cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Re‐visiting Histories of Modernization, Progress, and (Unequal) Citizenship Rights: Coerced Sterilization in Peru and in the United States

Scholars have provided compelling evidence of the positive impact global guidelines for human rights have had on the promotion of gender equity and citizenship rights in modernizing nations across the globe. This essay seeks to approach these successes with caution. It questions whether all citizens of a nation are equally empowered by current paradigms of progress and modernization; and it shows that changing constructions of class, ethnicity, and gender have often compromised the equalization of citizenship rights. Coercive sterilization campaigns in the United States and in Peru provide a useful lens to evaluate the diverse effects public policies can have on different populations of a nation. These campaigns took place in different national settings and time periods, and amidst radically disparate global understandings of human and women’s rights. When legislators in the United States implemented sterilization campaigns, a universal definition of reproductive rights and bodily integrity was nonexistent. When women were sterilized in Peru, international norms, endorsed by the United Nations, defined reproductive rights as a central feature of women’s human rights, and Peru signed and ratified this UN resolution. Nonetheless, both campaigns found ways to target designated ‘unwanted populations’, and disproportionally sterilized women. Acknowledging women’s agency and the diversity of women’s experiences, I recognize that some women managed to use the campaigns to increase their reproductive choices. But many others became victims of aggressive measures to control their sexuality and reproduction, even after national political leaders claimed to accept global norms of women’s reproductive rights.
The Link Between Learning Disabilities and Juvenile Delinquency: Some Issues and Answers

The suspected relationship between learning disabilities and juvenile delinquency has gained increased visibility in recent years. This article describes a research effort funded by the Office of Juvenile Justice and Delinquency Prevention to address the hypothesized link between LD and juvenile delinquency. The project has been in operation since 1976 and will continue into 1980. The authors present research results achieved to this point. In addition, an alternative to the “school failure” and “susceptibility” hypothesis concerning the relationship between LD and juvenile delinquency is proposed to accomodate some of the major findings of the research.
In-flight thermal control of molten metal droplet streams

Abstract Precision droplet manufacturing (PDM) is a process that builds complex 3D parts one nano-liter molten metal droplet at a time from a CAD file without the need for tooling. One method to control the droplet temperature when it arrives at the target is to heat the droplets in-flight. This note describes such a heater that uses helium and nitrogen as the convective heat transfer medium. Heating rates up to 11,000 °C/s are attained. The effect of droplet spacing on the heat transfer coefficient is experimentally detailed and a nascent-turbulent effect is observed to bring the heating rate for nitrogen close to that for helium. In addition, the experimental values are consistent with those from multi-droplet numerical simulations reported in the literature.
Performance of angiocardiography and cardiac catheterization as a combined procedure

Abstract The routine employment of both angiocardiography and cardiac catheterization as a combined procedure has been described. The degree to which their respective findings complement and amplify one another has been illustrated by several cases. Certain procedural modifications have been described which significantly reduce the total time and personnel required for the performance of these studies without making them more hazardous. Particular emphasis has been placed on use of the basilic vein high in the arm for the insertion of a polyethylene catheter. Through it a less than usual amount of dye has been injected close to the heart. This has resulted in dependable visualization of the left heart and aorta by angiocardiography. Subsequently, the same vein has been used for catheterization, as a part of the same procedure.
Keyed Fantasies: Music, the Accordion and the American Dream in Stroszek and Schultze Gets The Blues

The strange body of the accordion, breathing, undulating, strapped to the chest of its player, is among the many striking elements linking Werner Herzog's Stroszek (1976) and Michael Schorr's Schultze gets the blues (2003). This paper considers Schultze to be a complex response to Herzog's film, using the accordion as a link between German and American culture as well as between contemporary German cinema and its towering predecessors in New German Cinema. Both Stroszek and Schultze are interested in some strain of the ‘American Dream’: Stroszek hopes to find wealth and happiness, and Schultze seeks a certain ethnic spice found within the ‘melting pot’ of American culture. In both cases, the complex machinery of the accordion is a metaphor for dreams that might be realised in America and for the mobility required to realise them. In tracing the link between these two films, my paper investigates ways in which music is bound to cultural landscapes, and to what extent a new cultural identity can be attained through one's relationship to musical sound. For Stroszek, and, more successfully, for Schultze, the accordion is a symbol of an intact and mobile body capable of crossing cultural boundaries.
Estimation of the light source distribution and its use in integrated shape recovery from stereo and shading

The authors deal with estimation of the light source distribution and its use in surface shape estimation by the methods of stereo and shading. There are many advantages to integrating stereo and shading information. However, shape from shading algorithms are limited in their applicability by the assumption of overly simplistic models of the light source distribution. A more complete representation is described in which the lighting model makes use of multiple fixed point sources located at infinity. Methods of estimating the model parameters are developed, and a method of estimating the surface shape given the albedo and source distribution is presented. The shading algorithm is combined with a stereo algorithm in an integrated approach that is designed to handle albedo variations through the use of color images. >
Protein-coding gene promoters in Methanocaldococcus (Methanococcus) jannaschii

