cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 2738: Mechanisms of cadmium carcinogenesis

Cadmium is a transition metal and an ubiquitous environmental and industrial pollutant. Laboratory animal studies and epidemiological studies have shown that exposure to cadmium is associated with various organ toxicities and carcinogenic effects. Several national and international regulatory agencies have classified cadmium compounds as carcinogenic to humans. In 2012, International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) reviewed the relevant information on cadmium exposure and concluded that there is sufficient evidence in humans for the carcinogenicity of cadmium and its compounds. However, the underlying molecular mechanism(s), especially for the carcinogenicity, are unknown. The mechanisms proposed for carcinogenicity include aberrant gene expression, induction of oxidative DNA damage, stimulation of cell proliferation, malignant cell transformation, inhibition of DNA damage repair, inhibition of apoptosis and epigenetic mechanisms including alteration of DNA methylation. Studies have shown that due to the slow elimination, cadmium is a cumulative toxicant and past exposures could result in toxic effect of the residual metal. To better understand the mechanisms of cadmium carcinogenicity we have reviewed in vitro experimental and in vivo animal studies focused on the proposed mechanisms of carcinogenicity as well as epidemiological evidence on carcinogenicity in lung and kidney following cadmium exposure. Disclaimer: The views expressed are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views and/or policies of the U.S. EPA Citation Format: Raghu G. Nath, BR Sonawane, SV Vulimiri, YS Lin. Mechanisms of cadmium carcinogenesis. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 2738. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-2738
Organizational greed: Behavior, perception, or trait? Toward an integrated theory

The construct of greed has been operationalized as a behavior, a perception, and a personality characteristic. While each of the perspectives capture some aspect of greed, examining each in isolati...
Non-periodic metasurfaces for blazing and beam splitting

Blazing (retro-reflection) of an obliquely incident wave has classically been achieved with periodic blazed gratings, such as the sawtooth grating. In this work, non-periodic metasurfaces are explored to realize similar blazing effects under oblique plane-wave illumination. Genetic Algorithm is used to optimize the surface's local reflection phase over the entire finite aperture, for a particular scattering response (e.g. blazing). Such non-periodic and random surfaces can open doors for the design of blazing surfaces beyond typical periodic gratings and their limitations, e.g. reducing and flattening of side-lobe levels, and other scattered beam characteristics such as beam-splitting. The theoretical method is verified by full-wave electromagnetic simulations at X-band.
Comparing temperature and acoustic satisfaction in 60 radiant and all-air buildings

Abstract There is little knowledge from occupied buildings of the impact of radiant heating and cooling systems on indoor environmental quality aspects such as thermal comfort, indoor air quality, and acoustics. We present indoor environmental quality survey results from 3892 respondents in 60 office buildings located in North America; 34 of which used all-air systems and 26 of which used radiant systems as the primary conditioning system. In the current study, we present the survey results of 1645 occupants in buildings with radiant systems. To our knowledge, this is the largest dataset used in a comparison of occupant satisfaction in radiant buildings. We used an existing database to extract a subset of occupant responses from all-air buildings whose key characteristics match those radiant buildings. The results indicate that radiant and all-air spaces have equal indoor environmental quality, including acoustic satisfaction, with a tendency towards improved temperature satisfaction in radiant buildings.
The Irony of Cu-only Superoxide Dismutases in Fungal Pathogens

Superoxide dismutases (SODs) are metal containing enzymes that catalyze the disproportionation of superoxide radicals to hydrogen peroxide and molecular oxygen. Extracellular Cu-only SODs are a new class of SODs found in fungi. Unlike the common Cu/Zn SODs, they lack the zinc site and have an unusually open access copper site. Interestingly, the human fungal pathogen Candida albicans encodes three of these enzymes, SOD4, 5, 6. The evolutionary advantage for the multiplicity of Cu-only SOD enzymes and their potentially divergent roles was unknown. Our recent studies have focused on a comparison of the highly homologous SOD4 and SOD5 of C. albicans. Using pulse radiolysis we find that SOD4 has similar enzyme kinetics to SOD5 and can react with superoxide at rates that are limited by diffusion. SOD4 and SOD5 appear virtually identical at the biochemical level, other than some possible differences in surface charges. However, these proteins strongly diverge at the expression level in C. albicans. SOD5 is predominantly expressed during morphogenesis of C. albicans from a budding state to an invasive filamentous form. Conversely, SOD4 is specifically upregulated during iron starvation, suggesting it may have a role in iron acquisition within the host where reactive oxygen species are present. We have also identified another Cu-only SOD in the emerging fungal pathogen Candida auris that is upregulated during iron restriction, suggesting this link to Fe homeostasis is conserved. The potential role for extracellular Cu-only SODs in protecting fungal pathogens in the iron starved environment of the host will be discussed.
Academic socialization of doctoral students through feedback networks: a qualitative understanding of the graduate feedback landscape

Scholars focus on the social nature of academic writing to refine an understanding of feedback interactions in higher education. However, studies on the various sources of feedback – feedback netwo...
Deep-Water Tidal Sedimentology

