cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Protective heterologous T cell immunity in COVID-19 induced by the trivalent MMR and Tdap vaccine antigens.

Summary Background T cells control viral infection, promote vaccine durability, and in coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) associate with mild disease. We investigated whether prior measles-mumps-rubella (MMR) or tetanus-diphtheria-pertussis (Tdap) vaccination elicits cross-reactive T cells that mitigate COVID-19. Methods Antigen-presenting cells (APC) loaded ex vivo with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2), MMR, or Tdap antigens and autologous T cells from COVID-19-convalescent participants, uninfected individuals, and COVID-19 mRNA-vaccinated donors were co-cultured. T cell activation and phenotype were detected by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) enzyme-linked immunospot (ELISpot) assays and flow cytometry. ELISAs (enzyme-linked immunosorbant assays) and validation studies identified the APC-derived cytokine(s) driving T cell activation. TCR clonotyping and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) identified cross-reactive T cells and their transcriptional profile. A propensity-weighted analysis of COVID-19 patients estimated the effects of MMR and Tdap vaccination on COVID-19 outcomes. Findings High correlation was observed between T cell responses to SARS-CoV-2 (spike-S1 and nucleocapsid) and MMR and Tdap proteins in COVID-19-convalescent and -vaccinated individuals. The overlapping T cell population contained an effector memory T cell subset (effector memory re-expressing CD45RA on T cells [TEMRA]) implicated in protective, anti-viral immunity, and their detection required APC-derived IL-15, known to sensitize T cells to activation. Cross-reactive TCR repertoires detected in antigen-experienced T cells recognizing SARS-CoV-2, MMR, and Tdap epitopes had TEMRA features. Indices of disease severity were reduced in MMR- or Tdap-vaccinated individuals by 32%–38% and 20%–23%, respectively, among COVID-19 patients. Conclusions Tdap and MMR memory T cells reactivated by SARS-CoV-2 may provide protection against severe COVID-19. Funding This study was supported by a National Institutes of Health (R01HL065095, R01AI152522, R01NS097719) donation from Barbara and Amos Hostetter and the Chleck Foundation.
Upper Limb Motor Improvement after Traumatic Brain Injury: Systematic Review of Interventions.

BACKGROUND Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a leading cause of adult morbidity and mortality. Individuals with TBI have impairments in both cognitive and motor domains. Motor improvements post-TBI are attributable to adaptive neuroplasticity and motor learning. Majority of the studies focus on remediation of balance and mobility issues. There is limited understanding on the use of interventions for upper limb (UL) motor improvements in this population. OBJECTIVE We examined the evidence regarding the effectiveness of different interventions to augment UL motor improvement after a TBI. METHODS We systematically examined the evidence published in English from 1990-2020. The modified Downs and Black checklist helped assess study quality (total score: 28). Studies were classified as excellent: 24-28, good: 19-23, fair: 14-18, and poor: ≤13 in quality. Effect sizes helped quantify intervention effectiveness. RESULTS Twenty-three studies were retrieved. Study quality was excellent (n = 1), good (n = 5) or fair (n = 17). Interventions used included strategies to decrease muscle tone (n = 6), constraint induced movement therapy (n = 4), virtual reality gaming (n = 5), non-invasive stimulation (n = 3), arm motor ability training (n = 1), stem cell transplant (n = 1), task-oriented training (n = 2), and feedback provision (n = 1). Motor impairment outcomes included Fugl-Meyer Assessment, Modified Ashworth Scale, and kinematic outcomes (error and movement straightness). Activity limitation outcomes included Wolf Motor Function Test and Motor Activity Log (MAL). Effect sizes for majority of the interventions ranged from medium (.5-.79) to large (≥.8). Only ten studies included retention testing. CONCLUSION There is preliminary evidence that using some interventions may enhance UL motor improvement after a TBI. Answers to emergent questions can help select the most appropriate interventions in this population.
Exploring Label Dependency in Active Learning for Phenotype Mapping

Many genetic epidemiological studies of human diseases have multiple variables related to any given phenotype, resulting from different definitions and multiple measurements or subsets of data. Manually mapping and harmonizing these phenotypes is a time-consuming process that may still miss the most appropriate variables. Previously, a supervised learning algorithm was proposed for this problem. That algorithm learns to determine whether a pair of phenotypes is in the same class. Though that algorithm accomplished satisfying F-scores, the need to manually label training examples becomes a bottleneck to improve its coverage. Herein we present a novel active learning solution to solve this challenging phenotype-mapping problem. Active learning will make phenotype mapping more efficient and improve its accuracy.
A Preliminary Checklist of Marine Benthic Diatoms of Mississippi

A checklist of diatoms collected from various benthic habitats in coastal salt marshes and offshore seagrass beds of Mississippi has been compiled for the first time. The checklist includes 213 taxa (species and their varieties) in 43 genera with 19 of these taxa found only on the leaves of offshore seagrasses. Synedra fasciculatu var. intermediu (Grun.) Sulliv. comb. nov. is proposed to be consistent with the nomenclature of the nominate variety. Future work with this ecologically important group of marine algae should result in many new additions to this preliminary checklist.
Viscous/Inviscid Interaction Procedures

