cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Expression of epidermal growth-factor (EGF), matrix metalloproteinase-9 (mmp-9) and proliferating cell nuclear antigen (pcna) in esophageal cancer

Expression of human epidermal growth factor (EGF) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9/gelatinase B) was examined immunohistochemically in 62 cases of surgically resected esophageal carcinomas, and the correlation between EGF expression and the proliferative activity of the tumors was studied by analysing the number of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA)-positive cells. Expression of EGF and MMP-9 was observed in 16 (38.1%) and 18 (42.9%) of the 42 superficial carcinomas and 8 (40%) and 14 (70%) of the 20 advanced carcinomas, respectively. The differences in the MMP-9 expression between the superficial carcinomas and the advanced carcinomas was significant (p<0.05). The synchronous expression of EGF and MMP-9 was observed in 15 (24.2%) of 62 carcinomas, i.e. 62.5% of the 24 EGF-positive tumors expressed MMP-9, but there was no statistically significant correlation between the expression of EGF and MMP-9. The relationships between EGF expression and tumor proliferative activity and prognostic factors were investigated. The PCNA grades were significantly higher in tumors with EGF-positive than those with EGF-negative expression (p<0.05) and the EGF expression showed a good correlation between the expression of MMP-9 and vascular invasion (p<0.01). The expression of MMP-9 was stronger in the advanced than the superficial carcinomas and there was a good correlation with vascular invasion (p<0.01). In a follow-up study of 55 patients, those with tumor that expressed MMP-9 or had a high PCNA grade showed a poor prognosis. Taken together, these observations suggest that both EGF and MMP-9 participate in the invasive phenotype in human esophageal carcinoma, but the expression of EGF is not directly related to the expression of MMP-9. Additional growth factors and cytokines may be involved in regulation of MMP-9 expression in this carcinoma.
Effects of intravenous amiodarone in patients with inducible repetitive ventricular responses and ventricular tachycardia.

Abstract We studied the effects of intravenous amiodarone administration (5 mg/kg) on reproducible repetitive ventricular responses and ventricular tachycardia (VT) induced by programmed electrical stimulation of the heart in 32 patients. Intravenous amiodarone prevented induction of bundle branch reentry in only 2 of 11 patients (18.2%) and did not change His-Purkinje conduction and refractoriness in the remaining 9 of 11 (81.8%) patients. In contrast to the small effect of intravenous amiodarone on bundle branch reentry, the drug completely abolished intraventricular reentry in three of nine (33.3%) patients and in the remaining six of nine (66.7%) patients decreased the number of intraventricular reentrant beats from up to five beats in control to one to two beats after the drug. The drug also prevented induction of VT (≥5 ventricular ectopic beats in a row) in three of five (60%) patients with nonsustained VT and in three of seven (42.9%) patients with sustained VT. In two of seven (28.6%) patients with sustained VT, only nonsustained tachycardia could be induced after drug administration. In another two of seven (28.6%) patients, sustained VT with slower rates was induced after the drug. In 11 of 12 (91.7%) patients with VT the coupling interval between the last stimulus and the first ventricular beat increased after drug administration. These effects of intravenous amiodarone occurred in the absence of effect on ventricular effective refractory period. These findings suggest that intravenous amiodarone might have greater effect on diseased ventricular tissue, the site of reentry in VT, than on healthy ventricular tissue.
Global Diversity of the Stylasteridae (Cnidaria: Hydrozoa: Athecatae)

The history and rate of discovery of the 247 valid Recent stylasterid species are discussed and graphed, with emphasis on five historical pulses of species descriptions. A table listing all genera, their species numbers, and their bathymetric ranges are presented. The number of species in 19 oceanographic regions is mapped, the southwestern temperate Pacific (region including New Zealand) having the most species; species are cosmopolitan from the Arctic Circle to the Antarctic at depths from 0 to 2789 m. The current phylogenetic classification of the genera is briefly discussed. An illustrated glossary of 53 morphological characters is presented. Biological and ecological information pertaining to reproduction, development, commensals, and distribution is discussed. Aspects of stylasterid mineralogy and taxa of commercial value are discussed, concluding with suggestions for future work.
Species Redundancy and Ecosystem Reliability

The concept of species redundancy in ecosystem processes is troublesome because it appears to con- tradict the traditional emphasis in ecology on species singularity. When species richness is high, however, eco- system processes seem clearly insensitive to considerable variation in biodiversity. Some elementary princi- ples from reliability engineering, where engineered redundancy is a valued part of systems design, suggest that we should rethink our stance on species redundancy. For example, a central tenet of reliability engineer- ing is that reliability always increases as redundant components are added to a system, a principle that di- rectly supports redundant species as guarantors of reliable ecosystem functioning. I argue that we should em- brace species redundancy and perceive redundancy as a critical feature of ecosystems which must be preserved if ecosystems are to function reliably and provide us with goods and services. My argument is de- rived from basic principles of reliability engineering which demonstrate that the probability of reliable sys- tem performance is closely tied to the level of engineered redundancy in its design. Empirical demonstrations of the value of species redundancy in ecosystem reliability would provide new insights into the ecology of communities and the value of species conservation.
Pesticide Residues in Milk and in Tissues Following Long, Low 2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1, 1, 1-trichloroethane Intake,

