cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A corn oil diet, but not a fish oil diet enhances the expression of apolipoprotein A-I in the lung of rats treated with 4-(methylnitrosamino)-4-(3-pyridyl)-1-butanone (NNK): A proteomic approach

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 3174 Cigarette smoking is an established risk factor for cancer of the lung and the pancreas. Certain epidemiological studies indicate that the development of lung and pancreatic cancer in smokers is influenced by the type and amount of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA). A nicotine-derived nitrosamine, NNK, is known to induce lung and pancreatic cancers in rodents. Hoffmann et al. showed that compared to a low-corn oil diet (5.0%), a high-corn oil diet (23.5%) increased the potency of NNK to induce cancers of the pancreas and the lung in rats (Cancer Res., 53: 2758-2761, 1993). However, the biochemical and molecular mechanisms by which the type of dietary fat alters NNK-induced carcinogenesis remains unknown. Toward this end, we initiated a study to better understand the effect of the type of PUFA in NNK-induced lung cancer in rats at the protein level. Male F344 rats were divided into 4 groups and fed high fat diets containing either corn oil (CO) or fish oil (FO). Two groups also received 2 ppm of NNK in drinking water. The FO diet contained 17% fish oil and 3% corn oil, while the CO diet contained 20% corn oil. Rats were sacrificed at 3 month intervals and the lung and pancreatic tissues were excised and snap-frozen in liquid nitrogen. Whole lung tissue proteins were separated by two-dimensional liquid chromatography in which separation was based on isoelectric point (p I ) in a first-dimension chromatofocusing step, followed by hydrophobicity in a reversed-phase step in the second dimension. Using a peak height threshold value of 0.001 in the second-dimension chromatograms we observed over 500 separate protein peaks in the p I range of 4.0 to 8.0. Overall two-dimensional protein fingerprints were very similar among samples. Comparison of two-dimensional proteome maps, however, showed that two proteins in the p I range of 5.4 to 5.7 were overexpressed in the lungs of rats fed CO as compared FO, while the remaining 35 proteins in this p I range did not change. These two overexpressed proteins were identified as apolipoprotein A-I (Apo-AI) and Clara cell 17-KDa protein (CC17) by MALDI-TOF-MS/MS analysis and confirmed by Western blot analyses. Additionally, NNK treatment further increased the expression of Apo-AI in rats fed CO, showing a three fold increase compared to those fed FO. NNK supplementation had no measurable effect on the expression of CC17 in both groups of rats fed either CO or FO. These findings are consistent with previous studies demonstrating that the elevated expression of Apo-AI in human serum and tissues is associated with the risk of breast and colonic adenocarcinoma progression. Supported by NCI grants PO1 CA70972 and CA76228.
Informed and patient-centered decision-making in the primary care visits of African Americans with depression.

Abstract Objective We examined the prevalence and extent of informed decision-making (IDM) and patient-centered decision-making (PCDM) in primary care visits of African Americans with depression. Methods We performed a cross-sectional analysis of audiotaped clinical encounters and post-visit surveys of 76 patients and their clinicians. We used RIAS to characterize patient-centeredness of visit dialogue. IDM entailed discussion of 3 components: the nature of the decision, alternatives, and pros/cons. PCDM entailed discussion of: lifestyle/coping strategies, knowledge/beliefs, or treatment concerns. We examined the association of IDM and PCDM with visit duration, overall patient-centeredness, and patient/clinician interpersonal ratings. Results Approximately one-quarter of medication and counseling decisions included essential IDM elements and 40% included at least one PCDM element. In high patient-centered visits, IDM was associated with patients feeling respected in counseling and liking clinicians in medication decisions. IDM was not related to clinician ratings. In low patient-centered visits, PCDM in counseling decisions was positively associated with patients feeling respected and clinicians respecting patients. Conclusions The associations between IDM and PCDM with interpersonal ratings was moderated by overall patient-centeredness of the visit, which may be indicative of broader cross-cultural communication issues. Practice implications Strengthening partnerships between depressed African Americans and their clinicians may improve patient-engaged decision-making.
Efficient algorithms for analyzing segmental duplications with deletions and inversions in genomes

Segmental duplications, or low-copy repeats, are common in mammalian genomes. In the human genome, most segmental duplications are mosaics comprised of multiple duplicated fragments. This complex genomic organization complicates analysis of the evolutionary history of these sequences. One model proposed to explain this mosaic patterns is a model of repeated aggregation and subsequent duplication of genomic sequences. We describe a polynomial-time exact algorithm to compute duplication distance, a genomic distance defined as the most parsimonious way to build a target string by repeatedly copying substrings of a fixed source string. This distance models the process of repeated aggregation and duplication. We also describe extensions of this distance to include certain types of substring deletions and inversions. Finally, we provide a description of a sequence of duplication events as a context-free grammar (CFG). These new genomic distances will permit more biologically realistic analyses of segmental duplications in genomes.
The corridor of uncertainty: Media, cricket and West Indian identity:

