cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Birth of European Union Sports Law

Employing a methodology drawn from policy studies, this article claims that the EU has devised a distinct legal approach to applying the law to sporting situations in order to reconcile differences within the EU sports policy subsystem. Whilst some actors see sport primarily in economic terms, others wish to see the socio-cultural characteristics of sport protected from EU law. In the absence of a legally rooted common sports policy, the EU has used law to construct the separate territories of sporting autonomy and judicial intervention. Whilst the findings of this research are limited to the EU experience, this article nevertheless empirically and theoretically strengthens the emerging sports law thesis within legal studies.
Complications After Open Distal Clavicle Excision

Isolated distal clavicle excision performed as an open procedure has been considered safe and, in the literature, has been considered the standard for comparison with arthroscopic distal clavicle excisions. However, we noticed isolated open distal clavicle excision was associated with a number of complications. We therefore raised two questions about the complication rate in a cohort of our patients who had undergone this procedure: (1) What was the complication rate and how did it compare to that in the existing literature on this subject? and (2) Were the complications in our cohort similar to those previously reported? We studied 42 patients who underwent an isolated distal clavicle excision between 1992 and 2003. There were 27 complications (64%), which was substantially higher than rates previously reported. Complications in our cohort not previously reported included continued acromioclavicular joint tenderness and scar hypertrophy. Our study suggests complications after open distal clavicle excisions may be more frequent than and may differ from previously reported rates and types.
Managing IT with systems thinking

Technological systems do not exist in a vacuum, but are an integral part of an organizational setting. With information systems now permeating almost every aspect of our environment, systems thinking has never been more relevant to engineers and managers. Information systems essentially store, process, and distribute organizational information. As the capacity to accomplish these tasks has grown by leaps and bounds, organizations have become increasingly coupled. The information systems that developers are designing and implementing today are not only more complex, they also generate more complex interactions within organizational units. Unfortunately, many engineers only come to understand the need for a holistic approach to managing information technology through experience.
Improved hydrogen storage properties of a V decorated Mg nanoblade array

An ultra-thin layer of V has been coated onto the surface of individual Mg nanoblades by dynamic shadowing growth. This 2.25 at% V decorated Mg nanoblade array can absorb and desorb hydrogen rapidly at temperatures T>or= 500 K after activation by one hydrogen cycle, with a low hydrogen absorption activation energy of 35.0+/-1.2 kJ per mol H(2) and a desorption activation energy of 65.0+/-0.3 kJ per mol H(2). The improved hydrogen sorption kinetics is attributed to both the catalytic effect of the V coating and the unique nanoblade morphology with a large surface area and small hydrogen diffusion length.
University Centers for the Study of Public Policy: Organizational Viability*

The central problems of creating and maintaining a university center for the study of public policy stem from the inherently interdisciplinary nature of the policy design process and the tensions in academic circles between “pure” and “applied” research.
AEWMA control chart for monitoring variability sources of solder joints quality

A statistical approach for monitoring solder joint quality is presented in this paper. In semiconductor manufacturing, there are often multiple independent root causes (variability sources) that contribute to the overall observed variability in the measured profile. Each variability source may result in a distinct spatial pattern across some of the measured product characteristics. A combinational blind source separation method is proposed to recognize these patterns based on a high-order statistical analysis of inspection data. Visualization of the resulting patterns is shown to help illustrate the nature of their root causes. For the identified individual variability sources, we apply autocorrelation exponentially weighted moving average control charts to monitor the mean shifts by accommodating their autocorrelation and non-Gaussian distributions. The proposed control chart also facilitates online monitoring of solder joint quality by avoiding the sophisticated time-series modeling.
Intrinsic evolution of safe control strategies for autonomous spacecraft

Autonomous space vehicles need adaptive control strategies that can accommodate unanticipated environmental conditions. Although it is not difficult to construct alternative control strategies, a proper evaluation frequently can only be done by actually trying them out in the real physical environment. It therefore becomes imperative that any candidate control strategy be deemed safe - i.e., it does not damage any systems - prior to being tested online. How to do this has been a challenging problem. We propose a solution to this problem. Our approach uses an evolutionary algorithm (EA) to intrinsically evolve new control strategies. All candidate strategies are checked for safety using formal methods. More specifically, an EA evolves a series of finite state machines (FSMs), each of which encodes a unique control strategy. Model checking guarantees whether all safety properties are satisfied in the strategy. A numerical example is included to illustrate our approach.
The prolonged effect of pentaerythritol tetranitrate on exercise capacity in stable effort angina pectoris.

