cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Carbohydrate cytochemistry of the intestinal epithelium of Ascaris suum. Nature of the microvilli glycocalyx and basal lamella

Results of various cytochemical tests demonstrate large deposits of glycogen within the intestinal absorptive cells of Ascaris suum. Carbohydrate material is also associated with the microvilli surface and basal lamella. Staining produced by the periodate-thiocarbohydrazide-osmium procedure was abolished by analine or m-aminophenol. Diastase digestion did not alter the staining on the microvilli surface. Similar results were seen using the silver methenamine procedure. A positive reaction was noted on the microvilli surface, vesicles in both the apical and basal cytoplasm, Golgi apparatus, and basal lamella. Lanthanum nitrate stained the microvilli surface and intercellular spaces between absorptive cells. Alcian blue or cetylpyridinium chloride in combination with lanthanum enhanced the staining produced by lanthanum alone. These results suggest the presence of acidic glycans on both the microvilli surface and basal lamella.
Overwhelming Necrotizing Tracheobronchitis due to Inadequate Humidification during High-Frequency Jet Ventilation

Necrotizing tracheobronchitis (NT) associated with conventional mechanical ventilation or high-frequency jet ventilation (HFJV) is a lesion reported most often in neonates. In most cases, a specific cause is not identified. We describe a case of NT in an adult that occurred during HFJV and was attributable to inadequate humidification.
Edge voltages and distributed currents in the quantum Hall effect

It is shown from rather general assumptions that the current density at low temperatures in the interior of a quantum Hall device follows the electric field distribution, smeared out over an appropriate localization length. This is not in conflict with Laughlin's result that the total Hall current depends only on the potential difference between the edges, but must be used to complement it. It is illustrated by a discussion of edge and bulk currents for a Hall bar under the conditions of the integer quantum Hall effect. It is argued that these results can be extended to the fractional quantum Hall effect.
Graham Bird, The Revolutionary Kant : Introduction

The interpretation of Kant's Critical philosophy as a version of traditional idealism has a long history. In spite of Kant's and his commentators’ various attempts to distinguish between traditional and transcendental idealism, his philosophy continues to be construed as committed (whether explicitly or implicitly and whether consistently or inconsistently) to various features usually associated with the traditional idealist project. As a result, most often, the accusation is that his Critical philosophy makes too strong metaphysical and epistemological claims.In his The Revolutionary Kant, Graham Bird engages in a systematic and thorough evaluation of the traditionalist interpretation, as part of perhaps the most comprehensive and compelling defence of a revolutionary reading of Kant's thought. In the third part of this special issue, the exchanges between, on the one hand, Graham Bird and, on the other, Gary Banham, Gordon Brittan, Manfred Kuehn, Adrian Moore and Kenneth Westphal focus on specific aspects of Bird's interpretation of Kant's first Critique. More exactly, the emphasis is on specific aspects of Bird's interpretation of the Introduction, Analytic of Principles and Transcendental Dialectic of Kant's first Critique.The second part of the special issue is devoted to discussions of particular topics in Bird's construal of the remaining significant parts of the first Critique, namely, of the Transcendental Aesthetic and the Analytic of Concepts. Written by Sorin Baiasu and Michelle Grier, these articles examine specific issues in these two remaining parts of the Critique, from the perspective of the debate between the traditionalist and revolutionary interpretation. The special issue begins with an Introduction by the guest co-editors. This provides a summary of the exchanges between Bird and his critics, with a particular focus on the debates stemming from the differences between traditional and revolutionary interpretations of Kant.
The effect of passive observation methods on Azerbaijan’s 2008 presidential election and 2009 referendum

Election observation is used by domestic and international groups to assess election quality and deter fraud. However, a limited amount of research has assessed its effectiveness. This article adds to the literature by analyzing how a passive monitoring tool affected the process and outcome of voting in two elections in Azerbaijan. The analysis shows that the placement of webcams in polling stations is consistently associated with lower reported turnout and inconsistently associated with lower regime support.
Susceptibility of phagocytes from elk, deer, bighorn sheep, and domestic sheep to Pasteurella haemolytica cytotoxins.

Alveolar macrophages and peripheral blood neutrophils from elk (Cervus elaphus), bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis), and domestic sheep were exposed to culture supernatants from Pasteurella haemolytica isolated from bighorn sheep and domestic sheep. In a second experiment, peripheral blood neutrophils from mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus), elk, and bighorn sheep were exposed to culture supernatants from P. haemolytica isolated from elk, bighorn sheep and domestic sheep. Alveolar macrophages from elk, bighorn sheep and domestic sheep were resistant to killing by P. haemolytica supernatants from bighorn sheep and domestic sheep; susceptibility of neutrophils to cell death, as measured by release of lactate dehydrogenase, differed significantly (P < 0.05) between the four species tested. Bighorn sheep and domestic sheep neutrophils were susceptible to cytotoxin damage by the P. haemolytica isolates used; bighorn sheep neutrophils were four- to eight-fold more susceptible to cytotoxin damage than domes...
Efficient method for computing the force distribution of a three-fingered grasp

