cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intraday periodicity in algorithmic trading

Abstract This paper documents a stark periodicity in intraday volume and in the number of trades. We find activity in both variables spikes by about 20% at regular intervals of 5 or 10 min throughout the trading day. We speculate this activity is either the result of algorithmic trading influenced by human traders/programmers’ behavioral bias to transact on round time marks, or the result of optimizing algorithms choosing to concentrate their trades in time to take advantage of lower costs. We find evidence supporting the former, not the latter. Measures of transaction costs show no significant change during these spikes. Amihud's measure of price impact also shows no discernable pattern. Additional research is needed to more carefully explain this recurring phenomenon.
Sexuality and somatic incompatibility in Phellinus gilvus

Phellinus gilvus was found to have an out? crossing, bifactorial (tetrapolar) mating system. Two types of heterokaryon formation were evident in in- trabasidiome homokaryon-homokaryon pairings: 1) bidirectional nuclear migration resulting in the for? mation of a single heterokaryotic thallus, and 2) re? stricted nuclear migration with a heterokaryon formed only in the interaction zone between the paired homo? karyotic colonies. The mating system of P. gilvus is multiallelic; pairings between homokaryotic isolates from different basidiomes were always compatible with bidirectional nuclear migration. One heterozygous lo? cus had major effects on somatic incompatibility re? actions among progeny from two studied fruiting bod? ies. This was supported by the observation that pair? ings among sets of heterokaryons composed of one common nonsibling nucleus and the other sib-related resulted in two somatic incompatibility groups, while pairings among sibling heterokaryons resulted in three groups. The sexual compatibility loci were separate from the somatic incompatibility loci and no linkage was found between them.
The color appearance of stimuli detected via short-wavelength-sensitive cones for breast cancer survivors using tamoxifen

This study compared color appearance data for two populations of middle-aged women: (1) women using the selective estrogen receptor modulator tamoxifen as adjuvant therapy following successful treatment for early-stage breast cancer, and (2) healthy amenorrheic (peri- or post-menopausal) control subjects not using any hormonally acting medications. A 3-alternative forced-response paradigm (with "blue", "lavender", or "white" as the allowable responses) was used for assessing the perceived color of 440-nm foveal test stimuli superimposed on a larger 3.6 log td 580-nm background. In contrast to the control subjects, the majority of tamoxifen users described the test stimuli as "white", whether at threshold or slightly suprathreshold. Threshold-sensitivity measurements themselves appeared less effective for distinguishing between subject groups. The results show that a simple color-naming procedure can reveal alterations of foveal short-wavelength-sensitive cone-mediated visual function that are common among tamoxifen users.
Effect of skew on join performance in parallel architectures

Skew in the distribution of values taken by an attribute is identified as a major factor that can affect the performance of parallel architectures for relational joins. The effect of skew on the performance of two parallel architectures is evaluated using analytic models. In one architecture, called database machine (DBMC), data as well as processing power are distributed; while in the other architecture, called Single Processor Parallel Input/output (SPPI), data is distributed but the processing power is concentrated in one processor. The two architectures are compared in terms of the ratio of MIPS used by DBMC and SPPI to deliver the same throughput and response time. In addition, the horizontal growth potential of DBMC is evaluated in terms of maximum speedup achievable by DBMC relative to SPPI response time. The MIPS ratio as well as speedup are found to be very sensitive to the amount of skew. These suggest, careful thought should be given in parallelizing database applications and in the design of algorithms and query optimizer for parallel architectures.
Slow light and matched pulses in four-wave mixing

We have observed a very clean slow light effect and matched pulse propagation in nondegenerate four-wave mixing in hot atomic vapor. Locking between probe and conjugate pulses gives some insight in the nonlinear dynamics.
Reflections: historical cheesecakes ...

Enter 3747 Ridge Avenue in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in your GPS systems next time you visit the Philadelphia area for you would be directed to a produce market of historic significance. The building that used to house Eckert & Mauchly Computer Company in the late 1940's has been revived as a produce market to help revitalize a blighted neighborhood on the banks of the Schyulkill River. But don't just poke your head out of your car window to take a picture of the historical marker and drive away. Pull inside, and take a look at the murals decorating the walls. Order a cheesesteak from one of the food counters and spend some time discussing the inner workings of the UNIVAC 1 and its role in the first ever computerized prediction of election result.
Quantitative estimation of newly synthesized radioactive proteins: Use of minicolumns of antibody embedded in agarose gel or immobilized on Sepharose

Abstract Immunochemical methods for the quantitative determination of radioactive proteins synthesized by chick embryo hepatocyte cultures are described. Cell culture medium containing secreted labeled serum proteins was concentrated and applied to agarose gels containing rabbit anti-chicken serum. Nonspecific binding in control gels was reduced to less than 2% of applied counts under conditions where more than 60% of the nondialyzable counts were precipitated in the presence of antibody. Labeled cytosol fructose-1,6-bisphosphatase (Fru-P2ase) from cell sonicates was selectively adsorbed onto columns containing Sepharose-immobilized anti-chicken liver Fru-P2ase. Radioactivity bound on these columns was eluted with 1% sodium dodecyl sulfate for electrophoretic analysis. Addition of dialyzed horse serum was used in both cases to minimize nonspecific binding. These techniques provide simple alternatives to direct immunoprecipitations in solution where nonspecific binding of radioactivity may be unacceptably high.
Testicular morphology in the 47XXY fetus at 16 weeks gestation

