cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Health care utilization and burden of diabetic ketoacidosis in the U.S. over the past decade: A nationwide analysis

OBJECTIVE Diabetes is one of the most common chronic diseases and a leading cause of morbidity and mortality in the U.S. Although our ability to treat diabetes and its associated complications has significantly improved, presentation with uncontrolled diabetes leading to ketoacidosis remains a significant problem. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS We aimed to determine the incidence and costs of hospital admissions associated with diabetic ketoacidosis (DKA). We reviewed the National Inpatient Sample database for all hospitalizations in which DKA (ICD-9 codes 250.10, 250.11, 250.12, and 250.13) was the principal discharge diagnosis during 2003–2014 and calculated the population incidence by using U.S. census data. Patients with ICD-9 codes for diabetic coma were excluded because the codes do not distinguish between hypoglycemic and DKA-related coma. We then analyzed changes in temporal trends of incidence, length of stay, costs, and in-hospital mortality by using the Cochrane-Armitage test. RESULTS There were 1,760,101 primary admissions for DKA during the study period. In-hospital mortality for the cohort was 0.4% ( n = 7,031). The total number of hospital discharges with the principal diagnosis of DKA increased from 118,808 in 2003 to 188,965 in 2014 ( P P P P CONCLUSIONS Our analysis shows that the population incidence for DKA hospitalizations in the U.S. continues to increase, but the mortality from this condition has significantly decreased, indicating advances in early diagnosis and better inpatient care. Despite decreases in the length of stay, the costs of hospitalizations have increased significantly, indicating opportunities for value-based care intervention in this vulnerable population.
Necropsy-based Wild Fish Health Assessment

Anthropogenic influences from increased nutrients and chemical contaminants, to habitat alterations and climate change, can have significant effects on fish populations. Adverse effects monitoring, utilizing biomarkers from the organismal to the molecular level, can be used to assess the cumulative effects on fishes and other organisms. Fish health has been used worldwide as an indicator of aquatic ecosystem health. The necropsy-based fish health assessment provides data on visible abnormalities and lesions, parasites, condition and organosomatic indices. These can be compared by site, season and sex, as well as temporally, to document change over time. Severity ratings can be assigned to various observations to calculate a fish health index for more quantitative assessment. A drawback of the necropsy-based assessment is that it is based on visual observations and condition factors, which are not as sensitive as tissue and subcellular biomarkers for sublethal effects. Additionally, it is rarely possible to identify causes or risk factors associated with observed abnormalities. So, for instance a raised lesion or "tumor" on the fins, lips or body surface may be a neoplasm. However, it could also be a response to a parasite, chronic inflammation or hyperplasia of normal cells in response to an irritant. Conversely, neoplasms, certain parasites, other infectious agents and many tissue changes are not visible and so may be underestimated. However, during the necropsy-based assessment, blood (plasma), tissues for histopathology (microscopic pathology), genomics and other molecular analyses, and otoliths for aging can be collected. These downstream analyses, together with geospatial analyses, habitat assessments, water quality and contaminant analyses can all be important in comprehensive ecosystem evaluations.
Diversity of Heads, Jaws, and Cephalic Muscles in Amphibians

Living amphibians include caecilians, salamanders, and frogs. They share many features like a biphasic lifestyle with aquatic larvae and terrestrial adults, cranial skeletal elements that are derived from neural crest cells and mesoderm, and muscles derived from branchiomeric mesoderm and somites. Meckel’s cartilage, which forms the larval lower jaw, derives, for example, from mandibular arch neural crest cells. Mandibular arch mesoderm gives rise to the intermandibularis muscle, which forms the floor of the mouth, and the adductor mandibulae muscles, which are laterally located muscles that close the jaw. For the following arches (hyoid and branchial arches), similarities in muscles and cartilages can also be found. However, taking a closer look, it turns out that amphibians differ also in many things. Direct development evolved in all three taxa as did neoteny, i.e., the specimens reach sexual maturity while still having larval characters. The crania range from robust in caecilians to very light in anurans. Neural crest cells contribute in different amounts to the same cranial structures as the skull roof, and in all muscle groups, some muscles changed their attachments, others are only present in one or two taxa, and again others developed several heads. The knowledge of the diversity and in particular the similarities of amphibian crania and cranial muscles can help us to shed light onto the anatomy of the last common ancestor of tetrapods and onto variations in head anatomy and development in amniotes, which include reptiles and mammals.
HOUSE OF CARDS: IMPLEMENTATION OF A FORMAL PEER MENTORSHIP SYSTEM IN AN ADULT CARDIOLOGY FELLOWSHIP PROGRAM

Formal peer mentorship systems in academic medicine are rare but have been recently shown to increase fellow satisfaction. Prior to 2017, our adult cardiology fellowship program did not have a formal system for either peer or faculty mentorship. We sought to implement a novel “House” Peer
Role of the Plant Root Microbiome in Abiotic Stress Tolerance