Tides are well-documented in modern deep-water environment, especially around areas of topography on the seafloor such as ocean ridges and continental slopes. Recognition of deep-water tidal deposits in the ancient has lagged far behind, however, with very few examples in the published literature. This paper presents a review of the current state of knowledge about both modern deep-water tidal sediments and ancient deep-water tidal deposits, including new data on tidalites from the Cretaceous Wheeler Gorge channel-levee complex (California), and the Cretaceous Cajiloa submarine canyon (Mexico). In both of these settings detailed analysis of laminae thickness trends revealed cyclicities with frequencies characteristic of tidal deposits. Recognition criteria for ancient deep-water tidal deposits include statistically significant cyclicities within thin successions (tidalites are unlikely to be very thick) in combination with mud-couplets, mud-bounded ripples, ripples with reactivation surfaces, and, more rarely, bi-directional ripple sets. Typical tidalites successions include cyclically thickening and thinning laminae (5–40 cm thick), and rippled intervals (5–20 cm thick) that exhibit large energy asymmetries (mud drapes) and an overall increase then decrease in ripple size, often arranged in cycles. Although tides are common in deep-water environments, settings where deposits may be preserved are relatively rare. Such settings must not be subject to erosive turbidity currents yet require a relatively steady sediment supply and local accommodation space. Abandoned meander bends, the backsides of levees, topographic lows on the surface of submarine landslides, and abandoned plunge pools all potentially fit this category. This paper documents a tidalite succession that is preserved within a topographic low above a submarine landslide deposit.
Speech and Language Characteristics of an Aging Population

Publisher Summary This chapter presents four measures of speech acoustics that are needed to specify the speech signal. These measures are the fundamental vocal frequency, vocal intensity, speech sound duration, and the composition of the wave form of speech, which identifies the speech spectrum. There is a wide range of studies that describe speech spectra. In some instances, investigators have concentrated their attention upon the acoustic characteristics of particular speech sounds. For example, Holbrook and Fairbanks (1962) traced the movements of diphthong formants, while Fairbanks and Grubb (1961) and Peterson and Barney (1952), among others, provided valuable information regarding the acoustic characteristics of the vowels of the language. Information concerning consonant spectra has been provided by Halle, Hughes, and Radley and Heinz and Stevens, among others. Measures of fundamental frequency information have been provided by numerous investigators on the mean fundamental frequency and range in populations of widely differing ages
Prediction of free phenytoin levels based on [total phenytoin]/[albumin] ratios. Potential errors with hypoalbuminemia.

Therapeutic monitoring of the pharmacologically active (free drug) fraction of protein-bound medications (e.g., phenytoin) represents a major diagnostic challenge in clinical and laboratory medicine. While free drug levels may be beneficial in many clinical situations, current methods for predicting free phenytoin concentrations are unreliable and not recommended for general use. The authors have demonstrated a linear relationship (r2 = 0.98) between serum levels of total and bound phenytoin in 56 patients with seizure disorders. No significant correlations were observed when total phenytoin and albumin levels were compared independently to measured concentrations of free phenytoin or percent free phenytoin. A good correlation (r2 = 0.89) existed between free phenytoin levels and [total phenytoin]/[albumin] ratios in patients with normal or elevated albumin levels, but significantly weaker correlations were found in patients with hypoalbuminemia. Thus, [total phenytoin]/[albumin] ratios may have clinical value in predicting free phenytoin levels in uncomplicated patients without hypoalbuminemia.
Zonal Scanning of Thin-Layer Chromatograms

Thin-layer chromatography (TLC) plates have been assayed for radioactivity by autoradiography [1–3], continuous scanning [4–9], area scraping [10–13], and zonal scanning [14]. Direct counting of the thin-layer adsorbent [10,11] in a liquid scintillation system provides the simplest, most quantitative and most efficient means of counting weak-energy beta emitters of low-activity samples, since elution steps are not required and the maximal counting efficiency is possible. The scintillation solution of choice for counting carbon-14 and tritium under these conditions is shown in Table I. The water in this solution serves to deactivate the silica, since adsorption of radioactivity in less polar solvent systems can result in self-absorption losses (10% for C14 and 25% for H3) on 10- to 25-μ silica particles. If radioactivity persists in partitioning between particles and solvent, Cab-O-Sil must be used to suspend the particles, and correction factors must be used [14]. Silica, iodine, dichlorofluoroscein and rhodamine-6G have no quenching properties in this system, whereas elemental carbon and high levels of AgNO3-treated silica can cause severe quenching [14]. Neatan, a polyvinyl propionate used for preserving thin-layer chromatograms, causes no color quenching effect, but it can cause a significant decrease in counting efficiency (because of self-absorption) when it coats partidies containing adsorbed radioactivity. This report elaborates on the zonal scanning technique and demonstrates some typical data.
Fully-Zwitterionic Polymer-Supported Ionogel Electrolytes Featuring a Hydrophobic Ionic Liquid