We studied the effect of a single oral dose of 40 mg of pentaerythritol tetranitrate (PETN) on the exercise capacity of ten patients with angina pectoris. The study design was a randomized double-blind crossover comparing the effects of 40 mg of oral PETN with placebo on exercise tolerance. Patients were exercised to moderate angina pectoris before and 2½ and 4½ hours after receiving the placebo or PETN at seven-day intervals during the double-blind crossover period. Exercise tolerance time was measured using a multistage, progressive treadmill test. Exercise times were greater 2½ hours and 4½ hours following PETN compared with placebo (P
A Self-Biased Charge-Transfer Sense Amplifier

A self-biased charge-transfer sense amplifier (SB-CTSA) is proposed for applications in high performance static memory. The new design incorporates an internal biasing mechanism along with a static output latch that can store the result from a read cycle indefinitely at no additional cost in power. It exhibits 23% faster sensing delay and a 37% reduction in read energy when compared to a recently proposed CTSA structure. In addition, the SB-CTSA design exhibits low sensitivity to both input capacitance and input capacitance mismatch.
Reevaluating the Dead Donor Rule

The dead donor rule justifies current practice in organ procurement for transplantation and states that organ donors must be dead prior to donation. The majority of organ donors are diagnosed as having suffered brain death and hence are declared dead by neurological criteria. However, a significant amount of unrest in both the philosophical and the medical literature has surfaced since this practice began forty years ago. I argue that, first, declaring death by neurological criteria is both unreliable and unjustified but further, the ethical principles which themselves justify the dead donor rule are better served by abandoning that rule and instead allowing individuals who have suffered severe and irreversible brain damage to become organ donors, even though they are not yet dead and even though the removal of their organs would be the proximal cause of death.
Infrastructure Needs for Translational Integration of Mouse and Human Trials

Advances in the treatment of human cancer are frequently limited by the inability to test novel drugs and drug combinations in patients in a rapid and streamlined manner. Increasing data from the application of clinically relevant mouse models has highlighted the ability of preclinical trials in mice to address this problem, and has paved the way for what is now termed the "Co-Clinical Trial Project," in which mouse trials are performed concurrently with human trials. This in turn enables efficient patient stratification and therapy optimization based on molecular determinants for effective treatment of cancer. To fully realize the potential of preclinical, coclinical, and postclinical trials in mice, there is a need to establish key principles for carrying out therapeutic mouse trials, to standardize practices for performing such trials, and to establish mouse hospitals where trials can be integrated with corresponding clinical trial efforts in humans. Here we describe critical infrastructural components that are required for effective implementation of such efforts and suggest a model for how mouse hospitals for clinical trials should be established.
A hysteresis current-regulated control for multi-level drives

Most multi-level converters are controlled through the use of voltage-source based control techniques such as space-vector modulation or multi-level sine-triangle modulation. However, in many applications such as field oriented drives, a high bandwidth current-source inverter based control is more desirable. In this paper, the concept of a multi-level hysteresis current-source control is set forth. The new control is experimentally verified using a four-level converter/induction motor drive system and the results are compared to a space vector modulation controller. A dynamic study involving a step change in current command demonstrates the controls high bandwidth.
Omeprazole prevents indomethacin‐induced gastric ulcers in rabbits

Background: The role of gastric acid in the development of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)-induced gastric ulcers is unclear. The aim of this study was to determine the effect of the proton pump inhibitor omeprazole on the formation of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in a rabbit model. Methods: Twenty-four rabbits were randomly divided into four groups and treated as follows: vehicle for indomethacin; vehicle for omeprazole; indomethacin (20 mg/kg b.d. subcutaneously for seven doses); and indomethacin plus omeprazole (both at 20 mg/kg b.d. subcutaneously for seven doses). On day 4 (after the seventh injection), rabbits were sacrificed, and gastric mucosal injury and prostaglandin formation were assessed. Results: Subcutaneous administration of 20 mg/kg omeprazole b.d. caused a profound suppression of gastric acidity (i.e. pH above 5.0 continuously). This same dose of omeprazole significantly reduced gastric ulcer formation induced by indomethacin despite significant (>80%) inhibition of gastric mucosal prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) formation. Conclusion: We conclude from these observations that gastric acid plays a critical role in the formation of indomethacin-induced gastric ulcers in rabbits.
Structural Validity of the Professional Development Profile of the LoTi Digital-Age Survey.

