cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Horse Losses and Other Pleasures

Current law denies the deduction of losses from equestrian and other such activities if not undertaken for profit. The IRS wins almost all the contested cases, but the test is too indeterminate for the Service to enforce on a tax return.The proposal would defer the deduction of business losses until the claimed future income from the activity comes in. Loss deferral would apply automatically to activities specified by statute, including those associated with horses, dogs, airplanes, cars, and collectibles, and to activities from which significant participants derive recreation or pleasure. Deferral is limited to activities suppressed as a result of recreational value to encourage the general diversification of investments and to allow room for congressionally intended tax incentives. Losses unabsorbed by future revenue or capital gain would be allowed when the taxpayer sells or abandons the activity, but only for expenses incurred when the activity had an expected positive present value. If the investment proves unjustified in hindsight, we should be skeptical that the expenditures were an investment, and we should allow the losses only at termination and only through a refund claim.The proposal is offered as a part of the Shelf Project, a collaboration of tax professionals developing methods of raising revenue in ways that improve the fairness and efficiency of the tax base. Comments are welcome either as public debate, directed to the Tax Notes editor, or privately to cjohnson@law.utexas.edu.
Retrospective Study and Survey on Inpatients with Ancylostomiasis

Objective To understand the harmful effects of ancylostomiasis on human health and economic losing of the patients. Methods The survey was based on the Implementary Rules of National Status Survey on Important Parasitic Diseases, and SAS8.2 software was used to analyze the results. Results Most of the ancylostomiasis inpatients were farmers and their educational levels were junior high school or lower. Among all the cases, the rates of symptoms of digestive system, respiratory system, systemic syndromes and anemia were 49.87%, 13.46%, 69.00% and 81.00% respectively. The mean cost of each inpatients was $2,104.07, including mean cost of misdiagnoses and treatment which reached $1,101.77. Conclusion The anemia is still the main symptom of ancylostomiasis. To avoid making mistakes in diagnosis and treatment of ancylostomiasis is the key point to reducing the economic losing of the inpatients.
Reactive Voltage Control Strategy for AVC System in Huaihu UHV Project

The operation of Huaihu UHV project has set higher requirements for the reactive voltage control in East China Power Grid. The project automatic voltage control( AVC) system is designed to comprehensively consider various optimization goals while meeting the requirements of power frequency overvoltage limit,such as minimizing the low-capacity and low-resistance actions,minimizing cross reactive power between UHV substation and 500 kV power grid,and minimizing system active power loss. The above optimization objectives may be effectively achieved by Huaihu UHV AVC control strategy,which is characteristic of " Keeping a basic low-capacity and low-resistance switching model as priority,while taking automatic voltage corrective control as complementary". The key component of the control strategy is the reasonable low-capacity and low-resistance switching model of UHV substation. A set of effective switch modes applied to initial operation of UHV project have been obtained through calculating optimal switching strategies under various operation modes of UHV project.
On Self-innovation of Institute Library in the New Period

Starting from how to establish the scientific educational idea,the thesis proposes that in order to realize the self-innovation,institute library must establish the six thinking models including development thinking innovating,management sense innovating,service object innovating,special service innovating,service environment innovating and resource construction innovating so that its educational function can be given full play and fulfilled completely.
XML Similarity Detection and Measures

XML becomes a standard for data representation and exchange over the Internet. Due to the widespread use of XML, XML similarity detection plays an important role in facilitating many applications such as data integration, document classification/clustering, XML query and change management. In this paper we present a discussion on XML documents syntactic and semantic similarity measures along with existing research related to XML similarity detection. XML similarity measures could broadly be classified into two main categories: (1) structural similarity and (2) structural and content similarity. We review similarity detection approaches proposed in the literature and discuss some of the challenges and future directions for research on XML similarity detection and measurements.
Velocity map imaging of OH radical products from IR activated (CH3)2COO Criegee intermediates.

The unimolecular dissociation dynamics of the dimethyl-substituted Criegee intermediate (CH3)2COO is examined experimentally using velocity map imaging to ascertain the translational and internal energy distributions of the OH and H2CC(CH3)O radical products. The energy profile of key features along the reaction coordinate is also evaluated theoretically. Unimolecular decay of (CH3)2COO is initiated by vibrational activation in the CH stretch overtone region and the resultant OH X2Π3/2 (v = 0) products are state-selectively ionized and imaged. Analysis reveals an isotropic spatial distribution, indicative of a 3 ps lower limit for the timescale of dissociation, and a broad and unstructured total kinetic energy release distribution. The energy released to products is partitioned principally as internal excitation of the H2CC(CH3)O fragments with modest translational excitation of the fragments and a small degree of OH rotational excitation. The total kinetic energy release distribution observed for (CH3)2COO is compared with that predicted for statistical partitioning over product quantum states, and contrasted with recent experimental and quasi-classical trajectory results for syn-CH3CHOO [N. M. Kidwell et al., Nat. Chem. 8, 509 (2016)].
A Review of Current Events in Human Subjects Protection