During a growing season, agricultural crops are frequently exposed to abiotic stresses, which hinder plant growth and reduce crop productivity. Abiotic stresses include extreme temperatures, drought, submergence, soil salinization, and nutrient imbalances, and many of these stresses are predicted to increase in frequency or severity in the coming century. Maintaining high levels of crop productivity under increasingly suboptimal growth environments will require the development of new agronomic tools. One new and promising strategy involves the utilization of microorganisms, which have been shown to be capable of mitigating abiotic stresses, and the plant microbiome has the potential of promoting growth and protecting the host through a variety of molecular mechanisms. While studies have begun to explore how specific members of the root microbiome act to enhance plant growth, we still lack a full understanding of the role of the broader root microbiome in shaping plant stress tolerance. Emphasizing three of the most agriculturally significant abiotic challenges, namely, drought stress, salinity stress, and phosphate stress, this chapter describes our current understanding of the specific mechanisms the root microbiome can employ to help boost plant fitness and summarizes new methods through which the plant root microbiome has been leveraged in agricultural settings to reduce damage from abiotic stresses.
Control of Blood Glucose

Some molecular control mechanisms of blood glucose are described schematically in Fig. 4.1. Glucose comes from food and liver, and is utilized by brain and nerve cells (insulin-independent) via the glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) or by tissue cells such as muscle, kidney, and fat cells (insulin-dependent) via the glucose transporter 4 (GLUT4). Glucose is transported into and out of liver cells by the concentrationdriven glucose transporter 2 (GLUT2), which is insulin-independent. In response to a low blood glucose level ( 120 mg/dl or 6.7 mmol/L), β cells of the pancreas secrete insulin. Insulin triggers a series of reactions to activate the glycogen synthase, which catalyzes the conversion of glucose into glycogen. Insulin also initiates a series of activations of kinases in tissue cells to lead to the redistribution of GLUT4 from intracellular storage sites to the plasma membrane. Once at the cell surface, GLUT4 transports glucose into the muscle or fat cells.
Abstract 075: Sex Differences in the Development of Autoimmune-Associated Hypertension

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is an autoimmune disorder with prevalent hypertension and is a novel disease model to study the link between chronic inflammation and hypertension. Because SLE is...
Sediment Transport and Bed-Form Characteristics for a Range of Step-Down Flows

AbstractEphemeral streams with mobile beds represent a challenging environment for sediment transport prediction. Bed topography from relatively infrequent high flow events may persist after hydrog...
Are Farmers Made Whole by Trade Aid

The USDA provided roughly $23.5 billion in Market Facilitation Program payments to compensate farmers for market losses due to retaliatory tariffs imposed by China and other countries. We examine the distribution of these payments across crops, farms, and regions. Payment rates are larger than estimated price impacts of retaliatory tariffs for most commodities—the difference is especially large for cotton and sorghum. Payment rates relative to farmland cash rent or on a per‐farm basis are greatest in the South. While payments exceed the tariff‐related price impact in the short run, the program may not compensate for long‐run losses due to the trade conflict.
Growth Retardant and Hormone Interactions in Affecting Cucumber Hypocotyl Elongation

The growth retardants are a chemically very diverse group of synthetic plant growth-regulating chemicals which are characterized by the common property of inhibiting or “retarding” growth without evoking severe morphological abnormalities. Best known among these compounds are Amo-1618, CCC, Phosphon D and B-995 (Fig. 20-1). Most of the growth retardants are effective on a broad spectrum of angiosperm species. Generally, however, they are more effective on dicots than monocots, and some are effective exclusively on dicots.
Technical Note: Self-shielding evaluation and radiation leakage measurement of a jawless ring gantry linac with a beam stopper.

PURPOSE To characterize the shielding design and leakage radiation from a newly released ring gantry linac (Halcyon, Varian Medical Systems). METHODS To assess the radiation leakage surrounding headshield and the radiation level after the beam stopper, measurements were made with GafChromic films. To evaluate the in-room radiation levels, the radiation leakage in the isocenter plane was measured with a large volume spherical ionization chamber (Exradin A6, Standard Imaging). A lead enclosure was constructed to shield the chamber from the low energy scatter radiation from the room. The radiation level at multiple locations was measured with the MLC fully closed and gantry at 0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225, 270, and 315 degrees. The leakage radiation passing through multiple concrete slabs with various thickness was recorded in a narrow beam geometry to determine the tenth value layer (TVL). RESULTS A uniform leakage (<0.05%) at 1 m from electron beam line was measured surrounding the linac head with the maximum leakage measured at the top of the head enclosure. The highest radiation level (<0.08%) was measured near the edge of the beam stopper when projected to the measurement plane. The maximum radiation levels due to the head leakage at 15 locations inside the treatment room were recorded and a radiation map was plotted. The maximum leakage was measured at points that along the electron beam line while the gantry at 90 or 270 degree and at the end of head enclosure (0.314%, 0.4 m from electron beamline). The leakage TVL value is found to be 226 mm in a narrow beam geometry with the concrete density of 2.16 g/cm3 or 134.6 lb/cu.ft. CONCLUSION An overall uniform leakage was measured surrounding linac head. The beam stopper shields the primary radiation with the highest valued measured near the edge of beam stopper. The leakage TVL values are derived and less than the values reported for conventional C-arm linac.
Modeling Skewness Determinants in Accounting Research

Skewness-based proxies are widely used in accounting and finance research. To study how the skewness of a dependent variable Y varies with conditioning variables X, researchers typically compute firm-specific skewness measures over a short rolling window and regress them on X. However, we show that this standard approach can cause severe biases and produce false findings of both conditional skewness on average and systematic variation in conditional skewness. These biases generalize beyond rolling-window skewness. We develop alternative methods that address these biases by directly modeling the conditional skewness of Y for each observation as a function of X. Simulations confirm that our methods have good type-I errors and test power even in scenarios in which the standard method is severely biased. Our methods are transparent, robust, and can be implemented in a few lines of code. Use of our methods changes a major prior finding.
The mortality cost of carbon.