Abstract Unbred heifers in three groups of four animals were fed one of three 2, 2-bis(p-chloropheny1)-1, 1, 1-trichloroethane intakes: 250, 500, or 1,000 ppb (parts per billion) of the total feed consumed. The animals were maintained on these intakes until ends of their first lactations when one animal in each group was sacrificed for tissue sampling and analysis. The nine remaining animals were then placed on a relatively pesticide-free diet during their second lactation. In lactation 1, as dosage decreased, the ratio of feed dose to milk fat pesticide residue increased. A 1,000 ppb feed gave a ratio of 1:2.2, 500 ppb resulted in 1:2.5, and 250 ppb yielded 1:3.5. In the second lactation, the biological half-life for the group receiving 250 ppb of pesticide (7.3 mo) was greater than that for the groups receiving 500 ppb (3.9 mo) or 1,006 ppb (4.4 mo). Renal and udder adipose tissues and total udder tissue had the most pesticide at each dosage with 2,2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1, 1-dichloroethane being the major metabolite. Despite the relatively low blood 2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1, 1-dichloroethane, this metabolite could indicate previous 2, 2-bis(p-chlorophenyl)-1, 1, 1-trichloroethane exposure.
0.2 Micron length T-shaped gate fabrication using angle evaporation

A new technique has been developed to generate sub-half-micron T-shaped gates in GaAs MESFET's. The technique uses a single-level resist and an angle evaporation process. By using this technique, T-shaped gates with lengths as short as 0.2 µm near the Schottky interface have been fabricated. Measured gate resistance from this structure was 6.1 Ω/mm gate width which is the lowest value ever reported for gates of equal length. GaAs single- and dual-gate MESFET's with 0.3 µm long T-shaped gates have also been fabricated. At 18 GHz, maximum available gain of 9.5 dB in the single-gate FET and maximum stable gain of 19.5 dB in the dual-gate device have been measured.
Explaining credit rating differences between Japanese and U.S. agencies

Abstract We compare credit ratings assigned to Japanese firms by the two leading U.S. rating agencies and the two leading Japanese agencies. Our goal is to investigate the complaint that the U.S. agencies Moody's and Standard and Poor's (S&P) ignore special corporate governance features of Japanese firms, i.e., keiretsu affiliation. We find that it is true that ratings of Japanese firms by the U.S. agencies are systematically lower than those assigned by Japanese raters. However, the reasons for the differences are not found to be related to keiretsu affiliation. Thus, we reject one of the prominent reasons for rating differences put forth by managers of Japanese firms. This leaves open the question of what drives the difference. The phenomenon is clearly consistent with more general home bias documented in previous work.
A Vibration Resistant Nanopositioner for Mobile Parallel-Probe Storage Applications

We describe a planar microelectromechanical systems (MEMS)-based x/y nanopositioner designed for parallel-probe storage applications. The nanopositioner is actuated electromagnetically and has x/y motion capabilities of plusmn60 mum. The mechanical components are fabricated from a single-crystal silicon wafer using a deep-trench-etching process. To render the system robust against vibration, we utilize a mass-balancing concept that makes the system stiff against linear shock, but still compliant for actuation, and therefore results in low power consumption. We present details of the finite-element model used to design the device as well as experimental results for the frequency response, actuation, and vibration-rejection properties of the nanopositioner
Picosecond Characterization Of Semiconductor Lasers

A review of ultrafast techniques of characterizing ultra-high-speed semiconductor lasers is presented. The origin of nonlinear gain effects and their influence on the direct modulation bandwidth is discussed.
Strong reciprocity, social structure, and the evolution of fair allocations in a simulated ultimatum game

Cooperation has long been an enigma in the life and social sciences. A possible explanation for the phenomenon is the recently developed idea of strong reciprocity in which agents altruistically reward those that cooperate and altruistically punish those that do not. The acts are altruistic in the sense that when agents punish or reward they incur a cost but receive no material benefit. Both experimentalists and modelers have focused primarily on third-party altruistic punishment mechanisms yet rarely discuss how they establish a cost for punishing. In this study I used agent-based modelling to test the ability of altruistic punishment to elicit fair allocations in a simulated ultimatum game. In particular I simulated agents with the ability to punish neighbors whose offers were deemed too low while systematically varying the ratio of costs between punisher and punishee. Despite several studies in which strong reciprocity is shown to induce cooperation, altruistic punishment failed to evolve fair allocations in these simulations. However, outcomes were highly dependant on the spatial structure of agents in the simulations and fair allocations did evolve in a linearly structured population even in the absence of punishment. As the number of immediate neighbors increased, mean offers fell but still remained significantly greater than that predicted by standard economic theory. Only when social structure was removed, and agents could interact with any other agent in the population, did offers in the simulated ultimatum game match theoretical expectations.
The Yorktown Simulation Engine

