cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Market Valuation of R&D Expenditures

We examine the relation across firms and industries between the stock market's valuation of R&D expenditures and the fundamental benefits due to, and the risk of, the R&D outlays. We hypothesize and find that the market's valuation of R&D varies across firms and industries, and that it is positively correlated with the R&D's fundamental benefits, and negatively correlated with the R&D's risk. This is the first empirical evidence that the market's valuation of R&D varies cross-sectionally and, more importantly, that the valuation differences are meaningfully related to measures of the investments' fundamental benefits and risks.
RFID Deployment at an Airport: A Simulation Study

In this paper, the impact of radio frequency identification (RFID) deployment at an airport baggage handling system is investigated. The impact of number of RFID readers at different power levels with varying conveyor (i.e., baggage handling conveyors) speeds on timely delivery of baggage is studied via a simulation. Unlike typical simulation studies related to RFID deployment where any read-rate issues are often ignored, this study captures read rate in a realistic manner in the simulation model by incorporating the effect of 1) number of RFID tags in the interrogation zone, and 2) time that RFID tags spend in the interrogation zone. The layout of the baggage handling system (BHS) at the Hong Kong International Airport and data pertinent to its RFID deployment in 2005 are used to build the simulation model. The study shows that operational visibility to manage timely arrival of bags at their gates can only be obtained by finding the right combination of number of readers, reader power levels, and conveyor speed, not by operating with the highest possible number of readers for maximum read rate at the fastest conveyor speed for maximum throughput.
Proteolysis in skeletal muscle and whole body in response to euglycemic hyperinsulinemia in normal adults

To simultaneously assess the relative antiproteolytic effect of insulin on both skeletal muscle and in the whole body, phenylalanine rates of appearance (Ra; reflecting proteolysis) were measured across the leg (reflecting skeletal muscle) and in the whole body, utilizing a constant tracer infusion of [2H5]phenylalanine in the basal state and during euglycemic hyperinsulinemia (2,600 microU/ml) in seven normal adults. Phenylalanine Ra in the leg was significantly decreased during hyperinsulinemia (6.11 +/- 0.83 vs 3.59 +/- 0.70 mumol/min, P less than 0.001). In contrast, leg phenylalanine rate of utilization (Rd) was not significantly changed (4.88 +/- 0.77 vs. 3.86 +/- 0.92 mumol/min). Phenylalanine Ra in the whole body was significantly decreased during hyperinsulinemia (49.4 +/- 2.2 vs. 41.9 +/- 2.3 mumol/min, P less than 0.001). However, phenylalanine release was suppressed to a significantly greater degree in release was suppressed to a significantly greater degree in the leg than in the whole body during hyperinsulinemia (43 +/- 7 vs. 15 +/- 2%, P less than 0.01). These results suggest that insulin suppresses proteolysis in the whole body and in skeletal muscle, even in the face of hypoaminoacidemia. In addition, the substantially greater degree of suppression of proteolysis by insulin in skeletal muscle compared with the whole body suggests that, at least under these conditions, insulin may have a greater antiproteolytic effect on skeletal muscle compared with other tissues.
Investment Agreements versus the Rule of Law

This discussion paper focuses on potential conflicts between the doctrine of state responsibility as applied in two investment treaty decisions (Chevron v. Ecuador II and Arif v. Moldova) and the institutional norm of inter-branch autonomy, which has been identified as a causal channel for economic development.
Survival Impact of Initial Therapy in Patients with T1-T2 Glottic Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE Laryngeal cancer most commonly arises from the glottis. Comparable outcomes in survival have been shown in patients with early glottic squamous cell carcinoma treated with either surgery or radiotherapy. STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING Administrative database study. SUBJECTS AND METHODS The US National Cancer Institute's SEER database (Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results) was queried for cases of early glottic cancer (T1-T2N0M0, 1988-2012). We identified 13,312 qualifying cases. Patient demographics, therapeutic measures, and survival outcomes were examined with appropriate univariate and multivariate analyses. RESULTS Early glottic cancer has a mean age at diagnosis of 64.8 ± 11.6 years and a male:female ratio of 6.9:1. The most common treatment modality was radiotherapy alone (51.6%), followed by combination therapy with surgery first (31.5%). Overall, the 5-year disease-specific survival (DSS) rate was 88.4%. When stratified by treatment modality and stage, 5-year DSS for T1 tumors was 93.2% with surgery alone and 89.0% with radiation alone (P < .0001). With combination therapy, the 5-year DSS was 91.3% for surgery first and 84.9% for radiation first (P = .0239). In T2 tumors, 5-year DSS was improved with single-modality therapy versus multimodality therapy (81.1% vs 76.4; P = .0255). CONCLUSION In T1 disease, surgery alone shows improved 5-year DSS versus radiation alone, but this difference was not observed in T2 tumors. Additionally, surgery, rather than radiation, shows improved 5-year DSS when implemented as a first-line therapy. Combination therapy does not show improved 5-year DSS for early glottic cancer.
Controlling Nafion Structure and Properties via Wetting Interactions

