cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Learning Sciences Perspective on Engineering of Distance Learning. Part 1

There is an on-going debate in the literature on theoretical underpinnings of distance learning. Scholars consider different theoretical perspectives including but not limited to theory of independence and autonomy, theory of industrialization, and theory of interaction and communication through the lens of a traditional Learning Theory approach. There is a lack of discussion on a potential role of a newly emerging field of Learning Sciences in framing the theory of distance learning. Thus, in this paper we provide a theoretical analysis of the Learning Sciences as a new approach to understand distance learning in the era of Information and Communication Technology (ICT). Learning sciences is an interdisciplinary field that studies teaching and learning. This emerging innovative field includes but is not limited to multiple disciplines such as cognitive science, educational psychology, anthropology, computer science, to name a few. The Learning Sciences’ major objective is to understand and design effective learning environments, including distance learning, based on the latest findings about the processes involved in human learning.
Familial Moralities: Moral (Re)source of Commitment in the Immigrant Rights Movement in El Paso, Texas:

Social movement scholars acknowledge the importance of morality in joining and shaping social movements. There is less knowledge about the content of morality that keeps social movement participant...
Exosomally derived Y RNA fragment alleviates hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in transgenic mice

Cardiosphere-derived cell exosomes (CDCexo) and YF1, a CDCexo-derived non-coding RNA, elicit therapeutic bioactivity in models of myocardial infarction and hypertensive hypertrophy. Here we tested the hypothesis that YF1, a 56-nucleotide Y RNA fragment, could alleviate cardiomyocyte hypertrophy, inflammation, and fibrosis associated with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) in transgenic mice harboring a clinically relevant mutation in cardiac troponin I (cTnIGly146). By quantitative PCR, YF1 was detectable in bone marrow, spleen, liver, and heart 30 min after intravenous (i.v.) infusion. For efficacy studies, mice were randomly allocated to receive i.v. YF1 or vehicle, monitored for ambulatory and cardiac function, and sacrificed at 4 weeks. YF1 (but not vehicle) improved ambulation and reduced cardiac hypertrophy and fibrosis. In parallel, peripheral mobilization of neutrophils and proinflammatory monocytes was decreased, and fewer macrophages infiltrated the heart. RNA-sequencing of macrophages revealed that YF1 confers substantive and broad changes in gene expression, modulating pathways associated with immunological disease and inflammatory responses. Together, these data demonstrate that YF1 can reverse hypertrophic and fibrotic signaling pathways associated with HCM, while improving function, raising the prospect that YF1 may be a viable novel therapeutic candidate for HCM.
Control of Reverse Flow over a Cantilevered Blade Using Passive Camber Morphing

In high-speed rotorcraft applications, large sections of a blade undergo reverse flow due to a high advance ratio. Flow separation at the sharp aerodynamic leading edge during reverse flow leads to...
The race concept: A defense

It is argued against critics that the concept of race is well-formed. The issue is formulated in terms of the classic sense/reference distinction and shown that "race" has a sense specified in terms of geographic ancestry, and thereby a reference. Excessive constraints on "race," for instance that races must by definition have signature genes, are rejected. Empirical validation is considered, although the emphasis here is to place empirical validation in a philosophical context, not answer the empirical questions themselves. At several junctures the familiar divisions of the races are compared to the stellar luminosity types of astronomy, which are still serviceable although representing an earlier state of astrophysical knowledge.
The incorporation of labeled lysine into the proteins of guinea pig liver homogenate.

When C14-labeled lysine is incubated with guinea pig liver homogenate, α-aminoadipic, α-ketoadipic, and glutaric acids are formed from the lysine (1). These transformations were established by finding the radioactivity of the C14 tracer in the metabolic products. The homogenate proteins coagulated by boiling at pH 5 also contained radioactivity. The counts given by the proteins corresponded to about 0.02 to 0.03 per cent of that added as lysine; the extent of lysine incorporation into the proteins was of the same order of magnitude as Melchior and Tarver (2) had found after incubating S35-labeled methionine and Winnick et al. (3, 4) C14-labeled glycine with rat tissue homogenates. Yet we could not satisfy ourselves that the radioactivity remaining in the proteins in our experiments, although it persisted through exhaustive extraction, did not come from traces of adsorbed radioactive lysine. Some counts were found in the protein when the homogenate was boiled prior to incubation with isotopic lysine.
Vascular and Lymphatic Circulation of the American Alligator Phallus

Crocodilian phalluses are unusual because, unlike most amniote phalluses that inflate and stiffen as part of copulation, most of this organ is comprised of dense collagenous tissue that does not ch...
The effects of an online educational program on nurse practitioners’ knowledge of obstructive sleep apnea in adults

AbstractPurpose:This study was conducted to determine the effects of an online educational program on nurse practitioner's (NP's) knowledge of identifying and evaluating adults at-risk for obstructive sleep apnea (OSA).Data sources:Knowledge was assessed with a 15 question pre-test and post-test, af
Equilibrium, Disequilibrium, and Entrepreneurship