When C.L.R. James published Beyond a Boundary in 1963 – forever attaching the sport of cricket; its rituals, its rhythms and its customs to the construction of a West Indian identity – it was a tim...
H2O2 oxidative damage in cultured oral epithelial cells: the effect of short-term vitamin C exposure

Smoking is the main etiology of oral cancer and generates oxygen free radicals in the oral cavity. Free radicals have been implicated in apoptosis and in DNA damage inducing alteration of the cell cycle. The antioxidant vitamin C (VC) is reported to inhibit damage induced by free radicals. We exposed cultures of normal human oral epithelial cells to hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in the presence and absence of VC. Generation of hydroxyl radicals was measured by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR), cell cycle alterations by flow cytometry, cell death by SYTO 11 and morphology by organotypic culture. Human primary cell culture was given four treatments - control, VC alone, H2O2 alone and VC followed by H2O2. Cell cycle analysis indicated cultures treated with H2O2 had fewer cells in G1 phase (26%) and higher number of cells in S phase (44%) compared to the control (G1 70% & S 14%). Cell cycle of 48 hour VC treatment followed by H2O2 was similar to H2O2 alone. SYTO 11 showed 22% cell death when treated with H2O2 alone compared to 9% of normal control. By organotypic culture H2O2 alone induced a two-fold cell proliferation, loss of maturation, nuclear hyperchromatism and nuclear crowding. Our results suggest that H2O2 is capable of altering the cell cycle and morphology of cultured normal human oral epithelial cells. Forty-eight hour exposure to Vitamin C does not prevent the cell cycle changes caused by hydroxyl radicals.
Tools and Methods for Developing Easy to Use Driver Information Systems

This chapter describes approaches that can be used to determine if systems are safe and easy to use. Examples are given from the author’s research for a variety of driver information systems, particularly warning systems, traffic information systems, and navigation displays, as well as conventional instrumentation such as speedometers. Methods are needed to provide for an early focus on users and their tasks, to provide for empirical measurement, and to support iterative design. Approaches examined include focus groups, paper and pencil studies at a driver licensing office, response time experiments, rapid prototypes using HyperCard and SuperCard, procedures involving driving simulators, and on-the-road experiments in instrumented vehicles. Simple driving simulators (task loaders) have proven to be particularly useful over the years. Application of these approaches varies with the design phase, and with the personnel, facilities, and funding available.
Effect of pioglitazone on bone mineral density in patients with nonalcoholic steatohepatitis: A 36-month clinical trial.

BACKGROUND The effects of pioglitazone on bone metabolism are unclear. This study evaluated the long-term effects of pioglitazone on bone mineral density (BMD) and bone metabolism in patients with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). METHODS Ninety-two patients with prediabetes or T2DM and biopsy-proven NASH with BMD and baseline biochemical bone measurements were included. Patients (mean [±SEM] age 51 ± 1 years, 71% male, mean body mass index 34.5 ± 0.5 kg/m2 ) were randomly assigned to pioglitazone (45 mg/day) or placebo for 18 months, followed by an 18-month open-label pioglitazone treatment phase. Baseline, 18- and 36-month evaluations included plasma vitamin D and bone turnover biomarker levels, and BMD measurements at the spine, femoral neck, total hip, and one-third radius. RESULTS After 18 months of pioglitazone treatment, there were no differences in BMD versus placebo at either the femoral neck (P =0.87), total hip (P =0.78), or one-third radius (P =0.44); however, bone density decreased at the level of the spine with pioglitazone (-3.5%; P =0.002). During the extension phase (18-36 months), patients had no further decreases in BMD or plasma biomarkers of bone turnover during pioglitazone treatment. No patient experienced a low-energy bone fracture. CONCLUSIONS Treatment of patients with prediabetes or T2DM with pioglitazone for up to 3 years was associated with decreased BMD at the level of the lumbar spine. This reduction in BMD at the lumbar spine at 18 months versus placebo suggests an early deleterious effect of pioglitazone on bone metabolism.
Incidence of Echocardiographic Abnormalities Following Pediatric SVT Ablation: Comparison of Cases Utilizing Fluoroscopy Alone to Cases with Adjunctive 3D Electroanatomic Mapping