Bioethics is a subject that has been gaining increased attention through the last few years. Factors such as globalization of research, genetic medicine, and tragic events in clinical trials have drawn attention to the importance of protecting human participants in medical research. The October 2000 revision of the Declaration of Helsinki and the release of two reports by the National Bioethics Advisory Commission are just a few examples of the recent efforts by policymaking bodies to modernize bioethical standards. This review provides an introduction to several of the groups that are participating in the reshaping of bioethical policy in the United States and around the globe. Although there are multiple bioethical issues currently being debated, three specific topics are discussed: the use of placebo controls in clinical trials, posttrial access to medicines, and financial conflicts of interest.
Mechanical amplifier squeezes Brownian motion

Experiments as diverse as atomic force microscopy and gravitational wave detectors rely on extremely sensitive sensors of mechanical force. A force sensor typically consists of a test mass, on which the force acts, and a transducer, which converts the motion of the test mass to an electrical signal. Often the electronic noise of the transducer is the limiting factor in the sensitivity of a force sensor.
Comfortably Numb and Back: Plasma Metabolomics Reveals Biochemical Adaptations in the Hibernating 13-Lined Ground Squirrel.

Hibernation is an evolutionary adaptation that affords some mammals the ability to exploit the cold to achieve extreme metabolic depression (torpor) while avoiding ischemia/reperfusion or hemorrhagic shock injuries. Hibernators cycle periodically out of torpor, restoring high metabolic activity. If understood at the molecular level, the adaptations underlying torpor-arousal cycles may be leveraged for translational applications in critical fields such as intensive care medicine. Here, we monitored 266 metabolites to investigate the metabolic adaptations to hibernation in plasma from 13-lined ground squirrels (57 animals, 9 time points). Results indicate that the periodic arousals foster the removal of potentially toxic oxidative stress-related metabolites, which accumulate in plasma during torpor while replenishing reservoirs of circulating catabolic substrates (free fatty acids and amino acids). Specifically, we identified metabolic fluctuations of basic amino acids lysine and arginine, one-carbon metabo...
Florenz Ziegfeld Jr.’s ‘Simple Idea’: Girls and Music in Tastefully Extravagant Settings

Florenz Ziegfeld, Jr. (1867–1932) in many ways epitomizes the early twentieth-century Broadway producer. He was perhaps most famous for his series of extravagant and spectacular revues, the Follies. Ziegfeld assembled an extraordinary creative team, including composers such as Irving Berlin, and was able to present and market his carefully chosen talent, especially the glorified Ziegfeld Girls, to tremendous success.
The Absence of Discrete Mathematics in Primary and Secondary Education in the United States… and Why that Is Counterproductive

This chapter describes the opportunity that discrete mathematics provides for supporting reasoning , problem solving , and systematic thinking in the school mathematics curriculum and illustrates this opportunity by providing a set of discrete mathematics problems that begin “Find all… .” It also provides a year-by-year model for how discrete mathematics can be included in the primary and secondary curriculum . Finally, the article describes some of the possible reasons why discrete mathematics was not included in the new national mathematics standards in the U.S., and why we consider these reasons misguided, in light of the opportunities provided when discrete mathematics is part of the curriculum.
Mitigating trans-boundary movement of Bemisia tabaci (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) on Mentha sp. by pre-shipping treatments of biopesticides

Abstract Bemisia tabaci (Gennadius) (Hemiptera: Aleyrodidae) cryptic species complex represents a major threat to several important crops including vegetables, cereals, fruits, and ornamentals worldwide. One important mode of its dispersal is through the trans-boundary (domestic, international) movement of infested plant materials. To prevent the spread of this invasive insect pest on inter-state ornamental shipments, the efficacy of biopesticides was tested through dip treatments of plant material pre-shipping. In several experiments, clean Mentha sp. (Lamiaceae), mint plants were exposed to adults of B. tabaci for 1 or 6 days. Adults were removed from plants and eggs, and immature stages were treated with one or a combination of the following: entomopathogenic fungi Beauveria bassiana (BotaniGard®), Isaria fumosorosea (Preferal®), the surfactant Natur'l Oil™, and soap (Publix®). After treatment application, plants were placed in commercial cardboard boxes and shipped from Apopka, Florida (FL) to Fort Pierce, FL. Assessments for the treatment efficacies were conducted at 3, 7, and 14 days post arrival of the shipment. Fungal entomopathogens; B. bassiana, I. fumosorosea, and the surfactant Natur'l Oil™, showed significant reduction in the whitefly population compared to the untreated control (P
Crystal Structure of P13K SH3 Domain at 2.0 Å Resolution