Proton conducting ionomers are widely used for electrochemical applications including fuel-cell devices, flow batteries, and solar-fuels generators. For most applications the presence of interfacial interactions can affect the structure and properties of ionomers. Nafion is the most widely used ionomer for electrochemical applications due to their remarkable proton conductivity and stability. While Nafion membranes have been widely studied, the behavior and morphology of this ionomer under operating conditions when confined to a thin-film morphology are still not well understood. Using in situ grazing-incidence small-angle X-ray scattering (GISAXS) techniques, this work demonstrates that the wetting interaction in thin-film interfaces can drastically affect the internal morphology of ionomers and in turn modify its transport properties. Thin films cast on hydrophobic substrates result in parallel orientation of ionomer channels that retard the absorption of water from humidified environments; while films ...
Environmental Impacts of Hydraulic Fracturing

The environmental concerns associated with hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas production are outlined. Most environmental concerns are not specific to hydraulic fracturing but are common to all oil and gas activity. Hydraulic fracturing has increased oil and gas activity, however, and thus exacerbated these concerns. The most likely environmental issues include spills and leaks of hydrocarbons or formation waters in the near subsurface and during management at the surface. There are also concerns about the availability of water for hydraulic fracturing in water scarce areas and this could be partially offset by increased reuse of produced water. Increased reuse would simultaneously reduce the potential for seismic activity due to disposal of produced waters through deep well injection. Effective management of these environmental concerns is necessary to achieve the full benefits of hydraulic fracturing for oil and gas including greater energy independence and increased supplies of relatively low carbon footprint natural gas.
Voter turnout and district-level competitiveness in mixed-member electoral systems

ABSTRACTIt has been suggested that one of the reasons why majoritarian electoral systems are associated with lower voter turnout in comparison to proportional electoral systems is that citizens in uncompetitive districts (“safe seats”) are not motivated to vote. This study brings this thesis into a new context and tests it with unique data. Mixed-member electoral systems have both majoritarian and proportional components. The relative importance of these components differs between mixed-member proportional (MMP) and mixed-member majoritarian (MMM) systems. I argue that, due to this difference, the impact of district-level competitiveness on turnout is stronger in MMM than in MMP. An analysis of district-level electoral data from four countries confirms this hypothesis. Findings from this study advance our theoretical understanding of voter participation and also of the functioning of mixed-member electoral systems.
Transformation of Primary Conjunctival Cells Transfected with Papilloma and Herpesvirus Oncogenes

Ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN) is a common cancer that has recently increased in incidence in HIV-1 infected patients. The rise has been more transparent in sub-Sahara Africa. Our recent publications showed the association of OSSN with multiple viral, bacterial and parasitic infections. Here we show through transfection with different viral constructs, the changes taking place in the primary conjunctival cells which involve some of the important markers associated with initiation and maintenance of the cancer. We transfected primary conjunctival cells with different oncogenic viral genes (HPV16-E6, HPV16-E7, HPV16-E6/E7, KSHV-LANA, and EBV-EBNA1) that have been associated with transformation of infected cells. The cells were tested for expression of different markers linked to oncogenesis. We used RT PCR to determine the expression of the markers. The level of expression was determined in each case. We also performed immunohistochemistry (IHC) on the primary cells using specific antibodies. The transfected conjunctival cells were demonstrated to be epitheliod as determined by expression of Cytokeratin-19 (C-19) and Vimentin markers. The primary conjunctival cells were efficiently transfected with the specific viral oncogenes resulting in expression of different cytokines, chemokine, cell cycle markers, and growth factors. The different constructs elicited expression and/or suppression of p53, p21, pRB, IL-10, IL-13, cyclinD1, TNF, TNF13B, and VEGF in specific transfected conjunctival primary cells. Our findings indicate that the viral oncogene expression in primary conjunctival cells contributed to the production of inflammatory cytokines, chemokines and dysregulation of cell cycle proteins in primary conjunctival tissues. This mirrors the transformation process in OSSN pathogenesis. Further studies should follow to identify pathways dysregulated that can be targeted for therapy or vaccine development.
Cosmic doing and undoing without end: Chauncey Wright's idea of ultimate reality

L'A. expose les conceptions philosophiques de Wright afin de comprendre ce qu'il considerait etre la realite et la signification ultimes du reel. L'A. presente sa refutation physicaliste de l'existence de Dieu, qui fait de l'univers un monde incree et eternel
Micro-SHINE Uranyl Sulfate Irradiations at the Linac

Peroxide formation due to water radiolysis in a uranyl sulfate solution is a concern for the SHINE Medical Technologies process in which Mo-99 is generated from the fission of dissolved low enriched uranium. To investigate the effects of power density and fission on peroxide formation and uranyl-peroxide precipitation, uranyl sulfate solutions were irradiated using a 50 MeV electron linac as part of the micro-SHINE experimental setup. Results are given for uranyl sulfate solutions with both high and low enriched uranium irradiated at different linac powers.
On Models for Game Input with Delay — Moving Target Selection with a Mouse

