cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulating Cryptocurrency Secondary Market Trading Platforms

Over the last few years, debates regarding the application of federal securities laws to primary cryptocurrency offerings and secondary market trading have taken a sharp turn. At the heart of this discussion, regulators, developers, and market participants began to recognize the diversity of protocols supporting the distribution of digital assets and resales on secondary market trading platforms. This Essay proposes modifying an exemption from registration for exchanges under the regulations governing alternative trading systems (“ATS”). Promulgated in 1998, Regulation ATS offers a set of rules governing emerging alternative trading platforms. The exemption enables the Commission to monitor and supervise newly developing trading venues. In recent years, for example, the Commission has amended Regulation ATS to permit private exchange operators to service secondary trading markets; this approach enables private exchange operators to avoid the onerous registration requirements under Section 5 of the Exchange Act yet facilitates the Commission’s oversight of a critical and increasingly sizeable volume of secondary market trading activity. Anticipating the need to register with the Commission, a number of cryptocurrency trading platforms have already submitted or announced their intention to submit applications to register as alternative trading venues under Regulation ATS. In Part I, this Essay briefly explores the existing legal framework applied to exchanges and examines the settlement agreement between the SEC and Coburn in the Commission’s first prosecution of a platform accused of violating Section 5 of the Exchange Act. Part II offers a brief analysis of the unique attributes of decentralized exchanges and concludes with questions regarding the existing regulatory framework for secondary market trading. Part III of this Essay proposes that the Commission adopt an exemption from registration under Section 5 of the Exchange Act for secondary market trading platforms facilitating cryptocurrency transactions under Regulation ATS. By taking affirmative action and engaging in formal rule-making procedures, the SEC will enhance liquidity, price accuracy, and price discovery and reduce regulatory uncertainty in secondary cryptocurrency trading markets.
Current outlook and future research needs for harvest weed seed control in North American cropping systems

Harvest weed seed control (HWSC) comprises a set of tools and tactics that prevents the addition of weed seed to the soil seed bank, attenuating weed infestations and providing a method to combat the development and spread of herbicide-resistant weed populations. Initial HWSC research efforts in North America are summarized and, combined with the vast area of crops suitable for HWSC, clearly indicate strong potential for this technology. However, potential limitations exist that are not present in Australian cropping systems where HWSC was developed. These include rotations with crops that are not currently amenable to HWSC (e.g. corn), high moisture content at harvest, untimely harvest, and others. Concerns about weeds becoming resistant to HWSC (i.e. adapting) exist, as do shifts in weed species composition, particularly with the diversity of weeds in North America. Currently the potential of HWSC vastly outweighs any drawbacks, necessitating further research. Such expanded efforts should foremost include chaff lining and impact mill commercial scale evaluation, as this will address potential limitations as well as economics. Growers must be integrated into large-scale, on-farm research and development activities aimed at alleviating the problems of using HWSC systems in North America and drive greater adoption subsequently. © 2020 Society of Chemical Industry.
Experiences of Palliative and End-of-Life Care among Older LGBTQ Women: A Review of Current Literature.

Background: Understanding end-of-life (EOL) and palliative care continues to grow. However, little attention has been paid to the experiences, preferences, and needs of older lesbian, gay, bisexual...
Promoting Clinical Conversations about Lung Cancer Screening: Exploring the Role of Perceived Online Social Support.

The perceived availability of online social support may contribute to patient-provider conversations about lung cancer screening. This study examines how the perceived availability of instrumental ...
Integrating single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to elucidate intercellular tissue dynamics

Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) identifies cell subpopulations within tissue but does not capture their spatial distribution nor reveal local networks of intercellular communication acting in situ. A suite of recently developed techniques that localize RNA within tissue, including multiplexed in situ hybridization and in situ sequencing (here defined as high-plex RNA imaging) and spatial barcoding, can help address this issue. However, no method currently provides as complete a scope of the transcriptome as does scRNA-seq, underscoring the need for approaches to integrate single-cell and spatial data. Here, we review efforts to integrate scRNA-seq with spatial transcriptomics, including emerging integrative computational methods, and propose ways to effectively combine current methodologies.
Conformal heat energy harvester on Steam4 pipelines for powering IoT sensors

