cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A new approach to 3D modeling of inhomogeneous populations of viral regulatory RNA

Tertiary structure (3D) is the physical context of RNA regulatory activity. Retroviruses are RNA viruses that replicate through the proviral DNA intermediate transcribed by hosts. Proviral transcripts form inhomogeneous populations due to variable structural ensembles of overlapping regulatory RNA motifs in the 5'-untranslated region (UTR), which drive RNAs to be spliced or translated, and/or dimerized and packaged into virions. Genetic studies and structural techniques have provided fundamental input constraints to begin predicting HIV 3D conformations in silico. Using SimRNA and sets of experimentally-determined input constraints of HIVNL4-3 trans-activation responsive sequence (TAR) and pairings of unique-5' (U5) with dimerization (DIS) or AUG motifs, we calculated a series of 3D models that differ in proximity of 5'-Cap and the junction of TAR and PolyA helices; configuration of primer binding site (PBS)-segment; and two host cofactors binding sites. Input constraints on U5-AUG pairings were most compatible with intramolecular folding of 5'-UTR motifs in energetic minima. Introducing theoretical constraints predicted metastable PolyA region drives orientation of 5'-Cap with TAR, U5 and PBS-segment helices. SimRNA and the workflow developed herein provides viable options to predict 3D conformations of inhomogeneous populations of large RNAs that have been intractable to conventional ensemble methods.
Promoting Patient-Centeredness in Opioid Deprescribing: a Blueprint for De-implementation Science

A downward trend in opioid prescribing between 2011 and 2018 has brought per-capita opioid prescriptions below the levels of 2006, the earliest year for which the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has published data. That trend has affected roughly ten million patients who previously received long-term opioid therapy. Any effort to reduce or replace a prior health practice is termed de-implementation. We suggest that the evaluation of opioid prescribing de-implementation has been misdirected, within US policy and health research, resulting in detrimental impacts on patients, their families and clinicians. Policymakers and implementation scientists can address these deficiencies in how we study and how we perform opioid de-implementation by applying an implementation science framework: the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research. The Consolidated Framework lays out relevant domains of activity (internal, external, etc.) that influence implementation processes and outcomes. It can deepen our understanding of how policies are chosen, communicated, and carried out. Policymakers and researchers who embrace this framework will need a better approach to measuring success and failure in health care where both pain and opioids are concerned. This would involve shifting from a reductive focus on opioid prescription counts toward measures that are more effective, holistic, and patient-centered.
Hepatorenal bypass resulting in dialysis independence in case of acute renal failure

Abstract In the present case report, we have described a patient with bilateral renal artery occlusion resulting in the acute onset of refractory hypertension and renal failure requiring hemodialysis. Endovascular stenting of the renal arteries was not feasible owing to extensive aortic and renal orifice calcification. After consultation with nephrology and medical optimization, the patient underwent unilateral hepatorenal bypass, with subsequent improvement in renal function and sustained freedom from dialysis. Although percutaneous revascularization has become the preferred option for surgical management of renal artery occlusion, the findings from the present case have demonstrated that hepatorenal bypass remains a viable alternative for more complex cases.
SYMBOLS, LEADERS, PRACTITIONERS: THE FIRST WOMEN PROFESSIONALS

America's first female lawyers, personalities such as Myra Bradwell, Clara Foltz, Antoinette Dakin Leach, and Crystal Eastman, were part of a larger phenomenon that occurred after the Civil War-the emergence of the first group of professional women to grace the social and political life of our nation. They were both a product of and participants in the general movement to change women's condition that resulted in the passage of the Nineteenth Amendment in 1920 and women acquiring the right to vote.' The purpose of this Article is to explain why this group emerged in the United States and to describe its relationship to the crusade to transform women's status from social inferior to social equal that began in the last century and is still ongoing. Women lawyers had a unique role to play in this process, because their calling implicated pursuits that were considered to be especially "male," involving public appearances in court to resolve conflicts. As did their sister professionals, America's pioneer women attorneys symbolized what females were capable of being and doing, provided leadership to the crusade for their emancipation, and paved the way for women to take their rightful places as distinguished practitioners in various fields of endeavor. Their efforts foreshadowed and made possible the success of today's female lawyers. This analysis of America's first professional women has three parts. Section II describes the demographic and political changes that occurred in the United States before the Civil War, prompting the first organized demands for an improvement in women's situation and the first appearance of women seeking entry to expert occupations. Central causes for these phenomena were the female education movement, reforms in married women's property rights, and the fight for abolition. The female education movement provided the essential predicate for women to obtain advanced training leading to professional
Who is Responsible for Discharge Education of Patients? A Multi-Institutional Survey of Internal Medicine Residents.

