cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Retinoic Acid Induces Hyperactivity, and Blocking Its Receptor Unmasks Light Responses and Augments Vision in Retinal Degeneration.

Summary Light responses are initiated in photoreceptors, processed by interneurons, and synaptically transmitted to retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), which send information to the brain. Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a blinding disease caused by photoreceptor degeneration, depriving downstream neurons of light-sensitive input. Photoreceptor degeneration also triggers hyperactive firing of RGCs, obscuring light responses initiated by surviving photoreceptors. Here we show that retinoic acid (RA), signaling through its receptor (RAR), is the trigger for hyperactivity. A genetically encoded reporter shows elevated RAR signaling in degenerated retinas from murine RP models. Enhancing RAR signaling in healthy retinas mimics the pathophysiology of degenerating retinas. Drug inhibition of RAR reduces hyperactivity in degenerating retinas and unmasks light responses in RGCs. Gene therapy inhibition of RAR increases innate and learned light-elicited behaviors in vision-impaired mice. Identification of RAR as the trigger for hyperactivity presents a degeneration-dependent therapeutic target for enhancing low vision in RP and other blinding disorders.
Rigorous A-Posteriori Analysis Using Numerical Eigenvalue Bounds in a Surface Growth Model

In order to prove numerically the global existence and uniqueness of smooth solutions of a fourth order, nonlinear PDE, we derive rigorous a-posteriori upper bounds on the supremum of the numerical range of the linearized operator. These bounds also have to be easily computable in order to be applicable to our rigorous a-posteriori methods, as we use them in each time-step of the numerical discretization. The final goal is to establish global bounds on smooth local solutions, which then establish global uniqueness.
Comparison of psychiatric comorbidities and impact on quality of life in patients with epilepsy or psychogenic nonepileptic spells.

Abstract Objectives Psychiatric comorbidity is common in people with epilepsy (PWE) and psychogenic nonepileptic spells (PNES). These comorbidities can be detrimental to quality of life (QOL) and are often underdiagnosed and undertreated. Some types of epilepsy, such as focal temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), have been associated with higher rates of psychiatric comorbidity. This study examined the impact of psychiatric comorbidity on QOL in patients admitted to two level 4 epilepsy monitoring units (EMUs). Methods In this prospective observational study, 200 patients admitted to two level 4 EMUs completed standardized surveys including the Quality of Life in Epilepsy (QOLIE-31-P), Generalized Anxiety Disorder 7-item (GAD-7), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9), and Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Hierarchal multiple regression was performed to assess impact on QOL. Results Of the 200 participants, 113 had a diagnosis of epilepsy, 36 had a diagnosis of PNES, and 51 were excluded for nondiagnostic evaluation or dual diagnosis. Of those with epilepsy, 65 had TLE, 28 had focal extratemporal lobe epilepsy (ETLE), and 20 had nonfocal epilepsy. Patients with PNES had higher self-reported anxiety and depression levels (GAD-7: p = 0.04, PHQ-9: p Conclusions Our findings suggest that self-reported anxiety and depression symptoms are common in patients admitted to level 4 EMUs regardless of diagnosis and play an important role in predicting QOL in PWE. Our findings emphasize the importance of routinely screening all EMU patients for psychiatric comorbidity.
Exploring Multi-Banking Customer-to-Customer Relations in AML Context with Poincaré Embeddings.

In the recent years money laundering schemes have grown in complexity and speed of realization, affecting financial institutions and millions of customers globally. Strengthened privacy policies, along with in-country regulations, make it hard for banks to inner- and cross-share, and report suspicious activities for the AML (Anti-Money Laundering) measures. Existing topologies and models for AML analysis and information sharing are subject to major limitations, such as compliance with regulatory constraints, extended infrastructure to run high-computation algorithms, data quality and span, proving cumbersome and costly to execute, federate, and interpret. This paper proposes a new topology for exploring multi-banking customer social relations in AML context -- customer-to-customer, customer-to-transaction, and transaction-to-transaction -- using a 3D modeling topological algebra formulated through Poincare embeddings.
Microfluidics-Based Single-Cell Protrusion Analysis for Screening Drugs Targeting Subcellular Mitochondrial Trafficking in Cancer Progression

Cancer cell migration is often guided by cell protrusions, whose formation and activity involve subcellular localization of mitochondria. However, the role of subcellular mitochondrial trafficking during cell protrusion generation is not well-understood amidst a lack of quantitative data. Here, we present a high-throughput microfluidic platform that enables the quantitative, single-cell precision analysis of cell protrusion formation during cell migration that is regulated by subcellular mitochondrial trafficking. Gene expression profiling of the isolated cell protrusions suggested that mitochondria were found in high numbers within cell protrusions, a finding validated by mitochondrial staining. Quantitative analysis revealed that the formation of cell protrusions could be effectively suppressed by inhibiting subcellular mitochondrial trafficking. We further demonstrated that rapid screening of mitochondria-specific therapeutic drugs to evaluate their effects on cell protrusion formation with single-cell precision could be achieved in the microfluidic platform, which could have clinical utility in the development of new anticancer agents.
Using Machine Learning to Improve Surgical Outcomes