In the previous chapters, small disturbance potential flow theories for 2-D and 3-D, incompressible and compressible, steady and unsteady flows over aerodynamic configurations are studied.
Sequential-Merge Facets for Two-Dimensional Group Problems

In this paper, we show how to generate strong cuts for unstructured mixed integer programs through the study of high-dimensional group problems. We present a new operation that generates facet-defining inequalities for two-dimensional group problems by combining two facet-defining inequalities of one-dimensional group problems. Because the procedure allows the use of a large variety of one-dimensional constituent inequalities, it yields large families of new cutting planes for MIPs that we call sequential-merge inequalities. We show that sequential-merge inequalities can be used to generate inequalities whose continuous variable coefficients are stronger than those of one-dimensional cuts and can be used to derive the three-gradient facet-defining inequality introduced by Dey and Richard [4].
Mindfulness and Social Work Practice, by Steven F. Hick, ed.

Steven Hick and the other contributors to Mindfulness and Social Work Practice eloquently establish the usefulness of mindfulness in every aspect of the field of social work making this text an ess...
The Feasibility of Using Infrared Scanning to Test Flaws in Ceramic Materials

The feasibility of using infrared scanning to test the integrity of refractory materials was established through the use of a 60% aluminum oxide refractory. Heat was injected from the back side of the sample and scanning with the infrared system was performed on the front surface. To minimize the lateral heat dissipation from the sample, a nichrome heating wire was embedded in a narrow groove cut around the view field; the scanning surface was painted black to minimize the background-reflection effects. Prior to tests the ground level surface energy was scanned in a two-dimensional array. Follow-up scans were made after various defects were simulated on the back side of the sample. By means of an image-processing technique, the ground-level surface energy and noise effects were removed from the scanned data. This also permitted the processed data to reveal the true effects due to material defects. In the experiment, the scanned thermal patterns were analyzed to obtain six features for comparison. The study has shown that, based on an analysis of these features, a quantification of material defects can be made. The study also reveals the limitations of certain extracted features to distinguish material flaws.
Errata for circuit size relative to pseudorandom oracles

In the above-titled paper (see Proc. Fifth Structure in Complexity Theory Conf., 1990, p.268-86) by the present authors it was claimed that two specified separations hold relative to every pspace-random oracle A, and relative to almost every oracle A in ESPACE. It is noted that the proofs given were not correct and that corrected proofs are being published elsewhere. Some further discussion regarding these proofs is presented. >
Rius trenats. Espais i fluxos en una carrera acadèmica

El 16 d’octubre de l’any 2013 la Universitat Autonoma de Barcelona, a proposta del Departament de Geografia, va concedir el doctorat honoris causa a la Dra. Janice Monk, professora de la Universitat d’Arizona. En aquesta contribucio especial s’ha reproduit, amb alguna adaptacio posterior, el discurs pronunciat per la Dra. Monk en aquella data. La professora Janice Monk ha estat una figura cabdal en el desenvolupament de la geografia del genere tant als Estats Units com internacionalment. En aquestes linies reflexiona sobre la seva trajectoria academica i professional, les tematiques que han marcat les seves reflexions com a investigadora i el seu compromis social. Aquest article es completa amb una bibliografia que recull les seves principals contribucions.
On the Existence of Distributed Sources in Comet Comae

The main production process of species occurring in the coma of comets is the photodestruction of molecules initially present in the nucleus ices and non-refractory grains or trapped inside the nucleus “material”. Grains can also be a source of molecules in the coma. Chemical reactions may occur between coma species. Consequently, although chances that an abundant coma species has not been detected are now small, the coma composition is certainly quite different from that of the nucleus. Except for the molecules released directly at the nucleus surface, all coma species are produced in an “extended region” or come from “a distributed source”. Since the recent literature is rich in reports on observations of molecules and species possibly not initially present in the comet ices or not released at the nucleus, a general discussion of how coma species are stored, processed or produced is presented, based mostly on observational results. What is at stake is the proper modeling of the coma structure, hence an accurate derivation of the nucleus composition from coma observations.
Validity and Reliability of Science Assessments

Validity is the overriding concept describing assessment quality. It expresses the extent to which an assessment measures what it is intended to measure and provides sound data for an intended decision-making purpose. As described below, reliability conveys the consistency of a measure and is necessary but not sufficient for adequate validity. Strong evidence of both validity and reliability is required for high-stakes uses of science assessments. While evidence requirements are reduced, both also are concerns for classroom assessment purposes.
How We Know What Isn't So: The Fallibility of Human Reason in Everyday Life

