cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Is urine the next source of stem cells

committee’s knowledge of the availability and the feasibility of using other tissue sources such as hair. This is especially an issue in the case of pediatric disorders where the parent or guardian provides informed consent. The recent reports that iPSCs can be successfully derived from cells collected from human urine [2–5] could potentially address the aforementioned problems and greatly expand the number of patient-specific stem cells available to the research community. The few thousand epithelial-like cells harvested by centrifugation from a 50–250-ml sample of urine have been used as a source of iPSCs (UiPSCs) and neural progenitors (UiNPCs) [2–5]. UiPSCs, which have been generated using standard reprogramming factors, show the markers of pluripotency that are typical of iPSCs produced from other somatic cell types. UiPSCs can also be differentiated into at least three different lineages: hepatocytes, neurons and cardiomyocytes [5], and disease-specific UiPSCs have been generated for systemic lupus erythematosus [2]. It is also reported that UiNPCs can be reprogrammed directly from the urine epithelial-like cells using episomal vectors that, in contrast to retroand lenti-viruses, do not integrate into the genome [3]. It is further observed that the UiNPCs have the capacity to self-renew and can be differentiated into different types of functional neurons in vitro, and in vivo upon transplant into newborn rat brain. There is no question that urine offers benefits over dermal fibroblasts and most other tissues in terms of ease of collection and institutional study approval. The investigations of other groups will confirm whether UiPSCs are similar to standard iPSCs with respect to efficiency of reprogramming as well as degree of pluripotency and capacity for multilineage differentiation. Should this prove to be the case, UiPSCs The discovery that pluripotent stem cells can be induced by exposure of somatic cells to reprogramming factors has proven to be one of the most surprising and potentially useful discoveries in regenerative biology [1]. Patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) are being widely used to study disease mechanisms and to screen for novel drug therapies for a variety of human disorders. Fibroblasts were the first somatic cell type to be used in the successful generation of iPSCs and remain in widespread use despite the demonstration that iPSCs can be derived from other readily accessible sources, such as peripheral and cord blood, melanocytes, amniotic and periodontal tissue and hair follicle keratinocytes. The continued popularity of fibroblasts as a source of iPSCs may be historical in the sense that many laboratories began deriving fibroblasts from skin biopsies in anticipation of generating iPSCs and are now in the process of characterizing the disease-specific iPSC lines.
Using Computational Methods to Perform Counterfactual Analyses of Formal Theories

Recently there has been an increase in the number of researchers who use rational choice models to explain single cases and rare events. Because of the small number of cases under study, these researchers must rely either explicitly or implicitly on counterfactual reasoning. This paper argues that computational methods provide a profitable means of carrying out rigorous counterfactual analysis. The authors advocate robustness analysis as one important part of the counterfactual analysis of formal theories. Specifically, they evaluate the robustness of the behavioral assumptions of two formal models using various heuristic search algorithms and Markov chains. They find that Kuran's (1989) threshold model of mass protest and Ingberman's (1985) model of direct-democracy referenda are robust to perturbations in their behavioral assumptions. These findings increase the plausibility of causal claims made by scholars who use these models to explain specific events.
The fox-hunting controversy, 1781–2004: class and cruelty

Fox-hunting in England and Wales was banned in 2004. This was not a simple proposition and followed 700 hours of parliamentary debate (May, p. 1), which seems like an extraordinary amount of time f...
Biosynthesis, in vitro, of “histidine-protein” — A biochemical marker in epidermal differentiation

Abstract Unusual protein containing a high level of histidine and eight other amino acids ( i.e. glycine, alanine, serine, threonine, arginine, glutamic acid, aspartic acid and tyrosine) is localized in the epidermal granular cell layer of the newborn rat. It appears that the formation of “histidine-protein” is a step in the sequence of epidermal differentiation terminating in keratinization. This paper reports the biosynthesis of “histidine-protein” by granular cells, in vitro . The protein, having a molecular weight of about 30 000, is obtained by extraction of homogenized epidermis in 8 M urea, dialysis of the extracted protein, lyophilization of the non-dialyzable material, extraction of the dried residue at 24° with 0.1 M HClO 4 , precipitation at pH 4.5 and purification on Sephadex G-100. Synthesis of “histidine-protein” appears to occur in the “large” microsomal fraction and to involve at least two steps. A “peptide precursor”, formed initially in a reaction sensitive to puromycin, is incorporated into “histidine-protein” by a mechanism not blocked by this inhibitor.
Renal angiomyolipoma in association with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis: Forme fruste of tuberous sclerosis?

From 1976 to 1989, 27 patients with pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis were seen at our institution. Twenty-five had no signs or symptoms of tuberous sclerosis; 21 of these had abdominal imaging or surgical exploration to make the diagnosis of renal angiomyolipoma in seven patients, all female. Three presented with symptoms secondary to renal disease, three with pulmonary manifestations, and one with both. Renal disease was bilateral in four patients; four patients underwent nephrectomy and two tumors were embolized. All patients experienced spontaneous pneumothoraces during the course of their disease. There was one respiratory death. It is our belief that any patient presenting with angiomyolipoma and a history of pulmonary problems should be evaluated for pulmonary lymphangioleiomyomatosis with a limited computed tomography scan of the chest at the time of abdominal imaging. The surgical treatment of angiomyolipoma when associated with lymphangioleiomyomatosis is predicated on the ability to adequately manage the complicating lung disease perioperatively.
Overconfidence and the Performance of Business Students on Examinations.