There are few data on the incidence of echocardiographic (echo) abnormalities following catheter ablation in children in the era of 3D mapping. Wide practice variation exists regarding routine post-ablation echo. We hypothesized a low incidence of clinically significant echo abnormalities following SVT ablation in otherwise healthy children. Single center data from 2009 to 2015 were reviewed; routine post-ablation echo was standard practice. Cases were categorized as utilizing fluoroscopy alone (FLUORO) or 3D mapping with a low fluoroscopic protocol (CARTO3). Congenital heart disease was excluded. Outcomes of interest included new valvular abnormalities, pericardial effusions, and wall motion abnormalities. Findings were compared to baseline studies when available and classified as normal/unchanged, clinically insignificant, or clinically significant. Outcomes were compared between FLUORO and CARTO3 groups. Of 347 ablations, 319 (92%) underwent post-procedural echo: 57% male; 55% FLUORO; mean age 13.4 ± 3.6 years. The most common ablation target was an accessory pathway (AP) in 66% (n = 144 WPW, 66 concealed), followed by AVNRT in 32% (n = 102). Radiofrequency (RF) energy was utilized in 82% (n = 262). Post-ablation echos were normal in 81% (n = 259). Clinically insignificant findings were seen in 18% (n = 58), most commonly trivial-small pericardial effusions in 11% (n = 34). Two significant findings required additional follow-up or treatment. There were no cases of wall motion abnormalities or clinically significant effusions. There were no differences in frequency of echo abnormalities between the FLUORO and CARTO3 groups. Clinically significant echocardiographic abnormalities are rare following SVT ablation in children with structurally normal hearts, independent of the use of 3D mapping.
A Dual 5T Superconducting Magnet System for the Brookhaven National Lab Electron Beam Ion Source

Cryomagnetics has delivered an upgraded magnet system to the Brookhaven National Laboratory's RHIC Electron Beam Ion Source project. This consists of two 2.25-m long, 215-mm room temperature bore 5T solenoids separated by 20 cm. The initial system used a single PT-415RM cryocooler but was unstable a long term. The new system adds a second SHI cryocooler, which produces much higher recondensing margins.
An Interactive Device for Reducing Risk of Infusion Therapy and Blood Transfusions

Administration of high-risk medications and transfusion of blood components are routinary medical procedures that can be potentially harmful to patients due to a set of multifaceted factors, such as, conservation of the medical product, poor asset tracking, and human errors. Although they represent a very small percentage of adverse events, errors and complications associated with transfusion and infusion therapy can cause major morbidity and death.
Ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block: an anatomic study in dog cadavers

Abstract Objectives To describe the ultrasound-guided rectus sheath block technique and the anatomical spread of two volumes of methylene blue injection in dog cadavers. Study design Blinded, prospective, experimental cadaveric study. Animals A total of eight dog cadavers weighing 8.9 ± 1.6 kg. Methods Ultrasound-guided rectus sheath injections were performed bilaterally 1 cm cranial to the umbilicus using 0.25 mL kg–1 (low volume; LV) and 0.50 mL kg–1 (high volume; HV) of 0.5% methylene blue dye. A total of 16 hemiabdomens were injected. The ultrasound image quality of the muscular and fascial plane landmarks and needle visualization were scored using a standardized scale. Cadavers were dissected to determine the distribution of the dye and to assess staining of ventral branches of the spinal nerves. Results Fewer ventral spinal nerve branches were stained in the LV group than in the HV group, at 2.00 ± 0 and 2.90 ± 0.83, respectively (p Conclusions and clinical relevance The results of this study suggest that, on an anatomical basis, this easily performed block has the potential to provide effective abdominal wall analgesia for the ventral midline. This study supports the potential of the rectus sheath block for abdominal procedures, and further investigations on its clinical efficacy are warranted.
Forensic Audio Analysis and Event Recognition for Smart Surveillance Systems

In this study, we propose forensic audio analysis and event recognition framework for smart surveillance systems. Surveillance systems are getting a growing attention. Integration of audio surveillance systems to IP cameras offers advantages over video surveillance systems solely. For instance, an audio surveillance system can provide an additional information about the exact moment of an incident that might be occurring out of the range of surveillance cameras. In our work, mel-frequency cepstral coefficients (MFCCs), energy, pitch range (PR), and linear prediction coefficients (LPC) feature sets were extracted and evaluated on an open-access DASE database, which contains nine audio events including glass breaking, dog barking, scream, gunshot, explosions, police sirens, door slams, footsteps, and house alarm sounds. K-nearest-neighbor (KNN), support vector machines (SVMs), Gaussian Mixture Model (GMM), and classifier fusion classifiers are designed. All classifiers achieved promising accuracy rates.
David Martin and the Sociology of Hope

David Martin’s work has always bridged many worlds: the sacred and the secular, the world of power politics and of religious visions, of individual and society, and of poetry and rational analysis. His trenchant and uncompromising analyses of human social formations and their ideational concomitants have nevertheless provided many with a vision of that hope which must sustain scholarly analysis if it is not to become tedious and moribund. His sensitivity to tradition, to ritual, to received knowledge and the debt we owe to the past – even while appreciating the frisson of the radically new (as in his studies of Pentacostalism) – have made him one of only a small handful of scholars who could address the broad range of human religious expression and its implications for life in the world. This paper explores some of these themes in terms of what we understand as the overwhelming sense of hope that is a permanent feature of David’s scholarly contributions.
Defeating lag in network-distributed physics simulations

