cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can Living Donor Liver Transplantation in the United States Reach Its Potential

Living donor liver transplantation (LDLT) is a vital tool to address the growing organ shortage in the United States caused by increasing numbers of patients diagnosed with end-stage liver disease. LDLT still only makes up a very small proportion of all liver transplantations performed each year, but there are many innovations taking place in the field that may increase its acceptance among both transplant programs and patients. These innovations include ways to improve access to LDLT, such as through nondirected donation, paired exchange, transplant chains, transplant of ABO-incompatible donors, and transplants in patients with high Model for End-Stage Liver Disease scores. Surgical innovations, such as laparoscopic donor hepatectomy, robotic hepatectomy, and portal flow modulation, are also increasingly being implemented. Policy changes, including decreasing the financial burden associated with LDLT, may make it a more feasible option for a wider range of patients. Lastly, center-level behavior, such as ensuring surgical expertise and providing culturally competent education, will help toward LDLT expansion. Although it is challenging to know which of these innovations will take hold, we are already seeing LDLT numbers improve within the past 2 years.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinase Signalling in Cancer and Cardiac Hypertrophy

The AMP-protein kinase (AMPK) pathway is very versatile as it regulates cellular energetic homeostasis in many different tissue types. An appreciation for the importance of AMPK signalling and regulation in cardiovascular and tumor biology is increasing. Recently, a link has been established between anti-cancer therapy and susceptibility to cardiac disease. It has been shown that some anti-cancer drugs lead to an increased risk of cardiac disease, underlined by de-regulation of AMPK signalling. This review explores the AMPK signalling axis in both cardiac and tumor metabolism. We then examine off-target AMPK inhibition by cancer drugs and how this may translate into increased risk of cardiovascular disease. Finally, we discuss the implication of deregulated AMPK signalling during different stages of cardiac hypertrophy. Better understanding of the molecular pathways behind pathological processes will lead to the development of more effective therapeutics for cancer and cardiovascular diseases.
SIMPL: A System for Integrating Optimization Techniques

In recent years, the Constraint Programming (CP) and Operations Research (OR) communities have explored the advantages of combining CP and OR techniques to formulate and solve combinatorial optimization problems. These advantages include a more versatile modeling framework and the ability to combine complementary strengths of the two solution technologies. This research has reached a stage at which further development would benefit from a general-purpose modeling and solution system. We introduce here a system for integrated modeling and solution called SIMPL. Our approach is to view CP and OR techniques as special cases of a single method rather than as separate methods to be combined. This overarching method consists of an infer-relax-restrict cycle in which CP and OR techniques may interact at any stage. We describe the main features of SIMPL and illustrate its usage with examples.
Optimality and Symposia: Some History

As a contribution to a symposium focusing on optimality, this paper will consider the origin of the concept of optimality in statistics and the history of the earliest statistical symposia. These two very disparate subjects are linked by the fact that they originated in the imagination of the same person, Jerzy Neyman. A brief account of his life will therefore be useful as a framework for the two main subjects.
Composition of the Sulfur Particle of Chromatium vinosum Strain D

Sulfur particles were isolated from the purple sulfur photosynthetic bacterium, Chromatium vinosum strain D. The composition of these particles was determined to be 93% sulfur, 5% protein, and 0.6% lipid. Gel electrophoresis indicated the presence of a single protein species with a molecular weight of 13,500 daltons. From these results, the sulfur particle is postulated to be bounded by a membrane consisting entirely of protein.
An incremental bisimulation algorithm

The notion of bisimulation has been used in various fields including Modal Logic, Set theory, Formal Verification, and XML indexing. In this paper we present the first algorithm for incremental maintenance of maximum bisimulation relation of a graph with respect to changes in the graph. Given a graph, its maximum bisimulation relation, and the changes in the graph, we determine the maximum bisimulation relation with respect to the changed graph by computing the changes in the given bisimulation relation. When the change in the graph induces small changes in the maximum bisimulation relation, our incremental algorithm is able to update the bisimulation relation on average an order of magnitude faster than the fastest available non-incremental algorithm. Preliminary experiments demonstrate the effectiveness of our algorithm. Our algorithm finds extensive use in verification where the specification changes over time, and XML indexing in database where the index structure, obtained by bisimulation on XML graph structure, needs to be maintained with respect to changes in the XML documents.
Around the Tuscan Table: Food, Family and Gender in Twentieth‐Century Florence

Around the Tuscan Table: Food, Family and Gender in Twentieth-Century Florence. Carole M. Counihan. New York: Routledge, 2004. 248 pp.
Bone loss during partial weight bearing (1/6th gravity) is mitigated by resistance and aerobic exercise in mice

