cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 681: Methylation biomarkers of cellular response to demethylating drug

DNA methylation plays an import role in both tumorigenesis and therapy resistance. Demethylating drug regimens have shown efficacy in hematological malignancies, and are actively studied for other cancer types. High variability in patients’ responses to these drugs has been observed and highlights the demand to identify predictive biomarkers for these demethylating drugs. In particular, decitabine (latest FDA-approved demethylating drug) demonstrated as the most potent agent and has the best response on hematological cell lines. Two public datasets were collected to identify methylation biomarkers of decitabine. The first one is from Genomics of Drug Sensitivity in Cancer, with methylation data from Illumina 450K array and drug response from cell lines. The other one is a publicly available patient dataset (methylations from RRBS sequencing and decitabine response from clinic). 64900 CpG sites common to the two methylation platforms were used to train machine learning model (Elastic Net), based on the methylation data and decitabine response (AUC) from 108 hematological cell lines in GDSC. 73 CpGs were identified as predictive biomarkers by Elastic Net. The trained model was then used to make predictions on 39 patients (20 responders and 19 non-responders) with their methylation profiles of the same set of CpGs. The predicted response of responder group is indeed better than non-responder group (p-value = 0.0501), indicating the validity of identified methylation biomarkers. The top one CpG identified by Elastic Net resides in the promoter region of gene C20orf85, and is significantly hypermethylated in non-responder group (p-value = 0.0458), suggesting its potential involvement in the resistance to decitabine. Citation Format: Xuewei Wang, Jean-Pierre Kocher, Zhifu Sun. Methylation biomarkers of cellular response to demethylating drug [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2019; 2019 Mar 29-Apr 3; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 681.
Recurrence of Minimal Change Disease Following a Motor Vehicle Trauma: An Atypical Cause and Review of Literature

Minimal change disease (MCD) in children has a favorable long-term prognosis, and development of end-stage renal disease is very uncommon; less than 5%. In the first case of its kind, we report a 21-year-old female with a history of MCD at the age of 6, who had late relapse subsequent to a motorcycle accident resulting in a de-gloving skin injury and intensive care unit admission. MCD was confirmed by normal light microscopy, podocyte effacement on electron microscopy and absence of any deposits on immunofluorescence 3 weeks after the incident due to critical illness. It is postulated that the skin injury is what caused the relapse of MCD.
From Carnegie Mellon to Berkshire Grey

When I first joined Carnegie Mellon in 1982, a mentor (Allen Newell) said that he had simplified his intellectual life by avoiding entanglements with industry. I found that idea appealing, and followed that model for over 30 years. It wasn’t too difficult, because of my innate skepticism toward most visions of the next commercial robotics revolution. That all changed in the course of a two-hour meeting with Tom Wagner, when he laid out his vision of a robotic transformation of materials handling, and a company (Berkshire Grey) that could make it happen. Berkshire Grey emerged from stealth mode several months ago, so that I can now talk about Wagner’s vision, Berkshire Grey’s accomplishments, and the interaction of academia and industry.
Associations between breastfeeding duration and overweight/obese among children aged 5–10: a focus on racial/ethnic disparities in California

Research on the association between breastfeeding and childhood obesity and research on racial/ethnic differences in breastfeeding both show inconsistencies. The current study examines: 1) whether immigrant Hispanic women have higher rates of breastfeeding compared to non-Hispanic (three separate groups: African-American, Asian/Pacific Islander, and White) and U.S.-born Hispanic women; 2) whether children who were breastfed are less likely to be overweight/obese compared to children who were not breastfed; and 3) whether associations between breastfeeding and weight status vary by race/ethnicity/nativity. The study builds on prior literature using representative data from the Geographic Research On Wellbeing study (GROW, 2012-2013) and focusing on ages 5-10 years, an age group that has not been well studied (N = 2675 mother/child dyads). Logistic regression was used to investigate the odds of child obesity (≥95th%) and child overweight (≥85th%) in a series of models: unadjusted (each variable individually), demographic (child's sex, child's age, mother's age, mother's race/ethnicity, and mother's marital status), socioeconomic status (mother's education and family income), and full model (mother's BMI); with breastfeeding included in all models. Interactions between race/ethnicity and breastfeeding duration were also examined. African-American (9.54%) and white (32.8%) women had the lowest and highest rates of ever breastfeeding, respectively. White women breastfed the longest (M = 10.52 months, SE = 0.028) and U.S.-born Hispanic women breastfed the shortest (M = 7.05 months, SE = 0.41), on average. Children of African-American and U.S.-born Hispanic mothers had higher odds of being overweight/obese (74-75%) compared with children of white mothers. No associations were found between breastfeeding duration and child's weight status in adjusted models, nor was there a significant interaction between mother's race/ethnicity and breastfeeding duration on child's weight status; however, mother's own weight status was a significant driver of child's weight status and explained the racial/ethnic disparities. These results provide evidence in favor of there being no association between breastfeeding and childhood obesity.
A Deep Learning-Based Method for Cutting Parameter Optimization for Band Saw Machine