Abstract Shared worlds for distributed games, simulations, and VR/AR rely on intuitively “good-enough” depictions of shared world state currently limited by the belief that it is impossible to maintain identical shared state across a real-time distributed network. This prevents repeatable, verifiable results for decision-making support, safety-related and/or equipment-in-the-loop simulations, or multi-user virtual/augmented reality. A network-distributed simulation architecture is presented which maintains consistent distributed state with known maximum bounds on the duration of transient state divergence due to external input. The key concept is computing simulation events slightly early so that they arrive just-in-time to other nodes in the distributed system. This works for all events where the data resides fully within the simulation model. A procedure is provided to eliminate any state divergence caused by external inputs, which to date has been considered impossible. Providing consistent distributed dynamic shared state enables repeatable, verifiable results for all distributed simulation applications.
Efficient Transgenesis in Caenorhabditis elegans Using Flp Recombinase-Mediated Cassette Exchange

The application of CRISPR technology has greatly facilitated the creation of transgenic Caenorhabditis elegans lines. However, methods to insert multi-kilobase DNA constructs remain laborious even with these advances. Here, I describe a new approach for introducing large DNA constructs into the C. elegans genome at specific sites using a combination of Flp and Cre recombinases. The system utilizes specialized integrated landing sites that express GFP ubiquitously flanked by single loxP, FRT, and FRT3 sites. DNA sequences of interest are inserted into an integration vector that contains a sqt-1 self-excising cassette and FRT and FRT3 sites. Plasmid DNA is injected into the germline of landing site animals. Transgenic animals are identified as Rol progeny, and the sqt-1 marker is subsequently excised with heat shock Cre expression. Integration events were obtained at a rate of approximately one integration per three injected F0 animals—a rate substantially higher than any current approach. To demonstrate the robustness of the approach, I compared the efficiency of the Gal4/UAS, QF (and QF2)/QUAS, tetR(and rtetR)/tetO, and LexA/lexO bipartite expression systems by assessing expression levels in combinations of driver and reporter GFP constructs and a direct promoter GFP fusion each integrated at multiple sites in the genome. My data demonstrate that all four bipartite systems are functional in C. elegans. Although the new integration system has several limitations, it greatly reduces the effort required to create single-copy insertions at defined sites in the C. elegans genome.
Support for 100% Tobacco-Free Policy on a College Campus in New Jersey: Differences between students and faculty/staff

Using quantitative and qualitative approaches we investigated the support for a 100% tobacco-free campus policy (TFCP) at a New Jersey public university. The survey included 912 students and 324 faculty/staff. A multivariate ordinal regression was used to identify predictors of support/opposition to a TFCP. Open-ended comments were analyzed thematically to examine participants’ attitudes regarding TFCP. Support for TFCP was higher among faculty/staff (Mean = 11.6, SD = 5.2) than among students (Mean = 9.0, SD = 5.9)(t = 6.8, p < 0.001). Among students, predictors of support for TFCP included female sex, not using tobacco, concern about secondhand smoke (SHS), and experiencing SHS effects. Among faculty/staff, predictors of support included not using tobacco and concern about SHS. Open-ended comments emphasized reasons for support (concern about SHS, smokers’ health, cessation encouragement, University image) and opposition (smoker rights, more pressing concerns, stress, concerns about a drop in enrollment). While a majority of campus constituents support a shift to TFCP, higher levels of opposition among some campus constituents (i.e., students, male smokers) persist. TFCP advocates need to be aware of common misconceptions that contribute to opposition to TFCP.
World Christianity: a historical and theological introduction: by Lalsangkima Pachuau, Nashville, TN, Abingdon Press, 2018, 247 pages, 34.99 (paperback), ISBN 9781426753183

Lalsangkima Pachuau has done a much-needed introductory overview of world Christianity as it shifted its centre of gravity from the Global North to the Majority World. In its breadth of information...
Feed processing to maximize feed efficiency

Swine production operations must undertake a comprehensive review of their feeding program, which includes the selection of ingredients, feed manufacturing processes, and the physical form of the feed presented to the pig. The increased demand for cereal grains in the bio-fuels sector has led to greater competition for the limited supply of grains, which has resulted in a significant increase in grain prices in recent years, especially corn. Companies that are willing to embrace new technology and evaluate by-products will have the greatest likelihood of long term profitability in the swine industry. The manager of a feed mill must be both willing and able to quickly adjust to changes in alternative ingredient markets and then implement new technology in order to take advantage of these changes to reduce the cost of feed. The swine producer must focus on reducing the total cost of the feed used to produce pork, which may require an increase in the feed manufacturing cost in order to reduce the total cost of production. The feed mill should be designed to facilitate changes in both the procurement of ingredients and the selection of manufacturing technology based on the least cost production model of the company. The purchasing agent, nutritionist, veterinarian, and feed mill manager must develop an integrated approach to purchase ingredients and formulate, manufacture, and deliver feed to the animal that will minimize the total cost of animal production. There must be a synergistic relationship between the live animal production group and the feed manufacturing group or commercial feed mill. Long term goals and objectives of the company should focus on procurement of quality ingredients, formulation based on optimal profitability, feed manufacturing based on the least cost formulas, improved animal feed conversion, and lower feed delivery costs. Feed manufacturing practices that were effective in the past may no longer be beneficial to the swine producer when faced with rising ingredient, energy, and transportation costs. Feed mills and animal production units must continuously evaluate the value of ingredients, particle size, mash versus pelleted feed, and the cost of delivery in today’s volatile ingredient market. Swine producers must view the feed mill as a resource that can be utilized to manufacture safe high quality feed in order to meet the long range goals of their business production plan.
Topological dipole conserving insulators and multipolar responses

