cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Regulatory Implementation Choices: The Case of XBRL

Regulators around the world have mandated the use of eXtensible Business Reporting Language (XBRL) in financial reporting with a goal of serving the public interest by improving the usability of financial data. This study examines the different types of decisions regulators make when adopting XBRL. We further analyze the advantages and disadvantages of the choices regulators make and their impact on both the companies who are required to file the information as well as the users of the information. We posit potential factors that may impact the different decisions regulators make. We also offer a set of recommendations for regulators’ consideration. Regulators should consider extending the scope of information available to users (e.g., sustainability information), refining taxonomies that have suffered from too many unique extensions, continuing to improve data reliability to decrease the “expectations gap”, and improving the ability of user to consume data in order to benefit from the public good. This study informs policy setting in general as well as the specific context of XBRL policy setting.
The Reverse Moving Average Control Chart for Monitoring Autocorrelated Processes

Forecast-based monitoring schemes have been extensively researched in regards to the application of traditional control charts to forecast errors that arise from various autocorrelated processes. The dynamic response and behavior of forecast errors a..
A FAMILIAL METABOLIC DISORDER WITH STORAGE OF AN UNUSUAL POLYSACCHARIDE COMPLEX

A metabolic disease, characterized by the accumulation of a mixture of complex polysaccharides in liver, spleen, lung, kidney and reticuloendothelial system, is described in three patients. Its familial nature is indicated by the fact that two of the cases were siblings. The salient clinical features included hepatosplenomegaly, anemia, failure in physical development and susceptibility to respiratory infection. The disease simulates glycogen storage disease in the response in the epinephrine tolerance test, and in an inability to call on glycogen stores. Histochemical tests on the tissue containing the storage cells indicated that the material was not glycogen, even though polysaccharide in nature. The storage material was isolated from the liver of one of the cases. This isolated material proved to be a complex consisting of two major moieties. The first appeared to possess a high molecular weight, was insoluble in organic solvents, and contained glucose, galactose, glucosamine and hexuronic acids as constituents. A small amount of peptides were associated with this fraction. The second major moiety of the storage material was soluble in ethanol and contained glucose, galactose, glucosamine, fatty acids, hexuronic acids and neuraminic acid as main constituents (hence a lipopolysaccharide). Attention is drawn to the fact that the storage material would have been considered an "abnormal glycogen" if the customary procedures for the isolation of glycogen had been applied to the tissue. It is suggested that caution be exercised in future studies involving storage diseases where storage of an "abnormal glycogen" with an abnormality in side-chains is suspected.
Scope and Magnitude of Nosocomial ICU Infections

Intensive care units (ICUs) are a primary component of modern medicine and are currently in more than 95% of acute-care hospitals in the United States. Although ICUs account for only 5% of hospital beds, they represent 8% to 15% of hospital admissions. Moreover, current health care trends indicate that although the number of beds in U. S. hospitals is decreasing, the number of intensive care beds is increasing. More than one third of patients hospitalized in ICUs develop unexpected complications. In particular, these patients are at high risk of developing nosocomial infections. This is a result of the patients’ severity of illness and exposure to life-saving invasive devices and procedures. Numerous studies have reported high rates of infection in ICU patients accounting for >20% of nosocomial infections, with increased morbidity and financial cost and a mortality exceeding 40% (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7).
Safety of Different Dosages of Intravenous Adenosine Used in Conjunction With Diagnostic Myocardial Imaging Techniques.

Study Objective. To determine the safety of three different dosage regimens of intravenous adenosine. Design. Open-label, observational safety evaluation. Setting. University hospital-based department of nuclear medicine. Patients. Cohort of 854 patients referred for myocardial perfusion imaging to evaluate their coronary artery disease and who were judged unable to perform physical exercise Interventions. Subjects underwent myocardial perfusion imaging in conjunction with one of three intravenous dosage regimens: 1 = fixed dosage 140 μg/kg/minute for 6 minutes; 2 = dosage titration to a maximum of 140 μg/kg/minute; and 3 = dosage titration to a maximum of 200 μg/kg/minute. In regimens 2 and 3, maximum tolerated dosages were continued for a minimum of 3 minutes prior to radioisotope injection. Measurements and Main Results. Adenosine-induced hemodynamic, electrocardiographic, and biochemical changes were measured. Adverse effects of the different adenosine dosages were compared. Noncardiac side effects such as flushing, dyspnea, neck tightness, and lightheadedness occurred at a significantly higher rate during regimens 2 and 3 than regimen 1. Chest pain and first- and second-degree atrioventricular block were also more frequent during regimens 2 and 3. However, the frequency of other side effects such as complete heart block, hypotension, and ST segment depression did not differ among the regimens. High-dose adenosine was associated with a significant increase in serum uric acid, a significant decrease in blood glucose, and a significant increase in serum triglyceride levels. Mean changes in hemodynamics and electrocardiographic intervals' were also not different among the groups except for a greater increase in PR interval in regimens 2 and 3 than regimen 1. Discontinuation of adenosine was infrequent (< 1%) and did not differ among the regimens. Conclusions. Adenosine-assisted myocardial perfusion imaging procedures are relatively safe for evaluating coronary artery disease. Despite 82% of patients reporting at least one side effect, only 10 (< 1%) had to discontinue adenosine. No patient suffered any residual sequelae from the adverse effects. The fixed-dose regimen is associated with fewer subjective side effects and is better tolerated than titration regimens. Appropriate safety precautions should nonetheless be taken during adenosine infusions.
Ethnic and socioeconomic differences in variability in nutritional biomarkers

