cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Heidegger on Freedom and Community: Some Political Implications of His Early Thought

Despite their widespread influence, Martin Heidegger's works have rarely been assessed for their own direct significance as political theory. In this article I undertake such an assessment by drawing out the political implications of Heidegger's understanding of freedom and community in two of his early works. Specifically, I argue that, although Heidegger's thought has been interpreted as advocating political conservatism, it in fact propounds a new kind of radicalism which is neither precisely conservative nor progressive, although decidedly revolutionary. When this is brought to light, it is easier to see the connection between Heidegger's works and the earlier Philosophy of Freedom, as well as ways in which they anticipate important trends in contemporary political thought.
Responsive Consumerism: Empowerment in Markets for Health Plans

Context: American health policy is increasingly relying on consumerism to improve its performance. This article examines a neglected aspect of medical consumerism: the extent to which consumers respond to problems with their health plans. Methods: Using a telephone survey of five thousand consumers conducted in 2002, this article assesses how frequently consumers voice formal grievances or exit from their health plan in response to problems of differing severity. This article also examines the potential impact of this responsiveness on both individuals and the market. In addition, using cross-group comparisons of means and regressions, it looks at how the responses of “empowered” consumers compared with those who are “less empowered.” Findings: The vast majority of consumers do not formally voice their complaints or exit health plans, even in response to problems with significant consequences. “Empowered” consumers are only minimally more likely to formally voice and no more likely to leave their plan. Moreover, given the greater prevalence of trivial problems, consumers are much more likely to complain or leave their plans because of problems that are not severe. Greater empowerment does not alleviate this. Conclusions: While much of the attention on consumerism has focused on prospective choice, understanding how consumers respond to problems is equally, if not more, important. Relying on consumers’ responses as a means to protect individual consumers or influence the market for health plans is unlikely to be successful in its current form.
Calcium alters senescence rate of postharvest muskmelon fruit disks

Abstract Percent total chlorophyll loss in whole muskmelon (Cucumis melo L. var. reticulatus Naud.) fruit disks incubated in control (no salt), 0.02, 0.04, 0.08, 0.16 or 0.32 M CaCl2, MgCl2 or KCl plus 0.35 M mannitol for ten days at 22 °C in the dark was delayed only in calcium solutions, with the greatest retention occurring in 0.04 M content. Percent total chlorophyll loss was hastened in 0.16 and 0.32 M concentrations regardless of the cation. Differences in the chemical, senescence-associated, properties of the plasma membrane (PM) from hypodermal mesocarp tissue of postharvest muskmelon disks were compared before and after floating disks in control, 0.04 or 0.16 M CaCl2, MgCl2 or KCl plus 0.35 M mannitol for ten days at 22 °C in the dark. Total phospholipid, protein, and H+-ATPase (EC 3.6.1.35) activity loss, in the PM were delayed only with 0.04 M CaCl2 and hastened with most all other chloride solutions vs. no salt. The free sterol:phospholipid ratio and percent unsaturation of phospholipid fatty acids was the highest in the PM from fruit disks incubated in 0.04 M CaCl2 and were the highest and lowest, respectively, in 0.16 M CaCl2 vs. no salt. This study suggests that muskmelon fruit senescence is affected by calcium treatment, by affecting the PM, possibly involving the regulation of phospholipid composition and content.
Eulerian polynomials and B-splines

An interrelationship between Eulerian polynomials, Eulerian fractions and Euler-Frobe nius polynomials, Euler-Frobenius fractions, and B-splines is presented. The properties of Eulerian polynomials and Eulerian fractions and their applications in B-spline interpolation and evaluation of Riemann zeta function values at odd integers are given. The relation between Eulerian numbers and B-spline values at knot points are also discussed.
Electrically Polarized Biphasic Calcium Phosphates: Adsorption and Release of Bovine Serum Albumin

In this study, we applied electrical polarization technique to increase adsorption and control protein release from biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP). Three different biphasic calcium phosphate (BCP) composites, with hydroxyapatite (HAp) and β-tricalcium phosphate (β-TCP), were processed and electrically polarized. Our study showed that stored charge was increased in the composites with the increase in HAp percentage. Adsorption of bovine serum albumin (BSA), as a model protein, on the poled as well as unpoled surfaces of the composites was studied. The highest amount of BSA adsorption was obtained on positively poled surfaces of each composite. Adsorption isotherm study suggested a multilayer adsorption of BSA on the BCP composites. The effect of electrical polarization on BSA release kinetics from positively charged BCP surfaces was studied. A gradual increase in percent BSA release from positively charged BCP surfaces with decreasing stored charge was observed. Our study showed that the BCP based composites have the potential to be used as a drug or growth factor delivery vehicle.
Activation/inactivation of human angiotensin I converting enzyme following chemical modifications of amino groups near the active site.

