cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behavior of Prions in the Environment: Implications for Prion Biology

Prion diseases are infectious, potentially zoonotic neurodegenerative diseases of animals including humans that are inevitably fatal and are caused by prions. Prions are comprised of a misfolded isoform of the normal prion protein, PrP, into the infectious conformation, PrP [1]. Of the known prion diseases, chronic wasting disease (CWD) of deer, elk, and moose is emerging. CWD was first identified in captive deer in the front range of Colorado and Wyoming in the 1960s and has since been identified in captive and free-ranging cervids in 20 states, two Canadian provinces, and South Korea (for latest disease distribution please see http://www. nwhc.usgs.gov/disease_information/chronic_wasting_disease/index. jsp). While there is evidence of the spread of CWD along known cervid home ranges, the mechanism underlying the emergence of CWD in geographically isolated areas is not understood. The prevalence of CWD within an affected population is generally lower than 5%; however, there are reports of incidence rates that approach 50%. Transmission of CWD can occur horizontally or through CWDcontaminated environments, but the relative contribution of each mode in the overall transmission of CWD is unknown [2]. Since effective control measures are not available, it is likely that CWD will continue to spread in North America. The effect of this on the wellbeing of the cervid population and the risk of transmission to other species is not known.
Simple procedure for isolation of satellite DNA's from tobacco leaves in high yield and demonstration of minicircles.

Abstract By osmotic chock of organelles and CsCl density gradient centrifugation, satellite DNA's from tobacco leaves were isolated in high yield. One of the satellite DNA's was resistant to deoxyribonuclease when preserved in intact organelles. This DNA has a density in CsCl of 1.705, contains 45% (G+C) as measured by buoyant density and T m , renatures completely, and has a molecular weight of 6·10 7 . Electron microscopy of this DNA revealed only long linear molecules up to 22 μm in length. However, pretreatment with deoxyribonuclease followed by direct lysis of organelles on electron microscope grids revealed the presence of small DNA circles of size ranging from 0.5 to 4 μm in addition to the linear molecules.
Pervaporative recovery of n-butanol from aqueous solutions and ABE fermentation broth using thin-film silicalite-filled silicone composite membranes

Abstract The thin-film silicalite-filled silicone composite membranes were fabricated by incorporating ultrafine silicalite-1 particles, 0.1–0.2 μm, which were synthesized in our laboratory. The effects of membrane thickness and silicalite particle content on membrane properties were studied. It was found that with the increase of silicalite content in the top active layer, the selectivity for n-butanol and n-butanol flux increased, while the total flux decreased. When the silicalite-1 content was over 60%, the active layer appeared to have defects, aggregation of silicalite-1 particles, which effected the separation factor. By controlling the membrane thickness and silicalite-1 content, membranes with the total flux of 600–700 g/m2 h (n-butanol flux of 300 g/m2 h) and selectivity of 90–100 at 70°C using 10 g/l of n-butanol as feed solution were obtained. The effects of operation temperature and feed solution concentration on membrane performances were studied. The structures of the silicalite-1 particles and the composite membranes were analyzed by SEM. Separation properties for acetone n-butanol ethanol (ABE) were also investigated by using model ABE solution and ABE fermentation broth.
The hippie turns junkie: the emergence of a type.

The past decade has seen the emergence of new and different patterns of drug abuse in the United States. Previous to the “psychedelic revolution,” abuse of drugs (other than alcohol) was largely limited to urban minorities and a Bohemian fringe. Beginning in the early 1960s, however, the use and abuse of new and nonconventional psychoactive substances became increasingly common among young people of many socioeconomic strata—most notably among the middle class. During its formative stages, the use of such drugs (primarily marijuana and LSD) was associated with what has commonly been termed a youth movement oriented toward the creation of a new consciousness. Psychedelic drugs were viewed in the esoteric sense as sacraments, and in the most mundane sense as pleasant and harmless means of enhancing one's sense of well-being. In any event, the prevalent rationalizations underlying the use of such substances were couched in philosophical terms. Psychotogens (especially LSD) were seen by many as liberating age...
Microcomputers an educational challenge

Abstract Findings from a series of studies indicated that educators perceived that computers will have a strong impact on curriculum and classroom instruction. Unfortunately, educators also expressed reluctance to incorporate educational change in their classrooms. Two major issues for teacher educators and teacher education programs are: (1) how best to prepare teachers to teach and use appropriate computer technology that requires new and different skills and (2) to develop quality teacher preparation programs.
Constraints on distributional equity in the location of public services

Abstract Studies of the distributional impacts of public service locations have uncovered little bias against low-income groups in geographical access to salutary public services. This paper questions the meaning and interpretation of such Endings because the mathematical procedures used for measuring service impacts ignore two important constraint factors—urban spatial structure and differences in the geographical mobility of income groups. Simulation methods are used to analyze the effect of each factor on the range and frequency distribution of distributional impact scores associated with possible service location patterns in a sample of US cities. The results show that typical urban structures tend to favor location patterns that give greater access to low- than high-income neighborhoods. Differences between cities are a function of the relative locations and densities of income groups. However, if geographical mobility varies by income group, the majority of alternative location patterns are found to benefit high-income groups above others. Methods for incorporating the two constraint factors in measures of distributional impacts are discussed.
ACP Journal Club. Multifactorial cardiac rehabilitation did not reduce mortality or morbidity after acute myocardial infarction

