cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of antibody-secreting cells and antigen-specific T cells in cervical lymph nodes after intranasal immunization.

Intranasal (i.n.) immunization with bacterial protein antigens coupled to cholera toxin B subunit (CTB) effectively induces mucosal, especially salivary immunoglobulin A (IgA), and nonmucosal antibody responses in mice. To examine the regional distribution of antigen-specific B and T cells after i.n. immunization, antibody-secreting cells and antigen-responsive T cells in cervical lymph nodes (CLN) were compared with those found after intraoral or subcutaneous (in the neck) administration of the same antigen and with T cells found in mesenteric lymph nodes (MLN) and spleen after intragastric immunization. The i.n. immunization induced predominantly IgA antibody-secreting cells in salivary glands and IgA and IgG antibody-secreting cells in the superficial and central CLN; these responses were quantitatively enhanced if the antigen was coupled to CTB. Intraoral immunization also induced IgA and IgG antibody-secreting cells in the superficial and central CLN, but only if intact cholera toxin was included as an adjuvant. In contrast, subcutaneous (neck) immunization induced IgG antibody-secreting cells mainly in the draining facial lymph nodes. CLN cell populations resembled those of MLN, except that CLN lymphocytes had higher proportions of T cells and lower proportions of B cells and a slightly higher CD4+/CD8+ ratio among T cells than the MLN lymphocytes did. T cells that proliferated in response to antigen in vitro were found especially in central CLN 2 days after i.n. immunization and persisted for up to 6 months, whereas after intragastric immunization, responsive T cells were not found in the MLN for up to 14 days. After culture with antigen in vitro, T cells from the superficial CLN of i.n. immunized mice secreted both gamma interferon and interleukin-4. Therefore, after i.n. immunization, superficial and central CLN represent sites of regional lymphocyte development, and the central CLN in particular appear to be sites where memory T cells persist.
A performance evaluation of pointer-based joins

In this paper we describe three pointer-based join algorithms that are simple variants of the nested-loops, sort-merge, and hybrid-hash join algorithms used in relational database systems. Each join algorithm is described and an analysis is carried out to compare the performance of the pointer-based algorithms to their standard, non-pointer-based counterparts. The results of the analysis show that the pointer-based algorithms can provide significant performance gains in many situations. The results also show that the pointer-based nested-loops join algorithm, which is perhaps the most natural pointer-based join algorithm to consider using in an object-oriented database system, performs quite poorly on most medium to large joins.
Sources of mummy bitumen in ancient Egypt and Palestine

Bitumen used as a preservative in ancient Egyptian mummies was previously thought to come only from the Dead Sea in Palestine. Other, closer sources of bitumen were investigated at Abu Durba and Gebel Zeit on the shores of Egypt’s Gulf of Suez. Bitumen from these localities and from five mummies was analysed using molecular biomarkers derived from gas chromatography/mass spectrometry. It was found that four of the mummies contained Dead Sea bitumen, and the fifth and oldest (900 bc) had bitumen from Gebel Zeit, thus providing the first evidence for the use of an indigenous source of bitumen in ancient Egypt.
Joint optimization of power allocation and cooperation in wireless OFDM networks

In wireless communication networks more than one antenna can be used to enhance the quality of transmission with transmit diversity. However, wireless devices such as mobile phones cannot have more than one antenna because of limits on size and complexity. Recently, cooperative communications have been proposed to create virtual antenna systems for circumventing this problem. This technique achieves a diversity gain by using a combination of the relayed signal and the direct signal. Here, we use a dual optimization method for non-convex problems to jointly optimize the power allocation and the scheduling of wireless cooperative OFDM systems. We find the optimal solution, and confirm our analysis by numerical results.
PROLONGED RETENTION OF INTESTINAL TUBES.

Summary Two cases of prolonged retention of a small intestinal tube cut off at the mouth are reported. After 3 and 6 months, respectively, the subjects passed the retained tubing spontaneously per rectum. Suggestions are offered to prevent such a complication.
Portable, Battery Operated Capillary Electrophoresis with Optical Isomer Resolution Integrated with Ionization Source for Mass Spectrometry

We introduce a battery operated capillary electrophoresis electrospray ionization (CE/ESI) source for mass spectrometry with optical isomer separation capability. The source fits in front of low or high resolution mass spectrometers similar to a nanospray source with about the same weight and size. The source has two high voltage power supplies (±25 kV HVPS) capable of operating in forward or reverse polarity modes and powered by a 12 V rechargeable lithium ion battery with operation time of ~10 h. In ultrafast CE mode, in which short narrow capillaries (≤15 μm i.d., 15-25 cm long) and field gradients ≥1000 V/cm are used, peak widths at the base are <1 s wide. Under these conditions, the source provides high resolution separation, including optical isomer resolution in ~1 min. Using a low resolution mass spectrometer (LTQ Velos) with a scan time of 0.07 s/scan, baseline separation of amino acids and their optical isomers were achieved in ~1 min. Moreover, bovine serum albumin (BSA) was analyzed in ~1 min with 56% coverage using the data-dependent MS/MS. Using a high resolution mass spectrometer (Thermo Orbitrap Elite) with 15,000 resolution, the fastest scan time achieved was 0.15 s, which was adequate for CE-MS analysis when optical isomer separation is not required or when the optical isomers were well separated. Figures of merit including a detection limit of 2 fmol and linear dynamic range of two orders of magnitude were achieved for amino acids.
Requirements for a computing-literate society

