cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Steroid Hormones and Hormone Receptors in Neoplastic Diseases

Publisher Summary This chapter describes the role of steroid hormones and hormone receptors in promoting the growth of neoplastic diseases. There is considerable evidence that different classes of steroid hormone receptors in tumor cells are under autoregulatory control; thus, the dominant factor regulating steroid hormone receptor levels in tumor cells appears to be the cognate hormonal ligand itself. The effects of steroid hormones on cells are mediated by receptors that interact with DNA and regulate gene transcription. Estrogens have a direct mitogenic effect on breast cancer cells and shorten the duration of their cell cycle. In vivo, growth factors, and estrogen probably act in concert with other systemic mitogens to promote tumor growth. In addition to intrinsic oncogenic potential, steroid hormone receptors may be involved in the pathogenesis of cancer through their interaction with environmental toxins. Both estrogen and progesterone receptors are detectable in endometrial adenocarcinoma cells, where the level of these receptors correlates with the degree of cellular differentiation. Immunocytochemical assays of fresh frozen sections of endometrial carcinoma tissue demonstrate considerable heterogeneity in terms of the cellular distribution of estrogen and progesterone receptors.
New Results on Absorbing Layers and Radiation Boundary Conditions

Perhaps the defining feature of waves is the fact that they propagate long distances relative to their characteristic dimension, the wavelength. This allows us to use them to probe the world around us — optically, acoustically, and now at a wide range of wavelengths in a variety of media. For numerical simulations, it is precisely this essential characteristic — the radiation of waves to the far field — that leads to the greatest difficulties. One may view this fundamental difficulty as rooted in the existence of (at least) two widely separated spatial scales. The first are the small scales associated with the wavelengths and the scatterer, and the second is the long distance between the scatterer and the observers.
The Trouble with Calasiris: Duplicity and Autobiographical Narrative in Heliodorus and Galen

In this article, I take a new look at the problem of Calasiris’ ‘duplicity’ as depicted in the long autobiographical narrative he delivers to Cnemon in Books 2-5 of Heliodorus’ Aethiopica . A close parallel for Calasiris’ self-presentation can be found in an unlikely source: the medical case histories of the doctor Galen. Through a comparison of Calasiris’ narrative with those of Galen, I demonstrate that both narrators employ similar ‘deceptive’ strategies to showcase their observational and deductive skills to their audience. Calasiris’ foregrounding of such ‘rational’ methods and his downplaying of the prophetic power that others attribute to him suggest that, despite the Aethiopica ’s religious trappings, its ideal reader is a secular one.
Expression of 5-Methyltryptophan Resistance in Regenerated Datura Innoxia Plants

Suspension cultures of Datura innoxia initiated from haploid plants were mutagenized with nitrosoguanidine and other compounds for 24 h, were rinsed into fresh medium and allowed to recover for four to seven days and then were plated in 46 M 5-methyltryptophan. After incubation for three to five months, growing colonies were placed into liquid medium and were tested for resistance to 5-methyltryptophan (Figure 1). In several experiments the untreated cells produced resistant colonies at the rate of 1.9 × 10−7 while nitrosoguanidine treatment increased this to 3.3 × 10−6.
Review of Peritectic Solidification Mechanisms and Effects in Steel Casting

Surface quality and castability of steels are controlled greatly by initial solidification. Peritectic steels suffer more from surface quality problems, including deep oscillation marks and depressions, crack formation, and breakouts than other steels. This paper reviews current understanding of the fundamental mechanisms of initial solidification of peritectic steels that lead to these problems. First, different empirical relations to identify peritectic steel grades from their alloy compositions are summarized. Peritectic steels have equivalent carbon content that takes their solidification and cooling path between the point of maximum solubility in δ-ferrite and the triple point at the peritectic temperature. Surface defects are related more to the solid-state peritectic transformation (δ-ferrite → γ-austenite) which occurs after the peritectic reaction (L + δ → γ) during initial solidification. Some researchers believe that the peritectic reaction is controlled by diffusion of solute atoms from γ phase, through the liquid, to the δ phase while others believe that γ growth along the L/δ interface involves microscale heat transfer and solute mixing due to local re-melting of δ-ferrite. There is also disagreement regarding the peritectic transformation. Some believe that peritectic transformation is diffusion controlled while others believe that massive transformation is responsible for this phenomenon. Alloying elements and cooling rate greatly affect these mechanisms.
Role of eIF4A1 in triple‐negative breast cancer stem‐like cell‐mediated drug resistance