In the rough machining stage, band saw machines are widely used to cut various raw materials into the required dimensions. The replacement of blade due to the blade degradation accounts for a large part of the total cost of band saw machine users. Therefore, mitigating the blade degradation by dynamically optimizing the cutting parameters can produce great economic benefits and is also a good exploration for smart manufacturing. To achieve this goal, the Convolutional Neural Network (CNN) model is proposed to map the complicated relationship between the cutting parameters and blade degradation. Then a simulation technique is used to search the optimal cutting parameters based on the blade degradation estimation from the model output, which would help alleviate the blade degradation. The proposed optimization method is validated on the data collected during the real manufacturing process of band saw machines. The comparative results demonstrate that the obtained optimal cutting parameters can effectively extend the service life of the blade for a band saw machine.
Branching and Anchoring: Complementary Asset Configurations in Conditions of Knightian Uncertainty

The role of complementary assets across the different stages of a firm’s value chain in facilitating value creation and value appropriation from technological innovation remains a key area of inter...
Linking Health And Social Services Through Area Agencies On Aging Is Associated With Lower Health Care Use And Spending

Area Agencies on Aging are increasingly partnering with health care organizations to address the health-related social needs of older adults and contribute to multisector coalitions that promote co...
Asymmetries of reading eye movements in simulated central vision loss

Patients with central vision loss are forced to use an eccentric retinal location as a substitute for the fovea, called a preferred retinal locus, or PRL. Clinical studies have shown that patients habitually choose a PRL located either to the left, and/or below the scotoma in the visual field. The position to the right of the scotoma is almost never chosen, even though this would be theoretically more suitable for reading, since the scotoma no longer blocks the upcoming text. In the current study, we tested whether this asymmetry may have an oculomotor basis. Six normally sighted subjects viewed page-like text with a simulated scotoma, identifying embedded numbers in "words" comprising random letters. Subjects trained and tested with three different artificial PRL ("pseudo-PRL," or pPRL) locations: inferior, to the right, or to the left of the scotoma. After several training blocks for each pPRL position, subjects were found to produce reliable oculomotor control. Both reading speed and eye movement characteristics reproduced observations from traditional paradigms such as page-mode reading and RSVP for an advantage for an inferior pPRL. While left and right positions resulted in similar reading speeds, we observed that a right pPRL caused excessively large saccades and more direction switches, exhibiting a zig-zag pattern that developed spontaneously. Thus, we propose that patients' typical avoidance of pPRL positions to the right of their scotoma could have an oculomotor component: the erratic eye motion might potentially negate the perceptual benefit that this pPRL would offer.
Impact of Electronic and Steric Changes of Ligands on the Assembly, Stability, and Redox Activity of Cu4(μ4-S) Model Compounds of the CuZ Active Site of Nitrous Oxide Reductase (N2OR)

Model compounds have been widely utilized in understanding the structure and function of the unusual Cu4(μ4-S) active site (CuZ) of nitrous oxide reductase (N2OR). However, only a limited number of...
Barriers to and recommendations for take-home naloxone distribution: perspectives from opioid treatment programs in New Mexico.

Naloxone is a safe and effective medication to help reverse opioid overdose. Providing take-home naloxone to patients in opioid treatment settings is a critical step to reducing opioid overdose deaths. In New Mexico, a US state with one of the highest rates of opioid overdose deaths, legislation was passed in 2017 (House Bill 370) to support take-home naloxone, and followed by naloxone training of Opioid Treatment Program staff to increase distribution. Naloxone training was offered to all New Mexico Opioid Treatment Programs along with a baseline survey to assess current practices and barriers to take-home naloxone distribution. Focus groups were conducted approximately 1 year post-training with staff at a subset of the trained Opioid Treatment Programs to assess the impact of the legislation and training provided. Baseline survey results show most Opioid Treatment Program staff were unfamiliar with House Bill 370, reported conflicting understandings of their agency’s current take-home naloxone practices, and reported a number of barriers at the patient, agency, and policy level. Follow-up focus groups revealed support for House Bill 370 but persistent barriers to its implementation at the patient, agency, and policy level including patient receptivity, cost of naloxone, staff time, and prohibitive pharmacy board regulations. In spite of targeted legislation and training, provision of take-home naloxone at remained low. This is alarming given the need for this lifesaving medication among the Opioid Treatment Program patient population, and high opioid death rate in New Mexico. Locally, important next steps include clarifying regulatory guidelines and supporting policy/billing changes to offset costs to Opioid Treatment Programs. Globally, additional research is needed to identify the prevalence of take-home naloxone distribution in similar settings, common barriers, and best practices that can be shared to increase access to this vital lifesaving medication in this critical context.
Inhibition of Estrogen Sulfotransferase (SULT1E1/EST) Ameliorates Ischemic Acute Kidney Injury in Mice.