Source Citation West RR, Jones DA, Henderson AH. Rehabilitation after myocardial infarction trial (RAMIT): multi-centre randomised controlled trial of comprehensive cardiac rehabilitation in patien...
Correction to “Global Well-Posedness and Polynomial Bounds for the Defocusing L 2-Critical Nonlinear Schrödinger Equation in ℝ”

In this correction we prove that the first modified energy of the quintic Schrodinger equation in 1d has an inverse square decay with respect to a very large frequency parameter N, without using an...
The activation of rat peritoneal macrophages by 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin

The toxicity of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin [TCDD] and its bioisosteres involves binding to a specific TCDD [Ah] receptor, interaction of this complex with chromatin, and the ultimate production of a pleiotropic response. We have hypothesized that TCDD toxicity also involves the production of oxidative stress [OS], and phagocytic cell activation may be a source of reactive oxygen species [ROS] following TCDD exposure. Evidence is provided for the activation of peritoneal exudate cells [PEC] following exposure of rats to TCDD. Increases of 2.5- and 3-fold in ROS production by PEC were observed 24 hrs following treatment of female Sprague-Dawley rats with a single dose of 50 μg TCDD/kg, utilizing the iodonitrotetrazolium and cytochrome c [cyt-c] reduction assays, respectively. However, no increases in ROS production by isolated PEC were observed following in vitro incubation with 5, 25, 50, 100, 125 and 10,000 ng TCDD/ml of the assay medium using the nitroblue tetrazolium and cyt-c reduction assays. Phorbol myristate acetate was utilized as a positive control and resulted in a 3.5-fold increase in ROS production after a 15 min incubation with 3 × 106 PEC/ml at 37° C. PEC activation may contribute to OS following TCDD exposure, and the process may be receptor mediated.
The Sparrow-Galerkin solution of radiation exchange and transition to finite element

Abstract This paper presents a historical perspective on the development of the Galerkin-type and finite-element calculations of radiation exchange between surfaces. It is shown that the formulation of the variational solution of radiation exchange introduced by Sparrow in the 1950s is similar to that used by Galerkin to solve differential equations. The extension of Galerkins method to the integral equations of the Fredholm type yields the formulations developed by Sparrow using the variational method. For this reason, the Galerkin-type solutions of radiation exchange will be referred to as the Sparrow–Galerkin method. The Sparrow–Galerkin solution technique, in most cases, provides highly accurate results. However, for a certain set of parameters, the series solutions may not converge. This leads to formulation of a finite-element technique as the discretized form of the Sparrow–Galerkin method evolves into the finite-element method.
Vibrational relaxation processes and molecular form factors

Abstract A theory that relates collision matrix elements for vibrational/rotational transfer processes between molecular systems to molecular form factors is presented.
The Child-Pugh classification as a prognostic indicator for survival in primary sclerosing cholangitis.

Clinical decisions in primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC) depend upon understanding its variable natural history. Several prognostic models for survival have been developed. We explored the Child-Pugh Classification (CPC) to determine if it predicts survival as well as a disease-specific model (DSM). We identified 208 PSC patients who satisfied established criteria. Prognostic variables were measured from the first visit. Kaplan-Meier survival estimates were obtained for CPC twice, once censoring observations at orthotopic liver transplantation and again considering orthotopic liver transplantation as a failure. A stepwise Cox proportional hazards-model was used to identify the factors associated with mortality. For 208 patients, the mean follow-up was 70 months (SD + 55). Kaplan-Meier 7-year survivals for CPC A, B, and C were 89.8%, 68%, and 24.9%, respectively (P < .001). The Cox model identified CPC and age as the most significant predictors of mortality. Adding the DSM risk score did not significantly improve the fit of the model (P = .75). The following were concluded: 1) CPC is a powerful predictor of survival in PSC; 2) DSM does not enhance the predictive ability of CPC; and 3) CPC may be used as an alternative to the DSM in research studies and clinical decision-making.
The precursors of fecapentaenes: purification and properties of a novel plasmalogen.

