cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Starstruck in the promised land: how the arts shaped American passions about Israel: by Shalom Goldman, Chapel Hill, NC, University of North Carolina Press, 2019, 244 pp., $28.00 (hardback), ISBN: 9781469652412

Debates about the “special relationship” between the United States and Israel are numerous and persistent. Such discussions raise many questions: What is the special relationship? Is it mutually be...
Plurihormonal PIT-1-Positive Pituitary Adenomas: A Systematic Review and Single-Center Series.

Objective The 2017 World Health Organization classification of pituitary adenomas identified the plurihormonal PIT-1–positive (PP1) adenoma as a distinct subtype. The reported data suggest that PP1 adenomas encompass the former class of silent subtype 3 (SS3) adenomas and might have an aggressive phenotype. In the present study, we summarized the current clinical data on PP1 and SS3 adenomas and compared the reported data with the data from a single institutional cohort. Methods Medline and Google Scholar were searched from 1990 to 2020 for clinical series of PP1 and SS3 adenomas in accordance with the PRISMA (preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses) guidelines. Studies were included if they had reported pituitary pathology as PP1 or SS3 adenomas and had reported the clinical outcomes after surgical intervention. To better define the PP1 phenotype compared with non-PP1 adenomas, we also reviewed the adenomas treated surgically at our institution from 2012 to 2019. Results Of all the tumors reported in the studies as PP1 or SS3, 99% were macroadenomas and 18% were giant adenomas (>4 cm). Of the reported patients, 31.8% had received radiotherapy, and 22.9% had undergone multiple surgeries for their pituitary tumor. In our single-center experience, 20 patients had an adenoma that met the criteria for a PP1 adenoma. Compared with the 1146 non-PP1 tumors, the PP1 tumors did not show statistically significant differences in the extent of resection, size, number of previous surgeries, future reoperations, rate of radiotherapy, p53 staining, or MIB-1 labeling index. Conclusions The findings from the present large, single-center study comparing PP1 and non–PP1 adenomas do not suggest that PP1 tumors are more aggressive. Further work is warranted to identify the pathologic subtypes of pituitary adenomas that are consistently more clinically aggressive.
multiUQ: A software package for uncertainty quantification of multiphase flows

Abstract multiUQ is a novel tool that simulates gas-liquid multiphase flows and quantifies uncertainty in results due to variability about fluid properties and initial/boundary conditions. The benefit over a typical deterministic solver is that inexact information, such as variability in fluid properties or flow rates, can be included to determine the affect on simulation solutions. It is common to deploy non-intrusive methods which utilize many solutions from a deterministic solver to generate a distribution of possible results. Contrarily, multiUQ uses an intrusive uncertainty quantification method wherein variables of interest are functions of space, time, and additional uncertainty dimensions. The intrusive solver is run once, giving a distribution of solutions as an output, as well as desired statistics. We use polynomial chaos to create the stochastic variables, which represent a distribution of values at each grid point. The stochastic variables are substituted into the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations, which govern the stochastic fluid dynamics. A stochastic level set is used to capture the distribution of interfaces that are present in an uncertain multiphase flow. multiUQ is written in Fortran and uses a message passing interface (MPI) for parallel operation. Given the many applications of multiphase flows, including open flows, hydraulics, fuel injection systems, and atomizing jets, there is a massive potential benefit to calculating uncertainty information about these flows in a cost-effective manner. Program summary Program Title: multiUQ CPC Library link to program files: https://doi.org/10.17632/yp5pkd5x89.1 Developer's repository link: https://bitbucket.org/markowkes/multiuq Licensing provisions: GPLv3 Programming language: Fortran 95/2003 Supplementary material: Wiki available at repository link. Nature of problem: Performing uncertainty quantification on simulations of gas-liquid multiphase flows to understand the impact of input uncertainty on simulation results. Solution method: This software utilizes an intrusive approach to uncertainty quantification of multiphase flows. Deterministic variables are expanded to include an added uncertainty domain by way of polynomial chaos. Stochastic Navier-Stokes govern the flow field in an incompressible one-fluid approach. Multiphase flows are created by coupling a stochastic level set and surface tension.
OGT controls mammalian cell viability by regulating the proteasome/mTOR/ mitochondrial axis

