cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Thromboplastin Composition Affects the Sensitivity of Prothrombin Time (PT) Clotting Tests To Direct Factor Xa Inhibitors.

Abstract Introduction: Thromboplastin reagents used for prothrombin time (PT) clotting assays vary in their sensitivity to anticoagulant drugs that directly inhibit Factor Xa (FXa). The International Sensitivity Index (ISI)/International Normalized Ratio (INR) system was introduced for monitoring warfarin, and corrects for differences in PT assay sensitivity. However, it does not adequately correct for differences in assay sensitivity to direct FXa inhibitors. The objective of this study was to determine how the composition of thromboplastin reagents affects PT sensitivity to the novel oral, direct FXa inhibitor rivaroxaban and how this correlates with the INR. Methods: Several recombinant thromboplastin reagents were prepared using different concentrations of NaCl, tissue factor and phospholipids (PL). They also contained different % of phosphatidylserine (PS), phosphatidylethanolamine (PE) and phosphatidylcholine (PC). These locally prepared thromboplastin reagents and five commercial thromboplastin assays were evaluated. PT ratios (PTR = PT with drug/PT without drug) were measured using normal human plasma to which rivaroxaban 1 μg/mL was added in vitro. Some PTRs were converted to INRs using locally determined ISI. Results: PT obtained with commercial thromboplastins was prolonged by rivaroxaban (Table), but the magnitude varied more than 3-fold, depending on the thromboplastin. Converting PTR to INR failed to normalize these results and made discrepancies more pronounced. Using locally prepared thromboplastin reagents, the PT sensitivity toward rivaroxaban was found to increase by decreasing the concentration of tissue factor or by increasing the concentration of PL or NaCl. Increasing the % PS generally decreased rivaroxaban sensitivity, while including PE generally increased rivaroxaban sensitivity. There was also a trend toward higher rivaroxaban sensitivity as the baseline PT increased. As with commercial thromboplastins, converting these PTR values to INR frequently made the discrepancies more pronounced. Conclusions: Changing the composition of thromboplastin reagents had disparate effects on the sensitivity of PT clotting tests to rivaroxaban. Furthermore, converting PTR values to INR failed to eliminate, and in some cases even exacerbated, the apparent differences in assay sensitivity of these PT clotting tests to rivaroxaban. This study sheds new light on the shortfall of the ISI/INR system to adequately correct for variation in the sensitivity of PT tests to direct FXa inhibitors. However, data show that other global clotting tests, such as PT, can be used to assess the efficacy of direct FXa inhibitors. Table 1: . PT results for normal plasma spiked with 1 μg/ml rivaroxaban using commercial thromboplastins Commercial thromboplastins ISI PTR INR Recombiplastin 0.94 5.07 4.60 Innovin 0.98 2.25 2.22 Thromborel S 1.07 2.37 2.52 Neoplastine CL+ 1.09 7.32 8.76 Thromboplastin C+ 1.50 3.77 7.31 INR, International Normalized Ratio; ISI, International Sensitivity Index; PTR, prothrombin time ratio
Computer Arithmetic Research to Accelerate Privacy-Protecting Encrypted Computing Such as Homomorphic Encryption

One of the first major breakthroughs of computer science in the 21 st century has been the discovery and practical demonstration of encrypted computing technologies such as Fully Homomorphic Encryption (FHE). Encrypted computing technologies allow sensitive data to be encrypted such that arbitrary programs can be securely run over the encrypted data where the output, when decrypted, is equivalent to the result of running the original algorithm on the unencrypted data. In this talk we focus on the use of and potential for computer arithmetic research to enable more practical encrypted computing, such as to accelerate advanced encryption implementations on custom hardware. These technologies are ground-breaking in their ability for privacy-preserving data science on sensitive data sets with minimal costs in terms of engineering effort, power, compute resources, etc... We discuss theory, design, algorithmic, hardware, software engineering and systems research that is enabling applications of encrypted computing in regulated data industries, such as in medical and financial domains. We use our work using accelerating the PALISADE open-source homomorphic encryption software library for practical applications in case studies.
The Intersectionality of Socioeconomic Status (SES) and Social Class on the Therapeutic Alliance with Older Adult Clients

The profession of social work has a long-standing history of considering the impact of social class on society and current social work training emphasizes the influence of intersectionality and dif...
Towards Demystifying Subliminal Persuasiveness: Using XAI-Techniques to Highlight Persuasive Markers of Public Speeches

The literature provides evidence for the importance of non-verbal cues when it comes to persuading other people and developing persuasive robots. Mostly, people use these non-verbal cues subconsciously and, more importantly, are not aware of the subliminal impact of them. To raise awareness of subliminal persuasion and to explore a way for investigating persuasive cues for the development of persuasive robots and agents, we have analyzed videos of political public speeches and trained a neural network capable of predicting the degree of perceived convincingness based on visual input only. We then created visualizations of the predictions by making use of the explainable artificial intelligence methods Grad-CAM and layer-wise relevance propagation that highlight the most relevant image sections and markers. Our results show that the neural network learned to focus on the person, more specifically their posture and contours, as well as on their hands and face. These results are in line with existing literature and, thus, show the practical potential of our approach.
Scribble Controls HSC Self-Renewal through Polarity-Dependent Activation of the Hippo Signaling Pathway

