cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Case series of congenital heterotopic neuroglial tissue in the parapharyngeal space

Cases of congenital heterotopic tissue presenting in the head and neck are frequent in the pediatric otolaryngology literature. Heterotopic glioneuronal tissue is rare and fewer than 20 cases of heterotopic glioneuronal tissue in the parapharyngeal space have been reported. We present two cases of infant children who were seen at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh in 2013 with glioneuronal heterotopic masses in the parapharyngeal space.
Effect of Immunogenicity of Neuroblastoma Cell Lines by Transduction of Adenovirus-Mediated Co-Stimulated Factor B7-1 and Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor Genes

ObjectiveTo observe the effect of co-stimulated factor B7-1 and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor(GM-CSF) genes mediated by recombinant adenovirus on immunogenicity of neuroblastoma(NB)cell line SH-SY5Y.MethodsAfter NB cell line SH-SY5Y was transfected with recombinant adenovirus mediating green fluorescent protein(Ad-GFP) in different multiplicity of infection(MOI),the transfer efficiency was tested by flow cytometry(FCM).SH-SY5Y cells were transfected separately with recombinant adenovirus,recombinant adenovirus mediating B7-1 and GM-CSF genes or only B7-1 gene,and they were named as Ad,B7-GM and B7 group.The cells which were not transfected were named as SH group.The protein expression of B7-1 and GM-CSF were detected by using FCM and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).Peripheral mononuclear cells were separated and purified with Ficoll density gradient centrifugation.Cpm and cytokine(IFN-γ and IL-2) secretory were evaluated by mixed lymphocyte culturing with different ratio(5 to 1 and 10 to 1) on target cells and effect cells.ResultsTransfer efficiency of recombinant adenovirus to SH-SY5Y was high.After transfection,B7-1 and GM-CSF genes were expressed.Proliferation of lymphocytes was stimulated and cytokine increased vigorously in B7-GM group and B7 group,and the effect in B7-GM group was stronger than that in B7 group.And the effect in ratio 5 to 1 group was stronger than that in 10 to 1 group.ConclusionsB7-1 and GM-CSF genes have synergistic effect.After transfection with recombinant adenovirus mediated B7-1 and GM-CSF genes,the immunogenicity of SH-SY5Y is greatly enhanced.
Measures of transformer DC bias suppression based on dual protection topology

The single-pole-to-ground operation mode of UHV/HV DC transmission system during system commissioning or fault causes DC bias phenomenon in AC power grid,which will be strengthened under the condition of peninsular geology.According to the specific grid structure and parameters of Shandong peninsula,the DC bias suppression scheme based on the serial neutral-point capacitor of transformer is analyzed and the dual protection topology of paralleled lightning arrester and spark gap is proposed for optimization.The selection of relevant devices,such as neutral-point capacitor,bypass switch,electronic switch,current-limiting reactor,etc.,and the cooperation between lightning arrester and spark gap are given.The simulative results indicate that,the proposed dual protection topology can effectively protect the DC bias suppression equipment during system fault.
Ranking Financial Tweets

Recently Twitter has complemented traditional newswire as a source of valuable Financial information. Although there is a rich body of published research dealing with the task of ranking tweets, there has been little published research dealing with ranking tweets within a Financial context. Here we consider whether popularity factors within Twitter can be used as a signal for popularity within the domain of financial experts. Our results suggest that what interests Finance is not the same as what interests the users of Twitter.
Rolling-circle amplification of centromeric Helitrons in plant genomes.

Summary The unusual eukaryotic Helitron transposons can readily capture host sequences and are, thus, evolutionarily important. They are presumed to amplify by rolling circle replication (RCR) because some elements encode predicted proteins homologous to RCR prokaryotic transposases. In support of this replication mechanism, it was recently shown that transposition of a bat Helitron generates covalently closed circular intermediates. Another strong prediction is that RCR should generate tandem Helitron concatemers, yet almost all Helitrons identified to date occur as solo elements in the genome. To investigate alternative modes of Helitron organization in present day genomes, we have applied the novel computational tool HelitronScanner to 27 plant genomes and have uncovered numerous tandem arrays of partially decayed, truncated Helitrons in all of them. Strikingly, most of these Helitron tandem arrays are interspersed with other repeats in centromeres. Many of these arrays have multiple Helitron 5′ ends, but a single 3′ end. The number of repeats in any one array can range from a handful to several hundreds. We propose here an RCR model that conforms to the present Helitron landscape of plant genomes. Our study provides strong evidence that plant Helitrons amplify by RCR and that the tandemly arrayed replication products accumulate mostly in centromeres. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Field Experiences in Breast Cancer Research among African American Women

Despite many recent improvements in the health of Americans, substantial differences still exist among racial and ethnic groups. The frequently cited explanation for the disparity in health care for African Americans is lack of access to quality health care. Health care disparities are further complicated by increasing breast cancer rates of African American women without reduction of mortality rates. African American women have the highest breast cancer death rates. Despite all the gains that have been made in clinical, basic, and behavioral research, African American women continue to lag behind and remain disproportionately affected by this disease. In this qualitative pilot study, factors contributing to breast cancer risk in African American women were explored. Data was collected in four focus group sessions, where the study’s participants were asked questions related to their perceptions of health status, lifestyles, and health care access. Cultural values had a major impact relating to food preferences, food preparation and seeking health care. These participant narratives provide insight into issues regarding their breast cancer risks and suggestions for future research.
Mary Parker Follett and Transforming Disaster Response

