cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A soluble divalent class I MHC/IgG1 fusion protein activates CD8+ T cells in vivo.

CD8+ T lymphocytes recognize tumor and viral antigens bound to class I major histocompatibility complexes (MHC). Tumors and viruses may evade detection by preventing antigen presentation. The present study was designed to determine whether a soluble divalent fusion protein, containing the extracellular domains of a class I MHC molecule fused to β2-microglobulin and the constant domains of IgG1, could induce an immune response in vivo. Administration to mice of the fusion protein loaded with a tumor peptide induced peptide-specific T cell activation and retarded tumor growth. Administration of the fusion protein loaded with a glycoprotein B (gB) peptide derived from herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) induced gB-specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes and protected mice from a lethal HSV-1 challenge. These data suggest that antigen-loaded MHC/IgG fusion proteins may enhance T cell immunity in conditions where antigen presentation is altered.
Colony social structure in native and invasive populations of the social wasp Vespula pensylvanica

Social insects rank among the most invasive of terrestrial species. The success of invasive social insects stems, in part, from the flexibility derived from their social behaviors. We used genetic markers to investigate if the social system of the invasive wasp, Vespula pensylvanica, differed in its introduced and native habitats in order to better understand variation in social phenotype in invasive social species. We found that (1) nestmate workers showed lower levels of relatedness in introduced populations than native populations, (2) introduced colonies contained workers produced by multiple queens whereas native colonies contained workers produced by only a single queen, (3) queen mate number did not differ significantly between introduced and native colonies, and (4) workers from introduced colonies were frequently produced by queens that originated from foreign nests. Thus, overall, native and introduced colonies differed substantially in social phenotype because introduced colonies more frequently contained workers produced by multiple, foreign queens. In addition, the similarity in levels of genetic variation in introduced and native habitats, as well as observed variation in colony social phenotype in native populations, suggest that colony structure in invasive populations may be partially associated with social plasticity. Overall, the differences in social structure observed in invasive V. pensylvanica parallel those in other, distantly related invasive social insects, suggesting that insect societies often develop similar social phenotypes upon introduction into new habitats.
Contrast echocardiography clarifies uninterpretable wall motion in intensive care unit patients.

OBJECTIVES The study examined the value of contrast echocardiography in the assessment of left ventricular (LV) wall motion in intensive care unit (ICU) patients. BACKGROUND Echocardiograms done in the ICU are often suboptimal. The most common indication is the evaluation of LV wall motion and ejection fraction (EF). METHODS Transthoracic echocardiograms were done in 70 unselected ICU patients. Wall motion was evaluated on standard echocardiography (SE), harmonic echocardiography (HE), and after intravenous (IV) contrast echocardiography (CE) using a score for each of 16 segments. A confidence score was also given for each segment with each technique (unable to judge; not sure; sure). The EF was estimated visually for each technique, and a confidence score was applied to the EF. RESULTS Uninterpretable wall motion was present in 5.4 segments/patient on SE, 4.4 on HE (p = 0.2), and 1.1 on CE (p < 0.0001). An average of 7.8 segments were read with surety on SE, 9.2 on HE (p = 0.1), and 13.7 on CE (p < 0.0001). Ejection fraction was uninterpretable in 23% on SE, 13% on HE (p = 0.14), and 0% on CE (p = 0.002 vs. HE; p < 0.0001 vs. SE). The EF was read with surety in 56% of patients on SE, 62% on HE (p = 0.47), and 91% on CE (p < 0.0001). Thus, wall motion was seen with more confidence on CE. More importantly, the actual readings of segmental wall motion and EF significantly differed using CE. CONCLUSIONS CE should be used in all ICU patients with suboptimal transthoracic echocardiograms.
Analytical modeling of the performance of a distributed multiprocessor system architecture

Abstract DIAS is a distributed, multiprocessor picture information system architecture. It consists of four main cooperating sections (Input-Preprocessing; Planning-Control; Image Analysis; Backend). The performance of the DIAS system is mainly based on the performance of the Image Analysis (IA) section, which is a multiprocessor array structure. Thus, the functional modeling of the Image Analysis section can provide a satisfactory picture of the overall DIAS system function. The analytical model is used to evaluate what parameters are involved in the Image Analysis array structure. The evaluation results are compared and related with the system cost.
To Reform China: Naitō Konan's Formative Years in the Meiji Press

In the early decades of this century, Naitō Konan (1866–1934) became Japan's leading authority on Chinese history and contemporary Chinese affairs. His early education in Kangaku (Chinese studies) had emphasized the Neo-Confucian tradition of jitsugaku or the practical application of learning, a broad trend in Japan then and one subscribed to by Naitō's family. Thus, before his arrival in Tokyo in late 1887, Naitō was already deeply concerned with China. He also possessed a kind of Kangaku assumption that China and Japan were linked culturally, and by extension their contemporary fates before the West were linked. The jitsugaku underpinning to Naitō's thought spurred him to seek out solutions for China's ills (and Japan's) on the basis of his knowledge of the past.
Evaluation of Culture Media for Detecting Airborne Salmonella Enteritidis Collected with an Electrostatic Sampling Device from the Environment of Experimentally Infected Laying Hens