Abstract This paper discusses a novel design and analysis of a conformal thermoelectric generator (cTEG), which can be used for powering the internet-of-things (IoT) wireless sensors for continuous monitoring of steam pipelines operation and maintenance. This conformal device is designed to be directly attached to a cylindrical steam pipe, therefore has a mechanical flexibility to bending align to the pipe curvature (conformality), and which transports superheated steam at 200 °C or around. Lack of continuous monitoring of underground pipelines have resulted in a significant loss of money, time, and resources. This primarily is due to limited access for reading data or replacing batteries. This issue can be addressed using cTEG which can directly convert wasted heat from pipeline to electricity for continuous powering of IoT sensors. The cTEG can be made from a classical bulk bismuth telluride (Bi2Te3) for sintered TEG legs. In the analysis, the material properties of the legs are expected be constant and independent to the temperature where the figure-of-merit is near 1.0 at room temperature. A roll-to-roll thermoelectric module is considered by using Kapton film as the substrates with PDMS for filling the gap to achieving low cost and high performance. The electro-thermal device optimization was conducted by using analytical model. Available heat flow in the system is determined by the device design and the hot and cold side heat exchange. Hence these heat transfer limit the power output per device footprint. The moderate passive air convection can be enhanced by extending surface areas by fins to improve the power output. This work particularly focused on the optimization of the module design while the thickness is limited by the requirement of maintaining the mechanical conformability to a pipe surface. Variational conditions (steam temperature, flow rate, pipe diameter) and design parameters (fill factor and leg length) were investigated. In addition, this approach can be applied to other TEG designs with such dimension limitations. The upper limit of power output per device footprint is found at 19.5 W/m2 with fill factor of 20%, where cTEG could achieve to 35 W/m2 at the optimum with few centimeters thickness. The material cost to manufacture the cTEG was estimated and was found to be closer to a comparable range of the first set of primary batteries. The novel modeling method presented here can also be applied to other energy-related fields, such as geothermal, deep sea monitoring field in which heat and electricity co-optimization is of vital importance.
Capillary electrophoresis-based functional genomics screening to discover novel archaeal DNA modifying enzymes.

It has been predicted that 30-80% of archaeal genomes remain annotated as hypothetical proteins with no assigned gene function. Further, many archaeal organisms are difficult to grow or are unculturable. To overcome these technical and experimental hurdles, we have developed a high-throughput functional genomics screen that utilizes capillary electrophoresis (CE) to identify nucleic acid modifying enzymes based on activity rather than sequence homology. Here, we describe a functional genomics screening workflow to find DNA modifying enzyme activities encoded by the hyperthermophile Thermococcus kodakarensis (T. kodakarensis). Large DNA insert fosmid libraries representing a ∼5-fold average coverage of the T. kodakarensis genome were prepared in E. coli. RNA-seq showed a high fraction (84%) of T. kodakarensis genes were transcribed in E. coli despite differences in promoter structure and translational machinery. Our high-throughput screening workflow used fluorescently labeled DNA substrates directly in heat-treated lysates of fosmid clones with capillary electrophoresis detection of reaction products. Using this method, we identified both a new DNA endonuclease activity for a previously described RNA endonuclease (Nob1) and a novel AP lyase DNA repair enzyme family (termed 'TK0353') found only in a small subset of Thermococcales. The screening methodology described provides a fast and efficient way to explore the T. kodakarensis genome for a variety of nucleic acid modifying activities and may have implications for similar exploration of enzymes and pathways that underlie core cellular processes in other Archaea. IMPORTANCE This study provides a rapid, simple, high-throughput method to discover novel archaeal nucleic acid modifying enzymes by utilizing a fosmid genomic library, next-generation sequencing and capillary electrophoresis. The method described here provides details necessary to create 384-well fosmid library plates from Thermococcus kodakarensis genomic DNA, sequence 384-well fosmids plates using Illumina next generation sequencing and perform high-throughput functional read-out assays using capillary electrophoresis to identify a variety of nucleic acid modifying activities including DNA cleavage and ligation. We used this approach to identify a new DNA endonuclease activity for a previously described RNA endonuclease (Nob1) and identify a novel AP lyase enzyme (TK0353) that lacks sequence homology to known nucleic acid modifying enzymes.
Ladder-type electromagnetically induced transparency using nanofiber-guided light in a warm atomic vapor

We demonstrate ladder-type electromagnetically induced transparency (EIT) using an optical nanofiber suspended in a warm rubidium vapor. The signal and control fields are both guided along the nanofiber, which enables strong nonlinear interactions with the surrounding atoms at relatively low powers. Transit-time broadening is found to be a significant EIT decoherence mechanism in this tightly confined waveguiding geometry. Nonetheless, we observe significant EIT and controlled polarization rotation using control-field powers of only a few microwatts in this relatively robust warm-atom nanofiber system.
Enzymes of pentose biosynthesis. II. Evidence that the proposed control of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase by reduced diphosphopyridine nucleotide is an instrumental artifact.

Several recent studies propose that DPNH exerts a modulating effect on a variety of enzymes, thus constituting a metabolic control system. We have reinvestigated the reported control of glucose 6-phosphate dehydrogenase (EC 1.1.1.49) of Escherichia coli B by a study of steady state kinetics of the reaction and find no evidence of such control. The reported apparent modulation is explained by the presence of stray light in single beam spectrophotometers which are used for assaying enzyme activity by change in optical density. It is suggested that the proposed control of several other enzymes by DPNH also needs to be reinvestigated.
Inhibition of dysthrombins quick I and II by heparin cofactor II and antithrombin

