cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Dual lineage tracing shows that glomerular parietal epithelial cells can transdifferentiate toward the adult podocyte fate.

Podocytes are differentiated post-mitotic cells that cannot replace themselves after injury. Glomerular parietal epithelial cells are proposed to be podocyte progenitors. To test whether a subset of parietal epithelial cells transdifferentiate to a podocyte fate, dual reporter PEC-rtTA|LC1|tdTomato|Nphs1-FLPo|FRT-EGFP mice, named PEC-PODO, were generated. Doxycycline administration permanently labeled parietal epithelial cells with tdTomato reporter (red), and upon doxycycline removal, the parietal epithelial cells (PECs) cannot label further. Despite the presence or absence of doxycycline, podocytes cannot label with tdTomato, but are constitutively labeled with an enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) reporter (green). Only activation of the Nphs1-FLPo transgene by labeled parietal epithelial cells can generate a yellow color. At day 28 of experimental focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, podocyte density was 20% lower in 20% of glomeruli. At day 56 of experimental focal segmental glomerulosclerosis, podocyte density was 18% lower in 17% of glomeruli. TdTomato+ parietal epithelial cells were restricted to Bowman's capsule in healthy mice. However, by days 28 and 56 of experimental disease, two-thirds of tdTomato+ parietal epithelial cells within glomerular tufts were yellow in color. These cells co-expressed the podocyte markers podocin, nephrin, p57 and VEGF164, but not markers of endothelial (ERG) or mesangial (Perlecan) cells. Expansion microscopy showed primary, secondary and minor processes in tdTomato+EGFP+ cells in glomerular tufts. Thus, our studies provide strong evidence that parietal epithelial cells serve as a source of new podocytes in adult mice.
Positivistic philosophy and the actual approach of interpretative social science : An ineditum of Alfred Schutz from Spring 1953

Publication d'un manuscrit inedit d'A. Schutz qui constitue la premiere version et le texte integral de son article sur «La formation du concept et de la theorie dans les sciences sociales» publie en 1954 dans la revue «Journal of philosophy». Reconsiderant les positions de Schutz sur le behaviorisme, le role de la communication dans la constitution du monde social, la philosophie positiviste et la sociologie structurelle fonctionnaliste, le texte critique la methodologie de M. Weber et des representants des sciences sociales modernes, telle que l'ecole allemande neo-kantienne. Partageant certaines positions d'E. Nagel et C. G. Hempel, Schutz revisite le panorama contemporain des sciences naturelles, de la socialisation de la connaissance, de l'economie et des relations humaines
Paths to Partnering

Successful collaboration between any two entities takes a lot of work, and understanding the context and constraints within which each entity is working. In this highly interactive panel, conference attendees will join the conversation and learning experience led by a moderator and panelists who have years of experience collaborating. Hear their -- and share your -- successes and failures in collaborating with industry and academia.
Protein Vaccination Directs the CD4 + T Cell Response toward Shared Protective Epitopes That Can Be Recalled after Influenza Virus Infection.

Vaccination is widely used to generate protective immunity against influenza virus. CD4+ T cells contribute in diverse ways to protective immunity, most notably, in the provision of help for the production of neutralizing antibodies. Several recent reports have suggested that influenza virus infection elicits CD4+ T cells whose specificity only partially overlaps that of T cells elicited by vaccination. This finding has raised serious concerns regarding the utility of currently licensed inactivated influenza virus vaccines and novel protein-based vaccines. Here, using controlled animal models that allowed a broad sampling of the CD4+ T cell repertoire, we evaluated protein vaccine- versus infection-generated CD4+ T cell epitopes. Our studies revealed that all the infection-elicited CD4+ T cell epitope specificities are also elicited by protein vaccination, although the immunodominance hierarchies can differ. Finally, using a reverse-engineered influenza virus and a heterologous protein vaccination and infection challenge strategy, we show that protein vaccine-elicited CD4+ memory T cells are recalled and boosted after infection and provide early help to accelerate hemagglutinin (HA)-specific antibody responses. The early CD4+ T cell response and HA-specific antibody production are associated with lowered viral titers during the infection challenge. Our data lend confidence to the ability of current protein-based vaccines to elicit influenza virus-specific CD4+ T cells that can potentiate protective immunity upon influenza virus infection.IMPORTANCE Most current and new influenza vaccine candidates consist of a single influenza virus protein or combinations of influenza virus proteins. For these vaccines to elicit CD4+ T cells that can be recalled after infection, the peptide epitopes should be shared between the two modes of confrontation. Recently, questions regarding the relatedness of epitope selection by influenza virus infection and protein vaccination have been raised. However, the studies reported here show that the specificity of CD4+ T cells elicited by protein-based vaccines overlaps that of T cells elicited by infection and that CD4+ T cells primed by protein vaccines are recalled and contribute to protection of the host from a future infection.
Laparoscopic Right Colectomy for Malignant Disease