Abstract Search of molecular targets to expand functional hematopoietic stem cells (HSC) for transplantation and hematological cancer therapy remains paramount, particularly when manipulation of cellular quiescence is required. HSC are highly quiescent cells with the ability to rapidly enter the cell cycle in response to microenvironment cues and divide through changes in their polarity. Despite cellular polarity being one of the most basic properties of all living cells, the role that polarity regulators have on polarization and function of HSC remains controversial. Scribble, of the Scribble Polarity Complex, controls the spatial organization of intracellular proteins and negatively regulates the cell cycle. By using a combination of constitutive and inducible hematopoietic-specific Scribble-deficient animal models, hematopoietic reconstitution assays, structure-function mutants of Scribble and intracellular protein trafficking analysis, we identified the functional relevance of Scribble in HSC activity. We observed that Scribble is polarized in HSC and deletion of Scribble leads to a ~ 50% reduction in the bone marrow (BM) HSC population (p 30 days median survival vs 16 days for KO mice, p Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
First hemispheric report of invasive tick species Haemaphysalis punctata, first state report of Haemaphysalis longicornis, and range expansion of native tick species in Rhode Island, USA.

Invasive arthropod vectors and the range expansions of native vectors can lead to public and veterinary health concerns, as these vectors may introduce novel pathogens or spread endemic pathogens to new locations. Recent tick invasions and range expansion in the USA has been attributed to climate and land use change, an increase in global travel, and importations of exotic animals. A 10-year surveillance study was conducted on Block Island, Rhode Island, from 2010 to 2020 including sampling ticks from small mammal and avian hosts. We report the discovery and establishment of the red sheep tick (Haemaphysalis punctata) for the first time in the western hemisphere and in the US. This invasive species was first collected in 2010 on Block Island, was collected continuously throughout the study, and was collected from an avian host. We document the first report of the invasive Asian longhorned tick (Haemaphysalis longicornis) in the state of Rhode Island, first observed at our sites in 2018. Finally, we present data on the range expansion and establishment of two native tick species, the lone star tick and the rabbit tick, on Block Island. This study emphasized the importance of long-term surveillance to detect changes in tick host communities, including invasive and expanding native vectors of potential significance to humans and wildlife.
Intuitions About Free Will and the Failure to Comprehend Determinism

Theories of free will are often measured against how well they capture everyday intuitions about free will. But what are these everyday intuitions, and what theoretical commitments do they express? Empirical methods have delivered mixed messages. In response, some free will theorists have developed error theories to undermine the credentials of countervailing intuitions. These efforts are predicated on the idea that people might misunderstand determinism in any of several ways. This paper sheds light on the comprehension problem. We first discuss recent efforts to explain systematic errors in how people interpret determinism. Then, we present the alarming results of two new preregistered studies exploring three types of comprehension failure: (a) epiphenomenal bypassing, (b) fatalistic bypassing, and (c) indeterministic intrusion. Our findings suggest that misunderstanding runs deeper than others have supposed. This casts doubt on existing models of commonsense thinking about free will. Unless and until researchers properly control for the kinds of misunderstandings we identify, research on free will intuitions cannot shed light on whether ordinary thinking reflects commitments to compatibilism or incompatibilism.
[5.5 and >] Radical Versions of the Inflection Point and Positive Derivative

The idea of ageing will have become associated with an experience that was in the past, and humans will have moved beyond the process of ageing into a vastly different living experience permeated by qualitative enhancements and bioengineering. With post ageing, there is the expectation of a longevity that would surpass what we now associate with the “maximum life span” of our species.
Disasters and development in agricultural input markets: bean seed markets in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch.

The bulk of developing countries' populations and poor depend on agriculture for food and income. While rural economies and people are generally the most severely affected by natural disasters, little is known about how disasters and subsequent relief activities affect agricultural markets with differing levels of development. The article addresses this gap, drawing evidence from bean seed markets in Honduras after Hurricane Mitch. Case studies are used to address hypotheses about a disaster's effects on supply and demand in seed markets, farmers' responses and the performance of relief interventions in markets showing differing levels of development. The results show the importance of tailoring relief interventions to the markets that they will affect and to the specific effects of a disaster; the potential to use local and emerging seed distribution channels in a relief intervention; and opportunities for relief activities to strengthen community seed systems. Language: en
Law as a Source of Competitive Advantage

Although business scholars express significant interest in the sources of firm competitive advantage, little research exists on the use of law as a value capturing resource. This is surprising given that legal issues demand a significant percentage of available time for managers. This manuscript proposes a model showing how a firm can use its legal environment to create sustainable competitive advantages over rivals.
Roederer receives 2000 Edward A. Flinn III award

Juan G. Roederer was given the Edward A. Flinn III Award at the AGU Fall Meeting Honors Ceremony, which was held on December 17, 2000, in San Francisco, California. The award recognizes those individuals who personify the Union s motto, "unselfish cooperation in research," through their facilitating, coordinating, and implementing activities.
CDC39, an essential nuclear protein that negatively regulates transcription and differentially affects the constitutive and inducible HIS3 promoters

