cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Lamina propria and circulating interleukin-8 in newly and previously diagnosed pediatric inflammatory bowel disease patients.

Dysregulation of interleukin-8 (IL-8) production has been proposed to contribute to intestinal inflammation in inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients. Previous studies, which evaluate adult patients with long-standing or steroid-modulated disease, have reported conflicting results regarding the role of IL-8 in IBD pathogenesis. The present study evaluates IL-8 in colonic organ cultures and sera of newly and previously diagnosed pediatric IBD patients with various degrees of histopathologic activity. Colon and terminal ileum biopsies were obtained from 26 patients with Crohn’s disease, 12 with ulcerative colitis, 4 with indeterminate colitis, and 12 age-matched normal controls. IBD patients were additionally characterized as newly or previously diagnosed. Supernatants from organ-cultured lamina propria biopsies and sera were evaluated by ELISA for IL-8 protein. IL-8 increased with degree of histologic inflammation regardless of diagnosis (no pathologic diagnosis, 62.6 ng/ml, interquartile range [IQR] 30.4–94.6 ng/ml; mild, 92.0 ng/ml, IQR 21.9–170.0 ng/ml; moderate, 676.2 ng/ml, IQR 46.4–2967.7 ng/ml; severe, 585.6 ng/ml, IQR 149.7–1602.2 ng/ml; P < 0.01). Lamina propria IL-8 was significantly elevated in moderately and severely inflamed tissue segments (603.26 ng/ml; IQR, 72.15–2240.4 ng/ml) compared to noninflamed and mildly inflamed segments (67.70 ng/ml; IQR, 30.38–124.1 ng/ml; P = 0.0009). There was no significant trend in IL-8 concentration when compared by clinical diagnosis. No significant difference was found in IL-8 concentrations in organ cultures from newly diagnosed patients versus those from previously diagnosed patients. There was no significant correlation between serum IL-8 concentration and organ culture IL-8 concentration. We conclude that higher concentrations of IL-8 are found in more histologically inflamed tissue segments from pediatric IBD patients. IL-8 does not appear to be associated with clinical IBD subtype. IL-8 appears to be an integral part of both early and established mucosal inflammation in pediatric IBD patients. These findings suggest that IL-8-specific therapies may universally modify inflammatory activity in IBD patients.
National-level drug policy and young people's illicit drug use: A multilevel analysis of the European Union

Introduction: Recent research has called upon investigators to exploit cross-national differences to uncover the cultural and structural factors influencing drug use. While the individual-level correlates are well-established, little is known about the association between cross-national variation in drug policies and young people's substance use. This study examines, net of individual-level predictors, the association between national-level drug policy and use of an illicit drug other than cannabis. Methods: The study uses Eurobarometer repeated cross-sectional surveys in 2002 and 2004 of adolescents aged 15A¢â,¬â?o24 drawn in multistage, random probability samples proportional to population size and density within regions of their country (N = 15,191). Participants completed self-reported measures of last month drug use, attitudes toward drugs, school and work participation, and demographics. Gathered from several international bodies, national-level policy measures include drug offense levels, possession decriminalization, and presence and usage of harm reduction strategies. Results: Hierarchical logistic regression models demonstrate that, while controlling for important individual-level predictors, in countries where there is no restriction on possession of drugs for personal use, the odds of drug use in the last month are 79% lower (p < 0.05). On the other hand, higher usage of treatment and drug substitution are associated with higher levels of drug use. These results are robust to several alternate specifications. Conclusions: Among the strongest and most consistent findings, eliminating punishments for possession for personal use is not associated with higher drug use. The results indicate that researchers should take national-level context into account in individual-level studies of drug use.
Microscopic Studies on the Structure and Composition of Keratin Fibers1

The distribution of cystine sulfur in the cortex of various animal fibers has been investigated by the staining of cross sections with mercury vapor. The receptivity to dyes of various portions of the cortex has been found to be inversely related to their sulfur content.After oxidation with peracetic acid or bromine, the cystine-rich portion of the cortex in bilateral fibers (the paracortex) swells more in aqueous solutions than the orthocortex. Fibers so oxidized swell greatly in dilute, neutral or alkaline, solutions of strong electrolytes; the swelling is repressed at higher salt concentrations.
Rotating nightshift work and the risk of endometriosis in premenopausal women

Objective The purpose of this prospective study was to study the association between rotating nightshift work and endometriosis risk within the Nurses' Health Study II. Study Design We found 89,400 women without diagnosed endometriosis at baseline; the 2062 laparoscopically confirmed cases that were documented during 16 years of follow-up evaluation formed our study population. Results Overall, there was no association between rotating nightshift work and risk of endometriosis. When the cases were categorized by infertility status, risk was elevated among women with concurrent infertility and ≥5 years of rotating nightshift work (rate ratio, 1.71; 95% confidence interval, 1.18–2.49; P trend = .005), compared with women with no rotating nightshift work. In contrast, there was no association among women without reported infertility ( P heterogeneity = .003). Conclusion Women who work rotating nightshifts for ≥5 years may have a modestly elevated risk of endometriosis if concurrently infertile. However, the relation between shiftwork, endometriosis, and infertility is complex, and the potential for bias because of a healthy or infertile worker effect must be considered.
Vesicular Stomatitis Virus as an Oncolytic Vector

