cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Idiopathic, Refractory Sweet's Syndrome Associated with Common Variable Immunodeficiency: a Case Report and Literature Review.

Sweet’s syndrome (SS) is classically considered a hypersensitivity reaction often associated with autoimmune disorders and malignancy. SS has also been increasingly reported to occur with immunodeficiencies. We present a case of treatment-refractory, systemic SS as the initial manifestation in a young child with common variable immunodeficiency (CVID). We also review current literature about SS and concurrent immunodeficiencies and autoimmunity in CVID patients. Few case reports exist regarding the co-occurrence of Sweet’s syndrome and primary immunodeficiencies. SS is characterized by a pro-inflammatory state with a neutrophil predominance resulting in a spectrum of clinical manifestations. CVID is a multifactorial antibody deficiency that can be associated with autoimmunity, which some studies have proposed to be secondary to altered CD21 expression. SS occurring in patients with CVID has been infrequently reported, and one case study demonstrated improvement of Sweet’s associated skin lesions with immunoglobulin replacement. In our case, the patient had multi-system SS refractory to multiple immunomodulatory therapies. To our knowledge, this is the first report of the effective and safe use of intravenous tocilizumab and oral lenalidomide to treat SS in a child with CVID. Immunoglobulin replacement reduced the frequency of infections and may have contributed to the opportunity to wean the immunosuppressive therapies for Sweet’s syndrome. Sweet’s syndrome as an initial manifestation of co-occurring immunodeficiencies is rare, and providers need a high index of suspicion. In addition, treatment of SS associated with an immunodeficiency can be a challenge. Treatment with immunoglobulin replacement reduces the frequency of infections, and in some patients with concurrent SS may improve skin lesions and reduce the need for immunomodulator therapy. Further study is necessary to better understand the pathogenesis of CVID in patients with SS and to identify possible biomarkers that predict who with SS are at risk for developing hypogammaglobulinemia.
Differences between Undergraduate and Graduate Students in Stress and Coping Strategies

Background and Purpose: Stress among college students, and the related health and academic consequences, remains an important issue for college health professionals. Yet, less is known about the reported coping strategies among both undergraduate and graduate students. Purpose: This crosssectional study examined differences between undergraduate and graduate college students in stress levels and coping behaviors. Methods: An online health behavior survey was administered to a random sample of 1,139 college students enrolled in 2011. Chi-square test of independence examined demographic differences, stress levels and coping strategies. Classification and Regression Tree analysis further explored coping strategies which differentiated groups. Results: Participants were primarily white (87.2%), graduate students (58.5%), and female (59.8%). Almost 80% reported moderate, much or great deal of stress, with no significant differences between undergraduate and graduate students. Sleep (69.6%), exercise (66.1%), and food (56.8%) were the most common coping strategies, regardless of academic classification. Social support as a coping strategy was the most important variable explaining differences between undergraduate and graduate students. Conclusion: Undergraduate and graduate college students cope with stress in a similar manner. However, social support was more likely among graduate students and may be an important strategy for future college health programming.
The Real Value of Fake Teams: An Ethical Defense of Fantasy Sports

In the only two articles on the topic of which I am aware, Chad Carlson and Scott Aikin have leveled three objections against fantasy sports—namely, that participation in fantasy sports elicits (1)...
The necrotrophic fungus Macrophomina phaseolina induces oxidative stress-associated genes and related biochemical responses in charcoal rot susceptible sorghum genotypes

Macrophomina phaseolina (MP) is a necrotrophic fungus that causes charcoal rot disease in sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench]. The host resistance and susceptibility mechanisms for this disease are poorly understood. Here, the transcriptional and biochemical aspects of the oxidative stress and antioxidant system of charcoal rot resistant and susceptible sorghum genotypes in response to MP inoculation were investigated. RNA sequencing revealed 96 differentially expressed genes between resistant (SC599) and susceptible (Tx7000) genotypes that are related to the host oxidative stress and antioxidant system. Follow-up functional experiments demonstrated MPs ability to significantly increase reactive oxygen (ROS) and nitrogen species (RNS) content in the susceptible genotypes. This was confirmed by increased malondialdehyde content, an indicator of ROS/RNS-mediated lipid peroxidation. The presence of nitric oxide (NO) in stalk tissues of susceptible genotypes was confirmed using a NO-specific fluorescent probe (DAF-FM DA) and visualized by confocal microscopy. Inoculation significantly increased peroxidase activity in susceptible genotypes while catalase activity was significantly higher in MP-inoculated resistant genotypes. MP inoculation significantly reduced superoxide dismutase activity in all genotypes. These findings suggested MPs ability to promote a host-derived oxidative stress response in susceptible sorghum genotypes, which contributes to induced cell death-associated disease susceptibility to this necrotrophic phytopathogen.
Life cycle assessment of emerging technologies: A review

