cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Updating OER Materials in IT Courses: Sharing the Fun and Fulfillment with Students while Sending the Workload to Automation

This SIGITE Big Idea in IT Education talk explores students doing class assignments and/or using automating scripts to update open education resources (OER) in information technology (IT) courses. In SIGITE we have long discussed OER-based IT courses replacing textbook-based courses [1,2] and identified a challenge of keeping the course material current. In a traditional textbook-based course, the author and publisher take care of updates, but, OER-based courses most often put that responsibility on the local course designers and/or instructors. Spreading this workload to involve students has two benefits: 1) reducing costs and faculty workload, and 2) increasing students' lifelong learning skills. Automating the mechanical parts of update makes a better user experience and a student-centered educational process.
Total parenteral nutrition.

Total parenteral nutrition has evolved as a distinct therapeutic reality within the past decade. Starvation or malnutrition need no longer be accepted as a necessary component of prolonged illness. Though current TPN techniques can be both safe and effective, the prevention of potential complications must always have a high priority.
Culturally Responsive Psychiatric Services for Refugee and Immigrant Adolescents: Are Child and Adolescent Psychiatrists Prepared to Serve Refugee Children? A Focus on African Refugee Families.

The arrival of sub-Saharan African immigrants and refugees (AIRs) to the United States has been steadily increasing for the past several decades. Not only are AIR adolescents directly affected by p...
Reinforcement Learning for Markovian Bandits: Is Posterior Sampling more Scalable than Optimism?

We study learning algorithms for the classical Markovian bandit problem with discount. We explain how to adapt PSRL [24] and UCRL2 [2] to exploit the problem structure. These variants are called MB-PSRL and MB-UCRL2. While the regret bound and runtime of vanilla implementations of PSRL and UCRL2 are exponential in the number of bandits, we show that the episodic regret of MB-PSRL and MB-UCRL2 is $\tilde O(S\sqrt{nK})$ where $K$ is the number of episodes, n is the number of bandits and S is the number of states of each bandit (the exact bound in $S$, $n$ and $K$ is given in the paper). Up to a factor $\sqrt S$, this matches the lower bound of $\Omega(\sqrt{SnK}$) that we also derive in the paper. MB-PSRL is also computationally efficient: its runtime is linear in the number of bandits. We further show that this linear runtime cannot be achieved by adapting classical non-Bayesian algorithms such as UCRL2 or UCBVI to Markovian bandit problems. Finally, we perform numerical experiments that confirm that MB-PSRL outperforms other existing algorithms in practice, both in terms of regret and of computation time.
Cesarean Section Is Associated with an Increased Risk of Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia and Hepatoblastoma in Children from Minnesota.

Background: In recent decades, Cesarean section (C-section) rates have increased. C-section is hypothesized to negatively impact the developing immune system by altering activation of the hypothalamic–pituitary–adrenal axis and the infant microbiome, among other mechanisms, thereby potentially modulating childhood cancer risk. Methods: Using linked birth and cancer registry data from Minnesota (1976–2014), we included individuals ages 0–14 at diagnosis with one of 19 cancers. Cases and controls were frequency matched by birth year. We used logistic regression to estimate ORs and 95% confidence intervals (95% CI) as the measure of association between C-section and cancer. We assessed sex–C-section interactions for each cancer and conducted stratified analyses in acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) for birth year, age at diagnosis, and maternal race. Results: There were 3,166 cases and 20,589 controls. One third (n = 1,174) of controls born during 2004–2014 were delivered via C-section compared with 42.2% of cases (n = 285). C-section was associated with ALL (n = 819; OR: 1.20; 95% CI: 1.01–1.43) and hepatoblastoma (n = 50; OR: 1.89; 95% CI: 1.03–3.48), particularly among females (ALL OR: 1.34; 95% CI: 1.04–1.72; hepatoblastoma OR: 3.87; 95% CI: 1.30–11.57). The risk of ALL was highest during 2005–2014 (OR: 1.62; 95% CI: 1.11–2.34) and among children ages 1–5 years (OR: 1.28; 95% CI: 1.02–1.61). Conclusions: C-section was associated with an increased risk of ALL and hepatoblastoma. Impact: These associations require investigation to determine causality and rule out confounding by indication or reverse causality. The mechanisms underlying these associations may depend on neonatal immune system processes altered during C-section deliveries.
Identification of a novel Picornavirales virus distantly related to posavirus in swine feces