The present study was used to examine the structural construct validity of the Professional Development Profile of the LoTi Digital-Age Survey, a measure of teacher instructional practices with technology in the classroom. Teacher responses (N = 2,840) from across the United States were used to assess factor structure of the instrument using exploratory and confirmatory analyses. Parallel analysis suggests retaining a five-factor solution compared to the MAP test that suggests retaining a three-factor solution. Both analyses (EFA and CFA) indicate a revised factor structure, also known as the Professional Development Profile, of the survey. Two hypothesized factors were composed of items that did not cover or accurately measure the content of traits purported to be assessed. Problematic items, such as items with cross-loadings, are discussed and suggestions for item retention and conceptualization of the structure of the instrument.
Ray theory for a locally layered random medium

Abstract We consider acoustic pulse propagation in inhomogeneous media over relatively long propagation distances. Our main objective is to characterize the spreading of the travelling pulse due to microscale variations in the medium parameters. The pulse is generated by a point source and the medium is modelled by a smooth three-dimensional background that is modulated by stratified random fluctuations. We refer to such media as locally layered . We show that, when the pulse is observed relative to its random arrival time, it stabilizes to a shape determined by the slowly varying background convolved with a Gaussian. The width of the Gaussian and the random travel time are determined by the medium parameters along the ray connecting the source and the point of observation. The ray is determined by high-frequency asymptotics (geometrical optics). If we observe the pulse in a deterministic frame moving with the effective slowness , it does not stabilize and its mean is broader because of the random compone...
MATERNAL BELIEFS ABOUT CHILDREN'S ATTACHMENTS TO SOFT OBJECTS

Maternal practices, attitudes, and beliefs about children's attachments to soft objects were investigated via questionnaires and interviews completed by mothers of 58 children with such attachments, present or previous, and of 24 children who had never been thus attached. Mothers in the former group were generally more accurate and positive about the attachments and the characteristics of children with them than were mothers in the latter group. The role of parents in the development of soft-object attachments is discussed.
Justice in Jeopardy if Needs Not Met: A Reply to Gillian Brock

From Gillian Brock's vigorous probing (Brock 1994, 1996) of my treatment of meeting needs in my book of that title (Braybrooke 1987) I have learned a good deal; and from the article published in Dialogue , which concerns in particular the connection that I made between justice and needs, I have certainly learned how my arguments for that connection might have been expressed more cogently. Yet I think that the arguments I intended, and even the arguments I expressed, escape her criticisms. She quotes a number of leading assertions drawn one by one from my text, but consolidates into one argument what are best regarded as three different, though connected, arguments, to the disadvantage of their respective strengths. She also disregards, to their disadvantage, the distinction between “respect for a person M's position”—my phrasing, meaning M's position under some assignment of benefits and burdens—and “respect for a person M”—a notion that does not come into the three arguments.
Psychological impact of news of genetic risk for Huntington disease.

A one-year longitudinal study was conducted investigating the psychological effects of the news of genetic testing for the Huntington disease (HD) gene. Participants were assessed at baseline (before obtaining news of test results) and at three, six, and 12 months after test results on stress-specific symptom measures. Among carriers of the HD gene, a considerable number (55%) showed evidence of neurological impairment at baseline, indicative of HD. Also noteworthy, these individuals had significantly higher psychological symptom scores at baseline than carriers without neurological impairment or noncarriers. Despite this, these individuals were no more aware of their carrier status at baseline than carriers without HD symptoms or noncarriers. Furthermore, the psychological symptom levels of HD carriers with neurological impairment remained elevated across the follow-up assessments. Results for noncarriers and carriers without HD neurological symptoms were consistent with the findings of previous studies indicating that news of genetic testing for the HD gene had limited detrimental impact. The clinical implications of the results are discussed.
Microbial colonization of injured cactus tissue (Stenocereus gummosus) and its relationship to the ecology of cactophilic Drosophila mojavensis

Necrotic tissue of agria cactus (Stenocereus gummosus) serves as a feeding and breeding substrate for Drosophila mojavensis. This fly species is one of the four endemic Drosophila species in the Sonoran Desert. Freeze injuries were created in arms of agria cactus in Mexico to study the events of microbial colonization. Facultative anaerobic bacteria were the first microbes to be detected, and the exclusion of large arthropods by covering the injuries with netting did not affect bacterial colonization. Yeast growth lagged behind bacterial growth by 2 days, and excluding arthropods delayed the detection of yeasts by an additional 2 days. Thus, insects (such as Drosophila species) and other arthropods do play a role in the colonization of agria rots by yeasts. All injuries were attractive to D. mojavensis within 5 days, and these flies were shown to be carrying significant densities of both bacteria and yeasts. Analysis of the volatile compounds present in the developing rots over time indicated that the volatile pattern is dynamic. Ethanol and acetic acid were the two volatile substances most likely responsible for the initial attraction of the injuries for Drosophila species.
Reducing error rates with low-cost haptic feedback in virtual reality-based training applications

This paper reports on the effectiveness of haptic feedback in a low-cost virtual-reality training environment for military and emergency personnel. Subjects participated in simulated exercises for clearing a damaged building, implemented using a modified commercial videogame engine and USB-compatible force and vibration feedback devices. With the addition of haptic feedback, subjects made fewer procedural errors and completed some tasks more rapidly. Initially, best results were obtained with vibration feedback. After modifications to the collision detection and display algorithm, force feedback produced equivalent results and was preferred by a majority of subjects.
Visualization and parallel I/O at extreme scale

