cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
From Dropsy to Chart Biopsy: Opportunities and Pitfalls of Electronic Health Records

Our understanding of glomerular diseases has evolved over the years, in part through studies and registries developed from electronic health records (EHR). For nephrotic syndrome (NS), this has helped identify FSGS and membranous nephropathy as the leading causes in Black and White patients, respectively (1). Furthermore, these studies have demonstrated decreased kidney survival and higher mortality in patients with NS, compared with the general population (2). Like all studies, identifying patients from the EHR is potentially susceptible to selection biases. In this work, Vestergaard et al. compared patients with biochemical features of NS to patients with hospital-recorded NS within the Danish National Patient Registry in Denmark from 2004–2018 (3). The authors hypothesized that more patients would be identified by laboratory criteria than coded diagnoses. Laboratory NS was identified by the presence of nephrotic-range proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia. Nephrotic-range proteinuria was defined as a spot urine albumin-creatinine ratio >220 mg/mmol, urine albumin excretion rate >2.2 g/d, spot urine protein-creatinine ratio >350 mg/mmol, or urine protein excretion rate >3.5 g/d. Hypoalbuminemia was defined as plasma albumin <36 g/L (<3.6 g/dl) in persons aged <70 years, and <34 g/L (<3.4 g/dl) in persons aged ≥70 years. A coded diagnosis of NS was on the basis of International Classification of Diseases, Tenth Revision N04 or International Classification of Diseases, Eighth Revision 581. The authors showed that patients with nephrotic range proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia were remarkably five-fold more common than those with a coded diagnosis of NS. In addition, a lower eGFR and greater comorbidity were seen in the former. Similarly, prior kidney transplant recipients were more likely to have nephrotic-range proteinuria and hypoalbuminemia (6%) than were diagnosed with NS (1%). These findings demonstrate that studies on the basis of coded diagnoses may fail to characterize fully …
Local and Systemic Changes in Lipid Profile as Potential Biomarkers for Canine Atopic Dermatitis

Lipids play a critical role in the skin as components of the epidermal barrier and as signaling and antimicrobial molecules. Atopic dermatitis in dogs is associated with changes in the lipid composition of the skin, but whether these precede or follow the onset of dermatitis is unclear. We applied rapid lipid-profiling mass spectrometry to skin and blood of 30 control and 30 atopic dogs. Marked differences in lipid profiles were observed between control, nonlesional, and lesional skin. The lipid composition of blood from control and atopic dogs was different, indicating systemic changes in lipid metabolism. Female and male dogs differed in the degree of changes in the skin and blood lipid profiles. Treatment with oclacitinib or lokivetmab ameliorated the skin condition and caused changes in skin and blood lipids. A set of lipid features of the skin was selected as a biomarker that classified samples as control or atopic dermatitis with 95% accuracy, whereas blood lipids discriminated between control and atopic dogs with 90% accuracy. These data suggest that canine atopic dermatitis is a systemic disease and support the use of rapid lipid profiling to identify novel biomarkers.
NNSynth: Neural Network Guided Abstraction-Based Controller Synthesis for Stochastic Systems

In the last decade, abstraction-based controller synthesis techniques have gained considerable attention due to their ability to synthesize correct-by-design feedback controllers from high-level specifications. Nevertheless, a significant drawback of these techniques is the need to explore large spaces of quantized state and input spaces to find a controller that satisfies the specification. On the contrary, recent advances in machine learning, in particular imitation learning and reinforcement learning, paved the way to several techniques to design controllers (or policies) for highly nonlinear systems with large state and input spaces, albeit their lack of rigorous correctness guarantees. This motivates the question of how to use machine learning techniques to guide the synthesis of abstraction-based controllers. In this paper, we introduce NNSynth, a novel tool for abstraction-based controller synthesis. Unique to NNSynth is the use of machine learning techniques to guide the search over the space of controllers to find candidate Neural Network (NN)-based controllers. Next, these NNs are "projected" and the control actions that are close to the NN outputs are used to construct a "local" abstraction for the system. An abstraction-based controller is then synthesized from such a "local" abstract model. If a controller that satisfies the specifications is not found, then the best found controller is "lifted" to a neural network controller for additional training. Our experiments show that this neural network-guided synthesis leads to more than 50x or even 100x speedup in high dimensional systems compared to the state-of-the-art.
Do We Really Understand Crown Gall Control by Agrobacterium Radiobacter Strain K84

Control of crown gall disease by Agrobacterium radiobacter strain K84 has been commercially available for 15 years. Where it works, it works quite well. Where it does not work, it generally fails completely. In part, this mirrors the phenomenology of the biocontrol field. The difference is that with the K84 system we have some appreciation for how the organism controls the disease, and, perhaps even more importantly, why it may fail to do so. Our purpose here is to critically examine what is known about the system, to indicate current directions for research in the system, and, using the results generated by such research, to describe directions being taken to improve the system.
TH‐CD‐303‐08: A Novel 4D CBCT Reconstruction Method Using Registraition Assisted Compressed Sensing (RACS)