Predicting the severity of patient’s condition helps providing accurate clinical care. Mortality prediction is one of the challenges due to distinct characteristics of the patient’s data. It is a challenging problem to evaluate the patient’s data which is highly sparse, highly biased and imbalanced, and highly mixed. In this paper, we are focusing on processing large volumes of data using neural networks which can be further used for analysis to obtain useful insights, such as identifying the major features contributing to certain outcomes of events or classifying different objects based on the presences of certain attributes and their measurements.
Minority and low‐income patients are less likely to have a scale for self‐weighing in their home: A survey in primary care

Daily self-weighing is a weight management behaviour that requires a scale; however, scale ownership may be cost-prohibitive for some patients. Our objective was to understand the proportion of primary care patients with a scale at home, and factors associated with home scale access, to potentially inform future interventions that facilitate scale access. Cross sectional survey of 216 adult patients from three primary care clinics: mixed-income urban/suburban (n = 68); mixed-income urban (n = 70); low-income urban (n = 74). The dependent variable was presence of a home scale; bivariate associations were conducted with variables including demographics, insurance type, clinic setting and self-reported height/weight. Mean age was 53 years; 71% women; 71% racial minority; mean body mass index 32 kg/m2 . Overall, 56% had a home scale. Most (79%) white patients owned a scale, compared to 46% of racial minority patients (P < .01); 33% of low-income patients owned scale, compared to over 66% of patients at the clinics serving mixed-income populations (P < .01). Most low-income urban clinic patients do not own a home scale. Because self-weighing is an effective weight-management behaviour, clinicians could consider assessing scale access, and future research should assess the health impact of providing scales to patients with overweight/obesity who desire weight loss or maintenance.
Intratumoral Translocation Positive Heterogeneity in Pediatric Alveolar Rhabdomyosarcoma Tumors Correlates to Patient Survival Prognosis.

Alveolar rhabdomyosarcoma (ARMS) is characterized by one of three translocation states: t(2;13)(p35;p14) producing PAX3-FOXO1, t(1;13)(p35;q14) producing PAX7-FOXO1, or translocation-negative. Tumors with t(2;13) are associated with greater disease severity and mortality than t(1;13) positive or translocation negative patients. Consistent with this fact, previous work concluded that a molecular analysis of RMS translocation status is essential for the accurate determination of prognosis and diagnosis. However, despite this knowledge, most diagnoses rely on histology and in some cases utilize fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) probes unable to differentiate between translocation products. Further, diagnostic RT-PCR analysis, which can differentiate translocation status, is unable to determine intratumoral translocation heterogeneity, making it difficult to determine if heterogeneity exists and whether correlations exist between this heterogeneity and patient outcomes. Using newly developed FISH probes, we demonstrate that intratumoral heterogeneity exists in ARMS tumors with respect to the presence or absence of the translocation product. We found between 3 – 98% of cells within individual tumor samples contained a translocation event. Further, we demonstrate a significant inverse correlation (R2 = 0.66, p = 0.001) between the extent of intratumoral translocation heterogeneity and failure-free survival of patients. Taken together, these results provide further support for the inclusion of the molecular analysis of these tumors, and expand on this idea to support also determining the extent of intratumoral translocation heterogeneity in the diagnosis of ARMS to improve diagnostic and prognostic indicators for patients with these tumors.
Label-free adaptive optics imaging of human retinal macrophage distribution and dynamics

Microglia are resident central nervous system macrophages and the first responders to neural injury. Until recently, microglia have been studied only in animal models with exogenous or transgenic labeling. While these studies provided a wealth of information on the delicate balance between neuroprotection and neurotoxicity within which these cells operate, extrapolation to human immune function has remained an open question. Here we examine key characteristics of retinal macrophage cells in live human eyes, both healthy and diseased, with the unique capabilities of our adaptive optics-optical coherence tomography approach and owing to their propitious location above the inner limiting membrane (ILM), allowing direct visualization of cells. Our findings indicate that human ILM macrophage cells may be distributed distinctly, age differently, and have different dynamic characteristics than microglia in other animals. For example, we observed a macular pattern that was sparse centrally and peaked peripherally in healthy human eyes. Moreover, human ILM macrophage density decreased with age (∼2% of cells per year). Our results in glaucomatous eyes also indicate that ILM macrophage cells appear to play an early and regionally specific role of nerve fiber layer phagocytosis in areas of active disease. While we investigate ILM macrophage cells distinct from the larger sample of overall retinal microglia, the ability to visualize macrophage cells without fluorescent labeling in the live human eye represents an important advance for both ophthalmology and neuroscience, which may lead to novel disease biomarkers and new avenues of exploration in disease progression.
Using habitat risk assessment to assess disturbance from maritime activities to inform seabird conservation in a coastal marine ecosystem