Abstract Astronauts on long duration missions continue to experience bone loss, as much as 1–2% each month, for up to 4.5 years after a mission. Mechanical loading of bone with exercise has been shown to increase bone formation, mass, and geometry. The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of two exercise protocols during a period of reduced gravitational loading (1/6th body weight) in mice. Since muscle contractions via resistance exercise impart the largest physiological loads on the skeleton, we hypothesized that resistance training (via vertical tower climbing) would better protect against the deleterious musculoskeletal effects of reduced gravitational weight bearing when compared to endurance exercise (treadmill running). Young adult female BALB/cBYJ mice were randomly assigned to three groups: 1/6 g (G/6; n=6), 1/6 g with treadmill running (G/6+RUN; n=8), or 1/6 g with vertical tower climbing (G/6+CLB; n=9). Exercise was performed five times per week. Reduced weight bearing for 21 days was achieved through a novel harness suspension system. Treadmill velocity (12–20 m/min) and daily run time duration (32–51 min) increased incrementally throughout the study. Bone geometry and volumetric bone mineral density (vBMD) at proximal metaphysis and mid-diaphysis tibia were assessed by in vivo peripheral quantitative computed tomography (pQCT) on days 0 and 21 and standard dynamic histomorphometry was performed on undemineralized sections of the mid-diaphysis after tissue harvest. G/6 caused a significant decrease (P
Identifying Periodic Components in Atmospheric Data Using a Family of Minimum Variance Spectral Estimators

Abstract This work describes the application of a recently developed signal processing technique for identifying periodic components in the presence of unknown colored noise. Specifically, the application of this technique to the identification of strongly periodic components in meteorological time series is examined. The technique is based on the unique convergence properties of the family of minimum variance (MV) spectral estimators. The MV convergence methodology and computational procedures are described and are illustrated with a theoretical example. The utility of this method to atmospheric signals is demonstrated with a 26-year (1964–1989) time series of 70-mb wind components at Truk Island in the equatorial Pacific. The MV method clearly shows that although equatorial disturbances with periods of 3–5 days have a strong signal, they do not show a strong periodic component. As expected, MV convergence illustrates that the 70-mb zonal wind series at this location has a significant periodic component ...
The contractile blood vessels of the earthworm, Lumbricus terrestris

Abstract 1. 1. In intact resting earthworms the rate of contraction of the dorsal vessel is 11 beats/min; in “exercised” animals, 17 beats/min. 2. 2. In dissected animals the rate averages 8 beats/min, each contraction consisting of a peristaltic wave passing anteriorly. 3. 3. The contraction wave has a uniform velocity of 2·4 cm/sec posterior to the lateral vessels but the velocity becomes progressively less in the region of the lateral vessels. 4. 4. Each lateral vessel possesses an endogenous rhythmicity but can be driven by activity in the dorsal vessel. 5. 5. Increased intralumenal pressure increases the rate of beating of the dorsal vessel; decreased intralumenal pressure decreases the rate. 6. 6. Electrical stimulation of the dorsal vessel elicits propagated contraction waves but there is a long refractory period following each contraction so that the dorsal vessel cannot be driven in a one-to-one manner at a rate greater than once every 4 sec.
Abstract 4462: Induction of apoptosis by 3-bromopyruvate involves endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress and overcomes autophagy response in human hepatocellular carcinoma cell line Hep3B

Proceedings: AACR 101st Annual Meeting 2010‐‐ Apr 17‐21, 2010; Washington, DC Background: Autophagy is a cellular response to adverse conditions that also plays a role in resistance to chemotherapy in cancer cells. Resistance renders systemic chemotherapy generally ineffective against human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). The HCC cell line Hep3B is deficient in key apoptotic regulators (p53, Fas) and shows differential apoptotic response to various chemotherapeutic agents. The antiglycolytic agent, 3-bromopyruvate (3-BrPA) is known to induce cell death in human HCC cell lines and has shown potent antitumor activity. In the current study we investigated the intracellular response of Hep3B cells to 3-BrPA treatment and compared it with another HCC cell line, SK-Hep1. Methods: We examined the intracellular effect of 3-BrPA by measuring endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress using quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR) and immunoblotting. The ultrastructural changes were observed by electron microscopy (EM). Apoptosis was evaluated by TUNEL assay and caspase-3 activation. Results: 3-BrPA treatment induced ER stress and inhibited protein synthesis in a dose and time dependent manner in both the HCC cell lines. EM revealed that 3-BrPA treatment resulted in the initiation of autophagy in Hep3B cells and apoptotic blebbing in SK-Hep1 cells. However, Hep3B cells overcame the initial autophagic response and finally progressed to apoptosis. Conclusions: SK-Hep1 cells upon 3-BrPA treatment underwent the classic pathway of apoptosis whereas Hep3B cells employed autophagy as a defense mechanism but failed to resist apoptosis. We conclude that 3-BrPA treatment promotes apoptosis in human HCC cell lines irrespective of their differential response associated with the status of key apoptotic regulators. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 4462.
Stable Equilibrium Based on Lévy Statistics: A Linear Boltzmann Equation Approach

