cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of surface engineered antigenic exosomes as vaccines for respiratory syncytial virus

Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is one of the main pathogens associated with lower respiratory tract infections in infants and young children worldwide. Exosomes secreted by antigen presenting cells (APCs) can elicit immune responses by carrying major histocompatibility complex (MHC) class I molecules complexed with antigenic peptides and other co-stimulating factors. Therefore, we developed novel immunomagnetic nanographene particles to sequentially isolate, surface engineer, and release intact dendritic cell (DC) exosomes for use as a potential vaccine platform against RSV. The H-2Db-restricted, immunodominant peptides from RSV (M187–195 and NS161–75) were introduced to MHC-I on DC-derived exosomes to express peptide/MHC-I (pMHC-I) complexes. A mouse model of RSV infection was used to define the immunogenicity of surface engineered exosomes for activating virus-specific immune responses. Ex vivo assays demonstrated that engineered exosomes carrying RSV-specific peptides can elicit interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) production by virus-specific CD8+ T cells isolated from RSV-infected C57BL/6 mice. In vivo assays demonstrated that subcutaneous administration of both M187–195 and NS161–75 engineered exosomes to mice, with or without additional adjuvant, appeared safe and well tolerated, however, did not prime antigen-specific CD8+ T cell responses. Surface engineered exosomes are immunogenic and promising for further development as a vaccine platform.
Voluntary Sacrifice of Freedom: Why Are Some Chinese Nationals Supporting Government Censorship?

While the effects of government censorship are widely explored in the literature, most works on government censorship have assumed a nature intention for citizens to seek freedom of speech in authoritarian regimes. However, citizens in authoritarian regimes may actually support government censorship due to various reasons. In this study, I explore the potential reasons of citizen's support towards government censorship in China among Chinese nationals both domestic and abroad. I proposes that willingness to support censorship is influenced by one's experience with political institutions and the political environment. The government could try to provide reasonings on censorship that aligns its interest in repressive behavior and citizens' personal interests to gain support on censorship.
Revealing the Social Pillar under the Lens of Materiality: Corporate Social Performance, Corporate Financial Performance, and Organizational Benefits

This study examines the corporate social performance (CSP)-corporate financial performance (CFP) relationship under the lens of materiality, focusing on the social pillar. Based on a theoretical and empirical framework, we identify employee and product-related issues as material (i.e., directed towards primary stakeholders) and issues concerning communities and diversity as immaterial (i.e., directed towards secondary stakeholders). We empirically test the relevance of primary and secondary CSP on both CFP and organizational benefits (OB). Applying Refinitv social pillar ratings of U.S. firms listed in the S&P 500 from 2006 to 2019 as CSP proxies, we run static and dynamic panel data regressions. The results show that primary CSP (i.e., directed towards primary stakeholders) provides OB and leads to superior accounting-based CFP, while no such effect exists for secondary CSP. With our findings, we contribute to prior materiality research by providing a first approach to examine the structural relations (i.e., OB) that lead to superior CFP when increasing primary CSP. Consequently, this study provides relevant implications for managers, policymakers, and practitioners alike.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm neck dilatation and sac remodeling in fenestrated compared to standard endovascular aortic repair.

OBJECTIVE Contemporary commercially available endovascular devices for the treatment of abdominal aortic aneurysm (AAA) include standard endovascular aortic repair (sEVAR) or fenestrated EVAR (fEVAR) endografts. However, aortic neck dilatation (AND) can occur in nearly 25% of patients following EVAR, resulting in loss of proximal seal with risk of aortic rupture. AND has not been well characterized in fEVAR, and direct comparisons studying AND between fEVAR and sEVAR have not been performed. This study aims to analyze AND in the infrarenal and suprarenal aortic segments, including seal zone, and quantify sac regression following fEVAR implantation compared to sEVAR. METHOD A retrospective review of prospectively collected data on 20 consecutive fEVAR patients (Cook Zenith® Fenestrated) and 20 sEVAR (Cook Zenith®) patients was performed. Demographic data, anatomic characteristics, procedural details, and clinical outcome were analyzed. Pre-operative, post-operative (1 month), and longest follow-up CT scan at an average of 29.3 months for fEVAR and 29.8 months for sEVAR were analyzed using a dedicated 3D workstation (iNtuition, TeraRecon Inc, Foster City, California). Abdominal aortic aneurysm neck diameter was measured in 5 mm increments, ranging from 20 mm above to 20 mm below the lowest renal artery. Sub-analysis comparing the fEVAR to the sEVAR group at 12 months and at greater than 30 months was performed. Standard statistical analysis was done. RESULTS Demographic characteristics did not differ significantly between the two cohorts. The fEVAR group had a larger mean aortic diameter at the lowest renal artery, shorter infrarenal aortic neck length, increased prevalence of nonparallel neck shape, and longer AAA length. On follow-up imaging, the suprarenal aortic segment dilated significantly more at all locations in the fEVAR cohort, whereas the infrarenal aortic neck segment dilated significantly less compared to the sEVAR group. Compared to the sEVAR cohort, the fEVAR patients demonstrated significantly greater positive sac remodeling as evident by more sac diameter regression, and elongation of distance measured from the celiac axis to the most cephalad margin of the sac. Device migration, endoleak occurrence, re-intervention rate, and mortalities were similar in both groups. CONCLUSION Compared to sEVAR, patients undergoing fEVAR had greater extent of suprarenal AND, consistent with a more diseased native proximal aorta. However, the infrarenal neck, which is shorter and also more diseased in fEVAR patients, appears more stable in the post-operative period as compared to sEVAR. Moreover, the fEVAR cohort had significantly greater sac shrinkage and improved aortic remodeling. The suprarenal seal zone in fEVAR may result in a previously undescribed increased level of protection against infrarenal neck dilatation. We hypothesize that the resultant decreased endotension conferred by better seal zone may be responsible for a more dramatic sac shrinkage in fEVAR.
Effect of Amino Acid Substitution at α192SER and α277ARG in the Azotobacter vinelandii Nitrogenase MoFe Protein

