cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Transcriptional modulation of cartilage-specific collagen gene expression by interferon γ and tumour necrosis factor α in cultured human chondrocytes

To examine the possibility that cytokines produced in inflamed joint tissues may contribute to the loss of articular cartilage by causing inhibition of synthesis of cartilage-specific matrix macromolecules, we studied the effects of interferon gamma (IFN gamma) and tumour necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), alone and in combination, on the expression of the genes for types-II, -IX and -XI collagens in cultured human chondrocytes. Chondrocytes isolated from human fetal epiphyseal cartilage by sequential enzymic digestions were cultured in the presence of IFN gamma (30 pM), TNF alpha (15 pM) or a combination of suboptimal concentrations of both cytokines (1.5 pM IFN gamma plus 0.3 pM TNF alpha). IFN gamma caused a maximal decrease of 23.3-32.6% in the biosynthesis of collagen by chondrocytes. TNF alpha was a more potent inhibitor causing a 42.8-45.3% decrease at one-half the concentration of IFN gamma. A synergistic inhibitory effect of 58.2% was observed with the combination of 1.5 pM IFN gamma plus 0.3 pM TNF alpha. Electrophoretic analysis of the biosynthesized proteins showed a co-ordinate decrease in the production of the three cartilage-specific collagen types II, IX and XI. These effects were accompanied by parallel changes in the steady-state levels of their corresponding mRNAs. In vitro transcription assays showed that the collagen inhibitory effects of the cytokines occurred largely at the transcriptional level. Similar effects of the cytokines were observed on biosynthesis of types-II, -IX and -XI collagens and steady-state mRNA levels for type-II collagen by chondrocytes obtained from adult articular cartilage. These observations indicate that IFN gamma and TNF alpha can induce a synergistic inhibition of the synthesis of cartilage-specific collagens by fetal and adult human chondrocytes and suggest that these effects may contribute to the articular cartilage loss that occurs in inflammatory joint diseases.
The Art of Question Phrasing

According to the total survey error theory, most survey errors are stemming from non-sampling error—errors such as response and non-response. This chapter discusses the importance of questionnaire design and specific question phrasing and how they affect response rate and quality of response. Providing a detail account of the various stages in preparing a valid and reliable questionnaire provides the readers with a helpful tool that will guide researchers through the complex and daunting task from single item phrasing to the presentation of an entire questionnaire.
Using Assertions To Document Programs

This chapter introduces the use of predicates as assertions for documenting programs in an informal manner, thus paving the way for the more formal treatment given in Parts II and III.
A Content Analysis of the Domains of Advocacy Competencies in Select Counseling Journals: 2004–2016

The 2003 ACA Advocacy Competencies include domains in which counselors can act with or on behalf of clients, students, schools, communities, and the public. We completed a content analysis of 23 co...
National trends and disparities of minimally invasive surgery for localized renal cancer, 2010 to 2015.

Abstract Purpose To investigate national utilization trends of minimally-invasive partial nephrectomy (PN) and minimally-invasive radical nephrectomy (RN), and to identify disparities in the usage of these techniques across different sociodemographic subgroups. Materials and Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted using the National Cancer Database to identify patients undergoing partial or RN for cT1N0M0 renal cancer diagnosed between 2010 and 2015. Main outcomes of interest were the utilizations of minimally-invasive (robotic and laparoscopic) PN and RN. Results A total of 46,346 and 37,712 subjects who underwent PN and RN, respectively, were analyzed. During the study interval, increased utilization of robotic surgery paralleled the decreased utilization of open surgery. Robotic PN increased from 35.2% to 63.7% and robotic RN increased from 10.3% to 26.3%. The utilization of laparoscopic surgery was decreasing for PN but stable for RN through the study period. In the PN cohort, multivariable logistic regression showed non-Hispanic black (odds ratio [OR] = 0.90 [95% CI, 0.84–0.96]) and Hispanic (OR = 0.91 [0.84–0.99]) subjects were associated with less utilization of minimally invasive surgery (MIS) (vs. non-Hispanic white). Younger (18–64 years) Medicare (OR = 0.83 [0.77–0.90]), Medicaid (OR = 0.80 [0.74–0.87]), and uninsured (OR = 0.55 [0.49–0.62]) were also associated with less utilization of MIS (vs. private insurance). Compared with low socioeconomic status (SES), upper middle (OR = 1.14 [1.07–1.21]) and high (OR = 1.24 [1.16–1.33]) SES were associated with higher utilization of MIS. Similar demographic, insurance, and SES-related disparities were identified in the RN cohort. Conclusions Utilization of MIS for localized renal cancer has increased significantly and was mainly attributed to increased usage of robotic surgery. Racial/ethnic, insurance, and SES related disparities in MIS utilization were identified. Our findings demonstrate a targetable subgroup of patients who do not have the same access to advances in surgical technology.
Formalizing the American brand: the case for the US culture, language, and soft-power institutes

