cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Measuring subordinate perceptions of supervisor feedback intentions : some unsettling results

To demonstrate the importance of subordinate perceptions of supervisor intentions in the feedback process, individuals were asked to report the perceived efficacy of supervisor intentions under a variety of criteria related to the impact of supervisor feedback. In Study 1, 49 participants were asked to generate an exhaustive list of all possible supervisor feedback intentions. In Study 2, 220 participants were asked to evaluate the perceived frequency of the supervisor intentions generated in Study 1, and the extent to which the supervisor intentions were related to four outcome criteria (self-evaluation, building relationships, self-serving for the supervisor, and facilitating subordinate productivity). It was found that subordinates do make fine distinctions concerning their perceptions of supervisor intentions for providing feedback. The research and practical implications of these results are discussed.
Motor sizing for legged robots using dynamic task specification

We explore an approach to incorporating task and motor thermal dynamics in the selection of actuators for legged robots, using both analytical and simulation methods. We develop a motor model with a thermal component and apply it to a vertical climbing task; in the process, we optimally choose gear ratio and therefore eliminate it as a design parameter. This approach permits an analytical proof that continuous operation yields superior thermal performance to intermittent operation. We compare the results of motor sizing using our proposed method with more conventional techniques such as using the continuously permissible current specification. Our simulations are run across a database of commercially available motors, and we envision that our results might be of immediate use to robot designers for motor as well as gearbox selection.
RepC protein of the octopine‐type Ti plasmid binds to the probable origin of replication within repC and functions only in cis

Summary Vegetative replication and partitioning of many plas- mids and some chromosomes of alphaproteobacteria are directed by their repABC operons. RepA and RepB proteins direct the partitioning of replicons to daughter cells, while RepC proteins are replication initiators, although they do not resemble any charac- terized replication initiation protein. Here we show that the replication origin of an Agrobacterium tume- faciens Ti plasmid resides fully within its repC gene. Purified RepC bound to a site within repC with moderate affinity, high specificity and with twofold cooperativity. The binding site was localized to an AT-rich region that contains a large number of GANTC sites, which have been implicated in replication regulation in related organisms. A fragment of RepC containing residues 26-158 was sufficient to bind DNA, although with limited sequence specificity. This portion of RepC is predicted to have structural homol- ogy to members of the MarR family of transcription factors. Overexpression of RepC in A. tumefaciens caused large increases in copy number in cis but did not change the copy number of plasmids containing the same oriV sequence in trans, confirming other observations that RepC functions only in cis.
Nuclear physics: Close encounters of the alpha kind.

Breakthrough calculations of collisions between two helium nuclei pave the way to a quantitative understanding of how the elements carbon and oxygen were made in stars — and to improved models of stellar evolution. See Letter p.111 Elastic scattering of alpha particles — helium-4 nuclei — is pivotal in countless nuclear processes, from stellar nucleosynthesis to supernovae. Despite their importance, it has so far been impractical to treat these fundamental processes computationally as the computing time required by conventional methods grows exponentially with particle number. Here the authors develop a method based on lattice Monte-Carlo simulations and lattice effective field theory that enables computations of alpha–alpha scattering. The method scales quadratically in computing time with particle number and opens the door to other sophisticated calculations involving alpha particles, for example, alpha capture on carbon.
Hyperlactemia Predicts Surgical Mortality in Patients Presenting With Acute Stanford Type-A Aortic Dissection

Objective Inspired by the limited facility of the Penn classification, the authors aimed to determine a rapid and optimal preoperative assessment tool to predict surgical mortality after acute Stanford type-A aortic dissection (AAAD) repair. Design Patients who underwent an attempted surgical repair of AAAD were determined using a de-identified single institution database. The charts of 144 patients were reviewed retrospectively for preoperative demographics and surrogates for disease severity and malperfusion. Bivariate analysis was used to determine significant (p≤0.05) predictors of in-hospital and 1-year mortality, the primary endpoints. Receiver operating characteristic curve generation was used to define optimal cut-off values for continuous predictors. Setting Single center, level 1 trauma, university teaching hospital. Participants The study included 144 cardiac surgical patients with acute type-A aortic dissection presenting for surgical correction. Interventions Surgical repair of aortic dissection with preoperative laboratory samples drawn before patient transfer to the operating room or immediately after arterial catheter placement intraoperatively. Measurements and Main Results The study cohort comprised 144 patients. In-hospital mortality was 9%, and the 1-year mortality rate was 17%. Variables that demonstrated a correlation with in-hospital mortality included an elevated serum lactic acid level (odds ratio [OR] 1.5 [1.3-1.9], p Conclusion Lactic acidosis, ostensibly as a surrogate for systemic malperfusion, represents a novel, accurate, and easily obtainable preoperative predictor of short-term mortality after attempted AAAD repair. These data may improve identification of patients who would not benefit from surgery.
Enhancing finite differences with radial basis functions

