cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Comparison of muscle-sparing thoracotomy and thoracoscopic ligation for the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus

Abstract Purpose: We reviewed our experience with the treatment of patent ductus arteriosus (PDA), and compared two therapeutic techniques; muscle-sparing thoracotomy (MST) and thoracoscopic PDA ligation (TPDAL). Methods: We reviewed the clinical records and operative reports of 19 nonnewborn patients who were treated at our institution for PDA. Eleven patients underwent TPDAL and eight patients MST. The TPDAL patients underwent thoracoscopic clipping (ligation) of the PDA, whereas the MST group had a complete division of the ductus. A two-tailed Student's t test was used to calculate the 95% confidence intervals for length of operation, number of doses of intravenous narcotics and hospital stay. Costs were also compared. Results: All patients underwent diagnostic echocardiography in the evaluation of an asymptomatic murmur. Both groups were similar in age (average, 4 years) and gender. All procedures were performed electively. Two thoracoscopic attempts were aborted, one for bleeding and the other for inadequate clip size. The length of the procedure averaged 1.3 hours ± 0.330 SD for TPDAL versus 1.4 hours ± 0.335 SD for MST. Five of the nine successful TPDAL patients were admitted to the Pediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) with an average length of stay of 20 hours, and two of eight MST patients stayed in the PICU for average of 18 hours. All patients were extubated after the procedure. Chest tubes were placed in two TPDAL patients and three MST patients. However, two patients who underwent TPDAL required tube thoracostomy for persistent postoperative pneumothorax. Average number of intravenous narcotics administered for the TPDAL was 1.2 doses per patient and for MST, 1.75 doses per patient. Mean hospital stay for TPDAl was 1.33 ± 0.71 SD days and for MST 1.8 ± 0.83 SD days. Ninety-five percent (95%) confidence intervals for the difference in means demonstrated no difference between the two groups for length of operation, hospital stay, or number of doses of intravenous narcotics administered. Conclusions: The authors were unable to identify any benefit to thoracoscopic patent ductus arteriosus ligation versus muscle-sparing thoracotomy in terms of hospital stay, length of operation, or morbidity. Additionally, with MST there is a complete division of the PDA theoretically decreasing the risk of recurrence in comparison with clip ligation.
Increased intragraft rejection–associated gene transcripts in patients with donor-specific antibodies and normal biopsies

We investigated why some donor-specific antibody–positive patients do not develop antibody-mediated rejection. Of 71 donor-specific antibody–positive patients, 46 had diagnosis of antibody-mediated rejection and 25 had normal biopsies. Fifty donor-specific antibody–negative patients with normal biopsies were used as a control group. A subgroup of 61 patients with available biopsy and 64 with blood samples were analyzed by microarrays. Both donor-specific antibody–positive/antibody-mediated rejection–positive and negative biopsies showed increased expression of gene transcripts associated with cytotoxic T cells, natural killer cells, macrophages, interferon-gamma, and rejection compared to donor-specific antibody–negative biopsies. Regulatory T-cell transcripts were upregulated in donor-specific antibody–positive/antibody-mediated rejection–positive and B-cell transcripts in donor-specific antibody–positive/antibody-mediated rejection–negative biopsies. Whole-blood gene expression analysis showed increased immune activity in only donor-specific antibody–positive/antibody-mediated rejection–positive but not negative patients. During a median follow-up of 36 months, 4 donor-specific antibody–positive/antibody-mediated rejection–negative patients developed antibody-mediated rejection, 12 continued to have donor-specific antibody, but 9 lost their donor-specific antibody. Gene expression profiles did not predict the development of antibody-mediated rejection or the persistence of donor-specific antibody. Thus, donor-specific antibody–positive/antibody-mediated rejection–negative patients had increased rejection-associated gene transcripts in their allografts despite no histologic findings of rejection but not in their blood. This was found in both biopsy and blood samples of donor-specific antibody–positive/antibody-mediated rejection–positive patients.
Do suicide terrorists exhibit clinically suicidal risk factors? A review of initial evidence and call for future research

Despite growing evidence to the contrary, it is still widely assumed that suicide terrorists are not actually suicidal. However, this review supports recent studies which suggest the opposite, and presents initial evidence that much like other suicidal individuals, many suicide terrorists appear to be driven by clinically suicidal risk factors, including: (1) the desire to escape the world they live in, (2) the desire to escape moral responsibility for their actions, (3) the inability to cope with a perceived crisis, and (4) a sense of low self-worth. By establishing the links between suicide terrorism and suicidality, scholars may be able to better understand the nature of these violent attacks and develop more effective ways to stop them.
Dynamics of multiple myeloma tumor therapy with a recombinant measles virus