Safely and effectively discharging a patient from the hospital requires working within a multidisciplinary team. However, little is known about how perceptions of responsibility among the team impact discharge communication practices. Our study attempts to understand residents’ perceptions of who is primarily responsible for discharge education, how these perceptions affect their own reported communication with patients, and how residents envision improving multidisciplinary communication around discharges. A multi-institutional cross-sectional survey. Internal medicine (IM) residents from seven US residency programs at academic medical centers were invited to participate between March and May 2019, via email of an electronic link to the survey. Data collected included resident perception of who on the multidisciplinary team is primarily responsible for discharge communication, their own reported discharge communication practices, and open-ended comments on ways discharge multidisciplinary team communication could be improved. Of the 613 resident responses (63% response rate), 35% reported they were unsure which member of the multidisciplinary team is primarily responsible for discharge education. Residents who believed it was either the intern’s or the resident’s primary responsibility had 4.28 (95% CI, 2.51–7.30) and 3.01 (95% CI, 1.66–5.71) times the odds, respectively, of reporting doing discharge communication practices frequently compared to those who were not sure who was primarily responsible. To improve multidisciplinary discharge communication, residents called for the following among team members: (1) clarifying roles and responsibilities for communication with patients, (2) setting expectations for communication among multidisciplinary team members, and (3) redefining culture around discharges. Residents report a lack of understanding of who is responsible for discharge education. This diffusion of ownership impacts how much residents invest in patient education, with more perceived responsibility associated with more frequent discharge communication.
Modeling the radiative response of a high facet count rainforest for synthetic sensor imagery

Computational modeling of spectral and hyperspectral imagery can be performed using radiative flux calculations on highly resolved geometric models. Faceted geometry models are both memory intensive and computationally expensive but allow for a fine-grained approach to radiative modeling. Using high resolution faceted geometry, improved synthetic imagery can be generated from a ray casting sensor model. This paper describes the results of a distributed memory ray tracing architecture for processing high facet count geometry that is capable of modeling radiative flux for highly resolved landscapes. Monte Carlo integration of the radiative transfer equation is coupled with a soil heat transfer model to facilitate solving for temperatures. Ray tracing procedures then use material properties to communicate radiative flux back to a sensor model. Emitted radiation along with mid-wave radiation reflected from neighboring facets and reflected short-wave solar radiation is computed and returned for rays cast from a sensor model. Radiative results of a prototype rainforest have been acquired that demonstrate the modeling capability of the architecture for geometries exceeding 40 million facets. Images of individual spectral components visually validate the legitimacy of the flux simulation. This paper presents an architecture that has been developed with the potential to produce quality synthetic spectral data based on modeling of actual temperature and radiative flux.
Making Math Graphs More Accessible in Remote Learning: Using Sonification to Introduce Discontinuity in Calculus

Math graphs need to be accessible to People with Visual Impairments (PVI). While tactile graphics are a common way for PVI to access math graphs, their use becomes complicated in remote learning. To make math graphs more accessible in remote education, we focused on sonification, the use of non-speech sound. In this study, we designed techniques of sonification of math graphs to introduce the concept of discontinuity in calculus to PVI. First, we conducted a remote interview with six participants to understand their experiences with math education using graphs. Based on these findings, we developed a series of sonifications of math graphs that we remotely evaluated with three participants from our initial interviews. Our findings reveal that sonification can intuitively convey simple patterns and trends in math graphs with a little practice, be useful to introduce the discontinuities, and be more effective with descriptions of the sound and graphs.
Genotyping human cytochrome: P450 1B1 variants.

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the methods used in laboratory to genotype the four common single nucleotide polymorphisms found in the coding region of human cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1). Human cytochrome P450 1B1 (CYP1B1) was first isolated by differential hybridization as a 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD)-responsive cDNA clone from a human keratinocyte cell line treated with TCDD. Initial characterization of the human CYP1B1 gene described the DNA sequence of a 12-kb genomic clone corresponding to the entire 5.1-kb CYP1B1 cDNA and containing 3.0 kb of upstream DNA. Comparison of these sequences revealed the location of three exons (371, 1044, and 3707 bp) and two introns (390 and 3032 bp), with the CYP1B1 open reading frame spanning exons 2 and 3. Genotyping by restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis will soon be replaced by more rapid, high-throughput assays based on electrochemical or fluorescent detection methods, including oligonucleotide microarrays. In the interim, the procedures described in the chapter should facilitate CYP1B1 genotyping of banked DNA samples.
Proposed program guidelines for pregnant radiology residents: a project supported by the American Association for Women Radiologists and the Association of Program Directors in Radiology.

