cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Refractory inclusions in the Murchison meteorite

Although melilite-rich and feldspathoid-bearing inclusions have been revealed in the Murchison C2 chondrite by mineralogical and petrographic studies, none of these is identical to the inclusions found to date in Allende. Each type of inclusion is characterized by a different suite of alteration products and/or rim layers from all the other types, indicating modification of the inclusions in a wide range of different physicochemical environments after their primary crystallization. All of these inclusions contain some iron-free rim phases which could not have formed by reaction of the inclusions with fluids in the Murchison parent body, because the latter would presumably have been rich in oxidized iron.
The Evangelical Left and the Future of Social Conservatism

"The Evangelical Left and the Future of Social Conservatism," Society 49, No. 1 (January-February 2012), 54-60.
Study of coal gasification in an experimental fluidized bed reactor

Thermal gasification has been proposed as one technical option for the conversion of coal to gaseous fuels and/or chemicals to supplement supplies presently derived from petroleum and natural gas. In the present study, a bench-scale fluidized bed reactor was used for the gasification of coal with steam as the fluidizing medium. A mixture of sand and limestone used as the bed material made it possible to gasify a caking coal without the problem of agglomeration. The gas composition and yield of the hydrogen-rich product gas were studied as a function of temperature. To study the heterogeneous reactions taking place in the reactor and also the transient behavior of the system, a mathematical model was developed. The model assumed a reaction mechanism that accounted for the devolatilization of coal, cracking of volatiles, char gasification, and the water-gas shift reaction. Both the dynamic behavior and steady state performance of the gasifier were simulated based on the model. The steady state results of the simulation were compared with the experimental data. This comparison enabled us to ascertain that the proposed reaction mechanism and dynamic model predicted the correct trends.
Root and shoot weight in a tallgrass prairie under elevated carbon dioxide

Abstract The atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide (CO 2 ) is increasing and knowing how this will affect native vegetation is important. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of elevated CO 2 on root growth in a tallgrass prairie kept at a high water level (73 cm of water in a 200 cm soil profile) and a low water level (66 cm of water in 200 cm). Sixteen cylindrical plastic chambers were placed on the prairie to maintain two levels of CO 2 (ambient or twice ambient). At the end of two seasons' exposure to the different treatments, dry weight and length of roots in the 0–40 cm depth were determined. Shoot growth also was measured to determine shoot:root rations. The CO 2 and water treatments had no significant effect on root dry weight in the 0–40 cm depth. In the 0–10 cm depth, doubled CO 2 reduced dry weight and length of roots of plants grown under the high water level by 47 and 31%, respectively. Warm-season, C 4 grasses had the highest shoot dry weight, which was greatest under the high water, ambient CO 2 treatment. The shoot: root ratio did not change with treatment.
Tandem utilization of a hemostatic clip and a banding device in the esophagus: a novel hemostatic technique.

Actively bleeding vascular lesions are a challenge to the endoscopist, and a variety of techniques are available for hemostasis. Endoclip application has been shown to be effective for the treatment of actively bleeding vascular lesions but has a higher rate of failure in the esophagus, given the tangential nature of the clip deployment. Band ligation has been used as an alternate procedure, with a better success rate, but banding as an initial modality can be technically difficult and has a high chance of failure during active arterial bleeding. We present 2 cases where a novel method of tandem application of endoclip and banding was performed for the control of active upper-GI hemorrhage.
The dialogue of civilizations: An Eisenstadt legacy

The thesis of a ‘clash of civilizations,’ famously voiced by Samuel Huntington in 1993, draws support from selected social science generalizations and the fact that all historical civilizations organized around core beliefs and values condemned outsiders. This thesis can be challenged by showing that civilizations are internally complex, including elements that also develop nonexclusionary themes; and by specifying a human need for ‘dialogue’ driven by compresent needs for attachment and differentiation. The historic emergence of those inclusionary sub-traditions can be documented by looking at the cases of Gandhi in India, Ueshiba in Japan, and a number of historic and contemporary figures in the Abrahamic civilizations of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam.
Numerical Methods for Simulating the Reduction of Iron Ore in Blast Furnace Shaft

The blast furnace process is a counter-current moving bed chemical reactor to reduce iron oxides to iron, which involves complex transport phenomena and chemical reactions. The iron ore and coke are alternatively charged into the blast furnace, forming a layer by layer structural burden which is slowly descending in the counter-current direction of the ascending gas flow. A new methodology was proposed to efficiently simulate the gas and solid burden flow in the counter-current moving bed in blast furnace shaft. The gas dynamics, burden movement, chemical reactions, heat and mass transfer between the gas phase and solid phase are included. The new methodology has been developed to explicitly consider the effects of the layer thickness thermally and chemically in the CFD model. [DOI: 10.1115/1.4025946]
A Cutting Plane Algorithm for the Linear Ordering Problem

