cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Globalização da igualdade: a mulher muçulmana, teologia e feminismos

Neste artigo, em que se discute a situacao da mulher mulcumana no mundo globalizado, sao abordadas, essencialmente, tres questoes: a critica ao papel da tecnologia na mudanca politica e social no mundo moderno, uma perspectiva hermeneutica do Alcorao sobre o principio da igualdade sexual e o emprego das tecnologias na reforma democratica nas sociedades muculmanas. Como alegacao basica, propoe-se que as tecnologias de comunicacao global so poderao transformar a vida de mulheres (e homens) muculmanas de maneira significativa se estiverem associadas a – ou melhor, se puderem ajudar a concretizar – uma mudanca epistemica fundamental no modo como os muculmanos interpretam e praticam o islamismo. Essa mudanca exigiria uma disposicao em encontrar a ideia de “libertacao” no mesmo versiculo que os muculmanos usam para discriminar as mulheres.
Subregion-Adaptive Integration of Functions Having a Dominant Peak

Abstract Many statistical multiple integration problems involve integrands that have a dominant peak. In applying numerical methods to solve these problems, statisticians have paid relatively little attention to existing quadrature methods and available software developed in the numerical analysis literature. One reason these methods have been largely overlooked, even though they are known to be more efficient than Monte Carlo for well-behaved problems of low dimensionality, may be that when applied naively they are poorly suited for peaked-integrand problems. In this article we use transformations based on “split t” distributions to allow the integrals to be efficiently computed using a subregion-adaptive numerical integration algorithm. Our split t distributions are modifications of those suggested by Geweke and may also be used to define Monte Carlo importance functions. We then compare our approach to Monte Carlo. In the several examples we examine here, we find subregion-adaptive integration to be su...
Sustainable development of the Soviet Arctic: some possibilities and constraints

The Soviet Arctic region is defined in administrative terms, and some parameters of sustainable development are defined and discussed. Under state enterprise sincethe 1930s the Arctic has been subject to a ruthless policy of development with little regard for environmental considerations or the needs of either native or migratory workforces. Perestroyka brings promise of better and more effective organization. The Arctic should be regarded as a component of the Soviet national economy, but business and scientific developments must be implemented with due consideration of possible social and ecological consequences. In all developments the limited material and labour resources of theArctic, as well as limited possibility of their employment elsewhere in the country to get the same result, should be bome in mind, and the effectiveness of proposed Arctic projects must be considered in the light of possible alternatives before any are implemented.
Ovarian Toxicity of 4-Vinylcyclohexene Diepoxide: A Mechanistic Model:

Female mammals are born with a e nite number of ovarian primordial follicles that cannot be regenerated; thus, chemicals that destroy oocytes contained in these follicles can produce premature ovarian failure (early menopuase in women). Exposure of women to known ovotoxicants, such as contaminants in cigarette smoke, is associated with early menopause. Thus, the potential risks posed by ovotoxic chemicals is of concern. Our studies have focused on the environmental chemical 4-vinylcyclohexene (VCH), which is produced during the manufacture of rubber tires, e ame retardants, insecticides, plasticizers, and antioxidants. Dosing of female rats and mice with the ovotoxic diepoxide metabolite of VCH, 4-vinylcyclohexene diepoxide (VCD), for 30 days destroyed the majority of ovarian primordial follicles. Using VCD in rats as a generalized model for ovotoxicity, we determined that 1) repeated daily dosing is required, 2) cell death is via apoptosis, and 3) altered expression of specie c genes is involved. An integrated approach at the morphologic, biochemical, and molecular level was used to support these conclusions. Studies in isolated rat small preantral follicles (targeted for VCD-induced ovotoxicity) focused on the role of cell death genes, mitochondrion-associated events, and VCD metabolism. We also evaluated how this information relates to human risk for early menopause. These animal research results provide a better understanding of the potential risk of human exposure to environmental ovarian toxicants and greater insight as to the impact of these toxicants on reproductive health in women.
Identifying Targets for Antimicrobial Stewardship in Children's Hospitals

Objective. Antimicrobial stewardship programs (ASPs) are recommended to optimize antimicrobial use for hospitalized patients. Although mechanisms for the implementation of ASPs have been described, data-driven approaches to prioritize specific conditions and antimicrobials for intervention have not been established. We aimed to develop a strategy for identifying high-impact targets for antimicrobial stewardship efforts.Design. Retrospective cross-sectional study.Setting and patients. Children admitted to 32 freestanding children’s hospitals in the United States in 2010.Methods. We identified the conditions with the largest proportional contribution to the total days of antibiotic therapy prescribed to all hospitalized children. For the 4 highest-using conditions, we examined variability between hospitals in antibiotic selection patterns for use of either first- or second-line therapies depending on the condition. Antibiotic use was determined using standardized probability of exposure to selected agents a...
ARE MODERN AMERICAN LIBERALS SOCIALISTS OR SOCIAL DEMOCRATS

This paper answers the title question, “Yes,” on both counts. The first part of the paper argues that modern liberals are socialists, and the second part argues that they are also social democrats. The main idea behind the first argument is that the state has effectively taken control of the incidents of ownership through its taxation, spending, and regulatory policies. The main idea behind the second argument is that the institutions of social democracy are replicated by the institutions favored by modern American liberalism. Specifically, the takeover of the American healthcare system, Social Security, employers' mandatory contributions to unemployment insurance, and workers' compensation insurance replicate the institutions of social democracy.
Using time-varying covariates in multilevel growth models.