Background: Several studies have reported ethnic, education, and income differentials in concentrations of selected nutritional biomarkers in the US population. Although biomarker measurements are not subject to biased self-reports, biologic variability due to individual characteristics and behaviors related to dietary exposures contributes to within-subject variability and measurement error. Objective: We aimed to establish whether the magnitude of components of variance for nutritional biomarkers also differs in these high-risk groups. Design: We used data from 2 replicate measurements of serum concentrations of vitamins A, C, D, and E; folate; carotenoids; ferritin; and selenium in the third National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey second examination subsample (n = 948) to examine the within-subject and between-subject components of variance. We used multivariate regression methods with log-transformed analyte concentrations as outcomes to estimate the ratios of the within-subject to between-subject components of variance by categories of ethnicity, income, and education. Results: In non-Hispanic blacks, the within-subject to between-subject variance ratio for β-cryptoxanthin concentration was higher (0.23; 95% CI: 0.17, 0.29) relative to non-Hispanic whites (0.13; 0.11,0.16) and Mexican Americans (0.11; 0.07, 0.14), and the lutein + zeaxanthin ratio was higher (0.29; 0.21, 0.38) relative to Mexican Americans (0.15; 0.10, 0.19). Higher income was associated with larger within-subject to between-subject variance ratios for serum vitamin C and red blood cell folate concentrations but smaller ratios for serum vitamin A. Overall, there were few consistent up- or down-trends in the direction of covariate-adjusted variability by ethnicity, income, or education. Conclusion: Population groups at high risk of adverse nutritional profiles did not have larger variance ratios for most of the examined biomarkers.
Keeping track of several things at once.

A series of experiments on short-term memory is summarized. The results imply that when possible the following rules should be observed in presenting information to an operator who must keep track of a changing situation: (a) Each variable of which he must keep track should have its own exclusive set of possible states. (b) There should be few variables with many possible states, not many variables with few states, (c) A variable should not change state any more often than necessary. Three other conclusions may be useful to system designers as background information: capacity for random information is low; regularity within the sequence of states assumed by an individual variable is not particularly helpful; and orderly relations among the present states of different variables can be very helpful, at least in the extreme cases that were considered.
A neural network based multiplier

Neural networks provide a method for quickly calculating solutions to problems that require iteration. Multiplication can be viewed as an iterative feedback process, much like other problems (such as pattern recognition) to which neural networks have been applied. Using the collective decision-making capabilities of a neural network in summing the partial product tree of multiplication is discussed. The resulting design, a simulation of performance, and comparison with other multiplication schemes are presented. >
Protons from heavy-ion collisions

A mechanism is examined for proton yields from heavy-ion reactions. This consists of two components\char22{}one direct, and one involving evaporation\char22{}and incorporates Coulomb focusing and shadowing effects. Double differential cross sections, with one free normalization parameter, are compared with published data for $^{16}\mathrm{O}$ induced reactions at 310 MeV incident energy on targets of $^{27}\mathrm{Al}$, $^{90}\mathrm{Zr}$, and $^{197}\mathrm{Au}$. The competition between the direct and the evaporation components at different energies and angles is studied with the extracted normalization factor.
NMR studies of iron-gentamicin complexes and the implications for aminoglycoside toxicity

Abstract Gentamicin, an aminoglycoside antibiotic with known adverse side effects to the kidney and the inner ear, forms detectable complexes with both ferric and ferrous ions. The ferrous-gentamicin species promotes lipid peroxidation and produces oxygen-derived radicals, suggestive of a possible mechanism for these toxicities. The electronic spin states of the iron-gentamicin complexes were inferred from a combination of the longitudinal relaxation times of the 1H NMR resonances (ferric complex) and an Evans experiment (ferrous and ferric complexes). The magnetic susceptibility of the Fe(III)-gentamicin sample is intermediate for high spin Fe(III), S=5/2, and low spin Fe(III), S=3/2, suggestive of the presence of more than one species in solution. For Fe(II), the electronic spin state and the binding affinity of gentamicin were calculated from NMR magnetic susceptibility data (Evans experiment) which yielded two binding constants of 0.02 M2 and 0.2 M2. From the dependence of the complex formation on gentamicin, a gentamicin to iron ratio of 2:1 for the low spin Fe(II) complex was determined. Based on these data, a gentamicin binding site for iron is postulated. These results explain the previously reported biphasic nature of gentamicin-dependent lipid peroxidation, suggesting that a 1:1 gentamicin:iron complex is active and a 2:1 complex is inert with respect to peroxidation.
Ectomycorrhizal fungi and their leguminous hosts in the Pakaraima Mountains of Guyana