Fecapentaene-12 and fecapentaene-14 are genotoxic polyunsaturated ether-lipids produced by the colonic microflora in humans and pigs. Although the fecapentaenes have been extensively characterized, little is known about the nature of the precursors from which they are produced. We purified one form of these precursors from feces of an individual who excreted high levels of fecapentaene-12 and its precursors. Purification was carried out by a series of extractions and precipitation in organic solvents followed by silica and amine high performance liquid chromatography. The purified precursor had identical UV spectral characteristics as the fecapentaenes indicating that it contained the same ether-linked pentaenyl functional group. However, it was not mutagenic. The precursor was amphiphilic in nature, behaving like a synthetic “model” ether-phospholipid on silica and C18 thin layer chromatography. When incorporated into phosphatidylcholine micelles it could be hydrolyzedin vitro by a combination of lipase and phospholipase C to fecapentaene-12. Our findings indicate that the general structure of this precursor is that of a phospholipid, specifically a plasmalogen—the exact structures of which remain to be determined.
Editorial tribute to Elizabeth Bates

The passing of Elizabeth Bates (Liz) has been a great loss to our field. Many colleagues have simply put it this way: the field will never be the same without Liz. Many others have written articles and monographs in honor of her contributions to psycholinguistics, cognitive science, and neuroscience (Karmiloff-Smith, 2004; Tomasello and Slobin, 2004; Hernandez, Li and MacWhinney, 2005; Li, Tan and Tzeng, 2005; to name a few). Organizations such as ASHA and Society for Cognitive Development have also organized special symposia in honor of her contributions in the areas of speech, hearing, and developmental sciences. Here I pay tribute to Liz's significant contributions to research on bilingualism and her professional service to our journal.
Mitogen-activated protein kinase phosphatase-1 - a potential therapeutic target in metabolic disease.

Importance of the field: Metabolic disease, which is associated with obesity and cardiovascular disease, is a worldwide epidemic. There continues to be a tremendous effort towards the development of therapies to curtail obesity and its associated pathophysiological sequelae. MAPKs have been implicated in metabolic disease suggesting that these enzymes, and those that regulate them, can potentially serve as therapeutic targets to combat this disease. The MAPK phosphatase-1 (MKP-1) mediates the dephosphorylation and inactivation of MAPKs in insulin-responsive tissues. Therefore, the actions of MKP-1 may play an important role in the maintenance of metabolic homeostasis. Areas covered in this review: The functional effects of MKP-1 in MAPK regulation with emphasis on its role in physiological and pathophysiological signaling functions that have been elucidated through the use of mouse genetics. What the reader will gain: The reader will learn that MAPK inactivation through the effects of MKP-1 is essential f...
Power in mixed-sex stranger interactions

The authors tested the approach/inhibition theory of power by examining teasing interactions between women and men in conditions in which either one was given elevated power or they were in an equal-power control condition. Consistent with hypotheses, high-power individuals behaved in a disinhibited fashion and were less accurate judges of their partner's emotion, whereas low-power individuals behaved in a more inhibited, indirect fashion and reported more self-conscious/anxiety-related emotion. Additional contrast analyses revealed only modest support for the claim that men would act in powerful fashion in the absence of explicit power differences, and that power-based differences were greatest when the man had power over the woman. Discussion focuses on different perspectives on the interaction between power and gender.
The process of enhancing a systems engineering training and development program

The MITRE Institute of MITRE Human Resources, the training and development organization of the MITRE Corporation, was requested by senior management to develop and add new content to our systems engineering curriculum in the area of Enterprise Systems Engineering (ESE). As part of the process of meeting this request, the MITRE Institute base lined our present offerings in the area of systems engineering and then laid out a program to enhance our existing offerings and extend our training and development program to include ESE. During the base lining effort, the MITRE Institute's Technical Group found that while they had significant deep education and training in the area of systems and domain engineering, approximately 70 different offerings over a four-year period, there were some items missing from the program. For example, the systems engineering program was missing an overview course or courses that integrated the whole program, it needed a better continuous life cycle connection across the curriculum, it needed a stronger connection between management, the employee and the MITRE Institute to ensure that the employees who should receive systems engineering training and development do receive systems engineering training and development, and the curriculum needed to be enhanced in the area of ESE. A systems approach was taken and a program plan has been laid out to enhance the systems engineering program by building a competency model for systems engineers and then analyzing by gap analysis for training and development requirements in relation to the required competencies. The MITRE Institute is also working with other internal groups like our Systems Engineering Process Office (SEPO), our Center for Acquisition and Systems Analysis (CASA), and our research program (MITRE Technology Program -MTP) to build the required ESE content. The outputs from this program will be sevenfold, including a competency model for systems engineers, a revised Traditional Systems Engineering (TSE) curriculum, on-the-job activities to build systems engineering competency, long-term metrics for success, a direct tie to staff Performance and Development (P&D) plans in the area of systems engineering, a possible certification program, and a newly developed Enterprise Systems Engineering (ESE) Curriculum
Thermostability of Cytomegalovirus Strains

Cytomegalovirus (CMV) has been considered a difficult virus to isolate and study because of its apparent lability. Investigations of the thermostability of strains have yielded discrepant results, some of which appear to be due to the diluents used. The stability of three CMV strains at 37°, 25° and 3°C has been studied here. Virus was diluted into either distilled water or a transport medium containing trypticase soy broth and bovine albumin. The three strains behaved in a similar manner. Virus was inactivated at the rate of one log10 per day at 37°C, but at 25° and 3°C the original infectivity was maintained for 2 and 7–10 days respectively. Virus was more stable at 37°C in distilled water than in transport medium.
Creating Effective Media Messaging for Rural Smoke-free Policy

