cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
ALDH1a2 is a candidate tumor suppressor gene in prostate cancer

1835 Prostate cancer is the most common cancer among men in the United States, and aberrant DNA methylation is known to be an early molecular event in its development. Here, we have used expression profiling to identify novel hypermethylated genes whose expression is induced by treatment of prostate cancer cell lines with the DNA methyltransferase inhibitor 5-aza-dC. Of the 356 genes that were induced by 5-Aza-dC treatment, 49 also displayed reduced expression in primary prostate tumors compared to normal prostate tissue, and the decreased expression of only one gene, ALDH1a2 (Aldehyde dehydrogenase 1 family, member A2), was associated with reduced tumor-free survival. ALDH1a2 encodes an enzyme responsible for synthesis of retinoic acid, a compound with pro-differentiation properties. By immunohistochemistry, we observed that ALDH1a2 was expressed in epithelia from normal prostate but not prostate cancer. Using bisulfite sequencing, we determined that the ALDH1a2 promotor region was significantly hypermethylated in prostate cancer compared to normal prostate specimens (P=0.024). Finally, transfection-mediated re-expression of ALDH1a2 in the prostate cancer cell line DU145 resulted in decreased colony growth (P
Segmentation, Survival Prediction, and Uncertainty Estimation of Gliomas from Multimodal 3D MRI Using Selective Kernel Networks

Segmentation of gliomas into distinct sub-regions can help guide clinicians in tasks such as surgical planning, prognosis, and treatment response assessment. Manual delineation is time-consuming and prone to inter-rater variability. In this work, we propose a deep learning based automatic segmentation method that takes T1-pre, T1-post, T2, and FLAIR MRI as input and outputs a segmentation map of the sub-regions of interest (enhancing tumor (ET), whole tumor (WT), and tumor core (TC)). Our U-Net based architecture incorporates a modified selective kernel block to enable the network to adjust its receptive field via an attention mechanism, enabling more robust segmentation of gliomas of all appearances, shapes, and scales. Using this approach on the official BraTS 2020 testing set, we obtain Dice scores of .822, .889, and .834, and Hausdorff distances (95%) of 11.588, 4.812, and 21.984 for ET, WT, and TC, respectively. For prediction of overall survival, we extract deep features from the bottleneck layer of this network and train a Cox Proportional Hazards model, obtaining .495 accuracy. For uncertainty prediction, we achieve AUCs of .850, .914, and .854 for ET, WT, and TC, respectively, which earned us third place for this task.
The levers of legal design: Institutional determinants of the quality of law

In the past decade a comparative law and economics literature has emerged that is largely organized around an effort to explain differences in country economic performance in terms of differences between common law and civil code systems. Assumptions about differences between common law and civil code regimes and the correspondence between legal regimes and judicial behavior are, however, still only weakly based in real institutional features of modern legal systems. In this paper, I examine the institutional determinants of the quality of law developed by a legal regime, drawing on a model from Hadfield which identifies five key parameters that influence legal evolution [Hadfield, G.K., 2007a. The quality of law: Judicial incentives, legal human capital and the evolution of law. Manuscript. Available at http://works.bepress.com/ghadfield ]. I set out the institutional features that determine these parameters as dimensions along which real legal systems reside. These dimensions include: the organization of the judiciary and the extent to which judicial careers are organized on a bureaucratic career model or what I call a “capstone” model; the organization of the courts and the extent to which jurisdiction is general or specific; the mechanisms of information distribution and the extent to which information is distributed to a broad public audience or a more confined professional audience; the role of judges, whether active or passive, in finding facts and shaping the issues in adjudication; the role of public versus private entities in the enforcement of judgments (damages); and the degree to which the mechanisms by which legal services are produced, priced and distributed are competitive or professionally-controlled. My claim is that these key institutional dimensions, rather than conventional and more abstract distinctions based on the sources of law or judicial independence should be the primary focus of empirical efforts to evaluate and policy efforts to reform legal regimes. They are the levers of legal design. Journal of Comparative Economics 36 (1) (2008) 43–73.
Mammography screening disparities in Asian American women: Findings from the California Health Interview Survey 2015-2016.

e18568Background: Foreign-born Asians were less likely to utilize preventive care due to medicine beliefs, language barriers, insurance coverage, and more. Their perceptions of breast cancer risks ...
Fabrication of electrospun nanofiber composite of g-C3N4 and Au nanoparticles as plasmonic photocatalyst

Abstract In this research, we have fabricated a composite nanofiber mat of plasmonic photocatalyst consisting of g-C3N4, gold nanoparticles (AuNPs) and random nanofibers of polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) by electrospinning. The structure and chemical properties of the nanofiber mat were investigated in detail by ESEM, TEM, AFM, XPS, FTIR, XRD, TGA, PL spectroscopy and UV-Vis reflectance spectra. Imaging of the composite map confirmed that the fiber diameter was in the range of 100-400 nm with the g-C3N4 size in the range of 2-8 μm. Backscattered (Z-contrast) electron imaging in ESEM revealed that the AuNP particle size is in the range of 60-160 nm with Au content 0.02%. XPS and FTIR recognized the chemical identify of individual components and it was revealed that chemical structure of those components remained unaltered. PL spectroscopic results revealed slight PL quenching caused by the relaxation of charge carriers in the AuNPs. Bandgap energy, as calculated by Kubeka-Munk analysis of the of the reflectance data, was found to be 2.94 eV. The photocatalytic efficiency of the nanofiber mat was confirmed by photoelectrochemical study and photocatalytic degradation of a dye, methylene blue. Methylene blue was successfully degraded by the composite mat under repeated cycles.
Detailed Speciation and Reactivity Characterization of Products Generated by Transient Plasma Discharges in Fuel/Oxidizer Mixtures at Engine Relevant Densities

