cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Bayesian penalized cumulative logit model for high-dimensional data with an ordinal response.

Many previous studies have identified associations between gene expression, measured using high-throughput genomic platforms, and quantitative or dichotomous traits. However, we note that health outcome and disease status measurements frequently appear on an ordinal scale, that is, the outcome is categorical but has inherent ordering. Identification of important genes may be useful for developing novel diagnostic and prognostic tools to predict or classify stage of disease. Gene expression data are usually high-dimensional, meaning that the number of genes is much larger than the sample size or number of patients. Herein we describe some existing frequentist methods for modeling an ordinal response in a high-dimensional predictor space. Following Tibshirani (1996), who described the LASSO estimate as the Bayesian posterior mode when the regression coefficients have independent Laplace priors, we propose a new approach for high-dimensional data with an ordinal response that is rooted in the Bayesian paradigm. We show that our proposed Bayesian approach outperforms existing frequentist methods through simulation studies. We then compare the performance of frequentist and Bayesian approaches using a study evaluating progression to hepatocellular carcinoma in hepatitis C infected patients.
On the Convergence of NEAR-DGD for Nonconvex Optimization with Second Order Guarantees

We consider the setting where the nodes of an undirected, connected network collaborate to solve a shared objective modeled as the sum of smooth functions. We assume that each summand is privately known by a unique node. NEAR-DGD is a distributed first order method which permits adjusting the amount of communication between nodes relative to the amount of computation performed locally in order to balance convergence accuracy and total application cost. In this work, we generalize the convergence properties of a variant of NEAR-DGD from the strongly convex to the nonconvex case. Under mild assumptions, we show convergence to minimizers of a custom Lyapunov function. Moreover, we demonstrate that the gap between those minimizers and the second order stationary solutions of the original problem can become arbitrarily small depending on the choice of algorithm parameters. Finally, we accompany our theoretical analysis with a numerical experiment to evaluate the empirical performance of NEAR-DGD in the nonconvex setting.
The effect of cardiovascular disease and acute cardiac injury on fatal COVID-19: a meta-analysis.

Abstract Background With the continuance of the global COVID-19 pandemic, cardiovascular disease (CVD) and cardiac injury have been suggested to be risk factors for severe COVID-19. Objective The aim is to evaluate the mortality risks associated with CVD and cardiac injury among hospitalized COVID-19 patients, especially in subgroups of populations in different countries. Methods A comprehensive systematic literature search was performed using 9 databases from November 1, 2019 to November 9, 2020. Meta-analyses were performed for CVD and cardiac injury between non-survivors and survivors of COVID-19. Results Although the prevalence of CVD in different populations was different, hospitalized COVID-19 patients with CVD were at a higher risk of fatal outcomes (OR = 2.72; 95% CI 2.35–3.16) than those without CVD. Separate meta-analyses of populations in four different countries also reached a similar conclusion that CVD was associated with an increase in mortality. Cardiac injury was common among hospitalized COVID-19 patients. Patients with cardiac injury had a significantly higher mortality risk than those without cardiac injury (OR = 13.25; 95% CI: 8.56–20.52). Conclusions Patients' CVD history and biomarkers of cardiac injury should be taken into consideration during the hospital stay and incorporated into the routine laboratory panel for COVID-19.
Letter: Comprehensive Neurosurgery Infection Prevention and Control Practice in the COVID-19 “Return to Operate” Era

The COVID-19 pandemic has forced neurosurgeons to adapt in the face of an unforeseen crisis, including reevaluating an important aspect of neurosurgical practice: surgical infection control and prevention. Before COVID-19, surgical site infections (SSI) remained a costly and burdensome issue within neurosurgery and the medical field at-large. Furthermore, as options for linking payment to quality of care and mandatory reporting of SSI expands, cranial and spine surgery can expect to face increased oversight and pressure in efforts to reduce SSI. The risk of COVID-19 transmission to both patients and healthcare workers has inspired rigorous attention to inspection control practices. Therefore, at our institution we have applied the momentum gained introducing new infection control practices and procedures to prevent of COVID-19 transmission to the adoption of a surgical infection control bundle. We describe our implementation spanning screening and selection of patients for surgery, intraoperative precautions, postoperative care, and systems for monitoring and feedback.
The Precarious Plight of Corporate and Partnership Debtors under Section 362(h) of the Bankruptcy Code