In recent literature, prospective application of life cycle assessment (LCA) at low technology readiness levels (TRL) has gained immense interest for its potential to enable development of emerging technologies with improved environmental performances. However, limited data, uncertain functionality, scale up issues and uncertainties make it very challenging for the standard LCA guidelines to evaluate emerging technologies and requires methodological advances in the current LCA framework. In this paper, we review published literature to identify major methodological challenges and key research efforts to resolve these issues with a focus on recent developments in five major areas: cross‐study comparability, data availability and quality, scale‐up issues, uncertainty and uncertainty communication, and assessment time. We also provide a number of recommendations for future research to support the evaluation of emerging technologies at low technology readiness levels: (a) the development of a consistent framework and reporting methods for LCA of emerging technologies; (b) the integration of other tools with LCA, such as multicriteria decision analysis, risk analysis, technoeconomic analysis; and (c) the development of a data repository for emerging materials, processes, and technologies.
Performance on the Multisource Interference Task Moderates the Relationship Between Trauma Exposure and Posttraumatic Stress Symptoms

We examined performance on the Multisource Interference Task (MSIT) as a moderator of the relationship between traumatic experience and posttraumatic stress symptom (PTSS) severity. A college sampl...
Evaluating the Effectiveness of Prevent–Teach–Reinforce for High School Students With Emotional and Behavioral Disorders:

Although there is a wealth of research supporting the effectiveness of using functional behavior assessment (FBA) to inform development of behavior intervention plans (BIPs), schools continue to fi...
Percutaneous Impella Device for Mechanical Circulatory Support in Children with Cardiogenic Shock: Long Term Outcomes

Purpose Use of temporary mechanical circulatory support (MCS) is an alternative to increase systemic blood flow avoiding the possible cardiotoxicity and long-term morbidity of inotropes and vasopressors. It is often the only option to achieve hemodynamic stability. Use of temporary MCS is increasing in frequency in children with evolution of new technologies. Recently, catheter deployed micro-axial percutaneous ventricular assist device (PC-VAD) has been approved for management of cardiogenic shock in adults. We present our experience and long-term outcomes associated with use of this device in a pediatric cardiac intensive care unit at a freestanding children's hospital. Methods All patients treated for cardiogenic shock with PC-VAD alone between September 2014 and June 2019 were included in retrospective analysis. The device sizes used included CP device which provides up to 4.0 l/min of flow and 5.0 device which provides 5.0 l/min of flow. Demographic and support data were reviewed and reported using descriptive statistics. Results A total of 24 PC-VAD devices were implanted in 18 patients: CP (n=17), and 5.0 (n=7). Median patient age was 17 years (IQR 15,20), weight of 61 kg (IQR 54,75), and BSA of 1.72 m2(IQR 1.58,1.96). Median length of CP support was 5 days (IQR 4,7) and 5.0 was 12 days (IQR 11,22). The most common device related complications included site bleeding 9/24 (38%), ventricular arrhythmias 3/24 (17%) and extremity arterial thrombus 1/24 (4%), with no limb ischemia encountered. Acute renal failure requiring CRRT occurred in 5/18 (38%) patients. None of the patients sustained neurologic injury. Median ICU length of stay was 24 days (IQR 15,45) with median hospital length of stay of 35 days (26,80). The survival to ICU discharge was 89% (16/18) and survival to hospital discharge was 89% (16/18). Twelve out of eighteen (67%) patients were alive at one year. Conclusion Temporary MCS for cardiogenic shock with PC-VAD shows favorable short and long-term outcomes in select pediatric patients. This type of circulatory support can be considered for management of older children with acute cardiogenic shock to achieve quicker hemodynamic stability, end-organ recovery and as a temporary bridge to recovery or clinical decision making. The risk profile in our population was low and only minor complications occurred during the treatment.
Model Predictive Control of Step-up Matrix Converters

The paper proposes a predictive control scheme for a reversed operation of Matrix Converter (MxC) where the input is at the low-voltage side and acts as a current source feeding over MxC low-impedance high-voltage output side. A novel Model Predictive Control (MPC) is developed to control the step-up MxC input current and output voltage. The MPC is based on a search algorithm that selects the switching states to optimize a cost function depending on converter topology and control objectives. In addition to terms for quality of current tracking for the inner control loop, the objective function has terms for voltage tracking for the outer control loop. Since the applied load is not known in advance, a current observer is implemented to eliminate the need for additional current load sensors. The observer gains are chosen based on analytic analysis and verified using experimental results. The effectiveness of the proposed MPC control approach is validated using lab experiments on a 15 kVA custom-built prototype where testing is conducted in a step-up configuration. Additionally, the system delays due to the rapid control prototyping are characterized and a compensation of the delay in the control algorithm results in a low total harmonic distortion of output voltages.
Evaluating the Effects of Propiconazole on Hard Fescue (Festuca brevipila) via RNA sequencing and Liquid Chromatography–Mass Spectrometry

