cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Decreased Longevity and Enhancement of Age-Dependent Lesions in Mice Lacking the Nuclear Receptor Peroxisome Proliferator-Activated Receptor α (PPARα)

The nuclear receptor peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor alpha (PPARalpha) is activated by peroxisome proliferators (PP), a large class of structurally diverse xenobiotic chemicals, hypolipidemic drugs, and endogenous lipids. PPARalpha alters the transcriptional programs of genes whose functions include lipid metabolism, inflammation, cell fate, and stress responses in liver, heart, kidney, and skin. Many of these genes are also under control of PPARalpha in the absence of exogenous peroxisome proliferator exposure. Mice that lack PPARalpha (PPARalpha-null mice) exhibit a number of defects in lipid metabolism and accumulate lipids in the liver. Here, we compared the age-dependent lesions in the liver, kidney, and heart in PPARalpha-null mice with those observed in wild-type SV129 mice, in the absence of exogenous chemical exposure. Groups of mice were sacrificed, at 6, 12, 18, 21, or 24 months of age, or allowed to age until moribund or found dead. PPARalpha-null mice had decreased longevity, due to a variety of causes. Statistically significant differences in the occurrence of a number of lesions between strains was observed. Hepatocellular carcinomas and multiple hepatocellular adenomas occurred in PPARa-null mice but not wild type mice. Various nonneoplastic spontaneous aging lesions occurred at higher incidence, shorter latency, or increased severity in PPARalpha-null mice compared with wild-type mice. In the liver, these included vacuolated hepatocytes and sinusoidal cells and mixed cell inflammation. The kidneys of PPARalpha-null mice exhibited higher incidences and severities of cortical mineralization. Minimal myocardial mineralization occurred at a higher incidence in PPARalpha-null mice. Our results imply that PPARalpha delays the development of some spontaneous lesions associated with aging in the liver, kidney, and heart of SV129 mice.
Effects of fine carbonaceous particles containing high and low unpaired electron spin densities on lungs of female mice.

The negative impacts on human health that accompany inhalation of atmospheric particles are documented in numerous epidemiologic studies, but the effect of specific chemical properties of the particles is generally unknown. We developed and employed technology for generating inhalable aerosols of carbonaceous air pollution particles that have specific physical and chemical properties. We find that inhaling particles with greater unpaired electron spin (free radical) densities stimulates greater lung inflammatory and oxidative stress responses. Cultured alveolar macrophages take up more particles of greater free radical content, develop mitochondrial abnormalities, and release more leukotriene B 4 (LTB 4 ) than alveolar macrophages exposed to lesser free-radical–containing particles in vitro . Mice exposed to high free radical particles in vivo also develop mitochondrial abnormalities in alveolar macrophages and increased oxidative stress, which is reflected by increases in lung nitrotyrosine staining and lung lavage nitrogen oxide levels compared with those of lesser free radical density. These results provide insight for the unexplained geographic differences and have implications for fossil fuel combustion conditions and the impact of fine particles on health and disease.
Gheo‐shih: an ancient pre‐Columbian plaza

Abstract This paper describes the configuration and cultural context of the oldest known designed space in central America, Gheo‐Shih, dating from 5,000 – 4,000 BC. This site may have been a ceremonial space, being employed in a similar fashion to ceremonial spaces of Native American cultures from the North American Great Basin. It contains physical features that set precedents and are similar to the geomantic features of later nearby Mesoamerican cultures.
Relationship of primary site of testis to final testicular size in cryptorchid patients.

Summary –Testicular volume was examined in men who had undergone orchiopexy at or after 7 years of age; 159 men with 187 cryptorchid testes were available for estimation. The mean age at orchiopexy was 9.8 years (range 7–13.6) and the mean age at follow-up was 24.3 years (range 18–41). The data showed that surgically treated cryptorchism was associated with testes that are significantly smaller than normal. The most important factor in relation to subsequent testicular size was whether or not the testes were palpable. Testes found in the superficial inguinal pouch were approximately 85% of normal testicular volume. Contralateral testicular volume in unilaterally cryptorchid patients was not significantly different from that of controls.
Housing Market Bubbles and the Currency Crisis: The Case of Thailand

This paper explains with a simple model the collapse of the housing market in Thailand before the 1997 economic crisis. It shows that successive periods of impressive growth of the economy created not only higher demands for housing, but also an increase in people's optimism about market conditions in the future. Both oversupply and bubbles were formed before the market finally crashed. The model explains some of these phenomena, and describes the nature of the bubbles. An ironic possibility is that a faster and more persistent growth of the economy tends to increase the vulnerability of the firms in the market.JEL Classification Numbers: F14, O11, O53.
Thomas Browne, the Quakers, and a Letter from a Judicious Friend

