cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Realigning Federal and State Roles in Securities Regulation through the Definition of a Security

Courts that base their decision on economic realities in holding that shares of common stock in profit-making corporations do not constitute “stock” within the meaning of the federal securities statutes misinterpret the congressional intent evidenced in the statutory structure. The results are without logical foundation either in the language of the statutes themselves or in the Supreme Court holdings on which the cases purport to rely. If the purpose of the trend, although still unstated, is to remove closely held corporations from regulation under federal securities law, that goal has not been achieved in a significant number of cases. In other cases, identical reasoning would preclude federal regulation even where several hundred shareholders might be involved. The cases introduce into the analysis an asymmetry that is discomfiting at best and almost certain to introduce significant procedural complications as the case law develops. The uncertainties involved in the sale of business doctrine make planning of transactions in stock of closely held businesses more complicated and costly, and is unlikely to achieve an appropriate balance of state and federal regulation in the securities are. Rather, this doctrine is likely to result in the exclusion of transfers of control of close corporations from the procedural and substantive advances in antifraud protection that have developed under both federal and state securities laws. Administrative or statutory rulemaking offer an alternative means of realigning federal and state securities roles. The Securities and Exchange Commission has discretionary power to restrict application of rule 10b-5’s antifraud claims to certain classes of business enterprises, and Congress also possesses authority to legislate such a limitation, yet neither has done so yet, and the courts have acted in their stead. Even if the courts are correct that federal regulation in this area needs to be curtailed, it is more appropriate to rely on Congress or its designated administrative agency to effect the many technical changes that are necessary, which would leave the courts in their traditional role of interpreting in the interstices of the statutes.
Elucidation of the time course of adenosine deaminase APOBEC3G and viral infectivity factor vif in HIV-2(287) -infected infant macaques.

Background Although the interactions of cellular cytidine deaminase A3G and viral infection factor (vif) of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) were reported, regulation of A3G after in vivo HIV infection and disease progression is not known.
Limitations on the connection weights due to the introduction of threshold self-adjustment

Application of pseudorehearsal to neural networks with unsupervised learning is an important step in the creating of an artificial memory system with sequential learning. Pseudorehearsal originated from the interaction of two memory subsystems in the human brain, hippocampal and neocortical. The neurons in those two areas differ significantly in their electrical characteristics, but those differences are usually beyond the scope of connectionist modeling. To prove relevance of those parameters to the functionality of the system, the author introduce them in the model. Each of the parameters has its own, non-trivial effect and the best way to study those effects is to do it one by one. The threshold self-adjustment and its relation with the connection weights are studied. The introduction of threshold self-adjustment requires the connection weights to stay within some range to preserve the stability of the net. The suggested modified Hebbian learning rule takes into account those limits.
Product Archetype of Personal Computers as an Expression of the Collective Unconsciousness of People on their Hero's Journey

Human-technology interaction research has benefited from the insights of cognitive psychology and, more recently, from research on human emotion and affect. Yet, there is a dearth of research that goes deeper into the human mind towards imprinting, instincts, and the collective unconscious. The goal of this study was to uncover the product archetype(s) of personal computer experiences. Young adult men and women were asked to recall their very first personal computer experiences. The narrative structure of these earliest recollections matched several of the stages of the archetypal hero's journey as described by Joseph Campbell in his book The Hero with a Thousand Faces. The personal computer appeared to be an alchemical tool or book for success on each person's journey, offering the magic and power of game play, communication, information, creativity, sensory interactions, and portability.
Stress and abdominal Fat: Preliminary Evidence of Moderation by the Cortisol awakening Response in Hispanic Peripubertal Girls

Stress and the cortisol awakening response (CAR) have been independently linked to increases in abdominal fat depots. This cross-sectional study examined the CAR as a moderator of the association between stress, visceral adipose tissue (VAT), and subcutaneous abdominal adipose tissue (SAT) in a sample (N = 23) of female peripubertal Hispanic girls aged from 8 to 11. The study included: (i) monitored salivary cortisol collection, (ii) VAT and SAT obtained by multislice magnetic resonance imaging, and (iii) a stressful life events checklist with four domain-specific subscales: peer, family, personal, and school. Regression analysis indicated an interaction of school-related life events and CAR on VAT and SAT, with greater numbers of school-related events being related to greater VAT and SAT for girls with high CAR, but no association with VAT or SAT for girls with low CAR. Similar to job stress in adults, school-related stress in children may contribute to central adiposity, especially for girls with high CAR.
Modeling microtubule cytoskeleton via an active liquid crystal elastomer model

In this work, a three-dimensional (3D) liquid crystal polymer model is developed to model the microtubule cytoskeleton aggregate and to study its interaction with the extracellular matrix. In the proposed microtubule cytoskeleton model, the cytoskeleton aggregate is treated as a homogenized liquid crystal elastomer medium, with an extra active stress term included to account for the effect of the active process of Guanosine Triphosphate (GTP) hydrolysis. The cell extracellular matrix (ECM) is modeled as a hyperelastic material. The specific and non-specific interactions between the cell and its ECM are modeled by a Coarse-Grained Contact Model. Surface tension effects are incorporated into the simulation, through a Multiscale Dynamic Wetting Model, to account for the interface conditions between the cell and its surrounding environment. The cell model is implemented in a Lagrange type Galerkin formulation. The numerical results show that the cell can sense and move under the gradient of matrix elasticity.
Simulation of a surface‐penetrating radar for Mars exploration

