cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Critique of the Mental Health System in Nepal, COVID-19 Response, and Recommendations

Nepal has a multitiered health system involving the Ministry of Health, nongovernmental organizations, private for profit, and faith-based organizations. There are national, district, and community-level health centers and health workers that come together to deliver services and input information into both the community and national level health information systems. In terms of mental health, there is a very small portion of the budget allocated to mental health and very few mental health interventions and programs. The system has strengths including that the service delivery is put together in an effective manner and there is some mental health integration in primary care and in the health information system. However, there are weaknesses including that there needs to be an increase in the number of health workers and the training given to the workforce to further integrate mental health and there also needs to be more attention brought to mental health overall. Nepal's COVID-19 response highlighted weaknesses within its health system, especially in the context of its essential medicine products. The COVID-19 response from Nepal was especially hindered by a shortage of medical supplies, personal protective equipment, medications, and coronavirus tests.
Duplicated extrahepatic duct type Vb in a patient with gallstone pancreatitis

Abstract As rates of childhood obesity rise, the frequency of laparoscopic cholecystectomy to treat gallbladder disease in the pediatric population is increasing. Knowledge of biliary anatomy and its variants is vital to performing this operation safely. Duplication of the extrahepatic biliary tree is a rare but important variant. The significance of duplicated common bile duct anatomy is important as these variations may pre-dispose patients to stone formation and obstruction. Here we present the case of an 11-year-old girl with gallstone pancreatitis and a duplicated common bile duct. The patient underwent interval laparoscopic cholecystectomy following resolution of pancreatitis. A duplicated common bile duct type Vb was identified on intraoperative cholangiogram and subsequent endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography.
New discoveries of old SON: a link between RNA splicing and cancer.

The SON protein is a ubiquitously expressed DNA- and RNA-binding protein primarily localized to nuclear speckles. Although several early studies implicated SON in DNA-binding, tumorigenesis and apoptosis, functional significance of this protein had not been recognized until recent studies discovered SON as a novel RNA splicing co-factor. During constitutive RNA splicing, SON ensures efficient intron removal from the transcripts containing suboptimal splice sites. Importantly, SON-mediated splicing is required for proper processing of selective transcripts related to cell cycle, microtubules, centrosome maintenance, and genome stability. Moreover, SON regulates alternative splicing of RNAs from the genes involved in apoptosis and epigenetic modification. In addition to the role in RNA splicing, SON has an ability to suppress transcriptional activation at certain promoter/enhancer DNA sequences. Considering the multiple SON target genes which are directly involved in cell proliferation, genome stability and chromatin modifications, SON is an emerging player in gene regulation during cancer development and progression. Here, we summarize available information from several early studies on SON, and highlight recent discoveries describing molecular mechanisms of SON-mediated gene regulation. We propose that our future effort on better understanding of diverse SON functions would reveal novel targets for cancer therapy. J. Cell. Biochem. 115: 224–231, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Health Disparities in Cardiovascular Disease and High Blood Pressure Among Adults in Rural Underserved Communities

Purpose : This study examined the factors contributing to health disparities in cardiovascular disease (CVD) and high blood pressure (HBP) among adults in three rural underserved communities in southeast Georgia. Socioeconomic status as well as geographic location plays a significant role in one’s quality of health outcomes. Methods : Individuals in three counties in southern Georgia participated in the study. The study was motivated by review of retrospective data from the 2008 Georgia Cardiovascular Health Initiative (CVHI) database to explain the factors contributing to the incidence of health disparities. A survey questionnaire was administered by telephone to adult members of households to determine the incidence of health disparities in CVD and HBP among rural African American and White adult populations. Six hundred respondents participated in the survey but four hundred completed surveys were used in the study, yielding a 67% response rate. Data were analyzed using applied multivariate logistic analysis. Findings : Findings indicated that older men and male residents in Counties A and B regardless of racial background were significantly more likely to be diagnosed with both HBP and CVD. College educated women were significantly less likely to have HBP. Findings also revealed that married men were significantly less likely to have CVD. Uncontrolled elevated cholesterol levels contributed to the incidence of chronic HBP and CVD. Conclusions : The findings add to the current knowledge of research and to the understanding of the critical elements in reducing health disparities among populations in rural underserved communities. Keywords : Health disparities, Cardiovascular disease, High blood pressure, Rural underserved communities, African Americans, Whites DOI : http://dx.doi.org/10.14574/ojrnhc.v15i1.351
Conjugative γ-lactone annulation: one-pot hydroboration : Oxidation of homoallylic alcohol trimethylsilyl ethers

Abstract Products from stereospecific vinylcuprate addition to hydroazulenic γ-trimethylsiloxy-α,β-unsaturated cycloheptenones are converted directly to trans -fused γ-lactones by 1) BH3-THF, 2) B-H hydrolysis, and 3) PCC oxidation.
Simplicial algorithms on V-triangulation of uncertainty space