The Yorktown Simulation Engine (YSE) is a high speed special purpose parallel processor designed and built at the I.B.M. Thomas J. Watson Research Center to simulate the logical operation of large digital networks. A full YSE configuration simulates networks of up to 2,000,000 gates at a rate exceeding 3 billion gate computations per second, doing more simulation in just eight hours than an IBM 370/168 does in an entire year. This paper reviews gate-level logic simulation and describes the architecture and hardware implementation of the YSE. A companion paper by G. Pfister and E. Kronstadt discusses the YSE software.
Treatment of hepatitis C virus in the coinfected patient.

Since hepatitis C virus (HCV) was first identified in 1989, the impact of HCV infection on the HIV-infected population has been steadily increasing. It is now known that HCV affects the course and treatment of HIV disease in coinfected individuals (those infected with both HCV and HIV). Although there are significant data regarding the treatment of HCV in non-coinfected individuals, there are numerous questions that still remain regarding how to monitor and treat HCV infection in the coinfected population. This article reviews the available data regarding treatment of HCV in the coinfected population as well as how these individuals should be monitored, before and during HCV therapy, as well as how to address the numerous side effects associated with HCV treatment. To meet the demands of the coinfected population, HIV nurses must be willing to expand their knowledge to support, educate, assess, and advocate for coinfected individuals.
Galectin-3 Is a Candidate Biomarker for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis: Discovery by a Proteomics Approach

The discovery of biomarkers for neurodegenerative diseases will have a major impact on the efficiency of therapeutic clinical trials and may be important for understanding basic pathogenic mechanisms. We have approached the discovery of protein biomarkers for amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) by profiling affected tissues in a relevant animal model and then validating the findings in human tissues. Ventral roots from SOD1(G93A) "ALS" mice were analyzed by label-free quantitative mass spectrometry, and the resulting data were compared with data for matched samples from nontransgenic littermates and transgenic mice carrying wild-type human SOD1 (SOD1(WT)). Of 1299 proteins, statistical inference of the data in the three groups identified 14 proteins that were dramatically altered in the ALS mice compared with the two control groups. The protein galectin-3 emerged as a lead biomarker candidate on the basis of its differential expression as assessed by immunoblot and immunocytochemistry in SOD1(G93A) mice as compared to controls and because it is a secreted protein that could potentially be measured in human biofluids. Spinal cord tissue from ALS patients also exhibited increased levels of galectin-3 when compared to controls. Further measurement of galectin-3 in cerebrospinal fluid samples showed that ALS patients had approximately twice as much galectin-3 as normal and disease controls. These results provide the proof of principle that biomarker identification in relevant and well-controlled animal models can be translated to human disease. The challenge is to validate our biomarker candidate proteins as true biomarkers for ALS that will be useful for diagnosis and/or monitoring disease activity in future clinical trials.
Toward a personal construct conceptualization of depression and suicide

Abstract Research is examined that is relevant to a conceptualization of depression and suicide from the viewpoint of personal construct theory. This review highlights the role played by the following cognitive processes in the two disorders: (a) constriction in construct content and application, (b) construct system disorganization, (c) a breakdown in anticipation of the future, (d) negative self-construing, (e) polarized or dichotomous construing, and (f) perceived interpersonal isolation. Similarities and differences in the construct systems of depressed and suicidal individuals are explored and testable implications of the personal construct model are detailed. The paper concludes by noting construct theory's potential conceptual, methodological, and therapeutic contributions to further work in this area. The prevalence of depression has given rise to numerous theories-ranging from the psychodynamic to the biochemical-that attempt to account for its etiology and offer guidelines for treatment. One of ...
The effect of uncertainty reducing strategies on young couples' relational repair and intimacy

Relying on uncertainty reduction theory, this study examines the effect of communication strategies on assessments of relational repair and intimacy. Approximately one hundred heterosexual, romantically involved couples nominated unfaithfulness, third party competition, and geographic distance as events most negatively affecting their relationships. These couples also reported that they most often engaged in interactive communication behavior (especially relationship talk) to repair their relationships. In addition, men's passive strategy use and women's active strategy use were associated with self‐reported and partner‐attributed beliefs that the relationship was repaired. Perceptions of relational repair were, in turn, tied to the degree of self‐reported intimacy.
Body image in older men with or at-risk for HIV infection

We performed a cross-sectional analysis of factors associated with negative body image among 550 older men with or at-risk for HIV infection, including demographics, depression, illicit drug use, and antiretroviral therapy adherence. Overall, 31 per cent of participants reported negative body image, which was independently associated with increased BMI, self-rated fair/poor health, depression, and erectile dysfunction, but not HIV status. Screening for and treating depression, sexual dysfunction, and obesity in older men should be considered.
Neural and anatomic characteristics of peripheral afferent fibers in the milk ejection reflex.