In this study, the authors investigated the role of overconfidence on students' performance on multiple-choice examinations. The authors examined the difference between students' self-assessed probability of selecting each correct answer and the proportion of correct answers that they actually selected. Results show that high-performing students discriminated better between difficult and easy multiple-choice questions than did low-performing students. Poorer students exhibited significant overconfidence with difficult questions. Generally, students displayed underconfidence with easy questions and performed better on multiple-choice questions when they were asked to provide reasons contradicting their choices. These results suggest that students can be trained to perform better on standard multiple-choice exams through preparation involving their providing reasons contradicting their choice of answers.
Ghrelin levels in young children with Prader-Willi syndrome.

Objective To explore the hypothesis that high ghrelin levels contribute to obesity in Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS), we assessed whether the increased levels observed in older persons with PWS exist in very young children, before the onset of hyperphagia. Study design We measured ghrelin levels in nine children with PWS (17-60 months of age) and eight healthy control subjects of equivalent body mass index (BMI), age, and sex. Results PWS and control groups had equivalent BMI (16.8 ± 1.4 vs 16.1 ± 0.9 kg/m 2 , respectively; P = .24), age (37.8 ± 15.4 vs 50.3 ± 17.7 months; P = .14), and sex. PWS and control groups also had equivalent fasting levels of total ghrelin (787 ± 242 vs 716 ± 135 pg/mL, respectively; P = .24), bioactive ghrelin (102 ± 35 vs 91 ± 23 pg/mL; P = .45), insulin, and glucose. Ghrelin correlated negatively with BMI among controls (r = −0.760, P = .029) but not PWS (r = 0.015, P = .97). Conclusions Children
Molecular therapeutics for heritable skin diseases.

Over the past two decades, there has been tremendous progress in molecular genetics of heritable skin diseases, and as many as 500 distinct human genes are now known to harbor mutations in these diseases (Feramisco et al., 2009). The clinical implications of this progress are evident in the diagnosis and management of these diseases. For example, (a) identification of the specific mutations can be used for confirmation of diagnosis with prognostic implications; (b) identification of mutations has facilitated assessment of the precise mode of inheritance, particularly in cases with no previous family history of the disease; and (c) identification of candidate genes and mutations has formed the basis for DNA-based prenatal testing and preimplantation genetic diagnosis in families at risk for recurrence (Uitto, 2009). However, in spite of significant progress in identification of the molecular bases of heritable skin diseases, there has been relatively little progress until very recently in developing effective and specific treatments. This synopsis will highlight some of the milestones in progress towards treatment and cure of heritable skin diseases, primarily focusing on epidermolysis bullosa (EB) as a paradigm of such conditions, with emphasis on development of gene-, protein-, and cell-based molecular strategies just entering the clinical arena (Uitto et al., 2012).
Findings and considerations for I/O clock jitter on a source synchronous front side bus

This paper outlines when designing a front side bus that is source synchronous the clock needs special consideration. If the clock is treated the same as data bit the bus performance or bit rate can be limited by the clock distortion effects. Investigations of the components of the distortion are described along with prevention rules and silicon architecture impacts.
Which Comes First in Adolescence—Sex and Drugs or Depression?

Background The notion that adolescents "self-medicate" depression with substance use and sexual behaviors is widespread, but the temporal ordering of depression and these risk behaviors is not clear. This study tests whether gender-specific patterns of substance use and sexual behavior precede and predict depression or vice versa. Methods Data are from the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, weighted to produce population estimates. The sample includes 13,491 youth, grades 7 to 11, interviewed in 1995 and again 1 year later. Multivariate logistic regression analyses, conducted in 2004, tested temporal ordering, controlling for covariates. The main outcome measures were depression, as measured by a modified Center for Epidemiological Studies–Depression Scale (CES-D), and three behavior patterns: (1) abstaining from sexual intercourse and drug use, (2) experimental behavior patterns, and (3) high-risk behavior patterns. Results Overall, sex and drug behavior predicted an increased likelihood of depression, but depression did not predict behavior. Among girls, both experimental and high-risk behavior patterns predicted depression. Among boys, only high-risk behavior patterns increased the odds of later depression. Depression did not predict behavior in boys, or experimental behavior in girls; but it decreased the odds of high-risk behavior among abstaining girls (RRR=0.14) and increased the odds of high-risk behavior (RRR=2.68) among girls already experimenting with substance use. Conclusions Engaging in sex and drug behaviors places adolescents, and especially girls, at risk for future depression. Future research is needed to better understand the mechanisms of the relationship between adolescent behavior and depression, and to determine whether interventions to prevent or stop risky behaviors will also reduce the risk of later depression.
Sutureless Patch Repair for Small Blowout Rupture of the Left Ventricle after Myocardial Infarction