FeMo-cofactor is one of two prosthetic group types bound within the nitrogenase MoFe protein and there is overwhelming evidence that implicates it as the site of substrate binding and reduction (Scott et al., 1992; Kim et al., 1995). FeMo-cofactor is buried at least 10 A below the protein surface and no obvious permanent channels exist that would permit substrate access or product release. The crystallographic model has revealed that three stretches of the α-polypeptide chain near α277arg, α192ser and α356gly provide a flexible flap over the FeMo-cofactor that when opened, could yield a transient channel that would allow substrates and inhibitors to approach the active site (Kim & Rees, 1992). This has also been proposed to be a possible route for FeMoco insertion during MoFe protein biosynthesis.
Generalization of Campbell's theorem to nonstationary noise

Campbell's theorem is a fundamental result in noise theory and is applied in many fields of science and engineering. It gives a simple but very powerful expression for the mean and standard deviation of a stationary random pulse train. We generalize Campbell's theorem to the non-stationary case where the random process is space and time dependent. We also generalize it to a pulse train of waves, acoustic and electromagnetic, where the intensity is defined as the absolute square of the pulse train.
The Exchange Rate and the Price Level in Socialist Economies

The paper examines how the evolution from a classical centrally planned economy to a more market-oriented system will enhance the linkage between the exchange rate and the domestic price level. However, during the transition--as the economy continues to be predominantly state-owned, the inherited production structure is only gradually modified, capital and labor mobility are still relatively low and financial discipline is less-than-complete--the elasticity of the domestic price level with respect to a change in the exchange rate, or, to a change in world market prices, may still be lower than in an otherwise comparable market economy.
Prevalence and abundance of Staphylococcus aureus in the middle meatus of patients with chronic rhinosinusitis, nasal polyps, and asthma

Background Chronic rhinosinusitis (CRS) is an idiosyncratic and multifactorial disease process. Bacteria play a role in some patients, by infection or stimulation of inflammation. Staphylococcus aureus (SA) appears to be implicated in a number of infectious and inflammatory mechanisms, and may be particularly relevant in CRS patients with nasal polyps and asthma. Methods Middle meatus swabs from control and CRS patients collected during endoscopic sinus surgery were analyzed by quantitative polymerase chain reaction (QPCR). Total bacterial count, SA prevalence, and SA abundance were examined with respect to patient demographics and disease characteristics. Results Total bacteria, as measured by QPCR, was not statistically different between controls, CRS without nasal polyps (CRSsNP), CRS with nasal polyps (CRSwNP), or CRS with asthma groups (p < 0.09). Total bacterial counts did not correlate with disease severity as measured by Lund-Mackay computed tomography (CT) scores (p = 0.65). The prevalence of SA was similar between groups (15–25%); however, the abundance increased in CRS patients with allergic rhinitis, nasal polyps, and asthma. Conclusion The paranasal sinuses are not sterile. SA is implicated in a subset of CRS patients with nasal polyps and/or asthma. Further study is required to predict this subset of patients, and to define the mechanisms of SA pathogenesis.
Dietary fat and cholesterol effects on cholesterol metabolism in CBA/J and C57BR/cdJ mice.

The aim of this study was to determine how small differences in dietary fats affect cholesterol metabolism in mice hypo- (CBA/J) and hyperresponsive (C57BR/cdJ) to diet-induced hypercholesterolemia. Six-wk-old male mice were fed either a diet corresponding to the U.S. average gross composition (US74, 40% of total energy as fat, 347 mg cholesterol/1000 Kcal, P/S = 0.24) or a modified-fat diet (30% of total energy as fat, 46 mg cholesterol/1000 Kcal, P/S = 0.91). After 8 wk of feeding, neither strain had developed hypercholesterolemia. CBA/J mice had higher concentrations of serum total and high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol and a higher esterified-to-free cholesterol ratio than did C57BR/cdJ mice. CBA/J mice maintained a constant serum cholesterol concentration mainly by adjusting the hepatic hydroxymethylglutaryl coenzyme A reductase (HMGR) activity, whereas C57BR/cdJ mice did so by changing the fecal excretion of cholesterol. Compared to the modified-fat diet, the US74 diet caused an increase in the ratio of total to HDL serum cholesterol, liver microsomal free cholesterol, fecal cholesterol and hepatic microsomal cholesterol 7 alpha-hydroxylase activity and a decrease in hepatic microsomal HMGR activity. We conclude that the metabolic responses to small differences in dietary fat are different in CBA/J and C57BR/cdJ mice.
A Tutorial on Using PVS for Hardware Verification