Abstract Habitat prioritization is a powerful tool for identifying critical wildlife areas for conservation. This study evaluates the risk of disturbance from maritime activities to seabirds in order to prioritize critical seabird foraging habitat for conservation thereby providing a much-needed methodological contribution demonstrating how to transparently incorporate metrics of “cost” based on risk to support ocean zoning. We standardized and combined predicted seabird distributions for six nonresident species foraging in the non-coastal “offshore” waters in the Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary and Cordell Bank National Marine Sanctuary, which we predicted using ten years of Applied California Current Ecosystem Studies (ACCESS) at-sea data for the month of July. We obtained maritime activity data from the California Ocean Use Atlas, whale-watching data, expert consultation, and primary literature. Activities included benthic fishing with fixed and mobile gear, military operations, oil spill, shipping, and whale-watching. Risk calculations were based on management effectiveness, spatial and temporal overlap of activities with seabird distributions, changes in area, and severity of negative impacts. Of those activities evaluated with the InVEST Habitat Risk Assessment (HRA) model, higher risk activities were oil spill, benthic fishing with fixed or mobile gear, and military activities. Looking at all risks spatially, highest cumulative risk areas concentrated to the north and northeast of Cordell Bank, along segments of the shelf break, and along areas of the shipping lanes. We demonstrated the use of the HRA tool to quantify costs for use in Marxan habitat prioritization software. The HRA model provided a transparent and replicable cost metric that partitioned risk into exposure and consequence. This approach provided two options for meeting high priority seabird foraging protection goals in the Sanctuaries: 1) protecting the low cost Marxan-prioritized areas or 2) managing high risk maritime activities highlighted by the HRA model. Waters around the Farallon Islands, nearby and northeast of Cordell Bank, and to the southwest of the continental shelf break in the southern region of Greater Farallones National Marine Sanctuary were identified as areas where seabirds would benefit from a combination of adding protections to some low cost Marxan-prioritized areas and enhancing management of the primary disturbance resulting from higher risk activities of oil spill, benthic fishing with mobile or fixed gear, and military activities, each of which have spatial footprints contributing to high cost Marxan prioritized areas. Either approach could be scaled up to include a larger habitat area, multiple habitat types, and different maritime activities. Our methods can be applied globally to improve ocean zoning where critical wildlife areas are threatened by human activities.
Smartphone apps for eating disorders: A systematic review of evidence-based content and application of user-adjusted analyses

Objective To examine the frequency of evidence-based treatment elements in popular smartphone apps for eating disorders (EDs), and to characterize the extent to which real-world users encounter different elements. Method We searched the Apple App Store and Google Play Store for apps offering treatment or support to individuals with EDs. Then, we created a codebook of 47 elements found in evidence-based treatments for EDs. We examined the presence or absence of each element within each ED app. We also acquired estimates of the monthly active users (MAU) of each app. Results The ED apps (n = 28) included a median of nine elements of empirically supported treatments (mean = 9.46, SD = 6.28). Four apps accounted for 96% of all MAU. MAU-adjusted analyses revealed that several elements are reaching more users than raw frequency tallies would suggest. For example, assessments were included in 32% of apps, but 84% of users used an app with assessments. Similar trends were found for cognitive restructuring (21% of apps, 56% of MAU), activity scheduling (39%, 57%), and self-monitoring (14%, 46%). Problem solving, exposure, and relapse prevention strategies, elements that are prominent in face-to-face empirically supported treatments, were rarely included in the apps. Discussion Evidence-based content is commonly included in ED apps, with certain elements reaching more users than others. Additionally, the top four apps are responsible for nearly all active users. We recommend that ED clinicians and researchers familiarize themselves with these apps-those that patients are most likely to encounter.
Democracy’s critical infrastructure: Rethinking intermediary powers:

Ever since the 19th century, political parties and free media were widely deemed indispensable for the proper functioning of representative democracy. They constituted what one might call the criti...
Travel Time Prediction in Ride-Sourcing Networks: A Case Study for Machine Learning Applications

This paper explores the applications of machine learning for predicting the travel time in the ride-sourcing networks using the Uber movement dataset. Using the Python programming environment, a case study is presented to analyze the travel time of the ride-sourcing services from the central Washington D.C. to the given specific destinations by considering the distance, railway/subway and street density in different destination zones (areas) and also weather conditions. To this end, in the first step, a descriptive analytics is completed to include potential features (attributes) affecting the travel times of Uber (ride-sourcing) services. Then, machine learning techniques such as random forest and robust regressions are applied to identify key attributes (features) for the prediction of the average travel times. The findings and accuracy of the robust regression models are compared with the random forest to select the best model in predicting the mean travel time. This case study provides opportunities in data preparation, descriptive and predictive analytic topics covered in applied machine learning, data science and decision support system courses using data mining programming environments like Python and R. Students are also able to change the study area (city) for this case study based on their interest.
SSC Magnet Mechanical Interconnections