Higher order topological insulators (HOTIs) are a novel form of insulating quantum matter, which are characterized by having gapped boundaries that are separated by gapless corner or hinge states. Recently, it has been proposed that the essential features of a large class of HOTIs are captured by topological multipolar response theories. In this paper, we show that these multipolar responses can be realized in interacting lattice models, which conserve both charge and dipole. In this paper we study several models in both the strongly interacting and mean field limits. In two dimensions we consider a ring-exchange model which exhibits a quadrupole response, and can be tuned to a ${C}_{4}$ symmetric higher order topological phase with half-integer quadrupole moment, as well as half-integer corner charges. We then extend this model to develop an analytic description of adiabatic dipole pumping in an interacting lattice model. The quadrupole moment changes during this pumping process, and if the process is periodic we show the total change in the quadrupole moment is quantized as an integer. We also consider two interacting three-dimensional ($3\mathrm{D}$) lattice models with chiral hinge modes. We show that the chiral hinge modes are heralds of a recently proposed ``dipolar Chern-Simons'' response, which is related to the quadrupole response by dimensional reduction. Interestingly, we find that in the mean field limit both the two-dimensional and $3\mathrm{D}$ interacting models we consider here are equivalent to known models of noninteracting HOTIs (or boundary obstructed versions). The self-consistent mean field theory treatment provides insight into the connection between free-fermion (mean field) theories having vanishing polarization and interacting models where dipole moments are microscopically conserved.
Thermal behavior analysis of nickel/metal hydride battery in the cycle processes

To analyze the thermal behavior of a 6.5-Ah cylinder Ni/MH battery in the cycle processes,including normal and simulated work-condition cycle processes,a two-dimensional thermal model is provided.Furthermore,the impact of cycle processes on thermal behavior is discussed.Quantities of heat and the heat generation rate of the battery during overcharging at different currents (1,3,5 C) are measured by quartz frequency microcalorimetry.The heat generation rate is fitted by piecewise functions,thus more reliable data is provided to create a precise thermal model.The internal temperature profiles of different cycle numbers during charging at different currents are simulated by FEM.Results show that the relationships between the central battery temperature and the cycle numbers are approximately linear.Meanwhile,the larger the charging currents,the more obvious the effect of cycle numbers on thermal behavior.Thus,the internal temperature profiles at different cycle numbers can be predicted,and suitable battery application conditions are provided.
Flight Trajectory Prediction Based on Hybrid- Recurrent Networks

The development of future technologies for the National Airspace System (NAS) will be reliant on a new communications infrastructure capable of managing the limited available spectrum for communications among aircraft and ground systems. Emerging approaches to autonomous allocation of aviation spectrum mostly rely on machine learning techniques, where 4D (longitude, latitude, altitude, time) trajectory prediction is an important data input to enable real-time resource allocation. This study explores and evaluates effective data sources and deep recurrent neural network techniques when determining flight trajectories. Specifically, data are collected and evaluated in a 14-day period. Sources of data include NASA Sherlock Data Warehouse, MIT Lincoln Labs Corridor Integrated Weather Service (CIWS), and assorted NOAA weather datasets. Deep learning models for 4D predictions all utilize a hybrid-recurrent technique. A baseline model is considered via the convolutional-recurrent design from the existing literature. The modified design considers Gated Recurrent Units (GRU), Independently Recurrent Neural Networks (IndRNN), and stand-alone self-attention layers. Results indicate the effectiveness of Long-Short Term Memory (LSTM) and GRU cells for state-of-the-art data processing (interpolation). Attention mechanisms provide notable performance improvements to convolutional layers and may extend dimensional capabilities of a learning model. Finally, NOAA measurements provide only a supplemental value by improving predictions along a flight altitude; however, tailored products such as CIWS Echo Top remain the most holistically accurate.
Redo Coronary Artery Bypass Grafting

Redo coronary artery bypass grafting( CABG) may be the most technically challenging operations in cardiac surgery. The coronary artery disease is more advanced, and the coronary targets may be suboptimal. Furthermore, the patients are typically older and sicker compared to those undergoing primary CABG. The frequency of redo CABG relative to total CABG procedures has been decreasing over time. Perioperative mortality for redo CABG is reported to be as high as three times that of primary CABG, but this risk is reduced with experience. Redo CABG is a complicated operation, and appropriate surgical strategies are essential for achieving good outcomes.
Information Filtering, Novelty Detection, and Named-Page Finding.

