cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Evaluating recall error in preschoolers: Category expectations influence episodic memory for color

Abstract Despite limited memory capacity, children are exceptional learners. How might children engage in meaningful learning despite limited memory systems? Past research suggests that adults integrate category knowledge and noisy episodic traces to aid recall when episodic memory is noisy or incomplete (e.g. Hemmer & Steyvers, 2009a,b). We suspect children utilize a similar process but integrate category and episodic traces in recall to a different degree. Here we conduct two experiments to empirically assess children’s color category knowledge (Study 1) and recall of target hue values (Study 2). In Study 1, although children’s generated hue values appear to be noisier than adults, we found no significant difference between children and adult’s generated color category means (prototypes), suggesting that preschool-aged children’s color categories are well established. In Study 2, we found that children’s (like adult’s) free recall of target hue values regressed towards color category means. We implemented three probabilistic memory models: one that combines category knowledge and specific target information (Integrative), a category only (Noisy Prototype) model, and a target only (Noisy Target) model to computationally evaluate recall performance. Consistent with previous studies with older children (Duffy, Huttenlocher, & Crawford, 2006), quantitative fits of the models to aggregate group-level data provided strong support for the Integrative process. However, at the individual subject level, a greater proportion of preschoolers’ recall was better fit by a Prototype only model. Our results provide evidence that the integration of category knowledge in episodic memory comes online early and strongly. Implications for how the greater reliance on category knowledge by preschoolers relative to adults might track with developmental shifts in relational episodic memory are discussed.
Childhood Trauma and Prescription Drug Misuse in a College Population

Adverse childhood experiences (ACE) predict health-compromising behaviors such as substance use. However, few studies have examined the association between ACE and prescription drug misuse among yo...
MonFi: A Tool for High-Rate, Efficient, and Programmable Monitoring of WiFi Devices

The 802.11 standard, known as WiFi, is currently being used for a wide variety of applications. The increasing number of WiFi devices, their stringent communication requirements, and the need for higher energy-efficiency mandate the adoption of novel methods that rely on monitoring the WiFi communication stack to analyze, enhance communication efficiency, and secure these networks. In this paper, we propose MonFi, a publicly-available, open-source tool for high-rate, efficient, and programmable monitoring of the WiFi communication stack. With this tool, regular user-space applications can specify their required measurement parameters, monitoring rate, and measurement collection method as event-based, polling-based, or a hybrid of both. We also propose methods to ensure deterministic sampling rate regardless of the processor load caused by other processes including packet switching. In terms of sampling rate and processing efficiency, we show that MonFi outperforms the Linux tools used to monitor the communication stack.
A high-precision CO2 densimeter for Raman spectroscopy using a Fluid Density Calibration Apparatus

Abstract Fluid and melt inclusions rich in CO2 are common in many geological environments and are a powerful tool to provide constraints on P-T-X conditions of fluids resulting in ore deposits as well as pressures of inclusions in volcanic systems. Raman spectroscopy is an in situ, non-destructive method capable of determining the CO2 densities of inclusions for most sample sizes (> 1 μm) and densities. However, significant discrepancies exist among published CO2 densimeters for Raman spectroscopic measurements, mainly due to inconsistent calibration procedures, hardware differences, and sparse measurements for fluid densities between 0.2 and 0.7 g/mL. In this study, we re-designed a Fluid Density Calibration Apparatus (FDCA) based on one originally described by Lin et al. (2007) with important structural changes such as high accuracy temperature measurements made directly inside the FDCA that significantly reduce the error for critical region measurements. We provide five highly precise new calibration equations for different temperatures and CO2 density ranges. Application of these equations to a set of melt inclusions from a Pico do Fogo eruption from Cabo Verde indicates that the total percent uncertainty in calculated CO2 contents of bubbles derived from our densimeter are always below 5% except for inclusions with densities in the most sensitive part of the critical region (~7.3% for a 0.425 g/mL bubble), while relative percent uncertainty for literature densimeters are always above 10% and up to 28% in the worst-case scenario. In this study, we include all of the new designs, diagrams, and operational procedures with the goal of providing the community a new high-precision and high-accuracy FDCA for Raman spectroscopy.
Depletion of CD8+ T cells exacerbates CD4+ Th cell-associated inflammatory lesions during murine mycoplasma respiratory disease

