cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Different roles of FAT10, FOXO1, and ADRA2A in hepatocellular carcinoma tumorigenesis in patients with alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) vs non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH).

Abstract Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common cancer and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths worldwide. Among others, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) and alcoholic steatohepatitis (ASH) are the two major risk factors as both of them may develop cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) if left untreated. However, patients with NASH progress to HCC at a rate around 0.5% annually, while 3–10% ASH patients may progress to HCC annually. The present study is to demonstrate the molecular differences in oncogenesis pathway between NASH and ASH. By using immunofluorescence study and quantitating the fluorescence intensity morphometrically in liver biopsied specimens from NASH and ASH patients, the protein expression of candidate molecules within hepatocytes cytoplasm are studied, including two HCC-related molecules FAT10 and FOXO1, and one GPCR pathway related molecule ADRA2A. Compared with the control group patients, the expression levels of all the molecules were upregulated in the ASH group of patients (p
The Lived Experience of Black Collegiate Males with Absent Fathers: Another Generation

The phenomenon of absent fathers is increasing in the Black community and insight from Black males raised in these households is needed to understand how they persevere and succeed. This study expl...
Multiplayer Online Games: Origins, Players, and Social Dynamics

Multiplayer Online Games (MOGs) have become a new genre of "play culture," integrating communication and entertainment in a playful, computer-mediated environment that evolves through user interaction. This book comprehensively reviews the origins, players, and social dynamics of MOGs, as well as six major empirical research methods used in previous works to study MOGs (i.e., observation/ethnography, survey/interviews, content and discourse analysis, experiments, network analysis, and case studies). It concludes that MOGs represent a highly sophisticated, networked, multimedia and multimodal Internet technology, which can construct entertaining, simultaneous, persistent social virtual worlds for gamers. Overall, the book shows that what we can learn from MOGs is how games and gaming, as ubiquitous activities, fit into ordinary life in today’s information society, in the moments where the increased use of media as entertainment, the widespread application of networked information technologies, and participation in new social experiences intersect. Key Features: Contains pertinent knowledge about online gaming: its history, technical features, player characteristics, social dynamics, and research methods Sheds light on the potential future of online gaming, and how this would impact every aspect of our everyday lives – socially, culturally, technologically, and economically Asks promising questions based on cutting-edge research in the field of online game design and development
Spatiotemporal habitat use by a multitrophic Alaska alpine mammal community

Evaluating sympatric habitat use of a mammal community can help determine intra- and inter-guild interactions and identify important habitats, potentially improving the management of these communit...
Fondaparinux Sodium Compared With Low-Molecular-Weight Heparins for Perioperative Surgical Thromboprophylaxis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Background Fondaparinux sodium has been compared with low‐molecular‐weight heparins (LMWH) in randomized controlled trials for perioperative surgical thromboprophylaxis. However, the results from t...
Building generalized linear models with ultrahigh dimensional features: A sequentially conditional approach

Conditional screening approaches have emerged as a powerful alternative to the commonly used marginal screening, as they can identify marginally weak but conditionally important variables. However, most existing conditional screening methods need to fix the initial conditioning set, which may determine the ultimately selected variables. If the conditioning set is not properly chosen, the methods may produce false negatives and positives. Moreover, screening approaches typically need to involve tuning parameters and extra modeling steps in order to reach a final model. We propose a sequential conditioning approach by dynamically updating the conditioning set with an iterative selection process. We provide its theoretical properties under the framework of generalized linear models. Powered by an extended Bayesian information criterion as the stopping rule, the method will lead to a final model without the need to choose tuning parameters or threshold parameters. The practical utility of the proposed method is examined via extensive simulations and analysis of a real clinical study on predicting multiple myeloma patients' response to treatment based on their genomic profiles.
Resource-Competitive Sybil Defenses.

Proof-of-work(PoW) is an algorithmic tool used to secure networks by imposing a computational cost on participating devices. Unfortunately, traditional PoW schemes require that correct devices perform significant computational work in perpetuity, even when the system is not under attack. We address this issue by designing general PoW protocols that ensure two properties. First, the fraction of identities in the system that are controlled by an attacker is a minority. Second, the computational cost of our protocol is comparable to the cost of an attacker. In particular, we present an efficient algorithm, GMCOM, which guarantees that the average computational cost to the good ID per unit time is O(J + sqrt(T(J+1))), where J is the average number of joins by the good IDs and T is the average computational spending of the adversary. Additionally, we discuss a precursor to this algorithm, CCOM, which guarantees an average computational cost to good IDs per unit time of O(J+T). We prove a lower bound showing that GMCOM's spending rate is asymptotically optimal among a large family of algorithms. Finally, we provide empirical evidence that our algorithms can be significantly more efficient than previous defenses under various attack scenarios.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disease: shifting focus toward the chronic, long-term illness paradigm for rehabilitation practitioners

