cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Derepression of sonic hedgehog signaling upon Gpr161 deletion unravels forebrain and ventricular abnormalities

Inverse gradients of transcriptional repressors antagonize the transcriptional effector response to morphogens. However, the role of such inverse regulation might not manifest solely from lack of repressors. Sonic hedgehog (Shh) patterns the forebrain by being expressed ventrally; however, absence of antagonizing Gli3 repressor paradoxically cause insufficient pathway activation. Interestingly, lack of the primary cilia-localized G-protein-coupled receptor, Gpr161 increases Shh signaling in the mouse neural tube from coordinated lack of Gli3 repressor and Smoothened-independent activation. Here, by deleting Gpr161 in mouse neuroepithelial cells and radial glia at early mid-gestation we detected derepression of Shh signaling throughout forebrain, allowing determination of the pathophysiological consequences. Accumulation of cerebrospinal fluid (hydrocephalus) was apparent by birth, although usual causative defects in multiciliated ependymal cells or aqueduct were not seen. Rather, the ventricular surface was expanded (ventriculomegaly) during embryogenesis from radial glial overproliferation. Cortical phenotypes included polymicrogyria in the medial cingulate cortex, increased proliferation of intermediate progenitors and basal radial glia, and altered neocortical cytoarchitectonic structure with increased upper layer and decreased deep layer neurons. Finally, periventricular nodular heterotopia resulted from disrupted neuronal migration, while the radial glial scaffold was unaffected. Overall, suppression of Shh pathway during early mid-gestation prevents ventricular overgrowth, and regulates cortical gyration and neocortical/periventricular cytoarchitecture.
Abstract 193: Who Group III Pulmonary Hypertension Patients With Lower Socioeconomic Status Are Diagnosed at a Younger Age

Background: Previous research has shown that socioeconomic status (SES) is a contributing factor toward a patient’s health. Lower SES has been associated with later presentation and worse outcomes ...
Helium Tribology of Inconel 617 at Elevated Temperatures up to 950°C: Parametric Study

This study investigates the friction and wear behavior of Inconel 617, one of the primary candidate materials for high-temperature gas-cooled nuclear reactors. Using a custom-built, high-temperatur...
“Foamation” of a New Island Identity: An Analysis of Foam in Derek Walcott’s Omeros

So much of postcolonial literature is about creating and revealing identities of places that were once conquered and branded to mimic their conquerors. This essay takes a unique look at just such a quest in Derek Walcott’s Omeros, as it explores the connection between Greek mythology and forming a postcolonial identity in St. Lucia. In this essay, I argue that Walcott blends native culture and classic myth, focused around the abundant use of the word “foam,” which appears forty-two times in the text. Foam’s etiology in Greek mythology is explained as the semen flowing from the castrated genitals of Ouranos, which then mixed with the ocean to give birth to Aphrodite, the goddess of love. Revealing his own Western education and appreciation of Greek mythology, which is shared by St. Lucia’s history due to French and British influence, Walcott uses foam in many ways to represent not only the birth of Aphrodite, but also the birth of a new island identity, in order to help St. Lucia discover and create its own past. This results in the island and the people on it being able to have a secure sense of self in the present and future. Through metafictional narration techniques, allusions to Greek mythology, especially Homer, and Achille’s time traveling exploration of his roots and culture, as well as the acceptance of his own past, Walcott paves the way for reconciliation with the island’s turbulent and complicated past in creating his own Homer-like poetic myth that can become a foundational part of St. Lucia’s postcolonial identity.
Chimpanzees of the Ngiri Triangle

The chapter describes a survey of large mammals in the Lake Tumba landscape with the focus on the chimpanzees (Pan troglodytes) using straight lines (transects) and forest reconnaissance to document the species distribution and to estimate its abundance. Unfortunately, after the completion of the surveys, samples were insufficient to conduct a density analysis properly. The encounter rates were used as a sensible indicator of the species abundance and this latter varied with distance from main rivers, with the highest being within the distance 11–15 km; their averages were 0.11 nesting sites km−1 and 0.05 nesting sites, respectively, for the Ngiri Triangle and Bosobele, respectively. Swampy forests and seasonally flooded forests combined dominated the overall area; woody swamps occupied 32% of the space and that Ngiri Triangle had 27.6% of mixed mature forest on terra firma, which was higher than most forests in that zone where the average terra firma forest is greater than 20%. Finally, Chimpanzees’ nesting sites were found at the highest proportions (70%) in flooded forests and that human signs averaged at 2.3 signs per km in the Ngiri region (ranging between 0.8 and 5.0).
Chapter 8 – Eicosanoids

