cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Association between Alopecia and Inflammatory Bowel Disease: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

IMPORTANCE The link between autoimmune gut disorders and different types of hair loss conditions has been recently investigated with an increased interest. With acknowledgement of the connection between immune dysregulation and the gut microbiome, this pathway is now becoming recognized as playing an important role in hair growth. The inflammatory cascade that results from the disruption of gut integrity such as seen in inflammatory bowel diseases (IBD) has been associated with certain types of alopecia. OBJECTIVE The aim of this work was to evaluate the association between alopecia and IBD. EVIDENCE REVIEW A primary literature search was conducted using the PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases to identify articles on co-occurring alopecia and IBD from 1967 to 2020. A total of 79 studies were included in the review. A one-way proportional meta-analysis was performed on 19 of the studies to generate the pooled prevalence of alopecia and IBD. FINDING The pooled prevalence of non-scarring alopecia among IBD patients was 1.12% (k = 7, I2 = 98.6%, 95% CI 3.1-39.9); the prevalence of IBD among scarring and non-scarring alopecia was 1.99% (k = 12; I2 = 99%, 95% CI 6.2-34). The prevalence of non-scarring alopecia areata (AA) among IBD was compared to the prevalence of AA in the general population (0.63 vs. 0.1%; p < 0.0001). Similarly, the prevalence of IBD among the scarring and non-scarring alopecia groups was compared to the prevalence of IBD in the general population (1.99 vs. 0.396%; p = 0.0004). CONCLUSION IBD and alopecia, particularly AA, appear to be strongly associated. Dermatology patients with alopecia may benefit from screening for IBD.
Generation of inner ear sensory neurons using blastocyst complementation in a Neurog1 +/−−deficient mouse

This research is the first to produce induced pluripotent stem cell-derived inner ear sensory neurons in the Neurog1+/− heterozygote mouse using blastocyst complementation. Additionally, this approach corrected non-sensory deficits associated with Neurog1 heterozygosity, indicating that complementation is specific to endogenous Neurog1 function. This work validates the use of blastocyst complementation as a tool to create novel insight into the function of developmental genes and highlights blastocyst complementation as a potential platform for generating chimeric inner ear cell types that can be transplanted into damaged inner ears to improve hearing.
Metformin in nucleus accumbens core reduces cue-induced cocaine seeking in male and female rats

This study investigated the potential therapeutic effects of the FDA-approved drug metformin on cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Metformin (dimethyl-biguanide) is a first-line treatment for type II diabetes that, among other mechanisms, is involved in the activation of adenosine monophosphate activated protein kinase (AMPK). Cocaine self-administration and extinction is associated with decreased levels of phosphorylated AMPK within the nucleus accumbens core (NAcore). Previously it was shown that increasing AMPK activity in the NAcore decreased cue-induced reinstatement of cocaine seeking. Decreasing AMPK activity produced the opposite effect. The goal of the present study was to determine if metformin in the NAcore reduces cue-induced cocaine seeking in adult male and female Sprague Dawley rats. Rats were trained to self-administer cocaine followed by extinction prior to cue-induced reinstatement trials. Metformin microinjected in the NAcore attenuated cue-induced reinstatement in male and female rats. Importantly, metformin9s effects on cocaine seeking were not due to a general depression of spontaneous locomotor activity. In female rats, metformin9s effects did generalize to a reduction in cue-induced reinstatement of sucrose seeking. These data support a potential role for metformin as a pharmacotherapy for cocaine use disorder, but warrant caution given the potential for metformin9s effects to generalize to a natural reward in female rats.
A Role for Visual Areas in Physics Simulations

To engage with the world, we must regularly make predictions about the outcomes of physical scenes. How do we make these predictions? Recent evidence points to simulation - the idea that we can introspectively manipulate rich, mental models of the world - as one possible explanation for how such predictions are accomplished. While theories based on simulation are supported by computational models, neuroscientific evidence for simulation is lacking and many important questions remain. For instance, do simulations simply entail a series of abstract computations? Or are they supported by sensory representations of the objects that comprise the scene being simulated? We posit the latter and suggest that the process of simulating a sequence of physical interactions is likely to evoke an imagery-like envisioning of those interactions. Using functional magnetic resonance imaging, we demonstrate that when participants predict how a ball will fall through an obstacle-filled display, motion-sensitive brain regions are activated. We further demonstrate that this activity, which occurs even though no motion is being sensed, resembles activity patterns that arise while participants perceive the ball9s motion. This finding suggests that the process of simulating the ball9s movement is accompanied by a sensory representation of this movement. These data thus demonstrate that mental simulations recreate sensory depictions of how a physical scene is likely to unfold.
Influenza Vaccine Uptake and Missed Opportunities Among the Medicare-Covered Population With High-Risk Conditions During the 2018 to 2019 Influenza Season : A Retrospective Cohort Study