The testis from two 47XXY fetuses (20 weeks) revealed histologic features not dissimilar from that observed in a normal 46XY fetus of similar gestational age. These findings support the observation that the loss of germ cells in patients with Klinefelter's syndrome is an event which begins in infancy and not in utero and progresses through early childhood and the prepubertal period. At puberty germinal aplasia may be complete with clinical evidence of testicular atrophy.
The Thermodynamic Transformation of the Tropical Subcloud Layer by Precipitation and Downdrafts

Abstract The transformation by precipitation of the well-mixed subcloud layer into a new structure which is nearly wet adiabatic and has a lower moist static energy is presented. A simple two-layer model is used to show that the precipitating convection appears to strip off the subcloud layer which ascends in updrafts, and to replace it with an equal layer of air from just above cloud base, which descends in downdrafts associated with the evaporation of falling rain. The mean transformation is presented, and the incorporation of the results into a parametric model of the transformation of the subcloud layer is discussed.
Kinetic Analyses of Calcium Movements in Cell Cultures. IV. Effects of Phosphate and Parathyroid Hormone in Kidney Cells

Several parameters of calcium and phosphate transport were measured in kidney cells at different medium phosphate concentrations and in the presence of PTH. Raising the medium phosphate from 0 to 10 mM increases calcium influx, the exchangeable calcium pool and the total cell calcium. The stimulation of calcium influx by PTH is obtained even in phosphatefree medium, whereas the expansion of the calcium pool cannot be obtained in the absence of external phosphate. PTH has no effect on the steady state phosphate influx and on the exchangeable phosphate pool. On the other hand, the total cell phosphate is increased by PTH but this effect is obtained only if calcium is present in the medium. Thus, the stimulation of calcium influx by PTH is independent of phosphate and is one of the primary effects of the hormone. (Endocrinology 86: 1389, 1970)
Prediction of Diffuser Core Flow Fluctuations due to Oscillating Turbulent Flow

Theoretical consideration of the time-dependent diffuser core flow, involving two limiting models (high frequency and low frequency) for the time-dependent effective core flow area results in predictions for decay of the first harmonic core velocity and wall pressure amplitudes with streamwise distance. In order to predict these decays, it is only necessary to specify time mean core flow, and either time-dependent diffuser inlet or exit conditions. The theoretical models are compared with experiments for diffuser inlet conditions spanning a decade of dimensionless frequencies. The high-frequency model best predicts the decay of core velocity fluctuations and wall pressure fluctuations in the streamwise direction. A backward calculation scheme, which uses diffuser exit conditions as initial conditions, enables good prediction of the fluctuating wall pressure when the diffuser exit exhausts into the atmosphere. An order of magnitude analysis yields a simple expression for decay of the core velocity fluctuations when the dimensionless frequency is approximately unity.Copyright © 1976 by ASME
Blocking the A Priori Passage

I defend the claim that physicalism is not committed to the view that non-phenomenal macrophysical truths are a priori entailed by the conjunction of microphysical truths (P), basic indexical facts (I), and a 'that's all' claim (T). I do so by showing that Chalmers and Jackson's most popular and influential argument in support of the claim that PIT ⊃ M is a priori, where 'M' stands for any ordinary, non-phenomenal, macroscopic truth, falls short of establishing its conclusion. My objection to Chalmers and Jackson's argument takes the form of a nested dilemma. Let 'Conceptual Competence Principle (CCP)' stand for the following claim: for any complete microphysical description D of a world w, a subject who is in possession of and competent with a macrophysical concept C is capable of determining a priori the extension of C. Either Jackson and Chalmers accept CCP or not. If the latter, then they cannot demonstrate that the conditional PIT ⊃ M is a priori. If the former, then they have a choice: they can either cite reasons that support the principle or argue that the principle should be taken for granted since it is entailed by the very notion of conceptual competence. But both alternatives are problematic. In regard to the first horn of this latter dilemma, I show not only that there are no good reasons to support the principle, but that there are also reasons to reject it. In regard to the second horn, I show that it cannot be the case that CCP is part of the very notion of conceptual competence. The conceptual capacity expressed by CCP requires that certain bridge principles or conditionals, which link the microphysical level to the macroscopic level, are either implicitly or explicitly given to the subject. But, as I argue, Chalmers and Jackson have no way of accounting for these bridge principles or conditionals in a manner that does not trivialize their position.
Neural-immune interface in the rat area postrema.

