cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Apoptosis in Response to Inhibition of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 2 (DPP2) Defines Low Risk Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia (CLL).

Maintenance of the G 0 state is a key to survival of CLL B-cells. Heterogeneity of prognosis suggests that CLL is not a uniform disease. Molecules expressed in CLL with unfavorable prognosis, such as ZAP-70, Lyn, CD38 and others, provide stimuli which, coupled with B-cell receptor signaling, may alter cell cycle progression and delay apoptosis. We studied mechanisms of apoptosis in CLL B-cells via inhibition of Dipeptidyl Peptidase 2 (DPP2). DPP2 is a serine protease cloned in our lab, which is involved in the maintenance of the G 0 (quiescent) state. Inhibition of DPP2 triggers apoptosis in healthy B-cells. 50 patients with B-CLL were recruited from the Hematology clinics at Tufts-NEMC (Boston, MA). Median time from diagnosis of CLL to enrollment in the study was 7 years with median follow up of 10.5 years. 24 patients (48%) have received treatment in the course of their disease. CLL B-cells were isolated from peripheral blood with standard Ficoll-Hypaque technique, treated with ValboroPro (Point Therapeutics), a non-specific inhibitor of DPPs, and/or AX8819 (ActivX), a DPP2-specific inhibitor, incubated for 16 hours and stained with anti-CD19 antibodies, propidium iodide and Annexin V. Expression of DPP2 and ZAP-70 mRNA was assessed by RT-qPCR, p27 protein - by western blot analysis. By blocking DPP2 protease activity, we distinguished two subsets of CLL - sensitive (S-CLL) and resistant (R-CLL) to DP-P2 inhibition-induced apoptosis. In 30 cases (60%), inhibition of DPP2 resulted in caspase-dependent apoptosis of CLL B-cells (S-CLL). 70–90% of B-cells stained Annexin V-positive after incubation with AX8819. Pre-incubation with Rituximab (Biogen Idec) did not enhance cell death. In the remaining 20 cases (40%) inhibition of DPP2 did not cause cell death (R-CLL). R-CLL demonstrated higher expression of ZAP-70 mRNA (p 2 =26.7, p 0 in S-CLL. Its inhibition leads to inappropriate cell cycle entry, as evidenced by a decrease in p27 protein levels and cell death. The R-CLL subgroup expresses high ZAP-70 mRNA levels which portends a worse clinical course. In this subgroup, ZAP-70 kinase activity may provide an additional tonic signal that pushes CLL B-cells into late G 0 /early G 1 . At this stage, DPP2 protease activity is no longer required for survival. DPP2 inhibition may serve as an easy-to-perform prognostic test, as well as a novel therapeutic approach.
Core Concepts in Neoclassical Economics

In this chapter I specify the type of economic activities that are in the focus of this study, identify core concepts of economics and assess features of economic models that prove central for the analysis of economy-environment interactions. The identification of core concepts is provided in the next section, followed by an assessment of the treatment of time in economic decisions and the role of discount rates in resource use. The main issues surrounding the role of economic concepts raised in this chapter are illustrated by two well-known dynamic models of natural resource use. Empirical studies inspired by these models are discussed briefly.
Does Gender Moderate Associations Between Social Capital and Smoking? An Asian American Study.

The present study aimed to test the moderating effect of gender on the relationship between social capital and life satisfaction among older adults in urban China. A quota sampling method was used to select 456 older adults aged 60 and older from 16 local communities in Suzhou city in 2015. Hierarchical multiple regression was employed to test the proposed models. The associations between family social capital and life satisfaction were higher among older men than women. Trust and helping others were stronger predictors of older women's life satisfaction than their male counterparts. Citizenship activities affected life satisfaction among older men only. The findings highlight the important role of social capital in sustaining and/or improving life satisfaction among both older women and men. Policy and intervention implications are discussed.
Outcomes of patients with melanoma who discontinue immunotherapy.

9548Background: The question of when to discontinue (d/c) anti-program death-1 (PD-1) monotherapy (mono) or nivolumab in combination with ipilimumab (combo) immunotherapy (IT) is unknown. Methods: ...
Adolescent Brain Surface Area Pre- and Post-Cannabis and Alcohol Initiation.

Objective:Changes in gray matter volume and thickness are associated with adolescent alcohol and cannabis use, but the impact of these substances on surface area remains unclear. The present study ...
Local context and labour-community immigrant rights coalitions: a comparison of San Francisco, Chicago, and Houston

The historic immigrant mobilisations of 2006 have reinvigorated public debates about immigration in the United States and the role of the labour movement in advancing immigrant rights. Prior resear...
249 THE LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE BINDING PROTEIN RESPONSE TO INTRATRACHEAL LIPOPOLYSACCHARIDE