Although Methanocaldococcus (Methanococcus) jannaschii was the first archaeon to have its genome sequenced, little is known about the promoters of its protein-coding genes. To expand our knowledge, we have experimentally identified 131 promoters for 107 protein-coding genes in this genome by mapping their transcription start sites. Compared to previously identified promoters, more than half of which are from genes for stable RNAs, the protein-coding gene promoters are qualitatively similar in overall sequence pattern, but statistically different at several positions due to greater variation among their sequences. Relative binding affinity for general transcription factors was measured for 12 of these promoters by competition electrophoretic mobility shift assays. These promoters bind the factors less tightly than do most tRNA gene promoters. When a position weight matrix (PWM) was constructed from the protein gene promoters, factor binding affinities correlated with corresponding promoter PWM scores. We show that the PWM based on our data more accurately predicts promoters in the genome and transcription start sites than could be done with the previously available data. We also introduce a PWM logo, which visually displays the implications of observing a given base at a position in a sequence.
Ototoxic mechanisms: A Working Hypothesis

The effect of the ototoxic aminoglycosidic antibiotics, including neomycin, gentamicin and other members of the streptomycin family, on the internal ear is well known. In the cochlea, it has been generally interpreted as a direct toxic action on the sensory cells of the spiral organ. Measurements of antibiotic levels in the internal ear fluids have indicated a gradual build-up of concentrations that persist for some time after the plasma level has fallen to zero.The existence of a 'blood-ear' (hemato-laby-rinthine) barrier is suggested, corresponding to but less effective than the blood-brain barrier. The barrier must depend, inter alia, upon the integrity of the spiral ligament and the stria vascularis and their microvaculature. Evidence is presented to show that the aminoglycosides damage these 'secretory' tissues as well as those of the spiral prominence and outer sulcus, which are believed to be reabsorptive in function. The ototoxic process is thought to correspond to the nephrotoxic action, which oc...
Colony and population genetic structure of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus, in Japan

Subterranean termites have unusual plasticity in their breeding systems. As a result of their cryptic foraging and nesting habits, detailed information on the numbers and types of reproductive individuals in colonies has been difficult to obtain. In this study, we used microsatellite markers to infer the major features of the breeding system of the Formosan subterranean termite, Coptotermes formosanus , in southern Japan, where it is believed to have been introduced from China. A total of 30 colonies was sampled from two islands (Kyushu and Fukue) located 100 km apart. Twenty workers from each colony were genotyped at six microsatellite loci. Analysis of worker genotypes within colonies indicated that 27 colonies (90%) were simple (Mendelian) families. The remaining three colonies, all from Kyushu, were consistent with being extended families having begun as simple families but being currently headed by multiple neotenic (secondary) reproductives descended from the original king and queen. Workers from simple families in both populations were significantly inbred ( F IT = 0.10 for Kyushu and 0.46 for Fukue) and highly related to their nestmates (coefficient of relatedness, r = 0.59 for Kyushu and 0.77 for Fukue), suggesting that many simple-family colonies were headed by closely related reproductives, especially in the Fukue population. This conclusion is supported by the high coefficient of relatedness between nestmate reproductives in simple-family colonies ( r = 0.23 for Kyushu and 0.61 for Fukue) based on genotypes inferred from their worker offspring. There was moderate genetic differentiation ( F ST = 0.12) between the two populations, suggesting rather restricted gene flow between them. There was no significant isolation by distance among colonies, as might be expected given the limited dispersal of reproductives, presumably because of the frequent movement of colonies by humans. Finally, there was no evidence of a recent bottleneck, a finding possibly consistent with the more than 300-year history of this species in Japan.
Blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) and risk of fatal coronary heart disease

Among the 356,222 men screened for the Multiple Risk Factor Intervention Trial who had no history of hospitalization for heart attack at entry, more than 2,000 coronary deaths occurred during 6 years of follow-up. With this large data set, detailed cross-tabulations clearly and simply showed the strong graded relation between blood pressure and coronary heart disease death. This risk gradient was evident in each of five age groups ranging from 35 to 57 years and for levels of diastolic blood pressure ranging from less than 75 mm Hg to greater than 115 mm Hg. Systolic blood pressure was more strongly associated with coronary heart disease death than was diastolic blood pressure, and isolated systolic blood pressure elevation was found to be an important risk factor in these middle-aged men. The risk of coronary death was increased among hypertensive men who had elevated serum cholesterol levels or who smoked cigarettes. Because less than 10% of hypertensive men had cholesterol levels in the lowest quintile (below 182 mg/dl) and were nonsmokers, a multi-intervention approach for the large majority of hypertensive persons is clearly indicated. Risks of death were also substantially increased among those hypertensive men who already had end-organ damage, emphasizing the importance of early treatment to prevent such damage. These findings have implications for the design of prevention trials and clinical practice, as it is clear that systolic as well as diastolic blood pressure should be considered in treating hypertensive patients. Additionally, treatment goals should be directed at preventing not only death but many other morbid events, clinical and subclinical, that are associated with elevated blood pressure and that are preventable with appropriate treatment.
Mechanisms of the breakup of liquid jets

