cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
4-(3-Cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidone (ZK 62711): a potent inhibitor of adenosine cyclic 3',5'-monophosphate phosphodiesterases in homogenates and tissue slices from rat brain.

A new class of inhibitor of phosphodiesterases is represented by 4-(3-cyclopentyloxy-4-methoxyphenyl)-2-pyrrolidone (ZK 62711). This compound enhances the magnitude of accumulations of cyclic 39,59-AMP elicited by norepinephrine, isoproterenol, histamine, and adenosine in rat cerebral cortical slices and by veratridine in rat cerebellar slices and, in addition, increases basal levels of cyclic AMP in both cortical and cerebellar slices. Increases in intracellular levels of cyclic AMP in brain slices elicited by ZK 62711 do not appear to involve enhanced "release" of adenosine, since both basal and norepinephrine-elicited accumulations of cyclic AMP are increased by ZK 62711 in the presence of exogenous adenosine deaminase. ZK 62711 has little effect on levels of cyclic GMP in cortical or cerebellar slices. In rat cerebral homogenates ZK 62711 inhibits soluble and particulate cyclic AMP phosphodiesterases but is less potent with respect to cyclic GMP phosphodiesterases. At low concentrations it is 100 times more potent than a structurally related phosphodiesterase inhibitor, Ro 20-1724, with respect to the calcium-dependent cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase, and in brain slices it is similarly 100 times more potent in enhancing accumulations of cyclic AMP elicited by norepinephrine.
An Overview of Underwater Time-Reversal Communication

Time reversal (TR) exploits spatial diversity to achieve spatial and temporal focusing in complex environments. Over the last decade, the TR concept has been applied successfully to phase-coherent acoustic communications in time-varying multipath ocean environments, as an alternative to conventional adaptive multichannel equalization. Temporal focusing (pulse compression) mitigates the intersymbol interference (ISI) and subsequent single-channel equalization removes the residual ISI, thus providing nearly optimal performance in theory. The spatial focusing capability facilitates multiuser or multiple-input–multiple-output (MIMO) communications without explicit use of time, frequency, or code division multiplexing, while an adaptive TR approach can reduce further the crosstalk among users or multiple transmitters. TR communications can be extended easily to time-varying channels using a block-based approach with channel updates. This paper provides an overview of TR communications in both shallow and deep water and recent advances including bidirectional equalization, multiuser communications with mobile users, and communication with a glider serving as a mobile gateway.
Goal-Directed Control Systems

This chapter introduces terminology for the specification of a problem instance, containing a domain description, a partial description of initial conditions and a description of goal conditions. After formalizing the concept of a problem instance in Section 4.1, we define the behavior of sound and complete control systems for such problem instances. In Section 4.2, we focus on the class of control systems that perform advance conditional planning. Finally, Section 4.3 discusses related research in the area of conditional and contingent planning.
Commutative Monoid Rings With Finite Maximal or Prime Spectrum

Let T be a commutative monoid ring. We determine equivalent conditions in order that (1) T contains only finitely many maximal ideals, or (2) T contains only finitely many prime ideals. Statements of these conditions are given in Theorems A and B of the introduction.
Just Google It: Young Children's Preferences for Touchscreens versus Books in Hypothetical Learning Tasks.

Children today regularly interact with touchscreen devices (Rideout, 2013) and thousands of "educational" mobile applications are marketed to them (Shuler, 2012). Understanding children's own ideas about optimal learning has important implications for education, which is being transformed by electronic mobile devices, yet we know little about how children think about such devices, including what children think touchscreens are useful for. Based on a prior result that children prefer a book over a touchscreen for learning about dogs, the present study explored how children view touchscreens versus books for learning an array of different types of information. Seventy children ages 3 to 6 were presented with six different topics (cooking, today's weather, trees, vacuums, Virginia, and yesterday's football game) and chose whether a book or a touchscreen device would be best to use to learn about each topic. Some of this information was time-sensitive, like the current weather; we predicted that children would prefer a touchscreen for time-sensitive information. In addition, each child's parent was surveyed about the child's use of books and touchscreens for educational purposes, both at home and in school. Results indicated that younger children had no preference between books and touchscreen devices across learning tasks. However, 6-year-olds were significantly more likely to choose the touchscreen for several topics. Surprisingly, 6-year-olds chose a touchscreen device to learn about time sensitive weather conditions, but not yesterday's football. Children's choices were not associated with their use of books and touchscreens at home and school.
Reading TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD and GO SET A WATCHMAN as Palimpsest

In a review posted to NPR a day before Harper Lee's novel went on sale, Maureen Corrigan wrote: “Go Set a Watchman is a troubling confusion of a novel, politically and artistically, beginning with ...
Comparing performance of non–tree-based and tree-based association mapping methods

