cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A series of unfortunate events: implications of Republican efforts to repeal and replace the Affordable Care Act For older adults

This paper discusses Republican efforts to repeal the 2010 Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) over President Trump’s first year in office (2017) and their impact on near-elderly Ameri...
Interleukin-4 Induces Programmed Cell Death (Apoptosis) in Cases of High-Risk Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

We investigated the effects of interleukin-4 (IL-4) on the survival of leukemic and normal B-cell progenitors cultured on bone marrow stroma. IL-4 (at 100 U/mL) was cytotoxic in 16 of 21 cases of B-lineage acute lymphoblastic leukemia, causing reductions in CD19+ cell numbers that ranged from 50% to greater than 99% (median 83.5%) of those in parallel cultures not exposed to the cytokine. All nine cases with the t(9;22)(q34;q11) or the t(4;11)(q21;q23), chromosomal features that are often associated with multidrug resistance and a fatal outcome, were susceptible to IL-4 toxicity. IL-4 cytotoxicity resulted from induction of programmed cell death (apoptosis); there was no evidence of cell killing mediated by T, natural killer, or stromal cells. IL-4 cytotoxicity extended to a proportion of normal B-cell progenitors. After 7 days of culture with IL-4 at 100 U/mL, fewer CD19+, CD34+ normal lymphoblasts (the most immature subset) survived: in five experiments the mean (+/- SEM) reduction in cell recoveries caused by IL-4 was 60.0% +/- 6.0%. By contrast, reductions in recovery of more differentiated bone marrow B cells (CD19+, CD34-, surface Ig+) were low (6.6% +/- 2.2%; P < .001 by t-test). Our findings indicate that IL-4 is cytotoxic for human B-cell precursors and support clinical testing of IL-4 in cases of high-risk lymphoblastic leukemia resistant to conventional therapy.
One Estuary, One Invasion, Two Responses: Phytoplankton and Benthic Community Dynamics Determine the Effect of an Estuarine Invasive Suspension-Feeder

Invasive suspension-feeding bivalves have reduced phytoplankton biomass in many aquatic systems, which has resulted in loss of trophic complexity in some systems. Using an example of one invasive bivalve in San Francisco Bay, Potamocorbula amurensis, the causes of differing system level responses are explored. San Francisco Bay, similar to of other shallow, turbid, non-nutrient limited, but low productivity systems, is likely to be most stressed by the loss of primary producers. While the northern bay has lost primary production following the invasion of P. amurensis, the southern bay (SB) has not and these differences are shown to be due to the different mechanisms responsible for the seasonal turbidity in the systems. Because the period of lowest turbidity in SB is coincident with the period of lowest bivalve grazing, the southern bay has not seen a reduction in its high magnitude but short spring bloom. A method for predicting if a shallow, turbid and nutrient replete estuary might lose phytoplankton production with a sudden increase in suspension-feeders is explored.
Aliens auf der Erde

Sogar auf unserem Planeten konnte das Leben mehrmals entstanden sein. Forscher suchen nach Mikroorganismen, die sich grundlegend von der uns bekannten Lebensform unterscheiden.
Robotic Roux-en-Y Gastric Bypass

Indications for the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) remain the same as they have been since the 1991 publication of the NIH Consensus Guidelines: BMI ≥ 40 or BMI 35–39 with one or more obesity-related comorbidities [1]. There are data, however, that support the benefits and safety of the RYGB in patients with a lower BMI with metabolic burden, particularly diabetes, suggesting that these indications should be reconsidered [2]. In reviews of comparative studies looking at robotic versus laparoscopic approaches to the RYGB, two trends seem to consistently stand out: (1) major complications, particularly leaks, tend to be lower in the robotic groups; and (2) the operative times tend to be longer in the robotic groups [3]. The longer operative times should be a consideration in terms of minimizing added risks to the patient and minimizing impact on productivity; the operative times can be considerably longer. In transitioning to a robotic approach to the RYGB, the intention should be to progress to performing all RYGBs robotically, so the indications for a robotic RYGB should be the same as for RYGB in general.
The Mother of All Pandemics Is 100 Years Old (and Going Strong)

This year marks the 100th anniversary of the deadliest event in human history. In 1918-1919, pandemic influenza appeared nearly simultaneously around the globe and caused extraordinary mortality (an estimated 50-100 million deaths) associated with unexpected clinical and epidemiological features. The descendants of the 1918 virus remain today; as endemic influenza viruses, they cause significant mortality each year. Although the ability to predict influenza pandemics remains no better than it was a century ago, numerous scientific advances provide an important head start in limiting severe disease and death from both current and future influenza viruses: identification and substantial characterization of the natural history and pathogenesis of the 1918 causative virus itself, as well as hundreds of its viral descendants; development of moderately effective vaccines; improved diagnosis and treatment of influenza-associated pneumonia; and effective prevention and control measures. Remaining challenges include development of vaccines eliciting significantly broader protection (against antigenically different influenza viruses) that can prevent or significantly downregulate viral replication; more complete characterization of natural history and pathogenesis emphasizing the protective role of mucosal immunity; and biomarkers of impending influenza-associated pneumonia.
Tinnitus related to physiological changes in the auditory nerve in chronically noise-exposed mice

