cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
California Island Rediscovery: Building an Archive to Improve Conservation Today and Equip the Historical Ecologist of Tomorrow

An understanding of how past conditions have shaped present-day ecological patterns and trends is critical to science-based conservation management. Unfortunately, the records, specimens, and objects historical ecologists need to help generate that understanding are often lacking. And because of a general underinvestment by society in systematic collection and museum curation, future historical ecologists may be similarly limited in their ability to investigate conditions regarding our present day. Given the importance of historical data and materials in contemporary conservation decision-making, we suggest it is incumbent upon resource managers and scientists to ask whether additional research efforts are needed to document past and present conditions of the places and resources of their interest. Here, we discuss how such an inquiry was applied to the terrestrial and nearshore environments of Santa Cruz Island, California, USA. The island harbors numerous endemic taxa, important archaeological and fossil sites, and rich cultural significance. It also has undergone dramatic and ongoing alteration due to past and present human activities. We describe an interdisciplinary effort to identify information gaps regarding past and present conditions of the island. In many cases, filling those gaps will require a research focus on a broader geography and suite of resources, including the archipelago in which the island sits and mainland “sister sites.” An initiative to improve collection and retention of priority information could be a basis of interdisciplinary and multi-institutional collaboration and could be designed to foster environmental education and citizen science programs that engage the next generation of conservationists. An outcome of this initiative would be an archive of materials and data to inform the historical ecologists and conservationists of the future, and to help conservationists today ensure that the resources they deem most important will be stewarded successfully into that future.
Utility of the Medtronic microvascular plug™ as a transcatheter implantable and explantable pulmonary artery flow restrictor in a swine model.

BACKGROUND A surgical pulmonary artery band (PAB) is used to control excessive pulmonary blood flow for certain congenital heart diseases. Previous attempts have been made to develop a transcatheter, implantable pulmonary flow restrictor (PFR) without great success. We modified a microvascular plug (MVP) to be used as a PFR. The objectives of this study were to demonstrate feasibility of transcatheter implantation and retrieval of the modified MVP as a PFR, and compare PA growth while using the PFR versus PAB. METHODS AND RESULTS The PFR was implanted in eight newborn piglets in bilateral branch pulmonary arteries (PAs). Immediately post-PFR implantation, the right ventricular systolic pressure increased from a median of 20-51 mmHg. Transcatheter retrieval of PFR was 100% successful at 3, 6, and 9 weeks and 50% at 12-weeks post-implant. A left PAB was placed via thoracotomy in four other newborn piglets. Debanding was performed 6-weeks later via balloon angioplasty. On follow-up, the proximal left PA diameters in the PFR and the PAB groups were similar (median 8 vs. 7.1 mm; p = 0.11); albeit the surgical band sites required repeat balloon angioplasty secondary to recurrent stenosis. By histopathology, there was grade II vessel injury in two pigs immediately post-retrieval of PFR that healed by 12 weeks. CONCLUSIONS Transcatheter implantation and retrieval of the MVP as a PFR is feasible. PA growth is comparable to surgical PAB, which is likely to require reinterventions. The use of the MVP as a PFR in humans has to be trialed before recommending its routine use.
Survival of patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer who received neoadjuvant therapy and surgery

Abstract Background It is difficult to successfully deliver multimodality therapy to patients with operable pancreatic cancer. Data on the natural history of such efforts are necessary for physicians to guide shared decision-making with patients and families. We report the survival of consecutive patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer who received neoadjuvant therapy before surgery. Methods Data regarding demographics, neoadjuvant therapy, surgery, pathology, and survival duration were abstracted on consecutive patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer diagnosed between 2009 and 2017 and not treated on available clinical trials. Borderline resectable pancreatic cancer was defined based on ≥1 of the following: local tumor anatomy, pretreatment serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 >2,000 U/mL, and the presence of radiographic lesions indeterminate for metastases. Results Neoadjuvant therapy was delivered to 185 patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer who were not enrolled in competing clinical trials; 13 (7%) patients received chemoradiation, 12 (7%) received chemotherapy, and 160 (86%) received both. Of the 185 patients, 115 (62%) completed all intended neoadjuvant therapy and surgery; 81 (70%) of 115 underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy; and vascular reconstruction was performed in 51 (44%). A margin negative resection was achieved in 111 (97%) of 115 patients, and 83 (72%) were node negative. Median overall survival for all 185 patients was 20 months; 31 months for the 115 patients who completed all neoadjuvant therapy and surgery as compared to 13 months for the 70 patients who were not resected ( P 0001). Conclusion After neoadjuvant therapy, surgical resection was performed in 62% of patients with borderline resectable pancreatic cancer. Those who normalized preoperative serum carbohydrate antigen 19-9 and had node negative pathology achieved the longest survival. To further improve median survival for all patients, we are incorporating adaptive approaches to neoadjuvant therapy sequencing based on objective assessments of response.
Cardiac uptake patterns in routine 18F-FDG PET-CT scans: A pictorial review