This article provides an illustration of growth curve modeling within a multilevel framework. Specifically, we demonstrate coding schemes that allow the researcher to model discontinuous longitudinal data using a linear growth model in conjunction with time varying covariates. Our focus is on developing a level-1 model that accurately reflects the shape of the growth trajectory. We demonstrate the importance of adequately modeling the shape of the level-1 growth trajectory in order to make inferences about the importance of both level-1 and level-2 predictors.
Use of a Distraction Plate for Distal Radial Fractures with Metaphyseal and Diaphyseal Comminution

BACKGROUND: Distal radial fractures with extensive comminution involving the metaphyseal-diaphyseal junction present a major treatment dilemma. Of particular difficulty are those fractures involving the articular surface. One approach is to apply a dorsal 3.5-mm plate extra-articularly from the radius to the third metacarpal, stabilizing the diaphysis and maintaining distraction across the radiocarpal joint. METHODS: Twenty-two patients treated with a distraction plate for a comminuted distal radial fracture were included in the study. With use of three limited incisions, a 3.5-mm ASIF plate was applied in distraction dorsally from the radial diaphysis, bypassing the comminuted segment, to the long-finger metacarpal, where it was fixed distally. The articular surface was anatomically reduced and was secured with Kirschner wires or screws. Eleven of the twenty-two fractures were treated with bone-grafting. The plate was removed after fracture consolidation (at an average of 124 days), and wrist motion was initiated. All patients were followed prospectively with use of radiographs, physical examination, and DASH (Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand) scores. RESULTS: All fractures united by an average of 110 days. Radiographs showed an average palmar tilt of 4.6° and an average ulnar variance of neutral (0°), whereas loss of radial length averaged 2 mm. Flexion and extension averaged 57° and 65°, respectively, and pronation and supination averaged 77° and 76°, respectively. The average DASH scores were 34 points at six months, 15 points at one year, and 11.5 points at the time of final follow-up (at an average of 24.8 months). According to the Gartland-Werley rating system, fourteen patients had an excellent result, six had a good result, and two had a fair result. Grip strength and the range of motion of the wrist at one year correlated inversely with the proximal extent of fracture comminution into the diaphysis. The duration of plate immobilization did not correlate with the range of motion of the wrist or with the DASH score at one year. CONCLUSIONS: The use of a distraction plate combined with reduction of the articular surface and bone-grafting when needed can be an effective technique for treatment of fractures of the distal end of the radius with extensive metaphyseal and diaphyseal comminution. A functional range of motion with minimal disability can be achieved despite a prolonged period of fixation with a distraction plate across the wrist joint.
Economic theories and empirical models of location choice and land use: A survey

This is a survey of the theoretical and empirical models of location choice and land use in cities. The survey is conducted from a historical perspective and the models are critically evaluated in terms of their logical structure. Special attention is given to the technical difficulties created when the assumption of the convexity of the production technology is dropped. It is indicated why further progress in this area requires a fundamental rethinking of the way in which we conceptualize the behavior of individual location choice.
Unique Method for Generating Design Earthquake Time Histories

A method has been developed which takes a seed earthquake time history and modifies it to produce given design response spectra. It is a multi-step process with an initial scaling step and then multiple refinement steps. It is unique in the fact that both the acceleration and displacement response spectra are considered when performing the fit (which primarily improves the low frequency acceleration response spectrum accuracy). Additionally, no matrix inversion is needed. The features include encouraging the code acceleration, velocity, and displacement ratios and attempting to fit the pseudo velocity response spectrum. Also, “smoothing” is done to transition the modified time history to the seed time history at its start and end. This is done in the time history regions below a cumulative energy of 5% and above a cumulative energy of 95%. Finally, the modified acceleration, velocity, and displacement time histories are adjusted to start and end with an amplitude of zero (using Fourier transform techniques for integration).
Efficient multiple hyperparameter learning for log-linear models

In problems where input features have varying amounts of noise, using distinct regularization hyperparameters for different features provides an effective means of managing model complexity. While regularizers for neural networks and support vector machines often rely on multiple hyperparameters, regularizers for structured prediction models (used in tasks such as sequence labeling or parsing) typically rely only on a single shared hyperparameter for all features. In this paper, we consider the problem of choosing regularization hyperparameters for log-linear models, a class of structured prediction probabilistic models which includes conditional random fields (CRFs). Using an implicit differentiation trick, we derive an efficient gradient-based method for learning Gaussian regularization priors with multiple hyperparameters. In both simulations and the real-world task of computational RNA secondary structure prediction, we find that multiple hyperparameter learning can provide a significant boost in accuracy compared to using only a single regularization hyperparameter.
Urbanization, Population Density, and Overcrowding: Trends in the Quality of Life in Urban America

