cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Detectability of selected genetic markers in dried blood on aging.

The detectability of selected blood genetic markers aged up to six months deposited on six substrata, glass, wool, nylon, and three types of cotton (plain cotton, permanent press, and denim), was investigated. The resulting dried blood specimens were aged at ambient temperature at 20 and 66% relative humidities; a few samples were aged at —20°C Analyses were performed on the samples kept blind for the investigators at 1-, 2-, 4-, 13-, and 26-week aging periods. Red cell antigen systems selected for this study were ABO, MN, Rh, Kidd, Duffy, and Kell. The most stable antigens were A, B, and O of ABO; M, N, and s of MN; and D of the Rh system. These variants were identified in specimens aged for 26 weeks at both low and high relative humidities. The least stable antigens, Jk a of Kidd, Fy a of Duffy, and K of the Kell systems, were detectable for only one week at either humidity level. Of these antigens, only Fy a and K aged at 20% humidity were detected at the two-week test period. Other variants (S of MN and C, c, E, and e of Rh) were detected for various lengths of time ranging from 2 to 26 weeks. In particular, Rh factors C, c, and E were affected adversely by high moisture environments. The four enzyme systems selected were adenylate kinase (AK), adenosine deaminase (ADA), phosphoglucomutase (PGM), and erythrocyte acid phosphatase (EAP). AK and PGM isoenzymes were still identifiable at 26 weeks, and ADA and EAP at 13 weeks for the low and high humidity storage conditions. PGM isoenzymes appeared to be more stable at low humidity, and ADA and EAP at high humidity. No obvious differences in detectability resulting from phenotype or substrate were discerned, except possibly for permanent press and denim, which appeared to shorten the detectability time of PGM. Storage of the specimens at —20°C generally preserved the antigens and the enzymes better than storage at room temperature. The discrimination probability was calculated on the basis of the genetic markers still detectable at the end of each aging interval. No test error was assumed, and frequency of occurrence data for each genetic marker were taken from the literature.
Four Simulators of the DANNA Neuromorphic Computing Architecture

DANNA is a computing architecture, designed in 2014 to meld features of recurrent, spiking, plastic neuromorphic computing systems with very efficient hardware implementations. Its hardware design and FPGA implementation preceded any software support or simulation. Therefore, the development of simulators for DANNA had multiple, and sometimes conflicting goals. In this paper, we describe four separate simulators for DANNA, including their motivations and details of their implementations. We present a performance evaluation, and conclude with lessons learned. We intend this work to be useful to researchers involved in the co-design of novel hardware and software systems.
Baseline PET-CT functional parameters to identify low-grade versus grade 3A follicular lymphoma.

e19541Background: Fluorodeoxyglucose-positron emission tomography with computed tomography (PET-CT) is the preferred staging modality in patients (pts) with follicular lymphoma (FL). PET-CT paramet...
High Temperature Superconducting Cable Study Driving M&S Tool Development

Smart Ship Systems Design (S3D) is a software environment for the definition and assessment of energy distribution systems. A detailed study of high-temperature superconducting (HTS) technologies in a shipboard environment has driven the development of new capabilities and models in the S3D tool. As a result of conducting the HTS study, we introduced into S3D a new capability for quick analysis of thermal systems independently of the electrical systems with which they interact, we improved the method for importing and exporting the bill of materials to facilitate rapid setting of system alignments, we demonstrated a new tool to merge LEAPS databases, and we began testing methods to expand the design space. The study also provided insight for further S3D improvements such as the need for a supervisory controller that optimizes the system operating point to ensure fair analysis of concepts, for a method to prevent cross-connecting of components that are represented in multiple disciplines, and for an API to permit the use of design space exploration methods such as TIES.
Imaging Dpp Release from a Drosophila Wing Disc

The transforming Growth Factor-beta (TGF-β) superfamily is essential for early embryonic patterning and development of adult structures in multicellular organisms. The TGF-β superfamily includes TGF-β, bone morphogenetic protein (BMPs), Activins, Growth and Differentiation Factors, and Nodals. It has long been known that the amount of ligand exposed to cells is important for its effects. It was thought that long-range concentration gradients set up embryonic pattern. However, recently it has become clear that the timing of exposure to these ligands is also important for their downstream transcriptional consequences. A TGF-β superfamily ligand cannot have a developmental consequence until it is released from the cell in which it was produced. Until recently, it was difficult to determine when these ligands were released from cells. Here we show how to measure the release of a Drosophila BMP called Decapentaplegic (Dpp) from the cells of the wing primordium or wing disc. This method could be modified for other systems or signaling ligands.
Simultaneous nonlinear polarization rotation and dispersive optical bistability: theoretical and experimental analysis

We study the simultaneous occurrence of dispersive optical bistability and nonlinear polarization rotation in a nonlinear photonic resonator. The demonstrated bistable hysteresis curves of the Stokes parameters broaden the notion of optical bistability in nonlinear resonators beyond that of the traditional optical-power hysteresis curve. We present a theoretical model to fully understand the polarization hysteresis curves observed in the laboratory and to establish the relevant scaling parameters for bistable action. By optimizing the optical-signal power injected into each polarization mode of the resonator and optimizing the small-signal birefringence of the resonator by selection of the signal wavelength, a polarization rotation of 30% orthogonality was achieved between stable polarization states in the lab. The theoretical and experimental methods reported here are carried out for the case of a Fabry–Perot semiconductor optical amplifier, and are extendable to the investigation of simultaneous occurrence of these phenomena in other nonlinear media (such as Kerr media) and other photonic resonators.
Preterm Birth and Receipt of Postpartum Contraception Among Women with Medicaid in North Carolina.