Mycoplasma infection is a leading cause of pneumonia worldwide and can lead to other respiratory complications. A component of mycoplasma respiratory diseases is immunopathologic, suggesting that lymphocyte activation is a key event in the progression of these chronic inflammatory diseases. The present study delineates the changes in T cell populations and their activation after mycoplasma infection and determines their association with the pathogenesis of murine Mycoplasma respiratory disease, due to Mycoplasma pulmonis infection. Increases in T cell population numbers in lungs and lower respiratory lymph nodes were associated with the development of mycoplasma respiratory disease. Although both pulmonary Th and CD8(+) T cells increased after mycoplasma infection, there was a preferential expansion of Th cells. Mycoplasma-specific Th2 responses were dominant in lower respiratory lymph nodes, while Th1 responses predominated in spleen. However, both mycoplasma-specific Th1 and Th2 cytokine (IL-4 and IFN-gamma) responses were present in the lungs, with Th1 cell activation as a major component of the pulmonary Th cell response. Although a smaller component of the T cell response, mycoplasma-specific CD8(+) T cells were also a significant component of pulmonary lymphoid responses. In vivo depletion of CD8(+) T cells resulted in dramatically more severe pulmonary disease, while depletion of CD4(+) T cells reduced its severity, but there was no change in mycoplasma numbers in lungs after cell depletion. Thus, mycoplasma-specific Th1 and CD8(+) T cell activation in the lung plays a critical regulatory role in development of immunopathologic reactions in Mycoplasma respiratory disease.
Interpreting sea surface temperature from strontium/calcium ratios in Montastrea corals: Link with growth rate and implications for proxy reconstructions

[1] We analyzed strontium/calcium ratios (Sr/Ca) in four colonies of the Atlantic coral genus Montastrea with growth rates ranging from 2.3 to 12.6 mm a−1. Derived Sr/Ca–sea surface temperature (SST) calibrations exhibit significant differences among the four colonies that cannot be explained by variations in SST or seawater Sr/Ca. For a single coral Sr/Ca ratio of 8.8 mmol mol−1, the four calibrations predict SSTs ranging from 24.0° to 30.9°C. We find that differences in the Sr/Ca–SST relationships are correlated systematically with the average annual extension rate (ext) of each colony such that Sr/Ca (mmol mol−1) = 11.82 (±0.13) – 0.058 (±0.004) × ext (mm a−1) – 0.092 (±0.005) × SST (°C). This observation is consistent with previous reports of a link between coral Sr/Ca and growth rate. Verification of our growth-dependent Sr/Ca–SST calibration using a coral excluded from the calibration reconstructs the mean and seasonal amplitude of the actual recorded SST to within 0.3°C. Applying a traditional, nongrowth-dependent Sr/Ca–SST calibration derived from a modern Montastrea to the Sr/Ca ratios of a conspecific coral that grew during the early Little Ice Age (LIA) (400 years B.P.) suggests that Caribbean SSTs were >5°C cooler than today. Conversely, application of our growth-dependent Sr/Ca–SST calibration to Sr/Ca ratios derived from the LIA coral indicates that SSTs during the 5-year period analyzed were within error (±1.4°C) of modern values.
Differences in the Community Built Environment Influence Poor Perceived Health Among Persons With Spinal Cord Injury.

Abstract Objective To assess the association between characteristics of the built environment and differences in perceived health among persons with spinal cord injury (SCI) using objective measures of the local community derived from Geographic Information Systems data. Design Secondary analysis of cross-sectional survey data. Setting Community. Participants Persons with chronic SCI enrolled in the Spinal Cord Injury Model Systems database (N=503). All cases were residents of New Jersey, completed an interview during the years 2000 through 2012, had a complete residential address, and were community living at the time of follow-up. Interventions Not applicable. Main Outcome Measure Perceived health. Results Bivariate tests indicated that persons with SCI residing in communities with more (vs less) mixed land use and small (vs large) amounts of open space were more likely to report poor perceived health. No associations were found between perceived health and differences in the residential or destination density of the community. Adjusting for variation in demographic, impairment, quality of life, and community socioeconomic characteristics accounted for the gap in the odds of reporting poor health between persons living in areas with large versus small amounts of open space (odds ratio [OR], 0.54; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28–1.02). However, even after accounting for individual background differences, persons living in communities characterized by more heterogeneous land use were twice as likely to report poor health compared with persons living in less mixed areas (OR, 2.14; 95% CI, 1.12–4.08). Conclusions Differences in the built characteristics of communities may be important to the long-term health and well-being of persons with SCI who may have greater exposure to the features of their local area because of limited mobility. The results of this study suggest living in a community with more heterogeneous land use was not beneficial to the perceived health of persons with chronic SCI living in New Jersey. Further investigation is needed to assess if the relationships observed in this analysis are influenced by differences in infrastructure and resources across communities. Further research is also needed to investigate the role built environment plays in the long-term health and well-being of persons with SCI in other geographic locales.
Clinical aspects of allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis.

Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis (ABPA) is characterized by recurrent pulmonary infiltrates that can result in central bronchiectasis and bronchiolitis obliterans especially if there is a lack of recognition and treatment. The incidence of ABPA is 1-2% in patients with persistent asthma and approximately 7% (range 2-15) in patients with cystic fibrosis. The diagnostic criteria are useful in that there is no single test (with the exception of central bronchiectasis in patients with asthma) that identifies ABPA. The differential diagnosis of ABPA includes many conditions including chronic eosinophilic pneumonia, Churg Strauss Syndrome, Hyper-IgE Syndrome, persistent asthma with lobar collapse, and cases of parasitism. The most useful laboratory assays in patients who have immediate cutaneous reactivity. to Aspergillus mixes or A. fumigatus are total serum IgE concentration, elevated serum IgE-A.fumigatus and serum IgG-A.fumigatus. Prednisone remains the drug of choice yet need not be administered indefinitely.
Fighting City Hall: Entry Deterrence and New Technology Deployment in Local Cable TV Markets