In our efforts to solve ever more challenging problems through computational techniques, the scale of our compute systems continues to grow. As we approach petascale, it becomes increasingly important that all the resources in the system be used as efficiently as possible, not just the floating-point units. Because of hardware, software, and usability challenges, storage resources are often one of the most poorly used and performing components of today's compute systems. This situation can be especially true in the case of the analysis phases of scientific workflows. In this paper we discuss the impact of large-scale data on visual analysis operations and examine a collection of approaches to I/O in the visual analysis process. First we examine the performance of volume rendering on a leadership-computing platform and assess the relative cost of I/O, rendering, and compositing operations. Next we analyze the performance implications of eliminating preprocessing from this example workflow. Then we describe a technique that uses data reorganization to improve access times for data-intensive volume rendering.
A Reconnaissance of Alternative Measures of Effective Property Tax Rates

Informed policy discussions on local property tax reform initiatives require accurate and reliable information about the tax's current use. This paper reviews two popular measures of property tax burden and their limitations. The paper then reports the results of a reconnaissance of measures of effective property tax rates and how they vary across the 50 states. The paper also reports the findings of a 50-state survey that indicates how states calculated and reported effective property tax rates. These comparisons lead to a suggested framework for certain methodologies for calculating effective property tax rates.
Improving SNR estimation for autonomous radio receivers

We have demonstrated that the performance (as measured by its variance) of a popular SNR estimator can be improved by increasing the number of observables per symbol (accomplished by partitioning the symbol interval into a larger (than two) even number of subdivisions) but still processing them in successive pairs. We have shown that the amount of improvement is a function of the true SNR being estimated and continues to increase monotonically with increasing SNR. Despite its ad hoc nature, the modified estimator tracks the Cramer-Rao bound on the variance of SNR estimators with known or unknown data over the entire range of SNR values, a property not previously achievable with the traditional version of this estimator.
Introduction to B. M. KEDROV, "On the Question of the Psychology of Scientific Creativity"

The article by Kedrov presented here will be of great interest to students of problem solving and creativity, particularly because of the unparalleled data it contains. D. I. Mendeleev's discovery of the periodic table was one of the great advances in chemistry in the 19th century. Mendeleev's notebooks and memoranda, preserved in the archives of Leningrad University, contain a minute and detailed account of the crucial step of that discovery, providing us with precise information about the successive stages through which the discovery proceeded, and the progressive improvement in his representation and formulation of it.
0- to 0+ Beta Decay in A = 16

We have completed a measurement of the beta decay rate of the first excited state of 16N to the ground state of 16O.
Electromyographic, Peak Torque, and Power Relationships During Isokinetic Movement

The use of isokinetic measurements for research and clinical practice becomes more meaningful when it can be demonstrated that subjects being tested at multiple velocities are making similar efforts and when the relationships between various biomechanical measures are understood. The purpose of this study was to examine 1) integrated electromyographic activity per second of the quadriceps femoris muscle at four isokinetic speeds (30, 60, 90, and 120°/sec) and 2) the relationship of power to peak torque at each speed. Two groups were tested: “normals” (healthy subjects) and patients undergoing long-term steroid therapy for rheumatic diseases. The integrated electromyographic activity per second did not vary significantly across speeds, indicating that subjects in each group made equivalent efforts at all four speeds. At each speed, for each group, high correlations were found between peak torque and power. Population-specific and speed-specific linear regression equations were calculated that allowed for predictions of power from the more easily obtained clinical measure of peak torque.
Kmart Inc. and Builders Square

Synopsis: In 1997, Kmart received an offer from retail buyout specialists Leonard Green & Partners for the purchase of Builders Square, its ailing 162-store home improvement chain. Green's offer included a $10 million cash payment, a warrant to purchase a 28% stake in the new entity in the future, and the assumption of approximately $1.5 billion in non-cancelable Builders Square lease obligations. Kmart would remain contingently liable for the lease payments if the new entity were to fail. The questions posed include: 1) what is the value of the Builders Square subsidiary? 2) is the Green offer a good deal for Kmart? and 3) should Kmart accept the offer or hold out for a higher offer or additional buyers? Teaching Purpose: This case has two objectives. The instructor may choose to emphasize one or the other depending upon the level of the class. An advanced corporate finance class would concentrate on the first objective, which is to understand the transfer of value that occurs when a parent firm guarantees the debt of a subsidiary (in this case, the parent guarantees the subsidiary's lease payments). The magnitude of this transfer can be substantial, and can continue to affect the parent firm even when it no longer owns the subsidiary. In Kmart's case, the guarantees meant that even though Builders Square appeared by all accounts to be a negative net-present-value project, Kmart had an incentive to keep it operating. The presence of the guarantees also implied that the value that Kmart realized from the sale of the subsidiary depended not only on the amount of cash that initially changed hands, but on the ongoing skill and creditworthiness of the buyer. An introductory finance class would touch on the first objective, but spend more time on the second, which is to value Builders Square using multiples. The case provides an opportunity for the instructor to present a rigorous approach to defining the proper set of "comparable" firms, so that students can learn that the definition of "comparable" depends upon the valuation method (or multiple) being used.
Hypertension and aging