Does Section 362(h) provide a damage action to corporations and partnerships, or is it limited to natural persons? Since Congressional enactment of Section 362(h) in 1984, a majority of courts have held that Section 362(h) applies not only to natural persons, but also to non-natural entities such as corporations and partnerships. However, a minority of courts, including the Second Circuit Court of Appeals, have held that Section 362(h) applies only to debtors who are natural persons. These courts have suggested that relief for corporations and partnerships lay in contempt proceedings under Section 105 of the Bankruptcy Code. Although under either reading of Section 362(h), an aggrieved corporate or partnership debtor is not left completely without a remedy, the remedial differences attached to each respective interpretation of the statute are significant. So significant, in fact, that much turns on whether the majority or the minority approach is governing law. In this paper, Professor Wiggins examines the interpretive controversies surrounding Section 362(h) and evaluates the principal lines of authority. Professor Wiggins’ analysis illustrates strongly contrasting approaches to statutory interpretation, with the majority approach adopting a broader, more contextualized approach and the minority approach using the so-called “plain meaning” analysis of United States v. Ron Pair. Professor Wiggins argues that the majority approach is more compelling as a policy matter even if the minority approach is superior as a matter of statutory interpretation. Ultimately, she urges Congress to amend Section 362(h) to make its reach indisputably broader and thus vindicate vital policy aims in bankruptcy.
Complexity and tractability for a class of elliptic partial integro-differential equations

Abstract We study the complexity and tractability of computing e-approximations to a simple class of elliptic partial integro-differential equations (PIDEs). Given f ∈ F d and q ∈ Q 2 d , we find u ∈ H 1 ( I d ) such that − Δ u + u + T q u = f on the d-dimensional unit cube, subject to homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions. Here, T q is the Fredholm integral operator with kernel q, with F d and Q 2 d being Hilbert subspaces of the dual spaces [ H 1 ( I d ) ] ⁎ and [ H 1 ( I 2 d ) ] ⁎ of H 1 ( I d ) and H 1 ( I 2 d ) . We consider the worst case setting over f in the F d unit ball and q in the Q 2 d ball of radius M 1 ∈ ( 0 , 1 ) , measuring error in the H 1 ( I d ) norm. We show that information complexity and tractability for this problem are essentially the same as that of the [ H 1 ( I d ) ] ⁎ approximation problem or (equivalently) the elliptic partial differential equation with operator − Δ + I under homogeneous Neumann boundary conditions. In addition, we show how a Picard iteration can overcome various implementation issues, with a penalty of at most O ( ln ⁡ e − 1 ) .
A 2nd Order CMOS Sigma-Delta Modulator Design Suitable for Low-Power Biosensor Applications

Design of biosensor circuits requires low power and low noise. One of the important components in a sensor read channel is the analog-to-digital converter (ADC). In addition to the circuit design techniques to achieve low power consumption, the use of low supply voltage is an effective alternative to reduce the overall power consumption of a CMOS circuit. Sigma-delta modulators are well suited for the low noise requirement in biosensors due to its noise shaping property. This paper presents a low-voltage, low-power, 2nd order Sigma-Delta modulator for use in an electrochemical biosensor system. The modulator was designed using a commercial 0.18 \(\upmu \)m CMOS process with a supply voltage of 900 mV. With an input signal bandwidth of 1 kHz it achieves a SNDR of 61.2 dB using an over-sampling ratio of 500. Power dissipation is 165 \(\upmu \)W and it occupies 0.0225 mm\(^2\) of silicon area.
Experiential responsible consumption

Abstract Responsible consumption is an increasingly observed phenomenon. Previous research has largely investigated this phenomenon as a conscientious activity by rational individuals. An understanding of the incidental, communal, and experiential aspects of responsible consumption and how these aspects affect consumers remains relatively limited. This study utilizes qualitative methods to explore the self-transformative dynamics of participation in an experiential responsible consumption context that is radically different from everyday life. The context of this study is the alternative break (AB) program in the United States in which student volunteers spend their spring break helping others or improving the environment. In this context, responsible consumption becomes an act of hybrid of moral, rational, social, and ludic agencies. This study shows that some people participate in some forms of responsible consumption incidentally without any specific ideological motivation; they perceive it more emotionally than rationally, and they are transformed by the experience into people who integrate responsibility considerations into their identities. The analysis reveals that there are six interrelated factors that result in these transformations: organic community, unpretentious fun, embracing the other, developing and utilizing capabilities, challenge, and self-reflection. Participants exit AB trips with heightened feelings of empowerment and feel more committed to responsibility considerations and responsible behavior due to these transformations.
Thermodynamic insights into 2-thiouridine-enhanced RNA hybridization

Nucleobase modifications dramatically alter nucleic acid structure and thermodynamics. 2-thiouridine (s(2)U) is a modified nucleobase found in tRNAs and known to stabilize U:A base pairs and destabilize U:G wobble pairs. The recently reported crystal structures of s(2)U-containing RNA duplexes do not entirely explain the mechanisms responsible for the stabilizing effect of s(2)U or whether this effect is entropic or enthalpic in origin. We present here thermodynamic evaluations of duplex formation using ITC and UV thermal denaturation with RNA duplexes containing internal s(2)U:A and s(2)U:U pairs and their native counterparts. These results indicate that s(2)U stabilizes both duplexes. The stabilizing effect is entropic in origin and likely results from the s(2)U-induced preorganization of the single-stranded RNA prior to hybridization. The same preorganizing effect is likely responsible for structurally resolving the s(2)U:U pair-containing duplex into a single conformation with a well-defined H-bond geometry. We also evaluate the effect of s(2)U on single strand conformation using UV- and CD-monitored thermal denaturation and on nucleoside conformation using (1)H NMR spectroscopy, MD and umbrella sampling. These results provide insights into the effects that nucleobase modification has on RNA structure and thermodynamics and inform efforts toward improving both ribozyme-catalyzed and nonenzymatic RNA copying.
Bisphenol A (BPA) exacerbates acute myocarditis in female BALB/c by activating mast cells and the inflammasome (HUM1P.302)