Abstract We have studied the effects of amidination of lysyl residues on the activity of angiotensin I converting enzyme isolated from human kidney. Anion concentration was an important reaction variable. In 4 M chloride or acetate, amidination with methyl acetimidate produced derivatives with up to a 4-fold increase in activity with hippuryl-glycyl-glycine as substrate. Modification with methyl p-hydroxybenzimidate also increased activity while treatment with methyl 4-mercaptobutyrimidate resulted in a 90% loss of activity. The effects of amidination were partially prevented when the reactions were carried out in the presence of the inhibitors, captopril or 5S-benzamido-4-oxo-6-phenyl-hexanoyl-L-proline. These results suggest that lysyl residues are present near the active site while different amino groups have a role in anion activation.
Extracellular and Intracellular Regulation of Calcium Homeostasis

An organism with an internal skeleton must accumulate calcium while maintaining body fluids at a well-regulated, constant calcium concentration. Neither calcium absorption nor excretion plays a significant regulatory role. Instead, isoionic calcium uptake and release by bone surfaces causes plasma calcium to be well regulated. Very rapid shape changes of osteoblasts and osteoclasts, in response to hormonal signals, modulate the available bone surfaces so that plasma calcium can increase when more low-affinity bone calcium binding sites are made available and can decrease when more high-affinity binding sites are exposed. The intracellular free calcium concentration of body cells is also regulated, but because cells are bathed by fluids with vastly higher calcium concentration, their major regulatory mechanism is severe entry restriction. All cells have a calcium-sensing receptor that modulates cell function via its response to extracellular calcium. In duodenal cells, the apical calcium entry structure functions as both transporter and a vitamin D–responsive channel. The channel upregulates calcium entry, with intracellular transport mediated by the mobile, vitamin D–dependent buffer, calbindin D9K, which binds and transports more than 90% of the transcellular calcium flux. Fixed intracellular calcium binding sites can, like the body's skeleton, take up and release calcium that has entered the cell, but the principal regulatory tool of the cell is restricted entry.
Eolian intracrater deposits on Mars: Physical properties and global distribution

It is noted that more than one-fourth of all craters larger than 25 km in diameter between -50 deg S and 50 deg N have localized deposits of coarse material on the floor which are associated with the dark 'splotches' that are seen visually. If homogeneous, unconsolidated materials are assumed, the measured thermal inertias of these deposits imply effective grain sizes that range from 0.1 mm to 1 cm, with a modal value of 0.9 mm. Even though these deposits are coarser and darker than the surrounding terrains and the greater part of the Martian surface, they are not compositionally distinct from materials with similar albedos. It is thought most likely that these features were formed by entrapment of marginally mobile material that can be transported into, but not out of, crater depressions by the wind. Most of the 'splotch' deposits are coarser than the dune-forming materials occurring in the north polar region and inside extreme southern latitude craters; they probably form low, broad zibar dunes or lag deposits. The distribution of intracrater deposits is seen as suggesting that the intracrater features have been buried in the interior of Arabia and that the dust deposit is less extensive at the margins and may currently be expanding.
A novel class of large-hydrophobe tristyrylphenol (TSP) alkoxy sulfate surfactants for chemical enhanced oil recovery

Abstract In light of recent technical advancements in alkaline-surfactant-polymer (ASP) flooding, the demand for high performance EOR surfactants is rapidly increasing and calls for a diverse raw material base. We have synthesized and tested a novel class of large hydrophobes for anionic surfactants that satisfy this need. A petrochemical based hydrophobe tristyrylphenol (TSP) in its alkoxy sulfate form was systematically studied with four crude oils. TSP based surfactants have unique structural features that can be easily tailored into EOR surfactants. The TSP alkoxy sulfate surfactants with varying lengths of propoxy (PO) and ethoxy (EO) chains were tested in microemulsion phase behavior experiments in order to obtain ultra-low interfacial tension at optimum salinity. The efficacy of these ASP formulations was successfully demonstrated in both outcrop and reservoir corefloods using both surrogate and live oils with high oil recovery and low surfactant retention.
The Norwegian–Barents–Svalbard (NBS) continental margin: Introducing a natural laboratory of mass wasting, hydrates, and ascent of sediment, pore water, and methane

Side-scan sonar mapping and ground-truthing of the Norwegian–Barents–Svalbard continental margin shed new light on shelf glaciation, mass wasting, hydrates, and features like the Hakon Mosby mud volcano (HMMV), reflecting upward mobility of gas, pore fluids, and sediments. Detailed HMMV examination revealed thermal gradients to 10°/m, bottom-water CH4 and temperature anomalies, H2S- and CH4-based chemosynthetic ecosystems, and subbottom methane hydrate (to 25%). Seismic and chemical data suggest HMMV origins at 2–3 km depth within the 6-km-thick depocenter. The HMMV and mound fields bordering the Bjornoyrenna slide valley and pockmarks bordering the Storegga slide may all have formed in response to sediment failure.
A study of hand vibration on chipping and grinding operators, part II: Four-degree-of-freedom lumped parameter model of the vibration response of the human hand

Abstract The results of the development of a four-degree-of-freedom, lumped parameter model of the vibration response characteristics of the human hand are presented. For this study dynamic compliance measurements were made on 75 foundry workers. Curve fitting techniques were then employed to identify the values of the model parameters that yielded empirically generated dynamic compliance curves that correlated well with the measured dynamic compliance values. The agreement was good between 20 Hz and 1000 Hz in the X- and Y-directions. The agreement was good between 20 Hz and 1000 Hz in the Z-direction.
ReCount: A multi-experiment resource of analysis-ready RNA-seq gene count datasets

