cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Follow the Power Lines Until You Hit a Road: Contextualizing Humanitarian Forensic Science in South Texas

This chapter positions the work of perished migrant exhumation, identification, and repatriation within processes of neoliberal governance described in previous chapters and highlights how values of humanitarianism and virtues of professional authority imbued forensic scientists with the power to collectivize migrant death and repatriation as locally significant social, economic, and advocacy issues. Highlighting that forensic scientists endeavored to shift crucial resources and public attention to and from particular aspects of migrant death and repatriation, I assert that ethnographic attention to processes of forensic scientific practice in this crisis setting may also be an important means of following the power lines, so to speak. Central to this chapter is the notion that virtues of volunteerism and community service have become central alternatives to state action in the neoliberal era. I posit that forensic scientists are operating within complex relationships of global capitalism, simultaneously reproducing and challenging state responsibility for the unidentified dead.
Realistic network simulation in the UB-ANC aerial vehicle network emulator

Recent advances in rotorcraft design, multi-rotor vehicle control, miniaturization of hardware, sensing, and battery technologies have enabled cheap, practical design of micro air vehicles (MAVs) for civilian and hobby applications. In parallel, several applications are being envisioned that bring together networks of MAVs to accomplish large tasks by coordinating with each other. Despite these advancements, and new FAA rules governing their use, it is still very challenging to experiment with multiple networked MAVs. To address this problem, we are engaged in a multi-year effort to develop an open software/hardware platform called the University at Buffalo's Airborne Networking and Communications testbed (UB-ANC1), and an associated emulation environment called the UB-ANC Emulator. Our goal is to design, implement, and test MAV networking applications in simulation, and provide seamless transition to deployment. In our prior work on the UB-ANC Emulator, we considered a simple network simulation in which nodes can communicate with each other if they are within a given range. However, this does not accurately reflect the performance of a MAV network where communication links are subject to interference and packet losses, and protocols at the data link, network, and transport layers have a significant influence on network throughput, latency, and reliability. To overcome this limitation, in this paper, we integrate the open-source discrete-event network simulator ns-3 into the UB-ANC Emulator. We demonstrate through link-level and end-to-end measurements how the UB-ANC Emulator can be used to holistically evaluate MAV networking applications with accurate modeling of mobility, control, wireless channel characteristics, and network protocols using ns-3.
Enteral nutrition for pediatric Crohn's disease: an underutilized therapy.

Enteral nutrition (EN) for the treatment of Crohn's disease (CD) involves administration of a liquid nutrition product, administered orally or through tube feeding, while excluding typical dietary components. It is a safe and effective, but largely underused, therapy in the United States as a treatment for CD. EN is a particularly attractive option for pediatric CD as it avoids side effects of corticosteroids, improves growth, and may have a higher likelihood of achieving mucosal healing than some traditional medications. However, there are multiple real and perceived barriers to its use among providers. A comprehensive approach to addressing these barriers to EN may result in its increased use. This paper reviews the literature on the efficacy of EN, methods of utilization, and potential barriers and solutions to those barriers.
‘As foreign as it gets’: indigenous immigrants, transnationality, and rage in Sherman Alexie’s The Business of Fancydancing

The article considers Sherman Alexie’s directorial debut, The Business of Fancydancing (2002), as an important contribution to transnational cinema. It invites us to review our conceptions of outsi...
Pathophysiology of Coronary Heart Disease and the Effects of Estrogen

Atherosclerosis of the coronary arteries is the underlying pathophysiological mechanism of coronary heart disease (CHD) and is the same for both genders. There are numerous different theories with regard to the genesis of atherosclerosis. The most commonly held and most credible theory is the “response-to-injury” hypothesis by R. Ross according to which various types of injuries in the endothelium and in vascular smooth muscle cells (SMCs) lead to an exaggerated inflammatory fibroproliferative reaction in the vessel wall with subsequent plaque formation.
In-Class: United Nations Simulation and Global Education in Community College Settings

How does in-class United Nations simulation enhance the global education of community college students? Drawing upon the internationalization of curriculum experience in rural community college settings, it describes the rubrics of active learning for global awareness through the in-class role modeling approach. Pre simulation learning activities and post simulation debriefing equally constitute part of the active learning process. The in-class simulations are cost effective, focused, and effective instruments for introductory global education.
16-OR : ANALYSIS OF ANTI-HLA ANTIBODIES IN SENSITIZED KIDNEY TRANSPLANT CANDIDATES SUBJECTED TO DESENSITIZATION WITH INTRAVENOUS IMMUNOGLOBULIN AND RITUXIMAB