A general theory of the onset of breakup of liquid jets in an ambient gas is given. The theory is based on the linear stability analysis of a viscous liquid jet with respect to spatially growing disturbances. The three independent parameters in the theory are the Reynolds number /?, the Weber number We, and the gas-to-liquid density ratio Q. The numerical results obtained from a single characteristic equation over a wide range of the parameter space reveal that there are two fundamentally different mechanisms of the jet breakup. The first is the capillary pinching that breaks up the jet into segments. The second is the capiUary wave resonance with the gas pressure fluctuation that generates droplets much smaUer than the jet diameter. An argument based on the boundary-layer instability theory is used to demonstrate that the shear waves at the liquid-gas interface plays a secondary role in the jet breakup.
Polarizing beam splitters for lightwave communication wavelengths using one-dimensional gaas grating layer embedded in GaP cube

A polarizing beam splitter (PBS) is designed using one-dimensional grating layer (1-D GL) embedded in a high-index cubical prism. The PBS totally reflects the s polarization above the critical angle, and totally transmits the p polarization by matching the ordinary index of the GL and the isotropic prism index. High extinction ratios in reflection and transmission (≫ 90 dB) over 1400–1600 nm NIR spectral range, and a wide external field of view of ± 16° are achieved for GaAs 1-D GL embedded in GaP cube.
Family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitations in the emergency department: a critical review and suggestions for future research.

Abstract Study objective: We examine the literature relating to family presence in the emergency department, with a specific emphasis on parental experiences and presence during invasive procedures and family presence during cardiopulmonary resuscitation and resuscitation. Methods: An electronic search and examination of resulting references was conducted using the words, "family centered care," "parent participation," "parent presence," "family presence," and "emergency department," "accident and emergency department," "procedure," "invasive procedure," and "resuscitation." Articles related to out-of-hospital emergency medical services were excluded. Also, articles were included only if the manuscript was based on an empirical study and if the manuscript was published in a peer-reviewed journal. Results: Twenty articles, primarily composed of survey research, were included in this review. Research suggests that families want to be given the option and, when given the option, often choose to remain during invasive procedures and resuscitations. Those who remain generally report favorable experiences and feel it is beneficial to the patient and themselves. Providers, however, have mixed opinions regarding family presence. Nurses may have a more favorable view toward family presence during invasive procedures than physicians. Among physicians, it appears that greater age and experience may be associated with more favorable opinions of family presence. Randomized controlled trials are mixed regarding whether family presence actually helps the patient. Conclusion: Despite what appear to be promising data regarding the benefits of family presence, this area of research is in the initial phases of development with many limitations that are discussed. Recommendations for future research are presented. [Boudreaux ED, Francis JL, Loyacano T. Family presence during invasive procedures and resuscitations in the emergency department: A critical review and suggestions for future research. Ann Emerg Med. August 2002;40:193-205.]
Biological Activity of Insulin in Microemulsion in Mice

We have previously studied microemulsions as vehicles for peroral and rectal administration of peptides.1-3 Among the peptides we used, insulin in dogs had a pharmacologic availability of 6.2% when administered po in microemulsion form,4 and 20% when administered rectally in rabbits in the form of a microemulsion gel.5 In all our previous studies, freshly prepared microemulsion was used. In order to examine the stability of peptides in microemulsions, we investigated the potency of insulin in microemulsion according to the USP XXII,e but modified for mice.
Skyline Chili: A Case for Small Business Growth and Management

Skyline Chili produces the secret-recipe chili for its restaurants and several frozen chili products for local grocery stores in Cincinnati, Ohio and other areas. An interview with Mr. Kevin McDonnell, new CEO of Skyline Chili in the case discusses the past, present, and future of the company. Can the company sustain its growth and competitiveness in the 1990s? If so, what can you recommend for the company?
Uric acid degrading enzymes, urate oxidase and allantoinase, are associated with different subcellular organelles in frog liver and kidney

On the basis of differential and density gradient centrifugation studies, the site of the uric acid degrading enzymes, urate oxidase and allantoinase, in amphibia was previously assigned to the hepatic peroxisomes. Using specific antibodies against frog urate oxidase and allantoinase, we have undertaken an immunocytochemical study of the localization of these two proteins in frog liver and kidney, and demonstrate that whereas urate oxidase is present in peroxisomes, allantoinase is localized in mitochondria. Urate oxidase and allantoinase were detected by immunoblot analysis in both frog liver and kidney. The subcellular localization of these two enzymes was ascertained by Protein A-gold immunocytochemical staining of Lowicryl K4M-embedded tissue. Peroxisomes in frog liver parenchymal cells and kidney proximal tubular epithelium contained a semi-dense subcrystalloid core, which was found to be the exclusive site of urate oxidase localization. Allantoinase was detected within mitochondria, but not in peroxisomes of hepatocytes or proximal tubular epithelium. No allantoinase was detected in the mitochondria of nonhepatic parenchymal cells in liver and of the cells lining the distal convoluted tubules of the kidney. These results demonstrate that, unlike rat kidney peroxisomes which lack urate oxidase, peroxisomes of frog kidney contain this enzyme. Contrary to previous assumptions, these studies also clearly establish that urate oxidase and allantoinase, the first two enzymes involved in uric acid degradation, are localized in different subcellular organelles in frog liver and kidney.
Influence of Hydrogen and Carbon on the Atomic Ordering and Ultimate Strength of N36 Alloy