That Mary Parker Follett (1868-1933) was ahead of her time in many respects is beyond question and is well documented. Yet, we continue to struggle with many of the same and similar questions that to some degree confronted Follett during her time. While formulating and examining these contemporary questions is important, we would be remiss if we fail to study the work done by Follett many decades ago. In fact, we would be wasting valuable time as we confront the many wicked problems that challenge the future. One may be surprised at how prescient Follett’s work is when paired with many of the modern questions we confront. Though Follett’s work can be and should be applied in numerous modern settings, the work can be readily applied to many of the important systemic questions and concerns confronting American disaster response. Delving into Follett’s understanding and often prescriptions for many of these questions can aid us in solving some of these problems. This voice speaking from across the decades needs to be heard and can offer us much insight into dealing with numerous modern problems. The many challenges confronting American disaster response provide a prime example of a modern day application for Follett’s work.
American Whiteness as Perpetual Madness: Don Quixote Through the Lens of Ibram X. Kendi’s Stamped From The Beginning

In Stamped From The Beginning (2016), Ibram X. Kendi provides a typology of the ways in which segregationist racism, assimilationist racism, and anti-racism work in the U.S. through the lives of Cotton Mather, Thomas Jefferson, William Lloyd Garrison, W.E.B. Du Bois, and Angela Davis. Kendi’s book thus offers several lived-in models for probing the reach of Whiteness, racism, and anti-racism in specific places and times rather than in the abstract. The academic abstraction of real-world problems is a danger that Vine Deloria, Jr. discussed as a part of his leadership within the American Indian Movement of the late 1960’s and early 1970’s. Deloria asked youth to avoid being “ego-fed by abstract theories and hence unwittingly manipulated” (1969:84). In the analysis to follow, I apply Kendi’s typology of racist and anti-racist ideas to the novel Don Quixote as a practical work of anti-racism in the subject area of educational equity.
Charging coordination of aggregated electrical vehicles for load variance minimization in distribution system

The increased penetration of PHEVs severely affect the day to day operations of the distribution systems. Load congestion, voltage unbalance, voltage stability and overloading of the transformers are some of the issues that need to be managed during charging and discharging of the PHEVs. In this paper, coordinated charging for load variance reduction is proposed to mitigate some of the issues mentioned earlier. The simple linear optimization model is adopted and applied to distribution system. The outcome of the optimization produces proper charging profile of PHEV that has potential to reduce burden on the grid because of the PHEVs integration. Modified IEEE 13 node test feeder is utilized as a test system that shows the improvements in the voltage profile.
Studies of Polymers Carrying Medium-Sensitive Fluorophores

The fluorescence intensity of the dansyl group is strongly reduced when the group is in contact with water molecules. When the label is attached to to polymeric acids which undergo on ionization a transition from a contracted to an expanded form, the transition can be monitored by the decrease in fluorescence. When solutions of dansyl-labeled poly(methacrylic acid) are subjected to pH jumps, part of the con-formational transition is slow enough to be followed in a stopped-flow apparatus. Association of dansyl-labeled poly(acrylic acid) in aqueous solution with polymers which are hydrogen bond acceptors results in a change in the emission intensity and the location of the emission peak. Kinetics have been studied of the complex formation, complex dissociation and complex interchange with polyoxyethylene (POE). The dependence of the emission characteristics of the complex on the POE chain length exhibit some unexpected features.
Successful alcohol septal ablation in a pregnant patient with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy.

Abstract Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy is a clinically heterogeneous disease with common findings of ventricular hypertrophy, left ventricular outflow tract (LVOT) obstruction, mitral regurgitation, and diastolic dysfunction. Sometimes, the condition can lead to catastrophic cardiac events. Pregnancy can pose a larger challenge, due to medication restrictions associated with pregnancy. We report a case of a 43-year-old pregnant woman presenting with symptomatic hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy (HOCM). As her pregnancy progressed, her HOCM worsened both symptomatically and by objective echocardiographic data. These changes continued despite optimized medical therapy. After an in-depth discussion with both the patient and family, we proceeded with alcohol septal ablation, which was successful in both reducing her LVOT gradient and her symptoms. Her pregnancy was overall uneventful, and both she and her child are doing well more than 4 years from the date of the procedure.
The Meaning and Symbolism of Traditional Bridal Costumes in the Western Region of Saudi Arabia