In cap-dependent translation, the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 4A (eIF4A1) is an mRNA helicase is involved in unwinding of the secondary structure, such as the stem-loops, at the 5'-leader regions of the key oncogenic mRNAs. This facilitates ribosomal scanning and translation of the oncogenic mRNAs. eIF4A1 has a regulatory role in translating many oncoproteins that have vital roles in several steps of metastases. Sridharan et. al. have discovered and provide a novel insight into how eIF4A1 can play a regulatory role in drug resistance by influencing the levels of pluripotent Yamanaka transcription factors and ATP-binding cassette (ABC) transporters in triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) stem-like cells. These findings may help us understand the molecular underpinnings of chemoresistance, especially in established metastases in TNBC. Importantly, eIF4A1 may form a novel clinical target in metastatic TNBC and the drug eFT226 from Effector Therapeutics targeting eIF4A1 is already in phase1-2 clinical trial.
Development of a Low-Turbulence Transverse-Gust Generator in a Wind Tunnel

This work demonstrates the viability of a novel transverse-gust generator that is capable of producing a controllable time-varying gust without increasing the turbulence level within a large region...
Net assessment and military strategy: Retrospective and prospective essays: edited by Thomas G. Mahnken, New York, Cambria Press, 2020, 272 pp., $39.99 (PB), ISBN 9781621964759

This collection of essays is the most useful available book about the analytical approach that is called net assessment as it was practiced by Andrew W. Marshall while he was director of the Office...
SPOP mutation as a predictive marker for treatment of metastatic castration-resistant prostate cancer.

160Background: Predictive markers linking molecular background to treatment response and clinical outcomes are currently lacking in prostate cancer. Missense mutations in SPOP (speckle-type POZ pro...
Polmar, Norman, and John O’Connel, Strike from the Sea: The Development and Deployment of Strategic Cruise Missiles Since 1934

Venerable naval writer Norman Polmar and retired US Navy officer Captain John O’Connell deliver another fine design history from the US Naval Institute—this time, of an important weapons system, th...
Using State Data to Predict a Single Institution Mortality for Patients That Fall

ABSTRACT Background Falls are the most common cause of injury-related death for patients older than 45. We hypothesized that a machine learning algorithm developed from state-level registry data could make accurate outcome predictions at a level 1 trauma hospital. Methods Data for all patients admitted for fall injury during 2009 – 2019 in the state of Pennsylvania were derived from the state trauma registry. Thirteen variables that were immediately available upon patient arrival were used for prediction modeling. Data for the test institution were withheld from model creation. Algorithms assessed included logistic regression (LR), random forest (RF), and extreme gradient boost (XGB). Model discrimination for mortality was assessed with area under the curve (AUC) for each algorithm at our level 1 trauma center. Results 180,284 patients met inclusion criteria. The mean age was 69 years ± 18.5 years with a mortality rate of 4.0%. The AUC for predicting mortality in patients that fall for LR, RF, and XGB were 0.797, 0.876, and 0.880, respectively. The variables which contributed to the prediction in descending order of importance for XGB were respiratory rate, pulse, systolic blood pressure, ethnicity, weight, sex, age, temperature, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) eye, race, GCS voice, GCS motor, and blood alcohol level. Conclusions An extreme gradient boost model developed using state-wide trauma data can accurately predict mortality after fall at a single center within the state. This machine learning model can be implemented by local trauma systems within the state of Pennsylvania to identify patients injured by fall that require greater attention, transfer to a higher level of care, and higher resource allocation.
Use of Teleophthalmology for Evaluation of Ophthalmic Emergencies by Ophthalmology Residents in the Emergency Department.

Background: Utilizing telemedicine is one approach to reduce the ever-increasing burden of patients on emergency departments (EDs) and consulting physicians. Utilization of telemedicine services in...
Emission Tax, Health Insurance, and Information: A Mechanism Design for Reducing Energy Consumption and Emission Risk

A major share of the energy demand in the United States and around the world is met by energy sources derived from conventional fossil fuels. Combustion of fossil fuels causes serious emission of greenhouse gases and particle pollution, that translates into health hazards. Consumption of renewable energy can help reduce the carbon footprint and cut down the health risk. In this study we present results from a lab experiment in which subjects participated in a context-rich, incentivized game with elements of an impure public good, risk, and intertemporal discounting. The subjects played the role of a household head to decide on how much to spend on energy saving technologies. The spending reduced the future energy cost and emission, as well as emission related health risk and associated medical costs for everyone in the group. The discounting was characterized by allowing to save with interest earnings across multiple rounds. Each subject played three sections (baseline, a treatment, and a repeated baseline) and each section was comprised of 30 rounds. The treatment had a threshold public good feature, where the emission tax level was dependent on the overall energy-saving investments made by the group. Subjects exhibited significant learning and wealth effect in adopting more energy saving technologies over time. Furthermore, subjected were given the option to purchase health insurance to mitigate risk. The result shows that the adoption rate is higher when the emission tax is framed as a reward rather than a punishment and average energy savings are crowded out with the option to purchase health insurance. However, on average subjects who decide to purchase health insurance also save more energy than those who refuse to purchase it.
International Trade Cooperation between Thailand, Laos and Myanmar (Golden Triangle Economic Zone) to Develop the Well-being of the People Along the Northern Border of Thailand