We study the influence of hydrogen on the parameters of atomic ordering (Kurnakov temperature T K and long-range atomic order η) in N36 alloy doped with carbon. It is shown that the dissolved hydrogen increases the parameter η for the FeNi structure by 25% at a constant temperature T K . It is shown that the procedure of doping with carbon (0.26 wt.%) leads to an increase in T K by 12–15°K. In the doped N36 alloy, the ultimate strength σu increases from 300 to 360 MPa at 293°K and the additional heat treatment in hydrogen aimed at the atomic ordering enables us to increase σu to 440 MPa. The plasticity of the samples remains practically constant ( δ = 20%). The physical mechanism of the outlined influence of interstitial impurities is proposed.
Abstract 1896: Bioluminescent assays for investigating cell metabolism.

Cell metabolism is an important and expanding area of research in the field of cancer biology. Simple, rapid assays for studying cellular metabolic pathways, their enzymes, metabolites and cofactors can facilitate these studies. We have developed two novel bioluminescent technologies, one for monitoring cell viability, and the other for monitoring changes in cellular nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides, that can facilitate the study of cell metabolism and its regulation. The bioluminescent cell viability assay is based on the metabolic activity of live cells. Metabolically active cells reduce a proluminogenic substrate in vivo which is then detected by a luciferase enzyme in the media. The luminescence output is correlated with the number of viable cells. The assay is non-toxic, sensitive (detects less than 10 cells/well) and has a large dynamic range (S/B>100). The key, differentiating feature of this assay is the incorporation of the recently developed stable and very bright NanoLuc™ luciferase and its profurimazine substrate, which allows changes in viability to be monitored in real-time and continuously, over extended periods of time, from the same sample. Three homogeneous, one-step, bioluminescent assays have been developed for the detection of nicotinamide adenine dinucleotides, specific for: (1) reduced forms NADH and NADPH, (2) non-phosphorylated forms NAD and NADH, and (3) phosphorylated forms NADP and NADPH. The assays are based on the reaction of the enzyme diaphorase with a proluciferin substrate, which in the presence of NADH or NADPH is converted to luciferin, a substrate for luciferase. These assays are sensitive (LOD ≤ 50 nM) and have large maximum signal windows (S/B > 100), two advantages over currently available colorimetric and fluorescent detection methods. They are also robust, and amenable to automated and high-throughput protocols (Z’ > 0.8). The high sensitivity, one-step reagent addition, and no requirement for sample processing, permit an in-well protocol for the assay of cells directly in culture plate wells. Changes in cellular NAD levels can be rapidly monitored, as demonstrated using FK866, an inhibitor of NAD biosynthesis. FK866 caused a decrease in NAD levels in multiple cell types with good signal windows (S/B > 10) and expected pharmacology (IC50 values = 1-10 nM). Citation Format: Donna Leippe, Mary Sobol, Sarah Duellman, Jolanta Vidugiriene, Wenhui Zhou, Gediminas Vidugiris, Troy Good, Laurent Bernad, Poncho Meisenheimer, James Cali. Bioluminescent assays for investigating cell metabolism. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 1896. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-1896
The Mode of Overwintering of Trichogramma nubilale Ertle and Davis

Laboratory experiments were conducted using a variety of photoperiod and temperature conditions to determine the mode of overwintering exhibited by Trichogramma nubilale Ertle and Davis. The results of these tests show that T. nubilale probably overwinters by hibernation in host eggs. In addition, it was determined that overwintering success is optimal for those parasites which developed to the pupal stage In eggs of the European corn borer, Ostrinia nubilalis (Hubner).
A statistical study of Rhamphorhynchus from the Solnhofen Limestone of Germany, year-classes of a single large species

A statistical and morphological study of the pterosaur Rhamphorhynchus from the Solnhofen Limestone of Germany shows that specimens fall into discrete size-classes that are year-classes resulting from seasonal mortality or preservation of specimens. Taxonomic characters used in the past to separate species of Rhamphorhynchus are all related to size and ontogeny, and all specimens belong to a single species, R. muensteri. Thus, the collections of Rhamphorhynchus provide an unequaled record of the growth and development of a Jurassic rhamphorhynchoid pterosaur. Rhamphorhynchus did not have rapid determinate growth; the growth rate was comparable to that of extant crocodilians, and growth continued over the course of at least three years after individuals began to fly.
Pragmatism-Beyond Epistemology: An Ethical Approach to Systems Decision Process

