centered approach

Abstract With cumulative risk and latent class risk profile models, this study explored how multiple family risk factors experienced during the first three years of life predicted children’s school readiness at age four, within a geographically and economically diverse U.S. sample. Using data from the National Institute on Child Health and Development Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development, family risk experiences were best captured by three distinct profiles: (a) low risk (78%), (b) low resourced: single-parent, minority (12%), and (c) low resourced: parental harshness, depressed (10%). Findings indicated that early risk experiences could be described in terms of family risk profiles characterized by both sociodemographic and family processes. Cumulative risk model results suggested that a greater number of risks across infancy, toddlerhood, and early preschool years significantly predicted poorer school readiness outcomes in the prekindergarten year (i.e., lower self-regulation, early math, early literacy, and more behavior problems). Latent class risk profile results provided a similar, yet more nuanced, understanding of the relation between multiple risk and subsequent child outcomes. Specifically, children characterized by the low risk profile exhibited stronger school readiness than children characterized by the low resourced: single, minority profile who in turn exhibited stronger school readiness than those characterized by the low resourced: parental harshness, depressed profile. Results support a dual-approach to modeling family risks through both cumulative and profile analyses, and can inform efforts to integrate services to better identify the co-occurring needs of families with young children most likely to struggle with early school readiness skills.
Use of the Electrostatic Classification Method to Size 0. 1 Micrometer Srm Particles: A Feasibility Study

The use of the electrostatic classification method for sizing monodisperse 0.1 μm polystyrene latex (PSL) spheres has been investigated experimentally. The objective was to determine the feasibility of using electrostatic classification as a standard method of particle sizing in the development of a 0.1 μm particle diameter Standard Reference Material (SRM). The mean particle diameter was calculated from a measurement of the mean electrical mobility of the PSL spheres as an aerosol using an electrostatic classifier. The performance of the classifier was investigated by measuring its transfer function, conducting a sensitivity analysis to verify the governing theoretical relationships, measuring the repeatability of particle sizing, and sizing NIST SRM 1691, 0.269 μm and NIST SRM 1690, 0.895 μm particles. Investigations of the aerosol generator's performance focused on the effect of impurities in the particle-suspending liquid on the resulting particle diameter. The uncertainty in particle diameter determined by electrical mobility measurements is found to be -3.3% to +3.0%. The major sources of uncertainty include the flow measurement, the slip correction, and a dependence of particle size on the aerosol flow rate. It was found that the classifier could be calibrated to indicate the correct size to within 0.1% for both SRM particle sizes if the defined classification length is decreased by 1.9%.
Investigation of coarse-grained mappings via an iterative generalized Yvon-Born-Green method.

Low resolution coarse-grained (CG) models enable highly efficient simulations of complex systems. The interactions in CG models are often iteratively refined over multiple simulations until they reproduce the one-dimensional (1-D) distribution functions, e.g., radial distribution functions (rdfs), of an all-atom (AA) model. In contrast, the multiscale coarse-graining (MS-CG) method employs a generalized Yvon–Born–Green (g-YBG) relation to determine CG potentials directly (i.e., without iteration) from the correlations observed for the AA model. However, MS-CG models do not necessarily reproduce the 1-D distribution functions of the AA model. Consequently, recent studies have incorporated the g-YBG equation into iterative methods for more accurately reproducing AA rdfs. In this work, we consider a theoretical framework for an iterative g-YBG method. We numerically demonstrate that the method robustly determines accurate models for both hexane and also a more complex molecule, 3-hexylthiophene. By examining...
Preference of the Dispute Resolution in the Chinese Countryside

Development theory hypothesizes that the higher level of economic development a region is, the more likely the individuals prefer the formal legal institutions in resolving their disputes. Drawn from a national survey conducted by the Research Center of Contemporary China at Peking University, this paper sets forth to test this hypothesis in the context of China's countryside. The analysis shows first that cost concern, legal knowledge, and traditions are main obstacles for people using the formal legal institutions. Examining the rural people's institutional preferences when they have economic disputes, statistical analysis reveals: 1) economic growth rate, rather than level of economic development, is conducive to the consolidation of formal legal institutions; 2) the marginal effect of economic development turns negative after crossing a certain threshold; 3) one who gets more involved in market activities, is more likely to use court to solve his disputes; however, this relationship disappears after controlling for amount of legal information he has.
The Bond Legacy

This article surveys the intellectual, fieldwork, and professional career of the anthropologist George Clement Bond. Beginning in 1963, he conducted fieldwork in Zambia over four decades and produced a substantial body of writings on history, ritual, colonialism, and contemporary rural life. He also worked in Uganda in the 1980s on the HIV/AIDS crisis. From 1968, he taught at Columbia University, where he was Director of the Institute of African Studies. Bond’s measured outlook on the interrelated conceptual orientations and practical realities that confront the people anthropologists work among and learn from, and also shape their own circumstances, gave meaning and purpose to his work, which was recognized in honors and awards, speaking invitations, fellowships, and elected professional offices.
Species-Dependent Crevice Corrosion Modeling of Ni-625