Aim The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of desensitization (DS) with intravenous immunoglobulin and rituximab (IVIG-RIT-IVIG) on the antibody profile in highly sensitized kidney transplant candidates (TC). Methods In 31 kidney transplant candidates (calculated percent reactive antibodies [cPRA], 34% to 99%), DS included intravenous immunoglobulin on days 0 and 30 and a single dose of rituximab on day 15. Anti-HLA antibodies were analyzed before and after immunomodulation using the Luminex single antigen solid phase analysis. Results Reduction of cPRA from −25% to −50% was noted for anti-class I (5 patients, within 20 to 60 d) and anti-class II (3 patients, within 10 to 20 d) antibodies. After initial reduction of cPRA, it increased within 120 days. In 24 patients, decrease in mean fluorescence intensity (MFI) of antibodies by more than 50% was noted at follow-up, but there was no reduction of cPRA. Rebound occurred in 65% patients for anti-class I antibodies at 350 days and anti-class II antibodies at 101 to 200 days. Probability of rebound effect was higher in patients with MFI > 10700 before DS, anti-class II antibodies, and history of previous transplant. Conclusions The desensitization protocol consisting of IVIG-RIT-IVIG had selective efficacy in highly sensitized kidney TC because of the short period with antibody reduction and high frequency of rebound effect.
An Evaluation of Cognitive Behavior Therapy for Hyperactive Children

Hyperactivity (attention deficit disorder with hyperactivity, ADDH) is characterized by the primary symptoms of inattentiveness, impulsivity, and restlessness. Other features that are frequently associated with the disorder include poor school performance and inadequate interpersonal relationships.
Compact Overlapping Annular Slot Array

A four-element annular slot array is presented for applications requiring omnidirectional gain with minimal variation in azimuthal gain and phase. Cavity-backed annular slots are overlapped to form a single compact array aperture. The slot feed structures are designed to reduce undesirable modes and inter-element coupling. The resulting array achieves a simulated 2.5:1 VSWR bandwidth of 26% with less than +/-1 dB of azimuthal gain pattern ripple at the horizon and less than +/: 20 degrees of horizon azimuthal phase ripple.
Ferromagnetism Near Room Temperature in the Cleavable van der Waals Crystal Fe5GeTe2

Two-dimensional materials with intrinsic functionality are becoming increasingly important in exploring fundamental condensed matter science and for developing advanced technologies. Bulk crystals that can be exfoliated are particularly relevant to these pursuits as they provide the opportunity to study the role of physical dimensionality and explore device physics in highly crystalline samples and designer heterostructures in a routine manner. Magnetism is a key element in these endeavors; however, relatively few cleavable materials are magnetic and none possess magnetic order at ambient conditions. Here, we introduce Fe5- xGeTe2 as a cleavable material with ferromagnetic behavior at room temperature. We established intrinsic magnetic order at room temperature in bulk crystals ([Formula: see text] = 310 K) through magnetization measurements and in exfoliated, thin flakes ([Formula: see text] ≈ 280 K) using the anomalous Hall effect. Our work reveals Fe5GeTe2 as a prime candidate for incorporating intrinsic magnetism into functional van der Waals heterostructures and devices near room temperature.
Observation of the T > = 45 2 Components of Deep Hole States in Pb 207 via the ( He 3 , α ) Reaction at 70 MeV

A number of narrow lines are observed around 20 MeV excitation energy in $^{207}\mathrm{Pb}$ in the study of $^{208}\mathrm{Pb}$($^{3}\mathrm{He}$,$\ensuremath{\alpha}$) at 70 MeV. Their excitation energies and relative spacing suggest that these peaks arise from the neutron pickup from the inner filled sdhg shell between magic numbers 82 and 50 with isospin number $T=\frac{45}{2}$. In addition, distorted-wave Born-approximation (DWBA) calculations of the angular distributions agree in shape with the data. The solution of the Lane coupled-channels equations leads to a DWBA cross section in reasonable agreement with experiment.
Biophysical and biochemical characterization of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus. 3. Thermal and ultrasonic sensitivity.

The infectivity of LCM virus suspended in solutions buffered with Tris(hydroxymethyl)aminomethane and its hydrochloride has been found to be greatly stabilized. This stabilization (studied at 4° and 37° C), however, was markedly dependent on the protein content of the solution. If the protein content became too low (by dilution and/or partial purification of the virus), the Tris effect would disappear, but could be reversed if bovine serum albumin was added before inactivation studies were begun. The sensitivity of the virus to ultrasonic irradiation also followed the pattern established above (i.e. — diluted or purified virus was inactivated to a much greater extent than virus suspended in Eagle's medium plus serum). The data also indicated that sonication could break up aggregates of virus particles.
Prehospital Treatment and Emergency Department Outcomes in Young Children with Food Allergy.