Abstract Detection of Salmonella enteritidis in the environment of commercial laying hens is critical for reducing the production of contaminated eggs by infected flocks. In the present study, an inexpensive and portable electrostatic air sampling device was used to collect S. enteritidis in rooms containing experimentally infected laying hens. After hens were orally inoculated with a phage type 13a S. enteritidis strain and housed in individual cages, air samples were collected 3 times each week with electrostatic devices onto plates of 6 types of culture media (brilliant green agar, modified lysine iron agar, modified semisolid Rappaport-Vassiliadis agar, Rambach agar, XLD agar, and XLT4 agar). Air sampling plates were incubated at 37°C, examined visually for presumptive identification of typical S. enteritidis colonies and then subjected to confirmatory enrichment culturing. Air samples (collected using all 6 culture media) were positive for S. enteritidis for 3 wk postinoculation. Because visual determination of the presence or absence of typical S. enteritidis colonies on air sampling plates was not consistently confirmed by enrichment culturing, the postenrichment results were used for comparing sampling strategies. The frequency of positive air sampling results using brilliant green agar (66.7% overall) was significantly greater than was obtained using most other media. A combination of several plating media (brilliant green agar, modified lysine iron agar, and XLT4 agar) allowed detection of airborne S. enteritidis at an overall frequency of 83.3% over the 3 wk of sampling. When used with appropriate culture media, electrostatic collection of airborne S. enteritidis can provide a sensitive alternative to traditional methods for detecting this pathogen in the environment of laying flocks.
Implications of new data on the heat capacity of tungsten for the powdered cerium magnesium nitrate temperature scale

Abstract The tungsten critical field data obtained by Black, Johnson and Wheatley on the CMN temperature scale are reanalysed, using a new value of γ. The analysis requires Δ ≠ 0 at T ⩽ 4.5 mK, and positive temperature-independent values of Δ are ruled out.
"Greaaaat bargains starting from just 99p!!!! :-)": brand perception in the social media

In this work we discuss the challenges of utilizing social media data, and more specifically microblogs, for helping brand managers. Brand perception is one of the most important tasks of a brand manager, requiring to understand how customers perceive and select brands in specific product categories or market segments. While understanding the brand perception from conventional sources such as reviews and advertisement is well studied and established, gaining insights from social media sources is still an open challenge. In this paper, we present a high-level overview of a novel system that was developed in IBM which aims at extracting brand perception from Twitter. As a proof of concept, we present some preliminary results from the retail domain.
Survival of tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) and Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) seedlings in forests of southwestern Oregon

Survival of tanoak (Lithocarpus densiflorus) and Pacific madrone (Arbutus menziesii) seedlings was studied in order to interpret succession in conifer hardwood forests and to determine ways to suppress establishment of these species. Seed protected from rodents and birds, and unprotected seed was sown in clearcuts and in conifer stands 40 to 200+ years old. Second-year survival rates of tanoak seedlings were high (50–70%) in exposed clearcuts and conifer stands. Seed predators appear to be of prime importance in limiting tanoak establishment. Survival rates of Pacific madrone seedlings on the same sites as the tanoak were low (0–8%), and many factors caused mortality. Seedlings of both species grew slowly; after 3 years, average tanoak height was only 6.0 to 14.0 cm, average madrone height 2.0 to 6.0 cm.
An efficient approach for successively perturbed groundwater models

Global optimization methods such as simulated annealing, genetic algorithms and tabu search are being increasingly used to solve groundwater remediation design and parameter identification problems. While these methods enjoy some unique advantages over traditional gradient based methods, they typically require thousands to tens of thousands of forward simulation runs before reaching optimal or near-optimal solutions. Thus, one severe limitation associated with these global optimization methods is very long computation time. To mitigate this limitation, this paper presents a new approach for obtaining, repeatedly and efficiently, the solutions of a linear forward simulation model subject to successive perturbations. The proposed approach takes advantage of the fact that successive forward simulation runs, as required by a global optimization procedure, usually involve only slight changes in the coefficient matrices of the resultant linear equations. As a result, the new solution to a system of linear equations perturbed by the changes in aquifer properties and/or sinks/sources can be obtained as the sum of a non-perturbed base solution and the solution to the perturbed portion of the linear equations. The computational efficiency of the proposed approach arises from the fact that the perturbed solution can be derived directly without solving the linear equations again. A two-dimensional test problem with 20 by 30 nodes demonstrates that the proposed approach is much more efficient than repeatedly running the simulation model, by more than 15 times after a fixed number of model evaluations. The ratio of speedup increases with the number of model evaluations and also the size of simulation model. The main limitation of the proposed approach is the large amount of computer memory required to store the inverse matrix. Effective ways for limiting the storage requirement are briefly discussed.
Calcium dependence of toxic cell death: a final common pathway