Polynomials are used together with polyharmonic spline (PHS) radial basis functions (RBFs) to create local RBF-finite-difference (RBF-FD) weights on different node layouts for spatial discretizations that can be viewed as enhancements of the classical finite differences (FD). The presented method replicates the convergence properties of FD but for arbitrary node layouts. It is tested on the 2D compressible Navier-Stokes equations at low Mach number, relevant to atmospheric flows. Test cases are taken from the numerical weather prediction community and solved on bounded domains. Thus, attention is given on how to handle boundaries with the RBF-FD method, as well as a novel implementation for hyperviscosity. Comparisons are done on Cartesian, hexagonal, and quasi-uniform node layouts. Consideration and guidelines are given on PHS order, polynomial degree and stencil size. The main advantages of the present method are: 1) capturing the basic physics of the problem surprisingly well, even at very coarse resolutions, 2) high-order accuracy without the need of tuning a shape parameter, and 3) the inclusion of polynomials eliminates stagnation (saturation) errors. A MATLAB code is given to calculate the differentiation weights for this novel approach.
Immune modulation in autologous bone marrow transplantation: cyclosporine and gamma-interferon trial.

Immune modulation in autologous bone marrow transplantation: cyclosporine and gamma-interferon trial
Lasers for missile defense

The Catholic bishops are fulfilling a pastoral responsibility as they address the issue of nuclear war. Convinced that the world is in a supreme crisis, the bishops hope to insure that ‘a conscious choice is made to save humanity.’
NEED APPROVAL AND MOTOR STEADINESS UNDER POSITIVE AND NEGATIVE APPROVAL CONDITIONS.

In a previous study by Strickland and Jenkins (1964) high need-for-approval Ss showed a significantly higher rate of performance on the pursuit rotor than did low need-for-approval Ss regardless of prior positive and negative reinforcement conditions on a motor steadiness test. In examining the motor-steadiness data, for 46 male Ss, it was found that performance on the motor-steadiness task corresponded to performance on the pursuit rotor except for the high need-for-approval Ss under negative conditions who did not do as well. The discrepancy in performance on the two tasks was discussed.
Response of surfactant stabilized oil-in-water emulsions to the addition of particles in an aqueous suspension.

As a model for understanding how surfactant-stabilized emulsions respond to the addition of interacting and noninteracting particles, we investigated the response of dodecane-in-water emulsions stabilized by SDS (anionic), CTAB (cationic), and Triton X-100 (nonionic) surfactants to the addition of an aqueous suspension of negatively charged fumed silica particles. The stability of the emulsion droplets and the concentration of surfactants/particles at the oil–water interfaces are sensitive to surfactant–particle interactions, mixing conditions, and the particle concentration in the bulk. Addition of the particle suspension to the SDS-stabilized emulsions showed no effect on emulsion stability. Coarsening of emulsion droplets is observed when fumed silica particles were added to emulsions stabilized by Triton X-100. Depending on the concentration of silica particles in the suspension, the addition of fumed silica particles to CTAB-stabilized emulsions resulted in droplet coalescence and phase separation of...
Conformational heterogeneity of the calmodulin binding interface

Calmodulin (CaM) is a ubiquitous Ca(2+) sensor and a crucial signalling hub in many pathways aberrantly activated in disease. However, the mechanistic basis of its ability to bind diverse signalling molecules including G-protein-coupled receptors, ion channels and kinases remains poorly understood. Here we harness the high resolution of molecular dynamics simulations and the analytical power of Markov state models to dissect the molecular underpinnings of CaM binding diversity. Our computational model indicates that in the absence of Ca(2+), sub-states in the folded ensemble of CaM's C-terminal domain present chemically and sterically distinct topologies that may facilitate conformational selection. Furthermore, we find that local unfolding is off-pathway for the exchange process relevant for peptide binding, in contrast to prior hypotheses that unfolding might account for binding diversity. Finally, our model predicts a novel binding interface that is well-populated in the Ca(2+)-bound regime and, thus, a candidate for pharmacological intervention.
Advances in Ion Mobility Spectrometry of Explosives

Publisher Summary Ion mobility spectrometers (IMS) have become prominent trace detectors of explosives and can be seen in airports worldwide at security checkpoints where handbags and other small articles to be carried onboard aircraft are screened for explosives. This chapter presents a critical survey of recent developments where the analytical capabilities for explosive measurements or the scope of applications of IMS with such analyses have been advanced. The difficulties of sampling objects for dislodged particulate in IMS are aggravated by the large volumes of air normally associated with moving particulate matter off or through samples and this has been approached in the past decade with pre-concentrators. These pre-concentrators have been miniaturized and have integrated with IMS analyzers, which increased their portability. Explosive vapors and particles, dislodged by the air pulses, are swept from the portal atmosphere and collected on a pre-concentrator for subsequent detection by IMS. The total time for screening each passenger, as determined in 1997 with tests at the airport in Albuquerque, NM, was ∼12 s. With a focus on forensic detection of explosives, especially for use in counter-terrorism and to counter narcotics investigations, Fetterolf et al. evaluated the use of ion mobility-mass spectrometry for explosives determinations. Post-blast residue from C-4, Semtex, and other explosives were found by IMS analyses on items of forensic and evidentiary value, which demonstrate that mobility spectrometers are well-suited tools for laboratory and on-site investigations, before and after the use of explosives.
A 1.3mA biphasic current stimulator IC with active charge balancing for nerve interfacing applications