RNA sequencing is a flexible and powerful new approach for measuring gene, exon, or isoform expression. To maximize the utility of RNA sequencing data, new statistical methods are needed for clustering, differential expression, and other analyses. A major barrier to the development of new statistical methods is the lack of RNA sequencing datasets that can be easily obtained and analyzed in common statistical software packages such as R. To speed up the development process, we have created a resource of analysis-ready RNA-sequencing datasets. ReCount is an online resource of RNA-seq gene count tables and auxilliary data. Tables were built from raw RNA sequencing data from 18 different published studies comprising 475 samples and over 8 billion reads. Using the Myrna package, reads were aligned, overlapped with gene models and tabulated into gene-by-sample count tables that are ready for statistical analysis. Count tables and phenotype data were combined into Bioconductor ExpressionSet objects for ease of analysis. ReCount also contains the Myrna manifest files and R source code used to process the samples, allowing statistical and computational scientists to consider alternative parameter values. By combining datasets from many studies and providing data that has already been processed from. fastq format into ready-to-use. RData and. txt files, ReCount facilitates analysis and methods development for RNA-seq count data. We anticipate that ReCount will also be useful for investigators who wish to consider cross-study comparisons and alternative normalization strategies for RNA-seq.
Plasticity in adult rat visual cortex: An examination of several cell populations after differential rearing

Littermate pairs of male Long-Evans hooded rats, reared in social groups from weaning, were placed in either a complex or an isolated environment for 12 weeks beginning at 145 days of age. Fifteen Golgi-Cox stained neurons of each cell type—layer III pyramidal, layer IV stellate, and layer V pyramidal apical dendrites—were traced with the aid of a camera lucida from six littermate pairs. Both apical oblique branches and basilar terminal dendrites of layer III pyramidal neurons were significantly longer in animals exposed to the complex environment. In layer IV stellates, there was a significant increase in the number of first order dendrites after the complex environment as well as a tendency toward longer terminal branches which was significant for fifth-order branches. No differences in either length or number were seen in the layer V apical obliques. This study demonstrates that adult visual cortex neurons do change after exposure to differential environments, but that changes are not seen in every cell population.
Collection of autologous PBSC in patients with polycythemia vera.

Background Allogeneic stem-cell transplantation (SCT) can eradicate myelofibrosis (MF), but is limited by donor availability and toxicity. We previously reported normalization of counts and resolution of MF after ablative, syngeneic SCT in spent phase polycythemia vera (PV). Hence, GvL is not required to eradicate MF. Autologous SCT may advance treatment for spent phase PV by restoring effective hematopoiesis. The influence of organomegaly, myelosuppression and MF on PBSC collection has not been studied in the setting of PV.MethodsSixteen patients with PV underwent PBSC collection. Mobilization was with filgrastim alone, with a target cell content of 2.5×106 CD34+/kg. All myelosuppression was discontinued 2 weeks prior to collection.ResultsMedian ages at diagnosis and collection were 47 and 57 years, respectively. Organomegaly, MF and use of myelosuppressive therapies were present in 10 (63%), 4 (25%) and 7 (44%) patients. Median total nucleated cells (TNC) and CD34+ counts were 8.3×108/kg and 4.98×108/kg...
A Chemical Selectively Lethal to Squawfish (Ptychocheilus oregonensis and P. umpquae)

Abstract A piscicide, 1,1′-methylenedi-2-naphthol, is lethal to Ptychocheilus oregonensis and P. umpqua at concentrations 3 to 100 times more toxic to squawfish than to salmonids. Selectivity of the chemical varies with the tolerances of the species and its potency varies positively with concentration and temperature. For a thermal range of 18.3 to 10.0 C, the minimum LC100 is 0.006 to 0.015 ppm for P. oregonensis and 0.01 to 0.03 ppm for P. umpquae. Within these ranges the mean survival time varies from 6 to 31 hr for P. oregonensis and 6 to 20 hr for P. umpquae. In 96-hour assays at similar temperatures, the maximum LC0 is about 0.3 ppm for Salvelinus fontinalis, 0.1 ppm for Oncorhynchus tshawytscha, and from 0.6 to 1.3 ppm for O. kisutch and Salmo gairdneri depending on the water temperature. One domestic sheep and two ducks showed no ill effects when forced to drink water containing 10 ppm of the chemical for 1 week. A field application in a small lagoon containing several species of fish killed only ...
Erythrocyte pyruvate kinase in experimental diabetes.