O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) is an essential X-chromosome-encoded enzyme that catalyzes the addition of N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) to the hydroxyl groups of serine and threonine residues on many nuclear and cytosolic proteins. This posttranslational modification is reversible and is actively removed by the O-GlcNAcase OGA. It was shown more than two decades ago that OGT is essential for mammalian cell viability, but the underlying mechanisms are still enigmatic. Given the close association between OGT and human diseases, such as cancer, diabetes and cardiovascular disease, identification of the mechanisms by which OGT controls cell viability will facilitate the development of therapeutic strategies to manipulate OGT activity. Here, we employ a genome-wide CRISPR-Cas9 viability screen in mouse embryonic stem cells (mESCs) with inducible Ogt deletion to show that the block in cell viability induced by Ogt-deficiency stems from a deleterious increase in mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation (OXPHOS). Mechanistically, we demonstrate that OGT safeguards mTOR (mechanistic target of rapamycin) activity to maintain mitochondrial fitness through modulation of proteasome activity and intracellular amino acid homeostasis. In the absence of OGT, increased proteasome activity results in increased steady-state amino acid levels, which in turn promote mTOR translocation and activation and increased oxidative phosphorylation. This mechanism also operates in CD8+ T cells, indicating its generality across mammalian cell types. Genome-wide proteomic and phosphoproteomic analyses show extensive changes in global signaling and confirm our finding of mTOR hyperactivation in OGT-deficient cells. In sum, our study highlights a novel function for OGT in regulating the proteasome/ mTOR/ mitochondrial axis in a manner that maintains homeostasis of intracellular amino acid levels, mitochondrial fitness and cell viability. Since many of the proteins involved in proteasome, mTOR and mitochondrial activity are aberrantly expressed in cancer, and since inhibitors for proteasome and mTOR have been used in cancer therapy, manipulating OGT activity may have therapeutic potential in diseases in which this signaling axis is impaired.
NEURONAL HYPOXIA DISRUPTS MITOCHONDRIAL FUSION

Brain ischemia/reperfusion injury results in death of vulnerable neurons and extensive brain damage. It is well known that mitochondrial release of cytochrome c (cyto c) is a hallmark of neuronal death, however the molecular events underlying this release are largely unknown. We tested the hypothesis that cyto c release is regulated by breakdown of the cristae architecture maintenance protein, optic atrophy 1 (OPA1), located in the inner mitochondrial membrane. We simulated ischemia/reperfusion in isolated primary rat neurons and interrogated OPA1 release from the mitochondria, OPA1 oligomeric breakdown, and concomitant dysfunction of mitochondrial dynamic state. We found that ischemia/reperfusion induces cyto c release and cell death that corresponds to multiple changes in OPA1, including: (i) translocation of the mitochondrial fusion protein OPA1 from the mitochondria to the cytosol, (ii) increase in the short isoform of OPA1, suggestive of proteolytic processing, (iii) breakdown of OPA1 oligomers in the mitochondria, and (iv) increased mitochondrial fission. Thus, we present novel evidence of a connection between release of cyto c from mitochondria and disruption of the mitochondrial fusion.
The Electromagnetic Field Equations

In electrostatics we have Eq. (3.5.3), which for convenience we rewrite here as $$\oint_c E \times dr = 0,$$ (10.1.1) where C is any closed loop. It is also known that electrostatic fields of this nature, i.e., satisfying (10.1.1), cannot be associated with steady (non-time-dependent) currents J because flowing currents are associated with the dissipation of energy and electrostatic fields cannot provide this energy. This is not surprising since E was defined for static conditions only, i.e., when the charge density p had no velocity y and, hence, no current J was flowing. We also observe from our work in magnetostatics that a steady current J flowing in a wire generates a magnetic induction field B by virtue of Eq. (7.3.12); but a magnetic induction field B does not generate a current J. However, Faraday discovered that when the magnetic induction field B varied in time, a current was induced in a wire. Moreover, he found a precise quantitative statement describing the effect. However, the form stated by Faraday was for a particular experimental system and, consequently, is not as useful analytically as the form in which it was stated by Maxwell.
Cost of Equity and State Uncertainty

We propose a Bayesian framework to incorporate uncertainty about the state of the economy, and find that state uncertainty has economically significant effects on the estimation of the cost of equity. On average, a normal pricing model overestimates the cost of equity by 5% for utility firms, and 1.5% for industries. Consistent with Pastor and Stambaugh (1999), we find that the cost of equity is insensitive to mispricing uncertainty even in the presence of state uncertainty, but it is sensitive to state uncertainty regardless of the level of mispricing uncertainty. We also observe that the expected excess return, volatility, etc. display dynamics that coincide with the business cycles, and the latent state and the market predict the GDP growth rate six months ahead.
Making Sense of Large Heaps

It is common for large-scale Java applications to suffer memory problems, whether inefficient designs that impede scalability, or lifetime bugs such as leaks. Making sense of heaps with many millions of objects is difficult given the extensive layering, framework reuse, and shared ownership in current applications. We present Yeti, a tool that summarizes memory usage to uncover the costs of design decisions, rather than of lower-level artifacts as in traditional tools, making it possible to quickly identify and remediate problems. Yeti employs three progressive abstractions and corresponding visualizations: it identifies costly groups of objects that collectively perform a function, recovers a logical data model for each, and summarizes the implementation of each model entity and relationship. Yeti is used by development and service teams within IBM, and has been effective in solving numerous problems. Through case studies we demonstrate how these abstractions help solve common categories of problems.
Ecoturismo ou “Éca! Turismo!”: Sustentabilidade e adaptabilidade em uma cidade mineira

Ecoturismo e uma modalidade de turismo que se tornou popular em pequenas cidades brasileiras com setores produtivos em declinio ou estagnados. Minas Gerais vem promovendo o meio ambiente como um cartao-postal e investindo em infra-estrutura para o ecoturismo. Sao Tome das Letras, MG viu no ecoturismo uma alternativa economica, social e ambientalmente sustentavel. Nesse artigo discuto os problemas e tambem beneficios do ecoturismo e como se pode promover essa atividade de forma sustentavel aliando a valorizacao e preservacao do patrimonio historico e natural. Baseado em trabalho de campo realizado no municipio 2002, reviso alguns aspectos economicos e ambientais que surgiram durante a observacao dos impactos do turismo em eventos festivos e outros momentos mais tranquilos.
Four years' experience with mid-trimester abortion by amnioinfusion.