This paper presents a 1.3mA current stimulator integrated circuit (IC) with closed-loop, active charge balancing for nerve interfacing applications. The stimulator employs two current-based digital-to-analog converters (DACs), one each for anodic and cathodic phases, with binary-weighted transistors and 2b-programmable least-significant bit (LSB) currents. The biphasic, cathodic-leading, stimulus current pulse amplitude is 5b-programmable in four ranges of ∼ 12–341μA, 23–682μA, 32–992μA, and 42–1,300μA. A low-power (∼10μW), active charge balancer monitors the site voltage after each stimulus cycle and, if necessary, injects positive or negative current pulses via two 3b auxiliary DACs to bring the site voltage back within a userset safety window. All digital circuitry operate from 3.3V, whereas the stimulator output stage operates from 5V with a stimulus site common-mode voltage of 3.3V for better use of the available voltage headroom in cathodic-leading, single-supply stimulation. A prototype chip is fabricated in 0.5μm 2P/3M CMOS, and measured results from benchtop electrical characterization of the chip are presented.
Breast Cancer Risk Factors

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women and is the second most common cause of cancer-related mortality [1]. It is estimated that the number of new cases in 2014 is 232,670. A woman living in the USA has a one in eight lifetime risk of being diagnosed with breast cancer [2]. During the 1970s, this risk was 1 in 11. This increased risk can be attributed to changes in reproductive patterns, hormone therapy, obesity, lifestyle habits, and better detection [2]. Accordingly, it is important to identify those at increased risk, so that improved surveillance and risk-reducing interventions can be taken. This chapter will identify risk factors for breast cancer (Table 2.1).
Co-location and separability

I propose that it is a conceptual truth about material objects that if two of them are truly distinct, it must be possible for them to be in different places. If this is so, those who maintain that sometimes – as with a statue and a piece of clay – two distinct objects are located in the same place cannot be right, since the objects they allege are co-located fail to satisfy this condition. I consider the ways in which a pluralist might try to block the conclusion and find them wanting.
Oriented bacterial cellulose-soy protein based fully ‘green’ nanocomposites

Abstract Bacterial cellulose (BC) nanofibrils are considered as promising biodegradable fiber-reinforcement for polymeric composites because of their excellent tensile properties. However, commonly obtained randomly-oriented web-like form of BC nanofibrils impedes achieving their full potential as reinforcement. In the present study, a facile and scalable method has been developed to orient the nanofibrils through a controlled stretching of BC hydrogel. An optimum hydrogel-stretching at the cross-head speed of 0.05 mm/min and strain ratio of 1.2 showed substantial improvements in the orientation and mechanical properties of BC. Degree of orientation, apparent Young's modulus and fracture stress of the dried BC were increased by 117, 103 and 85%, respectively. Consequently, a BC-reinforced soy protein isolate based fully ‘green’ composites (BC-SPI composites) were prepared by using vacuum-assisted SPI resin impregnation into BC hydrogel and then stretching the resin impregnated BC hydrogel. The stretched BC-SPI green composites, after drying and curing, showed significant improvement in their tensile properties due to higher BC nanofibrillar orientation. This study opens up new possibilities for direct fabrication of lightweight and mechanically robust ‘green’ composites that can replace traditional non-degradable composites and reduce carbon footprint significantly.
Log-robust portfolio management with parameter ambiguity

We present a robust optimization approach to portfolio management under uncertainty when randomness is modeled using uncertainty sets for the continuously compounded rates of return, which empirical research argues are the true drivers of uncertainty, but the parameters needed to define the uncertainty sets, such as the drift and standard deviation, are not known precisely. Instead, a finite set of scenarios is available for the input data, obtained either using different time horizons or assumptions in the estimation process. Our objective is to maximize the worst-case portfolio value (over a set of allowable deviations of the uncertain parameters from their nominal values, using the worst-case nominal values among the possible scenarios) at the end of the time horizon in a one-period setting. Short sales are not allowed. We consider both the independent and correlated assets models. For the independent assets case, we derive a convex reformulation, albeit involving functions with singular Hessians. Because this slows computation times, we also provide lower and upper linear approximation problems and devise an algorithm that gives the decision maker a solution within a desired tolerance from optimality. For the correlated assets case, we suggest a tractable heuristic that uses insights derived in the independent assets case.
Local wave activity budgets of the wintertime Northern Hemisphere: Implication for the Pacific and Atlantic storm tracks

A recently developed finite-amplitude local wave activity (LWA) diagnostic framework quantifies eddy-mean flow interaction on regional scales. Here we examine the column budgets of LWA for the winter Northern Hemisphere with the European Centre for Medium-Range Weather Forecasts ERA-Interim product, with an eye toward quantifying the maintenance and variability of the Pacific and Atlantic storm tracks. The budget is governed by (i) low-level meridional eddy heat flux, (ii) horizontal convergence of the LWA flux, and (iii) nonconservative (diabatic) sources-sinks. In both regions, the low-level meridional heat flux fuels LWA on seasonal timescales but the zonal LWA flux convergence and diabatic effects dominate the synoptic variability. Cospectral analysis shows that the interplay between barotropic zonal wind and column-averaged LWA through the meridional eddy momentum flux convergence is significant over the Pacific but not the Atlantic. A first attempt at partitioning LWA into stationary and transient eddy contributions is also discussed.
Learning from randomly arriving agents