Many studies project that climate change can cause a significant number of excess deaths. Yet, in integrated assessment models (IAMs) that determine the social cost of carbon (SCC) and prescribe optimal climate policy, human mortality impacts are limited and not updated to the latest scientific understanding. This study extends the DICE-2016 IAM to explicitly include temperature-related mortality impacts by estimating a climate-mortality damage function. We introduce a metric, the mortality cost of carbon (MCC), that estimates the number of deaths caused by the emissions of one additional metric ton of CO2. In the baseline emissions scenario, the 2020 MCC is 2.26 × 10‒4 [low to high estimate −1.71× 10‒4 to 6.78 × 10‒4] excess deaths per metric ton of 2020 emissions. This implies that adding 4,434 metric tons of carbon dioxide in 2020—equivalent to the lifetime emissions of 3.5 average Americans—causes one excess death globally in expectation between 2020-2100. Incorporating mortality costs increases the 2020 SCC from $37 to $258 [−$69 to $545] per metric ton in the baseline emissions scenario. Optimal climate policy changes from gradual emissions reductions starting in 2050 to full decarbonization by 2050 when mortality is considered. Climate change is expected to have impacts on human mortality, e.g. through increases in heat waves. Here, the author proposes a new metric to account for excess deaths from additional CO2 emissions, which allows to assess the mortality impacts of marginal emissions and leads to a substantial increase in the social costs of carbon.
Endocrine Effects on Adipose Tissue Metabolism

Publisher Summary Awareness of the true role of adipose tissue in the physiology of the intact mammal has increased remarkably in the past twenty years. The magnitude of the caloric flux in adipose tissue has focused attention on the mechanisms that permit the rapid adjustment of its metabolic activity. The development of suitable in vitro techniques has greatly facilitated the investigation of hormonal effects on glucose utilization, the synthesis of fatty acids and triglycerides, and the release of free fatty acids by adipose tissue. In undertaking a review of these effects, this chapter attempts to adhere to the suggestion of the editors that it be selective and interpretive, representing a personal viewpoint rather than an all-inclusive study of published work. Emphasis is placed on recent studies conducted with surviving adipose tissue incubated in vitro .
COSTLY SIGNALS IN A FIELD CRICKET CAN INDICATE HIGH- OR LOW-QUALITY DIRECT BENEFITS DEPENDING UPON THE ENVIRONMENT

The handicap hypothesis proposes that male signals provide reliable information to females because only males of high condition provide high-quality mating benefits and can afford the costs of producing attractive signals. In the context of direct benefits, the handicap hypothesis predicts that benefit quality and signal attractiveness will positively covary among genotypes, positively covary among environments, or be affected by congruent genotype-environment interactions. The latter should occur if the relative condition of a genotype is environment-dependent. We tested these predictions in the variable field cricket, Gryllus lineaticeps. An interaction between male family and nutritional environment affected the expression of a costly signal preferred by females, while only male family affected direct benefit quality. These noncongruent effects of family and nutritional environment are inconsistent with the handicap hypothesis, and appear to have resulted from variation among nutritional environments in the relationship between signal attractiveness and benefit quality. Surprisingly, signal attractiveness was positively correlated with benefit quality when males experienced a low nutrition environment but negatively correlated with benefit quality when males experienced a high nutrition environment. As a result, female choice for direct benefits may be difficult, particularly in heterogeneous environments, unless females can assess the environmental histories of males.
Improvement of the Cloud Physics Formulation in the U.S. Navy Coupled Ocean-Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS)

Abstract : Correct representation of cloud processes is critical in producing accurate numerical weather prediction (NWP) forecasts. The major goal of the project is to develop state of the art parameterizations of cloud processes and implement them into COAMPS.
Bridging the Gap: Definition of Terms and Proposal for Patient Education

(1978). Bridging the Gap: Definition of Terms and Proposal for Patient Education. Health Education: Vol. 9, No. 3, pp. 18-21.
Experimental design and analysis of activators regenerated by electron transfer-atom transfer radical polymerization experimental conditions for grafting sodium styrene sulfonate from titanium substrates