Background Studies assessing food-induced allergic reactions and prehospital treatments in infants and young children are scarce. Objective To describe differences in clinical characteristics in children aged 0 to 4 years presenting to the emergency department (ED) with food allergy (FA) reactions and investigate the association between prehospital epinephrine use and clinical outcomes. Methods Retrospective cohort study of FA ED visits in Kaiser Permanente Northern California from January 2016 to December 2018. Charts were assessed on whether anaphylaxis criteria were met, and outcomes were reviewed after prehospital and ED treatments. Results A weighted cohort of 1518 children presenting with FA to the ED was evaluated. Infants presented with respiratory symptoms less often than did children age 1 and ages 2 to 4 years (6.8%, 16.1%, and 23.9%, respectively; P Conclusions Infants treated in the ED for FA reactions presented differently than older children. Most infants presented after first-known ingestion of offending foods. Overall, ED epinephrine use was low necessitating additional education to recognize and treat anaphylaxis in the ED.
Artificial intelligence and its natural limits

An argument with roots in ancient Greek philosophy claims that only humans are capable of a certain class of thought termed conceptual, as opposed to perceptual thought, which is common to humans, the higher animals, and some machines. We outline the most detailed modern version of this argument due to Mortimer Adler, who in the 1960s argued for the uniqueness of the human power of conceptual thought. He also admitted that if conceptual thought were ever manifested by machines, such an achievement would contradict his conclusion. We revisit Adler’s criterion in the light of the past five decades of artificial-intelligence (AI) research, and refine it in view of the classical definitions of perceptual and conceptual thought. We then examine two well-publicized examples of creative works (prose and art) produced by AI systems and show that evidence for conceptual thought appears to be lacking in them. Although clearer evidence for conceptual thought on the part of AI systems may arise in the near future, especially if the global neuronal workspace theory of consciousness prevails over its rival, integrated information theory, the question of whether AI systems can engage in conceptual thought appears to be still open.
APQ: Joint Search for Network Architecture, Pruning and Quantization Policy

We present APQ, a novel design methodology for efficient deep learning deployment. Unlike previous methods that separately optimize the neural network architecture, pruning policy, and quantization policy, we design to optimize them in a joint manner. To deal with the larger design space it brings, we devise to train a quantization-aware accuracy predictor that is fed to the evolutionary search to select the best fit. Since directly training such a predictor requires time-consuming quantization data collection, we propose to use predictor-transfer technique to get the quantization-aware predictor: we first generate a large dataset of pairs by sampling a pretrained unified supernet and doing direct evaluation; then we use these data to train an accuracy predictor without quantization, further transferring its weights to train the quantization-aware predictor, which largely reduces the quantization data collection time. Extensive experiments on ImageNet show the benefits of this joint design methodology: the model searched by our method maintains the same level accuracy as ResNet34 8-bit model while saving 8x BitOps; we obtain the same level accuracy as MobileNetV2+HAQ while achieving 2×/1.3× latency/energy saving; the marginal search cost of joint optimization for a new deployment scenario outperforms separate optimizations using ProxylessNAS+AMC+HAQ by 2.3% accuracy while reducing 600x GPU hours and CO2 emission.
FREEDOM: Engineering a State-of-the-Art DOM Fuzzer

The DOM engine of a web browser is a popular attack surface and has been thoroughly fuzzed during its development. A common approach adopted by the latest DOM fuzzers is to generate new inputs based on context-free grammars. However, such a generative approach fails to capture the data dependencies in the inputs of a DOM engine, namely, HTML documents. Meanwhile, it is unclear whether or not coverage-guided mutation, which is well-known to be effective in fuzzing numerous software, still remains to be effective against DOM engines. Worse yet, existing DOM fuzzers cannot adopt a coverage-guided approach because they are unable to fully support HTML mutation and suffer from low browser throughput. To scientifically understand the effectiveness and limitations of the two approaches, we propose FreeDom, a full-fledged cluster-friendly DOM fuzzer that works with both generative and coverage-guided modes. FreeDom relies on a context-aware intermediate representation to describe HTML documents with proper data dependencies. FreeDom also exhibits up to 3.74x higher throughput through browser self-termination. FreeDom has found 24 previously unknown bugs in commodity browsers including Safari, Firefox, and Chrome, and 10 CVEs has been assigned so far. With the context-aware generation, FreeDom finds 3x more unique crashes in WebKit than the state-of-the-art DOM fuzzer, Domato. FreeDom guided by coverage is more effective in revealing new code blocks (2.62%) and finds three complex bugs that its generative approach fails to find. However, coverage-guided mutation that bootstraps with an empty corpus triggers 3.8x fewer unique crashes than the generative approach. The newly revealed coverage, more often than not, negatively affects the effectiveness of DOM fuzzers in bug finding. Therefore, we consider context-aware generation the best practice to find more DOM engine bugs and expect further improvement on coverage-guided DOM fuzzing facilitated by FreeDom.
Transnationalism in TESOL Teacher Education and Applied Linguistics: Reflections and (Re)imaginations

This chapter examines transnationalism as discussed and implicated in TESOL teacher education and Applied Linguistics. Research on transnationalism has illuminated complex and diverse social conditions, subject positions and relations embedded in such conditions, challenging various concepts premised on the modernist understanding of the nation-state. Taking a reflexive stance on increasing transnational approaches to language and literacy research, this chapter discusses the question of to what extent new relations, concepts, and questions emerging from transnational research have contributed to creating new conditions and practices essential to reimagine transnational subjects, and ultimately enable social change, and how teacher education in TESOL can take up this work. I conclude with a call for more reflexivity and answerability for racialized and language-minoritized students and their communities (Patel, Decolonizing education research: From ownership to answerability. New York: Routledge, 2016).
Comparative Study of the Properties of Wood Flour and Wood Pellets Manufactured from Secondary Processing Mill Residues.