Lipopolysaccharide binding protein (LBP) is an acute-phase glycoprotein that facilitates lipopolysaccharide (LPS) activation of immune cells through interactions with CD14 and toll-like receptor 4. In response to conditions such as sepsis, trauma, and ARDS, LBP concentrations increase in both plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF). Less is known, however, about the role or distribution of this protein in response to localized intrapulmonary infection. The purpose of our current study was to characterize the local and systemic LBP responses to intratracheal (i.t.) LPS. C3HEN mice received i.t. LPS (10 μg) and were sacrificed at 0 h, 4 h, 8 h, 24 h, and 48 h. BALF and plasma were collected at each time point and analyzed for the content of LBP and several proinflammatory cytokines, including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), and interleukin-6 (IL-6). Livers and spleens were harvested for analysis of LBP mRNA. LBP concentrations were increased in plasma by 8 h after i.t. LPS and remained elevated throughout the entire observation period. Changes in plasma LBP paralleled similar increases in liver LBP mRNA expression. TNF, G-CSF, and IL-6 were all increased in BALF following the i.t. LPS challenge. However, while the TNF response remained compartmentalized within the alveolar space, G-CSF and IL-6 levels were elevated both locally in BALF and systemically in plasma. From these data, we conclude that LBP is systemically expressed in response to i.t. LPS. Furthermore, we speculate that the systemic LBP response may be initiated in the liver by pulmonary-derived IL-6, a cytokine known to potently induce hepatic LBP synthesis.
Psychological hardiness predicts successful selection in a law enforcement special operations assessment and selection course

We studied the predictive effects of psychological hardiness on successful selection in a United States federal tactical law enforcement assessment and selection (A&S) program. Seventy‐one male experienced law enforcement personnel participated in a week‐long, physically and psychologically rigorous A&S course. Dispositional Resilience Scale (DRS‐15) Total Hardiness scores predicted selection in this select sample. Age and cognitive ability moderated the predictive effects of psychological hardiness such that hardiness predicted selection in younger candidates and candidates with higher cognitive ability. Similar findings were obtained for DRS Commitment. DRS‐15 Control facet also differentiated selection in this sample but the predictive effects did not hold when age and cognitive ability were controlled. Findings extend the application of the DRS‐15 to law enforcement personnel selection and highlight the importance of examining moderating effects of psychological hardiness.
Interobserver Reliability of the Antenatal Consensus Classification System for Urinary Tract Dilatation

OBJECTIVES The consensus classification system for urinary tract dilatation (UTD) was designed to be more objective and reproducible than previously used systems. We sought to evaluate interobserver reliability of UTD components and overall scores in a prenatal population undergoing third-trimester ultrasound examinations. METHODS We retrospectively identified patients who underwent antenatal ultrasound examinations for UTD between 28 and 40 weeks' gestation. All images from individual studies of 300 fetuses were reviewed independently by 5 experienced sonologists (1 maternal-fetal medicine specialist and 4 radiologists). Urinary tract dilatation scores (normal, A1, or A2/3) and Society for Fetal Urology (SFU) scores were assigned. Interobserver agreement between raters was evaluated with the Fleiss κ statistic. RESULTS Overall interobserver agreement for the antenatal UTD risk score showed substantial agreement among all 5 readers (κ = 0.657 [95% confidence interval, 0.632, 0.683]; P < .001). All 5 readers applied the same UTD risk score in 53.7% of cases. Some variability in the antenatal UTD score and individual elements was observed. At least 2 UTD risk scores were assigned to a specific individual patient in 46.3% of cases (139 of 300), and all 3 UTD risk scores were assigned to a specific individual patient in 1.7% of cases (5 of 300). In 18.0% of cases (54 of 300), at least 2 readers assigned a UTD score different from that assigned by the other readers. Agreement was lowest for parenchymal appearance (κ = 0.225). Agreement for the SFU system was fair (κ = 0.368; P < .001). CONCLUSIONS Interobserver agreement for the antenatal UTD grading system was substantial. Compared to the SFU system, the antenatal UTD system showed better agreement among readers.
The SEC's Busted Randomized Experiment: What Can and Cannot Be Learned

During 2005-2007, the US Securities and Exchange Commission ran a randomized experiment, in which it removed short sale restrictions for some “treated” firms, chosen at random, and left these restrictions in place for others. The SEC experiment has been exploited by many finance and accounting scholars, who report evidence that removing short sale restrictions affected a wide range of financial outcomes, including share prices, firm investment strategy, accounting accruals, auditor behavior, innovation, and much more. We show that the SEC busted its own randomization experiment, in a way which undermines most prior studies. The SEC in fact conducted three distinct randomized experiments; these can be examined separately but cannot be combined without further, likely unjustified assumptions. We discuss what one can and cannot learn from these three experiments. We also develop reasons and supporting evidence for why relaxing short-sale restrictions was unlikely to affect most of the outcomes studied in recent work. We explain the need, when studying the indirect effects of the SEC experiment, to account for nonrandom choices by short sellers on which firms to “target”, and the nonrandom responses of firm managers and other market participants to removal of short sale restrictions. We then revisit selected results from prior studies (effect of the experiment on open short interest and share prices), and find no evidence that the relaxing short-sale restrictions affected either measure.
Complete genome sequence of SARS-CoV-2 in a tiger from a U.S. Zoological collection

This report describes the identification and characterization of severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) in a Malayan tiger in a U.S. zoo.
Classifying inpatient deaths among liver and intrahepatic bile duct cancer and the effect of palliative care utilization on overall health care burden.