Recent data has shown that viruses such as vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV), a relatively non-pathogenic, negative-stranded RNA virus, can preferentially replicate in malignant cells and less so in normal cells. VSV appears able to carry out this function in transformed cells since these hosts exhibit the hallmarks of flawed host defense, probably involving the interferon system, which is essential for preventing virus replication. The simple genetic constitution of VSV, lack of any known transforming, integrating or reassortment properties, extensive knowledge relating to its interaction with the immune system and the ability to genetically manipulate this agent affords an ideal opportunity to exploit the oncolytic and gene targeting potential of this innocuous virus. Thus, aside from preferentially targeting malignant cells VSV recombinants could be generated that could increase a tumor's susceptibility to chemotherapeutic agents and/ or importantly, the host immune response. Collectively, our data and others demonstrate that VSV as well as other RNA viruses could provide a promising and exciting approach to cancer therapy.
Analysis of coatings and thin films using energetic ions

Abstract Energetic ion analysis techniques provide non-destructive information on the depth distribution of atomic composition in the near-surface (1–10 μm) region of a solid sample. The techniques are quantitative and are not complicated by the presence of chemical or matrix effects. Generalized nuclear reaction analysis is described and its application to the measurement of the stoichiometry of Ta 2 O 5 films and BeO coatings on Cu-Be is briefly discussed.
DIFFERENTIAL NERVE BLOCKADE: ESTERS V. AMIDES AND THE INFLUENCE OF pKa

The in vitro sensitivities to local anaesthetic blockade of A, B and C fibres in rabbit vagus nerves were examined using a series of structurally similar amide agents, which varied in lipid solubility and anaesthetic potency. The actions of these drugs were compared with one another, and with those of a series of amino-ester local anaesthetics studied previously. The results demonstrated that A fibres are the most, and C fibres the least, sensitive to blockade by local anaesthetic agents. As with the ester drugs, equipotent concentrations of the amides blocked C fibres at approximately the same rate, but the absolute and relative rates of development of A fibre blockade were related to lipid solubility. As the latter increased, so did the rate of A fibre blockade. Combining the results of the two studies suggests that an agent of low lipid solubility and high pKa, might be used to produce differential C fibre blockade. Comparison of the results obtained with the two different classes of drug indicates that the ester structure may have an inherently more potent action than the amide.
Molecules of Interest to Chemists and Consumers: Melamine, DEET, and Vanillin

Molecular models of molecules of interest to chemists and consumers are discussed. The molecules added to the JCE Featured Molecules library this month include: cyanuric acid, cyanuric acid tautomer, melamine, and melamine−cyanuric acid adduct; N,N-diethyl-3-methylbenzamide (DEET), m-toluic acid, and oxalyl chloride (cis and trans); apocynin, diapocynin, vanillin, and divanillin.
Ex ante forecasts of business-cycle turning points

This paper presents a logit model that accurately forecasts business-cycle turning points with a lead of one-quarter. The sample period consists of an initialization subset (1959:Q3–1975:Q4), and a subset for out-of-sample forecast evaluation (1976:Q1–2005:Q4). In contrast with the record of disappointing results in the literature, the model correctly forecasts all turning points in the test subset without forecasting recessions that did not occur.
The central amygdala nucleus is critical for incubation of methamphetamine craving.

Cue-induced methamphetamine seeking progressively increases after withdrawal but mechanisms underlying this ‘incubation of methamphetamine craving’ are unknown. Here we studied the role of central amygdala (CeA), ventral medial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC), and orbitofrontal cortex (OFC), brain regions implicated in incubation of cocaine and heroin craving, in incubation of methamphetamine craving. We also assessed the role of basolateral amygdala (BLA) and dorsal medial prefrontal cortex (dmPFC). We trained rats to self-administer methamphetamine (10 days; 9 h/day, 0.1 mg/kg/infusion) and tested them for cue-induced methamphetamine seeking under extinction conditions during early (2 days) or late (4–5 weeks) withdrawal. We first confirmed that ‘incubation of methamphetamine craving’ occurs under our experimental conditions. Next, we assessed the effect of reversible inactivation of CeA or BLA by GABAA+GABAB receptor agonists (muscimol+baclofen, 0.03+0.3 nmol) on cue-induced methamphetamine seeking during early and late withdrawal. We also assessed the effect of muscimol+baclofen reversible inactivation of vmPFC, dmPFC, and OFC on ‘incubated’ cue-induced methamphetamine seeking during late withdrawal. Lever presses in the cue-induced methamphetamine extinction tests were higher during late withdrawal than during early withdrawal (incubation of methamphetamine craving). Muscimol+baclofen injections into CeA but not BLA decreased cue-induced methamphetamine seeking during late but not early withdrawal. Muscimol+baclofen injections into dmPFC, vmPFC, or OFC during late withdrawal had no effect on incubated cue-induced methamphetamine seeking. Together with previous studies, results indicate that the CeA has a critical role in incubation of both drug and non-drug reward craving and demonstrate an unexpected dissociation in mechanisms of incubation of methamphetamine vs cocaine craving.
Unique Ligand Binding Patterns Between Estrogen Receptor α and β Revealed by Hydrogen/Deuterium Exchange