Networks and local systems add delays to user actions in computer games, increasing the time between user input and rendering on the screen. Top-down studies using games have helped understand the impact of delays, but often do not generalize nor lend themselves to analytic modeling. Bottom-up studies isolating user input can better generalize and be used in models, but have yet to be applied to computer games. Our work builds a custom game for studying delay and the fundamental user input of selecting a moving target with a mouse. Analysis of data from a large user study shows target selection time is exponential with delay, and provides for an analytic model based on delay and the interaction between delay and target speed.
Embedded domain-specific language and runtime system for progressive spatiotemporal data analysis and visualization

As our ability to generate large and complex datasets grows, accessing and processing these massive data collections is increasingly the primary bottleneck in scientific analysis. Challenges include retrieving, converting, resampling, and combining remote and often disparately located data ensembles with only limited support from existing tools. In particular, existing solutions rely predominantly on extensive data transfers or large-scale remote computing resources, both of which are inherently offline processes with long delays and substantial repercussions for any mistakes. Such workflows severely limit the flexible exploration and rapid evaluation of new hypotheses that are crucial to the scientific process and thereby impede scientific discovery. Here we present an embedded domain-specific language (EDSL) specifically designed for the interactive exploration of large-scale, remote data. Our EDSL allows users to express a wide range of data analysis operations in a simple and abstract manner. The underlying runtime system transparently resolves issues such as remote data access and resampling while at the same time maintaining interactivity through progressive and interruptible computation. This system enables, for the first time, interactive remote exploration of massive datasets such as the 7km NASA GEOS-5 Nature Run simulation, which previously have been analyzed only offline or at reduced resolution.
Hair cortisol and lifetime discrimination: Moderation by subjective social status

Discrimination has been associated with elevated cortisol as measured in saliva, blood, and urine. This study investigated the association between lifetime discrimination and hair cortisol concentrations, considered a measure of chronic stress. We recruited 180 young adults from diverse backgrounds. Participant responses to lifetime discrimination, home stress, and subjective status measures were recorded. Lifetime discrimination significantly predicted hair cortisol concentrations, supporting past research that discrimination experiences impact neuroendocrine systems. To our knowledge, these are the first findings associating hair cortisol concentrations with discrimination and supports prior evidence positing discrimination as a chronic stressor that serves as a risk factor for chronic disease.
Lean Manufacturing Techniques of Automotive Company

The project was divided into four (4) distinct phases. These continue the iterative process of planning, implementation, revision and correction, according to the Deming Cycle (PDCA). The project culminated in the development and implementation of the Manual for the implementation of the PSA Excellence System in the supply chain of the company. Fulfilling formats and standards set by the Department of Communications, it explains the concepts primarily through diagrams and figures made after long periods of analysis. increase the reliability of the supply chain is high.
On the Alternative Vector Potential Formulation of the Sommerfeld Half-Space Problem

We address the non-uniqueness of the vector potential for the Sommerfeld half-space problem with a horizontal Hertzian dipole. In contrast to the classical solution, which utilizes horizontal and vertical components of the vector potential, the formulation presented here employs two horizontal components. In this approach, unlike in the traditional one, the scalar potentials of single-point charges associated with the vertical and horizontal Hertzian dipoles are identical.
Polymer coating technology for high performance applications: Fundamentals and advances

This is an overview of polymer coating technology, which is a way for altering surface properties to meet performance requirement in variety of technical applications. Polymer coatings have been ut...
Fabrication and characterization of thermocouple probe for use in intracellular thermometry

Abstract Measuring temperatures within a biological cell requires a sensor with small thermal mass and microscale or smaller size that is electrically and chemically inert to the cell's environment, and is thermally isolated from the surroundings. We investigate how such requirements can be satisfied in a microscale thermocouple probe that is fabricated using the techniques of silicon-based microelectromechanical systems. Previous reports of invasive probes lacked either the required spatial resolution (
Policy Initiatives in Europe to Address the Problem of Refugees and Migrants

Tanya Maria Golash-Boza wrote that a confluence of powerful interests prevents the passage of laws that would ameliorate the situation of undocumented migrants and their families. The majority of immigration policies implemented in the late twentieth century and debated in Congress in the early twenty-first century have been more effective at making life difficult for immigrants than at achieving any long-term solutions that could benefit both citizens and noncitizens. None of these measures provide a real solution to the crisis of deaths at the border or to the crisis of a large marginalized population in the US (Golash-Boza, 2012). She wrote her book to change the discourse on undocumented migration—to compel people to see that immigrants are not commodities or potential terrorists, but human beings with fundamental rights. The evidence she discussed shows that it will be difficult to change this discourse, partly because of the powerful interests behind the dehumanization of migrants. She demonstrated how immigration policies violate principles enshrined in human rights doctrine and set out a vision of how immigration policy looks in a world where human rights were valued and respected (Golash-Boza, 2012).
Emotional Evaluators: A Theoretical Model of Emotions and Performance Appraisal in Organizations