Primary cultures of adult rat hepatocytes were treated in the presence or absence of extracellular calcium with ten different membrane-active toxins. In all cases more than half the cells were killed in 1 to 6 hours in the presence but not in the absence of extracellular calcium. An effect of calcium on the primary mechanism of membrane injury by any of the agents cannot be implicated. Viability, as determined by trypan blue exclusion correlated well with other indices of viability such as plating efficiency and the hydrolysis of fluorescein diacetate. It is concluded that the cells are killed by processes that involve at least two steps. In each type of injury, disruption of the integrity of the plasma membrane by widely differing mechanisms is followed by a common functional consequence involving extracellular calcium, and most likely representing an influx of calcium across the damaged plasma membrane and down a steep concentration gradient. This later step represents, or at least initiates, a final common pathway for the toxic death of these cells.
Proxy access and ownership: does institutional investor type matter?

Does institutional ownership affect firm value when new proxy access rules are proposed? This paper analyses whether the level and composition of institutional investor ownership impacts firm value on days when the US SEC proxy access proposals are announced. Using eventstudy methodology, the paper finds evidence indicating the number of institutional investors with significant corporate ownership has a small positive effect on firm value. When public pension funds are differentiated from other types of institutional investors, results show that public pension funds negatively impact stock value returns, while other types of institutional investors have a positive effect. Results are similar for institutional investors with smaller ownership stakes.
Optimality criteria in structural design.

Abstract : The report is concerned with the derivation of optimality conditions from extremum principles of structural theory, with special emphasis on conditions for global optimality. After a brief introduction (Sect. 1), optimal design of sandwich structures is discussed for a single behavioral constraint (Sect. 2) or multiple constraints (Sect. 3). Structural elements with solid sections are treated in Sect. 4. A three-dimensional problem that includes many problems of optimal structural design as special cases is investigated in Sect. 5. In Sect. 6, the optimality criteria discussed in the preceeding sections are presented in a unified way that frequently suggests the form of optimality conditions in new situations. (Author)
The first associated teeth of the Late Cretaceous anacoracid shark, Pseudocorax laevis (Leriche), from the Mooreville Chalk of Alabama

Pseudocorax laevis (Leriche) is a Late Cretaceous anacoracid shark. Here, I describe the first associated teeth of P. laevis (along with unidentifiable fragments of calcified cartilage) from the Mooreville Chalk of Alabama. Although the specimen consists only of four teeth, morphological variation observed confirms the presence of heterodonty in the dentition of this taxon.
New adaptive-filtering techniques applied to speech echo cancellation

Developing high-quality echo cancelers is an important area of research and is becoming increasingly so with the wide use of hands-free telephones. Although LS algorithms have a faster convergence rate than the more widely-used LMS algorithms, the LS algorithms have not been popular in echo cancelers either because of their bad numerical properties and/or because of large complexity overhead. The authors investigate the performance of a fast RLS algorithm (FQRD-RLS) in the context of speech echo cancellation. The FQRD algorithm is not computationally complex and appears to possess good numerical properties. The computer simulations involve both direct and subband-filtering implementations. The results indicate that the FQRD-RLS is a powerful option for speech echo cancellation. >
Thirty Years of Investigating the Autoimmune Basis for Type 1 Diabetes: Why Can’t We Prevent or Reverse This Disease?

Thirty years ago, a convergence of investigational observations lead to the now widely accepted notion that type 1 diabetes results from an autoimmune destruction of insulin-producing β-cells in subjects genetically predisposed to the disease. Improvements in understand-ing of the natural history of type 1 diabetes, the biochemical identification of autoantigens, the discovery of spontaneous animal models for the disease, the availability of immune-modulating agents, and other important facets, including disease prediction, drove an early sense of optimism that the prevention of type 1 diabetes was possible and, in some research circles, that ability was thought to be within a not-to-distant reach. Unfortunately, those early expectations proved overly optimistic, and despite the aforementioned knowledge gains, the generation of improved investigational tools, the identification of methods to prevent the disease in animal models, and the formation of very large disease prevention trials, a means to prevent type 1 diabetes in humans continues to remain elusive. Believing in the concept of “informative failures” (a.k.a., wise people learn from their mistakes), this lecture reviews the knowledge base collected over this time period and, when combined with an analysis of those research experiences, sets forth a proposal for future investigations that will, hopefully, turn discoveries into a means for the prevention or reversal of type 1 diabetes.
Spectral behavior and pulse train instabilities of a synchronously pumped mode-locked dye laser

The pulse-train envelope of a synchronously pumped mode-locked dye laser has been experimentally studied as a function of cavity length detuning. When a bandwidth-limiting birefringent tuning filter is included and the cavity is adjusted to the length that yields optimally short (∼2-psec) pulses, there is a slow (≤800 kHz), erratic amplitude modulation that provides a 20% variation in pulse energies. As the cavity length is detuned on the order of one part in 104, the modulation vanishes, but the individual pulse lengths increase dramatically. Further detuning results in a clean periodic envelope with a 20% modulation depth and a ∼5-μsec period. With the birefringent filter removed the dye-laser wavelength and bandwidth are studied as functions of the cavity length. Temporally, the clean periodic modulation persists at large detunings, but there is no length at which any erratic modulation can be observed without the bandwidth-limiting filter.
Quantitative In Vivo Measurement of Gyrification in the Human Brain: Changes Associated with Aging

