cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Liver size and lipid content differences between BALB/c and BALB/cJ mice on a high-fat diet are due, in part, to Zhx2

BALB/cJ mice exhibit considerable phenotypic differences with other BALB/c substrains. Some of these traits involve the liver, including persistent postnatal expression of genes that are normally expressed only in the fetal liver and reduced expression of major urinary proteins. These traits are due to a mutation that dramatically reduces expression of the gene encoding the transcription factor Zinc fingers and homeoboxes 2 (Zhx2). BALB/cJ mice also exhibit reduced serum lipid levels and resistance to atherosclerosis compared to other mouse strains when placed on a high-fat diet. This trait is also due, at least in part, to the Zhx2 mutation. Microarray analysis identified many genes affecting lipid homeostasis, including Lipoprotein lipase, that are dysregulated in BALB/cJ liver. This led us to investigate whether hepatic lipid levels would be different between BALB/cJ and BALB/c mice when placed on a normal chow or a high-fat chow diet. On the high-fat chow, BALB/cJ mice had increased weight gain, increased liver:body weight ratio, elevated hepatic lipid accumulation and markers of liver damage when compared to BALB/c mice. These traits in BALB/cJ mice were only partially reversed by a hepatocyte-specific Zhx2 transgene. These data indicate that Zhx2 reduces liver lipid levels and is hepatoprotective in mice on a high-fat diet, but the partial rescue by the Zhx2 transgene suggests a contribution by both parenchymal and non-parenchymal cells. A model to account for the cardiovascular and liver phenotype in mice with reduced Zhx2 levels is provided.
Vitamin D regulates prostate cell metabolism via genomic and non-genomic mitochondrial redox-dependent mechanisms.

Abstract Vitamin D deficiency has been associated with increased risk for aggressive prostate cancer (PCa). Prostate epithelium has a unique metabolism compared to other tissues. Normal prostate exhibits low levels of mitochondrial respiration and there is a metabolic switch to increased oxidative phosphorylation in PCa. 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) is the major circulating form of vitamin D and is used clinically to determine vitamin D status. Activation of 25(OH)D to the transcriptionally active form, 1,25(OH)2D occurs via a reduction-oxidation (redox) reaction within the mitochondria that is catalyzed by the P450 enzyme, CYP27B1. We sought to determine if hydroxylation of 25(OH)D by CYP27B1 contributes to non-genomic activity of vitamin D by altering the redox-dependent state of the mitochondria in benign prostate epithelial cells. Exposure to 25(OH)D produced a transient pro-oxidant effect and change in mitochondrial membrane potential that was dependent on CYP27B1. Extended exposure ultimately suppressed mitochondrial respiration, consistent with a protective effect of 25(OH)D in supporting benign prostate metabolism. To model physiologically relevant changes in vitamin D, cells were cultured in constant 25(OH)D then changed to high or deficient concentrations. This model also incurred a biphasic effect with a pro-oxidant shift after short exposure followed by decreased respiration after 16 h. Several genes involved in redox cycling and Mitochondrial Health were regulated by 25(OH)D in these cells. These results indicate a secondary non-genomic mechanism for vitamin D to contribute to prostate cell health by supporting normal mitochondrial respiration.
Laparoscopic Isthmocele Repair

Video Objective We review options for diagnosis and management of a symptomatic isthmocele, or cesarean scar defect. We then demonstrate laparoscopic management of an isthmocele with minimal residual myometrium. Setting The patient was a 43 year old G3P1111 with a history of two prior cesarean sections, secondary infertility, and evidence of isthmocele on imaging. The surgery was performed in an ambulatory center affiliated with a tertiary teaching hospital. Interventions We excised and repaired her cesarean scar defect using a combined laparoscopic and hysteroscopic approach. Dilute vasopressin was used for hemostasis, excision was performed with a harmonic scalpel, and the defect was repaired via laparoscopic suturing with intracorporeal knot tying. Conclusion An isthmocele is a cesarean scar defect associated with abnormal bleeding, pain, and infertility. Treatment depends on the thickness of the residual myometrium and the patient's goals. A combined approach may be helpful for patients with minimal residual myometrium.
STEM Education: How Best to “Illuminate the Lamp of Learning”

Engineers often need to present design and implementation proposals, speaking in front of a group. STEM students may be reticent about publicly discussing their ideas and they could use good examples to follow, as this will definitely enhance their performance in College and the Business world. Largely, engineers have the Mathematics and Science background necessary to be Subject Matter Experts (SMEs), useful for being able to advise students within the particular STEM pursuit. Actually, my High School Calculus teacher was a Chemical Engineer by trade. Everybody hates homework, and Engineers are no exception, but no one can teach without preparation. My mother, who taught English in Baltimore for 38 years, always went to work with her lesson plans for Hamlet, even though she had taught it her entire career. Any engineer who wants to participate in a STEM endeavor will need to prepare. This paper is intended to help engineers “come out of their shells,” giving pointers on methods and pitfalls of various types of instruction.
Multi-spinon and antiholon excitations probed by resonant inelastic x-ray scattering on doped one-dimensional antiferromagnets