A methodology and an algorithmic implementation are proposed for the choice of the feasible grasp points on irregular objects. In particular, the three-fingered grasp of a planar object is considered. Grasp points are chosen on the basis of an analysis of the internal grasping forces using a point contact model. It is shown that the frictional constraint at each finger can be easily satisfied by tuning the magnitude of the normal components of the finger forces. Thus, the forces needed to be generated at each finger during manipulation can be efficiently calculated.
Platelet Activating Factor Acetylhydrolase Activity in Lamb Lungs Is Up-regulated in the Immediate Newborn Period

We recently showed that platelet activating factor (PAF) is an important modulator of pulmonary vasomotor tone in the fetus, with a significant decrease in circulating PAF levels in the immediate newborn period. In this study, we have determined PAF catabolism by PAF acetylhydrolase (PAF-Ah) in lungs of near-term fetal and newborn 2- to 16-h (<1 day) and 6- to 12-day-old lambs. The rate of PAF catabolism by lung homogenate protein from the three groups of lamb lungs was studied at 37 degrees C in 30 mM Tris buffer, pH 7.5, containing 0.01% BSA. Each lung homogenate protein was incubated for 10 min with 50 microM [(3)H]acetyl-PAF at pO(2) <50 Torr (hypoxia) and approximately 100 Torr (normoxia). PAF-Ah activity was quantified as amount of lyso-PAF produced. PAF-Ah activity (means +/- SEM, nmol lyso-PAF/min/mg protein) in fetal lung homogenate was 1.19 +/- 0.14 and 2.46 +/- 0.05 during hypoxia and normoxia, respectively. The corresponding values for the newborns were newborn <1 day, 1.65 +/- 0.26 and 2.95 +/- 0.07 and newborn 6-12 days, 1.25 +/- 0.10 and 2.84 +/- 0.05. In all groups, PAF-Ah activity was higher in normoxia than in hypoxia. During normoxia, PAF-Ah activity in newborn <1 day was significantly higher than the activity in fetus, but similar to the activity in newborn 6- to 12-day-old lamb lungs. These data show a significant up-regulation of PAF-Ah activity in lungs in the immediate newborn period. PAF-Ah gene expression measured by RT-PCR showed a significant up-regulation of the PAF-Ah gene in lungs of lambs <1 day old, suggesting a transcriptional regulation of the PAF-Ah gene in the immediate newborn period. These results suggest that up-regulation of PAF-Ah activity after birth with oxygenation will result in a decrease in circulating PAF levels, thereby facilitating the fall in pulmonary vascular resistance in the immediate newborn period.
The frequency of kidney and urinary tract diseases in a defined population

The frequency of kidney and urinary tract diseases in a defined population. The frequencies of kidney and urinary tract diseases (KUTD) in a defined population are presented. Rates of first hospitalizations with KUTD in the 5-year period, 1971 through 1975, were determined among over 1 million members of the Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP) of Northern California. Cases were identified from computer-stored ICDA-coded final discharge diagnoses for hospitalizations. Kidney and other urinary tract diseases were final diagnoses in 35.7 first hospitalizations per 10,000 members per year in the period 1971 through 1975. Disease-specific rates were highest for urinary tract infections, benign prostatic hypertrophy, and renal and ureteral calculi. The frequency of KUTD in this population is compared to available rates from other sources. Frequence des maladies renales et des voies urinaires dans une population definie. Les frequences des affections du rein et des voies urinaires (KUTD) dans une population definie sont presentees. Les frequences de premiere hospitalisation pour KUTD pour une periode de cinq ans, de 1971 a 1975, ont ete determinees chez le million de membres de la Kaiser Foundation Health Plan (KFHP) de Californie du Nord. Les cas ont ete etudies a partir des diagnostics de sortie des hospitalisations mis dans un ordinateur avec le code ICDA. Les affections du rein et les autres affections du tractus urinaire ont constitue le diagnostic final des 35,7 premieres hospitalisations pour 10 000 membres par an, dans la periode 1971–1975. Les frequences de maladies specifiques etaient grandes pour les affections des voies urinaires, l'hypertrophie prostatique benigne, et les calculs renaux et ureteraux. La frequence des KUTD dans cette population est comparee aux frequences disponibles par d'autres sources.
Application of a Surplus Production Model to a Swordfish-Like Simulated Stock with Time-Changing Gear Selectivity

Abstract Should a surplus production model be applied to a stock that exhibits pronounced age structure? Should it be applied to a stock that has experienced changing fishing mortality rates on fish of different sizes over time (i.e., changing selectivity)? These questions are of general interest to those engaged in stock assessment and of particular interest in the assessment of North Atlantic swordfish Xiphias gladius. In an attempt to answer them, we simulated an age-structured population, with fishery, similar to that of swordfish in the North Atlantic. The 30-year simulation included biological characteristics from the literature on swordfish and simulated fishing with increasing mortality of young fish over time; simulated catches approximated the actual catches of swordfish from 1962 through 1991. We fit a lumped-biomass, dynamic surplus production model to summary non-age-structured data from the simulated fishery. The resulting parameter estimates were compared to management benchmarks, including...
The Role of the Academic Institution