Despite Sir Thomas Browne’s prominent (if complex) pronouncements of his commitment to the Church of England in Religio Medici, a Quaker named Samuel Duncon wrote a letter to Browne in which Duncon accentuates the sympathy between their respective spiritual tendencies. In his letter, Duncon looks past what he would consider the carnality and formality of Browne’s work and finds three seeds of spiritual wisdom that have convinced Duncon that Browne is ready to be a friend to the Friends. This essay explores the specific textual grounds for Duncon’s admiration of Religio’s complex meditations; contextualizes Duncon’s invitation to Browne for a conversation between friends; and addresses the question of whether Browne responded to this invitation. In celebrating Browne as ‘judicious’, Duncon’s letter complicates any simple understanding of the relations between orthodoxy and heresy in the mid seventeenth century, not least within the framework of an epistolary religious culture in which Browne’s own work participates.
Making Fast Strategic Decisions In High-Velocity Environments

How do executive teams make rapid decisions in the high-velocity microcomputer industry? This inductive study of eight microcomputer firms led to propositions exploring that question. Fast decision makers use more, not less, information than do slow decision makers. The former also develop more, not fewer, alternatives, and use a two-tiered advice process. Conflict resolution and integration among strategic decisions and tactical plans are also critical to the pace of decision making. Finally, fast decisions based on this pattern of behaviors lead to superior performance.
CYSTEINE-TO-ALANINE REPLACEMENTS IN THE ESCHERICHIA COLI SOXR PROTEIN AND THE ROLE OF THE 2FE-2S CENTERS IN TRANSCRIPTIONAL ACTIVATION

The Escherichia coli soxRS regulon activates oxidative stress and antibiotic resistance genes in two transcriptional stages. SoxR protein becomes activated in cells exposed to excess superoxide or nitric oxide and then stimulates transcription of the soxS gene, whose product in turn activates>/=10 regulon promoters. Purified SoxR protein is a homodimer containing a pair of [2Fe-2S] centers essential for soxS transcription in vitro . The [2Fe-2S] centers are thought to be anchored by a C-terminal cluster of four cysteine residues in SoxR. Here we analyze mutant SoxR derivatives with individual cysteines replaced by alanine residues (Cys-->Ala). The mutant proteins in cell-free extracts bound the soxS promoter with wild-type affinity, but upon purification lacked Fe or detectable transcriptional activity for soxS in vitro . Electron paramagnetic resonance measurements in vivo indicated that the Cys-->Ala proteins lacked the [2Fe-2S] centers seen for wild-type SoxR. The Cys-->Ala mutant proteins failed to activate soxS expression in vivo in response to paraquat, a superoxide- generating agent. However, when expressed to approximately 5% of the cell protein, the Cys-->Ala derivatives increased basal soxS transcription 2-4-fold. Overexpression of the Cys119-->Ala mutant protein strongly interfered with soxS activation by wild-type SoxR in response to paraquat. These studies demonstrate the essential role of the [2Fe-2S] centers for SoxR activation in vivo ; the data may also indicate oxidant-independent mechanisms of transcriptional activation by SoxR.
Sustained Mnemonic Response in the Human Middle Frontal Gyrus during On-Line Storage of Spatial Memoranda

The mapping of cognitive functions to neural systems is a central goal of cognitive neuroscience. On the basis of homology with lesion and physiological studies in nonhuman primates, Brodmann's area (BA) 46/9 in the middle frontal gyrus (MFG) has been proposed as the cortical focus for both the storage as well as processing components of working memory in the human brain, but the evidence on the segregation of these components and their exact areal localization has been inconsistent. In order to study this issue and increase the temporal resolution of functional mapping, we disambiguated the storage component of working memory from sensory and motor responses by employing functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) in spatial delayed-response (DR) tasks with long delay intervals and different conditions of demand. We here show that BA 46 can support a sustained mnemonic response for as long as 24 sec in a high-demand task and the signal change in this area exceeded that in the other prefrontal areas examined. Our findings support a conservation of functional architecture between human and nonhuman primate in showing that the MFG is prominently engaged in the storage of spatial information.
Colin H. Williams (ed.). Language revitalization: Policy and planning in Wales. Cardiff: University of Wales Press, 2000. 388 pp. £35 ($69.95)

By the end of the twentieth century, Wales had become a hotbed of language planning. The sharp decline experienced by the Welsh language in the first half of the century had given way to a state of “level maintenance.” The Welsh Language Act of 1993 has brought about marked improvements in the language's profile and in people's attitudes toward bilingualism. Language planning in Wales has created significant interest in other parts of Europe and around the world in other minority language communities hoping to achieve something of the Welsh successes of recent years. Nevertheless, if there have been important accomplishments, much still remains to be done to turn Wales into a truly bilingual society. The edited collection Language revitalization is an excellent, state-of-the-art volume by top specialists who analyze in detail what has been accomplished and identify remaining challenges.
ECO algorithms for removing overlaps between power rails and signal wires