Broad variability of 18F-Fluoro-2-deoxyglucose (FDG) uptake is noted in myocardium while performing FDG PET-CT scans for viability, infection, or oncologic purposes. While most of the uptakes are considered non-specific, presence of underlying cardiac disease is seldom encountered. With this presentation, our intent is to pictorially highlight the variable FDG uptake patterns associated with the normal variations, benign, and malignant disease.
PD-1 Specific 'Blocking' Antibodies That Deplete PD-1+ T Cells Present An Inconvenient Variable In Pre-clinical Immunotherapy Experiments

Abstract Therapeutic antibodies blocking PD-1-/PD-L1 interaction have achieved remarkable clinical success in cancer. In addition to blocking a target molecule, some isotypes of antibodies can activate complement, NK cells or phagocytes, resulting in death of the cell expressing the antibody’s target. Human anti-PD-1 therapeutics use antibody isotypes designed to minimize such antibody-dependent lysis. In contrast, anti-PD-1 reagents used in mice are derived from multiple species, with different isotypes, and are not engineered to reduce target cell death: few studies analyze or discuss how antibody species and isotype may impact data interpretation. We demonstrate here that anti-PD-1 therapy to promote activation and proliferation of PD-1-expressing CD8 T cells sometimes led instead to a loss of antigen specific cells. This phenomenon was seen in two tumor models and a model of virus infection, and was varied with the clone of anti-PD-1 antibody. Additionally, we compared competition among anti-PD-1 clones to find a combination that allows detection of PD-1-expressing cells despite the presence of blocking anti-PD1 antibodies in vivo. These data bring attention to the possibility of unintended target cell depletion with some commonly used anti-mouse PD-1 clones, and should provide a valuable resource for the design and interpretation of anti-PD-1 studies in mice. (200)
Tone lowering in nominal compounds of Copala Triqui

This paper examines the distribution of tone lowering in the nominal compounds of Copala Triqui (Otomanguean). We consider two types of compounds: fused compounds and unfused compounds, which differ with respect to their prosodic complexity. For both types of compounds, the second root noun lowers in some examples, while it maintains its lexically specified tone in others. In this paper, we consider the advantages and disadvantages of a lexical as compared to a structural approach to tone lowering. More specifically, tonal overlay may belong to either a categorical head or a specific syntactic configuration, as in McPherson (2014)’s description of tone overlay in the Dogon language family
Extensor Mechanism Reconstruction Using Marlex Mesh: Is Postoperative Casting Mandatory?

Abstract Background Extensor mechanism (EM) disruption after total knee arthroplasty is a catastrophic complication. Reconstruction using monofilament polypropylene mesh (Marlex Mesh; CR Bard, Franklin Lakes, NJ) has emerged as the preferred treatment, but reports are limited to the designing institution. This study describes a nondesigner experience and compares 2 postoperative immobilization strategies: long leg cast vs knee immobilizer. Methods A retrospective review of consecutive EM reconstructions between 2012 and 2019 was performed. Primary repairs and allograft reconstructions were excluded, leaving 33 knees (30 patients) who underwent Marlex reconstruction. Mean time from disruption to reconstruction was 14 months, and 14 of 33 (42%) had previous repair or reconstruction attempts. The mean age was 69 years, and mean body mass index was 35 kg/m2. Postoperatively, extension was maintained using a knee immobilizer in 19 of 33 (58%) patients, whereas 14 of 33 (42%) patients were long leg casted. Kaplan-Meier analysis determined all-cause survivorship free of mesh failure. Results At mean 25-month follow-up, 19 of 33 (58%) EM reconstructions were functioning. Excluding explanted infections (5 recurrent and 2 new), 19 of 26 (73%) EM reconstructions were in situ. Six-year survivorship was 69% and not influenced by immobilization type (cast: 67%, immobilizer: 71%; P = .74). Extensor lag was not associated with immobilization type, improving from a mean preoperative lag of 43° to a mean postoperative lag of 9°. Among successes, University of California at Los Angeles activity and Knee Injury and Osteoarthritis Outcome Score - Joint Replacement score improvements exceeded minimal clinically important difference (2.2-3.3 and 52.5-64.0, respectively). Conclusion Marlex mesh EM reconstruction is a durable and reliable treatment with acceptable clinical results achievable outside the designer institution. Provided sufficient duration and compliance with postoperative immobilization, similar outcomes can be obtained with either a cast immobilizer or a knee immobilizer.
Will Kyiv’s Soviet Industrial Districts Survive? A Study of Transformation, Preservation, and Demolition of Industrial Heritage in Ukraine’s Capital:

In the 1930s and 1940s, multiple five-year Soviet plans for national industrialization transformed Ukraine’s capital Kyiv (Russian Kiev) into a dramatic industrial metropolis. By 1960, Kyiv was a c...
A Multi-Institutional Study of Factors Influencing Faculty Satisfaction with Online Teaching and Learning

