cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
c-Myc-induced chemosensitization is mediated by suppression of cyclin D1 expression and nuclear factor-κB activity in Pancreatic cancer cells

Purpose: Pancreatic cancer is a highly aggressive disease that remains refractory to various chemotherapeutic agents. Because the proto-oncogene c-myc can modulate apoptosis in response to cytotoxic insults and is commonly overexpressed in pancreatic cancer, we investigated the value of c-myc as a potential modulator of cellular response to various chemotherapeutic agents. Experimental Design: Stable overexpression or small interfering RNA (siRNA)–mediated knockdown of c-myc and restoration of cyclin D1 were done in the Ela-myc pancreatic tumor cell line. Cell viability after cisplatin treatment of c-myc–overexpressing, control, and siRNA-transfected cells was determined by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and drug-induced apoptosis was measured by DNA fragmentation, sub-G1, and poly(ADP-ribose) polymerase cleavage analyses. Protein expression profile after cisplatin treatment was determined by Western blotting and DNA binding activity of nuclear factor-κB was examined by electrophoretic mobility shift assay. Results: Ectopic overexpression of c-myc in murine and human pancreatic cancer cell lines, Ela-myc and L3.6pl, respectively, resulted in increased sensitivity to cisplatin and other chemotherapeutic drugs. Increased sensitivity to cisplatin in c-myc–overexpressing cells was due, in part, to the marked increase in cisplatin-induced apoptosis. Conversely, down-regulation of c-myc expression in stable c-myc–overexpressing cells by c-myc siRNA resulted in decreased sensitivity to cisplatin-induced cell death. These results indicate an important role of c-myc in chemosensitivity of pancreatic cancer cells. The c-myc–induced cisplatin sensitivity correlated with inhibition of nuclear factor κB activity, which was partially restored by ectopic cyclin D1 overexpression. Conclusions: Our results suggest that the c-myc–dependent sensitization to chemotherapy-induced apoptosis involves suppression of cyclin D1 expression and nuclear factor κB activity.
Disulfide-mediated dimerization of L1 Ig domains.

The neural cell adhesion molecule L1 contains immunoglobulin-like (Ig) domains in its extracellular region that mediate homophilic binding, neurite outgrowth and other activities relevant to CNS development. To correlate conformations of these domains to biological function, several L1-Fc fusion proteins whose bioactivities were previously characterized were analyzed by rotary shadowing electron microscopy. We found that bioactive L1-Fcs containing Ig domains 1–4 or 1–6 exhibited extended, branched structures. In contrast, inactive L1-Fcs containing only the first two or three Ig domains assumed compact shapes that suggested interactions between the L1 arms of these proteins. Analysis of an untagged L1 fragment composed of Ig domains 1-3 demonstrated a mixture of monomeric and dimeric forms. Surprisingly, these dimers were stabilized by intermolecular disulfide bonds. Finally, cell surface L1-GFP fusion proteins containing only the first two or three Ig domains in the extracellular region also engaged in disulfide-mediated dimerization. These results suggest a novel mechanism by which mutations in L1 could interfere with its biological functioning. J. Neurosci. Res. 66:347–355, 2001. © 2001 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effect of quantity of protein in the concentrate mixture on the growth, reproductive development, and semen production of dairy bulls.

Summary Holstein bull calves 1–2 wk of age were assigned to three levels of dietary protein, with the low protein, normal protein, and high protein groups receiving concentrate mixtures containing 10, 16, and 22% protein, respectively. A single source of hay was used for all groups. Data were collected on growth (body weight, height at withers, and heart girth), onset of semen production, and semen quantity and quality until the bulls reached 104 wk of age. At 104 wk of age the 18 unrelated bulls were removed from experiment; the three sets of monozygous twins were kept on experiment and data collected to 208 wk of age. No statistically significant differences among experimental treatments were noted in any of the criteria used in evaluation. It is concluded that when good-quality hay is fed liberally, a concentrate mixture containing 10% protein is adequate for normal growth and reproductive development of dairy bulls.
ww iii: More Interclass than International

Most pundits of historical developments tend to perceive another worldwide war, often called ww iii, in a manner similar to World Wars i and ii; that is, large-scale deployment of military means in pursuit of destruction and/or defeat of international adversaries. While prospects of such an ominous scenario certainly cannot be ruled out, there is reason to believe, however, that the much talked-about ww iii may be of a different form: more inter-class than international. Viewed in this light, ww iii is already here; it has indeed been raging on for years: the unilateral, cross-border neoliberal war of austerity on the 99 percent on a global level.
Hard scattering factorization from effective field theory

In this paper we show how gauge symmetries in an effective theory can be used to simplify proofs of factorization formulas in highly energetic hadronic processes. We use the soft-collinear effective theory, generalized to deal with back-to-back jets of collinear particles. Our proofs do not depend on the choice of a particular gauge, and the formalism is applicable to both exclusive and inclusive factorization. As examples we treat the $\ensuremath{\pi}\ensuremath{-}\ensuremath{\gamma}$ form factor $(\ensuremath{\gamma}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{*}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\ensuremath{\pi}}^{0}),$ light meson form factors $({\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{*}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{M}M),$ as well as deep inelastic scattering ${(e}^{\ensuremath{-}}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p}{e}^{\ensuremath{-}}X),$ the Drell-Yan process $(p\overline{p}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}{\mathrm{Xl}}^{+}{l}^{\ensuremath{-}}),$ and deeply virtual Compton scattering $({\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{*}\stackrel{\ensuremath{\rightarrow}}{p}{\ensuremath{\gamma}}^{(*)}p).$
Nucleotide-specific antibodies as potential blocking agents in the structural analysis of nucleic acids