The linear ordering problem is an NP-hard combinatorial optimization problem with a large number of applications including triangulation of input-output matrices, archaeological senation, minimizing total weighted completion time in one-machine scheduling, and aggregation of individual preferences. In a former paper, we have investigated the facet structure of the 0/1-polytope associated with the linear ordering problem. Here we report on a new algorithm that is based on these theoretical results. The main part of the algorithm is a cutting plane procedure using facet defining inequalities. This procedure is combined with various heuristics and branch and bound techniques. Our computational results compare favorably with the results of existing codes. In particular, we could triangulate all input-output matrices, of size up to 60 × 60, available to us within acceptable time bounds.
The Relationship Between Ocean Surface Structure and the Synthetic Aperature Radar Imagery of Ocean Waves

The relationship between synthetic aperture radar (SAR) imagery of ocean waves and the ocean surface structure is discussed. The effects of ocean surface motion on SAR images is given. A generalization of conventional SAR correlation techniques is developed to provide imagery with the minimum possible degradation and distortion. The modeling of such imagery is discussed and an analytically tractable example given. Ongoing work towards the determination of the relevant components of surface microstructure is described. The future use of SAR phase information to supplement information obtainable from SAR imagery is suggested.
Cardiomyopathy reverses with recovery of liver injury, cholestasis and cholanemia in mouse model of biliary fibrosis

Background Triggers and exacerbants of cirrhotic cardiomyopathy (CC) are poorly understood, limiting treatment options in patients with chronic liver diseases. Liver transplantation alone reverses some features of CC, but the physiology behind this effect has never been studied. Aims We aimed to determine whether reversal of liver injury and fibrosis in mouse affects cardiac parameters. The second aim was to determine whether cardiomyopathy can be induced by specifically increasing systemic bile acid (BA) levels. Methods 6–8 week old male C57BL6J mice were fed either chow (n = 5) or 3,5-diethoxycarbonyl-1,4-dihydroxychollidine (DDC) (n = 10) for 3 weeks. At the end of 3 weeks, half the mice in the DDC fed group were randomized to chow (the reversed [REV] group). Serial ECHOs and electrocardiographic analysis was conducted weekly for 6 weeks followed by liver tissue and serum studies. Hearts were analysed for key components of function and cell signalling. Cardiac physiological and molecular parameters were similarly analysed in Abcb11−/− mice (n = 5/grp) fed 0.5% cholic acid supplemented diet for 1 week. Results Mice in the REV group showed normalization of biochemical markers of liver injury with resolution of electrocardiographic and ECHO aberrations. Catecholamine resistance seen in DDC group resolved in the REV group. Cardiac recovery was accompanied by normalization of cardiac troponin-T2 as well as resolution of cardiac stress response at RNA level. Cardiovascular physiological and molecular parameters correlated with degree of cholanemia. Cardiomyopathy was reproduced in cholanemic BA fed Abcb11−/− mice. Conclusions Cardiomyopathy resolves with resolution of liver injury, is associated with cholanaemia, and can be induced by BA feeding.
Exploiting sequence and structure homologs to identify protein–protein binding sites

A rapid increase in the number of experimentally derived three-dimensional struc- tures provides an opportunity to better understand and subsequently predict protein-protein interac- tions. In this study, structurally conserved residues were derived from multiple structure alignments of the individual components of known complexes and the assigned conservation score was weighted based on the crystallographic B factor to account for the structural flexibility that will result in a poor align- ment. Sequence profile and accessible surface area information was then combined with the conserva- tion score to predict protein-protein binding sites using a Support Vector Machine (SVM). The incorpo- ration of the conservation score significantly im- proved the performance of the SVM. About 52% of the binding sites were precisely predicted (greater than 70% of the residues in the site were identified); 77% of the binding sites were correctly predicted (greater than 50% of the residues in the site were identified), and 21% of the binding sites were par- tially covered by the predicted residues (some resi- dues were identified). The results support the hy- pothesis that in many cases protein interfaces require some residues to provide rigidity to mini- mize the entropic cost upon complex formation.
Asthma Medication Device Skills in High-Risk African American Adolescents

Objective. To describe the asthma medication device skills of high-risk African American adolescents and associations between skills and other components of illness management, Methods. 170 African American adolescents, with at least one hospitalization or two emergency department visits in the last year, demonstrated how they use their asthma quick-relief and controller medication devices. Observations were scored using an in vivo observation asthma skills checklist. To assess other areas of asthma management, adolescents and their primary caregiver were interviewed using the Family Asthma Management System Scales, Results. Only 5% of adolescents correctly demonstrated all controller skills, and none of the adolescents correctly showed all quick-relief inhaler skills (5% showed between 90 and 95% of skills). Several components of asthma management predicting controller medication skills were attendance at an asthma specialty clinic, collaboration with provider, medication adherence, and quick-relief medi...
Experimental study of diphtheritic polyneuritis in the rabbit and guinea pig. I. Immunologic and histopathologic observations.