Installation of superconducting accelerator dipole and quadrupole magnets and spool pieces in the SSC tunnel requires the interconnection of the cryostats. The connections are both of an electrical and mechanical nature. The details of the mechanical connections are presented. The connections include piping, thermal shields and insulation. There are seven piping systems to be connected. These systems must carry cryogenic fluids at various pressures or maintain vacuum and must be consistently leak tight. The interconnection region must be able to expand and contract as magnets change in length while cooling and warming. The heat leak characteristics of the interconnection region must be comparable to that of the body of the magnet. Rapid assembly and disassembly is required. The magnet cryostat development program is discussed. Results of quality control testing are reported. Results of making full scale interconnections under magnet test situations are reviewed.
Quarks in Nucleons and Nuclei

A gluon-exchange quark model is found to give baryon-nucleon spin-orbit forces rather similar to those of traditional meson-exchange models. Hidden-color basis states of multiquark systems are expressed in terms of states involving color-singlet hadrons. The size of various nucleon form factors is used to separate the interior perturbative region of quarks from the exterior nonperturbative region of hadrons. The distinction between the baryon interior and its exterior appears to be relevant in baryon spectroscopy and in nuclear forces.
Glibenclamide blockade of CFTR chloride channels.

The cystic fibrosis transmembrane conductance regulator (CFTR) is a protein kinase A- and ATP-regulated Cl- channel located in the apical membranes of epithelial cells. Previously Sheppard and Wels...
Review of Sarah Conly, Against Autonomy: Justifying Coercive Paternalism

This is a review of Conly's book Against Autonomy. The topic of state paternalism has gained increasing attention with the increased efforts by states and municipalities to regulate the consumption of unhealthy foods. The philosophical community owes Mayor Bloomberg a debt for his one-man efforts to regulate the addition of trans-fats in New York City restaurants, to post calorie information and his latest -- recently overturned -- ban on the sale of soda in larger than 16 oz servings. I haven't done the search but my guess is that John Stuart Mill has not been quoted so often since the Wolfenden report recommended homosexuality be legalised.The subject of paternalism is not only of interest to applied philosophers for it deals with theoretical subjects such as the nature of autonomy and liberty, the good of persons, prudence, self-knowledge, the principles governing the use of coercion, the justification of state punishment, and the limits of what we may consent to.
Statistical analysis and segmentation of multi-look SAR imagery using partial polarimetric data

For terrain type classifications, when full polarimetric SAR data are not available, or when only selected discriminants are used, this paper presents customized maximum likelihood classification algorithms based on the probability density functions specifically developed for each case. It is found that in some cases, the use of partial information has actually improved the classification accuracy for some classes. The reason and its implications are discussed. NASA/JPL polarimetric SAR data are used for illustrations.
Transfer and Detection of Proteins on Membrane Supports

Electro-transferring proteins from an SDS-PAGE gel to a membrane, known as Western blotting, combines the resolution capabilities of electrophoretic protein separation with the specificity of immunological identification in a rapid and highly sensitive format. For optimal results, the macromolecules must be transferred efficiently from the gel to the membrane. The proteins that are now immobilized on the membrane can be identified and visualized by using specific and sensitive immunobiochemical detection techniques.
PET imaging of tumor glycolysis downstream of hexokinase through noninvasive measurement of pyruvate kinase M2

Cancer cells reprogram their metabolism to meet increased biosynthetic demands, commensurate with elevated rates of replication. Pyruvate kinase M2 (PKM2) catalyzes the final and rate-limiting step in tumor glycolysis, controlling the balance between energy production and the synthesis of metabolic precursors. We report here the synthesis and evaluation of a positron emission tomography (PET) radiotracer, [(11)C]DASA-23, that provides a direct noninvasive measure of PKM2 expression in preclinical models of glioblastoma multiforme (GBM). In vivo, orthotopic U87 and GBM39 patient-derived tumors were clearly delineated from the surrounding normal brain tissue by PET imaging, corresponding to exclusive tumor-associated PKM2 expression. In addition, systemic treatment of mice with the PKM2 activator TEPP-46 resulted in complete abrogation of the PET signal in intracranial GBM39 tumors. Together, these data provide the basis for the clinical evaluation of imaging agents that target this important gatekeeper of tumor glycolysis.
A 240 GHz Multiplier Chain with -0.5 dBm Output Power in SiGe BiCMOS Technology

A 240GHz ×4 frequency multiplier chain implemented in a fT/fMAX = 200/250GHz commercially available 0.12μm SiGe BiCMOS technology is presented. The chain achieves a peak output power of -0.5dBm (0.9mW) and consists of two balanced doublers driven by a differential two stages cascode power amplifier. It operates from 232GHz to 246GHz (3 dB power bandwidth) with 5dBm input power at 60GHz and consumes a total DC power of 520mW. The D-Band PA achieves output 1dB compression point and saturated power of 11.2 and 15.3dBm, respectively at 120GHz and 15.5dB small signal gain.
The Concept of Fit in Strategy Research: Towards Verbal and Statistical Correspondence

This article develops a conceptual framework and identifies six perspectives of fit—fit as moderation, fit as mediation, fit as matching, fit as gestalts, fit as profile deviation, and fit as covariation—each implying distinct theoretical meanings and requiring the use of specific analytical schemes. These six perspectives highlight the isomorphic nature of the correspondence between a particular concept and its subsequent testing scheme(s), but it appears that researchers have used these perspectives interchangeably, often invoking one perspective in the theoretical discussion while employing another in the empirical research. Because such research practices weaken the critical link between theory development and theory testing, this article argues for explicit links between theoretical propositions and operational tests.
Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura in a Newborn