Faculty satisfaction is an essential component in an online teaching and learning environment. The researchers of the current quantitative study identified factors that influence online instructors’ satisfaction at 10 different four-year public and private higher education institutions in the state of Ohio. The researchers also validated the modified OFSS-R survey (Blundell, 2015) within the study. The participants ( N = 382), were faculty members who taught fully online at the 10 institutions. Results of the study revealed that instructor satisfaction was influenced by three main factors: (1) the instructor-student interaction; (2) the role of technology; and (3) the institutional support. Study results also revealed that the OFSS-R survey is valid and reliable measurement of perceived faculty satisfaction in a fully online environment.
Chandra Observations of Abell 2029: The Dark Matter Profile Down to <0.01 R_vir in an Unusually Relaxed Cluster

We have used a high resolution Chandra observation to examine the core mass distribution of the unusually regular cD cluster Abell 2029. This system is especially well-suited for analysis of its mass distribution under the assumption of hydrostatic equilibrium: it exhibits an undisturbed X-ray morphology and a single-phase ICM. We estimate the total mass, and the contributions of the gas and dark matter components from <3 arcsec to ~3 arcmin (<4.4-260 kpc, 0.001-0.1 r_vir). The gas density is well fitted by either a double beta-model, or a ``cusped'' beta-model. The temperature data are increasing, and can be approximated by a power-law, with alpha_T = 0.27+/-0.01. Fitting smooth functions to density and T, we obtain a mass profile, which is remarkably well described down to 0.002 r_vir by the NFW model, for which we measure r_scale = 540+/-90 kpc (~0.2 r_vir) and c = 4.4 +/- 0.9. The mass profile is also approximated by a power-law fit with alpha_m = 1.81+/-0.04 (corresponding to a logarithmic density slope of -1.19+/-0.04). The density profile is too shallow to be fitted with a Moore et al. model. The consistency with NFW at <0.01 r_vir is incompatible with SIDM, and contrasts with the results from rotation curves of LSB and dwarf galaxies. This suggests that while CDM may adequately describe clusters, it does not currently account properly for small halos. Using the cD light, we observe a total M/L_V ~ 12 at r 100 beyond 200 kpc. The consistency with an NFW halo model and the large M/L suggest the cluster is DM-dominated down to <~ 0.005 r_vir. We observe a gas mass fraction = 0.139+/-0.004 at the limit of our observations, finding an upper limit to Omega_m <= 0.29+/-0.03 (abridged).
Post-Earthquake Legal Reform in Haiti: In On The Ground Floor

Haiti has not conducted a total revision of its criminal law and procedure codes since 1835. Like most of the older codes, Haiti’s criminal laws were based on the old inquisitorial system of trying cases, as originally established by Napoleon in France. A Presidential Commission was established in 2009 to revise both the criminal law and criminal procedure codes. This article, by a Senior Advisor to that Commission, describes that revision process from its inception. The process should be contextually important given that almost all of the countries in Latin America and the Caribbean have transitioned from the inquisitorial system to the accusatorial or party system. Those processes, certainly including the one in Haiti, have been characterized by several important rejections of traditional party system procedures, particularly including the jury system. The article traces the deliberations of the Haitian jurists and describes which aspects of the party system were accepted or rejected. Finally, the author concludes with an assessment of the likelihood of success of the project.
The Disparities on Loss of Employment Income by US Households During the COVID-19 Pandemic

This paper examines the role of the COVID-19 pandemic on the loss of employment income on different ethnic groups in the USA using weekly Household Pulse Survey (HPS) data from the US Census Bureau from August 19 to November 9, 2020. This study is significant for two reasons. First, it documents the loss of employment income on various households in the USA during the COVID-19 pandemic period from March 13, 2020, to November 9, 2020. Second, it examines the effect on the different ethnic groups based on demographic and socioeconomic status of these households. We specifically examine the role of income, employment, education, location, access to technology, and health insurance among the different age groups, race/ethnicity, and gender. We employ multivariate logistic regression analysis for the study. The study also employs Oaxaca-Blinder decomposition analysis to investigate the source of disparities in loss of employment income on the different racial/ethnic groups. The multivariate regression examines the effects of income, employment, education, location, health insurance, access to technology, different age groups, race/ethnicity, and gender. This method enables us to estimate the level of differences in loss of employment income outcomes among the various race/ethnic groups based on their socioeconomic status. Our a priori expectation is that loss of employment income and household income, educational status, and employment will be positively correlated. However, we have no a priori expectation of the correlation with location, race/ethnicity, and gender. Our results show that Hispanics, Blacks, Other, and Asians experienced a loss of employment income of 35.6%, 25.3%, 31.2%, and 6.2% higher than Whites, respectively. Equally important is that 45.9%, 40.3%, and 25.2% of the differences are unexplained or attributed to discrimination for Hispanics, Other, and Blacks, respectively.
Round Number Reference Points and Irregular Patterns in Reported Gross Margins

