cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Excited-state dynamics and efficient triplet formation in phenylthiophene compounds

Ultrafast transient absorption spectroscopy monitors the solution-phase dynamics of 2-phenylthiophene (PT), 2-methyl-5-phenylthiophene (MPT), and 2,4-dimethyl-5-phenylthiophene (DMPT) following excitation to the first singlet excited state. Rapid spectral evolution indicates that structural relaxation on the S1 potential energy surface occurs within ∼100 fs, whereas the picosecond-scale kinetics reveal efficient intersystem crossing to the triplet manifold of states. The rate of intersystem crossing is significantly faster for DMPT (21.6 ± 1.0 ps) than for PT (102 ± 5 ps) and MPT (132 ± 3 ps). The measurements provide new limits on the timescale for a competing isomerization reaction in which the phenyl group changes position on the thiophene ring. The role of methyl substitution in driving the intersystem crossing is discussed.
Carbon monoxide reverses diabetic gastroparesis in NOD mice

Diabetic gastroparesis is associated with increased oxidative stress attributable to loss of upregulation of heme oxygenase-1 (HO1), with resultant damage to interstitial cells of Cajal and delayed gastric emptying. These changes can be reversed by induction of HO1. HO1 catalyzes the breakdown of heme into iron, biliverdin and, carbon monoxide (CO). The aim of this study was to determine whether inhalation of CO can mimic the protective effects of HO1. Nonobese diabetic (NOD) mice with delayed gastric emptying were treated with CO inhalation. Serum malondialdehyde was measured as a marker of oxidative stress. Gastric emptying of solids was measured using a [13C]octanoic acid breath test. Kit expression levels were determined in immunoblots of protein extracted from the external muscle layers of the gastric body and antrum. The effect of CO on oxidative stress and gastric emptying was also determined in the presence of HO activity inhibitor chromium mesoporphyrin. CO inhalation reduced oxidative stress, restored Kit expression and reversed delayed gastric emptying in diabetic NOD mice with delayed gastric emptying. CO inhalation maintained this effect in the presence of the HO activity inhibitor, chromium mesoporphyrin, also resulting in restoration of the delay in gastric emptying. CO inhalation mimics the protective effect of upregulation of HO1 and decreased oxidative stress, increased Kit expression, and restored delay in gastric emptying. This effect of CO was independent of HO activity, suggesting that its effects were downstream of HO1. CO represents a potential therapeutic option for treatment of diabetic gastroparesis.
β-Cells Are Not Generated in Pancreatic Duct Ligation–Induced Injury in Adult Mice

The existence of adult β-cell progenitors remains the most controversial developmental biology topic in diabetes research. It has been reported that β-cell progenitors can be activated by ductal ligation–induced injury of adult mouse pancreas and apparently act in a cell-autonomous manner to double the functional β-cell mass within a week by differentiation and proliferation. Here, we demonstrate that pancreatic duct ligation (PDL) does not activate progenitors to contribute to β-cell mass expansion. Rather, PDL stimulates massive pancreatic injury, which alters pancreatic composition and thus complicates accurate measurement of β-cell content via traditional morphometry methodologies that superficially sample the pancreas. To overcome this potential bias, we quantified β-cells from the entire pancreas and observed that β-cell mass and insulin content are totally unchanged by PDL-induced injury. Lineage-tracing studies using sequential administration of thymidine analogs, rat insulin 2 promoter–driven cre-lox, and low-frequency ubiquitous cre-lox reveal that PDL does not convert progenitors to the β-cell lineage. Thus, we conclude that β-cells are not generated in injured adult mouse pancreas.
Reversibility of replicative senescence in Saccharomyces cerevisiae: Effect of homologous recombination and cell cycle checkpoints

Primary human somatic cells grown in culture divide a finite number of times, exhibiting progressive changes in metabolism and morphology before cessation of cycling. This telomere-initiated cellular senescence occurs because cells have halted production of telomerase, a DNA polymerase required for stabilization of chromosome ends. Telomerase-deficient Saccharomyces cerevisiae cells undergo a similar process, with most cells arresting growth after approximately 60 generations. In the current study we demonstrate that senescence is largely reversible. Reactivation of telomerase (EST2) expression in the growth-arrested cells led to resumption of cycling and reversal of senescent cell characteristics. Rescue was also observed after mating of senescent haploid cells with telomerase-proficient cells to form stable diploids. Although senescence was reversible in DNA damage checkpoint response mutants (mec3 and/or rad24 cells), survival of recombination-defective rad52 mutants remained low after telomerase reactivation. Telomere lengths in rescued est2 cells were initially half those of wildtype cells, but could be restored to normal by propagation for ∼70 generations in the presence of telomerase. These results place limitations on possible models for senescence and indicate that most cells, despite gross morphological changes and short, resected telomeres, do not experience lethal DNA damage and become irreversibly committed to death.
Familial and Other Relationships in Criminal Homicide in North Carolina