Abstract Heparin cofactor II and antithrombin are plasma serine proteinase inhibitors whose ability to inhibit alpha-thrombin is accelerated by glycosaminoglycans. Dysfunctional thrombin mutants Quick I (Arg67-->Cys) and Quick II (Gly226-->Val) were used to further compare heparin cofactor II and antithrombin interactions. Quick I, Quick II, and alpha-thrombin were eluted at the same salt concentration from heparin-Sepharose suggesting that the putative heparin-binding site (also termed anion binding exosite-II) is functional. Antithrombin yielded similar inhibition rates for Quick I and alpha-thrombin in the absence or presence of various amounts of heparin. Also, Quick I was inhibited similarly to alpha-thrombin by heparin cofactor II in the absence of glycosaminoglycan. In contrast, glycosaminoglycan-accelerated Quick I inhibition by heparin cofactor II was greatly reduced indicating that anion binding exosite-I (where the mutation occurs in Quick I) is critical for increased inhibition by heparin cofactor II. We also found that heparin cofactor II formed a SDS-resistant bimolecular complex with Quick II and alpha-thrombin at similar rates and the rate of complex formation was accelerated in the presence of glycosaminoglycans. A three-dimensional molecular model of the Quick II active site compared to alpha-thrombin suggested that the heparin cofactor II Leu-Ser-reactive site sequence (P1-P1') is a compatible "pseudosubstrate" in contrast to the Arg-Ser sequence found in antithrombin. The importance of heparin cofactor II as a thrombin regulator will depend upon its ability to interact with glycosaminoglycans and the functional availability of thrombin exosites.
Priming in the presence of IL-10 results in direct enhancement of CD8+ T cell primary responses and inhibition of secondary responses

Although IL-10 acts as an inhibitory cytokine for APC and CD4+ T cell function, its effects on CD8+ T cells are unclear. Additionally, little is known about whether initial priming in the presence of IL-10 can have long-lasting effects and influence subsequent CD8+ T cell responses that occur in the absence of the cytokine. In the present study, we clarified the role of IL-10 during primary responses and examined whether exposure to IL-10 during initial priming of CD8+ T cells impacted secondary responses. To determine the effect of IL-10 on Ag-specific T cell responses, peptide-pulsed IL-10R2−/− splenic dendritic cells were used to prime T cells from OT-I CD8+ TCR transgenic mice. During the primary response, the presence of IL-10 resulted in enhancement of CD8+ T cell numbers without detectable alterations in the kinetics or percentage of cells that underwent proliferation. A modest increase in survival, not attributable to Bcl-2 or Bcl-xL, was also observed with IL-10 treatment. Other parameters of CD8+ T cell function, including IL-2, IFN-γ, TNF-α, and granzyme production, were unaltered. In contrast, initial exposure to IL-10 during the primary response resulted in decreased OT-I expansion during secondary stimulation. This was accompanied by lowered IL-2 levels and reduced percentages of proliferating BrdU+ cells and OT-I cells that were CD25high. IFN-γ, TNF-α, and granzyme production were unaltered. These data suggest that initial exposure of CD8+ T cells to IL-10 may be temporarily stimulatory; however, programming of the cells may be altered, resulting in diminished overall responses.
OBSERVATIONS OF DISCRETE GALACTIC SOURCES WITH OSSE

The Oriented Scintillation Spectrometer Experiment (OSSE) on the COMPTON Gamma Ray Observatory has undertaken comprehensive observations of many galactic sources since launch in April 1991. These include investigations of binary X-ray sources, pulsars, several transient X-ray sources observed as Targets-of-Opportunity,nd Nova Cygni 1992. Multiple observations of the galactic center region were undertaken to map the diffuse galactic emission and study the several discrete sources in that region. An overview of the galactic source observations and selected results are presented.
Induced Separation and Vorticity Using Roughness in VIV of Circular Cylinders at 8×103 < Re < 2.0×105

Results of an experimental investigation on fluid flow past an elastically mounted circular cylinder with rectangular surface roughness strips are presented. Flow characteristics change depending on the strip width, roughness grit size, and location. Roughness size and distribution can be designed to enhance or reduce/suppress VIV amplitude and increase or reduce the range of synchronization, respectively. To the authors’ knowledge this is the first study in passive control of VIV using properly distributed roughness.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Deaths in gynecologic surgery: Survey and evaluation

Abstract Study of more than 25,000 gynecologic procedures was carried out, and the 59 related deaths were evaluated. The type of surgical procedure, the indications, and the causes of death were correlated for both benign and malignant disease. The following points were noted: 1. Exploration for pelvic malignancy carries a moderate risk even if a definitive procedure is impossible because of widespread disease. 2. Oophorectomy as a castrating procedure for breast cancer has a distinct risk, again related to the presence of metastasis. 3. Even “minor” surgical procedures are not without complications that threaten the life of the patient. 4. Infection is an infrequent cause of death but is most likely in patients with malignancy or diabetes and particularly in patients with bowel damage. 5. Pulmonary emboli may be anticipated in all high-risk patients, and anticoagulant therapy is recommended.
Contracting Externalities and Mandatory Menus in the U.S. Corporate Bankruptcy Code

Our paper offers the first justification for the U.S. bankruptcy code, in which firms are not allowed to commit themselves ex-ante in their lending agreements either to (Chapter 7) liquidation or to (Chapter 11) reorganization in case of distress ex-post. If fire-sale liquidation imposes negative externalities on their peers, then firms can be collectively better off if they are all forced into a no-opt-out choice (a mandatory “menu”). This is the case even though they would individually want to commit themselves to liquidation, and it is collectively better for them than voluntary contract choice or mandatory liquidation. Our paper’s innovation is thus to show not when a later choice should be prohibited, but when a later choice should be mandatory. Equivalent analyses could justify when other ex-post choices should remain inalienable (not contractible).
Comparing the effectiveness of similar and dissimilar competing responses in evaluating the habit reversal treatment for oral-digital habits in children

