cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunotherapy in a spontaneously developed murine mammary carcinoma with syngeneic monoclonal antibody.

A new spontaneously arisen murine breast tumor, designated JC, has been established in immunocompetent BALB/c mice. Upon reestablishment of tumor in vitro and in vivo, the epithelial murine tumor cells retained their original papillary adenocarcinoma morphology. Various immunotherapy protocols have been performed in previously implanted and progressively growing JC tumor in syngeneic hosts with a murine monoclonal antibody (McAb), F36/22 (IgG3). Affinity of McAb binding to JC tumor cells was determined to be 6.1 x 10(7) L/M. Quantitatively 1.2 x 10(5) molecules of McAb bound to a JC tumor cell. Immunotherapeutic effectiveness in vivo on a tumor mass after its establishment is a major feature of this experimental tumor model. When four sequential administration of McAb, i.p., at a dose of 400 micrograms 4 days apart were used, McAb-treated animals showed statistically significant tumor regression and longer survival than those of control animals treated with an irrelevant McAb of the same isotype. Two temporal phases of tumoricidal activity were observed as measured by tumor volume reduction. The first phase of tumoricidal response (tumor regression) was detected within days upon the first administration of McAb. A distinct second phase followed within 3-5 weeks after the last McAb administration, which resulted in tumor necrosis even in large tumors. Histological examinations revealed heavy infiltration of inflammatory cells at the beginning of the second phase. Similar tumor regression was also obtained from animals treated with a single dose (400 micrograms) of McAb followed by injections of McAb with complete and incomplete adjuvant, respectively. These results demonstrate that this syngeneic murine mammary tumor can serve as a potential preclinical model for investigation of parameters and mechanisms associated with McAb immunotherapy.
Quasiparticle interactions in the Anderson lattice: Effects of crystalline anisotropy.

We report a calculation of the quasiparticle interactions in a 1/[ital N] expansion of the infinite-[ital U] Anderson lattice. With an anisotropic hybridization matrix element, [ital V]([ital [rvec k]]), as sites of cubic symmetry and crystal-field splitting of [ital J]=5/2 spin-orbit-coupled multiplets, we average the static quasiparticle scattering amplitude over the Fermi surface. We find the local interactions are repulsive and have an appreciable strength only in the [ital A][sub 1[ital g]] ([ital s]-wave) pairing channel. The absence of strong local repulsions in the remaining pairing channels of cubic symmetry: [ital E][sub [ital g]]([ital x][sup 2][minus][ital y][sup 2]), [ital T][sub 1[ital g]][[ital xy]([ital x][sup 2][minus][ital y][sup 2])], and [ital T][sub 2[ital g]]([ital xy]) increases the prospects of a superconducting pairing instability in these channels. Inclusion of the nonlocal corrections suggests the possibility of superconductivity of [ital T][sub 1[ital g]] symmetry for a wide range of parameters, and [ital E][sub [ital g]] symmetry superconductivity for some model parameter regions.
Simply Academic: Linking Reporting Environments

This instructional case attempts to connect the environmental incentives and ethical issues from two different reporting environments. It provides two different scenarios that allow students to identify and grapple with multiple incentives and resultant ethical dilemmas present in the academic reporting environment. A summary then requires students to link stakeholders, activities, incentives, and dilemmas in the academic environment to corresponding situations in the financial reporting environment. The purpose of the case is threefold: (1) It makes students aware of the incentives and ethical issues present in various reporting environments. (2) By explicitly linking the academic and financial reporting environments, students see the relevance of ethics in their current lives and are motivated to develop ethical habits now in order to prepare for the challenges that will occur later in their careers. (3) The case forces students to practice making decisions in situations with conflicting incentives and ...
Functional Outcome After Surgical Treatment of Esophageal Perforation

Abstract Background . The functional results after treatment of intrathoracic esophageal perforations have been poorly documented. Methods . A retrospective review of 42 patients who underwent treatment of intrathoracic esophageal perforation associated with benign esophageal disease was performed. Results . Of 42 patients treated for esophageal perforation, 25 underwent primary repair, 15 underwent esophagectomy and reconstruction, 1 underwent cervical esophagostomy and drainage followed by esophageal resection, and 1 had drainage alone followed by primary repair. Among the patients treated with primary repair, at least one additional operation was required in 13 patients. Of the 15 patients treated with esophagectomy and reconstruction, none required further operative treatment. Follow-up averaged 3.7 years, and of the 36 survivors available for follow-up, 18 (50%) required at least one esophageal dilation postoperatively, and 3 (8.3%) have required regular dilations. Subjectively, 19 of 36 patients (53%) indicate that their swallowing is better than before perforation, it was the same in 12 (33%), and worse in 4 (11%). Conclusions . In conclusion, approximately one third of patients surviving primary repair of esophageal perforations have continued difficulty with swallowing, which often requires esophageal dilations or esophageal reconstructive procedures, or a combination of both. Optimal long-term results are achieved when primary repair is performed in patients with motor disorders or a "normal" esophagus. Esophagectomy is a better option in those patients with strictures or diffuse esophageal disease.
Creep relaxation of stress around a crack tip