Tinnitus is a pervasive auditory dysfunction affecting up to 10% of the adult population. The perception of ringing or hissing in the absence of a physical stimulus in one or both ears can be caused by acoustic trauma and other factors. Mice are a commonly used model for auditory disorders in humans, although the behavioral examination of tinnitus in mice has primarily been limited to reflexive measures involving inhibition of the acoustic startle by gaps in noise. Using an identification paradigm, we behaviorally tested whether mice show symptoms of tinnitus following long-term moderate noise exposure. Tinnitus was demonstrated by a shift in categorizing silence as narrowband noise. This experiment demonstrated that tinnitus can be induced in mice using noise exposure, similar to that caused by salicylate. Physiological and anatomical experiments reveal synaptic changes including response facilitation, increased reliability, increased synaptic terminal area, and increased number of release sites in mice ...
Goal-Directed, Nature-Based Physical Activity Training Program Improves Personal Management Behavior of an Adolescent Female with Attention Deficit-Hyperactivity Disorder

Abstract Objective. Physical activity has been shown to decrease obesity and improve executive function, but few studies have examined the effects of exercise in the natural environment. The purpos...
Toward a boot strap hypothesis of plate tectonics: Feedbacks between plates, the asthenosphere, and the wavelength of mantle convection

Abstract The solid Earth system is characterized by plate tectonics, a low viscosity zone beneath plates (the asthenosphere), and long wavelength flow in the convecting mantle. We use suites of numerical experiments to show: 1) How long wavelength flow and the operation of plate tectonics can generate and maintain an asthenosphere, and 2) How an asthenosphere can maintain long wavelength flow and plate tectonics. Plate subduction generates a sub-adiabatic temperature gradient in the mantle which, together with temperature-dependent viscosity, leads to a viscosity increase from the upper to the lower mantle. This allows mantle flow to channelize in a low viscosity region beneath plates (an asthenosphere forms dynamically). Flow channelization, in turn, stabilizes long wavelength convection. The degree of dynamic viscosity variations from the upper to the lower mantle increases with the wavelength of convection and drops toward zero if the system transitions from plate tectonics to a single plate planet. The plate margin strength needed to initiate that transition increases for long wavelength cells (long wavelength flow allows plate tectonics to exist over a wider range of plate margin strength). The coupled feedbacks allow for a linked causality between plates, the asthenosphere, and the wavelength of mantle flow, with none being more fundamental than the others and the existence of each depending on the others. Under this hypothesis, the asthenosphere is defined by an active process, plate tectonics, which maintains it and is maintained by it and plate tectonics is part of an emergent, self-sustaining flow system that bootstraps itself into existence.
Sex-specific behavioral effects following developmental exposure to tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) in Wistar rats.

Abstract Tetrabromobisphenol A (TBBPA) has become a ubiquitous indoor contaminant due to its widespread use as an additive flame retardant in consumer products. Reported evidence of endocrine disruption and accumulation of TBBPA in brain tissue has raised concerns regarding its potential effects on neurodevelopment and behavior. The goal of the present study was to examine the impact of developmental TBBPA exposure, across a wide range of doses, on sexually dimorphic non-reproductive behaviors in male and female Wistar rats. We first ran a pilot study using a single TBBPA dose hypothesized to produce behavioral effects. Wistar rat dams were orally exposed using cookie treats to 0 or 0.1 mg TBBPA/kg bw daily from gestational day (GD) 9 to postnatal day (PND) 21 to assess offspring (both sexes) activity and anxiety-related behaviors. Significant effects were evident in females, with exposure increasing activity levels. Thus, this dose was used as the lowest TBBPA dose in a subsequent, larger study conducted as part of a comprehensive assessment of TBBPA toxicity. Animals were exposed to 0, 0.1, 25, or 250 mg TBBPA/kg bw daily by oral gavage starting on GD 6 through PND 90 (dosed dams GD 6 – PND 21, dosed offspring PND 22 – PND 90). Significant behavioral findings were observed for male offspring, with increased anxiety-like behavior as the primary phenotype. These findings demonstrate that exposure to environmental contaminants, like TBBPA, can have sex-specific effects on behavior highlighting the vulnerability of the developing brain.
FDA Initiative for Drug Facts Label for Over-the-Counter Naloxone

Abstract Background The opioid crisis highlights the need to increase access to naloxone, possibly through regulatory approval for over-the-counter sales. To address industry-perceived barriers to ...
SARS-CoV-2 and limb ischemia: A systematic review.

