cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
CRISPR-Cas System of a Prevalent Human Gut Bacterium Reveals Hyper-targeting against Phages in a Human Virome Catalog.

Summary Bacteriophages are abundant within the human gastrointestinal tract, yet their interactions with gut bacteria remain poorly understood, particularly with respect to CRISPR-Cas immunity. Here, we show that the type I-C CRISPR-Cas system in the prevalent gut Actinobacterium Eggerthella lenta is transcribed and sufficient for specific targeting of foreign and chromosomal DNA. Comparative analyses of E. lenta CRISPR-Cas systems across (meta)genomes revealed 2 distinct clades according to cas sequence similarity and spacer content. We assembled a human virome database (HuVirDB), encompassing 1,831 samples enriched for viral DNA, to identify protospacers. This revealed matches for a majority of spacers, a marked increase over other databases, and uncovered “hyper-targeted” phage sequences containing multiple protospacers targeted by several E. lenta strains. Finally, we determined the positional mismatch tolerance of observed spacer-protospacer pairs. This work emphasizes the utility of merging computational and experimental approaches for determining the function and targets of CRISPR-Cas systems.
Teaching Relational Lawyering in Corporate Law

Relational lawyering is both a theoretical model of ethical law practice, as well as a framework for developing the legal competencies that every lawyer needs to be effective, regardless of his or her type of practice. Both center their focus upon the dynamic relationship between an attorney and client, and have broad applications serving clients who are both individuals and organizations. Relational lawyering as a model of law practice views individuals and organizations as both having agency and existing within webs of relationships; accordingly, it requires that lawyers’ counsel to their clients must consider not only the impact of such counsel upon the client, but also those with whom the client is in relationship. Relational lawyering as a pedagogical technique emphasizes (a) understanding theories about the person-in-context, (b) promoting procedural justice, and (c) appreciating interpersonal, cultural, and emotional issues. To date, scholarship has explored relational lawyering as a model of law practice in serving both families, corporations and individuals; meanwhile, relational lawyering as a pedagogical technique emerged from the area of family law, but no scholarship has explored its application to corporate law and practice yet. This Article seeks to fill such gap -- especially in light of the broad similarities between families and corporations as analogous organizations of people, relationships, and resources -- and extends the insights gained from applying relational lawyering as a pedagogical approach in family law to corporate law.
A Migratory Near Memory Processing Architecture Applied to Big Data Problems.

Servers produced by mainstream vendors are inefficient in processing Big Data queries due to bottlenecks inherent in the fundamental architecture of these systems. Current server blades contain multicore processors connected to DRAM memory and disks by an interconnection chipset. The multicore processor chips perform all the computations while the DRAM and disks store the data but have no processing capability. To perform a database query, data must be moved back and forth between DRAM and a small cache as well as between DRAM and disks. For Big Data applications this data movement in onerous. Migratory Near Memory Servers address this bottleneck by placing large numbers of lightweight processors directly into the memory system. These processors operate directly on the relations, vertices and edges of Big Data applications in place without having to shuttle large quantities of data back and forth between DRAM, cache and heavyweight multicore processors. This paper addresses the application of such an architecture to relational database SELECT and JOIN queries. Preliminary results indicate end-to-end orders of magnitude speedup.
Regulation of sister chromatid cohesion by nuclear PD-L1

Programmed death ligand-1 (PD-L1 or B7-H1) is well known for its role in immune checkpoint regulation, but its function inside the tumor cells has rarely been explored. Here we report that nuclear PD-L1 is important for cancer cell sister chromatid cohesion. We found that depletion of PD-L1 suppresses cancer cell proliferation, colony formation in vitro, and tumor growth in vivo in immune-deficient NSG mice independent of its role in immune checkpoint. Specifically, PD-L1 functions as a subunit of the cohesin complex, and its deficiency leads to formation of multinucleated cells and causes a defect in sister chromatid cohesion. Mechanistically, PD-L1 compensates for the loss of Sororin, whose expression is suppressed in cancer cells overexpressing PD-L1. PD-L1 competes with Wing Apart-Like (WAPL) for binding to PDS5B, and secures proper sister chromatid cohesion and segregation. Our findings suggest an important role for nuclear PD-L1 in cancer cells independent of its function in immune checkpoint.
Standardized assessment, information, and networking technologies (SAINTs): lessons from three decades of development and testing

To rectify the significant mismatch observed between what matters to patients and what clinicians know, our research group developed a standardized assessment, information, and networking technology (SAINT). Controlled trials and field tests involving more than 230,000 adults identified characteristics of a successful SAINT—www.HowsYourHealth.org—for primary care and community settings. Evidence supports SAINT effectiveness when the SAINT has a simple design that provides a service to patients and explicitly engages them in an information and communication network with their clinicians. This service orientation requires that an effective SAINT deliver easily interpretable patient reports that immediately guide provider actions. For example, our SAINT tracks patient-reported confidence that they can self-manage health problems, and providers can immediately act on patients’ verbatim descriptions of what they want or need to become more health confident. This information also supports current and future resource planning, and thereby fulfills another characteristic of a successful SAINT: contributing to health care reliability. Lastly, SAINTs must manage or evade the “C-monsters,” powerful obstacles to implementation that largely revolve around control and commercialism. Responses from more than 10,000 adult patients with diabetes illustrate how a successful SAINT offers a standard and expedient guide to managing each patient’s concerns and adjusting health services to better meet the needs of any large patient population. Technologies that evolve to include the characteristics described here will deliver more effective tools for patients, providers, payers, and policymakers and give patients control over sharing their data with those who need it in real time.
Associations among exaggerated threat perceptions, suicidal thoughts, and suicidal behaviors in U.S. firearm owners.

