cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Does Universal Coverage Mitigate Racial Disparities in Potentially Avoidable Maternal Complications

Objective Potentially avoidable maternity complications (PAMCs) have been validated as an indicator of access to quality prenatal care. African-American mothers have exhibited a higher incidence of PAMCs, which has been attributed to unequal health coverage. The objective of this study was to assess if racial disparities in the incidence of PAMCs exist in a universally insured population. Study Design PAMCs in each racial group were compared relative to White mothers using multivariate logistic regression. Stratified subanalyses assessed for adjusted differences in the odds of PAMCs for each racial group within direct versus purchased care. Results A total of 675,553 deliveries were included. Among them, 428,320 (63%) mothers were White, 112,170 (17%) African-American, 37,151 (6%) Asian/Pacific Islanders, and 97,912 (15%) others. African-American women (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.02–1.08) were more likely to have PAMCs compared with White women, and Asian women (aOR: 0.92, 95% CI: 0.89–0.95) were significantly less likely to have PAMCs compared with White women. On stratified analysis according to the system of care, equal odds of PAMCs among African-American women compared with White women were realized within direct care (aOR: 1.03, 95% CI: 1.00–1.07), whereas slightly higher odds among African-American persisted in purchased (aOR: 1.05, 95% CI: 1.01–1.10). Conclusion Higher occurrence of PAMCs among minority women sponsored by a universal health coverage was mitigated compared with White women. Protocol-based care as in the direct care system may help overcome health disparities.
Is the Current US Stock Market Overvalued? Univariate Analysis

In this chapter, we employ univariate analysis to evaluate the US stock market. Using the S&P 500 daily pricing data from 1950 to 2018, we illustrate the concepts of four moments, density and cumulative distribution functions, and hypothesis testing. We present two important figures: Benjamin Graham on investment and Student (William Sealy Gosset) on univariate analysis. We show nonnormality of asset returns and present an industry approach to outliers. In the last section, we introduce R and demonstrate simple calculations and plots.
Electron-Induced Decomposition of Metal Carbonyls on Ag(111)

The adsorption of Fe(CO)5 and Ni(CO)4 on Ag(111) at 90 K proceeds molecularly with minimal decomposition, with both molecules desorbing in the temperature range 150– 190 K. Bombardment of the adsorbed molecules with low energy electrons induces fragmentation and the formation of adsorbed Mx(CO)y clusters. The cluster species thermally decompose (240 – 400 K) liberating CO(g) and leaving pure metal particles on the Ag substrate. The total cross section for electron induced decomposition of the parent molecules is in the range 2–14 × 10−16 cm2.
Deformable MR-CBCT prostate registration using biomechanically constrained deep learning networks.

Background and purpose Radiotherapeutic dose escalation to dominant intraprostatic lesions (DIL) in prostate cancer could potentially improve tumor control. The purpose of this study was to develop a method to accurately register multiparametric magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with CBCT images for improved DIL delineation, treatment planning, and dose monitoring in prostate radiotherapy. Methods and materials We proposed a novel registration framework which considers biomechanical constraint when deforming the MR to CBCT. The registration framework consists of two segmentation convolutional neural networks (CNN) for MR and CBCT prostate segmentation, and a three-dimensional (3D) point cloud (PC) matching network. Image intensity-based rigid registration was first performed to initialize the alignment between MR and CBCT prostate. The aligned prostates were then meshed into tetrahedron elements to generate volumetric PC representation of the prostate shapes. The 3D PC matching network was developed to predict a PC motion vector field which can deform the MRI prostate PC to match the CBCT prostate PC. To regularize the network's motion prediction with biomechanical constraints, finite element (FE) modeling-generated motion fields were used to train the network. MRI and CBCT images of 50 patients with intraprostatic fiducial markers were used in this study. Registration results were evaluated using three metrics including dice similarity coefficient (DSC), mean surface distance (MSD), and target registration error (TRE). In addition to spatial registration accuracy, Jacobian determinant and strain tensors were calculated to assess the physical fidelity of the deformation field. Results The mean and standard deviation of our method were 0.93 ± 0.01, 1.66 ± 0.10 mm, and 2.68 ± 1.91 mm for DSC, MSD, and TRE, respectively. The mean TRE of the proposed method was reduced by 29.1%, 14.3%, and 11.6% as compared to image intensity-based rigid registration, coherent point drifting (CPD) nonrigid surface registration, and modality-independent neighborhood descriptor (MIND) registration, respectively. Conclusion We developed a new framework to accurately register the prostate on MRI to CBCT images for external beam radiotherapy. The proposed method could be used to aid DIL delineation on CBCT, treatment planning, dose escalation to DIL, and dose monitoring.
Examining causal attributions for depression, alcohol use disorder, and schizophrenia in a diverse sample of international students at U.S. universities.