Replication-competent viruses are being tested as tumor therapy agents. The fundamental premise of this therapy is the selective infection of the tumor cell population with the amplification of the virus. Spread of the virus in the tumor ultimately should lead to eradication of the cancer. Tumor virotherapy is unlike any other form of cancer therapy as the outcome depends on the dynamics that emerge from the interaction between the virus and tumor cell populations both of which change in time. We explore these interactions using a model that captures the salient biological features of this system in combination with in vivo data. Our results show that various therapeutic outcomes are possible ranging from tumor eradication to oscillatory behavior. Data from in vivo studies support these conclusions and validate our modeling approach. Such realistic models can be used to understand experimental observations, explore alternative therapeutic scenarios and develop techniques to optimize therapy.
No Teacher Left Behind: Results of a Five-Year Study of Teacher Attrition

Abstract No Child Left Behind (NCLB) legislation has left many administrators in high need schools scrambling to fill classrooms with “quality teachers” as defined by NCLB. However, redefining “quality teachers” to allow recruitment of inexperienced and under prepared individuals will decrease teacher quality and result in an ever-growing population of preretirement teachers. Any plan to reduce the teacher shortage must also decrease teacher attrition. This study examined (1) reasons for pre-retirement; (2) factors that would influence a former educator to return to teaching; and (3) predictors of teacher attrition. Results indicate income was the most significant factor related to teacher attrition followed by discipline problems, and leaving to raise a family. Increased income, administrative support, and improved workplace were the strongest factors influencing former educators to return to the classroom. Finally, predictors of attrition were little teaching experience, less than $25,000 annual income,...
Behavior problems: differences among intellectually disabled adults with co-morbid autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy.

Abstract Behavior problems such as aggression, property destruction, stereotypy, self-injurious behavior, and other disruptive behavior are commonly observed among adults with intellectual disabilities (ID), autism spectrum disorders (ASD), and epilepsy residing at state-run facilities. However, it is unknown how these populations differ on behavior problem indicies. Assessment of behavior problems were made with the ASD–behavior problems-adult version battery. One hundred participants with ID were matched and compared across four equal groups comprising 25 participants with ID, 25 participants with epilepsy, 25 participants with ASD, and 25 participants with combined ASD and epilepsy. When controlling for age, gender, race, level of ID, and hearing and visual impairments, significant differences were found among the four groups, Wilks's Λ = .79, F(12, 246) = 1.93, p .05, η2 = .03, and stereotypy subscale, F(3, 96) = 2.62, p > .05, η2 = .08. No significant differences were found on the self-injury subscale and disruptive behavior subscale. Trend analysis demonstrated that individuals with ID expressing combined co-morbid ASD and epilepsy were significantly more impaired than the control group (ID only) or groups containing only a single co-morbid factor with ID (ASD or epilepsy only) on these four subscales. Implications of these findings in the context of known issues in ID, epilepsy, and ASD, current assessment practices among these populations and associated challenges are discussed.
X-ray narrow-line transition radiation source based on low-energy electron beams traversing a multilayer nanostructure.

X-ray transition radiation can be generated by low-energy electrons traversing a periodic multilayered solid-state nanostructure. In this paper, we investigate how the photoabsorption and electron scattering losses affect the maximal power of that radiation, the required electron energy, and the optimal total length of such a structure. We show that a combination of materials with high and low atomic numbers can produce an intense x-ray radiation with very narrow spectral peaks at the atomic inner-shell absorption edges of the materials, due to resonant anomalous dispersion of refractive index. We find that the photoabsorption and electron scattering result in only moderate increase of required electron energy as compared with the ideal lossless case. The photoabsorption also puts a certain ``ceiling'' on the required electron energy. We demonstrate the feasibility of an inexpensive x-ray source with mega- (or submega-) eV electrons that can generate narrow-line x-ray radiation. Its brightness can be high enough to compete with synchrotron radiation for a number of applications.
Hill-Sachs Defects and Repair Using Osteoarticular Allograft Transplantation: Biomechanical Analysis Using a Joint Compression Model

BackgroundHumeral head defects have been associated with failed anterior shoulder instability repairs. Quantitative data are required to determine (1) the critical defect size for consideration of surgical repair and (2) the ability of proposed repair techniques to restore normal joint function.HypothesesIncreasing defect size will decrease stability and anterior translation before dislocation. Stability will decrease in shoulder positions where the defect is oriented in line with the anterior glenoid. Osteoarticular repair will restore joint stability to intact shoulder level.Study designControlled laboratory study.MethodsA robotic/universal force-moment sensor testing system was used to apply joint compression (22 N) and an anterior load (40 N) to cadaveric shoulders (n = 9) with all soft tissues removed (intact) at joint orientations with 60° of glenohumeral abduction and 0° and 60° of external rotation. Four posterolateral osteoarticular defects were created (12.5%, 25.0%, 37.5%, and 50.0% defect) fol...
Crystal Structure of NMC-4 Fab anti-von Willebrand Factor A1 Domain