When can we trust what we believe - that "teams and players have winning streaks", that "flattery works", or that "the more people who agree, the more likely they are to be right" - and when are such beliefs suspect? Thomas Gilovich offers a guide to the fallacy of the obvious in everyday life. Illustrating his points with examples, and supporting them with the latest research findings, he documents the cognitive, social and motivational processes that distort our thoughts, beliefs, judgements and decisions. In a rapidly changing world, the biases and stereotypes that help us process an overload of complex information inevitably distort what we would like to believe is reality. Awareness of our propensity to make these systematic errors, Gilovich argues, is the first step to more effective analysis and action.
Coffee effects on human health

write this chapter that I realized that so much that is criticized by researchers/scientists, is actually a series of myths. I just read a paper, for example, on the antibacterial properties of coffee against microorganisms involved in dental caries and periodontal disease [1]. This is one of the many examples of wrong ideas about coffee, that it could cause caries. Another myth that prevents children and teenagers of drinking coffee is that coffee can cause health problems when administered to children. After going through hundreds of peer review articles, my conclusion in the chapter that I wrote is that coffee, as almost everything that is a good nutrient, when used with moderation, is good for human health. Children in countries where coffee is an important product in their internal/external market, such as Brazil and Colombia, have coffee given to children as part of their breakfast at school, as a mix of coffee and milk [2]. There are surveys showing that children that drink coffee in the morning and also during the break in the afternoon, show a better performance at school and are more alert and prepared to absorb the material taught in class [3-5].
Microscopic model for the tensorial surface anisotropy field observed in thin yitrium-iron garnet film spin-wave resonance

Abstract A microscopic model for the surface parameter in thin YIG films is proposed to explain the observed properties of the non-propagating surface spin-wave. This theory proposes two surface interactions. The first is a temperature dependent molecular field coupling between the surface iron atoms and the gadolinium atoms at the film substrate interface. The second interaction is a single ion anisotropy due to Fe 2+ ions present at the surface resulting from the migration of oxygen vacancies during annealing. Excellent agreement is observed between the experimental results and the prediction of the microscopic theory.
Long term selection for four-week body weight in Japanese quail under different nutritional environments.

Individual phenotypic selection for high 4 week body weight was conducted for 40 generations in two lines of Japanese quail under two protein environments. Line P was selected on an adequate 28% protein diet, and line T was selected on a 20% protein diet containing 0.2% thiouracil (TU). In generation 20, a subline R was established by subjecting progeny from the T line to a 20% protein diet; in generation 27, a subline S was developed by subjecting progeny from the T line to a 28% protein diet containing 0.2% TU. Progeny from a nonselected control line (C) were reared with selected lines and sublines in all generations.
Community Decision-Makers and the Promotion of Values in the Adoption of Children

This article is based on a paper presented at the Illinois Welfare Association Conference, Chicago, November 19, 1963. The author, an associate professor of law at the Catholic University of America School of Law, Washington, D.C., is presently on leave as a United States Public Health Fellow at Yale Law School
Liquid-crystal displays for medical imaging: a discussion of monochrome versus color

A common view is that color displays cannot match the performance of monochrome displays, normally used for diagnostic x-ray imaging. This view is based largely on historical experience with cathode-ray tube (CRT) displays, and does not apply in the same way to liquid-crystal displays (LCDs). Recent advances in color LCD technology have considerably narrowed performance differences with monochrome LCDs for medical applications. The most significant performance advantage of monochrome LCDs is higher luminance, a concern for use under bright ambient conditions. LCD luminance is limited primarily by backlight design, yet to be optimized for color LCDs for medical applications. Monochrome LCDs have inherently higher contrast than color LCDs, but this is not a major advantage under most conditions. There is no practical difference in luminance precision between color and monochrome LCDs, with a slight theoretical advantage for color. Color LCDs can provide visualization and productivity enhancement for medical applications, using digital drive from standard commercial graphics cards. The desktop computer market for color LCDs far exceeds the medical monitor market, with an economy of scale. The performance-to-price ratio for color LCDs is much higher than monochrome, and warrants re-evaluation for medical applications.
Using Explanatory Item Response Models to Analyze Group Differences in Science Achievement.

This article illustrates the use of an explanatory item response modeling (EIRM) approach in the context of measuring group differences in science achievement. The distinction between item response models and EIRMs, recently elaborated by De Boeck and Wilson (2004), is presented within the statistical framework of generalized linear mixed models. It is shown that the EIRM approach provides a powerful framework for both a psychometric and statistical analysis of group differences. This is contrasted with the more typical two-step approach, in which psychometric analysis (i.e., measurement) and statistical analysis (i.e., explanation) occur independently. The two approaches are each used to describe and explain racial/ethnic gaps on a standardized science test. It is shown that the EIRM approach results in estimated racial/ethnic achievement gaps that are larger than those found in the two-step approach. In addition, when science achievement is examined by subdomains, the magnitude of racial/ethnic gap esti...
Active-passive bilateral therapy as a priming mechanism for individuals in the subacute phase of post-stroke recovery: a feasibility study.

