cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Systematic reallocation of aqueous resources using mass integration in a typical pulp mill

Abstract This work deals with the application of mass integration to the Kraft process in an effort to minimize the fresh water usage. Due to the recycle and reuse of various aqueous streams present in the given process, there is a build-up of non-process elements (or NPEs) which has to be addressed. The approach consists of gaining process insights from the flow sheet via a graphical solution strategy followed by mathematical optimization. A targeting approach is described. The source sink diagram and path diagram are included in the analysis. A rule based on the lever arm and material balance is used to determine the sequence of steps at fresh water minimization. The graphical approach is easy to apply and allows the user to determine initial solutions to the problem. This is followed by a detailed mathematical optimization formulation for the problem and the solution strategy to be used to converge on the final solution. A case study dealing with the Kraft process, and chloride being the targeted NPE, is considered to demonstrate the potential benefits of the approach. Significant reductions in fresh water demands and wastewater discharges are observed for the Kraft process along with the allocation of NPEs. Any build-up of NPEs due to the recycle and reuse of various aqueous effluent streams to replace fresh water is accounted for via the inclusion of path diagram equations in the mathematical optimization. The principles developed are generic in nature and can easily be extended to other pulp processes as well.
Positive correlation of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 and death-associated protein kinase hypermethylation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma.

Objectives/Hypothesis: Promoter hypermethylation of tumor suppressor genes is common in head and neck cancer as well as other primary cancers resulting in epigenetic gene silencing. Tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase-3 (TIMP-3) has been shown to have promoter hypermethylation in several solid tumors, but has not been identified in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC). Our objective was to determine if TIMP-3 promoter was hypermethylated in HNSCC, if there was any correlation with death associated protein kinase (DAPK), a tumor suppressor whose promoter has been hypermethylated at high levels in HNSCC, and if any clinical factors influence hypermethylation of either of these genes. Study Design: Prospective study. Methods: Tumor samples from 124 patients with HNSCC were evaluated for promoter hypermethylation for TIMP-3 and DAPK using quantitative methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (qMSP). We compared both TIMP-3 and DAPK hypermethylation in HNSCC with each other as well as with other clinical variables. Results: We found that TIMP-3 was hypermethylated in approximately 71.8% of the tumor samples and DAPK was hypermethylated in 74.2%. The presence of TIMP-3 and DAPK promoter hypermethylation was significantly higher than in control specimens. More importantly, TIMP-3 and DAPK hypermethylations in these samples were highly correlated with a concordance of 78% (P < .001). DAPK was also correlated with current alcohol consumption (P < .028), but neither TIMP-3 nor DAPK hypermethylation was significantly correlated with other clinical variables or with survival. Conclusion: TIMP-3 promoter hypermethylation is elevated in HNSCC and is highly correlated with DAPK hypermethylation, implying a functional relationship between these genes.
Expression of Xenopus XlSALL4 during limb development and regeneration

The multi-C2H2 zinc-finger domain containing transcriptional regulators of the spalt (SAL) family plays important developmental regulatory roles. In a competitive subtractive hybridization screen of genes expressed in Xenopus laevis hindlimb regeneration blastemas, we identified a SAL family member that, by phylogenetic analysis, falls in the same clade as human SALL4 and have designated it as XlSALL4. Mutations of human SALL4 have been linked to Okihiro syndrome, which includes preaxial (anterior) limb defects. The expression pattern of XlSALL4 transcripts during normal forelimb and hindlimb development and during hindlimb regeneration at the regeneration-competent and regeneration-incompetent stages is temporally and regionally dynamic. We show for the first time that a SAL family member (XlSALL4) is expressed at the right place and time to play a role regulating both digit identity along the anterior/posterior axis and epimorphic limb regeneration. Developmental Dynamics 233:356–367, 2005. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Modeling background variation for automated surface inspection of flat rolled metals

Surface inspection systems are being increasingly employed at high speed metal rolling mills for on-line real-lime detection of defects represented by variations from normal background. Detection algorithms typically involving ifitering and thresholding are used to segregate coil surface defects. Wear and deformation of work rolls used in rolling bring about gradual changes in the normal background. Consequently inspection systems must be capable of adapting to changing background conditions. The present paper proposes an engineering approach of threshold adjustment for background variations.
Involvement of Bcl-2 and Bax in Photodynamic Therapy-mediated Apoptosis ANTISENSE Bcl-2 OLIGONUCLEOTIDE SENSITIZES RIF 1 CELLS TO PHOTODYNAMIC THERAPY APOPTOSIS