The yeast HIS3 promoter region contains two functionally distinct TATA elements, TC and TR, that are responsible respectively for initiation from the +1 and +13 sites. Both TC and TR support basal HIS3 transcription and require the TATA binding protein TFIID, but only TR responds to transcriptional activation by GCN4 and GAL4. By selecting for yeast strains that increase transcription by a GCN4 derivative with a defective activation domain, we have isolated a temperature-sensitive mutation in CDC39, a previously defined gene implicated in cell-cycle control and the pheromone response. This cdc39-2 mutation causes increased basal transcription of many, but not all genes, as well as increased transcriptional activation by GCN4 and GAL4. Surprisingly, basal HIS3 transcription from the +1 initiation site is strongly increased, while initiation from the +13 site is barely affected. Thus, unlike acidic activator proteins that function through TR, CDC39 preferentially affects transcription mediated by TC. CDC39 is an essential gene that encodes a very large nuclear protein (2108 amino acids) containing two glutamine-rich regions. These observations suggest that CDC39 negatively regulates transcription either by affecting the general RNA polymerase II machinery or by altering chromatin structure.
Flavor Changing Neutral Currents in Charm Sector

I would like to discuss $D^0-\bar{D}^0$ the mixing and rare D decays as manifestations of Flavor Changing Neutral Currents (FCNC) in the charm sector. I will first review the expectations in the Standard Model (SM) and then summarize some typical expectations in new physics scenarios. I would like to argue that the charm case offers a large window of opportunity and it may be possible to learn something about the origin of the fermion mass matrix.
Theoretical derivation of momentum term in back-propagation

The theoretical origin of a momentum term in the backpropagation algorithm is explained. It is proved that the backpropagation algorithm, which has a momentum term, can be derived through the following assumptions: (1) The cost function is E/sup n/= Sigma /E/sub p/, for p=1 to n, where E/sub p/ is the sum of squared error at the output layer, and (2) the most recent weights are assumed in calculating E/sup n/. >
Structural basis for distinctive recognition of fibrinogen γC peptide by the platelet integrin αIIbβ3

Hemostasis and thrombosis (blood clotting) involve fibrinogen binding to integrin αIIbβ3 on platelets, resulting in platelet aggregation. αvβ3 binds fibrinogen via an Arg-Asp-Gly (RGD) motif in fibrinogen's α subunit. αIIbβ3 also binds to fibrinogen; however, it does so via an unstructured RGD-lacking C-terminal region of the γ subunit (γC peptide). These distinct modes of fibrinogen binding enable αIIbβ3 and αvβ3 to function cooperatively in hemostasis. In this study, crystal structures reveal the integrin αIIbβ3–γC peptide interface, and, for comparison, integrin αIIbβ3 bound to a lamprey γC primordial RGD motif. Compared with RGD, the GAKQAGDV motif in γC adopts a different backbone configuration and binds over a more extended region. The integrin metal ion–dependent adhesion site (MIDAS) Mg2+ ion binds the γC Asp side chain. The adjacent to MIDAS (ADMIDAS) Ca2+ ion binds the γC C terminus, revealing a contribution for ADMIDAS in ligand binding. Structural data from this natively disordered γC peptide enhances our understanding of the involvement of γC peptide and integrin αIIbβ3 in hemostasis and thrombosis.
Delays in the diagnosis of anorectal malformations are common and significantly increase serious early complications.

Aim: To clarify the extent of delayed diagnosis of anorectal malformations and the consequences of delaying this diagnosis. Methods: We performed a retrospective case review of all neonatal admissions with an anorectal malformation to a tertiary paediatric surgery unit. A delayed diagnosis was considered to be one made 24 h or more after birth. Results: 75 patients were included in the study group: 31 (42%) had a delay in the diagnosis; 44 (58%) had no delay in the diagnosis. The time of diagnosis where a delay had occurred ranged from 2–16 (median 2) d. A delay in diagnosis could not be accounted for by differences in age, sex, birthweight, gestational age, the severity or visibility of the lesion, the need for neonatal special or intensive care, or the presence of other anomalies. There were significantly more complications (including one death) amongst the group of children who had a delay in the diagnosis of an anorectal malformation. There was no significant difference in long-term functional outcome. Conclusion: Delays in the diagnosis of anorectal malformations are much more common than previously thought. A delay in diagnosis significantly increases the risk of serious early complications and death.
Dual Templating Synthesis of Mesoporous Titanium Nitride Microspheres

We gratefully acknowledge Prof. W. M. Kriven and J. Bell for their generous assistance in TGA/DSC data acquisition. This material is based on work supported by the U.S. Department of Energy, Division of Materials Sciences under Award No. DE-FG02-07ER46418, through the Frederick Seitz Materials Research Laboratory at the University of Illinois at UrbanaChampaign. This research was carried out in part in the Center for Microanalysis of Materials, UIUC, which is partially supported by the U.S. Department of Energy under grant DE-FG02-07ER46418. Supporting Information is available online from Wiley InterScience or from the author.
Communication Between Functional and Denervated Muscles Using Radiofrequency