This paper explores changes in the quality of life as reflected in household density, and the possible association of household density with rates of pathological behavior. Data were drawn from the 1940-70 Housing Censuses to analyze changes at the national level, and by region, race, and setting (central city, standard metropolitan area, and farm) in median number of persons per room and percent of households with more than one person per room. Results indicated that crowding is, for the nation as a whole, on the decline; that households in central cities and SMSAs are no more crowded than the national average; that serious overcrowding is greater on farms than in other locations; that regional differences in household densities are diminishing; and that a majority of black households, though they have higher densities than whites, are gaining ground relative to whites, although a minority of black households are falling behind the density declines of both groups. The fact that household densities in central cities are not especially high compared to other locations combined with the marked improvements in household densities since 1940, suggests that this form of density does not account for increases in pathological behavior.
The Spread of Sinus Activation During Potassium Administration

Electrodes were chronically implanted in intact dogs at several locations on the atria and ventricles, and studies made of the effect of an elevated extracellular K+ concentration on the spread of the sinus impulse throughout the atria. It was found that sinus activity propagates to the coronary sinus and ventricles at a time when the atrial muscle fibers have been rendered inexcitable. The finding of such a sino-ventricular rhythm supports the existence of a specialized conducting path between the sinus and the atrio-ventricular node; this path is particularly resistant to depolarization by potassium. Potassium-induced 2:1 sino-atrial block was described. In vitro experiments provided a demonstration that such block is frequency-dependent and due to marked prolongation of the refractory period provoked by high [K]0. It appears that the lengthened refractory period may be due to a marked reduction of the reactivation rate of the "sodium carrying system."
Service-Level Differentiation in Many-Server Service Systems via Queue-Ratio Routing

Motivated by telephone call centers, we study large-scale service systems with multiple customer classes and multiple agent pools, each with many agents. To minimize staffing costs subject to service-level constraints, where we delicately balance the service levels (SLs) of the different classes, we propose a family of routing rules called fixed-queue-ratio (FQR) rules. With FQR, a newly available agent next serves the customer from the head of the queue of the class (from among those he is eligible to serve) whose queue length most exceeds a specified proportion of the total queue length. The proportions can be set to achieve desired SL targets. The FQR rule achieves an important state-space collapse (SSC) as the total arrival rate increases, in which the individual queue lengths evolve as fixed proportions of the total queue length. In the current paper we consider a variety of service-level types and exploit SSC to construct asymptotically optimal solutions for the staffing-and-routing problem. The key assumption in the current paper is that the service rates depend only on the agent pool.
Cham Muslims of Thailand: a haven of security in Mainland Southeast Asia

(1989). Cham Muslims of Thailand: a haven of security in Mainland Southeast Asia. Institute of Muslim Minority Affairs. Journal: Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 486-491.
Tailored thermal expansion alloys

Abstract Current approaches to tailoring the thermal expansion coefficient of materials or finding materials with negative thermal expansion rely on careful manipulation of either the material's composition and/or the complex fabrication of composites. Here, by contrast, we report a new principle that enables the precise control of macroscopic thermal expansion response of bulk materials via crystallographic texture manipulation and by taking advantage of anisotropic Coefficients of Thermal Expansion (CTE) in a large class of martensitically transforming materials. Through simple thermo-mechanical processing, it is possible to tailor the thermal expansion response of a single material––without manipulating its composition––over a wide range of positive and negative values. We demonstrate this principle by gradually tuning the macroscopic CTE in a model NiTiPd alloy between a positive (+14.90 × 10−6 K−1) and a negative (−3.06 × 10−6 K−1) value, simply by incrementally increasing tensile plastic deformation in the martensite phase. This surprising response is linked to the large positive, +51.33 × 10−6 K−1, and negative, −34.51 × 10−6 K−1, CTE anisotropy, at the lattice level, along the different crystal directions in martensite. Similar CTE anisotropy is also shown experimentally in CoNiGa and TiNb alloys. In a model TiNb alloy, giant macroscopic CTEs of +181 × 10−6 K−1 and −142 × 10−6 K−1 are measured. A connection between the CTE anisotropy and the martensitic transformation in these and other materials systems such as NiTi, pure uranium, and PbTiO3 is later made. It is shown that negative or positive thermal expansion crystallographic directions are connected to the crystallographic relationship between the austenite and martensite lattices, and can easily be predicted using the lattice parameters of austenite and martensite phases. Our current observations and analyses suggest that the tunability of the macroscopic CTE through thermo-mechanical processing is universal in materials––both ceramic and metals––that undergo martensitic transformations.
Theoretical Specifications for the Racing Dive: Optimum Angle of Take-Off

Abstract The problem was to investigate the racing dive in swimming in terms of the basic mechanical principles involved. A mathematical expression was developed to describe the time required to dive, glide, and swim the first length of any race. The validity of this formula was found to be very high by comparing actual measured times for 17 subjects with times computed using the formula. Finally, optimum angles of take-off were determined for various personal characteristics and for specific race conditions.
Synergistic antitumor activity of Bevacizumab in combination with HIF-1 inhibition.