A 24 factorial design was used to optimize the activators regenerated by electron transfer-atom transfer radical polymerization (ARGET-ATRP) grafting of sodium styrene sulfonate (NaSS) films from trichlorosilane/10-undecen-1-yl 2-bromo-2-methylpropionate (ester ClSi) functionalized titanium substrates. The process variables explored were: (1) ATRP initiator surface functionalization reaction time; (2) grafting reaction time; (3) CuBr2 concentration; and (4) reducing agent (vitamin C) concentration. All samples were characterized using x-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS). Two statistical methods were used to analyze the results: (1) analysis of variance with α=0.05, using average Ti XPS atomic percent as the response; and (2) principal component analysis using a peak list compiled from all the XPS composition results. Through this analysis combined with follow-up studies, the following conclusions are reached: (1) ATRP-initiator surface functionalization reaction times have no discernable effect on NaSS film quality; (2) minimum (≤24 h for this system) grafting reaction times should be used on titanium substrates since NaSS film quality decreased and variability increased with increasing reaction times; (3) minimum (≤0.5 mg cm−2 for this system) CuBr2 concentrations should be used to graft thicker NaSS films; and (4) no deleterious effects were detected with increasing vitamin C concentration.
Isolation of four forms of acetone-induced cytochrome P-450 in chicken liver by h.p.l.c. and their enzymic characterization

The purpose of this study was to purify and characterize the forms of cytochrome P-450 induced in chicken liver by acetone or ethanol. Using high performance liquid ion-exchange chromatography, we were able to isolate at least four different forms of cytochrome P-450 which were induced by acetone in chicken liver. All four forms of cytochrome P-450 proved to be distinct proteins, as indicated by their N-terminal amino acid sequences and their reconstituted catalytic activities. Two of these forms, also induced by glutethimide in chicken embryo liver, appeared to be cytochromes P450IIH1 and P450IIH2. Both of these cytochromes P-450 have identical catalytic activities towards benzphetamine demethylation. However, they differ in their abilities to hydroxylate p-nitrophenol and to convert acetaminophen into a metabolite that forms a covalent adduct with glutathione at the 3-position. Another form of cytochrome P-450 induced by acetone is highly active in the hydroxylation of p-nitrophenol and in the conversion of acetaminophen to a reactive metabolite, similar to reactions catalysed by mammalian cytochrome P450IIE. Yet the N-terminal amino acid sequence of this form has only 30-33% similarity with cytochrome P450IIE purified from rat, rabbit and human livers. A fourth form of cytochrome P-450 was identified whose N-terminal amino acid sequence and enzymic activities do not correspond to any mammalian cytochromes P-450 reported to be induced by acetone or ethanol.
Specification of real-time systems in real-time temporal interval logic

A real-time variant of temporal interval logic is proposed for the specification and reasoning of real-time systems. In the framework of the logic, it is possible to specify qualitative and quantitative aspects of temporal behaviors of systems. The formalism provides capabilities for quantitative specification of time behavior. The harmonization of temporal interval logic with real-time features leads to a very-high-level notation for the specification of real-time systems. Temporal interval logic, being event-based, also facilitates the specification of quantitative aspects of temporal behavior relative to the occurrence of events in a given context. The use of the formalism is shown for three examples of real-time system specification: a packet network with rerouting, a traffic-light controller, and a time-constrained broadcast bus protocol. >
Flexible forming of sheet metal using a plasma arc

AbstractConventional precision forming of sheet metal requires the use of mechanical tools. During product development, different tools may be required to form various shapes. If the required shapes can be formed without tools, the potential reduction in product development cost and lead time could be quite significant. To explore the potentials of flexible forming without tools, various researchers have used lasers as a heat source to form sheet metals. Promising results have been obtained. To investigate more economical and potentially safer heat sources, the authors recently established an experimental system to investigate the feasibility of forming sheet metals using a plasma arc as the energy beam and CO2 as the cooling jet. Several samples have been formed using the developed experimental system. Experiments have shown that the forming direction, either towards or away from the plasma arc beam, can be completely controlled to allow the formation of complex shapes.
Ni Graphite Intercalated Compounds in Ohmic Contact Formation on SiC

Ohmic contacts on SiC have been investigated extensively in the past decade. However, the mechanism for ohmic contact formation has been a troublesome issue. The interfacial structures at the atomic scale responsible for forming ohmic contacts have not been revealed. Our previous results have shown that carbon can form ohmic contacts on SiC after thermal annealing, and that an interfacial carbon layer between Ni and the SiC improves the contacts significantly. In this study, we have investigated the interactions between Ni and carbon, and ohmic contact formation on SiC using x-ray diffraction (XRD) and Raman spectroscopy. After annealing, ohmic behavior was observed and Ni graphite intercalated compounds (GICs) were found on Ni/C/SiC structures. Unlike conventional graphite intercalated compounds, the Ni atoms substitute for carbon atoms in the graphitic networks in these Ni-GICs. XRD peaks at 21.6° due to the Ni graphitic intercalation compound (Ni-GIC) and at 26.3° due to graphite have been observed. The distance between graphitic sheets is 0.403nm in the Ni graphite intercalated compounds, whereas it is ~20% larger in the graphite. The thickness of the interfacial carbon layer does not affect the formation of Ni-GIC.
The Lawyer-Client: A Managed Relationship?