Poststroke upper limb hemiparesis is a common condition that physical therapists and occupational therapists address. Although constraint-induced therapy has been found to be effective for patients with mild upper limb hemiparesis,1 bilateral training is considered a remediation technique for stroke survivors with moderate or severe arm hemiparesis.2 Bilateral training may consist of mirror image upper limb movements intended to exploit interlimb coupling dynamics.3 Bilateral priming is a neuromodulatory technique that evolved from bilateral training, which can be used to balance excitability between the cortices before training on unilateral tasks.4 The difference between bilateral priming and bilateral training is that, in the latter, bilateral movements are the actual training tasks, whereas in the former, bilateral movements render the motor system more susceptible to subsequent unilateral training. Neuromodulation may serve as an adjuvant therapy to improve synaptic efficacy during rehabilitation therapy.5 Neuromodulation of motor cortex has been achieved using repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation,6 contralesional paired associative stimulation7, and somatosensory input.8 A recent study used repetitive movement as a priming mechanism, comparing active-passive bilateral therapy (APBT) plus motor practice with motor practice alone in 32 stroke survivors.4 The APBT consisted of repetitive mirror symmetric bilateral wrist flexion-extension that was performed for 10 mins before motor practice. Priming plus motor practice induced larger motor gains than motor practice alone, as assessed by Fugl-Meyer Upper Extremity (FMUE) scores. In contrast to the motor practice only group, the priming plus motor practice group retained their gains at follow-up. Also, priming plus motor practice induced greater normalization of short-interval intracortical inhibition and transcallosal inhibition than motor practice alone.4 Motor priming using APBT is noninvasive, and to date, no adverse effects have been reported. This study was funded by the Buchanan Family Fellowship for Occupational Therapy as a feasibility study to identify recruitment and compliance issues and to assess the rate of clinical score change in a small group of individuals admitted to inpatient rehabilitation after a stroke. Here, we describe the first documented use of APBT as a priming mechanism for individuals in the subacute phase of post-stroke recovery.
The Promise and Perils of Pre-Publication Review: A Multi-Agent Simulation of Biomedical Discovery Under Varying Levels of Review Stringency

The Internet has enabled profound changes in the way science is performed, especially in scientific communications. Among the most important of these changes is the possibility of new models for pre-publication review, ranging from the current, relatively strict peer-review model, to entirely unreviewed, instant self-publication. Different models may affect scientific progress by altering both the quality and quantity of papers available to the research community. To test how models affect the community, I used a multi-agent simulation of treatment selection and outcome in a patient population to examine how various levels of pre-publication review might affect the rate of scientific progress. I identified a “sweet spot” between the points of very limited and very strict requirements for pre-publication review. The model also produced a u-shaped curve where very limited review requirement was slightly superior to a moderate level of requirement, but not as large as the aforementioned sweet spot. This unexpected phenomenon appears to result from the community taking longer to discover the correct treatment with more strict pre-publication review. In the parameter regimens I explored, both completely unreviewed and very strictly reviewed scientific communication seems likely to hinder scientific progress. Much more investigation is warranted. Multi-agent simulations can help to shed light on complex questions of scientific communication and exhibit interesting, unexpected behaviors.
Calculation of kaon matrix elements in quenched domain-wall QCD with DBW2 gauge action

Abstract We give a progress report of our new a−1 ≈ 3 GeV quenched calculation of kaon matrix elements with domain-wall fermion and DBW2 gauge action. Our smaller lattice spacing allows us to address the effect of charmed quark on the lattice. We show preliminary results of BK renormalized non-perturbatively and K → π matrix elements.
Resources for Anyone Interested in the Brain

The high incidence of neurological and mental illness in our society makes it likely that children will know someone who has been affected by a disease or disorder of the nervous system. For example, 50 million people in the United States are affected by neurological illnesses and it costs more than $460 billion to treat these individuals ( 1 ). The high economic and emotional costs of these disorders make it imperative that we understand the implications of these issues and communicate this to the public, as a knowledgeable public can make healthier life-style choices that may reduce the burden of these conditions. Moreover, a science-literate electorate may support and advocate for biomedical research.
Did Power Politics Cause European Integration? Realist Theory Meets Qualitative Methods

There is much to admire in Sebastian Rosato's Europe United: Power Politics and the Making of the European Community. 1 Its core argument exemplifies ambitious, theory-driven scholarship aimed at e...
From Community College to Four-Year Institution: A Model for Recruitment and Retention

Increasing Numbers, Connections, and Retention in Science and Engineering (INCRSE) was funded with the goal of increasing the quantity, quality, and diversity of undergraduate students pursuing and obtaining degrees in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) programs at West Texas AM (b) inviting CC faculty and staff to developmental workshops at WTAMU; (c) improving advising for transfer students at CCs and WTAMU; and (d) developing articulation agreements between WTAMU and regional CCs. Because INCRSE was funded in fall 2006, the number of CC STEM transfers enrolled at WTAMU increased from 214 to 253, an increase of 18%, while overall enrollment of CC ...
PRIMARY STRUCTURE OF BMK1 - A NEW MAMMALIAN MAP KINASE