We share a vision of a society that is able to express problems and ideas computationally. Andrea diSessa called that computational literacy, and he invented the Boxer Programming Environment to explore the media of computational literacy. Education has the job of making citizens literate. Education systems around the world are exploring the question of what should all citizens know about computing and how do we provide that knowledge. The questions being asked are about public policy, but also about what does it mean to be expressive with computation and what should computing users know. The answers to these questions have implications for the future of human-centric computing.
Corporate Governance, Business Cycles & Networks

Japan is characterized by three distinct kinds of economic organization: the horizontal keiretsu, the vertical keiretsu, and firms unaffiliated with either type of keiretsu. We find that the relationship between ownership concentration and firm performance varies depending upon the nature of the network ties and the stage of the business cycle. While we find strengthening evidence of positive ownership effects in vertical keiretsu and unaffiliated firms; among horizontal keiretsu we provide evidence that powerful owners exhibit entrenchment propensities. Moreover, entrenchment by powerful keiretsu owners occurs during recessionary times. Thus are study supports other work which hypothesizes that relationship-based economies are most vulnerable during periods of economic downturn. Our results demonstrate that regardless of the institutional context (sophisticated or developing), or ownership identity (family versus non-family), diversified business groups seem to act in a predictable way during periods of economic downturn - whatever benefits that may be associated with group affiliation seem to dissipate when they are most needed by member firms (as well as the economy in general). These results lead us to concur with Almeida and Wolfenzon (2006) - business groups should be dismantled. The tendency for powerful owners to engage in tunnelling during economic downturn is not restricted to emerging market contexts.
Promoting the Executive Functions: Core Foundations, Assessment Considerations, and Practical Applications

The executive functions (EFs) comprise an interrelated set of higher-order cognitive abilities associated with goal-oriented behavior and emotional and social functioning. The present chapter considers a spectrum of issues related to EFs, beginning with theoretical foundations and concluding with practical strategies for promoting the EFs in daily life. In particular, we review theoretical, clinical, and empirical frameworks of EFs and examine EF assessment approaches and related dilemmas. We clarify EF assessment use patterns among practitioners in the context of ecological validity. We then discuss research on interventions designed to support or promote the EFs and consider evidence-based external and internal strategies useful in clinical practice. A final section considers future directions that may lead to more effective EF assessment and promotion.
Hard Times, Bad Policy: Executive Suspension of Civil Rights of Ethnic Minorities

Two modern presidents have faced attacks on US territory in the twentieth century. Each responded by using executive powers which had developed over the centuries since the framing of the Constitution. While the circumstances were different, the similar use of presidential authority compels a closer look. Franklin Delano Roosevelt used Executive Order 9066 as the basis for the exclusion and internment of Japanese aliens and American citizens of Japanese descent. The authority under which George W. Bush acted in constructing the War on Terror has not been so clearly defined. This paper explores the similarities and differences in formal authority, public relations, and, as available, discussions and controversy within the executive branch, and between branches of the federal government during these periods.
Framing identity in social movements: the identity and the Chinese government interpretation of the Tibet Separatists

The central idea of this research is to point out how the dominant group identifies the protestors in a social movement compared to how the protestors identify themselves by using the Tibet Separatists as a case study. Based on framing theory, this paper conducts a content analysis on the official websites of the Tibet Separatists and the Chinese government, and news coverage of the Tibet Separatists by news outlets including Times of India, New York Times, and People’s Daily. Utilizing coding and SPSS, identity frameworks presented by both the Tibet Separatists and the Chinese government are compared to see their differences in terms of official materials and news materials separately. Through the case study, this paper draws two key conclusions: a) in both media discourse and official materials, the frameworks of identity interpretation differ from the challenging group, the Tibet Separatists, to the dominant group, the Chinese government; and b) both dynamic framing processes are interdependent, and actually reflect each other.
Test signal generation for the calibration of analog front-end circuits in biopotential measurement applications

A test signal generator to calibrate analog front-ends for biopotential measurements is presented. The integrated signal generator enables detection of the input impedance at the frontend instrumentation amplifier based on current injection and amplitude detection. It can generate picoampere currents while ensuring a high output impedance of 2.9GΩ up to 100Hz. The test signal generator was designed and simulated in 0.13μm CMOS technology and it consists of a temperature-compensated relaxation oscillator, a frequency divider, a limiter, and an operational transconductance amplifier. Keywords—Test signal generation; self-calibrated analog front-end; input capacitance cancellation; low-transconductance OTA; dry-contact electrode measurement technique.
A NOTE ON THE BRAZILIAN BROMELIAD CRABS (CRUST ACEA, GRAPSI DAE)

