cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Clinical analysis of 49 cases with invasive fungal infections in pediatric intensive care unit

Objective To investigate the clinical characteristics of invasive fungal infections(IFI) in PICU and analyze the risk factors for diagnosis and treatment earlier. Methods The clinical data of patients with IFI hospitalized in PICU from January 2013 to December 2017 were retrospectively studied. Results There were 179 cases of patients with positive fungal cultures, of which 49 cases were IFI.There were 23 males and 26 females, the mean age was(3.87±2.42) years.A total of 47 cases had underlying diseases.In positive specimen, there were 36 cases of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid or sputum cultures, 14 cases of blood cultures, 7 cases of urinary cultures, 3 cases of thoracic/ascites cultures, 2 cases of bone marrow cultures, and 1 case of cerebrospinal fluid culture.There were 12 cases who had at least two sites infection at the same time.A total of 53 strains of fungal pathogens were cultivated, among which 45 cases were candida, 5 cases were aspergillus, and 3 cases were penicillium marneffei, and 4 cases had two fungal infections.The presence of underlying diseases, blood transfusions, use of antibiotics/glucocorticoids/immunosuppressors, invasive procedures, and long hospital stays were risk factors(all P<0.05). Drug susceptibility analysis showed that all strains were sensitive to antifungal drugs of amphotericin B/liposomes, azoles and echinocandins, except 1 case of Candida utilis, 1 case of Saccharomyces cerevisiae and 1 case of Candida lusitaniae.There were 26 patients only treated with one antifungal drug and 23 had combined drugs.All patients had fever.Eleven patients developed multiple organ dysfunction syndrome and 6 died. Conclusion There are no specific clinical manifestations for children with IFI and with critical condition and high mortality.Candida is the most common fungal infection.The lung is the most common part of infection.The children of IFI with risk factors such as underlying diseases, blood transfusions, use of antibiotics/glucocorticoids/immunosuppressors, invasive procedures and long hospital stays, should be identified in combination with laboratory examination and use antifungal drugs rationally as early as possible. Key words: Pediatric intensive care unit; Invasive fungal infections; Children; Fisk factors
Leader-Following Formation Control With Time-Varying Formations and Bounded Controls for Agents with Double-Integrator Dynamics

We present a formation control algorithm for double-integrator agents, where the formation is time varying and the agents' controls satisfy a priori bounds (e.g., the controls accommodate actuator saturation). We assume that each agent has relative-position-and-velocity feedback of its neighbor agents, where the communication structure is a strongly connected graph, and at least one agent has a measurement of its position and velocity relative to the leader (if applicable). The main analytic results provide sufficient conditions such that all agents have a priori bounded controls and converge to the desired time-varying relative positions with one another and the leader. The results are global for an undirected communication structure, and local for the directed case. We also demonstrate the algorithm in rotorcraft experiments.
3-D Indoor Device-Free Object Detection by Passive Radio Frequency Identification

Indoor device-free object detection has many applications, such as assisted living, home security, and occupant-centered building utility control. To accommodate 3-D room layout variations and improve accuracy, multiple observation units with spatial diversity are often required, which will unavoidably cause a significant increase in the component and deployment cost if each unit needs wired power or battery. In this article, we present an indoor device-free object detection system implemented by a commercial radio frequency identification reader and many passive tags around the room. The passive tag as a dispersed observation point offers a cost-effective solution for the necessary spatial diversity. The tag backscattering phase is assembled to generate the reflectivity image inside the capture volume using Fourier-based reconstruction. A new calibration technique is proposed to compensate for multiplicative path losses and subtract the effect of background clutters, such as furniture. Noisy channels and channels with their line-of-sight blocked by the target are also filtered out during postprocessing to improve locating accuracy and mitigate ambiguity. A 1:6 room model was first used to study the effects of the indoor materials and room layout, where occupant recognition and centimeter-level locating were successfully demonstrated. Real-scale rooms were then tested, where decimeter-level 3-D location error was achieved for a single occupant, and useful information for occupant posture can also be evaluated.
Surfer: A fast simulation algorithm to predict surface temperatures and mean radiant temperatures in large urban models

Abstract Outdoor thermal comfort simulation simulations rely on the mean radiant temperature (MRT) seen by pedestrians as an important input that remains difficult to compute. Especially for large urban models, computing relevant surface temperatures and radiation fluxes that make up the MRT is a daunting task in terms of simulation setup and the computational overhead. We propose a new algorithm to estimate exterior surface temperatures of building facades, roofs, and ground surfaces in an arbitrary urban 3D model. The algorithm discretizes all model surfaces and clusters them by material properties and sky and sun exposure to reduce computational complexity. The model setup is fully automated, and the algorithm is implemented in the popular Rhino3d CAD environment. We demonstrate the accuracy of the algorithm by comparing both the resulting external surface temperatures against a high-fidelity simulation and the final MRT against real-world measurements. We report an RMSE of 1.8 °C and 2.0 °C, respectively, while reducing simulation times by a factor of ~80. Envisioned applications of the algorithm range from rapid microclimate simulations in fast-paced urban design processes to large scale urban comfort evaluation of existing cities.
Theoretical Investigation of Generalization Bounds for Adversarial Learning of Deep Neural Networks