The generation of secondary processing mill residues from wood processing facilities is extensive in the United States. Wood flour can be manufactured utilizing these residues and an important application of wood flour is as a filler in the wood–plastic composites (WPCs). Scientific research on wood flour production from mill residues is limited. One of the greatest costs involved in the supply chain of WPCs manufacturing is the transportation cost. Wood flour, constrained by low bulk densities, is commonly transported by truck trailers without attaining allowable weight limits. Because of this, shipping costs often exceed the material costs, consequently increasing raw material costs for WPC manufacturers and the price of finished products. A bulk density study of wood flour (190–220 kg/m3) and wood pellets (700–750 kg/m3) shows that a tractor-trailer can carry more than three times the weight of pellets compared to flour. Thus, this study focuses on exploring the utilization of mill residues from four wood species in Maine to produce raw materials for manufacturing WPCs. Two types of raw materials for the manufacture of WPCs, i.e., wood flour and wood pellets, were produced and a study of their properties was performed. At the species level, red maple 40-mesh wood flour had the highest bulk density and lowest moisture content. Spruce-fir wood flour particles were the finest (dgw of 0.18 mm). For all species, the 18–40 wood flour mesh size possessed the highest aspect ratio. Similarly, on average, wood pellets manufactured from 40-mesh particles had a lower moisture content, higher bulk density, and better durability than the pellets from unsieved wood flour. Red maple pellets had the lowest moisture content (0.12%) and the highest bulk density (738 kg/m3). The results concluded that the processing of residues into wood flour and then into pellets reduced the moisture content by 76.8% and increased the bulk density by 747%. These material property parameters are an important attempt to provide information that can facilitate the more cost-efficient transport of wood residue feedstocks over longer distances.
Rate of chondroitin sulfate synthesis in the cervix during pregnancy

Abstract 1.1. The rate of S 35 uptake by the human cervix in vitro was used to estimate the rate of chondroitin sulfate synthesis during pregnancy. 2.2. The rate of chondroitin sulfate synthesis was generally lower in the last month of pregnancy than in the first 5 months, but increased near term in association with dilatation and effacement. 3.3. High rates of synthesis were found when the cervix was 2 cm. or more dilated and 50 per cent or more effaced. Low rates of synthesis were found when the cervix was closed and uneffaced. 4.4. It is suggested that alterations in the rate of chondroitin sulfate synthesis due to changes in the progesterone-estrogen ratio may be involved in the mechanism of cervical dilatation and effacement.
Safety Training in Social Work Education: A National Survey

Abstract Social workers are particularly vulnerable to violence due to the type of clients they serve, the preponderance of involuntary service relationships, the settings in which they work, and cutbacks in services. A national survey was conducted of field directors to discern their perceptions about danger to interns, schools' and agencies' practices and responsibilities for student safety, safety standards and policies, training personnel and content, and recommendations for change. Field directors believe that there is a need for more attention to student safety and that risks to students are increasing. There is dissonance between concern about violence and the lack of safety policies and training in schools of social work. Strategies for violence prevention are presented.
Citizenship and Political Participation in Colombia: How Orientations toward Citizenship Associate with Political and Civic Behaviors

This study identifies social-psychological variables that predict various types of political and civic behaviors in Colombia. While previous research shows declines in civic-group membership, it also shows increases in other forms of participation. Using data from a national biennial survey of an urban adult population, we construct a two-by-two typology of political efficacy and trust in governmental institutions. We use subsequent hierarchical regression analysis to show that citizenship orientation is a significant factor in predicting interactive-interpersonal, community, and online engagement.
Ranibizumab and bevacizumab for treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: two-year results.