Recently, two authors ( Sattler & Sattler, 1965 and McWilliams, 1969) independently reported on a species of Sesarma Say, 1817 found in Brazil living in water of the basal leaves or tanks of bromeliad epiphytes. Sattler & Sattler (1965) reported the species as Sesarma ricordi H. Milne Edwards, 1853 , and gave notes on its habitat, stomach contents and behavior. McWilliams (1969) reported the species as Sesarma miersii Rathbun, 1897 , and gave notes on its habitat and color.
Decision-making and coordination of supply chain investment based on RFID technology

To discuss the decision making problem of Radio Frequency IDentification(RFID)technology in one to many supply chain enterprises,by taking a two-stage supply chain with one manufacturer and two retailers as the research objective and considering the influence of commodity misplacement on optimum order quantity,the profit models of both centralized and decentralized supply chains were proposed with logical proof and numerical analysis method.The influence of misplaced rate on price of supply chain members was decomposed,which could eliminate by RFID technology.The result showed that the unit cost thresholds of RFID label undertaken by centralized and decentralized supply chains were equaled.Moreover,aquantity discount-two part tariff contract was designed to realize the coordination of the decentralized supply chain with RFID technology,and a single quantity discount contract was found could not realize the coordination of supply chain.A numerical simulation analysis was given to illustrate the model.
Effects of glibenclamide on the formation of foam cells

OBJECTIVE To study the effects and mechanism of glibenclamide on the formation of foam cells in THP-1 cells.METHODS The THP-1 cells were cultured and differentiated into macrophages by phorbol myristate acetate(PMA).The macrophages were incubated with acetyled LDL(Ac-LDL) to generate foam cells.Glibenclamide was added in various doses on macrophages treated with or without Ac-LDL.The foam cells were determined by oil O staining.The acyl coenzyme A:cholesterol acyltransferase(ACAT) activity was measured by quantifying the incorporation of \ oleoyl CoA into cholesteryl esters.An enzymatic colorimetric assay was used to determine cell cholesterol mass.RESULTS The numbers of foam cells were decreased by glibenclamide.Glibenclamide significantly inhibited the activity of ACAT in THP-1 macrophages with or without Ac-LDL treatment.The cholesteryl esters(CE) mass decreased with the increasing doses of glibenclamide in macrophages with or without Ac-LDL treatment,the inhibiting effect was in a dose-dependant manner.CONCLUSION Glibenclamide inhibited the formation of foam cells.It may be the results of inhibits effect of activity of ACAT and the CE mass by glibenclamide.
“Optimal” Randomization Strategies When Testing the Existence of a Phylogeographic Structure: A Reply to Petit and Grivet

A phylogeographic nested clade analysis (NCA) tests the null hypothesis that haplotypes or clades of haplotypes are randomly distributed geographically relative to those haplotypes or clades with which they are nested together in a higher-order clade called the nesting clade ([Templeton et al. 1995
Role of Radiative Corrections in the Electroweak Theory

The role of radiative corrections in electroweak physics is examined. Special emphasis is given to their significance in neutral currents, m w , m z and Z 0 physics, as well as at low energies. The on-shell and \( \overline{MS} \) renormalization frameworks and the basic radiative corrections Δr, \( \Delta\hat {r} \) and \( \Delta\hat {r}_W \) are outlined. The comparison between theory and experiment, upper bounds on m t , the effect of a fourth generation with Dirac or Majorana neutrinos and novel parametrizations of new physics are discussed.
The footmen of the king

THE “OLD CREW” In September, 1567, about two weeks before the Huguenot attack on the royal court at Meaux precipitated the second civil war, Melchion Gatico, commissaire extraordinaire des guerres , and Jehan Girard, commis par le roy au conteroolle de ses guerres , conducted musters of two companies of veteran French infantry stationed at the piedmontese fortress city of Pignerol. One of the units was a regular infantry company commanded by the young Count Brissac, colonel general of all French infantry stationed beyond the mountains and son of the recently deceased Marshal Brissac. The other was the garrison company of the citadel of Pignerol, commanded by its governor, Jehan de Monluc, son of the famous Blaise de Monluc, the future marshal of France. Commissioners Gatico and Girard pursued two different purposes at the muster. The first was simply to pay the men of both companies for their service during the previous months of July and August. The second was to compile a roolle signale of each company, that is, a roster containing a detailed individual description of each soldier. An order to compile such rosters had been sent earlier in 1567 to the duke of Nevers, the military governor of French Piedmont, and reissued to the commissioners a week before the muster.
Psychophysiological correlates of systemic inflammation in black and white men

