cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Subacute thyroiditis in a lateral thyroid gland: Evaluation of the pituitary-thyroid axis during the acute destructive and the recovery phases

Subacute thyroiditis in a lateral, ectopic thyroid has been previously unreported. A 4 10/12-year-old girl had an enlarging mass in the left upper anterior neck. Initially, the serum concentration of T 4 was normal, T 3 was elevated, and TSH was undetectable without response to TRH. RAI uptake was 1%. The data were consistent with subacute thyroiditis. Twelve weeks later the serum concentration of T 4 was low and TSH was elevated; thyroid replacement therapy was given for 20 weeks. When this was discontinued, there was an initial increase and then a decrease in the TSH values accompanied by an increase in serum concentrations of T 3 and T 4 to normal during eight weeks. One must consider a lateral ectopic thyroid gland in the differential diagnosis of masses in the neck. Physicians must be aware that temporary hypothyroidism occurs during the course of subacute thyroiditis
A simplified and specific method for the estimation of choline.

Abstract The estimation of choline by the reineckate method was investigated. A simplified and specific procedure for the estimation of choline in biological tissues was devised. This procedure required no preliminary extraction of the samples to be analyzed. Direct hydrolysis of the sample with 25% HNO3, followed by precipitation of choline reineckate from 0.1 to 0.2 N NaOH solutions resulted in a quantitative and specific precipitation of choline. Hydrolysis of samples with Ba(OH)2 resulted in inconsistent and low values while hydrolysis with 9 N HCl resulted in high values. Paper chromatography of the reineckate obtained after HCl hydrolysis revealed the presence of an unknown substance. No impurity could be detected in the reineckate obtained from HNO3 hydrolzates. It was found that light and acid and alkaline conditions may cause a decomposition of choline reineckate in acetone solution.
Intensity auto- and cross correlations for a three-level Λ-type atom in a driven, damped two-mode cavity

We calculate intensity autocorrelations and cross correlations for the light transmitted from a system consisting of a three-level Λ-type atom inside an optical cavity that supports two orthogonally polarized modes with one mode of the cavity weakly driven on resonance. We also include damping of the cavity modes and spontaneous emission from the atom using the framework of quantum trajectory theory. The correlation functions are compared with those of a two-level atom/cavity system as the coupling to the third level is increased, and we find a transition from photon bunching to photon antibunching. The three-level model allows the atom to couple to both field modes for which we calculate intensity cross correlations that exhibit nonclassical behaviors. Finally, we discuss the lack of entanglement between the field modes despite their common coupling to the same atom and the presence of atom-field entanglement.
Stabilizing effects in spatial parasitoid–host and predator–prey models: a review

Abstract We review the literature on spatial host–parasitoid and predator–prey models. Dispersal on its own is not stabilizing and can destabilize a stable local equilibrium. We identify three mechanisms whereby limited dispersal of hosts and parasitoids combined with other features, such as spatial and temporal heterogeneity, can promote increased persistence and stability. The first mechanism, “statistical stabilization”, is simply the statistical effect that summing a number of out-of-phase population trajectories results in a relatively constant total population density. The second mechanism involves decoupling of immigration from local density, such that limited dispersal between asynchronous patches results in an effect that mimics density-dependence at the local patch level. The third mechanism involves altering spatially averaged parameter values resulting from spatial heterogeneity in density combined with non-linear responses to density. Persistence in spatially explicit models with local dispersal is frequently associated with self-organized spatial patterning.
Electronic Excitations in Initiation of Chemistry in Molecular Solids

An ab initio study is performed for the initiation of chemistry in high explosive crystals from a solid-state physics viewpoint. Specifically, we are looking for the relationship between the defect-induced deformation of the electronic structure of solids, electronic excitations, and chemical reactions under shock conditions. Band structure calculations by means of the Hartree- Fock method with correlation corrections were done to model an effect of a strong compression induced by a shock/impact wave on the crystals with and without edge dislocations. Based on the results obtained, an excitonic mechanism of the earliest stages for initiation of high explosive solids is discussed with application to cyclotrimethylene trinitramine (also known as RDX) crystal. Experimental verification of the validity of the proposed model is reported for RDX and heavy metal azides. Thus, the key role of electronic excitations facilitated by edge dislocations in explosive solids is established and analyzed. Practical applications of the suggested mechanisms are discussed.
Impaired thymic selection in mice expressing altered levels of the SLP-76 adaptor protein