Abstract Pyruvate kinase activity in erythrocytes and liver homogenates of alloxan diabetic rats and control animals was measured. The mean level of erythrocyte PK in alloxan diabetic animals was 6.72 ± 1.17 IU/g Hb. The mean level in control animals was 6.68 ± 1.75 IU/g Hb. In diabetic animals the mean level of liver PK activity was 0.077 ± 0.55 IU/mg protein. The mean level in controls was 0.305 ± 0.076 IU/mg protein. The results suggest that nongenetic variations observed in PK levels in human erythrocytes are not attributable to variations in insulin level.
Substrate-linked Conformational Change in the Periplasmic Component of a Cu(I)/Ag(I) Efflux System

Gram-negative bacteria utilize dual membrane resistance nodulation division-type efflux systems to export a variety of substrates. These systems contain an essential periplasmic component that is important for assembly of the protein complex. We show here that the periplasmic protein CusB from the Cus copper/silver efflux system has a critical role in Cu(I) and Ag(I) binding. Isothermal titration calorimetry experiments demonstrate that one Ag(I) ion is bound per CusB molecule with high affinity. X-ray absorption spectroscopy data indicate that the metal environment is an all-sulfur 3-coordinate environment. Candidates for the metal-coordinating residues were identified from sequence analysis, which showed four conserved methionine residues. Mutations of three of these methionine residues to isoleucine resulted in significant effects on CusB metal binding in vitro. Cells containing these CusB variants also show a decrease in their ability to grow on copper-containing plates, indicating an important functional role for metal binding by CusB. Gel filtration chromatography demonstrates that upon binding metal, CusB undergoes a conformational change to a more compact structure. Based on these structural and functional effects of metal binding, we propose that the periplasmic component of resistance nodulation division-type efflux systems plays an active role in export through substrate-linked conformational changes.
Effects of bonded rapid palatal expansion on the transverse dimensions of the maxilla: A cone-beam computed tomography study

Introduction The purpose of this study was to examine the maxillary response on the transverse dimensions to rapid palatal expansion (RPE) by using cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT). Methods Twenty-four children (average age, 9.9 years) who had RPE treatment with a bonded expander were included. Pretreatment orthodontic records (T1) and immediately after expansion (T2) CBCT images were taken for all patients. For each patient, the width of the nasal cavity at the level of the maxillary first permanent molar and second deciduous molar (or second permanent premolar), the width of the maxillary basal bone, and the width of the midpalatal suture at the level of the second deciduous molar (or the second permanent premolar), the first deciduous molar (or first permanent premolar), and the deciduous canine (or permanent canine) at T1 and T2 were measured. In addition, the amount of tipping for both the maxillary right and left first permanent molars was measured. Results From T1 to T2, mean increases in nasal width, related to the mean jackscrew opening (8.19 mm), occurred at the levels of the first permanent molars of 33.23% (2.73 mm, P Conclusions After RPE, significant increases in the transverse dimensions of the nasal cavity, the maxillary basal bone, and the midpalatal suture opening occurred, with the greatest increase in the midpalatal suture followed by basal bone and nasal cavity. The midpalatal suture opened in a parallel fashion. Moreover, significant buccal tipping occurred on both maxillary first molars.
NADPH oxidase-derived reactive oxygen species increases expression of monocyte chemotactic factor genes in cultured adipocytes.

Excess glucose and free fatty acids delivered to adipose tissue causes local inflammation, which contributes to insulin resistance. Glucose and palmitate generate reactive oxygen species (ROS) in adipocytes, leading to monocyte chemotactic factor gene expression. Docosahexaenoate (DHA) has the opposite effect. In this study, we evaluated the potential sources of ROS in the presence of excess nutrients. Differentiated 3T3-L1 adipocytes were exposed to palmitate and DHA (250 μm) in either 5 or 25 mm glucose to evaluate the relative roles of mitochondrial electron transport and NADPH oxidases (NOX) as sources of ROS. Excess glucose and palmitate did not increase mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation. However, glucose exposure increased glycolysis. Of the NOX family members, only NOX4 was expressed in adipocytes. Moreover, its activity was increased by excess glucose and palmitate and decreased by DHA. Silencing NOX4 inhibited palmitate- and glucose-stimulated ROS generation and monocyte chemotactic factor gene expression. NADPH, a substrate for NOX, and pentose phosphate pathway activity increased with glucose but not palmitate and decreased with DHA exposure. Inhibition of the pentose phosphate pathway by glucose-6-phosphate dehydrogenase inhibitors and siRNA suppressed ROS generation and monocyte chemotactic factor gene expression induced by both glucose and palmitate. Finally, both high glucose and palmitate induced NOX4 translocation into lipid rafts, effects that were blocked by DHA. Excess glucose and palmitate generate ROS via NOX4 rather than by mitochondrial oxidation in cultured adipocytes. NOX4 is regulated by both NADPH generated in the PPP and translocation of NOX4 into lipid rafts, leading to expression of monocyte chemotactic factors.
The application of hierarchical genetic algorithm in vapor injection boiler control system

The steam dry degree is an important parameter in vapor injection boiler control system in oil fields, this paper according to the current situation which the vapor injection boiler control technology is fall behind, the rate of mechanical failure is high and is hardly to maintenance, based on orifice plate method, using hierarchical genetic algorithm to research the identification method of steam dry degree model, introduce the characteristics of hierarchical genetic algorithm in detail, expound the specific steps of using HGA to establish steam dry degree model, give the maximum fitness curve and error curve in the identification result, the experimental results show that HGA is able to control steam dry degree of vapor injection boiler accurately and quickly.
Concomitant compressive neuropathy of the ulnar and median nerves in the hand by midpalmar ganglion.