Analyses of 985 criminal homicide offenders and their victims in North Carolina are presented. Typical patterns of intrafamilial homicide are compared with extrafamilial killings. The most usual victims of intrafamilial murder and their offenders are identified, and the relationships between offenders and victims are analyzed by age, sex, and race. Data were obtained from two main sources: the North Carolina Department of Corrections' files on all first and second degree homicide and first degree manslaughter offenders incarcerated since 1972, and the North Carolina Office of Chief Medical Examiner. The findings indicate that while the rate of criminal homicide is decreasing in North Carolina, the proportion of homicides involving offenders and victims who are members of the same family is increasing, and the proportion involving strangers is decreasing. When females kill, they are especially likely to victimize members of their families, particularly their husbands; this pattern is increasing. When young...
The 49° North Mountain Resort

Marketing at ski resorts presents an interesting challenge because of the variety of resort types associated with the industry. At one end of the marketing spectrum are the so‐called destination resorts that trade on an image of glitz and glamour. Much of the marketing talent needed to run such resorts is to be found in large corporate departments that promote everything from upscale real estate to televised events studded with celebrities. At the other end of the spectrum are small local resorts, often owned by entrepreneurs, whose marketing activities are for the most part limited to finding the right marketing mix for the sport itself. In contrast to the myriad of activities associated with larger facilities, smaller resorts tend to focus more on product, price, promotion, and place. An interesting problem develops when smaller resorts seek to leapfrog their current market position by expanding their size. This case study examines the 49° North Mountain Resort, a small, privately owned skiing facility in Washington state that is seeking to expand. Before investing in expansion activities, entrepreneurs must carry out an accurate assessment of market potential and financial risk – by no means an easy task. One possible technique for ascertaining risk is to link a forecasted growth in revenues to improvements in facilities and operations. An entrepeneur with some prior access to a history of market behavior clearly has an advantage over those with only a limited sense of how a radically new product or service is likely to perform. The present study provides data that should prove useful to anyone attempting to judge whether an expansion is desirable. It also describes the marketing mix that has brought some stability to the resort’s financial performance. Market and quantitative data are available for analysis, but are other factors important as well? Should the resort maintain its current marketing mix, or should it target a more lucrative market?
Domestic political regime changes and Third World voting realignments in the United Nations, 1946–84

This article presents a cross-national analysis of the relationship between domestic political regime changes and voting realignments of Third World nations in the United Nations (UN). It seeks to move beyond existing research that has assumed that foreign policy is rooted in political and economic structures and changes only when a political revolution occurs. It argues that a wider variety of regime changes—ranging from those involving mainstream political parties to milder ones such as factional shifts in single-party regimes—can also provoke major realignments. Using a new data set on Third World regimes, the article examines the impact of regime changes for eighty-seven nations on their UN voting patterns during the period from 1946 to 1984. Although the findings indicate that revolutions are most likely to provoke major voting realignments, they also show that the more frequent, nonrevolutionary types of regime change are associated with many voting realignments. A major implication of these findings is that foreign policy changes reflect a complex set of domestic regime factors, including leadership belief systems and internal political constraints, as well as aspects of political structure.
Conditional Restricted Boltzmann Machines for Multi-label Learning with Incomplete Labels

Standard multi-label learning methods assume fully labeled training data. This assumption however is impractical in many application domains where labels are dicult to collect and missing labels are prevalent. In this paper, we develop a novel conditional restricted Boltzmann machine model to address multi-label learning with incomplete labels. It uses a restricted Boltzmann machine to capture the high-order label dependence relationships in the output space, aiming to enhance the capacity of recovering missing labels and learning high quality multi-label prediction models. Moreover, it also incorporates label co-occurrence information retrieved from auxiliary resources as prior knowledge. We perform model training by maximizing the regularized marginal conditional likelihood of the label vectors given the input features, and develop a Viterbi style EM algorithm to solve the induced optimization problem. The proposed approach is evaluated on four real word multi-label data sets by comparing to a number of state-of-the-art methods. The experimental results show it outperforms all the other comparison methods across the applied data sets.
Widespread Kaposi's sarcoma in an HIV-negative man.