Background Seasonal influenza causes substantial morbidity and mortality among older U.S. adults and those with comorbid health conditions. Objective To describe seasonal influenza vaccine uptake and identify factors associated with missed opportunities for influenza vaccination. Design Retrospective cohort study. Setting Medicare fee-for-service claims. Participants 31.6 million U.S. adults continuously enrolled under Medicare Parts A and B during the 2018 to 2019 influenza season. Measurements Influenza vaccine uptake and missed opportunities by patient demographic characteristics, high-risk status (that is, ≥1 condition increasing influenza complication risk), Medicare-Medicaid dual-eligibility status, and health care provider visits (that is, vaccination opportunities). Results Overall, 50.5% of beneficiaries aged 19 years or older had Medicare claims for influenza vaccination: 31.6% among people aged 19 to 64 years and 54% among people aged 65 years or older. More White beneficiaries were vaccinated (52.9%) than Black (34.9%) or Hispanic (30.4%) beneficiaries. Uptake was higher (56.1%) for beneficiaries with high-risk conditions than for those without (27.6%). Among unvaccinated beneficiaries overall, 77.4% visited a provider during influenza season; among unvaccinated beneficiaries with and without high-risk conditions, 91% and 43%, respectively, had seen a provider at least once. The proportion of beneficiaries with missed opportunities for influenza vaccination was 44.2% and was higher for beneficiaries in the non-high-risk group (59.1%) than those in the high-risk group (42.2%). Uptake was lower and proportions of missed opportunities were higher among beneficiaries in younger age groups, of Black and Hispanic race/ethnicity, without high-risk conditions, or with Medicare-Medicaid dual eligibility. Limitations Influenza vaccinations without claims could not be captured. Data on reasons for nonvaccination were unavailable. Conclusion Influenza vaccination coverage for Medicare beneficiaries continues to be suboptimal, with missed opportunities despite availability of influenza vaccination with no copayment. Disparities persist in vaccination uptake by race/ethnicity. Primary funding source None.
Transnational feminism and global advocacy in South Asia

1. Transnational Feminism and Global Advocacy in South Asia Gita Rajan and Jigna Desai 2. In search of the choreographies of daily life and struggle Ananya Chatterjea 3. Churnings of a movement: Sangtin's diary Richa Nagar and Richa Singh 4. Citizenship and dissent: South Asian Muslim youth in the US after 9/11 Sunaina Maira 5. Global nationalisms, pastoral identities: Association for India's Development (AID) negotiates transnational activism Kumarini Silva 6. Impact of tsunami in the East - Muslim women's perspective Shreen Saroor 7. Bending bodies, borders and desires in Bapsi Sidhwa's Cracking India and Deepa Mehta's Earth Rani Neutill 8. Eat, pray, love mimic: Female citizenship and otherness R. Diyah Larasati 9. Grassroots Texts: Ethnographic Ruptures and Transnational Feminist Imaginaries Piya Chatterjee
Deformation of Sand in Shear

The behavior of an Ottawa sand under different combinations of hydrostatic and deviatoric stresses has been studied in a new soil test box. The general shearing behavior with special reference to the proportions of elastic and plastic components of the shearing deformations is described. These were examined by loading and unloading the sample along preselected stress paths. The sample was under a three-dimensional stress state and the required stresses were conveniently generated by means of the stress control device developed in connection with the soil test box.
Assessment of data management security technology for military requirements

The purpose of this paper is to assess recent developments in data management security technology in the context of tactical database systems requirements, to focus on key issues, and to serve as a catalyst for further investigation and discussion. Survivability and security are the two key issues that must be addressed in addition to functionality and performance in tactical database systems. While there has been a significant advancement in data management technology over the past few years, the benefits of this technology found limited applicability in the military environment because of the unique security requirements imposed by the tactical applications on battlefield automated systems.
The bradykinin-forming cascade: a historical perspective

The formation of bradykinin in plasma requires interaction of three proteins, namely coagulation factor XII (Hageman factor), prekallikrein and high-molecular-weight kininogen (HK). Prekallikrein and HK circulate as a bimolecular complex. Initiation of the cascade upon binding to negatively charged surfaces (or macromolecules) is dependent on factor XII autoactivation, conversion of prekallikrein to kallikrein, and a feedback activation of factor XII by kallikrein. The latter reaction is extremely rapid relative to factor XII autoactivation. The kallikrein then digests HK to liberate bradykinin. The natural surface appears to be vascular endothelial cells which express binding proteins for factor XII and HK, and activation can proceed along the cell surface. Recent findings demonstrate that prekallikrein has enzymatic activity separate from that of kallikrein such that it can stoichiometrically bind and cleave HK to liberate bradykinin. It is normally prevented from doing so by the plasma C1 inhibitor. Release of heat shock protein 90 (HSP-90) from endothelial cells can convert prekallikrein to kallikrein (stoichiometrically) within the prekallikrein-HK complex, even in the absence of factor XII, and the prekallikrein-HK complex can autoactivate to generate kallikrein if phosphate is the buffering ion. The effects of phosphate ion and HSP-90 are additive. Thus, an active site appears to be induced in prekallikrein by binding to HK and any of the aforementioned reactions can generate kallikrein prior to factor XII activation by autoactivation of the HK-PK complex. This brief review highlights the major discoveries made over the past 50 years which have led to our current concepts regarding the constituents and mechanisms of activation of the plasma bradykinin-forming cascade.
Carbon pools and soil biochemical properties in manure-based organic farming systems of semi-arid New Mexico