In this report, fully-zwitterionic (ZI) copolymer scaffolds for ionogel electrolytes have been synthesized via in situ photopolymerization using various molar ratios of 2-methacryloyloxyethyl phosphorylcholine (MPC) and sulfobetaine vinylimidazole (SBVI) within the hydrophobic ionic liquid 1-ethyl-3-methylimidazolium bis(trifluoromethylsulfonyl)imide (EMI TFSI). Depending on the chemical composition of the ZI scaffold, ionogel room temperature ionic conductivities are found to vary between 2.5 and 6.7 mS cm–1 at a fixed 20 mol % total polymer content. Compressive elastic moduli also exhibit a strong dependence on the co-monomer ratio, with values between 23 kPa and 11 MPa observed because of different degrees of ZI physical cross-linking. These results, together with NMR chemical shift analysis, suggest that the phosphorylcholine ZI group of MPC interacts more strongly with EMI TFSI, while SBVI prefers to self-aggregate and form dipole–dipole cross-links in the ionic liquid (IL). Self-diffusivity measurem...
An E321G MYH1 mutation is strongly associated with nonexertional rhabdomyolysis in Quarter Horses

Author(s): Valberg, Stephanie J; Henry, Marisa L; Perumbakkam, Sudeep; Gardner, Keri L; Finno, Carrie J | Abstract: BackgroundAn E321G mutation in MYH1 was recently identified in Quarter Horses (QH) with immune-mediated myositis (IMM) defined by a phenotype of gross muscle atrophy and myofiber lymphocytic infiltrates.Hypothesis/objectivesWe hypothesized that the MYH1 mutation also was associated with a phenotype of nonexertional rhabdomyolysis. The objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of the MYH1 mutation in QH with exertional (ER) and nonexertional (nonER) rhabdomyolysis.AnimalsQuarter Horses: 72 healthy controls, 85 ER-no atrophy, 56 ER-atrophy, 167 nonER horses selected regardless of muscle atrophy.MethodsClinical and histopathologic information and DNA was obtained from a database for (1) ER g 2 years of age, with or without atrophy and (2) nonER creatine kinase (CK) ≥ 5000 U/L, l5 years of age. Horses were genotyped for E321G MYH1 by pyrosequencing.ResultsThe MYH1 mutation was present in a similar proportion of ER-no atrophy (1/56; 2%) and in a higher proportion of ER-atrophy (25/85; 29%) versus controls (4/72; 5%). The MYH1 mutation was present in a significantly higher proportion of nonER (113/165; 68%) than controls either in the presence (39/42; 93%) or in absence (72/123; 59%) of gross atrophy. Lymphocytes were present in l18% of muscle samples with the MYH1 mutation.Conclusions and clinical importanceAlthough not associated with ER, the MYH1 mutation is associated with atrophy after ER. The MYH1 mutation is highly associated with nonER regardless of whether muscle atrophy or lymphocytic infiltrates are present. Genetic testing will enhance the ability to diagnose MYH1 myopathies (MYHM) in QH.
The Cultural Adaptation of a Transition Program for Latino Families of Youth with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

During the transition to adulthood, effective and culturally relevant supports are critical for families of youth with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). There is a dearth of documented program development and research on supports for Spanish-speaking Latino families during this life stage. The present work describes the cultural adaptation process of an evidence-based transition program for Latino families of youth with ASD. A model of the actions necessary to meaningfully conduct a cultural adaptation in this context is described. After implementing the culturally adapted program titled Juntos en la Transicion with five Spanish-speaking families, parents reported high social validity of the program through surveys and interviews. The cultural adaptation process followed in this work is important for the further development of programs that address the transition needs of Latino youth with ASD and their families. Our impressions may also be useful to those who aim to develop culturally sensitive and ecologically valid multifamily group intervention programs for families from cultural and linguistic minority groups.
Skeletal response to whole body vibration and dietary calcium and phosphorus in growing pigs.

The quality and strength of the skeleton is regulated by mechanical loading and adequate mineral intake of calcium (Ca) and phosphorus (P). Whole body vibration (WBV) has been shown to elicit adaptive responses in the skeleton, such as increased bone mass and strength. This experiment was designed to determine the effects of WBV and dietary Ca and P on bone microarchitecture and turnover. A total of 26 growing pigs were utilized in a 60-d experiment. Pigs were randomly assigned within group to a 2 × 2 factorial design with dietary Ca and P concentration (low and adequate) as well as WBV. The adequate diet was formulated to meet all nutritional needs according to the NRC recommendations for growing pigs. Low Ca, P diets had 0.16% lower Ca and 0.13% lower P than the adequate diet. Pigs receiving WBV were vibrated 30 min/d, 3 d/wk at a magnitude of 1 to 2 mm and a frequency of 50 Hz. On days 0, 30, and 60, digital radiographs were taken to determine bone mineral content by radiographic bone aluminum equivalency (RBAE) and serum was collected to measure biochemical markers of bone formation (osteocalcin, OC) and bone resorption (carboxy-terminal collagen crosslinks, CTX-I). At day 60, pigs were euthanized and the left third metacarpal bone was excised for detailed analysis by microcomputed tomography (microCT) to measure trabecular microarchitecture and cortical bone geometry. Maximum RBAE values for the medial or lateral cortices were not affected (P > 0.05) by WBV. Pigs fed adequate Ca and P tended (P = 0.10) to have increased RBAE max values for the medial and lateral cortices. WBV pigs had significantly decreased serum CTX-1 concentrations (P = 0.044), whereas animals fed a low Ca and P diet had increased (P 0.05). In summary, this study confirmed the normal physiological responses of the skeleton to a low Ca, P diet. Interestingly, although the WBV protocol utilized in this study did not elicit any significant osteogenic response, decreases in CTX-1 in response to WBV may have been an early local adaptive bone response. We interpret these data to suggest that the frequency and amplitude of WBV was likely sufficient to elicit a bone remodeling response, but the duration of the study may not have captured the full extent of an entire bone remodeling cycle.
Repetitive ROS Inhibits Nrf2 Antioxidant Defense in Ischemic Heart Failure