In this paper, I propose a theoretical model – the Emotion in Performance Appraisal Model (EPAM) – to understand the role of emotion in performance appraisal. Performance appraisal is perhaps the m...
Incremental Invariant Generation Using Logic-Based Automatic Abstract Transformers

Formal analysis tools for system models often require or benefit from the availability of auxiliary system invariants. Abstract interpretation is currently one of the best approaches for discovering useful invariants, in particular numerical ones. However, its application is limited by two orthogonal issues: (i) developing an abstract interpretation is often non-trivial; each transfer function of the system has to be represented at the abstract level, depending on the abstract domain used; (ii) with precise but costly abstract domains, the information computed by the abstract interpreter can be used only once a post fix point has been reached; this may take a long time for large systems or when widening is delayed to improve precision. We propose a new, completely automatic, method to build abstract interpreters which, in addition, can provide sound invariants of the system under analysis before reaching the end of the post fix point computation. In effect, such interpreters act as on-the-fly invariant generators and can be used by other tools such as logic-based model checkers. We present some experimental results that provide initial evidence of the practical usefulness of our method.
PRECLINICAL APPROACHES IN TUMOR IMMUNOCHEMOTHERAPY

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses several preclinical approaches in tumor immunochemotherapy. Studies on chemotherapy plus adoptive immunotherapy have also been conducted in viral tumor systems. The chapter describes an experimental procedure employed by Glynn involving immunochemotherapy of a transplantable Moloney leukemia (LSTRA) originally induced in BALB/c mice. The tumor was inoculated into BALB/c mice subcutaneously and was treated with drug after it becomes palpable and systemic. LSTRA or MBL-1 tumor cells (both induced by Moloney virus) werre X-irradiated and employed to immunize hybrid CDF1 mice. In another type of experiment involving chemotherapy plus adoptive immunotherapy, BALB/c mice bearing LSTRA Moloney lymphoma were treated with cyclophosphamide and this was followed by administration of spleen cells from BALB/c or DBA/2 mice immunized with murine Moloney sarcoma virus. The presence of antigenically altered cells may in turn lead to improved therapeutic response to a second drug. There would appear to be some specificity in the origin of this new antigenicity. The ability to alter tumor cell antigenicity in athymic mice suggests that it may be possible to alter antigenicity of human tumors in these mice.
Vacancy-Driven Robust Metallicity of Structurally Pinned Monoclinic Epitaxial VO2 Thin Films.

Vanadium dioxide (VO2) is a strongly correlated material with 3d electrons, which exhibits temperature-driven insulator-to-metal transition with a concurrent change in the crystal symmetry. Interes...
Molecular insights into ionic liquid/aqueous interface of phosphonium based phase-separable ionic liquids

Phosphonium based phase-separable ionic liquids (PSILs) are promising green solvents for dissolution of cellulose and lignin, a necessary step for conversion of biomass to fuels and chemicals. The knowledge of interfacial behavior of ionic liquid/solvent systems is critical for designing efficient separation processes. Here, molecular dynamics simulations are carried out for aqueous interface of tetraalkylphosphonium ionic liquids with chloride and acetate as anions to investigate IL miscibility with water. The transition zone from miscible to immiscible behavior was observed for alkyl chain lengths of 6 to 8. Emulsion phase was observed for [P8888]+ ion and multiple IL/water interface was observed for [P12121212]+ phosphonium cation. IL/water interface is observed to be enriched with solvated anions with phosphorous atom oriented towards the aqueous phase. The potential of mean force calculations suggest that as the alkyl chain of the phosphonium cations increase, so does the driving force for aggregation of cations in the aqueous phase. Due to the difference in the molecular shape and size, anions are better solvated by the water molecules, and these ions diffuse into the aqueous phase. Furthermore, the analysis of selected pair interactions provides insights into the nature of intermolecular forces and the role of the alkyl side chains on the interfacial properties.
The Impact of Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis on Sexual Communication and Sexual Behavior of Urban Gay and Bisexual Men.

Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) has altered the public health landscape for gay, bisexual, and other men who have sex with men (GBM) by significantly increasing protection against HIV infection. Early epidemiologic data showed GBM generally used PrEP as prescribed, i.e., as an additional protective tool over and above barrier protection, although subsequent reports have been equivocal. Irrespective of population-level trends, some GBM appear to have reevaluated their HIV risk tolerance and changed their interactions with sex partners. Scant published data have focused on factors that influence PrEP-using GBM’s decisions about sexual behavior—including condom use as well as sex with HIV-positive partners—and sexual communication practices. Thus, in this study, we investigated those research concerns qualitatively via content analysis of individual interviews conducted with 103 GBM in New York City (M age 32.5 years, 50% White, 64% on PrEP > 6 months). Emergent themes reflect (1) participants’ strong HIV knowledge; (2) changing GBM community norms about condom use on PrEP; (3) increased focus on risk tolerance with individual differences in post-PrEP condom use; (4) appreciation for routine sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening in PrEP care concomitant with some STI knowledge deficits; (5) decreased stigma concerning, and greater comfort with, HIV-positive sex partners; and (6) increased confidence discussing HIV status and condom use preferences with partners. Findings have implications for future research as well as for clinical practice, such as enhanced STI education and provider-initiated discussions about risk compensation, serosorting, and sexual communication skills.
Real-World Frequency of Use of Automotive Lighting Equipment