A 75-year-old African-American man presented with a history of progressively worsening, asymptomatic papules and plaques on his trunk and all extremities. He reported that the lesions initially began on his extremities and over the next 20 years gradually spread to his trunk. His medical history was remarkable for hypertension and benign prostatic hypertrophy. He denied travel outside of the United States. A complete blood count and complete metabolic profile were normal with the exception of a mild normocytic anemia (hemoglobin of 11.2 g/dL) and an elevated creatinine of 1.6 mg/dL. Tests for human immunodeficiency virus and human T-cell lymphotropic virus 1 and 2 antibodies were negative. A chest x-ray revealed no abnormalities. Physical exam at the time of presentation revealed nontender, nonblanching papules and oval plaques most prominent on the lower extremities, but also on the trunk, upper extremities, and neck (Figure 1). The color of the lesions ranged from reddish-brown to bluish-brown, and the lesions were from 1 to 10 cm in size. The ankles and neck had areas of hypopigmented scarring (Figure 2). The plantar surfaces of the feet were hyperkeratotic with areas of hypopigmentation. There were no oral lesions. There was no lymphadenopathy and no hepatomegaly or splenomegaly. A punch biopsy was performed and stained with hematoxylin and eosin (Figure 3). It revealed a proliferation of thin-walled, dilated vessels having a jagged outline. These changes were accompanied by a lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate. The patient was given the option of undergoing treatment with injections of doxorubicin. After a thorough discussion addressing the possible benefits and side effects of the treatment, the patient elected not to undergo treatment. Nine months after diagnosis, he continues without evidence of extracutaneous disease. Figure 1. Erythematous plaques on the trunk and all extremities Download figure to PowerPoint Figure 2. Examples of hypopigmented scarring shown here on the lower extremities (A) and neck (B) Download figure to PowerPoint Figure 3. Thin-walled, dilated vessels with irregular outlines accompanied by a mixed lymphoplasmacytic infiltrate (hematoxylin-eosin stain, original magnification x40) Download figure to PowerPoint
AAPM/RSNA physics tutorial for residents. Topics in US: B-mode US: basic concepts and new technology.

Ultrasonography (US) has been used in medical imaging for over half a century. Current US scanners are based largely on the same basic principles used in the initial devices for human imaging. Modern equipment uses a pulse-echo approach with a brightness-mode (B-mode) display. Fundamental aspects of the B-mode imaging process include basic ultrasound physics, interactions of ultrasound with tissue, ultrasound pulse formation, scanning the ultrasound beam, and echo detection and signal processing. Recent technical innovations that have been developed to improve the performance of modern US equipment include the following: tissue harmonic imaging, spatial compound imaging, extended field of view imaging, coded pulse excitation, electronic section focusing, three-dimensional and four-dimensional imaging, and the general trend toward equipment miniaturization. US is a relatively inexpensive, portable, safe, and real-time modality, all of which make it one of the most widely used imaging modalities in medicine. Although B-mode US is sometimes referred to as a mature technology, this modality continues to experience a significant evolution in capability with even more exciting developments on the horizon.
Endoprevention of esophageal cancer: endoscopic ablation of Barrett's metaplasia and dysplasia.

This review describes the use of endoscopic therapy for the treatment of Barrett’s disease and the prevention of esophageal carcinoma, predominantly a disease of older white men. While the term endoprevention may be novel, gastroenterologists have been using endoscopic techniques to prevent colon cancer for decades. For the endoprevention of Barrett’s carcinoma, the regulatory approval for the use of porfimer sodium photodynamic therapy was an important milestone, as this treatment has been proven to safely ablate Barrett’s glandular epithelium, including high-grade dysplasia, and significantly decrease the risk for the development of invasive cancer in several single-center studies, a prospective multicenter randomized controlled study using expert centralized histopathology analysis and long-term single-center results. Newer methods of mucosal ablation, such as the radiofrequency balloon, have been developed for the treatment of patients with Barrett’s metaplasia or dysplasia. These newly developed tech...
Authenticating public terminals

Automatic teller machines, Internet kiosks etc. are examples of public untrusted terminals which are used to access computer systems. One of the security concerns in such systems is the so called fake terminal attack: the attacker sets up a fake terminal and fools unsuspecting users into revealing sensitive information, such as PINs or private e-mail, in their attempt to use these terminals. In this paper, we examine this problem in different scenarios and propose appropriate solutions. Our basic approach is to find ways for a user to authenticate a public terminal before using it to process sensitive information. q 1999 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Growth and Investigation of GaN/AlN Quantum Dots

We have fabricated GaN quantum dots (QDs) in AlN confined layer structures by molecular beam epitaxy. The size distribution and density of the QDs have been estimated from an atomic force microscopy study. Very high quantum efficiency of photoluminescence (PL) has been obtained in some samples with QDs. Compared to the GaN bulk samples, it increased by orders of magnitude. In some samples the quantum size effect dominated, resulting in the blue-shift of the QD related PL peak, whereas in the samples with larger dots a red-shift up to 0.8 eV has been observed, which is related to strong polarization effects. We have observed a blue-shift of the PL peak with excitation intensity in the samples with large dots due to screening effect. The temperature-induced quenching of PL occurs at higher temperatures compared to bulk GaN due to the confinement of nonequilibrium carriers in the QDs. An excited state has been observed in some samples.
Quantitative goals for monetary policy: a quantile regression approach

A recent paper by Fatas et al. (2006) indicates that formal monetary policy targets–exchange rate, money supply or inflation targets–palpably decrease inflation in a sample of 40 countries. The authors employ various least squares estimations, which pick up the conditional average effect. However, there is wide inflation variability in the authors’ sample. Thus, formal targets could have very different effects in high- and low- inflation countries. Accordingly, we utilize the technique of quantile regression, a method frequently used in labour economics. We find, in a sample of low- and moderate-inflation countries, that formal targets exert no significant impact on low-inflation nations. This result is important for debates over formal targets, such as whether the United States should adopt an inflation target. There are costs and benefits in having formal targets, and finding that targets do not decrease inflation, when it is already moderate, is an important piece of information to consider.
A microfluidic device to load multiple mechanical stimulators with differing strain magnitudes with a single pump