The United States is no stranger to “public diplomacy” efforts to serve its strategic interests and project its image and values in times of conflict or strife, though generally these recede. Yet the country now faces serious deterioration in its national standing, suggesting a need for new strategies. This paper surveys the differing approaches made by Germany with its Goethe Institut and China with its Confucius Institute as potential models for the United States. Based on these experiences, the paper advances the argument that as a matter of public policy, the U.S. should establish its own institute drawing on these successful “soft-power” models to market the nation’s distinct culture, its unique take on the English language, its suitability for investment, travel, and tourism, and promotion of its national brand image.
Principle and Its Perils

"IT]he American ideal," Ronald Dworkin says in Freedom's Law, is "government not only under law but under principle as well" (p 6). Indeed that ideal "is the most important contribution our history has given to political theory" (p 6). Principle, and the need for judges to be principled in their decisions, are central notions in this book, as they have been in several of Dworkin's other books.' But Dworkin's is not the only, or-despite its great prominence-even perhaps the best-known work to emphasize the importance of principle in law. In 1959, Herbert Wechsler gave a lecture that became one of the leading law review articles of the last half century. "Toward Neutral Principles of Constitutional Law"' maintained that courts are justified in striking down legislation if, but only if, their decisions are "genuinely principled."3 Wechsler's lecture became to some degree notorious for disapproving, as unprincipled, Brown v Board of Education,4 the
Racial Differences in the use of Genetic Testing among Patients with Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy

Background Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), the prototypical cardiovascular genetic disease, is caused by dominantly inherited mutations in genes encoding sarcomeric proteins. Genetic testing is recommended for individuals with HCM, the results of which promote prevention of morbidity and mortality through detection of disease in at-risk relatives. However, utilization of genetic testing in clinical medicine has not been widely adopted. Prior studies of inherited cancer syndromes have noted racial inequities in access to genetic testing. The aim of this study was to investigate for structural inequities in referral to a cardiovascular genetics clinic for genetic testing and counseling among Black, Latinx, and female patients with HCM. Methods We performed a case-control study (January 2012-December 2017) of 280 patients with HCM within a large academic health system. HCM patients were identified by ICD-9 diagnostic codes, and then verified by manual chart review. Of these 280 patients, 20% were referred to cardiovascular genetics clinic for genetic testing (cases) and 80% were not (controls). Demographic factors including race and gender were extracted for both cases and controls. Fischer exact, χ2tests, and t tests were used to assess the statistical significance of difference in the characteristics of cases and controls as indicated. Results HCM patients who were referred to cardiovascular genetics clinic for genetic testing (cases) were less likely to be black (5.4% of cases vs. 8.0% of controls) and less likely to be female (46.4% of cases vs 56.7% controls), but this did not achieve statistical significance (p=0.82 for race; p=0.17 for gender). English language was not associated with referral (p=0.30). Older patients, however, were significantly less likely to be referred for genetic testing (odds ratio 0.94 [95% CI 0.92, 0.96][p Conclusions Overall referral rates to a cardiovascular genetics clinic for genetic testing were low among patients with HCM. Additional ascertainment is important to understand if the demonstrated trends are significant on a larger scale.
An Underwater Target Detection Framework for Hyperspectral Imagery

One of the biggest challenges in an underwater target detection is that, unlike land-based scenes, the observed spectrum of an underwater target is highly dependent on the particular background that is in the scene. In particular, the observed spectrum is determined by not only the target reflectance signature but also by the optical properties of the water in which it is situated, as well as the depth of the target. It follows that signature-based detection algorithms must be able to accommodate the wide variation of observed spectra that a single target may exhibit in nature, and at any depth. In this article, we present a general framework for underwater detection in hyperspectral remote sensing imagery that uses physics-based modeling to calculate the target space—the set of all possible observed spectra for the target in a given scene—and then uses nonlinear mathematical models to exploit the structure intrinsic to the target space in order to reduce dimensionality and greatly simplify the detection problem. We include a series of simulated target images that demonstrates the effectiveness of this approach for multiple targets and depths.
Pandemic vaccines: How are we going to be better prepared next time?

In response to the SARS-CoV-2 pandemic, we are currently witnessing the fastest vaccine development in history. While these vaccines will now make a significant impact on ending the pandemic, they were needed much earlier. Here I discuss how to ensure that vaccines will become available within 3-4 months after a new outbreak.
Electronic, thermal, and structural properties of zinc gallate from first-principles calculations

ZnGa2O4 is a ultra-wide band bandgap transparent oxide with electron transport properties similar to those of the popular b-Ga2O3 but with a higher lattice symmetry. Recent experimental work has been producing high-quality ZnGa2O4 crystals. Here we present our ongoing first-principles modeling work on the structural, thermal, and electronic properties of ZnGa2O4. Elastic stiffness tensor modeling based on symmetry-allowed deformations provides an insight into the effect of symmetry on lattice dynamical properties. We obtain thermodynamical properties such as thermal expansion in the quasiharmonic approximation based on phonons from finite-displacement supercell approach. The phonon dispersions and density of states are compared to those of b-Ga2O3. We find a large number of optical phonons at low energies <15 meV but with higher symmetry by comparison to b-Ga2O3. The large number of optical modes has a signature both in quantum magnetoconductance measurements and in the breakdown field, the latter being a metric relevant for applications in power electronics.
Implementation in Intelligent Transportation Systems