Intracellular signaling initiated by ligation of the TCR influences cell fate at multiple points during the lifespan of a T cell. This is especially evident during thymic selection, where the nature of TCR-dependent signaling helps to establish a MHC-restricted, self-tolerant T cell repertoire. The Src homology 2 domain-containing leukocyte-specific phosphoprotein of 76 kDa (SLP-76) adaptor protein is a required intermediate in multiple signaling pathways triggered by TCR engagement, several of which have been implicated in dictating the outcome of thymic selection (e.g., intracellular calcium flux and activation of ERK family MAPKs). To determine if thymocyte maturation and selection at later stages of development are sensitive to perturbations in SLP-76 levels, we analyzed these crucial events using several transgenic (Tg) lines of mice expressing altered levels of SLP-76 in the thymus. In Tg mice expressing low levels of SLP-76 in preselection thymocytes, the CD4:CD8 ratio in the thymus and spleen was skewed in a manner consistent with impaired selection and/or maturation of CD4 + thymocytes. Low SLP-76 expression also correlated with reduced CD5 expression on immature thymocytes, consistent with reduced TCR signaling potential. In contrast, reconstitution of SLP-76 at higher levels resulted in normal thymic CD5 expression and CD4: CD8 ratios in the thymus and periphery. It is curious that thymic deletion of TCR-Tg (HY) thymocytes was markedly impaired in both lines of Tg-reconstituted SLP-76-/- mice. Studies using chimeric mice indicate that the defect in deletion of HY + thymocytes is intrinsic to the developing thymocyte, suggesting that maintenance of sufficient SLP-76 expression from the endogenous locus is a key element in the selection process.
Prevalence, correlates, and trajectory of television viewing among infants and toddlers.

Objectives. Recognizing the negative effects of television on children, the American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends that children 2 years and older watch Methods. Data from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth, 1990 to 1998, were used to analyze reported television viewing at 0 to 35 months of age and to follow the trajectory of a child’s viewing from infancy through age 6. Logistic regression models were used to determine risk factors associated with greater television viewing at 0 to 35 months and the association of early viewing habits with school-age viewing. Results. Seventeen percent of 0- to 11-month-olds, 48% of 12- to 23-month-olds, and 41% of 24- to 35-month-olds were reported to watch more television than the AAP recommends. Compared with college graduates, less-educated women were more likely to report that their children watched more television than recommended. Children who watched >2 hours per day at age 2 were more likely to watch >2 hours per day at age 6 (odds ratio: 2.7; 95% confidence interval: 1.8–3.9), controlling for maternal education, race, marital status and employment, household income, and birth order. Conclusions. A substantial number of children begin watching television at an earlier age and in greater amounts than the AAP recommends. Furthermore, these early viewing patterns persist into childhood. Preventive intervention research on television viewing should consider targeting infants and toddlers and their families.
The wave magnetic field amplitude threshold for nonlinear trapping of energetic gyroresonant and Landau resonant electrons by nonducted VLF waves in the magnetosphere

A recently developed theory is used to calculate the wave magnetic field amplitude threshold, B-tau, necessary to allow the nonlinear trapping of energetic gyroresonant and Landau resonant electrons by VLF whistler mode waves in the magnetosphere propagating at an arbitrary angle, psi, with respect to the earth's magnetic field. A detailed raytracing study is carried out to establish the variation of psi with position along each magnetic shell in the range L = 2-5 and for frequencies 5-17.8 kHz. It is found that the minimum values of B-tau along each L shell generally occur at points of second-order resonance. In general, for nonducted fixed frequency signals there is only one point of second-order resonance on each L shell, and this is located within a few degrees of the magnetic equator. However, over a narrow range of L, there are as many as three points of second-order resonance and as many as three associated minima in B-tau. At least one of these points is located more than 10 deg from the magnetic equator.
Dismissed! Avoidance of Students' Spiritual and LGBT Identities in Public Schools.

AbstractNegotiation of identity development in adolescence has implications that affect overall well-being. Spirituality and sexuality are two salient aspects of identity that are challenging for adolescents, especially those who identify as LGBT. -Analysis of intersecting themes across two research inquiries indicated that school counselors and students avoided talking with each other about these -aspects of identity. Results suggested that avoidance was related to fear of perceived -repercussions, public school settings, and concern about value conflicts.
Enhancement or Attenuation of Disease by Deletion of Genes from Citrus Tristeza Virus

Stem pitting is a common virus-induced disease of perennial woody plants induced by a range of different viruses. The phenotype results from sporadic areas of the stem in which normal xylem and phloem development is prevented during growth of stems. These alterations interfere with carbohydrate transport, resulting in reduced plant growth and yield. Citrus tristeza virus (CTV), a phloem-limited closterovirus, induces economically important stem-pitting diseases of citrus. CTV has three nonconserved genes (p33, p18, and p13) that are not related to genes of other viruses and that are not required for systemic infection of some species of citrus, which allowed us to examine the effect of deletions of these genes on symptom phenotypes. In the most susceptible experimental host, Citrus macrophylla, the full-length virus causes only very mild stem-pitting symptoms. Surprisingly, we found that certain deletion combinations (p33 and p18 and/or p13) induced greatly increased stem-pitting symptoms, while other combinations (p13 or p13 plus p18) resulted in reduced stem pitting. These results suggest that the stem-pitting phenotype, which is one of more economically important disease phenotypes, can result not from a specific sequence or protein but from a balance between the expression of different viral genes. Unexpectedly, using greenfluorescent protein-tagged full-length virus and deletion mutants (CTV9p33 and CTV9p33p18p13), the virus was found at pitted areas in abnormal locations outside the normal ring of phloem. Thus, increased stem pitting was associated not only with a prevention of xylem production but also with a proliferation of cells that supported viral replication, suggesting that at random areas of stems the virus can elicit changes in cellular differentiation and development.
RF impedance measurements of the various vacuum chambers for the Advanced Photon Source (APS)