This paper presents the development of a microfluidic device consisting of an array of geometrically identical micromechanical stimulators that can simultaneously deliver differing magnitudes of mechanical strain for multiplex mechanical loading. Notably, all the micromechanical stimulators are driven by the hydraulic pressure from a single pumping unit, which greatly reduces the number of external pumps that are often needed in investigating magnitude-dependent mechanical loading. It thus provides a strategy for developing multiplex and high throughput microfluidic devices that involve magnitude-dependent operation.
A novel mass-sensitive image-dissecting Cherenkov detector

Abstract This note describes a Cherenkov detector system specifically designed to provide an independent identifying trigger signal for each of the different particles present in the NAL 150 GeV/c charged hyperon beam. The detector must be used in conjunction with a magnetic channel and a quadrupole focusing lens pair (or triplet). The expected detection efficiency for particles within its 140–160 GeV/c momentum acceptance band is over 90% for all particles lighter than the deutron; for anti-deutrons it exceeds 80%. Electrons, muons, pions and kaons are not distinguished from each other in the present design. All other known particles up to and including the deuteron mass are distinguished from each other and from the light particles. Specific triggers are provided for ( e μπ K ) − , p , Σ − , Ξ − , Ω − , and anti-deuterons. For each of these particles, separate triggers are available for at least three momentum ranges within the acceptance band. Rejection ratios for unwanted particles are expected to exceed 103.
Photochemical oxidation of terbufos

We studied the photochemical oxidation of an organophosphorus pesticide, terbufos, in surface waters because its oxidation products are of concern. Terbufos sulfoxide and terbufos sulfone have toxicities for aquatic organisms similar to those of the parent compound. We measured a photolysis rate constant under natural sunlight conditions in distilled water of 0.68 ± 0.17/h near Clemson, South Carolina, USA. Actinometer studies resulted in a mean reaction quantum yield for terbufos of 5.8 x 10 3 . The measured half-life of 64 min is considerably faster than any of the other chemical or biochemical oxidation half-lives in soil or hydrolysis half-lives reported in the literature. Photolysis should be considered in evaluating the risk of terbufos to surface waters and aquatic organisms.
Single Droplet Vaporization Including Thermal Radiation Absorption

Total hemispherical absorption distributions for n-decane and water droplets irradiated by a blackbody under spherically symmetric conditions are used in the calculation of transient droplet heating and vaporization. The gas model used is based on the extended film theory. Three liquid-phase models have been extended to include thermal radiation absorption. The results show that radiation absorption can be as important as, or more important than, the choice of liquid-phase model. Based on the effective-conductivity model, two dimensionless parameters expressing the ratios of radiation absorption and gas-liquid heat transfer to liquid conductive and convective heat transfer are defined. It is shown that the first parameter determines the droplet heating regime. Over 200 numerical calculations using the effective-conductivity model and various initial and ambient conditions have been performed for water and w-decane droplets. It is shown that the ratio of the two dimensionless parameters evaluated at the initial time can be used to correlate and predict the radiation absorption influence on the droplet lifetime. All cases investigated correspond to the slow heating regime. Under the conditions analyzed, the nonuniformity of the radiation absorption has little effect on the overall droplet heating and vaporization process. CD = cp = F =
ILP-Based Co-Optimization of Cut Mask Layout, Dummy Fill and Timing for Sub-14nm BEOL Technology

Self-aligned multiple patterning (SAMP), due to its low overlay error, has emerged as the leading option for 1D gridded back-end-of-line (BEOL) in sub-14nm nodes. To form actual routing patterns from a uniform "sea of wires", a cut mask is needed for line-end cutting or realization of space between routing segments. Constraints on cut shapes and minimum cut spacing result in end-of-line (EOL) extensions and non-functional (i.e. dummy fill) patterns; the resulting capacitance and timing changes must be consistent with signoff performance analyses and their impacts should be minimized. In this work, we address the co-optimization of cut mask layout, dummy fill, and design timing for sub-14nm BEOL design. Our central contribution is an optimizer based on integer linear programming (ILP) to minimize the timing impact due to EOL extensions, considering (i) minimum cut spacing arising in sub-14nm nodes; (ii) cut assignment to different cut masks (color assignment); and (iii) the eligibility to merge two unit-size cuts into a bigger cut. We also propose a heuristic approach to remove dummy fills after the ILP-based optimization by extending the usage of cut masks. Our heuristic can improve critical path performance under minimum metal density and mask density constraints. In our experiments, we study the impact of number of cut masks, minimum cut spacing and metal density under various constraints. Our studies of optimized cut mask solutions in these varying contexts give new insight into the tradeoff of performance and cost that is afforded by cut mask patterning technology options.
A high-power transient coaxial power combiner for nonlinear transmission lines