Myocarditis is an inflammatory heart disease that is the leading cause of heart failure in young adults. Sex hormones play a vital role in development of myocarditis with testosterone driving disease in males. Whereas, estrogen, via Estrogen Receptor α (ERα) mediates cardioprotection in females. Since myocarditis is influenced by sex hormones, it is highly probable that endocrine disruptors (EDs); which interfere with natural hormones, will play a part in the progression of the disease. The human population is exposed to Bisphenol A (BPA), a known ED that binds the ER, from plastics, such as water bottles and plastic food containers. BPA has been found to act through ERβ in cardiomyoctes to increase cardiac arrhythmias. Thus, BPA could increase myocarditis through deleterious actions of the ERβ rather than beneficial effects via ERα. To our knowledge no one has examined the role of EDs like BPA on myocarditis. We found that clinically relevant doses (25 µg/L and 250 µg/L) of BPA increased acute myocarditis compared to control water. We found BPA significantly decreased ERα, while ERβ was significantly increased. We found that mast cells (cKit) are largely responsible for the increase in inflammation along with CD4 Thelper cells. IL-1β, IFN-γ, TLR4, Caspase-1, Mmp9, and ST2 were all increased with BPA treatment which all lead to increased inflammation and disease. We believe that BPA is influencing the inflammasome and mast cells leading to exacerbation of disease in females.
Effective action of N=1 supersymmetric Yang-Mills theory

We propose a generalization of the Veneziano-Yankielowicz effective low-energy action for $N=1$ SUSY Yang-Mills theory which includes composite operators interpolating pure gluonic bound states. The chiral supermultiplet of anomalies is embedded in a larger three-form multiplet and an extra term in the effective action is introduced. The mass spectrum and mixing of the lowest-spin bound states are studied within the effective Lagrangian approach. The physical mass eigenstates form two multiplets, each containing a scalar, pseudoscalar, and Weyl fermion. The multiplet containing the states which are most closely related to glueballs is the lighter one.
On the Relationship between DNA Periodicity and Local Chromatin Structure

DNA periodicity and its relationship to the formation of nucleosomes has been investigated extensively using autocorrelation and Fourier transform methods. We provide a precise treatment of the mathematical foundation for this type of analysis, and we apply the resulting method to quantify dinucleotide periodicity in several datasets. We begin by demonstrating, via simulation, the sensitivity of our method relative to previous methods. We then provide evidence of pervasive ~10 bp periodicity in S. cerevisiae , with stronger periodicity in sequences associated with positioned nucleosomes. In human, although repeat-masked sequences do not exhibit significant periodicity on average, we find that experimentally determined nucleosome positions show a periodicity of the AA dinucleotide similar to that found in S. cerevisiae . Furthermore, transcription start sites in the human genome are marked by a sharp drop in the 10 bp periodicity of the AA dinucleotide, while occupied CTCF sites are surrounded by a local increase.
An evaluation of a pilot interpretive program for national forest recreation areas in East Texas

A visitor survey was conducted at Ratcliff and Double Lake National Forest Recreation Areas to evaluate visitor characteristics and the effectiveness of interpretive services as a management tool. Two hundred eighty-two campers completed the visitor survey. A one hundred percent sample was attempted at both recreation areas every Sunday morning during July and August of 1991. Data from both recreation areas were analyzed and compared in order to determine any significant differences between visitors in each recreation area and also between visitors who attended or did not attend interpretive programs.
What Law Schools Can Learn from Billy Beane and the Oakland Athletics