Due to an enhanced understanding of the HIV disease process and the advent of more effective medical and pharmacological interventions, people with HIV and AIDS are living longer than ever before. Accordingly, HIV disease is being redefined as a chronic, long-term medical condition rather than an inevitably terminal disease. Current biological, neurological and psychological aspects of HIV disease are discussed in this article as they apply to the rehabilitation practitioner working with individuals with HIV and AIDS. Functional limitations, employmentrelated issues and areas of future research are also discussed from a rehabilitation perspective. © 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.
Ultrasensitive Planar Metamaterials for Material Characterization Using Tapered CSRR with Application to NDT of 3D Printed Structures

This paper proposes miniaturized, ultrasensitive, flexible planar metamaterials for dielectric constant measurement with a wide dynamic range of the sensing related frequency. The proposed sensors are designed using a thin-substrate microstrip line loaded with tapered complementary split ring resonator (CSRR). The sensors' configuration can be easily integrated with RFID tags for future Internet of Things (IoT) applications. The minimum transmission frequency shifts 56% as the dielectric constant of the material under test (MUT) changes from 1 to 10. Compared to similar state-of-the-art planar sensors, the proposed sensors are almost 50% more sensitive. This extraordinary sensitivity level is of great importance for the development of high-precision near-field based sensors. Sensors' performance were verified numerically and experimentally. To further demonstrate the proposed sensor's practicality, one of the proposed sensors was used to characterize 3D printed dielectric. It was also used as a crack detector for 3D printed samples designed with artificial cracks.
Over-The-Air Calibration of a Dual-Beam Dual-Polarized 28-GHz Phased-Array Channel Sounder

This paper describes an over-the-air (OTA) calibration procedure for the impulse response of a 28-GHz phased-array antenna channel sounder. The silicon-germanium (SiGe) antenna board is composed from two 8×8 planar arrays; each array can generate a distinct beam in the vertical and horizontal polarizations that can be steered in both azimuth and elevation within ±50° and ±25°, respectively. As part of the calibration procedure, unique pre-distortion filters were designed per steer angle, achieving a peak-to-sidelobe ratio in the impulse response of up to 56.5 dB, with less than 1 dB variation across the steer angles. Critically, we show that performance degraded up to 10.1 dB when applying the pre-distortion filter designed at one steer angle to the other steer angles, underscoring the need for angle-specific filters. Finally, we show that performance between both polarizations is comparable thanks to the array symmetries in the fabrication process.
Defining and timing of palliative opportunities in children with central nervous system tumors.

Background Children with brain and central nervous system (CNS) tumors experience substantial challenges to their quality of life during their disease course. These challenges are opportunities for increased subspecialty palliative care (PC) involvement. Palliative opportunities have been defined in the pediatric oncology population, but the frequency, timing, and factors associated with palliative opportunities in pediatric patients with CNS tumors are unknown. Methods A single-institution retrospective review was performed on children ages 0-18 diagnosed with a CNS tumor who died between January 1, 2012 and November 30, 2017. Nine palliative opportunities were defined prior to data collection (progression, relapse, admission for severe symptoms, intensive care admission, bone marrow transplant, phase 1 trial, hospice, do-not-resuscitate (DNR) order). Demographic, disease, treatment, palliative opportunity, and end-of-life data were collected. Opportunities were evaluated over quartiles from diagnosis to death. Results Amongst 101 patients with a median age at death of eight years (interquartile range [IQR] = 8.0, range 0-22), there was a median of seven (IQR = 6) palliative opportunities per patient, which increased closer to death. PC consultation occurred in 34 (33.7%) patients, at a median of 2.2 months before death, and was associated with having a DNR order (P = .0028). Hospice was involved for 72 (71.3%) patients. Conclusion Children with CNS tumors suffered repeated events warranting PC yet received PC support only one-third of the time. Mapping palliative opportunities over the cancer course promotes earlier timing of PC consultation which can decrease suffering and resuscitation attempts at the end-of-life.
Multiscale operando X-ray investigations provide insights into electro-chemo-mechanical behavior of lithium intercalation cathodes

