cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Mechanoregulation of H2-Calponin Gene Expression and the Role of Notch Signaling

The essential role of mechanical signals in regulating the function of living cells is universally observed. However, how mechanical signals are transduced in cells to regulate gene expression is largely unknown. We previously demonstrated that the gene encoding h2-calponin (Cnn2) is sensitively regulated by mechanical tension. In the present study, mouse genomic DNA containing the Cnn2 promoter was cloned, and a nested set of 5′ truncations was studied. Transcriptional activity of the Cnn2 promoter-reporter constructs was examined in transfected NIH/3T3, HEK293, and C2C12 cells for their responses to the stiffness of culture substrate. The results showed significant transcriptional activities of the −1.00- and −1.24-kb promoter constructs, whereas the −0.61-kb construct was inactive. The −1.38-, −1.57-, and −2.12-kb constructs showed higher transcriptional activity, whereas only the −1.57- and −2.12-kb constructs exhibited repression of expression when the host cells were cultured on low stiffness substrate. Internal deletion of the segment between −1.57 and −1.38 kb in the −2.12-kb promoter construct abolished the low substrate stiffness-induced repression. Site-specific deletion or mutation of an HES-1 transcription factor binding site in this region also abolished this repression effect. The level of HES-1 increased in cells cultured under a low tension condition, corresponding to the down-regulation of h2-calponin. h2-Calponin gene expression is further affected by the treatment of cells with Notch inhibitor and activator, suggesting an upstream signaling mechanism.
Real-time monitoring of diamond nucleation and growth using field-enhanced thermionic emission current

Abstract Diamond nucleation and growth in the combustion-flame method were monitored in real time using thermionic emission current from the deposited diamond films. It was observed that the emission current evolved over three periods, the incubation, the fast increase, and the saturation periods. Ball-shaped diamond particles, faceted diamond crystals, and diamond films with well-faceted crystals were formed in the three periods. The current from a diamond-seeded substrate started to increase immediately without an incubation period, confirming that the current is from the diamond. Therefore, the current could be used for real-time monitoring of the diamond nucleation and growth.
Management of complicated intra-abdominal infections.

AbstractComplicated intra-abdominal infections are defined by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as those in which an operation would not remove all of the infected tissue. Therefore perforated appendicitis, although usually straightforward to treat, would be considered complicated, whereas gangrenous non-perforated appendicitis would not. Antibiotics play an adjunctive role to the surgical procedure in the management of these infections. Studies of newer antibiotics generally exclude critically ill patients, so it is unclear whether dose or duration of therapy can be addressed by such studies. Typical characteristics of anti-infective studies of intra-abdominal infection are: enrollment of upwards of 50% appendicitis cases, mortality 5%, and a clinical cure rate of 85%. Several antibiotic combinations with metronidazole are acceptable (e.g. third- or fourth-generation cephalosporin, aminoglycoside, aztreonam, or second-generation quinolone), as are several agents as monotherapy (e.g. second- generatio...
Management of the Orbit During Anterior Fossa Craniofacial Resection

Objective: To determine the postoperative ocular function in patients undergoing anterior fossa craniofacial resection with preservation of the orbit. Design: Retrospective medical chart review of patients treated from January 1, 1973, to July 31, 1994. Median follow-up was 38 months (range, 1-210 months). Setting: Tertiary referral center. Patients: Fifty-eight consecutive patients undergoing anterior fossa craniofacial resection with orbital preservation for tumors involving the anterior skull base. Main Outcome Measures: Assessment of orbital complications of treatment, need for further surgical intervention to correct these complications, and determination whether functional vision was retained at last follow-up examination, and tumor recurrence within preserved orbits. Interventions: Anterior craniofacial resection with orbital preservation. Postoperative radiation therapy was administered to selected patients. Results: Overall, 25 patients (43%) had some ocular sequelae of their treatment. This consisted of epiphora in 21 patients, diplopia in 8, vision loss in 6, and pain and enophthalmos in 2. Twelve patients required revision surgery consisting of dacryocystorhinostomy in 8, ectropion repair in 3, drainage of orbital mucocele in 1, and corneal transplant in 1. Ocular complications were more common and vision loss occurred only in patients treated with postoperative radiation therapy. Functional vision in the ipsilateral eye was retained in 50 of the 58 patients. Conclusions: When the orbit is preserved during anterior fossa craniofacial resection, ocular sequelae are frequent and may require revision surgery. Functional vision can be preserved in most patients. Arch Otolaryngol Head Neck Surg. 1996;122:1305-1307
Androgen receptor signaling intensity is a key factor in determining the sensitivity of prostate cancer cells to selenium inhibition of growth and cancer-specific biomarkers