Objective To describe effects of ranibizumab and bevacizumab when administered monthly or as needed for 2 years and to describe the impact of switching to as-needed treatment after 1 year of monthly treatment. Design Multicenter, randomized clinical trial. Participants Patients (n = 1107) who were followed up during year 2 among 1185 patients with neovascular age-related macular degeneration who were enrolled in the clinical trial. Interventions At enrollment, patients were assigned to 4 treatment groups defined by drug (ranibizumab or bevacizumab) and dosing regimen (monthly or as needed). At 1 year, patients initially assigned to monthly treatment were reassigned randomly to monthly or as-needed treatment, without changing the drug assignment. Main Outcome Measures Mean change in visual acuity. Results Among patients following the same regimen for 2 years, mean gain in visual acuity was similar for both drugs (bevacizumab-ranibizumab difference, −1.4 letters; 95% confidence interval [CI], −3.7 to 0.8; P = 0.21). Mean gain was greater for monthly than for as-needed treatment (difference, −2.4 letters; 95% CI, −4.8 to −0.1; P = 0.046). The proportion without fluid ranged from 13.9% in the bevacizumab-as-needed group to 45.5% in the ranibizumab monthly group (drug, P = 0.0003; regimen, P P = 0.03) and a lower proportion without fluid (−19%; P P > 0.60). The proportion of patients with 1 or more systemic serious adverse events was higher with bevacizumab than ranibizumab (39.9% vs. 31.7%; adjusted risk ratio, 1.30; 95% CI, 1.07−1.57; P = 0.009). Most of the excess events have not been associated previously with systemic therapy targeting vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF). Conclusions Ranibizumab and bevacizumab had similar effects on visual acuity over a 2-year period. Treatment as needed resulted in less gain in visual acuity, whether instituted at enrollment or after 1 year of monthly treatment. There were no differences between drugs in rates of death or arteriothrombotic events. The interpretation of the persistence of higher rates of serious adverse events with bevacizumab is uncertain because of the lack of specificity to conditions associated with inhibition of VEGF. Financial Disclosure(s) Proprietary or commercial disclosure may be found after the references.
The 13C(d, t)12C and 13C(d, 3He)12B reactions: J-transfer determination and isospin mixing in 12C

Abstract Use of the 13 C(d, t) 12 C and 13 C(d, 3 He) 12 B reactions to study the isospin mixing of the 12.71 and 15.11 MeV levels in 12 C has depended upon the prediction by Cohen and Kurath that the j = 1 2 transfer to these 1 + states is negligible compared to they j = 3 2 transfer. In this paper evidence from vector analyzing power data for these reactions obtained at 29 MeV is presented. It is concluded that the j = 1 2 component is small but may not be insignificant and contributes approximately 8% of the total yield to these states. Including a j = 1 2 component of this size in the analysis of this data yields a charge dependent matrix element of 0.12 ± 0.03 MeV as compared to a value of 0.14 ± 0.04 MeV obtained if the j = 1 2 component is excluded. Both of these values are smaller than those reported in previous measurements, and are thus closer to the values resulting from the Coulomb interaction alone. While these results do not refute the evidence presented for the presence of charge dependent nuclear forces, the confidence in their presence is reduced.
Money or Nothing: Confederate Postal System Collapse during the Civil War

The history of postal service during the Civil War is surprisingly underdeveloped, and little is known about the Confederate Post Office Department. It labored under a strict mandate to achieve fiscal self-sufficiency, to which all other service rationales were subordinate. This policy, in conjunction with a multitude of war-related privations, hampered the Department's ability to foster the substantive or reliable circulation of information, complicating the process of democratic nation-building in which postal services have historically played an important role. After examining reports of the Confederate Postmaster General, coverage of postal operations in Southern newspapers, scholarship in state and local historical publications, and the study of philately, the implications of the Confederacy's fixation on the economic performance of its postal service might well serve as a cautionary tale as the practices of modern media policymaking evolve along similar lines.
Preventive Intervention for Living Donor Psychosocial Outcomes: Feasibility and Efficacy in a Randomized Controlled Trial

There are no evidence-based interventions to prevent adverse psychosocial consequences after living donation. We conducted a single-site randomized controlled trial to examine the postdonation impact of a preventive intervention utilizing motivational interviewing (MI) to target a major risk factor for poor psychosocial outcomes, residual ambivalence (i.e. lingering hesitation and uncertainty) about donating. Of 184 prospective kidney or liver donors, 131 screened positive for ambivalence; 113 were randomized to (a) the MI intervention, (b) an active comparison condition (health education) or (c) standard care only before donation. Ambivalence was reassessed postintervention (before donation). Primary trial outcomes-psychosocial variables in somatic, psychological and family interpersonal relationship domains-were assessed at 6 weeks and 3 months postdonation. MI subjects showed the greatest decline in ambivalence (p = 0.050). On somatic outcomes, by 3 months postdonation MI subjects reported fewer physical symptoms (p = 0.038), lower rates of fatigue (p = 0.021) and pain (p = 0.016), shorter recovery times (p = 0.041) and fewer unexpected medical problems (p = 0.023). Among psychological and interpersonal outcomes, they had a lower rate of anxiety symptoms (p = 0.046) and fewer unexpected family-related problems (p = 0.045). They did not differ on depression, feelings about donation or family relationship quality. The findings suggest that the intervention merits testing in a larger, multisite trial.
Two-step sintering of Gd_03Lu_16Eu_01O_3 transparent ceramic scintillator

