cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Hierarchical Evolutionary Preferences Explain Discrepancies in Expected Utility Theory

The standard axiomatic theory of rationality posits that agents order preferences according to the average utilities associated with the different choices. Expected Utility Theory has repeatedly failed as a predictive theory of the choice behavior, as reflected in the enormous new literature in behavioral economics. A frequent thread in this literature is that apparently irrational behaviors in contemporary contexts may have once served important functions, but there has been little attempt to formalize the relationship between evolutionary fitness and choice behavior. Biological agents should maximize fitness, but fitness itself is not a reasonable choice variable since its time-scale exceeds the lifespan of the decision maker. Consequently, organisms use proximate motivational systems that work on appropriate time-scales and are amenable to feedback and learning. We develop an evolutionary principal-agent model in which individuals maximize a set of proximal choice variables, the interests of which are aligned with fitness. We show that age-specific demographic rates can be used as choice variables. The solution to our model yields probability weightings similar to Cumulative Prospect Theory and Rank-Depended Expected Utility Theory. The pessimistic probability weighting characteristic of these models emerges naturally in an evolutionary framework because of extreme intolerance to zeros in multiplicative growth processes. We show that even under a model of constant absolute risk aversion for choice variables at the proximate level, agents are highly risk-averse at the lowest levels of consumption and suggest a consistency with empirical research on the risk preferences of the poor.
Toll-like receptors in Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is characterized by the formation of insoluble deposits of β-amyloid (Aβ) within the parenchyma of the brain. These deposits are associated with a robust microglia-mediated inflammatory response. Recent work has demonstrated that Toll-like receptors (TLRs) participate in this inflammatory response. This chapter reviews the mechanisms whereby TLRs contribute to the induction of a microglial inflammatory response to promote AD pathogenesis. Specifically, the involvement of CD14 and the TLRs in microglial activation is delineated. The TLR-mediated microglial response has beneficial roles in stimulating phagocytosis as well as detrimental roles in the Aβ-stimulated release of neurotoxic products.
DisCrit— Disability Studies and Critical Race Theory in Education. David J. Connor, Beth A. Ferri, and Subini A. Annamma, (Eds.). New York, NY: Teachers College Press, 2016, 279 pp., $44.95 (paperback)

Without frames that allow us to see how social problems impact all the members of a targeted group, many will fall through the cracks of our movements, left to suffer in virtual isolation. (Crensha...
A STUDY OF HOMOGRAPHS

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses homographs. As an isolated unit, the identical spelling and pronunciation of the word provides no clue as to which meaning is intended. Although interpretation of the isolated unit can be influenced by the relative frequency with which the word is used to denote one rather than the other, meaning that only the surrounding context makes clear the intended meaning. Such words that have the same form but more than one meaning are called homonyms. If the two meanings of the word are represented by the same spelling, the word is a homograph. If the two meanings of the word are represented by the same pronunciation, the word is a homophone. A word can be both a homograph and a homophone. Some words are homographs but not homophones. Because homonyms are heavily dependent on context for their interpretation, they provide useful material for studying the modification of verbal meaning as a function of experimental variations in context.
Integrating UAS into the managed airspace through the extension of Rockwell Collins' ARINC cloud services

Rockwell Collins is working closely with government agencies such as the FAA and NASA to extend its service provider portal that offers National Airspace System (NAS) services to range of aircraft operators to include Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) operators. These UAS services, offered in a cloud infrastructure, are referred to as WebUAS™. In this paper, we will present the WebUAS™ architecture — its layers of security, its adaptability to future FAA interfaces, and its organic growth capability as UAS applications expands. We will present its current architecture serving a scaled system of large and small UAS operators and its interfaces to air-traffic control. The paper will also show this current suite of services applied to representative railroad operations — weather, precision navigation, aircraft situation display (ASD), temporary flight restrictions and an authentication engine. One important aspect of WebUAS™ is the separation of computational engines (e.g., authentications engine) from services infrastructure and the ability to use different engines either developed in-house or by 3rd party vendors for the same purposes. Mapping a specific computational engine to a service package depends on the service package and factors such as minimum cost to maximize capability for the specific operational needs but also use a set of “engine elements” to qualify an engine for a service package. In this paper, we will cover the “engine elements” studied by Rockwell Collins. These engine elements will be applied to the sUAS notification and authentication engine currently addressed by the FAA.
Applying landscape genomic tools to forest management and restoration of Hawaiian koa (Acacia koa) in a changing environment