Abstract Background Recent spread of severe acute respiratory coronavirus syndrome-2 (SARS-CoV-2) has led to the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic, resulting in new challenges across all medical specialties. Limb and digit ischemia have been associated with COVID-19 infection. This systematic review includes primary studies of COVID-19 limb ischemia to identify risk factors, comorbidities, case characteristics, and treatment strategies to better understand the nature of this disease and its effects on the extremities. Methods A literature search for studies detailing COVID-19 infected patients with limb or digit ischemia was performed, identifying 157 articles, 12 of which met inclusion criteria, accounting for 47 patients. Inclusion criteria were (1) primary studies, (2) positive disease diagnosis (3) limb ischemia, (4) reported treatment. Demographic data, case characteristics, treatments, outcomes and mortality were collected and pooled. Results The average patient age was 67.6 years, predominantly male (79.6%). Of the 44 cases discussing treatment, 13 (30%) patients underwent medical treatment alone, while 23 (52.3%) patients underwent medical plus surgical treatment. Four patients (9.1%) were treated with observation. In 10 of the 12 studies, lab findings, thrombosis, or conclusions supporting a hypercoagulable state as a cause of limb/digit ischemia were cited. Five patients (10.6%) were on vasopressors and 8 patients (17.0%) were on a ventilator. Of those treated with observation alone, there was 100% resolution of symptoms. Of those treated medically without surgical intervention (17 patients), 6 patients (35.3%) were reported to have revascularization, 6 patients (35.3%) died, and the remaining outcomes were not reported. Medical and surgical treatment resulted in one limb amputation (4.4%) and altogether 74% of patients achieved revascularization of the affected limb/digit. Mortality rate was 45%. Conclusions COVID-19 infection may be associated with increased risk of limb or digital ischemia, although the quality of evidence supporting this theory is limited. Evidence of inflammatory-mediated thrombosis and endothelial injury are possible explanations which would support the use of immunotherapy in addition to anticoagulation for treatment or prevention of thromboembolic events. Current outcomes and treatment strategies are variable. Level of evidence IV.
A review of Parent-Child Interaction Therapy (PCIT): Applications for youth anxiety

Abstract Anxiety disorders are one of the most prevalent disorders in youth and can have substantial negative impacts when left untreated. Parent-child interaction therapy (PCIT) is an evidence-based approach for treating externalizing problems within youth. However, PCIT may have a unique advantage for treating anxiety symptoms and disorders because of its accessibility for younger children that may be too young to benefit from traditional cognitive behavioral therapy. The parent training aspect of PCIT could also give added support to parents by teaching them more effective ways to cope with their child’s anxiety symptoms. The current meta-analysis aimed to determine the efficacy of PCIT and adaptations to PCIT in reducing anxious symptomology in youth. PsycINFO and PubMed were searched for relevant articles and yielded 15 articles that met inclusion criteria. Statistical analyses showed that PCIT overall was significantly more effective at reducing anxious symptomology than control groups. In addition, participants who had comorbid diagnoses in addition to anxiety had comparable reductions in anxiety as participants who did not have comorbid diagnoses. Participants with subclinical anxiety levels also demonstrated significant reductions in anxiety symptoms overall, suggesting that PCIT may be a promising early intervention for halting the progression toward disorder-threshold anxiety. Overall, this meta-analysis provides preliminary evidence that PCIT is an effective intervention for in ameliorating anxiety symptoms in youth.
A Complementary Strategy to Mitigate Radiation-Induced Cognitive Decline

Cranial radiation activates an upstream complement cascade component, C1q, leading to brain injury. Microglia-specific deletion of C1q prevents astrocyte and microglial activation, synaptic loss, neuroinflammation, and cognitive impairment. Therapeutically inhibiting complement activation may help mitigate radiation-induced cognitive decline.See related article by Markarian et al., p. 1732.
Statutory Rulemaking Considerations and Judicial Review of Regulatory Impact Analysis

This paper examines the various statutory standards that require agencies to conduct some form of economic analysis and explores which standards correlate with more rigorous judicial review when a rule is challenged in court and with more rigorous regulatory analysis by the agency preparing the rule. It finds that more explicit statutory standards, in which Congress both affirmatively directs the agency to consider the economic effects of proposed rules and sets forth specific factors for agencies to consider, correlate both with more stringent judicial review and with higher quality economic analysis. By contrast, when Congress sets a vague statutory standard, such as encouraging the agency to "consider" economic costs and/or benefits, the stringency of judicial review and the quality of agency economic analysis varies from case to case and rule to rule. The authors recommend that Congress adopt more explicit standards in order to achieve greater consistency in agency economic analysis and the judicial review thereof.
Ten days of high dietary sodium does not impair cerebral blood flow regulation in healthy adults.