Here we present the use of hydrogen−deuterium exchange (HDX) mass spectrometry in analyzing the estrogen receptor β ligand binding domain (ERβ LBD) in the absence and presence of a variety of chemical compounds with different binding modes and pharmacological properties. Previously, we reported the use of HDX as a method for predicting the tissue selectivity of ERα ligands. HDX profiles of ERα LBD in complex with ligand could differentiate compounds of the same chemotype. In contrast, similar analysis of ERβ LBD showed correlation to the compound chemical structures but little correlation with compound tissue selectivity. The different HDX patterns observed for ERβ LBD when compared to those for ERα LBD bound to the same chemical compounds serve as an indication that ERβ LBD undergoes a different structural response to the same ligand when compared to ERα LBD. The conformational dynamics revealed by HDX for ERβ LBD together with those for ERα LBD shed light on ER ligand interactions and offer new structur...
Implementing a verification methodology for McCullough security

Previously, the author described a methodology for proving McCullough security (also called RADC hook-up security, restriction, and flow security) (Proc. Comput. Security Found. Workshop, pp.90-97, Mitre Tech Report M88-37, June 1988). He describes how to build a theorem generation mechanism for the validation of a security property which implies McCullough Security. He makes use of the USL language. >
Relationships between auroras and sporadic-E echoes

During March, 1951, a series of visual auroral observations were made simultaneously with ionospheric soundings at Point Barrow, Alaska. Observations were made every 15 minutes during the dark hours of ten successive clear nights. Some 400 simultaneous observations were made. Auroras were present during about 90 per cent of these observations. Analysis indicates that quiet auroras 45\deg or more above the horizon, were correlated with certain sporadic-E region echoes. The more intense the aurora, the higher the maximum frequency returned. The closer the auroral form was to the zenith, the shorter the range of the "Es" echoes. Active auroral displays were usually accompanied by a sharp increase in radio wave absorption. Local geomagnetic variations coincident with auroral displays were also examined.
An extended menu navigation interface using multiple pressure-sensitive strips

We present extensions and modifications that we have made to a cursorless menu navigation interface that is controlled by multiple pressure-sensitive linear strips. Our approach is based on detecting pressure thresholds and dual-finger motions, allowing us to overcome the physical limitations of the prototype input device and virtually more than triple the number of linear strips that can be used for menu navigation. This allows the user to directly access and navigate in up to fourteen independent multiple-depth menu trees. Our system allows this breadth and depth of navigation without the need for an on-screen cursor, nor the need to navigate a 2D input device, thereby reducing the need for visual feedback. We have tried to design the on-screen graphical interface so that it can be easily used with very small field-of-view display devices, such as eyeglass displays. Additionally, since our input device is physically compact and can be easily positioned on different places on the body, the menu navigation system is especially appropriate for wearable computing systems.
Bounds on low‐frequency seismic velocities in partially saturated rocks

The most common technique for estimating seismic velocities in rocks with mixed pore fluid saturations is to use Gassmann’s relations with an effective fluid whose density and compressibility are averages of the individual pore fluid properties. This approach is applicable only if the gas, oil, and brine phases are mixed uniformly at a very small scale, so the different wave‐induced increments of pore pressure in each phase have time to diffuse and equilibrate during a seismic period. In contrast, saturations that are heterogeneous over scales larger than the characteristic diffusion length, i.e., patchy saturation, will always lead to higher seismic velocities than if the same fluids are mixed uniformly at a fine scale. Critical saturation scales separating uniform from patchy behavior are typically of the order 0.1–1 cm for laboratory measurements and tens of centimeters for field seismic frequencies. For low seismic frequencies, velocities corresponding to patchy and homogeneous saturations represent a...
In vivo structure/function analysis of the Drosophila fat facets deubiquitinating enzyme gene

The Drosophila Fat facets protein is a deubiquitinating enzyme required for patterning the developing compound eye. Ubiquitin, a 76-amino-acid polypeptide, serves as a tag to direct proteins to the proteasome, a protein degradation complex. Deubiquitinating enzymes are a large group of proteins that cleave ubiquitin-protein bonds. Fat facets belongs to a class of deubiquitinating enzymes called Ubps that share a conserved catalytic domain. Fat facets is unique among them in its large size and also because Fat facets is thought to deubiquitinate a specific substrate thereby preventing its proteolysis. Here we asked which portions of the Fat facets protein are essential for its function. P-element constructs that express partial Fat facets proteins were tested for function. In addition, the DNA sequences of 12 mutant fat facets alleles were determined. Finally, regions of amino acid sequence similarity in 18 Drosophila Ubps revealed by the Genome Project were identified. The results indicate functions for specific conserved amino acids in the catalytic region of Fat facets and also indicate that regions of the protein both N- and C-terminal to the catalytic region are required for Fat facets function.
A Statewide Survey of Reactions to Neighbors' Domestic Violence:

Researchers have indicated the importance of neighbors in reporting spouse abuse, but little is known of the extent of neighbors' awareness or whether they had informally provided respite to victims. It was hypothesized that those neighbors who would be more likely to place greater importance on relationships with neighbors would be more likely to have knowledge of spouse abuse and provide victim respite. A random telephone survey of Kentucky ( N = 650) found that 9.8% of the sample strongly suspected their neighbors' domestic violence and 4.9% had provided respite. The hypothesis relating demographic variables to importance of relationship to neighbors was only partially confirmed. These data indicate the need to further explore the role of neighbors in domestic violence, with an eye to establishing prevention and intervention programs with neighbors.
Effect of p-Chloromercuribenzene Sulfonate on Gastric Parietal and Surface Cell Function in the Dog

p-Chloromercuribenzene sulfonate, a polar organic mercurial which presumably penetrates cell membranes with great difficulty, led to a profound decrease in acid recovered from exteriorized segments of dog gastric fundus stimulated by exogenous histamine. Trapping of secreted hydrogen ions by Tris buffer did not significantly reduce the back-diffusion component of apparent inhibition. Sodium-for-hydrogen exchange was close to unity before and after inhibition.
A New Utility-Consistent Econometric Approach to Multivariate Count Data Modeling

Summary In the current paper, we propose a new utility-consistent modeling framework to explicitly link a count data model with an event-type multinomial-choice model. The proposed framework uses a multinomial probit kernel for the event-type choice model and introduces unobserved heterogeneity in both the count and discrete-choice components. Additionally, this paper establishes important new results regarding the distribution of the maximum of multivariate normally distributed variables, which form the basis to embed the multinomial probit model within a joint modeling system for multivariate count data. The model is applied to analyzing out-of-home non-work episodes pursued by workers, using data from the National Household Travel Survey. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A unified transformational approach for reductions in fault vulnerability, power, and crosstalk noise and delay on processor buses

In this paper we propose a coding scheme for general-purpose applications that can reduce power dissipation, crosstalk noise and crosstalk delay on the bus lines while simultaneously detecting errors at run time. The reduction in power dissipation can be achieved through reducing the bus switching activity. Not only is the switching activity in individual lines reduced but so is the coupling activity across the adjacent lines, the major contributor to the overall power dissipation in deep submicron technology. Detailed analysis of crosstalk noise and delay shows that eliminating certain patterns of transitions and reducing the infeasible ones in terms of crosstalk noise and power dissipation is a feasible strategy for alleviating these problems. We propose an encoding technique consisting of the use of predefined patterns of transitions, one for each possible combination of input data, to generate the codewords. The restriction to the predefined patterns of transitions enables fast encoding and low hardware overhead. This work presents an extensive analysis of the consequent reduction in crosstalk and power. SPICE derived experimental results show a reduction in worst case crosstalk delay and noise, ranging up to 24% and 10% respectively. Extensive experimental results for various applications show significant reduction in power dissipation ranging up to 44% for switching activity on the bus lines and up to 25% for coupling activity. The results also show a drastic reduction ranging up to 98% in the number of patterns that are most likely to produce crosstalk errors.
Meaning and Interpretation in Collaboration

Because collaborative learning takes place through processes of shared meaning-making, CSCL must be concerned with the nature of meaning and social meaning-making practices. Philosophic analysis suggests that meanings are necessarily shared; they persist in linguistic and physical artifacts in our culture and situation. However, these meanings must be interpreted by individuals. There is a dynamic relationship between shared meanings and individual interpretations: In order to engage in collaborative activities, people must come to recognize meanings of artifacts, and interpret these meanings from their own perspectives. The interplay between meaning and interpretation has implications for CSCL research methodology and for CSCL technology design.
Carbon dioxide eyesafe laser rangefinders

Eyesafe military laser range finder systems that incorporate carbon dioxide lasers operating at 10.59 microns have been successfully developed and are currently in production for both the U.S. and foreign military services. The development of carbon dioxide laser rangefinders for Fire Control applications has provided high performance, eyesafe capability to both heavy combat vehicles and air defense platforms. The distinct wavelength compatibility provided by a long wavelength laser in conjunction with long wavelength Forward Looking Infrared (FLIR) detection systems positions the CO2 laser range finder system as unique in the ability to provide ranging capability to FLIR recognizable targets and eye safety. First order modeling of expected performance versus system design parameters has provided a basis for understanding the key performance factors and their relationship to necessary design trade-offs. The successful implementation of the laser range finder design required the development of an array of CO2 laser system components that provide both the transmitted laser pulse and the ability to detect the target reflected return. A modular design approach to the CO2 laser system components has led to several successful programs that incorporate identical key technologies thereby reducing the overall cost of all CO2 laser range finder programs.© (1991) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Polarimetric Microwave Scattering From Known Randomly Rough Surfaces