Eicosanoids are a class of molecules derived from 20-carbon (“eicosa” is Greek for 20) polyunsaturated fatty acids, most frequently arachidonic acid. The eicosanoids include the prostaglandins (PG), thromboxanes (TX), leukotrienes (LT), and lipoxins (LX). These molecules almost always act on the cells that produce them or on neighboring cells, i.e., over short distances and time periods, and therefore can be classified as autocrine/paracrine hormones. They are widely distributed in the cells and tissues of the body and have wide-ranging biological actions. The eicosanoids play important roles in endocrine systems. Virtually every other endocrinological/physiological system discussed in the other chapters of this book also involves the local production and action of one or more of the eicosanoids. This chapter first focuses on the structure and nomenclature of the eicosanoids, the pathways by which they are synthesized and the important enzymes involved in these pathways. The current understanding of the cellular receptors for the eicosanoids is followed by a few examples of their biological activity and current areas of their clinical importance.
Deconfounding User Satisfaction Estimation from Response Rate Bias

Improving user satisfaction is at the forefront of industrial recommender systems. While significant progress has been made by utilizing logged implicit data of user-item interactions (i.e., clicks, dwell/watch time, and other user engagement signals), there has been a recent surge of interest in measuring and modeling user satisfaction, as provided by orthogonal data sources. Such data sources typically originate from responses to user satisfaction surveys, which explicitly ask users to rate their experience with the system and/or specific items they have consumed in the recent past. This data can be valuable for measuring and modeling the degree to which a user has had a satisfactory experience on the recommendation platform, since what users do (engagement) does not always align with what users say they want (satisfaction as measured by surveys). We focus on a large-scale industrial system trained on user survey responses to predict user satisfaction. The predictions of the satisfaction model for each user-item pair, combined with the predictions of the other models (e.g., engagement-focused ones), are fed into the ranking component of a real-world recommender system in deciding items to present to the user. It is therefore imperative that the satisfaction model does an equally good job on imputing user satisfaction across slices of users and items, as it would directly impact which items a user is exposed to. However, the data used for training satisfaction models is biased in that users are more likely to respond to a survey when they will respond that they are more satisfied. When the satisfaction survey responses in slices of data with high response rate follow a different distribution than those with low response rate, response rate becomes a confounding factor for user satisfaction estimation. We find positive correlation between response rate and ratings in a large-scale survey dataset collected in our case study. To address this inherent response rate bias in the satisfaction data, we propose an inverse propensity weighting approach within a multi-task learning framework. We extend a simple feed-forward neural network architecture predicting user satisfaction to a shared-bottom multi-task learning architecture with two tasks: the user satisfaction estimation task, and the response rate estimation task. We concurrently train these two tasks, and use the inverse of the predictions of the response rate task as loss weights for the satisfaction task to address the response rate bias. We showcase that by doing this, (i) we can accurately model whether a user will respond to a survey, (ii) we improve the user satisfaction estimation error for the data slices with lower response rate while not hurting slices with higher response rate, and (iii) we demonstrate in live A/B experiments that applying the resulting satisfaction predictions to rank recommendations translates to higher user satisfaction.
Increased maximum gradient amplitude improves robustness of spin-echo cardiac diffusion-weighted MRI

Background Cardiac motion presents a major challenge in diffusion weighted MRI (DWI), often leading to large signal dropouts that necessitate repeated measurements (Pai, V.M., MRM 2011). While cardiac DWI is generally ECG gated to apply diffusion weighting during peak-systole or enddiastole, these intervals can be short and difficult to pinpoint, resulting in poor sequence reproducibility. Recent improvements in gradient hardware provide larger maximum gradients than current systems (Gmax=80mT/m), which can substantially reduce the temporal footprint of diffusion preparation and make cardiac DWI more robust to bulk motion.
Management of Complex Left Ventricular Outflow Tract Obstruction: A Comparison of Konno and Modified Konno Techniques

Management of complex left ventricular outflow tract obstruction (LVOTO) can be achieved with a Konno or Modified Konno procedure to enlarge the LVOT. We hypothesized that patients who undergo a Modified Konno procedure would have a higher rate of LVOT re-intervention compared to the Konno procedure. Patients who underwent a Konno or Modified Konno procedure for LVOTO at a single tertiary care center between 1990 and 2014 were retrospectively reviewed. The primary outcome was LVOT re-intervention post-discharge from index Konno or Modified Konno procedure. Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier estimates were used for time-to-event analysis of LVOT re-interventions, any unplanned re-interventions, and transplant-free survival. The study included 122 patients: 51 (41.8%) in the Konno group and 71 (58.2%) in the Modified Konno group. Median age at surgery was 8.2 (IQR 3–16) years in the Konno group and 3.9 (IQR 1.5–11) years in the Modified Konno group. Multiple left heart lesions were less prevalent in Modified Konno patients. There were 36 (29.5%) patients with LVOT re-interventions: 8 (16%) in the Konno group and 28 (39.4%) in the Modified Konno group (p = 0.01). Transplant-free survival at five years was 87.2% for the Konno group and 93.5% for the Modified Konno group. A higher rate of LVOT re-intervention was found in the Modified Konno group although the Konno and Modified Konno techniques were applied to different patient populations. This finding suggests that careful preoperative decision-making can direct therapy appropriately and that fundamental diagnosis affects procedure choice.
How Much to Invest, If Any, in Precious Metals? A 21st-Century Perspective