Ecologically important ectomycorrhizal (EM) associations are poorly known from equatorial rain forests of South America. Recent field studies in the Pakaraima Mountains of western Guyana revealed previously undocumented forests dominated by EM leguminous trees, with a rich assemblage of EM mycobionts. Along transects, basidiomes from 75 species or morphospecies of putatively EM fungi were spatially associated with leguminous host trees. These fungi belonged to the basidiomycete families Boletaceae, Amanitaceae, Russulaceae, Cortinariaceae, Cantharellaceae, Clavulinaceae, and Entolomataceae, all of which are poorly documented from the lowland neotropics. Ectomycorrhizas were confirmed on D. corymbosa, D. altsonii, and D. jenmanii (Caesalpiniaceae, tribe Amherstieae), and a fourth species, Aldina insignis (Papilionaceae). The tribe Amherstieae contains most of the EM leguminous species forming monodominant forests in Guineo-Congolian Africa. Dicymbe species constituted the first record of EM Amherstieae in the New World. A variety of other co-occurring caesalpiniaceous trees failed to exhibit ectomycorrhizas. Transect surveys indicated that D. corymbosa and D. altsonii were: (1) highly clumped and dominant at specific sites; (2) occurred on soils with widely varying chemical and textural characteristics; and (3) the most important hosts for EM fungi in the local landscape. Dicymbe species have life history attributes, including the ectomycorrhizal habit, which enhance their competitive abilities irrespective of soil conditions. The spatial restriction of EM fungal basidiomes indicated that discrete groves of EM trees harbour an important component of regional macromycete diversity.
Osmotic and Activity Coefficients of Aqueous (NH4)2SO4 as a Function of Temperature, and Aqueous (NH4)2SO4−H2SO4 Mixtures at 298.15 K and 323.15 K

Osmotic coefficients of (NH4)2SO4(aq), and aqueous (NH4)2SO4−H2SO4 mixtures at 298.15 K and 323.15 K, and H2SO4(aq) at 323.15 K have been determined by an isopiestic method. Using the Pitzer molality-based thermodynamic model, the measurements are combined with other literature data to obtain osmotic and activity coefficients of, first, (NH4)2SO4(aq) from <273 K to ∼373 K and, second, aqueous (NH4)2SO4−H2SO4 over the entire composition range at 298.15 K.
Nonlinear systems analysis of repetitive firing behavior in the crayfish stretch receptor

Nonlinear input-output behavior of the repetitive firing mechanism in crayfish tonic stretch receptor cells was studied using white-noise analysis; the latter technique allows estimation of Wiener kernel functions which provide a complete description of the system input-output behavior, at least for the conditions under which the experiment is performed. 200 ms-long steps of Gaussian-distributed current levels were injected through a microelectrode as the input. Nerve impulse (spike) frequency was used as the output variable. Analysis was restricted to signal frequency components less than or equal to the cell's firing frequency. For this frequency range, the Wiener kernels can be related directly to previously known physiological properties of neurons, such as pacemaker sensitivities, thresholds, and adaptation. Different measures of "spike frequency" (instantaneous frequency, average frequency, and convolution of the spike train with a Sinc function) were tested and gave approximately the same results, with the major differences being at high frequencies. At normal carrier frequencies (approx. 10 Hz) and small modulation depths (cell never shut off for long periods), the stretch receptor behaved very linearly; the first kernel had a peak at the origin followed by a negative decaying undershoot, as would be expected for a neuron with "refractory" (spike-dependent) adaptation; higher kernels made negligible contributions. In this range, the first kernel peak corresponded approximately to the cell's pacemaker sensitivity, as would be expected. When a high modulation depth was employed, the cell was silent for appreciable periods, indicating nonlinear behavior (half-wave rectification). The first kernels were qualitatively unchanged, but second kernels now made a significant contribution.
Gonadotropin-releasing hormone and TGF-β activate MAP kinase and differentially regulate fibronectin expression in endometrial epithelial and stromal cells

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone analog (GnRHa) is used for medical management of endometriosis and premature luteinizing hormone surge during controlled ovarian stimulation. Human endometrium expres...
A Shab potassium channel contributes to action potential broadening in peptidergic neurons

We have cloned the gene for a potassium channel, Aplysia Shab, that is expressed in the bag cell neurons of Aplysia. The voltage dependence and kinetics of the Aplysia Shab current in oocytes match those of IK2, one of the two delayed rectifiers in these neurons. Like IK2, but in contrast with other members of the Shab subfamily, the Aplysia Shab current inactivates within several hundred milliseconds. This inactivation occurs by a process whose properties do not match those previously described for C-type and N-type mechanisms. Neither truncation of the N-terminus nor block by tetraethylammonium alters the time course of inactivation. By incorporating the characteristics of Aplysia Shab into a computational model, we have shown how this current contributes to the normal enhancement of action potentials that occurs in the bag cell neurons at the onset of neuropeptide secretion.
Gall bladder mucoceles and their association with endocrinopathies in dogs: a retrospective case-control study.