PVS stands for “Prototype Verification System.” It consists of a specification language integrated with support tools and a theorem prover. PVS tries to provide the mechanization needed to apply formal methods both rigorously and productively.
Static disassembly of obfuscated binaries

Disassembly is the process of recovering a symbolic representation of a program's machine code instructions from its binary representation. Recently, a number of techniques have been proposed that attempt to foil the disassembly process. These techniques are very effective against state-of-the-art disassemblers, preventing a substantial fraction of a binary program from being disassembled correctly. This could allow an attacker to hide malicious code from static analysis tools that depend on correct disassembler output (such as virus scanners). The paper presents novel binary analysis techniques that substantially improve the success of the disassembly process when confronted with obfuscated binaries. Based on control flow graph information and statistical methods, a large fraction of the program's instructions can be correctly identified. An evaluation of the accuracy and the performance of our tool is provided, along with a comparison to several state-of-the-art disassemblers.
Numerical Study of Nearly Singular Solutions of the 3-D Incompressible Euler Equations

In this paper, we perform a careful numerical study of nearly singular solutions of the 3D incompressible Euler equations with smooth initial data. We consider the interaction of two perturbed antiparallel vortex tubes which was previously investigated by Kerr in [16, 19]. In our numerical study, we use both the pseudo-spectral method with the 2/3 dealiasing rule and the pseudo-spectral method with a high order Fourier smoothing. Moreover, we perform a careful resolution study with grid points as large as 1,536 × 1,024 × 3,072 to demonstrate the convergence of both numerical methods. Our computational results show that the maximum vorticity does not grow faster than doubly exponential in time while the velocity field remains bounded up to T = 19, beyond the singularity time T = 18.7 reported by Kerr in [16, 19]. The local geometric regularity of vortex lines near the region of maximum vorticity seems to play an important role in depleting the nonlinear vortex stretching dynamically.
Glacier inventories of Iceland: evaluation and use of sources of data

All sources of cartographic, aerial photographic, satellite image, and related data, from the 18th century to the present, for the eight geographic groups of Iceland’s glaciers, were evaluated for use in preparing a preliminary inventory of Iceland’s glaciers, based on information requirements of the Temporary Technical Secretariat for World Glacier Inventory. On the basis of an evaluation of all sources of historic and modern data for the Langjokull Group, the 1:50 000 scale U.S. Army Map Service Series C762 maps of Iceland were determined to be the best maps from which to derive information for a preliminary inventory, as long as the limitations of these maps are considered and accommodated. The fluctuations of Langjokull’s principal outlet glaciers on maps and Landsat images were found to be consistent with field observations at the International Hydrological Decade monitoring stations. Accumulation area ratios were calculated from late summer snow lines on 1973 Landsat images of Vatnajokull (0.70), Langjokull (0.78), and Mýrdalsjokull (0.35), Measurements of the area of the now stagnant glacier on Ok showed a rapid reduction in area (68 per cent) between 1910 and 1960, but a decline in rate of wastage since 1960 (73 per cent between 1910 and 1978). From 1910 and 1945 topographic maps, the volume of the glacier on Ok was found to be reduced by 0.62 km3.
Detained and drugged: a brief overview of the use of pharmaceuticals for the interrogation of suspects, prisoners, patients, and POWs in the US

Using medical literature citations, Congressional hearings, and declassified documents this paper examines the uses of pharmaceuticals in the interrogation of vulnerable populations. From the use of IV relaxants on criminal suspects during the 1920s to the Global War on Terror, the nexus of drugs, testing, and interrogations will be explored in both the domestic and international contexts.
Insulin resistance: definition and treatment

Two cases of insulin resistance are described, and recent developments in the pathogenesis and treatment of insulin resistance are reviewed. Both immune and nonimmune types of insulin resistance have been described. Immune resistance is related to the presence of circulating antibodies directed against exogenous insulin or the insulin receptor sites. Nonimmune resistance is associated with obesity, ketoacidosis, infection, or endocrinopathies. Treatment of insulin-resistant diabetics can include proper diet and weight control; use of insulin in large quantities; selection of less antigenic forms of insulin, such as pork, fish, or sulfated insulin; oral hypoglycemics such as tolbutamide; and immunosuppressive therapy with corticosteroids. The production of human insulin by recombinant DNA technology promises benefits to patients with high levels of antibodies directed against insulin from animal sources. True insulin resistance is a rare phenomenon, which must be documented adequately before vigorous treatment is considered.
A fault tolerant indexed 5B/6B code

