cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Reg FD on Information in Analysts' Rating Changes

A rich literature examines the effects of analysts' recommendations on stock prices, and literature is developing on the effect of Regulation Fair Disclosure on the information associated with corporate earnings forecasts and announcements. This study examines the effect of Reg FD on the information content of analysts' rating changes. Based on recommendations associated with a random sample of S&P 500 Index stocks, the major finding is that investors have been responding to analysts' recommendations in the same way since Reg FD as they did before implementation of Reg FD. In addition, the results suggest that Reg FD does not require that practitioners change the way they view the analyst recommendation process.
COVID-360: A Collaborative Effort to Develop a Multidisciplinary Set of Online Resources for Engaging Teaching on the COVID-19 Pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic has challenged undergraduate instructors and students in an unprecedented manner. Each has needed to find creative ways to continue the engaged teaching and learning process in an environment defined by physical separation and emotional anxiety and uncertainty. As a potential tool to meet this challenge, we developed a set of curricular materials that combined our respective life science teaching interests with the real-time scientific problem of the COVID-19 pandemic in progress. Discrete modules were designed that are engaging to students, implement active learning-based coursework in a variety of institutional and learning settings, and can be used either in person or remotely. The resulting interdisciplinary curriculum, dubbed "COVID-360," enables instructors to select from a menu of curricular options that best fit their course content, desired activities, and mode of class delivery. Here we describe how we devised the COVID-360 curriculum and how it represents our efforts to creatively and effectively respond to the instructional needs of diverse students in the face of an ongoing instructional crisis.
Response to “how robust are reductions in modeled estimates from GTAP-BIO of the indirect land use change induced by conventional biofuels?”

Abstract Malins et al. (2020) recently published “How robust are reductions in modeled estimates from GTAP-BIO of the indirect land use change induced by conventional biofuels?“, provided their narrative from the model improvements in GTAP-BIO over time, made several critical points regarding this model, and argued that the implemented improvements in this model tended to decrease Induce Land Use Changes (ILUC) emissions. They also provided several critical points regarding the Carbon Calculator for Land Use Change from Biofuels Production (CCLUB) emissions model. In this response to Malins et al. we address these critiques point-by-point by providing our detailed responses to key issues: 1) the GTAP-BIO model and its improvements over time; 2) the inclusion of cropland pasture in the model; 3) the observed land use changes in the US that have been the bases for improvements in GTAP-BIO model, 4) the time trends in corn price and yield to challenge the concept of the yield to price response; 5) some sources of land intensification in crop production; 6) the FAO notifications with respect to the comparison between harvested area and arable land; and 7) the GTAP-BIO results for multiple cropping. We also provided responses to Malins et al. critical points regarding the CCLUB emissions model. We hope that this response letter will open more constructive discussion among the LUC modeling community to remain focused on the big picture regarding agriculture's role as a very effective GHG mitigation tool that can shape the new policies to govern the production and consumption of biofuels.
Design Techniques of Integrated Power Management Circuits for Low Power Edge Devices

Edge devices are essential elements for Internet of Things (1oT). To extend the battery life or achieve batteryless operation through energy harvesting, low power consumption is one of the key challenges for low-power edge devices. For emerging applications, edge devices are likely to be deployed into space constrained environments, thus, design techniques targeting a smaller form factor are desired. As an indispensable type of circuit in highly integrated systems-on-chip (SoCs), power management circuits are important to achieve low power, high energy efficiency, and small area. The challenges of low power and small area set apart the design methodology of PMUs in low-power edge devices from those used in high performance systems. This paper provides a review of design techniques in power management circuits for low-power edge devices, and discusses new trends in power management circuits.
Is Alcohol Consumption Associated With Risk of Early Menopause

Earlier age at menopause is associated with increased long-term health risks. Moderate alcohol intake has been suggested to delay menopause onset, but it is unknown whether alcohol subtypes are associated with early menopause onset at age 45 years. Therefore, we aimed to evaluate risk of early natural menopause among 107,817 members of the Nurses' Health Study II who were followed from 1989 to 2011. Alcohol consumption overall and by subtypes, including beer, red wine, white wine, and liquor, was assessed throughout follow-up. We estimated hazard ratios in multivariable models that were adjusted for age, body mass index, parity, smoking, and other potential confounders. Women who reported moderate current alcohol consumption had lower risks of early menopause than did nondrinkers. Those who reported consuming 10.0-14.9 g/day had a lower risk of early menopause than did nondrinkers (hazard ratio = 0.81, 95% confidence interval: 0.68, 0.97). Among specific beverages, evidence of lower early menopause risk was confined to consumption of white wine and potentially red wine and liquor, but not to beer. Data from this large prospective study suggest a weak association of moderate alcohol intake with lower risk of early menopause, which was most pronounced for consumption of white and red wine and liquor. High consumption was not related to lower risk of early menopause.
Abstract 299: Self-assembling peptide hydrogel for delivery and conversion of temozolomide in glioblastoma treatment