Objectives Objectives were to (1) explore perceived effectiveness of existing smoke-free print advertisements in rural communities and (2) generate message content, characteristics, and media delivery channels that resonate with residents. Design and Sample Qualitative methods design. Thirty-nine rural adults recruited by community partners. Measures Content analysis of findings from individuals in four focus groups who participated in general discussion and reviewed eight print ads related to secondhand smoke (SHS) and smoke-free policy. Results Six content themes were identified: smoking/SHS dangers, worker health, analogies, economic impact, rights, and nostalgia. Seven message characteristics were recognized: short/to the point, large enough to read, graphic images, poignant stories, statistics/charts/graphs, message sender, and messages targeting different groups. Four media delivery channels were considered most effective: local media, technology, billboard messages, and print materials. Conclusions Seeking input from key informants is essential to reaching rural residents. Use of analogies in media messaging is a distinct contribution to the literature on effective smoke-free campaigns. Other findings support previous studies of effective messaging and delivery channels. Further research is needed to examine effectiveness of themes related to message content in smoke-free ads and delivery strategies. Effective media messaging can lead to policy change in rural communities to reduce exposure to SHS.
Environmental cracking of metallic glasses

Abstract The influence of hydrogen and liquid metal environments on the fracture of metallic glass alloys was studied over a range of test temperatures. The alloys tested were Fe81.5B14.5Si4, Fe81.5B13.5C2.5, Fe40Ni40P14B6 (Metglas ® 2826), Fe40Ni38B18Mo4 (Metglas ® 2826MB), Ni78B14Si8 (Metglas ® BNi-3) and Ni81P19 (Metglas ® BNi-6). Tensile, bending, static and cyclic loading conditions were employed. The alloys were tested in air, liquid Hg77In23, liquid Sn60Pb40 and liquid lithium as well as after or during hydrogen charging. Liquid-metal-induced and hydrogen embrittlement were observed for various embrittlement couples. The fracture surfaces generally indicated a high level of local plasticity, whether embrittlement occurred in bending or in high cycle fatigue or as a result of delayed failure. Delayed failure phenomena are tentatively concluded to be due to short-circuit diffusion penetration of embrittler atoms along dislocation cores in the glassy substrate. Crack initiation and stable crack propagation in embrittled alloys are due to adsorption-induced dislocation generation (enhanced shear), followed by failure due to intense localized deformation.
Experience with a Portable Digital C‐Arm System for Cardiac Catheterization and Intervention

Recently, portable C-arm systems have been developed for cardiac studies. While these systems have been used at a number of centers on a small scale for procedures in the operating room, emergency room, or intensive care unit, there are no published data on the performance of the system under more demanding circumstances. Theoretically, a reliable portable C-arm system could provide a low-cost alternative to a fixed system in centers with limited resources, such as in developing countries. To test whether a portable C-arm system could substitute for a permanent laboratory for cardiac catheterization and interventional procedures, we used a C-arm system as our sole catheterization laboratory for a period of 3 months. The system's performance was compared to a comparable time period using a fixed catheterization laboratory system. The portable system was used to perform 222 procedures (36 interventional and 186 diagnostic), as compared to 236 procedures (30 interventional and 206 diagnostic) with the fixed lab during a comparable time period the preceding year. Although the image quality of the portable system was not as good as with the fixed laboratory, all procedures were performed successfully, with no difference in fluoroscopic time, radiation exposure to the patient, procedure related complications, or clinical restenosis at 1 year. However, radiation exposure to staff was greater, possibly due to the lack of shielding in the temporary lab and the need for the technician to remain close to the unit to set up views. Our results suggest that a portable C-arm system, while subject to some limitations, can perform as a general catheterization laboratory for diagnostic and interventional procedures.
Spinal cord monoamines modulate the antinociceptive effects of vaginal stimulation in rats

Abstract Perispinal administration (into the lumbar intrathecal space) of phentolamine (40 μg), an α-adrenergic receptor blocking agent, reduced the analgesic effect of vaginal stimulation by 39.7% (measured by tail flick latency) and 57.1% (measured by vocalization threshold) as compared to controls. Perispinal administration of methysergide (10 μg), a serotoninergic receptor blocking agent, reduced the analgesic effect of vaginal stimulation by 48.5% (measured by vocalization threshold), although it did not significantly affect the tail flick measure. In a separate experiment, vaginal stimulation activated the release of norepinephrine and serotonin into a superfusate of the spinal cord. During vaginal stimulation, levels of norepinephrine and serotonin increased about 2-fold above resting levels. These findings indicate that vaginal stimulation releases norepinephrine and serotonin into the spinal cord, thereby exerting an analgesic effect.
The effect of microstructure on 650 °C fatigue crack growth in P/M astroloy

