cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Generic Versions of Low Molecular Weight Heparin May Not Have the Same Safety-Efficacy Profile as the Branded Low Molecular Weight Heparins In Acute Coronary Syndrome.

Abstract Abstract 1098 LMWHs lp;&5q;1such as enoxaparin and dalteparin are widely used for the management of ACS. Recently, several generic versions of enoxaparin and dalteparin have been approved in Asian and South American countries for all of the branded product's indications. However, no data on their clinical equivalence in ACS is available. Since generic versions of enoxaparin and dalteparin are manufactured by different processes and may use starting material from different sources, these drugs may differ in their pharmacological profile in simulated ACS settings. A branded version of enoxaparin was compared with three of the generic versions in a primate model at a dosages of 1 mg/kg IV. Such pharmacodynamic parameters such as TFPI release, TAFI modulation, vWF release, and TF mediated platelet activation. In addition, the anticoagulant effects of these drugs were also measured after IV administration using iSTAT ACT and aPTT. Simulated catheter related thrombosis studies were also carried out to differentiate each agent in contact, intrinsic and extrinsic clotting systems. The generic versions of enoxaparin namely, Cutenox (Gland Pharma, India), Fibrinox (Sandoz, Argentina), Versa (EuroPharma, Brazil) exhibited product based pharmacodynamic differences compared with the branded product and the results are provided in the following table. Drug TFPI (ng/ml) TAFI (% NHP) VWF (% NHP) Enoxaparin 210+10 65+4.8 138+12 Fibrinox 160+10 74+8 175+16 Versa 205+16 59+7 148+12 Cutenox 180+11 60+4 110+12 Each of the generic products exhibited its own specific pharmacologic profile despite comparable molecular weight distributions and anti-Xa potencies. The ACT values at a 10 ug/ml varied from 172–200 seconds among the four products. The ED 50 values in the catheter related thrombogenesis model varied considerably. Significant differences were noted in the anticoagulant effects of each of these agents as compared with the branded products. Differences were also noted in HIT antibody mediated aggregation studies. The HIT antibody mediated aggregation of platelets varied from 17–28%. The pharmacodynamic differences between the branded and generic versions of LMWHs may be due to the higher dosages used and the potential IV administration which leads to higher circulating levels of these agents. These observations suggest the need for additional animal studies and clinical trials to validate the use of generic versions of LMWHs in ACS. Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Comparison of Phenylephrine and Ephedrine in Treatment of Spinal-Induced Hypotension in High-Risk Pregnancies: A Narrative Review.

Purpose: To compare maternal and fetal effects of intravenous phenylephrine and ephedrine administration during spinal anesthesia for Cesarean delivery in high-risk pregnancies. Source: An extensive literature search was conducted using the US National Library of Medicine, MEDLINE search engine, Cochrane review and Google Scholar using search terms “ephedrine and phenylephrine” /or “preterm and term and spinal hypotension” /or “preeclampsia and healthy parturients” /or “multiple and singleton gestation and vasopressor”. Society of Obstetric Anesthesia and Perinatology meeting abstracts for the past 4 years were also searched for relevant studies. Principle findings: Both phenylephrine and ephedrine can safely be used to counteract hypotension after spinal anesthesia in patients with uteroplacental insufficiency, pregnancy-induced hypertension and in non-elective Cesarean deliveries. Vasopressor requirements before delivery in high risk Cesarean sections are reduced compared to healthy parturients. Among the articles reviewed, there were no statistically significant differences in umbilical arterial pH, umbilical venous pH, incidence of fetal acidosis, Apgar scores, or maternal hypotension when comparing maternal phenylephrine and ephedrine use. Conclusion: From the limited existing data, phenylephrine and ephedrine are both appropriate selections for treating or preventing hypotension induced by neuraxial blockade in high risk pregnancies. There is no clear evidence that either medication is more effective at maintaining maternal blood pressure or has a superior safety profile in this setting. Further investigations are required to determine the efficacy, ideal dosing regimens and overall safety of phenylephrine and ephedrine administration in high-risk obstetric patients, especially in the presence uteroplacental insufficiency.
Effects of epinephrine on distribution of blood flow in the pregnant ewe

Seven pregnant ewes ranging from 85 to 140 days of gestation were infused with systemic doses of epinephrine and uterine arterial flow dose-response curves were determined. With a constant systemic infusion of epinephrine at a mean rate of 0.29 ± 0.03 μg/Kg. min., and the radionuclide labeled microsphere method to measure arterial blood flow, a 38.5 per cent decrease in total uterine arterial blood flow was demonstrated while systemic pressure was unaltered. At this dose the reduction in endometrial blood flow was significantly greater (−58.7 per cent) than that in either the myometrium (−36.9 per cent) or placental cotyledons (−34.5 per cent) (p
Effects of a phase change cooling garment during exercise in the heat.