A central goal in the biomedical and biological sciences is to link variation in quantitative traits to locations along the genome (single nucleotide polymorphisms). Sequencing technology has rapidly advanced in recent decades, along with the statistical methodology to analyze genetic data. Two classes of association mapping methods exist: those that account for the evolutionary relatedness among individuals, and those that ignore the evolutionary relationships among individuals. While the former methods more fully use implicit information in the data, the latter methods are more flexible in the types of data they can handle. This study presents a comparison of the 2 types of association mapping methods when they are applied to simulated data.
Abstract TP121: Simulated Inanimate Model for Physical Learning Experience (SIMPLE) of Carotid Endarterectomy Using a 3-D Printing Technology

Introduction: Surgical education relies heavily on operative exposure with live patients. However, the carotid endarterectomy (CEA) demands an experienced surgeon with a very low complication rate....
Addressing HIV/AIDS at the Intersection of Anti-Trafficking and Health Law and Policy

Since the inception of the United Nations Protocol to Prevent, Suppress, and Punish Trafficking in Persons (Trafficking Protocol), states have been criticized for a narrow focus on eradicating sex-trafficking through criminal law over a more inclusive and redistributive approach such as labor rights. In response to the critique, the last ten years has seen a slow shift in policy and rhetoric broadening the narrow sex-trafficking agenda to include labor trafficking. In health governance, however, sex-trafficking, and the definitional debates surrounding sex-trafficking, play a growing and contested role in transnational and domestic law and policymaking on AIDS. This chapter explores three sites of the ongoing contestation between harm-reduction and abolitionist actors in the context of HIV: international institutions, peer-reviewed data, and litigation. The chapter argues that actors deploy competing frames in these sites in an attempt to seek legitimation of their understanding of what does or does not constitute exploitation for purposes of trafficking. In doing so, advocates of harm-reduction and abolitionism deploy multifaceted strategies to legitimate particular narratives about harm that may serve to justify or undermine the carceral response to sex-trafficking. While each of these sites has its own contours, the arguments offered by harm-reduction and abolitionist activists in each has remarkable similarity. Taken together, we can see how the arguments of harm-reduction or abolitionists are made in divergent spaces with the goal of seeking legitimation through engagement with and output by purportedly neutral institutions, the peer-reviewed literature, and courts. These sites of knowledge production and legitimation by experts then become the basis of governance projects.
Imprinting Variation: The Diagnosis of Autism Spectrum Disorder at Two Specialty Clinics

Field-level changes create pressures for organizational change and isomorphism of the organizational field, yet stable practice heterogeneity sometimes results. We study how this is possible by examining a large health maintenance organization, Allied Health, which recently reformed its practices for diagnosing Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD). Despite homogenizing pressures, substantial variation emerged across Allied’s three specialized ASD clinics. In tracing the difference using qualitative and quantitative data, we find that prior imprints on key individuals led to different diagnostic practices at each clinic, which came to be rendered stable, i.e., imprinted, at the clinic level. Theoretically, we demonstrate that (1) inertial mechanisms of imprinting may unintentionally shape the way that adaptation is enacted in an organization in response to field-level change, and (2) the act of organizational adaptation can lead to new imprints sustained by the microstructures of work. We call this imprinting variation.
In-office unsedated tracheoesophageal puncture

Purpose of review Tracheoesophegeal puncture is a reliable and effective method for voice restoration after total laryngectomy. Tracheoesophegeal puncture may be performed primarily at the time of laryngectomy or as a secondary procedure. This paper reviews the current literature on secondary in-office tracheoesophegeal puncture techniques with an emphasis on techniques that can be performed under local anesthesia. Recent findings Many techniques for secondary in-office tracheoesophegeal puncture have been described. The majority require some form of intravenous sedation. Transnasal esophagoscopy is now performed routinely in many otolaryngology practices, and can be used to guide tracheoesophegeal puncture placement in an outpatient setting under local anesthesia. Summary In-office secondary tracheoesophegeal puncture has become more common in recent years. Transnasal esophagoscopy-guided tracheoesophegeal puncture provides excellent visualization of the operative site throughout the procedure. It can be performed quickly, safely, and effectively in an office setting utilizing only local anesthetic.
Search for $$H\rightarrow $$ WW$$^{( * )}$$(∗)

This chapter presents the search for the Standard Model Higgs boson using the \(H \rightarrow \) WW \(^{( * )}\rightarrow l\nu l \nu \) decay mode.
The likely implications of the new IMO standards on the shipping industry

Abstract Discussions about “peak oil demand” tend to focus on passenger vehicles, often from a US and European perspective. These discussions often ignore other markets, such as marine transport, which collectively would also need to show a reduction in demand if oil consumption were to reach an inflection point. We explore the outlook for marine bunkers, a niche market that accounts, depending on estimates, for up to 7% of the demand barrel. We focus on the possible impact of new environmental restrictions that aim to drastically reduce sulfur oxide (SOx) emissions from ships as of January 2020, placing them against the background of past innovations that have been reshaping ships’ fuel consumption patterns and assessing their likely impact on future innovation in the sector. We conclude that the rules might paradoxically end up slowing down what might have otherwise been a more rapid transition of the shipping market away from traditional bunker fuels. The rules will, however, adversely affect simple refineries and producers of heavy, sour crude oil grades, whose prices are sometimes indexed to that of high sulfur fuel oil (HSFO).
Progranulin Stimulates the In Vitro Maturation of Pro-Cathepsin D at Acidic pH.