Mitogen-activated protein (MAP) kinases comprise a family of conserved, eukaryotic enzymes that mediate responses to a wide variety of extracellular stimuli. We have identified a new human MAP kinase gene here termed BMK1. BMK1 encodes a protein of 816 amino acid residues and has at least three different forms of mRNA. BMK1 messages are abundant in heart, placenta and kidney but not detectable in liver. Although BMK1 has the dual phosphorylation site of MAP kinases characterized by the TEY sequence found in ERK1 and ERK2, it has a distinct C-terminal and loop-12 structure when compared to other mammalian MAP kinases. This suggests BMK1 may regulate signaling events distinct from those controlled by the ERK group of enzymes.
Pediatric ENT Emergencies

Otolaryngology (ear, nose, and throat) emergencies are a common complaint in the emergency department. These can present as a result of infection, trauma, foreign bodies, or postprocedure complications. The emergency department physician is called on to offer initial if not definitive management of these patients. This article discusses common ear, nose, and throat emergencies presenting to the emergency department.
Effect of a disposable automated suturing device on cost and operating room time in benign total laparoscopic hysterectomy procedures.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES To determine the effect of a disposable automated laparoscopic suturing device, the Endo Stitch (ES) (Covidien, Mansfield, MA, USA), on hospital cost and surgical time in patients undergoing a benign total laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure compared with the use of the da Vinci surgical system (Intuitive Surgical, Sunnyvale, CA, USA) or traditional laparoscopic suturing technique. METHODS The Premier Perspective Database (Premier, Charlotte, NC, USA) was used to identify all inpatient hospital discharges with the primary procedure of a total laparoscopic hysterectomy (International Classification of Diseases, Ninth Revision, Clinical Modification code 68.41) for benign conditions between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2011. Patients were further categorized into 3 groups: (1) those for whom the ES was used during the laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure, (2) those for whom robotic assistance (RA) was used, and (3) those for whom neither ES nor RA (NER) was used. Multivariate analysis was performed to examine the association among the ES, RA, and NER groups with respect to hospital cost, length of stay, and surgery time. The multivariate analysis controlled for the patient's age, race, severity of illness, and comorbid conditions, as well as hospital characteristics, such as bed size, region, and teaching status. RESULTS A total of 9308 patients undergoing an inpatient total laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure between January 1, 2009, and June 30, 2011, were eligible for the study. The ES was used in 974 of the patients (10%), RA was used in 3971 (43%), and neither technique was used in 4363 (47%). After adjusting for confounding variables, the mean hospital cost was $1769 (P = .0332) lower, with a 42-minute (P < .001) surgery time savings, for the ES group compared with the RA group. The mean hospitalization cost for the ES group was also $634 (P < .0879) less expensive, with a 21-minute (P = .0131) surgery time savings, compared with the NER group. CONCLUSION Use of a disposable automated laparoscopic suturing device, the ES, is significantly more cost-effective than the use of the da Vinci surgical system or traditional laparoscopic suturing techniques for the performance of a total laparoscopic hysterectomy procedure for benign conditions.
Comparison of defect structures in homo- and hetero-epitaxial GaP, grown using excimer laser-assisted MOVPE

Defect structures in excimer laser-assisted epitaxial GaP on (1 0 0) GaP and (1 0 0) GaAs have been examined using transmission electron microscopy (TEM). It was found that the dominant defect structures in homo-epitaxy were dislocations and stacking faults whereas the major defects in hetero-epitaxy were twins. Differential plastic deformation-induced stresses are believed to be responsible for the high density of twins in hetero-epitaxy.
Precise measurement of exoplanet atmosphere yields surprising results

Scientists studying the atmospheres of hot, gassy exoplanets recently found significantly less water than predicted in one exoplanet's atmosphere. Researchers at the University of Cambridge published their findings in the journal Astrophysical Journal Letters.
Methodology for the synthesis of the acyclic portions of verrucarins A and J

Abstract Syntheses of the acyclic chains of verrucarin A and J are described; the revised stereochemistry of verrucarin J is confirmed.
Cloned restriction-modification systems — a review

The genes for numerous restriction endonucleases and modification methylases have been cloned into Escherichia coli. A summary is given for the clones isolated so far (115 entries) and of the procedures used to obtain them.
Sol-gel thin film formation

Abstract The overlap between the drying stage and the aggregation/gelation and aging stages of sol-gel film formation establishes a brief time for further condensation reactions to occur. For this reason, the structures of films are often considerably more compact than those of the corresponding bulk gels or xerogels prepared from identical precursors. Experimental techniques to study film formation and the structure of the deposited film in situ have been developed. These techniques include imaging ellipsometry, infrared microscopy and gas sorption on surface acoustic wave substrates.
Plac8 and Plac9, novel placental-enriched genes identified through microarray analysis