Abstract Plane-strain numerical solutions have been obtained for the power-law creep relaxation of crack tip stresses subsequent to an initial elastic response. Explicit time integration is coupled with an initial-strain, finite element calculation. For cost effective, automatic time step control, the Irons-Treharne-Cormeau stable time step estimate is used to restabilize the calculation between steps 5–50 times larger. This finite element scheme is readily adaptable to realistic (and complicated) creep flow relations. Numerical results are presented for the plane-strain shallow Mode I tensile edge crack under constant applied load and creep exponents of 3 and 10. The calculated short-time amplitude of the singular HRR crack tip field under small-scale creeping conditions determines stresses that are within 1.5% of those predicted, using the elastic stress intensity factor K I with the Riedel-Rice approximation. This precedes a longer time transition to a steady-state value that is given in terms of the path-independent integral C ∗ . Time-dependent crack opening displacements and velocities and the growth of regions where creep strains exceed the elastic strains are also presented.
Internal deletion mutants of Xenopus transcription factor IIIA

Xenopus transcription factor IIIA (TFIIIA) or TFIIIA mutants with internal deletions were expressed in E. coli utilizing a bacteriophage T7 RNA polymerase system. TFIIIA or deletion mutant TFIIIAs, isolated from E.coli cell extracts, were identified by SDS PAGE and immunoblotting with rabbit antiserum against native TFIIIA purified from Xenopus immature oocytes. Specific DNA binding of intact or internally deleted TFIIIA was compared by analyzing their abilities to protect the internal control gene (ICR) of the Xenopus 5S RNA gene from DNase I digestion. Intact protein, synthesized from a full-length TFIIIA cDNA, bound specifically to the entire ICR (+96 to +43) and promoted 5S RNA gene transcription in vitro. One TFIIIA deletion mutant, expressed from cDNA lacking the coding sequence for the putative fourth zinc finger (designated from the N-terminus, amino acids 103-132) protected the ICR from DNase I digestion from nucleotide positions +96 to +78. A second TFIIIA mutant resulting from fusion of putative zinc fingers 7 and 8 (deletion of amino acids 200-224) protected the 5S gene ICR from positions +96 to +63. The DNase I protection patterns of these mutant proteins are consistent with the formation of strong ICR contacts by those regions of the protein on the N-terminal side of the mutation but not by those regions on the C-terminal side of the mutation. The regions of the protein comprising the N-terminal 3 fingers and N-terminal six fingers appear to be in contact with approximately 18 and 33 bp of DNA respectively on the 3' side of the 5S gene ICR. These internal deletion mutants promoted 5S RNA synthesis in vitro and DNA renaturation.
Socioeconomic Inequalities in Quality of Care and Outcomes Among Patients With Acute Coronary Syndrome in the Modern Era of Drug Eluting Stents

Background The rapidly changing landscape of percutaneous coronary intervention provides a unique model for examining disparities over time. Previous studies have not examined socioeconomic inequalities in the current era of drug eluting stents (DES). Methods and Results We analyzed 835 070 hospitalizations for acute coronary syndrome (ACS) from the Healthcare Cost and Utilization Project across all insurance types from 2008 to 2011, examining whether quality of care and outcomes for patients with ACS differed by income (based on zip code of residence) with adjustment for patient characteristics and clustering by hospital. We found that lower‐income patients were less likely to receive an angiogram within 24 hours of a ST elevation myocardial infarction (STEMI) (69.5% for IQ1 versus 73.7% for IQ4, P P P P Conclusions For the most well accepted procedural treatments for ACS, income inequalities have faded. However, such inequalities have persisted for DES use, a relatively expensive and until recently, controversial revascularization procedure. Differences in mortality are significantly associated with differences in time to primary PCI, suggesting an important target for understanding why these inequalities persist.
Position-sensitive detection of slow neutrons: survey of fundamental principles

This paper sets forth the fundamental principles governing the development of position- sensitive detection systems for slow neutrons. Since neutrons are only weakly interacting with most materials, it is not generally practical to detect slow neutrons directly. Therefore all practical slow neutron detection mechanisms depend on the use of nuclear reactions to 'convert' the neutron to one or more charged particles, followed by the subsequent detection of the charged particles. The different conversion reactions which can be used are discussed, along with the relative merits of each. This is followed with a discussion of the various methods of charged particle detection, how these lend themselves to position-sensitive encoding, and the means of position encoding which can be applied in each case. Detector performance characteristics which may be of importance to the end user are discussed and related to these various detection and position-encoding mechanisms.© (1993) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Body and law in late Anglo-Saxon England