OBJECTIVE: This article focuses on establishing communication between a functional muscle and a denervated muscle using a radiofrequency communications link. The ultimate objective of the project is to restore the eye blink in patients with facial nerve paralysis.STUDY DESIGN AND SETTING: Two sets of experiments were conducted using the gastrocnemius leg muscles of Sprague-Dawley rats. In the initial tests, varying magnitudes of voltages ranging from 0.85 to 2.5 V were applied directly to a denervated muscle to determine the voltage required to produce visible contraction. The second set of experiments was then conducted to determine the voltage output from an in vivo muscle contraction that could be sensed and used to coordinate a signal for actuation of a muscle in a separate limb. After designing the appropriate external communication circuitry, a third experiment was performed to verify that a signal between a functional and a denervated muscle can be generated and used as a stimulus.RESULTS: Voltages...
On Building Walls

Heatherington et al. (2012) document a growing trend toward exclusive training in CBT and the exclusion of other orientations from programs' faculty (and probably their student body as well). This trend will restrict the growth of knowledge in clinical psychology and make it difficult, if not impossible, for students to learn a variety of theoretical orientations, research methods, and important developments such as psychotherapy integration. Psychology is being treated, prematurely, as though it has achieved a paradigmatic status when there are no data to justify this inclination. Although it often is presented as science, it is poor science with a limited view of methodology and a lack of response to data that suggest that orientation and technique do not contribute much to psychotherapy outcome, and there is little difference between approaches to psychotherapy.
Obstructive sleep apnea and fatigue in patients with multiple sclerosis

Study Objectives:The prevalence of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in persons with multiple sclerosis (MS) remains unknown, and little information exists regarding the relative contributions of OSA t...
Short time power smoothing of a low power wave energy system

This paper presents smoothing of oscillatory power generated by a wave energy converter (WEC) from sea wave. WEC oscillates in sea wave and an electrical generator connected to it generates oscillatory power of typical period of oscillation of 6 to 10 seconds. This power can not be directly fed to a load or grid and hence an energy storage device is required to filter out the oscillation. Super-capacitor (SC) is a better choice over battery as an energy storage device due to its low maintenance requirement and better power capacity. A WEC is emulated in hardware using induction motor (IM) and a permanent magnet synchronous machine (PMSM) is used as the generator. Power generation from WEC is controlled by controlling PMSM current. Power flow to and from SC is controlled to smooth the power output. The overall control system is implemented in hardware and smoothing of the oscillatory power using SC is demonstrated.
Problems of Long-Focus Photographic Astrometry

A survey is given of astronomical problems utilizing the techniques and methods of long-focus astrometry, and of the sources of errors and the currently attainable accuracy in this field of applied optics. Particular attention is paid to the astronomical problems of parallax and orbital motion, to errors due to atmospheric dispersion, and to the astrometric effects of coma, if present in an achromatic objective. A brief outlook follows on current progress in techniques and future expectations.
Impaired Gastric Acid Secretion in Mice with a Targeted Disruption of the NHE4 Na+/H+ Exchanger

Abstract The NHE4 Na+/H+ exchanger is abundantly expressed on the basolateral membrane of gastric parietal cells. To test the hypothesis that it is required for normal acid secretion, NHE4-null mutant (NHE4–/–) mice were prepared by targeted disruption of the NHE4 (Slc9a4) gene. NHE4–/– mice survived and appeared outwardly normal. Analysis of stomach contents revealed that NHE4–/– mice were hypochlorhydric. The reduction in acid secretion was similar in 18-day-old, 9-week-old, and 6-month-old mice, indicating that the hypochlorhydria phenotype did not progress over time, as was observed in mice lacking the NHE2 Na+/H+ exchanger. Histological abnormalities were observed in the gastric mucosa of 9-week-old NHE4–/– mice, including sharply reduced numbers of parietal cells, a loss of mature chief cells, increased numbers of mucous and undifferentiated cells, and an increase in the number of necrotic and apoptotic cells. NHE4–/– parietal cells exhibited limited development of canalicular membranes and a virtual absence of tubulovesicles, and some of the microvilli had centrally bundled actin. We conclude that NHE4, which may normally be coupled with the AE2 exchanger, is important for normal levels of gastric acid secretion, gastric epithelial cell differentiation, and development of secretory canalicular and tubulovesicular membranes.
Pragmatic fully 3D image reconstruction for the MiCES mouse imaging PET scanner

We present a pragmatic approach to image reconstruction for data from the micro crystal elements system (MiCES) fully 3D mouse imaging positron emission tomography (PET) scanner under construction at the University of Washington. Our approach is modelled on fully 3D image reconstruction used in clinical PET scanners, which is based on Fourier rebinning (FORE) followed by 2D iterative image reconstruction using ordered-subsets expectation-maximization (OSEM). The use of iterative methods allows modelling of physical effects (e.g., statistical noise, detector blurring, attenuation, etc), while FORE accelerates the reconstruction process by reducing the fully 3D data to a stacked set of independent 2D sinograms. Previous investigations have indicated that non-stationary detector point-spread response effects, which are typically ignored for clinical imaging, significantly impact image quality for the MiCES scanner geometry. To model the effect of non-stationary detector blurring (DB) in the FORE+OSEM(DB) algorithm, we have added a factorized system matrix to the ASPIRE reconstruction library. Initial results indicate that the proposed approach produces an improvement in resolution without an undue increase in noise and without a significant increase in the computational burden. The impact on task performance, however, remains to be evaluated.
BLADDER DIVERTICULUM IN THE MALE