Abstract Single-copy loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin gene (PGRN) underlie the neurodegenerative disease frontotemporal lobar degeneration, while homozygous loss-of-function of PGRN results in the lysosomal storage disorder neuronal ceroid lipofuscinosis. Despite evidence that normal PGRN levels are critical for neuronal health, the function of this protein is not yet understood. Here, we show that PGRN stimulates the in vitro maturation of the lysosomal aspartyl protease cathepsin D (CTSD). CTSD is delivered to the endolysosomal system as an inactive precursor (proCTSD) and requires sequential cleavage steps via intermediate forms to achieve the mature state (matCTSD). In co-immunoprecipitation experiments, PGRN interacts predominantly with immature pro- and intermediate forms of CTSD. PGRN enhances in vitro conversion of proCTSD to matCTSD in a concentration-dependent manner. Differential scanning fluorimetry shows a destabilizing effect induced by PGRN on proCTSD folding (∆ Tm = − 1.7 °C at a 3:1 molar ratio). We propose a mechanism whereby PGRN binds to proCTSD, destabilizing the propeptide from the enzyme catalytic core and favoring conversion to mature forms of the enzyme. Further understanding of the role of PGRN in CTSD maturation will assist in the development of targeted therapies for neurodegenerative disease.
Upper Gastrointestinal Bleeding: Etiologies and Management

Upper gastrointestinal bleeding is a medical condition routinely encountered in clinical practice. Overt upper gastrointestinal bleeding usually presents as melena or hematemesis but can also present as hematochezia in cases of brisk bleeding. The initial evaluation of a patient with suspected upper gastrointestinal bleeding begins with assessment of hemodynamic status, identification of potential risk factors, and appropriate triage of level of care. After resuscitation measures, endoscopic evaluation can be performed to diagnose and potentially treat the source of bleeding. Risk factors that increase the propensity for recurrent bleeding should be identified and addressed.
Evaluation of Analgesic Patches in Cynomolgus Macaques ( Macaca fascicularis)

Opioids are widely used in veterinary and human medicine to manage pain. However, there is a paucity of information in the literature regarding the pharmacokinetics of opioid transdermal patches (TDP) in NHP. Therefore, to determine whether opioid TDP attain therapeutic concentrations in NHP, the pharmacokinetics of fentanyl (25 μg/h) and buprenorphine (10 and 20 μg/h) TDP were evaluated in naive, adult, male cynomolgus macaques (n = 4) in a crossover study. Plasma opioid levels were determined by tandem liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. The AUC0-inf for fentanyl and the low and high dose buprenorphine patches were 115 ± 14, 462 ± 74, and 778 ± 344 ng× h/mL, and the plasma half-lifes were 22 ± 4, 77 ± 27, and 42 ± 11 h, respectively. No adverse effects were noted throughout the study. Minimal therapeutic concentrations for fentanyl (0.2 ng/mL) and buprenorphine (0.1 ng/mL) were achieved in all macaques within 8 h of fentanyl and 24 h of buprenorphine TDP application. Therapeutic levels for the fentanyl and low- and high-dose buprenorphine patches were maintained for 96, 120, and 144 h, respectively. These findings suggest that 25-μg/h fentanyl patches should be replaced every 4 d, and the low- and high-dose buprenorphine patches should be replaced every 5 and 6 d, respectively. The results of this study show that fentanyl and buprenorphine patches achieve minimal therapeutic levels for clinically relevant periods of time and should be considered viable options for pain management in cynomolgus macaques.
An Efficient Sweep-Based Solver for the SN Equations on High-Order Meshes

We propose a graph-based sweep algorithm for solving the steady-state, monoenergetic discrete ordinates on meshes of high-order (HO) curved mesh elements. Our spatial discretization consists of arb...
DELFI: Mislabelled Human Context Detection Using Multi-Feature Similarity Linking

Context Aware (CA) systems that adapt to user behaviors have many real-world uses. CA systems require accurately labeled training data to learn models of users’ context behavior. Unfortunately, it is difficult to gather sufficient realistic context data in controlled environments where reliable labels can be gathered. Therefore, recent works have used in-the-wild study designs, where data is gathered through passive sensing devices such as smartphones while users periodically supply corresponding context labels. However, labels gathered this way can be unreliable as users may provide incomplete or inaccurate labels which makes it difficult to build robust CA models. We propose DELFI (Detecting Erroneous Labels using Feature-linking Insights), a visual analytics approach to discover and clean unlabeled or mislabeled context data. Visualizations enable highlighting of similar data to find patterns and anomalies in behaviors. However, this is challenging when working with erroneous human-labelled data as linking similar context labels is flawed since the labels themselves are in question. DELFI identifies probably-mislabeled instances by color-coding them based on an anomaly score. Additionally, DELFI links similar instances based on a novel concept called Multi-Feature Similarity Linking, which facilitates the identification of probably true labels of mislabeled and unlabeled data. We demonstrate the utility of our approach with use cases and evaluation from domain experts.
Ethical Training Can Turn an "Ought" to a "Can"

Sisk et al. (2020) argue that once a normative claim is developed, there is an imperative to effect changes based on this norm; therefore, ethicists should adopt an “implementation mindset” and col...
A Review of Efforts to Improve Lipid Stability during Sample Preparation and Standardization Efforts to Ensure Accuracy in the Reporting of Lipid Measurements.