The aggressive move of modern spark ignited (SI) gasoline engines toward challenging dilute and boosted combustion regimes necessitates the development of new and robust ignition devices. Transient plasma ignition (TPI)-where high-energy, short-pulsed, non-equilibrium plasma are used to ignite flammable mixtures-is of interest to engine developers due to the generation of distributed ignition sites that accelerate initial burn rates and reduced electrode erosion that results from the avoidance of breakdown. However, transient plasma igniter development has been slowed by a lack of foundational understanding of the associated ignition mechanisms. In particular, multi -physics TPI modeling at engine-relevant conditions is complicated by the vast range of chemical time-scales (fs - ms) and lack of suitable experimental post-discharge data of the fuel/oxidizer products at relevant high-pressure conditions.
Consolidation and Strength Properties of a Clay

An embankment was constructed over a lake deposit, and sand drains were used to accelerate consolidation. The investigation included measurement of vertical and radial coefficients of consolidation in laboratory and in-situ tests. It was found that the ratio of horizontal to vertical coefficients of consolidation obtained from laboratory consolidation tests is larger than those obtained from in-situ permeability tests and in-situ consolidation. The shear strengths before and after consolidation were measured by unconfined compression tests and also computed from results of triaxial and simple shear tests. The strengths obtained from the results of triaxial tests are greater than those obtained from the results of simple shear tests, which are in turn greater than those measured by unconfined compression tests. /ASCE/
Using an immune system model to explore mate selection in genetic algorithms

When Genetic Algorithms (GAs) are employed in multimodal function optimization, engineering and machine learning, identifying multiple peaks and maintaining subpopulations of the search space are two central themes. In this paper, an immune system model is adopted to develop a framework for exploring the role of mate selection in GAs with respect to these two issues. The experimental results reported in the paper will shed more light into how mate selection schemes compare to traditional selection schemes. In particular, we show that dissimilar mating is beneficial in identifying multiple peaks, yet harmful in maintaining subpopulations of the search space.
Modeling and Control of Puddle Geometry in Gas Metal-Arc Welding

The quality of a weld joint is adversely affected by disturbances and parameter variations that occur during the welding process. In order to improve weld quality several researchers have developed automated welding systems which regulate the puddle geometry. In the past such systems have been designed using PI or PID controllers with little or no effort being made to model the dynamics of the puddle geometry. In addition arc welding processes are frequently modeled as single-input single-output systems. In this paper both single-input single-output (SISO) and multi-input multi-output (MIMO) models of the puddle geomtry are found using off-line identification techniques. Optimal linear quadratic (LQ) control methods are used to design two separate control systems. The first regulates puddle width while the second jointly regulates puddle width and area.
Abstract P018: Calibration of Analytes Over Twenty-Five Years in the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities Study

Background: Comparability of laboratory measures over time is important for studies of disease prevalence and progression. While a small amount of bias may seem negligible on an individual level, it can result in substantial misclassification of disease in the population. We conducted a calibration study of important biomarkers across five study visits (25 years) in ARIC. Methods: We re-measured 15 analytes in 200 blood samples to calibrate original measurements at each time point using Bland-Altman plots and Deming regression. We also assessed the impact of calibration on the prevalence of chronic kidney disease (CKD), defined by estimated glomerular filtration rate using creatinine (eGFRcr), and on trends over time. Results: Assays in samples frozen 12-27 years were highly correlated with original values (median r=0.95) after removing outliers (median 4% of values). The range of bias (% difference in means) across visits for each original analyte compared to its reference were: creatinine: 13-49%; uric acid: 3-24%; C-reactive protein: 3-9%; total cholesterol: 1-6%; high density lipoprotein cholesterol: 4-8% (but new methods differed); low density lipoprotein cholesterol: 1-5%; triglycerides: 2-4%; glucose: 1-4%; N-terminal prohormone of brain natriuretic peptide: 2-12%; high sensitivity cardiac troponin T: 1-9%; alanine transaminase (ALT): 21%; aspartate transaminase (AST): 17%; gamma glutamyl transpeptidase: 0.2%; s2-microglobulin: 1%; beta-trace protein: 13%. Four analytes met calibration criteria: creatinine, uric acid, ALT and AST. The impact on CKD prevalence was substantial and similar to previous statistical calibration (22% uncalibrated, 1.9% previously and 1.3% current laboratory calibration). Trends in eGFRcr over time were better aligned after calibration ( Figure ). Conclusions: Repeat assay of samples shows high correlation with original values. Calibration enables application of absolute cutoffs (required for defining CKD and other conditions) and improves longitudinal analyses. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
Backpropagation neural networks with short time frequency data