[1] In the near future, several exploratory missions to Mars are planned, which will include orbital radar sounders capable of characterizing the planet's subsurface structure to depths of up to a few kilometers. Due to the limited amount of resources concerning the properties of the Martian soils, in particular, those governing electromagnetic propagation and scattering, the ability of a radar system to detect and distinguish between subsurface interfaces is difficult to predict. Up to this time, most radar sounding simulations have been based on simplified models and do not accurately account for many of the factors that influence the response. To aid in the system evaluation and data interpretation for these missions, we developed a radar simulator to accurately model the response for various geological conditions. The simulator uses a frequency domain algorithm and is capable of modeling the effects of dielectric layering, volume debris, frequency dispersion, ohmic losses, and interface roughness. In this paper a geophysical model appropriate to the radar simulator is described, and the simulation algorithms are presented in detail. Factors influencing wave propagation and scattering are identified, including those that directly impact radar performance, specifically pertaining to expected penetration depths and unambiguous detection of water or ice. Finally, using a set of “standard” crustal models of different geological regions, simulation results are generated and presented.
The Role of Help‐Seeking in Preventing Suicide Attempts among Lesbians, Gay Men, and Bisexuals

One possible approach to prevention of suicide attempts is to encourage help-seeking among individuals at risk. We assessed whether different forms of treatment were associated with lower odds of a suicide attempt in a diverse group of 388 lesbian, gay, and bisexual (LGB) adults aged 18–59, sampled from New York City venues. Of individuals who attempted suicide, 23% sought mental health or medical treatment and 14% sought religious or spiritual treatment prior to the suicide attempt. Black and Latino LGBs were underrepresented in mental health or medical treatment and Black LGBs were overrepresented in religious or spiritual treatment. Seeking mental health or medical treatment was not associated with lower odds of a suicide attempt; seeking religious or spiritual treatment was associated with higher odds of a suicide attempt. We discuss these results and posit hypotheses for further research of this understudied topic.
Relating isobolograms to response surfaces

The interaction index, isobologram and the appropriate contour of constant response of a dose response surface each offer essentially equivalent information regarding departures from additivity in a chemical combination. The benefit of relating the interaction index and isobolograms to a contour of a fitted dose response surface is that departures from additivity can be related to parameters of a statistical model. This permits an assessment of the statistical significance of the parameters and conclusions regarding the nature of departures from additivity which account for the variability inherent in the experiments used to generate the data. Relationships between statistical models and experimental designs can be exploited to yield economical designs for studying chemical combinations.
SU-GG-T-573: Total Scalp Irradiation: Comparison between Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy, Helical Tomotherapy and Conventional Electron and Photon Field Combination

Purpose: Homogeneous irradiation of the scalp is challenging due to relatively complex and superficial treatment volume. Conventional treatment approach of combining matched electron and photon fields produces dose heterogeneity, especially at matched lines. Fixed gantry IMRT techniques have not been able to provide clinically acceptable plans but helical tomotherapy has been demonstrated to be an alternative option. We have implemented total scalp treatment with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and compared the dosimetric characteristics to tomotherapy and conventional method. Materials and Methods: Two patients have been planned for total scalp irradiation using RapidArc VMAT, helical tomotherapy and conventional electron and photon field combination. The same anatomy and structure sets have been used for the planning purposes. After each operator achieved clinically acceptable results for the particular method, the dose distributions and dose volume histograms were compared. Results: VMAT and tomotherapy provide significantly more homogeneous dose distribution and target coverage. Maximum PTV dose with VMAT and tomotherapy were 20% and 30% less than the conventional method respectively. Although, the conventional method provided 2/3 less dose to brain at D50% and D75%, tomotherapy and VMAT gave lower dose to the brain in high‐dose regions. Brainstem was best spared by conventional method with 1/4 of the maximum dose delivered with tomotherapy and VMAT. Tomotherapy provided more homogeneous dose distribution than VMAT but the brain and brainstem sparing were comparable. Conclusions: VMAT for total scalp irradiation is a clinically acceptable and comparable to tomotherapy. VMAT provides significantly more homogeneous distribution than conventional method. VMAT and Tomotherapy give lower dose to the brain in high‐dose regions than conventional method. Moreover, VMAT and tomotherapy plans can be delivered more reproducibly and reliably than conventional treatments. Average beam on time for VMAT and tomotherapy were 2.5 mins and 7.7 mins respectively. Research sponsored by Varian Medical Systems.
Rapidly evolving repetitive DNAs in a conservative genome: a test of factors that affect chromosomal evolution.