The CRC and 5B/6B codes rely on re-transmission of corrupted frames rather than forward error correction. With CRC any three single-bit errors occurring randomly in the frame are detected. Also any burst of errors for which the distance between the first corrupted bit and the last corrupted bit is less than or equal to 32 bits is detected. The 5B/6B code on the other hand has the same three single-bit error detection, but the burst error-detection is capable of detecting up to 34 code bits. We present an indexed 5B/6B, used during buffering which allows error code recovery during read/write with the help of indexes. The scheme takes advantage of spare resources to reduce re-transmission delay by increasing memory reliability.
Effects of sodium salicylate on evoked-response measures of hearing

Abstract The effects of sodium salicylate on auditory sensitivity, frequency selectivity, and temporal resolution were monitored in chinchillas using evoked responses recorded from the inferior colliculus. Administration of sodium salicylate (450 mg/kg/day for 5–15 days) resulted in serum salicylate levels of 25–50 mg/100 ml. The salicylate administration caused elevation of evoked response thresholds (up to 30 dB), mainly at the high frequencies. Frequency selectivity, as estimated by the Q 10 dB value of evoked-response tuning curves, was poorer at 4 kHz during drug administration than during the no drug (control) condition. Temporal resolution, as estimated by recovery from forward masking was not significantly poorer during salicylate administration than before administration. However, there was a trend toward longer recovery in animals with large threshold shifts. These results are consistent with models suggesting that salicylate affects the auditory system at the level of the organ of Corti. They also suggest that while the changes in hearing that occur after salicylate administration are consistent with those seen in sensorineural hearing loss, the changes in hearing in the chinchilla are small enough to preclude the use of the drug as a practical model for sensorineural loss.
The solubility and complexing properties of oxytetracycline and tetracycline III. Interactions in aqueous solution with model compounds, biochemicals, metals, chelates, and hexametaphosphate

The present study extends the investigation of complexing tendencies of oxytetracycline to ( a ) a series of isomer, multifunctional aromatic compounds, ( b ) certain biochemicals, ( c ) calcium and magnesium ions, both free and as chelates, and ( d ) hexametaphosphate. The relative importance of grouping and their location on the binding tendency has been demonstrated. Measurements carried out on purines, DNA, B vitamins, etc., show that such biochemicals are, in general, relatively strong complexing agents. Data on alkali earths suggest that complexed drugs may still undergo chelation. Hexametaphosphate appears to undergo very slight, if any, complexing reaction with either tetracycline or oxytetracycline at pH values between 5 and 8.
Bullous skin lesions in an adult male: a diagnostic dilemma.

Patient: Male, 42 Final Diagnosis: Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) Symptoms: Bullous hemorrhagic lesions • elevated liver enzymes Medication: — Clinical Procedure: — Specialty: Rheumatology Objective: Unusual clinical course Background: Henoch-Schonlein Purpura (HSP) is an IgA small-vessel vasculitis that is primarily a disease of childhood. Its presentation in adulthood is rare and has a more severe disease course. We present a case with an atypical presentation of this disease that was a diagnostic challenge for multiple providers. Case Report: A 42-year-old man noticed bullous lesions over his ankles that spread to his entire legs over a few weeks. They later became necrotic and ulcerated areas. His primary care physician and 2 dermatologists could not reach a definitive diagnosis. He then presented to our hospital with new abdominal pain, rectal bleeding, and a new elevation in liver enzymes. A biopsy of his skin lesions led to the diagnosis of HSP. Conclusions: We discuss this highly unusual initial presentation with bullous skin lesions and liver enzyme abnormalities and explore the medical literature to understand its pathogenesis. Clinicians need to be aware of this rare presentation to avoid a delay in diagnosis and management.
WiP Abstract: A Closed Loop Control Architecture to Maintain Patient Normothermia during Perioperative Periods

Use of anesthesia and the cold environment of an operating room inhibits thermoregulation in a patient body causing perioperative hypothermia. In the worst case, this situation may cause death. Maintaining normothermia is thus a key requirement during the perioperative period. In today's state-of-the-art, normothermia is maintained through a number of manual techniques, such as monitoring and controlling the temperature of the warming blankets, fluid warmers, and air conditioning system in the operating room. Since each patient illustrates different response to stimuli, a one-size-fits-all approach to maintaining normothermia is not the right approach. This paper presents ongoing work an autonomous, closed-loop control solution to maintain patient normothermia during perioperative periods.
Polyamine metabolism in muscle: differential response to tenotomy and denervation in the soleus and gastrocnemius muscle of adult rats.