This article explores some textual dimensions of what I argue is a crucial moment in the history of the Anglo-Saxon subject. For purposes of temporal triangulation, I would locate this moment between roughly 970 and 1035, though these dates function merely as crude, if potent, signposts: the years 970×973 mark the adoption of the Regularis concordia, the ecclesiastical agreement on the practice of a reformed (and markedly continental) monasticism, and 1035 marks the death of Cnut, the Danish king of England, whose laws encode a change in the understanding of the individual before the law. These dates bracket a rich and chaotic time in England: the apex of the project of reform, a flourishing monastic culture, efflorescence of both Latin and vernacular literatures, remarkable manuscript production, but also the renewal of the Viking wars that seemed at times to be signs of the apocalypse and that ultimately would put a Dane on the throne of England. These dates point to two powerful and continuing sets of interests in late Anglo-Saxon England, ecclesiastical and secular, monastic and royal, whose relationships were never simple. This exploration of the subject in Anglo-Saxon England as it is illuminated by the law draws on texts associated with each of these interests and argues their interconnection. Its point of departure will be the body – the way it is configured, regarded, regulated and read in late Anglo-Saxon England. It focuses in particular on the use to which the body is put in juridical discourse: both the increasing role of the body in schemes of inquiry and of punishment and the ways in which the body comes to be used to know and control the subject.
A region within a lumenal loop of Saccharomyces cerevisiae Ycf1p directs proteolytic processing and substrate specificity.

Ycf1p, a member of the yeast multidrug resistance-associated protein (MRP) subfamily of ATP-binding cassette proteins, is a vacuolar membrane transporter that confers resistance to a variety of toxic substances such as cadmium and arsenite. Ycf1p undergoes a PEP4-dependent processing event to yield N- and C-terminal cleavage products that remain associated with one another. In the present study, we sought to determine whether proteolytic cleavage is required for Ycf1p activity. We have identified a unique region within lumenal loop 6 of Ycf1p, designated the loop 6 insertion (L6ins), which appears to be necessary and sufficient for proteolytic cleavage, since L6ins can promote processing when moved to new locations in Ycf1p or into a related transporter, Bpt1p. Surprisingly, mutational results indicate that proteolytic processing is not essential for Ycf1p transport activity. Instead, the L6ins appears to regulate substrate specificity of Ycf1p, since certain mutations in this region lower cellular cadmium resistance with a concomitant gain in arsenite resistance. Although some of these L6ins mutations block processing, there is no correlation between processing and substrate specificity. The activity profiles of the Ycf1p L6ins mutants are dramatically affected by the strain background in which they are expressed, raising the possibility that another cellular component may functionally impact Ycf1p activity. A candidate component may be a new full-length MRP-type transporter (NFT1), reported in the Saccharomyces Genome Database as two adjacent open reading frames, YKR103w and YKR104w, but which we show here is present in most Saccharomyces strains as a single open reading frame.
Louis the Pious and the Hunt

History remembers Charlemagne not only as a great conqueror but also as a mighty hunter. It is largely thanks to Einhard that we have this image of Charlemagne as a second Nimrod, the “robustus venator” of Genesis 10.8–9. In the Life of Charlemagne (Vita Karoli), Einhard mentioned hunting on no fewer than five occasions, making it a notable leitmotif that distinguishes the work from Einhard's literary model, Suetonius's Lives of the Caesars. In Einhard's eyes, Charlemagne's frequent hunting embodied the essence of Frankish manhood; he wrote, “He often exercised himself with riding and hunting, which came naturally to him, since there can hardly be found another people in the world that can equal the Franks in this art.” Einhard's emphasis on Charlemagne as a royal hunter was something new in early-medieval historiography, since earlier chroniclers, like Gregory of Tours and Bede, had mentioned hunting kings infrequently and only in passing. But the Vita Karoli was to cast a long shadow, and a number of su...
Pascal's Wager: Health Insurance Exchanges, Obamacare, and the Republican Dilemma

Enactment of the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act (ACA) created a dilemma for Republican policy makers at the state level. States could maximize control over decision making and avoid federal intervention by establishing their own health insurance exchanges. Yet GOP leaders feared that creating exchanges would entrench a law they intensely opposed and undermine legal challenges to the ACA. Republicans' calculations were further complicated by uncertainty over the Supreme Court's ruling on the ACA's constitutionality and the outcome of the November 2012 elections. In the first year of operation, only seventeen states and the District of Columbia chose to design and implement their own exchanges; another six partnered with the federal government, and twenty-seven states ceded control to Washington. Out of thirty states with Republican governors in 2013, only four launched their own exchange. Why did many Republican-led states that initially appeared open to establishing exchanges ultimately reverse course? Drawing on interviews with state policy makers and secondary data, we trace the evolution of Republican responses to the exchange dilemma during 2010-13. We explore how exchanges became controversial and explain why so few Republican-led states opted for their own exchange, focusing on the intensifying resistance to Obamacare amid a rightward shift in state politics, partisan polarization, and uncertainty over the ACA's fate.
Rankings of International Achievement Test Performance and Economic Strength: Correlation or Conjecture?.