Diphtheritic neuritis was produced in rabbits and guinea pigs by injection of underneutralized toxin-antitoxin mixtures. The disease is a progressive, ataxic paresis related in severity to the dose of injected toxin-antitoxin. Cerebrospinal fluids of rabbits with this disease showed "albuminocytologic dissociation" similar to that found in the same disease in man. Histologically the disease is a progressive demyelination of the peripheral nervous system, un-accompanied by axis cylinder damage or inflammation. It involves the spinal roots and sensory ganglia in the rabbit, the peripheral nerves in the guinea pig. Diphtheritic neuritis can be distinguished from experimental allergic neuritis in the rabbit and guinea pig on both clinical and histological grounds. The rabbit disease is however an excellent model of diphtheritic neuritis in man. In the animals with diphtheritic neuritis, studied in the present work, there was vigorous production of circulating antitoxin and infrequently complement-fixing antibody to horse serum proteins. No antibody against rabbit spinal cord or sciatic nerve was demonstrated. Skin reactivity to both rabbit nerve suspension and diphtheria toxoid was present at 1 to 2 weeks following inoculation and reached a maximum well before the peak of antitoxin response. These reactions did not seem to be typical delayed reactions. No correlation existed between the development of diphtheritic polyneuritis and any of these immunologic events or the circulating complement level, either in time or in degree. Treatment of rabbits with 400 r whole body irradiation 48 hours before inoculation resulted in severe leukopenia lasting about 3 weeks, delay of antitoxin formation with considerable reduction of peak titers, and some decreased skin reactivity to toxoid. It had no effect on the disease process. It is concluded that diphtheritic polyneuritis is produced by a non-immunologic mechanism, e.g., direct toxicity.
Analytical solution for the cylindrical bending vibration of piezoelectric composite plates

An analytical solution for the cylindrical bending vibrations of linear piezoelectric laminated plates is obtained by extending the Stroh formalism to the generalized plane strain vibrations of piezoelectric materials. The laminated plate consists of homogeneous elastic or piezoelectric laminae of arbitrary thickness and width. Fourier basis functions for the mechanical displacements and electric potential that identically satisfy the equations of motion and the charge equation of electrostatics are used to solve boundary value problems via the superposition principle. The coefficients in the infinite series solution are determined from the boundary conditions at the edges and continuity conditions at the interfaces between laminae, which are satisfied in the sense of Fourier series. The formulation admits different boundary conditions at the edges of the laminated piezoelectric composite plate. Results for laminated elastic plates with either distributed or segmented piezoelectric actuators are presented for different sets of boundary conditions at the edges. � 2003 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Open Adoption of Infants: Adoptive Parents' Feelings Seven Years Later

Adoptions today increasingly include contact between adoptive and birth families. What do these "open adoptions" look like? How do the participants feel about them? This article, based on part of a longitudinal study that first examined adoptive parents' perceptions of their infants' open adoptions seven years ago, explores the parents' reactions now that their children are school age. This qualitative descriptive research revealed changes in the openness in the adoptions over time and identified four dimensions along which open adoptions vary. Findings showed parents' enthusiasm for the openness in their adoptions, regardless of the type and extent of openness. Implications for social work practice, education, and policy are explored.
Deterministic Global Attitude Estimation

A deterministic attitude estimation problem for a rigid body in an attitude dependent potential field with bounded measurement errors is studied. An attitude estimation scheme that does not use generalized coordinate representations of the attitude is presented here. Assuming that the initial attitude, angular velocity and measurement noise lie within given ellipsoidal bounds, an uncertainty ellipsoid that bounds the attitude and the angular velocity of the rigid body is obtained. The center of the uncertainty ellipsoid provides point estimates, and its size gives the accuracy of the estimates. The point estimates and the uncertainty ellipsoids are propagated using a Lie group variational integrator and its linearization, respectively. The estimation scheme is optimal in the sense that the attitude estimation error and the size of the uncertainty ellipsoid is minimized at each measurement instant, and it is global since the attitude is represented by a rotation matrix.
Varicocelectomy improves intrauterine insemination success rates in men with varicocele.