Abstract Propiconazole is often used to remove fungal endophytes from turfgrass to study the effects of Epichloe endophytes. However, besides a fungicidal effect, propiconazole can bind to the genes in the cytochrome P450 family and affect the biosynthesis of brassinosteroids. For this reason, outside of fungicidal application, propiconazole has also been used as plant growth regulator. In this study, we used a combination of RNA sequencing and liquid chromatography–mass spectrometry (LC-MS) to study how hard fescue (Festuca brevipila) responded to the high dose of propiconazole treatment. To test the long-term effect of the heavy use of propiconazole on plants, we inoculated with Microdochium nivale (causal agent of pink snow mold) half year post the last fungicide application. Propiconazole-treated plants showed enhanced pink snow mold resistance. This study suggested that the high dose use of propiconazole fungicide resulted in phenotypic and physiological changes in the plant such as slow growth and change in disease resistance. Genes and pathways affected by propiconazole identified in this study provide turfgrass breeders new information for genetic improvement of hard fescue and also provide turfgrass management new ways to control turfgrass diseases.
On convex greedy embedding conjecture for 3-connected planar graphs

In the context of geographic routing, Papadimitriou and Ratajczak conjectured that every 3-connected planar graph has a greedy embedding (possibly planar and convex) in the Euclidean plane. Recently, greedy embedding conjecture has been resolved, though the construction do not result in a drawing that is planar and convex. In this work we consider the planar convex greedy embedding conjecture and make some progress. We show that in planar convex greedy embedding of a graph, weight of the maximum weight spanning tree (T) and weight of the minimum weight spanning tree (MST) satisfies wt(T)/wt(MST) ≤ (|V| - 1)1-δ, for some 0 < δ ≤ 1. In order to present this result we define a notion of weak greedy embedding. For β ≥ 1 a β-weak greedy embedding of a graph is a planar embedding such that local optima is bounded by β. We also show that any three connected planar graph has a β-weak greedy planar convex embedding in the Euclidean plane with β ∈ [1, 2√2 ċ d(G)], where d(G) is the ratio of maximum and minimum distance between pair of vertices in the embedding of G, and this bound is tight.
Trends in open lobectomy outcomes for lung cancer over the last 15 years: national cohort.

Adoption of thoracoscopic lobectomy has been increasing in the US; however, open lobectomy (OL) is still performed in half of the cases. Postoperative care and enhanced recovery after surgery (ERAS) pathways have evolved and improved outcomes. The study aims to evaluate postoperative outcomes of OL over the last 15 years. Patients who underwent lobectomy for lung cancer between 2005 and 2019 were identified in the National Surgical Quality Improvement Program and divided into three groups; pre-ERAS (2005–2011), transitional period (2012–2015), and wider ERAS implementation (2016–2019). Preoperative characteristics and postoperative outcomes were compared and multivariable regression analysis was constructed to assess independent predictors of outcomes. OL was comprised of 40% of lobectomies for lung cancer. 10,021 patients met inclusion criteria. 49% were males and mean age was 67. Patients who belonged to the (2016–2019) period group had significantly higher comorbidities and ASA classification. General surgeons performed < 10% of OL in 2016–2019 compared to over 30% during 2005–2011. Patients in the 2016–2019 period were less likely to experience unplanned intubation, surgical site infections, and sepsis. Mortality was also significantly lower than the previous groups (1.9% vs 2.0% and 2.8%, p = 0.05). The rate of discharge to facility as well as length of hospital stays improved over the years. The surgeon specialty served as an independent predictor for length of stay, unplanned intubation, and home discharge. The outcomes of OL are improving over the years. Increasing number of these surgeries being performed by dedicated thoracic surgeons and ERAS pathways are likely helping improve outcomes.
The Emergence of Polarized Trust

Our main argument is that ordinary Americans are increasingly polarized, but not in their policy preferences or their ideology. Decades of research suggest that ordinary Americans do not tend to hold their policy preferences strongly (Converse 1964) and are “innocent of ideology” to borrow Herbert McClosky’s (1964) wonderful turn of phrase. Looking for polarization in Americans’ policy preferences or their ideological predispositions is almost sure not to turn up much (but see Abramowitz 2010 on health care). Rather, our focus is on the effects of a very recent, but different, development in public opinion: the polarization of trust in government. This form of polarization is a central support to the gridlocked politics that contemporary Washington produces. The public did not create polarization in Washington, but it does allow it to persist.
Progesterone Directed Gene Expression in Rat Uterine Stromal Cells

When embryos attach to the luminal epithelium in the rat uterus they somehow induce differentiation of the stromal cells underlying the attachment site, giving rise to an enormous increase in the size of the stromal cell compartment through both cell proliferation and cell growth. This reaction, decidualization, is localized to areas of embryo attachment (reviewed in DeFeo, 1967). Both attachment of the embryo to the luminal epithelium and differentiation of the stromal cells in response to embryo attachment require conditioning of the uterus with steroid hormones (Psychoyos, 1973). If the uterus is hormonally prepared, decidualization can be obtained using an intraluminal traumatic or chemical artificial stimulus. In response to these stimuli stromal cells along the entire length of the uterus will differentiate (DeFeo, 1967).
Licensing: A Marketing Bonanza?

