cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Genetic ablation of serotonin receptor 2B improves aortic valve hemodynamics in a high-cholesterol diet mouse model

ABSTRACT Calcific aortic valve disease (CAVD) is a deadly disease that is rising in prevalence due to population aging. While the disease is complex and poorly understood, one well-documented driver of valvulopathy is serotonin agonism. Both serotonin overexpression, as seen with carcinoid tumors and drug-related agonism, such as with Fenfluramine use, are linked with various diseases of the valves. Thus, the objective of this study was to determine if genetic ablation or pharmacological antagonism of the 5-HT2B serotonin receptor (gene: Htr2b) could improve the hemodynamic and histological progression of calcific aortic valve disease. Htr2b mutant mice were crossed with Notch1+/- mice, an established small animal model of CAVD, to determine if genetic ablation affects CAVD progression. To assess the effect of pharmacological inhibition on CAVD progression, Notch1+/- mice were treated with the 5-HT2B receptor antagonist SB204741. Mice were analyzed using echocardiography, histology, immunofluorescence, and real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Htr2b mutant mice showed lower aortic valve peak velocity and mean pressure gradient – classical hemodynamic indicators of aortic valve stenosis – without concurrent left ventricle change. 5-HT2B receptor antagonism, however, did not affect hemodynamic progression. Leaflet thickness, collagen density, and CAVD-associated transcriptional markers were not significantly different in any group. This study reveals that genetic ablation of Htr2b attenuates hemodynamic development of CAVD in the Notch1+/- mice, but pharmacological antagonism may require high doses or long-term treatment to slow progression.
Artificial Intelligence and Data Science Governance: Roles and Responsibilities at the C-Level and the Board

Corporate governance and the roles and responsibilities of the corporate officers and the board of directors have received an increasing interest since the Enron scandal of the early 2000s. This scandal resulted in enacting policies, laws and regulations such as the Sarbanes-Oxley and others. More recently, with almost every corporation focusing on the applications of Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Data Science (DS) for their businesses in numerous industries including finance and banking, healthcare and medicine, manufacturing and retail and defense and intelligence, it is critical that these corporations take a serious look at the roles and responsibilities of the corporate officers and the board with respect to the governance of the AI and DS operations. This paper discusses the issues and challenges for AI and DS governance with an emphasis on the potential roles and responsibilities of the corporate officers and the board of directors.
Surface analysis using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy

This article reports on an advanced level physical chemistry laboratory experiment designed for college-level undergraduate education and for scholars who need specialized training on using and int...
Magnetized Turbulent Dynamos in Protogalaxies

The prevailing theory for the origin of cosmic magnetic fields is that they have been amplified to their present values by turbulent dynamo inductive action in the protogalactic and galactic medium. Up to now, in the calculation of the turbulent dynamo, it has been customary to assume that there is no back-reaction of the magnetic field on the turbulence, as long as the magnetic energy is less than the turbulent kinetic energy. This assumption leads to the kinematic dynamo theory. However, the applicability of this theory to protogalaxies is rather limited. The reason is that in protogalaxies, the temperature is very high, and the viscosity is dominated by magnetized ions. As the magnetic field strength grows in time, the ion cyclotron time becomes shorter than the ion collision time, and the plasma becomes strongly magnetized. As a result, the ion viscosity becomes the Braginskii viscosity. Thus, in protogalaxies the back-reaction sets in much earlier, at field strengths much lower than those that correspond to field-turbulence energy equipartition, and the turbulent dynamo becomes what we call the magnetized turbulent dynamo. In this paper we lay the theoretical groundwork for the magnetized turbulent dynamo. In particular, we predict that the magnetic energy growth rate in magnetized dynamo theory is up to 10 times larger than that in kinematic dynamo theory. We also briefly discuss how the Braginskii viscosity can aid the development of the inverse cascade of magnetic energy after energy equipartition is reached.
The Case for a 21st Century Wilderness Ethic

Past debates surrounding wilderness have not led to constructive dialogue but instead have created a rift between dueling sides. Far from academic, this debate has important ethical, policy, and pr...
One size does not fit all. How universal standards for normal height can hide deprivation and create false paradoxes

Public health practitioners and social scientists frequently compare height against one-size-fits-all standards of human growth to assess well-being, deprivation, and disease risk. However, underlying differences in height can make some naturally tall populations appear well-off by universal standards, even though they live in severe states of deprivation. In this article, I describe the worldwide extent of these population differences in height and illustrate how using a universal yardstick to compare population height can create puzzling disparities (eg, between South Asia and sub-Saharan Africa) while also underestimating childhood stunting in specific world regions (eg, West Africa and Haiti). I conclude by discussing potential challenges of developing and implementing population-sensitive standards for assessing healthy development.
Optimal criteria for transcatheter closure of Fontan fenestration: a single-center experience with a review of literature