International students face increased vulnerability for mental health challenges, but underutilize counseling compared to their domestic peers. We examined beliefs regarding the causes of mental il...
Do a firm's equity returns reflect the risk of its pension plan? $

Purpose - To find out if the beta from the capital asset pricing model (CAPM) accurately measures the systematic equity risk of a firm's pension funds. Design/methodology/approach -Takes 4,453 observations of equity beta using the market model on weekly return data for up to one year from 1993 to 1998, adds firm risk (weighted average beta for equity and risk) and pension risk (pension asset risk minus pension liability risk) obtained from ERISA Form 5500. Tests results for robustness. Findings - Finds that, in theory, following Merton (2002) the cost of capital is severely overvalued if pension assets and liabilities are ignored, or if the risk of the pension plan is ignored. However, in the market, shows that prices reflect the risk level of the pension funds. Research limitations/implications - Points out that these findings predate the pension fund deficit crisis of the 2000s. Notes that the market does not differentiate between operational and pension fund risk, and that the distortions caused by this risk to the calculation of cost of capital need further research. Practical implications - Indicates that project financing needs to be recalculated to reflect the pension fund risk; otherwise good projects may be rejected. Originality/value - Presents the view that pension fund risk is detected by the markets, even if the data are not easily available, by means unknown.
A phase I, dose-expansion cohort study on the safety of a cannabidiol for biochemical recurrence in prostate cancer patients.

TPS263Background: Cannabinoids, widely used in pain control, as an appetite stimulant, and anti-emetic in cancer patients, may play role as an anti-carcinogenic agent. A preclinical study demonstra...
Integration of early disease-resistance phenotyping, histological characterization, and transcriptome sequencing reveals insights into downy mildew resistance in impatiens

Downy mildew (DM), caused by obligate parasitic oomycetes, is a destructive disease for a wide range of crops worldwide. Recent outbreaks of impatiens downy mildew (IDM) in many countries have caused huge economic losses. A system to reveal plant–pathogen interactions in the early stage of infection and quickly assess resistance/susceptibility of plants to DM is desired. In this study, we established an early and rapid system to achieve these goals using impatiens as a model. Thirty-two cultivars of Impatiens walleriana and I. hawkeri were evaluated for their responses to IDM at cotyledon, first/second pair of true leaf, and mature plant stages. All I. walleriana cultivars were highly susceptible to IDM. While all I. hawkeri cultivars were resistant to IDM starting at the first true leaf stage, many (14/16) were susceptible to IDM at the cotyledon stage. Two cultivars showed resistance even at the cotyledon stage. Histological characterization showed that the resistance mechanism of the I. hawkeri cultivars resembles that in grapevine and type II resistance in sunflower. By integrating full-length transcriptome sequencing (Iso-Seq) and RNA-Seq, we constructed the first reference transcriptome for Impatiens comprised of 48,758 sequences with an N50 length of 2060 bp. Comparative transcriptome and qRT-PCR analyses revealed strong candidate genes for IDM resistance, including three resistance genes orthologous to the sunflower gene RGC203, a potential candidate associated with DM resistance. Our approach of integrating early disease-resistance phenotyping, histological characterization, and transcriptome analysis lay a solid foundation to improve DM resistance in impatiens and may provide a model for other crops.
Central 22q11.2 deletion (LCR22 B-D) in a fetus with severe fetal growth restriction and a mother with severe systemic lupus erythematosus: Further evidence of CRKL haploinsufficiency in the pathogenesis of 22q11.2 deletion syndrome.

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2 DS, MIM #188400) is the most common chromosomal microdeletion with an incidence of 1 in 4000 live births. 22q11.2 DS patients present with varying penetrance and a broad phenotypic spectrum including dysmorphic features, congenital heart defects, hypoplastic thymus and T-cell deficiency, and hypocalcemia. The typical deletion spans 3 Mb between 4 large blocks of repetitive DNA, known as low copy repeats (LCRs), on chromosome 22 (LCR22) A and D. This deletion is found in ~85% of 22q11.2 DS patients, while only 4-5% have central LCR22B-D (1.5 Mb) and LCR22C-D (0.7 Mb) deletions. We report on a prenatally diagnosed, inherited case of central LCR22B-D 22q11.2 DS, born to a 22-year-old female with multiple autoimmune disorders. These include Sjogren's-syndrome-related antigen A (SSA+) severe systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) with cutaneous and discoid components and seronegative antiphospholipid syndrome. Amniocentesis was performed due to fetal growth restriction (FGR). FISH with TUPLE1 (HIRA) probe was normal; however, chromosomal microarray identified a ~737 kb heterozygous loss between LCR22B-D. Subsequently, the same deletion was identified in the mother, which included CRKL and 19 other genes but excluded HIRA and TBX1, the typical candidate genes for 22q11.2DS pathogenesis. This case explores how loss of CRKL may contribute to immune dysregulation, as seen in the multiple severe autoimmune phenotypes of the mother, and FGR. Our experience confirms the importance of thorough workup in individuals with reduced penetrance of 22q11.2 DS features or atypical clinical presentations.
Soft threshold partial least squares predicts the survival fraction of malignant glioma cells against different concentrations of methotrexate's derivatives.