Abstract Anti-nucleotide antibodies might be useful blocking agents in directing the nuclease catalyzed hydrolysis of RNA for sequence analysis, but only if the antibodies recognized a nucleotide or sequence with sufficient specificity and affinity to compete with a nuclease at only specific sites in an RNA. As a test, antibodies directed against mononucleotide haptens were induced with 5′-nucleotide (oxidized with periodate) coupled to bovine serum albumin. Nucleotide-specific antibodies, isolated by affinity chromatography on nucleotide-agarose columns, were at least 95 % pure 7-S γ-globulin. The antibodies precipitated RNA, homologous nucleotide-rabbit albumin conjugates, and to a lesser extent, heterologous conjugates. Antibodies further purified by passage through an affinity column of heterologous nucleotides showed specificity for the single homologous nucleotide. Equilibrium dialysis measurements gave dissociation constants for the antibody-homologous nucleotide complex of about 10−5 M, while binding of a heterologous nucleotide was insufficient to be measured. The 5′-phosphate group, the base, and the ribose derivative in the conjugate were all elements of structure recognized by the antibodies. Hydrolysis of antibodies with insolubilized papain produced monovalent Fab fragments with dissociation constants essentially as determined for intact antibodies. Antibodies were found to compete with pancreatic ribonuclease for dinucleoside phosphate substrates in a manner consistent with the binding results. Anti-nucleotide Fab fragments inhibited the nuclease hydrolysis of f2 RNA, but no directed cleavage to give altered RNA fragmentation patterns was observed.
Cross-talk between JNK/SAPK and ERK/MAPK pathways: sustained activation of JNK blocks ERK activation by mitogenic factors.

Mixed lineage kinases (MLKs) are a family of serine/threonine kinases that function in the SAPK signaling cascade. MLKs activate JNK/SAPK in vivo by directly phosphorylating and activating the JNK kinase SEK-1 (MKK4 and -7). Importantly, the MLK member MLK3/SPRK has been shown recently to be a direct target of ceramide and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and to mediate the TNF-α and ceramide-induced JNK activation in Jurkat cells. Here we report that MLK3 can phosphorylate and activate MEK-1 directly in vitro and also can induce MEK phosphorylation on its activation sites in vivo in COS-7 cells. Surprisingly, this induction of MEK phosphorylation does not result in ERK activation in vivo. Rather, in cells expressing active MLK3, ERK becomes resistant to activation by growth factors and mitogens. This restriction in ERK activation requires MLK3 kinase activity, is independent of Raf activation, and is reversed by JNK pathway inhibition either at the level of SEK-1, JNK, or Jun. These results demonstrate that sustained JNK activation uncouples ERK activation from MEK in a manner requiring Jun-mediated gene transcription. This in turn points to the existence of a negative cross-talk relationship between the stress-activated JNK pathway and the mitogen-activated ERK pathway. Thus, our findings imply that some of the biological functions of JNK activators, such as TNF-α and ceramide, may be attributed to their ability to block cell responses to growth and survival factors acting through the ERK/MAPK pathway.
Nuclear data sheets for A = 186

The available experimental data pertaining to the nuclear structure of nuclei with A = 186 are compiled; the results from various decay and reaction measurements are compared and evaluated. Inconsistencies and discrepancies in the level schemes are discussed. Level properties and gamma-ray properties are presented.
Paradoxical undersensing during atrial flutter: what is the mechanism?

Pacemaker Undersensing During Atrial Flutter. A patient with congenital complete heart block underwent implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker. He presented to the emergency room with fatigue and was found to be in atrial flutter. Device interrogation revealed undersensing of 5 mV flutter waves at a programmed sensitivity of 0.5 mV. Due to undersensing, mode switch did not occur. This case illustrates apparently paradoxical undersensing of atrial flutter waves by a dual-chamber pacemaker and can be explained by a phenomenon known as "quiet timer blanking."
Interaction of a strong blast wave with a free surface

When a point source explosion is initiated at the ocean surface, the shock propagated into the water is reflected at the surface as a centered expansion wave. The solution in the neighborhood of the interaction point is obtained by writing the equations of motion in the appropriate similarity variables and then changing the independent variables to polar coordinates based at the interaction point. From the zero‐order solution of the resulting equations the slopes of boundaries at the interaction point are obtained. A first‐order perturbation of this solution provides more accurate representation of the flow variables and the curvature of the shock surface near the interaction point.
Platelet aggregates as markers of platelet activation: Characterization of flow cytometric method suitable for clinical applications