In 1965 Sir Geoffrey Vickers issued a challenge to the community interested in the exploration of human systems. That challenge was one of embracing the moral importance of responsibility; more to the point, the urgent need to develop an ethic of Systems Thought. Since that time Systems Thought has cautiously engaged the ethical question. It has done so through questioning the methodological purity of any particular inquiry; it has done so through critically engaging the boundary of any particular system and it has done so in the epistemological sense. That being said it has not confronted in a heroic sense the fundamental ground of the ethical question: ‘what is to be done’.This paper demonstrates that Neo-pragmatism is the most appropriate approach to a decision making process within the context of Systems Thinking expressly because both Systems Thinking and Neo-pragmatism recognize the contingent nature of the phenomenal world and the modeling nature of both Systems Thought and Neo-pragmatism. Finally ...
Cutaneous clear cell neoplasms: a systematic review

Abstract Neoplasms of the skin with clear cell morphology consist of a broad variety of primary and metastatic lesions with epithelial, mesenchymal and melanocytic differentiation. The clear cell changes are attributable to a variety of causes from artifact to accumulation of intracellular substances such as glycogen, mucin, and/or lipids. The clear cell morphology is easily identified by the pathologist, however is it not specific. Additional salient histologic findings may be subtle and therefore ancillary studies such as immunohistochemistry and molecular studies may be necessary to help elucidate a diagnosis. This review features cutaneous neoplasms characterized by clear cell changes, organized by histogenesis. It discusses the differential diagnosis of these lesions with a focus on helpful immunohistochemical and molecular studies which may aid in the clinicopathologic evaluation of these challenging lesions.
Piperacillin sodium/cefoperazone sodium injection pharmacokinetic studies and clinical application

Objective: To analyze piperacillin/sulbactam sodium for injection of sodium pharmacokinetics characteristics, combining clinical application examples. Methods: To retrospective study adopts piperacillin sodium/sulbactam was the treatment of sodium injection 98 cases with lrti clinical data during January 2009 to January 2010, and by reverse phase HPLC method patients serum and urine in piperacillin and sulbactam drug concentration, analyzed of sodium piperacillin/sulbactam sodium pharmacokinetics characteristics. Results: The combination of the cmax tasching sodium for (138.70±25.53) mg/L, elimination half-life t1/2 was (0.88 ± 0.39) h, urine recovery medicine for (43.6±12.3)%;For the cmax sulbactam was (35.10±4.68) g/L, eliminate half-life t1/2 was (1.02±0.15) h, 12 h urine medicine recovery into (41.5±19.4) %. 98 cases with significantly higher efficient piperacillin and single sulbactam was sodium, a statistically significant differences between the groups (P0.05). Conclusion: Patients on piperacillin sodium/sulbactam is the sodium for injection, clinical treatment effect is remarkable.
Bladder Leiomyosarcoma Following Cyclophosphamide Therapy for Lupus Nephritis

AbstractWe report 2 cases of leiomyosarcoma of the bladder that occurred after long-term cyclophosphamide chemotherapy for lupus nephritis and rheumatoid arthritis. One patient had a tumor at the end of an 11-year course of chemotherapy and 1 approximately 7 years after completing a 7-year course of chemotherapy. Patient 1 underwent left partial cystectomy and patient 2 underwent cystectomy with ileal conduit urinary diversion. In patient 1 the tumor was a typical leiomyosarcoma and patient 2 had a myxoid variant. Both patients were free of disease at 4 months and 3 years, respectively. Whereas previous reports of the carcinogenic effects of cyclophosphamide have been questioned, since the induced tumors occurred in patients being treated for other neoplasms (lymphoproliferative and myeloproliferative disorders), the disease in both of our patients followed cyclophosphamide therapy for nonneoplastic disorders.
Performing Aspirin Desensitization in Aspirin-Exacerbated Respiratory Disease

Aspirin-exacerbated respiratory disease (AERD) is characterized by chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps, asthma, and reactions to cyclooxygenase-1-inhibiting drugs. This condition is often refractory to standard medical treatments and results in aggressive nasal polyposis that often requires multiple sinus surgeries. Aspirin desensitization followed by daily aspirin therapy is an important treatment option, and its efficacy has been validated in multiple research studies. Aspirin desensitization is not without risk, but specific protocols and recommendations exist to mitigate the risk. Most patients with AERD can undergo aspirin desensitization in an outpatient setting under the supervision of an allergist.
Bayesian proportional resource allocation games

We consider a proportional allocation mechanism that gives to each user an amount of a resource proportional to the user's bid. We study a corresponding Bayesian game in which each user has incomplete information on the state or type of the other users. We prove the existence of a Bayes-Nash equilibrium. Furthermore, under some mild assumptions, we establish asymptotic efficiency: we show that the per user social welfare achieved at any Bayes-Nash equilibrium is asymptotically equal to the maximum possible.
Diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer mortality in a prospective cohort of United States adults.