Abstract Mid-trimester abortion with a 20 per cent saline solution was successful in 3,564 of 3,583 patients infused. The time from infusion to abortion ranged from 7 to 333 hours with a mean of 35.4 hours. There were no maternal deaths. The initial complication rate was 7 per cent, and 2.7 per cent of the patients returned with late complications. Routine postabortal curettage decreased the incidence of patients returning with complications.
Answering imprecise structured search queries

Humans are increasingly becoming the primary consumer of structured data. As the volume and heterogeneity of data produced in the world increases, the existing paradigm of using an application layer to query and search for information in data is becoming infeasible. The human end-user is overwhelmed with a barrage of diverse query and data models. Due to the lack of familiarity with the data sources, search queries issued by the user are typically found to be imprecise. To solve this problem, this dissertation introduces the notion of a "queried unit", or qunit, which is the semantic unit of information returned in response to a user's search query. In a qunits-based system, the user comes in with an information need, and is guided to the qunit that is an appropriate response for that need. The qunits-based paradigm aids the user by systematically shrinking both the query and result spaces. On one end, the query space is reduced by enriching the user's imprecise information need. This is done by extracting information from the user during query input by providing schema and data suggestions. On the other end, the result space is reduced by modeling the structured data into a collection of qunits. This is done using qunit derivation methods that use various sources of information such as query logs. This dissertation describes the design and implementation of a autocompletion-style system that performs both query and result space reduction by interacting with the user in real time, providing suggestions and pruning candidate qunit results. It enables the user to search through databases without any knowledge of the data, schema or the query language.
Managing Opportunistic Supplier Product Adulteration: Deferred Payments, Inspection, and Combined Mechanisms. Extended Technical Report

Recent cases of product adulteration by foreign suppliers have compelled many manufacturers to re-think approaches to deterring suppliers from cutting corners, especially when manufacturers cannot fully monitor and control the suppliers’ actions. Recognizing that process certification programs, such as ISO9000, do not guarantee unadulterated products and that product liability and product warranty with foreign suppliers are rarely enforceable, manufacturers turn to mechanisms that make payments to the suppliers contingent on no defects discovery. In this paper we study: (a) the deferred payment mechanism - the buyer pays the supplier after the deferred payment period only if no adulteration has been discovered by the customers; (b) the inspection mechanism - the buyer pays the supplier is immediately, contingent on product passing the inspection; and (c) the combined mechanism - a combination of the deferred payment and inspection mechanisms. We find the optimal contracts for each mechanism, and describe the Nash equilibria of inspection sub-games for the inspection and the combined mechanisms. The inspection mechanism cannot completely deter the suppliers from product adulteration, while the deferred payment mechanism can. Surprisingly, the combined mechanism is redundant: either the inspection or the deferred payment mechanisms perform just as well. Finally, the four factors that determine the dominance of deferred payment mechanism over the inspection mechanism are: (a) the inspection cost relative to inspection accuracy, (b) the buyer’s liability for adulterated products, (c) the difference in financing rates for the buyer and the supplier relative to the defects discovery rate by customers, and (d) the difference in production costs for adulterated and unadulterated product.
Unacknowledged Threats Proffered “in a Manner of Speaking”: Recognizing Workplace Bullying as Shaming

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine workplace bullying victims' perceptions of what they heard their bully counterparts say through their use of prosody. DESIGN: From a sampling frame of 89 manuscripts referenced in the authors' previous studies, we identified a subset (n = 10) that included quotes regarding bullying victims' perceptions of communication experiences with their bully perpetrators. METHODS: We used hermeneutics and a recursive metasynthesis to interpret quotes embedded in the manuscripts chosen for this study. FINDINGS: Two-thirds of language is expressed nonverbally through prosody or "manner of speaking"-rhythm, stress, intonation, and vocabulary choice. We found that as bullies communicated with their intended victims over time, they used prosody across subtle, linked communications, or boldly and openly in public venues, to establish a context-embedded, one-way communication process of "doublespeak." CONCLUSIONS: Bullies' confusing prosodic communication processes served to recontexualize victims' situations and, through mechanisms largely unacknowledged by the victims, to subtly demean their personhood, and to shame them and render them voiceless. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: This study directs formal attention to the language of workplace bullying. Further study might strengthen opportunities to effectively address and curtail the long-term personal, professional, and organizational injuries deriving from workplace bullying. Language: en
Isolation Timeout Used with Students with Emotional Disturbance