To compare receipt of contraception and method effectiveness in the early postpartum period among women with and without a recent preterm birth (PTB). We used data from North Carolina birth certificates linked to Medicaid claims. We assessed contraceptive claims with dates of service within 90 days of delivery among a retrospective cohort of women who had a live birth covered by Medicaid between September 2011 and 2012 (n = 58,201). To estimate the odds of receipt of contraception by PTB status (24–36 weeks compared to 37–42 weeks [referent]), we used logistic regression and tested for interaction by parity. To estimate the relationship between PTB and method effectiveness based on the Center for Disease Control and Prevention Levels of Effectiveness of Family Planning Methods (most, moderate and least effective [referent]), we used multinomial logistic regression. Less than half of all women with a live birth covered by Medicaid in North Carolina had a contraceptive claim within 90 days postpartum. Women with a recent PTB had a lower prevalence of contraceptive receipt compared to women with a term birth (45.7% vs. 49.6%). Women who experienced a PTB had a lower odds of receiving contraception. When we stratified by parity, women with a PTB had a lower odds of contraceptive receipt among women with more than two births (0.79, 95% CI 0.74–0.85), but not among women with two births or fewer. One-fourth of women received a most effective method. Women with a preterm birth had a lower odds of receiving a most effective method (0.83, 95% CI 0.77–0.88) compared to women with a term birth. Contraceptive receipt was low among women with a live birth covered by Medicaid in North Carolina. To optimize contraceptive use among women at risk for subsequent preterm birth, family planning strategies that are responsive to women’s priorities and context, including a history of preterm birth, are needed. Access to free or affordable highly effective contraception is associated with reductions in preterm birth. Self-report data indicate that women with a very preterm birth (PTB) are less likely to use highly or moderately effective contraception postpartum compared to women delivering at later gestational ages. Using Medicaid claims data, we found that less than half of all women with a Medicaid covered delivery in North Carolina in 2011–2012 had a contraceptive claim within 90 days postpartum, and one fourth received a most effective method. Women with a PTB and more than two children were least likely to receive any method. Family planning strategies that are responsive to women’s priorities and context, including a history of preterm birth, are needed so that women may access their contraceptive method of choice in the postpartum period.
Investigating spin coupling across a three-dimensional interface in core/shell magnetic nanoparticles

We have used a combination of x-ray magnetic circular dichroism (XMCD) spectroscopy and polarized small-angle neutron scattering (P-SANS) to investigate the distribution of magnetization in heterogenous magnetic nanoparticles (NPs) consisting of a metallic Fe core/Fe oxide shell (CS NPS) or Fe core/partial void layer/oxide shell (CVS NPs). Fe ${L}_{2,3}$ XMCD spectra were analyzed with a combination of experimental metallic Fe XMCD spectra and calculated $L$-edge spectra for the Fe cations in the oxide shell. Analyses of the temperature-dependent spectra indicate a weak variation of the relative contribution of the metallic and oxide contributions for the CS NPs, and a somewhat larger contribution from the metallic Fe core near the blocking temperature ${T}_{B}$ of the CVS NP ensemble. The P-SANS data also indicate a larger variation in the magnetization of the CVS NPs near ${T}_{B}$. Modeling of the spin-dependent neutron scattering reveals large variations in the radial magnetization distribution, with a region of reversed magnetization adjacent to the metallic core. Interfacial roughness may play a role in the development of this magnetization profile.
The effects of relative humidity on Halyomorpha halys (Stål) (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae) egg hatch, nymph survival, and adult reproduction

Eggs, nymphs, and adults of Halyomorpha halys were exposed to 15%, 35%, 55%, 75%, or 90% RH provided by glycerol-water solutions. Although egg hatch and nymphal survival occurred at all concentrations, they were highest at 55% to 90% RH. Nymphs exposed at the second instar reached the adult stage only at 55% to 90% RH. Females laid the greatest number of egg clutches at 55% RH. Therefore, we believe that H. halys could survive in Florida at 55% to 90% RH, but would be most prolific at 55%.
Localizing effect of Langmuir circulations on small-scale turbulence in shallow water

Wall-resolved and wall-modelled large-eddy simulations are performed to study the localizing effect of Langmuir cells (LCs) on small-scale background turbulence in shallow water. The total velocity fluctuations are decomposed into an LC content extracted by streamwise averaging and a background turbulence part. Based on the large-scale motions of LCs, the spanwise domain is divided into three regions dominated by the upwelling, spanwise and downwelling flows of LCs, respectively. The localized Reynolds stresses in the central region of the water column under various flow conditions with different values of the Reynolds number, turbulent Langmuir number and wavenumber.
Science-to-conservation disconnections in Borneo and British Columbia

Borneo differs fundamentally from Canada, but reflections on the struggles to improve the fates of its tropical rain forests may resonate with people engaged in the same struggles on the other side...
Progression of left ventricular diastolic function in the neonate and early childhood from transmitral color M-mode filling analysis.