Objectives: Diabetes mellitus and pancreatic cancer are known to be associated, but it is not known whether diabetes is a true risk factor, preceding development of the cancer, or if it is an early manifestation of the cancer. To address this uncertainty, we examined the association of pancreatic cancer mortality and reported diabetes of at least one year's duration in a large, prospective study of United States adults. The vast majority of diabetes in this cohort is likely to be non-insulin-dependent diabetes. Methods: After 12 years of follow-up, 2,953 deaths from pancreatic cancer were observed in a cohort of 1,089,586 men and women who were cancer-free at study entry in 1982. Cox proportional hazards models, adjusted for age, race, smoking, family history of pancreatic cancer, body mass index (wt/ht2), and education, were used to assess associations. Results: A history of diabetes was significantly related to pancreatic cancer mortality in both men (rate ratio [RR]=1.49, 95 percent confidence interval [CI]=1.25-1.77) and women (RR=1.51, CI=1.24-1.85). However, the strength of the association varied over the follow-up period. The death rate from pancreatic cancer was twice as high in diabetics as in non-diabetics during the second and third years of follow-up (adjusted RR=2.05, CI=1.56-2.69) but only about 40 percent higher in years nine to 12 (adjusted RR=1.38, CI=1.08-1.77). Conclusions: The small but persistent increased risk of death from pancreatic cancer, seen even when the diagnosis of diabetes preceded death by many years, supports the hypothesis that diabetes may be a true, albeit modest, risk factor for pancreatic cancer.
Abstract SY19-01: Tumor-elicited inflammation in colorectal cancer

The majority of sporadic human colorectal cancer is initiated by genetic loss or inactivation of tumor suppressor APC (Absent in Polyposis Coli). In addition to activation of beta-catenin signaling, we found that loss of APC results in upregulation of IL-6 signal transducer (IL6/gp130), thereby leading to activation of STAT3 and YAP, two transcription factors that make important contributions to colorectal tumorigenesis. In addition, APC loss results in deterioration of the intestinal epithelial barrier and immune homeostasis, barrier loss due to downregulation of genes encoding tight junction proteins, and suppression of mucin production. Together, such changes promote the invasion of inflammation-inducing colitogenic bacteria and their products. Loss of immune homeostasis is due to defective luminal transport of IgA dimers caused by loss of polyimmunoglobin receptor (PIgR) and CCL28, a chemokine responsible for recruitment of IgA-producing plasma cells. Defective luminal transport of IgA results in dysbiosis and over-representation of inflammation-causing bacteria that can accelerate colorectal tumor genesis through upregulation of IL-17 production. Citation Format: Michael Karin. Tumor-elicited inflammation in colorectal cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2017; 2017 Apr 1-5; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2017;77(13 Suppl):Abstract nr SY19-01. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2017-SY19-01
OP 41 Postpartum levels of maternal anti-angiogenic proteins in hypertensive disorders of pregnancy

Background Levels of anti-angiogenic proteins (soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase [sFlt1] and soluble endoglin [sEng]) are elevated during pregnancy in women with hypertensive disorders of pregnancy (HDP). The objective was to assess whether women with HDP have an angiogenic factor imbalance in the postpartum period that may predispose them to a future cardiovascular disease. Methods This is a secondary analysis of a prospective study of singleton pregnancies in which anti-angiogenic proteins and cardiovascular function was assessed throughout pregnancy and up to one year postpartum. sFlt1 (pg/ml) and sEng (ng/ml) were measured by ELISA. Women with preeclampsia, were labeled as proteinuric hypertension and gestational/chronic hypertension were labeled as non-proteinuric hypertension. Comparison of baseline characteristics and anti-angiogenic factors was assessed with a parametric or non-parametric t -test, as appropriate. Results Of 86 patients with both antepartum and postpartum levels of angiogenic factors, 25 were normal, 26 had non-proteinuric hypertension and 35 had proteinuric hypertension. Antepartum levels of anti-angiogenic proteins were significantly elevated in proteinuric hypertension (median sFlt1 15955.9, IQR: 8207.1–20076.4; sEng 32.0, IQR: 15.4–56.9) in comparison to non-proteinuric hypertension (sFlt1 5567.7, IQR: 3340.4–7077.9; sEng 13.5, IQR: 8.1–20.2) and normal patients (sFlt1 1915.76, IQR: 1263.65–4357.84; sEng 8.21, IQR: 5.44–11.46; all p p = 0.87) or sEng (means 4.69, 4.41, and 4.05 for normal, non-proteinuric and proteinuric hypertension, respectively; p = 0.20). There was no significant difference in postpartum levels at 3, 6 or 12 months. Conclusion Postpartum circulating plasma levels of anti-angiogenic factors were not different among women who were hypertensive during pregnancy compared to normal women. Interactions of angiogenic proteins with other factors or local abnormality in angiogenesis in specific organs such as the heart may be contributing to increased long-term cardiovascular morbidity among these women.
Familiarity breeds contempt? Knowledge and understanding of democracy, support for democratization, and global city residence in Russia