Our previous report showed that methylseleninic acid (MSA) significantly decreases the expression of androgen receptor and prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in LNCaP cells. The present study extended the above observations by showing the universality of this phenomenon and that the inhibitory effect of MSA on prostate cancer cell growth and cancer-specific biomarkers is mediated through androgen receptor down-regulation. First, MSA decreases the expression of androgen receptor and PSA in five human prostate cancer cell lines (LNCaP, LAPC-4, CWR22Rv1, LNCaP-C81, and LNCaP-LN3), irrespective of their androgen receptor genotype (wild type versus mutant) or sensitivity to androgen-stimulated growth. Second, by using the ARE-luciferase reporter gene assay, we found that MSA suppression of androgen receptor transactivation is accounted for primarily by the reduction of androgen receptor protein level. Third, MSA inhibition of five androgen receptor-regulated genes implicated in prostate carcinogenesis (PSA, KLK2, ABCC4, DHCR24, and GUCY1A3) is significantly attenuated by androgen receptor overexpression. Fourth, transfection of androgen receptor in LNCaP cells weakened noticeably the inhibitory effect of MSA on cell growth and proliferation. Androgen receptor signaling has been documented extensively to play an important role in the development of both androgen-dependent and -independent prostate cancer. Our finding that MSA reduces androgen receptor availability by blocking androgen receptor transcription provides justification for a mechanism-driven intervention strategy in using selenium to control prostate cancer progression.
Androgens are neuroprotective in the dentate gyrus of adrenalectomized female rats.

Neuroprotective effects of androgens have not been well-Characterized, but there is evidence that 5α-androstane-3α, 17β-diol (3α-diol) has anti-seizure effects. To further examine androgens neuroprotective effects, testosterone (T), dihydrotestosterone (DHT), 3α-diol (1.0 mg/kg SC daily), or sesame oil vehicle was administered to adrenalectomized or sham-operated, young, female Long Evans rats (N = 52). After seven days, animals were perfused and trunk blood was collected for radioimmunoassay of plasma corticosterone and androgens. No pyknotic cells were seen in the dentate of the sham-operated animals or those animals that had incomplete adrenalectomies (n = 20); however, cresyl violet and TUNEL stains revealed pyknotic cells in the granule layer of the dentate gyrus of adrenalectomized rats (n = 28). Testosterone, DHT, or 3a-diol significantly reduced the number of pyknotic cells in the dentate gyms compared to vehicle administered, adrenalectomized rats. Steroid-administered animals had levels of T, DH...
Lagrangian model of bed-load transport in turbulent junction flows

Motivated by the need to gain fundamental insights into the mechanisms of bed-load sediment transport in turbulent junction flows, we carry out a computational study of Lagrangian dynamics of inertial particles initially placed on the bed upstream of a surface-mounted circular cylinder in a rectangular open channel (Dargahi, J. Hydraul. Engng, vol. 116, 1990, pp. 1197–1214). The flow field at Re = 39000 is simulated using the detached eddy simulation (DES) approach (Spalart et al., In Advances in DNS/LES, ed. C. Liu & Z. Liu, 1997, Greyden), which has already been shown to accurately resolve most of the turbulent stresses produced by the low-frequency, bimodal fluctuations of the turbulent horseshoe vortex (Paik et al., J. Hydraul. Engng, vol. 131, 1990, pp. 441–456; Escauriaza & Sotiropoulos, Flow Turbul. Combust., 2010, in press). The trajectory and momentum equations for the sediment particles are integrated numerically simultaneously with the flow governing equations assuming one-way coupling and neglecting particle-to-particle interactions (dilute flow) but taking into account bed–particle interactions and the effects of the instantaneous hydrodynamic forces induced by the resolved fluctuations of the coherent vortical structures. The computed results show that, in accordance with the simulated clear-water scour condition (i.e. the magnitude of the particle stresses is near the threshold of motion), the transport of sediment grains is highly intermittent and exhibits essentially all the characteristics of bed-load sediment transport observed in laboratory and field experiments. Groups of sediment grains are dislodged from the bed simultaneously in seemingly random bursting events and begin to move, saltating or sliding along the bed. Furthermore, particles that are not entrained into the bed-load layer are found to form streaks aligned with near-wall vortices around the cylinder. The global transport of particles is studied by performing a statistical analysis of the bed-load flux to reveal scale-invariance of the process and multifractality of particle transport as the overall effect of the coherent structures of the flow. A major finding of this work is that a relatively simple Lagrangian model coupled with a coherent-structure resolving simulation of the turbulent flow is able to reproduce the sediment dynamics observed in multiple experiments performed under similar conditions, and provide fundamental information on the initiation of motion and the multifractal nature of bed-load transport processes. The results also motivate the development of new Eulerian bed-load transport models that consider unsteady conditions and incorporate the intermittency of the unresolved scales of sediment motion.
Multiple pion production in K+-proton collisions at 3.5 GeV/c