The purpose of this study is to study the model of international trade cooperation between Thailand, Laos, and Myanmar, to develop the well-being of the people along the northern border of Thailand, in order to reduce poverty of the people living in the area of the 3 countries. The study is done from documents, in-depth interviews with 50 Thai, Laos and Myanmar business people in the trading field, those involved in supporting the trading, local people in the area, and 25 main informants. From the study it is found that: 1) The model of creating the link of international trading between the countries and the sustainable development of well-being for the people in the area, is the expansion of economic growth, leading to employment, earning income, reducing the poverty, having no impact on society and the environment, 2) The model of international trading cooperation between the countries to develop the well-being of the people, through 3 channels of driving forces: Price Channel, Enterprise Channel and Government Channel. Driving in 3 dimensions: Economic Dimension, Environmental Dimension and Social Dimension.
19th Annual Melhus Symposium: Data Driven Plant Health

The I. E. Melhus Symposium is a prestigious event that takes place as part of the annual meeting of the American Phytopathology Society. The 19th symposium highlights some of the best and brightest...
Uniform subelliptic estimates on scaled convex domains of finite type

First published in Proceedings of the American Mathematical Society in volume 130 and issue 1, published by the American Mathematical Society.
Aerobic MTBE biodegradation: an examination of past studies, current challenges and future research directions

With the current practice of amending gasoline with up to 15% by volume MTBE, the contamination of groundwater by MTBE has become widespread. As a result, the bioremediation of MTBE-impacted aquifers has become an active area of research. A review of the current literature on the aerobic biodegradation of MTBE reveals that a number of cultures from diverse environments can either partially degrade or completely mineralize MTBE. MTBE is either utilized as a sole carbon and energy source or is degraded cometabolically by cultures grown on alkanes. Reported degradation rates range from 0.3 to 50 mg MTBE/g cells/h while growth rates (0.01–0.05 g MTBE/g cells/d) and cellular yields (0.1–0.2 g cells/g MTBE) are generally low. Studies on the mechanisms of MTBE degradation indicate that a monooxygenase enzyme cleaves the ether bond yielding tert-butyl alcohol (TBA) and formaldehyde as the dominant detectable intermediates. TBA is further degraded to 2-methyl-2-hydroxy-1-propanol, 2-hydroxyisobutyric acid, 2-propanol, acetone, hydroxyacteone and eventually, carbon dioxide. The majority of these intermediates are also common to mammalian MTBE metabolism. Laboratory studies on the degradation of MTBE in the presence of gasoline aromatics reveal that while degradation rates of other gasoline components are generally not inhibited by MTBE, MTBE degradation could be inhibited in the presence of more easily biodegradable compounds. Controlled field studies are clearly needed to elucidate MTBE degradation potential in co-contaminant plumes. Based on the reviewed studies, it is likely that a bioremediation strategy involving direct metabolism, cometabolism, bioaugmentation, or some combination thereof, could be applied as a feasible and cost-effective treatment method for MTBE contamination.
Applications of artificial intelligence for chemical inference—XX: “Intelligent” use of constraints in computer-assisted structure elucidation

Abstract The CONGEN program for computer-assisted structure elucidation constructs possible solutions to a structure elucidation problem from atoms and other structural units supplied by the chemist. Most such problems have many constraints on the plausibility of certain types of structures. These constraints are also supplied to the program. But constraints expressed in chemical terms cannot always be easily translated into the more rigid graph-theoretical domain of the structure generator. The current methods of implementation of constraints in CONGEN are described in terms of the strategies we have adopted to emulate a chemist's reasoning about molecular structures.
Studies on T4-induced Nucleases ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A MANGANESE-ACTIVATED T4-INDUCED ENDONUCLEASE

Abstract A nuclease has been isolated from T4-infected Escherichia coli which attacks single- or double-stranded DNA from a variety of sources, including T4. The enzyme appears late during the T4 development, and its action is dependent on the presence of —SH reagents and Mg++ or Mn++ ions. The rate and extent of the reaction on single-stranded DNA is about 10-fold higher in the presence of Mn++ than in the presence of Mg++. Single and double-strand breakage of native DNA was observed in reaction mixtures containing Mn++ while no reaction with native DNA was detected in the presence of Mg++. The products of the enzymatic reaction include oligonucleotides which contain 3'-OH and 5'-phosphate ends. While all four nucleotides are found at the 5' end, a preference toward A and T was noted. T4 mutants in genes 49, 16, or 17 which lead to defects in phage maturation induce wild type levels of the nuclease. In contrast, T4 mutants in gene 43 (T4 DNA polymerase) do not induce late functions and for this reason do not induce the Mn++-activated nuclease.
Sentence processing with realistic feedback