Background Studies have suggested that estrogens may protect mice from AKI. Estrogen sulfotransferase (SULT1E1, or EST) plays an important role in estrogen homeostasis by sulfonating and deactivating estrogens, but studies on the role of SULT1E1 in AKI are lacking. Methods We used the renal ischemia-reperfusion model to investigate the role of SULT1E1 in AKI. We subjected wild-type mice, Sult1e1 knockout mice, and Sult1e1 knockout mice with liver-specific reconstitution of SULT1E1 expression to bilateral renal ischemia-reperfusion or sham surgery, either in the absence or presence of gonadectomy. We assessed relevant biochemical, histologic, and gene expression markers of kidney injury. We also used wild-type mice treated with the SULT1E1 inhibitor triclosan to determine the effect of pharmacologic inhibition of SULT1E1 on AKI. Results AKI induced the expression of Sult1e1 in a tissue-specific and sex-specific manner. It induced expression of Sult1e1 in the liver in both male and female mice, but Sult1e1 induction in the kidney occurred only in male mice. Genetic knockout or pharmacologic inhibition of Sult1e1 protected mice of both sexes from AKI, independent of the presence of sex hormones. Instead, a gene profiling analysis indicated that the renoprotective effect was associated with increased vitamin D receptor signaling. Liver-specific transgenic reconstitution of SULT1E1 in Sult1e1 knockout mice abolished the protection in male mice but not in female mice, indicating that Sult1e1's effect on AKI was also tissue-specific and sex-specific. Conclusions SULT1E1 appears to have a novel function in the pathogenesis of AKI. Our findings suggest that inhibitors of SULT1E1 might have therapeutic utility in the clinical management of AKI.
Causality in curved spacetimes: The speed of light and gravity

Within the low-energy effective field theories of quantum electrodynamics and gravity, the low-energy speed of light or that of gravitational waves can typically be mildly superluminal in curved spacetimes. Related to this, small scattering time advances relative to the curved background can emerge from known effective field theory coefficients for photons or gravitons. We clarify why these results are not in contradiction with causality, analyticity or Lorentz invariance, and highlight various subtleties that arise when dealing with superluminalities and time advances in the gravitational context. Consistent low-energy effective theories are shown to self-protect by ensuring that any time advance and superluminality calculated within the regime of validity of the effective theory is necessarily unresolvable, and cannot be argued to lead to a macroscopically larger light cone. Such considerations are particularly relevant for putting constraints on cosmological and gravitational effective field theories and we provide explicit criteria to be satisfied so as to ensure causality.
Airway Management of the Obstetric Patient

The purpose of this article is to provide current evidence and review guidelines regarding obstetric airway management. Video laryngoscopy (VL) is gaining popularity in obstetric airway management as a primary technique and a rescue technique. Both humidified and high flow nasal cannula (HFNC) are being used for the obstetric difficult airway (DA). Continuing general anesthesia (GA) after successful supraglottic airway (SGA) placement requires awareness and proficiency with different SGAs and SGA-guided flexible bronchoscopic tracheal intubation (SGAFBI). Use of simulation during trainee education improves clinical performance and benefits management of obstetric DA. Difficult or failed airway during cesarean delivery under GA is higher due to pregnancy-related changes and the tense setting. All labor and delivery patients must undergo an airway evaluation. Pertinent resources, including equipment and personnel, must be readily available. Optimal positioning, preoxygenation, and apneic oxygenation help increase safe apnea time and lessen the rapid oxygen desaturation during rapid sequence induction and intubation. Tracheal extubation–related airway complications are the commonest cause of maternal morbidity/mortality following anesthesia.
Abstract 15635: Myocardial Function Index Predicts Mortality in Amyloid Light Chain Cardiomyopathy

Introduction: Cardiovascular disease remains the leading cause of morbidity and mortality in patients with amyloid light chain (AL) amyloidosis. Current prognostic evaluation in AL cardiomyopathy (...
A Compton Up-scattering Model for Soft Lags in the Lower Kilohertz QPO in 4U1608-52

An empirical Compton up-scattering model is described which reproduces both the fractional amplitude (RMS) vs. energy and the soft time lags in the 830 Hz QPO observed in 4U1608-52 on Mar. 3, 1996. A combination of two coherent variations in the coronal and soft photon temperatures (with their relative contributions determined by enforcing energy conservation) gives rise to the QPO's energy dependent characteristics. All input parameters to the model, save a characteristic plasma size and the fraction of Comptonized photons impinging on the soft photon source, are derived from the time-averaged photon energy spectrum of the same observation. Fits to the fractional RMS and phase lag data for this kilohertz QPO imply that the spatial extent of the plasma is in the range from 4 to 15 km.
Evaluation of novel combined CFRP-steel retrofit for repairing distortion-induced fatigue