Nrf2, the master regulator for the antioxidant response, is critical for protecting the heart against reactive oxygen species (ROS). Normally, Nrf2 is bound to Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (...
Comparison of the liquid and lyophilized formulations of Prolastin®-C for Alpha1-Antitrypsin deficiency: Biochemical characteristics, pharmacokinetics, safety and neoantigenicity in rabbits

Abstract Multiple analytical and preclinical studies were performed to compare the biochemical characteristics, pharmacokinetics (PK), safety and neoantigenicity of a new 5% liquid formulation of Alpha-1 Proteinase Inhibitor (Liquid A1PI, Prolastin®-C Liquid) with the lyophilized version (Lyophilized A1PI, Prolastin®-C). Liquid A1PI and Lyophilized A1PI had similar average mass (~52 kDa), and both forms exhibited glycoform patterns consistent with the known banding pattern of A1PI (dominated by the M6 and M4 bands, including deconvoluted masses). Both Liquid A1PI and Lyophilized A1PI yielded average percent purity values ranging from 96% to 99% and had active content ranging from 53 mg/mL to 59 mg/mL. The PK profile of Liquid A1PI was similar to Lyophilized A1PI. Safety assessments in rabbits showed good tolerability and no test article-related changes in mortality, clinical signs, clinical pathology, body weight, food consumption, or urinalysis parameters. Following immunodepletion of antibodies that recognize Lyophilized A1PI, there were no significant differences in the anti-drug titers among animals immunized with Lyophilized A1PI and Liquid A1PI (p > 0.05), indicating that no antibodies to neoantigens were generated. Liquid A1PI and Lyophilized A1PI have similar profiles with respect to biochemical characteristics, PK, safety and neoantigenicity.
Field-deployable molecular diagnostic platform for arbovirus detection in Aedes aegypti

Surveillance of mosquito infection status is critical for planning and deployment of proper mosquito control initiatives. Point-of-care (POC) detection assays are necessary for monitoring the infection prevalence and geographical range of viruses in mosquito vector populations. We therefore assessed the novel real-time PCR (qPCR) bCUBE (Hyris, London, UK) molecular diagnostic system as a tool for virus detection. Aedes aegypti Rps17 was used to validate and determine correlation coefficient for the novel bCUBE qPCR system to a laboratory standard StepOnePlus real-time PCR system (Applied Biosystems, Waltham, MA, USA). Experimentally infected Ae. aegypti were quantified for Zika (ZIKV) and dengue virus serotype 2 (DENV2) viral genomic RNA. Infection prevalence was compared to plaque assay. We developed and validated a novel qPCR system for the detection of ZIKV and DENV2 using the real-time qPCR system bCUBE. With bCUBE-based qRT-PCR, viral genomic RNA could be detected in individually infected Ae. aegypti mosquitoes and in pools of 5, 10 or 15 mosquitoes. The portable qPCR bCUBE diagnostic system is capable of detecting Zika and dengue virus in mosquitoes and therefore has potential as a practical field-deployable diagnostic test for vector-borne disease surveillance programmes.
Pin1 Regulates IL-5 Induced Eosinophil Polarization and Migration

Eosinophils become polarized in response to cytokines such IL-5 or eotaxin prior to directional migration. Polarization is preceded by F-actin assembly, but the mechanisms that regulate these events and how the shape change influences cell migration from the peripheral blood into the lung remain unclear. In this study, we show that the prolyl isomerase, Pin1, is required for IL-5-induced Eos polarization and migration. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunofluorescence analysis revealed that Pin1 directly interacts with members of Rho GTPase family. Mouse eosinophils lacking Pin1 or human cells treated with Pin1 inhibitors showed significantly reduced IL-5-induced GTPase activity and cofilin phosphorylation, resulting in reduced F-actin polymerization, cell polarization, and directional migration to chemokines. Our result suggests that Pin1 regulates cytoskeletal re-organization, eosinophil morphology, and cell migration through the modulation of Rho GTPase activity. Targeting Pin1 along with GTPases could provide a new approach to reduce pulmonary Eos accumulation during asthmatic exacerbations.
Letter to the Editor: Microbiota in the Respiratory System-A Possible Explanation to Age and Sex Variability in Susceptibility to SARS-CoV-2

The Human respiratory tract is colonized by a variety of microbes and the microbiota change as we age. In this perspective, literature support is presented for the hypothesis that the respiratory system microbiota could explain the differential age and sex breakdown amongst COVID-19 patients. The number of patients in the older and elderly adult group is higher than the other age groups. The perspective presents the possibility that certain genera of bacteria present in the respiratory system microbiota in children and young adults could be directly or through eliciting an immune response from the host, prevent full-fledged infection of SARS-CoV-2. The possibility also exists that the microbiota in older adults and the elderly population have bacteria that make it easier for the virus to cause infection. I call upon the scientific community to investigate the link between human microbiota and SARS-CoV-2 susceptibility to further understand the viral pathogenesis.
Survival after Margin-Positive Resection in the Era of Modern Chemotherapy for Pancreatic Cancer: Do Patients Still Benefit?