The author presents a connectionist natural language processing model, SAIL1, which uses a recurrent network topology to process English sentences. SAIL1 will build the sentence meaning representation incrementally, incorporating into the meaning only the information derived from words prior to the current word. The network is trained only on that part of the sentence meaning representing the data presented up to that time. Thus, the recurrent feedback is said to be realistic. SAIL1 has demonstrated its usefulness by successfully generalizing to create meaning representations for novel sentences. >
Full-wave electromagnetic modeling of sub-millimeter wave HEMT parasitics

We present a new distributed parasitic equivalent circuit model to accurately reproduce the frequency response of electromagnetic field couplings within the structure of submillimeter-wave high electron mobility transistors in the millimeter-wave and terahertz bands. To construct the proposed circuit model, we develop a multi-step parameter extraction algorithm, and demonstrate its accuracy through comprehensive comparisons between full-wave simulated, measured and modeled frequency responses of the presented test patterns up to 750 GHz.
Regional Isolation Drives Bacterial Diversification within Cystic Fibrosis Lungs.

Bacterial lineages that chronically infect cystic fibrosis (CF) patients genetically diversify during infection. However, the mechanisms driving diversification are unknown. By dissecting ten CF lung pairs and studying ∼12,000 regional isolates, we were able to investigate whether clonally related Pseudomonas aeruginosa inhabiting different lung regions evolve independently and differ functionally. Phylogenetic analysis of genome sequences showed that regional isolation of P. aeruginosa drives divergent evolution. We investigated the consequences of regional evolution by studying isolates from mildly and severely diseased lung regions and found evolved differences in bacterial nutritional requirements, host defense and antibiotic resistance, and virulence due to hyperactivity of the type 3 secretion system. These findings suggest that bacterial intermixing is limited in CF lungs and that regional selective pressures may markedly differ. The findings also may explain how specialized bacterial variants arise during infection and raise the possibility that pathogen diversification occurs in other chronic infections characterized by spatially heterogeneous conditions.
Formalization of Continuous Probability Distributions

Continuous probability distributions are widely used to mathematically describe random phenomena in engineering and physical sciences. In this paper, we present a methodology that can be used to formalize any continuous random variable for which the inverse of the cumulative distribution function can be expressed in a closed mathematical form. Our methodology is primarily based on the Standard Uniform random variable, the classical cumulative distribution function properties and the Inverse Transform method. The paper includes the higher-order-logic formalization details of these three components in the HOL theorem prover. To illustrate the practical effectiveness of the proposed methodology, we present the formalization of Exponential, Uniform, Rayleigh and Triangular random variables.
A Practical Distributed Authorization System for GARA

Although Quality of Service functionality has become a common feature of network hardware, configuration of QoS parameters is done by hand. There is a critical need for an automated network reservation system to provide reliable last mile networking for video, audio, and large data transfers. Security of all communications in the process of automating the network configuration is vital. What makes this security problem difficult is the allocation of end-to-end network resources across security realms and administrative domains.This paper introduces a practical system that shows a design and implementation of Globus General-purpose Architecture for Reservation and Allocation (GARA) services that offer automated network reservation services to users. The contributions of this paper are twofold. First, we provide a fine-grained cross-domain authorization for GARA that leverages existing institutional security and group services, with universal access for users. We identify and discuss issues involved. Second, we eliminate the need for long term public key credentials and associated overheads that are required by other systems. We describe the implementation of an easy and convenient Web interface for making reservation requests.
Understanding and Watering the Seeds of Compassion

The authors call for a broad agenda to create comprehensive models and research on the development and promotion of empathy and compassion. This wish would lead to a new level of developmental/ecological understanding of the growth of compassion as well as effective policies and practices and interventions that nurture caring, compassion, and service to others in our schools and communities. The authors define empathy and compassion, briefly discuss the outline of early developmental processes, and call for basic research on these essential aspects of human development. The authors conclude by discussing the need to develop new ways to promote empathy and compassion in families, schools and communities.
Attraction of Cacopsylla pyricola (Hemiptera: Psyllidae) to female psylla in pear orchards.

The pear psylla, Cacopsylla pyricola (Forster), is a major economic pest of pears in North America and Europe. Laboratory studies have shown that males of both the summerform and winterform morphotypes in this species are attracted to volatiles given off by females. This study tested whether attraction by males to females can be shown in the field. We showed that males had a clear preference for sticky traps that had been baited with live females compared with traps baited with live males or traps that were left unbaited. Female C. pyricola did not exhibit a preference among the three types of trap treatments. These results were obtained for both morphotypes. Trap catch was also monitored at 2-h intervals to assess whether capture of males on female-baited traps varied with time of day. Summerform male C. pyricola were caught in highest numbers between 1445 and 1645 hours, whereas winterform males were most often captured between 1300 and 1700 hours on traps baited with females. In both trials, there was again a significant preference by males for the female-baited traps compared with unbaited traps. Long-term practical benefits of the methods developed here provide a platform for the development of more effective monitoring tools, use in mating disruption, or development of lure and kill technologies.
21cmfast: a fast, seminumerical simulation of the high‐redshift 21‐cm signal