Laparoscopic right hemicolectomy for malignant disease is a safe and effective approach to achieve an adequate oncologic outcome and decrease perioperative complications. Data from studies comparing open and laparoscopic surgery are presented and compared. Appropriate patient selection and preparation are important in attaining these goals. Experience in open oncologic technique and advanced laparoscopy are mandatory to master difficulties which may occur especially in right hemicolectomy with its multiple anatomic vascular variations. Modifications to the operative technique can facilitate challenging dissections, but the oncologic principles must be followed which comprise complete mesocolic excision and high vascular tie and removal of the specimen with preserved surfaces and no tears or defects. A medial-to-lateral approach is recommended but a primarily lateral mobilization is also feasible. A standardized stepwise approach is presented and illustrated which should facilitate the procedure, improve outcomes and avoid complications. The most frequently reported complication is bleeding which may be harzardous if central vessels like the superior mesenteric vein or artery are affected. By choosing appropriate dissection instruments and carefully handling dissection planes and mesenteric tissue in general, complications will be minimized and the advantages of a laparoscopic approach will be fully accomplished.
A novel 18F-labeled kappa opioid receptor antagonist as PET radiotracer: Synthesis and in vivo Evaluation

159 Objectives The kappa opioid receptor (KOR) is implicated in depression, addictions, and other CNS disorders and thus an important target for drug development and investigation. We have previously developed a number of 11C-labeled PET radiotracers for KOR imaging in humans 1-3. Here we report the synthesis of 18F-LY2459989 as the first 18F-labeled KOR antagonist radiotracer and its evaluation in non-human primates. Methods The novel radioligand 18F-LY2459989 was synthesized by 18F-displacement of an iodonium ylide. PET scans in rhesus monkeys were conducted on a Focus-220 scanner to assess the ligand’s pharmacokinetics and in vivo binding properties. Metabolite-corrected arterial activity curves were measured and used as input functions in the analysis of brain time-activity curves and calculation of binding parameters with kinetic models. Comparison of 18F-LY2459989 with its 11C-labeled counterpart was also performed. Results Using a recently developed iodonium ylide as radiolabeling precursor, 18F-LY2459989 was prepared in high radiochemical yield (30 - 43 %), high radiochemical purity (> 99 %), and excellent specific activity (mean of 42.9 mCi/nmol, n = 3). In monkeys 18F-LY2459989 metabolized fairly quickly, with ~ 26 % of parent fraction at 30 min post-injection. Fast and reversible kinetics was observed in the brain, with regional peak uptake time of insula > caudate/putamen > frontal cortex > temporal cortex > thalamus, which is consistent with the reported KOR distribution in primate brains. In comparison with 11C-LY2459989, regional BPND values were slightly higher for 18F-LY2459989. Figure 1. Time-activity curves of a baseline scan of 18F-LY2459989, a corresponding blocking scan with LY2456302 (0.1 mg/kg) and a baseline scan of 11C-LY2459989 (top: from left to right), along with structure of both tracers. And BPND of both 18F and 11C-LY2459989 baseline scans (n = 3) derived with MA1 kinetic model. Conclusions 18F-LY2459989, as the first ever 18F-labeled KOR antagonist radiotracer, is synthesized in high specific activity and good radiochemical yield. In rhesus monkeys it demonstrated many attractive imaging properties: fast tissue kinetics, binding specificity and selectivity to KOR, and high specific binding signals. In summary, 18F-LY2459989 appears to be an excellent PET radiotracer for imaging and quantification of KOR in vivo, and thus further evaluation in humans is warranted. Research Support: NIH grants R21MH092664 & R33MH092664 1. Naganawa M, Jacobsen LK, Zheng MQ, et al. Neuroimage. 2014;99:69-79 . 2. Zheng MQ, Kim SJ, Holden D, et al. J Nucl Med. 2014;55:1185-1191. 3. Naganawa M, Zheng MQ, Henry S, et al. J Nucl Med. 2015;56:243-248.
Schwannoma of the breast.

ABSTRACT:Schwannoma arising within breast parenchyma is rare. We report such a case in a 50-year-old woman. The tumor, which measured 7 mm, is the smallest and the only mammographically detected schwannoma of the breast thus far reported. Clinicians should be aware that this benign tumor of breast m
Magnetic oscillation modes in square-lattice artificial spin ice

Small amplitude dipolar oscillations are considered in artificial spin ice on a square lattice in two dimensions. The net magnetic moment of each elongated magnetic island in the spin ice is assumed to have Heisenberg-like dynamics and be influenced by shape anisotropies and nearest neighbor dipole interactions. The magnetic dynamics linearized around a ground state with four sublattices leads to an eigenvalue problem with four branches of magnetic spin wave modes. An energy analysis of the dipole motions enables an analytic solution while showing that the lowest frequency modes are antisymmetric with regard to their in-plane dynamic fluctuations in each four-island vertex. Although only the leading dipolar interactions are included, modes similar to these may be observable experimentally in artificial square spin ice.
Effect of flax fiber orientation on machining behavior and surface finish of natural fiber reinforced polymer composites