A coordinated experimental and mathematical modeling effort to develop a three-stage model for determining the spatial and temporal potential, current, ionic species, and damage profiles for nickel...
Barriers to Agricultural Adaptation in Northern Mali: Measuring the Effects of Language on Aid Strategies

As climatic pressures increase, scholars from across disciplines predict an associated increase in the rise of infectious diseases, decreases in global crop yields, and a rise in conflict as a result of these changes. Using evidence from these studies, aid organizations are seemingly better able to target those areas with the highest vulnerability to climate pressures, namely those areas prone to extreme exogenous environmental, economic, and conflict shocks. However, using evidence from new survey data gathered in Northern Mali, we ask: does the presence of exogenous factors best explain who is targeted for agricultural adaptation assistance? Are there other factors we should consider that might better explain which villages are targeted for aid? Our results show that while exogenous shocks do indeed help predict whether or not villages in Northern Mali will receive aid, another strong predictor of aid is language. French-speaking villages are far more likely to be targeted for agricultural adaptation assistance than non-French-speaking villages. This is an important finding that opens up new possibilities for social scientists of adaptation to explore the sociocultural factors linked to adaptive capacity, factors that are virtually ignored in the adaptation literature. If language has been overlooked, what other sociocultural factors may also be prohibiting villages from receiving adaptive assistance?
Signal features for classification of power system disturbances using PMU data

Event identification is one among numerous applications being researched for PMU data. This application is intended to increase visualization of power system events, as well as for protection and control, including verification of relay operation to detect any misoperations. This paper uses data from field as well as from simulation to test a large variety of features using two well-known classifiers on a common dataset to find the most suitable features for disturbance data recorded by PMUs. The approach also uses data from only one PMU instead of data from multiple PMUs used by researchers so far, thus significantly reducing the data to be processed. It is shown that simple observation-based features capturing shape and statistics of disturbance waveforms work better than some well-known features derived from domain transformations. Classification accuracy and speed achieved with these features are shown to be satisfactory and suitable for the intended applications.
Schizencephaly and Cytomegalovirus Infection

Two cases of schizencephaly associated with cytomegalovirus (CMV) infection are reported from the University La Sapienza, Rome, and Dibit Scientific Institute, Milan, Italy.
The science of sex and gender in human health: online courses to create a foundation for sex and gender accountability in biomedical research and treatment.

Sex and gender differences play a significant role in the course and outcome of conditions that affect specific organ systems in the human body. Research on differences in the effects of medical intervention has helped scientists develop a number of sex- and gender-specific guidelines on the treatment and management of these conditions. An online series of courses, “The Science of Sex and Gender in Human Health,” developed by the National Institutes of Health Office of Research on Women’s Health and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration Office of Women’s Health, examines sex and gender differences and their implications. Thus far, three online courses have been generated. The first course offers an overview of the scientific and biological basis for sex- and gender-related differences. The second course is focused on disease-specific sex and gender differences in health and behavior and their implications. Finally, the third course covers the influence of sex and gender on disease manifestation, treatment, and outcome. Data were obtained using website analytics and post-course surveys. To date, over 1000 individuals have completed at least one course. Additionally, 600 users have received continuing education credit for completing a course in the series. Finally, the majority of respondents to the online course survey have indicated that the courses considerably enhanced their professional effectiveness. “The Science of Sex and Gender in Human Health” online courses are freely available sources of information that provide healthcare providers and researchers with the resources to successfully account for sex and gender in their medical practice and research programs.
Babes in Arms

The umbilicus of the 1990s is hardly severed, yet the neonate cries out the message of fresh and vigorous surface-to-surface contacts between the great powers. The American president is no longer seen as a “missile-toting cowboy”; he is now “kind Uncle Sam” in Mr. Gorbachev’s eyes. Last Christmas, kids dragged their parents to Bloomingdale’s or the U.N. to catch a glimpse of the supreme Soviet. In the fairy-tale world of newscasting, the unprecedented traffic snarl-ups resulting from his visit were affectionately dubbed “Gorbilock.” This Christmas, Eastern Europe seems to be blossoming early while Lithuania prepares for self-emancipation. Even Castro confronts voluble demands for reform.
Teaching Empathy and Ethical Decision Making in Business Schools

Researchers in behavioral ethics seek to understand how individuals respond to the ethical dilemmas in their lives. In any given situation, multiple social and psychological variables interact to i...
N-Length and Number of Different N-Lengths as Determinants of Resistance to Extinction in Human Choice Behavior

2 experiments investigating the effect of different acquisition schedules on resistance to extinction in human choice behavior are reported. Both were factorial studies in which Ss received 1, 2, and 3 nonreward trials or 3 nonreward trials before each rewarded trial, and either 24 or 60 acquisition trials. A 20-trial extinction phase followed acquisition training for all Ss, and in both studies results were virtually identical. Extinction data indicated no difference between the groups following 60 acquisition trials. However, groups receiving 1, 2, or 3 nonrewards before each rewarded acquisition trial showed decreased resistance to extinction following 24 acquisition trials. The results are interpreted as supporting Capaldi’s sequential hypothesis.