The area postrema functions as one interface between the immune system and the brain. Immune cells within the area postrema express immunoreactivity for the pro-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-1β following challenge with immune stimulants, including lipopolysaccharide (from bacterial cell walls). As a circumventricular organ, the area postrema accesses circulating immune-derived mediators, but also receives direct primary viscerosensory signals via the vagus nerve. Neurons in the area postrema contribute to central autonomic network neurocircuitry implicated in brain-mediated host defense responses. These experiments were directed toward clarifying relationships between immune cells and neurons in the area postrema, with a view toward potential mechanisms by which they may communicate. We used antisera directed toward markers indicating microglia (CR3/CD11b; OX-42), resident macrophages (CD163; ED-2), or dendritic cell-like phenotypes (major histocompability complex class II; OX-6), in area postrema sections from lipopolysaccharide-treated rats processed for light, laser scanning confocal, and electron microscopy. Lipopolysaccharide treatment induced interleukin-1β-like immunoreactivity in immune cells that either associated with the vasculature (perivascular cells, a subtype of macrophage) or associated with neuronal elements (dendritic-like, and unknown phenotype). Electron microscopic analysis revealed that some immune cells, including interleukin-1β-positive cells, evinced membrane apposition with neuronal elements, including dendrites and terminals, that could derive from inputs to the area postrema such as vagal sensory fibers, or intrinsic area postrema neurons. This arrangement provides an anatomical substrate by which immune cells could directly and specifically influence individual neurons in the area postrema, that may support the induction and/or maintenance of brain responses to inflammation.
The closure of a lattice-ordered permutation group

Let \( (G,\mit\Omega) \) be an l-permutation group, with \( \mit\Omega \) a chain and \( \bar{\mit\Omega} \) its Dedekind completion. The gate completion \( (G^:,\bar{\mit\Omega}) \) consists of the elements of the automorphism group \( A(\bar{\mit\Omega}) \) which can be "gated" by elements of G, or equivalently, which respect the "tyings" (roughly, equality of stabilizer subgroups) of \( (G,\mit\Omega) \) [7].In this sequel we find that \( (G^:,\bar{\mit\Omega}) \) and its variant \( (G^{o:},\bar{\mit\Omega}) \) have order closed stabilizer subgroups, making \( G^: \) and \( G^{o:} \) completely distributive l-groups. The order closure of Gin \( A(\bar{\mit\Omega}) \) turns out to be \( G^{o:} \). Moreover, the elements of \( G^{o:} \) (and of \( G^: \)) can be readily constructed from those of G. Every \( h \in G^{o:} \) can be written as¶¶\( h = \bigvee \limits _i \bigwedge \limits _j \bigvee \limits _k g_{ijk}\qquad (g_{ijk} \in G) \)¶¶When \( \mit\Omega \) is countable, this can be improved to say that \( h = \bigvee \limits _i \bigwedge \limits _j g_{ij}\qquad (g_{ij} \in G) \)¶¶These results illuminate several of the standard completions of abstract completely distributive l-groups. The proofs use the structure theory of l-permutation groups to focus on the constraints imposed by tyings.
Theorizing language contact, spread, and variation in status planning: A case study of Modern Standard Chinese

A theoretical model, managed community second language acquisition (SLA), is proposed to provide a comprehensive view of nine studies of language contact, spread, variation, and attitudes of Chinese, which are shaped by nearly a century of language planning. The model has been reformulated on the basis of the individual SLA modle and it is intended to make the notions of macroacquisition and planning acquisition operational. It has two linguistic factors (input and output) and two sociolinguistic factors (language identity and language marketability) that can be managed or manipulated in status planning. The two sociolinguistic factors, language identity and marketability, appear to have played the most significant roles in language spread, variation, and attitudes in status planning, at least in China. This model also serves as the basis to make a theoretical distinction between interference and borrowing, a distinction that helps to sort out the consequences of language contact and provides indexes of language shift under status planning conditions.
Simultaneous grain boundary migration and grain rotation

The energy of a polycrystalline network can be reduced by both grain boundary migration and grain rotation. We perform a series of molecular dynamics (MD) simulations of a circular grain embedded in an otherwise single-crystal matrix and monitor both the grain size and the misorientation of the two grains as a function of time. The MD simulations show that grain boundary migration and grain rotation occur simultaneously. The grains rotate toward local minima or cusps in the grain boundary energy versus misorientation plots. The rate of rotation decreases with increasing grain size. The boundary migration rate is a maximum at the orientations corresponding to cusps in the boundary energy. We use the MD results to fit parameters in a sharp interface limit of a phase field model of simultaneous grain boundary migration and grain rotation. With this parameterization, the phase field model is able to reproduce simultaneously the time dependence of the grain size and misorientation of the initially circular grain. The MD simulations are consistent with the phase field prediction of the grain size dependence of the rotation rate. The implications of the results for grain growth are discussed.
Distance measurements in cardiac troponin C.