It seems ironic that an academic professional area which includes marketing as an important subset would not give more attention to the key micromarketing concepts of demand analysis, product design and development, promotional strategy, distribution, and customer relations for its own product-the student. There are those who would argue that academia has no direct responsibility for marketing its product. But from a pragmatic standpoint, it is difficult to ignore the positive consequences of a growing enrollment and satisfied graduates and employers. The "profit" is in terms of internal budget allocations (although it may lag), research contacts with strategically placed alumni, open doors for cooperative extension work, contacts for placement of future graduates, and positive support in legislative budget allocations, to name a few. The results may be somewhat intangible and long term, but they are increasingly significant in times of growing public emphasis on accountability for the limited resources allocated to the university system. Business and public organizations are the real consumers of our product. If Purdue is representative, nearly two-thirds of our undergraduates will seek employment with nonfarm firms. Their success will be largely affected by the quality and kind of training they receive.
Lithium-argon discharges in a multicusp-ECR microwave resonant cavity

Argon and lithium-argon discharges have been created in a multicusp-ECR microwave resonant cavity. A double Langmuir probe has been used to determine discharge characteristics, indicating ion densities of 10/sup 10/-10/sup 11/ cm/sup -3/ and electron temperatures of about 3 eV with operating pressures of 4-20 mtorr and input powers of 100-250 W. Lithium is introduced to the system in the form of lithium chloride or lithium carbonate which is then heated by a background argon discharge allowing dissociation of lithium. The dissociation is evidenced by the observation of strong Li-I lines in the discharge using optical emission spectroscopy. LiCl was found to give a strong Li-I optical signal for about 15 min run time whereas Li/sub 2/CO/sub 3/ gave lower intensity lines, but for about 60 min run time.
T-cell activation: a multidimensional signaling network

Naive T cell activation requires the interactions of antigen receptors, adhesion molecules and co-stimulatory molecules. Antigen receptors and adhesion molecules are involved in spatio-temporal movement to form a stable immunological synapse. This stable junction interrupts T cell migration, and provides a platform for temporally regulated co-stimulatory receptor signaling spanning a period of days.
The assay of solanaceous drugs with the aid of an adsorption column

A procedure for the assay of solanceous drugs and some of their preparations is described which makes use of the principle of selective adsorption. Compared with the official method, this procedure gives more precise and accurate results and requires less time.
Modeling the Lateral Circulation in Straight, Stratified Estuaries*

Abstract The dynamics of lateral circulation in an idealized, straight estuary under varying stratification conditions is investigated using a three-dimensional, hydrostatic, primitive equation model in order to determine the importance of lateral circulation to the momentum budget within the estuary. For all model runs, lateral circulation is about 4 times as strong during flood tides as during ebbs. This flood–ebb asymmetry is due to a feedback between the lateral circulation and the along-channel tidal currents, as well as to time-varying stratification over a tidal cycle. As the stratification is increased, the lateral circulation is significantly reduced because of the adverse pressure gradient set up by isopycnals being tilted by the lateral flow itself. When rotation is included, a time-dependent, cross-channel Ekman circulation is driven, and the tidally averaged, bottom lateral circulation is enhanced toward the right bank (when looking toward the ocean in the Northern Hemisphere). This asymmetry...
Viscoelastic behavior of composite rotors at elevated temperatures

The composite rotor of a pulsed-power machine is built with radial precompression to enhance mechanical performance; however, the preload might decrease due to the viscoelastic behavior of materials at elevated temperatures. In this investigation, an analytical solution is developed to study the viscoelastic problem of thick-walled cylinders. The analysis accounts for ply-by-ply variations of rotor structural properties, ply orientations, and temperature gradients through the thickness of rotors. Fiber-reinforced composite materials generally illustrate extreme anisotropy in viscoelastic behavior. The viscoelasticity exists mainly in matrix dominant properties, such as transverse and shear, while the fiber dominant properties behave more like elastic mediums. Accordingly, the viscoelastic characteristics of composite cylinders is quite different from those of isotropic cylinders. Currently, finite element packages such as ABAQUS, ANSYS, and DYNA3D are not very suitable for the viscoelastic analysis of composite cylinder because of the lack of anisotropic viscoelastic elements. The prestress in the hoop-wound fiber, which generates radial compression In the rotor, might decrease due to Poisson's effect alone from the creep behavior in the transverse properties of composite. The result also shows the effects of layup construction and fiber orientations on the anisotropic behavior of composite rotors.
Differential Expression of Oxidative Stress and Extracellular Matrix Remodeling Genes in Low- or High-Dose-Rate Photon-Irradiated Skin

Changes in the expression of genes implicated in oxidative stress and in extracellular matrix (ECM) remodeling and selected protein expression profiles in mouse skin were examined after exposure to low-dose-rate or high-dose-rate photon irradiation. ICR mice received whole-body γ rays to total doses of 0, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 Gy at dose rates of 50 cGy/h or 50 cGy/min. Skin tissues were harvested for characterization at 4 h after irradiation. For oxidative stress after low-dose-rate exposure, 0.25, 0.5 and 1 Gy significantly altered 27, 23 and 25 genes, respectively, among 84 genes assessed (P 2-fold compared to 0 Gy. For an ECM profile, 18–20 out of 84 genes were significantly up- or downregulated after low-dose-rate exposure. After high-dose-rate irradiation, of 84 genes associated with oxidative stress, 16, 22 and 22 genes were significantly aff...
The NNPI: In Sickness or in Health.

