cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Harnessing the Ubiquitination Machinery to Target the Degradation of Specific Cellular Proteins

The functional characterization of a specific gene, or its protein product, often relies on assessing the consequences of its elimination, usually accomplished by gene knockout, ribozyme, antisense, or RNA-mediated interference (RNAi) technologies. The selective degradation of cellular proteins is mediated primarily by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway. Manipulation of the ubiquitin-dependent proteolytic machinery to eliminate specific gene products at the protein level has been previously attempted with some success in vitro; however, the in vivo efficacy of this approach has not yet been achieved. Here we report successful engineering of the substrate receptor of a major ubiquitin-proteolytic machinery to direct the degradation of otherwise stable cellular proteins both in yeast and in mammalian cells.
High field specific heat and susceptibility measurements on single crystal CeCu6

Abstract Measurements of the specific heat, C , for 2 K T H ⩽23 T and the ac susceptibility, x , for 0.13 K T H ⩽12 T on single crystals of CeCu 6 are presented. The field was aligned along the c -axis where the crystal field does not dominate the magnetic response. This work was motivated by a model prediction that C/T and x at low temperatures should both be proportional to the density of states at the energy μ H . It was found that the model correctly predicts the magnetic field decrease of C/T at low temperatures and that C/T at T = 3 K , H = 23 T is reduced to 0.254J/(mol K 2 ). The measured magnetic field dependence of C/T and x are found to be approximately the same.
A history of corticosterone exposure regulates fear extinction and cortical NR2B, GluR2/3, and BDNF.

A history of exposure to stressors may be a predisposing factor for developing posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) after trauma. Extinction of conditioned fear appears to be impaired in PTSD, but the consequences of prior stress or excess glucocorticoid exposure for extinction learning are not known. We report that prior chronic exposure to the stress hormone, corticosterone (CORT), decreases endogenous CORT secretion upon context reexposure and impairs extinction after contextual fear conditioning in rats, while leaving fear memory acquisition and expression intact. Posttraining administration of the glucocorticoid receptor (GR) antagonist, RU38486, partially mimicked prior CORT exposure effects on freezing during fear extinction training. Extinction of conditioned fear is an active learning process thought to involve glutamatergic targets—including specific NMDA and AMPA receptor subunits—in the ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), which includes the prelimbic, infralimbic, and medial orbitofrontal cortices. After CORT exposure, decreases in the NMDA receptor NR2B subunit and AMPA receptor subunits, GluR2/3, as well as brain-derived neurotrophic factor, were detected in cortical regions, but not dorsal hippocampus (CA1). Receptor subunit expression levels in the vmPFC correlated with freezing during training. In addition, prior CORT selectively decreased sucrose preference, consistent with established models of anhedonia and with blunted affect in PTSD. Together, these data suggest a cellular mechanism by which chronically elevated glucocorticoid exposure—as may be experienced during repeated exposure to stressors—interferes with the neural systems that modulate behavioral flexibility and may thereby contribute to psychopathological fear states.
Classical transport in nonaxisymmetric toroidal magnetic confinement geometries

A numerical implementation of the alternating dimension algorithm for Tokamaks with ripple is presented. An explicit (Euler) method is used for the convective-diffusive system. The 1-D calculation is periodically interrupted for a new (3-D) equilibrium calculation. The transport system requires a small number of 'quasi-geometrical' coefficients obtained through the Bauer-Betancourt-Garabedian code (1978). Results are presented for the Braginskii classical transport model for the evolution of a high beta elongated Tokamak with high field ripple over the resistive skin time. The model is extended by adding the ripple-plateau coefficient for thermal diffusitivity which couples the field ripple with enhanced loss at high temperature. Preliminary results are presented for the ATE torsatron searching for the pressure and rotational transform evolution to an external current source.
The solvent effect in chemical equilibria of high-pressure, gas-phase reactions

Abstract The equilibrium yields of three, high-pressure, gas-phase reactions were calculated using the virial equation of state, the modified equation of Redlich, and the Lewis fugacity rule. The results obtained do not differ very much from one another. However, when the calculations are performed for the case where the reactions proceed in the presence of a (chemically) inert gaseous solvent, the yields computed by the equations of state are very much different from those calculated by the Lewis rule. If a suitable gaseous solvent is used, the equilibrium yield can be significantly increased over that obtained in the absence of any solvent.
Managing Two Fits of Strategic Human Resource Management

A model for developing and implementing human resource management strategies incorporating both an external fit (human resource management fits the developmental stage of the organization) and an internal fit (the components of human resource management complement and support each other) is proposed. Human resource management is seen as having five developmental stages and six strategic components. These are combined to form the Human Resource Strategic Matrix. The implications of these ideas for research and practice are discussed.
Pulmonary granulomas induced by BCG