The rapid evolution of ITS technologies presents more and more specific requirements for dynamic network modeling. Conversely, implementation of dynamic models is becoming more and more important for the design and evaluation of ITS. In Section 14.1, several applications of dynamic models to various ITS components are investigated. We mainly consider technical aspects of applying these models. Then, practical considerations for applying dynamic network models are discussed in Section 14.2. Finally, we examine various data requirements for implementing these dynamic models in Section 14.3.
Lung Clearance Mechanisms of Soluble and Insoluble Cadmium Compounds

Cadmium containing particles are emitted into the air from industrial processes mostly as CdO-dust and CdO-fume which are very poorly soluble in water. Other highly insoluble Cd-compounds-i.e., CdS-are air contaminants at workplaces in respective industrial settings whereas highly water soluble compounds such as CdC12 do not generally contribute to human Cd-exposure. Earlier studies on the pulmonary clearance of inhaled CdO in rats had revealed that its long-term pulmonary retention half time is essentially the same as that of inhaled highly soluble CdC12 particles (Oberdorster et al., 1979). Rapid solubilization of CdO particles in the lung and subsequent binding of Cd to proteins were suggested as underlying mechanisms to explain the agreement in lung clearance between these water-soluble and -insoluble Cd-compounds (Oberdorster et al., 1979; Hadley et al., 1980). Our studies on the acute pulmonary effects of inhaled Cd compounds have shown that equal doses of CdO and CdC12 elicit the same inflammatory reaction, reflecting the immediate bioavailability of the Cd-ion in the lungs from both Cd-compounds (Oberdorster et al., 1985; Oberdorster et al., 1987), and thus corroborating the rapid solubilization of CdO particles in the lung. In contrast, CdS administered at the same dose to the lung did not induce any inflammatory response. This marked difference is in all likelihood due to differences in the bioavailability-i.e., solubilization in vivo--between CdS and CdO. Such differences would also suggest that the pulmonary retention kinetics and consequently pulmonary clearance pathways are different between the different Cd compounds. Therefore, our present studies were designed to investigate the mechanisms which are responsible for the pulmonary clearance of the different Cd-compounds CdC12, CdO and CdS.
Thomason’s theorem for varieties over algebraically closed fields

We present a novel proof of Thomason's theorem relating Bott inverted algebraic K-theory with finite coefficients and etale cohomology for smooth varieties over algebraically closed ground fields. Our proof involves first introducing a new theory, which we term algebraic K-homology, and proving it satisfies etale descent (with finite coefficients) on the category of normal, Cohen-Macaulay varieties. Then, we prove algebraic K-homology and algebraic K-theory (each taken with finite coefficients) coincide on smooth varieties upon inverting the Bott element.
Mapping zebrafish mutations by AFLP.

Publisher Summary Amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) is a robust and efficient method for selectively polymerase chain reaction (PCR)—amplifying genomic DNA restriction fragment length polymorphisms that exist among strains of organisms. This technology is a powerful way to identify markers that are closely linked to mutant loci and facilitate positional cloning of the affected genes. This chapter describes zebrafish DNA isolation methods. AFLP is used to identify markers close to a mutation of interest after testing the relevant markers that have been previously placed on maps of the zebrafish genome. The goal is to identify a marker within at least 1 cM of a mutation to facilitate the shortest possible walk to the gene using genomic clones. The AFLP technique consists of four basic steps: (1) complete digestion of genomic DNA from the offspring of AB/SJD hybrid females, (2) ligation of adapters, (3) selective amplification of a subset of the thousands of possible bands, and (4) gel analysis of the reaction products to detect bands that segregate with the mutation being studied.
CO/sub 2/-laser-based RF frequency reference

The aim of the paper is to obtain an RF beat signal that has a stability similar to that of the laser lines. The setup consists of a CO/sub 2/ laser that uses two different isotopes of C and or O that oscillates at two optical frequencies in a single very high Q optical cavity. The output is mixed on a wideband photomixer to produce RF power at the difference frequency.
Abstract 17983: Ankle-Brachial Index Predicts Progression of Aortic Stiffeness