Abstract The P13K SH3 domain, residues 1 to 85 of the P1 – 3 kinase p85 subunit, has been characterized by X-ray diffraction. Crystals belonging to space group P 4 3 2 1 2 diffract to 2.0 A resolution and the structure was phased by single isomorphous replacement and anomalous scattering (SIRAS). As expected, the domain is a compact β barrel with an over-all conformation very similar to the independently determined NMR structures. The X-ray structure illuminates a discrepancy between the two NMR structures on the conformation of the loop region unique to P13K SH3. Furthermore, the ligand binding pockets of P13K SH3 domain are occupied by amino acid residues from symmetry-related P13K SH3 molecules: the C-terminal residues I(82) SPP of one and R18 of another. The interaction modes clearly resemble those observed for the P13K SH3 domain complexed with the synthetic peptide RLP1, a class 1 ligand, although there are significant differences. The solid-state interactions suggest a model of protein – protein aggregation that could be mediated by SH3 domains.
Does argon anoxia cause a color change in Prussian blue pigment

The study focused on the effect of anoxic treatment on the discoloration of Prussian blue-dyed textiles and paper. Prussian blue pigment has been known to change color in the presence of light and ...
HUMAN B CELL ACTIVATION IN VITRO: ANTIGEN-SPECIFIC HELPER AND SUPPRESSOR EFFECTS ARE MEDIATED BY DISTINCT T CELL SUBPOPULATIONS

Publisher Summary This chapter explores human B cell activation in vitro. In a study described in the chapter, the the Tγ-enriched, the Tγ-depleted, and the Tμ-enriched cells were isolated by rosetting. The regulatory effects on the antigen-induced PFC response were tested using the method of Dosch and Gelfand. To test helper cell activity, the various T cell fractions were cultured with B cells, 5% adherent cells, and either 5 × 10 6 sheep red-blood cells (SE)/culture or 3 μg Ovalbumin (OA)/ml of culture medium. It was demonstrated that the helper activity is residing in the Tγ depleted- and the Tγ-enriched fraction. It was also demonstrated that peripheral blood T cells expressing helper function in the antigen-induced antibody response are located in the Tμ cell subpopulation, whereas T suppressor function is exerted by T cells present in the Tγ subpopulation. These subpopulations differ in their sensitivity toward irradiation. The activity of T helper cells can be replaced in vitro by a T cell factor that is released into the medium after 120 h of culture.
Crustal Deformation Metrology at Lamont-Doherty Geological Observatory

Lamont-Doherty seismologists are engaged in field measurement programs in Alaska, California and China related to the prediction of earthquakes through the acquisition of crustal deformation data. In many of the programs we have identified measurement problems that we have attempted to solve by the development and deployment of suitable instrumentation. In the following report we mention some of the more interesting recent results from these programs and dwell on the qualities of new instruments and techniques that we are presently developing. These include sea level monitoring instruments, borehole pressure gauges, a hydrostatic level for use in vertical geodesy, long-baseline water tube tiltmeters and a subsurface radar-profiling system used for locating and mapping active faults.
Finite state machine implementation for left ventricle modeling and control

Simulation of a left ventricle has become a critical facet of evaluating therapies and operations that interact with cardiac performance. The ability to simulate a wide range of possible conditions, changes in cardiac performance, and production of nuisances at transition points enables evaluation of precision medicine concepts that are designed to function through this spectrum. Ventricle models have historically been based on biomechanical analysis, with model architectures constituted of continuous states and not conducive to deterministic processing. Producing a finite-state machine governance of a left ventricle model would enable a broad range of applications: physiological controller development, experimental left ventricle control, and high throughput simulations of left ventricle function. A method for simulating left ventricular pressure-volume control utilizing a preload, afterload, and contractility sensitive computational model is shown. This approach uses a logic-based conditional finite state machine based on the four pressure-volume phases that describe left ventricular function. This was executed with a physical system hydraulic model using MathWorks’ Simulink® and Stateflow tools. The approach developed is capable of simulating changes in preload, afterload, and contractility in time based on a patient’s preload analysis. Six pressure–volume loop simulations are presented to include a base-line, preload change only, afterload change only, contractility change only, a clinical control, and heart failure with normal ejection fraction. All simulations produced an error of less than 1 mmHg and 1 mL of the absolute difference between the desired and simulated pressure and volume set points. The acceptable performance of the fixed-timestep architecture in the finite state machine allows for deployment to deterministic systems, such as experimental systems for validation. The proposed approach allows for personalized data, revealed through an individualized clinical pressure–volume analysis, to be simulated in silico. The computational model architecture enables this control structure to be executed on deterministic systems that govern experimental left ventricles. This provides a mock circulatory system with the ability to investigate the pathophysiology for a specific individual by replicating the exact pressure–volume relationship defined by their left ventricular functionality; as well as perform predictive analysis regarding changes in preload, afterload, and contractility in time.
Traffic Management for Urban Air Mobility.