This 1-year-long study investigated the use of isolation timeout as a behavioral control intervention in a special educational facility. Subjects were 156 students with emotional disturbance. The relationship of timeout to demographic variables was examined for a subsample of 73 students. Results indicate that 13,000 separate timeouts occurred over the academic year. Average time in isolation was 23 hr per student. Older students in more restrictive placements were found to spend significantly more time in isolation than were other groups, though much of this difference was due to voluntary timeouts. Alternatives to timeout as a behavior control measure are discussed.
Impact of Tobacco Smoke and Nicotine Exposure on Lung Development

Tobacco smoke and nicotine exposure during prenatal and postnatal life can impair lung development, alter the immune response to viral infections, and increase the prevalence of wheezing during childhood. The following review examines recent discoveries in the fields of lung development and tobacco and nicotine exposure, emphasizing studies published within the last 5 years. In utero tobacco and nicotine exposure remains common, occurring in approximately 10% of pregnancies within the United States. Exposed neonates are at increased risk for diminished lung function, altered central and peripheral respiratory chemoreception, and increased asthma symptoms throughout childhood. Recently, genomic and epigenetic risk factors, such as alterations in DNA methylation, have been identified that may influence the risk for long-term disease. This review examines the impact of prenatal tobacco and nicotine exposure on lung development with a particular focus on nicotinic acetylcholine receptors. In addition, this review examines the role of prenatal and postnatal tobacco smoke and nicotine exposure and its association with augmenting infection risk, skewing the immune response toward a T-helper type 2 bias and increasing risk for developing an allergic phenotype and asthmalike symptoms during childhood. Finally, this review outlines the respiratory morbidities associated with childhood secondhand smoke and nicotine exposure and examines genetic and epigenetic modifiers that may influence respiratory health in infants and children exposed to in utero or postnatal tobacco smoke.
A genetic analysis of cardiovascular disease risk factor clustering in adult female twins

Risk factors for cardiovascular disease have been shown to cluster in adult populations of men and women [Criqui et al., 1980]. In a population of adult female twin pairs (ages 18-85), body mass index, systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and high and low density lipoprotein levels were found to exhibit significant clustering. Path analysis was used to resolve the risk factor correlations into genetic, environmental, and age-related components.
Unusual DNA binding characterstics of an in vitro translation product of the CCAAT binding protein mYB-1

We have isolated a cDNA that encodes the murine CCAAT-binding protein mYB-1. The deduced amino acid sequence shows 95% identity with its presumed human homologue (hYB-1A) which was originally isolated as a protein that binds to the Y box of MHC class II genes. In vitro translated mYB-1 binds to CCAAT boxes of the MHCIIE alpha, HSVTK and mouse PCNA promoters but not to alpha-globin or human thymidine kinase CCAAT boxes. Interestingly, complexes formed between the in vitro translated protein and the various CCAAT boxes display the property of being competed more efficiently with self competitor DNA, regardless of the CCAAT box initially used as a probe. A similar phenomenon was observed in a cell extract of Con-A stimulated murine splenocytes when the same competition assays were performed. These results may reflect the generation of multiple forms of a particular CCAAT-binding protein, such as mYB-1, that display distinct, yet overlapping, DNA binding specificities.
Suppression by thymosin of pokeweed mitogen-induced differentiation of human B cells.

Abstract Using an immunofluorescent method, the thymic hormone thymosin was found to significantly suppress the number of immunoglobulin synthesizing cells induced by PWM in cultures of human peripheral blood mononuclear cells. This observation, which is consistent with the known effects of thymosin on suppressor T cells, suggests that thymosin modulates B-cell function through an effect on suppressor T cells.
Effects of common agricultural tasks on measures of hearing loss.

Background Among agricultural populations, hearing loss caused by excessive noise exposure is common. However, examinations of associations between exposure to agricultural tasks and hearing loss are limited. Methods Audiometry and lifetime exposure to 11 agricultural tasks were analyzed among 1,568 participants. Gender stratified multivariable linear regression was used to estimate associations between exposure duration and three hearing loss metrics. Results Among men, significant associations were observed between hearing loss and hunting or target shooting, all-terrain vehicle (ATV) or motorcycle riding, chain saw use, electric or pneumatic tool use, living on a farm, and all agricultural tasks combined. When all significant exposure metrics were included in a single model, associations remained for hunting or target shooting, electric or pneumatic tool use and living on a farm. Significant associations were sparse among women, and in all cases paradoxical. Conclusions Despite imprecise estimation of noise exposure, specific agricultural tasks were associated with hearing loss. Am. J. Ind. Med. 55:904–916, 2012. 2012 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Formation and characterization of polyglutamate core-shell microspheres.