Photodynamic therapy (PDT), a promising treatment modality, is an oxidative stress that induces apoptosis in many cancer cells in vitro and tumors in vivo. Understanding the mechanism(s) involved in PDT-mediated apoptosis may improve its therapeutic efficacy. Although studies suggest the involvement of multiple pathways, the triggering event(s) responsible for PDT-mediated apoptotic response is(are) not clear. To investigate the role of Bcl-2 in PDT-mediated apoptosis, we employed Bcl-2-antisense and -overexpression approaches in two cell types differing in their responses toward PDT apoptosis. In the first approach, we treated radiation-induced fibrosarcoma (RIF 1) cells, which are resistant to silicon phthalocyanine (Pc 4)-PDT apoptosis, with Bcl-2-antisense oligonucleotide. This treatment resulted in sensitization of RIF 1 cells to PDT-mediated apoptosis as demonstrated by i) cleavage of poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase, ii) DNA ladder formation, iii) terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells, and iv) DEVDase activity. This treatment also resulted in oligonucleotide concentration-dependent decrease in cell viability and down-regulation of Bcl-2 protein with a concomitant increase in apoptosis. However, the level of Bax, a pro-apoptotic member of Bcl-2 family, remained unaltered. In the second approach, an overexpression of Bcl-2 in PDT apoptosis-sensitive human epidermoid carcinoma (A431) cells resulted in enhanced apoptosis and up-regulation of Bax following PDT. In both the approaches, the increased Bax/Bcl-2 ratio was associated with an increased apoptotic response of PDT. Our data also demonstrated that PDT results in modulation of other Bcl-2 family members in a way that the overall ratio of pro-apoptotic and anti-apoptotic member proteins favors apoptosis.
Exploration of cyclomalto-oligosaccharide (cyclodextrin) chemistry with molecular mechanics: Docking calculations on the complexation of ferrocenes with cyclodextrins

Abstract The ability to design effective “enzyme mimics”, such as those based on cyclodextrins (CDs), requires an understanding of the relationship between molecular structure and chemical reactivity. Wide variations in the rates of hydrolysis of ferrocenylacrylate esters, when complexed with cyclomaltoheptaose (βCD), raised questions about the geometry of the ester/CD complex and the acylated CD products. Sets of molecular mechanic parameters have been developed for use with MACROMODEL, which permit the computational modelling of ferrocene and ferrocenylacrylate esters. Calculated structures for the complexation of ferrocene with αCD, βCD, and γCD are consistent with experimental data. Extension of the methodology to the complexes of ferrocenylacrylate esters with βCD, as well as the resulting tetrahedral intermediates and acylated CDs, demonstrated that the 3 × 10 5 -fold difference in the rates for the ethyl and p -nitrophenyl esters cannot be attributed to structural or steric differences. The results confirm that the formation of a highly strained acyl CD adversely affects the partitioning of the tetrahedral intermediate towards products unless the substrate has a particularly good leaving group.
Structural Changes in Thoracolumbar Disks Following Lateral Fenestration A Study of the Radiographic, Histologic, and Histochemical Changes in the Chondrodystrophoid Dog

Lateral fenestrations of intervertebral disks T12–13 through L2–3 were performed on 16 1-year-old chondrodystrophoid dogs. The disks of five dogs were fenestrated by removing the core of disk material with a 20 gauge spinal needle, six were fenestrated in the same manner with a 14 gauge spinal needle, and five were fenestrated with a 14 gauge spinal needle and a tartar scraper. Forty-two of 48 disks had radiographic evidence of narrowing following surgery. Microscopic examination of the disks indicated that the nucleus pulposus was nonreactive tissue and that fenestration did not incite an inflammatory response that resulted in dissolution of the nucleus pulposus. Results of histochemical analyses of the fenestrated disks were not different from those of control disks. The only effects observed during a 24 week period following fenestration were disruption of the annulus fibrosus and nucleus pulposus by the fenestration device, removal of varying amounts of the nucleus pulposus, and vascular and fibrous tissue invasion of the lateral annulus fibrosus. These findings suggest that the effectiveness of fenestration is governed by the amount of nucleus pulposus removed.
TGFβ inhibition of yolk-sac-like differentiation of human embryonic stem-cell-derived embryoid bodies illustrates differences between early mouse and human development

Transforming growth factor beta (TGFbeta) plays an important role in development and maintenance of murine yolk sac vascular development. Targeted deletions of Tgfb1 and other components of this signaling pathway, such as Acvrl1, Tgfbr1 and Tgfbr2, result in abnormal vascular development especially of the yolk sac, leading to embryonic lethality. There are significant differences between murine and primate development that limit interpretation of studies from mouse models. Thus, to examine the role of TGFbeta in early human vascular development we used the model of differentiating human embryonic stem cell-derived embryoid bodies to recapitulate early stages of embryonic development. TGFbeta was applied for different time frames after initiation of embryoid body cultures to assess its effect on differentiation. TGFbeta inhibited the expression of endodermal, endothelial and hematopoietic markers, which contrasts with findings in the mouse in which TGFbeta reduced the level of endodermal markers but increased endothelial marker expression. The inhibition observed was not due to changes in proliferation or apoptosis. This marked contrast between the two species may reflect the different origins of the yolk sac hemangiogenic lineages in mouse and human. TGFbeta effects on the hypoblast, from which these cell lineages are derived in human, would decrease subsequent differentiation of hematopoietic, endothelial and endodermal cells. By contrast, TGFbeta action on murine hypoblast, while affecting endoderm would not affect the hemangiogenic lineages that are epiblast-derived in the mouse. This study highlights important differences between early human and mouse embryonic development and suggests a role of TGFbeta in human hypoblast differentiation.
Opportunistic oral infections in the immunosuppressed patient: oral hairy leukoplakia and oral candidiasis.