AbstractThis study provides information about average annual use of the following automotive lighting equipment by U.S. drivers: low- and high-beam headlamps, turn signals, and stop, back-up, parking, sidemarker, and tail lamps. The data were collected as part of a naturalistic field study of crash warning systems. Eighty-seven randomly selected drivers from southeastern Michigan were provided with instrumented research vehicles (11 identical 2003 Nissan Altimas) for periods averaging 26 days and instructed to drive the vehicles as their personal vehicles.The results are presented for each lamp type in terms of the average annual hours of use and minutes used per 100 km driven. These findings are discussed in relation to the rated life of various lamps and the average life of vehicles in the U.S.License plate, parking, sidemarker, and tail lamps were the most frequently used automotive lighting equipment, averaging just over 100 hours per year. The least used lamps were back-up lamps, which were used less...
Beneficiation of coal using supercritical water and carbon dioxide extraction: sulfur removal

This work explores the use of carbon dioxide, water, and their mixtures as solvent for the precombustion beneficiation of raw coal without using any toxic mineral acids in the temperature range of 200–400 °C. The fluid polarity, ionic constant, and supercritical point can be adjusted by H2O/CO2 ratio and temperature. Adding carbon dioxide to hydrothermal fluid also increases the ionization by forming carbonic acid. Extractions with supercritical fluids have several benefits including enhanced mass transport, ease of separation and recycle, wide range of extractive capability and tunability, better inherent safety, and in the case of carbon dioxide and water–low cost. A semi-continuous extraction system was designed and built in which pressure, temperature and the relative flow rates of CO2 and H2O can be controlled. Coal powder is kept in a packed bed and the extraction is carried out at 143 bar pressure. Using sulfur as a model heteroatom, extractive efficiency is examined as a function of the temperature, fluid composition, fluid flow, and extraction time. The results indicate that carbon dioxide, water, and supercritical water-carbon dioxide (ScWC) all can effectively extract about 50% of total sulfur from bituminous coal in 1 h. Extraction above 350 °C decreased effectiveness, and extraction above the supercritical point of pure water caused hydrothermal carbonization. ScWC extraction may provide necessary control to prevent organic dissolution while removing sulfur.
Crystal structures of SARS-CoV-2 ADP-ribose phosphatase (ADRP): from the apo form to ligand complexes

ABSTRACT Among 15 nonstructural proteins (Nsps), the newly emerging SARS-CoV-2 encodes a large, multidomain Nsp3. One of its units is ADP-ribose phosphatase domain (ADRP, also known as macrodomain) which is believed to interfere with the host immune response. Such a function appears to be linked to the protein’s ability to remove ADP-ribose from ADP-ribosylated proteins and RNA, yet the precise role and molecular targets of the enzyme remains unknown. Here, we have determined five, high resolution (1.07 - 2.01 A) crystal structures corresponding to the apo form of the protein and complexes with 2-(N-morpholino)ethanesulfonic acid (MES), AMP and ADPr. We show that the protein undergoes conformational changes to adapt to the ligand in a manner previously observed before for in close homologs from other viruses. We also identify a conserved water molecule that may participate in hydrolysis. This work builds foundations for future structure-based research of the ADRP, including search for potential antiviral therapeutics.
Sly Civility and Institutionalized Humiliation

This chapter exposes the vulnerability of the existing nuclear order. The subtle but radical shift in discourses deploying stereotypes for more than a century toward practices of sly civility to constitute a constitutional nuclear order exposes the tenuousness of such an arrangement. The meaning of vulnerability here is not simply in terms of the destructive power of nuclear weaponry but the ethnocentrism that pervades practices of sly civility associated with nuclear testing. It is this racial etiquette that masks vulnerabilities and inequalities by articulating abstract structural assumptions about security in the world order that serves as a premise for negotiating and validating particular arms control agreements such as the Nuclear Nonproliferation Treaty. Contemporary efforts to question the premise of this constitutional nuclear order or acquire nuclear weapons technology are often met with imposition of punitive measures supplemented with ridicule to dismiss the decorative savages that refuse to conform and comply with existing taboos and norms of weapons control.
Postoperative outcomes of 12 cats with ureteral obstruction treated with ureteroneocystostomy