BACKGROUND We implemented sophisticated color M-mode analysis to assess age-dependent progression of left ventricular (LV) diastolic function. METHODS Normal infants were prospectively enrolled for serial echocardiograms at 1 week, 1 month, 6 months, 1 year, and 2 years. From color M-mode scans, propagation velocity (VP), strength of filling (VS), and intraventricular pressure difference (IVPD) in 3 segments along apex-to-mitral valve scan line were measured. RESULTS Age-wise comparisons of diastolic filling from 121 echocardiograms in 31 infants showed VP (cm/s), VS (cm2/s), and E-wave IVPD (mmHg) at 1 week to be 66.2 ± 11.9, 75.3 ± 19.9, and 1.5 ± 0.4, respectively, while VP, VS, and E-wave IVPD at 1 month were 80.3 ± 14.4, 101.2 ± 28.3, and 2.42 ± 1.1, respectively. There were significant differences in VP and segmental IVPD between first week and first month (p < 0.005) and IVPD between the age groups (p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Comprehensive analysis of transmitral color M-mode data is feasible in infants, enabling calculation of pressure drop between the LV base and apex and strength of propagation from two distinct slopes. Profound changes very early followed by relatively constant filling mechanics in later infancy indicate significant LV maturation occurring during the first month of life. IMPACT We implemented sophisticated analytic methods for color M-mode echocardiography in infants to assess age- and dimension-dependent changes in left ventricular diastolic function. Comprehensive characterization of transmitral color M-mode flow was feasible, enabling calculation of pressure drop between left ventricular base and apex and strength of propagation. Left ventricular diastolic filling function has predictable maturational progression, with significant differences in the intraventricular pressure between infants from birth to 2 years. This study forms the basis for future studies to examine alteration of early diastolic filling in congenital heart disease.
The truth about baked beans: an edible history of New England: by Meg Muckehoupt, New York, New York University Press, 2020, 352 pp., ISBN 9781479882762

In The Truth About Baked Beans: An Edible History of New England, historian and freelance writer Meg Muckenhoupt tackles the history of New England’s culinary myths, questioning the noble origins o...
Jihadist Movements in the Sahel: Rise of the Fulani?

Much of the attention paid to jihadist groups in the greater Sahel region have focused on the Tuareg movements. More recently, however, members of the Fulani ethnic group have become much more sign...
Challenges of Managing and Diagnosing Reset Osmostat vs SIADH in a Patient With Personal and Family History of Chronic Hyponatremia

Background: Distinguishing between a reset osmostat and SIADH in a hyponatremic patient can prove to be challenging in certain circumstances. Reset osmostat is an uncommon and under recognized cause of hyponatremia. Thus, it is important to recognize it as it does not require any treatment. Clinical Case: A 48 year old male with history of chronic hyponatremia of unknown cause, fatty liver, hypertension, was in the hospital post operatively after resection of a meningioma along dura. Endocrine was consulted for management of his chronic hyponatremia. Had chronic hyponatremia for over 20 years and was always asymptomatic. Normally drank 6-7 L of water at home, mostly at night. Also found to have a spinal compression fracture of unknown cause. Both his father and brother had chronic hyponatremia of unknown cause as well, suggesting possible familial component. His baseline sodium levels were 129-133 mmol/L. In the hospital, serum sodium levels decreased to the 120s. TSH was 0.307mcunit/mL (0.27-4.2). Was also placed on 1.5 L fluid restriction. Urine osmolality was 900 mOsm/kg (500-800) with sodium of 123 mmol/L (136-145), consistent with SIADH. A rare inherited disorder, nephrogenic SIADH (NSIADH), was considered. However, it has an X-linked inheritance pattern. Fluid restriction was removed, then did fluid load with 2L of water and obtained urine sodium, serum sodium, urine osmolality, serum osmolality, Copeptin (pro-AVP) before fluid load and 1 hour after fluid load. Serum sodium level went from 127mmol/L before to 125 mmol/L after. Urine osmolality improved from 984 mOsm/kg prior to 575 mOsm/kg after. Urine sodium went from 183 mmol/L prior to 91 mmol/L after. Serum osmolality went from 278 mOsm/kg (270-310) to 268 mOsm/kg after. His co-peptin pro-AVP levels were 16.4 pmol/L (ref. <13.1). They are found to be low in NSIADH. It was decided that his chronic hyponatremia was likely due to reset osmostat. After discharge and follow up, his serum sodium was rechecked and was 128 mmol/L. It would have been challenging, but useful, to try a vaptan for diagnostic purposes and possibly to increase serum sodium. However, there are complications from overcorrection. Since patient had long standing asymptomatic chronic hyponatremia with family history, it was decided not to pursue aggressive measures just to “normalize” serum sodium. Otherwise, it would have been an example of treating the numbers and not the patient. Conclusions: Case demonstrates the importance of keeping the patient, their symptoms, and clinical picture in mind, and to not just follow numbers, as difficult as it may be, especially when managing conditions in which diagnosis may be uncertain or unclear. Sometimes no intervention is needed at all, however tempting it may be to do one, it is important to keep the former option in mind. An asymptomatic patient with longstanding chronic hyponatremia due to reset osmostat is an example of that.
A Qualitative Analysis of the Remote Food Photography Method and the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Dietary Assessment Tool for Assessing Children's Food Intake Reported by Parent Proxy.