The need for organ-targeted delivery of drugs and imaging agents creates an interest in biocompatible, biodegradable vesicles. We make protein microspheres using high-intensity ultrasound; these microspheres have a protein shell and a hydrophobic interior, making them ideal for delivering hydrophobic materials. We have previously shown that various proteins, e.g., bovine serum albumin (BSA), form a microsphere shell stabilized by interprotein cross-linking of cysteine residues. In this study, polyglutamate was used to form core−shell microspheres at slightly basic pH using sonication. These particles are smaller than our previous protein microspheres and are stable under conditions encountered in vivo. The stability of polyglutamate microspheres appears to be due to hydrogen bonding networks and not covalent cross-linking.
Simulation of multi-channel AM-VSB CATV optical link employing semiconductor optical amplifier as an external modulator

It is shown numerically that by using a TWSOA as an analog external modulator, a system power budget of 17 dB is attained for a 42-channel AM-VSB CATV system within an octave of frequency range, from 300 to 546 MHz, while delivering a 50-dB CNR and less than -60 dBc CTB distortion.
Structures of nickel(II) and copper(II) complexes of 2-acetylpyridine azacyclothiosemicarbazones

Abstract Anions (loss of 3N hydrogen) of 2-acetylpyridine azacyclothiosemicarbazones coordinate in a planar conformation to a central nickel(II) or copper(II) ion through the pyridyl N, azomethine N. and thiolato S atoms. The fourth coordination site is occupied by a bromo ligand. Their ability to inhibit the growth of two fungi is compared to their structural differences.
Write or radiate? [information flow]

We consider information flow via physical transport of inscribed media through space and compare it to information flow via electromagnetic radiation. Somewhat counterintuitively for point to point links, physical transport of inscribed mass is often energetically more efficient by many orders of magnitude than electromagnetic broadcast. And perhaps more surprising, even in a broadcast setting (depending on the receiver density) inscribed mass transport is still energetically more efficient. We examine these results for terrestrial telecommunications as well as point to point and broadcast communication over great distances with loose delay constraints.
Ab initio molecular orbital study of the conformational energies (−ΔG° or A values) of 4-alkyltetrahydro-2H-thiopyrans (tetrahydrothiopyrans, thiacyclohexanes, thianes)

Ab initio 6–31G* and MP2/6–31G*// 6–31G* methods and density functional (pBPDN**) theory were used to calculate the geometries and relative energies of the chair, boat, and twist-boat conformations of tetrahydro-2H-thiopyrans (tetrahydrothiopyrans, thiacyclohexanes, thianes). The chair conformation of thiacyclohexane is 5.3 and 8.0 kcal mol−1, respectively, (1 kcal = 4.184 kJ) more stable than the twist-boat and boat structures at the MP2/6–31G*// 6-31G* level. Ab initio methods were used to calculate the relative energies of the rotamers in the chair conformations of 2-alkylthiacyclohexanes (CH3, C2H5, i-C3H7, t-C4H9, neo-C5H11, SiMe3). The MP2/6–31G*// 6–31G* conformational energies (−ΔG° or A values, kcal mol−1) of the 2-alkylthiacyclohexanes (Me = 1.00; Et = 1.16; i-Pr = 1.02; t-Bu = 3.56; neo-Pent = 1.04; SiMe3 = 2.05) are smaller than those calculated for the corresponding alkylcyclohexanes and 4-alkylthiacyclohexanes. Plots of the calculated conformational energies (−ΔG°) for the 2-alkylthiacyclohexanes versus the calculated conformational energies for the corresponding alkylcyclohexanes are linear (slope = 0.680 and r = 0.983 for 6–31G* and slope = 0.667 and r = 0.989 for MP2/6–31G*// 6–31G*). The C(2)—S(1) bond lengths are in the range 1.827–1.840 A and the C(6)—S(1) bond lengths are in the range 1.815–1.819 A. With the exception of the axial 2-t-Bu substituent (103.0°), the C—S—C angles vary from 98.6° to 100.4°. The S(1)—C(2)—C(7) angle in the most stable axial conformer is larger that the corresponding angle in its most stable equatorial conformer. Copyright © 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor Transactivation Is Regulated by Glucose in Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells

Abstract We hypothesized that glucose-mediated alterations in vascular smooth muscle cell signal transduction contribute to diabetic complications. We found enhanced AngII activation of Akt and extracellular ERK1/2 in vascular smooth muscle cells incubated with high glucose (27.5 mm) compared with low glucose (5.5 mm). Because AngII-mediated transactivation of the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) is important in Akt and ERK1/2 activation, we studied the effects of glucose on EGFR function. The EGFR in cells cultured for 48 h in low glucose was smaller (145 kDa) than the EGFR in cells cultured with high glucose (170 kDa). The shift from the 170-kDa isoform to the 145-kDa isoform was reversible and dependent upon glucose concentration with EC50 ∼ 1 mm. N-Glycosylation was responsible because peptide N-glycosidase F treatment of isolated 170-kDa EGFR yielded a single band at 145 kDa. Cell surface biotinylation showed that the 145-kDa EGFR was present on plasma membrane. AngII and other G-protein-coupled receptor ligands known to transactivate EGFR phosphorylated the 170-kDa EGFR but not the 145-kDa EGFR, whereas EGF, heparin-binding EGF-like growth factor, and transforming growth factor-α phosphorylated both receptors. Subcellular fractionation showed that the 145-kDa receptor localized to a different plasma membrane domain than the 170-kDa receptor. These results establish a novel mechanism by which glucose-dependent EGFR N-glycosylation modulates AngII signal transduction and suggest a potential mechanism for pathogenic effects of AngII in diabetic vasculopathy.
Pediatric refractive surgery: Corneal and intraocular techniques and beyond