Abstract Manufacturing processes of natural fiber reinforced polymer (NFRP) composites are becoming the interest of industrials and scientists because these eco-friendly materials are emerging in automotive and aerospace industries. In this context, machining processes of NFRP composites present significant issues related to the complex structure of natural fibers that need thorough tribological studies. This paper aims to explore the effect of natural fiber orientation on the machinability of NFRP composites using Merchant model in order to separate the shearing energy from the friction energy. Orthogonal cutting process is conducted on unidirectional flax fibers reinforced polypropylene composites by changing the fiber orientation from 0° to 90° with respect to the cutting direction. Iosipescu shear tests are also performed to determine the mechanical shear behavior in function of the fiber orientation. Results show the applicability of Merchant model on the machining analysis of NFRP composites by verifying the main model assumptions. The fiber orientation affects significantly the shearing and the friction energies that control the cutting behavior and the chip formation of the NFRP composite. The resulted machined surfaces are hence intimately related to the natural fiber orientation.
The interaction between sleep disturbances and anxiety sensitivity in relation to adolescent anger responses to parent adolescent conflict

Abstract Introduction Sleep disturbances are common among adolescents and are associated with elevated anxiety, and difficulties managing affect. Familial conflict is associated with both anxiety sensitivity and adolescent sleep disturbances. No work to date has examined how adolescent sleep disturbances may interact with anxiety sensitivity in relation to adolescent affective responding to parent-adolescent conflict. The current study was designed to address this gap in the literature by examining how adolescent sleep disturbances, anxiety sensitivity, conflict elicited anger, and conflict avoidance are associated. Method Seventy-two American adolescents (n = 39 males) between the ages of 12 and 16 years (Mage = 13.84, SD = 1.38) completed a baseline assessment as well as a well-validated mother-adolescent laboratory-based conflict task. Results For youth low in anxiety sensitivity, greater sleep disturbance related positively to conflict-elicited anger, which in turn predicted higher conflict avoidance. In contrast, this indirect effect was not significant for adolescents relatively higher in anxiety sensitivity. Instead, for these adolescents, increased sleep disturbances were associated with lower levels of conflict elicited anger. Conclusions Results suggest that the effects of sleep disturbances on conflict elicited anger may vary as a function of adolescent anxiety vulnerability. These findings highlight the importance of considering the unique effects of sleep disturbances on adolescent affect as a function of adolescent anxiety vulnerability.
Association of resident characteristics with patterns of patient self-assignment.

Abstract Objective We hypothesized that resident characteristics impact patterns of patient self-assignment in the emergency department (ED). Our goal was to determine if male residents would be less likely than their female colleagues to see patients with sensitive (e.g. breast-related or gynecologic) chief complaints (CCs). We also investigated whether resident specialty was associated with preferentially choosing patients with more familiar chief complaints. Methods We performed a retrospective cross-sectional study at a tertiary academic medical center using data from all adult patients presenting to the ED between 2010 and 2019 with one of six CC categories (vaginal bleeding, breast-related concerns, male genitourinary [GU] concerns, gastrointestinal bleeding, epistaxis, and laceration). These CCs were chosen as they each require either an invasive medical exam or procedure, and cannot easily be evaluated with an exam in a hallway bed. We used logistic regression to assess the likelihood of being treated by a male resident compared to a female resident for each CC, adjusting for candidate variables of patient age, race, primary language, ESI score, bed location, time of day, day of week, calendar month, and resident specialty. We also similarly analyzed patterns of patient self-assignment according to resident specialty. Results Male residents were significantly less likely than female residents to treat patients with breast-related CCs (adjusted OR 0.67, 95% CI 0.54–0.83, p Conclusion In a single facility, resident characteristics were associated with preferential patient self-assignment. Further work is necessary to determine the underlying reasons for patient avoidance, and to create work environments in which preferentially choosing patients is discouraged.
Majority World Theologies

With the shift of the center of gravity of Christianity to the Majority World comes a corresponding rise of new global theologies. These theologies need to be taken seriously as relevant to many co...
A Load-independent Domino IPT System with π-type Compensation Network

This paper proposes a domino inductive power transfer (IPT) system with multiple outputs. There are two major contributions. First, a π-type compensation network is applied to achieve a load-independent feature and constant voltage output (CV). Moreover, the influence of parasitic resistances on the output voltages and system efficiency is analyzed. Second, a PCB-based repeater system without ferrite is designed, decreasing the cost and weight of the IPT system. Furthermore, a composite application of the unipolar coil and bipolar DD coils could vanish unnecessary cross-couplings. To verify this proposed topology, a PCB-based prototype with one input and five outputs is implemented. The size of the receiver and transmitter is 200 mm×200 mm. The transfer distance between adjacent outputs is 40 mm, and the switching frequency is 1 MHz. The output voltage is around 20 V when the input dc voltage is 24 V and the load resistance varies from 50 Ω to 170 Ω. The maximum efficiency of the prototype reaches 60%, showing that the proposed system could be used in practical applications.
Cardiac Tissue Engineering for the Treatment of Heart Failure Post-Infarction