Objective: To investigate the relationship between endocrinopathies and diagnosis of gall bladder mucocele in dogs via a retrospective case-control study. Methods: Records of 78 dogs with a surgical or ultrasonographic diagnosis of gall bladder mucocele were examined for the presence or absence of hyperadrenocorticism, hypothyroidism and diabetes mellitus. Two age- and breed-matched controls for each gall bladder mucocele dog (156 total control dogs) were examined for the same concurrent diseases. A matched case-control analysis was performed using conditional logistic regression. Results: The odds of mucocele in dogs with hyperadrenocorticism were 29 times that of dogs without hyperadrenocorticism (P=0·001; 95 per cent CI 3·8, 219·9). No difference was found between dogs with and without diabetes mellitus. Although a significant association was found between gall bladder mucocele and hypothyroidism, potential observation bias was also identifi ed. Clinical Significance: Hyperadrenocorticoid dogs that were presented for acute illness with laboratory evidence of hepatobiliary disease should undergo evaluation for the presence of a biliary mucocele. Dogs diagnosed with a gall bladder mucocele should be screened for concurrent hyperadrenocorticism if clinical suspicion exists.
Transport of L-methionine in rat intestine and kidney.

Extract: L-Methionine transport was studied in vitro in rat kidney cortex slices and intestinal segments. In both tissues L-(C14) methionine at concentrations of 0.065 mmol was accumulated against a chemical concentration gradient by processes which obeyed saturation kinetics. In both tissues anaerobic conditions (incubation in 95% N2 and 5% O2 atmosphere) inhibited methionine accumulation (P < 0.001 and P < 0.025, respectively). The processes were sodium dependent. Addition of 0.3 Msucrose produced significant (P < 0.001) inhibition of L-methionine accumulation in the kidney. L-Methionine transport was essentially pH independent. A series of amino acids, including representatives of the neutral, dibasic and imino acid groups at 2.4 DIM concentrations, failed to inhibit methionine transport with the exception that valine proved a potent inhibitor of transport in the intestine (P < 0.01) and ethionine in the kidney (P < 0.025). Methionine inhibited glycine accumulation in the kidney (P < 0.025) and intestine (P < 0.001), but failed to affect lysine transport in either tissue. Speculation: The data presented indicate that methionine uptake in the gut and the kidney has the characteristics of an active transport process which is unaffected by most other amino acids. These findings suggest that methionine is either transported by an independent mechanism and/or by a transport system which is shared with the other neutral amino acids but for which it has a much higher affinity.
Glycosamino Acids: New Building Blocks for Combinatorial Synthesis

In order to produce inexpensive, chemically diverse carbohydrate building blocks more amenable for use in combinatorial organic synthesis, amine and carboxylic acid functional groups were incorporated into several monosaccharides. A series of 12 new glycosamino acids was prepared from commercially available starting materials. Conventional peptide synthesis solution coupling techniques were used to ligate glycosamino acids, producing oligomeric “glycotides”. Finally, a library of glycotides was produced by coupling of a glycosamino acid mixture to a rigid template.
A model for accretion of the terrestrial planets

One possible origin of the terrestrial planets involves their formation by gravitational accretion of particles originally in Keplerian orbits about the sun. Some implications of this theory are considered. A formal expression for the rate of mass accretion by a planet is developed. The formal singularity of the gravitational collision cross section for low relative velocities is shown to be without physical significance when the accreting bodies are in heliocentric orbits. The distribution of particle velocities relative to an accreting planet is considered; the mean velocity increases with time. The internal temperature of an accreting planet is shown to depend simply on the accretion rate. A simple and physically reasonable approximate expression for a planetary accretion rate is proposed.
Dumping and dynamic competition

Abstract When the current output level affects future production costs, domestic and foreign profit-maximizing firms may set prices below current costs to gain experience. Antidumping enforcement, which poses a barrier to below-cost sales by foreign rivals, changes the payoff structure of competition and alters the equilibrium decisions of both foreign and domestic firms. A comparison of the Nash equilibria with and without antidumping rules shows that these rules change market outcomes even when they do not appear to be binding ex post. This positive analysis of antidumping enforcement complements previous studies that have considered the motivation for dumping.
APOLIPOPROTEIN E PRODUCED BY AN EPIDERMAL SPECIFIC PROMOTER IN TRANSGENIC MICE: A FEASIBILITY STUDY FOR KERATINOCYTE GENE THERAPY. • 1300