De novo assembly of metagenomic sequencing reads from feces from a clinically normal pig identified two approximately 9 kb contigs which each consisted of a single large open reading frame. While one contig encoded a predicted 2990 amino acid protein with 83 % identity to the recently described posavirus 1, the other contig encoded a predicted 2942 amino acid protein with only 25 % identity limited to the genomic region encoding the RNA-dependent RNA polymerase (RdRp) of posavirus 2. Besides RdRp, search of the conserved domain database identified domains associated with picornavirus capsid proteins but failed to identify picornaviral helicase and proteinase domains. In addition, a domain representing a family of Mycoplasma and Ureaplasma immunoglobulin-blocking virulence proteins was identified near the 5'-terminus. Phylogenetic analysis found a distant relationship between this novel virus, provisionally named posavirus 3, to the unclassified posaviruses and fisavirus which are proposed to represent different genera in a novel family of the Picornavirales.
Heidegger and the Ground of Ethics: A Study of Mitsein

Written by one of the pre-eminent interpreters of Heidegger, this book is an important statement about the basis of human sociability that is a major contribution to the continuing debates about Heidegger in particular, and ethics in general. Existential philosophy is often thought to promote moral nihilism in which everything is permitted. This book demonstrates that, in the case of Martin Heidegger, any such accusation is unjust. On the contrary, Heidegger thought seriously about the implications of human co-existence, and this book shows that conceptions of trust and responsibility that lie at the very heart of morality are to be found in the sketch of Mitsein - our being together with one another in the world - offered in Being and Time. That Heidegger never developed these conceptions may explain why they have been overlooked, but renders them no less important for that.
Stochastic Differential Equations and Applications

A stochastic process x(t), tϵI is a family of random variables x(t) defined in a measure space (Ω,ℱ) or in a probability space (Ω,ℱ P); here x(t) is either real valued or n-vector valued and I is an interval, usually [0,∞). Notice that x(t) is a function x(t,ω)), ωϵΩ.
Trade Policy and the Returns to Investment

This paper considers the effect of a firm’s sales location on the relationship between tariffs, exchange rates, and the flows of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). Much of the FDI literature assumes that an increase in the average tariff or relative exchange rate will provoke a decrease in foreign investment. This result, however, is contingent on the firm’s preference for exporting. When the majority of sales for a foreign firm are located within its own the domestic market, the impact from changes in the tariff and exchange rate are reversed. This paper further argues that the firm's pre-existing sales orientation(domestic/foreign) will be a factor that initially determines the influence of tariff and exchange rates on FDI flows. Applying the logic of the StolperSamuelson theorem, we develop a theoretical framework to predict a variety of consequences for wages and rental rates in US industrial sectors. Using a series of panel data regressions and a three-equation model, we generate a policy analysis that incorporates and partially validates our theory. Our final conclusions also call upon the elasticities of substitution in major industrial sectors as they correspond to changes in trade policy. This article is available in Undergraduate Economic Review: http://digitalcommons.iwu.edu/uer/vol5/iss1/2 1 Undergraduate Economic Review A publication of Illinois Wesleyan University
Le théâtre de la frontalité