We have solved the crystal structure of the Fab fragment of NMC-4, a mouse monoclonal antibody that binds to the A1 domain of von Willebrand factor (vWF). Two Asp and three Tyr residues in the complementarity determining regions 1 and 3 of the heavy chain exhibited a spatial orientation suggestive of a dominant role in establishing contact with the antigen. A cluster of Asp and Tyr residues occurs also in a region of the platelet glycoprotein (GP) Ib alpha amino terminal domain known to be critically involved in vWF binding. Thus, the structural information obtained with NMC-4 may prove relevant to understand the stereochemical bases of the GP Ib alpha-vWF interaction essential for thrombus formation at sites of vascular lesion.
Invertebrate response to snow goose herbivory on moist-soil vegetation

Foraging activity by snow geese (Chen caerulescens) often creates large areas devoid of vegetation (“eat-outs”) in moist-soil impoundments and coastal wetlands. Open-water habitats that result from eat-outs may be valuable foraging areas for other wetland-dependent birds (i.e., waterfowl and shorebirds). However, few studies have examined the effects of goose-induced habitat changes on invertebrates, an important food source for both waterfowl and shorebirds. We quantified changes in abundance and composition of benthic invertebrates in response to snow goose herbivory in moist-soil impoundments at Prime Hook National Wildlife Refuge, Delaware, USA. We found invertebrate taxon richness and diversity and abundance of Chironomidae, Coleoptera, and Total Invertebrates to be higher in goose-excluded sites than in adjacent eat-outs. These effects were most pronounced during January, February, and early April. We also measured invertebrate abundance in shorebird exclosures in eat-outs but found few detectable effects of shorebird predation on invertebrates. Our study demonstrated that abundant snow geese may negatively influence availability of invertebrates for other nonbreeding waterbirds, suggesting that management actions to reduce local goose populations or deter feeding in impoundments may be warranted.
Excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists modify regional cerebral metabolic responses to levodopa in 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned rats

Abstract Excitatory amino acid receptor antagonists have been proposed as novel therapeutic agents to be used with levopoda in the treatment of Parkinson's disease. We examined the neural substrates for the interaction between levodopa and antagonists of either the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid or N-methyl- d -aspartate type of excitatory amino acid receptor using 2-deoxyglucose autoradiography. Thus, we compared the effects of the α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor antagonist 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(F)quinoxaline (10 mg/kg, i.v.) and the N-methyl- d -aspartate antagonist MK-801 (0.1 mg/kg, i.v.) on cerebral metabolic responses to levodopa (25 mg/kg, i.v., with 12.5 mg/kg benserazide) in rats with a unilateral nigrostriatal pathway lesion. Levodopa increased glucose utilization ipsilateral to the lesion in substantia nigra pars reticula (up to 104%), entopeduncular nucleus (up 90%) and subthalamic nucleus (up 30%), indicating that levodopa alters striatal output through the striatonigral, striatoentopeduncular and striatopallidal pathways. Levodopa also decreased metabolic rate in lateral habenula (down 39%), a target of projections from entopeduncular nucleus, implying a reduction in basal ganglia output. 2,3-Dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(F)quinoxaline and MK-801 by themselves did not affect glucose utilization in any of these regions. Pretreatment with 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(F)quinoxaline reduced the effect of levodopa in substantia nigra pars reticulata but not in entopeduncular nucleus or subthalamic nucleus, while MK-801 attenuated the effect of levodopa in all three of these structures; neither 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(F)quinoxaline nor MK-801 altered the effect of levodopa in lateral habenula. When given at the same doses to a separate group of lesioned animals, neither 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(F)quinoxaline nor MK-801 affected rotational behavior elicited by levodopa. These findings indicate that α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid and N-methyl- d -aspartate receptor antagonists differentially modify dopamine receptor-mediated striatal output, α-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid receptor blockade may preferentially attenuate the effect of dopamine receptor activation on the striatonigral pathway, while N-methyl- d -aspartate blockade appears to reduce the actions of dopamine on the striatonigral, striatoentopeduncular and striatopallidal pathways. However, the lack of effect of both 2,3-dihydroxy-6-nitro-7-sulfamoyl-benzo(F)quinoxaline and MK-801 on levodopa-induced rotational behavior and reduced metabolic rate in the lateral habenula suggests that neither α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid nor N-methyl- d -aspartate receptor blockade diminishes the net effect of levodopa on basal ganglia output.
Assessment of SCaMPR and NEXRAD Q2 Precipitation Estimates Using Oklahoma Mesonet Observations