Summary form only given. Recent work on Coaxial Ferrimagnetic Nonlinear Transmissions Lines (NLTL) has been focused on developing an array of NLTLs for use as a solid-state High Power Microwave (HPM) source. The pulsed output of an NLTL requires a combiner that enables combining transient signals at voltage levels up to 50 kV. Existing combiner designs found in literature require resonant structures to achieve efficient power combination, an approach that fails for the short pulse transient signals generated by the NLTL. The novel coaxial combiner is an in-plane structure designed to combine two 50 Ω NLTLs into a single 25 Ω coaxial output which then uses a linear taper to transition back to 50 Ω. The combiner design was simulated using a transient Finite Element Method (FEM) model in COMSOL Multiphysics® and experimental results are compared with simulation. A four-way radial combiner based on the in-plane two-way design is simulated and the field stresses are examined to determine possible operational voltage levels for the four-way design.
Skin rash in the intensive care unit: Stevens‑johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, or a rare manifestation of a hidden cutaneous malignancy: A case report

Skin rashes are infrequently encountered in the intensive care units, either as a result or as a cause of admission. The entities of Stevens-Johnson syndrome (SJS) and toxic epidermal necrolysis (TEN) form a spectrum of desquamating skin diseases that have multiple etiologies, the most common being drug-related reactions; very rarely, the cause may be cutaneous malignancies. We herein present a unique case of a 54-year-old male patient with psoriasis treated with methotrexate, who presented with a cellulitis-like clinical picture, then developed a severe progressive systemic inflammatory response syndrome, and progressed clinically to SJS, then TEN even after discontinuing the antibiotics and methotrexate. A skin biopsy demonstrated an aggressive and rapidly-progressing T-cell lymphoma. The present case highlights the necessity of skin biopsy when encountering SJS and TEN in the ICU in order to identify potentially treatable/controllable causes. Although it appeared reasonable to correlate TEN solely to medications, the skin biopsies clearly demonstrated an aggressive T-cell skin lymphoma. In a patient with a better general condition it may have been helpful to treat this malignancy. TEN is a life-threatening condition and skin biopsy is the cornerstone of diagnosis, despite the presence of multiple risk factors and the typical physical findings of a drug-induced reaction.
International Expansion: A Case Study Of Mongolias Dairy Market

A businessman teaches himself the fundamentals of business and marketing in order to expand beyond the region of his Mongolian home.He must work through the meaning of supply and demand and customer-orientation which are foreign concepts to him.Letting go of the fundamental principles taught to him by a socialist system and competing in the 21 st century may bring success, but first he must identify the challenges and begin to understand which ones are significant to overcome for success.
The Molecular Epidemiology of Influenza

next pandemic occurs, after which either he is restored abruptly to sanity or is led away muttering something about a "new hypothesis." Perhaps for this reason, the student of influenza is constantly looking back over his shoulder and asking "what happened"? in the hope that understanding of past events will alert him to the catastrophes of the futures. Perhaps a glance backward from the vantage point of 1972 will at least aid in the definition of the problem, even if it does not yet make this baffling disease fully comprehensible. This century has seen four instances of pandemic (global) spread and three unequivocal pandemics of influenza. Three of these epidemics have occurred within the era of modern virology, and the causative viruses have been isolated and
Ethics for the pediatrician: providing culturally effective health care.

1. Alissa Hurwitz Swota, PhD* 2. D. Micah Hester, PhD† 1. *Department of Philosophy, University of North Florida; Wolfson Children's Hospital, Jacksonville, FL. 2. †Division of Medical Humanities/Pediatrics, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences; Arkansas Children's Hospital, Little Rock, AR. There is no strong consensus on what is meant by the concept of “culture.” Anthropologists and behavioral scientists note that it is “an abstraction … , a generalization extrapolated from the specific material products, interactions, or ideations. … We do not, in fact, observe culture; we observe phenomena that we choose to group together and label culture.” (1) As applied to the health-care setting, “Culture defines how health care information is received, how rights and protections are exercised, what is considered to be a health problem, how symptoms and concerns about the problem are expressed, who should provide treatment for the problem, and what type of treatment should be given.” (2) (3) In short, culture is the lens through which one views the world, affecting everything that an individual perceives and does, often at an unconscious level. Although common use often treats the term “culture” as equivalent to “race,” “ethnicity,” or “nationality,” in the more rigorous sense (and the sense in which it is used in this article), this common use is overly constricted. Although looking at issues in “Hispanic” culture or “American” culture may be instructive, it is equally reasonable to discuss “gay and lesbian” culture or “Protestant” culture. In patient/family-centered care, it is important to understand how family, community, and culture play into the values and interests that affect decision-making for a specific patient. In light of this perspective, “cultural competency” and “sensitivity” have become common buzzwords in society in general and in medicine specifically. (4) Despite the content and implications of some of the existing training material in this area, “competence” and “sensitivity” to cultural aspects …
Vasopressor administration in spinal cord injury: should we apply a universal standard to all injury patterns?