The purpose of our study was to examine the physiological, perceptual, and performance effects of wearing a phase change cooling garment (CG) during an interval exercise routine in the heat. Sixtee...
Suppression of Ventral Hippocampal Output Impairs Integrated Orbitofrontal Encoding of Task Structure

The hippocampus and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC) both make important contributions to decision making and other cognitive processes. However, despite anatomical links between the two, few studies have tested the importance of hippocampal-OFC interactions. Here, we recorded OFC neurons in rats performing a decision making task while suppressing activity in a key hippocampal output region, the ventral subiculum. OFC neurons encoded information about expected outcomes and rats' responses. With hippocampal output suppressed, rats were slower to adapt to changes in reward contingency, and OFC encoding of response information was strongly attenuated. In addition, ventral subiculum inactivation prevented OFC neurons from integrating information about features of outcomes to form holistic representations of the outcomes available in specific trial blocks. These data suggest that the hippocampus contributes to OFC encoding of both concrete, low-level features of expected outcomes, and abstract, inferred properties of the structure of the world, such as task state.
Civil War and Rebellion

Ana Arjona, Nelson Kasfir, and Zachariah Mampilly, eds., Rebel Governance in Civil War (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press, 2015).Severine Autesserre, Peaceland: Conflict Resolution and Everyday...
Folk Lending and P2P: Monitoring Maturation in Chinese Financial Contracting

Abstract Over the four decades since the Four Modernizations program began in 1978, China has matured from a capital-starved, mono-bank-centric financial system, to a capital-rich system with great variety of financial intermediation. This chapter reflects the double meaning of its title: firstly, it monitors the maturation in Chinese financial intermediation. Surveying development of financial intermediation in China, it considers the social responsibility of financial intermediaries in monitoring financial contracts and how intermediaries overcome financial market inefficiencies by acting as information conduits. Effective monitoring of financial contracts delivers both benefits. Secondly, it examines the maturation of the monitors themselves, in particularly those involved within the small- and medium-sized enterprise (SME) sector. The chapter employs the case of Wenzhou’s financial networks—highly localized, yet also the center of pan-China network of folk-lending. Financial innovation is causing a shift in SME lending from so-called folk-lending to peer-to-peer online lending, but monitoring in financial intermediation lags behind such innovation.
IDENTIFYING OF HUMAN METAPNEUMOVIRUS AND ITS PHENOTYPE AS A CAUSATIVE AGENTS OF PNEUMONIA IN CHILDREN

Objectives : The present investigational study was aimed to detect and identify the genotypes of Human metapneumovirus (hMPV ) and its phylogeny with respiratory syncytial viruses (RSV ) that cause pulmonary inflammation. Material and Methods: A total of 250 samples of patients who were clinically diagnosed respiratory tract illness were collected from Maternity and Children Hospital in Al Diwaniyah city, Iraq. The clinical samples were nasopharyngeal, nasal and throat swabs. The current study screened the presence of hMPV and RSV (A and B) genotypes from nasopharyngeal specimens of children aged from several days to 10 years old. Results: The results revealed that 6% were infected with hMPV , 8% of respiratory syncytial viruses type A (RSV-A ) and 14% of respiratory syncytial virus’s type B (RSV-B) from children who are suffering from respiratory illness. Phylogenetic tree analysis of hMPV based on the partial sequences of the fusion protein (F) gene was used for genotyping and detection. The phylogenetic tree was constructed using maximum likelihood tree method in MEGA 6.0 version. The local hMPV isolates (S1) were closely related to NCBI-Blast hMPV genotype A1 (KM408076.1), the local hMPV isolates (S2, S3, and S5) were closely related to NCBI-Blast hMPV genotype B1 (KJ196323.1), and the local hMPV isolates (S4) were closely related to NCBI-Blast hMPV genotype B2 (JQ041689.1). Conclusions: The prevalence rate of hMPV is less than RSV, and both subtypes of hMPV , A and B may exist and circulate in one season, and the predominant sublineage of hMPV shifts in progressive season.
Problems of Damaged Random Variables and Related Characterizations

In this paper, we discuss a unified approach for certain problems of damaged random variables as introduced by C. R. Rao [6]. Using the concepts involved, we also provide new characterizations for the Poisson, binomial, negative binomial, hypergeometric, factorial and negative multinomial distributions.
Crystal structure of 4,5-dinitroimidazole (45DNI)

A single-crystal X-ray diffraction study verified that the target oxidizer molecule, 4,5-dinitroimidazole (45DNI), had been synthesized. Some structural features of 45DNI are discussed and compared with those of 1,4-dinitroimidazole and 2,4 dinitroimidazole. 45DNI crystallizes with two crystallographically unique molecules in the monoclinic space group P21/n (#14) with unit-cell parameters a = 11.5360(8) A, b = 9.071(1) A, c = 11.822(1) A, β = 107.640(6)°, Z = 8, and has a density of 1.781 g/cm3. The molecular packing consists of infinite one-dimensional chains of 45DNI molecules approximately oriented in the ac direction which are linked by two different hydrogen bonds, $$\left[ {{\text{N}}(1) - {\text{ - H(1)}} \cdots {\text{N(31)}}} \right]$$ and $$\left[ {{\text{N}}(11) - {\text{H(11)}} \cdots {\text{N(3)}}} \right]$$ . In the lateral directions the chains are held together by molecular forces.
Chemical Factors Influencing Neuronal Development

A number of issues are raised and reviewed regarding chemical factors that may influence neuronal development. These issues include the types of actions that can be possessed by chemical factors, targets, the species of factors that are presently known, the chemical properties, and possible routes of delivery of the factors, factor specificity with regard to targets, temporal limitations of factor action on neurons, cross-regulation of factor action, tissue sources of factors, and mechanisms of factor action. Chemical factors affecting glial development are also briefly reviewed.
The posthumanist tabula rasa