BCG administered by the multiple-puncture technique has been used in a prospective, randomized study of the adjuvant treatment of patients with osteogenic sarcoma. Pulmonary granulomas were found in the lungs of four of five patients receiving BCG, that underwent thoracotomy for the diagnosis of pulmonary nodules within three weeks of the last BCG injection. Except for a single, foreign-body granuloma no pulmonary granulomas were seen in seven randomized patients who did not receive BCG. In addition, two patients receiving BCG had evidence of granulomas in bone marrow and in a mediastinal lymph node. BCG administered by the multiple-puncture technique is capable of causing granulomas at sites distant from that of the BCG application. BCG can cause pulmonary granulomas and these granulomas may be confused with pulmonary metastatic disease.
Factors Controlling Nitrification in Soils of Early Successional and Oak/Hickory Forests in the Southern Appalachians

Abstract Factors regulating nitrification were examined in three forests of contrasting nitrifying activity in the southern Appalachians of North Carolina, U.S.A. NH4N availability was the main factor regulating nitrification in pine/mixed-hardwood and black locust (Robinia pseudo-acacia L.)-dominated early successional forests. Litter leachate solutions from black locust had high concentrations of N and other nutrients, but their influence upon nitrification as estimated in laboratory-amended soil incubations was relatively small. In a mature oak/hickory forest, nitrification was not stimulated by NH4N amendments, nor by amendments of black-locust litter leachate solutions. Amendments with CaCO3 and CaCl2 stimulated ammonification but did not stimulate nitrification in the soils of this forest. Laboratory incubations of soils amended with oak/hickory live leaves, litter, and forest-floor extracts suggested a possible inhibitory action on nitrification from oak leaves. Low nitrification was also found in glucose-amended laboratory incubations of black-locust soils, suggesting that an increase of the C:N ratio of the soil following amendment with extracts could be responsible for low nitrification rates.
Automatic measurement of syntactic complexity in child language acquisition

We describe a heuristics-based system for automatic measurement of syntactic complexity using the revised Developmental Level (D-Level) scale (Rosenberg & Abbeduto 1987; Covington et al. 2006). The system takes a raw sentence as input and assigns it to an appropriate developmental level on the scale. The system is designed with child language acquisition and psycholinguistic research in mind, and is therefore developed and evaluated using both written data from the Penn Treebank (Marcus et al. 1993) and spoken child language acquisition data from the CHILDES database (MacWhinney 2000). Experiment results show that the model achieves an accuracy of 94.0% and 93.2% on unseen test data from the Penn Treebank and the CHILDES database respectively. We illustrate how the system is used in an example application to investigate the correlation of average D-Level score and speaker age.
Optimization of crystalline tungsten oxide nanoparticles for improved electrochromic applications

The high-density synthesis of crystalline tungsten oxide nanoparticles employing hot-wire chemical vapor deposition (HWCVD) and enhancement in electrochromic (EC) performance by incorporating these nanoparticles into porous films has been previously reported. Here varying the oxygen concentration during the HWCVD synthesis of these crystalline tungsten oxide (WOx) nanoparticles is examined in order to better understand the mechanism for the improvement in the EC films. Transmission electron microscopy, Raman spectroscopy, X-ray and electron diffraction are used to determine the particle sizes and crystalline phases of the as-synthesized nanostructures. Nanoparticle films are made employing an electrophoresis deposition technique. Cyclic voltammetry of the nanostructured films show higher charge insertion capacities for the nanoparticles synthesized at comparatively lower oxygen concentrations. Consistent with the electrochemical measurements, optical measurements also indicate a higher coloration efficiency (CE) value of ∼42 cm 2 /C for a nanostructured film made using nanoparticles synthesized at lower oxygen concentration (5%) as compared to the CE value of ∼24 cm 2 /C for a nanostructured film made using nanoparticles synthesized at higher oxygen concentrations (16%). The CE value of the former is comparable to state-of-the-art amorphous films with the crystalline nanostructures exhibiting significantly improved durability over amorphous films. Notably, the nanoparticle films have been shown to be stable for 3000 cycles in an acidic electrolyte where the amorphous films degrade after only 500 cycles. The optimized EC functional improvements are attributed to a sub-stoichiometric (oxygen deficient) state of WO3. © 2007 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.
Doubt Begets Doubt: Causal Uncertainty as a Predictor of Relational Uncertainty in Romantic Relationships

The current study explored whether causal uncertainty (CU), or doubts about one's ability to understand causes of social events, predicts relational uncertainty (RU) and, in turn, negative relational outcomes in romantic relationships. Seventy-nine couples completed measures of RU, perceived relationship quality, CU, depression, and attachment style. As predicted, higher levels of CU were associated with more partner and relationship uncertainty, and lower relationship quality, even when controlling for depression and attachment. Mediational analyses further demonstrated that causally uncertain participants’ negative perceptions of relationship quality stemmed primarily from doubts about their partner's involvement in the relationship.
The 2008 Indigenous and Popular Minga in Colombia: Civil Resistance and Alternative Communication Practices

The word minga comes from the indigenous Quechua language of the Andean region, and refers to a collective work effort whereby everybody in the community commits all their resources and time to ach...
Heart and T-Lymphocyte Cell Surfaces Both Exhibit Positive Cooperativity in Binding a Membrane-Lytic Toxin