B17 Antiangiogenic strategies have limited clinical activity as single agents. Bevacizumab, an anti-VEGF antibody, can have different effects on tumor vasculature either stabilizing tumor vessels, therefore improving delivery of chemotherapy or decreasing tumor vasculature, thus increasing intra-tumor hypoxia. Hypoxia is associated with induction of HIF-1 and selection of therapy resistant, more invasive and metastatic clones. Topotecan inhibits HIF-1α expression and tumor growth in U251-HRE xenografts. To assess whether the addition of a HIF-1 inhibitor increased the therapeutic efficacy of Bevacizumab, we tested the effect of daily low dose topotecan (0.5mg/kg x 10) alone or in combination with bevacizumab (50-100 µg/mouse Q3Dx4) on tumor growth, HIF-1 expression and angiogenesis in U251-HRE xenografts. Bevacizumab alone increased intra-tumor hypoxia, measured by pimonidazole staining, HIF-1α protein accumulation and HIF-1 dependent gene expression in tumor tissues. Addition of topotecan to Bevacizumab inhibited HIF-1α protein accumulation and HIF-1 dependent gene expression, consistent with the inhibition of the compensatory hypoxic responses induced by Bevacizumab. Furthermore, microvessel density was significantly decreased in mice treated with Bevacizumab alone or in combination with topotecan. Notably, Topotecan or Bevacizumab alone decreased tumor weight by 34% and 40%, respectively; however the combination of Topotecan and Bevacizumab decreased tumor weight by 82% relative to vehicle treated controls. In addition, GADD45 mRNA expression (a gene induced in response to DNA damage) was increased in animals treated with the combination TPT-Bevacizumab. These results suggest that the combination of topotecan with bevacizumab may have synergistic antitumor and anti-angiogenic activities and is a therapeutic strategy that warrants further clinical investigation. Funded by NCI Contract N01-CO-12400.
Higher Education Differential Along Gender and Socioeconomic Dimensions in India

Using a recent national level survey data, we have systematically investigated the pattern of higher education differential along gender, socioeconomic and geographical dimensions in India. We have found a salient differential in the attainment of higher education across gender subgroups, social groups and also across the quintiles of economic variables. We have further investigated the evolution of the higher education differential over different time frames in the recent history of India. These analyses show that while gender based differential is fast declining over time, the social group based differential seems to be significantly persistent.
Freedom of Speech and Appellate and Summary Judgment Review in Copyright Cases

Copyright law, the Supreme Court has said, is a valid speech restriction. But even valid speech restrictions (such as libel law, obscenity law, and the like) are still subject to the various "First Amendment Due Process" procedural rules. One of them is the Bose Corp. v. Consumers Union independent appellate review rule: When a jury or a trial judge finds that speech falls within an unprotected category of speech, the court of appeals must review that finding de novo, rather than just for clear error. The same also applies on motions for summary judgment and for judgment notwithstanding the verdict. In copyright cases, though, the courts of appeal generally review findings that speech copies expression, and not just idea, only for clear error. This, we argue, presumptively violates the Bose rule; and, we argue, there's no significant difference between copyright law and the other speech restrictions that rebuts this presumption. The copyright law clear error review rule must give way to the First Amendment-mandated de novo review rule. From this doctrinal point, we draw two broader points: (1) At least according to First Amendment theory, independent appellate review is supposed to refine the legal tests, making them clearer and more predictable. If that hypothesis is true, this could be particularly valuable for copyright's "idea-expression" dichotomy, which is notoriously vague. (2) On the other hand, if it's false - if we end up being skeptical about the value of independent review in clarifying the idea-expression test -- this might give us reason to think again about independent appellate review, and perhaps First Amendment Due Process more generally.
ALMOST MULTIPLICATIVE MORPHISMS AND THE CUNTZ ALGEBRA ${\mathcal O}_2$

Let X be a compact metrizable space, and let A be a purely infinite simple C*-algbera A satisfying K0(A)=K1(A)=0. We show that an almost multiplicative contractive unital *-preserving linear map from C(X) can be approximated by a homomorphism. As a consequence, we show that if a unital simple C*-algbera , with (finite direct sums), for compact metrizable spaces Xm,n and are even algebras , satisfies K0(A)=K1(A)=0, then . In particular, we show that the tensor product of a simple unital AH-algebra with is isomorphic to .
Sienkiewicz's First Translator, Jeremiah Curtin