ABSTRACT Background Accuracy and participant burden are two key considerations in the selection of a dietary assessment tool for assessing children’s full-day dietary intake. Objective The aim of this study was to identify barriers experienced by parents and burden when using two technology-based measures of dietary intake to report their child’s intake: the Remote Food Photography Method (RFPM) and the Automated Self-Administered 24-hour Dietary Assessment Tool (ASA24). Design Qualitative, semi-structured, focus groups were conducted with parents who served as proxy reporters of their child's dietary intake using the two different dietary assessment methods one week apart. Participants/setting. This study was conducted in 2019 and included 32 parents of children aged 7-8 years in Colorado and Louisiana. Main outcome measures Barriers adhering to the protocol and burden with the RFPM and ASA24. Qualitative analyses Qualitative content analysis and Atlas.ti software were used to analyze and interpret focus group data. Results For the RFPM, parents described missing photos due to unobserved intake, forgetting to capture images, disruption of mealtimes and child embarrassment when meals were photographed at school. For the ASA24, parents described the time commitment as the main source of burden and the need to expand the food database to include additional ethnic foods and restaurant items. The main strengths were ease of use for the RFPM and the consolidated workload for the ASA24. Conclusions The barriers experienced by parents and burden differed by method, highlighting the importance of considering the unique characteristics of each assessment tool when designing a pediatric dietary assessment study and interpreting findings.
Investigating the influence of temperature and seawater δ18O on Donax obesulus (Reeve, 1854) shell δ18O

Abstract The coastline of Peru lacks long-lived marine organisms useful for paleoclimatic reconstructions generating a need for novel archives. Short-lived (
Multivariate Approaches to Human Learning

It is axiomatic that the study of learning phenomena is central to the development of scientific psychology. Yet psychologists acquainted with the voluminous research literature in learning realize that there is no coherence to the field. In fact, researchers in learning typically identify with a particular school, theoretical system, or area of interest, e.g., verbal learning, classical conditioning, neobehaviorism, cognitive processes, animal learning, language acquisition, social learning, educational psychology, and so forth, and they seldom interact with learning specialists in other areas. The net result of this increasingly narrow specialization has been an avalanche of empirical investigations and theoretical formulations—disconnected, unsystematic, and even occasionally contradictory. Hence, there is no single unified body of knowledge that can be called the psychology of learning.
Identification of Thiomethyl-β-d-galactoside 6-Phosphate Accumulated by Staphylococcus aureus

Abstract Staphylococcus aureus HS1159, when grown on galactose as an energy source, exhibits the ability to take up large amounts of thiomethyl-β-d-galactoside. However, the earliest detectable compound found inside the cells is a derivative of this sugar. This compound has been isolated, crystallized, and characterized as the 6-phosphate ester of thiomethyl-β-d-galactoside.
Wave Boundary Layer Processes Over an Irregular Bottom

Abstract : The broad long-term goal of this research is to extend understanding of wave processes over a very rough boundary, specifically that presented by a coral reef. From this understanding we aim to develop models that account for the effects of roughness on wave dissipation, sediment transport and biophysical interactions.
Escaping Death – Geometrical Recommendations for High Value Targets

Improvised Explosive Devices (IED) and Suicide Bombing have become the headline news for every other day. It is a growing global phenomenon that is happening from Iraq to Afghanistan, Syria to United Kingdom and Spain to Pakistan. An average US soldier in Iraq receives 6 to 23 blast wave shocks over his/her tenure in Iraq. Pakistan has witnessed 120 suicide bombing attacks in last six years. While various attempts have been made to assess the impact of blast overpressure on buildings and animals, little has been done on crowd formation, crowd density and underlying geometry to mitigate the effects. This paper is set to make geometrical recommendations to reduce the casualties in case of such an incident for high value targets, like mosques and army facilities in the frontline countries fighting the global war on terrorism. A virtual simulation tool has been developed which is capable of assessing the impact of crowd formation patterns and their densities on the magnitude of injury and number of casualties during a suicide bombing attack. Results indicated that the worst crowd formation is street (Zig-Zag) where 30% crowd can be dead and 45% can be injured, given typical explosive carrying capacity of a single suicide bomber. Row wise crowd formations was found to be the best for reducing the effectiveness of an attack with 18% crowd in lethal zone and 38% in injury zones. For a typical suicide bombing attack, we can reduce the number of fatalities by 12%, and the number of injuries by 7%. Simulation results were compared and validated by the real-life incidents and found to be in good agreement. Line-of-sight with the attacker, rushing towards the exit, and stampede were found to be the most lethal choices both during and after the attack. These findings, although preliminary, may have implications for emergency response and counter terrorism.
Dental hygienists as adult learners and educators to improve access to care.

