cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Consumer learning of product quality with time delay: Insights from spatial price equilibrium models with differentiated products

Abstract In this paper, we present spatial price equilibrium network models, both static and adaptive, with differentiated products under perfect quality information for producers and consumers and under quality information asymmetry with consumer learning of product quality with a time delay. The adaptive model with information asymmetry is able to adapt to the uncertainty in consumer learning as well as in supply, demand, transportation cost, and product quality over time. In addition, we provide measures of consumer welfare under perfect quality information and under information asymmetry as well as the value of perfect quality information for consumers. The models are formulated and qualitatively analyzed using variational inequality theory. We establish theoretically and illustrate computationally that, under appropriate assumptions, the equilibrium solution, consisting of supply and demand markets prices, quality levels, and product flows, of the adaptive spatial price equilibrium model with information asymmetry converges to that of the corresponding static model with perfect quality information. The models are especially relevant to agricultural products where spatial price equilibrium models have found wide application. We also present several numerical examples with practical insights provided.
Algebraic splitting methods for the steady incompressible Navier Stokes equations at moderate Reynolds numbers

Abstract The unsteady incompressible Navier–Stokes equations in primitive variables are often numerically solved by segregating the computation of velocity and pressure, according to either functional analysis arguments following the pioneering work of A.J. Chorin and R. Temam (STD, Split-Then-Discretize paradigm) or linear algebra arguments based on the inexact block factorization of the discretized problem (DTS, Discretize-Then-Split paradigm). The presence of the time derivative allows for the calibration of an appropriate approximation of the pseudo-differential operator of the pressure problem and excellent results in terms of both accuracy and efficiency have been obtained as witnessed by the abundant literature. The extension of the same segregated approach to the steady Navier–Stokes equations is unclear, unless a pseudo-time advancing formulation is undertaken. In this paper we present a methodology for a segregated computation of the primitive variables in a genuinely steady formulation, so to avoid iterations to get to the steady limit. The approach is largely inspired by the algebraic factorization of the unsteady problem (DTS approach), yet we detail specific settings required by the absence of the velocity time-derivative. The basic idea relies on the introduction of some parameters in a modified Picard linearization. We discuss stability bounds and the convergence of the segregated method to the unsplit solution. Several numerical results on different test cases confirm the efficiency of the procedure.
Soy Consumption and the Risk of Prostate Cancer: An Updated Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis

Prostate cancer (PCa) is the second most commonly diagnosed cancer in men, accounting for 15% of all cancers in men worldwide. Asian populations consume soy foods as part of a regular diet, which may contribute to the lower PCa incidence observed in these countries. This meta-analysis provides a comprehensive updated analysis that builds on previously published meta-analyses, demonstrating that soy foods and their isoflavones (genistein and daidzein) are associated with a lower risk of prostate carcinogenesis. Thirty articles were included for analysis of the potential impacts of soy food intake, isoflavone intake, and circulating isoflavone levels, on both primary and advanced PCa. Total soy food (p < 0.001), genistein (p = 0.008), daidzein (p = 0.018), and unfermented soy food (p < 0.001) intakes were significantly associated with a reduced risk of PCa. Fermented soy food intake, total isoflavone intake, and circulating isoflavones were not associated with PCa risk. Neither soy food intake nor circulating isoflavones were associated with advanced PCa risk, although very few studies currently exist to examine potential associations. Combined, this evidence from observational studies shows a statistically significant association between soy consumption and decreased PCa risk. Further studies are required to support soy consumption as a prophylactic dietary approach to reduce PCa carcinogenesis.
Initial evaluation of the effects of an environmental-focused problem-solving intervention for transition-age young people with developmental disabilities: Project TEAM.

Aim Project TEAM (Teens making Environment and Activity Modifications) teaches transition-age young people with developmental disabilities, including those with co-occurring intellectual or cognitive disabilities, to identify and resolve environmental barriers to participation. We examined its effects on young people's attainment of participation goals, knowledge, problem-solving, self-determination, and self-efficacy. Method We used a quasi-experimental, repeated measures design (initial, outcome, 6-week follow-up) with two groups: (1) Project TEAM (28 males, 19 females; mean age 17y 6mo); and (2) goal-setting comparison (21 males, 14 females; mean age 17y 6mo). A matched convenience sample was recruited in two US states. Attainment of participation goals and goal attainment scaling (GAS) T scores were compared at outcome. Differences between groups for all other outcomes were analyzed using linear mixed effects models. Results At outcome, Project TEAM participants demonstrated greater knowledge (estimated mean difference: 1.82; confidence interval [CI]: 0.90, 2.74) and ability to apply knowledge during participation (GAS: t[75]=4.21; CI: 5.21, 14.57) compared to goal-setting. While both groups achieved significant improvements in knowledge, problem-solving, and self-determination, increases in parent reported self-determination remained at 6-week follow-up only for Project TEAM (estimated mean difference: 4.65; CI: 1.32, 7.98). Significantly more Project TEAM participants attained their participation goals by follow-up (Project TEAM=97.6%, goal-setting=77.1%, p=0.009). Interpretation Both approaches support attainment of participation goals. Although inconclusive, Project TEAM may uniquely support young people with developmental disabilities to act in a self-determined manner and apply an environmental problem-solving approach over time. What this paper adds Individualized goal-setting, alone or during Project TEAM (Teens making Environment and Activity Modifications) appears to support attainment of participation goals. Project TEAM appears to support young people with developmental disabilities to apply an environmental problem-solving approach to participation barriers. Parents of young people with developmental disabilities report sustained changes in self-determination 6 weeks after Project TEAM.
Measures and Principles of Uncertainty and Information: Recent Developments