Urban air mobility (UAM) refers to on-demand air transportation services within an urban area. We seek to perform mission planning for vehicles in a UAM fleet, while guaranteeing system safety requirements such as traffic separation. In this paper, we present a localized hierarchical planning procedure for the traffic management problem of a fleet of (potentially autonomous) UAM vehicles. We apply decentralized policy synthesis for route planning on individual vehicles, which are modeled by Markov decision processes. We divide the operating region into sectors and use reactive synthesis to generate local runtime enforcement modules or shields, each of which satisfies its own assume-guarantee contract that encodes requirements of conflict management, safety, and interactions with neighbouring sectors. We prove that the realization of these contracts ensures that the entire network of shields satisfies the safety specifications with each shield limited to acting in its local sector of operation.
Therapeutic Challenges with Catastrophic Antiphospholipid Antibody Syndrome: A Case Report.

Antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (APS) is a multisystem disorder characterized by thromboembolic events in the presence of antiphospholipid antibodies (APLA). Catastrophic antiphospholipid antibody syndrome (CAPS) is an uncommon variant of APS which is associated with widespread coagulopathy that predominantly affects small vessels. Despite maximal treatment, CAPS has a very high mortality rate. We present a case of a 42-year-old woman with a history of APS who presented to our hospital with complaints of epistaxis, hemoptysis, menorrhagia, and shortness of breath. She was diagnosed with CAPS and developed multiorgan failure and sepsis. Despite maximal treatment with immune modulators, she unfortunately succumbed. With this case, we highlight the importance of early recognition of CAPS and review various treatment modalities that have been proven beneficial. Despite these modalities, CAPS remains a therapeutic challenge in many cases and has a high mortality rate.
Next-generation in situ conservation and educational outreach in Madagascar using a mobile genetics lab

Abstract Madagascar is a biodiversity hotspot that is facing rapid rates of deforestation, habitat destruction and poverty. Urgent action is required to document the status of biodiversity to facilitate efficacious conservation plans. Within country, new generations of Malagasy scientists and conservationists are taking on leadership roles, although many lack access to modern genetic sequencing and are underrepresented in academic publications, when compared to international counterparts. With the recent advent of portable and affordable genetic technologies, it is now possible to tackle logistical considerations. Mobile genetics labs, with the capacity for in situ DNA extraction, amplification and sequencing, can produce scientifically reproducible data under field conditions, minimizing the time between sample collection and data analysis. Additionally, mobile labs offer powerful training opportunities for in-country scientists that enable local students and researchers to actively participate and contribute fully to the research enterprise, and that further empower these communities to contribute to the conservation dialog. Here, we show “proof of concept” by deploying a miniaturized thermal cycler alongside the Oxford Nanopore MinION DNA sequencer in Madagascar, including in the newly established Anjajavy Protected Area in northwestern Madagascar. We successfully extracted DNA from tissue samples collected using minimally-invasive techniques, amplified and sequenced a phylogenetically informative mitochondrial gene (cytochrome-b; cytb), and thereby confirmed the presence of Danfoss’ mouse lemur (M. danfossi) within the Anjajavy Reserve. To demonstrate the reproducibility of our methods, we successfully performed our established molecular and analytical pipeline at two additional locations in Madagascar, where we also conducted two-day workshops at local higher-education Institutions to demonstrate the process from tissue samples to DNA sequencing. Ultimately, we show that a mobile genetics lab can provide reliable and expeditious results, become a powerful educational tool, and allow scientists to conduct genetic analyses, potentially allowing for rapid interventions under emergency conditions in situ.
Reduced functional connectivity of default mode network subsystems in depression: Meta-analytic evidence and relationship with trait rumination.

Abstract Resting-state functional connectivity changes in the default mode network (DMN) of patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) have been linked to rumination. The DMN is divided into three subsystems: a midline Core, a dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (DMPFC) subsystem, and a medial temporal lobe (MTL) subsystem. We examined resting-state functional connectivity within and between DMN subsystems in MDD and its association with rumination. First, we conducted a meta-analysis on a large multi-site dataset of 618 MDD and 683 controls to quantify the differences in DMN subsystem functional connectivity between MDD and controls. Second, we tested the association of DMN subsystem functional connectivity and rumination in a sample of 115 unmedicated participants with symptoms of anxiety/depression and 48 controls. In our meta-analysis, only functional connectivity in the DMN Core was significantly reduced in MDD compared to controls (g = −0.246, CI = [−0.417; −0.074], pFDR = 0.048). Functional connectivity in the DMPFC subsystem and between the Core and DMPFC subsystems was slightly reduced but not significantly (g = −0.162, CI = [−0.310; −0.013], pFDR = 0.096; g = −0.249, CI = [−0.464; −0.034], pFDR = 0.084). Results were heterogeneous across sites for connectivity in the Core and between Core and DMPFC (I2 = 0.348 and I2 = 0.576 respectively). Prediction intervals consistently encompassed 0. In the independent sample we collected, functional connectivity within the DMN Core, DMPFC and between Core and DMPFC was not reduced in MDD compared to controls (all pFDR > 0.05). Trait rumination did not predict connectivity within and between DMN subsystems (all pFDR > 0.05). We conclude that MDD as a diagnostic category shows slightly reduced functional connectivity within the DMN Core, independent of illness duration, treatment, symptoms and trait rumination. However, this effect is small, highly variable and heterogeneous across samples, so that we could only detect it at the meta-analytic level, with a sample size of several hundreds. Our results indicate that reduced Core DMN connectivity has significant limitations as a potential clinical or prognostic marker for the diagnosis of MDD and might be more relevant to consider as a characteristic distinguishing a subgroup of individuals within this diagnostic category.
Interparticle Delivery and Detection of Volatile Singlet Oxygen at Air/Solid Interfaces