The application of simplicial algorithms to crossover computation in robust stability problems is developed. The authors briefly review a commonly used simplicial algorithm which consists of integer-labelling rule on Q-triangulation of uncertainty space. Next, the authors introduce a vector-labelling rule on V-triangulation. Finally, the authors expand on the case where the crossover intersects the singularity set of the Nyquist map, in which case the crossover is structurally unstable relative to "certain" parameters. Because of extreme sensitivity the algorithm makes some detours, but eventually goes to the correct solution, the latter being not continuous relative to certain parameters.
Ionospheric dynamics and drivers obtained from a physics-based data assimilation model

[1] The ionosphere-plasmasphere system at low and middle latitudes is strongly coupled, and therefore, a study of ionospheric dynamics must take into account the interaction between the two domains. As shown by meteorologists and oceanographers, a powerful way of modeling dynamic systems is with the use of data assimilation models. At Utah State University, we have developed two data assimilation models with different complexity, and both provide global and regional specifications of the three-dimensional (3-D) ionosphere-plasmasphere densities. One of these models is a Full Physics-Based Kalman filter data assimilation model, which is based on a physics-based model for the ionosphere-plasmasphere system, a diverse array of data sources, and an ensemble Kalman filter data assimilation technique. This model covers the ionosphere-plasmasphere system from 90 to 30,000 km altitude and includes six ion species (NO+, N2+, O2+, O+, He+, H+). The strength of this model is that in addition to the global and regional 3-D ionosphere electron density distribution it also self-consistently determines the corresponding ionospheric drivers, including the thermospheric neutral winds and the low-latitude electric fields. The model can assimilate a variety of different data types, including GPS/total electron content from hundreds of ground-based receivers, in situ Ne from several DMSP satellites, bottomside Ne profiles from tens of ionosondes, and occultation data from the six COSMIC satellites. In this study, the model was used to specify the low-latitude and midlatitude ionosphere together with the ionospheric driving forces and their temporal and spatial variability.
Fracture Properties of Specially Heat-Treated ASTM A508 Class 2 Pressure Vessel Steel

The mechanical properties of A 508 class two pressure vessel steel quenched and tempered to simulate the effects of irradiation have been measured. The tensile, Charpy impact, fracture toughness, and crack arrest properties were measured as a function of temperature. The fracture toughness was measured using 1T, 2T, and 4T compact specimens. The maximum dimensions of the 4T specimens exceeded the test cylinder thickness, so compound specimens were successfully fabricated by electron-beam welding arms to the material. Compact crack arrest specimens were used to determine the arrest toughness. Two sizes of specimens were tested: 150 {times} 150 {times} 32 mm, and 75 {times} 75 {times} 25 mm. The larger specimens used a brittle weld bead and notch as the crack starter. Two different notches (blunt and fatigue precracked) were used with the smaller specimens. The blunt notch was not successful, but the fatigue-precracked specimens provided valid data without the need for warm prestressing. the results from the small fatigue-precracked specimens were consistent with the data from the larger weld-embrittled specimens.
Nicotine stimulates secretion of corticosterone via both CRH and AVP receptors

Corticosterone-releasing hormone (CRH) and arginine vasopressin (AVP) are crucial components of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis that stimulates the release of adrenocorticotropic hormone from the pituitary and mediate the stress response. CRH binds to two subtypes of CRH receptors (CRH-R1 and CRH-R2) that are present in both central and peripheral tissues. We used the CRH-R1-specific antagonist, antalarmin (ANT), the CRH-R1 and CRH-R2 peptide antagonist, astressin (AST), and the CRH-R2-specific peptide antagonist, astressin2b (AST2b), to determine which CRH receptor is involved in the nicotine-stimulated secretion of corticosterone. Male C57BL/6 mice were administered ANT (20 mg/kg, i.p.), AST (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.), AST2b (0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) or vehicle prior to administration of nicotine (1.0 mg/kg, s.c.), CRH (10 μg/kg, s.c.), AVP (10 μg/kg, s.c.) or saline (s.c.), killed 15 min later and trunk blood collected and assayed for corticosterone plasma levels. We found that CRH enhanced corticosterone release, and this response was blocked by both AST and ANT. Nicotine also increased corticosterone secretion, but this effect persisted in the presence of either CRH antagonist. Furthermore, AST but not ANT or AST2b decreased corticosterone levels associated with stress of handling and injection. We also assessed the role of AVP V(1b) -specific receptor antagonist, SSR149415 alone and in combination with AST and AST2b. Although the AVP antagonist did not alter basal or nicotine-stimulated corticosterone secretion, it attenuated the AVP-induced stimulation of corticosterone and its combination with AST but not AST2b completely abolished nicotine-mediated stimulation of corticosterone secretion. Our results demonstrate that the nicotine-induced stimulation of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is mediated by both the CRH-R and the AVP V(1b) receptor and when the CRH receptor is blocked, nicotine may utilize the AVP V(1b) receptor to mediate secretion of corticosterone. These results argue in favor of the development of specific antagonists that block both AVP and CRH receptors to decrease the pleasurable component of nicotine, which may be mediated by corticosterone.
Tubal ligation, hysterectomy and epithelial ovarian cancer in the New England Case–Control Study