Although satellite precipitation estimates provide valuable information for weather and flood forecasts, infrared (IR) brightness temperature (BT)-based algorithms often produce large errors for precipitation detectionandestimationduringdeepconvectivesystems(DCSs). AsDCSsproducegreatlyvaryingprecipitation rates below similar IR BT retrievals, using IR BTs alone to estimate precipitation in DCSs is problematic. Classifying a DCS into convective-core (CC), stratiform (SR), and anvil cloud (AC) regions allows an evaluation of estimated precipitation distributions among DCS components to supplement typical quantitative precipitation estimate(QPE)evaluationsandtodiagnosetheseIR-basedalgorithm biases. This paperassesses the performance of the National Mosaic and Multi-Sensor Next Generation Quantitative Precipitation Estimation System (NMQ Q2), and a simplified version of the Self-Calibrating Multivariate Precipitation Retrieval (SCaMPR) algorithm, over the state of Oklahoma using Oklahoma Mesonet observations. While average annual Q2 precipitation estimates were about 35% higher than Mesonet observations, strong correlations exist between these two datasets for multiple temporal and spatial scales. Additionally, the Q2-estimated precipitation distribution among DCS components strongly resembled the Mesonet-observed distribution, indicating Q2can accurately capture the precipitation characteristicsof DCSs despite itswet bias. SCaMPR retrievals were typically 3‐4 times higher than Mesonet observations, with relatively weak correlations during 2012. Overestimates from SCaMPR retrievals were primarily caused by precipitation retrievals from the anvil regions of DCSs when collocated Mesonet stations recorded no precipitation. A modified SCaMPR retrieval algorithm, employing both cloud optical depth and IR temperature, has the potential to make significant improvements to reduce the wet bias of SCaMPR retrievals over anvil regions of a DCS.
Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Immigrant Absorption in the United States and Israel

The article reviews the book “Immigrant Entrepreneurs and Immigrant Absorption in the United States and Israel,” edited by Ivan Light and Richard Isralowitz.
Genetic factors influencing alcohol dependence

Plentiful data from both animal and human studies support the importance of genetic influences in substance abuse and dependence (Bierut et al., 1998; Tsuang et al., 1998; Kendler et al., 2003). This review summarizes the evidence supporting such genetic influences, places them into perspective regarding animal and human studies, discusses the importance of both genes and environment, and highlights some specific genes of interest regarding the vulnerabilities for problems associated with alcohol use disorders. A long history of repetitive heavy use of alcohol exists across generations as well as the high prevalence of alcohol-related problems in Western societies. Moreover, the information offered here addresses the importance of more general issues regarding genetics and gene expression related to alcohol abuse and dependence.
Sialidase Treatment Exposes the βT1-Integrin Active Ligand Binding Site on HL60 Cells and Increases Binding to Fibronectin

The migration of neutrophils from the circulation to areas of inflammation is the result of the sequential activation of multiple cellular adhesion molecules. βT1-Integrins are cell surface glycoproteins and the class of adhesion molecules responsible for binding to the extracellular matrix. The goal of this study was to determine the contribution of glycosylation, specifically the presence of sialic acid, to βT1-integrin adhesion in a neutrophil model. βT1-Integrins on differentiated HL60 cells were remodeled by treatment with the exoglycosidases, sialidase and βT-galactosidase. βT1-Integrin activity was determined by measuring adherence to the extracellular matrix protein fibronectin. The expression of βT1-integrins, βT2-integrins and activated βT1-integrins was determined by flow cytometry. Remodeling of βT1-integrins by treatment with sialidase increased adhesion by greater than 100%. Flow cytometric analysis of remodeled βT1-integrins demonstrated an increased expression of the activated βT1-integrin...
Evidence of a gene-environment interaction that predisposes to spontaneous preterm birth: a role for asymptomatic bacterial vaginosis and DNA variants in genes that control the inflammatory response

Objective We determined whether an environmental exposure to bacterial vaginosis (BV) modified genetic susceptibilities for spontaneous preterm delivery within genes that regulate the inflammatory response. Study Design Maternal DNA samples and vaginal smears for Gram staining were collected from 743 women (68 preterm births). We used a 1536–single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) custom chip to study associations between genotype distributions and preterm birth. Results For 8 SNPs in 3 genes (protein kinase C alpha, fms-like tyrosine kinase 1, and interleukin 6), the odds ratios for preterm birth ranged from 1.9–4.0 among women with susceptible genotypes who were BV positive. The odds ratios for preterm birth were 2.0-5.0 times greater among women who were BV positive than among women who were BV negative. The significance of these differences was demonstrated by logistic regression analyses for genotype/BV interaction. Conclusion These results demonstrate that the risk of preterm delivery that is associated with tag SNPs in genes that regulate the inflammatory response is modified by an environmental exposure such as bacterial vaginosis.
Comparison of a fifty per cent hay and a no-hay ration with or without supplemental vitamin A for beef production from young dairy calves.