It may be possible to furnish a needed gene product with keratinocytes genetically altered to produce the required protein. However, investigations have been hampered by low initial expression levels from viral promoters. Vectors utilizing mammalian promoters that are normally functional in epidermis, offer potential advantages since the cellular machinery is already set up to express downstream sequences at high levels. We have developed a vector derived from loricrin, the major component of the cornified cell envelope. As an approach to test this promoter in an in vivo protein delivery system we selectively targeted over-expression of Apolipoprotein E(ApoE) in the epidermis of transgenic mice. A functionally impaired form of ApoE is seen in Type III Hyperlipoproteinemia. This is a disorder characterized by elevated serum lipids, accelerated atherosclerosis and cutaneous xanthoma. ApoE is synthesized in most tissues, including the epidermis, however its role in skin remains unknown. Although previous studies have shown that disruption of the cutaneous permeability barrier results in a rapid increase in epidermal ApoE mRNA levels, ApoE-deficient mice do not exhibit abnormalities in permeability barrier function or stratum corneum structure. At birth transgenic mice expressing the ApoE transgene weighed approximately 40% less than normal littermates and exhibited red, tight shiny skin. By 36 hours fissures developed followed by superficial scaling. Severely affected neonates died within 3 days. Histologically, the stratum corneum showed a 3-fold increase in thickness, while the number of nucleated cells revealed no difference from controls. Electron microscopic studies showed apparently normal lipid lamellar granules in the granular layer and lipid multilamellar structures between corneocytes. However, with ruthenium tetroxide staining a large accumulation of lipid was noted both within and between the nucleated cells of the epidermis. Our study suggests that over-accumulation of ApoE in the epidermis may result in abnormal sequestration of lipids that severely retards desquamation and impairs barrier function. In addition, the utility of the loricrin vector for expressing high levels of targeted protein from the epidermis is substantiated.
Persistence in the Face of Change: Patterns of Community Service in Urban African-American Churches

Once considered “social buffers” against the economic hardship created by segregation and neglect, churches that serve urban African-American communities today continue to engage in a wide array of programs. However, as both residents and church members relocate beyond the urban core, these congregations must respond to the changing demands of urban residents while preserving the loyalty and support of increasing numbers of commuting members. What does the service portfolio of such churches look like, especially in the throes of such residential change? And how does the mix of services offered by African-American congregations compare with all other urban congregations? This paper focuses on data from 117 congregations that serve African Americans in a Midwestern metropolitan region that has undergone serious disinvestment and population loss.
Percutaneous Absorption Of Dexamethasone Estimated By A Plasma Radioimmunoassay

Precutaneous absorption of dexamethasone and its effect on the pituitary adrenal axis were measured in vivo in normal human subjects after application to skin. Specific plasma dexamethasone and cortisol radioimmunoassays were used. Following application of 1% dexamethasone on 500 cm2 of normal skin, the plasma dexamethasone concentration was maximal at 2 hr, and the average absorption was 0.25% over 8 hr; significant cortisol suppression occurred at 2, 4, and 8 hr. This technique: (1) provides an accurate assessment of the in vivo absorption of dexamethasone applied to human skin, (2) avoids exposure of the subjects to radioactive steroids, (3)permits estimation of the quantity of unmetabolized steroids absorbed, and (4) serves as a possible model for the development of similar assays for other topical steroids.
Use of Plant Strategy Ordination, DCA and ANOVA to elucidate relationships among habitats of Salix planifolia and Salix monticola

. Detrended Correspondence Analysis (DCA) was used on a data set of 112 species from 14 stands dominated by Salix planifolia and/or S. monticola. Environmental variables were determined which might be important to explain differences in stand vegetation composition, and willow stature (height), in willow carrs in the Rocky Mountain National Park. Correlation of environmental variables with DCA stand scores indicate that peat depth and soil redox potential are highly related to the primary DCA axis. Soils in stands of S. planifolia are more reduced in the early summer and have greater peat depths, than soils in stands of S. monticola. The second DCA axis is related to a water chemistry gradient of hydrogen ion, sulphate, and ammonium concentration. Four environmental variables selected by correlation analysis were regressed on stand scores from the first two DCA axes. Regression coefficients of August soil redox potential and soil water pH were significantly non-zero on the primary DCA axis. In addition to overall vegetation relationships elucidated by DCA, the relationships between willow stature and environmental variables were tested by simultaneous ANOVAs. ANOVA results and DCA ordinations indicate that S. planifolia and S. monticola plants achieve the greatest stature in the least reduced soils, and in shallow peat. Competitive, stress tolerant, and ruderal plant strategy theory applied to the vegetation data produced an arrangement of stands highly correlated to the DCA Axis 1 stand arrangement. These correlations indicate that the primary axis of vegetation structure can be extracted either by species composition, or species morphology/physiology relationships. Concurrent use of DCA and plant strategy theory is suggested as a tool for the prediction of community composition.
Reactions of 2‐Methyl‐ and 1,2‐Dimethyl‐1,4,5,6‐tetrahydropyrimidine with Aroyl Chlorides: Diverse Reactivities of Cyclic Ketene N,N′‐Acetals Generated in situ.