Coupling impedances (Z) for the 7-GeV APS storage ring were numerically estimated by Teng (1990). In order to confirm these calculations, measurements of the coupling impedance of various vacuum components around the main storage ring were done with a synthetic pulse technique. A section of the beam and the ante-chamber, a vacuum valve with and without the internal RF screen, and a photon absorber were used as a device under test to obtain the preliminary results. The result in the frequency domain measurement was compared with a previous time domain measurement and with the computer simulation of the APS impedance budget given by Chou and Jin (1988). The Z or k dependence on the pulse length and the thickness of the center wire was examined. >
Defending against traffic analysis attacks with link padding for bursty traffics

Preventing networks from being attacked has become a critical issue for network administrators and researchers. Even for systems where encryption is used they are still vulnerable to traffic analysis attacks. Attackers can launch catastrophic distributed denial of services attacks based on the critical link information derived from traffic analysis. Link padding can be used to defend against such traffic analysis attacks. In this paper, we propose a robust variant packet sending-interval link padding algorithm for bursty traffics. The histogram feature vector method is used to simulate the traffic analysis attack and principle component analysis is used to test the performance of the algorithm.
Comparison between MZI and single phase-modulator for generating 112-Gbit/s PDM-QPSK signal

We demonstrated the QPSK signal generated by a single phase-modulator (PM-QPSK) is more tolerant to fiber nonlinearity than that generated by the Mach Zehnder Interferometer (MZI-QPSK). Simulation of WDM system at 28-Gsymbol/s per polarization shows PM-QPSK outperforms MZI-QPSK in coherent systems when polarization multiplexing and dispersion management is used.
The Inauguration of the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation

Building an international evaluation community has the potential to strengthen the pres- ence, practice, policies, and theories of evaluation and its contribution to improving the effective- ness of programs, policies, and services by making evaluation more rigorous, visible, and respon- sive to stakeholders. Following 7 years of work by evaluation leaders from many different countries, a major step toward realizing this vision occurred when the inaugural assembly of the International Organization for Cooperation in Evaluation (IOCE) was held in Lima Peru in March 2003. This article provides a rationale for the establishment of IOCE in terms of expected benefits, as well as a summary for the historical record of the challenges and opportunities that emerged in the process of planning such a complex undertaking, and the accomplishments of the IOCE to date. Finally, the road ahead for the IOCE is discussed.
The potential for evolution of salinity tolerance in Agrostis stolonifera L. and Agrostis tenuis Sibth

Summary Two Agrostis stolonifera L. populations, one from a sandy seashore and one from an adjacent area were found to differ in salinity tolerance. Agrostis tenuis Sibth., which grew in adjacent areas where the soil salinity was low, was not found on the shore. The potential for evolution of salinity tolerance in both A. stolonifera and A. tenuis was studied. Substantial variation in salt (NaCl) tolerance was found among natural populations in both species. Specific ion tests suggested that the lack of magnesium tolerance in A. tenuis limits the evolution of seashore ecotypes. The selection of individuals with full salinity tolerance from a non-tolerant population in one stage of the life cycle demonstrates that the salinity tolerance in A. stolonifera could evolve rapidly.
Computational thinking and tinkering: Exploration of an early childhood robotics curriculum

By engaging in construction-based robotics activities, children as young as four can play to learn a range of concepts. The TangibleK Robotics Program paired developmentally appropriate computer programming and robotics tools with a constructionist curriculum designed to engage kindergarten children in learning computational thinking, robotics, programming, and problem-solving. This paper documents three kindergarten classrooms' exposure to computer programming concepts and explores learning outcomes. Results point to strengths of the curriculum and areas where further redesign of the curriculum and technologies would be appropriate. Overall, the study demonstrates that kindergartners were both interested in and able to learn many aspects of robotics, programming, and computational thinking with the TangibleK curriculum design. We explore the efficacy of an early childhood robotics and programming curriculum.53 kindergarteners used developmentally appropriate robotics and programming tools.Children's concept mastery tended to be high but varied with concept difficulty.Results suggest effective curricular designs and areas warranting redesign.
Avoiding Privacy Violation for Resource Sharing in Ad hoc Networks of Pervasive Computing Environment

Users of handheld devices may want to share services resources with each other in pervasive computing environment. Availability of information regarding users may lead to privacy violations while communicating with others for services and resources. Providing a model to resolve this issue in centralized or distributed environment is not desirable or not feasible if we really want to achieve ubiquity. In this paper, we present a privacy aware model for resource sharing in pervasive computing environment with an illustrative example. Our model exploits the concepts of policies and ordered binary decision diagrams.
An initial simulation model for aiding policy analysis in urban insurgencies