Abstract Polyamines were monitored in tenotomized and denervated rat soleus (slow-twitch) and gastrocnemius (fast-twitch) muscles as markers of the degeneration-regeneration process. Experimental tenotomy produced rapid muscle fiber degeneration followed by recovery and return to normal muscle histology. The tenotomized soleus muscle showed striking central lesions in many fibers which were maximal at 1 to 2 weeks, whereas only a few fibers with central lesions were detectable in gastrocnemius. Alterations in the concentration of the polyamines, putrescine, spermidine, and spermine, reflected the extent of pathologic lesion formation in response to tenotomy in the two muscles. After tenotomy, putrescine was elevated significantly for 2 weeks in the soleus muscle and spermidine and spermine increased to twofold that in the contralateral control within 2 weeks, returning toward normal thereafter with no significant differences at 5 weeks after tenotomy. In the tenotomized gastrocnemius muscle, which showed relatively few fibers with central lesions, there was no detectable putrescine between 1 and 6 weeks, and the increases in spermidine and spermine concentrations were less than twofold at all times measured. Alterations in polyamine concentrations in response to denervation were strikingly different. Putrescine was markedly elevated 1 to 2 weeks after denervation and thereafter returned to normal. In both muscles, spermidine and spermine concentrations remained elevated throughout the 8 weeks after denervation. Persistent elevations of polyamines in denervated muscle may reflect connective tissue hyperplasia, in contrast to the tenotomized muscle where the increases are probably due to the degeneration-regeneration process of the muscle fiber itself.
A rapid micro-Dumas method for nitrogen determination

Abstract A rapid procedure for determining nitrogen in organic materials using one to ten milligram samples is described. The techniques and equipment employed remove all causes of a gas blank and, hence, gas blanks themselves, with the exception of a constant adsorbed air blank from copper oxide. A high degree of precision and accuracy is achieved that has not been possible by any previous method to give a coefficient of variation of 0.2%. A mercury nitrometer is described that permits a faster and easier reading of the nitrogen volume by preventing the potassium hydroxide solution from entering the calibrated capillary. The combustion apparatus and the mercury nitrometer are designed to give a complete analysis in 12 minutes or less. The time required for preheating and removing air is 2.5-3 minutes, for burning samples is 4–5 minutes, for collecting combustion products is 2–3 minutes, and for measuring nitrogen volumes is 1 minute. The sample furnaces are operated at 850 °C. to pyrolyze completely all types of materials. Commercial CO 2 cylinders were treated and found to provide an extremely pure long lasting supply of carbon dioxide. Further investigations are planned to determine the applications of this procedure to sample sizes other than the milligram range.
Limitations of the toxic equivalency factor approach for risk assessment of TCDD and related compounds

Halogenated aromatic hydrocarbons (HAHs), such as polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs), dibenzo-ρ-dioxins (PCDDs), and dibenzofurans (PCDFs), are industrial compounds or by-products that have been widely identified as environmental contaminants. Hazard and risk assessment of complex HAH mixtures have utilized a toxic equivalency factor (TEF) approach, where the toxic equivalents (TEQs) of any mixture are equal to the sum of the concentration of individual (i) congeners times their potencies (TEFi) relative to 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-ρ-dioxin (TCDD, TEF = 1.0). TEQ = Σ [PCDDi] · TEFi + Σ [PCDFi] · TEFi + Σ [PCBi] · TEFi The TEQ (or TCDD equivalents) can be readily calculated from analytical data and provides an estimate of the toxicity of any mixture containing HAHs. Several in vivo and in vitro studies with some PCDD/PCDF and PCB mixtures have demonstrated correlations between experimentally determined and calculated TEQs. However, results of several studies have also shown that for specific responses, the TEQ for some HAH mixtures are non-additive. For example, PCB mixtures and individual PCB congeners such as 2,2′,4,4′,5,5′-hexachlorobiphenyl inhibit toxic and biochemical responses induced by TCDD and related compounds. Another problem associated with hazard and risk assessment of background exposure to HAHs is the relative contribution of trace levels of HAHs (exodioxins) compared to relatively high exposure to naturally occurring aryl hydrocarbon receptor (AhR) agonists, which act through the same mechanistic pathway. Teratogenesis Carcinog. Mutagen. 17:285–304, 1997/98. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
TAK1 Is Essential for Osteoclast Differentiation and Is an Important Modulator of Cell Death by Apoptosis and Necroptosis

Transforming growth factor β (TGF-β)-activated kinase 1 (TAK1), a mitogen-activated protein 3 (MAP3) kinase, plays an essential role in inflammation by activating the IκB kinase (IKK)/nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) and stress kinase (p38 and c-Jun N-terminal kinase [JNK]) pathways in response to many stimuli. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) superfamily member receptor activator of NF-κB ligand (RANKL) regulates osteoclastogenesis through its receptor, RANK, and the signaling adaptor TRAF6. Because TAK1 activation is mediated through TRAF6 in the interleukin 1 receptor (IL-1R) and toll-like receptor (TLR) pathways, we sought to investigate the consequence of TAK1 deletion in RANKL-mediated osteoclastogenesis. We generated macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF)-derived monocytes from the bone marrow of mice with TAK1 deletion in the myeloid lineage. Unexpectedly, TAK1-deficient monocytes in culture died rapidly but could be rescued by retroviral expression of TAK1, inhibition of receptor-interacting protein 1 (RIP1) kinase activity with necrostatin-1, or simultaneous genetic deletion of TNF receptor 1 (TNFR1). Further investigation using TAK1-deficient mouse embryonic fibroblasts revealed that TNF-α-induced cell death was abrogated by the simultaneous inhibition of caspases and knockdown of RIP3, suggesting that TAK1 is an important modulator of both apoptosis and necroptosis. Moreover, TAK1-deficient monocytes rescued from programmed cell death did not form mature osteoclasts in response to RANKL, indicating that TAK1 is indispensable to RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis. To our knowledge, we are the first to report that mice in which TAK1 has been conditionally deleted in osteoclasts develop osteopetrosis.
The microprocessor of 2020: Why you should care, and what you can do about it