Spinal cord injury(SCI)is a devastating pathology,with significant physical,psychosocial,and financial burdens.Despite the severity of this disease,and our deepening understanding of the pathophysiology,we remain limited in our treatment options.Recent well-publicized studies have focused on the benefit of early surgical decompression in this patient population,but
Semantic Analysis Without Reference to Abstract Entities

Alonzo Church has repeatedly argued that the semantic analysis of cer tain contexts (now often called 'intensional') requires reference to abstract entities of various kinds. The problem, arising from this argument for nominalists, will be examined first. Then we shall attempt to meet Church's challenge by constructing and informally describing a semantics which was inspired by Nelson Goodman's distinction between primary and secondary extensions. According to that semantics, no expression of the object language will make reference to any abstract or non-actual entity while the system is strong enough to lend itself to semantic analysis in Church's sense. Some of the most persuasive attacks against nominalists have taken the form of challenges to complete certain important theoretical tasks which Platonists, thanks to their abundant supply of abstract entities, could alleged ly accomplish, whereas nominalists could not. Of course, merely to point out a need for abstract entities does not of itself make for an especially relevant objection against nominalism. After all, if needs were enough to guarantee the existence of that which is needed, then people would never want for anything. Rather, such lines of attack are forceful because they remind us that the construction of theories in accord with doctrines tends to be more im
Inverse Relationships between ATP and Fructose Diphosphate in Cultured Cells in Response to Change in External pH

SummaryIn a preparation of cultured cells (human KB) concentrations of ATP and of fructose-1,6-diphosphate are markedly sensitive to change in external pH. In a series of experiments when the pH was increased from 7.0 to 8.0, the average value for the content of ATP decreased from 9.1 to 1.0 μmole/g of protein while that for fructose-1,6-diphosphate increased from 1.5 to 16.1 μ, mole/g of protein. The changes reverse when the pH is returned to 7.0. The reaction is linked to inhibition rather than stimulation of the rate of glycolysis, and the effect can be simulated by adding iodoace-tate without changing pH. The inverse relationship between ATP and FDP after changing pH has also been observed in Ehr-lich ascites tumor cells.
Melanoma and Nevi

Melanoma, which is increasing in incidence, is the most lethal skin cancer. Risk factors for melanoma include genotypic and phenotypicc haracteristics combined with environmental exposures. Germline mutations in CDKN2A and CDK4 are thought to confer high susceptibility for melanoma. Polymorphisms in the melanocortin receptor-1 gene, which is central to melanin synthesis, confer low susceptibility for melanoma. In addition to germline alterations, somatic mutations in either BRAF or NRAS mutations have been found in a high percentage of melanomas. Nevi, which are one of the strongest risk factors for melanoma, also have BRAF mutations. Prevention, early diagnosis, and treatment remain important areas for future advancements.
Three Imperatives to Foster as a Financial Institution in the Euro Era

The euro has been transforming and will continue to transform the financial industry in Europe. It has had the impact of a tidal wave hitting the shore: forex margins in the euro-zone are gone, lending margins are under pressure and so on.
Introduction to Forensic Psychology

Forensic Psychology is the study of the integration of psychology and the law. It is a new blend of two old professions—psychology, which is the study of human behavior, and law, which is the study of how people rule themselves in social situations. Psychologists generally use the scientific method of induction to understand human behavior while lawyers use reason or the deductive method of inquiry to understand legal issues. Each discipline uses different methods to interpret and solve problems. We believe that using the knowledge, information, and techniques of both disciplines to better understand simple and complex problems is the best way to find “truth”. It is like the old saying, “two heads are better than one”.
Reduced FOV diffusion tensor MR imaging and fiber tractography of pediatric cervical spinal cord injury.

Reduced FOV diffusion tensor MR imaging and fiber tractography of pediatric cervical spinal cord injury
Chemical proteomic map of dimethyl fumarate–sensitive cysteines in primary human T cells

Dimethyl fumarate (DMF) is an electrophilic drug that is used to treat autoimmune conditions, including multiple sclerosis and psoriasis. The mechanism of action of DMF is unclear but may involve the covalent modification of proteins or DMF serving as a prodrug that is converted to monomethyl fumarate (MMF). We found that DMF, but not MMF, blocked the activation of primary human and mouse T cells. Using a quantitative, site-specific chemical proteomic platform, we determined the DMF sensitivity of >2400 cysteine residues in human T cells. Cysteines sensitive to DMF, but not MMF, were identified in several proteins with established biochemical or genetic links to T cell function, including protein kinase Cθ (PKCθ). DMF blocked the association of PKCθ with the costimulatory receptor CD28 by perturbing a CXXC motif in the C2 domain of this kinase. Mutation of these DMF-sensitive cysteines also impaired PKCθ-CD28 interactions and T cell activation, designating the C2 domain of PKCθ as a key functional, electrophile-sensing module important for T cell biology.
Role of Hepatocyte Growth Factor in Endothelial-Dependent Hematopoietic Stem Cell Regeneration