We add to a line of work considering the impact of observation imperfections in models of Bayesian observational learning. In particular, we study a discrete-time model in which in each time-slot, an agent may randomly arrive. Agents who arrive have the opportunity to buy a given item. If an agent chooses to buy, this action is recorded for subsequent agents. However, the decisions of agents who do not choose to buy are not recorded. Hence, if no one buys in a given slot, agents are unaware if this was due to no agent arriving or an agent choosing not to buy. We study the impact of this uncertainty on the emergence of information cascades. Using a Markov chain based analysis, we show that incorrect cascades may occur and that the probability of such cascades is not monotonic in the arrival probability of a user. Moreover, if the agents' private signals are weak, wrong cascades are more likely to happen than correct cascades.
Surgical Management of the Congenital Fibrosis Syndrome

(1997). Surgical Management of the Congenital Fibrosis Syndrome. American Orthoptic Journal: Vol. 47, No. 1, pp. 157-163.
Utility of CT angiography in screening for traumatic cerebrovascular injury.

Abstract Objective Computed tomographic angiography (CTA) is increasingly utilized to evaluate for traumatic cerebrovascular injury (TCVI). The purpose of this study was to determine the yield, management effect, and risk of stroke or poor outcome of a positive CTA in a large cohort of trauma patients. Patients and Methods A retrospective analysis was performed on 1290 consecutive trauma patients that underwent head and/or neck CTA at our level I trauma center from 2006 to 2015. Clinical variables assessed include mechanism of injury, neurological status, CTA findings, subsequent imaging results, patient management, and clinical outcomes. Results Among 1290 patients who underwent CTA, 200 (15.5%) were positive for TCVI, higher in blunt than penetrating trauma patients. In a generalized linear model, factors that increased likelihood of positive CTA included multiple cervical fractures, fractures with foraminal involvement, gunshot injury, Glasgow Coma Scale ≤ 13, and focal neurological deficit. Excluding cases with these factors lowered the positive rate to 4.3%. Of the 200 CTA-positives, 99 were treated for TCVI and 9 (4.5%) developed a subsequent stroke as compared to 5 (0.5%) in CTA-negative patients (odds ratio 10.2, Fisher exact test, p Conclusion CTA had a modest yield in identifying TCVI in this cohort. When positive, CTA influenced management and predicted an increased risk of subsequent stroke and poor outcome.
Organized Crime, Businesses, and Local Bureaucracy

During the Russian market transition and state property privatization, criminal activities in the shadow economy, which existed throughout the Soviet era, were transformed into legal operations and businesses. Business-minded people, who previously had to operate in the sphere of illegality, found themselves relieved of many legal restrictions, and thus faced new opportunities for economic endeavors.
Topology Optimization under Uncertainty

Considering stochastic variations in material parameters, geometry, and boundary conditions is for the majority of engineering design problems of pivotal importance, in order to obtain robust and reliable designs. While design optimization under uncertainty has matured for sizing and shape optimization over the past two decades, accounting for stochastic variations in topology optimization is still in its infancy. This lecture will introduce basic approaches to include uncertainty models and predictions into the topology optimization process.
Molecular Mechanisms of Sodium Channel Inactivation and Block by Local Anesthetics

Voltage-dependent sodium channels initiate electrical activity in many excitable cells but inactivation terminates their activity within 2 ms of activation. Local anesthetics block sodium channels and stabilize the inactivated state. The rat brain Na+ channel consists of a 260-kDa α-subunit, a 36-kDa β1, subunit and a 33-kDa β2 subunit. The α-subunit contains four homologous transmembrane domains (I–IV), each with six predicted α-helical transmembrane repeats (Sl–S6). A conserved intracellular loop between homologous domains III and IV (LIII–IV) is required for inactivation and is proposed to form the inactivation gate. A hydrophobic cluster of amino acids, IFM, binds to a receptor in the pore and occludes it. Amino acids in transmembrane segment IVS6 are also required for inactivation. Overlapping amino acids in IVS6 are necessary for use- and voltage-dependent block by local anesthetics, indicating that IVS6 contains the binding site for these drugs and also forms part of the ion-conducting pore.
Studies of Zeolite Entrapped Ruthenium Polypyridine Complexes