To cite this article: Int J Dent Hygiene10, 2012; 36–45 DOI: 10.1111/j.1601-5037.2011.00510.x Rogo EJ. Dental hygienists as adult learners and educators to improve access to care. Abstract: Objective: The purpose of the qualitative study was to understand dental hygienists as adult learners and educators in their quest to improve access to care. The intent of this article is to share the results from open and focused coding procedures and the participants’ rich stories from which the analysis was constructed. Methods: A grounded theory approach to data collection and analysis was used. Data were collected from eight practitioners in three US states who met the inclusion criteria, using semi-structured interviews. Traditional grounded theory procedures with a constructivist emphasis on lived experiences of the participants and situational analysis were used to analyse the data. Results: The process of learning was experienced in three categories: Awareness, Adaptation and Relationships. Awareness was the process of learning participants experienced as developing consciousness of self, status quo, power and injustice of systems. Adaptation was constructed from experiences of specializing and creating to adjust to the new environments and prepare future practitioners. Relationships were developed to feel connected and collaborate to build support and gain respect to improve access to care. Dental hygienists as educators revealed one category: Improvement. Improvement was the process of educating others to enhance awareness, oral health and the dental hygiene profession. Conclusions: Dental hygienists were adult learners by using their experiences in the context of their struggle to improve health inequities. A strong educator role was necessary to make improvements in the oral health delivery system.
CEO Succession Practices: 2012 Edition

CEO Succession Practices: 2012 Edition documents and analyzes succession events of chief executive officers (CEOs) of SP Part II-CEO Succession Practices (2011): Includes two sections, “Board Practices in CEO Succession Planning” and “Communication Practices in CEO Succession”; Part III-Notable Cases of CEO Succession (2011): Summaries of 10 episodes of CEO succession that made headlines in 2011 (Advanced Micro Devices; The AES Corporation; Apple; First Solar; Gannett Co.; Hewlett-Packard; HR Newell Rubbermaid; PGE and Yahoo); Part IV-Shareholder Activism on CEO Succession Planning (2011): Discusses a critical policy reversal by the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on the excludability of shareholder proposals in CEO succession policies (Hewlett-Packard; Kohl's; News Corp; Red Robin Gourmet Burgers; United Natural Foods).Concluding the report is an appendix of The Conference Board Roadmap to CEO Succession Planning, which outlines a series of steps intended to help directors organize succession planning, integrate it with existing board responsibilities, make it transparent to all stakeholders, and ultimately define it as an ongoing element of business strategy.
Regulatory RNAs and the demise of 'junk' DNA

A report of the meeting 'Regulatory RNAs', the 71st Cold Spring Harbor Symposium on Quantitative Biology, Cold Spring Harbor, USA, 31 May-5 July 2006.
Small-town sustainability: a case study

Across the United States, cities and towns of all sizes are employing sustainability and resilience strategies in an attempt to address a myriad of challenges – natural disasters, rapid development, dwindling populations (Beatley, 1992; Campbell, 1996; Krueger, 2005). Yet, little is known about the communities with populations under 50,000 that are taking a sustainability approach to development. This research employs qualitative methodology to better understand Fairfield, Iowa, a City with a population of under 10,000, that is utilizing a sustainability approach to community development. This case study uses in-depth interviews, a narrative analysis, and a participatory plan evaluation to understand how and why sustainability has become a strategy for community development. Results demonstrate the importance of community engagement, proactive leadership, and goal oriented planning. This research offers insights into the way in which sustainability emerged as a theme in the Fairfield community, how it is being implemented, and elements for other communities to consider when engaging with sustainability.
The neuronal-specific RNA binding protein HuD regulates N-myc pre-mRNA stability and gene copy number in human neuroblastoma cells

2806 Amplification and overexpression of the proto-oncogene N- myc is an important indicator of aggressiveness in human neuroblastoma tumors. One factor that influences the expression and amplification of N- myc is HuD, one member of the Hu family of neuronal-specific RNA binding proteins. Studies have shown that this protein regulates processing and thereby expression of several mRNA species, including N- myc . Previous work in this laboratory has shown that (1) HuD binds to the first intron of the N- myc transcript as well as the 3’ untranslated region, and (2) N-myc mRNA and protein levels are dependent upon HuD expression levels. The studies described here sought to determine how HuD regulates N- myc expression and how such regulation might affect gene amplification. To test the hypothesis that HuD enhances stability of nascent transcripts, we stably transfected a sense HuD construct, or vector alone, into N- myc amplified, non-neuronal LA1-5s neuroblastoma cells - HuD-negative cells with low-level expression of N-myc. Relative to vector controls, nuclear Hu protein levels increased 7-fold and N-myc mRNA and protein levels increased as much as 8-fold in the HuD -transfected LA1-5s cells without changing the non-neuronal phenotype. The increase in N-myc levels is not due to an increase in the half-life of the message or to a difference in the rate of transcription as measured by nuclear run-on assays. However, levels of splice intermediates are increased 2-fold in the HuD transfectants due to the stabilization of N- myc pre-mRNA by HuD. A second line of research has implicated reduced levels of HuD as a selective factor in amplification of the N- myc gene. Previous studies had shown that transfection of HuD into N- myc amplified cells with only one HuD allele decreased N- myc gene copy number. To directly test the involvement of HuD in N- myc gene amplification, we stably transfected N- myc nonamplified SH-SY5Y cells, which have two normal HuD alleles, with an antisense HuD construct regulated by a β-actin promoter. The transfectants retain their neuroblastic phenotype although Hu protein levels are reduced 4-fold and, consequently, N- myc mRNA levels are decreased 2-fold. Analysis of N- myc gene copy number in these cells by semi-quantitative PCR as well as FISH reveals from 2-8 additional gene copies in the antisense- HuD transfected cells. Our studies support a vital role for HuD in N- myc expression and provide evidence that the loss of HuD can lead to amplification of the N- myc gene in human neuroblastoma cells.
Learning, innovation and growth: a comparative policy approach to East Asia and Latin America