An interparticle system has been devised, allowing airborne singlet oxygen to transfer between particle surfaces. Singlet oxygen is photogenerated on a sensitizer particle, where it then travels th...
Analysis of Airbnb Prices using Machine Learning Techniques

Predicting a continuous variable with accuracy is not an easy task. In this paper, we initially perform data cleaning and data pre-processing. We, then, perform descriptive, prescriptive, and exploratory analysis to get a better understanding about the nature of the data. These analyses helped to understand the important attribute that needs to be taken towards the prediction of the price for our Airbnb listings. Even after performing data cleaning on the data set, there can be some outliers that are needed to be deeply examined, and therefore the outlier detection was performed on the dataset and flagged outliers were removed from the dataset. For predicting the prices, the models that were implemented are linear and Logistic regression and Random Forest. After implementing the above mentioned three approaches the best model was chosen based on the RMSE value of the model. In this paper, the least value of RMSE was for the Random Forest Method.
The role of laparoscopic surgery in repeat ileocolic resection for Crohn's disease.

Aim Laparoscopic surgery is the preferred approach for primary uncomplicated ileocolic resection (ICR); however, its role for repeat resections is unclear. This study assessed the outcomes of primary and repeated ICRs for Crohn's disease to examine rates of laparoscopy and patient morbidity. Methods A retrospective review of a prospectively maintained database was conducted at a tertiary centre between 2013 and 2019. All patients undergoing ICRs for Crohn's disease were included. The cohort was divided into three groups based on number of resections-primary (1R), secondary (2R) and tertiary or more (>2R) groups. The primary outcome was 30-day postoperative morbidity. Results Over a 6-year period, 474 patients underwent ICR for Crohn's disease, including 369 primary (1R, 77.8%) and 105 repeat (≥2R, 22.2%) resections. A laparoscopic approach was less common in the ≥2R versus 1R groups (79.0% vs. 93.8%, P 2R, n = 29), the rates of conversion (10%) and morbidity (14%) were relatively low. Conclusion In this contemporary series of primary and reoperative ICR for ileal CD, a laparoscopic approach is feasible and safe for the majority of repeat ICRs when performed at a high volume centre.
Tumor suppressor p53 regulates intestinal type 2 immunity.

The role of p53 in tumor suppression has been extensively studied and well-established. However, the role of p53 in parasitic infections and the intestinal type 2 immunity is unclear. Here, we report that p53 is crucial for intestinal type 2 immunity in response to the infection of parasites, such as Tritrichomonas muris and Nippostrongylus brasiliensis. Mechanistically, p53 plays a critical role in the activation of the tuft cell-IL-25-type 2 innate lymphoid cell circuit, partly via transcriptional regulation of Lrmp in tuft cells. Lrmp modulates Ca2+ influx and IL-25 release, which are critical triggers of type 2 innate lymphoid cell response. Our results thus reveal a previously unrecognized function of p53 in regulating intestinal type 2 immunity to protect against parasitic infections, highlighting the role of p53 as a guardian of immune integrity. P53 is a well-known tumour suppressor, however its role in intestinal type 2 immunity is currently unclear. Here authors report that during parasitic infections, p53 triggers tuft cell Ca2+ influx and IL-25 release, and shows a regulatory role for p53 in intestinal type 2 immunity via transcriptional regulation of the Lrmp gene.
The Drosophila Giant Fiber System

Normal functioning of the nervous system depends on the formation of vast numbers of specific connections between neurons. During development, each of the thousands, millions, or billions of cells in a nervous system connects with a specific set of target cells. We currently have no knowledge of the molecular basis of this specificity. The long-term goal of our work is to identify genes that are directly involved in neural connectivity and then to use this knowledge to identify the gene products necessary for proper connectivity. It will be a major advance in neuroscience if the class (or classes) of molecules involved in nerve-cell recognition and connection can be identified.
Water and propylene carbonate as storage and switching media in pulsed power systems