Abstract Distortion-induced fatigue damage at crossframe-to girder connections affects many steel bridges built before the mid-1980s. This type of damage is associated with a prevalent detailing practice at the time which avoided welding connection plates to girder flanges to avoid fatigue cracks. The lack of connectivity and out-of-plane motion of the crossframe produce a flexible gap region in the girder web where fatigue cracks often develop, requiring frequent inspections, costly maintenance, and repairs. This paper presents a study evaluating the use of CFRP in conjunction with steel sections to repair complex patterns of distortion-induced fatigue cracks in steel bridge web gaps, without the need for bolting to the flange or concrete deck removal. A steel girder-to-crossframe subassembly was tested in distortion-induced fatigue to evaluate the performance of the retrofit measure. Realistic crack patterns were introduced by applying fatigue loading, and the efficacy of the repair method was evaluated by monitoring crack growth with the repair in place. Twelve test trials were performed: five in the unretrofitted condition to propagate the cracks, and seven in the retrofitted condition to evaluate performance of the repair. The study evaluated multiple crack patterns, different configurations of the retrofit, presence or absence of mechanical anchorage to the flange, footprint of the CFRP relative to the steel retrofit elements, and different surfaces connected by the CFRP. The results showed that the combined CFRP-steel retrofit measure was effective in preventing distortion-induced fatigue crack initiation and propagation.
Safe Exploration in Model-based Reinforcement Learning using Control Barrier Functions.

This paper studies the problem of developing an approximate dynamic programming (ADP) framework for learning online the value function of an infinite-horizon optimal problem while obeying safety constraints expressed as control barrier functions (CBFs). Our approach is facilitated by the development of a novel class of CBFs, termed Lyapunov-like CBFs (LCBFs), that retain the beneficial properties of CBFs for developing minimally-invasive safe control policies while also possessing desirable Lyapunov-like qualities such as positive semi-definiteness. We show how these LCBFs can be used to augment a learning-based control policy so as to guarantee safety and then leverage this approach to develop a safe exploration framework in a model-based reinforcement learning setting. We demonstrate that our developed approach can handle more general safety constraints than state-of-the-art safe ADP methods through a variety of numerical examples.
Multicopter Fault Detection and Identification via Data-Driven Statistical Learning Methods

This paper presents the introduction, investigation, and critical assessment of three data-driven methods for rotor failure detection and identification in a multicopter. These methods are based on...
Learning Bayesian network parameters under equivalence constraints

We propose a principled approach for learning parameters in Bayesian networks from incomplete datasets, where the examples of a dataset are subject to equivalence constraints. These equivalence constraints arise from datasets where examples are tied together, in that we may not know the value of a particular variable, but whatever that value is, we know it must be the same across different examples. We formalize the problem by defining the notion of a constrained dataset and a corresponding constrained likelihood that we seek to optimize. We further propose a new learning algorithm that can effectively learn more accurate Bayesian networks using equivalence constraints, which we demonstrate empirically. Moreover, we highlight how our general approach can be brought to bear on more specialized learning tasks, such as those in semi-supervised clustering and topic modeling, where more domain-specific approaches were previously developed.
Application of quantitative EEG analysis to workload assessment in an advanced aircraft simulator

A fully portable quantitative EEG assessment system was used to evaluate workload in an advanced technology aircraft simulator. Air refueling and landing approach tasks were each performed at two difficulty levels in 15 Air Force pilots. Averaged and trended EEG spectral data were compared in the 8-12 Hz band to identify functional requirements for increased workload within and between tasks. A progressive suppression of 8-12 Hz activity at medial and right parietal sites accompanied increased workload in the air refueling task, while a sustained suppression at right and left temporal sites was associated with increased workload in the landing task. These findings suggest a potential electrophysiological index for workload. They also identify specific and differential cortical responses to visual integration in air refueling and working memory in ILS approach as primary correlates of the cognitive requirements for these tasks in these subjects.
Models of calcium activation account for differences between skeletal and cardiac force redevelopment kinetics

To explain observed differences in the activation dependence of force redevelopment kinetics between cardiac and skeletal muscle, two numerical models of contractile regulation by Ca2+ were investigated. Ca2+ binding and force production were each modelled as two-state processes with forward and reverse rate constants taken from the literature. The first model incorporates four possible thin-filament states. In the second model Ca2+ is assumed not to dissociate from a thin-filament unit in the force-generating state, resulting in three states. The four-state model can account for the activation dependence of the rate constant of tension redevelopment (ktr) seen in skeletal muscle, without requiring that Ca2+ directly modulates the kinetics of any step in the cross-bridge cycle. Using identical kinetic parameters, the three-state model shows no activation dependence of ktr, consistent with our results in cardiac muscle. Following a step increase in [Ca2+], the rate of rise in tension (as described by the rate constant kCa) varies with the final [Ca2+] for both models, consistent with experimental results from skeletal and cardiac muscle. These numerical models demonstrate that experimental measurements thought to reveal changes in kinetic parameters may simply reflect coupling between the two kinetic processes of Ca2+ binding and force generation. Furthermore, the models present possible differences in the Ca2+ activation scheme between cardiac and skeletal muscle which can account for the contrasting activation dependencies of force redevelopment kinetics
Male Sex Determination: Genetics