Transparent ceramic scintillators with the composition Gd0.3Lu1.6Eu0.1O3 (GLO:Eu) have been prepared by different sintering profiles: a traditional profile consisting of a slow ramp followed by a dwell, and a two-step profile consisting of a fast ramp and short dwell followed by a long dwell at a lower temperature. A subsequent Hot Isostatic Press (HIP) step was used to achieve full density and transparency. Two-step sintering allowed full transparency to be achieved after HIPing at 1525°C, while traditionally sintered samples required 1850°C in the HIP to achieve high transparency indicating that two-step sintering is successful in maintaining a small grain size and therefore allowing densification to be decoupled from grain growth during the low temperature HIP step. HIPing at elevated temperatures between 1525 and 1850°C resulted in rapid grain growth from sub-micron to ~300 µm grains. Radioluminescence spectra show negligible difference between samples with sub-micron grain size and those with 300 µm grains.
A cellular network formed of Hopfield networks

A general structure of the cellular neural network is introduced. An analytical method is presented to find the weight matrix for a given set of desired vectors. An energy function is then constructed. Using the energy function, a sufficient stability criterion which can be realized by a redesign of the neuron function is given. Computer simulation shows that the authors' network structure and design approach are valid. >
Further studies on erythroblastosis neonatorum of obstetric significance

Abstract A classification of erythroblastosis based on 55 cases is presented. The incidence of the disease is 1 :438. The mortality rate appears to decrease in infants born nearer term. Primiparas having infants with erythroblastosis seem prone to have subsequent babies with the disease, whereas, the recurrence in multiparas is about 50 per cent. Such a relationship points to a dominant mendelian characteristic inherited from the parents, and the Rh factor was discussed from this point of view. An intraplacental hematoma was found in 8 cases. These were of varying age, and contained numerous normoblasts and erythroblasts most likely of fetal origin. Such a lesion provides for the transmission of the Rh agglutinogen, or some other factor as yet unknown, from the fetal circulation to that of the mother. In such a manner, iso-immunization of the mother could take place. The formation of antibodies in the mother, with the passage of these through the placenta into the fetal circulation is probably responsible for the red cell hemolysis and the widespread deposition of hemosiderin pigment which characterizes the disease. The chief maternal complications were toxemia of pregnancy and excessive uterine enlargement. Congenital anomalies in the infants were frequently observed. The relationship of erythroblastosis to missed abortion was seen in several patients. Early recognition of the disease, in the delivery room aided by studies of the cord blood, affords an excellent opportunity for prompt treatment. Histologic studies of the placenta are confirmatory. Damage to the internal organs, particularly the liver, is borne out by pathologic and physiochemical studies.
Peritoneal transport physiology: insights from basic research.

Clinical uses of the peritoneal cavity, such as i.p. chemotherapy or peritoneal dialysis, depend on underlying physiological mechanisms of transport between the blood and the peritoneal cavity. Clinical models of peritoneal transport have focused on an idealized "peritoneal membrane." However, such a membrane does not physically exist. Transport actually occurs between the peritoneal cavity and blood which is contained in discrete capillaries distributed in the tissue interstitium surrounding the cavity. To integrate the properties of the capillaries and the interstitium, the "distributed model" approach couples pore theory, which simulates transendothelial transport, with diffusion and convection within the tissue space. The distributed theory can explain why the peritoneal membrane, when compared with the artificial kidney, appears tight to urea but leaky to protein. The additional resistance to urea transport has been attributed to "unstirred layers" adjacent to the peritoneal membrane. These can now be defined physiologically by examining diffusion in the tissue space. Absolute rates of convection into and out of the cavity cannot yet be accurately predicted, but the physiological forces can be specified. Net "ultrafiltration" during dialysis results from not only high osmotic pressure in the peritoneal dialysate but also from a small but significant hydrostatic pressure which drives convection in the opposite direction. Recent implications from protein absorption studies that lymphatics are the cause of the decrease in net ultrafiltration are only partly true. Analysis of data from the tissue space has shown that the deposition of protein occurs from the cavity into the tissue interstitium with a slow uptake into lymphatics.
Planar shape classification using hidden Markov model

A planar shape-recognition approach is presented which is based on hidden Markov models and autoregressive parameters. This approach segments closed shapes into segments and explores the characteristic relations between consecutive segments to make classification at a finer level. The algorithm can tolerate much shape contour perturbation, and a moderate amount of occlusion. The overall classification scheme is independent of shape orientation. Excellent recognition results have been reported. A distinct advantage of the approach is that the classifier does not have to be trained all over again when a new class of shapes is added. >
Fibroblasts Express RANKL and Support Osteoclastogenesis in a COX-2-Dependent Manner After Stimulation With Titanium Particles

