cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Equity, efficiency, and discounting : The reasons for discounting intergenerational effects

Abstract Confusion between the ethical norm of intergenerational equity and the practical technique of discounting only obscures the basic issues of efficiency and equity. The author distinguishes between the discounting approach and the equity argument, and explains their essentially complementary roles in long-term investment decisions. He argues that the discounting method is an important tool in the achievement of intergenerational equity since it can determine the amount of compensation to be paid to future generations, a sum which by definition will compensate them for the damage our action has caused.
Schlemm’s Canal and Collector Channels as Therapeutic Targets

Intraocular pressure (IOP) is maintained within a normal range from a dynamic balance between aqueous humor formation and drainage. Dysfunctional aqueous drainage results in elevated IOP, which is a causative risk factor for the development and progression of primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG). An understanding of how to lower IOP using microinvasive glaucoma surgery (MIGS) begins with an understanding of the normal anatomy of the structures related to the drainage of aqueous humor and changes in POAG. The major drainage structures for aqueous humor are the conventional or trabecular outflow pathway, which is comprised of the uveal and corneoscleral portions of the trabecular meshwork, the juxtacanalicular connective tissue, Schlemm’s canal, the collector channels, and the aqueous veins. Aqueous humor drains from the anterior chamber through progressively smaller channels of the trabecular meshwork into a circumferencely oriented channel called Schlemm’s canal. From this canal, circuitous channels weave toward the surface of the sclera, ultimately joining the episcleral vasculature which drains into the venous system. Flow through this system is driven by a bulk-flow pressure gradient, and active transport is not involved as neither metabolic poisons nor temperature affects this system to any significant degree. 10–20 % of total aqueous outflow has been reported to leave the normal eye via the uveoscleral pathway which has become a primary target for medical intervention in glaucoma. However, this chapter will only focus on the conventional trabecular outflow pathway.
Role of protein kinase C (PKC) in mediating Ca2+ entry in vascular smooth muscle cells.

The role of PKC in regulation of Ca2+ mobilization is not clear. For a number of years, PKC has been shown to regulate smooth muscle contraction. Although considerable controversy exists, PKC may induce contraction by elevating [Ca2+]i. Thus we begin to investigate the effects of PKC on Ca2+ mobilization in vascular smooth muscle cells. When cells were exposed to 25 nM PMA (phorbol myristate acetate) for 2 minutes, [Ca2+]i rose slowly to a peak value followed by a sustained (>20 minutes) elevation of [Ca2+]i. Both the amplitude and the time to peak response were dose-dependent (EC50=10 nM) with the time to reach peak [Ca2+]i being inversely related to the concentration used. Although the exact mechanism for PMA elevation of [Ca2+]i is not clear, several possibilities exist. First, PKC activation may induce release of Ca2+ from intracellular pools leading to an increase in [Ca2+]i. This is unlikely since in our hands PMA did not mobilize Ca2+ from intracellular pools in cells bathed in Ca2+-free buffer. Second, PMA, through activation of PKC, may directly or indirectly activate Ca2+ channels including L-type Ca2+ channels in these smooth muscle cells. In fact, PKC has been shown to regulate CA2+ channels and [Ca2+]i in neural cells. This appears to be the case in vascular smooth muscle cells, since 1 µM nicardipine reversed the sustained elevation of [Ca2+]i initiated by PMA. In addition, treatment of cells with nicardipine prior to PMA prevented Ca2+ mobilization. Taken together, these data strongly suggest that PMA leads to elevation of [Ca2+]i by activating the L-type Ca2+ channel.
Simplified/same day (s)-GOLF as first-line treatment of metastatic carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP).

e15665Background: CUP represents a therapeutic challenge in oncological practice. Evidence lacks to support particular chemotherapy selection and empirical therapies are commonly extrapolated from ...
Can MRI contribute to pulmonary nodule analysis