We observe irregular patterns in the distribution of firms’ reported quarterly gross margin percentages. Specifically, we find that there are significantly more firm-quarter observations just above whole percentage integers (e.g., between 55.0% and 55.1%) than there are just below whole percentage integers (e.g., between 54.9% and 55.0%), as compared to what would be expected by mere chance. These patterns are especially pronounced at percentage integers that are particularly “round” (e.g., multiples of 10, such as 30%, 40%, etc.) or are neatly “divisible” (e.g., 25%, 50%, 75%). Further investigation reveals that some investors reward firms with gross margins just above these psychological benchmarks at the time of the earnings announcement, but the presence of more sophisticated and informed investors mitigates such tendencies. In addition, firms reporting gross margins just above round numbers show deteriorated future operating performance. We find no evidence that the irregular patterns of gross margins are related to the presence of management or analyst forecasts of gross margins, nor are they related to these forecasts themselves being round. Our findings are consistent with round numbers being used as implicit psychological reference points for gross margins, as suggested by the theory of reference-dependent preferences, and with gross margins likely being managed to meet or beat these psychological benchmarks.
IBCL-085: Assessment of Fixed-Duration Therapies for Treatment-Naïve Waldenström Macroglobulinemia

Context Waldenstrom macroglobulinemia (WM) is a rare lymphoma for which scant comparative data exist to guide frontline therapy. Objective To compare the efficacy of the most frequently used rituximab-based fixed-duration anti-WM regimens in routine practice [rituximab, bendamustine (R-Benda); dexamethasone, rituximab, cyclophosphamide (DRC); and bortezomib, dexamethasone, rituximab (BDR)] to inform clinicians about the benefits/limitations of choosing one regimen over the other. Design A retrospective cohort study. Participants Patients with active WM seen at Mayo Clinic Rochester, Arizona, and Florida campuses between 10/01/2000 and 10/31/2019 who received R-Benda, DRC, or BDR as primary therapy were included. Outcomes Measures Overall response rate (ORR), event-free survival (EFS), progression-free survival (PFS), overall survival (OS), time-to-next therapy (TTNT) and treatment related adverse-effects (AEs) based on the three treatment regimens. The MYD88L265P mutation status was assessed using allele-specific polymerase-chain-reaction (sensitivity 1%). Response rates were assessed by Consensus Criteria. Time-to-event analyses were performed from the frontline therapy, using Kaplan-Meier method. CTCAE v4.03 was used to grade toxicities. Results The study included 220 patients with active WM who were treated with R-Benda (n=83), DRC (n=92) or BDR (n=45). The median follow-up was 4.5 (95% CI: 4-5) years. The R-Benda cohort demonstrated superior ORR (98%), in comparison to DRC (78%) or BDR (84%) cohorts, p=0.003. Similarly, longer PFS was evident with R-Benda use [median 5.2 versus 4.3 (DRC) and 1.8 years (BDR), p=0.0003]. The TTNT favored R-Benda [median, not-reached, versus 4.4 (DRC) and 2.6 years (BDR), p=0.0002]. These endpoints were comparable between the DRC and BDR cohorts. Overall survival (OS) was similar across the three cohorts, p=0.77. In a subset analysis of 142 patients genotyped for MYD88L265P mutation, the ORR, PFS and TTNT were unaffected by the MYD88 signature within each cohort. Toxicity profiles across the three groups were comparable, barring a higher incidence of neutropenia and neuropathy in patients who received R-Benda and BDR regimens, respectively. Conclusions The ORR, PFS and TTNT with R-Benda are superior compared to DRC or BDR in treatment-naive patients with active WM. The patient outcomes with any one of these three regimens are unaffected by the MYD88L265P mutation status.
Optimizing Rare Disease Registries and Natural History Studies

A pervasive challenge to drug development in rare diseases is understanding and documenting their trajectories so that the effectiveness of new therapies can be measured against the lack of intervention. Lack of participants, lack of funding, data silos, duplicative efforts, data quality issues, and differing data standards all conspire to make scarce patient data even scarcer. As the focus on rare disease as a major unmet medical need increases, creative solutions from private, public, and combination consortia are evolving to tackle these problems. Common approaches include centralized multi-indication databases with common data elements to leverage economies of scale and federated models of data aggregation that overlay the intact source data with a common data lexicon. Aligning incentives between those seeking to use the data and the developers of the data in such a way that these efforts are supported consistently remains an unsolved challenge in many cases.
"Millipede" - An AFM data storage system at the frontier of nanotribology