Identifying and quantifying the importance of environmental variables in structuring population genetic variation can help inform management decisions for conservation, restoration, or reforestation purposes, in both current and future environmental conditions. Landscape genomics offers a powerful approach for understanding the environmental factors that currently associate with genetic variation, and given those associations, where populations may be most vulnerable under future environmental change. Here, we applied genotyping by sequencing to generate over 11,000 single nucleotide polymorphisms from 311 trees and then used nonlinear, multivariate environmental association methods to examine spatial genetic structure and its association with environmental variation in an ecologically and economically important tree species endemic to Hawaii, Acacia koa. Admixture and principal components analyses showed that trees from different islands are genetically distinct in general, with the exception of some genotypes that match other islands, likely as the result of recent translocations. Gradient forest and generalized dissimilarity models both revealed a strong association between genetic structure and mean annual rainfall. Utilizing a model for projected future climate on the island of Hawaii, we show that predicted changes in rainfall patterns may result in genetic offset, such that trees no longer may be genetically matched to their environment. These findings indicate that knowledge of current and future rainfall gradients can provide valuable information for the conservation of existing populations and also help refine seed transfer guidelines for reforestation or replanting of koa throughout the state.
Introducing Consumer Health Information to High School Students Enrolled in Cosmetology

ABSTRACTThe case study describes the partnership between the University of Arizona Health Sciences Library and the Joint Technical Education District’s (JTED) Cosmetology high school program to integrate consumer health information into the curriculum. The information literacy component of the curriculum was created by a librarian; it focuses on research methodology and introduces students to consumer health databases and resources. Because early in the course students are introduced to infection control and identification of different diseases and disorders of the skin, introducing them to consumer health information resources helps them identify and learn more about different skin disorders and diseases. Students and teachers both expressed higher confidence levels in research abilities and quality of work produced after attending the program. The instructional program can easily be adapted to other high school career fields.
Unusual Black Hole Binary LMC X-3: A Transient High-mass X-Ray Binary That Is Almost Always On?

We have analyzed a rich, multimission, multiwavelength data set from the black hole X-ray binary (BHXB) LMC X-3, covering a new anomalous low state (ALS), during which the source flux falls to an unprecedentedly low and barely detectable level, and a more normal low state. Simultaneous X-ray and UV/optical monitoring data from Swift are combined with pointed observations from the Rossi X-ray Timing Explorer (RXTE) and X-ray Multi- Mirror Mission (XMM-Newton) and light curves from the Monitor of All-Sky X-ray Image (MAXI) instrument to compare the source characteristics during the ALS with those seen during the normal low state. An XMM-Newton spectrum obtained during the ALS can be modeled using an absorbed power law with Gamma = 1.41‚+/- 0.65 and a luminosity of 7.97 x 10(exp 33) erg/s (0.6-5 keV). The Swift X-ray and UV light curves indicate an X-ray lag of approx. 8 days as LMC X-3 abruptly exits the ALS, suggesting that changes in the mass accretion rate from the donor drive the X-ray lag. The normal low state displays an asymmetric profile in which the exit occurs more quickly than the entry, with minimum X-ray flux a factor of approx. 4300 brighter than during the ALS. The UV brightness of LMC X-3 in the ALS is also fainter and less variable than during normal low states. The existence of repeated ALSs in LMC X-3, as well as a comparison with other BHXBs, implies that it is very close to the transient/persistent X-ray source dividing line. We conclude that LMC X-3 is a transient source that is almost always "on."
Temperature-dependent transport properties of graphene decorated by alkali metal adatoms (Li, K)

We report the electrical transport properties of graphene for dilute alkali metal decoration (n ∼ 2 × 1012 cm−2) at cryogenic temperatures. Upon deposition of K and Li atoms at T = 20 K, graphene devices are doped with electrons, and the charge carrier mobility is decreased. As temperature is increased, the number of electrons donated to the graphene and the number of charged scatterers are reduced, and the mobility of the metal decorated graphene is increased. This differs from the typical temperature-dependent transport in undecorated graphene, where the mobility decreases with increasing temperature. To investigate the kinetic behavior of adatoms on graphene, we estimate the hopping time of the Li and K adatoms on graphene based on the migration barrier in the low concentration regime of the metal adatoms by Density Functional Theory calculations. The calculations reveal that these adatoms are mobile even at cryogenic temperatures and become more mobile with increasing temperature, allowing for cluster...
Improving Understanding of Diagnostic Test Outcomes.