In the present study 26 children with chronic oral-digital habits were randomly assigned to 1 of 3 conditions. Group 1 received habit reversal using a similar competing response. Group 2 received habit reversal using a dissimilar competing response, and Group 3 served as a wait-list control group. Three videotaped observations were taken at pretreatment and again at posttreatment. In addition, social acceptability data were collected on the treatment groups at posttreatment. Results showed that the similar and dissimilar groups were engaging in significantly less oral-digital behavior at posttreatment when compared to the control group. However, the two treatment groups did not differ from each other in terms of treatment gains or acceptability. These results suggest that habit reversal is an effective treatment for oral digital habits in children. In addition, it appears that the competing response does not function as a physically incompatible behavior. Implications of the findings are discussed.
A model of empathic communication

This study examines a path model of empathic communication. Several empathie structures are predicted to influence the process of empathie communication. Results show that humanistic orientation pr...
Cloning and increased expression of an insulin receptor substrate - 1-like gene in human hepatocellular carcinoma

Abstract Human insulin receptor substrate-1 (hlRS-1) cDNAs were cloned from a λGT11 expression library using a monoclonal antibody (MAb) produced against a human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cell line (FOCUS). The predicted amino acid sequence derived from both a genomic DNA fragment and the cDNAs showed a 90.5% identity to the previously reported rat IRS-1 cDNA [Sun, X.P. (1991) Nature 352, 73–77]. Multiple potential phosphorylation sites, that suggest an intrinsic function of this molecule in response to insulin action, were highly conserved between the two species. A c.a. 180 kDa hlRS-1 protein was immunoprecipitated and found to be phosphorylated on tyrosine residue(s) following insulin stimulation of HuH-7 HCC cells. Northern blot analysis demonstrated a single c.a. 5 kb transcript in HCC cell lines and tissues. Higher levels of hlRS-1 gene transcripts were observed in HCC tumors compared to adjacent non-involved normal liver.
Conductivity and microwave dielectric response of polyaniline and poly(o-toluidine) fibers

Abstract We compare the results of temperature-dependent de conductivity σ dc ( T ) and microwave dielectric constant ϵ mw ( T ) for CSA doped polyaniline (PAN-CSA) and poly( o -toluidine) (POT-CSA) fibers prepared in m -cresol, HCl doped 4-fold stretched polyaniline EB fiber (PAN-HCl(4X)), and HCl doped poly( o -toluidine) (POT-HCl) fibers (unstretched and 3-fold stretched). Although POT-HCl fibers show similar σ dc ( T ) as earlier studied POT-HCl powder, POT-CSA fiber shows significantly higher σ dc ( T ) with much weaker temperature dependence and much larger ϵ mw ( T ), indicating that it is much closer to the localization-delocalization boundary. PAN-HCl(4X) fiber and PAN-CSA fiber have almost identical dc conductivity at room temperature, however PAN-HCl(4X) fiber shows stronger temperature of σ dc and a very large positive ϵ mw , as opposed to have huge negative ϵ mw observed in the PAN-CSA fiber.
The protein kinase C- η isoform induces proliferation in glioblastoma cell lines through an ERK/Elk-1 pathway

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the highest grade of astrocytoma. GBM pathogenesis has been linked to receptor tyrosine kinases and kinases further down signal-transduction pathways – in particular, members of the protein kinase C (PKC) family. The expression and activity of various PKC isoforms are increased in malignant astrocytomas, but not in non-neoplastic astrocytes. This suggests that PKC activity contributes to tumor progression. The level of PKC-η expressed correlates with the degree of phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA)-induced proliferation of two glioblastoma cell lines, U-1242 MG and U-251 MG. Normally, U-1242 cells do not express PKC-η, and PMA inhibits their proliferation. Conversely, PMA increases proliferation of U-1242 cells that are stably transfected with PKC-η (U-1242-PKC-η). PMA treatment also stimulates proliferation of U-251 cells, which express PKC-η. Here, we determined that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and Elk-1 are downstream targets of PKC-η. Elk-1-mediated transcriptional activity correlates with the PKC-η-mediated mitogenic response. Pretreatment of U-1242-PKC-η cells with inhibitors of PKC or MAPK/ERK kinase (MEK) (bisindolyl maleimide (BIM) or U0126, respectively) blocked both PMA-induced Elk-1 transcriptional activity and PMA-stimulated proliferation. An overexpressed dominant-negative PKC-η reduced the mitogenic response in U-251 cells, as did reduction of Elk-1 by small interfering RNA. Taken together, these results strongly suggest that PKC-η-mediated glioblastoma proliferation involves MEK/mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinase phosphorylation, activation of ERK and subsequently of Elk-1. Elk-1 target genes involved in GBM proliferative responses have yet to be identified.
Persistent internal polarizations in poly(ethylene terephthalate) films. V. Pitting

Abstract Asperities have been found on the surfaces of commercial poly(ethylene terephthalate) films. These are the protruding sections of gel particles embedded in the bulk polymer. Because they are weaker than the surrounding bulk polymer, they may be collapsed, between grounded pressure electrodes, into C-and S-shaped pits. A statistical analysis of the number of pits formed per unit area, as functions of pressure, pressure application time, and sample preparation, has indicated that structural changes occur in both bulk polymer and asperities, and that these establish the asperity-pit relationship.
Sympathetic mouth movements accompanying fine motor movements in chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) with implications toward the evolution of language