e16673Background: Liver cancer and bile duct cancer remain among of the most deadly cancers with a dismal 5 year survival of 2-15%. Patients often end up dying in an in-hospital setting as a result...
An Iterative Process for Identifying Pediatric Patients With Type 1 Diabetes: Retrospective Observational Study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of both type 1 diabetes (T1DM) and type 2 diabetes (T2DM) in children and youth is increasing. However, the current approach for identifying pediatric diabetes and separating by type is costly, because it requires substantial manual efforts. OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to develop a computable phenotype for accurately and efficiently identifying diabetes and separating T1DM from T2DM in pediatric patients. METHODS: This retrospective study utilized a data set from the University of Florida Health Integrated Data Repository to identify 300 patients aged 18 or younger with T1DM, T2DM, or that were healthy based on a developed computable phenotype. Three endocrinology residents/fellows manually reviewed medical records of all probable cases to validate diabetes status and type. This refined computable phenotype was then used to identify all cases of T1DM and T2DM in the OneFlorida Clinical Research Consortium. RESULTS: A total of 295 electronic health records were manually reviewed; of these, 128 cases were found to have T1DM, 35 T2DM, and 132 no diagnosis. The positive predictive value was 94.7%, the sensitivity was 96.9%, specificity was 95.8%, and the negative predictive value was 97.6%. Overall, the computable phenotype was found to be an accurate and sensitive method to pinpoint pediatric patients with T1DM. CONCLUSIONS: We developed a computable phenotype for identifying T1DM correctly and efficiently. The computable phenotype that was developed will enable researchers to identify a population accurately and cost-effectively. As such, this will vastly improve the ease of identifying patients for future intervention studies.
Density spikes near black holes in self-interacting dark matter halos and indirect detection constraints

Self-interacting dark matter (SIDM) naturally gives rise to a cored isothermal density profile, which is favored in observations of many dwarf galaxies. The dark matter distribution in the presence of a central black hole in an isothermal halo develops a density spike with a power law of ${r}^{\ensuremath{-}7/4}$, which is shallower than ${r}^{\ensuremath{-}7/3}$ as expected for collisionless dark matter (CDM). Thus, indirect detection constraints on dark matter annihilations from the density spike could be relaxed in SIDM. Taking the most dense satellite galaxy of the Milky Way Draco as an example, we derive upper limits on the annihilation cross section and the black hole mass for both SIDM and CDM halos. For the former case, Draco could host an intermediate mass black hole even if dark matter is composed of thermal relics. We further explore the constraints from the Milky Way and M87, which host supermassive black holes, and show the upper limits on the annihilation cross section are significantly weakened in SIDM. Our results also indicate that the Event Horizon Telescope could provide a unique test of SIDM spikes.
Arachidonic acid metabolism and tumor promotion

Experimental chemical carcinogenesis studies in animals are valuable in identifying those biological events or agents that play either an essential or modulatory role in the development of neoplasias. Mouse skin has proved to be one of the best model systems for studying the multistage nature of carcinogenesis (1–3). Skin tumors in mice can be readily induced by the sequential application of a subthreshold dose of a carcinogen (initiation stage) followed by repetititive treatment with a noncarcinogenic tumor promoter (promotion stage). The initiation stage requires only a single application of either a directacting carcinogen or a procarcinogen which requires metabolism before becoming active; it is of an essentially irreversible nature, while the promotion stage is thought to be initially reversible but later becoming irreversible. This second stage, promotion, is most often accomplished by using the phorbol diester 12-0-tetradecanoyl phorbol 13-acetate (TPA), although a variety of agents have been identified as skin tumor promoters, including benzoyl peroxide, anthralin and dihydroteleocidin B (4). In the SENCAR mouse, promotion has been further subdivided into additional stages in which the sequential use of incomplete or partial promoters such as the ionophore A-23187 and mezerein can replace the use of a complete promoter such as TPA (3,5).
Public Corporation as Private Constitution

The large publicly-traded corporation in the United States derives its essential structure and metaphoric language from the republican form of government laid out in the US Constitution. Public shareholders elect a decision-making body that formulates and supervises an executive bureaucracy, subject to review by a judiciary (typically, in Delaware) that balances shareholder interests and management prerogatives. The analogy to the republican government structure found in the federal Constitution and replicated in all 50 states is unavoidable. Both "specialized hierarchies" create a principal-agent model of separated powers that contains similar sets of voting rights, nearly identical standards of judicial review, and generally parallel recognition of exit opportunities. Thus, an understanding of US corporate governance inevitably compels an understanding and appreciation of the structures of US political governance. Metaphorically, the public corporation is private constitution.
Mixed H/sub 2//H/sub /spl infin// control for state-delayed systems

In this paper, the state-feedback mixed H/sub 2//H/sub /spl infin// control problem for state-delayed linear systems is considered. Necessary and sufficient conditions for the solvability of this problem are given in terms of the solution to a pair of algebraic Riccati equations similar to the nondelayed case. However, these Riccati equations are more difficult to solve, and an alternative approach is to solve a pair of linear matrix inequalities.
Phase II, Open-Label Trial of Single-Agent CCNU in Dogs with Previously Untreated Histiocytic Sarcoma