This article investigates how private firms respond to potential entry from public firms. The article uses a dataset of over 3000 US cable TV systems to present evidence consistent with entry deterrence. Incumbent cable TV firms upgrade faster when located in markets with a potential municipal entrant. However, the same systems are then slower to offer new products enabled by the upgrade, suggesting upgrades in these markets occur for strategic reasons. Incumbent cable systems also upgrade faster in response to municipal entry threats than to private entry threats. Understanding how private firms respond to potential entry from public firms is especially important in light of recent US government entry into several industries.
Educational Quality Correlates of Online Graduate Management Education

The purpose of our paper is to describe and compare educational models based on four major concepts that can be used to assess educational quality. We focus on graduate management programs since they are increasingly supporting their education offerings with state-of-the-art technology. We examine why some distance educational models are more appropriate than others. We first discuss the literature surrounding distance education with a focus on two major concepts—dialogue and structure--that are frequently used to describe and assess the quality of distance education. We then examine the student-related factors driving the need for increased access and flexibility. Next, we explore the association between these four factors (dialogue, structure, access, and flexibility) and existing models of distance education. Finally, we compare these models and suggest which models are most applicable to graduate management course delivery.
Is Evolution a Secular Religion

The fact of evolution postulated by Charles Darwin in his Origin of Species was quickly embraced by the great thinkers of Victorian society, but its mechanism, natural selection, seemed to be less appealing. As Michael Ruse ponders in his essay, evolution seemed to have been adopted as a new secular religion, complete with commandments for how to progress to a better life and cathedrals of natural history housing valuable fossil relics.
Generalized Cantor Strings and their Oscillations

In this chapter, we analyze the oscillations in the geometry and the spectrum of the simplest type of generalized self-similar fractal strings. The complex dimensions of these so-called generalized Cantor strings lie on just one vertical line D + inp (n ∈ ℤ), for some D ∈ (0,1) and p > 0. We construct such a generalized Cantor string for any choice of D and p
Microfinance and the Mechanics of Solidarity Lending: Improving Access to Credit through Innovations in Contract Structures

One of the most intractable economic problems for poor countries has been the high price or outright unavailability of credit in rural communities. One of the few concepts that have succeeded in expanding the availability of credit has been "microfinance," a practice that involves the provision of small loans (generally of a few hundred dollars or so) to borrowers without conventional collateral. The success of microlending has been especially striking because its benefits have accrued primarily to groups ignored by traditional development assistance--the poorest segments of poor countries' populations--and to women in particular. This paper explains how a large part of microfinance institutions' success can be traced to their practice of bundling loans together through a system known as "solidarity lending." Under this system, would-be borrowers form groups (usually of between three and six), within which each member agrees to guarantee the loans of the others in the group. If any one individual member defaults on his or her loan, the other members of the group are required to cover the shortfall. This paper reviews insights of the informational economics literature that explain the link between information asymmetries and credit market failure, and then shows why solidarity lending dramatically decreases the costs of information, particularly where institutional infrastructure is weak and borrowers' projects are small. Microfinance has revolutionized the way in which credit is provided to the rural poor; this paper explains why it has succeeded.
Preoperative Metyrosine Improves Cardiovascular Outcomes for Patients Undergoing Surgery for Pheochromocytoma and Paraganglioma.

The goal of preoperative pharmacotherapy for pheochromocytoma (PCC) and paraganglioma (PGL) resection is to minimize intraoperative hemodynamic instability and perioperative cardiovascular complications, but no standard preoperative regimen exists. Historically, treatment used metyrosine and phenoxybenzamine (MP). The recent metyrosine shortage required that phenoxybenzamine alone (PA) be used for treatment. The authors examined their experience to determine the impact of preoperative metyrosine treatment on patient outcomes. A retrospective cohort study investigated patients who underwent initial PCC/PGL resection (2000–2014). The primary outcome was intraoperative hemodynamics, measured by heart rate (HR) and systolic blood pressure (SBP). The secondary outcomes included perioperative complications and cardiovascular-specific complications (CVC). Univariate analysis was performed, and adjusted risk differences were estimated after confounding was taken into account. Of 174 patients, 142 (81.6 %) were in the MP group. The MP and PA patients had comparable intraoperative use of antihypertensives (83.9 vs 78.1 %; p = 0.443), vasopressors (74.6 vs 87.5 %; p = 0.120), and fluid resuscitation (mean, 24.4 vs 24.8 ml/min; p = 0.761). Although the perioperative complication rate did not differ significantly between the MP and PA groups (respectively 23.4 vs 34.4 %; p = 0.198), the PA patients had a 15.8 % higher rate of CVC even after controlling for confounders (p = 0.034). Compared with the MP patients, the PA patients had significantly more hemodynamic instability intraoperatively, with a greater range in HR (7.4 bpm; p = 0.034) and SBP (14.8 mmHg; p = 0.020). In this study, preoperative metyrosine improved intraoperative hemodynamic stability and decreased CVC rates in patients undergoing PCC/PGLresection. These data suggest that the addition of preoperative metyrosine may improve operative outcomes.
Fine Structure of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum: Effect of Growth Temperature on Morphology and Ultrastructure