Several opportunistic infections associated with immunosuppression are noted to occur secondary to an altered relationship between host and organism. In relation to diminished host immunologic defenses, associated commensal organisms may evolve to a pathogen state. Candidiasis. a common oral marker disease reflective of immunosuppression, results from dysfunction of complex cellular interactions keyed by depressed T-cell activity or function. Certain viral infections may also serve as probable markers of immunosuppres sion. One such infection is typified by the development of oral hairy leukoplakia, a condition highly correlated to HIV infection in most, but not all, patients. Detection of Epstein-Barr virus particles and subsequent molecular analytic verification of such and the absence of other potential viral candidates, such as papilloma and human immunodeficiency viruses, have led to a general acceptance of this virus as the cause of this condition.
Fairness Reduces the Negative Effects of Organizational Politics on Turnover Intentions, Citizenship Behavior and Job Performance

Responses from 150 employees revealed that procedural justice reduced the negative effects of perceptions of covert, self-serving political behaviors (e.g., going along with others), but not overt political behaviors (e.g., tearing others down to build up self) on turnover intentions. Both procedural and interactional justice moderated effects of covert, but not overt political behaviors, on OCB beneficial to the organization; however, the interaction between interactional justice and covert behaviors was in the opposite direction than hypothesized. Neither interactional nor procedural justice moderated the two forms of perceptions of politics on supervisory rated job performance or OCB beneficial to supervisors.
Ectodermal dysplasia: the otolaryngologic manifestations and management☆

Ectodermal dysplasia is a rare group of diseases presenting special problems in management for the otolaryngologist, but the full spectrum of otorhinolaryngologic manifestations has been previously unrecognized in the otolaryngologic literature. The anhidrotic form, characterized by deficient sweating, sparse hair growth and deficient teeth, with associated decreased mucous production in the aerodigestive tract leads to chronic upper respiratory tract infections, otitis, dysphagia, hoarseness, bronchitis and sometimes hemoptysis.
The Great High Consideration—High Initiating Structure Leadership Myth: Evidence on its Generalizability

Summary This paper examines the purported superiority of the high-Consideration, high-Initiating Structure leadership style, where it is claimed that American leaders with this style have more satisfied subordinates than leaders with other Consideration-Structure combinations. For two different versions of the Ohio State leadership scales, regressions were calculated with the use of data collected from four different U.S. samples: (a) university maintenance workers (N = 230), (b) employed students (N = 178), (c) middle managers in an air-sea transport company (N = 96), and (d) employees in the operations division of a large public utility (N = 258). On the basis of the regression results, it was concluded that the superiority of the high-high leadership style is indeed a myth, and that Consideration alone explains almost all of the variance in subordinate satisfaction. The implications for testing complex leadership models are briefly discussed.
Raynaud's Disease and Prostacyclin

Excerpt To the editor: The recent paper by Jobe and associates, (1) provides not only a simple treatment for mild Raynaud's symptoms but perhaps more importantly raises an interesting scientific is...
Event processing with an oracle database

In this paper, we examine how active database technology developed over the past few years has been put to use to solve real world problems. We note how the technology had to be extended beyond the feature set originally identified in early research to meet these real-world needs, and discuss why this technology was best suited to solving these problems.
International directory of thermal biologists

This directory consists of a compilation of names, addresses, and research interests of scientists currently involved in research in the area of thermal biology. For practical purposes, thermal biology is broadly defined as the study of how living beings adapt to and/or regulate their inner and outer thermal environment. This includes, but is not restricted to, molecular, cellular, macrophysiological, anatomical, electrophysiological, behavioural, psychophysical, and environmental approaches. The researchers listed here either were contacted directly by me because of their publicly recognized involvement in thermal biology or were contacted by researchers who had been contacted directly by me. Consequently, it can be expected that every investigator listed here is highly competent in some area of thermal biology. Unfortunately, it is not unlikely that some very competent thermal biologists have been inadvertently omitted, and their non-inclusion in this directory should by no means be interpreted as an indication of lesser scientific merit. Thermal biologists who have been omitted are asked to accept my sincere apologies and to file a registration form at their earliest convenience. Over 300 investigators from 41 countries returned a complete registration form. A very small number of well known thermal biologists repeatedly failed to return a registration form and had to be listed in an incomplete manner. The registrant statistics show that most thermal biologists (87%) earned a research doctorate rather than a medical degree. The degrees were obtained in the 1930s and 1940s (1%), 1950s (9%), 1960s (32%), 1970s (32%), or 1980s (26%). Many more researchers live in Europe (42%) and North America (34%) than in Africa (5%), Asia (15%), South America (1%), and Oceania (3%). Finally, more than 80% of the registrants work at a university, as opposed to private or federal research agencies. This directory contains a long alphabetical listing of all registrants (including full addresses) and a much shorter geographical listing (alphabetized within each country), For each registrant, the areas of expertise and methodological approaches (cf. Table 1) are indicated but, because of space limitations, thematic listings were not included in this directory. For sake of uniformity, all names of institutions are printed in English format (e.g. Academy of Sciences of the U.S.S.R. instead of Akademiya Nauk CCCP and Nicholaus Copernicus University instead of
Computer-aided diagnosis: a 3D segmentation method for lung nodules in CT images by use of a spiral-scanning technique