Abstract Intramolecular distance measurements were made in cardiac troponin C (cTnC) by fluorescence energy transfer using Eu3+ or Tb3+ as energy donors and Nd3+ or an organic chromophore as acceptors. The laser-induced luminescence of bound Eu3+ is quenched in Eu1-Nd1cTnC with a lifetime of 0.328 ms, compared with 0.43 ms for Eu2cTnC. The enhanced decay corresponds to an energy transfer efficiency of 0.25, or a distance of 1.1 nm between the two high affinity sites. We have also labeled cTnC with 4-dimethylaminophenylazophenyl-4′-maleimide (DAB-Mal) at the two cysteine residues (Cys-35 and Cys-84). Energy transfer measurements were carried out between Tb3+ bound to the high affinity sites and the labels attached to the domain containing the low affinity site. Upon uv irradiation at pH 6.7, Tb1cTnC dab emits tyrosine-sensitized Tb3+ luminescence that decays biexponentially with lifetimes of 1.29 and 0.76 ms. The shorter lifetime is ascribed to energy transfer from Tb3+ to the DAB labels, yielding an average distance of 3.4 nm between the donor and the acceptors. At pH 5.0, however, the luminescence decays exclusively with a single lifetime of 1.31 ms, suggesting that under these conditions all Tb3+ ions are more than 5.2 nm away from the label. Thus cTnC, like skeletal TnC, undergoes a pH-dependent conformational transition which converts an elongated structure at lower pH's to a rather compact conformation in a more physiological medium.
The Effects of Platelet-Rich Plasma on Tendon and Ligament: Basic Science and Clinical Application

The introduction of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a possible adjunct to conservative and operative treatment has motivated significant research in the topic. Platelet growth factors within alpha granules are released upon activation. These growth factors regulate and enhance tendon healing, so an increase in platelet concentration at the site of injury would hypothetically increase the healing response. Laboratory and animal studies have shown encouraging results in the role and effect of PRP on tendon healing. Animal studies also show an increased strength of tendon repairs augmented with PRP. However, clinical trials have been less consistent. Some show an improvement in pain control and return to function, whereas others show no difference compared to controls. The purpose of this review was to describe the biology and clinical outcomes of PRP treatment of tendon and ligament injuries.
A system for measuring bottom profile, waves and currents in the high-energy nearshore environment

Abstract A new data-acquisition system capable of measuring waves, currents and the nearshore profile in breaking waves as high as 5 m has been developed and successfully field-tested. Components of the mechanical system are a sled carrying a vertical mast, a double-drum winch placed landward of the beach, and a line that runs from one drum of the winch around three blocks, which are the corners of a right triangle, to the other drum of the winch. The sled is attached to the shore-normal side of the triangular line arrangement and is pulled offshore by one drum of the winch and onshore by the other. The profile is measured as the sled is towed along the shore-normal transect using an infrared rangefinder mounted landward of the winch and optical prisms mounted on top of the sled's mast. A pressure sensor and two-axis electromagnetic current meter are mounted on the frame of the sled. These data are encoded on the sled and telemetered to a receiving/recording station onshore. Preliminary results suggest that near-bottom offshore-flowing currents during periods of high-energy swell are important in forcing changes to the configuration of the nearshore profile.
Oxidative Phenotype Protects Myofibers from Pathological Insults Induced by Chronic Heart Failure in Mice

The fiber specificity of skeletal muscle abnormalities in chronic heart failure (CHF) has not been defined. We show here that transgenic mice (8 weeks old) with cardiac-specific overexpression of calsequestrin developed CHF (50.9% decrease in fractional shortening and 56.4% increase in lung weight, P < 0.001), cachexia (37.8% decrease in body weight, P < 0.001), and exercise intolerance (69.3% decrease in running distance to exhaustion, P < 0.001) without a significant change in muscle fiber-type composition. Slow oxidative soleus muscle maintained muscle mass, whereas fast glycolytic tibialis anterior and plantaris muscles underwent atrophy (11.6 and 13.3%, respectively; P < 0.05). In plantaris muscle, glycolytic type IId/x and IIb, but not oxidative type I and IIa, fibers displayed significant decreases in cross-sectional area (20.3%, P < 0.05). Fast glycolytic white vastus lateralis muscle showed sarcomere degeneration and decreased cytochrome c oxidase IV (39.5%, P < 0.01) and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ co-activator 1α protein expression (30.3%, P < 0.01) along with a dramatic induction of the MAFbx/Atrogin-1 mRNA. These findings suggest that exercise intolerance can occur in CHF without fiber type switching in skeletal muscle and that oxidative phenotype renders myofibers resistant to pathological insults induced by CHF.
Nitrogen efflux from the sediments of a subtropical bay and the potential contribution to macroalgal nutrient requirements.