The microprocessor of the year 2020 will have 1000 cores on it, and unless you get involved, it will either just be an array of cores thrown over the transom for you to figure out what to do with, or it will be easy to use but run like a turtle, compared to what it could do. These two extremes are not unlikely, unless those with applications get involved. Most of the gurus of computer architecture insist that if they want their products to sell, all the cores better be identical and the programming model better be easy. Yet another example of computer technology providing enormous capability only to be done in by human frailty. In this talk, I hope to quickly explain what multi-core is, how it came about, and then point out in more detail some of the nonsense bandied about about multicore, and discuss what is possible, if we all get involved.
Study of Osteoblast-Specific Expression of One Mouse Osteocalcin Gene: Characterization of the Factor Binding to OSE2

In an attempt to understand the mechanisms of osteoblast-specific expression, we analyzed the promoter of the mouse osteocalcin gene 2, an osteoblast-specific gene. In this promoter, using a combination of DNA transfection experiments and DNA binding assays, we have identified two osteoblast-specific cis-acting elements called OSE1 and OSE2. Inspection of OSE2 DNA sequence and site-specific mutagenesis allowed us to define a core sequence for OSE2. This core sequence is identical to the DNA binding site of the PEBP2 alpha transcription factors, the mouse homologues of the Drosophila Runt protein. Here we show that OSF2, the factor present in osteoblast nuclear extracts and binding to OSE2, is immunologically related to the PEBP2 alpha transcription factors. In DNA cotransfection experiment, a human homologue of PEBP2 alpha transcription factor increases the activity of a short osteocalcin promoter through its binding to OSE2. Thus, this study presents evidence that OSF2 is a member of the PEBP2 alpha family of transcription factors.
Personalized Medicine for Non–Small-Cell Lung Cancer: Implications of Recent Advances in Tissue Acquisition for Molecular and Histologic Testing

In light of recent advances in individualized therapy for non–small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), molecular and histologic profiling is essential for guiding therapeutic decisions. Results of these analyses may have implications for both response (eg, molecular testing for EGFR [epidermal growth factor receptor] mutations) and safety (eg, contraindications for squamous histology) in NSCLC. Most patients with NSCLC present with unresectable advanced disease; therefore, greater emphasis is being placed on minimally invasive tissue acquisition techniques, such as small biopsy and cytology specimens. Due to the need for increasing histologic and molecular information and increasingly smaller tissue sample sizes, efforts must be focused on optimizing tissue acquisition and the development of more sensitive molecular assays. Recent advances in tissue acquisition techniques and specimen preservation may help to address this challenge and lead to enhanced personalized treatment in NSCLC.
A new class of decomposition for inverting asymmetric and indefinite matrices

Abstract An innovative decomposition for inverting a nonsingular, asymmetric, and indefinite matrix [ A ] of order ( n × n ) is derived in this paper. The inverse of [ A ] is written as [ A ] −1 = [ L ][ D ][ U ] where [ L ] is a lower triangular matrix, [ D ] is a diagonal matrix, and [ U ] is an upper triangular matrix. By the method, the solution of [ A ]{ X } = { B } may be easily and efficiently computed by matrix-vector multiplications as { X } = [ L ][ D ][ U ]{ B }. This technique requires a minimal amount of computer memories, and can be easily transformed into parallel procedures with high efficiencies. Performances in inverting asymmetric and indefinite matrices and in solving systems of linear equations on an Alliant/FX8 computer are reported.
Investigation of IPCC AR4 coupled climate model North Atlantic mode water formation

Abstract The formation of mode waters in the North Atlantic was examined in the suite of ocean models that comprise the World Climate Research Programme (WCRP) Coupled Model Intercomparison Project phase 3 (CMIP3). We constructed model climatologies for 1980–1999 from the 20th century simulations, and compared their mode water properties (temperature, salinity, formation rate, volume, turnover time, heat content) with data. In these models, we found biases in both the properties of the mode waters and their formation rates. For Subpolar Mode Water (SPMW), property biases principally involved salinity errors; additionally, some models form SPMW in an anomalous region west of the British Isles, shifting the source location of waters entering the overturning cell and altering the Nordic Seas’ involvement in the Meridional Overturning Circulation. For Subtropical Mode Water (STMW), property biases involved both salinity and temperature errors, while positioning of heat and water fluxes relative to the Gulf Stream and northwest Sargasso Sea influenced STMW formation rate. Deficiencies in STMW formation rate and volume produced a turnover time of 1–2 years, approximately half of that observed; these variations in mode water bulk properties imply variation in ocean heat storage and advection, and hence deficiencies in all the models’ abilities to adequately respond to changes in climatic forcing.
Sequential roles of Hedgehog and Wnt signaling in osteoblast development

