cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Brain iron homeostasis, the choroid plexus, and localization of iron transport proteins

Maintenance of appropriate iron homeostasis in the brain is important, but the mechanisms involved in brain iron uptake are incompletely understood. Here, we have analyzed where messenger RNAs that encode iron transport proteins are expressed in the brain, using the Allen Brain atlas, and we conclude that several important iron transporters are highly expressed in the choroid plexus. Based on recent estimates of the surface area of the choroid plexus and on MRI imaging studies of manganese uptake in the brain, we propose that the choroid plexus may have a much greater role than has been previously appreciated in brain iron transport.
Frequency guided phase unwrapping for improved AM-FM reconstruction

We introduce a new phase unwrapping algorithm that makes it possible to obtain high fidelity image reconstructions from computed AM-FM models without the need for storing multiple boundary conditions such as phase samples from the original image in order to reconstruct the phase from the estimated FM field. This is important to the development of general modulation domain filters because the phase initial conditions are unknown after a filtering operation that modifies the FM functions, making reconstruction of the filtered image hard. In the new approach, frequency information from an initial least squares estimate of the unwrapped phase is used to guide selection of refined phase values that are congruent with the principal phase of the image. The selection process applies a queue-based region growing strategy to compute the final unwrapped phase solution with sparse branch cuts that tend to be placed only in areas with low visual impact. This final solution for the unwrapped phase leads to new solutions for the frequency modulations of the image that are in good agreement with visual perception and provide high quality reconstruction of the original image.
Formulating the SDGs: Reproducing or Reimagining State-Centered Development?

AbstractReformulation of the millennium development goals comes at a time when their realization is falling short. ‘Development as usual’ through global goal setting is in question in context of the recent conjunction of global food, energy, and financial crises. Given the evidence of problematic world-scale restructuring, it is puzzling that SDG visioning continues to assign principal responsibility to states for the post-2015 development agenda. We regard this as an epistemic blind spot that foregoes an opportunity to reorient planning to accommodate the global dimensions of these crises—and their possible solutions. In particular, we note that current forms of land enclosure, and migrant labor generation, are inadequately addressed by state-centric measures, especially with respect to the rights of land users and stateless workers. We offer recommendations for complementing and modifying nationally generated metrics with a more empowering agenda.
Macrophage and microglial responses to cytokines in vitro: Phagocytic activity, proteolytic enzyme release, and free radical production

Certain cytokines are believed to play a key role in the development of autoimmune demyelinating diseases. Little is known, however, about the effects of these cytokines in the regulation of the key event in myelin destruction, the phagocytosis of myelin by phagocytic cells. We investigated the effects of certain cytokines and growth factors on cultured peritoneal macrophages and microglia in respect to their various functions, phagocytosis, secreted proteolytic activity, and oxidative activity. Interferon-γ (IFN-γ), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), and lipopolysaccharide (LPS), all proinflammatory factors, actually decreased (IFN-γ and LPS), or had no effect (TNF-α) on myelin phagocytosis by macrophages, but substantially increased phagocytic activity by microglia. Surprisingly, interleukins 4 and 10 (IL-4 and IL-10), considered to be downregulating cytokines, increased phagocytic activity by macrophages, while with microglia, IL-4 had no effect, but IL-10 almost doubled myelin phagocytosis. Transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) had no significant effect on either cell. These cytokines did not affect proteolytic secretion in microglia, while IFN-γ and LPS induced a doubling of the secreted proteases. This proteolytic activity was almost completely suppressed by calpain inhibitors, although some gelatinase appeared to be present. Microglia exerted much more oxidative activity on the membranes than macrophages, and granulocyte-macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) and interleukin 1β (IL-1β) significantly increased microglial oxidative activity. The pattern of responses of macrophages and microglia to the cytokine types indicate that in cytokine-driven autoimmune demyelinating disease, microglia may be the more aggressive cell in causing tissue injury by phagocytosis and oxidative injury, while infiltrating macrophages may produce most of the proteolytic activity thought to contribute to myelin destruction. J. Neurosci. Res. 54:68–78, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc. This article is a US Government work and, as such, is in the public domain in the United States of America.
Knowledge engineering for automatic parallel performance diagnosis

Scientific parallel programs often undergo significant performance tuning before meeting their performance expectation. Performance tuning naturally involves a diagnostic process—locating performance bugs that make a program inefficient and explaining them in terms of high-level program design. We present a systematic approach to generating performance knowledge for automatically diagnosing parallel programs. Our approach exploits program semantics and parallelism found in parallel programming patterns to search for and define bugs. The approach addresses how to extract the expert knowledge required for performance diagnosis from parallel patterns and represents this knowledge in a manner such that the diagnostic process can be automated. We demonstrate the effectiveness of our knowledge-engineering approach through a case study. Our experience diagnosing divide-and-conquer programs shows that pattern-based performance knowledge can provide effective guidance for locating and defining performance bugs at a high level of program abstraction. Copyright © 2006 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Aflatoxin biosynthesis gene clusters and flanking regions.