Rationale and Objectives Written institutional policies governing radiation exposure and work responsibilities for pregnant radiology residents are not uniform and often are nonexistent. Standardized program guidelines would allow residents and program directors alike to prepare for a resident pregnancy with objectivity and consistency. Materials and Methods The American Association for Women Radiologists (AAWR) launched a task force to revisit guidelines for the protection of pregnant residents from radiation exposure during training. We conducted two surveys of the Association of Program Directors in Radiology (APDR) membership. Survey 1 was designed to learn about existing program and institutional policies and to assess the need for and interest in standardized guidelines that would address radiation exposure and work responsibilities for pregnant radiology residents. Based on those responses, we drafted a set of program guidelines incorporating policies contributed by responding program directors. Our follow-up APDR survey, survey 2, was conducted to determine opinions and acceptance of the drafted program guidelines. Each survey was analyzed by using a proportion of means test. Results Fifty-five of 156 program director APDR members (35%) responded to survey 1. Only half the respondents had formal written policies at their respective institutions. Review of submitted policies showed widely divergent opinions about appropriate policies for pregnant radiology residents. Most (34/52; 75%) supported the development of standardized guidelines. In survey 2, 38/73 responding APDR members (53%) offered their opinions and comments on our drafted guidelines. Approximately 90% agreement was catalogued on 13 of 18 items (72%); a majority (>60%) agreed on all points, even the most controversial points concerning fluoroscopy. Conclusion A minority of radiology residency programs have written policies addressing pregnancy during training. With expressed support from a majority of responding program directors, we have developed and present here proposed program guidelines for pregnant radiology residents to serve as a framework for radiology residents and program directors alike.
Ledipasvir and sofosbuvir: Interferon free therapy for hepatitis C virus genotype 1 infection.

Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has infected more than 200 million people around the globe. From 2001-2011, interferon plus ribavirin remained the standard of care for patients with HCV infection. The therapy had a limited response with a number of side effects. Recently, results for phase III trials of ledipasvir and sofosbuvir combination therapy have been announced. In treatment naive patients, 12 wk of therapy with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir showed a sustained virological response (SVR) rate of 99%. In treatment experienced patients, 12-24 wk of therapy with ledipasvir and sofosbuvir in the absence or presence of ribavirin showed an SVR rate of 94%-99%. In cirrhotic patients the rate of SVR was 86% and 99% for 12 and 24 wk of therapy, respectively. The ledipasvir and sofosbuvir therapy showed very good results in different subgroups of patients regardless of patient’s race, alanine aminotransferase levels, sex and host genetic factors. The combination therapy was well tolerated with no emergence of resistant mutants. The most common adverse effects were nausea, headache and fatigue. With the availability of interferon free therapy with minimal adverse effects, it will be easy to decrease the future morbidity and mortality caused by HCV infection.
Measurement of the nonlinear response in a strongly pumped erbium doped amplifiers for all-optical switching

Measurements of the decay time of real-time gratings in highly doped erbium fiber and analysis of the nonlinear response are presented. For strong pumping conditions the response for a nonlinear optical switch can be 50 /spl mu/s.
National Bias and Cultural Favorability in Scholarly Book Reviews

Abstract To explore the question of national bias in book reviewing, statistics are presented for 1838 reviews taken from selected scholarly journals in the modern languages. These data fail to support the contention that British reviewers show bias against American books. The study then considers favorability at the national level and at the level of the individual journal cultural effects which might give rise to the perception of anti-American bias.
Acute diverticulitis of the sigmoid

CUTE perforative diverticuhtis of A the sigmoid is rare, but records found in studying the Iiterature of diverticuhtis show that when operative measures were used, the method most often empIoyed was abdomina1 section, cIosure of the perforation when possibIe, and drainage. That this method of treatment is not without serious drawbacks and that safer and better methods of drainage can be used are both iIIustrated in the histories of the folIowing cases :
Homogentisate Phytyltransferase Activity Is Limiting for Tocopherol Biosynthesis in Arabidopsis

Tocopherols are essential components of the human diet and are synthesized exclusively by photosynthetic organisms. These lipophilic antioxidants consist of a chromanol ring and a 15-carbon tail derived from homogentisate (HGA) and phytyl diphosphate, respectively. Condensation of HGA and phytyl diphosphate, the committed step in tocopherol biosynthesis, is catalyzed by HGA phytyltransferase (HPT). To investigate whether HPT activity is limiting for tocopherol synthesis in plants, the gene encoding Arabidopsis HPT, HPT1, was constitutively overexpressed in Arabidopsis. In leaves, HPT1 overexpression resulted in a 10-fold increase in HPT specific activity and a 4.4-fold increase in total tocopherol content relative to wild type. In seeds, HPT1 overexpression resulted in a 4-fold increase in HPT specific activity and a total seed tocopherol content that was 40% higher than wild type, primarily because of an increase in γ-tocopherol content. This enlarged pool of γ-tocopherol was almost entirely converted to α-tocopherol by crossing HPT1 overexpressing plants with lines constitutively overexpressing γ-tocopherol methyltransferase. Seed of the resulting double overexpressing lines had a 12-fold increase in vitamin E activity relative to wild type. These results indicate that HPT activity is limiting in various Arabidopsis tissues and that total tocopherol levels and vitamin E activity can be elevated in leaves and seeds by combined overexpression of the HPT1 and γ-tocopherol methyltransferase genes.
Precision lifetime measurements of Cs 6p 2P1/2 and 6p 2P3/2 levels by single-photon counting.