Previous studies have observed that tubal ligation and hysterectomy are associated with a decreased risk of ovarian cancer; however, little is known about whether these associations vary by surgical characteristics, individual characteristics or tumor histology. We used logistic regression to examine tubal ligation, simple hysterectomy and hysterectomy with unilateral oophorectomy in relation to risk of epithelial ovarian cancer in the New England Case-Control Study. Our primary analysis included 2,265 cases and 2,333 controls. Overall, tubal ligation was associated with a lower risk of epithelial ovarian cancer [odds ratio (OR) = 0.82, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.68-0.97], especially for endometrioid tumors (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.29-0.69). The inverse association between tubal ligation and ovarian cancer risk was stronger for women who had undergone the procedure at the time of last delivery (OR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42-0.84) rather than at a later time (OR = 0.93, 95% CI: 0.75-1.15). Overall, simple hysterectomy was not associated with ovarian cancer risk (OR: 1.09, 95% CI: 0.83-1.42), although it was associated with a nonsignificant decreased risk of ovarian cancer among women who underwent the procedure at age 45 or older (RR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.40-1.02) or within the last 10 years (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.38-1.13). Overall, women who had a hysterectomy with a unilateral oophorectomy had significantly lower risk of ovarian cancer (OR = 0.65, 95% CI: 0.45-0.94). In summary, tubal ligation and hysterectomy with unilateral oophorectomy were inversely associated with ovarian cancer risk in a large population-based case-control study. Additional research is necessary to understand the potential biologic mechanisms by which these procedures may reduce ovarian cancer risk.
The utility of peripheral thyrotropin receptor mRNA in the management of differentiated thyroid cancer.

Background Our aim was to analyze the utility of peripheral thyrotropin receptor (TSHR) messenger RNA (mRNA) in predicting and detecting the recurrence of differentiated thyroid cancer. Methods Peripheral blood TSHR-mRNA was obtained in 103 patients before and after total thyroidectomy. An analysis was performed to correlate peripheral blood TSHR-mRNA concentration with oncologic outcomes. Results Tumor types were papillary ( n = 92), follicular ( n = 9) and Hurthle cell ( n = 2) cancer. Preoperative TSHR-mRNA was ≥1.02 ng/μg in 85% (88/103). On follow-up (median 48 months), 10 patients (10 %) developed recurrence. Recurrence rate in patients with a preoperative TSHR-mRNA ≥ 1.02 ng/μg was 11% versus 0% in those with a lesser concentration. TSHR-mRNA correctly diagnosed 7 (70%) of 10 recurrences. Of 19 patients with positive thyroglobulin (Tg) antibodies, TSHR-mRNA confirmed disease-free status in 12 (63%) and recurrence in 1 (5%). For Tg, TSHR-mRNA and whole-body radioactive iodine scan, sensitivity was 70%, 70%, and 75%; specificity 94%, 76%, 97%; PPV 54%, 24%, and 67%; and NPV 97%, 96%, and 98%, respectively, in detecting recurrent disease. Conclusion This study shows that patients with preoperative TSHR-mRNA ≥1.02 ng/μg may be at a greater risk for recurrence compared with those with a lesser concentration. In the presence of Tg antibodies, TSHR-mRNA accurately predicted disease status in 68% of patients. Its overall performance in detecting recurrence was similar to Tg and whole-body radioactive iodine scan, albeit with lower specificity and PPV.
Shifting Sands or Solid Foundation? Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Identity Formation

How do some individuals come to identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual, and/or transgender? Is there a static, universal process of identity formation that crosses all lines of individual difference, such as sexual identities, sex/gender, class, race/ethnicity, and age? If so, can we describe that process in a series of linear stages or steps? Is identity based on a rock-solid foundation, stable and consistent over time? Or are there many identity formation processes that are specific to social and historical factors and/or individual differences, an ever-shifting landscape like a sand dune? The field of lesbian/gay/bisexual/transgender (LGBT) studies is characterized by competing paradigms expressed in various ways: nature versus nurture, biology versus environment, and essentialism versus social constructionism (Eliason, 1996b). Although subtly different, all three debates share common features. Nature, biology, and essentialistic paradigms propose that sexual and gender identities are “real,” based in biology or very early life experiences and fixed and stable throughout the life span. These paradigms allow for the development of linear stages of development, or “coming out,” models.
Surface water quality evaluation using multivariate methods and a new water quality index in the Indian River Lagoon, Florida