Chemotherapy appeared to be a significant advancement in cancer research, with fewer side effects. Methotrexate (MTX) is a widely used anticancer drug with strong activity but serious side effects. Several MTX derivatives have been reported, with modifications at various sites to reduce side effects and increase efficacy. The current study uses FTIR spectroscopy to predict the survival fraction of human malignant glioma U87 (MG-U87) cell lines against MTX derivatives. Together with Parent MTX several aldehydes viz. Benzaldehyde, Chlorobenzaldehyde, 2-Chlorobenzaldehyde, 3-Nitrobenzaldehyde, 5-Chloro-2-hydroxybenz-aldehyde, 2-Hydroxy-5-Nitrobenzaldehyde, 2-Thiocarboxyaldehyde, Trans-2-pentenal, and Glutaraldehyde are treated with MTX to obtain MTX derivatives. The prediction of survival fraction of malignant glioma cells is carried out by Lasso, Elastic net and Soft PLS at different concentration levels of synthesized derivatives, including 400 μM, 200 μM, 100 μM, 50 μM, 25 μM and 12.5 μM. The cross-validated prediction error is minimised to optimise spectral wavelength selection and model parameters. It appears that the RMSE computed from test data is significantly varying with the change of models (p = 0.012), with the change of concentrations levels (p $$\le 0.001$$ ) and with the change of combination of models and concentration level (p $$\le 0.001$$ ). StPLS outperforms in predicting survival fraction of glioma cells at the concentration level 50 μM, 100 μM and 400 μM respectively with relative RMSE = 0.1,0.14 and 0.55. Lasso outperforms at the concentration level 12.5 μM, and 200 μM respectively with relative RMSE = 0.4 and 0.14. Elastic net outperforms at the concentration level 25 μM with relative RMSE = 0.8. Consistently appeared influential wavelength identifies the influential functional compounds which best predicts the survival fraction. Hence FTIR appears potential candidate for estimating survival fraction of MTX derivatives.
An Analysis of Pilot Deviations in Runway Incidents

This article presents the results of an analysis of interview information from pilots who had filed a report with the Aviation Safety Reporting System (ASRS) about their involvement in a runway incident. Causal factors for 75 runway incidents were investigated and were grouped into five categories in order of the frequency of their occurrence: personnel, communication, memory, operations, and orientation. Personnel factors, such as pilot performance and workload, were a causal factor in 92% of the events investigated. Communication factors were involved in 73% of the events investigated with a lack of verbal coordination of air traffic control (ATC) instructions between crew members and misinterpretation of ATC instructions by crew members being the predominant components. The article provides a detailed analysis of the five causal categories and the individual factors within each and describes how they were manifested in selected incidents in which they were involved. Also included are recommendations th...
CANONIZATION AND DIAGONALIZATION OF AN INFINITE DIMENSIONAL NONCANONICAL HAMILTONIAN SYSTEM: LINEAR VLASOV THEORY

The Vlasov—Poisson equation, which is an infinite dimensional noncanonical Hamiltonian system, is linearized about a stable homogeneous equilibrium. Canonical variables for the resulting linear system are obtained. A coordinate transformation is introduced that brings the system, which possesses a continuous spectrum, into the action-angle form where the linearized energy is diagonal. PACS numbers: 52.25.Dg, 52.25.Mq, 52.35.Fp
CD56 Marks an Effector T Cell Subset in the Human Intestine

T cells are key mediators of intestinal immunity, and specific T cell subsets can have differing immunoregulatory roles in animal models of mucosal inflammation. In this study, we describe human CD56 + T cells as a morphologically distinct population expressing a mature, nonproliferative phenotype that is frequent in the gut. Enhanced potential for IFN-γ and TNF synthesis suggested a proinflammatory function, and we directly demonstrate effector function mediated by direct T-T interaction with responder cells in vitro. CD56 + T cells from peripheral blood responded to the gut-related CD2 signal, and were necessary for effective CD2-mediated proliferation of peripheral blood CD56 − T cells. Our findings associate CD56 + T cells with the intestinal immune compartment and suggest a putative effector function in human mucosal immunity.
Asset Management, Wealth Management, and Research

Asset Management refers to the professional management of investment funds for individuals, families, and institutions. Asset Management products are offered through separately managed accounts and through commingled vehicles such as mutual funds and private investment funds. Invested funds are generally lumped into the following categories when placed in Asset Management accounts at an investment bank: fixed income, equity, alternative investments (comprising principally of hedge fund, private equity, and real estate investments), and money market. Fund performance is a key metric when evaluating Asset Management capabilities. Investors measure this by relying on different performance measurement firms, such as Morningstar and Lipper, who compile aggregate industry data that demonstrate how individual mutual funds perform against both indexes and peer groups over time. Most major investment banks have large hedge funds housed within their Asset Management Division. These funds are managed principally for the benefit of investing clients although the bank and employees of the bank may also invest in the fund and are separate from the proprietary investing activities conducted within the Trading Division which invests solely for the account of the firm, without any outside client investments. Additionally, research is provided by all large investment banking firms to selected institutional and individual investing clients on a global basis. This research usually covers equity, fixed income, currency, and commodity markets. Research professionals also focus on economics, portfolio strategy, derivatives, and credit issues, offering insights and ideas based on fundamental research.
A new probabilistic spectral pitch estimator: exact and MCMC-approximate strategies