Abstract Firearm availability has traditionally been conceptualized as an environmental risk factor for suicide mortality. Firearm acquisition for the primary purpose of self-protection (i.e., protective gun ownership) is often motivated by exaggerated threat expectancies—a central component of anticipatory anxiety—but firearm acquisition may paradoxically reinforce or exacerbate threat expectancies and contribute to behavioral disinhibition. Firearm ownership may therefore confer increased risk for suicide mortality through biobehavioral mechanisms. The present study conducted an initial test of this hypothesis by examining associations among firearm ownership, intentions to acquire additional firearms, threat expectancies, and past-month suicidal thoughts and behaviors using data collected from a national sample of 6200 U.S. adults. Results indicated threat expectancies and rates of suicide-related behaviors were significantly elevated among protective gun owners and participants who intended to acquire a firearm within the next year as compared to non-gun owners and non-protective gun owners. Threat expectancies were associated with significantly increased risk for past-month suicide-related behavior. Results suggest that threat expectancies in particular, and anticipatory anxiety more generally, may be biobehavioral processes associated with the correlation of firearm ownership and increased suicide risk.
Kesha’s Comeback and the Stakes of Live Performance: Connecting through Trauma at the 2018 Grammy Awards

The use of live popular music performance as a platform to address gendered and sexual violence and trauma within the popular music industry can be demonstrated through the analysis of Kesha’s perf...
Post-legalization changes in marijuana use in a sample of young California adults.

Abstract Introduction Increasing marijuana use among young adults is a concern due to substantial acute and chronic health risks. More widespread use of marijuana may also lead to increased use of nicotine and tobacco products. California legalized commercial sales of marijuana for recreational use as of January 2018. To our knowledge no studies to date have examined subsequent changes in marijuana use. The goal of this study was to test the hypothesis that marijuana use frequency increased following legalization of recreational sales. We also hypothesized that increased marijuana frequency would predict greater frequency of nicotine/tobacco consumption. Methods The study was a secondary analysis of a longitudinal study of tobacco use among non-daily cigarette smokers. Participants were 563 young adults (aged 18–24) enrolled in 2015–16 and followed quarterly for 3 years. Results A piecewise multilevel regression model indicated that marijuana use frequency did not change over time, including following legalization. More frequent use was associated with younger age and identifying as white (ps Conclusions Findings suggest legalization of recreational marijuana sales had a negligible overall impact on days of use among young adults, but may have prompted increased interest in marijuana among some, particularly women and e-cigarette users. The continuously evolving landscape around these products indicates that ongoing surveillance is critical.
P4HA2-induced prolyl hydroxylation suppresses YAP1-mediated prostate cancer cell migration, invasion, and metastasis

Yes-associated protein 1 (YAP1), a key player in the Hippo pathway, has been shown to play a critical role in tumor progression. However, the role of YAP1 in prostate cancer cell invasion, migration, and metastasis is not well defined. Through functional, transcriptomic, epigenomic, and proteomic analyses, we showed that prolyl hydroxylation of YAP1 plays a critical role in the suppression of cell migration, invasion, and metastasis in prostate cancer. Knockdown (KD) or knockout (KO) of YAP1 led to an increase in cell migration, invasion, and metastasis in prostate cancer cells. Microarray analysis showed that the EMT pathway was activated in Yap1-KD cells. ChIP-seq analysis showed that Yap1 target genes are enriched in pathways regulating cell migration. Mass spectrometry analysis identified P4H prolyl hydroxylase in the YAP1 complex and YAP1 was hydroxylated at multiple proline residues. Proline-to-alanine mutations of YAP1 isoform 3 identified proline 174 as a critical residue, and its hydroxylation suppressed cell migration, invasion, and metastasis. KO of P4ha2 led to an increase in cell migration and invasion, which was reversed upon Yap1 KD. Our study identified a novel regulatory mechanism of YAP1 by which P4HA2-dependent prolyl hydroxylation of YAP1 determine its transcriptional activities and its function in prostate cancer metastasis.
Shifting perceptions of a risk/need assessment tool: exploring practitioners’ adjustments to reform

This paper examines how frontline juvenile probation officers’ (POs’) perceptions of a risk/need assessment (RNA) evolved over the years following its introduction, and what subjective experiences ...
Peripheral nerve: health and medicine in Cold War Latin America: Edited by Anne-Emanuelle Birn and Raúl Necochea Lópes, (Durham, NC: Duke University Press, 2020), 376 pp.