Rupture of the left ventricular free wall is one of the most serious complications of myocardial infarction. A 73-year-old man with severe chest pain visited our hospital. Coronary angiography revealed acute myocardial infarction in the territory of the diagonal branch. About six hours after successful percutaneous coronary intervention, the patient fell into cardiogenic shock with chest pain. Echocardiography showed moderate pericardial effusion with a subepicardial hematoma, and percardioentesis led to the diagnosis of free wall rupture. Emergency surgery was performed with the use of intra-aortic balloon pumping. The rupture was a blowout type in a small tear at the anterolateral wall of the left ventricle. We repaired the tear with an off-pump sutureless patch using collagen fleece with fibrinogen-based impregnation (TachoComb) and equinous pericardium with fibrin spray. The patient was free of both re-rupture and pseudoaneurysm postoperatively, and was discharged 20 days after the operation. Considering previously reported various procedures for surgical repair, this technique may be useful if the tear is small.
Cultured Human Fibroblasts and Not Cultured Human Keratinocytes Express a PTH/PTHrP Receptor mRNA

There is increasing evidence that parathyroid hormone (PTH) and PTH-related peptides 0PTHrP) are involved in normal skin cell growth; therefore, we investigated whether the PTH/PTHrP receptor was expressed in cultured human keratinocytes and dermal fibroblasts. Northern analyses of poly (A) + RNA isolated from cultured fibroblasts revealed two PTH/ PTHrP receptor transcripts with one major band at 2.5 kb and one minor band at 2.3 kb. These transcripts were consistent with those found in human osteosarcoma cells, which are known to express PTH/ PTHrP-R mRNAs. In contrast, after repeated Northern analyses no PTH/PTHrP receptor transcripts were found in poly (A) +K RNA isolated from cultured keratinocytes. Reverse-transcriptase/nested polymerase chain reaction analyses of total RNA isolated from cultured keratinocytes and fibroblasts confirmed the Northern analyses data that the PTH/ PTHrP receptor was expressed in cultured fibroblasts but not in cultured keratinocytes. When cultured fibroblasts and keratinocytes were exposed to 10 -7 M PTH (1-34) there was a twofold increase in cAMP levels in the fibroblasts and no demonstrable increase was noted in keratinocytes. These results suggest that skin fibroblasts possess the classical PTH/PTHrP receptor and are target cells for PTH and PTHrP whereas keratinocytes do not have the receptor and are unresponsive to its N-terminal agonist in the stimulation of cAMP formation.
Rapid Fixation of a Distinctive Sequence Motif in the 3′Noncoding Region of the Clade of West Nile Virus Invading North America

Abstract Phylogenetic analysis of complete genomes of West Nile virus (WNV) by a variety of methods supported the hypothesis that North American isolates of WNV constitute a monophyletic group, together with an isolate from Israel and one from Hungary. We used ancestral sequence reconstruction in order to obtain evidence for evolutionary changes that might be correlated with increased virulence in this clade (designated the N.A. clade). There was one amino acid change (I→T at residue 356 of the NS3 protein) that occurred in the ancestor of the N.A. clade and remained conserved in all N.A. clade genomes analyzed. There were four changes in the upstream portion of the 3′ noncoding region (the AT-enriched region) that occurred in the ancestor of the N.A. clade and remained conserved in all N.A. clade genomes analyzed, changes predicted to alter RNA secondary structure. The AT-enriched region showed a higher rate of substitution in the branch ancestral to the N.A. clade, relative to polymorphism, than did the remainder of the noncoding regions, synonymous sites in coding regions, or nonsynonymous sites in coding regions. The high rate of occurrence of fixed nucleotide substitutions in this region suggests that positive Darwinian selection may have acted on this portion of the 3′NCR and that these fixed changes, possibly in concert with the amino acid change in NS3, may underlie phenotypic effects associated with increased virulence in North American WNV.
Serial aEEG recordings in a cohort of extremely preterm infants: Feasibility and safety

Amplitude-integrated electroencephalography (aEEG) monitoring is increasing in the neonatal population, but the safety and feasibility of performing aEEG in extremely preterm infants have not been systematically evaluated. Inborn infants 230/7 to 286/7 weeks gestation or birth weight 401 to 1000 g were eligible. Serial, 6-h aEEG recordings were obtained from first week of life until 36 weeks postmenstrual age. Adverse events were documented, and surveys evaluated the impact of the aEEGs on routine care. Success of performing aEEGs according to protocol and aEEG quality were assessed. A total of 102 infants were enrolled, with 755 recordings performed. 83% of recordings were performed according to schedule, and 96% were without adverse event. Bedside nurses reported no interference with routine care for 89% of recordings. 92% of recordings had acceptable signal quality. Serial aEEG monitoring is safe in preterm infants, with few adverse events and general acceptance by nursing staff.
Brewing Beer in the Laboratory: Grain Amylases and Yeast's Sweet Tooth