Design ECO commonly happens in industry due to constraints or target changes from manufacturing, marketing, reliability, or performance. At each step, designers usually want to modify the existing solution incrementally and keep the design as close as possible to the existing one. In this paper, we address the PSO (Power rail - Signal wire Overlap) problem which solves overlaps between power rails and signal wires due to the changes in power rail design on the top layer of a multiple layer routing region. PSO problems are frequently caused by changes from power delivery system or package design. The new routing solution satisfies the following constraints: 1) Keep the routing of power rails in the new design unchanged. 2) Only the routing of the top two layers is changed. 3) Horizontal (vertical) signal wire segments on the top layer can only move up/down (left/right). At the same time, the new routing solution keeps the routing pattern unchanged. This requires: a) If one end point of a horizontal (vertical) wire segment on the top layer is a fixed pin, this segment can not move. b) If vertical (horizontal) projections of two horizontal (vertical) signal wire segments have overlaps, then the up/down (left/right) relationship should not be changed. c) If two horizontal (vertical) segments belonging to different nets are on the same track, their left/right (up/down) relationship should not be changed as long as the two segments still exist in the new solution. 4) For each signal wire segment, the deviation (i.e., the difference between its new position and the old one) should not exceed the user-defined allowable deviation bound. Different bounds can be set on different segments. We propose two algorithms to solve the PSO problem. Both algorithms guarantee to find a feasible solution as long as one exists. One is faster, while the other makes effort to minimize the total deviation as well as the max deviation. According to time and quality requirements, users can choose an appropriate algorithm to solve the problem. For a set of industrial test circuits, we were able to remove all overlaps between power rails and signal wires with minimal wire deviation.
Development of a Versatile Robotic System with Multiple Training Modes for Upper-Limb Rehabilitation Study

This paper presents the development of a versatile robotic system with multiple training modes to serve as a test-bed that will facilitate the study of upper-limb rehabilitation following stroke. Seven different training modes, i.e., passive, low-impedance, assist-as-needed, resist-as-needed, visual error augmentation, viscous force field and force perturbation, have been integrated in this robotic system. A hierarchic control system is developed to coordinate these training modes. Initial experiments on unimpaired participants have verified that the robotic system is able to provide the above training modes properly.
Highly-sensitive ultrafast pulse characterization utilizing four-wave mixing in an amorphous silicon nanowaveguide

We demonstrate frequency-resolved optical gating using four-wave mixing in a hydrogenated amorphous silicon nanowaveguide. The ultrahigh nonlinearity and the wide conversion bandwidth of this device allow characterization of sub-ps pulses with high sensitivity.
Attitudes about combination HIV therapies: The next generation of gay men at risk

This study examined awareness of and attitudes about highly active antiret-roviral therapies (HAARTs) among adolescent and young men who have sex with men (MSM). As part of the multisite Young Men’s Survey, 813 MSM aged 15–22 years who attended public venues in two cities were questioned about HAART in 1997–1998. Overall, 45.1% had heard of HAART, 61.6% in Seattle, Washington, and 35.0% in New York City. MSM in New York City who were the youngest, men of color, men who were human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) antibody negative, and men who resided in New Jersey were significantly less likely to be aware of HAART. Attitudes about HAART were not associated with sexual risk behaviors. Prevention efforts among young MSM should focus on other determinants of risk, but also include information on the changing nature of HIV therapies.
Alternative Splicing Shapes the Phenotype of a Mutation in BBS8 To Cause Nonsyndromic Retinitis Pigmentosa.

Bardet-Biedl syndrome (BBS) is a genetic disorder affecting multiple systems and organs in the body. Several mutations in genes associated with BBS affect only photoreceptor cells and cause nonsyndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP), raising the issue of why certain mutations manifest as a systemic disorder whereas other changes in the same gene affect only a specific cell type. Here, we show that cell-type-specific alternative splicing is responsible for confining the phenotype of the A-to-G substitution in the 3′ splice site of BBS8 exon 2A (IVS1-2A>G mutation) in the BBS8 gene to photoreceptor cells. The IVS1-2A>G mutation leads to missplicing of BBS8 exon 2A, producing a frameshift in the BBS8 reading frame and thus eliminating the protein specifically in photoreceptor cells. Cell types other than photoreceptors skip exon 2A from the mature BBS8 transcript, which renders them immune to the mutation. We also show that the splicing of Bbs8 exon 2A in photoreceptors is directed exclusively by redundant splicing enhancers located in the adjacent introns. These intronic sequences are sufficient for photoreceptor-cell-specific splicing of heterologous exons, including an exon with a randomized sequence.
Bioelectric Effects of Intense Nanosecond Pulses