The electrical characteristics of two polar liquids, water and propylene carbonate, under high electric stress have been studied. The liquids were placed between a hemispherical electrode of 1.7mm diameter and a plane electrode with gap distances of 200 /spl mu/m and 400 /spl mu/n. A voltage pulse of 200 ns duration was applied by means of a Blumlein pulse generator. The increase in current with voltage was recorded up to the breakdown voltage, including the transition phase to breakdown. Schlieren diagnostics, with a temporal resolution of 2 ns, was used to study the changes in the index of refraction of water when it was used as the switch medium, both before and during breakdown. The results of our measurements showed that the electrodes determine, to a large extent, the hold-off voltage. By polishing the stainless steel electrodes, the breakdown strength was increased from 1 MV/cm to 2.2 MV/cm for propylene carbonate as dielectric. Similar increases were found for water as dielectric between polished electrodes. The rate of current rise after breakdown was measured as 4.5-10/sup 11/ A/s for distilled water, a value which is comparable to that measured in gas switches. The Schlieren photographs showed that, depending on the polarity, the breakdown is preceded by the treeing of streamers into the gap.
The Discovery of Mankind: Atlantic Encounters in the Age of Columbus – By David Abulafia

This work is a synthetic retelling of the history of the earliest encounters between Europeans and other denizens of the Atlantic world. Its focus is on the Canary Islands and the Iberian New World...
A review of acitretin for the treatment of psoriasis.

Background: Acitretin is an oral retinoid that is approved for the treatment of psoriasis. It is unique compared to other systemic therapies for psoriasis such as methotrexate and cyclosporine in t...
Bis(tetra­ethyl­ammonium) oxalate dihydrate

The title compound, 2C8H20N+·C2O42−·2H2O, synthesized by neutralizing H2C2O4·2H2O with (C2H5)4NOH in a 1:2 molar ratio, is a deliquescent solid. The oxalate ion is nonplanar, with a dihedral angle between carboxyl­ate groups of 64.37 (2)°. O—H⋯O hydrogen bonds of moderate strength link the O atoms of the water mol­ecules and the oxalate ions into rings parallel to the c axis. The rings exhibit the graph-set motif R44(12). In addition, there are weak C—H⋯O inter­actions in the crystal structure.
Effect of Item Level Social Desirability on Factor Structure Stability

This study examined the effect of item-level social desirability as a threat to construct validity for both a five-factor biodata and personality inventory. Seven hundred and five participants were randomly assigned to either an Answer Honestly or Faking condition. All participants completed a biodata inventory and a NEO-Five-Factor Inventory. Both inventories' items were divided by low/high social desirability value (SDV) scores and grouped together. Differences between samples' covariance matrices and factor structure fit were then analyzed. It was predicted that items grouped by low SDV compared with those grouped by high SDV, would result in smaller changes in covariance matrices across conditions, and more closely retain factor structures consistent with the Five-Factor Model. Although the results of this study supported predictions that covariance matrices changed less for low-SDV items, overall results indicate that item-level social desirability did not degrade the factor structure.
Murder strikes and panic follows—Can behavior modification help?

This report describes the positive impact that a treatment design based on behavior modification had on a campus crisis. The emotional upheaval precipitated by the murder of a university coed was controlled in part by a combination of relaxation training, thought-stopping, modeling, and behavior rehearsal.
Heterogenous participation of the hepatocyte population in amyloid protein AA synthesis

Abstract Amyloid protein AA is believed to be synthesized in the liver in a form of its precursor, the acute phase reactant, SAA. To identify precisely the cell involved in SAA biosynthesis, immunohistochemical reaction to anti-mouse AA was analysed on the liver sections from CBA/J mice which had received a single casein injection and were sacrificed at predetermined times up to 48 hours. Two different primary localizations of the reaction were revealed. One was in the cytoplasm of certain hepatocytes. This reaction peaked at 6–8 hours after the casein injection in the intensity of the reaction and in the number of the cells involved. The hepatocytes with positive cytoplasmic reaction were scattered over the lobule and even at the peak did not exceed 20% of the total hepatocyte population. The other localization of the reaction covered linearly the surface of the hepatocyte cords, and peaked at 12–16 hours after the casein injection.
Circulating macrophages as well as developing thymocytes are enclosed within thymic nurse cells.