The western region of Saudi Arabia has its own unique traditional bridal garments. Little is known about these bridal costumes, however because they are handmade by a few families who live in the region. Thus, the purpose of this study was to investigate the history, significance, and meaning of the Hijazi bridal costumes. Symbolic interactionism was the theoretical starting point of this study. Qualitative data were collected via in-depth interviews from 22 married Saudi women. A purposive, snowball sampling strategy was used. The data were analyzed using Miles & Huberman process. Four key themes emerged, including: 1) physical appearance and process of wearing them, 2) meanings and beliefs related to the costumes' components, 3) appropriate occasions the costumes could be worn, and 4) motivation negotiated within families. The Hijazi bridal costumes have deep historical roots in Saudi Arabian culture which continues to play a significant role in today's marriage rituals.
Correcting COMPASS dysfunction in cancer

An EZH2 inhibitor can be potentially used as an effective therapy for cancers with COMPASS-component mutations.
POSITIVE TRANSCRIPTIONAL CONTROL OF INDUCIBLE GALACTOSE PATHWAY ENZYMES IN YEAST

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the positive transcriptional control of inducible galactose pathway enzymes in yeast. The genetically well-defined galactose–melibiose regulatory system is being studied in Saccharomyces cerevisiae to develop an understanding of the way in which the interplay between positive and negative regulatory gene activity controls the induction of structural gene expression in a eukaryote. Genetic control of the inducible galactose–melibiose pathway enzymes involves the five structural genes, which include Meli, GAL1, GAL7, GAL10, and GAL2, and four regulatory genes: GAL4, c, or GAL81, or GAL80, and GAL3. The regulatory protein, GAL4, has been shown to have a key role in the galactose-specific induction of functional GAL1 and GAL7 mRNAs through the use of nonsense mutations in GAL4 gene along with in vitro translation and immunoprecipitation assays for the GAL1 and GAL7 mRNAs. The involvement of GAL4 gene product could be with the induction of mRNA transcription, transcription itself, or in an immediate post-transcriptional event. As the structural genes Meli and GAL2 are on separate chromosomes from the three linked genes GAL1, GAL7, and GAL10 and require coordinate regulatory control from GAL4 gene product, it is reasonable to expect GAL4 gene product.
Optimality for Coherent Systems When the Dimensionality Is Restricted to D ≤ M − 2

The results derived in the previous chapter indicate that when dimensionality is unrestricted, the optimal signal set is the regular simplex which requires M − 1 degrees of freedom. We now extend Balakrishnan’s variational theory of the signal-design problem to provide optimal signal sets for the case where the dimensionality is restricted to be less than M − 1. In particular, we now reduce by 1 the allowed degrees of freedom from that required for the regular simplex and look for optimal signal sets when D ≤ M − 2, which corresponds to an equivalent reduction on the allowed bandwidth.
Cumulative and Differential Effects of Early Child Care and Middle Childhood Out-of-School Time on Adolescent Functioning

Effects associated with early child care and out-of-school time (OST) during middle childhood were examined in a large sample of U.S. adolescents (N = 958). Both higher quality early child care AND more epochs of organized activities (afterschool programs and extracurricular activities) during middle childhood were linked to higher academic achievement at age 15. Differential associations were found in the behavioral domain. Higher quality early child care was associated with fewer externalizing problems, whereas more hours of early child care was linked to greater impulsivity. More epochs of organized activities was associated with greater social confidence. Relations between early child care and adolescent outcomes were not mediated or moderated by OST arrangements in middle childhood, consistent with independent, additive relations of these nonfamilial settings.
A 3.8 Å Resolution Cryo-EM Structure of a Small Protein Bound to a Modular Imaging Scaffold

Proteins smaller than about 50 kDa are currently too small to be imaged by cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM), leaving most protein molecules in the cell beyond the reach of this powerful structural technique. Here we use a designed protein scaffold to bind and symmetrically display 12 copies of a small 26 kDa protein. We show that the bound cargo protein is held rigidly enough to visualize it at a resolution of 3.8 A by cryo-EM, where basic structural features of the protein are visible. The designed scaffold is modular and can be modified through modest changes in its amino acid sequence to bind and display diverse proteins for imaging, thus providing a general method to break through the lower size limitation in cryo-EM.
Evaporation Dynamics from Ag-Doped He Droplets upon Laser Excitation

Silver clusters were assembled in helium droplets of different sizes ranging from 104 to 1011 atoms. The clusters were heated upon laser irradiation at 355 nm, and evaporation dynamics of He atoms were studied by quadrupole mass spectroscopy using signals from He+, He2+, and He4+ splitter ions. We found that for droplets containing less than 107 atoms the laser irradiation leads to evaporation of He atoms. However, the laser irradiation leads to the breakup of the large droplets into smaller ones.
Harvest–release decisions in recreational fisheries

Most fishery regulations aim to control angler harvest. Yet, we lack a basic understanding of what actually determines the angler’s decision to harvest or release fish caught. We used XGBoost, a ma...
Refuting the False Trope on Clinical Courses and Bar Passage

There has been much debate on the possible influence of enrollment in clinical courses on a law student’s likelihood of passing the bar examination. Until recently, there was a shortage of empirical studies to back up opinions on the relationship and the actions of law schools to impose restrictions on clinical courses. This article discusses two new, large-scale studies (one at two law schools and the other by the California State Bar) on the relationship between law school coursework and bar passage. Both studies found no relationship between the number of law clinic or externship courses or credits a law school graduate took and her likelihood of later passing the bar exam. The studies also found little evidence to support opinions on the value of bar subject-matter courses, suggesting that broad claims about the benefit of taking those courses should be moderated.
Clinicopathologic Analysis of Appendiceal Goblet Cell Adenocarcinoma with Peritoneal Metastasis: WHO Grade Predicts Survival Following Cytoreductive Surgery with Intraperitoneal Chemotherapy