This article offers an examination of posthumanist epistemology. Building on wider claims that `posthumanist' theorists risk disavowing the historicity of their concepts, the article asks why the p...
Pastoral Care in the Living Web for At-Risk Children in Ethiopia

Millions of children are at risk in Ethiopia due to child trafficking, forced migration, illegal adoption, harmful traditional practices, vulnerability, orphanhood, and rape. These risks can only be understood adequately as part of the larger social, economic, political, traditional, spiritual, religious, sexual, patriarchal, and cultural web. National and international nongovernmental organizations (NGOs) and the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus (EECMY) are trying to provide holistic care for at-risk children. However, neither the church nor the NGOs are succeeding in this. The church’s program is mostly spiritual and educational, and the NGOs are developmental and social in focus. This paper uses insights from pastoral theology, scripture, and social science to show the way to provide holistic ministry for at-risk children in Ethiopia. The new model of pastoral care in the living web for at-risk children in Ethiopia derives from Bonnie Miller-McLemore's metaphor of pastoral care in the living h...
Astrocyte Signaling in the Neurovascular Unit After Central Nervous System Injury.

Astrocytes comprise the major non-neuronal cell population in the mammalian neurovascular unit. Traditionally, astrocytes are known to play broad roles in central nervous system (CNS) homeostasis, including the management of extracellular ion balance and pH, regulation of neurotransmission, and control of cerebral blood flow and metabolism. After CNS injury, cell–cell signaling between neuronal, glial, and vascular cells contribute to repair and recovery in the neurovascular unit. In this mini-review, we propose the idea that astrocytes play a central role in organizing these signals. During CNS recovery, reactive astrocytes communicate with almost all CNS cells and peripheral progenitors, resulting in the promotion of neurogenesis and angiogenesis, regulation of inflammatory response, and modulation of stem/progenitor response. Reciprocally, changes in neurons and vascular components of the remodeling brain should also influence astrocyte signaling. Therefore, understanding the complex and interdependent signaling pathways of reactive astrocytes after CNS injury may reveal fundamental mechanisms and targets for re-integrating the neurovascular unit and augmenting brain recovery.
Characterizing the comfort limits of forces applied to the shoulders, thigh and shank to inform exosuit design

Recent literature emphasizes the importance of comfort in the design of exosuits and other assistive devices that physically augment humans; however, there is little quantitative data to aid designers in determining what level of force makes users uncomfortable. To help close this knowledge gap, we characterized human comfort limits when applying forces to the shoulders, thigh and shank. Our objectives were: (i) characterize the comfort limits for multiple healthy participants, (ii) characterize comfort limits across days, and (iii) determine if comfort limits change when forces are applied at higher vs. lower rates. We performed an experiment (N = 10) to quantify maximum tolerable force pulling down on the shoulders, and axially along the thigh and shank; we termed this force the comfort limit. We applied a series of forces of increasing magnitude, using a robotic actuator, to soft sleeves around their thigh and shank, and to a harness on their shoulders. Participants were instructed to press an off-switch, immediately removing the force, when they felt uncomfortable such that they did not want to feel a higher level of force. On average, participants exhibited comfort limits of ~0.9-1.3 times body weight on each segment: 621±245 N (shoulders), 867±296 N (thigh), 702±220 N (shank), which were above force levels applied by exosuits in prior literature. However, individual participant comfort limits varied greatly (~250-1200 N). Average comfort limits increased over multiple days (p<3e-5), as users habituated, from ~550-700 N on the first day to ~650-950 N on the fourth. Specifically, comfort limits increased 20%, 35% and 22% for the shoulders, thigh and shank, respectively. Finally, participants generally tolerated higher force when it was applied more rapidly. These results provide initial benchmarks for exosuit designers and end-users, and pave the way for exploring comfort limits over larger time scales, within larger samples and in different populations.
3-D NAND Technology Achievements and Future Scaling Perspectives

Since the introduction of a 3-D NAND product in 2014, the areal density has increased by more than 8 times (from 0.96 to 7.80 Gb/mm2) in the recent five years. The increase of word-line (WL) stacking from 24 to 128 layers, the scaling of bits per cell from 2 to 3 bits/cell and 4 bits/cell, and a CMOS under array technology enabled this successful 3-D NAND density scaling. A gate-all-around cell architecture realized excellent reliability and program/read performance by having a large physical cell size and good shielding of cell-to-cell interference. In the newly introduced 3-D NAND devices, several new cell phenomena have been reported. Unique temperature dependence and threshold-voltage instability are observed due to the polysilicon channel. Down-coupling of the floating body and its impact on program disturb and hot electron injection were reported. The cell-to-cell interference is enhanced by the effective gate length modulation due to the no-lightly doped drain (LDD) string architecture. For the future 3-D NAND scaling, WL stacking will continue to be a key driver. In addition, XYZ dimension shrink of the cell will become another key critical scaling direction in order to relieve the cost and device challenges introduced by the WL stacking. Various device and structure solutions for the XYZ cell scaling have been suggested. The good engineering in number of electrons and cell-to-cell interference in the XYZ scaled cell will be critical in order to maintain the excellent reliability and performance of 3-D NAND.
Looking into the dragons of cultural ecosystem services