Real-world problems are rarely free from uncertainty and, consequently, they require to make decisions. In his book, the British economist Shackle [1] explains this point: In a predestinate world, decision would be illusory; in a world of perfect foreknowledge, empty, in a world without natural order, powerless. Our intuitive attitude to life implies non-illusory, non-empty, non-powerless decision. . . Since decision in this sense excludes both perfect foresight and anarchy in nature, it must be defined as choice in face of bounded uncertainty.
Vitamins Induce Cell Differentiation, Growth Inhibition and Enhance the Effect of Tumor Therapeutic Agents on Some Cancer Cells in Vitro

Several hypotheses for human carcinogenesis have been proposed. A recent review (1) by Duesberg and Schwartz has critically analyzed the various hypotheses of carcinogenesis which include: (a) chromosomal aberrations (b) activation of proto-oncogenes (c) loss of anti-oncogenes (d) infection with certain viruses and (e) substitution of normal promoters of proto-oncogenes with strong promoters of viruses or cellular genes. Although structural and functional defects in several oncogenes in some human tumors have been observed, the frequency of their occurrence is seldom more than 50% of the cases. None of the above hypotheses by themselves is sufficient to explain the cause of the cancer. We propose a 4-stage model of carcinogenesis (2).
Rent Seeking and the Market

Rent seeking has, to a considerable extent, developed as a separate subdiscipline, with relatively little direct connection to the regular microeconomics of markets. No criticism is intended here, since its field of study is largely nonmarket activities or market activities normally thought to be undesirable. In general, rent-seeking arguments have reinforced the normative arguments against monopoly and other special privileges which the regular economists deduced earlier and on different grounds. Nevertheless, it is somewhat desirable to link the two fields directly.
Gendered Analyses of Globalization

Insight into the relationship between globalization and gender remains limited, despite the fact that globalization is a widely recognized and disputed ­phenomenon. Mainstream approaches to globalization frame it as a gender-neutral occurrence that is characterized by transnational economic, political, and social flows and processes between and within societies. This omission is particularly profound in the light of a marginalized but insightful scholarship that has critically documented the role of gender in globalizing processes. Globalization is experienced by women and men around the world in a very different manner, depending on regional location, race, ethnicity, and socio-economic class. By not incorporating gender into mainstream analyses, the internal mechanisms and the external manifestations of globalization are not adequately captured. As a result, policies and programs meant to aid or circumvent potentially negative consequences that may arise as a response to globalizing processes, often have limited, if any, utility. As Chow (2003) states, Current debates on neoliberal and universalistic globalization pay little attention to gender and under-represent the experiences of diverse women in specific societal contexts, especially those in the developing world. This oversight has serious implications for theorizing about the powerful dynamics and vital consequences of globalization, for developing policy and practice, and for engaging in collective empowerment for effective social change that will reduce inequalities, human insecurity, and global injustice. (p. 444)
Balance of energies in the development of sea waves, semi-empirical evaluation

As sea waves develop with increasing fetch, a balance is continuously maintained among the enegy increase in waves, the rate of energy received from the wind, and the rate of the energy dissipated in water. In making a semi-empirical analysis of this problem, the first is evaluated by B. W. Wilson's Formula IV, the second by aerodynamic and meteorological methods and data, and third by matching certain dimensional considerations to the difference of the first two. In the consequent synthesis the rate of the wave energy growth is evaluated as the rate of the wind energy input less the rate of energy dissipation. The growth of the wave energy with increase of the fetch is finally evaluated by numerical integration of energy equations. The increase of the energy is resolved into increases of wave celerity and height by simultaneous solution of energy and momentum equations. The form of energy equations, and the experience with their integration provide explicit indication of many factors affecting the wave growth, in addition to the, commonly used, wind speed and fetch.
The Center for Medicare and Medicaid Innovation: Its Purpose, Processes, and Desired Outcomes