Abstract High dietary sodium impairs cerebral blood flow regulation in rodents and is associated with increased stroke risk in humans. However, the effects of multiple days of high dietary sodium on cerebral blood flow regulation in humans is unknown. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine whether ten days of high dietary sodium impairs cerebral blood flow regulation. Ten participants (3F/7M; age: 30 ± 10 years; blood pressure (BP): 113 ± 8/62 ± 9 mmHg) participated in this randomized, cross-over design study. Participants were placed on 10-day diets that included either low- (1000 mg/d), medium- (2300 mg/d) or high- (7000 mg/d) sodium separated by ≥four weeks. Urinary sodium excretion, beat-to-beat BP (finger photoplethysmography), middle cerebral artery velocity (transcranial Doppler), and end-tidal carbon dioxide (capnography) was measured. Dynamic cerebral autoregulation during a ten-minute baseline was calculated and cerebrovascular reactivity assessed by determining the percent change in middle cerebral artery blood flow velocity to hypercapnia (8% CO2, 21% oxygen, balance nitrogen) and hypocapnia (via mild hyperventilation). Urinary sodium excretion increased in a stepwise manner (ANOVA P = 0.001) from the low, to medium, to high condition. There were no differences in dynamic cerebral autoregulation between conditions. While there was a trend for a difference during cerebrovascular reactivity to hypercapnia (ANOVA P = 0.06), this trend was abolished when calculating cerebrovascular conductance (ANOVA: P = 0.28). There were no differences in cerebrovascular reactivity (ANOVA P = 0.57) or conductance (ANOVA: P = 0.73) during hypocapnia. These data suggest that ten days of a high sodium diet does not impair cerebral blood flow regulation in healthy adults.
Chemical Propulsion Technology Challenges for Exploration

Contents include the following: Introduction. Assumptions and scope. Reference mission (National). Propulsion elements amd opportunities for technology insertion. Issues. Summary and conclusion
The Use of Photogrammetry to Civil Engineers

Uses where photogrammetry will aid in designing highways, water and sewerage systems, power transmission lines, airports, and city development; saving in cost and time are illustrated by specific projects when photogrammetric methods are employed in place of conventional ground surveys.
Open Rotor: Analysis of Diagnostic Data

NASA is researching open rotor propulsion as part of its technology research and development plan for addressing the subsonic transport aircraft noise, emission and fuel burn goals. The low-speed wind tunnel test for investigating the aerodynamic and acoustic performance of a benchmark blade set at the approach and takeoff conditions has recently concluded. A high-speed wind tunnel diagnostic test campaign has begun to investigate the performance of this benchmark open rotor blade set at the cruise condition. Databases from both speed regimes will comprise a comprehensive collection of benchmark open rotor data for use in assessing/validating aerodynamic and noise prediction tools (component & system level) as well as providing insights into the physics of open rotors to help guide the development of quieter open rotors.
National Analysis of Short-Term Outcomes After Pulmonary Resections on Cardiopulmonary Bypass.

Background Pulmonary resections using cardiopulmonary bypass (CPB) are infrequently performed. Their short-term outcomes are not well described. We queried the National Inpatient Sample over a 10-year period (2001 to 2011) to more clearly delineate the short-term outcomes of patients undergoing pulmonary resections on CPB. Methods We identified all patients 18 years and older who underwent pulmonary lobectomy (LB) or pneumonectomy (PN) on CPB; lung transplantations were excluded. We then grouped these patients based on the setting in which bypass was used: LB/PN with planned CPB (group 1), LB/PN with concomitant on-pump cardiac procedure (group 2), or LB/PN requiring CPB secondary to injury (group 3). Demographic data and inhospital outcomes were obtained for each patient. Results In all, 843 patients underwent LB or PN on CPB during the study period. Lobectomies were the most commonly performed procedure overall. Inhospital mortality for groups 1, 2, and 3 were 22% (n = 58), 16% (n = 61), and 57% (n = 115), respectively. Complications were prevalent across all groups. Routine discharge was achieved by fewer than half of all patients: 48% of group 1 (n = 128); 34% of group 2 (n = 129); and 18% of group 3 (n = 36). Pneumonectomy (odds ratio 2.74, 95% confidence interval: 1.00 to 7.53, p = 0.049) as well as using CPB either as part of a combined cardiac surgery (odds ratio 1.48, 95% confidence interval: 0.39 to 5.59, p = 0.002) or because of injury (odds ratio 6.52, 95% confidence interval: 2.13 to 19.99, p = 0.002) were found to be significant multivariate predictors of short-term mortality. Conclusions Pulmonary resections on CPB carry considerable short-term mortality and morbidity, but some risk can be partially mitigated when bypass is planned preoperatively.
DNA Repair Disorders

Some human diseases are characterized by defects in the cellular machinery for either monitoring and eliciting an appropriate response to the presence of DNA damage or in the actual process of removing (repairing) or tolerating the damage via some type of DNA transaction. Many of the known disorders lead to a predisposition for developing cancer. Keywords: DNA damage; DNA repair; mutation; genetic instability; cancer
Female Reproductive Parameters of Tana River Yellow Baboons

We describe the female reproductive parameters of yellow baboons at the Tana River National Primate Reserve, Kenya. We present data on menarche, cycle length, pregnancy, birth, postpartum amenorrhea, interbirth interval, and infant survival. We also briefly compare our data to those reported for yellow baboon females at the Amboseli Reserve, Kenya. Our results indicate statistically significant differences in some of these reproductive parameters between the two sites.
Next-generation laser for Inertial Confinement Fusion

We report on the progress in developing and building the Mercury laser system as the first in a series of a new generation of diode- pumped solid-state Inertial Confinement Fusion (ICF) lasers at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL). Mercury will be the first integrated demonstration of a scalable laser architecture compatible with advanced high energy density (HED) physics applications. Primary performance goals include 10% efficiencies at 10 Hz and a 1-10 ns pulse with 1 omega energies of 100 J and with 2 omega/3 omega frequency conversion.
Studies with a murine monoclonal antibody that abolishes ristocetin- induced binding of von Willebrand factor to platelets: additional evidence in support of GPIb as a platelet receptor for von Willebrand factor