AIMS Peritoneal spread is the most common route of metastasis in appendiceal goblet cell adenocarcinoma. The aim of this study was to assess the prognostic significance of the World Health Organization (WHO) 5th edition grading criteria in peritoneal metastases of goblet cell adenocarcinoma. METHODS AND RESULTS We evaluated the clinicopathological features and survival of 63 patients with peritoneal metastasis of goblet cell adenocarcinoma who underwent cytoreductive surgery with hyperthermic intraperitoneal chemoperfusion (CRS-HIPEC), stratified according to the WHO 5th edition and the Tang et al. grading schemes. The patients were also compared with 120 patients with peritoneal metastasis of appendiceal mucinous neoplasia. Most (73%) peritoneal metastases of goblet cell adenocarcinoma were WHO Grade 3 (G3), there being fewer cases of Grade 2 (G2) (16%) and Grade 1 (G1) (11%) disease. No significant differences in overall survival were observed between WHO G1 and G2 tumours or between the three Tang grades. In the multivariable model of survival, WHO G3 [hazard ratio (HR) 2.81, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.02-7.70] and the presence of >50% extracellular mucin (HR 2.30, 95% CI 1.09-4.88) were associated with reduced overall survival for patients with goblet cell adenocarcinoma. As compared with patients with peritoneal metastasis of mucinous neoplasia, patients with goblet cell adenocarcinoma had significantly reduced survival (median overall survival of 37 months versus 102 months, P < 0.001), which was attributed to the reduced survival of patients with G1/G2 goblet cell adenocarcinoma as compared with patients with G1 mucinous neoplasia (median survival of 98 months versus 204 months, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS Grade of peritoneal goblet cell adenocarcinoma determined according to the WHO 5th edition criteria is a clinically relevant measure that independently predicts survival in patients treated with CRS-HIPEC.
Beyond Abstinence: The Need for Safe, Impartial Evaluation in Mediation

The field of mediation has schizophrenic views about evaluation. Many academics and trainers argue that it is improper, but lawyers consistently say they value mediators’ opinions. This article argues that evaluation in a broad sense is essential to a mediator’s role, and that the real issue is not whether mediators should evaluate, but when and how to do so. Mediators, it suggests, handle evaluations in three ways: expressing them directly, suggesting them implicitly or “leakily,” or keeping them silent and hidden. The article analyzes how mediators may communicate an opinion implicitly and unconsciously through gestures, tone of voice and other non-explicit methods. Advocating total abstinence does not stop evaluation, we suggest. Rather it results in mediators evaluating without proper training or an understanding of what they are doing. Evaluation, we say, is the mediative equivalent of surgery in medicine: something to be avoided if possible and used sparingly, but a treatment that can be effective in promoting settlement if done with awareness and good technique.
Centaur: Hybrid Processing in On/Off-chip Memory Architecture for Graph Analytics

The increased use of graph algorithms in diverse fields has highlighted their inefficiencies in current chip-multiprocessor (CMP) architectures, primarily due to their seemingly random-access patterns to off-chip memory. Recently, two families of solutions have been proposed: 1) solutions that offload operations generated by all vertices from the processor cores to off-chip memory; and 2) solutions that offload only operations generated by high-degree vertices to dedicated on-chip memory, while the cores continue to process the work related to the remaining vertices. Neither approach is optimal over the full range of vertex’s degrees. Thus, in this work, we propose Centaur, a novel architecture that processes operations on vertex data in on- and off-chip memory. Centaur utilizes a vertex’s degree as a proxy to determine whether to process related operations in on- or off-chip memory. Centaur manages to provide up to 4.0× improvement in performance and 3.8× in energy benefits, compared to a baseline CMP, and up to a 2.0× performance boost over state-of-the-art specialized solutions.
Research on Online Knowledge Payment Marketing Model from the Perspective of Media Economics

With the rapid development of media economy, knowledge payment marketing strategy plays an increasingly important role in all areas of life. From the perspective of media economy, it is particularly important for the survival and development of future enterprises to analyze the online knowledge paid marketing mode and improve the online knowledge paid marketing skills. Knowledge payment is a form of sharing and communication, which refers to a process in which knowledge disseminators transfer different skills and intellectual resources on a public or specific platform through network payment. From the perspective of media economics, the future pay for knowledge marketing model should focus on strengthening knowledge service, establishing and improving user response mechanism, coordinating offline resources, strengthening Internet interactive operation of knowledge community and ultimately optimizing the source of paid knowledge. This paper makes a detailed analysis and Research on the common modes of knowledge payment, hoping to bring new inspiration and new ideas to the marketing mode of the company.
When should we obtain a routine EEG while managing people with epilepsy