The intent of the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid (CMS) Innovation Center is to discover payment mechanisms for use by Medicare and Medicaid that will improve healthcare quality and reduce costs. Whether paying for primary care, hospital care, health systems care delivery, or state-based health care, the objective is to create a business context for innovation and to reward better quality and more efficiency. This context is intended to lead to a national healthcare system that improves the health of patients and the public and reduces total costs. In addition, in order for the fruits of the CMS Innovation Center to have impact as soon as possible, the ACA creates an opportunity that if a new payment approach reduces costs while maintaining or improving quality, it does not have to go through the usual Federal law-making process. Once the results are certified by actuaries, the evaluation can be brought to the Secretary of Health and Human Services who can make that payment approach national policy immediately. This is unique in the history of CMS and provides the opportunity to test and rapidly scale to a national implementation new payment approaches with the goal of improving quality and reducing costs. Since it began its work in 2011, the Innovation Center has mounted a wide array of programs in several key areas, including coordinated care (including primary and preventive care), episodes of hospital care, and coordination of care of those eligible for both Medicare and Medicaid. These efforts, which have the deep involvement of CMS and the healthcare industry, and the ability to implement successful innovations promptly, make the Innovation Center a very important part of the ACA for substantially improving health care in this country.
A structural model of adverse childhood experiences as antecedents of rumination leading to lower hope

Hope is well established within the positive psychology literature as a construct associated with psychological well-being. Recent research has also linked experiences of childhood trauma with lower hope into adulthood. Snyder's hope theory explains this link by suggesting that rumination, as a byproduct of trauma, limits survivors' ability to focus on present day goals, thereby lowering hope. To test this proposed link between childhood trauma and lower hope, we conducted two studies using independent samples of adults living in the United States (Study 1: N' = 258; Study 2: N' = 374). Per Snyder, the studies modeled childhood trauma as a driver of rumination leading to lower hope. The results of Study 1 indicated that a "full mediation" model, directly representing Snyder's theory, produced good fit (χ2 = 254.02, p > .001; df = 131); root mean square error approximation (RMSEA) = .06 (90% confidence interval [CI]: .049, .072); standardized root mean square residual (SRMR) = .055; comparative fit index (CFI): .927. A subsequent bootstrapping analysis (N = 5,000) validated the full mediation model. Study 2 provided identical results, indicating again that a full mediation model of the variables produced good fit. The data from both studies was consistent with Snyder's understanding of the link between trauma and lower hope. The article concludes with a discussion of the studies' implications, particularly how the data supports interventions, such as meditation, that may work to help buffer the ruminating impacts of childhood trauma.
From Dynamic Programming to RRTs: Algorithmic Design of Feasible Trajectories

This paper summarizes our recent development of algorithms that construct feasible trajectories for problems that involve both differential constraints (typically in the form of an underactuated nonlinear system), and global constraints (typically arising from robot collisions). Dynamic programming approaches are described that produce approximately-optimal solutions for low-dimensional problems. Rapidly-exploring Random Tree (RRT) approaches are described that can find feasible, non-optimal solutions for higher-dimensional problems. Several key issues for future research are discussed.
Impact of release kinetics on efficacy of locally delivered parathyroid hormone for bone regeneration applications

Characterizing the release profile for materials-directed local delivery of bioactive molecules and its effect on bone regeneration is an important step to improve our understanding of, and ability...
Conventional Reconstructive Approaches Following Resection of Head and Neck Cancer

Reconstruction of the head and neck is challenging because of the highly compact and functional anatomy. Reconstruction after cancer extirpation is especially challenging, given the likely adjuvant radiation treatment and poor nutritional status of the patient. Head and neck reconstruction is guided by general principles of reconstructive surgery as well as understanding the tissue defect and the reconstructive options available. This chapter reviews the principles of reconstructive surgery, how they are applied, and provides a brief overview of the many reconstructive options for the head and neck.
Subverting Peace: The Origins and Legacies of de-Ba’athification in Iraq

Lustration, as an instrument of transitional justice, determines the extent to which members of the former regime or combatant groups can be reintegrated into a democratizing state. This article ex...
Azygos Vein Central Venous Access in a Patient with Thoracic Central Venous Obstruction.

This is a report of a 45-year-old female with thoracic central venous obstruction (TCVO) and alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency requiring an implanted port for infusions. The azygos vein was used for catheter access in the setting of an occluded right internal jugular vein, bilateral innominate, and superior vena cava . A literature review examines the etiology of TCVO and superior vena cava syndrome (SVC), as well as the potential benefits and complications for using the azygos vein in patients with TCVO requiring port or catheter venous access.
Understanding Substrate Loss in Microwave Acoustic Resonators

This work studies the influence of substrate loss on the performance of acoustic resonators and characterizes the effective substrate resistivity of LiNbO 3 thin-film on a high-resistivity Si (HR-Si) wafer. Coplanar waveguides (CPWs) are utilized to extract the effective substrate resistivity of LiNbO 3 film on Si over a frequency range from 1 to 40 GHz with two different film thicknesses: 400 nm and 1.6 µm. The effective resistivities of released and unreleased CPW structures are experimentally extracted and analyzed to show that a suspended structure on a thinner LiNbO 3 film has less substrate loss due to a smaller electric field filling factor in the film. As a result, the removal of Si wafer by a release process brings more substrate loss reduction for a thin film than that on a thick film.
AUTOMATIC CONTROL STRATEGIES FOR URBAN STORMWATER