Some theories concerning the evolution of language include a gestural stage prior to glottogenesis. These theories propose that connections observed between fine motor movements of the hands and mouth may be responsible for the transfer of human language from one that was primarily gestural to one that is spoken. The fine motor manipulation of objects by five captive chimpanzees was examined to determine whether sympathetic mouth movements accompanied fine and gross motor movements. Sympathetic mouth movements were observed significantly more often during fine motor manipulation for all five participants. A significant increase in the presence of sympathetic mouth movements was observed in behaviors along a continuum of precision of manipulation from precision grip to gross motor manipulation without prehension. The results are discussed in regard to current theories of language evolution and neurological processes.
Tremé: Race and Place in a New Orleans Neighborhood

Treme: Race and Place in a New Orleans Neighborhood, by Michael E. Crutcher, Jr., Athens, GA: University of Georgia Press, 2010.166 pp., US$24.95 (paperback), ISBN: 978-0-8203-3595-7 In Treme: Race...
PATRONAGE AND CITIZEN GROUPS: A Reevaulation

It has been more than ten years since the publication of Jack L. Walker's seminal article “The Organization and Maintenance of Interest Groups in America” (1983). This brief essay reexamines some conclusions Walker reached in that study. Specifically, it takes a fresh look at Walker's data (which have recently become available through the ICPSR) and raises questions concerning how patronage is defined. The article also argues that to understand patronage we must consider that patronage may have a different impact on different types of groups. Ultimately, the article represents an attempt to further illuminate the process of citizen group development.
A method for control of water vapor pressure and its effect on metabolism and body temperature in Mus musculus

Abstract 1. 1. A simple method for controlling water vapor pressures (WVPs) in an open-flow system is described. 2. 2. High WVPs (30 mm Hg) alter the normla homeothermic response to ambient temperature variation in laboratory mice such that metabolic rate becomes independent of ambient temperature, particularly at ambient temperatures above the thermoneutral zone. 3. 3. WVPs of 10 and 20 mm Hg do not affect the normal, metabolism-ambient temperature relationship.
Oxygen radical formation during cytochrome P450-catalyzed cyclosporine metabolism in rat and human liver microsomes at varying hydrogen ion concentrations.

The role of pH in uncoupling the electron-flux between oxidoreductase and cytochrome P450 (P450) or P450 and cyclosporine (CyA) and resulting in the generation of oxygen radicals was investigatedin vitro in rat and human liver microsomal preparations. Since the electron-flux from NADPH to cytochrome c via oxidoreductase showed a fairly constant reduction activity from pH 7.0–9.5, the generation of oxygen radicals at the level of P450-Cyclosporine (instead of oxidoreductase-P450) was investigated. The effects of increasing pH on oxygen radical formation was measured by the thiobarbituric acid assay (TBA) and the adrenochrome reaction. The trends in oxygen radical production were correlated with benzphetamine metabolism (production of formaldehyde) and CyA metabolism (analyzed by high performance liquid chromatography). The TBA assay showed increased MDA-detected lipid peroxidation (unrelated to autooxidation) at pH 8.0 (rat and human, respectively) while the adrenochrome reaction showed decreased oxygen radical production. When these results were compared to benzphetamine (a substrate of P450 2B and 3A) metabolism and CyA (a substrate of P450 3A) metabolism, increased metabolism followed the pH-dependent trend of MDA-detected lipid peroxidation. Benzphetamine metabolism with formaldehyde production and depletion of parent compound during CyA metabolism were increased at pH 8.0 in the human samples. This parallel relation suggests that the increased metabolism of CyA at lower pH in rats and higher pH in humans may be the result of favorable interactions of P450 with Cyclosporine that also result in increased oxygen radical-related lipid peroxidation.
Catalysis of oxidation of di-t-butylphenol by μ-peroxodicobalt(III) complexes

The oxidation of 2,6-di-t-butylphenol (dbp) by molecular oxygen is catalyzed by the μ-peroxodicobalt(III) complexes formed from tetraethylenepentamine (tetren), bis(picolyl)diethylenetriamine (pydien), and 1,4,10,13-tetraaza-7-thiatridecane (tattd). The oxygenation equilibrium constants of the cobalt(II) complexes of these ligands, and the observed rate constants, are presented in Table I. The rates of formation of the oxidative coupling product 3,3′,5,5′-tetra-t-butyldiphenoquinone (dpq) and the partial oxygen insertion product 2,6-tetra-t-butylbenzoquinone (bq) are shown to be first order with respect to the concentrations of both the cobalt–dioxygen complex (designated ‘cat’ for catalyst) and the phenol. The following rate expressions apply to this system: It is interesting to note that the observed rate was lowest for the most stable dioxygen complex. t001. Oxygenation Constants and 2,6-Di-t-butylphenol Oxidation Rate Constants. Ligand, La log KO2b kobsb k1c k2d tetren 15.8e 0.67 0.24 0.43 pydien 11.4e 3.7 1.6 2.1 tattd 8.4f 1.1 0.65 0.45 a Ligand abbreviations defined in text. b KO2 = [M2L2O2]/(ML)2[O2]. c Defined by eqn. (2). d Defined by eqn. (3). e Ref. 1. f Ref. 2. The oxidation reactions were run with a steady state concentration of dioxygen complex. It was noted, however, that when the supply of dioxygen was cut off, the reaction rate for bq formation was slowed considerably even though most of the dioxygen complex was still present. On the other hand, the oxygen insertion reaction does not occur at all in the absence of the dioxygen complex. These observations, and temperature coefficient data, indicate that the reactive dioxygen complex is probably the mononuclear superoxo species governed by the equilibrium: The results lend support to the concept that the mechanism of oxygen insertion involves the intermediate 1, in accordance with suggestions of Nishinaga [3] and Drago [4] for other dioxygen complex systems.
Trafficking of α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic Acid Receptor (AMPA) Receptor Subunit GluA2 from the Endoplasmic Reticulum Is Stimulated by a Complex Containing Ca2+/Calmodulin-activated Kinase II (CaMKII) and PICK1 Protein and by Release of Ca2+ from Internal Stores