Studies that support an investment in precious metals, whether as a defense against severe financial market downturns, as a hedge against inflation, or for price appreciation potential do not offer guidance on the percentage allocation for “buy-and-hold” investors. As a response to this issue, this study applies the Black–Litterman model of modern portfolio theory to well-known index mutual funds—one guided by the classic 60%/40% stock/bond allocation and one based on an all-equity allocation. The period under study is from January 2000–September 2020. Although statistical evidence supporting the efficacy of a precious metal allocation is elusive, the results suggest an average allocation of about 2% for “buy-and-hold” investors who seek one. TOPICS:Commodities, portfolio theory, portfolio construction, performance measurement Key Findings ▪ In the 21st century, the prices of precious metals, such as gold and silver, registered robust runs, recording strong double-digit growth rates from 2000–2012. The years following, however, saw a reversal of fortunes. Such volatility naturally leads to contention about the efficacy of a precious metal allocation in well-diversified balanced and equity portfolios, with views ranging from 0% to 40%. ▪ Applications of the Black–Litterman model of modern portfolio theory to index-based balanced and equity mutual funds to 1-, 3-, 5-, and 10-year forward-looking holding periods reveal, at times, a place for a precious metal allocation. From 2003–2010 and from 2016–3Q2020, for example, the allocations are in the range of 5%–10%. Other periods, however, register little more than 0%. ▪ The statistical evidence supporting a precious metal allocation is elusive. Nonetheless, there is enough evidence supporting the holding of precious metals at times that an allocation of about 2% appears appropriate for buy-and-hold investors who prefer one.
Defining Roles and Responsibilities for School-Based Tele-Facilitators: Intraclass Correlation Coefficient (ICC) Ratings of Proposed Competencies

The primary purpose of this study was to craft and validate a set of core competencies necessary for a tele-facilitator to possess in the school setting. Competencies were created through literature review and qualitative analysis. Following expert review, the competencies were revised and formatted into an online survey which was sent to respondents in four target groups: (a) school administrators who had adopted telepractice as a service delivery model; (b) speech-language pathologists (SLPs) experienced in telepractice within a school setting; (c) current tele-facilitators, and (d) scholars experienced in telepractice. Fifty-seven percent (20 out of 35) of the competencies were rated as “Essential Skills.” The remaining competencies could be more or less important depending on workplace requirements.
The Effects of a Trade Shock on Gender-Specific Labor Market Outcomes in Brazil

Abstract As countries around the world increasingly engage in international trade, labor markets respond, creating both winners and losers. In this paper, I analyze the impact of a trade shock on gender-specific local labor market outcomes in Brazil. I use an instrumental variable approach and population census data for Brazil to estimate the effect of both increased imports from China and increased exports to China on male and female local labor market outcomes from 2000 to 2010. Regions more exposed to imports from China experience slower wage growth in the traded and formal sectors, but the declines are significantly larger for men, particularly in sectors with low shares of female employment. Exports have a positive association with wage growth, but no relationship with employment growth. Import-induced wage declines are coupled with significant employment growth in the formal sector. The gains for women are nearly double those for men, increasing the share of female employment in the formal sector. Chinese imports also increase the female employment to population ratio and decrease male and female unemployment rates. Thus, trade with China induces new workers into the labor market, reduces unemployment, and reallocates labor to the formal sector. These employment gains are strongest for women, signaling reduced employment barriers for females. Further, as employment reallocates to the formal sector, occupation segregation declines, highlighting an additional avenue through which trade can have gendered labor market effects.
Abstract A27: Redefining the role of Notch in acinar to ductal metaplasia

The EGFR and Notch signaling pathways have been widely implicated in relation to both chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma in humans, however the link between the two pathways has remained obscure. Acinar to ductal metaplasia (ADM,) a phenomenon where acinar cells undergo a morphological change and begin expressing markers normally found only in ductal cells while losing markers typical of acinar cells, has been linked to both the Notch and EGFR signaling pathways. ADM is highly proliferative with the potential to develop into pancreatic intraepithelial neoplasia, a precursor lesion to pancreatic cancer. Recently we and others have shown that genetic ablation of EGFR in the pancreas effectively prevents acinar to ductal metaplasia in cerulein model of pancreatitis in mice, and prevents tumorigenesis driven by oncogenic Kras. Additionally, we have found that acinar cells harvested from EGFRf/f;Ptf1aCre/+ mice (EKO) mice are resistant to ADM in vitro upon cerulein treatment, or by the expression of oncogenic Kras. Activation of EGFR by treatment of WT collagen embedded acinar cell explants with the EGFR ligand TGF-α has previously been shown to induce ADM in a manner requiring Notch pathway activation. Furthermore, it has also been demonstrated that expression of Notch2 intracellular domain (N2ICD) is sufficient to induce ADM in WT acinar cells. To directly investigate the relationship of the EGFR, Kras, and Notch signaling pathways in ADM, we examined the effect of Notch signaling in acinar cells harvested from EKO mice. Interestingly, these acinar cells fail to transdifferentiate in vitro upon transduction of N2ICD in 3D culture; however the transdifferentiation event can be rescued by co-expression of oncogenic Kras with N2ICD in acinar cells lacking EGFR. These results indicate that EGFR is important in Notch induced ADM, however there are other pathways that possibly can be utilized by acinar cells expressing oncogenic Kras to drive ADM. Citation Format: Christopher J. Halbrook, Howard C. Crawford. Redefining the role of Notch in acinar to ductal metaplasia. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the AACR Special Conference on Pancreatic Cancer: Innovations in Research and Treatment; May 18-21, 2014; New Orleans, LA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(13 Suppl):Abstract nr A27.
Models and Mechanisms of Attention