Brewing beer provides a straightforward and robust laboratory counterpart to classroom discussions of fermentation, a staple of the biochemistry curriculum. An exercise is described that provides several connections between lecture and laboratory content. Students first extract fermentable carbohydrates from whole grains, then ferment these with brewer’s yeast. Refractive index, specific gravity, CO2 evolution, and thin-layer chromatography are used as metrics of carbohydrate consumption. Instructors are thus provided a flexible toolkit for qualitative and quantitative analysis of both variable grain amylase activity and anaerobe fuel preferences.
On a Sequential Probability Ratio Test Subject to Incomplete Data

Abstract Incomplete data is a common complication in applied research. This complication has been mostly ignored by researchers using sequential test methodology. In this article we bring together the theoretical and practical benefits of both fields by combining them together. This is a first attempt to develop methodology for the sequential probability ratio test when data are incomplete.
INTERSECTION THEORY AND TWO-DIMENSIONAL GRAVITY AT GENUS 3 AND 4

We show that the k = 1 two-dimensional gravity amplitudes at genus 3 agree precisely with the results from intersection theory on moduli space. Predictions for the genus 4 intersection numbers follow easily from the two-dimensional gravity theory.
Reemergence and Emergence of Ips avulsus and Ips calligraphus (Coleoptera: Scolytidae)

Reemergence and emergence of Ips avulsus (Eichhoff) and Ips calligraphus (Germar) were studied in twelve loblolly pines, Pinus taeda L. Reemergence peaked at 22.2–42.2% of the infestation time span for I. avulsus and 25.5–44.7% for I. calligraphus , depending on bole height. Reemergence continued up to 60% of the infestation time for I. avulsus and 63.8% for I. calligraphus . Seventy-five percent of the attacking I. avulsus and 64% of the attacking I. calligraphus reemerged. Emergence began at 31.1–53.3% of the infestation period for I. avulsus and 51.1–68.1% for I. calligraphus , depending on bole height. Emergence resulted in a per-capita production of 1.41 and 1.43 brood beetles per adult beetle for I. avulsus and I. calligraphus , respectively. Brood survivorship averaged 13.6% for I. avulsus and 4.5% for I. calligraphus . A three-parameter nonlinear function was used to describe reemergence and emergence in relation to time. The proportion of male I. avulsus to total reemerged and emerged beetles was 0.467 and 0.476, respectively. The proportion of males for I. calligraphus reemergence and emergence was 0.278 and 0.480. For both species, higher proportions of males reemerged early followed by increasing proportions of females. During emergence, females were in higher proportions early, followed by increasing proportions of males.
Charge transfer and x-ray emission reactions involving highly charged ions and neutral hydrogen

A three-body classical trajectory Monte Carlo method is used to study charge transfer between highly charged bare ions (Ne10+, Ar18+, Fe26+, Kr36+ and Xe54+) and neutral hydrogen at collision energies between 1 eV amu-1 and 100 keV amu-1. The x-ray emission resulting from these reactions can be used as a diagnostic tool to study the charge transfer processes occurring in plasmas. For low-energy collisions (<100 eV amu-1), the electrons are captured into states characterized by large principal quantum numbers and low angular momentum. A result of this non-statistical behaviour is the increase in Lyman series x-rays being emitted by captured electrons moving directly from high-n states to the K-shell. Calculated results for the enhancement of K-shell x-ray emission at low energies compare favourably with measurements made at the Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory using the electron beam ion traps EBIT-II and SuperEBIT.
American Monitoring: Standards and State of the Art

Monitoring of the anesthetized patient, the anesthesia machine, and the patient-machine interface is an essential component of anesthetic practice in order to prevent anesthetic-related injuries resulting from equipment failure or human error. While the optimal monitor to detect anesthetic problems (hypoxia, esophageal intubation, hemodynamic compromise, for example) is unclear at present, American standards require continuous presence of qualified personnel who evaluate patient oxygenation, ventilation, circulation, and temperature. A common monitoring array includes electrocardiogram, autosphygmomanometer, pulse plethysmography/oximetry, stethoscope, anesthetic gas analyzer, thermistor, and nerve stimulator. The role of emerging technologies, including transesophageal echocardiography, automated electrocardiographic analysis of ST segments, transcranial Doppler, and transcranial near infrared spectroscopy are discussed.
Continuous cervical spine kinematics during in vivo dynamic flexion-extension.