To obtain further insight on possible power law generalizations of Boltzmann equilibrium concepts, we consider stochastic collision models. The models are a generalization of the Rayleigh collision model, for a heavy one dimensional particle M interacting with ideal gas particles with a mass m<<M. Similar to previous approaches we assume elastic, uncorrelated, and impulsive collisions. We let the bath particle velocity distribution function to be of general form, namely we do not postulate a specific form of power-law equilibrium. We show, under certain conditions, that the velocity distribution function of the heavy particle is Levy stable, the Maxwellian distribution being a special case. We demonstrate our results with numerical examples. The relation of the power law equilibrium obtained here to thermodynamics is discussed. In particular we compare between two models: a thermodynamic and an energy scaling approaches. These models yield insight into questions like the meaning of temperature for power law equilibrium, and into the issue of the universality of the equilibrium (i.e., is the width of the generalized Maxwellian distribution functions obtained here, independent of coupling constant to the bath).
Prime-time television: Assessing violence during the most popular viewing hours

This Study was designed to assess the prevalence and context of violence in prime-time television programming using a random, representative sample of 23 broadcast, independent, and cable channels. Results showed that, regardless of the times of day, viewers are likely to encounter violence in roughly 2 out of 3 programs when they view television. Using social cognitive theory to frame our analysis, we also identified specific channel types and genres that feature potentially harmful depictions of violence during prime time. Specifically, broadcast network and basic cable are the most problematic channel types, and reality television is the most problematic genre. Results are summarized highlight the day parts, channels, and genres that are most likely to contribute to negative effects from prime-time viewing.
On forced internal waves in a rectangular trench

The generation of internal waves in a submarine rectangular trench by normally incident surface waves has been investigated through laboratory experiments and theory. A linear model was developed for small-amplitude, simple harmonic wave motions. In this model, the fluid outside the trench is homogeneous, and the fluid in the trench is composed of two homogeneous layers of different densities separated by a transition region of linear density variation; viscous dissipation is treated based on the assumption of a laminar boundary layer. In the experiments, the stratification in the trench was created using fresh water and salt water, and a scanning laser beam and detector system was used to measure the amplitude of internal waves. The study shows that, when the frequency of the surface waves corresponds to the natural frequency of internal waves, the amplitude of internal waves becomes large compared to the amplitude of surface waves. The natural frequency of oscillation of internal waves decreases as the thickness of the density interface increases and the depth of the lower fluid decreases. Two distinct classes of internal waves were observed, namely, standing internal waves when the lower fluid was deep, and travelling internal waves when the lower fluid was shallow. The linear model predicted the response curve for internal waves quite well in all the cases investigated. It was also found that the internal waves were strongly damped when the depth of the lower fluid was small compared to the wavelength of internal waves.
A distributed pool architecture for genetic algorithms

The genetic algorithm (GA) paradigm is a well-known heuristic for solving many problems in science and engineering. As problem sizes increase, a natural question is how to exploit advances in distributed and parallel computing to speed up the execution of GAs. This paper proposes a new distributed architecture for GAs, based on distributed storage of the individuals in a persistent pool. Processors extract individuals from the pool in order to perform the computations and then insert the resulting individuals back into the pool. Unlike previously proposed approaches, the new approach is tailored for distributed systems in which processors are loosely coupled, failure-prone and can run at different speeds. Proof-of-concept simulation results are presented indicating that the approach can deliver improved performance due to the distribution and tolerates a large fraction of crash failures.
Laser Faraday rotation measurement of current density fluctuations and electromagnetic torque (invited)

Far-infrared laser polarimetry with time response up to ∼1 μs and spatial resolution ∼8 cm has been successfully implemented on the Madison Symmetric Torus reversed-field pinch. Internal magnetic field and current density fluctuations are nonperturbatively measured. This is accomplished by taking parallel polarimetry chords which measure the line-integrated magnetic field fluctuations via Faraday rotation. With suitable analysis we are able to obtain information on spatial profiles of magnetic field fluctuations and current density fluctuations. Coherent interaction between these fluctuations is also measured and observed to generate an electromagnetic fluctuation-induced torque 〈δJ×δB〉.
The Right to Religious Freedom, with Particular Reference to Same-Sex Marriage

In this essay, I elaborate and defend the internationally recognized human right to religious freedom. I then pursue the implications of the right for government’s exclusion of same-sex couples from of civil marriage.
Structural Evolution of Gold Nanorods during Controlled Secondary Growth

Single-crystalline gold nanorods synthesized by the Ag(I)-mediated seeded-growth method (see: El-Sayed, M. A.; Nikoobakht, B. Chem. Mater. 2003, 15, 1957) were used as seeds for the preferential overgrowth of gold on particular crystallographic facets by systematic variation of the conditions during overgrowth. The results support previous reports about the relevance of the cationic surfactant cetyltrimethylammonium bromide (CTAB) and Ag(I) in stabilizing anisotropic particle shapes and demonstrate that the regulation of the amount of ascorbic acid facilitates the preferential overgrowth of {111} crystal facets to form Ξ-type particle shapes. Interestingly, secondary overgrowth is found to inevitably result in a loss of particle shape anisotropy. A mechanism based on surface reconstruction is proposed to rationalize the “shape-reversal” that is generally observed in the nanorod growth process, that is, the initial increase and subsequent decrease of particle anisotropy with increasing reaction time. High...
Environment and disease in the land use and settlement of Apurimac Department, Peru