SUMMARY A review of the clinical features, complications, and treatment of 285 maie patients with bladder diverticulum seen at the Mayo Clinic during a 10-year period is presented. In 19 patients (7 per cent.), malignant changes within the diverticulum had occurred. In 25 of the 31 patients in whom elective diverticulectomy was done for non-malignant complications, the specimen showed evidence of premalignant changes. Based on these findings, together with a critical appraisal of the mortality and morbidity of elective diverticulectomy in our own experience and in reported series, prophylactic excision of bladder diverticula is recommended as the therapy of choice.
New submission process

It is a great pleasure to announce the launch of a new manuscript submission process for LCATS. We have completed our change to the Elsevier Editorial Submission system (EES), and this online syste...
Suppression of X-rays from radiative shocks by their thin-shell instability

We examine X-rays from radiatively cooled shocks, focusing on how their thin-shell instability reduces X-ray emission. For 2D simulations of collision between equal expanding winds, we carry out a parameter study of such instability as a function of the ratio of radiative vs. adiabatic-expansion cooling lengths. In the adiabatic regime, the extended cooling layer suppresses instability, leading to planar shock compression with X-ray luminosity that follows closely the expected (Lx ~ M^2) quadratic scaling with mass-loss rate M . In the strongly radiative limit, the X-ray emission now follows an expected linear scaling with mass loss (Lx ~ M), but the instability deforms the shock compression into extended shear layers with oblique shocks along fingers of cooled, dense material. The spatial dispersion of shock thermalization limits strong X-ray emission to the tips and troughs of the fingers, and so reduces the X-ray emission (here by about a factor 1/50) below what is expected from analytic radiative-shock models without unstable structure. Between these two limits, X-ray emission can switch between a high-state associated with extended shock compression, and a low-state characterized by extensive shear. Further study is needed to clarify the origin of this "shear mixing reduction factor" in X-ray emission, and its dependence on parameters like the shock Mach number.
Corepression of RelA and c-Rel Inhibits Immunoglobulin κ Gene Transcription and Rearrangement in Precursor B Lymphocytes

Multiple members of the NF-κB/Rel protein family are induced during B cell differentiation and have been implicated in transcriptional activation of the immunoglobulin κ (Igκ) locus. Despite these findings, normal numbers of Igκ+ B lymphocytes are produced by mice bearing targeted mutations in individual NF-κB/Rel genes. In the present study, precursor B lymphocytes were engineered to express a trans-dominant form of IκBα that simultaneously impairs the c-Rel and RelA transactivating subunits of NF-κB. This dual block in NF-κB/Rel signaling led to potent inhibition of germline Igκ transcription and rearrangement, whereas recombinase activity was unaffected. These findings suggest that c-Rel and RelA serve compensatory functional roles in the developmental mechanisms that govern Igκ gene assembly.
Peter Berger’s Contribution to the Pluralism of Mediating Structures

This article examines the arguments of Peter Berger’s and Richard Neuhaus’s To Empower People for public policies to promote mediating structures. In so doing, it discusses the bearing of those arguments on our understanding of sociality, civility, and spontaneous order.
Engaged Mothering: The Transition to Motherhood for a Group of African American Women:

Using grounded theory methodology, 17 first-time African American mothers were interviewed to elicit their experiences of pregnancy and motherhood. Participants had a mean age of 30 years, were mostly married, employed, middle income, college educated, and all received adequate prenatal care. Engaged Mothering was identified as the core category, denoting the active, involved, and mutual process in which a woman prepares to be a mother, cares for herself and her infant, and dreams about and plans for the future to have a good life for her child. Strategies women used in this process included getting ready, dealing with the reality, settling in, and dreaming. Conditions of intentionality of the pregnancy and prior history of miscarriage or health problems of the mother affected the process. Women described the effects of racism on their daily lives and on the criteria they used to choose providers. Nursing interventions are proposed based on these results.
Prospective Associations Between Emotional Distress and Poor Outcomes in Type 2 Diabetes