L’auteur oppose dans cet article l’esthetique traditionnelle et la conception contemporaine du theâtre. La premiere a domine les pratiques theâtrales (ecriture et mise en scene) entre le milieu du xviie siecle et la derniere partie du xxe siecle ; elle etait fondee a la fois sur l’imperialisme de la perspective et le regard absolu, qui s’imposent l’un et l’autre aussi bien dans la science que dans les arts. Il s’agit d’une vision generale du monde. La conception contemporaine s’appuie sur les principes nouveaux de la frontalite qui implique un rapport different au monde, aussi bien qu’une nouvelle comprehension du monde. Nous tentons d’en cerner l’influence dans les domaines de la mise en scene et de l’ecriture theâtrale d’aujourd’hui. Cette esthetique de la frontalite met en veilleuse la perception psychologique de l’homme au benefice d’une nouvelle conception, a la fois individuelle et mythologique. La frontalite nous parait le facteur le plus important du renouvellement theâtral depuis vingt ans, en Europe comme en Amerique du Nord.
Salting-out chromatography : Aliphatic and polyglycol ethers, carboxylic acids by roger sargent and wm. rieman

Abstract Distribution ratios of 15 ethers were determined with various ammonium sulfate eluents and were used to determine the conditions necessary for the separation of five-and seven-component mixtures by salting-out chromatography. The application of this technique was found to be less successful than ion-exchange chromatography for the separation of carboxylic acids.
Two Alternative Promoters Direct Neuron-Specific Expression of the Rat Microtubule-Associated Protein 1B Gene

Microtubule-associated protein 1B (MAP1B) is a major constituent of the neuronal cytoskeleton that is expressed at high levels during early brain development and plays a role in axonal growth and neuronal plasticity. Previous studies suggested that the regulation of its gene expression is primarily at the transcriptional level. Thus, the characterization of the promoter region should help to define regulatory elements that control neuron-specific and developmental expression of the MAP1B gene. We have isolated genomic clones containing up to 11 kb of the upstream region of the rat MAP1B gene, sequenced approximately 1.8 kb upstream from the translation start codon, and identified several consensus sequences. These sequences include a consensus element common to several neuronal genes, a TCC repeat, a cAMP response element, and two TATA boxes that were 134 nucleotides apart from each other. S1 nuclease and RNase protection assays identified two corresponding groups of transcription initiation sites that were used selectively in distinct regions of the nervous system and during different stages of development. Transient transfection assays with neuronal and non-neuronal cell lines demonstrated that each TATA sequence and its corresponding adjacent region could independently direct neuron-specific expression of a reporter gene. Furthermore, the transcription of the reporter gene was initiated from the same sites as those of the MAP1B gene in vivo. These results suggest that two alternative and overlapping promoters, one inducible and the other constitutive, regulate the temporal and tissue-specific expression of the rat MAP1B gene.
Induced Solitons in Stimulated Raman Scattering

Studies of rotational stimulated Raman scattering (SRS) in para-H2, in a multipass cell (MFC) with a 10.3-µm CO2 pump laser and a 16.2-µm optical parametric oscillator Stokes input beam have been reported.1 A theoretical model, which includes pump depletion and transiency, has led to excellent agreement with the observed temporal pulse shapes of the depleted pump beam as the intensity is varied.2
Access to and dropout of girls from school : a quantitative analysis of the effects of marriage arrangements on girl-child education in Urohi

The education of the girl-child has suffered many setbacks both in the past and at the present. As a result some girls are denied access while others are forced to drop out-of-school especially in rural Nigeria. This study therefore examined the effects of marriage arrangements on girl-child education in Urohi, a rural community in the Ekpoma, Esan West of the Central Region, Edo State. The study adopted a quantitative method of research design and employed questionnaire in collecting data. Eighty respondents were sampled for the study. The study used simple regression analysis to determine the relationship between marriage arrangements and girl-child education while t-test was used to validate the hypotheses. Exchange, Betrothal and preferred marriage arrangements all had relationships with girl-child education and the effects of such relationships were inimical to their ability to access school or remain in school. Hence the increase in the number of girls involved in a marriage arrangement led to a corresponding increase in the number of girls who were either denied access to or dropped out from school. It is recommended that, school social workers, community workers and gender activists should educate parents to do away with such marriages and invest in their girls' education.
The cellular basis of corneal transparency: Evidence for 'corneal crystallins'