Clinical observation suggests that the aging process affects gyrification, with the brain appearing more 'atrophic' with increasing age. Empirical studies of tissue type indicate that gray matter volume decreases with age while cerebrospinal fluid increases. Quantitative changes in cortical surface characteristics such as sulcal and gyral shape have not been measured, however, due to difficulties in developing a method that separates abutting gyral crowns and opens up the sulci -- the 'problem of buried cortex'. We describe a quantitative method for measuring brain surface characteristics that is reliable and valid. This method is used to define the gyral and sulcal characteristics of atrophic and non-atrophic brains and to examine changes that occur with aging in a sample of 148 normal individuals from a broad age range. The shape of gyri and sulci change significantly over time, with the gyri becoming more sharply and steeply curved, while the sulci become more flattened and less curved. Cortical thickness also decreases over time. Cortical thinning progresses more rapidly in males than in females. The progression of these changes appears to be relatively stable during midlife and to begin to progress some time during the fourth decade. Measurements of sulcal and gyral shape may be useful in studying the mechanisms of both neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative changes that occur during brain maturation and aging.
NMR analysis of cleaved Escherichia coli thioredoxin (1–73/74–108) and its P76A variant: Cis/trans peptide isomerization

Inspection of high resolution three-dimensional (3D) structures from the protein database reveals an increasing number of cis-Xaa-Pro and cis-Xaa-Yaa peptide bonds. However, we are still far from being able to predict whether these bonds will remain cis upon single-site substitution of Pro or Yaa and/or cleavage of a peptide bond close to it in the sequence. We have chosen oxidized Escherichia coli thioredoxin (Trx), a member of the Trx superfamily with a single alpha/beta domain and cis P76 to determine the effect of single-site substitution and/or cleavage on this isomer. Standard two-dimensional (2D) NMR analysis were performed on cleaved Trx (1-73/74-108) and its P76A variant. Analysis of the NOE connectivities indicates remarkable similarity between the secondary and supersecondary structure of the noncovalent complexes and Trx. Analysis of the 2D version of the HCCH-TOCSY and HMQC-NOESY-HMQC and 13C-filtered HMQC-NOESY spectra of cleaved Trx with uniformly 13C-labeled 175 and P76 shows surprising conservation of both cis P76 and packing of 175 against W31. A similar NMR analysis of its P76A variant provides no evidence for cis A76 and shows only subtle local changes in both the packing of 175 and the interstrand connectivities between its most protected hydrophobic strands (beta2 and beta4). Indeed, a molecular simulation model for the trans P76A variant of Trx shows only subtle local changes around the substitution site. In conclusion, cleavage of R73 is insufficient to provoke cis/trans isomerization of P76, but cleavage and single-site substitution (P76A) favors the trans isomer.
Hormone-Induced Inositol Lipid Breakdown and Calcium-Mediated Cellular Responses in Liver

Although it has been recognized for many years that changes of the intracellular free Ca2+ concentration by a variety of agonists form an important signaling device for regulation of cell function, the source of the Ca2+ and the molecular events regulating receptor-mediated changes of cellular calcium homeostasis have remained recalcitrant problems despite much effort directed towards their elucidation. However, advances made along a number of different lines have contributed towards the rapid increase of knowledge in this area. These include on the one hand the development of fluorescent Ca2+ indicators such as Quin 2 (Tsien, 1983) and more recently Fura 2 (Grynkiewicz et al., 1985), which allow kinetic measurements of changes in the cytosolic free Ca2+ concentration of isolated cells, and on the other hand the elucidation of the signaling roles of two new intracellular second messengers, namely, inositol trisphosphate and diacylglycerol (for reviews see Nishizuka et al., 1984; Nishizuka, 1984a; Berridge and Irvine, 1984; Williamson et al., 1985; Williamson, 1986).
Phase Transformation Effects on the Bending Stress Distributions in Carburized Steel Components

An analytical model has been developed for the elastic and elastoplastic bending of rectangular bars in which the neutral bending plane need not remain in the geometric center of the bar. With this model, distribution of both longitudinal and transverse stress can be computed on the basis of applied bending moment and measured, surface strains. The strain-induced transformation of austenite retained in the case of carburized steel bars of several compositions was found to occur at linear rates whose values depend upon the sign of the stress and the composition of the steel. It was further found to produce pronounced shifts in the neutral bending plane and to have major effects on the magnitude of the transverse bending stresses. The bending fracture characteristics of the carburized steel bars were found to be affected by the inherent toughness of the case, and all factors which influence it, as well as the inherent toughness of the core. In general, the presence of nickel in the steel enhanced the fracture resistance of the steels because of its contribution to the toughness of both case and core.
[Ca2+]i as a potential downregulator of α2β1-integrin-mediated A2058 tumor cell migration to type IV collagen