There is an intense interest in designingmolecular systems which willabsorb visiblesunlight, initiate an electron transfer process, and ultimately convert the solarenergy to usefulchemicalenergy of fuelssuch as hydrogen producedfrom water. The zeolite-entrapped polypyridinecomplexesof divalent rutheniumhold promise as efficientphotocatalysts for net charge separation and suchefficienciesare furtherenhancedby organized incorporation of donor and acceptor components. Thispaper deals with the synthesisand spectroscopicinvestigationof zeolite-entrappedrutheniumpolypyridine complexes whichmay be usefulin the development of solar energy conversion schemes.The sensitizer molecules, such as Ru(bpy) :i 2+ (bpy = 2,2-bipyridine), are entrapped withinthesupercagesofstructurally well-definedzeoliteYby the so called "ship in a bottle"synthesis, whicheliminates the undesirablediffusionof the complex and inhibits the wastefulback-electrontransfer reaction. This complex has a dimension of ~ 12A, whichis too large to introduce through a 7.4Awindowopening. Once thecomplex is formedin the supercage,it cannot escape through the windowsand is effectively entrapped within the supercage.The zeolite-entrapped ruthenium complexes are characterizedby diffusereflectance, electronicabsorption, electronicemission, and resonance Raman (RR)spectroscopy, as well as excited state lifetimemeasurements. A brief summary of the syntheticand characterizationprocedure of the zeolite-entrapped rutheniumpolypyridine complexesis presented here. Emphasis is given on theauthor's work, although a discussionof some of the important contributionsmade by other workersis alsoincluded.This study clearly demonstratesthat entrapment of ruthenium complex withinthe supercageof Y-zeolitecan alter inherentphotophysicalproperties of thecomplex in an advantageousmanner.
Regulation of Beta Adrenergic and Serotonin-S2 Receptors in Brain by Electroconvulsive Shock and Serotonin

Two of the most consistent changes in brain that have been found following repeated administration of antidepressant drugs are decreases in the numbers of beta adrenergic receptors (Banerjee et al. 1977; Wolfe et al. 1978; Sarai et al. 1978; Bergstrom and Kellar 1979 a) and decreases in the number of serotonin-S2 (5-HT-2) receptors (Peroutka and Snyder 1980; Kellar et al. 1981 a). The decrease in the density of beta adrenergic receptors is associated with a decrease in the receptor- mediated production of cAMP (Vetulani and Sulser 1975; Vetulani et al. 1976). The functional consequences of the decrease in serotonin-S2 receptor density is less clear at this time. These receptors appear to mediate serotonin-stimulated phosphatidylinositol hydrolysis (Conn and Sanders-Bush 1984), but the effect of antidepressant drug treatment on this response is just beginning to be explored (Kendall and Nahorski 1985). The decrease in serotonin-S2 receptors may be linked to decreases in serotonin-mediated behavioral responses, but the high affinity of most of the antidepressants tested for the serotonin-S2-binding site in vitro and the possibility that the drugs block these receptors clouds this issue.
Hormonal Control of Sexual Dimorphism

The control of sexual reproduction in the fungi has been extensively reviewed over the last 40 years. John R. Raper produced six such reviews between 1951–1960. These and other reviews, and the literature from which they were drawn, reveal a complex subject about which there is no lack of cause for or expression of contrasting interpretations. The control of sexual processes in the fungi is imposed at many successive points. These controls may be grouped into several categories including: (i) basic genetic control of sexual abilities per se; (ii) genetic/metabolic control of normal development; (iii) nutritional/ environmental parameters influencing growth and development; and (iv) intra- and inter- cellular signaling via specific chemical agents. The advantages of sexual reproduction can generally only be achieved at the expense of curtailed or reduced vegetative growth and development.
Represented Dreams: Subversive Expressions in Chinese Social Media as Alternative Symbolic Infrastructures:

This article examines the creation and utilization of subversive expressions by Chinese Internet users amid heavy censorship. While these expressions may potentially lead to collective resistance, ...
Java Programming and Game Development: A Project HelloWorld

Chapter 1 introduces the goal of this book, which is to introduce programming with the Java language, through the mechanism of video game construction. Games are an effective and engaging learning paradigm that heightens student interest. The design and implementation of video games are immersive, innovative, and engaging experiences, which relieve the “tedious” feeling of the program writing process and inject excitement for extending and polishing every design. Video games emphasize inter-object interactions, which fit the Java object-oriented framework. As a starting point, this chapter briefly discusses game programming flow based on the working principles of a computer.
Heterogeneous materials design in additive manufacturing: Model calibration and uncertainty-guided model selection

Abstract Multi-material additive manufacturing enables high-performance heterogeneous design at the mesoscale, through which bulk parts can be engineered to adapt to complex loading conditions. The optimization of multi-material parts relies on accurate forward prediction, which is challenging to achieve owing to the complex processing conditions in additive manufacturing and the resultant uncertainties in material properties. To address these limitations, here we present a new model calibration and model selection framework based on the high dimensional, local-scale deformation data. By matching the pixel-level deformation data from digital image correlation experiments and constitutive modeling, the presented framework enables more accurate prediction and significant reduction of the prediction uncertainties, as compared to the single material calibration approach that is widely used in additive manufacturing. In turn, this enables quantitative comparison of the candidate models, so the most accurate and computationally efficient constitutive model can be selected for forward prediction in heterogeneous material design. The advantages of the framework are demonstrated using a multi-polymer system manufactured by dual-extrusion additive manufacturing, which consists of two constituent materials with dramatically different deformation behaviors.
Use of a Potassium Channel Blocker to Inhibit Effector-Memory T Cells Isolated from Recipients of Allogeneic BMSCT.