Licensing, usually thought to be almost the exclusive province of very large, if not multinational, firms, !.as been found to be otherwise. The subject appears to be of considerable interest to smaller firms. The financial aspects of that interest suggest that marketers have in licensing a potential goldmine.
Commercialization of insects and their products

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses how commercialization of insects and their products can be beneficial. Insects can be a big business. Insects and their products are sold for crop pollination, pharmaceuticals, health and agricultural protection, and human, pet, and livestock nutrition, as implements for conducting research, as artists or works of art, and for a host of other uses. For example the honeybee, Apis mellifera, currently plays the dominant role in pollinating large tracts of agriculture. In a multibillion dollar industry, commercial apiaries lease their beehives to growers. Beekeepers manage the hives, moving the bees from field to field to ensure crop pollination. Leafcutting, or mason bees (Hymenoptera: Megachilidae), can be up to ten times more efficient than honey bees at pollinating some early spring crops. Another crop pollinator is the bumblebee, which is less affected by extreme weather than the honey bee and is better adapted to perform under confined greenhouse conditions. A more nebulous category of insect commercialization surrounds the marketing of insects in the wild. Bioprospecting, ecotourism, and conservation enhancement are modes through which insects are marketed in an environmental context. These modes frequently interact to serve the broader intent of environmental awareness and protection.
Does Cognitive Therapy Have an Enduring Effect

Cognitive and cognitive–behavioral interventions (CBT) have emerged over the last quarter century as efficacious and widely practiced approaches to treatment for a variety of psychological disorders. Cognitive Therapy and Research has played a major role in generating that interest in cognitive and cognitive–behavioral interventions. CBT interventions have been shown to have an enduring effect that extends beyond the end of treatment; they reduce risk for relapse in chronic disorders and risk for recurrence in episodic disorders. Whether CBT is truly curative remains to be seen, but there is more good evidence for CBT having an enduring effect than for any other intervention in the field today. The founders of the journal have much of which they can be proud.
Injury-adjusted mortality of patients transported by police following penetrating trauma.

Background: More than a decade ago, the city of Philadelphia began allowing police transport of penetrating trauma patients. Objectives: The objective was to determine the relation between prehospital mode of transport (police department [PD] vs. Philadelphia Fire Department (PFD) emergency medical services [EMS]) and survival in subjects with proximal penetrating trauma. Methods: The authors performed a retrospective cohort study of prospectively collected trauma registry data. All subjects who sustained proximal penetrating trauma and who presented to a Level I urban trauma center over a 5-year period (January 1, 2003, to December 31, 2007) were included. Mortality for subjects presenting by EMS was compared to that of those who arrived by PD transport in unadjusted and adjusted analyses. Unadjusted analyses were performed using the chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, and Student's t-test. Adjusted analyses were performed using logistic regression using the Trauma Injury Severity Score (TRISS) methodology. Data are presented as percentages, odds ratios (ORs), and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Total hospital length of stay was examined as a secondary outcome. Results: Of the 2,127 subjects, 26.8% were transported to the emergency department (ED) by PD, and 73.2% by EMS. The mean (± standard deviation [SD]) age of PD subjects was 26.3 (±9.1) years and 92% were male versus EMS subjects whose mean (±SD) age was 31.5 (±11.8) years and of whom 87% were male. Overall, 70.8% sustained a gunshot wound (GSW), and 29.2% sustained a stab wound (SW). Overall Injury Severity Score (ISS) was 11.21 (ISS for PD, 14.2 ± 17.5; for EMS, 10.1 ± 14.5; p Language: en
Spread Spectrum Signals for Digital Communications

Spread spectrum signals is a class of signals that were designed primarily for use in digital communication systems to overcome either intentional or unintentional interference. We begin by illustrating the basic elements of a spread spectrum digital communication system. Next, we consider the transmission of a binary information sequence by means of binary PSK. Later, we discuss frequency-hopped (FH) spread spectrum. Finally, we close with a section on commercial spread spectrum systems. Keywords: spread spectrum signals; digital communications; model; direct-sequence; interference margin; frequency-hopped (FH) spread spectrum; commercial spread spectrum systems
Analysis of Accelerator Based Neutron Spectra for BNCT Using Proton Recoil Spectroscopy

Boron Neutron Capture Therapy (BNCT) is a promising binary treatment modality for high-grade primary brain tumors (glioblastoma multiforme, GM) and other cancers.1, 2, 3 BNCT employs a boron-10 containing compound that preferentially accumulates in the cancer cells in the brain. Upon neutron capture by 10B energetic alpha particle and tritons released at the absorption site have the potential to kill the cancer cell. In order to gain penetration depth in the brain Fairchild4,5 proposed, for this purpose, the use of energetic epithermal neutrons at about l0keV. Phase I/II clinical trials of BNCT for GM are underway at the Brookhaven Medical Research Reactor6 (BMRR) and at the MIT Reactor, using these nuclear reactors as the source for epithermal neutrons.
Biomimetic particles as therapeutics