Abstract The electrochemical performance and cycle life of lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) depend on the electrochemical, chemical, and mechanical behavior of electrodes and electrolytes. Despite extensive studies conducted previously, challenges exist to decouple these behaviors, capture the evolution of electro-chemo-mechanical behavior in realistic conditions, and correlate atomic-scale stress evolution to micro-scale bulk mechanical degradation. Here, we report multiscale operando techniques to investigate polydisperse battery electrodes by integrating volume-averaged quantitative synchrotron X-ray scattering with high-resolution transmission X-ray microscopy (TXM). The former provides us information spanning a wide spatial range, from Angstrom-level atomic structures to micrometer-level particle scales, while the latter provides time-resolved 2D images of the particles during cycling. The complementarity of the two operando techniques is demonstrated by an over-lithiation test of LiCoO2 electrodes, where particles crack and eventually pulverize. Additionally, the techniques are applied to study LiCoO2 cycling stability from 3.0 V to 4.5 V. Operando X-ray scattering result shows nanometer-scale features keep forming in LiCoO2 electrodes during cycling, resulting in an increased projected area observed by the TXM experiment. The formation of such features is inhibited by a polymer coating on the electrode, leading to vastly improved cycling stability. The polymer coating alleviates LiCoO2 surface deterioration, reduces side product generation, and inhibits LiCoO2 particles volume expansion during the cycling test. These operando multimodal X-ray techniques presented herein thus offer a novel, multiscale diagnostic modality for studying existing and emerging battery materials, aiding the development of next-generation LIBs.
A Philosopher’s Economist: Hume and the Rise of Capitalism: Chicago, IL: The University of Chicago Press, 328 pp., $45.00, ISBN 978-0226597447, Publication Date: July 2020

David Hume is primarily known as a philosopher, and his contributions to economics are typically thought of as secondary to his philosophical concerns. Schabas and Wennerlid aim to correct this imp...
Electrocatalytic nitrate reduction with Co-based catalysts: comparison of DIM, TIM and cyclam ligands

Over the past century, the global concentration of environmental nitrate has increased significantly from human activity, which has resulted in the contamination of drinking water and aquatic hypoxia around the world, so the development of effective nitrate-reducing agents is urgent. This work compares three potential macrocycle-based nitrate reduction electrocatalysts: [Co(DIM)]3+, [Co(cyclam)]3+ and [Co(TIM)]3+. Although all three complexes have similar structures, only [Co(DIM)]3+ has been experimentally determined to be an active electrocatalyst for selective nitrate reduction to produce ammonia in water. While [Co(cyclam)]3+ can reduce aqueous nitrate to ammonia and hydroxylamine at heavy metal electrodes, [Co(TIM)]3+ is inactive for the reduction of nitrate. As an initial step to understanding what structural and electronic properties are important for efficient electrocatalysts for nitrate reduction, density functional theory (DFT) was employed to investigate the electronic structure of the three Co complexes, with the reduction potentials calibrated to experimental results. Moreover, DFT was employed to explore four different reaction mechanisms for the first steps of nitrate reduction. The calculated reaction barriers reveal how a combination of electron transfer in a redox non-innocent complex, substrate binding, and intramolecular hydrogen bonding dictates the activity of Co-based catalysts toward nitrate reduction.
Bile Reflux and Gastroparesis

Postoperative gastroparesis and bile reflux are among the more problematic complications of upper abdominal surgery. Gastroparesis has received much attention in the literature as a complication of pancreaticoduodenectomy, but is, perhaps, an even more troubling complication after other foregut operations (e.g., gastric resection). Characterized by nausea and vomiting in the presence of distal bowel function, the diagnosis of gastroparesis requires exclusion of a mechanical obstruction. Persistent gastroparesis can result in malnutrition and have a profound impact on the quality of life. Bile reflux is most often a sequelae of gastroduodenal resection or ablation of the pylorus and its mechanism is intuitive. Although bile transits the stomach and may reflux into the esophagus after typical gastric and duodenal resections (except for those in which a roux-en-y reconstruction is utilized) and is often accompanied by mild mucosal irritation, the clinical syndrome of bile reflux develops in a minority of patients and is characterized by symptoms of pain and vomiting refractory to pharmacologic or behavioral intervention. Characterization of specific factors contributing to both of these complications and effective therapies are lacking. Remedial surgery has a role in the management of both clinical entities but careful patient selection is critical in achieving good outcomes.
Evaluation of initial methadone dosing for prevention of iatrogenic opioid abstinence syndrome in children

Methadone is commonly prescribed for prevention of iatrogenic opioid abstinence syndrome (IOAS) in critically ill children. However, there is a paucity of data on the recommended initial dosage requirements. Data was retrospectively collected from January--December 31, 2008 and included demographics, methadone regimen, and IOAS symptoms. The primary objective was to determine the initial methadone dosing utilized (i.e., mg/kg/day) and the impact that this had on the number of dosage changes required for prevention of IOAS in patients < 18 yr within 72 hr following discontinuation of opioid continuous infusion (CI). Secondary objectives included a comparison of methadone dose changes within 72 hr of intravenously opioid discontinuation and opioid CI requirements based on initial doses above and below the median level (i.e., mg/kg/day). Between-group analysis was performed using descriptive and inferential statistics. A step-wise regression was employed to assess relationships between the initial dose (mg/kg/day) and several independent variables. Fifty-five patients were included for analysis. The median initial dose was 0.84 mg/kg/day. The "low-dose" group included patients receiving < 0.84 mg/kg/day (n = 27); the "high-dose" group included patients receiving ≥; 0.84 mg/kg/day (n = 28). The majority of patients (81.8%) received doses every 6 hr. Twenty-three patients (41.8%) developed IOAS and required an increase in dose while six patients (10.9%) required a decrease. No significant differences were found between groups. The cumulative and peak fentanyl CI doses were the only significant predictors of total mg/kg/day dose of methadone (P < 0.01). The initial methadone dosage regimens varied greatly in our patients. Approximately half required a change in their methadone dose. Based on our findings and a review of the literature, there is not a one-size fits all approach for determination of the initial methadone dose. Adoption of a consistent monitoring tool should be utilized for all children across the continuum of care to prevent IOAS and the over-sedation noted with excessive methadone dosing.
Wireless Emulator Demonstration