Abstract An analysis is made of K + proton interactions in which three or four pions are produced. The experiment was conducted in the Brookhaven 80-inch bubble chamber using an incident beam of 3.5 GeV/ c K + mesons. Events of the type K + + p → K o + p + (3 or 4 π ) + were selected from the four-prong plus V o topology. A search is made in these reactions for the production of excited states of the K meson which decay with the emission of one or more pions. The kappa (725) and K ∗ (892) are discussed in some detail. Evidence is presented for a K ∗ resonance of mass 1305 MeV. Upper limits are measured for the Kω and Kη decays of the K ∗ (1420). A K ∗+ (892)π + enhancement is observed in this data at 1180 MeV. In addition to a study of K meson excited states, some properties of the ω and η mesons are studied in a production process with very little background.
An investigation of stacked and embedded cylindrical dielectric resonator antennas

Various multisegment cylindrical dielectric resonator antenna geometries are considered including stacked, core-plugged, and embedded stacked. Results show impedance bandwidths up to 68.1% compared to 21.0% for a homogeneous DRA with the same size and resonant frequency.
A novel resident-as-teacher training program to improve and evaluate obstetrics and gynecology resident teaching skills

Background: Residents play a significant role in teaching, but formal training, feedback, and evaluation are needed.Aims: Our aims were to assess resident teaching skills in the resident-as-teacher program, quantify correlations of faculty evaluations with resident self-evaluations, compare resident-as-teacher evaluations with clinical evaluations, and evaluate the resident-as-teacher program.Method: The resident-as-teacher training program is a simulated, videotaped teaching encounter with a trained medical student and standardized teaching evaluation tool. Evaluations from the resident-as-teacher training program were compared to evaluations of resident teaching done by faculty, residents, and medical students from the clinical setting.Results: Faculty evaluation of resident teaching skills in the resident-as-teacher program showed a mean total score of 4.5 ± 0.5 with statistically significant correlations between faculty assessment and resident self-evaluations (r = 0.47; p < 0.001). However, resident ...
The Uterine NK Cell Population Requires IL-15 but These Cells Are Not Required for Pregnancy nor the Resolution of a Listeria monocytogenes Infection

During pregnancy in mice, uterine natural killer (uNK) cells abundantly accumulate on the mesometrial side of the placenta. In this study, we show that the presence of both mature and immature uNK cells requires IL-15. Bone marrow transplantation of NK cell-negative mice due to null mutations in the recombination-activating gene ( Rag ) 2/common cytokine receptor γ-chain ( Rag2 −/− γ c −/− ) genes indicated that uNK cells originate from the bone marrow and require IL-15 to develop. NK cells are thought to be central players in the immune response to intracellular pathogens such as Listeria monocytogenes , a bacterium that also has a predilection for replication in the placenta. However, IL-15 −/− , NK cell-deficient mice were relatively protected from this infection compared with wild-type mice, and during pregnancy the absence of NK cells did not compromise the immune response at this site. The loss of uNK cells results in decidual abnormalities, including thickening of the arterial walls with luminal narrowing and a hypocellular decidua basalis. These defects were rescued by bone marrow transplantation of the Rag2 −/− γ c −/− mice that restored the uNK cell population. The decidual abnormalities in the IL-15 −/− mice however did not result in infertility as gestation times and litter sizes were comparable to those of wild-type mice. Fetal weights were mildly compromised, consistent with the arterial pathologies. These results show that uNK cells are not required for successful pregnancy and that NK cells are not essential for an adequate immune response to L. monocytogenes in either pregnant or nonpregnant mice.
The effects of depot medroxyprogesterone acetate and intrauterine device use on fracture risk in Danish women.

Abstract Background Depot medroxyprogesterone acetate (DMPA) use may be associated with an increased risk of fractures; however, nothing is known about the risk associated with intrauterine contraceptive device (IUD) use. Study Design Case-control study. All women with a fracture ( n =64,548) in the year 2000 in Denmark served as cases. For each case, three age-matched controls were randomly drawn from the general population ( n =193,641). Exposure was present or previous DMPA or IUD use (only IUD coated with hormones, not those coated solely with copper). Adjustments were made for confounders. Results DMPA use seemed to be associated with an increased risk of fractures [odds ratio (OR)=1.44, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.01–2.06], while IUD use appeared to be associated with a decreased risk of fractures (OR=0.75, 95% CI: 0.64–0.87). Conclusion DMPA use may cause an increased risk of fracture. However, the fact that use of DMPA is rare in Danish women and the lack of baseline data including smoking status and BMI does not allow causal inferences to be made. Likewise, the seemingly decreased risk of fractures with IUD use is probably not a pharmacological effect but rather the effect of residual confounding related to nonincluded confounders regarding lifestyle.
Simulated students: A new method for studying clinical precepting

The purpose of this study was to explore the utility of a simulated student for research in clinical precepting. A second‐year medical student was trained to simulate a case presentation in a pediatric emergency department. The simulation was tested on seven third‐year postgraduate pediatric residents. All encounters were videotaped; precepting interactions were transcribed. The simulation was found to be realistic and to provide a unique perspective on the precepting process. It permitted examination of several assumptions about precepting, including precepting as a means for demonstrating clinical reasoning and precepting as an opportunity for encouraging problem solving. Along with its use as a tool for faculty development, the simulated‐student technique is a useful instrument for advancing our understanding of precepting as a process.
Primary care utilization and detection of emotional distress after adolescent traumatic injury: identifying an unmet need.