The fine structure of Methanobacterium thermoautotrophicum which was grown at the optimal temperature, 65 C, as well as at the temperature extremes for growth is described. The most distinguishing feature of this organism is the presence of intracytoplasmic membranes. The internal membrane system consists of triplet membranes which are stacked closely together, frequently appearing as concentric circles without separation by cytoplasm. Aside from this feature, M. thermoautotrophicum proliferates as irregularly curved rods at 65 C and has a fine structure similar to most other gram-positive bacteria. Both low (45 C) and high (75 C) growth temperatures induce structural modifications. These structural changes include rod to spheroidal morphological changes, cell wall abberations, distortion of division septa, misdivisions, and internal membrane deterioration.
Phase transition of cross-linked and hydroxypropylated corn (Zea mays L.) starches

The thermal behaviors of three chemically modified starches (cross-linked waxy corn, hydroxypropylated regular corn, and hydroxypropylated and oxidized waxy corn) were studied using light microscopy, SEM, DSC, XRD, and HPSEC. During the gelatinization process, molecular and crystalline order losses occurred independently from each other. Oxidation treatment altered the effects of hydroxypropylation on starch gelatinization. Both cross-linking and hydroxypropylation tended to preserve granular crystalline order during initial stages of gelatinization. The crystallinities and X-ray patterns of each starch remained essentially unchanged prior to phase transition.
Proposed insulating ground state of Na 0.5 CoO 2 : Squaring the triangle

We demonstrate that at a filling of n=1.5, a hexatic insulating state obtains in the extended Hubbard model on a triangular lattice. Composed of two tetragonal sublattices with fillings of n=1 and n=2, the insulating state is charge ordered and possesses an antiferromagnetic superlattice with a dimension of a x root 3. Two distinct energy scales arise in our model: a charge gap for the insulator and the effective exchange interaction in the antiferromagnet. Our model is capable of explaining both qualitatively and quantitatively the Hall coefficient including the sign change, the temperature dependence of the resistivity, and the persistence of antiferromagnetism above the insulating state.
Changing learning with new interactive and media-rich instruction environments: virtual labs case study report.

Technology has created a new dimension for visual teaching and learning with web-delivered interactive media. The Virtual Labs Project has embraced this technology with instructional design and evaluation methodologies behind the simPHYSIO suite of simulation-based, online interactive teaching modules in physiology for the Stanford students. In addition, simPHYSIO provides the convenience of anytime web-access and a modular structure that allows for personalization and customization of the learning material. This innovative tool provides a solid delivery and pedagogical backbone that can be applied to developing an interactive simulation-based training tool for the use and management of the Picture Archiving and Communication System (PACS) image information system. The disparity in the knowledge between health and IT professionals can be bridged by providing convenient modular teaching tools to fill the gaps in knowledge. An innovative teaching method in the whole PACS is deemed necessary for its successful implementation and operation since it has become widely distributed with many interfaces, components, and customizations. This paper will discuss the techniques for developing an interactive-based teaching tool, a case study of its implementation, and a perspective for applying this approach to an online PACS training tool.
Hydrogen sulfide and cardioprotection — Mechanistic insights and clinical translatability

Hydrogen sulfide (H2S) has been long recognized as a highly poisonous gas that is rapidly lethal in intoxicating dosage. However, discoveries during the last decade on the endogenous synthesis of H2S in the mammalian system and its protective role in combating cellular necrosis, apoptosis, oxidative stress, inflammation as well as promoting angiogenesis and modulation of mitochondrial respiration in the setting of myocardial ischemia and reperfusion injury have prompted vast interest in the possibility of developing new therapies based around mimicry or facilitation of endogenous H2S for cardioprotection. These observations have inspired rapid development of H2S-releasing drugs in hopes of swift clinical translation in patients with cardiovascular disease. This review will discuss our current understanding of the protective signaling pathways elicited by H2S in the heart with an emphasis on the versatile benefits of this gasotransmitter and its potential for clinical translation in patients with cardiovascular disease.
Completion of the alkali metal titanium (III) pyrophosphate series: Synthesis and structure of AITiP2O7 (AI = K, Rb, Cs)