Background: Arterial stiffness is associated with increased risk for adverse cardiovascular outcome. Ankle-brachial index (ABI) is a measure reflective of systemic atherosclerosis. Whether it can predict central aortic stiffness and its progression is unknown. As such, we investigated the impact of ABI on carotid-femoral pulse wave velocity (cfPWV) and aortic characteristic impedance (Zc) in apparently healthy adults from the community. Methods: Participants were from the GENOA study without cardiovascular disease at baseline (December 2000 to September 2006) and completed follow-up (September 2009 to December 2012) assessment (n=358, 63%women, 69% hypertensive). ABI was measured by standard protocol at baseline. cfPWV was measured by applanation tonometry. Difference in log-cfPWV between two visits ([[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]log-cfPWV) was used to estimate progression of aortic stiffness. Zc was ascertained at 2nd visit using carotid tonometry followed by echocardiography (Cardiovascular Engineering Inc., Norwood). Results: After a mean follow-up of 8.5±0.9 years, cfPWV increased from 9.3±2.4m/s to 11.1±5.0m/s. After adjusted for age, sex and time-interval between two visits, lower ABI was associated with greater [[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]log-cfPWV (β±SE:-0.41±0.15), and increased risk for higher log-cfPWV (β±SE:-0.38±0.12) and higher log-Zc at 2nd visit (β±SE:-0.38±0.18) (all P≤0.04). Diabetes and renal function at baseline were predictors for higher cfPWV and Zc; hypertension and metabolic syndrome were only predictors of cfPWV; while age and male gender were major predictors for [[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]log-cfPWV (all P≤0.04). The association of ABI with cfPWV or Zc remained significant after adjustment for these covariates (both P<0.05). Greater [[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]log-cfPWV was associated with increased risk for higher log-Zc; longer time-interval amplified this effect (both p for [[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]log-cfPWV and [[Unable to Display Character: ∆]]log-cfPWV x time-interval ≤0.03). Conclusions: Lower ABI predicts progression of aortic stiffness, leading to both increased aortic wall stiffness (PWV) and greater aortic area-flow mismatch (Zc), suggesting the impact of subclinical atherosclerosis on proximal aortic stiffening.
Purification of a Calcium-binding Phosphoprotein from Pig Brain

Abstract An acidic phosphoprotein has been isolated from adult pig brain and purified to apparent homogeneity. The purification procedure employed ammonium sulfate precipitation, ECTEOLA - cellulose chromatography, gel filtration on Sephadex G-75, and chromatography on hydroxylapatite. This protein exhibits high affinity calcium binding (Kd = 2.5 x 10-5 m), binds 1 mole of calcium per mole of protein, and is one of two high affinity calcium-binding proteins found in pig brain. This calcium-binding protein is not present in either liver or kidney, suggesting that it may play a role in calcium function within nervous tissue. The calcium binding properties, phosphorus content and amino acid composition of the protein have been determined. The molecular weight of the protein, as determined by ultracentrifugation, is 11,500. The protein aggregates in the presence of calcium with the formation of multimers. Treatment with phosphatase results in loss of calcium binding activity, suggesting that calcium binds to the phosphate group of the protein. Each mole of protein contains 10 moles of phosphate.
Toward a Hermeneutics of Data

Data science is the systematic process of creating, building, and organizing knowledge with data. A piece of data without context is without meaning, but when data is put into context it becomes meaningful information to people and machines, and it may acquire more contextual information over time. Data's impact on society and studies of data have reached a point for which it is now time for historians of computing to historicize data directly. In fact, computing historians are uniquely positioned to probe the entanglement of networked infrastructures, data, and cultures of computing in the recent past and near future.
Stock Price Models with Stochastic Volatility

Stock price models with stochastic volatility have been developed in the last decades to improve the performance of the celebrated Black-Scholes model. The volatility of the stock in such a model is described by a nonnegative stochastic process. For instance, in the Hull-White model, a geometric Brownian motion plays the role of stochastic volatility, in the Stein-Stein model, the volatility is represented by an Ornstein-Uhlenbeck process, or by the absolute value of this process, while in the Heston model, the volatility process is the square root of a CIR-process. Chapter 2 focuses on stochastic volatility models. In addition, it presents Girsanov’s theorem, risk-neutral measures, and market prices of risk. It is explained in Chap. 2 how to use Girsanov’s theorem to find risk-neutral measures in uncorrelated stochastic volatility models, and how to overcome complications, arising in the case of a non-zero correlation between the stock price and the volatility. The chapter presents results of C. Sin, concerning risk-neutral measures in the correlated Hull-White model. Sin’s results show that the existence of such measures is determined by the possibility of explosions in finite time for solutions of certain auxiliary stochastic differential equations.
Kinase suppressor of Ras transphosphorylates c-Raf-1.

Abstract Whether kinase suppressor of Ras1 (KSR1) is an active kinase that phosphorylates c-Raf-1 or a scaffold that coordinates signaling along the Ras/ERK1 signaling module is actively debated. In this study, we generated a monoclonal antibody against a c-Raf-1 peptide containing phosphorylated Thr 269 , the putative target for KSR1 kinase activity. We show that this antibody detects Thr 269 -phosphorylated c-Raf-1 in A431 cells upon epidermal growth factor (EGF) stimulation, preceding MEK1 activation. Furthermore, this antibody detects in vitro phosphorylation of FLAG-c-Raf-1 and kinase-dead FLAG-c-Raf-1(K375M) by immunopurified KSR1, but fails to detect phosphorylation of FLAG-c-Raf-1(K375M/T269V), engineered with a Thr 269 to valine substitution. To provide unequivocal evidence that KSR1 is a legitimate kinase, we purified KSR1 to homogeneity, confirmed by mass spectrometry, renatured it in-gel, and demonstrated that it phosphorylates BSA-conjugated c-Raf-1 peptide at Thr 269 . These studies add to emerging data validating KSR1 as a kinase that phosphorylates c-Raf-1.
Low intensity spectral analysis (LISA) of coal macerals and the assessment of DGC fractions