The present paper describes a flow cytometric method for assay of platelet aggregates (PAg) in blood. This method combines and simplifies previously reported techniques, simultaneously enumerating PAg formed upon platelet activation, their expression of activation marker CD62P (P-selectin), and their content of bound leukocytes (LPAg). The sensitivity of this method to low levels of agonists (ADP, collagen) is compared to conventional aggregometry and some features of platelet-leukocyte interaction are explored. The results were: (1) ADP or collagen induced a dose-dependent increase in PAg number and corresponding decline in free platelets. The ED50 for ADP (0.15 μM) and for collagen (0.2 μg/mL) was about 1/20 the ED50 found by aggregometry, indicating 20-fold greater sensitivity. (2) At higher concentrations, the fraction of PAg with bound leukocytes (LPAg) increased to 60–70%. This rise correlated with PAg size and CD62P expression, but not with the number of PAg formed. (3) The response of whole blood (WBD) to agonists was qualitatively different from that of platelet-rich plasma (PRP): in WBD the population of CD62P+ PAg was much higher than in PRP and the population of CD62P+ free platelets was much lower. This implies that leukocytes rapidly recruit activated platelets. (4) Desmopressin (DDAVP) at 5 nmol/L induced a significant rise in activated (CD62P+) PAg and platelets, even though no effect of DDAVP could be detected by conventional aggregometry; this further confirms that DDAVP acts directly on platelets. (5) Plasma samples from TTP patients induced a rise in PAg when added to normal PRP, though little or no effect could be detected by aggregometry. In summary, the flow cytometric method described here appears useful for detecting low levels of platelet activation and provides information on platelet leukocyte interaction, potentially important in identifying and differentiating thrombogenic states. Since it is rapid and economical, it is well suited for clinical implementation. Am. J. Hematol. 57:33–42, 1998. © 1998 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Simultaneous Strong Separations of Probabilistic and Unambiguous Complexity Classes

We study the relationship between probabilistic and unambiguous computation, and provide strong relativized evidence that they are incomparable. In particular, we display a relativized world in which the complexity classes embodying these paradigms of computation are mutually immune. We answer questions formulated in—and extend the line of research opened by—Geske and Grollmann [15] and Balcazar and Russo [3].
Syntheses of stable bacteriochlorophyll-a derivatives as potential photosensitizers for photodynamic therapy

Abstract New methods for conversion of unstable bacteriochlorophyll-a present in Rb. sphaeroides into stable bacteriochlorins are presented. Cyclic imide derivatives from related cyclic isoimide or amide analogs are obtained by intramolecular base catalyzed cyclization. Most of the new bacteriochlorins have long wavelength absorptions in the range of 796–822 nm. In preliminary screening, the isoimide analogs have shown promising in vivo photosensitizing activity for the treament of cancer by photodynamic therapy.
Effects of dieldrin-contaminated food on the development of Leptodius floridanus larvae

Leptodius floridanus (Rathbun) (Decapoda: Xanthidae) larvae were fed dieldrin-contaminated Artemia nauplii throughout their development to megalopa. Sublethal effects were noted at dieldrin concentrations as low as 5.49 ppm, and no larvae completed their development when fed Artemia containing 33.0 ppm dieldrin. Organochloride pesticide residues were measured in zooplankton collected from Onslow Bay, North Carolina, USA. These residue levels were found to be much lower than those found to affect Leptodius larvae in the laboratory.
Nonautocatalytic methemoglobin formation by sodium nitrite under aerobic and anaerobic conditions

Aerobic exposure of human hemoglobin in 1:1 molar ratio to sodium nitrite induced an immediate and progressive formation of methemoglobin. Neither lag nor autocatalytic phases were observed, contrary to what was seen when diluted hemoglobin in buffered solutions was used. Hemolyzed whole blood, washed red cells with their plasma replaced by saline, and whole blood were exposed to identical sodium nitrite concentrations. In the presence of oxygen, the speed of methemoglobin formation was three to four times faster in the hemolyzed and plasma-free samples than in whole blood. The maximum rate was reached within the first minute of the reaction. Restoring plasma to washed red cells reduced the rate to that of whole blood; restoring plasma to hemolyzed red cells had no effect on rate. We advance the hypothesis that sodium nitrite or its derivatives form a complex with some element of the blood plasma which slows the passage of nitrite through the red cell membrane without hindering the oxidative capacity of the nitrite. With no free oxygen present, whole blood, washed red cells in saline, and hemolyzed blood all showed a similar rate of methemoglobin formation when exposed to a 1:1 molar ratio of sodium nitrite. The presence of nitrosylhemoglobin formed in the anaerobic reaction seems to be a for the lack of changes seen in the reaction.
Health values of patients with systemic sclerosis.