Abstract Male Holstein calves were weaned from a milk-replacer diet at approximately 200lb, castrated and assigned at random to one of six rations. Rations were 1) 50% alfalfa hay, 50% rolled barley, or 2) a no-hay diet consisting of steam-rolled barley and supplements. Each was supplemented with 0, 5,000, or 10,000 IU of vitamin A daily. Calves were individually fed to an average weight of 984lb. There were no significant differences in feedlot performance or carcass dressing per cent, 12th rib-eye area, 12th rib fat thickness, or carcass grade of calves fed the 50% roughage as compared with those fed the no-hay ration. Supplemental vitamin A in the presence of at least 3.7mg of carotene per pound ration had no significant effect on feedlot performance or carcass characteristics. Plasma and liver carotene levels were higher in calves fed the 50% roughage ration. This could be attributed to the higher carotene content of the diet (19.7mg vs. 3.7 mg/lb ration). Supplemental vitamin A caused a nonsignificant rise in liver vitamin A.
Water Resources Management: The Myth, the Wicked, and the Future

“The willingness to look ahead ,...a tlow-, medium-, and high-level population densities reveals an awareness of the increasing importance of water in the future; and of the necessity for the present generation to plan for the water needs of the next” Balchin 1960.
Sex ratio in a wild population of twospotted spider mites

The influence of week of season, leaf position on plants, population size and population growth rate on twospotted spider mite adult and functional sex ratio was determined for wild populations found on field corn. Adult sex ratio became less female biased as the mite population per plant increased. Adult sex ratio became increasingly female biased at higher leaf positions on the plant. Population growth rate (measured as proportion eggs in the population) was positively correlated with the proportion females in the adult population. Functional sex ratio (ratio of sexually available females to males) was positively influenced by population growth rate. The other factors studied only slightly influenced this parameter. Ecological implications of these findings are briefly discussed.
The last SPR dinner awards

Because the Solar-Planetary Relationships section of AGU has officially changed its name to Space Physics and Aeronomy (SPA), the December 10, 1991, section dinner award ceremony at the AGU Fall Meeting in San Francisco was the last of the series. Presumably an SPA dinner award series will be started under President-elect Andy Nagy. We have followed our tradition of recognizing the special talents of section members at the annual dinner. This year we had eight awardees. These awards are given in fun and are intended to be humorous. The selection committee defining the awards (the awards are changed regularly to keep people from trying to win one) and selecting the awardees will have to remain anonymous. (The committee is similar to Skull and Bones, but we are politically correct in that we allow women as members.)
Quantifying expression of Geobacter spp. oxidative stress genes in pure culture and during in situ uranium bioremediation

As part of an effort to diagnose the physiological status of Geobacter species during in situ bioremediation of uranium-contaminated groundwater, transcript levels for two genes potentially associated with oxidative stress, cydA and sodA, were quantified throughout a bioremediation field study in Rifle, CO, USA. Despite the accumulation of Fe(II) in the groundwater, which is inconsistent with the presence of dissolved oxygen, both genes were highly expressed during the bioremediation process. Therefore, the response to oxidative stress was further evaluated with Geobacter uraniireducens, an isolate from the Rifle site. When G. uraniireducens cultured with fumarate as the electron acceptor was exposed to 5% oxygen for 8 h, there was a significant increase in cydA and sodA transcripts as well as other genes associated with oxygen respiration or oxidative stress. Oxygen-exposed cells had lower transcript abundance for genes associated with anaerobic respiration, metabolism and motility. Short-term oxygen exposure had little impact on cydA transcript levels, as more than 1 h was required for increases to levels comparable to the subsurface. Abundance of cydA and sodA transcripts for the isolate G. sulfurreducens were always higher in cells cultured with Fe(III) compared with fumarate as an electron acceptor, even when fumarate-grown cells were exposed to oxygen, and Fe(III)-grown cells were grown anaerobically. These results suggest that the apparently high Geobacter cydA and sodA expression during bioremediation cannot necessarily be attributed to oxidative stress and demonstrate that diagnosis of the metabolic status of subsurface microorganisms through transcript analysis should be coupled with appropriate geochemical analyses.
Japanese Images of Nature: Cultural Perspectives

Japanese Images of Nature: Cultural Perspectives. Pamela J. Asquith and Arne Kalland. eds. Richmond Surrey, UK: Curzon, 1997. 290 pp.
The survivability of design-specific spare placement in FPGA architectures with high defect rates

We address the problem of optimizing fault tolerance in FPGA architectures with high defect rates (such as nano-FPGAs) without significantly degrading performance. Our methods address fault tolerance during the placement and reconfiguration stages of FPGA programming. First, we provide several complexity results for both the fault reconfiguration and fault-tolerance placement problems. Then, we propose a placement algorithm which, in the presence of randomly generated faults, optimizes spare placement to maximize the probability that the FPGA can be reconfigured to meet a specified timing constraint. We also give heuristics for reconfiguration after faults have been detected. Despite the hardness results for both the placement and reconfiguration problems, we show our heuristics perform well in simulation (in one scenario, increasing the probability of successful reconfiguration by as much as 55p compared to a uniform spare placement).
Structure of uPAR, plasminogen, and sugar‐binding sites of the 300 kDa mannose 6‐phosphate receptor