OBJECTIVE Cross-sectional studies link both depressive symptoms (DS) and diabetes-related distress (DRD) to diabetes self-management and/or glycemic control. However, longitudinal studies of these variables are rare, and their results are somewhat conflicting. The study objective was to compare DS and DRD as longitudinal predictors of medication adherence, self-care behavior, and glycemic control in type 2 diabetes. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Primary care patients with type 2 diabetes reported DS, DRD, and other variables at baseline were studied. Medication adherence, self-care behaviors (diet, physical activity, and glucose testing), and glycemic control (HbA1c) were assessed 6 months later ( n = 253). Cross-sectional and longitudinal regression analyses were used to model behavioral and medical outcomes as a function of baseline confounders, DS, and DRD. RESULTS Adjusted cross-sectional and longitudinal analyses yielded very similar results. In the latter, only DS were significantly associated with future diet behavior ( P = 0.049), physical activity ( P = 0.001), and glucose testing ( P = 0.018). In contrast, only DRD predicted future glycemic control ( P < 0.001) and medication adherence ( P = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Distress-outcome associations seem to vary by type of distress under consideration. Only DS predicts future lifestyle-oriented self-management behaviors. In contrast, only DRD predicts glycemic control, perhaps by decreasing medication adherence. Clinical assessment and intervention should encompass both types of distress, unless the goal is to narrowly target a highly specific outcome.
Abnormal surface distribution of the human asialoglycoprotein receptor in cirrhosis.

Serum concentrations of asialoglycoproteins are increased in cirrhosis. We hypothesized that this increase results from abnormalities in the asialoglycoprotein receptor, which is located on the sinusoidal and lateral membrane of hepatocytes. Therefore we searched for morphological alterations in the distribution of the asialoglycoprotein receptor in human liver, using a light microscopic immunoperoxidase method in autopsy livers. In 24 of 25 (96%) of patients without liver disease, the asialoglycoprotein receptor was located on the sinusoidal and, less prominently, the lateral surface of hepatocytes but not the canalicular surface. In contrast, in 12 of 18 (67%) patients with cirrhosis of various causes, the receptor also was localized strikingly along the canalicular surface, with a corresponding decrease on the sinusoidal and lateral surfaces. We conclude that an abnormal cell-surface distribution of the asialoglycoprotein receptor commonly occurs in cirrhosis. This abnormality might result in impaired clearance of desialylated glycoproteins from plasma. (Hepatology 1992;15:702–706).
A Portable Fiberoptic Monitor for Fluorimetric Bioassays

A simple and portable fiberoptic instrument for fluorimetric bioassays is described. The instrument is designed to be readily adaptable to commercially available biotesting wells on microplates. The microwells can also be used as interchangeable sensor heads. The utility of the fiberoptic biosensor is illustrated with a model enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) used to measure varying amounts of rabbit immunoglobulin G from 10 pg to 1 μg. The detection method utilizes an enzyme-amplified immunoassay of 4-methylumbelliferone phosphate as the enzyme substrate. The sensitivity of this assay is three orders of magnitude better than that obtained with a conventional ELISA absorption spectrometric assay using a commercially available reader.
Isolation and characterization of histones from Ehrlich ascites tumor after in vitro labeling with lysine-14C

Abstract After in vitro incubation of a nuclear preparation from Ehrlich ascites tumor with lysine- 14 C under optimal conditions, labeled histones were isolated from the DNA-histone complex. By a combination of extraction and chromatographic procedures 15 different fractions were isolated. These fractions showed specific radioactivities ranging between 100 and 500 dpm per micromole of lysine. Starch-gel electrophoretic separation of each fraction showed that they were all mixtures composed of several components.
Bombesin Stimulates Gastrin Secretion in the Rat without Increasing Serum Calcitonin

SummaryBombesin was administered to young fasted rats, and blood levels of immunoreactive gastrin and calcitonin (CT) were measured. Doses of bombesin up to 100 μg/rat i.v. did not affect serum calcium or phosphorus. Five minutes after bombesin, 10 or 50 μg/rat, serum gastrin increased 1- to 2-fold and, by 30 min, it was elevated 5- to 10-fold. Time-course and dose-response studies showed that doses of 10–100 μg/rat increased gastrin and that gastrin rose within 5 min after 50 μg/rat and remained elevated for at least 2 hr. Despite bombesin-induced hyper-gastrinemia, CT remained low or undetectable (<50–100 pg/ml) at all times. In one study, somatostatin (50 μg/rat i.v.), given together with bombesin, inhibited the rise in serum gastrin by 50%, but serum CT, which was detectable, was unaffected by either bombesin or somatostatin. We conclude that bombesin stimulates gastrin release in the rat, but the elevated gastrin does not promote CT secretion. The results support our earlier findings which indicate t...
Proximity electron tunneling spectroscopy. II. Effects of the induced N-metal pair potential on calculated S-metal properties

The general problem of determining the N-metal pair potential from tunneling characteristics of proximity effect N-S sandwiches is assessed, and two specific methods are presented. These methods are applied to the treatment of data on PET junctions of the form In-Al2O3-Al/Nb. Inclusion of the influence of the Nb-induced Al pair potential produces important corrections to Nb properties (α2F(E), λ, Μ*) initially obtained by neglecting this influence.
Proteomic mapping of proteins released during necrosis and apoptosis from cultured neonatal cardiac myocytes