Traditional treatment methods for glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) including resection, radiation, and chemotherapy have been largely unsuccessful, with a current 5-year survival rate of 5.6%. In this project we examine the potential of nanosized self-assembling peptide hydrogels to locally deliver and convert temozolomide (TMZ), an FDA-approved pH-sensitive prodrug, for GBM treatment. The peptide hydrogel is designed to load TMZ into the hydrophobic regions of the hydrogels, and during hydrogel degradation in vivo, convert TMZ into its active form. Hydrogel characterization, drug loading and conversion, and cellular uptake and viability are examined to determine the in vitro efficacy of this delivery method. A combination of dynamic light scattering (DLS), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and circular dichroism (CD) are used to characterize size and structure of the hydrogels. Loading and conversion of TMZ are quantified using UV-Vis spectroscopy. Fluorescent imaging and cell viability assays are used to determine uptake and anti-cancer effects of the drug-loaded hydrogels on glioblastoma cells. Our results show high uptake in drug-resistant T98G and non-resistant LN-18 glioblastoma cell lines using several of our tunable peptide formulations. CD has shown that all peptide formulations form mostly beta-sheet and random structures during self-assembly. SEM and DLS show that peptide hydrogels formed in a water solvent are more polydisperse than hydrogels in a PBS solvent. Using a pH-meter, we have shown that as the peptides in PBS degrade, there is an increase in local pH. Additionally, TMZ conversion is observed to occur more quickly in drug-loaded hydrogels than TMZ alone. Preliminary cell viability studies have shown that unassembled peptides are not cytotoxic; some of the assembled peptide hydrogels are cytotoxic while others maintain greater than 80% viability when compared to untreated cells. Future studies for the project will include cell viability assays with the most promising peptide formulations loaded with TMZ to determine efficacy of the delivery and conversion system. Finally, this project will culminate in an in vivo study to confirm the overall anti-cancer effect of the drug-loaded peptide hydrogels in a tumor model of GBM. Acknowledgements: This research was supported in part by the National Science Foundation EPSCoR Program under NSF Award # OIA-1655740, the National Institute of Health Award # P30GM131959, and National Science Foundation9s Graduate Research Fellowship Program. Citation Format: Megan Pitz, Alexandra Nukovic, Margaret Elpers, Sarah Wilde, Angela Alexander-Bryant. Self-assembling peptide hydrogel for delivery and conversion of temozolomide in glioblastoma treatment [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2021; 2021 Apr 10-15 and May 17-21. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2021;81(13_Suppl):Abstract nr 299.
Analysis of human tissues using Energy Dispersive X Ray Fluorescence - Dark matrix determination for the application to cancer research.

Abstract Background X ray Fluorescence has been essayed as a suitable technique for the elemental quantification of trace element in human tissues, namely comparison of normal and cancerous tissue. However, accurate results depend on a robust quantification approach, namely correct evaluation of the samples’ dark matrix. Methods In order to determine the most suitable dark matrix composition for the quantification of such samples using the Fundamental Parameter approach, we have measured several Certified Reference Materials and essayed different dark matrix compositions to achieve the most accurate results. The resulting dark matrix was then applied to normal and tumor ovarian and prostate tissue samples, and the obtained results were compared with the ones obtained with a comparative method using external standard calibration curves. Results Using a dark matrix composed of 10 % - H, 22 % - C, 3 % - N and 60 % - O yielded the best compromise in accuracy for the light and heavy elements. For the reduced sample size and conditions of this study, for both organs, the concentrations of transition metals decrease in tumor tissues, while the concentration of lighter elements, P and Cl, increases. On the other hand, there are elements that showed different behavior between the two types of tissue, namely Zn and S, that increase in prostate tumor tissue and decrease in ovarian tissue. Conclusion An increase in precision was one of the improvements found with the newly developed method, as the FP-approach contemplates matrix effects and the influence of other elements in the analytes’ quantification. Additionally, the determined dark matrix can be employed in any tissue analysis application by means of EDXRF.
ReHouSED: A novel measurement of Veteran housing stability using natural language processing.

Abstract Housing stability is an important determinant of health. The US Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) administers several programs to assist Veterans experiencing unstable housing. Measuring long-term housing stability of Veterans who receive assistance from VA is difficult due to a lack of standardized structured documentation in the Electronic Health Record (EHR). However, the text of clinical notes often contains detailed information about Veterans’ housing situations that may be extracted using natural language processing (NLP). We present a novel NLP-based measurement of Veteran housing stability: Relative Housing Stability in Electronic Documentation (ReHouSED). We first develop and evaluate a system for classifying documents containing information about Veterans’ housing situations. Next, we aggregate information from multiple documents to derive a patient-level measurement of housing stability. Finally, we demonstrate this method’s ability to differentiate between Veterans who are stably and unstably housed. Thus, ReHouSED provides an important methodological framework for the study of long-term housing stability among Veterans receiving housing assistance.
Gonococcal Infective Endocarditis Returns.