How have East Asian economies managed to grow so rapidly, while reducing the inequality of income distribution and increasing international competitiveness? Independently of the impact of the current financial crisis in East Asia, it is still important to highlight the extraordinary accomplishments achieved by these countries between 1960 and the mid-1990s and to stress the rich experiences from which developing countries can continue to draw lessons. This study focuses on the development of a more comprehensive approach helping to explain the systemic nature of industrial dynamics and the interdependence of economic variables involved in development strategies. The spectacular momentum of East Asian growth achieved during this period, and now threatened by the financial crisis, is the result of the establishment of a virtuous circle of learning, innovation and economic growth. Copyright , Beech Tree Publishing.
Theoretical studies of laser-stimulated surface processes: I. General formalism

Abstract The paper provides a general framework for the analysis of various rate processes in the systems subjected to external time-dependent fields. The most important and direct application of the theory is concerned with laser-stimulated surface processes. Two examples of the application of the theory are considered. The first example is the laser-stimulated diffusion which involves only one electronic state, and the second example is the laser-stimulated electronic process which involves two electronic states. The master equation describing competing electronic and vibrational processes subjected to the external field is derived.
Ionospheric And Atmospheric Remote Sensing Using Passive Sensors

Knowledge of the instantaneous state of the ionosphere can facilitate many components of C3I systems. Traditionally, ionospheric measurements have been performed using Langmuir probes, ion mass spectrometers, radars and ionosondes. The first two sample the ionosphere in situ, along the rocket or satellite trajectories. Besides being an active probing method, ground-based radio observa-tions are limited to a geographically fixed area surrounding the measurement site. In recent years it has been shown that ionospheric density distributions can be obtained by the remote sensing of selected Extreme Ultraviolet (EUV) emissions. The sensors for these measurements employ space-based passive detection techniques. The spectral region below 2000 A has successfully been used to both probe the upper atmosphere and image the aurora, even under fully sunlit conditions. The EUV measurements can also be used to infer the energy of precipitating electrons in aurorae. In this paper recent work in these areas will be reviewed. Requirements for future instrumentations will be discussed.
Thermal stability of the human body under hyperbaric environmental conditions: a theoretical study

I report here a theoretical study of the dependence on ambient pressure of heat and mass (water vapour) rate transfer processes between the human body and its gaseous surroundings, for monocomponent gases (N2, O2, He) and/or diatomic gas mixtures (He-O2, N2-O2). Heat and water vapour rate transport are described by the following rate transfer parameters: the convective heat transfer coefficient (hc), the evaporative heat transfer coefficient (he) and the Lewis relationship (LR). It is shown that the thermal stability of the human body under hyperbaric conditions is proportional to the evaporative resistance. It is also shown that in a He atmosphere the change in the thermal state caused by a heat load of 1 W·m–2 at sea level is equivalent to the effect of a heat flow of 0.186 W·m–2 at 30 atmospheres absolute. This indicates that the thermal state of the body is more prone to instability at increasing ambient pressures.
Correlates of Malnutrition Among Children Under 2 Years of Age Admitted to Hospital in Yaoundè, Cameroon

In a survey of health status biodemographics and use of health care services mothers of 669 children under 2 years of age admitted from January to December 1984 to the Baudeloque ward of the Yaounde Cameroon Central Hospital were interviewed in structured interviews by hospital staff. Information collected consisted of children ever born number of children who died occupation prenatal visits and term pregnancy. Also infants sex age immunization history feeding practices prior to illness previous infections and diagnosis were obtained. The children were weighed to the nearest 10 g. Nutritional status was estimated based on weight for age using the classification of the International Classification of Diseases for determining protein energy malnutrition (PEM). 64% of admission occurred in the 1st year of life and only 40% of children had received all the recommended vaccinations. 45% of newly hospitalized children were of normal weight for age and 6% were classified as severely 19% as moderately and 31% as mildly malnourished. Multinomial logit modelling identified the coefficients and probabilities of level of malnutrition. Thus 55% of the children had some degree of weight-for-age deficiency according to the Gomez classification. Children with signs of PEM or diarrhea were likely to have severe moderate or mild nutritional problems. Those admitted for congenital anomalies were 3.8 time more likely to have moderate malnutrition than children with other diseases. Children aged 12-23 months were most likely to suffer from malnutrition while those aged 6-11 months tended to have more moderate or mild PEM than those under 5 months of age. Malnutrition was also significantly associated with positive immunization status (protective across PEM levels) prenatal care (protective for moderate PEM) previous hospitalizations (protective for moderate and mild PEM) and duration of illness at home (deleterious for moderate PEM beyond 7 days). Children who were fully breast-fed were 6.8 times less likely to have moderate malnutrition compared to weaned children.
Larval Diet and Adult Longevity in the Elm Spanworm