We propose a robust probabilistic pitch (f0) estimator in the presence of interference and low SNR conditions, without the computational requirements of optimal time-domain methods. Our analysis is driven by sinusoidal peaks extracted by a windowed STFT. Given f0 and a reference amplitude (A0), peak frequency/amplitude observations are modeled probabilistically in order to be robust to undetected harmonics, spurious peaks, skewed peak estimates, and inherent deviations from ideal or other assumed harmonic structure. Parameters f0 and A0 are estimated by maximizing the observations' likelihood (here A0 is treated as a nuisance parameter). Some previous spectral pitch estimation methods, most notably the work of Goldstein [3], introduce a probabilistic framework with a corresponding maximum likelihood approach. However, our method significantly extends the latter in order to guarantee robustness under adverse conditions, facilitating possible extensions to the polyphonic context. For instance, our addressing of spurious as well as undetected peaks averts a sudden breakdown under low-SNR conditions. Furthermore, our assimilation of peak amplitudes facilitates the incorporation of timbral knowledge. Our method utilizes a hidden, discrete-valued descriptor variable identifying spurious/undetected peaks. The likelihood evaluation, requiring a computationally unwieldy summation over all descriptor states, is successfully approximated by a MCMC traversal chiefly amongst high-probability states. The MCMC traversal obtains virtually identical evaluations for the entire likelihood surface at a fraction of the computational cost.
Working alone and working together: Individual differences in the effects of collaboration on learning handicapped students' writing

Abstract Differences between stories written by learning handicapped students working alone and those produced when they worked in dyads were related to individual differences in writing skills and to the collaborative interactions that occurred in the dyads. The relationship between individual and dyad performance was characterized in terms of several outcome models (synergistic, most-competent member, least-competent member, and mean). Of the 10 dyads examined, the synergistic model was appropriate for 2; the other 8 dyads reflected the least-competent member model or a mix of the least-competent and mean models. Synergistic outcomes were associated with lack of disagreeing and contentious interactions and relatively low rates of interaction among the members. Least-competent member outcomes were associated with high rates of interaction and/or high rates of disagreeing or contentious behavior. The discussion focuses on potential tradeoffs between interactions about writing and actual text generation, and the impact of the individual's performance level on this tradeoff.
Superoperators and their implications in the hybrid model for photodetection.

The external photodetection of cavity radiation is considered as a continuous quantum measurement in the sense of Srinivas and Davies [Opt. Acta 28, 981 (1981)]. It is analyzed in terms of three elementary processes: the no-leak process, the one-leak-undetected process, and the one-leak-detected process. The first two form a no-count process and the last one, a one-count process. Superoperators for these elementary processes are postulated, following the examples of Srinivas and Davies. The superoperators for the one-count process, the no-count process, the m-count process, and the nonreferring process are then derived based on the postulates. The following implications of these superoperators are found: (1) the change of average photon number due to the one-count process is identical to the well-known Q parameter introduced by Mandel [Opt. Lett. 4, 205 (1979)]; (2) the no-count process is governed by a pseudomaster equation; (3) The probability for the m-count process is the Poisson transform of the initial P function of the cavity radiation; and (4) the nonreferring measurement process is governed by a master equation.
Using analytic hierarchy process to analyze the information technology outsourcing decision

Due to the strategic importance of IT, there exists an undeniable need for a systematic analysis before deciding whether or not a particular IT function should be outsourced. A study that provides a systematic analysis for evaluating components of the company’s IT for outsourcing may be useful to practitioners. In this paper, analytic hierarchy process (AHP) is proposed as a suitable technique for analyzing information systems outsourcing decision. An IT outsourcing case is used to demonstrate the usefulness of the proposed approach. Expert Choice is used to implement the AHP. In the case example, managing IT by the IT department seems to be the best option followed by managing it through an outsourcer. Managing IT by the end users is the least preferred technique in this particular example.
Pulmonary toxicity of phosphorothioate impurities found in organophosphate insecticides.

Article synthese presentant les proprietes toxiques de certains contaminants presents dans le malathion, qui inhiberaient les carboxylesterases seriques et hepatiques detoxifiantes, et seraient ainsi en partie responsable de la toxicite de l'insecticide: O,OS-trimethyl phosphorothioate; O,S,S-trimethyl phosphorothioate; O,OS-triethyl phosphorothioate; O,O-dimethyl S-ethyl phosphorothioate. Le poumon serait l'organe sensible a ces phosphorothioates. Le contaminant O,O,O-trimethylphosphorothionate aurait, quant a lui, un effet protecteur contre les effets pneumotoxiques
Abdominal Wall Reconstruction with Free Flaps

This article addresses the clinical applications of free tissue transfer for abdominal wall reconstruction. Details of indications, techniques, and clinical examples for the coverage of complex abdominal wall defects are presented.
N-Linked Glycosylation of the Hemagglutinin Protein Influences Virulence and Antigenicity of the 1918 Pandemic and Seasonal H1N1 Influenza A Viruses