Hypertension is a highly prevalent condition with numerous health risks, and the incidence of hypertension is greatest among older adults. Traditional discussions of hypertension have largely focused on the risks for cardiovascular disease and associated events. However, there are a number of collateral effects, including risks for dementia, physical disability, and falls/fractures which are increasingly garnering attention in the hypertension literature. Several key mechanisms – including inflammation, oxidative stress, and endothelial dysfunction – are common to biologic aging and hypertension development and appear to have key mechanistic roles in the development of the cardiovascular and collateral risks of late-life hypertension. The objective of the present review is to highlight the multi-dimensional risks of hypertension among older adults and discuss potential strategies for treatment and future areas of research for improving overall care for older adults with hypertension.
Abstract 4180: miRNA-mediated anticancer properties of the PPARα-activator fenofibrate on glioblastoma cell growth and migration.

Proceedings: AACR 104th Annual Meeting 2013; Apr 6-10, 2013; Washington, DC Background: Glioblastoma is an aggressive tumor which originates from the glial cells and accounts for nearly 50% of adult brain tumors. These tumors are characterized by rapid proliferation, aggressive metastatic potential, and resistance to radio- and chemotherapy. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are 22-nucleotides long RNAs that regulate gene expression post-transcriptionally. Fenofibrate is a potent agonist of peroxisome proliferator activated receptor alpha (PPARα) that is used for the treatment of cardiovascular disease and various metabolic disorders. In addition, treatment with Fenofibrate results in the proliferation of peroxisomes and a marked reduction in the growth of Glioblastoma cells. Methods: To evaluate the effects of treatment on miRNA expression, we used TaqMan quantitative real-time PCR assays from Life Technologies (Grand Island, NY). miRNAs were cloned into BLOCK-iT Pol II miR RNAi Expression Vectors (Life Technologies). Cell growth was evaluated using Guava ViaCount Reagent (Guava Technologies, Hayward, CA). Migration of miRNA-expressing cells was assessed 24h after plating on 8 μm membranes (BD Biosciences, San Jose, CA). Results: In this study, we utilized the LN229 Glioblastoma cell line and found that among the miRNAs up-regulated by Fenofibrate treatment, miR-634 and miR-136 targeted CYR61, a protein involved in migration and proliferation of cancer cells. We additionally found that miR-136 was up-regulated by Fenofibrate treatment while miR-155, another miRNA previously shown to target CYR61, was down-regulated by Fenofibrate. All three miRNAs were predicted and validated to directly target the 3’-UTR of Cyr61. Over-expression of miR-136 and miR-634 miRNAs negatively affected proliferation, but not migration, of LN229 cells. Forced expression of miR-155 reduced migration and addition of recombinant Cyr61 reversed this impairment in migration. Investigation of the signaling pathways regulated by miR-634, revealed an increased phosphorylation of p70 S6 kinase (Thr389), suggesting an induction of the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) complex 1 pathway. Induction of the mTOR pathway was dependent on Akt and Erk activation. In miR-634 overexpressing cells, TSC2, a negative regulator of mTOR signaling, was found to be decreased. Further studies on the differential roles of miRs-136, -155, and -634 in controlling cell growth, cell size, and migration will provide important information on the molecular mechanisms involved in the anticancer properties of Fenofibrate. Citation Format: Duane Jeansonne, Marco Pacifici, Adam Lassak, Krzysztof Reiss, Francesca Peruzzi. miRNA-mediated anticancer properties of the PPARα-activator fenofibrate on glioblastoma cell growth and migration. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4180. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-4180
Chemometrics and Machine Learning for Spectral Analysis

In this talk, we will review the current state of the art chemometric data processing techniques for LIBS and will highlight techniques we believe hold promise for improving detection and identification using LIBS spectra.
Sublingual administration of heparin.