The concept of market disequilibrium plays a central role in the understanding of the nature of entrepreneurship and its function in the economic system. While some authors emphasize the role of entrepreneurship in the movement of markets away from the condition of equilibrium (through the introduction of discontinuous change), others view the entrepreneurial process as fundamentally equilibrating because the actions of entrepreneurs move markets closer to a state of perfection. In this view, disequilibrium is created by exogenous changes in technologies, tastes and preferences, and the resultant market gaps and imperfections inherent to states of disequilibrium represent profit opportunities. Whether we believe that entrepreneurs create or exploit disequilibrium conditions, it is clear that entrepreneurs alter market conditions and market conditions motivate entrepreneurial action. Central questions of the field revolve around the nature of disequilibrium, the economic opportunities inherent therein, the means of exploiting such states, and the effect of the entrepreneur on market conditions and social welfare. Keywords: entrepreneurship; opportunity; disequilibrium; equilibrium; market systems
Use of the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) with Adolescents

This study examined the utility of the Suicide Probability Scale (SPS) by comparing results obtained with a sample of 217 normal adolescents (M = 16.2 years) to the findings obtained in Cull and Gill's (1988) standardization effort. The present sample scored significantly higher than Cull and Gill's normative sample in SPS item, subscale, and total scores. In addition, the SPS generally failed to discriminate between the present, adolescent sample and Cull and Gill's inpatient psychiatric sample. Moreover, item-subscale correlations obtained for the present sample often differed from those reported by Cull and Gill, and factor analysis of SPS item scores failed to replicate Cull and Gill's four-factor solution. Findings suggest the need for caution when using the SPS to assess adolescent suicide potential and underscore the need for additional research regarding the instrument's efficacy in distinguishing between normal and suicidal adolescents.
Development and optimization of an integrated PDMS based-microdialysis microchip electrophoresis device with on-chip derivatization for continuous monitoring of primary amines

An all-PDMS on-line microdialysis-microchip electrophoresis with on-chip derivatization and electrophoretic separation for near real-time monitoring of primary amine-containing analytes is described. Each part of the chip was optimized separately, and the effect of each of the components on temporal resolution, lag time, and separation efficiency of the device was determined. Aspartate and glutamate were employed as test analytes. Derivatization was accomplished with naphthalene-2,3,-dicarboxyaldehyde/cyanide (NDA/CN−), and the separation was performed using a 15-cm serpentine channel. The analytes were detected using LIF detection.
Modified plication technique for the treatment of intestinal atresia

Three patients with intestinal atresias were treated by seromuscular stripping and mucosal plication to eliminate the risk of anastomotic leakage through the plication line and reduce the bulk of the plicated mass. The patients all had uncomplicated postoperative courses and tolerated oral feedings within 10 days.
Tea, hormone-related cancers and endogenous hormone levels

Tea is one of the most popular beverages consumed around the world, second only to water. There has been substantial interest in the potential role of tea in cancer prevention, particularly in respiratory and gastrointestinal tract cancers. Recent epidemiological data have linked tea intake to reduced risk of hormone-related cancers, including breast, ovarian and prostate cancers. Based on sparse data, there is suggestion that tea intake may influence circulating hormone levels, providing a plausible mechanism whereby tea intake may influence risk of hormone-related cancers. The major objectives of this paper are to review the epidemiological evidence on tea and risk of breast, ovarian, and prostate cancers as well as the human and non-human studies on tea and circulating hormone levels. We pay special attention to some of the limitations of the human studies and discuss future research needs.
Electrocatalytic properties of in situ-generated palladium nanoparticle assemblies towards oxidation of multi-carbon alcohols and polyalcohols

Abstract Two-dimensional assemblies of palladium nanoparticles (PdNPs) were generated by in situ reduction of [PdCl4]2− ions bound on polyethylenimine silane-functionalized silicon and indium tin oxide (ITO)-coated glass surfaces. Atomic force microscopy imaging indicates an average PdNPs size of 8.4 ± 2.6 nm and confirms a uniform generation of these assemblies on the silicon surface. Ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy, surface zeta potential measurements and impedance spectroscopy were used to follow the changes in surface species and corresponding variation in surface charge during different steps of the synthesis of the PdNPs. These assemblies generated on a functionalized ITO surface are effective catalysts for the reduction of 4-nitrophenol to 4-aminophenol in the presence of excess sodium borohydride and follow pseudo-first-order reaction kinetics with an apparent rate constant (kapp) of 5.99 × 10−4 s−1. Finally, the electrocatalytic behavior of these PdNPs assemblies in alkaline medium was evaluated for oxidation of the multi-carbon alcohols ethanol, n-propanol and isopropanol as well as for the polyalcohols ethylene glycol and glycerol. Analysis of cyclic voltammetric response reveals that PdNPs assemblies are effective electrocatalysts for isopropanol oxidation and demonstrate superior performance for the oxidation of both polyalcohols, with high tolerance against accumulation of carbonaceous species on the electrode surface.
Intercostal Artery Pseudoaneurysm Formation after Irinotecan Transarterial Chemoembolization of a Spinal Metastasis from Colorectal Cancer