Researchers have long faced a fundamental tension between the experimental realism of wireless testbeds on one hand, and the control and repeatability of simulation on the other hand. To overcome the stark tradeoff of these traditional alternatives, we are developing a wireless emulator that enables both realistic and repeatable experimentation by leveraging physical layer emulation.
Electrochemical properties of spherical polyelectrolytes: III. Hydrogen ion titrations of phosphatidic acid vesicles

Hydrogen ion titrations were carried out on sonicated dispersions of phosphatidic acid, at several concentrations of added NaCl. A strong dependence of pKa on the degree of dissociation, α, was found. The experimental results were compared with the results of computations using the nonlinearized Poisson-Boltzmann equation, which was numerically solved for the case of hollow spherical vesicles. It was found that the experimental slope of ΔpK vs α was significantly greater than that obtained theoretically, at all salt concentrations. The difference was greater than could be attributed to any simple experimental or theoretical error. The change in pK as a function of salt concentration was also studied. In the range of 0.01 to 0.1 M salt, theory and experiment both gave ΔpK/Δ(log salt molarity) ≈ −1.0. This same slope was found to extend down to 10−4 or 10−5M salt by the theoretical methods, but experimentally the increment in pK was much smaller upon going from 0.01 to 0.001 M NaCl. Titration data on additional vesicular systems are required before it is possible to conclude whether these experimental-theoretical disagreements are due to a fundamental error in the theoretical model, or whether they came from an unrecognized peculiarity of the phosphatidic acid system.
Long-term outcome after resection of brainstem hemangioblastomas in von Hippel-Lindau disease

Object Brainstem hemangioblastomas are frequently encountered in patients with von Hippel-Lindau (VHL) disease. These tumors can cause significant morbidity, and their optimal management has not been defined. To better define the outcome and management of these tumors, the authors analyzed the long-term results in patients who underwent resection of brainstem hemangioblastomas. Methods Consecutive patients with VHL disease who underwent resection of brainstem hemangioblastomas with a follow-up of 12 months or more were included in this study. Serial functional assessments, radiographic examinations, and operative records were analyzed. Results Forty-four patients (17 male and 27 female) underwent 51 operations for resection of 71 brainstem hemangioblastomas. The most common presenting symptoms were headache, swallowing difficulties, singultus, gait difficulties, and sensory abnormalities. The mean follow-up was 5.9 ± 5.0 years (range 1.0–20.8 years). Immediately after 34 operations (66.7%), the patients r...
Chapter 14 The economics of silicon for integrated management and sustainable production of rice and sugarcane

Despite the prolific research conducted in crop production and other aspects of silicon (Si) application, little is known about the potential economic benefits of its use in agriculture. Although some physical benefits obtained are impressive, the relative high cost of the material could make Si application unprofitable in some areas of the world. The purpose of this chapter is to show an economic analysis of two crops and one rotation: rice ( Oryza sativa ), sugarcane ( Saccharum officinarum ), and a rice-sugarcane rotation. The first case demonstrates the potential economic benefits taking into account the research conducted and the areas where rice is grown or could be grown. The second case does the same for sugarcane. The last case pertains to a specific rice-sugarcane rotation in Florida. These three cases seem to indicate that Si has a tremendous potential for increasing farm revenue.
The Properties of Selected Spinodally Strengthened Copper Alloys Following High-Temperature Neutron Irradiation

Three spinodally strengthened copper alloys were irradiated with fast neutrons to 34 displacements per atoms (dpa) at 414{degrees} C, 50 dpa at 411{degrees} C, and 32 dpa at 529{degrees} C in order to assess their suitability for high-temperature service in neutron environments. Density, electrical conductivity, tensile property, and fracture behavior changes were determined with emphasis on the microstructural reasons for the changes observed. This paper reports on these spinodally strengthened alloys which were found to exhibit improved properties following irradiation, and they show merit for use in high-temperature neutron environments, although their low initial conductivity may be a limitation. The results are compared to those of high-purity, unalloyed copper.
Linking the 8.2 ka Event and its Freshwater Forcing in the Labrador Sea