Objective To assess health values in subjects with systemic sclerosis (SSc) and determine variability explained by demographics, clinical factors, health status, and disease severity. Methods We interviewed 107 individuals with SSc who attended national and local Scleroderma Foundation meetings in 2005. Health status was measured using the Short Form 36 (SF-36) Physical Component Summary (PCS; range 0–100) and Mental Component Summary (MCS; range 0–100), the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D; range 0–60), and the Health Assessment Questionnaire (HAQ) disability index (DI; range 0–3). Disease severity was assessed using a visual analog scale (VAS; range 0–150). Health value measures included the 0–100 health rating scale (RS), standard gamble (SG; range 0.0–1.0), and time trade-off (TTO; range 0.0–1.0). We performed univariate analyses to compare scores between participants with limited cutaneous SSc (lcSSc) and diffuse cutaneous SSc (dcSSc), and multivariable analyses for 3 outcome measures: RS, SG, and TTO, controlling for demographics, type of SSc, health status, and disease severity. Results Of the 107 participants, 48 had dcSSc and 59 had lcSSc. Ninety-seven were women and 83 were white. The median scores for the PCS, MCS, and HAQ DI were 36.9, 45.5, and 0.9, respectively. Fifty-five subjects had significant depressive symptoms (CES-D score ≥16). The median RS, SG, and TTO scores were 62, 0.83 (indicating a willingness to accept up to a 17% risk of immediate death in exchange for perfect health), and 0.88 (indicating a willingness to give up a median of 12% of life expectancy in exchange for perfect health), respectively. Subjects with dcSSc had lower RS scores but higher SG scores (corresponding to a willingness to accept only a smaller risk of death) than subjects with lcSSc. TTO scores were similar in the 2 groups. Health values were variably related to factors such as demographics, VAS score, disease classification, and SF-36 PCS and MCS scores (R2 = 0.22, 0.23, and 0.66 for the SG, TTO, and RS models, respectively). Conclusion Individuals with dcSSc have lower health ratings but higher SG health values than individuals with lcSSc. These findings have implications for decision analysis and cost-effectiveness analysis.
Economic Cost of Home-Based Care for Ventilator-Assisted Individuals: A Preliminary Report

Study objective To measure the direct and indirect costs of maintaining a ventilator-assisted individual (VAI) at home. Design A cross-sectional survey was conducted of primary family caregivers of VAIs residing in 37 states. Setting Surveys were delivered to the homes of VAIs. Participants Two hundred seventy-seven (19.7%) of 1,404 primary family caregivers of patients who were ventilator-dependent and who were living at home. Interventions. None. Measures Participants received the modified Katz Index and an investigator-developed Home Ventilator Care Cost and Utilization Survey (HVCCUS). Results Total cost of care was determined by summing total direct medical and nonmedical costs of home care and lost wages. Using LPN rates for private duty care, the average total cost of care was estimated to be $7,642 per month (median=$5,406). Using RN rates for private duty care, the average total cost of home care was estimated to be $8,596 per month (median=$5,911). Variation with VAI characteristics is discussed. Conclusions Home care of VAIs is a labor-intensive and an economically costly undertaking. The development of policies and programs to support home placement requires additional investigation regarding factors affecting the cost-effectiveness of various placement settings, as well as the ability and/or willingness of family members to accept the cost and responsibility of home care.
The Prevention of Needless Pain: Research Opportunities

The prevention of needless pain must begin with the obvious: research aimed at eliminating the injuries and illnesses that cause pain. Others have been assigned such topics at this meeting, and I will not further address primary prevention of pain by the elimination of its inciting tissue damage. There are pain prevention issues that are in great need of innovative research, but a necessary first step must be epidemiologic studies of the incidence, natural history, and distribution of significant painful conditions within our population.
A Model‐Based Approach to Investigate Performance Improvements in Rule‐Based Expert Systems

One of the major issues in the development of large, rule-based expert systems is related to improving their performance efficiency. One way to address this issue is by reducing the number of unsuccessful tries a system goes through before executing a rule to establish a goal or an intermediary fact. On the average, the number of unsuccessful tries can be reduced if the rules that are tried first are those that are expected to execute most frequently, and this can be established by extracting information on the probability distributions of the input parameters. In this paper, a rule base is modeled as a network and simulated to investigate potential performance improvements by changing the order used to test the rules. The model of the rule base is also used to investigate performance gains achieved by parameter factorization and premise clause reordering.
THE ANNOUNCEMENT EFFECTS OF PREFERRED STOCK RE‐RATINGS

This paper examines the equity return behavior of firms whose preferred stock ratings have been changed by Standard and Poor's. The evidence indicates that the market anticipates the re-ratings by approximately 40 days for the complete sample. However, the downgrades for the utility subsample do not experience any downward drift before or after the re-rating. In general, these results support the previous findings of Pinches and Singleton (1978) and Weinstein (1977).
The use of Gibbs free energy-composition diagrams in coherent solids

Abstract Thermodynamic equilibria in coherent two-phase binary alloys is significantly different from that in incoherent systems. For example, the field boundaries on a phase diagram do not coincide with the corresponding equilibrium phase compositions, making the latter dependent on the bulk alloy composition and invalidating the use of common tangent as a means of determining phase equilibrium. A new method for determination of phase boundaries and equilibrium compositions has been introduced. The method is based on the use of molar Gibbs free energy-composition diagrams and a parallel tangent construction. The effect of elastic coherency on the nucleation of a precipitate from a supersaturated matrix is also discussed.
The deposition, structure, pattern deposition, and activity of biomaterial thin-films by matrix-assisted pulsed-laser evaporation (MAPLE) and MAPLE direct write