The “Millipede” data storage concept is based on the parallel operation of a large number of micromechanical levers that function as AFM sensors. The technique holds promise to evolve into a novel ultrahigh-density, terabit-capacity, and high-data-rate storage technology. Thermomechanical writing and reading in very thin polymer (PMMA) films is used to store and sense 30–40 nm sized bits of similar pitch size, resulting in 400–500 Gbit/in 2 storage densities. High data rates are achieved by operating very large arrays (32 × 32) of AFM sensors in parallel. Batch-fabrication of 32 × 32 AFM cantilever array chips has been achieved, and array reading and writing have been demonstrated. An important consideration for the Millipede storage project is the polymer dynamics on the size scale of one bit. Scaling of rheological parameters measured for macroscopic polymer samples is likely to be incorrect due to the finite length of the underlying molecular polymer chain, a size that is comparable to the bit itself. In order to shed light on these issues we performed lifetime studies of regular arrays of nanometer size patterns using light-scattering techniques.
Hilmi Ibrahim and Kathleen A. Cordes. Outdoor recreation enrichment for a lifetime

Ibrahim and Cordes' Outdoor recreation enrichment for a lifetime has a role in outdoor recreation management. I reviewed the book using five questions based on its likely uses: (a) Will students re...
Metalloproteinase gene transcription in human ciliary muscle cells with latanoprost.

RESULTS. Specificity and linearity of each real-time PCR assay were confirmed by electrophoresis and serial dilution analysis of oligonucleotides containing the amplicon sequence. Addition of latanoprost acid for 24 hours increased expression of MMP-1 by 3- to 13-fold in three of five primary ciliary muscle lines. Addition of 8, 40, and 200 nM latanoprost acid for 24 hours increased MMP-1 mRNA in a dose-dependent manner. Analysis of cultures exposed to 200 nM latanoprost acid for 4, 6, 12, or 24 hours revealed an increase and then a decline of MMP-1 mRNA, with peak expression at 6 to 12 hours after initiation of treatment. Parallel assessments of RNA from ciliary muscle cultures exposed to latanoprost acid for 24 hours revealed increased MMP-1, -3, and -9 mRNAs and reduced MMP-2 mRNA, when compared with RNA from vehicle-treated cultures. CONCLUSIONS. Latanoprost acid induced a dose-dependent increase of MMP-1, -3, and -9 gene transcription in cultured human ciliary smooth muscle cells. These results are consistent with increased MMPs contributing to the increased uveoscleral outflow facility observed after topical latanoprost. (Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci. 2002;43:716 ‐722)
The US Dollar Funding Premium of Global Banks

Following the financial crisis of 2007, many global financial firms faced difficulties in borrowing U.S. dollars (USD). We estimate the premium global banks paid to obtain USD (the “USD basis”) by the rate banks pay to swap euros into USD in the foreign exchange (FX) market, while fully hedging the FX risk, relative to the interbank rate for borrowing USD. We find that the bank basis is higher the day following increases in CDS prices and in asymmetric information measures. Controlling for fundamental risk, the basis is lower the day after successful borrowing at the Fed’s dollar liquidity facilities and it is higher for European banks following an unanticipated decrease in repo funding amounts, implying that USD funding constraints were binding for European banks during the crisis. Our results show that increased asymmetric information and “repo runs” (through unanticipated withdrawals of repo funding) combined to increase bank funding costs during the crisis.
The European Healthcard: The Time to Legislate Is Now

The European Union for years has considered introducing a healthcard that citizens of all Member States could carry to help facilitate the provision of health care throughout the EU. Such a card would ensure that care providers in all Member States could access the medical information of those patients who do not reside in the country where care is being provided. In the wake of the EU's failure to introduce such a card, many Member States have developed their own incompatible healthcard technologies. The EU must implement a universal healthcard in the near future in order to prevent the further development of technologically advanced but functionally incompatible healthcard systems.
Taking the Reins: The Effects of Incoming Leader Status and Style on Perceptions and Performance

This research examines how a newly assigned team leader's status and leadership behaviors interact to affect subordinate group members' emotional perceptions of the leader, cognitive assessments of leader effectiveness, and behavioral reactions to leader influence. The research also looks at the impact of leader status and leadership behaviors on group performance. In this research, I make distinctions between a leader-directed team interaction process and an emergent team process. I hypothesize that new leaders who use directive behaviors can be viewed as unfair, while leaders who allow a team process to emerge might be viewed as unassertive, and that leader status will moderate these relationships to affect subordinates' assessments of the leader's effectiveness and influence ability. This ultimately impacts team performance. Across two experimental studies, I find that low status leaders are rated as more effective and have greater influence when they use a directive style while high status leaders are viewed more favorably when they use an emergent style. In addition, I find that teams whose leaders are viewed more favorably perform better on a complex interdependent task. I discuss the implications for both theory and practice.
Everyday Discrimination Prospectively Predicts Inflammation Across 7-Years in Racially Diverse Midlife Women: Study of Women's Health Across the Nation