The hypothesis that tandemly repeated DNA sequences may facilitate chromosomal rearrangements was tested by comparing a conservatively evolving karyotype of a bat species (Macrotus waterhousii) with data published for a rapidly evolving karyotype of an equid species (Equus zebra). Empirical data generated from the phylogenetic screening of rapidly evolving repetitive DNAs from approximately 0.1% of theM. waterhousii genome showed only one sequence that was repetitive inM. waterhousii but low in copy number or absent from the outgroupArtibeus jamaicensis. This compares to 34 such clones containing sequences which were repetitive inE. zebra but were low in copy number or absent from the outgroupCeratotherium simum. The bat sequence represents a single family of repeated sequences, whereas six families of sequences were identified inE. zebra. Southern blot analysis suggested that the sequence fromM. waterhousii is interspersed rather than tandemly repeated, as are the sequences inE. zebra. These data support the above hypothesis and suggest that species with conservatively evolving karyotypes have fewer numbers and families of rapidly evolving DNA sequences than do species such as the equids that possess a karyotype that is considered to have undergone rapid karyotypic evolution.
Kinetics of phase transformations in SiAlON Ceramics: II. Reaction Paths

Abstract Kinetics of various α/β-Si3N4→α′/β′-SiAlON transformations were investigated for SiAlON ceramics with additions of rare-earth cations. It was determined that α-Si3N4 starting powders lead to faster Si3N4→α′/β′-SiAlON transformations than β-Si3N4 powders. In reactions with a two-phase α′/β′-SiAlON product, the formation of a SiAlON that is structurally similar to the majority starting powders is initially favored, and such SiAlON has a solute composition leaner than the final equilibrium composition. These results suggest that the transformation kinetics is largely governed by the heterogeneous nucleation that is strongly sensitive to the driving force, dictated by the majority phase of the starting powders, and that coherent nucleation is often favored when abundent isostructural nucleation sites are available.
Genetic regulation of vesiculogenesis and immunomodulation in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb) restrains immune responses well enough to escape eradication but elicits enough immunopathology to ensure its transmission. Here we provide evidence that this host–pathogen relationship is regulated in part by a cytosolic, membrane-associated protein with a unique structural fold, encoded by the Mtb gene rv0431. The protein acts by regulating the quantity of Mtb-derived membrane vesicles bearing Toll-like receptor 2 ligands, including the lipoproteins LpqH and SodC. We propose that rv0431 be named “vesiculogenesis and immune response regulator.”
Differential scanning calorimetry studies on the dehydration of deoxyribonucleic acid and polyadenylic acid

Abstract Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) experiments have been carried out on the desorption of water from polyadenylic acid and deoxyribonucleic acid in the region of less than 10 water molecules per monomer unit. The enthalpy of the desorption process increases from a value essentially that of the vaporization of liquid water to approximately 16,000 cal per mole as the quantity of absorbed water decreases from 10 to 2 water molecules per monomer unit. Equilibrium vapor pressure studies together with the DSC measurements on polyadenylic acid permit calculation of the entropy of the absorbed water as essentially that of liquid water.
Short period geomagnetic polarity events in deep-sea sedimentary cores

Abstract It is suggested that inconsistencies in detailed results from paleomagnetic studies of marine sedimentary cores are to be expected in segments close to polarity boundaries, because of the creation of a zone or redeposition up to 50 cm deep by benthonic faunal activity. Even with constant sedimentation, geomagnetic polarity events may not remain recorded in such cores. Reliable delineation of the fine structure of the geomagnetic polarity history by paleomagnetic studies of deep-sea sedimentary cores is therefore unlikely unless cores of sufficient length are collected from areas of unusually high sedimentation rate and/or very low biological activity. With these reservations, the paleomagnetism of a series of selected cores from the Southern Ocean are presented. It is shown that the possibility of short normal polarity events att = 0.82 and 1.07 million years is supported by the data. Verification by independent means is essential, however, before these suggested polarity changes can be accepted as real.
A Membrane Network for Nutrient Import in Red Cells Infected with the Malaria Parasite

The human malaria parasite Plasmodium falciparum exports an interconnected network of tubovesicular membranes (the TVM) that extends from the parasite's vacuolar membrane to the periphery of the red cell. Here it is shown that extracellular solutes such as Lucifer yellow enter the TVM and are delivered to the parasite. Blocking the assembly of the network blocked the delivery of exogenous Lucifer yellow, nucleosides, and amino acids to the parasite without inhibiting secretion of plasmodial proteins. These data suggest that the TVM is a transport network that allows nutrients efficient access to the parasite and could be used to deliver antimalarial drugs directly into the parasite.
ACTION OF SERUM ON LYMPHOCYTES IN VITRO.