The GluA2 subunit of the AMPA receptor (AMPAR) dominantly blocks AMPAR Ca2+ permeability, and its trafficking to the synapse regulates AMPAR-dependent synapse Ca2+ permeability. Here we show that GluA2 trafficking from the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) to the plasma membrane of cultured hippocampal neurons requires Ca2+ release from internal stores, the activity of Ca2+/calmodulin activated kinase II (CaMKII), and GluA2 interaction with the PDZ protein, PICK1. We show that upon Ca2+ release from the ER via the IP3 and ryanodine receptors, CaMKII that is activated enters a complex that contains PICK1, dependent upon the PICK1 BAR (Bin-amphiphysin-Rvs) domain, and that interacts with the GluA2 C-terminal domain and stimulates GluA2 ER exit and surface trafficking. This study reveals a novel mechanism of regulation of trafficking of GluA2-containing receptors to the surface under the control of intracellular Ca2+ dynamics and CaMKII activity.
Optimizing zinc supplementation levels of rainbow trout (Oncorhynchus mykiss) fed practical type fishmeal‐ and plant‐based diets

Rainbow trout (23.1 ± 0.4 g) were fed either a fishmeal- or plant-based diet supplemented with various levels of zinc (0, 15, 30, 60 or 120 mg kg−1) for 12 weeks. Trout fed the fishmeal diet had significantly higher weight gain than with the plant-based diet. Zinc supplementation in the fishmeal diet had no effect on growth performance, suggesting that additional dietary supplementation of zinc is not required. However, in trout fed the plant-based diet, growth increased significantly up to 30 mg kg−1 zinc after which growth was not affected. Trout fed the plant-based diet containing no zinc exhibited severe growth retardation, and in fish fed the 0 and 15 mg kg−1 zinc diets, cataracts were present. Use of broken-line quadratic modelling suggests that dietary supplementation of zinc needed to prevent deficiency and promote adequate growth in rainbow trout fed the plant-based diet in this study was 30.1 mg kg−1 (80 mg kg−1 total dietary zinc). This is higher than the NRC (2011, Nutrient Requirements of Fish and Shrimp) dietary recommended level of 15 mg kg−1 for rainbow trout. Following the NRC recommendation could lead to zinc deficiency in rainbow trout fed a plant-based diet.
Maximizing coupling strength of magnetically anchored surgical instruments: how thick can we go?

The Magnetic Anchoring and Guidance System (MAGS) includes an external magnet that controls intra-abdominal surgical instruments via magnetic attraction forces. We have performed NOTES (Natural Orifice Transluminal Endoscopic Surgery) and LESS (Laparoendoscopic Single Site) procedures using MAGS instruments in porcine models with up to 2.5-cm-thick abdominal walls, but this distance may not be sufficient in some humans. The purpose of this study was to determine the maximal abdominal wall thickness for which the current MAGS platform is suitable. Successive iterations of prototype instruments were developed; those evaluated in this study include external (134–583 g, 38–61 mm diameter) and internal (8–39 g, 10–22 mm diameter) components using various grades, diameters, thicknesses, and stacking/shielding/focusing configurations of permanent Neodymium-iron-boron (NdFeB) magnets. Nine configurations were tested for coupling strength across distances of 0.1–10 cm. The force-distance tests across an air medium were conducted at 0.5-mm increments using a robotic arm fitted with a force sensor. A minimum theoretical instrument drop-off (decoupling) threshold was defined as the separation distance at which force decreased below the weight of the heaviest internal component (39 g). Magnetic attraction forces decreased exponentially over distance. For the nine configurations tested, the average forces were 3,334 ± 1,239 gf at 0.1 cm, 158 ± 98 gf at 2.5 cm, and 8.7 ± 12 gf at 5 cm; the drop-off threshold was 3.64 ± 0.8 cm. The larger stacking configurations and magnets yielded up to a 592% increase in attraction force at 2.5 cm and extended the drop-off threshold distance by up to 107% over single-stack anchors. For the strongest configuration, coupling force ranged from 5,337 gf at 0.1 cm to 0 gf at 6.95 cm and yielded a drop-off threshold distance of 4.78 cm. This study suggests that the strongest configuration of currently available MAGS instruments is suitable for clinically relevant abdominal wall thicknesses. Further platform development and optimization are warranted.
Radium isotope measurements using germanium detectors

