cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
75: Programmed alterations in nephrogenic growth factor expression contribute to reduced glomerular number in IUGR offspring

CONTRIBUTE TO REDUCED GLOMERULAR NUMBER IN IUGR OFFSPRING AHMED ABDEL-HAKEEM, TASMIA HENRY, THOMAS MAGEE, MINA DESAI, CYNTHIA NAST, ROY Z. MANSANO, JOHN TORDAY, MICHAEL G. ROSS, Harbor-UCLA Med. Ctr. (LA BioMed), Dept. of Ob/Gyn, Torrance, California, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Dept. of Pathology & Lab. Med., Los Angeles, California OBJECTIVE: Intrauterine growth restricted (IUGR) humans and animals have reduced renal glomerular number, contributing in part to programmed offspring hypertension. Fetal nephron formation processes, including ureteric bud branching and mesenchyme signaling, is modulated by putative growth factors, including bone morphogenic proteins (BMPs), fibroblast growth factors (FGFs) and glial cell derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) and the RET receptor. We thus investigated the effect of IUGR on the expression of nephogenic growth factors in the developing kidney. STUDY DESIGN: Sprague Dawley pregnant rats (n 12) were randomly allocated to 50% maternal food restricted (MFR) from day 10 of gestation (e10) or ad libitum feeding, in a protocol demonstrated to produce IUGR offspring. Embryonic kidneys were collected at e20 (n 6/group) and mRNA expression determined (using real time RT-PCR) of BMP4 (ureteric bud growth), BMP7 (ureteric bud inhibition), FGF2 (mesenchyme maintenance) FGF7 (ureteric bud growth and nephron number), and GDNF-RET (inductive signaling between ureteric bud and mesenchyme). RESULTS: Among IUGR fetuses, renal growth factors promoting ureteric bud growth and nephron development showed decreased mRNA expression, as evident by down-regulation of BMP4 (0.2-fold) and FGF7 (0.5-fold). The inhibitory growth factor BMP7 showed significantly increased mRNA expression being upregulated by 7-fold. FGF2 also was up-regulated (3-fold) while GDNF and RET gene expression were unchanged. CONCLUSION: The decreased expression of stimulatory growth factors (BMP4 and FGF7) and increased expression of an inhibitory factor (BMP7), suggests that reduced ureteric bud branching contributes to reduced nephron number in IUGR fetuses. The up-regulation of FGF2 may relate to attempted mesenchymal survival in this model. Thus, altered developmental nephrogenesis may be a key underlying mechanism for programmed hypertension in IUGR offspring.
Creep behavior of a tungsten-3.6% rhenium-0.33% zirconium carbide alloy

Abstract The creep behavior of an arc-melted tungsten-3.6% rhenium-0.33% zirconum carbide, considered to be a potential emitter material for a thermionic energy converter, was evaluated at elevated temperatures (1900–2400 K) under stresses of 15–80 MPa in a vacuum below 1.3 × 10 −6 Pa (1.0 × 10 −8 torr). The effects of temperature and stress on the steady-state creep rate were determined. The stress exponent and activation energy for creep deformation were also measured. Zirconium carbide particles were found to be very effective in strengthening tungsten at high temperatures. The temperature-compensated creep rate of a tungsten-3.6% rhenium-0.33% zirconium carbide at temperatures above 0.5 T m was approximately one order lower than a tungsten-5.0% rhenium, and was two orders lower than tungsten tested under identical conditions. The creep behaviour of a tungsten-3.6% rhenium-0.33% zirconium carbide was also correlated with the microstructure that developed during high temperature deformation. Tranmission electron microscope (TEM) micrographs of the creep tested specimens illustrated that the high creep-resistance of this alloy was associated with the presence of zirconium carbide particles which retarded the movements of dislocations and subgrain boundaries, resulting in both direct particle strengthening and indirect particle strengthening.
MAPWD: an interactive mapping tool for accessing geo-referenced data sets

Abstract Many scientists use geographic location as a fundamental attribute to identify interesting earth-science data sets. The specification of this attribute in database queries is both tedious and prone to error. MAPWD is a graphical tool which simplifies this specification by allowing the user to point to areas of interest using an electronic map, instead of manually entering coordinate values. With this tool the user is able to identify regions of interest using maps with comparable detail at a wide range of spatial scales. This functionality has been achieved by hierarchically structuring the database of map vector data into separate files based on both geographic location and resolution.
Assisting Small Apparel and Textile Manufacturers in New York State: The Potential for University-Based Programs

The purpose of this study was to assess the perceived information and assistance needs of New York State's small apparel and textile manufacturers. The study examined the sources of information and assistance utilized by these firms, the kinds of information and assistance (e.g. marketing, technology) which were most needed, and the potential for Cooperative Extension or other college-based programs to assist this sector. A state-wide mail and telephone survey of 850 firms provided general information on questions posed by the objectives. Personal and telephone interviews were conducted with owners from two specific industry segments throughout the state: apparel contractors and industrial fabricated product manufacturers. Marketing was identified as the most necessary type of assistance. Recommendations were made for the development, implementation, and marketing of programs to assist this important industrial sector.
Patient Variables Associated with Penicillin Resistance in Neisseria gonorrhoeae