Lung nodule segmentation in computed tomography (CT) plays an important role in computer-aided detection, diagnosis, and quantification systems for lung cancer. In this study, we developed a simple but accurate nodule segmentation method in three-dimensional (3D) CT. First, a volume of interest (VOI) was determined at the location of a nodule. We then transformed the VOI into a two-dimensional (2D) image by use of a "spiral-scanning" technique, in which a radial line originating from the center of the VOI spirally scanned the VOI. The voxels scanned by the radial line were arranged sequentially to form a transformed 2D image. Because the surface of a nodule in 3D image became a curve in the transformed 2D image, the spiral-scanning technique considerably simplified our segmentation method and enabled us to obtain accurate segmentation results. We employed a dynamic programming technique to delineate the "optimal" outline of a nodule in the 2D image, which was transformed back into the 3D image space to provide the interior of the nodule. The proposed segmentation method was trained on the first and was tested on the second Lung Image Database Consortium (LIDC) datasets. An overlap between nodule regions provided by computer and by the radiologists was employed as a performance metric. The experimental results on the LIDC database demonstrated that our segmentation method provided relatively robust and accurate segmentation results with mean overlap values of 66% and 64% for the nodules in the first and second LIDC datasets, respectively, and would be useful for the quantification, detection, and diagnosis of lung cancer.
A Comparison of Feeding Ground Corncobs and a Liquid Urea-Molasses-Mineral Mix with and Without Ethyl Alcohol to Yearling Dairy Heifers,

Summary Twenty dairy heifers, ten Holsteins and ten Jerseys, were divided into two equal groups and were individually fed ad libitum but separately a ration of ground corncobs and a liquid urea-molasses mix with and without ethyl alcohol during a 140-day trial. Group A received the mix without ethyl alcohol, and Group M received the mix with ethyl alcohol. One Jersey heifer was continued on each ration for an additional 438 days. During the 140-day trial the average daily gains were 0.80 and 0.73lb. for Groups A and M, respectively. This difference was not statistically significant. A large variation in growth rates of the heifers existed in both groups. Groups A and M consumed 15.0 and 14.3lb. of corncobs and 4.8 and 5.5lb. of liquid mix per animal per day, respectively. Water consumption was similar for both groups, whether offered water continuously or once a day. Blood urea and plasma NPN values were significantly higher for Group M. Rumen volatile fatty acid values were similar and normal for both groups, indicating normal rumen fermentation. Animals were able to grow, mature, and produce milk on rations in which essentially all of the digestible protein equivalent was supplied by urea without any apparent toxic effect.
Efficacy of Topotecan and Cyclophosphamide Given in a Phase II Window Trial in Children With Newly Diagnosed Metastatic Rhabdomyosarcoma: A Children’s Oncology Group Study

Purpose To determine the antitumor activity and toxicity of topotecan given immediately after cyclophosphamide as window therapy, then in combination with conventional agents in pediatric patients with newly diagnosed metastatic rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS). Patients and Methods Sixty-one patients younger than 21 years with newly diagnosed metastatic RMS or undifferentiated sarcoma were assigned window therapy (weeks 0 to 6) with topotecan (0.75 mg/m2 daily × 5 every 21 days) immediately after cyclophosphamide (250 mg/m2 daily × 5 every 21 days; TC). We continued to give these agents in combination with vincristine (VTC) to patients who showed objective improvement, partial response (PR), or complete response (CR) to TC and alternated courses of VTC with vincristine, dactinomycin and cyclophosphamide (VAC) during weeks 6 to 41 (VTC/VAC). Those who showed no response or progressive disease after TC received only VAC. All patients received radiotherapy to sites of unresected disease (weeks 15 to 21). Results The ...
Pharmacologic Management of Alzheimer Disease Part II: Antioxidants, Antihypertensives, and Ergoloid Derivatives

OBJECTIVE:To provide information about research evaluating antioxidants in Alzheimer disease (AD) and to discuss the potential role of β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, clonidine, guanfacine, nimodipine, and ergoloid derivatives in AD therapy.DATA SOURCES:Studies, review articles, and editorials identified from MEDLINE searches (from 1989 to 1997) and bibliographies of identified articles.STUDY SELECTION:Studies and review articles addressing antioxidant, antihypertensive, and ergoloid derivative pharmacotherapy research.DATA EXTRACTION:Pertinent information was selected and the data synthesized into a review format.DATA SYNTHESIS:AD is a progressive neuropsychiatric disorder of unknown etiology. Studies evaluating the possible association between a free radical mechanism in AD and the potential role of antioxidants are reviewed. Additionally, the role of β-blockers, angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, clonidine, guanfacine, nimodipine, and ergoloid derivatives in AD management a...
Selective catalytic reduction of NO2 with urea in nanocrystalline NaY zeolite