A murine monoclonal antibody directed at or near a platelet membrane receptor for the von Willebrand factor was produced by the hybridoma technique. Purified F(ab')2 fragments and/or intact antibody completely blocked the agglutination of platelets induced by both ristocetin and bovine von Willebrand factor and the binding of von Willebrand factor antigen to platelets. The antibody also decreased platelet retention, prevented the reduction in platelet electrophoretic mobility caused by bovine von Willebrand factor, and decreased the serum prothrombin time. Radiolabeled F(ab')2 fragments bound to or approximately 2.5 X 10(4) sites on normal platelets with high affinity (KD or approximately 1.5 X 10(-8) M); there was no binding to platelets from 2 patients with the Bernard-Soulier syndrome. Immunoprecipitation and affinity chromatography studies indicated that the antibody binds to glycoprotein lb at a site contained on the externally oriented portion of the GPIb alpha chain (glycocalicin). An unidentified mol wt or approximately 20,000 molecule labeled by periodate/NaB3H4 coprecipitated and copurified with GPIb.
Atypical PKC-iota Controls Stem Cell Expansion via Regulation of the Notch Pathway

The number of stem/progenitor cells available can profoundly impact tissue homeostasis and the response to injury or disease. Here, we propose that an atypical PKC, Prkci, is a key player in regulating the switch from an expansion to a differentiation/maintenance phase via regulation of Notch, thus linking the polarity pathway with the control of stem cell self-renewal. Prkci is known to influence symmetric cell division in invertebrates; however a definitive role in mammals has not yet emerged. Using a genetic approach, we find that loss of Prkci results in a marked increase in the number of various stem/progenitor cells. The mechanism used likely involves inactivation and symmetric localization of NUMB, leading to the activation of NOTCH1 and its downstream effectors. Inhibition of atypical PKCs may be useful for boosting the production of pluripotent stem cells, multipotent stem cells, or possibly even primordial germ cells by promoting the stem cell/progenitor fate.
Legality of Lethality: Paradigm Choice and Targeted Killings in Counterterrorism Operations

Since 9/11, academics and government officials alike have debated whether counterterrorism efforts fit into the laws of war, or are instead criminal law enforcement endeavors. Each legal paradigm, in addition to the authorities granted to the intelligence community, brings with it specific powers and limitations. This paper briefly surveys the legal authorities and implications for the targeted killings of terror suspects within each paradigm: the law of armed conflict, criminal law, and covert action, and argues for the justification of the practice within each. It is not meant to be an exhaustive analysis, but rather serves to raise the key legal issues involved, and concludes by pointing out the policy aspects that ultimately drive whether and how we continue the practice.
Augmentation of rainfall from summer cumulus clouds

Abstract The latest round of field experiments related to augmentation of rainfall from summer cumulus clouds over the Great Plains is described briefly. HIPLEX (High Plains Cooperative Program) was designed to reduce scientific uncertainty associated with attempts to increase rainfall by cloud seeding in the High Plains. Field programs were conducted at three sites. A randomized experiment, HIPLEX-1, was set up in Montana to test a physical hypothesis linking dry ice seeding to rainfall from cloud base. HIPLEX has confirmed the importance of ice processes to precipitation formation in cumulus clouds of the High Plains and the dominance of mesoscale convergence/divergence fields on convective cloud development. HIPLEX-1 clearly showed increases in cloud ice concentrations associated with dry ice seeding 2 and 5 min after treatment time. Some changes in the subsequent steps in the physical hypothesis linking seeding to increased rainfall at cloud base are indicated but cannot be firmly established with the present data set.
Reinforcement learning control of nonlinear multi-link system

Abstract In this paper, the effects of basic parameters in reinforcement learning control such as eligibility, action and critic network constrained weights, system nonlinearities, gradient information, state-space partitioning, variance of exploration are studied in detail. It is attempted to increase feasibility for practical applications, implementation, learning efficiency, and enhance performance. Also, a novel adaptive grid algorithm is proposed to overcome the difficulty in partitioning the input space to achieve better performance. Reinforcement learning is applied for control of a nonlinear one and two-link robots. This problem dictates that the learning is performed on-line, based on a binary or real-valued reinforcement signal from a critic network, without knowing the system model or nonlinearity.
Controller design for distributed systems via bass' technique

Bass' feedback controller design technique is extended to distributed parameter systems and its use is illustrated for a parabolic system with boundary control. The development of the design technique rests on a conjecture concerning the necessary and sufficient conditions for the asymptotic stability of linear time invariant partial differential equations. It is shown through a study of the discretized analog of a distributed system that the most likely candidate for a Lyapunov functional general enough to yield the necessary and sufficient conditions for asymptotic stability is a double integral with a symmetric kernel.
Image enhancement by nonlinear techniques in the Fourier domain