Purpose: We determined whether varicocele treatment before intrauterine insemination significantly affects intrauterine insemination success rates.Materials and Methods: A total of 58 infertile couples, of whom the women had normal evaluations and men had abnormal semen analyses and a history of varicocele, were included in this study. They were identified after reviewing the charts of all women undergoing intrauterine insemination for male factor infertility at our center. Of the men 24 participated in 63 intrauterine insemination cycles without varicocele treatment, while in the remaining 34 varicocele was treated before a total of 101 intrauterine insemination cycles. Variables associated with pregnancy or live birth were analyzed using repeat measures logistic regression with generalized estimating equation techniques. An initial stepwise generalized estimating equation was performed without including varicocele treatment status. Subsequently varicocele treatment status and the significant associated ...
A cross-layer approach to heterogeneity and reliability

As modern hardware becomes increasingly complex, it becomes more difficult to create efficient software for common computing workloads. One way to manage this complexity is to employ holistic solutions that consider multiple layers of hardware and software in conjunction, allowing software to adapt and react to changing conditions at run time. This paper focuses on lightweight modifications to commodity hardware that enable virtual execution environments to help solve problems in the areas of power, reliability, security, and performance. We present our experimental simulation framework, which enables us to explore the design space of hardware/software collaboration, and we demonstrate its ability to produce simplified, reactive solutions to two emerging computing problems. First, we improve heterogeneous process migration with hardware feedback, and second, we use hardware information to respond to voltage emergencies (di/dt) in software. These symbiotic design approaches illustrate the simple nature yet significant potential of cross-layer, reactive solutions.
Alterations in expression of endometrial endothelial nitric oxide synthase and αvβ3 integrin in women with endometriosis

Abstract Objective: To determine the expression of endometrial endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) protein and α v β 3 integrin in patients with and without endometriosis. Design: Case-control cohort study. Setting: University-based tertiary care center. Patient(s): Endometrial biopsy samples were obtained from 9 fertile women with regular cycles and 30 infertile women with varying severity of endometriosis. Peritoneal fluid levels of nitric oxide were determined in 13 infertile women with a normal pelvis and 12 infertile women with endometriosis. Main Outcome Measure(s): Expression of eNOS and α v β 3 integrin protein in the endometrium and peritoneal fluid levels of nitric oxide. Results: In patients with endometriosis, expression of eNOS was significantly increased in the glandular and luminal epithelium, with no significant changes in the stroma. Peritoneal fluid levels of nitric oxide were unchanged, and expression of α v β 3 integrin expression in glandular and luminal epithelium was significantly decreased compared with controls. A significant negative correlation was observed between luminal expression of eNOS and α v β 3 integrin and between glandular expression of eNOS and luminal expression of α v β 3 integrin. Conclusion(s): The nitric oxide pathway may play a role in the pathogenesis of endometriosis.
New syntax for if- and case statements

We like to propose slightly different syntax for if- and case statements in English-like programming languages such as Pascal, which is based on the following two principles: (i) Programmers should be able to align coordinative expressions or statements, and (ii) syntax is correct according to the English grammar, if possible. The first principle is one of the most important points in program-writing because if coordinative expressions or statements are aligned then programmers can understand the structure of a program more easily and hence will make less mistakes. We will point out that in the case of a nested if-statement it is not possible to do so. The second principle is self-explanatory. Unusual abbreviations and grammatically incorrect syntax may be justified only if they improve program-writing significantly; otherwise, we should not adapt them. A case-statement is such an example. Moreover, even though it is a special case of more general if-statement, its syntax has no resemblance to that of the general case. Our syntax for a case-statement is a straight abbreviation of a grammatically correct if-statement and not so restrictive as Pascal-type case-statements.
Increased Microvascularization and Vessel Permeability Associate with Active Inflammation in Human Atheromata

Background— Studies have shown the feasibility of imaging plaques with 2-deoxy-2-[18F]fluoroglucose (FDG) positron emission tomography and dynamic contrast–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging with inconsistent results. We sought to investigate the relationship between markers of inflammatory activation, plaque microvascularization, and vessel wall permeability in subjects with carotid plaques using a multimodality approach combining FDG positron emission tomography, dynamic contrast–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, and histopathology. Methods and Results— Thirty-two subjects with carotid stenoses underwent noninvasive imaging with FDG positron emission tomography and dynamic contrast–enhanced magnetic resonance imaging, 46.9% (n=15) before carotid endarterectomy. We measured FDG uptake (target:background ratio [TBR]) by positron emission tomography and Ktrans (reflecting microvascular permeability and perfusion) by magnetic resonance imaging and correlated imaging with immunohistochemical markers of macrophage content (CD68), activated inflammatory cells (major histocompatibility complex class II), and microvessels (CD31) in plaque and control regions. TBR and Ktrans correlated significantly with tertiles of CD68+ ( P =0.009 and P =0.008, respectively), major histocompatibility complex class II+ ( P =0.003 and P <0.001, respectively), and CD31+ ( P =0.004 and P =0.008, respectively). Regions of plaques were associated with increased CD68+ ( P =0.002), major histocompatibility complex class II+ ( P =0.002), CD31+ ( P =0.02), TBR ( P <0.0001), and Ktrans ( P <0.0001), as compared with those without plaques. Microvascularization correlated with macrophage content ( r s=0.52; P =0.007) and inflammatory activity ( r s=0.68; P =0.0001) and TBR correlated with Ktrans ( r s=0.53; P <0.0001). In multivariable mixed linear regression modeling, TBR remained independently associated with Ktrans (β[SE], 2.68[0.47]; P <0.0001). Conclusions— Plaque regions with active inflammation, as determined by macrophage content and major histocompatibility complex class II expression, showed increased FDG uptake, which correlated with increased Ktrans and microvascularization. The correlation between Ktrans and TBR was moderate, direct, highly significant, and independent of clinical symptoms and plaque luminal severity.
Supervised learning for adaptive interactive multiple model (SLAIMM) tracking