Electrical models for biological cells predict that reducing the duration of applied electrical pulses to values below the charging time of the outer cell membrane (which is on the order of 100 ns for mammalian cells) causes a strong increase in the probability of electric field interactions with intracellular structures due to displacement currents. For electric field amplitudes exceeding MV/m, such pulses are also expected to allow access to the cell interior through conduction currents flowing through the permeabilized plasma membrane. In both cases, limiting the duration of the electrical pulses to nanoseconds ensures only nonthermal interactions of the electric field with subcellular structures. This intracellular access allows the manipulation of cell functions. Experimental studies, in which human cells were exposed to pulsed electric fields of up to 300 kV/cm amplitude with durations as short as 3 ns, have confirmed this hypothesis and have shown that it is possible to selectively alter the behavior and/or survival of cells. Observed nanosecond pulsed effects at moderate electric fields include intracellular release of calcium and enhanced gene expression, which could have long term implications on cell behavior and function. At increased electric fields, the application of nanosecond pulses induces a type of programmed cell death, apoptosis, in biological cells. Cell survival studies with 10 ns pulses have shown that the viability of the cells scales inversely with the electrical energy density, which is similar to the "dose" effect caused by ionizing radiation. On the other hand, there is experimental evidence that, for pulses of varying durations, the onset of a range of observed biological effects is determined by the electrical charge that is transferred to the cell membrane during pulsing. This leads to an empirical similarity law for nanosecond pulse effects, with the product of electric field intensity, pulse duration, and the square root of the number of pulses as the similarity parameter. The similarity law allows one not only to predict cell viability based on pulse parameters, but has also been shown to be applicable for inducing platelet aggregation, an effect which is triggered by internal calcium release. Applications for nanosecond pulse effects cover a wide range: from a rather simple use as preventing biofouling in cooling water systems, to advanced medical applications, such as gene therapy and tumor treatment. Results of this continuing research are leading to the development of wound healing and skin cancer treatments, which are discussed in some detail.
Accomodating Irregular Subdomains in Domain Decomposition Theory

In the theory for domain decomposition methods, it has previously often been assumed that each subdomain is the union of a small set of coarse shape-regular triangles or tetrahedra. Recent progress is reported, which makes it possible to analyze cases with irregular subdomains such as those produced by mesh partitioners. The goal is to extend the analytic tools so that they work for problems on subdomains that might not even be Lipschitz and to characterize the rates of convergence of domain decomposition methods in terms of a few, easy to understand, geometric parameters of the subregions. For two dimensions, some best possible results have already been obtained for scalar elliptic and compressible and almost incompressible linear elasticity problems; the subdomains should be John or Jones domains and the rates of convergence are determined by parameters that characterize such domains and that of an isoperimetric inequality. Technical issues for three dimensional problems are also discussed.
The fox guarding the usability lab

The idiom of "don't let the fox guard the hen house" warns us about the potential danger of giving someone responsibility for overseeing something that he or she shouldn't be involved with, particularly when there is an inherent interest in the outcome. Unfortunately, that idiom is all too fitting in the world of user experience (UX) research and practice, especially with respect to usability testing. I have seen all too often designers who evaluate their own design, or the design agency that is responsible for evaluating their own work. This is an inherent conflict of interest that results in poor quality research and, perhaps more importantly, undermines the credibility our profession. The good news is there is an easy fix.
Chemical and dimensional characterization of the renal countercurrent system in mice

Chemical and dimensional characterization of the renal countercurrent system in mice.This study sought to identify the mechanisms leading to vasopressin (ADH)-resistant urinary concentrating defects in several genotypes of mice by analyzing the chemical composition as well as the dimensions of their countercurrent systems.As an aid to the analysis, a method was developed for estimating solute concentrations at the papillary tip by extrapolating from measurements of papillary solute concentration.The results indicate that the mechanisms causing decreased urinary concentration vary with the genotypes.In some, decreased water permeability appears to be the primary defect, leading secondarily to diminished cortico-papillary gradients for sodium and urea.In other genotypes a foreshortened countercurrent system and osmotic diuresis per nephron diminish the cortico-papillary urea gradient.And in still others, a combination of these causes appears to be involved.The study shows again that various diuretic states selectively wash out the medullary urea, probably because they curtail the medullary source of urea but not that of sodium. Characteres chimiques et importance du systeme de contre-courant renal chez la souris.Le but de cette etude etait d'identifier les mecanismes responsables du defaut de concentration des urines resistant a la vasopressine (ADH) observe dans plusieurs genotypes de souris.Le moyen utilise a ete l'analyse de la composition chimique et des dimensions de leurs systemes a contre-courant.Pour facilites cette analyse, une methode a ete elaboree qui perment calculer, pas extrapolation, la concentration a la pointe de la papille des substances dissoutes dont les concentrations ont ete mesurees dans la papille.Les resultats montrent que les mecanismes responsables de la diminution de concentration urinaire different avec les genotypes.Dans certains cas, la diminution de permeabilite a l'eau semble etre le defaut primaire, responsable d'une diminution secondaire des gradients cortico-papillaires du sodium et de l'uree.Dans d'autres cas, un raccourcissement du systeme de contre-courant et une diurese osmotique par nephron diminuent le gradient cortico-papillaire de l'uree.Enfin dans d'autres cas ces differents mecanismes paraissent combines.L'etude montre a nouveau que differents etats diuretiques evacuent d'une facon selective l'uree medullaire, sans doute en tarissant la source medullaire d'uree, mais non alle du sodium.
Diflubenzeron: Effect on the Tobacco Budworn and the Boll Weevil