In an ongoing cooperative study of uncomplicated genital gonorrhea within the United States, 6,735 pretreatment gonococcal isolates were tested for their in vitro resistance to penicillin. By using a regression analysis technique, we examined 99 patient-associated variables which might be associated with penicillin resistance of the isolates. Patients were most likely to have relatively resistant isolates if they were black, had used antimicrobial agents within 2 weeks of treatment for gonorrhea, or were men with symptomatic urethritis.
Subtle sabotage: endocrine disruption in wild populations

How important is endocrine disruption as a threat to wildlife populations? This review applies causal criteria to existing studies of wild populations of fish, amphibians, reptiles, birds, and mammals to answer three questions: (1) Have endocrine-mediated effects of contaminant exposure been documented? (2) Have individual adverse effects that could lead to population effects been documented? (3) Have population level effects been documented? In fish, the possibility of population level effects is inferred from impaired individual fertility. Substantial evidence directly links fertility impairment to endocrine disruption. In amphibians, population declines are occurring worldwide and causes may vary among regions, with contaminant-induced sexual disruption being one of many insults that stymie population growth. In reptiles, local populations of alligators have been dramatically reduced by direct toxicity and recovery has probably been slowed by sexual disruption, particularly feminization induced by chronic contaminant exposure. In contrast, heavily contaminated snapping turtles display feminized secondary sex characteristics, evidence of disrupted sexual development, but populations are densest at the most heavily contaminated site. In birds, population decline and recovery have been directly linked to p,p’-DDE-mediated eggshell thinning and subsequent banning of the parent compound DDT in the US and Europe. Regional populations of predatory birds still suffer chick mortality related to PCB and DDT burdens, but no causal link with endocrine-mediated processes has been demonstrated. In mammals, contaminant- induced hormonal derangements in seals and polar bears have been documented, but no clear evidence links endocrine effects to population declines. Although endocrine disruption will rarely be the sole cause of failing recruitment or decreased abundance, it may subtly sabotage sexual development, sex ratio, and metabolic compensation for environmental stress. Endocrine disruption is unlikely to extirpate a species over its entire range, but in combination with other stressors such as habitat loss, over-harvesting, and global climate change, may contribute to local extinctions. Rev. Biol. Trop. 54(Suppl. 1): 1-19. Epub 2006 Sept. 30.
Crystals for the HHCAL detector concept

Crystal calorimeter has traditionally played an important role in precision measurement of electrons and photons in high energy physics experiments. Recent interest in calorimeter technology extends its application to measurement of hadrons and jets with dual readout for both Cherenkov and scintillation light. Optical and scintillation properties of crystal scintillators commonly used in particle physics experiments are reviewed. Technologies to discriminate Cherenkov and scintillation light is elaborated. Candidate crystals for the homogeneous hadronic calorimeter detector concept and their recent development are discussed.
Deriving semantic models from privacy policies

Natural language policies describe interactions between and across organizations, third-parties and individuals. However, current policy languages are limited in their ability to collectively describe interactions across these parties. Goals from requirements engineering are useful for distilling natural language policy statements into structured descriptions of these interactions; however, they are limited in that they are not easy to compare with one another despite sharing common semantic features. In this paper, we propose a process called semantic parameterization that in conjunction with goal analysis supports the derivation of semantic models from privacy policy documents. We present example semantic models that enable comparing policy statements and discuss corresponding limitations identified in existing policy languages. The semantic models are described by a context-free grammar (CFG) that has been validated within the context of the most frequently expressed goals in over 100 Website privacy policy documents. The CFG is supported by a qualitative and quantitative policy analysis tool.
Thermal model of phase explosion for high-power laser ablation

Although laser ablation of solid materials is finding applications in a growing number of fields, the basic mechanisms underlying laser ablation processes have not been fully understood. One fundamental parameter for high-power laser ablation applications is the ablation depth resulting from the interaction of individual laser pulses. The ablation depth for laser ablation of single-crystal silicon shows a dramatic increase at a laser intensity threshold of approximately 20 GW/cm 2 . Above this threshold, micron-sized particulates have been observed to eject from the target surface. We present an analysis of this threshold phenomenon and demonstrate that thermal diffusion and subsequent explosive boiling after the completion of laser irradiation is a possible mechanism to describe the observed dramatic increase of the ablation depth. Calculations based on this delayed phase explosion model provide a satisfactory estimate of the measurements. In addition, we find that the shielding of an expanding mass plasma during laser irradiation plays an important role on this threshold phenomenon.
EFFECTS OF BACTERIAL ENDOTOXINS ON METABOLISM : IV. RENAL FUNCTION AND ADRENOCORTICAL ACTIVITY AS FACTORS IN THE NITROGEN EXCRETION ASSAY FOR ENDOTOXIN