In Moneyball, Michael Lewis takes an inside look at how in recent years the Oakland A's have achieved one of the best records in baseball despite having one of the lowest player payrolls. Cass Sunstein and Richard Thaler have argued that the book has large and profound implications for other professions. This review essay by a tax law professor and a labor law professor explores the book's large and profound implications for law schools. Beane succeeded by ruthlessly exploiting inefficiencies in major league baseball caused by the inability to properly evaluate players. He replaced traditional subjective measurements of players by scouts with new objective statistical methods pioneered by baseball outsiders. In many ways, legal education is teeming with more inefficiencies than Beane uncovered in baseball. We argue that changes in the economic conditions of higher education and the legal profession, combined with increasing demands for accountability and transparency, created the market demand for measuring organizational success which U.S. News & World Report met with its annual law school rankings. We explore the implications of Moneyball for legal education in three areas. First, we argue that law school rankings are here to stay and that the academy should work to devise ways to more accurately measure law school success. We advocate the comprehensive collection of data that users and organizations can weigh differently in arriving at competing rankings systems. Second, we applaud efforts begun in the past decade to quantify individual faculty contributions to law school success. We support measures that take into account both quantitative and qualitative measurements of faculty performance. We provide data that confirm the relationship of productivity and impact measures of scholarship and provide support for isolating background and performance characteristics in predicting future faculty scholarly work. Third, we use Billy Beane as a prototype and identify the qualities that enabled him to revolutionize baseball. We shift the focus here to deans and present data measuring decanal scholarly productivity and impact. We contrast these figures with the corresponding faculty data and distinguish deans' scholarly performance both in the period prior to becoming dean and while serving as dean. We also offer some surprising predictions, based on the data, of the qualities that a future dean will need to assume the mantle of the Billy Beane of legal education.
Copper(I) Iodide Dimethyl Sulfide Catalyzed Addition of a Vinylzirconium Reagent Preparation of 4‐Phenyl‐5(E)‐Decen‐2‐One

Schwartz's reagent Sodium benzophenone ketyl 1-Hexyne Benzalacetone Copper(I) iodide Dimethyl sulfide Keywords: copper iodide; zirconium reagent; catalysis; dimethyl sulfide; phenyldecenone; conjugate addition; nickel; 1; 4-Addition; vinyl groups; safety; waste disposal
Fiber Kinematics of Small Intestinal Submucosa Under Biaxial and Uniaxial Stretch

Improving our understanding of the design requirements of biologically derived collagenous scaffolds is necessary for their effective use in tissue reconstruction. In the present study, the collagen fiber kinematics of small intestinal submucosa (SIS) was quantified using small angle light scattering (SALS) while the specimen was subjected to prescribed uniaxial or biaxial strain paths. A modified biaxial stretching device based on Billiar and Sacks (J. Biomech., 30, pp. 753-7, 1997) was used, with a real-time analysis of the fiber kinematics made possible due to the natural translucency of SIS. Results indicated that the angular distribution of collagen fibers in specimens subjected to 10% equibiaxial strain was not significantly different from the initial unloaded condition, regardless of the loading path (p=0.31). Both 10% strip biaxial stretch and uniaxial stretches of greater than 5% in the preferred fiber direction led to an increase in the collagen fiber alignment along the same direction, while 10% strip biaxial stretch in the cross preferred fiber direction led to a broadening of the distribution. While an affine deformation model accurately predicted the experimental findings for a biaxial strain state, uniaxial stretch paths were not accurately predicted. Nonaffine structural models will be necessary to fully predict the fiber kinematics under large uniaxial strains in SIS.
Rapid astrocyte death induced by transient hypoxia, acidosis, and extracellular ion shifts

Death of astrocytes requires hours to days in injury models that use hypoxia, acidosis, or calcium paradox protocols. These methods do not incorporate the shifts in extracellular K(+), Na(+), Cl(-), and Ca(2+) that accompany acute brain insults. We studied astrocyte survival after exposure to hypoxic, acidic, ion-shifted Ringer (HAIR), with respective [Ca(2+)], [K(+)], [Na(+)], [Cl(-)], and [HCO(-)(3)] of 0.13, 65, 51, 75, and 13 mM (15% CO(2)/85% N(2), pH 6.6). Intracellular pH (pH(i)) was monitored with the fluorescent dye BCECF. Cell death was indicated by a steep fall in the pH-insensitive, 440-nm-induced fluorescence (F440) and was confirmed by propidium iodide staining. After 15-40-min HAIR exposure, reperfusion with standard Ringer caused death of most cultured (and acutely dissociated) astrocytes within 20 min. Cell death was not prevented if low Ca(2+) was maintained during reperfusion. Survival fell with increased HAIR duration, elevated temperature, or absence of external glucose. Comparable durations of hypoxia, acidosis, or ion shifts alone did not lead to acute cell death, while modest loss was noted when acidosis was paired with either hypoxia or ion shifts. Severe cell loss required the triad of hypoxia, acidosis, and ion shifts. Intracellular pH was significantly higher in HAIR media, compared with solutions of low pH alone or with low pH plus hypoxia. These results indicate that astrocytes can be killed rapidly by changes in the extracellular microenvironment that occur in settings of traumatic and ischemic brain injury.
Inferring What Words Mean: Early Development in Infants' Comprehension of Common Object Names.