The economic benefits of organic agriculture and its wide adoption are well documented, but the impact of that practice on soil C dynamics in irrigated croplands of semi-arid regions is less well understood. In manure-based organic production systems, land applications of animal wastes not only provide nutrients but could also contribute to soil carbon sequestration. A study was conducted in irrigated cotton (Gossypium arboreum L) agro-ecosystems of New Mexico (USA) under conventional (CONV; 100 kg N ⁄ ha as urea and NH4NO3) and organic farming practices (OF for 3–9 yr; 50 Mg dry manure ⁄ ha) to assess the effect of OF on soil C stocks (organic, inorganic) and biochemical indices [microbial biomass C (MBC); respiration; metabolic quotient (qCO2)]. In the plough layer (0–30 cm), soil organic carbon (SOC) stocks tended to be higher (although not statistically) under OF (35.9 Mg C ⁄ ha) than CONV (33.5 Mg C ⁄ ha). However, when the entire 100-cm soil profile was considered, the total SOC under CONV exceeded that under OF by 39.8 Mg C ⁄ ha, but this may be influenced by other factors. Accounting for 52% of the total C stock, inorganic C was significantly higher under CONV than OF and was positively correlated with soil respiration and the H ⁄ C ratio of soil organic matter. While OF duration had no consistent effect on soil biochemical properties, MBC was significantly higher (1.5 times) and the qCO2 (3–6 times) was lower in the organically fertilized soils than under CONV. These results suggest the development, under OF, of a soil microbial community that is larger and processes added C substrates more efficiently compared with the community present in CONV practices.
Russia and the West from Alexander to Putin: Honor in International Relations

1. Introduction Part I. Theory: 2. Honor in international relations 3. The Russian state and its honor 4. Russia's relations with the West Part II. Honor and Cooperation: 5. The Holy Alliance, 1815-53 6. The Triple Entente, 1907-17 7. The collective security, 1933-9 8. The war with terrorism, 2001-5 Part III. Honor and Defensiveness: 9. The Recueillement, 1856-71 10. The peaceful coexistence, 1921-39 11. Containing NATO expansion, 1995-2000 Part IV. Honor and Assertiveness: 12. The Crimean War, 1853-6 13. The early Cold War, 1946-9 14. The Russia-Georgia War, August 2008 15. Conclusion Bibliography.
Masking of Infrared Neural Stimulation (INS) in hearing and deaf guinea pigs

Spatial selective infrared neural stimulation has potential to improve neural prostheses, including cochlear implants. The heating of a confined target volume depolarizes the cell membrane and results in an action potential. Tissue heating may also results in thermal damage or the generation of a stress relaxation wave. Stress relaxation waves may result in a direct mechanical stimulation of remaining hair cells in the cochlea, so called optophony. Data are presented that quantify the effect of an acoustical stimulus (noise masker) on the response obtained with INS in normal hearing, acutely deafened, and chronic deaf animals. While in normal hearing animals an acoustic masker can reduce the response to INS, in acutely deafened animals the masking effect is reduced, and in chronic deaf animals this effect has not been detected. The responses to INS remain stable following the different degrees of cochlear damage.
Identification of upstream activator sequences that regulate induction of the beta-galactosidase gene in Kluyveromyces lactis.

Transcription of the Kluyveromyces lactis beta-galactosidase gene, LAC4, is inducible by galactose and lactose. We examined the effects of deletion mutations within the LAC4 promoter on the expression of beta-galactosidase activity. The results of these experiments indicate that at least two upstream activator sequences (UAS) mediate maximum induction by galactose. These UAS sequence elements are homologous to UAS that regulate induction of the melibiose-galactose regulon of Saccharomyces cerevisiae. We also show that a synthetic copy of one of the K. lactis UAS restores the inducibility of a deleted, noninducible LAC4 promoter. Since the uninduced or basal level of LAC4 expression was increased in several promoter deletion strains and in deletion strains carrying one or two synthetic UAS, we examined the contribution of the LAC9 positive regulatory protein to this effect. The LAC9 protein is thought to bind to UAS and activate transcription of LAC4 (L.V. Wray, M.M. Witte, R.C. Dickson, and M.I. Riley, Mol. Cell. Biol. 7:1111-1121, 1987). Our results demonstrate that LAC9 protein plays a role in setting the uninduced level of gene expression, but other factors also participate. For example, in a lac9 background a LAC4 promoter deletion mutant with two copies of a synthetic 17-base-pair UAS yields a sevenfold higher level of uninduced LAC4 expression than the same strain with one UAS. These and other data indicate that the basal level of gene expression is strongly influenced by the base sequence of the promoter.
Decoupled Control and Data Processing for Approximate Near-Threshold Voltage Computing