Abstract Inflammation plays a critical role in the pathophysiology of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and levels of circulating inflammatory markers are associated with future CVD risk. However, the physiological mechanisms that control systemic levels of circulating inflammatory markers are not well understood. Here, we explore possible autonomic nervous system mechanisms by testing whether resting and stressor-evoked cardiovascular responses are associated with two markers of systemic inflammation: interleukin (IL)-6 and C-reactive protein (CRP). Subjects were 159 black and 129 white men (M = 33.0 years) who completed a laboratory protocol including an anger recall speech task. Electrocardiography and impedance cardiography data were collected during a resting baseline, the speech task, and a final recovery period. Hierarchical regressions tested whether resting or stressor-evoked levels of heart rate (HR), high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), pre-ejection period (PEP), and pulse transit time (PTT) were associated with CRP or IL-6. Higher resting HR was associated with higher CRP (β = 0.19, p = 0.003) and IL-6 (β = 0.13, p
Interdisciplinary onsite team-based simulation training in the neonatal intensive care unit: a pilot report.

Interdisciplinary onsite team-based simulation training in the neonatal intensive care unit: a pilot report
A generalized approach for determining electric machine drive switching schemes using evolutionary optimization algorithms

The number of inverter switching events in one fundamental cycle of an electric machine can be limited by many factors such as inverter switching frequency, rotational speed, and computational time required by control algorithms. Even at low and moderate speeds, switching harmonics cause distortion in the phase current, which can lead to increased torque ripple and core losses when compared to operation with ideal waveforms. Furthermore, as rotational speed increases and voltage limitations are encountered, overmodulation schemes must be implemented to overcome increasing reactance and back-EMF (or pseudo back-EMF). The goal of this paper is to establish a framework and demonstrate methods for determining optimal switching times for a set number of switching events in a fundamental cycle using particle swarm optimization and multivariable fitness functions.
Management of Complicated Pneumonia in Childhood: A Review of Recent Literature.

Background Despite declining rates of community acquired pneumonia (CAP) in children, complicated pneumonia has been on the rise in the last two decades. The management of complicated pneumonia is challenging and continues to be an area of investigation. Despite recently published guidelines, many gaps exist and recent studies attempt to answer challenging questions. Objective The aim was to review recently published literature to inform the clinician about the most up to date management of complicated pneumonia in children. Methods Using Medline, a search of the medical literature was conducted in order to find relevant clinical trials and review articles published in the last 5 years. Results Narrow spectrum antibiotics including ampicillin and azithromycin remain important first line agents, but directed therapy towards causative pathogens is the ideal standard practice. Novel DNA isolation technologies hold promise for raising the diagnostic yield of pleural fluid. Surgical interventions are often required and new literature further supports the use of fibrinolytics and minimally invasive chest tube thoracostomy. Not to be overlooked is the importance of supportive measures including oxygen therapy and adequate fluid, electrolyte and nutrition support. The use of other adjunctive therapies such as steroids in pediatric complicated pneumonia remains controversial. Conclusion Recent studies have shown promise in establishing best practices for evaluation and management of complicated pneumonia in children. Despite these robust efforts however, many areas are in need of future inquiry and prospective studies could help to better understand the optimal therapeutic and diagnostic options for children with this common and persistent childhood illness.
Multiwavelength Anomalous Diffraction as a Direct Phasing Vehicle in Macromolecular Crystallography

The possibility for definitive phase determination from diffraction measurements made at multiple wavelengths from crystals that contain anomalous scatterers has long been recognized (Okaya and Pepinsky, 1956). This potential is easy to appreciate since multiwavelength anomalous diffraction (MAD) experiments can be thought of as in situ multiple isomorphous replacements (MIR) arising from the variations in scattering factors that accompany changes of wavelengths. These variations, known as anomalous scattering, result from the resonance that occurs between the oscillations of atomic orbitals and x-ray-induced electronic vibrations. With synchrotron radiation such experiments are now quite feasible, and with recently developed methods for analyzing MAD measurements, accurate phases can be obtained for macromolecular crystal structures. Anomalous scattering centers appropriate for MAD experiments can be introduced as for conventional heavy atom derivatives or they may occur naturally in metalloproteins. In addition, selenomethionyl proteins produced biologically are suitable for MAD phasing. Since a single crystalline species (and often a single crystal) suffices for MAD analysis of such molecules, the MAD method serves as a vehicle for direct structure determination.
Suppressed plasmablast responses in febrile infants, including children with Kawasaki disease