OBJECTIVE. Few investigations have assessed the primary care detection of adolescent posttraumatic emotional distress after an injury. We aimed to determine (1) the level of attachment to primary care providers (PCPs) and school providers among this group of high-risk adolescents, (2) the emotional status of this population postinjury, (3) continuity of care between trauma center and community care, and (4) PCPs9 detection of emotional problems in adolescents after an injury. METHODS. This was a prospective cohort study of traumatically injured adolescents aged 12 to 18 who were admitted to a level I regional trauma center. Adolescents were screened for posttraumatic stress symptoms, depressive symptoms, and alcohol use on the surgical ward and 4 to 6 months postinjury. PCPs were contacted by telephone 4 to 6 months postinjury to assess follow-up care and the detection of emotional distress. RESULTS. In the surgical ward, 39.4% of the adolescent patients or their parents reported no identifiable source of regular medical care. Only 24.3% of the patients had visited a PCP during the 4 to 6 months after injury. At 4 to 6 months postinjury, 30% of the adolescents were experiencing high posttraumatic stress symptom levels, 11% were experiencing high depressive symptom levels, and 17% had high levels of alcohol use. PCPs did not detect any new emotional distress or problem drinking during postinjury office visits. CONCLUSIONS. Injured adolescents represent a high-risk pediatric population, a substantial number of whom develop mental health problems postinjury. Furthermore, almost 40% of adolescents in our study reported no source of primary care. These results suggest that referrals from trauma centers to PCPs are necessary and that an increase in awareness of and screening for adolescent emotional distress postinjury during follow-up appointments and at school should be routine components of postinjury care.
Multimaterial loops as the building block for a functional metasurface

Plasmonic nanoloops have been shown to be capable candidates for creating building blocks of metasurfaces to manipulate light in desired ways. Multimaterial loop metasurfaces offer astonishing design flexibility for various purposes. Concentric loop nanoantennas can couple to each other strongly or weakly based on the relevant designs. The low-coupled multimaterial loops can be employed as a frequency selective surface with a number of separated bands. On the other hand one can take advantage of high coupling between the loops to achieve two different resonances; one will be a very high Q and sensitive mode and the other a radiating wideband low-loss resonance. In both resonances the building block has a subwavelength size. Here the performance of a periodic array of multimaterial loops is investigated by means of the finite-difference time-domain technique. Based on the performance of a single plasmonic loop building block with general Drude material the behavior of the multimaterial loop metasurface is investigated. We show how choosing the proper materials can control the resonance characteristics. The performance of multimaterial loops is studied by utilizing the induced net dipole moments on the concentric loops and appearance of Fano-like resonance in the high-coupled case is demonstrated. Moreover, the large field enhancement as a result of a subradiant resonance is studied. The sensitivity of the structure to the spacer layer permittivity and loss are investigated in detail.
Association of Hypotensive State in Myocardial Infarction with Subsequent Metabolic Reponses and Mortality in Elderly Subjects

Ten elderly patients with typical findings of acute myocardial infarction were studied for two weeks on a metabolic ward. Blood pressures were determined hourly, and balances of nitrogen, water and electrolytes were computed daily. Surviving patients had higher blood pressures, lower heart rates, lost more weight, exhibited negative sodium balance and had earlier recovery from negative nitrogen and potassium balance. Early appearance of hypotension presaged clinical complications, unfavorable metabolic responses and a fatal outcome.
Aware and unaware perception in hemispatial neglect: Evidence from a stem completion priming task

The current study used the process dissociation procedure in conjunction with a stem-completion priming task to disentangle the influences of aware and unaware perception in patients with hemispatial neglect. One lateralized picture prime was presented simultaneously with a filler picture followed by a centrally presented word stem. In the inclusion condition participants were asked to complete the word stem with the previously presented picture name; in the exclusion task they were asked to complete the stem with the name of a picture other than the one previously presented. Findings indicated that neglect patients had reduced unaware perception of pictures presented in the left visual field and an absence of awareness for those same pictures. In addition, patients had reduced awareness for right visual field pictures, but unaware perception remained intact. These findings suggest that observations of preserved information processing in neglect are due to residual unaware perception and not due to residual awareness of information in the neglected hemispace.
Empathy as dialectic imagination

Abstract The importance of relationship processes for humanistic and psychodynamic therapists makes empathy a critical concept in psychotherapy. Experimental work suggests that learning occurs only when the subject is actively and cooperatively engaged in the learning process. Similarly, psychotherapy is only effective when the client is willingly active in the therapeutic process. A crucial aspect of the therapist's activity is empathic imagination, defined here as the use of “dialectic” thinking capacities‐the recognition of conceptual alternatives in a given situation. These processes are at the heart of a humanistic view of agency. The therapist's use of this capacity allows imaginative projection into aspects of the client's experience, helping the client to feel understood in the relationship and emboldened to consider new possibilities in life.
Is the North Atlantic Oscillation a Breaking Wave