The LC50 of diflubenzeron, (N-[[(4-chlorophenyl) amino]carbonyl]-2,6-difluorobenzamide), for neonate larvae of the tobacco budworm, Heliothis virescens (F.), was 1.3 × 10−3% wt/vol when it was incorporated into the diet. The LC50for pupae was 1.3 ×x 10-4%wt/volin the larval diet. With diets containing 1 × 10-2%, 86–100% of the larvae died, and no adults emerged. In a field-cage test following spray applications of diflubenzeron (0.25 lb/acre in 10% cottonseed oil) to cotton plants, 89% of the tobacco budworm larvae were in the 1st or 2nd instar at a time when the check only had 52% in those stages, indication of a retardation of the larval cycle. Also, emergence of F1 boll weevils, Anthonomus grandis Boheman, from ⅓-grown and full-grown squares was reduced 66 and 27%, respectively.
A Prospective Study of Sudden Death in High-Risk Bundle-Branch Block

We prospectively followed 257 patients with bifascicular and trifascicular conduction-system disease and intact atrioventricular conduction who had undergone His-bundle studies. Forty-seven per cent had associated coronary-artery disease, and 23 per cent primary conduction-system disease. His-ventricular interval was moderately prolonged in 43 per cent and markedly prolonged in 12 per cent. During an average follow-up period of 25 months 50 patients died. However, death was sudden in only 27, and 17 of the sudden deaths were not due to bradyarrhythias. Actuarial analysis showed an overall mortality rate (mean +/- S.E.) of 19 +/- 2.6 per cent at two years, mortality from sudden death being 10 +/- 2.6 per cent. Permanent heart block occurred in 12. No clinical symptoms (including syncope), electrocardiographic findings, electrophysiologic data or their combination identified patients at high risk of sudden death. Sudden death due to bradyarrhythmia is uncommon in patients with bundle-branch block and intact atrioventricular conduction. Therefore, routine prophylactic use of permanent pacemakers in all such patients is inappropriate. Pacemaker implantation should be reserved for those with documented symptomatic bradyarrhythmias.
Effects of cefazolin and moxalactam on serum chemistry values determined by autoanalyzer.

A study was undertaken to determine if cefazolin or moxalactam (LY127935), a new 1-oxa-beta-lactam antibiotic, would falsely elevate serum creatinine (determined by the Jaffe reaction) and other commonly determined serum chemistry values when performed by an automated method (Technicon SMAC System). In a balanced crossover study, each of six normal volunteers received a 30-minute infusion of 10 mg/kg of cefazolin, followed in two days by the same dose of moxalactam. The mean SMAC results for 10 common tests, including creatinine, determined from serum obtained immediately after each infusion exhibited no significant differences from the respective baseline values. Cefazolin and moxalactam did not falsely elevate any of the tests examined, including serum creatinine, and should not cause confusion in the assessment of the renal function of patients receiving these agents.
Justification and Proof

Bolzano’s theory of objective ground and consequence is part of a general account of a priori knowledge and a theory of demonstration or proof — note here that I do not use the term ‘proof theory’ which Bolzano’s theory is not — that has attracted some attention in recent years. When it comes to explaining the nature of deductive knowledge at large, Bolzano distinguishes between three notions: grounding (Abfolge), objective justification (objective Erkenntnisgrund) and what we may call objective demonstrations or proofs, which Bolzano calls Begrundungen. This tripartite distinction in itself testifies to Bolzano’s refined sense for the differences between logical, epistemological and pragmatic concerns: grounding is a relation between true propositions; objective justification is a relation between beliefs or cognitions (i.e., certain types of epistemic states); and Begrundungen are linguistic objects that are meant, according to Bolzano, to reliably cause in agents objectively justified knowledge of the type we find in a priori sciences such as mathematics. Roughly, the structure of the theory is the following: (i) grounding is a relation that subsists, according to Bolzano, between true propositions independently of epistemic access to them. We may grasp grounding relations and (ii) our grasping the latter is also the condition for our having objective justifications for our beliefs, as opposed to, say, merely subjective or evidential ones.
The increased antibody response to Epstein-Barr virus in multiple sclerosis is restricted to selected virus proteins

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is associated with Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) infection, and the antibody response to EBV is reported to be increased in MS. EBV contains multiple antigens, and only a few have been investigated. Our hypothesis is that MS patients will have an increased antibody response to only selected EBV antigens. We used immunoprecipitation and quantitative mass spectrometry to identify candidate EBV antigens. We then measured the antibody response to 10 individual EBV proteins with quantitative ELISA. We found that the antibody response was increased in MS to three of the EBV proteins, but not to the other seven.
Interval and robust observability of discrete systems with interval coefficients

We derive conditions for robust and interval observability for some classes of interval discrete systems.
The joy of being a book: benefits of participation in the human library

Human libraries are events intended to provide readers with access to the knowledge and lived experiences of their fellow community members. These events are growing in popularity worldwide, and while often hosted by traditional libraries, can take place in a variety of community organization settings. Human library events depend on the services of the "human books" who volunteer to participate, though recruitment of these volunteers remains one of the most challenging aspects of hosting the events. Previous work has shown that human books enjoy participation in these events, though the specific benefits of human libraries for the human books have not been explored. In this study, we analyze the post-event survey responses of human books from four different human library events hosted by various institutions. Participants reported a variety of benefits ranging from altruistic to more self-focused. Reviewing their responses, we suggest eight major categories of benefits for human books. Findings hold implications for effectively recruiting and motivating potential human books, as well as how host institutions may adapt human libraries to the needs of their communities.
Pediatric Crohn's disease presenting with a large calcified pelvic mass