Cell-based therapy has become an attractive solution to the high incidence of heart failure post-infarction. Many current approaches to cell delivery post-infarction result in poor cell engraftment resulting in limited functional benefits. Thus, the use of engineered tissues to deliver cells to the injured myocardium or replace myocardium post infarction has been a topic of increasing interest. Tissue engineering provides a platform for the delivery of a large number of cells to the injured myocardium with high retention, allowing for in vitro development of cellular organization, intracellular communication and ECM deposition. This chapter will discuss the currently used methods to create engineered cardiac tissues, including scaffolds, cells, and cellular conditioning. This chapter will also review the efficacy of these patches in limiting left ventricular remodeling post-infarction in vivo.
GaAs BIJFET technology for linear circuits

BIJFET (bipolar junction FET) technology that integrates p-channel JFETs and n-p-n HBTs (heterojunction bipolar transistors) has been developed. The devices are fabricated using epi overgrowth of an AlGaAs layer onto a GaAs layer, which simultaneously results in the emitter on the base for the n-p-n and the gate on the channel for the PJFET. The individual HBTs and PJFETs showed better stability over a wide temperature range than comparable Si devices. A prototype op amp was designed to demonstrate the capability of the BIJFET process. A measured open-loop gain of 50 dB and an open-loop gain bandwidth product of 3.6 GHz compare favorably with those of Si monolithic BIJFET op amps. >
An anatomic classification of rectovaginal septal defects

A classification of anatomic defects of the rectovaginal septum secondary to obstetric and/or surgical trauma is presented. Five distinct types are described on the basis of the location of the fistula and the associated anatomic alteration. A review of 57 patients based on this classification showed its applicability to preoperative management and surgical technique utilized.
Ultrasonic time synchronization and ranging on smartphones

In this paper, we present the design and evaluation of a platform that can be used for time synchronization and indoor positioning of mobile devices. The platform uses the Time-Difference-Of-Arrival (TDOA) of multiple ultrasonic chirps broadcast from a network of beacons placed throughout the environment to find an initial location as well as synchronize a receiver’s clock with the infrastructure. These chirps encode identification data and ranging information that can be used to compute the receiver’s location. Once the clocks have been synchronized, the system can continue performing localization directly using Time-of-Flight (TOF) ranging as opposed to TDOA. This provides similar position accuracy with fewer beacons (for tens of minutes) until the mobile device clock drifts enough that a TDOA signal is once again required. Our hardware platform uses RF-based time synchronization to distribute clock synchronization from a subset of infrastructure beacons connected to a GPS source. Mobile devices use a novel time synchronization technique leverages the continuously free-running audio sampling subsystem of a smartphone to synchronize with global time. Once synchronized, each device can determine an accurate proximity from as little as one beacon using TOF measurements. This significantly decreases the number of beacons required to cover an indoor space and improves performance in the face of obstructions. We show through experiments that this approach outperforms the Network Time Protocol (NTP) on smartphones by an order of magnitude, providing an average 720μs synchronization accuracy with clock drift rates as low as 2ppm.
Glenoid notch MRI findings do not predict normal variants of the anterior and superior labrum.

Aim To determine (1) the relationship of a glenoid notch to the presence of a normal labral variant in the anterior–superior glenoid labrum; (2) the inter- and intra-observer reliability of recognising a glenoid notch; and (3) whether magnetic resonance arthrography (MRA) is more reliable than non-contrast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in visualising a glenoid notch. Materials and methods From 1995 through 2010, 104 patients underwent MRI or MRA before diagnostic shoulder arthroscopy by the senior author. Five blinded musculoskeletal radiologists independently read the images twice to evaluate for the presence or absence of a glenoid notch. Fifty-nine (57%) patients had normal anterior–superior labral variants. The authors calculated the relationship of the readings to the arthroscopically determined presence or absence of a normal labral variant and the reading's diagnostic performance and rater reliability. Results On average, 38% (range 9–65%) of the glenoid scans were read as notched. The sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of the notch relative to the presence of a normal variant were 43.1%, 71.2%, 70.2%, and 48% versus 44.3%, 77.5%, 79.4%, and 56.1% for MRI and MRA, respectively. The overall average intra-observer κ-values were 0.438 (range 0.203–0.555) and 0.346 (range –0.102 to 0.570) for MRI and MRA, respectively. The average interobserver intra-class correlation coefficient reliability values were 0.730 (range 0.693–0.760) and 0.614 (range 0.566–0.662) for MRI and MRA, respectively. Conclusions A notched glenoid on MRI lacks sufficient diagnostic performance and rater reliability for the clinical detection and prediction of normal anterior–superior labral variants.
High Precision Dynamical Masses for Brown Dwarf Binaries

We present new dynamical mass estimates for a sample of brown dwarf binaries with sufficient precision (<10%) to distinguish between current theoretical evolutionary models. This survey, which has targeted 20 sources between spectral types M8 and T5, is enabled by the advent of laser guide star adaptive optics (LGS AO) on the Keck II 10 m telescope. The LGS AO system allows for both high precision (δpos<1 mas) astrometry and spatially resolved, high‐resolution spectroscopy (δrv<1 km/s). A striking result from this work thus far is that for two systems with precisely determined dynamical masses and similar spectral types, both evolutionary models considered correctly predict the mass in one case but underpredict the mass by several sigma in the other case. We postulate that this discrepancy may either stem from a disjoint between evolutionary and atmospheric models at the M/L transition due to atmospheric dust treatment or potentially from magnetic activity inhibiting convection.
Metabolic engineering: enabling technology for biofuels production