A number of United States cities have applied, or plan to study, automatic computer control technology to urban stormwater management. Several control strategies are compared, from simple set point or reactive control, to stochastic optimal control with full storm forecasting carried out adaptively in real-time. A simulated real-time experiment was conducted which generated storm inflow forecast errors that document the sensitivity of control strategy performance to forecast error. The qualified conclusions of this study are that strategies using limited lead-time forecasts are safer in that they guard against untreated overflows occurring. If the size of the storm indicates that overflows cannot be avoided, then more complete forecasting and sophisticated stochastic control is needed to manage the time and space distribution overflows, overflows so as to minimize adverse impacts on the receiving waters. /Author/
Active fault-current foldback control in thyrister rectifier for DC shipboard electrical system

Turbine-generator set integrated with the thyristor-based rectifier system provides the dc power for the emerging medium voltage dc (MVDC) shipboard electrical distribution systems. Active foldback via firing-angle control can be implemented in the thyristor rectifier to protect the primary distribution bus, thereby possibly eliminating the bulky dc circuit breakers. This paper presents the detailed modeling and design of the active foldback control by considering multiple impact factors, like dc inductor, control bandwidth, generator frequency, and rectifier topologies. A new foldback control method is proposed to minimize the fault isolation time. The complete design of fault detection, fault current foldback, and post-fault recovery is proposed and simulated for the breakerless MVDC architectures.
Studies of virus structure by laser-Raman spectroscopy. II. MS2 phage, MS2 capsids and MS2 RNA in aqueous solutions.

Abstract Laser-Raman spectra of the bacteriophage MS2, and of its isolated coat-protein and RNA components, have been obtained as a function of temperature in both H2O and D2O (deuterium oxide) solutions. The prominent Raman lines in the spectra are assigned to the amino acid residues and polypeptide backbone of the viral coat protein and to the nucleotide residues and ribosyl-phosphate backbone of the viral RNA. The Raman frequencies and intensities, and their temperature dependence, indicate the following features of MS2 structure and stability. Coat-protein molecules in the native phage maintain a conformation determined largely by regions of β-sheet (~60%) and random-chain (~40%) structures. There are no disulfide bridges in the virion and all sulfhydryl groups are accessible to solvent molecules. Protein-protein interactions in the virion are stable up to 50 °C. Release of viral RNA from the virion does not affect either the conformation of the coat-protein molecules or the thermal stability of the capsid. MS2 RNA within the virion contains a highly ordered secondary structure in which most (~85%) of the bases are either paired or stacked or both paired and stacked and in which the RNA backbone assumes a geometry of the A-type. When RNA is partially or fully released from the virion its overall secondary structure at 32 °C is unchanged. However, the exposed RNA is more susceptible to changes in secondary structure promoted by increasing the temperature. Thus the viral capsid exerts a significant stabilizing effect on the secondary structure of MS2 RNA. This stabilization is ionic-strength dependent, being more pronounced in solutions containing high concentrations of KCl. Raman intensity profiles as a function of temperature reveal that disordering of the MS2 RNA backbone and rupture of hydrogen-bonding between complementary bases are gradual processes, the major portions of which occur above 40 °C. However, the unstacking of purine and pyrimidine bases is a more co-operative phenomenon occurring almost exclusively above 55 °C.
Cylindrical Approximation of a Neuron from Reconstructed Polyhedron

In this paper, we investigate the problem of approximating a neuron (which is a disconnected polyhedron P reconstructed from points sampled from the surface of a neuron) with minimal cylindrical segments. The problem is strongly NP-hard when we take sample points as input. We present a general algorithm which combines a method to identify critical vertices of P and useful user feedback to decompose P into desired components. For each decomposed component Q, we present an algorithm which tries to minimize the radius of the approximate enclosing cylindrical segment. Previously, this process can only be done manually by researchers in computational biology. Empirical results show that the algorithm is very efficient in practice.
Cytomegalovirus vaccine development.

Although infection with human cytomegalovirus (HCMV) is ubiquitous and usually asymptomatic, there are individuals at high risk for serious HCMV disease. These include solid organ and hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) transplant patients, individuals with HIV infection, and the fetus. Since immunity to HCMV ameliorates the severity of disease, there have been efforts made for over thirty years to develop vaccines for use in these high-risk settings. However, in spite of these efforts, no HCMV vaccine appears to be approaching imminent licensure. The reasons for the failure to achieve the goal of a licensed HCMV vaccine are complex, but several key problems stand out. First, host immunology correlation to protective immunity consist is not yet clear. Secondly, the viral proteins that should be included in a HCMV vaccine are uncertain. Third, clinical trials have largely focused on immune compromised patients, a population that may not be relevant to the problem of protection of the fetus against congenital infection. Fourth, the ultimate target population for HCMV vaccination remains unclear. Finally, and most importantly, there has been insufficient education about the problem of HCMV infection, particularly among women of child-bearing age and in the lay public. This review considers the strategies that have been explored to date in development of HCMV vaccines, and summarizes both active clinical trials as well as novel technologies that merit future consideration toward the goal of prevention of this significant public health problem.
Performance analysis of large-scale uncertain systems under insufficient controllers