Cultural ecosystem services research is in a somewhat tumultuous state. The cultural ecosystem services (CES) idea is seen simultaneously as a welcoming, expansive addition to conservation policy-m...
Kepemimpinan Mesianis dalam Pelayanan Gereja

Abstract Jesus Christ as the Mesias came to serve, not to be served. The Mesianic leader is the ministry to serve. The leadership who are willing to sacrifice and give their lives to others. The leadership with stewardship dedicated their live to all people. The leadership based to love and stewardship in every aspect not searching a compliment for what they have done Key word: Mesianic leadership, Church ministry ASBTRAK Yesus Kristus sebagai mesias yang datang untuk melayani dan bukan untuk dilayani. Kepemimpinan mesianis adalah kepemimpinan yang melayani dan bukan untuk dilayani. Kepemimpinan yang rela menderita dan berkorban dan menyerahkan nyawa bagi orang lain. Kepemimpinan yang menghamba yang mendedikasikan hidupnya untuk banyak orang. Kepemimpinan yang mendasarkan kepada kasih dan pengabdian dalam setiap aspek tindakannya dan tidak pernah mencari pujian dan hormat atas apa yang sudah dilakukannya. Kata kunci : Kepemimpinan Mesianis, Pelayanan Gereja
The Macroeconomic Effects of Federal Regulation

We introduce a new measure of the extent of federal regulation in the U.S. and use it to investigate the relationship between federal regulation and macroeconomic performance. We find that regulation has statistically and economically significant effects on aggregate output and the factors that produce it–total factor productivity (TFP), physical capital, and labor. Regulation has caused substantial reductions in the growth rates of both output and TFP and has had effects on the trends in capital and labor that vary over time in both sign and magnitude. Regulation also affects deviations about the trends in output and its factors of production, and the effects differ across dependent variables. Regulation changes the way output is produced by changing the mix of inputs. Changes in regulation and marginal tax rates also offer a straightforward explanation for the productivity slowdown of the 1970s.
Trends in Costs of Birth Hospitalization and Readmissions for Late Preterm Infants

Background: The objective is to study previously unexplored trends of birth hospitalization and readmission costs for late preterm infants (LPIs) in the United States between 2005 and 2016. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of claims data to study healthcare costs of birth hospitalization and readmissions for LPIs compared to term infants (TIs) using a large private insurance database. We used a generalized linear regression model to study birth hospitalization and readmission costs. Results: A total of 2,123,143 infants were examined (93.2% TIs; 6.8% LPIs). The proportion of LPIs requiring readmission was 4.2% compared to 2.1% of TIs, (p < 0.001). The readmission rate for TIs decreased during the study period. LPIs had a higher mean cost of birth hospitalization (25,700 vs. 3300 USD; p < 0.001) and readmissions (25,800 vs. 14,300 USD; p < 0.001). For LPIs, birth hospitalization costs increased from 2007 to 2013, and decreased since 2014. Conversely, birth hospitalization costs of TIs steadily increased since 2005. The West region showed higher birth hospitalization costs for LPIs. Conclusions: LPIs continue to have a higher cost of birth hospitalization and readmission compared to TIs, but these costs have decreased since 2014. Standardization of birth hospitalization care for LPIs may reduce costs and improve quality of care and outcomes.
Yorùbá Sentential Negative Markers

The main claim of this paper is that Yoruba has only four sentential negative markers, kii, ko, kọ and ma, contrary to a traditional assumption that there are six of them (Fabunmi 2013). It is argued that these markers can be subcategorized into two morphemes: the k-morpheme and the ma-morpheme. The k- and ma-morphemes are distinguished based on mood. The k-morpheme is used in realis mood while the ma-morpheme is used in irrealis mood. Kii, ko, and kọ, which are taken to be allomorphs of the k-morpheme, are distinguished based on aspect and focus. It is shown that when the SN markers occur in a different modal-aspectual environment, this generally gives rise to the kind of form-interpretation mismatches described for functional items in Carlson (2006).
Lightweight High-Voltage Power Converters for Electroaerodynamic Propulsion

Recent studies in electroaerodynamic (EAD) propulsion have stimulated the need for lightweight power converters providing outputs at tens of kilovolts and hundreds of watts [2] – [4] . This article demonstrates a design of a lightweight high-voltage converter operating from a 160–225 V dc input and providing dc output of up to 565 W at 40 kV. It operates at around 500 kHz and achieves a specific power of 1.15 kW $\cdot {\text{kg}}^{-1}$ . High-voltage converters generally comprise an inverter, a step-up transformer, and a rectifier, with the large needed voltage gain distributed among these stages. Several means of realizing these stages are compared in terms of weight. The weight of the converter is minimized by properly selecting and optimizing the design and the voltage gain of each stage within the constraints of device limitations and losses. A prototype circuit is developed based on this approach and used to drive an EAD propulsion system for an unmanned aerial vehicle. Moreover, this article also presents approaches to further improve the specific power of such converters, including better diode utilization and more flexible high-voltage transformer design. In addition to addressing the needs for EAD, this research can potentially benefit the development of lightweight high-voltage converters in many other applications, where weight and size are important.
Transgender healthcare and quality of life is under attack in the US

Transgender healthcare and quality of life are under attack in the US. With as many as 30 states considering bans to participating in interscholastic athletics, and several other states proposing a...
High-dose IL-2/CD25 fusion protein amplifies vaccine-induced CD4+ and CD8+ neoantigen-specific T cells to promote antitumor immunity.