Disseminated gonococcal infection occurs in 0.5%-3% of gonorrhea cases, usually in the form of either a triad of arthralgia, tenosynovitis, and skin lesions or purulent arthritis. Other rare complications include gonococcal infective endocarditis that occurs in 1%-2% of cases with 99 cases reported in the literature since 1938. Our case presents an additional rare case of aortic valve gonococcal endocarditis requiring surgical intervention and a prolonged antibiotic course, despite the absence of genitourinary symptoms or mucosal evidence of infection. This case was found to have sepsis and gonococcal endocarditis, which was clearly confirmed with positive blood cultures and aortic valve vegetation. It was further complicated by the evidence of splenic embolization and severe aortic regurgitation requiring surgical valve replacement and debridement of an annular perivalvular abscess. A high degree of suspicion is needed to early diagnose these unusual cases of gonococcal endocarditis, especially in sexually active individuals, for its known virulence causing valve destruction and high mortality. Our case represents a valuable addition to the reported cases of this diagnosis and is complemented by a short literature review.
HUMAN FACTORS EVALUATION OF HEADLIGHT SWITCHING SYSTEMS

A search for methods of switching a proposed three beam headlight system led to the evaluation of 41 possible schemes. Human factors criteria reduced the original 41 to three systems. Recordings of practice trials, learning trials, and the responses to visual cues projected on a screen were analyzed. The same test procedure was also used to compare three alternative ways of switching conventional two beam headlight systems. Summary data is presented for the six systems tested grouped by test subject age, sex, and driving experience. /GMRL/
176 Elevation of 90 minutes plasma glucose during oral glucose tolerance testing predicts development of cystic fibrosis related diabetes and lung function decline

Objectives Recent studies have shown the effect of cystic fibrosis related diabetes (CFRD) on nutritional status and lung function of patients with CF. The aim of our study was to determine the prevalence of CFRD in Slovenian children with CF and the influence of hyperglycemia on their lung function and nutritional status. Methods Data from all Slovenian children with CF were collected. A diagnosis of CFRD was made based on oral glucose tolerance testing (OGTT) and continuous glucose monitoring. The highest level of blood glucose (BG) and the time during the OGTT were evaluated. Nutritional status and lung function of patients with CFRD were determined and compared to CF patients without CFRD. Results A total of 70 patients with a median age of 10.97 (0.9–22.3) years are managed in our Center. Twelve were diagnosed with CFRD (10 girls and 2 boys; median age 15.97 (9.21–18.59) years. The prevalence of CFRD was 17.1%. In 9 the BG levels >11.1 mmol/l at 90 ; during the OGTT were observed. The median value ob glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) at diagnosis was 6.15 (5.6–6.8)%. The median FEV1 was 62% of predicted value and BMI 18.2 (12.4–21.7) kg/m 2 which is the 21 st percentile for age and gender. In patients with CFRD the median FEV1 was 24% lower compared with the rest of our CF patients while there was no significant difference in their BMI. Conclusions The prevalence of CFRD in our Center is comparable to the published data of CF patients of the same age group. Most of the CFRD patients had the highest BG level at 90 ; during OGTT. CFRD was associated with decline in lung function while it had no significant impact on nutritional status of our patients.
ACTivities for group work with adolescents by Ciardiello, S. Family ties: A family-based intervention to complement prepare, ART, and TIES youth groups by Calame, R., & Parker, K.

As a teacher and practitioner of group work, my students and I are hungry for meaningful activities to use in practice. To that end, the two books under review, ACTivities for Group Work with Adole...
Measures of Total Energy Expenditure and Its Components Using the Doubly Labeled Water Method in Rehabilitating Burn Children.

Background: A persistent hypermetabolic state delays anabolism and growth in burned children. However, our own clinical experience has been that resting energy expenditure (REE) is not increased during the rehabilitative phase, suggesting other contributing factors. We measured total energy expenditure (TEE) and its components in rehabilitating pediatric burn patients to identify the basis for accelerated energy metabolism in this population. Materials and Methods: Children admitted with initial burns of 20% of their total body surface area (TBSA) or greater were enrolled into this prospective, descriptive study. TEE was measured using the doubly labeled water method over a 7-day period. During that period, REE was measured on 2 days by indirect calorimetry. Activity energy expenditure (AEE) was assessed using a physical activity monitoring device for a 24-hour period. TEE and REE were compared with sex-specific, age-matched, and weight-matched norms using the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) standards. Re...
Characterization of Microbes in the Nitrogen Cycle Using Metagenomics and More

Review of : Metagenomics of the Microbial Nitrogen Cycle: Theory, Methods, and Applications ; Diana Marco (ed.); (2014). Caister Academic Press, Norfolk, UK. 267 pages.
L'écho-döppler modifie rarement les décisions dans la prise en charge de l'ischémie chronique des membres inférieurs