Zusammenfassung Die engen Taler des Apurimac-Flussystems im Suden Zentralperus weisen ein Klima auf, das in krassem Gegensatz zum Klima der angrenzenden Hochlander steht. Die Spanier mit ihrem feudal strukturierten Haziendasystem erkannten, das diese Taler fur den Anbau von Zuckerrohr besonders geeignet waren und das sich jenseits der Talrander ein guter Markt fur den Absatz von Zuckerprodukten bot. Unbeabsichtigt schleppten sie aber auch die Malaria ein. Durch die kunstliche Bewasserung der Talsohlen schafften sie Brutstatten fur Moskitos, die diese und damit die Malaria dort heimisch werden liesen. Die Malaria hatte verheerende Auswirkungen auf die indianische Bevolkerung. Es wurden verschiedene Masnahmen getroffen, um der schlechten Gesundheitsbedingungen in den Talern Herr zu werden: Errichtung neuer Dorfer oberhalb und auserhalb der Malariagebiete; saisonale Wanderung der indianischen Arbeitskrafte, um die Zeit ihres Aufenthalts in den betroffenen Gebieten einzuschranken; Aufgabe der am schlimmsten verseuchten Zuckerrohranbaugebiete; Ersatz der indianischen Arbeiter durch Neger. Inzwischen ist die Krankheit nahezu ausgerottet, und auch die okonomische und soziale Struktur der warmen Taler hat sich so grundlegend verandert, das die erwahnten Verbesserungsmasnahmen heute kaum noch eine Bedeutung haben.
Production of kelp - a major aspect of China's exploitation of the sea

Every possible means is being exploited on water and land by the communist regime to feed China's ever-expanding population and to provide industrial materials for building the nation's military strength. To millions of mainland Chinese aquicultural and agricultural pursuits are part and parcel of their livelihood. There is no reason to doubt that, since the food crisis of 1959-61, considerable advances have been made in mainland China in aquicultural practices as well as in breeding of more productive strains of agricultural plants and animals, control of insects and diseases, and enlargement of fertilizer production facilities. However, long before many of these developments began to occur on land, the Chinese had turned to lakes, rivers, and seas for supplementary food supplies and industrial materials. Westerners tend to overlook the significance of aquatic plants and animals in their estimates of caloric intake by mainland Chinese. In addition to kelp, laver, and other edible seaweeds, such marine products as sea cucumber, jellyfish, Amphioxus, squid, and octopus are popular items in Chinese cuisine, a fact that most Americans tend to disbelieve. Partly due to lack of knowledge of Chinese eating habits, evaluations by western experts of the nutritional status of China's population often fall short of reality. In China's present plans for economic growth, expansion of aquiculture is a project of high priority. Creation of the Ministry
Face recognition using the neural tree network

A face recognition system has been developed and demonstrated at the Rutgers University Center for Computer Aids for Industrial Productivity. The system uses a preliminary data reduction step. gray scale projections, and a fast transform technique to greatly reduce the computational complexity of the problem and, consequently, the cost of high-speed implementation. The decision function is a few, extremely cost-effective neural network, the Mammone/Sankar Neural Tree Network. This network can be trained and re-trained rapidly on face image data and the system has built-in facilities for acquiring and editing a large data base of face images. Recognition rates higher than 90% were achieved on data sets containing up to 269 subjects. More importantly, it performed well on subjects with and without their glasses, under a wide range of changes in facial expressions, and under a variety of small tilts, translations and rotations.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Devaluation of the gold standard in x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

Abstract The value of vapor-deposited gold as a standard in x-ray photo-electron spectroscopy has been studied. During the deposition gold may react with the sample giving consequent shifts and/or broadening of the Au 4f peaks. Shifts to higher binding energies have been observed with KCN and NACl and to lower energies with Na 2 S 2 O 3 and copper phthalocyanine. The An 4f peaks have been investigated over the temperature range −50 to 200°C. At higher temperatures peaks due to metallic gold are observed. Anomalous effects have been observed in the XPS spectrum of gold plated copper phthalocyanine in the binding energy range 650–950 eV.
Israel's legal deposit law in global context

Abstract Nearly half a century after it first came into effect, Israel's legal deposit law has been amended to make its provisions in accordance with and appropriate for the digital age. Other considerations guiding legislators were the necessity to adjust the law in response to laws (particularly Basic Laws) passed since the original deposit law was enacted. This paper traces the legislative history of the law through primary documents and compares it to similar laws passed in other countries over the past decade. It concludes that while the deposit of electronic materials was the primary justification for the new legislation, the legislators failed to craft the language of the new Books Act to reflect this goal. While some elements of the new law are a vast improvement over the older legislation, the Books Act is not suitable for meeting the challenges of preservation and documentation of cultural heritage in electronic formats.
Software for the ACP multiprocessor system