The 8.2 ka event was the last deglacial abrupt climate event. A reduction in the Atlantic meridional overturning circulation (AMOC) attributed to the drainage of glacial Lake Agassiz may have caused the event, but the freshwater signature of Lake Agassiz discharge has yet to be identified in (delta)18O of foraminiferal calcite records from the Labrador Sea, calling into question the connection between freshwater discharge to the North Atlantic and AMOC strength. Using Mg/Ca-paleothermometry, we demonstrate that approx. 3 C of near-surface ocean cooling masked an 1.0 % decrease in western Labrador Sea (delta)18O of seawater concurrent with Lake Agassiz drainage. Comparison with North Atlantic (delta)18O of seawater records shows that the freshwater discharge was transported to regions of deep-water formation where it could perturb AMOC and force the 8.2 ka event.
Developing L2 Pragmatics

This article positions research on the acquisition of pragmatics as an inquiry in the greater field of second language acquisition research. Viewing pragmatics from this intersection, I consider five areas of research that are of interest in both fields and have the potential to make significant contributions to second language pragmatics research. They are: the design and evaluation of pragmatics tasks as simulations of conversation; task design for the study of implicit and explicit knowledge; the measurement of pragmatic development; the interface of the development of grammar and lexicon with pragmatics; and the effect of environment on pragmatic development.
Design and construction of a full-thickness guarded hot plate test system

The need to determine the thermal performance of thick, light-density fibrous insulating materials at full manufactured thickness has necessitated the design and construction of new, large test equipment. The technical challenges imposed by thicker, high R-value insulation test samples and longer system time constants have increased the stability and precision measurement requirements of all system parameters. This paper describes the Owens-Corning Fiberglas approach to the design and construction of a 1.22 by 1.22 m (48 by 48 in.) guarded hot plate (GHP) apparatus for testing insulation at full thicknesses up to 460 mm (18 in.). This GHP utilizes a unique heater design to provide uniform power density, a floating mount cold plate support system to eliminate expansion and contraction problems, and a multitank cascaded fluid temperature control system to provide cold plate temperature stability of +-0.01/sup 0/C (+-0.02/sup 0/F). The apparatus has demonstrated excellent long-term stability of measured parameters and compatibility with automatic data acquisition equipment. A variety of features were incorporated for improved system flexibility, versatility, and ease of maintenance.
Documentation of pharmacists’ interventions in an emergency department and associated cost avoidance

Purpose. An analysis was conducted of pharmacist interventions and resuscitation experiences, including pharmacist participation in a hospital emergency department (ED), and the potential cost avoidance associated with the interventions made by the pharmacists. Methods. All pharmacists working in the ED prospectively documented the pharmacist interventions that were accepted by physicians and nursing staff and entered into a spreadsheet on a weekly basis, between September 1, 2003, and December 31, 2003. Intervention categories included the provision of drug information; recommendations for dosage adjustment, formulary interchange, initiation of medications, alternative drug therapy, discontinuation of drug therapy, changes in medication therapy due to allergy notification, drug therapy duplication prevention, or changes in the route of drug administration; questions from nursing staff; order clarifications; drug compatibility issues; patient information; toxicology; and drug interaction identification. Intervention data were analyzed and the likelihood of harm was scored; interventions were classified and analyzed by calculating average cost, probability of harm, and potential cost avoidance. Results. During the study, 2150 pharmacist interventions were documented. Pharmacists participated in the care of 1042 patients triaged to the resuscitation area of the ED. Cost avoidance during the study was determined to be $1,029,776. Conclusion. The most commonly documented interventions made by pharmacists involved in the care of patients visiting the ED included provision of drug information, dosage adjustment recommendations, responses to questions from nursing staff, formulary interchanges, and suggestions regarding initiation of drug therapy. The potential cost avoidance attributable to the pharmacist interventions during the study period was over $1 million.
A model of substitution in a competitive market

Abstract A dynamic model of technological substitution is developed which is a generalization of the two-party substitution model of Fisher and Pry. Competition among an arbitrary number of technologies is modeled as a sequence of pair-wise interactions. The intent is to reproduce the findings of Marchetti, who has observed that a large variety of historical substitutions follow a logistic pattern.
An Undignified Side of Death with Dignity Legislation

The primary justification for Death with Dignity legislation has been the principle of respect for autonomy. However, some have objected that if respect for autonomy is the reason for allowing physician-assisted suicide, then why not allow it for people with longer than six months to live? Defenders of the laws have responded that respect for autonomy must be balanced against the state's interest in the lives of its citizens. Persons with less than six months remaining have virtually no life left to protect; persons with more time have a meaningfully long segment of life remaining. The state can therefore overrule their autonomy interests to preserve their lives. This paper will argue that this response constitutes an ironic affront to the dignity of people with less than six months to live, for it implies that their lives are not worth enough for the state to prevent them from committing physician-assisted suicide.
Electroconvulsive shock effects on conditioned heart rate and suppression of drinking.