In vivo corneal light scattering measurements using a novel confocal microscope demonstrated greatly increased backscatter from corneal stromal fibrocytes (keratocytes) in opaque compared to transparent corneal tissue in both humans and rabbits. Additionally, two water-soluble proteins, transketolase (TKT) and aldehyde dehydrogenase class 1 (ALDH1), isolated from rabbit keratocytes showed unexpectedly abundant expression ( approximately 30% of the soluble protein) in transparent corneas and markedly reduced levels in opaque scleral fibroblasts or keratocytes from hazy, freeze injured regions of the cornea. Together these data suggest that the relatively high expressions of TKT and ALDH1 contribute to corneal transparency in the rabbit at the cellular level, reminiscent of enzyme-crystallins in the lens. We also note that ALDH1 accumulates in the rabbit corneal epithelial cells, rather than ALDH3 as seen in other mammals, consistent with the taxon-specificity observed among lens enzyme-crystallins. Our results suggest that corneal cells, like lens cells, may preferentially express water-soluble proteins, often enzymes, for controlling their optical properties.
Direct gas injection method: a simple modification to an elemental analyzer/isotope ratio mass spectrometer for stable isotope analysis of N and C from N2O and CO2 gases in nanomolar concentrations.

RATIONALE Stable isotope analyses of trace amounts of nitrous oxide gas require special instrumentation and laborious sample preparation methods that have hindered many laboratories from measuring this potent greenhouse gas. A simple modification to an Elemental Analyzer (EA) coupled to an Isotope Ratio Mass Spectrometry (IRMS) setup that allows users to measure the N and C isotopic ratios of nitrous oxide (N2O) and carbon dioxide (CO2) by injecting the gases directly into the EA is described. METHODS The standard EA was fitted with a gas injection port and a home-made packed column filled with Hayesep Q polymer. A gas mixture of 3.1% N2O in helium (He) was injected directly into the EA. This method allowed large volumes of sample to be injected without saturating the column. RESULTS The use of the home-made column resulted in better resolution of sample peaks and allowed smaller concentrations of the analyte to be injected. This study showed that this method produced accurate and reproducible stable isotope measurements with sample injection volumes ranging from 100 to 5000 μL, containing between 20 and 1000 nmol of analyte. CONCLUSIONS This simple, inexpensive method can be useful for the laboratories that do not have access to more advanced and expensive interfaces to analyze nanomolar quantities of N2O and CO2 from microbiological and ecological studies and offers a simple alternative for in-house measurements of these trace gases. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The Intimate Marketer: Personalized Direct Marketing Strategies in a Wireless Environment

This paper explores the needs of m-commerce customers so that they may be targeted for direct marketing in a mobile environment. Given the accessibility afforded by two-way communication and the interactivity of the medium, firms can develop a more intimate understanding of their customers resulting in more customized and therefore more personal marketing. Strategies based on these customer needs are discussed with a focus on developing stronger customer relationships. Though it might be tempting to focus strategies solely on the technology itself, it is the customer-oriented strategies that will prevail.
The Na+, K+ pump may mediate the control of nerve cells by nerve growth factor

Abstract The survival of nerve cells, in vitro and in vivo , is controlled by extrinsic agents called neuronotrophic factors. The best known among them, nerve growth factor, has been shown to control the performance of the Na + , K + pump in the membrane of its target ganglionic neurons. In turn, the operation of the pump is essential for the survival of these neurons. Ionic control may be an important mechanism by which cell survival, growth and/or differentiation is regulated by certain extrinsic factors or hormones.
Higgs sector of the left-right model with explicit CP violation