Resonant inelastic x-ray scattering (RIXS) at the oxygen K-edge has recently accessed multi-spinon excitations in the one-dimensional antiferromagnet (1D-AFM) Sr2CuO3, where four-spinon excitations are resolved separately from the two-spinon continuum. This technique, therefore, provides new opportunities to study fractionalized quasiparticle excitations in doped 1D-AFMs. To this end, we carried out exact diagonalization studies of the doped t–J model and provided predictions for oxygen K-edge RIXS experiments on doped 1D-AFMs. We show that the RIXS spectra are rich, containing distinct two- and four-spinon excitations, dispersive antiholon excitations, and combinations thereof. Our results highlight how RIXS complements inelastic neutron scattering experiments by accessing additional charge and spin components of fractionalized quasiparticles.
Projected 30-day out-of-pocket and total spending on pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy under Medicare Part D.

401Background: Pancreatic enzyme replacement therapy (PERT) can reduce symptoms of indigestion and improve nutrition in patients with exocrine pancreatic insufficiency. PERT is under-prescribed, an...
The Wikipedia Editions of Low German and Other European Minority Languages

This paper investigates the online presence of Low German, a minority language spoken in northern Germany, as well as several other European regional and minority languages. In particular, this article presents the results of a study that investigated how well or not these languages are represented in the popular online encyclopedia Wikipedia. The article argues that minority and regional languages are not only underrepresented online due to a combination of historical, linguistic, sociological, and demographic reasons, but that the overall architecture of the World Wide Web and its most visited websites is such that smaller languages do not stand a chance to gain a meaningful online presence.
Uncertainty and Investment: Evidence from Domestic Oil Rigs

We estimate the response of domestic oil drilling to uncertainty about oil prices. We measure domestic drilling activity by the weekly number of rigs drilling for oil, and we measure oil uncertainty by implied volatility from options on oil futures. We find that oil uncertainty has a negative and significant effect on the number of drilling rigs, with a one standard deviation increase in uncertainty reducing the number of drilling rigs by up to 4%. We also find that, in our sample, that the number of domestic rigs responds rapidly -- within four weeks -- to innovations in oil prices. Our results provide empirical support for the use of real options models in financial decision making. Our estimates are robust to structural dynamic models of oil demand and alternative measures of uncertainty based on time-series econometric models.
The Association Between Education and Basic Needs Insecurity for Marshallese During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

The purpose of this study was to explore the prevalence of basic needs insecurity and to examine the association between education and basic needs insecurity during the COVID-19 pandemic for Marshallese living in the USA. Survey data describing Marshallese experiences during the pandemic were analyzed using descriptive statistics and complementary log–log regression to test the association between education and basic needs insecurity. Marshallese respondents reported no usual source of care (46%), less healthcare (22.3%), and difficulty obtaining medication (34.8%). Nearly 80% reported being food insecure, and 47.5% reported being housing insecure. Marshallese with a high school education or less had higher odds of reporting being food and housing insecure. Basic needs insecurities are a serious threat to the health of Marshallese during the pandemic. Results from this study can inform interventions addressing food and housing insecurity, access to healthcare, and medication access for Marshallese communities.
Tweeting and Retweeting: Gender Discrepancies in Discursive Political Engagement and Influence on Twitter

Two studies were conducted to examine gender differences in the discursive political engagement on Twitter. Study 1 analysed about 5.6 million English tweets regarding nine political issues and one...
Long-term outcomes of endoscopic mucosal resection for early-stage esophageal adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND With growing application of endoscopic therapy for early-stage esophageal cancer, we sought to review our experience of endoscopic mucosal resections (EMRs). The aim of our study was to understand the natural course of these patients, especially with positive margins. METHODS A prospectively maintained database of all patients undergoing endoscopic therapies at Georgetown University Hospital for esophageal cancer was used for the analysis between 2010 and 2020. RESULTS Of 80 patients in the EMR database, 35 were performed as index cases for esophageal adenocarcinoma. Majority (74.3%) had a pre-treatment ultrasound confirming absence of regional adenopathy. There were no post-EMR bleeding or perforation events requiring re-intervention. Complete R0 resection was achieved in 22/35 (62.9%) after initial EMR. Thirteen patients had positive margins. Of these 13 patients, only 7 patients underwent repeat endoscopic resection, 2 underwent subsequent esophagectomy, 2 received definitive radiation given poor surgical candidacy, and 2 were lost to follow-up. Overall and 5-year survival of all patients undergoing EMR was 67.9 months and 85%, respectively. Subset analysis of the 13 patients with R1 resection demonstrated an overall survival of 49.2 months and 60% 5-year survival vs overall survival of 78.9 months and 93% 5-year survival for R0 resection. At a median follow-up of 60.5 months, cancer recurrence occurred in 3 patients. All of them were successfully managed with repeat EMR. CONCLUSIONS Endoscopic resections represent a safe and effective treatment for early-stage esophageal cancer. Patients with high-risk features should be counseled to undergo an esophagectomy if they are operable candidates.
Pediatric trauma system models: do systems using adult trauma surgeons exclusively compare favorably with those using pediatric surgeons after initial resuscitation with an adult trauma surgeon?