BACKGROUND There is no accurate method distinguishing different types of pulmonary nodules. PURPOSE To investigate whether multiparametric 3T MRI biomarkers can distinguish malignant from benign pulmonary nodules, differentiate different types of neoplasms, and compare MRI-derived measurements with values from commonly used noninvasive imaging modalities. STUDY TYPE Prospective. SUBJECTS Sixty-eight adults with pulmonary nodules undergoing resection. SEQUENCES Respiratory triggered diffusion-weighted imaging (DWI), periodically rotated overlapping parallel lines with enhanced reconstruction (PROPELLER) fat saturated T2 -weighted imaging, T1 -weighted 3D volumetric interpolated breath-hold examination (VIBE) using CAIPIRINHA (controlled aliasing in parallel imaging results in a higher acceleration). ASSESSMENT/STATISTICS Apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC), T1 , T2 , T1 and T2 normalized to muscle (T1 /M and T2 /M), and dynamic contrast enhancement (DCE) values were compared with histology to determine whether they could distinguish malignant from benign nodules and discern primary from secondary malignancies using logistic regression. Predictability of primary neoplasm types was assessed using two-sample t-tests. MRI values were compared with positron emission tomography / computed tomography (PET/CT) to examine if they correlated with standardized uptake value (SUV) or CT Hounsfield unit (HU). Intra- and interreader agreements were assessed using intraclass correlations. RESULTS Forty-nine of 74 nodules were malignant. There was a significant association between ADC and malignancy (odds ratio 4.47, P < 0.05). ADC ≥1.3 μm2 /ms predicted malignancy. ADC, T1 , and T2 together predicted malignancy (P = 0.003). No MRI parameter distinguished primary from metastatic neoplasms. T2 predicted PET positivity (P = 0.016). T2 and T1 /M correlated with SUV (P < 0.05). Of 18 PET-negative malignant nodules, 12 (67%) had an ADC ≥1.3 μm2 /ms. With the exception of T2 , all noncontrast MRI parameters distinguished adenocarcinomas from carcinoid tumors (P < 0.05). T1 , T2 , T1 /M, and T2 /M correlated with HU and therefore can predict nodule density. Combined with ADC, washout enhancement, arrival time (AT), peak enhancement intensity (PEI), Ktrans , Kep , Ve collectively were predictive of malignancy (P = 0.012). Combined washin, washout, time to peak (TTP), AT, and PEI values predicted malignancy (P = 0.043). There was good observer agreement for most noncontrast MRI biomarkers. DATA CONCLUSION MRI can contribute to pulmonary nodule analysis. Multiparametric MRI might be better than individual MRI biomarkers in pulmonary nodule risk stratification. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE 1 Technical Efficacy: Stage 2 J. Magn. Reson. Imaging 2018.
Combination of Biochanin A and Temozolomide Impairs Tumor Growth by Modulating Cell Metabolism in Glioblastoma Multiforme.

Background/aim Several epidemiological studies have reported the chemopreventive potential of biochanin A, in cancer development and progression. We investigated the anticancer potential of combination of biochanin A and temozolomide against U-87 MG and T98 G [glioblastoma multiforme (GBM)] cells. Materials and methods We evaluated the effect of biochanin A and temozolomide treatment on cell viability, expression of survival proteins, cell cycle, cell metabolism and mitochondrial function. Results Enhanced inhibitory effects of the combination treatment were observed on cell viability, expression of cell survival proteins EGFR, p-ERK, p-AKT, c-myc and MT-MMP1, and increased expression of the tumor suppressor, p-p53. Combination treatment also induced arrest in the G1 phase of the cell cycle. A shift in the metabolic phenotype of cells from glycolytic to oxidative phosphorylation was observed on combination treatment and the permeabilized cells showed a significant impairment in complex IV activity. Conclusion Biochanin A significantly enhanced the anticancer efficacy of temozolomide in GBM cells.
The halo effect created for restaurants that source food locally.

This research investigated inferences consumers make about restaurants that market their use of locally sourced food (LSF) ingredients using the halo effect as a theoretical foundation. Food produc...
Oral Drug Delivery Technologies—A Decade of Developments

Advanced drug delivery technologies, in general, enable drug reformulation and administration routes, together contributing to life-cycle management and allowing the innovator to maintain the product monopoly. Over the years, there has been a steady shift from mere life-cycle management to drug repurposing—applying delivery technologies to tackle solubility and permeability issues in early stages or safety and efficacy issues in the late stages of drug discovery processes. While the drug and the disease in question primarily drive the choice of route of administration, the oral route, for its compliance and safety attributes, is the most preferred route, particularly when it comes to chronic conditions, including pain, which is not considered a disease but a symptom of a primary cause. Therefore, the attempt of this review is to take a stock of the advances in oral delivery technologies that are applicable for injectable to oral transformation, improve risk-benefit profiles of existing orals, and apply them in the early discovery program to minimize the drug attrition rates.
“Guano in Their Destiny”: Race, Geology, and a Philosophy of Indenture

To the ways fertilizer has been employed as an extended metaphor of racial extraction and mourning in U.S. and British literary thought by Ralph Waldo Emerson, George Jackson, and Ian Fleming, I ju...
Bounded and Almost-Periodic Solutions of Nonlocal Perturbations of Nonautonomous Logistic-Type Equations

This paper is concerned with the study of dynamics of nonlinear nonlocal perturbations of nonautonomous logistic-type equations. More specifically, we prove the existence and uniqueness of a bounded solution that is positive, and that does not approach the zero solution in the past and in the future. We also show that this solution is an attractor for all other positive solutions. Since the zero solution is shown to be a repeller for all solutions that remain below the aforementioned one, we obtain an attractor-repeller pair. Almost-periodic attractor is also discussed.
Qualitative research on children of incarcerated parents: Findings, challenges, and future directions

Qualitative research has the potential to give voice to the lived experiences of children of incarcerated parents. This chapter highlights the contributions that key qualitative studies have made to our understanding of topics such as children’s reactions to parental incarceration; sustaining parent–child relationships during incarceration; and the stigma facing the children of incarcerated parents. Methodological challenges associated with conducting qualitative research are discussed. Recommendations for future directions include the need for more research that examines children’s experiences with their parent’s involvement in different stages of the criminal justice system as well as examinations of demographic differences and resilience among children of incarcerated parents.
EXAMINING THE ROLE OF ADVERSITY AND POSITIVE LIFE EVENTS IN THE RELATION BETWEEN GRATITUDE AND WELL-BEING