The effect of microstructure on fatigue crack propagation at 650 °C has been studied in a P/M nickel-base superalloy, Astroloy. Crack propagation data were obtained in air and vacuum at 20 cpm with a modified compact tension specimen. The rate of crack growth,da/dn, was correlated with the stress intensity range,ΔK. Key microstructural variables examined were grain size and the distribution and size of the strengthening gamma prime phase. A fine grain size less than 20 μm always promoted rapid, intergranular failure, while a larger grain size promoted slower, transgranular failure which decreased as the size and volume fraction of aging gamma prime was manipulated so as to increase alloy strength. The rapid, intergranular mode of failure of the fine grain microstructures was suppressed in vacuum.
Using High-Resolution Population Data to Identify Neighborhoods and Establish Their Boundaries

Neighborhoods are about local territory, but what territory? This article offers one approach to this question through a novel application of “local” spatial statistics. We conceptualize a neighborhood in terms of both space and social composition; it is a contiguous territory defined by a bundle of social attributes that distinguish it from surrounding areas. Our method does not impose either a specific social characteristic or a predetermined spatial scale to define a neighborhood. Rather, we infer neighborhoods from detailed information about individual residents and their locations. The analysis is based on geocoded complete-count census data from the late nineteenth century in four cities: Albany, New York; Buffalo, New York; Cincinnati, Ohio; and Newark, New Jersey. We find striking regularities (and some anomalies) in the spatial structure of the cities studied. Our approach illustrates the “spatialization” of an important social scientific concept.
Synthesis and SAR of centrally active mGlu5 positive allosteric modulators based on an aryl acetylenic bicyclic lactam scaffold

Abstract This Letter describes the hit-to-lead progression and SAR of a series of biphenyl acetylene compounds derived from an HTS screening campaign targeting the mGlu5 receptor. ‘Molecular switches’ were identified that modulated modes of pharmacology, and several compounds within this series were shown to be efficacious in reversal of amphetamine induced hyperlocomotion in rats after ip dosing, a preclinical model that shows similar positive effects with known antipsychotic agents.
Emergency physicians can easily obtain ultrasound images of anatomical landmarks relevant to lumbar puncture

Introduction: Although ultrasound has been used in administering epidural anesthesia, it is unknown if emergency physicians (EPs) can obtain ultrasound images useful for lumbar puncture. Objective: The objective of the study was to determine EPs’ ability to apply a standardized ultrasound technique for visualizing landmarks surrounding the dural space. Methods: Two EPs sought to identify relevant anatomy in emergency patients. Visualization time for 5 anatomical structures (spinous processes or laminae, ligamentum flavum, dura mater, epidural space, subarachnoid space), body mass index, and perception of landmark palpation difficulty were recorded. Results: Seventy-six subjects were enrolled. Soft tissue and bony anatomical structures were identified in all subjects. Mean body mass index was 31.4 F 9.8 (95% confidence interval, 29.1-33.6). High-quality images were obtained in less than 1 minute in 153 (87.9%) scans and in less than 5 minutes in 174 (100%) scans. Mean acquisition time was 57.19 seconds; SD, 68.14 seconds; range, 10 to 300 seconds. Conclusion: In this cohort, EPs were able to rapidly obtain high-quality ultrasound images relevant to lumbar puncture.
Performance of mechanisms and reactor models for methane oxidation on Rh

Numerical simulations of methane catalytic partial oxidation on Rh-coated foam monoliths were performed and tested against high-resolution species and temperature profiles measured along the catalyst axis. A systematic comparison considering 2D models with heat and mass transport and a 1D reactor model with two multistep surface chemistry mechanisms is presented for feed conditions of 5 standard liters per minute, atmospheric pressure, and C/O ratios of 0.7, 1.0, and 1.3. Agreement between experimental data and the plug flow model and is for all conditions inferior to agreement with 2D models. 2D simulation profiles and the measured profiles agree qualitatively for all experimental conditions. Quantitative agreement is best for syngas stoichiometry (C/O = 1.0), while some differences are observed for C/O = 0.7 and 1.3. H2 and CO production in the presence of O2 is found to be strongly dependent on catalyst temperature. Accordingly, the importance of high-resolution spatial profiles for mechanism and reactor model validation is highlighted. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers AIChE J, 2007
Measuring the order in ordered porous arrays: can bees outperform humans?

A method that explains how to quantify the amount of order in “ordered” and “highly ordered” porous arrays is derived. Ordered arrays from bee honeycomb and several from the general field of nanoscience are compared. Accurate measures of the order in porous arrays are made using the discrete radial distribution function (RDF). Nanoporous anodized aluminum oxide (AAO), hexagonal arrays from functional materials, hexagonal arrays from nanosphere lithography, and square arrays defined by interference lithography (all taken from the literature) are compared to two-dimensional model systems. These arrays have a range of pore diameters from ∼60 to 180 nm. An order parameter, OP 3 , is defined to evaluate the total order in a given array such that an ideal network has the value of 1. When we compare RDFs of man-made arrays with that of our honeycomb (pore diameter ∼5.89 mm), a locally grown version made by Apis mellifera without the use of foundation comb, we find OP 3 =0.399 for the honeycomb and OP 3 =0.572 for man’s best hexagonal array. The nearest neighbor peaks range from 4.65 for the honeycomb to 5.77 for man’s best hexagonal array, while the ideal hexagonal array has an average of 5.93 nearest neighbors. Ordered arrays are now becoming quite common in nanostructured science, while bee honeycombs were studied for millennia. This paper describes the first method to quantify the order found in these arrays with a simple yet elegant procedure that provides a precise measurement of the order in one array compared to other arrays.
Biodegradation and biocompatibility of PLA and PLGA microspheres