Abstract Recent advances in sampling and counting techniques have provided the means of measuring 226Ra, 228Ra and 224Ra at low activities in natural waters. Samples are preconcentrated in the field by adsorbing radium on a fibre coated with manganese oxides. Absolute activities and activity ratios are measured using germanium detectors supplemented in some cases by alpha scintillation measurements of 222Rn. This paper describes tests and results obtained using a Ge(Li) crystal and an intrinsic germanium crystal with a 1 cm diameter well. The well detector has an efficiency two to three greater than the flat Ge(Li) system and thus has a considerably higher sensitivity. Results from ground waters and estuarine waters are presented which demonstrate the usefulness of the germanium detectors in studies of radium in natural waters.
Coupled-Cavity Traveling-Wave Parametric Amplifiers: Part II-Experiments

The filter-circuit approach to broadband travelingwave parametric amplification at microwave frequencies is described from an experimental point of view. The experiment revolves around a series of inductively coupled microwave cavities, each loaded with one variable-capacitance semiconductor diode. Gain-bandwidth products of 2000 Mc with a 350-Mc bandwidth at S band have been obtained by using commercially available diodes. Noise temperatures of 130°K have been measured. Based on the analysis of the companion paper, a qualitative prediction of the gain-frequency behavior is given. The experimental arrangement is set forth in some detail. It consists of a series of these coupled cavities with separate pump power distribution at each diode. Through this flexibility in pump phase shift and amplitude, a variety of advantages is achieved. The effects of the many variables on the performance of the amplifier are described. Several methods of achieving short-circuit stability of this amplifier are outlined. These are: 1) nonuniform pump phase shift between sections, 2) nonreciprocal loss with ferrites, and 3) nonreciprocal loss with upper pass bands. The experimental behavior of each method is shown, and the noise performance to date is briefly discussed.
Measurement of amino acid metabolism derived from [1-13C]glucose in the rat brain using13C magnetic resonance spectroscopy

To clarify the unique characteristics of amino acid metabolism derived from glucose in the central nervous system (CNS), we injected [1-13C]glucose intraperitoneally to the rat, and extracted the free amino acids from several kinds of tissues and measured the amount of incorporation of13C derived from [1-13C]glucose into each amino acid using13C-magnetic resonance spectroscopy (NMR). In the adult rat brain, the intensities of resonances from13C-amino acids were observed in the following order: glutamate, glutamine, aspartate, γ-aminobutyrate (GABA) and alanine. There seemed no regional difference on this labeling pattern in the brain. However, only in the striatum and thalamus, the intensities of resonances from [2-13C]GABA were larger than that from [2,3-13C]aspartate. In the other tissues, such as heart, kidney, liver, spleen, muscle, lung and small intestine, the resonances from GABA were not detected and every intensity of resonances from13C-amino acids, except13C-alanine, was much smaller than those in the brain and spinal cord. In the serum,13C-amino acid was not detected at all. When the rats were decapitated, in the brain, the resonances from [1-13C]glucose greatly reduced and the intensities of resonances from [3-13C]lactate, [3-13C]alanine, [2, 3, 4-13C]GABA and [2-13C]glutamine became larger as compared with those in the case that the rats were sacrificed with microwave. In other tissues, the resonances from [1-13C]glucose were clearly detected even after the decapitation. In the glioma induced by nitrosoethylurea in the spinal cord, the large resonances from glutamine and alanine were observed; however, the intensities of resonances from glutamate were considerably reduced and the resonances from GABA and aspartate were not detected. These results show that the pattern of13C label incorporation into amino acids is unique in the central nervous tissues and also suggest that the metabolic compartmentalization could exist in the CNS through the metabolic trafficking between neurons and astroglia.
Systematic Review of Tumor Necrosis Factor Inhibitor Discontinuation Studies in Rheumatoid Arthritis

Abstract Background Anti–tumor necrosis factor agents (anti-TNFs) have changed the course of rheumatoid arthritis (RA) for more than a decade. Use of these medications often results in remission, or at least low disease activity (LDA), but at a substantial cost. It has been postulated that discontinuation of these medications among patients with RA in remission or LDA may be possible without an associated increase in RA disease activity. Objective The goal of this systematic literature review was to summarize published articles regarding discontinuation of anti-TNFs in patients with RA. Methods A systematic literature review was conducted to identify English-language articles indexed in PubMed from July 1999 through June 2013 reporting results regarding anti-TNF discontinuation in patients with RA. Study designs included observational longitudinal studies and clinical trials. Outcomes had to include 1 of the following: time to flare after anti-TNF discontinuation, failure to remain in remission, or proportion of patients in LDA or remission at the end of the study. Results Ten studies examined discontinuation of anti-TNF therapies in RA. Inclusion criteria varied significantly across studies in terms of disease activity status (remission or LDA) and duration of this disease status (1 year or 1 month) before discontinuation being attempted. Results from larger studies (eg, >100 patients) suggest that the proportion of patients who discontinued anti-TNF and did not have an increase in disease activity ranged from 24% to 81%. In 3 studies that evaluated durability of LDA or remission after anti-TNF discontinuation, the mean time to relapse varied from 15 weeks to 17 months. In studies that analyzed radiographic data, once therapies were reinitiated after an increase in disease activity was detected, patients generally did not experience progression in structural damage. Conclusions Discontinuation of anti-TNF therapy is achievable for many RA patients who start in clinical remission or LDA. However, heterogeneous inclusion criteria and highly variable outcome definitions across studies make it difficult to efficiently summarize the literature on this topic or to conduct a meta-analysis. There is a lack of evidence regarding how to best predict which patients have the greatest likelihood of continuing to do well after discontinuation of anti-TNF therapy.
The adherence of human Fc receptor bearing lymphocytes to immobilized antigen—Antibody complexes I. Specificity and use as preparative separation technique