Character strengths are emerging as a key outcome of interest in midlife and old age. One key avenue that has been largely unexplored is what the key antecedents are and the moderating role of adversity and positive life events experiences. The limited current research on the topic has examined the direct relations among character strengths and well-being, whereas less is known regarding the role of negative and positive experiences, which may provide a better understanding of what contributes to character strengths. This study explores whether major life adversities (i.e. personal, family, work related) and positive life events (i.e. job promotion, engagement, vacations) experiences are associated with character strengths— namely gratitude, and well-being. We use data from a sample of participants in midlife (n=362, ages 50-65) who completed monthly online surveys for a period of two years. Multilevel models showed that greater adversity was associated with poorer well-being, whereas positive life events were predictive of higher overall well-being. Individuals’ experience of fewer positive life events was associated with stronger increases in well-being when individuals expressed more gratitude. Conversely, adversity was associated with increasing well-being when individuals expressed more gratitude. Collectively, our findings provide evidence for the role of adversity and positive life experiences to the extent that character strengths have the potential to shape the course of development in adulthood. Our discussion focuses on the potential links that underlie our findings and how they can inform interventions aimed at mitigating the consequences of adversity.
Immune regulatory markers of lepidic-pattern adenocarcinomas presenting as ground glass opacities.

Background The tumor immune microenvironment of lepidic-pattern adenocarcinoma remains poorly understood. In this study, we characterized tumor infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and percent PD-L1 expression among adenocarcinoma presenting as either radiographic ground glass opacities (GGOs) or solid lesions. Methods Pathologic specimens of patients with clinical stage I lung adenocarcinoma were analyzed using tissue microarray sectioning. The invasive portion of the tumor was selected for the tissue core. Lepidic growth pattern was confirmed among the GGO lesions using whole section analysis. Progression was defined as pN+ or subsequent recurrence. Results A total of 181 patients were identified, among whom 13 (7%) represented GGOs without clinical progression, 113 (62%) represented radiographic solid lesions that never progressed, and 55 (30%) represented radiographic solid lesions that ultimately did progress. CD57+ cell density, a marker for antigen-specific, oligoclonal T cells and NK cells, differed among the three cohorts, with the highest cell density observed within radiographically solid lesions without progression, and lower cell density both in the radiographic solid lesions that progressed and GGOs. Other TIL phenotypes were not statistically different between cohorts. Of substantial clinical interest, median percent PD-L1 positive cells within GGOs was 14, whereas that of radiographic solid lesions without progression was 22, and radiographic solid lesions that subsequently progressed was 27 (P=0.07). Conclusions Lepidic pattern adenocarcinoma presenting as GGOs and radiographic solid lesions show differential immune regulation. Further studies to investigate whether GGOs representing adenocarcinoma have varying susceptibility to immune checkpoint inhibitor therapy are warranted.
Distributed Optimization Over Dependent Random Networks.

We study the averaging-based distributed optimization solvers over random networks. We show a general result on the convergence of such schemes using weight-matrices that are row-stochastic almost surely and column-stochastic in expectation for a broad class of dependent weight-matrix sequences. In addition to implying many of the previously known results on this domain, our work shows the robustness of distributed optimization results to link-failure. Also, it provides a new tool for synthesizing distributed optimization algorithms. {To prove our main theorem, we establish new results on the rate of convergence analysis of averaging dynamics over (dependent) random networks. These secondary results, along with the required martingale-type results to establish them, might be of interest to broader research endeavors in distributed computation over random networks.
Interaction between Dickeya dianthicola and Pectobacterium parmentieri in Potato Infection under Field Conditions.

Dickeya and Pectobacterium spp. both cause blackleg and soft rot of potato, which can be a yield-reducing factor to potato production. The purpose of this study was to examine the interaction between these two bacterial genera causing potato infection, and subsequent disease development and yield responses under field conditions. Analysis of 883 potato samples collected in Northeastern USA using polymerase chain reaction determined that Dickeya dianthicola and P. parmentieri were found in 38.1% and 53.3% of all samples, respectively, and that 20.6% of samples contained both D. dianthicola and P. parmentieri. To further investigate the relationship between the two bacterial species and their interaction, field trials were established. Potato seed pieces of “Russet Burbank”, “Lamoka”, and “Atlantic” were inoculated with bacterial suspension of D. dianthicola at 107 colony-forming unite (CFU)/mL using a vacuum infiltration method, air dried, and then planted in the field. Two-year results showed that there was a high correlation (p < 0.01) between yield loss and percent of inoculated seed pieces. In a secondary field trial conducted in 2018 and 2019, seed pieces of potato “Shepody”, “Lamoka” and “Atlantic” were inoculated with D. dianthicola, P. parmentieri, or mixture of both species, and then planted. In 2019, disease severity index, as measured by the most sensitive variety “Lamoka”, was 16.2 with D. dianthicola inoculation, 10.4 with P. parmentieri, 25.4 with inoculation with both bacteria. Two-year data had a similar trend. Thus, D. dianthicola was more virulent than P. parmentieri, but the co-inoculation of the two species resulted in increased disease severity compared to single-species inoculation with either pathogen.
Do method effects generalize across traits (and what if they don't)?