ConclusionSodium heparin is a practical and effective anticoagulant when administered sublingually. By this method, the coagulation time of the blood was consistently prolonged to the therapeutically effective levels for 4 hr.
Study on the Correlation Between Influence Factors of Technical Innovation Ability in Science and Technological Parks and Technical Innovation Performance

The paper researches the correlation between influence factors of technical innovation ability and technical innovation performance by statistic software on the basis of summarizing the relevant research results home and abroad.The results indicate that influence factors of technical innovation ability and technical innovation performance have close positive correlation.Therefore,the devotion of RD funds and RD personnel,system construction of science and technological parks,government's preferential policy,wide band network construction level and advance level of production equipment and other factors influence technical innovation performance most.
Design of ZYW-4000 Cross-belt Drill for Coal Mine

To drill gas extraction mining hole on two sides of belt-transport lane without any effect to belt conveyor,a kind of cross-belt ZYW-4000 drill is designed.Its general structure,belt-cross chassis and functions of main parts are introduced.
Decreased SAP Expression in T Cells from Patients with Systemic Lupus Erythematosus Contributes to Early Signaling Abnormalities and Reduced IL-2 Production.

T cells from patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) display a number of abnormalities, including increased early signaling events following engagement of the TCR. Signaling lymphocytic activation molecule family cell surface receptors and the X-chromosome–defined signaling lymphocytic activation molecule-associated protein (SAP) adaptor are important in the development of several immunocyte lineages and modulating the immune response. We present evidence that SAP protein levels are decreased in T cells and in their main subsets isolated from 32 women and three men with SLE, independent of disease activity. In SLE T cells, SAP protein is also subject to increased degradation by caspase-3. Forced expression of SAP in SLE T cells normalized IL-2 production, calcium (Ca2+) responses, and tyrosine phosphorylation of a number of proteins. Exposure of normal T cells to SLE serum IgG, known to contain anti-CD3/TCR Abs, resulted in SAP downregulation. We conclude that SLE T cells display reduced levels of the adaptor protein SAP, probably as a result of continuous T cell activation and degradation by caspase-3. Restoration of SAP levels in SLE T cells corrects the overexcitable lupus T cell phenotype.
The intrinsic stabilities and structures of alkali metal cationized guanine quadruplexes

The structures and stabilities of self-assembled guanine quadruplexes, M(9eG)8+ (M = Na, K, Rb, Cs; 9eG = 9-ethylguanine), have been studied in the gas phase by blackbody infrared radiative dissociation to determine the difference in the stabilizing effect of the alkali metal cations. The order of stabilities to decomposition was determined to be K+ > Rb+ > Cs+ ≫ Na+, which is consistent with the observation of K+ being the ion of choice in guanine quadruplexes in nucleic acids. In the gas phase, the sodiated quadruplex was found to lose one 9eG at a time, whereas the quadruplexes of the heavier cations lost a neutral guanine tetrad. Vibrational spectroscopy on the gas-phase quadruplex ions was consistent with the structures in which the metal cations were sandwiched between two guanine tetrads. Electronic structure calculations are also used to compare with the observed stabilities and vibrational spectra.
Antiinflammatory and ROS Suppressive Effects of the Addition of Fiber to a High-Fat High-Calorie Meal.

Background:Fiber intake is associated with a reduction in the occurrence of cardiovascular events and diabetes.Objective:To investigate whether the addition of fiber to a high fat-high Calorie (HFHC) meal prevents pro-inflammatory changes induced by HFHC meal.Design:Ten fasting normal subjects consumed HFHC meal with or without an additional 30g of insoluble dietary fiber on 2 separate visits. Blood samples were collected over 5hr and mononuclear cells (MNC) isolated.Results:Fiber addition to HFHC meal significantly lowered glucose excursion in the first 90min and increased insulin and C-peptide secretion throughout the 5hr follow-up period compared to meal alone. The HFHC meal induced an increase in LPS concentrations, MNC ROS generation and the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, TLR-4 and CD14. The addition of fiber prevented the increase in LPS and significantly reduced the increases in ROS generation and the expression of IL-1β, TNF-α, TLR-4 and CD14. Additionally, the meal increased SOCS-3 and PTP-IB mRNA a...
The role of ants in north temperate grasslands: a review

Historic and current land-use changes have altered the landscape for grassland biota, with over 90% of grasslands and savannas converted to agriculture or some other use in north temperate regions. Reintegrating grasslands into agricultural landscapes can increase biodiversity while also providing valuable ecosystem services. In contrast to their well-known importance in tropical and subtropical ecosystems, the role of ants in temperate grasslands is often underappreciated. As consumers and ecosystem engineers, ants in temperate grasslands influence invertebrate, plant, and soil microbial diversity and potentially alter grassland productivity. As common and numerically dominant invertebrates in grasslands, ants can also serve as important indicator species to monitor conservation and management practices. Drawing on examples largely from mesic, north temperate studies, and from other temperate regions where necessary, we review the roles of ants as consumers and ecosystem engineers in grasslands. We also identify five avenues for future research to improve our understanding of the roles of ants in grasslands. This includes identifying how grassland fragmentation may influence ant community assembly, quantifying how ant communities impact ecosystem functions and soil processes, and understanding how ant communities and their associated interactions are impacted by climate change. In synthesizing the role of ants in temperate grasslands and identifying knowledge gaps, we hope this and future work will help inform how land managers maximize grassland conservation value while increasing multiple ecosystem services and minimizing disservices.
Location across Disciplines: Reflections on the CSISS Experience