Abstract The surfaces of polystyrene tissue culture vessels were coated with antigen—antibody complexes by trinitrophenylation of an adsorbed layer of protein followed by treatment with rabbit anti-hapten antibody. A subpopulation of human peripheral blood lymphocytes bearing Fc receptors adheres to such immobilized antigen—antibody complexes. This adhesion is antibody-dependent, requires an intact antibody Fc, and can be inhibited by preincubation of the cells with antigen—antibody complexes. Used as a preparative procedure, human lymphocytes can be fractioned with good yields into a non-adherent population depleted of cells bearing easily detectable Fc receptors and of cells mediating ADCC. This non-adherent population contains a slightly greater proportion of lymphocytes bearing surface immunoglobulin and complement receptors (i.e. B cells) than the original population and is enriched for E rosette-forming cells. After removal from the antigen—antibody complex coated surface, the adherent lymphocytes retain rabbit antibody from the substrate on their surfaces. These cells do not bear surface immunoglobulin nor complement receptors, although about half form E rosettes. After 24 hours of culture, rabbit antibody is no longer detected on the cell surfaces and the cells are able to bind new antigen—antibody complexes to their Fc receptors. Although the non-adherent fraction is always depleted of cells mediating ADCC when compared to the unnseparated population, the adherent population recovered from the substrate is variable in its ADCC activity. However, if trypsin is used to remove the adherent cells, after culture this population shows enhanced ADCC activity.
Branding Smallville: Community place brand communication and business owner perceptions of performance in small town America

A retail sales pull factor measures how strongly a community draws consumers from outside of the community and retains its own residents for retail consumption. A high retail sales pull factor community denotes that the community is generating retail revenues while a low pull factor community indicates that the community is leaking retail revenues. This research proposes that ‘branding the downtown’ is an effective strategy to increase the community’s retail sales pull factor by comparing business owners responses to (1) perceived downtown and business performance; and (2) perceived accessibility of internal communication about downtown branding between business owners in high pull factor and low pull factor communities. One hundred and sixty-seven responses were collected from downtown business owners in small communities in a Midwestern state. Independent samples t-test results showed that downtown business owners in communities with a high pull factor evaluated the performance of their downtown and own business more favorably than those in communities with a low pull factor and perceived that internal communication about downtown branding was accessible to them. The findings suggest that community administrators should make efforts to brand their downtown areas. It is recommended that effective brand communication activities among business owners be instigated to increase positive downtown branding effects.
The Effect of Pasture Allowance and Supplementation on Feed Efficiency and Profitability of Dairy Systems

Abstract Partial budgeting was used to compare income over feed costs of high-yielding Holstein cows based on data from an experiment with 4 dietary treatments arranged in a 2 × 2 factorial. The factors were low (25 kg DM/cow per day) and high (40 kg DM/cow per day) pasture allowance (PA) and supplemental grain fed at 1 kg/4 kg of milk or no supplemental grain fed. The 4 treatments were low PA unsupplemented (LPAU), low PA concentrate supplementation (LPAC), high PA unsupplemented (HPAU), and high PA concentrate supplementation (HPAC). Two management systems were modeled. The first, a fixed herd size flexible rotation length model, and the second, a flexible herd size model where rotation length was fixed. The LPAC treatment yielded the highest income over feed costs, followed by the HPAC treatment. The treatment generating the lowest income was the HPAU system. The low PA systems generated more income than did the high PA systems for equivalent supplemental feeding strategies. The results also showed that feeding supplemental grain increased the income-over-feed costs compared with systems that did not feed supplemental grain. In most treatments, comparing the fixed herd against the flexible herd models, the flexible herd size model generated higher income due to the substitution of relatively low income per hectare of hay production for higher income from milk production. There were also differences in feed conversion efficiencies for milk production due to concentrate supplementation (1.04 unsupplemented vs. 1.21 supplemented), but PA did not affect the efficiency of milk production. Neither supplementation nor PA affected the feed conversion efficiency of milk fat yield. However, the efficiency of milk protein yield was affected by concentrate supplementation (0.028 unsupplemented vs. 0.034 supplemented) but not by pasture allowance.
A comparison of the effects of broadband masking noise on the auditory brainstem response in young and older adults.

We examined the effects of ipsilateral-direct, continuous, broadband noise on auditory brainstem response (ABR) wave I and V latencies and amplitudes in young adult versus older adult humans. It wa...