BACKGROUND: A shortage of pediatric surgeons exists. The purpose of this study was to evaluate pediatric outcomes using pediatric surgeons vs adult trauma surgeons. METHODS: A review was conducted at 2 level II pediatric trauma centers. Center I provides 24-hour in-house trauma surgeons for resuscitations, with patient hand-off to a pediatric surgery service. Center II provides 24-hour in-house senior surgical resident coverage with an on-call trauma surgeon. Data on demographics, resource utilization, and outcomes were collected. RESULTS: Center I patients were more severely injured (injury severity score = 8.3 vs 6.2; Glasgow coma scale score = 13.7 vs 14.3). Center I patients were more often admitted to the intensive care unit (52.2% vs 33.5%) and more often mechanically ventilated (12.9% vs 7.7%), with longer hospital length of stay (2.8 vs 2.3 days). However, mortality was not different between Center I and II (3.1% vs 2.4%). By logistic regression analyses, the only variables predictive of mortality were injury severity score and Glasgow coma scale score. CONCLUSION: As it appears that trauma surgeons' outcomes compare favorably with those of pediatric surgeons, utilizing adult trauma surgeons may help alleviate shortages in pediatric surgeon coverage. Language: en
A Restriction enzyme from Hemophilus influenzae: I. Purification and general properties

Abstract Extracts of Hemophilus influenzae strain Rd contain an endonuclease activity which produces a rapid decrease in the specific viscosity of a variety of foreign native DNA's; the specific viscosity of H. influenzae DNA is not altered under the same conditions. This “restriction” endonuclease activity has been purified approximately 200-fold. The purified enzyme contains no detectable exo- or endonucleolytic activity against H. influenzae DNA. However, with native phage T7 DNA as substrate, it produces about 40 double-strand 5′-phosphoryl, 3′-hydroxyl cleavages. The limit product has an average length of about 1000 nucleotide pairs and contains no single-strand breaks. The enzyme is inactive on denatured DNA and it requires no special co-factors other than magnesium ions.
Custom ASIC VLSI device for asynchronous transfer mode

Multiplexing of ATM networks requires flexible switches that efficiently handle data at Gb/s speed. The CellRAM is a single-chip solution implementing a low-cost, low-power ATM multiplexing and switching system. The CellRAM utilizes a shared memory architecture with 8 input and 8 output, double-buffered, serial accessible, memory (SAM) ports and a 4 Mb DRAM memory core. The CellRAM is in a 0.54 /spl mu/m, 3 V double-metal, triple-poly process and is packaged in a 184-pin, quad-flat pack (PQFP). The CellRAM delivers 1.391 Gb/s net ATM cell bandwidth operating at a 43.5 MHz clock rate. Supporting unicast and multicasting functions, the CellRAM has all the necessary features for implementing a switch: input and output queuing, cell routing, cyclic redundancy check (CRC), parity generation and checking, cell address translation, error and status registers, pre- and postpend cell data, multi-configurations, evolutionary memory increase, and an internal refresh counter. This architecture anticipates evolutionary increases in memory density with advances in DRAM technology. The CellRAM 8192 row and 504 column memory core is intended to meet growing memory needs without any change in footprint or specifications.
Doppler evaluation of femoral arteries in children after aortic balloon valvuloplasty or coarctation balloon angioplasty

To assess long-term femoral artery complications after aortic balloon valvuloplasty or coarctation balloon angioplasty, we examined 19 children who were 3 weeks to 21 years old (mean 7.6 years) at the time of catheterization. Two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations of the common, superficial, and deep femoral arteries were performed at an average of 2.0 years after balloon dilatation. Pulsatility index (PI) was calculated as the maximum velocity minus the minimum velocity divided by the mean velocity. No patient was suspected clinically of having peripheral arterial disease prior to the echocardiographic examination. Fourteen patients had normal femoral arteries. Of these, 10 had normal two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations of both femoral arteries. These patients had triphasic flow patterns (forward in systole, reverse in early diastole, forward in middiastole) and Pls of 3.7–41.6 (mean 9.5). Four of the 14 normal patients had abnormal pulsed Doppler examinations showing continuous forward flow and low Pls (1.7–3.5) reflecting residual coarctation (10–30 mmHg gradients). Five patients had abnormal femoral arteries. Of these, two had no visible obstruction by two-dimensional echocardiography and color-flow imaging but had abnormal pulsed Doppler patterns (continuous forward flow and low Pls of 2.5 and 2.9) only on the side of the balloon catheter insertion. Three of the five abnormal patients had visible obstructions by two-dimensional echocardiography and color-flow imaging and had abnormal pulsed Doppler patterns (continuous forward flow and low Pls from 1.1–3.6). One of these three had bilateral occlusions of the common femoral arteries with multiple collateral vessels; the second had occlusion of the right common femoral artery; and the third had 1–2-cm long severely narrowed segments in both common femoral arteries. All three children were <1 year old at the time of catheterization and had balloon catheter insertions in the affected arteries. Echocardiography provides a useful technique for detection of clinically unsuspected but significant arterial obstruction after balloon dilatation. Thus, echocardiographic examinations of the femoral arteries should be performed on all children after balloon dilatation, particularly those <1 year old at the time of the procedure.
Hypoxia-induced modification of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in the brain of the newborn piglet.