We present a nonlinear joint transform processor that can perform image enhancement. Image enhancement results are obtained for different degrees of nonlinearity applied to the joint power spectrum. The first order harmonic term at the output plane produces the enhanced image which has the exact Fourier phase information of the input image and a Fourier magnitude of the input modified by the nonlinearity. For compression types of nonlinearities the thresholding will redistribute the energy in the Fourier magnitude of the image by increasing the magnitude of the higher spatial frequencies. Thus the fine details of the image that are contained in the high spatial frequencies of the joint power spectrum are enhanced. We investigate the effects of various types of nonlinearities on the enhanced images. Analytical expressions for the enhanced images obtained by the nonlinear techniques will be provided. Computer simulations of the nonlinear processor for image enhancement are presented to study the performance of the system. We show that the nonlinear technique produces reasonably good results. II.
The effect of choline deficiency on the outer membranes of rat liver mitochondria

The outer membranes of mitochondria prepared from the liver of rats kept 12 days on a choline-deficient diet were analyzed for changes in phospholipid and protein content. The total amount of phospholipid in the outer membranes was not affected by the deficiency. There was, however, a significant decrease in the amount of phosphatidylcholine and an increase in phosphatidylethanolamine. The alterations in the membrane phospholipids were reflected in a reduction in the fluorescence of the membrane probe, 8-anilino-1-naphthalene sulfonate. Choline deficiency also affected the protein composition of the outer membranes as judged by electrophoretic analysis; however, the activity of several enzymes which serve as markers for the outer membrane was not affected by the deficiency.
Returns on Initial Public Offerings of Closed-End Funds

Examination of 41 closed-end fund intial public offerings (IPOs) during the period from January 1986 to June 1987 reveals that the mean intial day's return is not significantly different from zero in contrast to previous findings for nonfund IPOs. New funds also show significant negative after- market returns unlike other new issues. Despite the disparity between our findings and previous results, our results are consistent with existing models. Article published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society for Financial Studies in its journal, The Review of Financial Studies.
Isolation and antigenic characterization of Lassa virus.

LASSA fever as it was first noticed early in 1969 in three missionary nurses in Nigeria will be described by Frame et al.1. The disease later affected two laboratory workers at the Yale Arbovirus Research Unit (YARU) in New Haven. Two of the nurses and one of the laboratory workers died.
Climate-Induced Tree Mortality: Earth System Consequences

One of the greatest uncertainties in global environmental change is predicting changes in feedbacks between the biosphere and the Earth system. Terrestrial ecosystems and, in particular, forests exert strong controls on the global carbon cycle and influence regional hydrology and climatology directly through water and surface energy budgets [Bonan, 2008; Chapin et al., 2008]. According to new research, tree mortality associated with elevated temperatures and drought has the potential to rapidly alter forest ecosystems, potentially affecting feedbacks to the Earth system [Allen et al., 2010]. Several lines of recent research demonstrate how tree mortality rates in forests may be sensitive to climate change—particularly warming and drying. This emerging consequence of global change has important effects on Earth system processes (Figure 1).
Cytokine production in the human gastrointestinal tract during inflammation

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses cytokine production in the gastrointestinal tract during inflammation. All cytokines display multiple activities, and all immune cells selectively express specific surface receptors for some of them, allowing the precise and intimate interaction of various cell types in a process that is presently recognized as the “cytokine network.” Such network is quite intricate and is probably mediated through paracrine effects in specialized microenvironments. The intestinal mucosa represents one of them, with its complex structure composed of several different cell types of ectodermal, mesodermal, and endodermal origin. The mononuclear cells present in gut mucosa are constantly challenged by the function of antigen processing, resulting in an enhanced state of activation when compared to the immune cells in other organs and systems of the body. This activation triggers many effects, one of them being the local release of cytokines. It is reasonable to assume that the digestive system has its own unique cytokine network, which probably varies along the gastrointestinal mucosa depending on the anatomical, microbiological, and antigenic characteristics of each segment of bowel.
Predicting Early Academic Success: HESI Admissions Assessment Exam

Student retention is a major challenge for undergraduate nursing programs, with the highest attrition occurring in the first year of the nursing curriculum. Admission criteria have been studied extensively but usually as related to end-of-program outcomes such as National Council Licensure Examination for Registered Nurses success. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between HESI Admission Assessment (A(2)) scores and academic performance in the 2 first-semester nursing courses of an associate degree program, Nursing-1 and Nursing-2. Findings indicated that the composite A(2) scores were strongly correlated with both Nursing-1 and Nursing-2 final course grades. Of the scores on the 4 component A(2) exams completed by the sample students (basic math skills, reading comprehension, vocabulary/general knowledge, and grammar), vocabulary/general knowledge scores had the strongest relationship to final course grades in both nursing courses. The authors concluded that A(2) scores facilitated evidence-based admission decisions.
Protection by 20-5,14-HEDGE Against Surgically Induced Ischemia Reperfusion Lung Injury in Rats