In recent years, there have been major advances in the development of novel nanoparticle- and microparticle-based therapeutics. An emerging paradigm is the incorporation of biomimetic features into these synthetic therapeutic constructs to enable them to better interface with biological systems. Through the control of size, shape, and material consistency, particle cores have been generated that better mimic natural cells and viruses. In addition, there have been significant advances in biomimetic surface functionalization of particles through the integration of bio-inspired artificial cell membranes and naturally derived cell membranes. Biomimetic technologies enable therapeutic particles to have increased potency to benefit human health.
T cells in the human metastatic melanoma microenvironment express site‐specific homing receptors and retention integrins

T-cell infiltration into the metastatic melanoma microenvironment (MME) correlates with improved patient survival. However, diffuse infiltration into tumor occurs in only 8% of melanoma metastases. Little is known about mechanisms governing T-cell infiltration into human melanoma metastases or about how those mechanisms may be altered therapeutically. We hypothesized that T cells in the MME would be enriched for chemokine receptors CCR4, CCR5, CXCR3 and homing receptors relevant to the tissue site. Viably cryopreserved single cell suspensions from nineteen melanoma metastases representing three metastatic sites (tumor-infiltrated lymph node, skin and small bowel) were evaluated by multiparameter flow cytometry and compared to benign lymph nodes and peripheral blood mononuclear cells from patients with Stage IIB-IV melanoma. T cells in the melanoma metastases contained large effector memory populations, high proportions of activated, moderately differentiated cells and few regulatory T cells. Site-specific homing was suggested in bowel, with high expression of CCR9. We neither encounter the anticipated enrichment of integrin α4β7 in bowel, cutaneous leukocyte antigen (CLA) in skin, nor integrin α4β1 or receptor CXCR3 in metastatic sites. Retention integrins αEβ7, α1β1 and α2β1 were significantly elevated in metastases. These data suggest limited tissue site-specific homing to human melanoma metastases, but a significant role for retention integrins in maintaining intratumoral T cells. Our findings also raise the possibility that T-cell homing, infiltration, and retention in melanoma metastases may be increased by increasing expression of ligands for CLA, α4β1 and CXCR3 on intratumoral endothelium.
Display standards for commercial flight decks

SAE display standards are used as guidelines for certifying commercial airborne electronic displays. The SAE document generation structure and approval process is described. The SAE committees that generate display standards are described. Three SAE documents covering flat panel displays (AS-8034, ARP-4256, and ARP-4260) are discussed with their current status. Head-Up Display documents are also in work.© (1994) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
A multiprocessor-on-a-programmable-chip reconfigurable system for matrix operations with power-grid case studies

Recent advances in field-programmable gate array (FPGA) technologies have made feasible the implementation of low-cost parallel computing platforms for high-performance matrix computations. Compared to conventional multiprocessor systems, the resulting multiprocessors-on-a-programmable-chip (MPoPC) can provide unique advantages and opportunities in both software and hardware. It is shown in this paper that the performance of an MPoPC can be improved dramatically by adapting slightly intellectual property (IP)-based processing elements, and customising the memory and the interconnection network. The parallel LU factorisation of large, sparse doubly-bordered block diagonal (DBBD) matrices is employed as an application example. To enhance further the performance by software techniques, a run-time load balancing strategy for this algorithm is proposed and analysed. Extensive experimental results on benchmark matrices of size up to 7,917 × 7,917 for power networks demonstrate the effectiveness of our effort.
Propinquity and Educational Homogamy

Education is one of the most important dimensions in patterns of assortative marriage. It is unclear whether the pronounced and persistent evidence of educational homogamy is an outcome of educational propinquity, that is, individuals' attendance at the same school during the same time, or of individuals' general preferences for spouses with educational attainments similar to their own. This study first describes some aspects of educational propinquity and then investigates the association between spouses' educational attainments after considering whether or not the bride and the groom attended an educational institution in common. The results clearly show that the strong association between spouses' educational attainments should not be attributed to educational propinquity.
Enhancing entrance into PTSD treatment for post-deployment veterans through collaborative/integrative care

High rates of posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) among post-deployment veterans and the associated long-term consequences highlight the importance of early identification and treatment. The Veterans Health Administration (VHA)’s Primary Care Mental Health Integration (PCMHI) program aims to increase identification and access to care for veterans with mental illness, decrease stigma, improve continuity of care, and the efficiency of healthcare utilization. This project examines PCMHI’s progress towards these goals within the Operation Iraqi Freedom/Operation Enduring Freedom (OEF/OIF) population. We examined data from consults to the OEF/OIF PTSD clinic for 18 months. PCMHI placed 129 consults and 91 (70.5%) were completed. Veterans referred by PCMHI tended to have increased consult completion in specialty care, higher rates of confirmed PTSD, however, no significant differences in reported PTSD symptoms, or follow-up visits in the OEF/OIF PTSD clinic compared to Veterans referred from the hospital at large. PCMHI potentially preserve resources, increases continuity of care, and increases treatment access for OEF/OIF/OND veterans.
Species and tissue specificity of very lysine-rich and serine-rich histones☆