It may be concluded that, under the conditions of the experiments: 1. Lymphocytes and large mononuclear cells can live and increase greatly in numbers in blood serum, while fibroblasts are not capable of doing so. 2. While living in serum, lymphocytes and large mononuclear cells manufacture and secrete substances which may be used as food material by the fibroblasts. 3. It is probable that lymphocytes and large mononuclear cells synthetize from the nitrogenous compounds contained in serum the substances which fibroblasts and epithelial cells require for their multiplication.
Association of Dietary Patterns With Albuminuria and Kidney Function Decline in Older White Women: A Subgroup Analysis From the Nurses' Health Study

Background Dietary patterns have been linked to such chronic diseases as cardiovascular disease, but sparse data currently are available for associations between dietary patterns and microalbuminuria or kidney function decline. Study Design Subgroup analysis from a prospective observational cohort study. Setting & Participants Female participants in the Nurses' Health Study who had dietary pattern data from food frequency questionnaires returned in 1984, 1986, 1990, 1994, and 1998 and urinary albumin-creatinine ratios from 2000 (n = 3,121); estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) change between 1989 and 2000 was available for 3,071. Predictor Prudent (higher intake of fruits, vegetables, legumes, fish, poultry, and whole grains), Western (higher intake of red and processed meats, saturated fats, and sweets), and Dietary Approach to Stop Hypertension (DASH)-style dietary patterns (also greater intake of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains). Outcomes & Measurements Microalbuminuria (albumin-creatinine ratio, 25-354 μg/mg) in 2000 and change in kidney function using eGFR between 1989 and 2000. Results After multivariable adjustment, the highest quartile of Western pattern score compared with the lowest quartile was associated directly with microalbuminuria (OR, 2.17; 95% CI, 1.18-3.66; P for trend=0.01) and rapid eGFR decline ≥3 mL/min/1.73 m 2 /y (OR, 1.77; 95% CI, 1.03-3.03). Women in the top quartile of the DASH score had decreased risk of rapid eGFR decline (OR, 0.55; 95% CI, 0.38-0.80), but no association with microalbuminuria. These associations did not vary by diabetes status. The prudent dietary pattern was not associated with microalbuminuria or eGFR decline. Limitations Study cohort included primarily older white women and generalizability of results would benefit from validation in nonwhites and men. Conclusions A Western dietary pattern is associated with a significantly increased odds of microalbuminuria and rapid kidney function decrease, whereas a DASH-style dietary pattern may be protective against rapid eGFR decline.
M / G / ∞ with exponentially distributed setup times

We consider an M / G / ∞ model with exponentially distributed setup times. Arrivals result in an off server starting a setup. Upon completing a setup, a server begins serving a waiting customer. Upon completing service, with probability p the server becomes eligible to serve another waiting customer. Among other things, we show, in steady state, that the number of busy servers is Poisson distributed and is independent of the number of servers in setup.
Hibris, a Drosophila Nephrin Homolog, Is Required for Presenilin-Mediated Notch and APP-like Cleavages

Drosophila Hibris (Hbs), a member of the Nephrin Immunoglobulin Super Family, has been implicated in myogenesis and eye patterning. Here, we uncover a role of Hbs in Notch (N) signaling and γ-secretase processing. Loss of hbs results in classical N-signaling-associated phenotypes in Drosophila, including eye patterning, wing margin, and sensory organ specification defects. In particular, hbs mutant larvae display altered γ-secretase-dependent Notch proteolytic processing. Hbs also interacts molecularly and genetically with Presenilin (Psn) and other components of the γ-secretase complex. This Hbs function appears conserved, as mammalian Nephrin also promotes N signaling in mammalian cells. Our data suggest that Hbs is required for Psn maturation. Consistent with its role in Psn processing, Hbs genetically interacts with the Drosophila β-amyloid protein precursor-like (Appl) protein, the homolog of mammalian APP, the cleavage of which is associated with Alzheimer's disease. Thus, Hbs/Nephrin appear to share a general requirement in Psn/γ-secretase regulation and associated processes.
Integrin Regulation by Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor in Human Brain Microvascular Endothelial Cells ROLE OF α6β1 INTEGRIN IN ANGIOGENESIS

The precise role of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in regulating integrins in brain microvascular endothelial cells is unknown. Here, we analyzed VEGF effects on integrin expression and activation in human brain microvascular endothelial cells (HBMECs). Using human cDNA arrays and ribonuclease (RNase) protection assays, we observed that VEGF up-regulated the mRNA expression of alpha(6) integrin in HBMECs. VEGF significantly increased alpha(6)beta(1) integrin expression, but not alpha(6)beta(4) integrin expression in these cells. Specific down-regulation of alpha(6) integrin expression by small interfering RNA (siRNA) oligonucleotides inhibited both the capillary morphogenesis of HBMECs and their adhesion and migration. Additionally, VEGF treatment resulted in activation of alpha(6)beta(1) integrins in HBMECs. Functional blocking of alpha(6) integrin with its specific antibody inhibited the VEGF-induced adhesion and migration as well as in vivo angiogenesis, and markedly suppressed tumor angiogenesis and breast carcinoma growth in vivo. Thus, VEGF can modulate angiogenesis via increased expression and activation of alpha(6)beta(1) integrins, which may promote VEGF-driven tumor angiogenesis in vivo.
GAS6 Induces Axl-mediated Chemotaxis of Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Atherosclerosis and arterial restenosis are disease processes involving the accumulation of vascular smooth muscle cells following vascular injury. Key events leading to these processes are migration and proliferation of these cells. Here, we demonstrate that GAS6, encoded by the growth arrest-specific gene 6, induces a directed migration (chemotaxis) of both rat and human primary vascular smooth muscle cells while showing only marginal mitogenic potential in human vascular smooth muscle cells. GAS6 stimulation induces Axl autophosphorylation in human vascular smooth muscle cells, indicating that specific GAS6-Axl interactions may be associated with GAS6-directed chemotaxis. To test this hypothesis, vascular smooth muscle cells overexpressing Axl were generated by gene transfer and assessed for their ability to migrate along a GAS6 gradient. These Axl overexpressors exhibited 2-5-fold increased sensitivity to GAS6-induced chemotaxis. Furthermore, vascular smooth muscle cells expressing the kinase dead mutant of Axl or exposure to the soluble Axl extracellular domain showed attenuated GAS6-induced migration. Taken together, these results suggest that GAS6 is a novel chemoattractant that induces Axl-mediated migration of vascular smooth muscle cells. The separation of mitogenesis from migration provided by this study may enhance the molecular dissection of cell migration in vascular damage.
Surface modification of polypropylene under argon and oxygen-RF-plasma conditions