Abstract The concentration of dissolved inorganic nitrogen (DIN) in the porewaters of shallow-water tropical marine sediments can be as high as 50–100 μM, at sediment depths of shallow as 20 cm. These concentrations are at least two-orders of magnitude greater than the DIN concentration in the overlying water. High porewater concentrations, and the resulting concentration gradient, result in substantial efflux of DIN from the sediments to the water column. This sediment-derived DIN may be an important nutrient source for benthic algae. In Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii, a mean ammonium efflux rate of 490 μmol m−2 day−1 and a mean nitrate+nitrite efflux rate of 123 μmol m−2 day−1 were measured on reef slopes in the habitat occupied by benthic algae. It has been demonstrated that this nutrient source is essential for the growth of at least one abundant alga, Dictyosphaeria cavernosa, and possibly others. The DIN concentrations in Kaneohe Bay sediment porewaters, and the rates of DIN efflux from those sediments, are greater than porewater concentrations and efflux rates reported for other, more pristine tropical sites. The rate of sedimentation of particulate nitrogen is similar to rates reported from other tropical lagoons, and about twice as high as the efflux rate of total dissolved nitrogen. Given the present low nutrient concentrations in the water column of the Bay, these results support the view that nutrient efflux from the benthos is in part responsible for the persistence of D. cavernosa on these reefs. It is possible that efflux of DIN from sediments may be responsible for sustained benthic algal productivity in similar habitats on other tropical reefs.
Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japanese guidebooks

Abstract This study investigates the presentations of Hiroshima and Nagasaki as postwar tourism destinations in a selection of Japanese-language guidebooks. Comparison is made between commonly voiced criticisms of Japanese attitudes toward the two atom-bombed sites and the tourism activities suggested by the publications themselves. An expected presentation emphasizing Japanese suffering as a result of the atom bombs is not found in the guides, but neither is an openness to discussion of the war. The conclusions reached find Hiroshima standing as emblematic of the rebuilding nation as a whole, while Nagasaki remains largely outside of the social and cultural dynamics of postwar Japan.
EFFECTIVENESS OF COUNSEL: AN EMPIRICAL ANALYSIS

Abstract There is an evolving body of case law and legal commentary that addresses the effectiveness of counsel issue as criminal defendants now challenge not the absence but the adequacy of representation. The present study poses questions to defense attorneys about their performance at the sentencing disposition stage of criminal proceedings. Using relevant American Bar Association Standards For Criminal Justice as the criteria of effective representation, a comparison is made between public defenders and private attorneys. From our analysis, we conclude that private attorneys and public defenders differed significantly on only one criterion for effective representation—explaining alternative sentencing dispositions to the client. On this dimension, private attorneys conformed more closely to the ABA standards than public defenders.
Witness of intimate partner violence in childhood and perpetration of intimate partner violence in adulthood.

BACKGROUND:: At least half a million women are victims of intimate partner violence in the United States annually, resulting in substantial harm. However, the etiology of violence to intimate partners is not well understood. Witnessing such violence in childhood has been proposed as a principal cause of adulthood perpetration, yet it remains unknown whether the association between witnessing intimate partner violence and adulthood perpetration is causal. METHOD:: We conducted a propensity-score analysis of intimate partner violence perpetration to determine whether childhood witnessing is associated with perpetration in adulthood, independent of a wide range of potential confounding variables, and therefore might be a causal factor. We used data from 14,564 U.S. men ages 20 and older from the 2004-2005 wave of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions. RESULTS:: Nearly 4% of men reported violent behavior toward an intimate partner in the past year. In unadjusted models, we found a strong association between childhood witnessing of intimate partner violence and adulthood perpetration (for witnessing any intimate partner violence, risk ratio [RR] = 2.6 [95% confidence interval = 2.1-3.2]; for witnessing frequent or serious violence, 3.0 [2.3-3.9]). In propensity-score models, the association was substantially attenuated (for witnessing any intimate partner violence, adjusted RR = 1.6 [1.2-2.0]; for witnessing frequent or serious violence, 1.6 [1.2-2.3]). CONCLUSIONS:: Men who witness intimate partner violence in childhood are more likely to commit such acts in adulthood, compared with men who are otherwise similar with respect to a large range of potential confounders. Etiological models of intimate partner violence perpetration should consider a constellation of childhood factors. Language: en
Deficiency of Vitamin B12 in Chlorella

Repeated systematic attempts to detect vitamin B 12 in two species of Chlorella at different times during the culture growth period failed to reveal consistent or significant evidence of B 12 or B 12 -like activity. The results are discussed in terms of other reports in the literature.
MMP-9 Silencing Regulates hTERT Expression via β1 Integrin-mediated FAK Signaling and Induces Senescence in Glioma Xenograft Cells

In more than 90% of cancers including glioma, telomere elongation reverse transcriptase (hTERT) is overexpressed. In the present study, we sought to explore whether matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) shRNA could alter hTERT-mediated proliferation in glioma cells. MMP-9 shRNA induced senescence and apoptosis in glioma cells by inhibiting hTERT expression and telomere activity. MMP-9 silencing decreased oncogenic c-Myc expression (hTERT activator), whereas the expression of the c-Myc antagonist MAD increased drastically (hTERT repressor); both c-Myc and MAD are transcription factors for hTERT. In addition, MMP-9 suppression turns the switch from c-Myc/MAX to MAD/MAX heterodimer binding to the hTERT promoter as determined by chromatin immunoprecipitation assay. We also show that silencing MAD via siRNA restored hTERT expression and inhibited senescence in glioma cells. MMP-9 transcriptional suppression decreased the expression of FAK, phospho FAK and β1 integrin in glioma xenograft cells. Further, MMP-9 suppression decreased the interaction of β1 integrin/FAK and also MMP-9/β1 integrin as confirmed by immunoprecipitation analysis. Studies with either function blocking β1 integrin or FAK shRNA indicate that suppression of MMP-9 decreased β1 integrin-mediated induction of FAK, which led to decreased hTERT expression. Moreover, 4910 and 5310 glioma xenograft tissue sections from mice treated with MMP-9 shRNA showed reduced expression of FAK/c-Myc and elevated MAD levels. Decreased co-localization of β1 integrin and MMP-9 was associated with MMP-9-suppressed tumor sections. Further, immunoprecipitation analysis showed decreased association of proteins involved in telomere end repair in MMP-9 shRNA-treated glioma cells. Elevated levels of p73 and TRAIL and the results of the FACS analysis show induction of apoptosis in MMP-9-silenced glioma cells. Taken together, these data provide new insights into the mechanisms underlying MMP-9-mediated hTERT expression in glioma proliferation.
Variance reduction for simulation practitioners