Recent studies have shown that many machine learning models are vulnerable to adversarial attacks. Much remains unknown concerning the generalization error of deep neural networks (DNNs) for adversarial learning. In this paper, we study the generalization of DNNs for robust adversarial learning with $$\ell _\infty$$ attacks, particularly focusing on attacks produced under the fast gradient sign method. We establish a tight bound for the adversarial Rademacher complexity of DNNs based on both spectral norms and ranks of weight matrices. The spectral norm and rank constraints imply that this class of networks can be realized as a subset of the class of a shallow network composed with a low-dimensional Lipschitz continuous function. This crucial observation leads to a bound that improves the dependence on the network width compared to previous works and achieves depth independence. For general machine learning tasks, we show that adversarial Rademacher complexity is always larger than natural counterpart, but the effect of adversarial perturbations can be limited under our weight normalization framework. Our theoretical findings are also confirmed by experiments.
The Effects of Vitamin D Supplementation and 25-Hydroxyvitamin D Levels on the Risk of Myocardial Infarction and Mortality.

Objective The aim of the study was to examine the effects of the vitamin D (Vit-D) treatment and nontreatment on Vit-D-deficient patients without a prior history of myocardial infarction (MI). Materials and methods This was a retrospective, observational, nested case-control study of patients (N = 20 025) with low 25-hydroxyvitamin D ([25-OH]D) levels ( Results Among the cohort of 20 025 patients, the risk of MI was significantly lower in Group C than in Group B (hazard ratio [HR] 0.65, 95% CI 0.49-0.85, P = .002) and Group A (HR 0.73, 95% CI 0.55-0.96), P = .02). There was no difference in the risk of MI between Group B and Group A (HR 1.14, 95% CI 0.91-1.42, P = 0.24). Compared with Group A, both Group B (HR 0.59, 95% CI 0.54-0.63, P Conclusions In patients with Vit-D deficiency and no prior history of MI, treatment to the (25-OH)D level of >20 ng/mL and >30 ng/mL was associated with a significantly lower risk of all-cause mortality. The lower risk of MI was observed only in individuals maintaining (25-OH)D levels ≥30 ng/mL.
Beta-cell failure rather than insulin resistance is the major cause of abnormal glucose tolerance in Africans: insight from the Africans in America study.

INTRODUCTION Uncertainties exist on whether the main determinant of abnormal glucose tolerance (Abnl-GT) in Africans is β-cell failure or insulin resistance (IR). Therefore, we determined the prevalence, phenotype and characteristics of Abnl-GT due to β-cell failure versus IR in 486 African-born blacks (male: 64%, age: 38±10 years (mean±SD)) living in America. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS Oral glucose tolerance test were performed. Abnl-GT is a term which includes both diabetes and prediabetes and was defined as fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥5.6 mmol/L and/or 2-hour glucose ≥7.8 mmol/L. IR was defined by the lowest quartile of the Matsuda Index (≤2.98) and retested using the upper quartile of homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) (≥2.07). Abnl-GT-IR required both Abnl-GT and IR. Abnl-GT-β-cell failure was defined as Abnl-GT without IR. Beta-cell compensation was assessed by the Disposition Index (DI). Fasting lipids were measured. Visceral adipose tissue (VAT) volume was obtained with abdominal CT scan. RESULTS The prevalence of Abnl-GT was 37% (182/486). For participants with Abnl-GT, IR occurred in 38% (69/182) and β-cell failure in 62% (113/182). Compared with Africans with Abnl-GT-IR, Africans with Abnl-GT-β-cell failure had lower body mass index (BMI) (30.8±4.3 vs 27.4±4.0 kg/m2), a lower prevalence of obesity (52% vs 19%), less VAT (163±72 vs 107±63 cm2), lower triglyceride (1.21±0.60 vs 0.85±0.42 mmol/L) and lower FPG (5.9±1.4 vs 5.3±0.6 mmol/L) and 2-hour glucose concentrations (10.0±3.1 vs 9.0±1.9 mmol/L) (all p<0.001) and higher DI, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), low-density lipoprotein particle size and HDL particle size (all p<0.01). Analyses with Matsuda Index and HOMA-IR yielded similar results. Potential confounders such as income, education, alcohol and fiber intake did not differ by group. CONCLUSIONS Beta-cell failure occurred in two-thirds of participants with Abnl-GT and may be a more frequent determinant of Abnl-GT in Africans than IR. As BMI category, degree of glycemia and lipid profile appeared more favorable when Abnl-GT was due to β-cell failure rather than IR, the clinical course and optimal interventions may differ. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER NCT00001853.
Numerically efficient generation of exponentially correlated two-dimensional shadowing

In wireless communication environments, shadow fading represents signal fluctuations around the average path loss of a transmitted signal due to the orientation of large obstructions in the way of the propagating electromagnetic waves. This paper aims at generating shadow fading maps that can be used in simulations of realistic mobile radio network scenarios. The focus is on achieving two-dimensional spatial correlation of the shadow fading values with low numerical burden. Instead of the standard filtering procedure that requires a numerically exhaustive two-dimensional convolution, we propose an iterative multi-stage algorithm that achieves close to ideal correlation properties among the shadow-faded random variables at a substantially higher computational speed.
Reconstruction of the ancestors of CMGC kinases reveals neofunctionalization via relaxed specificity intermediates (616.6)

The mechanisms underlying the evolution of phosphoregulatory networks are poorly understood. We sought to understand the evolution of kinase specificity using the CMGC (Cdk1, MAPK, Gsk, CK) family ...
A Lorentz-Violating Origin of Neutrino Mass?