Cobra venom cytotoxins (CTX) have been shown to disrupt cells as different as immunocytes, skeletal myocytes, erythrocytes and tumor cells. Nevertheless, even subpopulations of tumor cells are differentially susceptible to CTX by an order of magnitude. In the present study, our objective was to compare CTX-specific binding with cytolytic potency for two disparate cell types in vitro. We investigated the lytic activity of cytotoxin-III from Naja naja atra (NNA, fraction D) using heart cells and human leukemic T-cells (CEM cells). For both cell types, 50% cytolysis, assessed by tetrazolium dye conversion, occurred with μm concentrations of toxin (EC50= 2.2 μm). We examined the binding of radiolabeled CTX III to both heart cells and CEM cells and found the apparent dissociation constant (KDapp) to be 0.69 μm and 0.75 μm, for CEM and heart cells respectively. The Bmax for the CEM cells was 1.0 fmoles/cell and that for heart cells was 5.2 fmoles/cell, both exhibiting positive cooperativity between the sites (Hill coefficients 1.4, T-cells; 1.6, heart). Relatively modest dissociation constants plus high numbers of binding sites per cell are consistent with a model of CTX binding to plasma membranes by interaction with phospholipids in the bilayer. Our results suggest that the lytic activity of this cytotoxin follows its binding to a population of sites on the cells in a cooperative fashion.
Radiative Heating Rates for Saharan Dust

Abstract A combined longwave and shortwave radiative transfer model was used to determine effects of Saharan dust on the radiative fluxes and heating/cooling rates in the atmosphere. Cases are treated for cloud-free and overcast conditions over the ocean and for cloud-free sky over desert. A benchmark comparison, made for the cloud-free ocean case between our calculations and those from Wiscombe’s detailed model, yielded results which were in close agreement. For moderately heavy dust amounts commonly measured over the Sahara and the eastern tropical Atlantic Ocean, typical calculated aerosol heating rates for the combined longwave and shortwave spectrum were in excess of 1 K day−1 for all three cases for most of the atmosphere beneath the top of the dust layer (500 mb). For the ocean case, maximum heating rates are found near the level of maximum concentration (700 mb), and also near the surface beneath the Saharan air layer (below 900 mb). Net fluxes determined at the top of the atmosphere for the ocean...
The cobra complement system: I. The alternative pathway of activation

The complement system of the cobra snake is of particular interest because cobra venom contains cobra venom factor (CVF), a protein that is related to C3 and forms a stable C3 convertase with mammalian Factor B. We investigated the alternative pathway of cobra complement. Cobra plasma lysed erythrocytes in presence of Mg-EGTA of some mammalian species, but not cobra erythrocytes. The hemolytic activity was inhibited by EDTA and destroyed by heating. Preincubation of cobra plasma with alternative pathway activators (zymosan, inulin, lipopolysaccharide), with small nucleophiles (methylamine, hydrazine), or with chaotropes (KSCN) abrogated the hemolytic activity. The activity of cobra plasma was not affected by CVF. Cobra plasma also lysed EAC1423 cells in presence of EDTA but not EAC142 cells (prepared with sheep erythrocytes, rabbit antibody, and human complement proteins) indicating the presence of C5 in cobra plasma that is susceptible to activation by the human C5 convertase. These results indicate that the cobra has a complement system with an alternative pathway very similar to mammalian complement.
Laterally Ordered Bulk Heterojunction of Conjugated Polymers: Nanoskiving a Jelly Roll

This paper describes the fabrication of a nanostructured heterojunction of two conjugated polymers by a three-step process: i) spin-coating a multilayered film of the two polymers, ii) rolling the film into a cylinder (a ‘‘jelly roll’’) and iii) sectioning the film perpendicular to the axis of the roll with an ultramicrotome (nanoskiving). The conjugated polymers are poly(benzimidazobenzophenanthroline ladder) (BBL, n-type) and poly(2-methoxy-5-(2'-ethylhexyloxy)-1,4-phenylenevinylene) (MEH-PPV, p-type). The procedure produces sections with an interdigitated junction of the two polymers. The spacing between the phases is determined by spin-coating (~15 nm to 100 nm) and the thickness of each section is determined by the ultramicrotome (100 to 1000 nm). The minimum width of the MEH-PPV layers accessible with this technique (~15 nm) is close to reported exciton diffusion lengths for the polymer. When placed in a junction between two electrodes with asymmetric work functions (tin-doped indium oxide (ITO) coated with poly(3,4-ethylenedioxythiophene:poly(styrenesulfonate) (PEDOT:PSS), and eutectic gallium-indium, EGaIn) the heterostructures exhibit a photovoltaic response under white light, although the efficiency of conversion of optical to electrical energy is low. Selective excitation of BBL with red light confirms that the photovoltaic effect is the result of photoinduced charge transfer between BBL and MEH-PPV.
Broadband access development