The biofuels industry is rapidly growing with the goal of providing a sustainable fuel alternative to petroleum products. However, two challenges persist in limiting current biofuels technologies as a viable alternative: (1) the cost of feedstock and (2) the quality of the fuel. Metabolic engineering shows the potential to overcome these two challenges, enabling the bioconversion of cheaper feedstocks into improved fuels in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. Metabolic engineering is the systematic attempt to understand, design, and engineer cellular metabolic networks using a wide range of interdisciplinary tools and strategies. It is rapidly emerging as the enabling technology behind the development of the next generation of biofuels. Several examples of current research demonstrate how metabolic engineering has begun to contribute both novel and creative solutions toward bringing promising biofuel technologies to fruition: production of higher chain alcohols, fermentation of lignocellulosic material, and production of fatty acid derivatives. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Inspiratory or expiratory resistance during methacholine challenge in young children: Does it make a difference?

Background It is recommended to measure interrupter resistance during expiration (RintExp) for bronchodilation test and during inspiration (RintInsp) for bronchial hyperreactivity (BHR) detection, to minimize laryngeal influence. But no study assessed the clinical implication of using RintInsp rather than RintExp to detect BHR. Objectives To compare RintInsp and RintExp ability to correctly detect BHR defined as a 20% decrease in transcutaneous partial pressure in oxygen (TcPO2), in young children. Methods Prospective monocentre study in children referred for methacholine challenge because of non specific chronic respiratory symptoms, and unable to perform reliable spirometry. Baseline Rint (MicroMedical, UK) measurement lay within the normal range. Methacholine was administered using the dosimeter method (Atomisor, France). Rint changes were considered consistent to that of TcPO2 if there was a 35% Rint increase from the post-diluant value at the dose TcPO2 decreased ≥20% or a less than 35% Rint increase in children without BHR. Results 14 children (7 girls, median age 5.7 years) performed the test and 9 had BHR between 50 and 400µg of methacholine. Consistency between TcPO2 and Rint was present in 9 (RintIns) and 4 (RintExp) children, with no false positive with RintIns (vs 3 with RintExp). View this table: Conclusion Although Rint measurement cannot always, on its own, correctly detect BHR in young children, inspiratory measurement should be used as it is more often consistent with TcPO2 changes and do not falsely detect BHR compare to expiratory Rint measurement.
Competitive self-assembly and electrochemistry of some ferrocenyl-n-alkanethiol derivatives on gold

Abstract Three ferrocenyl-alkanethiol derivatives with different functional groups linking ferrocene to an alkanethiol chain have been synthesized and characterized electrochemically in bulk solution and in self-assembled monolayer films on gold electrodes. Relative affinities of the ferrocenyl-alkanethiols and of the corresponding n-alkanethiols for the electrode surface were evaluated by the competitive self-assembly method. The affinity of the ferrocenyl-alkanethiols for the surface, relative to that of the corresponding alkanethiols, is a function of the polarity of the functional group linking ferrocene to the alkanethiol chain. In general, nonpolar linking groups (methylene) show a stronger affinity for the surface than do polar groups (carboxamides) and especially charged groups (quaternary ammonium salts). It is postulated that electrostatic effects are critically important during self-assembly. Redox potentials for the three ferrocenyl-alkanethiol derivatives scale approximately with the electron donating/withdrawing effects of the functional groups on the cyclopentadiene rings. However, redox potentials for the surface-confined molecules are consistently more positive than for the identical molecules in bulk solution.
Edward Everett's “The character of Washington”

(1957). Edward Everett's “The character of Washington”. The Southern Speech Journal: Vol. 22, No. 3, pp. 144-156.
Carrier frequency offset estimation for interleaved SC-FDMA systems

Carrier frequency offsets at the uplink of single carrier frequency division multiple access (SC-FDMA) systems destroy the orthogonality among the users and degrade the system performance. We present a semi-blind CFO estimation technique for SC-FDMA uplink with interleaved sub-carrier allocation. The estimation is based on the key observation that SC-FDMA with interleaved allocation obeys the parallel factor (PARAFAC) analysis model and therefore it is shown that the CFO of all the users can be uniquely estimated. Performance of the proposed method is evaluated through simulations and compared with the existing approaches in the literature.
CATHETER ABLATION OF ATRIAL FIBRILLATION INVOLVING PULMONARY VEIN STUMPS IN PATIENTS WITH PRIOR LUNG RESECTION

AF ablation in the patients involving PV stumps from prior lobectomy and pneumonectomy has not been described in literature. We describe a multicenter experience of all patients with residual PV stumps after lung resection undergoing AF ablation. 14 patients with lung resection (for tumors in 9,
Maternal carbohydrate metabolism and its relationship fetal growth and body composition