Abstract Conduction velocities were measured and certain morphologic characteristics were examined of the abdominal mammary nerve in two- to ten-day postpartum rats. This nerve enters the spinal cord at the spinal segmental level T-12. Overall conduction velocity was (Mean±S.D.) 18.9±2.25 m/sec with a major peak at 9.7±0.72 m/sec. The distribution of conduction velocities in the nerve was similar to that of a typical spinal nerve. Nerve fiber diameters measured between about 1 and 25 microns with peaks at 4.9, 10.5, and 18.9 microns. Injection into the peripheral nerve of fluorescent dye, Lucifer yellow CH (LY), or wheat germ agglutinin-coupled horseradish peroxidase (WGA-HRP) after ventral root rhizotomy permitted study of the distribution of primary afferents in the spinal cord. The terminal field of these fibers centered around the dorsal cap of Clarke's column and the lateral spinal nucleus, bilaterally. The distribution of WGA-HRP was more restricted than that of LY. A large number of LY-staining fibers were also found ipsilaterally in the medial portion of the intermediomedial column. A smaller amount of LY-staining was present contralaterally in the area of the spinothalamic tract. It is concluded that afferent impulses resulting from mammary stimulation in the milk ejection reflex are probably carried in a mixed spinal nerve whose primary afferent field lies mainly in ipsilateral spinal structures, although there is some evidence for crossing fibers. The data suggest that considerable opportunity exists for interaction with major sensory afferent fiber systems as well as with autonomic fibers. Hence, the spinal path of afferent information relevant for the milk ejection reflex may well be diffuse and it may involve several sensory modalities.
Presidential Campaigns and the Knowledge Gap

The knowledge gap hypothesis holds that when new information enters a social system via a mass media campaign, it is likely to exacerbate underlying inequalities in previously held information. Specifically, while people from all strata may learn new information as a result of a mass media campaign, those with higher levels of education are likely to learn more than those with low levels of education, and the informational gap between the two groups will expand. Though this hypothesis has received widespread attention in other disciplines, it has attracted relatively little attention in political science. Using data from the National Election Studies, this article investigates how well the knowledge gap hypothesis describes information acquisition in presidential campaigns from 1976 to 1996. The results of the analysis show that knowledge gaps do not always grow over the course of presidential campaigns and that some events, such as debates, may actually reduce the level of information inequality in the e...
Mammalian evolution: A jaw-dropping ear

A fossil from the Early Cretaceous provides insight into the evolution of the hearing apparatus in mammals. Anchoring the eardrum was, it seems, an essential step in freeing the middle ear from the jaw. See Article p.181 The lower jaw of reptiles is made up of several bones. In mammals, however, it consists of just one, the tooth-bearing dentary. Most of the rest have become the ossicles that transmit sound through the middle ear. This transformation is an iconic example of evolutionary change, but direct fossil evidence of the transition has been hard to find. That's why a fossil described by Jin et al. is so important. It is from a triconodont (a type of extinct mammal) from the Cretaceous period in China. In it, the lower-jaw elements have started to resemble middle-ear ossicles, but are still joined to the lower jaw by a sliver of ossified cartilage. This element, Meckel's cartilage, is an important part of the inner surface of the lower jaw; the new fossil shows that it was a vital piece in the evolutionary jigsaw that led to the formation of the mammalian middle ear.
Predicting the thermal conductivity and temperature distribution in aligned fiber composites

A numerical model capable of calculating the effective thermal conductivity and temperature distribution in aligned fiber composites, where the ratio of the fiber to matrix conductivities is an order of magnitude greater than unity, was developed. To determine the validity of this model, an experimental investigation was conducted utilizing cylindrical samples whose fiber direction relative to the cylinder axis varied from Odeg to 90deg in 15deg increments. The temperatures, as predicted by the numerical model, were within five to eight percent of the experimentally measured values for all cases considered. Comparison of sample geometry and effective thermal conductivity indicated that the numerical model more accurately predicted the temperature distribution in samples whose fiber angle with respect to the cylinder axis was large and that accurate prediction of the edge effects, particularly in corner regions where these effects dominate, would require a three-dimensional numerical model.
A Morphing Blade for Wave and Wind Energy Conversion