Background R0 resection for pancreatic cancer is considered standard of care, but is not always achieved. This study looks at R1/R2 resection outcomes compared with chemotherapy alone. Our hypothesis is that patients with margin-positive disease have better outcomes than those receiving chemotherapy alone. Study design Stage II pancreatic cancer patients who underwent R1/R2 surgery with/without neoadjuvant chemotherapy, from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) 2010 to 2017 were identified and compared with similar staged patients who received chemotherapy alone. The surgical group was then analyzed by subset based on receipt of chemotherapy: upfront surgery (+/- adjuvant therapy) and neoadjuvant therapy followed by surgery (+/- adjuvant therapy). Results There were 11,699 Stage II pancreatic cancer patients included, 9,521 (81.4%) of whom were treated with chemotherapy alone, 15.7% (n = 1,836) had upfront surgery, and 2.9% (n = 342) had neoadjuvant therapy with surgery. R1/R2 neoadjuvant patients had the best overall survival at a mean of 19.75 months (95% CI 17.91, 22.28) compared with the upfront surgery group (17.77 months, 95% CI 15.64, 19.55) and the chemotherapy alone group (10.12 months, 95% CI 8.97, 11.50) (hazard ratio [HR] 0.46 upfront surgery and 0.32 neoadjuvant group, respectively, p Conclusions R1 resection has benefit over chemotherapy alone in pancreatic cancer. Pancreatic cancer patients who are left with microscopic R1 disease have better survival than without surgery, particularly in the setting of neoadjuvant therapy.
Risk, Risk Management and Insurance: Conventional and Islamic Dimensions

Risk is one of the determinants that can make our lives succeed or fail. Risk has been playing a significant role in our daily life. This chapter discusses the origin of risk in the sources of Shari'ah and its historical development in Islam by referring to the practices of Prophets. Furthermore, the current method of engaging with insurance involves the prohibited elements. These elements can bring unfairness and injustice towards the involved parties in particular and society at large.
Ecology of Bradyrhizobium japonicum in Iowa soybean rhizosphere soil

A general synergistic relationship exists between the presence of raycorrhizae and fixation, especially on soils low in P. However, no one has reported whether P nutrition and mycorrhizal infection of field-grown soybeans (Glycine max L.) affects rhizobial competition and nodule occupancy. The objective of these studies was to determine if the level of soil P and its influence on mycorrhizal development affected the competitive nature of the bacterial symbionts active in forming nodules. The effects of P fertilization on mycorrhizal development and rhizobial nodule occupancy were evaluated in a 2-year field study. A follow-up greenhouse experiment evaluated rhizobial strain competition with and without mycorrhizal inoculations. Four soils, ranging in Bray -1 PI levels from 12 to 91 mg kg and belonging to Aquic Hapludolls, Typic Argiudolls, and Typic Haplaquolls, were fertilized with triple superphosphate at 0 or 112 kg P ha • Mycorrhizal infection, nodulation, and nodule-occupant serology were assessed at early flowering. Phosphorus fertilization significantly reduced mycorrhizal infection, but had no effect on the numbers of nodules per plant or on seed yields. Unexpectedly, there was a significant decrease in nodule occupancy of Bradyrhizobium japonicum serogroup 123, the dominant serogroup found in Midwest soils. Overall, the occupancy of 123 in nonfertilized plots averaged 72% (similar to the values reported by others), whereas the average percentage for the plots receiving the high rate of P was 37%. The significant reduction in nodule occupany by serogroup 123 was
Nirvana: Concept, Imagery, Narrative

Introduction 1. Systematic and narrative thought: eternity and closure in structure and story 2. Nirvana as a concept 3. Nirvana as an image 4. Nirvana, time and narrative 5. Past and future Buddhas Conclusion Endnotes and bibliography.
Effect of Disjunctive Statement Formulation on Depth of Cut and Polyhedral Annexation Techniques

In this chapter, we wish to emphasize two important salient features of disjunctive programming methods. Both these features basically relate to the issue of depth of cut. More specifically, we will first illustrate that one can derive cuts differing in depth through different formulations of a given disjunctive statement. Secondly, we will exhibit some connections between disjunctive programming technqiues and known polyhedral annexation methods. Based on the latter exposition, as well as on some further development, we will exhibit how one may strike a reasonable tradeoff between the effort involved to generate a cut and its depth.
Suckler Cow Premium Rights: An Issue of Regional Importance in France

Publisher Summary Cattle premium rights constitute a support to a production, which is the sole means of preserving agricultural employment over vast stretches of land. The introduction of cattle premium rights must be seen in the context of a structural modification of the cattle herd. In France, as in the other countries of the European Community, the implementation of milk quotas in 1984 led to a reduction in the number of dairy cows: Producers reacted to the limits set on their milk deliveries by intensifying through a reduction in the number of cows. In compensation for this, specialized beef meat farming developed, with the number of suckler cows increasing by one million. The farming is concentrated in permanent pasture areas where it has traditionally predominated and where few, if any, possibilities for alternative systems exist, especially now that access to milk production is blocked. Suckler cow premium rights are seen as a vehicle for offsetting the applicant's revenue shortage. The logic behind this practice is that it is best not to have other sources of income if one wishes to obtain the maximum quantity of rights; farmers are all the more inclined to follow the dictates of this logic given that assisted productions are less risky undertakings than other types of production.
“I Won't Stay Indian, I'll Keep Studying”: Race, Place, and Discrimination in a Costa Rican High School