OBJECTIVE Multitrait-multimethod (MTMM) data can be analyzed with single-indicator confirmatory factor analysis (CFA-MTMM) models. Most single-indicator CFA-MTMM models imply-but do not allow testing-the restrictive assumption that method biases generalize (correlate) perfectly across different traits for a given method. METHOD To examine the validity of this assumption, we identified and reviewed 20 published applications of multiple-indicator CFA-MTMM models, which allow testing this assumption. Based on simulated data, we demonstrate the consequences of violating the assumption of perfectly general method effects based on the CT-C(M - 1) approach. RESULTS We extracted 111 heterotrait-monomethod method factor correlation estimates, which varied between |.01| and |1.0| (mean = .52) with most correlations being substantially smaller than |1|. The results of our review and simulations show that violations of the assumption of perfectly general method effects (a) are very common, (b) are difficult to detect based on model fit statistics, and (c) can lead to considerable bias in estimates of convergent validity, method specificity, reliability, and method factor correlations in single-indicator models. CONCLUSIONS We recommend that researchers abandon the use of single-indicator CFA-MTMM models and that they use multiple-indicator CFA-MTMM models whenever possible.
Abstract P812: Characterizing NMDA Receptor Subunits on B Cells

Background: N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDARs) play a critical role in neuronal excitotoxicity after stroke. The actions of NMDARs have been shown mostly in obligatory GluN1 subunits on neurons and not ...
Terahertz Dual-Fed Relativistic Electron Bunch Compression

We present results of a THz-driven dual-fed electron bunch compression experiment. We have used two counter-propagating single-cycle THz pulses, generated by optical rectification in the nonlinear organic crystal OH1, to feed a tapered parallel-plate waveguide bunch compressor structure. We report measurement of sub 40 fs rms bunches, achieving compression by factor of 4 and jitter reduction by a factor of 3.6. This approach will open new frontiers toward revealing new dynamical behavior with unprecedented temporal resolution in exotic materials using UED.
NPC1L1-Dependent Transport of 27-Alkyne Cholesterol in Intestinal Epithelial Cells.

Niemann-Pick C1 Like-1 (NPC1L1) mediates the uptake of micellar cholesterol by intestinal epithelial cells and is the molecular target of the cholesterol-lowering drug ezetimibe (EZE). The detailed...
A qualitative investigation of activity measurement and change following a mind-body activity program for chronic pain

Increasing activity is important yet challenging among people with chronic pain. Objective assessment of activity using accelerometers (i.e., ActiGraph) has gained popularity, but reactivity to assessment and non-adherence to wearing the ActiGraph may bias data. We explored: 1) experiences of wearing the ActiGraph to identify ways to increase adherence and facilitate accurate assessment of activity; and 2) barriers and facilitators to increasing activity following two mind-body activity programs to optimize future interventions. We conducted semi-structured exit interviews with 13 participants with heterogenous chronic pain who completed a randomized controlled trial of two mind-body activity programs. We analyzed transcripts using a framework approach to generate themes. Participants indicated that receiving reminders increased ActiGraph wear adherence and reported that program skills such as gratitude, pacing, mindfulness, and deep breathing were facilitators to increasing activity, while medical problems were barriers. Interventions aiming to increase activity may benefit from emphasizing mind-body skills and sending ActiGraph wear reminders.
Incidence of Concussion and Time to Return-to-Play in the National Rugby League.

OBJECTIVES To examine the rates of concussion and recovery time over the course of 2 seasons of the National Rugby League (NRL). DESIGN Descriptive cohort study. SETTING The NRL match play concussion injury surveillance system. PARTICIPANTS All NRL players who participated in the 2017 and 2018 season. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES The (1) frequency of sideline injury surveillance identified head impact events in real-time during the games, (2) frequency of head injury assessments conducted by the medical staff, (3) frequency of medically diagnosed concussions, (4) number of days to medical clearance to return-to-play, and (5) number of games missed after concussion. MAIN RESULTS There were 472 head injury assessments conducted during the games and 149 medically diagnosed concussions over the course of 2 NRL seasons (1 concussion every 2.70 games). The median number of days until medical clearance was 6 (M = 6.85, SD = 8.03, interquartile range = 4-7; range = 0-79 days). There was a statistically significant difference in the number of days to be medically cleared to return to full contact or match play between seasons (U = 3517.00, P = 0.001), and the percentage of players medically cleared to return-to-play at 5 days after injury was 60.6% in 2017 and 27.6% in 2018. Most players (87.9%) did not miss a game after injury. CONCLUSIONS There is approximately one concussion sustained for every 3 games in the NRL. Most players are medically cleared to return-to-play in 4 to 7 days.
Surgical management of benign tumors at the foramen magnum region