To improve target tracking algorithms, supervised learning of adaptive interacting multiple model (SLAIMM) is compared to other interacting multiple model (IMM) methods. Based on the classical IMM tracking, a trained adaptive acceleration model is added to the filter bank to track behavior between the fixed model dynamics. The results show that the SLAIMM algorithm 1) improves kinematic track accuracy for a target undergoing acceleration, 2) affords track maintenance through maneuvers, and 3) reduces computational costs by performing off-line learning of system parameters. The SLAIMM method is compared with the classical IMM, the Munir Adaptive IMM, and the Maybeck Moving-Bank multiple-model adaptive estimator (MBMMAE).
Integrated motion and contact control of robotic manipulators

An integrated motion and contact control algorithm for robotic manipulators is introduced in this paper for improving the intelligence of the robotic control systems in dealing with tasks in which the end effector begins in an unconstrained region of the work space, and the terminating conditions involve contact with a deformable surface with uncertain impedance characteristics. The basic feedback control elements are derived from sliding mode control. Transition characteristics from unconstrained motion control to impedance control are prescribable in the proposed algorithm where initial impact velocity, and desired contact impedance are inputs to the design process. Design and simulation results for single-degree-of-freedom contact tasks are presented.
‘I should at least be given a chance to try’: the experience of media workers with disabilities in the United States during postsecondary education and early career

This qualitative study described the lived experience of media workers with disabilities in the United States during postsecondary education and their transition to the professional media workplace. While there is ample literature about disability narratives in media products, there is a significant gap in the research about media workers and students with disabilities. Three participants provided face-to-face interviews and submitted media artifacts that they felt provided abstract representations of their experience. Invariant structural themes that emerged were that participants possessed a high level of self-efficacy, and while their colleges provided supportive environments, they faced discrimination in the media workplace. Additionally, they received few or unhelpful educational accommodations and little guidance from faculty as they transitioned from education to work. Findings suggest a need for faculty training in inclusive pedagogies, review of media curricula that considers students with disabi...
Tidal reorientation and transport of Recent bivalves on a temperate tidal flat, northwestern U.S.

The effects of waves and tides on the behavior of single and articulated dead shells of Macoma nasuta and Clinocardium sp. were studied in False Bay (San Juan Island, Washington). Most of the bay is subaerially exposed during spring low tides (-0.8 to 2.6 m), whereas waves enter from the Straits of San Juan de Fuca during periods of submersion. These species were the most numerous and conspicuous skeletal elements present on the tidal flats. Transects of natural death assemblages at the surface indicate that shell abundance was significantly greater closer to shore and decreased toward the bay center. The majority of these valves were oriented in the convex-up attitude
The Foundation and Application for Purchaser & Supplier Satisfaction Mode

The stability and cost of supply chain is depended on the symbiosis between purchaser and supplier. The purchaser supplier satisfaction mode is founded based on behaviors of purchaser and supplier in cooperation. The sequel caused by both feeling consistent or not and the behavior they will take are analyzed. The mode is used to evaluate the relationship and to show the performance of supply chain. This paper gives the index and method of evaluation.
Modulation of murine hepatic lipase activity by exogenous and endogenous Kupffer-cell activation.

Deficiency of hepatic lipase (HL) may play a role in the lipoprotein abnormalities in chronic inflammatory states which are characterized by reticuloendothelial-system activation and cytokine release. HL triacylglycerol hydrolase activity was measured in heparin perfusates of livers from autoimmune MRL/lpr mice, which spontaneously develop a condition closely resembling human lupus erythematosis and exhibit spontaneous Kupffer-cell activation after 8 weeks of age, as well as from normal mice treated with Corynebacterium parvum or polyinosinic-polycytidylic acid complex [poly(I.C)] to induce Kupffer-cell activation. HL activity in MRL/lpr mice older than 8 weeks was 29.5% (P = 0.002) of that in age-matched control MRL/++ mice. Treatment of normal mice with C. parvum or poly(I.C) resulted in HL activities 18.6% (P = 0.004) and 13.1% (P = 0.007) respectively of untreated controls. Northern-blot hybridization of liver poly(A)+ RNA showed no differences in HL mRNA abundance in MRL/++ mice compared with the MRL/lpr autoimmune strain after 8 weeks of age, or in normal control mice compared with those treated with C. parvum, indicating attenuation of HL activity at the translational or post-translational level. Deficiency of this enzyme may represent one of the mechanisms contributing to the dyslipoproteinaemia of autoimmune disease and chronic infection.
Isotretinoin for acne and rosacea