‘Latin America has never been so healthy as in January 1960’. So reported the New York Times on 13 January 1960, crediting improved health outcomes to ongoing campaigns by the likes of the Rockefel...
Sex-specific pubertal and metabolic regulation of Kiss1 neurons via Nhlh2.

Hypothalamic Kiss1 neurons control gonadotropin-releasing hormone release through the secretion of kisspeptin. Kiss1 neurons serve as a nodal center that conveys essential regulatory cues for the attainment and maintenance of reproductive function. Despite this critical role, the mechanisms that control kisspeptin synthesis and release remain largely unknown. Using Drop-Seq data from the arcuate nucleus of adult mice and in situ hybridization, we identified Nescient Helix-Loop-Helix 2 (Nhlh2), a transcription factor of the basic helix-loop-helix family, to be enriched in Kiss1 neurons. JASPAR analysis revealed several binding sites for NHLH2 in the Kiss1 and Tac2 (neurokinin B) 5' regulatory regions. In vitro luciferase assays evidenced a robust stimulatory action of NHLH2 on human KISS1 and TAC3 promoters. The recruitment of NHLH2 to the KISS1 and TAC3 promoters was further confirmed through chromatin immunoprecipitation. In vivo conditional ablation of Nhlh2 from Kiss1 neurons using Kiss1Cre:Nhlh2fl/fl mice induced a male-specific delay in puberty onset, in line with a decrease in arcuate Kiss1 expression. Females retained normal reproductive function albeit with irregular estrous cycles. Further analysis of male Kiss1Cre:Nhlh2fl/fl mice revealed higher susceptibility to metabolic challenges in the release of luteinizing hormone and impaired response to leptin. Overall, in Kiss1 neurons, Nhlh2 contributes to the metabolic regulation of kisspeptin and NKB synthesis and release, with implications for the timing of puberty onset and regulation of fertility in male mice.
Distortion of expanding n-heptane flames at high unburned-gas temperatures behind reflected shocks

Abstract Simultaneous, dual-perspective, high-speed imaging is used to provide new insight into the morphology of flames generated at high unburned-gas temperatures behind reflected shock waves. Single-perspective, end-wall imaging left previous applications of the shock-tube flame speed method reliant on an assumption of axial symmetry when interpreting experimental results. Here, we report qualitative and quantitative observations from the first application of simultaneous side- and end-wall emission imaging to characterize the three-dimensional morphology of these flames. Side-wall imaging reveals that, while the expected flame symmetry is observed under static and relatively low temperature post-reflected-shock conditions, symmetry can break down at higher temperatures. These results reveal that the concentric regions of emission previously observed in flame experiments in the negative-temperature-coefficient ignition regime can be explained as the axial integration of emission through a distorted flame. Several physical mechanisms are evaluated towards the goal of identifying the underlying cause of flame distortion. The post-reflected-shock flow field and pressure-wave–flame interactions are both found insufficient to explain the results. Presently, not enough is known about the recently identified local-double-flame structure to assess the likelihood of its relevance in the present experiments. As such, while the dual-perspective imaging results provide important new insight into the morphology of high-temperature flames and inform the correct interpretation of previous experimental observations, the specific mechanism leading to the observed distortion remains a topic requiring further attention.
The nicotinic acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo electroplax.

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the features of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor. It has been assumes that the physiological receptor has two parts: a recognition component, which recognizes and binds to acetylcholine (ACh) and related drugs, and an ionophore, which is separable but attached to the recognition component. When ACh binds to the recognition component, it modifies the ionophore, which opens to permit the passage of Na + and K + . Time-dependent changes in acetylcholine (ACh) binding to electroplax membranes have been observed that corresponds to the physiological event of desensitization. The recognition component of the cholinergic receptor is probably made up of a protein with the subunit composition α 2 -β-γ- δ with α as the ACh binding site; these subunits constitute the light protein, L. Reconstruction of the receptor complex from electron micrographs suggests that its molecular weight is about 640,000. One possibility is that the complex is made up of one molecule of protein H, which is a dimer of L, and of 5 subunits of a molecular weight of 43,000, each representing a separate ionophore. Another possibility is that one molecule of protein H is combined with one molecule of protein L.
Continuous-time adaptive recursive signal processing

The issue of adaptively processing signals in continuous time with filters having both zeros and poles is considered. Beginning with the discrete-time hyperstable adaptive recursive filter (HARF) structure, a continuous-time structure similar to the simplified HARF (SHARF) is developed. Although similar to SHARF, the continuous-time structure is even simpler. It is shown that, despite the simplification, the continuous-time SHARF exhibits theoretical convergence under certain conditions, a characteristic not enjoyed by the discrete-time SHARF. >
Continental Shelf Embayments of the Eastern Margin of the Philippines; Lamon Bay Stratification & Circulation