Let Peary seek his Arctic goal; His countrymen prefer a Pole Less brumal and uncertain; And Roe and Howells the prolix Must bow to Henry Sienkiewicz, Democratized by Curtin. Anonymous, "Columbus Sienkiewicz," The Outlook, New York, March 12, 1898 The subject of Henryk Sienkiewicz and America is hardly exhausted with the acknowledgment of the enormous popularity of Quo Vadis in the United States. Sienkiewicz himself visited America in 1876, in fact traveled extensively through the country and recorded his impressions at some length in his Listy z Ameryki (Letters from America), a large part of which was translated into English and published in 1959. Sienkiewicz's relations with Helena Modrzejewska (Modjeska) and her debut in the American theater at the time of his visit add to the interest of his sojourn in the United States. Another phase of Sienkiewicz's relations with this country embraces the fascinating career of his American translator, Jeremiah Curtin, whose name remains as intimately linked with translations from Polish literature, particularly the works of Sienkiewicz, as Constance Garnett's has been with English renditions of the Russian masters of the nineteenth century.
The Analysis of Breakdown and Maintenance in the Fuel Injector of Diesel

The fuel injector is an important component of diesel.There are a lot of breakdowns such as the attrition of Needle valves, the obstruct of the fuel orifices and the others what are easy to be caused at work..The breakdowns can influence the working of diesel badly.This passage analyses the phenomenon and reason of the attrition. then,it puts forward the ways to remove the faults and maintenance method.
One and the same.

I read with great interest the report from Cross and colleagues1 entitled “Bevacizumabmediated interference with VEGF signaling is sufficient to induce a preeclampsia-like syndrome in non-pregnant women.”1 In both reported cases, bevacizumab-induced alteration of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is purported to contribute to a constellation of clinical and radiologic features closely resembling that of preeclampsia. The authors describe this phenomenon as a preeclampsia-like syndrome characterized by reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy on imaging, along with associated neurologic manifestations (headache, vision changes, and seizure), hypertension, and laboratory abnormalities including hepatic dysfunction. I posit that these changes may be encompassed by a diagnosis of posterior reversible encephalopathy syndrome (PRES), alternatively referred to as reversible posterior leukoencephalopathy syndrome in much of the obstetric literature. The characteristic imaging findings of PRES are virtually ubiquitous in the eclampsia population and thus represent a key feature of the eclampsia disease spectrum.2 Although pregnancy is recognized as a significant contributing factor for the development of PRES, various other predisposing conditions, including sepsis, transplantation, autoimmune disease, and cancer chemotherapy, are encountered. 3 The clinicoradiologic manifestations of PRES are thought to stem from an underlying state of immune activation/dysfunction characterized by proinflammatory cytokines and vasoactive factors that lead to endothelial dysfunction, vasoconstriction, and tissue hypoperfusion.4,5 Given that alterations in VEGF are thought to play a role in the development of characteristic brain edema in these patients,6,7 it is not surprising that bevacizumab has been increasingly cited as a contributing factor in PRES.8–10 Recognition of the role VEGF signaling plays in the pathophysiology of eclampsia/preeclampsia has advanced general understanding of this common phenomenon.11 Although the clinicoradiologic features manifested by VEGF-treated patients reported by Cross and colleagues1 certainly mimic those of preeclampsia, we feel that it is unnecessary to invoke a novel preeclampsia-like syndrome when this spectrum of findings can be adequately explained by the systemic toxicity state known as PRES. As our understanding of PRES grows, it seems increasingly apparent that all of the known PRES-predisposing factors (including pregnancy) may elicit an immune-mediated cascade that leads to a common pathophysiology and disease phenotype. Going forward, an approach that views PRES patients encountered by clinicians from various disciplines (eg, obstetrics, neurology, oncology) in a more cohesive manner may be a more productive manner in which to study and eventually better understand the pathophysiology of PRES.
Neurology of Pregnancy: A Case-Oriented Review

The anatomic and physiologic changes that occur during pregnancy are unique. A neurologist needs to be aware of normal pregnancy-induced physiologic changes in the cardiovascular, renal, hematologic, and autoimmune systems, and the local anatomic changes, which include alteration of body habitus and pelvic ligaments. These changes are clearly advantageous, but in certain circumstances may predispose to pathology. In addition, pregnancy effects treatment of chronic neurologic conditions as regards medication safety and metabolism. This case-oriented review discusses the important aspects of pregnancy physiology and an approach to treatment of common disorders encountered during pregnancy including stroke, multiple sclerosis, epilepsy, and compression neuropathies.
The lipolysis pathway sustains normal and transformed stem cells in adult Drosophila

Cancer stem cells (CSCs) may be responsible for tumour dormancy, relapse and the eventual death of most cancer patients. In addition, these cells are usually resistant to cytotoxic conditions. However, very little is known about the biology behind this resistance to therapeutics. Here we investigated stem-cell death in the digestive system of adult Drosophila melanogaster. We found that knockdown of the coat protein complex I (COPI)-Arf79F (also known as Arf1) complex selectively killed normal and transformed stem cells through necrosis, by attenuating the lipolysis pathway, but spared differentiated cells. The dying stem cells were engulfed by neighbouring differentiated cells through a draper-myoblast city-Rac1-basket (also known as JNK)-dependent autophagy pathway. Furthermore, Arf1 inhibitors reduced CSCs in human cancer cell lines. Thus, normal or cancer stem cells may rely primarily on lipid reserves for energy, in such a way that blocking lipolysis starves them to death. This finding may lead to new therapies that could help to eliminate CSCs in human cancers.
Mediators of Outcome in Complicated Grief Treatment