Over the past decade, irinotecan has become one of the first-line chemotherapeutic agents used in the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer. Recently, irinotecan has been administered transarterially in order to perform chemoembolization in the liver. In the limited number of reports available to date using this approach, serious adverse effects have not yet been reported. In this paper, we describe the formation of an intercostal artery pseudoaneurysm after transarterial chemoembolization with irinotecan-eluting beads in a patient with spinal metastasis from colorectal cancer.
Comparative study of antithrombotic effect of a low molecular weight heparin and unfractionated heparin in an ex vivo model of deep arterial injury.

Thrombosis after plaque rupture triggers the onset of acute coronary events. The treatment of choice for patients with acute coronary syndromes is conventional unfractionated heparin. Low molecular weight heparin has recently been reported to be as effective and even safer than unfractionated heparin. In this study, the effects of the low molecular weight heparin reviparin and unfractionated heparin on thrombus formation were examined under dynamic conditions using an extracorporeal perfusion chamber in a porcine model. Thrombus formation was assessed by the deposition of porcine 123I-fibrin(ogen) and autologous 111In-platelets on porcine tunica media at high and low shear rates. Reviparin reduced the fibrinogen molecules deposited on injured vessels at high shear rates (252±80 molecules×1012/cm2 for reviparine (200 U/kg/hour) vs. 624±70×1012/cm2 for unfractionated heparin (200 U/kg/hour) (p<0.05). At low shear rates, fibrinogen deposition was also significantly reduced by reviparin (130±15 molecules×1012/cm2) compared to unfractionated heparin (192±40×1012/cm2 at 200 U/kg/hour; p<0.05). No change in platelet deposition was detected after heparin administration in either treatment group. In conclusion, the low molecular weight heparin reviparin has a higher antithrombotic potential than unfractionated heparin. Reviparin may have advantages over unfractionated heparin in treatment and prevention of acute coronary syndromes.
Appearance and Punishment: The Attraction-Leniency Effect in the Courtroom

Abstract Observers rated 60 criminal defendants on the following four items related to attractiveness: physical attractiveness, neatness, cleanliness, and quality of dress. The four-item Attractiveness Index correlated significantly and negatively with severity of punishment (acquitted to 20 years); the correlation remained significant when seriousness of the crime was controlled. AI ratings did not predict whether the defendant was convicted or acquitted. Some racial disparities in severity of punishment were noted: Nonwhites, as compared to whites, were more conviction prone, more apt to be charged with violent crimes, and, once convicted, more likely to be sentenced.
NexFET a new power device

A new generation of Power MOSFET technology has been introduced. The devices are manufactured in a standard 0.35µm CMOS production line with only few process modules being adapted for the requirements of vertical power transistors with a 2x improvement in Figure of Merit (FOM). This improvement results mainly from the reduction in Miller capacitance.
The Synergistic Effects of Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption on the Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis

The Synergistic Effects of Alcohol and Tobacco Consumption on the Risk of Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma: A Meta-Analysis
Properties of lipid bilayer membranes separating two aqueous phases: composition studies.

Abstract The composition of thin synthetic lipid membranes formed from solutions of (a) phosphatidylethanolamine in decane and (b) phosphatidylethanolamine and cholesterol in decane have been determined. The thin black membranes were formed with radioactively labeled components of high specific activity, stabilized by means of fixation with La(NO 3 ) 3 and KMmO 4 ( Henn, Decker, Greenawalt & Thompson, 1967 ) and sampled. The results indicate that the molar ratio of decane: phospholipid in cholesterol free membranes is 11.8 ± 3.4, and 10.5 ± 1.8 in membranes containing cholesterol. The cholesterol: phospholipid ratio is 1.5 ± 0.2 in these synthetic films. A consideration of the calculated and measured surface area per phospholipid molecule and the electron micrographs of fixed membranes leads to the conclusion that these films are bilayers of phospholipid containing an appreciable amount of decane which have in addition occasional thicker regions or lenses of trapped decane. This structure is able to account for the measured physical properties of the bilayer membrane.
Heat transfer measurements in a first stage nozzle cascade having endwall contouring, leakage and assembly features

This work supports new gas turbine designs for improved performance by evaluating sealing flow effects in a cascade representative of a contoured first stage stator passage. Contouring accelerates the flow, reducing the thickness of the endwall inlet boundary layer to the turbine stage and reducing the strength of secondary flows within the passage. Injected flows, used to seal gaps and cool surfaces, may affect endwall boundary layers, increase secondary flows and possibly create additional vortex structures in the passage. The present paper documents injected flow effects on the endwall heat transfer within a passage with one contoured and one straight endwall. The paper discusses heat transfer distributions measured with different leakage flow rates. In particular, leakage is from the gap between the combustor and turbine sections and from the gap at the assembly joint on the vane platform between two vanes.© 2005 ASME
Spontaneously Broken Global Symmetries and Cosmology