In vitro secretion of glycocorticoids by adrenal glands pooled from several control mice was compared with that of glands removed from animals following injections of either ACTH or endotoxin. Both substances prevent glycocorticoid synthesis stimulated in vitro with ACTH. Cholesterol content of adrenal glands under these conditions was nearly depleted, indicating maximal response to ACTH or endotoxin prior to their removal for the in vitro tests. In an effort to account physiologically for the manner in which endotoxin suppresses or prevents the rise in urinary nitrogen excreted in response to ACTH, blood non-protein nitrogen levels (NPN) were determined. The following experimental conditions resulted in increased urinary nitrogen excretion but did not alter blood NPN: cortisone given alone or at the same time as endotoxin; ACTH alone; dichloroisoproterenol (DCI) given concurrently with endotoxin; and lactalbumin digest injected intraperitoneally. Increases (2- to 3-fold) in blood NPN were observed when endotoxin was given alone, concurrently with ACTH, or 3 hours prior to cortisone, DCI, or lactalbumin digest. Urinary nitrogen excretion showed no change under these conditions. The elevation in blood NPN in endotoxin-poisoned mice was found to be due almost entirely to urea nitrogen and not to amino acid nitrogen or to other nitrogenous wastes. Blood clearance of mulin, phenol red excretion, and urea elimination were each determined in control and in endotoxin-poisoned mice. The latter mice showed impaired renal function. Treatment with diuretics (diuril and aminophylline) failed to alter oliguria or elevated blood NPN. Hydergine treatment was also without effect. Total carcass NPN and urinary nitrogen excretion data were combined to give a picture of total protein catabolized by mice under different experimental conditions. Cortisone injected at the same time as endotoxin or 3 hours later resulted in the same increase in total NPN. However, in the former case all the extra nitrogen appeared in the urine while in the latter it remained in the carcass. ACTH given alone or concurrently with endotoxin produced large increases in total NPN but less in poisoned mice. This suggests that endotoxin suppresses adrenal response to ACTH. Urea injected into normal mice was recovered quantitatively in urine while in endotoxin-poisoned mice it was partitioned between carcass and urine. Elevation of carcass NPN by means of urea injections failed to alter the lethality of an LD70 dose of endotoxin.
Are instantons found

It is argued that the recent prediction of the $a$ dependence of the coupling, $g(a)$, of an effective lattice gauge theory for quarkless quantum chromodynamics is confirmed by a recent numerical evaluation of $g(a)$ for a latticized SU(2) gauge theory, thus providing strong evidence for the dynamical role of instantons. Additional predictions, testing the validity of the quantum chromodynamics bag model, are presented.
Recasting geopolitics: the discursive scripting of the International Monetary Fund

Abstract This paper draws on an emerging critical geopolitics, an approach which attempts to denaturalize the global order by portraying it as socially and historically constructed. One means of this construction is discourse, sets of rules and practices by which we interpret and give meaning to the world around us. Such discourses provide for the possibility of certain practices and institutional arrangements, and thus have material effects, serving to ‘script’ both actors and roles within the international community. This approach is brought to bear on the International Monetary Fund, in order to examine how its role within the international monetary system has come to be defined and legitimated. This role, based in the material conditions existing after the Second World War, has increasingly come to be scripted through the discourse of US security. This discourse relies on the notion of freedom, and on specifying political and economic threats to the American way of life. In addition, the IMF itself draws on discourses, in order to script the role of the countries with which it interacts. Grounded in a development discourse which creates the need for ‘modernization’, the IMF disseminates a form of power/knowledge by casting itself as the sole authority over a wide range of issues. This power/knowledge is put into play through the imf's surveillance and structural adjustment programs, which rely on a discourse deflecting blame for monetary problems away from the industrialized nations and onto the nations of the Third World.
TLR4 Signaling via NANOG Cooperates With STAT3 to Activate Twist1 and Promote Formation of Tumor-initiating Stem-like Cells in Livers of Mice

Background & Aims Obesity and alcohol consumption contribute to steatohepatitis, which increases the risk for hepatitis C virus (HCV)-associated hepatocellular carcinomas (HCCs). Mouse hepatocytes that express HCV-NS5A in liver up-regulate the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), and develop liver tumors containing tumor-initiating stem-like cells (TICs) that express NANOG. We investigated whether the TLR4 signals to NANOG to promote the development of TICs and tumorigenesis in mice placed on a Western diet high in cholesterol and saturated fat (HCFD). Methods We expressed HCV-NS5A from a transgene (NS5A Tg) in Tlr4 -/- (C57Bl6/10ScN), and wild-type control mice. Mice were fed a HCFD for 12 months. TICs were identified and isolated based on being CD133+, CD49f+, and CD45-. We obtained 142 paraffin-embedded sections of different stage HCCs and adjacent nontumor areas from the same patients, and performed gene expression, immunofluorescence, and immunohistochemical analyses. Results A higher proportion of NS5A Tg mice developed liver tumors (39%) than mice that did not express HCV NS5A after the HCFD (6%); only 9% of Tlr4 -/- NS5A Tg mice fed HCFD developed liver tumors. Livers from NS5A Tg mice fed the HCFD had increased levels of TLR4, NANOG, phosphorylated signal transducer and activator of transcription (pSTAT3), and TWIST1 proteins, and increases in Tlr4 , Nanog , Stat3 , and Twist1 messenger RNAs. In TICs from NS5A Tg mice, NANOG and pSTAT3 directly interact to activate expression of Twist1 . Levels of TLR4, NANOG, pSTAT3, and TWIST were increased in HCC compared with nontumor tissues from patients. Conclusions HCFD and HCV-NS5A together stimulated TLR4-NANOG and the leptin receptor (OB-R)-pSTAT3 signaling pathways, resulting in liver tumorigenesis through an exaggerated mesenchymal phenotype with prominent Twist1 -expressing TICs.
Breaking-onset, energy and momentum flux in unsteady focused wave packets

