cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Nuclear quadrupole interaction of 243Am3+ in LaCl3 measured via optical spectral-hole burning.

An optical spectral-hole burning technique has been used to study the nuclear quadrupole splitting in the ground state of $^{243}\mathrm{Am}^{3+}$ in ${\mathrm{LaCl}}_{3}$. The observed splitting is consistent with ${\mathrm{Am}}^{3+}$ ions on an axially symmetric site. The nuclear quadrupole coupling constant P=-75\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}1 MHz for the $^{7}$${\mathit{F}}_{0}$ ground state is obtained based on an effective operator Hamiltonian. The crystal-field antishielding effect dominates whereas contributions from the 5f electrons and from the pseudoquadrupole interaction are negligible (${\mathit{P}}_{5\mathit{f}}$/${\mathit{P}}_{\mathrm{latt}}$=0.03). The Sternheimer antishielding factor, ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{\mathrm{\ensuremath{\infty}}}$=-154, is determined and comparison is made between the actinide ion ${\mathrm{Am}}^{3+}$ and its rare-earth analogy ${\mathrm{Eu}}^{3+}$. \textcopyright{} 1996 The American Physical Society.
The zinc-stimulated acid and neutral p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activities of chick liver and duodenum.

Abstract 1. 1.|Some properties of the soluble Zn2+-stimulated p-nitrophenyl phosphatases active at acid and neutral pH have been studied with (NH4)2SO4-precipitated preparations from the soluble cytoplasm fraction of homogenates from chick liver, duodenum and metanephros. Analogous Zn2+-stimulated phosphatase activity was not found in the particulate fraction from these tissues or in any fraction from homogenates of chick brain or heart muscle. 2. 2.|The pH optima of these soluble, Zn2+-stimulated enzymes were at pH 4.9, 6.2 and 6.7, respectively, for duodenum, liver and metanephros. The enzymes responsible for the low level of soluble activity without added Zn2+ or with added Mg2+ showed maximal activity at pH 5.4–5.8 in all three tissues. 3. 3.|The soluble Zn2+-stimulated p-nitrophenyl phosphatase enzymes of liver and duodenum were similar in most other properties examined. With preparations from both tissues, a marked (10- to 20-fold) stimulation of p-nitrophenyl phosphatase activity was elicited only by Zn2+, but Mg2+, Mn2+ and Co2+ caused some stimulation. The optimal concentration of Zn2+ varied over the range 3–10 mM, depending on pH and type of buffer used. A marked and specific stimulatory effect of Zn2+ was seen only for hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate, of the many phosphate compounds tested. Hydrolysis of ATP by these preparations was moderately stimulated by both Mg2+ and Zn2+. Indirect evidence suggests that the Zn2+-stimulated hydrolysis of p-nitrophenyl phosphate was not due to the inorganic pyrophosphatase (pyrophosphate phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.1), fructose-1,6-diphosphatase (fructose-1,6-diphosphate 1-phosphohydrolase, EC 3.1.3.11), or ATPase (ATP phosphohydrolase, EC 3.6.1.3) present in these preparations.
Modeling of vertical split rim cracking in railroad wheels

Abstract Vertical split rim cracking, due to rapid unstable propagation of a shallow sub-surface crack parallel to the front rim face, is one of the dominant mechanisms of railroad wheel failure. Wheel impact load is believed to be a trigger for this unstable crack growth. This rapid crack growth rate depends on several factors, such as wheel geometry (wheel diameter and rim thickness), load magnitude, load location, residual stresses in the rim, worn tread profile, and material defects in the rim (size, shape, location, and orientation). This paper develops a computational methodology to investigate the effect of these parameters on vertical split rim cracking, using finite element analysis and fracture mechanics. Vertical split rim cracking is modeled using a three-dimensional, multi-resolution, elastic–plastic finite element analysis. Material defects are modeled as mathematically sharp cracks. Wheel impacts are simulated by applying high mechanical loads on the tread surface. The residual stresses and wheel wear effects are also included in modeling vertical split rim cracking. The proposed computational methodology can help to predict whether a vertical split rim failure might be triggered for a given set of parameters, such as load magnitude, load location, wheel diameter, rim thickness, residual stress state, crack size, crack location, and crack orientation.
In vitro penetration and subchronic toxicity of α-Methyl-1,3-benzodioxole-5-propionaldehyde