Abstract Background context A precise and comprehensive definition of "normal" in vivo cervical kinematics does not exist due to high intersubject variability and the absence of midrange kinematic data. In vitro test protocols and finite element models that are validated using only end range of motion data may not accurately reproduce continuous in vivo motion. Purpose The primary objective of this study was to precisely quantify cervical spine intervertebral kinematics during continuous, functional flexion-extension in asymptomatic subjects. The advantages of assessing continuous intervertebral kinematics were demonstrated by comparing asymptomatic controls with patients with single-level anterior arthrodesis. Study design Cervical spine kinematics were determined during continuous in vivo flexion-extension in a clinically relevant age group of asymptomatic controls and a group of patients with C5–C6 arthrodesis. Patient sample The patient sample consisted of 6 patients with single-level (C5–C6) anterior arthrodesis (average age: 48.8±6.9 years; 1 male, 5 female; 7.6±1.2 months postsurgery) and 18 asymptomatic control subjects of similar age (average age: 45.6±5.8 years; 5 male, 13 female). Outcome measures Outcome measures included the physiologic measure of continuous kinematic motion paths at each cervical motion segment (C2–C7) during flexion-extension. Methods Participants performed flexion-extension while biplane radiographs were collected at 30 images per second. A previously validated tracking process determined three-dimensional vertebral positions with submillimeter accuracy. Continuous flexion-extension rotation and anterior-posterior translation motion paths were adjusted for disc height and static orientation of each corresponding motion segment. Results Intersubject variability in flexion-extension angle was decreased 15% to 46% and intersubject variability in anterior-posterior translation was reduced 14% to 33% after adjusting for disc height and static orientation angle. Average intersubject variability in continuous motion paths was 1.9° in flexion-extension and 0.6 mm in translation. Third-order polynomial equations were determined to precisely describe the continuous flexion-extension and anterior-posterior translation motion path at each motion segment (all R 2 >0.99). Conclusions A significant portion of the intersubject variability in cervical kinematics can be explained by the disc height and the static orientation of each motion segment. Clinically relevant information may be gained by assessing intervertebral kinematics during continuous functional movement rather than at static, end range of motion positions. The fidelity of in vitro cervical spine mechanical testing protocols may be evaluated by comparing in vitro kinematics to the continuous motion paths presented.
Primal/Dual Positive Math Programming: Illustrated Through an Evaluation of the Impacts of Market Resistance to Genetically Modified Grains

The goal of Howitt's positive mathematical programming procedure is to calibrate a mathematical programming model so that it will reproduce a set of base data for the primal variables. This article develops an analogous procedure allowing one to specify the levels of both primal and dual variables. This article also sheds light on a potential ambiguity of Howitt's procedure (with attendant policy evaluation impacts). The procedure is illustrated through application to an equilibrium displacement model focused on evaluating the consequences of the reluctance of U.S. trading partners to accept genetically modified crop products for U.S. production patterns and net farm income. Copyright 2002, Oxford University Press.
Lifestyle behavior counseling for women patients among a sample of California physicians.

Background: Physical inactivity, poor diet, excessive alcohol consumption, and smoking are modifiable risk factors associated with development of chronic diseases. Although the prevalence of diseases associated with these detrimental lifestyle behaviors is high among women in the United States, they may not receive adequate counseling from physicians. Methods: To predict physicians' lifestyle counseling practices, we assessed personal, professional, and health behavior characteristics from responses to a self-administered survey of breast cancer risk reduction practices. Subjects were California physicians identified through AMA Masterfile, in family practice, internal medicine, or obstetrics/gynecology, who were asked to report the percentages of women patients they counseled on physical activity, diet, alcohol, and smoking. Results: Of 1647 eligible physicians, 822 (50.0%) responded. Fifty-six percent reported counseling at least 75% of patients about physical activity, 54.6% about diet, and 44.8% about...
Solid-state 13C NMR studies of the interaction of acetone, carbon tetrachloride and trichloroethylene with soil components

Abstract Solid-state 13 C NMR has been applied to investigate the interaction of soil components with isotopically-enriched ( 13 C) organic pollutants — acetone, trichloroethylene and carbon tetrachloride. Acetone was studied when adsorbed onto bentonite, kaolinite and humic acid. Trichloroethylene was adsorbed onto kaolinite and bentonite. Carbon tetrachloride was adsorbed onto kaolinite, bentonite, humic acid and a whole soil. The 13C NMR results show no evidence of covalent bond formation between these compounds and soil components under the conditions studied. Substantial chemical shift differences of acetone adsorbed onto these various soil materials are related to the strengths of hydrogen bonds between the carbonyl group of acetone and hydroxyl protons presents in the clay or humic structures. For acetone adsorbed onto humic acid, the wide carbonyl peak shows evidence of a broad distribution of chemical and magnetic environments, e.g. with a distribution of proton-donor hydrogen-bonding sites of the humic structure. The 13C NMR signal observed for the carbonyl group of acetone adsorbed onto bentonite consists of narrow and broad components, which might be related to the previously reported multiphase nature of bentonite.
Umlagerungen von Aziridin‐Derivaten

Derivate des Aziridins (Athylenimins) werden durch Sauren, nucleophile Reagentien oder bei der Pyrolyse isomerisiert. Alle bis heute bekannten Umlagerungen verlaufen unter Ringoffnung, wobei vor allem die Bindung zwischen Kohlenstoff und Stickstoff gespalten wird. In wenigen Fallen offnet sich der Ring zwischen den beiden Kohlenstoffatomen. Die Umlagerungen sind praparativ brauchbare Verfahren zur Herstellung heterocyclischer Verbindungen (Oxazoline, Imidazoline und verwandter Substanzen, Imidazolidinone, Thiazoline, Pyrazoline, Triazoline). Auch N-ungesattigte Amide sowie Anile und Isocyanate lassen sich aus Aziridinen gewinnen.
A Note on Algebraic Γ-Monomials and Double Coverings