Objective In this study, we examined the mechanisms of action of complicated grief treatment (CGT), an efficacious psychotherapy for complicated grief. Method We explored 3 putative mediators (guilt/self-blame related to the deceased, negative thoughts about the future, and avoidance) among treatment completers assigned to either CGT (n = 35) or interpersonal psychotherapy (n = 34) in a previously reported randomized controlled trial. Antidepressant use was examined as a moderator of mediation effects. Results A reduction in guilt/self-blame, negative thoughts about the future, and avoidance behavior each mediated the relationship between treatment group and complicated grief outcomes. Reduction in avoidance emerged as an independent mediator after controlling for all mediators. Conclusion Reducing avoidance of situations and emotions connected to the loss seems to be a key mechanism of change in CGT. Revising counterfactual thinking around troubling aspects of the death may also play a role in facilitating effective adaptation to loss.
Wildfire and exotic grass invasion alter plant productivity in response to climate variability in the Mojave Desert

Annual grass invasions often increase the frequency and extent of wildfire. Climate variability and fire history may have modifying effects on invasion success and its link to changing fire regimes. Characterize the role of climate variability and fire history in vegetation shifts of an invaded desert landscape. Pre- and post-fire landscape vegetation greenness were assessed on multiple, independent wildfires in Mojave Desert shrublands using a 34 year record of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) derived from 1685 Landsat images and matched with a record of precipitation using linear regression. Annual maximum NDVI, and its annual variance of monthly maximum values, were significantly higher on post-fire than pre-fire landscapes. Additionally, post-fire landscapes showed greater sensitivity to antecedent precipitation received the previous 4 months than pre-fire and unburned landscapes. Ground surveys of vegetation indicate that post-fire landscapes show little indication of recovery of native shrub cover and density but instead are dominated by the exotic grass red brome (Bromus rubens L.). Increased NDVI sensitivity to precipitation is likely related to the growth of red brome, which dominates burned landscapes. Record precipitation in the fall of 2004 contributed to the record NDVI values in 2005 likely driven by high density of red brome. The heightened response of post-fire vegetation to extreme and more variable precipitation events appears to be contributing to the emergence of an invasive grass-fire cycle that constrains the re-establishment of fire sensitive native shrubs while reinforcing the dominance of exotic grasses.
Defective Acetylcholine Receptor Subunit Switch Precedes Atrophy of Slow-Twitch Skeletal Muscle Fibers Lacking ERK1/2 Kinases in Soleus Muscle.

To test the role of extracellular-signal regulated kinases 1 and 2 (ERK1/2) in slow-twitch, type 1 skeletal muscle fibers, we studied the soleus muscle in mice genetically deficient for myofiber ERK1/2. Young adult mutant soleus was drastically wasted, with highly atrophied type 1 fibers, denervation at most synaptic sites, induction of "fetal" acetylcholine receptor gamma subunit (AChRγ), reduction of "adult" AChRe, and impaired mitochondrial biogenesis and function. In weanlings, fiber morphology and mitochondrial markers were mostly normal, yet AChRγ upregulation and AChRe downregulation were observed. Synaptic sites with fetal AChRs in weanling muscle were ~3% in control and ~40% in mutants, with most of the latter on type 1 fibers. These results suggest that: (1) ERK1/2 are critical for slow-twitch fiber growth; (2) a defective γ/e-AChR subunit switch, preferentially at synapses on slow fibers, precedes wasting of mutant soleus; (3) denervation is likely to drive this wasting, and (4) the neuromuscular synapse is a primary subcellular target for muscle ERK1/2 function in vivo.
WP1066: A Novel PI-3K Inhibitor with Antileukemic Activity in Philadelphia Chromosome-Positive ALL.

Prognosis for patients with Philadelphia chromosome (Ph) positive ALL remains dismal. Ph+ ALL is characterized by the activation of several tyrosine kinases that provide the neoplastic clone with its proliferative capacity and survival advantage. We found that WP1066, a novel derivative of the tyrphostin AG490, inhibits the JAK-STAT pathway and cytokine-dependent and independent signaling pathways. Therefore, we sought to investigate the activity of WP1066 in Ph+ ALL. To do this, we first studied the effect of WP1066 on the Ph+ ALL cell lines Z-119 and Z-181 (Estrov Z et al. J. Cell Physiol.166(3):18, 1996). Using the MTT assay we found that WP1066 inhibited the growth of both Z-119 and Z-181 cells in a concentration-dependent manner with only 8% and 4% of the cells surviving at a concentration of 4 mM, respectively. Similarly, the clonogenic growth of both Z-119 and Z-181 cells was effectively inhibited by WP1066 with more than 90% reduction in colony numbers at concentration of 4 mM. Using Western Immunoblott analysis of cell lysates, we found that 4 mM of WP1066 induced caspase-3 cleavage in a time- and dose-dependent manner in both Z-119 and Z-181 cells. In addition, WP-1066 downregulated uncleaved poly (adenosine diphosphate-ribose) polymerase (PARP) and upregulated cleaved PARP protein levels in a time-dependent manner after 2 hours of exposure to 4 mM. We further evaluated induction of apoptosis using the annexin V-FITC assay and showed a dose dependent increase of the fraction of apoptotic cells in both Z-119 and Z-181 cells. After 24 hour of exposure to 4 mM of WP1066 the fraction of apoptotic cells increased by 23% and 43%, respectively. To elucidate the mechanisms by which WP1066 induces growth inhibition and apoptosis in Ph+ ALL cells, we investigated the effect of this agent on the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI-3K) pathway because the PI-3K pathway is constitutively activated in Ph+ leukemias. We found that WP1066 inhibited the phosphorylation of AKT in a time-dependent fashion in both cell lines and that this inhibitory effect lasted for 24 hours. In conclusion, our data suggest that exposure to WP1066 induces caspase-dependent apoptosis, is associated with PI3-K inhibition and reduces the growth of the Ph+ cell lines Z-119 and Z-181. The activity of WP1066 in Ph+ ALL should be further studied.
A Study of National Farm Loan Associations in the Fourth Federal Land Bank District