“I Won't Stay Indian, I'll Keep Studying”: Race, Place, and Discrimination in. Costa Rican High School. Karen Stocker. Boulder: University Press of Colorado, 2005. 248 pp.
The Meaning and the Implications of Heterogeneity for Social Science Research

. Heterogeneity is now an integral part of economics in sub—disciplines like industrial organization, entrepreneurship, behavioral economics, and similar fields. What is “heterogeneity” and what are the implications for social science research? This paper examines the fundamentals of the concept of heterogeneity – which I relate to the distinction between quantity and quality. This distinction is related also to the distinctions between simple and complex phenomena and to that between social and natural phenomena in a manner I shall explain. I offer a conceptual framework for the demarcation of situations in which quantitative methods may be expected to work well, and, by implication, situations in which they do not. I imagine the insights yielded by this framework are not new to my readers, but suggest that there is some added value and novelty to this particular formulation which helps to draw out the implications of these insights.
ARCHITECTURAL CRITICISM IN PRACTICE: FROM AFFECTIVE TO EFFECTIVE EXPERIENCE

“Although many artists and architects privilege phenomenological experience, they often offer the near-reverse: ‘experience’ handed back to us as ‘atmosphere’ or ‘affect’ - that is as environments that confuse the actual with the virtual, or feelings that are hardly our own yet interpolate us nonetheless. In the guise of our activation, some work even tends to subdue us, for the more it opts for special effects, the less it engages us as active viewers.“ (Foster, 2011) The article that follows chronicles the evolution of the respective sub-fields of endeavor from the unique perspectives of the authors and their cumulative involvements and experiences. Its main purpose is to begin to bridge the gap between the affective and effective goals of architectural criticism (Attoe, 1989). In other words, the attempt will be made to connect the perceived vs. measured quality of the designed and built environment, including visual-aesthetic quality. The result is an entirely new form of criticism that is instructive as both a tool to professionals and an explication of the built environment to the layperson beyond aesthetic platitudes. Because of its cumulative nature, the2-part literature review is not intended to be exhaustive since that can be gleaned from a sample of authoritative publications on the evolution of: 1. Architectural Criticism: On Architecture: Collected Reflections on a Century of Change by Huxtable (Walker, 2010), Why Architecture Matters by Goldberger (Yale University Press, 2003), and After the End of Art: Contemporary Art and the Pale of History by Danto (Princeton University Press, 1997); 2. Post-Occupancy Evaluation/Building Performance Evaluation: Enhancing Building Performance by Mallory-Hill, Preiser and Watson (Wiley, 2012); Learning From Our Buildings: A State-ofthe-Practice Summary of Post-Occupancy Evaluation by Federal Facilities Council (National Academy Press, 2001); and, Building Evaluation Techniques by Baird et al. (McGraw-Hill, 1996).
An objective study of the impact of the electronic medical record on outcomes in trauma patients.

It is commonly believed that the electronic medical record (EMR) will improve patient outcomes. However, there is scant published literature to support this claim and no studies in any surgical population. Our hypothesis was that the EMR would not improve objective outcome measures in patients with traumatic injury. Prospectively collected data from our university-based Level I trauma center was retrospectively reviewed. Demographic, injury severity as well as outcomes and complications data were compared for all patients admitted over a 20-month period before introduction of the EMR and a 20-month period after full, hospital-wide use of the EMR. Implementation of the EMR was associated with a decreased hospital length of stay, P = 0.02; intensive care unit length of stay, P = 0.001; ventilator days, P = 0.002; acute respiratory distress syndrome, P = 0.006, pneumonia, P = 0.008; myocardial infarction, P = 0.001; line infection, P = 0.03; septicemia, P = 0.000; renal failure, P = 0.000; drug complication, P = 0.001; and delay in diagnosis, P = 0.04. There was no difference in mortality, unexpected cardiac arrest, missed injury, pulmonary embolism/deep vein thrombosis, or late urinary tract infection. This is the first study to investigate the impact of the EMR in surgical patients. Although there was an improvement in some complications, the overall impact was inconsistent. Language: en
Associations Between Physical Fitness Indices and Working Memory in Breast Cancer Survivors and Age-Matched Controls.