A major task in signal processing is the determination of the significant frequencies of received waveforms. Radar, sonar, and speech processing all employ techniques that rely on a short time frequency representation of a received waveform. This paper uses a backpropagation neural network to extract information about the presence of a target and, if present, the determination of the dominant frequency in the presence of clutter.
Brain Tumors and ICU Seizures

Seizures are a common presentation of brain neoplasms. Both primary brain tumors and metastases can present with seizures, which are more commonly focal depending on the location and the pathology of the lesion. In general, more benign tumors have higher incidence of seizures than more malignant ones. These patients are admitted to an intensive care unit either for preoperative monitoring or in the postoperative period. They should be treated with antiepileptics if seizures are witnessed. Whether they should be prophylactically treated with antiepileptic medications if seizures have not occurred yet in the pre- and postoperative period, and for how long, are questions that remain to be answered. More recent data do not seem to support such prophylactic administration.
Reconstructing Macroeconomics, A Perspective from Statistical Physics and Combinatorial Stochastic Processes: Book Review

Professors Aoki and Yoshikawa adopted a variety of concepts from statistical physics and combinatorial stochastic processes to various problems in economics (such as labor markets, real growth, consumption, unemployment, financial market, productivity difference, etc.). In order to analyze these phenomena, they depart from the standard methods of model construction and analysis in mainstream economics and use methods that generally fall into two broad categories. One deals with stochastic dynamics, and the other with the formation of clusters and random combinatorial analysis. The authors build their new macroeconomics on the observation that the huge number of heterogeneous agents act stochastically different based on individual insights, tastes, goals, etc. In this approach the properties of economic systems are described by macroscopic dynamical equations of motion that are nonlinear partial differential equations, such as backward and forward Kolmogorov equations (known as a Chapman-Kolmogorov equation and Fokker-Planck equations).
Simple cyropreservation techniques to preserve cellular ultrastructure of freeze fracture or sectioning prior to image analysis

Summary form only given. Computer-assisted computer imaging techniques are limited in their value by the extent to which the structure being analyzed deviates from its native state. For intracellular structures, traditional chemical fixations have been well established to leave substantial room for deviation from reality. For example, membrane-bound vesicles can be relocated or abnormally fused and molecules can be extracted. In addition, traditional techniques can substantially diminish antigenicity in immunocytochemical localization protocols. Although the alternative of freeze-substitution and ultra-low temperature embedding are established in the literature, many people have not switched to these techniques. For structures deep within a tissue (up to about 25 /spl mu/m), these techniques will require an expensive high-pressure freezer (approximately $150,000.000). However, for structures on the surface of a tissue block, small organisms, or single cells in suspension, we describe fairly simple apparatus and reliable techniques to achieve ultra-rapid freezing routinely ( up to about 30 /spl mu/m). In addition, we describe preliminary efforts to use computer-assisted electron tomography to reconstruct three dimensional structures from freeze fracture and sectioned images. >
Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma in older children and adults: series and immunohistochemical analysis.

Abstract Context.—Nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma is a benign mass lesion of the nasal cavity predominantly described in young infants. These unusual lesions are composed of a proliferation of mesenchymal and cartilaginous elements. Their pathogenesis is unknown, but they may be derived from embryologic rests. To our knowledge, only 1 case in an older child has been reported, and no cases have been reported in adults. Objective.—To report 4 cases of nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma occurring in older children and adults, including immunohistochemical analysis of these unusual lesions. Design.—Cases identified from our archives were examined to confirm the diagnosis of nasal chondromesenchymal hamartoma. Immunohistochemical analysis was performed using a panel of antibodies (epithelial membrane antigen, smooth muscle actin, all muscle actin, cytokeratin, S100, and KP1) to evaluate for epithelial, smooth muscle, neural, chondroid, and histiocytic differentiation. Results.—Four cases of nasal chondromes...
A niched Pareto genetic algorithm for multiobjective optimization

Many, if not most, optimization problems have multiple objectives. Historically, multiple objectives have been combined ad hoc to form a scalar objective function, usually through a linear combination (weighted sum) of the multiple attributes, or by turning objectives into constraints. The genetic algorithm (GA), however, is readily modified to deal with multiple objectives by incorporating the concept of Pareto domination in its selection operator, and applying a niching pressure to spread its population out along the Pareto optimal tradeoff surface. We introduce the Niched Pareto GA as an algorithm for finding the Pareto optimal set. We demonstrate its ability to find and maintain a diverse "Pareto optimal population" on two artificial problems and an open problem in hydrosystems. >
Critical Role for the NLRP3 Inflammasome during Acute Lung Injury