A comprehensive guide to applying three well-known variance reduction techniques is given, including point and interval estimators, software requirements, and guidelines for experiment design.
Rapid Assessment, Visualization, and Mitigation of Cascading Failure Risk in Power Systems

This paper describes a new approach, using "Random Chemistry" sampling, to estimate the risk of large cascading blackouts triggered by multiple contingencies. On a 2383 bus test case the new approach finds the expected value of large-blackout sizes (a measure of risk) two orders of magnitude faster than Monte Carlo sampling, without introducing measurable bias. We also derive a method to compute the sensitivity of blackout risk to individual component-failure probabilities, allowing one to quickly identify low-cost strategies for reducing risk. For example, we show how a 1.9% increase in operational costs reduced the overall risk of cascading failure in a 2383-bus test case by 61%. An examination of how risk changes with load yielded a surprising decrease in cascading failure risk at the highest loadings, due to increased locality in generation and less long-distance transmission. Finally, this paper proposes new visualizations of spatio-temporal patterns in cascading failure risk that could provide valuable guidance to system planners and operators.
Quantifying the Nature of Lone Pair Domains

The lone pair lies at the heart of chemistry, and is often in a conceptual respect the site of chemical reactivity. Here we show how the analysis of the electron localization function (ELF) can be improved upon by introducing intra-basin partitioning. The high-ELF localization domain population (HELP), is presented as a probe of the more chemically relevant and electron-localized regions of the ELF lone pair basin, and shown to correlate with a range of physical properties and quantum mechanical constructs, such as the ESP, e and H+ affinity, IP, HOMO/LUMO energies, atomic charge, NBO lone pair orbitals, and molecular geometry. A strong connection between topological density and orbital-based analysis of chemistry is intuitively expected, yet this is the first time that an average electron population, obtained by any localization method, can be linked to properties of molecules. The application of HELP as a descriptor of lone pair domains is predicted to be of general use.
Thermal performance of water-cooled heat sinks: a comparison of two different designs

As power electronic applications continue to switch higher levels of voltage and current in smaller-sized component packages, the resulting increase in power density requires efficient thermal management. This paper compares the thermal performance for operating a MOSFET on a water-cooled pole-arrayed heat sink versus a novel water-cooled microchannel heat sink. Details are presented on an innovative technique for determining the thermal capacitance modeling parameter for the heat sinks from experimental data.
The role of African states in the development of the law of the sea at the third United Nations conference

This interpretation of the role of African states in the development of the law of the sea at UNCLOS III analyzes relevant economic and political factors behind policy decisions. First, an analysis...
NGAL for the detection of acute kidney injury in the emergency room.

Acute kidney injury in the emergency room The incidence of acute kidney injury (AKI) is increasing globally [1]. This condition accounts for 3–5% of admissions in general hospitals, many of whom initially present to emergency room (ER) settings with community-acquired kidney damage from diverse etiologies. In contrast to hospital-acquired AKI, where the occurrence and timing of AKI may be predictable based on clinical scoring systems, the diagnosis of AKI in the ER setting is fraught with difficulty. First, community-acquired AKI often strikes previously healthy individuals with no known risk factors. Second, the heterogeneous insults leading to AKI are often encountered well before presentation to the ER. Third, a single measurement of serum creatinine, the current standard marker of kidney function, cannot distinguish true structural (intrinsic) AKI from chronic kidney disease (CKD) or from functional volume-responsive AKI (prerenal azotemia). It is critical to make these distinctions in the ER, since the medical management of each is dramatically different and mismanagement is deleterious. Fourth, creatinine levels are influenced by several nonrenal factors such as age, gender, muscle mass, muscle metabolism, medication use, hydration status and nutrition status. Biomarkers to improve detection of early AKI and provision of early interventions are therefore a subject of intense contemporary interest [2]. The discovery of novel AKI biomarkers was accelerated by the utilization of unbiased functional genomic platforms that identified NGAL as the most upregulated gene in the kidney very early after AKI in multiple animal models [3]. NGAL protein expression was detected in the injured kidneys in tubule epithelial cells undergoing
Artemisinin derivatives inhibit Toxoplasma gondii in vitro at multiple steps in the lytic cycle