This chapter describes a strategy for the national dissemination of spatial analytic methods for research and teaching in the social sciences in the United States developed by the Center for Spatially Integrated Social Science (CSISS). The strategy was based around a set of key programmes: residential workshops that trained hundreds of scholars in geographical information systems (GIS), cartographic visualisation and spatial statistics; the development of exploratory spatial data analysis tools for spatial econometric studies; symposia for advancing new initiatives for advancing spatial methodologies and applications in the social sciences; and publications that highlighted best practices for spatial thinking. Through the work of CSISS and other organisations, by 2008 there was a significant growth in interest among the social sciences in spatial reasoning. The lessons learned from the experiences of CSISS offer guidance on broad-based dissemination efforts across disciplines and for future initiatives on the basic concepts of spatial thinking. A suggested set of concepts is proposed as a basis for augmenting knowledge in diverse fields through applications of spatial thinking and methodologies.
Spaces In-between: Text Poems from Community Practice and Research

A commitment on the part of the academy to address social issues has increased over the past three decades, resulting in service learning courses, volunteering opportunities, and community-university partnerships. Faculty, staff, and community practitioners collaborating to lead these efforts often carry enormous responsibility and answer to often competing interests of students, community members, and universities. Using the experience of an scholar/artist/teacher in a university-community partnership founded by the first author in a racially polarized town, this article explores the potential of arts-based methods, specifically poetry and collage, to mitigate the consequence of this work. The format is a dialogue between two engaged teacher/researcher/practitioners and friends to clarify the hidden experience of the researcher with narrative truth to articulate and share not only experiences, but also lessons learned as a contribution to our fellow teacher/researcher/practitioners.
Implementing a Narrative Medicine Curriculum During the Internship Year: An Internal Medicine Residency Program Experience.

Introduction Narrative medicine develops professional and communication skills that align with Accreditation Council for Graduate Medical Education competencies. However, little is known about a narrative medicine curriculum's impact on physicians in training during residency. Implementing a narrative medicine curriculum during residency can be challenging because of time constraints and limited opportunity for nonclinical education. Methods Six sessions were implemented throughout one academic year to expose first-year internal medicine residents (interns) to narrative medicine. Attendance and participation were documented. At the end of the year, interns completed an open-ended survey to gauge their perception of their experience with the sessions. Results In total, 17 interns attended at least 1 narrative medicine session, and each session averaged 5.4 attendees. Thirteen eligible interns completed the survey. Thematic analysis identified 3 predominant themes: Mindfulness, physician well-being, and professionalism. Discussion Overall, the narrative medicine sessions were well attended and the curriculum was well received. This intervention demonstrates the value of a narrative medicine curriculum during medical resident training. Large prospective studies are necessary to identify the long-term benefits of such a curriculum.
VCAM-1 upregulation accompanies muscle remodeling following resistance-type exercise in Snell dwarf (Pit1dw/dw ) mice.

Snell dwarf mice (Pit1dw/dw ) exhibit deficiencies in growth hormone, prolactin, and thyroid stimulating hormone. Besides being an experimental model of hypopituitarism, these mice are long-lived (>40% lifespan extension) and utilized as a model of slowed/delayed aging. Whether this longevity is accompanied by a compromised quality of life in terms of muscular performance has not yet been characterized. In this study, we investigated nontrained and trained muscles 1 month following a general validated resistance-type exercise protocol in 3-month-old Snell dwarf mice and control littermates. Nontrained Snell dwarf gastrocnemius muscles exhibited a 1.3-fold greater muscle mass to body weight ratio than control values although muscle quality, maximum isometric torque normalized to muscle mass, and fatigue recovery were compromised. For control mice, training increased isometric torque (17%) without altering muscle mass. For Snell dwarf mice, isometric torque was unaltered by training despite decreased muscle mass that rendered muscle mass to body weight ratio comparable to control values. Muscle quality and fatigue recovery improved twofold and threefold, respectively, for Snell dwarf mice. This accompanied a fourfold increase in levels of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), a mediator of progenitor cell recruitment, and muscle remodeling in the form of increased number of central nuclei, additional muscle fibers per unit area, and altered fiber type distribution. These results reveal a trade-off between muscle quality and longevity in the context of anterior pituitary hormone deficiency and that resistance-type training can diminish this trade-off by improving muscle quality concomitant with VCAM-1 upregulation and muscle remodeling.
Combining Distributed Populations and Periodic Centralized Selections in Coarse-Grain Parallel Genetic Algorithms