Following allogeneic blood or marrow stem cell transplantation (BMSCT), donor T cells are persistently exposed to host alloantigens and develop into effector-memory (TEM) cells. CD4+ T-EM cells are thought to play a role in perpetuating chronic GVHD (cGVHD) (K. Yamashita et al., BLOOD103:3986, 2004). In contrast to central memory (T-CM) and naive CD4+ T cells, human CD4+ T-EM cells over-express the voltagegated potassium channel Kv1.3 when activated. As a result, Kv1.3 has emerged as an attractive pharmacological target for the selective suppression of T-EM cells, especially in the setting of autoimmune disease (C. Beeton et al., Mol Pharm67:1369, 2005). We hypothesized that over-expression of Kv1.3 by T-EM cells obtained from allogeneic BMSCT patients with cGVHD would make them preferential targets for Kv1.3-specific potassium channel blockers. To our knowledge, no one has examined the effect of Kv1.3 blockers on T-EM cells from patients with cGVHD. In this study, we isolated T-EM cells as well as central-memory (T-CM) and naive T cells from fresh (n = 5) and frozen (n = 4) peripheral blood (PB) of patients who had undergone allogeneic BMSCT more than 6 months earlier as well as from normal volunteers by fluorescence-activated cell sorting (FACS). All BMSCT patients had some clinical evidence of cGVHD. T-EM cells were identified by their characteristic immunophenotype: CD4+ CD45RO+/RA- CCR7- CD62L Low. The percentage of CD4+ T-EM cells in 9 patients with cGVHD was 45 ± 21% (range 19%–70%) as compared to approximately 11% in healthy controls. Sorted T-EM, T-CM and naive CD4+ T cells were polyclonally activated ex vivo using Dynal beads coupled with anti-CD3/CD28 monoclonal antibodies. The proportion of cells secreting gamma interferon (γIFN) was quantified using EliSpot assays to assess functional activity. We first compared the kinetics of γIFN secretion by activated T-EM cells to that of T-CM and naive T-cells. Only T-EM cells secreted γIFN within 24 hrs of activation; T-CM cells secreted γIFN ≥ 48 hrs after activation, and naive T cells required ≥ 96 hrs. ShK peptide, a highly specific inhibitor of Kv1.3 channels derived from the sea anemone Stichodactyla helianthus , was added at the initiation of 24-hr cultures. Dose response assays confirmed that T-EM cells in both BMSCT patients and normals were preferential targets of the Kv1.3-specific peptide. On average, T-EM cells were inhibited 26%, 55%, and 69% with ShK concentrations of 1, 10 and 100 nM, respectively. With 100nM ShK, T-EM cells sorted from the peripheral blood of BMSCT patients were inhibited an average of 44 ± 21% (range 17–67%). Our data, using polyclonally activated T-EM cells, support further testing of Kv1.3 blockers against host-alloantigen-specific T-EM cells obtained from BMSCT recipients and as a potential therapeutic agent for cGVHD.
Exploring law enforcement’s views of de-policing: a vignette research design

There is an assumption that the police work environment, which now includes cell phone videos, social media posts, and heightened media attention, is causing police officers to avoid activity that ...
Evaluation of paraneoplastic antigens reveals TRIM21 autoantibodies as biomarker for early detection of ovarian cancer in combination with autoantibodies to NY-ESO-1 and TP53.

Background The majority of ovarian cancer cases are diagnosed at an advanced stage with poor prognosis. This study evaluates autoantibodies against tumor antigens to identify candidate biomarkers for early detection of ovarian cancer in women at increased risk. Objective To assess the immunoreactivity of paraneoplastic antigens and tumor associated antigens with high-grade serous ovarian cancer (HGSOC) samples. Methods Five paraneoplastic antigens along with three tumor-associated antigens were evaluated with HGSOC patient serum samples. Validation screening was performed with n= 164 serum samples consisting of: 50 late stage HGSOC, 14 early stage HGSOC, 50 benign ovarian cyst, and 50 healthy control samples on ELISA and western blot. The four markers TRIM21, NY-ESO-1, TP53, and PAX8 were evaluated on a second validation serum set, n= 150. Results TRIM21 achieved the highest sensitivity in the first validation screening of 33% with 100% specificity. Combining TRIM21 with NY-ESO-1, TP53, and PAX8 provided 67% sensitivity with 94% specificity, and 56% sensitivity at 98% specificity. These four markers resulted in 46% sensitivity with 98% specificity in the second validation cohort; TRIM21 achieved the highest individual sensitivity of 36%. Conclusions Autoantibodies to TRIM21, NY-ESO-1, and TP53 may complement CA125 in screening of women at genetic risk for ovarian cancer.
Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease Progression to Non-Alcoholic Steatohepatitis-Related Primary Liver Cancer

Hepatocellular carcinoma is the most common type of primary liver cancer and constitutes about 90-95% of all hepatic malignancies. It is the second and fastest-growing cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although there is multiplicity in the etiology of hepatocellular carcinoma, accumulating evidence shows that non-alcoholic fatty liver disease has risen to become the top etiological factor for hepatocellular carcinoma in the United States and other developed nations, mainly because of the metabolic disturbances from obesity, a western epidemic. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease comprises a spectrum of hepatic pathologies, ranging from simple steatosis to its inflammatory form, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. With its concomitant increasing liver collagen deposition, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis paves the pathway for hepatocellular carcinoma development, which may occur with or without established cirrhosis. This chapter focuses on the current knowledge related to the epidemiology and cellular mechanisms that underpin the progression of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease to malignancy. Furthermore, it gives insight into the diagnosis, treatment options, and future directions for non-alcoholic steatohepatitis-related tumorigenesis.
Race Is an Independent Predictor for Nonroutine Discharges After Spine Surgery for Spinal Intradural/Cord Tumors.