OVIATT, SHARON L. Inferring What Words Mean: Early Development in Infants' Comprehension of Common Object Names. CHILD DEVELOPMENT, 1982, 53, 274-277. This research was designed to examine the development of infants' ability to begin recognizing novel referents of common object names. 21 infants 12-20 months of age were taught the name of a live animal that they had not known previously. Those who reliably comprehended the name were then tested for recognition that the name could also designate new representations of the animal. Each infant was videotaped during paired-comparison tests in which a novel target and distractor animal were viewed in each of 3 representational modes: photographic, pictorial, and 3-dimensional models. Infants' preferential gaze and gestural responding toward the alternatives in each pair was scored during target and control questioning. The results of separate analyses on gaze and gestural measures both demonstrated a substantial increase in preference for the target-animal forms, specifically in response to target questioning, between 15 and 18 months of age. Improvement consistently occurred at this developmental point in all three representational modes, although performance at all ages was best with photographs.
Aspiration pneumonia and death in Huntington’s disease

Huntington's disease (HD) is a progressive neurodegenerative autosomal dominant disease characterized by choreatic and hypokinetic movements, disturbed behaviour, and cognitive decline. Pneumonia is the most common cause of death, followed by cardiovasculair diseases. It has been suggested that choking is the causative underlying factor for pneumonia in HD. As a detailed specification of the type of pneumonia has never been performed, we analyzed the records of our Brain Bank containing 224 cases to determine the exact cause of death and type of pneumonia. The conclusion is that the majority (86.8%) of our HD patients where the cause of death could be identified died from aspiration pneumonia.
Coculturing posterior pituitary and GH3 cells: dramatic stimulation of prolactin gene expression.

Recent evidence suggests that the posterior pituitary (PP), also called the neurointermediate lobe, regulates PRL release. We previously reported that cocultures of anterior pituitary and PP cells resulted in a 2- to 3-fold increase in PRL content and release. For this study we chose GH3 cells (a somatomammotroph tumor cell line) to determine whether coculturing GH3 with PP cells: 1) stimulates the release and cell content of PRL as compared with GH; 2) increases GH3 cell proliferation; and 3) affects PRL messenger RNA (mRNA) levels. Exp 1. GH3 cells (25,000 cells per well; 25K) were cocultured with PP cells (0K, 12.5K, or 25K) from male rats in serum-free media for 1, 2, 4, and 7 days; hormones were measured by RIA. Coculturing resulted in 5- to 10-fold increases in both media and cell PRL that were linear with time and dependent on the number of PP cells. In contrast, media GH increased only 1.5- to 2-fold, and GH cell content reduced by 75%. Exp 2. GH3, PP, and GH3 + PP cells were cultured for 1, 2, an...
Quantitative fracture strength and plasticity measurements of lithiated silicon nanowires by in situ TEM tensile experiments.

We report in situ tensile strength measurement of fully lithiated Si (Li–Si alloy) nanowires inside a transmission electron microscope. A specially designed dual probe with an atomic force microscopy cantilever and a scanning tunneling microscopy electrode was used to conduct lithiation of Si nanowires and then perform in situ tension of the lithiated nanowires. The axial tensile strength decreased from the initial value of 3.6 GPa for the pristine unlithiated Si nanowires to 0.72 GPa for the lithiated Li–Si alloy. We observed large fracture strain ranging from 8% to 16% for Li–Si alloy, 70% of which remained permanent after fracture. This indicates a certain degree of tensile plasticity in the lithiated silicon before fracture, important for constitutive modeling of the lithium-ion battery cyclability. We also compare the ab initio computed ideal strengths with our measured strengths and attribute the differences to the morphology and flaws in the lithiated nanowires.
Signal to noise and contrast ratio enhancement by quasi-monochromatic imaging

One CT exam provides 50–250 times the radiation of a single view x-ray. According to a latest study the chance of getting cancer from x-ray radiation has been increasing by 1.5–2 % at every CT exam. So decreasing the dose per CT exam is a major goal. The aims of this study were to find out how one can improve the signal to noise ratio (S/N) or decrease the dose with the same S/N in mammography CT and how to improve the contrast ratio for I (Iodine) contrast imaging. Iodine has relatively high Z number and it absorbs x-rays much better then any tissue, water or blood. Iodine dissolves well in water and it has been used for intravenous injection to detect any blockage in blood circulation by x-rays. Moreover, iodine also accumulates in cancer cells as described in the paper, so it is used to increase the contrast of breast tumor images. The paper gives an overview of different techniques to generate quasi monochromatic x-ray radiation and emphasizes the advantages of the K-edge filtering method when the K-edge energy of the x-ray filter material is close to the K-edge of iodine. In the article several K-edge filters are compared and results of the CT experiments are discussed which prove that using the right material the iodine x-ray contrast image can be improved by ≫25% and the simultaneously the dose to the patient can be decreased by a factor of two or more while keeping the same signal to noise ratio as without K edge filtering. This is a very significant advancement for CT screening of women who has been suspected of breast cancer.
Modeling the going‐concern judgment using argumentation theory

A going‐concern judgment is an important classification of a client that auditors are called upon to render. We study the collective group process of interpretation that auditors are engaged in by examining their individual interpretation processes and their interactions among themselves and with clients. The interpretation process leading to the going‐concern judgment involves four phases: (1) recognizing any potential going‐concern problems, (2) understanding the cause of those problems, (3) evaluating client plans to mitigate those problems, and (4) rendering a going‐concern judgment. We capture the process underlying a going‐concern judgment by representing the content and process of the interactions using an argumentation language.
Threshold critical dynamics of driven interfaces in random media