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to correlate maternal carbohydrate metabolism and parental morphometric measurements with neonatal birth weight, body composition, and placental weight. STUDY DESIGN: Sixteen singleton (six control and 10 abnormal glucose tolerance) infants had placental weight, birth weight, and estimates of body composition performed within 24 hours of birth. Independent variables considered were (1) maternal and paternal demographic and morphometric measures, (2) neonatal sex and gestational age, and (3) estimates of maternal carbohydrate metabolism, including basal hepatic glucose production, insulin response, and insulin sensitivity. All metabolic measurements were performed before conception and in early (12 to 14 weeks) and late (34 to 35 weeks) gestation. Best-fit stepwise regression analysis was used to relate the independent variables with placental weight, neonatal birth weight, fat-free mass, and fat mass. RESULTS: Insulin sensitivity in late gestation had the strongest correlation with placental weight ( R 2 = 0.28), neonatal birth weight ( R 2 = 0.28), and fat-free mass ( R 2 = 0.33). In contrast, insulin sensitivity before conception had the best correlation with neonatal fat mass ( R 2 = 0.15). Including all significant independent variables in the model improved the correlations for placental weight ( R 2 = 0.58), birth weight ( R 2 = 0.48) fat-free mass ( R 2 = 0.53), and fat mass ( R 2 = 0.46). CONCLUSION: Maternal insulin sensitivity had stronger correlations with fetoplacental growth in comparison with maternal demographic or mophometric factors.
Effect of air abrasives on marginal configurations of porcelain-fused-to-metal alloys: An SEM analysis

Abstract Air abrasion of castings for metal ceramic crowns is a routine procedure in ceramics laboratories for cleaning, seating, and preparing casts for porcelain application. This technique can result in damage to the margins of castings. This investigation evaluated the extent and significance of this procedure. Marginal abrasion ranged from 5 to 110 microns. ANOVA, followed by Tukey's post hoc evaluation revealed no difference between abrasives, but significant differences were noted among alloys and margin configurations ( p [Olympia = Cameo]>[Jelstan]>[Genesis II]. Marginal loss by marginal configuration was as follows: [beveled shoulder]> [chamfer = shoulder]. Significant marginal damage can occur during air abrasion of dental castings.
Microfabrication of AFM tips using focused ion and electron beam techniques

Abstract Production of reproducible AFM tips with narrow and straight tip shanks is important for metrology and imaging of various submicron and high topography structures. Possibilities of micromachining commercial AFM pyramidal tips with focused ion beam (FIB) techniques have been investigated to improve the sharpness of the pyramidal tips. Also, the fabrication of electron-beam-induced microtips grown on the top of the pyramidal tips has been developed using a combination of focused ion and electron beam techniques. Microtips were reproducibly grown with tip shanks of 1.0 μm length and 0.1 μm diameter. The tip geometry was found to degrade only slightly after extensive AFM imaging, indicating minimal wear on the microtip during AFM scanning. The radius of curvature remained as sharp as 25 nm after tens of hours of AFM imaging in the contact mode. The microtips were found to be considerably stronger and more stable when they were grown on pyramids which had been heavily implanted with Ga ions.
Research on Resilience: Response to Commentaries.

Clarifications are provided with respect to two sets of issues raised in preceding commentaries. First, interaction effects are undoubtedly salient in resilience research; yet main effect findings can be equally critical from an intervention perspective. Second, although resilience research and prevention science reflect similar broad objectives, the former (but not usually the latter) involves explicit attention to positive adjustment outcomes in addition to the avoidance of psychopathology.
Tensile strength elevation of brittle polymers by entanglements

Abstract Plots of tensile strength ( T ) versus reciprocal number average molecular weight ( M −1 ) have been made using previously reported data for linear polymers tested in the glassy state. Over a wide range of molecular weights there is conformity to Flory's empirical equation T = A - BM −1 , in which A and B are constants. Values of M obtained by extrapolation to T = 0 correlate with critical values of molecular weight which are diagnostic of incipient formation of an entangled network. The entanglement thesis is developed further by reference to a model in which brittle strength is attributed to the breaking of covalent backbone bonds. Theoretical values are calculated which exceed experimental values by a factor of only three. Such close agreement is attributed to the insensitivity of glassy linear polymers to flaws.
A Computational Scheme for Structural Influence Coefficients of Certain Planar Wings

The objective of this work has been to reduce the amount of numerical computation work involved in obtaining structural influence coefficients, especially for special-purpose computer programs involving wings that have elastic axes that can be approximated by a series of straight line noncollinear segments. The need for repetitive runs, probably due to different mass arrangements, enhances the desirability of the technique. A general matrix of influence coefficients which allows the user to handle the TV-segmented case is derived and presented. The decreased number of integral evaluations is summarized for a three-segmente d case as an illustration [only 12 integrals compared to 27 (straight); only 12 integrals compared to 42 (noncollinear)]. For collinear segments of practical wings, the order of required integral evaluations is shown to differ by N2 and by more for noncollinear cases. Therefore, a significant reduction in computation effort is claimed.
Two-dimensional IIR filters for exact reconstruction in tree-structured sub-band decomposition