Both thymic nurse cells (TNCs) and macrophages have been reported to function as antigen-presenting cells during the process of MHC restriction. Negative selection, which results in the apoptosis of potentially autoreactive thymocytes, is believed to be associated with both macrophages and TNCs in the cortex. Both cell types have also been reported to ingest thymocytes undergoing positive and negative selection. However, macrophages ingest apoptotic thymocytes, while TNCs have been shown to internalize viable cells. A subset of the TNC-engulfed population is allowed to mature and is released, while the remaining fraction becomes apoptotic and is absorbed within the TNC cytoplasm through lysosomal activity. A recent report described a subset of rat TNCs that contain macrophages as well as thymocytes within their cytoplasm. We examined freshly isolated TNCs from C57BL/6 mice and found that, of the TNC population recovered, 1.7% contained macrophages within its cytoplasm. There also were macrophages tightly bound but not internalized into the multicellular structure at a rate of 2.9%. The total association of macrophages with TNCs was approximately 4.6%. This unique association of macrophages with TNCs was also observed in vitro when freshly isolated thymocytes (containing macrophages) were added to cultures of cells from the TNC cell line tsTNC-1. The macrophage-TNC interaction was found to be dynamic, with macrophages moving rapidly into and out of TNCs containing cytoplasmic thymocytes. Macrophages within TNCs showed a close association with cytoplasmic thymocytes. We then labeled peritoneal macrophages with CFDA SE, a cell tracking dye, and returned them to the mouse peritoneum. Within 1 h, labeled macrophages were detectable in the thymus. This is the first investigation to show a direct interaction between peripheral macrophages and TNCs. These results suggest that TNCs and macrophages work together as antigen-presenting cells.
Development of autonomic and behavioural thermoregulation in turkeys (Meleagris gallopavo)

1. 1.|Heat production (HP) and body temperature (Tb) measurements were conducted at ambient temperatures (Ta) between 10 and 40°C. In addition preference temperatures (PT) were determined in a temperature channel and Tb was measured at preferred Ta 2. 2.|The influence of age on Tb at constant, as well as at PT, was proved. Increasing age was accompanied by an elevation of Tb whereas HP remained constant in the mid-range of Ta 3. 3.|The lower Tb in the first days of life is suggested to result from a lower thermoregulatory set point during the postnatal period. 4. 4.|The PT were different for the observed types of behaviour. The PT at rest was higher than the PT during locomotion, food intake and drinking.
Alkylation of Benzene with Formaldehyde over ZSM-5☆

Abstract Benzyl alcohol is currently produced by hydrolysis of benzyl chloride and the by-products are sodium chloride and carbon dioxide. A “green chemistry” route would be the direct synthesis from benzene and formaldehyde. Therefore, ZSM-5, a medium pore zeolite, was used to evaluate the potential of using shape selective catalysis to control the product distribution obtained by alkylation of benzene with formaldehyde. The restriction of the channels resulted in a synthesis of benzyl alcohol and benzylmethyl ether. Neither of these products is obtained with a Friedel–Crafts' catalyst, such as AlCl 3 , nor with HY zeolite. Temperature has an effect on benzene conversion, but essentially none on product distribution. Water increases the selectivity to benzyl alcohol but decreases the conversion. Modification of the zeolite with boric acid increases the selectivity to benzylmethyl ether and benzyl alcohol, while modification with phosphorus acid does not, which may be due to the formation of phosphorus acid in the reaction mixture.
On the simulation of highly nonlinear wave-breakwater interactions

A numerical time domain simulation model has been developed to study the highly nonlinear interactions between waves and rubble mound breakwaters. In this model, a volume of fluid (VOF) technique is used to capture the violent free surface motion. The incompressible Euler/Navier-Stokes equations, written in an arbitrary Lagrangian-Eulerian (ALE) frame, are solved using projection schemes and a finite element method on unstructured grids. A general advancing front technique for filling space with arbitrary separated objects is developed to model the rubbles that are laid down on the sloped surface of the breakwater in a random way. Three case studies are performed to study the effects of rubbles and rubble types on the wave dissipation and wave overtopping.
How to Estimate and Interpret Various Effect Sizes

The present article presents a tutorial on how to estimate and interpret various effect sizes. The 5th edition of the Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (2001) described the failure to report effect sizes as a “defect” (p. 5), and 23 journals have published author guidelines requiring effect size reporting. Although dozens of effect size statistics have been available for some time, many researchers were trained at a time when effect sizes were not emphasized, or perhaps even taught. Consequently, some readers may appreciate a review of how to estimate and interpret various effect sizes. In addition to the tutorial, the authors recommend effect size interpretations that emphasize direct and explicit comparisons of effects in a new study with those reported in the prior related literature, with a focus on evaluating result replicability. For decades, statistical significance has been the norm for evaluating results. In fact, little change has occurred since Carver (1993) noted: “A quick perusal of research journals, educational and psychological statistic textbooks, and doctoral dissertations will confirm that tests of statistical significance continue to dominate the interpretation of quantitative data in social science research” (p. 294). Although statistical significance “evaluates the probability or likelihood of the sample results, given the sample size, and assuming that the sample came from a population in which the null hypothesis is exactly true” (Thompson, 2003, p. 7), statistical
The day of the merchant: a comment on economic thought in a national order

Places the concept of “national order” in the context of seventeenth century Europe, describes its characteristics and relates it to mercantilism, i.e. using economic activity to serve the interests of the nation. Outlines the ideas of one merchant of this time, quoting from his writings to illustrate his beliefs in the need for a favourable balance of trade, use of idle resources, minimization of consumption etc. Contrasts his “patriotic economics” with modern ideas (e.g. the principle of comparative advantage) but sees some similarities, e.g. in the recurring trade disputes between the USA and Japan.
Epitope spreading: the role of self peptides and autoantigen processing by B lymphocytes