Lipidomics is a rapidly growing field, fueled by developments in analytical instrumentation and bioinformatics. To date, most researchers and industries have employed their own lipidomics workflows without a consensus on best practices. Without a community-wide consensus on best practices for the prevention of lipid degradation and transformations through sample collection and analysis, it is difficult to assess the quality of lipidomics data and hence trust results. Clinical studies often rely on samples being stored for weeks or months until they are analyzed, but inappropriate sampling techniques, storage temperatures, and analytical protocols can result in the degradation of complex lipids and the generation of oxidized or hydrolyzed metabolite artifacts. While best practices for lipid stability are sample dependent, it is generally recommended that strategies during sample preparation capable of quenching enzymatic activity and preventing oxidation should be considered. In addition, after sample preparation, lipid extracts should be stored in organic solvents with antioxidants at -20 °C or lower in an airtight container without exposure to light or oxygen. This will reduce or eliminate sublimation, and chemically and physically induced molecular transformations such as oxidation, enzymatic transformation, and photon/heat-induced degradation. This review explores the available literature on lipid stability, with a particular focus on human health and/or clinical lipidomic applications. Specifically, this includes a description of known mechanisms of lipid degradation, strategies, and considerations for lipid storage, as well as current efforts for standardization and quality insurance of protocols.
An optical slot-antenna-coupled cavity (SAC) framework towards tunable free-space graphene photonic surfaces

The optical conductivity of single layer graphene (SLG) can be significantly and reversibly modified when the Fermi level is tuned by electrical gating. However, so far this interesting property has rarely been applied to free-space two-dimensional (2D) photonic devices because the surface-incident absolute absorption of SLG is limited to 1%–2%. No significant change in either reflectance or transmittance would be observed even if SLG is made transparent upon gating. To achieve significantly enhanced surface-incident optical absorption in SLG in a device structure that also allows gating, here we embed SLG in an optical slot-antenna-coupled cavity (SAC) framework, simultaneously enhancing SLG absorption by up to 20 times and potentially enabling electrical gating of SLG as a step towards tunable 2D photonic surfaces. This framework synergistically integrates near-field enhancement induced by ultrahigh refractive index semimetal slot-antenna with broadband resonances in visible and infrared regimes, ~ 3 times more effective than a vertical cavity structure alone. An example of this framework consists of self-assembled, close-packed Sn nanodots separated by ~ 10 nm nanogaps on a SLG/SiO2/Al stack, which dramatically increases SLG optical absorption to 10%-25% at λ = 600–1,900 nm. The enhanced SLG absorption spectrum can also be controlled by the insulator thickness. For example, SLG embedded in this framework with a 150 nm-thick SiO2 insulating layer displays a distinctive red color in contrast to its surrounding regions without SLG on the same sample under white light illumination. This opens a potential path towards gate-tunable spectral reflectors. Overall, this work initiates a new approach towards tunable 2D photonic surfaces.
Making smart manufacturing smarter – a survey on blockchain technology in Industry 4.0

Blockchain is distributed digital ledger technology that facilitates reliable and transparent transactions among the participants of a system. Blockchain has been applied to various manufacturing a...
mRNA Vaccines to Prevent COVID-19 Disease and Reported Allergic Reactions: Current Evidence and Suggested Approach.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has recently issued an Emergency Use Authorization (EUA) for 2 highly effective coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccines from Pfizer-BioNTech and Moderna. This has brought hope to millions of Americans in the midst of an ongoing global pandemic. The FDA EUA guidance for both vaccines is to not administer the vaccine to individuals with a known history of a severe allergic reaction (eg, anaphylaxis) to any component of the COVID-19 vaccine. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) additionally advises individuals with a history of an immediate allergic reaction to a vaccine or injectable or any history of anaphylaxis be observed for 30 minutes after COVID-19 vaccination. All other individuals should be observed for 15 minutes after COVID-19 vaccination. Staff at vaccine clinics must be able to identify and manage anaphylaxis. Post–FDA EUA, despite very strong safety signals in both phase 3 trials, reports of possible allergic reactions have raised public concern. To provide reassurance and support during widespread global vaccination, allergists must offer clear guidance to individuals based on the best information available, but also in accordance with the broader recommendations of regulatory agencies. This review summarizes vaccine allergy epidemiology and proposes drug and vaccine allergy expert opinion informed risk stratification for Allergy specialist use in conjunction with guidance of public health and regulatory authorities. The risk stratification schema guide care for (1) individuals with different allergy histories to safely receive their first mRNA COVID-19 vaccine and (2) individuals who develop a reaction to their first dose of mRNA COVID-19 vaccine.
Larotrectinib: A Targeted Therapy for Solid Tumors.