A procedure for exact reconstruction of a two-dimensional signal after a tree-structured sub-band decomposition is presented. The use of two-dimensional IIR filters derived from one-dimensional allpass building blocks, allowing separable processing along the diagonals, is described.
Analysis of protein kinase C delta (PKCδ) expression in endometrial tumors

Endometrial cancer is the most common gynecologic malignancy in the United States. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms are poorly understood; and few prognostic indicators have been identified. The protein kinase C (PKC) family has been shown to regulate pathways critical to malignant transformation; and in endometrial tumors, changes in PKC expression and activity have been linked to a more aggressive phenotype and poor prognosis. We have recently shown that PKC delta is a critical regulator of apoptosis and cell survival in endometrial cancer cells; however, PKC delta levels in endometrial tumors had not been determined. We used immunohistochemistry to examine PKC delta protein levels in normal endometrium and endometrioid carcinomas of increasing grade. Normal endometrium exhibited abundant nuclear and cytoplasmic staining of PKC delta confined to glandular epithelium. In endometrial tumors, decreased PKC delta expression, both in intensity and fraction of epithelial cells stained, was observed with increasing tumor grade, with PKC delta being preferentially lost from the nucleus. Consistent with these observations, endometrial cancer cell lines derived from poorly differentiated tumors exhibited reduced PKC delta levels relative to well-differentiated lines. Treatment of endometrial cancer cells with etoposide resulted in a translocation of PKC delta from cytoplasm to nucleus concomitant with induction of apoptosis. Decreased PKC delta expression, particularly in the nucleus, may compromise the ability of cells to undergo apoptosis, perhaps conferring resistance to chemotherapy. Our results indicate that loss of PKC delta is an indicator of endometrial malignancy and increasing grade of cancer. Thus, PKC delta may function as a tumor suppressor in endometrial cancer.
Vehicle location estimation based on a magnetic sensor array

This paper proposes a new algorithm to estimate vehicle location based on the uniform linear AMR sensor array. A new design and realization of the AMR sensor array is presented. The array consists of a group of 3-axis sensors. With the increase of the distances between the sensors and the vehicle, the magnetic field strength falls off inversely. Accordingly, a group of sensors can estimate the location of the vehicle. Based on this, each sensor measures the magnetic field disturbances independently. Multiple estimations are made using a sequence of samples, and a polynomial approximation method is applied to optimize the estimation. Experimental results are presented to show that the proposed algorithm and the AMR sensor array design are valid.
A Simple Colorimetric Method for the Simultaneous Determination of N-Acetylcysteine and Cysteine

The widespread use of N-acetylcysteine as an antioxidant and a precursor for tissue cysteine creates a need for a simple method that measures both and distinguishes them from one another. We describe a procedure based on the use of the enzyme acylase, which hydrolyzes N-acetylcysteine to cysteine. Cysteine is subsequently measured with a specific colorimetric procedure. Unhydrolyzed N-acetylcysteine gives only a weak colorimetric response (11.5% that for cysteine); after hydrolysis, however, the two are equivalent. Hence, N-acetylcysteine can be distinguished by the enhanced response after hydrolysis.
Continental distribution as a forcing factor for global-scale temperature

Since the advent of the continental drift hypothesis, changing continental geometries have been proposed as an explanation for long-term temperature variability1–9. The climatic influence of a few specific past geographies has been investigated quantitatively6,10–12, but these studies do not indicate the potential temperature variability due to continental positions. This problem has been examined only with simple climate models having limiting assumptions such as no cloud cover5. Here idealized continental geometries are used as boundary conditions in a simulation using a general circulation model (GCM) of the atmosphere. The range in model simulated globally-averaged surface temperature is 7.4 K with a difference in polar surface temperature of up to 34 K. The simulations suggest a substantial climatic sensitivity to continental positions with the coldest global climate when land masses are in high latitudes. Although the simulations have not captured theoretical limits of climatic variability due to continental positions, present-day geography is near the cold end of this spectrum.
Detection of isoform-specific fibroblast growth factor receptors by whole-mount in situ hybridization in early chick embryos†

We have developed ‘b’ and ‘c’ isoform-specific chicken FGF receptor 1–3 probes for in situ hybridization. We rigorously demonstrate the specificity of these probes by using both dot blot hybridization and whole mount in situ hybridization during neurulation and early postneurulation stages, and we compare expression patterns of each of the three isoform-specific probes to one another and to generic probes to each of the three (non-isoform-specific) FGF receptors. We show that the expression pattern of each receptor is represented by the collective expression of each of its two isoforms, with the expression of each FGF receptor being most similar to that of its ‘c’ isoform at two of the three stages studied, and that tissue and stage differences exist in the patterns of expression of the six isoforms. We demonstrate the usefulness of these probes for defining the differential tissue expression of FGF receptor 1–3 isoforms.
Partnerships for Promoting Prevention