The structure of a new titanium (III) pyrophosphate RbTiP{sub 2}O{sub 7} has been determined. It crystallizes in a monoclinic unit cell (P2{sub 1}/c, Z=4) with dimensions a=7.542(7){angstrom}, b=10.256(2){angstrom}, c=8.270 (3){angstrom}, {beta}=105.59(5){degree}, V=616.2 (6){angstrom}{sup 3}. The single crystal structure refinement gives a final structure solution with R index on F{sub 0}{sup 2} of 0.046 for 101 variable and GOF=1.76. RbTiP{sub 2}O{sub 7} is isostructural with KAlP{sub 2}O{sub 7}, whose structure is also adopted by trivalent transition metal containing pyrophosphates; namely M{sup I}MoP{sub 2}O{sub 7} (M{sup I} = K, Rb, and Cs) and KFeP{sub 2}O{sub 7}. The potassium and cesium analogues are also synthesized. The structure differences between LiTiP{sub 2}O{sub 7}, NaTiP{sub 2}O{sub 7} ({beta}-phase), and (K, Rb, Cs)TiP{sub 2}O{sub 7} are contrasted by the connectivity of the TiO{sub 6} octahedra and P{sub 2}O{sub 7} pyrophosphate groups. The structural relationship between RbTiP{sub 2}O{sub 7} and previously reported BaTi{sub 2}(P{sub 2}O{sub 7}){sub 2} versus the role of electropositive cations in the formation of Ti(P{sub 2}O{sub 7}){sub n}O{sub 6-2n} units (n is 1 for Rb{sup +} and 2 for Ba{sup 2+}) are discussed.
The incidence of esophageal adenocarcinoma in a national veterans cohort with Barrett's esophagus.

The Incidence of Esophageal Adenocarcinoma in a National Veterans Cohort With Barrett’s Esophagus
Identification of free mannose and partial characterization of a mannose‐6‐phosphate isomerase from Lilium longiflorum bulbs

The existence of free mannose in storage bulbs of Lilium longiflorum Thunb, was established using preparative high performance liquid chromatography, gas chromatography and gas chromatography-mass spectroscopy. Free mannose was not detected in developing (importing) bulb tissues. Mannose, a relatively rare hexose in plant tissue, probably arises from the hydrolysis of glucomannan, a hemicellulosic carbohydrate polymer known to be present in Lilium storage tissues. A calculation of total mannose residues per bulb (prior to versus after reserve hydrolysis and export) indicated that mannose is metabolized, probably in sucrose biosynthesis. A mannose-6-phosphate isomerase (EC 5.3.1.8) was isolated from Lilium bulbs and purified 155-fold with 29% yield. The molecular weight of the enzyme was estimated by gel filtration to be 64 kDa, and the Km for mannose-6-phosphate was 0.42 mM. It is concluded that glucomannan is functioning as a reserve carbohydrate in Lilium storage tissues and that the mannose-6-phosphate isomerase is responsible for the entry of mannose into the sucrose biosynthetic pathway.
MO-D-134-08: Validation of Size-Specific Dose Estimates (SSDE) in Body CT Studies with Directly Measured Organ Doses in Adult Female Cadaveric Subjects

Purpose: To compare directly measured organ doses in cadaveric subjects with calculated size‐specific dose estimates (SSDE) for CT studies of the torso. Methods: : In 2011, the SSDE protocols were introduced by AAPM Task Group 204, which provides a library of conversion factors that can be applied directly to scanner‐generated CTDIvol for a CT exam of the torso to generate a patient‐specific dose estimate. However, the results of the SSDE formalism have not been compared to actual dose measurements. In this work, several cadaveric subjects of varying body habitus, were utilized to directly measure organ doses which Result from CT examinations. Optically‐stimulated luminescent dosimeters (OSLDs) were employed to measure dose within the following organs: thyroid, breasts, lungs, liver, stomach, small intestine, colon, ovary, uterus, and skin. Dose measurements were made for a standard Chest Abdomen Pelvis (CAP) protocol. After organ dose measurements were completed for each subject, the anterior‐posterior and lateral patient dimensions were measured on the central slice of the study to obtain the corresponding correction factor and SSDE from AAPM 204, which was then compared with the measured organ doses for each cadaver. Results: A total of four subjects were utilized for this study, with body mass indices (BMIs) ranging from 17.4–43.9. For the subject with a BMI of 17.4, the average organ dose from a CAP exam was 11.8 mGy. The corresponding SSDE for that subject was 12 mGy. Conclusion: It is observed with this data that the SSDE does accurately describe the average dose absorbed in the body. The SSDE can be effectively used as a patient dose descriptor in the clinic, while organ dose libraries and software that allow for organ dose calculation are still being developed.
Promoter methylation study of the H37/RBM5 tumor suppressor gene from the 3p21.3 human lung cancer tumor suppressor locus

Loss of heterozygosity (LOH) at chromosome 3p21.3 is one of the most prevalent genetic disturbances occurring at the earliest stage of tumor development for a wide variety of human cancers, culminated in lung cancer. The 19 genes residing at 3p21.3 have been vigorously characterized for tumor suppressor activity and gene inactivation mechanism because of their potentially signi- ficant merits of clinical applications. Many of these 19 genes have been shown to manifest various growth inhib- itory properties, however none of them are inactivated by coding mutations in their remaining allele as in the Knudson's two- hits hypothesis. Thus far the most prevailing, alternative gene inactivation mechanism known for the 3p21.3 TSGs is epigenetic silencing by promoter hypermethylation. Previously, we have focused our investigation on one of the 19 genes at 3p21.3, H37/ RBM5, and demonstrated its tumor suppressor activity both in vitro and in vivo as well as its mRNA/protein expression loss from the remaining allele in a majority of the primary lung tumors examined. The current study tested our hypothesis that the H37 inactivation in primary lung tumors may, as seen in most of the other 3p21.3 TSGs, be due to hypermethylation in its promoter CpG islands. Contrary to this most plausible postulation, however, we found no evidence of epigenetic gene silencing for the H37 TSG. Here we suggest some of the possible, further- alternative means of the H37 gene expression loss in tumor, including defects in transcription and post-transcriptional/ translational modifications as well as mechanisms related to haploinsufficiency.
What are the risk factors for surgery and their implications for management of children with Crohn's disease?