Abstract α-Methyl-1,3-benzodioxole-5-propionaldehyde (methyl-3,4-methylene-dioxy-hydrocinnamic Aldehyde, MMDHCA) is a widely used commercially available fragrance material. Because of the wide range of product availability, there is dermal exposure associated with its use. The objective of this study was to determine the in vitro human skin absorption of 14 C MMDHCA and subchronic toxicity of the material. Twenty mL of a 1% solution of radiolabeled MMDHCA in ethanol was applied to the surface of epidermal membranes isolated from full thickness human skin samples and placed in diffusion cells. Samples of the receptor fluid (50% ethanol/water) were harvested at 2, 8, 24, and 48 h and analyzed by liquid scintillation chromatography to assess dermal absorption. At 24 and 48 h, respectively, 42% and 50% of the applied dose of MMDHCA had permeated the human skin in vitro . Only 67% of the applied dose was recovered by 48 h. For the subchronic toxicity, MMDHCA was applied dermally once daily to male and female Sprague–Dawley rats (15/sex/group) at 50, 150, or 300 mg/kg/day (0.043, 0.129, or 0.259 mL/kg/day applied neat to 5 cm 2 dorsal skin) for at least 90 consecutive days. A control group (15/sex) was given vehicle (reverse osmosis water) at 0.259 mL/kg/day for a similar duration. Rats were necropsied at the end of treatment (10/sex/group) or following a 4-week recovery period (5/sex/group). The following parameters were evaluated: dermal irritation, estrous cycle, ophthalmologic examinations, body weight, feed consumption, hematology, blood coagulation, serum chemistry, organ weights, macroscopic and histopathologic examinations, and male reproductive assessment. No test article-related mortalities or effects on, estrous cycles, ophthalmic exams, mean body weights, mean body weight change, feed consumption, absolute or relative organ weights, macroscopic observations, or male reproductive morphology/function were observed. MMDHCA-related dermal irritation was observed across all dose levels with increased incidence and severity at 300 mg/kg/day. Dermal irritation that initially ranged from slight to marked improved to slight or resolved completely during the recovery phase. Based on the findings in this study, it can be concluded that (1) MMDHCA exhibits moderately high human skin permeation; (2) the NOEL for dermal irritation is below 50 mg/kg/day when applied undiluted to 5 cm 2 dorsal skin and (3) the NOEL for systemic toxicity is greater than 300 mg/kg/day. During the 4-week recovery period of the 90-day study, the animals had largely recovered from MMDHCA induced dermal irritation and the associated microscopic findings.
Listeria monocytogenes as a probe to study cell-mediated immunity

The intracellular bacterium Listeria monocytogenes continues to serve as a model to define general paradigms of cell-mediated immunity. Genetic manipulations of the bacterium and its murine host have allowed us to begin dissecting the intricate interactions between this bacterium and the immune system. As a result, we have gained new insights into the mechanisms of immune surveillance, achieved better understanding of bacterial tactics for immune evasion and developed novel strategies in vaccine development.
Voltammetric studies of photochemically generated free radicals

Abstract Steady-state currents for oxidation and reduction of photochemically generated radicals have been detected using platinum microelectrodes. Diphenylmethyl radicals were produced by photolysis of sym -tetraphenylacetone or photolysis of a mixture of tert-butyl peroxide and diphenylmethane. Equations were derived that relate the steady-state currents to the concentration of radicals far from the electrode, the diffusion coefficient and the rate constant for disappearance of the radicals. It was shown that about 2 μM of diphenylmethyl radicals was being produced under the experimental conditions. The oxidation of diphenylmethyl radicals could also be detected by normal pulse voltammetry at 25 μm diameter microelectrodes. Reverse pulse voltammetry at 1 ms measurement times revealed the reduction current for diphenylmethyl cations in acetonitrile and in methylene chloride. The reversible carbenium ion/neutral radical potential was 0.00 ± 0.01 V vs. ferricinium/ferrocene in acetonitrile. Similarly, the reversible potential for the diphenylcyanomethyl radical/carbanion couple was − 0.96 V vs. ferrocene.
A MapReduce Style Framework for Computations on Trees

The emergence of cloud computing and Google's MapReduce paradigm is renewing interest in the development of broadly applicable high level abstractions as a means to deliver easy programmability and cyber resources to the user, while hiding complexities of system architecture, parallelism and algorithms, heterogeneity, and fault-tolerance. In this paper, we present a high-level framework for computations on tree structures. Despite the diversity and types of tree structures, and the algorithmic ways in which they are utilized, our abstraction provides sufficient generality to be broadly applicable. We show how certain frequently used operations on tree structures can be cast in terms of our framework. We further demonstrate the applicability of our framework by solving two applications -- k-nearest neighbors and fast multipole method (FMM) based simulations -- by merely using our framework in multiple ways. We developed a generic programming based implementation of the framework using C++ and MPI, and demonstrate its performance on the aforementioned applications using homogeneous multi-core clusters.
Visibility and intersection problems in plane geometry

We develop new data structures for solving various visibility and intersection problems about a simple polygonP onn vertices. Among our results are a simpleO(n logn)-time algorithm for computing the illuminated subpolygon ofP from a luminous side, and anO(logn)-time algorithm for determining which side ofP is first hit by a bullet fired from a point in a certain direction. The latter method requires preprocessing onP which takes timeO(n logn) and spaceO(n). The two main tools in attacking these problems are geometric duality on the two-sided plane and fractional cascading.
Reoperation after supravalvular aortic stenosis repair.