[1] Appropriate assessment of long-term water quality monitoring data is essential to evaluation of water quality and this often requires use of multivariate techniques. Our objective was to evaluate water quality in the south Indian River Lagoon (IRL), Florida using several multivariate techniques and a comprehensive water quality index (WQI). Clustering was used to cluster the six monitoring stations into three groups, with stations on the same or characteristic-similar canals being in the same group. The first five factors from exploratory factor analysis (EFA) explain around 70% of the total variance and were used to interpret water quality characterized by original constituents for the purpose of data reduction. Nutrient species (phosphorus and nitrogen) were major variables involved in the construction of the principal components (PCs) and factors. Seasonal and spatial differences were observed in compositional patterns of factors and principal water quality constituents. Positive or negative trends were detected for different factor at different monitoring groups identified by clustering during different seasons. The composite WQI was developed based on principal water quality constituents greatly contributing to the construction of factors which were derived from EFA. The WQI showed significant difference among the three clustering groups with the greatest WQI median in group 1 stations (C23S48, C23S97, and C24S49). Medians of WQI were significantly greater in the wet than in the dry season, which implied more natural nutrient water status during the dry than the wet season probably due to the different contribution of nonpoint sources between two seasons.
An empirical relationship between test transparency and fault coverage

The concept of test transparency was used to analyze the reject data from different fault coverage soft bins. The device used in the study was a gate array with 12.5 K equivalent logic gates. As additional vectors were generated they were isolated into separate modules within the sort program. The sort program shell was altered to provide a soft bin count of the number of failures incurred within each module. This information was then uploaded automatically into the manufacturing database. The results presented are based on functional test results from over 350000 dice. It is shown that Boolean testing can be represented as a linear relationship between test transparency and fault coverage. The linear coefficients are sensitive to the defect type for the stuck-at model fault coverage. The linear coefficients are also sensitive to the fault vector generation methodology. >
The photo-inhibition of localized corrosion on stainless steel in neutral chloride solution

Abstract Passivity breakdown on Type 304 stainless steel in 1 M NaCl at ambient temperature is found to be inhibited by incident monochromatic UV light (λ = 300 nm) at a power density of 58.5 μW cm 2 . The observed photo-inhibition can be explained by the point defect model for passivity breakdown in terms of photoquenching of the electric field strength in the passive film.
Rule mining and classification in the presence of feature level and class label ambiguities

Numerous applications of topical interest call for knowledge discovery and classification from information that may be inaccurate and/or incomplete. For example, in an airport threat classification scenario, data from heterogeneous sensors are used to extract features for classifying potential threats. This requires a training set that utilizes non-traditional information sources (e.g., domain experts) to assign a threat level to each training set instance. Sensor reliability, accuracy, noise, etc., all contribute to feature level ambiguities; conflicting opinions of experts generate class label ambiguities that may however indicate important clues. To accommodate these, a belief theoretic approach is proposed. It utilizes a data structure that facilitates belief/plausibility queries regarding "ambiguous" itemsets. An efficient apriori -like algorithm is then developed to extract frequent such itemsets and to generate corresponding association rules. These are then used to classify an incoming "ambiguous" data instance into a class label (which may be "hard" or "soft"). To test its performance, the proposed algorithm is compared with C4.5 for several databases from the UCI repository and a threat assessment application scenario.© (2005) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
The Physics of Tablet Compression. I. A Preliminary Report

A preliminary report surveying a series of basic studies on compressed tablets is presented. For procurement of data toward elucidation of tablet structure and behavior, tentative methods for determining (a)tablet density, (b) bulk density of the mixed ingredients, (c) porosity and pore size of tablets, and (d) the compressional force and compressional work necessary for formation of tablets have been developed. Other methods for obtaining additional dynamic and static information related to formation of tablets are also discussed. No attempt is made at this time, however, to correlate the data obtained with tablet performance.
Patterson v. McLean: A Confirmation of the New Right at the U.S. Supreme Court

Vers la fin du second mandat du president Reagan, le juge en chef Lewis Powell fit savoir qu'il se retirait. Il devenait des lors evident que la derniere nomination qu'allait faire Monsieur Reagan risquait de changer l'ideologie dominante au sein de la Cour supreme en faisant pencher la balance du cote du conservatisme, pour la premiere fois depuis la presidence de Dwight Eisenhower. Les juges Sandra Day O'Connor et Antonin Scalia, nommes precedemment par Monsieur Reagan, formaient en effet, en compagnie de William Rehnquist et Bryon White, nommes respectivement par les presidents Nixon et Kennedy, une minorite bruyante au sein de la Cour, qui se faisait entendre particulierement dans les affaires de droits de la personne. Cette occasion inattendue donnee au president Reagan de nommer un cinquieme juge conservateur inquieta grandement les medias et aussi le Senat qui doit ratifier les nominations a la Cour supreme. L'article examine l'effet de la nomination du juge Anthony Kennedy. Cet effet, qui s'est manifeste de facon immediate, indique que dans les affaires de droits de la personne l'ideologie conservatrice va dominer jusqu'a la fin du siecle.
The Energy Balance in a Warm-Core Ring's Near-Inertial Critical Layer