This report describes a newborn who presented with hyperbilirubinemia and thrombocytopenia. The patient recovered after treatment with antibiotics, phototherapy, and a platelet transfusion. Analysis of the plasma von Willebrand factor–cleaving metalloprotease, ADAMTS13, revealed low protease activity in the patient and her two siblings, and a mild deficiency in both parents. These results confirmed the clinical suspicion of hereditary thrombotic thrombocytopenic purpura (TTP). Although most cases of thrombocytopenia and hyperbilirubinemia in the newborn period are caused by other causes, genetic deficiency of ADAMTS13 may not be as uncommon as previously believed. Early diagnosis may have important implications for the patients.
Low-Dose BPA Exposure Alters the Mesenchymal and Epithelial Transcriptomes of the Mouse Fetal Mammary Gland

Exposure of rodent fetuses to low doses of the endocrine disruptor bisphenol A (BPA) causes subtle morphological changes in the prenatal mammary gland and results in pre-cancerous and cancerous lesions during adulthood. To examine whether the BPA-induced morphological alterations of the fetal mouse mammary glands are a) associated with changes in mRNA expression reflecting estrogenic actions and/or b) dependent on the estrogen receptor α (ERα), we compared the transcriptomal effects of BPA and the steroidal estrogen ethinylestradiol (EE2) on fetal mammary tissues of wild type and ERα knock-out mice. Mammary glands from fetuses of dams exposed to vehicle, 250 ng BPA/kg BW/d or 10 ng EE2/kg BW/d from embryonic day (E) 8 were harvested at E19. Transcriptomal analyses on the ductal epithelium and periductal stroma revealed altered expression of genes involved in the focal adhesion and adipogenesis pathways in the BPA-exposed stroma while genes regulating the apoptosis pathway changed their expression in the BPA-exposed epithelium. These changes in gene expression correlated with previously reported histological changes in matrix organization, adipogenesis, and lumen formation resulting in enhanced maturation of the fat-pad and delayed lumen formation in the epithelium of BPA-exposed fetal mammary glands. Overall similarities in the transcriptomal effects of BPA and EE2 were more pronounced in the epithelium, than in the stroma. In addition, the effects of BPA and EE2 on the expression of various genes involved in mammary stromal-epithelial interactions were suppressed in the absence of ERα. These observations support a model whereby BPA and EE2 act directly on the stroma, which expresses ERα, ERβ and GPR30 in fetal mammary glands, and that the stroma, in turn, affects gene expression in the epithelium, where ERα and ERβ are below the level of detection at this stage of development.
Differential learning and memory by co-occurring ant species

Foragers of the antsMessor pergandei andPogonomyrmex rugosus experience differing levels of variability in the distribution of seeds they harvest due to species-specific differences in foraging behavior.Messor pergandei foragers experience more variable seed distributions and densities, learn to recognize a novel seed faster but forget this information faster thanP. rugosus, which experiences more constant seed distributions even in the same habitat. Rate of learning to recognize a novel seed species was negatively associated with measures of seed species diversity for both ants.Messor pergandei foragers respond to variation in seed density by varying number of seeds handled per seed harvested, whileP. rugosus foragers do not. Memory of a novel seed exceeds forager longevity, due perhaps to use of seed caches as a type of information center.
Material Parameter Identification in Distributed Plasticity FE Models of Frame-Type Structures Using Nonlinear Stochastic Filtering

AbstractThis paper proposes a novel framework that combines high-fidelity mechanics-based nonlinear (hysteretic) finite-element (FE) models and a nonlinear stochastic filtering technique, referred to as the unscented Kalman filter, to estimate unknown material parameters in frame-type structures. The proposed identification framework updates nonlinear FE models using spatially limited noisy measurement data, and it can be further used for damage identification purposes. To validate its effectiveness, robustness, and accuracy, this framework is applied to a cantilever steel column representing a bridge pier and two-dimensional steel frame. Both structures are modeled using beam-column elements with distributed plasticity and are subjected to a suite of earthquake ground motions of varying intensity. The results indicate that the material parameters of the nonlinear FE models are accurately estimated provided that the loading intensity is sufficient to exercise the parts (branches) of the nonlinear material...
VECTOR AUTOREGRESSIONS WITH UNKNOWN MIXTURES OF I (0), I (1), AND I (2) COMPONENTS