Examining a popular political notion, this article presents results from a series of Spearman Rho calculations conducted to investigate relationships between countries’ rankings on international tests of mathematics and science and future economic competitiveness as measured by the 2006 World Economic Forum’s Growth Competitiveness Index (GCI). The study investigated the existence of relationships between international test rankings from three different time periods during the last 50 years of U.S. education policy development (i.e., 1957–1982, 1983–2000, and 2001–2006) and 2006 GCI ranks. It extends previous research on the topic by investigating how GCI rankings in the top 50 percent and bottom 50 percent relate to rankings on international tests for the countries that participated in each test. The study found that the relationship between ranks on international tests of mathematics and science and future economic strength is stronger among nations with lower-performing economies. Nations with strong economies, such as the United States, demonstrate a weaker, nonsignificant relationship.
The severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model of human immunodeficiency virus encephalitis: Deficits in cognitive function

The severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) mouse model of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) encephalitis exhibits many of the histopathological and pathophysiological features of human HIV-associated dementia (HAD). Although deficits that may resemble HAD in humans have been reported for HIV-infected SCID mice, the cognitive deficit aspect of the model has very limited empirical support. Here, the authors report that HIV-infected SCID mice display cognitive deficits on a task requiring the animal to learn and remember the spatial relationship of cues in its environment in order to locate a submerged platform in a Morris water maze. The cognitive deficits manifest as longer latencies to locate the platform on the last day of the maze acquisition period and during a retention test 8 days later. Control experiments indicated that the poor performance by HIV-infected mice in comparison to controls was not due to impaired motor function or swimming ability, impaired visual acuity, or increased susceptibility to fatigue. Thus, the increased times required for HIV-infected mice to locate the submerged platform during the acquisition and memory tests likely reflect a cognitive deficit, rather than sensorimotor or emotional abnormalities. These behavioral deficits are associated with significant increases in astrogliosis and microgliosis in the HIV-infected mice. The results of this study strengthen the SCID mouse model of HIV encephalitis by definitively establishing cognitive deficits for the model in addition to its previously reported neuropathological features.
Contributions of the viral genetic background and a single amino acid substitution in an immunodominant CD8+ T-cell epitope to murine coronavirus neurovirulence.

The immunodominant CD8+ T-cell epitope of a highly neurovirulent strain of mouse hepatitis virus (MHV), JHM, is thought to be essential for protection against virus persistence within the central nervous system. To test whether abrogation of this H-2Db-restricted epitope, located within the spike glycoprotein at residues S510 to 518 (S510), resulted in delayed virus clearance and/or virus persistence we selected isogenic recombinants which express either the wild-type JHM spike protein (RJHM) or spike containing the N514S mutation (RJHMN514S), which abrogates the response to S510. In contrast to observations in suckling mice in which viruses encoding inactivating mutations within the S510 epitope (epitope escape mutants) were associated with persistent virus and increased neurovirulence (Pewe et al., J Virol. 72:5912-5918, 1998), RJHMN514S was not more virulent than the parental, RJHM, in 4-week-old C57BL/6 (H-2b) mice after intracranial injection. Recombinant viruses expressing the JHM spike, wild type or encoding the N514S substitution, were also selected in which background genes were derived from the neuroattenuated A59 strain of MHV. Whereas recombinants expressing the wild-type JHM spike (SJHM/RA59) were highly neurovirulent, A59 recombinants containing the N514S mutation (SJHMN514S/RA59) were attenuated, replicated less efficiently, and exhibited reduced virus spread in the brain at 5 days postinfection (peak of infectious virus titers in the central nervous system) compared to parental virus encoding wild-type spike. Virulence assays in BALB/c mice (H-2d), which do not recognize the S510 epitope, revealed that attenuation of the epitope escape mutants was not due to the loss of a pathogenic immune response directed against the S510 epitope. Thus, an intact immunodominant S510 epitope is not essential for virus clearance from the CNS, the S510 inactivating mutation results in decreased virulence in weanling mice but not in suckling mice, suggesting that specific host conditions are required for epitope escape mutants to display increased virulence, and the N514S mutation causes increased attenuation in the context of A59 background genes, demonstrating that genes other than that for the spike are also important in determining neurovirulence.
Discrepancy in placental echogenicity: a sign of twin anemia polycythemia sequence

Twin anemia polycythemia sequence (TAPS) is a form of twin-to-twin transfusion syndrome that occurs very rarely and may not be diagnosed until after delivery. The condition leads to increased risk of perinatal morbidity and mortality. We present two cases of monochorionic diamniotic twins, in which the diagnosis of TAPS was made after documenting a discrepancy in the echodensities of the two portions of the placenta. Postnatal hemoglobin differences between the twins confirmed the diagnosis of TAPS. On the basis of these two cases, it appears that the heterogeneity in placental echogenicity is a sign of TAPS and Doppler measurement of middle cerebral artery peak systolic velocity is helpful for early diagnosis and management with timely delivery. © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The FBI File of Leslie A. White.