Ganglia are the most common benign tumor lesions affecting the hand [4,12]. They are typically asymptomatic but can be associated with peripheral nerve compression in the upper extremity. Volar wrist ganglia are the most common cause of ulnar neuropathy originating at or below the wrist [8]. Ganglia of the carpometacarpal joints are also common but typically do not cause ulnar neuropathy [6]. Even more rare is a ganglion causing a concomitant compressive neuropathy of the median and ulnar nerve. Here, we describe a case of a ganglion cyst of the third carpometacarpal joint simultaneously associated with compression of both the deep motor branch of the ulnar nerve and the median nerve.
Surface acoustic wave microsensors based on cyclodextrin coatings

Abstract Cyclodextrin thin films were applied to surface acoustic wave (SAW) devices as receptors for detecting organic vapors. Self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) and sol–gel techniques were used in fabricating chemical sensing layer thin films on SAW microsensors. The cyclodextrin coatings on the surface of SAW resonators (200 MHz) were studied as a method of tracking organic toxins in gas phase. The mass loading of cyclodextrin coatings on SAW resonators gave frequency shifts corresponding to a coverage of a typical monolayer for SAM method and “multilayer” for sol–gel techniques. Subsequent exposure of the coated SAW resonators to organic vapors at various concentrations, typically 5000 parts per million (ppm) down to 50 parts per billion (ppb) by mole, gave responses indicating middle-ppb-sensitivity (∼50 ppb) for those sensor-host receptors and organic-toxin pairs with optimum mutual matching of polarity, size, or structural properties.
Gene-environment interaction of body mass index and apolipoprotein E ε4 allele on cognitive decline.

Genetic variation alone may not account for common chronic disease susceptibility. Rather, an interaction between genetic and environmental factors may clarify the underlying disease mechanism. Hence, we tested whether body mass index (BMI) modified the genetic association of the apolipoprotein E e4 allele with cognitive decline. The data came from a longitudinal population-based sample of 4055 participants interviewed at 3-year intervals from 1993 to 2012. Cognitive function was assessed using a standardized global cognitive score and BMI was assessed at baseline and classified as normal, overweight, and obese. There were 1374 (34%) participants with the e4 allele. In normal BMI participants, cognitive decline was 0.048 units/y without the e4 allele, and increased by an additional 0.031 units/y with the e4 allele. In overweight participants, cognitive decline was 0.038 units/y without the e4 allele, and increased by an additional 0.026 units/y with the e4 allele. Finally, in obese participants, cognitive decline was 0.038 units/y without the e4 allele, and increased by an additional 0.014 units/y with the e4 allele. The association of e4 allele with cognitive decline was significantly lower in obese participants compared with normal BMI participants (P=0.003), thereby suggesting significant gene-environment interaction on cognitive decline.
A study of parasitic reactions between NH 3 and TMGa or TMAl

The growth of AlGaN using organometallic vapor phase epitaxy has been studied as a function of reactor pressure in a horizontal reactor. At atmospheric pressure, GaN with growth efficiency comparable to that of GaAs in the same reactor is obtained. In addition, the GaN growth efficiency changes little at different reactor pressures. These results indicate that the parasitic reaction between TMGa and NH3 is not substantial in the reactor used in this study. On the other hand, A1N growth at atmospheric pressure has not been possible. By lowering the reactor pressure below 250 Torr, A1N deposition is achieved. However, the growth efficiency decreases at higher reactor pressures and higher growth temperatures, indicating that a strong parasitic reaction occurs between TMAI and NH3. For the ternary AlGaN, lower pressure also leads to more Al incorporation. The results indicate that parasitic reactions are much more severe for TMAI+NH3 than for TMGa+NH3.
Roles of HNF-1β in kidney development and congenital cystic diseases

Roles of HNF-1β in kidney development and congenital cystic diseases. Hepatocyte nuclear factor-1β (HNF-1β) is a Pit-1/Oct-1/Unc-86 (POU)/homeodomain-containing transcription factor that regulates tissue-specific gene expression in the kidney, liver, pancreas, and other epithelial organs. Mutations of HNF-1β produce maturity-onset diabetes of the young type 5 (MODY5) and are associated with congenital cystic abnormalities of the kidney. Transgenic mice expressing mutant HNF-1β under the control of a kidney-specific promoter develop kidney cysts and renal failure, which is similar to the phenotype of humans with MODY5. Similarly, kidney-specific deletion of HNF-1β using Cre/loxP recombination results in renal cyst formation. HNF-1β directly regulates the Pkhd1 promoter. HNF-1β mutant mice show decreased expression of Pkhd1 , the gene that is mutated in humans with autosomal-recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). These studies demonstrate that HNF-1β is required for the development of the mammalian kidney. They establish a previously unrecognized link between two renal cystic diseases, MODY5 and ARPKD, and suggest that the mechanism of cyst formation in humans with mutations of HNF-1β involves down-regulation of PKHD1 gene transcription.
The “Dual Society” Thesis in Latin America: A Reexamination of the Costa Rican Case

Latin American nations have often been characterized as dual societies, that is, ones in which economic and value differences separate middle class from lower class and urban dweller from rural dweller. Whereas the economic differences have been well documented, value differences generally have been assumed. The findings of one empirical study of value differences in Latin America, a study conducted some years ago in Costa Rica, support the "dual society" thesis. This article reexamines that study and discovers that value homogeneity is a more accurate description of Costa Rican society. Improved, more appropriate data analysis techniques are responsible for the new finding. The implication is that if similar techniques were applied to other studies of Latin America, the dual society thesis might be invalidated.
Community based rehabilitation in India--an emerging trend.