Signals that govern development of the osteoblast lineage are not well understood. Indian hedgehog (Ihh), a member of the hedgehog (Hh) family of proteins, is essential for osteogenesis in the endochondral skeleton during embryogenesis. The canonical pathway of Wnt signaling has been implicated by studies of Lrp5, a co-receptor for Wnt proteins, in postnatal bone mass homeostasis. In the present study we demonstrate that beta-catenin, a central player in the canonical Wnt pathway, is indispensable for osteoblast differentiation in the mouse embryo. Moreover, we present evidence that Wnt signaling functions downstream of Ihh in development of the osteoblast lineage. Finally Wnt7b is identified as a potential endogenous ligand regulating osteogenesis. These data support a model that integrates Hh and Wnt signaling in the regulation of osteoblast development.
Variables influencing growth and morphology of colonies of cells from human amniotic fluid

Growth of cells from amniotic fluid was studied with respect to cell concentration in the inoculum, blood contamination of the fluid, fluid colour, fluid clarity, gestational age of the pregnancy, and growth factors. Dependent variables measured were colony formation, colony size, and colony morphology after 7, 11, and 14 days of culture. The following conclusions were established from these studies: small sample volumes are the most efficient for producing colonies; cells from very bloody or dark brown fluids have a slower rate of growth; growth of cells from cloudy (noncontaminated) fluids is better than growth of cells from clear fluids; the proportion of colonies that are epithelioid varies with gestational age; the stimulating effect of 100 ng/ml fibroblast growth factor on cells from amniotic fluid was confirmed.
Modelling superheated fuel sprays and vaproization

AbstractOne of the major challenges to the gasoline direct injection (GDI) engine design is to understand the behaviour of fuel atomization and vaporization at a variety of chamber conditions and i...
Global lightning activity from the ENSO perspective

[1] The recently reprocessed (1998–2006) OTD/LIS space-based lightning database is used to investigate the global lightning climatology in response to the ENSO cycle. Temporal correlation maps depicting lightning anomalies-NINO3.4 identify areas that generally follow patterns similar to the widely documented ENSO-related precipitation anomalies. However, areas having statistically significant lightning anomaly-NINO3.4 correlations accompanied by non-significant precipitation anomaly-NINO3.4 correlations are found over the mid-latitudes in both hemispheres. Analysis shows that these areas are related to upper level circulation anomalies (enhanced wind shear) induced by the corresponding ENSO phase. A special case is observed over the western Maritime continent where typical drought conditions during the warm ENSO phase are related to enhanced lightning activity. Further attention is given toward identifying areas over which consistent thunderstorm activity is observed during the two major warm and cold ENSO phases of the past decade. Their spatial distribution shows strong regional preference and in general agrees with the already established ENSO-related precipitation regimes.
Reversible actuation in main-chain liquid crystalline elastomers with varying crosslink densities

Abstract Main-chain smectic-C liquid crystalline elastomers (LCEs) with varying crosslink densities were prepared using a two stage hydrosilylation reaction scheme, in which diene mesogens were first polymerized with hydride-terminated poly(dimethylsiloxane) and subsequently crosslinked using a tetravinyl molecule. Adjustment of prepolymer molecular weight afforded control over network crosslink density. The LCEs exhibit two thermal transitions that are determined by the mesogen composition and are independent of crosslink density: the mesogen glass transition (∼−30 °C) and isotropization (∼40 °C). Thermal cycling around the isotropization transition under tensile load leads to reversible extension (cooling) and contraction (heating) of the sample, a phenomenon called two-way shape memory or “actuation”. Actuation strains reached up to 30%, a substantial amount for a polydomain LCE. Creep experiments revealed different dynamics between the smectic and isotropic phases, and comparison to actuation results indicated that actuation involves more than simply a transition between isotropic and smectic rheological behavior. Instead, the phase transition itself plays an important role. Wide-angle X-ray scattering analysis revealed that samples strained to the same level, whether by creep or actuation, showed different orientation levels. This indicates that microstructure is not a unique property of the deformed state and supports the hypothesis that cooling to the liquid crystalline phase under stress is important to achieving the large strains associated with actuation.
A tale of two marketplaces: Consumption restriction, social comparison, and life satisfaction

Analysis with reports from more than 56,000 consumers across 38 countries reveals that social comparison (upward/downward) moderates the relationship between consumption restriction and life satisfaction. Specifically, insufficient access to goods and services combined with the likelihood of making upward social comparisons lowers life satisfaction—this negative consequence also is exacerbated by poverty. Most studies focus on wealthier consumers given importance of material abundance to affluent lifestyles; this investigation suggests that materialism also influences lives of impoverished consumers. Challenging our conventional wisdom, these results reveal that social comparisons are significantly more powerful determinants of life satisfaction for people in much poorer, developing societies than for people in more affluent societies. Specifically, compared to their affluent counterparts, impoverished consumers experience greater decreases in life satisfaction when their access to goods and services is lower than others within their societies.
A finite-difference scheme for the solution of the steady Navier-Stokes equations