Polypropylene fabrics samples were surface functionalized under Ar and O2 RF plasma conditions. Survey and high resolution photoelectron spectroscopy and attenuated total reflectance FTIR comparative evaluation of virgin and plasma treated substrat surfaces, and their pentafluorophenyl hydrazine-derivatized correspondents, indicate that both Ar and O2-discharge treated PP surfaces undergo intense oxidation. C=O, O−C=O, and C−O linkages were identified on both inert and reactive gas plasma exposed surfaces. It was found that the relative surface atomic concentrations and the relative ratios of newly created functionalities are controlled by the external plasma parameters (RF power and treatment time). The oxidation of Ar-plasma treated surfaces has been related toex situ post plasma mechanisms. Dynamic contact angle measurements from unmodified and plasma exposed substrates demonstrated the presence of increased surface polarity, and its dependence on plasma parameters. AFM evaluations of plasma treated samples indicate the presence of rough surface morphologies.
Effect of Ventricular Dilatation on Defibrillation Threshold in the Isolated Perfused Rabbit Heart

Ventricular Dilatation and DFT. Introduction: Ventricular dilatation has Important electrophysiologic effects, but its effect on ventricular defibrillation threshold (DFT) is unknown. Methods and Results: A fluid-filled, latex balloon was placed in the left ventricular cavity of 19 isolated rabbit hearts. In each experiment, an undilated volume (equivalent to a left ventricular end-diastolic pressure of approximately 0 mmHg) was compared to a dilated volume achieved by adding 1.0 mL of saline (n = 10) or 5% dextrose (n = 9) to the intracavitary balloon. Left ventricular effective refractory period (ERP) and DFT were determined at each volume. Defibrillation was attempted with a monophasic shock delivered between a patch electrode positioned over the posterior left ventricle (cathode) and a metallic aortic cannula (anode). DFT was determined using a modified “down/up” protocol with 10-V steps. Ventricular dilatation increased the left ventricular end-diastolic pressure from 0 ± 0.5 mmHg to 35 ± 3 mmHg (P < 0.001), decreased the average left ventricular ERP 15% (from 116 ± 3 msec to 99 ± 3 msec; P < 0.001), and increased the average DFT 30% (from 96 ± 4 V to 125 ± 7 V; P < 0.001). In one third of experiments, the dilated DFT was ≥ 150% of the DFT at zero volume. The mechanism of the observed increase in DFT is unknown but may be related to the decrease in refractoriness observed with ventricular dilatation. Conclusion: Acute ventricular dilatation in this model increased DFT an average of 30%, an effect not previously described. This observation may have implications for patients with implantable cardioverter defibrillators.
Regulation of interferon gamma signaling by suppressors of cytokine signaling and regulatory T cells.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) play an indispensable role in the prevention of autoimmune disease, as interferon gamma (IFN) mediated, lethal autoimmunity occurs (in both mice and humans) in their absence. In addition, regulatory T cells have been implicated in preventing the onset of autoimmune and auto-inflammatory conditions associated with aberrant IFN signaling such as type 1 diabetes, lupus, and LPS mediated endotoxemia. Notably, suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 deficient (SOCS1-/-) mice also succumb to a lethal auto-inflammatory disease, dominated by excessive IFN signaling and bearing similar disease course kinetics to Treg deficient mice. Moreover SOCS1 deficiency has been implicated in lupus progression, and increased susceptibility to LPS mediated endotoxemia. Although it has been established that Tregs and SOCS1 play a critical role in the regulation of IFN signaling, and the prevention of lethal auto-inflammatory disease, the role of Treg/SOCS1 cross-talk in the regulation of IFN signaling has been essentially unexplored. This is especially pertinent as recent publications have implicated a role of SOCS1 in the stability of peripheral Tregs. This review will examine the emerging research findings implicating a critical role of the intersection of the SOCS1 and Treg regulatory pathways in the control of IFN gamma signaling and immune system function.
Specificity of metoclopramide in assessing the role of dopamine in regulating aldosterone secretion.

