cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Limits of Agronomic Determinism: A Critique of Paige's Agrarian Revolution

Social scientists left and right have long engaged in the project of identifying the conditions under which revolutionary, class-conscious social movements emerge. This project aims at prediction, in the hope of either promoting social revolutions or preventing them. Until quite recently both Marxist and liberal social scientists have focussed on “modern” urban social classes as the generators of revolution: the bourgeoisie, the intellectuals, the industrial proletarlat. But paradoxically, though Marx summarily dismissed the peasantry as so many “potatoes in a sack,” and despite the generality of working-class social movements, the major revolutions of our time have been made largely by country people, to the extent that they were made by social movements at all. Thus two major issues take shape in the study of revolutions. One, how and why do peasants—allegedly “premodern” and conservative—defy the laws of social science and becomerevolutionary agents? What is it about rural social conditions that enabled them to dynamite the old order? Two, what is the relationship between revolutionary social movements on the one hand, and revolutionary outcomes on the other? A movement entails the collective action of a class whose ideology may be described as more or less radical; a revolution entails the overhauling of a social structure. In this context, no matter how ideologically “revolutionary” a social movement may be, it is but one of the causal elements that converge to produce social revolution.
A dielectric study of poly(vinyl acetate) using a pulse-probe technique

There is considerable literature available that describes our understanding of the viscoelastic properties of polymers subjected to mechanical stresses or deformations. What we refer to here as a pulse-probe technique is one method that is commonly used to study the time-dependent behavior of materials in histories, e.g., temperature-jump or step-deformations, that exhibit fading memory responses. In the linear case the behavior is well understood in the context of Boltzmann superposition ideas. However, there is only limited work available that investigates the dielectric response of materials within this same context. In the present study, we present an investigation of the dielectric behavior of poly(vinyl acetate) (PVAc) using a two-step pulse-probe technique. Time domain dielectric experiments were performed in the vicinity of the glass transition temperature. After establishing the linear response function in single-step experiments, two types of pulse-probe experiments were performed. In one, the time duration t1 of the first step in the probe was varied. In the second case, the magnitude of the field E1 applied to the sample for the first step was varied. We not only demonstrate the existence of the memory effect in the dielectric response, but also find that the responses are consistent with the linear Boltzmann superposition principle. Evidence of deviations from linear superposition at the highest electric fields is also presented.
Hardware spatial forwarding for widely shared data

Applications with widely shared data do not perform well on cc-NUMA multiprocessors due to the hot-spots they create in the system. In this paper we address this problem by enhancing the memory controller with a forwarding mechanism capable of hiding the read latency of widely shared data, while potentially decreasing the memory and network contention. Based on the influx of requests, the memory anticipates the next read references and forwards the data in advance to the processors. To identify the set of processors the data is to be forwarded to we use a heuristic based on the spatial locality of memory blocks. To increase the forwarding effectiveness and minimize the number of messages, we incorporate simple filters combined with a feedback mechanism. We also show that further improvements are possible using a combined software-prefetching/hardware-forwarding approach. Our experimental results obtained with a detailed execution driven simulator with ILP processors show significant improvements in execution time (up to 37%).
Organization Structure from a Loose Coupling Perspective: A Multidimensional Approach*

Organizational theories frequently rely on notions of sharing and dependence among organizational participants, but researchers usually focus on characteristics of the actors themselves instead of the relational patterns among the actors. Loose coupling is one conceptual tool that emphasizes relational patterns. Loose coupling, however, is an abstract metaphor that is simultaneously fertile and ambiguous. This paper develops a rigorous and comprehensive framework that sharpens the theoretical contributions of loose coupling to our understanding of structural relationships. Characteristics of loose coupling capture some important and underexplored features of multidimensional fit and interdependence in organizations. The proposed framework clarifies these theoretical contributions of loose coupling with concepts and equations modified from network analysis. Testable hypotheses are proposed with respect to three key independent variables that may affect patterns of coupling: organization strategy, technology, and environmental turbulence. Additional hypotheses are advanced with respect to the use of the multidimensional approach to loose coupling in studying new organizational forms. Initial psychometric and empirical evidence are presented.
Untersuchungen über Fett-Eiweiß-Komplexe in Cerealien II: Über die Zusammensetzung der Protein- und der Lipoidkomponente†