In TREC 11, our group participated in the Novelty track, Filtering track, and the Named-Page Finding task of the Web track. This paper describes our approaches, experiments, and results. As the approach for each task is quite different, the paper contains a section for each of the tasks. The following section describes our experiments in adaptive filtering, Section 3 describes named-page finding, and section 4 discusses the Novelty track.
The New Intermediary on the Block: Funding Portals under the CROWDFUND Act

The CROWDFUND Act, part of the JOBS Act signed into law in the United States in April 2012, provides for a new registered securities intermediary known as a funding portal. Funding portals or registered brokers must participate in crowdfunded offerings of securities conducted in accordance with the new federal offering registration exemption created in the CROWDFUND Act. Although regulations are forthcoming that will further illuminate the structure and function of funding portals, the CROWDFUND Act itself offers some insights into the role of funding portals in securities crowdfunding and allows for preliminary observations about legal issues inherent in funding portal status. This paper makes those observations and highlights areas of potential regulatory concern after labeling funding portals using existing terminology and locating funding portals in recognized taxonomies of securities intermediaries.
Confirmation of a Trimeric Subunit Arrangement for 2-Keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconic Aldolase Using X-ray Crystallographic Methods

Abstract 2-Keto-3-deoxy-6-phosphogluconate aldolase of Pseudomonas putida crystallizes from ammonium sulfate at pH 3.5 in the cubic system with unit cell dimensions of 103.1 ± 0.2 A in the space group P213 which has 12 equivalent positions. From variable equilibrium density measurements and the "salt-free" density determination, the molecular weight per unit cell was calculated to be 326,000 or 27,200 ± 2,000 per asymmetric unit, in good agreement with other chemical and physical data. Consideration of the mass per asymmetric unit, the symmetry elements of P213, and the results of chemical and physical solution studies suggest that the molecules are assemblages of trimers in the crystal with the subunits related by a 3-fold rotation axis.
IBIST/sup TM/ (interconnect built-in self-test) architecture and methodology for pci express: intel's next-generation test and validation methodology for performance IO

This paper summarizes the test challenges associated with next -generation platform buses and introduces an Intel-developed technology called IBISTTM (Interconnect Built-In Self-Test) created to meet those challenges. The IBISTTM testing methodology and associated on-die architecture customized for PCI Express (PCIe) interface is described.
A low density genome‐wide search for loci involved in alcohol dependence using the transmission/disequilibrium test, sib‐tdt, and two combined tests

The transmission/disequilibrium test (TDT), sib-TDT and two combined tests have been implemented in an attempt to identify loci across the genome that may be involved in alcohol dependence. Since these tests are based on the existence of association between marker and disease loci, the low-density map used (13 cM) will have missed any disease loci situated between markers. Nevertheless, genome-wide suggestive linkage results were found at three markers - D6S474, D8S1715, and D12S372 - two of which also gave nominally significant evidence by two-point linkage analysis. These are regions that deserve further investigation with respect to their involvement in alcohol dependence, and in order to evaluate the relative efficacy of the different methods used.
Polyglutamine and CBP: Fatal attraction?

The mutant proteins that cause polyglutamine disease bind CREB-binding protein (CBP), a key transcriptional co-activator for neuronal survival factors. This results in a loss of CBP-dependent transcription and may account for the neuronal degeneration associated with these diseases.
Expression cloning of new receptors used by simian and human immunodeficiency viruses

Several members of the chemokine-receptor family serve, in conjunction with CD4, as receptors for the entry of human immunodeficiency virus type I (HIV-1) into cells1,2,3,4,5,6. The principal receptor for entry of macrophage-tropic (M-tropic) HIV-1 strains is CCR5, whereas that for T-cell-line-tropic (T-tropic) strains is CXCR4. Unlike HIV-1, infection with either M-tropic or T-tropic strains of simian immunodeficiency virus (SIV) can be mediated by CCR5, but not CXCR4 (refs 7, 8, 9, 10). SIV strains will also infect CD4+ cells that lack CCR5, which suggests that these strains use as yet unidentified receptors7,9,10. Here we use an expression-cloning strategy to identify SIV receptors and have isolated genes encoding two members of the seven-transmembrane G-protein-coupled receptor family that are used not only by SIVs, but also by strains of HIV-2 and M-tropic HIV-1. Both receptors are closely related to the chemokine-receptor family and are expressed in lymphoid tissues. One of the receptors is also expressed in colon and may therefore be important in viral transmission. Usage of these new receptors following experimental infection of non-human primates with SIV strains may provide important insight into viral transmission and the mechanisms of SIV- and HIV-induced acquired immune-deficiency syndrome.
Semi-Supervised Novelty Detection with Adaptive Eigenbases, and Application to Radio Transients

We present a semi-supervised online method for novelty detection and evaluate its performance for radio astronomy time series data. Our approach uses adaptive eigenbases to combine 1) prior knowledge about uninteresting signals with 2) online estimation of the current data properties to enable highly sensitive and precise detection of novel signals. We apply the method to the problem of detecting fast transient radio anomalies and compare it to current alternative algorithms. Tests based on observations from the Parkes Multibeam Survey show both effective detection of interesting rare events and robustness to known false alarm anomalies.
Extracellular cAMP accumulation and degradation in rat cerebral cortex in dissociated cell culture