Purpose: Compressed Sensing (CS) based algorithms have demonstrated success in 4D Cone Beam CT by reconstructing high quality 4D images without significantly slowing down the acquisition. However, challenges remain, especially when data under-sampling is exacerbated by the use of a displaced detector; in such a scenario, the delineation of small pulmonary structures and their motion may suffer. The purpose of the study is to evaluate a novel algorithm named Registration Assisted Compressed Sensing (RACS), which is proposed to address the issue. Methods: The RACS algorithm includes the following steps: (1) an initial 4D data set is reconstructed by a CS algorithm; (2) deformable registration is applied to calculate the displacement field between each phase and a reference phase; (3) The displacement fields are then used in a modified FBP algorithm to reconstruct for each phase a seed image, which is used to reconstruct the final image by CS. For validation, a numerical phantom study was conducted, in which a large sphere (2cm diameter) is moving simultaneously along with two small spheres (2mm diameter) placed on both sides, with a period of 4 seconds and an amplitude of 1cm. A 60-second cone beam CT scan was simulated. Both the CS and the RACS algorithms were applied for 4D reconstruction. In addition to visual comparison, line profiles through the centers of the all three spheres are compared between the two algorithms. Results: The small spheres are clearly visualized in RACS reconstructed images, whereas they disappear in CS reconstructed images. The Root Mean Square Errors (RMSE) of the line profiles through the centers of the spheres are 11.2% and 4.3%, for the CS and RACS images, respectively. Conclusion: By integrating deformable registration derived temporal information into reconstruction, the proposed RACS algorithm demonstrates a marked improvement in preserving small structures in reconstructed 4D images.
Dynamics of particles and rigid bodies : a systematic approach

This 2006 book is intended for undergraduate courses in dynamics. The work is a unique blend of conceptual, theoretical, and practical aspects of dynamics generally not found in dynamics books at the undergraduate level. In particular, in this book the concepts are developed in a highly rigorous manner and are applied to examples using a step-by-step approach that is completely consistent with the theory. In addition, for clarity, the notation used to develop the theory is identical to that used to solve example problems. The result of this approach is that a student is able to see clearly the connection between the theory and the application of theory to example problems. While the material is not new, instructors and their students will appreciate the highly pedagogical approach that aids in the mastery and retention of concepts. The approach used in this book teaches a student to develop a systematic approach to problem-solving.
Entropic graphs for manifold learning

We propose a new algorithm that simultaneously estimates the intrinsic dimension and intrinsic entropy of random data sets lying on smooth manifolds. The method is based on asymptotic properties of entropic graph constructions. In particular, we compute the Euclidean k-nearest neighbors (k-NN) graph over the sample points and use its overall total edge length to estimate intrinsic dimension and entropy. The algorithm is validated on standard synthetic manifolds.
Industrial and Competition Policy: The Issue of Interrelation and Lessons for Russia

The article considers the question of interrelation between industrial and competition policy, especially in transition economies such as Russia. Both the possibilities of complementarity and trade-off are indicated. The authors show how the interplay between industrial and competition policy depends on the stage of economic development and how it has changed over few last decades. Some conclusions are drawn about the optimal use of industrial and competition policy in today's Russia considering the complexity of the objectives of economic policy.
The Politics of Primary Prevention

Primary prevention is the only effective strategy for reducing the future incidence of mental/emotional problems. But arguments about methods of reducing the rate of future problems have begun to raise questions that are more political, ideological and ethical than they are methodological. Prevention efforts may focus on safe strategies like individual behavioral change programs or alternatively on stronger non-voluntary group-mandated programs. Another dimension currently under debate is whether programs should be aimed at reducing risks for specific “mental diseases” or at efforts at fostering social competence to resist susceptibility to stress generally. Still another more general issue is the relevance of early childhood trauma like abuse and neglect in producing later emotional problems. Political conservatives favor the organic (biological, genetic) approaches to prevention that do not require social change while radicals argue for reducing social class inequalities and reducing poverty, exploitation and injustice.
Every Joint Has a Silver Lining

Therapy directed at a nonimmune cell that is unique to joints could suppress rheumatoid arthritis.
The Astronomy and Cosmology of Copernicus

It was close to the northernmost coast of Europe, in the city of Torun, that the King of Poland and the Teutonic Knights signed and sealed the peace of 1466, which made West Prussia part of Polish territory. And it was in that city, just seven years later and precisely 500 years ago, in 1473, that Nicholas Copernicus was born. We know relatively few biographical facts about Copernicus and virtually nothing of his childhood. He grew up far from the centers of Renaissance innovation, in a world still largely dominated by medieval patterns of thought. But Copernicus and his contemporaries lived in an age of exploration and of change, and in their lifetimes they put together a renewed picture of astronomy and geography, of mathematics and perspective, of anatomy, and of theology.
Dialectics, dialogics and other ways of reading us