This paper develops a new estimation method for nonstationary vector autoregressions (VAR's) with unknown mixtures of I(0), I(1), and I(2) components. The method does not require prior knowledge on the exact number and location of unit roots in the system. It is, therefore, applicable for VAR's with any mixture of I(0), I(1), and I(2) variables, which may be cointegrated in any form. The limit theory for the stationary component of our estimator is still normal, thereby preserving the usual VAR limit theory. Yet, the leading term of the nonstationary component of the estimator has mixed normal limit distribution and does not involve unit root distribution. Our method is an extension of the FM-VAR procedure by Phillips (1995, Econometrica 63, 1023â€“1078) and yields an estimator that is optimal in the sense of Phillips (1991, Econometrica 59, 283â€“306). Moreover, we show for a certain class of linear restrictions that the Wald tests based on the estimator are asymptotically distributed as a weighted sum of independent chi-square variates with weights between zero and one. For such restrictions, the limit distribution of the standard Wald test is nonstandard and nuisance parameter dependent. This has a direct application for Granger-causality testing in nonstationary VAR's.
Global Temperature Variations in the Troposphere and Stratosphere, 1958–1982

Abstract A network of 63 well-distributed radiosonde stations has been used to estimate mean-annual temperature variations at the surface and for 85–30 kPa (850–300 mb), 30–10 kPa, 10–5 kPa, 10–3 kPa, and surface- 10 kPa layers for five climatic zones, both hemispheres, and the world for the interval 1958–81. At the surface and in the 85–30 kPa layer there was global cooling of about 0.5°C between 1958 and about 1970, and global warming since, with 1980 and 1981 values approximately 0.1°C warmer than observed in 1958 and 1959. However, an update using seasonal data indicates appreciable cooling again between the northern springs of 1981 and 1982. In the 30–10 kPa layer there has been slight global cooling during most of the interval 1958–81, resulting in an increase in lapse rate in the 85–30 and 30–10 kPa layers during the last decade. In the middle and high stratosphere (26–55 km), Northern Hemisphere rocketsonde data suggest a 3–5°C cooling between 1970 and 1976, but little temperature change since. Th...
The alkaline decomposition of hexamminocobalt(III)chloride

Abstract When hexamminocobalt(III) chloride is boiled in 1.7 M sodium hydroxide, 3.5 moles of cobalt(III) are reduced to cobalt(II) per mole of unrecovered ammonia. In air, nitrite is produced. The oxidation of ammonia probably proceeds by two 2-electron steps to produce first hydroxylamine, and then nitroxyl.
Dioxygen Activation by Organometallics of Early Transition Metals

Organometallic compounds of the early transition metals (i.e., groups 3–6) react readily with oxygen (O 2). The different reaction pathways governing these reactions are distinguished and relevant examples from the recent organometallic literature are described. Catalytic aerobic oxidations are rare for these metals. However, the investigations of individual reaction steps contribute to the fundamental knowledge of organometallic chemistry, and they are valuable for the design of catalytic oxidations.
Evaluation of high-pressure retrograde coronary venous delivery of FGF-2 protein

Delivery of angiogenic factors to ischemic myocardium remains a practical challenge. We evaluated the efficiency and efficacy of delivery of fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2) protein via high-pressure retrograde injection into the anterior interventricular vein (AIV) in a porcine model of chronic myocardial ischemia. Labeled FGF-2 protein was delivered to the myocardium of three pigs via the AIV and the left anterior descending (LAD) coronary artery in three others. At 1 hr, the amount of protein in the left ventricle and the LAD region was quantified. Copper stents were implanted in the LAD of 25 pigs, resulting in chronic myocardial ischemia. At 4 weeks, microsphere-derived myocardial blood flow was assessed at rest and during pacing. In eight pigs (AIV FGF), FGF-2 protein (6 μg/kg) was delivered via high-pressure retrograde injection into the AIV. Six pigs (intracoronary FGF) received the same amount of FGF-2 by intracoronary delivery. Five pigs (AIV saline) received a placebo injection into the AIV and six pigs (control) served as controls. Four weeks later, myocardial blood flow was reassessed. At 1 hr, significantly more FGF remained in the left ventricle (1.3 vs. 0.82 μg; P < 0.04) and in the LAD region (1.2 vs. 0.64 μg; P = 0.03) after AIV compared to intracoronary delivery. Four weeks after treatment, resting LAD blood flow (normalized to right ventricular flow) improved slightly in the AIV FGF and intracoronary FGF arms (1.32–1.37 for both; P = 0.11), while it decreased significantly in the AIV saline (1.32–1.23; P = 0.02) and the control arms (1.32–1.19; P = 0.0004). Pacing LAD blood flow decreased significantly in the control arm (1.30–1.23; P < 0.05), but did not change significantly in the other three arms. High-pressure retrograde injection into the AIV may represent an efficient and effective means for delivering angiogenic factors to ischemic myocardium. Catheter Cardiovasc Interv 2004;61:422–428. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
ESCRTing proteins in the endocytic pathway

The endosomal sorting complex required for transport (ESCRT) machinery is highly conserved and its components have been found in all five major supergroups of eukaryotes. The three ESCRT complexes and associated proteins play critical roles in receptor downregulation, retroviral budding, and other normal and pathological cellular processes. Besides monoubiquitin-dependent protein cargo recognition and sorting, the ESCRT machinery also appears to drive the formation of multivesicular bodies (MVBs). Recent advances in the determination of the function and structure of the ESCRT complexes have improved our understanding of the molecular details underlying the assembly and regulation of the ESCRT machinery.
Interannual Variability of the Cyclonic Activity along the U.S. Pacific Coast: Influences on the Characteristics of Winter Precipitation in the Western United States