Substrates (I) undergo Et3N-promoted reaction with aroyl chlorides to give N,N′-diaryl derivatives (III).
I. Reading fukuyama: Politics at the end of history

Abstract This article provides a critical reading of Francis Fukuyama's ‘The end of history’ thesis, focusing on its Hegelian methodology and questioning its conception of democratic perfection in order to undermine/deconstruct its geopolitical conclusions. Beyond these immediate aims, the article is intended as a kind of psychoanalysis of American neo-conservatism. It attempts to uncover right-wing views signalled indirectly in code rather than blatantly expressed in words. Once the protective mask of Kojevian-Hegelian philosophy has been torn away, positions are revealed which constitute the main threats to global peace, and may, indeed, bring about the ‘end of history’. Finally, the article argues for a non-teleological, dialectical Marxism and a non-Leninist form of socialist democracy as guides to an alternative conception of the future of humanity.
Leflunomide use in renal transplantation.

Purpose of review Leflunomide has been used off-label in renal transplantation because of the attractive combination of antiviral and immunosuppressive effects. This study intends to review the clinical applications of leflunomide with interest to transplantation. Recent findings In renal transplantation, particularly in BK nephropathy, the use of leflunomide has attempted to model the in-vitro antiviral experimental data, leading to the use of higher dosages than those studied in the approved use in rheumatoid arthritis. Concerns of toxicity with this approach have been raised, and a newer association with hemolysis and thrombotic microangiopathy has been reported. By attempting to target levels, the use of leflunomide in transplantation has been difficult because of the long half-life of the drug and the high interpatient variability. Higher leflunomide levels may lead to disproportionate immunosuppressive effects and decrease the antiviral properties. Newer data suggest that the correlation between leflunomide levels and BK nephropathy outcome is unclear. Summary The available clinical data with leflunomide in renal transplantation are limited; however, it suggests positive outcomes and shows that the correlation between the drug exposure and its effects has not been well delineated. Further research is needed to refine the safety and efficacy of leflunomide in relation to its potential effects in a multitude of pathological entities in renal transplantation.
Impact of windows and daylight exposure on overall health and sleep quality of office workers: a case-control pilot study.

Study Objective:This research examined the impact of daylight exposure on the health of office workers from the perspective of subjective well-being and sleep quality as well as actigraphy measures...
Searching working memory for the source of dual-task costs

Dual-task costs depend on the specific pairings of stimulus and response modalities. Such findings are analogous to domain-specific effects in the working memory (WM) literature, in which items compete for limited capacity when they involve related types of information. The present study explicitly examines the relationship between modality-pairing effects on dual-task costs and domain-specificity effects on WM capacity. Participants maintained a sequence of either locations or tones in WM, and then performed a choice reaction time task in which they responded either vocally or manually. The stimuli for the choice reaction time task were held constant, but its response modality affected the interference observed in WM: vocal responses interfered with WM for tones and manual responses interfered with WM for locations. These findings indicate that response selection engages domain-specific WM processes and that interference within these processes may account for modality-pairing effects.
Imaging the PM/AICD patient; a neuro-cardiac efficacy study.

Background Imaging patients with a pacemaker (PM) or AICD has been mostly taboo in the MRI environment. However, with current improvements in PMlead and generator development along with very vigilant and knowledgeable personnel in pacemaker safety, MRI procedures can be implemented successfully. However, safe performance, not withstanding the risks, leads one to question if the results from the scans provide additional valuable clinical information to warrant such risk. Hypothesis: We propose that MRI imaging patients with a pacemaker can be crucial to establish clinical diagnosis. Methods A total of 25 patients were imaged on a GE CV/i Excite Version 12, 1.5 T system (GE, Milwaukee, WI). Three patients had an AICD, 4 patients had an AICD/PM 2 pts had a single PM lead and the remaining 16 pts had a dualchamber PM implantation. Each pt was performed in the dedicated Cardiac MRI Imaging Suite under the strict supervision of the Cardiologist. EP Lab personnel were present and reconfigured the PMor AICD into an appropriate asynchronous mode and/or with therapies under the guidance of the Cardiologist. The MRI scan sequences were selected such that the SAR level <2.0 W/kg. Results All patients completed the procedure with no adverse events and the pacemaker was interrogated after the procedure by EP Lab. Impedance, thresholds, amplitudes and shock impedances were unchanged pre to post scanning. The average MRI scan time was 20±55min. Regarding the population, of the 25 patients imaged, 17 (68%) were neurology cases and 8(32%) were cardiac cases. After reviewing the results from the 17 neurology cases and comparing the results from prior studies (CT, angio and/ or myelogram) 14/17 (82%) pts benefited from having this procedure. Additionally, 12/17(70%) patients altered the diagnosis resulting in improved outcome in patient care. The remaining 3(18%) pts MRI did not provide additional information that enhanced the diagnosis. The 8 cardiac cases were also compared to prior studies (heart cath, TEE, TTE and stress) and the outcome of 8/8 (100%) pts’ diagnosis was shown to be enhanced by the CMR imaging. In 4/8(50%) of the 8 pts, CMR altered the prevailing clinical diagnosis while dramatically improving pt care. Thus, a total of 22 patients (88%) benefited by enhancement or alteration of the original diagnosis while 3(12%) patients did not provide any additional information. Conclusions The use of PM/AICD imaging in MRI remains controversial but as the lead/generator technology has improved, increased confidence in its use is found. Herein, we show that MRI/CMR procedures on carefully selected patients with pacemakers/AICD’s are beneficial and substantially enhance or alter patient diagnosis and downstream therapy. We propose that not only are PM/AICD’s no longer taboo in the MRI environment but in the proper setting they can be markedly efficient with life-altering and lifesaving consequences. Funding None.
Vitellogenin—Homologs of mammalian apolipoproteins?