In this response to Reis’s and Zuss’s responses to our meditation on the grotesque, we attempt to draw distinctions between positivist, empiricist, and realist (including grotesque realist) projects. We also, drawing on Bakhtin, consider the difference between dialogic and dialectic commentary.
The immersed molecular finite element method

Abstract In this paper, we present the framework of the immersed molecular finite element method (IMFEM). The framework incorporates Brownian motion dynamics, a molecular phenomenon predominantly present at the nanoscale, into the previously developed immersed finite element method, thus referred to as the immersed molecular finite element method. The thermal fluctuations are embedded in the fluid equations via fluctuating stress terms that are constructed at each timestep in accordance to the fluctuation dissipation theorem. The coupling between the immersed objects and the surrounding fluctuating fluid is accomplished via the hydrodynamic forces that are naturally introduced in the fluid–structure interaction term. A three-dimensional implementation of the framework is presented and verified with an example problem where a comparison is made with the analytic solution. Incorporating a molecular-type force field superimposed with a Coulomb potential between the immersed objects allows us to use the IMFEM to comprehensively model self-assembly of nanoscale structures. Our preliminary investigations suggest that this integrated simulation package will assist in achieving a fundamental understanding of nanodiamond self-assembly process, which represents an important component in the advancement of therapeutic and diagnostic applications.
Customer engagement behaviors and hotel responses

Abstract The current customer-centric business environment requires hospitality firms to pursue strategies steering customer behaviors beyond transactions, which are frequently referred to as customer engagement behaviors (CEBs). The present study focused on one particular type of customer engagement behaviors: user-generated hotel reviews. Specifically, this study examined potential customers’ perceptions of CEBs and hotels’ management responses to CEBs. The results of an experimental study showed that customers’ perceived motivational drivers underlying CEBs vary with their targets and positive CEBs enjoy more favorable evaluations than negative CEBs. For management responses to CEBs, the perceived motivational drivers were determined by the specificity of responses and the valence of CEBs. The effectiveness of specific management responses was rated higher than that of generic responses to negative CEBs. Theoretical and practical implications of the findings also are discussed.
Extension of Saccharomyces paradoxus Chronological Lifespan by Retrotransposons in Certain Media Conditions Is Associated with Changes in Reactive Oxygen Species

Retrotransposons are mobile DNA elements present throughout eukaryotic genomes that can cause mutations and genome rearrangements when they replicate through reverse transcription. Increased expression and/or mobility of retrotransposons has been correlated with aging in yeast, Caenorhabditis elegans, Drosophila melanogaster, and mammals. The many copies of retrotransposons in humans and various model organisms complicate further pursuit of this relationship. The Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ty1 retrotransposon was introduced into a strain of S. paradoxus that completely lacks retrotransposons to compare chronological lifespans (CLSs) of yeast strains with zero, low, or high Ty1 copy number. Yeast chronological lifespan reflects the progressive loss of cell viability in a nondividing state. Chronological lifespans for the strains were not different in rich medium, but were extended in high Ty1 copy-number strains in synthetic medium and in rich medium containing a low dose of hydroxyurea (HU), an agent that depletes deoxynucleoside triphosphates. Lifespan extension was not strongly correlated with Ty1 mobility or mutation rates for a representative gene. Buffering deoxynucleoside triphosphate levels with threonine supplementation did not substantially affect this lifespan extension, and no substantial differences in cell cycle arrest in the nondividing cells were observed. Lifespan extension was correlated with reduced reactive oxygen species during early stationary phase in high Ty1 copy strains, and antioxidant treatment allowed the zero Ty1 copy strain to live as long as high Ty1 copy-number strains in rich medium with hydroxyurea. This exceptional yeast system has identified an unexpected longevity-promoting role for retrotransposons that may yield novel insights into mechanisms regulating lifespan.
A predecessor algorithm for ordered lists

Abstract A standard problem in processing lists is to find the predecessor of an element. The two major approaches are to search from the beginning of the list or store a back pointer with every element. If the list has N elements, these approaches are O(N) in time and space, respectively. Under conditions discussed below, it is possible to find the predecessor in an ordered list with time O(N 1 2 ) and no additional space.
pH-Dependent binding analysis, a new and rapid method for isoelectric point estimation

Based upon the pH-dependent binding affinity of amphoteric molecules for an ion exchanger, and by taking advantage of batch procedures, a facile method was developed for estimating isoelectric points of these molecules. The new method allows pI measurements to be accomplished within 1 h. Moreover, any possible protein-ampholyte interaction or artifact formation, as may be introduced from the presence of carrier ampholytes when conventional focusing methods are employed, is eliminated by the method. In addition, because of the short processing time, isoelectric points of proteins can be measured at any desired temperature without much risk of protein denaturation. Seven proteins with well-defined isoelectric points were examined by the method. The measured pI values were within a range of 0.2 pH unit or less of the reported values. The precision of pI measurements by the method can be even further improved with the employment of a narrower pH gradient. Since the isoelectric point is an important parameter which governs much of the art of separating proteins, the advent of a simple and rapid method for its measurement would be of use for selecting the proper strategy for protein isolation and purification.
Remote teleoperation of an unmanned aircraft with a brain-machine interface: Theory and preliminary results