Background: Histiocytic sarcoma (HS) is an aggressive neoplasm in dogs, and in most instances, the disease is localized, but not amenable to surgical removal, or is disseminated. Affected patients usually die within 6 months. There have been no prospective studies to determine efficacy of single-agent chemotherapy in dogs with HS. Hypothesis: Single-agent CCNU [1-(2-chloroethyl)3-cyclohexyl-1-nitrosourea; lomustine] has antitumor activity against HS in dogs. Animals: Twenty-one dogs with histologically confirmed, nonresectable localized or disseminated HS. Methods: Prospective, open-label phase II clinical trial in which dogs with previously untreated HS were uniformly treated with CCNU as a single oral dosage of 90 mg/m2 every 4 weeks. The primary outcome measure was reduction in tumor size. Results: Fourteen dogs with disseminated HS and 7 with localized HS were enrolled between 1999 and 2008. Overall response rate was 29% (95% confidence interval [CI], 14–50%) for a median of 96 days (95% CI, 55–137 days). Three dogs (1 disseminated, 2 localized) had complete responses lasting for 54–269 days and 3 dogs (2 disseminated, 1 localized) had partial responses lasting for 78–112 days. Conclusions and Clinical Importance: CCNU, when used as a single agent, has activity against HS in dogs. Evaluation of CCNU postoperatively for dogs with resectable localized HS and as part of combination therapy for tumors that are nonresectable or disseminated should be considered.
Epidemiological-environmental study of lead acid battery workers: I. Environmental study of five lead acid battery plants

Abstract Industrial hygiene measurements were taken at five lead acid battery plants. The average of all personal samples for H 2 SO 4 was 0.18 mg/m 3 with a range of “nondetectable” to 1.7 mg/m 3 . Highest levels of acid were found in the charging and forming areas of the plants. Stibine and arsine were also detected in the charging and forming areas (x = 0.44 and 0.042 mg/m 3 , respectively). Arsenic in particulate form was also detected, but levels were low (x = 0.00083 mg/m 3 ). The average mass median aerodynamic diameter of the acid mist as measured by cascade impactors was approximately 5 μm. Air lead results were variable with an overall average of 0.072 mg/m 3 and a standard deviation of 0.11 mg/m 3 .
Performance, digestion, and mastication efficiency of Holstein steers fed whole or processed corn in limit- or full-fed growing-finishing systems

We conducted two trials to examine the effects of restricted vs full feeding and of grain processing method on feedlot performance, digestion, and mastication efficiency by Holstein steers in different growing-finishing systems. In Trial 1, 272 Holstein steers (177 +/- 9.98 kg) were blocked by weight and assigned to growing phase diets based on corn silage (SIL), steam-flaked corn that was either limit-fed (SFLF) or full-fed (SFFF), or whole corn that was limit-fed (WCLF) or full-fed (WCFF). Limit-fed steers were fed at levels predicted to allow daily gain of 1 kg/d. On d 112, all steers were switched to WCFF or SFFF diets until the mean BW of each treatment group was 545 kg. Overall, steers fed WCLF and SFLF during the growing phase and finished on SF were 8.1 and 6.6% more efficient at converting dietary ME to gain (P = .02 and .04, respectively) than steers in the SFFF group. In Trial 2, three ruminally and duodenally cannulated Holstein steers were fed whole (WC) and rolled corn (RC) diets at FF and LF intake in an incomplete replicated 2 x 2 switchback design. Ad libitum access to feed resulted in higher (P = .02) ruminal starch digestibility than did limit-feeding, and calves had higher total tract DM (P = .05) and starch (P = .03) digestion at the heavier BW. Limit-feeding whole corn resulted in increased particle size of masticate (P = .06) compared with full-feeding whole corn. Because of apparent differences in mastication efficiency between limit-fed and full-fed calves, grain processing method during periods of restriction and compensatory growth may be important considerations for managing growth in systems that incorporate limit-feeding.
Organizational slack and performance: the impact of outliers

Extending initial theory development and empirical studies conducted in the early 1980s, the investigation of the relationship between slack resources and the performance of the firm has experienced renewed attention. Over the past 25 years enough empirical research has been conducted that researchers have begun to question the frequently found ambiguous results. We assess the impact statistical outliers may have on the relationship between organizational slack and firm performance trying to determine whether the positive, curvilinear, or ambiguous results that have been reported are impacted by the presence of outliers. We found that the measures of organizational slack were highly variable due to five general factors. When the outliers, extreme values, were statistically identified and removed, the relationship between organizational slack (Available Slack) and performance (ROA) became non-linear and consistent over years. Implications suggest that future research should consider the potential impact that non-normal distributed data could have on the validity of findings, particularly when employing data from archival sources. Suggestions for future research in the slack-performance relationship are offered.
El carácter contingente de la necesidad absoluta

Una de las mas frecuentes criticas dirigidas contra Hegel es que su sistema crea una totalidad finalizante que determina lo que es como absolutamente necesario. La Ciencia de la Logica, siendo el edificio conceptual de dicho sistema, es el lugar mas apropiado para determinar el significado especifico de los conceptos utilizados por Hegel. A continuacion se ofrece un analisis detallado del capitulo sobre realidad (Wirklichkeit), para mostrar como el concepto de necesidad absoluta no solo incluye dentro de si, sino que ademas contiene como elemento estructural, el concepto de contingencia. Con ello se pretende generar una interpretacion deflacionista, en la cual el caracter absolutamente necesario de la realidad no debera entenderse como fundado en un fin pre-existente que determina de manera inexorable la realidad, sino como un movimiento interpretativo, en rememoracion, de su proceso.
Use of linear feedback to control chaos in a metal-passivation model