Abstract The energy sink for near-inertial internal gravity waves encountering a vertical critical layer is examined with fine- and microstructure profiles collected in a warm-core ring. The hypothesis that the bulk of the trapped wave energy is lost to turbulence is tested by comparing the wave vertical energy-flux divergence ∂[Cgz(KE + APE)]/∂z with the turbulent dissipation rate ϵ. Assuming conservation of action flux, a balance is found to hold, implying negligible losses to untrapped waves and at most 7% losses to the background mean flow. This contrasts with the behavior at irrotational critical layers (where a substantial fraction of the wave energy can be absorbed into the mean) because of the relatively small Doppler shift encountered, k·ΔV/ωi.
Correlation of solute retention in gas chromatography with properties of the anion for tetra-n-butylammonium salts

Abstract Variations in the molar retention volume of organic solutes on thirteen tetra-n-butyl-ammonium salts with a common liquid temperature range are correlated with the properties of the anion. The anions studied include the chloride, bromide, nitrate, nitrite, methanesulfonate, trifluoromethanesulfonate, ethanesulfonate, 4-toluenesulfonate, sulfamate, thiocyanate, picrate, pentacyanopropenide, and tetra-n-butylborate. The high melting points and poor thermal stabilities of camphorsulfonate, dihydrogenphosphate, hydrogensulfate, and perrhenate precluded their use. The properties of the anions have only smallinfluences on the magnitudes of dispersive, orientative, and proton-donor interactions with the test solutes. Orientative interactions are strong for polar solutes but vary little with anion structure. There was no correlation between the dipole moment of the tetra-n-butylammonium salts and the retention of polar solutes. The structures of the anion do, however, have large influences on the retention of proton-donor solutes. for these solutes, a good correlation was found between molar retention volume and the basicity of the anions, represented by their p K a values in aqueous solution.
A Case of Prostate Carcinoma with Bilateral Orbital Metastases and the Review of the Literature

A 79-year-old man presented with bilateral periorbital swelling of unknown duration. Diagnostic workup, including orbital and prostate biopsies processed with conventional hematoxylin-eosin and immunoperoxidase stains, revealed that the prostate was the origin of the orbital tumors. Our review of the literature revealed 17 previously reported cases of metastatic prostate carcinoma to the orbit. Salient clinical and histopathologic features of these cases are summarized. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first biopsy proven case of bilateral orbital metastasis of prostate carcinoma.
Effects of Winter-Feeding on Mule Deer in Northern Utah

Abstract During severe winters, mule deer (Odocoileus hemionus) concentrated on ranges in poor condition can experience high mortality. Winter-feeding programs have been implemented to mitigate this mortality. We studied effects on body condition, mortality, fawn production, and migration of mule deer following winter-feeding in the Cache-Wasatch Mountains of northern Utah, USA. Fed deer exhibited 12% higher live body-condition indices both years (main effect feed: F1,7.32 = 5.39, P = 0.052), lower mortality (33% vs. 55%: χ21 = 4.58, P < 0.05), and produced more fawns (19 fawns:18 fed F vs. 11 fawns:12 nonfed F; t27.2 = 2.20, P < 0.036) than nonfed deer. Fed deer migrated later in spring 2004 (x = 13 Apr) than nonfed deer (x = 24 Mar; t34 = 3.25, P = 0.003). Fed deer spent more time on winter range in 2003–2004 (x = 157 d) than nonfed deer (x = 121 d; t20 = 3.63, P = 0.002), and more time on winter range for both winters combined (fed deer x = 321 d, nonfed deer x = 257 d; t27 = 3.29, P = 0.003). Co...
On nontransitive indifference

Abstract Observed indifference is typically not a transitive relation. Various measurement models for preference and indifference data, taking account of this observation, are summarized. The relations among the models are discussed; most of the models are equivalent. Necessary and sufficient conditions are given for the various models, and algorithms for obtaining from the data the desired (numerical and other) assignments are presented.
Room Enough for One: Towards a Solution for Colour Incompatibility

L'A. defend la these selon laquelle l'affirmation de la necessite de l'incompatibilite des couleurs releve de notre experience de la perception des couleurs et s'apparente donc a une necessite de la subjectivite (C. McGinn). Au-dela des positions contraires de C. L. Hardin et J. Westphal, respectivement fondees sur le mecanisme psychophysique de l'experience de la couleur et sur les proprietes de surface des objets percus (absorption et reflexion), l'A. montre que le probleme de l'incompatibilite souleve par Locke et Wittgenstein peut etre resolu par la propriete bi-dimensionnelle de l'etendue de la couleur selon laquelle deux couleurs ne peuvent survenir dans le meme espace sensoriel
Beryllium sulfate induces p21 CDKN1A expression and a senescence-like cell cycle arrest in susceptible cancer cell types