The inflammasome is a key factor in innate immunity and senses soluble pathogen and danger-associated molecular patterns as well as biological crystals (urate, cholesterol, etc.), resulting in expression of IL-1β and IL-18. Using a standard model of acute lung injury (ALI) in mice featuring airway instillation of LPS, ALI was dependent on availability of NLRP3 as well as caspase-1, which are known features of the NLRP3 inflammasome. The appearance of IL-1β, a product of NLRP3 inflammasome activation, was detected in bronchoalveolar lavage fluids (BALF) in a macrophage- and neutrophil-dependent manner. Neutrophil-derived extracellular histones appeared in the BALF during ALI and directly activated the NLRP3 inflammasome. Ab-mediated neutralization of histones significantly reduced IL-1β levels in BALF during ALI. Inflammasome activation by extracellular histones in LPS-primed macrophages required NLRP3 and caspase-1 as well as extrusion of K+, increased intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and generation of reactive oxygen species. NLRP3 and caspase-1 were also required for full extracellular histone presence during ALI, suggesting a positive feedback mechanism. Extracellular histone and IL-1β levels in BALF were also elevated in C5a-induced and IgG immune complex ALI models, suggesting a common inflammatory mechanism. These data indicate an interaction between extracellular histones and the NLRP3 inflammasome, resulting in ALI. Such findings suggest novel targets for treatment of ALI, for which there is currently no known efficacious drug.
APPLYING VARIANCE REDUCTION IDEAS IN QUEUING SIMULATIONS

Variance reduction techniques are often underused in simulation studies. In this article, we indicate how certain ones can be efficiently employed when analyzing queuing models. The first technique considered is that of dynamic stratified sampling; the second is the utilization of multiple control variates; the third concerns the replacement of random variables by their conditional expectations when trying to estimate the expected value of a sum of random variables.
Transplantation of bovine mammary tissue to athymic nude mice: growth subcutaneously and in mammary gland-free fat pads.

Abstract Mammary epithelium from five Holstein cows was transplanted as subcutaneous slices and as collagenase dissociated epithelial cells into mammary gland free-fat pads of athymic nude mice. Two weeks posttransplantation, mice were injected daily for 20 d with saline, 17 β -estradiol plus progesterone, or 17 β -estradiol plus progesterone plus growth hormone plus prolactin. In a second experiment, mice were treated with saline, cholera toxin, 17 β -estradiol (subctaneous pellet of 2mg 17 β -estradiol and 38mg cholesterol), or 17 β -estradiol plus cholera toxin. In each experiment mammary slices maintained normal morphology. Growth of epithelium within slices ([ 3 H]thymidine autoradiography) was increased 167% by estradiol plus progesterone, 264% by estradiol plus progesterone plus growth hormone plus prolactin, 90% by estradiol, 60% by cholera toxin, and 137% by estradiol plus cholera toxin. Cells injected into mammary gland free fat pads formed hollow, multilayered, spherical "organoids." Organoid area was increased 47% by estradiol plus progesterone, 189% by estradiol plus progesterone plus growth hormone plus prolactin, 72% by estradiol, 86% by cholera toxin and 74% by estradiol plus cholera toxin. Thus, athymic nude mice appear suitable for the ex vivo in vivo study of bovine mammary epithelial growth and differentiation.
Multiple IgM autoantibodies in a non-human primate

Abstract Macroglobulin rheumatoid factors have been detected in the sera of howler monkeys ( A. caraya ). These IgM antibodies cross-reacted with human and rabbit IgG. Additional IgM auto-antibodies were identified in the same sera together with an abnormal protein component. Maintenance in captivity was associated with a disappearance of both the autoantibodies and the abnormal serum protein. These serologic findings and IgM autoantibodies were likely due to a pigmentary deposit in the liver. This disorder previously detected was considered to be secondary to intense stimulation of the reticuloendo-thelial system by an exogenous (infectious?) environmental agent.
From past to future art: The creative impact of Picasso's 1935 Minotauromachy on his 1937 Guernica.

This paper reports a quantitative analysis of how Picasso’s, 1935 etching Minotauromachy influenced the creative process observed in the sketches for his 1937 painting Guernica. The experimental stimuli consisted of 39 images obtained from the original set of Guernica sketches. We included only the four figural elements that appear in both the etching and throughout the Guernica sketches (the bull/minotaur head, the horse, the woman holding a lamp, and the ladder climb). Seven independent raters judged the similarity of the sketches to the images extracted from the 1935 etching. The average similarity rating gave us the progress score for each sketch when compared to the etching. Using the data from Simonton (2007a), we also included in our discussion the sketch progress scores toward Guernica. We found evidence for the nonmonotonicity of the creative process (characterized by numerous backtrackings), as opposed to monotonic improvement. This suggests that although Picasso used some of the figural elements found in his earlier work, he did not merely improve them through a monotonic “honing” process, but rather explored a variety of possibilities, as is characteristic of a blind-variation process.
Electronic spectra of substituted naphthoquinones

Abstract Echinoderms elaborate many closely related structural pigments (spinochromes) based on a naphthoquinone skeleton. As an aid to structural elucidation of these compounds the electronic spectra of a large number of substituted naphthoquinones were examined. The bands in the 240–600 mμ region of the electronic spectra of 1,4-naphthoquinone, juglone, and naphthazarin have been assigned to either benzenoid or quinoid electronic excitations and the effect of substitution on the position of these bands has been systematically studied. As a result, a number of empirical correlations have been derived that are useful in the structure determination of unknown pigments.
Two-photon decays of pionic carbon