The key event in male sex determination is the transmission of a Y chromosome from father to offspring. In the developing gonad, the sex-determining gene on the Y chromosome, SRY, triggers the expression of other genes that cause the gonad to develop as a testis. Hormones secreted by the developing testis influence the differentiation of male internal and external genitalia and other somatic features. Keywords: development; sexual differentiation; gonadal; chromosome; transcription factor
Comparing Spoken Language Route Instructions for Robots across Environment Representations

Spoken language interaction between humans and robots in natural environments will necessarily involve communication about space and distance. The current study examines people's close-range route instructions for robots and how the presentation format (schematic, virtual or natural) and the complexity of the route affect the content of instructions. We find that people have a general preference for providing metric-based instructions. At the same time, presentation format appears to have less impact on the formulation of these instructions. We conclude that understanding of spatial language requires handling both landmark-based and metric-based expressions.
Atomization problems in atomic absorption spectroscopy—II. Determination of degree of atomization in premixed flames

Abstract Methods of determining the atomization efficiencies for metals in laminar, premixed flames are critically discussed, and doubt is thrown on the assumption made by previous workers that the total concentration of metal in all its forms is uniform throughout the flame gases. The accuracy of the simple and convenient peak absorbance method of K oirtyohann and P ickett is shown to be limited by several factors, such as neglect of hyperfine structure and inadequate knowledge of the ratio of lorentz to doppler half-widths for most metals. The distribution of metal in all forms across the flame is found to depend to some extent on the individual metal, and this may cause errors in the determination of atomization efficiency values using a metal such as copper as a standard and assuming that its atomization efficiency is unity. Relative atomization efficiency values obtained in this way are compared with those of previous workers.
First principles predictions of van der Waals bonded inorganic crystal structures: Test case, HgCl2

We study the crystals structure and stability of four possible polymorphs of HgCl2 using first principles density functional theory. Mercury (II) halides are a unique class of materials which, depending on the halide species, form in a wide range of crystal structures, ranging from densely packed solids to layered materials and molecular solids. Predicting the groundstate structure of any member of this group from first principles, therefore, requires a general purpose functional that treats van der Waals bonding and covalent/ionic bonding adequately. Here, we demonstrate that the non-local van der Waals density functional paired with the C09 exchange functional meets this bar for HgCl2. In particular, this functional is able to predict the correct groundstate among the structures tested as well as having extremely good agreement with the experimentally known crystal structure. These results highlight the maturity of this functional and open the door to using this method for truly first principles crystal structure predictions.
Techniques for compiler-directed cache coherence

The performance of large scale shared memory multiprocessors can be greatly improved if they can cache remote shared data in the private caches of the processors. However, maintaining cache coherence for such systems remains a challenge. Although hardware directory schemes give good performance, they might be too complicated and expensive for large scale multiprocessors. The article provides a comprehensive guide of an alternative approach, called compiler directed cache coherence techniques. Compiler directed techniques maintain coherence of caches locally by individual processors, eliminating the need for directory hardware and interprocessor communication. We survey the state of the art software and hardware compiler directed techniques and discuss the basic concepts and issues. We also demonstrate the feasibility and performance of compiler directed cache coherence by presenting a case study of the Two Phase Invalidation scheme.
Comparison of personal exposure meter placement for the determination of office worker ELF magnetic field exposures.

This article compares extremely low frequency (ELF) magnetic field exposures measured by placing EMDEX Lite personal exposure meters (PEMs) at the head, chest, and waist level for a group of office workers. Twenty-three volunteers were solicited to wear three PEMs simultaneously; one was attached to a baseball cap worn on the head, one was attached to a band and worn around the neck (positioned on the chest), and one was worn in a belted pouch around the waist (positioned on the right side of the hip). The effect of PEM placement was evaluated by comparing full-shift average exposures and daily maximum or peak exposure. The results of this investigation indicate that time-weighted average magnetic field exposures determined at the hip provide the highest mean exposure estimates. Averages of the full-shift mean magnetic field measurements taken at hip and head levels were statistically greater than measurements taken at the chest level by 33 and 22%, respectively. Comparisons of the maximum or peak magneti...
An ABC Supported QoS Multicast Routing Scheme Based on Ant Algorithm

In this paper, a QoS multicast routing scheme with ABC (Always Best Connected) supported is proposed based on the ant algorithm. To deal with the inaccurate network status and the imprecise user QoS requirement, it uses the range to describe them, introduces the edge bandwidth pricing, the edge evaluation and the tree evaluation, and tries to find a QoS multicast tree with the Pareto optimum under the Nash equilibrium on both the network provider utility and the user utility achieved or approached.
Contributions of mesangial cells to glomerular immune functions.