Hematopoiesis is tightly regulated by the niche and highly sensitive to a variety of genotoxic stressors. The mechanisms responsible for the repair and regeneration of hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) are poorly understood. Endothelial cells (ECs) are an essential component of the bone marrow microenvironment that provide regenerative signals for HSCs after injury; however, the identity of these signals remain largely unknown. We utilized RNA sequencing and a bioinformatics approach to identify hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) as an endothelial-derived mediator of HSC regeneration. HGF gene expression was 7.6-fold higher in arterial-derived ECs (HAEC) that regenerate functional long-term HSCs (CD150+LineageloSca1+Kit+ cells; CD150+LSK cells) compared to venous ECs (HUVEC) that support only hematopoietic progenitors. Furthermore, the HSC-supportive HAECs secreted up to 25 pg/mL HGF into conditioned media, whereas HGF was undetectable in media conditioned by HUVEC. To directly test the role of HGF in HSC regeneration, we supplemented co-cultures of irradiated bone marrow cells and primary ECs with recombinant HGF. Addition of HGF was sufficient to augment CD150+LSK cell regeneration up to 20-fold by HUVEC. This effect was abolished by treatment with the Met-specific small molecular inhibitor, PF04217903. Importantly, neither the addition of HGF alone to irradiated hematopoietic cells nor spiking HUVEC-conditioned media with HGF improved HSC regeneration in the absence of an EC monolayer. Together, these results indicate that HGF activates a signaling loop in ECs that supports HSC regeneration. Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
On the Dual Sovereignty Double Jeopardy Doctrine and Eminent Domain

The first sentence of the 14th Amendment demonstrates a shift in American federalism away from a collection of sovereign states and toward a unified citizenry. Over the next 70 years, the Privileges and Immunities the states enjoyed were adapted to this new brand of federalism by becoming secondary, if not subservient, to federal sovereignty. The changes were far reaching, going well beyond the civil rights changes that we usually focus on. One remnant of strong state sovereignty seems to have survived the ascendance of the federal government: dual sovereignty as a way around double jeopardy. This theory depends on using the natural law of sovereignty to put a state’s police power on separate and equal footing with federal police power. This separation and equality is unique in post-reconstruction America. Other natural powers of sovereignty that the states possess have been subjugated by their federal counterparts. Why is it that we accept so readily for the purposes of criminal prosecution what we so vehemently reject for the purposes of civil and property rights? This article proposes that the Supreme Court should apply its modern state sovereignty jurisprudence — as evidenced by its treatment of state takings decisions — to successive prosecutions by state and federal governments. Part I describes jurisprudence on eminent domain and dual sovereignty double jeopardy, as well as the dual sovereignty double jeopardy doctrine’s development. Part II examines the elements and behavior of sovereignty and the development of American federalism. Part III analyzes the Court’s treatment of state takings claims and contrasts them with the Court’s rationales for the dual sovereignty double jeopardy doctrine. Part IV concludes that modernizing the Court’s approach to successive state and federal prosecutions would be beneficial to both governments and to the People.
Sterol and triterpene synthesis in the developing and germinating pea seed

Developing and germinating pea seeds were compared with respect to their capacity to incorporate mevalonate into sterols and triterpenes. The capacity for sterol synthesis is greatest in the least mature fruits and decreases during their development. Label is shown, by gas–liquid chromatography and counting the radioactivity of trapped fractions, to be associated with campesterol, β-sitosterol and isofucosterol. During early stages of germination sterol synthesis is insignificant. The triterpene fraction becomes heavily labelled during both development and germination. The label is associated almost exclusively with β-amyrin during germination but with cycloartenol and 24-methylenecycloartanol during development. It is only in the terminal stages of maturation that β-amyrin becomes significantly labelled. At the same time an unidentified radioactive polar compound appears. The possible significance of the appearance of this polar compound and the regulation of the synthesis of these higher terpenoids is discussed.
A busca pelos aspectos universais da moda-de-viola

O objetivo deste artigo e o de apresentar o historico de uma busca pelos aspectos universais da moda-de-viola, a qual coincide com a realizacao de uma pesquisa de pos-doutoramento relacionada especificamente com este tema. Esta pesquisa, que foi realizada entre julho de 2015 e julho de 2016, tinha o objetivo inicial de compreender os aspectos universais da moda-de-viola atraves da analise das narrativas literarias de suas letras. No entanto, a medida que a pesquisa foi se desenvolvendo, o enfoque deixou de ser as narrativas das letras e converteu-se numa reflexao sobre a estrutura geral da sua forma musical, isto e, daqueles elementos musicais que normalmente sao considerados pelos seus compositores para se obter legitimidade junto ao seu publico ouvinte. A pesquisa em questao, no entanto, nao ignora os aspectos regionais e mesmo historicos deste genero musical. Pelo contrario, foi justamente a compreensao desses aspectos regionais, analisados ao longo de uma pesquisa de doutorado concluida em 2014, que suscitou esta reflexao complementar que aqui se apresenta.
Paralytic Strabismus: Third and Sixth Cranial Nerves

This chapter addresses the surgical treatment of third and sixth cranial nerve palsy. The treatment of fourth cranial nerve palsy is discussed in Chap. 8, “Vertical Deviations.”
Chronic Alcohol Ingestion Impairs Rat Alveolar Macrophage Phagocytosis via Disruption of RAGE Signaling.