We consider a class of large-scale uncertain dynamical systems under decentralized controllers. The system is composed of N interconnected subsystems which possess uncertainty. Moreover, there are uncertainties in the interconnections. If the subsystems are under sufficient decentralized controllers, the large-scale system is practically stable. As certain controllers faiI, study on the conditions for total stability or partial stability to be preserved is made. It can be shown that the stability is only related to bound of uncertainty and the structure of the large-scale system. Moreover, the conditions can be utilized to determine the importance of some controllers for stability.
A demonstration of modeling count data with an application to physical activity

Counting outcomes such as days of physical activity or servings of fruits and vegetables often have distributions that are highly skewed toward the right with a preponderance of zeros, posing analytical challenges. This paper demonstrates how such outcomes may be analyzed with several modifications to Poisson regression. Five regression models 1) Poisson, 2) overdispersed Poisson, 3) negative binomial, 4) zero-inflated Poisson (ZIP), and 5) zero-inflated negative binomial (ZINB) are fitted to data assessing predictors of vigorous physical activity (VPA) among Latina women. The models are described, and analytical and graphical approaches are discussed to aid in model selection. Poisson regression provided a poor fit where 82% of the subjects reported no days of VPA. The fit improved considerably with the negative binomial and ZIP models. There was little difference in fit between the ZIP and ZINB models. Overall, the ZIP model fit best. No days of VPA were associated with poorer self-reported health and less assimilation to Anglo culture, and marginally associated with increasing BMI. The intensity portion of the model suggested that increasing days of VPA were associated with more education, and marginally associated with increasing age. These underutilized models provide useful approaches for handling counting outcomes.
A Case Study in the Net Reporting of Special Event Revenues and Costs

ABSTRACT: This article presents a case study of a well-known nonprofit organization, Susan G. Komen for the Cure, with a large and visible series of fundraising charity walks. The organization did not report or disclose the walks' gross revenues and fundraising expenses separately in its financial statements over a seven-year period. Instead, the organization recorded only its share of the net proceeds as contributions when the cash was received. This accounting treatment helped Komen meet the Better Business Bureau's standards for accountability and achieve a top rating from Charity Navigator.
Effects of experimental ureteral obstruction on platelet-derived growth factor-A and type I procollagen expression in fetal metanephric kidneys.

Complete ureteral obstruction, in fetal opossum kidneys has been used as an experimental method to induce tubulointerstitial damage and interstitial fibrosis. However, the molecular events underlying extracellular matrix deposition are currently unknown. Cytokines such as plateletderived growth factor (PDGF) are considered possible participants in these processes. In this study we used a marsupial model of ureteral obstruction to examine the expression of PDGF-A and type I procollagen mRNAs by in situ hybridization. Complete unilateral ureteral obstruction was performed in six animals at midtrimester human equivalent. Obstructed kidneys, as well as the contralateral and age-matched sham kidneys, were harvested at 1, 3, 5, 10, and 20 days post obstruction. Morphological assessment of the obstructed kidneys harvested between 1 and 5 days post obstruction showed mild tubulocystic changes, interstitial fibrosis, and inflammation compared with controls. Kidneys harvested at days 10 and 20 showed moderate tubulointerstitial damage compared with kidneys harvested after 1 and 5 days. PDGF-A mRNA signal of low abundance was detected within renal interstitial cells urothelial cells of the pelvis, and focally within epithelial cells of immature distal convoluted tubules in non-obstructed kidneys. Type I procollagen mRNA expression was spatially co-distributed with PDGF-A-expressing interstitial cells. PDGF-A and type I procollagen signal intensities in obstructed kidneys harvested 10 and 20 days post obstruction were increased several fold compared with controls and kidneys harvested 1–5 days post obstruction. Both PDGF-A and type I procollagen mRNA increases correlated with morphological features of tubulointerstitial damage. Our results suggest that PGDF-A may participate in this form of fetal kidney damage.
Quantitative ultrasound texture analysis for clinical decision making support