Background Kawasaki disease (KD), the leading cause of acquired heart disease in children, primarily affects infants and toddlers. Investigations on immune responses during KD are hampered by a limited understanding of normal immune responses in these ages. It’s well known that Infants have poorer vaccine responses and difficulty with maintaining prolonged serum immunity, but there are few studies on human infants detailing immune deficiencies. Limited studies propose an inability to maintain life-long bone marrow plasma cells. Plasmablasts are a transitional cell form of B cells that lead to long-term Plasma cells. Plasmablasts levels rise in the peripheral blood after exposure to a foreign antigen. In adult studies, these responses are both temporally and functionally well characterized. To date, there have been few studies on plasmablasts in the predominant age range of KD. Methods Children presenting to an urban pediatric emergency room undergoing laboratory evaluation, who had concern of KD or had fever and symptoms overlapping those of KD, were recruited. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated and evaluated utilizing flow cytometry with specific B cell markers from 18 KD subjects and 69 febrile controls. Results Plasmablast numbers and temporal formation are similar between infectious disease controls and KD subjects. In both groups, infants have diminished plasmablast responses compared to older children. Conclusion In this single-time point survey, infants have a blunted peripheral plasmablast response. Overall, similar plasmablast responses in KD and controls support an infectious disease relationship to KD. Future time-course studies of plasmablasts in infants are warranted as this phenomenon may contribute to observed immune responses in this age group.
Retroviral Gag protein-RNA interactions: Implications for specific genomic RNA packaging and virion assembly.

Abstract Retroviral Gag proteins are responsible for coordinating many aspects of virion assembly. Gag possesses two distinct nucleic acid binding domains, matrix (MA) and nucleocapsid (NC). One of the critical functions of Gag is to specifically recognize, bind, and package the retroviral genomic RNA (gRNA) into assembling virions. Gag interactions with cellular RNAs have also been shown to regulate aspects of assembly. Recent results have shed light on the role of MA and NC domain interactions with nucleic acids, and how they jointly function to ensure packaging of the retroviral gRNA. Here, we will review the literature regarding RNA interactions with NC, MA, as well as overall mechanisms employed by Gag to interact with RNA. The discussion focuses on human immunodeficiency virus type-1, but other retroviruses will also be discussed. A model is presented combining all of the available data summarizing the various factors and layers of selection Gag employs to ensure specific gRNA packaging and correct virion assembly.
miR-146a restricts germinal center B cell responses through targeting CD40 signaling pathway

The germinal center (GC) reaction is the hallmark of B cell-mediated immune responses to T cell-dependent (TD) antigens. Engagement of CD40 by its ligand, CD154, which is expressed on activated CD4+ T cells, follicular helper T (Tfh) cells in particular, is crucial for TD humoral immunity. Previously, it has been demonstrated that miR-146a serves as a molecular break in limiting Tfh cells and the resultant GC B cell responses. Here, by taking the mixed bone marrow chimeras as well as the cell-type-specific miR-146a deletion approaches, we show that like Tfh cells, elevated levels of miR-146a in B cells are equally important in controlling humoral immunity as miR-146a deficiency leads to increased GC B cell differentiation. Moreover, deletion of miR-146a specifically in isotype-switched B cells also resulted in augmented GC responses, suggesting that continued miR-146a expression in GC B cells is required for the maintenance of optimal GC reactions. Mechanistically, we found that miR-146a-ablated B cells exhibit elevated CD40 expression and that enhanced CD40 signaling is accounted for the dysregulated GC responses in mice with B cell-specific miR-146a ablation. Together, our study demonstrates an indispensable role of miR-146a in restricting GC B cell responses and suggests that miR-146a is a critical negative regulator in controlling both T and B cells, two key arms in orchestrating protective humoral immunity.
Computation of the Mordell-Weil Group

If G is an abelian group (written additively), the elements g 1,..., g r of G are called independent if $$m_1 g_1 + \cdots m_r g_r = 0\;\left( {m_j \varepsilon \mathbb{Z}} \right)$$ is possible only with m 1 = ⋯ = m r = 0. Thus if one of g 1,..., g r is of finite order, g 1,..., g r cannot be independent. For any elliptic curve E defined over ℚ the group E(ℚ) of rational points on E is finitely generated. The (Mordell-Weil) rank r ℚ(E) of E is defined to be the maximum number of independent elements in E(ℚ). In particular, r ℚ(E) = 0 if and only if E(ℚ) is finite (consisting of points of finite order).
You Can't Take It With You: Constitutional Consequences of Interstate Gender-Identity Rulings

Contradictory approaches to defining male and female can create bizarre and confusing results as transsex persons cross state lines and find that their legal sex changes according to the laws of a given jurisdiction. Recent U.S. decisions establishing a person's legal sex have adopted a kaleidoscope of approaches that range from the absurd (a man must be able to fertilize ovum and beget offspring, while women must produce ova and bear offspring), to the religious (gender is immutably fixed by our Creator at birth), to the scientific (gender itself is a fact that may be established by medical and other evidence). Under current laws and state court rulings, a male-to-female transsex person is legally a woman in approximately one-half of the states and legally a man in the other one-half of the states. This article discusses the constitutional implications of the varied approaches to determining a person's legal sex. It concludes that states that refuse to recognize an amended birth certificate from a sister state violate principles of full faith and credit and unconstitutionally infringe upon the right to travel under the dormant Commerce Clause. In addition, when states impose sex tests that are based on gender stereotypes and force people to live as the sex that conflicts with their self-identified sex, they violate the Fourteenth Amendment's equal protection and substantive due process mandates.
Chemical Kinetics and Mass Transfer Processes in Soils and Soil Constituents