Abstract Software has been developed for use with the Fermilab ACP multiprocessor system (described in an accompanying paper). The software was designed to make a system of a hundred independent node processors as easy to use a single, powerful CPU. Subroutines have been developed by which a user's host program can send data to and get results from the program running in each of his ACP node processors. Utility programs make it easy to compile and link host and node programs, to debug a node program on an ACP development system, and to submit a debugged program to an ACP production system.
Weinberg's nonlinear quantum mechanics and the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen paradox

The constraints imposed on observables by the requirement that transmission not occur in the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen (EPR) experiment are determined, leading to a different treatment of separated systems from that originally proposed by Weinberg (1989). It is found that forbidding EPR communication in nonlinear quantum mechanics necessarily leads to another sort of unusual communication: that between different branches of the wave function.
Chorioamnionitis and Intraamniotic Infection

Intraamniotic infection is a common (2-4%) event in labor. The predictors of IAI include preterm labor or rupture of membranes, abnormal vaginal flora (e.g., GBS, sexually transmitted disease, bacterial vaginosis), obstetric manipulations (e.g., vaginal exams, internal fetal monitoring) in the presence of ruptured membranes, and diminished host response (due to smoking, drug abuse, obesity, immunodeficiency states, etc.). Group B Streptococcus and Enterobacteriaceae are the most important organisms associated with the polymicrobial infection. Anaerobes predict post-cesarean section complications. Neonatal pneumonia (2-5%) and early neonatal sepsis (1-4%) are the outcomes of the greatest concern and are caused by group B streptococcal or aerobic gram-negative rod infections. These outcomes are kept to a minimum if maternal antibiotic chemotherapy is started interpartum with agents that are safe, cross the placenta, and are active against GBS and Escherichia coli (e.g., ampicillin plus gentamicin). Anaerobic coverage should be added (clindamycin) if a cesarean section is performed. Antipyretics such as acetaminophen will reduce the hyperthermic stress on the fetus, and persistent fetal tachycardia after antipyretics may indicate fetal infection. Continuous electronic fetal monitoring is appropriate in cases of IAI, and providers should be prepared for neonatal resuscitation, early neonatal intravenous antibiotics, and respiratory support at delivery.
School-based motivational interviewing with students, teachers, and parents: new developments and future direction

Motivational interviewing (MI) is a brief evidence-based counseling style used to reduce adult and adolescent risky behavior. Recently, school-based mental health experts have adapted MI for use in the school context to promote positive student outcomes (e.g., academics, behavior, and mental health). Currently, there are two forms of school-based MI (SBMI): student-focused SBMI (direct use with students) and consultative SBMI (use with teachers or parents). This special issue presents research on both forms. First, Sheftel, Lindstrom, and McWhirter [(2014). Motivational enhancement career intervention for youth with disabilities. Advances in School Mental Health Promotion, 7(4), 208–224, this issue] present a pilot study of student-focused SBMI to increase high school students' vocational skills self-efficacy, self-determination, and vocational outcomes. Second, Lee, Frey, Herman, and Reinke [(2014). Motivational interviewing as a framework to guide school-based coaching. Advances in School Mental Health ...
Automated enzymatic standardized lipid analyses for plasma and lipoprotein fractions.

Excellent normal ranges for plasma lipid and lipoprotein cholesterol levels have been developed by the Lipid Research Clinics program, standardized by the Centers for Disease Control (CDC). However these values were generated by methods not currently in use in most clinical chemistry laboratories. Automated enzymatic methods for cholesterol, triglycerides and free glycerol determinations, as well as a dextran sulfate-Mg2+ procedure for separation of high density lipoproteins (HDL) with standardization are described. Similar methods for the measurement of unesterified cholesterol and phospholipids are also given. Serum pools for total cholesterol with values ranging from 1220–3490 mg/l produced coefficients of variation (CV) ⩽2.85%; reference values for low total cholesterol samples in a range of 280–727 mg/l gave CV of 4.35% or less; HDL cholesterol reference values of 265–640 mg/l yielded CV ⩽3.70%; and values for triglycerides between 0.74 and 3.05 mmol/l gave CV of 4.22% or less through three to eight testing cycles (9–24 mth). These data indicate that long term CDC standardization of total cholesterol, triglycerides, and HDL cholesterol can be obtained with automated enzymatic methods utilizing commercially available reagents.
Editor’s Introduction: Toward a Robust Scientific Investigation of the ‘Religion’ Variable in the Quest for Sustainability

Despite signiﬁcant progress in the development of the religion and nature ﬁeld, there is still far too little data available to evaluate conclusively hypotheses regarding the ‘greening of religion’, regardless of whether the traditions in focus are large or small, longstanding or recently emerging. The ﬁeld needs to move beyond anecdotal information and wishful thinking and develop a much more complex and robust, mixed methods social science to explore the religious dimensions of the quest for environmental sustainability and conservation. Only then will we be able to assess more accurately whether it is possible for such phenomena to contribute strongly to efforts to create a more equitable and environmentally sustainable world. Scholars interested in pursuing historically and empirically such questions are invited to contact JSRNC editors in order to establish a task force to pursue these questions.
Photoionization of 5 d and 4 f subshells of high- Z elements