The 300 kDa cation-independent mannose 6-phosphate receptor (CI-MPR) mediates the intracellular transport of newly synthesized lysosomal enzymes containing mannose 6-phosphate on their N-linked oligosaccharides. In addition to its role in lysosome biogenesis, the CI-MPR interacts with a number of different extracellular ligands at the cell surface, including latent transforming growth factor-β, insulin-like growth factor-II, plasminogen, and urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor (uPAR), to regulate cell growth and motility. We have solved the crystal structure of the N-terminal 432 residues of the CI-MPR at 1.8 A resolution, which encompass three out of the 15 repetitive domains of its extracytoplasmic region. The three domains, which exhibit similar topology to each other and to the 46 kDa cation-dependent mannose 6-phosphate receptor, assemble into a compact structure with the uPAR/plasminogen and the carbohydrate-binding sites situated on opposite faces of the molecule. Knowledge of the arrangement of these three domains has allowed us to propose a model of the entire extracytoplasmic region of the CI-MPR that provides a context with which to envision the numerous binding interactions carried out by this multi-faceted receptor.
A rule-based approach for consistent proportional delay differentiation (extended abstract)

Proportional delay differentiation (PDD) aims to maintain pre-specified packet queueing-delay ratios between different classes of traffic at each hop. Existing rate-allocation approaches for PDD services assume the average queueing delay of a class is inversely proportional to its service rate. This assumption may not be valid in a non-heavily loaded system. In this paper, we present a rule-based approach to provide consistent PDD services under various load conditions. In this approach, the service rate of a class is adjusted according to a set of control rules. Simulation results demonstrate that, in comparison with other rate-allocation approaches, the rule-based approach is able to provide PDD services under light, moderate, and heavy load conditions consistently.
Reply to Cuellar and Price

Issues are raised concerning the reply by Cuellar and Price (1982) to my critique of their study on the effects of language on the expression of psychopathology in Mexican Americans. Methodological problems abound in this area of research, and Cuellar and Price have not clarified how their study circumvents the identified methodological problems.
Normalization of cell responses in cat striate cortex

Simple cells in the striate cortex have been depicted as half-wave-rectified linear operators. Complex cells have been depicted as energy mechanisms, constructed from the squared sum of the outputs of quadrature pairs of linear operators. However, the linear/energy model falls short of a complete explanation of striate cell responses. In this paper, a modified version of the linear/energy model is presented in which striate cells mutually inhibit one another, effectively normalizing their responses with respect to stimulus contrast. This paper reviews experimental measurements of striate cell responses, and shows that the new model explains a significantly larger body of physiological data.
Soviet population change and city growth 1970-79: a preliminary report.

The total, urban and rural population of major civil divisions of the Soviet Union and the population of cities over 100,000 are analyzed and mapped on the basis of preliminary results of the 1979 census. Total population growth rates declined during the 1970–79 intercensal period compared with the 1959–70 period while urbanization continued apace, although unevenly on a regional basis. The Slavic and other western republics, which show the highest urbanization levels of 60 percent and more, were also characterized by the lowest overall growth rates of 6 to 8 percent. Rural population declined almost everywhere outside a southwestern belt of high growth extending from parts of the southern Ukraine through Transcaucasia to Central Asia. Among large cities, moderate growth continues among cities with a multifunctional economy; high rates are evident in cities with major current industrial projects (automotive, for example) and in oil production regions; low rates are typical of some coal-mining and steelmak...
Dual Control Theory

Some fundamental problems in communication theory and control theory are compared. The problem of designing an optimum (in the statistical sense) closed - loop dual-control system, Its solution. as will as well as examples and some generalizations, will be given in parts II, III, and IV.
Secure Similar Document Detection with Simhash

Similar document detection is a well-studied problem with important application domains, such as plagiarism detection, document archiving, and patent/copyright protection. Recently, the research focus has shifted towards the privacy-preserving version of the problem, in which two parties want to identify similar documents within their respective datasets. These methods apply to scenarios such as patent protection or intelligence collaboration, where the contents of the documents at both parties should be kept secret. Nevertheless, existing protocols on secure similar document detection suffer from high computational and/or communication costs, which renders them impractical for large datasets. In this work, we introduce a solution based on simhash document fingerprints, which essentially reduce the problem to a secure XOR computation between two bit vectors. Our experimental results demonstrate that the proposed method improves the computational and communication costs by at least one order of magnitude compared to the current state-of-the-art protocol. Moreover, it achieves a high level of precision and recall.
Plant Immunity: Connecting the Dots Between Microbial and Hemipteran Immune Responses

Hemipteran insects are destructive pests worldwide and have multiple strategies for evading or coping with the host plant defenses. Innate immunity is a critical component of the plant defense against herbivory. In this chapter, we describe the status of our understanding of the three layers of defense including non-host resistance, pattern-triggered immunity and effector-triggered immunity and how they relate to immunity against hemipteran insects. We also address the gaps in our knowledge in the immune signaling against hemiptera and highlight recent advances in identification of hemipteran effectors.
PERMAFROST ZONATION IN EASTERN CANADA: A REVIEW OF PUBLISHED MAPS