We introduce a powerful semi-numeric modeling tool, 21cmFAST, designed to efficiently simulate the cosmological 21-cm signal. Our code generates 3D realizations of evolved density, ionization, peculiar velocity, and spin temperature fields, which it then combines to compute the 21-cm brightness temperature. Although the physical processes are treated with approximate methods, we compare our results to a state-of-the-art large-scale hydrodynamic simulation, and find good agreement on scales pertinent to the upcoming observations (>~ 1 Mpc). The power spectra from 21cmFAST agree with those generated from the numerical simulation to within 10s of percent, down to the Nyquist frequency. We show results from a 1 Gpc simulation which tracks the cosmic 21-cm signal down from z=250, highlighting the various interesting epochs. Depending on the desired resolution, 21cmFAST can compute a redshift realization on a single processor in just a few minutes. Our code is fast, efficient, customizable and publicly available, making it a useful tool for 21-cm parameter studies.
Three-dimensional volume-rendered multidetector CT imaging of the posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery: its anatomy and role in diagnosing extrapancreatic perineural invasion

Extrapancreatic perineural spread in pancreatic adenocarcinoma contributes to poor outcomes, as it is known to be a major contributor to positive surgical margins and disease recurrence. However, current staging classifications have not yet taken extrapancreatic perineural spread into account. Four pathways of extrapancreatic perineural spread have been described that conveniently follow small defined arterial pathways. Small field of view three-dimensional (3D) volume-rendered multidetector computed tomography (MDCT) images allow visualization of small peripancreatic vessels and thus perineural invasion that may be associated with them. One such vessel, the posterior inferior pancreaticoduodenal artery (PIPDA), serves as a surrogate for extrapancreatic perineural spread by pancreatic adenocarcinoma arising in the uncinate process. This pictorial review presents the normal and variant anatomy of the PIPDA with 3D volume-rendered MDCT imaging, and emphasizes its role as a vascular landmark for the diagnosis of extrapancreatic perineural invasion from uncinate adenocarcinomas. Familiarity with the anatomy of PIPDA will allow accurate detection of extrapancreatic perineural spread by pancreatic adenocarcinoma involving the uncinate process, and may potentially have important staging implications as neoadjuvant therapy improves.
Role of germanium in the formation of double four rings in zeolites

In recent years, a series of novel zeolites containing double four rings (D4Rs) have been synthesized by introducing germanium into the synthesis mixture. While the structure-directing effects of Ge toward D4R containing structures are well known, little is known about the underlying chemistry. In this work, plane wave density functional theory calculations are used to characterize and rationalize the site preferences, energies, and structural changes occurring when Ge is gradually substituted into the BEC framework up to 25% loadings. The calculations show that the site preference and energies are strongly dictated by the intrinsic flexibility of a given T−O−T linkage (where T = Si or Ge), coupled with its ability to relax to geometries preferred by Ge. Calculations on small molecular fragments are used to explore the geometric variations in Ge-substituted zeolites and provide further insight into the role of Ge in stabilizing D4R units.
Deposition of antibodies to the collagen-like region of C1Q in renal glomeruli of patients with proliferative lupus glomerulonephritis

Objective. To determine if antibodies to the collagen-like region of C1q (C1q-CLR) are present in the glomerular immune deposits of patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Methods. Kidney tissues were obtained at autopsy, glomeruli were isolated, and glomerular basement membrane fragments were prepared. Antibodies were extracted with low pH or with DNase. Results. The concentrations of antibodies to C1q-CLR recovered from the glomeruli were ⩾50-fold higher per unit of IgG than that found in the serum or in the serum and interstitial fluid entrained in glomeruli. Antibodies to C1q-CLR were recovered from glomeruli of 4 of 5 patients with proliferative glomerulonephritis at autopsy. Conclusion. This is the first demonstration that antibodies to C1q-CLR are deposited and concentrated in the renal glomeruli of patients with SLE. These antibodies, thus, have the potential of contributing to the pathogenesis of lupus glomerulonephritis.
Development and context and the contexts of learning

Developmental contextualism provides a theoretical frame for the design of after-school programs. for children and youths.
Recognition of the DNA helix stabilizing anthramycin-N2 guanine adduct by UVRABC nuclease