In this study, the selective catalytic reduction (SCR) of NO{sub 2} with urea in nanocrystalline NaY zeolite was investigated with in situ transmission Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy and solid-state nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy. At T=473 K, the reaction rate for urea-SCR of NO{sub 2} in nanocrystalline NaY zeolite was significantly greater than that in commercial NaY zeolite with a larger crystal size. In addition, a dramatic decrease in the concentration of undesirable surface species, including biuret and cyanuric acid, was observed in nanocrystalline NaY compared with commercial NaY after urea-SCR of NO{sub 2} at T=473 K. The increased reactivity for urea-SCR of NO{sub 2} was attributed to silanol groups and extra-framework aluminum species located on the external surface of nanocrystalline NaY. Specifically, NOx storage as nitrate and nitrite on the internal zeolite surface was coupled to reactive deNOx sites on the external surface. Isotopic labeling combined with IR analysis suggest that NN bond formation involved both an N-atom originating from NO{sub 2} and an N-atom originating from urea. This is the first clear example demonstrating that the increased external surface area (up to 40% of total surface area) of nanocrystalline zeolites can be used as a reactive surface withmore » unique active sites for catalysis.« less
Prolongation and shortening of action potentials by electrical shocks in frog ventricular muscle

Effects of electrical shocks on myocardium are important for defibrillation. We measured effects of shocks (5 ms, 1-40 V/cm) in isolated frog ventricular strips. We recorded contraction strength and intracellular action potential (AP) with a shock-voltage cancellation technique to allow recordings immediately after shocks. Shocks of > or = 5 V/cm produced a dose- and latency-dependent prolongation of the AP ongoing during the shock. Stronger shocks of 28-40 V/cm decreased the duration, maximum diastolic potential, amplitude, and maximum rate of rise of the phase zero depolarization of paced APs that began after the shock. The contraction strength increased 43 and 59% during the 10 s after the stronger shocks. The transmembrane potential was shifted toward 0 mV immediately after the stronger shocks. We concluded that weak or strong shocks prolong the AP ongoing during the shock, whereas sufficiently strong shocks also shorten APs that begin after the shock. AP prolongation and shortening may be important for defibrillation and acceleration of tachycardia after failed cardioversion shocks.
Studies of Ventricular Enlargement-Reply

In Reply The critique by Persaud of our meta-analysis ' is based on the following 2 contentions: (1) There is a generally accepted quantitative criterion for the fail-safe N (N fs ) and (2) the quantitative criterion of Rosenthal 2 —a criterion that would require us to achieve an N fs equal to 65—is a reasonable criterion to apply to our meta-analysis. In our opinion, both contentions are refutable. One point that needs to be made before we proceed is that several types of meta-analysis exist. Rosenthal discusses N fs in the context of a "combined significance" metaanalysis, whereas we conducted an "effect size" metaanalysis. 3 (See the book by Hedges and Olkin 3 for a critique of the combined significance approach and a defense of the effect size approach.) Separate formulas for the calculation of N fs are required for these 2 types of meta-analysis. This is not debatable. What is debatable is
Generation of Assembly Sequences with k-ary Operations

A new methodology is presented to generate all of the assembly sequences with any predetermined line configuration wherein k 1 , K 2 ,..., kN parts, or subassemblies, are to be assembled at stations 1, 2,..., N, respectively. The methodology extends the renders current approaches in sequence generation for a binary assembly process applicable to a k-ary assembly process by considering: (i) multiple joints between two parts or subassemblies; and (ii) mutual blocking among several parts or subassemblies. This methodology is based upon proposed k-piece graph and k-piece mixed graph approaches for the assemblies, the former without and the latter with assembly precedence relationship. With the k-piece graph and k-piece mixed graph approaches, all of the feasible subassemblies can be identified, and all of the sequences for a predetermined assembly line configuration are iteratively generated. A case study is presented to illustrate the advantages of the presented method over the state-of-the-art approaches in assembly sequence generation.
Addiction, community and state: a review.

As clinicians, we are well aware of the importance of drug supply, price, availability, and access in propagating and maintaining illicit drug use, abuse, and addiction. However, we tend to be silent on these topics, leaving them to elected and appointed government leaders. The author proposes that our remaining silent is analogous to an infectious disease expert remaining silent on water supply and sewage in the midst of a cholera epidemic. It is not only unseemly for us to remain silent, it is unprofessional at best and unethical at worst. Governmental means of addressing the social genesis of addiction and illicit drug supply falls under the general rubric of statecraft. Our elected leaders, our appointed governmental leaders, and our publicly supported workers (e.g., police, courts, schools, health care workers, social agencies) can and do exert influences either favoring or counteracting illicit drug supply, use, abuse, and addiction. Public officials can and do learn the exercise of statecraft in ad...
Serum and Urinary Markers of Bone Remodeling: Assessment of Bone Turnover