Kinetics of soil chemical processes is an area of increasing importance in the soil and environmental sciences. This chapter presents an overview of chemical kinetics and mass transfer processes in soils and in soil constituents such as hydrous oxides, clay minerals, and humic substances. Topics that are discussed include: rate laws for soil systems, determination of rate laws, rate constants and rate coefficients, kinetics of ion exchange, kinetic methodologies, and determination of chemical kinetics phenomena using chemical relaxation.
Flora, fauna and paleoecology of the Brazil Formation of Indiana

(1990). Flora, Fauna, and Paleoecology of the Brazil Formation of Indiana. Rocks & Minerals: Vol. 65, No. 3, pp. 244-250.
Orphan opioid receptor oligonucleotides inhibit HIV-1 expression in human brain cells.

We found that orphan opioid receptor (OR) mRNA was constitutively expressed in human fetal microglia, astrocytes, and cerebral cortical neurons. An OR antisense oligonu- cleotide markedly inhibited HIV-1 expression in enriched microglial cell and the mixed glial/neuronal cell cultures but not in the chronically infected promonocytic Ul cells. The sense oligonucleotide also inhibited HIV-1 expression in brain cell cultures. These findings indicate that while human brain cells constitutively express mRNA for OR, antisense oligonucleotides to OR non-specifically inhibit acute HIV-1 infection.
Diversity and Classification of Insects and Collembola

Publisher Summary This chapter describes classification, anatomy, morphology, physiology, reproduction, life history, phylogeny, evolution, ecology, and taxonomy of orders and families in which one or more life stages are truly aquatic and adapted for survival under or on the water surface. It also briefly mentions another arthropod group, the semiaquatic springtails (class Entognatha, order Collembola). A total of 10 orders of insects contain aquatic species. Five of them (Ephemeroptera, Odonata, Plecoptera, Trichoptera, and Megaloptera) are aquatic orders in which almost all species have aquatic larvae. The remaining five orders (Heteroptera, Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Neuroptera) are partially aquatic orders in which most species are terrestrial. However, these orders contain species or entire families that have one or more life stages adapted for living in an aquatic environment. Three aquatic orders (Ephemeroptera, Odonata, and Plecoptera) have a hemimetabolous life cycle, which includes three developmental stages: egg, larva, and adult. The other two aquatic orders (Trichoptera and Megaloptera) have a holometabolous life cycle, which includes four developmental stages: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Four of the five partially aquatic orders (Coleoptera, Diptera, Lepidoptera, and Neuroptera) also have holometabolous life cycles. The fifth order, Heteroptera (Hemiptera), has a paurometabolous life cycle, which includes three developmental stages: egg, larva, and adult.
Macrophage Phenotypes in Murine Aneurysm

A prominent pathological feature of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) is the infiltration of mononuclear phagocytes such as macrophages. Accumulating literature has highlighted the importance of macr...
Peer Counseling with Adolescent Mothers: A Pilot Program

Adolescent pregnancy and parenting are major societal problems. The authors describe a peer-counseling model aimed at preventing repeat pregnancy and school drop-out among adolescent mothers. Well-...
The Role of the Psychiatrist in the Perioperative Setting

This chapter provides an overview of the complex interface between psychiatry and surgery. We begin with a brief review of the history of consultation-liaison psychiatry, the psychiatric subspecialty that focuses on the care of patients in the general hospital setting. Subsequently, we illustrate the impact of psychiatric illness upon surgical outcomes and discuss the most common psychiatric presentations occurring in the perioperative setting. Three current main models of psychiatric services in the general hospital are described: the classic “on-demand” consultation model, the proactive consultation model, and the embedded psychiatric services.
Organizational identity change: impacts on hotel leadership and employee wellbeing

Hospitality employee wellbeing is crucial for organizational success. This study explores the conceptualization and operationalization of hotel employee wellbeing, as perceived by leadership, throu...
Extension of cross-well bandwidths for a bistable oscillator

Snap-through dynamics between the two potential wells of bistable oscillators are exhibited over a wide frequency range which narrows with decreasing harmonic excitation amplitudes until disappearing at a critical forcing level. However, for efficient conversion from vibrational to electrical energy in harvesting applications, the bistable oscillator must retain its favorable broadband cross-well response while the input excitation is minimized. To maintain effectiveness at low forcing levels, an actuation approach is proposed where external perturbations are used to extend the oscillator’s cross-well bandwidths by switching from co-existing low to high energy attractors. By utilizing Macro Fiber Composites (MFC) in a [0MFC /90MFC ]T bistable laminate, the application of rectangular voltage pulse signals are cycled through different response phases to continuously alter the basins of attraction until the desired cross-well orbit is sustained at each frequency. The pulse magnitude is where the system exhibits limit point behavior and the resulting snap through actuation mechanism brings consistency between perturbation trials. Numerical simulations show significant increase to the bandwidths inducing cross-well oscillations when the perturbation strategy is employed.
Higher Market Thickness Reduces Matching Rate in Online Platforms: Evidence from a Quasi-Experiment