Near-threshold voltage computing can significantly improve energy efficiency; however, both operating speed and resilience to parametric variation reduce as the operating voltage reaches the threshold voltage. To prevent degradation in throughput performance, more cores should contribute to computation. The corresponding expansion in the chip area, however, is likely to further exacerbate the already intensified vulnerability to variation. Variation itself results in slower cores and ample speed differences among the cores. Worse, variation-induced slowdown might prevent operation at the designated clock speed, leading to timing errors. In this article, the authors exploit the intrinsic error tolerance of emerging Recognition, Mining, and Synthesis applications to mitigate variation. RMS applications can tolerate errors emanating from data-intensive program phases as opposed to control. Accordingly, the authors reserve reliable cores for control, and they execute error-tolerant data-intensive phases on error-prone cores. They also provide a design space exploration for decoupled control and data processing to mitigate variation at near-threshold voltages.
More robust tests in algorithm-based fault-tolerant matrix multiplication

The authors propose a novel algorithm-based testing scheme for matrix multiplication that supplements the standard sum test. An integer-based equality test is presented for matrix multiplication that is able to detect up to three errors in the scalar floating-point multiplication component of the computation. They present schemes that augment this integer-based test by a floating-point equality test so that errors in the floating-point addition component of matrix multiplication are also covered. As shown by simulation results, the hybrid testing method is much more accurate in detecting errors than previous floating-point equality tests with thresholding. A small architectural change is suggested in the floating-point multiplication unit that restricts the time overhead of the scheme to only 18% over that of the simple floating-point equality test. >
A modeling and circuit reduction methodology for circuit simulation of DRAM circuits

As DRAM circuit densities increase and feature sizes decrease, circuit simulation of these circuits is becoming increasingly more critical and challenging in order to handle the large circuit capacity (millions of transistors), together with the accuracy required to take into account submicron effects. This paper presents a modeling and circuit reduction methodology and a DRAM modeling tool that lets the user configure the model architecture, parameterize and generate reduced macromodels, select and switch between different-level models, link the different models, and define circuit stimulus signals for the circuit simulation of the entire DRAM design.
Liver transplantation for primary and metastatic hepatic malignancy: a single center experience

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) remains one of the most common malignancies in the world with an estimated 500,000 to 1 million new cases diagnosed each year. These primary cancers are associated most commonly with chronic liver disease or cirrhosis. In Western countries, the principle causes of chronic liver disease associated with HCC are chronic alcohol usage and hepatitis B and C infection. In the United States, there has been a substantial rise in the incidence of HCC, which is directly linked to the rising incidence of hepatitis C (HCV) infection. The median survival of patients with untreated HCC in the setting of cirrhosis is 6 to 9 months. The traditional management of HCC confined to the liver has been operative resection. Unfortunately, in the majority of patients with HCC their underlying liver disease precludes them from hepatic resection. Fewer than 15% of patients presenting with HCC are resectional candidates. Historically the most controversial management of HCC has been liver transplantation, which results in the most extensive resection, a complete hepatectomy. This treatment modality provides an oncologically sound approach with the complete removal of HCC that is confined within the liver. This approach also eliminates the cumbersome problem of secondary primaries. The total hepatectomy provides simultaneous treatment of the caus-
Addition of sialidase or p38 MAPK inhibitors does not ameliorate decrements in platelet in vitro storage properties caused by 4 °C storage.

Background and Objectives Bacterial proliferation is inhibited in platelets (PLTs) stored at refrigerated temperatures, but also dramatically decreases PLT in vivo survival. Recent studies have demonstrated that cold temperature (CT) stored PLTs secrete sialidases upon re-warming, removing sialic acid from the PLT surface, which may be responsible for clustering of GPIbα and PLT clearance from circulation. In this study, the influence of a sialidase inhibitor or a p38 MAP kinase inhibitor was evaluated in units stored at 4 °C. Materials and Methods After collection of a single Trima apheresis unit (n = 12), PLTs were aliquoted into four 60-ml CLX storage bags. One bag was stored at 20–24 °C (RT) with continuous agitation; a second bag was stored at 4 °C without agitation; a third bag was held at 4 °C without agitation with sialidase inhibitor, a fourth bag was incubated at 4 °C with a p38 MAPK inhibitor without agitation. Results Beginning from Day 1, all in vitro PLT parameters were adversely affected by CT compared to those of RT. Similar in vitro storage properties were observed in CT PLT in the presence or absence of sialidase or p38 MAPK inhibitors. P38 MAPK phosphorylation inhibition was not observed at CT. Decrease of sialidase activity was observed for 2 days in PLTs stored in additive solution but not in plasma. Conclusion Addition of either sialidase or p38 MAPK inhibitors do not improve any in vitro parameters of PLTs stored at 4 °C in 100% plasma.
Mechanisms of differential activation of target gene promoters by p53 hinge domain mutants with impaired apoptotic function.