K.C. EHRLICH, J. YU AND P.J. COTTY. 2005. Aims: To compare the biosynthetic gene cluster sequences of the main aflatoxin (AF)-producing Aspergillus species. Methods and Results: Sequencing was on fosmid clones selected by homology to Aspergillus parasiticus sequence. Alignments revealed that gene order is conserved among AF gene clusters of Aspergillus nomius, A. parasiticus, two sclerotial morphotypes of Aspergillus flavus, and an unnamed Aspergillus sp. Phylogenetic relationships were established using the maximum likelihood method implemented in PAUP. Based on the Eurotiomycete/ Sordariomycete divergence time, the A. flavus-type cluster has been maintained for at least 25 million years. Such conservation of the genes and gene order reflects strong selective constraints on rearrangement. Phylogenetic comparison of individual genes in the cluster indicated that ver-1, which has homology to a melanin biosynthesis gene, experienced selective forces distinct from the other pathway genes. Sequences upstream of the polyketide synthase-encoding gene vary among the species, but a four-gene sugar utilization cluster at the distal end is conserved, indicating a functional relationship between the two adjacent clusters. Conclusions: The high conservation of cluster components needed for AF production suggests there is an adaptive value for AFs in character-shaping niches important to those taxa. Significance and Impact of the Study: This is the first comparison of the complete nucleotide sequences of gene clusters harbouring the AF biosynthesis genes of the main AF-producing species. Such a comparison will aid in understanding how AF biosynthesis is regulated in experimental and natural environments.
Association between central elastic artery stiffness and cerebral perfusion in deep subcortical gray and white matter.

BACKGROUND Central elastic artery stiffness can increase vascular resistance and induce hypertrophic remodeling of cerebral arterioles and, in turn, may increase the risk of cerebral hypoperfusion. In this study, we examined whether central artery stiffness was directly associated with cerebral perfusion. METHODS Thirty-five adults (15 men and 20 women; 49 ± 7 years) were studied. Central artery stiffness was determined by carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV). Regional cerebral perfusion in deep subcortical white and gray matter was measured using arterial spin labeling (ASL). RESULTS Participants were divided into two groups created by a median split of pooled subjects (median cfPWV = 1,090 cm/s). The group with high cfPWV showed significantly lower cerebral perfusion in frontal (29.9 ± 3.6 vs. 50.7 ± 3.7 ml/100 g/min, P = 0.001) and parietal (33.4 ± 6.0 vs. 57.5 ± 5.7 ml/100 g/min, P < 0.01) white matter and hippocampus (44.4 ± 4.4 vs. 60.1 ± 6.1 ml/100 g/min, P = 0.04) than the low cfPWV group. Simple correlation analysis revealed that cfPWV is significantly associated with cerebral perfusion in frontal (r = -0.64, P < 0.001) and parietal (r = -0.36, P = 0.03) white matter. Multiple linear regression analysis further indicated that 11% of the variability in frontal white matter perfusion (ΔR(2) = 0.11, P = 0.03) is explained by cfPWV (β = -0.54, P = 0.03), independent of age, sex, race, heart rate, blood pressure, and cardiovascular medication. CONCLUSIONS Central elastic artery stiffness is inversely and significantly associated with cerebral perfusion in deep subcortical frontal white matter, independent of potential confounding factors.
Spermatid Perinuclear Ribonucleic Acid-Binding Protein Binds Microtubules In Vitro and Associates with Abnormal Manchettes In Vivo in Mice

Spermatid perinuclear RNA-binding protein (SPNR) is a microtubule-associated RNA-binding protein that localizes to the manchette in developing spermatids. The RNA target of SPNR in vivo is unknown, although we have previously suggested the possibility that SPNR is involved in the translational activation of the protamine 1 mRNA in elongated spermatids. To increase our understanding of SPNR’s association with the manchette, we sought to determine SPNR’s subcellular localization in several mouse mutants that show reduced fertility or sterility and that have structurally abnormal manchettes. We show here that despite the highly abnormal manchettes and microtubule aggregates formed in azh, hop-sterile, t w2 , and t w8 mutants, SPNR remains associated with the manchettes. Localization of SPNR to the abnormal manchettes suggests that SPNR is tightly bound to the manchette. SPNR could bind manchette microtubules directly, or it could bind indirectly via an interaction with a microtubule-associated protein (MAP). We sought to determine whether SPNR binds microtubules in vitro, and if so, whether it requires a MAP. We show by Western analysis that the endogenous SPNR protein can be pelleted with murine testis microtubules in a taxol-dependent manner in vitro. A recombinant version of SPNR produced in bacteria can also be pelleted with testis microtubules, as well as microtubules polymerized from purified bovine brain tubulin, an association that is salt-sensitive. These results suggest that SPNR, in addition to its function as an RNA-binding protein, is also a bona fide MAP.
Treatment of stage I adenocarcinoma of the endometriuim by hysterectomy and adjuvant irradiation: A retrospective analysis of 304 patients