Background Although neurotrophic tyrosine receptor kinase (NTRK) gene fusions are not common in most cancers, they are present in more than 90% of some rare tumors. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved larotrectinib for patients with NTRK gene fusion-positive cancers that meet certain criteria. With ongoing advancements in tumor sequencing, it is anticipated that cancer treatment will be determined by genetic variants rather than by cancer type in the future. Objectives This article provides an overview of larotrectinib, a targeted therapy. Methods This article reviews clinical trial results and highlights implications for oncology nurses caring for patients taking larotrectinib. Findings Larotrectinib is an effective treatment option for some patients with NTRK gene fusion-positive cancers. Oncology nurses are key to educating patients on dosing, administration, side effects, and precautions.
Inter-Sense: An Investigation of Sensory Blending in Fiction

This study reports on the semantic organization of English sensory descriptors of the five basic senses of sight, hearing, touch, taste, and smell in a large corpus of over 8,000 fiction books. We introduce a large-scale text data-driven approach based on distributional-semantic word embeddings to identify and extract these descriptors as well as analyze their mixing interconnections in the resulting conceptual and sensory space. The findings are relevant for research on concept acquisition and representation, as well as for applications that can benefit from a better understanding of perceptual spaces of sensory experiences, in fiction, in particular, and in language in general.
Prostate Cancer Presenting With an Unusual Presentation of Rectal Pain and Bleeding.

We report an atypical case of prostate cancer with rectal involvement presenting with gastrointestinal symptoms predominately and a rectal mass. A 51-year-old male patient came to the hospital with abdominal pain and rectal bleeding. Imaging revealed prostate enlargement, perirectal lymphadenopathy, and multiple hepatic and pulmonary nodules. The patient also had an elevated prostate-specific antigen (PSA) of 502 ng/mL (against normal range 0.6-0.7 ng/mL). Biopsies were performed on tissue samples taken from the rectum and prostate gland, which confirmed the diagnosis of prostate adenocarcinoma. The lack of urinary symptoms and close clinical similarity to colorectal cancer presented a diagnostic challenge for us. Familiarity with this specific presentation of prostate cancer is necessary to avoid misdiagnoses and guide correct treatment.
The Department of Navy’s Digital Transformation with the Digital System Architecture, Strangler Patterns, Machine Learning, and Autonomous Human–Machine Teaming

The Department of Navy (DoN) is rapidly adopting mature technologies, products, and methods used within the software development community due to the proliferation of machine learning (ML) capabilities required to complete warfighting missions. One of the most impactful places where ML algorithms, their applications, and capabilities will have on warfighting is in the area of autonomous human–machine teaming (AHMT). However, stakeholders given the task to implement AHMT solutions enterprise-wide are finding current DoN system architectures and platform infrastructures inadequate to facilitate deployment at scale. In this chapter, the authors discuss the DoN’s goal, barriers to, and a potential path to success in implementing AHMT solutions fleet- and force-wide.
Counter-current motion of a droplet levitated on a liquid film undergoing Marangoni convection

Abstract This paper experimentally and analytically investigates the motion of a levitated droplet against the Marangoni flow in an immiscible outer fluid. Based on our earlier experiments, when a droplet is released from a height ∼1.5–4 times its diameter from the liquid surface, it can overcome the impact and stay levitated at the liquid–air interface due to the existence of an air gap between the droplet and the liquid film. Surprisingly, such a levitated droplet, moves toward the heating source against the Marangoni convection. In order to explain this behavior, we propose a simple approach: first, the Marangoni convection inside the thin film is considered without the droplet floating on the surface. By using a level-set method and solving the Navier–Stokes equation, the free surface velocity and deformation are calculated. Then, these quantities are used to solve for droplet velocity and drag coefficient simultaneously using a force balance. In order to compare the simulation results, experiments with levitated water droplets on an immiscible carrier liquid, FC-43, are conducted for various temperature gradients and droplet velocities are measured at different locations using high-speed imaging. The experimental results are in good agreement with the developed theoretical model. For a Reynolds number range of 2–32, it is shown that the drag coefficients are up to 66% higher than those for the fully immersed sphere at the same Reynolds numbers. Finally, a correlation is proposed to calculate the drag coefficient of levitated droplets for various temperature drops across the channel.
Genetic Deficiency of CD40 in Mice Exacerbates Metabolic Manifestations of Diet-induced Obesity: A Dissertation

The past two decades have seen an explosive increase of obesity rates worldwide, with more than one billion adults overweight and 300 million of them obese. Obesity and its associated complications have become leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the United States and major contributing factors to the rising costs of national health care. The pathophysiology of obesity and type 2 diabetes in rodents and humans is characterized by low-grade inflammation and chronic activation of immune pathways in adipose tissue and liver. The CD40 receptor and its ligand, CD40L, initiate immune cell signaling promoting inflammation, but conflicting data on CD40L-null mice confound its role in obesity-associated insulin resistance. A clear understanding of how CD40 and its ligand communicate to regulate and sustain the inflammatory environment of obesity is lacking. Here we demonstrate that CD40 receptor deficient mice on a high-fat diet display the expected decrease in hepatic cytokine levels, but paradoxically exhibit liver steatosis, insulin resistance and glucose intolerance compared with their age-matched wildtype controls. Hyperinsulinemic-euglycemic clamp studies also demonstrated insulin resistance in glucose utilization by the CD40-null mice compared with wild-type mice. In contrast to liver, visceral adipose tissue in CD40 deficient animals harbors elevated cytokine levels and infiltration of inflammatory cells, particularly macrophages and CD8 effector T cells. In addition, ex vivo explants
Christian-Atheist Billboard Wars in the United States