Mesangial cells play an important role in the maintenance of the structure and function of the glomerulus. In addition mesangial cells are capable of macromolecular uptake, and generation of autocoids and cytokines. Our studies have explored the mechanism of IgG uptake by cultured rat mesangial cells. Mesangial cells were found to express Fc receptors for IgG as demonstrated by specific binding studies, indirect immunofluorescence microscopy, immunoblotting and Northern blot analysis. The number of Fc receptors for IgG on mesangial cells was upregulated by interferon gamma, cyclic AMP and monocyte-macrophage specific colony stimulating factor — CSF-1. In addition uptake of IgG complexes was acutely increased by angiotensin II and inhibited by cAMP. These latter effects are independent of receptor number, but are mediated by changes in the cytoskeleton. These observations may be of significance for hemodynamically independent effects of vasoactive agents on mesangial function. Finally we examined the potential of mesangial cells for generation of CSF-1. Cultured mesangial cells produced radioimmunoassayable CSF-1 and expressed mRNA for CSF-1. Interferon gamma stimulated, whereas cAMP and agents increasing cAMP, such as forskolin and PGE2, inhibited CSF-1 production. This was due to decreased transcription resulting in lower levels of mRNA for CSF-1. The interactions of CSF-1, other cytokines, prostaglandins and cAMP may be important in regulating immune-like functions of mesangial cells, and especially their response to immunecomplexes.
Distribution co-opetition and multi-level inventory management performance: An industry analysis and simulation

Abstract Research notes supply chains where competitors selling the same types of products at the same level of the supply chain may work together to achieve superior profits, using the term “co-opetition” to describe the phenomenon. Using a co-opetitive supply chain design in the bearing and power transmission industry as a practical guide, we develop a multi-level simulation to compare the effects of serial versus a co-opetitive supply chain design on inventory management, order fulfillment, and cost performance. Specifically, we examine supply chain network membership, product demand volatility, and in-transit shipping consolidation effects in our model. This research aims to (1) quantify the performance benefits to be expected from co-opetition and (2) examine the structural conditions present that may enable these co-opetitive networks to achieve value-added inventory cost and delivery performance. We find that the co-opetitive distribution strategies can significantly improve inventory management performance when supply chains have a larger number of competing products, manufacturer׳s product freight-billing allows for in-transit shipping, and supply networks have a longer reach.
The impact of the Jonglei Canal on the economy of the local people

SUMMARY The idea of saving the water lost in the ‘Sudd’ swamp through evaporation was conceived by Egypt and Sudan for their own interests, but not for those of the Nilotic peoples living in the flood plain. Concern for the local development was only taken into consideration after the 1974 Juba riots, when three people were killed and 200 arrested. The canal has caused displacement of people from their settlements and is blocking the seasonal movement of livestock and wildlife. Conflict may arise over the use of land for grazing or irrigation. The Nilotics are concerned about the possible negative environmental impact, and the loss of their cultural identity. They maintain that Egypt should pay them monetary compensation for the disruption that the canal has caused to their livelihood. This paper assesses the impact that the Jonglei canal project will have on the economy of the Nilotics; traces the historical development of the project; outlines the social, political and economic organization of the Nilot...
Application of Traditional and Phylogenetically Based Comparative Methods to Test for a Trade-off in Bacterial Growth Rate at Low versus High Substrate Concentration.

It is often hypothesized that those organisms that are superior competitors for sparse resources fare poorly in competition for abundant resources, and vice versa. If there is indeed such a systematic trade-off, then this has important implications for the choice of bacterial strains in bioremediation and other applications. We studied seven bacterial strains that can grow on either 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetate (2,4-D) or succinate as a sole source of carbon. Growth rates were measured on each substrate at both low (5 μg/ml) and high (500 μg/ml) concentrations. We used two different methods to test the significance of correlations among growth rates, a traditional method that treats each strain as an independent observation and a newer method that takes into account phylogenetic relationships between strains, thereby avoiding spurious correlations caused by a lack of statistical independence of strains. In both 2,4-D and succinate, we observed significant positive correlations between growth rates measured at high and low substrate concentrations by the traditional comparative method. No significant correlations were detected after adjusting for the phylogenetic relationships among the strains. In neither case did we observe the negative correlation expected from a trade-off between growth rates at high and low substrate levels.
Public Administration at the Founding