Fenestration closure is considered to remove the persistent right-to-left shunt after the Fontan operation. However, the criteria for effective transcatheter closure of fenestration to avoid both acute and chronic Fontan failure have not been clarified. The objective of this study was to describe the hemodynamic data with test occlusion of the Fontan fenestration for patients who underwent a closure and those who did not, along with subsequent development of Fontan-associated diseases (FAD) at follow-up. This was a retrospective study conducted to assess the outcome of Fontan fenestration closure at Children’s Hospital of Michigan over 27 years (1993–2019). The inclusion criteria were patients undergoing cardiac catheterization indicated for Fontan fenestration closure. Data were compared between the two groups: closure and non-closure patients. Baseline characteristics and hemodynamic variables with the fenestration occlusion test were analyzed. The primary outcome was the development of composite events of death/transplant, deteriorated New York Heart Association class symptoms, or FAD. Among the 38 patients who were brought to the catheterization laboratory, 33 received fenestration closure and 5 did not. On a median follow-up of 3.4 years (range, 1 month–12.6 years), the incidence of primary adverse outcomes was 13% (5/38). The incidence of primary outcome was significantly higher in the non-closure group (60% vs. 6%, p < 0.01). The non-closure group had a higher incidence of moderate or severe atrioventricular valve regurgitation, New York Heart Association class III symptoms, use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitor/angiotensin receptor blocker, furosemide use, and sildenafil use. The multivariable logistic regression model showed that the hemodynamic variables associated with the non-closure group were mean left atrial pressure (odds ratio 1.74, p < 0.05) and change of mean Fontan pressure at the balloon occlusion (odds ratio 2.2, p < 0.05). The judgment of fenestration closure appeared appropriate in our cohort. Fontan fenestration closure may not be advisable in cases with a high baseline left atrial pressure or a significant increase in Fontan pressure on balloon occlusion testing.
Drained Residual Shear Strength Power Function Coefficients a and b

Drained residual strength is the controlling shear strength for slopes that have experienced prior movement, contain colluvium, or have a continuous zone of slickensided material. This study provides correlations between power function coefficients a and b and soil index properties, e.g., liquid limit, plastic limit, and clay-size fraction, to represent the drained residual strength envelope. These correlations provide a prediction of the residual secant friction angle, ϕ’r, at any desired effective normal stress, which can be used to establish the residual strength envelope for stability analyses. The standard deviation of a and b coefficients and the corresponding trendlines were found using two statistical methods, with the Graphical Three-Sigma Rule Method providing a better representation of the data scatter than the Computational Method. Data from the literature were compiled and compared to the proposed a and b coefficients and there is favorable agreement.
Incorporating the academic performance of undergraduate students into the teaching material of an operations management course

In this research, we open an operations management window over the 16-year performance data of a state-funded teaching-focused business-school (SFTFBS) on graduation rates and time-to-degrees. We implement operations management concepts and tools such as systems thinking, operations strategy, process flow analysis, predictive analytics, inventory management, and descriptive statistics to analyse the time-to-degree problem to find potential improving solutions. Through this process, we have learned that the students' interest and classroom interactions are increased when the teaching material is closer to the real-life of the students. Accordingly, the results of this study are brought into the classroom. They are embedded in the teaching material as real-life problems and assignments to teach and learn operations management. We have observed that this approach has a positive impact on the mental presence and intellectual engagement of students inside the classrooms.
Assessing Intraoperative Laser Speckle Contrast Imaging of Parathyroid Glands in Relation to Total Thyroidectomy Patient Outcomes

Background: Accurate assessment of parathyroid gland vascularity is important during thyroidectomy to preserve the function of parathyroid glands and to prevent postoperative hypocalcemia. Laser sp...
Precise Instruction Scheduling

Pipeline depths in high performance dynamically scheduled microprocessors are increasing steadily. In addition, level 1 caches are shrinking to meet latency constraints - but more levels of cache are being added to mitigate this performance impact. Moreover, the growing schedule-toexecute-window of deeply pipelined processors has required the use of speculative scheduling techniques. When these effects are combined, we are faced with performance degradation and increased power consumption due to load misscheduling, particularly when considering instructions dependent on in-flight loads. In this paper, we propose a scheduler for such processors. Instead of non-selectively speculating, the scheduler predicts the execution delay of an instruction and issues them accordingly. This, in return, can eliminate the issuing of some operations that will otherwise be squashed. Clearly, load operations constitute an important obstacle in predicting the latency of instructions, because their latencies are not known until the cache access stage, which happens later in the pipeline. Our proposed techniques can estimate the arrival of cache blocks in various locations of the cache hierarchy, thereby enabling more precise scheduling of instructions dependent on these loads. Our scheduler makes use of two structures: A Previously-Accessed Table that stores the source addresses of in-flight load operations and a Cache Miss Detection Engine that detects the location of the block to be accessed in the memory hierarchy. Using the SPEC 2000 CPU suite, we show that the number of instructions issued can be reduced by as much as 52.5% (16.9% on average) while increasing the performance by as much as 42.1% (14.3% on average) over the performance of an aggressive processor.
Disparities in Lung Cancer Care and Outcomes among Elderly in a Medically Underserved State Population—A Cancer Registry-Linked Database Study