Le but de cette etude etait de determiner la proportion de patients presentant des douleurs des membres inferieurs dont le traitement etait modifie par l'echo-doppler. Cette etude prospective a etudie tous les patients adresses pour une douleur des membres inferieurs qui avaient subi un echo-doppler arteriel des membres inferieurs. Tous les patients avaient un interrogatoire et un examen clinique par le meme chirurgien vasculaire. Apres la realisation de l'interrogatoire et de l'examen clinique, le chirurgien etablissait une strategie therapeutique previsionnelle. Il revoyait ensuite les resultats de l'echo-doppler des membres inferieurs et etablissait un plan therapeutique definitif base sur l'interrogatoire, l'examen clinique, et les resultats de l'examen duplex. Le traitement etait considere comme (1) conservateur, (2) invasif, ou (3) le patient etait considere comme n'ayant aucune maladie vasculaire peripherique. La proportion de patients dont la strategie therapeutique initiale a ete modifiee par l'examen duplex etait determinee. Parmi les 103 patients inclus dans l'etude, 7% n'avaient aucune maladie vasculaire peripherique d'apres l'interrogatoire, l'examen clinique, et l'examen duplex. En se basant sur l'interrogatoire et l'examen clinique, 48,5% devaient avoir un traitement conservateur et 44,7% un traitement invasif. Apres avoir passe en revue les resultats duplex, la strategie therapeutique etait modifiee chez seulement 5,9% des patients. Il n'y avait aucune difference de strategie therapeutique apres la prise en compte des resultats de l'examen duplex (p = 0,1025). L'examen duplex reste un outil valable dans l'evaluation des patients presentant une maladie vasculaire peripherique des membres inferieurs ; cependant, chez la plupart des patients, la decision d'un traitement conservateur ou invasif peut etre prise sans examen duplex. Tous les patients adresses a la clinique vasculaire pour l'evaluation des membres inferieurs ne necessitent pas un examen duplex.
Induction of chronic growth hormone deficiency by anti-GH serum.

The observations reported indicate that the growth rate of neonatal rats can be specifically inhibited for at least 78 days following the administration of antisera against growth hormone (GH) for only four days after birth. The inhibition can be correlated with a marked deficit of tibial growth promoting activity in the pituitary but not with the plasma concentrations of immuno-reactive GH.
Oxygen Radical Absorbing Capacity of Phenolics in Blueberries, Cranberries, Chokeberries, and Lingonberries

The antioxidant activity of phenolics in fruits of blueberry (Vaccinium corymbosum cv. Sierra), cranberry (Vaccinium macrocarpon cv. Ben Lear), wild chokeberry (Aronia melanocarpa), and lingonberry (Vaccinium vitis-idaea cv. Amberland) was determined in this study. The phenolic constituents and contents among the different berries varied considerably. Anthocyanins were found to be the main components in all these berries. Chlorogenic acid in blueberry, quercetin glycosides in cranberry and lingonberry, and caffeic acid and its derivative in chokeberry were also present in relatively high concentrations. Chlorogenic acid, peonidin 3-galactoside, cyanidin 3-galactoside, and cyanidin 3-galactoside were the most important antioxidants in blueberry, cranberry, wild chokeberry, and lingonberry, respectively. The contribution of individual phenolics to the total antioxidant capacity was generally dependent on their structure and content in the berries. Phenolics such as quercetin and cyanidin, with 3',4'-dihydroxy substituents in the B ring and conjugation between the A and B rings, had highly effective radical scavenging structures in blueberries, cranberries, chokeberries, and lingonberries. Phenolic acids such as caffeic acid also showed high antioxidant activity, probably due to its dihydroxylation in the 3,4 positions as hydrogen donors.
Medic planting date effect on dry matter and nitrogen accumulation when clear-seeded or intercropped with corn

Intercropping annual forage legumes with row crops has been proposed as a strategy to control erosion, suppress weeds, and contribute biological N to companion or subsequent crops. This experiment evaluated the effect of planting date of two annual medic species [burr and snail medic, Medicago polymorpha L. and M. scutellata (L.) Mill.] on yield and N accumulation of both medic and interseeded corn (Zea mays L.). Medics were either clear-seeded (i.e., monocropped) or interseeded into corn at five planting dates from 7 May to 13 July in each of two years at East Lansing, MI, on a Capac loam (fine-loamy, mixed, mesic Aeric Endoaqualf). Clear-seeded medic produced up to 3 Mg ha -1 of dry matter at 60 d after planting. In the interseeding system, medic dry matter yields were only 50% of yield in a clear-seeded system. Average aboveground medic N concentration was 50 and 20 kg ha -1 in clear-seeded and interseeded systems, respectively. Interseeding at corn planting produced the greatest medic dry matter, but also was associated with the greatest reduction in corn yield. Corn yields were not reduced by interseeding medic 28 dafter corn planting. Interseeding medic into corn was associated with a positive yield response (3-25%) of subsequent corn grain. Medics reduced fertilizer needs of corn in the subsequent year by 37 kg N ha -1 .
The Predictive Validity of Injury Proxies: Predicting Early Adolescent Injuries with Assessments of Minor Injuries

This study offers an initial step in establishing the predictive validity of injury proxies. Proxies are utilized frequently by injury researchers to overcome various methodological and ethical issues inherent in injury research, although psychometric data on proxies are limited. Using data from the NICHD Study of Early Child Care and Youth Development we found that minor injuries predicted adolescent injuries longitudinally, even in the context of well-established predictors of injury risk. This study is the first to demonstrate the predictive validity of minor injuries, a common proxy of pediatric injury risk. Findings are discussed with respect to implications for conceptual understanding of injury risk, future research, and prevention efforts.
Drug metabolism in spontaneously diabetic guinea pigs.