We propose a general ultrasound (US) texture-analysis and machine-learning framework for detecting the presence of disease that is suitable for clinical application across clinicians, disease types, devices, and operators. Its stages are image selection, image filtering, ROI selection, feature parameterization, and classification. Each stage is modular and can be replaced with alternate methods. Thus, this framework is adaptable to a wide range of tasks. Our two preliminary clinical targets are hepatic steatosis and adenomyosis diagnosis. For steatosis, we collected US images from 288 patients and their pathology-determined values of steatosis (%) from biopsies. Two radiologists independently reviewed all images and identified the region of interest (ROI) most representative of the hepatic echotexture for each patient. To parameterize the images into comparable quantities, we filter the US images at multiple scales for various texture responses. For each response, we collect a histogram of pixel features within the ROI, and parameterize it as a Gaussian function using its mean, standard deviation, kurtosis, and skew to create a 36-feature vector. Our algorithm uses a support vector machine (SVM) for classification. Using a threshold of 10%, we achieved 72.81% overall accuracy, 76.18% sensitivity, and 65.96% specificity in identifying steatosis with leave-ten-out cross-validation (p Extending this framework to adenomyosis, we identified 38 patients with MR-confirmed findings of adenomyosis and previous US studies and 50 controls. A single rater picked the best US-image and ROI for each case. Using the same processing pipeline, we obtained 76.14% accuracy, 86.00% sensitivity, and 63.16% specificity with leave-one-out cross-validation (p<0.0001).
Reversible alterations in the Golgi complex of cultured neurons treated with an inhibitor of active Na and K transport.

Highly differentiated cultures of rat and mouse sensory ganglia were treated for varying periods (up to 6 hr) with selected doses (1 x 10-3 M to 5 x 10-5 M) of the cardiac glycoside, ouabain (Strophanthin G). This inhibitor of active Na and K transport produced a selective and progressive swelling of elements of the Golgi complex in many, but not all, neurons. After 6 hr of treatment, virtually all Golgi complexes in affected neurons were either altered or absent; large cytoplasmic vacuoles limited by agranular membrane were prominent in these neurons. This response was not observed in satellite cells and Schwann cells. Within a few hours of ouabain withdrawal, the neuronal vacuoles disappeared and normal Golgi areas were again observed. These observations suggest that there is a site for active transport of Na and K on the Golgi membrane of these neurons. In discussing the possible significance of this observation, it is suggested that if this site were directed so that cation was actively pumped from Golgi cisternae into cytoplasm (and if there were differential water and ion permeabilities in various parts of the endoplasmic reticulum-Golgi system), then such a pumping mechanism could provide an explanation for the concentrating function of the Golgi apparatus.
From a Dream to Reality

When I started my work at the Institute for Genetics in Cologne in 1964, I was the only immunologist among ambitious young molecular biologists. They used mutagenesis in bacteria and bacteriophages to understand biological processes, while I studied antibody responses and immunological tolerance to hapten-carrier conjugates in rabbits. Although this led to a first model of T cell-B cell collaboration, it was frustratingly clear that ultimately immunological problems would have to be resolved by methods of molecular genetics. Twenty five years later immunology had become one of our Institute's major research areas in molecular biology. Developing conditional gene targeting in mice to study immune regulation along the lines of the work of the young molecular biologists at the time, a dream had come true. In this essay, I present this story which represents the slightly modified text of a five-minute speech given in acceptance of the Novartis Prize for basic immunology in August 2007 in Rio de Janeiro.
Big ET-1 processing into vasoactive peptides in arteries and veins

The endothelin (ET) peptides are more potent in contracting veins than arteries. The precursor big ET-1 is metabolized by endothelin converting enzyme [ECE; to ET-1 (1-21)], matrix metalloproteases [MMPs; to ET-1 (1-32)] and chymase [to ET-1(1-31)]. We hypothesized that arteries and veins were differently dependent in conversion of big ET-1 to vasoconstrictors. Immunohistochemical, western, zymographic and isometric contractile assays in rat aorta and vena cava were used. Big ET-1 contracted aorta [60+/-17% phenylephrine contraction] but was more efficacious in vena cava [478+/-61% norepinephrine contraction]. ECE and its product ET-1(1-21) were detected in aorta and vena cava, and the ECE inhibitors phosphoramidon and CGS-26393 reduced big ET-1-induced contraction. ET-1 (1-32) contracted aorta and vena cava but inhibition of MMPs with minocycline or GM6001 did not reduce big ET-1-induced contraction; zymography confirmed active tissue MMPs. Aorta and vena cava contracted to the product of chymase, ET-1 (1-31). Chymase was detected in aorta and only weakly in vena cava. Inhibition of chymase (chymostatin, 100 muM) reduced arterial (19% control) but not venous constriction to big ET-1. These results suggest at least one potential significant difference - the role of chymase - in in vitro enzymatic processing of big ET-1 in arteries and veins.
Intergranular corrosion of high temperature alloys in molten fluoride salts

Six Ni and Fe–Ni based austenitic alloys were exposed to molten LiF–NaF–KF: 46.5–11.5–42mol% salt, commonly referred to as FLiNaK, at 850°C for 500 h. Corrosion was noted to occur predominantly from dealloying of Cr resulting in void formation, an effect that was particularly pronounced at the grain boundaries. Alloy weight-loss due to molten fluoride salt corrosion correlated with the initial Cr-content of the alloys up to a Cr content of about 20wt%, and was consistent with the Cr-concentrations measured in the salts after corrosion tests. However, in the nominally 20 wt% to 23 wt% Cr containing alloys, this weight-loss correlated linearly with the carbon content of the alloys, due to the formation of chromium carbide phases at the grain boundaries and its subsequent dissolution into the molten salt along the grain boundaries. The Cr-lean intermetallic precipitates found in the alloys were resistant to corrosion in the molten FLiNaK salt.
The RNA polymerase I promoter-activating factor CPBF is functionally and immunologically related to the basic helix-loop-helix-zipper DNA-binding protein USF