Cardiac injury induces myocyte apoptosis and necrosis, resulting in the secretion and/or release of intracellular proteins. Currently, myocardial injury can be detected by analysis of a limited number of biomarkers in blood or coronary artery perfusate. However, the complete proteomic signature of protein release from necrotic cardiac myocytes is unknown. Therefore, we undertook a proteomic-based study of proteins released from cultured neonatal rat cardiac myocytes in response to H2O2 (necrosis) or staurosporine (apoptosis) to identify novel specific markers of cardiac myocyte cell death. Necrosis and apoptosis resulted in the identification of 147 and 79 proteins, respectively. Necrosis resulted in a relative increase in the amount of many proteins including the classical necrotic markers lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), high-mobility group B1 (HMGB1), myoglobin, enolase, and 14-3-3 proteins. Additionally, we identified several novel markers of necrosis including HSP90, α-actinin, and Trim72, many of which were elevated over control levels earlier than classical markers of necrotic injury. In contrast, the majority of identified proteins remained at low levels during apoptotic cell death, resulting in no candidate markers for apoptosis being identified. Blotting for a selection of these proteins confirmed their release during necrosis but not apoptosis. We were able to confirm the presence of classical necrotic markers in the extracellular milieu of necrotic myocytes. We also were able to identify novel markers of necrotic cell death with relatively early release profiles compared with classical protein markers of necrosis. These results have implications for the discovery of novel biomarkers of necrotic myocyte injury, especially in the context of ischemia-reperfusion injury.
Apparatus for rapid casting of tubular cellulose acetate reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration membranes

Abstract An improved apparatus is described for making tubular cellulose acetate membranes for reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration applications. The incorporation of an adjustable centering-bob and a sleeve in the design of the casting-bob housing, and the inclusion of an automatically controlled electrical water probe at the bottom of the casting-bob are the novel features of the apparatus. The adjustable centering-bob offers the capability of regulating the passage for the flow of the casting solution during film casting; this capability makes the casting-bob housing useful for a wide range of casting solution viscosities necessary for making both reverse osmosis and ultrafiltration membranes. The sleeve incorporated in the design makes it possible to switch from one tube-casting to the next immediately without any need for the intermediate time consuming operation of cleaning up the casting-bob system. Thus a single casting-bob housing is sufficient for making a plurality of membranes, one after another, with little loss of time between castings. The water probe maintains in the casting tube any desired length of air-zone for the freshly cast membrane. The operation of the apparatus is amenable to a high degree of automation. These features make the apparatus particularly suitable for industrial utilization.
WEAK CONVERGENCE FOR THE ROW SUMS OF A TRIANGULAR ARRAY OF EMPIRICAL PROCESSES INDEXED BY A MANAGEABLE TRIANGULAR ARRAY OF FUNCTIONS

We study the weak convergence for the row sums of a general triangular array of empirical processes indexed by a manageable class of functions converging to an arbitrary limit. As particular cases, we consider random series processes and normalized sums of i.i.d. random processes with Gaussian and stable limits. An application to linear regression is presented. In this application, the limit of the row sum of a triangular array of empirical process is the mixture of a Gaussian process with a random series process.
Disclose: an integrated set of multivariate display procedures for chemical and pharmaceutical data

Abstract An approach to providing thorough, reliable views of multivariate data is described using an integrated set of classification and display routines (DISCLOSE). The programs are mainly based on standard, published algorithms. The techniques include principal components plots, non-linear mapping, three hirarchal cluster analysis algorithms, minimum spanning tree, amd nearest-neighbour representation, together with alternative methods for variable normalization. DISCLOSE, which does not require computer graphics hardware, is well suited for providing a systematic initial visualization of data-set structure, and is applicable to chemical, pharmaceutical, and biological data.
INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON THE SCIENCE OF SUPERCONDUCTIVITY

Eighty-seven papers are included; separate abstracts have been prepared for 59. Twenty-six papers were previously abstracted in NSA. The two remaining papers discuss the history of superconductivity studies. (T.F.H.)
On a definition of the ambiguity function for non-coherent radars

The ambiguity function is an important tool to study the performance of radar detectors. In this paper, motivated by Neyman-Pearson testing principles, we propose an alternative definition of the ambiguity function that directly associates with each pair of true and assumed target parameters the probability that the radar will declare a target present. We show that the original ambiguity function definition of Woodward and Davies for single antenna systems (and its extensions to multichannel systems that use coherent processing) are essentially equivalent to the proposed definition. Further, for radars that perform non-coherent processing, we show the extensions to Woodward's ambiguity function proposed in literature are not equivalent to our proposed definition - and therefore may not accurately reflect detection performance. Simulations results demonstrate the differences between these different ambiguity function definitions for non-coherent radars.
Parathyroid hormone responses to marked hypocalcemia in infants and young children undergoing repair of congenital heart disease.