Abstract An experimental search was made for two-photon emission following π − capture on carbon. Using the photon angular correlation calculated for the dominant (π − p → γγn) mechanism, the upper limit on the branching ratio is found to be 1.4 × 10 −5 at a 90% confidence level. This result suggests that the virtual pion content of carbon is not significantly enhanced over the incoherent sum of the pion fields of individual nucleons.
10-channel fiber array fabrication technique for parallel optical coherence tomography system

Optical Coherence Tomography (OCT) shows great promise for low intrusive biomedical imaging applications. A parallel OCT system is a novel technique that replaces mechanical transverse scanning with electronic scanning. This will reduce the time required to acquire image data. In this system an array of small diameter fibers is required to obtain an image in the transverse direction. Each fiber in the array is configured in an interferometer and is used to image one pixel in the transverse direction. In this paper we describe a technique to package 15mm diameter fibers on a siliconsilica substrate to be used in a 2mm endoscopic probe tip. Single mode fibers are etched to reduce the cladding diameter from 125mm to 15mm. Etched fibers are placed into a 4mm by 150mm trench in a silicon-silica substrate and secured with UV glue. Active alignment was used to simplify the lay out of the fibers and minimize unwanted horizontal displacement of the fibers. A 10-channel fiber array was built, tested and later incorporated into a parallel optical coherence system. This paper describes the packaging, testing, and operation of the array in a parallel OCT system.
High dose radiation therapy and chemotherapy as induction treatment for stage III nonsmall cell lung carcinoma.

BACKGROUND. The current study was conducted to review the authors' experience in treating consecutive patients with American Joint Committee on Cancer (1997 revision) Stage III nonsmall cell lung carcinoma with aggressive preoperative chemoradiation followed by surgical resection. METHODS. The records of all patients who received preoperative chemoradiation were evaluated. Patients received 2 cycles of concurrent cisplatin and etoposide with 5940 centigrays of radiation therapy. They then were reevaluated to determine whether they were surgical candidates. If so, resection of the primary tumor with mediastinal lymph node dissection was performed 4-6 weeks after the completion of preoperative treatment. After adequate healing, an additional four cycles of cisplatin/etoposide or carboplatin/paclitaxel was given. RESULTS. Forty-two patients received preoperative chemoradiation, 33 of whom underwent surgical resection (79%), including 9 patients who underwent pneumonectomies. Complete pathologic responses were observed in 27% of these patients. Postoperative complications were noted in 21% of the patients and included persistent air leak, supraventricular arrhythmia, and empyema. There were no reported treatment-related deaths. The median follow-up was 26 months. The overall 5-year survival rate for all patients was 36.5% and was 45.3% for patients who underwent resection. A trend toward increased 5-year survival was observed in patients who had a complete pathologic response (57.1%). Univariate analysis revealed the N stage classification to be significant for predicting a complete response. Patterns of failure revealed the brain to be the most common site of first recurrence (50%) and the only site of recurrence in 36% of patients. There was only one case of local failure. CONCLUSIONS. Preoperative chemoradiation using high radiation doses is feasible with acceptable toxicity. The results of the current study suggest an increased complete pathologic response rate and increased overall survival rate compared with reports in the published literature.
Beyond 1 PW: OPCPA/mixed Nd: Glass technology to reach 10 - 1000 PW powers

I will discuss laser designs at powers of 10 PW to 1 EW using OPCPA seeding of mixed Nd:glass. With liquid cooled slab amplifiers a 1.5 kJ, 150 fs laser operating at one shot/min is possible.
Simulation and modeling in early concept design: An industrial perspective

Time to market and the cost in getting there are dominated by decisions made in the early stages of a design. The ramifications of this statement are examined by discussion of specific cases drawn from several different technologies. The relevance of simulation and modeling in early design is discussed and illustrated by examples drawn from electronics, electrical engineering, and mechanics domains. The forging of strong cooperative ties between all components of the product generation process is shown to be an important present and future business strength.
Differential Effects of Insulin-like Growth Factor-1 on Neonatal Canine Gene Expression

Abstract To determine the effects of insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and amylin on glucose homeostasis in vivo in newborn dogs, euglycemic hyper-IGF-1 clamps and hypoglycemic hyper-IGF-1 clamps were performed in newborn dogs. Northern blotting and radioimmunoassays were used to study the effects of the infused IGF-1 and/or hypoglycemia on the mRNA expression of the genes for phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK) and on the expression of the amylin gene in newborn dogs. Our results were that (1) Infused IGF-1 (plasma IGF-1 ≥1000 ng/ml) rapidly lowered the plasma glucose level, and 120 ± 38 mg glucose/pup was co-infused during a 105-min clamp to maintain the plasma glucose at the basal level. (2) The infused IGF-1 rapidly reduced the liver cytosolic mRNA for the PEPCK gene to an almost undetectable level. (3) Hyper-IGF-1 had no effect on mRNA level of the amylin gene in pancreas, 106.7 ± 14.2% vs 100.0 ± 5.9% (controls), or on plasma amylin concentration, 56.0 ± 5.7 pg/ml vs 52.1 ± 5.7 pg/ml (basal). (4) The amylin mRNA level, 127.8 ± 3.9% vs 100.0 ± 5.9% (controls) ( P = 0.017), and the plasma amylin concentration, 132.3 ± 18.3 pg/ml vs 110.0 ± 10.8 pg/ml (controls) ( P = 0.371), showed a parallel stimulation by hypoglycemia in the presence of hyper-IGF-1. We concluded that (1) IGF-1 acutely suppressed cytosolic PEPCK gene expression in liver of newborn dogs. (2) IGF-1 does not effect the expression of the pancreatic amylin gene. (3) Amylin may be involved in glucose homeostasis in newborn dogs and may play a role as a counterregulatory factor during the neonatal period. Unsuppressed amylin production may contribute to neonatal hyperglycemia.
Thomas Addis (1881-1949): mixing patients, rats, and politics.