Phase transitions associated with spontaneously broken global symmetries, in case these occur in nature, can have important cosmological implications. This is illustrated through two examples. The first one shows how the spontaneous breaking of a global U(1) symmetry, present, for instance, in the minimal SU(5) model, can lead to an inflationary phase. The second example illustrates how topologically stable strings associated with the breaking of a U(1) symmetry make an appearance at (or near) the end of the inflationary era.
Discovery of Dermorphin-Based Affinity Labels with Subnanomolar Affinity for Mu Opioid Receptors†

A series of potent electrophilic affinity labels (IC50 = 0.1−5 nM) containing either a bromoacetamide or isothiocyanate based on the μ opioid receptor (MOR) selective peptide dermorphin were prepared. All four analogues exhibited wash resistant inhibition of [3H]DAMGO binding at subnanomolar to nanomolar concentrations, suggesting that these analogues bind covalently to MOR. To our knowledge, these peptides are the highest affinity peptide-based affinity labels for MOR reported to date.
A priori bounds in the cauchy problem for coupled elliptic systems

By means of the logarithmic convexity of a suitable functional, an a priori inequality is developed for the sum of the squares of the solutions of the following improperly posed Cauchy problem. Consider the coupled elliptic system Lu = aν+f,Lν= bu+g, where L is a uniformly elliptic differential operator, a,b,f and g are bounded integrable functions with |b(x)|≧b0>0 and ν satisfies a stabilizing condition, and where upper bounds for the error in measurement of the Cauchy data on the initial surface are prescribed. From the a priori estimate uniqueness, stability, and pointwise bounds for the solutions u and n are simultaneously deduced. The bounds are improvable by the Ritz technique. Moreover, the method presented here can be extended to the nonlinear system Lu = f(x, ν), Lν =g(x,u)provided g is a suitable form
The Structure of Children's Interests and Competence Perceptions

Two studies were conducted with samples of elementary school, middle school, and college students, who were given the Inventory of Children's Activities, which was designed to assess J. L. Holland's (1973, 1985a) RIASEC (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional) types on interests and competence perceptions. The structure was examined at the scale and item levels using the randomization test of hypothesized order relations and principal-components analysis. Results indicated that (a) there were few differences in structure between interests and competence perceptions, (b) the structure of interests and competence perceptions varied across age, (c) the fit of the circular model was positively related to age, (d) elementary and middle school students evaluated their interests and competencies using different dimensions than did college students, and (e) there were scale score mean differences across gender and age. The prevailing model used in most interest inventories is the one posited by John Holland (1973, 1985a) of six types (Realistic, Investigative, Artistic, Social, Enterprising, and Conventional, hereafter referred to as RIASEC) arranged in a hexagon (or circle). In a meta-analytic examination of the RIASEC structure across 104 different samples, Tracey and Rounds (1993) found support for the circular structure of interests from the age of 14 through adulthood. Also, they found that the structure held equally across gender and the different instruments used. However, it is unknown if this circular structure of RIASEC interest types is valid for children, because age groups younger than 14 have not been examined. The primary purpose of this study was to ascertain the structure of interests in children. Can the interests of children be represented using the six RIASEC types? If so, does the circular arrangement of these types also accurately represent children's data?
Calibration of a phase-shifting DIC microscope for quantitative phase imaging

Phase-shifting differential interference contrast (DIC) provides images in which the intensity of DIC is transformed into values linearly proportional to differential phase delay. Linear regression analysis of the Fourier space, spiral phase, integration technique shows these values can be integrated and calibrated to provide accurate phase measurements of objects embedded in optically transparent media regardless of symmetry or absorption properties. This approach has the potential to overcome the limitations of profilometery, which cannot access embedded objects, and extend the capabilities of the traditional DIC microscope, which images embedded phase objects, but does not provide quantitative information.
Ultraviolet and Visible Spectropolarimetry of the Red Rectangle and HD 44179

We present the first ultraviolet and visible spectropolarimetry of the biconical nebula the Red Rectangle and its associated binary HD 44179. These observations were made between 1992 November and 1995 November using the Faint Object Spectrograph on board the Hubble Space Telescope and two separate ground-based observations. These new data gives more clues to the geometrical picture of the region. Previous results have typically reported linear polarizations in the visible and infrared of 1%-2%. We present results that clearly show an increase in the continuum polarization shortward of 2000 A into the 10%-15% range. In addition, the position angle is seen to rotate by 65° in the same wavelength region, probably a result of the bipolar geometry and the existence of an optically thick equatorial disk. It is also seen that lines due to Mg II absorption, Hα emission, and several lines due to CO are polarized differently than the continuum. There also appear to be features attributable to OH, which would be extremely unusual considering the assumed carbon-rich atmosphere that is present.
Effect of steroid hormones on uPA and PAI-1 expression in term decidual stromal cells: Implications for the onset of labor