Abstract : The spatial and temporal shelf/slope interactions processes within and at the boundaries of Lamon Bay may be instrumental in the origin and dynamics of the Kuroshio Current including the links of the Kuroshio to the North Pacific subtropical gyre and Pacific North Equatorial Current Bifurcation. The cyclonic dipole circulation of the southwest Lamon Bay is likely closely linked to the active marine ecosystem characteristic, and shelf/slope interaction. The objectives of the Lamon Bay program, a component of the OKMC DRI, are to quantity the spatial and temporal characteristics of the ocean processes governing the stratification & circulation within Lamon Bay, including shelf/ slope exchange, and their relationship to regional marine ecosystems, as well as to investigate linkage of Lamon Bay oceanography to the larger scale, such as the development of the Kuroshio. The objectives are attained utilizing the observations obtained during the R/V Revelle in May/June 2011 and April/May 2012 research cruises; time series from moorings spanning the cruises; as well as satellite derived data and other observations collected as part of the OKMC program.
Teaching Social Justice Through Legal Writing

Because the topic of social justice is important to both of the authors, we were pleased to participate in the 2000 Legal Writing Institute Conference, even though neither of the authors is currently a legal writing professor; however, we both were in the past. Incorporating social justice in legal writing assignments provides benefits for professors and students. The first section of this article discusses the parameters of social justice and the goals advanced by incorporating social justice issues into legal writing curricula. The second section provides practical suggestions for creating fact patterns that contain social justice issues either as the background to the assignment or as the body of substantive law. The article then addresses concerns that may arise when professors incorporate social justice issues in legal writing assignments, including issues of academic freedom and job security for non-tenured professors and discusses how to resolve some of these concerns.
k-Plane Clustering

A finite new algorithm is proposed for clustering m given points in n-dimensional real space into k clusters by generating k planes that constitute a local solution to the nonconvex problem of minimizing the sum of squares of the 2-norm distances between each point and a nearest plane. The key to the algorithm lies in a formulation that generates a plane in n-dimensional space that minimizes the sum of the squares of the 2-norm distances to each of m1 given points in the space. The plane is generated by an eigenvector corresponding to a smallest eigenvalue of an n × n simple matrix derived from the m1 points. The algorithm was tested on the publicly available Wisconsin Breast Prognosis Cancer database to generate well separated patient survival curves. In contrast, the k-mean algorithm did not generate such well-separated survival curves.
Encopresis, soiling, constipation: What's to be done?

Though a frequent problem with a tremendous negative impact on the family as well as the child, fecal incontinence has received little attention in the pediatric literature. Levine9s study of the natural history of children with encopresis in this issue of Pediatrics is, therefore, a welcome contribution. Encopresis is defined as incontinence of feces not due to organic defect or illness. Mercer preferred to define encopresis as the voluntary or involuntary passage of an ordinary bowel movement into the clothing, and soiling as the constant involuntary seepage of feces associated with impaction. He reported that the former was rare in his experience.
Swinging up the Acrobot: an example of intelligent control

In our approach, intelligent control integrates the symbolic reasoning of artificial intelligence (AI) into the control procedure. We describe how this can be accomplished by a straightforward abstraction of the conventional notion of the control model. We apply the techniques to the problem of swing-up control of the Acrobot. The resulting explanation-based control strategy is compared with two more-conventionally-derived control strategies. We briefly discuss the strengths and weaknesses of the new approach.
The Use of Ultrasound for Evaluating Subacute Unilateral Scrotal Swelling

AbstractIn 15 patients with subacute (longer than 8 hours) unilateral scrotal swelling in whom the etiology was in doubt scrotal ultrasound was used to determine whether the pathological condition was intratesticular and/or extratesticular. Surgical exploration confirmed intratesticular or intratesticular and extratesticular findings in 9 patients: 8 had torsion of the spermatic cord (including a testis rupture in 1 and epididymal ruptures in 2) and 1 had a mixed germ cell carcinoma. Of the 6 patients with extratesticular findings 3 had clinical epididymitis that resolved on antibiotic therapy and 2 had what appeared to be paratesticular hematomas with normal testes presumed to be secondary to minor trauma. The condition resolved with conservative therapy in the latter 2 patients. The remaining patient required surgical drainage because of the size and an epididymal rupture suspected by the ultrasound examination. Scrotal ultrasound is a quick, noninvasive, easily applied, accurate method to diagnose scro...
Recent British technical progress in aeronautics part One—Structural Design

AT a time when the glamour of space travel is capturing the imagination of the aeronautical world it seems somewhat mundane to be asked to report on the progress of the past years‘ achievements. The first reaction is to question if there has been any progress, or is this just ’another' year.
Cross‐Talk Between Ionic and Nanoribbon Current Signals in Graphene Nanoribbon‐Nanopore Sensors for Single‐Molecule Detection