Through a management sequence, a random sample of 125 civil lawyers were shown to engineer and control the lawyer-client relationship rather than leave its development and outcome to chance. The se...
Interaction of tRNA with 23S rRNA in the ribosomal A, P, and E sites

Three sets of conserved nucleotides in 23 rRNA are protected from chemical probes by binding of tRNA to the ribosomal A, P, and E sites, respectively. They are located almost exclusively in domain V, primarily in or adjacent to the loop identified with the peptidyl transferase function. Some of these sites are also protected by antibiotics such as chloramphenicol, which could explain how these drugs interfere with protein synthesis. Certain tRNA-dependent protections are abolished when the 3'-terminal A or CA or 2',3'-linked acyl group is removed, providing direct evidence for the interaction of the conserved CCA terminus of tRNA with 23S rRNA. When the EF-Tu.GTP.aminoacyl-tRNA ternary complex is bound to the ribosome, no tRNA-dependent A site protections are detected in 23S rRNA until EF-Tu is released. Thus, EF-Tu prevents interaction of the 3' terminus of the incoming aminoacyl-tRNA with the peptidyl transferase region of the ribosome during anticodon selection, thereby permitting translational proofreading.
Effect of physical fitness program in the workplace.

This study examined the effect of employee's participation in a physical fitness program in an industrial workplace on: job satisfaction, body image, and sickdays, using a pre-post matched control group design. Experimental and control groups (n's=23) were measured on the three dependent variables at the start of the fitness program and six months later. Analyses of covariance showed significantly higher job satisfaction, more positive body image, and fewer sickdays in the experimental group. Benefits of preventative health programs are discussed.
Human Cationic Trypsinogen ROLE OF Asn-21 IN ZYMOGEN ACTIVATION AND IMPLICATIONS IN HEREDITARY PANCREATITIS

Mutation Asn-21 --> Ile in human cationic trypsinogen (Tg-1) has been associated with hereditary pancreatitis. Recent studies with rat anionic Tg (Tg-2) indicated that the analogous Thr-21 --> Ile mutation stabilizes the zymogen against autoactivation, whereas it has no effect on catalytic properties or autolytic stability of trypsin (Sahin-Toth, M. (1999) J. Biol. Chem. 274, 29699-29704). In the present paper, human cationic Tg (Asn-21-Tg) and mutants Asn-21 --> Ile (Ile-21-Tg) and Asn-21 --> Thr (Thr-21-Tg) were expressed in Escherichia coli, and zymogen activation, zymogen degradation, and trypsin autolysis were studied. Enterokinase activated Asn-21-Tg approximately 2-fold better than Ile-21-Tg or Thr-21-Tg, and catalytic parameters of trypsins were comparable. At 37 degrees C, in 5 mm Ca(2+), all three trypsins were highly stable. In the absence of Ca(2+), Asn-21- and Ile-21-trypsins suffered autolysis in an indistinguishable manner, whereas Thr-21-trypsin exhibited significantly increased stability. In sharp contrast to observations with the rat proenzyme, at pH 8.0, 37 degrees C, autoactivation kinetics of Asn-21-Tg and Ile-21-Tg were identical; however, at pH 5. 0, Ile-21-Tg autoactivated at an enhanced rate relative to Asn-21-Tg. Remarkably, at both pH values, Thr-21-Tg showed markedly higher autoactivation rates than the two other zymogens. Finally, autocatalytic proteolysis of human zymogens was limited to cleavage at Arg-117, and no digestion at Lys-188 was detected. The observations indicate that zymogen stabilization by Ile-21 as observed in rat Tg-2 is not characteristic of human Tg-1. Instead, an increased propensity to autoactivation under acidic conditions might be relevant to the pathomechanism of the Asn-21 --> Ile mutation in hereditary pancreatitis. In the same context, faster autoactivation and increased trypsin stability caused by the Asn-21 --> Thr mutation in human Tg-1 might provide a rationale for the evolutionary divergence from Thr-21 found in other mammalian trypsinogens.
Nonlinear programming and an optimization problem on infinitely differentiable functions

A nonnegative, infinitely differentiable function o defined on the real line is called a Friedrichs mollifier function if it has support in [0, 1] and ∫ 0 1 o(t)dt=1. In this article the following problem is considered. Determine Δ k =inf∫ 0 1 ∣vo(k)(t)∣dt, k=1,..., where o(k) denotes thekth derivative of o and the infimum is taken over the set of all mollifier functions. This problem has applications to monotone polynomial approximation as shown by this author elsewhere. In this article, the structure of the problem of determining Δ k is analyzed, and it is shown that the problem is reducible to a nonlinear programming problem involving the minimization of a strictly convex function of [(k−1)/2] variables, subject to a simple ordering restriction on the variables. An optimization problem on the functions of bounded variation, which is equivalent to the nonlinear programming problem, is also developed. The results of this article and those from approximation of functions theory are applied elsewhere to derive numerical values of various mathematical quantities involved in this article, e.g., Δ k =k~22k−1 for allk=1, 2, ..., and to establish certain inequalities of independent interest. This article concentrates on problem reduction and equivalence, and not numerical value.
‘Power Smashes into Private Lives’: Violence, Globalization and Cosmopolitanism in Salman Rushdie's Shalimar the Clown