I. Introduction RECENTLY, the field of metabolic bone disease has received prominent recognition because of the increased public awareness of the prevalence and problems associated with osteoporosis. Because of the enormous disability and health care costs resulting from this disease, attempts have been made to try to identify individuals at risk or those who have established disease for either preventitive or therapeutic interventions. This has led to a search for markers of bone mineral metabolism which will either help understand the sequence of bone loss and bone remodeling or identify those persons at risk from osteoporosis. One of the approaches that has yielded useful information is the examination of the role of collagenous and noncollagenous bone proteins in bone mineral metabolism. This review will deal with some of the recently discovered collagenous and noncollagenous bone proteins, especially bone Gla protein [(BGP) osteocalcin], and their relevance to bone mineral metabolism. In addition, mo...
BMPR2 expression is suppressed by signaling through the estrogen receptor.

Background Studies in multiple organ systems have shown cross-talk between signaling through the bone morphogenetic protein receptor type 2 (BMPR2) and estrogen pathways. In humans, pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) has a female predominance, and is associated with decreased BMPR2 expression. The goal of this study was to determine if estrogens suppress BMPR2 expression.
Pipeline Transportation of Hydrogen

An analytic model encompassing characteristics and costs of high pressure pipeline transport of gaseous and liquid fuels has been developed. The model, which minimizes capital investment costs for a specified energy flow rate, was used to compare the transport costs of hydrogen, ammonia, oxygen, and natural gas. It is found that pipeline transmission of a given amount of energy as hydrogen costs 30–50 percent more than for natural gas. Other siting and design factors, however, suggest that total transport costs for the two fuels may be more nearly equal. The cost of cooling hydrogen for transport is greater than the saving in pipeline cost.
Concentration and Stability of Community-Detecting Functions on Random Networks

We propose a general form of community-detecting functions for finding communities—an optimal partition of a random network—and examine the concentration and stability of the function values using the bounded difference martingale method. We derive LDP inequalities for both the general case and several specific community-detecting functions: modularity, graph bipartitioning, and q-Potts community structure. We also discuss the concentration and stability of community-detecting functions on different types of random networks: sparse and nonsparse networks and some examples such as ER and CL networks.
Uses and abuses of the swing equation model

The swing equation model is widely used in the literature to study a large class problems, including stability analysis of power systems. We show in this paper, by comparison with a first principles model, that the swing equation model may lead to erroneous conclusions when performing stability analysis of power systems, even under small oscillations.
Obstacles and catalysts of cooperation in humans, bonobos, and chimpanzees: behavioural reaction norms can help explain variation in sex roles, inequality, war and peace

Our closest living relatives, bonobos and chimpanzees, along with small-scale human societies figure prominently in debates about human nature. Here we emphasize and explain behavioural variation within and among these three species. In the logic of behavioural ecology, individuals have been selected to adjust their behaviour along evolved reaction norms that maximize fitness given current socio-ecological conditions. We discuss variation in three behavioural contexts: relationships between the sexes, hierarchy and inequality, and intergroup interactions. In each context, behavioural variation can be related to two broad socio-ecological conditions: (i) the defensibility of contested resources, and (ii) differences in bargaining power. When defensibility of resources and differences in bargaining power are great, interactions are rife with conflict; when they are minimal, interactions are more harmonious. These socio-ecological conditions therefore constitute key catalysts and obstacles of cooperation. We conclude that human nature should be seen as consisting of evolved reaction norms.
Exploring Effects of Social Justice Youth Programming on Racial and Ethnic Identities and Activism for Asian American Youth

This qualitative study explores the effects of social justice–oriented youth programming on racial and ethnic identities and social justice action for Asian American youth. Study participants were 5 male and 3 female Asian American high school students, ages 15–17, whose ethnicities included Chinese, Vietnamese, and Chinese-Vietnamese. Data sources included multiple in-depth interviews with the 8 participants, both pre- and post-programming, as well as research observations of all programming. Analysis was based in a critical ideological constructivist philosophy utilizing a grounded theory approach. Constant comparative analysis began with open coding during the data collection process, which continued after all data were collected. Open coding was followed by axial and theoretical coding, which were audited by the research team. Results indicated that before program participation, participants generally had superficial understandings of race and ethnicity and little awareness of racism, as well as limited engagement in social justice action. After program participation, they reported more sophisticated understandings of race and ethnicity as well as development of their own racial and ethnic identities. They also reported an increased sense of empowerment and social justice responsibility and greater engagement in social justice action. Implications for research and practice are discussed.
Speech Concerns of Hard-of-Hearing Adults:

Speech concerns of adults with hearing loss were identified in a sample of 75 members of Self Help for Hard of Hearing People. A majority of subjects had noticed changes in their speech and were interested in speech conservation services.
Mechanisms And Kinetics Of Misfit Dislocation Formation In Heteroepitaxial Thin Films

The mechanisms and kinetics of forming misfit dislocations in heteroepitaxial films are studied. The critical thickness for misfit dislocation formation can be found by considering the incremental extension of a misfit dislocation by the movement of a “threading” dislocation segment that extends from the film/substrate interface to the free surface of the film. This same mechanism allows one to examine the kinetics of dislocation motion and to illuminate the importance of dislocation nucleation and multiplication in strain relaxation. The effects of unstrained epitaxial capping layers on these processes are also considered. The major effects of such capping layers are to inhibit dislocation nucleation and multiplication. The effect of the capping layer on the velocity of the “threading” dislocation is shown to be small by comparison. A new substrate curvature technique for measuring the strain and studying the kinetics of strain relaxation in heteroepitaxial films is also briefly described.
Impact on Primary Care Access Post-Disaster: A Case Study From the Rockaway Peninsula.