Nanopores are now being used not only as an ionic current sensor but also as a means to localize molecules near alternative sensors with higher sensitivity and/or selectivity. One example is a solid-state nanopore embedded in a graphene nanoribbon (GNR) transistor. Such a device possesses the high conductivity needed for higher bandwidth measurements and, because of its single-atomic-layer thickness, can improve the spatial resolution of the measurement. Here measurements of ionic current through the nanopore are shown during double-stranded DNA (dsDNA) translocation, along with the simultaneous response of the neighboring GNR due to changes in the surrounding electric potential. Cross-talk originating from capacitive coupling between the two measurement channels is observed, resulting in a transient response in the GNR during DNA translocation; however, a modulation in device conductivity is not observed via an electric-field-effect response during DNA translocation. A field-effect response would scale with GNR source-drain voltage (Vds), whereas the capacitive coupling does not scale with Vds . In order to take advantage of the high bandwidth potential of such sensors, the field-effect response must be enhanced. Potential field calculations are presented to outline a phase diagram for detection within the device parameter space, charting a roadmap for future optimization of such devices.
Flexibly Global? Performing Culture and Identity in an Age of Uncertainty

Presented as a symbolic interactive messy performance text, Michael Giardina sutures himself into and through the landscape of global social relations, including his own interpretive interactions of disconnection and reconnection with place, home, and nation. In so doing, and in these collages of lived textuality, he examines the complex, conflictual, and continually shifting identity performances revealed in and through our fleeting experiences with one another. Whether brushing up against the hyphenated spatial histories of British colonialism and Asian diaspora in London and Manchester or witnessing the rampant expressions of xenophobic nationalism pervading the US popular public sphere in sites ranging from Yankee Stadium in New York to a fast food restaurant in Champaign, Illinois, each narrative turn brings us into head-on collisions with each ‘Other’.
Summer Sun Exposure: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Behaviors of Midwest Adolescents

Background.Extensive print, radio, and television coverage about the dangers of sun exposure and benefits of sun protection occurred over the past decade. Illinois teen knowledge and attitudes about sun exposure/protection, sun-exposure/protection behavior, and information sources were determined by a summer telephone survey. Methods.Telephone interviews with 658 teenagers between ages 11 and 19 included African-American, Asian, Hispanic, Native American, and white teenagers. Results.Teens knew that too much sun was harmful as it caused skin cancer and sunburn. Sunburn was mentioned more often by those with skin types that burned easily and tanned poorly (I,II) (P< 0.001), was better known to girls than to boys (P< 0.001), and was recognized more by those with higher socioeconomic status (P< 0.001) but was not associated with age. Widely held sun exposure attitudes were socializing with friends and feeling better when outdoors. On weekdays, boys averaged 5.3 hr (SD, 1.65 hr) outside compared with 3.9 hr (SD, 0.75 hr) for girls (P< 0.001). Teenage boys were more likely to obtain occupational sun exposure, and girls sunbathed. Subjects with skin types I and II reported an average of 3.3 sunburns in the past year. During unprotected sun exposure, extensive numbers of teens with moderate-risk skin type experienced at least 1 sunburn per year. Indoor tanning use was more prevalent among older girls and those with skin types I and II. Sunscreen use was associated with water recreational activities (swimming, water sports, and going to the beach) by girls slightly more than by boys (P< 0.001). Hat-wearing was more common among boys than among girls. Conclusions.Teen knowledge that excessive sun exposure causes skin cancer and sunburns and that wearing sunscreens and hats were sun-protective methods did not enable sun protection that prevented burning. This is particularly troublesome because severe sunburns in youth are associated with an increased risk of melanoma. Existing teen sunscreen use could be broadened by educating teens to use adequate quantities of sunscreen prior to daily sun exposure to prevent painful burns. Messages to teens that emphasize the short-term consequences of painful sunburns because of inadequate protection during outdoor occupational and non-water-related recreational exposure would increase the relevance of the message and may enable behavioral change. Parents and physicians need to be included in messages that are directed to teens and to become part of their education. Parents could ensure an adequate sunscreen supply for daily use by the family, encourage teens not to deliberately tan, and serve as role models for the use of protective clothing.
A characteristic dental finding in acrosclerosis and diffuse scleroderma

Abstract A characteristic change has been observed in the dental roentgenograms of patients suffering from acrosclerosis and diffuse scleroderma, in which the prominent feature is a widening of the periodontal space. This widening of the space apparently occurs most often in association with acrosclerosis although it also may be present with diffuse scleroderma. Microscopic examination of one specimen revealed that the enlarged periodontal space is occupied by a markedly thickened periodontal membrane. Thickening of the vessel walls suggests that the change in the periodontal membrane is probably brought about by the same circulatory disturbance which is a salient feature in acrosclerosis and diffuse scleroderma.
Human ghrelin protects animals from renal ischemia-reperfusion injury through the vagus nerve