Three hundred and four evaluable patients with FIGO Stage I adenocarcinoma of the endometrium were treated with hysterectomy and irradiation. Irradiation was preoperative in 250 and postoperative in 44 patients. Ten patients had a preoperative implant and postoperative external irradiation. The 5 year actuarial survival was 94%, 80% and 76% for grades 1, 2 and 3, respectively. Within each grade and for all patients there was no difference in survival for Stage IA versus IB. The initial failure rate was 26/304 (9%) with 2% of patients having only a pelvic failure, 2% pelvic and distal failure and 4% a distal failure only. There were four distal vaginal failures and no isolated cuff recurrences. The upper abdomen was the most frequent site of extra-pelvic failure for grade 3, while the periaortic nodes and lung constituted the most common sites of distal failure for grades 1 and 2 tumors. Timing of the hysterectomy following the irradiation was of importance when evaluating the prognostic significance of residual disease or depth of myometrial invasion. The presence of residual disease or greater than 1/3 myometrial invasion had a significantly worse prognosis only among patients who received no preoperative irradiation or who underwent their hysterectomy immediately following a preoperative implant. There was no difference in survival among patients with an initial local failure only as compared to those with an initial distal metastases, as the majority of patients with an initial local failure subsequently developed distant metastases.
Emerging in vivo analyses of cell function using fluorescence imaging (

Understanding how cells of all types sense external and internal signals and how these signals are processed to yield particular responses is a major goal of biology. Genetically encoded fluorescent proteins (FPs) and fluorescent sensors are playing an important role in achieving this comprehensive knowledge base of cell function. Providing high sensitivity and immense versatility while being minimally perturbing to a biological specimen, the probes can be used in different microscopy techniques to visualize cellular processes on many spatial scales. Three review articles in this volume discuss recent advances in probe design and applications. These developments help expand the range of biochemical processes in living systems suitable for study. They provide researchers with exciting new tools to explore how cellular processes are organized and their activity regulated in vivo.
Sex steroids and vasotocin interact in a female amphibian (Taricha granulosa) to elicit female-like egg-laying behavior or male-like courtship.

Abstract Female egg-laying behaviors and male amplectic clasping behaviors in the rough-skinned newt (Taricha granulosa) are similar in that animals clasp an object. In the case of egg-laying, females clasp submerged inanimate objects, whereas in amplexus, males clasp conspecific females. Considering these behavioral similarities and differences, we investigated the possibility that gonadal steroids and vasotocin (AVT) interact to control egg-laying behaviors, as has been shown for the control of amplexus in Taricha males. Intact, gravid T. granulosa females injected ip with AVT, unlike those injected with saline, exhibited egg-laying behaviors and oviposition. In ovariectomy-steroid-implant studies, no saline-injected female exhibited egg-laying behaviors, whereas AVT-injected ovariectomized females exhibited egg-laying behaviors if implanted with estradiol (E2), testosterone, or dihydrotestosterone (DHT), and not if implanted with empty capsules. When given a choice between clasping aquatic vegetation or other females (amplectic clasping), following an AVT injection, unoperated and shamoperated control females and ovariectomized females with E2 implants did not preferentially clasp aquatic vegetation over other females. In contrast, AVT-injected ovariectomized females with DHT implants preferentially clasped other females. Thus, exposure of Taricha females to estrogens or androgens appears to determine whether the AVT-induced clasping is egg-laying or amplectic clasping.
Cell-surface engineering with GPI-anchored proteins.

Protein engineering of cell surfaces is a potentially powerful technology through which the surface protein composition of cells can be manipulated without gene transfer. This technology exploits the fact that proteins that are anchored by glycoinositol phospholipids (GPIs), when purified and added to cells in vitro, incorporate into their surface membranes and are fully functional. By substituting 3'-mRNA end sequence of naturally GPI-anchored proteins (i.e., a sequence that contains the signals that direct GPI anchoring) for endogenous 3'-mRNA end sequence, virtually any protein of interest can be expressed as a GPI-anchored derivative. The GPI-anchored product then can be purified from transfectants and the purified protein used to "paint" any target cell. Such protein engineering or "painting" of the cell surface offers several advantages over conventional gene transfer. Among these advantages are that 1) GPI-anchored proteins can be painted onto cells that are difficult to transfect, 2) cells can be altered immediately without previous culturing, 3) the amount of protein added to the surface can be precisely controlled, and 4) multiple GPI-anchored proteins can be sequentially or concurrently inserted into the same cells. Emerging applications for the technology include its use for the analysis of complex cell-surface interactions, the engineering of antigen presenting cells, the development of cancer vaccines, and possibly the protection against graft rejection.
Central schemes on overlapping cells