In an elegant analysis from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study, Rasmussen-Torvik and colleagues demonstrate that a higher degree of adherence to the American Heart Association’s 7 health and behavior factors recommended for prevention of cardiovascular disease was also related to substantially reduced incidence of cancer, over a 17- to 19-year follow-up.1 As one might expect, the strongest common risk factor for these 2 leading causes of death is smoking. Although it is more strongly associated with lung cancer (in terms of relative risk) than with cardiovascular disease, smoking causes more deaths from cardiovascular disease. However, even after excluding smoking from the 7 factors, those meeting the goals for 5 to 6 of these health metrics had a significant 25% lower risk of cancer in comparison with those who met none of the goals. Article see p 1270 The authors expressed surprise to observe a significant trend for increased prostate cancer incidence among men with a larger number of ideal health metrics. The most likely explanation for this entirely predictable result is that health consciousness – including greater adherence to the ideal health metrics – is associated with more prostate-specific antigen screening. It is not widely appreciated that a large fraction, perhaps even a majority, of older men in the United States harbor undiagnosed prostate cancer. As an illustration, in 2 large randomized trials of low-risk (prostate-specific antigen <3 at baseline) middle-aged men, random biopsies were conducted after 4 and 7 years of follow-up; in the placebo arms of those trials, 25% of the men were diagnosed with prostate cancer, almost entirely low-grade and early-stage disease.2,3 Similarly, autopsy studies of men with no previous symptoms of prostate cancer show an age-related prevalence of undiagnosed prostate cancer that exceeds 50% in the oldest age groups in some …
Assessing Consumer Preferences for Ecolabeled Seafood: The Influence of Species, Certifier, and Household Attributes

stocks, given that command-and-control regulations applied alone, without market-based incentives, are notorious for their failures (Hannesson). Specifically, companies selling products from accredited fisheries will be able to purchase the right to place an ecolabel on their products, informing consumers that their product was harvested from a sustainable res urce. There appears to be significant support for the initiative. Unilever has pledged to buy and sell only certified fish by 2005. Major supermarket chains, such as Sainsbury's in the United Kingdom and Shaws in the United States, have also signed on as partners in the initiative (www.msc.org). The emergence of the initiative to provide certification of sustainable fisheries leads one
Hepcidin regulates ferroportin expression and intracellular iron homeostasis of erythroblasts

The iron-regulatory hormone, hepcidin, regulates systemic iron homeostasis by interacting with the iron export protein ferroportin (FPN1) to adjust iron absorption in enterocytes, iron recycling through reticuloendothelial macrophages, and iron release from storage in hepatocytes. We previously demonstrated that FPN1 was highly expressed in erythroblasts, a cell type that consumes most of the serum iron for use in hemoglobin synthesis. Herein, we have demonstrated that FPN1 localizes to the plasma membrane of erythroblasts, and hepcidin treatment leads to decreased expression of FPN1 and a subsequent increase in intracellular iron concentrations in both erythroblast cell lines and primary erythroblasts. Moreover, injection of exogenous hepcidin decreased FPN1 expression in BM erythroblasts in vivo, whereas iron depletion and associated hepcidin reduction led to increased FPN1 expression in erythroblasts. Taken together, hepcidin decreased FPN1 expression and increased intracellular iron availability of erythroblasts. We hypothesize that FPN1 expression in erythroblasts allows fine-tuning of systemic iron utilization to ensure that erythropoiesis is partially suppressed when nonerythropoietic tissues risk developing iron deficiency. Our results may explain why iron deficiency anemia is the most pronounced early manifestation of mammalian iron deficiency.
Increased expression of cytotoxic effector molecules: different interpretations for steroid-based and steroid-free immunosuppression.

: Cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) effector molecules have been studied as markers of acute rejection in renal allograft recipients on steroid-based immunosuppression. We hypothesized that basal CTL gene expression may vary with time post-transplantation as well as with different immunosuppression protocols (steroid-based or steroid-free). Variations in CTL gene expression may thus impact on the ability to predict acute allograft rejection. We used the non-invasive method of quantitative competitive-reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (QC-RT-PCR) to quantify the amounts of CTL effector molecules (granulysin, GL; perforin, P; granzyme B, GB) in serial peripheral blood lymphocyte (PBL) samples from steroid-free and steroid-based adult and pediatric renal allograft recipients. Patients on both protocols were clinically monitored by protocol biopsies at 1, 3, 6, and 12 months post-transplantation and for graft function at 1 yr post-transplantation in a separate clinical study. Steroid-free patients with stable graft function showed an increase in GL, P, and GB gene expression over time post-transplantation with the increase being seen largely by the first post-transplant month. A further increase in GL expression was noted at the end of the first post-transplant year in the absence of acute rejection, whereas GB and P levels were unchanged. At comparative time-points post-transplantation, CTL genes were found to be higher in steroid-free patients with stable graft function, compared to steroid-based recipients with either clinically stable graft function or acute rejection. This study suggests that levels of CTL gene expression, although important in a steroid-based regimen to monitor the risk of acute rejection, may not be similarly applied in patients on steroid-free immunosuppression. The early increase in levels seen in steroid-free patients appears to correlate with the total absence of steroids. As steroid-free patients seem to have a lower incidence of acute rejection and better long-term graft function at 1 yr, the early increase in CTL genes in the absence of acute rejection may suggest an early adaptive immune activation response, promoting early graft acceptance in this protocol.