In upgrading the access network to be broadband capable, re- use of existing infrastructure is essential to manage the risk associated with this development. FTTCab (fiber to the cabinet) has been proposed as an architecture that can make this development economic to provide 12 Mbit/s to the customer and 2 Mbit/s back into the network. The FTTCab architecture uses an optical fiber overlay to an active node sited at the primary cross-connect point (PCP) in the copper access network. Frequency multiplexing allows the copper pair infrastructure to be re-used without changing the existing narrowband services. FTTCab is at the mid-point of a range of access topologies with respect to the siting of the DSL (digital subscriber loop) technology. The DSL modem can be sited at the home, curb, cabinet, or in the exchange to suit a range of distance/capacity requirements. This enables a simple revolution of the current network to FTTCab, and allows the architecture to be flexed to satisfy particular business needs.
Endocrine Diseases of Rodents

The frequency of documented endocrine diseases in rodents and other small mammals varies considerably among the species maintained as pets, biomedical research animals, or display animals in zoos. The clinical diagnosis of endocrine diseases almost never occurs in free-ranging animals in their native habitat. Feral animals that have clinical endocrine disease, such as neoplasia, adrenal cortical hyperplasia, or diabetes, would exhibit clinical signs of altered behavior that would result in their removal by predators. The diagnosis of endocrine disease thus takes place in the relatively protective environment of captivity. This observation should forewarn pet owners and clinicians caring for these animals that the environment contributes to the development of endocrine diseases in these animals.
Cloud fraction errors for trade wind cumuli from EOS-Terra instruments

[1] Errors in the standard cloud fraction products produced by the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) and the Multi-angle Imaging SpectroRadiometer (MISR) on EOS-Terra were examined using 15 m resolution data from the Advanced Spaceborne Thermal Emission and Reflection Radiometer (ASTER). Relative to 124 ASTER scenes containing only trade wind cumuli and having an average cloud fraction of 0.08, MODIS and MISR overestimated cloud fraction by 0.18 and 0.36, respectively. For non-sunglint scenes, MODIS and MISR overestimated cloud fractions by 0.02 and 0.24, respectively. Systematic dependences in the MODIS and MISR cloud fractions with ASTER cloud fraction were observed. Large RMS errors in MODIS and MISR cloud fractions were observed because of variations in the spatial distribution of clouds, suggesting it may be difficult to decouple long-term changes in cloud fraction from satellites from true changes in the spatial distribution of clouds.
Sol-Gel Processing of Lithium Niobate Thin-Layers on Silicon

Sol-gel processing was used for the fabrication of LiNbO 3 thin-layers on semiconductors. Two different alkoxide systems were investigated (i.e., ethoxide vs. methoxyethoxide) to determine the role of solution chemistry on the evolution of structure in LiNbO 3 layers. An alcohol exchange reaction, which produced lithium niobium methoxyethoxide, proved advantageous with respect to the amount of hydrolysis water content which could be added to give stable solutions. Spin-casting was used for the deposition of thin-layers which crystallized at 500 C on Si. The refractive index of sol-gel derived LiNbO 3 was determined to be similar to sputtered or epitaxially grown films. Data are reported for the processing route and the material characteristics. Methoxyethanol based systems appeared to be more forgiving than ethanol based solutions for the fabrication of high-quality thin-layer devices.
Correlations in umbilical blood flow Doppler velocities in the human fetus during breathing.

We hypothesized that changes in intrathoracic pressure during fetal breathing episodes result in quantifiable variations in umbilical arterial and venous blood flow velocities, and that these variations are related to compliance properties of each system. We further hypothesized that these variations in velocities are different in fetuses with normal and abnormal umbilical arterial Doppler velocities. Umbilical arterial and venous Doppler velocities were measured simultaneously during breathing episodes in 15 normal fetuses and 14 fetuses with elevated systolic-to-diastolic (S/D) umbilical arterial Doppler velocity ratios. Umbilical arterial end-diastolic velocity changes were less than umbilical venous velocity changes in normal fetuses, but were significantly greater in four fetuses with elevated S/D ratios (p < 0.004). Furthermore, umbilical arterial diastolic velocity minima preceded umbilical venous velocity minima by a time lag that was greater in fetuses with elevated S/D ratios (p < 0.002). These results suggest that differences in umbilical arterial and venous velocity variation during fetal breathing episodes may be related in part to vascular compliance, which may be altered in fetuses with abnormal umbilical arterial Doppler velocity. Copyright © 1994 International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology
A new technique for solving pursuit-evasion differential games

A new method for finding the capture region and its internal structure is presented for a class of pursuit-evasion problems. In this technique, the optimal behavior is found for the two vehicles acting independently and then combined geometrically. The method is illustrated for the Problem of Two Cars.
Genetically mediated Nf1 loss in mice promotes diverse radiation-induced tumors modeling second malignant neoplasms