This paper presents an interface that allows a human pilot to remotely teleoperate an unmanned aircraft flying at a fixed altitude with input only from an electroen-cephalograph (EEG), which is used in this case to distinguish between left- and right-hand motor imagery in the brain. The approach is to construct an ordered symbolic language for smooth planar curves and to use these curves as desired paths for the aircraft. The underlying problem is then to design a communication protocol by which the pilot can, with vanishing error probability, specify a string in this language using a sequence of bits sent through a binary symmetric channel in the presence of noiseless feedback. Such a protocol is provided by the combination of arithmetic coding as a method of lossless data compression with posterior matching as a capacity-achieving channel code. Preliminary hardware experiments demonstrate the feasibility of this approach.
Controller Design and the Gauss–Lucas Theorem

In this technical note, we demonstrate how the classical Gauss-Lucas theorem can aid in the determination of stabilizing controllers for feedback systems. Moreover, we show how to apply the Gauss-Lucas theorem in the construction of new necessary conditions for Schur and Hurwitz stability. The results are used to derive new bounds on the stability margins and performance of control systems.
Some Generalizations of the Foldy-Wouthuysen Transformation

A canonical transformation similar to that given by Foldy and Wouthuysen is obtained for the spin zero and one theories. For free particles positive and negative charge states are separately described by one or three component wave functions. It is found that the resulting forms for operators and the non-relativistic limits are quite similar to that for spin \textonehalf{}. The resulting similarity is found to carry over to still higher spins. Particles moving in magnetic fields are described most simply using the transformed representation.
The effect of 8-methoxypsoralen-plus ultraviolet light on cell-virus interaction: the transforming infection; effect of PUVA on the transformation of baby hamster kidney cells by polyoma virus.

Pre-treatment of baby hamster kidney (BHK) cells with 8-methoxypsoralen (8-MOP) plus ultraviolet (UV) light enhances the frequency of their transformation by polyoma (Py) virus. Of the doses tested, 0.5 μg/ml 8-MOP plus 0.3 J/cm 2 UV-light results in maximal (30-fold) stimulation of viral transformation. 8-MOP alone does not affect viral transformation and UV-light alone causes only a slight increase in the transformation frequency. Thus the drug and light act synergistically in promoting the effect. Treatment of BHK cells with drug plus light without Py infection does not lead to a transformed morphology. A drug-light combination (0.01 μg/ml 2 8-MOP plus 1.2 J/cm 2 UV) that inhibits cellular DNA synthesis to 75% of control at 28hr after treatment results in a 6-fold stimulation of the transformation frequency.
General Applicability of the Coupling Model to Viscoelasticity of Polymers : from Local Segmental Motion to Terminal Flow

We survey the important problems in polymer viscoelasticity that impede progress in this field. These problems manifest themselves as spectacular anomalies in the viscoelastic data that have been reproduced in different polymers and in different laboratories, but have largely been put aside for lack of explanation. Without solving these difficult problems, there can be no satisfactory understanding of the viscoelastic properties of polymers spanning across the local segmental motion, the glass-rubber softening dispersion, the rubbery plateau and the terminal dispersion. The coupling model, which has general applicablity to various relaxation mechanisms of polymers and beyond polymers, is able to resolve all these problems.
The Purpose of the Past: Reflections on the Uses of History

The Purpose of the Past: Reflections on the Uses of History GORDON S. WOOD, 2009 New York: Penguin pp. 323 + index. $19.95; paper $8.95. Gordon Wood has studied one revolution while living through ...
Cough: physiology, evaluation, and treatment.

Cough is one of a group of defensive respiratory reflexes. The reflex is a complex one, with the afferent pathway within the vagus nerve, and the efferent pathway within the somatic nervous system. Cough receptors are situated mainly but not exclusively within the extrapulmonary airways. Several types of afferent nerves may subserve the cough reflex, including both myelinated and nonmyelinated fibers. The cough efferent response involves vigorous motor activity with generation of high intrathoracic pressure, high flows at the mouth, and high intrathoracic gas velocities. In addition to the advantageous effects of cough are deleterious consequences including chest wall trauma and hemodynamic disturbance. Evaluation of cough may employ a simplified model of cough pathogenesis wherein abnormalities of the lungs are sought. A more complex model is also appropriate, which allows for the possibility that cough may result from abnormalities outside of the lungs. Conclusions drawn from evaluations employing the latter model tend to be tentative and treatment needs to be appropriate to the degree of impairment and the level of certainty as to the causal nature of the associations. When a cause for cough cannot be found, treatment with nonspecific antitussives is indicated. Codeine, dextromethorphan, and diphenhydramine have been recommended as safe and effective therapies.
Rare-Event Simulation for Multistage Production-Inventory Systems

We consider the problem of precise estimation of service-level measures in multistage production-inventory systems when the system is managed for high levels of service. Precisely because the service level is high, stockouts, large backorders, and unfilled demands are rare and thus difficult to estimate by straightforward simulation. We propose and analyze alternative estimators, based on changing the demand distribution to make these rare events less rare. Whereas straightforward simulation for a fixed relative error results in computational requirements that grow exponentially in certain stock-level parameters, the requirements for our importance sampling estimators remain bounded for all parameter values. We provide bounds making it possible to determine the maximum number of replications required before any are generated. Numerical examples illustrate the effectiveness of our method.
A randomized investigation of methadone doses at or over 100 mg/day, combined with contingency management.