Abstract Despite availability of guidelines for lung cancer care, variations in lung cancer care among the elderly exist across the nation and are a cause for concern in rural and medically underserved areas. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate the patterns of lung cancer care and associated health outcomes among elderly residing in a rural and medically underserved area. The authors identified 1924 elderly lung cancer patients from the West Virginia Cancer Registry-Medicare linked database (2002–2007) and categorized them by receipt of guideline-concordant (appropriate and timely) care using guidelines from the American College of Chest Physicians, British Thoracic Society, and the RAND Corporation. Hierarchical generalized logistic models were constructed to identify variables associated with receipt of guideline-concordant care. Kaplan–Meier analysis and log-rank test were used to compare 3-year survival outcomes. Multivariate Cox proportional hazards models were constructed to estimat...
Visible and thermal infrared observations of the Martian surface during three Phobos shadow transits

[1] We present visible and thermal infrared observations of the Martian surface acquired during three Phobos transits. Observations show a decrease of up to ∼20% of the reflected solar energy, consistent with the fraction of the Sun disk eclipsed by Phobos, and no measurable surface cooling. Thermal modeling indicates that the top millimeter of the regolith has a thermal inertia larger than 100 J m−2 K−1 s−1/2 regardless of the surface morphology, and is consistent with TES regional thermal inertia values derived from diurnal cycles (e.g. ∼200 J m−2 K−1 s−1/2). The thermophysical properties of the top millimeter of the regolith exclude the presence of widespread thermally-thick dust layers, are consistent with those of the diurnal skin depths at TES and THEMIS spatial resolutions, are in accordance with high-resolution images of the surface showing no surface mantling, with General Circulation Model results, thermally derived rock abundance values, albedo, and spectroscopic data.
Femoral-Based Central Venous Oxygen Saturation Is Not a Reliable Substitute for Subclavian/Internal Jugular-Based Central Venous Oxygen Saturation in Patients Who Are Critically Ill

Background Central venous oxygen saturation (Scvo 2 ) has been used as a surrogate marker for mixed venous oxygen saturation (Svo 2 ). Femoral venous oxygen saturation (Sfvo 2 ) is sometimes used as a substitute for Scvo 2 . The purpose of this study is to test the hypothesis that these values can be used interchangeably in a population of patients who are critically ill. Methods We conducted a survey to assess the frequency of femoral line insertion during the initial treatment of patients who are critically ill. Scvo 2 vs Sfvo 2 Study: Patients with femoral and nonfemoral central venous catheters (CVCs) were included in this prospective study. Two sets of paired blood samples were drawn simultaneously from the femoral and nonfemoral CVCs. Blood samples were analyzed for oxygen saturation and lactate. Results One hundred and fifty physicians responded to the survey. More than one-third of the physicians insert a femoral line at least 10% of the time during the initial treatment of patients who were critically ill. Scvo 2 vs Sfvo 2 Study: Thirty-nine patients were enrolled. The mean Scvo 2 and Sfvo 2 were 73.1% ± 11.6% and 69.1% ± 12.9%, respectively ( P = .002), with a mean bias of 4.0% ± 11.2% (95% limits of agreement: −18.4% to 26.4%). The mean serum lactate from the nonfemoral and femoral CVCs was 2.84 ± 4.0 and 2.72 ± 3.2, respectively ( P = .15). Conclusions This study revealed a significant difference between paired samples of Scvo 2 and Sfvo 2 . More than 50% of Scvo 2 and Sfvo 2 values diverged by > 5%. Sfvo 2 is not always a reliable substitute for Scvo 2 and should not routinely be used in protocols to help guide resuscitation.
Density-Dependent Selection Incorporating Intraspecific Competition. II. a Diploid Model

A diploid model is introduced and analyzed in which intraspecific competition is incorporated within the context of density-regulated selection. It is assumed that each genotype has a unique carrying capacity corresponding to the equilibrium population size when only that type is present. Each genotypic fitness at a single diallelic autosomal locus is a decreasing function of a distinctive effective population size perceived as a result of intraspecific competition. The resulting fitnesses are both density and frequency dependent with selective advantage determined by a balance between genotypic carrying capacity and sensitivity to intraspecific competition. A major finding is that intergenotypic interactions may allow genetic variation to be more easily maintained than in the corresponding model of purely density-dependent selection. In addition, numerical study confirms the possible existence of multiple interior equilibria and that neither overdominance in fitness nor carrying capacity is necessary for stability. The magnitude of the equilibrium population size and optimization principles are also discussed.
Achalasia secondary to nongastrointestinal malignancies.

Secondary or “pseudo” achalasia of the esophagus can mimic idiopathic achalasia radiographically and can be difficult to diagnose. Typically, it is due to invasive carcinoma involving the gastroesophageal junction, usually gastric adenocarcinoma. Occasionally, an achalasialike condition can be produced by tumors not involving the gastroesophageal junction. We report 2 cases, 1 of lung carcinoma and the other of hepatoma, in which the patients had radiographic and endoscopic changes compatible with achalasia. However, the onset of symptoms was abrupt and the patients were elderly; these are unusual features for primary achalasia. There have been several other reports of nongastrointestinal neoplasms producing a clinical and radiographic picture similar to achalasia. Although there are several theories as to the cause, our cases would support the concept that direct tumor involvement of the gastroesophageal junction is not necessary to produce significant esophageal dysmotility.
Activation of the macrophage A2b adenosine receptor regulates tumor necrosis factor–α levels following vascular injury