Background Immunization with tumor neoantigens is a promising vaccine approach to promote antitumor immunity due to their high immunogenicity, lack of expression in normal tissue, and preferential induction of tumor neoantigen-specific T cells, which are central mediators of the anti-cancer response. A drawback to targeting tumor neoantigen-specific T cells is that these cells are found at a low frequency in patients with cancer, limiting their therapeutic benefit. Interleukin-2 (IL-2) promotes expansion and persistence of tumor-reactive T cells. However, its clinical use has been hampered by toxicities arising from its multiple cellular targets. Thus, new engineered IL-2 receptor (IL-2R) agonists with distinctive cell type selectivity have been designed to harness the potential of IL-2 for tumor immunotherapy. Methods We investigated the potential to amplify neoantigen-specific CD4+ and CD8+ T cell immune responses to promote antitumor immunity through vaccination with tumor neoantigens. Following T cell receptor (TCR)-mediated induction of the high-affinity IL-2R on these T cells, amplification of the neoantigen-specific T cell response was achieved using a high dose of the mouse IL-2/CD25 (mIL-2/CD25) fusion protein, an IL-2R agonist with more favorable pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics than IL-2 and selectivity toward the high-affinity IL-2R. Results Administration of a high dose of mIL-2/CD25 shortly after antigen-dependent induction of the high-affinity IL-2R amplified the numbers and function of TCR transgenic tumor-reactive tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) CD4+ T cells, leading to antitumor immunity to B16-F10 melanoma. This approach was adapted to amplify endogenous polyclonal B16-F10 neoantigen-specific T cells. Maximal expansion of these cells required prime/boost neoantigen vaccinations, where mIL-2/CD25 was optimal when administered only after the boosting steps. The ensuing mIL-2/CD25-driven immune response supported antitumor immunity to B16-F10 and was more effective than treatment with a similar amount of IL-2. Optimal antitumor effects required amplification of CD4+ and CD8+ neoantigen-specific T cells. High-dose mIL-2/CD25 supported a tumor microenvironment with higher numbers of CD4+ and CD8+ T effectors cells with increased granzyme B expression and importantly a more robust expansion of neoantigen-specific T cells. Conclusion These results indicate that neoantigen-based vaccines are optimized by potentiating IL-2R signaling in CD4+ and CD8+ neoantigen-reactive T cells by using high-dose mIL-2/CD25, leading to more effective tumor clearance.
The Surface Impedance of Metals in a Weak Magnetic Field

The surface impedance of a metal single crystal at low temperature and microwave frequency exhibits rapid variations with magnetic field. The resistance derivative maxima and minima that we observe (Fig. 1) occur in a range of magnetic fields below those necessary for the observation of cyclotron resonance. In this weak magnetic field regime the electron mean free path is insufficient for the completion of cyclotron orbits. The low field effect has been observed in tin,1,2 aluminum, indium,2 cadmium,2 and tungsten,3 but on the other hand, is notably absent in copper,4 silver,5 sodium,6 and potassium.6
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration

The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) directs the National Marine Sanctuary Program (NMSP), through its Office of Ocean and Coastal Resources Management (OCRM). There are presently 13 national marine sanctuaries, most of which are known or believed to contain both submerged prehistoric archaeological remains and historic shipwrecks.
Chapter 22. Drugs and Deterrence of Alcohol Consumption

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on studies of drug therapy for deterring alcohol intake in the chronic alcoholic. First advocated as a therapeutic aid in alcoholism in 1948, disulfiram continues to occupy a role as an adjunct to psycnotherapy and behavior therapy. It is generally accepted that disulfiram acts by blocking aldehyde dehydrogenase, causing a toxic elevation of circulating acetaldehyde when alcohol is consumed. The antidiabetic sulfonylureas, for example, chlorpropamide and tolbutamide, comprise another structural class which interacts with alcohol to produce a mild disulfiram-like reaction. Accumulation of acetaldehyde has been observed after tolbutamide and alcohol in man, and after chlorpropamide and alcohol in rats. Both sulfonylureas enhance the vasodepressor responses of exogenous acetaldehyde in cats, supporting the inference of decreased metabolism of acetaldehyde. These experiments suggest inhibition of hepatic aldehyde dehydrogenase, however, only weak in vitro inhibition was found. Deterring capabilities of metronidazole, butyraldoxime, and some other drugs for alcohol consumption were also analyzed in some studies.
The Black Gum Well

The writing of the novel as a creative thesis in American literature was a special project approved by the English department of Eastern Kentucky University. Beyond the university's departmental requirements in the course of study for a a Master of English in American literature, I did an independent study of creative writing texts recommended by the creative writing department at Easter Kentucky University. I attended three summer workshops at the Hindman Settlement School Writer's Workshop, Hindman, Kentucky, with classes under professors/authors Robert Morgan, Gurney Norman, Lee Smith and other noted others. My undergraduate study of the English novel and my graduate study of the American novel gave me a strong base for construction a novel. Two Kentucky authors, George Ella Lyon and Anne Shelby reviewed the manuscript prior to submission to the English department and deemed the novel as appropriate for a creative thesis in American literature. The graduate committee of Dr. Paula Kopacz, chair, Dr. Harry Brown, published Kentucky poet and Dr. Sherry Robinson, published novelist. The result of the study allowed me to experience a combination of creative writing and analytical writing. I was able to bring together a unique academic project of applying critical theory not only to the works of various noted American authors but also to my own work.
Freya Johnson and Lynda Mugglestone, eds., Samuel Johnson: The Arc of the Pendulum