The paper introduces a morphing blade for the application of wave and wind energy conversion. The most common and typical wave turbine, the Wells turbine, is symmetrical but rigid, whereas wind turbine blades are asymmetrical with some intended (adaptive) or unintended flexibility. Unlike the Wells turbine which is rigid, the morphing blade is flexible, allowing chord-wise bend from the leading to the trailing edge. The morphing blade discussed here is also symmetrical. It is based on an airfoil that is, in an unloaded state, geometrically similar to the NACA0012 airfoil, the Wells Turbine. The blade's flexibility results in a shape that differs from the NACA0012 airfoil if a load is applied. The intended function of the flexible blade has similarities to the function of blade flaps or ailerons and controlled deformations of flight surfaces with aerospace applications, introduced as a measure of improving efficiency and maneuverability of aircrafts at velocities other than the cruising speed. Efficiency of the new blade is higher than that of the rigid blades.
Restructuring neoliberalism at the World Health Organization

ABSTRACT Most descriptions of the spread of neoliberal economic policies since the 1980s overlook the significant contribution of international organizations not only to the dissemination of these policies, but also to their making. The scholarship often regards international organizations as passive transmission belts that merely comply with the demands of their member-states. Scholars who do identify the constitutive role of international organizations consider them to be enthusiastic supporters of the neoliberal project. There were cases, however, when international organizations were opposed to neoliberal reforms imposed from above. This paper draws on the experience of the World Health Organization (WHO) to show that in the process of adapting to the emerging neoliberal regime, international bureaucracies actively restructured this regime in accordance with their own institutional cultures. Some neoliberal prescriptions were successfully transmitted, but others were transformed, with the result that ...
Quasi-optics of the waves guided by a slab of uniaxially anisotropic dielectric

A ray optical method is given for deducing the dispersion relation and the group velocity of the TM wave guided by a slab of uniaxially anisotropic dielectric with particular emphasis on confirming the correctness of the reverse lateral displacement of the ray on total reflection at an interface separating the dielectric from the free space.
Decreased total antioxidant capacity but normal lipid hydroperoxide concentrations in sera of critically ill patients

Abstract Oxidative stress (when free radical generation exceeds antioxidant defense) occurs in many human diseases and makes significant contributions to their pathogenesis. We automated assays estimating the antioxidant status of serum, and lipid hydro-peroxide concentrations using the Monarch analyzer. In this assay, the antioxidant status of serum is measured by its ability to inhibit generation of free radicals from 2,2′-amino-di-[3-ethylbenzthiazole sulphonate] by metmyoglobin and hydrogen peroxide. The assay for measuring lipid peroxidation products in serum utilizes the ability of lipid hydroperoxides to generate methylene blue from 10N-methylcarbamyl 3,7-dimethylamino 10H-phenothiazine. We detected no lipid hydroperoxide in sera obtained from 24 controls. The mean antioxidant status was 1.69 mmol l (SD; 0.20 mmol l ) in controls. The antioxidant capacity of serum was significantly reduced in sera of critically ill patients in the medical intensive care unit (X = 1.05, SD = 0.26 mmol l ) with p value less than 0.05 by independent t-test, two tailed. Lipid peroxidation products were not significantly elevated in critically ill patients, however lipid peroxidation products were significantly elevated in hemodialysis patients (X = 1.40, SD = 0.47 umol l ) and in some kidney transplant recipients. We conclude that antioxidant capacity of sera in critically ill patients is significantly reduced.
Electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) standard test chamber upgrade requirements for spacecraft design verification tests

In view of the serious performance deficiencies inherent in conventional modular and welded shielding EMC test enclosures, in which multipath reflections and resonant standing waves can damage flight hardware during RF susceptibility tests, NASA-Goddard has undertaken the modification of a 20 x 24 ft modular-shielded enclosure through installation of steel panels to which ferrite tiles will be mounted with epoxy. The internally reflected RF energy will thereby be absorbed, and exterior power-line noise will be reduced. Isolation of power-line filters and control of 60-Hz ground connections will also be undertaken in the course of upgrading.
Effects of composition and annealing on the electrical properties of CoSb3

A series of CoSb3 samples was synthesized at low temperature (∼150 °C) using modulated elemental reactants, with composition varying between Co-rich and Sb-rich, resulting in lattice parameters ran...
Printer watermark obfuscation: top paper: RIIT 2014

Most color laser printers manufactured and sold today add "invisible" information to make it easier to determine when a particular document was printed and exactly which printer was used. Some manufacturers have acknowledged the existence of the tracking information in their documentation while others have not. None of them have explained exactly how it works or the scope of the information that is conveyed. There are no laws or regulations that require printer companies to track printer users this way, and none that prevent them from ceasing this practice or providing customers a means to opt out of being tracked. The tracking information is coded by patterns of yellow dots that the printers add to every page they print. The details of the patterns vary by manufacturer and printer model. In this document, our team will discuss several obfuscation methods and demonstrate a successful one. Included in this document is an explanation of the firmware generated yellow dots matrix and answers to the following questions: 1. Which printers produce the dots? 2. How are the dots put on? 3. What is needed for testing? 4. What is the dot size and spacing? 5. Where are the dots located on the page? 6. How can the dots be rendered useless?
INTERLEUKIN 7 IS A POTENT CO-STIMULATOR OF MYELIN SPECIFIC T CELLS THAT ENHANCES THE ADOPTIVE TRANSFER OF EXPERIMENTAL AUTOIMMUNE ENCEPHALOMYELITIS