The much-maligned personality inventory is further maligned in this article by two authors who claim to have some expertise in the area of test development. This claim may or may not be substantiated by the fact that one author received his degree in water-skiing and the other received his degree in ceramics. The authors request that any correspondence regarding comments or criticisms of this article be sent to them in a plain brown wrapper.
ASSESSING THE ROLE OF CASPASE ACTIVITY AND METACASPASE EXPRESSION ON VIRAL SUSCEPTIBILITY OF THE COCCOLITHOPHORE, EMILIANIA HUXLEYI (HAPTOPHYTA).

As part of their strategy to infect the globally important coccolithophore, Emiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) W.W. Hay & H.P. Mohler, Coccolithoviruses trigger and regulate the host's programmed cell death (PCD) machinery during lytic infection. The induction and recruitment of host metacaspases, specialized, ancestral death proteases that facilitate viral lysis, suggests they may be important subcellular determinants to infection. We examined the "basal" levels and patterns of caspase activity and metacaspase expression in exponentially growing resistant and sensitive E. huxleyi strains and linked them with susceptibility to E. huxleyi virus 1 (EhV1). Resistant E. huxleyi strains were consistently characterized by low caspase specific activity and a relatively simple metacaspase expression profile. In contrast, sensitive E. huxleyi strains had markedly elevated caspase specific activity and consistently expressed more diverse metacaspase proteins. Using pooled data sets from triplicate experiments, we observed statistically significant linear correlations between infectivity, caspase activity, and metacaspase expression, with each strain forming distinct clusters, within a gradient in viral susceptibility. At the same time, we observed positive correlations between the expression of a subset of metacaspase proteins and lower susceptibility, suggestive of potential protective roles. Our findings implicate the importance of subtle differences in the basal physiological regulation of the PCD machinery to viral resistance or sensitivity and cell fate.
Temporal sensitivity of human luminance pattern mechanisms determined by masking with temporally modulated stimuli

Target contrast thresholds were measured using vertical spatial Gabor targets in the presence of full field maskers of the same spatial frequency and orientation. In the first experiment both target and masker were 2 cpd. The target was modulated at a frequency of 1 or 10 Hz and the maskers varied in temporal frequency from 1 to 30 Hz and in contrast from 0.03 to 0.50. In the second experiment both target and masker had a spatial frequency of 1, 5 or 8 cpd. The target was modulated at 7.5 Hz and the same set of maskers was used as in the first experiment. The results are not consistent with a widely used model that is based on mechanisms in which excitation is summed linearly and the sum is transformed by an S-shaped nonlinear excitation-response function. A new model of human pattern vision mechanisms, which has excitatory and divisive inhibitory inputs, describes the results well. Parameters from the best fit of the new model to the results of the first experiment show that the 1 Hz and 10 Hz targets were detected by mechanisms with temporal low-pass and band-pass excitatory sensitivity, respectively. Fits to the second experiment suggest that at 1 cpd, the excitatory tuning of the detecting mechanism is band-pass. At 5 and 8 cpd, the mechanisms are excited by a broad range of temporal frequencies. Mechanism sensitivity to divisive inhibition depends on temporal frequency in the same general way as sensitivity to excitation. Mechanisms are more broadly tuned to divisive inhibition than to excitation, except when the target temporal frequency is high.
Propagation characteristics for coastal region of South Korea and their impact on communication systems

Refractive index structure of the atmosphere may play a dominant role in influencing signal levels associated with terrestrial communication systems. It is therefore desirable to have a-priori knowledge of the statistics of refractivity structures for the design of a communication system for a particular region of the earth. Statistics of refractivity profiles were derived from a database of radiosondes corresponding to two spring-summertime periods (2002 and 2003) for Cheju, South Korea, which is in the vicinity of the Korea Strait. Modified refractive index profiles, which give characteristic features defining propagation conditions, were constructed from temperature, pressure and humidity versus altitude measurements by radiosondes launched at Cheju. Ducting and non-ducting cases were culled from an analysis of the radiosonde measurements. Equivalent bi-linear and tri-linear ducting profiles were modeled for the ducting cases. Statistics associated with K-factor, a characteristic propagation feature for non-ducting cases, were determined. Typical refractivity profiles with correlated features were characterized for both the ducting and non-ducting cases. Unique aspects of this effort are that: (a) refractivity statistics were determined for a part of the world hitherto not considered, (b) most-probable or typical refractivity profiles with correlated features were determined, and (c) the impact of typical refractivity profiles on signal levels for a notional communication system in this region was addressed.
Optimization model for integrated municipal solid waste management in Mumbai, India

Mumbai, the largest metropolitan city in India, generated 6,256 tons of waste per day in 2001. It is the responsibility of the Municipal Corporation of Greater Mumbai (MCGM) to provide Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) management services; however, the MCGM is not able to handle the increasing quantity of waste. As a result, waste litters all over the place giving rise to health and environmental problems. Hence, there is a need to involve private sector and community participation in waste management. In this paper, a linear programming model is developed to integrate different options and stakeholders involved in MSW management in Mumbai. Various economic and environmental costs associated with MSW management are taken into consideration while developing the model.
Effects of ELF magnetic fields on biological magnetite.