Both sexes of spontaneously diabetic guinea pigs exhibit hyperinsulinemia (>4-fold normal). This diabetic state is associated with the inhibition of hepatic drug metabolism in males but not females.
Optocoupler made from semiconducting polymers

Optocouplers (optoisolators) were fabricated using semiconducting polymers. The input unit is a polymer light emitting diode with an external quantum efficiency of ∼1% photons/electron. The output unit is a polymer photodiode with a quantum yield of ∼35% electrons/photon at 590 nm. Both units can be operated at bias voltages sufficiently low to be compatible with TTL and complementary metal-oxide semiconductor logic circuits. Since the transfer characteristic is nearly linear, the polymer optocoupler can be used in analogue circuits as well. The current transfer ratio reaches 2 × 10−3 under-10V reverse bias, comparable to that of commercial inorganic optocouplers.
Nucleotides and phospholipids compete for binding to the C terminus of KATP channels

Inwardly rectifying, ATP-sensitive K+ channels (KATP) couple metabolism to either cell excitability (Kir6.x) or potassium secretion (Kir1.1). Phosphatidylinositol phospholipids, like PI(4,5)P2, antagonize nucleotide inhibition of KATP channels enhancing the coupling of metabolic events to cell electrical or transport activity. The mechanism by which phospholipids relieve ATP block is unclear. We have shown that maltose-binding fusion proteins (MBP) containing the COOH termini of KATP channels (Kir1.1, Kir6.1, and Kir6.2) form functional tetramers that directly bind at least two ATP molecules with negative cooperativity. Here we show that purified phosphatidylinositol phospholipids compete for 2,4,6,-trinitrophenyl (TNP)-ATP binding to the COOH termini of KATP channels with EC50 values for PIP2 between 6–8 μM. The phospholipid potency profile was PIP3 > PIP2 = PIP > PI, suggesting that net phospholipid charge was important. A role for head group charge was supported by polycations (neomycin, spermine, and polylysine) reversing the effect of PIP2 on TNP-ATP binding to the Kir1.1 channel COOH terminal fusion protein. In contrast, the water-soluble charged hydrolytic product of PIP2, inositol(1,4,5)P3 (IP3), had no effect on TNP-ATP binding, suggesting that the acyl chain of PIP2 was also necessary for its effect on TNP-ATP binding. Indeed, neutral and charged lipids had weak, but significant, effects on TNP-ATP binding. Whereas μM concentrations of PIP2 could compete with TNP-ATP, we found that mM concentrations of MgATP were required to compete with PIP2 for binding to these KATP channel COOH termini. Thus the COOH termini of KATP channels form a nucleotide- and phospholipid-modulated channel gate on which ATP and phospholipids compete for binding.
HOST SPECIES EFFECTS ON PARASITIZATION BY A SYRIAN POPULATION OF DIAERETIELLA RAPAE M’INTOSH (HYMENOPTERA: APHIDIIDAE)

Diaeretiella rapae M'Intosh is a cosmopolitan parasitoid of several pest aphid species in agroecosystems, including the Russian what aphid, Diuraphis noxia (Mordvilko) (Mackauer and Stary 1967). In recent years, D. rapae has been imported into the United States from regions throughout the world for D. noxia classical biological control. Knowledge of the alternative hosts of D. rapae could be useful for identifying ecosystems into which the parasitoid could be released at times when D. noxia is absent. Over 30 aphid species are listed as hosts of D. rapae (Mackauer and Stary 1967). This host list, though comprehensive, is a compilation of information gathered from diverse, mostly unrelated sources, and does not necessarily depict the host range of any particular population. Host range differs among populations of some aphidiid species collected from different regions or from different hosts in the same region (Powell 1986). Thus, published host lists can be misleading if they are the sole source of information used to determine acceptable alternative hosts on which to release prospective candidates in classical biocontrol programs. The purpose of this study was to determine the relative suitability of several aphid species common to agricultural and associated non-agricultural ecosystems in the Great Plains as hosts for this Syrian D. rapae isolate in laboratory no-choice tests.
Severe functional anemia in a child, resemblingpernicious anemia of adults

Summary 1. A case of severe anemia, closely resembling pernicious anemia ofadults, is described as occurring in a twelve-year-old child. 2. Parenteral administration of liver extract (antipernicious-anemia factor) was followed by a spectacular recovery, which was apparently complete and permanent. 3. This was interpreted tentatively as representing a transient, purelyfunctional disturbance in the mechanism involved in the elaboration and utilization of the intrinsic antianemic factor. 4. A bizarre sequela in the form of a temporary abnormality of bodymetabolism resembling “pituitary basophilism” or the “adrenal cortical syndrome” is likewise described.
Cryoablation for Liver Cancer