Classic linear control theory is applied to a three-dimensional, highly nonlinear model for the passivation dynamics of a metal surface exposed to an aqueous medium. For the specific set of parameter values selected for the model, the free (uncontrolled) dynamics consist of aperiodic or chaotic oscillations of the three system variables. It is first demonstrated that the model, when linearized about an unstable fixed point that corresponds to partial passivation of the metal surface, is completely controllable, and thus the fixed point can be stabilized by applying an as-yet-unspecified (but assumed-measurable) control to system parameters that are physically controllable. By contrast, a fixed point corresponding to total passivation of the metal surface is found to be not controllable using this approach. It is found that a variety of possibilities exists for stabilizing the fixed point that corresponds to partial passivation. One that is considered in detail is feedback, to the anodic potential, of the change of solution concentration, relative to its value at the fixed point. It is found, for this and various other linear feedback strategies, that stabilization of the fixed point also results in control or suppression of the chaotic dynamics. Implications of these results for control of chaos in experimental systems are also discussed.
Barotropic Decay of Baroclinic Waves in a Two-Layer Beta-Plane Model

Abstract A two-layer quasi-geostrophic model is used to study the effects of a meridionally sheared zonal flow on the life cycle of a weakly unstable baroclinic wave. In most of the cases analyzed, the fluid is inviscid with the exception of scale-selective fourth-order horizontal diffusion. The initial zonal flow is identically zero in the lower layer. The character of the eddy life cycle in the limit of weak supercritically is shown to depend on whether or not the meridional shell in the upper layer is strong enough to produce a critical latitude for the wave. If the shear is sufficiently weak, the wave undergoes periodic amplitude vacillation characterized by symmetric growth and baroclinic decay. However, when the meridional shear is strong enough to allow for the existence of a critical layer, the flow undergoes an asymmetric life cycle which resembles that found by Simmons and Hoskins in a primitive equation model on the sphere: the wave grows baroclinically but decays barotropically toward a wave-f...
Master Alloys to Obtain Premixed Hardenable Powder Metallurgy Steels

AbstractSystems for liquid phase alloying during sintering were investigated. The solidification range of alloys of Mn–Ni–Cr–Mo–Fe and Mn–Cu–Ni was determined. Alloys with the lowest and narrowest melting range were prepared and atomised in nitrogen. Admixtures of master alloys to water atomised, forging grade, pure iron powder were sintered at 1232°C. After hot forging, these PM steels exhibited harden abilities 75–90% of theoretical levels calculated from the factors for conventional steels. Alloying efficiency was further improved to 85–100% of theoretical hardenability when additions of approximately 2%Si and 1% rare earth mischmetal, used to enhance diffusion and sintering, were made to the master alloys. The steels obtained by premixing and sintering master alloys with pure iron powder were substantially homogeneous, had excellent microstructures, and exhibited very good tensile and impact properties. It was observed that molybdenum was the slowest diffusing element of those investigated and that ma...
Human rights education and religious education: from mutual suspicion to elective affinity

What are the prospects for joining religious education and human rights education? (1) Human rights educators may cite good historical and philosophical reasons for teaching about human rights without making any reference whatsoever to a religious foundation. (2) For their part, many religious communities have resisted opportunities to form alliances with human rights organisations, citing one form or another of ‘incommensurability’ between their faith and rights. (3) However, there also appear to be some occasions and some projects in which these two communities of discourse can embrace each other, and work for similar goals. How can we come to a better understanding about these regions of ‘elective affinity’ and their implications for religious education and human rights education?
Unsteady loading on an airfoil of arbitrary thickness

The unsteady loading on an airfoil of arbitrary thickness is evaluated by using the generalized form of Blasius theorem and a conformal mapping that maps the airfoil surface onto a circle. For a blade vortex interaction the results show that the time history of the unsteady loading is determined by the passage of the vortex relative to the leading edge singularity in the circle plane. The singularity lies inside the circle and moves to a smaller radius as the thickness is increased, causing the unsteady loading pulse to be smoothed. The effect of angle of attack is to move the stagnation point relative to the leading edge singularity and this significantly increases the unsteady lift if the vortex passes on the suction side of the airfoil. These characteristics are different for a step upwash gust, which is considered as a simplified model of a large scale turbulent gust. It is shown that the time history of the magnitude of the unsteady loading is almost completely unaltered by angle of attack for the step gust, but it's direction of action rotates forward by an angle equal to the angle of attack, extending an earlier result by Howe for a flat plate in a turbulent flow to airfoils of arbitrary thickness. However spectral analysis of the gust shows that the high frequency blade response is reduced as the thickness of the airfoil is increased.
3-Hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA reductase inhibitors prevent high glucose-induced proliferation of mesangial cells via modulation of Rho GTPase/ p21 signaling pathway: Implications for diabetic nephropathy.