Background. Understanding diagnostic test outcomes requires determining the positive predictive value (PPV) of the test, which most laypeople and medical professionals struggle to do. Despite advances found with frequency formats and visual aids, less than 40% of people can typically identify this value. This study tests the impact of using congruent reference classes in problem-question pairings, evaluates the role of numeracy, and assesses how diagnostic value estimates affect the reported likelihood to use the test. Method. A 3 × 2, Pairing (congruent test-focus, congruent condition-focus, incongruent) × Response Format (frequency, percentage) mixed design experiment was conducted, in which participants answered diagnostic questions about 7 medical problems presented in a format focusing either on the reference class of those who test positive or those who have the condition. Answer accuracy, numeracy, and ratings of likelihood to use estimates were assessed. Results. Focusing on the congruent test ref...
Expression of the Eclosion Hormone Gene in the Brain of Manduca Sexta

Neuropeptides are an important class of regulatory molecules in insects which affect a number of physiological functions relating to growth, metamorphosis, and homeostasis. One of the better known neuropeptides is eclosion hormone (EH). EH is synthesized in the brain of the insect and released into the hemolymph at a defined developmental time just prior to ecdysis at the end of the molt (Reynolds and Truman, 1983). Once released into the hemolymph, its principal effect is on the nervous system of the insect to activate a program of neural activity which leads to ecdysis. Other effects of EH integrate ecdysis with the physiological events that occur at that time.
Plasticity-Damage Modeling of Strain Rate and Temperature Dependence of Aluminum Alloy 7075-T651

This is the first study to correlate the observed damage evolution of ambient (298 K) and elevated (480 K) temperatures of quasi-static and dynamically-loaded wrought aluminum alloy 7075 (AA7075) to capture the strain rate and temperature influence on flow behavior with one set of material constants. In this research, an internal state variable (ISV) framework implementing a physically-based plasticity and damage constitutive model was used to capture the strain rate and temperature dependence of the wrought Al–Zn–Mg–Cu aluminum alloy. The model includes microstructural content processing history and is consistent with continuum level kinematics, kinetics, and thermodynamics. The ISV model captures deformations due to kinematic and isotropic stress-state dependent hardening and damage from the microscale that arise from microstructural features and defects in the wrought aluminum alloy. In addition, the ISV damage theory is based on void nucleation, void growth, and void coalescence. This research provides a foundation for capturing the structure–property relations from the microscale to the structural scale. Finite element methods coupled with internal state variables used to model the plasticity and damage state at the structural scale for high fidelity dynamic loading scenarios, such as blast and impact loading conditions.
Reproducibility of CT-based texture feature quantification of simulated and 3D-printed trabecular bone: influence of noise and reconstruction kernel

Computed tomography (CT) based texture feature measurements of trabecular bone may be used as imaging biomarkers for bone health assessment. This study investigated the effects of image noise and reconstruction kernels on the reproducibility of CT-based texture features of simulated bone images and their correlation to underlying physical bone microarchitecture. We used the Voronoi tessellation method to create lattices and applied morphological processing, including stochastic edge pruning, plates filling, dilating, smoothing and thresholding, to achieve trabecular bone-like structures with controllable trabecular bone parameters. The simulated structures of various trabecular bone thicknesses were passed through an imaging model: CT images were created at a pixel size of 0.24 x 0.24 mm2 by convolving the structure with a proper modulation transfer function at multiple cutoff frequency values representing different sharpness levels associated with clinical CT reconstruction kernels. Noise was added using a range of standard deviations to simulate different dose levels. We examined 39 texture features’ correlation with trabecular bone thickness and assessed their reproducibility using the Concordance Correlation Coefficient metric. Our preliminary results show the realism of our simulation model when compared to the CT scans of 3D-printed phantoms. We found that first and second-order image texture feature measurements correlated better with trabecular thickness compared to higher order features. However, the reproducibility of texture features across different reconstruction kernels and noise levels was limited. High reproducibility required the use of very sharp kernels and similar noise levels across images.
Screening for Substance Use Disorder or Addiction in Patients with Pain

Screening and brief intervention should be a standard procedure for physicians to identify, reduce, and prevent unhealthy substance use and addiction. This chapter provides an overview of standardized screening measures and guidelines on implementing screening and brief intervention in the pain clinic setting.
1-nm-Wide Hydrated Dipole Arrays Regulate AuNW Assembly on Striped Monolayers in Nonpolar Solvent

Summary We show that striped phases of horizontally oriented phospholipids presenting 1-nm-wide orientable dipole arrays can order and straighten flexible 2-nm-diameter gold nanowires (AuNWs) with lengths (up to 1 μm) that greatly exceed the template pitch (∼7.5 nm). AuNW ordering can extend over areas > 100 μm2. Whereas wires bundle in solution, with contact between ligand shells, wires adsorbing to the template separate to much larger center-to-center distances (e.g., 12–30 nm) near multiples of the template pitch, consistent with repulsive interactions between wires emerging during interactions with dipole arrays in the template. AuNW assembly was carried out in cyclohexane, a nonpolar solvent. Interestingly, we found that wire ordering was contingent on the extent of phospholipid headgroup hydration and the presence of excess oleylamine, which assembled into hemicylindrical micelles around the hydrated headgroups. Together, these components generated a protected polar environment that enabled the phospholipid headgroups to function collectively to regulate AuNW assembly.
Procedural Justice in Negotiation: Do Nice Guys Finish Last?