Suppression of tumor cell growth by p53 results from the activation of both apoptosis and cell cycle arrest functions that have been shown to be separable activities of p53. We report here that some mutants in the p53 hinge domain, a short linker between the DNA binding and tetramerization domains, differentially activated the promoters of p53 target genes and possessed an impaired apoptotic function. Our results indicate that the hinge domain may play an important role in differentially regulating p53 cell cycle arrest and apoptotic functions. However, the mechanisms by which p53 hinge domain mutants differentially activate its target genes, e.g. p21(WAF1/CIP1) and Bax, remain unknown. To investigate the possible mechanisms, recombinant p21(WAF1/CIP1) and Bax promoters were constructed, resulting in rearrangement of the existing p53 binding sites within a given promoter or actually swapping p53 binding sites between the two promoters. Our results suggest that multiple mechanisms of differential transactivation occur, depending on the molecular nature of the relevant hinge domain mutant, such as the possibility that dual separate DNA binding sites in the p21(WAF1/CIP1) promoter are responsible for the selective transactivation activity of p53 hinge domain mutant del300-327, which has a large deletion in the hinge domain. Lack of ideal p53 binding sites in the Bax promoter results in less potent activation than that seen with the p21(WAF1/CIP1) promoter when it is transactivated by hinge domain point mutant mutR306P or short deletion mutant del300-308 proteins. How the single mutation or the short deletion affect the conformation of p53 and consequently the transactivation of the Bax promoter will require further investigation of the relevant p53 protein: DNA-binding domain by NMR and x-ray crystallographic techniques.
MOLECULAR CHARACTERIZATION OF A PHOSPHATE-REGULATED CELL-SURFACE PROTEIN FROM THE COCCOLITHOPHORID,EMILIANIA HUXLEYI(PRYMNESIOPHYCEAE)

Emiliania huxleyi (Lohmann) Hay et Mohler is a cosmopolitan coccolithophorid that is known to be an excellent competitor for phosphate. A previous survey of cell-surface proteins induced by phosphorus limitation in strain CCMP 374 yielded three abundant proteins. Using CCMP 1516, the strain chosen for genome sequence determination, we report the cDNA, genomic, and amino acid sequence of one cell-surface phosphorus-limitation induced protein and evidence that a second protein is highly similar. The introns within the genomic DNA encoding this cell-surface protein as well as those defined by other phosphate-regulated expressed sequence tags are analyzed. As these proteins are the most abundant cell-surface proteins present under phosphorus limitation, they likely have a role in the ability of this organism to compete for phosphate.
Chronic renal failure: a disorder of adaptation.

. . . I would emphasize particularly the contrast between a low glomerular filtration rate due to conditions imposed upon a kidney of normal size, as in L·art failure, and a low glomendar filtration rate due to hss of nephrons. In the first instance the rate offiltration per glomerulus w low, and in the second instance . . . it is high. The total effective renal function is reduced owing to loss of tissue, but the work of each remaining unit is increased. Workers in the field of applied renal physiology have frequently overlooked this essential distinction, and at the risk of overemphasis I will illustrate it by a simile from industry. The total production or output of a factory may fall for one of two reasons. The team of workers may become slack or may not have enough to do, like the nephrons in L·art failure; or the team may have been seriously depleted in numbers owing to illness, the few remaining workers actually putting in overtime in an unsuccessful attempt to compensate for the absence of their fellows. The latter is the state of affairs in experimental renal failure, as our obliging rats have clearly demonstrated, and there is good reason to believe that it is the state of affairs aho in chronic renal failure in the human subject. If we only study die total production of the factory, without regard to tL· output per man, or in the case of the kidney to overall function without regard to structure, we fail to distinguish between these two causes of inadequacy, and since the behaviour of the tubule cells is in a large measure dependent upon the rate at which glomerular filtrate is reaching them, the distinction is ofprimary importance in tL· interpretation of tL· phenomena of renal disease.—R. Platt [1]
Traumatic Brain Injury in School-Age Children: Academic and Social Outcome.

Abstract School-aged children with a traumatic brain injury (TBI) require extraordinary effort and energy from individuals in their school, home, and community. The purpose of this study was to examine the academic, behavioral, and social outcomes of a cohort of children and adolescents following TBI. A comprehensive assessment of cognitive functioning, achievement, and adaptive behavior was administered to 43 school-aged children 2 years after their TBI. Premorbid functioning for each participant was obtained from state-mandated test scores assessed prior to the TBI. The predictive utility of premorbid functioning, TBI severity, and age at injury were examined. Findings revealed that premorbid functions were significant predictors of reading and spelling achievement and adaptive functioning. Severity of injury was predictive of adaptive functioning. Implications of findings include program development, reintegration into school, and educating parents and teachers.
Neutrons from radiative pion capture in carbon, oxygen, and calcium

The energy spectra of neutrons between 2 and 28 MeV emitted following radiative pion capture in carbon, oxygen, and calcium fall off exponentially. An enhancement, however, is observed for neutron energies below 5 MeV in carbon and oxygen. Neutron yield peaks at $n\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ angles of 180\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}, indicating a quasifree absorption mechanism in this process.
The antibacterial actions of quaternary ammonium sulfonamides.