Synovial fibroblasts are possible mediators of osteolysis. Fibroblasts respond directly to titanium particles and increase RANKL expression through a COX-2/PGE2/EP4/PKA signaling pathway. Fibroblasts pretreated with titanium or PGE2 stimulated osteoclast formation, showing the functional importance of RANKL induction. Synovial fibroblasts and their activation pathways are potential targets to prevent osteolysis. Introduction: Bone loss adjacent to the implant is a major cause of joint arthroplasty failure. Although the cellular and molecular response to microscopic wear debris particles is recognized as causative, little is known concerning role of synovial fibroblasts in these events. Materials and Methods: Murine embryonic fibroblasts and knee synovial fibroblasts in culture stimulated with titanium particles were examined by FACS, real time RT-PCR, Northern blot, and Western blot for expressions of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM)1, RANKL, cyclooxygenase (COX)-1, and COX-2, and the four prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) receptor isoforms. Experiments were performed in the presence and absence of COX inhibitors, protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitors, and various EP receptor agonists. Osteoclast formation was examined in co-cultures of pretreated glutaraldehyde-fixed fibroblasts and primary murine spleen cells treated with macrophage-colony stimulating factor (M-CSF) for 7-days. Results: TNF-α stimulated VCAM1 expression, consistent with a synovial fibroblast phenotype. Titanium particles stimulated RANKL gene and protein expressions in fibroblasts in a dose-dependent manner. Gene expression was increased 5-fold by 4 h, and protein levels reached a maximum after 48 h. Within 1 h, titanium particles also induced COX-2 mRNA and protein levels, whereas both indomethacin and celecoxib blocked the stimulation of RANKL, suggesting a COX-2-mediated event. Furthermore, PGE2 induced RANKL gene and protein expression and rescued RANKL expression in titanium-treated cultures containing COX-2 inhibitors. Fibroblast cultures pretreated with either PGE2 or titanium particles enhanced osteoclast formation, indicating the functional importance of RANKL induction. EP4 was the most abundant PGE2 receptor isoform, EP1 and EP2 were expressed at low levels, and EP3 was absent. The EP1 selective agonist iloprost and the EP2 selective agonist butaprost minimally stimulated RANKL. In contrast, the EP2 and EP4 agonist misoprostol induced RANKL to a magnitude similar to PGE2. Finally, PKA antagonism strongly repressed RANKL stimulation by PGE2. Conclusion: Fibroblasts respond directly to titanium particles and increase RANKL expression through a COX-2/PGE2/EP4/PKA signaling pathway. Thus, the synovial fibroblast is important mediator of osteolysis and target for therapeutic strategies.
The qualitative problem solving system PHYSYS

Any expert system designer should consider answering questions such as "What knowledge must be available to the system so that it reaches the solution of a given problem," "How should that knowledge be represented," and "What Programming Language is most suited for implementation of such a system." It has been shown by research on various types of rule-based systems that representations of prototypical situations confronted in a domain are one kind of knowledge crucial to the performance competencies of a system. This paper presents a problem solving system, called PHYSYS, which uses knowledge about prototypical situations to guide its processing and to compute the solution of the problem at hand. PHYSYS represents its knowledge as frames, organized in a semantic net, and performs tasks in the domain of engineering mechanics. The frames are called prototypes because they represent typical situations which can be used as a basis for composing the actual situation. The overall idea of the PHYSYS system is simple. It is an interactive system, one in which the user communicates with the system on a one-to-one basis. Problems are posed to the system in terms of simple physical objects such as blocks, inclined planes, etc., and forces acting on these objects. Input is specified with icons representing the objects and forces. The system performs an analysis analogous to constructing vector diagrams for the forces. The results of this analysis allow the system to (1) derive the equations of motion and (2) reason qualitatively about the physical behavior of the problem elements. In contrast to finding the solution of the equations the system tries to show the user how to obtain the solution and using its knowledge of physics, the system attempts to make qualitative statements about the solution. The system decomposes the pictorial description of the problem supplied by the user, into primitive problem constituents. The system then searches its knowledge base looking for those specific primitive consituents of the problem using pattern matching. Finally, the system composes these primitive constituents back together, to complete the problem. Since the system can not solve differential equations it generates only qualitative predictions.We chose Prolog as the implementation language primarily because of its inherent ability to do backward chaining and its promise of shortened development time for such problems. A prototype version of PHYSYS has been implemented in Turbo Prolog.
Dehydration of fructose into furans over zeolite catalyst using carbon black as adsorbent

Formation of 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) from the dehydration of fructose over zeolite catalysts in aqueous phase was studied in a reactive adsorption system using carbon black (BP2000) as an adsorbent. The dehydration of fructose over zeolite beta catalyst in water revealed that selectivity to HMF is largely influenced by the formation of levulinic acid and formic acid from the rehydration of produced HMF as well as subsequent condensation reactions. In order to increase selectivity to HMF, reactive adsorption with carbon adsorbents was used to prevent the further reactions of the produced HMF. It was found that BP2000 carbon black exhibited high selectivity and capacity for the adsorption of HMF and furfural from the aqueous phase. The unique adsorption performance of BP2000 is likely due to the large surface area, hydrophobic nature and micropore structure. With using the carbon adsorbent, furan selectivity (selectivity of HMF and furfural) over zeolite beta was improved from 27% to 44% with a furan yield of 41%. The furan selectivity and yield obtained in the presence of the carbon adsorbent were similar to those obtained from the aqueous/organic reaction system using methyl isobutyl ketone (MIBK) as an extraction phase.
Differential memory in the Earth's magnetotail