We have investigated cellular Ca2+ regulation during A2058 human melanoma cell chemotaxis to type IV collagen (CIV). We have identified α2β1-integrin as the primary mediator of A2058 cell response ...
L-triiodothyronine (T3) regulates cellular growth rate, growth hormone production, and levels of nuclear t3 receptors via distinct dose-response ranges in cultured GC cells

Cultured rat somatotrophic cells have been useful models for the study of thyroid hormone action. A consensus of previous reports has indicated that approximately 0.2 nM T3 results in 50% occupancy of T3 nuclear receptors as well as half-maximal stimulation of several T3 responses. To characterize the nature of thyroid hormone responses in GC cells, we studied in detail the T3 dose relationships between nuclear receptor occupancy and three thyroid hormone responses (cell growth, GH production, and T3 nuclear receptor regulation). The dose response to T3 for each parameter was unique, and none was identical to the dose response for receptor occupancy. Respective T3 concentrations and percentage of T3 nuclear receptor occupancy resulting in 50% of the maximal response for GC cell growth were 0.05 +/- 0.02 nM and 15 +/- 3% (four experiments), 0.15 +/- 0.04 nM and 27 +/- 3% for GH production (three experiments), and 2.1 nM and 69% for down-regulation of T3 nuclear receptors (two experiments). We conclude that the dose response for occupancy of the T3 nuclear receptor covers a wide range of T3 concentrations. Within the wide dose-response range for nuclear occupancy a spectrum of biological responses are regulated by distinct thyroid hormone dose ranges. These data suggest that the impact of T3 nuclear receptor occupancy on T3 responses might be variable and that the mechanisms involved may be clarified through studies in GC cells.
Embryonic cardiomyocytes beat best on a matrix with heart-like elasticity: scar-like rigidity inhibits beating

Fibrotic rigidification following a myocardial infarct is known to impair cardiac output, and it is also known that cardiomyocytes on rigid culture substrates show a progressive loss of rhythmic beating. Here, isolated embryonic cardiomyocytes cultured on a series of flexible substrates show that matrices that mimic the elasticity of the developing myocardial microenvironment are optimal for transmitting contractile work to the matrix and for promoting actomyosin striation and 1-Hz beating. On hard matrices that mechanically mimic a post-infarct fibrotic scar, cells overstrain themselves, lack striated myofibrils and stop beating; on very soft matrices, cells preserve contractile beating for days in culture but do very little work. Optimal matrix leads to a strain match between cell and matrix, and suggests dynamic differences in intracellular protein structures. A `cysteine shotgun9 method of labeling the in situ proteome reveals differences in assembly or conformation of several abundant cytoskeletal proteins, including vimentin, filamin and myosin. Combined with recent results, which show that stem cell differentiation is also highly sensitive to matrix elasticity, the methods and analyses might be useful in the culture and assessment of cardiogenesis of both embryonic stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells. The results described here also highlight the need for greater attention to fibrosis and mechanical microenvironments in cell therapy and development.
Non-invasive measurement of hemoglobin during cesarean hysterectomy: a case series

Obstetric patients diagnosed with abnormal placentation (placenta accreta, increta or percreta) are at increased risk of major postpartum hemorrhage and cesarean hysterectomy. Obstetric anesthesiologists are primarily involved in intraoperative transfusion management in these cases. Hemoglobin assessment is invaluable for assisting transfusion decision-making during the acute period of obstetric hemorrhage. However, laboratory and point-of-care tests of hemoglobin concentration are time-dependent and intermittent, and do not provide a real-time assessment of change during the acute phase of blood loss. A new non-invasive hemoglobin monitor has been introduced recently, which provides real-time measurement of hemoglobin values (SpHb) using multi-wavelength pulse co-oximetry. We present a review of five patients with suspected abnormal placentation who received SpHb monitoring during cesarean hysterectomy at our institution. We discuss the potential clinical utility of non-invasive hemoglobin monitoring for pregnant patients at high risk of obstetric hemorrhage, and the potential role of SpHb in guiding transfusion therapy.
XIAP Antagonist Embelin Inhibited Proliferation of Cholangiocarcinoma Cells