Two techniques, Matrix-Assisted Pulsed-Laser Evaporation (MAPLE) and MAPLE Direct Write (MDW) were developed to deposit biomaterial thin-films. MAPLE involves dissolving or suspending the biomaterial in a volatile solvent, freezing the mixture to create a solid target, and using a low fluence pulsed laser to evaporate the target for deposition of the solute inside a vacuum system. Using simple shadow masks, i.e. lines, dots and arrays, pattern features with length scales as small as 20 μm can be deposited using multiple materials on different types of substrates. MDW uses pulsed laser to directly transfer material from a ribbon to a substrate. Patterns with a spatial resolution of ∼10 μm can be written directly. Biomaterials ranging from polyethylene glycol to eukaryotic cells, i.e. Chinese hamster ovaries, were deposited with no measurable damage to their structures or genotype. Deposits of immobilized horseradish peroxidase, an enzyme, in the form of a polymer composite with a protective coating, i.e. polyurethane, retained their enzymatic functions. A dopamine electrochemical sensor was fabricated by MDW using a natural tissues/graphite composite. These examples and the unique features of MAPLE and MDW for biosensor fabrication have been discussed.
Separated Flow About a Slender Body in Forward and Lateral Motion

This paper presents a solution method for obtaining the hydrodynamic forces and moments on a submerged body translating at a yaw angle. The method is based on the infinite-fluid formulation of the Free Surface Random Vortex Method (FSRVM), which is re-formulated to include the use of slender-body theory. The resulting methodology is given the name: Slender-Body FSRVM (SB-FSRVM). It utilizes the viscous-flow capabilities of FSRVM with a slender-body theory assumption. The three-dimensional viscous-flow equations are first shown to be reducible to a sequence of two-dimensional viscous-fluid problems in the cross-flow planes with the lowest-order effects from the forward velocity included. The theory enables one to analyze effectively the lateral forces and yaw moments on a body undergoing prescribed forward motion with the possible occurrence of flow separation. Applications are made to several cases of body geometry that are in steady forward motion, but at a yawed orientation. These include the case of a long “cone-tail” body. Comparisons are made with existing data where possible.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Rates and patterns of bedrock denudation by coastal salt spray weathering: A seven‐year record

Rapid surface lowering of bedrock is taking place in the supratidal zone by salt spray weathering. A seven-year run of data demonstrates a mean rate of lowering of 0·625 mm a−1. Considerable variation exists in annual point lowering values within measurement sites, although between-site variation is not significant. Aggregate year to year variations in surface lowering are not significant. Spatial variation in individual point values may be compensated by temporal variation over an 11-year period. There is a marked summer maximum in surface lowering rate, and this is strongly correlated with monthly air temperature. Spatially and temporally episodic swelling of the rock surface is demonstrated. This does not correlate statistically with any available climatic variable and is deemed to be a real and largely stochastic phenomenon. It is interpreted as rock bursting at the granular scale due to haloclasty. The processes most likely to be responsible for the observed rapid denudation are crystallization and thermal expansion of halite, both of which are enhanced by high summer temperatures.
The Information-Seeking Behavior of Local Government Officials

This research assesses the information-seeking behavior of top-level municipal and county government officials. Data were obtained through a 1989 mail questionnaire sent to 200 local officials serving in the San Francisco Bay Area of Northern California. One hundred and fifty-six officials returned usable questionnaires, resulting in a 78% response rate. The survey explored eight attitudes of policy-makers toward gathering information: kinds of information needed, preferred sources, barriers to accessing information, use and usefulness of professional reading materials, receptiveness of public affairs organizations, satisfaction with amount of information, time spent in information-gathering, and the role of office computers. Findings are that high-ranking local officials spend significant work time engaged in information-related tasks, are generally satisfied with their results, are pessimistic about the professional literature yet optimistic about public interest organizations as information providers, ...
Border Correspondent: Selected Writings, 1955-1970

Since his tragic death while covering the massive 1970 Chicano antiwar moratorium in Los Angeles, Ruben Salazar has become a legend in the Chicano community. As a reporter and later as a columnist for the Los Angeles Times, Salazar was the first journalist of Mexican American background to cross over into the mainstream English-language press. This collection of Salazar's writing is a testament to his role in the Mexican American community, journalism, and the evolution of race relations in the United States. Taken together, the stories and columns serve as a documentary history of the Chicano Movement of the 1960s and of the changing perspective of the nation as a whole.
The Pending Challenges in Global Financial Regulation Reform Liquidity Insurance for Systemic Crises

The financial crisis which began in the summer of 2007 has its roots in the under-estimation of systemic risk, in turn due to the absence of a macroprudential approach to the design of financial regulation and macroeconomic policies, as well as the excessively optimistic judgment of the originate-to-distribute model of banking. The ongoing process of reform of the global financial system aims to correct these mistakes. After a brief overview of the challenges ahead, this paper focuses on issues regarding the regulatory treatment of liquidity risk, looking at them through the eyes of the liquidity insurance arrangement proposed in Perotti and Suarez (2009).
Observations on the generation of permutations from random sequences

Several algorithms for generating random permutations are examined relative to their random characteristics and their efficiency. It is noted that uniformly-distributed permutations cannot be generated by sampling a finite portion of a random sequence. An algorithm is constructed which includes as a special case the generation of permutations using n[log n]−(2[logn]−1) bits per permutation.
Urogenital Tract Expression of Enhanced Green Fluorescent Protein in Transgenic Mice Driven by a Smooth Muscle γ-Actin Promoter