Background Supravalvular aortic stenosis (SVAS) is the rarest type of left ventricular outflow tract obstruction. We reviewed our experience with this anomaly and analyzed risk factors for death or reoperation. Methods Between 1984 and 2009, 49 patients had surgery for SVAS. A single-patch technique was used in 3, two-sinus enlargement in 39, and three-sinus enlargement in 7. Variables evaluated included age at surgery ( 2 years old), presence of pulmonary artery stenosis, type of SVAS (focal versus diffuse), presence of valvular aortic stenosis, and era of surgery. Results The only early death occurred in a patient who experienced cardiac arrest during anesthesia induction and could not be separated from bypass after surgery. There were 2 late deaths at 3 and 11 years after SVAS repair, both related to treatment for pulmonary artery stenosis. Actuarial survival at 5, 10, and 20 years was 95%, 95%, and 90%, respectively. Sixteen patients required 23 reoperations: for pulmonary artery stenosis (n = 10), distal aortic stenosis (n = 9), aortic valve stenosis (n = 4), and coronary artery stenosis (n = 1). Actuarial reoperation-free survivals at 5, 10, and 20 years were 73%, 58%, and 52%, respectively. Coexistent pulmonary artery stenosis, young age at surgery, and diffuse type SVAS were predictors of lower freedom from death or reoperation by both univariate and multivariate analyses. Conclusions Survival after surgical repair of SVAS is excellent. However, reoperation is frequent, especially when the patients also have pulmonary artery stenosis, diffuse type SVAS, and initial surgery at a young age.
Fungal Secondary Metabolites and Their Fundamental Roles in Human Mycoses

Understanding which fungal factors allow colonization and infection of a human host is critical to lowering the incidence of human mycoses and related mortalities. In the pathogen Aspergillus fumigatus, secondary metabolites, small bioactive molecules produced by many opportunistic fungal pathogens, have important roles in suppressing and providing protection from host defenses. Deletion of LaeA, a global regulator of secondary metabolism in fungi, significantly decreases A. fumigatus virulence, in part owing to loss of gliotoxin and hydrophobin production. In addition to gliotoxin, dihydroxynaphthalene (DHN) melanin and siderophores are other A. fumigatus virulence factors; all three metabolites are derived from hallmark secondary metabolite gene clusters. Many of the gene clusters producing toxin metabolites have yet to be deciphered, and the study of secondary metabolites and their role in the virulence of human pathogens is a nascent field.
Authalic Parameterization of General Surfaces Using Lie Advection

Parameterization of complex surfaces constitutes a major means of visualizing highly convoluted geometric structures as well as other properties associated with the surface. It also enables users with the ability to navigate, orient, and focus on regions of interest within a global view and overcome the occlusions to inner concavities. In this paper, we propose a novel area-preserving surface parameterization method which is rigorous in theory, moderate in computation, yet easily extendable to surfaces of non-disc and closed-boundary topologies. Starting from the distortion induced by an initial parameterization, an area restoring diffeomorphic flow is constructed as a Lie advection of differential 2-forms along the manifold, which yields equality of the area elements between the domain and the original surface at its final state. Existence and uniqueness of result are assured through an analytical derivation. Based upon a triangulated surface representation, we also present an efficient algorithm in line with discrete differential modeling. As an exemplar application, the utilization of this method for the effective visualization of brain cortical imaging modalities is presented. Compared with conformal methods, our method can reveal more subtle surface patterns in a quantitative manner. It, therefore, provides a competitive alternative to the existing parameterization techniques for better surface-based analysis in various scenarios.
Coronary endothelial dysfunction in humans is associated with coronary retention of osteogenic endothelial progenitor cells.

Aims Endothelial progenitor cells (EPC) may participate in the repair of injured coronary endothelium. We have recently identified EPC co-expressing the osteoblastic marker osteocalcin [OCN (+) EPC] and found that their numbers are increased in patients with early and late coronary atherosclerosis. The current study was designed to test the hypothesis that early coronary atherosclerosis is associated with the retention of osteogenic EPC within the coronary circulation. Methods and results Blood samples were taken simultaneously from the proximal aorta and the coronary sinus from 31 patients undergoing invasive coronary endothelial function testing. Using flow cytometry, peripheral blood mononuclear cells were analysed for EPC markers (CD133, CD34, KDR) and OCN. The net gradient of EPC was calculated by multiplying the coronary blood flow by the arteriovenous EPC gradient (a negative net gradient indicating retention of EPC). Similarly, serum samples were analysed for stromal cell-derived factor-1 alpha (SDF-1 alpha) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) and their net production calculated. Compared with controls ( n = 17) patients with endothelial dysfunction (ED, n = 14) had a significant net retention of CD34+/CD133−/KDR+/OCN+ EPC [118.38 (0.00, 267.04) vs. −112.03 (838.36, 0.00), P = 0.004]. The retention of OCN (+) EPC correlated with the degree of ED. Patients with ED also showed a net retention of CD34+/CD133−/KDR+ EPC ( P = 0.010). Net production of IL-8 was positive in ED [1540.80 (−300.40, 21744.10)pg/mL] but negative in controls [−3428.50 (−11225.00, 647.48), P = 0.025]. Conclusion Our study demonstrates that patients with early coronary atherosclerosis are characterized by retention of OCN (+) EPC within the coronary circulation, potentially leading to progressive coronary calcification rather than normal repair.
Exotic paired phases in ladders with spin-dependent hopping