A complex interplay of cells, soluble macromolecules, and antigen lead to a productive immune response that evolved for the survival of species. While the immune system is intended to protect from foreign agents, such as bacterial and viral infection, the presence of autoimmune diseases indicates that the system is not perfect in differentiating antigen that may cause harm from benign self constituents. The concept of epitope spreading, where many determinants on an offending antigen are the focus of immune attack, is an efficient means of clearing an infectious agent. However, the same mechanisms that lead to a diverse immune response may be harmful when the targets of attack are self tissues or self macromolecules. This review will examine the forms of self antigens that may initiate autoimmunity and the potential role of B lymphocytes, as autoantigen-presenting cells, as one mechanism by which diversification of autoimmunity may occur.
Second-order nonlinear optical responses of ionically self-assembled films: polycation variations and dianionic chromophores

Ionically self-assembled monolayer (ISAM) films have been shown to spontaneously produce noncentrosymmetric ordering that gives rise to a substantial second order nonlinear optical (NLO) response. Typically, the ISAM films for NLO response are an assemblage of bilayers of oppositely charged polymers whose thickness can be controlled through variation of pH and ionic strength of the immersion solutions. Ordinarily, the NLO-inactive polycation solution parameters are chosen the same as for the NLO-active polyanion solution. Here, we study the effects of varying the polycation solution parameters separately from the polyanion solution. We also investigate the effects of replacing the NLO-active polymer layers with layers of dianionic molecules. Films fabricated exclusively using polyelectrolytes contain some fraction of both randomly oriented and anti-parallel oriented chromophores. We have examined the incorporation of dianionic chromophores into ISAM films in order to increase the net polar orientation of the chromophores and reduce bilayer thickness.
Hydrogeology Is More Than a Classical Sciencea

Contemporary use patterns of land and water resources create conflicts between natural and human environments. These conflicts are generally not discussed as part of a classical approach to geologic education. This paper addresses the need to increase non-earth science training simultaneous with traditional training. The benefits to be gained will be welcomed by both students and their potential employers. One approach to suggested interdisciplinary water-resource education is discussed.
Stratigraphy, paleogeography and depositional environments of the Upper Middle Carboniferous (Desmoinesian) cyclothemic Excello Black Shale of the Midcontinent Region, USA

Abstract The Excello Shale is one of the best exposed examples of Pennsylvanian cyclothemic organic-rich shales in the midcontinent region. This study aimed to describe detailed stratigraphy of the study interval along the outcrop belt and to relate the environments of depositon, and paleogeography of the study area during the glacial-related paleoclimatic episodes. Certain present-day shallow silled basins were used as a possible analogue of the Pennsylvanian cyclic epeiric seas. Eustatic changes in sea-level were closely related to cyclic glaciation, global tectonics, basin subsidence and sedimentation pattern. Because of paleobathymetric relief in the cyclic epeiric seas, some units disappear and new ones appear, commonly with a change of facies. In many cases, cyclic coal beds underlie black shales. This suggests that swamp environments were present intermittently due to minor regression preceding episodes of cyclic maximum transgression. The occurrence of the cyclic seas and swamps between 5° and 8° N paleo-latitude all suggest a tropical-wet climate with possible seasonally controlled rainfall. Thin laminae, fine particle size and high TOC content (up to 17 wt%) indicate stagnant conditions with bottom-water anoxia in the Excello Sea. Anaerobic sediments were deposited in more than 100 m depth of water, poor circulation, shallow mixing with atmosphere, and high organic productivity and/or better preservation was present during maximum transgressive episode. The establishment of a density-stratified water column or pycnocline was the most important factor in development of the anaerobic sediments. Perhaps a halocline between bottom normal marine salinnity waters and a surface fresh-water layer probably caused the water stratification and anoxia leading to better preservation of organic matter in the Excello Sea.
Liquid Crystal Beam Deflector with a Photopolymer Prism

Liquid crystal (LC) beam deflector with a photopolymer prism is presented. The polymer surface relief is produced by ultraviolet (UV) exposure and serves as an optical prism. The method for producing this polymer prism is based on the diffusion process of pre-polymer which occurs under inhomogeneous UV exposure. We can obtain a tunable deflecting angle by injecting LC into the cell with the polymer prism formed on one surface of it. Our deflecting device gives complete single-order diffraction and a controllable steering over ∼1° with an applied ac voltage of 5 V.
Relationship building between volunteers and fundraising professionals: Does the adult child of an alcoholic prevail in our profession? A preliminary study

Is the adult child of an alcoholic more adept at building relationships because of his or her experiences in navigating and surviving an alcoholic family, and more prevalent in this profession than in the general U.S. population? If so, for what reasons?