Background We previously reported that the cytochrome P450 product 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid has prosurvival effects in pulmonary artery endothelial cells and ex vivo pulmonary arteries. We tested the potential of a 20-hydroxyeicosatetraenoic acid analog N-[20-hydroxyeicosa-5(Z),14(Z)-dienoyl]glycine (20-5,14-HEDGE) to protect against lung ischemic reperfusion injury in rats. Furthermore, we examined activation of innate immune system components, high mobility group box 1 (HMGB1) and toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4), in this model as well as the effect of 20-5,14-HEDGE on this signaling pathway. Methods Sprague-Dawley rats treated with 20-5,14-HEDGE or vehicle were subjected to surgically induced, unilateral lung ischemia for 60 minutes followed by reperfusion for 2 hours in vivo. Injury was assessed histologically by hematoxylin and eosin, and with identification of myeloperoxidase immunohistochemically. The HMGB1 and TLR4 proteins were identified by Western blot. Caspase 3 activity or 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide, a yellow tetrazole, incorporation were used to measure apoptosis and cell survival. Results The ischemia reperfusion injury evoked atelectasis and hemorrhage, an influx of polymorphonuclear cells, and increased TLR4 and HMGB1 expression. Caspase 3 activity was increased, and 3-(4,5-Dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide incorporation was decreased. The 20-5,14-HEDGE protected against each of these endpoints, including infiltration of polymorphonuclear cells, with no changes in caspase 3 activity in other organs. Conclusions Lung ischemia reperfusion produces apoptosis and activation of the innate immune system including HMGB1 and TLR4 within 2 hours of reperfusion. Treatment with 20-5,14-HEDGE decreases activation of this response system, and salvages lung tissue.
Use of glycopyrrolate in the treatment of Meniere's disease.

Objectives/Hypothesis: The objective of this study was to determine whether glycopyrrolate is useful as a vestibular suppressant in patients with Meniere's disease. The tested hypotheses were that glycopyrrolate would decrease the perception of dizziness measured by the Dizziness Handicap Inventory in patients with Meniere's disease and that placebo would cause no such decrease. Study Design: Randomized, prospective. Methods: Thirty-seven subjects with a diagnosis of Meniere's disease were administered either 2 mg of glycopyrrolate or placebo twice daily as needed for vertigo. All were also administered the regimen of 1500 mg sodium/day diet and diuretic. The following indices were examined: Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire, Beck Depression Inventory, hearing examination, and electronystagmography. After 4 to 6 weeks of the drug regimen, Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Tinnitus Handicap Inventory, Modified Somatic Perception Questionnaire, and Beck Depression Scale were reexamined. Paired t tests were performed to verify the significance of improvement before and after treatment. Results: Subjects who received glycopyrrolate had statistically significant reduction in Dizziness Handicap Inventory, Beck Depression Score, and Modified Somatic Perception Score. In the placebo group, no improvement in any index was found. Conclusions: The hypothesis that glycopyrrolate is a useful vestibular suppressant in patients with Meniere's disease was statistically verified. Laryngoscope, 108:1442–1445, 1998
Multiple Primary Malignant Tumors (MPMT): Study of 68 Autopsy Cases (1963–1980)

Review of 8428 autopsies (1870 for known cancer) showed that 68 patients had had multiple primary malignant tumors (MPMT). Those 68 cases represented 0.8 per cent of all autopsies done, 3.6 per cent of all cancer autopsies. Diagnosis of MPMT was made only at autopsy in 24 cases (35.3 per cent). Thirty-six patients were male, 32 female. Their average age was 64 ±usmn;2.3 years. Cancers were “synchronous” (diagnosed within a six-month period) in 15 patients, “metachronous” (diagnosed at greater than six-month intervals) in 49, and “combined” in four. Metastatic foci were seen in 53 patients. Fifty-nine patients had two primary malignant tumors (PMTs); seven had three PMTs; one had four PMTs; and one had five PMTs, for a total of 148 tumors. Over half (53.1 per cent) of the second PMTs occurred within five years of the first PMTs. First PMTs were most common in the hematopoietic system and the cervix; second PMTs were most common in the lungs and the hematopoietic system. Second PMTs were less well differentiated than index PMTs. Forty-four deaths had not been directly tumor-related. Nineteen patients with metachronous MPMT lived more than ten years. Of 23 patients with one pulmonary PMT, 22 died within two years. Concomitant findings of pulmonary artery embolism, gallstone(s), thyroid or prostatic hyperplasia, and benign tumor were common in these patients. It is hoped that accumulation of data from this and other series of MPMT will provide insight into the clinicopathologic characteristics, the causes, and the interrelationships of these lesions that constitute primarily a disease of the elderly.
Fish fat, quantum cryptography: All in a day's work at the news

Fellow scientists always get a laugh when I tell them my first publication was in The Dallas Morning News. That article (about fish fat and how it helps fight depression) was the first tangible product of my AGU-sponsored participation in the Mass Media Science and Engineering Fellows Program, sponsored by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS). The program sends science and engineering graduate students to media organizations across the country for 10-week summer stints as science journalists. The objective is to strengthen the connections between scientists and journalists and improve coverage of science in the media.
Characterization of rat CD14 promoter and its regulation by transcription factors AP1 and Sp family proteins in hepatocytes