Two correlational studies test the hypothesis that people base their acceptance of agreements reached through bilateral negotiation on the fairness of the process used to resolve the dispute in addition to focusing on their objective monetary outcomes or their subjective assessments of outcome favorability or outcome fairness. Additionally, the second study tests the hypothesis that negotiations characterized by greater procedural justice result in more potential for integrative bargaining. The results suggest that procedural justice encourages the acceptance of negotiated agreements, as well as leading to the opportunity for increased integrative bargaining.
Atmospheric processing of anthropogenic combustion particles: Effects of acid media and solar flux on the iron mobility from fly ash

Atmospheric combustion particles, such as fly ash emitted from coal-fired power plants, are a potential source of atmospheric iron, with significant implications in climate and global biogeochemica...
Interferon Therapy in Myelofibrosis: Systematic Review and Meta-analysis.

Abstract Background Myelofibrosis (MF) is a Philadelphia chromosome–negative myeloproliferative neoplasm characterized by progressive bone marrow failure, increased risk of progression to acute myeloid leukemia, and constitutional symptoms. For over 3 decades, various formulations of interferon (IFN) have been used for the treatment of MF, with variable results, and the role of IFN in the treatment of MF is evolving. Patients and Methods For this systematic review and meta-analysis, Medline and Embase via Ovid, Scopus, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), and Web of Science were searched from inception through March 2019 for studies of pegylated IFN (peg-IFN) and non–peg-IFN in MF patients. The primary outcome of overall response rate was defined as a composite of complete response, partial response, complete hematologic response, and partial hematologic response. Random-effects models were used to pool overall response rate, and metaregression analyses were performed to compare peg-IFN and non-–peg-IFN formulations. Results Among the 10 studies with 141 MF patients included, the overall response rate was 49.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 30.4-69.3), and there was no statistically significant difference (P = .99) between peg-IFN (50.0%; 95% CI, 26.2-73.9; I2 = 76.9%) and non–peg-IFN (49.6%; 95% CI, 20.5-79.0; I2 = 56.7%). Treatment discontinuation resulting from adverse events was common with non–peg-IFN at 35.8% (95% CI, 3.5-68.1) per year, and less in the one study on peg-IFN (0.5% per year). Conclusion IFN can lead to hematologic improvements in a subset of MF patients, but study quality is limited and heterogenous. Biomarkers predicting response to IFN and formulations with improved tolerability are needed.
Socioeconomic status and the effectiveness of treatment for first‐episode psychosis

Objective To assess whether patient socioeconomic status (SES) moderates the effectiveness of coordinated specialty care for first-episode psychosis and to investigate possible mechanisms. Data sources A secondary analysis of data from the RAISE-ETP Trial, which was conducted from 2010-2014. Study design RAISE-ETP was a cluster-randomized trial comparing a coordinated specialty care (CSC) intervention called NAVIGATE with usual community care. We constructed a patient SES index based on parental education, parental occupational prestige, and race/ethnicity. After identifying correlates of SES, we used OLS regression analysis to estimate treatment effects on the major study outcomes across quartiles of the index. We also examined whether correlates of SES including the duration of untreated psychosis (DUP), and participation in NAVIGATE might account for the observed difference in effectiveness of CSC by SES. Principal findings The trial sample had a similar SES distribution to the US population, and SES was positively correlated with all mental health outcomes and several potential moderators at baseline. CSC substantially improved the main trial outcomes compared to community care for patients in the highest SES quartile but had small and statistically insignificant benefits for the remaining 75% of patients. Intervention participation rates and several potential moderators did not explain this disparity. Conclusions CSC may be more effective for high-SES patients with early psychosis than low-SES patients. Additional research is needed to understand why CSC is less effective for low-SES patients and to develop methods to increase effectiveness for this subgroup.
Interrelation of Character-Generated Implicature and Inter-Character Sentimentality: A Comparison of of Stephenie Meyer’s ‘Twilight’ and Veronica Roth’s ‘Divergent’

Inspired by the cognitive approach to characterisation and in view of relevance theory, this research attempted to outline a relevance-theoretic account of how affective attachment between fictional characters influences writers’ use of implicata through characters as part of inter-character discourse by defining cognitive processes into fictional characters as a pivotal element of implicit characterisation. Our attempt addressed the veracity of such an influence and the question whether awareness of the intensity degree of such sentimentality influences readers’ non-spontaneous interpretation of character-generated implicata and characters’ intention to actually execute relevant implicating. By adherence to defining cognitive processes into character discourse, we conducted an analysis on six samples of implicata exchanges within inter-character verbal discourse between the mutual parties of the primary affective attachment of the narrative, between the protagonist and another round character out of Stephenie Meyer’s ‘Twilight’ and Veronica Roth’s ‘Divergent’. In every instance of character-generated implication, we found decisive facilitatory influence for awareness of three levels of calculable implicated conclusions, inter-character sentiment intensity, and characters’ communicative intents on readers' achieving what Furlong terms ‘maximal relevance’ through non-spontaneous interpretation of literary texts. Additionally, tracking the progression of inter-character sentiment intensity throughout the two narratives yielded strategic drops during the gradual formation of inter-character bonds employed mainly to demonstrate a mutual sense of fastidiousness in characters’ choice of a companion in romance and also strengthening the said bonds.
Even-If: Sufficient, Yet Unnecessary Conditions for Worldmaking:

The scientific method seeks to identify cause-and-effect relationships using experimentation to test hypotheses through correspondence with an objective reality. Hans Vaihinger explicated the role ...
Towards a Sri Lankan Feminism: Intersections in Feminism, Buddhism and Poststructuralist Thought Through Sunethra Rajakarunanayake’s Metta

This paper aims to stimulate a cross-cultural conversation between western poststructuralist feminist thought and eastern Buddhist thought as their resonancnes emerge through Sunethra Rajakarunanayake's novel, Metta. The novel, which essentially narrates the growth and development of a female character, radically complicates the central assumption of the female bildungsroman genre as a narrative of a woman’s self-creation/self-assertion because the heroine’s growth and development culminates not in the achievement of a sense of selfhood but in the realization of a self-lessness - the idea that there is no essential, core organizing principle behind experience. A knowledge that stems from Buddhist epistemology, Rajakarunanayake presents the attainment of this knowledge as profoundly empowering. Epistemologically, the novel thus resonates with western feminist poststructuralist thought which evinces a similar suspicion of identity categories. The novel thus provokes a meditation on the intersections between radically different cross-cultural epistemologies and illustrates how these epistemologies could be mutually-enriching.
Comparison of therapeutic strategies for immuno-oncology

Abstract Using therapeutics that activate the immune system against cancer cells is an emerging paradigm in the treatment of cancer. There are various components in an immune response, and as a result, there is an expanding number of therapeutic strategies available to treat cancers. This chapter compares these therapeutic strategies. It starts by introducing the different components of an immune response, and the various classes of drugs based on their mechanism of action. This chapter also discusses the clinical observations in terms of efficacy and toxicities with different classes of treatments. A summary of emerging treatments is also discussed.
Spiking Neural Networks with Laterally-Inhibited Self-Recurrent Units

In biological brains, recurrent connections play a crucial role in cortical computation, modulation of network dynamics, and communication. However, in recurrent spiking neural networks (SNNs), recurrence is mostly constructed by random connections. How excitatory and inhibitory recurrent connections affect network responses and what kinds of connectivity benefit learning performance is still obscure. In this work, we propose a novel recurrent structure called the Laterally-Inhibited Self-Recurrent Unit (LISR), which consists of one excitatory neuron with a self-recurrent connection wired together with an inhibitory neuron through excitatory and inhibitory synapses. The self-recurrent connection of the excitatory neuron mitigates the information loss caused by the firing-and-resetting mechanism and maintains the long-term neuronal memory. The lateral inhibition from the inhibitory neuron to the corresponding excitatory neuron, on the one hand, adjusts the firing activity of the latter. On the other hand, it plays as a forget gate to clear the memory of the excitatory neuron. Based on speech and image datasets commonly used in neuromorphic computing, RSNNs based on the proposed LISR improve performance significantly by up to 9.26% over feedforward SNNs trained by a state-of-the-art backpropagation method with similar computational costs.
Meta-analysis of clinical outcomes of PCSK9 modulators in patients with established ASCVD

The advent of monoclonal antibodies targeting proprotein convertase subtilisin/kexin type 9 (PCSK9) ushered in a new era of dyslipidemia pharmacotherapy. The first two antibodies targeting PCSK9 (evolocumab, alirocumab) approved by the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) provided significant and sustained reductions in atherogenic lipids and a reduced risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events. More recently, phase 3 trials of inclisiran-a small interfering RNA-based agent targeting PCSK9-reported similar lipid-lowering effects and preliminary evidence of ASCVD risk reduction, although significant questions remain regarding the extent of benefits across cardiovascular outcomes. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis (random-effects model) of the available data on lipid lowering, incidence of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (ASCVD) events, and safety of pharmacologic agents targeting PCSK9. A significant and consistent reduction in low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) was observed across all agents (-51% [95% confidence interval {CI}: -61%, -41%]). Despite the impressive reduction in LDL-C, the individual effects on mortality, cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction (MI), and stroke remained nonsignificant. However, a consistent reduction was observed in the composite outcomes of MI, stroke, and cardiovascular death [relative risk {RR} (95% CI): 0.80 (0.73-0.87)] and MI, stroke, unstable angina (requiring revascularization), and cardiovascular death [RR (95% CI): 0.85 (0.74-0.97)]. In terms of safety outcomes, there was no significant difference in severe adverse events, new onset diabetes, neurocognitive disorders, or myalgia. Meanwhile, injection site reaction was more frequent in patients receiving these agents compared to placebo [RR 2.11 (95% CI): 1.26-3.54]. These findings suggest a class effect for favorable lipid changes and a low risk of serious adverse events among pharmacologic agents targeting PCSK9. Although there is compelling evidence that PCSK9-targeting agents reduce the risk of some cardiovascular outcomes, adequately powered studies with longer follow-up may be needed to fully characterize the magnitude of benefits across the cardiovascular spectrum.
An Overview of the Current Understanding and Management of the Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphomas

The hematologic malignancies have always provided the model tumor system tor the oncologist. These tumors traditionally have been among the most responsive to chemotherapy and hence chemotherapeutic developments stemmed largely from knowledge gained from the management of these diseases. What has been lacking is an understanding of the malignant process itself and so while we have been able to control and often cure these diseases, a void has existed in our understanding of basic pathophysiology. The past several years have brought tremendous developments in the fields of cytogenetics, immunology, molecular biology, and virology. Whereas previously we have been able to speak of these diseases in merely descriptive terms, we are now quickly gaining an understanding of the events leading to the phenomenon of malignant transformation. It is apparent that once the process is understood, it will be merely a matter of time before we are better able to control the process. While the gap between basic pathophysiology information and therapeutic application is a reality, it probably will not be an insurmountable hurdle.
Combining contingency tables from a dental local anaesthetic study: fixed model, two-way layout, with dichotomous responses.

Abstract Two dental local anaesthetic studies, each involving two fixed factors are presented in which the response of the patient is dichotomous. In one study the number of observations for each combination of factors (cells) is neither equal nor proportional. In the other study, the number of observations is proportional. Methods of analysis described are: adjusted proportions, the comparison of the pooled observed table with the pooled theoretical table using variances and covariances and a method of weighting differences by the reciprocal of the variance. When the numbers of observations in the cells are proportional some of these methods are identical. Some of the cruder methods which ignore stratification are also presented.
Relationship Between Protein Synthesis and Viral Deoxyribonucleic Acid Synthesis

Abstract Evidence is presented that poxvirus deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) synthesis required concurrent protein synthesis. The protein requirement in question can be distinguished from viral-induced thymidine kinase and DNA polymerase by virture of the instability of its messenger ribonucleic acid and its stoichiometric rather than catalytic relation to DNA synthesis. The protein(s) required did accumulate in the presence of fluorodeoxyuridine, an inhibitor of DNA synthesis, and, thus, appeared to be an “early” poxvirus function. The protein(s) was stable since it did function several hours after its synthesis had been terminated by puromycin. Two possible roles for such a protein requirement are discussed.
NOX2 As a Target for Drug Development: Indications, Possible Complications, and Progress

Abstract Significance: NOX2 is important for host defense, and yet is implicated in a large number of diseases in which inflammation plays a role in pathogenesis. These include acute and chronic lung inflammatory diseases, stroke, traumatic brain injury, and neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's and Parkinson's Diseases. Recent Advances: Recent drug development programs have targeted several NOX isoforms that are implicated in a variety of diseases. The focus has been primarily on NOX4 and NOX1 rather than on NOX2, due, in part, to concerns about possible immunosuppressive side effects. Nevertheless, NOX2 clearly contributes to the pathogenesis of many inflammatory diseases, and its inhibition is predicted to provide a novel therapeutic approach. Critical Issues: Possible side effects that might arise from targeting NOX2 are discussed, including the possibility that such inhibition will contribute to increased infections and/or autoimmune disorders. The state of the field with regard to existi...
Endoscopy during laparoscopy. Reduced postprocedural bowel distention with intraluminal CO2 insufflation.

Background: Intraluminal endoscopy during laparoscopy can substitute for manual palpation in defining anatomy and pathology, but a potential problem is the persistent bowel distention associated with intraluminal air insufflation.
Morphology and Distribution of Spinothalamic Lamina I Neurons in the Monkey