Abstract More than eight decades after its discovery, routine electroencephalogram (EEG) remains a safe, noninvasive, inexpensive, bedside test of neurological function. Knowing when a routine EEG should be obtained while managing people with epilepsy is a critical aspect of optimal care. Despite advances in neuroimaging techniques that aid diagnosis of structural lesions in the central nervous system, EEG continues to provide critical diagnostic evidence with implications on treatment. A routine EEG performed after a first unprovoked seizure can support a clinical diagnosis of epilepsy and differentiate those without epilepsy, classify an epilepsy syndrome to impart prognosis, and characterize seizures for antiseizure management. Despite a current viral pandemic, EEG services continue, and the value of routine EEG is unchanged.
A high-voltage, low-temperature molten sodium battery enabled by metal halide catholyte chemistry

Summary Despite its promise as a safe, reliable system for grid-scale electrical energy storage, traditional molten sodium (Na) battery deployment remains limited by cost-inflating high-temperature operation. Here, we describe a high-performance sodium iodide-gallium chloride (NaI-GaCl3) molten salt catholyte that enables a dramatic reduction in molten Na battery operating temperature from near 300°C to 110°C. We demonstrate stable, high-performance electrochemical cycling in a high-voltage (3.65 V) Na-NaI battery for >8 months at 110°C. Supporting this demonstration, characterization of the catholyte physical and electrochemical properties identifies critical composition, voltage, and state of charge boundaries associated with this enabling inorganic molten salt electrolyte. Symmetric and full cell testing show that the catholyte salt can support practical current densities in a low-temperature system. Collectively, these studies describe the critical catholyte properties that may lead to the realization of a new class of low-temperature molten Na batteries.
SHALE ROCKS AS NUCLEAR WASTE REPOSITORIES: HYDROTHERMAL REACTIONS WITH GLASS, CERAMIC AND SPENT FUEL WASTE FORMS*

The objectives of various contributions from this laboratory have been to simulate “worst case” situations, given a proposed choice of waste form, repository rock, and waste loading/waste age. The “worst case” seems to be the situation in which either young waste or high waste loadings produce a high temperature in a repository in which a fluid phase is present.
Epstein-Barr virus and nonhuman primates: natural and experimental infection.

Publisher Summary This chapter analyzes the interrelationships between Epstein-Barr herpes virus (EBV) and primates other than man. It also discusses the aspects of the discovery of the virus, its association with Burkitt lymphoma, infectious mononucleosis, and nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and its biologic properties studied in vitro . The studies of EBV in nonhuman primates have been useful in many respects. They have provided clues about the evolution of this highly adapted human parasite. Infection of nonhuman primate cells in vitro has yielded a regular source of cell-free virus for laboratory studies and has also clearly demonstrated the importance of host-specified control mechanisms in the regulation of the expression of viral information in transformed cells. The experimental infection of primates was successful once adequate amounts of transforming virus were available and once the virus host range was better defined by the means of in vitro transformation. Subsequent study allowed a direct demonstration of the capacity of EBV to cause lymphoreticuloproliferative disease. The identification of susceptible primate hosts now offers promise of the detailed analysis of the pathogenesis of EBV-induced disease and of the comparison of the pathogenic properties of different EBV-related viruses.
Impact of Concomitant Endometriosis on Phenotype and Natural History of Inflammatory Bowel Disease.

Background Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and endometriosis are immune-mediated chronic inflammatory disorders affecting young women. The clinical significance of concomitant endometriosis on the course of IBD has not been previously studied. The aim of this study was to determine whether women with concomitant endometriosis and IBD have a unique phenotype and worse prognosis of IBD. Methods This was a case-control study performed at a tertiary referral center. Cases were women with diagnoses of both endometriosis and IBD. Two random IBD controls without endometriosis were selected for each case, frequency matched for age and IBD type, Crohn's disease (CD) or ulcerative colitis. Primary outcomes included disease phenotype; the use of immunomodulators, antiTNF agents, or combination therapy and the need for IBD-related surgery. Results We identified 51 cases with endometriosis and IBD (28 CD, 23 ulcerative colitis). There was no difference in race, age at IBD diagnosis, and mean duration of IBD between endometriosis-IBD cases and controls. Among endometriosis-CD patients whose endometriosis was surgically verified, there was a higher risk for stricturing disease compared with CD controls (odds ratio, 11.8; 95% confidence interval, 2.03-69.0). There was no difference in phenotype in endometriosis-ulcerative colitis patients. There were no significant differences in IBD-related medication use or surgeries overall or when stratified by IBD type. Conclusions Patients with CD and endometriosis, which was surgically diagnosed, were more likely to have stricturing CD. Concomitant endometriosis did not impact the natural history of IBD.
Role of stratigraphy in governing pore water seepage from salt marsh sediments

[1] Numerical modeling experiments have been used to study the effects of marsh stratigraphy on the seepage of pore water into tidal channels. If the mud-sand contact lies at the elevation of the channel bottom and the hydraulic conductivity of the basal sand is at least an order of magnitude greater than the overlying mud, the locus of maximum seepage shifts from the tide line, as in a purely mud marsh, to the toe of the creek bank. The ratio of creek bank seepage to bottom seepage also shifts from greater than to less than one. Furthermore, as the ratio of the hydraulic conductivities of sand to mud increases, the ratio of the total seepage from the sand-mud marsh to that from a pure mud marsh increases in a nonlinear fashion, reaching an asymptotic limit of about 20 at a conductivity ratio of about 1000. If the mud-sand boundary is progressively lowered so that mud also lies beneath the channel, the seepage dynamics gradually revert toward those of a purely mud marsh. The ecological implications of these results for regularly flooded, low marshes are discussed.
PC-SPES inhibits colon cancer growth in vitro and in vivo.