Abstract Small bowel Crohn's disease classically presents with symptoms of abdominal pain, diarrhea, and weight loss in the pediatric population. However, there is no published literature on its presentation associated with a dystrophically calcified pelvic mass. We present a case of a 15-year-old female presenting with four weeks of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) symptoms as well as a large calcified pelvic mass suggestive of chronic, organized inflammatory process versus a calcifying fibrous tumor.
EBV germinates lymphoma from the germinal center in a battle with T and NK cells

Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) is a ubiquitous herpesvirus infecting more than 95% of the population by adulthood. EBV is the first human virus known to associate with human cancers and the latent infection by EBV poses a public health burden worldwide (1). In the past five decades, scientific discoveries linked the risk of EBV-associated malignancies with the impaired function of the immune system, particularly by HIV and the immunosuppressive therapies in patients undergoing organ transplantation. EBV is strictly a human virus and scientists have been trying to delineate the mechanistic and causal roles of EBV in cancers in vivo using small animal models to recapitulate the dynamic events in the human body. In PNAS, Minamitani et al. (2) offer new insights, describing how two EBV-encoded latent membrane proteins (LMPs), LMP1 and LMP2A, synergistically drive malignant transformation of germinal center (GC) B cells. EBV takes advantage of a key pathway in B-cell development: the GC reaction. The GC is a structure within a B-cell follicle in lymph nodes that is important for B-cell differentiation and maturation into antibody-secreting plasma cells or memory B cells; the latter is where EBV establishes life-long persistence (3). EBV LMP1 and LMP2A mimic signals from the host CD40 receptor and the B-cell receptor (BCR), respectively (4). In a normal T-dependent immune response resulting in B-cell activation, the BCR on B cells recognizes cognate antigens, becomes activated, and provides the important “first signal” for B cells. CD40 activation provides the “second signal” or costimulatory signal for B-cell activation via binding to its ligand on T-helper cells. These two signals are imperative for B-cell proliferation, as well as the differentiation from naive to memory B cells, a maturation path where traversing through the GC is critical. Both LMP1 and LMP2A are found in a number of GC-derived lymphomas, including … [↵][1]1To whom correspondence should be addressed. Email: r-longnecker{at}northwestern.edu. [1]: #xref-corresp-1-1
Case Studies of the Economics of Automatic Materials-Handling Systems

Abstract This paper explores the economics of two applications of realtime digital control to discrete-item materials-handling systems. The two applications are a case-lot dry grocery warehouse involving computer control of part of the process, and intra-plant newspaper-transport systems that employ computer control in parts of the system. The conclusion reached is that it may not always pay to automate highly one part of a multi-stage, discrete-item materials-handling process, while leaving the surrounding parts in their original manual mode. A corollary is that, to ensure cost effectiveness, designs for automatization should take into account external operations that interface with the process being automated. In the analyses, four case-lot dry grocery warehouses with various levels of automatization ranging from negligible automatization to a configuration that includes a real-time computer-controlled order selector were examined. Also analyzed were two newspaper-transport systems that extend from the printing presses to loading dock. Both systems employ computers to control the flow of newspaper bundles, but each uses a different transport system configuration. The paper concludes with guidelines for an orderly procedure for ensuring cost- effective automatization designs.
Association of visitation policy and health care-acquired respiratory viral infections in hospitalized children

Visitor restriction policies are meant to prevent health care-acquired viral infections; however, data on their efficacy in hospitalized children are limited. We report a 37% reduction in health care-acquired respiratory viral infections in a children's hospital following standardization of the visitation policy that limited the number of visitors during a patient's hospitalization.
In Silico Discovery of New Dopants for Fe-Doped Ni Oxyhydroxide (Ni1–xFexOOH) Catalysts for Oxygen Evolution Reaction

The oxygen evolution reaction (OER) is critical to efficient water splitting to produce the H2 fuel for sustainable energy production. Currently, the best non-noble metal OER electrocatalyst in base conditions is the Fe-doped NiOOH (Ni1–xFexOOH), with an overpotential of η = 0.4, but much lower values are desired. We use density functional theory to determine the overall mechanism for the OER of Ni1–xFexOOH, concluding that promoting radical character on the metal–oxo bond is critical to efficient OER. Then we consider replacing Fe with 17 other transition metals of the Fe, Ru, and Os rows, where we find 3 new promising candidates: Co, Rh, and Ir, which we estimate to have η = 0.27, 0.15, and 0.02, respectively, all very much improved performance compared to Fe, making all three systems excellent candidates for experimental testing.
Getting Rural Children through the Door: Perceived Barriers to Mental Health Care for School-Aged Children in Rural Areas