Fermions in two dimensions, when subject to anisotropic spin-dependent hopping, can potentially give rise to unusual paired states in unpolarized mixtures that can behave as non-Fermi liquids. One possibility is a fully paired state with a gap for fermion excitations in which the Cooper pairs remain uncondensed. Such a ``Cooper-pair Bose-metal'' phase would be expected to have a singular Bose surface in momentum space. As demonstrated in the context of two-dimensional bosons hopping with a frustrating ring-exchange interaction, an analogous Bose-metal phase has a set of quasi-one-dimensional descendant states when put on a ladder geometry. Here we present a density matrix renormalization group study of the attractive Hubbard model with spin-dependent hopping on a two-leg ladder geometry. In our setup, one spin species moves preferentially along the leg direction, while the other does so along the rung direction. We find compelling evidence for the existence of a novel Cooper-pair Bose-metal phase in a region of the phase diagram at intermediate coupling. We further explore the phase diagram of this model as a function of hopping anisotropy, density, and interaction strength, finding a conventional superfluid phase as well as a phase of paired Cooper pairs with $d$-wave symmetry, similar to the one found in models of hard-core bosons with ring exchange. We argue that simulating this model with cold Fermi gases on spin-dependent optical lattices is a promising direction for realizing exotic quantum states.
Compositional and geometrical isomers of 15-metallacrowns-5 complexes

Abstract Two mixed valent, hexanuclear manganese clusters of general composition Mn(acetate)2[Mn(III)(salicylhydroximate)]5(pyridine)6, Mn(II)(OAc)2(15-MCMn3+N-5) have been prepared in ≈ 70% yield. Structural characterization of these complexes using X-ray crystallography provides the first examples of 15 membered ring metallacrowns. A 15 membered chelate ring is constructed of five [Mn(III)NO] linkages. The five manganese(III) ions are designated Mn(1)Mn(5). The Mn(1), Mn(2) and Mn(3) atoms adopt propeller configurations with Λ,Δ,Λ absolute stereochemistry, respectively. The Mn(4) and Mn(5) atoms are restricted to planar configurations. Both complexes contain a seven coordinate manganese(II) [Mn(6)] encapsulated in the core of this 15 membered ring. The Mn(6) polyhedron is best described using an 8 coordinate reference frame in which one of the vertices of a trigonal faced dodecahedron is vacant. The Mn(6) coordination sphere contains five hydroximate oxygen donors, provided by the metallacrown ring, and two oxygen from acetates that bridge between ring manganese(III) and the encapsulated manganese(II). Two geometrical isomers are formed that differ in the bridging acetate modes. In 1, the bridging acetate forms a bifurcated bridged between Mn(2) and Mn(6) while complex 2 has a bifurcated acetate bridge between Mn(5) and Mn(6). A compositional isomer, Mn(II)(acetate)(HSal)(15-MCMn3+N-5), 4, which substitutes the carboxylate function of salicylate for one of the acetates has also been prepared. This isomer adopts the same bifurcation mode, using the salicylate carboxylate, as complex 2. Studies to define the solution integrity of the metallacrowns are presented in addition to the solid state structure.
Blood Pressure, Blood Flow, and Oxygenation in the Clipped Kidney of Chronic 2-Kidney, 1-Clip Rats. Effects of Tempol and Angiotensin Blockade

Angiotensin II maintains renal cortical blood flow and renal oxygenation in the clipped kidney of early 2-kidney, 1-clip Goldblatt hypertensive (2K,1C) rats. The involvement of Ang II is believed to decline, whereas oxidative stress increases during the progression of 2K,1C hypertension. We investigated the hypothesis that the acute administration of drugs to inhibit reactive oxygen species (Tempol), angiotensin II type 1 receptors (candesartan), or angiotensin-converting enzyme (enalaprilat) lowers mean arterial pressure and increases kidney blood flow and oxygenation in the clipped kidney of chronic 2K,1C rats in contrast to sham controls. Twelve months after left renal artery clipping or sham, mean arterial pressure, renal cortical blood flow, and renal cortical and medullary oxygen tension were measured after acute administration of Tempol followed by enalaprilat or candesartan followed by enalaprilat. The mean arterial pressure of the 2K,1C rat was reduced by candesartan (-9%) and, more effectively, by Tempol (-35%). All of the applied treatments had similar blood pressure-lowering effects in sham rats (average: -21%). Only Tempol increased cortical blood flow (+35%) and cortical and medullary oxygen tensions (+17% and +94%, respectively) in clipped kidneys of 2K,1C rats. Administration of enalaprilat had no additional effect, except for a modest reduction in cortical blood flow in the clipped kidney of 2K,1C rats when coadministered with candesartan (-10%). In conclusion, acute administration of Tempol is more effective than candesartan in reducing the mean arterial blood pressure and improving renal blood perfusion and oxygenation in the clipped kidney of chronic 2K,1C rats.
TRPV1 antagonists elevate cell surface populations of receptor protein and exacerbate TRPV1-mediated toxicities in human lung epithelial cells