Aus verschiedenen Getreidearten wurde ein Proteolipid isoliert, das sich bei der Elektrophorese und bei der DC wie ein einheitliches Molekul verhalt. Beim Lyophilisieren des nativen Proteolipids tritt irreversibel Zerfall ein; Eiweis- und Fettkomponente lassen sich auf diese Weise trennen und getrennt untersuchen. Die Aminosaurezusammensetzung des Eiweisanteils ahnelt beim Weizen-, Roggen- und Hafermehl jeweils der Aminosaurezusammensetzung des entsprechenden Zwickelproteins. Im Elektropherogramm und Saulen-Chromatogramm des abgetrennten Eiweisanteils werden 8 bis 9 Gipfel sichtbar. Als N-endstandige Aminosauren sind bei allen untersuchten Proteinfraktionen die gleichen 8 bis 9 Aminosauren ermittelt worden. Der Fettanteil des Proteolipids besteht aus 3 bis 4 lecithinahnlichen Komponenten und folgenden Fettsauren: Linolsaure, Palmitinsaure, Olsaure, Linolensaure, Stearinsaure. Investigations on Fat-Protein Complexes in Cereals II: Composition of Protein- and Lipid-Components A proteolipid, which behaves like an uniform molecule during electrophoresis and TLC, was isolated from different kinds of cereals. An irreversible decomposition of the native proteolipid occurs during lipophilization. Thus, the component proteins and fats can be separated and investigated separately. The amino acid composition of the protein part of wheat-, rye- and oat-flour is similar to that of the corresponding „Zwickel”-proteins. Eight to nine peaks were observed in the electrophoretic and column chromatographic charts of the protein portions. The same 8 to 9 amino acids ending with N were found in all the protein fractions investigated. The fat portion of the proteolipid consists of 3 to 4 components, which are similar to lecithin, and the following fatty acids: linoleic, palmitic, oleic, linolenic and stearic.
Radiation Effects in IRAS Extrinsic Infrared Detectors

During the calibration and testing of the Infrared Astronomy Satellite (IRAS) focal plane, it was observed that the extrinsic photoconductor detectors were affected by gamma radiation at dose levels of the order of one rad. Since the flight environment will subject the focal plane to dose levels of this order from protons in single pass through the South Atlantic Anomaly, an extensive program of radiation tests was carried out to measure the radiation effects and to devise a method to counteract these effects. The effects observed after irradiation are increased responsivity, noise, and rate of spiking of the detectors after gamma-ray doses of less than 0.1 rad. The detectors can be returned almost to pre-irradiation performance by increasing the detector bias to breakdown and allowing a large current to flow for several minutes. No adverse effects on the detectors have been observed from this bias boost, and this technique will be used for IRAS with frequent calibration to ensure the accuracy of observations made with the instrument.
Testing the Global Warming Hypothesis

The temperature record for the global surface air temperature indicates that six of the warmest years occurred in the period 1980–1988. Here we address the question on the likelihood that such an arrangement is simply a manifestation of the natural variability of the system. Our results indicate that the probability that such an arrangement will arise naturally is between 0.010 and 0.032.
Spatial regulation of homeobox gene fusions in the embryonic central nervous system of transgenic mice.

Abstract The spatially restricted expression of mammalian homeobox genes in the embryonic central nervous system (CNS) provides an opportunity to study the basis of spatial gene regulation in mammalian development. Here, we define a regulatory region of the murine Hox 1.3 gene that mediates such a region-specific expression pattern. The Hox 1.3 gene contains two exons, encodes a putative protein of 270 amino acids, and is expressed preferentially in the spinal cord at midgestation. We have analyzed transgenic mice containing various Hox 1.3 DNA fragments fused to reporter sequences, such as a human growth hormone gene fragment or the E. coli LacZ structural gene. As shown by RNAase protection assays or by in situ analyses of β-galactosidase activity, several hybrid genes are expressed in the embryonic central nervous system in a spatially restricted manner, along both the rostrocaudal and dorsoventral axes. A 912 nucleotide sequence located immediately upstream of the Hox 1.3 coding sequence is sufficient to direct expression to the dorsolateral cells of the brachial spinal cord.
Hey Garvin! Science is a game: A reply to McCain, Ward, and Lobb

Several of the points raised by McCain, Ward, and Lobb are considered in an attempt to better understand the variety of results that have been obtained in magnitude of reward experiments. Data from a magnitude of reward study are presented in which: (1) magnitude effects are found early in training (start measure), (2) magnitude effects are NOT found (run measure), and (3) magnitude effects are found that persist throughout the course of the 56 trials administered (goal measure). These results point to the complexity of the phenomenon under investigation and suggest the need for continued research.
Self-organized nanoscale structures in {Si}/{Ge} films

Abstract Nanotechnologies of the future will demand the creation of large arrays of nanoscale structures and morphologies for electronic and optoelectronic devices. One approach to the creation of such arrays is to “let nature do it”. By depositing on each other semiconductor materials that differ slightly in lattice constant, one can use the resulting lattice strain to obtain arrays of three-dimensional crystallites or “quantum dots”. Repeated deposition of alternate layers of one material and the other into a multilayer film enhances the regularity in position and size of these quantum dots, giving the prospect of a three-dimensional array of tiny structures that can communicate electronically but without wires. The concept is illustrated with experiments using SiGe films deposited on Si(001).
Essentially doubly stochastic matrices II. Canonical forms for row equivalence, equivalence, and a special case of congruence☆

Abstract In this paper we obtain canonical forms for row equivalence, equivalence, and a special case of congruence in the algebra of essentially doubly stochastic (e.d.s.) matrices of order n over a field F , char( F ) [nmid] n . These forms are analogues of familiar forms in ordinary matrix algebra. The canonical form for equivalence is used in showing, in a subsequent paper, that every e.d.s. matrix of rank r and order n over F , char( F ) = 0 or char( F ) > n , is a product of elementary e.d.s. matrices, n – r of which are singular.
Effect of Cyanide Poisoning on the Central Nervous System of Rats and Dogs.