Abstract 1. 1. To determine if a relationship exists between vertebrate vitellogenins and mammalian plasma proteins the EMBL and NBRF computer databases were searched with two partial amino acid sequences from Xenopus laevis and Gallus gallus vitellogenin. 2. 2. A significant relationship was found between vitellogenin and human apolipoprotein B-100 genes, and confirmed using homology-determination programs. 3. 3. Further analysis shows that unique multiple proline consensus regions found in apolipoprotein B-100 are significantly similar to proline dominant regions in vitellogenin. 4. 4. This work suggests that these proteins are functionally and structurally related and should be categorized as a functional group of hepatic lipid transport and metabolism proteins.
Drug testing in the public sector: The role of unions

Not surprisingly, unions have traditionally played an active role in employee drug testing. And, although the U.S. Supreme Court upheld the constitutionality of drug testing in two 1989 decisions, unions have continued to wage challenges to urinalysis under the U.S. Constitution and in the labor arena. As this research shows, federal as well as state and local government unions have had some success in challenging the categories of employees targeted for testing, good faith bargaining over drug testing, and due process and equity violations around testing.
The Many Tongues of the King: Indigenous Language Interpreters and the Making of the Spanish Empire

General language interpreters of Lima's High Court of Appeal (Audiencia) played a significant part in gaining access to the Spanish system of justice for the indigenous populations of Peru. These interpreters worked as translators in lawsuits, notarial transactions, and other legal and administrative procedures conducted or supervised by the viceroy, the justices of the Audiencia, the public defender of the Indians, and other officials stationed at the viceregal court. But they also served as legal agents and solicitors for native leaders and communities litigating in Lima or aspiring to take their cases to the Supreme Council of the Indies in Spain. Through formal and informal dealings, these interpreters brokered between the king and his native subjects, thus connecting indigenous groups with the Habsburg royal court. The careers of these official translators illustrate the crucial roles played by indigenous subjects in the formation of what can be termed the ‘Spanish legal Atlantic,’ an organic network...
ENHANCEMENT OF THE SEDIMENTATION RATES OF FIBROUS SUSPENSIONS

The settling of suspensions of slender rod-like particles with large aspect ratios was studied. The novel technique of enhancement of sedimentation rates by the addition of buoyant particle promoters was applied to such suspensions. The settling rates could be increased by many times by this simple technique. Sedimentation velocity increases of between 5 to 7 times have been observed for fibrous suspensions of concentrations of about 0.5%. A statistical analysis of the experimental data was performed to establish a correlation for the enhancement in settling velocities. The sediment volume was unaffected by the presence of buoyant particles. The buoyant parjticles were found to adsorb some surfactants onto their surfaces.
Dietary effects on thyroid hormones in the red drum, Sciaenops ocellatus

Juvenile red drum (Sciaenops ocellatus) were cultured at 25°C on a variety of diets and blood sampled over eight weeks to examine the relationship between growth and plasma thyroid hormone levels. Maximum growth rates were achieved on formulated experimental diets and a simulated natural shrimp diet. Associated with these maximal rates was a significant increase in triidothyronine (T3), but no consistent change in thyroxine (T4). Reduced rations of diets resulted in low growth rates associated with significantly lowered levels of T3 but not T4. To determine whether weight gain could be increased by application of exogeneous hormone, diets were supplemented with T3 or T4 at 2, 10, and 50 mg hormone/kg diet. Significantly elevated T3 was induced by supplementation with 10 and 50 mg T3/kg diet, although there were no indications of an anabolic effect of T3 incorporation, and 50 mg T3/kg diet was in fact associated with decreased weight gain. Incorporation of T4 into diets had no effect on growth or T3, and had effects on T4 which were small and inconsistent, indicating that T4 may not be effectively absorbed from the gut. No difference was found in response to hormone feeding between low (6 ppt) or high (35 ppt) water salinity. T3 levels thus appear to closely parallel growth in fish on unsupplemented diets, whereas T4 which were small and manipulation. Supplementation with T3 is not an effective means of stimulating growth in red drum fed optimum diets. Whereas thyroid hormones may function to regulate intermediary metabolism in red drum, elevated endogenous thyroid hormone levels appear adequate to supply tissue needs during juvenile growth in culture.
Cloning genes whose levels of expression are altered by metals: implications for human health research.