Abstract Low intensity spectral analysis (LISA) represents an extension of fluorescence analysis that enables the study of all maceral groups. This is made possible by replacing the standard double grating monochromator and photomultiplier assembly, used in conventional fluorescence, with a fixed grating, image intensifier and diode array. This detection equipment can be used to measure extremely low intensity signals extending below the visual threshold. The increased sensitivity is achieved by using the capability of the diode array to accumulate a signal over an extended period of time. Techniques have been developed that exploit the signal gathering ability of this equipment enabling fluorescence spectral acquisition from 500 to 850 nm onall coal macerals including fusinite. The sensitivity of this analysis system permits high resolution spectral analysis into the near i.r. The capability of measuring “non-fluorescing” macerals permits the evaluation of maceral fractions obtained from density gradient centrifugation runs. The density interval over which single maceral concentrations are obtained can be rapidly determined using low intensity fluorescence analysis.
Localization and specificity of the transport system for sugars in the calf lens.

Abstract Evidence has been presented for an equilibrating, mediated transport of sugars at both the anterior and posterior surfaces of the calf lens. A significant non-saturable component was also detected. The capacity of the system of transport appears to be comparable at the two faces of the lens, indicating a biosynthesis of transporters during differentiation of the epithelial cells to fiber cells. Kinetic studies showed that a wide range of affinities for transport prevailed, with d -glucose, d -mannose and 2-deoxy- d -glucose having relatively high affinities compared with l -glucose and the nonmetabolized 3- O -methyl- d -glucose. A single system of transport for sugars appeared to be present. However, myo-inositol and probably small polyols (glycerol, ethylene glycol) utilize other transporters. The structural requirements of the substrate for transport were evaluated, and it was concluded that a C-1 conformation and a free hydroxyl on carbon number one were of primary importance. meso -Erythritol was the only polyol showing a relatively high affinity for the transporter of sugars. The sugars were found to have a similar order of affinity for transport in lens as has been reported for human erythrocyte, suggesting that similar systems of transport exist in both tissues.
Postcolumn Immunodetection Following Conditioning of the HPLC Mobile Phase by On-Line Ion-Exchange Extraction

Postcolumn immunodetection can provide enhancement of selectivity and sensitivity when used in combination with HPLC. Typical reversed-phase HPLC employs a variety of organic modifiers and buffers, and immunoassays generally perform best in a low ionic strength aqueous matrix with a pH between 7 and 8. There is therefore a need for removal of an analyte from a typical mobile phase into an environment compatible with an immunoreactor. An on-line system utilizing an ion-exchange column along with a switching valve to sequester an analyte from a HPLC mobile phase and apply a counterion eluent solution was designed to provide the proper matrix for immunoassay. An on-line HPLC−ion-exchange system was developed for the model analyte procainamide hydrochloride. The eluents from the on-line HPLC and ion-exchange system were collected and analyzed off-line using fluorescence polarization immunoassay. The fluorescence polarization immunoassay was calibrated using standards in a buffer matrix, and the system was val...
Conjugated linoleic acid does not improve insulin tolerance in mice.

Objective: To determine if the addition or removal of dietary conjugated linoleic acid (CLA) would alter insulin tolerances in mice from two genetic lines. Research Methods and Procedures: High metabolic rate (MH) and low metabolic rate (ML) mice were assigned to consume 1) a control diet ad libitum, 2) a control diet at a restricted intake, or 3) a diet containing 1% CLA ad libitum. After 9 weeks, an insulin tolerance test was conducted, and a portion of the mice were killed. All remaining mice consumed the control diet ad libitum. Insulin tolerance tests were conducted 11 and 32 days after the diet change, and mice were killed 3 days after each test. Body fatness, fat pad weights, and serum insulin concentrations of mice were determined at each time-point. Two follow-up experiments were also conducted. Results: Restricted mice had insulin sensitivities not different than control mice. CLA-fed MH mice in experiment 1 were resistant (p < 0.001) to insulin on each day measured. CLA-fed ML mice were slightly resistant (p = 0.08) to exogenous insulin on day 0 of recovery and not different from control mice on day 11 or 32. Glucose response to insulin in MH mice fed CLA in experiments 2 or 3 did not differ from control mice. Discussion: Mice fed CLA did not have improved insulin tolerances compared with control mice. In some cases, dietary CLA may cause insulin resistance. MH mice seem more sensitive to CLA than ML mice.
Conformational and structural studies of cyclobutylsilane from temperature dependent infrared spectra of xenon solutions and ab initio calculations