Summary1. Prolonged cyanide poisoning in rats may cause cerebral changes in 10% of the animals. 2. Daily injection of potassium thiocyanate similarly results in brain injury in 10% of rats. 3. In the rat continuous administration of sodium nitrite does not produce lesions in the central nervous system. 4. In dogs cyanide poisoning with or without the nitrite-thiosulfate therapy does not induce abnormal behavior. When they die from the poisoning, their brains usually show a normal appearance.
Modeling ultrawideband sea clutter

Since ultrawideband (UWB) radar views the sea scattering surface in minute detail, the prediction of UWB sea clutter entails knowledge of the signal's physical origin, or at least a 'plausibility model' that describes likely sea clutter behavior under a given set of operational circumstances. Calculations are presently conducted for the rate at which the 'islands' of scattering that are generated by surface illumination of an evaporative layer above the sea surface can be expected to be encountered.
Effect of volume and viscosity of coadministered fluid on gastrointestinal distribution of small particles

Abstract The effect of volume and viscosity of a coadministered liquid on distribution and discharge kinetics of small particles of varying densities was studied in the fasted, cannulated dog. Particles of similar size (average diameter 1.0 mm), having densities of 0.5, 1.25, and 2.4 g/ml, were used in the study. Either 50 or 300 ml of Methocel solutions ranging in viscosity from 20 to 45000 cps at 25°C were coadministered with the particles. All materials were administered orally during phase I in the fasted dogs, and discharged particles were collected from a permanent cannula situated 10–15 cm from the pylorus. Methocel solutions with viscosities up to 500 cps showed no effect on the distribution or transit times of particles as compared with water. However, viscosities of 5000 and 45000 cps caused varying degrees of distribution of particles with densities of 0.5 and 1.25 g/ml. The discharge pattern of particles with density 2.4 g/ml is affected only with a viscosity value of 45 000 cps or greater. In general, a large volume (300 ml) distributed the particles better than a small volume (50 ml). The conclusion from these studies is that small non-digestible particles empty as a bolus during phase III when given with liquids of low viscosity, but when administered with liquids of viscosity higher than 5000 cps, they empty with the liquid and show a tendency of distribution.
Congenital and Acquired Disorders Presenting as Psychosis in Children and Young Adults

A review of the published literature found 60 congenital and acquired disorders with symptoms that include psychosis in youth. The prevalence, workup, genetics, and associated neuropsychiatric features of each disorder are described. Eighteen disorders (30%) have distinct phenotypes (doorway diagnoses); 18 disorders (30%) are associated with intellectual disability; and 43 disorders (72%) have prominent neurologic signs. Thirty-one disorders (52%) can present without such distinct characteristics, and are thus more easily overlooked. A systematic and cost-effective differential diagnostic approach based on estimated prevalence and most prominent associated signs is recommended.
Stress Determination in Thermally Grown Alumina Scales Using Ruby Luminescence

By exploiting the strain dependence of the ruby luminescence line, we have measured the strain in alumina scales thermally grown on Fe-Cr-Al alloys. Results are compared, and found to be reasonably consistent with strains determined using x-rays. Oxidation studies were carried out on alloys with compositions Fe - 5 Cr - 28 Al and Fe - 18 Cr - 10 Al (at. %, bal. Fe). Significantly different levels of strain buildup were observed in scales on these alloys. Results on similar alloys containing a “reactive element” (Zr or Hf) in dilute quantity are also presented. Scales on alloys containing a reactive element (RE) can support significantly higher strains than scales on RE-free alloys. With the luminescence technique, strain relief associated with spallation thresholds is readily observed.
St. Jude biopolymeric graft: development and initial clinical performance.

(1988). St. Jude Biopolymeric Graft: Development and Initial Clinical Performance. Journal of Investigative Surgery: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 13-24.
The quasicrystalline approximation: Comparison of the spectral density with exact results

Abstract The quasicrystalline approximation (QCA) for electronic excitations in a one-dimensional liquid metal is examined by comparing the spectral density A ( k , E ) to exact numerical results. The numerical method is briefly described and the limitations of teh QCA are indicated.
Phylogenetic trees in ACL2

Biologists studying the evolutionary relationships between organisms use software packages to solve the computational problems they encounter. Several of these problems involve the production and analysis of phylogenetic trees. We present our system for phylogenetic tree manipulation, TASPI, which was designed to allow the specification and verification of various tree operations, while giving good execution performance. The first aspect of TASPI is a new format for storing and manipulating phylogenetic trees that significantly reduces storage requirements while continuing to allow the trees to be used as input to post-tree analysis. We also prove the correspondence of this format to another tree format. In addition, we give a consensus algorithm with verified guards that is faster by an order of magnitude than standard phylogenetic analysis tools.
Neuronal populations in the gerbil PVCN: Effects of age, hearing status and microcysts