Review by Jack Lynch (Rutgers-Newark) of Freya Johnson and Lynda Mugglestone, eds., Samuel Johnson: The Arc of the Pendulum . Oxford: Oxford University Press, 2012. Pp. 226. £35. ISBN 9780199654345.
Detecting Communication Protocol Security Flaws by Formal Fuzz Testing and Machine Learning

Network-based fuzz testing has become an effective mechanism to ensure the security and reliability of communication protocol systems. However, fuzz testing is still conducted in an ad-hoc manner with considerable manual effort, which is mainly due to the unavailability of protocol model. In this paper we present our on-going work of developing an automated and measurable protocol fuzz testing approach that uses a formally synthesized approximate formal protocol specification to guide the testing process. We adopt the Finite State Machine protocol model and study two formal methods for protocol synthesis: an active black-box checking algorithm that has provable optimality and a passive trace minimization algorithm that is less accurate but much more efficient. We also present our preliminary results of using this method to implementations of the MSN instant messaging protocol: MSN clients Gaim (pidgin) and aMSN. Our testing reveals some serious reliability and security flaws by automatically crashing both of them.
Allele- and Locus-Specific Recognition of Class I MHC Molecules by the Immunomodulatory E3-19K Protein from Adenovirus

The E3-19K protein from human adenoviruses (Ads) retains class I MHC molecules in the endoplasmic reticulum. As a consequence, the cell surface expression of class I molecules is suppressed, allowing Ads to evade immune surveillance. Using native gel electrophoresis, gel filtration chromatography, and surface plasmon resonance, we show that a soluble form of the Ad type 2 (Ad2) E3-19K protein associates with HLA-A and -B molecules; equilibrium dissociation constants were in the nanomolar range and ∼2.5-fold higher affinity for HLA-A (-A*0201, -A*0301, -A*1101, -A*3301, and -Aw*6801) relative to HLA-B (-B*0702 and -B*0801) molecules. Among the alleles of the HLA-A locus examined, HLA-A*3101 associated ∼15-fold less avidly with soluble E3-19K. Soluble E3-19K interacted only very weakly with HLA-Cw*0304, and no interaction with HLA-Cw*0401 could be detected under identical conditions. Site-directed mutagenesis and flow cytometry demonstrated that MHC residue 56 plays a critical role in the association and endoplasmic reticulum retention of HLA-A molecules by E3-19K. This delineates the spatial environment around residue 56 as a putative E3-19K interaction surface on class I molecules. Overall, our data imply that a link may exist between host genetic factors and the susceptibility of individuals to Ad infections.
Differential effects of IH636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extract and a DNA repair modulator 4-aminobenzamide on liver microsomal cytochrome 4502E1-dependent aniline hydroxylation.

Previous studies from our laboratories have linked the protective abilities of IH636 grape seed proanthocyanidin extract (GSPE) with inactivation of anti-apoptotic gene bcl-XL, and modification of several other critical molecular targets such as DNA-damage/DNA-repair, lipid peroxidation and intracellular Ca2+ homeostasis. Especially, GSPE provided dramatic protection against acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity, significantly increased bcl-XL expression in the liver [1], and antagonized both necrotic and apoptotic deaths of liver cells in vivo. However, it was not clear from this study whether anti-apoptogenic and anti-necrotic effects of GSPE were: (i) due to its interference with endonuclease activity, (ii) due to its antioxidant effect, or, (iii) due to its ability to inhibit microsomal drug metabolizing enzyme(s), such as CYP-4502E1. Since CYP-4502E1 primarily metabolizes acetaminophen in mice and rats, this study specifically focused on CYP-4502E1's catalytic activity in vitro. Overall this investigation compared the in vitro aniline hydroxylation patterns of: (i) in vivo GSPE-exposed and unexposed (control) mouse liver microsomes, (ii) induced (1% acetone in drinking water for 3 days) and uninduced rat liver microsomes in the presence and absence of GSPE in vitro, and (iii) control rat liver microsomes in the presence of an anti-APAP agent 4-aminobenzamide (4-AB) in vitro. For the in vivo assessment, male B6C3F1 mice were fed GSPE diet (ADI 100 mg/kg body wt) for 4 weeks, and liver microsomes were isolated from both control and GSPE-fed mice for aniline hydroxylation, a specific marker of CYP-4502E1 activity. Data show that hydroxylation was 40% less in microsomes from GSPE-exposed livers compared to control microsomes. Similarly, when rat liver microsomes were incubated with various concentrations of GSPE in vitro (100 and 250 μg/ml), aniline hydroxylation was inhibited to various degrees (uninduced: 40 and 60% and induced: 25 and 50%, respectively with 100 and 250 μg/ml). Influence of GSPE on hydroxylation patterns were compared with another hepatoprotective agent 4-aminobenzamide (4-AB), a well-known modulator of nuclear enzyme poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, and the data shows that 4-AB did not alter aniline hydroxylation at all. Collectively, these results may suggest that GSPE has the ability to inhibit CYP-4502E1, and this is an additional cytoprotective attribute, in conjunction with its novel antioxidant and/or antiendonucleolytic potential.
Peanut glutamate dehydrogenase: A target site of herbicide action