Refractive surgery has now been used successfully to treat severe anisometropia and isoametropia associated with amblyopia in children who cannot wear standard spectacles or contact lenses. Extraocular techniques include photorefractive keratectomy, laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis, and laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis. Intraocular techniques include refractive lensectomy and phakic intraocular lenses and are still being investigated in children for refractive errors outside the treatment dose capabilities of the excimer laser. This workshop discusses the various techniques, how and when to use each, and their risks and benefits. Newer techniques currently being used in adults that may someday be used in children are also introduced.
Intravenous Aspirin Causes a Paradoxical Attenuation of Cerebrovascular Thrombolysis

Background and Purpose Aspirin treatment is recognized as an advantageous adjunct to thrombolytic agents in myocardial infarct patients. In this study we examined the effects of aspirin on the rate of clot lysis and on the frequency and extent of hemorrhagic transformations in rabbit models of embolic stroke. Methods Rabbit models of ex vivo platelet aggregation and cutaneous template bleeding times were used to show the anticoagulant effects of aspirin in our experimental paradigm. We monitored tissue-type plasminogen activator (TPA)–induced clot lysis in two rabbit models of embolic stroke by (1) scintigraphically following the dissolution of a 99mTc-tagged clot or (2) using roentgenography to follow the disappearance of an Sn-tagged clot. Results In animals pretreated (18 hours) with a single administration of aspirin (1, 5, or 20 mg/kg IV) or 1 mg/kg per day for 3 days, the aggregation response of platelets to collagen (3.3 μg/mL) or arachidonic acid (0.5 mmol/L) was attenuated. High-dose aspirin also...
Improvement of pancreas allograft survival after perfusion with concanavalin A.

Abstract Perfusion with Con A significantly improved the survival of canine pancreas allografts minimally immunosuppressed. Control dogs and those that received no Con A survived for only short periods of time. When the immunosuppression to the recipient animals was increased by adding methylprednisolone, the prolonging effect of Con A was even more significant.
Prevalence of valvular regurgitation by Doppler echocardiography in patients with structurally normal hearts by two-dimensional echocardiography

The prevalence of valvular regurgitation in a large population with structurally normal hearts remains unknown. From the computer database of the echocardiography laboratory of the hospital, 7209 records containing results of both two-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examinations were identified, from which 867 (12%) with no structural abnormality on two-dimensional echocardiograms were obtained for analysis. Of these 867 records, 291 (34%) had evidence of regurgitation by Doppler technique in at least one cardiac valve. Mitral regurgitation was found in 167 (19%), tricuspid regurgitation in 151 (17%), pulmonic regurgitation in 45 (5%), and aortic regurgitation in 29 records (3%). Regurgitation of just one valve was the most common and occurred in 207 records (24%). This was followed by regurgitation of two valves (69 records, 8%), three valves (13 records, 2%), and four valves (two records, 0.2%). The prevalence of mitral, tricuspid, and aortic regurgitation was found to increase significantly with increasing age, as was the prevalence of regurgitation involving multiple valves. In 98% and 95% of mitral and tricuspid regurgitations, respectively, the jets were confined to the proximal one fourth of the atria, suggesting only trivial or mild regurgitation. Thus valvular regurgitation occurs not uncommonly in patients with structurally normal hearts referred for echocardiographic evaluation. These findings caution against the inappropriate diagnosis of clinical disease in the many patients who fall into this category. The increasing prevalence of valvular regurgitation with increasing age suggests that a wear-and-tear phenomenon rather than a congenital cause is involved in most instances.
Unitarity and fermion mass generation

Abstract Some years ago Appelquist and Chanowitz considered the scattering of fermion-anti-fermion into a pair of longitudinal gauge bosons. Their calculation established that unitarity implies that the physics giving mass to a quark of mass m f must be below a mass scale of 16 πν 2 / m f ( ν = 246 GeV). This bound is a bit difficult to interpret, because the unitarity of gauge boson scattering requires in any case that there be new physics, such as a Higgs boson, with a mass lighter than this. This paper re-examines the Appelquist-Chanowitz bound in order to clarify its meaning. This work uses toy models with a singlet Higgs boson to unitarize gauge boson scattering, and considers other possibilities for the new physics affecting the fermion mass. This new physics has the effect of changing the Higgs boson-fermion-anti-fermion coupling. New physics cannot significantly alter this coupling unless it is substantially lighter than the Appelquist-Chanowitz bound.
Study of the Effect of Nanoparticles and Surface Morphology on Reverse Osmosis and Nanofiltration Membrane Productivity