Attention has been studied from a variety of different theoretical and scientific perspectives ranging from the examination of cellular mechanisms such as the graded potentials of single neurons to the complex systems encompassing multiple brain regions underlying consciousness. While historically quite a diverse set of behavioral phenomena have been investigated under the rubric of attention and many different methodological approaches employed, there has been considerable convergence of concepts regarding the nature of attention and the processes that underlie it. In the first edition of this book, a theoretical framework was proposed that specified four core elements of attention, each comprised of interrelated component processes [1]. To a large extent, the elements of this model have proven to be consistent with those put forth in other models of attention over the past 2 decades. In this chapter, the elements of this framework are reviewed from the perspective of different scientific approaches to the study of attention, and evidence supporting their validity is discussed. This framework will be revisited and discussed in relationship to other models and theories of attention in Chap. 20.
Student Multi-Ethnicity: The Untapped Health Education Resource

(1989). Student Multi-Ethnicity: The Untapped Health Education Resource. Health Education: Vol. 20, No. 7, pp. 20-22.
Developing Literacy in Second-Language Learners: Report of the National Literacy Panel on Language-Minority Children and Youth

This volume is the most comprehensive review to date of what is known about developing literacy in language-minority children of school age. Its purpose is twofold – to review existing research on ...
Polyomavirus in kidney and kidney-pancreas transplant recipients.

: Purpose. To report the incidence and clinical characteristics of polyomavirus (PV) nephritis in kidney (KTX) and kidney–pancreas transplant (KPTX) recipients. Methods. Single center retrospective analysis of all cases of PV nephritis in KTX and KPTX patients transplanted between 1994 and 1999. Results. Thirteen (5 KTX and 8 KPTX) patients (2.1%) had PV nephritis diagnosed on multiple biopsies (n = 22) among 504 KTX and 106 KPTX recipients. The incidence of PV nephritis was higher in cadaver donor transplants (2.6% cadaver vs. 0.7% living donors), after KPTX (1% KTX vs. 7.5% KPTX), in males (3.3% male vs. 0.7% female), and in diabetic patients (4.4% diabetic vs. 0.8% nondiabetic). The mean time to diagnosis of PV nephritis was 18 (range 6–48) months after KTX and 17 (range 9–31) months after KPTX. Three KTX patients and 5 KPTX patients had calcineurin inhibitor toxicity on biopsy prior to developing PV nephritis. Reduction in immunosuppression occurred in 100% of KTX and 63% of KPTX patients. Three patients (23%) developed rejection within 3 months of diagnosis of PV, 1 after a reduction in immunosuppression. Despite multiple antiviral treatment regimens, renal allograft failure requiring dialysis occurred in 60% of KTX and 50% of KPTX patients. All KPTX patients remain insulin independent and 2 were successfully retransplanted with living donor kidneys. 2 patients (15%) died but there was no mortality directly related to the virus. Conclusions. Polyomavirus nephritis may be increasing in incidence and appears to be unresponsive to either conventional antiviral agents or a reduction in immunosuppression. Most of our cases occurred in male diabetic patients undergoing cadaveric donor transplantation and were preceded by biopsy-proven nephrotoxicity. Further studies are needed to better define the pathogenesis of PV and effective antiviral treatment.
Annual research review: functional somatic symptoms and associated anxiety and depression--developmental psychopathology in pediatric practice.

Background: Medically unexplained physical symptoms, commonly referred to as functional somatic symptoms (FSS), are common in pediatric medical settings and associated with suffering, impairment, and medical help seeking. The association of pediatric FSS with anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders across the life span is reviewed. Method: Review and critique of controlled studies examining cross-sectional and longitudinal associations of FSS with anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders in community-based and clinical samples of children and adolescents. Results: FSS are consistently associated cross-sectionally with anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders in childhood and adolescence, and the likelihood of associated anxiety and depression increases with the number of reported FSS. The presence of one or more FSS early in life is associated with an increased likelihood of multiple FSS and anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders later in life, and anxiety and depressive symptoms and disorders in childhood are associated with subsequent multiple FSS. Conclusion: Strong associations between FSS, anxiety, and depression across the life span suggest the need to reconsider existing nosology and reconceptualize symptomatic relationships. Large, population-based longitudinal studies of FSS, anxiety, and depressive symptoms and disorders are needed to establish temporal relationships between the various symptoms and conditions.
Intense Coherent THz Pulse Generation by Two-Color Photoionization in Air

Intense coherent terahertz radiation via two-color photoionization in air is examined experimentally and interpreted as a photocurrent effect by the symmetry-broken laser field. THz power scalability is also tested experimentally.
The absence of normal serum proteins in lymphoma patients revealed by disc electrophoresis.