Analysis of the core promoter sequence of the mammalian ribosomal RNA genes revealed an E-box-like sequence (CACGCTG) to which the upstream stimulatory factor (USF) binds. Because the core promoter binding factor (CPBF) binds specifically to the core promoter sequence of the ribosomal RNA gene (Liu, Z., and Jacob, S. T. (1994) J. Biol. Chem. 269, 16618-16626) and resembles USF in some respects, we explored the potential relationship between USF and CPBF. Competition electrophoretic mobility shift assay using labeled core promoter probe and several unlabeled competitor oligonucleotides showed that USF can indeed bind to the core promoter and that only those oligonucleotides with an E-box sequence could compete in the promoter-protein complex formation characteristic of CPBF. This complex formation was thermostable, a unique property of USF. Furthermore, antibodies raised against USF cross-reacted with the 44-kDa component of rat CPBF. To prove further the relationship between CPBF and USF, we examined the effects of the unlabeled USF and ribosomal gene core promoter oligonucleotides on polymerase (pol) I and pol II transcription. Both oligonucleotides inhibited rDNA transcription as well as transcription from the adenovirus major late promoter. Only the oligonucleotides that contain the E-box sequence competed in the transcription. These data indicate that the promoter sequence of mammalian ribosomal RNA gene contains an USF-binding site, that the 44-kDa polypeptide of CPBF is related to the 44/43-kDa polypeptide of human USF, and that USF or USF-related protein can transactivate both pol I and pol II promoters.
Benefit cost scenarios of potential oral rabies vaccination for skunks in California.

Scenario-based analyses were computed for benefits and costs linked with hypothetical oral rabies vaccination (ORV) campaigns to contain or eliminate skunk-variant rabies in skunks (Mephitis mephitis) in California, USA. Scenario 1 assumed baiting eight zones (43,388 km2 total) that comprised 73% of known skunk rabies locations in the state. Scenario 2 also assumed baiting these eight zones, but further assumed that added benefits would result from preventing the spread of skunk-variant rabies into Los Angeles County, USA. Scenarios assumed a fixed bait cost ($1.24 each) but varied campaigns (one, two and three annual ORV applications), densities of baits (37.5/km2, 75/km2 and 150/km2), levels of prevention (50%, 75%, and 100%), and contingency expenditures if rabies recurred (20%, 40%, and 60% of campaign costs). Prorating potential annual benefits during a 12-yr time horizon yielded benefit-cost ratios (BCRs) between 0.16 and 2.91 and between 0.34 and 6.35 for Scenarios 1 and 2, respectively. Economic i...
Multipotent stromal cells from human marrow home to and promote repair of pancreatic islets and renal glomeruli in diabetic NOD/scid mice

We tested the hypothesis that multipotent stromal cells from human bone marrow (hMSCs) can provide a potential therapy for human diabetes mellitus. Severe but nonlethal hyperglycemia was produced in NOD/scid mice with daily low doses of streptozotocin on days 1–4, and hMSCs were delivered via intracardiac infusion on days 10 and 17. The hMSCs lowered blood glucose levels in the diabetic mice on day 32 relative to untreated controls (18.34 mM ± 1.12 SE vs. 27.78 mM ± 2.45 SE, P = 0.0019). ELISAs demonstrated that blood levels of mouse insulin were higher in the hMSC-treated as compared with untreated diabetic mice, but human insulin was not detected. PCR assays detected human Alu sequences in DNA in pancreas and kidney on day 17 or 32 but not in other tissues, except heart, into which the cells were infused. In the hMSC-treated diabetic mice, there was an increase in pancreatic islets and β cells producing mouse insulin. Rare islets contained human cells that colabeled for human insulin or PDX-1. Most of the β cells in the islets were mouse cells that expressed mouse insulin. In kidneys of hMSC-treated diabetic mice, human cells were found in the glomeruli. There was a decrease in mesangial thickening and a decrease in macrophage infiltration. A few of the human cells appeared to differentiate into glomerular endothelial cells. Therefore, the results raised the possibility that hMSCs may be useful in enhancing insulin secretion and perhaps improving the renal lesions that develop in patients with diabetes mellitus.
Introduction to Special Issue of JREFE on REITs

This paper is an introduction to a special issue of the Journal of Real Estate Finance and Economics (JREFE) devoted to papers on Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs). The papers were especially written for a conference sponsored by the National Association of Real Estate Investment Trusts. The papers deal with the theoretical and empirical aspects of REIT underwriting behavior, corporate governance, asset pricing, takeovers and going-private transactions, capital-market based financing, changes in monetary policy and changes in REIT stock prices, and risk-bearing and liquidity.
Autism spectrum disorder severity as a predictor of Battelle Developmental Inventory - second edition (BDI-2) scores in toddlers.