Community-based rehabilitation (CBR) efforts made by pediatricians and other medical personnel for the disabled in India have increased over the years; however there is still a lag in program effectiveness research manpower training and technology development. The International Labor Organization finds that many CBR models are lacking and recommends community-specific approaches which are flexible and adaptable to perceived needs of the disabled and their families and to the impact of interventions. Distinctions must be made between "levels of care" "limits of care" and "support needed." Policy-makers must commit both to provision of CBR and to the fulfillment of quality of care. 10% of the worlds population is disabled; Alma Ata endorsed the view that rehabilitative services must be included in health care systems. In India recognition has been given to the cost effectiveness of CBR which integrates the disabled into society through education prevention and programs in medical vocational and social rehabilitation. The aim is to reduce handicaps. Rehabilitative functions may be served by members of the community by the family or by specialists. Wider coverage in CBR programs may be a distinguishing characteristic as well as a "client centered bottom up approach." Decentralized programs are relatively new to India and it is unclear how effective this approach will be. DRC was begun in India in 1985 to handle about 70% of the disabled population; the basic model is described as well as the Action Aid program which was begun in 1988 to fill the gap in service provision.
Low-dose aspirin in nulliparous women: Safety of continuous epidural block and correlation between bleeding time and maternal-neonatal bleeding complications

Abstract OBJECTIVE: Our purpose was to determine the frequency and safety of the use of epidural anesthesia and the correlation between bleeding time and maternal-neonatal bleeding complications in a group of pregnant women who participated in a multicenter trial of low-dose aspirin in pregnancy. STUDY DESIGN: Data regarding type of anesthesia used for labor and delivery were available in 1629 nulliparous women who were randomly assigned at 13 to 27 weeks to receive 60 mg/day aspirin or a placebo. A total of 891 (55%) received epidural anesthesia, and the remaining 738 did not. RESULTS: Among the 891 women known to have received epidural anesthesia, 451 were assigned to low-dose aspirin and 440 to placebo. There was no instance of bleeding related to epidural use. In addition, there were no differences in maternal and neonatal complications between those receiving or not receiving epidural anesthesia. Within the group receiving epidural anesthesia there were no differences in bleeding complications between those assigned to aspirin on placebo. One of the five centers also obtained bleeding times in 303 women (149 received aspirin and 154 received placebo). The mean=SD bleeding time in women assigned to low-dose aspirin was significantly higher than in women assigned to placebo (6.99 ± 2.95 minutes vs 5.99 ± 2.43 minutes, p = 0.004). In addition, the frequency of women having a bleeding time > 10 minutes was higher in the aspirin group (14.1% vs 5.2%, p = 0.01). Interestingly, women who received an epidural anesthetic had a lower bleeding time than those not receiving an epidural ( p = 0.003), irrespective of the treatment used. CONCLUSIONS: In women assigned to low-dose aspirin there were no adverse effects related to epidural anesthesia. In spite of an increased bleeding time in a subset of pregnant women assigned to low-dose aspirin, maternal-neonatal bleeding complications were not increased.
NEW COMPREHENSIVE THEORETICAL ANALYSIS OF THE DOUBLY EXCITED 3lnl′ STATES OF SODIUM-LIKE IRON

Abstract Energy levels, radiative transition probabilities and autoionization rates for Fe XVI including the 1s 2 2s 2 2p 5 3 l n l ′ (n=3–8, l ′≤(n−1) ) and 1s 2 2s2p 6 3 l n l ′ (n=3–4, l ′≤(n−1)) doubly excited states were calculated by using the multi-configurational Hartree–Fock (Cowan code) method. The contribution of relativistic effects is studied in comparison with the data obtained using the multi-configurational Dirac–Fock (YODA code) method. The comparison of the theoretical data with experimental spectra obtained by double-electron capture in slow ion-atom collisions is discussed.
Narrative in medical ethics

This is the fourth in a series of five articles on narrative based medicine The contributions of narrative to medical ethics come primarily in two ways: firstly, from the use of stories (narratives) for their mimetic content—that is, for what they say; and secondly, from the methods of literary criticism and narrative theory for their analysis of diegetic form—that is, for their understanding of how stories are told and why it matters. Although narrative and narrative theory, like the form and content of a literary work, are inextricably bound up with each other, I will discuss them separately to help chart the evolving appreciation for the importance of narrative in the work of medical ethics. #### Summary points During the past two decades, stories have been important to medical ethics in at least three major ways: firstly, as case examples for the teaching of principle based professional ethics, which has been the dominant form of medical ethics in the Western world; secondly, as moral guides to living a good life, not just in the practice of medicine but in all aspects of one's life; and thirdly, as narratives of witness that, with their experiential truth and …
TWO ASPECTS OF DNA BASE COMPOSITION : G+C CONTENT AND TRANSLATION-COUPLED DEVIATION FROM INTRA-STRAND RULE OF A = T AND G = C