ABSTRACTPurpose: Our understanding of urogenital tract development and its response to disease or injury is hindered by complex interactions between epithelial and mesenchymal cells, and the difficulties in studying either component in isolation. We investigated whether transgenic mice could be generated to express enhanced green fluorescent protein (EGFP) in smooth muscle cells (SMCs) and whether such cells could then be purified using flow cytometric sorting to isolate RNA to be used in future gene expression assays.Materials and Methods: A 13.7 kb mouse smooth muscle γ-actin promoter fragment was ligated to an EGFP reporter gene and microinjected into male mouse pronuclei. Adult transgenic mice were sacrificed and urogenital tissues were removed for histological and immunohistochemical studies. In other animals conditions were determined for dissociating bladder cells and the subsequent purification of bladder SMCs by sorting.Results: Six lines of transgenic mice were generated (transgene copy numbers ...
Spinal cord protection during open repair of thoracic and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms using profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest

Background Reduced risk of paraplegia is argued as an advantage of endovascular repair of descending thoracic aortic aneurysms (DTA) and thoracoabdominal aortic aneurysms (TAAA); however, paraplegia rates with open repair vary widely. Study Design We identified consecutive patients undergoing open repair of TAAA or DTA with or without arch replacement using profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest as a spinal cord protection strategy on a single surgical service between June 1, 2001 and September 20, 2010. Results Ninety-nine procedures were performed in 94 patients with a mean age of 59 years (range 19 to 84 years), 56 of whom were male (60%). The extent of repair was TAAA in 37 (Crawford extent I in 6, extent II in 28, and extent III in 3), DTA in 37, and DTA plus arch in 25. Surgery was urgent or emergent in 25 patients (25%). Operative mortality (30-day) was 10% (10 of 99), including a mortality of 12% for arch DTA (3 of 26), 11% for TAAA (4 of 25), and 5% for isolated DTA (2 of 37). There were 11 (11%) strokes and 11 patients experienced renal failure (7 with dialysis). There were 15 late deaths and survival at 5 years was 74% (95% CI, 62.4−88.2%). No patients experienced paraplegia, although one had delayed paraparesis thought to be secondary to refractory hypotension postoperatively. Conclusions Although the mortality and stroke risks for patients undergoing repair of DTA or TAAA using profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest are substantial, the risk for paraplegia is low. In appropriately selected patients, profound hypothermia and circulatory arrest should be the preferred technique for spinal cord protection for DTA and TAAA.
Formation of SiO2 Air-Gap Patterns Through scCO2 Infusion of NIL Patterned PHEMA

Using templates generated by nanoimprint lithography, we report the fabrication of SiO2 patterns (∼450 nm) line widths over large active surface areas (14.5 cm2). The process involves the patterning of poly(2-hydroxyethyl methacrylate) (PHEMA) using polycarbonate molds followed by tetrachlorosilane (TCS) vapor cross-linking and supercritical carbon dioxide (scCO2) assisted tetraethylorthosilicate (TEOS) infusion. Uniform SiO2 lines were observed over an area 14.5 cm2, which suggests that this process can be readily scaled.
Design of low-cost portable ultrasound systems: Review

Ultrasound continues to be one of the major imaging modalities used for the diagnosis and treatment of a number of medical conditions. Therefore emphasis on innovation is continually increasing the quality of the ultrasound systems. However focus is just beginning to shift into the low-cost and portable applications of ultrasound. These systems present interesting constraints which must be considered to transform a standalone system into a portable version. This review takes a look at some of the attempts which have been published, as well as some of the issues which have still yet to be resolved. In conclusion, low-cost portable ultrasound has the capability to be developed and commercialized, but until a suitable replacement to piezoelectric crystals has been developed (possibly CMUTs?) low-cost portable ultrasound system will be held back by the high cost burden associated with the cost of piezoceramics.
DETERMINATION OF LDH IN URINE: AUTOMATION AND STUDY OF INTERFERENCES.

Abstract The measurement of lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) in urine has been proposed as a screening procedure for the detection of diseases of the urinary system (1–3). The promise of urine LDH as a screening test has been discussed (1–4). Automation can greatly facilitate the evaluation of this new test and make its use as a routine screening test feasible. The successful determination of urine LDH depends on the recognition and, if necessary, removal of interferences before measurement of the enzyme. Interferences have been removed by dialysis of the specimen (3, 5). This paper presents an automated system for the determination of urine LDH and a rapid gel filtration technique for the removal of urine interferences in place of more time-consuming dialysis procedures.
Heating by Microwave, Hot Air, and Flowing Steam to Eliminate Inoculated Salmonella from Poultry Feed