Tumors in the foramen magnum region are among the most challenging neurosurgical lesions to operate. They may be divided into intradural and extradural tumors, which have differing pathologies. Meningiomas represent the most common intradural tumor in this region. Anatomical constraints caused by adjacent critical areas of the brainstem, proximity to the lower cranial nerves (CNs), and vertebral arteries add to the complexity and make total tumor resection difficult without damaging the brain stem, CNs, or the vertebral artery and branches. This review article summarizes the surgical approaches and relevant anatomical landmarks with illustrations at each step. We also illustrate with example cases, the decision-making process and highlight key strategies for the safe resection of these tumors.
Severe Corneal Ulcerations and Vitamin A Deficiency

This paper reports a case series of patients with corneal complications associated with vitamin A deficiency (keratomalacia) in a developed country. Entry criteria for this series include presence of unilateral or bilateral sterile or infectious corneal ulceration after the patient had been found to have low serum vitamin A levels. Patients were prospectively identified from November 1, 1991 to October 30, 1995. Additional findings such as xerophthalmia, Bitot’s spots, decreased serum retinol binding protein (RBP), and abnormal electroretinogram and dark adaptation tests were included to support the diagnosis but were not essential.
Technologies Used in the Study of Advanced Mathematics by Students who Are Visually Impaired in Classrooms: Teachers’ Perspectives:

IntroductionThis research examined the perspectives of teachers of students who are visually impaired regarding the use and effectiveness of high-tech assistive technology purported to assist visua...
Oligosaccharides of Human Milk: II. ISOLATION AND CHARACTERIZATION OF A NEW PENTASACCHARIDE, LACTO-N-FUCOPENTAOSE III

Abstract A new pentasaccharide, "lacto-N-fucopentaose III" has been isolated from human milk and characterized as O-β-d-Gal-(1 → 4)-[O-α-l-Fuc-(1 → 3)]-O-β-d-GlcNac-(1 → 3)-O-β-d-Gal-(1 → 4)-d-Glc. The preparation of O-β-d-GlcNAc-(1 → 3)-O-β-d-Gal-(1 → 2)-d-erythritol from lacto-N-tetraose is described.
The Iconography of Vice in Willa Cather's My Antonia

Sur ce roman peuple de personnages mineurs, figures emblematiques des sept peches capitaux: orgueil, envie, colere, paresse, avarice, gourmandise et luxure. L'A. fait appel a Chaucer pour illustrer cette taxinomie medievale du peche.
Allogeneic stem cell transplantation as initial salvage for patients with acute myeloid leukemia refractory to high-dose cytarabine-based induction chemotherapy

Outcomes of patients with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) who are refractory to high-dose Cytarabine (HiDAC)-based induction are dismal. Allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (AHSCT) as initial salvage may be effective and potentially superior to conventional salvage chemotherapy. Eighteen percent (285 of 1597) of AML patients were primary refractory to HiDAC-based regimens at the MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1995 and 2009. AHSCT was the initial salvage in 28 cases. These patients were compared against 149 patients who received salvage chemotherapy, but never received AHSCT. Patients receiving salvage chemotherapy were older, had higher bone marrow blasts percentage, and higher incidence of unfavorable cytogenetics (P < 0.001). Median time from induction to AHSCT was 76 days. Objective response was achieved in 23 of 28 patients (82%) undergoing AHSCT. The incidence of grade III/IV acute and chronic graft versus-host-disease was 11% and 29%, respectively. Median follow up for living patients is 80 months. Median overall survival (OS) was 15.7 months and 2.9 months for AHSCT and chemotherapy, respectively (P < 0.001); the 3-year OS rates were 39% and 2%, respectively. ASHCT as initial salvage therapy was identified as an independent prognostic factor for survival in multivariate analysis (HR = 3.03; P < 0.001). Initial salvage therapy with AHSCT in patients with primary HiDAC refractory AML is feasible and may yield superior outcomes to salvage chemotherapy. Am. J. Hematol. 89:395–398, 2014. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
The Structure of Technical Efficiency

It is common practice to decompose measures of efficiency into component measures of technical and allocative efficiency. In this paper we show how, and why, to decompose a general measure of technical efficiency into component measures of purely technical efficiency, congestion, and scale efficiency, and we investigate the properties of each measure. We do so for a multiple-output technology which satisfies a weak axiom system that does not include either constant returns to scale or strong input disposability.
The Sharps chondrite - New evidence on the origin of chondrules and chondrites.

Chemical, petrographic and mineralogical studies of the Sharps chondrite reveal that this meteorite is a complex agglomerate of chondrules and lithic fragments in a matrix similar in composition to carbonaceous chondrites. One type of fragment resembles Type II carbonaceous chondrites in composition, but contains igneous glass and has been depleted in sulphur (0.5%) and enriched in carbon (6%). The change in carbon and sulphur contents is ascribed to heating after the agglomeration as is also indicated by the textures. The heating episode has also indurated the whole rock but not equilibrated the major silicate phases. Among the chondrules are a few conspicuous ones with two generations of olivine. Evidence is given to show that pre-existing chondritic, relatively iron-rich (7–15% Fe) and nickel-poor (<0.01% Ni) olivine was caught in a second chondrule- forming process producing reduced silicates, iron-poor olivines (1–2% Fe) and ‘glass’ which reacted with the earlier olivine. Thus, several cycles of igneous events and deposition can be recognized. The secondary chondrules provide strong arguments against direct condensation of chondrules. The evidence, rather, favors the so-called ‘ignimbritic’ model of chondrule and chondrite formation. Textural relations, e.g., welding of different components, are also consistent with the latter alternative.
Beauty Physics at the Ultrahigh Energies of the ELOISATRON