CD14, a 55kDa glycoprotein, serves as a lipopolysaccharide (LPS) recognition molecule. CD14 is a monocyte differentiation antigen expressed by myeloid-derived cells, or other cells such as hepatocytes, as either a membrane-bound protein or a soluble serum protein. Increasing evidence indicates that soluble CD14 in plasma is an acute-phase protein derived, among other sources, from liver cells. Although information is available on the cellular expression of CD14, little is known about the cis- and trans-acting factors that regulate basal CD14 transcription in liver cells. We show here that liver cells have a relatively high basal CD14 transcription rate as determined by nuclear run-on assay. We cloned and sequenced an 883bp 5'-flanking region of the rat CD14 gene and demonstrated functional promoter activity in liver cells. Sequence analysis revealed that, like in the human and mouse CD14 genes, multiple Sp1 and AP1 binding elements exist in rat CD14. Site-directed mutagenesis and transient transfection assays demonstrated that an Sp1 element located at -836 and an AP1 element located at -270 are required for basal promoter activity in liver cells. Electrophoretic mobility shift assays indicate that both Sp1 and Sp3 nuclear factors interact with the -836 Sp1 element, while the AP1-related proteins Fra-2 and JunD bind to the AP1 motif. These data provide novel insights into the regulation of basal CD14 expression in liver cells.
Preentry Contacts and the Generation of Nascent Networks in Organizations

This paper investigates the impact of individuals' social ties at organizational entry on the formation of intraorganizational networks. When individuals enter organizations with one or more preentry relationships in place, I argue they form more extensive networks post entry than their untied counterparts. However, it is also suggested that under some conditions---i.e., when quality is more certain---the relationship between pre-and postentry social structure is contingent on individuals' quality attributes. I test and find support for these hypotheses in a study of new business and law professionals. The results indicate that individuals with an initial advantage in social ties form more extensive networks post entry than those without such an advantage, and that when certainty about quality is high, this effect depends on the quality attributes of the new entrants. Implications of this study for research on social networks, resource accumulation, and inequality are discussed.
Beryllium dust generation resulting from plasma bombardment

Abstract The beryllium dust resulting from erosion of beryllium samples subjected to plasma bombardment has been measured in PISCES-B. Loose surface dust was found to be uniformly distributed throughout the device and accounts for 3% of the eroded material. A size distribution measurement of the loose surface dust shows an increasing number of particles with decreasing diameter. Beryllium coatings on surfaces with a line of sight view of the target interaction region account for an additional 33% of the eroded beryllium material. Flaking of these surface layers is observed and is thought to play a significant role in dust generation inside the vacuum vessel.
A graphical method for multi-soft-pion processes

Abstract A set of graphical rules is established for writing down all the contributions to the hadron process α → β + n soft pions dictated by the algebra of current commutators of Gell-Mann and PCAC. Explicit results are given for n = 3. An example of n = 4 is treated in the form of soft π-π scattering, where the small s-wave scattering lengths found by Weinberg are rederived.
DIRECTIONAL DIFFERENCES IN LITTLE-LEAF LINDEN (TILIA CORDATA Mill.) CROWN DEVELOPMENT

Summary Leaves on the north side of little-leaf linden‡ (Tilia Cordata Mill.) trees are well adapted to the relatively moderate environment resulting from the southern position of the sun in the northern hemisphere sky. Because the sun rises north of east, the maximum sunlight level on the north side of the tree occurs in the morning, at approximately 0800 hrs Central Standard Time. On the north side, peak assimilation rate per unit leaf area (A) was higher, occurred earlier in the day, and at lower light levels than on the south side. Total assimilation per unit leaf area (Ata) was similar on both sides, but there was 15 percent greater leaf surface area on the north side, resulting in higher calculated total daily assimilation (Atd) on the north side of the crown for sunny days. In the lower third of the crown, which is the most highly shaded portion of the north side, the Atd was 58 percent greater on the north side. Under cloudy skies, low light reduced A on the south side, but not on the north side. ...
Design Meets Nature: Tetrahedrite Solar Absorbers

Computational inverse design and conse-quent experimental results allow for the identiﬁ cation of new tetrahedrite-mineral compositions as promising absorber can-didates in drift-based thin-ﬁ lm solar cells. In device simulations, cell efﬁ ciencies above 20% are modeled with absorber layers as thin as 250 nm. These new com-positions thus open opportunities for re-alization of a new class of high-efﬁ ciency thin-ﬁ lm solar cell. J. Heo , R. Ravichandran , C. F. Reidy , J. ate , T J. F. Wager , D. A. Keszler * X–XX
Carbohydrate composition of dental plaque from primates with irradiation caries

Carbohydrate analyses were performed on dental plaque collected from the teeth of irradiated monkeys, non-irradiated monkeys and a group of Streptococcus mutans free animals, all of which were fed the same standard cariogenic diet. Glucose was the predominant sugar constituent in plaque and was detected in highest concentration in the irradiated animals. Small amounts of pentoses and other hexoses were also present. Plaque from irradiated animals contained, by comparison with the other groups, higher levels of Strep, mutans and lower levels of Streptococcus sanguis and Actinomyces.