This paper aims to demonstrate the potential for using the system dynamics computer simulation methodology to gain insight into the evolution of insurgencies. In particular, it extends a prior system dynamics model of insurgencies containing the dynamic mechanisms of incident suppression, insurgent creation, and war weariness to also embrace the factors of unemployment, propaganda, finance, and weapons supply chains. Numerous policy simulation tests are then conducted using as a base case a calibration of the model to the Anglo-Irish War of 1916- 1921 to examine the effects of various policies aimed at suppressing insurgencies. The paper suggests that none of these policies - when implemented at achievable levels - will be nearly as successful in stopping an insurgency as a coordinated bundle of all of these policies together. The paper then concludes by proposing how a simulation model might be further developed to assist policy makers in managing current insurgencies throughout the world.
Hydroxycinnamate Conjugates as Potential Monolignol Replacements: In vitro Lignification and Cell Wall Studies with Rosmarinic Acid

The plasticity of lignin biosynthesis should permit the inclusion of new compatible phenolic monomers, such as rosmarinic acid (RA) and analogous catechol derivatives, into cell-wall lignins that are consequently less recalcitrant to biomass processing. In vitro lignin polymerization experiments revealed that RA readily underwent peroxidase-catalyzed copolymerization with monolignols and lignin oligomers to form polymers with new benzodioxane inter-unit linkages. Incorporation of RA permitted extensive depolymerization of synthetic lignins by mild alkaline hydrolysis, presumably by cleavage of ester intra-unit linkages within RA. Copolymerization of RA with monolignols into maize cell walls by in situ peroxidases significantly enhanced alkaline lignin extractability and promoted subsequent cell wall saccharification by fungal enzymes. Incorporating RA also improved cell wall saccharification by fungal enzymes and by rumen microflora even without alkaline pretreatments, possibly by modulating lignin hydrophobicity and/or limiting cell wall cross-linking. Consequently, we anticipate that bioengineering approaches for partial monolignol substitution with RA and analogous plant hydroxycinnamates would permit more efficient utilization of plant fiber for biofuels or livestock production.
Ipl1/Aurora-B is necessary for kinetochore restructuring in meiosis I in Saccharomyces cerevisiae

In mitosis, the centromeres of sister chromosomes are pulled toward opposite poles of the spindle. In meiosis I, the opposite is true: the sister centromeres move together to the same pole, and the homologous chromosomes are pulled apart. This change in segregation patterns demands that between the final mitosis preceding meiosis and the first meiotic division, the kinetochores must be restructured. In budding yeast, unlike mammals, kinetochores are largely stable throughout the mitotic cycle. In contrast, previous work with budding and fission yeast showed that some outer kinetochore proteins are lost in early meiosis. We use quantitative mass spectrometry methods and imaging approaches to explore the kinetochore restructuring process that occurs in meiosis I in budding yeast. The Ndc80 outer kinetochore complex, but not other subcomplexes, is shed upon meiotic entry. This shedding is regulated by the conserved protein kinase Ipl1/Aurora-B and promotes the subsequent assembly of a kinetochore that will confer meiosis-specific segregation patterns on the chromosome.
Laser applications and system considerations in ocular imaging

We review laser applications for primarily in vivo ocular imaging techniques, describing their constraints based on biological tissue properties, safety, and the performance of the imaging system. We discuss the need for cost effective sources with practical wavelength tuning capabilities for spectral studies. Techniques to probe the pathological changes of layers beneath the highly scattering retina and diagnose the onset of various eye diseases are described. The recent development of several optical coherence tomography based systems for functional ocular imaging is reviewed, as well as linear and nonlinear ocular imaging techniques performed with ultrafast lasers, emphasizing recent source developments and methods to enhance imaging contrast.
Markov source based test length optimized SCAN-BIST architecture

Markov sources have been shown to be efficient pseudo-random pattern generators in SCAN-BIST. In this paper we give a new design for Markov sources. The new design first reduces the ATPG test set by removing the test cubes with low sampling probability and then produces test sequences based on a unique dynamic transition selection technique. Dynamic transition selection offers four transition options namely Markov source, inverted Markov source, fixed 0 and fixed 1. Experimental results show that the proposed design significantly reduces the test length to achieve 100% stuck-at fault coverage at the expense of a modest increase in the number of gates required to implement the test pattern generator.
Nanohole Array-Directed Trapping of Mammalian Mitochondria Enabling Single Organelle Analysis