Self-reported discrimination has emerged as a predictor of negative psychological and physical health outcomes across racial/ethnic groups. The goals of this study were to determine whether C-reactive protein (CRP), a marker of inflammation and risk factor for future cardiovascular disease (CVD) was independently predicted by everyday discrimination or whether race or body mass index (BMI) modified this association over a 7-year period among 2,490 women from racially diverse backgrounds. At baseline, the 10-item Williams' measure of everyday discrimination was administered. Generalized estimating equations were used to assess these associations. Descriptive results showed that Black and Chinese women reported greater discrimination than White, Japanese, and Hispanic women, while Black and Hispanic women had the highest levels of CRP over the 7-year period. There was no main effect of everyday discrimination (B = .003, SE = .005, p = .58) and this association did not differ as a function of race (p's > .05). The everyday discrimination × BMI interaction term significantly predicted higher CRP levels over time in the full sample of women (p = .03). Specifically, in non-obese women (BMI less than 30), higher perceived everyday discrimination was associated with higher CRP levels over the 7-year period. These findings were independent of demographic, negative affect, biomedical, and behavioral factors. The results demonstrate that greater everyday discrimination is associated with increased inflammation over time in non-obese women. These findings highlight the implications of interpersonal sources of social stress for long-term physical health via their impact on intermediary biological pathways, specifically inflammation. Greater emphasis on such linkages is warranted as we work towards ameliorating health disparities exacerbated by individual-level factors.
Demonstration by a Novel Genetic Technique That Leader Peptidase Is an Essential Enzyme of Escherichia coli

It was previously shown that two separate regions of DNA are required for expression of the cloned leader peptidase gene on plasmid pTD101 (T. Date and W. Wickner, Proc. Natl. Acad. Sci. U.S.A. 78:6106-6110, 1981). Both loci have been mapped in detail, and their roles have been established. A 1.3-kilobase region, termed the L region, encodes the 37,000-dalton leader peptidase protein. Another region, termed the P region, is about 1.5 kilobases away from the L region and is less than 350 base pairs long. The P region acts in cis to the L region, suggesting that it plays a role as a promoter. A technique for inactivation of the leader peptidase gene on the Escherichia coli chromosome has been developed to examine whether the leader peptidase which we had cloned is essential for cell growth. A specific plasmid (P− L−) which deletes both the P region and a substantial portion of the L region was constructed and transformed into a polA mutant strain. The plasmid cannot replicate in this strain; thus, the plasmid-borne ampicillin resistance is lost unless the plasmid DNA recombines into the chromosome. Integration of the P− L− plasmid did not yield any viable ampicillin-resistant cells, whereas the three control plasmids, P+ L+, P+ L−, and P− L+, did. When the P− L− plasmid was transformed into the polA(Ts) strain, the strain could only grow in the presence of ampicillin at a permissive temperature, suggesting that integration of the plasmid into the host chromosome leads to inactivation of the chromosomal leader peptidase gene. Southern hybridization analysis demonstrated that the integration of plasmids into the chromosome occurred at the homologous site. This study demonstrates that expression of the leader peptidase gene is critical for cell growth. Images
Strongly-perturbed non-equilibrium gas physics model for the paraxial diode transport cell

Intense short-pulse charged-particle beams - those with tens or hundreds of kA/cm/sup 2/ and beam risetimes less than 100 ns - can disturb the background gas so severely that not only are diatomic molecules ionized, but molecules may be dissociated and the product atoms themselves multiply ionized. Such beam-background systems are generally far from temperature and species equilibrium. The plasma conductivity /spl sigma/, which is determined by the degree of ionization and the species temperatures, strongly influences the beam behavior through the plasma return current. Thus, simultaneously and self-consistently solving for both /spl sigma/ and the beam propagation is essential for a correct description of the system behavior. A plasma physics model with advanced gas chemistry has been developed and incorporated into the simulation code LSP to help meet this objective.
Extraction of groups for recognition

We address the problem of recognition of generic objects from a single intensity image. This precludes the use of purely geometric methods which assume that models are geometrically and precisely designed. Instead, we propose to use descriptions in terms of features and their qualitative geometric relationships. We propose to detect groups using perceptual organization criteria such as proximity, symmetry, parallelism, and closure. The detection of these features is performed in an efficient way using proximity indexing. Since many groups are created, we also perform selection of relevant groups by organizing them into sets of similar perceptual content. Finally we present an initial implementation of a recognition system using these sets as primitives. It is an efficient colored graph matching algorithm using the adjacency matrix representation of a graph. Using indexing, we retrieve matching hypotheses, which are verified against each other with respect to topological constraints. Groups of consistent hypotheses represent detected model instances in a scene. The complete system is illustrated on real images. We also discuss further extensions.
Drought hazard assessment in the context of climate change for South Korea