Objective To report complications and long-term outcomes of cats with benign ureteral obstruction treated with ureteroneocystostomy and to determine the effects of double pigtail catheter (DPT) placement on postoperative outcomes. Study design Retrospective study. Animals Twelve client-owned cats with ureteral urolithiasis treated with ureteroneocystostomy. Methods Records were reviewed for signalment, location of the obstruction, diagnostic tests, surgical technique, perioperative complications, long-term measurements of kidney function, and survival. Cats were divided into two groups; in one group, a DPT was placed at the time of ureteroneocystostomy, and, in the other group, a DPT was not placed at the time of ureteroneocystostomy (NDPT). Results A DPT was placed in six of 12 cats. The NDPT group included four cats with temporary catheters and two cats with no catheter. Median creatinine concentration decreased from 10.4 mg/dL (range, 1.6-20.3) to 2.2 mg/dL (range, 1.1-3.6) at the time of discharge (P = .015) in all cats. Two cats in the NDPT group required revision surgery for uroabdomen. Eleven cats were discharged from the hospital. Long-term complications (hematuria, pollakiuria, urinary tract infections) were more common in the DPT group (P = .047). Seven cats were alive a median of 329 days (range, 8-1772) after surgery. Median creatinine concentration was 2.0 mg/dL (range, 0.6-6.4) at a median of 157 days (range, 43-1772) after surgery. Conclusion Ureteroneocystostomy resulted in acceptable long-term outcomes in 11 of 12 cats. The placement of a DPT did not influence the long-term outcome in this small population. Clinical significance Ureteroneocystostomy with or without intraoperative placement of a DPT should be considered to relieve benign ureteral obstructions in cats.
High‐level MYC expression associates with poor survival in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and collaborates with overexpressed p53 in leukemic transformation in patients with myelodysplastic syndrome

INTRODUCTION Patients with mutated and overexpressed p53 have an aggressive course in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS). Studies on the impact of MYC expression in AML are limited. This is the first study to evaluate MYC expression and p53 status in AML and MDS. METHODS We identified 214 patients, 101 AML, 79 MDS, and 34 negative control patients. We retrospectively assessed p53 and MYC expression by immunohistochemistry and correlated MYC expression with p53 expression and aberrational status of TP53. RESULTS The level of both p53 and MYC expression was significantly higher in AML (mean: 9.7%; 12.1%) and MDS (mean: 5.2%; 5.5%) patients compared with control cases (mean: 0.18%; 2.3%; P = .001-0.02). p53 and MYC expression levels were even more elevated in AML when compared to MDS patients (P 20% MYC expression showed an adverse impact on overall survival (OS) (P < .05) in AML patients while p53 but not MYC expression showed an adverse impact on OS in MDS patients. MYC and p53 dual expression, as well as combined MYC expression and TP53 aberration, showed negative impact on OS in AML patients. MDS patients with leukemic transformation revealed an interval increase in expression of both p53 and MYC. CONCLUSION High-level MYC expression associates with p53 abnormality and poor survival in AML. MYC may provide proliferative advantage for leukemic progression in p53 dependent and independent manner.
America, Still Exceptional? From Individuality to Disability and Back Again

This here snake skin jacket is a symbol of my individuality and belief in freedom. —Sailor Ripley, in Wild at Heart (dir. David Lynch, 1990) Like Sailor Ripley’s manic odyssey down the American yel...
Mastering Presentation Zen: How to Improve Presentation Design and Educational Impact.

Abstract We have all been guilty of making ineffective presentations at some point in our career. In this article we explore the key principles behind “Presentation Zen,” an approach intended to decrease cognitive overload, make presentations more visual, natural, and unique; as well as improve the overall impact of our presentations by allowing the listener to process the information while listening to the presenter.
Focusing on Core Patient-Reported Outcomes in Cancer Clinical Trials—Response

We thank Gronvold and colleagues for comments on our publication presenting a U.S. regulatory perspective on patient-reported outcome (PRO) data in cancer clinical trials ([1][1]). In this article, we propose to focus our analysis of submitted PRO data on symptomatic adverse events, symptoms of
Chapter 9 Predation, monopolization, and antitrust

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a wide range of strategies that can be employed by incumbent firms either to protect or to extend their market shares against competitive attacks by actual and potential entrants. The hallmark of these strategies is that, invariably, they reduce the expected level of profits that incumbent's rivals—present and future—can hope to earn. As such, they differ from those types of conduct whose aim is to implement and enforce collusive arrangements among market participants. Unlike many collusive strategies, these hostile and exclusionary strategies that include low prices, output expansions, introductions of new products, redesigns of the existing products, and promotions are difficult to distinguish from area part and parcel of market rivalry that economists find salutary for economic welfare, that policy-makers wish to promote, and that business leaders often deplore.
Kronecker on the Foundations of Mathematics

Today the phrase “foundations of mathematics” has become synonymous with “set theory and mathematical logic.” The most important thing to understand about Kronecker’s views on the foundations of mathematics is that set theory and mathematical logic had no part in them.
Esophageal fistula complicating mediastinal histoplasmosis: Response to amphotericin B

Abstract A 41-year-old man was admitted for evaluation of hemoptysis, dysphagia, and pleuritic chest pain associated with a mediastinal mass. Esophagraphy demonstrated a fistula between the mass and the esophagus. Results of histoplasmosis complement fixation serologic testing suggested an active infection. A methenamine silver stain of a lymph node obtained at mediastinoscopy revealed Histoplasmosis capsulatum. The patient was successfully treated with amphotericin B. This is believed to be the first reported case of an esophageal fistula as a complication of mediastinal histoplasmosis successfully treated with amphotericin B.
Settling the feasibility of interference alignment for the MIMO interference channel: the symmetric square case