To evaluate the specificity of metoclopramide as a dopamine antagonist on the rat glomerulosa cell, the effects of dopamine (1 × 10-10 to 1 × 10-6 M), metoclopramide (1 × 10-10 and 1 × 10-7 M), and serotonin (1 × 10-8 and 1 × 10-6 M), alone and in combination, on basal and/r angiotensin II (AII)-stimulated aldosterone secretion was assessed. While neither dopamine nor metoclopramide altered basal aldosterone production in these cells, both caused a dose-related inhibition of AII-stimulated steroidogenesis (P < 0.01). Both produced their maximal inhibitory effect at a concentration of 10-7 M, with a reduction in aldosterone output from 221 ± 28 ng/106 cells with AII alone to 146 ± 27 and 141 ± 28 ng/106 cells with dopamine and metoclopramide, respectively. When metoclopramide was added to incubates containing 10-6 M dopamine and 2.4 × 10-9 M AII, aldosterone production was significantly increased from 141 ± 22 ng/106 to 220 ± 46 ng/106 cells, an output indistinguishable from that produced by AII alone. In ...
The Mental Health Services Program for Youth.

This paper traces the development of The Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s Mental Health Services Program for Youth, a private initiative designed to improve the organization, financing, and delivery of service to seriously mentally ill youth. The rationale and structure of this five-year initiative are discussed. In July 1989, 12 one-year development grants were awarded under the program’s first phase. All of the grantees propose to utilize a number of strategies to restructure their mental health financing systems. Other common features include: the development of central intake units, early identification mechanisms, stronger utilization review protocols, and unified client tracking mechanisms.
Interkingdom fusion between human (HeLa) cells and tobacco hybrid (GGLL) protoplasts

The fusion of human HeLa cells with tobacco protoplasts has been accomplished with the use of polyethylene glycol. The sequence from heterocellular adherence to heterokaryon formation has been followed with light microscopy and confirmed by autoradiographs of heterokaryons containing unlabeled tobacco nuclei and tritium-labeled HeLa nuclei. The HeLa nucleus retained its integrity in the tobacco cytoplasm up to 6 days after fusion.
Straight Wives of HIV-Positive Husbands Who Contracted the Virus Through Male-to-Male Sexual Contact

This phenomenological study explores the experience of eight monogamous, heterosexual women whose husbands have been diagnosed as HIV positive as a result of male-to-male sexual contact. The women were not aware of the sexual orientation of their husbands nor that they had engaged in extramarital relations. The ramifications of the revelations of both the sexual orientation and the HIV status on the women are the thrust of the research. A semi-structured interview was used to elicit rich descriptions of the marriages in which the participants lived, both before and after their husbands either revealed their homosexuality or were diagnosed as HIV positive. Themes revealed included the wives’ anger, betrayal/disillusionment, self-esteem, isolation, denial, and self-blame. Dealing with these and the dual disclosure led to various resolutions. This study provides information that can lead to more effective therapy with this population and raises public issues regarding privacy of HIV-positive husbands and pro...
Two-beam interferometer for optical constants measurements at near-millimeter wavelengths

A simple and versatile instrument for the measurement of optical constants in the near millimeter spectral region is described. Studies of quasi-optical components used in this instrument for effective beam transmission and control are reported. These studies include transmission characteristics of dielectric waveguides and performance of a variable coupler based on frustrated total internal reflection. Operation of this instrument as a two-beam interferometer for determining the index of refraction or as a device to measure transmission for determining the absorption coefficient are described. Values measured with this instrument at 245 GHz, using an optically pumped molecular laser as the source, are reported for several low-loss materials. Appropriate corrections and error estimates are discussed. The potential for improvement and increased accuracies are discussed.
What Kind of Narcissist Are You

We are all narcissists, and necessarily so, since healthy narcissism is one of the main routes available to us for nourishing and protecting ourselves. Like all personality traits, narcissism is dimensional. For our own good, and for that of those whose lives we touch, it is useful to know what kind of narcissist we are, and to what effect. When my own narcissism was tweaked by an event that left most people relatively nonplussed, I examined the implications of this psychic insult. I looked to the contents of my narcissistic mirror, asking who and what had contributed to that template. After this analysis, I was able to see more clearly and concretely how helpful the concept of narcissism can be when trying to understand both normal and pathological behavior.
Growth characteristics of NaCl-selected and nonselected cells of Nicotiana tabacum L.