Breaking waves on the ocean surface transfer energy and momentum into currents and turbulence. What is less well understood, however, is the associated total loss of wave energy and momentum flux. Further, finding a robust and universal diagnostic parameter that determines the onset of breaking and its strength is still an open question. Derakhti & Kirby (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 761, 2014, pp. 464–506) have recently studied bubble entrainment and turbulence modulation by dispersed bubbles in isolated unsteady breaking waves using large-eddy simulation. In this paper, a new diagnostic parameter is defined based on that originally proposed by Song & Banner (J. Phys. Oceanogr., vol. 32, 2002, pp. 2541–2558), and it is shown that using a threshold value of , the new dynamic criteria is capable of detecting single and multiple breaking events in the considered packets. In addition, the spatial variation of the total energy and momentum flux in intermediate- and deep-water unsteady breaking waves generated by dispersive focusing is investigated. The accuracy of estimating these integral measures based on free surface measurements and using a characteristic wave group velocity is addressed. It is found that the new diagnostic parameter just before breaking, , has a strong linear correlation with the commonly used breaking strength parameter , suggesting that can be used to parameterize the averaged breaking-induced dissipation rate and its associated energy flux loss. It is found that the global wave packet time and length scales based on the spectrally weighted packet frequency proposed by Tian et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 655, 2010, pp. 217–257), are the reasonable estimations of the time and length scales of the carrier wave in the packet close to the focal/break point. A global wave steepness, , is defined based on these spectrally weighted scales, and its spatial variation across the breaking region is examined. It is shown that the corresponding values of far upstream of breaking, , have a strong linear correlation with respect to for the considered focused wave packets. The linear relation, however, cannot provide accurate estimations of in the range . A new scaling law given by , which is consistent with inertial wave dissipation scaling of Drazen et al. (J. Fluid Mech., vol. 611, 2008, pp. 307–332), is shown to be capable of providing accurate estimates of in the full range of breaking intensities, where the scatter of data in the new formulation is significantly decreased compared with that proposed by Romero et al. (J. Phys. Oceanogr., vol. 42, 2012, pp. 1421–1444). Furthermore, we examine nonlinear interactions of different components in a focused wave packet, noting interactive effect on a characteristic wave group velocity in both non-breaking and breaking packets. Phase locking between spectral components is observed in the breaking region as well, and subsequently illustrated by calculating the wavelet bispectrum.
A STUDY OF THE END RESULTS OF SYNOVECTOMY OF THE KNEE

1. In well selected cases of chronic arthritis of the polyarticular type about sixty per cent. of the cases are benefited by synovectomy, while in the monarticular type about seventy-five per cent. of the cases are improved by the operation. 2. Traumatic arthritis has a high percentage of good results (ninety-five per cent.) after synovectomy. 3. Tuberculous arthritis of the knee does not obtain relief from synovectomy.
Bifunctional Pheromone in the First Instar of the Southern Green Stink Bug, Nezara viridula (L.) (Hemiptera: Pentatornidae): Its Characterization and Interaction with Other Stimuli

In first instar Nezara viridula (L.), olfactory and visual cues cause attraction, while visual and tactile cues are responsible for arrestment. A whole-body extract of 10−2 individual equivalents was attractive; at higher concentrations of 10° and 101 individual equivalents, the extract was repellent and probably functioned in the dispersal of the aggregation. Using chemical, behavioral, and developmental data, n-tridecane was identified as a bifunctional pheromone of first instar N. viridula; it was the primary component in whole-body extracts and the only volatile found in air extracts. Olfactometry with n-tridecane indicated that a 5 ೗ 10−5 μl dose was attractive while doses ≥0.5 μl were repellent. The emerging nymphs do not possess this pheromone and do not reaggregate if separated; the initial nymphal aggregation is maintained by tactile stimuli. As the nymphs develop during the first 2 days, the amount of n-tridecane rises with a concommitant increase in the ability to reaggregate. From day 2 until molt to the second instar on day 5, the amount of pheromone and the index of aggregation does not change significantly.
Inducers of Interferon and Host Resistance VII. Antiviral Efficacy of Double-Stranded RNA of Natural Origin

SummaryStudies in cell cultures, rabbits, and mice demonstrated the prophylactic and therapeutic efficacy against viral infections and of interferon induction by a variety of double-stranded RNA's of natural origin including fungi, animal, plant, insect, and bacterial viruses. All were found active in microgram amounts. RNA and virus were given by a variety of routes in a number of different regimens including variable drug and virusdosage. The most extensive studies were conducted with double-stranded replicative form RNA from MU9 mutant of MS2 coliphage. Remarkably favorable effects were obtained against PVM, Columbia SK, vaccinia, and parainfluenza 1 virus infections. The polynucleotide was therapeutic in mice when given as late as 2 days following PVM virus, and prophylactic when given as long as 7 days before the virus infection. Preliminary test results showed activity of the DNA-RNA hybrid of the F1 DNA coliphage in inducing interferon and resistance to viral infection.
Psychiatric diagnoses: some cracks in the crystal ball.