The potential for experimentally studying B physics at the proposed INFN 100 TeV ELOISATRON (Euroasiatic Long Intersecting Superconducting Accelerator Synchrotron) is compared with possibilities at 40 TeV at the Superconducting Super Collider. The effect of the increase in center of mass energy on the production and decay of B mesons has been investigated, particularly with respect to the accumulation of large samples of B hadron decays necessary for the detection of CP violating effects.
Description and review of global measurements of atmospheric species from the Global Atmospheric Sampling Program (GASP)

A large volume of atmospheric constituent data is being collected in the global air lanes by specially equipped B-747 aircraft. This NASA program also obtains data from the similarly equipped NASA CV-990 aircraft during dedicated flights as in a recent near pole-to-pole latitude survey mission. Aerosol composition data are also collected with a NASA F-106 aircraft. Present measurements include ozone, carbon monoxide, water vapor, aerosol and condensation nuclei number densities, sulfates, and nitrates. Meteorological and flight parameters are also recorded for use in data analysis. The present aircraft operations obtain data between 6 and 13.5 km from 65 deg N between Europe and the North Pacific, and from 23 deg S over South America and 42 deg S over New Zealand. Typical constituent data from the aircraft operations during the first one and a half years are presented. Instrumentation is discussed.
Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) regulates estrogen receptor alpha (ER) expression through interaction with the ER promoter.

2399 Protein Phosphatase 2A (PP2A) is a ubiquitously expressed member of the serine-threonine phosphatase family that is involved in regulation of many cellular processes including transcription, translation, cellular metabolism and apoptosis. We confirmed by Real Time PCR the recent finding of Gopalakrishna et al (Cancer Letters 136:145, 1999) demonstrating a correlation between PP2A expression and ER expression in several human breast cancer cell lines. Therefore, we investigated if a potential molecular pathway involving PP2A could contribute to regulation of ER expression in the human breast cancer cell line, MCF7. Through the use of Okadaic Acid (OA), a specific PP2A inhibitor, at 250 nM for 24 hours, we were able to significantly inhibit PP2A protein expression by Western analysis and detected a 40% reduction in PP2A activity in MCF7 cells. This inhibition of PP2A also resulted in 75% reduction in ER mRNA expression by Real Time PCR and a significant decrease in protein expression. Inhibition of ER mRNA and protein expression following PP2A inhibition was further confirmed using siRNA probes specifically targeting expression of PP2A. siRNA inhibition of PP2A resulted in 77% decrease in ER mRNA expression by Real Time PCR and a similar decrease in protein expression. Taken together, these data suggest a role for PP2A in the transcriptional regulation of ER. Because the transcription factor Sp1 is activated by PP2A and binds to the ER P1 promoter, we evaluated a region within the P1 promoter that contains two putative Sp1 binding sites by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA). We have identified a region of the P1 promoter with decreased transcription factor complex formation following inhibition of PP2A in MCF7 cells. These data suggest a novel pathway controlling ER expression resulting from the activation of PP2A and could potentially provide a novel therapeutic target. Supported by NIH CA88843, T32 CA09110, and K14 GM063673.
Transition rates in charged boson nebulae

Abstract Using the first-order approximating solutions to the Einstein–Maxwell–Klein–Gordon system of equations for a complex scalar field minimally coupled to a spherically symmetric spacetime, we study the feedback of gravity and electric field on the charged scalar source. Within a perturbative approach, we compute, in the radiation zone, the transition amplitudes and the coherent source-field regeneration rate.
Structural and Drug Diffusion Models of Conventional and Auxetic Drug-Eluting Stents

Most balloon angioplasty procedures include the insertion of tiny cylindrical wire mesh structures, called cardiovascular stents, into the artery to prevent the elastic recoil that follows arterial dilatation. The scaffolding characteristics of the stent provide strength to the artery wall. However, vascular injury during stent deployment and/or recognition of the stent as a foreign material triggers neointimal hyperplasia, causing re-closure, or restenosis, of the artery. A recent advancement to counteract restenosis is to employ drug-eluting stents to locally deliver immunosuppressant and antiproliferative drugs. In this project, Fick’s law of diffusion was used to model drug diffusion from the stent matrix into the adjacent arterial tissue. An analytical procedure was also developed to estimate the circumferential and the flexural stiffnesses of stents. Furthermore, a unique auxetic (negative Poisson’s ratio) stent structure was proposed that exhibits high circumferential strength in its expanded configuration and low flexural rigidity in its crimped configuration. Results generated with the analytical diffusion model, developed in this project, compare favorably with previously published clinical and experimental data. The circumferential and flexural stiffnesses estimated using the analytical procedure developed in this project compare favorably with the results from rigorous finite element analyses and previously published experimental data.
Reversal of Thyroxine-Induced Hypermetabolism by Puromycin