Billboards and signs in particular have become the popular medium through which advertisers attempt to seduce people to purchase goods and services as they move through the American landscape. Religious groups particularly, evangelical Christian groups have long used highway billboards and signs to promote evangelical messages to travelers as well as to Christianize the American landscape. These religious billboards and signs have recently been contested by atheist and humanist groups who are using the same medium to promote their non-religious discourses and views. The purpose of this chapter is to examine how the highway billboard acts as a contested space between evangelical and atheist/humanist groups who both seek to influence people who are on the move. After discussing the different types of religious billboards and signs one might experience along American’s highways, I discuss the possible goals of those who erected them and then examine their contested nature. Finally, ideas for future research are discussed with a specific focus on other ways that Christian groups attempt to Christianize the American landscape.
Chapter 14 – Anisotropic cyclic damage-plasticity models for metal matrix composites

Publisher Summary This chapter deals with anisotropic cyclic damage plasticity models for metal–matrix composites. It proposes a six parameter general anisotropic yield surface using the fourth-order anisotropic tensor M. This form is derived based on the physical behavior observed for the material under consideration, that is, directionally reinforced metal–matrix composites. Its validity is shown by proving its convexity and form under coordinate transformations. This form of the anisotropic yield function can be used for either pressure dependent or independent cases. By applying suitable conditions on the parameters, it can be reduced to the von-Mises and Tresca isotropic yield criteria. It can also be reduced to specific anisotropic for transversely isotropic materials, which is used for the continuum description for yielding in metal–matrix composites. The proposed surface is compared with the extensive experimental data performed on boron–aluminum metal–matrix composite. Based on the experimentally observed flow and hardening behavior, the elasto-plastic stiffness matrix is proposed.
The effects of grants-in-aid on state and local expenditures

Abstract This paper develops econometric methods to estimate the effect of the piecewise-linear budget constraints created by grant formulas in which the subsidy rate is not constant over expenditures (e.g. closed-end grants). The methods are applied to the AFDC program. The results show that, because of the kinked nature of the grant formula, (1) the present federal formula actually increases cross-state inequality in AFDC benefits, (2) several subsidy rates in the formula actually reduce benefits, and (3) the so-called ‘flypaper’ effect disappears.
Hemoproteins of Bradyrhizobium japonicum Cultured Cells and Bacteroids

The hemoprotein content of 17 strains of Bradyrhizobium japonicum bacteroids from field-grown plants and the corresponding strains of cultured cells was determined spectrally. The major terminal oxidases, cytochromes (cyt) aa3 and o, were present in all strains of cultured cells. cyt aa3 was present in significant amounts in bacteroids only in strains of DNA homology group II. cyt o appeared to be present in bacteroids of all strains, and the average level was the same as in cultured cells. cyt b and c in the membrane fractions were higher in bacteroids of all strains compared with cultured cells. cyt P-450 was present in both the membrane and soluble fractions of bacteroids of most strains. The total P-450 content varied sixfold among strains. A CO-reactive hemoprotein, P-422, was present in the soluble fraction of all strains of cultured cells. P-422 may be a hemoglobinlike protein, and it was present in significant amounts in bacteroids only in DNA homology group I strains.
Day Care and Illness: Evidence, Costs, and Public Policy

Parents, pediatricians, social scientists, and policymakers have become increasingly concerned that infants and children in day care, especially those younger than 3 years of age, are at risk for morbidity associated with several types of acute illness. We have examined the empirical evidence on the impact of day-care attendance on frequency of respiratory illnesses, diarrhea, hepatitis A, meningitis, and cytomegalovirus disease in children, day-care staff, and household contacts. The short- and long-term costs of day-care-associated illnesses were assessed, wherever possible within a benefit-cost framework. Available evidence suggests that children in day care, and sometimes their teachers and household contacts, have higher rates of diarrhea, hepatitis A, meningitis, and possible otitis media than children not in day care. There is only weak or moderate evidence that children and their families are at risk for high rates of respiratory illness (other than otitis media) or cytomegalovirus infection. Taken together, the excess of these illnesses among children in day care may impose moderate net costs on families and on society. Revisions of state regulatory policy regarding health practices in day care and policy initiatives designed to provide parents with more information and authority are recommended to protect the health and development of children in day care.
Microfluidic squeezing for intracellular antigen loading in polyclonal B-cells as cellular vaccines