Objective The control of expression of tumor necrosis factor−α (TNF-α) impacts a variety of processes during a stress response. Macrophages are a major source of TNF-α, the level of which is known to be regulated by adenosine. Previous studies highlighted the role of the A2a adenosine receptor in this process, while the role of the A2b adenosine receptor (A2bAR) has not been clearly identified. Here, we examined the contribution of the A2bAR to TNF-α regulation by macrophages at baseline and under vascular stress. Materials and Methods We employed a newer A2bAR-selective ligand, BAY 60-6583 in vitro and in vivo, and an A2bAR antagonist CVT-6883, as well as examined macrophages derived from control or A2bAR knockout mice. Results We found that the expression of the A2bAR is upregulated in macrophages derived from wild-type mice subjected to arterial injury, and this receptor activity controls the level of TNF-α released from macrophages. Conclusion We identified a significant role for the A2bAR in the regulation of TNF-α, which would contribute to the anti-inflammatory actions of adenosine under vascular stress. This conclusion could focus attention on this receptor as a therapeutic target.
Crystallinity in chemically crosslinked low-density polyethylene: 5. Annealing behaviour of XLPE-2

Abstract The annealing behaviour of lightly crosslinked low-density polyethylenes having various levels of extractable non-crosslinked polyethylene present has been studied. Three separate processes can be identified, which are (a) solid-state annealing, (b) recrystallization and (c) gel-sol separation in the molten state. Unlike linear or linear low-density polyethylene, annealing for long times does not result in crystallization of all crystallizable material; there is always a component present that crystallizes only on cooling if the annealing temperature is in excess of 90°C. The multiple melting peaks observed are not associated with macroscopic morphological features but arise largely from differences in the perfection of crystals or in the character of the amorphous phase in the vicinity of the crystal.
Bayesian analysis of biexponential time-decaying signals

Abstract In this paper we demonstrate the use of Bayesian analysis methods for the extraction of information from time-domain biexponentially decaying functions. In several forms of time-domain spectroscopy the physically interesting spectrum consists of multiple exponentially decaying functions. Here we demonstrate the use of Bayesian analysis to extract information on both exponentially decaying signals from a biexponentially decaying signal in the presence of noise. Other spectral factors will be considered.
Using the Domain Specific Innovativeness Scale to identify innovative Internet consumers

A total of 117 student consumers participated in a longitudinal survey of their purchasing behavior for three product categories: snack foods, CDs, and skin care. The Domain Specific Innovativeness Scale was included in the survey to measure how innovative participants were with regard to buying online. It was hypothesized that an innovative predisposition toward online buying would be associated positively with more hours of Internet use, greater Internet purchasing, higher likelihood of future Internet purchase, and use of the Internet to download music. The data analyses confirmed all these hypotheses. Few respondent demographics, however, were related to any of these variables. These results demonstrate that the Domain Specific Innovativeness Scale is a reliable and valid measure of this potentially important construct; and that Internet innovativeness functions as predicted by theories of consumer innovative behavior, thereby increasing the generalizability of these theories and yielding potentially important information for e‐commerce managers.
On the wavelengths of (n+1/2)fce gyroharmonic emissions in the Earth's magnetosphere

Using data from the University of Minnesota Plasma Wave Experiment aboard the IMP 6 (Explorer 43) satellite, the wavelengths of certain electrostatic waves in earth's magnetosphere are measured. The antenna response to electrostatic waves having several k vector distributions in space is calculated using the fact that the X and Y dipole antennas on IMP 6 are of unequal length. These results are used to determine the wavelengths of (n+1/2)f(ce) gyroharmonic emissions observed just beyond the plasmapause. These wavelengths are then used in conjunction with theoretical models to determine the energy of the electrons driving the waves, and a range of energies between several tens to several hundreds of electron volts is found. This technique is also applied to Langmuir waves observed upstream of earth's bow shock, and the results are found to be in good agreement with theory.
Review article: drug therapy for non‐alcoholic fatty liver disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease represents a spectrum of liver diseases, characterized mainly by macrovesicular steatosis in the absence of significant alcohol ingestion. Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease includes both non-alcoholic fatty liver and non-alcoholic steatohepatitis. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis once considered a benign process is now known to lead to progressive fibrosis and cirrhosis. Histologically indistinguishable from alcoholic liver disease, the exact aetiology of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease remains unknown, but the fundamental pathophysiological process appears to be insulin resistance and oxidative stress related to the metabolic syndrome. Therapy has focused on risk factors, weight reduction and pharmacological intervention. Promising pharmacological treatments have been demonstrated with antioxidants, insulin sensitizers, hepatoprotectants and lipid-lowering agents. However, without larger randomized studies, no pharmacological treatments can be recommended at this time.
Synthesis and Characterization of a New Fluorine-Containing Polybenzimidazole (PBI) for Proton-Conducting Membranes in Fuel Cells