In Shalimar the Clown, Salman Rushdie fashions a novel of global proportions, tracing the interlacing fortunes of characters from a small Kashmiri village and from the metropolises of North America and Europe. Against the backdrop of international networks of diplomacy, capital and Islamic terrorism, and the repressive forces of the Indian state, Rushdie explores both vernacular and global articulations of cosmopolitanism. The essay argues mainly that Rushdie draws in this novel on the ideal of Kashmiriyat to imagine possibilities of conviviality across religious differences. Ultimately, he projects this ideal of a reconstituted Kashmiriyat, characterized as a vernacular form of cosmopolitanism, onto a global screen. Appealing as such a projected ideal might be, it is problematic in that it advances an elite vision of cosmopolitanism.
Acetaminophen Hepatotoxicity: Influence of Phenobarbital and β-Naphthoflavone Treatment in Obese and Lean Zucker Rats

Abstract The effect of phenobarbital (PB) and β-naphthoflavone (β-NF) on acetaminophen (APAP)-induced hepatotoxicity was evaluated in obese and lean Zucker rats. In addition, the consequences of APAP overdose on hepatic CYP2B1/2B2 enzyme activities following PB treatment were assessed. A single oral dose of APAP 3 g/kg (total body weight) was administered to both littermates 24 hr after the last dose of PB or β-NF. Histologic evidence of hepatocellular necrosis and serum hepatic aminotransferase enzymes 48 hr after APAP administration was utilized to evaluate hepatic damage. Hepatic microsomal total cytochrome P450 concentrations, alkoxyresorufin O -dealkylase activities, and 16β-testosterone hydroxylase activities were determined to evaluate the effect of APAP overdose on cytochrome P450 enzyme-substrate activities in the presence and absence of PB treatment. APAP overdose produced lower hepatotoxicity in the obese Zucker rat compared to lean controls. A similar trend was observed in animals treated with PB prior to APAP administration. In contrast, β-NF treatment produced potentiation of APAP toxicity and/or death of both obese and lean Zucker rats. Generally, APAP overdose produced reduction of hepatic cytochrome P450 enzyme-substrate activities. However, obese Zucker rats retained a higher percentage of their pre-APAP-treated enzyme activities which is consistent with the observation that obese Zucker rats are less affected by the hepatotoxic effects of APAP overdosage.
The Role of Arachidonic Acid Regulatory Enzymes in Colorectal Disease

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a wide ranging effect on diseases of the colon and rectum. Interestingly, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs seem to play a beneficial role in colorectal cancer chemoprevention and adenoma regression, but may have a deleterious effect in inflammatory bowel disease. Prostaglandin inhibition is central to both the beneficial and toxic effects of this class of drugs. Arachidonic acid metabolism is essential to prostaglandin synthesis. A Medline search using “nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs,” “colon cancer,” “inflammatory bowel disease,” “colitis,” “COX inhibitors,” “arachidonic acid,” and “chemoprevention” as key words was performed for English-language articles. Further references were obtained through cross-referencing the bibliography cited in each work. Based on numerous studies, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs have a beneficial role in colon cancer and colonic adenomas. However, they have been reported to have a deleterious effect on the colon in inflammatory bowel disease and have been shown to cause colitis. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs work via multiple pathways, some well defined, and others unknown. In the new millennium, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may be used for chemoprevention of colorectal and other cancers. In addition, they may be used in combination with surgery and chemotherapy to primarily treat colorectal carcinoma. Undoubtedly, the use of novel cyclooxygenase inhibitors with less of a toxicity profile will allow more widespread use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs for a variety of diseases. The future of this class of drugs is promising.
Social Altruism, Tax Policy, and Crime: A Cautionary Tale

This present investigation, drawing on social altruism theory, considers the feasibility of manipulating the federal tax code to reduce the level of crime across macro-social units. The OLS regression analyses of state level data reveal that the ratio of tax deductible contributions to the total number of returns is positively related to violent, and to a lesser extent property, crime rates. The implications of these findings for social theory and social policy are discussed.
SU‐FF‐J‐125: Therapy Assessment Using a Full Time Point (fTP) Pharmacokinetic Analysis of Dynamic Contrast‐Enhanced Magnetic Resonance Imaging (DCE‐MRI): Role of Region of Interest (ROI) Selection in Three Tumor Sites

Background: DCE‐MRI has great potential to provide routine assessment of cancer treatment response. The contrast agent preferentially accumulates in tumors due to increased tumor vascular permeability. The MR based parameters that can be used for treatment assessment (permeability and leakage space) can be averaged over the whole tumor or over a maximum enhancement ROI. The optimal method of analysis is controversial. Material and Methods: DCE‐MR images of selective head and neck, breast and extremity sarcoma patients were acquired on a 1.5T GE Signa Exite scanner before and after different therapy regimens (concurrent chemoradiation for head and neck, neoadjuvant and hyperthermia for breast, and radiation and hyperthermia for extremity sarcomas). The images were analyzed using an fTP pharmacokinetic analysis implemented by CAD Sciences® (White Plains, NY) that determines the tumor's permeability (PERM) and extracellular volume fraction (EVF). ROIs were defined over the entire extent of the tumor(Tumor ROI) and over areas that show maximum enhancement (MaxEnhROI). For head and neck cases, MaxEnhROI were carefully selected not to include fast enhancing arteries which can bias the averaging. Results: For all three tumor types, the trends of PERM and EVF change are the same, but the absolute changes are not. Larger differences are seen in tumors that have peripheral enhancement and large necrotic areas (found often in head and neck and extremity sarcomas). As expected, for homogeneous enhancing tumors (rarely encountered), the differences are not significant. Conclusions: Preliminary results show that ROI selection is important in MR parameter averaging, particularly if the quantitative analysis is used for therapy assessment. This statement is true for all the three sites considered. Although DCE‐MRI has great potential to provide routine assessment of cancer treatment response, its widespread application should be standardized for clinical use. Supported in part by grant NCI CA42745.
Computing x m mod p(x) and an application to splitting a polynomial into factors over a fixed disc