Objectives We sought to improve upon the usefulness of artemisinins as anti-Toxoplasma agents by synthesizing new unsaturated, carba derivatives and then testing them for in vitro efficacy against three steps of the lytic cycle of Toxoplasma gondii tachyzoites. Methods Novel derivatives of ART were synthesized and then tested for in vitro antiparasitic activity using T. gondii tachyzoites constitutively expressing beta-galactosidase and human fibroblast host cells. Compounds were evaluated for parasite growth inhibition and cytotoxicity, inhibition of replication and inhibition of parasite invasion of host cells. Results Five of the seven new derivatives, 3a-c, 3e and 3f, effectively inhibited T. gondii growth (IC50=1.0-4.4 microM); however, only three of these proved to be relatively non-cytotoxic (TD50>or=200 microM). The same five derivatives also inhibited tachyzoite replication, and attachment to and invasion of host cells as effectively as or better than the parent compound ART. In addition, one of the derivatives incapable of inhibiting growth, deoxy-3a, was found to inhibit parasite invasion. Conclusions These new artemisinin derivatives have the ability to inhibit multiple steps of T. gondii's lytic cycle. Synthetic unsaturated, carba derivatives of ART have potential as therapeutic agents for the prevention and treatment of toxoplasmosis in humans.
A use of Bayes' theorem for insight of false alarm rates

Using Bayes' theorem, the false alarm rate is shown to be a function of the reliability of the monitored functional system, the reliability of the built-in-test (BIT) system, and the coverage by the BIT of the monitored functional system. Partial differentiation of the false alarm rate formula reveals that the false alarm rate varies inversely with BIT reliability, inversely with BIT coverage, and directly with the monitored functional system reliability. Improving a functional system's reliability increases the false alarm rate, even though there is no change in the frequency of false alarm events. Therefore a false alarm rate requirement may deter functional circuit design improvement. This paper advocates categorizing the sources of false alarm events in a system since false alarms rates can sometimes be relatively high due to the complexity of an adequate BIT.
SESAME: a Scalable and ExtenSible Architecture for Multimedia Entertainment

The advances in storage, host I/O, and networks entice a variety of on-demand services. To effectively use these resources, we propose a Scalable and Extensible Architecture for Multimedia Entertainment (SESAME) to explore the modularity and scalability of a Karaoke-on-demand (KOD) service. Karaoke popularizes MTV-style entertainment to let viewers sing along. It is shown that hierarchical architecture for KOD scales well and is cost-effective in the network environment where latency is not a major concern. The modularity and scalability are achieved by: 1) distributing Karaoke data at different levels of storage based on popularity to leverage the cost of near-line and on-line storages, and alleviate hot spot access for popular titles, 2) modularizing the server design as well as service hierarchy, and 3) reducing the concurrent accesses to a server by expanding service levels such that an inexpensive computer can be a server. We illustrate live applications in a Karaoke house and in a campus-wide setting. The SESAME approach is being extended to some other areas of interests such as distance learning.
From the Achievement Gap to the Education Debt: Understanding Achievement in U.S. Schools

The achievement gap is one of the most talked-about issues in U.S. education. The term refers to the disparities in standardized test scores between Black and White, Latina/o and White, and recent immigrant and White students. This article argues that a focus on the gap is misplaced. Instead, we need to look at the “education debt” that has accumulated over time. This debt comprises historical, economic, sociopolitical, and moral components. The author draws an analogy with the concept of national debt—which she contrasts with that of a national budget deficit—to argue the significance of the education debt.
Optimal Tracking Control of Current Profile in Tokamaks

Setting up a suitable current spatial profile in tokamak plasmas has been demonstrated to be a key condition for one possible advanced scenario with improved confinement and possible steady-state operation. Experiments at the DIII-D tokamak focus on creating the desired current profile during the plasma current ramp-up and early flattop phases with the aim of maintaining this target profile during the subsequent phases of the discharge. The evolution in time of the current profile is related to the evolution of the poloidal magnetic flux, which is modeled in normalized cylindrical coordinates using a parabolic partial differential equation usually referred to as the magnetic diffusion equation. We propose a framework to solve a finite-time, optimal tracking control problem for the current profile evolution via diffusivity, interior, and boundary actuation during the ramp-up and early flattop phases of the discharge. The proposed approach is based on reduced order modeling via proper orthogonal decomposition and successive optimal control computation for a bilinear system. Simulation results illustrate the performance of the proposed controller.
The benefits and protective effects of behavioural treatment for dysgraphia in a case of primary progressive aphasia.