In the early decades of the twentieth century, with the threat of epidemic infectious diseases already in decline, attention shifted to the chronic maladies: hypertension, atherosclerosis, obesity, cancer, diabetes—and nephritis, or Bright's disease. New chemical methods devised by Otto Folin (1867–1934) at Harvard and Donald D. Van Slyke (1883–1971) at the Rockefeller Institute Hospital empowered the investigation of renal and metabolic disorders. Folin's colorimetric system provided rapid measurement of creatinine, urea, and uric acid, while Van Slyke's gasometric analyses allowed quantification of urea and total carbon dioxide. Also in the first decades of the twentieth century, the reform of medical schools provided new opportunities for academic medical careers. The stronger and ambitious schools embraced the ideology of research, and sought full-time faculty members capable of good work in the laboratory. In these contexts, we will examine the life and work of Thomas Addis (1881–1949), whose career in the Department of Medicine at Stanford University School of Medicine in California was fashioned almost entirely from a lifelong study of kidney disease. A brilliant investigator and colorful human being, Addis was probably the first American to become so fully identified as an authority in what only later became known as nephrology. The author has uncovered many letters from Addis in various archival collections, so some of his own words will help tell his story.
Deposit insurance, market discipline and off-balance sheet banking risk of large U.S. commercial banks

Abstract The ‘market discipline’ of off-balance sheet banking activities (OBSAs) is examined by employing contingent claims valuation techniques to derive implied asset variances from bank equity, and from risk-premia for bank subordinated debt. Specifically, implied asset variances have been calculated from market and on and off-balance sheet information using options pricing techniques. Theoretically these implied asset variances are better than equity variance or risk-premia in proxying bank risk because they capture portfolio effects as well as the non-linear nature of contingent claims model and the impact of closure rules. Empirical results suggest the existence of ‘market discipline’ of OBSAs. Market participants price these OBSAs as risk-reducing.
Reliability estimates for data recovered from compact discs.

Data reliability at the output of the error-correction code decoder in a compact-disc system is influenced by the decoding strategy employed by the decoder, as well as by the statistical distribution of errors that contaminate the recorded data. Recovered-data reliability estimates have been computed by use of error statistics obtained from the measurement of errors that contaminate the actual data stored on clean write-once and read-only-memory compact discs. These estimates consist of probabilities that specify the occurrence of residual errors in the data that appear at the output of a compact-disc player’s cross-interleaved Reed–Solomon code (CIRC) decoder. Data reliability estimates that apply to five specific CIRC decoding strategies are reported.
Blood flow: theory, effective viscosity and effects of particle distribution.

A study is made of blood flow by assuming that the blood constitutes a suspension of cells in plasma instead of a simple homogeneous fluid. A macroscopic theory governing the motion of plasma in a plasma-cell system is derived from the local volume averaging method for a system without mass transfer between the phases, and its characteristic length is much larger than the size of the cells. The equations governing the motion of the local averaged fluid quantities include one additional term in the equation of motion and two additional terms in the energy equation. These terms represent, respectively, the force exerted upon the fluid by the particles, and the rate of heat transfer and work done upon the fluid by the particles. The theory is applied to obtain the effective viscosity as the explicit function of the volume concentration of the cells by assuming that the cells behave like rigid spherical particles with slip-collision, and the plasma is an incompressible Newtonian fluid. Comparison with existing experimental results shows a good agreement. The theory is also used to obtain the effects of cell distribution upon the overall effective viscosity in a circular tube. The quantitative result shows that there is a decrease in overall effective viscosity as the concentration of cells increases toward the center of the tube, and the overall effective viscosity is smaller than the flow with evenly distributed cells.
Mechanoluminescence: light from sonication of crystal slurries.