Time-correlated single-photon counting is used to measure the lifetimes of the 6p $^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{1/2}$ and 6p $^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$ levels in atomic Cs with accuracies \ensuremath{\approxeq}0.2--0.3 %. A high-repetition-rate, femtosecond, self-mode-locked Ti:sapphire laser is used to excite Cs produced in a well-collimated atomic beam. The time interval between the excitation pulse and the arrival of a fluorescence photon is measured repetitively until the desired statistics are obtained. The lifetime results are 34.75(7) and 30.41(10) ns for the 6p $^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{1/2}$ and 6p $^{2}$${\mathit{P}}_{3/2}$ levels, respectively. These lifetimes fall between those extracted from ab initio many-body perturbation-theory calculations by Blundell, Johnson, and Sapirstein [Phys. Rev. A 43, 3407 (1991)] and V. A. Dzuba et al. [Phys. Lett. A 142, 373 (1989)] and are in all cases within 0.9% of the calculated values. The measurement errors are dominated by systematic effects, and methods to alleviate these and to approach an accuracy of 0.1% are discussed. The technique is a viable alternative to the fast-beam laser approach for measuring lifetimes with extreme accuracy.
Uteroplacental insufficiency alters liver and skeletal muscle branched-chain amino acid metabolism in intrauterine growth-restricted fetal rats.

Uteroplacental insufficiency causes intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR) and decreases plasma levels of the branched-chain amino acids in both humans and rats. Increased fetal oxidation of these amino acids may contribute to their decline in the IUGR fetus. The rate-limiting step of branched-chain amino acid oxidation is performed by the mitochondrial enzyme branched-chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKAD), which is regulated by a deactivating kinase. We therefore hypothesized that uteroplacental insufficiency increases BCKAD activity through altered mRNA and protein levels of BCKAD and/or the BCKAD kinase. In IUGR fetal liver, BCKAD activity was increased 3-fold, though no difference in hepatic BCKAD protein or mRNA levels were noted. Hepatic BCKAD kinase mRNA and protein levels were significantly decreased in association with the increase in BCKAD activity. In IUGR fetal skeletal muscle, BCKAD mRNA levels were significantly increased. IUGR skeletal muscle BCKAD protein levels as well as BCKAD kinase mRNA and protein levels were unchanged. We also quantified mRNA levels of two amino acid transporters: LAT1 (system L) and rBAT (cysteine and dibasic amino acids). Both hepatic and muscle LAT1 mRNA levels were significantly increased in the IUGR fetus. We conclude that uteroplacental insufficiency significantly increases hepatic BCKAD activity in association with significantly decreased mRNA and protein levels of the deactivating kinase. We speculate that these changes contribute to the decreased serum levels of branched-chain amino acids seen in the IUGR fetus and may be an adaptation to the deprived milieu associated with uteroplacental insufficiency.
Synthesis of Substituted 2‐Amino‐cyclobutanones

Abstract A series of weakly nucleophilic nitrogen derivatives including carbamates, amides, sulfonamides, and anilines were reacted with 1,2‐bis(trimethylsilyloxy)cyclobutene under acidic conditions to afford various substituted 2‐aminocyclobutanone derivatives 3a–i in modest to excellent yields.
Contributing generator of frequency-following response in man.

A contributing generator of the frequency-following response (FFR) was identified in a patient with severe neurological impairment, by comparing latencies and phase shifts of the FFR to the latency of the auditory brainstem evoked responses (ABR), and by comparing the duration of the FFR to that of the acoustic stimulus. In this patient, the ABR comprised only waves I and II; activity in the inferior colliculus was not identified. Both onset and offset latencies and phase shifts of the FFR were substantially shorter than the latency of the first wave of the ABR. The duration of the FFR corresponded precisely to that of the acoustic stimulus. These results are interpreted as supporting the view that the cochlear microphonic potential (CM) contributes to the scalprecorded FFR.
The effect of axial diffusion in desiccant and enthalpy wheels

A comparison between mathematical formulations for describing the transport phenomena occurring within desiccant and enthalpy wheels including axial heat and mass diffusion and a simplified version without these effects has been performed. Simulation results using a two-dimensional formulation were compared to determine under which conditions should these terms in fact be considered. The results include the variation of rotational speed, sorbent mass fraction, Biot numbers, and the aspect ratio of the porous desiccant substrate. The results show that the aspect ratio, together with the Biot numbers, are relevant parameters in determining whether axial diffusion should be included.
Distribution of a generalized t ratio for biased estimators

Abstract For certain biased estimators the standard error can be small (even zero) and Student's t ratio over-estimates their statistical significance. This paper studies the distribution of a generalized t ratio where the denominator has the square root of an unbiased estimate of the mean squared error.
Teachers' Views of their Pupils with Profound and Multiple Learning Difficulties.

This paper explores the perceptions of a small group of teachers of pupils with profound and multiple learning disabilities (PMLD) in north‐eastern England. The focus of the paper is their views of their pupils who have PMLD. A total of 14 teachers were interviewed, both individually and in small groups over a four‐year period. This paper stems from the individual interviews, which were validated at the group interview stage. Through the interviews we hear how neurological, developmental and co‐existence issues help shape teachers’ views of their pupils. Thirty years ago this group of pupils received their education from the Department of Health; today they are in schools and we hear the teachers in this project reflect on their students’ learning needs in positive and professional ways. What emerges through this research is the need for teacher educators to support professional development experiences that enable teachers to integrate the distinct perspectives of parents and the more contemporary theorie...
An electromyographic and cephalometric study on facial pains and facial morphology in children.