TRPV1 mediates cell death and pro-inflammatory cytokine production in lung epithelial cells exposed to prototypical receptor agonists. This study shows that NHBE, BEAS-2B and TRPV1 over-expressing BEAS-2B cells pre-treated with various TRPV1 antagonists become sensitized to the prototypical TRPV1 agonist, nonivamide, via a mechanism that involves translocation of existing receptor from the endoplasmic reticulum to the plasma membrane. As such, typical cellular responses to agonist treatment, as measured by calcium flux, inflammatory cytokine gene induction, and cytotoxicity were exacerbated. These data were in contrast to the results obtained when TRPV1 antagonists were co-administered with nonivamide; conditions which inhibited TRPV1-mediated effects. The antagonists LJO-328, SC0030, and capsazepine increased the cytotoxicity of nonivamide by approximately 20-fold and agonist-induced calcium flux by approximately 6-fold. Inflammatory-cytokine gene induction by nonivamide was also increased significantly by pre-treatment with the antagonists. The enhanced responses were inhibited by the co-administration of antagonists with nonivamide, confirming that increases in sensitivity were attributable to increased TRPV1-associated activity. Sensitization was attenuated by brefeldin A (a golgi transport inhibitor), but not cycloheximide (a protein synthesis inhibitor), or actinomycin D (a transcription inhibitor). Sensitized cells exhibited increased calcium flux from extracellular calcium sources, while unsensitized cells exhibited calcium flux originating primarily from intracellular stores. These results demonstrate the presence of a novel mechanism for regulating the sub-cellular distribution of TRPV1 and subsequent control of cellular sensitivity to TRPV1 agonists.
Immunotoxicity of acute acephate exposure in control or IL-1-challenged rats: correlation between the immune cell composition and corticosteroid concentration in blood.

Corticosterone concentration and the immune cell composition were measured in rats exposed by intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection to different doses (10–500 mg kg−1) of acephate (Ace) and 250 µg kg−1 of interleukin 1 (IL-1), either alone or in combination. Two different combination protocols were used: IL-1 and Ace were administered simultaneously; and IL-1 was injected 60 min after Ace administration (sequential exposure). Ace, in a dose- and time-dependent manner, inhibited blood and brain acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activities, increased blood corticosterone concentrations, suppressed blood CD4, CD8, B cell and monocyte contents and increased blood neutrophil counts. The Ace-induced changes lasted for up to 24 h after Ace exposure. Interleukin 1 increased blood corticosterone concentrations without affecting blood or brain AChE activities. The IL-1-induced corticosterone concentration returned to the basal level within 3–10 h after IL-1 exposure. The CD4, CD8, B cell and monocyte counts increased significantly at 10 min after IL-1 exposure. The cell counts decreased gradually thereafter and returned to the basal level within 30 min after IL-1 exposure. Simultaneous exposure of rats to Ace and IL-1 partially suppressed the IL-1-induced increase in the immune cell counts and decreased the immune cell numbers below the basal values. Sequential injection of Ace and IL-1 blocked the IL-1-induced increase in the immune cell numbers. Thus, Ace exposure would impair the normal distribution of immune cells and deregulate the IL-1 response in rats. This study therefore suggests that Ace would suppress the immune cell numbers in blood, thus decreasing an organism's immunity. Ace exposure occurring concurrent with injury would augment the acute-phase response, which would augment the toxic effects of IL-1 and other cytokines, and Ace exposure occurring prior to the injury would suppress or abolish the initial stimulatory effects of IL-1, which would decrease an organism's ability to combat infection or injury. Copyright © 2002 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Acceptability of Teff Hay by Horses

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is a productive warm season annual grass. Because teff is relatively new to the horse industry in the United States, horses unaccustomed to teff hay were used in two sets of two-choice preference tests comparing teff with alfalfa hay or teff with timothy hay. A second experiment used mature mares to compare voluntary dry matter intake (VDMI) of teff hay and timothy hay. In the two-choice preference tests, horses preferred alfalfa hay and timothy hay to teff hay (P .05). It was concluded that horses that are unfamiliar with teff may discriminate against it when it is offered simultaneously with alfalfa or timothy; however, if not given a choice, horses will consume approximately the same amount of mature teff as mature timothy. Additional studies are needed to compare VDMI of early maturity teff hay with other common hays.
Simulating air taxi networks

The U.S. air transportation industry is about to experience the emergence of on-demand air taxi networks enabled by a new generation of very light jets (VLJs). These new networks are unique in many ways and the top down design approach of air taxi enterprises generates challenging and complex questions. Simulation was found to be an essential technique for understanding, analyzing and evaluating the complex behavior of air taxi networks. The air taxi network simulator is a fast-time simulator that replicates the operations of fleets of air taxi aircraft over a network of hundreds of airports. Its capabilities include demand modeling, trip generation, aircraft routing and pilot assignment, unscheduled maintenance events with recovery mechanisms, etc. It provides key performance metrics that enable decision makers to test and evaluate various strategic and tactical scenarios.
The US Securities and Exchange Commission and shareholder director nominations: paving the way for special interest directors?

The US Securities and Exchange Commission recently proposed rules relating to shareholder (independent) director nominations to publicly-traded companies. While shareholder groups, such as institutional investors, consumer groups, and shareholder activists, generally support the proxy reform, the business community, including The Business Roundtable and the US Chamber of Commerce, are critical of the proposal, arguing that it will 'open the door' to special interest directors, e.g., labour unions or other groups having a social or political agenda contrary to the economic interests of the shareholder owners of the corporation. An analysis of the proposed rules, however, show that the mechanisms offered to nominate and elect independent directors offer little or no threat of any shareholder group placing special interest directors on the board of a publicly-traded company in the USA. The article concludes with a recommended managerial course of action for executives and boards to follow in the unlikely event that shareholders are seriously threatening to place a special interest director(s) on the proxy ballot.
Severe outcomes are associated with genogroup 2 genotype 4 norovirus outbreaks: a systematic literature review