This study was designed to test the hypothesis that microcysts in the gerbil auditory system are formed from neuronal somata. Six neuronal types (octopus, multipolar, bushy, elongate, miscellaneous and small) were distinguished, counted and measured along with the microcysts in the posteroventral cochlear nuclei (PVCNs) of 3, 12 and 36 month old gerbils. No decrease was observed in the numbers of neurons in any neuronal class, or in the neuronal population as a whole, in the PVCN of the gerbil as a function of age. Neither was any change observed in the PVCN area occupied by non-neuronal, non-microcyst elements. Neuronal sizes were unchanged between 3 and 12 months, but multipolar and bushy cells, as well as the total neuronal population decreased significantly in size between 12 and 36 months. The number and size of microcysts increased significantly between 3 and 12 months of age and accounts for increases in PVCN volume. The number and size of microcysts decreased significantly between 12 and 36 months. Thus, the appearance of microcysts can not result from the selective loss of any single class of neurons. Hearing was assessed in five 36 month old animals with auditory brainstem responses (ABR) and number and size of microcysts were found to correlate with hearing status, being largest and most numerous in animals with the best hearing, and smallest and fewest in the deaf animal. It is concluded that microcysts cannot represent a neurodegenerative disease of neuronal somata. Microcyst formation appears to be a dynamic process related to the degree of auditory stimulation.
ABORTED PUBERTY: A NEW CLINICAL ENTITY

Previous studies have shown that gonadotropin response to I/V bolus injection of GnRH differs in prepubertal (PPP) and pubertal patients (PP). In the PPP patients GnRH response is minimal, with the LH/FSH ratio being less than one. In contrast, the PP patient demonstrates a marked response in LH secretion with the LH/FSH ratio being greater than one. We studied a group of 12 girls, aged 6 to 8 years, designated as Aborted Puberty (AB). They all presented with signs of precocious puberty (breast & pubic hair development) but differed from true precocious puberty in that their early pubertal development spontaneously regressed. These AB patients responded differently to GnRH than expected, as seen in the table below. They demonstrated a greater rise in both FSH and LH than the PPP patients. In contrast to the PP patients their LH/FSH ratio is less than one. We submit to have discovered a new variant of normal pubertal development, termed “Aborted Puberty”, which is different from all other pubertal states based on its gonadotropin response to GnRH stimulation.
Impact of a Water Conservation Campaign Some Extensions on a Time Series Analysis

An extension of a previous abstract time series analysis of water demand, this study in corporates the effects of price changes and water district conservation efforts. The findings indicate that a 10% price increase will reduce water consumption by 3,6% and that a 10% increase in conservation effort (real dollars expended) reduces water usage by 0.4%
Conversion of high affinity acetylcholine receptor from Torpedo californica electroplax to an altered form

Abstract Most Triton extracts of fresh electroplax membranes showed a single kind of acetylcholine binding, of high affinity, with K d = 17 nM. Fresh membrane preparations without Triton also showed only high-affinity binding ( K d = 14 nM), but membrane preparations from electroplax stored for 5 months in liquid nitrogen gave equal amounts of low-affinity binding material ( K d = 0.2 μ M). Heating Triton extracts at 40 °C for 40 min or treating with 10 −4 m p -chloromercuribenzoate or 5,5′-dithiobis(2-nitrobenzoic acid) converted the preparation to more than 90% low-affinity binding. It is suggested that the high-affinity is the native form and the low-affinity is an oxidation product.
Interaction of free and forced convection in horizontal tubes in the transition regime.

Experimental investigation of some new aspects of the combined free and forced convection interacting in the transition regime of a horizontal tube under uniform heat flux conditions. The results obtained include indications that thermally induced secondary flows attenuate the fluctuations in low inlet turbulence flows, while they restabilize the flow as the inlet turbulence is increased.
Minimum entropy time-frequency distributions

We present an approach to designing discrete time-frequency distributions that are extremely localized in the time-frequency plane. These distributions, which satisfy the marginals, are constructed recursively by transferring energy among the points in the time-frequency distribution (TFD) in a direction which decreases the entropy of the TFD. This transfer is such that the resulting TFD continues to satisfy the marginal constraints.
Neurologic Complications of Celiac Disease

Patients with celiac disease (CD) [n=l 11] and controls (n=211) were questioned regarding neurologic disorders, their charts were reviewed, and they received neurologic evaluations, including brain imaging or EEG if indicated, in a study of neurologic complications of CD at Carmel Medical Center, Technion-Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel.
The New Containment Myth: Realism and the Anomaly of European Integration