The results of a study of the antibacterial actions of a number of quaternary ammonium sulfonamides are reported. The antibacterial actions of these compounds have been found to be due to the quaternary ammonium component in the molecule and not to the sulfonamide radical.
NSAID USE AND DECREASED RISK OF GASTROINTESTINAL CANCERS

The accumulating evidence suggests that aspirin or other NSAIDs may prevent or inhibit the development of colon and perhaps other digestive tract cancers. Although the clinical, experimental, and epidemiologic evidence is promising, the hypothesis remains unproven except in the models of chemically induced colon cancer in rodents and adenomatous polyps in patients with FAP. Clinicians should await the results of randomized trials before using NSAIDs for cancer prevention or treatment. Recommendations are as follows: 1. Experimental studies should define the mechanism or mechanisms by which NSAIDs inhibit tumorigenesis in the rodent model. 2. Experimental and clinical studies should define the optimal drug, dosage, and treatment regimen. The new, selective COX-2 inhibitors should be studied for efficacy and toxicity. 3. Epidemiologic studies should continue to explore the issues of dosage, duration, drug, and toxicity. Because full-scale, randomized trials are feasible only for studying intermediate end points such as polyp recurrence or proliferative indices in high-risk populations, epidemiologic studies have an ongoing role. 4. Carefully designed randomized, clinical trials, now underway, are needed to test the efficacy of NSAIDs in inhibiting colorectal polyps or cancer in humans. 5. Better criteria are needed as to who should take aspirin and who should not.
Conformations of 1,2-dimethoxypropane and 5-methoxy-1,3-dioxane: are ab initio quantum chemistry predictions accurate?

Abstract High-level ab initio quantum chemistry calculations are shown to predict conformer populations of 1,2-dimethoxypropane and 5-methoxy-1,3-dioxane that are consistent with gas-phase NMR vicinal coupling constant measurements. The conformational energies of the cyclic ether 5-methoxy-1,3-dioxane are found to be consistent with those predicted by a rotational isomeric state (RIS) model based upon the acyclic analog 1,2-dimethoxypropane. The quantum chemistry and RIS calculations indicate the presence of strong attractive 1,5 C(H3)⋯O electrostatic interactions in these molecules, similar to those found in 1,2-dimethoxyethane.
Contact hypersensitivity response to o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol in mice.

ABSTRACTo-Benzyl-p-chlorophenol was evaluated for its potential as a sensitizing agent for allergic contact hypersensitivity in mice. Female B6C3F1 mice were sensitized with 1.0, 3.0, and 10.0% o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol and challenged with 20.0% o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol. Doses of o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol were selected from assays for primary irritancy. Mice received 20 al by direct dermal application, for 5 days, to sites prepared by shaving, dermabrading and, in some mice, with intra dermal injection of Freund's complete adjuvant. the rest period was 7 days. Measurement of the contact hypersensitivity response in mice was by radioisotopic assay two days after challenge and mouse ear swelling test one and two days after challenge. Mice demonstrated statistically significant dose-dependent contact hypersensitivity responses to o-benzyl-p-chlorophenol with or without adjuvant pretreatment.
Nanosurgery with Femtosecond Lasers

Femtosecond laser pulses make it possible to ablate cell structures at the submicrometer scale. We apply this technique to study biological processes in living cells and to help identify the function of neurons in nematodes.
Team-Based Methods To Analyze High-Technology Production Systems

AbstractSociotechnical systems (STS) has previously been successfully deployed to redesign technical and social aspects of work systems. This article discusses the application of a team-based approach to a complex manufacturing process—cryomodule production—in a high-technology production facility. Cryomodules are complex and highly critical components that are the heart of a linear accelerator, which supports state-of-the-art physics experiments. The objectives of this study, which involved a participatory team of Old Dominion University researchers and cryomodule production experts, were to: (1) investigate both technical and organizational aspects of the production operation using an STS team-based approach, (2) identify areas of improvement with the potential to increase production effectiveness and reduce future production costs, and (3) provide recommendations to improve production process effectiveness. We report on the team-based STS methodology developed and the results of deploying the methodolo...
The 3D's of apoptosis: death, degradation and DIAPs

Inhibitor of apoptosis proteins (IAPs) are critical regulators of apoptosis. Recent evidence suggests that in some situations, induction of apoptosis initiates general repression of translation, as well as the targeted ubiquitination and degradation of IAPs.
Efficient computation of the distribution functions of student's t chi-squared and fto moderate accuracy

Ling (1978) recently reported on the accuracy of some approximations to the tail areas of F, chi-squared and F to help design efficient and moderately (3 to 5 decimal places) accurate programs for these probabilities. This paper examines two further approximations, and stresses the need for careful coding if one is to avoid loss of accuracy in single precision implementations on short word length computers. With careful coding five decimal places can easily be obtained for t and chi-squared probabilities, while for t four places are obtainable with reasonable computational effort.
Physiological and biochemical correlates of individual differences in behavior of wolf cubs.