Large discrepancies in placement of zonal “boundaries” are apparent between maps depicting the areal extent of permafrost in the Hudson Bay region. Although progressive improvements in data availablility are apparent through time, many of the differences between maps are attributable to a lack of explicit mapping criteria, to ambiguous or conflicting definitions of permafrost “continuity,” and to the widely recognized lack of observational data. The term “continuous permafrost” should be used only with reference to small (e.g., subcontinental) geographical scales, in which zonal tendencies are apparent. Cartographic depictions should be based on well-defined mapping criteria. [Key words: permafrost, cartography, eastern Canada, frozen ground.]
On the Subfamily Astatinae. Part III. A New Genus of Mexican Astatinae, with Notes on Related Genera (Hymenoptera: Sphecidae)

A new genus and a new species, Uniplectron azureum, are described from Mexico and their relationships to other Astatinae are discussed. A key is given to the 4 genera of Astatinae in North America.
Wnt/β-Catenin Signaling Drives Thioacetamide-Mediated Heteroprotection Against Acetaminophen-Induced Lethal Liver Injury.

Preplacement of compensatory tissue repair (CTR) by exposure to a nonlethal dose of a toxicant protects animals against a lethal dose of another toxicant. Although CTR is known to heteroprotect, th...
Whistleblowers and Outcomes of Financial Misrepresentation Enforcement Actions

Whistleblowers are ostensibly a valuable resource to regulators investigating securities violations, but whether there is a link between whistleblower involvement and the outcomes of enforcement actions is unclear. Using a dataset of employee whistleblowing allegations obtained from the U.S. government and the universe of enforcement actions for financial misrepresentation, we find that whistleblower involvement is associated with higher monetary penalties for targeted firms and employees and with longer prison sentences for culpable executives. We also find that regulators more quickly begin enforcement proceedings when whistleblowers are involved. Our findings suggest whistleblowers are a valuable source of information for regulators who investigate and prosecute financial misrepresentation. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved
Christianity, Islam, and Liberal Democracy: Lessons from Sub-Saharan Africa

Is religious homogeneity required to achieve the peace and stability needed for the development of liberal democracies? Is it possible that closer examination of particular societies reveals this n...
Thermal resistance of Listeria monocytogenes Scott A in ultrafiltered milk as related to the effect of different milk components.

Pasteurization parameters for grade A milk are well established and set by regulation. However, as solids levels increase, an increased amount of heat is required to destroy any pathogens present. This effect is not well characterized. In this work, the effect of increased dairy solids levels on the thermal resistance of Listeria monocytogenes was examined through the use of ultrafiltered (UF) milk, reconstituted milk powder, and the milk components lactose and caseinate. From the results obtained, lactose and caseinate did not appear to affect thermal resistance. In addition, the level of milk fat, up to 10% of the total solids in UF whole milk, did not result in statistically significant changes to thermal resistance when compared with UF skim milk. Reconstituted skim milk powder at 27% total solids (D62-value = 1.16 ± 0.2 [SD] min, z = 5.7) did result in increased thermal resistance, as compared with reconstituted skim milk powder at 17.5% (D62-value = 0.86 ± 0.02 min, z = 5.57) and UF whole milk at 27...
Metals in Coins

Coins in current circulation are made of diverse alloys, with copper-nickel constituting the most widely used alloy in coins worldwide. Coins have been reported to be a relevant source of exposure to nickel and copper and may result in exacerbation or elicitation of allergic contact dermatitis particularly to nickel in select clinical settings. Allergic contact dermatitis to coins is dependent on many variables, including local factors affecting nickel release (e.g., humidity, temperature, pH); duration, type, and frequency of exposure; skin barrier factors affecting individual susceptibility (e.g., xerosis, preexisting hand dermatitis); as well as baseline nickel allergy prevalence for the region. In this chapter, we review relevant methodologies and literature to date evaluating metal deposition on the skin and induction of allergic contact dermatitis. Patients who handle coins occupationally and consumers with nickel allergy appear to be at particular risk. Coins should not be overlooked as a potential source of allergen exposure.
Some Problems of Construction Implied by Requirements of Up-To-Date SIMS Instrumentation

Recent advances in various instrument components and methods for SIMS bring us to the threshold of rapid growth in the application of SIMS. In spite of the present difficulties in quantitative analysis, the extreme sensitivity and promise of sub-micron imaging capability foreshadow its rapid growth in surface and thin film analyses. Here we will examine some of these new methods and components and predict the potential that might be realized in a few years for quadrupole microbeam SIMS instrumentation.
Dietary Sources of Natural Inducers of Cell Death: Considerations for Cancer Therapy and Prevention

Programmed cell death (PCD), sometimes referred to as apoptosis, is a natural biological process that plays a key role in tissue maintenance and cellular homeostasis. Although PCD occurs as a normal biological process in multicellular organisms, it is highly regulated by a series of genetic elements which incidentally have also been implicated in carcinogenesis in humans. Thus any anomaly in the expression of the gene will result in the disruption of the highly organized physiological events of PCD resulting in the continuous proliferation and growth of cells, a condition known as carcinogenesis. In fact, most cancer cells exhibit characteristic mutations in the P53 gene.
Evaluation of RETRAN-02 Options with Peach Bottom Data