Inhibitors of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl CoA (HMG-CoA) reductase, also known as statins, are lipid-lowering agents widely used in the prevention of coronary heart disease. Recent experimental and clinical data, however, indicate that the overall benefits of statin therapy may exceed its cholesterol-lowering properties. We postulate that statins may ameliorate the detrimental effects of high glucose (HG)-induced proliferation of mesangial cells (MCs), a feature of early stages of diabetic nephropathy, by preventing Rho isoprenylation. Rat MCs cultured in HG milieu were treated with and without simvastatin, an HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. Simvastatin inhibited HG-induced MC proliferation as measured by [3H]thymidine incorporation. This inhibitory effect was reversed with geranylgeranyl pyrophosphate, an isoprenoid intermediate of the cholesterol biosynthetic pathway. At the cell-cycle level, the HG-induced proliferation of MCs was associated with a decrease in cyclin dependent kinase (CDK) inhibitor p21 protein expression accompanied by an increase in CDK4 and CDK2 kinase activities. Simvastatin reversed the down-regulation of p21 protein expression and decreased CDK4 and CDK2 kinase activities. Exposure of MCs to HG was associated with an increase in membrane-associated Ras and Rho GTPase protein expression. Cotreatment of MCs with simvastatin reversed HG-induced Ras and Rho membrane translocation. Immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that the overexpression of the dominant-negative RhoA led to a significant increase in p21 expression. Our data suggest that simvastatin represses the HG-induced Rho GTPase/p21 signaling in glomerular MCs. Thus, this study provides a molecular basis for the use of statins, independently of their cholesterol-lowering effect, in early stages of diabetic nephropathy.
Driver safety and information from afar: An experimental driving simulator study of wireless vs. in-car information services

Cars have changed from pure transportation devices to fully interactive, voice-based systems. While voice interaction in the car has previously required on-board processing, the growing speed and ubiquity of wireless technologies now enable interaction with a distant source. Will the perceived source of the information influence driver safety, responses to the information, and attitudes toward the computer system and car? A between-participants experimental design (N=40) of computer proximity-in-car vs. wireless-using an advanced car simulator, found that people's driving behavior, verbal responsiveness, and attitudes are affected by computer proximity. A path analysis shows two counterbalancing effects of computer proximity on driving behavior: drivers feel more engaged with the in-car system than the wireless system, which leads to safer driving behavior; however, drivers also drive faster while using the in-car system than the wireless system, which leads to more dangerous driving behavior. Consistent with greater feelings of engagement with the in-car system, people also feel less discontentment with the in-car system and self-disclose more to the in-car system. Positive perceptions of information content also lead drivers to be more persuaded by driving recommendations. Implications for the design of wireless systems are explored.
Aspiring to physical health: The role of aspirations for physical health in facilitating long-term tobacco abstinence

Objective: To assess aspirations for physical health over 18 months. To examine whether maintained importance of aspirations for physical health mediated and/or moderated the effect of an intensive intervention on long-term tobacco abstinence. Methods: Participants were randomly assigned to an intervention based on self-determination theory or to community care, and provided data at baseline and at 18 and 30 months post-randomization. Results: Aspirations for physical health were better maintained over 18 months among participants in the intervention (mean change = .05), relative to community care (mean change = � .13), t = 2.66, p < .01. Maintained importance of aspirations for physical health partially mediated the treatment condition effects on seven-day point prevalence tobacco abstinence (z 0 = 1.68, p < .01) and the longest number of days not smoking (z 0 = 2.16, p < .01), and interacted with treatment condition to facilitate the longest number of days not smoking (b = .08, p < .05). Conclusion: Maintained importance of aspirations for physical health facilitated tobacco abstinence. Practice implications: Smokers may benefit from discussing aspirations for physical health within autonomy-supportive interventions. Patients may benefit from discussing aspirations during counseling about therapeutic lifestyle change and medication use.
P2Y2 nucleotide receptor up-regulation in submandibular gland cells from the NOD.B10 mouse model of Sjögren's syndrome