Primary cancer of the liver (hepatocellular carcinoma [HCC]) and metastatic cancer to the liver from a distant primary site of origin are very common problems in the United States and the world. The management of these diseases has become progressively complex as the available treatment options have improved and propagated. One option that has been gaining acceptance is image-guided tumor ablation. Image-guided tumor ablation has been applied to numerous cancers, including renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer, lung cancer, and liver cancer with promising short-term results. Radiofrequency ablation has been the most widely studied and utilized ablation modality. However, cryoablation has several relative advantages (most significantly, the ability to produce larger and more precise zones of ablation) over RF ablation and the other heat-based ablation modalities. This manuscript is designed to be an up to date, practical and thorough review of the indications for, techniques of, and patient management issues associated with hepatic cryoablation.
A unified theory of dielectrophoresis and travelling wave dielectrophoresis

We show for the first time that a particle in a non-uniform AC electric field experiences a dielectrophoretic force arising from spatial non-uniformities of the magnitude and phase of the field interacting, respectively, with the in-phase and out-of-phase components of the induced dipole moment.
Bone elongation in rats with renal failure and mild or advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism

Bone elongation in rats with renal failure and mild or advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism. Background Impairment of growth in children with chronic renal failure may be due, in part to the insensitivity to the actions of growth hormone by insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) because of accumulations of IGF binding proteins. There are a few studies describing the changes that occur in the growth plate in renal failure. None of these studies has simultaneously compared the modifications in the expression of selected markers of endochondral bone formation in renal failure with mild or advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism. Methods Forty-six rats that underwent 5/6 nephrectomy (Nx) were fed either standard rodent diet (Nx-control) or high phosphorus diet to induce advanced secondary hyperparathyroidism (Nx-phosphorus) for 4weeks. Sections of the tibia were obtained for growth plate histomorphometry, immunohistochemistry studies, and in situ hybridization experiments for selected markers of endochondral bone formation. Results Weight gain, gain in length, and tibial length were less in Nx animals. Serum parathyroid hormone (PTH) and phosphorus levels were higher and serum calcium levels were lower in the Nx-phosphorus group. The width of the growth plate was much shorter in the Nx-phosphorus group due to a decrease in both proliferative and hypertrophic zones. IGF-I protein and IGF binding protein-3 staining were diminished in both Nx groups without changes in the IGF-I receptor expression; the decline in IGF-I protein expression was much lower in the Nx-phosphorus group. PTH/PTH receptor protein (PTHrP) receptor mRNA transcripts decline and tartrate-resistant acid phosphastase (TRAP) staining increased only in the Nx-phosphorus group. Conclusion The growth impairment in renal failure may be worsened by the severity of secondary hyperparathyroidism.
A SUBSTITUTE END FOR SOCIALISM? F. A. HAYEK AND KEYNESIAN FULL-EMPLOYMENT POLICY

This paper provides a caveat to Ben Jackson's article ‘At the origins of neo-liberalism’. Though agreeing with Jackson that many early market liberals did not particularly object to Keynesian policy and the nascent welfare state, we make use of archival and published material to help shed light on F. A. Hayek's assessment of Keynesian policy. In particular, we argue that Hayek had adopted a negative view of Keynesian policy and the welfare state as early as the mid- to late 1940s.
Setting the stage for new global knowledge: Science, Economics, and Indigenous knowledge in 'The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity' at the Fourth World Conservation Congress

Global environmental knowledge underwrites the authority of international institutions charged with managing climate change, biodiversity loss and other looming environmental problems. While numerous studies show how global knowledge gains authority at a macro-scale, few examine the everyday practices that establish authority in concrete settings. Investigating such day-to-day practices is important because concrete institutional settings may offer opportunities for resisting, affirming, or transforming global environmental knowledge and the policies it supports. As part of an 'event ethnography' conducted at the International Union for Conservation of Nature's World Conservation Congress (WCC) in Barcelona in 2008, this paper looks in detail at one important site in a high-level international study on 'The Economics of Ecosystems and Biodiversity' (TEEB). The WCC was a site where the TEEB organisers convened three fields of knowledge-economics, ecological and biodiversity sciences, and indigenous knowledge-in an attempt to secure authority for the economic valuation of ecosystems and biodiversity. Through three vignettes, this paper investigates the differential engagement of the three knowledge communities; how these engagements reveal the processes by which global knowledge is constructed; and the political ramifications of those constructions.
Ca++-switch induction of RPE differentiation

Cultured retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells are commonly used as a model of the tissue to study their involvement in visual diseases. Unfortunately, cultured RPE often lose their differentiated phenotype reducing their usefulness as a model of the RPE in vivo. In this study, we used a Ca++-switch protocol to initiate the patterned expression of several phenotypic and functional markers of RPE differentiation. Cultured RPE cells from adult donors were maintained through at least six serial passages prior to assay to minimize their differentiated properties. The cells were then subjected to the Ca++-switch protocol and maintained at confluence for up to 4 months. Paired control and Ca++-switch cells were examined for phenotype, pigmentation, and the expression of tyrosinase, CRABP, myocilin, and bestrophin by western blot analysis. The Ca++-switch protocol led to a rapid restriction of N-cadherin to lateral cell borders, and to expression of tyrosinase by day 4. After 8 weeks, the experimental RPE monolayers began to accumulate visible pigment, and after 12 weeks CRABP expression was observed. Myocilin was observed at 4 months after the Ca++-switch but bestrophin was not detected at any time point. Our results suggest this protocol may drive epithelial morphogenesis in RPE cells. We note two specific differences in cells plated in low Ca++, reduced spreading on the substrate and coordinated development of cadherin adhesion when the Ca++-concentration is returned to normal. Thus, we suggest that this method produces phenotypic changes through multiple cell signalling pathways.
Rationality and Solidarities: The Social Organization of Common Property Resources in the Imdrhas Valley of Morocco