Nessyahu and Tadmor's central scheme [J. Comput. Phys. 87 (1990)] has the benefit of not using Riemann solvers for solving hyperbolic conservation laws. But the staggered averaging causes large dissipation when the time step size is small compared to the mesh size. The recent work of Kurganov and Tadmor [J. Comput. Phys. 160 (2000)] overcomes this problem by using a variable control volume and results in semi-discrete and fully discrete non-staggered schemes. Motivated by this work, we introduce overlapping cell averages of the solution at the same discrete time level, and develop a simple alternative technique to control the O(1/@Dt) dependence of the dissipation. The semi-discrete form of the central scheme can also be obtained to which the TVD Runge-Kutta time discretization methods of Shu and Osher [J. Comput. Phys. 77 (1988)] or other stable and sufficiently accurate ODE solvers can be applied. This technique is essentially independent of the reconstruction and the shape of the mesh. The overlapping cell representation of the solution also opens new possibilities for reconstructions. Generally speaking, more compact reconstruction can be achieved. In the following, schemes of up to fifth order in 1D and third order in 2D have been developed. We demonstrate through numerical examples that by combining two classes of the overlapping cells in the reconstruction we can achieve higher resolution.
Microarray Analysis of mRNA Levels from RAW264.7 Macrophages Infected with Brucella abortus

Identification of host responses at the gene transcription level provides a molecular profile of the events that occur following infection. Brucella abortus is a facultative intracellular pathogen of macrophages that induces chronic infection in humans and domestic animals. Using microarray technology, the response of macrophages 4 h following B. abortus infection was analyzed to identify early intracellular infection events that occur in macrophages. Of the >6,000 genes, we identified over 140 genes that were reproducibly differentially transcribed. First, an increase in the transcription of a number of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, such as tumor necrosis factor alpha, interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-1α, and members of the SCY family of proteins, that may constitute a general host recruitment of antibacterial defenses was evident. Alternatively, Brucella may subvert newly arriving macrophages for additional intracellular infection. Second, transcription of receptors and cytokines associated with antigen presentation, e.g., major histocompatibility complex class II and IL-12p40, were not evident at this 4-h period of infection. Third, Brucella inhibited transcription of various host genes involved in apoptosis, cell cycling, and intracellular vesicular trafficking. Identification of macrophage genes whose transcription was inhibited suggests that Brucella utilizes specific mechanisms to target certain cell pathways. In conclusion, these data suggest that B. abortus can alter macrophage pathways to recruit additional macrophages for future infection while simultaneously inhibiting apoptosis and innate immune mechanisms within the macrophage, permitting intracellular survival of the bacterium. These results provide insights into the pathogenic strategies used by Brucella for long-term survival within a hostile environment.
Is Personality Associated with Health Care Use by Older Adults

Context The patterns of health care utilization in the United States pose well-established challenges for public policy. Although economic and sociological research has resulted in considerable knowledge about what influences the use of health services, the psychological literature in this area is underdeveloped. Importantly, it is not known whether personality traits are associated with older adults’ use of acute and long-term care services. Methods Data were collected from 1,074 community-dwelling seniors participating in a Medicare demonstration. First they completed a self-report questionnaire measuring the “Big Five” personality traits: Neuroticism, Extraversion, Openness to Experience, Agreeableness, and Conscientiousness. During the next two years, the participants maintained daily journals of their use of health care services. We used regression models based on the Andersen behavioral model of health care utilization to test for associations. Findings Our hypothesis that higher Neuroticism would be associated with greater health care use was confirmed for three services—probability of any emergency department (ED) use, likelihood of any custodial nursing home use, and more skilled nursing facility (SNF) days for SNF users—but was disconfirmed for hospital days for those hospitalized. Higher Openness to Experience was associated with a greater likelihood of custodial home care use, and higher Agreeableness and lower Conscientiousness with a higher probability of custodial nursing home use. For users, lower Openness was associated with more ED visits and SNF days, and lower Conscientiousness with more ED visits. For many traits with significant associations, the predicted use was 16 to 30 percent greater for people high (low) versus low (high) in specific traits. Conclusions Personality traits are associated with Medicare beneficiaries’ use of many expensive health care services, findings that have implications for health services research and policy. Accordingly, person-centered interventions, population-based translational effectiveness programs, and other personalized approaches that leverage the profound advances in personality psychology in recent decades should be considered.
The Relationship Between Vertical Sounder Radiances and Mid-Latitude 300 mb Flow Patterns

Abstract The direct synoptic application of radiances measured in the 695 cm−1 channel of the 15 μm carbon dioxide band by the vertical sounding instruments aboard the NOAA operational satellites is described. The radiation measured in this channel is emitted from a layer centered around 150–100 mb, or above the level of the polar jet stream and tropopause. In this region above the baroclinic zone of the polar front, the horizontal temperature gradient is the reverse of that found in the troposphere. It is demonstrated that mapped radiance patterns are quite useful for describing the upper tropospheric circulation features at 300 mb, and that the gradients are well related to 300 mb wind speeds in and near the polar jet stream.
Alternative Entities in Delaware - Reintroduction of Fiduciary Concepts by the Backdoor?