Abstract We discuss algebraic Γ-monomials of Deligne. Deligne used the theory of Hodge Cycles to show that algebraic Γ-monomials generate Kummer extensions of certain cyclotomic fields. Das, using a double complex of Anderson and Deligne's results, showed that certain powers of algebraic Γ-monomials and certain square roots of sine monomials generate abelian extensions of Q . Das also gave one example of a nonabelian double covering of a cyclotomic field generated by the square root of a sine monomial. In this note, we will produce infinitely many examples of non-abelian double coverings of cyclotomic fields of Das type. The construction of the examples depends in an interesting way on a lemma of Gauss figuring in an elementary proof of quadratic reciprocity.
Outcomes of annual tuberculosis screening by Mantoux test in children considered to be at high risk: results from one urban clinic

Background. In January 1994, the American Academy of Pediatrics recommended that annual screening with the purified protein derivative tuberculin skin test, Mantoux method, be used for tuberculosis screening in high-risk children. This test has a better sensitivity and specificity than the previously used multiple puncture test, and patients need to return for a reading done by palpation by a health care professional. Objective. To estimate the prevalence of reactivity to purified protein derivative tuberculin in an urban primary care clinic whose patients meet high-risk criteria and to determine if annual screening is warranted, to determine the adherence to return to the clinic for reading of the skin test, and to describe the characteristics of patients who have tuberculosis infection and disease. Research Design. Cross-sectional study. Setting. Inner-city, hospital-based primary care pediatric clinic in Baltimore, MD. Subjects. A total of 1433 consecutive children attending this clinic from March through September, 1994, who were at risk for tuberculosis because of frequent exposure to poor and medically indigent city dwellers. Methods. The Mantoux test (5TU intradermal injection of purified protein derivative) was administered to children at annual health supervision visits. Patients were tracked to determine those who returned for a reading by a health care professional and find those with a positive Mantoux test. The charts of children with a positive test were reviewed. Results. Five hundred seventy-three (40%) patients returned for a reading by a health care professional. Five patients had a positive Mantoux test, giving a prevalence rate of 0.8% of reactivity to purified protein derivative tuberculin. One child with a positive Mantoux test also had chest radiograph findings consistent with tuberculosis disease but was asymptomatic. Conclusions. In our city with a low prevalence of disease, children whose only risk factor for tuberculosis was exposure to poor and medically indigent city dwellers did not represent a high-risk group. Our results are supportive of the 1996 American Academy of Pediatrics screening statement that annual screening is not warranted. Sixty percent of children did not return for a reading of the Mantoux test by a health care professional. Alternative strategies that are more convenient for parents are needed to obtain accurate readings by health care professionals when skin testing is deemed necessary.
On the property of posteriors for dispersion models

Jorgensen (The Theory of Exponential Dispersion Models and Analysis of Deviance, Instituto de Mathematica Pura e Aplicada, Rio de Janerio (1992)) introduced a general class of probability models, and named the same as dispersion models. Garvan and Ghosh (1997, Biometrika, 84, 976-982) developed first- and second-order probability matching priors for two parameter dispersion models. We examine in this paper the propriety of posteriors under these priors, and other noninformative priors including Jeffreys' and reference priors. Also, we illustrate the Bayesian methods with real and simulated data.
Voltaire and Buffon: Clash and Conciliation

(1956). Voltaire and Buffon: Clash and Conciliation. Symposium: A Quarterly Journal in Modern Literatures: Vol. 9, No. 2, pp. 222-235.
Ribonucleic acid polymerase activity of the chick oviduct during steroid-induced synthesis of a specific protein

Abstract Ribonucleic acid polymerase activity has been demonstrated in the oviduct nuclei of chicks receiving estrogen or progesterone. The enzyme was DNA dependent, required the presence of all four nucleoside triphosphates, and was inhibited by actinomycin D. Both estrogen and progesterone caused prompt increases in ribonucleic acid polymerase activity. Maximum enzyme responses occurred at different time intervals following administration of these steroids. The changes in ribonucleic acid polymerase activity after progesterone administration occurred prior to the induction of a specific protein, avidin, suggesting an early effect on nuclear transcription.
Hygroscopicity and composition of Alaskan Arctic CCN during April 2008

Abstract. We present a comprehensive characterization of cloud condensation nuclei (CCN) sampled in the Alaskan Arctic during the 2008 Aerosol, Radiation, and Cloud Processes affecting Arctic Climate (ARCPAC) project, a component of the POLARCAT and International Polar Year (IPY) initiatives. Four distinct air mass types were sampled including a cleaner Arctic background and a relatively pristine sea ice boundary layer as well as biomass burning and anthropogenic pollution plumes. Despite differences in chemical composition, inferred aerosol hygroscopicities were fairly invariant and ranged from κ = 0.1–0.3 over the atmospherically-relevant range of water vapor supersaturations studied. Organic aerosols sampled were found to be well-oxygenated, consistent with long-range transport and aerosol aging processes. However, inferred hygroscopicities are less than would be predicted based on previous parameterizations of biogenic oxygenated organic aerosol, suggesting an upper limit on organic aerosol hygroscopicity above which κ is less sensitive to the O:C ratio. Most Arctic aerosols act as CCN above 0.1 % supersaturation, although the data suggest the presence of an externally-mixed, non-CCN-active mode comprising approximately 0–20% of the aerosol number. CCN closure was assessed using measured size distributions, bulk chemical composition, and assumed aerosol mixing states; CCN predictions tended toward overprediction, with the best agreement (±0–20 %) obtained by assuming the aerosol to be externally-mixed with soluble organics. Closure also varied with CCN concentration, and the best agreement was found for CCN concentrations above 100 cm −3 with a 1.5- to 3-fold overprediction at lower concentrations.
Fertilizer Placement and Tillage Effects of Nitrogen Assimilation by Wheat