A fundamental understanding of the in vivo biodegradation phenomenon as well as an appreciation of cellular and tissue responses which determine the biocompatibility of biodegradable PLA and PLGA microspheres are important components in the design and development of biodegradable microspheres containing bioactive agents for therapeutic application. This chapter is a critical review of biodegradation, biocompatibility and tissue/material interactions, and selected examples of PLA and PLGA microsphere controlled release systems. Emphasis is placed on polymer and microsphere characteristics which modulate the degradation behaviour and the foreign body reaction to the microspheres. Selected examples presented in the chapter include microspheres incorporating bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) and leuprorelin acetate as well as applications or interactions with the eye, central nervous system, and lymphoid tissue and their relevance to vaccine development. A subsection on nanoparticles and nanospheres is also included. The chapter emphasizes biodegradation and biocompatibility; bioactive agent release characteristics of various systems have not been included except where significant biodegradation and biocompatibility information have been provided.
Phosphoprotein phosphatase activity of the progesterone-induced purple glycoprotein of the procine uterus

Abstract The iron-containing, progesterone-induced, purple glycoprotein from the pig uterus catalyzes the hydrolysis of phosphate groups from phosphvitin. This enzyme which can be purified in large amounts, has a pH optimum at 4.6 and an apparent K m of 0.1 mM for bound phosphate. Its V max with phosphvitin as substrate is about 200, μmoles Pi released/min/μmole enzyme and is at least twenty-fold lower than its activity towards p-nitrophenylphosphate. The enzyme is activated by 2-mercaptoethanol and inhibited by molybdate, fluoride and arsenate. The resemblance of this protein to a number of other acid phosphatases of similar substrate specificity in other organisms, suggests that a broad class of such enzymes might exist in nature.
Optimal versus Heuristic Global Code Scheduling

We present a global instruction scheduler based on inte- ger linear programming (ILP) that was implemented exper- imentally in the Intel Itanium® product compiler. It features virtually the full scale of known EPIC scheduling optimiza- tions, more than its heuristic counterpart in the compiler, GCS, and in contrast to the latter it computes optimal so- lutions in the form of schedules with minimal length. Due to our highly efficient ILP model it can solve problem in- stances with 500-750 instructions, and in combination with region scheduling we are able to schedule routines of arbi- trary size. In experiments on five SPEC® CPU2006 integer bench- marks, ILP-scheduled code exhibits a 32% schedule length advantage and a 10% runtime speedup over GCS-scheduled code, at the highest compiler optimization levels typically used for SPEC submissions. We further study the impact of different code motion classes, region sizes, and target microarchitectures, gaining insights into the nature of the global instruction scheduling problem.
Privacy is essential for secure mobile devices

This paper contradicts the commonly held view that privacy and security of data must sometimes be sacrificed for the sake of national security. We demonstrate that for specific examples of real mobile devices, such as mobile phones, Wi-Fit, electronic passports, and electronic government-employee ID cards, lack of sufficient attention to privacy actually harms the intended national security applications. We then present as a case study the Caernarvon high-security smart-card operating system developed by IBM, to show the feasibility of harmonizing personal privacy and security requirements with national security needs.
Using learning algorithm behavior to chart task space: The DICES distance

In theory, learning is not possible over all tasks in general. In practice, the tasks for which learning is desired exhibit significant regularity, which makes learning practical. For the most effective learning, it is valuable to understand the nature of this regularity and how it manifests in the tasks where learning is applied. This research presents the DICES distance metric for finding similarity between learning tasks. With this distance metric, a collection of learning tasks can be given a distance matrix. This distance matrix can be used for visualizing the relationships between learning tasks and searching through task space for tasks which are similar in nature. Examples of task visualization are given, and other possible applications of this tool are touched upon. Such applications include learning algorithm selection, transfer learning, and analysis of empirical results.
Quartz control of high germanium/silicon ratios in geothermal waters