Abstract Background Methadone maintenance for heroin dependence reduces illicit drug use, crime, HIV risk, and death. Typical dosages have increased over the past few years, based on strong experimental and clinical evidence that dosages under 60 mg/day are inadequate and that dosages closer to 100 mg/day produce better outcomes. However, there is little experimental evidence for the benefits of exceeding 100 mg/day, or for individualizing methadone dosages. We sought to provide such evidence. Methods We combined individualized methadone dosages over 100 mg/day with voucher-based cocaine-targeted contingency management (CM) in 58 heroin- and cocaine-dependent outpatients. Participants were randomly assigned to receive a fixed dose increase from 70 mg/day to 100 mg/day, or to be eligible for further dose increases (up to 190 mg/day, based on withdrawal symptoms, craving, and continued heroin use). All dosing was double-blind. The main outcome measure was simultaneous abstinence from heroin and cocaine. Results We stopped the study early due to slow accrual. Cocaine-targeted CM worked as expected to reduce cocaine use. Polydrug use (effect-size h = .30) and heroin craving (effect-size d = .87) were significantly greater in the flexible/high-dose condition than in the fixed-dose condition, with no trend toward lower heroin use in the flexible/high-dose participants. Conclusions Under double-blind conditions, dosages of methadone over 100 mg/day, even when prescribed based on specific signs and symptoms, were not better than 100 mg/day. This counterintuitive finding requires replication, but supports the need for additional controlled studies of high-dose methadone.
Human red blood cell-mediated metabolism of leucovorin [(R,S)5-formyltetrahydrofolate].

Abstract The ability of human blood in vitro , and partially purified red blood cells, to metabolize leucovorin, or 5-formyltetrahydrofolate, has been examined. A radioenzymatic assay based upon entrapment of 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate, and other reduced folates after cycling to this form, into a stable ternary complex with thymidylate synthase and tritiated 5-fluoro-2′-deoxyuridine-5′-monophosphate was used to estimate reduced folate metabolites. Incubation of whole blood samples with ( R,S )5-formyltetrahydrofolate resulted in a time- and concentration-dependent extracellular accumulation of the reduced folates, 5-methyltetrahydrofolate, tetrahydrofolate, 10-formyltetrahydrofolate, and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate. While accumulation with time was nonlinear, the tetrahydrofolate pool showed the greatest overall increase in concentration. 5-Methyltetrahydrofolate, which was the only reduced folate detected in plasma prior to introduction of ( R,S )5-formyltetrahydrofolate, accumulated more slowly than tetrahydrofolate. 10-Formyltetrahydrofolate and 5,10-methylenetetrahydrofolate accumulated even more slowly but exhibited nonlinear kinetic patterns similar to those of tetrahydrofolate and 5-methyltetrahydrofolate. When blood cells were removed by centrifugation, a complete loss of metabolic activity was observed. Exposure of purified red blood cells to ( R,S )5-formyltetrahydrofolate resulted in accumulation of extracellular reduced folates that was similar to that in whole blood samples while partially purified white blood cells exhibited little activity. Metabolism of the ( S ) diastereomer of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate accounted for essentially all of the observed extracellular accumulation of reduced folates. We propose that red blood cell-mediated metabolism of 5-formyltetrahydrofolate could, in part at least, account for reduced folate accumulation in plasma when leucovorin is administered to humans.
Monoclonal light chain--mesangial cell interactions: early signaling events and subsequent pathologic effects