Isotretinoin is a revolutionary medicine for the treatment of acne vulgaris, with new studies showing evidence of excellent clinical outcomes in treating rosacea. After 30 years of clinical experience, new insights are being gained into dosing strategies, recurrence prevention, and dose-related side effects. Previous controversial associations with inflammatory bowel diseases and mood disorders have hampered the use of this medication in some clinical situations, with new evidence disproving these claims. The teratogenicity of this medication mandates iPLEDGE compliance with government regulations. Clinicians should be knowledgeable about this medication including its side effects, teratogenicity, and its controversies in order to adequately counsel patients, dissuade fears, and obtain the best clinical outcome when treating acne and rosacea.
Differential Inhibition of Arachidonic Acid Mediated Aggregation of Platelets by Branded and Generic Argatroban Preparations

Abstract 5131 Argatroban represents a parentral antithrombin agent which is used in the management of anticoagulation in heparin compromised patients. Its main mechanism of action is mediated via inhibition of thrombin and its generation. While its effect on platelet activation inhibition by thrombin have been reported, very little information on the effects of this drug on thromboxane formation and Arachidonic Acid mediated activation of platelets is available. Argatroban and its generic versions namely Slovastan, Argaron and Gartban, may modulate Arachidonic Acid mediated platelet aggregation and release processes. To test this hypothesis a branded version of Argatroban (Mitsubishi – Tanade, Tokyo, Japan) and three generic versions of Argatroban namely Slovastan, Gartban, and Slovastan were compared for their effects on Arachidonic Acid mediated aggregation of platelets in normal healthy male and female volunteers (and n = 4). Other agonists such as Epinephrine, Collagen, and ADP were also used. The effect of Arachidonic Acid on serotonin release was also measured using an Elisa technique for the measurement of serotonin. All of the generic and branded versions of Argatroban produce varying levels of the inhibition of the Arachidonic Acid mediated aggregation of platelets, ranging from the 24 to 36 percent in comparison to the control at a concentration of 1 mg/ mL (p value Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
Fetal Immune Responses Post In Utero Transplantation of Embryonic Stem Cells, Bone Marrow and Fetal Liver Hematopoietic Stem Cells.

Abstract Introduction: We have previously shown that in utero transplanted ES cells survive and integrate into the fetus development and have established a murine model for the study of the in vivo differentiation of ES cells. The goal of this study was to monitor the fetal immune responses post in utero transplantation of ES cells, bone marrow (BM) and fetal liver (FL) hematopoietic stem cells. Materials and Methods: Murine (MHC)-mismatched ES cells genetically engineered to express yellow fluorescent protein (YFP-ES cells) were cultured on mitomycin-treated feeder layers for four days prior to in utero transplantation (IUT) in medium containing leukemia inhibitory factor. A cell dose of 5x104 YFP-ES cells ((H-2kb) was injected intraperitoneally in the fetuses of Balb/c (H-2Kd) pregnant mice at E12- E14. BM and FL hematopoietic stem cells (H-2kb) were transplanted in utero at a dosage of 1×109 cells/kg fetal body weight into E12-E14 BALB/c fetuses (H- 2Kd). Fetal immune responses were monitored by in vitro mixed lymphocyte reaction and cytotoxicity assays performed with self (Balb/c), allogeneic ES cells, BM or FL hematopoietic cells, and 3rd party (C3H cells). Cytokine levels (IL-2, IFN-gamma, IL-4 and IL-10) were determined in the cell culture supernatants from cytotoxicity assays. Liver tissue sections were prepared from in utero transplanted fetuses and examined for the presence of lymphocytic infiltration. Results: In utero transplantation of YFP-ES-cells did not induce tolerance in the fetuses and was associated with increased cytokine production compared with BM and FL groups. Microscopic examination of liver sections of ES cell transplanted group revealed the presence of marked inflammatory infiltrate. Conclusions: Embryonic stem cells transplanted in utero induce fetal immune responses and increased cytokine production associated with (MHC) upregulation.
A novel approach for estimation of dynamic from static origin–destination matrices

AbstractThe growing interest in deploying advanced technologies to enhance the efficiency of transportation systems has generated a greater need for traffic simulation software to test and validate these systems prior to their field implementation. The precise estimation of dynamic origin–destination (O–D) matrices is critical to the successful application of these models. In addressing this need, the paper develops a novel algorithm that estimates the dynamic O–D matrix by first computing static O–D matrices for each time slice and then adjusting these matrices to account for the temporal dependency across the various time slices. Specifically, a simulation-based package integrating the QueensOD and INTEGRATION software is developed to estimate the dynamic O–D matrix. First, the time-dependent static O–D matrices are estimated using the QueensOD maximum likelihood O–D estimator. Next, these static matrices are applied as a seed solution to estimate the dynamic O–D demand by modeling the detailed movement...
Modernizing GooFit: A Case Study