Abstract Microarray expression profiling of a collection of 15,000 mouse genes with placental and embryonic RNAs revealed candidates for placental-enriched genes, three of which we have confirmed and further characterized. One, Plac1 , strongly expressed in all trophoblast-derived cells in the placenta, has been described earlier (Genomics 68 (2000) 305). Here we report that of the other two, Plac8 expression is restricted to the spongiotrophoblast layer during development, whereas Plac9 is weakly expressed though highly enriched in placenta. For both, cDNAs with complete open reading frames were recovered and exon-intron structures inferred from comparisons of mouse cDNA and genomic sequence. The predicted proteins (112 and 108 amino acids) both contain putative signal peptides, with a coiled-coil segment of mPLAC9 as the only other detected motif. Genomic sequence comparisons reveal that in addition to an apparent pseudogene on chromosome 1, Plac8 is expressed at mouse cytoband 5e3. It is tightly conserved in human in a syntenically equivalent ortholog at 4q21.23. Plac9 is present in a single copy on chromosome 14, with a syntenically equivalent human ortholog at 10q22.3. Putative promoter regions up to 10 kb 5′ of the transcription units for Plac1, Plac8, and Plac9 contain sites for widely-expressed transcription factors which, by analogy to other instances, may be sufficient to explain placental enrichment.
Failure Is an Option: Failure Barriers and New Firm Performance

Do bankruptcy changes in the institutional environment affect the rate of founding by particular types of founders and the performance of their ventures? We take advantage of a natural experiment in Japan where during the last decade Japan implemented legal reforms to revive Japan's economic fortunes by changes to bankruptcy laws that reduced the consequences of closing a firm. We argue that lowered costs of exit may have attracted individuals with greater human capital and social networks thus positively affecting new firm performance. We argue and test whether making it easier to fail will attract more founders and higher human capital founders resulting in improved firm performance. Our findings are: a) as expected the bankruptcy rate increases but at a higher rate for high human capital individuals, b) the rate of startup firms increases for older and elite educated entrepreneurs, and c) these groups of entrepreneurs are more likely to found higher performing firms. Overall, while prior research empha...
Database-Aware Fault Localization for Dynamic Web Applications

Localizing and fixing software faults is an important maintenance task. In a dynamic Web application, localizing the faults is challenging due to its dynamic nature and the interactions between the application and databases. The faults could occur in the statements in the host program or inside the queries that are sent from the application to be executed in the database engines. This paper presents SQLook, a novel database- aware fault localization method that is able to locate output faults in PHP statements of a dynamic Web application as well as in SQL queries. In SQLook, a PHP interpreter is instrumented to execute an SQL query and to monitor the evaluation of those SQL predicates to determine if they affect the output process of individual data records. It performs row-based slicing across PHP statements and SQL queries to record the entities that are involved in the output of each data row. Our empirical evaluation shows that SQLook can achieve higher accuracy than the state- of-the-art database-aware fault localization approach.
Bioavailability of Manufactured Gas Plant Residue (MGP) Components in Mice Following Ingestion: Comparison of Adulterated Powder and Gel Diets

Abstract The effect of a diet matrix (gel or powder) on the urinary excretion of 1-hydroxypyrene and hydrocarbon binding to DNA was investigated in mice following the ingestion of manufactured gas plant residue (MGP). Two MGP mixtures that varied in chemical composition were evaluated. Female B6C3F1 mice were maintained for 15 days on a basal gel or powder diet containing 0.1% and 0.3% of either MGP sample. Urine was collected on the first, seventh, and fourteenth day of diet administration. 1-Hydroxypyrene levels in urine were determined using HPLC and fluorescence. Animals were sacrificed on the fifteenth day and lung and forestomach were excised and DNA isolated. Chemical-DNA adduct formation was evaluated using 32P-postlabeling and multidimensional PEI-cellulose TLC. The extent of 1-hydroxypyrene excretion in urine and the levels of DNA adducts detected in tissues indicated that diet matrix has little effect on the bioavailability of MGP chemical components when ingested by mice.
Nonlinear dye-doped liquid crystals for fast and broadband CW and long-pulse laser power control and switching

We present a theoretical model and some experiment demonstrations of all-optical passive switching processes with 90° twist-aligned nano-doped nematic liquid crystal cells sandwiched between two crossed polarizers. The photosensitive dopants give rise to laser induced dye-assisted director axis reorientation and order parameter modifications, which in turm produce an intensity dependent polarization switching and hence a transmission modulation capability. Experimental observations are in good agreement with our expectation derived from modified Jones matrix analysis and also demonstrate the feasibility of an efficient [microwatt power] low threshold polarization and fast switching [microseconds] all optical limiting device for visible as well as infrared lasers or bright light sources.
Biological Synopsis of the Green Cloverworm in Central Iowa