Second malignant neoplasms (SMN) are therapy-induced malignancies and a growing problem in cancer survivors, particularly survivors of childhood cancers. The lack of experimental models of SMNs has limited understanding of their pathogenesis. It is currently not possible to predict or prevent this devastating late complication. Individuals with neurofibromatosis I (NF1) are at increased risk of developing therapy-induced cancers for unclear reasons. To model SMNs, we replicated clinical radiotherapy and delivered fractionated abdominal irradiation to Nf1(+/-) and wild-type mice. Similar to irradiated cancer survivors, irradiated wild-type and Nf1(+/-) mice developed diverse in-field malignancies. In Nf1(+/-) mice, fractionated irradiation promoted both classical NF1-associated malignancies and malignancies unassociated with the NF1 syndrome but typical of SMNs. Nf1 heterozygosity potentiated the mutagenic effects of irradiation, as evidenced by the significantly reduced survival after irradiation and tumor development that was often characterized by synchronous primary tumors. Interestingly, diverse radiation-induced tumors arising in wild-type and Nf1(+/-) mice shared a genetic signature characterized by monoallelic loss of Nf1 and the adjacent Trp53 allele. These findings implicate Nf1 loss as mediating tumorigenesis in a broad range of cell types and organs extending beyond the classical NF1 tumor histologies. Examining clinical SMN samples, we found LOH of NF1 in SMNs from non-NF1 patients. Nf1 heterozygosity confers broad susceptibility to genotoxin-induced tumorigenesis, and this paradigm serves as an experimental platform for future studies of SMNs.
Semi-parametric Exponential Family PCA

We present a semi-parametric latent variable model based technique for density modelling, dimensionality reduction and visualization. Unlike previous methods, we estimate the latent distribution non-parametrically which enables us to model data generated by an underlying low dimensional, multimodal distribution. In addition, we allow the components of latent variable models to be drawn from the exponential family which makes the method suitable for special data types, for example binary or count data. Simulations on real valued, binary and count data show favorable comparison to other related schemes both in terms of separating different populations and generalization to unseen samples.
Centaur: locating devices in an office environment

We consider the problem of locating devices such as laptops, desktops, smartphones etc. within an office environment, without requiring any special hardware or infrastructure. We consider two widely-studied approaches to indoor localization: (a) those based on Radio Frequency (RF) measurements made by devices with WiFi or cellular interfaces, and (b) those based on Acoustic Ranging (AR) measurements made by devices equipped with a speaker and a microphone. A typical office environment today comprises devices that are amenable to either one or both these approaches to localization. In this paper we ask the question, "How can we combine RF and AR based approaches in synergy to locate a wide range of devices, leveraging the benefits of both approaches?" The key contribution of this paper is Centaur, a system that fuses RF and AR based localization techniques into a single systematic framework that is based on Bayesian inference. Centaur is agnostic to the specific RF or AR technique used, giving users the flexibility of choosing their preferred RF or AR schemes. We also make two additional contributions: making AR more robust in non-line-of-sight settings (EchoBeep) and adapting AR to localize speaker-only devices (DeafBeep). We evaluate the performance of our AR enhancements and that of the Centaur framework through microbenchmarks and deployment in an office environment.
Toeplitz-Hankel decomposition for direction of arrival estimation using transient signals

A method is described which can improve the direction-of-arrival estimation when the signal is nonstationary but of a known form. This is the case, e.g. in an active sonar system, when a known waveform is transmitted and the reflections are measured by an array of hydrophones. It is shown that for a class of signals, the knowledge about the signal can be used to improve the resolution in azimuth estimation. >
The table look-up rule

The table look-up rule problem can be described by the question: what is a good way for the table to represent the decision regions in the N-dimensional measurement space. This paper describes a quickly implementable table look-up rule based on Ashby’s representation of sets in his constraint analysis. A decision region for category c in the N-dimensional measurement space is considered to be the intersection of the inverse projections of the decision regions determined for category c by Bayes rules in smaller dimensional projection spaces. Error bounds for this composite decision rule are derived: any entry in the confusion matrix for the composite decision rule is bounded above by the minimum of that entry taken over all the confusion matrices of the Bayes decision rules in the smaller dimensional projection spaces. On simulated Gaussian Data, probability of error with the table look-up rule is comparable to the optimum Bayes rule.
Signaling and Cross-talk by C5a and UDP in Macrophages Selectively Use PLCβ3 to Regulate Intracellular Free Calcium

Studies in fibroblasts, neurons, and platelets have demonstrated the integration of signals from different G protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs) in raising intracellular free Ca2+. To study signal integration in macrophages, we screened RAW264.7 cells and bone marrow-derived macrophages (BMDM) for their Ca2+ response to GPCR ligands. We found a synergistic response to complement component 5a (C5a) in combination with uridine 5′-diphosphate (UDP), platelet activating factor (PAF), or lysophosphatidic acid (LPA). The C5a response was Gαi-dependent, whereas the UDP, PAF, and LPA responses were Gαq-dependent. Synergy between C5a and UDP, mediated by the C5a and P2Y6 receptors, required dual receptor occupancy, and affected the initial release of Ca2+ from intracellular stores as well as sustained Ca2+ levels. C5a and UDP synergized in generating inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, suggesting synergy in activating phospholipase C (PLC) β. Macrophages expressed transcripts for three PLCβ isoforms (PLCβ2, PLCβ3, and PLCβ4), but GPCR ligands selectively used these isoforms in Ca2+ signaling. C5a predominantly used PLCβ3, whereas UDP used PLCβ3 but also PLCβ4. Neither ligand required PLCβ2. Synergy between C5a and UDP likewise depended primarily on PLCβ3. Importantly, the Ca2+ signaling deficiency observed in PLCβ3-deficient BMDM was reversed by re-constitution with PLCβ3. Neither phosphatidylinositol (PI) 3-kinase nor protein kinase C was required for synergy. In contrast to Ca2+, PI 3-kinase activation by C5a was inhibited by UDP, as was macropinocytosis, which depends on PI 3-kinase. PLCβ3 may thus provide a selective target for inhibiting Ca2+ responses to mediators of inflammation, including C5a, UDP, PAF, and LPA.
Irrelevant conjunction and the ratio measure or historical skepticism