La methode d'electrophorese en gel avec coloration speciale est utilisee ici pour la comparaison des proteines seriques de 97 malades porteurs de neoplasme avec celles de 33 contrOles normaux. Deux bandes, presentes dans tous les contrOles representant aux moins deux differentes proteines avec une mobilite d'α-2-globuline, sont absentes dans 60 serums de malades.
Integrins Enhance Platelet-derived Growth Factor (PDGF)-dependent Responses by Altering the Signal Relay Enzymes That Are Recruited to the PDGF β Receptor

Since the extracellular matrix (ECM) can promote platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-dependent responses, we hypothesized that the ECM mediates this effect by preventing the PDGF β receptor (βPDGFR) from associating with the negative regulator, RasGAP (the GTPase-activating protein of Ras). We found that binding of RasGAP to the wild-type βPDGFR was decreased; the activation of Ras and Erk was enhanced, and [3H]thymidine uptake was better in cells cultured on fibronectin than in cells cultured on polylysine. To investigate the mechanism by which culturing cells on fibronectin diminished the recruitment of RasGAP to the βPDGFR, we focused on SHP-2 since it dephosphorylates the βPDGFR at the phosphotyrosine required for binding of RasGAP. Culturing cells on fibronectin increased the amount of SHP-2 that associated with the βPDGFR. Furthermore, cells expressing receptor mutants that failed to associate with SHP-2 were insensitive to fibronectin. The ECM enhances PDGF-dependent responses by increasing the association of SHP-2 with the βPDGFR, which in turn decreases the time that RasGAP interacts with the receptor. Thus, fibronectin changes PDGF-dependent signaling and biological responses by altering the signal relay enzymes that are recruited to the receptor.
Reply to Gao's “On Uffink's criticism of protective measurements”

Abstract Gao (this issue) presents a critical reconsideration of a paper I wrote ( Uffink, 1999 ) on the subject of protective measurement. Here, I take the occasion to reply to his objections. In particular, I retract my previous claim to have proven that in a protective measurement, the observable being measured on a system must commute with the system's Hamiltonian. However, I do maintain the viability of the interpretation I offered for protective measurements, as well as my analysis of a thought experiment proposed by Aharonov, Anandan and Vaidman against Gao's objections.
Evaluation of a remnant lake sturgeon population's utility as a source for reintroductions in the Ohio River system

The selection of an appropriate source population may be crucial to the long-term success of reintroduction programs. Appropriate source populations often are those that originate from the same genetic lineage as native populations. However, source populations also should exhibit high levels of genetic diversity to maximize their capacity to adapt to variable environmental conditions. Finally, it is preferable if source populations are genetically representative of historical lineages with little or no contamination from non-native or domesticated stocks. Here, we use nuclear (microsatellite) and cytoplasmic (mitochondrial control region) markers to assess the genetic suitability of a potential source population inhabiting the White River in Indiana: the last extant lake sturgeon population in the Ohio River drainage. The White River population exhibited slightly lower levels of genetic diversity than other lake sturgeon populations. However, the population’s two private microsatellite alleles and three private haplotypes suggest a unique evolutionary trajectory. Population assignment tests revealed only two putative migrants in the White River, indicating the population has almost completely maintained its genetic integrity. Additionally, pairwise F ST estimates indicated significant levels of genetic divergence between the White River and seven additional lake sturgeon populations, suggesting its genetic distinctiveness. These data indicate that the White River population may be the most suitable source population for future lake sturgeon reintroductions throughout the Ohio River drainage. Furthermore, the White River population appears to be a reservoir of unique genetic information and reintroduction may be a necessary strategy to ensure the persistence of this important genetic lineage.
A Report of Gender and Professional Age of the Marketing Professorate

In recent years, females are comprising a larger portion of faculty members entering the academic marketing profession than in the past. This academic trend is similar to the trend in the business sector, where a previously male-dominated workforce is being replaced by one of more equity. This study provides demographic information on rank, experience, doctoral training, and representation on prestigious scholarly marketing journals' editorial review boards of the men and women who currently comprise the marketing professorate. Although more than one-third of the marketing doctorates in the 1990s have been granted to women, they comprise less than 20% of the total U.S. marketing faculties.
On the design of an intelligent micro-based DSS for line balancing