Kegley, skeptical of the Western perception that Soviet surrender was proof of American superiority in the arms race and the reliance on NATO to “spend the Soviets into submission”-the new containment “myth”-analyzes the origins of the U.S. containment doctrine. He contrasts the harsher realist Hobbsian/Machiavellian views focusing on a stringent containment policy to those of Niebuhr, Morgenthau, and Kennan, who advocated a gradual opposition to the Soviets through patient political and diplomatic means. Kegley advocates Kennan's argument that the “inevitable triumph of Western liberalism” was certain and the failure of the communist regime was predetermined by its insulation. Empirical tests have not validated the extent of influence of NATO and practice of nuclear deterrence on the disintegration of the Soviet Union. Kegley argues for a focus on promoting the success of Russia while using the relative success European integration as grounds to work within a transnational collaboration framework based on Kennan's initial recommendations.
Observed Variability in Tests of Fresh Concrete Properties from the FHWA Highway Materials Engineering Course

From 1990 to 2008 an integral component of the portland cement concrete module of the annual National Highway Institute Highway Materials Short Course was a series of independent and parallel evaluations of fresh and hardened properties for a single load of concrete. Up to six testing teams independently sampled concrete from the truck and tested the fresh concrete for temperature, slump, and air content by pressure and by volume meter. The experiment was repeated annually to demonstrate test procedures and the variability in test results for concrete from a single load. Results indicate the time dependency in both slump and apparent air content, the relationship between slump and apparent air content, and the difference between air content as indicated by the AASHTO T 152/ASTM C231 pressure air meter and the AASHTO T 196/ASTM C173 volumetric air meter.
Valacyclovir for the treatment of genital herpes

Genital herpes is the most prevalent sexually transmitted infection in the USA. While sometimes mild in severity, it can be a distressing and painful chronic condition. Likewise, herpes labialis and herpes zoster can be both physically and psychologically painful. While there is no cure for these conditions, treatment to alleviate symptoms, suppress recurrences and reduce transmission has been drastically improved over the past 20 years with the use of guanine nucleoside antivirals, such as valacyclovir hydrochloride (Valtrex®, GlaxoSmithKline) the highly bioavailable prodrug of acyclovir (Zovirax®, GlaxoSmithKline), and famciclovir (Famvir®, Novartis), a highly bioavailable prodrug of penciclovir (Denavir®, Novartis). Clinical trials involving approximately 10,000 patients (including patients from nongenital herpes studies, such as herpes zoster) have assessed the safety and efficacy of valacyclovir in the treatment of initial genital herpes outbreaks, episodic treatment of recurrent episodes and daily s...
THE IMPACT OF ELECTORAL RULES ON FACTIONAL COMPETITION IN THE DEMOCRATIC SOUTH, 1919-48

This article investigates the influence of electoral rules on the factional systems that emerge in the primaries of a one-party political system. It shows that at the state level, especially in gubernatorial primaries, Key (1949) is correct that Southern states did not typically follow the Duvergerian logic that for single-member districts there should be two competitors in plurality-rule primaries and three or fewer competitors in majority-rule with runoff primaries. However, it is found that Southern counties and parishes did satisfy the expectations of institutionalists. The latter finding is novel and important because it would seem to imply some form of political communication or organization that structured elections at the local level.
World Messianity: A study in liminality and communitas

Among all the different religious movements in contemporary Japan one must acknowledge that from the point of view of the number of members, financial assets, physical facilities and activities, the most dominant are those that arose in the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, and are referred to collectively as ‘newly arisen religions’ (Shinkō Shūkyō). Various observers have offered their explanations for the success and popularity of these groups in religious, sociological, psychological and historical terms.1 Several of these groups fall into the category of millenarian and messianic movements and have been discussed by Professor Carmen Blacker in her essay, ‘Millenarian Aspects of the New Religions in Japan’.2 Why and how do millenarian and messianic movements remain popular and maintain their vitality even when the circumstances surrounding their founding change? How do they continue their dynamic growth after the messiah dies or when the millennium is delayed? What are the similarities and differences between these groups in Japan and those in other cultural areas?
Program SimAssem: software for simulating species assemblages and estimating species richness

Summary 1. Species richness, the number of species in a defined area, is the most frequently used biodiversity measure. Despite its intuitive appeal and conceptual simplicity, species richness is often difficult to quantify, even in wellsurveyed areas, because of sampling limitations such as survey effort and species detection probability. Nonparametric estimators have generally performed better than other options, but no particular estimator has consistently performed best across variation in assemblage and survey parameters. 2. In order to evaluate estimator performances, we developed the program SimAssem. SimAssem can: (i) simulate assemblages and surveys with user-specified parameters, (ii) process existing species encounter history files, (iii) generate species richness estimates not available in other programs and (iv) format encounter history data for several other programs. 3. SimAssem can help elucidate relationships between assemblage and survey parameters and the performance of species richness estimators, thereby increasing our understanding of estimator sensitivity, improving estimator development and defining the bounds for appropriate application.
Experimental Implementation of a Nonlinear Control Method for Magnetostrictive Transducers