Scattering from rough surfaces is reviewed, and artificial randomly rough surfaces are described. Measurements were made from 4 to 18 GHz for the 4 linear polarization states. The target consists of a metalized randomly rough surface constructed from known surface statistical information. The surface was generated using surface generation routines on the computer, and then the data was converted for the machining of the surface on a computer controlled mill. Bistatic and monostatic measurements were acquired at incident angles from 25 to 60 deg. At the 13.5 to 18 GHz frequencies, the effects of backscatter enhancement and depolarization effects can be studied in a regime which does not satisfy Kirchoff or small perturbation assumptions. This allows scattering mechanisms to be introduced into models, which may show missing elements in the more standard formulations. At lower frequency bands such as 4 to 8.5 GHz the scattering behavior was also examined to see the behavior as assumptions of other formulations are satisfied.
Interannual differences in growth and hatch date distributions of age‐0 year walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma (Pallas) sampled from the Shumagin Islands region of the Gulf of Alaska, 1985 – 2001

Daily increments of age-0 year walleye pollock Theragra chalcogramma otoliths from 1985 to 2001 were examined for interannual variability in growth and hatch dates. Fish were collected in summer and autumn surveys near the Shumagin Islands in the western Gulf of Alaska (GOA). Hatch date distributions of these fish were compared with hatch dates of larvae from spawning aggregations located in Shelikof Strait and the Shumagin Islands based on their spawning times. The hatch date distributions of age-0 year fish captured from the Shumagin Islands area were similar to those observed for larvae from the Shelikof Strait spawning group. Age-0 year fish whose hatch dates corresponded to the Shumagin Islands spawning, which occurred earlier in January and February, were not found. Sea surface temperature was associated with variability in hatch date distribution and growth.
Use of molecular studies for treatment of metastatic pleomorphic large cell pancreatic cancers—a novel strategy

Pleomorphic large cell pancreatic cancer is a rare and more aggressive variant with no proven treatment in the metastatic setting. It constitutes about 1% of the total pancreatic cancer cases. In the absence of any standard of care, we aim to increase awareness amongst clinical practitioners that molecular level testing, using immunohistochemistry, next-generation sequencing and chromogenic in-situ hybridization can help in making chemotherapeutic decisions for this variant of pancreatic cancer. We present a 50-year-old male who presented to our hospital complaining of persistent abdominal pain. CT scan revealed a pancreatic tail mass that was invading the splenic flexure causing high-grade obstruction. There was evidence of peritoneal studding. He underwent exploratory laparotomy with biopsy of the pancreatic mass and omentum which revealed metastatic undifferentiated pleomorphic large cell pancreatic cancer. Since there is no proven treatment for this particular entity, his specimen was sent for molecular testing. The molecular studies revealed positive mutations of TLE3 gene, EGFR, KRAS, PD1 gene, TP53 and TOP2A gene. The tumor was found to be sensitive to gemcitabine, paclitaxel, docetaxel, temozolamide, dacarbazine and doxorubicin. He was initiated on gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. The patient was treated based on these recommendations. The patient completed 5 cycles of gemcitabine and nab-paclitaxel. Treatment had to be held because of gemcitabine induced hemolytic uremic syndrome. Serial CT scans have shown stable disease and currently it has been 10 months since his diagnosis. Molecular level testing can be an important instrument in not only diagnosing but also be an important aid in deciding about the chemotherapeutic agents to be used in cases of metastatic pleomorphic large cell pancreatic cancer. Availability a knowledge of the novel tools like immunohistochemistry, next-generation sequencing and chromogenic in-situ hybridization can be prudent and treating some rare forms of pancreatic cancer as in this patient.
A Descriptive Analysis of Positive Behavioral Intervention Research with Young Children with Challenging Behavior.

The purpose of this study was to critically examine the positive approaches to behavioral intervention research and young children demonstrating challenging behavior. The authors conducted a comprehensive review of articles published between 1984 and 2003 across 23 peer-reviewed journals. Each article that met the criteria for inclusion in the study was scored on the following variables: disability type; age and gender of participants; availability of demographic data (e.g., race, socioeconomic status); intervention setting; dependent measures; intervention type; intervention agents; study design; and reporting of generalization data, treatment fidelity, and social validity measures. The results indicate an increasing trend of research using positive behavioral interventions with young children who demonstrate challenging behaviors. Most of the research has been conducted with children with disabilities between 3 and 6 years old. Primarily, teachers and family members have served as the intervention agent...
As the world turns, II

As a sequel to the saga “As the World Turns” [Chao, 1985], which strolls through the kinematics of the Earth's rotation, this episode relates a close encounter of the dynamic kind with our turning world. First, this article elucidates the distinction between relative and absolute rotations. Then it argues that the instruments that respond to absolute rotation with sufficient sensitivity can potentially detect the Earth's rotational variations under certain conditions; hence, the instruments are complementary and present interesting alternatives to conventional geodetic techniques that measure relative rotation.
Relation of the mass of heterotopic pituitary tissue to its ability to secrete ACTH and TSH in response to amino-glutethimide.