Abstract Background: This study examined the effects of cardiorespiratory fitness, heart rate recovery, and physical activity on working memory in breast cancer survivors and age-matched controls. Method: Using a case-control design, 32 women who had received a breast cancer diagnosis and completed primary treatment within the past 36-months (11 radiation only; 21 chemotherapy) and 30 age-matched women with no previous cancer diagnosis completed a n-back continuous performance task commonly used as an assessment of working memory. In addition, cardiorespiratory fitness and heart rate recovery were measured during a submaximal graded exercise test and physical activity was measured using 7-days of accelerometer monitoring. Results: Breast cancer survivors who had received chemotherapy had poorer heart rate recovery (p = .010) and engaged in less physical activity than women who had received radiation only (p = .004) or non-cancer controls (p = .029). Cancer treatment (radiation; chemotherapy) predicted dif...
A Diepoxide Belonging to the Rare C1 Point Group

2,6- and 2,7-Dimethylanthracenes were reduced seriatim with lithium in liquid ammonia and lithium in methylamine to their 1,4,5,8,9,10-hexahydro derivatives. Two-fold epoxidation of these tetraenes provided the cis and trans diepoxides resulting from electrophilic attack at the inner double bonds. Trans diepoxide 1 has the very unusual characteristic of lacking a σ plane of symmetry but possessing an inversion center. As a consequence, the 1H NMR spectrum of C1-symmetric 1 is simplified relative to those of its isomers 5, 9, and 10.
A two-phase approach to making decisions involving goal uncertainty

The main purpose of the present work is to present and discuss a model for a decision maker who is using feedback information and is subjected to goal uncertainty. The decision maker is allowed to choose one of a finite number of courses of action and observe one of a finite number of possible outcomes resulting from his choice.Two alternatives are available to 'learn' the best course of action. One is to assign a subjective score to each course of action, outcome pair and follow the courses of action that lead to the highest current estimates of the expected score. This approach quickly establishes a dominant course of action which under certain circumstances may not be optimal. The other alternative forces much more switching between courses of action and no dominant action arises.These alternatives are combined in a two-phase approach to zeroing in on the optimal course of action. In phase one the decision maker cycles until enough information has accu mulated. In phase two he follows the highest expec...
Histocompatibility genes in antiphospholipid antibody syndrome

The class II and especially the DQB1 locus of MHC genes, as well as C4 deficiency alleles appear to be associated with genetic risk for developing aPL. The extensive linkage disequilibrium among some of these risk factors makes it difficult to assign a causal role for any of these alleles by means of previous population studies of patients with APS; studies a patients with primary APS, in particular, have involved relatively few patients. Although there appear to be some overall similarities between the known MHC associations of primary APS and those of secondary APS, only a modest relative risk of APS is associated with MHC alleles, as discussed above, and other unknown risk factors must also be important. Whether these unknown risk factors for primary APS are different from those in secondary APS is an area for further investigation. In addition, new genes continue to be identified in the MHC class II and III regions that appear to have important roles in antigen processing and recognition. Interethnic studies of these and other alleles in large cohorts would be informative since ethnic groups of African, Japanese or Caucasian backgrounds often exhibit differing allelic linkage disequilibria within the MHC. Studies of linkage relationships in various MHC haplotypes have, for example, helped to clarify the role of MHC class II oligo alleles in rheumatoid arthritis. Further clarification of the roles of these MHC alleles will also depend on functional studies in experimental models and in vitro, to assess the roles of these risk factors in aPL production. The roles of non-MHC risk factors and of environmental agents that are operative within families also warrant further studies.
Electrically Tuned RC Oscillator or Amplifier

Two RC circuits based upon all-pass phase-shift networks are described. They are useful as electronically tunable audio oscillators, selective amplifiers, or bridges. Change of resonant frequency is accomplished by varying amplitude of transmission in one or more circuit branches by means of vacuum-tube modulators. In theory, both circuits may be electronically tuned from zero to infinite frequency, and their feedback-loop gain at resonance should be independent of the frequency to which they are tuned. However, the frequency ratio conveniently obtainable in practice, before appreciable changes in gain occur, is about four to one. This limitation is in part a consequence of the decrease in effective Q of the frequency-controlling portion of the circuit when they are tuned far from center frequency.
Increased microsomal oxidation of hydroxyl radical scavenging agents and ethanol after chronic consumption of ethanol.

The oxidation of ethanol by rat liver microsomes is increased after chronic ethanol consumption. Previous experiments indicated that hydroxyl radicals play a role in the mechanism whereby microsomes oxidize ethanol. Experiments were therefore carried out to evaluate the role of these radicals in ethanol oxidation by microsomes from ethanol-fed rats, and to determine whether the increase in ethanol oxidation by these induced microsomes correlates with an increase in the generation of hydroxyl radicals. Rat liver microsomes from ethanol-fed rats catalyzed the oxidation of two typical hydroxyl radical scavenging agents, dimethylsulfoxide and 2-keto-4-thiomethylbutyric acid, at rates which were two- to threefold greater than rates found with control microsomes. This increased rate of oxidation of hydroxyl radical scavengers was similar to the increased rate of microsomal oxidation of ethanol. Azide, which inhibits contaminating catalase in microsomes, increased the oxidation of dimethyl sulfoxide and 2-keto-4-thiomethylbutyric acid by both microsomal preparations. This suggests that H2O2 may serve as the microsomal precursor of the hydroxyl radical. Cross competition for oxidation between ethanol and the hydroxyl radical scavenging agents was observed. Moreover, the oxidation of ethanol, dimethyl sulfoxide, or 2-keto-4-thiomethylbutyric acid was inhibited by other compounds which interact with hydroxyl radicals, e.g., benzoate, and the free-radical, spin-trapping agent, 5,5-dimethyl-1-pyrroline-N-oxide. These results suggest that the increase in the rate of ethanol oxidation found with microsomes from ethanol-fed rats may be due, at least in part, to an increase in the rate of production of hydroxyl radicals by these induced microsomes. Increased production of oxyradicals may possibly result in oxidative damage to the liver cell as a result of ethanol consumption.
Neuropsychological Test Development and Normative Data on Hispanics