Dominant theories of common property resource systems (CPRs) draw principally from the rational choice tradition. While this perspective has contributed to our understanding of common property issues, there are still missing features. The one we believe can both contextualize rationality and CPRs within the larger social system is recognition of the social dynamism between solidarities based on interests and solidarities based on sentiments. We argue that collective action is an interactive process where both interests and sentiments mutually constitute and reconstitute each other through a dialogue of solidarities. Using this approach, we examine two Imazighen communities in southern Morocco and the social organization of their CPRs. While both communities have the same established rules for managing their CPRs, there are distinct differences in what occurs on them. These differences are due to more than individual actors' private calculations of personal gain. They can be equally attributed to the chara...
Solvent Effects on the Dimerization Equilibria in Lennard-Jones Mixtures. Application of Wertheim's Theory of Association

We consider a model of a two-component solution that consists of chemically reacting solutes and a chemically inert solvent. The particles interact via Lennard-Jones potentials. In addition, a directional associative interaction between the solute molecules promotes the formation of dimers. The theory for association in fluids of Wertheim is used to study the dimerization equilibrium. A multidensity Ornstein−Zernike equation is solved with the associative mean spherical approximation and, in some cases, with the hypernetted chain approximation. Some quantitative characteristics of dimerization in solution are obtained. We discuss the pair distribution functions, the solute−solvent coordination numbers, the partial molar volumes, and the compressibility, under varying conditions. Our particular concern is near-critical mixtures. The results, obtained with an explicit allowance for the chemical association between the reactants, show an enhanced solute−solvent clustering in near-critical solutions. The stat...
Plausibility and argument structure in sentence comprehension

In two experiments, we investigated how reading time was affected by the plausibility of the prepositional phrase in subject-verb-noun-phrase-prepositional-phrase sentences, and the status of the prepositional phrase as argument versus adjunct of the verb. Highly plausible prepositional phrases were read faster than less plausible ones, and argument prepositional phrases were read faster than adjuncts. These effects appeared both in a self-paced reading experiment and in an experiment that measured eye movements during normal reading. The effects of plausibility were substantially larger and longer lasting than the effects of argument status, but both appeared very early in the reading of the prepositional phrase. The implications of these effects for models of parsing and sentence interpretation are discussed.
A photo-essay of the life and times of Herbert Remmer with his friends.

There are many wonderful memories one can relate about Herbert Remmer. He was a dedicated scientist, an excellent colleague, and a distinctive character in the international field of drug metabolism and toxicology. This article describes my first meeting in 1964 with Herbert Remmer. The article highlights his seminal contributions to our understanding of cytochrome P450 induction and the associated changes in the morphological contributions of the endoplasmic reticulum of the liver and the role of P450 as it relates to drug interactions as the initial step in drug metabolism. Also described are results of experiments carried out in 1964 when Herbert Remmer visited our laboratory at the Johnson Foundation of the University of Pennsylvania. It was these spectrophotometric experiments, showing spectral changes associated with the binding of drugs to liver microsomal P450 (with John Schenkman), that laid the foundation for our current understanding of the cyclic mechanism of P450 function during the metabolis...
Terahertz metamaterials perfect absorbers for sensing and imaging

Devices operating at THz frequencies have been continuously expanded in many areas of application and major research field, which requires materials with suitable electromagnetic responses at THz frequency ranges. Unlike most naturally occurring materials, novel THz metamaterials have proven to be well suited for use in various devices due to narrow and tunable operating ranges. In this work, we present the results of two THz metamaterial absorber structures aiming two important device aspects; polarization sensitivity and broad band absorption. The absorbers were simulated by finite element method and fabricated through the combination of standard lift-off photolithography and electron beam metal deposition. The fabricated devices were characterized by reflection mode THz time domain spectroscopy. The narrow band absorber structures exhibit up to 95% absorption with a bandwidth of 0.1 THz to 0.15 THz.
Enhancement in in-plane shear capacity of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls strengthened with fiber reinforced polymer composites