With creativity and collaboration, children in rural communities who have the same mental health needs as children in urban areas can achieve access to mental health care. This review of the literature explores barriers to mental health services facing school-aged children in rural communities, focusing on how challenges unique to rural communities affect the type of care rural children ultimately receive. This review aligns with the NREA Research Agenda area “access to counseling/mental health services”. The discussion incorporates national trends in the treatment of children with mental health concerns and highlights some surprising facts about the state of mental health care in rural school and examines the following factors: (1) belief, (2) family poverty, (3) school support, (4) community resources, and (5) awareness. The review concludes by outlining opportunities for advocacy and proposed solutions for improving mental health care access for rural children and suggesting directions for future research.
A Modification of Sylvester's Four Point Problem

SummaryIn 1865 Sylvester posed his famous four point problem “What is the probability that a random quadrilateral is convex?” This somewhat ill-defined question led to the problem of finding the mi...
Vitamin D and Inflammatory Bowel Disease

Publisher Summary This chapter reviews the immunoregulatory role of vitamin D and its effect on the pathology of inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Following this, it discusses the epidemiological evidence connecting vitamin D deficiency to IBD severity and the data from animal models of experimental IBD. It also proposes the vitamin D hypothesis, which suggests that vitamin D status may be an environmental factor involved in the development of IBD. Finally the chapter reviews the current treatment options for IBD patients and explains how vitamin D might be used as an alternative or a supplemental treatment for patients with IBD. Vitamin D, in vitamin-D-insufficient patients, and its active metabolites and analogs could be a safe and effective adjunct to the therapies available to treat or prevent IBD. Unfortunately, clinical interventions have not been done to look at the effects of vitamin D on IBD disease in humans; based on the extensive data in animal models several studies have been proposed. Issues that need to be addressed include—defining the appropriate dose of the vitamin D compound to be used, effect of other therapies a patient is on, and whether or not patients with either Ulcerative colitis or celiac disease or both can benefit.
Woman, sexual difference and the dance of undecidability in Nietzsche's Thus Spoke Zarathustra

A partir de l'analyse d'un passage de Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra, dans lequel F. Nietzsche discute la representation esthetique de la danse, l'A. se propose d'elargir le debat sur la figure de la femme dans l'oeuvre de Nietzsche, mettant en evidence les affinites potentielles et les limites du philosophe avec la pensee feministe. Il presente d'abord les passages essentiels de Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra qui constituent le cadre de reflexion sur la question feminine chez Nietzsche. Il discute ensuite la lecture de Nietzsche proposee par Jacques Derrida. Il soutient que malgre la richesse de l'apport de Derrida - son interpretation du texte de Nietzsche en tant que site de metaphores, styles et imageries multiples -, sa lecture de la figure et de la problematique de la femme et de la difference sexuelle demeure problematique. Est-ce-que Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra, comme l'affirme Derrida, va au-dela de la difference sexuelle, vers le domaine de l'indecidabilite de la femme ? Ou la possibilite d'identifier et d'articuler la trajectoire et la circulation du desir (heterosexuel) dans Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra, remet-elle en cause le projet de Derrida ?
Coupling of DSC and Dynamic Mechanical Experiments for Probing Processing-Structure-Property Relationships of Catalyst Modified High Performance Epoxy Matrices

Structures fabricated from advanced composite materials are being included in critical, load bearing design applications due to their outstanding mechanical properties and light weight. The structural characterization of the composite matrix materials is important because the matrix controls physical properties such as shear strength, toughness, chemical resistance, and load transfer, as well as the processing requirements of the composite. The most common advanced composite matrix materials are high performance epoxy systems. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the processing-structure-property relationships for epoxy resins.
Leader Behaviors and Employee Turnover

Adopting the theoretical framework of transactional and transformational leadership, I examined if and how leaders’ contingent reward/punishments and noncontingent reward/punishments influence employees’ turnover decision making and how relationship-oriented and task-oriented transformational behaviors influence the likelihood of employee turnover. Data from a sample of 175 employees of four organizations in the People’s Republic of China suggest that relationship-oriented transformational behaviors reduce the likelihood of employee turnover. On the other hand, noncontingent punishment facilitates employee turnover.
Clinical value of [F-18]-Fluorodeoxyglucose PET/CT in locally recurrent and metastatic bladder transitional cell carcinoma