National farm loan associations are the locally owned and locally managed farmers' cooperative credit organizations through which federal land bank loans are made to farmers. There are over 5,000 associations serving the more than 600,000 federal land bank borrowers in the entire United States. There are 489 associations in the Fourth Federal Land Bank District, comprising the four states of Ohio, Indiana, Kentucky and Tennessee. These associations have endorsed and become liable for the payment of all loans made by the federal land bank to their members. The ultimate security back of such endorsement is the capital stock of the associations, subscribed by borrowers in an amount equal to five percent of their loans.
Dimension-5 CP -odd operators: QCD mixing and renormalization

We study the off-shell mixing and renormalization of flavor-diagonal dimension-five $T$- and $P$-odd operators involving quarks, gluons, and photons, including quark electric dipole and chromoelectric dipole operators. We present the renormalization matrix to one loop in the $\overline{\mathrm{MS}}$ scheme. We also provide a definition of the quark chromoelectric dipole operator in a regularization-independent momentum-subtraction scheme suitable for nonperturbative lattice calculations and present the matching coefficients with the $\overline{\mathrm{MS}}$ scheme to one loop in perturbation theory, using both the na\"{\i}ve dimensional regularization and 't Hooft--Veltman prescriptions for ${\ensuremath{\gamma}}_{5}$.
Chronic inhibition of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A2 does not improve coronary endothelial function: A prospective, randomized-controlled trial

Abstract Aims Lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A 2 (Lp-PLA 2 ), a novel biomarker for vascular inflammation, is associated with coronary endothelial dysfunction (CED) and independently predicts cardiovascular events. The current study aimed to determine whether darapladib, an orally administered Lp-PLA 2 inhibitor, improved CED. Methods and results Fifty-four patients with CED were enrolled in a double-blinded randomized placebo-controlled trial, and were randomized to receive oral darapladib, 160mg daily, or placebo. Coronary angiography and invasive coronary endothelial function assessment were performed at baseline and post-6months of treatment. Primary endpoints were change in coronary artery diameter and coronary blood flow in response to acetylcholine. Additionally, Lp-PLA 2 activity was measured at baseline and on follow-up to evaluate for adherence and drug effect. Fifty-four patients were randomized to placebo ( n =29) and darapladib ( n =25). Mean age in darapladib group was 55.2.±11.7years vs. 54.0±10.5years ( p =0.11). On follow-up, there was no significant difference in the percent response to acetylcholine of coronary artery diameter in treatment vs. placebo group (+3 (IQR −9, 15) vs. +3 (−12, 19); p =0.87) or coronary blood flow (−5 (IQR −24, 54) vs. 39 (IQR −26, 67); p =0.41). There was significant reduction in Lp-PLA 2 activity in the treatment arm vs. placebo (−76 (IQR −113, −52) vs. −7(−21, −7); p Discussion Lp-PLA 2 inhibition with darapladib did not improve coronary endothelial function, despite significantly reduced Lp-PLA2 activity with darapladib. This study suggests endogenous Lp-PLA 2 may not play a primary role in coronary endothelial function in humans. Clinicaltrials.gov Identifier NCT01067339
Founding logics, technology validation, and the path to commercialization:

Considerable research has demonstrated that small- and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) who obtain institutionalized third-party endorsements experience higher performance. In this study, we develop...
Clinicopathologic score predicting lymph node metastasis in T1 gastric cancer.