career. White was one of the few American anthropologists of his era to employ a Marxist perspective (Leacock 1982:249); early in his career he was also a committed socialist. Although White's support of socialism and the Russian Revolution "escaped the notice of government investigating committees," like the House Committee on Un-American Activities during the McCarthy era (Peace 1998:84), White was nevertheless the subject of an FBI investigation during the Cold War that included the possibility of a hearing about his loyalty to the United States. The FBI maintained a file on White, and its contents are the subject of this commentary and the following response by Peace and David Price (see also Peace and Price n.d.).
Accurate, rapid, high frequency empirically based predictive modeling of arbitrary geometry planar resistive passive devices

A novel technique is presented for the high speed, accurate, predictive modeling of arbitrary geometry integrated resistor structures manufactured in a variety of technologies, including those of both multichip modules (MCM's) and integrated circuits (IC's). The technique is based upon generating test structures in the process of interest, performing measurements, and extracting the behavior of a few key well identified building blocks. These building blocks can then be used for generating circuit models of other any structure created by valid combinations of those building blocks, which can then be simulated in a standard circuit simulator to predict behavior. The procedure has been experimentally verified, and shows good agreement with actual measurements up to 5-10 GHz. In addition, the model validity has been tested in several circuits by comparing the model predicted results against results obtained using the HP MDS simulator which uses measured parameters directly, with very good results. Since lumped element circuits are generated by this method, structure prediction speed is determined by circuit size and simulator small signal analysis time. The method is versatile and is well suited for circuit design applications.
An enhanced Ada run-time system for real-time embedded processors

An enhanced Ada run-time system has been developed to support real-time embedded processor applications. The primary focus of this development effort has been on the tasking system and the memory management facilities of the run-time system. The tasking system has been extended to support efficient and precise periodic task execution as required for control applications. Event-driven task execution providing a means of task-asynchronous control and communication among Ada tasks is supported in this system. Inter-task control is even provided among tasks distributed on separate physical processors. The memory management system has been enhanced to provide object allocation and protected access support for memory shared between disjoint processors, each of which is executing a distinct Ada program. >
Risk taking and its influence on metabolic control: a study of adult clients with diabetes

Clients afflicted with diabetes are routinely faced with making decisions about insulin control, diet, exercise and skin care. The specific aims of this study were (a) to determine if clients with controlled blood sugar levels were more likely to have risk-averse information processing styles and, (b) to determine the extent to which the differences in blood sugar levels were attributed to information processing styles, after controlling for knowledge of diabetes, participation in home monitoring, and age. A comparative design utilizing 86 insulin-dependent male and female clients with diabetes was used. Findings indicated that there were no differences in risk scores between uncontrolled and controlled diabetics. Additionally, in this study there were no differences in control between clients who were knowledgeable and those who were not. This study has several implications for nursing practice. As taking risks may not be as dangerous to the diabetic client's wellbeing as many believe, there may be a need to consider this behaviour in developing the client's plan of care. Questions are also raised about the influence of knowledge on control.
A simple model for the cloud adjacency effect and the apparent bluing of aerosols near clouds

In determining aerosol-cloud interactions, the properties of aerosols must be characterized in the vicinity of clouds. Numerous studies based on satellite observations have reported that aerosol optical depths increase with increasing cloud cover. Part of the increase comes from the humidification and consequent growth of aerosol particles in the moist cloud environment, but part comes from 3D cloud-radiative transfer effects on the retrieved aerosol properties. Often, discerning whether the observed increases in aerosol optical depths are artifacts or real proves difficult. The paper provides a simple model that quantifies the enhanced illumination of cloud-free columns in the vicinity of clouds that are used in the aerosol retrievals. This model is based on the assumption that the enhancement in the cloud-free column radiance comes from enhanced Rayleigh scattering that results from the presence of the nearby clouds. The enhancement in Rayleigh scattering is estimated using a stochastic cloud model to obtain the radiative flux reflected by broken clouds and comparing this flux with that obtained with the molecules in the atmosphere causing extinction, but no scattering.
"Critical slowing down" in time-to-extinction: an example of critical phenomena in ecology.

We study a model for two competing species that explicitly accounts for effects due to discreteness, stochasticity and spatial extension of populations. The two species are equally preferred by the environment and do better when surrounded by others of the same species. We observe that the final outcome depends on the initial densities (uniformly distributed in space) of the two species. The observed phase transition is a continuous one and key macroscopic quantities like the correlation length of clusters and the time-to-extinction diverge at a critical point. Away from the critical point, the dynamics can be described by a mean-field approximation. Close to the critical point, however, there is a crossover to power-law behavior because of the gross mismatch between the largest and smallest scales in the system. We have developed a theory based on surface effects, which is in good agreement with the observed behavior. The course-grained reaction-diffusion system obtained from the mean-field dynamics agrees well with the particle system.
Relationship Between Photofixed, Effluent, and Bulk Composition of Several Room-Temperature-Vulcanized Materials