In this paper we demonstrate that parallel genetic algorithms can profit from performing periodic centralized selections of distributed populations. With this combination, implementations can benefit from the variety of environments provided by distributed approaches, while periodically being able to consider the population as a whole and disregard very unfit individuals. We study four different parallel genetic algorithm implementation strategies; each of them striking a different balance between centralization and distribution. These strategies are applied to several well-known benchmark problems. Our results show that the implementations using periodic centralized selections exhibit remarkable robustness in terms of their search quality, while keeping running time overheads under control. Our main conclusion is that performing centralized selections represents an improvement to the traditional population distribution approaches, which are susceptible to somewhat inefficient search.
3He correlation energy in the random phase approximation : The one-ripplon-exchange potential in thin 3He-4He superfluid films

A new approach to the calculation of correlation energies in the random phase approximation (RPA) is introduced. The method is applied to the system of adsorbed 3 He in thin 4 He superfluid films. The 3 He component interacts by means of the exchange of virtual surface interactions (ripplons) in addition to the usual atom-atom interaction. We report on a calculation of the RPA contribution to the 3 He ground-state energy of a previously introduced model for this effective interaction called the one-ripplon-exchange potential (OREP). V OREP is manifestly frequency dependent and complex. In this paper we study the differences in the RPA contribution to the ground-state energy between the fully complex and frequency dependent V OREP and V OREP in the real, static limit.
Identification of mollicutes from insects

This chapter focuses on the identification of mollicutes from insects. Detection and identification techniques for various Spiroplasma, Acholeplasma, Mesoplasma, and Entomoplasma species in insect hosts are described. Conventional cultural and serologic methods usually suffice for isolation and identification of these mollicutes. However, mixed spiroplasma infections are frequently observed in insect hosts, such as tabanids, complicating many conventional serologic procedures that require purified antigens for species identification. New genera of organisms have been discovered in arthropods and species and groups from the diverse genera have proliferated.
Abstract 372: MicroRNA-9 Inhibits Hyperglycemia-induced Cardiac Pyroptosis by Targeting ELAVL1

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is a common complication in patients with diabetes and is associated with underlying chronic inflammation and cardiac cell death, subsequently leading to left ventricular dy...
Crystal and molecular structure of [Rh(μ-SBut)(CO)(PPh3)]2

Reaction of [Rh(CO)2Cl]2 with Bu t SLi followed by refluxing with PPh3 yields [Rh(μ-SBu t )(CO)(PPh3)]2(1). The structure of (1) has been determined by X-ray crystallography. Empirical formula: Rh2P2S2C46H48O2,M=964.78, triclinic, P¯1,a=11.408(9),b=13.241(8),c=15.830(3) A,α=93.67(3),β=93.12(5),γ=110.8(6)°,Z=2,D calc=1.44 g cm−3,R=0.048 (R w =0.062) for 5939 observed reflections. In the solid state, the compound exhibitscis geometry with respect to the phosphine and CO ligands. The geometry about the two metals is essentially square planar, with a dihedral angle of 103.2°, and a “butterfly angle” of 102.3°. Compound (1) is stereochemically rigid on the NMR time scale from −80 to +80°C.
Racial and Ethnic Positionalities

I think educators need to understand, among many other things about racial identity, that no matter the age of the person or what they seem like, it’s not necessarily something that everyone has come to accept to understand about themselves. It is always changing; it is not something that we should assume everyone has dealt with in a way that they feel is finite, in a way that is not going to change.
A nonlinear coupled-variables model for mass transfer modes in MIG-MAG processes with experimental validation

Welding processes have relevant importance in many areas of industry, especially in the manufacturing area. The choice of mass transfer mode, to weld metal plates, depends on workpiece structure and its sensibility to the heat input and necessity for material deposition rate. Then, aiming at the mass transfer modes in metal inert gas-metal active gas (MIG-MAG) processes utilising pure CO2 as shielding gas, the objective of this paper is to present a detailed mathematical modelling for globular and short-circuit transfer modes. The proposed models cover a large set of process dynamics, approximating the simulated dynamics very closely to the physical process, which give a high level of credibility for the models. Furthermore, simulations and experimental data are presented to corroborate the validation of both models.
South-South Cooperation or Core-Periphery Contention? Ghanaian and Zambian Perceptions of Economic Relations with China

The geopolitics of development are explored through an examination of development assistance to two African countries as a mechanism of competition between China and the US. The processes of compet...