The effects of 60 Hz magnetic fields of 5 [mu]T (50 mG) or less on biological structures holding magnetite (Fe[sub 3]0[sub 4]) are shown to be much smaller than that from thermal agitation; hence such interactions cannot be expected to be biologically significant. Various species have been shown to manufacture magnetite, which is used in some cases in conjunction with the earth's magnetic field to determine direction ([Frankel, 1986; Kirschvink and Kobayashi-Kirschvink, 1991].) This magnetite is usually found in sets of single domain grains, about 500[angstrom] in diameter, where all grains are magnetized in the same direction. Typically, such grains are enclosed by a membrane and are called magnetosomes. Hence, the possibility that weak ELF magnetic fields may cause biological effects in humans by the interaction of the field with magnetosomes must be considered.
Probability density of the surface electromyogram and its relation to amplitude detectors

When the surface electromyogram (EMG) generated from constant-force, constant-angle, nonfatiguing contractions is modeled as a random process, its density is typically assumed to be Gaussian. This assumption leads to root-mean-square (RMS) processing as the maximum likelihood estimator of the EMG amplitude (where EMG amplitude is defined as the standard deviation of the random process). Contrary to this theoretical formulation, experimental work has found the signal-to-noise-ratio [(SNR), defined as the mean of the amplitude estimate divided by its standard deviation] using mean-absolute-value (MAV) processing to be superior to RMS. This paper reviews RMS processing with the Gaussian model and then derives the expected (inferior) SNR performance of MAV processing with the Gaussian model. Next, a new model for the surface EMG signal, using a Laplacian density, is presented. It is shown that the MAV processor is the maximum likelihood estimator of the EMG amplitude for the Laplacian model. SNR performance based on a Laplacian model is predicted to be inferior to that of the Gaussian model by approximately 32%. Thus, minor variations in the probability distribution of the EMG may result in large decrements in SNR performance. Lastly, experimental data from constant-force, constant-angle, nonfatiguing contractions were examined. The experimentally observed densities fell in between the theoretic Gaussian and Laplacian densities. On average, the Gaussian density best fit the experimental data, although results varied with subject. For amplitude estimation, MAV processing had a slightly higher SNR than RMS processing.
Identification of Peromyscus gossypinus at Poinsett State Park, South Carolina

Abstract The overlap of external morphometric measurements between Peromyscus leucopus (White-footed Mouse) and P. gossypinus (Cotton Mouse) makes species determination challenging. Peromyscus were live-trapped at Poinsett State Park, Sumter County, SC, and identified using field and laboratory techniques. Our measurements for hind-foot length, total length, and tail length overlapped with published values for both species. Body mass, as measured in the field, was a good criterion that identified our animals as Cotton Mice (n = 29). This identification was confirmed by digital radiography, microsatellite DNA markers, and glucose phosphate isomerase analysis. Our results indicated that a combination of field and laboratory techniques is a valuable approach for positively identifying morphologically similar species.
Acute hepatitis C virus in an HIV clinic: a screening strategy, risk factors, and perception of risk.

Abstract Acute hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection is being acquired undetected among HIV-infected individuals. A practical way to regularly screen HIV-infected patients for acute HCV irrespective of perceived risk or symptoms is needed. We piloted implementation of an acute HCV screening strategy using routine HIV clinical care schedules and the least costly blood tests, in a Rhode Island HIV care center. Study participants had ongoing HCV risk, completed questionnaires encompassing risk behaviors and perception of risk, and were screened with quarterly alanine aminotransferase (ALT). ALT rise triggered HCV RNA testing, with pooled rather than individual specimen HCV RNA testing for underinsured participants. Participants were primarily older, college-educated men who have sex with men (MSM) with history of sexually transmitted infection other than HIV. One of 58 participants developed acute HCV in 50 person–years of observation for an annual incidence of 2.0% per year (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.05–11...
Human StarD5, a cytosolic StAR-related lipid binding protein

Recently identified StarD5 belongs to the StarD4 subfamily, a subfamily of steroidogenic acute regulatory related lipid transfer (START) domain proteins that includes StarD4 and StarD6, proteins whose functions remain unknown. The objective of this study was to confirm StarD5's protein localization and sterol binding capabilities as measures to pursue function. Using rabbit polyclonal antibody against newly purified human histidine-tagged/StarD5 protein, StarD5 was detected in human liver. In parallel studies, increased expression of StarD5 in primary hepatocytes led to a marked increase in microsomal free cholesterol. Cell fractionation studies demonstrated StarD5 protein in liver cytosolic fractions only, suggesting StarD5 as a directional cytosolic sterol carrier. Supportive in vitro binding assays demonstrated a concentration-dependent binding of cholesterol by StarD5 similar to that of the cholesterol binding START domain protein StarD1. In contrast to selective cholesterol binding by StarD1, StarD5 bound the potent regulatory oxysterol, 25-hydroxycholesterol, in a concentration-dependent manner. StarD5 binding appeared selective for cholesterol and 25-hydroxycholesterol, as no binding was observed for other tested sterols. The ability of StarD5 to bind not only cholesterol but also 25-hydroxycholesterol, a potent inflammatory mediator and regulatory oxysterol, raises basic fundamental questions about StarD5's role in the maintenance of cellular cholesterol homeostasis.
The role of interleukin 12 in the immune response, disease and therapy