Raman spectroscopy and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy are employed to analyze the bulk compositions of five kinds of room-temperature-vulcanized silicones (CV2568, RTV566, DC93-500, SCV2590, and SCV2590-2) that are commonly employed in orbiting spacecraft. It is found that polydimethylsiloxane, silicon dioxide, tetra-n-propylsilicate (NPS), silicic acid, tetraethyl orthosilicate, and trimethylsilanol are contained in all of them. The outgassing products from those silicones are characterized by Fourier transform infrared. By comparing the position of the peaks, it is found that the outgassing products of each material are polydimethylsiloxane and tetra-n-propylsilicate, which are consistent with the compositions of samples determined with Raman and Fourier transform infrared, respectively. These results indicate that the composition analysis of bulk or thin film silicones with Raman and Fourier transform infrared could be used as the guideline to predict the outgassing products of silicones. This...
A clickable world: Behavior selection through pointing and context for mobile manipulation

We present a new behavior selection system for human-robot interaction that maps virtual buttons overlaid on the physical environment to the robotpsilas behaviors, thereby creating a clickable world. The user clicks on a virtual button and activates the associated behavior by briefly illuminating a corresponding 3D location with an off-the-shelf green laser pointer. As we have described in previous work, the robot can detect this click and estimate its 3D location using an omnidirectional camera and a pan/tilt stereo camera. In this paper, we show that the robot can select the appropriate behavior to execute using the 3D location of the click, the context around this 3D location, and its own state. For this work, the robot performs this selection process using a cascade of classifiers. We demonstrate the efficacy of this approach with an assistive object-fetching application. Through empirical evaluation, we show that the 3D location of the click, the state of the robot, and the surrounding context is sufficient for the robot to choose the correct behavior from a set of behaviors and perform the following tasks: pick-up a designated object from a floor or table, deliver an object to a designated person, place an object on a designated table, go to a designated location, and touch a designated location with its end effector.
Long-term adaptation of renal cells to hypertonicity: role of MAP kinases and Na-K-ATPase.

Renal cells in culture have low viability when exposed to hypertonicity. We developed cell lines of inner medullary collecting duct cells adapted to live at 600 and 900 mosmol/kgH2O. We studied the...
Hemopoiesis and aging.

Aging appears associated with a progressive reduction in hemopoietic reserve due to exhaustion of pluripotent stem cells, increased circulation of catabolic cytokines, and possibly alterations in the microenvironment and in the production of hemopoietic growth factors. In many respects hemopoiesis may reflect general age-related changes.
Compression Fixation after Biplane Intertrochanteric Osteotomy for Slipped Capital Femoral Epiphysis: A Technical Improvement

A modification in the technique of biplane intertrochanteric osteotomy for slipped capital femoral epiphysis, used in twenty-four patients, allows supplementation of the corrective osteotomy by compression fixation. Healing is faster, and no losses in position have occurred with the new fixation apparatus. Eight of the twenty-four hips showed some degree of joint-space narrowing; no evidence of avascular necrosis has been observed.
Gastronomic cosmopolitanism: Supermarket products in France and the United Kingdom

Abstract In this article, we explore whether contemporary European cosmopolitanism is a deep or superficial trend. We do so by examining prepared meals in mainstream French and United Kingdom (UK) supermarket chains. First, we ask to what extent are foreign cultural influences present in these grocery outlets? Then, we explore which foreign cultural influences are present and, finally, how they are presented in this mainstream market setting. Our results are mixed. We find evidence of significant cultural diversity in the offerings of both French and UK supermarket chains. Supermarkets in both countries offer sizeable percentages of products from foreign countries in and outside of Europe. In addition, most of these products are presented without exoticization, suggesting a level of comfort and familiarity with the foreign gastronomic products among consumers, and a promising indicator of robust cosmopolitanism. However, the range of foreign gastronomic influences, in both countries, is both limited and stratified. We argue that this partially reflects standardizing logics and trends of globalizing consumer markets. This suggests that everyday cosmopolitanism may continue to develop in Western Europe, but will likely involve an uneven set of cultural influences.
Ethyl-2-(p-chlorophenoxy)-2-methylpropionate (clofibrate) in experimental fat embolism in rats.

Summary1. Clofibrate as a therapeutic agent in experimental fat embolism in rats was evaluated.2. Survival of animals injected with oleic acid was not affected.3. Survival of animals injected with triolein decreased.4. Under the conditions of this experiment the value of clofibrate as a therapeutic agent for experimental fat embolism was not substantiated.
The Kitchen Cabinet and Andrew Jackson's Advisory System

EWsubjects in Jacksonian politics have been more frequently mentioned and less carefully analyzed than Andrew Jackson's kitchen cabinet. The reason is not hard to find. Influence and power, difficult enough to measure in the present, are particularly resistant to historical investigation. Data concerning confidential relationships are spotty and the interviewing of participants is synonymous with necromancy. The shadowy nature of presidential advising thus promotes the growth of legends that obscure the reality of political influence.1 By tradition, historians claim that the label "kitchen cabinet" was first applied derogatorily by Jackson's opposition, to describe an informal group of advisers who maintained great influence over the President, particularly on matters of party and patronage. Claude G. Bowers, in his popular study of Jackson's presidency, called "the small but loyal and sleepless group of the Kitchen Cabinet . . . the first of America's great practical politicians."' Leonard White's standard administrative account of the Jacksonian period reinforced this conventional view; according to him, Jackson's interest in politics and personality, rather than in administration, naturally prompted the appearance of "a group of personal advisers, primarily concerned with patronage and party manipulation."' References to the kitchen cabinet generally imply that the members worked together closely, shared similar political objectives, especially the promotion of Martin Van Buren's political fortunes, and attained their greatest influence in the
Synthesis of the C1-C20 and C15-C27 segments of aplyronine A.