Abstract Background Although gastrectomy with adequate regional nodal examination is considered the standard of care for invasive gastric adenocarcinoma, endoscopic resection has been adopted increasingly in select patients with T1 gastric cancer. The objective of this study was to identify preoperative predictors of lymph node metastasis in patients in the United States with T1 gastric cancer. Methods Patients who underwent operative resection for T1 gastric cancer between 2000 and 2012 were identified from a multi-institutional database. Clinicopathologic predictors of lymph node metastasis were determined using univariate and multivariate logistic regression. A preoperative score was created, assigning points based on each variable's regression coefficient. Results Among 835 patients with gastric cancer undergoing curative-intent surgical resection, 176 patients (20.5%) had T1 disease confirmed on final pathology. Of those, 38 patients (22%) had lymph node metastasis. Independent predictors of lymph node involvement on multivariate analysis were poor differentiation, T1b stage, lymphovascular invasion, and tumor size >2 cm. A clinicopathologic risk score composed of these 4 variables was created. Receiver operating curve analysis showed excellent discrimination (area under the curve = 0.79) and 100% sensitivity in detecting lymph node metastasis when only one of the aforementioned factors was present. Conclusions In this cohort of U.S. patients with T1 gastric adenocarcinoma, the lack of lymph node involvement could be predicted by the absence of several unfavorable factors, including T stage, poor differentiation, lymphovascular invasion, and size >2 cm.
The Sex-Determining Region Y-Box 4 and Homeobox C6 Transcriptional Networks in Prostate Cancer Progression: Crosstalk with the Wnt, Notch, and PI3K Pathways

The transforming growth factor β, Hedgehog, Notch, and Wnt signaling pathways all play critical roles in the development and progression of prostate cancer. It is becoming increasingly apparent that these pathways may intersect with developmentally important transcription factors such as the sex-determining region Y-box 4 (SOX4), homeobox C6, enhancer of zeste 2, and ETS-related gene, which are up-regulated in prostate cancers. For example, identification of the downstream targets of SOX4 and homeobox C6 suggests that these factors may cooperate to activate the Notch pathway and the PI3K/AKT pathway, possibly in response to Wnt signals. PI3K/AKT activation likely occurs indirectly via up-regulation of growth factor receptors, while Notch activation is secondary to up-regulation of Notch pathway components. In addition, SOX4 may affect terminal differentiation via regulation of other transcription factors such as NKX3.1 and MLL, and regulation of components of the microRNA pathway such as Dicer and Argonaute 1. The evidence supporting activation of these pathways in prostate cancer progression suggests that combinations of compounds targeting them may be of benefit to patients with aggressive, metastatic disease.
The Effect of the Culture Vessel on Micropropagation

The natural conditions under which plant growth occurs allow for the dissipation of secondary products into the soil or atmosphere. Tissue culture systems lack an effective method of secondary product disposal. The use of enclosed containers to prevent microbial contamination and to retard desiccation interrupts the flow of secondary products away from the developing plant. This interruption can have a variety of consequences, both harmful and beneficial, depending on the type of tissue being cultured, the species, and the culture vessel type. The type of vessel used in micropropagation and the type of closure employed have been shown to have a variety of effects on culture growth and development.
Electric-Pulse-Induced Permeabilization and Molecular Transport through Porcine Skin Using Surface Electrodes

The main barrier to the success of transdermal delivery is the impermeability of the stratum corneum (SC), the outermost layer of the skin.1,2 The SC is a 10 to 15 µm thick band composed of several layers of dead, flattened, dehydrated keratinocytes which, with their surrounding multilamellar lipids, provide the primary protective barrier of the skin. If the integrity of the SC is disrupted, the barrier to molecular transport is greatly reduced. Disruption of the SC can be achieved by electroporation (the creation of penetration sites by an electric field). If an electric field is imposed across the skin, most of the potential drop develops across the resistive SC3, where a breakdown is likely to occur when the imposed electric field rises beyond a certain critical strength. Cell membranes may be reversibly broken down by 30 psec pulses at about 0.8V of imposed transmembrane potential4, and membranes of cells in a centrifuged pellet break down at about 1V of imposed transmembrane potential5. Since the SC is equivalent to about 100 membrane layers6 we may expect that electroporation may occur at an imposed potential difference of about 100 volts.
Distractibility in the mentally retarded: negative evidence for an orienting inadequacy.

Three studies are described in which the orienting behavior of normal and mentally retarded children is investigated under a variety of conditions. An initial study found that, in many cases, the n...
The Metaphysics of Volition

This chapter explores volition as critical to our experience of a selfhood that defies identity construction. The chapter uses Husserl to suggest the fallacy of associating the contents of consciousness with a description of consciousness. It then investigates poetics of Rachel Zucker and Samuel Coleridge to suggest that critical to poetry’s breed of imaginative process is an implicit volitional contribution of subjectivity. Also useful here is Keats’ notion of “soul-making” as key to the poetic process and, more largely, the path of greater insight and more intimate participation in the nature of the “real.” Dan Beachy-Quick’s poem “Portrait” provides a more contemporary take on what it is to “make” a self and how the metaphor suggests two selves: maker and the made.
Erratum for Kumar et al., "Indole Signaling at the Host-Microbiota-Pathogen Interface".

Volume 10, no. 3, e01031-19, 2019, [https://doi.org/10.1128/mBio.01031-19][1]. The wild-type (WT) control group represented in Fig. 5D for the expression of cpxR was inadvertently duplicated from WT controls of espA from Fig. 5C. [Figure 5D][2] is corrected below. The changes do not affect any of