Glomerulopathic monoclonal light chains (G-LC) interact with mesangial cells (MC), resulting in alterations of mesangial homeostasis. Early signaling events control mitogenic activities and cytokine production, which in turn participate in the subsequent pathologic events. Mesangial homeostasis is affected in two very different ways, depending on whether the G-LC is from a patient with light chain deposition disease (LCDD) or light chain-related amyloidosis (AL-Am). In contrast, tubulopathic (T)-LC chains from patients with myeloma cast nephropathy do not significantly interact with MC and result in no alterations in mesangial homeostasis. Therefore, understanding early events in the monoclonal LC-MC interactions is fundamental. MC in culture were exposed to LC obtained and purified from the urine of patients with plasma cell dyscrasias and biopsy-proven renal disease, including LCDD, AL-Am, and myeloma cast nephropathy. Incubation of MC with G-LC, but not T-LC, resulted in cytoskeletal and cell shape changes, activation of platelet-derived growth factor-beta (PDGF-beta) and its corresponding receptor, cytoplasmic to nuclear migration of c-fos and NF-kappa beta signals, and production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), as well as increased expression of Ki-67, a proliferation marker. Although NF-kappa beta activation was directly related to MCP-1 production, c-fos activation regulated proliferative signals and cytoskeletal changes in MC. Amyloidogenic LC were avidly internalized by the MC, whereas LCDD-LC effector targets were located at the MC surface. These cellular events are likely initiated as a result of interactions of the G-LC with yet-uncharacterized MC surface receptors. Dissecting the events taking place when G-LC interact with MC may define potential important targets for selective therapeutic manipulation to ameliorate or prevent the glomerular injury that ensues.
Context-specific cross-sensitization between systemic cocaine and intra-accumbens AMPA infusion in the rat

Two behavioral experiments were conducted in rats to evaluate the context-specificity of changes in nucleus accumbens glutamate transmission induced by systemic cocaine administration. At 2 weeks of withdrawal from daily cocaine injections (15 mg/kg, IP, daily×7 days), subjects who had received cocaine in the test environment displayed a significantly greater motor response to intra-accumbens infusion of the glutamate receptor subtype-specific agonist, α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionic acid (AMPA) than subjects who had received daily saline injections. Subjects who previously received cocaine in the home cage displayed no greater AMPA-induced motor activity within the test environment than saline-treated controls. In contrast, behavioral sensitization to an intra-accumbens challenge with the NMDA receptor-specific agonist, 1-aminocyclobutane-cis-1,3-dicarboxylic acid (cis-ACDA), was seen in both cocaine-treated subject groups. These results suggest that behavioral sensitization to psychostimulants may be mediated, in part, by a context-conditioned behavioral sensitization to glutamate transmission in the nucleus accumbens through AMPA/kainate receptors.
A theoretical framework and efficiency study of multivariate statistical process control charts

A multivariate T 2 chart is developed based on the Generalized Likelihood Ratio Test (GLRT) without a priori information about potential mean deviations. Identification of response variables from a...
Racial Segregation and Black Urban Homicide

Social deprivation and social isolation perspectives provide grounds for expecting residential segregation to increase violent crime among oppressed minorities. The AA. examine the impact of racial residential segregation on rates of African-American homicide victimization for large U.S. central cities. The analyses demonstrate that black-white segregation leads to higher rates of black killing altough the relationship exists only for stranger and acquaintance homicides. This suggests that social isolation, rather than social deprivation, is the mechanism by which segregation leads to higher levels of homicide among African Americans.
Peroxisomes in the absorptive cells of normal, rachitic, and vitamin-D replete chick intestine: Ultrastructure and histochemistry

Using routine transmission electron microscopy and light and electron microscopic techniques for the histologic demonstration (localization) of catalase (a peroxisomal enzyme), peroxisomes in chick duodenal epithelial cells were identified and studied. In these cells, peroxisomes were seen to be small, ovoid structures, delimited by a single unit membrane. They were concentrated in the supranuclear cytoplasm in initimate association with the smooth endoplasmic reticulum. As demonstrated histochemically, the heterogeneous matrix of these organelles was catalase positive. In addition, most of the larger peroxisomes revealed central nucleoids; however, the smaller peroxisomes were generally anucleoid. It thus appears that two classes of peroxisomes exist in chick intestinal absorptive cells: (1) small, anucleoid microperoxisomes, and (2) larger, nucleoid-containing peroxisomes. In addition to the above morphological characteristics, both peroxisome types were numerous in normal and vitamin-D-replete tissues, but were conspicuously decreased or absent from the apical cytoplasm of rachitic epithelial cells. From these observations it is hypothesized that these organelles may be involved in the overall vitamin-D response of the small intestine.
Celiac disease as a possible cause for low serum ferritin in patients with restless legs syndrome.

Abstract Objective To describe celiac disease (CD) as a possible cause for low serum ferritin in patients with restless legs syndrome (RLS). Background Low iron stores have been found to be a risk factor for RLS with serum ferritin levels less than 45–50ng/mL associated with increased severity of RLS. It has become routine clinical practice to test serum ferritin in the initial assessment of RLS. CD is a common genetic disorder that can cause iron deficiency. Methods Consecutive case series of four patients with RLS and serum ferritin below 25ng/mL, who had positive screening tests for celiac disease. Results We report four patients who had serum ferritin Conclusions In patients with RLS and low serum ferritin who do not have an obvious cause for iron deficiency, we suggest looking for CD by simple, inexpensive serologic testing. Diagnosis and treatment of CD is likely to improve the outcome for RLS, as well as identify individuals who are at risk for the significant long-term complications of CD.
Polymer–solvent interaction parameters and creep behavior of ethylene–propylene rubbers