Light flashes sparked by acoustic shock waves far outshine those created by manual crushing.
Transforming trade and payments in transition economies — the regional dimension

Abstract The paper examines the desirability, on economic fundamentals, for the transition economies (TEs) to replace their inherited integration format with another regional compact while awaiting merger into the European Union (EU). Many reasons were invoked to negate this. On economic fundamentals too much faith was placed in the predictability and theoretical strength of the gravity model for predicting normal bilateral trade flows and in the seamless merger of TEs in global trade and financial networks to offset any intial transformational imbalances. Opportunities for regional cooperation have not been seized largely for political and security rather than sound economic reasons. This is a suboptimal poicy choice not only in governing the transition but also in governing the processes for eventually playing a constructive role in the EU's single market.
Spatial correlation measurements of 1ƒ noise in semiconductors

One of the proposed models for 1ƒ noise, thermal fluctuations theory, involves a diffusive mechanism which implies spatial correlation of the fluctuating quantity within a frequency-dependent correlation length. In order to test this prediction, we have performed spatial correlation measurements on p-type conductive diffused strips of silicon at temperatures between 20 and 295 K. The frequency span was from 10 Hz to 10 kHz. We have not found any correlation between the 1ƒ fluctuations in two different segments of the strip separated by 2.5 mils, making diffusion mechanism an unlikely origin of the noise.
Predictability of Sea Level Pressure Anomalies Over the North Pacific Ocean

Abstract The relationships between sea surface temperature (SST) and sea level pressure (SLP) anomalies over the North Pacific are examined using seasonally stratified statistics. These indicate that autumn and winter SLP anomalies are predictable from prior observations of either SST or SLP. The relationships are a strong function of season and therefore are not detectable in statistics generated by averaging over all seasons. Neither spring nor summer SLP anomalies appear predictable. The patterns of predictable SLP anomalies and the SST and SLP anomalies from which they can be predicted are found as principal estimator patterns. Statistical predictors of autumn and winter SLP anomalies, developed on a 20-year dependent data set, are found to be useful in forecasting a period of 10 other years.
Polyanions and glucose as osmotic agents in simulated peritoneal dialysis.

: Peritoneal dialysis solutions contain glucose as an osmotic agent to obtain ultrafiltration. Due to rapid absorption, glucose does not sustain high ultrafiltration during long exchanges. Nonabsorbable polyanions might be effective as osmotic agents when suspended in electrolyte solution. Concentrations of freely diffusible ions should be in Gibbs-Donnan equilibrium with plasma electrolytes. The ideal proportion of diffusable to polymerbound cation concentrations is unknown. To obtain concentrations of free ions in equilibrium with plasma, it is assumed that the polymer solution dialyzed against a polyelectrolyte solution of the desired composition (with hydraulic pressure higher on the polymer side) will approach the same thermodynamic activity as the electrolyte solution. Subsequently, if transmembrane pressure is released, osmotic ultrafiltration will occur in proportion to the hydrostatic pressure applied during polymer solution preparation. Polyacrylate solution so prepared was compared with a commercial dextrose dialysis solution in an in vitro simulation of peritoneal dialysis. With dwell times up to 24 h, sustained ultrafiltration with polymer was observed, whereas, with dextrose, ultrafiltration ceased after 8 h. Concentrations of diffusible bivalent cations in polyacrylate were lower than intended due to avid polymer complexing; however, dextran sulfate solutions were developed to contain desired concentrations of diffusible electrolytes. The conclusion is that some polymer solutions might be useful in clinical settings when high sustained ultrafiltration is needed.
I Am a Human Being, and I Belong to the World: Narrating the Intersection of Spirituality and Social Identity

This article explores the relationship between spirituality and learning to cultivate a social identity that is global in its outlook. It considers the lived experiences of 10 women from the Baha'i Faith talking about their search for an inclusive worldview and about how they (re)constructed a broader identity through the teachings of their religion and developed the capacity to be border crossers across cultures and places. Although issues and concerns of identity constitute a major area of deliberation in the field of adult education for social change, less discernible in the discourse is the link between spirituality and the (re)construction of social identity. The narratives of these Baha'i women offer some grounded approaches to address the topic of spirituality that is framed not in the language of religious epiphanies or practices but as social transformative learning.
Prognostic factors after acute subdural hematoma.

Factors that have been shown to affect outcome after acute subdural hematoma (ASDH) include age, Injury Severity Score (ISS), intracranial pressure (ICP), direct admission to a trauma center, presence of subarachnoid hemorrhage, score on the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), and timing of operation. However, these data come from selected patient populations (e.g., operated, comatose, or minimally symptomatic patients, etc.). In an effort to evaluate factors that predict outcome for the entire spectrum of ASDH patients, we evaluated 211 patients with ASDH and GCS scores of 3 to 15. One hundred twenty-eight patients (61%) were managed nonoperatively (Nonop), whereas 83 (39%) were managed with craniotomy [operatively (Op)]. Op patients had more severe brain injuries, as evidenced by their lower GCS scores (Op 7.8 vs. Nonop 10.7, p = 0.0001), higher incidence of large ASDH with midline shift (Op 61% large ASDH, 83% midline shift vs. Nonop 16% large ASDH, 30% midline shift, p = 0.001 for each comparison), and higher incidence of basilar cistern effacement (Op 61% vs. Nonop 21%, p = 0.001). Thirty-five percent of the Op patients had their hematoma evacuated within 4 hours (early), whereas 65% did not (delayed). Early Op patients had a significantly lower incidence of functional survival (early = 24% vs. delayed = 51%, p = 0.02). The early patients seem to have had more significant head injuries, as evidenced by their lower GCS scores (early = 7.0 vs. delayed = 8.4), higher incidence of associated intracranial injuries (early = 1.14 vs. delayed = 0.85), and higher incidence of cistern effacement (early = 76% vs. delayed = 53%, p = 0.002).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Collection and phagocytic evaluation of uterine neutrophilic leukocytes.