Abstract The infrared spectra (3500–220 cm −1 ) in the gas phase of cyclobutylsilane, c-C 4 H 7 SiH 3 has been recorded. Variable temperature (−65 to −100 °C) studies of the infrared spectra (3500–400 cm −1 ) dissolved in liquid xenon have been carried out. From these data, both the equatorial and axial conformers have been identified and their relative stability obtained. The enthalpy difference has been determined from 15 band pairs to be 67 ± 7 cm −1 (0.81 ± 0.08 kJ mol −1 ) with the equatorial conformer the more stable form. The percentage of the axial conformer is estimated to be 42 ± 1% at ambient temperature. The conformational stabilities have been predicted from ab initio calculations utilizing several different basis sets up to aug-cc-pVTZ from both MP2(full) and density functional theory calculations by the B3LYP method. By utilizing previously reported microwave rotational constants along with ab initio MP2(full)/6-311+G(d,p) predicted structural values, adjusted r 0 parameters have been obtained for both conformers. The determined heavy atom distances (A) for the equatorial [axial] form are Si–C α = 1.879(3) [1.884(3)], C α –C β , C β ′ = 1.562(3) [1.561(3)], C γ –C β , C β ′ = 1.551(3) [1.553(3)] and angles in degrees (°) ∠SiC α C β = 118.6(5) [113.2(5)], ∠C β C α C β ′ = 88.2(5) [88.4(5)], ∠C α C β C γ = 87.8(5) [88.9(5)], ∠C β C γ C β ′ = 88.9(5) [89.0(5)] and a puckering angle of 29.0(5) [23.5(5)]. Support for the vibrational studies have been provided from MP2(full)/6-31G(d) ab initio calculations to predict harmonic force constants, fundamental wavenumbers, infrared intensities, Raman activities and depolarization ratios for both conformers. The results are discussed and compared to the corresponding properties of some related molecules.
Differential regulation of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase and MAP kinase pathways by hepatocyte growth factor vs. insulin-like growth factor-I in myogenic cells.

Abstract Hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) promotes the proliferation of adult myoblasts and inhibits their differentiation, whereas insulin-like growth factor I (IGF-I) enhances both processes. Recent studies indicate that activation of the phosphoinositide 3′-kinase (PI3K) pathway promotes myoblast differentiation, whereas activation of the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (MAPK/ERK) promotes proliferation and inhibits their differentiation. This simple model is confounded by the fact that both HGF and IGF-I have been shown to activate both pathways. In this study, we have compared the ability of HGF and IGF-I to activate PI3K and MAPK/ERK in i28 myogenic cells. We find that, although the two stimuli result in comparable recruitment of the p85α subunit of PI3K into complexes with tyrosine-phosphorylated proteins, the p85β regulatory subunit and p110α catalytic subunit of PI3K are preferentially recruited into these complexes in response to IGF-I. In agreement with this observation, IGF-I is much more potent than HGF in stimulating phosphorylation of Akt/PKB, a protein kinase downstream of PI3K. In contrast, MAPK/ERK phosphorylation was higher in response to HGF and lasted longer, relative to IGF-I. Moreover, the specific PI3K inhibitor, Wortmannin, abolished MAPK/ERK and Elk-1 phosphorylation in HGF-treated cells, suggesting the requirement of PI3K in mediating the HGF-induced MAPK pathway. UO126, a specific MAPK pathway inhibitor, had no effect on PI3K activity or Akt phosphorylation, implying that at least in muscle cells, the MAPK/ERK pathway is not required for HGF-induced PI3K activation. These results provide a biochemical rationale for the previous observations that HGF and IGF-I have opposite effects on myogenic cells, consistent with studies linking PI3K activation to differentiation and MAPK/ERK activation to proliferation in these cells. Moreover, the finding that PI3K activity is required for HGF-induced MAPK activation suggests its additional role in proliferation, rather than exclusively in the differentiation of adult myoblasts.
GermLine Variation in Superoxide Dismutase-2 (SOD2) and Survival Outcomes After Radiation Therapy for Prostate Cancer: Results of a Test and Validation Set Analysis.

Abstract Background Genetic variants in antioxidant pathways might decrease the efficacy of radiation therapy (RT) by suppressing the generation of reactive oxygen species. We studied the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the antioxidant gene superoxide dismutase-2 (SOD2) and cancer-specific outcomes after RT. Patients and Methods Among 816 prostate cancer patients who received radiation as primary therapy from the Physicians' Health Study and the Health Professionals Follow-up Study, we evaluated the association of 7 tagging SNPs in SOD2 with lethal prostate cancer (death from prostate cancer or distant metastasis among living patients). We sought to validate findings in a separate cohort of 612 prostate cancer patients treated with RT with a greater proportion of intermediate and high-risk Gleason scores at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute. Genetic effects were analyzed using a codominant model, using the genotype homozygous for the major allele as baseline. Results Among patients who underwent RT in the test cohort, there was a significant association between 3 of the 7 SOD2 SNPs and lethal prostate cancer: rs6917589 (overall P = .006), rs2758331 (P = .04) and the functional valine to alanine polymorphism in rs4880 (P = .04). These SNPs were not associated with outcome among men who had undergone prostatectomy. The associations were not replicated in the validation cohort. Conclusion Germline genetic variation in the SOD2 gene might be a predictive biomarker of response to RT for prostate cancer but is not consistently associated with outcome after RT across prostate cancer cohorts with different clinical characteristics.
Managing Transportation Facilities in Design-Build-Finance-Operate Partnerships