In fibroblasts, beryllium salt causes activation of the p53 transcription factor and induction of a senescence-like state. It is not known whether Be2+ can affect the proliferation of cancer cells, which are generally unsusceptible to senescence. A172 glioblastoma and RKO colon carcinoma cell lines each have wildtype p53, so these cell types have the potential to be responsive to agents that activate p53. In A172 cells, BeSO4 produced a G0/G1-phase cell cycle arrest and increased expression of senescence-associated β-galactosidase, an enzymatic marker of senescence. BeSO4 caused phosphorylation of serine-15 of p53, accumulation of p53 protein, and expression of p21, the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor that is prominent during senescence. BeSO4 inhibited A172 growth with an IC50 = 4.7 μM in a 6-day proliferation assay. In contrast, BeSO4 had no effect on RKO cells, even though Be2+ uptake was similar for the two cell types. This differential responsiveness marks BeSO4 as a reagent capable of activating a separable branch of the p53 signaling network. A172 and RKO cells are known to exhibit p53-dependent upregulation of p21 in response to DNA damage. The RKO cells produced high levels of p21 when exposed to DNA damaging agents, yet failed to express p21 when treated with BeSO4. Conversely, BeSO4 did not cause DNA damage in A172 cells, yet it was a potent inducer of p21 expression. These observations indicate that the growth control pathway affected by BeSO4 is distinct from the DNA damage response pathway, even though both ultimately converge on p53 and p21.
Alexander Crummell: A Study of Civilization and Discontent

A biography of Alexander Crummell, one of the most prominent African-American intellectuals of the 19th century. Exploring his ideas on Christianity, civilization, law and order and the destiny of the African race, it also studies black American life and letters during this period.
Transient aqueductal occlusion in intracerebral haemorrhage

A 76-year-old man with hypertension presented with confusion and was found to have a left thalamic haemorrhage with intraventricular extension (figure 1A, B). On the fourth day, he became acutely lethargic, and then obtunded with fixed downward gaze. CT …
The Relevance of Information Technology Expenditures

ABSTRACT: Although information technology (hereafter, IT) expenditures represent an increasingly large investment for most corporations, firms are not required to disclose them separately in their financial statements. We hypothesize and find evidence that information about a firm’s IT expenditures helps explain its future performance as reflected in both accounting measures (residual income, earnings volatility) and market measures (stock price and long-run abnormal returns). In particular, we provide evidence of market mispricing and suggest the lack of firm-level annual IT expenditure disclosure as one potential reason for such mispricing. Altogether, the evidence presents a persuasive case that information about a firm’s IT expenditures is useful to stock market participants. The evidence we report is useful to managers and accounting policy makers contemplating the public disclosure of firm-level information about IT investments.
A Method to Estimate Local Skull Resistance in Living Subjects

A method is suggested to estimate the local skull resistance function G (?, o) from surface potential measurements due to a known dipole-like source in the brain. That is, the classical boundary value problem is overspecified by knowledge of both the source and surface potential so that properties of the volume conductor may be estimated. The function G (?, o) may then be incorporated into various methods to improve spatial resolution so that unknown sources in the brain may be studied in detail.
U wave alternans: An electrocardiographic sign of left ventricular failure

Abstract All postextrasystolic complexes seen over a twelve year period were carefully analyzed. Normally only the first complex is different, showing a slightly altered T and a larger U wave. Ten patients with left ventricular failure and postextrasystolic pulsus alternans consistently showed postextrasystolic U wave alternans. Besides introducing an electrocardiographic sign of heart failure, this provides some insight into the underlying etiology of the U wave.
Effects of radiation damage with 400-kV electrons on frozen, hydrated actin bundles.

Electron images can be used to provide amplitudes and phases for the structural determination of biological specimens. Radiation damage limits the amount of structural information retrievable by computer processing. A 400-kV electron microscope was used to investigate radiation damage effects on frozen, hydrated actin bundles kept at −168°C. The quality of phases within and among images in a damage series was evaluated quantitatively out to 16 A resolution. It was found that the phases of structure factors with good signal-to-noise ratio (IQ \ 4) can be reliably retrieved from images taken at a cumulative dose of at least 25 electrons/A2.
Targeting the Pathogenic Role of Interleukin 1β in the Progression of Smoldering/Indolent Myeloma to Active Disease

The article by Lust et al1 published in this issue of Mayo Clinic Proceedings is the first study to address a purely cytokine-driven pathogenic mechanism in the progression from a premalignant state of multiple myeloma to active disease. The working hypothesis is that myeloma plasma cell-derived interleukin 1 (IL-1) β induces marrow stromal cells to produce large amounts of interleukin 6 (IL-6), thereby promoting the survival and expansion of the myeloma cells. The 47 patients with smoldering or indolent multiple myeloma (SMM/IMM) enrolled in the study were clearly at high risk of progression to full-blown multiple myeloma on the basis of well-established criteria.2 For reduction of IL-1β activity, the trial used anakinra, a recombinant form of the naturally occurring interleukin 1 receptor antagonist (IL-1Ra) that is used for the treatment of rheumatoid arthritis and autoinflammatory diseases.3 The results of the study by Lust et al suggest that reducing the activity of IL-1β does, in fact, significantly increase progression-free survival (PFS) in these high-risk patients. The trial is thoroughly encouraging because long-term use of anakinra is safe. The combination of anakinra plus a low dose of dexamethasone provided the best outcomes. There may be a hidden benefit of reducing IL-1β activity in these patients; IL-1β is a potent, proangiogenic cytokine,4 and, compared with thalidomide, anakinra is essentially free of toxic adverse effects. A National Institutes of Health trial of anakinra as an antiangiogenic therapy for patients with cutaneous melanoma is ongoing.
Regression Analysis of Zonally Narrow Components of the MJO