Market thickness is a key parameter that can make or break a platform's business model. Thicker markets can offer more opportunities for participants to meet and higher chances that a potential match exists. However, they can also be vulnerable to potential search frictions. In this paper, using data from an online peer-to-peer holiday property-rental platform, we aim to identify and measure the causal impact of market thickness on matching rates. In particular, we exploit an exogenous shock to market size caused by a one-time migration of listings from other platforms, which gives rise to a quasi-experimental design. We find that increased market thickness actually leads to lower matching rates. Keeping search technology and other factors constant, doubling market size leads to a 15.4% reduction in traveler confirmation rate and 15.9% reduction in host occupancy rate. As a result, the platform lost 5.6% of potential matches because of the increased market size. We attribute the effect to increased search friction: travelers' search intensity increases by 18.3% when market size doubles. This effect is especially prominent when the matching needs to take place within a limited time. Our results offer insights for future empirical and theoretical research on matching markets. They also highlight the importance for platform owners to watch out for increased search frictions as markets grow and to invest in search technologies to facilitate more efficient search.
Therapeutic Aptamers: Evolving to Find their Clinical Niche.

Background The discovery that short oligonucleotides, termed aptamers, can fold into three-dimensional structures that allow them to selectively bind and inhibit the activity of pathogenic proteins is now over 25 years old. The invention of the SELEX methodology heralded in an era in which such nucleic acid-based ligands could be generated against a wide variety of therapeutic targets. Results A large number of aptamers have now been identified by combinatorial chemistry methods in the laboratory and moreover, an increasing number have been discovered in nature. The affinities and activities of such aptamers have often been compared to that of antibodies, yet only a few of these agents have made it into clinical studies compared to a large and increasing number of therapeutic antibodies. One therapeutic aptamer targeting VEGF has made it to market, while 3 others have advanced as far as phase III clinical trials. Conclusion In this manuscript, we hope the reader appreciates that the success of aptamers becoming a class of drugs is less about nucleic acid biochemistry and more about target validation and overall drug chemistry.
CRC Handbook of Laboratory Safety, 5th ed. A. Keith Furr, ed. Boca Raton, FL: CRC Press LCC, 2000, 774 pp., $149.99. ISBN 0-8493-2523-4.

This handbook is a very useful and practical guide designed to help any person working in a laboratory environment. The handbook extensively covers topics from regulations to procedures. It includes detailed questionnaires on different areas, including complete and detailed information about chemicals, personal protective clothing, laboratory checklists, and the characteristics that members of the safety department and its officers should have to teach and …
Chapter 8 – Introduction to the Laplace Transform

In this chapter, we discuss a technique that transforms the differential equation (8.1) into an algebraic equation that can often be solved to obtain a solution of the differential equation, even if f(t) it not a smooth function.
Rebellious Passage: The Creole Revolt and America’s Coastal Slave Trade

The remarkable and risky bid for liberation by 19 freedom seekers on the slave ship Creole in 1841 has long been overshadowed by another dramatic story of slave ship revolt. Whereas the Amistad reb...
COMPUTATIONAL INTELLIGENCE AND ITS APPLICATION IN REMOTE SENSING

Remote sensing observations provide a new global perspective of the Earth environment. Measurements from airborne and space borne sensor systems help scientists gain a better understanding of the complex interactions between the Earth’s atmosphere, oceans, ice regions and land surfaces, as well as human-induced change due to population growth and human activities. These remote sensing measurements are widely used in geographical, meteorological, and environmental studies. Technological advancements have resulted in an increase in the number of observation platforms and sensor capabilities (e.g., spectral and spatial resolution). This trend will continue and soon will produce an unprecedented volume of data. Information extracted from these datasets will support national research agendas and national applications that will exert an ever-increasing requirement for shorter processing times and greater data and algorithm accuracies. Hence, advanced mathematical techniques are needed to effectively analyze data generated from the rapidly growing remote sensing technology. For most geophysical retrieval algorithms, adding additional information to improve the measurement of in situ properties is not a simple task because of the nonlinear nature of the problem as well as computational difficulties. Moreover, most current mathematical techniques generally require a high level of scientific knowledge of the physical system to accurately analyze remotely sensed data. In contrast, computational intelligence (CI) techniques such as artificial neural networks, genetic algorithms, and fuzzy logic systems, provide the capability to better examine complex data without requiring detailed knowledge about the underlying physical system. For example, CI techniques have been used to accurately estimate bio-optical parameters in complex coastal aquatic environments from remotely sensed data by employing special features such as the ability to learn from data, adaptive behavior, handling of non-linear systems, flexibility towards the choice of inputs, and resilience against noise. For example, in satellite remote sensing of ocean color, most algorithms are based on regression (or empirical) models that use power and/or cubic polynomials to relate ratios of remotely sensed reflectance to bio-optical parameters such as chlorophyll
Genetic Testing in the Horse

Genetic testing in horses began in the 1960s, when parentage testing using blood group markers became the standard. In the 1990s, parentage testing shifted from evaluating blood groups to DNA testing. The development of genetics and genomics in both human and veterinarian medicine, along with continued technological advances in the last 2 decades, has helped unravel the causal variants for many horse traits. Genetic testing is also now possible for a variety of phenotypic and disease traits and is used to assist in breeding and clinical management decisions. This article describes the genetic tests that are currently available for horses.
DRD2 C957T genotype modulates the time-on-task effect during total sleep deprivation.