Abstract The emergence of decision support systems, artificial intelligence, and microcomputers in the information systems area provides us with some new insights for the design and operation of productive systems. In this paper, the authors illustrate how an intelligent microcomputer-based decision support system (DSS) was developed to solve line balancing problems. The conceptual framework, technical issues, and minute details for effectively designing such a system are addressed. Directions for future research are also discussed.
Incentives to adopt irrigation water saving measures for wetlands preservation: An integrated basin scale analysis

Summary Preserving natural wetlands is a growing challenge as the world faces increased demand for water. Drought, climate change and growing demands by users aggravate the issue. The conflict between irrigated agriculture and wetland services presents a classic case of competition. This paper examines an institutional mechanism that offers an incentive to farmers to adopt water conservation measures, which in turn could reduce overall water use in irrigated agriculture within a selected basin. Reduced water demands could provide the additional water needed for wetland preservation. We present an analytical empirical model implemented through the development of an integrated basin framework, in which least-cost measures for securing environmental flows to sustain wetlands are examined for the Zayandeh-Rud River Basin of central Iran. To test this idea, two policies – one with and one without an incentive – are analyzed: (a) reduced agricultural diversions without a water conservation subsidy, and (b) reduced agricultural diversions with a water conservation subsidy. The policies are evaluated against a background of two alternative water supply scenarios over a 10-year period. Results reveal that a water conservation subsidy can provide incentives for farmers to shift out of flood irrigation and bring more land into production by adopting water-saving irrigation technologies. The policy increases crop yields, raises profitability of farming, and increases the shadow price of water. Although the conservation subsidy policy incurs a financial cost to the taxpayer, it could be politically and economically attractive for both irrigators and environmental stakeholders. Results open the door for further examination of policy measures to preserve wetlands.
The trouble with trafficking: Conceptualizing women's sexual labor and economic human rights

The “trafficking debates” have divided radical and sex work feminists who disagree on the relation of trafficking to prostitution and the best ways to advocate for women in the international sex trade. I analyze the ways that paid sexual labor has been conceptualized in the debates, suggesting that women's economic rights have either been ignored or too narrowly defined, and I argue for the incorporation of a critical analysis of women's rights and security under globalization. Feminist scholars, especially those in the social sciences, can contribute by developing a political economy of the international sex trade that explicitly analyzes gender, class, racial/ethnic and national inequalities in comparative and global contexts. Such an approach could help reorient the trafficking debates and focus attention on the intersecting inequalities that facilitate and are reinforced by the international sex trade.
Evidence for the Reducibility of Multifragment Emission to an Elementary Binary Emission in Xe-Induced Reactions

Abstract Multifragmentation for 129Xe-induced reactions on several targets (natCu, 89Y, 165Ho, 197Au) has been studied at E A = 40, 50 and 60 MeV . The probability of emitting n intermediate mass fragments is shown to be binomial at each transversal energy and reducible to an elementary binary probability p. For each target and at each bombarding energy, p shows a thermal behavior as demonstrated by linear Arrhenius plots. A nearly universal linear Arrhenius plot is observed at each bombarding energy, independent of target. The sensitivity of p to the Zthreshold points to its physical significance and rules out auto-correlation effects.
Joint eQTL assessment of whole blood and dura mater tissue from individuals with Chiari type I malformation

Expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) play an important role in the regulation of gene expression. Gene expression levels and eQTLs are expected to vary from tissue to tissue, and therefore multi-tissue analyses are necessary to fully understand complex genetic conditions in humans. Dura mater tissue likely interacts with cranial bone growth and thus may play a role in the etiology of Chiari Type I Malformation (CMI) and related conditions, but it is often inaccessible and its gene expression has not been well studied. A genetic basis to CMI has been established; however, the specific genetic risk factors are not well characterized. We present an assessment of eQTLs for whole blood and dura mater tissue from individuals with CMI. A joint-tissue analysis identified 239 eQTLs in either dura or blood, with 79% of these eQTLs shared by both tissues. Several identified eQTLs were novel and these implicate genes involved in bone development (IPO8, XYLT1, and PRKAR1A), and ribosomal pathways related to marrow and bone dysfunction, as potential candidates in the development of CMI. Despite strong overall heterogeneity in expression levels between blood and dura, the majority of cis-eQTLs are shared by both tissues. The power to detect shared eQTLs was improved by using an integrative statistical approach. The identified tissue-specific and shared eQTLs provide new insight into the genetic basis for CMI and related conditions.
EPIGENOME MAPPING IN DEVELOPING AND DISEASED PREFRONTAL CORTEX