Background Acute kidney injury secondary to renal ischemia and reperfusion injury is widely prevalent. Ghrelin, which is a stomach-derived peptide, has been shown to be anti-inflammatory. The purpose of this study was to examine whether human ghrelin has any beneficial effects after renal ischemia and reperfusion injury, and if so, whether ghrelin’s action in renal ischemia and reperfusion injury is mediated by the vagus nerve. Methods Male adult rats were subjected to renal ischemia and reperfusion by bilateral renal pedicle clamping for 60 min, treated intravenously with human ghrelin (4 nmol/rat) or normal saline (vehicle) immediately after reperfusion. After 24 h, the animals were killed and samples were harvested. In separate groups, subdiaphragmatic vagotomy prior to renal ischemia and reperfusion was performed, treated with human ghrelin or vehicle, and at 24 h, blood and organs were harvested. Results Renal ischemia and reperfusion injury caused significant increases in the serum levels of tissue injury markers compared with the sham operation. Human ghrelin treatment attenuated serum creatinine and blood urea nitrogen significantly by 55% and 53%, and liver enzymes (aminotransferase [AST] and alanine aminotransferase [ALT]) by 20% and 24%, respectively, compared with the vehicle-treated groups. Tissue water contents, plasma and kidney interleukin-6, and kidney myeloperoxidase activity were decreased. Bcl-2/Bax ratio was increased, and histology of the kidneys was improved. More importantly, prior vagotomy abolished ghrelin’s protective effect in tissue injury markers and tissue water contents in renal ischemia and reperfusion injured animals. Conclusion Human ghrelin treatment in renal ischemia and reperfusion injured rats attenuated systemic and kidney-specific inflammatory responses. The protection of human ghrelin in renal ischemia and reperfusion injury was mediated by the vagus nerve. These data suggest that ghrelin can be developed as a novel treatment for patients with acute kidney injury induced by renal ischemia and reperfusion injury.
Nitric oxide-mediated neuronal injury in multiple sclerosis

Although several explanations have been proposed for destruction of myelin and oligodendrocytes in multiple sclerosis, there is no proven mechanism of injury. We postulate that the autoimmune response seen in multiple sclerosis results in a cytokine-mediated increase in nitric oxide production by macrophages/microglia, smooth muscle cells and/or endothelium of the central nervous system. 3 mechanisms of cellular damage due to nitric oxide are proposed: 1. direct nitric oxide cytotoxicity; 2. injury due to peroxynitrite formation from superoxide anion and nitric oxide; and 3. nitric oxide-mediated elevations of cellular cGMP that enhance tumor necrosis factor-alpha toxicity. In support of these hypotheses, the anti-inflammatory effectors, dexamethasone and transforming growth factor-beta, ameliorate symptoms seen in clinical multiple sclerosis and experimental allergic encephalitis, respectively. These 2 immunomodulators also inhibit induction of cytokine-mediated nitric oxide production by macrophages. An experimental design and therapeutic interventions which will evaluate the role of nitric oxide in the pathophysiology of experimental allergic encephalitis are presented.
First- and second-order transitions in models with a continuous set of energy minima

A class of models having an $n$-component order parameter, and whose excitation spectrum $\ensuremath{\omega}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}})$ has a continuous set ${\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}}$ of minima, is studied in $d=5\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ dimensions using the renormalization group (RG). It has been argued, at least for small $n$, that models of this type exhibit fluctuation-induced first-order phase transitions. For the case in which the set of energy minima consists of a single square in reciprocal space, the absence of a stable fixed point for small $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ implies that the phase transition is first order for all finite $n$, in agreement with $n=1$ results of Mukamel and Hornreich. For $n=\ensuremath{\infty}$ a stable fixed point does exist; its domain of attraction includes part of the space of physically allowed coupling constants. The transition may, therefore, be either first or second order, depending on the particular choice of coupling constants. An exact solution of the $n=\ensuremath{\infty}$ single-square model shows that these RG results hold for all $d$ between 3 and 5. The exact solution also determines the structure of the ordered phase; for some choices of the coupling constants, for example, the ordered phase is a spiral, the order parameter behaving as $〈\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\ensuremath{\varphi}}(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{x}})〉\ensuremath{\sim}{\stackrel{^}{e}}_{1}cos(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{x}})+{\stackrel{^}{e}}_{2}sin(\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{x}})$, where $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{\mathrm{q}}$ lies on the square and ${\stackrel{^}{e}}_{1}\ifmmode\cdot\else\textperiodcentered\fi{}{\stackrel{^}{e}}_{2}=0$. Under the assumption that the critical properties of the square model accurately approximate those of the more physically relevant ring model, we argue that the $n$-component single-ring model has a first-order transition for all finite $n$, and a second-order transition for $n=\ensuremath{\infty}$. An exact calculation at $n=\ensuremath{\infty}$ for the single-ring model shows that the transition into a spiral-ordered phase is indeed continuous.
Simple superconformal field theories in two dimensions

Abstract Superconformal field theories with first-order lagrangians, the super BC-systems, are considered on an arbitrary Riemann surface with an arbitrary gravitino field. The corresponding functional integrals are carefully defined, and the Weyl, supersymmetry, and holomorphic anomalies are computed. All the anomalies have a common coefficient. The holomorphic anomaly involves terms quadratic in the gravitino field.
Tumor progression locus 2 differentially regulates IFNγ and IL-17 production by effector CD4+ T cells in a T cell transfer model of colitis.