A new type of fluorine-containing polybenzimidazole, namely poly(2,2′-(2,2′-bis(trifluoromethyl)-4,4′-biphenylene)-5,5′-bibenzimidazole) (BTBP-PBI), was developed as a candidate for proton-conducting membranes in fuel cells. Polymerization conditions were experimentally investigated to achieve high molecular weight polymers with an inherent viscosity (IV) up to 1.60 dl g–1. The introduction of the highly twisted 2,2′-disubstituted biphenyl moiety into the polymer backbone suppressed the polymer chain packing efficiency and improved polymer solubility in certain polar organic solvents. The polymer also exhibited excellent thermal and oxidative stability. Phosphoric acid (PA)-doped BTBP-PBI membranes were prepared by the conventional acid imbibing procedure and their corresponding properties such as mechanical properties and proton conductivity were carefully studied. The maximum membrane proton conductivity was approximately 0.02 S cm–1 at 180 °C with a PA doping level of 7.08 PA/RU. The fuel cell performance of BTBP-PBI membranes was also evaluated in membrane electrode assemblies (MEA) in single cells at elevated temperatures. The testing results showed reliable performance at 180 °C and confirmed the material as a candidate for high-temperature polymer electrolyte membrane fuel cell (PEMFC) applications.
Low- and high-carbohydrate diets: body composition differences in rats.

Objective: To determine differences in adipose tissue mass, cell size, and lipid metabolism transcripts and differences in composition of body weight loss and energy expenditure (EE) after isoenergetic, energy-restricted intake of low-carbohydrate/high-fat/high-protein (LC) and high-carbohydrate/low-fat/moderate-protein (HC) diets. Research Methods and Procedures: Ten-week old female Sprague-Dawley rats were fed a high-fat diet ad libitum for 8 weeks to induce weight gain and fat deposition. Weight-matched rats were then assigned to isoenergetic LC (Atkins) and HC (American Dietary Association Exchange) diets for 10 weeks at 65% of ad libitum energy intake. Results: There was no significant difference in the serum lipid profiles or amount of body weight lost between the HC and LC groups, whereas a higher insulin sensitivity index (p < 0.01) resulted from the HC compared with the LC diet. Compared with the post-restriction LC group, the HC group demonstrated (p < 0.05) higher EE during active hours, lower mRNA levels for the lipogenic genes peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2, lipoprotein lipase, and, adipocyte fatty acid binding protein, decreased adipocyte cell volume, and decreased fat mass. Discussion: Results indicated down-regulation of lipogenic genes, decreased fat mass, and, therefore, improved body composition in the post-restriction HC compared with the LC group. The small mean differences between the two diet groups (p = 0.11) in 24-hour EE over the 10 weeks of diet intervention would account for the majority of the lower mean body weights in the post-restriction HC group. These data suggest that macronutrient composition of the diet influences body composition and indicate a distinction between HC and LC diets.
Prenatal maternal phenobarbital increases reactivity and retards habituation of mature offspring to environmental stimuli.

Adult female offspring of C57 BL/6J mice injected daily with phenobarbital for the last third of pregnancy were more active than control offspring during a 3-min test period in an open field arena, thus confirming previous reports of lasting effects of prenatal exposure to phenobarbital. These offspring habituated less rapidly than control offspring to the open field and were more reactive to sudden changes in environmental stimuli. The behavioral changes were not accompanied by body or brain weight deficits. The maternal drug injections did not alter brain concentrations of dopamine or norepinephrine in the adult offspring or the degree of reduction in these transmitters produced by the synthesis inhibitors α-methyltyrosine. Although activity was reduced by the catecholamine synthesis inhibitor, the effect was similar for offspring of both drug-treated and control dams.
The Orbiting Carbon Observatory (OCO-2): spectrometer performance evaluation using pre-launch direct sun measurements

Abstract. The Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2), launched on 2 July 2014, is a NASA mission designed to measure the column-averaged CO2 dry air mole fraction, XCO2. Towards that goal, it will collect spectra of reflected sunlight in narrow spectral ranges centered at 0.76, 1.6 and 2.0 μm with a resolving power (λ/Δ λ) of 20 000. These spectra will be used in an optimal estimation framework to retrieve XCO2. About 100 000 cloud free soundings of XCO2 each day will allow estimates of net CO2 fluxes on regional to continental scales to be determined. Here, we evaluate the OCO-2 spectrometer performance using pre-launch data acquired during instrument thermal vacuum tests in April 2012. A heliostat and a diffuser plate were used to feed direct sunlight into the OCO-2 instrument and spectra were recorded. These spectra were compared to those collected concurrently from a nearby high-resolution Fourier Transform Spectrometer that was part of the Total Carbon Column Observing Network (TCCON). Using the launch-ready OCO-2 calibration and spectroscopic parameters, we performed total column scaling fits to all spectral bands and compared these to TCCON results. On 20 April, we detected a CO2 plume from the Los Angeles basin at the JPL site with strongly enhanced short-term variability on the order of 1% (3–4 ppm). We also found good (
Summing Soft Pions

Matrix elements are calculated for high-energy reactions in which an unlimited number of soft pions are emitted or exchanged.
Sporolide B: synthetic studies