The process of 'differential memory' in the earth's magnetotail is studied in the framework of the modified Harris magnetotail geometry. It is verified that differential memory can generate non-Maxwellian features in the modified Harris field model. The time scales and the potentially observable distribution functions associated with the process of differential memory are investigated, and it is shown that non-Maxwelllian distributions can evolve as a test particle response to distribution function boundary conditions in a Harris field magnetotail model. The non-Maxwellian features which arise from distribution function mapping have definite time scales associated with them, which are generally shorter than the earthward convection time scale but longer than the typical Alfven crossing time.
The impact of leukoreduced red blood cell transfusion on mortality of neonates undergoing extracorporeal membrane oxygenation

Abstract Background Blood products containing leukocytes have been associated with negative immunomodulatory and infectious effects. Transfusion-related acute lung injury is partially explained by leucocyte agglutination. The Food and Drug Administration has therefore recommended leukoreduction strategies for blood product transfusion. Our institution has been using leukocyte-reduced blood via filtration for neonates on Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation (ECMO). We hypothesized that the use of leukocyte-reduced blood would decrease mortality and morbidity of neonatal ECMO patients. Methods Retrospective review of noncardiac ECMO in neonates from 1984–2011, stratified into year groups I and II (≤1996 and ≥1997). Demographics, duration and type of ECMO, complications, and outcome data were collected. Blood product use data was collected. Univariate, bivariate, and multivariate analyses determined predictors of risk-adjusted mortality by year group. Results Patients (827) underwent ECMO with 65.3% (540) in group I. Overall median blood product use in mL/kg/d was 36.2 packed red blood cells (pRBC), 8.1 platelets, and 0 cyroprecipitate and/or fresh-frozen plasma. Overall mortality was 16.4%. Median pRBC used or transfused was 42.1 mL/kg/d in group I versus 19.1 mL/kg/d group II (P Conclusions Blood transfusion requirement has diminished in newborns undergoing ECMO at our institution. Transfusion of non leukocyte-reduced blood is associated with an increase in mortality whereas transfusion of leukocyte-reduced blood provided no benefit with a trend toward increased mortality. Further research is recommended to understand these trends.
Multidimensional, Threshold Effects of Social Support in Firefighters: Is More Support Invariably Better?.

This study examined the relationship between social support (Social Provisions Scale) and stress (Perceived Stress Scale) in a sample of male firefighters in a midwestern community (N = 53). The authors assessed 5 types of perceived support from 2 sources: peer firefighters and supervisors. Results indicate that reassurance of worth and social integration support from supervisors had the strongest negative association with stress. The study critically examined the "unidirectional linear" assumption that a unit increase in support corresponds to a unit increase in adjustment throughout the full range of support scores. Reassurance of worth support from peers exhibited a curvilinear pattern of threshold effects. For individuals with the lowest levels of support, there was a strong negative association between perceived support and stress, but for firefighters above the median, the association was not significant.
Solar proton event patterns: the rising portion of five solar cycles

Using solar proton data from the past four solar cycles we have found that while there is no consistent pattern in the distribution of solar proton events throughout each cycle, there is a surprising consistency in the total number of events over each cycle. In comparing the distribution of solar proton events during the rising portion of cycles 19–23, we find a similarity between the 20th and the 23rd solar cycles. During solar cycle 20, only 17% of the proton events for the entire cycle had occurred during the first three years of the cycle and 28% had occurred during the first four years. If cycles 20 and 23 are similar, we would expect the majority of solar proton events to occur during years 5–8 of the 23rd cycle (i.e. from 2001–2004).
Survival Rates After Enucleation of Eyes with Malignant Melanoma

We investigated the rates of mortality for several types of malignant melanomas for evidence that surgery accelerates metastasis. Additionally, we reanalyzed uveal melanoma survival rates from the Armed Forces Institute of Pathology. Our computations showed higher death rates in years two to five after diagnosis than in years one or six to ten. The same pattern of a peak mortality in the early years after diagnosis and lower rates six to ten years thereafter was seen in all tumor types studied. Our analysis of survival rates produced no evidence to alter the existing pattern of treatment for malignant melanoma of the uvea.
A comparison of assay values with actual staining obtained from commercial hemateins.

A progressive dilution method was developed for a measure of staining activity. This made possible a comparison of staining activity of the hematein-aluminum complexes of 9 batches of commercial hemateins and their actual hematein content. It was found that the lower the actual hematein content the poorer was the correlation with staining activity. Also in the samples with lower hematein content the blue color of the hematein-aluminum complex was more or less replaced by brown color. Apparently contaminating material in these commercial hemateins with low hematein content compete with the hematein-aluminum complex for staining sites. Unless extremely pure hematein can be supplied the use of hematein as a stain cannot be recommended.