We explore the Higgs sector of the Minimal Left-Right (LR) Model based on the gauge group $SU(2{)}_{L}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}SU(2{)}_{R}\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}U(1{)}_{B\ensuremath{-}L}$ with explicit $CP$ violation in the Higgs potential. Since flavour-changing neutral current experiments and the small scale of neutrino masses both place stringent constraints on the Higgs potential, we seek to determine whether minima of the Higgs potential exist that are consistent with current experimental bounds. We focus on the case in which the right-handed symmetry-breaking scale is only moderately large, of order 15--50 TeV. Unlike the case in which the Higgs potential is $CP$-invariant, the $CP$ noninvariant case does yield viable scenarios, although these require a small amount of fine-tuning. We consider a LR model supplemented by an additional $U(1)$ horizontal symmetry, which results in a Higgs sector consistent with current experimental constraints and a realistic spectrum of neutrino masses.
Commentary: Using Potential Outcomes to Understand Causal Mediation Analysis

In this commentary, we demonstrate how the potential outcomes framework can help understand the key identification assumptions underlying causal mediation analysis. We show that this framework can lead to the development of alternative research design and statistical analysis strategies applicable to the longitudinal data settings considered by Maxwell, Cole, and Mitchell (2011).
SU-FF-I-25: Quantitative Analysis of the Influence of KV Beam Characteristics and Image Acquisition Parameters On Image Quality in Cone-Beam CT

Purpose:Image quality in cone‐beam CT(CBCT)imaging is influenced by a variety of factors associated with the selection of image acquisition parameters like kVp, tube current, field size, beam filter, number of projections, and reconstruction filter. An improper selection of scan protocols may lead to unoptimized image quality and unnecessary dose to the patient. Therefore, a rigorous study of CBCTimage quality and its dependence on beam characteristics is vital. In this work, the relative influences of pertinent image acquisition parameters are evaluated for a clinical Elekta XVI CBCT system. Method and Materials:Image quality measurements were conducted using a conventional CatPhan phantom, wherein the line‐pair bar inserts and uniform slices were used to characterize spatial resolution and noise via modulation transfer function(MTF) and noise power spectrum (NPS) respectively for several combinations of kVp/current, field size, beam filters, and gantry rotation arcs. CTDI dose estimates were also acquired for each scan protocol. Overall image quality was evaluated in terms of the detective quantum efficiency (DQE), obtained from MTF and NPS spectra and normalized using the CTDI doses and a fluence — CTDI dose conversion factor obtained from Monte Carlo simulations. Results: The MTF, NPS and DQE measurements indicated that overall image quality was severely affected by the increased scatter from larger field sizes, and from the use of incomplete projection arcs. The use of beam filters led to some reduction in scatter and improved image quality, while also reducing patient dose. Conclusions: The image quality measurements indicated that the appropriate choice of scan parameters can lead to improved image quality and sparing of patient dose. However, more detailed investigations may be necessary to optimize CBCTimage quality, including a better choice of beam compensators and possible use of anti‐scatter grids.
Unintentional Injury Risk in Children with Externalizing Behavior Disorders at Summer Camp

Children with externalizing behavior disorders such as attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), oppositional defiant disorder (ODD), and conduct disorder (CD) have greatly increased risk of unintentional injury, but it is unclear what mechanisms are responsible for that increased risk. This study followed 22 children participating in a summer camp for children with ADHD. Injury incidents were recorded daily and a set of primary symptoms of behavioral disorders were recorded at 15-min intervals over the course of the 6-week summer camp experience (roughly 300 h of observing each child). We predicted symptoms of ODD and CD would be more strongly related to injury incidence than symptoms of ADHD. Results from univariate Poisson regression models confirmed our prediction. Symptoms of ODD and CD—violations and intentional aggression in particular—were related to injury incidence but symptoms of ADHD were not. This finding is consistent with a growing body of evidence that oppositional, noncompliant, and aggressive behavior patterns might be primarily responsible for increased risk for injury among children with externalizing behavior disorders.
Plane-wave decomposition of spatially random fields