We present periodic nanohole arrays fabricated in free-standing metal-coated nitride films as a platform for trapping and analyzing single organelles. When a microliter-scale droplet containing mitochondria is dispensed above the nanohole array, the combination of evaporation and capillary flow directs individual mitochondria to the nanoholes. Mammalian mitochondria arrays were rapidly formed on chip using this technique without any surface modification steps, microfluidic interconnects, or external power sources. The trapped mitochondria were depolarized on chip using an ionophore with results showing that the organelle viability and behavior were preserved during the on-chip assembly process. Fluorescence signal related to mitochondrial membrane potential was obtained from single mitochondria trapped in individual nanoholes revealing statistical differences between the behavior of polarized vs depolarized mammalian mitochondria. This technique provides a fast and stable route for droplet-based directed ...
Effects of Ligation Type and Method on the Resistance to Sliding of Novel Orthodontic Brackets with Second-Order Angulation in the Dry and Wet States

Rectangular stainless steel (SS) archwires were coupled with four SS bracket designs: Mini Diamond Twin, which was a conventional twin bracket; VersaT, which had bumps along the slot floor and rounded slot walls; Shoulder, which had bosses outside the tie-wings to lift the ligation off the archwire; and Synergy, which had bosses between the outer and inner tie-wings, bumps along the slot floor, and rounded slot walls. For all designs, the values of resistance to sliding (RS) were measured at five normal forces and 32 second-order angulations in the dry and wet (saliva) states. RS values at these same angles and states were also measured for the following: Mini Diamond Twin brackets ligated with rings and SS ligature wires; VersaT brackets ligated with rings; Shoulder brackets ligated with rings in a figure-8 and a figure-O around the tie-wings; and Synergy brackets ligated with rings around the outer tie-wings and around the inner tie-wings. In both states, the coefficients of friction were similar for the Mini Diamond Twin, VersaT, and Synergy brackets; the values for the Shoulder brackets were slightly greater than for the other three designs. In the passive configuration, the features of the Shoulder and Synergy brackets reduced RS when the rings were not in contact with the archwires. In the active configuration, the binding behavioral patterns of the brackets were not influenced by ligation methods. Thus, these different ligation types and methods only affected the classical frictional component of RS in the passive configuration.
Constant-pressure aortic root perfusion versus cardioplegia and hypothermia: Comparison of methods of myocardial protection

Both coronary perfusion and hypothermic cardioplegia are widely used methods of myocardial protection during aortic valve replacement. A theoretical objection to coronary perfusion is that it is not synchronized with cardiac contractions. Accordingly, a special pump was designed to provide perfusion at a constant range of pressure. Twenty dogs were studied during 4 hours of bypass. In six dogs no manipulations were carried out and hearts were allowed to beat in a nonworking state. Seven dogs underwent 2 hours of aortic cross-clamping and constant-pressure aortic root perfusion. Seven dogs underwent 2 hours of uninterrupted aortic occlusion with myocardial protection being maintained by cold potassium-induced arrest. Contractility did not change significantly in any of the three groups. All animals demonstrated significant hyperemia after bypass but normal endocardial/epicardial flow ratios. Although compliance deteriorated in all groups, the most striking changes were seen following 4 hours of bypass alone or constant-pressure aortic root perfusion. Hypothermic potassium arrest, in contrast, provided a slightly greater degree of myocardial protection, perhaps both by limiting the degree of ischemic injury directly and by excluding the heart from the circulating blood and the pump oxygenator system.
Closer Look at Business Education: Accounting

Accounting fraud became a mainstream public concern in the wake of the numerous scandals in recent years. Consequently, many business programs around the country reconsidered the manner in which social, environmental, and ethical issues were integrated into accounting curricula. Our analysis identifies two principal types of new curriculum - those that emphasize legal, governance, and ethical considerations, and those that are arguably more forward-looking and value-creating, including topics such as full cost accounting, differential accounting standards, and social auditing.
A Comparison of Carbon Dioxide Elimination Measurements Between a Portable Indirect Calorimeter and Volumetric Capnography Monitor: An In Vitro Simulation.

BACKGROUND: Gas exchange measurements for carbon dioxide elimination (VCO2) and oxygen consumption (VO2) have been used to derive resting energy expenditure and guide energy prescription. Volumetric capnography is used in intensive care units and provides VCO2 measurements that could be used for titrating respiratory and nutritional support. We have recently suggested that measuring VCO2 may be sufficient to obtain a reasonable estimate of energy expenditure. However, data describing the accuracy of gas exchange measurement devices are limited. METHODS: We used an in vitro simulation model to test the accuracy of gas exchange measurements by 2 devices: the CCM Express indirect calorimeter and the NM3, a volumetric capnography monitor. A Huszczuk gas injection system combined with a high-fidelity lung simulator was used to simulate VO2 and VCO2 values in the pediatric and adult range. Bland-Altman analysis was used to examine the agreement between the measured and simulated values across a range of tidal volumes and gas exchange values. Additionally, agreement between the 2 devices was examined. RESULTS: During the adult simulation with the CCM Express, the mean bias (95% CI) for VCO2 values was −12.6% (−16.4 to −8.8%) and −17.5% (−19.9 to −15.1%) for VO2 values. For the pediatric simulation with the CCM Express, mean bias for VO2 was −14.7% (−16.4 to −13.0%) and VCO2 was −10.9% (−13.5 to −8.3%). For the adult and pediatric simulations with the NM3, the bias for VCO2 was −8.2% (−15.7 to −0.7%) and −8.3% (−19.4 to −2.8%), respectively. Between the 2 devices, the mean bias was −4.4% (−10.2 to 1.3%) and −2.3% (−11.4 to 6.8%) for the adult and pediatric VCO2 simulations, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Currently available portable gas exchange monitors demonstrated acceptable agreement with reference VO2 and VCO2 values in an in vitro simulation. The devices demonstrated good agreement with each other.
Static magnetic fields in culture of Chlorella fusca: Bioeffects on growth and biomass composition