Objective The aim of this study was to determine if race was an independent predictor of extended length of stay (LOS), nonroutine discharge, and increased health care costs after surgery for spinal intradural/cord tumors. Methods A retrospective cohort study was performed using the National Inpatient Sample database from 2016 to 2017. All adult (>18 years old) inpatients who underwent surgical intervention for a benign or malignant spinal intradural/cord tumor were identified using International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision, Clinical Modification diagnosis and procedural coding systems. Patients were then categorized based on race: White, African American (AA), Hispanic, and other. Postoperative complications, LOS, discharge disposition, and total cost of hospitalization were assessed. A backward stepwise multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify independent predictors of extended LOS and nonroutine discharge disposition. Results Of 3595 patients identified, there were 2620 (72.9%) whites (W), 310 (8.6%) AAs/blacks, 275 (7.6%) Hispanic (H), and 390 (10.8%) other (O). Postoperative complication rates were similar among the cohorts (P = 0.887). AAs had longer mean (W, 5.4 ± 4.2 days vs. AA, 8.9 ± 9.5 days vs. H, 5.9 ± 3.9 days vs. O, 6.1 ± 3.9 days; P = 0.014) length of hospitalizations than the other cohorts. The overall incidence of nonroutine discharge was 55% (n = 1979), with AA race having the highest rate of nonroutine discharges (W, 53.8% vs. AA, 74.2% vs. H, 45.5% vs. O, 43.6%; P = 0.016). On multivariate regression analysis, AA race was the only significant racial independent predictor of nonroutine discharge disposition (odds ratio, 3.32; confidence interval, 1.67–6.60; P Conclusions Our study indicates that AA race is an independent predictor of nonroutine discharge disposition in patients undergoing surgical intervention for a spinal intradural/cord tumor.
Parameters of the coprime graph of a group

‎There are many different graphs one can associate to a group‎. ‎Some examples are the well-known Cayley graph‎, ‎the zero divisor graph (of a ring)‎, ‎the power graph‎, ‎and the recently introduced coprime graph of a group‎. ‎The coprime graph of a group $G$‎, ‎denoted $Gamma_G$‎, ‎is the graph whose vertices are the group elements with $g$ adjacent to $h$ if and only if $(o(g),o(h))=1$‎. ‎In this paper we calculate the independence number of the coprime graph of the dihedral groups‎. ‎Additionally‎, ‎we characterize the groups whose coprime graph is perfect‎.
Reimagining the Delivery of International Student Services During a Global Pandemic: A Case Study in the United States

The COVID-19 global pandemic caught the United States and the rest of the world ill-prepared, and many institutions of higher education continue to wrestle with unprecedented challenges to provide ...
Towards Nationhood in West Africa: Thoughts of Young Africa Addressed to Young Britain

This volume is based on a series of lectures Dr. Johnson addressed to the 'youth of Britain'.
A blind carrier frequency estimation algorithm for digitally modulated signals

In this paper, we consider estimation of the carrier frequency of a single-tone digitally modulated signal in the automatic modulation recognition (AMR) environment. This issue is quite different from that in the cooperative communications systems since the AMR receiver works in a non-cooperative mode with the transmitter. That is, the AMR receiver does not have any priori knowledge of the transmitted signal such as symbol rate, shaping pulse, modulation type, and constellation size. A blind carrier frequency estimation algorithm is presented in this paper based on the phase information of the autocorrelations of the received signal. The phase distribution has been analyzed, and an iterative mechanism has been employed to improve the accuracy of carrier frequency estimation. Simulations show that the algorithm works well for amplitude-shift keying (ASK), phase-shift keying (PSK), and quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM) signals.
Ten Years after ... Transition and Economics

This paper attempts to portray a synthesis of what has been learned in the past 10 years with regard to the transition process. It contrasts the mainstream "Washington consensus" view of transition with the "evolutionary institutionalist" perspective. It argues that the latter gives a more adequate and complete picture both of the transition processes and of economic systems and is of better help to prevent serious transition failures. Copyright 2002, International Monetary Fund
Activation of CPP32-Like Caspases Contributes to Neuronal Apoptosis and Neurological Dysfunction after Traumatic Brain Injury