Studies directed toward the synthesis of the architecturally complex marine natural product sporolide B are described. Synthetic analysis suggested advanced hydroquinone and benzodiquinane fragments, which upon elaboration were successfully united via an ester linkage. Macrocyclization studies were then carried out, and although a novel macrocyclization product was obtained, subsequent studies revealed that the tertiary hydroxyls at C(6) and C(10) were too sterically encumbered to participate in a successful macrocyclization to furnish sporolide B.
A docência numa universidade em mudança

O pano de fundo do artigo sao as transformacoes da universidade. De uma instituicao para poucos e com qualidade possivelmente superior, passa a ser uma universidade para a massa. O ideal de alfabetizacao universal agora e deslocado para a educacao superior. No pais, criou-se uma lacuna nao so numerica, mas qualitativa entre a pos-graduacao stricto sensu e a graduacao que abriga seis centenas de milhares de matriculas. A lacuna e explorada e, ao final, e sugerido o que pode ser feito para reduzi-la, apresentando-se o esforco da Associacao Nacional de Pesquisa e Pos-Graduacao em Administracao (Anpad), atraves de seu Programa de Capacitacao de Docentes em Administracao (PCDA), que busca sensibilizar os programas de pos graduacao, voltados predominantemente para pesquisar e publicar, para que tambem incluam na formacao de mestres e doutores a dimensao docente.
Prognostic significance of nuclear sizing in renal cell carcinoma

Nuclear grading has been reported to be a useful prognostic indicator in renal cell carcinoma (RCC). One of the components of nuclear grading, the size or cross-sectional area of cancerous nuclei, might by itself be a determinant of biologic behavior in RCC. To examine this possibility, a retrospective qualitative analysis of clinical and histopathologic parameters in 32 patients with Robson Stage 3 RCC was conducted. Patients with disproportionately larger nuclei in their RCC cells had a statistically shorter median survival (p less than 0.009). The examination of the relative areas of cancerous nuclei, herein termed nuclear sizing, appears to be a prognostic discriminant in primary RCC.
Na channel inactivation from open and closed states.

A sodium channel is composed of four similar domains, each containing a highly charged S4 helix that is driven outward (activates) in response to a depolarization. Functionally, the channel has two gates, called activation gate (a gate) and inactivation gate (I gate), both of which must be open for conduction to occur. The cytoplasmically located a gate opens after a depolarization has activated the S4s of (probably) all four domains. The I gate consists of a cytoplasmically located inactivation “particle” and a receptor for it in the channel. The receptor becomes available after some degree of S4 activation, and the particle diffuses in to inactivate the channel. The I gate usually closes when the a gate is open [open-state inactivation (Osi)] but also can close before the channel reaches the conducting state. This “closed-state inactivation” (Csi) is studied quantitatively in this paper to determine the degree of S4 activation required for (i) opening the a gate, and (ii) permitting the I gate to close. Csi is most prominent for small depolarizations, during which occupancy of the partially activated closed states is prolonged. Large depolarizations drive the S4s outward quickly, minimizing the duration of closed-state occupancy and making Csi small and Osi large. Based on these data and evidence in the literature, it is concluded that opening the a gate requires S4 activation in domains 1–3, with partial activation of the S4 of domain 4. Csi requires only S4 activation of domains 3 and 4, which does not open the a gate.
Partition functions on the Euclidean plane with compact boundaries in conformal and non-conformal theories

Abstract In this paper we calculate the exact partition function for free bosons on the plane with lacunae. First the partition function for a plane with two spherical holes is calculated by matching exactly for the infinite set of Wilson coefficients in an effective world line theory and then performing the ensuing Gaussian integration. The partition is then re-calculated using conformal field theory techniques, and the equality of the two results is made manifest. It is then demonstrated that there is an exact correspondence between the Wilson coefficients (susceptibilities) in the effective field theory and the weights of the individual excitations of the closed string coherent state on the boundary. We calculate the partition function for the case of three holes where CFT techniques necessitate a closed form for the map from the corresponding closed string pants diagrams. Finally, it is shown that the Wilson coefficients for the case of quartic and higher order kernels, where standard CFT techniques are no longer applicable, can also be completely determined. These techniques can also be applied to the case of non-trivial central charges.
Ethnocultural influences on variation in chronic pain perception

In multiple studies cultural affiliation has been found to have an important influence on perception of and response to experimental and acute pain. Despite that evidence little work has been directed to understanding the cultural dimensions of the chronic pain experience. We present the results of a quantitative study of reported chronic pain perception in 372 chronic pain patients in six ethnic groups, who were under treatment at a multidisciplinary pain-management center. The role of ethnic and cultural experiences in the complex array of physical, cultural, psychological and social factors which influence the chronic pain experience is identified. Ethnocultural affiliation is important to chronic pain perception and response variation. In this study population the best predictors of pain intensity variation are ethnic group affiliation and locus of control (LOC) style (ethnic group identity is also a predictor of LOC style). It appears that pain intensity variation may be affected by differences in attitudes, beliefs and emotional and psychological states associated with the different ethnic groups. This study suggests a biocultural model may be useful in conceptualizing the complex interaction of biological, cultural and psychosocial factors in the process of human pain perception. Although it is likely that intense pain affects attitudes and emotions, it is also very likely that attitudes and emotions influence reported perceptions of pain intensity. Pain intensity variation in this study population is not significantly associated with diagnosis, present medication types, or types of past treatments or surgeries for pain.
Submodular Set-functions, Matroids and the Greedy Algorithm - Tight Worst-case Bounds and Some Generalizations of the Rado-edmonds Theorem