One, 2, 4, 8 or 16 pituitaries from immature donors were transplanted under the kidney capsule of young adult male hosts of the same Sprague-Dawley-derived strain. Four weeks later the rats were hypophysectomized; 2 weeks later half of each group was fed a diet containing 0.4% Elipten for 14 or 19 days. The remaining rats were continued with a Purina diet. In the Purina-fed animals, relative thyroid size was not different in any transplanted group from that of intact controls; relative adrenal size was significantly smaller in rats with only a few heterotopic pituitaries than in intact controls, but increased proportionately to the mass of ectopic pituitary tissue. Elipten induced marked adrenal and thyroid hypertrophy in the intact controls. It also induced significant relativeadrenal hypertrophy in all groups of transplanted rats. In contrast, relative thyroid hypertrophy was produced in transplanted animals only if 4 or more pituitaries were present. There was a significant positive correlation of rela...
Will C. Sealy, MD: The father of arrhythmia surgery—The story of the fisherman with a fast pulse

The development of clinical electrophysiology and arrhythmia surgery has a long and interesting history. On May 2, 1968, Dr. Will C. Sealy, with the electrophysiologists at Duke University, performed the first successful ablation of a pathway in a patient with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome using an epicardial approach. Thereafter, he and his colleagues developed improved endocardial techniques to ensure ablation of even multiple and complex anatomic pathways. From this work the impulse to perform these procedures spread worldwide, and a school of arrhythmia surgeons sprouted. For these and other accomplishments, Dr. Sealy clearly became the Father of Arrhythmia Surgery. The story is told herein.
Borrelia burgdorferi RST1 (OspC type A) genotype is associated with greater inflammation and more severe Lyme disease.

Evidence is emerging for differential pathogenicity among Borrelia burgdorferi genotypes in the United States. By using two linked genotyping systems, ribosomal RNA intergenic spacer type (RST) and outer surface protein C (OspC), we studied the inflammatory potential of B. burgdorferi genotypes in cells and patients with erythema migrans or Lyme arthritis. When macrophages were stimulated with 10 isolates of each RST1, RST2, or RST3 strain, RST1 (OspC type A)–stimulated cells expressed significantly higher levels of IL-6, IL-8, chemokine ligand (CCL) 3, CCL4, tumor necrosis factor, and IL-1β, factors associated with innate immune responses. In peripheral blood mononuclear cells, RST1 strains again stimulated significantly higher levels of these mediators. Moreover, compared with RST2, RST1 isolates induced significantly more interferon (IFN)-α, IFN-γ, and CXCL10, which are needed for adaptive immune responses; however, OspC type I (RST3) approached RST1 (OspC type A) in stimulating these adaptive immune mediators. Similarly, serum samples from patients with erythema migrans who were infected with the RST1 genotype had significantly higher levels of almost all of these mediators, including exceptionally high levels of IFN-γ–inducible chemokines, CCL2, CXCL9, and CXCL10; and this pronounced inflammatory response was associated with more symptomatic infection. Differences among genotypes were not as great in patients with Lyme arthritis, but those infected with RST1 strains more often had antibiotic-refractory arthritis. Thus, the B. burgdorferi RST1 (OspC type A) genotype, followed by the RST3 (OspC type I) genotype, causes greater inflammation and more severe disease, establishing a link between spirochetal virulence and host inflammation.
SPACE SHUTTLE COMMIT-TO-FLIGHT THERMAL ASSESSMENT

Commit-to-flight (CTF) activity for the Space Shuttle orbiter requires that temperature distribution predictions be used to predict thermal stresses in the orbiter shell and frame structure. A new method of analysis based on finite sum modeling and a threedimensional temperature distribution is used to take into account all available temperature data on a cross section. This method, developed specifically for commit-to-flight activity, uses a least square optimization technique to form a unique synthesis of a known finite sum algorithm. A method based on the temperature distribution on several discrete nodes was also developed in conjunction with the finite sum method. This simpler method is neither as accurate nor as dependable as the finite sum method but is useful when applied in conjunction with the finite sum method.
Tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy: summary of the 2013 SITC primer.