Alexander Hamilton was one of the brightest and most prolific authors of public essays dur ing the founding era. Remarkably, he was also one of the youngest, penning his first influential essay, "A Full Vindication of the Measures of Congress," at age 19. During his short life (1755-1804), he would go on to publish, mostly under pseudonyms (the fashion in public life at that time), hundreds of letters, political tracts, and essays with astounding rapidity and brilliant rhetorical power. His archrival, Thomas Jefferson, would later refer to him as "a mighty host" who almost single-handedly quelled his opposition with both stunning prose and oratory. Hamilton is, of course, most commonly remembered as one of the chief authors (with James Madison and John Jay) of the Federalist Papers, drafted during the New York ratifying convention in an effort to persuade a crowd of contentious delegates into backing the newly proposed constitution. While justly famous for this effort, Hamilton's many other writings now constitute a largely ignored tour de force in political, legal, and administrative thought. That is unfortunate, especially for students of public administration, because Hamilton attended more than any other founding father to the need for competent administration tai lored to republican ideals. His voluminous writings are well worth exploring for administrative insight.
Percutaneous renal biopsy complicated by renal capsular artery pseudoaneurysm

We report a case of renal capsular artery pseudoaneurysm caused by percutaneous renal biopsy. The injury was diagnosed and treated with arteriography and transarterial embolization. Because the arterial injury was extraparenchymal, the clinical manifestations of blood loss were flank pain and decreasing hematocrit without hematuria. Injury to renal capsular arteries during percutaneous renal biopsy is a rare possibility because of their small size.
Relationship between plasma resistin concentrations, inflammatory chemokines, and components of the metabolic syndrome in adults

Recent data suggest that resistin, an adipocyte-derived cytokine, has a putative role in inflammatory processes and metabolic derangements. In vitro data suggest that resistin stimulates the production of inflammatory chemokines, yet the relationship in vivo is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to determine if a relationship exists between plasma resistin concentrations, plasma inflammatory chemokine aged concentrations (ie, monocyte chemoattractant protein 1 [MCP-1] and epithelial neutrophil activator 78 [ENA-78]), and components of the metabolic syndrome in nondiabetic subjects without known cardiovascular disease (CVD). Plasma samples were obtained from nondiabetic subjects (N = 123) aged 18 to 55 years without known CVD or CVD risk equivalents. The presence of the metabolic syndrome was assessed using consensus guidelines. Fasting plasma resistin, MCP-1, ENA-78, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) concentrations were analyzed. The study population consisted of 67.5% women and 68.3% Caucasians (mean age = 44 +/- 7 years and mean body mass index = 33.3 +/- 6 kg/m(2)). The metabolic syndrome was present in 46.3% of study participants. Resistin concentrations were significantly correlated with white blood cell count (r = 0.326, P < .001), hs-CRP concentrations (r = 0.293, P = .005), MCP-1 concentrations (r = 0.251, P = .005), body mass index (r = 0.193, P = .033), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (r = -0.182, P = .044). Resistin concentrations were 1.21 times higher in subjects with the metabolic syndrome compared with those without the metabolic syndrome (P = .003). In stepwise regression analysis, white blood cell count (P < .001) and MCP-1 concentrations (P = .002) were significantly associated with resistin concentrations, independent of hs-CRP, sex, body mass index, presence of the metabolic syndrome, and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. Data from our cross-sectional study demonstrate that plasma resistin concentrations are associated with circulating chemokine markers of inflammation, namely, MCP-1, and white blood cell count in nondiabetic adults without CVD. Future studies examining the causal relationship between plasma resistin concentrations, chemokine markers of inflammation, CVD, and diabetes are warranted.
Removal of Potassium Negative Resistance in Perfused Squid Giant Axons

Squid giant axons, internally and externally perfused with solutions having potassium as the only cation, exhibit an approximately linear steady-state current-voltage relation. When small amounts of calcium and magnesium are present in the external potassium solution, the current-voltage curve is markedly nonlinear, exhibiting the rectification and negative resistance which have been observed for intact axons in isosmotic potassium solutions. The effects of perfusion and removal of external divalent cations are interpreted in terms of two components of current, a linear component and a nonlinear time-varying component. The former is increased and the latter diminished by the removal of the external divalent cations.
Cognition, consciousness, and the cognitive revolution

It is argued that the cognitive revolution provided general support for the view that associative learning requires cognitive processing, but only limited support for the view that it requires conscious processing. The point is illustrated by two studies of associative learning that played an important role in the development of the cognitive revolution, but which are surprisingly neglected by Mitchell et al. in the target article.
Reflectionless Herglotz Functions and Jacobi Matrices

We study several related aspects of reflectionless Jacobi matrices. First, we discuss the singular part of the corresponding spectral measures. We then show how to identify sets on which measures are reflectionless by looking at the logarithmic potentials of these measures.
Tc-99m-polyphosphate bone imaging of orthodontically treated dog teeth