Abstract Static magnetic fields (SMF) are being studied in microorganism cultures and there are reports that it could accelerate growth or cause changes in metabolism. Thus, this study aims to evaluating the influence of SMF on growth and biomass composition obtained in culture of Chlorella fusca LEB 111 in vertical tubular photobioreactor (VTP). SMF of 30 and 60 mT was generated by ferrite magnets and applied for 24 h d−1 and 1 h d−1 for 15 days. The growth of C. fusca was evaluated by kinetic parameters and the biomass obtained was evaluated by protein, carbohydrate, and lipid content. SMF of 60 mT for 24 h d−1 increased the biomass concentration and the carbohydrate content, it was 20.5% and 24.8% higher than control culture, respectively. Magnetic treatment is a new method to culture microalgae that can accelerate growth and increase compounds of interest, which can be used as food or biofuel.
Design of Progressive Addition Lens with Newly Developed Curvature Polynomials

Design of progressive addition lens is to obtain the desired power distribution, and control the unwanted astigmatism. And newly developed curvature polynomials are ideal candidate for representing the power and astigmatism distribution of a PAL.
836 CALCITONIN THERAPY IN OSTEOGENESIS IMPERFECTA

We have previously shown increased skeletal turnover in 0.1. with resorption being more accelerated than bone accretion. Calcitonin, through its ability to inhibit skeletal resorption, might be useful in the treatment of 0.1. Twenty-five patients with 0.1. tarda and 25 with 0.1. congenita received synthetic salmon calcitonin (SSC) 2 MRC units/kg 1.M. three times a week, for periods of 6 to 48 months. In O.I.T. the fracture rate decreased from 2.7 before calcitonin to 0.5/yr/patient during calcitonin; in O.I.C. from 3.6 to 0.8/yr/patient. Therapy was discontinued in 3 patients because of persistent vomiting and in one because of an allergic skin reaction. X-rays of the left hand with the same control metal wedge were taken every 3 months. Bone density was measured by a photodensitometer connected to a LINC-8 computer, and corrected for changes between X-rays and compared to normals for age and sex. 38/50 studies were successfully terminated. Calcitonin significantly increased bone density in the 0-5 year age range when compared with normal rates. SSC appears to be more effective in increasing bone density during the first year of therapy. Antibodies to SSC were found in 6 patients treated with SSC, at titers of 1:10 to 1:600. There was no increase in plasma iPTH concentrations during SSC administration. These data suggest that long term SSC therapy reduces fracture-rate and increases bone density in young children with 0.1. (Supported by NIH Grant RR-318).
Neutrophils Suppress Intraluminal NK Cell–Mediated Tumor Cell Clearance and Enhance Extravasation of Disseminated Carcinoma Cells

Immune cells promote the initial metastatic dissemination of carcinoma cells from primary tumors. In contrast to their well-studied functions in the initial stages of metastasis, the specific roles of immunocytes in facilitating progression through the critical later steps of the invasion-metastasis cascade remain poorly understood. Here we define novel functions of neutrophils in promoting intraluminal survival and extravasation at sites of metastatic dissemination. We show that CD11b+/Ly6G+ neutrophils enhance metastasis formation via two distinct mechanisms. First, neutrophils inhibit natural killer cell function, which leads to a significant increase in the intraluminal survival time of tumor cells. Thereafter, neutrophils operate to facilitate extravasation of tumor cells through the secretion of IL-1β and matrix metalloproteinases. These results identify neutrophils as key regulators of intraluminal survival and extravasation through their crosstalk with host cells and disseminating carcinoma cells.
Microfabricated silicon biocapsule for immunoisolation of pancreatic islets

Immune rejection rapidly destroys cellular transplants, unless the immune system is pharmocologically depressed. This is typically achieved through administration of cyclosporine, which in itself causes a level of collateral damage that is harmful to cell transplant-based therapeutics of Type I Diabetes. Encapsulation of pancreatic islets of Langerhans with an artificial membrane has been proposed as a means of cell immunoprotection after transplantation. Currently, organic biocapsule materials are used in this context, and have presented significant problems that are related to capsules biodegradation and limited biocompatibility. With this background, we have introduced silicon-based biocapsules. Previous studies have shown the viability and functionality of various cell lines within our biocapsule microfabricated environment. Here, a biocapsule fabrication protocol is disclosed, and novel results are presented that specifically address the insulin-secreting capability of islet cell clusters within silicon-based biocapsules for the therapy of diabetes.
Hepatitis C update. New answers, new questions.