Abstract For the problem maxlcub; Z ( S ): S is an independent set in the matroid X rcub;, it is well-known that the greedy algorithm finds an optimal solution when Z is an additive set function (Rado-Edmonds theorem). Fisher, Nemhauser and Wolsey have shown that, when Z is a nondecreasing submodular set function satisfying Z (∅)=0, the greedy algorithm finds a solution with value at least half the optimum value. In this paper we show that it finds a solution with value at least 1/(1 + α) times the optimum value, where α is a parameter which represents the ‘total curvature’ of Z . This parameter satisfies 0≤α≤1 and α=0 if and only if the set function Z is additive. Thus the theorems of Rado-Edmonds and Fisher-Nemhauser-Wolsey are both contained in the bound 1/(1 + α). We show that this bound is best possible in terms of α. Another bound which generalizes the Rado-Edmonds theorem is given in terms of a ‘greedy curvature’ of the set function. Unlike the first bound, this bound can prove the optimality of the greedy algorithm even in instances where Z is not additive. A third bound, in terms of the rank and the girth of X , unifies and generalizes the bounds (e−1)/e known for uniform matroids and 1 2 for general matroids. We also analyze the performance of the greedy algorithm when X is an independence system instead of a matroid. Then we derive two bounds, both tight: The first one is [1−(1−α/ K ) k ]/α where K and k are the sizes of the largest and smallest maximal independent sets in X respectively; the second one is 1/( p +α) where p is the minimum number of matroids that must be intersected to obtain X .
Characterization of a high-spin non-heme Fe(III)-OOH intermediate and its quantitative conversion to an Fe(IV)═O complex.

We have generated a high-spin FeIII–OOH complex supported by tetramethylcyclam via protonation of its conjugate base and characterized it in detail using various spectroscopic methods. This FeIII–O...
Concise stereocontrolled formal synthesis of (±)-quinine and total synthesis of (±)-7-hydroxyquinine via merged Morita-Baylis-Hillman-Tsuji- Trost cyclization

Concise stereoselective syntheses of (±)-quinine and (±)-7-hydroxyquinine are achieved using a catalytic enone cycloallylation that combines the nucleophilic features of the Morita−Baylis−Hillman reaction and the electrophilic features of the Tsuji−Trost reaction. Cyclization of enone−allyl carbonate 11 delivers the product of cycloallylation 13 in 68% yield. Diastereoselective conjugate reduction of the enone 13 (>20:1 dr) followed by exchange of the N-protecting group provides the saturated N-Boc-protected methyl ketone 19, which upon aldol dehydration provides quinoline containing enone 15, possessing all carbon atoms of quinine. Exposure of ketone 15 to L-selectride enables diastereoselective carbonyl reduction (>20:1 dr) to furnish the allylic alcohol 16. Stereoselective hydroxyl-directed epoxidation using an oxovanadium catalyst modified by N-hydroxy-N-Me-pivalamide delivers epoxide 17 (17:1 dr). Cyclization of the resulting amine-epoxide 17 provides (±)-7-hydroxyquinine in 13 steps and 11% overall ...
Differential response of early and late passage fibroblasts to collagenase stimulatory factor in conditioned media.

Abstract Comparison of the proteins secreted by early and late passage cultures of humanfibroblasts reveals enhanced production of three proteins (M r = 55,000, 58,000, and 61,000) in the late passage culture conditioned medium. The 55,000 and 58,000 Da proteins react with anticollagenase antibodies and are identified as procollagenase (Sottile, J. M. and Millis, A. J. T., J. Cell Biol. 106: 1518a, 1987). The production of immunoreactive collagenase was assayed using immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence. Immunofluores cence microscopy revealed that each culture was heterogenous. The percentage of collagenase positive cells ranged from 1% (early passage) to 35% (late passage). Late passage cultures also secreted higher levels of immunoprecipitable collagenase into the culture medium than early passage cultures. High levels of collagenase production were also observed in fibroblasts cultured from donors with Werner's syndrome and from an aged donor. Media conditioned by the growth of human fibroblasts contained collagenase stimulating activity. In the presence of conditioned medium, the percentage of collagenase positive cells was increased to 10–20% (early passage) and 85% (late passage), indicating that each culture contains both responding and non-responding cells.
Nominal interest rate policy rules and the feasibility of real interest rate control

In this paper the author builds a financial market model to demonstrate that policy aimed at reducing the variance in nominal interest rates reduces the information content of these variables. This has the undesirable effect of destabilizing real interest rates. The researcher demonstrates that nominal interest rate policy rules stabilize the component of the variance in the ex ante real interest rate attributable to the variance in the nominal rate. The variability of the expected inflation rate can, however, be increased by such policy rules, making the net effect of a nominal interest rate policy on the variance in the real interest rate ambiguous.
Differentiation of Human Circulating Fibrocytes as Mediated by Transforming Growth Factor-β and Peroxisome Proliferator-activated Receptor γ