What are the risk factors for surgery and their implications for management of children with Crohn's disease?
What is the horizontal scale of the 5-min oscillations?

If wrong, all the early reports of a small horizontal scale (≈ 2000 km) for the 5-min oscillations may be due to unfortunate similarities between the velocity and overturning time of the solar granule convection and the corresponding velocity and period typical of the oscillations. A large horizontal scale (≈ 30000 km) for the oscillations seems consistent with the old data and almost required by more recent measurements. The large scales recently measured would imply that a sizeable fraction of the solar volume is involved in the oscillation and would cast some doubt on all the old theories of the 5-min oscillations which were based on plane parallel atmospheres.
Evaluating industrial symbiosis and algae cultivation from a life cycle perspective.

Abstract A comparative life cycle assessment (LCA) was conducted on 20 scenarios of microalgae cultivation. These scenarios examined the utilization of nutrients and CO2 from synthetic sources and waste streams as well as the materials used to construct a photobioreactor (PBR). A 0.2-m3 closed PBR of Chlorella vulgaris at 30%-oil content by weight with the productivity of 25 g/m2 × day was used as a case study. Results of the study show that the utilization of resources from waste streams mainly avoided global warming potential (GWP) and eutrophication impacts. Impacts from the production of material used to construct the PBR dominate total impacts in acidification and ozone depletion categories, even over longer PBR lifetimes; thus, the choice of PBR construction materials is important.
MAPPING DARK MATTER IN HOT STELLAR SYSTEMS

Recent work on the dynamics of elliptical galaxies suggests that it is possible to determine the radial distribution of mass in hot stellar systems using only line-of-sight velocities of a sample of stars, without any a priori assumptions about either the relative distribution of dark and luminous components, or the stellar velocity distribution. The technique differs from the point-by-point estimation of the gravitational acceleration in disk galaxies in that it requires the construction of a complete dynamical model describing the observed population. An algorithm is described which should yield strong, model-independent constraints on the central density of dark matter in dwarf spheroidal galaxies once the number of observed radial velocities reaches a few hundred.
Cerebrospinal fluid findings in aseptic versus bacterial meningitis

Background. Aseptic meningitis is often reported to be characterized by a mononuclear cell predominance in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), whereas bacterial meningitis is characterized by a polymorphonuclear (PMN) cell predominance. In contrast, other studies suggest that PMNs can be the most prevalent cell in early aseptic meningitis followed by a shift to mononuclear cells within 24 hours. These contradictory reports may lead to uncertainty in the diagnosis and treatment of meningitis. Objectives. To assess 1) the characteristics of the CSF differential in aseptic versus bacterial meningitis, 2) the influence of duration of illness on the CSF differential, and 3) the role of the CSF differential in discriminating between aseptic versus bacterial meningitis. Methods. A retrospective chart review was conducted of all cases of meningitis in children >30 days of age hospitalized during the peak months for enteroviral meningitis (April to October) between 1992 to 1997. Cases of aseptic meningitis were defined as having at least 20 white blood cells/mm3 and the absence of bacterial growth on culture. Patients were excluded if they received antibiotic therapy within the previous 5 days. Cases of bacterial meningitis were defined as having a positive culture of the CSF or the presence of a CSF pleocytosis with positive cultures of the blood. CSF variables including white blood cell differential and time from the onset of symptoms to the performance of a lumbar puncture were analyzed. PMNs were considered to be predominant when the percentage of neutrophils added to juvenile forms was >50% of cells. Results. One hundred fifty-eight cases of meningitis were reviewed: 138 were aseptic and 20 were bacterial. The patients ranged in age from 30 days to 18 years; 61% were male. Fifty-seven percent of cases of aseptic meningitis had a PMN predominance. The percentage of PMNs in the CSF in patients with aseptic meningitis was not statistically different for patients who had a lumbar puncture performed either within or beyond 24 hours of the onset of symptoms. Fifty-one percent of the 53 patients with aseptic meningitis and duration of illness >24 hours had a PMN predominance. The ability of a PMN predominance to differentiate between aseptic and bacterial meningitis was assessed. The sensitivity of a PMN predominance for aseptic meningitis is 57% whereas the specificity is 10%. The positive predictive value of a PMN predominance for aseptic disease is 81% but the negative predictive value is 3%. Alternative definitions of PMN predominance from 60% to 90% were not useful as a clinical indicator of bacterial disease. Conclusions. The majority of children with aseptic meningitis have a PMN predominance in the CSF. The PMN predominance is not limited to the first 24 hours of illness. Because the majority of children with a PMN predominance during enteroviral season will have aseptic disease, a PMN predominance as a sole criterion does not discriminate between aseptic and bacterial meningitis.
Increases in trust and altruism from partner selection: Experimental evidence