When cells are exposed to toxicants, changes in gene expression ensue. To date, there is little information on gene expression changes induced by metals in mammalian cells. The basic methods for identifying altered gene expression of both a temporary and a permanent nature are outlined, with examples drawn mostly from what is known about metal-induced changes in gene expression. The application of this information in the development of new biomarkers of exposure and effect, in identifying individuals with altered susceptibility to metal compounds, and in the choice of genes for microarrays is discussed.
Protein Tyrosine Kinase Activity Following Fertilization Is Required to Complete Gastrulation, but Not for Initial Differentiation of Endoderm and Mesoderm in the Sea Urchin Embryo

The egg activation process functions to implement developmental programs that act much later in embryogenesis. One example of this is the fact that application of protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors to the fertilized sea urchin egg for a 15-min period results in a defect in the gastrulation process occurring over 24 h later (Kinsey, W. H., Dev. Biol. 172, 704-707, 1995). In the present study, we show that the window of sensitivity is not due to differential uptake of inhibitor, and establish that the inhibitor inhibits tyrosine kinase activity at the time of application. We also demonstrate that inhibition of protein tyrosine kinase activity in the zygote causes a specific defect in the morphogenetic movements associated with gastrulation without interfering with the initial specification and differentiation of endoderm and mesoderm. Differentiation events occurring concurrent with or subsequent to gastrulation were also suppressed in embryos derived from treated zygotes. These findings indicate that fertilization initiates a signaling cascade involving protein tyrosine kinase activity that is required specifically for events at gastrulation. This signaling event is required to complete the developmental program of both endoderm and mesoderm, but is different from those events necessary for initial specification of endodermal and mesodermal cell fate.
The effect of a small isolated roughness element on the forces on a sphere in uniform flow

The effect of an isolated roughness element on the forces on a sphere was examined for a Reynolds number range of 5×10^4<Re<5×10^5 using a novel stingmounted sphere apparatus. The roughness element was a circular cylinder, and its width and height was varied to be 1, 2, and 4% of the sphere diameter. At subcritical Re, a lateral force is produced in the direction of the roughness, while at supercritical Re, the force is in the opposite direction. This is caused by asymmetric boundary layer separation, as shown using particle image velocimetry. At supercritical Re, a roughness element that is only 1% the sphere diameter produces a lift to drag ratio of almost one. It was found that the isolated roughness element has the largest effect on the lateral forces when it is located between a streamwise angle of about 40° and 80°. In addition to the mean forces, the unsteady forces were also measured. It was found that at subcritical Re, vortex shedding is aligned to the plane of the roughness element. In addition, the probability distribution of the forces was nearly Gaussian for subcritical Re, but for supercritical Re, the skewness and kurtosis deviate from Gaussian, and the details are dependent on the roughness size. A simple model developed for the vortical structure formed behind the roughness element can be extended to explain aspects of nominally smooth sphere flow, in which external disturbances perturb the sphere boundary layer in an azimuthally local sense. These results also form the basis of comparison for an investigation into the effectiveness of a moving isolated roughness element for manipulating sphere flow.
Ion concentration effects on the zeta potential of bone

Stressed bone generates an electrical potential, the sign of which reverses in the presence of specific concentrations of sodium, potassium, or calcium ions. A study was designed to test the hypotheses, drawn from stress-generated potential (SGP) studies, that the reversal in polarity of the zeta potential of bone is the cause of this SGP polarity reversal. The zeta potential of bone particles, prepared from fresh bovine metatarsals as homogeneous 5 microns dispersions, was measured by free-fluid electrophoresis in different concentrations of sodium chloride. The zeta potential of bone particles reversed sign at a sodium ion concentration that was the same as that found to reverse measured SGPs, namely 0.74 molar. This finding is consistent with the hypothesis that streaming potentials are the cause of SGPs in fluid-saturated bone. It was possible to obtain electrophoretic mobility histograms, and hence zeta-potential histograms, of bone particles by using a Pen Kem, Inc. (Bedford Hills, NY, U.S.A.) "3000" Automated Electrokinetic Analyzer. At sodium ion concentrations at which bone particles were nearly neutral, the zeta-potential histograms indicated a broad distribution of particle charge, with some particles being negative, some positive, and some neutral. In addition, it was found that particles prepared from Formalin-fixed bone produced the same electrokinetic results as those prepared from fresh bone, and that the addition of MOPS buffer caused the zeta potential to invert sign from negative to positive values at ion concentrations exceeding 3.0 molar.