Poultry feed samples (mash) obtained from a commercial mill were inoculated with either 100 or 5,000 cells/g of a marker strain of Salmonella montevideo. Samples (125 g) were then placed in a microwave oven at power settings of 1.5 or 2.0 kW for 60, 90, or 120 sec; a hot air oven at 99 C (210 F) or 110 C (230 F) for 15, 30, 45, or 60 min; or a flowing steam chamber for 1, 5, 10, or 20 min. Temperature, moisture, and presence of the inoculated S. montevideo were determined in all samples before and after treatment. Feed samples placed in the microwave oven reached a maximum temperature of 186 C (367 F) and had a final moisture content as low as .8%. About 25% of the samples inoculated with 100 cells/g and about 40% of those inoculated with 5,000 cells/g remained positive after treatment. In the hot air oven, feed reached a maximum temperature of 93 C (200 F) with a moisture level after heating of about 4%. Salmonellae were recovered from 35 and 60% of the low and high inoculum level samples, respectively. In flowing steam, maximum feed temperature was 90 C (194 F) with a final moisture level of 15%. After 1, 5, 10, and 20 min of flowing steam, 100, 90, 60, and 0% of the samples were found to contain salmonellae, respectively. All treatments occasionally eliminated salmonellae from the samples, but results were inconsistent and unpredictable.
DNS of strong shock and turbulence interactions with thermochemical non-equilibrium effects

The underlying physics in shock and turbulence interaction is essential for a better understanding of many natural processes as well as scientific and engineering applications, such as volcanic eruption, supernova explosion, detonation, medical application of shock wave lithotripsy to break up kidney stones, and energy application of the implosion of a cryogenic fuel capsule for inertial confinement fusion. One of the fundamental building blocks in these complex processes and applications is the canonical problem of isotropic turbulence and a normal shock. Unfortunately, even this fundamental problem is not well understood for strong shocks. Recent direct numerical simulation (DNS) results of perfect gas flow showed some new trends in turbulent statistics as mean Mach number is increased. In this paper, we first conduct extensive DNS studies on canonical strong shock and turbulence interaction problem of perfect gas flow with mean Mach numbers ranging from 2 to 30. The results show that strong shock waves have a significant effect on turbulent statistics. However, gas temperature increases dramatically after strong shocks so that numerical simulations based on perfect gas flow may not be enough. The effects of thermochemical non-equilibrium flow including internal energy excitations, translation-vibration energy relaxation, and chemical reactions among different species need to be considered. We have developed a new high-order shock-fitting solver for non-equilibrium flow simulations based on the 5-species air chemistry and recently thermal non-equilibrium models. The code package has been tested and is being applied to DNS of strong shock and turbulence interactions with thermochemical non-equilibrium effects.
Degeneration of Sertoli and Spermatogenic Cells in Homozygous and Heterozygous Weaver Mice

In the neurological mutant mouse weaver (wv/wv), the majority of males are infertile due to hypospermatogenesis. Heterozygous weaver mice (wv/+) cease mating successfully when males reach an average age of 3.5 months. The contents of epididymal fluid were scored for the number of sperm and sperm motility in wv/wv, wv/+ and controls. Testes were examined in mice of the three genotypes at various ages using light and electron microscopy. In wv/+ males, sperm counts were significantly lower than in controls and were significantly higher than in wv/wv. The seminiferous epithelium in weaver mice appears depleted soon after puberty and a wide range of degenerative changes was identified in both germ cells and Sertoli cells. Analogous cellular aberrations were detected in heterozygous males, but they appeared at an older age and were not as severe as in wv/wv. We hypothesize that in weaver homo- and heterozygosity the damage of Sertoli cells may induce degeneration of germinal cells and particularly affect the most advanced spermatogenic cells.
Erwinia amylovora secretes harpin via a type III pathway and contains a homolog of yopN of Yersinia spp.

Type III secretion functions in flagellar biosynthesis and in export of virulence factors from several animal pathogens, and for plant pathogens, it has been shown to be involved in the export of elicitors of the hypersensitive reaction. Typified by the Yop delivery system of Yersinia spp., type III secretion is sec independent and requires multiple components. Sequence analysis of an 11.5-kb region of the hrp gene cluster of Erwinia amylovora containing hrpI, a previously characterized type III gene, revealed a group of eight or more type III genes corresponding to the virB or lcrB (yscN-to-yscU) locus of Yersinia spp. A homolog of another Yop secretion gene, yscD, was found between hrpI and this group downstream. Immediately upstream of hrpI, a homolog of yopN was discovered. yopN is a putative sensor involved in host-cell-contact-triggered expression and transfer of protein, e.g., YopE, to the host cytoplasm. In-frame deletion mutagenesis of one of the type III genes, designated hrcT, was nonpolar and resulted in a Hrp- strain that produced but did not secrete harpin, an elicitor of the hypersensitive reaction that is also required for pathogenesis. Cladistic analysis of the HrpI (herein renamed HrcV) or LcrD protein family revealed two distinct groups for plant pathogens. The Yersinia protein grouped more closely with the plant pathogen homologs than with homologs from other animal pathogens; flagellar biosynthesis proteins grouped distinctly. A possible evolutionary history of type III secretion is presented, and the potential significance of the similarity between the harpin and Yop export systems is discussed, particularly with respect to a potential role for the YopN homolog in pathogenesis of plants.
The Short Index of Self-Actualization and death anxiety.