Germanium/silicon (Ge/Si) ratios in Himalayan hot-spring fluids show a wide range, 4‐1000 mmol/mol. Equilibrium calculations with an ideal solid-solution model of germanium in quartz yield Ge/Sifluid ratios consistent with data from high-temperature reservoirs but do not fit lower temperature observations, in part because of kinetic constraints. A model of progressive Si loss via precipitation of Ge-poor quartz (Rayleigh distillation) can produce the extreme Ge/Sifluid ratios observed in the Himalayan and other systems. Small variations in Si loss, mixing with surface waters, and/ or disequilibrium can produce the observed variability in Ge/Sifluid within a given hydrothermal system. The high level of Si loss (;95%) required to reach extreme Ge/Sifluid ratios is consistent with reaction-path calculations for the evolution of a geothermal fluid from its reservoir to surface temperatures and implies that Ge/Si ratios can be a useful tracer of silica dynamics in hydrothermal systems.
Ligand Binding Modulates the Mechanical Stability of Dihydrofolate Reductase

We use single-molecule force spectroscopy to demonstrate that the mechanical stability of the enzyme dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) is modulated by ligand binding. In the absence of bound ligands, DHFR extends at very low forces, averaging 27 pN, without any characteristic mechanical fingerprint. By contrast, in the presence of micromolar concentrations of the ligands methotrexate, nicotinamide adenine dihydrogen phosphate, or dihydrofolate, much higher forces are required (82 ± 18 pN, 98 ± 15 pN, and 83 ± 16 pN, respectively) and a characteristic fingerprint is observed in the force-extension curves. The increased mechanical stability triggered by these ligands is not additive. Our results explain the large reduction in the degradation rate of DHFR, in the presence of its ligands. Our observations support the view that the rate-limiting step in protein degradation by adenosine triphosphate-dependent proteases is the mechanical unfolding of the target protein.
Ulnar component fracture after revision total elbow arthroplasty with proximal ulnar bone loss: a report of 2 cases.

Total elbow arthroplasty (TEA) is a reliable treatment for pain in selected patients with elbow arthritis.2,3,6,11 However, associated complications are well documented.3,12 These include superficial and deep infection, dislocation, aseptic loosening, ulnar nerve palsy, triceps insufficiency, and periprosthetic fracture.12 Component fracture is a rare complication.4,7,14 Revision TEA is challenging and potentially increases complication risk. We present 2 cases of ulnar component fracture after revision semiconstrained TEA performed in elbows with proximal ulnar bone loss.
GldI Is a Lipoprotein That Is Required for Flavobacterium johnsoniae Gliding Motility and Chitin Utilization

Many members of the Cytophaga-Flavobacterium-Bacteroides group exhibit rapid gliding motility. Cells of Flavobacterium johnsoniae glide over surfaces at speeds of up to 10 μm/s. Cells suspended in liquid do not swim, but their motility apparatus continues to function, since latex spheres that bind to a cell are rapidly propelled along multiple paths on the cell surface (27). The mechanism of F. johnsoniae gliding motility is not known, but several models have been proposed. Lapidus and Berg (22) suggested that outer membrane components are driven along tracks by periplasmic and cytoplasmic membrane proteins that obtain energy from the proton motive force. McBride et al. (24) postulated that coordinated export and import of polysaccharide, protein, or other macromolecules may form “conveyor belts” along the cell surface which propel cells. Techniques to genetically manipulate F. johnsoniae have been developed (25), and a number of genes and proteins that are required for gliding have been described (1, 18-20, 24). Strains with mutations in gldA, gldB, gldD, gldF, gldG, or gldH form nonspreading colonies, and individual cells lack the gliding movements and ability to propel latex spheres along their surfaces that are characteristic of wild-type cells. Mutations in any of these genes also result in resistance to bacteriophages that infect wild-type cells (1, 18-20, 24) and loss of the ability to utilize the insoluble polysaccharide chitin (24). GldA, GldF, and GldG are thought to form an ATP-binding cassette transporter (18), and GldB, GldD, and GldH are lipoproteins that are required for gliding (24). This paper describes the identification of gldI, which encodes another lipoprotein that is required for F. johnsoniae gliding motility, chitin utilization, and bacteriophage sensitivity. The GldI sequence is similar to the sequences of members of the FK506-binding protein (FKBP) family of peptidyl-prolyl cis/trans-isomerases (PPIases), which are involved in protein folding.
Acute lung injury after allogeneic stem cell transplantation: from the clinic, to the bench and back again.

: Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (SCT) is the only curative therapeutic option for a number of malignant and non-malignant conditions, but the success of this treatment strategy is limited by several side effects. Diffuse lung injury is a major complication of SCT that responds poorly to standard treatment and significantly contributes to transplant related morbidity and mortality. Lung injury occurs in both acute and chronic forms and can be either infectious or non-infectious in nature. Acute, non-infectious lung injury following SCT has been defined as idiopathic pneumonia syndrome (IPS). This review will outline the clinical spectrum, risk factors, and pathogeneses of IPS and discuss how current approaches to therapy are being influenced by insights generated using animal models of disease.
Paraffin dehydrocyclization: VII. Comparison of aromatic distribution from n-octane conversion over Pt at atmospheric and 200 psig

Abstract A similar C8-aromatic distribution was obtained for the dehydrocyclization of n-octane at atmospheric pressure and at a pressure of 200 psig. Furthermore, the aromatic distribution changed in a similar manner for both pressures to favor ortho-xylene when tin was added to the Pt catalyst. The aromatics were those expected for a direct six-carbon ring formation.
Rebel Cities: From the Right to the City to the Urban Revolution