Abstract This study examines the observed interannual variability of the cyclonic activity along the U.S. Pacific coast and quantifies its impact on the characteristics of both the winter total and extreme precipitation in the western United States. A cyclonic activity function (CAF) was derived from a dataset of objectively identified cyclone tracks in 27 winters (1979/80–2005/06). The leading empirical orthogonal function (EOF1) of the CAF was found to be responsible for the EOF1 of the winter precipitation in the western United States, which is a monopole mode centered over the Pacific Northwest and northern California. On the other hand, the EOF2 of the CAF contributes to the EOF2 of the winter precipitation, which indicates that above-normal precipitation in the Pacific Northwest and its immediate inland regions tends to be accompanied by below-normal precipitation in California and the southwestern United States and vice versa. The first two EOFs of CAF (precipitation) account for about 70% (78%) of...
Carotid Arterial Supply of the Feline Brain Applications to the Study of Regional Cerebral Ischemia

A study of the supply to the feline brain by the carotid-middle cerebral arteries was conducted using in vivo transcardiac injection with a mixture of micropaque and carbon black. Modifications in the filling pattern of the arterial vessels were visualized following short-term occlusion of a middle cerebral artery. A modified surgical method to induce occlusion of the M-1 segment of the middle cerebral artery is also described.
Movement of solutes across luminal cell membranes in kidney tubules of the rabbit.

SLICES of kidney cortex have been used to advantage in the investigation of the mechanism of renal transport systems1, although the technique has definite limitations. Thus it could be calculated that the contribution of the membrane which separates the cell from the tubular lumen (luminal membrane) to the turnover of paramino hippurate in slices is negligible2. Similarly, the luminal membrane appears to play no part in the turnover of potassium in slices3; only the peritubular membrane seems to be involved here. Among possible reasons for this is the length of the path of diffusion through the convoluted tubule and/or the collapse of the tubular lumen as a result of continued reabsorption of salt and water4. The influence of the length of the tubule is seen, for example, in a preparation of teased flounder kidney. In this case, efflux of dyes from the lumen is dependent on energy5, which suggests that the path of efflux lies across the cell and that there is little loss of dye directly from the lumen to the medium.
Anti-Inflammatory Effects of Novel Standardized Solid Lipid Curcumin Formulations

Abstract Inflammation and the presence of pro-inflammatory cytokines are associated with numerous chronic diseases such as type-2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease, Alzheimer's disease, and cancer. An overwhelming amount of data indicates that curcumin, a polyphenol obtained from the Indian spice turmeric, Curcuma longa, is a potential chemopreventive agent for treating certain cancers and other chronic inflammatory diseases. However, the low bioavailability of curcumin, partly due to its low solubility and stability in the digestive tract, limits its therapeutic applications. Recent studies have demonstrated increased bioavailability and health-promoting effects of a novel solid lipid particle formulation of curcumin (Curcumin SLCP, Longvida®). The goal of this study was to evaluate the aqueous solubility and in vitro anti-inflammatory effects of solid lipid curcumin particle (SLCP) formulations using lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated RAW 264.7 cultured murine macrophages. SLCPs treatment signi...
Autografts of Normal and Hyperplastic Human Parathyroid: Experience in Eleven Patients with Immunoassay Monitoring of Function in Seven

Parathyroid autografts were implanted in 11 patients at this institution. Four patients had total or subtotal parathyroidectomy and implantation for parathyroid hyperplasia or adenoma, while 7 had one or more parathyroids removed and implanted during total thyroidectomy for carcinoma of the thyroid. Hyperplastic parathyroid was implanted in 4 instances and normal parathyroid in 7. Recurrent hyperparathyroidism occurred in 1 patient with an implanted adenoma who was returned to a normocalcemic state by partial reexcision (“titration”) of the implanted tissue.
Rapid simultaneous evaluation of four parameters of single-component gases in nonvolatile liquids from a single data set

Proper analytical procedures presented here allow for rapid simultaneous determination of the diffusion and film-mass-transfer coefficients, the equilibrium gas pressure and solubility, and the effective equilibrium time from a model-assisted analysis of the time-limited experimental data of a gas/liquid system obtained by the method of Isothermal Pressure Decay. Being able to determine all four parameters simultaneously from the same data set, the present data interpretation method provides an additional reduction in the overall effort by a factor of four on top of the reduction in time required for data gathering. The parameter estimation method yields results with high accuracy indicating the validity of the proposed phenomenological model.
Metabolic activation of the serotonergic neurotoxin para-chloroamphetamine to chemically reactive intermediates by hepatic and brain microsomal preparations