The synthesis of C1–C20 and C15–C27 segments of Aplyronine A is described. Oxidative cleavage of cyclic vinyl sulfones has been used to prepare key fragments of Aplyronine A. Key precursors are united by Horner–Wadsworth–Emmons and Julia–Kociensky olefination for the respective elaboration of the C1–C20 and C15–C27 segments.
Analysis on the epidemic and pathogenic character of bacillary dysentery in Anhui Province from 2005 to 2011

Objective To investigate prevalence of bacillary dysentery in Anhui Province,in order to provide scientific basis for preventive strategies of bacillary dysentery. Methods The descriptive epidemiological method was used to analyze the character of occurrence,serotyping and antibiotic susceptibility test in the bacillary dysentery in Anhui Province from 2005 to 2011. Results Average incidence of bacillary dysentery was 20. 50 per 100 000 in Anhui Province from 2005 to 2011,ranging from 15. 08 to 27. 14 per 100 000. The peak of the occurrence was from May to October each year. The highest incidence was 87. 87 per 100 000 among infants and young children under the age of five years. Top three populations of patients were farmers,preschool children and students. Dominant serotypes were S. flexneri serotype X variant,4c,2a,1a. The drug resistant rates of strains to sulfamethoxazole,amoxicillin,nalidixic acid and rifampin were from 95. 21% to97. 60%. Antibiotic resistance rates of norfloxacin and cefotaxime seemed to imcrease gradually year. 95. 5% of total strains were resistant to more than five antibiotics. Conclusions Incidences of bacillary dysentery declined in earlier period and then ascended in Anhui Province from 2005 to 2011. The change of dominant serotypes,the severity of antibiotic resistance and multiple antibiotic resistance brought challenge to prevention and treatment of bacillary dysentery in Anhui Province.
Application of BuildSGEM in simulation of occupant evacuation in a gymnasium

The brief principle and application status of the BuildSGEM software were introduced. And then BuildSGEM was applied to simulate and analyze the fire smoke flow in a gymnasium under the setting of conditions,and the required safety egress time was obtained,as an example. Combining with available safety egress time resulted from FDS,and according to the standards of safe evacuation,it was obtained that the existing exits of the gymnasium can meet the requirements of evacuation. The process of application BuildSGEM was described in detail from the setting of conditions to results analysis and coming to a conclusion. And it well illustrates the application methods and characteristics of BuildSGEM,which not only made an analysis of safe evacuation,but also gives some practical information and valuable suggestions for practical engineering.
KRAS and TP53 mutations in bronchoscopy samples from former lung cancer patients

Mutations in the KRAS and TP53 genes have been found frequently in lung tumors and specimens from individuals at high risk for lung cancer and have been suggested as predictive markers for lung cancer. In order to assess the prognostic value of these two genes’ mutations in lung cancer recurrence, we analyzed mutations in codon 12 of the KRAS gene and in hotspot codons of the TP53 gene in 176 bronchial biopsies obtained from 77 former lung cancer patients. Forty-seven patients (61.0%) showed mutations, including 35/77 (45.5%) in the KRAS gene and 25/77 (32.5%) in the TP53 gene, among them 13/77 (16.9%) had mutations in both genes. When grouped according to past or current smoking status, a higher proportion of current smokers showed mutations, in particular those in the TP53 gene (P = 0.07), compared with ex-smokers. These mutations were found in both abnormal lesions (8/20 or 40%) and histologically normal tissues (70/156 or 44.9%) (P = 0.812). They consisted primarily of G to A transition and G to T transversion in both the KRAS (41/56 or 73.2%) and TP53 (24/34 or 70.6%) genes, consistent with mutations found in lung tumors of smoking lung cancer patients. Overall, recurrence-free survival (RFS) among all subjects could be explained by age at diagnosis, tumor stage, tumor subtype, and smoking (P < 0.05, Cox proportional hazard). Therefore, KRAS and TP53 mutations were frequently detected in bronchial tissues of former lung cancer patients. However, the presence of mutation of bronchial biopsies was not significantly associated with a shorter RFS time. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Noninvasive screening for asymptomatic carotid artery disease prior to cardiac operation: Experience with 500 patients