In the mid-1990s, the Supreme Court of Delaware resoundingly held that “nothing in a contract can override directors’ fiduciary duties,” holding invalid deal protection provisions in a contract between Viacom International and Paramount Pictures. Nearly a decade later, the Delaware Legislature trumped that judicial ruling, at least in cases for what in Delaware are termed “alternative entities” (Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) and Limited Partnerships (LPs)). The legislative enactment did not set draftsperson as free as it might seem, giving absolute priority to freedom of contract. The reason is that the statute makes clear that the implied covenant of good faith and fair dealing still applies to LLC operating and limited partnership agreements. This article explores the question of how much application of the implied covenant results in application of fiduciary like concepts if not fiduciary duties themselves.
Mos Americanus or Common Law in Partibus Infidelium

The covert and uncertain visibility of affect defines the law of amity, the shadow realm of _lex amicitiae_, as elaborated most often by humanistic jurists in the course of mustering and defending their various doctrinal and disciplinary schools, orthodoxy and heresy, liturgy and anathema, glory and abomination in the literary genres and the classrooms of knowledge. How does our intellectual kinship, tribal membership, and theoretical intimacy or in Baudelaire’s terms, “_l’idealfraternitaire,_” the archipelago of group attraction and affinity, impact upon and discreetly inform our work? More specifically, how does this unspoken _amicitia_ define our relations to, interactions with, and scholarly exchanges between the variable groups and mobile identities that tenuously form the momentary collocation of the common law tradition in the U.S.A. which I will here both explicate and castigate, and first off call by its proper name, _mos americanus_.
Etiological and clinical characteristics of central diabetes insipidus in children: a single center experience

Background Central diabetes insipidus (CDI) results from a number of conditions affecting the hypothalamic-neurohypophyseal system to cause vasopressin deficiency. Diagnosis of CDI is challenging, and clinical data and guidelines for management are lacking. We aim to characterize clinical and radiological characteristics of a cohort of pediatric patients with CDI.
Counselors, Information, and High School College-Going Culture: Inequalities in the College Application Process

While socioeconomic inequality in postsecondary outcomes is well documented, limited research explores the extent to which seeing a high school counselor can help to reduce inequality in college destinations. In particular, previous research rarely considers the high school context in which counselors and students interact as well as the other sources of social and cultural capital available to students. Using the Educational Longitudinal Study (ELS: 2002), we find that seeing a counselor plays a significant role in predicting application to college, and while this relationship is attenuated, it remains strong even net of other sources of information. Moreover, the relationship between seeing a high school counselor and whether and where students apply to college is largely similar across high school contexts, with some indication that high school counselors may be most relevant in schools with moderate college-going culture. Finally, presented analyses provide insights regarding the extent to which different factors contribute to socioeconomic inequality in the college application process.
Morphology and distribution of HIV-1 gp41-positive microglia in subacute AIDS encephalitis. Pattern of involvement resembling a multisystem degeneration.

Among 100 brains from patients with acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), 33 brains (21 adults and 12 children) with histological evidence of subacute AIDS encephalitis were immunostained with one of the most sensitive antibodies to HIV-1 antigen, anti-gp41. Twenty-six (20/21 adults, 6/12 children) of the 33 brains showed pg41 positivity. Brains from children had fewer gp41-positive cells than brains from adults. The distribution of gp41-positive cells was characteristic. They were frequently detected and most numerous in the globus pallidus (medial > lateral). Although gp41-positive cells were prevalent, fewer were detected in the corpus striatum and thalamus. Of infratentorial areas involved, the ventral midbrain, especially the substantia nigra, and the dentate nucleus contained many positive cells. Lower levels of infections, often patchy, were noted in the cerebral and cerebellar white matter and pontine base. Gp41-positive cells were rarely seen in the cerebral cortex, medulla, spinal cord, leptomeninges, choroid plexus, ependyma, subependymal areas and endothelia. Besides immunoreactive macrophages and multinucleated cells, gp41-positive microglia with various morphological alterations were abundant in the deep cerebral gray matter, ventral midbrain and dentate nucleus. Most of these microglia were undetectable with conventional histological methods. We discuss the significance of the distribution of HIV-1-infected cells, especially microglia, with respect to cellular tropism and involvement of deep gray matter nuclei in a pattern reminiscent of a multisystem atrophy.
Larvae and Pupae of Five Eastern North American Tabanus Species (Diptera: Tabanidae)

The immature stages of Tabanus fusconervosus Macquart, T. fuscicostatus Hine, T. fulvulus Wiedemann, T. pallidescens Philip, and T. wilsoni Pechuman are described and illustrated for the first time. All specimens were collected in terrestrial habitats. Morphological similarities and ecological observations provide further evidence for the close relationship of the 3 last-mentioned species.
Research of Plane Localization for Virtual Robot Arm Based on Stereo Vision