Cholangiocarcinoma cells are dependent on antiapoptotic signaling for survival and resistance to death stimuli. Recent mechanistic studies have revealed that increased cellular expression of the E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis (XIAP) impairs TRAIL- and chemotherapy-induced cytotoxicity, promoting survival of cholangiocarcinoma cells. This study was undertaken to determine if pharmacologic antagonism of XIAP protein was sufficient to sensitize cholangiocarcinoma cells to cell death. We employed malignant cholangiocarcinoma cell lines and used embelin to antagonize XIAP protein. Embelin treatment resulted in decreased XIAP protein levels by 8 hours of treatment with maximal effect at 16 hours in KMCH and Mz-ChA-1 cells. Assessment of nuclear morphology demonstrated a concentration-dependent increase in nuclear staining. Interestingly, embelin induced nuclear morphology changes as a single agent, independent of the addition of TNF-related apoptosis inducing ligand (TRAIL). However, caspase activity assays revealed that increasing embelin concentrations resulted in slight inhibition of caspase activity, not activation. In addition, the use of a pan-caspase inhibitor did not prevent nuclear morphology changes. Finally, embelin treatment of cholangiocarcinoma cells did not induce DNA fragmentation or PARP cleavage. Apoptosis does not appear to contribute to the effects of embelin on cholangiocarcinoma cells. Instead, embelin caused inhibition of cell proliferation and cell cycle analysis indicated that embelin increased the number of cells in S and G2/M phase. Our results demonstrate that embelin decreased proliferation in cholangiocarcinoma cell lines. Embelin treatment resulted in decreased XIAP protein expression, but did not induce or enhance apoptosis. Thus, in cholangiocarcinoma cells the mechanism of action of embelin may not be dependent on apoptosis.
An Extensible Architecture for Network-Attached Device Management

The development of network-attached devices has ushered in an era of autonomous, multi-function equipment demanding minimal human interaction: the only requirements are data and electricity. Despite these advances, these machines continue underutilized in network environments due to operating system limitations regarding the management of these devices. These limitations force the use of these devices via other network hardware, such as a server, that manage the device access and data. While effective, this results in increased resource consumption and ignores the capabilities presented by network-attached devices. In order to facilitate optimal utilization of these devices, we have designed a new, extensible management architecture for all network-attached devices. This architecture, presented here, supports the central management of network-attached devices while allowing client machines access to the device without intermediate server hardware. Implementation of this paradigm on test networks has decreased resource consumption - especially bandwidth - considerably.
New Notoungulates (Notostylopidae and Basal Toxodontians) from the Early Oligocene Tinguiririca Fauna of the Andean Main Range, Central Chile

ABSTRACT Here we describe two new notoungulate taxa from early Oligocene deposits of the Abanico Formation in the eastern Tinguiririca valley of the Andes of central Chile, including a notostylopid (gen. et sp. nov.) and three basal toxodontians, cf. Homalodotheriidae, one of which is formally named a new species. The valley's eponymous fossil mammal fauna became the basis for recognizing a new South American Land Mammal “Age” intervening between the Mustersan and Deseadan of the classical SALMA sequence, the Tinguirirican. As a temporal intermediate between the bracketing SALMAs (Deseadan and Mustersan), the Tinguirirican is characterized by a unique cooccurrence of taxa otherwise known either from demonstrably younger or more ancient deposits, as well as some taxa with temporal ranges restricted to this SALMA. In this regard, two of the notoungulates described here make their last known stratigraphic appearances in the Tinguiririca Fauna, Chilestylops davidsoni (gen. et sp. nov.), the youngest notostylo...
Ranging explosion events using smartphones

In this paper, we address the problem of ranging explosion events from sensing corresponding accelerometer readings from stationary smartphones. First, we statically emplaced a number of smartphones with built-in accelerometers at various locations in the vicinity of real explosions (conducted at a university training facility). An app was installed in 4 off-the-shelf smartphones to collect accelerometer readings continuously, and effectively retaining only those readings that correspond to an explosion event (while filtering out the rest). As a result, a total of 52 data-sets from 4 individual explosion blast-experiments (with Dynamite acting as the explosive charge) were collected. Using these data-sets, we developed a non linear regression model to estimate the distance of the source of an explosion event, and the intensity of the explosion (measured in terms of charge weight of the explosive material) based on extracting a number of statistical features from the accelerometer sensor readings in three dimensions (lateral (x), longitudinal (y), and vertical (z) directions) from smartphones. We are able to range the explosion event, with an average case error of 12.86% in our experiments. We were also able to estimate the intensity of the explosion event with a high accuracy, with an average case error of 11.26%. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first work that attempts to range explosion events leveraging sensor readings from smartphones.
Boethian Humor and the Pseudo-Boethian De disciplina scolarium

The Pseudo-Boethian De disciplina scolarium reveals a facet of the medieval figuration of Boethius largely neglected in accounts of medieval Boethianisms, a humorous, raunchy Boethius who tells ambiguously moral exempla. Considered authentic from its “rediscovery” in 1230-1240 until 1498 and beyond, this widely-read advice text for scholars, written in the voice of Boethius, modifies the auctor’s serious self-presentation in the Consolatio Philosophiae to fit within the tonal and thematic conventions of thirteenth-century grammar school teaching texts. These texts - such as Maximianus’s Elegies, which includes a similar sexual and morally ambiguous Boethius - use titillation, violence, and transgression as pedagogical tools for young students. Rather than an odd outlier or exceptionally poor forgery, De disciplina’s playful, ironic Boethius would have seemed normal to medieval readers used to such schoolroom conventions. De disciplina’s Boethius, and his neglect, reveals a gap in our understanding of medi...
Comparison of soil-to-water suspension ratios for determining electrical conductivity of oil-production-water-contaminated soils