Norepinephrine (NE) stimulated the accumulation of cAMP in embryonic rat cerebral cortex in dissociated cell culture. After exposure to NE for 10 min, the intracellular cAMP content of these cultures went from 22 +/- 12 to 202 +/- 75 pmol/mg protein. Using selective culturing techniques, evidence was obtained supporting the hypothesis that NE- stimulated production of cAMP is a property associated with the glial rather than the neuronal component of these cultures. Beta adrenergic agonist stimulation of cortical cultures also resulted in the efflux of cAMP into the medium. At the peak of extracellular accumulation of cAMP (following a 40-min exposure to isoproterenol), 180 pmol cAMP/mg protein had been transported into the extracellular medium. The fate of extracellular cAMP was investigated using thin-layer chromatography. Extracellular cAMP was degraded to AMP and adenosine; this degradation did not seem to be due to the presence of serum or serum components, suggesting the existence of an extracellular phosphodiesterase. In response to NE stimulation of glia, in particular astrocytes, cAMP or its metabolites may accumulate at high enough concentrations in the extracellular space in cerebral cortex to affect neuronal function, possibly via adenosine receptors.
Src kinase regulation by phosphorylation and dephosphorylation

Src and Src-family protein-tyrosine kinases are regulatory proteins that play key roles in cell differentiation, motility, proliferation, and survival. The initially described phosphorylation sites of Src include an activating phosphotyrosine 416 that results from autophosphorylation, and an inhibiting phosphotyrosine 527 that results from phosphorylation by C-terminal Src kinase (Csk) and Csk homologous kinase. Dephosphorylation of phosphotyrosine 527 increases Src kinase activity. Candidate phosphotyrosine 527 phosphatases include cytoplasmic PTP1B, Shp1 and Shp2, and transmembrane enzymes include CD45, PTPalpha, PTPepsilon, and PTPlambda. Dephosphorylation of phosphotyrosine 416 decreases Src kinase activity. Thus far PTP-BL, the mouse homologue of human PTP-BAS, has been shown to dephosphorylate phosphotyrosine 416 in a regulatory fashion. The platelet-derived growth factor receptor protein-tyrosine kinase mediates the phosphorylation of Src Tyr138; this phosphorylation has no direct effect on Src kinase activity. The platelet-derived growth factor receptor and the ErbB2/HER2 growth factor receptor protein-tyrosine kinases mediate the phosphorylation of Src Tyr213 and activation of Src kinase activity. Src kinase is also a substrate for protein-serine/threonine kinases including protein kinase C (Ser12), protein kinase A (Ser17), and CDK1/cdc2 (Thr34, Thr46, and Ser72). Of the three protein-serine/threonine kinases, only phosphorylation by CDK1/cdc2 has been demonstrated to increase Src kinase activity. Although considerable information on the phosphoprotein phosphatases that catalyze the hydrolysis of Src phosphotyrosine 527 is at hand, the nature of the phosphatases that mediate the hydrolysis of phosphotyrosine 138 and 213, and phosphoserine and phosphothreonine residues has not been determined.
Grain growth in sputtered nanoscale PdIn thin films

Using transmission electron microscopy we investigated grain growth in 30-nm thick sputter-deposited PdIn thin films that were annealed in a differential scanning calorimeter for 5–60 min at temperatures from 300 to 550 °C. The sequence of grain growth was found to begin with normal grain growth with monomodal and lognormal grain size distributions. Secondary grain growth was observed in late stages with a bimodal grain size distribution. A grain growth exponent n=2.3±0.2 was obtained by fitting the measured grain sizes at all stages of growth to the grain growth law at three temperatures 500, 525 and 550 °C. At 420 °C, however, a significantly higher value of n (∼4.5) was obtained. The activation energy for grain growth within the temperature range of 500–550 °C was found to be 54±3 kJ/mol.
An axial viewing photographic technique to study turbulence characteristics of particles

Abstract An axial viewing photographic technique has been developed which can study the turbulence characteristics of droplets in planes perpendicular to the direction of mean flow. The technique provides direct measurements of particle flux and provides measurements of the mean-square values of both the r - and φ-components of turbulent velocity fluctuations of the droplets. Results are given which show the influence of particle inertia on droplet turbulence for droplets injected into a fluid flowing turbulently in a pipe.
Modeling of profile effects for large area inductive coupled plasma sources