Abstract Koenig's theorem is a well-known basis for fast splitting a polynomial into factors over a fixed disc in the complex plane. We simplify the computation of such factors by means of its reduction to solving a banded triangular Toeplitz linear system of equations. The technique used may be of some interest in its own right, in particular, due to its possible extension to computing a power modulo a polynomial.
VEGF regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in glomerular endothelial cells

VEGF regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase in glomerular endothelial cells. Background Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) regulation of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) and signaling pathways involved have not been well studied in glomerular endothelial cells (GENCs). Methods GENCs grown from tsA58 Immortomice ® were used. Immunoblotting and in-cell Western blot analysis were employed to assess changes in VEGF receptor signaling pathway and eNOS phosphorylation of ser1177. Immunokinase assay and immunoblotting with phosphospecific antibodies were performed to assess activity of kinases. Results VEGF rapidly induced tyrosine phosphorylation of type 1 and type 2 VEGF receptors. Physical association between VEGF-receptor 2 (VEGF-R2) and insulin receptor substrate (IRS-1) and phosphatidylinositol 3′-kinase (PI3K) was induced by VEGF, which augmented PI3K activity in VEGF-R2 immunoprecipitates. VEGF stimulated Akt phosphorylation in a PI3K-dependent manner. VEGF increased eNOS phosphorylation on Ser1177. Activation of eNOS was associated with nitric oxide generation as measured by medium nitrite content. Signaling mechanisms involved in VEGF stimulation of eNOS were explored. VEGF-induced eNOS phosphorylation was abolished by SU1498, a VEGF-R2 inhibitor, LY294002, a PI3K inhibitor, and infection of cells with an adenovirus carrying a dominant negative-mutant of Akt, demonstrating the requirement of the VEGF-R2/IRS-1/PI3K/Akt axis for activation of eNOS. VEGF also activated extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) in a time-dependent manner; and VEGF-stimulated eNOS phosphorylation on Ser1177 was prevented by PD098059, an upstream inhibitor of ERK, demonstrating that ERK was involved in VEGF regulation of eNOS. ERK phosphorylation was abolished by LY294002, suggesting ERK was downstream of PI3K in VEGF-treated GENC. Conclusions Our data demonstrate that in GENC, VEGF stimulates VEGF-R2/IRS-1/PI3K/Akt axis to regulate eNOS phosphorylation on Ser1177 in conjunction with the ERK signaling pathway.
A simulation based image reconstruction strategy with predictable image quality in limited-angle x-ray tomography

This paper presents a Pre-computed BackProjection (BP) based Penalized-likelihood (PPL) method for limited­ angle X-ray tomography based on the theory of resolution properties of regularized image reconstruction. Pre­ computed BP based penalty is a simplified version of the modified quadratic penalty proposed in the literature. 1 By inserting a BP equivalent estimation into a quadratic penalty, the data-related terms in the impulse response and noise reconstructed by PPL are absorbed, such that the effects of smoothing parameter of the penalty can be evaluated in advance through the simulated data. A simulation based two-step procedure is proposed to apply PPL method in real applications. It reconstructs images with predictable resolution properties by choosing a corresponding smoothing parameter. The effectiveness and robustness of the two-step strategy is validated through simulation based experiments.
Enzymatic assay of total cholesterol in serum or plasma by amperometric measurement of rate of oxygen depletion following saponification.

Abstract A method for serum or plasma cholesterol assay involving amperometric measurement of the rate of oxygen depletion in the cholesterol oxidase-catalyzed oxidation of cholesterol is described. The hydrolysis of the serum cholesterol esters is accomplished by saponification of 50 μl of sample with 0.2 ml of ethanolic KOH (1.0 mol/1) containing 0.5% Triton X-100 for 5 min at 75° C. The rate of oxygen consumption in a 25-μl aliquot of this is measured with a Clark electrode in a Beckman Glucose Analyzer and the assay takes about one minute after incubation; results are read digitally on the instrument. The analyzer cell contains 1 ml of 1 M phosphate buffer, pH 7.4, with 100 mg sodium cholate/100 ml and 0.1–0.2 U cholesterol oxidase.
Model reactions for the study of the interaction of sulfur dioxide with mammalian organisms

Summary Formation constants are determined for the reversible reactions of sodium bisulfite with Vitamin K3 and nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Cysteine-S-sulfonate does not react with thiamine pyrophosphate or cytidine under a variety of conditions. This last result places restrictions on the hypothesis that sulfur dioxide may be a mutogen or carcinogen in mammalian organisms.
A colorimetric determination of purine and pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides and their phosphorylated derivatives.