The hemagglutinin (HA) protein is a major virulence determinant for the 1918 pandemic influenza virus; however, it encodes no known virulence-associated determinants. In comparison to seasonal influenza viruses of lesser virulence, the 1918 H1N1 virus has fewer glycosylation sequons on the HA globular head region. Using site-directed mutagenesis, we found that a 1918 HA recombinant virus, of high virulence, could be significantly attenuated in mice by adding two additional glycosylation sites (asparagine [Asn] 71 and Asn 286) on the side of the HA head. The 1918 HA recombinant virus was further attenuated by introducing two additional glycosylation sites on the top of the HA head at Asn 142 and Asn 172. In a reciprocal experimental approach, deletion of HA glycosylation sites (Asn 142 and Asn 177, but not Asn 71 and Asn 104) from a seasonal influenza H1N1 virus, A/Solomon Islands/2006 (SI/06), led to increased virulence in mice. The addition of glycosylation sites to 1918 HA and removal of glycosylation sites from SI/06 HA imposed constraints on the theoretical structure surrounding the glycan receptor binding sites, which in turn led to distinct glycan receptor binding properties. The modification of glycosylation sites for the 1918 and SI/06 viruses also caused changes in viral antigenicity based on cross-reactive hemagglutinin inhibition antibody titers with antisera from mice infected with wild-type or glycan mutant viruses. These results demonstrate that glycosylation patterns of the 1918 and seasonal H1N1 viruses directly contribute to differences in virulence and are partially responsible for their distinct antigenicity.
Credible and confidence sets for restricted parameter spaces

Abstract Recent experiments in high-energy physics have sparked interest in problems where a parameter is restricted to a portion of its natural range—for example, a positive normal mean or a Poisson mean that is known to exceed some background level. A recent article has shown that the Bayesian credible intervals that arise when the parameter is given a uniform distribution over the restricted range have good frequentist coverage probabilities. Here, the latter result is examined for robustness when nuisance parameters are included in the model. It is shown that the frequentist coverage probabilities are still high, but there is a mild surprise in the nature of the intervals.
Creating a Screening Measure of Health Literacy for the Health Information National Trends Survey.

Abstract Purpose. Create a screening measure of health literacy for use with the Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Design. Participants completed a paper-based survey. Items from the survey were used to construct a health literacy screening measure. Setting. A population-based survey conducted in geographic areas of high and low minority frequency and in Central Appalachia. Subjects. Two thousand nine hundred four English-speaking participants were included in this study: 66% white, 93% completed high school, mean age = 52.53 years (SD = 16.24). Measures. A health literacy screening measure was created using four items included in the HINTS survey. Scores could range from 0 (no questions affirmative/correct) to 4 (all questions answered affirmatively/correctly). Analysis. Multiple regression analysis was used to determine whether demographic variables known to predict health literacy were indeed associated with the constructed health literacy screening measure. Results. The weighted avera...
Salient Findings: Three Core Hypnotic Phenomena Studied with Both Scientific and Clinical Savvy

Three especially interesting and important studies on hypnosis have appeared in the scientific and medical literatures over the past few months. They are in the finest tradition of the field. Each study examines a phenomenon that is at once core to scientific hypnosis but also of keen interest to clinicians: conversion disorder, amnesia, and pain. It is testimony to the vigor of the field that these 3 phenomena endure as topics of discourse within and across disciplines. Further, the 3 studies make use of sophisticated designs and methodologies to render findings more (not less) relevant to clinical work. These 3 studies are wonderful examples of the field at its best: eschewing the partisan, embracing discourse, and in so doing mapping the domain of hypnosis with imagination and passion.
How children explore the phonological network in child-directed speech: A survival analysis of children's first word productions.

Abstract We explored how phonological network structure influences the age of words’ first appearance in children’s (14–50 months) speech, using a large, longitudinal corpus of spontaneous child–caregiver interactions. We represent the caregiver lexicon as a network in which each word is connected to all of its phonological neighbors, and consider both words’ local neighborhood density ( degree ), and also their embeddedness among interconnected neighborhoods ( clustering coefficient and coreness ). The larger-scale structure reflected in the latter two measures is implicated in current theories of lexical development and processing, but its role in lexical development has not yet been explored. Multilevel discrete-time survival analysis revealed that children are more likely to produce new words whose network properties support lexical access for production: high degree, but low clustering coefficient and coreness. These effects appear to be strongest at earlier ages and largely absent from 30 months on. These results suggest that both a word’s local connectivity in the lexicon and its position in the lexicon as a whole influences when it is learned, and they underscore how general lexical processing mechanisms contribute to productive vocabulary development.
Overworking the working woman: the double day in a mass magazine

Synopsis Portrayals of how employed women combine paid work and unpaid domestic labor in Working Woman magazine, a mass magazine, show women engaged in activities that support existing social relations between women and men, and between workers and employers, Individual solutions within the home are promoted. Personal life is adjusted to paid work. Women are portrayed as pursuing male-type patterns of success in the workplace: (1) while continuing traditional female work in the home; or (2) forgoing marriage and/or motherhood or minimizing personal attachments. Social solutions through co-operative actions or by reliance on the state are abjured for personal solutions that offer no or little challenge to existing social relations in either the public or private realm.
Ragulator Is a GEF for the Rag GTPases that Signal Amino Acid Levels to mTORC1

The mTOR Complex 1 (mTORC1) pathway regulates cell growth in response to numerous cues, including amino acids, which promote mTORC1 translocation to the lysosomal surface, its site of activation. The heterodimeric RagA/B-RagC/D GTPases, the Ragulator complex that tethers the Rags to the lysosome, and the v-ATPase form a signaling system that is necessary for amino acid sensing by mTORC1. Amino acids stimulate the binding of guanosine triphosphate to RagA and RagB but the factors that regulate Rag nucleotide loading are unknown. Here, we identify HBXIP and C7orf59 as two additional Ragulator components that are required for mTORC1 activation by amino acids. The expanded Ragulator has nucleotide exchange activity toward RagA and RagB and interacts with the Rag heterodimers in an amino acid- and v-ATPase-dependent fashion. Thus, we provide mechanistic insight into how mTORC1 senses amino acids by identifying Ragulator as a guanine nucleotide exchange factor (GEF) for the Rag GTPases.
Regional brain distribution of d-amphetamine in lead-exposed rats