Abstract Drought has had large impacts on economies, societies and the environment, and could become even more disruptive given the context of climate change characterized by increasing temperature and more variable and extreme precipitation. Changes in the frequency, duration, and severity of droughts will have enormous impacts on the hydrological cycle, water management and agricultural production. Therefore, one major concern arising from climate change is its potential effects on water resources. Although South Korea has been experiencing serious drought and water scarcity issues in recent years, preparedness for potential changes in the frequency, severity and duration of drought disasters due to climate change effects has received only limited attention. It is important to detect changes in temporal trends of drought at the regional scale. This information will aid understanding the impacts of climate change and its subsequent effects on hydrology and agriculture. In this paper, we have addressed the question of how climate change might influence the impact of drought hazard by estimating the potential changes in temporal trends of drought in South Korea. We have assessed the temporal trends of future drought with drought indices (Standardized Precipitation Index [SPI], Standardized Precipitation Evapotranspiration Index [SPEI], and Self-Calibrating Palmer Drought Severity Index [SC-PDSI]) using past observed data (1981–2010) from 54 meteorological stations maintained by the Korea Meteorological Administration (KMA) and projected climate change scenarios (2011–2100) as depicted by the Representative Concentration Pathways models (RCPs). The drought hazard assessment was quantitatively evaluated by analyzing drought frequency, duration, severity and magnitude using the run theory method based on different timescales of the drought indices. The results demonstrated a significant increase of potential drought impacts in the future. Additionally, significant increases in the drought magnitude and severity were found at different time scales for each drought indicator. The results indicated that the temporal pattern of potential drought progression and recession across South Korea can be used for the development of proactive drought risk management and mitigation strategies.
Absorption and Transport of Vitamin E

The absorption and transport of various stereoisomers and mixtures of stereoisomers of α- tocopherol, the main constituent of vitamin E, have been investigated in animals and man by dosing with deuterium-labelled α-tocopherol and/or α-tocopheryl acetate with subsequent analysis of plasma, lipoproteins and selected tissues by mass spectrometry. Different animal tissues show dramatic differences in the rates of uptake of “new” α-tocopherol and there are dramatic differences between animal species in rates of uptake by specific tissues. Studies on heart-by pass patients have shown that it takes 2 weeks to double the concentration of a-tocopherol in the heart. The “pattern” of absorption and distribution of new α-tocopherol in lipoproteins has been determined both in normal subjects and in certain patients showing abnormalities in lipid metabolism. The difference in the long term bioavailability of natural and synthetic α-tocopherol has been measured.
Effects of contingency management on substance abuse continuing care participation

The purpose of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness and feasibility of adding a contingency management (CM) component to the standard substance abuse treatment program available to substance-dependent veterans. Participants included 36 substance-dependent male veterans who completed the Veterans Affairs Medical Center residential or day treatment program. Participants were enrolled in either the CM or standard treatment program. The CM group included 6 substance-dependent male veterans who agreed to participate in a 6-month CM program. In this program, veterans were rewarded with vouchers for attending aftercare sessions and submitting breath and urine samples that were negative for alcohol and other drugs. The standard treatment group included 30 substance-dependent male veterans who completed the residential or day treatment program immediately before the initiation of the CM program. Veterans who participated in the adjunctive CM program attended significantly more aftercare sessions than those in the standard treatment group during both the 6-month CM program and the 6 months after the discontinuation of the program. Initial findings indicate that CM may be a useful means of increasing treatment attendance among veterans with substance use disorders. The difficulties encountered during the process of integrating the CM component into the standard treatment program are discussed.
Activity and some properties of choline kinase, cholinephosphate cytidyltransferase and choline phosphotransferase during liver development in the rat

Abstract The activity of choline kinase (ATP:choline phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.1.32) cholinephosphate cytidyltransferase (CTP:cholinephosphate cytidyltransferase, EC 2.7.7.15) and cholinephosphotransferase (CDP-choline:1,2-diacylglycerolcholine-phosphotransferase, EC 2.7.8.2) was determined during the development of the liver in the rat. Choline kinase activity was located in the 100000 × g supernatant and is slightly lower than adult in — 5 day fetal liver. The activity increases to almost 2 times the adult prior to birth and declines to adult levels shortly after birth. The cholinephosphate cytidyltransferase is found at all ages in both the 100000 × g supernatant and in microsomes. The distribution of activity between these two fractions varies with the age of the animal. The activity in the supernatant fraction from — 5 day fetal is almost twice the adult values, whereas the activity in the microsome fraction from — 5 day fetal does not significantly differ from the adult. The activity in both fractions increases following birth. The activity of cholinephosphotransferase in the presence of exogenous diglyceride was about 10% of the adult values in — 5 day fetal liver. The activity increased slightly prior to birth but did not approach the adult levels until 8 days after birth. The addition of diglyceride to the assays did not increase the enzyme activity from fetal liver but caused a 2–3-fold increase in enzyme activity from 5 day and older animals. The developmental activities of the three enzymes are compared to the previously obtained developmental pattern for the incorporation of [Me- 14 C]-choline into choline phosphoglycerides by liver slices.
A fully wireless platform for correlating behavior and neural data from an implanted, neural recording device: Demonstration in a freely moving swine model