Psychological evaluations of Barry Goldwater, made by psychiatrists during the 1964 presidential campaign in response to a questionnaire, are summarized. The disparity and regional character of the diagnoses are interpreted as a sad commentary on a sizeable representation of contemporary psychiatry. Psychologists might well have done little better.
Tradeoffs in Public Acceptance and Water Savings in Using Reclaimed Water for Irrigation Applications

Water scarcity is a growing concern, due to stresses imposed by climate change, population growth, and urbanization. Reclaimed water is a reliable source that can be produced by treating wastewater and used to supplement non-potable demands. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, 128 billion gallons of water are used per day for agricultural irrigation, accounting for roughly 31% of total water usage in the U.S. Reclaimed water is a viable option for irrigation applications; however, the success of reclaimed water programs can be affected by public support. This research develops an approach for assessing water savings and acceptability for irrigation applications of reclaimed water. The potential for using reclaimed water in Wake County, North Carolina, is explored through the use of a modeling framework. Potential water savings are evaluated based on the volume of wastewater produced and irrigation demands. The perceptions of using reclaimed water are compared for diverse irrigation applications using results from a recently conducted national survey. Results demonstrate that acceptability for using reclaimed water to irrigate public parks, athletic fields, and residential lawns is higher than the acceptability of use for irrigating food crops. Tradeoffs between public acceptance and the potential reduction of water stress are explored to provide guidance for Wake County infrastructure planning. The modeling methodology is general and can be applied to determine water reclamation potential at the county-level across the U.S.
The q-Theory and Replacement Investment: A Cursory Look at the Replacement Decision

In this chapter, I will develop a theoretical framework to discuss the changing degree to which firms resist scrapping capital goods. This analysis builds on the futures market for capital services, the q-theory, and a small number of elementary principles.
Conformations and Exchange Dynamics of FlgM, an Intrinsically Disordered Protein, in Dilute and Crowded Conditions Studied by NMR Spectroscopy

The majority of biochemical and biophysical studies are performed using dilute solutions of macromolecules. In contrast, the cellular environment contains a high total concentration (up to 400 g/L) of biomacromolecules. Concentrated bystander molecules (i.e. crowders) can exert important effects on the dynamics and conformational ensembles of proteins, especially intrinsically disordered proteins (IDPs). In particular, FlgM, a regulator of the ordered synthesis of flagellar proteins, is an IDP with transient helices in the C-terminal region and becomes structured upon binding its sigma factor target. Structure formation can be induced by high concentrations of glucose and bovine serum albumin. To investigate the conformations and exchange dynamics of FlgM in dilute and crowded conditions, we carried out backbone 15N NMR relaxation and CPMG relaxation dispersion experiments. In a dilute condition, elevated transverse relaxation rates (R2) in the C-terminal region are consistent with transient secondary structure. CPMG relaxation dispersion data indicate conformational exchange throughout the protein sequence, possibly between extended conformations with few tertiary contacts and more compact conformations with some tertiary contacts. The addition of 100 g/L dextran resulted in elevation of R2 throughout the protein, suggesting an increase in helical content in both the C-terminal and N-terminal regions. Moreover, dextran led to an increase in the amplitude of dispersion, suggesting an increase in the population of compact conformations. The NMR studies lay the foundation for quantitative characterization of an IDP in dilute and crowded conditions.
Onboard weather situation awareness system: a human-systems integration approach

This paper presents the work in progress on the Onboard Weather Situation Awareness System (OWSAS), designed and refined using a human-centered development approach. More specifically, 3D content (integration of aircraft trajectory, flight-path and environmental dynamics), visualization (graphical integration of context-sensitive meteorological and geographical models) and interaction issues and solutions are presented and discussed.
WORKING TOWARD QUALITY OF LIFE: PRIMARY PREVENTION OF DRUG ABUSE

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses a systems approaches to the quality of life and describes a specific type of systems approach known as social ecology. It also presents a social ecological approach to the primary prevention of substance abuse. A system can be said to be a whole that functions as a whole by virtue of the interdependence of its parts. Quality of life pertains to the goodness of life, meaning the life experience, both as subjectively evaluated and as objectively measured in external conditions. If quality of life is an open system, it should be possible to enter that system from several different directions. It could also mean that quality of life becomes different things for different people. Quality of life would then be context interdependent. A systems approach to the quality of life would see the health of the components of the system as being dependent upon the health of the system. It would be to see that the quality of living for a component is interdependent with the quality of living of the system. The quality of existence for the system as a whole is interdependent with the quality of existence of the component parts within that system.
Featured Article: Pyruvate preserves antiglycation defenses in porcine brain after cardiac arrest:

Cardiac arrest (CA) and cardiocerebral resuscitation (CCR)-induced ischemia–reperfusion imposes oxidative and carbonyl stress that injures the brain. The ischemic shift to anaerobic glycolysis, combined with oxyradical inactivation of glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH), provokes excessive formation of the powerful glycating agent, methylglyoxal. The glyoxalase (GLO) system, comprising the enzymes glyoxalase 1 (GLO1) and GLO2, utilizes reduced glutathione (GSH) supplied by glutathione reductase (GR) to detoxify methylglyoxal resulting in reduced protein glycation. Pyruvate, a natural antioxidant that augments GSH redox status, could sustain the GLO system in the face of ischemia–reperfusion. This study assessed the impact of CA-CCR on the cerebral GLO system and pyruvate’s ability to preserve this neuroprotective system following CA. Domestic swine were subjected to 10 min CA, 4 min closed-chest CCR, defibrillation and 4 h recovery, or to a non-CA sham protocol. Sodium pyruvate or NaCl contro...
From the President of NAEP: Growing Assistance in the Regulatory Context: The Partnership

As environmental professionals we see more and more efforts within the regulatory community to be "user friendly."I recently attended a meeting of environmental professionals in Michigan and learned how the Department of Environmental Quality is being reorganized to better serve the professional and the citizen. Such programs as Pollution Prevention and Technical Assistance, and The Clean Corporate Citizen (which among other things provides recognition of corporate responsibility) were exhibited. Other programs discussed were units within Education and Outreach that included Operator Training certification for hazardous materials. From Wisconsin, I learned of a regulatory office of grants and contracts, just as we have here at Michigan State University. This unit is charged with supporting individuals who are applying for grants and loans to support environmental restoration projects. In some cases across the country, there are state-supported bonds that are administered through the Departments of Natural Resources and Environmental Quality.
FUNCTIONAL ABNORMALITIES OF WHOLE BLOOD IN SICKLE CELL ANEMIA

Linkage between polymerization of deoxy hemoglobin (Hb) S and ligand binding leads to functional abnormalities in HbS-containing red cells. The Bohr effects of whole SS and normal (AA) blood obtained by acid and base titration were compared at 37°, pCO 2 = 40 mm Hg, and referred to both extracellular and intracellular pH (B e and B i ). Bohr curves of SS blood were complex, with log p 50 increasing sharply between pH e 7.4 and 7.2 (pH i about 7.2 to 7.0): B e was −0.92, B i −0.99 for SS blood, −0.46 and −0.42 for AA blood. Above and below these pH ranges the differences in B for SS and AA blood were small.
Examining the Relationship between Institutional Mission and Faculty Reward for Teaching via Distance

Distance education is fast becoming an elemental part of the fabric of academic life on many campuses, and this has implications for existing reward structures for faculty at these institutions. In addition, distance education is becoming an essential feature of the outreach mission of a number of departments at college and university campuses. Without adequate and valued rewards for this increasingly important dimension of faculty work, institutions may have little chance of recruiting and retaining highly capable faculty who are willing to teach at a distance. This study focused on a U.S. land grant, public institution of higher education that has been offering distance education courses and programs for over a decade, and utilizes faculty members at all levels for distance education instruction. The intention was to explore how the institution translates its values regarding distance education into reward policy and practice for faculty who teach via distance.The aim of the study was to add to the research on distance education policy and development in higher education. Specifically, it was designed to understand distance education policy from the perspective of internal stakeholders (administrators, faculty, and support staff) in order to inform policy and practice. Further, a thorough examination of the literature produced no findings of a study that specifically examined the relationship between institutional mission and core strategies with reward structures for faculty distance efforts, including comparisons of reward practices at the academic subunit level. What emerged from the analysis of interview transcripts, and relevant policy documents and mission statements, led to the grounded theory components that higher education administrators can use to convey an institution’s commitment to distance education through mission, core strategies, and faculty reward policies and practices. In addition, the deeper theoretical understanding of policy and practice that was derived from this study can form a basis for further investigations in this area.
Connective Tissue Disorders in Pregnancy.