We explore implications for neutrino physics of Very Special Relativity (VSR), wherein the symmetry group of nature includes only a 4-parameter subgroup of the Lorentz group. VSR can provide a natural origin to lepton-number conserving neutrino masses without need for sterile (right-handed) states. Neutrinoless double beta decay is forbidden if VSR is solely responsible for neutrino masses. For ultra-relativistic neutrinos, such as are ordinarily studied, VSR and conventional neutrino masses are indistinguishable. However, we show that VSR effects can be significant near the beta decay endpoint where neutrinos are not ultra-relativistic.
The Design of Mechanisms for Efficient Allocation of Public Goods

Publisher Summary This chapter presents a systematic method for constructing and classifying individually incentive-compatible mechanisms that lead to Pareto-optimal allocations of public and private goods at each Nash noncooperative equilibrium in messages and balance the budget at each such allocation. The equilibrium concept and setup that is used is the same as that used by Groves and Ledyard. The papers by Groves and Ledyard present a very clever set of quadratic tax functions that turn out to be individually incentive compatible and to balance the budget, but the way in which Groves and Ledyard came upon these particular functions is not spelled out in their papers.
SU-E-I-19: Optimization of Low Contrast Detectability Across Two CT Manufacturers

Purpose: Our goal was to evaluate low contrast detectability (LCD) for abdominal CT protocols across two CT scanner manufacturers, while producing a similar noise texture and CTDIvol for acquired images. Methods: A CIRS tissue equivalent LCD phantom containing three columns of 7 spherical targets, ranging from 10 mm to 2.4 mm, that are 5, 10, and 20 HU below the background matrix (HUBB) was scanned using two a GE HD750 64 slice scanner and a Siemens Somatom Definition AS 64 slice scanner. Protocols were designed to deliver a CTDIvol of 12.26 mGy and images were reconstructed with FBP, ASIR and Sapphire. Comparisons were made with those algorithms that had matching noise power spectrum peaks (NPS). NPS information was extracted from a previously published article that matched NPS peak frequencies across manufacturers by calculating the NPS from uniform phantom images reconstructed with several IR algorithms. Results: The minimum detectable lesion size in the 20 HUBB and 10 HUBB column was 6.3 mm, and 10 mm in the 5 HUBB column for the GE HD 750 scanner. The minimum detectable lesion size in the 20 HUBB column was 4.8 mm, in the 10 HUBB column, 9.5 mm, and the 5 HUBB column,more » 10 mm for the Siemens Somatom Definition AS. Conclusion: Reducing radiation dose while improving or maintaining LCD is possible with application of IR. However, there are several different IR algorithms, with each generating a different resolution and noise texture. In multi-manufacturer settings, matching only the CTDIvol between manufacturers may Result in a loss of clinically relevant information.« less
The Strong Dodecahedral Conjecture and Fejes Tóth’s Conjecture on Sphere Packings with Kissing Number Twelve

This article sketches the proofs of two theorems about sphere packings in Euclidean 3-space. The first is K. Bezdek’s strong dodecahedral conjecture: the surface area of every bounded Voronoi cell in a packing of balls of radius 1 is at least that of a regular dodecahedron of inradius 1. The second theorem is L. Fejes Toth’s conjecture on sphere packings with kissing number twelve, which asserts that in 3-space, any packing of congruent balls such that each ball is touched by 12 others consists of hexagonal layers. Both proofs are computer assisted. Complete proofs of these theorems appear in Hales TC (Dense sphere packings: a blueprint for formal proofs. London mathematical society lecture note series, vol 400. Cambridge University Press, Cambridge/New York, 2012; A proof of Fejes Toth’s conjecture on sphere packings with kissing number twelve. arXiv:1209.6043, 2012).
Unusually large and aggressive traumatic bone cysts of the jaws – a series of five cases

Traumatic bone cysts (TBC) in the jaws are asymptomatic, slow growing, usually non-expansile lesions commonly diagnosed during routine radiographic examination. Unusually large and relatively aggressive TBC of the jaws are uncommon. The aetiology and pathogenesis of this entity remain unclear. In the extremities, however, lesions similar to the TBC of jaws are noted but are much larger and exhibit significant growth potential. This series of cases highlights unusually large and aggressive nature of TBC of jaws that is generally considered to be innocuous and non-expansile with minimal clinical significance. TBC may be considered in the differential diagnosis of large mandibular radiolucent lesions.
The Evolution of Intermediate-Mass Binaries

I discuss three aspects of binary stellar evolution, based on (1) an exploration of a large number (5550) of conservative Case A evolutionary models by Nelson & Eggleton (2001), (2) a rather smaller number (150) of conservative Case B evolutionary evolutionary models by Han, Tout & Eggleton (2000), and (3) an attempt by myself to understand the circumstances in which very non-conservative Case C evolution can lead, through a common-envelope phase, to short-period highly evolved systems containing one or two white dwarfs and/or hot subdwarfs.
Implementing and Evaluating Electronic Standing Orders in Primary Care Practice: A PPRNet Study