Background. Noroviruses (NoVs) are the most common cause of epidemic gastroenteritis; however, the relative impacts of individual factors underlying severe illness are poorly understood. This report reviews published NoV outbreak reports to quantify hospitalization and mortality rates and assess their relationship with outbreak setting, transmission route, and strain. Methods. Using a string of terms related to “norovirus” and “outbreak,” we 2435 nonduplicate articles identified in PubMed, EMBASE, and Web of Knowledge published between January 1993 and June 2011. Inclusion criteria included outbreaks with a minimum of 2 ill persons with a common exposure and at least 1 reversetranscription polymerase chain reaction–confirmed case of NoV disease. Univariate analyses were performed, and multivariable models were fitted to estimate the independent effect of each factor. Results. We analyzed 843 NoV outbreaks reported in 233 published articles from 45 countries. Based upon 71 724 illnesses, 501 hospitalizations, and 45 deaths, overall hospitalization and mortality rates were 0.54% and 0.06%, respectively. In multivariate analysis, genogroup 2 genotype 4 (GII.4) NoV strains were associated with higher hospitalization (incidence rate ratio [IRR], 9.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 6.1–14.4; P< .001) and mortality rates (IRR, 3.1; 95% CI, 1.3–7.6; P= .01). Deaths were much more likely to occur in outbreaks occurring in healthcare facilities (IRR, 60; 95% CI, 6–109; P= .01). Conclusions. Our review suggests that hospitalizations and deaths were more likely in outbreaks associated with GII.4 viruses, independent of other factors, and underscores the importance of developing vaccines against GII.4 viruses to prevent severe disease outcomes.
Multifaceted effects of hydroxychloroquine in human disease

Abstract Objectives Hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) is a widely used medication for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus erythematosus. An increasing body of evidence supports actions of this drug that are not directly related to its immunosuppressive or anti-rheumatic properties. The objective of this systematic review is to characterize the spectrum of conditions that might be responsive to treatment with HCQ. Methods PubMed was searched using the MeSH for HCQ with relevant subheadings and the limits of human topics and English language. Four-hundred and fifty-six abstracts from this search were examined individually to exclude those that were not focused on the objectives of this review. The resulting 76 articles were grouped according to topic areas and reviewed in detail. Results HCQ has been reported to have therapeutic effects in a wide array of conditions, including diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemias, coagulopathies, infectious diseases and malignancies. Mechanisms of action responsible for these effects likely include altered signaling through cellular receptors, post-glycosylation modifications of infectious agents, changes in levels of inflammatory mediators and inhibition of autophagy. Many of the pathways are likely dependent on drug-induced changes in intra-endosomal acidity. Conclusions The use of, and interest in, HCQ has spread into many areas of medicine. Actions of this drug may be directly beneficial to patients with non-rheumatic conditions such as diabetes mellitus or viral infections. Further understanding of underlying mechanisms has potential to reveal modifiable pathogenic pathways that might elucidate approaches to the design of more effective therapeutics for many chronic diseases.
Future Perspectives in Bladder Tissue Engineering

Substantial clinical need persists for improved autologous tissues to augment or replace the urinary bladder and research has begun to address this using tissue engineering techniques. The implantation of both tissue scaffolds which allow for native bladder tissue ingrowth and autologous bladder grafts created from in vitro cellularization of such scaffolds have been tested clinically; however, successful outcomes in both scenarios have been challenged by insufficient vascularity resulting from large graft sizes, which subsequently limits tissue ingrowth and leads to central graft ischemia. Consequently, recent research has focused on developing better methods to produce scaffolds with increased tissue ingrowth and vascularity. This review provides an update on bladder tissue engineering and outlines the challenges that remain to clinical implementation.
ID: 128: FTY720 S-PHOSPHONATE DOES NOT ACTIVATE GRK2-MEDIATED S1PR1 PHOSPHORYLATION AND DEGRADATION

Rationale A significant and sustained increase in vascular permeability is a hallmark of acute inflammatory diseases such as acute lung injury (ALI), but effective therapies for preserving or reconstituting the vascular barrier are lacking. Prior work has demonstrated that FTY720 S-phosphonate (Tysiponate/Tys), an analog of sphingosine 1-phosphate (S1P) and FTY720, has more potent pulmonary barrier protective effects than these agents in vitro and in the LPS- and bleomycin-induced models of mouse ALI. Moreover, Tys preserves expression of the barrier promoting S1P1 receptor (S1PR1), whereas S1P and FTY720 induce its ubiquitination and degradation. In this report, we further characterize the mechanism of preservation of S1PR1 expression by Tys in cultured human pulmonary endothelial cells (EC). Results P-FTY720 significantly induced the association of S1PR1 and GRK2 and increased the p-serine content of S1PR1, which are critical for S1PR1 internalization and degradation, but Tys failed to do so. In contrast, both p-FTY720 and Tys induced significant tyrosine phosphorylation of S1PR1. Tys also preserves expression of S1PR2 and S1PR3. Although prior work reported that E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase WWP2 is critical for ubiquitination and degradation of S1PR1, neither p-FTY720 nor Tys changed its association with S1PR1 in human lung EC. Moreover, ubiquitin activating enzyme E1 inhibitor significantly inhibited S1PR1 degradation induced by p-FTY or S1P. Pharmacological inhibition of PKA, PKG, PKC, GSK3, PI3K, ERK, Src, or c-Abl activity, as well as inhibition of calcium flux, all fail to inhibit p-FTY720-induced S1PR1 degradation. Conclusion Unlike p-FTY720, Tys fails to activate the GRK2-mediated ubiquitination pathway and thus preserves S1PR1 expression. These results provide additional mechanistic insights into the barrier-regulatory effects of this potential ALI therapy.
The Operation of Intellectual Capital Being the Strategic Choice of Quick Development for Enterprises in the Western Region