Knowledge of the basic mechanisms of the immune system as it relates to cancer has been increasing rapidly. These developments have accelerated the translation of these advancements into medical breakthroughs for many cancer patients. The immune system is designed to discriminate between self and non-self, and through genetic recombination there is virtually no limit to the number of antigens it can recognize. Thus, mutational events, translocations, and other genetic abnormalities within cancer cells may be distinguished as “altered-self” and these differences may play an important role in preventing the development or progression of cancer. However, tumors may utilize a variety of mechanisms to evade the immune system as well. Cancer biologists are aiming to both better understand the relationship between tumors and the normal immune system, and to look for ways to alter the playing field for cancer immunotherapy. Summarized in this review are discussions from the 2013 SITC Primer, which focused on reviewing current knowledge and future directions of research related to tumor immunology and cancer immunotherapy, including sessions on innate immunity, adaptive immunity, therapeutic approaches (dendritic cells, adoptive T cell therapy, anti-tumor antibodies, cancer vaccines, and immune checkpoint blockade), challenges to driving an anti-tumor immune response, monitoring immune responses, and the future of immunotherapy clinical trial design.
Demography of Gut Symbiotic and Aposymbiotic Nezara viridula L. (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)

Nezara viridula L. is a highly polyphagous and cosmopolitan pentatomid stink bug. Despite its economic importance, aspects of its biology are poorly understood. N. viridula has one primary bacterium associated with its gastric caeca, which females provide to offspring by smearing it on the surface of eggs during oviposition. We studied the impact of three temperatures and egg mass surface sterilization on N. viridula's nymphal development rate and reproductive performance. Our results show that maintenance of the symbiont is affected both by temperature and egg mass surface sterilization. We detected the symbiont in 100, 84, and 8.3% of the untreated control insects at 20, 25, and 30°C, respectively, by using polymerase chain reaction. In insects originated from surface sterilized egg masses, the symbiont was never detected at 20 or 30°C and was detected in only 1 of 21 insects at 25°C. Nymphal mean development time decreased with increasing temperature, but there were no differences between the sterilized and control treatments. Sterilized insects at 20°C lived longer than insects in any other treatment but never laid eggs. Life table analysis of N. viridula adults showed that net reproductive rate, intrinsic rate of increase, finite rate of increase, and gross reproductive rate were not significantly different among treatments except at 20°C for the surface sterilized treatment. Mean generation time, however, was significantly longer at 20°C (70.96 ± 4.43 d), regardless of the surface sterilization treatment. Our results highlight the effect that temperature has on the maintenance of this symbiosis and its relationship with N. viridula host's development and reproduction.
Study of physico-chemical properties of some packing materials: I. Measurements of the external porosity of packed columns by inverse size-exclusion chromatography

Abstract Previous work has shown that the beds of packing materials in conventional packed columns consolidate to a marked extent during an initial period. A detailed investigation of this phenomenon requires the development of a procedure for the accurate and precise determination of the external porosity of columns. This data can be obtained by inverse size-exclusion chromatography. We used a series of polystyrene standards with molecular masses ranging from 456 to 20 600 000 and injected them into four series of five chromatographic columns packed with Kromasil, Vydac, YMC, and Zorbax, respectively (all 10-μm particles of C18 bonded silica). The internal and external pore volumes (hence, porosities) of the columns can easily be determined with accuracy from the plots of the logarithm of the molecular mass of the probes versus their retention volume. This procedure offers a simple, fast, and convenient method for the determination of the external porosity of columns. This porosity correlates with retention data and equilibrium isotherms.
Who's in the picture: Comparing census data with newspaper coverage

Courses: Communications Research, Mass Communications in Modern Society, and Race, Gender, and Media.Objectives: As a single or multiple class activity (depending on the length of the class period), the aims of this assignment are to increase the student's ability to apply content analysis methods in an actual media context, to develop an understanding of the agenda setting/framing function of the press, and to analyze the portrayal of gender and diversity in media. The activity can be completed in one class period if the class is at least 1:15 minutes long, but at least two class periods are recommended. Alternatively, the instructor could introduce each of the three sections with a brief lecture and then complete the activity over a three-class period span.
Tension Amplification in Tethered Layers of Bottle-Brush Polymers.

Molecular dynamics simulations of a coarse-grained bead–spring model have been used to study the effects of molecular crowding on the accumulation of tension in the backbone of bottle-brush polymers tethered to a flat substrate. The number of bottle-brushes per unit surface area, Σ, as well as the lengths of the bottle-brush backbones Nbb (50 ≤ Nbb ≤ 200) and side chains Nsc (50 ≤ Nsc ≤ 200) were varied to determine how the dimensions and degree of crowding of bottle-brushes give rise to bond tension amplification along the backbone, especially near the substrate. From these simulations, we have identified three separate regimes of tension. For low Σ, the tension is due solely to intramolecular interactions and is dominated by the side chain repulsion that governs the lateral brush dimensions. With increasing Σ, the interactions between bottle-brush polymers induce compression of the side chains, transmitting increasing tension to the backbone. For large Σ, intermolecular side chain repulsion increases, f...
Respiratory burst oxidase activation can be dissociated from phosphatidylinositol bisphosphate degradation in a cell-free system from human neutrophils