Background: A standing order (SO) authorizes nurses and other staff to carry out medical orders per practice-approved protocol without a clinician9s examination. This study implemented electronic SOs into the daily workflow of primary care practices; identified methods and strategies; determined barriers and facilitators; and measured changes in quality indicators resulting from electronic SOs. Methods: Within 8 practices using the Practice Partner® electronic health record (EHR), a customized health maintenance template provided SOs for screening, immunization, and diabetes measures. EHR data extracts were used to calculate the presence and use of these measures on health maintenance templates and performance over 21 months. Qualitative observation/interviews at practice site visits, network meetings, and correspondence enabled synthesis of implementation issues. Results: Improvements in template presence, use, and performance were found for 14 measures across all practices. Median improvements in screening ranged 6% to 10%; immunizations, 8% to 17%, and diabetes, 0% to 18%. Two practices achieved significant improvement on 14 of the 15 measures. All practices significantly improved on at least 3 of the measures. Conclusions: A small sample of primary care practices implemented SOs for screening, immunizations and diabetes measures supported by PPRNet researchers. Technical competence and leadership to adapt EHR reminder tools helped staff adopt new roles and overcome barriers.
Estradiol and gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) interact to increase GnRH receptor expression in ovariectomized ewes after hypothalamic-pituitary disconnection

Gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH) receptor expression is regulated by estradiol and GnRH itself. The objective of this experiment was to determine the extent to which low levels of estradiol, similar to those observed during the transition from the luteal to the follicular phase of the estrous cycle, and GnRH interact to regulate expression of GnRH receptors and GnRH receptor mRNA. Ewes were ovariectomized (OVX) at least 2 wk prior to initiation of the experiment, and the pituitary gland was surgically disconnected from the hypothalamus to remove ovarian and hypothalamic inputs to the pituitary. Within 24 h after hypothalamic-pituitary disconnection, ewes received pulses of GnRH (250 ng/pulse) every 2 h for 6 d. At the end of 6 d, ewes were randomly assigned to treatments in a 2 × 2 factorial arrangement as follows: half of the animals received a single estradiol implant and half received an empty implant (placebo). At the same time, animals also received one of the following treatments: (1) saline or (2) GnRH (100 ng/pulse/2 h). Additionally, one group of ewes was ovariectomized, but not subjected to hypothalamic-pituitary disconnection (OVX controls). Blood samples were collected 15 min prior to each pulse of GnRH or saline and at 15-min intervals for 1 h after each pulse until tissues were collected and concentrations of luteinizing hormone (LH) were determined. Anterior pituitaries were collected 24 h after implant insertion to quantitate steady-state amounts of GnRH receptor mRNA and numbers of GnRH receptors. Mean LH was greatest in ovariectomized control ewes compared to all other treatments (p 0.05). Therefore, in OVX ewes after hypothalamic-pituitary disconnection, low levels of estradiol and GnRH are required to increase GnRH receptor mRNA and GnRH receptor numbers. Since we only observed an increase in GnRH receptor expression in the presence of both estradiol and GnRH, we conclude that there is a synergistic interaction between these two hormones in the regulation of GnRH receptor expression.
Method for quantitating cholesterol in subfractions of serum lipoproteins separated by gradient gel electrophoresis

Extensive heterogeneity in particle size distribution of serum lipoproteins of baboons was resolved by a procedure that combined Sudan black B prestaining, polyacrylamide gradient gel electrophoresis (GGE), and quantitative densitometry. Each densitometric scan represented a continuous distribution of the relative amount of cholesterol in a serum sample, as a function of the lipoprotein particle size. For analytical purposes, each scan was divided into 12 fractions, representing 12 particle size ranges. The relationship between the estimated cholesterol concentrations in the summed GGE/densitometric fractions corresponding to very low-density lipoproteins (VLDL) + low-density lipoproteins (LDL) and those corresponding to high-density lipoproteins (HDL) and concentrations measured by the heparin-Mn2+ precipitation/enzymatic procedure was linear over a broad range. However, a systematic overestimation of HDL cholesterol concentration and an underestimation of VLDL + LDL cholesterol concentration was apparent. Therefore, correction factors were developed for adjusting the estimates of VLDL + LDL and HDL cholesterol concentrations obtained by the GGE/densitometric method. This analytical method is rapid, repeatable, economical, and useful for genetic and dietary research in which cholesterol concentrations in multiple particle size ranges of lipoproteins must be measured in large numbers of samples. It also is adaptable to immunoblotting procedures for detecting the distribution of specific apolipoproteins among the size-resolved lipoproteins.
The bisection method: which root?

Application de la methode de bissection a la localisation de la plus petite racine d'une fonction continue a valeurs reelles
Adenosine 2b receptor (A2bR) signals through adenylate cyclase (AC) 6 isoform in the intestinal epithelial cells.