This paper examines how selection affects trust and altruism in a Trust and Modified Dictator Game. Past Trust and Dictator game experiments not allowing partner selection show substantially more trust and altruism than equilibrium predicts. We predict partner selection will cause sorting in which behavior across partner types without selection will be positively correlated with partner choice. This selection pattern will cause trust and altruism to be higher with selection and the increase will be proportional to a maximum possible gain. We find selection has all these effects. We also find greater gains in the Trust than Modified Dictator game consistent with larger possible gains in the Trust game. The results imply that theories ignoring selection will underestimate trust and altruism in markets with selection.
Partial radiative-recombination cross sections for excited states of hydrogen.

The squares of the dipole and quadrupole matrix elements for the free-to-bound transitions of hydrogen up to bound states Vertical Barn = 20,l = 19> are derived in closed analytic form as a function of the kinetic energy of the free electron. Coulomb wave functions are used for the free as well as the bound states and, thus, the results are good for any electron energy. Several interesting effects are found. First, the transition probabilities are maximum for recombination into specific intermediate-angular-momentum states at low energies (w<1 eV) and where the free-state angular momentum is greater than that of the bound state. Further, that specific intermediate-angular-momentum state depends on the kinetic energy of the free electron. This behavior is in contrast to the ''normal'' behavior of the transition strengths where recombination into s states is greatest and decreases with increasing angular momentum. Second, the quadrupole matrix elements vanish for certain velocities of the free electron. These ''zeros'' produce minima in the corresponding quadrupole cross sections. Finally, the calculated partial cross sections for recombination into high-angular-momentum states are greater when quadrupole transitions are included.
The relationship between the disassembly of microtubules during G1 and the enhancement of DNA synthesis by colchicine in mouse fibroblasts stimulated with peptide growth hormones

Abstract By immunofluorescent staining to visualize the cytoplasmic microtubular cytoskeleton in mouse fibroblasts we have ascertained that after a relatively short exposure of cells to colchicine, microtubules remain disassembled for a prolonged period of time after cells are transferred to a colchicine-free medium. In contrast to the persisting effects of colchicine, a brief exposure of cells to nocodazole first induces the expected disruption of microtubules followed by regeneration of the cytoskeleton within a few hours after removal of extracellular drug. These results shed light on our previous finding that quiescent mouse fibroblasts first treated with colchicine and then transferred to colchicine-free medium exhibit an enhanced proliferative response to EGF and insulin, whereas cells treated in a similar manner with nocodazole show no enhancement of DNA synthesis stimulated by peptide growth hormones. We conclude that cytoplasmic microtubules must remain disaggregated during the prereplicative G1 period in order for cells to exhibit the enhancing effects of the microtubule-disrupting drugs on DNA synthesis.
Spontaneous activity, economy of activity, and resistance to diet-induced obesity in rats bred for high intrinsic aerobic capacity

Though obesity is common, some people remain resistant to weight gain even in an obesogenic environment. The propensity to remain lean may be partly associated with high endurance capacity along with high spontaneous physical activity and the energy expenditure of activity, called non-exercise activity thermogenesis (NEAT). Previous studies have shown that high-capacity running rats (HCR) are lean compared to low-capacity runners (LCR), which are susceptible to cardiovascular disease and metabolic syndrome. Here, we examine the effect of diet on spontaneous activity and NEAT, as well as potential mechanisms underlying these traits, in rats selectively bred for high or low intrinsic aerobic endurance capacity. Compared to LCR, HCR were resistant to the sizeable increases in body mass and fat mass induced by a high-fat diet; HCR also had lower levels of circulating leptin. HCR were consistently more active than LCR, and had lower fuel economy of activity, regardless of diet. Nonetheless, both HCR and LCR showed a similar decrease in daily activity levels after high-fat feeding, as well as decreases in hypothalamic orexin-A content. The HCR were more sensitive to the NEAT-activating effects of intra-paraventricular orexin-A compared to LCR, especially after high-fat feeding. Lastly, levels of cytosolic phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK-C) in the skeletal muscle of HCR were consistently higher than LCR, and the high-fat diet decreased skeletal muscle PEPCK-C in both groups of rats. Differences in muscle PEPCK were not secondary to the differing amount of activity. This suggests the possibility that intrinsic differences in physical activity levels may originate at the level of the skeletal muscle, which could alter brain responsiveness to neuropeptides and other factors that regulate spontaneous daily activity and NEAT.
PEC‐A: An immortalized porcine aortic endothelial cell