Observations of Plathypena scabra (F.) were made in central Iowa from 1968 to 1972. Data were gathered from laboratory, greenhouse, cage, and open-field environments. Additional United States distributional records since 1925 indicated that the species now extends to about 103° W longitude, and larvae reportedly feed on 34 plant species. In Iowa the primary hosts are soybean, alfalfa, and clover. Adult longevity was 22.4 days, with females living significantly longer than males. Flight activity was pronounced at <1 foot candle, and most adults were caught in light traps between 8:00 PM and 12:00 midnight CDT. Light-trap catches were highly biased toward males. The sex ratio from 288 field-collected larvae did not differ significantly from 1:1. Oviposition began with 4- to 5-day-old adults and continued for 2.5 weeks. Peak oviposition occurred 12-16 days after emergence. Eggs were laid on upper or lower leaf surfaces and were subject to mortalities by predators and heavy rainstorms. Young larvae showed no preference for plant stratum, and significantly more older larvae were found in the upper third of the soybean canopy. Important larval mortality was caused by predators ( Orius insidiousus (Say) and Nabis sp.), parasites (primarily Rogas nolophanae Ashmed and Winthemia sp.), and pathogens (a granulosis virus, Beauvaria bassiana (Balsamo), and Metarrhizium sp.). Most larvae pupated in the soil, but 10.4% pupated in the soybean-plant canopy. Adults were active in May, and oviposition began in alfalfa about May 15. Oviposition in soybean was usually delayed until the 1st week of June, and all stages were present until the middle of September. Latest fall activity was on November 16. A long ovipositional period with a relatively long life cycle produced great overlapping of generations. Prominent generations were therefore considered, with 3 occurring in alfalfa and 1 in soybean. The overwintering stage in Iowa remains an unresolved question.
Enalapril reduces collagen type IV synthesis and expansion of the interstitium in the obstructed rat kidney.

Enalapril reduces collagen type IV synthesis and expansion of the interstitium in the obstructed rat kidney. Chronic unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO) results in interstitial fibrosis of the affected kidney. In this study we determined that enalapril ameliorates the increased production of extracellular matrix (ECM) protein in the tubulointerstitium during UUO. The relative volume (Vv) of the tubulointerstitium measured by a point-counting method increased significantly at three or five days of UUO as compared to the contralateral kidney. Enalapril significantly blunted this increase at either three or five days. Immunofluorescence studies revealed that collagen type IV increased remarkably in both the tubular basement membrane (TBM) and the interstitial space at three or five days of UUO. Glomeruli did not show any change. Collagen types I and III were faintly stained in the control kidneys while they were obviously increased in the interstitial space of the obstructed kidney. We examined the expression of collagen type IV (COL IV) because this basement membrane matrix protein appeared to be a major ECM protein deposited in the tubulointerstitium of the obstructed kidney. Semiquantitative analysis of COL IV by immunofluorescence microscopy revealed that enalapril reduced slightly (21%) but significantly (P
Changes in Attitudes, Intentions, and Behaviors toward Tobacco and Marijuana during U.S. Students’ First Year of College

Tobacco and marijuana are commonly used by college students and have negative health effects. The purpose of this study was to understand how students' attitudes, intentions, and behaviors toward tobacco and marijuana change during freshman year and to examine how attitude and intention predict use of these substances. 275 college students completed phone interviews before and after their freshman year. The identical interviews assessed students' attitudes, intentions, and behaviors toward both substances. Attitudes and intentions increased significantly. 12.2% of participants initiated tobacco use and 13.5% initiated marijuana use. Only intention predicted tobacco initiation, while both attitude and intention predicted marijuana initiation. Overall, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors changed significantly toward favored use. Predictors of use varied by substance, suggesting that different prevention approaches may be beneficial.
Early management of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm: a practical guide.

An abdominal aortic aneurysm is a permanent localized dilatation which most commonly affects the infrarenal segment of the abdominal aorta. Rupture, the most common and most fatal complication of abdominal aortic aneurysm, is an acute vascular emergency that requires an immediate life-saving operation which has a high mortality rate. Approximately 30–50% of patients with ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm die before they reach the hospital, and 30–40% of those who reach the hospital alive die without surgical intervention (Bengtsson and Bergqvist, 1993). With an average mortality rate of 45% among patients who undergo emergency repair of ruptured abdominal aortic aneurysm, the overall mortality rate is estimated at 80–90%.
Viscosities of nonelectrolyte liquid mixtures. III: Selected binary and quaternary mixtures