The development of culturally relevant psychological assessment tools and intervention procedures has not been commensurate with the rate of Hispanic population growth in the United States. The development of valid and reliable test measures for the assessment of this population must be based on empirical investigations. In this article, we present normative data on multiple measures from the Benton Laboratory and the Wisconsin Card Sorting Test. Results revealed equivalent findings for our Hispanic subjects and the English-speaking samples utilized in the original normative studies within the United States. We additionally review current trends and specific problems encountered in neuropsychological research with Hispanics, and suggest guidelines and directions for future research.
Physiologic Pressure Differences between Main and Branch Pulmonary Arteries in Infants

Systolic pressure differences of 6 to 45 mm Hg were found between the main and branch pulmonary arteries in 37 of 242 infants undergoing diagnostic cardiac catheterization. Eleven of these 37 infants were restudied, and all had lost the pressure difference regardless of the underlying cardiac defect. A similar pressure difference was noted in lambs studied at thoracotomy with direct measurement of main and branch pulmonary arterial pressures. Increasing pulmonary blood flow caused a rise in pressure differences and also evoked a difference in some older lambs when none was originally present. Cineangiography in infants with a pressure difference showed no discrete narrowing or poststenotic dilatation of the pulmonary arteries. The main pulmonary artery was a large domed structure from which relatively small right and left branches arose at sharp angles from the inferior and posterior surfaces. The size, disparity, and angulation probably caused turbulence with, at times, a loss of pressure. Systolic flow murmurs may be common. In assessment of pulmonary vascular resistance, it is therefore important to recognize that a portion of the total pressure drop across the lungs after birth reflects maturational changes of the larger pulmonary arteries as well as of the muscular arterioles.
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in American Children: Epstein-Barr virus-specific antibody titers and prognosis.

Seven American juvenile patients with undifferentiated or nonkeratinizing nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were examined serially for Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-specific antibody spectra and titers in sera. At diagnosis, all showed antibody patterns characteristic of NPC: i.e., high titers of IgG antibodies to viral capsid antigen (VCA) and to the diffuse (D) component of the early antigen complex. Six patients had IgA antibodies to VCA, and four to the D component. In the patients who responded to therapy with complete and maintained remissions, the IgG antibodies to D and the IgA antibodies to VCA and D decreased to undetectable levels within 12 to 30 months. By contrast, of the four patients who responded only transiently to therapy, three showed substantial increases and one continuously high titers of IgG anti-D and IgA anti-VCA. The increases in antibody titers preceded clinical recognition of recurrent tumors by 1 to 6 months. Three of these patients have died and the fourth is alive with disease. These data indicate that American juvenile NPC does not differ from the adult disease observed anywhere in the world. They reaffirm the potential usefulness of EBV-specific serology in the diagnosis and prognosis of NPC and the monitoring of patients following therapy.
Optical methods for in-vivo pharmacokinetics (Invited Paper)

The kinetics of light absorbing compounds can be followed continuously in vivo by the use of reflection photometry to measure the changes in total optical attenuation of tissue. This method was employed in anesthetized DBA mice with SMT tumors. The pharmacokinetics in the tumor tissue of two closely related pheophorbides were followed continuously for the first two hours following tail vein injection2. The results of these measurements were correlated with the response of the tumors to photodynamic therapy and the plasma clearance. MPM (methyl pheophorbide methyl ether) cleared the tumor tissues with kinetics that matched the plasma clearance (20 min). MPH (methyl pheophorbide hexyl ether) showed steady accumulation and retention while the plasma was clearing the sensitizer. When the tumors were subsequently exposed to light (665 nm) the MPM tumor was not responsive even at short times (10 min) post injection. A response was produced in these two mice only when they were exposed to the treatment light and simultaneously injecting the MPM at high doses. MPH treated mice responded to treatment at 24 hours post injection. Reflection measurements of tissue attenuation at that time indicated that significant quantities2 of MPH were still present.
An AM1 study of structure and conformational isomerism in bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane and several 3,7-diaza derivatives

Abstract The chair-chair, boat-chair, and boat-boat conformers of bicyclo[3.3.1]nonane and the exo-endo disposition of N-methyl groups in its 3,7-diaza derivatives were studied using the AM1 method. All the geometric parameters (bond lengths, bond angles and torsional angles) were optimized and the nature of the bicyclic structures compared.
Inhaled corticosteroids as first-line therapy for asthma. Why they work--and what the guidelines and evidence suggest.

PREVIEWDespite a plethora of clinical guidelines and evidence outlining the efficacy of inhaled corticosteroids, these medications continue to be underused in the treatment of asthma. This article reviews the justification for prescribing inhaled steroids as first-line therapy, discusses indications for their use, and compares potencies of the various products now available. In addition, the authors address the adverse effects commonly associated with these agents and provide evidence supporting early intervention with inhaled steroids in the treatment of persistent asthma.