DECIDUAL STROMAL CELLS: IMPLICATIONS FOR THE ONSET OF LABOR NASTARAN FOYOUZI, LYNN BUCHWALDER, FREDERICK SCHATZ, EDMUND FUNAI, CHARLES LOCKWOOD, ERROL NORWITZ, Yale University, OB/GYN, New Haven, Connecticut OBJECTIVE: Labor is associated with decidual activation. Decidual proteolysis and extracellular matrix degradation is mediated in part by a balance between urokinase-type plasminogen activator (uPA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor-1 (PAI-1). The effects of sex steroids on uPA and PAI-1 production by human decidual stromal cells is investigated. STUDY DESIGN: Stromal cells were isolated and purified from first trimester and term decidua, and treated with estradiol (10 M [E2]), medroxyprogesterone acetate (10 M [MPA]), both, or vehicle for 7 days. After 24h incubation, uPA and PAI-1 levels in conditioned supernatant were measured by ELISA. Measurements were corrected for protein content, and expressed as meanGSEM. RESULTS: Although unaffected by hormone treatment, basal uPA production was higher by term versus first trimester decidual stromal cells (32.4 G 13.9 vs 4.6 G 2.4 fg/mg protein [P ! .05]). PAI-1 secretion by term decidual stromal cells was higher than by first trimester cells (4.7G 2.1 vs 1.7G 0.2 pg/mg protein [P ! .05]). MPA (not E2) increased PAI-1 production in both populations (3.5and 2.0-fold, respectively). E2 augmented MPA-stimulated PAI-1 production by first trimester (6-fold) but not term decidual cells (1.1-fold). CONCLUSION: Sex steroids exert a differential effect on uPA and PAI-1 production in first trimester and term decidual stromal cells, which may be important in promoting decidual activation and spontaneous labor at term. MPA stimulation of PAI-1 by term decidual cells may account for its pregnancy prolonging properties.
Impact of food processing on the safety assessment for proteins introduced into biotechnology-derived soybean and corn crops

The food safety assessment of new agricultural crop varieties developed through biotechnology includes evaluation of the proteins introduced to impart desired traits. Safety assessments can include dietary risk assessments similar to those performed for chemicals intentionally, or inadvertently added to foods. For chemicals, it is assumed they are not degraded during processing of the crop into food fractions. For introduced proteins, the situation can be different. Proteins are highly dependent on physical forces in their environment to maintain appropriate three-dimensional structure that supports functional activity. Food crops such as corn and soy are not consumed raw but are extensively processed into various food fractions. During processing, proteins in corn and soy are subjected to harsh environmental conditions that drastically change the physical forces leading to denaturation and loss of protein function. These conditions include thermal processing, changes in pH, reducing agents, mechanical shearing etc. Studies have shown that processing of introduced proteins such as enzymes that impart herbicide tolerance or proteins that control insect pests leads to a complete loss of functional activity. Thus, dietary exposure to functionally active proteins in processed food products can be negligible and below levels of any safety concerns.
All-fiber coherent beam combining of fiber lasers

One half of a 2×2 fused taper single-mode fiber coupler is used for the all-fiber spatial and spectral beam combining of two fiber lasers.
Why Democracies Make Superior Counterterrorists

The conventional wisdom is that terrorists tend to target democracies because they are uniquely vulnerable to coercion. Terrorists are able to coerce democracies into acceding to their policy demands because liberal countries suffer from two inherent counterterrorism constraints: (1) the commitment to civil liberties prevents democracies from adopting sufficiently harsh countermeasures to eradicate the terrorism threat, and (2) their low civilian cost tolerance limits their ability to withstand attacks on their civilian populations. This article tests both propositions of the conventional wisdom that (a) terrorists attack democracies over other regime types because (b) liberal constraints render democracies vulnerable to coercion. The data do not sustain either proposition: illiberal countries are the victims of a disproportionate number of terrorist incidents and fatalities, and liberal countries are substantially less likely to make policy concessions to terrorists, particularly on issues of maximal imp...
Fusion of multiple views of multiple reference points using a parallel distributed processing approach

We review the basic ideas behind using reference points to determine the 3D position of a known object. We introduce a parallel distributed processing method for solving a family of nonlinear equations that define the constraints dictated by the point projections when the correspondence is known. This method involves updating the activations of nodes as well as the weights of the network, and as such we refer to it as an adaptive network. We discuss the possible extension of this method to the case when the correspondence is not known.
Antioxidant effect of a fermented powder of Lady Joy bean in primary rat hepatocytes