Total sleep deprivation (TSD) and time-on-task (TOT), especially in combination, increase cognitive instability and cause performance impairment. There are large inter-individual differences in TSD...
A Mucosal Adenovirus Prime/Systemic Envelope Boost Vaccine Regimen Elicits Responses in Cervicovaginal and Alveolar Macrophages of Rhesus Macaques Associated With Delayed SIV Acquisition and B Cell Help.

Vaccine strategies targeting the mucosal portal of entry may prevent HIV acquisition and systemic infection. Macrophages in cervicovaginal compartments are one of the first cell types to encounter virus upon vaginal exposure. Their activation can lead to recruitment of additional macrophages and CD4+ T-cells susceptible to viral infection. However, they are also critical in providing early protection against invading pathogens. Therefore, understanding their response to immunization is important for vaccine design. We immunized rhesus macaques twice mucosally with replicating adenovirus (Ad) SIV recombinants, followed by two intramuscular boosts with SIV gp120 protein. Macaques were subsequently challenged intravaginally with repeated low doses of SIVmac251. Using flow cytometry, we evaluated responses of cervicovaginal macrophages (CVM) and alveolar macrophages (AM) in bronchoalveolar lavage as initial immunization was to the upper respiratory tract. The frequency of CVM increased over the course of immunization; however, CCR5 expression significantly decreased. Significantly increased expression of the chemokines CCL3 (p < 0.01), CCL4, CCL5, and CXCL8 (p < 0.0001 for all) on CVM was seen post-1st Ad but their expression significantly decreased post-2nd boost. CD4+ T-cell frequency in the cervical mucosa remained unchanged. CVM FcγRIII expression was significantly increased at all time points post-immunization compared to naive animals. FcγRIII expression post-2nd Ad positively correlated with the number of challenges needed for infection (r = 0.68; p = 0.0051). Vaccination increased AM FcγRIII expression which post-2nd boost correlated with antibody-dependent phagocytosis. Activation of AMs was evident by increased expression of CD40 and CD80 post-2nd Ad compared to naive macaques. APRIL expression also significantly increased post-2nd Ad and correlated with B cell frequency in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) (r = 0.73; p = 0.0019) and total IgG in BAL-fluid (r = 0.53; p = 0.047). B cells cultured with SIV gp120-stimulated AM supernatant from vaccinated macaques exhibited significant increases in B cell activation markers CD38 and CD69 compared to B cells cultured alone or with AM supernatant from unvaccinated macaques. Overall, the vaccine regimen did not induce recruitment of susceptible cells to the vaginal mucosa but increased CVM FcγRIII expression which correlated with delayed SIV acquisition. Further, immunization induced expression of AM cytokines, including those associated with providing B cell help.
Evolution of poroviscoelastic properties of silica-rich rock after CO2 injection

Injection of CO2 into the subsurface requires consideration of the poromechanical behavior of reservoir rock saturated with aqueous fluid. The material response is usually assumed to be elastic, to avoid consideration of induced seismicity, or viscoelastic, if long-term deformations are needed to be taken into the account. Both elastic and viscous behavior may be influenced by the chemical reactions that are caused by the acidic mixture formed as high-pressure CO2 enters the pore space saturated with aqueous fluid. In this study, we conduct laboratory experiments on a fluid-saturated porous rock - Berea sandstone, and evaluate its poromechanical properties. Subsequently, the specimens are treated with liquid CO2 for 21 days and the corresponding variations in their properties are determined. The constitutive model considering the elastic time-dependent behavior of porous rock is validated by comparing the measured and predicted specimen deformation. Presented data indicate that the effect of CO2 injection on the long-term response is more significant compared to the short-term response. It is suggested for the constitutive models that predict long-term reservoir behavior during CO2 storage to include not only the poroelastic response and its change due to treatment, but also the time-dependent deformation and its evolution caused by the changes in chemistry of the pore fluid.
Shapes of tight composite knots

We present new computations of tight shapes obtained using the constrained gradient descent code ridgerunner for 544 composite knots with 12 and fewer crossings, expanding our dataset to 943 knots and links. We use the new data set to analyze two outstanding conjectures about tight knots, namely that the ropelengths of composite knots are at least 4π − 4 less than the sums of the prime factors and that the writhes of composite knots are the sums of the writhes of the prime factors. Our numerics support the connect sum conjecture and argue against the additivity of writhe conjecture. We also present data on the number of configurations having straight segments and highly curved kinked regions.