It is widely believed that one should not become more confident that _all swans are white and all lions are brave_ simply by observing white swans. Irrelevant conjunction or "tacking" of a theory onto another is often thought problematic for Bayesianism, especially given the ratio measure of confirmation considered here. It is recalled that the irrelevant conjunct is not confirmed at all. Using the ratio measure, the irrelevant conjunction is confirmed to the same degree as the relevant conjunct, which, it is argued, is ideal: the irrelevant conjunct is irrelevant. Because the past's really having been as it now appears to have been is an irrelevant conjunct, present evidence confirms theories about past events only insofar as irrelevant conjunctions are confirmed. Hence the ideal of not confirming irrelevant conjunctions would imply that historical claims are not confirmed. Confirmation measures partially realizing that ideal make the confirmation of historical claims by present evidence depend strongly on the (presumably subjective) degree of belief in the irrelevant conjunct. The unusually good behavior of the ratio measure has a bearing on the problem of measure sensitivity. For non-statistical hypotheses, Bayes' theorem yields a fractional linear transformation in the prior probability, not a linear rescaling, so even the ratio measure arguably does not aptly measure confirmation in such cases.
Multicenter Randomized Prospective Trial Comparing a Pre-cuffed Polytetrafluoroethylene Graft to a Vein Cuffed Polytetrafluoroethylene Graft for Infragenicular Arterial Bypass

Poor patency of synthetic grafts for infragenicular revascularization has led to use of distal vein patches or cuffs. The aim of this study was to compare the distally widened Distaflo PTFE graft, which mimics a vein cuff, with a PTFE graft with distal vein modification. In this prospective, randomized, multicenter trial we compared use of a precuffed PTFE graft wit that of PTFE grafts with distal vein modification for infragenicular revascularization in patients with critical limb ischemia without saphenous vein. Study end points were primary and secondary patency and limb salvage rates at 2 years. From January 28,1999 to November 1, 2000, 104 patients were enrolled in 10 North American centers. Thirteen were excluded for protocol violation. Ninety-one bypasses were performed in 89 patients with a mean age of 73 years (range 47-90). By randomization, 47 bypasses were done with the precuffed graft and 44 with PTFE graft with vein cuff. Both groups were comparable for comorbidities and operative variables, except for a higher incidence of acute ischemia in the precuffed group (19% vs. 4.5%, p = 0.03). Bypass was a redo procedure in 53% and was performed at the infrapopliteal vessels in 79%. Operative mortality was 2.2% (2/91). Mean follow-up was 14 months (range 1-30). At 1 and 2 years, primary patency was 52% and 49% for the precuffed group and 62% and 44% for the vein cuffed group, respectively (p = 0.53). At 1 year and 2 years, the limb salvage rate was 72% and 65% for the precuffed group and 75% and 62% in the vein cuffed group (p = 0.88). Although numbers are small and follow-up short, this midterm analysis shows similar results for the Distaflo precuffed grafts and PTFE grafts with vein cuff. A precuffed graft is a reasonable alternative conduit for infragenicular reconstruction in the absence of saphenous vein and provides favorable limb salvage.
Scaling neural network for job-shop scheduling

The authors present a novel analog computational network for solving NP-complete constraint-satisfaction problems, i.e. job-shop scheduling. In contrast to most neural approaches to combinatorial optimization based on quadratic energy cost functions, the authors propose to use linear cost functions. As a result, the network complexity (number of neurons and the number of resistive interconnections) grows only linearly with problem size, and large-scale implementations become possible. It is shown how to map a job-shop scheduling problem onto a simple neural net, where the number of neural processors equals the number of subjobs (operations) and the number of interconnections grows linearly with the total number of operations. Simulations show that the proposed approach produces better solutions than the traveling-salesman-problem-type Hopfield approach and the integer linear programming approach of Y.P. Foo and Y. Takefuji (1988) in terms of the quality of the solution and the network complexity
Proof of zeta-function regularization of high-temperature expansions

Abstract The high-temperature expansion of many field theoretic quantities leads to double (or triple) infinite series. These series are completely convergent (i.e. finite). In order to collect together common powers of temperature one would like to interchange the order of thessummations, but such an interchange produces a divergent series (formally a zeta function for a negative argument). This paper proves some theorems that allow one to express the (finite) result as a power series in temperature.
Analysis and Design of High Efficiency Matching Networks

This letter presents analysis and design considerations for lumped (inductor and capacitor) matching networks operating at high efficiency (>95%). Formulas for calculating matching network efficiency are given, and it is shown that efficiency can be expressed as a function of inductor quality factor QL, capacitor quality factor QC , and transformation ratio. These formulas are used to evaluate the optimum number of L-section matching stages as a function of conversion ratio. Both simulation and experimental results are presented that validate the analytical formulation
Telomere Protection by TPP1 Is Mediated by POT1a and POT1b