A number of bone lesions are detectable by means of skeletal imaging with injected, short-lived, bone-seeking radiopharmaceuticals. These include osteonecrosis,l> 2 osteoarthritis,3 infectious spondylitis,4 primary5 and metastaticj tumors, fractures,? and osteomyelitis. s High concentrations of radioactivity in surrounding areas of new bone formation *, 5* o facilitate the localization of a lesion with externally placed radiation-measuring devices. Since the method is sensitive to small changes in the rates of local bone formation in the early stages of disease, it can often detect skeletal lesions before they are recognizable on radiographs. This clinical tool, therefore, provides diagnostic information of a metabolic or functional nature. In the present study we have attempted to apply this nondestructive method to a study of metabolic events in alveolar bone supporting orthodontically treated teeth in dogs. The objectives of the study were to determine whether bone-seeking radionuclide methods could (1) provide longitudinal metabolic information through repeated measurements of the same animal, (2) distinguish the effects of orthodontic and orthopedic forces of different magnitudes, and (3) measure separately the metabolic events occurring in areas of pressure and tension. In addition, two different radiation-detection systems were used for the collection of data, and their usefulness as research tools in dentistry was evaluated and compared.
An end-value theory of charismatic influence

The end-value theory of charismatic influence is premised on the existence of two basic types of values which underlie and primarily determine all influence relations. Charismatic and transactional influence relations are defined by these value types. A values typology is proposed as a general framework for analysis of influence relations, leadership, and related constructs. Predictive models, both primary and extended, are derived and specified. Implications for testing the models, for the study of a set of related constructs, and for management practice are discussed.
A general formulation of the life table

Abstract A description of the life table in a general form is presented. The underlying probability structure is taken to be that of a discontinuous Markov process. The computational formulas for the various life-table functions are given. Other possible formulations of the general life table are also outlined. A discussion of the limitations and possible biases in various formulations is included.
Death certificates provide an adequate source of cause of death information when evaluating lung cancer mortality: an example from the Mayo Lung Project

To assess the accuracy of death certificates in assigning lung cancer as the underlying cause of death, death certificate data were compared to mortality review committee-determined causes of death among participants in the Mayo Lung Project. Further, the impact of death certificate misclassification on lung cancer mortality rates and Cox proportional hazards models was evaluated. The Mayo Lung Project (1971-1983) was a randomized controlled trial of lung cancer screening; participants were male smokers aged 45 years and older who were seen as outpatients at the Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota. Overall there were 237 lung cancer deaths according to mortality review, and 224 according to the death certificate (sensitivity 88.6 percent, 95 percent confidence interval (CI) 83.9, 92.4; specificity 99.1 percent, 95 percent CI 98.6, 99.5). As compared to the mortality review committee's determination, the use of death certificate data resulted only in slight decreases to the calculated lung cancer mortality rates for each screening arm, and did not result in appreciable changes to hazard ratios for lung cancer mortality in Cox regression models. In these data, death certificates were sufficiently sensitive and specific such that their use did not result in a meaningful change to mortality-based outcomes.
Lowest Barometric Pressure Compatible with Life in an Atmosphere of 100 Per Gent Oxygen

SummaryTwo groups of male rats were subjected to a progressive reduction in barometric pressure while in an atmosphere of pure oxygen in order to discover the pressure at which respiratory failure occurred. The first group gave an average value of 65 mm Hg with variations between 60 and 75 mm Hg, and the second group, allowed to hyperventilate for an additional 20 minutes, gave an average value of 60 mm Hg with variations between 50 and 70 mm Hg. The difference between the two groups shows that the additional hyperventilation had a slight effect on reducing the atmospheric pressure at which respiratory failure occurred in this experiment. These results indicate that the partial pressures of carbon dioxide and water vapor fall lower than previously assumed and therefore life is possible at a higher altitude in the presence of pure oxygen than heretofore believed.
A passive laser-trimming technique to improve D/A linearity

A technique for laser-trimming a 10-bit monolithic D/A converter, will be reported. Resistor mismatches in the diffused R-2R ladder can be compensated by passively cutting links to avoid many laser-trimming problems.
Fifty Years In Space - A Report Card

For forty-five of the fifty years that the United States has been active in space, the author of this paper has been an active and involved observer. This paper discusses the author's assessment of what has been positive, and what has not in the U.S. approach to space.
Alkoxylipids. VI. Molecular structures of the neutral alkoxylipids of ratfish liver.

Abstract The long-chain moieties in positions 1, 2 and 3 of the 1-alk-1'-enyl 2,3-diacyl sn-glycerols and 1 alkyl 2,3-diacyl sn-glycerols of raffish (Hydrolagus colliei) liver were analyzed. In both classes of neutral alkoxylipids, the 2-acyl moieties are free of branched chains, although the 3-acyl moieties, the I-alkyl moieties and, especially, the 1-alk-1'-enyl moieties contain branched isomers. The 1,2-disubstituted glycerols derived from the neutral alkoxylipids were analyzed as acetates by argentation chromatography and gas chromatography. The predominant molecular species of the 1-alk-1'-enyl 2-acyl sn-glycerols are different from those of the 1-alky1 2-acyl s%-glycerols. Thus, direct interconversions of alk-1-enyl and alkyl moieties, or between the two classes of neutral alkoxylipids, appear unlikely.