Abstract Interleukin 7 (IL-7), originally described as a B cell growth factor, has recently been found to play a critical role in T and B lymphocyte development and function. This study evaluated the effects of IL-7 on myelin specific T cells. IL-7 strongly enhanced proliferation of proteolipid protein (PLP) 139–151 specific T cells in association with elevated secretion of the T cell growth factor IL-2. Co-stimulation with IL-7 preferentially increased the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines secreted by PLP 139–151 specific T cells and adoptive transfer of these cells into naive recipients induced a profound enhancement of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis, an animal model for the human disease multiple sclerosis. These results suggest that IL-7 may be a critical co-stimulatory factor that enhances the extrathymic expansion of inflammatory T cells and may play an important role in the pathogenesis of a number of inflammatory autoimmune disorders.
Law of the iterated logarithm for set-indexed partial sum processes with finite variance

is relatively compact in the uniform topology and the set of limit points is the set of functions which are absolutely continuous and whose derivatives have L 2 norm less than or equal to 1. Using Skorokhod embedding, Strassen showed that random walks also obeyed a functional LIL and that the usual LIL, as well as many other interesting results, could be obtained as a consequence. The extension of Strassen's results to Brownian motion indexed by points in ~ + and to partial sum processes indexed by points in IR~+ was done by Pyke [7] and Wichura [9], respectively. For a Brownian motion indexed by a large collection d of sets, the functional law was proved by Bass and Pyke [2], and then a type of Skorokhod embedding was used to extend this for partial sum processes. However, if H(5) is the log-entropy of d (defined in Sect. 2), it was necessary that H(6) 0. Moreover, the sets in d had to have uniformly smooth boundaries. Morrow and Philipp [6J were able to wea-
Are you ready for the net generation or the free agent learner

The newest generation of soon to be health care professionals was raised by Father Google and Mother IM. The world has been a connected place for them their entire lives. They are experts at multitasking. They prefer electronic over print news, dictionaries, and maps; cell phones that do more than make phone calls; e-mail exchanges over face-to-face visits; online payments over checks; and credit cards over cash. In this column, I share some information about technology and these digital natives that I, a digital immigrant, have recently discovered.
Chinese Foreign Policy under Hu Jintao:The Struggle between Low-Profile Policy and Diplomatic Activism

This article explores a controversial issue of Chinese foreign policy: whether the Hu leadership has abandoned Deng Xiaoping’s taoguang yanghui policy — hiding one’s capabilities and biding one’s time — and reoriented Chinese foreign policy towards a more assertive, if not more aggressive, direction. This is controversial because while China in public still insists that it follows the taoguang yanghui policy established by Deng in the early 1990s; Chinese diplomacy has become increasingly active and assertive since Hu came to power, particularly since the 2008-2009 global economic crisis. This article argues that as a rising power, an active foreign policy has become a necessity rather than a luxury for China. This diplomatic activism marks a certain departure from the taoguang yanghui policy, but the Hu leadership is still juggling China’s taoguang yanghui policy with its emerging role as a global power. One defining tension in China’s foreign policy agenda is to find a balance between expanding China’s international influence and taking more international responsibility on the one hand and continuing to play down its pretence of being a global power and avoiding confrontation with the United States on the other.
Photoperiod modulates pubertal shifts in behavioral responsiveness to testosterone.

This study examined the effect of photoperiod on pubertal maturation of steroid-dependent reproductive behaviors in male European ferrets (Mustela putoriusfuro). In the first experiment, levels of neck gripping, mounting, and pelvic thrusting in gonadally intact prepubertal (PRE) ferrets were compared with those of adults that had undergone puberty either while housed in short days (8 hr light/16 hr darkness per day; SD), or after transfer from SD to long days (18 hr light/6 hr darkness per day; LD) at 12 weeks of age. Both LD and SD adults demonstrated significantly greater amounts of neck gripping and mounting than PRE males. In addition, a significantly greater proportion of adults in both SD and LD displayed at least one incidence of the three behaviors compared to PRE ferrets. There were no statistically significant differences in behavior of the gonadally intact LD and SD adults. In the second experiment, dose-response curves for behavioral responses to subcutaneous injections of 0, 0.5, 1.25, 2.5, ...
Local composition model for excess Gibbs energy of electrolyte systems. Part I: Single solvent, single completely dissociated electrolyte systems

An electrolyte local composition model is developed for excess Gibbs energy, which is assumed to be the sum of two contributions, one resulting from long range electrostatic forces between ions and the other from short range forces between all the species. The validity of the model is demonstrated for systems emcompassing the entire range from molecular liquid to fused salt.
Disabling receptor ensembles with rationally designed interface peptidomimetics.