A cell line of Nicotiana tabacum L. var. Wisconsin 38 was selected (S-10 cells) which is capable of growth in medium containing 10 g liter(-1) NaCl. The fresh and dry weights of S-10 cells at stationary phase in medium containing 10 g liter(-1) NaCl were about 60 and 100% respectively, of that of S-10 cells grown without NaCl. When cells normally maintained in the absence of the salt (S-0 cells) were transferred to medium containing 10 g liter(-1) NaCl, they underwent a 14-day lag period before growth could be detected and they reached stationary phase 36 days after inoculation compared to 14 days for S-10 cells. At stationary phase, fresh and dry weights of S-0 and S-10 cells were the same in the presence of salt. The S-0 cells exhibited a reduced growth rate once growth began in medium with 10 g liter(-1) NaCl. The cell mass doubling time of S-0 cells in medium with 10 g liter(-1) NaCl was 4 days compared to 1.2 days for these cells grown in the absence of the salt and 1.6 days for S-10 cells grown in medium with 10 g liter(-1) NaCl. The resistance of the salt-selected cells was stable in the presence of the salt. However, after 5 cell mass doublings following transfer into medium without NaCl, these cells lost their resistance to salt and responded to NaCl like the cell population (S-0 cells) which had not been selected for growth on NaCl.
Effect of tonsillar fossa closure on postoperative pain and bleeding risk after tonsillectomy.

Abstract Objective To determine if closing the tonsil fossa after tonsillectomy leads to less pain and bleeding. Study design Interventional, Randomized, Single Blind, Active Control, Single Group Assignment, Safety/Efficacy Study. Follow-up: 2 months. Methods Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE) analyzed effects of tonsillar pillar closure, surgeon experience and interaction on outcomes. Setting Primarily academic tertiary care referral center, institutional practice, primarily children, both ambulatory and hospitalized care. Subjects 763 subjects (age 8–264 months) undergoing tonsillectomy. Exclusions suspected malignancy or active peritonsillar abscess. At the discretion of the attending surgeon, patients undergoing tonsillectomy during the 4 year study period were offered participation. A computer selected the side closed. 131 subjects withdrew (complete lack of follow-up information) after the first 72 h. Intervention 3-0 chromic sutures on tapered needles to close one tonsillar fossa. The subject was not told which side was closed. Main outcome measures postoperative bleeding (at any time) and pain reported was sought on days 1, 7, 14, 21, and 28. Results Closure of the tonsillar fossa did not change the risk of bleeding. Closing the tonsillar fossa had a 40% increase in the odds ratio of postoperative pain. In the tonsillar fossa sides left open, greater surgeon experience decreased the risk of bleeding. In closed sides, enriched surgeon experience increased the risk of bleeding (p Conclusions Suture closure of the tonsillar fossa after tonsillectomy does not reduce the risk of bleeding. Additionally, closing the tonsillar fossa increased postoperative pain. Level of evidence 1b (individual randomized controlled trial).
Comparison of direct vs fumigation incubation microbial biomass estimates from ectomycorrhizal mat and non-mat soils

Abstract Direct estimates of microbial biomass were compared to chloroform fumigation incubation estimates of microbial biomass using samples collected from mesic forest stands. Paired soil samples were collected from ectomycorrhizal mats, which contain visible amounts of fungal material, and from non-mat areas immediately adjacent to the mats but which contain no visible fungal material. As much as 30–50% of the dry wt of soil collected from ectomycorrhizal mats can be comprised of strictly fungal biomass. Direct estimates of microbial biomass from both mat and non-mat soils were 10–300 times higher than biomass estimates obtained using the fumigation incubation method. Fumigation incubation estimates of microbial biomass showed little seasonal variation, while direct estimates revealed that microbial biomass peaked during both the spring and fall when rainfall and temperatures were optimal and were lowest during the dry summer. We compared our values to ones reported for shortgrass prairies and in Jenkinson's original fumigation incubation paper. Fumigation incubation estimates indicated that microbial biomass carbon was the same in both prairie and forest soils, about 0.5 mg C g −1 soil. Direct estimates showed that microbial biomass was actually greater, by factors of 10–300, in these forest soils. Some forest soils, for which fumigation incubation indicated very low microbial biomass, contained visible amounts of fungal hyphae. Our conclusion is that fumigation incubation does not necessarily measure microbial biomass, and that the error can be extremely high when soils contain high quantities of fungal biomass.
Toward the implementation of R&D resource allocation models

The allocation of organization resources to the R&D function remains one of the most complex and least rational decision processes of management. The purpose of this note is to examine the process and the implied attributes required of formal prescriptive models which will improve the process. Characteristics of the allocation problem are discussed briefly. This provides a rationale for listing those attributes which formal models should exhibit in order to contribute meaningfully to the rationality of the allocation process.
How fast do Galilean satellites spin

Each of the Galilean satellites, as well as most other satellites whose initial rotations have been substantialy altered by tidal dissipation, has been widely assumed to rotate synchronously with its orbital mean motion. Such rotation would require a small permanent asymmetry in the mass distribution in order to overcome the small mean tidal torque. Since Io and Europa may be substantially fluid, they may not have the strength to support the required permanent asymmetry. Thus, each may rotate at the unknown but slightly nonsynchronous rate that corresponds to zero mean tidal torque. This behavior may be observable by Galileo spacecraft imaging. It may help explain the longitudinal variation of volcanism on Io and the cracking of Europa's crust.
In vitro metabolism of theophylline by rat and human liver tissue