(1993). The Short Index of Self-Actualization and Death Anxiety. The Journal of Psychology: Vol. 127, No. 3, pp. 359-360.
Polaris: Amplitude, Period Change, and Companions

Polaris has presented us with the rare phenomenon of a Cepheid with a pulsation amplitude that has decreased over the last 50 yr. In this study we have used this property to see whether the amplitude decrease during the last 15 yr has had any effect on upper atmosphere heating. We obtained IUE high- and low-resolution spectra but found no change in either the Mg II chromospheric emission or the flux at 1800 A between 1978 and 1993 when the pulsation amplitude dropped by 50% (from 2.8 to 1.6 km s-1). The energy distribution from 1700 A through V, B, R(KC), and I(KC) is like that of a nonvariable supergiant of the same color rather than a full amplitude Cepheid in that it has more flux at 1800 A than the full amplitude Cepheid δ Cep. Polaris also has a rapidly changing period (3.2 s yr-1), in common with other overtone pulsators. We argue that this is a natural consequence of the different envelope locations that dominate pulsation growth rates in fundamental and overtone pulsation. In fundamental mode pulsators, the deeper envelope is more important in determining growth rates than for overtone pulsators. For fundamental mode pulsators, evolutionary changes in the radius produce approximately linear changes in period. In overtone pulsators, pulsation reacts to small evolutionary changes in a more unstable way because the modes are more sensitive to high envelope features such as opacity bumps, and the growth rates for the many closely spaced overtone modes change easily. Finally, the upper limit to the X-ray flux from an Einstein observation implies that the companion in the astrometric orbit is earlier than F4 V. The combination of upper and lower limits on the companion from IUE and Einstein respectively catch the companion mass between 1.7 and 1.4 M☉. The X-ray limit is consistent with the more distant companion α UMi B being a physical companion in a hierarchal triple system. However the X-ray limits require that the even more distant companions α UMi C and D are too old to be physically associated with Polaris.
Age Differences within Secular IQ Trends: An Individual Growth Modeling Approach.

Age differences within the yo-yo trend in IQ, caused when aging norms that produce inflated scores are replaced with new norms, were examined using longitudinal WISC, WISC-R and WISC-III records of students tested for special education services from 10 school districts. Descriptive and individual growth modeling analyses revealed that while the secular pattern in IQ has not changed over time, the role of age within this pattern has. Specifically, the decline in test scores that occurs when new norms replace older ones was smaller for older children in earlier testings. These differences, however, disappeared in more current testings. The results reveal that the relationship between IQ and age is complex and, further, shows the benefits of using individual growth modeling to uncover patterns within longitudinal data that would otherwise be obscured with more traditional analytic techniques.
Analysis of tibial component rotation following total knee arthroplasty using 3D high definition computed tomography.

Abstract Malrotation of the tibial component is associated with poor outcomes after total knee arthroplasty, yet the definition and evaluation of this problem remain controversial. Contributing factors to this controversy include inconsistent and cumbersome methods for measuring rotation, based upon transposed measurements from multiple computed tomography images. We developed and tested the reliability of a new, simple method for measuring tibial component rotation based upon a single, three-dimensional high definition, axial computed tomography image. Sixty individual knees after total knee arthroplasty were evaluated. The intra-reliability and inter-reliability both exceeded 0.9 whether the tibial component was made of titanium, cobalt–chrome or all-polyethylene. Based upon these findings we suggest that this technique be used for evaluating tibial component rotation in future studies.
The relationship between big five personality traits, negative affectivity, type A behavior, and work–family conflict ☆

The relationships between negative affectivity, Type A, and the Big Five personality variables with both the form and direction of work–family conflict (WFC) were examined. The results demonstrated that different aspects of WFC related to different personality indicators. Negative affectivity was the dispositional variable studied that was most consistently related to the various types of conflict. Additionally, agreeableness related to time-based conflict and conscientiousness related to family interfering with work conflict. The results provide further support for the contention that dispositions relate to interactions between work and family.
Production of nutritious precooked foods in developing countries by low‐cost extrusion technology

(1985). Production of nutritious precooked foods in developing countries by low‐cost extrusion technology. Food Reviews International: Vol. 1, No. 1, pp. 27-97.
Kinetic Theory of the Lorentz Gas

The steady state kinetic equation for the Lorentz gas, where μ=ex · v/v, has been solved numerically. Analytic approximations have been developed for f(z, v, 0) in the limits of mean-free-path long and short compared with the system size. These have been shown to be good, and to provide a useful starting point for the numerical procedure employed, which iterates on f(x, v, 0). Their success suggests that counterpart approximations may work well for more complicated steady state kinetic problems of interest in the physics of the edge in proposed controlled fusion reactors, the diffusion of neutrons, the Brownian motion of heavy molecules, and the structure of shocks. It has also been demonstrated that the determination of f(z, v, 0) can be reduced to the solution of a one dimensional integral equation.
Uptake of P32 by the Cystic Ovary of the Rat

Cystic ovaries were produced in the hypothyroid rat by daily injections of chorionic gonadotrophin. The influence of the hypothyroid state on the ovarian uptake of P32 was studied by comparing the 4-hr uptake between hypothyroid and euthyroid animals and hypothyroid and euthyroid chorionic gonadotrophin- injected animals. Hypothyroidism enhanced the uptake of radiophosphate. Hypothyroid, injected rats showed a marked increase in uptake after a single injection, this increased uptake occurring long before any other detectable change in the ovary.