Summary Twelve children, five girls and seven boys with a mean age of 12 years, exercised maximal voluntary tooth clenching until intolerable pains and total subjective exhaustion of at least the right masseter muscle forced the children to stop the isometric muscle exercise; that is, the pain tolerance, or the isometric endurance time, of at least the right masseter muscle was determined in seconds, and it amounted to an average of 100 s. Concomitantly, the electrical activity in the right masseter muscle was recorded by bipolar surface electrodes and integrated, and it showed a significant decrease of 32 % during the endurance test, probably as an expression of progressive physiological muscle fatigue. A large ANB angle was associated with relatively little decline of the contractile activity and a trend not to endure pains, possibly because isometric tension was generated predominantly by muscle fibres with a high anaerobic capacity.
Self-reference effect in perceptual judgments by individuals and groups.

The existence of a “self-reference” effect in perception, such as that found in memory, was tested in groups and individuals. Subjects who judged a self-relevant stimulus were more accurate than th...
A direct comparison of procedures for the detection of mycoplasma in tissue culture

Mycoplasma contamination of cell cultures has been shown to perturb a number of immunologic parameters. Because such contamination is almost always introduced in the laboratory, the immunologist requires a procedure to screen his cell lines frequently for mycoplasma. Two procedures recently described for the detection of mycoplasma in cell cultures, the uridine-uracil incorporation procedure and a direct fluorescent assay, were compared with the standard procedures of agar culture and transmission electron microscopy. The results with uridine-uracil incorporation were totally non-concordant with those of any of the other 3 procedures and, moreover, were inconsistent through serial assays on the same cell culture. In contrast, the direct fluorescent assay, using the fluorochrome Hoechst 33258, yielded consistent results in full agreement with the agar culture data. Since the fluorescent assay is rapid and has discriminatory capability at least equivalent to that of agar culture, it would appear to be the method of choice for routine screening of cell cultures for mycoplasma.
Visual contextualization and activity monitoring for networked telepresence

The context of an environment is denied by a complex interrelationship between past, present, and future events and of the events' surroundings. While the present provides a current and immediate interpretation of our surroundings and enables immediate decisions, historical data enables post-mortem analysis of an incident as well as a foreshadowing of future events that can in turn afect the context upon which current decisions depend. Achieving context awareness therefore requires extraction, capture, and interpretation of multiple modes of information from different temporal and spatial contexts. Contextualization of this data involves embedding the information into a single familiar virtual environment to assist a human operator in making sense of the volumes of collected sensory data. This paper details a prototype system we are developing to facilitate future context awareness research as well as support, integrate, and augment existing context focused research developed in our laboratory. The core modules of the system are described including the Networked Sensor Tapestry (NeST) architecture for sensor integration, processing, and context archiving and querying with a focus on the Context Visualization Environment (CoVE): a 3D environment for visual fusion of multimodal sensor data. Several real-world applications are presented that are built on top of these components.
Anti-CD23 monoclonal antibody, lumiliximab, inhibited allergen-induced responses in antigen-presenting cells and T cells from atopic subjects

Background CD23 plays a role in the regulation of IgE production and allergy-induced immune and inflammatory responses. A novel anti-CD23 monoclonal antibody, lumiliximab, is a potential therapeutic antibody recently demonstrated to be safe in human beings. Objective This study investigated the effects of lumiliximab on allergen-induced immune responses from atopic subjects compared with blocking HLA-DR and costimulatory molecules, CD80 and CD86. Methods Allergen-stimulated PBMCs from atopic subjects were pretreated with lumiliximab or antibodies to CD80, CD86, and HLA-DR. Cultures were analyzed for cell proliferation and IL-1β, TNF-α, and IL-5 cytokine secretion. An allergen-specific T-cell line was developed and analyzed for lymphocyte proliferation in response to allergen with or without lumiliximab. Lumiliximab's effect on CD86 expression was evaluated by flow cytometry in the U937 monocytic cell line. Results Lumiliximab reduced allergen-induced PBMC proliferation by 50% (n = 6; P = .006). In addition, cultures pretreated with lumiliximab had a reduction in the proinflammatory cytokines IL-1β ( P P = .05) and the T H 2 cytokine IL-5 ( P = .002). Blocking CD86 resulted in greater reduction in proliferation than lumiliximab ( P = .003) but similar effects in cytokine secretion. The anti-CD80 blocking antibody had no effect on cytokine production but did reduce proliferation. Furthermore, the addition of lumiliximab to cytokine stimulated U937 cells reduced surface expression of CD86 ( P = .012). Conclusion These results indicate that the anti-CD23 mAb, lumiliximab, may be involved in modulating antigen presenting cells and reducing T H 2-type immune responses. The use of this antibody may provide clinical benefit for treating allergic diseases.
Explaining Heterogeneity in Pavement Deterioration: Clusterwise Linear Regression Model