Abstract Electroconvulsive shock (ECS) given rats at 1 sec or 10 sec after foot shock attenuated the bradycardic response to a stimulus which developed over trials in rats not given ECS. Suppression of licking was also affected by ECS which, together with the heart rate data, indicates a high degree of correspondence between the manipulation of heart rate and behavioral responses by ECS treatment.
The Rationale for BAFF Inhibition in Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

BAFF (B-cell–activating factor) is a critical survival factor for transitional and mature B cells and is a promising therapeutic target for systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In 2010–2011, two phase 3 clinical trials showed that the addition of the anti-BAFF antibody belimumab to standard-of-care therapy in patients with moderately active SLE results in a better outcome at 52 weeks than standard-of-care therapy alone. Belimumab has been US Food and Drug Administration approved for the treatment of SLE, and other drugs that target BAFF are now in various stages of clinical testing. This review describes the function of BAFF and its homolog APRIL (a proliferation-inducing ligand) and addresses the rationale for the treatment of SLE with BAFF/APRIL inhibitors.
Synthesis and characterization of a ruthenium oxide-zeolite Y catalyst for photochemical oxidation of water to dioxygen

In an integrated scheme for photochemical splitting of water to oxygen and hydrogen, there is a need for catalysts that couple the charge separated species to the redox reactions of water. Ruthenium oxide is well known as an efficient catalyst for photochemical four-electron oxidation of water to O 2 . Zeolites are an excellent host for creating long-lived photochemically generated charge-separated species. There is a need for mild methods of incorporation of catalysts onto zeolites for water oxidation reactions. We report here that thermal decomposition of RU 3 (CO) 12 on zeolite Y at 170°C produces Ru metal which is readily oxidized to RuO 2 by air. The morphology of RuO 2 on the zeolite is strongly dependent on the temperature at which air oxidation occurs. Samples of RuO 2 -zeolite made by air oxidation at 200°C produce fibers of RuO 2 of approximate dimensions of length of 50 nm and widths of 5 nm. This material is found to be an efficient catalyst for oxidation of water to oxygen by photochemically generated Ru(bpy) 3+ 3 in solution. This study demonstrates that a specific morphology of RuO 2 is optimum for an effective catalyst, thereby suggesting that particular crystal faces of RuO 2 provide catalytic sites.
Restoration of energy-linked functions in "aging" rat-liver mitochondria.

Abstract Respiratory control, lost by rat-liver mitochondria during storage at 0°, can be restored if the mitochondria are incubated under energy-generating conditions for 2 hr at 25°C. The extent of restoration is virtually complete in 1 day old mitochondria but diminishes with aging thereafter. Under the conditions employed nupercaine had no effect on either the aging or the restorative functions.
A rapid upward step challenges medio-lateral postural stability

A rapid step up was compared with a rapid step forward to assess the challenge they posed to postural stability in the medio-lateral (ML) direction. The center of pressure (COP) motion, and hip abductor muscle activity were compared between the two tasks in nine young healthy subjects. Analysis revealed that in the step up task there was a greater range and velocity of medio-lateral COP motion, an earlier gluteus medius onset time and a larger magnitude of gluteus medius activity than in the step forward task. The step up task appears to provide a greater challenge to ML postural stability than a step forward and thus may be an appropriate paradigm for the investigation of medio-lateral postural instability.
Interaction of determinants of perceived movement direction.

Determinants of apparent movement direction were systematically combined. The stimulus situation used was one which ordinarily produces a tendency to see movement from two sides to the center. This tendency can be modified to produce movement to the left or right. The determinants used in the study were (1) fixation to one side of the stimulus; (2) movement connotations in the stimulus figures (meaning); and (3) identity (vs dissimilarity) of stimulus figures. Fixation was paired with meaning (a weak determinant) and with identity (a strong determinant). In these pairs, the variables were combined (a) “reinforcing” each other and (b) “opposing” each other. The results did not conform to a simple summation model, but rather showed that each set of determinants acts in unique combination. The effectiveness of any given determinant in the perceptual process depends in part on the other determinants operating in the situation.
Insects as a Source of Protein

C. F. Hodge (1911) calculated that a pair of house flies beginning operations in April could produce enough flies, if all survived, to cover the earth 47 feet deep by August. This, of course, is an ecological absurdity but it does convey some idea of the tremendous reproductive potential of some insects. If one can reverse for a moment the usual focus on insects as enemies of man, Hodge's layer of flies represents an impressive pile of animal protein.
Exploiting relationships for object consolidation