Abstract Given the recent observational evidence that the positive (negative) phase of the North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO) is the remnant of anticyclonic (cyclonic) wave breaking, this study uses a multilevel primitive equation model to investigate important dynamical attributes of the above wave breaking behavior. For this purpose, a hierarchy of different basic states (two- and three-dimensional) and initial perturbations are used. With the three-dimensional climatological flow as the basic state, it is found that initial perturbations located equatorward (poleward) and upstream of the climatological Atlantic jet lead to wave breaking similar to that of the positive (negative) NAO phase. Consistently, analysis of observational data indeed shows that the Pacific storm track is displaced equatorward (poleward) prior the onset of the positive (negative) NAO phase. This result suggests that the latitudinal position of the Pacific storm track plays an important role for determining the phase of the NAO. Sen...
Beating Drug Tests and Defending Positive Results: A General Overview

Drug abuse is a psychological problem and approximately 20 million Americans abuse drugs. A person abusing drugs also needs a job. People try to beat drug tests in various ways from substituting someone else’s urine for their own, drinking flushing and detoxifying agents and adding adulterants to the urine specimen after collection. In vitro urinary adulterants can be common household chemicals or Internet based chemicals such as “Urine Aid,” “Urine Luck” and “Klear.” When tested positive a person may come up with many excuses such as taking prescription medication, drinking herbal tea, and passively inhaling marijuana. Professionals involved in workplace drug testing should be familiar with the various ways in which people try to beat drug test and defend positive results.
A methodology for markerless genetic modifications in Azotobacter vinelandii

Aims Efficient manipulation of multiple regions within a genome can be improved by counter-selection approaches. In this work, we sought to develop a method to manipulate Azotobacter vinelandii using a counter-selection approach based on the presence of the pyrF gene. Methods and Results A background uracil auxotroph of A. vinelandii was first constructed by deleting the pyrF gene coding orotidine-5′-phosphate decarboxylase. The pyrF gene and promoter were also incorporated together with an antibiotic marker to create a selection and counter-selection cassette to shuttle into various plasmids. The constructed cassette could then be removed using a plasmid lacking the pyrF gene via counter-selection resulting from the production of 5-fluorouracil. The process could be repeated multiple times using the same procedure for selection and counter-selection. Following completion, the pyrF gene may be reintroduced to the genome in its original location, leaving a completed strain devoid of any antibiotic markers. Conclusions Utilization of the pyrF gene for counter-selection is a powerful tool that can be used effectively to make multiple gene deletions in A. vinelandii. Significance and Impact of the Study This study demonstrates the successful application of a counter-selection approach to yield markerless genetic modifications to A. vinelandii, which should be of interest for a range of applications in this important model bacterium.
Cherry Picking Patients: Examining the Interval Between Patient Rooming and Resident Self-assignment.

Objective We aimed to evaluate the association between patient chief complaint and the time interval between patient rooming and resident physician self-assignment (“pickup time”). We hypothesized that significant variation in pickup time would exist based on chief complaint, thereby uncovering resident preferences in patient presentations. Methods A retrospective medical record review was performed on consecutive patients at a single, academic, university-based emergency department with over 50,000 visits per year. All patients who presented from August 1, 2012, to July 31, 2013, and were initially seen by a resident were included in the analysis. Patients were excluded if not seen primarily by a resident or if registered with a chief complaint associated with trauma team activation. Data were abstracted from the electronic health record (EHR). The outcome measured was “pickup time,” defined as the time interval between room assignment and resident self-assignment. We examined all complaints with >100 visits, with the remaining complaints included in the model in an “other” category. A proportional hazards model was created to control for the following prespecified demographic and clinical factors: age, race, sex, arrival mode, admission vital signs, Emergency Severity Index code, waiting room time before rooming, and waiting room census at time of rooming. Results Of the 30,382 patients eligible for the study, the median time to pickup was 6 minutes (interquartile range = 2–15 minutes). After controlling for the above factors, we found systematic and significant variation in the pickup time by chief complaint, with the longest times for patients with complaints of abdominal problems, numbness/tingling, and vaginal bleeding and shortest times for patients with ankle injury, allergic reaction, and wrist injury. Conclusions A consistent variation in resident pickup time exists for common chief complaints. We suspect that this reflects residents preferentially choosing patients with simpler workups and less perceived diagnostic ambiguity. This work introduces pickup time as a metric that may be useful in the future to uncover and address potential physician bias. Further work is necessary to establish whether practice patterns in this study are carried beyond residency and persist among attendings in the community and how these patterns are shaped by the information presented via the EHR.
New grain sorghum sources of antibiosis to the chinch bug (Heteroptera: Lygaeidae)