Abstract Background Alcohol significantly impairs antioxidant defenses and innate immune function in the lung and increases matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) activity. The receptor for advanced glycation end products (RAGE) is a well-characterized marker of lung injury that is cleaved by MMP-9 into soluble RAGE and has not yet been examined in the alcoholic lung. We hypothesized that chronic alcohol ingestion would impair RAGE signaling via MMP-9 in the alveolar macrophage and thereby impair innate immune function. Materials and Methods Primary alveolar macrophages were isolated from control-fed or alcohol-fed rats. Real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), Western blotting, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to evaluate RAGE expression. Silencing of MMP-9 ribonucleic acid (RNA) in a rat alveolar macrophage cell line was confirmed by qRT-PCR, and immunofluorescence (IF) was used to assess the association between alcohol, MMP-9, and RAGE. Phagocytosis was assessed using flow cytometry. Sulforaphane and glutathione were used to assess the relationship between oxidative stress and RAGE. Results RAGE messenger RNA expression was significantly increased in the alveolar macrophages of alcohol-fed rats, but IF showed that membrane-bound RAGE protein expression was decreased. Lavage fluid demonstrated increased levels of soluble RAGE (sRAGE). Decreasing MMP-9 expression using si-MMP-9 abrogated the effects of alcohol on RAGE protein. Phagocytic function was suppressed by direct RAGE inhibition, and the impairment was reversed by antioxidant treatment. Conclusions Chronic alcohol ingestion reduces RAGE protein expression and increases the amount of sRAGE in alveolar lavage fluid, likely via cleavage by MMP-9. In addition, it impairs phagocytic function. Antioxidants restore membrane-bound RAGE and phagocytic function.
Near-net shape casting of Al-Si alloy

ABSTRACT IMRI has been developing thin strip casting with a horizontal twin-roll machine. The A356 aluminum alloy was cast. The strip was 3 to 5 mm in thickness and 100 mm in width. The microstructure of the as-cast material was characterized. The secondary dendrite arm spacing (SDAS) was found to vary from 3 to 10 μm close to the wheel surface and at the central zone, respectively. The mechanical properties were determined. The ultimate tensile strength (UTS) and ductility increase with decreasing SDAS while the yield strength is almost constant. The UTS varies from 196 to 233 MPa, the elongation from 7.5 to 16.8% and the value of the yield strength is around 95 MPa. The mean value of the SDAS varies from 6 to 4.32 μm when the speed goes from 7 to 3.4 RPM. Thermal analysis of the process was conducted by reproducing cyclic thermal variation of the roll surface. The heat transfer coefficient was found to be around 30kW/m2.K.
Approach to the Elderly Patient: Evaluation

Geriatric Urology adds a number of specific requirements to your knowledge and skill set in the evaluation and management of the elderly patient. One list summarizes a number of geriatric syndromes [1] that are unique to care of the elderly patient (Table 2.1). Including these domains into your original evaluation takes very little extra time, but it does take some extra attention. Throughout this Chapter, we will be referring to a small text published by the American Geriatrics Society entitled “Geriatrics at Your Fingertips [2]” (GAYF). It is available online or in print at http://geriatricsatyourfingertips.org/ and it is a recommended addition to your office library for your care of geriatric patients.
Myelodysplastic syndromes complicating hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

The development of therapy-related myelodysplasia (t-MDS) and acute myelogenous leukemia (t-AML) has been increasingly recognized as an important problem following high-dose chemotherapy and autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) ([Stone et al., 1994]; [Deeg et al. 1998]; [Pedersen-Bjergaard et al., 2000]). The significance of this issue is better appreciated in light of the expanding indications for AHSCT early in the treatment course along with its limited related mortality. Any discussion of t-MDS/AML complicating AHSCT should take into account the contribution of chemotherapy, especially with alkylating agents, administered prior to transplantation and the difficulty of establishing the diagnosis solely on morphologic grounds. Several reports over the last 10 years, have extensively discussed many aspects of t-MDS/AML, such as origin of the disease, risk factors, cytogenetic abnormalities and available therapeutic options. However, important questions especially regarding the relative contribution of prior chemotherapy, the extent to which total body irradiation (TBI) increases the risk of t-MDS/AML, and the significance of MDS-related chromosomal changes in the absence of bone marrow dysplasia still remain.
Managing under managed care. The role of the advanced practice nurse in Surgery

Serving as an independent practitioner expands a nurse's role in the health care setting. Independent nurse practitioners diagnose, treat, organize, manage, and communicate. Having a nurse practitioner in the OR helps provide continuity of patient care.