We investigate the uniqueness of the plane-wave decomposition of temporally deterministic, spatially random fields. Specifically, we consider the decomposition of spatially ergodic and, thus, statistically homogeneous fields. We show that when the spatial power spectrum is injective, the plane waves are the only possible coherent modes. Furthermore, the randomness of such fields originates in the spatial spectral phase, i.e., the phase associated with the coefficients of each plane wave in the expansion. By contrast, the spectral amplitude is deterministic and is specified by the spatial power spectrum. We end with a discussion showing how the results can be translated in full to the time domain.
To centralize or not to centralize: The effects of uncertainty and threat on group structure and performance

Abstract The effects of uncertainty and threat upon the centralization of group communication structures were investigated in a laboratory study. The performance of these groups was also analyzed. Uncertainty was manipulated by varying stimulus ambiguity; threat was manipulated by varying the possibility of loss and the use of time reminders. Results indicate that group structures became differentiated over time with groups in the high uncertainty, low threat condition showing the greatest degree of centralization. Centralization appeared to be associated with the experience of tension: subjects in the high uncertainty, low threat condition reported the highest degree of tension. Uncertainty had a negative effect on performance. Theoretical and practical implications are discussed.
An unusual cause of overdose after baclofen pump implantation: case report.

Objective and importance Intrathecal baclofen delivery for the treatment of spasticity has been used for almost 20 years with a great deal of success. A wide variety of complications and pitfalls have been described. This report details a novel complication involving inadvertent and initially unrecognized canalization of the subdural space with the spinal catheter, which ultimately resulted in an overdose. Clinical presentation An intrathecal pump system was implanted in a 15-year-old girl with spasticity. This initially resulted in a lack of therapeutic effect. The diagnostic workup ultimately led to contrast administration through the pump system, which precipitated a baclofen overdose when sequestered medication in the subdural compartment was released into the intrathecal space. Intervention The spinal catheter was subsequently revised, and the patient made a full recovery. Conclusion The possibility of a subdural catheter should be included in the differential diagnosis in patients who experience a lack of drug effect after pump implantation, despite increases in dosage. Close monitoring is required because of the risk of spontaneous or induced overdose, which may occur when a communication develops between the subdural and intrathecal compartments.
An analysis of dividend enhanced convertible stocks

Abstract Dividend enhanced convertible stocks (DECS) represent redeemable convertible preferred stocks mandated to convert in four years. DECS are designed to meet the needs of income-oriented investors, who give up some upside capital appreciation potential over four years in exchange for enhanced preferred dividends. A simple contingent claims pricing model for the valuation of DECS is presented in this article. The application of the model to Masco Tech Inc. has shown that, on average, its DECS issue was slightly overpriced during the sample period.
In Notch, One ANK Repeat Is Not Like the Other

In this issue of Structure, Choi et al. use hydrogen/deuterium exchange mass spectrometry to characterize a Notch transcription complex (NTC). When interpreted in the context of NTC X-ray structures, their findings reveal important molecular insights into the dynamics that underlie complex assembly.
Parakeratotic-like cells in effusions - A clue to diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma

Background : Malignant mesothelioma (MM) is an aggressive neoplasm with a poor prognosis. Its incidence has been increasing worldwide. Cytological examination of an effusion is often the first opportunity to diagnose MM. However, the cytological diagnosis of MM can be difficult. We have noticed that parakeratotic-like cells, with orange cytoplasm and pyknotic nuclei, are present in many cases of mesothelioma on Papanicolaou-stained cytology slides. Although this cytological finding has been described previously, to our knowledge, there has been no systematic study of this finding. Our study is to determine whether the presence of small parakeratotic / orangeophilic cells (PK-like cells) is specific for the cytodiagnosis of mesothelioma. Materials and Methods: A total of 90 body fluid cases were selected from our archived specimens in the Cytology Section at the University of Chicago Hospital accessioned between January 2000 to November 2011. They included 30 cases of mesothelioma, 30 cases of adenocarcinoma, and 30 cases of reactive mesothelial cells. Results: PK-like cells were present in 83% of the mesothelioma cases, 13% of the adenocarcinoma cases, and 7% of the reactive cases. Our data showed that the presence of PK-like cells has a specificity of 90%, sensitivity of 83%, positive predictive value of 81%, and negative predictive value of 84% for the diagnosis of malignant mesothelioma in body cavity fluids. Conclusion: The presence of PK-like cells in the effusion specimen, especially in pleural effusions, is a highly specific and moderately sensitive cytological feature for diagnosis of mesothelioma.
New perspectives on the etiology of systemic sclerosis