Using Russian survey data from 2011 to 2012, this article examines public understanding of and support for democratization in a semi-authoritarian context. When knowledge of democracy is weak, and ...
Perceptual consequences of cochlear synaptopathy in middle age

It is known that as the body ages, listening in noisy situations becomes increasingly more difficult. Middle-aged people have more difficulty than younger people in complex listening environments, even with similar audiometric thresholds. One hypothesis for why this might be is age-related cochlear synaptopathy. Cochlear synaptopathy has been robustly observed to occur with normal aging in animals, and in post-mortem studies of human temporal bones harvested at different ages. However, there are currently no clinical assessments to measure cochlear synaptopathy or the perceptual consequences of this phenomenon. Currently, we are evaluating a battery of clinical and laboratory measures by comparing young and middle-aged listeners with matched audiometric thresholds within the normal range. The battery includes both objective physiological measures that correlate with synaptopathy in animal models, and perceptual measures that hypothetically may be sensitive to synaptopathy-mediated loss of redundancy in afferent coding. Here, we discuss our initial findings within these parameters.It is known that as the body ages, listening in noisy situations becomes increasingly more difficult. Middle-aged people have more difficulty than younger people in complex listening environments, even with similar audiometric thresholds. One hypothesis for why this might be is age-related cochlear synaptopathy. Cochlear synaptopathy has been robustly observed to occur with normal aging in animals, and in post-mortem studies of human temporal bones harvested at different ages. However, there are currently no clinical assessments to measure cochlear synaptopathy or the perceptual consequences of this phenomenon. Currently, we are evaluating a battery of clinical and laboratory measures by comparing young and middle-aged listeners with matched audiometric thresholds within the normal range. The battery includes both objective physiological measures that correlate with synaptopathy in animal models, and perceptual measures that hypothetically may be sensitive to synaptopathy-mediated loss of redundancy in af...
The Hydrogen Ion Concentration

: The pH notation is an effective means of expressing the [H+]. A one unit increase in pH (e.g., from 5 to 6) represents a 10-fold decrease in the [H+]. The normal plasma pH range is 7.38 - 7.44. Control of H+ balance differs from that of other major electrolytes. Volatile acid (CO2) is normally eliminated by the lungs, while non-volatile acid (H+) is excreted in urine. Non-volatile acids are generated through incomplete oxidation of major organic nutrients in the body. Dietary fruits can be a major source of alkali. Non-volatile acids are normally added to the body through the diet, through metabolism, and through loss of base via the feces. Metabolic acidosis is generally associated with diarrhea, while metabolic alkalosis results from vomiting.
Nonlinear Forecasting, Chaos and Statistics

Many natural and experimental time series are generated by a combination of coherent, low-dimensional dynamics and stochastic, high-dimensional dynamics. A famous example is the sunspot time series. In the first part of this paper a nonlinear forecasting algorithm is used to attempt to identify how much of the irregularity in an aperiodic time series is due to low-dimensional chaos, as opposed to high-dimensional noise. The algorithm is applied to experimentally generated time series from coupled diodes, fluid turbulence and flame dynamics, and compared to dimension calculations. Theoretical results concerning the limitations of such forecasting algorithms in the presence of noise are reviewed in the second part of the paper. These results use a combination of ideas from dynamical systems and statistics. In particular, the state space reconstruction problem is investigated using properties of likelihood functions at low noise levels.
Social insect colony size is correlated with rates of substitution and DNA repair gene evolution

Larger numbers of germline cell divisions can increase the number of mutations inherited by offspring. Therefore, in systems where the number of offspring is dependent on the number of germline cell divisions, a higher overall rate of molecular evolution may be expected. Here I examine whether colony size in social insects, which varies from tens to millions, influences molecular evolutionary rates by analyzing several recently collected datasets. First, I find that colony size is negatively correlated with GC-content across 115 ant genera, indicative of a positive relationship between substitution rate and colony size. Second, genome-wide rates of molecular evolution are positively correlated with colony size in three clades of social insects including eight species in the ant genus Pseudomyrmex, seven fungus-growing ants, and 11 bee species. The additional germline cell divisions necessary to maintain large colony sizes might lead to mutation accumulation in the germlines of queens of these species, a process similar to that which occurs in aging human males. I also find intensified constraint on DNA repair genes in species with large colonies, suggesting that the additional mutations that occur in these taxa increase selective pressure for improved replication fidelity. Colony size, a fundamental facet of eusociality, plays a previously unappreciated role in genome evolution.
AC-DC Difference of a Thermal Transfer Standard Measured with a Pulse-Driven Josephson Voltage Standard

An upgraded pulse-driven AC Josephson voltage standard system at the National Research Council Canada allows the generation of quantum-accurate root-mean-square voltages up to 1 V at frequencies down to 10 Hz. The system is used to determine the AC-DC difference of a commercial thermal transfer standard, and an uncertainty budget is presented. Such quantum voltage systems could replace aging multi-junction thermal converters.
Experimental factors effecting stability of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy Measurements