The heterodimeric cytokine interleukin 12 (IL-12) stimulates cytotoxicity and cytokine production by T cells and natural killer (NK) cells, and initiates development of CD4+ T helper 1 (Th1) cells. A recent meeting defined how IL-12 contributes to immune responses in disease, as well as how IL-12 can be used to circumvent disease.
The growth of a grid-generated turbulent mixed layer in a two-fluid system

This paper describes a laboratory experiment designed to compare measurements with published theoretical ideas of the mixed-layer growth of a two-layer system in which the turbulence is induced by an oscillating grid. Experimental results show excellent agreement with an earlier theory by one of us (Long), in which the mixed-layer depth D* measured from a virtual origin is given by , and Δb is the buoyancy difference between the two layers. The interfacial-layer thickness was observed to be proportional to the depth of the mixed layer, as also predicted by Long. After a certain depth, the entrainment law tends to deviate from Long's theory. The deviation may be due to wall effects.
In-Plane Thermal Conduction and Conductivity Anisotropy in Ge2Sb2Te5 Films for Phase Change Memory

Thermal conduction governs the program/erase speed and power consumption of phase change memory (PCM) devices. This work presents the in-plane thermal conductivity measurement of Ge2 Sb2 Te5 (GST) films suspended in a microfabricated structure for the amorphous (a-GST), face-centered cubic (f-GST) and hexagonal close packed (h-GST) phases. The unique design of free-standing GST films eliminates the out-of-plane heat loss to the substrate and achieves high sensitivity to lateral heat conduction. The measured in-plane thermal conductivities of GST thin films are 0.18 ± 0.02 Wm−1 K−1 for a-GST, 0.49 ± 0.04 Wm−1 K−1 for f-GST and 1.03 ± 0.06 Wm−1 K−1 for h-GST. The out-of-plane thermal conductivities are measured by using the 3ω technique. We report the in-plane thermal conductivity is 81% of the out-of-plane thermal conductivity for the crystalline phases while no anisotropy is observed for the amorphous phase. The microstructure of the GST thin film is responsible for the direction-dependent thermal conductivities.Copyright © 2010 by ASME
The Role of Semantic Roles in Disambiguating Verb Senses

We describe an automatic Word Sense Disambiguation (WSD) system that disambiguates verb senses using syntactic and semantic features that encode information about predicate arguments and semantic classes. Our system performs at the best published accuracy on the English verbs of Senseval-2. We also experiment with using the gold-standard predicate-argument labels from PropBank for disambiguating fine-grained WordNet senses and course-grained PropBank framesets, and show that disambiguation of verb senses can be further improved with better extraction of semantic roles.
A self-adjusting clock tree architecture to cope with temperature variations

Ensuring resilience against environmental variations is becoming one of the great challenges of chip design. In this paper, we propose a self adjusting clock tree architecture, SACTA, to improve chip performance and reliability in the presence of on-chip temperature variations. SACTA performs temperature dependent dynamic clock skew scheduling to prevent timing violations in a pipelined circuit. We present an automatic temperature adjustable skew buffer design, which enables the adaptive feature of SACTA. Furthermore, we propose an efficient and general optimization framework to determine the configuration of these special delay elements. Experimental results show that a pipeline supported by SACTA is able to prevent thermal induced timing violations within a significantly larger range of operating temperatures (enhancing the violation-free range by as much as 45degC).
WAITING FOR SYMPATRIC SPECIATION

While it now appears likely that sympatric speciation is possible, its generality remains contentious. If it really is rare, then most natural populations must not fit the assumptions of sympatric speciation theory. A better understanding of these assumptions may help identify when sympatric speciation is or is not likely. This paper investigates two such assumptions: that genetic variation for stringent assortative mating is not limiting and that females are not penalized for mating assortatively. Simulations demonstrate that the speed of sympatric speciation is very sensitive to the population's capacity for stringent assortative mating and is potentially extremely slow. The rapid divergence often thought to be a hallmark of sympatric speciation may only occur in a restricted area of parameter space.
Interstitial Cystitis: Animal Models

In 1990, although the etiology and pathogenesis of the condition then referred to as “interstitial cystitis” (IC) was admitted to be largely or even completely unknown, the widely held implicit working assumptions held that it is a bladder disease. These assumptions implied that if we could discover and correct what was wrong with the bladder itself then we could cure the condition. These assumptions have proved to be largely off base. At that time, the previous suggestions that IC might have a primarily autoimmune or infectious etiology were largely abandoned. The autoimmune hypothesis still remains but has yet to be either been proven nor disproven conclusively.
The Jerusalem Review of Legal Studies' Symposium on Rae Langton’s 'Sexual Solipsism: Philosophical Essays on Pornography and Objectification'

This is the first book symposium of volume 3 of The Jerusalem Review of Legal Studies – it consists of a discussion of Rae Langton’s “Sexual Solipsism: Philosophical Essays on Pornography and Objectification” (Oxford University Press, 2009). It includes critical comments by Prof. Alon Harel, Prof. Hagit Benbaji and Prof. Yuval Eylon, to which Prof. Langton then Responds.
Efficient Temperature-Dependent Green's Function Methods for Realistic Systems: Using Cubic Spline Interpolation to Approximate Matsubara Green's Functions.