PreviewIt is now known that most cases of posttransfusion non-A non-B hepatitis are caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV). How accurate are currently available tests for HCV infection? How often does hepatitis C progress to chronic liver disease? Which patients should receive therapy with interferon alfa-2b? Dr Smith addresses these and other questions, apprising readers of what is currently known and what remains to be learned about hepatitis C.
Endemic pemphigus foliaceus ( fogo selvagem )

Fogo selvagem presents our specialty with a unique situation. The disease is fundamentally identical to the pemphigus foliaceus that we are familiar with in North America, but there is impressive epidemiologic and circumstantial evidence that an environmental factor is producing this highly specific autoimmune phenomenon. If one can define this factor and investigate the mechanisms operative in the promotion of the disease, one would develop major new insights into both the normal function of the immune system and the specific disease state. Implications for understanding other autoimmune diseases are also obvious. However, to overcome the difficult logistics of studying these patients by modern techniques presents a formidable task. Hopefully, with the cooperation of interested investigators in both Brazil and the United States, these problems can be overcome.
Management of an intrapleural foreign body and empyema with video-assisted thoracoscopy

Intrapleural foreign bodies are rare and there are few reports on the occurrence and management of this uncommon clinical presentation. We report a case of a patient with a history of ingesting multiple foreign bodies, which resulted in multiple laparotomy procedures for extraction. The patient recently required surgical removal of innumerable ingested foreign bodies from the stomach and developed a left empyema post-operatively. Subsequent imaging studies revealed evidence of a foreign object in the left pleural space without evidence of an esophageal perforation or diaphragm injury.
18 F Fluorodeoxyglucose PET and Thyroid Nodules

The objective of this chapter is to review the 18F-FDG-PET and PET-CT detection of incidental uptake in the thyroid, the patterns of 18F-FDG-PET uptake, the significance of the standard uptake value (SUV), and the management of 18F-FDG-PET incidental thyroid lesions.
Spine Injuries Sustained by U.S. Military Personnel in Combat Are Different From Non-Combat Spine Injuries

ABSTRACTSpine injuries are more prevalent among Iraq and Afghanistan veterans than among veterans of previous conflicts. The purpose of this investigation was to characterize the context, mode, and clinical outcomes of spine injuries sustained by U.S. military personnel in theater. Injury and clinical data from patients who sustained a spine injury in Iraq or Afghanistan between 2003 and 2008 were extracted from the Joint Theater Trauma Registry. Fischer's exact test was used to compare demographic variables between battle and nonbattle spine injuries. Two-sided t tests and univariate analyses were performed to analyze the association between injury context, mechanism, and severity with clinical outcome. A total of 307 patients sustained spine injuries in theater during the study period, and 296 had adequate data for analysis. Most injuries occurred in battle (69.6%), and these injuries were more likely to have an Injury Severity Score considered severe (44.7% vs. 20.0%; p < 0.001) or critical (13.6% vs. ...
Compactness vs Collusion Resistance in Functional Encryption

We present two general constructions that can be used to combine any two functional encryption FE schemes supporting a bounded number of key queries into a new functional encryption scheme supporting a larger number of key queries. By using these constructions iteratively, we transform any primitive FE scheme supporting a single functional key query from a sufficiently general class of functions and has certain weak compactness properties to a collusion-resistant FE scheme with the same or slightly weaker compactness properties. Together with previously known reductions, this shows that the compact, weakly compact, collusion-resistant, and weakly collusion-resistant versions of FE are all equivalent under polynomial time reductions. These are all FE variants known to imply the existence of indistinguishability obfuscation, and were previously thought to offer slightly different avenues toward the realization of obfuscation from general assumptions. Our results show that they are indeed all equivalent, improving our understanding of the minimal assumptions on functional encryption required to instantiate indistinguishability obfuscation.
Teaching Personal Finance Mathematical Problem Solving to Individuals With Moderate Intellectual Disability

The ability to solve mathematical problems related to purchasing and personal finance is important in promoting skill generalization and increasing independence for individuals with moderate intell...
Identifying gene coexpression networks underlying the dynamic regulation of wood-forming tissues in Populus under diverse environmental conditions