Germination of peanut seeds in 5 mM N-(phosphonomethyl) glycine isopropylamide, 1, 2-dihydro-3, 6-pyridazinedione (maleic hydrazide), glyphosate, and isopropylamine solutions induced stress response reactions and the release of 24–100 µmol NH4 + per 50 g of seed, with consequent differential suppression of the subunits of glutamate dehydrogenase (GDH). Changes in the GDH isomerization suggested an interaction of the herbicides with the enzyme with consequent increases in the Michaelis constants (Km) from 7.7 mM in the control to 45.0, 50.0 and 77.0 mM NH4 + in the glyphosate, maleic hydrazide, and glyphosate isopropylamide treatments respectively.
Effect of length of controlled ovarian hyperstimulation using a gonadotropin-releasing hormone antagonist on in vitro fertilization pregnancy rates.

Objective: To compare pregnancy outcomes between shorter and longer in vitro fertilization (IVF) or intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) cycles using GnRH antagonist protocol. Study design: Retrospective cohort analysis at a large military academic hospital. A total of 351 patients underwent 412 IVF/ICSI cycles using a GnRH antagonist protocol from September 2002 through May 2008. Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates for all IVF/ICSI cycles were compared independently for both total length of ovarian stimulation with gonadotropins ( or = 10 days) and GnRH antagonist use ( or = 4 days), respectively. Results: Clinical pregnancy rates were 54.6% among cycles with total gonadotropin use or = 10 days, odds ratio 0.82 (0.53-1.27); live birth rates were 50.0% vs. 47.7%, odds ratio 0.91 (0.59-1.42). Clinical pregnancy rates were 54.0% among cycles with GnRH antagonist use or = 4 days, odds ratio 0.95 (0.62-1.45); live birth rates were 46.8% vs. 50.4%, odds ratio 1.15 (0.76-1.76). Conclusion: Clinical pregnancy and live birth rates are not adversely affected by longer IVF/ICSI cycles using GnRH antagonists.
Dietary ketosis enhances memory in mild cognitive impairment

We randomly assigned 23 older adults with mild cognitive impairment to either a high carbohydrate or very low carbohydrate diet. Following the 6-week intervention period, we observed improved verbal memory performance for the low carbohydrate subjects (p = 0.01) as well as reductions in weight (p < 0.0001), waist circumference (p < 0.0001), fasting glucose (p = 0.009), and fasting insulin (p = 0.005). Level of depressive symptoms was not affected. Change in calorie intake, insulin level, and weight were not correlated with memory performance for the entire sample, although a trend toward a moderate relationship between insulin and memory was observed within the low carbohydrate group. Ketone levels were positively correlated with memory performance (p = 0.04). These findings indicate that very low carbohydrate consumption, even in the short term, can improve memory function in older adults with increased risk for Alzheimer's disease. While this effect may be attributable in part to correction of hyperinsulinemia, other mechanisms associated with ketosis such as reduced inflammation and enhanced energy metabolism also may have contributed to improved neurocognitive function. Further investigation of this intervention is warranted to evaluate its preventive potential and mechanisms of action in the context of early neurodegeneration.
On the relation between currency depreciation and wages

Devaluation is said to redistribute income from the poor, who have a high Marginal Propensity to Consume (MPC) to the rich, who have a low MPC. Assuming the high MPC group to be unskilled labour and the low MPC group to be skilled labour, we investigate the impact of currency depreciation on skilled and unskilled wage rates by drawing data from 18 countries. While in most countries we found short-run effects, the long-run effects of devaluation on both wage rates were limited to a few countries. Indeed in these countries, devaluation raised the skilled labour wages and reduced unskilled labour wages in the long run as theory dictates.
Psychological and Behavioral Factors Predicting Attendance at a Community-based HIV Prevention Intervention.

To date, virtualiy no research has addressed individuals' characteristics which influence their participation in prevention interventions targeting the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Identification of these characteristics is important, for no intervention is effective if not attended. This study explored stage of condom adoption and selected other psychological and behavioral factors, to determine which of these predicted attendance at a clinic-based HIV intervention. Stage of condom adoption (p = .03) and frequency of drunkenness (p = .05) were significant predictors of attendance for persons with more than one sex partner. For persons with only one sex partner, self-efficacy and outcome expectations were identified. The implications of these findings are discussed.
Growth factor regulation of integrin-mediated cell motility