Mammalian telomeres are protected by the shelterin complex, which contains single-stranded telomeric DNA binding proteins (POT1a and POT1b in rodents, POT1 in other mammals). Mouse POT1a prevents the activation of the ATR kinase and contributes to the repression of the nonhomologous end-joining pathway (NHEJ) at newly replicated telomeres. POT1b represses unscheduled resection of the 5'-ended telomeric DNA strand, resulting in long 3' overhangs in POT1b KO cells. Both POT1 proteins bind TPP1, forming heterodimers that bind to other proteins in shelterin. Short hairpin RNA (shRNA)-mediated depletion had previously demonstrated that TPP1 contributes to the normal function of POT1a and POT1b. However, these experiments did not establish whether TPP1 has additional functions in shelterin. Here we report on the phenotypes of the conditional deletion of TPP1 from mouse embryo fibroblasts. TPP1 deletion resulted in the release of POT1a and POT1b from chromatin and loss of these proteins from telomeres, indicating that TPP1 is required for the telomere association of POT1a and POT1b but not for their stability. The telomere dysfunction phenotypes associated with deletion of TPP1 were identical to those of POT1a/POT1b DKO cells. No additional telomere dysfunction phenotypes were observed, establishing that the main role of TPP1 is to allow POT1a and POT1b to protect chromosome ends.
Service characteristics’ impact on key service quality relationships: a meta-analysis

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to provide a comprehensive examination of the nuances of service quality (SQ) relationships using meta-analytic techniques. Design/methodology/approach – The data set comprises 108 empirical studies with 222 independent samples. The authors use a multivariate generalized least squares approach to examining the impact of key moderators on SQ relationships. Findings – This research confirms previously established relationships between SQ and its correlates and contributes to the understanding of the dynamics of those relationships by providing empirical evidence that SQ is context-dependent. This research shows that a service’s level of inseparability, customization, standardization and technical complexity impacts key SQ relationships. Research limitations/implications – This research finds that SQ is context-dependent. The antecedents examined were more significant for transactional exchanges, while the consequences of SQ were stronger for relational exchanges. Futur...
Molecular, behavioral, and performance responses of juvenile largemouth bass acclimated to an elevated carbon dioxide environment

Aquatic hypercarbia, either naturally occurring or anthropogenically induced, can have extensive impacts on aquatic environments and resident organisms. While the impact of acute hypercarbia exposure on the behavior and physiology of fishes has been well studied, relatively little work has examined the physiological impact and acclimation capacity of fishes to chronic hypercarbia. To better understand the impacts of prolonged hypercarbia exposure, largemouth bass were held at ambient CO2 (13 mg L−1) and elevated CO2 (31 mg L−1; ≈21,000 µatm) for 58 days. Following this acclimation period, fish were subjected to three separate, yet complementary, experiments: (1) acute hypercarbia challenge of 120 mg L−1 CO2 for 1 h to quantify physiological and molecular responses; (2) hypercarbia avoidance challenge to compare CO2 agitation and avoidance responses; and (3) swim performance challenge to quantify burst swimming performance. Acclimation to 31 mg L−1 CO2 resulted in a significant constitutive upregulation of c-fos expression in erythrocytes, combined with significant constitutive expression of hsp70 in both gill and erythrocytes, relative to controls. Largemouth bass acclimated to elevated CO2 also had a reduced glucose response (relative to controls) following an acute CO2 exposure, indicating a reduced stress response to CO2 stressors. In addition, largemouth bass acclimated to elevated CO2 conditions required 50 % higher CO2 concentrations to illicit agitation behaviors and displayed prolonged burst swimming abilities in high CO2 environments relative to controls. Together, results demonstrate that largemouth bass exposed to chronic hypercarbia may possess a physiological advantage during periods of elevated CO2 relative to naive fish, which may permit increased performance in hypercarbia.
The Bush Administration Was an Ongoing Criminal Conspiracy Under International Law and U.S. Domestic Law

Since the impeachable installation of George W. Bush as President in January of 2001 by the U.S. Supreme Court’s Republican Gang of Five, the peoples of the world witnessed a government in the United States that demonstrated little if any respect for fundamental considerations of international law, human rights, and the United States Constitution. The Kuala Lampur War Crimes Tribunal must reaffirm humanity’s commitment to the Nuremberg Charter, Judgment, and Principles by holding all U.S. and U.K. government officials fully accountable under international law for the commission of such grievous international crimes.
Perspectives of HIV agencies on improving HIV prevention, treatment, and care services in the USA

HIV healthcare services in the USA are made available through a complex funding and delivery system. We present perspectives of HIV agencies on improvements that could lead to an ideal system of HIV prevention, treatment and care. We conducted semi-structured interviews with representatives from 21 HIV agencies offering diverse services in Baltimore, MD. Thematic analysis revealed six key themes: (1) Focusing on HIV prevention, (2) Establishing common entry-points for services, (3) Improving information availability, (4) Streamlining funding streams, (5) Removing competitiveness and (6) Building trust. We recommend that in addition to addressing operational issues regarding service delivery and patient care, initiatives to improve HIV service systems should address underlying social issues such as building trust.
Decentralization and Regional Planning Practical and Ideological Problems