Trees modify wood formation through integration of environmental and developmental signals in complex but poorly defined transcriptional networks, allowing trees to produce woody tissues appropriate to diverse environmental conditions. In order to identify relationships among genes expressed during wood formation, we integrated data from new and publically available datasets in Populus. These datasets were generated from woody tissue and include transcriptome profiling, transcription factor binding, DNA accessibility and genome-wide association mapping experiments. Coexpression modules were calculated, each of which contains genes showing similar expression patterns across experimental conditions, genotypes and treatments. Conserved gene coexpression modules (four modules totaling 8398 genes) were identified that were highly preserved across diverse environmental conditions and genetic backgrounds. Functional annotations as well as correlations with specific experimental treatments associated individual conserved modules with distinct biological processes underlying wood formation, such as cell-wall biosynthesis, meristem development and epigenetic pathways. Module genes were also enriched for DNase I hypersensitivity footprints and binding from four transcription factors associated with wood formation. The conserved modules are excellent candidates for modeling core developmental pathways common to wood formation in diverse environments and genotypes, and serve as testbeds for hypothesis generation and testing for future studies.
Osteoporosis Knowledge and Health Beliefs Among Men in Midlife Years.

Abstract Objective To examine the role of socioeconomic variables on middle-aged adult men's knowledge and health beliefs about osteoporosis. Methods An anonymous survey used validated scales to assess osteoporosis knowledge and health beliefs in a sample of 262 men aged 36–55 years. Descriptive and group-differences statistics (MANOVA and ANOVA) were used. Results Total osteoporosis knowledge was low (mean, 11.1 of 22) and mean scores on perceived susceptibility and seriousness health belief domains were also low: 13.2 and 17.2, respectively out of 30. Multivariate ANOVA revealed that perceived seriousness, barriers to calcium intake, and health motivation varied significantly with level of formal education attained ( P Conclusions and Implications Results of this convenience sample of predominantly white men found that level of osteoporosis knowledge and perceived susceptibility were low. Given the increased prevalence of osteoporosis-related fracture in men, methods to increase knowledge and awareness are needed.
The US Political and Economic Scene

This chapter reviews the American political, economic and social scenes, and provides information about American involvement in conflict around the world, economic growth rates since the Great Depression, income and wealth inequalities, social mobility, labor participation in the workforce, and manufacturing jobs. Growth rates are low and are expected to remain low; wealth Inequality shows that the richest 1% of Americans own more that 50% of the wealth; social mobility is low and declining; discrimination is rising; participation in the workforce is the lowest in many years; and the manufacturing sector continues to lose jobs. Though the situation is stable, trends of change seem to suggest that a new crisis is looming.
Use of Phase Partitioning in Multidimensional Subcellular Fractionation

Conventional subcellular fractionation procedures incorporate two separation dimensions, one based on membrane sedimentation coefficient, the other on equilibrium density. Questions about the homogeneity of samples obtained with these procedures have been addressed with additional separations based on manipulation of membrane density or on partitioning in dextran-poly(ethylene glycol) two-phase systems. In some cases it has proven useful to employ a total of 4 separation dimensions, i.e. sedimentation, equilibrium density in 2 differently designed density gradients, and phase partitioning. In other cases, parallel third dimensions analyses in two-phase systems with different pH values have been used to delineate the multiplicity of populations present in conventional subcellular samples.
Automatic patient positioning and gating window settings in respiratory-gated stereotactic body radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer using fluoroscopic imaging.

Before treatment delivery of respiratory-gated radiation therapy (RT) in patients with implanted fiducials, both the patient position and the gating window thresholds must be set. In linac-based RT, this is currently done manually and setup accuracy will therefore be dependent on the skill of the user. In this study, we present an automatic method for finding the patient position and the gating window thresholds. Our method uses sequentially acquired anterior-posterior (AP) and lateral fluoroscopic imaging with simultaneous breathing amplitude monitoring and intends to reach 100% gating accuracy while keeping the duty cycle as high as possible. We retrospectively compared clinically used setups to the automatic setups by our method in five pancreatic cancer patients treated with hypofractionated RT. In 15 investigated fractions, the average (±standard deviation) differences between the clinical and automatic setups were -0.4 ± 0.8 mm, -1.0 ± 1.1 mm, and 1.8 ± 1.3 mm in the left-right (LR), the AP, and the superior-inferior (SI) direction, respectively. For the clinical setups, typical interfractional setup variations were 1-2 mm in the LR and AP directions, and 2-3 mm in the SI direction. Using the automatic method, the duty cycle could be improved in six fractions, in four fractions the duty cycle had to be lowered to improve gating accuracy, and in five fractions both duty cycle and gating accuracy could be improved. Our automatic method has the potential to increase accuracy and decrease user dependence of setup for patients with implanted fiducials treated with respiratory-gated RT. After fluoroscopic image acquisition, the calculated patient shifts and gating window thresholds are calculated in 1-2 s. The method gives the user the possibility to evaluate the effect of different patient positions and gating window thresholds on gating accuracy and duty cycle. If deemed necessary, it can be used at any time during treatment delivery.
The buildup of confined pressure at salts in decaying radioactive waste

This paper reports that whenever a volume expansion {Delta}V works against a confining pressure p, such as that which is generated by water of crystallization at encapsulated salts, it is appropriate to use Clapeyron's equation to estimate the temperature coefficient of that pressure.