Abstract The present study was designed to examine the time course of distribution of d-[3H]amphetamine (d-amph) in various brain regions and plasma in lead-intoxicated rats. Measurements of d-amph-induced locomotor activity were also recorded in these same animals. The protocol involved exposing lactating dams to either 0, 0.1, or 0.2% lead acetate Pb(Ac)2, in their drinking water and thus neonates indirectly to lead-contaminated milk. At weaning, control litters and half of the litters from the 0.1% Pb(Ac)2 group were placed on distilled water while the remaining litters received the maternal regimen. Assessment of locomotor activity at 90 days of age revealed a significantly attenuated d-amph response (1.0 mg/kg, sulfate salt, sc) in the 0.2% but not in the 0.1% Pb(Ac)2 group (both sexes). Subsequent analyses of brain d-amph distribution revealed that the 0.2% Pb(Ac)2 group (both sexes) also had significantly decreased concentrations (10 to 12%) of d-amph in the hippocampus, striatum, and hypothalamus at 15, 30, and 90 min postinjection. Concentrations in medulla and plasma did not differ from controls. However, the time courses for the significant behavioral and radiochemical data did not coincide and correlations between d-amph concentration and locomotor activity were negligible. These data suggest that the alterations in d-amph-induced locomotor activity observed in the 0.2% Pb(Ac)2 group animals may result in part from an inability to concentrate and/or maintain critical levels of the d-amph in specific regions in the CNS.
Altered myogenic vasoconstriction and regulation of whole kidney blood flow in the ASIC2 knockout mouse

Previous studies from our laboratory have suggested that degenerin proteins contribute to myogenic constriction, a mechanism of blood flow regulation and protection against pressure-dependent organ injury, in renal vessels. The goal of the present study was to determine the importance of one family member, acid-sensing ion channel 2 (ASIC2), in myogenic constriction of renal interlobar arteries, myogenic regulation of whole kidney blood flow, renal injury, and blood pressure using ASIC2(+/+), ASIC2(+/-), and ASIC2(-/-) mice. Myogenic constriction in renal interlobar arteries was impaired in ASIC2(+/-) and ASIC2(-/-) mice, whereas constriction to KCl/phenylephrine was unchanged. Correction of whole kidney renal vascular resistance (RVR) during the first 5 s after a 10- to 20-mmHg step increase in perfusion pressure, a timeframe associated with myogenic-mediated correction of RVR, was slowed (4.2 ± 0.9, 0.3 ± 0.7, and 2.4 ± 0.3 resistance units/s in ASIC2(+/+), ASIC2(+/-), and ASIC2(-/-) mice). Although modest reductions in function were observed in ASIC2(-/-) mice, greater reductions were observed in ASIC2(+/-) mice, which may be explained by protein-protein interactions of ASIC2 with other degenerins. Isolated glomeruli from ASIC2(+/-) and ASIC2(-/-) mice had modest alterations in the expression of inflammation and injury markers (transforming growth factor-β, mouse anti-target of antiproliferative antibody-1, and nephrin), whereas ASIC2(+/-) mice had an increase in the remodeling marker collagen type III. Consistent with a more severe loss of function, mean arterial pressure was increased in ASIC2(+/-) mice (131 ± 3 mmHg) but not in ASIC2(-/-) mice (122 ± 3 vs. 117 ± 2 mmHg in ASIC2(+/+) mice). These results suggest that ASIC2 contributes to transduction of the renal myogenic response and are consistent with the protective role of myogenic constriction against renal injury and hypertension.
B7-H1 is a ubiquitous antiapoptotic receptor on cancer cells

B7-H1 is an immunoglobulin-like immune suppressive molecule broadly detectable on the majority of human and rodent cancers, and its functions have been attributed to delivering an inhibitory signal to its counter-receptor programmed death-1 (PD-1) on T cells. Here we report that B7-H1 on cancer cells receives a signal from PD-1 to rapidly induce resistance against T cell–mediated killing because crippling signaling capacity of B7-H1 but not PD-1 ablates this resistance. Importantly, loss of B7-H1 signaling is accompanied by increased susceptibility to immune-mediated tumoricidal activity. In addition to resistance against T-cell destruction, B7-H1+ cancer cells also become refractory to apoptosis induced by Fas ligation or the protein kinase inhibitor Staurosporine. Our study reveals a new mechanism by which cancer cells use a receptor on immune cells as a ligand to induce resistance to therapy.
New advances in electronic devices for hole detection