Impedance measurement using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy is a widely utilized technique in neural electrodes. Research and clinical devices that incorporate stimulating and recording microelectrodes routinely characterize the material’s integrity and its functionality through impedance measurement. Nominal impedance values ensure a stable neural electrode-tissue contact capable of passing through power efficient electric signals with desired signal-tonoise ratio or effective volume coverage. However, the complexity of the in vivo environment limits the usage of the three-electrode setup, which has been accepted as the ideal method in providing a stable impedance measurement. Impedance data measured from microelectrodes in threeelectrode and two-electrode setups show that the two setups have similar outcomes in terms of the impedance modulus over a 0.5 Hz-100 kHz frequency range. Usage of a platinum counter electrode lowered the overall variance in impedance readings compared to the stainless steel counter electrode. However, correlation coefficient values $(>0.97)$ between three-electrode and two-electrode setups show that impedance values seldom deviate due to changes in electrode setup. Based on the results of this study, the usage of the two-electrode setup in vivo allowed acceptable electrochemical impedance spectroscopy accuracy, and the utilization of a platinum counter electrode is recommended to reduce measurement variance.
ForestSim: Spatially explicit agent-based modeling of non-industrial forest owner policies

Abstract This paper describes ForestSim, an agent-based modeling (ABM) platform for forest management policy experimentation and bioenergy sustainability assessment. ForestSim integrates tools and techniques from biomass estimation, ABM, sustainability assessment, and forest-growth modeling to simulate the harvest activities of thousands of decentralized private forest owners responding to alternative forest management policies to determine the impacts on locally derived sustainability indicators. ForestSim is relatively easy to modify for those interested in exploring more nuanced aspects of non-industrial private forest owner decision-making, forest growth dynamics, forest management policy alternatives, and sustainability assessment criteria tailored to their own research design purposes or specific study regions.
Surfing on the Growth Curve across Disciplines

The recent letter about “The Growth Curve; Can Microbiology Teach Something to Economy?” (C. Gancedo, Microbe, September 2010, p. 367) contains an interesting point which I believe deserves further discussion. The author pointed out the similarities between the use of growth curves in microbiology and in economics. He believes that economists can perhaps learn something “from a modest graph like the growth curve of microorganisms.”
Carbon Tax Review and Updating: Institutionalizing an Act-Learn-Act Approach to U.S. Climate Policy

AbstractThe design of climate change policy must address a number of key uncertainties, including the impacts of climate change, the economics of a carbon tax, and the global effort to combat clima...
Full-Scale Evaluation of an Innovative Joint Design between Adjacent Box Beams:

The longitudinal joints on adjacent precast, prestressed box beams used in bridge construction are vulnerable to cracking. These cracks provide a direct path for water and deleterious agents to ent...
Detection and classification model of radioelectronic jamming signals with ELINT ESM subsystem included within the Integrated Air Electronic Warfare Range (IAEWR)

The article presents a brief description of the ELINT Subsystem (PR Subsystem) included in the Integrated Air Electronic Warfare Range (IAEWR), created as part of a development project co-financed by the National Center for Research and Development. Typical ELINT class devices used in the Polish Armed Forces were implemented in the design of the PR subsystem. In particular, the authors of the paper focus on presenting the role of PR Subsystem in the process of assessing the effectiveness of registered radio-electronic jamming signals generated from an aircraft platform. This will allow for the future implementation of aviation training tasks, including the assessment of the correctness of the crew's and the aircraft's built-in defense system response to simulated electromagnetic emissions (radar threats). The article also presents the adopted criteria for the detection and classification of selected types of radio electronic interference, including narrowband noise jamming, wideband noise jamming, Range Gate Pull Off, Range False Targets and Square Swept Wave. The article describes the basic features of the above-mentioned types of interference and the general principles of detection and registration.
Monitoring from Battlefield to Bedside: Serum Repositories Help Identify Biomarkers, Perspectives on Mild Traumatic Brain Injury.

OBJECTIVES Serum repositories are foundations for seroepidemiological data, revealing targeted information about morbidities and existing heterogeneity in human populations. With the recent technological advances, we can perform high-throughput screening at an affordable cost using minimal plasma. Monitoring brain health after an injury is critical since mild Traumatic Brain Injury (mTBI) and other neurological symptoms are under-diagnosed. Our objective in this study is to present our preliminary serological data from one of our ongoing studies on mTBI. METHODS In this retrospective study, we used stored plasma samples to understand biomarkers of mTBI. We compared plasma samples from five patients with mTBI following their first concussive episode to five gender and age-matched healthy controls. We assessed multiple biomarkers to show the importance of biorepositories. RESULTS Most of the estimated plasma factors in mTBI subjects at baseline were comparable to normal healthy individuals except for the astroglial markers S100B and glial fibrillary acidic protein. Fluctuations of these biomarkers can affect the homeostasis of brain parenchyma by altering the neural network signaling, which in turn may result in intermittent behavioral symptoms. CONCLUSION Biorepositories are powerful resources for understanding the spectrum of morbidity. Biomarkers serve as a valuable diagnostic and therapeutic tool.