Connective tissue disorders are now understood to include autoimmune and genetic diseases affecting organs, blood vessels, and surrounding fascia. Many of these diseases predominantly affect women in childbearing years and are associated with neurologic complications. Pregnancy can affect disease activity (such as flares of systemic lupus erythematosus), and the diseases can affect pregnancy outcome (such as increased risk of preterm labor). We review the neurologic complications and changes with pregnancy for systemic lupus erythematosus, Sjogren syndrome, idiopathic inflammatory myopathy, and Marfan syndrome.
Two modes of screw dislocation glide in fcc single-phase concentrated alloys

Abstract Concentrated solid solution alloys (CSSAs), including medium- and high-entropy alloys, are currently being considered as prospective materials in many applications. The behavior of CSSAs under different conditions, including mechanical loading, differs from that of conventional alloys and has been the subject of intensive study by different techniques. In many cases, their behavior is treated by modifying solid solution hardening models, which, in principle, does not reflect many important features of CSSAs where the distinction between solute and solvent atoms is not clear. In this work, we report the results of an atomic-scale study of ½ {111} screw dislocation motion in an fcc equiatomic Ni-Fe alloy. Molecular dynamics simulations demonstrate that the dislocation has two distinctive modes for glide. At lower stress, dislocations move in a very rough manner that cannot be described as continuous glide but rather as jerky motion through a set of obstacles. At high stress, they glide in a manner similar to lattice friction-controlled conditions in single component systems. The stress for the transition between modes depends on the dislocation segment length and temperature. At 300 K, the flow stress saturates at ∼130 MPa for lengths above ∼140 |b| (b is the Burgers vector).
Preventable Preterm Birth: A Patient Safety Problem.

* Abbreviations: ART — : assisted reproductive technology PTB — : preterm birth The US preterm birth (PTB) (<37 completed weeks’ gestation) rate declined from 10.4% in 20071 to 9.6% in 2014 with an intense, multipronged campaign and appeared to be on track to the 8.1% 2020 goal.2 The rate remained at 9.6% in 2015 and rose to 9.8% in 2016, representing 8000 more infants born preterm in 2016 than 2015 with their associated increased neonatal and lifelong morbidities and infant mortality.3 Therefore, we need to consider the strategic approach to PTB reduction and more rigorous tactics to address this problem, including developing a culture of safety in the prenatal and perinatal periods encompassing proactive quality assurance. Pregnancy care, including planning and health care, is a complex environment deserving system safety that anticipates and prevents adverse events by identifying precursors that can lead to errors.4 Approaching error prevention by fostering a culture of safety also involves empowering all caregivers and addressing problems in a nonjudgmental fashion. Pediatricians must be aware of strategies that will reduce preventable PTBs and become champions for strategic implementation, although many of these issues seem to relate to obstetric practices. Parents may ask their pediatricians for advice during visits before or during pregnancy. Pediatricians, including neonatologists, will see patients with preventable PTBs and should work within their communities to reduce the practices leading to the unnecessary associated morbidity and mortality, always with nonjudgmental approaches consistent with safety culture. Most importantly, the adverse outcomes associated with PTB, including late PTB (34–36 weeks’ gestation), are encountered by our pediatric patients. … Address correspondence to Edward R.B. McCabe, MD, PhD, PO Box 108, Mosier, OR 97040-0108. E-mail: emccabe{at}mednet.ucla.edu
Semi-Supervised Tracking of Dynamic Processes Over Switching Graphs

Several network science applications involve nodal processes with dynamics dependent on the underlying graph topology that can possibly jump over discrete states. The connectivity in dynamic brain networks for instance, switches among candidate topologies, each corresponding to a different emotional state. In this context, the present work relies on limited nodal observations to perform semi-supervised tracking of dynamic processes over switching graphs. To this end, leveraging what is termed interacting multi-graph model (IMGM), a scalable online Bayesian approach is developed to track the active graph topology and dynamic nodal process. Numerical tests with synthetic and real datasets demonstrate the merits of the novel approach.
Siri, Who's the Boss? For Whom Do Intelligent Agents Work?

Intelligent agents are here. They exist not only in our smartphones (Apple’s Siri), but increasingly, in our homes (Amazon’s Alexa) and vehicles – consider the workings of the semi-self-driving Tesla. Not too long ago, the view that computers and computer programs were mere tools of the person using them was seen as incontestable. But increasingly, policymakers are confronting the possibility that computer programs may develop the capacity to act as agents in the legal sense. This Article confronts three different established approaches by which to answer a potentially very important legal question: For whom do intelligent agents work? The answer to this question may affect liability under a variety of legal regimes, including contract, tort and competition law, among other areas. First, contract law might answer that intelligent agents’ true masters are defined by their terms of service – but a review of these written agreements turns up almost as many questions as answers. Second, the law of master and servant, and its subset, agency law, might suggest that users – who chiefly direct these intelligent agents – are their masters, though current agency law’s treatment of software as a “mere tool” of its user is perhaps an oversimplification of this understanding. Finally, competition law and its “single entity” doctrine focus less on form than on function; however, intelligent agents may perform both economic and non-economic functions that might require more varied treatment than competition law provides. As a result, this Article concludes that, as an initial step, focusing on the degree of economic versus non-economic function and interest should be used to determine the standard to be applied to decide the question of for whom intelligent agents work.
Three studies in economics