The popular, stable, robust, and computationally inexpensive cubic spline interpolation algorithm is adopted and used for finite temperature Green’s function calculations of realistic systems. We demonstrate that with appropriate modifications the temperature dependence can be preserved while the Green’s function grid size can be reduced by about 2 orders of magnitude by replacing the standard Matsubara frequency grid with a sparser grid and a set of interpolation coefficients. We benchmarked the accuracy of our algorithm as a function of a single parameter sensitive to the shape of the Green’s function. Through numerous examples, we confirmed that our algorithm can be utilized in a systematically improvable, controlled, and black-box manner and highly accurate one- and two-body energies and one-particle density matrices can be obtained using only around 5% of the original grid points. Additionally, we established that to improve accuracy by an order of magnitude, the number of grid points needs to be dou...
Program transferability

The problem of program transfer is such that most people think they understand the process better than they do. Optimism is rampant; success is elusive.
Thermal conductivity reduction in analogous 2D nanomaterials with isotope substitution: Graphene and silicene

Abstract We employ molecular dynamics simulations to understand how the presence of isotopes influences thermal transport across silicene, and compare the findings with that in structurally analogous graphene. The simulated structures are about 140 nm long and around 4 nm wide. The phonon spectra along with the variation of thermal conductivity reveal that out-of-plane modes are delocalized relative to the in-plane counterparts. The absolute thermal conductivity reductions are more pronounced in graphene than in silicene. Our computational findings agree with results of an analytical model based on mean-field approximation with appropriate corrections for the lattice anharmonicity.
Engineering a Cysteine-Free Form of Human Fibroblast Growth Factor-1 for “Second Generation” Therapeutic Application

Human fibroblast growth factor-1 (FGF-1) has broad therapeutic potential in regenerative medicine but has undesirable biophysical properties of low thermostability and 3 buried cysteine (Cys) residues (at positions 16, 83, and 117) that interact to promote irreversible protein unfolding under oxidizing conditions. Mutational substitution of such Cys residues eliminates reactive buried thiols but cannot be accomplished simultaneously at all 3 positions without also introducing further substantial instability. The mutational introduction of a novel Cys residue (Ala66Cys) that forms a stabilizing disulfide bond (i.e., cystine) with one of the extant Cys residues (Cys83) effectively eliminates one Cys while increasing overall stability. This increase in stability offsets the associated instability of remaining Cys substitution mutations and permits production of a Cys-free form of FGF-1 (Cys16Ser/Ala66Cys/Cys117Ala) with only minor overall instability. The addition of a further stabilizing mutation (Pro134Ala) creates a Cys-free FGF-1 mutant with essentially wild-type biophysical properties. The elimination of buried free thiols in FGF-1 can substantially increase the protein half-life in cell culture. Here, we show that the effective cell survival/mitogenic functional activity of a fully Cys-free form is also substantially increased and is equivalent to wild-type FGF-1 formulated in the presence of heparin sulfate as a stabilizing agent. The results identify this Cys-free FGF-1 mutant as an advantageous "second generation" form of FGF-1 for therapeutic application.
NUMERICAL CALCULATION OF WAVE FORCES ON STRUCTURES

A finite-difference technique for solving the Navier-Stokes equations for an incompressible fluid is used to calculate transient wave forces experienced by fixed and moving bodies. The numerical technique is based on the Marker-and-Cell (MAC) method developed by Harlow and Welch (1965). This new technique uses an especially simple solution algorithm that is designed for persons with little or no experience in numerical fluid dynamics. Originally conceived as an instructional tool, it has proven to be an extremely useful and versatile calculational method. Many useful calculations are possible with the publicly available code, SOLA-SURF, which is briefly described in Sec. II; however, the outstanding feature of this numerical scheme is the ease with which it can be modified to handle more complex problems. Reported here, in Sec. Ill, are examples to illustrate the utility of this new calculational tool for investigating the dynamic interactions between ocean waves and coastal structures.
Complete spermatogenesis in intratesticular homotransplants of fetal and neonatal testes in the rat.

SummaryFetal and neonatal testes, transplanted to the testes of adult hosts, proliferate mature spermatozoa by 60 days unless prior immunological rejection ensues. Intratesticular grafts of testes are rejected by the host with approximately the same frequency as contralateral testes persisting below the kidney capsule. So far as testis transplants are concerned, the evidence presented does not indicate that the testis is, immunologically, a more privileged site than the kidney.
Can the Boundary of a d-Dimensional Convex Body Contain Segments in all Directions?