Little information is available concerning tillage effects on seasonal N accumulation and their effect on wheat yield. Field studies were conducted to determine the effects of fertilizer N placement and tillage practices on the reduction and assimilation of N in winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) during 1984 through 1987 on Renfrow silt loam (fine, mixed, thermic, Uderic, Paleustolls) near El Reno, OK. Fertilizer N (50 kg ha -1 ) and P (60 kg ha -1 ) including 4 kg N ha -1 and 11 kg P ha -1 , with the seed was applied in the fall. In the spring, an additional 50 to 100 kg N ha -1 as ammonium nitrate was either broadcast or placed in narrow bands on the soil surface. Nitrate reductase (NR) activity, NO 3 -N, and crude protein (CP) content of wheat plants were determined periodically during spring growth until anthesis, and final grain and straw yield and their CP contents were determined []
Guidance law for hypersonic descent to a point

A neighboring optimal control problem is formulated for a hypersonic glider to execute a maximumterminal-velocity descent to a stationary target. The resulting two-part, feedback control scheme initially solves a nonlinear algebraic problem to generate a nominal trajectory to the target altitude. Second, a neighboring optimal path computation about the nominal provides the lift and side-force perturbations necessary to achieve the target downrange and crossrange. On-line feedback simulations of the proposed scheme and a form of proportional navigation are compared with an off-line parameter optimization method. The neighboring optimal terminal velocity compares very well with the parameter optimization solution and is far superior to proportional navigation. A variety of targeting geometries are possible,
Invariants of the Stretch Tensors and their Application to Finite Elasticity Theory

The principal invariants of the stretch tensors in the polar decomposition of the deformation gradient stand in one-to-one relation to the principal invariants of their squares, the Cauchy—Green deformation tensors. These relations are used to obtain the derivatives of the first set of invariants with respect to the deformation gradient. The latter generate expressions for the stretch and rotation factors in the polar decomposition as explicit functions of the deformation gradient, and lead to new formulae for the stress and elastic moduli for isotropic elastic materials.
An nc algorithm to recognize hhd-free graphs

The HHD-free graphs are a class of perfect graphs that strictly contain the cographs, the chordal graphs, the Matula-perfect graphs, and the Welsh-Powell opposition graphs. In this paper we present two characterizations of the HHD-free graphs and show how to use them to produce a parallel recognition algorithm which runs in O(log n) time using O(n 4) processors on a concurrent-read, concurrent-write parallel random access machine.
Modelling ocean carbon cycle with a nonlinear convolution model

A nonlinear convolution integral is developed to model the response of the ocean carbon sink to changes in the atmospheric concentration of CO 2 . This model can accurately represent the atmospheric response of complex ocean carbon cycle models in which the nonlinear behavior stems from the nonlinear dependence of CO 2 solubility in seawater on CO 2 partial pressure, which is often represented by the buffer factor. The kernel of the nonlinear convolution model can be constructed from a response of such a complex model to an arbitrary change in CO 2 emissions, along with the functional dependence of the buffer factor. Once the convolution kernel has been constructed, either analytically or from a model experiment, the convolution representation can be used to estimate responses of the ocean carbon sink to other changes in the atmospheric concentration of CO 2 . Thus the method can be used, e.g., to explore alternative emissions scenarios for assessments of climate change. A derivation for the nonlinear convolution integral model is given, and the model is used to reproduce the response of two carbon cycle models: a one-dimensional diffusive ocean model, and a three-dimensional ocean-general-circulation tracer model. DOI: 10.1034/j.1600-0889.1996.00002.x
When Less Is More: Effects of Grade Skipping on Adult STEM Productivity Among Mathematically Precocious Adolescents

Using data from a 40-year longitudinal study, the authors examined 3 related hypotheses about the effects of grade skipping on future educational and occupational outcomes in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). From a combined sample of 3,467 mathematically precocious students (top 1%), a combination of exact and propensity score matching was used to create balanced comparison groups of 363 grade skippers and 657 matched controls. Results suggest that grade skippers (a) were more likely to pursue advanced degrees in STEM and author peer-reviewed publications in STEM, (b) earned their degrees and authored their 1st publication earlier, and (c) accrued more total citations and highly cited publications by age 50 years. These patterns were consistent among male participants but less so among female participants (who had a greater tendency to pursue advanced degrees in medicine or law). Findings suggest that grade skipping may enhance STEM accomplishments among the mathematically talented.
Bcl2's Flexible Loop Domain Regulates p53 Binding and Survival