Abstract The study of phagocytosis in the bovine uterus requires the collection of large numbers of uterine leukocytes. A method of stimulating polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) invasion into the bovine uterus with oyster glycogen was tested. Following glycogen treatment, uterine aspirates contained large numbers (106–109) of viable uterine PMN. In Experiment 1, six cows were treated at one-week intervals by intrauterine infusion with 0.1, 1.0 and 10.0% oyster glycogen, respectively. Uterine lumens were lavaged at 0, 12, 24, 48, 72 and 168 hours post-infusion with each concentration of glycogen. The mean peak response for PMN was at 12 hours post-infusion of glycogen. In Experiment 2, uterine and peripheral blood PMN were collected from each of 12 cows. Phagocytosis was measured as the percent of 32Phosphorus-labeled Staphylococcus aureus ingested by PMN during a one-hour incubation. Mean (± standard deviation) percent phagocytosis was not statistically different between blood (53.6 ± 11.0%) and uterine (43.8 ± 13.0%) PMN. This indicates that phagocytic activity was similar for PMN collected either from the uterine lumen or peripheral blood.
Ligand scaffold optimization of a supramolecular hydrogenation catalyst: Analyzing the influence of key structural subunits on reactivity and selectivity.

Results are reported for the catalytic asymmetric hydrogenation of two prototypical substrates with a series of more than 150 closely related supramolecular catalysts differing in only their ligand/catalyst scaffold. These modular catalysts are constructed from four subunits and vary widely in their reactivity (no reaction to quantitative yield) and enantioselectivity (racemic to 96% enantiomeric excess (ee)). Analysis of the ligand/catalyst scaffold optimization data reveals how each subunit contributes to the effectiveness of the modular supramolecular catalyst. The results suggest that a balance between key elements of rigidity and flexibility is required for the successful catalysts and, moreover, that this balance is required to enable effective fine-tuning via catalyst scaffold optimization.
The galileo bias: A naive conceptual belief that influences people's perceptions and performance in a ball-dropping task

This research introduces a new naive physics belief, the Galileo bias, whereby people ignore air resistance and falsely believe that all objects fall at the same rate. Survey results revealed that this bias is held by many and is surprisingly strongest for those with formal physics instruction. In 2 experiments, 98 participants dropped ball pairs varying in volume and/or mass from a height of 10 m, with the goal of both balls hitting the ground simultaneously. The majority of participants in both experiments adopted a single strategy consistent with the Galileo bias, showing no improvement across trials. Yet, for participants reporting intentions of dropping both balls at the same time, the differences between release points were significantly greater than 0 ms. These findings support separate but interacting cognition and perception-action systems.
An electron microscopic study of tetracycline-induced enamel defects in rat incisor enamel.

– The structure of incremental bands and gross hypoplastic lesions in rat incisor enamel which resulted from single or multiple injections with tetracycline hydrochloride was studied in the electron microscope. Both types of lesions which were investigated previously using microradiography and fluorescence microscopy exhibited many unusual structural features which are discussed in relation to current concepts of normal enamel formation. Disturbances in packing and organization were common to all the lesions indicating a primary interference with the first phase of enamel formation, i.e. matrix formation and initial mineralization. These changes were the main cause of the various mineralization disturbances seen in the microradiograms. Temporary and permanent interference with the second or maturation phase, i.e. crystal growth, was also evident but only as a corollary to the principal disturbance. This, and other evidence, suggests that tetracycline as well as many other chemical agents achieve their principal effects on enamel formation by injuring pre-secretory or secretory ameloblasts. Thus it appears that most developmental mineralization disturbances are symptomatic of hypoplastic lesions or are a sequela to the cell injury which also causes the hypoplastic lesions. Because of that it is suggested · that commonly used division between hypoplastic and hypomineralized defects be abandoned.
A new species of Distichlis (Poaceae, Chloridoideae) from Baja California, Mexico.

Abstract Based upon a specimen first collected by S. N. Stephenson, a new grass species, Distichlis bajaensis H. L. Bell, is described. Stephenson hypothesized that this specimen was a hybrid between D. littoralis and D. spicata. Analyses of sequences of nuclear internal transcribed spacer (ITS) and chloroplast ndhF and trnL–trnF and an examination of gross morphology, blade and lemma micromorphology, and blade transectional anatomy demonstrate that this grass is a new species that may be sister to the remaining Distichlis. The blades of D. bajaensis are yellow-green; those of D. littoralis and D. spicata are blue-green. Distichlis bajaensis can be distinguished from D. littoralis by its exserted inflorescences with glumes present and from D. spicata by its short (0.8–1.5 cm) blades with a bend toward the adaxial side. At and distal to the bend, there are antrorse hairs along the medial vascular bundle. Distichlis bajaensis is known from a single large population growing along alkaline seeps in Arroyo Ros...