AbstractA clusterwise linear regression model of pavement deterioration is presented. The model provides a framework to simultaneously segment a population and to describe performance with a set of regression models, one for each segment. Instead of relying on observed criteria, the objective in the segmentation is to maximize within-segment variation explained by a set of commonly specified regression models. To illustrate the methodology, performance models were estimated for a panel of 131 pavements from the American Association of State Highway Officials (AASHO) road test. Pavements in different segments display systematic but unobserved differences in their responses, i.e., unobserved heterogeneity, which manifests itself in segment-level coefficients that differ in their magnitude and sign. This is radically different than other approaches in the literature that explain such differences with individual-level error/intercept terms, but that rely on the assumption of constant and homogeneous coefficie...
The Americanization of Religious Minorities: Confronting the Constitutional Order

What happens when a minority religious group's beliefs run counter to the American constitution? The author recounts the experiences of Jehovah's Witnesses, Mormons and Native Americans as cases where minority religious groups seek to practice their faith within an incompatible constitutional order. Eric Michael Mazur identifies three basic strategies these minority religious groups can follow: establishing a separate peace; accommodating their theology to political realities; and engaging in sustained conflict. He shows that, in order to practice its faith without hindrance from the law, a religious minority must somehow buy into the principles and values of America's constitutional government. Mazur concludes that the closer a minority's beliefs are to Protestant Christianity, the easier the accommodation. Throughout, he emphasizes a religious minority's own experience in dealing with this problem.
A metalloporphyrin superoxide dismutase mimetic protects against paraquat-induced lung injury in vivo.

We employed a low-molecular-weight metalloporphyrin superoxide dismutase mimetic, MnTBAP, to protect mice against a known pulmonary toxicant, paraquat. Paraquat creates toxicity by elevating intracellular levels of superoxide through redox cycling with cellular diaphorases and oxygen.In vitro,paraquat-induced cell injury can be attenuated by MnTBAP. We assessed whether inhaled MnTBAP would protect whole animals from a single ip dose of paraquat. Mice were given either saline (10 ml/kg, ip) or paraquat (45 mg/kg, ip) and 30 min later exposed to aerosolized saline or MnTBAP (5 mM) for 30 min twice daily. Mice were killed 48 hr after paraquat treatment. Lung injury was assessed by measuring lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), protein, and percentage polymorphonuclear leukocytes (PMN) in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid and by histopathology. Paraquat treatment increased levels of BAL fluid LDH, protein, and number of PMNs and produced extensive blebbing of the type I epithelium. MnTBAP reduced lung injury as indicated by lower LDH levels, protein levels, and PMN influx in BAL fluid. This correlated with the reduction of type I epithelial damage in the group of mice that received paraquat. These data suggest that metalloporphyrins may be effective therapeutic agents against pathologies that involve overproduction of reactive oxygen species.
Flavonoid constituents of Chorizanthe diffusa with potential cancer chemopreventive activity.

An ethyl acetate-soluble extract of Chorizanthe diffusa was found to exhibit significant antioxidant activity, as judged by scavenging stable 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) free radicals and inhibition of 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (TPA)-induced free radical formation with cultured HL-60 cells. Bioassay-directed fractionation of this extract using the DPPH antioxidant assay as a monitor led to the isolation of five structurally related flavonoids (1−5), including the novel compound 5,8,3‘,4‘,5‘-pentahydroxy-3,7-dimethoxyflavone (1). Isolates 1−5 demonstrated varying degrees of antioxidant or antimutagenic activity. Two of the compounds, 5,7,3‘,4‘-tetrahydroxy-3-methoxyflavone (2) and quercetin (4), were subsequently found to inhibit carcinogen-induced preneoplastic lesions in a mouse mammary organ culture model. Inhibitory activity of this type is known to correlate with cancer chemopreventive effects in full-term models of tumorigenesis. Keywords: Chorizanthe diffusa; Polygonaceae; flavon...
Pricing target NOLs in mergers and acquisitions from the participating firms' perspective

Abstract While prior research has extensively examined the market response to target net operating loss carryforwards (NOLs) in mergers and acquisitions (M&A) announcements, the question of whether target NOLs are priced by the participating firms during the price negotiation process has not been explicitly addressed. Answers to this question could provide direct measures to assist firms in pricing target NOLs in M&As. Our results show that the participating firms price target NOLs based on how long it will take the acquirer to use the acquired NOL in both nontaxable and taxable acquisitions under the Tax Reform Act of 1986. Also, we find a significant difference in the market pricing and the participant pricing of target short-lived NOLs before, and continuing well after, the announcement date. Our findings suggest that the importance of the differences between the market and the participating firms perspectives should be considered when conducting future research in this area.
Teratogenic compounds ofveratrum californicum (durand)—IV. First isolation of veratramine and alkaloid Q and A reliable method for isolation of cyclopamine