To evaluate the significance of reverse osmosis (RO) and nanofiltration (NF) surface morphology on membrane performance, productivity experiments were conducted using flat-sheet membranes and three different nanoparticles, which included SiO2, TiO2 and CeO2. In this study, the productivity rate was markedly influenced by membrane surface morphology. Atomic force microscopy (AFM) analysis of membrane surfaces revealed that the higher productivity decline rates associated with polyamide RO membranes as compared to that of a cellulose acetate NF membrane was due to the inherent ridge-and-valley morphology of the active layer. The unique polyamide active layer morphology was directly related to the surface roughness, and was found to contribute to particle accumulation in the valleys causing a higher flux decline than in smoother membranes. Extended RO productivity experiments using laboratory grade water and diluted pretreated seawater were conducted to compare the effect that different nanoparticles had on membrane active layers. Membrane flux decline was not affected by particle type when the feed water was laboratory grade water. On the other hand, membrane productivity was affected by particle type when pretreated diluted seawater served as feed water. It was found that CeO2 addition resulted in the least observable flux decline, followed by SiO2 and TiO2. A productivity simulation was conducted by fitting the monitored flux data into a cake growth rate model, where the model was modified using a finite difference method to incorporate surface thickness variation into the analysis. The ratio of cake growth term (k1) and particle back diffusion term (k2) was compared in between different RO and NF membranes. Results indicated that k2 was less significant for surfaces that exhibited a higher roughness. It was concluded that the valley areas of thin-film membrane surfaces have the ability to capture particles, limiting particle back diffusion.
Relational demography in supervisor- subordinate dyads: Impact on subordinate job satisfaction, burnout, and perceived procedural justice

Summary Although research has shown that demographic dissimilarity within groups is negatively associated with organizational attachment-orientated variables, few studies have investigated its relations with other job-related variables. Focusing on relational demographics within the context of superior-subordinate dyads, associations between relational demographic characteristics and subordinate job attitudes and perceptions were examined using polynomial regression. Relational race was found to correlate with perceptions of procedural justice and job satisfaction, but not job burnout. The implications of these findings for future relational demographic research are discussed. ? 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. J. Organiz. Behav. 18: 351-362 (1997)
Acquired chiari malformations : Incidence, diagnosis, and management

The acquired descent of the cerebellar tonsils radiographically indistinguishable from Chiari I malformations has been previously reported. The relationship between lumbar shunting procedures for hydrocephalus and symptomatic Chiari malformations has been established. We report the cases of 10 children with lumboperitoneal shunts in whom previous radiographic studies had confirmed a normal hindbrain configuration. Seven of the 10 patients acquired tonsillar descent into the foramen magnum, detected by magnetic resonance imaging, whereas the others remained normal. Four of seven patients were symptomatic; two underwent the removal of the lumboperitoneal shunt and conversion to a ventriculoperitoneal shunt, and two underwent posterior fossa decompression. Further magnetic resonance imaging revealed that one of the two patients who underwent conversion shows ascent of the cerebellar tonsils. All four patients became asymptomatic less than 6 months after treatment. In this article, we discuss seven cases of acquired Chiari malformations and the complete reversal of an acquired Chiari malformation after surgical treatment, as documented by magnetic resonance imaging. Cases of asymptomatic acquired Chiari malformations are reported, including those resulting from shunting for intracranial hypertension without hydrocephalus. We conclude that a craniospinal pressure gradient creates a potential for cerebellar tonsil descent and recommend that ventriculoperitoneal shunting be performed in children with communicating hydrocephalus to avoid this potential complication. We also recommend annual surveillance of the cervicomedullary junction in children with lumboperitoneal shunting. Finally, if symptomatic tonsillar descent occurs from lumbar shunting, a trial conversion to ventriculoperitoneal shunting may eliminate the need for posterior fossa decompression.
Developmental changes in tritium autoabsorption

Developmental changes in autoabsorption of tritium emissions were examined in 30 brain regions in the rat at Postnatal Days 0, 4, 7, 10, 14, 21, and 28 and adulthood. Rats received tritiated 2-deoxyglucose in vivo. Alternate brain sections were extracted in chloroform, and autoradiographs were developed from extracted and nonextracted sections. The ratio of optical density values in extracted vs nonextracted sections was used to determine autoabsorption for each structure. Three principal temporal patterns in the development of adult levels of autoabsorption, determined by the optical density ratios, were identified: (1) a minimal increase pattern in which autoabsorption rose only slightly between birth and adulthood; (2) a plateau pattern in which a rapid early increase was followed by stable values; and (3) a late increase pattern in which autoabsorption remained relatively constant until Postnatal Day 28, with a large increase between Day 28 and adulthood. In addition, optical density ratios fluctuated during the second postnatal week in close to one-third of the structures. The data suggest that developmental events affecting the ratio of gray to white matter produce substantial local variations in the development of adult levels of autoabsorption that are distinct for each structure. To correct for autoabsorption effects in ontogenetic studies using tritium autoradiography, it is necessary to determine directly the degree of autoabsorption at a particular time point for the structure of interest. Our results indicate that the technique of in vivo administration of tritiated 2-deoxyglucose followed by chloroform extraction appears to be a sensitive and reproducible method for assessing autoabsorption at all ages.
Measurement of angular response of space telescopes.