Summary A colorimetric assay procedure has been described which, because of its strict requirement for the free aldehyde form of 2-deoxyribose, can be used to discriminate between purine and pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides. The purine deoxyribonucleosides are quantitatively broken down to deoxyribose and free purine by acid hydrolysis. The corresponding phosphorylated derivatives require prior phosphomonoesterase and potato apyrase hydrolysis. The method is thus capable of distinguishing between deoxyribonucleosides, the monophosphate, and triphosphate esters. Pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides are resistant to cleavage by mild acid, and a routine catalytic hydrogenation procedure has been described which sufficiently modifies the pyrimidine ring and acid-labilizes the N-deoxyribosyl linkage. Accordingly, a method has been described which is applicable for assessing levels of pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides. A differential acid hydrolysis procedure has been described which permits distinction between thymidine and deoxycytidine. The phosphate esters of the pyrimidine deoxyribonucleosides were also determined through the use of appropriate enzymic hydrolysis. This assay technique has been used to measure transglycosidase and deoxyribonucleoside hydrolase activities in bacterial extracts.
Microhardness Study Of Cathode-Mounted Amorphous Hydrogenated Boron Carbide

The authors have grown cathode-mounted amorphous hydrogenated boron carbide thin films by rf plasma decomposition of diborane and methane. The chemical composition, infrared absorption, optical absorption, microhardness and adhesion of these thin films were measured. As a function of increasing diborane concentration in the feedstock, the authors observe increasing boron and decreasing hydrogen concentrations, increasing infrared absorption at 1,300 cm{sup {minus}1} due to boron icosahedra, increasing optical band gaps, dramatically increased microhardness, and increased adhesion to the underlying substrates of these thin films. These results provide evidence that the presence of boron icosahedra increases microhardness, adhesion, and optical band gaps.
An unsolvable problem with products of matrices

The recursive unsolvability of a problem concerning products of upper triangular 3 × 3 matrices is shown to be an immediate consequence of the unsolvability of the Post Correspondence problem.
Exploring the Impact of Medical Marijuana Laws on the Validity of Self-Reported Marijuana Use Among Juvenile Arrestees Over Time

Past studies have found that underreporting of marijuana use is particularly high. The present study extends previous research that examined the temporal validity of self-reported marijuana use amo...
Stress field caused by a slid crystal at a free surface

Abstract The initial stage of plastic deformation of a fine grained aggregate with slip occurring only in the most favourably-oriented crystals is considered. The elastic modulus of the individual crystals is taken to be isotropic. The sliding crystals are assumed to be cubical in shape and located at a free surface of the aggregate. Strain hardening is considered. The analogy of plastic strain gradient and body force in causing stress field in an elastic medium, and Mindlin's solution of stress field caused by a point force in a semi-infinite solid, are applied. The calculated slip distribution and the stress field caused by the slip are shown. The slip near the free surface and other boundaries of the slid crystals is less than that at the interior.
Small molecule drug discovery for Dengue and West Nile viruses: applying experience from hepatitis C virus

There are currently no specific treatments for infection with Dengue virus (DENV) and West Nile Virus (WNV). Drug-discovery programs are underway for both viruses, but as yet no small molecules have advanced to clinical trials. Hepatitis C virus (HCV) is a related flavivirus that has been the focus of intense drug discovery efforts for the last two decades. Many approaches currently being pursued for DENV and WNV have been previously attempted for HCV with varying degrees of success. The experience with HCV may direct DENV and WNV efforts towards approaches with the best chance of success. Based on experience with HCV, the viral polymerase and protease are attractive targets to focus on since these have been most successful to date. Cell-based phenotypic screening may also yield attractive inhibitors. The helicase and methyltransferase enzymes are likely to prove difficult targets and host target approaches are fraught with safety concerns.
Officer Accommodation in Police-Civilian Encounters: Reported Compliance with Police in Mongolia and the United States

Recent research has demonstrated that, for young adults, officers' communicative practices are potent predictors of civilians’ attributed trust in police, and their perceived likelihood of compliance with police requests. This line of work has important applied implications for ameliorating police-civilian relations on the one hand and promoting a joint law enforcement/community response to crime prevention on the other. The present study continued this line of work in Mongolia and the USA. Mongolia is not only intriguing as little communication research has been conducted in this setting, but is significant as its government (and the law enforcement arm of it) is currently experiencing significant social upheavals. Besides differences between nations, results revealed that, for American participants, officer accommodativeness indirectly predicted civilian compliance through trust. This also emerged for the Mongolian counterparts, although a direct relationship was evident between officer accommodation and compliance as well. The latter finding is unique in that it is the first cultural context where both direct and indirect paths have been identified. The practical significance of these findings is discussed. Keywords: Mongolia; United States; America; Police; Law Enforcement; Civilian; Intercultural; Cross-Cultural; Intergroup; Accommodation; Trust; Compliance. DOI: 10.5564/mjia.v0i15-16.35 Mongolian Journal of International Affairs No.15-16 2008-2009 pp.176-200