This article has studied on the operation of enterprise's intelligence capital through real example and norm analysis.The paper has probed into not only the concept and the composition of the intellectual capital,but also the implication and the characteristic of the intelligence capital operation.It has made a systematic and detailed exposition about six major plans of enterprise's intelligence capital operation.Finally,this article announces that we can realize the development on the enterprises in western region ahead of time through the operation of the intelligence capital.
Surveillance and analysis on measles antibody level of population in Tianshui city in 2010

Objective:To know measles antibody level of the people in Tianshui city.Methods: People in Qinzhou district and Zhangchuan district were investigated and they were divided into 6 age groups,the sex ratio was 1∶ 1.The measles virus specific IgG antibody was detected by the enzyme—linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Results: A total of 360 people were monitored,the positive rate of serum IgG antibody was 95%,the mean activity of antibody was 1891.20 U/ml.The activity of antibody showed significant difference among age groups.There was no difference of positive rates and antibody activity between male and female.There was no difference of positive rates and antibody activity between two districts.Conclusion: Measles antibody established an effective immune barrier among 8 months~6 years old population.
Quantitative analysis of limonin in grapefruit juice using an enzyme-linked immunoassay: interlaboratory study

Eleven laboratories participated in an interlaboratory study of an enzyme-linked immunoassay for limonin in grapefruit juice. Participating laboratories received training and practice samples until familiar with the procedure. Laboratories then received 8 sample pairs of grapefruit juice as blind duplicates. Samples were refrigerated and analyzed within 4 days of receipt. Results from 1 laboratory and 6 individual samples were excluded from the statistical analysis. Method performance was measured by the one-way component of variance analysis. Repeatability relative standard deviations (RSDr) ranged from 7.0 to 15.6%. Reproducibility relative standard deviations (RSDR) ranged from 12.9 to 29.4%.
Recent advances in the knowledge of total red cell volume, production and destruction.

Since anemia or polycythemia can result only from a change in rate of formation of red cells or a change in the life span of the red cells, a determination of the total red cell volume, Fe 59 studies to estimate the rate and site of production of red cells, and C 14 -labeled glycine or Fe 59 studies to determine the life span of red cells permit a description of the pathogenesis of any alterations in the erythropoietic state. This has been of great value in clinical hematology from the stand-point of understanding the basic nature of the various diseases and, in particular, the selection of patients with unusual anemias possibly related to hypersplenism who might benefit from splenectomy. Splenic erythropoiesis can be easily differentiated from splenic red cell destruction. Since two of these methods—the determination of the blood volume and the Fe 59 studies—are now possible in general commumnity hospitals and since modifications of the Fe 59 method permit the determination of the life span of the red cell, adequate evaluation of the erythropoietic state is now possible in general hospitals.
Role of Estrogen and the Placenta in the Maintenance of the Rabbit Corpus Luteum

The rabbit is among those species in which the placenta secretes low or physiologically insignificant quantities of progesterone, and therefore, the corpora lutea must remain steroidogenically active throughout gestation (Hilliard, 1973; Thau and Lanman, 1974). If the young embryo is to survive, it must transmit a signal that in some way halts or overrides incipient luteal regression, reflected in declining serum progesterone values by 15 days after ovulation in non-pregnant animals (Keyes et al., 1983a). The subject of this manuscript is an exploration of the mechanisms that are responsible for placental maintenance of luteal function. We begin with a brief summary of the literature, setting the stage for the specific hypotheses and experiments reported herein.
Head-on collisions and rings of fire

In the next few chapters, we will begin to look in some detail at what happens in specific kinds of galaxy collisions. Galaxy collisions begin as elegant waltzes on the vast space and time scales of the galaxy world. They end more like mantis mating or corporate competitions, with the greater consuming or merging with the lesser. The literature in this field has always been somewhat colorful. In the 1970s, the process was commonly referred to as galactic cannibalism! We will delay consideration of the end games until Chapter 5. Color images of disturbed galaxies with knots of bright young star clusters suggest a calmer comparison with fine jewelry. This chapter is about how that beautiful jewelry is made relatively quickly on the galaxy collision forge.
Essay Review: Buffon Studies Today, Buffon: Un Philosophe au Jardin du Roi, Buffon 88: Actes du Colloque International pour le Bicentenaire de la Mort de Buffon, Les Sciences de la Vie dans la Pensée Française du xviiie Siècle

Roger (J.) ecrivit la biographie du Comte de Buffon et le place parmi les plus celebres philosophes naturalistes, entre Aristote et Darwin
W. R. D. FAIRBAIRN AND THE PROBLEM OF HOMOSEXUALITY: A STUDY IN PSYCHOANALYTIC PREJUDICE.