The angular response of LWIR telescopes is measured to verify predicted off-axis rejection (OAR) performance. The data are also useful to guide any necessary modifications for performance improvement. The off-axis response must be 9 to 12 bels (orders of magnitude) below the on-axis maximum response to reject the influence of strong off-axis sources. Collimated lasers serve as the strong, highly directional test sources required in the characterization measurements. Carefully used optical attenuators permit the application of detectors which can normally cover only 4 or 5 bels. This paper describes the apparatus and methods employed in measuring the OAR of specific telescopes at wavelengths of 1. 06 and 10. 6 4m. Illustrative data are given for telescopes built by Honeywell under the sponsorship of Air Force Geophysical Laboratories.© (1977) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Mexican Aristocracy: An Expressive Ethnography, 1910–2000

Introduction 1. Demographic Composition and Contextual Definition of the Aristocracy 2. The Relationship of Class and Ethnicity: Somatic and Racial Considerations 3. The Realization of Expression in the Ethnographic Context 4. The Organization of Urban Living: Settlement, Residence, and the Household 5. Economy, Material Culture, and Political Participation 6. Religion: Ideology, Worship, and the Ritual-Ceremonial Complex 7. Social Organization: The Configuration and Interrelationship of Kinship Units and Institutions 8. Internal Stratification and Organization of the Group
Improved phase-ellipse method for in-situ geophone calibration.

ABSTRACT For amplitude and phase response calibration of moving‐coil electromagnetic geophones two parameters are needed, namely, the geophone natural frequency, f0, and the geophone upper resonance frequency fu. The phase‐ellipse method is commonly used for the in situ determination of these parameters. For a given signal‐to‐noise ratio, the precision of the measurement off0 andfu depends on the phase sensitivity, f(δφ/δf) For some commercial geophones f(δφ/δf) atfu can be an order of magnitude less than the sensitivity atf0. In this paper we present an improved phase‐ellipse method with increased precision. Compared to measurements made with the existing phase‐ellipse methods, our method shows a 6‐ and 3‐fold improvement in the precision, respectively, on measurements of f0 andfu on a commercial geophone.
Adjacent segment disease in the lumbar spine following different treatment interventions.

Abstract Background context Adjacent segment disease (ASD) is symptomatic deterioration of spinal levels adjacent to the site of a previous fusion. A critical issue related to ASD is whether deterioration of spinal segments adjacent to a fusion is due to the spinal intervention or due to the natural history of spinal degenerative disease. Purpose The purpose of this review is to summarize the recent clinical literature on adjacent segment disease in light of the natural history, patient-modifiable risk factors, surgical risk factors, sagittal balance, and new technology. Study design This review will evaluate the recent literature on genetic and hereditary components of spinal degenerative disease and potential links to the development of ASD. Methods After a meticulous search of Medline for relevant articles pertaining to our review, we summarized the recent literature on the rate of ASD and the effect of various interventions, including motion preservation, sagittal imbalance, arthroplasty, and minimally invasive surgery. Results The reported rate of ASD after decompression and stabilization procedures is approximately 2% to 3% per year. The factors that are consistently associated with adjacent segment disease include laminectomy adjacent to a fusion and a sagittal imbalance. Conclusions Spinal surgical interventions have been associated with ASD. However, whether such interventions may lead to an acceleration of the natural history of the disease remains questionable.
Safety and efficacy of ospemifene for the treatment of dyspareunia associated with vulvar and vaginal atrophy due to menopause.

During the menopausal transition, women experience a number of symptoms due to declining estrogen levels, including vasomotor symptoms and vulvar and vaginal atrophy (VVA). Unlike vasomotor symptoms, vaginal dryness and dyspareunia, the main symptoms of VVA, typically worsen without treatment and can significantly impact the quality of life. Up to 60% of postmenopausal women may be affected by VVA, but many women unfortunately do not seek treatment due to embarrassment or other factors. After 20+ years in development, ospemifene (Osphena™) was approved by the US Food and Drug Administration in 2013 for treatment of moderate-to-severe dyspareunia associated with VVA due to menopause. As the first non-hormonal alternative to estrogen-based products for this indication, the approval of ospemifene represents a significant milestone in postmenopausal women’s health. Ospemifene is a non-steroidal estrogen receptor agonist/antagonist, also known as a selective estrogen receptor modulator (SERM), from the same chemical class as the breast cancer drugs tamoxifen and toremifene. Unlike other selective estrogen receptor modulators, ospemifene exerts a strong, nearly full estrogen agonist effect in the vaginal epithelium, making it well suited for the treatment of dyspareunia in postmenopausal women. Results of Phase III clinical trials showed that ospemifene significantly improved the vaginal maturation index (decreased parabasal cells and increased superficial cells), decreased vaginal pH, and decreased severity of the self-identified most bothersome symptom (dyspareunia or vaginal dryness) compared to placebo. Long-term safety studies revealed that 60 mg ospemifene given daily for 52 weeks was well tolerated and was not associated with any endometrium or breast-related safety concerns. This review discusses the preclinical and clinical data supporting the use of ospemifene for the treatment of dyspareunia associated with VVA due to menopause and provides an overview of its clinical safety.