1. The metabolism of theophylline was studied in the recently developed, precision-cut, liver slice system. Metabolism of theophylline by rat and human liver slices increased over a 6h incubation period.2. Rat liver slices produced 1,3-dimethyluric acid, 1-methyluric acid, and uric acid. Human liver slices produced the same metabolite, as well as 3-methylxanthine.3. Liver slices and microsomes obtained from the Aroclor-1254 pretreated rats metabolized theophylline at a 10-15-fold greater rate than those obtained from control rats.4. When theophylline was administered orally to the control and Aroclor-1254 pretreated F-344 rats, the same metabolites were present in the urine as were produced in both in vitro systems. Much less theophylline and more metabolites were found in the urine of the Aroclor-1254 pretreated rat.5. This study demonstrates that precision-cut slices maintained in the roller culture system can serve as a reliable in vitro method to assess the metabolism of xenobiotics.
Heat transfer to decomposing nitrogen dioxide in a turbulent boundary layer

Heat transfer coefficients were measured for the dissociating system 2 NO2 ⇋ NO + O2 in turbulent flow. Heat transfer rates to this reacting gas are limited by the kinetics of the decomposition and recombination reactions. Experimental results agree to within 10% with a film-theory solution for heat transfer accompanied by a nonequilibrium chemical reaction.
Treatment of Pulmonary Mycobacterium avium Complex Lung Disease in Non-Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Patients in the Era of the Newer Macrolides and Rifabutin

Abstract It is likely that the incidence and prevalence of lung disease caused by Mycobacterium avium complex (MAC) have been underestimated in the past. An explanation for the apparent increase in MAC lung disease can be found in the recent recognition that MAC may present as noncavitary lung disease in elderly nonsmoking women, in addition to the well-recognized cavitary form of disease seen primarily in men with underlying obstructive lung disease. Both forms of MAC lung disease can be progressive if left untreated. Previous therapy for MAC lung disease using only antituberculosis drugs was unsatisfactory. The most important advances in the treatment of MAC lung disease have been the introduction of the newer macrolide, clarithromycin; the closely related azalide, azithromycin; and rifabutin, a rifamycin similar to rifampin. Although effective, multidrug treatment regimens—including regimens that incorporate these agents—are associated with frequent adverse events and significant drug interactions that require close monitoring of patients. Even with better antimycobacterial agents, some patients with MAC lung disease do not respond to therapy. Further improvements in treatment of MAC lung disease are still needed.
Separating Two Simple Polygons, by a Sequence of Translations

LetP andQ be two disjoint simple polygons havingm andn sides, respectively. We present an algorithm which determines whetherQ can be moved by a sequence of translations to a position sufficiently far fromP without colliding withP, and which produces such a motion if it exists. Our algorithm runs in timeO(mn?(mn) logm logn) where ?(k) is the extremely slowly growing inverse Ackermann's function. Since in the worst case Ω(mn) translations may be necessary to separateQ fromP, our algorithm is close to optimal.
CHALLENGING THE NATIVE AND NONNATIVE ENGLISH SPEAKER HIERARCHY IN ELT: NEW DIRECTIONS FROM RACE THEORY

Over the past decade, English Language Teaching (ELT) scholars have shown an increased interest in exploring the intersections of racism and native speakerism, leading to more articles, special journal issues, and edited collections dealing with this topic. While this work has been valuable, it has largely been limited to considering one's appearance, nonnative speaking status, and the connection between the two. In this article, the author argues that we can draw more extensively on theories of difference developed by race theorists to better analyze and deconstruct the hierarchy between native and nonnative speaking professionals in ELT. Drawing on work by ELT and race theorists, the author applies Harris' (1993) theory of “whiteness as property” to make the argument that ELT scholars need to draw more extensively on race theory in order to challenge the inequalities present in ELT.
Causal and diagnostic inferences: A comparison of validity

Abstract Decision-support technologies are founded on the paradigm that direct judgments are less reliable and less valid than synthetic inferences produced from more “fragmentary” judgments. Moreover, certain types of fragments are normally assumed to be more valid than others. In particular, judgments about the likelihood of a certain state of affairs given a particular set of data (diagnostic inferences) are routinely fabricated from judgments about the likelihood of that data given various states of affairs (causal inferences), and not vice versa. This study was designed to test the benefits of causal synthesis schemes by comparing the validity of causal and diagnostic judgments against “ground-truth” standards. The results demonstrate that the validity of causal and diagnostic inferences are strikingly similar; direct diagnostic estimates of conditional probabilities were found to be as accurate as their synthetic counterparts deduced from causal judgments. The reverse is equally true. Moreover, these accuracies were found to be roughly equal for each causal category tested. Thus, if the validity of judgments produced by a given mode of reasoning is a measure of whether it matches the format of human semantic memory, then neither one of the causal or diagnostic schema is a more universal or more natural format for encoding knowledge about common, everyday experiences. These findings imply that one should approach the “divide and conquer” ritual with caution; not every division leads to a conquest, even when the atoms are cast in causal phrasings. Dogmatic decompositions performed at the expense of conceptual simplicity may lead to inferences of lower quality than those of direct, unaided judgments.