1904 Objectives The utility of FDG PET in locally recurrent bladder transitional cell carcinoma has not been fully explored, due to interference of urine activity with visualization of locally recurrent cancer. The purpose of the present study is to evaluate clinical value of 18F-FDG PET/CT in locally recurrent and metastatic bladder cancer. Methods 147 patients with bladder cancer underwent 18F-FDG PET/CT for follow-up (106 males and 41 females; median age, 65.8 years). Patients were hydrated with oral intake of water and diuretics was administered before image acquisition. Contrast enhanced CT performed within 2 months were evaluated for comparison. Local recurrence was defined enhancing lesion on CT scan with matched FDG uptake on 18F-FDG PET/CT. Urine cytology or cystoscopy was assessed to confirm local recurrence. To confirm distant metastasis, following imaging studies including CT, MRI and 18F-FDG PET/CT were evaluated. Results 39 patients were confirmed tumor recurrence. 25 of them had local recurrence, and 17 had distant metastasis. Overall sensitivity and specificity of CT scan was 77.3% and 95.1% in local recurrence. Overall sensitivity and specificity of CT scan with FDG PET was 82.1% and 95.8% in detecting distant metastasis FDG PET found all the metastatic lesions that could not be found in conventional enhanced CT. Metastatic sites were lung, bone, adrenal gland, pancreas and liver. 5 cases of other secondary primary cancers were incidentally found on FDG PET scans. Conclusions 18F-FDG PET with CT showed higher sensitivity and specificity than CT scan alone for detecting locally recurrent bladder cancer. Also, whole body FDG PET scan had ability to find distant metastasis and other second primary malignancy
Abstract 5120: Adipocyte-derived lipids mediate melanoma progression via FATP proteins

During melanoma progression, tumor cells come into direct contact with subcutaneous tissues and these advanced lesions portend a poor prognosis. Despite the fact that subcutaneous tissues are largely composed of adipocytes, little is known about the mechanisms by which adipocytes influence melanoma. Using both in vitro and in vivo models, we find that adipocytes increase proliferation and invasion of adjacent melanoma cells. This is accompanied by direct transfer of fatty acids from adipocytes to melanoma cells, which increases tumor cell metabolism and invasion programs. These adipocyte-derived lipids are transferred to melanoma cells through the FATP/SLC27A family of lipid transporters expressed on the tumor cell surface. Among the six related FATP/SLC27A family members, melanomas significantly overexpress FATP1/SLC27A1. Melanocyte-specific FATP1 expression cooperates with BRAFV600E in transgenic zebrafish to accelerate melanoma development, an effect that is similarly seen in mouse xenograft studies. These data demonstrate that adipocytes in the tumor microenvironment can drive melanoma progression through FATP lipid transporters, and represents a new target aimed at interrupting adipocyte-melanoma crosstalk. Citation Format: Maomao Zhang. Adipocyte-derived lipids mediate melanoma progression via FATP proteins [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 5120.
Amniotic-Derived Treatments and Formulations

In orthopedic sports medicine, amniotic-derived products have demonstrated promising preclinical and early clinical results for the treatment of tendon/ligament injuries, cartilage defects, and osteoarthritis. The amniotic membrane is a metabolically active tissue that has demonstrated anti-inflammatory, antimicrobial, antifibrotic, and epithelialization-promoting features that make it uniquely suited for several clinical applications. Although the existing clinical literature is limited, there are several ongoing clinical trials aiming to elucidate the specific applications and benefits of these products. This article reviews the current amniotic-derived treatment options and the existing literature on outcomes, complications, and safety profile of these products for use in sports medicine.
Enhanced CO2 Capture and Hydrogen Purification by Hydroxy Metal-Organic Framework/Polyimide Mixed Matrix Membranes.

Membrane separation technology provides substantial savings in energy and cost for molecular separations in chemical industry, ideally complementing conventional thermally driven separation approaches. However, current membranes are subject to limitations, primarily lying in the Robeson permeability-selectivity upper bound limits. In this study, hydroxy metal-organic framework (MOF)/polyimide mixed-matrix membranes are found to enable high separation performance for applications including CO2 capture and hydrogen purification while offering enhanced compatibility with state-of-the-art membrane-manufacturing processes. The mixed-matrix membranes exceed the present Robeson upper bounds with H2 and CO2 permeabilities of 907 and 650 Barrers, respectively and H2 /CH4 and CO2 /CH4 selectivities of 45 and 32, respectively. The unparalleled performance results from intimate interactions at the boundary of the hydroxy MOFs and carboxylic polymers through strong hydrogen bonds. The principle of design opens the door to highly permeable membranes with synergistic compatibility with established membrane manufacturing platforms for energy-efficient molecular separations.
Source Identification on High PM2.5 Days Using SEM/EDS, XRF, Raman, and Windblown Dust Modeling

ABSTRACT When community exposures to PM2.5 are high, identification of the particle sources enables more effective control and assessment of health impacts. This study demonstrates forensic particle analysis methods that can be used when only limited, archived samples are available. Federal reference method (FRM) filters from seven high PM2.5 days were analyzed using optical and electron microscopy, X-ray fluorescence, and Raman micro-spectroscopy to determine individual particle morphology and composition, together with supplemental wind roses, GIS mapping, FRM inlet penetration calculations, and windblown dust modeling. This approach identified three distinct sources of high PM2.5 measurements: 1) local, wind-blown dust from an atypical direction, consistent with modeling predictions for a normally operating PM2.5 inlet challenged with a high concentration of windblown dust particles, potentially enhanced by re-entrainment of particles from within the inlet, 2) wintertime, regional, hygroscopic, nitrogen- and sulfur-rich salts, consistent with ammonium nitrate and ammonium sulfate, and 3) sampling or documentation error. This approach can be used in any location in which regulatory PM filters and other air quality data are available.