Abstract The binding of the anti-tumor antibiotic anthramycin to a defined linear DNA fragment was investigated using both exonuclease III and lambda exonuclease. We show that most of the guanine residues are reactive toward anthramycin; however, several guanine residues showed preferential reactivity for the drug. Using purified UVRA, UVRB and UVRC proteins we present evidence that these three proteins in concert are able to recognize and produce specific strand cleavage flanking anthramycin-DNA adducts. The cleavage of anthramycin adducts by UVRABC nuclease is specific and results in strand breaks at five or six bases 5′ and three or four bases 3′-flanking an adduct. At some guanine residues single incisions were observed only on one side of the adduct. The 5′ strand breaks observed often occurred as doublet bands on sequencing gels, indicating plasticity in the site of 5′ cleavage whereas the 3′ cleavage did not show this effect. When DNA fragments modified with elevated levels of anthramycin were used as substrates the activity of the UVRABC nuclease toward the anthramycin adducts decreased. Possible mechanisms for the recognition and specific cleavage of the helix-stabilizing anthramycin DNA adduct and other helix destablizing lesions by the UVRABC nuclease are discussed.
Treatment of atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini-associated hyperpigmentation with the Q-switched alexandrite laser: a clinical, histologic, and ultrastructural appraisal

Background and Objective Atrophoderma of Pasini and Pierini (APP) is an uncommon cutaneous disorder, with no known effective treatment, manifested by hyperpigmented patches that appear to be depressed compared with surrounding skin. This study investigated the effectiveness of the Q-switched alexandrite laser on a patient with extensive APP, and evaluated histopathologic and ultrastructural changes. Study Design/Patients and Methods A man with stable APP underwent Q-switched alexandrite laser treatment to a patch on the trunk. Biopsies were obtained from treated and untreated sites of involvement. Light and transmission electron microscopic evaluation was performed to investigate melanosome number, size, and volume, as well as melanin granule number and size. Results After three treatment sessions, the treated area showed marked clinical improvement. Electron microscopy showed a 19% reduction in melanin granule number and size and a 65% reduction in melanosome number, size, and volume in larger melanosomes in treated compared with untreated sites. Conclusion Treatment of APP with the Q-switched alexandrite laser results in clinical improvement. Electron microscopic evaluation suggests that the mechanism may be a reduction in the number, size, and volume of larger melanosomes as well as a decrement in melanin granule number and size. Lasers Surg. Med. 27:206–212, 2000. © 2000 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Morphine-induced reciprocal alterations in G alpha s and opioid peptide mRNA levels in discrete brain regions

The mechanisms involved in the development of morphine tolerance and dependence are still unknown. Recently much attention has been directed toward the changes in post receptor events. Opiate receptors, like other hormone and neurotransmitter receptors, have been shown to mediate their effects through guanine nucleotide binding proteins (G-proteins). This, in turn, may cause alterations in intracellular events, one of which is transcription of specific genes. We investigated the changes in the levels of mRNA of proenkephalin (PPE) and prodynorphin (DYN) and the stimulatory G protein alpha subunit (G alpha s) in adult morphine tolerant rats. Chronic morphine treatment induced reciprocal alterations in the levels of opioid peptide mRNA and G alpha s mRNA in discrete brain regions. In striatum, PPE mRNA decreased by 49% (P < .01) and in hypothalamus, DYN mRNA showed a decrease of 21% (P < .01). In contrast, G alpha s mRNA increased 20% (P < .01) in striatum and 97% (P < .01), in hypothalamus. In hippocampus the changes were reversed: PPE mRNA increased (55%, P < .05) and G alpha s mRNA decreased (33%, P < .01). Frontal cortex exhibited a small decrease in PPE (11.5%, P < .05) without any change on G alpha s or DYN mRNA levels. These reciprocal alterations suggest an opposing mode of regulation of G alpha s and PPE/DYN gene expression in morphine tolerant animals.
Hyperbaric oxygen inhibits the growth of cultured rabbit lens epithelial cells without affecting glutathione level

Abstract Studies on human patients and experimental animals indicate that hyperbaric O2 can opacity the lens nucleus and damage the lens epithelium in vivo. Here we investigate the effects of hyperbaric O2 on cultured rabbit lens epithelial cells (LECs). When the cells were exposed to 50 atm O2 (99% O2 + 1% CO2) for 3 hr there were no immediate effects on morphology, viability and transport processes (uptake of 86 Rb and 14C-αAIB). In addition, the O2 treatment did not lower the high level of reduced glutathione or increase the low level of oxidized glutathione. However, 50 atm O2 did produce a near doubling in the glycolytic rate which maintained ATP at levels only slightly lower than normal. Although the 3-hr O2 treatment was not lethal, it completely inhibited cell division for 2 days. After 2 days, growth was initiated and, at day 7 the rate of growth was faster than the controls (control cells were treated with ambient air or 50 atm N2 for 3 hr). Cells treated with 8 atm O2 for 3 hr exhibited a slowed rate of growth, relative to controls, while exposure to 2 atm O2, did not inhibit mitosis. Changes in morphology (multilayering and elongation) of cells exposed to 50 atm O2, but not the controls, were evident 7 days after the 3-hr exposure. The incorporation of [35 S]methionine into individual polypeptides and [3H]thymidine into DNA was significantly inhibited immediately following a 3-hr treatment with 50 atm O2, but both parameters recovered within 2 days. DNA strand breaks were observed in LECs following hyperbaric O2 treatment as low as 4 atm O2 for 3 hr and increased with higher pressures of O2, but not N2. Treatment with 50 atm O2 nearly doubled the activity of the DNA repair enzyme, poly-ADP-ribose polymerase, and decreased the level of its substrate NAD+; the latter effect was reduced by 3-aminobenzamide, an inhibitor of the enzyme. Thus, although LECs tolerated brief exposures to high pressures of O2 without cell death, DNA damage occurred at relatively low pressures of O2. All of the effects of hyperbaric O2 on LECs occurred without any alteration of the normal levels of reduced and oxidized glutathione. It appears that GSH is important in maintaining cell viability during exposure to an elevated level of O2, but that it is incapable of preventing O2-induced effects on growth and DNA.
Long-term survival during stationary phase: evolution and the GASP phenotype