The polymer–solvent interaction parameter for an ethylene–propylene terpolymer containing 53 mole-% ethylene was determined as a function of degree of crosslinking in n-heptane and benzene. A well characterized EPR gum vulcanizate was used to obtain the polymer–solvent interaction parameter in fourteen solvents, and the cohesive energy density of the terpolymer was evaluated. The composite tensile creep curves for gum and filled EPR vulcanizates were obtained and compared with SBR creep curves.
Lasing without inversion in a maser with injected atomic coherence

Abstract The operation of a maser with injected atomic coherence is analyzed in this work. The initial atomic coherence between two lasing levels of active atoms locks the phase of the maser field and eliminates the threshold of the field. The disappearance of the threshold makes “lasing without population inversion” possible in the maser with injected atomic coherence. We also present a simple physical picture to account for the lasing without inversion.
Drug therapy of bacillus Calmette-Guérin sepsis

Intravesical bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) is widely used for the treatment of transitional cell carcinoma of the bladder. Although it is usually well tolerated, sepsis can occur, which has resulted in at least eight deaths [3]. The survival of Connaught BCG-infected mice treated with single and combination antibiotic and steroid therapy was evaluated. Triple-drug therapy with isoniazid, rifampin, and prednisolone resulted in 53% survival compared with 25% survival in the control group (P = 0.0209). A survival of only 10.5% was observed with treatment using prednisolone alone. This survival was worse than that of the control group (25%), and approached statistical significance (P = 0.0669). Our data suggest that BCG sepsis probably has components of both a hypersensitivity reaction and bacterial sepsis; they support the current use of combination antibiotic and steroid therapy for treatment of BCG sepsis in humans, but argue against treatment with steroids alone.
CMOS RAM Cosmic-Ray-Induced-Error-Rate Analysis

The methodology and results are presented for a detailed analysis to predict the galactic cosmic ray induced bit-error rate in three commercially availale CMOS RAM types. A summary of cyclotron simulation data is provided and utilization of the experimental results in the Cosmic Ray Induced Error Rate (CRIER) model is described.
Influence of thermally induced chemorheological changes on the torsion of elastomeric circular cylinders

When an elastomeric material is deformed and subjected to temperatures above some characteristic value T cr (near 100∘C for natural rubber), its macromolecular structure undergoes time and temperature-dependent chemical changes. The process continues until the temperature decreases below T cr. Compared to the virgin material, the new material system has modified properties (reduced stiffness) and permanent set on removal of the applied load. A new constitutive theory is used to study the influence of the changes of macromolecular structure on the torsion of an initially homogenous elastomeric cylinder. The cylinder is held at its initial length and given a fixed twist while at a temperature below T cr. The twist is then held fixed and the temperature of the outer radial surface is increased above T cr for a period of time and then returned to its original value. Assuming radial heat conduction, each material element undergoes a different chemical change. After enough time has elapsed such that the temperature field is again uniform and at its initial value, the cylinder properties are now inhomogeneous. Expressions for the time variation of the twisting moment and axial force are determined, and related to assumptions about material properties. Assuming the elastomeric networks to act as Mooney-Rivlin materials, expressions are developed for the permanent twist on release of torque, residual stress, and the new torsional stiffness in terms of the kinetics of the chemical changes.
On the free field resolutions for coset conformal field theories

Abstract We obtain a resolution of (generically irreducible) highest-weight modules for coset conformal field theories G/H in terms of free field Fock spaces, by projection of the free field resolutions of Ĝ. We apply the resolution to calculate the characters of some G/H models, including the G-parafermions and G × G/G models. In this way we obtain, for example, explicit expressions for all Kac-Peterson string functions.
ANATOMY OF SIGILLARIA APPROXIMATA

SINCE IT IS not always possible to correlate compressions and impressions with petrifactions, the names assigned to specimens showing external features only are often different from those given to petrified specimens of the same taxon. Sigillaria is one of the few genera in which the specific epithet given to a fragment with internal preservation has always been one which had previously been assigned to a compressed fossil with leaf bases similar to those in the petrifaction. Much can be said for and against such a practice. It is obviously a much more natural system of naming fossil plants and it avoids a multiplication of species names. In addition, since several of the species of Sigillaria are so similar as far as internal features are concerned, differentiating species on the basis of histological details alone would be impossible. A drawback of this system, however, would be encountered if stem fragments lacking leaf bases were found. Such a situation confronted the author in the present study of Sigillaria since none of the several woody axes available had cortex and leaf bases attached. Petrified Sigillaria stems are not especially common, and they are even rarer in North America than in Europe. In 1935, Graham described a crushed specimen of Sigillaria app,roximata Fontaine and White (1880), a clathrarian species of the genus, from a coal ball found in a coal mine near the town of Calhoun, in Richland County, Illinois. Darrah (1941) listed the same species from Iowa coal balls, but there is no description, nor does he cite a paper referring to its discovery in Iowa. Fisher and Noe (1939) indicated that S. elegans also occurs in Richland County, Illinois, but again there are no further details. MATERIALS.-Coal balls have recently become available in a creek bed about two and three-quarters miles east of Calhoun, Illinois, on the prpoerty of Mr. Lowell Steuber (NE 1/4 sec. 32, T3N, R 14 W, Sumner Quadrangle, Richland County). Coal was mined from the creek bed in the past, but operations have since been discontinued. The coal appears to be a continuation of the seam exposed in other nearby places (Graham, 1935; Schopf, 1941). Several coal balls from the recently discovered locality have yielded sigillarian remains in an excellent state of preservation. For reasons mentioned later in the paper, the species of Sigillaria present has been identified as S. approximata, and because of the quality of preservation of the material, a detailed study of the anatomy of that species could be made.
Toward a sampling strategy for vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas

Nine species of VAM fungi were recovered from a barrier dune system in Rhode Island. It was determined, by using species increment curves, that 9–30 samples were necessary to find all nine species. In a corroborative study of a Virginia dune, 26–30 samples were necessary to recover all 18 species at that site. Using cumulative averages, it was determined in three dune studies that 30 samples would usually yield a mean spore density of ±20%. Standardized estimation formulae indicated that the numbers of samples required were usually outside the range of practical sampling feasibility.
Crystal Structure of the E2 Domain of Amyloid Precursor Protein-like Protein 1 in Complex with Sucrose Octasulfate

Missense mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP) gene can cause familial Alzheimer disease. It is thought that APP and APP-like proteins (APLPs) may play a role in adhesion and signal transduction because their ectodomains interact with components of the extracellular matrix. Heparin binding induces dimerization of APP and APLPs. To help explain how these proteins interact with heparin, we have determined the crystal structure of the E2 domain of APLP1 in complex with sucrose octasulfate (SOS). A total of three SOS molecules are bound to the E2 dimer. Two SOSs are bound inside a narrow intersubdomain groove, and the third SOS is bound near the two-fold axis of the protein. Mutational analyses show that most residues interacting with SOS also contribute to heparin binding, although in varying degrees; a deep pocket, defined by His-376, Lys-422, and Arg-429, and an interfacial site between Lys-314 and its symmetry mate are most important in the binding of the negatively charged polysaccharide. Comparison with a lower resolution APP structure shows that all key heparin binding residues are conserved and identically positioned, suggesting that APLP1 and APP may bind heparin similarly. In transfected HEK-293 cells, mutating residues responsible for heparin binding causes little change in the proteolysis of APP by the secretases. However, mutating a pair of conserved basic residues (equivalent to Arg-414 and Arg-415 of APLP1) immediately adjacent to the heparin binding site affects both the maturation and the processing of APP.
Preparative high-performance liquid chromatographic separation of high-molecular-weight isomers

Abstract The three positional methoxy isomers, 3,4-di( p -bromophenyl)-1,2,5-triphenyl-cyclo-2,4-pentadien-1-methyl ether, 2,3-di( p -bromophenyl)-1,4,5-triphenylcyclo-2,4-pentadien-1-methyl ether, and 1,2-di( p -bromophenyl)-3,4,5-triphenylcyclo-2,4-pentadien-1-methyl ether (mol. wt. 634) were obtained during the course of synthesizing a compound suitable for obtaining a chemically bonded phase for high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Attempts to separate these three isomers by open-column liquid chromatography failed and only partial separation is obtained with multiple-development thin-layer chromatography. A preparative column, 20 × 9.9 cm I.D., packed with 10-μm Lichrosorb SI-100 was successfully used. Structures were determined by mass spectrometry, nuclear magnetic resonance and elemental analysis. Equipment and technique for slurry packing preparative HPLC columns is described.
Effect of Population Density, Size of Habitat and Oviposition Substrate on the Breeding System of Pupfish (Cyprinodon pecosensis)

Size of habitat, availability of oviposition substrate, and population density were manipulated to determine their effects on the structure and dynamics of the pupfish breeding system. The fish established a territorial breeding system in large tanks, irrespective of population density or oviposition substrate. A dominance hierarchy, in which one male controlled most of the oviposition substrate and spawned with most females, was established in small tanks at low densities. Both population density and oviposition substrate affected the number of males defending territories. Male spawning success was inversely related to availability of oviposition substrate, but was not affected either by density or tank size. Location of a territory and its size also influenced spawning success. Males with bigger territories had higher spawning success. A “carryover” effect of neighbors was observed; males with reproductively active neighbors spawned more often than those with less successful neighbors. Interference with spawning was affected both by tank size and density. Agonistic behavior of breeding males was not affected by any manipulation, but it was positively associated with male spawning success at high but not at low densities. In all treatments the mortality of breeding males was approximately 8 times as high as that of females, suggesting that, under these experimental conditions, the cost of reproducing is substantially higher for males. Comparisons between breeding pupfish in these experiments and in natural environments provide a basis for understanding the selective pressures that have favored the maintenance of these extremely plastic breeding systems.