Calculations of the photoionization of $5d$ and $4f$ subshells of a number of heavy elements have been performed with use of relativistic Dirac-Slater wave functions. Cross sections, branching ratios, and photoelectron angular distributions have been obtained and their systematics explored as a function of $Z$. The extent of the relativistic splitting of the zeros in the $5d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}\ensuremath{\epsilon}f$ dipole matrix elements has been investigated and the implications have been discussed. Comparisons with existing experiment and more sophisticated theory (Dirac-Fock, relativistic random-phase approximation) have been made, and the agreement was generally good.
Purification and characterization of TEF1, a transcription factor that controls the human transforming growth factor-α promoter

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) is a member of the epidermal growth factor family. It activates signal transduction pathways leading to cell proliferation through the interaction with cell surface epidermal growth factor receptor. The overexpression of TGF-alpha has been found in many types of cancers and is thought to be involved in the genesis and maintenance of these tumors. Recent results also implicate this growth factor in the development of certain diabetic complications, such as atherosclerosis. The function of TGF-alpha can be tightly controlled at the level of transcription of its gene. We have previously characterized the proximal TGF-alpha promoter and identified two neighboring regulatory elements that appeared to cooperate with each other in the regulation of TGF-alpha transcription. The transcription factor that functions through the distal element was identified as AP-2, a protein that was found to be induced by the oncoprotein, Ras. However, what factor binds and controls the proximal regulatory element (PRE) is still unclear. Here, we report the purification and preliminary characterization of the PRE-binding transcription factor TEF1 by sequence-specific DNA-affinity chromatography from rat kidney nuclear extracts. The purified TEF1 migrates on the SDS-PAGE at a molecular mass of about 36 kDa. It specifically interacts with the PRE and was able to strongly activate transcription from the TGF-alpha promoter in HeLa cell nuclear extracts in an in vitro transcription assay. The UV cross-linking experiment confirmed that this 36 kDa protein is indeed the protein that specifically binds the PRE. We also show that the spacing between the AP-2 and the TEF1 sites in the TGF-alpha promoter has little effect on the transcription from the TGF-alpha promoter. The purification of TEF1 furthers our understanding of how TGF-alpha expression is regulated and may help us understand the upstream signaling events that lead to the elevated expression of this growth factor.
Construction and accuracy analysis of images of the daily-mean mixed-layer depth

Abstract Using satellite data only, a unique model of the upper-ocean mixed-layer has been developed recently by Yan for calculating the thermal inertia (or the heat flux change per unit temperature change per day) of the mixed-layer from which daily mean mixed-layer depth is estimated. Thus digital maps of the oceanic daily mixed-layer depth in the vicinity of the Sargasso Sea for 14 May-30 August, 1982 have been generated from visible, near-infrared, thermal-infrared and microwave observations made by radiometers on board the NOAA-7, -8, GOES and Nimbus-7 satellites. The errors incurred in producing such maps are of two general type: measurement from satellites and model simplification. The sensitivity of the modelled mixed-layer depth to simplifications in the model (modelling errors) and to errors in data used for forcing the model (data errors) is considered here. To emph isize the oceanographic relevance of these errors, we express the errors in mixed-layer depth as a function of model errors and da...
Quark number scaling of v 2 in transverse kinetic energy and its implications for coalescence models

We find that a simple extension of the coalescence model is sufficient to incorporate the perfect quark number scaling behavior of the elliptic flow in transverse kinetic energy, recently discovered by the PHENIX Collaboration. The flavor dependence of the elliptic flow can be consistently described in the low and intermediate p{sub T} if the transverse kinetic energy is conserved in the 2 {yields} 1 or 3 {yields} 1 parton coalescence process at the hadronization. Thus suggesting the quark coalescence as a possible hadronization mechanism at low p{sub T} as well.
Association of Urinary Phenols with Increased Body Weight Measures and Obesity in Children and Adolescents

Objective To examine the association of urinary levels of the environmental phenol pesticides 2,5-dichlorophenol, 2,4-dichlorophenol, and triclosan with body weight outcomes in children and adolescent participants in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010. Study design We performed multivariate linear and multinomial logistic regressions to analyze the association of body mass index (BMI) z-score, waist circumference (WC), and obesity with urinary pesticide concentration in children and adolescents. Results After adjustment for covariates, we found a statistically significant positive association ( P Conclusions We found an association between dichlorophenols and increased body weight measures (BMI z-score, WC, and obesity) in adolescents. However, further studies, such as a longitudinal study, are needed to confirm and elucidate on our findings.
The relationship of cellular metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene to the induction of cytotoxicity and cell transformation in fetal hamster cells in vitro