Abstract The effect of hypoxia on the N- methyl- d -aspartate (NMDA) receptor/ion channel complex in the brain cell membrane of the newborn piglet was studied. Experiments were conducted on newborn piglets, 2–4 days of age, that were anesthetized and mechanically ventilated. Hypoxic hypoxia was induced in the experimental group by lowering the FiO2 to 5–7%. The control group was ventilated under normoxic conditions. Tissue hypoxia was documented biochemically by decreased levels of ATP and phosphocreatine (PCr) in the hypoxic group (52% and 81% lower than the normoxic group, respectively). [3H]MK-801 binding characteristics (Bmax = number of receptors, Kd = dissociation constant) were used as an index of NMDA receptor modification. In hypoxic brains, Bmax decreased from the control level of 1.13 ± 0.15 pmol/mg protein to 0.68 ± 0.23 pmol/mg protein (P
A Comparison of Squid Imaging Techniques for Small Defects in Nonmagnetic Tubes

Although superconducting quantum interference devices (SQUIDs) provide an exquisitively sensitive means for measuring magnetic fields, their usage in the past has been limited chiefly to biomagnetic research. However, over the past few years interest in applying SQUID techniques to the field of nondestructive evaluation (NDE) has blossomed [1]. Many experiments have exploited the sensitivity of SQUIDs for diverse NDE applications, especially those requiring large separation distances between the sensor and the item to be inspected. Our work instead has focused on the potential to detect very small defects with SQUIDs, specifically in thin-walled tubes. In this paper, we discuss three different methods for creating magnetic fields in tubes. The methods comprise (a) directly injecting a current through the tube, (b) using a separate induction coil to create induced currents in the tube, and (c) utilizing a ferromagnetic tracer technique. To illustrate the capabilities of each method, we present two-dimensional maps of the spatial distribution of the magnetic field as measured by a SQUID magnetometer — that is, SQUID images. The images will also be used to compare the sensing methods with respect to such practical considerations as relative sensitivity and signal-to-noise ratio.
The maximum principle without the adjoint equation

Abstract The Classical Pontryagin maximum principle for boundary trajectories of control systems consists of two parts: the maximum condition and the adjoint equation. In this paper, we study the maximum condition and minimal assumptions under which it holds for boundary trajectories of differential inclusions. Not surprisingly, the maximum condition alone is satisfied under much weaker assumptions than the full maximum principle. We prove it under mild hypotheses of measurability and lower continuity. In particular, we allow inclusions with nonconvex, unbounded values, not continuous in the state variable.
Nationwide Emergency Department Visits for Priapism in the United States

Abstract Introduction The epidemiology of priapism is not well characterized. A small number of studies based on inpatient data or small population samples have estimated the incidence to range from 0.34 to 1.5 cases per 100,000 males. Aim To estimate the current epidemiology and impact on resource utilization of priapism in the United States (US). Main Outcome Measures Rate of emergency department encounters for priapism in the US. Methods Emergency department (ED) visits for priapism were analyzed using discharge data from the Nationwide Emergency Department Sample (NEDS), Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project (HCUP). Priapism encounters were identified by ICD9 code. Priapism encounters were analyzed for patient and hospital characteristics, associated diagnoses, and hospital charge. Established weighting in the sample was used to calculate nationwide estimates. Results A total of 8,738 ED encounters for priapism were identified between 2006 and 2009 in the NEDS. This translated to an estimated 39,964 encounters out of a total of 496,195,793 ED visits, or 8.05 per 100,000 ED visits (95% confidence interval [CI] 7.59–8.51). 21.1% of patients had a concurrent diagnosis of sickle cell disease (SCD). 72.1% of all patients were discharged home from the ED, while only 49.6% of patients with SCD were discharged home. A concurrent diagnosis of SCD was associated with an odds ratio (OR) of 3.84 (95% CI 3.65–4.05) for admission to the hospital when controlling for age, region, hospital and payer type. The mean hospital charge was $1,778 per encounter if discharged home and $41,909 per encounter if admitted. The estimated mean total annual charge for priapism was $123,860,432 with 86.8% of charges attributed to inpatient admissions. Conclusions Our estimate of the rate of ED visits for priapism was significantly higher than prior estimates with a SCD concurrence rate lower than previously estimated. Stein DM, Flum AS, Cashy J, Zhao LC, and McVary KT. Nationwide emergency department visits for priapism in the United States. J Sex Med 2013;10:2418–2422.
Almost Optimal Explicit Johnson-Lindenstrauss Transformations

The Johnson-Lindenstrauss lemma is a fundamental result in probability with several applications in the design and analysis of algorithms in high dimensional geometry. Most known constructions of linear embeddings that satisfy the Johnson-Lindenstrauss property involve randomness. We address the question of explicitly constructing such embedding families and provide a construction with an almost optimal use of randomness: we use O(log(n/delta)log(log(n/delta)/epsilon)) random bits for embedding n dimensions to O(log(1/delta)/epsilon^2) dimensions with error probability at most delta, and distortion at most epsilon. In particular, for delta = 1/poly(n) and fixed epsilon, we use O(log n loglog n) random bits. Previous constructions required at least O(log^2 n) random bits to get polynomially small error.
A Strategic Profitability Analysis of Southwest Airlines: Applying the Horngren, Datar and Foster Approach