David Harvey is one of the top 20 most cited urbanist of all time. Harvey has written over 20 books and countless articles that have further developed a Marxist perspective on the changing conditio...
Stochastic Canonical Equation K44 for Normalized Spectral Functions of Empirical Covariance Matrices with Block Structure

Empirical covariance matrices arise when we have some independent sets of observations of a certain random vector, and inside every vector of observation multiplied by the square root of the inverse covariance matrix, we have also some sets of independent components. It is convenient to consider such empirical covariance matrices as a product of some random matrices with block structure.
A normative agent-based model for predicting smoking cessation trends

Norms are an important part of human social systems, governing many aspects of group decision-making. Yet many popularly used social models neglect to model normative effects on human behavior, relying on simple probabilistic and majority voting models of influence diffusion. Within the multi-agent research community, the study of norm emergence, compliance, and adoption has resulted in new architectures and standards for normative agents; however few of these models have been successfully applied to real-world public policy problems.In this paper, we propose a new lightweight architecture for constructing normative agents to model human social systems; the aim of our research is to be able to study the effects of different public policy decisions on a community. Here we present a case study showing the usage of our architecture for predicting trends in smoking cessation resulting from a smoke-free campus initiative. Our agent-based model combines social, environmental, and personal factors to accurately predict smoking trends and attitudes. The performance of both the whole and ablated model is evaluated against statistics from an independent source.
Forced Consent: Information and Power in Non-Democratic Elections

The paper proposes a mechanism explaining how elections may stabilize an autocratic regime even if they are evidently unfree and unfair. Instead of being meaningless rituals, non-democratic elections can help the autocrats in managing and communicating the public information about the regime’s pop- ularity. We show how optimally rigged elections allow moderately unpopular autocratic leaders to generate a public signal that they are sufficiently popular and thereby deter challenges to their rule. The paper draws a number of hypotheses as to when elections are expected occur, what could explain the variation in their repressiveness, how the value of unfair elections depends on the regime’s military strength, and how unfair elections are affected by the costs of conflict and the opposition’s fragmentation.
How Toll Met Hippo

Toll and Hippo are two seemingly disparate pathways that regulate innate immunity and tissue growth, respectively. Reporting recently in Cell, Liu et al. (2016) tie them together by demonstrating that microbial infection activates Toll, which then signals to both pathways to modulate the antimicrobial response.
An Algorithm for the Characteristic Polynomial

(1983). An Algorithm for the Characteristic Polynomial. Mathematics Magazine: Vol. 56, No. 3, pp. 168-175.
Rational design of interfacial properties of ferric (hydr)oxide nanoparticles by adsorption of fatty acids from aqueous solutions.

Notwithstanding the great practical importance, still open are the questions how, why, and to what extent the size, morphology, and surface charge of metal (hydr)oxide nanoparticles (NPs) affect the adsorption form, adsorption strength, surface density, and packing order of organic (bio)molecules containing carboxylic groups. In this article, we conclusively answer these questions for a model system of ferric (hydr)oxide NPs and demonstrate applicability of the established relationships to manipulating their hydrophobicity and dispersibility. Employing in situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and adsorption isotherm measurements, we study the interaction of 150, 38, and 9 nm hematite (α-Fe2O3) and ∼4 nm 2-line ferrihydrite with sodium laurate (dodecanoate) in water. We discover that, independent of morphology, an increase in size of the ferric (hydr)oxide NPs significantly improves their adsorption capacity and affinity toward fatty acids. This effect favors the formation of bilayers, which ...
Comprehensive load modeling based on information spread estimation

In order to meet the requirements of prior power system simulation, it is necessary to summarize the load characteristics at different time. Since the measured data are usually scarce, this paper proposes a new strategy to build the comprehensive load model. Firstly, single measured data are used to build the load model at every sampling time. In order to reduce the dispersibility of the parameters, only the parameters of high sensitivity are identified. And then the probability density functions of load model parameters are estimated based on the information spread principle. The correctness of the probability density functions is verified using K-S testing method. Finally, the parameters of the comprehensive load model are evaluated according to the probability density functions. This method can expand the limited measured data information. The general characteristics of the model parameters are estimated by deep analysis of the sampling information. A case study is presented to verify that the comprehensive load model established by the proposed mathods has good generalization ability.
The Broadening Participation in Computing Alliances

This chapter tells the story of the Broadening Participation in Computing Alliances, arguably the National Science Foundation’s greatest achievement in broadening participation in computing at the postsecondary level. The historical backgrounds of the Alliances are given, together with their current activities. The Alliances profiled in this chapter include ones focused on specific minority groups such as African Americans (iAAMCS), and Hispanics (CAHSI), both women and minorities (CRA-W/CDC), geographical regions (Georgia Computes, CAITE, and STARS), and persons with disabilities (AccessComputing).