The role and beneficial effects of plant and food extracts against various diseases induced by oxidative stress have received much attention in recent years. Legumes are rich in bioactive compounds, and some studies suggest a correlation between their consumption and a reduced incidence of diseases. Primary cultures of rat hepatocytes were used to investigate whether and how an extract obtained from a fermented powder of bean named Lady Joy (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) is able to regulate antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes through the NRF2 pathway, inhibit NF-kB activation, and reduce H2O2-induced endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress. All of the antioxidant and detoxifying enzymes studied were significantly up-regulated by Lady Joy treatment. Western blot showed that Nrf2 was activated by Lady Joy treatment. Also, cells treated with this fermented bean were partially protected against NF-kB activation resulting from H2O2 stress. As a link between oxidative stress and ER dysfunction is hypothesized, we verified whether Lady Joy was able to protect cells from H2O2-induced ER stress, by studying the response of the proteins CHOP, BiP and caspase 12. The results of this study show that Lady Joy can induce the Nrf2 pathway, inhibit NF-kB, and protect ER from stress induced by H2O2.
A decision rule for evaluating several independent clinical trials collectively.

Abstract Usually, in applying for market approval of a new drug, more than one similarly designed clinical trial is conducted to support efficacy claims. How to evaluate these trials collectively and assess the overall type I error of a decision rule can be a challenging statistical issue. In this paper, we propose a decision rule to collectively evaluate p-values from several similarly designed and independently conducted trials. A concept of overall hypotheses, which is essentially union or intersection combinations of individual trials’ hypotheses, is used so that the overall type I error can be controlled at desired levels. We also discuss some important properties of the approach, including the selection of the overall type I error rates and power. Examples are presented.
Good governance, professionalism, ethics and responsibility

In a recent publication of the IIAS entitled The World We Could Win (Fraser-Moleketi, 2005), Professor Werner Jann aptly concluded: ‘The moment when somebody declares the ”end of history” or indeed ”end of discussion”, on the ground that all has been said and all the problems of governance have been resolved, we shall all be in deep trouble’ (pp. 156-7). We have been in some trouble for more than 20 years, precisely on this account. Developing countries, especially, have been victims of one-dimensional thinking which was sold to the world as the definitive answer to public sector reform. The ‘market model’ of governance sought to convert the government to private sector ways and ‘hollow out’ the State. A salient trait of this model was technocratic claims and scientific pretensions. The model, in effect, purported ‘to develop a science of administration with principles of universal validity’ (Heady, 2001: 391). Both in theory and in practice, the outcomes of this mind-set have been very mixed at best. As ...
Science Signaling Podcast: 15 July 2008

This conversation is about research highlighted in the Editors9 Choice summary titled, "Macrophages Go Back to School." The highlighted articles are T. Hagemann, T. Lawrence, I. McNeish, K. A. Charles, H. Kulbe, R. G. Thompson, S. C. Robinson, F. R. Balkwill, "Re-educating" tumor-associated macrophages by targeting NF-κB. J . Exp . Med . 205 , 1261-1268 (2008), and C. H. Y. Fong, M. Bebien, A. Didierlaurent, R. Nebauer, T. Hussell, D. Broide, M. Karin, T. Lawrence, An antiinflammatory role for IKKβ through the inhibition of "classical" macrophage activation. J . Exp . Med . 205 , 1269-1276 (2008). (Length: 11 min; file size: 5.00 MB; file format: mp3; location: http://podcasts.aaas.org/science_signaling/ScienceSignaling_080715.mp3)
Some test functions for the parameters of the weibull distributions

Test functions, based on various types of censored and noncensored data, for testing several hypotheses about the location, the scale, and the shape parameters of the Weibull distributions are proposed. The exact sampling distributions of these test statistics are derived and their properties in special cases are discussed. A numerical example is considered to illustrate the application of the test functions. The results of this paper possess good possibility of wide application in view of the fact that hosts of real data arising from diverse fields of human endeavor are adequately described by the Weibull distribution.
The increase in the association of education and cocaine use over the 1980s and 1990s: evidence for a 'historical period' effect.

Abstract During the 1980s the social distribution of adult cocaine use in the US changed, according to qualitative analyses, and its use became more prevalent in the lower as compared to the upper social strata. In this paper, we use national data to investigate the association of education and adult cocaine use to test whether this trend represents either a ‘historical period’ process that occurred concurrently across adults of all age groups or a cohort process that started with younger cohorts and only extended to older age groups as these younger cohorts aged. We also estimate the extent to which the emergence of crack cocaine use accounts for trends in the socioeconomic distribution of cocaine use over historical time. To address these questions we analyze data from each survey of the National Household Survey on Drug Abuse from 1979 to 1998 inclusive. The results point to a ‘historical period’ process that is explained in large part – but not entirely – by the emergence of crack cocaine. Important differences are apparent across racial and ethnic groups, as well as age groups. Cocaine use joins a growing list of potentially addictive drugs that have become more prevalent in the lower as compared to the upper social strata over historical time.
Extrapelvic colon--areas of failure in a reoperation series: implications for adjuvant therapy.