Lamina I spinothalamic tract (STT) neurons were identified by retrograde labeling with cholera toxin subunit b (CTb) in monkeys. On the basis of the criteria of somatal shape and dendritic orientation in horizontal sections used in prior work in the cat, three distinct morphological types were recognized: fusiform (F) cells with spindle-shaped somata and two main longitudinal dendritic arbors; pyramidal (P) cells with triangular somata and three main dendrites oriented primarily longitudinally; and multipolar (M) cells with polygonal somata and four or more dendrites directed longitudinally and mediolaterally. Some cells had transitional shapes, but cells with indeterminate shapes and a few with small round, unipolar, or eccentric somata were grouped as unclassified (U). Greater variation appeared in the monkey than had been seen in the cat, and more subtypes were noted. The overall proportions of these cell types were: 47% F, 27% P, 22% M, and 5% U. Differential longitudinal distributions were found over the length of the spinal cord (from the second cervical through the first coccygeal segments). Pyramidal and multipolar cells together predominated in the enlargements, whereas fusiform cells predominated in thoracic segments. We conclude that three distinct morphological types of lamina I STT cells are present in the monkey as in the cat. Considered with other recent findings, the present results support the possibility that these three cell types may correspond to distinct physiological classes of nociceptive and thermoreceptive lamina I STT cells.
Suppression of type I collagen gene expression by prostaglandins in fibroblasts is mediated at the transcriptional level.

Tissues undergoing a chronic inflammatory process, such as the synovium in rheumatoid arthritis, are characterized by the infiltration of lymphocytes of different subsets and activation of monocyte/macrophages. Interleukin-1 (IL-1), a monocyte/macrophage product that stimulates synovial fibroblasts to produce matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), prostaglandins, and other cytokines, also has profound effects on the synthesis of extracellular matrix components such as type I collagen. In previous studies, we have shown that synovial fibroblasts and chondrocytes isolated from human joint tissues are particularly sensitive to prostaglandins, which modulate the effects of IL-1 on collagen gene expression in an autocrine manner. BALBc/3T3 fibroblasts were treated with IL-1 and prostaglandins in the absence and presence of indomethacin to inhibit endogenous prostaglandin biosynthesis. Collagen synthesis was analyzed by SDS-PAGE as [3H]proline-labeled, secreted proteins, and prostaglandin production and cyclic adenosine 3′,5′-cyclic monophosphate (camp) content were assayed. The expression of type I collagen gene (Col1a1) promoter-reporter gene constructs was examined in transient transfection experiments, and the binding of nuclear factors to the Col1a1 promoter region spanning −222 bp/+116 bp was analyzed by DNase I footprinting and electrophoretic mobility shift (EMSA) assays. IL-1 increased the synthesis of type I and type III collagens in BALBc/3T3 fibroblasts; greater increases were observed when IL-1-stimulated synthesis of PGE2 was blocked by indomethacin. Transient transfection experiments demonstrated dose-dependent inhibition of the−222 bp Col1a1 promoter by exogenously added prostaglandins with the order of potency of PGF2α > PGE2 > PGE1 DNase I footprinting showed increased protection, which extended from the region immediately upstream of the TATA box, owing to the binding of nuclear factors from PGE2- or PGE1treated BALBc/3T3 cells. EMSA analysis showed zinc-dependent differences in the binding of nuclear factors from untreated and prostaglandin-treated cells to the −84 bp/−29 bp region of the Col1a1 promoter. These results show that the inhibition of Col1a1 expression by IL-1 in fibroblasts is mediated by prostaglandins at the transcriptional level and suggest that PGE-responsive factors may interact directly or indirectly with basal regulatory elements in the proximal promoter region of the Col1a1 gene.
Hydrogen Deficiency and Mass Loss from AGB Stars

The mechanism for mass loss from stars is not understood, but theoretical studies predict that it should accelerate once stars on the AGB begin thermal pulsations (TP) (Shoenberner, 1979). We have discoved that the stars on this part of the AGB are apparently hydrogen deficient which may result from the mass loss predicted by theory. Recent observations of non-Mira AGB stars (Goebel and Johnson, 1984, Augason et al, 1985) show that these stars have less flux at 1.6 microns (the H- opacity minimum) than do models with solar abundance. We interpret this missing flux as being due to a lack of H- resulting from a significant hydrogen deficiency. Johnson et al (1985) have computed opacity sampled models of cool, non-Mira carbon stars where hydrogen is replaced with helium and they find that it is necessary to reduce the hydrogen abundance of the models below 30% of the solar value to match the observations. Hydrogen deficiency is also supported by the nondetection of H2 in: non-Mira stars (Tsuji, 1983), S stars (Johnson, 1983) and carbon stars (Johnson et al, 1983).
Applications of Selective Exposure and Attention to Information for Understanding Health and Health Disparities

In this essay, we discuss how social psychological work on selective exposure and attention can be used to understand information selection decisions in a health context. In particular, we begin with an overview of the selective exposure and attention literatures, including a summary of literature suggesting that people are more likely to seek out (selective exposure) and pay attention to (selective attention) information they agree versus disagree with. We then discuss various motives that may influence information selection and attention. Finally, we conclude with a summary of how the work on selective exposure and attention can be brought to bear on health message design and reduction of health disparities. Keywords: selective exposure; health disparities; social psychology; selective attention; health message design; health intervention; persuasive message; health research
Identifying And Assessing Adverse Selection