In two litters of wolf cubs, individual differences in exploratory behavior, prey killing ability and social dominance were demonstrated, test scores showing a high degree of correlation as shown in an earlier study (Fox, 1972). Subjects with high, intermediate and low scores were selected for heart rate determinations monitored biotelemetrically under a test sequence designed to evaluate emotional reactivity. After these temperament and emotional-autonomic reactions had been determined, cubs were subjected to confinement and handling stress, blood samples being taken serially for plasma cortisol estimations. This treatment was repeated after ACTH injection. These findings demonstrate a marked difference in sympathetic tone and adrenal responsiveness to stress between high and low ranking cubs. High ranking cubs showed a greater sympathetic tone (higher resting EKG) and the adrenal-pituitary response to stress and ACTH treatment was of greater magnitude than in subordinates. Subjects of middle rank and with intermediate behavioral scores had a higher sympathetic tone than subordinates and under stress had a shorter latency and greater magnitude of cortisol secretion than either their higher or lower ranking peers.
1979J3 - Discovery of a previously unknown satellite of Jupiter

During a detailed search of Voyager 1 frames for additional observations of the satellite 1979J1, two small dark spots were observed in transit in several consecutive wide-angle frames of the Jovian atmosphere. The size, spacing, and motion of these pairs of dark spots indicated that they were the images of 1979J1 and its shadow. Subsequent analysis of images spanning 6 days, however, proved that the satellite observed in these Voyager 1 frames would have been occulted by Jupiter at the times of the Voyager 2 images of 1979J1 and was, therefore, a new satellite. It was subsequently found in transit on Voyager 2 images within 13 deg of the Voyager 1 prediction. Its period is 7 hrs 4 min 30 sec + or - 3 sec, and its mean distance is 1.793 Jupiter radii (Jupiter radius = 71,400 km). The observable profile appears to be roughly circular with a diameter of 40 km, and the albedo is approximately 0.05, similar to Amalthea's.
Infanticide among animals: A review, classification, and examination of the implications for the reproductive strategies of females

Abstract Infanticide among animals is a widespread phenomenon with no unitary explanation. Although the detrimental outcome for the infant is fairly constant, individuals responsible for infanticide may or may not benefit, and when they gain in fitness there may be considerable variation in how they gain. Sources of increased fitness from infanticide include: (1) exploitation of the infant as a resource, (2) elimination of a competitor for resources, (3) increased maternal survival or lifetime reproductive success for either mother or father by elimination of an ill-timed, handicapped, or supernumerary infant, and, finally, (4) increased access for individuals of one sex for reproductive investment by the other sex at the expense of same-sex competitors. Predicted attributes of the perpetrators (such as sex and degree of relatedness to the infant), attributes of the victim (i.e., age and vulnerability), as well as schedule of gain, vary for each class. Under some circumstances, individuals commit infanticide which does not result in any prospect for gain; such instances are considered nonadaptive or “pathological.” In those cases where infanticide does on the average increase fitness, selection pressures favoring it have arisen as a result of the extensive and time-consuming investment involved in production of young, and the extreme vulnerability that characterizes infancy in many animals. The scattered but nevertheless extensive occurrence of infanticide among primates raises the question of inter-specific variation. Factors such as seasonality in breeding, cooperation between individuals in defense of infants, marginal habitats, and low intrinsic rates of natural increase may outweigh other pressures, such as short male tenure lengths, which select for infanticide. Within the same species, infanticide may occur in some areas but not others, as evidenced by the variable expression of infanticidal behavior among Hanuman langurs. At present, the most obvious factor influencing facultative expression of the infanticidal trait is population density. Where it occurs, sexually selected infanticide is a significant cause of mortality. As such, it has important implications for the evolution of behavior, particularly for patterns of association between males and females, for female reproductive physiology, and for the patterning of sexual receptivity by females. It is hypothesized that the threat posed by infanticide is one of several pressures selecting for a shift among higher primates away from strictly cyclical estrous receptivity towards socially determined or situation-dependent receptivity.
The Equivalence of the Ray Tracing and Modal Methods for Modeling Radio Propagation in Lossy Rectangular Tunnels

Ray tracing and modal methods are widely used for modeling RF propagation in tunnels. In this letter, we show that the two methods are mathematically equivalent and yield the same results. We also compare the theoretical predictions from both methods to field measurements at different frequencies (455, 915, 2450, and 5800 MHz) and find good agreement.
Creep properties of a fully-lamellar Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb alloy

Abstract Minimum creep rates as a function of stress (100–300 MPa) and T=815 °C have been obtained for a Ti–48Al–2Cr–2Nb alloy with a fully lamellar microstructure. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) investigation reveals that the deformation structures are dominated by jogged screw 1/2[110] dislocations in γ-laths. It is suggested that the creep in this alloy is controlled by the non-conservative motion of 1/2[110] unit dislocations, which are normally seen in varying proportions depending on the width of the γ-laths. The creep results are then compared with a binary Ti–48Al alloy. The difference in creep rates and stress exponents between these alloys (although differing in composition) have been explained in terms of the active volume fraction of γ-laths that are participating in deformation for a given applied stress. In this context, the effect of lamellar spacing on the creep rates are also been discussed.
Transient structural response to photoexcitation in polyacetylene