Abstract Employing inhibitors of benzo(a)pyrene metabolism, the relationship between cellular metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene and benzo(a)pyrene-induced toxicity and transformation in hamster embryo cells has been investigated. Benzo(a)pyrene-induced cytoxicity closely paralleled cellular metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene. Benzo(a)-pyrene-induced transformation, however, was not inhibited by significant inhibition of cellular metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene, implying that benzo(a)pyrene-induced transformation in hamster embryo cell cultures is not closely linked to overall metabolism of benzo(a)pyrene.
Isolation and characterization of genomic and transcribed retrotransposon sequences from sorghum

Reverse transcriptase sequences from both major classes of retrotransposons were amplified from sorghum genomic DNA, leaf mRNA and callus protoplast mRNA. Sequence analysis of clones derived from genomic DNA demonstrated the presence of a wide variety of copia-like and gypsy-like elements. Twenty-four families of copia-like elements were found, of which at least thirteen were expressed in callus protoplasts. Two families (containing forty-eight subfamilies) of gypsy-like elements were discovered, both closely related to Huck of maize. At least twenty-seven of these subfamilies were expressed in callus protoplasts. Most of these elements were expressed at high levels in protoplasts derived from embryogenic callus, but expression of only a few was detected (at low levels) in leaves. Sequence divergence within individual families was quite high, and all relatedness profiles were consistent with vertical transmission of these elements. These data indicate that sorghum contains a large number and diversity of retrotransposons, and that some may be useful as transposon tagging systems in callus protoplasts.
Observation of intensity-induced nonreciprocity in a fiber-optic gyroscope.

Nonreciprocal phase shift has been predicted and observed in a fiber-optic gyroscope based on a Sagnac interferometer when the intensities of the counterpropagating beams are unequal. The magnitude of this intensity-induced phase shift is 1.4 rad/W power difference. At 1-μW power difference, this is equivalent to a rotation rate of 0.2°/h in our 200-m-long fiber with a core radius of 2.25 μm that is wound around a spool of 19-cm diameter. The data are consistent with theoretical predictions based on four-wave mixing in the quartz fiber.
Effect of Continuous Administration of Interferon-γ in Experimental Visceral Leishmaniasis

In experimental visceral leishmaniasis, intermittently administered interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) induces antileishmanial activity, which is primarily microbistatic. To determine if the efficacy of IFN-gamma immunotherapy could be enhanced by continuous delivery, Leishmania donovani-infected mice were treated using a subcutaneous osmotic pump. Once-daily intraperitoneal injections of 10(5) or 10(6) units of IFN-gamma inhibited the replication of L. donovani within liver macrophages but overall did not reduce liver parasite burdens. In contrast, a comparable dose of IFN-gamma (2.4 x 10(5) units/day) administered continuously induced an enhanced effect and reduced liver burdens by almost 50%. Although pump delivery did not similarly increase the efficacy of antimony chemotherapy in infected mice, continuous treatment with IFN-gamma plus antimony produced an additive antileishmanial effect. These results suggest that continuous infusions of macrophage-activating lymphokines such as IFN-gamma (used alone or in combination with chemotherapy) may be required to optimize in vivo antimicrobial effects.
Weak-field ELF magnetic interactions: Implications for biological change during paleomagnetic reversals

Contrary to the belief that paleomagnetic reversals are not biologically significant, we find good reason to think otherwise. Attention is drawn to polarity transitions, time intervals a few thousand years long that follow the collapse of the existing geomagnetic dipole moment and precede the establishment of the new, oppositely directed moment. The geomagnetic field during transitions is reduced to a maximal mean intensity about 10% of the stable field and can exhibit low-frequency perturbations comparable to numerous laboratory-based extremely low frequency (ELF) studies reporting biological interactions, making it very likely that similar interactions must occur over the course of a polarity transition. This conclusion is strengthened by reports of medical problems that significantly correlate with intense solar winds, events that also generate ELF perturbations similar to those that can occur during polarity transitions.
Electron Exchange and the Photophysics of Metal-Quinone Complexes. 1. Synthesis and Spectroscopy of Chromium-Quinone Dyads