A total of 230 patients had planned single or multiple reoperative procedures following “curative” resection of colorectal cancer at the University of Minnesota. The site of the primary lesion was extrapelvic in 91, and later evidence of cancer was found in 58 patients (64%) at re-operation and/or other follow-up. Eight of the 58 (14%) were converted to disease-free status. Incidence and patterns of failure were correlated with initial operative-pathologic extent of disease (87 of the 91 at risk had initial tumor extension beyond the bowel wall, involved nodes or both) and comparisons were made with the previously analyzed rectal reoperation patients. While a component of local-regional failure was more common with rectal lesions (4874 at risk, 65%), it was not uncommon with extrapelvic primaries (4491-48%). The incidence of hematogenous metastasis (DM) was equal, but the pattern of initial DM differed (extrapelvic colon—primarily liver; rectum—liver and lung). Peritoneal seeding was a more common component of failure with the extrapelvic primaries (1991-21% vs 374-4%). Since surgery alone is inadequate treatment for many patients with colon as well as rectal cancer, the rationale of adjuvant radiation and systemic therapy, alone or in combination, is discussed.
Cancer metastasis and angiogenesis: an imbalance of positive and negative regulation.

Lance A. Liotta, Patricia S. Steeg, and William G. Stetler-Stevenson Laboratory of Pathology National Cancer Institute National Institutes of Health Bethesda, Maryland 20892 The most life-threatening aspects of the oncogenic pro- cess are invasion and metastasis. Even though the clinical significance of such expression of the malignant pheno- type has been well appreciated, advances in understand- ing the molecular mechanisms involved in metastasis have lagged behind other developments in the cancer field. Progress has been hindered by the sheer complexity of this multistep, tumor-host interaction that also encom- passes angiogenic and immunologic mechanisms. To tackle the problem, investigators have separated invasion and metastasis into a series of defined, sequential steps, and focused on one step at a time. For each step, new ex- perimental models had to be developed, and a combined effort using the disciplines of cell biology, protein bio- chemistry, and molecular genetics has now resulted in a surge of new information. General themes are emerging that yield new strategies for prognosis and therapy of hu- man metastatic cancer. A group of coordinated cellular processes is responsi- ble for metastasis. Furthermore, it is now clear that nega- tive regulatory processes may be just as important as positive ones. Some genetic changes result in an im- balance of growth regulation, leading to uncontrolled proliferation. However, unrestrained growth does not, by itself, result in invasion and metastasis. The latter pheno- type may therefore require additional genetic changes. Thus, tumorigenicity and metastatic potential have both overlapping and separate features. Invasion and metasta- sis can be facilitated by proteins that stimulate tumor cell attachment to host cellular or extracellular matrix deter- minants, tumor cell proteolysis of host barriers such as the basement membrane, tumor cell locomotion, and tumor cell colony formation in the target organ for metastasis. Facilitory proteins may act at many levels intracellularly or extracellularly, but are counterbalanced by factors that can block their production, regulation, or action. A com- mon theme has emerged: in addition to loss of growth control, an imbalanced regulation of motility and proteoly- sis appears to be required for invasion and metastasis. Moreover, these same functions are also necessary for angiogenesis. Angiogenesis by normal endothelial cells and metastasis by tumor cells are functionally similar but differ in their regulation. Metastatic Cells Do Not Constitute a Minor Subpopulation The process of metastasis involves a cascade of linked, sequential steps involving multiple host-tumor interac- tions (Fidler and Hart, 1982; Schirrmacher, 1985; Liotta et
Retinal pigment epithelium disturbances in acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy

Retinal pigment epithelium disturbances in acute posterior multifocal placoid pigment epitheliopathy
The aggregation of preferences in groups: Identity, responsibility, and polarization

In this paper, we use laboratory experiments to investigate how group identity and team decision-making processes might impact economic decisions. Our primary aim is to move the literature closer to an integrated model of group decision making through the use of an experimental design that carefully examines group identity and team decision making in isolation and in combination. We find that both the direction and magnitude of the group deviation relative to individual decisions depends critically on group communication and decision-making structure. In total, results are best explained by the concept of responsibility-alleviation.
Toward simulation-time data analysis and I/O acceleration on leadership-class systems

The performance mismatch between computing and I/O components of current-generation HPC systems has made I/O the critical bottleneck for scientific applications. It is therefore critical to make data movement as efficient as possible, and, to facilitate simulation-time data analysis and visualization to reduce the data written to storage. These will be of paramount importance to enabling us to glean novel insights from simulations. We present our work in GLEAN, a flexible framework for data-analysis and I/O acceleration at extreme scale. GLEAN leverages the data semantics of applications, and fully exploits the diverse system topologies and characteristics. We discuss the performance of GLEAN for simulation-time analysis and I/O acceleration with simulations at scale on leadership class systems
Improving safety for babies during the outpatient retinopathy of prematurity examination.