Activation of the respiratory burst oxidase in cell-free preparations from 32P-labeled neutrophils was compared with changes in levels of radioactively labeled phosphoinositides in the same preparations. With membrane particles, treatment with sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) in the presence of cytosol led to activation of the oxidase without an alteration in levels of labeled phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) or phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate (PIP). Conversely, solubilization of the membrane particles with deoxycholate resulted in loss of nearly 98% of the radioactive PIP2 without activation of the oxidase. In this solubilized preparation, the oxidase could subsequently be fully activated by SDS in the presence of cytosol, even though the labeled PIP2 was almost totally depleted. Two PIP2-derived second messengers, diacylglycerol and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate, as well as the protein kinase C activator phorbol myristate acetate (PMA), failed to activate the oxidase. These results suggest that in a cell- free preparation from human neutrophils, detergent-mediated activation of the respiratory burst oxidase is independent of changes in the levels of phosphoinositides or phosphoinositide-derived second messengers.
Online learning of optimal strategies in unknown environments

Define an environment as a set of convex constraint functions that vary arbitrarily over time and consider a cost function that is also convex and arbitrarily varying. Agents that operate in this environment intend to select actions that are feasible for all times while minimizing the cost's time average. Such action is said optimal and can be computed offline if the cost and the environment are known a priori. An online policy is one that depends causally on the cost and the environment. To compare online policies to the optimal offline action define the fit of a trajectory as a vector that integrates the constraint violations over time and its regret as the cost difference with the optimal action accumulated over time. Fit measures the extent to which an online policy succeeds in learning feasible actions while regret measures its success in learning optimal actions. This paper proposes the use of online policies computed from a saddle point controller. It is shown that this controller produces policies with bounded regret and fit that grows at a sublinear rate. These properties provide an indication that the controller finds trajectories that are feasible and optimal in a relaxed sense. Concepts are illustrated throughout with the problem of a shepherd that wants to stay close to all sheep in a herd. Numerical experiments show that the saddle point controller allows the shepherd to do so.
The Network for Intracortical Communication in Mouse Visual Cortex

New techniques for identifying cell types, tracing their synaptic partners, imaging and manipulating their activity in behaving organisms have made mice a widely used model for linking brain circuits to behavior. Most behaviors are tied to vision: identifying objects, guiding movements of body parts, navigating through the environment, and even social interactions. Reason enough to focus on the mouse visual cortex. To find our way around in the occipital cortex, we needed a map. We took a classic approach and traced in the same animal the outputs from multiple retinotopic sites of primary visual cortex (V1) and compared the relative location of projections in the extrastriate cortex. We found nine extrastriate maps and showed by single unit recordings that each of the connectional maps contained visually responsive neurons whose receptive fields were mapped in orderly fashion and completely covered the visual field. Remarkably, a tiny region of one sixth of a dime contained a two- to three-times larger number of areas than the highly developed somatosensory and auditory cortices. By tracing the connections, we found that each of the ten visual areas projected to 25–35 cortical targets and interconnected virtually all of the areas reciprocally with one another. Although the binary graph density of the connection matrix was nearly complete, the connection strengths between areas within the ventral and dorsal cortex differed, indicating that the information from V1 flowed into distinct but interconnected streams. Unit recordings and calcium imaging studies showed that the ventral and dorsal streams processed different spatiotemporal information, which aligned with known properties of streams in primates. Analyses of the laminar patterns of interareal projections showed that areas were organized at multiple levels, suggesting that each stream represented a processing hierarchy.
Intravenous fosphenytoin for acute exacerbation of trigeminal neuralgia: case report and literature review

Trigeminal neuralgia is an episodic unilateral facial pain described by patients as a shooting of lancinating pain, or as an electric-shock sensation. It is often provoked by light touch, eating, cold wind, or other sensory stimulus of the trigeminal nerve. Common medications for treatment include carbamazepine, oxcarbazepine, baclofen, lamotrigine, gabapentin, and pregabalin [Zakrzewska and Linskey, 2014]. Scant literature exists regarding other medications that may be effective [Cruccu and Truini, 2013]. We describe a case of refractory trigeminal neuralgia which responded to intravenous fosphenytoin infusion.
Design framework for sensors and RFID tags with healthcare applications

Abstract Objectives This paper presents a framework to aid in the integration of sensor and radio frequency device (e.g., RFID tags) data into IT applications. This framework is applied to the area of healthcare applications because data quality is important to improving patient care while reducing overall costs. Real-time, high quality data are critical for emergency medical applications, telemedicine, and preventive care, which sensor based applications can provide. Methods This is a theory-based approach, illustrated with examples from the healthcare industry. Results While the benefits of sensor-enabled applications are clear, the many design decisions faced by designers are complex. A sensor design framework is presented that links the requirements of the application with the capabilities of the many types of sensors available for healthcare. Conclusion This framework highlights the design decisions between technology, architecture, and algorithmic solutions. This provides the tools needed to design and implement effective and efficient sensor-based IT solutions in healthcare applications.
The Classics: Diverse Behavioral Assumptions

As I indicated in the introduction, this book is about the interaction of investment and technical change. However, the first two sections of this chapter are about investment per se. These sections demonstrate how different assumptions about expectations underlie different investment theories. That is their justification.