AbstractObjective: The study aimed to evaluate the relationship between the severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) symptomology and scores on the Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-2) in toddlers (n = 325).Methods: Total scores on the BDI-2 and individual domain scores were examined to explore the relationship between severity of ASD and developmental quotient, impairment in personal-social skills, adaptive functioning, cognition, and communication.Results: Regression analyses controlled for the impact of age and IQ on results, indicating that higher autism severity scores were associated with overall greater impairment and in the total scores and the individual domains of the BDI-2. The domains were found to be differentially affected by severity of ASD.Conclusion: These findings suggest severity of ASD may influence symptom presentation. Clinical implications of study findings are discussed.
The future of human reproduction: ethics, choice, and regulation

Eds John Harris, SOren Holm Oxford University Press, £35, pp 264 ISBN 0 19 823761 8 Rating: ![Graphic][1] ![Graphic][2] ![Graphic][3] It is very hard to produce a timely book about a subject that changes as quickly as technologically assisted reproduction, but John Harris and SOren Holm have managed to do exactly that. The 14 essays in this small volume provide an extremely useful and highly readable overview of the key moral, legal, and social themes raised by new ways of making babies. The topics covered range across a broad intellectual terrain: the moral status of embryos, whether gametes can be treated as property, the usefulness of a framework of “rights” for thinking … [1]: /embed/inline-graphic-1.gif [2]: /embed/inline-graphic-2.gif [3]: /embed/inline-graphic-3.gif
SUCCESSIVE OH BINDING ENERGIES OF M(OH)N+ FOR N = 1-3 AND M = SC, TI, V, CO, NI, AND CU

The M(OH)n+ geometries, for n = 1−3, have been optimized and the zero-point energies computed using the B3LYP approach. The calculations show that strong bonds are formed for the early metals, and much weaker bonds are formed for the late metal atoms. The successive OH bond energies have been computed at the CCSD(T) level for n = 1 and 2. The M+−OH bond energies are in good agreement with the guided ion beam results. This implies that the CID values for TiOH+, VOH+, and CoOH+, and the photodissociation value for CoOH+ are accurate, but that the CID values for ScOH+ and NiOH+ are too small. The B3LYP binding energies are found to be in qualitative agreement with the CCSD(T) results. The relative size of the first and second OH binding energies at the B3LYP level disagrees with the CCSD(T) for Sc+, Ti+, and V+. The B3LYP results show that the third OH binding energy for Ti+ and V+ will be large (85 kcal/mol, or more), while for the remaining systems the third OH is electrostatically bound, with a binding en...
Coercive Dual Class Exchange Offers

Abstract Dual-class exchange offers give stockholders the oppurtunity to exchange common stock for shares with limited voting rights but higher dividends. This paper develops a model to analyze the exchange decision. It shows that exchange offers can induce outside shareholders to exchange their shares for limited voting shares even though the same shareholders, in the same circumstances but acting collectively, would choose not to exchange.
Benefits of influenza vaccination among healthy and high-risk persons across the age spectrum

Abstract The burden of influenza is substantial across all age groups. Vaccination against influenza has been shown to be safe and effective across all age groups. The benefits of vaccination may extend not only to the individual, but also to household contacts and even the community. Economic analyses generally suggest that vaccination is highly cost-effective and even cost saving for the elderly. Many studies also suggest similar findings for healthy younger adults. Data on the cost-effectiveness of vaccinating children are more limited, but several studies do suggest that vaccination of children might also be cost-effective. Universal immunization may represent an appropriate strategy for the prevention and control of influenza in settings where the vaccine supply, vaccine cost, and vaccine delivery infrastructure make such an approach feasible.
Hand-Assisted Laparoscopic Nephrectomy:: Prospective Evaluation of the Learning Curve

ABSTRACTPurpose: Laparoscopic nephrectomy (LN) has recently become an emerging standard for extirpative surgery of the kidney. LN has historically proven to have a steep learning curve with longer operative times until a surgeon gains adequate laparoscopic experience. Hand-assisted laparoscopic nephrectomy (HALN) is fast becoming a commonly used procedure to remove kidneys as it may have a reduced learning curve compared to standard LN. To date no prospective studies have evaluated the learning curve of HALN with regard to improvements in operative times and technical difficulty. We prospectively evaluated the learning curve for HALN in a residency training program as it compares to open nephrectomy.Materials and Methods: HALN was performed in 30 consecutive patients for various indications. The senior urology resident functioned as the primary surgeon and the same attending surgeon was present throughout all cases. All participating residents had to have performed at least 15 open nephrectomies to serve ...
Solid-phase synthesis of C-terminal peptide libraries for studying the specificity of enzymatic protein prenylation

Prenylation is an essential post-translational modification in all eukaryotes. Here we describe the synthesis of a 340-member library of peptides containing free C-termini on cellulose membranes. The resulting library was then used to probe the specificity of protein farnesyltransferase from S. cerevisiae.