This case requires students to collect financial and operational data from Southwest Airlines’ 2003–2006 annual reports and to use that data to conduct a strategic profitability analysis of the firm’s changes in operating income. As described in Horngren et al. (2006), this analysis decomposes changes in a firm’s operating income into components related to growth, price recovery, and productivity. Similar to other studies (e.g., Dikolli and Sedatole 2004), this case uses publicly available data to link textbook concepts to ‘‘real world’’ applications. Linking strategy with profitability allows students to see how firms manage inputs in order to compete, grow, and profit in output markets.
On the global character of overlap between low and high clouds

The global character of overlap between low and high clouds is examined using active satellite sensors. Low-cloud fraction has a strong land-ocean contrast with oceanic values double those over land. Major low-cloud regimes include not only the eastern ocean boundary stratocumulus and shallow cumulus but also those associated with cold air outbreaks downwind of wintertime continents and land stratus over particular geographic areas. Globally, about 30% of low clouds are overlapped by high clouds. The overlap rate exhibits strong spatial variability ranging from higher than 90% in the tropics to less than 5% in subsidence areas and is anticorrelated with subsidence rate and low-cloud fraction. The zonal mean of vertical separation between cloud layers is never smaller than 5 km and its zonal variation closely follows that of tropopause height, implying a tight connection with tropopause dynamics. Possible impacts of cloud overlap on low clouds are discussed.
Prior suicide attempts are less common in suicide decedents who died by firearms relative to those who died by other means

Abstract Background Suicide prevention efforts often center on the identification of risk factors (e.g., prior suicide attempts); however, lists of risk factors without consideration of context may prove incapable of impacting suicide rates. One contextual variable worth considering is attempt method. Methods Utilizing data from the National Violent Death Reporting System (2005–2012), I examined suicide deaths ( n =71,775) by firearms and other means to determine whether prior suicide attempts were more common in one group versus the other. Results Significantly fewer suicide decedents who died by firearms reported a prior history of suicide attempts (12.10%) than did decedents who died by other means (28.66%). This result was further replicated within each state that contributed data to the NVDRS. Limitations Only 17 states have contributed to the NVDRS thus far and, within those states, not all suicide deaths were reported. Due to the nature of the data, I was unable to test proposed mediators within our model. Conclusions Suicide decedents who die by firearms may die on their first attempt more often than other decedents due to a capability and willingness to utilize a highly lethal means. Current risk assessment protocols may be ill equipped to identify such individuals prospectively on their own. Broader methods of implementing means restriction (e.g., legislation) may thus be pivotal in suicide prevention efforts.
Sociology Hesitant: The Continuing Neglect of W.E.B. Du Bois

W.E.B. Du Bois’ early work as a sociologist from 1896 to 1914 represents a milestone in the development of modern sociology. His empirical studies often employed a triangular methodological approach, and by grounding The Philadelphia Negro in what is the earliest extensive social survey by an American sociologist, Du Bois set the stage for the growth of sociology as a legitimate science. In fact, his approach became the model that the discipline eventually followed. Had Du Bois been white, he would have been recognized as a leading founder of the field. Since Du Bois’ early sociological scholarship was completed during the height of the Jim Crow era, his brilliant landmark work was largely negated by the profession. His scholarly accomplishments clearly focused on establishing a scientific sociology. Based on his exemplary work, can sociology finally negate the sociological negation of W.E.B. Du Bois?
Significance of Multiple Lymphatic Basin Drainage in Truncal Melanoma Patients Undergoing Sentinel Lymph Node Biopsy

Background: Although previous studies have demonstrated that truncal site is associated with an adverse prognosis, explanations for such risk are lacking. In addition, the number of nodal basins as well as the number of lymph nodes containing regional metastases are important prognostic factors in these patients. Because the lymphatic drainage pattern of truncal melanoma often includes more than one basin, we designed a study to evaluate (1) whether patients with multiple nodal basin drainage (MNBD) were at an increased risk of lymph node metastases identified by sentinel lymph node (SLN) biopsy, and (2) whether the histological status of an individual basin reliably predicted the status of the other draining basins in patients with MNBD.
Oncology and Hematology

Cell division, differentiation, survival, and programmed death are determined by growth factor-triggered cascades of convergent signaling pathways. The function of a cell depends on molecular messages moving from the extracellular space across the cell membrane through the cytoplasm and into the nucleus, where those messages modulate net gene expression. At least two pivotal intracellular components are activated during the early steps of the signaling cascade: (1) protein tyrosine kinases (PTKs), some of which form the internal domains of many membrane-spanning growth factor receptors, others of which act within the cytoplasm, and all of which are commonly encoded by growth-promoting oncogenes, and (2) membrane-associated G proteins encoded by the ras family of oncogenes. Net overexpression or derangements of PTK-encoding oncogenes (eg, c-src, c-abl, c-kit , and the erb family) and ras serve as critical driving forces in the evolution of many epithelial and lymphohematopoietic cancers. Many investigators have now demonstrated a crucial
Living in the here and now: interrelationships between impulsivity, mindfulness, and alcohol misuse