AbstractRecent works have demonstrated that eastward-propagating features smaller than zonal wavenumber 3 but with spatial structures similar to those of the Madden–Julian oscillation (MJO) frequently develop over the Indo-Pacific warm pool. These signals are characterized by periods shorter than 4 weeks, but since they occur as part of a spectral peak of the MJO, they might be characterized by similar physics. These zonally narrow features occur at any phase of traditionally defined 30–60-day MJO events, but they occur most frequently in its active convective phase. This work presents a linear regression analysis based on filtering in the wavenumber–frequency domain to compare such signals with traditionally defined MJOs and 15–30 m s−1, convectively coupled Kelvin waves. Results show that the trough collocated with the easterly wind anomaly extends westward into the region of lower-tropospheric westerly wind and deep convection in the zonally narrow slow signals and MJOs. The fast Kelvin waves have a ri...
Analysis of polarization orientation angle based on scattering mechanisms

The complexity of polarization orientation angle induced by scatterings from buildings and distributed media will be investigated. We will look into 1) the estimation algorithm, 2) The double bounce scattering from building walls not aligned in the along-track direction and 3) the orientation angle associated with very high-resolution PolSAR images with decimeter resolution.
Patient-provider communication in cancer screening.

General internists frequently offer screening tests for cancer to their patients. Shared decision making, in which the patient and the physician discuss and make decisions together, is necessary for screening to have maximum impact with minimum cost. Only then can the physician understand the patient's overall priorities, decision-making behaviors, and comprehension of the risk of developing the cancer and the benefits and risks of the test (and any follow-up interventions). Although physicians are guided by scientific evidence, patients want care that addresses their largely culturally determined personal values.1 Patient-physician communication becomes even more important when the patient and the physician come from different cultures. In this issue of JGIM, 3 articles illustrate the importance of different aspects of patient-physician communication to cancer screening.
Composition and structure of the anodic films on titanium in aqueous solutions

Surface-enhanced Raman spectra of the amorphous film on titanium have been obtained for the first time. The anodic corrosion film at low potentials is identified to be highly disordered TiO{sub 2} with some Ti{sub 2}O{sub 3} also present. The presence of the anatase and rutile modifications of TiO{sub 2} at high voltages ({ge}80 V) is confirmed
Skeleton of the Oldest Known Pinniped, Enaliarctos mealsi

A nearly complete skeleton of the archaic pinniped Enaliarctos, found in late Oligocene or early Miocene rocks (approximately 23 million years old) of California, provides new evidence on the origin of pinnipeds. Enaliarctos retains many primitive features expected in the hypothesized common ancestor of pinnipeds. Skeletal modifications seen in Enaliarctos document swimming adaptations and indicate that pinnipeds primitively used the axial skeleton and both fore and hindflippers as sources of propulsion. Elongate hindlimbs with prominent bony processes (reflecting powerful musculature) suggest that Enaliarctos was more active on land than modern pinnipeds.
The Strategy-Legitimacy Nexus: A Thick Description

This paper argues that interpretive strategy formulation is a multilevel process grounded in language and the politics of propriety, trust, and awareness in organizations, and that the establishment of legitimacy is a collective process in which leaders, followers, and stakeholders alike participate in the making of meaning.
p53 Mutations in prostate cancer bone metastases suggest that selected p53 mutants in the primary site define foci with metastatic potential

AbstractPurpose: This study was undertaken to establish the pattern of specific p53 gene mutations in prostate cancer within primary tumors and distant metastases.Materials and Methods: We performed polymerase chain reaction-single-strand conformation polymorphism and sequencing analyses of p53 exons 5-8 in DNA extracted from 22 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded tissues from 17 patients. Samples from three patients included specimens from primary and metastatic sites (paired specimens).Results: G:C-to-A:T transitions were the most common point mutations (64%). Six (55%) of 11 G:C-to-A:T transitions occurred at CpG dinucleotides in five hot-spot codons (175, 245, 248, 273, and 282). Sequencing analysis of the paired samples revealed that two of the three pairs had the same mutation in both. Sequencing analysis of DNA from a different area of one of the primary tumors revealed a different mutation in the p53 gene.Conclusions: Our results suggest that specific p53 mutations participate in the progression of ...
From the Macro to the Micro: A Geographic Examination of the Community Context and Early Adolescent Problem Behaviors