The traditional view of the stationary phase of the bacterial life cycle, obtained using standard laboratory culture practices, although useful, might not always provide us with the complete picture. Here, the traditional three phases of the bacterial life cycle are expanded to include two additional phases: death phase and long-term stationary phase. In many natural environments, bacteria probably exist in conditions more akin to those of long-term stationary-phase cultures, in which the expression of a wide variety of stress-response genes and alternative metabolic pathways is essential for survival. Furthermore, stressful environments can result in selection for mutants that express the growth advantage in stationary phase (GASP) phenotype.
HHeal: A Personalized Health App for Flu Tracking and Prevention

We report a new mobile application, HHeal, that integrates individuals' flu risk information and flu-preventive behaviors. The app provides a personal flu risk bar that rises when the user is near someone with flu-like symptoms and drops when the user finishes one of the suggested flu-preventive behaviors. Preliminary results show that participants favored the personal flu risk bar design. Participants had positive experiences when their personal risk bars dropped. They were motivated to initiate flu-preventive behaviors when their personal risk bars rose. Our next step includes studying reward strategies, users' motivations to share personal health information, and building a more accurate model of flu risk.
Some acoustic evidence for vocal abuse in adult speakers with repaired cleft palate

Acoustic evidence for vocal abuse in adult speakers with cleft palate and hypernasality has not been reported. This study was undertaken to determine if there was acoustic evidence of inappropriate vocal fold adduction during stop consonant production in this population. The results indicated that spectrograms of speakers without cleft palate and severe hypernasality exhibited acoustic characteristics different from spectrograms of speakers without cleft palate and speakers with cleft palate and mild hypernasality. Specifically, voiceless stop productions of severe hypernasal speakers resembled voiced stop productions. Their vocal folds were inappropriately adducted to provide a constriction inferior to the inadequately functioning velopharyngeal port to minimize the nasal air leak. The acoustic evidence supports the hypothesis that a cause of vocal abuse in the cleft palate population is due to compensatory laryngeal valving activities secondary to severe hypernasality.
Family configuration and adolescent sexual behavior

Adolescent sexuality data are used to examine the relationship between family configuration and premarital intercourse. In the context of analysis of covariates models, family and parent variables are defined to control for possible spurious influences, and the family configuration variables of interest are observed against a well-controlled background. Several apparent relationships are shown to be spurious when possible confounders are controlled. However, number of brothers is shown to have a significant relationship with intercourse behavior controlling for a wide range of covariates. Number of original parents is shown to have a marginal relationship. A theoretical framework for further investigation of the number of brothers effect is suggested, including a masculinization hypothesis, a friends-of-brothers hypothesis, and a role model hypothesis.
Telling as Inviting to Trust

How can I give you a reason to believe what I tell you? I can influence the evidence available to you. Or I can simply invite your trust. These two ways of giving reasons work very differently. When a speaker tells her hearer that p, I argue, she intends that he gain access to a prima facie reason to believe that p that derives not from evidence but from his mere understanding of her act. Unlike mere assertions, acts of telling give reasons directly. They give reasons by inviting the hearer's trust. This yields a novel form of anti-reductionism in the epistemology of testimony. The status of testimony as a sui generis source of epistemic warrant is entailed by the nature of the act of telling. We can discover the nature of this illocution, and its epistemic role, by examining how it functions in the real world of human relations.
Cerebellar dysplasia and unilateral cataract in Marinesco-Sjögren syndrome.