Sorghum lines recently identified as chinch bug resistant were examined for possible antibiosis characteristics at various plant growth stages. Chinch bug, Blissus leucopterus leucopterus (Say), nymphs caged on seedlings in the laboratory and at later growth stages in the field were evaluated for differential developmental rates, mortality, and adult size when reared on resistant and susceptible lines. Antibiosis levels of some new sources were comparable or significantly higher than those of known resistant checks, but varied with plant growth stage. Other resistant lines exhibited little or no antibiosis for these traits. Antibiosis properties shown by some lines would be useful in reducing chinch bug populations.
Growing Informality, Gender Equality and the Role of Fiscal Policy in the Face of the Current Economic Crisis: Evidence from the Indian Economy

Abstract:This article analyzes the theoretical and practical problems arising from the effect of the ongoing global crisis on the much neglected informal economy, with specific focus on issues concerning women’s employment and decent work. Recognizing growing informality and its disproportionate impact on women workers, the article discusses the challenges and various coping mechanisms adopted by these vulnerable groups. The current wave of fiscal consolidation and austerity measures pursued in most countries in the form of cutbacks on social sector spending and public expenditures is having devastating consequences on the vast majority of the population. A robust fiscal commitment toward direct job creation programs and increased social protection policies has the ability to enhance resilience. Rejecting the fiscal trajectory and the subsequent austerity measures, the article emphasizes the necessity of a macroeconomic policy framework conducive to the objective of achieving a more equitable outcome in a...
Endoscopic ultrasound-guided gastroenterostomy using a lumen-apposing self-expanding metal stent for decompression of afferent loop obstruction.

Acute afferent loop syndrome following pancreaticoduodenostomy is generally caused by mechanical occlusion due to pancreatic cancer recurrence. Historically, it has been treated with palliative surgical bypass [1–5]. A retrograde endoscopic approach with placement of an enteral metal stent across the afferent limb stricture is often not possible [2]. We report the first case series of endoscopic ultrasound (EUS)-guided gastrojejunostomy using a lumen-apposing, self-expanding, metal stent (LASEMS) for therapy of acute afferent loop syndrome. Three patients who had previously undergone a pancreaticoduodenostomy for pancreatic cancer presented with acute abdominal pain and vomiting. Computed tomography revealed dilation of the afferent loop caused by bowel obstruction due to cancer recurrence (●" Fig.1). All three patients underwent successful EUS-guided gastroenterostomy using LASEMS. The dilated afferent limb was located endosonographically by an echoendoscope in the stomach. The obstructed afferent limb was then punctured using a 19-gauge EUS needle. Contrast was injected through the 19-gauge needle into the dilated afferent limb to confirm the position, and a 0.035-inch guidewire was introduced through the needle and coiled into the obstructed afferent limb. Needle-knife cautery was used to make an incision into the fistula tract, and then a 6-mm balloon was used to dilate the tract (●" Fig.2,●" Video 1). A 15mm×10mm LASEMS (Axios; Boston Scientific Corp., Marlborough, Massachusetts, USA) was then deployed under fluoroscopic guidance across the tract, resulting in apposition between the dilated afferent limb and the stomach wall. A 15-mm balloon was then used to dilate the tract within the lumen of the LASEMS to create an endoscopic gastrojejunostomy for drainage of the obstructed afferent limb (●" Fig.3,●" Video 1). All three patients had resolution of clinical symptoms (●" Fig.4) and were discharged. This series demonstrates that EUS-guided gastroenterostomy involving LASEMS placement offers a safe, technically feasible, and clinically successful endoscopic method of management for acute afferent loop obstruction.
Introduction: New developments in Grenville geology: In honor of James McLelland

The Grenville Province exposes the interior of an ancient mountain belt whose scale rivals the modern Himalayan-Alpine Orogen ([Rivers, 2008][1]; [McLelland et al., 2010][2]). The geology of this vast tectonic collage holds a record of mid-Proterozoic continental margin dynamics, including the
The Corruption of Authority and Rehabilitation

The experienced men, in turn, evaluated the rookies chiefly in terms of their discretion. Forty experienced officers (representing approximately thirty-five percent of the patrolmen) were asked what they considered to be the most desirable characteristic in the rookie. Forty-seven percent said that "he should keep his mouth shut" and another thirteen percent said that "he shouldn't be a stool pigeon." Thus, the role was so important that it was made explicit to every new man by every experienced man; and the ability to keep secrets was considered essential to acceptance and a successful career.
Regional correlation of gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) defoliation with counts of egg masses, pupae, and male moths

Three different gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), sampling techniques were compared for their spatial correlation with regional defoliation maps. Counts of gypsy moth pupae and egg masses under burlap bands, and counts of male moths in pheromone–baited traps were taken in a network of 150 plots distributed irregularly throughout Massachusetts. These counts were compared with aerial sketch maps of gypsy moth defoliation collected during the same period and digitized into cells (2 by 2 km) cells in a geographic information system. The spatial correlation between counts of the three gypsy moth life stages and defoliation was examined using indicator cross–correlograms. A cross–correlogram quantifies the spatial covariation between two variables by plotting the cross–correlation for a series of interpoint distances. Cross–correlograms indicated that there was substantial correlation between egg mass counts and subsequent defoliation. These correlations extended to 10 cells (20 km) in some cases. Similar patterns were observed for counts of pupae. In contrast, there was little cross–correlation between defoliation and counts of male moths. These results indicate that counts of egg masses (or pupae) under burlap bands may be the most suitable variable to measure for predicting gypsy moth defoliation on a regional scale. The lack of correlation between male moth counts and regional defoliation is discussed.
Synthesis and antitumor activity of 3'-deamino-3'-hydroxydoxorubicin. A facile procedure for the preparation of doxorubicin analogs.