Objective Assess Hurricane Sandy’s impact on primary care providers’ services in the Rockaways. Methods In-person surveys were conducted in 2014. A list of 46 health care sites in the area of interest was compiled and each site was called to offer participation in our survey. Respondents included physicians and practice administrators who remained familiar with Sandy-related operational challenges. Results Of the 40 sites that opted in, most had been in their current location for more than 10 years (73%) and were a small practice (1 or 2 physicians) before Hurricane Sandy (75%). All but 2 (95%) had to temporarily close or relocate. All sites experienced electrical problems that impacted landline, fax, and Internet. Less than one-quarter (n = 9) reported having a plan for continuity of services before Hurricane Sandy, and 43% reported having a plan poststorm. The majority (80%) did not report coordinating with other primary care stakeholders or receiving support from government agencies during the Sandy response. Conclusions Hurricane Sandy significantly disrupted access to primary care in the Rockaways. Severe impact to site operations and infrastructure forced many practices to relocate. Greater emergency response and recovery planning is needed, including with government agencies, to minimize disruptions of access to primary care during disaster recovery. (Disaster Med Public Health Preparedness. 2016;10:492–495)
THE HOPF BIFURCATION FOR SIMPLE FOOD CHAIN WITH DIFFUSION AND GROUP DEFENCE

This paper considers a class of deterministic models of simple food chains with deffusion and group defence. In paper, the influence of diffusion for stablity of simple food chain system is studied, we analysed the conditions which raise the Hopf Bifurcation, discussed the existence of Center-Manifold, and obtained the bifurcating periodic solutions and stable criteria
Safeguarding foster care youth from overmedication

Introduction There are increasing concerns regarding long-term psychotropic polypharmacy prescribed for foster care youth 3.5 to 5 times more often than in at-home youth (Kreider et al., 2014). Polypharmacy risks include weight gain, glucose intolerance and type 2 diabetes. (De Hert et al., 2011). In view of these risks, novel interventions are essential to safeguard foster care youth from overmedication. Objectives To present guidelines for identification and management of polypharmacy in foster care youth. Aims To demonstrate a novel intervention to monitor and diminish polypharmacy and enhance psychiatric care in foster care children. Methods Polypharmacy is identified using LA County Juvenile Court Mental Health Service (JCMHS) Psychotropic Parameters * to review medication consent forms from treating psychiatrists. Polypharmacy triggers an in-person JCHMS consultation. * (Parameters 3.9 for JCMHS PMAF Review, Revised May 2015). JCMHS Psychotropic Parameters (summary): – age 0–5 years: – 2 or>psychotropic medications, – Any antipsychotic ( * except Risperidone in ASD); – age 6–8 years: – 3 or>psychotropic medications; – age 9–17 years: – 4 or>psychotropic medications; – All age youth: – 2 or>psychotropic medications in the same class (antipsychotics, antidepressants, stimulants, mood stabilizers, alpha agonists). Psychotropic medication doses in excess of recommended ( * LA County Department of Mental Health Parameters 3.8 for use of Psychotropic Medications for Children and Adolescents). Results Approximately 25% of JCMHS annual psychiatric consultations were initiated by JCMHS parameters for polypharmacy. Corresponding consultations included education and recommendations discussed with treating psychiatrists regarding polypharmacy and optimal psychiatric management. Conclusions JCMHS Psychotropic Parameters is a useful tool to identify polypharmacy and enhance psychiatric care of foster care youth.
The Life Cycle Hypothesis

Keynes’ consumption function, the absolute income hypothesis, revolutionized economics by shifting macroeconomic analysis from the supply side to the demand side. Total demand includes four major components relating to the household, business, government, and foreign sectors — the areas that have attracted varying degrees of scientific research since the post-WWII period. Modigliani’s life cycle hypothesis (LCH) contribution to macroeconomics fits in the domain of household consumption, the only component for which Keynes had advanced a psychological law that “men are disposed, as a rule and on the average to increase their consumption as their income increases, but not by as much as the increase in their income.”1
The Early Years of Merton Miller

While Merton Howard Miller’s namesake may denote he is the keeper of the mill, his contributions to finance are by no means run of the mill.
Modified Genetic Algorithms by Efficient Unification with Simulated Annealing