Previous studies have demonstrated that in addition to its effects on metabolic rate, thyroxine stimulates protein biosynthesis. The administration of puromycin, a drug which blocks protein synthesis and, therefore, the thyroxine effect on protein synthesis, acutely reverses the hypermetabolism induced in rats by prior administration of thyroxine and restores the oxygen consumption of the thyrotoxic rats to the euthyroid level. The results suggest that a larger fraction of the total body basal oxygen consumption in hyperthyroidism is related to the process of protein synthesis than in the euthyroid state and that the calorigenic effect of thyroxine is secondary to its effect on protein synthesis.
Organic development: a top-down and bottom-up approach to design of public sector information systems

In this paper we lay out interim findings and speculate on the implications for practice and theory of integrated criminal justice systems in law enforcement. In doing this we theorize on public sector information systems and their uses of information and communication technologies as engaging in what we call "organic development." To develop our theorizing on organic development, we draw on a field study of the San Diego, California area's Automated Regional Justice Information System (ARJIS). We develop organic development as drawing on both top-down and bottom up approaches to engaging the technologies, technological infrastructures, governance principles, and work practices that, together, are an integrated system.
Localization and modulation of α1D (Cav1.3) L-type Ca channel by protein kinase A

α1D L-type Ca channel was assumed to be of neuroendocrine origin only; however, α1D L-type Ca channel knockout mice exhibit sinus bradycardia and atrioventricular block, indicating a distinct role ...
Murine modelling of classical lissencephaly

Classical lissencephaly is a severe human neuronal migration disorder characterized by a smooth cerebral surface and a paucity of gyri. Isolated lissencephaly sequence (ILS, OMIM 601545) and Miller-Dieker syndrome (MDS, OMIM 247200) are human malformation syndromes characterized by classical lissencephaly. MDS and some cases of ILS are caused by haploinsufficiency at chromosome 17p13.3. Recent evidence suggests that mutations or deletions of the LIS1 gene, within band 17p13.3, are responsible for classical lissencephaly. LIS1 codes for a subunit of platelet-activating factor acetylhydrolase isoform 1b (PAFAH1B1 or LIS1). To investigate the pathophysiological mechanisms responsible for these two developmental defects, we have undertaken strategies to model these neuronal migration disorders in the mouse. We present a brief review of MDS and ILS, several mouse mutants with cortical neuronal migration defects, and our strategies to model ILS and MDS in the mouse.
Heart induction: distribution of active factors in newt endoderm.

Presumptive heart mesoderm from early neurulae of the newt, Taricha torosa, was combined in explants with endoderm from five different regions of the embryo to study the distribution in the endoderm of the capability to induce heart formation. The percentages of such cultures that ultimately formed beating heart tissue, and the average numbers of days in culture before doing so, are compared with control levels established by explanting presumptive heart mesoderm alone. The ability to induce hearts is found to be broadly distributed and to be strongest in anterior endoderm. The heart-forming response is accelerated only by the endoderm normally underlying the presumptive heart mesoderm, and this endoderm retains its inductive capability into tailbud stages. Other anterior endoderm is a powerful heart inductor but acts more slowly. Posterior endoderm not only did not promote heart formation, but also increased the time in culture before the beginning of contraction in the few responding cases. Mesoderm immediately posterior to the presumptive heart mesoderm can also be induced to form beating tissue. However, compared to presumptive heart mesoderm, a much longer time elapses before contractions begin. Since endoderm near that which normally underlies the heart has substantial ability to induce heart, the mesoderm overlying these regions experiences some measure of heart induction. Normally these regions of affected mesoderm do not contribute to the heart, but under altered conditions they can. This extended mesodermal area of heart potential is the heart “field.” The existence and extent of the heart field appears to be a result of the distribution of heart-inducing activity in the endoderm.
Hierarchical semantic indexing for large scale image retrieval

This paper addresses the problem of similar image retrieval, especially in the setting of large-scale datasets with millions to billions of images. The core novel contribution is an approach that can exploit prior knowledge of a semantic hierarchy. When semantic labels and a hierarchy relating them are available during training, significant improvements over the state of the art in similar image retrieval are attained. While some of this advantage comes from the ability to use additional information, experiments exploring a special case where no additional data is provided, show the new approach can still outperform OASIS [6], the current state of the art for similarity learning. Exploiting hierarchical relationships is most important for larger scale problems, where scalability becomes crucial. The proposed learning approach is fundamentally parallelizable and as a result scales more easily than previous work. An additional contribution is a novel hashing scheme (for bilinear similarity on vectors of probabilities, optionally taking into account hierarchy) that is able to reduce the computational cost of retrieval. Experiments are performed on Caltech256 and the larger ImageNet dataset.
Thermochemical modeling of refractory corrosion in slagging coal gasifiers