An entirely wireless neural and behavior recording platform has been developed for the purpose of studying cortical circuits during behavior of a freely moving animal with minimal observer intrusion. Our platform consists of (a) a 100-element microelectrode, fully implantable, wireless, broadband neural recording device [1], and (b) a 2-channel, wireless, event tracking system, both of which simultaneously stream asynchronous data to a custom programmed FPGA (field-programmable gate array). All data is packetized and transmitted over Ethernet. The data are received by custom software (in MATLAB) which simultaneously animates neural data and behavioral data for the observer to draw correlations and witness patterns. This platform has been implemented in a 10-month old female Yucatan mini-pig swine model (with the chronic, wireless, neural implant for over 9 months), extracting broadband neural data recorded simultaneously with time stamped behavioral recordings.
The Transformation of Southeast Asia: Implications for India and Its Businesses

ABSTRACT The fundamental core of globalization is international integration. The integration of emerging economies has critical consequences for the global economy, in general, and for the emerging economies, in particular. This paper is focused on India. The context of this focus is the Asian financial crisis. It briefly discusses the liberalization of the Indian economy and considers the consequences of its de-insulation as Southeast Asia (primarily the Asian-4) experienced economic turmoil. The causes of its origin, in real and theoretical terms, and its effects, in real and strategic terms, are examined. Implications for the Indian economy and business strategies are evaluated.
Nonlinear Periodic Oscillations in Rocket Motors with Distributed Combustion

Transverse and longitudinal combustion chamber oscillations in rocket motors with distributed mass and energy sources
Zonal Harmonic Standing Waves in the NCAR Global Circulation Model

Abstract Zonal harmonic analysis has been carried out on 30-day mean pressure fields of several runs of the NCAR global circulation model (GCM): A January 6-layer case with the earth's orography; a January 6-layer case without orography; a January 12-layer case with orography; and a January 12-layer case without orography. Zonal harmonic mean waves 1, 2, and 3 from each experiment were compared between cases and with observed data. In the Northern Hemisphere below 18 km, neither the mountain (M) nor the no-mountain (NM) versions of the 6-layer January model can simulate the amplitude of waves 1 and 3 correctly when compared with observed data. The 6-layer NM case does better at simulating the amplitude of wave 2 than does the 6-layer M case. For the 12-layer version of the model, on the other hand, the M case simulated the amplitudes of waves 1 and 2 quite well in the stratosphere, while the NM case only does well with wave 2. In the Southern Hemisphere, neither the M nor NM waves in general resemble thos...
Chemical shift assignments for human apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1.

Apurinic/apyrimidinic endonuclease 1 (APE1 or Ref-1) is the major enzyme in mammals for processing abasic sites in DNA. These cytotoxic and mutagenic lesions arise via spontaneous rupture of the base-sugar bond or the removal of damaged bases by a DNA glycosylase. APE1 cleaves the DNA backbone 5′ to an abasic site, giving a 3′-OH primer for repair synthesis, and mediates other key repair activities. The DNA repair functions are essential for embryogenesis and cell viability. APE1-deficient cells are hypersensitive to DNA-damaging agents, and APE1 is considered an attractive target for inhibitors that could potentially enhance the efficacy of some anti-cancer agents. To enable an important new method for studying the structure, dynamics, catalytic mechanism, and inhibition of APE1, we assigned the chemical shifts (backbone and 13Cβ) of APE1 residues 39-318. We also report a protocol for refolding APE1, which was essential for achieving complete exchange of backbone amide sites for the perdeuterated protein.
Glucagon, insulin, and glucose relationships in a porcine experimental burn model.

Abstract A porcine experimental burn model demonstrating hormonal and metabolic alterations similar to those reported in human thermal injury is described. In particular, increased glucagon and suppressed insulin secretion are associated with disturbed lipid and carbohydrate regulation. Hyperglucagonemia is exaggerated after arginine stimulation. With appropriate fluid resuscitation, correction of hormonal-metabolic aberrations is demonstrated suggesting that this controlled model of thermal injury may be appropriate not only to describe the pathophysiology of the burn state but also to explore alternative considerations for therapy.
Integrated optical modulators and switches using coherent perfect loss

We propose a new type of amplitude modulator for integrated optics based on phase-controllable coherent perfect loss (CPL) from a resonant cavity. Temporal coupled-mode theory is employed to derive a simple set of equations that describe the device operation, and finite-difference time-domain simulations are used to verify these equations. Two examples of CPL modulators are described with this formalism: a ring resonator and a 1D photonic crystal cavity. We show that internal resonator loss, and thus critical coupling, are not strict requirements for CPL operation. These devices are simple to design and can act as compact switches and modulators for integrated optics.
Systemic Embolization of the Disk Occluder of the Wada-Cutter Prosthetic Valve: A Late Complication

The results in 22 patients in the Denver area with Wada-Cutter prostheses were reviewed. There were 14 late deaths, with an average follow-up of six years. Four cases of valve malfunction not related to thrombosis were documented. There were three cases of embolization of the occluder. A survivor is reported. Clinical evaluation of the group suggested new mitral regurgitation to be a sensitive indicator of impending embolization of the occluder. Documentation of valve malfunction warrants valvular replacement.