Section I. The impact of the U.S. wheat export enhancement program on the world wheat market. The U.S. Export Enhancement Program (EEP) was included in the 1985 U.S. Food Security Act with a major objective being to increase sales of U.S. agricultural commodities. Through the EEP, the U.S. government subsidizes exports of agricultural commodities to targeted importing countries. The EEP was applied to the majority of U.S. wheat sales in 1987/88 and 1988/89. Coincident with the 1985 act and EEP legislation, U.S. wheat exports have increased significantly. This study uses a nonspatial, partial equilibrium model of world wheat trade to analyze the impact of the EEP on U.S. wheat exports and share of world wheat trade. The study indicates that the effect of the EEP on the wheat market over the period 1986/87 to 1988/89 has been a large displacement of commercial wheat sales (87-92%), with export additionality due to the EEP being only 8-13%. The impact of the EEP on other exporters' wheat trade and importer demand has been small relative to the magnitude of total EEP sales;Section II. Export allocation and price discrimination policies under demand uncertainty. This paper investigates price discrimination policies for a large country disposing of a fixed quantity of output to a certain and an uncertain market. In addition to price elasticities of demand, risk is an important reason for price discrimination. A risk neutral government sets a higher price in the uncertain market than under certainty, but the effect of increased risk aversion is ambiguous. When exports are allocated ex ante, the risk neutral exporter allocates more output in the riskless market than under certainty. The ranking of price and quantity setting policies for foreign disposal of surplus output is generally ambiguous;Section III. An analysis of producer participation in government commodity programs. Participation decisions for profit maximizing producers in voluntary agricultural commodity programs are modeled to investigate the importance of the heterogeneity of land attributes in the participation decision. The comparative static analysis of changes in program parameters on aggregate participation, acreage planted, and input use is completed for a corn-soybean producer. A corn program participation rate equation is estimated using county level data for Iowa that provides support for the hypothesis that heterogeneity of land quality is a significant determinant in the program participation decision.
Triad hybridization via a conduit species

Introgressive hybridization can affect the evolution of populations in several important ways. It may retard or reverse divergence of species, enable the development of novel traits, enhance the potential for future evolution by elevating levels of standing variation, create new species, and alleviate inbreeding depression in small populations. Most of what is known of contemporary hybridization in nature comes from the study of pairs of species, either coexisting in the same habitat or distributed parapatrically and separated by a hybrid zone. More rarely, three species form an interbreeding complex (triad), reported in vertebrates, insects, and plants. Often, one species acts as a genetic link or conduit for the passage of genes (alleles) between two others that rarely, if ever, hybridize. Demographic and genetic consequences are unknown. Here we report results of a long-term study of interbreeding Darwin's finches on Daphne Major island, Galapagos. Geospiza fortis acted as a conduit for the passage of genes between two others that have never been observed to interbreed on Daphne: Geospiza fuliginosa, a rare immigrant, and Geospiza scandens, a resident. Microsatellite gene flow from G. fortis into G. scandens increased in frequency during 30 y of favorable ecological conditions, resulting in genetic and morphological convergence. G. fortis, G. scandens, and the derived dihybrids and trihybrids experienced approximately equal fitness. Especially relevant to young adaptive radiations, where species differ principally in ecology and behavior, these findings illustrate how new combinations of genes created by hybridization among three species can enhance the potential for evolutionary change.
Lower Postprandial Thermogenic Response to an Unprocessed Whole Food Meal Compared to an Iso-Energetic/Macronutrient Meal Replacement in Young Women: A Single-Blind Randomized Cross-Over Trial

In contrast to ultra-processed foods that are associated with increased weight gain and obesity risk, nutritionally engineered dietary supplements, including meal replacement (MR) bars and shakes, are generally promoted as healthy. Limited data is available comparing the metabolic and hunger responses of whole food (WF) versus MR meals. The purpose of this study was to directly compare the thermic effect (TEM), respiratory exchange ratio (RER), hunger/taste ratings, and glucose response of two different breakfast meals containing MR and WF products in young healthy women. Eight volunteers completed two iso-caloric (529 kcals)/macronutrient (50% carbohydrates; 26% fat; 24% protein) test meals in a single-blind, randomized crossover design: (1) whole food meal; or (2) meal replacement. TEM was significantly higher following MR compared with WF (percent mean difference: 7.76 ± 3.78%; absolute mean difference: 0.053 ± 0.026 kcal/minute, p = 0.048), whereas WF substrate utilization demonstrated lower carbohydrate oxidation (RER) than MR (mean difference: -0.024 ± 0.008, p = 0.005). No differences existed for blood glucose response and feelings of hunger, desire to eat, and satiety among trials. Consumption of an MR meal increases postprandial thermogenesis and RER compared to a WF meal, which may impact weight control and obesity risk over the long-term.
Uniqueness of CPn

Abstract We give an exposition of a theorem of Hirzebruch, Kodaira and Yau which proves the uniqueness of the Kahler structure of complex projective space, and of Yau’s resolution of the Severi Conjecture.
The German New Right: AfD, PEGIDA and the Re-Imagining of National Identity: by Jay Julian Rosellini, London, Hurst Publishers, 2019, 200 pp., $55.00, (hardback), ISBN: 9781787381407

Over the past few years, Europe has experienced a surge of right-wing sentiments, groups, movements, and political parties, many of which are concerned about an influx of undesirable outsiders (esp...