Cell motility, a primary component of tumor cell invasion, is a continuum of sequential events in which the cell extends pseudopodia, forms nascent attachments, assembles and contracts the cytoskeleton, and finally, as it translocates forward, disengages distal adhesions. What triggers cells to move? Substratum contact mediated by integrin adhesion receptors is important, but other signals such as chemokinetic factors appear to be required for continued crawling. It is now apparent that integrins do not simply bind cells to matrix in a Velcro-like fashion, but also are potent signaling molecules. Initial engagement of integrins induces their condensation into focal contacts, forming anchors to the extracellular matrix and discrete signal-transducing complexes on the cytoplasmic surface. A number of growth factors, through either autocrine or paracrine pathways, can activate the cellular machinery that mobilizes the cell. Thus, these two classes of receptors--the integrin receptors that bind specific extracellular adhesion molecules, and growth factor receptors that bind their respective ligands--can regulate cell locomotion. Not surprisingly, there is 'cross-talk' between integrin and growth factor receptors that occurs through their common intracellular signaling pathways. In this way, each receptor type can either amplify or attenuate the other's signal and downstream response. An example of growth factor-induced motility is the epithelial-mesenchymal transition induced by hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF). When bound to its receptor, the c-met proto-oncogene product, HGF/SF induces a phenotypic conversion that appears to be an important aspect of tumor progression in malignant carcinomas. The motogenic response produced by HGF/SF in carcinoma cells occurs in discrete steps in which integrins and focal adhesion kinase (p125FAK) are first recruited to focal contacts. This is rapidly followed by cell spreading, disruption of focal adhesions and cell-cell contacts, and, finally, cell crawling. The precise mechanism by which growth factors such as HGF/SF and its receptor induce this motogenic response and modulate integrin function has not been clearly defined but appears to involve several signaling pathways. Understanding the process by which growth factor and integrin receptors interact and regulate motility may suggest novel targets for therapeutic intervention.
Induction of cytokine mRNA in peripheral blood mononuclear cells of infants after the first dose of measles vaccine.

To better characterize the cytokine response to measles virus vaccine, we examined the levels of IL-2, IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-12 and γ-interferon (γ-IFN) in measles virus-stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cells from 18 donors before and 2 weeks after vaccination. Donors were grouped as seropositive or seronegative on the basis of measles-specific IgM antibody present at 2 weeks postvaccination. After vaccination, similar levels of upregulation of IL-2 and γ-IFN mRNA were observed in the two groups. The majority of donors in both groups did not exhibit an increase in measles specific IL-4 or IL-10 mRNA after vaccination. IL-12 mRNA was not induced by measles virus in any of the donors. A statistically significant upregulation of IL-5 mRNA was observed among seropositive (9/13) compared with seronegative (1/5) donors after vaccination (P=0.09, one tailed Fisher's test). The observed measles specific induction of IL-5 mRNA is suggestive of a possible association between IL-5 production and an antibody response to measles virus.
Challenges and progress toward a 250 kV, 100 kW plasma ion implantation facility

Abstract Plasma ion implantation (PII) is a large-scale cost-effective technique for modifying the surface properties of materials via omnidirectional ion implantation. The implantation voltage and ion species define the energy-to-ion ratio which, together with the ion dose, determines the effectiveness of an implant in achieving successful tribological improvements in materials. For most metal treatment applications of PII, modest energy-to-ion ratios and high ion doses are required to achieve respectable improvements in hardness and wear life. For example, implantation of N 2 + ions into metal tools and dies via PII at 100 kV (energy-to-ion ratio of 50 keV per N + ion) at a dose of 3×10 17 N + cm −2 can result in an increase of wear life by a factor of -8. In contrast with metals, polymers require high energy-to-ion ratios and low doses to achieve significant improvements in hardness and wear life. For example, ion beam implantation of N + ions into Kapton at 300 kV (energy-to-ion ratio of 300 keV per N + ion) and a dose of 3×10 15 N + cm −2 can increase hardness by a factor of 13. This energy-to-ion ratio is six times higher than that achievable using present PII technology. A provocative question to ask is how this can be achieved in a PII system. Work is under way at the Hughes Research Laboratories (HRL) to address this issue. The approach being used involves first scaling PII voltage technology from 100 to 250 kV, and then implanting doubly and triply charged atomic nitrogen ions at 250 kV to achieve an energy-to-ion ratio range of 500–750 keV per N + ion. To date single-pulse ion implants have been conducted at 250 kV in the HRL PII facility. A plasma source has been built for the production of multiply charged nitrogen ions. A technique for treating non-conducting objects in a PII facility has been developed, and a method of reducing X-ray production in a PII system operating at 250 kV has been investigated.
Synergistic effect of glycine and bacteriocin release protein in the release of periplasmic protein in recombinantE. coli

The synergistic effect of using mitomycin C-induced bacteriocin release protein (BRP) and glycine on cell growth, protein expression and release in a recombinant strain RR1 ofE. coli was investigated. An optimal combination of 50 ng/ml mitomycin C and 0.5% glycine concentration enhanced the release of periplasmic proteins from the cell into the fermentation broth without significantly affecting protein productivity. Under this optimal condition, the percentage of α-amylase released into the broth increased from 7–13% to as much as 78%. The cell growth curve and low extracellular activity of the cytoplasmic protein β-galactosidase show that there is no appreciable cell lysis.
High performance non-line-of-sight identification using MIMO-OFDM space frequency correlation statistics

This paper proposes a non-line-of-sight (NLOS) identification technique that exploits statistics of space-frequency correlation of multi-input multi-output (MIMO) orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) systems. Here, space correlation refers to the correlation across antenna elements and frequency correlation refers to the correlation across subcarriers. In this technique, the mean value and standard deviation of space-frequency correlation over multiple transmit and receive antenna combinations are used to identify NLOS conditions. The technique requires minimal variation of spatial correlation across different multi-path components. The channel model satisfying this requirement is studied and the performance of the proposed technique is investigated.