According to the application of the planet detection,the work mode of the rover was studied.Meanwhile,a corresponding robot arm plane localization simulation system for real rover robot arm based on stereo vision was developed.By means of virtual reality technique,the simulation system provided motion parameters of virtual robot arm to real arm.The parameters were obtained by virtual arm localization on the object with plane surface which was reconstructed by stereo vision.The orientation theory based on stereo vision,and the realization of virtual robot arm based on OpenGL,were introduced.The simulation platform was developed by VC++.The orientation experiment was made and the high orientation precision was obtained.
Commodifying magic: cyber shamans and neoliberalised culture in Korea

AbstractThis paper explores cyber shamans in the neoliberalised Korea. As new media technologies evolved, Korean shamans leaped at an opportunity of the new media technologies in ways to redeem themselves. I used the term ‘redeem’ here because historically shamans in Korea have been demonised by the ruling power for more than 500 years and therefore even in the modern times they were perceived as ‘weird money suckers with false magic’. For this reason, the inherited dynamics of shamanism embedded in the culture were not appropriately considered. In the process of becoming cyber shamans, Korean shamans have cleverly utilised the new media and started making their presence known. Articulation of the inherited shamanic dynamic in response to the neoliberal media environment can help us to assess the various influences of the neoliberalised economic and political environment on Korean society.
Increased Renal 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Level Is Associated with Improved Renal Function in a Mouse Model of Acute Kidney Injury.

Abstract Background: Acute kidney injury (AKI) is associated with a significantly increased risk of morbidity and mortality. Ischemia–reperfusion injury (IRI) is a major cause of AKI. In this study, we investigated the role of the endocannabinoid (EC) system in renal IRI using a well-established mouse model. Materials and Methods: Renal ischemia was induced in male C57BL/6 mice by clamping both kidney pedicles for 30 min followed by 24 h of reperfusion. To increase renal 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) levels, mice were pretreated with JZL184 (16 mg/kg), 30 min before IRI. Serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen (BUN), renal tubular damage, renal content of ECs and renal expression of markers of inflammation and oxidative stress were measured. Results: Renal IRI was associated with significantly increased serum BUN and creatinine, increased tubular damage score, increased expression of renal markers of inflammation and oxidative stress and elevated renal 2-AG content. Pretreatment with JZL184 was associate...
Local Governments: The “Hidden Partners” of Air Quality Management

The Clean Air Act (CAA) utilizes an intergovernment partnership, relying heavily on the states for implementation. However, local governments have emerged in recent years as key players in improvin...
Naturalizing Radical Translation

Quine is famous (infamous?) for defending the radical doctrine known as the Indeterminacy of Translation. The thesis states that, beyond small empirically grounded fragments, there is “no fact of the matter” as to the correct translation of one language into another. (Graduate students who have been so unfortunate as to have had their foreign language proficiency exams graded by Prof. Quine may question the depth of his commitment to this principle, but let us eschew ad hominems.) Quine has offered at least three different, though related arguments for the Indeterminacy Thesis; I shall focus in this essay on the argument from “radical translation,” offered in Chapter Two of Word and Object. The objection I’m going to make is a familiar one, but with a twist.
In Vitro Mouse and Human Serum Stability of a Heterobivalent Dual-Target Probe That Has Strong Affinity to Gastrin-Releasing Peptide and Neuropeptide Y1 Receptors on Tumor Cells.

Abstract Receptor-targeting radiolabeled molecular probes with high affinity and specificity are useful in studying and monitoring biological processes and responses. Dual- or multiple-targeting probes, using radiolabeled metal chelates conjugated to peptides, have potential advantages over single-targeting probes as they can recognize multiple targets leading to better sensitivity for imaging and radiotherapy when target heterogeneity is present. Two natural hormone peptide receptors, gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) and Y1, are specifically interesting as their expression is upregulated in most breast and prostate cancers. One of our goals has been to develop a dual-target probe that can bind both GRP and Y1 receptors. Consequently, a heterobivalent dual-target probe, t-BBN/BVD15-DO3A (where a GRP targeting ligand J-G-Abz4-QWAVGHLM-NH2 and Y1 targeting ligand INP-K [ɛ-J-(α-DO3A-ɛ-DGa)-K] YRLRY-NH2 were coupled), that recognizes both GRP and Y1 receptors was synthesized, purified, and characterized in the...
Longitudinal arch load-sharing system of the foot