Determining the feasibility conditions for vector space interference alignment in the K-user MIMO interference channel with constant channel coefficients has attracted much recent attention yet remains unsolved. The main result of this paper is restricted to the symmetric square case where all transmitters and receivers have N antennas, and each user desires d transmit dimensions. We prove that alignment is possible if and only if the number of antennas satisfies N>= d(K+1)/2. We also show a necessary condition for feasibility of alignment with arbitrary system parameters. An algebraic geometry approach is central to the results.
Endogenous respiration of yeast: II. The relationship of molecular structure to glycogen metabolism

Abstract Samples of glycogen isolated from a strain of Saccharomyces cerevisiae have been separated by centrifugation into two components. Over 80% of the fermentable glycogen is derived from the heavier component, and this greater susceptibility to fermentation has been related to the length of the glucose chains external to the 1:6 glycosidic linkages. It has been concluded that fermentation of the glycogen reserves involves removal only of these external chains and that degradation of the remainder of the molecule requires the presence of oxygen.
Seeing Nacirema: how students and professors interpret ethnographic film

Students and professors of anthropology were asked to interpret two pieces of original ethnographic video, one from central Mexico, the other from the United States. Both students and professors approached the interpretation of the video shot in Mexico in much the same way; they made few judgments and frequent expression of uncertainty. However students made more judgments and more expressions of certainty than the professors when viewing the film shot in the United States. We posit these data suggest a developmental sequence of interpretive skills where the ability to interpret activities perceived as culturally strange develops before the ability to interpret activities perceived as culturally familiar.
Who is to judge

The title of this paper-"Who Is to Judge?"-might just as well be, "Whose to Judge?": that is, whose right and/or responsibility is it to judge? That this is so will, I hope, become clear in what follows. The question, Who is to Judge? is seldom a genuine request for an answer. Rather, it is usually intended rhetorically, implying that no one can or ought to judge. Precisely what is implied, however, is often unclear. It may mask a claim that no one ever has any right to judge anything. Alternatively, it may be a claim that no one is ever in any position to judge anything. Or perhaps it claims that there are never any acceptable standards or principles one may use in judging. Finally, it may be a way of claiming that there are no acceptable procedures one may use in judging. Considered as unrestricted claims, each of these is clearly and obviously false. Individuals often have a legal right-sometimes, indeed, a legal duty-to judge. In legal disputes between states, for instance, federal courts have the legal right and duty to settle the dispute. Moreover, people are often in a good-sometimes ideal-position to judge. They may occupy this position through training, as in the case of those who grade apples and oranges; through designated position, as in the case of umpires; through experience, as in the case of connoisseurs of wine; or through sheer (bad) luck, as in the case of a witness to an accident. Naturally, these positions are not exclusive: a surgeon may be in a good position to know what needs to be removed from a patient because of his training, designated position at the operating table, and experience. Analogous considerations would demonstrate the falsity of the other two possible contentions. Those who rhetorically ask, Who is to Judge? will protest that they never intended their claims to have an unrestricted range. Rather, they will continue, they mean them to extend only to moral and nonconventional value judgments. And that is fair enough, though it would be worthwhile to ask why ethics should
Where in Africa does Africa start?: Identity, genetics and African studies from the Sahara to Darfur

For the most part, the boundaries of African Studies remain fixed at the shores of that continent, with periodic excursions into diasporic communities across the seas. The northern limits of this e...
Responsiveness of experimental prostate carcinoma bone tumors to neutron or photon radiation combined with cytokine therapy

Abstract Purpose To improve the outcome of radiotherapy for prostate carcinoma bone tumors, we investigated bone tumor irradiation with photons or neutrons followed by interleukin 2 (IL-2) therapy in a tumor model. Methods and materials Implantation of PC-3 cells in nude mouse femur cavity induced a bone tumor that progressed to the formation of a palpable tumor, at the hip joint, by Day 20. Established bone tumors were irradiated with photons or neutrons, and a day later, mice were treated with IL-2 therapy for 3 weekly cycles. Results PC-3 bone tumors responded to radiation with photons or neutrons in a dose-dependent manner. Combination of photon or neutron radiation with IL-2 therapy increased tumor growth delay, compared to that with photons or neutrons alone. Radiation alone or combined with IL-2 significantly increased mouse survival compared to that with IL-2 or no treatment. After combined therapy, a complete inhibition of bone tumor growth was observed in 45% to 50% of the mice. Histologically, the combined therapy resulted in greater tumor destruction associated with fibrosis, new bone formation, and inflammatory infiltrates than that observed with each modality alone. Conclusions The efficacy of tumor irradiation with neutrons or photons was enhanced by IL-2 therapy for the treatment of prostate carcinoma bone tumors.
Phorbol Myristate Acetate Enhances Degradation of TRH Receptor mRNA in a Pituitary Cell Type-Specific Manner