This paper uses examples to demonstrate the generality of issues resulting from the heterogeneity of a population. Heterogeneity is fundamental to the marketing strategy of any firm. If one market segment is more expensive to service, then members of that segment might be charged higher prices or be left to one’s competitors. We pay particular attention to heterogeneity issues in financial services, specifically, insurance underwriting, lending, and investing. We examine techniques that practitioners use to assess heterogeneity in a population with respect to loss events. We employ the x2-goodness of fit test to assess whether observations in risk classes (sub partitions of population) are relatively homogenous. We use a sign-rank test to assess whether or not two loss distributions from different risk classes were drawn from the same probability distribution. We discuss how mutual ownership and price fixing have evolved as built-in safety nets to cope with modeling limitations.
Emergency trauma care: cultural or religious objections to treatment

Considerations of safety and risk are more complex in day-to-day medical care than they sometimes seem in theoretical debate; they are intermingled with questions of effectiveness and feasibility, cost and time, ethics, culture and simple human decency. In the series "Moot Point", the Journal will be publishing a series of cases, derived from experience, in which such complexities indeed arise. We shall also suggest some questions which readers may bear in mind when asking themselves how they would have handled such a situation; reactions are invited.
Measuring Spatial Chirp and Pulse-Front Tilt in Ultrashort Pulses Using Single-Shot FROG

Because their generation involves considerable spatio-temporal manipulations, ultrashort laser pulses commonly suffer from spatio-temporal distortions. The most common such distortions are spatial chirp and pulse-front tilt. Devices that use dispersive elements such as prisms and diffraction gratings introduce spatial chirp and pulse-front tilt (fig.1), only-in principle-to remove it afterwards. Unfortunately, even slight misalignments leave residual distortions in the output pulse. Since ultrashort pulses are very broadband, these distortions are usually noticeable and problematic.
Regulation of Caco-2 cell proliferation by basolateral membrane epidermal growth factor receptors

The epidermal growth factor (EGF) receptor is an important mediator of intestinal epithelial cell proliferation. We studied cell-surface localization of this molecule in Caco-2 cells and characterized cellular responses to apical or basolateral EGF stimulation. 125I-labeled EGF bound almost exclusively to a 180-kDa molecule, existing as a single high-affinity population by Scatchard analysis. On basolateral membranes 13- to 15-fold more ligand binding was seen. Apical/basolateral differences were not significantly altered by incubation with either blocking antibody to EGF receptor or transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-alpha) neutralizing antibody. Even though apical EGF receptors were demonstrated, only basolateral membrane stimulation with EGF increased tyrosine kinase activity and enhanced uptake of [3H]thymidine. Continuous exposure to EGF during culture significantly increased monolayer DNA content. These data demonstrate that Caco-2 cell proliferation is driven solely by basolateral membrane EGF receptor, despite the presence of lesser amounts of this molecule on the apical surface. Differences between apical and basolateral membrane receptor expression are not the result of polarized secretion of TGF-alpha or other EGF receptor ligands.
The Context for Government Regulation of Obesity Around the Globe: Implications for Global Policy Action

Introduction: Governments have many “whys” and “hows” to address obesity. While there are similarities, the “why,” “how,” “what,” and “who” behind action are strongly influenced by context, the importance of which is critical for international policy understanding of governmental obesity regulation. Context for Government to Address Obesity & Regulating through Law: Context, e.g., health system and political structure, affects government authority and motivation to address obesity. This snapshot highlights key contextual features to ground law's role in addressing obesity. Comparison of Common Government Approaches to Obesity: Two leading approaches — information and economic incentives — are featured, and major developments shared. Trends and themes emerge, notably the prominence of economic incentives (but divergent uses and targets), and the necessity of incremental strategies. Conclusion and Policy Implications: Contextual complexity cautions against drawing the wrong conclusions: what works in one place may not simply transfer and work in another. And yet, comparative analysis can strengthen the search for transnational measures of policy effectiveness (e.g., equity) and inform discussion of next steps to confront obesity in a diverse but interconnected global society.
3-D Vertical Dual-Layer Oxide Memristive Devices

Dual-layer resistive switching memory devices with WO x switching layer formed at the sidewall of the horizontal electrodes have been fabricated and characterized. The devices exhibit well-characterized analog switching characteristics and small mismatch in electrical characteristics for devices formed at the two layers. The 3-D vertical device structure allows higher storage density and larger connectivity for neuromorphic computing applications. We show that the vertical devices exhibit potentiation and depression characteristics similar to planar devices, and can be programmed independently with no crosstalk between the layers.