Data mining practitioners frequently have to spend significant portion of their project time on data preprocessing before they can apply their algorithms on real-world datasets. Such a preprocessing is required because many real-world datasets are not perfect, but rather they contain missing, erroneous, duplicate data and other data cleaning problems. It is a well established fact that, in general, if such problems with data are not corrected, applying data mining algorithm can lead to wrong results. The latter is known as the "garbage in, garbage out" principle. Given the significance of the problem, numerous data cleaning techniques have been designed in the past to address the aforementioned problems with data.In this paper, we address one of the data cleaning challenges, called object consolidation. This important challenge arises because objects in datasets are frequently represented via descriptions (a set of instantiated attributes), which alone might not always uniquely identify the object. The goal of object consolidation is to correctly consolidate (i.e., to group/determine) all the representations of the same object, for each object in the dataset. In contrast to traditional domain-independent data cleaning techniques, our approach analyzes not only object features, but also additional semantic information: inter-objects relationships, for the purpose of object consolidation. The approach views datasets as attributed relational graphs (ARGs) of object representations (nodes), connected via relationships (edges). The approach then applies graph partitioning techniques to accurately cluster object representations. Our empirical study over real datasets shows that analyzing relationships significantly improves the quality of the result.
Stability and the Distribution of Power

The relation between stability and the distribution of power is an important and long-debated problem in international relations theory. The balance-of-power school argues that an even distribution of power is more stable, while the preponderance-of-power school argues that a preponderance of power is more stable. Empirical efforts to estimate this relation have yielded contradictory results. This essay examines the relation between stability and the distribution of power in an infinite-horizon game-theoretic model in which two states are bargaining about revising the international status quo. The states make offers and counteroffers until they reach a mutually acceptable settlement or until one of them becomes so pessimistic about the prospects of reaching an agreement that it uses force to impose a new settlement. The equilibrium of the game contradicts the expectations of both schools and offers an explanation for the conflicting empirical estimates. In the model stability is greatest when the status quo distribution of benefits reflects the expected distribution of benefits that the use of force would impose.
Jupiter's Magnetic Field. Magnetosphere, and Interaction with the Solar Wind: Pioneer 11

Measurements of the magnetic field vector were obtained continuously throughout the encounter of the spacecraft with the planet Jupiter. Effects of Jupiter on the solar wind are considered along with the characteristics of the magnetopause at both low and intermediate latitudes, the three basic regions within the magnetosphere, and a spherical harmonic analysis of the Pioneer 11 measurements. The spherical harmonic representation has been used to derive contours of the magnetic field strength at the surface of Jupiter.
The GxxxG motif: A framework for transmembrane helix-helix association

In order to identify strong transmembrane helix packing motifs, we have selected transmembrane domains exhibiting high-affinity homo-oligomerization from a randomized sequence library based on the right-handed dimerization motif of glycophorin A. Sequences were isolated using the TOXCAT system, which measures transmembrane helix-helix association in the Escherichia coli inner membrane. Strong selection was applied to a large range of sequences ( approximately 10(7) possibilities) and resulted in the identification of sequence patterns that mediate high-affinity helix-helix association. The most frequent motif isolated, GxxxG, occurs in over 80% of the isolates. Additional correlations suggest that flanking residues act in concert with the GxxxG motif, and that size complementarity is maintained at the interface, consistent with the idea that the identified sequence patterns represent packing motifs. The convergent identification of similar sequence patterns from an analysis of the transmembrane domains in the SwissProt sequence database suggests that these packing motifs are frequently utilized in naturally occurring helical membrane proteins.
Evaluation of cytochrome P450 4 family as mediator of phospholipase D activation in aortic vascular smooth muscle cells

Norepinephrine (NE) stimulates phospholipase D (PLD) activity via phospholipase A2-dependent arachidonic acid release in rabbit aortic vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC). We have previously shown that exogenous 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid (20-HETE), an eicosanoid generated through the cytochrome P450 (CYP) 4A pathway in vivo, stimulates PLD activity. Whether endogenous CYP4-derived arachidonic acid metabolites act as intracellular mediators of NE-induced PLD activation in VSMC is not known. In rabbit aortic VSMC, prototypical hepatic/renal CYP4A inducers such as fenofibrate and Wy 14643 inhibited both basal and NE-induced PLD activity after 48 h of exposure. The level of CYP4F, and to a lesser extent CYP4A, was also decreased by these agents. The expression levels of rabbit aortic VSMC CYP4A and CYP4F isoforms were reduced by antisense oligonucleotides treatment for 48 hours as measured by RTQ-PCR or Western blotting. This reduction in CYP4A or CYP4F levels did not change NE-induced PLD activation. The corresponding CYP4A scrambled and CYP4F sense oligonucleotides did not alter CYP levels. PLD activity was increased by ~70% after 15 min of stimulation with NE, whereas lauric acid omega-hydroxylase activity, a measure of fatty acid omega-hydroxylation, was unchanged. Inhibition of omega-hydroxylation with DDMS and HET0016, selective omega-hydroxylase inhibitors, and 20-HEDE, an antagonist of 20-HETE, increased PLD activity in a concentration-dependent manner and did not alter NE-induced PLD activation. These data suggest that PLD activation by NE is independent of the CYP4A/4F enzymes in rabbit aortic VSMC.
Quantifying the demand for central carbon metabolism precursors for biosynthesis in proliferating cells