Abstract Total and f1 histones from calf liver and thymus, hamster liver and thymus, chicken liver and erythrocytes, and frog liver and erythrocytes were analyzed using an improved method of polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The results show that total histones from these sources contain electrophoretic components corresponding to each of the five major histone fractions, that the serine-rich histone of nucleated erythrocytes is also present in frog liver and that the f1 fractions from these sources are electrophoretically heterogeneous. Species and tissue differences were limited to the very lysine-rich and serine-rich histones.
The relationship between rational thinking and intelligence in children

This study ws designed to evaluate the efficacy of a four-session REE curriculum and examine the relationship between intelligence and the endorsement of irrational beliefs in elementary school children. A twotailedt-test administered to examine difference between pre- and post-test scores onThe Idea Inventory was statistically significant,t (1,94)=5.90,p<.0001. The Pearson product-moment correlation coefficient between pre-test scores onThe Idea Inventory and theOtis-Lennon School Ability Test failed to reach significance (r=.15) suggesting higher intelligence did not predict greater endorsement of rational beliefs. The post-test scores using the same two instruments reached a correlation coefficient of r=.51 and was statistically significant at the .01 level. A higher percentage of children who scored below the mean on theOtis-Lennon improved from pre- to post-test than children who scored above the mean.
Digital Disconnect: How Capitalism Is Turning the Internet against Democracy/The Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret World War

These two disparate books—Digital Disconnect: How Capitalism Is Turning the Internet against Democracy, by Robert W. McChesney, and The Brothers: John Foster Dulles, Allen Dulles, and Their Secret ...
Deconstructing the Affirmative Action Categories

Affirmative action preferences have traditionally benefited four racial and ethnic group categories: African Americans, Hispanics, Asian Americans, and Native Americans. These categories may be overinclusive, masking important socioeconomic differences among nationalities within the categories. The problem of overinclusiveness is now being raised by post-Croson disparity studies and by courts evaluating those studies, particularly in the area of business formation rates. When the differences among nationalities are compared through census data and regression analysis, they show wide variations within the affirmative action categories and for White ethnic groups as well. This suggest that a discrimination hypothesis cannot explain all these variations. The affirmative action categories reflect bureaucratic convenience more than demographic realities.
Non-heritable change of a spirochaete's phenotype by decoration of the cell surface with exogenous lipoproteins

Genetic transformation of Borrelia spp. is limited in development and has found application in only one species. For a non-genetic approach for manipulating the phenotype of these spirochaetes, we determined whether exogenous recombinant lipoproteins would incorporate in the cell's outer membrane. Using unlabelled or 125I-labelled Osp proteins, Osp-specific monoclonal antibodies, proteinase K and formaldehyde as reagents, we found that decoration of spirochaetes had the following characteristics. (i) Purified recombinant OspA or OspD lipoproteins associated with Borrelia burgdorferi and B. hermsii cells that lacked abundant lipoproteins of their own. (ii) This decoration of the cells with exogenous OspA did not affect cell's viability. (iii) The decoration was concentration and temperature dependent and stable for at least 24 h. (iv) Like native OspA, the recombinant OspA decorating the cells was accessible to antibodies and proteases and could be cross-linked to the integral outer membrane protein, P66. (v) Decoration of viable B. burgdorferi and B. hermsii with OspA rendered the cells susceptible to killing by OspA-specific antiserum. Such non-genetic alteration of the surface of a bacterium may be used to study functions and properties of lipoproteins in situ.
Corruption, Non-ideal Theory, and Grace: A Response to Kant and the Ethics of Humility

Kant and the Ethics of Humility bears the subtitle: "A story of dependence, corruption, and virtue." Grenberg not only "defend[s] philosophically the view that humility remains a virtue," she also argues that "familiar Kantian principles of action . . . become character traits, and we can indeed speak then of thick, Aristotelian-style, but still deeply Kantian, virtues" (7).1 Like Grenberg, I see Kantian virtue ethics as a story of dependence and corruption as well as virtue, but I argue that Grenberg misstates the relationship between dependence and corruption, with consequences for her overall account of Kantian virtue, her treatment of the unity of the virtues, her critiques of alternative theories of humility, and the secular nature of Grenberg's Kant. Before I turn to my primary comments, I have two words of caution about speaking of "thick, Aristotelian-style . . . virtues" in Kant. First, for Aristotle but not Kant, virtue involves habits (hexis). In Kant, even morally relevant interests are tied to the higher faculty of desire and linked with choice; habitual desires are inclinations of the lower faculty of desire.2 For Aristotle, "moral virtue comes about as a result of habit" (1103al8). For Kant, a "habit ... is ... not a moral aptitude" (6:407) and "moral maxims, unlike technical ones, cannot be based on habit" (6:409, see too 6:383-4). Cultivating better inclinations is at best an indirect duty for Kant; it is central for Aristotle. Second, while Kant admits a role for moral respect, respect is a feeling in only a very special sense. Unlike Aristotle, for whom every feeling has a "mean" that constitutes virtue for that feeling, for Kant, neither feelings (with the exception of respect) nor even any degree of feeling is good or evil
The binding of folyl polyglutamates by hemoglobin