Members of the erbB family receptor tyrosine kinases (erbB1, erbB2, erbB3, and erbB4) are overexpressed in a variety of human cancers and represent important targets for the structure-based drug design. Homo- and heterodimerization (oligomerization) of the erbB receptors are known to be critical events for receptor signaling. To block receptor self-associations, we have designed a series of peptides derived from potential dimerization surfaces in the extracellular subdomain IV of the erbB receptors (erbB peptides). In surface plasmon resonance (BIAcore) studies, the designed peptides have been shown to selectively bind to the erbB receptor ectodomains and isolated subdomain IV of erbB2 with submicromolar affinities and to inhibit heregulin-induced interactions of erbB3 with different erbB receptors. A dose-dependent inhibition of native erbB receptor dimerization by the erbB peptides has been observed in 32D cell lines transfected with different combinations of erbB receptors. The peptides effectively inhibited growth of two types of transformed cells overexpressing different erbB receptors, T6-17 and 32D, in standard MTT (3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide) and cell viability assays. The study identifies distinct loops within the membrane-proximal part of the subdomain IV as potential receptor-receptor interaction sites for the erbB receptors and demonstrates the possibility of disabling receptor activity by structure-based targeting of the dimerization interfaces. Molecular models for possible arrangement of the erbB1·EGF complex, consistent with the involvement of subdomain IV in inter-receptor interactions, are proposed. Small dimerization inhibitors described herein can be useful as probes to elucidate different erbB signaling pathways and may be developed as therapeutic agents.
Mismatch repair in Escherichia coli enhances instability of (CTG)n triplet repeats from human hereditary diseases.

Abstract Long CTG triplet repeats which are associated with several human hereditary neuromuscular disease genes are stabilized in ColE1-derived plasmids in Escherichia coli containing mutations in the methyl-directed mismatch repair genes (mutS, mutL, or mutH). When plasmids containing (CTG)180 were grown for about 100 generations in mutS, mutL, or mutH strains, 60-85% of the plasmids contained a full-length repeat, whereas in the parent strain only about 20% of the plasmids contained the full-length repeat. The deletions occur only in the (CTG)180 insert, not in DNA flanking the repeat. While many products of the deletions are heterogeneous in length, preferential deletion products of about 140, 100, 60, and 20 repeats were observed. We propose that the E. coli mismatch repair proteins recognize three-base loops formed during replication and then generate long single-stranded gaps where stable hairpin structures may form which can be bypassed by DNA polymerase during the resynthesis of duplex DNA. Similar studies were conducted with plasmids containing CGG repeats; no stabilization of these triplets was found in the mismatch repair mutants. Since prokaryotic and human mismatch repair proteins are similar, and since several carcinoma cell lines which are defective in mismatch repair show instability of simple DNA microsatellites, these mechanistic investigations in a bacterial cell may provide insights into the molecular basis for some human genetic diseases.
The requisite variety of skills for IT professionals

IntroductionIT professionals are beset by ongoing changes in technology and business practices. Some commentators have suggested that, in order to stay competitive, IT professionals should retool themselves to gain competency in specific in-demand technical skills. This article argues that thriving in such a dynamic environment requires competency in a broad range of skills, including not only technical skills, but non-technical skills as well.Our research shows that IT departments in non-IT companies report that while both technical and non-technical skills are important, the skills most critical to retain in-house and most sought in new mid-level employees are non-technical skills such as project management, business domain knowledge and relationship skills. These skills are critical because they enable IT departments to work effectively with other departments, internal users, and external customers and suppliers. Non-technical skills leverage technical skills to augment the organization's overall effectiveness in designing and delivering solutions to meet an organization's challenges and opportunities.These findings depart from previous articles emphasizing technical skills as a basis for valuing IT workers and other research recommending business-oriented skills only for those managing IT workers, not for IT professionals themselves. Our findings lead us to the realization that in today's environment of continuous and fast-paced change, a mix of skills is essential for IT professionals.We believe that the Law of Requisite Variety can help explain the need for greater breadth of knowledge and skills among IT professionals. From cybernetics, the Law of Requisite Variety states that adapting to change requires a varied enough solution set to match the complexity of an environment. In this case, IT workers need a broad enough range of knowledge and skills to meet the demands of their increasingly dynamic and complex profession. Based on our research, we offer a framework outlining six skill categories. We believe that all six skill categories are critically important for the career development of IT professionals.
Regulation of the Deubiquitinating Enzyme CYLD by IκB Kinase Gamma-Dependent Phosphorylation