Two successful routes have been developed for preparation of 3'-deamino-3'-hydroxydoxorubicin (11), based on protection of the 14-hydroxyl group of the aglycon by using tert-butylchlorodimethylsilane. The key intermediate, 14-O-tert-butyldimethylsilyl-7-O-(3, 4-di-Oacetyl-2, 6-dideoxy-α-L-lyxo-hexopyranosyl)adriamycinone (9), was successively deacetylated and desilylated in high yield to give the desired product 11. This route constitutes a general method of access to glycon-modified doxorubicin analogs. Compound 11 showed high antitumor activity in vivo in the murine P388 lymphocytic leukemia assay.
The 28th International Geological Congress, Washington, 1989

The 28th International Geological Congress (IGC) met from 9 to 19 August 1989 in Washington, District of Columbia, the site of the 5th (1891) and 16th (1933) IGCs. More than 6,000 persons, from the United States of America (USA) and 103 other countries, came to Washington for the 28th IGC, thirteen of them having previously attended the 16th IGC. The U.S. Geological Survey and the U.S. National Academy of Sciences acted as the principal hosts, in cooperation with thirty scientific societies and seven industrial organizations. As sponsors, 115 organizations and five individuals provided financial support. The fourteen themes of the 360 scientific and technical sessions, and ninety poster-paper sessions, included aspects of the dynamic Earth in space and time, mathematical geology, and comparative planetology. Two half-day colloquia of invited presentations provided a planetary perspective on the Apollo lunar-landing program and the Earth's natural resources. Invited speakers in a late-afternoon series of plenary sessions gave forty-five-minute overviews of the international programs for the decade of natural disaster reduction, geological correlation, geosphere-biosphere, lithosphere, ocean drilling, and sedimentary geology. Two hundred and thirty-three exhibitors, from twentysix countries, presented displays. Other activities included a Youth Congress, evening lectures and receptions, local tours, institutional exhibits, and an allmember evening picnic on the Mall on 18 July. Innovations included poster-paper sessions, an extensive program of short courses and workshops, the Gazette (a daily newspaper), and a field trip to Antarctica (in January 1989). One hundred and three additional field excursions, held before, during, or after the 28th IGC and each with a guidebook, took participants to geologically diverse parts of the USA, Antarctica, the Bahamas, and the Turks and Caicos Islands. The Congress's general-proceedings volume appeared in 1990. Surplus moneys from the Congress provided a foundation for a '28th IGC Fund', managed by the Geological Society of America Foundation, principally to support attendance at future IGCs and the preparation of the next IGC held in the USA.
Carbon-Based Adsorbents for Postcombustion CO2 Capture: A Critical Review.

The persistent increase in atmospheric CO2 from anthropogenic sources makes research directed toward carbon capture and storage imperative. Current liquid amine absorption technology has several drawbacks including hazardous byproducts and a high-energy requirement for regeneration; therefore, research is ongoing to develop more practical methods for capturing CO2 in postcombustion scenarios. The unique properties of carbon-based materials make them specifically promising for CO2 adsorption at low temperature and moderate to high partial pressure. This critical review aims to highlight the development of carbon-based solid sorbents for postcombustion CO2 capture. Specifically, it provides an overview of postcombustion CO2 capture processes with solid adsorbents and discusses a variety of carbon-based materials that could be used. This review focuses on low-cost pyrogenic carbon, activated carbon (AC), and metal–carbon composites for CO2 capture. Further, it touches upon the recent progress made to develop...
Wave-current interaction with a large three-dimensional body by THOBEM

The effects of uniform steady currents (or small forward velocity) on the interaction of a large three-dimensional body with waves are investigated by a time-domain higher-order boundary element method (THOBEM). The current speed is assumed to be small so that the viscous effects and the steady wave system generated by currents are insignificant. Using regular perturbation with two small parameters e and δ associated with wave slope and current velocity, respectively, the boundary value problem is decomposed into the zeroth-order steady double-body-flow problem at O(6) with a rigid-wall free-surface condition and the first-order unsteady wave problem with the modified free-surface and body-boundary conditions expanded up to O(eδ). Higher-order boundary integral equation methods are then used to solve the respective problems with the Rankine sources distributed over the entire boundary. The free surface is integrated at each time step by Adams-Bashforth-Moulton method. The Sommerfeld/Orlanski radiation condition is numerically implemented to absorb all the wave energy at the open boundary. To solve the so-called corner problem, discontinuous elements are used at the intersection of free-surface and radiation boundaries. Using the developed numerical method, wave forces, wave field and run-up, mean drift forces and wave drift damping are calculated.
Microbial Biotechnology: Recombinant and Synthetic Vaccines