Adenosine 2b receptor (A2bR), a G-protein coupled receptor positively coupled to adenylate cyclase, mediates key events such as chloride, IL-6 and fibronectin secretion in intestinal epithelial cells and is upregulated during intestinal inflammation. In order to gain insight into the overall mechanism of A2bR activation, in this study, we sought to characterize the AC isoform associated with A2bR signaling. The colonic epithelial cell line T84, expressing only the A2b subtype of adenosine receptor, and Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells, were used in these studies. cAMP was measured by luminometric assay and AC isoform expression was determined by Western blot, RT-PCR, isoform-specific stealth RNAi and Quantigene. T84 and CHO cells express all nine known AC isoforms. In order to characterize which AC isoform(s) are associated with A2bR, we used the differential inhibition of specific AC isoforms by calcium and nitric oxide. Pretreatment of cells with carbachol or nitric oxide donors such as S-Nitroso-N-acetylpencillamine (SNAP) and PAPANANOATE inhibited A2bR mediated increase in cAMP. Further, overexpression of AC-5 or AC-6 potentiated A2bR-mediated increases in cAMP levels. Finally, transfection with AC isoform-specific RNAi demonstrated that AC-6 but not AC-5 RNAi inhibited adenosine-induced cAMP levels. Taken together, these results suggest that A2bR mediates signaling through AC-6 isoform. Since pro-inflammatory cytokines such as interferon-gamma (IFN-γ) modulate the expression of specific AC isoforms in the intestinal epithelia, our observation may have therapeutic implications for intestinal inflammation or diarrhea wherein aA2bR is upregulated.
Dimensions of symptom distress in women with advanced lung cancer: a factor analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the structure of symptom distress in women with advanced lung cancer DESIGN: Descriptive. SETTING: Oncology clinics and private offices. SUBJECTS: Sixty women with advanced lung cancer (71% non-small-cell); the majority received palliative treatment (88%). OUTCOME MEASURE: Symptom Distress Scale and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale. METHOD: Factor analytic techniques (principal components, varimax rotation) to investigate combinations of all symptoms in the Symptom Distress Scale and combinations of serious symptoms. RESULTS: Fatigue, disruptions in outlook, frequent pain, and difficulties in sleeping were rated the most distressing and were the most prevalent serious disruptions. A four-factor solution for the symptom distress ratings explained 63.3% of the variance and revealed groups of items representing emotional and physical suffering, gastrointestinal distress, respiratory distress, and malaise. Symptoms with a rating of serious distress were represented by five factors with emotional and physical suffering as separate factors. Symptoms were significantly related to Karnofsky Performance Status. CONCLUSIONS: Multiple symptoms formed distinct congregations of distress. Symptom control requires consideration as a multivariate approach.
Regulation of calcium-binding protein messenger RNA by 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol.

1,25-Dihydroxycholecalciferol modulates the synthesis of the intestinal calcium-binding protein. To determine if this effect is due to an increase in calcium-binding protein mRNA activity, we measured total cytoplasmic protein-specific mRNA activity from chick intestine in an in vitro wheat germ translation system. 1,25-Dihydroxy-cholecalciferol enhances calcium-binding protein specific mRNA activity. The sterol does not induce a general increase in mRNA synthesis since the concentration of only a few proteins increased. Thus 1,25-dihydroxycholecalciferol regulates only a subset of genes and specifically affects a transcriptional process involving calcium-binding protein synthesis.
12 INDUCTION OF OVARIAN ACTIVITY IN THE MANED WOLF (CHRYSOCYON BRACHYURUS) USING A GnRH-AGONIST

Induction of ovarian activity and ovulation is a valuable tool for the genetic management of ex situ populations of wildlife. Deslorelin, a gonadotropin releasing hormone (GnRH)-agonist, has been used earlier to induce oestrus in the grey wolf (Canis lupus). The objective of the present study was to determine the efficacy of Deslorelin (2.1 mg, Ovuplant®, Peptech Animal Health, Australia) for manipulating ovarian activity of the maned wolf, a species speculated to be an induced ovulator. Eight female (4–12 years old) maned wolves were (i) paired with a male (n = 3) or (ii) housed alone (n = 5). Of the 8 females, 1 (1 in a pair and 1 singleton) were implanted with Deslorelin under the vulvar mucosa for 12 days. The remaining 6 received implants in the subcutaneous layer of the ear for 7 days. Fresh fecal samples were collected 5 to 7 days/week for 1 month before Deslorelin treatment through 6 weeks after implant withdrawal. Reproductive steroid metabolites were extracted from the fecal samples and quantified using a validated enzyme immunoassay. Baseline progestagen concentrations for each individual were calculated by an iterative process, whereby high values exceeding the mean plus one standard deviation were excluded. Comparisons of oestrogen and progestagen concentrations among pre-, peri-, and post-Deslorelin implant periods were performed using analysis of variance. Site and duration of the GnRH agonist treatment had no effect (P > 0.05) on subsequent ovarian responses. In paired females, oestrogen metabolites reached the highest (P < 0.05) concentration during Deslorelin (i.e. peri-) treatment (441.7 ± 20.2 ng g–1 of feces) compared to pre- (174.9 ± 16.7) and post- (177.8 ± 9.1) treatment. Progesterone metabolites rose (P < 0.05) above the baseline (indicative of ovulation) starting on Day 10 after the onset of Deslorelin implantation and remained elevated throughout the study (pre-, 11 645 ± 4798; peri-, 31 521 ± 6444; post-, 55 843 ± 2924 ng g–1 of feces). In singleton females, oestrogen metabolites increased (P < 0.05) immediately after implantation (from pre-, 184.2 ± 45.3 to peri-, 334.2 ± 29.8 ng g–1 of feces) and then declined (post-, 192.3 ± 12.4). Progestagen metabolites exhibited a similar pattern with a rise (P < 0.05) during Deslorelin treatment (from pre-, 3870 ± 1336 to peri-, 10 546 ± 880 ng g–1 of feces) followed by a decline after implant withdrawal (post-, 6171 ± 366), indicating that ovulation did not occur. These results suggest that Deslorelin can induce ovarian activity in the maned wolf. However, administration of an ovulatory agent after Deslorelin treatment may be required in females managed in the absence of a male, further supporting the assertion that this species is an induced ovulator. Funded by the Morris Animal Foundation.
Empire of the “Jungle”