Soil salinity caused by oil-production-water (brine) contamination is a major issue in regions of oil and gas development. However, rapid site assessment tools such as soil-to-water suspension elec...
Abstract ED06-02: Understanding the structure and function of the gut microbiota

Until recently, the study of complex microbial communities was limited by the culture-based methodologies that only captured a subset of the diversity present. The advent of molecular methods for the study of microbial consortia has allowed us to greatly increase our understanding of the structure, function and dynamics of the indigenous human microbiota. In this opening lecture of the session I will introduce the techniques and strategies for studying the structure and function of complex consortia of microbes, with a focus on the community that inhabits the gastrointestinal tract. Using the example of Clostridium difficile infection following antibiotic administration as an example, I will demonstrate how changes in the community structure of the gut microbiota can be monitored over time. The associated functional changes associated with changes in microbial community structure will be discussed. We have recently applied culture-independent molecular methods, largely based on retrieval of 16S rRNA-encoding gene sequences, to investigate the role of the indigenous microbiota in C. difficile infection (CDI). Through studies of human patients with CDI we have demonstrated that recurrent disease is associated with an overall decrease in the diversity of the fecal microbiota. We have leveraged a recently described murine model of CDI to conduct more detailed studies of the role of the microbiota in C. difficile infection. Data from this model system indicates that a subset of the indigenous microbiota is important in mediating colonization resistance against C. difficile and possibly in modulating the effects of C. difficile toxin. This example will allow the audience to understand and appreciate the growing number of studies that are examining associations between the community structure of the gut microbiota and a variety of disease states including colorectal cancer. Citation Information: Cancer Prev Res 2010;3(12 Suppl):ED06-02.
Immunological evidence for the presence of B protein (apoprotein of β-lipoprotein) in normal and abetalipoproteinemic plasma

The antigenicity of Β-lipoprotein that had been chemically altered by acetylation or arsanilation was compared with that of native Β-lipoprotein, of lymph chylomicrons, of plasma proteins with d > 1.21, and of plasma from patients with abetalipoproteinemia. Chemical alteration causes structural changes in Β-lipoprotein which render it immunologically identical with a protein that is present both in normal plasma and in plasma from patients with abetalipoproteinemia. This protein has been identified by immunoelectrophoresis as a Β-globulin which does not stain for lipid. It is presumed to be the lipid-free apoprotein of Β-lipoprotein (B protein). The findings suggest that abetalipoproteinemia is not due to inability to synthesize B protein, but might instead be due to a defect in the formation of the complete Β-lipoprotein macromolecule.
Retinal Capillary Network and Foveal Avascular Zone in Eyes with Vein Occlusion and Fellow Eyes Analyzed With Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography.

PURPOSE To evaluate the perifoveolar retinal capillary network at different depths and to quantify the foveal avascular zone (FAZ) in eyes with retinal vein occlusion (RVO) compared with their fellow eyes and healthy controls using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography angiography (SD-OCTA). METHODS We prospectively recruited 23 patients with RVO including 15 eyes with central RVO (CRVO) and 8 eyes with branch RVO (BRVO), their fellow eyes, and 8 age-matched healthy controls (8 eyes) for imaging on prototype OCTA software within RTVue-XR Avanti. The 3 × 3 mm and 6 × 6 mm en face angiograms of superficial and deep retinal capillary plexuses were segmented. Perifoveolar retinal capillary network was analyzed and FAZ was quantified. RESULTS Decrease in vascular perfusion at the deep plexus was observed in all eyes with CRVO (8/8, 100%) and BRVO (6/6, 100%) without cystoid macular edema, and in 8 of 15 (53%) and 2 of 8 (25%) of the fellow eyes, respectively. Vascular tortuosity was observed in 13 of 15 (87%) CRVO and 5 of 8 (63%) BRVO eyes. Collaterals were seen in 10 of 15 (67%) CRVO and 5 of 8 (63%) BRVO eyes. Mean FAZ area was larger in eyes with RVO than their fellow eyes (1.13 ± 0.25 mm2 versus 0.58 ± 0.28 mm2; P = 0.007) and controls (1.13 ± 0.25 mm2 versus 0.30 ± 0.09 mm2; P < 0.0001), and in fellow eyes of RVO patients when compared to controls (0.58 ± 0.28 mm2 versus 0.30 ± 0.09 mm2; P = 0.01). CONCLUSIONS Spectral-domain OCTA reveals abnormalities at different levels of perifoveolar retinal capillary network and is able to quantify the FAZ in RVO. Longitudinal studies may be considered to evaluate the clinical utility of OCTA in RVO and other retinal vascular diseases.
Visual representations of academic misconduct: Enhancing information literacy skills

Courses: This unit activity is suited for courses with research and source citation components, such as the Basic Communication; Interpersonal, and Organizational Communication courses.Objectives: Students will (a) visually interpret and analyze instances of plagiarism; (b) revise their work to use proper citations and reduce instances of plagiarism; and (c) understand source citation as a form of academic honesty.
Valuation in Emerging Markets