The RETRAN-01 system thermal-hydraulics analysis code has been used to simulate the Peach Bottom Unit 2 boiling water reactor (BWR) turbine trip tests. Since these studies have been performed, a second version of the code, RETRAN-02, has been developed and released. The RETRAN-02 code has a number of physical models that did not exist in RETRAN-01. These include slip between phases, subcooled voiding, special steam separator, one-dimensional kinetics, and iterative numerics models. The new models that exist in RETRAN-02 allow a more realistic modeling of the physical phenomena that occur, in particular, in a BWR. The effect of these new models is studied through the analysis of one of the Peach Bottom turbine trip tests. Each model's effect is easily observed since the models are applied one at a time. It was demonstrated that if the same options are used in both RETRAN-01 and RETRAN-02, essentially the same results are obtained. This is important because of the large amount of validation that has been performed with RETRAN-01. The results using the new models demonstrate that they are capable of more realistically describing the physical phenomena that occur during a turbine trip in a BWR.
Dual versus triple antithrombotic therapy in patients undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention-meta-analysis and meta-regression.

Abstract Background Anti-thrombotic regimen in patients on long term anticoagulation requiring coronary intervention remains a clinical challenge. Methods We performed a meta-analysis of observational studies and randomized controlled trials comparing outcomes of triple therapy (dual antiplatelet therapy and anticoagulant) with dual therapy (P2Y12 inhibitor and anticoagulant) in patients on long-term anticoagulants after percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Major bleeding was the primary outcome. Results Three observational studies and 3 randomized controlled trials with a total of 6654 patients met our selection criteria. At a mean follow up of 12.5 months major bleeding was lower in dual therapy cohort compared to triple therapy (2.2% vs 5.2%, RR 0.60, 95% CI 0.44–0.81, P = 0.001). No difference was observed between the two groups for major adverse cardiac events (11.8% vs 13.0%, RR 1.03, CI 0.79–1.34, P = 0.85), all-cause mortality (3.9% vs 5.6%, RR 0.94, CI 0.65–1.36, P = 0.76), myocardial infarction (3.7% vs 3.9%, RR 1.12, CI 0.83–1.50, P = 0.47), target vessel revascularization (6.8% vs 7.1%, RR 1.12, CI 0.72–1.74, P = 0.60), thromboembolic events (1.3% vs 1.6%, RR 0.95, CI 0.55–1.64, P = 0.85) and stent thrombosis (1.3% vs 1.4%, RR1.36, CI 0.84–2.21, P = 0.21). Conclusion For patients undergoing PCI and requiring long term anticoagulation, a strategy of P2Y12 inhibitor plus anticoagulant confers a benefit of less major bleeding with no difference in major adverse cardiac events, mortality, myocardial infarction, target vessel revascularization, stent thrombosis or thromboembolism compared with triple therapy.
Potential roles of plant biochemistry in mediating ecosystem responses to warming and drought

Abstract Plant biochemistry plays an important role in mediating the adaptive responses of plants to climatic stresses. Projected increases in warming and drought conditions would alter the molecular-level chemical composition of plants during the formative stages of tissues, which has important consequences for many ecosystem processes. This chapter will explore the plastic responses of plant metabolites and heteropolymers under climatic stress and the subsequent impacts on the microbial decomposition of plant litter and the ensuing nutrient cycling.
Depression and multimorbidity: Considering temporal characteristics of the associations between depression and multiple chronic diseases.

Objectives Depression frequently co-occurs with multiple chronic diseases in complex, costly, and dangerous patterns of multimorbidity. The field of health psychology may benefit from evaluating the temporal characteristics of depression's associations with common diseases, and from determining whether depression is a central connector in multimorbid disease clusters. The present review addresses these issues by focusing on 4 of the most prevalent diseases: hypertension, ischemic heart disease, arthritis, and diabetes. Method Study 1 assessed how prior chronic disease diagnoses were associated with current depression in a large, cross-sectional, population-based study. It assessed depression's centrality using network analysis accounting for disease prevalence. Study 2 presents a systematic scoping review evaluating the extent to which depression was prospectively associated with the onset of the 4 prevalent chronic diseases. Results In Study 1 depression had the fourth highest betweenness centrality ranking of 26 network nodes and centrally connected many existing diseases and unhealthy behaviors. In Study 2 depression was associated with subsequent incidence of ischemic heart disease and diabetes across multiple meta-analyses. Insufficient information was available about depression's prospective associations with incident hypertension and arthritis. Conclusions Depression is central in patterns of multimorbidity and is associated with incident disease for several of the most common chronic diseases, justifying the focus on screening and treatment of depression in those at risk for developing chronic disease. Future research should investigate the mediating and moderating roles of health behaviors in the association between depression and the staggered emergence over time of clusters of multimorbid chronic diseases. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2019 APA, all rights reserved).