This study examined how multiple dimensions and levels of the community context associated with early adolescent problem behaviors in rural communities. Four thousand, five hundred and nine eighth-grade students in 28 rural and small town school districts in two states participated in surveys regarding substance use and delinquency in 2005. Locations of alcohol retailers, tobacco retailers, youth-serving organizations, and student residences were geocoded. Associations of the number of proximal alcohol and tobacco retailers, and youth-serving organizations with an early-adolescent problem behavior index were tested in Nonlinear Mixed Models that controlled for multiple district-level and individual characteristics. Multi-level model results demonstrated that the number of alcohol and tobacco retail locations within a one-mile radius of each adolescent’s home positively associated with student-reported problem behaviors above and beyond the influence of school district and individual characteristics. Results suggest that the proximal community context added significantly to the district context when understanding the occurrence of early adolescent problem behaviors. Recognizing this variability in geographically determined risk within a community will likely enhance the effectiveness of community prevention activities.
Does information matter? A research note on information technologies and political protest

Abstract The lack of attention paid to information technologies in predicting variations of political protest in cross-national studies is surprising. Given the amount of research that has been done on the impact of communication on behavior and the spread of information technologies across the globe, there is reason to believe that information technologies do play a part in the political process at the “street” level. This note takes a look at the independent role of information technologies, both mass information technologies and personal information technologies, on political protests, in addition to variables purported to measure individual and national well-being. Political protests in this study consists of demonstrations, strikes, and riots which took place in 86 countries between 1970 and 1977. Each type of collective behavior is treated separately in OLS regression.
A graphical approach to the identification and estimation of causal parameters in mortality studies with sustained exposure periods

In observational cohort mortality studies with prolonged periods of exposure to the agent under study, independent risk factors for death commonly determine subsequent exposure to the study agent. For example, in occupational mortality studies, date of termination of employment is both a determinant of subsequent exposure to the chemical agent under study (since terminated individuals receive no further exposure) and an independent risk factor for death (since disabled individuals tend to leave employment). When a risk factor determines subsequent exposure and is determined by previous exposure, standard analyses that estimate age-specific mortality rates as a function of cumulative exposure can underestimate the true effect of exposure on mortality, whether or not one adjusts for the risk factor in the analysis. This observation raises the question, "Which, if any, empirical population parameter can be causally interpreted as the true effect of exposure in observational mortality studies?" In answer, we offer a graphical approach to the identification and estimation of causal parameters in mortality studies with sustained exposure periods. We reanalyze the mortality experience of a cohort of arsenic-exposed copper smelter workers using our approach and compare our results with those obtained using standard methods. We find an adverse effect of arsenic exposure on all cause and lung cancer mortality, which standard methods failed to detect. The analytic approach introduced in this paper may be necessary to control bias in any epidemiologic study in which there exists a risk factor which both determines subsequent exposure and is determined by previous exposure to the agent under study.
Strategy for Recombinant Multichain Protein Synthesis: Fibrinogen Bβ-Chain Variants as Thrombin Substrates†

Thrombotic disease has been found in patients with congenital dysfibrinogens that have abnormalities in the amino terminal domain of the fibrinogen Bβ-chain. Surprisingly, these fibrinogens are poor substrates for thrombin. In order to examine the molecular basis for this impaired thrombin−fibrinogen interaction, we synthesized three fibrinogens with single amino acid substitutions in this domain: Bβ A68T, Bβ P70S, and Bβ L72S. Bβ-chain expression vectors were altered by PCR-directed mutagenesis of the Bβ cDNA. The altered vectors were transfected into a Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cell line that was constructed as a first step in recombinant fibrinogen synthesis; this CHO line synthesizes fibrinogen Aα- and γ-chains. More than 86% of the stably selected clones expressed significant levels of fibrinogen, confirming that a two-step strategy permitted efficient synthesis of variant fibrinogens. In large-scale cultures variant fibrinogen accumulation in serum-free medium fluctuated between 1 and 15 μg/mL. N...
Concentric Rings: Updated CT Appearance of Hepatic Schistosomiasis Mansoni.

Schistosomiasis is an infectious disease affecting as many as 300 million people worldwide. Schistosoma mansoni infection is associated with gastrointestinal complications. Ultrasound has been used extensively to document characteristic periportal fibrosis of schistosomiasis, but CT images of the disease are more scarce. To our knowledge, multidetector CT imaging of hepatic involvement of S. mansoni has not been published. We present a case of a Brazilian woman with documented S. mansoni infection and secondary portal hypertension. CT images demonstrate concentric ring enhancement representing portal venous structures surrounded by periportal fibrosis and periportal inflammation. We also demonstrate chronic gallbladder wall thickening and nodularity consistent with granulomatous inflammation, an unusual finding in schistosomiasis. We review the progress made in imaging of the disease over the past twenty years. Although schistosomiasis is not endemic to our region, increasing emigration and rural travel have made S. mansoni infection of increasing importance to radiologists worldwide.