In this paper, we discuss the development and experimental implementation of a nonlinear control design for magnetostrictive transducers operating in hysteretic regimes. The hysteresis and constitutive nonlinearities are characterized using a homogenized energy framework based on energy relations at the lattice level employed in combination with stochastic homogenization techniques that incorporate material and field nonhomogeneities. Using this framework, we employ nonlinear optimal control theory to construct open loop inputs for tracking. We subsequently employ Pi-based perturbation feedback to ensure robustness with respect to model uncertainty and sensor noise. Experimental implementation results at frequencies up to 1000 Hz demonstrate the feasibility of the method for high speed tracking while operating in highly nonlinear operating regimes.
Regulation of Connective Tissue Growth Factor Gene Expression and Fibrosis in Human Heart Failure

Abstract Background Heart failure (HF) is associated with excessive extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition and abnormal ECM degradation leading to cardiac fibrosis. Connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) modulates ECM production during inflammatory tissue injury, but available data on CTGF gene expression in failing human heart and its response to mechanical unloading are limited. Methods and Results Left ventricle (LV) tissue from patients undergoing cardiac transplantation for ischemic (ICM; n = 20) and dilated (DCM; n = 20) cardiomyopathies and from nonfailing (NF; n = 20) donor hearts were examined. Paired samples (n = 15) from patients undergoing LV assist device (LVAD) implantation as “bridge to transplant” (34–1,145 days) also were analyzed. There was more interstitial fibrosis in both ICM and DCM compared with NF hearts. Hydroxyproline concentration was also significantly increased in DCM compared with NF samples. The expression of CTGF, transforming growth factor (TGF) β1, collagen (COL) 1-α1, COL3-α1, matrix metalloproteinase (MMP) 2, and MMP9 mRNA in ICM and DCM were also significantly elevated compared with NF samples. Although TGF-β1, CTGF, COL1-α1, and COL3-α1 mRNA levels were reduced by unloading, there was only a modest reduction in tissue fibrosis and no difference in protein-bound hydroxyproline concentration between pre- and post-LVAD tissue samples. The persistent fibrosis may be related to a concomitant reduction in MMP9 mRNA and protein levels following unloading. Conclusions CTGF may be a key regulator of fibrosis during maladaptive remodeling and progression to HF. Although mechanical unloading normalizes most genotypic and functional abnormalities, its effect on ECM remodeling during HF is incomplete.
Comparison of two-stage hepatectomy and single-stage hepatectomy after downstaging by chemotherapy for the treatment of initially unresectable colorectal liver metastases: A meta-analysis

RESULTS: There were 619(55%) cervical and 509(48%) thoracic anastomoses. Cervical anastomosis was associated with a longer median operative time (329min. vs. 316min., p 0.006), greater than 2 units of blood transfusion in a higher proportion of patients (10% vs. 4%, p 0.001), and higher superficial surgical site infections (13% vs. 8%, p 0.01). There were no difference in rates of organ/space infections (6% vs. 7%, p 0.45), overall morbidity (38% vs. 37%, p 0.60), or mortality (3% vs. 4%, p 0.54). Median length of stay was similar (12days cervical vs. 11days thoracic, p 0.20), even among patients with organ/space infections (19days cervical vs. 22 days thoracic, p 0.58). On multivariate analysis, significant predictors for overall morbidity included: diabetes (aOR 1.7: 95%CI 1.092.67) and pre-operative pulmonary infection (aOR 2.26: 95%CI 1.17-4.48).
Cervicovaginal (Papanicolaou) smear findings in patients with malignant mixed Müllerian tumors

Malignant mixed Mullerian tumor is a rare neoplasm that occurs most frequently in elderly patients. It is characterized by a mixture of malignant epithelial and sarcomatous components. Little has been published about Papanicolaou smear findings pertaining to malignant mixed Mullerian tumors. We present our experience, with an emphasis on cytologic detail. Nine patients (median age, 65 yr) met our study criteria. All available smears and surgical specimens were reviewed. Four smears were positive for malignancy, with a sensitivity of 44% (3 adenocarcinoma, and 1 squamous-cell carcinoma, small-cell type). The results of our study showed that Papanicolaou smear findings pertaining to malignant mixed Mullerian tumors are seen in patients with advanced-stage disease with involvement of the lower uterine segment or cervix. The usual finding is large numbers of high-grade epithelial malignant cells in a necrotic background. The mesenchymal component rarely sheds cells visible on Papanicolaou smear.
The “gruppen pest” yesterday, today, and tomorrow