In recent years, transportation planning has been challenged by an increasing need for infrastructure development, a shortfall of revenue from the public sector, and political trending toward deregulation of transportation infrastructure development. These factors have led to increased interest in privatization of transportation infrastructure and the development of public-private partnerships, such as design-build-finance-operate. Although the overall goal of a transportation infrastructure project is to provide safe, reliable transportation systems for the public, parties involved in public-private partnerships take different roles and responsibilities. The public sector leads in laying out the terms and standards to regulate the obligations between the state departments of transportation and private entities. The private sector makes capital investment to provide agreed-upon services as well as to assume various investment risks, including project operational and financial risks. Toll-pricing strategie...
Investment incentives, debt, and warrants☆

Abstract This paper models and characterizes investment incentive problems associated with debt financing. The decision problem of residual claimants is explicity formulated and their investment policies are characterized. The paper also analyzes the use of conversion features and warrants to control distortionary incentives. These claims reverse the convex shape of levered equity over the upper range of the firm's earnings, and this mitigates the incentive to take risk. It is shown that, under certain conditions, such claims can be constructed to restore net present value maximizing incentives and simultaneously meet the financing requirements of the firm.
Characterization of a recombinant form of annexin VI for detection of apoptosis.

We developed a recombinant form of human annexin VI called annexin VI-601 (Mr 76,224) with the N-terminal extension of Ala-Gly-Gly-Cys-Gly-His to allow ready attachment of fluorescent or radioactive labels. The protein was produced by expression in E. coli and was purified by calcium-dependent membrane binding, anion-exchange chromatography, and heparin−Sepharose affinity chromatography. The protein could be readily labeled with iodoacetamidofluorescein and with 99mTc. The protein bound with high affinity to PS-containing phospholipid vesicles and to erythrocytes with exposed phosphatidylserine. Fluorescent annexin VI-601 readily detected apoptosis of Jurkat cells by flow cytometry at much lower calcium concentrations than those required for equivalent detection by annexin V. In vivo administration of radiolabeled protein showed that blood clearance was much slower than annexin V. In conclusion, annexin VI may have advantages over annexin V in certain situations for both in vitro and in vivo detection of ...
Spatial alignment of the mouse blastocyst axis across the first cleavage plane is caused by mechanical constraint rather than developmental bias among blastomeres

The embryonic-abembryonic (Em-Ab) axis of the mouse blastocyst has been found in several studies to align orthogonal to the first cleavage plane, raising the possibility that a developmental prepattern already exists at the two-cell stage. However, it is also possible that such alignment is not due to any developmental disparity between the two-cell stage blastomeres, but rather is caused by an extrinsic mechanical constraint that is conferred by an irregular shape of the zona pellucida (ZP). Here, we conducted a series of experiments to distinguish between these possibilities. We showed that the shape of the ZP at the two-cell stage varied among embryos, ranging from near spherical to ellipsoidal, and that the ZP shape did not change until the blastocyst stage. In those embryos with an ellipsoidal ZP, the Em-Ab axis tended to lie orthogonal to the first cleavage plane, while in those embryos with a near spherical ZP, there was no such relationship. The clonal boundary between the descendants of the two-cell stage blastomeres tended to lie orthogonal to the Em-Ab axis when the rotation of the embryo within the ZP was experimentally prevented, while the control embryos did not exhibit such tendency. These results support the possibility that an apparent correlation between the first cleavage plane and the blastocyst axis can be generated by the mechanical constraint from the ZP but not by a developmental prepattern. Moreover, recent reports indicate that the vegetal blastomere of the four-cell stage embryo that had undergone a specific type of second cleavages is destined to contribute to the abembryonic side of the blastocyst. However, our present study shows that in spite of such specific second cleavages, the vegetal blastomere did not preferentially give rise to the abembryonic side. This result implicates that the lineage of the four-cell stage blastomere is not restricted even when embryos undergo a specific type of second cleavages.
No‐touch technique for reducing aortic wall trauma during renal artery stenting

Cholesterol embolism, a serious but infrequent complication of renal artery stenting, may be avoided by minimizing contact between the guide catheter and the atherosclerotic aorta. In this report, we illustrate the "no-touch" technique for stenting renal arteries. By placing a second 0.035-inch J-wire within the guide catheter during cannulation of the renal artery to prevent the tip of the guide from rubbing the aortic wall, we minimize the contact between the guide catheter and atherosclerotic plaques and reduce the potential for intimal disruption and cholesterol embolization.
Propagation law for Walther’s first generalized radiance function and its short-wavelength limit with quasi-homogeneous sources

An exact law is derived for the propagation in free space of the first generalized radiance function introduced by Walther. A simplified form of this law is obtained for the case when the source is quasi-homogeneous. It is also shown that when the source is quasi-homogeneous and the wave number is large enough (the wavelength is sufficiently short) the first generalized radiance acquires all the properties of the radiance of traditional radiometry.
Light transport in tissue