We examined the temporal profile of apoptosis after fluid percussion-induced traumatic brain injury (TBI) in rats and investigated the potential pathophysiological role of caspase-3-like proteases in this process. DNA fragmentation was observed in samples from injured cortex and hippocampus, but not from contralateral tissue, beginning 4 hr after TBI and continuing for at least 3 d. Double labeling of brain with terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick end labeling (TUNEL) and an antibody directed to neuronal nuclear protein identified apoptotic neurons with high frequency in both traumatized rat cortex and hippocampus. Cytosolic extracts from injured cortex and hippocampus, but not from contralateral or control tissue, induced internucleosomal DNA fragmentation in isolated nuclei with temporal profiles consistent with those of DNA fragmentation observed in vivo. Caspase-3 mRNA levels, estimated by semiquantitative RT-PCR, were elevated fivefold in ipsilateral cortex and twofold in hippocampus by 24 hr after TBI. Caspase-1 mRNA content also was increased after trauma, but to a lesser extent in cortex. Increased caspase-3-like, but not caspase-1-like, enzymatic activity was found in cytosolic extracts from injured cortex. Intracerebroventricular administration of z-DEVD-fmk—a specific tetrapeptide inhibitor of caspase-3—before and after injury markedly reduced post-traumatic apoptosis, as demonstrated by DNA electrophoresis and TUNEL staining, and significantly improved neurological recovery. Together, these results implicate caspase-3-like proteases in neuronal apoptosis induced by TBI and suggest that the blockade of such caspases can reduce post-traumatic apoptosis and associated neurological dysfunction.
ANTIGENIC VARIANTS OF ARBOVIRUSES. I. THE HOST AS A DETERMINANT IN THE EVOLVEMENT OF STRAIN VARIANTS.

Abstract Western equine encephalomyclitis (WEE) virus strain isolates, designated previously as phase II antigenic variants, were found to be “contaminated” with the aphasic antigenic type of WEE. During simultaneous multiplication of both antigenic varieties of virus in chick embryo cell cultures, the phase II type was selected and accumulated during a 48-hour period even when the original inoculum contained 100 times more aphasic virus. The aphasic virus type, on the other hand, was selected, and it predominated following intracerebral inoculation of infant mice with virus mixtures containing 1000 times more phase II than aphasic virus. Aedes aegypti mosquitoes, when infected with such mixtures by feeding, did not select one antigenic type of WEE over another. The selection phenomenon in chick embryo cultures is explained, at least in part, by the differences in the rates at which each antigenic WEE virus type is released from infected host cells.
Hydrolysis in Feulgen autoradiography: I. Loss of label from S-period nuclei and its subsequent association with non-S chromatin

Abstract An examination of the effect of acid hydrolysis on grain count and distribution following 3 H-thymidine labelling and Feulgen staining was undertaken. It was verified that removal of label from S-period nuclei was initiated well before the point of maximal staining. It was further shown that there was a specific reassociation of displaced label with normally non-S chromatin. This reassociated label reached very high levels at longer periods of hydrolysis, i.e., 15–20 min, but was seen to begin accumulating to significant levels as early as 6–8 min into hydrolysis. It was demonstrated that this reassociation could lead to an apparent increase in labelling index. The implications of the findings and possible future work were discussed.
Augmentation of the antibody response by hapten help. I. Dominant genetic control.

Abstract The objective of the present work was to characterize those genetic factors that determine susceptibility to “hapten help,” i.e., the augmentation of B-cell responses by hapten-reactive T cells. After mice had been sensitized to the hapten azobenzenearsonate (ABA), one of two approaches was used to assay hapten help. In the first, circumvention of tolerance to low doses of bovine γ-globulin (BGG) was augmented in CBA but not in C57BL/6 mice, as measured by serum anti-BGG antibody after challenge with ABA-BGG. Second, similar strain differences but on a larger scale were demonstrated in the anti-BGG plaque-forming cell (PFC) response of spleen cells from hapten-primed nontolerized mice after challenge with ABA-BGG. Results with the F1-hybrid of a cross between a high responder and a low responder for hapten help demonstrated that high responsiveness is dominant. Experiments with recombinant inbred mice from high- and low-responder progenitor strains suggested that hapten help is associated not with the major histocompatibility complex (H-2) so much as with minor histocompatibility antigens such as H-22 and/or H-24, both of which are on chromosome 7.
Genetic diversity in two introduced biofouling amphipods (Ampithoe valida & Jassa marmorata) along the Pacific North American coast: investigation into molecular identification and cryptic diversity.

Aim We investigated patterns of genetic diversity among invasive populations of Ampithoe valida and Jassa marmorata from the Pacific North American coast to assess the accuracy of morphological identification and determine whether or not cryptic diversity and multiple introductions contribute to the contemporary distribution of these species in the region. Location Native range: Atlantic North American coast; Invaded range: Pacific North American coast. Methods We assessed indices of genetic diversity based on DNA sequence data from the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) gene, determined the distribution of COI haplotypes among populations in both the invasive and putative native ranges of A. valida and J. marmorata and reconstructed phylogenetic relationships among COI haplotypes using both maximum parsimony and Bayesian approaches. Results Phylogenetic inference indicates that inaccurate species-level identifications by morphological criteria are common among Jassa specimens. In addition, our data reveal the presence of three well supported but previously unrecognized clades of A. valida among specimens in the north-eastern Pacific. Different species of Jassa and different genetic lineages of Ampithoe exhibit striking disparity in geographic distribution across the region as well as substantial differences in genetic diversity indices. Main conclusions Molecular genetic methods greatly improve the accuracy and resolution of identifications for invasive benthic marine amphipods at the species level and below. Our data suggest that multiple cryptic introductions of Ampithoe have occurred in the north-eastern Pacific and highlight uncertainty regarding the origin and invasion histories of both Jassa and Ampithoe species. Additional morphological and genetic analyses are necessary to clarify the taxonomy and native biogeography of both amphipod genera.