The relative contribution of mutation and selection to the G+C content of DNA was analyzed in bacterial species having widely different G+C contents. The analysis used two methods that were developed previously. The first method was to plot the average G+C content of a set of nucleotides against the G+C content of the third codon position for each gene. This method was used to present the G+C distribution of the third codon position and to assess the relative neutrality of a set of nucleotides to that of the G+C content of the third codon position. The second method was to plot the intrastrand bias of the third codon position from Parity Rule 2 (PR2), where A=T and G=C. It was found that whereas intragenomic distributions of the DNA G+C content of these bacteria are narrow in the majority of species, in some species the G+C content of the minor class of genes distributes over wider ranges than the major class of genes. On the other hand, ubiquitous PR2 biases are amino acid specific and independent of the G+C content of DNA, so that when averaged over the amino acids, the biases are small and not correlated with the DNA G+C content. Therefore, translation coupled PR2-biases are unlikely to explain the wide range of G+C contents among different species. Considering all data available, it was concluded that the amino acid-specific PR2 bias has only a minor effect, if any, on the average G+C content. In addition, PR2 bias patterns of different species show phylogenetic relationships, and the pattern can be as a taxal fingerprint.
Superior and distinct antioxidant effects of selected estrogen metabolites on lipid peroxidation

Abstract The effect of the estrogen metabolites, 4-hydroxyestrone and 17α-dihydroequilin (metabolites of estradiol-17β and equilin, respectively), were examined for antioxidant effects on plasma and lipoprotein lipid peroxidation. Lipid peroxidation was evaluated by products of both fatty acid (thiobarbituric acid—reactive substances [TBARS]) and cholesterol (oxysterols) oxidation from lipoproteins or whole plasma. Although all estrogens significantly reduced lipid peroxidation, 4-hydroxyestrone was far more potent than either equilin or 17α-dihydroequilin in inhibiting TBARS formation in lipoproteins induced by Cu 2+ . Similar effects were also noted on TBARS formation in THP-l macrophages in culture. However, 17α-dihydroequilin (along with equilin) strongly inhibited oxysterol formation, whereas 4-hydroxyestrone was ineffective. These studies suggest that different estrogens might act preferentially on distinct lipid substrates in exhibiting antioxidant effects.
Surface bombardment rates for mirror fusion reactor designs

Arrival rates of D$sup 0$, T$sup 0$, D$sup +$, T$sup +$, He$sup ++$, neutrons, and photons are given for FERF (Fusion Engineering Research Facility, a mirror confinement reactor dedicated to materials research and to component testing), a hybrid fusion-fission reactor designed primarily to produce fissile fuel, and a D-T power reactor design. For comparison a next-generation confinement-mirror experiment called MX is included. The surfaces of interest are the first wall, the end wall, the direct converter and the injector. (auth)
Vesicle-micelle transition of phosphatidylcholine and octyl glucoside elucidated by cryo-transmission electron microscopy

Vesicle-micelle transition structures of egg phosphatidylcholine (PC) and octyl glucoside (OG) mixtures were observed in the vitrified hydrated state by cryo-transmission electron microscopy (cryo-TEM) and correlated with the macroscopic and molecular changes previously associated with micellization monitored by 90 degrees light scattering and resonance energy transfer between fluorescent lipid probes. Several distinct structural changes occurred as OG was added to the PC vesicles. First, the average vesicle size decreased from 160 nm to less than 66 nm with no apparent change or decrease in optical density (OD). Then, associated with a small rise in OD, samples with open vesicles were observed coexisting with pieces of lamellae and long cylindrical micelles; more micelles were seen at higher [OG]. This mixture of vesicles and cylindrical micelles occurred in the region of the phase diagram previously attributed to vesicle opening, and possibly vesicle size increase. At higher [OG], small spheroidal micelles coexisting with cylindrical micelles correlated with a decrease in OD and changes in the fluorescence signal. At high [OG] when the solution appeared clear, spheroidal micelles were the dominant structure. By using cryo-TEM, a technique which preserves the original microstructure of fluid systems and provides direct images at 1 nm resolution, we have elucidated the vesicle-micelle transition and identified intermediates not known previously in the PC/OG system.
Comparison of distributed reacceleration and leaky-box models of cosmic-ray abundances (Z = 3-28)

A large collection of elemental and isotopic cosmic-ray data has been analyzed using the leaky-box transport model with and without reacceleration in the interstellar medium. Abundances of isotopes and elements with charges Z = 3-28 and energies E = 10 MeV/nucleon-1 TeV/nucleon were explored. Our results demonstrate that reacceleration models make detailed and accurate predictions with the same number of parameters or fewer as standard leaky-box models. Ad hoc fitting parameters in the standard model are replaced by astrophysically significant reacceleration parameters. Distributed reacceleration models explain the peak in secondary-to-primary ratios around 1 GeV/nucleon. They diminish the discrepancy between rigidity-dependent leakage and energy-independent anisotropy. They also offer the possibility of understanding isotopic anomalies at low energy.
Protein Degradation in Rumen and Amino Acid Absorption in Small Intestine of Lactating Dairy Cattle Fed Heat-Treated Whole Soybeans