An equation-of-motion procedure to study intramolecular vibrational relaxation in polyatomic molecules is developed and applied to study the transient structural response of a polyene to photoexcitation. The lattice response at short times (\ensuremath{\sim}20 fs) following excitation is characterized by an adiabatic relaxation which is highly specific to the exciting frequency. For longer times (20-1000 fs) this relaxation is strongly modified by the nonadiabatic relaxation of the excited carrier and takes the form of a "splash" in the bond-alternation profile, which reflects the transient distribution of the excited carrier in energy.
Breakthrough in Power Electronics from SiC: May 25, 2004 - May 31, 2005

This report explores the premise that silicon carbide (SiC) devices would reduce substantially the cost of energy of large wind turbines that need power electronics for variable speed generation systems.
Identifying Predictors of High Risk among Community College Telecourse Students

(1991). Identifying predictors of high risk among community college telecourse students. American Journal of Distance Education: Vol. 5, No. 1, pp. 24-35.
Empowering users to become designers: using meta-design environments to enable and motivate sustainable energy decisions

Unsustainable energy consumption is a systemic problem facing societies. While technological innovations are necessary to address this problem, they are not sufficient; they need to be integrated with social and behavioral changes in order to be most effective. Our approach is based on understanding and using participatory design as a paradigm for software design as well as the foundation for socio-technical environments that enable and support a cultural shift from passive consumers of energy to active decisions makers.Our research is grounded in two theoretical frameworks, meta-design and cultures of participation. We are developing EMPIRE, a socio-technical environment supporting rich ecologies of participation that enable people to become active designers of their energy consumption. EMPIRE engages people to participate in the design of their own energy environment and supports individuals and communities in understanding and making more sustainable choices regarding energy.
Pressure dependence of the rotational ground state tunnel splitting in Ni(NH3)6I2

Abstract Inelastic neutron scattering techniques have been used to determine the rotational tunnel splitting of the librational ground state of ammonia molecules in Ni(NH 3 ) 6 I 2 as a function of hydrostatic pressure up to 5.6 kbar at 8 K. The resulting exponential dependence of the tunnel splitting on pressure was interpreted with the help of a concurrent measurement of the compressibility to suggest a dependence on the interatomic distance as r −9 of the orientational potential. The phase transition temperature at 5.6 kbar was determined to be 27 K compared with 19.9 K at atmospheric pressure.
Performance decrement as a function of total sleep loss and task duration.

To determine the effect of task duration and its sensitivity to total sleep loss, measures of speed and accuracy on the Wilkinson addition test were obtained from 11 Navy enlisted men for 4 baseline days and 2 days without sleep. The number of additions attempted decreased significantly from the baseline level after 10 min. of testing on the first deprivation day and after 6 min. on the second day. 50 min. of testing were required to detect a significant decrease in accuracy from baseline on the first deprivation day, while 10 min. were required on the second day.
Three Dimensional Structure in a Supersonic Jet: Behavior Near Centerline

The unsteady structure of a supersonic jet is highly three dimensional, though the mean flow is axisymmetric. In simulating a circular jet, the centerline represents a computational boundary. As such, spurious modes can be generated near centerline, unless special attention is given to the behavior of the 3D structure near the centerline. Improper treatment of the dependent variables near the centerline results in the solution diverging or being suitable only for small amplitude excitation. With a careful treatment of the centerline formulation, no spurious mode is generated. The results show that a near linear disturbance growth is obtained, as the linear stability theory indicates. At high levels of excitation, nonlinear development of disturbances is evident and saturation is reached downstream.
Forecasting return volatility in the presence of microstructure noise

Measuring and forecasting volatility of asset returns is very important for asset trading and risk management. There are various forms of volatility estimates, including implied volatility, realized volatility and volatility assumed under stochastic volatility models and GARCH models. Research has shown that these different methods are closely related but have different perspectives, strengths and weaknesses. In order to exploit their connections and take advantage of their different strengths, in this paper, we propose to jointly model them with a vector fractionally integrated autoregressive and moving average (VARFIMA) model. The model is also used for forecasting purpose. In addition, we investigate the impacts of the two realized volatility estimators obtained from intra-daily high frequency data on the forecasts of return volatility. Our methods are applied to five individual stocks and forecasting performances are compared with those from a GARCH(1,1) model and a basic stochastic volatility (SV) model and their extended versions. The proposed VARFIMA model outperforms other volatility forecasting models in this study. Our results show that including the two different realized volatility estimators obtained from the intra-daily high frequency data in the VARFIMA model imposes significant impacts on the forecasting precision for return volatility.
Meson decay constants from isospin mass splittings in the quark model.

Decay constants of [ital D] and [ital B] mesons are estimated within the framework of a heavy-quark approach using measured isospin mass splittings in the [ital D], [ital D][sup *], [ital B], and [ital B][sup *] states to isolate the electromagnetic hyperfine interaction between quarks. A relation following from the use of splittings in kaons is also considered.