This essay seeks to broaden traditional narratives of industrial meatpacking by framing the story within the Atlantic world rather than simply the United States and by examining consumption as well as production. The development of refrigerated meatpacking entailed radical changes in the taste of meat while also requiring the use of untested chemical preservatives, promoting considerable resistance from consumers. Chicago firms such as Swift and Armour took advantage of massive economies of scale to conquer successive regional meat markets within the United States. Nevertheless, consumers in Canada and Britain maintained their preference for freshly slaughtered beef for more than two decades after the arrival of refrigerated meats, and packers took even longer to change Mexican and Argentine tastes. By examining the processes through which different countries were incorporated into increasingly globalized meat markets in decades around 1900, this essay challenges the seemingly inevitable triumph of indust...
Experimental study on the performance of the thermoacoustic refrigerating system

This study is on the performance of the thermoacoustic refrigerating system with respect to some critical operating parameters. Experiments were performed on the system under various operating conditions. The experimental setup consists of the thermoacoustic refrigerating system with appropriate valves for the desired controls, instrumentation and the electronic data acquisition system. The resonator was constructed from aluminum tubing but it had plastic tube lining on the inside to reduce heat loss by conduction. Significant factors that influence the performance of the system were identified. The cooling produced increases with the temperature difference between the two ends of the stack. High pressure in the system does not necessarily result in a higher cooling load. There exists an optimum pressure and an optimum frequency for which the system should be operated in order to obtain maximum cooling load. Consequently, for the thermoacoustic refrigeration system, there should be a related compromise between cooling load, pressure and frequency for best performance.
A Sweet Way to Teach Students about the Sampling Distribution of the Mean

In this article, we describe a hands-on, in-class demonstration wing M&M's ® candy to illustrate the concept of the sampling distribution of the mean. With the class serving as the population, each student receives a small package of M&M's. The instructor draws samples from the population and constructs an actual sampling distribution. Students in two statistics courses received either the M&M demonstration or a comparable demonstration using a textbook example. They took a quiz on their knowledge and rated their attitudes toward the demonstration. Results indicated that students who participated in the M&M demonstration answered more questions correctly on the quiz, believed they had learned more, enjoyed class more, and had fewer negative feelings toward the demonstration than those who received the textbook example demonstration.
Targeting Mutant KRAS for Anticancer Therapeutics: A Review of Novel Small Molecule Modulators

The RAS proteins play a role in cell differentiation, proliferation, and survival. Aberrant RAS signaling has been found to play a role in 30% of all cancers. KRAS, a key member of the RAS protein family, is an attractive cancer target, as frequent point mutations in the KRAS gene render the protein constitutively active. A number of attempts have been made to target aberrant KRAS signaling by identifying small molecule compounds that (1) are synthetic lethal to mutant KRAS, (2) block KRAS/GEF interactions, (3) inhibit downstream KRAS effectors, or (4) inhibit the post-translational processing of RAS proteins. In addition, inhibition of novel targets outside the main KRAS signaling pathway, specifically the cell cycle related kinase PLK1, has been shown have an effect in cells that harbor mutant KRAS. Herein we review the use of various high-throughput screening assays utilized to identify new small-molecule compounds capable of targeting mutant KRAS-driven cancers.
Optimal sensor locations for tubular-flow reactor systems

Abstract Optimal sensor locations are calculated for an adiabatic tubular-flow reactor system in which a first order, irreversible, and exothermic chemical reac
Electron microscopic evidence for coexistence of leucine5-enkephalin and γ-aminobutyric acid in a subpopulation of axon terminals in the rat locus coeruleus region