The dynamics of driven interfaces in random media are analyzed, focusing on the critical behavior near the depinning threshold. The roughening exponent in the critical region is shown to be independent of the type of disorder, in contrast to the equilibrium static behavior where there are two different universality classes corresponding to random-bond and random-field disorder. This critical dynamic roughening exponent is argued to be equal to its equilibrium static random-field value: ${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\zeta}}}_{\mathit{c}}$=\ensuremath{\epsilon}/3 to all orders in \ensuremath{\epsilon} in 5-\ensuremath{\epsilon} dimensions. All other critical exponents are obtained in terms of z, the dynamic exponent, which is calculated to O(\ensuremath{\epsilon}) to be z=2-2\ensuremath{\epsilon}/9+O(${\mathrm{\ensuremath{\epsilon}}}^{2}$). The results agree fairly well with recent numerical simulations. For random-field disorder, the same results have been obtained earlier by Nattermann et al. [J. Phys. (France) II 2, 1483 (1992)] to O(\ensuremath{\epsilon}). The results above threshold are used, together with scaling laws, to yield conjectures on the critical behavior as threshold is approached from below. In particular, the probability that the diameter of an ``avalanche'' exceeds l decays as ${\mathit{l}}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}\mathrm{\ensuremath{\kappa}}}$ just below threshold with \ensuremath{\kappa}=d-3+\ensuremath{\zeta}.
Intraoperative thrombin occlusion of a visceral artery aneurysm.

More than 3000 cases of visceral artery aneurysm (VAA) have been reported in the medical literature. Management of these cases may be technically demanding but is relatively straightforward. Because of abnormal collateral flow, absence of the celiac axis would complicate traditional management of a concurrent VAA. We report a case of a young woman with absence of the celiac axis in whom a VAA arising from a pancreatic arcade vessel was treated with ultrasound scan–guided thrombin injection at the time of surgery.
Effects of dietary copper on developing aflatoxicosis in Syrian hamsters

Abstract The possible supression of toxic and carcinogenic activities of aflatoxin by the cupric ion were investigated. Weanling, male Syrian hamsters received diets of either ground meal, ground meal plus 22.9 ppm mixed aflatoxins (9.2 ppm AFB1, 0.4 ppm AFB2, 12.8 ppm AFG1, 0.5 ppm AFG2), ground meal plus copper acetate (0.5% by weight) and 22.9 ppm mixed aflatoxins, or ground meal plus copper acetate (0.5%). Experimental parameters measured included: food and water consumption, body weight responses, mortality, gross pathology and histopathological changes, as well as protein synthesis in the liver tissue during incubation in Krebs’ medium. The results indicate that copper may act as a protective agent against low levels of these mycotoxins. Significantly, more animals undergoing combined treatment (aflatoxin plus copper) survived and had higher body weights. Less severe liver pathology was seen in these animals as compared to those receiving aflatoxin without a copper supplement.
Okadaic acid-induced transcriptional downregulation of type I collagen gene expression is mediated by protein phosphatase 2A

Expression of type I collagen genes is highly regulated and becomes abnormal in various pathological conditions, from excessive collagen production in fibrotic diseases to their downregulation in transformed cells. Some inflammatory cytokines and other ligands, capable of eliciting intracellular phosphorylation, can profoundly alter collagen gene expression. We investigated the role of serine/threonine protein phosphatases (PP) in the regulation of collagen gene expression. Biosynthesis of the endogenous type I procollagen, and expression of Proal(I) promoter-luciferase (Luc) constructs transfected in NIH3T3 fibroblasts, were evaluated in response to PP2A and PP I inhibitor okadaic acid (OA) and exogenously expressed PP catalytic subunits. OA suppressed type I collagen gene expression as judged by reduced rates of protein synthesis, steady state levels of Proα 1(I) collagen mRNA and expression of Luc driven by Proa 1(I) collagen promoter in OA-treated cells. Co-transfection of Proα 1(I)-Luc with expression vectors containing PP2A, but not PPI, stimulated collagen promoter activity. These results strongly suggest that OA acts via PP2A-mediated dephosphorylation of an unidentified transcription factor(s) or cofactor(s) needed to activate Proαl(I) collagen promoter.
Abstract 2232: Overexpression of the mu opioid receptor in human non-small cell lung cancer promotes Akt and mTOR activation, tumor growth and metastasis