: Cultured porcine aortic endothelium was transfected with sequences that encode the SV40 T antigen, resulting in an immortalized cell line that retains the differentiated properties of normal aortic endothelial cells. Specifically, these cells form cobblestone monolayers, synthesize von Willebrand factor, and endocytose acetylated LDL. These cells can be readily propagated in culture and have been passaged over a year in culture. The cells form tubular structures when grown on Matrigel. The cells in culture express class I but do not express MHC class II antigens. Both class I and class II expression can be induced by treatment with recombinant swine interferon-γ. Expression of CD44 and several other cell surface antigens have been observed. Co-culture of these cells with purified human CD4+ T cells resulted in a significant T-cell proliferative response similar to that observed for primary porcine EC. Finally, the cells are readily susceptible to transfection and express exogenous genes. These cells should be valuable for study of human anti-porcine endothelial responses.
Temporal and gefitinib-sensitive regulation of cardiac cytokine expression via chronic β-adrenergic receptor stimulation

Chronic stimulation of β-adrenergic receptors (βAR) can promote survival signaling via transactivation of epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) but ultimately alters cardiac structure and contractility over time, in part via enhanced cytokine signaling. We hypothesized that chronic catecholamine signaling will have a temporal impact on cardiac transcript expression in vivo, in particular cytokines, and that EGFR transactivation plays a role in this process. C57BL/6 mice underwent infusion with vehicle or isoproterenol (Iso) ± gefitinib (Gef) for 1 or 2 wk. Cardiac contractility decreased following 2 wk of Iso treatment, while cardiac hypertrophy, fibrosis, and apoptosis were enhanced at both timepoints. Inclusion of Gef preserved contractility, blocked Iso-induced apoptosis, and prevented hypertrophy at the 2-wk timepoint, but caused fibrosis on its own. RNAseq analysis revealed hundreds of cardiac transcripts altered by Iso at each timepoint with subsequent RT-quantitative PCR validation confirming distinct temporal patterns of transcript regulation, including those involved in cardiac remodeling and survival signaling, as well as numerous cytokines. Although Gef infusion alone did not significantly alter cytokine expression, it abrogated the Iso-mediated changes in a majority of the βAR-sensitive cytokines, including CCL2 and TNF-α. Additionally, the impact of βAR-dependent EGFR transactivation on the acute regulation of cytokine transcript expression was assessed in isolated cardiomyocytes and in cardiac fibroblasts, where the majority of Iso-dependent, and EGFR-sensitive, changes in cytokines occurred. Overall, coincident with changes in cardiac structure and contractility, βAR stimulation dynamically alters cardiac transcript expression over time, including numerous cytokines that are regulated via EGFR-dependent signaling.
Magnetism and local order

A simple electronic structure scheme based upon a combination of the molecular clusters and tight binding formulation is proposed that is not only quantitative but also enables electronic structure studies in a computationally efficient manner. As a first application, we use the new scheme to study the magnetic moment of Fe and Ni in a wide range of environments where the local coordination of the magnetic atom changes from two to as many as twelve. This is achieved by considering configurations such as linear chain, crystallographic surfaces of various orientations, thin films and bulk. The magnetic moment is shown to increase with decreasing coordination due to narrowing of electron bands. Its implications for the magnetic moments of small Fe and Ni clusters are discussed.
A method for counting leukocytes in filtered components.

Leukocyte-depleted components are being used more frequently. Quantitation of residual WRCs is needed for quality control and for establishing the critical level required to prevent alloimmunization. Electronic counting is not accurate at WBC levels below 100/microL (1) and previously proposed techniques are either tedious or require sophisticated equipment. We describe a simple hemacytometer procedure using Turks solution that gives 87-93% recovery at WBC levels below 40/microL.
Love in a Confucian Climate: The Perils of Intimacy in Eighteenth-Century China

This article explores what an eighteenth-century case of adultery in an elite family tells us about the status of Confucian marriage and challenges to it in the mid-Qing. The case illustrates the problematic nature of conjugal love in this period, which puts emotions in conflict with ritual propriety, the marital relationship in conflict with the interests of the patriline, and subjective desires in conflict with social duties. The case also offers insights into the emotional world of the period, providing intimate details of the emotional texture of three interwoven marital or quasi-marital relationships. Each represents a deviation from the ideal of Confucian marriage and presents a different configuration of self, sentiment and ritual propriety. Together they offer a rich picture of the intimate realm of family life and the forces that worked to destabilize it.
Control of Microbial Spoilage on Fresh Poultry using a Combination Potassium Sorbate/Carbon Dioxide Packaging System

The effects of potassium sorbate combined with vacuum or carbon dioxide modified atmosphere packaging on natural poultry spoilage flora were examined. Fresh chicken thighs were dipped into either 2.5% potassium sorbate solution or distilled water, adjusted to pH 6.0 and packaged on trays in Nylon/Plexar/Surlyn bags. Atmospheres of either air, vacuum or 100% C02 were created in the packages which were then stored at 10 ± 1°C for 10 days. Changes in aerobic plate counts, lactic acid bacteria and pseudomonads were monitored. The combination of CO2 packaging and sorbate treatment provided the most effective inhibitory system against the poultry spoilage organisms, especially Pseudomonas species, without creating a selective environment for the growth of lactic acid bacteria and premature souring of the product. The shelf life of the sorbate/CO2 samples was extended 3 days over the control/air samples at 10°C.