Abstract The known steroidal, teratogenic alkaloid veratramine and another alkaloid, designated alkaloid Q with as yet unknown structure and biological activity, were isolated for the first time from Veratrum californicum , a plant that induces teratogenic effects in sheep. A more reliable method than previously available is also described for isolation of cyclopamine, the alkaloid that induces cyclopian teratogenic effects in sheep.
A rapid method for hand picking potassium-rich feldspar from silicic tephra

Abstract We detail a method for hand picking potassium-rich feldspars from silicic tephra. The method, based on the well known sodium cobaltinitrite staining technique, is applicable to any sample where K content of feldspar exceeds ∼2 wt%. The method is well suited to mineral grains >0.25 mm and useful for grains as small as ∼0.125 mm. Alkali feldspar, plagioclase, and quartz are easily distinguishable after staining. Rinsing the stained feldspars along with ultrasonic treatment in distilled water and nitric acid removes the stain. 40Ar/39Ar analysis of sanidine separated by staining yields precise age estimates which are in excellent agreement with published ages for the youngest (2.06 Ma) Cerro Galan ignimbrite, NW Argentina.
Balancing Life and Death in the Ischemic Brain: SIK and TORC Weigh In

Activation of NMDA receptors during cerebral ischemia triggers signaling pathways that promote both neuronal death and survival. In this issue of Neuron, Sasaki et al. present evidence for a new endogenous survival pathway involving the kinase SIK2 and the CREB coactivator TORC1. The powerful neuroprotection conferred by this pathway has considerable translational potential for stroke therapy.
Loci controlling plasma non-HDL and HDL cholesterol levels in a C57BL /6J × CASA /Rk intercross

Plasma non-HDL and HDL cholesterol levels are predictors of cardiovascular diseases. We carried out a genetic cross between two laboratory inbred mouse strains, C57BL/6J and CASA/Rk, to detect loci that control the plasma levels of non-HDL and HDL cholesterol. With regard to non-HDL cholesterol, chow-fed CASA/Rk males and females had 87% and 25% higher levels, respectively, than did C57BL/6Js. The levels of non-HDL cholesterol in F1s were similar to C57BL/6J. There was no strain difference in HDL cholesterol levels. An intercross between F1s was performed, and plasma non-HDL and HDL cholesterol was measured in 185 male and 184 female mice. In both male and female F2 mice, plasma non-HDL and HDL cholesterol levels were unimodally distributed; however, in both cases the values for females were significantly lower than for males. Therefore, linkage analysis was performed with sex as a covariate. Significant linkage for non-HDL cholesterol was found on chromosome 6 at 49 cM (LOD 5.17), chromosome 4 at 55 cM (LOD 4.22), and chromosome 8 at 7 cM (LOD 3.68). Significant linkage for HDL cholesterol was found on chromosome 9 at 14 cM (LOD 7.52) and chromosome 8 at 76 cM (LOD 4.69). A significant epistatic interaction involving loci on chromosomes 2 and 5 was also observed for non-HDL cholesterol. In summary, linkage analysis in these cross-identified novel loci confirmed previously identified loci in control of plasma non-HDL and HDL cholesterol and disclosed a novel interaction in controlling non-HDL cholesterol levels in the mouse.
On defining persons as retired

Abstract This article reviews the operational definition of retirement, which remains an unsettled issue in aging research. The authors describe five separate criteria that can be used to assign retirement status, and discuss the misleading distinction between subjective and objective indicators. Despite concerns about the possible ambiguity of retirement definitions, cross-classifications of persons on three criteria—pension receipt, reduced work or earnings, and self-definition—show considerable overlap depending on the population of interest. Much of the indeterminacy in retirement definitions can be traced to the categorical status of “partial” retirement, which is nevertheless important to recognize in research designs. In all, the ambiguity of retirement definitions can be managed, but not resolved, by using multiple criteria to specify better the retirement status. No one strategy for defining retirement suffices for all purposes; definitions should be suited to the research task at hand.
Feshbach projection operator method and few-body reaction models in Baer-Kouri-Levin-Tobocman many-body scattering theory

A generalization of the Feshbach projection operator method to include rearrangement in the context of the Baer, Kouri, Levin, and Tobocman many-body scattering theory has been proposed recently. The formalism provides a simplified set of connected kernal equations for an approximate transition operator matrix and an explicit procedure for relating the approximate transition operators to the exact ones. In this paper we extend the flexibility of the aforementioned generalization by making it possible to allow the approximate transition operators to couple fewer partitions than the exact ones. Particular attention is given to the case where the approximate transition operator matrix is the solution of coupled-reaction-channel--type equations for transitions between few cluster configurations of the system. It is also shown that all the equations derived here have connected kernels after iterations.
The Indian Diaspora and Reading Desai, Mukherjee, Gupta, and Lahiri