Impulsivity and mindfulness both emphasize orientation to the present, and both have been linked to alcohol misuse, but the relationship between the two is not clearly understood. The objectives of this study are to examine the relationships between elements of impulsivity and mindfulness and to examine both variables in relation to alcohol misuse. Young adults (N = 116) were assessed for alcohol use, mindfulness, and impulsivity using psychometrically validated measures. Numerous significant associations were present among the facets of impulsivity and mindfulness. All impulsivity facets and three facets of mindfulness were related to alcohol consumption and adverse consequences from drinking. After controlling for other variables, only the impulsivity domains of Negative Urgency (NU), Positive Urgency, and delay discounting were significantly related to alcohol consumption and only Lack of Premeditation and NU were significantly associated with drinking-related consequences. There was considerable overlap between some elements of impulsivity and mindfulness while the overlap was negligible for other facets. The associations between mindfulness and alcohol misuse were entirely a function of impulsivity. In particular, acting on impulses while experiencing a negative affect was significantly associated with level of alcohol consumption and level of alcohol-related risk. Steep discounting of future rewards was associated with alcohol consumption while poor premeditation was associated with adverse drinking consequences. These findings illustrate the importance of jointly studying impulsivity when examining mindfulness traits.
Inherent War and Executive Powers and Prerogative Politics

Executive power in the Constitution was left ambiguous and underdefined. Commentators have questioned presidential claims of inherent executive and war powers. Have the president and his subordinates obeyed the Constitution and adhered to the letter and spirit of the law? Have legal commentators and courts properly construed constitutional clauses, especially those dealing with war powers? I start with the idea that the Constitution is a power base for government officials and that construing the Constitution is a political act. As political scientists, we can observe presidents and their counsel substitute novel interpretations of presidential prerogatives when they claim the president has inherent war powers and related diplomatic and national security powers that override statute law or bypass the constitutional prerogatives of Congress, and we can analyze the conditions under which their substitution of executive prerogative power will succeed or fail.
RNA LEVELS AND ACTIVITY OF FLOWERING LOCUS C ARE MODIFIED IN MIXED GENETIC BACKGROUNDS OF ARABIDOPSIS THALIANA

Flowering time and FLOWERING LOCUS C (FLC) RNA levels were analyzed in different accessions of Arabidopsis thaliana and in mixed genetic backgrounds resulting from crosses between accessions. Dominant alleles of FRIGIDA (FRI) promote accumulation of FLC RNA, which in turn promotes late flowering. Although the coding regions of sequenced FLC alleles are identical, some accessions have genetically weak alleles that do not promote late flowering in the presence of FRI. In this study, a new weak allele of FLC with open reading frame identity to previously sequenced alleles was isolated from a Niederzenz (Nd) accession. The FLC‐Nd allele accumulated less RNA in the presence of FRI than did the strong Columbia (Col) allele. The weak FLC‐Nd allele was semidominant in the mixed Nd/Col genetic background containing FRI, and a linear correlation between the level of FLC RNA and lateness of flowering was observed. However, late‐flowering transgressions with elevated levels of FLC RNA in the absence of FRI were also ...
Automated Digital Analysis of Fiber Interferograms

An automatic method for the analysis of fiber interferograms is described. The system consists of an Aus Jena interference microscope fitted with a solid state video camera, an image array processor, and a dedicated DEC microcomputer. A key factor in the speed and accuracy of the analysis is an automatic fringe tracing procedure that eliminates operator bias. The system outputs both thickness profiles and chord-averaged refractive index profiles across the fiber sample. Examples of application to high speed spun nylon and PET and Kevlar® fibers are given.
BSR: B-spline atomic R-matrix codes☆

Abstract BSR is a general program to calculate atomic continuum processes using the B-spline R-matrix method, including electron–atom and electron–ion scattering, and radiative processes such as bound–bound transitions, photoionization and polarizabilities. The calculations can be performed in LS-coupling or in an intermediate-coupling scheme by including terms of the Breit–Pauli Hamiltonian. New version program summary Title of program: BSR Catalogue identifier: ADWY Program summary URL: http://cpc.cs.qub.ac.uk/summaries/ADWY Program obtainable from: CPC Program Library, Queen's University of Belfast, N. Ireland Computers on which the program has been tested: Microway Beowulf cluster; Compaq Beowulf cluster; DEC Alpha workstation; DELL PC Operating systems under which the new version has been tested: UNIX, Windows XP Programming language used: FORTRAN 95 Memory required to execute with typical data: Typically 256–512 Mwords. Since all the principal dimensions are allocatable, the available memory defines the maximum complexity of the problem No. of bits in a word: 8 No. of processors used: 1 Has the code been vectorized or parallelized?: no No. of lines in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 69 943 No. of bytes in distributed program, including test data, etc.: 746 450 Peripherals used: scratch disk store; permanent disk store Distribution format: tar.gz Nature of physical problem: This program uses the R-matrix method to calculate electron–atom and electron–ion collision processes, with options to calculate radiative data, photoionization, etc. The calculations can be performed in LS-coupling or in an intermediate-coupling scheme, with options to include Breit–Pauli terms in the Hamiltonian. Method of solution: The R-matrix method is used [P.G. Burke, K.A. Berrington, Atomic and Molecular Processes: An R-Matrix Approach, IOP Publishing, Bristol, 1993; P.G. Burke, W.D. Robb, Adv. At. Mol. Phys. 11 (1975) 143; K.A. Berrington, W.B. Eissner, P.H. Norrington, Comput. Phys. Comm. 92 (1995) 290].
The transaction cost advantage of guanxi-based business practices