Proceedings: AACR 103rd Annual Meeting 2012‐‐ Mar 31‐Apr 4, 2012; Chicago, IL Background: Recent epidemiologic studies suggesting that there were differences in cancer recurrence contingent on anesthetic regimens have raised the possibility that mu opioid agonists can influence cancer progression. Based on our previous studies indicating the mu opioid receptor (MOR) is upregulated in several types of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), this study examined the functional significance of MOR overexpression to elucidate a possible mechanism for the epidemiologic findings. Methods: Stable vector control (VC) and MOR1 overexpressing human NSCLC bronchioloalveolar carcinoma (BAC) cells were evaluated using immunoblot analysis, proliferation and transendothelial extravasation assays with or without Akt inhibitor, mTOR inhibitor (temsirolimus) or the peripheral MOR antagonist, methylnaltrexone (MNTX). In human NSCLC xenograft models, primary tumor growth rates and lung metastasis were analyzed using consecutive tumor volume measurements and nestin immunoreactivity in nude mouse lungs. Results: We provide evidence that MOR is an important regulator of lung cancer progression, a disease with high mortality and few treatment options. MOR overexpression increased Akt and mTOR activation, proliferation and extravasation in human BAC cells. In vivo, overexpression of MOR in BAC increased primary tumor growth rates in nude mice by ∼2.5 fold and lung metastasis by ∼20 fold compared to VC BAC cells. Conclusions: Our overexpression data suggests a possible direct effect of MOR on Akt and mTOR activation and lung cancer progression. Such an effect provides a plausible explanation for the epidemiologic findings. Our observations further suggest that exploration of MOR in NSCLC merits further study both as a diagnostic and therapeutic option. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 103rd Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2012 Mar 31-Apr 4; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2012;72(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2232. doi:1538-7445.AM2012-2232
Amylase production by Escherichia coli immobilized in silicone foam

Silicone foam was investigated as a support for the immobilization ofEscherichia coli EC147, a recombinant strain which produces a thermostable amylase extracellularly. While colonization of the foam was limited in semicontinuous culture, a fivefold increase in amylase production was achieved.
Expression of Collagenase-3 (MMP-13) in Human Abdominal Aortic Aneurysms and Vascular Smooth Muscle Cells in Culture☆

Abstract Collagen degradation is important in the pathogenesis of abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA) but the enzymes responsible are undefined. Collagenase-3 is a recently described matrix metalloproteinase (MMP-13) with limited tissue distribution and a highly regulated pattern of expression. Using reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction and Southern blots, amplification products corresponding to MMP-13 were uniformly detected in samples of AAA and atherosclerotic aorta (ATH), but not in normal aortic controls. By densitometric analysis of blots normalized to β-actin, the expression of MMP-13 was 1.8-fold higher in AAA compared to ATH (P
Nonuniqueness of best complex rational approximations to real functions on real intervals

Abstract It seems not to be well known that best complex rational approximations, in the uniform norm, to a real function on a real finite interval need not be unique. Because of this, the purpose of this note is to highlight this nonuniqueness with three different examples.
A product theorem for 2-sequencings

Abstract It is shown that if a finite group G of odd order has what is called a starter-translate 2-sequencing and a finite group H has a 2-sequencing, then the group G × H has a 2-sequencing. This generalizes a theorem of Bailey. Special cases of this result can be applied to various questions involving sequencings of groups. For example, Keedwell has exhibited a class of non-Abelian groups of odd order that have sequencings. Some of these sequencings are starter-translate sequencings and it follows that the collection of odd positive integer orders for which there is a known non-Abelian sequenceable group (and hence a complete Latin square) can be substantially enlarged. New classes of non-Abelian groups with a unique element of order two are shown to have symmetric sequencings.
Identifying Young Gifted Children Using the Gifted Rating Scales—Preschool/ Kindergarten Form:

This article reports on an analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of a new teacher rating scale designed to assist in the identification of gifted preschool and kindergarten students. The Gifted Rating Scales-Preschool/Kindergarten Form (GRS-P) is based on a multidimensional model of giftedness. An examination of the standardization sample using diagnostic efficiency statistics provides support for the diagnostic accuracy of the GRS-P Intellectual Ability and Academic Ability scales identifying intellectual giftedness, irrespective of the IQ cut score used to demarcate giftedness. The present findings extend the analysis of the standardization sample reported in the test manual and provide additional support for the GRS-P as a gifted screening tool.
P glycoprotein-mediated cholesterol cycling determines proximal tubular cell viability.