Fibrocytes are a distinct population of fibroblast-like progenitor cells in peripheral blood that have recently been shown to possess plasticity to differentiate along mesenchymal lineages, including commitment to myofibroblast and adipocyte cells. Here, we demonstrated that transforming growth factor (TGF) β1 drives fibrocyte-to-myofibroblast differentiation through activating Smad2/3 and SAPK/JNK MAPK pathways, which in turn stimulates α-smooth muscle actin expression. We determined that SAPK/JNK signaling acts in a positive feedback loop to modulate Smad2/3 nuclear availability and Smad2/3-dependent transcription. Conversely, fibrocyte-to-adipocyte differentiation is driven by the peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor (PPAR) γ agonist troglitazone, which is associated with cytoplasmic lipid accumulation and induction of aP2. Treatment with troglitazone also disrupted TGFβ1-activated SAPK/JNK signaling, leading to decreased Smad2/3 transactivation activity and α-smooth muscle actin expression. Interestingly, TGFβ1 was demonstrated to have reciprocal inhibition on fibrocyte differentiation to adipocytes. By activating SAPK/JNK signaling, which is normally suppressed during adipogenesis, PPARγ-dependent transactivation activity and induction of aP2 expression were disrupted. Taken together, within the context of the local microenvironmental niche, the delicate balance of PPARγ and TGFβ1 activation drives the selection of an adipocyte or myofibroblast differentiation pathway through SAPK/JNK signaling.
“Whatever happened to the Genomatron?” Documenting a 21st century science

Abstract With notable exceptions, specialist museums have generally failed to collect an adequate record of the material culture of post-war science and technology. Some reasons for this failure are identified, and some suggestions for remedying this situation are made with the help of a specific example: genomic science and medicine. Genomics is a quintessentially 21st-century science: data-rich, digital, and technique-and technology-driven. As such, it presents particular challenges and opportunities to museums wishing to improve their performance in collecting recent and contemporary science and technology. The paper explores different dimensions of this challenge through the attempt to establish a Museum Genomics Initiative, an international group of museum professionals who are committed to collaborating around the documentation of genomic science and medicine.
Self-assembled monolayers of dithiols, diisocyanides, and isocyanothiols on gold: ‘chemically sticky’ surfaces for covalent attachment of metal clusters and studies of interfacial electron transfer

Abstract The preparation of self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) of the double-ended dithiols 4,4−biphenyldithiol, and αα- p -xylidithiol, the double-ended diisocyanides 1,4-phenylenediisocyanide, 4,4′-biphenyldiisocyanide, 4,4′- p -terphenyldiisocyanide, 1,6-hexanediisocyanide, 1,12-dodecanediisocyanide, and 1,4-di(4-isocyano-phenylethynyl)-2-ethylbenzene, and the 4-sulfido phenyl isocyanide capped trinuclear nickel cluster 4-( μ 3 -iodo-tris(bis(diphenylphosphino)methane)-trinickel-(isocyano)phenylenesulfide by direct adsorption or by displacement of a pre-existing SAM of 1-octadecanethiol on gold is reported. The SAMs were characterized using reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIR), optical ellipsometry, and advancing contact-angle ( θ a ) measurements. The substitution chemistry of SAMs was found to be irreversible. The dithiols and aryl diisocyanides were found to form SAMs with only one functional group attached to the surface. The SAMs of dithiols were used to covalently attach nanometer scale gold clusters to the exposed thiol surface of the SAM. Scanning tunneling microscopy (STM) was used to image these immobilized gold clusters. The diisocyanides have been used to covalently anchor trinuclear nickel clusters. The SAM of the 4-sulfido phenyl isocyanide capped trinuclear nickel cluster 4-( μ 3 -iodo-tris(bis(diphenylphosphino)methane)-trinickel-(isocyano)-phenylenesulfide, was studied by cyclic voltammetry. The electron acceptors methylviologen (MV 2+ ) and the methyl ester of cobaltocenium [MeCOOCpCp] + [PF 6 ] − were used to demonstrate rectification in the interfacial electron transfer from nickel cluster SAM modified gold electrodes to the electron acceptors.
When stress happens matters: effects of earthquake timing on stress responsivity in pregnancy.

Abstract Objective: The purpose of the study was to assess the effects of the timing of stress during pregnancy on emotional responses and birth outcome. We hypothesized that as pregnancy advanced women would become increasingly resistant to the adverse effects of stress, and so early stress would have more profound effects than later stress. Study Design: Forty pregnant women who had experienced an earthquake during pregnancy or shortly afterward were identified. Using regression analyses we determined whether the timing of the earthquake was related to an affective response to this event and to length of gestation. Results: The earthquake was rated as more stressful when it occurred early in pregnancy compared with late in pregnancy, and postpartum ratings were similar to first-trimester ratings ( r quad =.39; P r =.35; P Conclusions: As pregnancy advances, women become decreasingly sensitive to the effects of stress. This decrease in vulnerability may reflect increasing protection of the mother and fetus from adverse influences during pregnancy. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:637-42.)