Abstract The purpose of this paper is to provide a theoretical explanation of the perpetuation of China’s guanxi-based business practices. As a complement to the social embeddedness- and resource-based explanations, we seek to demonstrate the perseverance and relevance of guanxi in terms of the transaction cost advantages it offers. Specifically, we argue that guanxi-based business practices offer certain transaction cost advantages over existing structural alternatives identified in transaction cost theory. Where the guanxi network is well developed, the transaction cost advantages of guanxi-based exchange are sufficient to warrant the integration of guanxi- and market-based exchange mechanisms.
Is it time for a new paradigm for systemic cancer treatment? Lessons from a century of cancer chemotherapy

U.S. SEER data for age-adjusted mortality rates for all cancers combined for all races show only a modest overall 13% decline over the past 35 years. Moreover, the greatest contributor to cancer mortality is treatment resistant metastatic disease. The accepted therapeutic paradigm for the past half century for the treatment of advanced cancers has involved the use of systemic chemotherapy drugs cytotoxic for cycling cells (both normal and malignant) during DNA synthesis and/or mitosis. The failure of this therapeutic modality to achieve high level, consistent rates of disease free survival for some of the most common cancers, including tumors of the lung, colon breast, brain, melanoma and others is the focus of this paper. A retrospective assessment of critical milestones in cancer chemotherapy indicates that most successful therapeutic regimens use cytotoxic cell cycle inhibitors in combined, maximum tolerated, dose dense acute treatment regimens originally developed to treat acute lymphoblastic leukemia and some lymphomas. Early clinical successes in this area led to their wholesale application to the treatment of solid tumor malignancies that, unfortunately, has not produced consistent, long-term high cure rates for many common cancers. Important differences in therapeutic sensitivity of leukemias/lymphomas versus solid tumors can be explained by key biological differences that define the treatment resistant solid tumor phenotype. A review of these clinical outcome data in the context of recent developments in our understanding of drug resistance mechanisms characteristic of solid tumors suggests the need for a new paradigm for the treatment of chemotherapy-resistant cancers. In contrast to reductionist approaches, the systemic approach targets both micro-environmental and systemic factors that drive and sustain tumor progression. These systemic factors include dysregulated inflammatory and oxidation pathways shown to be directly implicated in the developme
MORE ACCURATE TREATMENT OF THE LOW-ENERGY POTENTIAL IN THE STRIP APPROXIMATION

Both the tractability and the reliability of the Reggeized strip approximation are increased by normalizing the long-range part of the potential at zero energy. We make the decomposition $V(t, s)=V(t, 0)+{V}^{R}(t, s)$, where $s$ is the energy squared and $t$ is the negative square of momentum transfer, and then calculate the first part $V(t, 0)$ from a low-$t$ partial-wave expansion in the $t$ reaction. The other part, ${V}^{R}(t, s)$, which vanishes at $s=0$ but which dominates at large $s$, continues to be calculated by the method of Chew and Jones from the leading crossed-reaction Regge trajectories. The normalization eliminates from the bootstrap calculation the need for accurate treatment of secondary trajectories that fail to reach $J=0$; normalization, in fact, amounts to a sum over all poles, and is useful because poles that remain in the left half of the $J$ plane may have an important influence on the low-energy potential while being negligible at higher energies.
Does contextualized computing education help

Overview - in the March 2010 Inroads, Steve Cooper and Steve Cunningham presented an editorial arguing for "Teaching computer science in context" (Cooper and Cunningham 2010). Context is the use of a consistent application or domain area, which effectively covers the core areas of a computer science course, provides a source for explanations and a basis for student projects (Tew, Dorn et al. 2008; Guzdial 2009). Examples of contexts for introductory computer science include Media Computation (Guzdial 2003), Alice (Cooper, Dann et al. 2003), and Robotics (Balch, Summet et al. 2008).
P300 from families

The P3(00) event-related brain potential (ERP) was elicited using auditory and visual stimuli in an oddball paradigm in 10 families, each consisting of a biologically related father, mother, and 2 children. P3 amplitude and latency measures from both stimulus modalities were more highly correlated between family members than between non-family individuals. Similar effects were found for the N1, P2 and N2 components. The results support findings from twin studies suggesting that genetic factors contribute to P3 morphological characteristics.
Rethinking assimilation theory for a new era of immigration.