The special characteristics of the business environment in emerging markets, as described in the previous two technical notes (UVA-F-1453 and UVA-F-1454), affect the validity and applicability of many of the typical valuation assumptions that are considered applicable in the context of developed or emerged markets. As a result, appropriate adjustments in methodology are required when the analyst values firms or investment projects in emerging markets. This technical note first considers the general approaches that can be used for valuing a firm in a foreign market, whether it is an emerged or an emerging one. It then shifts focus to a detailed examination of the steps that investors should follow to complete the valuation of emerging-market firms. Excerpt UVA-F-1455 Rev. Jul. 15, 2013 Investing in Emerging Markets Technical Note Series No. 3 VALUATION IN EMERGING MARKETS The special characteristics of the business environment in emerging markets affect the validity of many of the typical valuation assumptions that are considered applicable in the context of developed or emerged markets. As a result, appropriate adjustments in methodology are required when the analyst values firms or investment projects in emerging markets. This technical note first considers the general approaches that can be used for valuing a firm in a foreign market, whether it is an emerged or an emerging one. It then shifts focus to a detailed examination of the steps that investors should follow to complete the valuation of emerging market firms. . . .
A 6 A, 93% Peak Efficiency, 4-Phase Digitally Synchronized Hysteretic Buck Converter With ±1.5% Frequency and ±3.6% Current-Sharing Error

A four-phase, quasi-current-mode hysteretic buck converter with digital frequency synchronization, online comparator offset-calibration and, digital current-sharing control is presented. The switching frequency of the hysteretic converter is digitally synchronized to the input clock reference with less than ±1.5% error in the switching frequency range of 3–9.5 MHz. The online offset calibration cancels the input-referred offset of the hysteretic comparator and enables ±1.1% voltage regulation accuracy. Maximum current-sharing error of ±3.6% is achieved by a duty-cycle-calibrated delay line-based pulsewidth modulation generator, without affecting the phase synchronization timing sequence. In light-load conditions, individual converter phases can be disabled, and the final stage power converter output stage is segmented for high efficiency. The dc–dc converter achieves 93% peak efficiency for $V_{i}= 2$ V and $V_{o}= 1.6$ V.
Anxiety and Depression among College Students with Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD): Cross-Informant, Sex, and Subtype Differences.

ABSTRACTObjective: This study examined symptoms of anxiety and depression among college students with attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Participants: Data were collected between Marc...
Atopic Dermatitis Disease Education.

Atopic dermatitis is a skin condition that is increasing burdensome to patient’s lives. Patients require effective strategies to cope with the condition as well as the vast amount of new research that is coming to the forefront. This chapter discusses the patient education aspect of atopic dermatitis. We drew from various sources—such as peer-reviewed academic journals, online groups, and organizational websites—to provide a brief survey of the available types of patient educational resources. We discuss educational materials and interventions, such as workshops and support groups. In addition to the content of the workshops, we also explore the importance of their facilitators. We also review organizations in the US that pertain to atopic dermatitis and eczema care, such as the National Eczema Association and the American Academy of Dermatology. Lastly, we survey the role of technology—such as social media, web-based applications and teledermatology—in facilitating patient education. Despite the promising impacts of these technological interventions in the way patients consume educational materials, we also acknowledge that they are not widely used.
Quantitative assay of human antibody-dependent cell-mediated cytotoxicity (ADCC) using peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs)

ADCC can be essential for anti-viral immunity and supports many tumor immunotherapies. It is a challenge to quantify and one wants a fast assay that uses few lymphocytes when patient blood is limited. Three considerations affected our new assay design: 1) normal B cells within PBMCs introduce ‘cold target’ competition of radiolabeled tumor B cells if anti-B cell antibodies are present in the ADCC assays; 2) type 1 antibodies to CD20 B cell epitopes are internalized and cleared from the cell surface while type 2 anti-CD20 antibodies remain external; and 3) target cells with MHC I initiate KIR-regulation of lysis that will vary among donors. To address these issues, we used Daudi B leukemia cells that lack MHC I and pretreated the Daudi cells with the humanized nonfucosylated/glycoengineered monoclonal type 2 anti-CD20 antibody obinutuzumab (GA101 G2). Target cell pretreatment prevented ‘cold target’ competition. We used 4 hr 51 Cr-release for its sensitivity and varied the PBMC to target (E:T) cell ratios to obtain lytic units. Flow cytometric counts of CD16A Fc-receptor positive cells with TrueCount R beads determined the exact number of ADCC effectors within the unfractionated PBMCs. There was low NK activity to Daudi cells, which required subtraction of simultaneous controls without antibody. We plotted ADCC activity as a log function of the E:T ratios and observed that ADCC was dependent upon interactions of multiple CD16A-positive effectors per target cell, which was expressed as lytic units per 10 6 CD16A cells, that varied 50 fold among donors. In addition, the linear slopes of CD16A cell lytic cooperativity varied 8 fold. In summary, we have established a fast quantitative assay for comparison of human ADCC that uses as few as 8 million PBMCs.