Summary Sjogren's syndrome (SS) is an autoimmune disease that specifically targets exocrine glands, including salivary glands, and results in an impairment of secretory function. P2Y2 nucleotide receptors for extracellular ATP and UTP are up-regulated in response to stress or injury in a variety of tissues including submandibular glands (SMGs) [Ahn JS, Camden JM, Schrader AM, Redman RS, Turner JT. Reversible regulation of P2Y2 nucleotide receptor expression in the duct-ligated rat submandibular gland. Am J Physiol Cell Physiol 2000;279:C286–94; Hou M, Malmsjo M, Moller S, Pantev E, Bergdahl A, Zhai X-H, et al. Increase in cardiac P2X1- and P2Y2-receptor mRNA levels in congestive heart failure. Life Sci 1999;65:1195–206; Kishore BK, Wang Z, Rab H, Haq M, Soleimani M. Upregulation of P2Y2 purinoceptor during ischemic reperfusion injury (IRI): possible relevance to diuresis of IRI. J Am Soc Nephrol 1998;9:581 (abstract); Koshiba M, Apasov S, Sverdlov V, Chen P, Erb L, Turner JT, et al. Transient up-regulation of P2Y2 nucleotide receptor mRNA expression is an immediate early gene response in activated thymocytes. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 1997;94:831–6; Turner JT, Landon LA, Gibbons SJ, Talamo BR. Salivary gland P2 nucleotide receptors. Crit Rev Oral Biol Med 1999;10:210–24; Seye CI, Gadeau AP, Daret D, Dupuch F, Alzieu P, Capron L, et al. Overexpression of the P2Y2 purinoceptor in intimal lesions of the rat aorta. Arterioscler Thromb Vasc Biol 1997;17:3602–10; Seye C, Kong Q, Erb L, Garrad RC, Krugh B, Wang M, et al. Functional P2Y2 nucleotide receptors mediate uridine 5′-triphosphate-induced intimal hyperplasia in collared rabbit carotid arteries. Circulation 2002;106:2720–6]. Objective: To assess whether P2Y2 receptor expression is up-regulated in SMGs of the NOD.B10 mouse model of primary SS as compared to SMGs of normal C57BL/6 mice. Design: SMG cells were isolated from normal C57BL/6 and diseased NOD.B10 mice. P2Y2 receptor mRNA expression was determined by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and in situ hybridization, whereas functional P2Y2 receptor activity was analyzed by measuring UTP-induced increases in [Ca2+]i. Results: In contrast to SMG cells from C57BL/6 mice, SMG cells from 4- to 19-week-old NOD.B10 mice exhibited increased P2Y2 receptor mRNA localized to both ductal and acinar cell types. The levels of mRNA for other uridine nucleotide receptors, i.e., P2Y4 and P2Y6 receptors, showed no significant differences between SMG cells of C57BL/6 and NOD.B10 mice, suggesting that only the P2Y2 receptor was up-regulated in NOD.B10 mice. Moreover, P2Y2 receptor activity in SMG cells from NOD.B10 mice increased with age (i.e., disease progression). Conclusion: P2Y2 receptor up-regulation in SMGs is associated with the SS phenotype in NOD.B10 mice, which encourages further attempts to determine the role of this pathway in the development of SS.
Goiter prevalence and bacterial contamination of water supplies.

Previous epidemiological studies have shown a significant statistical correlation (P < 0.005 to P < 0.0005) between goiter prevalence and rock types in the watersheds that supply 37 localities in Western Colombia. Bacterial contamination has also been implicated as a cause of endemic goiter. We, therefore, did bacteriological studies to incorporate this variable into the statistical model in 34 of the 37 localities previously surveyed. Samples of the water in the 34 localities were taken at the water source or intake of water supply and at the pipeline system in households and schools. Samples were collected in sterile bottles and cultured on several media for 48 h. The number of bacteria per ml was determined by Quebec's camera and the bacteria (E. coli, Bacillus sp., K. pneumoniae, Proteus sp., and Neisseria sp.) were identified according to conventional methods. Multiple regression analysis and the logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. Only two variables had significant relationships...
Pediatric oropharyngeal trauma: what is the role of CT scan?

Summary Objectives/hypothesis: Pediatric oropharyngeal trauma (OPT) is a common injury in children with rare, but at times severe complications including carotid injury and dissection of air/micro-organisms into the deep tissues of the neck or chest. Cervical CT scan with contrast (CT angiography (CTA)) is nearly universally available and may enhance the evaluation of OPT patients by screening for these potentially devastating complications. Study design: Retrospective record review, systematic review of the literature. Methods: Twenty-three patients diagnosed with OPT from 1997 to 2003 at Boston Children's Hospital were identified by database review. Records were reviewed for site and mechanism of injury, use of diagnostic studies, management, and outcomes. Results were compared to previously published reports. The current literature was reviewed to assess the level of evidence pertaining to the evaluation of OPT patients with CT scan. An extrapolation was made to the general trauma literature to further evaluate the ability of CT angiography to detect carotid injury. Results: Demographics and mechanism of injury in the current series were unchanged from previous reports. CT demonstrated superior detection and localization of free air. Systematic review of OPT literature revealed data on the use of CT scan as evaluation tool were lacking. Extrapolations to the trauma literature strongly indicate helical CTA has high sensitivity and specificity in detecting carotid injury. Conclusions: Pediatric oropharyngeal trauma is a common injury with rare, but severe complications. The routine use of CT scan with contrast may assist in the evaluation of these patients to detect injuries that could lead to severe complications. Collection of prospective data on the ability of CT scan to detect carotid injuries is needed but may not be feasible.
A scatter diagram for displaying the response of sensory neurons to sinusoidal stimulation.

The quantitative study of the activity of single neurons in sensory systems has been a subject of increasing interest in recent years. As a result there are a number of statistical tools suitable for analyzing the patterns of neuronal activity from both receptors and higher-order cells 1. This has contributed to a greater understanding of the detailed mechanisms of sensory transduction and coding in these peripheral and central processes. Since the response of sensory neurons is usually characterized by the average frequency of discharge, a number of good quantitative techniques have found application in the analysis of tonic responses. However, very little quantitative analysis of phasic neurons has been carried out. Most investigators simply note their existence. This communication describes a convenient display for characterizing the 'frequency response' of a phasic sensory cell. The technique developed out of the use of a swept frequency technique for extracting transfer functions of neural systems 6. Briefly the technique utilizes a swept frequency sine wave stimulus that is then correlated with the neural output. If a describing function analysis is used, the system transfer function can be found regardless of whether the response is tonic or phasic, i.e. whether or not there is a carrier frequency. In addition to the transfer function of the sensory system, it is often of interest to display the occurrence of pulses relative to the phase of the input signal. To do this the swept frequency data can be processed in a manner that is similar to the standard cycle histograms 4 often employed with discrete sine wave inputs. A program was written to implement the display on a small laboratory computer (Hewlett-Packard 2115a). Phase angle is the abscissa and input modulation frequency is the ordinate. The beam of an oscilloscope is driven by the D/A converter and follows the instantaneous frequency and phase of the stimulus. The beam is brightened only when a spike occurs. The display is essentially a binary matrix: the columns correspond to the intervals of phase (in our case, 5 °) from 0 ° to 360 ° and each row is one period of the
Temporal and spatial properties of fluctuations below a supercritical primary bifurcation to traveling oblique-roll electroconvection.