I n their report ‘‘Apnea and bradycardia in two premature infants during routine outpatient ROP screening,’’ in this month’s issue of the Journal of AAPOS, Wood and Kaufman report 2 serious and unexpected episodes of apnea and bradycardia that resulted in emergent hospital admissions for the babies. These near tragedies certainly warrant close examination and have led Drs. Wood and Kaufman to develop a new protocol for monitoring the babies and improving the safety for these very important examinations. They now strongly recommend that the families return to the hospital from which the babies were discharged. The babies are placed in a room adjacent to the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU) and have drops instilled by a NICU nurse, who remains with the baby during the examination. Drs. Wood and Kaufman have entered this new arrangement under contract with the hospital, which has assumed not only responsibility for safety during the retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) examinations but also responsibility for ensuring follow-up. The authors also suggest an alternative of providing advanced life support equipment and expertise to care for such infants in an outpatient setting. We have several concerns about mandating that a hospital-based approach be widely adopted. Transferring the responsibility to arrange ROP follow-up examinations to another institution does not simplify the process. It makes the likelihood of missed appointments higher by requiring that the examinations be performed at what is likely a less convenient location. Further, such an arrangement limits the times at which appointments can be scheduled. Carrying out the examination of any baby in the ophthalmologist’s office requires focus on the purpose of the visit. When a recently discharged premature baby presents for an ROP diagnostic examination, the essential question is whether the baby has or is likely to develop ROP severe enough to require treatment. That decision can be made by careful yet rapid examination of the posterior pole for the presence of plus disease and of zone 1 for the presence of retinopathy, that is, does the baby have type 1 ROP?
Studies of the stability and extractability of vitamin D.

Abstract Radioactively labelled vitamin D 3 -4-C 14 was used as a tracer to study the in vitro degradation of vitamin D. Effects were noted of various environmental conditions such as temperature, dispersion into water, exposure to air, oxygen, and ultraviolet light, with chromatography on alumina and Fluoropak 80 being employed to evaluate destruction. Procedures which avoided potentially damaging environments are described for saponifying tissues and extracting them of vitamin D and possible metabolites. They consist basically of refluxing with KOH in methanol, extraction by organic solvents in the presence of adequate concentrations of alcohol, and partition prior to chromatography or radioactivity assay.
Propagation on Overhead Transmission Lines I-Theory of Modal Analysis

This paper will investigate the technique of modal analysis applied to propagation of signals on overhead transmission lines. The propagation problem is first analyzed in phase quantities at a constant frequency and then with modal transformations in the original differential equations. From the model analysis, properties of modal transformations are deduced. This analysis shows that when earth correction terms are used in the description of the transmission line, the propagation constant matrix can be used to determine the modal transformations; it is also demonstrated that to evaluate the phase quantity results numerically it is necessary to perform a modal (eigenvalue) transformation. The general equations, evaluated for perfect earth, show that the surge impedance matrix can be used to determine the modal transformations, as has been done by previous authors.
Coronary artery disease in identical twins

The incidence of coronary artery disease in identical twins is unknown. The knowledge of ischemic heart disease in this patient population is represented by case reports. There is considerable controversy regarding the environmental and genetic factors that play a role in the pathogenesis of this disorder. The natural history of coronary artery disease in an asymptomatic twin with a symptomatic counterpart is unclear. We present a case report and literature review of coronary artery disease in identical twins. On the basis of our patient and the information of other patients, asymptomatic twins of symptomatic counterparts require aggressive assessment and management for occult coronary artery disease.
A stereoscopic X-ray procedure for locating the centroidal axis of the root of a maxillary central incisor.

Abstract A stereoscopic X-ray technique for determining the centroidal axis of a maxillary central incisor is described in this paper. This axis is defined by two points, the first being the apex of the root and the second defined as being between two lead foil markers on the labial and lingual surfaces. The X-ray film is located against a flat machined surface which contains two gold inserts defining an x-y coordinate system, from which measurements can be made directly. The determination of the locations of the two required points on the centroidal axis required that three separate radiographs be taken of the specified tooth from three given directions. The stereoscopic X-ray device used for this purpose allows accurate control on the relative positions of the X-ray source, the tooth and the X-ray film. Accuracy was checked by photographing a radio-opaque target and the results of this check indicated a potential error of 0·001 in.
GPU Cluster Implementation of FMM-FFT for Large-Scale Electromagnetic Problems

The fast multipole method (FMM) combined with fast Fourier transform (FFT) is investigated for the solution of large-scale electromagnetic problems, which require high computational capability that cannot be accommodated using conventional computing systems. The implementation is parallelized on a 13-node graphics processing unit (GPU) cluster that populates Nvidia Tesla M2090 GPUs. The experimental results based on our FMM-FFT implementation on GPUs demonstrate up to 957 times speedup compared to that of the single-core, single-node CPU implementation. The implementation details and the performance achievements in terms of accuracy, speedup, and scalability are discussed.