Holes in surgical gloves are considered to be an important source of transmission of pathogens between surgeon and patient. Two new glove hole detectors have been devised to alert the surgeon to the presence of holes. These devices have been evaluated using six powder-free and seven powdered varieties of surgical gloves that were either dry or exposed to hydration. Eight of the 13 surgical gloves hydrated rapidly with water, altering their resistance to the conduction of electricity. Because the Barrier Integrity MonitorTM only has a hydration monitor, 68 false positives occurred during the evaluation, indicating to the surgeon that he/she should change gloves unnecessarily because the glove had no hole. In contrast, the Surgic Alert MonitorTM (SAMTM) had a hydration alarm as well as a glove hole detection alarm. During the 104 tests, the SAMTM device showed no false positives. In the testing of five of the rapidly hydrating types of surgical gloves, the SAMTM device could not reliably detect holes. On the basis of this study, the SAMTM device, in conjunction with gloves that resist hydration, appeared to be a reliable hole detection monitor. © 1994 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Effect of fiber coating on the mechanical properties of a Nextel-480-fiber-reinforced glass matrix composite

The effect of fiber coatings on the mechanical properties of glass matrix composites reinforced with Nextel 480 fiber was investigated. Two different fiber coatings, namely tin dioxide and boron nitride, were investigated. The presence of the coatings on the fiber led to an improvement in mechanical behavior. In particular, the boron nitride coating improved the total work of fracture of the composite without reducing the strength. A marked difference was observed in the fractographic features between the uncoated and tin-dioxide-coated samples as compared to the boron-nitride-coated samples. The uncoated and tin-dioxide-coated fiber composites failed in a brittle fashion, without any fiber pull-out, whereas the boron-nitride-coated fiber samples exhibited extensive fiber pull-out. This improvement in the toughness or energy absorbed during the fracture process was attributed to the relatively weak bonding between the fiber and matrix, induced as a result of the coating.
Economic freedom and democracy: post–cold war tests

Current theorizing about the connection between cross-nationaleconomic development, capitalist economic structure, and democracyhas reached critical mass. Current empirical modeling of the effect ofeconomic structure on democracy, however, has slowed down; the mostrecent study uses data from 1965. Freedom House has developed for 82countries rankings on `economic freedom' in 1995, a measure of capitalismbased on the freedom to: own property, earn a living, operate a business,invest earnings, trade internationally, and participate in a market economy.This manuscript presents a political economy model of democracy, includingthe Freedom House measure as a control variable for capitalism, and comesto some conclusions on the relationship between economic development,economic structure, and democracy. The main finding is that unbridledcapitalism is unnecessary for a democratic polity. The optimal democraticstate has a balance between capitalism and governmental concern for socialwelfare, even during the post-Cold War period.
The isolation of intracellular antibacterial activity from Drosophila melanogaster larvae

Abstract A lysosomal fraction of late third instar Drosophila melanogaster larvae was obtained by differential centrifugation of whole larvae homogenates. Acid-ethanol extraction was employed to isolate trypsin sensitive antibacterial activity from the lysosomal fraction. Attempts to detect lysozyme activity in freeze-dried samples of the antibacterial extract were unsuccessful.
The Persuasive Proposal

Although you write the proposal before, and the report after, you do the research, both require the application of principles that will demonstrate to the reader two skills needed by every investig...
Quasiparticle mean free path and Poiseuille flow in normal liquid 3He

Abstract Poiseulle flow experiments in normal 3He at saturated vapor pressure giving direct evidence of the effect of quasiparticle mean free path are presented. Down to 1.5 mK the data are consistent with the simple first-order correction due to the mean free path.
Light scattering by coated sphere immersed in absorbing medium: a comparison between the FDTD and analytic solutions

A recently developed finite-difference time domain scheme is examined using the exact analytic solutions for light scattering by a coated sphere immersed in an absorbing medium. The relative differences are less than 1% in the extinction, scattering, and absorption efficiencies and less than 5% in the scattering phase functions. The definition of apparent single-scattering properties is also discussed. (C) 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Anti-Diplomacy, Intelligence Theory and Surveillance Practice

(1993). Anti‐diplomacy, intelligence theory and surveillance practice. Intelligence and National Security: Vol. 8, Espionage: Past, Present, Future?, pp. 29-51.
The size dependence of the surface free energy of titania nanocrystals.

We determined the lattice contraction of nanocrystalline anatase (TiO2) as a function of particle size (∼4–34 nm) using X-ray diffraction and Rietveld analysis. Surface free energy (γ) of nanocrystalline anatase was derived from these data from an integration of the surface stress calculated from the lattice contraction. Our results revealed an unexpected strong size dependence of γ with a maximum value at around 14 nm. Two opposing factors contribute to the variation of γ with the particle size, the increase of surface free energy with decreasing particle size due to presence of more high-energy sites, and the decrease of surface free energy due to closer structural correspondence between surfaces and interiors of nanoparticles as the particle size decreases. Our approach may be used to study nanoparticles in cells and other environments where conventional calorimetric measurements of nanoparticle surface enthalpy are not applicable.
A vitamin D-dependent serum factor promoting calcium uptake by bone.