Abstract We recently described ultrastructural evidence for morphologically heterogeneous axon terminals containing the endogenous opioid peptide, methionine5-enkephalin (ENK), that formed synapses with neurons containing the catecholamine synthesizing enzyme, tyrosine hydroxylase, in the locus coeruleus (LC) of the rat brain. The morphological characteristics of these terminals suggested that ENK may be co-localized with either an excitatory or inhibitory amino acid. To further test this hypothesis, we combined immunogold-silver localization of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) and immunoperoxidase labeling for ENK in single sections through the LC, in the present study, to determine whether ENK and GABA were contained within single axon terminals. Light microscopic analysis of ENK and GABA immunoreactivities in the LC indicated that both transmitters were enriched in the dorsal pons. Although electron microscopy revealed that ENK and GABA were located primarily in axon terminals, some dendrites also contained immunolabeling for GABA. The dense core vesicles were consistently the most immunoreactive in ENK containing axon terminals and were identified toward the periphery of the axon terminal distal to the synaptic specialization. Axon terminals containing either ENK or GABA immunoreactivities contained pleomorphic vesicles as well as large dense core vesicles, varied in size and formed heterogeneous types of synaptic specializations (i.e. asymmetric vs. symmetric). Approximately 38% (n=76) of the axon terminals containing ENK immunoreactivity (n=200) also contained GABA. Some axon terminals containing peroxidase labeling for ENK (22%; n=44) converged on common targets with GABA-labeled axon terminals. Finally, a few ENK-labeled axon terminals (14%; n=28) formed asymmetric (excitatory-type) synapses with dendrites containing gold-silver labeling for GABA. The results, therefore, indicate that the opioid peptide, ENK, and the inhibitory amino acid, GABA, may influence LC neurons by concerted actions via (1) release from a common axon terminal, and (2) via separate sets of afferents converging on similar portions of the plasmalemma of target neurons. Furthermore, these studies also suggest a cellular substrate for opioid inhibition of LC neurons via activation (i.e. asymmetric synapses) of inhibitory GABAergic neurons. Future studies are required to determine whether the receptive sites for ENK and GABA are located at similar sites on the plasma membranes of LC neurons pre- or postsynaptically and whether there is differential release of either transmitter from single terminals in the LC.
Tectal projections in the goldfish (Carassius auratus): a degeneration study.

Efferents revealed by degeneration staining following tectal lesions in goldfish are presented. Four major projections were found. Ascending ipsilateral projections to pretectal-diencephalic areas exit the tectum rostrally and laterally and terminate in the area pretectalis (AP), lateral geniculate (LGN), nucleus pretectalis (NP), and nucleus rotundus (NR). Ascending contralateral projections exit rostrally and possibly laterally, enter the posterior and postoptic commissures and terminate in the contralateral AP, LGN, NP, NR and rostral tectum. A medially directed projection enters the intertectal commissure, and some of these fibers may terminate sparsely in an area of the contralateral tectum homotopic to the lesion. A descending projection exits the tectum laterally and projects ipsilaterally to a dorsolateral tegmental nucleus (DLT) and the lateral reticular formation of the tegmentum and pons, and contralaterally to the medial reticular formation of the tegmentum and pons.
Rac Homologues and Compartmentalized Phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-Bisphosphate Act in a Common Pathway to Regulate Polar Pollen Tube Growth

Pollen tube cells elongate based on actin- dependent targeted secretion at the tip. Rho family small GTPases have been implicated in the regulation of related processes in animal and yeast cells. We have functionally characterized Rac type Rho family proteins that are expressed in growing pollen tubes. Expression of dominant negative Rac inhibited pollen tube elongation, whereas expression of constitutive active Rac induced depolarized growth. Pollen tube Rac was found to accumulate at the tip plasma membrane and to physically associate with a phosphatidylinositol monophosphate kinase (PtdIns P-K) activity. Phosphatidylinositol 4, 5-bisphosphate (PtdIns 4, 5-P2), the product of PtdIns P-Ks, showed a similar intracellular localization as Rac. Expression of the pleckstrin homology (PH)-domain of phospholipase C (PLC)-δ1, which binds specifically to PtdIns 4, 5-P2, inhibited pollen tube elongation. These results indicate that Rac and PtdIns 4, 5-P2 act in a common pathway to control polar pollen tube growth and provide direct evidence for a function of PtdIns 4, 5-P2 compartmentalization in the regulation of this process.
CONTROLLING BODIES: THE PUNISHMENT OF MULTIRACIALIZED SEXUAL RELATIONS

David Delaney argues that “the history and dynamics of race and racismare not marginal but integral to an understanding of the political construc-tion of U.S. landscapes” (1998:9). However, he adds that “if we want tounderstand the historical constructions of geographies of race and racismin the United States...wehave to do more than map changing distribu-tions of ‘black people’” (Delaney, 1998:9). Delaney’s research is part of agrowing body of work produced by geographers and other social scien-tists on issues of space, race, and sexuality (see, for example, Duncan,1996). Lacking in these studies, however, has been a critical confrontationwith interracial heterosexual relations. Given that control over interracialheterosexual relations has formed a cornerstone of the social constructionof the United States, we find this puzzling.Although there is a substantial body of work on interracial relations(Sickles, 1972; Davis, 1991; Frankenberg, 1993; Zack, 1993, 1997; Ferber,1995; Finkelman, 1997; Hodes, 1997, 1999), little research has undertakenthe task of analyzing racialized sexual relations explicitly from a materialiststandpoint. Doing so requires a strategy that deconstructs the depiction ofraced and gendered identities in naturalistic terms. Indeed, Kobayashi andPeake argue for a deployment of “unnatural discourse” as a political strat-egy that provides, in their words, “a dismantling of naturalized categoriesand the imposition of disorder upon the orderly and normative worlds ofsexism and racism” (1994:226). In order to explain why interracial couples
Vaccinia Virus Subverts a Mitochondrial Antiviral Signaling Protein-Dependent Innate Immune Response in Keratinocytes through Its Double-Stranded RNA Binding Protein, E3