The classic features of Marinesco-Sjogren syndrome include bilateral cataracts, cerebellar ataxia, and mental deficiency with an autosomal recessive inheritance pattern. Weakness and a variety of other characteristics are present inconsistently. A limited number of neuroimaging studies have indicated that cerebellar hypoplasia is the most common finding. We report a patient with near normal intelligence, unilateral cataract, and the previously unreported magnetic resonance imaging findings of cerebellar dysplasia, arachnoid cyst, and absent septum pellucidum. A review of the literature suggests significant heterogeneity in the Marinesco-Sjogren syndrome.
Complexity in a brain-inspired agent-based model

An agent-based model consists of a set of agents representing the components of a system. These agents interact with each other according to rules designed with knowledge of the system in mind. Although rules control the low-level interactions of agents, these models often exhibit emergent behavior at the system level. We apply the agent-based modeling framework to functional brain imaging data. In this model, agents are defined by network nodes and represent brain regions, and links representing functional connectivity between nodes dictate which agents interact. A link between two regions may be positive or negative, depending on the correlation in functional activity between the two regions. Agents are either active or inactive, and systematically update based on the activity of their immediate neighbors. Their dynamics are observed over a certain time period starting from predetermined initial configurations. While the information received by each node is limited by the number of other nodes connected to it, we have shown that this model is capable of producing emergent behavior dependent on global information transfer. Specifically, the system is capable of solving well-described test problems, such as the density classification and synchronization problems. The model is capable of producing a wide range of behaviors varying greatly in complexity, including oscillations with cycles ranging from a few steps to hundreds, and non-repeating patterns over hundreds of thousands of time steps. We believe this wide dynamic range may impart the potential for this system to produce a myriad of brain-like functional states.
Near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy for the analysis of poultry manures.

The objective was to evaluate near-infrared diffuse reflectance spectroscopy (NIRS) for determining the composition of poultry manures. Poultry manure samples were obtained from a commercial testin...
Synthesis of aryl esters from olefin and phenols via palladium carbonyl chloride

Abstract The carboarylation of monosubstituted 1-olefins with 2,6-dichlorophenol, carbon monoxide, and palladium carbonyl chloride in the presence of a tertiary amine is described. In most cases, high yields of the unsaturated aryl esters were obtained.
Radiation Therapy Is Associated With Improved Survival in the Adjuvant and Definitive Treatment of Intrahepatic Cholangiocarcinoma

Purpose Intrahepatic cholangiocarcinomas (IHC) are rare tumors for which large randomized studies regarding the use of radiation are not available. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of adjuvant and definitive radiation therapy in the treatment of IHC in a large group of patients. Methods and Materials This is a retrospective analysis of 3,839 patients with IHC collected from the Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) database. The primary endpoint was overall survival (OS). Results Patients received either surgery alone (25%), radiation therapy alone (10%), surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy (7%) or no treatment (58%). The median age of the patient population was 73 years (range, 22–102 years); 52% of patients were male and 81% were Caucasian. Median OS was 11 (95% confidence interval [CI], 9–13), 6 (95% CI, 5–6), 7 (95% CI, 6–8), and 3 months for surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy, sugery alone, radiation therapy alone, and no treatment, respectively. The OS was significantly different between surgery alone and surgery and adjuvant radiation therapy (p = 0.014) and radiation therapy alone and no treatment (p Conclusions The study results suggest that adjuvant and definitive radiation treatment prolong survival, although cure rates remain low. Future studies should evaluate the addition of chemotherapy and biologics to the treatment of IHC.
High-gain free-electron laser pulse amplifiers with variable wigglers

Abstract Calculations are presented for pulse amplification in high-gain free-electron lasers with variable wiggler magnets. Better than 90% peak electron trapping and overall peak energy extraction efficiencies of over 60% are demonstrated for 1 μm radiation. Pulse reshaping and phase modulation effects are investigated.
Disparate Measures: Public Managers and Performance‐Measurement Strategies

Over the past two decades, many studies have investigated the scope and significance of performance measurement in public organizations. Nonetheless, there is more to learn about the challenges facing public managers who want to measure organizational outputs and use the feedback to improve performance. Specifically, managers are often faced with redundant measures of the same output, each of which may be preferred by a different political principal or stakeholder. Furthermore, a manager's choice of measures can have serious consequences for both the estimation of agency problems and the success of programmatic solutions. We test these assertions in an analysis of educational organizations in Texas. We find that managers’ assessments of organizational performance and decisions regarding solutions depend on the choice of performance measures.
New approximation of the normal distribution function

Two new and simple expressions, one for 0 ≤ x ≤ 2 and another for x > 2, for the normal distribution function, are developed which can be easily computed on desk calculators. They are also comparable in accuracy to the one developed by Patry and Keller (1964).
Brans-Dicke-type models with nonmetricity

A scalar-tensor-nonmetric theory of gravity without matter fields is shown to be equivalent to the scalar-tensor-torsion theory proposed by German, the only difference being in the source of the Weyl vector or torsion vector (for equivalently the scalar field) which remains arbitrary in the theory. General extended conformal transformations, which leave the curvature tensor invariant, are presented and their implications for metric-affine theories and scalar-tensor theories are discussed.