SummaryFemurs from normal and vitamin D-deficient rats are equally capable of taking up calcium in vitro. However, normal rat serum contains a vitamin D-dependent substance that stimulates the calcium uptake by bone. This factor which is not present in the serum from vitamin D-deficient rats, is apparently not vitamin D itself or a metabolic product of vitamin D; however, vitamin D may regulate the synthesis of this factor.
Synthesis and Characterization of a Trigallacycle

The reaction of equimolar quantities of 1,8-bis(trimethylstannyl)naphthalene (1) and GaCl3 in toluene at −25 °C yields the known stannagallacycle bis(μ-1,8-naphthalenediyl)(μ-chloride)methyltin(IV)chlorogallium(III) (2) and a new product which has been identified as the cyclic adduct formed between two molecules of bis(μ-1,8-naphthalenediyl)bis(gallium(III)chloride) and two molecules of trimethyltin chloride (3). Interestingly, when carried out at 25 °C and in the presence of water, this reaction leads to the formation of an additional product (4) that is a 12-membered macrocycle containing three gallium atoms linked by 1,8-naphthalenediyl ligands and arranged about a central oxygen atom. The charge balance of 4 is achieved by the presence of a chloride atom that occupies a bridging position between two of the gallium centers. Compounds 3 and 4 have been characterized by NMR, elemental analysis, and single-crystal X-ray analysis. In the crystal, 4 exists as a dimer wherein the monomers are bridged via a G...
Morphometry of dorsal raphe nucleus serotonergic neurons in alcoholism.

BACKGROUND Reduced serotonergic function is hypothesized in alcohol abuse and dependence. Serotonergic innervation of the cortex arises predominantly from the dorsal raphe nucleus (DRN). We sought to determine the number and morphometric characteristics of DRN serotonergic neurons postmortem in alcoholic individuals (n=9; age: 16-66 years; 8M:1F) compared with psychiatrically normal, nonalcoholic controls (n=6; age: 17-74 years; 4M:2F). METHODS Brainstems were collected at autopsy, fixed and cryoprotected. Alcohol dependence or abuse was determined by psychological autopsy (DSM-IV), the presence of liver fatty changes or cirrhosis and/or high blood alcohol level. Tissue was sectioned at 50 microm (-25 degrees C). A series of 1:10 sections was immunoreacted with antiserum to tryptophan hydroxylase (TPH), the rate-limiting enzyme in the biosynthesis of serotonin. The total number of TPH-immunoreactive (IR) DRN neurons was determined by stereology. Neuron morphometry indices were determined using a video-based imaging system attached to a microscope. We identified TPH-IR neurons every 1,000 microm in each brainstem and measured neuron area, total cross sectional neuron area, and the total area and density of immunolabeled processes. RESULTS Dorsal raphe nucleus neuron number (controls: 80,386+/-10,238; alcoholic individuals: 85,884+/-12,478) was not different between groups but TPH-IR was greater in alcoholic individuals throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the DRN. The volume of the DRN was 66+/-9 mm3 in controls and 55+/-5 mm3 in alcoholic individuals (p>0.05). The average size of DRN neurons did not differ between groups (353+/-12 microm2 for controls vs 360+/-15 microm2 for alcoholic subjects). However, the area occupied by neuron processes (area of processes/DRN area) was 2.2-fold greater in alcoholic individuals compared with controls (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The increased area occupied by neuron processes in alcoholic individuals may represent sprouting and, together with greater TPH-IR, be a compensatory response to impaired serotonergic transmission or cumulative effects of alcohol on the serotonin system.
Use of layered walls to reduce building temperature swings

Abstract One of the commonest passive solar building architectures is the use of massive walls to reduce the temperature fluctuations inside a building. This is often called the thermal flywheel effect, and can be seen in the adobe houses in the American southwest. In this paper we suggest several wall designs which improve the thermal flywheel effect.
Synchronized Rotation of Multiple Autonomous Spacecraft with Rule-Based Controls: Experimental Study

An experimental study is made on the synchronized continuous-rotation of multiple air-levitated autonomous model spacecraft about a e xed axis by means of simple rule-based controls. These controls differ from the conventional ones, which require processing of numerical sensor data. The controls depend solely on the occurrence and timing of certain discrete event sequences. Thus, the controlled model spacecraft is a hybrid continuous-time and discrete-event system. Experimental results show that the proposed rule-based controls are effective in achieving rotational motion with synchronized angular velocity and phase. A description of the experimental setup and a brief discussion of the design of the air-levitated model spacecraft is given. Then, the details on the development of rule-based controls and the derivation of a dynamic model for the resulting hybrid system are presented followed by the presentation and interpretation of the experimental results.
Transrectal Ultrasound Appearance of Prostatic Granulomas Secondary to Bacillus Calmette-Guerin Instillation

AbstractPurpose: To our knowledge the transrectal ultrasound appearance of prostatic granulomas occurring after intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) therapy has not been thoroughly described.Materials and Methods: A total of 13 men with a history of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder treated with intravesical BCG underwent transrectal ultrasound followed by prostate biopsy and/or cystoprostatectomy.Results: Of the 13 patients studied 9 (69.2%) had intensely hypoechoic lesions anteriorly in the transition zone of the prostate on ultrasound images. The lesions were histologically proved to be necrotizing granulomas.Conclusions: Prostatic granulomas secondary to BCG instillation appear as distinct, intensely hypoechoic anterior lesions within the transition zone of the prostate. Prostatic adenocarcinoma arising in the transition zone is usually not visible and would not be easily confused with granulomas. However, since transitional cell carcinoma involving the prostate can appear hypoechoic i...