Abstract Objectives . The integrity of the parathyroid axis was tested in 18 infants and young children undergoing repair of congenital heart disease with cardiopulmonary bypass. Background . Infants are believed to have an immature parathyroid hormone response to hypocalcemia. Whereas adults are known to respond appropriately to hypocalcemia during cardiopulmonary bypass, children have not been studied carefully Methods . Calcium, magnesium, parathyroid hormone, phosphate and total protein were measured in blood samples withdrawn at defined times before, during and after cardiopulmonary bypass. Results . At the initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass, ionized calcium decreased markedly in 12 infants ≤ 24 months old (mean ± SEM 1.11 ± 0.04 to 0.29 ± 0.05 mM) and decreased significantly in 6 young children > 24 months old (1.19 ± 0.02 to 0.42 ± 0.12 mM). In response to hypocalcemia, parathyroid hormone concentration increased significantly in both the infants (from 42 ± 8 to 103 ± 29 and 85 ± 22 pg/ml) and the young children (from 39 ± 8 to 44 ± 20 and 92 ± 30 pg/ml). Before separation from cardiopulmonary bypass, increased parathyroid hormone concentration restored ionized calcium concentration to 0.75 ± 0.03 mM in the infants and to 0.92 ± 0.07 mM in the young children. There was no significant influence of either age or the use of deep hypothermia and circulatory arrest on either calcium or parathyroid hormone responses. Total magnesium and total protein concentrations decreased on initiation of cardiopulmonary bypass and thereafter remained stable. Phosphate concentrations were unchanged during the study. Conclusions . In infants and young children undergoing cardiac surgery, the parathyroid hormone response to both hypecalcemia and to rising ionized calcium concentrations was at least as great as that of adults. Thus, the calcium-parathyroid-vitamin D axis functions in infants and young children as it does in adults.
A Predictive Model for the Marketing of Home Economics

The objective of this study was to identify the influences that persuaded students to select home economics as their major course of study in higher education. Subjects were 574 students currently enrolled in an introductory home economics course. The study used a linear discriminant analysis design with selection of major as the dependent variable. Findings from the study indicate that the statistically significant positive influences on students' selecting home economics as their major course of study were (a) friends, (b) high school home economics teachers, (c) posters, (d) displays and exhibits, and (e) home economics college faculty members. The statistically significant negative influences were (a)family, (b) high school teachers (other than home economics teachers), (c) radio advertisements, and (d) campus recruitment days or nights. The specialty majors included in home economics were analyzed by group. Statistically significant variables for specialty majors varied for each group.
High rate concatenated coding systems using multidimensional bandwidth-efficient trellis inner codes

A concatenated coding system using two-dimensional trellis-coded MPSK inner codes and Reed-Solomon outer codes for application in high-speed satellite communication systems was proposed previously by the authors (ibid., vol.37, no.5, p.420-7, May 1989). The authors extend their results to systems using symbol-oriented, multidimensional, trellis-coded MPSK inner codes. The concatenated coding systems are divided into two classes according to their achievable effective information rates. The first class uses multidimensional trellis-coded 8-PSK inner codes and achieves effective information rates around 1 b/dimension (spectral efficiency 2 b/s/Hz). The second class employs multidimensional trellis-coded 16-PSK inner codes and provides effective information rates around 1.5 b/dimension (spectral efficiency 3 b/s/Hz). Both classes provide significant coding gains over an uncoded reference system with the same effective information rate as the coded system. The results show that the symbol-oriented nature of multidimensional inner codes can provide an improvement of up to 1 dB in the overall performance of a concatenated coding system when these codes replace bit-oriented two-dimensional codes. >
MicroRNA Regulation in Renal Pathophysiology

MicroRNAs are small, noncoding RNA molecules that regulate a considerable amount of human genes on the post-transcriptional level, and participate in many key biological processes. MicroRNA deregulation has been found associated with major kidney diseases. Here, we summarize current knowledge on the role of microRNAs in renal glomerular and tubular pathologies, with emphasis on the mesangial cell and podocyte dysfunction in diabetic nephropathy, the proximal tubular cell survival in acute kidney injury, the transport function of the thick ascending limb in Ca++ imbalance diseases, and the regulation of salt, K+ and blood pressure in the distal tubules. Identification of microRNAs and their target genes provides novel therapeutic candidates for treating these diseases. Manipulation of microRNA function with its sense or antisense oligonucleotide enables coordinated regulation of the entire downstream gene network, which has effectively ameliorated several renal disease phenotypes. The therapeutic potentials of microRNA based treatments, though promising, are confounded by major safety issues related to its target specificity, which remain to be fully elucidated.
Is Cell Rheology Governed by Nonequilibrium-to-Equilibrium Transition of Noncovalent Bonds?

A living cell deforms or flows in response to mechanical stresses. A recent report shows that dynamic mechanics of living cells depends on the timescale of mechanical loading, in contrast to the prevailing view of some authors that cell rheology is timescale-free. Yet the molecular basis that governs this timescale-dependent behavior is elusive. Using molecular dynamics simulations of protein-protein noncovalent interactions, we show that multipower laws originate from a nonequilibrium-to-equilibrium transition: when the loading rate is faster than the transition rate, the power-law exponent α1 is weak; when the loading rate is slower than the transition rate, the exponent α2 is strong. The model predictions are confirmed in both embryonic stem cells and differentiated cells. Embryonic stem cells are less stiff, more fluidlike, and exhibit greater α1 than their differentiated counterparts. By introducing a near-equilibrium frequency feq, we show that all data collapse into two power laws separated by f/feq, which is unity. These findings suggest that the timescale-dependent rheology in living cells originates from the nonequilibrium-to-equilibrium transition of the dynamic response of distinct, force-driven molecular processes.