Four lactating Holstein cows fitted with rumen cannulae and T-type cannulae in proximal duodenum and terminal ileum were used to measure protein degradation in the rumen and amino acid flow and absorption in the small intestine. Soybean meal, whole soybeans, and whole soybeans extruded at 132 and 149 degrees C provided 50% of the protein in diets that contained 51% grain, 36% corn silage, and 13% alfalfa hay (dry matter). Spot samples of digesta were collected from duodenum and ileum during 96 h, and lanthanum was an indigestible marker to estimate flow and digestibility of nutrients. With diaminopimelic acid as a microbial marker, apparent degradations of dietary crude protein in the rumen were 73, 80, 66, and 60% for diets containing soybean meal, whole soybeans, and whole soybeans extruded at 132 and 149 degrees C. Because of the extensive degradation of protein with the raw soybean diet, less total amino acids reached the duodenum, and because of decrease of availability, absorption from the small intestine (g/day) was lowest with this diet. Feeding diets containing extruded whole soybeans increased availability of total essential amino acids in the small intestine compared with diets containing soybean meal and whole soybeans. Absorption from the small intestine (g/day and percent entering) of individual amino acids was generally higher for extruded whole soybean diets.
Pregnancy complicated by vesical calculus and vesicocutaneous fistula

Bladder stones are a rare complication of pregnancy, with only 10 cases reported this century. This patient required a cesarean section for obstructed labor resulting from a 7 cm stone. Cystotomy with removal of the stone was performed with subsequent development of a vesicocutaneous fistula.
Correlates of parents' perceptions of behavioral problems in their young children

Abstract The purpose of this study was to assess whether personality traits (“big five” factors), marital quality (ineffective arguing and marital commitment), and social support (from family and friends) were linked to the perceived frequency of behavior problems in young children (30 boys, 41 girls, child's mean age=4.20 years) equivalently for mothers and for fathers. Participants were 71 pairs of parents who provided information about marital quality, social support, and child behavior problems over as many as three annual assessments. Couple-level analyses using latent variables indicated that although significant links occurred more frequently for fathers than for mothers, the strength of these links generally did not differ between parents. For both parents, only personality traits—especially neuroticism—accounted for unique variance in child behavior ratings. Findings indicate that personality traits provide one lens through which fathers and mothers appraise the nature of their children's behavior.
Perception of global facial geometry in the inversion effect and prosopagnosia

Abstract We investigated how efficiently combinations of positional shifts in facial features were perceived and whether the effects of combinations on the overall geometry of the face were reflected in discriminative performance. We moved the eyes closer together or further apart, and moved the mouth up or down. Trials with combinations of changes to both the mouth and the eyes were contrasted with trials with single changes to either the mouth or the eyes. As a contrast, we also examined combinations of changes in eye colour (brightness) and the same spatial manipulations. In addition, we specifically contrasted spatial combinations that more severely distorted the original triangular relation of the mouth and eyes (e.g. eyes closer and mouth down) to those that better preserved the original aspect ratio (e.g. eyes farther and mouth down). This we termed the “geometric context effect”. We found that combinations of two spatial changes were detected more quickly and accurately by normal subjects viewing upright faces but not when faces were inverted. In contrast, combinations of spatial shifts and eye colour changes showed no advantage over faces with only one type of change. Combinations of spatial changes that distorted overall facial geometry more were detected more efficiently than less distorting combinations, showing that the spatial shifts were perceived in the context of the global facial structure. Again, this was found for upright but not inverted faces. We also tested a prosopagnosic patient, who showed the advantage for two spatial changes over one but lacked this geometric context effect, implying that she did not integrate local spatial information into overall facial structure.
Social and nonsocial category discriminations in a chimpanzee (Pan troglodytes) and American black bears (Ursus americanus)

One captive adult chimpanzee and 3 adult American black bears were presented with a series of natural category discrimination tasks on a touch-screen computer. This is the first explicit comparison of bear and primate abilities using identical tasks, and the first test of a social concept in a carnivore. The discriminations involved a social relationship category (mother/offspring) and a nonsocial category involving food items. The social category discrimination could be made using knowledge of the overarching mother/offspring concept, whereas the nonsocial category discriminations could be made only by using perceptual rules, such as “choose images that show larger and smaller items of the same type.” The bears failed to show above-chance transfer on either the social or nonsocial discriminations, indicating that they did not use either the perceptual rule or knowledge of the overarching concept of mother/offspring to guide their choices in these tasks. However, at least 1 bear remembered previously reinforced stimuli when these stimuli were recombined, later. The chimpanzee showed transfer on a control task and did not consistently apply a perceptual rule to solve the nonsocial task, so it is possible that he eventually acquired the social concept. Further comparisons between species on identical tasks assessing social knowledge will help illuminate the selective pressures responsible for a range of social cognitive skills.