Tumor suppressor CYLD is a deubiquitinating enzyme (DUB) that inhibits the ubiquitination of key signaling molecules, including tumor necrosis factor (TNF) receptor-associated factor 2 (TRAF2). However, how the function of CYLD is regulated remains unknown. Here we provide evidence that inducible phosphorylation of CYLD is an important mechanism of its regulation. Under normal conditions, CYLD dominantly suppresses the ubiquitination of TRAF2. In response to cellular stimuli, CYLD undergoes rapid and transient phosphorylation, which is required for signal-induced TRAF2 ubiquitination and activation of downstream signaling events. Interestingly, the CYLD phosphorylation requires IκB kinase gamma (IKKγ) and can be induced by IKK catalytic subunits. These findings suggest that CYLD serves as a novel target of IKK and that the site-specific phosphorylation of CYLD regulates its signaling function.
Nepheline Precipitation in High-Level Waste Glasses : Compositional Effects and Impact on the Waste Form Acceptability

The impact of crystalline phase precipitation in glass during canister cooling on chemical durability of the waste form limits waste loading in glass, especially for vitrification of certain high-level waste (HLW) streams rich in Na2O and Al2O3. This study investigates compositional effects on nepheline precipitation in simulated Hanford HLW glasses during canister centerline cooling (CCC) heat treatment. It has been demonstrated that the nepheline primary phase field defined by the Na2O-Al2O3-SiO2 ternary system can be used as an indicator for screening HLW glass compositions that are prone to nepheline formation. Based on the CCC results, the component effects on increasing nepheline precipitation can be approximately ranked as Al2O3 > Na2O > Li2O ≈ K2O ≈ Fe2O3 > CaO > SiC2. The presence of nepheline in glass is usually detrimental to chemical durability. Using x-ray diffraction data in conjunction with a mass balance and a second-order mixture model for 7-day product consistency test (PCT) normalized B release, the effect of glass crystallization on glass durability can be predicted with an uncertainty less than 50% if the residual glass composition is within the range of the PCT model.
Strategy-related characteristics of discrete-event languages and models

In regard to available features, discrete-event simulation languages differ in many respects. There is, however, one aspect of a simula tion language that transcends all others in significance - na...
Joint Algorithm-Architecture Optimization of CABAC

This paper uses joint algorithm and architecture design to enable high coding efficiency in conjunction with high processing speed and low area cost. Specifically, it presents several optimizations that can be performed on Context Adaptive Binary Arithmetic Coding (CABAC), a form of entropy coding used in H.264/AVC, to achieve the throughput necessary for real-time low power high definition video coding. The combination of syntax element partitions and interleaved entropy slices, referred to as Massively Parallel CABAC, increases the number of binary symbols that can be processed in a cycle. Subinterval reordering is used to reduce the cycle time required to process each binary symbol. Under common conditions using the JM12.0 software, the Massively Parallel CABAC, increases the bins per cycle by 2.7 to 32.8× at a cost of 0.25 to 6.84% coding loss compared with sequential single slice H.264/AVC CABAC. It also provides a 2× reduction in area cost, and reduces memory bandwidth. Subinterval reordering reduces the critical path delay by 14 to 22%, while modifications to context selection reduces the memory requirement by 67%. This work demonstrates that accounting for implementation cost during video coding algorithms design can enable higher processing speed and reduce hardware cost, while still delivering high coding efficiency in the next generation video coding standard.
Range-sensitive Bayesian passive sonar tracking

Passive sonar arrays are commonly operated under a far-field assumption in which the only observable parameter regarding target location is the direction of arrival of the target's signal. Range can be observed, but only when a target is in the near-field region of the array. In a Bayesian formulation of the problem, additional range dependence may be added to the passive sonar likelihood function by utilizing knowledge of the source level of a target of interest. It is shown that incorporating such knowledge of source level can increase track accuracy, both in the near-field and far-field regions of the array. In addition, it is shown that source level modeling can give a field of omni-directional sensors the ability to detect and localize a target.
Shear lag solution for tuning ultrasonic piezoelectric wafer active sensors with applications to Lamb wave array imaging

An analytical investigation of the interaction between piezoelectric wafer active sensor (PWAS), guided Lamb waves, and host structure is presented in this paper, supported with application examples. The analytical investigation assumes a PWAS transducer bonded to the upper surface of an isotropic flat plate. Shear lag transfer of tractions and strains is assumed, and an analytical solution using the space-wise Fourier transform is reviewed, closed-form solutions are presented for the case of both ideal bonding (i.e., load transfer mechanism localized at the PWAS boundary) and not ideal bonding (i.e., load transfer mechanism localized close the PWAS boundary). The analytical solutions are used to derive Lamb wave mode tuning curves which indicate that frequencies exist at which the A0 mode or the S0 mode can be either suppressed or enhanced. The paper further shows that the capability to excite only one desired Lamb wave mode is critical for practical structural health monitoring applications such as PWAS phased array technique (e.g., the embedded ultrasonics structural radar, EUSR) and the sparse array imaging. Extensive experimental tests that verify the tuning mechanism and prediction curves are reported. Examples of correctly tuned EUSR images vs. detuned cases illustrate the paramount importance of Lamb wave mode tuning for the success of PWAS based damage detection.