P glycoprotein-mediated cholesterol cycling determines proximal tubular cell viability. Background MDR P glycoproteins may help transport plasma membrane free cholesterol (FC) to the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), where it undergoes acylation, forming cholesterol esters (CE). This study assessed whether P glycoprotein inhibitors alter renal tubular FC/CE expression, thereby altering cell integrity. Methods Mouse proximal tubule segments (PTS) were exposed to chemically dissimilar P glycoprotein inhibitors [progesterone (prog), trifluoperazine (TFP), or cyclosporine A (CsA)]. Their effects on FC/CE and adenosine 5′-triphosphate (ATP) levels, phospholipid expression, lipid peroxidation, and cell viability (lactate dehydrogenase release; LDH) were assessed. P glycoprotein inhibitor effects on cultured proximal tubular (HK-2) cell viability and susceptibility to Fe-induced oxidant stress were also addressed. Results When applied to PTS, prog, TFP, and, to lesser extent, CsA induced dose-dependent ATP reductions (≤90%), CE decrements (∼40%), and LDH release (≤60%). No concomitant changes in lipid peroxidation or phospholipid profiles were observed. Ouabain did not preserve tubular ATP, suggesting that decreased ATP production, rather than increased consumption, was operative. Mechanisms leading to cell lysis were not identical, as glycine and arachidonic acid blocked prog- but not TFP-mediated cell death. When prog-driven CE reductions were attenuated in PTS with a procycling agent (cholesterol oxidase), decreased cell death resulted. P glycoprotein inhibitors also caused dose-dependent HK-2 cell death. Blocking Fe-mediated CE formation (∼×10) with sublethal CsA doses led to a marked increase in Fe-mediated cell death. Conclusions P glycoproteins may be critical to tubule cholesterol transport. If blocked with pharmacologic agents, decreased ATP production, overt cell lysis, and/or a marked propensity to superimposed tubular cell injury can result.
Radio occultation of Jupiter's ring: Bounds on optical depth and particle size and a comparison with infrared and optical results

A comparison of Voyager 1 data of the Jovian ring at radio, infrared and optical wavelengths suggests a population density that either falls more rapidly than the inverse square of the linear size, or is sharply bounded in maximum particle size. A fragmentation power law is used to estimate a minimum particle radius of 1-2 microns, and a specific model is developed which consists of a power law distribution of lossless or slightly absorbent Mie scatterers with a refractive index near 1.62, a power law index of -3.5, and a minimum particle size of 1.5 microns. The maximum particle radius is not critical, provided that it is greater than 4 microns, and the power law polydispersion of lossless or low absorbent Mie scatterers is consistent with previously reported observations as long as the parameter size minimum is 20 and the power index is about -3.5.
Environmental Education as a Model for Constructivist Teaching.

Abstract Current literature related to science instruction often includes a discussion of the philosophy of constructivism. The authors describe four main components of a constructivist science lesson or unit. A review of commonly used environmental education materials was conducted to look for these components. Parallels between teaching strategies used in environmental education and constructivist methods are discussed.
The Early Reentry Procedure

A technique and rationale for the early reentry of autogenous bone grafts has been described. Rather than wait 1 to 2 years for reentry as has been previously suggested, a 3-month interval was chosen. Results of the study showed: (1) Healing of osseous grafts starts very quickly and we do not have to wait long periods of time to ascertain whether the graft is successful. (2) That all grafts do not fill the defect completely and that there may be an alteration in contour. (3) That it is often important therefore that a reentry procedure be done to contour the bone. (4) Healing after reentry procedure occurred rapidly and uneventfully and minimum sulcular depth was obtained. (5) Reentry of autogenous osseous grafts for evaluation and physiologic recontouring is possible at 3 months without adversely affecting the ultimate clinical maturation and success of the graft.
The syntheses of 5‐amino‐3‐t‐butylisothiazole and 3‐amino‐5‐t‐butylisothiazole

A general synthesis of 3-amino-3-alkylpropenenitriles is described. These intermediates are further transformed to 5-amino-3-alkylisothiazoles. Also described is the synthesis of the novel isomer, 3-amino-5-t-butyl-isothiazole.
Naltrexone and Amperozide Modify Chocolate and Saccharin Drinking in High Alcohol-Preferring P Rats

Previous studies showed that the 5-HT2 receptor antagonist, amperozide, is somewhat more potent than the opiate antagonist, naltrexone, in reducing alcohol drinking in high alcohol-preferring (P) rats. The purpose of this study was to determine in the P rat whether the effect of either drug could be due, in part, to an alteration in gustatory function. In an unlimited, 24-h free choice paradigm, P rats were offered water simultaneously with either a highly palatable 0.1% saccharin solution or a 1:4 dilution of Nestle Sweet Success chocolate drink. Throughout all phases of the study, the P rats always consumed significantly greater volumes of the chocolate drink than of the saccharin solution, i.e., 526 ml/kg vs. 181 ml/kg, respectively. Successive 12-day experimental periods consisted of three phases: a 4-day predrug control interval; 4 days of administration of saline control vehicle or either drug; and a final 4 day postdrug interval. In a counterbalance design, saline, amperozide (1.0 or 5.0 mg/kg) or naltrexone (2.5 or 5.0 mg/kg) was administered subcutaneously twice daily at 1600 and 2200 h for 4 days. Amperozide and naltrexone significantly reduced the drinking of chocolate in a dose-dependent manner. Conversely, only the two higher doses of amperozide and naltrexone decreased the intake of saccharin significantly. Thus, these findings suggest that different populations of central serotonin and opioid receptors concurrently underpin, in part, the preferences for both palatable and/or nutrient fluids. Finally, because both the opiate and 5-HT2A antagonists reduce the ingestion of saccharin and chocolate solutions differentially, it is apparent that preferences for alternative palatable fluids should be examined when candidate drugs are screened for suppressing alcohol drinking and ultimately the treatment of alcohol abuse.