This paper is the final in a series of three viscosity and density studies of pure n-alkanes and selected binary and quaternary mixtures. A standard U-tube viscometer was used for viscosity measurements, and a Pyrex flask-type pycnometer was used for density determinations. Results are given here for pure alkane and selected binary mixtures of n-tetradecane + n-octane, for selected quaternary mixtures of n-hexadecane + n-dodecane + n-decane + n-hexane, and for pure and selected quaternary mixtures of n-hexadecane + n-dodecane + n-nonane + n-heptane at 303.16 and 308.16 K. The principle of congruence was tested, as was the Grunberg and Nissan equation, as they have been shown to be useful as prediction techniques for other n-alkane binary mixtures. Comparisons were made between the two groups of quaternary alkane mixtures and the binary n-tetradecane + n-octane mixtures of the same “pseudo” composition to understand better the dependence of mixture viscosities on the composition parameter.
Phase-separating binary liquids in an ideal dilute gel

Abstract The results of recent experiments on binary liquids in porous media motivated us to investigate the dynamics of phase separation with pores larger than the bulk correlation length. Thus we solve the Cahn-Hilliard equation numerically for an ideal gel model in which the gel atoms are not even connected to each other (but still remain quenched unlike sol). The relaxation after the quench from the disordered one-phase region into the ordered two-phase region exhibits three different dynamic modes. The pattern of domain growth exhibits a signature of rugged energy barriers. A limited form of scaling behavior is observed at late times. The small angle part of the structure factor steadily increases at late times while the large angle parts remain with little or no change.
The Demonstration of Mycobacterium Tuberculosis in Exudates, Tissues and Body Fluids

Five hundred and twenty-seven parallel attempts were made to recover the Mycobacterium tuberculosis from various materials taken from lesions suspected of being tuberculous, using guinea pig inoculation and Corper's gentian violet-glycerol-water-potato slants.The material for seeding on the medium was at first treated with 6% sulphuric acid and later with 5% oxalic acid when Corper reported more favorable results with the latter method. The treatment in either instance was for 30 minutes at 37°C. Cultures were incubated for 12 weeks, and guinea pigs were killed in 6 weeks if they had not already died. Failure to complete the guinea pig tests was due almost entirely to death by secondary infection before tuberculous lesions had opportunity to develop. Failure to complete the culture tests was divided between loss by breakage in the centrifugalization, overgrowth by fungi or spore forming organisms, each 8 times, and 7 instances in which the material was treated for a longer period of time than that recomme...
Incorporation of precursors into Toxoplasma DNA.

SYNOPSIS. DNA synthesis of Toxoplasma gondii differs from that of other obligate intracellular parasites in that the parasite can synthesize DNA independently of the host cell and can incorporate preformed pyrimidines as well as pyrimidine precursors. However, pyrimidine precursors such as orotic acid are preferentially utilized over preformed pyrimidines such as thymidine. There is little apparent utilization of purine precursors.
The partial reinforcement effect (PRE) sustained through extinction and continuous reinforcement in two strains of inbred mice

The partial reinforcement effect (PRE) was investigated in two inbred strains of mice, DBA/2J and C57BL/10J, in a straight runway. The PRE was obtained in both strains and was sustained through blocks of extinction and continuously reinforced reacquisition. DBA/2J ran faster in all phases, and this superiority was attributed to a higher drive level.
Eigenvalue optimization algorithms for structure/controller design iterations

An eigenspace optimization approach is proposed and demonstrated for the design of feedback controllers for the maneuvers/vibration arrests of flexible structures. The algorithm developed is shown to be equally useful in sequential or simultaneous design iterations that modify the structural parameters, sensor/actuator locations, and control feedback gains. The approach is demonstrated using a differential equation model for the "Draper/RPL configuration." This model corresponds to the hardware used for experimental verification of large flexible spacecraft maneuver controls. A number of sensor/actuat or configuration s are studied vis-a-vis the degree of controllabili ty. Linear output feedback gains are determined using a novel optimization strategy. The feasibility of the approach is established, but more research and numerical studies are required to extend these ideas to truly high-dimensioned systems. Parameterization of the Controlled System's Eigenvalues and Eigenvectors C ONSIDER a linear structure (modeled by a finite element or similar discretization scheme) in which the configuration vector jc is governed by the system of differential equations
Hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture in the elderly surgeon and hospital volume-related outcomes.

The elderly patient with a displaced femoral neck fracture is commonly treated via hemiarthroplasty. The objectives of this study were to: 1) determine the rates of in-hospital mortality, complications, and prolonged length of stay (LOS) in such patients; 2) elucidate the patient characteristics that predict these occurrences; and 3) investigate the influence of surgeon and hospital volumes on these outcomes. Using the Nationwide Inpatient Sample (NIS), 173,508 cases of hemiarthroplasty for femoral neck fracture were identified in patients ≥65 years of age. Univariate and multivariate analysis demonstrated that hospitals with low caseload volumes were associated with increased patient risk for prolonged LOS, pulmonary embolism, urinary tract infection, and pneumonia. Surgeons with low caseload volumes were associated with increased risk for mortality and prolonged LOS. Quality-improvement initiatives would benefit from consideration of these factors.
Computed tomography in Caroli's disease

Two cases of Caroli's disease are presented in which the diagnosis could be made by computed tomography without the use of invasive modalities. The findings in computed tomography in Caroli's disease are outlined.