Autoimmune diseases are approaching epidemic levels, estimated to affect 5–8% of the population. A number of autoimmune diseases are believed to be driven by autoreactive T cells, specifically by T helper 1 (Th1) cells and T helper 17 (Th17) cells. One molecule gaining interest as a therapeutic target is the serine-threonine kinase, Tpl2, which promotes expression of proinflammatory mediators. We previously demonstrated that Tpl2 regulates Th1 differentiation, secretion of the inflammatory cytokine IFNγ, and host defense against the intracellular parasite Toxoplasma gondii. The goal of this study was to determine whether Tpl2 also regulates Th1 or Th17 differentiation in vivo in a model of colitis associated with mixed Th1/Th17 pathology. In vitro, Tpl2−/− naive CD4 T cells were significantly impaired in IL-17A secretion under traditional Th17 inducing conditions. Reduced IL-17A secretion correlated with increased expression of FoxP3, a transcription factor known to antagonize RORγt function. In a murine T cell transfer model of colitis, transfer of Tpl2−/− T cells resulted in reduced proportions of CD4 T cells expressing IFNγ, but not IL-17A, compared to that induced by wild type T cells. Further studies revealed that IL-17A differentiation induced by IL-6 and IL-23, cytokines implicated in driving Th17 differentiation in vivo, was unaffected by Tpl2 deficiency. Collectively, these results implicate Tpl2 in TGF-β-induced FoxP3 expression. Additionally, they underscore the contribution of Tpl2 to Th1 immunopathology specifically, which suggests that Tpl2 inhibitors may selectively target Th1-based inflammation.
Work in progress — Students and engineers collaborating in global virtual context

This work in progress will present an exploratory case study on how globally dispersed students and practicing engineers collaborate in completing client-sponsored, multi-disciplinary, and multicultural team projects. Literature on global virtual teams study often cites miscommunication as a main cause for ineffective virtual team performance. This work in progress focuses on practices and training on the aspect of communication and trust building in global virtual teams from a sample of two teams. Qualitative data will be collected through various methods: participant observation, direct observation, interviews, and writing samples. Data will be analyzed by following the constructive grounded theory protocol. This work in progress will contribute to the literature on global virtual teams and international engineering education and offer pedagogical implication on how to prepare engineering students to collaborate in professional settings in the global (virtual) workplace.
Search for neutrino-antineutrino oscillations with a reactor experiment

Abstract The disappearance of reactor antineutrinos in the Double Chooz experiment is used to investigate the possibility of neutrino–antineutrino oscillations arising due to the breakdown of Lorentz invariance. We find no evidence for this phenomenon and set the first limits on 15 coefficients describing neutrino–antineutrino mixing within the framework of the Standard-Model Extension.
Effect of spin splitting of the conduction band on the resistivity and Hall coefficient: Model for the positive magnetoresistance in EuSe

A magnetic field $\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{H}$ splits the conduction band of a magnetic semiconductor into two spin subbands separated by an energy $\ensuremath{\delta}(H)$. This splitting, which is caused by the $s\ensuremath{-}f$ (or $d\ensuremath{-}f$) interaction, leads to a redistribution of the conduction electrons between the two subbands. The effects of this electron redistribution on the electrical resistivity and Hall coefficient are calculated assuming that the total number of conduction electrons is constant. Both magnetic scattering (spin-disorder scattering) and nonmagnetic scattering (ionized-impurity and acoustical-phonon scattering) are considered. The resistivity due to spin disorder always decreases with increasing $H$. However, contrary to the usual assumption, the resistivity due to nonmagnetic scattering also changes with $\ensuremath{\delta}(H)$. Physically, the resistivity due to nonmagnetic scattering depends on a weighted average $\overline{\ensuremath{\tau}}$ of the electron relaxation time $\ensuremath{\tau}(E)$ with respect to the electron energy $E$. The redistribution of electrons changes the energies $E$ which dominate $\overline{\ensuremath{\tau}}$, and also changes the impurity screening radius ${r}_{0}$ on which $\ensuremath{\tau}(E)$ depends. Under certain conditions (apparently satisfied in our EuSe samples) the magnetoresistance due to nonmagnetic scattering alone is positive. In this case, if the ratio of nonmagnetic to magnetic scattering is sufficiently large, the net magnetoresistance is positive at low $H$. At high $H$, when all the electrons are in the lower-energy subband, nonmagnetic scattering is independent of $H$ but magnetic scattering continues to decrease with increasing $H$. This combination of low-$H$ and high-$H$ behaviors leads to a resistivity peak at a field ${H}_{max}$, as observed in EuSe. The model gives a good estimate for the field ${H}_{max}$ and its dependence on temperature $T$ and carrier concentration $n$. Moreover, the predicted $T$ dependence of the magnitude of the resistivity peak is in qualitative agreement with experiment.
Desorption kinetics of CO from epitaxial Pd films on W(110) in the low coverage limit

Abstract The adsorption-desorption kinetics of CO from ultrathin epitaxial Pd films has been studied using modulated molecular beam techniques. We find that the rate constant for desorption, k d , is nearly four orders of magnitude higher for the monolayer Pd film than that for the bilayer film. The rate decreases further by a factor of 7 between 2 and 6 monolayers at which k d attains the value seen on Pd single crystals. We conclude that although a bilayer film is similar to a bulk Pd(111) surface in binding CO, true bulk-like behavior is only reached above six atomic layers of Pd. Temperature programmed desorption at low coverage can be fit using the beam determined kinetic parameters, showing that defects play no major role in the beam experiments. Significant departures in the values of the activation energy for desorption and the preexponential factor for the monolayer film from expected values are attributed to a possible adsorbate induced surface reconstruction.
Scaling of vortex transport properties in high-temperature superconductors.