Five hundred patients scheduled for cardiac operations underwent preoperative screening for asymptomatic carotid artery disease by means of the Gee ocular pneumoplethysmograph (OPG). Only patients with abnormal OPG measurements (5 mm Hg difference or greater in ophthalmic artery pressures or 0.69 or less ophthalmic artery/brachial artery pressure ratio) had cerebral angiography regardless of the presence or absence of a carotid bruit. Thirty-two patients (6.4%) were found to have carotid bruits. Nine patients had abnormal OPG measurements. Cerebral angiograms disclosed that six of these patients had significant (greater than 50%) carotid artery stenosis, and endarterectomy was performed prior to cardiac operation without incident. Nine other patients without carotid bruits had abnormal OPG measurements, and they also underwent cerebral angiography. Angiograms revealed significant carotid artery stenosis in three patients and prophylactic endarterectomy was performed. Twenty-three patients with carotid artery bruits and normal OPG measurements did not have cerebral angiography prior to the cardiac procedure. The incidence of stroke in this series of 500 patients was 0.4% (two patients). The clinical management of patients with asymptomatic carotid artery disease and coronary artery disease was facilitated by the use of noninvasive screening for the evaluation of carotid artery bruits. Patients with hemodynamically insignificant carotid disease, verified by OPG measurements, can be spared the risk and cost of cerebral angiography. Patients without clinical signs of carotid artery disease can also be identified.
Central Nervous System Injury and Nicotinamide Adenine Dinucleotide Phosphate Oxidase: Oxidative Stress and Therapeutic Targets

Injury to the central nervous system (CNS) includes both traumatic brain and spinal cord injury (TBI and SCI, respectively). These injuries, which are heterogeneous and, therefore, difficult to treat, result in long-lasting functional, cognitive, and behavioral deficits. Severity of injury is determined by multiple factors, and is largely mediated by the activity of the CNS inflammatory system, including the primary CNS immune cells, microglia. The nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate (NADPH) oxidase (NOX) family of enzymes is a primary source of reactive oxygen species (ROS), key inflammatory mediators after CNS injury. ROS play a central role in inflammation, contributing to cytokine translation and release, microglial polarization and activation, and clearance of damaged tissue. NOX has been suggested as a potential therapeutic target in CNS trauma, as inhibition of this enzyme family modulates inflammatory cell response and ROS production. The purpose of this review is to understand how the different NOX enzymes function and what role they play in the scope of CNS trauma.
Characterizing probiotic microorganisms

Publisher Summary A strain is an isolate that can be differentiated from other isolates of the same genus, species, and subspecies by at least one phenotypic and/or genotypic characteristic. Strain differentiation depends on recognizing unique properties capable of discriminating at this level. A variety of molecular methods have been used to characterize and identify bifidobacteria. Generally, phenotypic methods of strain characterization are limited by the fact strains exhibit varying attributes under conditions of the assay, and often yield ambiguous or inconsistent results within and among species. Recent molecular methods are nucleic acid-based, and are typically more discriminatory and reproducible. However, an ‘ideal' method for strain identification would be able to type all strains and yield unambiguous results at the genus, species, and strain levels, would display high levels of stability, discriminatory power, reproducibility, and concordance with other typing methods. It also would not require great technical skill or be time-, cost-, or reagent-intensive. No one method can possibly fulfill all of these criteria. A polyphasic or consensus approach is best, which includes a combination of genomic and phenotypic methods to characterize and differentiate strains.
Links between notions of separation in graphs and observable statistics in networks of dynamic systems

There are striking similarities between network of dynamic systems and results developed in the area of machine learning for Bayesian Networks. Given these similarities, a fundamental goal is to formulate the problem of reconstructing a network of stochastic processes on the ground of general theoretical foundations. To this aim, we will rely on the mathematical framework provided by the theory of “semi-graphoids” developed by Judea Pearl. We will translate familiar concepts of Control Theory, such as Wiener filtering, in the language of semi-graphoids. This endevour will bring several positive outcomes: the results, mainly on acyclic networks, already obtained for semi-graphoids in the artificial intelligence community will seamlessly extend to the case of networks of stochastic processes; the control theory community will be exposed to new concepts that can be readily applied to stochastic systems; finally, it will motivate research towards new significant directions, such as the development of network identification/reconstruction techniques where feedback loops are present.
Matterphobia and Matterphilia: Artistic Discourse and Ascetic Production

In Sigizmund Krzhizhanovsky’s 1923 novel, The Letter Killer’s Club, Zez,1 the club’s president, rejects the “typographical symbol” as the weapon of “professional killers of conceptions.”2 He explains to a newcomer: Yes, and then I made up my mind: to shut the inkwell lid and return to the kingdom of free, pure, and unsubstantiated conceptions. Sometimes, out of long habit, I was drawn to paper, and a few words would steal out from under my pencil: but I killed those freaks and dealt ruthlessly with my old writerly ways … Little by little, chosen ones from the world of writers and readers began gathering here, in letterlessness. My garden of conceptions is not for everyone. We are few and shall be fewer still, because the burden of empty shelves is onerous.3