Abstract A new finite-difference scheme of second-order accuracy, free of artificial diffusion, for solving the steady-state incompressible Navier-Stokes equations is presented. The scheme uses a false transient approach with a combination of variable time step size and over-relaxation for the convection and diffusion terms. The driven flow in a square cavity is used as the model problem. The convergence is much better than the conventional Gauss-Seidel type iterative process. Results for Reynolds numbers up to 5000 are presented.
Interactions of source prestige, goal set, and task difficulty in conforming behavior

The variables of task difficulty, prestige of the source of influence, and goal set were manipulated together within a factorial analysis of variance design. Pressures to conform to judgments of others were exerted through a paper-and-pencil conformity instrument. All three main effects were significant and each variable entered into at least one significant interaction effect with each other variable. The results displayed mutual facilitation, interference, and interaction of factors in shaping the conforming behavior and were interpreted in terms of informational and normative processes.
Fixing basis mismatch in compressively sampled photonic link

The theory behind compressive sampling pre-supposes that a given sequence of observations may be exactly represented by a linear combination of a small number of vectors. In practice, however, even small deviations from an exact signal model can result in dramatic increases in estimation error; this is the so-called basis mismatch" problem. This work provides one possible solution to this problem in the form of an iterative, biconvex search algorithm. The approach uses standard l 1 -minimization to find the signal model coefficients followed by a maximum likelihood estimate of the signal model. The process is repeated until a convergence criteria is met. The algorithm is illustrated on harmonic signals of varying sparsity and outperforms the current state-of-the-art.
Micromechanics of precipitated near-equiatomic Ni-rich NiTi shape memory alloys

The specific thermo-mechanical behavior of precipitated, near-equiatomic Ni-rich NiTi shape memory alloys, i.e., thermal actuation under stress and pseudoelasticity, are investigated via the finite element method. The deformation response of the material-at-large is simulated using a representative volume element, taking into account the structural effect of the precipitates, as well as the effect of the Ni-concentration gradient in the matrix. An existing rate-independent constitutive model, similar to the one employed to describe the matrix behavior, is calibrated based on the deformation response of the representative volume elements. The actuation and pseudoelastic response of the homogenized material are found to be very close to those of the representative volume elements. The obtained results reproduce and provide important insight into several of the experimentally observed precipitation-induced changes on the transformation characteristics of these materials.
Micromolar Fluoride Alters Ameloblast Lineage Cells in vitro

Fluorosed enamel is caused by exposure to fluoride during tooth formation. The objective of this study was to determine whether epithelial ameloblast-lineage cells, derived from the human enamel organ, are directly affected by micromolar concentrations of fluoride. Cells were cultured in the presence of fluoride, and proliferation was measured by BrdU incorporation. The effect of 0, 10, or 20 μM fluoride on apoptosis was determined by the flow cytometry apoptotic index. The effects of fluoride on gene expression were investigated by SuperArray microarray analysis and real-time PCR. Fluoride had a biphasic effect on cell proliferation, with enhanced proliferation at 16 μM, and reduced proliferation at greater than 1 mM F. Flow cytometry showed that both 10 μM and 20 μM NaF significantly increased the apoptotic index of ameloblast-lineage cells. There was no general effect of fluoride on gene expression. These results indicate multiple effects of micromolar fluoride on ameloblast-lineage cells.
Behavior Problems and the Power Relationship.

Speech-language pathologists frequently deal with children whose behavior problems interfere with progress in therapy. In some cases, the child’s reaction to the authority relationships within the ...
Perturbation and initial Reynolds number effects on transition attainment of supercritical, binary, temporal mixing layers

Two- and three-dimensional (2D and 3D) numerical simulations are performed for a heptane/nitrogen (thermodynamically) supercritical mixing layer initially perturbed at different wavelengths, including the most unstable incompressible wavelength. Simulations are performed with spanwise (and streamwise, for 3D) perturbations available in the literature (for direct numerical simulations of turbulent flow) superimposed on the mean flow, and the domain length is four times the perturbation wavelength. The 2D simulations are undertaken to ascertain that perturbations having the shortest unstable wavelength obtained from a linear inviscid stability analysis are unstable for the viscous non-linear flow. For 3D layers, the purpose of the perturbations is to accelerate the growth of the layer in order to attain transitional Reynolds numbers, as well as to generate structures similar to those that have been observed in spatial mixing layers. The goal of the 3D simulations is to ascertain whether perturbing the mixing layer at different wavelengths, in contrast to the most unstable incompressible wavelength as had previously been done, will affect the transition to turbulence. In particular, we inquire whether perturbing the layer at smaller wavelengths, which requires a smaller domain, will reduce the computational time. It is found that transition can be obtained at different perturbation wavelengths, provided that they are longer than the shortest unstable wavelength as determined by the 2D linear inviscid stability analysis, and provided that the initial Reynolds number is proportionally increased as the wavelength is decreased. The transitional states thus obtained display different dynamic and mixture characteristics, and show strong departures from perfect gas, ideal mixtures. The smaller wavelength perturbations were found to have similar computational requirements for transition attainment.