Between 1921 and 1936 planners, landscape architects, business boosters, and automobile and tourism advocates planned for, built, and attempted to institutionalize regional parkways as major recreational and travel arteries for Americans. Prior to this period parkways existed within cities and early suburbs and had roots in early urban reform. Their use as facilitators of suburban development grew in the first part of the 20th century. The period between 1921 and 1936 saw the introduction of the automobile into the countryside and revealed a broader debate over development in the region. Two conflicting visions of regional development characterized this debate — called in this work the “regionalists’” vision and the “metropolitanists’” vision. The debate continues today and is expressed in two ways. One is the debate over metropolitan sprawl, loss of farmland, consumerism, and what constitutes appropriate road planning. The second revolves around the very core of the planning profession: Should planners work to present visions of future social and economic development or should their work accommodate the market and tweak it only when seriously needed?
Reactivity from excited state 4FeO+ + CO sampled through reaction of ground state 4FeCO+ + N2O

The kinetics of the FeCO+ + N2O reaction have been studied at thermal energies (300–600 K) using a variable temperature selected ion flow tube apparatus. Rate constants and product branching fractions are reported. The reaction is modestly inefficient, proceeding with a rate constant of 6.2 × 10−11 cm3 s−1 at 300 K, with a small negative temperature dependence, declining to 4.4 × 10−11 cm3 s−1 at 600 K. Both Fe+ and FeO+ products are observed, with a constant branching ratio of approximately 40:60 at all temperatures. Calculation of the stationary points along the reaction coordinate shows that only the ground state quartet surface is initially sampled resulting in N2 elimination; a submerged barrier along this portion of the surface dictates the magnitude and temperature dependence of the total rate constant. The product branching fractions are determined by the behavior of the remaining 4OFeCO+ fragment, and this behavior is compared to that found in the reaction of FeO+ + CO, which initially forms 6OFe...
Transformative Color Vision

AbstractThrough the years colors have been a mystery to scientists. It was the mystery of color that moved Sir Isaac Newton to study why the brilliancy andformation of color existed. Many color theorists have developed systems to help artists maintain some type of consistency in developing and mixing colors. Three of the most regarded color systems that investigate the conventions for communicating color information are the Goethe. Munsell and Ostwald theories. The Goethe is based on six, Munsell on five, and Ostwald uses eight hues. Although color schemes are key in maintaining consistency, few artists investigate a scientific process before developing their color palette.
Testing Statistical Hypotheses

We explain what a statistical hypothesis is and show how sample data can be used to test it. We distinguish between the null hypothesis and the alternative hypothesis. We explain the significance of rejecting a null hypothesis and of not rejecting it. We introduce the concept of the p value that results from a test.
Facing the Anthropocene: Fossil Capitalism and the Crisis of the Earth System

The Holocene is over. The Anthropocene has begun.That cannot be reversed. The climate changes already under way will last for thousands of years … The question is not whether the Earth System is ch...
Team Approach: Repair and Rehabilitation Following Flexor Tendon Lacerations.

Flexor tendon lacerations are uncommon, with a reported prevalence of 6 per 100,000 acute hand injuries[1][1]. Sterling Bunnell, the founder of hand surgery specialization[2][2], recognized the challenges of flexor tendon repair and recommended against primary flexor tendon repair in what he termed
The Effect of World Trade Center Exposure on the Timing of Diagnoses of Obstructive Airway Disease, Chronic Rhinosinusitis, and Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease

Objectives In a cohort of rescue/recovery workers exposed to the dust that resulted from the collapse of the World Trade Center (WTC), we assessed how a diagnosis of obstructive airways disease (OAD) affected the likelihood of a subsequent diagnosis of chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) or gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). We also assessed whether OAD acted as a mediator of the association between exposure to the WTC rescue/recovery effort and CRS and GERD diagnoses. Methods In this prospective cohort study, we analyzed Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) physician diagnoses of OAD, CRS and GERD that were first documented between September 11, 2001 and September 10, 2011 among 8,968 WTC-exposed firefighters. We used piecewise exponential survival models to evaluate whether OAD was a risk factor for either CRS or GERD and to assess OAD as a possible mediator. Results An OAD diagnosis significantly increased the risks for subsequent CRS (relative rate [RR]: 4.24; 95% CI: 3.78-4.76) and GERD (RR: 3.21; 95% CI: 2.93-3.52) diagnoses. Further, 21% of the WTC exposure effect (high vs. low intensity) on GERD and 13% of the effect (high vs. low intensity) on CRS were mediated by a prior OAD diagnosis. Conclusions Individuals with an OAD diagnosis had elevated risks for subsequent diagnoses of CRS or GERD. Part of the effect of WTC exposure on CRS and GERD diagnoses is mediated by prior diagnoses of OAD; this mediation effect of OAD may reflect biological pathways or healthcare utilization practices.