In schizophrenia, GAD1 disturbances are robust, replicable and represent a core feature of the disease, making it a leading candidate for developing transgenic animal models that mimic the disease phenotype. However, GAD1 downregulation in the prefrontal cortex is not uniform across all the interneuronal subpopulations: parvalbumin(PARV), somatostatin(SST) and NPY-containing neurons appear to be preferentially affected in a complex pattern. Importantly, neuropeptide Y (NPY), a phenotypic marker of a subpopulation of GAD1-containing interneurons, has shown reduced expression in the PFC in subjects with schizophrenia, suggesting that dysfunction of the NPY+ cortical interneuronal subpopulation might be also a core feature of this devastating disorder. To mimic these postmortem findings, we generated a transgenic mouse in which we down-regulated GAD1 mRNA expression specifically in NPY+ neurons. This novel, cell type-specific in vivo system for regulation of gene expression utilizes a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) containing the NPY promoter-enhancer elements, the reporter molecule (eGFP), and a modified intron containing a synthetic miRNA targeted to GAD1. Furthermore, due to incorporation of an eGFP coding sequence, the targeted cells are identifiable in both live and fixed tissue. The advantages of this in vivo gene silencing system are numerous, and include cell-type specific downregulation of transcripts, visualization of the targeted cells by eGFP, low cost and rapid generation and monoallelic inheritance. Finally, due to the small size of the silencing miRNAs, this method may allow targeting of specific splice-variants, generating splice-variant specific knockdown animals. Combined analysis of the NPY-, PV-, CCK-, and SST-BAC driven, GAD1 miRNA silenced mice (which are currently in production in our laboratory) will greatly contribute to our understanding the mechanisms by which different interneuronal subpopulations mediate cortical inhibition, working memory and cognition. Finally, this knowledge will help us understand the relationship between the cell-type specific GABA-ergic disturbances and the phenotypic manifestations of schizophrenia.
Effect of papaverine on regional cerebral blood flow and small vessel blood content

The effect of intravenous infusion of papaverine HCl, (2.0-2.5 mg/kg) on regional cerebral blood flow and small vessel blood content in anesthetized rats was determined. Cerebral blood flow was measured in the cerebral cortex, diencephalon plus midbrain, cerebellum, pons and medulla by means of the uptake of iodo[14C]antipyrine. Small vessel blood content was determined by labelling the plasma siderophilin with 59FeCl3. Cerebral blood flow showed interregional variation under control conditions. Papaverine increased flow in all regions, but the effect was greater in the hind compared to the forebrain. Papaverine did not significantly alter small vessel blood content or calculated open capillary density, indicating it had no functional effect upon cerebral precapillary sphincters, and therefore only affected cerebral arterioles.
'The internet is here': emergent coordination and innovation of protest forms in digital culture

The series of protests against the Church of Scientology known as "Project Chanology" marks the emergence of an important form of contemporary protest movement defined by networked internal structures and pervasive memetic culture. Such a protest movement is highly dynamic- rapidly adapting to changing challenges and contextual settings. This cultural innovation is made possible by the increasing digital mediation of social life. In the following analysis, we trace the unique structural contours of Chanology, investigate how participants leveraged a unique internal structure and the memetic environment of the internet to grow, and conclude with an explanation of why the novel modes of protest used in Chanology contributed to its success and why these forms of protest are likely to proliferate in an increasingly digitally mediated environment. From a theoretical standpoint, Project Chanology both affirms and challenges conventional conceptions of social movements. The utility of Chwe's network analytical approach to the problems of coordination in social movements is also demonstrated.
Field evidence for hydraulic jumps in subaqueous sediment gravity flows

Despite the significance of subaerial and subaqueous sediment-laden gravity flows as geological and geomorphic agents1–5, our understanding of such transport and depositional processes is limited. In particular, there is little known about the mechanisms involved in the conversion of higher-density subaqueous debris flows into lower-density turbidity currents. To address this issue, a detailed field study of this conversion process was undertaken on flows and their deposits within a reservoir. The results presented here provide field evidence indicating the occurrence of hydraulic jumps as a conversion mechanism in such flows, and the deposition of large quantities of sediment in the immediate down-jump area. The findings are significant both in terms of basic geological processes as well as in applications to problems of reservoir management in areas with high sediment inputs.
Increased risk of overall and cardiovascular mortality after radical nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma 2 cm or less.

Purpose: We used a large, population based registry to assess whether a difference in overall and cardiovascular survival may exist between radical nephrectomy and partial nephrectomy for renal cell carcinoma 2 cm or less.Materials and Methods: From the SEER (Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results) registry we identified 4,216 patients with histologically confirmed renal cell carcinoma 2 cm or less who were treated with partial or radical nephrectomy. Patient and tumor characteristics were compared between the 2 patient groups. Multivariate logistic regression was done to predict the odds of undergoing radical nephrectomy. Cardiovascular survival and overall survival were compared between the 2 cohorts, adjusting for patient and tumor characteristics.Results: Overall 2,301 patients (55%) underwent partial nephrectomy. Partial nephrectomy use steadily increased during the study period from 27% of all cases in 1998 to 66% in 2007. Patients who underwent partial nephrectomy were an average of 2.5 years y...
Changes in serum lipids and urinary ketosteroids during oral and intramuscular administration of androsterone.