Skin keratinocytes provide a first line of defense against invading microorganisms in two ways: (i) by acting as a physical barrier to pathogen entry and (ii) by initiating a vigorous innate immune response upon sensing danger signals. How keratinocytes detect virus infections and generate antiviral immune responses is not well understood. Orthopoxviruses are dermatotropic DNA viruses that cause lethal disease in humans. Virulence in animal models depends on the virus-encoded bifunctional Z-DNA/double-stranded RNA (dsRNA)-binding protein E3. Here, we report that infection of mouse primary keratinocytes with a vaccinia ΔE3L mutant virus triggers the production of beta interferon (IFN-β), interleukin-6 (IL-6), CCL4, and CCL5. None of these immune mediators is produced by keratinocytes infected with wild-type vaccinia virus. The dsRNA-binding domain of E3 suffices to prevent activation of the innate immune response. ΔE3L induction of IFN-β, IL-6, CCL4, and CCL5 secretion requires mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein (MAVS; an adaptor for the cytoplasmic viral RNA sensors RIG-I and MDA5) and the transcription factor IRF3. IRF3 phosphorylation is induced in keratinocytes infected with ΔE3L, an event that depends on MAVS. The response of keratinocytes to ΔE3L is unaffected by genetic ablation of Toll-like receptor 3 (TLR3), TRIF, TLR9, and MyD88.
Synthesis of S-methylisoproylidenehydrazinecarbodithioate complexes of aluminim

Aluminum(III) complexes of S-methylisopropylidenehydrazinecarbodithioate have been synthesized and characterized by 1H, 13C and 27Al NMR.
Surface Temperature Patterns Associated with the Southern Oscillation

Abstract The “typical” global and large-scale regional temperature patterns associated with the low (warm) and high (cold) phases of the Southern Oscillation (SO) are investigated. A total of 12 separate regions were found to have consistent temperature patterns associated with low phase of the SO, while 11 areas were found to have temperature patterns associated with the high phase. Of these areas, 9 have expected temperature patterns during both phases of the SO. In the tropics, temperature anomalies are of the same sign as the SO-related sea surface temperature (SST) anomaly in all land regions except for one area in the west Pacific. Three extratropical responses to the low phase of the SO are found over North America and one is found in Japan. High SO-temperature patterns were found in the extratropies for Japan, western Europe, and northwestern North America. The identified temperature responses are more consistent in tropical regions than in the extratropies. The SO can influence the estimation of ...
Accounting Regulation, Financial Development, and Economic Growth

This paper examines the relationship between accounting regulation, financial development, and economic growth in fifty-one developed and emerging market economies over the period 1997-2009. Accounting regulation has been the center of long-lasting debates in the accounting profession. The debates came to the forefront after several spectacular financial reporting frauds and scandals in the early 2000s damaged public confidence in capital markets. Using generalized method of moments estimation techniques, this study provides evidence that accounting regulation has a strong effect on economic growth even after controlling for a number of macroeconomic and socioeconomic variables.
Spontaneous myocardial ischemia and the signal-averaged electrocardiogram

Abstract The effects of transient myocardial ischemia on the signal-averaged electrocardiogram were investigated in 13 patients with coronary artery disease and spontaneous angina undergoing 3-channel ambulatory electrocardiography. Ischemia was seen as ST elevation in 2 patients or ST depression in 11; it was anterior in 5 patients, inferior in 4 and undefined in 4. Signal-averaged electrocardiograms with noise levels ≤1 μV were obtained from Holter tapes during 54 of 61 ischemic attacks recorded in the study group (88%), and compared with 54 tracings recorded within 60 minutes of the index attacks. Baseline tracings were normal in 8 patients (62%), showed a long QRS duration in 2 (15%), and both a long QRS duration and a late potential in the remaining 3 (23%). Comparison of recordings at baseline and during ischemic attacks revealed no significant changes in signal-averaged electrocardiographic parameters. Absence of significant differences was also noted when analysis was performed according to the type of ischemic attacks (associated with ST elevation [n = 14] or ST depression [n = 40]), their location (anterior [n = 21] or inferior [n = 23]), their duration (>10 minutes [n = 29] or ≤10 minutes [n = 25]), and their magnitude (>2 mm [n = 18] or ≤2 mm [n = 36]). It is concluded that spontaneous transient myocardial ischemia, independent of its type, location, duration and magnitude, does not generate a substrate for late potentials on the signal-averaged electrocardiogram.
Nuclear isolation and electrophoresis of histones from the large milkweed bug, Oncopeltus fasciatus

Abstract Histones from fifth instar larvae were extracted and analyzed by polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. Milkweed bug histones exhibited the same electrophoretic banding pattern as that of calf thymus and did not show the slow-moving f1 band demonstrated in Drosophila .
The analysis of variations in farm incomes on arable farms

Summary Differences in profitability of similar arable farms (30–36 ha) in the North-East Polder, one of the new polders in the former Zuiderzee, have been analysed with help of factor analysis. Most of the variance in net revenue per ha (61–76%) was caused by the variance in gross returns per ha. Since very detailed technical information had been collected, differences in work organization and in physical yield per ha were analysed. Factors associated with differences in physical yield per ha and with long-term decisions concerning farm organization were analysed. In the analysis of differences in crop yields it appeared that the pattern of factors was very similar in both years. A group of 8 to 10 factors explained 60–86% of the variance in yield of each crop. In both years the greatest part (55–90%) of the variance in yield per ha originated in the initial period of the crop-growing process. Factors associated with long-term decisions concerning farm organization (labour supply and farm equipment) caused most of the variance in efficiency (60–65%) of work organization.