Studies of the effects of various natural larval diets on adult longevity of the elm spanworm, Ennomos subsignarius (Hubner), are reported. Adult males on all diets lived longer than adult females. No differences in longevity were found resulting from diets of either mockernut hickory and northern red oak, but diets of pignut hickory foliage increased adult longevity. The ability of the males to mate and remate and to disperse would be increased by larval feeding upon pignut hickory.
Some comments on external crack problems in 2-dimensional elastostatics

Abstract The problem of two collinear external line cracks in an infinite 2-dimensional elastic medium is discussed when a normal distribution of pressure is applied to the faces of the cracks and when there is no loading at infinity. Problems of this type have been the source of some confusion. Reference is made to the formulation and solution of similar crack problems subjected to different types of surface loading.
Turbine Blade Transient Heat Transfer Computer Code

A program, TACT1, to calculate transient and steady-state temperatures, pressures, and coolant flows in a cooled turbine blade or vane with an impingement insert, is described. Input to the program includes a description of the blade geometry, coolant supply conditions, outside thermal boundry conditions, and wheel speed. Coolant side heat transfer coefficients are calculated internally in the program, with the user specifying the mode of heat transfer at each internal flow station. Program output includes the temperature at each node, the coolant pressures and flow rates, and the inside heat transfer coefficients. The program is used at the NASA Lewis Research Center on an IBM TSS/360-67 computer. The source program consists of approximately 6200 lines of code and the program requires about 60,000 words of storage. Typical running times for the program are about 1.4 s of CPU time per calculational station for a steady-state run, and about 0.4 s of CPU time per station per time step for a transient run.
Aging and the impact of causal connections on text comprehension and memory

Abstract The hypothesis that aging is associated with an increased dependence on text-based organizational cues to support recall was investigated in two experiments. In the first, young and older adults read pairs of sentences that varied in their causal coherence. Recall for the second sentence in each pair was then tested using the first as a cue. the pattern of results suggested that young adults were likely to spontaneously infer causal connections between sentences when none was provided, whereas older adults were more likely to depend upon text-based connections to establish coherence and support memory. Experiment 2 supported this conclusion by demonstrating that the recall performance of older adults benefited more than did that of young and middle-aged adults when participants (a) were prompted to produce a link between sentences or (b) actually produced an integrative response that established a causal connection between the first and second sentences.
The effects of injections of D,L-5-hydroxytryptophan on the efflux of endogenous serotonin and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid from a synaptosomal fraction.

— The effects of i.p. injections of SO mg/kg d,l-5-hydroxytryptophan (5-HTP) and saline alone on the in uitro release of endogenous serotonin (5-HT) and 5-hydroxyindoleacetic acid (5-HIAA) were studied using preparations of axon terminals (P2 isolated from the telencephalon of rats. The level of 5-HT was 2-fold greater and the level of 5-HIAA was 5-fold greater in the P2 fraction isolated from rats given the d,l-5-HTP injection than from rats given saline injections. At 37°C the in vitro efflux of 5-HT and 5-HIAA from the P2 fractions of animals injected with 5-HTP 30min before killing was approx 3 times higher than the saline control group. The amount of 5-HT and 5-HIAA released at 37°C was 3–5 times higher than the amount released at 0°C for both the 5-HTP and saline injected rats. Increasing the concentration of potassium ions in the media to 55 mm significantly increased the release of 5-HT but not 5-HIAA in both groups of animals. The amount of 5-HT released by 55mm-K+ was about 2-fold higher from the P2 fraction isolated from rats given 5-HTP injections with respect to those given saline injections. The potassium stimulated release of 5-HT was calcium dependent. The data thus indicate that injection of 50 mg/kg d,l-5-HTP in rats can cause an increase in the level of 5-HT and 5-HIAA in a crude synaptosomal fraction and that as a result of this increase, there is a temperature dependent increased release of 5-HT and 5-HIAA under normal resting membrane conditions. There is also an increased release of 5-HT as a result of membrane depolarizing conditions induced by elevated potassium levels which is calcium dependent.
Evaluation of leukemia inhibitory factor as a marker of ectopic pregnancy.