Androsterone administered orally to 13 men with coronary heart disease in a dosage of 100 mg. daily for one month had practically no clinical or serum lipidshifting effects. In contrast, androsterone given intramuscularly to 8 men in a dosage of 50 mg. daily for one to four weeks resulted in a significant decrease in the levels of serum triglycerides and phospholipids, as well as total cholesterol, reflecting a reduction in the β-lipoprotein fraction. Despite this decrease, the frequency of local and systemic side-effects renders this compound unsuitable for routine clinical use. Androsterone was excreted in the urine chiefly as the glucuronide, and a small amount of isoandrosterone was also isolated.
Heartmate vented-electric left ventricular assist system: technique for intrathoracic or intraperitoneal implantation via a left thoracotomy

The HeartMate vented-electric left ventricular assist system (Thoratec Corp., Woburn, MA) has become widely accepted as a temporary bridge to transplantation. We describe a left thoracotomy technique in 3 patients for implanting this pump intrathoracically or intraperitoneally. In all 3 cases, long-term pump function was satisfactory. For HeartMate implantation, the left thoracotomy approach may be particularly useful when previous median sternotomies, coupled with the severe debilitation posed by chronic heart failure and hepatic dysfunction with resultant coagulopathy, would greatly increase the mortality and morbidity of a redo median sternotomy.
Epidemiology of Secondary Hypertension in Children

Secondary hypertension is more common in children compared with adults who predominantly have primary hypertension. Young age, severe hypertension, family history, and signs and symptoms of syndromes associated with hypertension are suggestive of an underlying secondary cause for elevated BP. Secondary hypertension is associated with more severe elevation in BP and, hence, early and prompt diagnosis with treatment addressing the underlying cause is needed for such patients. Renal conditions are the commonest cause of secondary hypertension in children and include chronic kidney injury, acute nephritic syndromes, renal artery stenosis, and renal scarring. Hypertension is also seen in association with Williams syndrome, neurofibromatosis, and others in association with renal vessel abnormalities. Iatrogenic steroid use for various conditions is one of the most common causes for hypertension in children. Other endocrine conditions associated with hypertension include catecholamine producing tumors (pheochromocytoma), corticoid hormone disorders (Cushing’s syndrome and disease, hyperaldosteronisn, congenital adrenal hyperplasia), and hyperthyroidism. Genetic forms of hypertension are rare but should be suspected in patients with early onset of elevated BP, young family members with hypertension and associated electrolyte abnormalities of alkalosis and hypokalemia.
Discerning Strain Effects in Microbial Dose-Response Data

In order to estimate the risk or probability of adverse events in risk assessment, it is necessary to identify the important variables that contribute to the risk and provide descriptions of distributions of these variables for well-defined populations. One component of modeling dose response that can create uncertainty is the inherent genetic variability among pathogenic bacteria. For many microbial risk assessments, the "default" assumption used for dose response does not account for strain or serotype variability in pathogenicity and virulence, other than perhaps, recognizing the existence of avirulent strains. However, an examination of data sets from human clinical trials in which Salmonella spp. and Campylobacter jejuni strains were administered reveals significant strain differences. This article discusses the evidence for strain variability and concludes that more biologically based alternatives are necessary to replace the default assumptions commonly used in microbial risk assessment, specifically regarding strain variability.
Studies on infants with type II respiratory distress syndrome.

A group of infants is described who seem to share clinical, biochemical, and physiologic similarities. The are prematurely born, but usually late in gestation, and frequently have a history of heavy maternal sedation or are delivered by cesarean section. Mild depression is often present at birth, and respiratory symptoms of grunting, chest-wall retraction, tachypnea, and flaring of the alae nasae appear soon after birth. The chest radiograph typically shows heavy central bronchovascular markings and overdistention of peripheral lung fields. These infants can be hyperoxygenated in 100 per cent oxygen throughout the course of their disease. There is early evidence of mildly to moderately severe combined metabolic and respiratory acidosis. They are normotensive for their size, and no significant shunting can be demonstrated through either the foramen ovale or the ductus arteriosus. Left ventricular output is within the normal range for size. The radiologic and physiologic findings usually permit differentiation from clinical hyaline membrane disease. Symptoms of respiratory distress subside gradually over the first 3 to 7 days of life, and residual pulmonary symptoms or radiologic abnormalities are absent. Subsequent motor and mental development are within normal limits.
Reliability of Time‐Temperature Indicators as Food Quality Monitors Under Nonisothermal Conditions

Application of time temperature indicators (TTI) is based on response information or kinetic models from isothermal testing. The reliability of such models under variable temperature conditions was systematically studied. Nonisothermal experiments of two types were conducted involving prolonged exposures to high temperatures followed by storage at low temperatures to study the “history effect,” and storage at controlled, sinusoidaly varying temperatures. Three major types of commercial TTI were studied. Results showed that, although some types of TTI exhibit a significant “history effect,” the prediction models can be applied satisfactorily for the variable temperature storage.
Enhanced encoding of nonverbal cues in bipolar illness in males.

ABSTRACT Twenty-five affectively bipolar males were found to possess an enhanced ability to encode nonverbal cues when compared to matched controls. This ability was present during both manic and euthymic phases.