In his article "The Indian Diaspora and Reading Desai, Mukherjee, Gupta, and Lahiri" Amit Shankar Saha argues that displacement produces a point of encounter between the alien and authority. Saha analyses aspects of (im)migration in texts about the Indian diaspora: if the host society is intolerant then it is through reactionary self-fashioning that the (im)migrant asserts his/her ethnicity as a defensive mechanism to rescue self-respect. However, while the host society is welcoming, it does not guarantee ready assimilation because there is always the question of severing the (im)migrants ties with his/her home land. (Im)migrants start living in two worlds simultaneously by making adjustments. They become transnationals who attempt to define their identities in terms of their point of origin and their destination followed by a second phase where ethnicity is reasserted, although this time not as a reaction against a hostile society but as displeasure against themselves. Ultimately, in the third phase, there is an understanding of how cultures enrich and an acceptance of hybrid existence becomes possible. Amit Shankar Saha, "The Indian Diaspora and Reading Desai, Mukherjee, Gupta, and Lahiri" page 2 of 8 CLCWeb: Comparative Literature and Culture 14.2 (2012): Thematic Issue New Work in Comparative Indian Literatures and Cultures. Ed. M.G. Ramanan and T. Mukherjee
Predictive Conversion of In Vitro Drug Dissolution Data into In Vivo Drug Response versus Time Profiles Exemplified for Plasma Levels of Warfarin

A mathematical approach to computing the in vivo drug response profiles (such as plasma level, pharmacological response, and urinary recovery versus time curves) corresponding to observed in vitro dissolution of drug dosage form versus time profiles is described. The method is exemplified for warfarin tablets, for which observed in vivo plasma level profiles are compared to corresponding predicted profiles computed from in vitro dissolution data. The potential of the method is demonstrated; approaches to its improvement, as well as its limitations, are discussed.
Isotopic Variability of Mercury in Ore, Mine-Waste Calcine, and Leachates of Mine-Waste Calcine from Areas Mined for Mercury

The isotopic composition of mercury (Hg) was determined in cinnabar ore, mine-waste calcine (retorted ore), and leachates obtained from water leaching experiments of calcine from two large Hg mining districts in the U.S. This study is the first to report significant mass-dependent Hg isotopic fractionation between cinnabar ore and resultant calcine. Data indicate that δ202Hg values relative to NIST 3133 of calcine (up to 1.52‰) in the Terlingua district, Texas, are as much as 3.24‰ heavier than cinnabar (−1.72‰) prior to retorting. In addition, δ202Hg values obtained from leachates of Terlingua district calcines are isotopically similar to, or as much as 1.17‰ heavier than associated calcines, most likely due to leaching of soluble, byproduct Hg compounds formed during ore retorting that are a minor component in the calcines. As a result of the large fractionation found between cinnabar and calcine, and because calcine is the dominant source of Hg contamination from the mines studied, δ202Hg values of calcine may be more environmentally important in these mined areas than the primary cinnabar ore. Measurement of the Hg isotopic composition of calcine is necessary when using Hg isotopes for tracing Hg sources from areas mined for Hg, especially mine water runoff.
General and Specific Question Sequence Effects in Satisfaction Surveys: Integrating Directional and Correlational Effects

Researchers investigate relationships between well-being variables and the antecedents to well-being by examining statistical results from survey data. A common measurement approach in survey designs is to include measures of more specific aspects (i.e., facets) and more global assessments of well-being in the same survey. Research shows, however, that the sequence of specific and general measures within the survey affects the magnitude of relationships between specific and general measures. In the current study, we extend such general-specific sequence research by offering an alternative explanation for the occurrence of such sequence effects. Specifically, we propose that having the specific measure before the more general one can shift the mean-level of the specific measure toward the extremes, thereby yielding restricted variance and, ultimately, attenuated correlations between the two measures. We test our proposal on two separate samples examining job-related well-being. Our findings show that the general-specific measure relationship is stronger and the mean-level of satisfaction is lower when the general measure is read first. Our findings suggest important theoretical implications for the study and measurement of well-being. Most importantly, our study suggests that placing general measures before specific measures could avoid sequence-related bias.
A stefan problem on a region and its boundary

This paper considers a system of equations consisting of a nonlinear evolution equation on an open set Ωin coupled to another nonlinear evolution equation on the boundary GΩ. Rather general assumptions are made concerning the operators involved and the coupling between the two problems. Existence and uniqueness are demonstrated via a semigroup of nonlinear operators on L1(Ω)XL1(GΩ).
Ultrastructural identification of synapses between mitral/tufted cell dendrites

Asymmetrical, type 1 synapses between mitral and/or tufted (M/T) cell dendrites were observed in the glomerular layer (GL) and juxtaglomerular external plexiform layer (EPL) of salamander olfactory bulb sections. The dendrites had electron-lucent cytoplasm containing regularly-arrayed microtubules and spherical translucent vesicles. The vesicles were clustered against a thin pre-synaptic density that was aligned with a 17-20 nm-wide synaptic cleft and a thicker post-synaptic density. These dendrodendritic synapses could be a source of the delayed, prolonged excitation that originates from the GL/EPL. During spatiotemporal encoding of odor stimuli, they could amplify or synchronize M/T cell responses.