Abstract The longitudinal arch of the human foot is a complex mechanical structure that must be compliant on uneven surfaces and also have sufficient stiffness to allow the foot to be an efficient propulsive organ during walking and running gait. To serve these functions, the longitudinal arch has a unique four-layer load-sharing system consisting of the plantar fascia, plantar intrinsic muscles, plantar arch extrinsic muscles and plantar ligaments. These four layers of tension load-bearing elements, working together with the osseous elements which serve as the framework of the longitudinal arch, work synergistically to increase longitudinal arch stiffness during weightbearing activities. The passive tension load-bearing elements of this load-sharing system, the plantar fascia and plantar ligaments, are not under direct central nervous system control and thus serve to stiffen the longitudinal arch with an automatic stiffening mechanism that is based on Achilles tendon tension and plantar forefoot loading. The active tension load-bearing elements, the plantar intrinsic and plantar extrinsic muscles, are under direct central nervous system control and serve to increase or decrease the stiffness of the medial and lateral longitudinal arches depending on the type and intensity of the prevailing weightbearing activity of the individual. Together, the elements of the longitudinal arch load-sharing system ensure that proper weightbearing function of the longitudinal arch, and the foot and lower extremity, can still occur even when a failure of one of these tension load-bearing elements occurs due to injury.
Tails Linux Operating System: Remaining Anonymous with the Assistance of an Incognito System in Times of High Surveillance

After the information released by Edward Snowden, the world realized about the security risks of high surveillance from governments to citizens or among governments, and how it can affect the freedom, democracy, and peace. And organizations such as WikiLeaks has shown just how much data is collected to include the poor security controls in place to protect that information. Research has been carried out for the creation of the necessary tools for the countermeasures to all these surveillance. One of the most potent tools is the Tails system as a complement of The Onion Router TOR. Even though there are limitations and flaws, the progress has been significant, and we are moving in the right direction. As more individuals and organizations fall under a watchful eye on their Internet activities then maintaining anonymity it not only essential for getting out information but one's safety.
Children's Surprising Knowledge of Arithmetic.

Herbert Ginsburg is professor of education and psychology in the Graduate School of Education and Human Development at the University of Rochester. He teaches courses in developmental psychology and conducts research on children's mathematical thinking. This article describes research funded by the National Science Foundation, grants GS-3261 and BNS 76-80026 AOL ing the objects farther apart, so that the row now looks longer than the other, although nothing has been added or taken away. On viewing this transformation, the young child usually maintains that the numbers are no longer the same, and that the longer row has more, precisely because it is longer. When adults see this for the first
ALK Fusion Detection in Circulating Free DNA: Finding an Important Needle in the Haystack

ALK rearrangements have emerged as important therapeutic targets in oncology. This commentary, in light of recently reported cases, discusses the emerging role of liquid biopsies in molecular testing and new therapeutic options for oncology patients.
Lung and Pleura

With every breath we take, we expose the lungs to a myriad of insults from the outside world. The patterns of injury that result encompass a broad spectrum of neoplastic and nonneoplastic pulmonary diseases. This chapter reviews the salient clinical and pathologic features of these diseases and summarizes special studies, including immunohistochemical, molecular, and genetic tests that may be helpful in diagnosing these diseases. It begins with the main pediatric and congenital lesions of the lung and then proceeds to the most common nonneoplastic diseases, including the pathology of obstructive lung diseases (emphysema, bronchitis, small airway disease), interstitial disease (idiopathic and others), vascular pathology (vasculitides and the pathology of pulmonary hypertension) and the common viral, bacterial, fungal, and parasitic infections. The neoplastic section begins with the preinvasive lesions followed by the most common neoplasms of the lung, the carcinomas. Less frequent neoplasms including sarcomas and lymphomas are included with a special emphasis on the ancillary studies needed in establishing these difficult diagnoses. Finally, the major pleural tumors are presented, which include mesothelioma and solitary fibrous tumors and are followed by a summary table of important ancillary studies needed to confirm these diagnoses.
Quality indicators in pediatric colonoscopy: an Australian tertiary center experience.

AbstractObjectives: Quality indicators for colonoscopy in adults are largely driven by colorectal cancer screening, and include cecal intubation rates, with rates of >90% recommended. In contrast, colorectal cancer is rare in childhood, with paucity of data on relevant quality indicators for pediatric colonoscopy. It is also unclear whether high rates of cecal intubation are achievable in small children. Our aim was to audit all colonoscopies performed in a tertiary pediatric center to examine clinical indications for procedure, completeness of examination with cecal and ileal intubation, significant findings, and complications.Methods: Retrospective review of colonoscopies performed between November 2011 and October 2015 was undertaken.Results: Total colonoscopy was performed in 652 patients, 53% male, with median age 13.0 (range 0.4–18.2) years. The most common indications for colonoscopy were assessment of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) 57.9% (378/652), rectal bleeding 10% (68/652) and abdominal pain...
Plastic Deformation in Polymers