PC-SPES is a mixture of eight herbs with antiproliferative activity in prostate cancer cell lines and antitumor effects in animal models of prostate cancer. In addition, evidence of clinical efficacy in advanced prostate cancer has been reported. PC-SPES has also been shown to have antitumor activity against several other cancer cell lines including breast and neuroepithelial cancer, melanoma, and leukemia cell lines. Because of these findings, we investigated the effects of PC-SPES in vitro in colon cancer cell lines SW480, SW620, and DLD-1 and in vivo in the Apc(min) mouse, a murine model for intestinal carcinogenesis. For the in vitro studies, colon cancer cell lines were exposed to an ethanolic extract of PC-SPES compared with a diluent control [ethanol or =60%) accumulation of cells in the G(2)-M phase with a concomitant decrease of cells in the G(0)-G(1) phase in all colon cancer cell lines studied after treatment with PC-SPES (1.5 micro l/ml for 48 h). Western blot analysis demonstrated a decrease in protein levels of beta-tubulin in the SW620 cell line exposed to PC-SPES. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated nick end labeling analysis revealed an increase in apoptotic colon cancer cells incubated with PC-SPES. For the in vivo studies, female 4-5-week-old Apc(min) mice were randomized to two groups: a PC-SPES-treated group (n = 11) received 250 mg/kg/day (0.2 ml) PC-SPES via gastrointestinal gavage; and a control group (n = 10) received 0.2 ml of the vehicle solution (1.5% carboxymethylcellulose with 0.2% Tween 20) via gastrointestinal gavage. Both groups were treated five times a week for 10 weeks. After treatment, the gastrointestinal tract was dissected for polyp scoring by two observers blinded to treatment. The Apc(min) mice given PC-SPES had a 58% reduction in tumor number and a 56% decrease in tumor load. No effect on either food intake or body weight was observed in the treated versus sham groups. The present study is the first to report the potent activity of PC-SPES against colon cancer. Both cell cycle arrest and apoptosis occurred after treatment with PC-SPES. This suggests that the components of this herbal mixture, either independently or in combination, acted in colon cancer, resulting in a drastic effect on tumor initiation and tumor progression.
Towards systematic evaluation of the evadability of bot/botnet detection methods

Automated bot/botnet detection is a difficult problem given the high level of attacker power. We propose a systematic approach for evaluating the evadability of detection methods. An evasion tactic has two associated costs: implementation complexity and effect on botnet utility. An evasion tactic's implementation complexity is based on the ease with which bot writers can incrementally modify current bots to evade detection. Modifying a bot in order to evade a detection method may result in a less useful botnet; to explore this, we identify aspects of botnets that impact their revenue-generating capability. For concreteness, we survey some leading automated bot/botnet detection methods, identify evasion tactics for each, and assess the costs of these tactics. We also reconsider assumptions about botnet control that underly many botnet detection methods.
A Successful Electronic Ignition System thru Fundamental Problem Analysis

This paper explains the Ford solid state ignition system and the objectives and design philosophy that was used in the development of the system. Further, a review of the design and production validation test plans is discussed. With this background, specific examples of the effectiveness of complete problem analysis for fundamental cause and corrective action is presented in addition to control methods and evaluation of corrective action.
Isolation and properties of an encephalitogenic protein from bovine, rabbit, and human central nervous system tissue.

Abstract Sodium citrate extracts of acetone-ether-defatted rabbit, bovine, and human central nervous system tissue were chromatographed on carboxymethyl cellulose and Sephadex G-50. From each of these three tissues a protein was isolated which produced experimental allergic encephalomyelitis in 90% of recipient rabbits. The disc polyacrylamide gel electrophoretic pattern of the protein was consistent with a high degree of homogeneity. The basic amino acids constituted nearly 25% of the total. There was no half-cystine and only traces of methionine and isoleucine. Phenylalanine accounted for 90% or more of the amino-terminal amino acids, and tryptic digestion of the untreated protein gave 8 to 10 major peptide spots. The sedimentation of the protein in a 10 to 20% sucrose gradient, its elution volume from a Sephadex G-50 column, and calculations based on the results of amino acid analysis and dinitrophenylation were all consistent with a molecular weight of 4000 to 8000.
Evaluating Montessori Education

An analysis of students9 academic and social scores compares a Montessori school with other elementary school education programs.
Testicular immune privilege promotes transplantation tolerance by altering the balance between memory and regulatory T cells.