Para-chloroamphetamine (PCA) is selectively toxic to serotonergie neurons in laboratory animals. Acute, reversible neurotoxicity is followed by long-term effects which include inactivation of tryptophan hydroxylase and destruction of neurons. We have studied the metabolic formation of reactive intermediates that might be involved in long-term PCA neurotoxicity. Incubation of [3H]PCA with rat hepatic microsomes resulted in NADPH-dependent and oxygen-dependent covalent binding of radioactivity to microsomal protein. Addition of SKF-525A and glutathione to incubation mixtures inhibited phjpca covalent binding 30% and 92% respectively. No inhibition of radiolabeled covalent binding was observed in an atmosphere of carbon monoxide/oxygen (8020). 7,8-Benzoflavone was more effective than metyrapone in inhibiting [3H]PCA covalent binding. The extent of [3H]PCA covalent binding to microsomal protein was unchanged after phenobarbital pretreatment of rats, whereas 3-methylcholanthrene pretreatment increased [3H]PCA covalent binding (175%). NADPH-dependent and oxygen-dependent covalent binding of radioactivity was also observed when [3H]PCA was incubated with rat brain microsomal preparations. Addition of SKF-525A and glutathione to incubation mixtures inhibited covalent binding 10 and 40% respectively. There were no significant differences in total, NADPH-independent or NADPH-dependent covalent binding of radiolabeled R,S(±)-, R(-)-, or S(+)-PCA to rat hepatic microsomal protein. Less covalent binding was observed when [3H]amphetamine was incubated with rat liver microsomal preparations as compared to results with [3H]PCA. Minimal covalent binding was observed when [3H]PCA was incubated with liver microsomal preparations from rabbits, a species resistant to PCA neurotoxicity. Results of these metabolism studies are consistent with the hypothesis that oxidative metabolic activation of PCA to reactive and toxic metabolites is related to the long-term neurotoxicity of this agent.
Integrated centering control of inertially actuated systems

Abstract Inertially actuated systems are often hindered by the requirement that the actuator or controller be explicitly designed so that the actuator's proof mass never exceeds the available stroke length. When the actuator's proof mass reaches the end of its stroke a destabilizing input is created, which reduces performance. An integrated centering controller design that balances control effort with proof mass centering is presented. This approach enables the creation of controllers with reduced potential for stroke saturation. The controller developed is verified numerically for a buckling stabilization problem and experimentally for a vibration control example.
FOOD AND FEEDING STRATEGIES IN CULTURE OF LARVAL AND EARLY JUVENILE PURPLE‐HINGE ROCK SCALLOPS, Hinnites multirugosus (GALE)

The purple-hinge rock scallop is receiving increasing interest as a candidate for commercial mariculture. Hatchery culture of juveniles is prerequisite since natural recruitment of juveniles is variable and not dependable as a source of stock. Success in carrying larvae through metamorphosis has been limited. Critical to larval culture is a sound understanding of optimal food and feeding strategies. Growth and survival were examined in early larvae fed six algal diets at four separate concentrations. The data clearly illustrate the superiority of both Isochrysis galbana and a Tahitian (T) strain of Isochrysis. Feed concentrations of 1 × 105 cells/ml were found to be optimal for these species of Isochrysis. An I. galbana diet supported 80% survival through metamorphosis. The other algae examined included Mono-chrysis lutheri, Rhodomonas sp., Carteria pallida, and a 1:1:1 mixture of Rhodomonas, Monochrysis, and Isochrysis. All these diets supported 5–6% survival, and the growth was only slightly better than starvation controls. A similar study was done with early juveniles (1 mm dia). The diets included: I. galbana, M. lutheri, Thalassiosira pseudonana (3H), T-Isochrysis sp., and Phaedactylum tricornutum. As with the larvae, superior growth and survival occurred with diets of both species of Isochrysis. Cell concentrations between 1 × 105 and 2 × 105 cells/ml were optimal. The other diets supported minimal growth. In the feeding runs of both larvae and early juveniles, cell densities in excess of 5 × 105 cells/ml were detrimental.
Communication flow and change theory within a family therapy supervision model

This article portrays a model of family therapy clinical supervision using change theory that is most appropriate for use with the videotape, audiotape, case presentation and debriefing from the live session. The most powerful tool during this process is that of communication and assessment of change theory’s tools of confidence and conviction. The concepts presented are meant to add an additional dimension to family therapy supervision in cooperation of other theories, not as an end in themselves.
Capillaria procyonis (Nematoda: Trichuroidea) eggs from the tongue of the raccoon (Procyon lotor).

During an investigation to determine the prevalence and intensity of larvae of Trichinella spiralis in raccoons (Procyon lotor), unembryonated capillariid-type eggs were found routinely in the sediment resulting from 1% pepsin-HCl acid digests of the tongue. The sediment from 36 (90%) of the 40 tongue digests examined contained these capillariid-type eggs. Mean measurements of egg width and length were 25 ± 2 μm and 62 ± 2 μm, respectively. In addition, the surface of the egg shell had a pitted appearance. Adult parasites were not found in any of the tongue digests. The egg measurements and surface topography agree with what has been described previously and are tentatively identified as Capillaria procyonis. The detection of C. procyonis eggs in the present report indicates that this parasite inhabits the epithelial lining of the raccoon tongue, in addition to the esophagus, and that eggs expelled by females are deposited in the tracts these parasites create as they migrate.