The GooFit highly parallel fitting framework is a system to enable fast computation on massive datasets common in high energy physics. The system was primarily a research level code, difficult to install and with separate code bases for every analysis. Moving this code into a production ready state as a community code where developments can be easily incorporated has presented several challenges. This is a case study for moving disorganized code into a modern software engineering environment.
Massive endometrioma presenting with dyspnea and abdominal symptoms

An abdominal mass may present with a myriad of symptoms resulting from compression of surrounding organs. A major clinical challenge with practical implications is accurate preoperative identification of the origin of the mass. Here, we present the case of a 29-year-old female patient with abdominal distension and shortness of breath for approximately 6 weeks before presentation. A large abdominal mass compressing the surrounding organs was observed on abdominal x-ray and computed tomography of the abdomen and pelvis. Preoperative imaging was unable to identify the organ of origin; pathologic and histologic analyses of the tumor ultimately identified a rare, massive intra-abdominal endometrioma, freely floating within the peritoneum and fed by an omental blood supply. This case highlights the importance of considering an atypical presentation of endometriosis in women of reproductive age with abdominal complaints.
Retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy secondary to joint replacement wear and debris, a case report.

Abstract We present a case of a 63-year-old female who initially presented with complaints of vulvar swelling and was subsequently found to have isolated retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy on imaging. Biopsy was performed and was indicative of weakly polarizable material that raised the consideration of joint prosthesis wear debris. Due to the patient's concern for an underlying malignancy of gynecologic origin, a laparoscopic lymphadenectomy was ultimately performed and final pathology was consistent with reactive changes due to joint wear and debris from the patient's bilateral total knee arthroplasties placed approximately 16 years prior. While this is a rare presentation, it is important to consider this in the differential of retroperitoneal lymphadenopathy as these patients are often referred to a gynecologic oncologist for further workup.
Mechanochemical changes in absorption and fluorescence of DDM-containing epoxies

Abstract Photochemical changes in the optical characteristics of solid polymers form the basis for many important technologies, but few examples are demonstrated in diamine-cured epoxy, one of the most important structural polymer systems. We have observed that diamine-cured epoxies containing the 4,4′-diaminodiphenyl methane (DDM) framework display changes in both absorption and fluorescence in response to UV light. The change from original “blue” to photo-activated “red” emission can be accomplished by illuminating samples of DDM-containing epoxy with photons of 254 nm or 370 nm wavelengths, followed by excitation of the newly-generated red-emitting fluorophore with 350–400 nm light. Studies of the monomer constituents and of many formulations of diamine-cured epoxy identify the DDM structure as the responsive moiety, both from the epoxy or diamine monomer. The fluorescence change is accompanied by the formation of orange and green chromophores; the orange chromophore is the fluorophore, with a broad 410 nm excitation and 607 nm emission. Our work shows the “blue-to-red” transition to be irreversible and independent of atmospheric oxygen; the fluorophore’s impermanence with time and its radical spectral signature identify it as a reactive intermediate rather than a photo-oxidation product. The central methylene radical of the benzoidal DDM structure is proposed as a red-emitting fluorophore/orange chromophore, with the green chromophore being a quinoidal methine resulting from the DDM radical.
Intergovernmental Relations in the Architecture of Federal System: The United States

The term intergovernmental relations originated in the United States in the 1930s and was motivated by a strong concern for the effective delivery of public services to clients. The term has come to mean the activities and interactions among governmental units within a federation and includes local general purpose and special governments and nongovernmental units (Agranoff 2004)—often working in intergovernmental networks. For comparativists, intergovernmental relations are the workings of governmental representatives at various levels usually in institutional settings.
A survey of naturally occurring chelating ligands.

It can be no great exaggeration to describe chelation as a seminal concept in modern biochemical theory and practice. Beginning with the work of Werner (A. Werner (1893), Anorg. u. Allgem. Chem., 3, 267; (1901), Ber., 34, 2584), and extending through the illuminating organic, physical-chemical, and pharmacological studies of such pioneers as Schwarzenbach, Martell, and Albert, the idea of molecular rearrangements, alterations in charge, conformational changes, etc., undergone by both metal and organic ligands as a result of their interaction to form complexes and chelate structures could not help but evoke visions of biological control, especially with respect to the action of enzymes and drugs. By now, several thousand papers dealing with chelation phenomena in living systems have appeared in the literature, and no modern textbook of biochemistry or pharmacology is without numerous examples of chelation reactions between metals such as calcium, magnesium, iron, zinc, copper, manganese, molybdenum, cobalt, or chromium, and organic metabolites ranging in complexity from glycine to coenzyme-mediated enzymes.
Sex Differences in Language Proficiency of Mexican-American Third and Fourth Graders:

Mexican-American third and fourth graders (n = 162) were administered a language proficiency test (Moreno Test of Oral Proficiency) and vocabulary test (Peabody Picture Vocabulary) in English and S...
White Paper on Eliminating the Water’s Edge Election and Moving to Mandatory Worldwide Combined Reporting

All forty-four states with corporate income taxes must consider how to respond to changes that the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act made to the federal corporate tax treatment of multinational corporations. In particular, the states must consider how to respond to two new anti-base erosion provisions at the federal level: GILTI and the BEAT. Here are a few of the options: 1) The states can choose not to conform to these provisions. 2) The states can choose to piggy-back on these provisions with little change. 3) The states can choose to piggy-back on these provisions, but do so strategically. That is, a state could choose to institute superior versions of these taxes. There is a lot of room for improvement. 4) The states can also choose to go back to the future and require mandatory worldwide combined reporting. This White Paper presents several reasons for why now is the time to consider mandatory worldwide combination and proposes specific helpful reforms.
Reminiscences of Steve Fienberg

Steve Fienberg had an enormous influence on how I think about statistical science and a huge impact on my career. Steve's research is of course legendary; he made fundamental contributions to Bayesian inference, categorical data analysis, disclosure control, official statistics, and record linkage, to name key areas where our research interests overlapped. The statistical insights in this work are brilliant and important -- and directly inspired several of my papers, including my first paper in JASA. The innovations in Steve's work target and respond to real, high impact problems in official statistics with leading edge methodology intended to make it into practice. His example of being an academic statistician who improves the practice of official statisticians on the ground is one that I try to emulate in my official statistics research. Although I was not one of Steve's students, I was the beneficiary of his mentorship. At conferences and workshops, and at reciprocating visits to CMU and Duke, Steve generously gave me many hours of his time, answering questions about research, official statistics, advising students, career options and paths, and life in general. I valued his advice dearly and followed it. I also have benefitted from Steve's mentorship in a more indirect way: I have been a post-doc mentor to two of his Ph.D. students. I can say from first hand experience that Steve's students are wonderful, both as scholars and as people. As I would have expected coming from Steve's tutelage.
Publishing trends in velopharyngeal insufficiency.

Abstract Objective This study seeks to describe publishing trends for VPI over a 33-year span with regard to treating specialty, methods of assessment, related diagnoses, and methods of treatment for each specialty. Methods A PubMed search was performed on “velopharyngeal insufficiency” using medical subject headings terms from 1985 to 2017. Publisher specialty, method(s) of VPI assessment, associated diagnosis/diagnoses, and method(s) of VPI treatment per specialty and combined across specialties were analyzed. Respective publications were totaled in 11-year intervals and two-way analysis of variance was used to compare change over time within specialties and across specialties. Results 763 publications were included for analysis. The total number of publications on VPI increased from a total of 6 in 1985 to a peak of 67 in 2015. The specialties that showed the largest increase in relative frequency of publication were Otolaryngology (p Conclusion There is a trend towards endoscopy for diagnostics and a multidisciplinary approach when managing patients with VPI. The specialty that showed the largest increase in the relative frequency of publication was Otolaryngology. Surgical methods of treatment continue to be described at increasing frequency relative to more conservative treatments.
Pyridine Polyaminocarboxylate Ligands for Use as Actinide-selective Holdback Reagents in Simplified TALSPEAK-like Extraction Systems

Three pyridine-based aqueous complexants have been synthesized and evaluated for their utility in an unbuffered TALSPEAK (Trivalent Actinide Lanthanide Separation by Phosphorus-reagent Extraction f...
CDX-U operation with a large area liquid lithium limiter

The current drive experiment-upgrade (CDX-U) at the Princeton Plasma Physics Laboratory has begun experiments with a fully toroidal liquid lithium limiter. CDX-U is a compact (R ¼ 34 cm, a ¼ 22 cm, Btoroidal ¼ 2 kG, IP ¼ 100 kA, Teð0 Þ� 100 eV, neð0 Þ� 5 � 10 19 m � 3 ) short-pulse (<25 ms) spherical torus with extensive diagnostics. The limiter, which consists of a shallow circular stainless steel tray of radius 34 cm and width 10 cm, can be filled with lithium to a depth of a few millimeters, and forms the lower limiting surface for the discharge. Heating elements beneath the tray are used to liquefy the lithium prior to the experiment. Surface coatings are evident on part of the lithium. Despite the surface coatings, tokamak discharges operated in contact with the lithium-filled tray show evidence of reduced impurities and recycling. The reduction in recycling is largest when the lithium is liquefied. 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.