Abstract Pteroyl polyglutamates bind to hemoglobin with an affinity which leaves only a minor fraction of red cell folate in the free state. This could serve as a regulating mechanism for protein synthesis in the differentiating erythroblast.
A Computational Study of Interval-Valued Matrix Games

Game theory has been applied for strategic decision making in areas such as economics, political science, psychology, and others. A two-player zero-sum game represented as an m × n real matrix is probably the simplest model to maximize (minimize) possible gain (loss) in game theory. Considering payoffs of a matrix game in real applications can vary even when the players repeat the same strategies, Collins and Hu modeled such uncertainty with interval-valued matrix games. In 2011 and 2012, D.- F. Li et al further proposed approaches to solve interval-valued matrix game with the basic idea of splitting an interval game matrix to its lower and upper bounds. It is also suggested that one may determine an interval matrix game by solving the lower-and upper-bound point matrix games. However, there is not a rigorous mathematical proof but only few structured numerical examples were used for verification. In this study, we run exhaustive computational experiments with the software suite we created to gain further insights. Our computational results indicate that the value of a point-valued matrix game R ? R, where R is an interval-valued matrix game, is bounded by the game values of the lower-and upper-bound point matrix mostly. However, it is not always true. We report the software suite, our results of computational experiments, and theoretic insights in this paper.
Adaptive tetrahedral meshing in free-surface flow

An unstructured, three-dimensional, moving-mesh algorithm is developed for free-surface flows with the capability of simulating large deformation. A robust edge swapping algorithm and an optimization-based mesh smoothing algorithm are used to improve mesh quality as the interface deforms. The edge swapping algorithm uses an optimal swap sequence to transform configurations with several tetrahedra sharing a common edge. The optimization-based mesh smoothing relocates vertex position so that the minimum quality of the incident cells is maximized. Also, edge contraction and bisection are used to adjust the mesh resolution according to surface curvature. These local refinements effectively maintain good mesh quality and appropriate mesh size while avoiding global re-meshing. This scheme's robustness and accuracy are demonstrated with deforming liquid ligaments, periodic jets, and colliding droplets.
Dynamic Transformations of Genome-wide Epigenetic Marking and Transcriptional Control Establish T Cell Identity

T cell development comprises a stepwise process of commitment from a multipotent precursor. To define molecular mechanisms controlling this progression, we probed five stages spanning the commitment process using RNA-seq and ChIP-seq to track genome-wide shifts in transcription, cohorts of active transcription factor genes, histone modifications at diverse classes of cis-regulatory elements, and binding repertoire of GATA-3 and PU.1, transcription factors with complementary roles in T cell development. The results highlight potential promoter-distal cis-regulatory elements in play and reveal both activation sites and diverse mechanisms of repression that silence genes used in alternative lineages. Histone marking is dynamic and reversible, and though permissive marks anticipate, repressive marks often lag behind changes in transcription. In vivo binding of PU.1 and GATA-3 relative to epigenetic marking reveals distinctive factor-specific rules for recruitment of these crucial transcription factors to different subsets of their potential sites, dependent on dose and developmental context.
Graphical 3D Visualization of Highway Bridge Ratings

Aging highway infrastructure requires effective rating methodologies to prioritize bridges for rehabilitation and repair. To aid engineers in decision making regarding bridge maintenance, a three-dimensional (3D) visualization system is developed for rating reinforced concrete deck-girder bridge. Color codings show the most probable mode of failure for girder cross sections under combined moment-shear forces and allow an engineer to determine a rehabilitation strategy. The visualization system relies on 3D finite-element analyses using the open source framework OpenSees, making the system readily extensible to a wide range of bridge types and loading scenarios, as well as emergent reliability-based rating methodologies. Important features of the visualization system are emphasized, including the use of lighting and feature edge detection to improve the visual quality of a bridge model. Recent developments in scientific visualization are discussed for potential application to civil engineering problems.
The fate of the downgoing slab: A study of the moment tensors from body waves of complex deep-focus earthquakes

Two large, complex deep-focus earthquakes are analyzed, using body waves, to determine the relative locations and equivalent forces of the component events. Details of the source mechanism determination are given, with special emphasis on the means of comparing results for double-couple and more general models. The formalism includes a description of a method for calculating the confidence ellipses around the principal axes of the moment tensor. An interpretation of the results suggests that the mechanism of deep-focus earthquakes is controlled by the buoyancy of the slab and the change in viscosity at the 650 km discontinuity.
Charge-density-wave narrow-band noise in NbSe3 at T<4 K.

We report observations and the first study of the properties of charge-density-wave (CDW) narrow-band noise, i.e., current oscillations, at T4 K in the CDW material ${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{3}$. The CDW narrow-band noise (NBN) appears to exist only in certain ranges of magnetic-field strength and the amplitude tends to die out at high electric fields. The observation of NBN, which is unique to CDW systems, confirms that the non-Ohmic resistance in a magnetic field that is found in ${\mathrm{NbSe}}_{3}$ at these temperatures, T4 K, is correlated with motion of a CDW. We also find that the CDW current versus NBN frequency relationship is nonlinear at T4 K, unlike that found at higher temperatures, Tg25 K and B\ensuremath{\le}9.6 T. The nonlinear current at a given frequency is also very large compared to that at higher temperatures.
The ballistocardiogram in congenital heart disease.