The difficulties associated with the application of group theory to problems in physics and chemistry, and current attempts to overcome them, are reviewed.
Kinematic and dynamic gait compensations resulting from knee instability in a rat model of osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis (OA) results in pain and disability; however, preclinical OA models often focus on joint-level changes. Gait analysis is one method used to evaluate both preclinical OA models and OA patients. The objective of this study is to describe spatiotemporal and ground reaction force changes in a rat medial meniscus transection (MMT) model of knee OA and to compare these gait measures with assays of weight bearing and tactile allodynia. Sixteen rats were used in the study. The medial collateral ligament (MCL) was transected in twelve Lewis rats (male, 200 to 250 g); in six rats, the medial meniscus was transected, and the remaining six rats served as sham controls. The remaining four rats served as naive controls. Gait, weight-bearing as measured by an incapacitance meter, and tactile allodynia were assessed on postoperative days 9 to 24. On day 28, knee joints were collected for histology. Cytokine concentrations in the serum were assessed with a 10-plex cytokine panel. Weight bearing was not affected by sham or MMT surgery; however, the MMT group had decreased mechanical paw-withdrawal thresholds in the operated limb relative to the contralateral limb (P = 0.017). The gait of the MMT group became increasingly asymmetric from postoperative days 9 to 24 (P = 0.020); moreover, MMT animals tended to spend more time on their contralateral limb than their operated limb while walking (P < 0.1). Ground reaction forces confirmed temporal shifts in symmetry and stance time, as the MMT group had lower vertical and propulsive ground reaction forces in their operated limb relative to the contralateral limb, naive, and sham controls (P < 0.05). Levels of interleukin 6 in the MMT group tended to be higher than naive controls (P = 0.072). Histology confirmed increased cartilage damage in the MMT group, consistent with OA initiation. Post hoc analysis revealed that gait symmetry, stance time imbalance, peak propulsive force, and serum interleukin 6 concentrations had significant correlations to the severity of cartilage lesion formation. These data indicate significant gait compensations were present in the MMT group relative to medial collateral ligament (MCL) injury (sham) alone and naive controls. Moreover, these data suggest that gait compensations are likely driven by meniscal instability and/or cartilage damage, and not by MCL injury alone.
Role of splenic irradiation in patients with chronic myeloid leukemia undergoing allogeneic bone marrow transplantation.

Abstract Allogeneic bone marrow transplantation (BMT) has become the treatment of choice for patients of appropriate age with chronic myeloid leukemia (CML). In an attempt to enhance tumor cytoreduction, splenic radiation therapy (RT) has been done before the allogeneic transplant, but the role of splenic RT in this setting remains controversial. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the role of splenic RT before allogeneic BMT in patients with CML. Thirty-seven patients with chronic (n=33) or accelerated (n=4) phase CML underwent BMT from April 1990 to January 1998. All patients received splenic RT consisting of 500 cGy in five daily fractions (n=36) or 250 cGy in five daily fractions (n=1) completed within 10 days before BMT. The conditioning regimen included total-body irradiation and cyclophosphamide; etoposide was added to the regimen of patients in the accelerated phase. Continuous-infusion cyclosporine and pulse methotrexate were administered to all patients for prophylaxis of graft-vs.-host disease (GVHD). All patients achieved hematologic and cytogenetic remission. At a median follow-up of 37 months, the freedom from progression (FFP) and overall survival (OS) were 90 and 82%, respectively. None of the patients in accelerated phase have relapsed. Five patients have died of late transplant-related complications while in complete remission. Acute GVHD of grade > or=II was observed in 20% (14% grade II, 6% grade III). Fifty-one percent of patients developed limited chronic GVHD. The median posttransplant creatinine level was 1.2 mg/dL (range 0.6-4.2). Renal dysfunction, manifested as a persistent elevation in serum creatinine level (> 1.2 mg/dL), was observed in 40% of the patients. Only 8.5% had a creatinine level > 2.0 mg/dL, and no patient required dialysis as a result of renal dysfunction. Seven patients (18.9%) developed pulmonary complications, which included idiopathic interstitial pneumonitis (two), biopsy-proven interstitial fibrosis (four), and alveolar hemorrhage (one). The low relapse rate observed in this study may reflect the use of splenic RT as a part of the cytoreductive regimen before BMT. The fractionation schedule of 500 cGy in five daily fractions was well tolerated and did not appear to increase the toxicity of the preparative regimen. These favorable results indicate that splenic RT deserves further investigation and may be of benefit as a part of the conditioning regimen for patients receiving allogeneic BMT for CML. Biol Blood Marrow Transplant 1999;5(3):173-9.
Migrant Workers, Employment Practices, and Human Rights: A Case Study of Ethical Issues Affecting International Business in Qatar

Qatar is a nation diminutive in size, yet gigantic in wealth. It seems that such riches would bring prosperity and lifestyles not commonly found in the world. However, these riches pose unique problems and challenges for Qatar. The relatively small native population cannot, and often will not, fill the employment needs of this aggressively developing nation. Therefore, the vast majority of the workforce in Qatar is immigrant labor. These workers enjoy none of the rights and privileges of native Qatari citizens. In fact, these immigrant workers often face exploitation, human rights violations, and abuse at the hands of Qatari employers. With the world focused on Qatar as the site of the FIFA 2022 World Cup Games, the issue of immigrant worker human rights violations is center stage. Qatar must address these human rights issues if it is to gain respect and cooperation from the nations of the world and advance its agenda to become a premier nation.
A microvascular system for chemical reactions using surface waste heat.