We present measurements of thermally-induced oblique-roll traveling-wave (TW) fluctuations below the supercritical primary bifurcation to electroconvection (EC) in the nematic liquid crystal ${4\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{e}\mathrm{t}\mathrm{h}\mathrm{y}\mathrm{l}\ensuremath{-}2\ensuremath{-}\mathrm{f}\mathrm{l}\mathrm{u}\mathrm{o}\mathrm{r}\mathrm{o}\ensuremath{-}4}^{\ensuremath{'}}$-[2-(trans-4-pentylcyclohexyl)ethyl]-biphenyl (I52). First we analyze time sequences of one-dimensional shadowgraph images taken parallel to the director to obtain the TW frequency $\ensuremath{\omega}$ and the fluctuation lifetime $\ensuremath{\tau}.$ Within our resolution we find that $\ensuremath{\omega}$ is independent of $\ensuremath{\epsilon}\ensuremath{\equiv}{V/V}_{c}\ensuremath{-}1$ $(V$ is the applied voltage amplitude and ${V}_{c}$ its value at the onset of convection). Contrary to linear theory, the relaxation rate $1/\ensuremath{\tau}$ remains finite at the bifurcation. Next we present the analysis of temporally uncorrelated two-dimensional shadowgraph images of the fluctuations for several values of the electrical conductivity $\ensuremath{\sigma}.$ We fitted an anisotropic two-dimensional Lorentzian function, corresponding to oblique-roll EC, to the time-averaged structure factors $S(\mathbf{k})$ derived from the images. This yielded information about the components of the mean wave vector ${\mathbf{k}}_{0}$ and about the correlation length $\ensuremath{\xi}$ as a function of $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ and $\ensuremath{\epsilon}.$ The angle of obliqueness $\ensuremath{\vartheta}$ of the roll patterns was independent of $\ensuremath{\sigma}$ but decreased anomalously as $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ approached zero. The modulus ${k}_{0}$ of ${\mathbf{k}}_{0}$ depended on $\ensuremath{\sigma}.$ It also showed an anomalous reduction close to onset. The anomalous $\ensuremath{\epsilon}$ dependence of ${k}_{0}$ and $\ensuremath{\vartheta}$ disagrees with linear theory, which predicts a smooth, essentially linear dependence on $\ensuremath{\epsilon},$ and presumably is caused by nonlinear interactions between the fluctuations.
Media Attitudes and News Preferences: An Analysis of Demographic Variables for a Sample of the Urban Poor.

The urban violence which struck many American cities in the late 1960s stimulated academicians, professional journalists, politicians, and others to take a new and more concentrated look at predominantly black urban areas in an effort to determine the causes of the violence and what might be done to prevent its reoccurrence. Much of the attention was focused on the mass media and how well they communicated with the black residents of the riot-torn areas. Several lecture series, conferences, and symposia were held to discuss problems of urban communication and the relationship of those problems to urban violence. At the University of Chicago, for instance, 33 scholars, media representatives, and
Factors Affecting Radiation D‐Values (D10) of an Escherichia Coli Cocktail and Salmonella Typhimurium LT2 Inoculated in Fresh Produce

Abstract: This study evaluated the effect of produce type, resuspension medium, dose uniformity ratio (DUR), and sample preparation conditions (tissue exposure, MAP, anoxia) on the D10-value of an Escherichia coli cocktail (BAA-1427, BAA-1428, and BAA-1430) and Salmonella Typhimurium LT2 inoculated on the surfaces of tomato, cantaloupe, romaine lettuce, and baby spinach. Produce at room temperature were irradiated using a 1.35 MeV Van de Graaf electron beam accelerator at 0.2 to 0.9 kGy. The D10-values for E. coli and Salmonella were 0.20 ± 0.01 kGy and 0.14 ± 0.01 kGy, respectively. Bacterial inactivation was not affected by produce type as long as the samples were irradiated in unsealed bags, the bacteria were suspended in broth, and the sample tissue was exposed. Sample location in front of the e-beam source during exposure is crucial. A 20% increase in DUR yielded a 53% change in the D10-values. Variations in sample preparation, microbiological methods and irradiation set-up, result in variable D10-values for different microorganisms on fresh produce. Practical Applications: Most irradiation studies disregard the effect of sample handling and processing parameters on the determination of the D10-value of different microorganisms in fresh and fresh-cut produce. This study shows the importance of exposure of sample, resuspension medium, available oxygen, and dose uniformity ratio. D10-values can differ by 35% to 53% based on these factors, leading to considerable under- or over-estimation of the irradiation treatment. Results from this study will help to lay firm groundwork for future studies on D10-values determination for different pathogens on fruits and vegetables.