Abstract 1. 1. The ballistocardiogram in varied congenital cardiac malformations has been presented and discussed. 2. 2. Short K waves are uniformly present in coarctation of the aorta, but this finding is not specific since patients with interatrial septal defect, Eisenmenger complex, and patent ductus arteriosus may display similar findings. 3. 3. Pulmonic stenosis does not produce low amplitude abnormal ballistocardiographic patterns, as has been reported. The record often is entirely normal and actually may be characterized by increased voltage. 4. 4. Tricuspid atresia produces prominent H waves. 5. 5. The other congenital cardiac malformations studied do not produce specific abnormalities. 6. 6. In our opinion the ballistocardiogram has little practical value in the study of congenital cardiac malformations.
Spatial Strength Variation of Laminated Orthotropic Composites

A probabilistic model for the spatial variation of the strength of materials used for laminated orthotropic composites is introduced. The principal idea lies in the in terpretation that the material strength can be idealized as a multi-dimensional stochastic field. Under such an assumption, the type of statistical distribution followed by the strength of laminated orthotropic composite plates in uniaxial tension is found to follow a Weibull distribution, with the aid of Monte Carlo simulation techniques. Another conclu sion is the statistical size effect which is a well-known phenomenon for materials of this kind.
Defensin Susceptibility and Colonization in the Mouse Model of AJ100, a Polymyxin B-Resistant, Brucella abortus RB51 Isolate

Intracellular pathogens selected for increased susceptibility to polycations are commonly attenuated, yet the effect of decreased susceptibility to polycations on pathogenicity has not been researched. The polymyxin-resistant mutant Brucella abortus AJ100 was characterized by comparing its susceptibility to the polycationic antibiotic polymyxin B, defensins, and lactoferricin, and its colonization and clearance in the mouse model to the parent strain RB51. MIC (minimum inhibitory concentration) values determined by Etest for AJ100 and RB51 were 1.5 and 0.25 μg/ml, respectively. Though AJ100 is less susceptible to polymyxin B than RB51, it was more susceptible than its parent strain to the cationic defensins melittin, magainin 2, and cecropin P1. In the mouse model, initial colonization of the spleen was lower for AJ100 than RB51, and the rate of clearance from the spleen was faster for AJ100 than RB51. However, initial colonization and clearance rates of AJ100 from the liver were indistinguishable from those of RB51. This study suggests that the susceptibility profile of Brucella to polycationic defensins rather than polymyxin B may be indicative of differential survival in the spleen and liver in the mouse and is indicative of spleen and liver residential macrophages’ differing ability to inactivate Brucella.
Effects of the levonorgestrel-releasing intrauterine system on cervical mucus quality and sperm penetrability

Abstract Background In levonorgestrel intrauterine system (LNG-IUS) users, the prevention of sperm penetration through cervical mucus has not been demonstrated. Study Design Subjects were enrolled in an investigator-blinded study to compare quality and sperm penetrability of mid-cycle cervical mucus between LNG-IUS users and hormone-free controls. Cervical mucus was microscopically examined using World Health Organization (WHO) cervical mucus analysis (CMA). CMA score ≥10 of 15 points indicated cervical mucus favoring sperm penetration. Mucus was incubated with sperm using the WHO simplified slide test (SST) and Kremer sperm cervical mucus penetration test (SCMPT). Results Data from 14 LNG-IUS users and 16 controls showed 14% of LNG-IUS users had CMA score ≥10% vs. 69% of controls (p=.004). SST showed no sperm penetration for LNG-IUS users, significantly less than controls (0% vs. 64.3%, p Conclusions Mid-cycle cervical mucus of LNG-IUS users is poor quality and prevents endocervical sperm transport in vitro.
Understanding Direct Mail Letters as a genre

What makes non-profit, philanthropic discourse so persuasive has not been well explored to date. Using a specialized corpus of direct-mail letters from philanthropic organizations in five different fields, this study seeks to combine the tools of corpus analysis with the specificity of genre analysis in a way that has not been done before to provide a new perspective on a genre that is not well understood. The underlying goal is to look for a methodology that will provide much of the qualitative detail that is common to genre analysis, while at the same time providing the reliability that is best assured by the quantitative power of computerized corpus analysis. Using Bhatia's approach to genre analysis (1993) and his exploratory efforts in investigating fundraising discourse (1997, 1998) as a foundation, key patterns in the rhetorical structure of direct-mail letters revealed through a large-scale corpus analysis are presented.
Phoneme Discrimination in Older Persons Under Varying Signal-To-Noise Conditions

Two groups of subjects, 10 older than 60 years of age and 10 between the ages of 18 and 30, having essentially normal hearing for pure tones at the speech frequencies, identified 16 consonants in a...