Immune responses are suppressed in immunologically privileged sites, which may provide a unique opportunity to prolong allograft survival. However, it is unknown whether testicular immune privilege promotes transplantation tolerance. Mechanisms underlying immune privilege are also not well understood. Here we found that islet transplantation in the testis, an immunologically privileged site, generates much less memory CD8 + T cells but induces more Ag-specific CD4 + CD25 + regulatory T cells than in a conventional site. These CD4 + CD25 + cells exhibited the suppression of alloimmune responses in vivo and in vitro. Despite the immune regulation, intratesticular islet allografts all were rejected within 42 days after transplantation although they survived longer than renal subcapsular islet allografts. However, blocking CD40/CD40L costimulation induced the tolerance of intratesticular, but not renal subcapsular, islet allografts. Tolerance to intratesticular islet allografts spread to skin allografts in the non-privileged sites. Either transfer of memory CD8 + T cells or deletion of CD25 + T cells in vivo broke islet allograft tolerance. Thus, transplantation tolerance requires both costimulatory blockade, which suppresses acute allograft rejection, and a favorable balance between memory and regulatory T cells that could favorably prevent late allograft failure. These findings reveal novel mechanisms of immune privilege and provide direct evidence that testicular immune privilege fosters the induction of transplantation tolerance to allografts in both immunologically privileged and non-privileged sites.
Multidimensional rotations for quantization

Laplacian and generalized Gaussian data arise in image and speech coding. Simple rotations of independent, identically distributed Laplacian and generalized Gaussian data in multiple dimensions can improve the granular and overload characteristics for quantization. In this paper, we describe the practical properties of multidimensional rotations for both scalar and lattice quantization and then apply them to image compression over noisy channels. >
Effect of the 17- and 23-kilodalton polypeptides, calcium, and chloride on electron transfer in photosystem II

Electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements were performed on photosystem II (PSII) membranes that were treated with 2 M NaCl to release the 17- and 23-kilodalton (kDa) polypeptides. By using 75 microM 3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-1,1-dimethylurea to limit the photosystem II samples to one stable charge separation in the temperature range of 77-273 K, we have quantitated the EPR signals of the several electron donors and acceptors of photosystem II. It was found that removal of the 17- and 23-kDa polypeptides caused low potential cytochrome b559 to become fully oxidized during the course of dark adaptation. Following illumination at 77-130 K, one chlorophyll molecule per reaction center was oxidized. Between 130 and 200 K, both a chlorophyll molecule and the S1 state were photooxidized and, together, accounted for one oxidation per reaction center. Above 200 K, the chlorophyll radical was unstable. Oxidation of the S1 state gave rise to the S2-state multiline EPR signal, which arises from the Mn site of the O2-evolving center. The yield of the S2-state multiline EPR signal in NaCl-washed PSII membranes was as high as 93% of the control, untreated PSII membranes, provided that both Ca2+ and Cl- were bound. Furthermore, the 55Mn nuclear hyperfine structure of the S2-state multiline EPR signal was unaltered upon depletion of the 17- and 23-kDa polypeptides. In NaCl-washed PSII samples where Ca2+ and/or Cl- were removed, however, the intensity of the S2-state multiline EPR signal decreased in parallel with the fraction of PSII lacking bound Ca2+ and Cl-.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Phase diagram of the three-band half-filled Cu-O two-leg ladder

We determine the phase diagram of the half-filled two-leg ladder both at weak and strong coupling, taking into account the Cu d(x)(2)-y(2) and the O p(x) and p(y) orbitals. At weak coupling, renormalization group flows are interpreted with the use of bosonization. Two different models with and without outer oxygen orbitals are examined. For physical parameters, and in the absence of the outer oxygen orbitals, the D-Mott phase arises; a dimerized phase appears when the outer oxygen atoms are included. We show that the circulating current phase that preserves translational symmetry does not appear at weak coupling. In the opposite strong-coupling atomic limit the model is purely electrostatic and the ground states may be found by simple energy minimization. The phase diagram so obtained is compared to the weak-coupling one.
Isotopic and trace element composition of the upper mantle beneath a young continental rift: Results from Kilbourne Hole, New Mexico