Using both dc and low-frequency-ac (10\char21{}${10}^{5}$ Hz) transport measurements in low magnetic fields (0\char21{}6.3 kOe), we find that the vortex transport properties of ${\mathrm{YBa}}_{2}$${\mathrm{Cu}}_{2.98}$${\mathrm{Au}}_{0.02}$${\mathrm{O}}_{\mathit{x}}$ (x=6.97\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.02) single crystals are consistent with a three-dimensional second-order vortex solid melting transition, with a static exponent \ensuremath{\nu}=0.9\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2, a dynamic exponent z=2.0\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.2, and a characteristic current-density exponent \ensuremath{\mu}=0.5\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.1. In contrast, transport properties of epitaxial films generally agree with the Ambegaokar-Halperin model.
Indirect land use change for biofuels: Testing predictions and improving analytical methodologies

Current practices for estimating indirect land use change (iLUC) due to United States biofuel production rely on assumption-heavy, global economic modeling approaches. Prior iLUC studies have failed to compare their predictions to past global historical data. An empirical approach is used to detect evidence for iLUC that might be catalyzed by United States biofuel production through a “bottom-up”, data-driven, statistical approach. Results show that biofuel production in the United States from 2002 to 2007 is not significantly correlated with changes in croplands for corn (coarse grain) plus soybean in regions of the world which are corn (coarse grain) and soybean trading partners of the United States. The results may be interpreted in at least two different ways: 1) biofuel production in the United States through 2007 (the last date for which information is available) probably has not induced any indirect land use change, and 2) this empirical approach may not be sensitive enough to detect indirect land use change from the historical data. It seems clear that additional effort may be required to develop methodologies to observe indirect land use change from the historical data. Such efforts might reduce uncertainties in indirect land use change estimates or perhaps form the basis for better policies or standards for biofuels.
Median Filters - Optical Implementation Using Symbolic Substitution

An optical implementation of median filters for optical digital signal and image processing is proposed. The two properties of median filters, namely, the threshold decomposition and the stacking property are taken advantage of in our design of the median filter. The thresholder decomposes the incoming signal into a set of binary sequences by thresholding the input signal at various thresholding levels. These binary sequences are then applied to a set of binary median filters, the output of which are added together one sample at a time using the summing lens. Data is coded using light polarization and the binary median filters are implemented via symbolic substitution logic (SSL). The optical implementation offers an increased throughput by taking full advantage of the parallelism offered by SSL and the inherent massive parallelism of optics.
Adrenal cortical extract on the oxygen consumption of propylthiouracil treated frogs.

STUDIES on the effect of adrenal cortical extract on the resting oxygen consumption of normal animals appear to be inconclusive, at least for homoiotherms. It has been reported that extracts of this gland cause a decrease (Marine and Bauman, 1922; Franke, 1932; Hill et al., 1950), increase (Koehlar and Hastings, 1929), and no change (Harrop et al., 1931; Webster et al., 1932; Hitchcock et al., 1938; Missiuro et al., 1938) in oxygen consumption. On the other hand, studies carried out on poikilotherms, specifically Carassius auratus and Rana pipiens (Calhoon and Angerer, 1950 a, b, 1954) appear to give consistent results, adrenal cortical extract producing ca. 25-35% depression of resting oxygen consumption. Because of the consistency of the effect of adrenal cortical extract on the resting oxygen consumption, it was assumed that this effect was due to a direct action on the tissues of the animal’s body generally (Calhoon and Angerer, 1954).
Urate excretion and urine flow in a lithium-induced diabetes insipidus rat model.

The relationship of urine flow to the excretion and clearance of uric acid was studied in rats at their normal endogenous plasma urate concentrations during saline infusion, utilizing a lithium-induced diabetes insipidus model. Thirteen rats were pretreated with intraperitoneal lithium for 4–7 days, while six control animals received intraperitoneal sodium. Six of the lithium-treated rats developed diabetes insipidus, while the other seven (which received less lithium, but developed similar plasma lithium concentrations) did not. Although urine flow more than tripled in the rats with diabetes insipidus, urate excretions and clearances were similar in the diabetes insipidus rats, the lithium-treated rats without diabetes insipidus, and the sodium-injected controls. No relationship between urine flow and renal urate elimination in the rat could be discerned in these studied despite great variations in flow within terminal portions of distal nephrons. It is suggested that many physiologic and pharmacologic variables may affect urine flow and urate elimination in the rat concomitantly, but independently.
Comprehensive description of irritable bowel syndrome by subtypes in African-Americans versus Caucasians

Comprehensive description of irritable bowel syndrome by subtypes in African-Americans versus Caucasians