Coffee-powered chemistry: Low-grade waste heat on surfaces can be used to drive chemical reactions, including the regeneration of a CO2 capture solution. Flowing two-phase heat transfer has been implemented within microvascular systems. This stripping system can be adapted to pre-fabricated surfaces, as demonstrated by a coffee mug containing a 1.2 m long microchannel. MEA=monoethanolamine.
Intronic sequence elements impede exon ligation and trigger a discard pathway that yields functional telomerase RNA in fission yeast

The fission yeast telomerase RNA (TER1) precursor harbors an intron immediately downstream from its mature 3′ end. Unlike most introns, which are removed from precursor RNAs by the spliceosome in two sequential but tightly coupled transesterification reactions, TER1 only undergoes the first cleavage reaction during telomerase RNA maturation. The mechanism underlying spliceosome-mediated 3′ end processing has remained unclear. We now demonstrate that a strong branch site (BS), a long distance to the 3′ splice site (3′ SS), and a weak polypyrimidine (Py) tract act synergistically to attenuate the transition from the first to the second step of splicing. The observation that a strong BS antagonizes the second step of splicing in the context of TER1 suggests that the BS–U2 snRNA interaction is disrupted after the first step and thus much earlier than previously thought. The slow transition from first to second step triggers the Prp22 DExD/H-box helicase-dependent rejection of the cleaved products and Prp43-dependent “discard” of the splicing intermediates. Our findings explain how the spliceosome can function in 3′ end processing and provide new insights into the mechanism of splicing.
The role of diesel exhaust particles and their associated polyaromatic hydrocarbons in the induction of allergic airway disease

The increase in allergic airway disease has paralleled the increase in the use of fossil fuels. Studies were undertaken to examine whether extracts of polyaromatic hydrocarbons (PAH) from diesel exhaust particles (DEP) (PAH-DEP) acted as mucosal adjuvants to help initiate or enhance immunoglobulin E (IgE) production in response to common inhaled allergens. In vitro studies demonstrated that PAH-DEP enhanced IgE production by tonsillar B-cells in the presence of interleukin-4 (IL-4) and CD40 monoclonal antibody, and altered the nature of the IgE produced, i.e. a decrease in the CH4'-CHe5 variant, a marker for differentiation of IgE-producing B-cells, and an increase in the M2' variant. In vivo nasal provocation studies using 0.30 mg DEP in saline also showed enhanced IgE production in the human upper respiratory mucosa, accompanied by a reduced CH4'-CHe5 mRNA splice variant. The effects of DEP were also isotype-specific, with no effect on IgG, IgA, IgM, or albumin, but it produced a small increase in the IgG4 subclass. The ability of DEP to act as an adjuvant to the ragweed allergen Amb a I was examined by nasal provocation in ragweed allergic subjects using 0.3 mg DEP, Amb a I, or both. Although allergen and DEP each enhanced ragweed-specific IgE, DEP plus allergen promoted a 16-times greater antigen-specific IgE production. Nasal challenge with DEP also influenced cytokine production. Ragweed challenge resulted in a weak response, DEP challenge caused a strong but non-specific response, while allergen plus DEP caused a significant increase in the expression of mRNA for TH0 and TH2-type cytokines (IL-4, IL-5, IL-6, IL-10, IL-13) with a pronounced inhibitory effect on IFN-gamma gene expression. These studies suggest that DEP can enhance B-cell differentiation, and by initiating and elevating IgE production, may play an important role in the increased incidence of allergic airway disease.
Germany's Repeal of the Corporate Capital Gains Tax: The Equity Market Response

In late 1999, the German government made a surprise announcement that it would repeal the large and long‐standing capital gains tax on sales of corporate crossholdings effective in 2002. The repeal has been hailed as a revolutionary step toward breaking up the extensive web of crossholdings among German companies. The lock‐in effect from the large corporate capital gains tax was said to act as a barrier to efficient acquisition and divestiture of German firms and divisions. Many observers predicted that once the lock‐in effect was removed, Germany would experience a flurry of acquisition and divestiture activity. Several other industrialized countries were poised to follow suit, with similar proposals pending in France, Japan, and the United Kingdom. This paper provides evidence of the economic impact of the repeal by examining its effect on the market values of German firms. While event studies of tax legislation can be difficult, our study is aided by the fact that the repeal was both a surprise and was...
Chemical element concentrations in black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) and green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.) leaves at the reclaimed Green Valley coal Mine, Indiana, USA.

The Green Valley Mine in Indiana was abandoned in 1963 after 15 years of coal mining. Reclamation began in 1994 and ended in 1999 with the dense planting of twelve different tree species. By 2006, only green ash (Fraxinus pennsylvanica Marsh.) and black locust (Robinia pseudoacacia L.) had survived in any significant numbers. Given the acid mine drainage found at the site, we sought to determine whether element toxicity originating from mine waste was responsible for the extirpation of the trees. Leaf samples taken from 125 mine trees and 29 control trees were acquired and assayed for 41 element concentrations using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICPMS). Except for sodium, there was no compelling evidence to indicate that toxic elemental levels were responsible for the widespread tree deaths. In addition to sodium toxicity, we suspect that micronutrient deficiency was a primary factor explaining the extirpation of trees at the mine.