Regulation of the level of thyrotropin-releasing hormone (TRH) receptor (TRH-R) mRNA appears to involve both modulation of gene transcription and of mRNA degradation. To study regulation of TRH-R mRNA degradation and circumvent any physiological effect on transcription, we use cells stably transfected with mouse TRH-R cDNA under control of the constitutively active cytomegalovirus promoter. In stably transfected GH pituitary cells, we find that phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA), like TRH, down-regulates TRH-R mRNA by increasing the rate of TRH-R mRNA degradation. In contrast, in stably transfected AtT-20 pituitary cells and in nonpituitary cell lines, neither TRH nor PMA decreased TRH-R mRNA levels. These findings are consistent with the idea that activation of protein kinase C leads to enhanced degradation of TRH-R mRNA in a cell-type-specific manner.
Inhibition of RNA synthesis in the germinal cysts of the silkmoth by β-ecdysone☆

When the steroidal moulting hormone of insects, β-ecdysone, is injected into saturniid pupae, net RNA synthesis in the testis and testicular germinal cysts is inhibited. This inhibition does not appear to be due to a decrease in the size of the RNA precursor pool. On the other hand, β-ecdysone stimulates both the in vitro uptake and incorporation of [3H]leucine into protein. Inhibitor studies suggest the presence of stable pre-existing mRNA in the testes of chilled pupae. Analysis of the germinal cyst RNA revealed that most of the newly synthesized RNA from chilled pupae was in the nuclei and was heterodisperse with very little mature rRNA. It is suggested that the β-ecdysone inhibits net testicular RNA synthesis either directly by stimulating an RNAse or indirectly via other endocrine glands or factors as previously suggested.
The average molecular weight and shape of the “polymeric acids” found in Black Trona Water from the Green River Basin

Abstract Macromolecular organic material, called “polymeric acids”, has been isolated from Black Trona Water by exhaustive dialysis and characterized as the sodium salt in 0.10 M sodium carbonate, pH 10, by several physico-chemical methods. Analysis by gel filtration chromatography on Sepharose-CL 6B indicates that the “polymeric acids” are polydisperse and composed of species of relatively high molecular weight (∼ 4 × 105, using proteins as standards). With this method, the range of molecular weights appears to be rather narrow. If “polymeric acids” are transferred from sodium carbonate, pH 10, into distilled water, selfassociation occurs and all species elute in the void volume. The weight-average molecular weight determined in 0.10 M sodium carbonate, pH 10, by the light scattering method is 1.7 × 105. Sedimentation velocity analysis at 20°C with the analytical ultracentrifuge gives a value for S20,w of 5.4 and the shape of the Schlieren patterns suggest a polydisperse sample with a relatively narrow range of sizes. Analysis of the molecular weight distribution by a sedimentation equilibrium method indicates that the range of molecular weights is 8 × 104 to 2.1 × 105. The partial specific volume ( v ) of “polymeric acids” is 0.874 ml/g. Viscosity measurements yield a value for [η] of 2.5 ml/g, which indicates that the “polymeric acids” are compact (spherical or ellipsoidal) in shape.
Physical activity and reduced risk of ovarian cancer.

Abstract Objective: To examine the relation between leisure-time physical activity and ovarian cancer. Methods: We used data from a population based case-control study. Cases ( n = 767) were women 20–69 years of age in whom epithelial ovarian cancer was diagnosed during 1994–1998 and who resided in a defined region of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, or Delaware. Controls ( n = 1367) were ascertained by using random-digit dialing and Health Care Financing Administration files and were frequency-matched to cases for age and county of residence. Information on lifetime leisure-time physical activity was obtained during in-person interviews. Results: Leisure-time physical activity was significantly associated with reduced occurrence of ovarian cancer ( P = .01). After adjustment for age, parity, oral contraceptive use, tubal ligation, family history of ovarian cancer, race, and body mass index, women with the highest level of activity had an odds ratio of 0.73 (95% CI 0.56, 0.94) for ovarian cancer compared with women with the lowest level of activity. When the relation was analyzed by various recalled time periods during life, the odds ratios for the highest versus the lowest category of activity at ages 14–17, 18–21, 22–29, 30–39, 40–49, and >50 years ranged from 0.64–0.78. Conclusion: Leisure-time physical activity is associated with reduced occurrence of epithelial ovarian cancer.
Ghana's Use of Economic Assistance, 1957-1966: A Supradisciplinary Analysis of Development

N ot so long ago social scientists thought they knew what development was. Countries which were relatively wealthy were described as developed, and countries which were relatively poor were described as underdeveloped. Any country increasing its gross national (economic) product was thought to be developing. With per capita income being regarded as a reliable indicator of development, attention and efforts were directed toward savings, investment and capital fonnation so as to develop those countries which were thought to be less developed. This intellectual view of the world has come to be called into question for a number of reasons. Savings and invest· ment have not necessarily raised per capita income. Increased per capita in· come has not necessarily given countries the attributes of what were thought to be developed countries. Moreover, the social and political upheavals witnessed in many so-called developed countries have suggested that economic prosperity guaran-