In developing countries, infectious diseases still cause 30% to 50% of all deaths. Effective chemotherapeutic agents simply do not exist for many of the diseases that plague these regions, and many of the agents that do exist are far too costly for much of the population to afford. Vaccines thus have become the most important tool for fighting infectious diseases in those parts of the world. The situation is very different in developed countries, where infectious diseases account for only 4% to 8% of all deaths. This is not to say, however, that vaccines are not important in those parts of the world. The low rate of infectious diseases in industrialized nations is in fact largely the result of the widespread use of vaccination (Figure 5.1). In addition to the well-known example of the smallpox vaccine, which has succeeded in eradicating the disease completely, other vaccines have brought dramatic decreases in the incidence of numerous grave diseases. For example, at the beginning of the twentieth century, diphtheria (caused by the bacterium Corynebacterium diphtheriae ) infected about 3000 children yearly out of every million in developed countries. Because diphtheria targets young children in particular, this incidence corresponds to several percent of children of the susceptible age, and nearly one tenth of the infected children died. Now, thanks to a mass immunization program, diphtheria incidence in the United States is less than 0.2 per million, a decrease of more than a thousandfold.
"Residual Osteocytic Lesion": Effect of Denosumab (AMG 162) Treatment on the Morphology and Immunophenotype of Giant-Cell Tumor: A Report of Two Cases.

Giant-cell tumor (GCT) of bone is a locally aggressive neoplasm with a tendency for recurrence. Rarely, these tumors may be associated with metastasis and sarcomatous behavior1. Management typically involves intralesional curettage and bone-grafting, either with or without adjuvant therapy; some cases necessitate wide resection and/or radiation therapy2,3. Recently, factors known to contribute to osteoclast activation and differentiation have been identified, including tumor necrosis factor-related proteins, osteoprotegerin, and the receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand (RANKL)4. The latter is present in GCT and is thought to result in the recruitment of osteoclasts5-7. Monoclonal antibodies targeting this ligand have recently been applied to the management of GCT8. We present two patients with unusual morphologic and immunophenotypic changes observed in a GCT following denosumab (AMG 162) (RANKL inhibitor) treatment. The patients were informed that data concerning their cases would be submitted for publication, and they provided consent. Case 1. A twenty-nine-year-old man with a history of GCT (6.3 × 5.6 × 3.2 cm) that was resected from the proximal part of the right fibula two years prior returned with a lateral knee mass. Radiographs demonstrated an expansile, lytic mass (5.5 × 3.0 × 2.7 cm) in the previous tumor site. Positron emission tomography (PET)/computed tomography (CT) highlighted this lesion and additionally demonstrated a separate hypermetabolic lesion (3.6 × 2.5 × 2.3 cm) within the soft tissue of the ipsilateral distal part of the thigh (Fig. 1). Based on its location and distance from the previous surgical site, this lesion was considered consistent with a metastasis. Biopsy of both lesions showed a monotonous population of small, bland epithelioid and spindle cells with diffusely present giant cells, confirming the diagnosis of GCT (Fig. 2). Fig. 1 PET/CT highlighting the patient’s (Case …
Consistent post-reaction vibrational energy redistribution in DSMC simulations using TCE model

The direct simulation Monte Carlo (DSMC) method has been widely applied to study shockwaves, hypersonic reentry flows, and other nonequilibrium flow phenomena. Although there is currently active research on high-fidelity models based on ab initio data, the total collision energy (TCE) and Larsen-Borgnakke (LB) models remain the most often used chemistry and relaxation models in DSMC simulations, respectively. The conventional implementation of the discrete LB model, however, may not satisfy detailed balance when recombination and exchange reactions play an important role in the flow energy balance. This issue can become even more critical in reacting mixtures involving polyatomic molecules, such as in combustion. In this work, this important shortcoming is addressed and an empirical approach to consistently specify the post-reaction vibrational states close to thermochemical equilibrium conditions is proposed within the TCE framework. Following Bird’s quantum-kinetic (QK) methodology for populating post-r...
Solving the Achievement Gap

Chapter Ten, “Solving the Achievement Gap,” revisits James Heckman’s argument and evidence that the achievement gap may be traced to the parenting practices of low-income parents. This chapter reconciles Heckman’s arguments with the evidence presented in this book that the persistence of the gap is due to school-related factors—that is, the harmful psychological effects that occur when students are graded, tested, and compared to their same-age classmates—rather than parenting practices. The evidence that Heckman relies upon is consistent with the thesis that early differences in personality influence achievement at entry into kindergarten but this initial influence is maintained, perpetuated, and magnified after school entry because grading and testing practices systematically demoralize and depress low-performing children over the entire 13-year K-12 period.