Abstract Slagging coal gasifiers suffer corrosive attack on the refractory liner and these interactions were thermochemically simulated. The slag is observed to penetrate the refractory, which complicates modeling the phase behavior of the slag-penetrated interior of the refractory. A simple strategy was adopted such that stepwise changes in composition with decreasing slag content were assumed to account for the compositional changes as slag penetrates the refractory. The thermochemical equilibrium calculations following this strategy typically yielded three solution phases as well as the stoichiometric crystalline phases AlPO 4 and Ca 3 (PO 4 ) 2 depending on composition/penetration. Under some conditions a slag liquid miscibility gap exists such that two slag liquids coexist.
Alkaloid profiles of Dermatophyllum arizonicum, Dermatophyllum gypsophilum, Dermatophyllum secundiflorum, Styphnolobium affine, and Styphnolobium japonicum previously classified as Sophora species

Abstract Sophora arizonica , Sophora gypsophila , Sophora secundiflora , Sophora affinis , and Sophora japonica were recently reclassified as Dermatophyllum arizonicum , Dermatophyllum gypsophilum , Dermatophyllum secundiflorum , Styphnolobium affine , and Styphnolobium japonicum , respectively. Some legumes of the sub family Papilionoideae including Sophora species are reported to contain a variety of quinolizidine alkaloids. The quinolizidine alkaloid profiles of D. arizonicum , D. gypsophilum , D. secundiflorum , S. affine , and S. japonicum were investigated qualitatively and quantitatively using field collections and herbarium specimens throughout their range of geographical distribution for the native species. This is the first report of the alkaloid profiles of D. arizonicum and D. gypsophilum . Alkaloid profiles of the other species were compared to previous reports. The Dermatophyllum species contain quinolizidine alkaloids, and the teratogen anagyrine ( 11 ), while the Styphnolobium species do not contain quinolizidine alkaloids. The chemotaxonomic data are consistent with the reclassification of each species.
Path-integral derivation of quantum duality in nonlinear sigma-models

We show that a previously derived shift in the dilaton field, which necessarily augments the classical effects of duality transformation on the geometry of a nonlinear sigma-model if conformal invariance is to be preserved at the one-loop level, can be extended without change to the case of sigma-models with Wess-Zumino-Witten term (torsion) before and after duality. We also construct a path-integral implementation of the duality transformation, and discover the origin of the dilaton shift in a functional determinant resulting from the elimination of the first-order field. The path-integral formulation in principle allows a derivation of “quantum” duality transformations which preserve conformal invariance to all orders in α', the string tension parameter.
Competition for Light between Annual Species of Trifolium during the Vegetative Phase

The goal of the investigation was the evaluation of the relationship of leaf area and position to dry matter production by the species components of mixed (two species) communities in contrast to their production in simple (single species) communities. The species selected for study were the closely related winter-annual legumes, Trifoliur subterraneum L. (subterranean clover), T. hirtum All. (rose clover), and T. incarnatum L. (crimson clover). These three clovers are quite compatible under field conditions when sown together for pasture (Williams, Love, and Berry 1957). Their relative amounts fluctuated widely, however, during successive years under conditions of natural regeneration. Since the factors underlying these fluctuations must be of considerable ecological import, a series of investigations was initiated to study the influence of mineral nutrition, temperature, moisture, light, and other factors on the competitive ability of these three species. Species interactions were determined in relation to natural light, while all other factors were kept as favorable and as constant as possible among the communities and the species within communities. Black (1957) and Donald (1961), in recent reviews of work on competition for light in crops and pasture communities, emphasized the importance of solar radiation in determining productivity. Light is of major importance to the vegetative productivity of herbaceous legumes, which are considered to be heliotropes, i.e. plants requiring high light intensity for rapid growth (Black 1957). A large and significant part of the winter annual's life cycle, however, extends through periods of short days and a high proportion of cloud cover. The competition experiment was therefore conducted under these circumstances in the Mediterranean-type climate of Adelaide, South Australia. The experimental site was selected because of its similarity to the low elevation, intermediate rainfall range areas of Californiia.
Haematological, bone marrow and clinical chemical changes in neonatal foals given canine recombinant granulocyte‐colony stimulating factor

Five Thoroughbred and Quarter Horse cross foals were given 20 micrograms canine recombinant granulocyte-colony stimulating factor (rcG-CSF) per kg bwt intramuscularly (i.m.) on the day of birth and 10 micrograms rcG-CSF/kg for 13 additional days. During this time and for an additional 21 days haematology, bone marrow and clinical chemical analyses were performed. After one day of rcG-CSF administration leucocyte and neutrophil counts increased from 9.16 x 10(9)/l to 23.44 x 10(9)/l and from 6.45 x 10(9)/l to 19.61 x 10(9)/l, respectively. The counts continued to increase for the next 3-4 days and then there was a slight decrease. A second increase followed and the leucocyte and neutrophil counts increased to 52.84 x 10(9)/l and 45.16 x 10(9)/l on the day after the last rcG-CSF administration (Day 15). The counts decreased rapidly immediately after the administration of rcG-CSF was stopped and then at a slower rate. The cell counts were still higher than in the controls at the end of the study period (Day 35). Bone marrow cellularity increased from 10-25% before rcG-CSF was given to 60-80% after 5 days. The increase in cellularity was due to increased myeloid activity because the myeloid to erythroid ratio increased from 2.7 to 8.8. Serum chemistry changes were minimal although foals given rcG-CSF at various times had lower glucose concentrations and increased alkaline phosphatase and gamma glutamyl transferase activities.