B-cells are promising candidate autologous antigen-presenting cells (APCs) to prime antigen-specific T-cells both in vitro and in vivo. However to date, a significant barrier to utilizing B-cells as APCs is their low capacity for non-specific antigen uptake compared to “professional” APCs such as dendritic cells. Here we utilize a microfluidic device that employs many parallel channels to pass single cells through narrow constrictions in high throughput. This microscale “cell squeezing” process creates transient pores in the plasma membrane, enabling intracellular delivery of whole proteins from the surrounding medium into B-cells via mechano-poration. We demonstrate that both resting and activated B-cells process and present antigens delivered via mechano-poration exclusively to antigen-specific CD8+T-cells, and not CD4+T-cells. Squeezed B-cells primed and expanded large numbers of effector CD8+T-cells in vitro that produced effector cytokines critical to cytolytic function, including granzyme B and interferon-γ. Finally, antigen-loaded B-cells were also able to prime antigen-specific CD8+T-cells in vivo when adoptively transferred into mice. Altogether, these data demonstrate crucial proof-of-concept for mechano-poration as an enabling technology for B-cell antigen loading, priming of antigen-specific CD8+T-cells, and decoupling of antigen uptake from B-cell activation.
Social Worker Alienation and Disempowerment in a Managed Care Setting

Managed mental health care is a growing force in the mental health industry. Using critical theory, this article critiques the new directives in mental health treatment and the impact on the social...
Fabrication and electrical properties of grain oriented Bi4Ti3O12 ceramics

Abstract A fabrication process has been developed by which Bi4Ti3O12 can be made in ceramic form with high densities (92% theoretical) and substantial grain orientations (>95%). The process consists of molten salt synthesis of platelets of Bi4Ti3O12, tape casting, and conventional sintering. Electrical measurements have verified the high degree of grain orientation obtained in these ceramics. Permittivities in the a-b oriented direction (along the plane of the tape) and the c oriented direction (perpendicular to the plane of the tape) at 100 KHz are 153 ± 5 and 118 ± 5, respectively. Conductivities at 1 KHz and 500°C in the a-b and c oriented directions are 6.3 × 10−2 and 4.2 × 10−3 (ohm-m)−1, respectively. The c oriented direction was poled to a d33 of 5 × 10−12 C/N with the application of a DC field. The a-b oriented direction was poled to a d33 of 10 × 10−12 C/N with the application of a pulsed field on cooling through the transition.
Modification of the cascade model for regulation of vaccinia virus gene expression: purification of a prereplicative, late-stage-specific transcription factor.

Abstract In vivo and in vitro studies have provided evidence that vaccinia virus late gene transcription factors are intermediate gene products synthesized exclusively after DNA replication. Here, we describe an additional transcription factor (P3 factor) that stimulates late gene transcription between 10- and 40-fold but is made in the absence of viral DNA replication. P3 factor activity was not detected either in uninfected cells or in purified virions. A > 1,500-fold purification of P3 factor was achieved by column chromatography of cytoplasmic extracts prepared from cells infected with vaccinia virus in the presence of a DNA replication inhibitor. P3 factor was stage specific, since it could not substitute for early or intermediate transcription factors. Evidence that late stage-specific transcription factors are made both before and after DNA replication necessitates a modification of the cascade model for vaccinia virus gene regulation.
The association of macro- and micronutrient intake with growth hormone secretion

Abstract Context Growth hormone (GH) is known to be nutritionally regulated, but the effect of dietary composition on detailed GH secretion parameters has not previously been comprehensively evaluated. Objective The objective of the study was to determine whether specific macro- and micronutrients are associated with discrete parameters of GH secretion among subjects with wide ranges of body mass index. Design Detailed macro- and micronutrient intake was assessed by 4-day food records while GH secretion was assessed by standard stimulation testing in 108 men and women in one study (Study 1), and by overnight frequent blood sampling in 12 men in another study (Study 2). Results Peak stimulated GH was positively associated with vitamin C ( r =+0.29; P =0.003), dietary fiber ( r =+0.27; P =0.004), arachidic acid ( r =+0.25; P =0.008), and behenic acid ( r =+0.30; P =0.002) intake in univariate analysis. Controlling for age, gender, race/ethnicity, visceral fat, HOMA-IR, total caloric intake and these four dietary factors in step-wise multivariate modeling, peak GH remained significantly associated with vitamin C and visceral fat (both P r =+0.95; P r =+.75; P =0.005), total GH production ( r =+0.76; P =0.004), GH area-under-the-curve ( r =+0.89; P =0.0001), mean log 10 GH pulse area ( r =+0.67; P =0.02), and overnight maximum ( r =+0.62; P =0.03), nadir ( r =+0.97; P r =+0.89; P =0.0001). Conclusions These results suggest that certain micronutrients such as vitamin C intake are strongly and uniquely associated with stimulated and endogenous spontaneous GH secretion.
Chemical thermodynamic properties and internal rotation of methylpyridines IV. Ideal-gas properties of the dimethylpyridines

Abstract Vapor-phase Raman and far-infrared spectra provide the basis for the vibrational contributions to the thermodynamic functions and properties of formation to 1000 K of each of the six isomers of dimethylpyridine. All isolated methyl groups were assumed to have negligible barriers to internal rotation. The potential restricting internal rotation of adjacent methyl groups was taken to be the same as that of 1,2-dimethylbenzene. Thermodynamically important liquid-to-vapor vibrational shifts are listed for each isomer.
Relative Importance of Gas-Phase Diffusive and Advective Trichloroethene (TCE) Fluxes in the Unsaturated Zone under Natural Conditions