The synthesis, structural and spectroscopic characterization of monosemiquinone and monocatechol complexes of chromium(III) are described. Compounds of the general form [Cr(N(4))Q](n+), where N(4) represents a tetradentate or bis-bidentate nitrogenous ligand or ligands and Q represents a reduced form of an orthoquinone, have been prepared by two different routes from Cr(III) and Cr(II) starting materials. The complex [Cr(tren)(3,6-DTBSQ)](PF(6))(2), where tren is tris(2-aminoethyl)amine and 3,6-DTBSQ is 3,6-di-tert-butylorthosemiquinone, crystallizes in the monoclinic space group P2(1)/c with a = 11.9560(2) A, b = 17.0715(4) A, c = 17.1805(4) A, beta = 90.167(1) degrees, V = 3506.6(1) A(3), Z = 4, with R = 0.056 and R(w) = 0.070. Alternating C-C bond distances within the quinoidal ligand confirm its semiquinone character. Variable temperature magnetic susceptibility data collected on solid samples of both [Cr(tren)(3,6-DTBSQ)](PF(6))(2) and [Cr(tren)(3,6-DTBCat)](PF(6)) in the range 5-350 K exhibit temperature-independent values of 2.85 +/- 0.1 m(B) and 3.85 +/- 0.1 m(B), respectively. These data are consistent with a simple Cr(III)-catechol formulation (S = (3)/(2)) in the case of [Cr(tren)(3,6-DTBCat)](PF(6)) and strong antiferromagnetic coupling (|J| > 350 cm(-)(1)) between the Cr(III) and the semiquinone radical in [Cr(tren)(3,6-DTBSQ)](PF(6))(2). The absorption spectrum of the semiquinone complex exhibits a number of sharp, relatively intense transitions in fluid solution. Group theoretical arguments coupled with a qualitative ligand-field analysis including the effects of Heisenberg spin exchange suggest that several of the observed transitions are a consequence of exchange interactions in both the ground- and excited-state manifolds of the compound. The effect of electron exchange on excited-state dynamics has also been probed through static emission as well as time-resolved emission and absorption spectroscopies. It is suggested that the introduction of exchange coupling and subsequent change in the molecule's electronic structure may contribute to an increase of nearly 4 orders of magnitude in the rate of radiative decay (k(r)), and a factor of ca. 10(7) in the rate of nonradiative decay (k(nr)).
Three Particle Effects in the Pair Distribution Function for Helium-4 Gas

The diagonal elements of the three-particle density matrix for ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ have been formulated in terms of Wiener functional integrals in order to compute both that part of the pair distribution function linear in the density and the third virial coefficient. The three-particle interaction energy was taken to be a sum of Lennard-Jones (12-6) potentials between pairs of particles. Evaluation of the Wiener integrals was carried out by a Monte Carlo sampling technique to yield the pair distribution function and third virial coefficient for temperatures from 273 to 5\ifmmode^\circ\else\textdegree\fi{}K. Comparison of the linear portion of the density expansion of the pair distribution function gave qualitative agreement with experimental values for the pair distribution function in liquid ${\mathrm{He}}^{4}$ measured by neutron diffraction. The values of the third virial coefficient calculated by this method are consistently smaller than the experimental values and consistently larger than the classical values of this quantity over the given temperature range.
Membranous dysmenorrhea: a complication of treatment for endometriosis.

Background Progesterones are frequently used to treat endometriosis. Exaggerated response of the endometrium to high levels of progesterone can result in a decidualization reaction. Decidualization may cause an exacerbation of symptoms of dysmenorrhea associated with endometriosis. Case A 16-year-old girl with uterine didelphys and obstructed hemivagina presented with irregular bleeding and severe abdominal cramping after resection of the vaginal septum. Persistent endometriosis treated with norethindrone acetate resulted in severe colicky abdominal pain and expulsion of a decidual cast. Conclusion Membranous dysmenorrhea can occur in response to excess progesterones. An understanding of the physiologic response of the endometrium to treatment will guide us to a high clinical suspicion of this rare entity when symptoms worsen in response to progesteronal treatment for endometriosis.
Does the presence of esophagitis prior to PEG placement increase the risk for aspiration pneumonia

The aim of this study is to determine if the endoscopic presence of esophagitis predicts aspiration pneumonia after the initiation of enteral feedings in a newly placed PEG tube. A retrospective analysis of 278 patients who received a PEG tube from November 1999 to June 2002 was performed. All PEG procedures performed by a single endoscopist were reviewed from the GI Trac database at the Medical University of South Carolina. Eleven of the procedures were aborted due to technical difficulties. Nine patients received the PEG for gastric decompression only. Seven patients died within 14 days of PEG placement from non-PEG-related complications and were excluded. The resulting 251 patients included for our analysis successfully had PEG tube placement and had at least 14 days of enteral feeding. Esophagitis was defined macroscopically by the endoscopic presence of mucosal edema, friability, or obscurity of the normal vascular pattern in the distal esophagus. Aspiration was defined as the witnessed regurgitation of or tracheal suctioning of PEG feedings. Pneumonia as a consequence of aspiration was defined by development of fever and new infiltrate on chest radiograph within 14 days of PEG placement. Two hundred fifty-one patients had PEG placement (M, 127; F, 124; average age, 62.4 year; age range, 18–95 years) performed by a single endoscopist over a 32-month period. Fourteen (5.6%) of these patients had clinically evident pulmonary aspiration, with seven of them developing pneumonia. Thirteen (93%) of these patients had normal esophageal mucosa. One of the 24 patients (4%) with esophagitis or esophageal ulceration present endoscopically had an aspiration event with subsequent pneumonia. None of the 20 patients found to have some other form of esophageal pathology had an aspiration event. The overall incidence of aspiration pneumonia after the initiation of PEG feedings was 2.7% (7/251). The odds ratio that the presence of esophagitis would predict the development of aspiration pneumonia was 1.60, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.18 to 13.89. This study argues that the presence of esophagitis alone does not increase the risk of aspiration pneumonia from PEG feedings. Other factors apart from esophagitis play an important role in the incidence of aspiration pneumonia with PEG feeding.