The propagation of light in tissue may be calculated by exact transport theory, or the approximate diffusion theory, provided the optical properties are known at the source wavelength. Optical properties for the exact methods are the absorption coefficient, scattering coefficient, and angular distribution of scattering. Appropriate properties for diffusion theory are the diffusion length and diffusion coefficient (corrected for anisotropic scattering). Computer programs and analytical solutions (for some simple geometries) exist, but the optical properties have to be determined experimentally and are not well defined as yet. The radiant energy fluence rate and the diffuse transmittance and reflectance have been measured in several tissues and in a few geometries, but there are gaps in the data as a function of wavelength. Calculations and measurements reveal that very large errors can result if the optical properties (for example, the diffusion length) are inaccurate, if anisotropic scattering is neglected, or if the finite size of the irradiating light beam is not taken into account. Furthermore, the radiant energy fluence and transmittance are perturbed by local regions of lesser or greater absorption, although recovery of the fluence and transmittance occurs beyond some three diffusion lengths.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging of Mediastinal Paraganglioma

The magnetic resonance (MR) findings are presented of a nonfunctioning mediastinal paraganglioma on both T1- and T2-weighted magnetic resonance images. The MR characteristics of this tumor differentiate it from previously reported functioning mediastinal paragangliomas (pheochromocytoma) and from other benign mediastinal neoplasms, although mediastinal bronchogenic carcinoma may produce a similar appearance. (Chest 1988; 94:652-54)
Almost all linear spaces and partial t -designs have trivial automorphism groups

Abstract We prove that almost every finite linear space has a trivial automorphism group and that almost every partial t-design with blocks of size t + 1 has a trivial automorphism group.
Grain boundary dynamics under mechanical annealing in two-dimensional colloids.

Two-dimensional (2D) colloids embedded in a soap film are employed to study the structures and dynamics of grain boundaries (GBs). While a soap film is drawn vertically from a concentrated bulk suspension, the colloidal particles self-assemble to form polycrystalline structures with a typical grain size of about 100 lattice spaces. Studies of these grain boundaries reveal that the GB lines are faceted at ``atomic'' scale, leading to a constant energy per unit length along each line. The measured GB energy as a function of misfit angle is in agreement with Reed-Shockley's theoretical predictions. When an external mechanical vibration is applied to the bulk suspension, the grain boundaries are observed to migrate and grains to rotate under the stress field induced by the vibration. The total length of the grain boundaries is found to diminish logarithmically with time, with the rate constant being a function of the excitation strength. This phenomenon, called ``mechanical annealing,'' provides a robust means to grow large 2D single-domain crystals.
Preoperative Pulmonary Function in Patients With Operative Scheuermann Kyphosis

Abstract Study Design A multicenter, prospective study of consecutively enrolled surgical patients with Scheuermann kyphosis (SK). Objectives To evaluate the impact of SK on preoperative pulmonary function and to determine which radiographic criteria may help predict pulmonary impairment. Summary of Background Data Pulmonary function in SK is not well studied. Previous studies on adolescent idiopathic scoliosis revealed that certain factors, including the magnitude of the thoracic curve and the number of vertebrae involved, significantly affect pulmonary function. Methods A total of 64 patients with SK were evaluated. Absolute and percent predicted forced vital capacity (FVC), forced expiratory volume in 1 second, and total lung capacity were collected preoperatively. Subjects were divided according to kyphosis apex (thoracic or thoracolumbar) and kyphosis magnitude groups, and compared. Correlation analysis was performed to evaluate the impact of gender, age, kyphosis magnitude, and apex on pulmonary function. American Thoracic Society guidelines were used to classify patients according to the severity of pulmonary impairment. Results Mean age was 16 years (range 13–24 years), with 42 males. The percent predicted forced vital capacity was 95.8%, percent forced expiratory volume in 1 second was 92.5%, and percent total lung capacity was 106.2%. The percent predicted FVC differed significantly between the 71°–80° and 81°–90° groups (105% vs. 83%, respectively; p = .016) and the 71°–80° and greater than 90° groups (105% vs. 73%, respectively; p = .009). For percent predicted TLC, patients with greater than 90° had significantly lower average values than those in the 71°–80° range (79% vs. 115%, respectively; p = .016). Greatest kyphosis showed a fairly weak (r = –.24; p
A numerical Lagrangian stochastic approach to upscaling of dispersivity in solute transport

The upscaling of dispersivity in solute transport in heterogeneous aquifers is addressed with a numerical stochastic formulation. This work represents progress toward converting theory into scalable numerical models that can be compared to laboratory experiments. Traditional global assumptions of low variance, ergodicity, single correlation scale, stationarity, and the like are avoided through the use of a flexible Lagrangian numerical, not analytical, framework, which allows assumptions to be local. A method of calculating grid-block upscaled dispersivities is presented. Computational results are obtained for a heterogeneous tank experiment, with reasonable behavior.