It was hypothesized that atmospheric pressure changes can induce gas flow in the unsaturated zone to such an extent that the advective flux of organic vapors in unsaturated-zone soil gas can be significant relative to the gas-phase diffusion flux of these organic vapors. To test this hypothesis, a series of field measurements and computer simulations were conducted to simulate and compare diffusion and advection fluxes at a trichloroethene-contaminated field site at Picatinny Arsenal in north-central New Jersey. Moisture content, temperature, and soil-gas pressure were measured at multiple depths (including at land surface) and times for three distinct sampling events in August 1996, October 1996, and August 1998. Gas pressures in the unsaturated zone changed significantly over time and followed changes measured in the atmosphere. Gas permeability of the unsaturated zone was estimated using data from a variety of sources, including laboratory gas permeability measurements made on intact soil cores from th...
Releases of Norepinephrine and Dopamine in Ventriculocisternal Perfusions in Hepatectomized and Laparotomized Rats

The completely hepatectomized rat has frequently been used as a model to study changes in the economy of norepinephrine (NE) and dopamine (DA) in hepatic coma. Hypothermia characteristically develops in hepatectomized rats and also occurs in patients in hepatic coma and is associated with improved survival in both. The aims of the present study were to measure both release and uptake of NE and release of DA in brain in warm (37 degrees C) and cool (30-32 degrees C) rats at 3-5 h after laparotomy or hepatectomy. Ventriculocisternal perfusions of the brain were performed on rats under basal conditions and during releases evoked by 40 mM K+. Basal releases of NE and DA and evoked release of DA were greater in the warm hepatectomized rats than in all other groups. In some studies, 10(-5) M amitriptyline was added to the perfusates to assess whether neuronal uptake was changed after hepatectomy. Uptake of released NE was equally robust in cool hepatectomized as in cool laparotomized rats but could not be measured in warm hepatectomized rats because of amitriptyline toxicity in these rats. Decreases in NE and increases in DA content were found in most areas of the brain after perfusion. Increased releases of NE and DA may contribute to the pathogenesis of hepatic encephalopathy.
Nuclear restriction of nucleic acids in the presence of ATP

Summary Analysis of the release of RNA from isolated myeloma nuclei in vitro has shown that, in contrast to other systems, release of RNA was not ATP-dependent. Further, when ATP was added to the reaction mixture DNA was released concomitantly. Analysis of synchronized cells indicated that the release of DNA from nuclei in the presence of ATP could not be attributed solely to fragile mitotic nuclei.
Promoting energy-efficient products: voluntary or regulatory approaches?

Several product-related voluntary agreements (VAs) have emerged between firms to limit production of energy-consuming products, e.g., domestic appliances and automobiles. While some VAs have been successful in achieving their targets, others have failed. The paper identifies two factors that can explain the success or failure of product-related VAs. The first is a technological property of the product line: whether provision of energy-efficient products requires a quality compromise (quality–efficiency trade-off). The second is the type of the constraint imposed by the VA: a quota on the brown model or a VA based on an average efficiency standard. I show that VAs are more likely to be successful for products where there is no quality–efficiency trade-off than for products where there is such a trade-off. I also show that quantity-based VAs are more likely to emerge than VAs imposing an average efficiency standard. The findings provide a possible explanation for why the CECED appliances VAs have been successful in achieving the targets they set, while the ACEA agreement for automobiles has failed.
Emotion in short-term psychotherapy: an introduction.

Our understanding of the importance of emotion in psychopathology, personality, and psychotherapy has been rapidly advancing. New findings from neuroscience support the centrality of emotion as a convergent force in shaping individuals and relationships. Emotion-focused short-term psychotherapy capitalizes on the power of emotion to accelerate the course of treatment. This article provides a brief historical background on the development of affective science, offers some ways in which emotion can enhance clinical utility, and introduces the Journal of Clinical Psychology: In Session issue devoted to emotion-focused, short-term psychotherapy. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. J Clin Psychol: In Session 62: 517–522, 2006.
EFFICIENCY AND FLOW REGIME OF A HIGHWAY STORMWATER DETENTION POND IN WASHINGTON, USA

Wet detention ponds are a preferable alternative in treating stormwater runoff. Literature suggests that a detention pond's efficiency in removing principal pollutants of concern, TSS and metals, is highly variable and is affected by a complex array of factors including its geographic location. The objective of this paper was to investigate the TSS and metal removal efficiency of a highway stormwater detention pond in Spokane, Washington along with its flow regime. Pond influent and effluent data for TSS and metal were collected for approximately two years. TSS removal by the pond was found to be 68.1-99.4% with an average of 83.9%. Average metal removal efficiency was 54.7-64.6% which is 72.5-86.9% of the TSS removal. The pond's flow regime was found to vary with its changing surface topography, a result of sedimentation of suspended solids.