Background: Spoken and written language difficulties are the predominant symptoms in the progressive neurodegenerative disease referred to as primary progressive aphasia (PPA). There has been very little research on the effectiveness of intervention on spoken language impairments in this context and none directed specifically at progressive written language impairment. Aims: To examine the effectiveness of behavioural intervention for dysgraphia in a case of primary progressive aphasia. Methods & Procedures: We carried out a longitudinal single‐case study that allowed us to examine the effectiveness of a non‐intensive spell‐study‐spell intervention procedure. We did so by comparing performance on four sets of words: trained, repeated, homework, and control words at five evaluations: baseline, during intervention, after the intervention, and at 6‐ and 12‐month follow‐up. Outcomes & Results: We find that: (1) at the end of the intervention, Trained words show a small but statistically significant improvemen...
cGMP-Dependent Protein Kinase Regulation of the L-Type Ca2+ Current in Rat Ventricular Myocytes

Abstract Regulation of L-type Ca 2+ channel current [I Ca(L) ] by cGMP-dependent protein kinase (PK-G) was investigated in ventricular myocytes from 2- to 21-day-old rats using whole-cell voltage clamp with internal perfusion. I Ca(L) was elicited by a depolarizing pulse to +10 mV from a holding potential of −40 mV. Stimulated I Ca(L) (by 2 μmol/L isoproterenol) was inhibited to the basal level by internal perfusion with 50 nmol/L PK-G (activated by 8Br-cGMP, 0.1 μmol/L). When I Ca(L) was enhanced by Bay K 8644 (1 μmol/L), the enhanced basal I Ca(L) was also reduced by PK-G. Basal I Ca(L) (nonstimulated through the cAMP/cAMP-dependent protein kinase [PK-A] pathway) was also inhibited to various degrees (large, medium, or small) by internal application of PK-G (25 nmol/L). The average inhibition was 42.1% (n=36), and there were no differences in the inhibition during development. The inhibition by PK-G was blocked by the PK-G substrate peptide (cG-PKI, 300 μmol/L) and by heat inactivation of the PK-G. Relatively specific PK-G inhibitors (eg, cG-PKI and H-8) sometimes reversed the inhibition (5 of 25 cells), whereas isoproterenol stimulated I Ca(L) (7 of 8 cells). When a holding potential of −80 mV was used, the inhibition produced by PK-G was much less. The inhibitory effects of PK-G were not mediated by activating phosphodiesterase or protein phosphatase but most likely by a direct phosphorylation of the Ca 2+ channel or associated regulatory protein. The inhibitory effect of PK-G may be explained by a balance between activities of PK-A and PK-G in regulating the slow Ca 2+ channels at two separate sites.
The Adolescent Audience for Music Videos and Why They Watch.

Aux Etats-Unis les adolescents passent en moyenne plus de deux heures par jour devant des videoclips. Les raisons qu'ils donnent sont differentes de celles habituellement invoquees par les amateurs de television ou les melomanes: il s'agit de «comprendre reellement» ce que le compositeur de la chanson, mise en scene par le videoclip, a «voulu dire»
eComment. Endovascular ascending aortic aneurysm repair: an effective alternative to open repair?

The article by Shaikhrezai et al. [1] raises a very important question: is endovascular repair of ascending aortic aneurysm a safe procedure that should be reserved for high-risk patients? The authors report on two cases of postoperative saccular aneurysms that were excluded with an endostent before a resternotomy was employed in order to close the defect in the aorta (hybrid two-stage procedure). Both patients did well and the repair has proven durable for years. Our experience with stents in the ascending aorta has been limited, since we elect to primarily repair all such aneurysms with exclusion of the affected aortic segment and reconstruction with a Dacron graft. Our previous published study showed that surgery on the ascending aorta and root in patients who have had previous cardiac surgery can be performed with low mortality (5.4% postoperative mortality rate). We concluded that advanced age and significant coronary disease may negatively influence surgical results [2]. Placing a foreign material (graft or endostent) in an infected area carries significant risk of re-infection, however both Shaikhrezai et al. [1] and our unpublished data show that the mortality can be low with the appropriate antibiotic coverage and the use of muscle or omental flaps. The endovascular approach can be a good alternative in high-risk or inoperable patients, however the open approach still remains the gold standard for postoperative aneurysms of the ascending aorta. Conflict of interest: none declared.
Integration of flow-dependent endothelial phenotypes by Kruppel-like factor 2

In the face of systemic risk factors, certain regions of the arterial vasculature remain relatively resistant to the development of atherosclerotic lesions. The biomechanically distinct environments in these arterial geometries exert a protective influence via certain key functions of the endothelial lining; however, the mechanisms underlying the coordinated regulation of specific mechano-activated transcriptional programs leading to distinct endothelial functional phenotypes have remained elusive. Here, we show that the transcription factor Kruppel-like factor 2 (KLF2) is selectively induced in endothelial cells exposed to a biomechanical stimulus characteristic of atheroprotected regions of the human carotid and that this flow-mediated increase in expression occurs via a MEK5/ERK5/MEF2 signaling pathway. Overexpression and silencing of KLF2 in the context of flow, combined with findings from genome-wide analyses of gene expression, demonstrate that the induction of KLF2 results in the orchestrated regulation of endothelial transcriptional programs controlling inflammation, thrombosis/hemostasis, vascular tone, and blood vessel development. Our data also indicate that KLF2 expression globally modulates IL-1beta-mediated endothelial activation. KLF2 therefore serves as a mechano-activated transcription factor important in the integration of multiple endothelial functions associated with regions of the arterial vasculature that are relatively resistant to atherogenesis.