Genetic algorithms (GA) are stochastic search techniques based on the mechanics of natural selection and natural genetics. By using genetic operators and cumulative information, genetic algorithms prune the search space and generate a set of plausible solutions. This paper describes a Modified Genetic Algorithm (MGA) that is developed by making a marriage between the Simple Genetic Algorithm (SGA) and the Simulated Annealing (SA). In this proposed algorithm, all the conventional genetic operators, such as, selection, reproduction, crossover, mutation, have been used, but they have been modified by a set of new functions such as, a evaluation function, a selection function, a mutation function, etc., which utilizes the concept of successive descent as seen in simulated annealing. In this way, MGA can be implemented to solve combinatorial optimization problems more accurately and quickly.
Real time ridesharing using wireless pocket phones to access the ride matching computer

In US urban areas automobiles driven to and from work experience severe road congestion, yet possess considerable unutilized people-moving capacity (in the form of empty seats) that could help relieve the congestion. This paper explores the possibility of harnessing this capacity through the use of a computer in each urban area that matches riders and drivers in real-time and is accessed by lightweight pocket-sized wireless telephones. Such a system would provide much greater convenience and flexibility than ridesharing that uses land-line phones to arrange for rides/riders and that requires a rigid commitment to departure times.
Post‐Laryngectomy stricture and pharyngocutaneous fistula: Review of techniques in primary pharyngeal reconstruction in laryngectomy

Objective The purpose of this study is to find a correlation between closure technique in pharyngeal closure and outcomes of both pharyngocutaneous fistula and post-laryngectomy stricture after laryngectomy. Study Design Retrospective Chart Review. Methods We retrospectively reviewed a total of 151 patients over a 20 year period from January 1994 to December of 2013 who underwent primary pharyngeal reconstruction after total laryngectomy specifically looking at the closure technique in relation to pharyngo-cutaneous fistula (PCF) and post-laryngectomy stricture post-operatively. Patients were excluded based on secondary pharyngeal closure. Using logistic regression modeling, we performed univariate and multivariate analysis of our data. Results The overall PCF and post-laryngectomy stricture rates were 19.1% and 15.8%. When salvage laryngectomy was excluded, t-type closure had a significantly lower risk of fistula rate (p = 0.038) compared to vertical closure. In multivariate analysis, this statistical significance was lost (p = 0.23); however, non-salvage t-type closure remained significantly better than both salvage laryngectomy groups (t-type, p = 0.033, vertical, p = 0.037) while non-salvage vertical closure had no significant difference from other groups. There was no difference in stricture rate between the two closure techniques (p = 0.63) Conclusion Our study supports the role of t-type closure decreasing fistula rates in primary pharyngeal reconstruction. Orientation of the pharyngeal closure does not appear to change the risk of post-laryngectomy stricture formation after total laryngectomy. Salvage laryngectomy with primary pharyngeal reconstruction remains an independent risk factor for fistula formation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Offend, shock, or disturb: free speech under the Indian constitution, Gautam Bhatia, New Delhi, Oxford University Press, 2016, 392 pp., $39.95 (hardback), ISBN 9780199460878

In Offend, Shock, or Disturb, Gautam Bhatia, a legal educator and practitioner, provides an overview of the constitutional law of free speech (or expression) in India. Specialists in Indian constit...
Optimizing Multiplexed Detections of Diabetes Antibodies via Quantitative Microfluidic Droplet Array

Sensitive, single volume detections of multiple diabetes antibodies can provide immunoprofiling and early screening of at-risk patients. To advance the state-of-the-art suspension assays for diabetes antibodies, porous hydrogel droplets are leveraged in microfluidic serpentine arrays to enhance reagent transport. This spatially multiplexed assay is applied to the detection of antibodies against insulin, glutamic acid decarboxylase, and insulinoma-associated protein 2. Optimization of assay protocol results in a shortened assay time of 2 h, with better than 20 pg mL Supporting Information detection limits across all three antibodies. Specificity and cross-reactivity tests show negligible background, nonspecific antibody-antigen, and nonspecific antibody-antibody bindings. Multiplexed detections are able to measure within 15% of target concentrations from low to high ranges. The technique enables quantifications of as little as 8000 molecules in each 500 µm droplet in a single volume, multiplexed assay format, a breakthrough necessary for the adoption of diabetes panels for clinical screening and monitoring in the future.
Poverty, happiness, and risk preferences in rural Ethiopia

This paper examines the relationship between risk preferences and self-reported assessments of happiness in life for a sample of peasants from 15 different sites in rural Ethiopia. The relationships were estimated using ordered probit models and the results show that happier subjects were more likely to choose risky alternatives in both real and hypothetical experimental games. The correlation between happiness and willingness to take risk remains positive even when endogeneity of happiness is accounted for using the instrumental variables' estimation technique. The empirical results seem to be consistent with the hypothesis that innate optimism and the resulting overestimation of the probabilities of favourable outcomes by the subjects is the dominant force driving the correlation between happiness and risk preferences. This implies that creating an environment where optimism can flourish may not only help improve social wellbeing but may also encourage entrepreneurial endeavours.