Assimilation theory has been subject to intensive critique for decades. Yet no other framework has provided the social science community with as deep a corpus of cumulative findings concerning the incorporation of immigrants and their descendants. We argue that assimilation theory has not lost its utility for the study of contemporary immigration to the United States. In making our case, we review critically the canonical account of assimilation provided by Milton Gordon and others ; we refer to Shibutani and Kwan's theory of ethnic stratification to suggest some directions to take in reformulating assimilation theory. We also examine some of the arguments frequently made to distinguish between the earlier mass immigration of Europeans and the immigration of the contemporary era and find them to be inconclusive. Finally, we sift through some of the evidence about the socioeconomic and residential assimilation of recent immigrant groups. Though the record is clearly mixed, we find evidence consistent with the view that assimilation is taking place, albeit unevenly
Network structure and efficiency of observational social learning

This paper explores the relationship between the structure of a network of agents and how efficiently they can learn a common unknown parameter. Agents repeatedly make private observations which are possibly informative about the unknown parameter; they also communicate their beliefs over the set of conceivable parameter values to their neighbors. It has been shown that for agents to learn the realized state, it is sufficient that they incorporate in their beliefs their private observations in a Bayesian way and the beliefs of their neighbors using a fixed linear rule. In this paper we establish upper and lower bounds on the rate by which agents performing such an update learn the realized state and show that the bounds can be tight. These bounds enable us to compare efficiency of different networks in aggregating dispersed information. Our analysis yields an important insight: for agents in large balanced networks learning is much slower compared to that of a central observer regardless of the distribution of information in the network, whereas unbalanced networks result in near efficient learning if the observations of the centrally positioned agents are much more informative than others' observations.
Goniotomy vs external trabeculotomy for developmental glaucoma

We compared external trabeculotomy and goniotomy in similar groups of patients with developmental glaucoma. External trabeculotomy was statistically more successful as a first operation (19 of 23 eyes, 83%) than goniotomy (eight of 24 eyes, 33%) (P = .003). With multiple operations both procedures controlled intraocular pressure in most patients but more operations were required after goniotomy (31 procedures in 12 eyes) than after external trabeculotomy (13 procedures in eight eyes). Most failures occurred within one year of surgery (six of eight failures with external trabeculotomy and 20 of 23 failures with goniotomy).
Factors Affecting Peanut Producer Adoption of Integrated Pest Management

Despite evidence of Georgia peanut producer and environmental benefits associated with integrated pest management (IPM), producer adoption remains low. The analysis reported in this paper examines attributes associated with producers' decisions to adopt IPM practices. The logit analysis includes attributes from four categories: producer characteristics, farm structure, management practices, and institutional factors. Variables from three of the four categories were significantly associated with adoption decisions. The institutional variable, receipt of Extension materials, had the greatest association with adoption decisions. The results suggest that shifts in extension IPM education programs to non-traditional audiences and the development of educational programs targeted to specific agricultural activities and producer characteristics may increase adoption.
Tight-binding studies of surface effects on electronic structure of CdSe nanocrystals: the role of organic ligands, surface reconstruction, and inorganic capping shells

We utilize a tight-binding model to study the effects of surface structure on electronic properties of CdSe clusters. The model takes into account experimental information about structure and shape of the nanocrystals, as well as the nature and distribution of capping ligands. The effects of both organic capping ligands and inorganic capping shells on the densities of states (DOS) and on the single-particle absorption spectra of the clusters are calculated for various cluster shapes and sizes, and are compared to results for clusters with truncated surfaces. For organic capping ligands, the effect of ligand hybridization is investigated and a simple model of surface reconstruction is developed. Both ligand hybridization and surface reconstruction are seen to have a major influence on the band edge electronic and optical properties. Inorganic capping shells give rise to differential localization of valence and conduction band edge states, with the hole primarily confined to the core region and the electron more evenly distributed over both core and shell.
Photorefractive Effects and Structure/Property Correlation of Oligothiophenes Functionalized with Nonlinear Optical Chromophores

A homologous series of fully functionalized regioregular oligo(3-alkylthiophenes) 10−12 bearing a nonlinear optical (NLO) chromophore was synthesized. An alternating sequence of bromination and Stille cross-coupling reactions was developed for the synthesis of these oligomers and regiochemically pure, trimethylsilyl-substituted bithiophene organostannane 2c was utilized as the building block. The resulting materials were shown to form stable amorphous films exhibiting a large photorefractive (PR) effect. Two-beam coupling and degenerate four-wave mixing experiments demonstrate large optical net gain and high diffraction efficiency. It was also found that the PR performance of these oligomers depends on the π-conjugation chain length with an optimized conjugation length.
Effects on white Leghorn hens of constant exposure to ultraviolet light from insect traps

Constant exposure of Hy-Line W-36 White Leghorn hens to ultraviolet light from insect traps resulted in no significant differences in egg production, fertility, hatchability of fertile eggs, or total hatchability. Also, there were no apparent effects on the eyes of the birds. Results were the same when either blacklight or blacklight blue tubes were used. The need for additional testing of light traps for nuisance fly control in commercial caged layer houses is discussed.