Abstract Objective: Our purpose was to determine the utility of measuring serum leukemia inhibitory factor, a cytokine expressed in the process of pregnancy implantation, for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. Study Design: Serum samples from 40 patients with positive serum quantitative β-human chorionic gonadotropin levels were used for leukemia inhibitory factor determination. The serum leukemia inhibitory factor concentration was determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay in the following 4 groups: (1) normal intrauterine pregnancies, (2) threatened abortions, (3) spontaneous abortions, and (4) ectopic pregnancies. Results: All patients had detectable concentrations of leukemia inhibitory factor in serum, ranging from 2.44 to 8.25 pg/mL. Mean leukemia inhibitory factor concentrations for ectopic pregnancy were significantly lower ( P Conclusion: Serum leukemia inhibitory factor concentration is lowest in patients with ectopic pregnancy. A cutoff point of 6.2 pg/mL maximizes the sensitivity and specificity of the test; however, it is not sufficiently discriminatory to be used clinically for the diagnosis of ectopic pregnancy. (Am J Obstet Gynecol 2001;184:1074-6.)
The Galerkin method and degenerate evolution equations

Abstract Existence, uniqueness and regularity results are obtained for an abstract equation of the form By ′ + Ay = f , where B is not 1-1 and may vanish and A is a nonlinear operator. The desired solution is obtained as a limit of solutions of finite dimensional ordinary differential equations. The method used here generalizes the usual Galerkin method by allowing B to be degenerate and by making weaker assumptions of coercivity than are customary in most applications of the Galerkin method to evolution equations.
An experimental approach to determine the heat transfer coefficient in directional solidification furnaces

The heat transfer coefficient between a molten charge and its surroundings in a Bridgman furnace was experimentally determined using in-situ temperature measurement. The ampoule containing an isothermal melt was suddenly moved from a higher temperature zone to a lower temperature zone. The temperature-time history was used in a lumped-capacity cooling model to evaluate the heat transfer coefficient between the charge and the furnace. The experimentally determined heat transfer coefficient was of the same order of magnitude as the theoretical value estimated by standard heat transfer calculations.
Development and multiplexed control of latching pneumatic valves using microfluidic logical structures

Novel latching microfluidic valve structures are developed, characterized, and controlled independently using an on-chip pneumatic demultiplexer. These structures are based on pneumatic monolithic membrane valves and depend upon their normally-closed nature. Latching valves consisting of both three- and four-valve circuits are demonstrated. Vacuum or pressure pulses as short as 120 ms are adequate to hold these latching valves open or closed for several minutes. In addition, an on-chip demultiplexer is demonstrated that requires only n pneumatic inputs to control 2(n−1) independent latching valves. These structures can reduce the size, power consumption, and cost of microfluidic analysis devices by decreasing the number of off-chip controllers. Since these valve assemblies can form the standard logic gates familiar in electronic circuit design, they should be useful in developing complex pneumatic circuits.
The Reliability of Diagnoses by Technician, Computer, and Algorithm.

Described a computer-assisted system for intake assessment. Previous evaluation studies are reviewed. Two experiments (N = 30; N = 35) are reported that compared the reliability of a diagnostic procedure that involves technicians, a structured interview schedule, and a computerized diagnostic program with diagnoses made by clinicians. Results show that the computer-assisted technician approach is as reliable as the conventional method.
Assessment of unscheduled and replicative DNA synthesis in hepatocytes treated in vivo and in vitro with unleaded gasoline or 2,2,4-trimethylpentane

In a recent chronic inhalation exposure study, unleaded gasoline (UG) produced kidney tumors in male rats and liver tumors in female mice, but did not increase the incidence of liver tumors in male mice or rats of either sex. To examine the possible basis for this pattern of hepatocarcinogenesis, unscheduled DNA synthesis (UDS) as an indicator of genotoxic activity and replicative DNA synthesis (RDS) as an indicator of cell proliferation were measured in rat and mouse hepatocytes following in vivo and in vitro exposures to UG and 2,2,4-trimethylpentane (TMP), a nephrotoxic component of UG. Primary hepatocyte cultures, prepared from cells isolated from Fischer-344 rats, B6C3F1 mice, or human surgical material, were incubated with [3H]thymidine and the test agent. UDS was measured by quantitative autoradiography as net nuclear grains (NG). By similar methods, UDS and RDS (S-phase cells) were measured in hepatocytes isolated from rats and mice treated by gavage with TMP (500 mg/kg) or UG (100 to 5,000 mg/kg). A dose-related increase in UDS activity was observed in rat hepatocytes treated in vitro with 0.05 to 0.10% (v/v) UG. These doses were, however, toxic in both mouse and human hepatocyte cultures. Weak UDS activity was observed in hepatocytes isolated from male and female mice treated 12 hr previously with UG. No UDS was induced in rat hepatocytes treated in vivo or in vitro with TMP. Twenty- and fourfold increases in the percentage of cells in S-phase were observed 24 hr after treatment with TMP in male and female mice, respectively, as compared to a fivefold increase in male rats. UG increased the percentage of S-phase cells in male mice by ninefold but failed to induce RDS in females. Thus, there appears to be genotoxic compounds in UG that can be detected in cultured hepatocytes and in the livers of exposed mice. The lack of UDS activity in rat liver was consistent with the reported lack of liver tumors in chronically exposed rats. However, neither the UDS nor the RDS responses in mice exposed by gavage correlated to the sex-specific pattern of liver tumors observed in the 2-year bioassay.