W. R. D. Fairbairn believed that the psychoanalyst’s motivations and theories must ultimately be rooted in a need to resolve personal conflicts. His self-analytic and other records, now publicly av...
It's like night and day: Diel net-effects on Cercopagidae densities in the Laurentian Great Lakes

Abstract In the Laurentian Great Lakes, zooplankters are often sampled using standard ≤ 153 μm mesh nets without regard to the time of day they are collected. We sampled Cercopagidae during 2013–2014 in northern Lake Huron during day, dusk, and night using two different nets (a 0.5 m wide 153 μm mesh “standard” net and a 0.75 m wide 285 μm mesh “Bythotrephes” net) to determine if there were any differences in their sampled densities. Bythotrephes densities with the standard net were approximately 2.07-fold greater when captured at night than during the day. No time of day bias occurred with the Bythotrephes net. Nighttime Bythotrephes densities did not differ between the two net types. Cercopagis densities did not vary with net type or the time of day in this study, but future work should revisit this result given our low sample size and the low occurrence of Cercopagis in Lake Huron. To reduce bias and calculate accurate density estimates, Cercopagidae should be sampled at night if using a standard net or any time of day with the Bythotrephes net. Given the large impact of invasive predatory cladocerans Bythotrephes longimanus and Cercopagis pengoi on food webs since their invasion in the Laurentian Great Lakes in the 1980s, proper estimation of their densities is essential.
Acoustic differentiation of Shiho- and Naisa-type short-finned pilot whales in the Pacific Ocean

Divergence in acoustic signals used by different populations of marine mammals can be caused by a variety of environmental, hereditary, or social factors, and can indicate isolation between those populations. Two types of genetically and morphologically distinct short-finned pilot whales, called the Naisa- and Shiho-types when first described off Japan, have been identified in the Pacific Ocean. Acoustic differentiation between these types would support their designation as sub-species or species, and improve the understanding of their distribution in areas where genetic samples are difficult to obtain. Calls from two regions representing the two types were analyzed using 24 recordings from Hawai‘i (Naisa-type) and 12 recordings from the eastern Pacific Ocean (Shiho-type). Calls from the two types were significantly differentiated in median start frequency, frequency range, and duration, and were significantly differentiated in the cumulative distribution of start frequency, frequency range, and duration....
Controlled 3D Assembly of Graphene Sheets to Build Conductive, Chemically Selective and Shape-Responsive Materials

Driven by the surface activity of graphene, electrically conductive elastomeric foams have been synthesized by the controlled reassembly of graphene sheets; from their initial stacked morphology, as found in graphite, to a percolating network of exfoliated sheets, defining hollow spheres. This network creates a template for the formation of composite foams, whose swelling behavior is sensitive to the composition of the solvent, and whose electrical resistance is sensitive to physical deformation. The self-assembly of graphene sheets is driven thermodynamically, as graphite is found to act as a 2D surfactant and is spread at high-energy interfaces. This spreading, or exfoliation, of graphite at an oil/water interface stabilizes water-in-oil emulsions, without the need for added surfactants or chemical modification of the graphene. Using a monomer such as butyl acrylate for the emulsion's oil phase, elastomeric foams are created by polymerizing the continuous oil phase. Removal of the aqueous phase then results in robust, conductive, porous, and inexpensive composites, with potential applications in energy storage, filtration, and sensing.
Intra-arterial treatment of primary bone tumors

Transcatheter intra-arterial infusion of chemotherapeutic agents for osteosarcomas and embolization of inoperable giant cell tumors of the axial skeleton have become essential components in patient management [1–13].
Electromagnetic Design of Synchronous Machines

This chapter considers the design of salient pole synchronous machines. Synchronous machines are nearly always designed so that the magnetic circuit, particularly the rotor poles, is rather highly saturated. Hence, in order to obtain useful values for machine parameters, a simple superposition scheme based on computing the fluxes produced first by the field and then by the stator MMF independently and adding the result is usually inapplicable. A solution must be obtained with the machine at a representative operating condition, usually as close to rated load and power factor as can be estimated. The analysis of a synchronous machine begins by calculating the magnetizing inductance associated with the direct axis component of stator current. The direct axis magnetizing inductance is equal to the flux linkages produced by the stator currents divided by the d ‐axis component of stator current.
Signatures of exceptional points in statistical non-Hermitian optical cavities

We demonstrate the possibility of observing the signatures of parity-time symmetry in ultralong cavities where the structural parameters are prone to statistical variations. We present a model for an alyzing such arrangements, a nd p redict an d d emonstrate t he o ccurrence of p hase transition in a PT-symmetric cavity.
What is the role of screening for pulmonary hypertension in adults and children with sickle cell disease

Patient case: An 18-year-old male patient with homozygous hemoglobin SS disease was evaluated for progressive dyspnea and elevated tricuspid regurgitant jet velocity (TRV) on echocardiography. The patient's case is described in detail in Lancet1 He had been treated with regular transfusions since childhood for stroke, had rare episodes of vaso-occlusive pain episodes, and did not take narcotic pain medications. He presented with progressive severe dyspnea on exertion and lower extremity edema. His laboratory tests were notable for a total hemoglobin level of 11.8 g/dL and hemoglobin S levels 140 mm Hg (4 times the TRV squared = 4V2). Additional images in Figure 1D show a dilated right ventricle and right atrium with a compressed left ventricle. The patient's right heart catheterization revealed a pulmonary artery systolic pressure of 147 mm Hg and diastolic pressure of 49 mm Hg; note that the normal values are ∼25/10 mm Hg.