Abstract Clinopyroxenes (cpx) separated from discrete spinel lherzolite xenoliths from Kilbourne Hole, New Mexico, are compositionally and isotopically heterogeneous. On a Nd-Sr isotope correlation diagram, the cpx plot largely within the mantle array, from near Bulk Earth to depleted MORB values. None of the bulk xenoliths are equivalent to primitive mantle; all have undergone one or more depletion events and some have been enriched in incompatible elements. The lherzolites as well as the cpx show significant variations in incompatible element ratios including Sm/ Nd and Sr/Nd; moreover, 147 Sm 144 Nd and 143 Nd 144 Nd ratios of the cpx are positively correlated and suggestive of an 0.4 Ga fractionation event. Cpx from spinel pyroxenite dikes and lherzolite wallrocks of composite xenoliths are relatively homogeneous (isotopically) and similar to OIB and some MORB. The wallrocks are isotopically equilibrated with the pyroxenites or nearly so, and have negative Nd model ages; we infer that the pyroxenite-forming event caused enrichment in incompatible elements in the contiguous wallrock. The pyroxenite parent magma was probably a primitive basanite characterized by low Hf/Sm and Ti/Sm ratios relative to primitive mantle as a consequence of residual garnet. Our data confirm the presence of a MORB-related component in the mantle beneath Kilbourne Hole. This component is fertile with respect to basaltic constituents, is relatively LREE-depleted, and is isotopically similar to MORB; it is probably derived from asthenosphere. The isotopic heterogeneity of the discrete lherzolites requires a second, enriched component characterized by relatively low 143 Nd 144 Nd and high 87 Sr 86 Sr ratios and unsupported 143 Nd 144 Nd ratios. Old but disparate Sr and Nd model ages require that MORB-related spinel lherzolites have had a complicated history and differentiated from primitive mantle more than 1 b.y. ago. Two plausible models, one involving more than one depletion event and the second involving mixing of mantle components depleted at distinct times, can explain the common observation that Sr model ages are older than Nd model ages.
Potency of catecholamines and other L-tyrosine derivatives at the cloned mouse adrenergic receptors.

Abstract The adrenergic system is a neuromodulatory system whose endogenous ligands are considered to be the catecholamines norepinephrine (NE) and epinephrine (E). Evidence suggests that the catecholamine dopamine (DA) may also activate adrenergic signaling. Further, tyramine (TA) and octopamine (OA) are other monoamines that can be produced in catecholaminergic cells when tyrosine hydroxylase activity is low or absent, as in some genetic mouse models of adrenergic function. Here, we systematically examine the ability of these l -tyrosine-derived monoamines to activate all 10 known isoforms of the cloned mouse adrenergic receptors expressed in Chinese hamster ovary cells. In comparison to NE or E, DA is nearly as efficacious in this system but is from 1 to 4 orders of magnitude less potent. In comparison to DA, OA has roughly equivalent potency but is usually only a partial agonist. TA is either very weak or lacks agonism. Of note, all three mouse α1 receptors increase cAMP, in contrast to results reported for human α1d receptors. In addition, a 12-amino acid hemagglutinin epitope tag added to the N-terminus of α2 receptors selectively enhances the potency of NE ~10- to 100-fold, indicating that caution should be applied when interpreting physiological results from experiments using modified receptors.
Time-lapse video analysis of retinal ganglion cell axon pathfinding at the mammalian optic chiasm: growth cone guidance using intrinsic chiasm cues

The specific routing of retinal ganglion cell axons at the mammalian optic chiasm into the ipsilateral or contralateral optic tracts results from axon pathfinding. Using time-lapse microscopy, we show that encounters between axons from opposite eyes at the chiasm induce axon turning, but do not always aim retinal axons into the optic tracts. Following removal of one eye before retinal axons have invaded the chiasm, axons from the remaining eye are still routed into the correct optic tracts. Ipsilaterally projecting axons make turning decisions without pausing over 10-20 min, whereas contralaterally projecting axons occasionally pause before crossing the midline. Thus, initial pathfinding at the chiasm does not depend on binocular axon interactions, but on local cues that trigger differential growth cone responses.
Global invariant methods for object recognition

The general problem of single-view recognition is central to man image understanding and computer vision tasks; so central, that it has been characterized as the holy grail of computer vision. In previous work, we have shown how to approach the general problem of recognizing three dimensional geometric configurations (such as arrangements of lines, points, and conics) from a single two dimensional view, in a manner that is view independent. Our methods make use of advanced mathematical techniques from algebraic geometry, notably the theory of correspondences, and a novel equivariant geometric invariant theory. The machinery gives us a way to understand the relationship that exists between the 3D geometry and its residual in a 2D image. This relationship is shown to be a correspondence in the technical sense of algebraic geometry. Exploiting this, one can compute a set of fundamental equations in 3D and 2D invariants which generate the ideal of the correspondence, and which completely describe the mutual 3D/2D constraints. We have chosen to call these equations object/image equations. They can be exploited in a number of ways. For example, from a given 2D configuration, we can determine a set of non-linear constraints on the geometric invariants of a 3D configurations capable of imaging to the given 2D configuration (features on an object), we can derive a set of equations that constrain the images of that object; helping us to determine if that particular object appears in various images. One previous difficulty has been that the usual numerical geometric invariants get expressed as rational functions of the geometric parameters. As such they are not always defined. This leads to degeneracies in algorithms based on these invariants. We show how to replace these invariants by certain toric subvarieties of Grassmannians where the object/image equations become resultant like expressions for the existence of a non- trivial intersection of these subvarieties with certain Schubert varieties in the Grassmannian. We call this approach the global invariant approach. It greatly increases the robustness and numerical stability of the methods. This approach also has advantages when considering issue sin geometric computation, notably geometric hashing. Here we can exploit the natural metric on the Grassmannian to measure distances between objects and images. Our ultimate aim is the development of new algorithms for geometric content-based retrieval. Content-based retrieval of information from large-scale databases, particularly visual/geometric information contained in images, schematics, design drawings, and geometric models of environments, mechanical parts, or molecules, etc., will play an important role in future distributed information and knowledge system.