The mechanical properties of polymers, and all matter in general, can be treated from two distinct points of view, namely, the continuum point of view and the structural approach. Each approach has distinct advantages and, indeed, they are complementary. However, more often than not, the two are considered mutually exclusive in that little attempt is made to combine the best findings of each approach. In this article, we shall concern ourselves primarily with an elementary understanding of polymer structure and certain aspects of mechanical behavior. In order to avoid misunderstanding, a few general comments will be made and a simple introduction to linear viscoelasticity will be given.
Play with a Purpose: Creating Meaningful Environments with Children, Families, and Communities in the United States

All children need time and opportunity for play at home, in childcare, and in school because play is a natural tool for learning in the early years.
Vitrification Capability of Metal Mirror Ultra-Rapid Cooling Apparatus: A Theoretical Evaluation

A theoretical heat sink model was developed to assess the limitations and potential of the “bounce-free” metal mirror cooling methodology now used to vitrify biological materials. Calculations indicated that the current copper and liquid nitrogen (LN2)-based slamming apparatus can vitrify a water sample to approximately 11 microns in depth. Liquid helium (LHe) can enhance the vitrification depth another 4 microns. Approximate 18 microns can be vitrified by virtue of liquid helium and silver. The vitrification efficiency of the apparatus is directly related to the initial temperature and the penetration coefficient of the heat sink. The best combinations able to effect maximum heat transfer for the purpose of vitrification appears to be in the following ordering: Tin (LHe) > Lead (LHe) > Silver (LHe) > Aluminium (LHe) > Copper (LN2). A maximum vitrification depth of approximately 23 microns can be achieved when pure tin is used as the heat sink material, and the sink’s initial temperature is maintained at 4 K or below. Gold and sapphire are less efficient than pure copper as a heat sink at any bath temperature. Diamond is less efficient than copper if its initial temperature is lower than 120 K.
Metabolism of Carbon Monoxide by the Colonic Flora of Humans

The metabolism of carbon monoxide by the colonic flora was investigated using human fecal homogenates. During anaerobic incubation, these homogenates rapidly consumed added carbon monoxide reducing the PCO level to a minimum of about 0.2 ppm. In the presence of glucose, carbon monoxide consumption averaged about 0.7 ml/h · g feces and without glucose about 0.2 ml/h · g feces. This consumption was not observed if the homogenates were autoclaved, passed through a bacterial filter, or cultured aerobically, indicating that the carbon monoxide was removed by the metabolism of fecal anaerobes. Aerobic incubation of fecal homogenates resulted in slow but definite release of carbon monoxide. While bacterial carbon monoxide consumption probably does not play an appreciable role in the turnover of carbon monoxide that is inhaled or exogenously produced, it is possible that carbon monoxide uptake by colonic flora protects other fecal organisms and possibly the host from carbon monoxide liberated in the gut.
Effects of testing conditions on the performance of carbon-supported bifunctional electrodes

Abstract Carbon-based electrodes with a bifunctional catalyst are being studied extensively for use in rechargeable metal-air batteries. In this study, the effects of various testing conditions on the electrochemical performance, cyclic lifetime, and degradation mechanism of the electrodes prepared using the bifunctional La0.6Ca0.4CoO3 catalyst mixed with the graphitized Vulcan XC-72 carbon black and polytetrafluoroethylene were evaluated in detail. The electrochemical performance and total cycle life of the electrodes were not noticeably affected by the KOH electrolyte concentration or rest time between the charge/discharge. The charge/discharge current density used for the cyclic test significantly influenced both the total cyclic lifetime and degradation mechanism of the electrode. At the higher current densities (±50 and ± 100 mA/cm2), carbon corrosion led to electrode flooding and the loss of oxygen reduction capability while the oxygen evolution reaction occurring at the catalyst was largely sustained. At a lower current density (±6 mA/cm2), with periodic replacement of electrolyte to avoid carbonate formation in the electrode pores, the loss of the anodic catalytic ability of the bifunctional catalyst presumably via surface oxidation was clearly evident from the increase in oxygen evolution reaction overpotential. With the unchanged electrolyte, the electrode gas transport pore could be blocked by carbonate formation, leading to a decreased catalytic capability of the electrode for oxygen reduction. The failure modes of these electrodes under various cycling conditions were also assessed using impedance spectroscopy and inductively coupled plasma optical emission spectrometry.
Queer Ripley: Minghella, Highsmith, and the Antisocial

This chapter focuses on the representation of homosexuality in Anthony Minghella’s adaptation of Patricia Highsmith’s 1955 novel, The Talented Mr. Ripley and more specifically on Slavoj Žižek’s argument that the film’s explicit take on homosexuality is a distortion of Highsmith’s more subtle engagement. While Highsmith provocatively thematizes class desire and anxiety, Minghella literalizes the hints of homosexuality in his source material, but by examining the novel more closely, this chapter shows that Highsmith provides enough evidence for reading Ripley as a closeted character and also for reading the novel as an exploration of the closet. As a consequence, Minghella brings 1950s anxieties over homosexuality into dialogue with the 1990s and the simultaneous push toward gay rights acceptance and homophobic re-entrenchment that defines the era.