Abstract Experimental study was performed to evaluate the enhancement in in-plane shear capacity of unreinforced masonry (URM) walls externally retrofitted and/or rehabilitated with fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites. Six identical wall specimens of size 1.83 m × 1.83 m were used; four of them were externally retrofitted using different composite retrofitting schemes and one was repaired with composite laminates after having diagonal cracks on wall faces. All specimens were tested under in-plane cyclic shear in presence of constant gravity load. Wall response with the gradual increase in lateral loading was recorded in the form of hysteretic load deflection curves from which wall ductility under cyclic loading is computed. During experiment, the damage progression in wall specimens and their ultimate failure modes were recorded. From these observations, the enhancement in ultimate in-plane shear capacity and wall ductility are calculated by comparing the response of retrofitted and non-retrofitted walls. A significant enhancement in wall ultimate capacity is observed due to the application of fiber reinforced polymer composite laminates. Experiment showed that the ultimate failure modes of the walls shifted from brittle to ductile nature when they were externally retrofitted with fiber reinforced polymer composites. Furthermore, the in-plane shear capacities of the same wall specimens are calculated using currently available code-based and research-based analytical models. Four such analytical models are used according to their applicability for different retrofitting schemes. The comparison of analytical result with experimental observations indicated that analytical models are very case specific and their applications are very restrictive. Thus further study is required to develop analytical models that will be generally applicable to a higher population of concrete masonry walls externally retrofitted with different combinations of composite materials and lamination schemes.
Stability of M@C60 endohedral complexes

Abstract M@C60 endohedral complexes, which are based on the C60 molecule and contain encapsulated atoms M, would provide a unique opportunity to tailor specific properties of the C60 system on a molecular level. The stability of these complexes is calculated using a Born—Haber cycle that was originally applied to determine the formation enthalpy of solid C60 intercalation compounds. We find that the formation energy of M@C60 depends crucially on the ionization potential and electron affinity of the endohedral atom and the C60 molecule. A significant contribution to the formation energy comes from the polarization energy of the cage if the enclosed atom is not at the cage center; this finding is in agreement with available ab initio results. We discuss the potential of these systems to become a new class of superconducting materials.
Invariant Density Analysis: Modeling and Analysis of the Postural Control System Using Markov Chains

In this paper, a novel analysis technique, invariant density analysis (IDA), is introduced. IDA quantifies steady-state behavior of the postural control system using center of pressure (COP) data collected during quiet standing. IDA relies on the analysis of a reduced-order finite Markov model to characterize stochastic behavior observed during postural sway. Five IDA parameters characterize the model and offer physiological insight into the long-term dynamical behavior of the postural control system. Two studies were performed to demonstrate the efficacy of IDA. Study 1 showed that multiple short trials can be concatenated to create a dataset suitable for IDA. Study 2 demonstrated that IDA was effective at distinguishing age-related differences in postural control behavior between young, middle-aged, and older adults. These results suggest that the postural control system of young adults converges more quickly to their steady-state behavior while maintaining COP nearer an overall centroid than either the middle-aged or older adults. Additionally, larger entropy values for older adults indicate that their COP follows a more stochastic path, while smaller entropy values for young adults indicate a more deterministic path. These results illustrate the potential of IDA as a quantitative tool for the assessment of the quiet-standing postural control system.
A test for the existence of Gohberg-Krein representations in terms of multiparameter Wiener processes

This paper provides new necessary and sufficient conditions for a Gaussian random field to have a Gohberg-Krein representation in terms of an n-parameter Wiener process (n > 1). As an application, it demonstrates the nonexistence of a Gohberg-Krein representation of Ws,t − stW1,1 in terms of the two-parameter Wiener process Ws,t with (s, t) ϵ [0, a] × [0, b] for 0 < a < 1, 0 < b < 1.
ENDOCRINE ASSESSMENT OF MULTI-TRANSFUSED PATIENTS WITH HOMOZYGOUS β-THALASSEMIA 16-24 YEARS OLD

ENDOCRINE ASSESSMENT OF MULTI-TRANSFUSED PATIENTS WITH HOMOZYGOUS β-THALASSEMIA 16-24 YEARS OLD
Raman Spectroscopy of Heat‐Treated B2O3‐SiO2 Glasses

Raman spectra were measured on B2O3-SiO2 glasses heat-treated at different temperatures and for different periods of time. It was found that the intensity ratio of the 810- and 475-cm−1 bands depended on the thermal history and composition of glass. The intensity vs heat-treatment temperature curve exhibited a maximum in the glass-transition temperature range. High-temperature Raman spectra were measured on 0.5B2O3-0.5SiO2 glass, both with increasing and decreasing temperature, between room temperature and 600°C. Above 300°C with increasing temperature, the intensity of the 810-cm−1 band decreased, whereas the intensity of the 475-cm−1 band increased. The changes reversed with decreasing temperature. The reversible change of the intensity of the two bands was interpreted as a reversible formation and decomposition of boroxy rings with temperature. The reaction becomes very sluggish below the glass transition so that the intensity ratio stayed constant below 300°C.
Note on the characteristics of sunspot groups which produce solar proton flares

Solar proton flares are associated with sunspot groups which show an unusual distribution of magnetic polarities. Furthermore, the gradient of the magnetic field is very large before the onset of these flares. The importance of polar cap absorptions, which is proportional to the integral flux of solar cosmic rays, tends to increase as the gradient of the magnetic field becomes greater. It is shown that the formation of such gradients is associated with the rotating motion of sunspot groups. Hence, the sunspot groups which show a reversed polarity distribution are very effective for the production of solar proton flares.