p53 not only functions as a transcription factor but also has a direct, apoptogenic role at the mitochondria. We have discovered that DNA damage-induced p53-Bcl2 binding is associated with decreased Bcl2-Bax interaction and increased apoptotic cell death in a mechanism regulated by Bcl2’s flexible loop regulatory domain (FLD), since purified p53 protein can disrupt the Bcl2/Bax complex by directly binding to a negative regulatory region of the FLD (amino acids [aa] 32 to 68). Deletion of the negative regulatory region (32-68) abolishes Bcl2-p53 binding and enhances Bcl2’s antiapoptotic function. Conversely, removal of a positive regulatory region (aa 69 to 87) of the FLD, which contains the Bcl2 phosphorylation site(s) T69, S70, and S87, enhances Bcl2-p53 binding and significantly abrogates Bcl2’s survival activity. The phospho-mimetic T69E/ S70E/S87E (EEE) but not the nonphosphorylatable T69A/S70A/S87A (AAA) Bcl2 mutant displays a reduced capacity to bind p53 and potently inhibits p53-induced cytochrome c release from isolated mitochondria. Furthermore, the FLD-only aa32-87 and aa32-68 peptides but not the aa69-87 peptide can directly bind p53 in vitro. p53-induced cytochrome c release occurs through a mechanism involving Bax’s integral insertion into the outer mitochondrial membrane. Either DNA damage to cells or expression of p53 selectively targeted to the mitochondria results in Bcl2-p53 binding followed by exposure of Bcl2’s BH3 domain in association with inactivation of Bcl2’s antiapoptotic function, indicating a conformational change in Bcl2 can occur upon direct ligation of p53. Thus, Bcl2’s FLD contains both positive and negative regulatory regions which functionally regulate Bcl2’s antiapoptotic activity by affecting Bax or p53 binding.
Systematic derivation of VLSI arrays for digital DSP algorithms

The authors present an overview of synthesis methods for VLSI array processors. The synthesis was based on expressing the algorithm in terms of a set of recurrence equations which were mapped onto a set of processing elements connected in a systolic fashion. A method for the synthesis of multirate arrays is outlined. to show the synthesis procedure, the systematic derivation of the array structure for infinite impulse response (IIR) digital filters is presented. The authors illustrate how these transformations can be applied. >
Vengeance: Effects of gender, age, and religious background

Vengeance can be commonly defined as the infliction of harm in return for perceived injury or insult or as simply getting back at another person. Three hundred fifty-three participants responded to eight hypothetical scenarios that may elicit vengeful behavior in which the offending party was either a romantic partner, a friend, a coworker, or a stranger. Participants also completed a vengeance scale and a measure of biblical literalism. Participants were most vengeful toward coworkers and least vengeful toward romantic partners. Age, religious conservatism, and gender were significant predictors of attitudes toward vengeance. Although men were more likely than women to be accepting of vengeful attitudes as measured by the vengeance scale, only age was a significant predictor of behavior in the vengeance scenarios. The current research provides a basis for a systematic investigation of vengeance within the structure of human relationships and interactions. Aggr. Behav. 27:343–350, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
A simple model for SAR azimuth speckle, focusing, and interferometric decorrelation

The phenomenon of speckle in synthetic aperture radar (SAR) images is well known as a characteristic grainy appearance of radar images. Speckle is frequently a significant obstacle to visual interpretations of radar data or target identification. In addition, it is usually the dominant noise source in SAR interferometry, since it is responsible for image decorrelation that degrades interferometric fringes, places severe constraints on orbits, and limits the accuracy of height measurements. This communication deals with the geometric sources of speckle. This conventional picture is extended to the case of vertically separated scatterers, and the formulation that results is applied to the structurally similar topics of azimuth focusing, interferometric decorrelation from defocusing, and atmospheric phase delays.
Drivers of the dynamics in net primary productivity across ecological zones on the Mongolian Plateau

Understanding the drivers and mechanisms of the dynamics in grassland productivity is prerequisite for studying effective resource institutions and policies that can be used to govern grassland resources sustainably. We present a diagnostic analysis of the major drivers of the dynamics in grassland net primary productivity (NPP) across ecological zones on the Mongolian Plateau. We estimated a spatial panel data model for NPP (1986–2009) as a function of climatic and socioeconomic variables. Static and dynamic spatial panel models were estimated in each of the sub-regions, which were classified based on rural livelihoods and ecological models of grassland dynamics, to identify the major drivers of NPP dynamics. The statistical modeling results indicated that the major drivers of NPP dynamics vary across the six sub-regions. Grain output was the major predictor of NPP dynamics in the farming and farming-grazing zones of Inner Mongolia. Precipitation and livestock populations both had significantly positive relationships with NPP in the two grazing zones of Inner Mongolia. However, in Mongolia, livestock populations was the only significant predictor of NPP in the grazing zone with relatively stable climate, and precipitation was the only significant predictor of NPP in the grazing zone with highly variable climate. Human land-use activities and livestock management behaviors and the bidirectional causal relationships between livestock populations and NPP could explain the positive relationships between livestock population and grassland NPP. The heterogeneous drivers of NPP dynamics across space indicated the necessity of diverse resource polices and institutions for sustainable governance of grassland resources.