Metabolic flux comprises the ultimate phenotypic readout of cell physiology, and it shifts toward anabolic or catabolic regimes in conjunction with the proliferative state of the cell. Many parallels exist between the metabolic profiles of normal dividing cells and cancer cells, for which uncontrolled proliferation is a hallmark. Much effort in the field of cancer metabolism has been directed toward identifying these similarities to target how tumors use biochemical resources for growth and survival. Many studies have approached this question by experimentally identifying major metabolic changes that become induced in response to expression of oncogenes or inactivation of tumor suppressor genes; however, in these circumstances, the generality of these changes beyond the system under consideration may be unknown. Other avenues have employed genome-scale models of tumor metabolism to determine enzymes through which flux is upregulated when biomass production is maximized, but the size of these networks limits routine analysis. All major components of macromolecules may be derived from a small set of central metabolites that originate from well-known metabolic pathways, and as a result, it is possible to determine the rates at which these precursors must be consumed to maintain a particular growth rate. We have therefore employed a method to reduce experimentally measured biomass components to this set of precursor metabolites to better understand the effects of growth on metabolism in mammalian cells. Our strategy enables generalization of biosynthetic demands in a manner that is not specific for any particular oncogenic genotype while using a limited biochemical currency that enables elementary calculations and predictions.
Enhanced training algorithms, and integrated training/architecture selection for multilayer perceptron networks

The standard backpropagation-based multilayer perceptron training algorithm suffers from a slow asymptotic convergence rate. Sophisticated nonlinear least-squares and quasi-Newton optimization techniques are used to construct enhanced multilayer perceptron training algorithms, which are then compared to the backpropagation algorithm in the context of several example problems. In addition, an integrated approach to training and architecture selection that uses the described enhanced algorithms is presented, and its effectiveness illustrated in the context of synthetic and actual pattern recognition problems. >
Pontine regulation of pelvic viscera: pharmacological target for pelvic visceral dysfunctions

The pathophysiology and pharmacological targets of disorders of the bladder and colon have focused predominantly on the periphery. However, these viscera are regulated by the CNS, which, in turn, must integrate their functions with compatible behaviours. This review focuses on the role of the pontine micturition centre, Barrington's nucleus, as a key to this integration. Through its efferent network this pontine centre links parasympathetic preganglionic neurones with forebrain-projecting nuclei, providing an anatomical substrate for coregulation of pelvic visceral and forebrain activity. Disorders characterized by multiple pelvic visceral symptoms and comorbidity with psychiatric disorders (for example functional bowel disorders) might have their roots in dysfunctions of this circuit, which could provide a novel target for pharmacological treatment.
Human thymus-independent antibody response in vitro: III. Precursor frequencies and fine specificity of human B cells stimulated by TNP-Ba in the presence and absence of Con A

Previously, we reported that human B lymphocytes can be stimulated by trinitrophenylated Brucella abortus (TNP-Ba) in vitro to generate T-independent (TI) hapten specific plaque-forming cells (PFC). Furthermore we showed that addition of Con A on Day 3 of culture enhanced the anti-TNP response. In this report the characteristics of the anti-TNP PFC responses elicited by TNP-Ba in the presence or absence of Con A were further defined by estimating precursor frequencies and clone sizes, and by assessing the diversity of the anti-TNP-PFC response using hapten inhibition profiles. Addition of Con A to TNP-Ba-stimulated cultures was associated with a 2.3- to 3.6-fold increase in anti-TNP precursors and was also accompanied by a more vigorous clonal expansion. Fine specificity analysis of anti-TNP PFC revealed that Con A addition resulted in PFC with unique hapten inhibition profiles in that they were less inhibitable by TNP-EACA, TNP-lysine, and DNP-lysine but more inhibitable by DNP-glycine when compared to PFC generated by TNP-Ba alone. These findings suggest that at least some of the additional precursors recruited in the presence of Con A are qualitatively distinct from those activated by TNP-Ba alone since they express different V region gene products.
A Study of Launch-Vehicle Responses to Detailed Characteristics of the Wind Profile

Abstract This paper examines the significance of the detailed variations in the vertical wind profile to launch-vehicle responses. Appreciable advances in the accuracy and the degree of detail obtainable in measurements of the winds experienced by vertically rising vehicles have been achieved by smoke-trail rocket sounding techniques and the wind measurements now available from these soundings are being applied to simulated in-flight load studies. The analytical procedure and computer program employed in solving for the motions and bending moments experienced by a representative launch vehicle are discussed. The interaction of the vehicle's structure with the details of the wind profile is illustrated by a comparison of the structural bending moments with the features of the smoke-rocket measured profiles.
Walking the Methodological Tightrope: Researcher Dilemmas inside an Urban School District in Times of Public Disinvestment.

Though researcher dilemmas are not new to the pages of Qualitative Inquiry, we argue that the current contemporary context has both altered and intensified issues associated with conducting qualita...