Summary form only given, as follows. Inductively coupled plasma (ICP) sources are one of the most important high density plasma configurations developed in recent years. Next generation technology requires plasma processing systems with high uniformity over very large areas. We present here results of a comparison between computer modeling and experimental data from the LLNL Large Area ICP Source. The LLNL Source has a 30" diameter and is designed to study 400 mm processing. Computer simulations using the fluid code, INDUCT94, are used to explain variations in the plasma density profile measurements as a function of inductive power, gas pressure, and gas composition. Both argon and N/sub 2/ discharges are considered. INDUCT94 solves the 2D time-dependent fluid equations for electrons, ions, and neutrals including effects of both inductive and capacitive coupling. Detailed volume and surface chemistry reactions are treated. We discuss the effect of pressure and power on the plasma uniformity. High uniformity of the order of several per cent was found to be possible over a 400 mm diameter area.
Large-scale activity in neural nets II: A model for the brainstem respiratory oscillator

The formalism developed in a previous paper (Feldman and Cowan, 1974) for the analysis of large scale activity in neural nets is applied to the problem of accounting for the generation and maintenance of respiratory related rhythms in the brain stem. It is shown that coupled nets of excitatory and inhibitory cells can generate slowly augmenting respiratory related activity, and that rapid switching from inspiratory related to expiratory related activity can take place. The effects of lung inflation, CO2 inhalation, and brain stem lesions are deduced from the model, and certain predictions are made concerning inhibition in the brain stem.
Isolation of acetylcholine receptor—α-Bungarotoxin complexes from Torpedo californica electroplax☆

Abstract Affinity chromatography has been utilized to purify acetylcholine receptors from Torpedo californica electroplax membranes. These have been isolated as their [ 125 I]α-bungarotoxin complexes. The major protein subunit found had a molecular weight of 3.5–4.5 × 10 4 on gel electrophoresis under denaturing conditions. Other components of higher molecular weight were also present in smaller amounts even in the best preparations. This is interpreted as most likely due to either a multiple subunit structure or to more than one type of receptor in the tissue used.
Cryopreservation of oocytes and embryos: methods and applications

Abstract The benefits of oocyte and embryo cryopreservation originate from its ability to arrest all biological processes and place cells into a state of suspended animation. Such interruption of embryogenesis for any period of time provides a powerful method of controlling animal reproduction. The universal appeal of this approach is illustrated by recent surveys of bovine embryo transfer practitioners suggesting that over one-third of embryos collected in the USA and Europe were cryopreserved. This is an area of rapid scientific and technological advancement based on rapidly evolving concepts in the fields of cryobiology, embryology and animal reproduction.
Creativity, Culture Contact, and Diversity

Recent trends in the understanding of culture contact, with concepts such as hybridization, cosmopolitanism, and cultural innovation, open up the possibility of a new understanding of human interaction. While the social imaginary is rich with images of conflict resulting from culture contact, images of creativity are far rarer. We propose the creation of an extensive research project to document cultural creativity, starting with obvious examples in the arts, and expanding into all areas of life in order to counteract the present conflictual images and develop a social imaginary with positive “attractor” images that can guide to greater creativity.
The Mesencephalic Reticular Formation as a Conduit for Primate Collicular Gaze Control: Tectal Inputs to Neurons Targeting the Spinal Cord and Medulla

The superior colliculus (SC), which directs orienting movements of both the eyes and head, is reciprocally connected to the mesencephalic reticular formation (MRF), suggesting the latter is involved in gaze control. The MRF has been provisionally subdivided to include a rostral portion, which subserves vertical gaze, and a caudal portion, which subserves horizontal gaze. Both regions contain cells projecting downstream that may provide a conduit for tectal signals targeting the gaze control centers which direct head movements. We determined the distribution of cells targeting the cervical spinal cord and rostral medullary reticular formation (MdRF), and investigated whether these MRF neurons receive input from the SC by the use of dual tracer techniques in Macaca fascicularis monkeys. Either biotinylated dextran amine or Phaseolus vulgaris leucoagglutinin was injected into the SC. Wheat germ agglutinin conjugated horseradish peroxidase was placed into the ipsilateral cervical spinal cord or medial MdRF to retrogradely label MRF neurons. A small number of medially located cells in the rostral and caudal MRF were labeled following spinal cord injections, and greater numbers were labeled in the same region following MdRF injections. In both cases, anterogradely labeled tectoreticular terminals were observed in close association with retrogradely labeled neurons. These close associations between tectoreticular terminals and neurons with descending projections suggest the presence of a trans-MRF pathway that provides a conduit for tectal control over head orienting movements. The medial location of these reticulospinal and reticuloreticular neurons suggests this MRF region may be specialized for head movement control.
Comprehension for What? Preparing Students for Their Meaningful Future

Researchers, policymakers, and educators face a daunting task these days concerning literacy education for the here and now and literacy for the future. Even though one clings to the romantic notion that education provides the building blocks in a straight line to a meaningful future, the reality is that mixed goals and instructional messages prevail. A much richer vision of comprehension and literacy is necessary for students to succeed for the here and now and for their future, one that incorporates all of the changing options and demands for education and the workplace. We review the current state of comprehension research in schooling and the workplace. Next, we present a set of principles for teachers that spring from the complex picture provided by the research, one that focuses on making students into strategic, adaptable comprehenders.