(1969). Can the Boundary of a d-Dimensional Convex Body Contain Segments in all Directions? The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 76, No. 4, pp. 408-410.
Peristaltic movements of the rabbit's cecum and their inhibition, with demonstration:

The rabbit's cecum fills nearly one half of the abdominal cavity and is full of food, which has to get into it and leave it again by some moving force. Nevertheless we find in the literature practically no statement on the movements of that organ. There is good reason for it. When the abdominal cavity of a rabbit is opened the cecum as a rule shows no motion. We wish to report that according to our observations, that organ exhibits well marked and quite regular peristaltic movements; but these can be seen only in the normal animal. When a well fed rabbit is fastened on its back on a holder and the hair of the abdomen is removed, as a rule movements of the cecum can be seen sooner or later. The movements are well marked and characteristic in their appearance, and leave no doubt as to the organ in which they take place. We shall mention only a few details in this communication. As a rule, especially in well fed rabbits, the movements begin in the colon and travel towards the small gut, that is, they are ant...
Some Tests of the Self-Interest and Group-Value Models of Procedural Justice: Evidence from an Organizational Appeal Procedure

This study examined how outcome, appeal method, and group membership influenced judgments about procedural and distributive justice made by people who appealed parking violations using a university...
Risk Factors of Microcephaly

Microcephaly may be genetic" as claimed by the Mayo Clinic online publication of causes for the disease. It is the objective of the current work to focus on this possibility with respect to the research and work being carried out on the Zika disease and microcephaly. The progress and advances in genomic sequencing should be employed to help in identifying any more at-risk genes in people infected with the Zika virus. There is already a positive link between genetics and microcephaly. If a link is found between more gene defects or contiguous gene deletions that accompany Zika infection when microcephaly is manifested, it would help immensely to remove a lot of hype and fear for people worldwide. There could even be a combinatorial effect with Zika virus infection, alcohol and/or drug use (as necessary and sufficient to cause the microcephaly disease) which should be investigated. It could save nations and their public from a lot of guidelines regarding sexual practices, and unnecessary tests for the Zika virus. This last would be a blessing for testing labs throughout the Americas, who are already fighting various degrees of tight budgets and expanding public duties.
Source Separation of Polyphonic Music with Interactive User-Feedback on a Piano Roll Display.

The task of separating a single recording of a polyphonic instrument (e.g. piano, guitar, etc.) into distinctive pitch tracks is challenging. One promising class of methods to accomplish this task is based on non-negative matrix factorization (NMF). Such methods, however, are still far from perfect. Distinct pitches from a single instrument have similar timbre, similar note attacks, and contain overlapping harmonics that all make separation difficult. In an attempt to overcome these issues, we use a database of synthesized piano and guitar recordings to learn the harmonic structure of distinct pitches, perform NMF-based separation, and then extend the method to allow an end-user to interactively correct for errors in the output separation estimates by drawing on a piano roll display of the separated tracks. The user-annotations are mapped to linear grouping regularization parameters within a modified NMF-based algorithm and are then used to refine the separation estimates in an iterative manner. For evaluation, a prototype user-interface was built and used to separate several polyphonic guitar and piano recordings. Initial results show that the method of interactive feedback can significantly increase the separation quality and produce high-quality separation results.
Adjuvant Vinblastine, Actinomycin D, Bleomycin, Cyclophosphamide and Cis-Platinum Chemotherapy Regimen with and without Maintenance in Patients with Resected stage IIB Testis Cancer

A total of 42 patients with stage IIB nonseminomatous germ cell tumors of the testis after orchiectomy and retroperitoneal lymph node dissection received adjuvant chemotherapy with the modified vinblastine, actinomycin D, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide and cis-platinum regimen. Of the patients 29 had N2B and 13 had N3 nodal categories. Adjuvant vinblastine, actinomycin D, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide and cis-platinum chemotherapy was given with maintenance in the first 24 patients and without maintenance (2 months of chemotherapy) in the subsequent 18. Chemotherapy with maintenance was given for 1 year and began with 2 inductions 3 to 4 weeks apart: 600 mg./m.2 intravenous cyclophosphamide, 30 mg. intravenous bleomycin, 1 mg./m.2 intravenous actinomycin D and 4 mg./m.2 intravenous vinblastine on day 1, 20 mg./m.2 bleomycin daily by continuous 24-hour induction on days 1 to 3 and 120 mg./m.2 intravenous cis-platinum with mannitol-induced diuresis on day 4. Maintenance with 6 mg./m.2 intravenous vinblastine and 1 mg./m.2 intravenous actinomycin D every 3 weeks was initiated 3 weeks after the second induction for the remainder of the year. Adjuvant vinblastine, actinomycin D, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide and cis-platinum chemotherapy without maintenance was given for 2 months and used 3 inductions identical to those described previously. Complete remission has been maintained in 41 of 42 patients: all 24 who received maintenance chemotherapy and 17 of 18 who did not. One patient had a relapse with sarcoma and 6 required broad-spectrum antibiotics for fever during myelosuppression. A temporary increase in the serum creatinine of more than 2 mg. per cent occurred in 1 patient. Chronic renal failure or pulmonary fibrosis was not seen. Our results show that vinblastine, actinomycin D, bleomycin, cyclophosphamide and cis-platinum chemotherapy is effective in the prevention of recurrences in patients with resected stage IIB disease, and suggest that adjuvant chemotherapy is equally effective with or without maintenance.