Systemic sclerosis (SSc) is a disease of unknown origin. Although SSc is considered to be an autoimmune disease, recent studies have implicated cellular microchimerism in its pathogenesis. Microchimerism results from the persistence of fetal cells, from prior pregnancies, in the maternal circulation. The demonstration of the presence of fetal CD3+ T cells in the maternal circulation and of fetal cells in affected SSc tissues suggests that microchimerism might cause SSc in certain patients by initiating a graft-versus-host-like response.
Analysis of the IKKβ/NF-κB Signaling Pathway during Embryonic Angiogenesis

The nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) signaling pathway regulates cellular growth, survival, differentiation and development. In this study, the functions of IkappaB kinase (IKK)beta in angiogenesis during mouse development were examined. Conditional disruption of the Ikkbeta locus in endothelial cells using the well-characterized Tie2-Cre transgene resulted in embryonic lethality between embryonic day (E) 13.5 and E15.5. Examination of the mutant embryos revealed that while deletion of Ikkbeta occurred in endothelial cells throughout the embryo, only the vascular network in the fetal liver was affected. Disruption of the fetal liver vasculature was accompanied by decreased cell proliferation and increased apoptosis of hepatocytes, but hematopoiesis was not affected. Increased apoptosis was not observed outside of fetal liver in the mutant embryos. These results indicate that the IKKbeta/NF-kappaB pathway plays a previously unappreciated role in development of the sinusoidal vasculature in the fetal liver and additionally that this pathway is critical in the crosstalk between endothelial cells and hepatocytes during mouse development.
Management and complications of congenital dacryocele with concurrent intranasal mucocele.

Abstract Introduction: The association of dacryocele and intranasal mucocele has been previously reported. Its incidence and optimal treatment are unknown. Patients and Methods: A retrospective review of 22 patients with 30 dacryoceles was performed to determine the mean age at presentation, sex distribution, and prevalence of associated intranasal mucocele, associated dacryocystitis, and respiratory distress. The components of the examination, ancillary tests, treatment modalities, and treatment outcomes were then summarized. Results: Unilateral dacryoceles were seen in 16 (73%) of the infants, and bilateral dacryoceles were seen in 6 (27%) of the infants. Four (25%) of the 16 patients who initially had unilateral dacryoceles later developed bilateral dacryoceles. Dacryocystitis, preseptal cellulitis, or both were present on presentation or developed in 18 (60%) of 30 dacryoceles. Nasal endoscopy was performed on 13 (59%) of 22 patients. Nasal examination with nasal speculum and headlight was performed on 7 patients (32%). A concurrent intranasal mucocele was diagnosed in 23 (77%) of 30 dacryoceles. Respiratory distress arose in 5 (71%) of 7 patients with bilateral intranasal mucoceles and in 2 (22%) of 9 patients with a unilateral intranasal mucocele. Thirty-four procedures were performed. Seven dacryoceles (21%) were treated with nasolacrimal duct probing under topical anesthesia. Another one (3%) was treated with needle aspiration with later definitive therapy. All other procedures were managed under general anesthesia. These included 2 nasolacrimal duct probings (6%), 2 probings with silicone tube placement (6%), 10 probings with intranasal mucocele marsupialization and silicone tube placement (29%), and 12 probings with marsupialization alone (35%). Two (29%) of the 7 probings performed under topical anesthesia failed, whereas all other procedures were successful. One dacryocele spontaneously resolved. Conclusions: Congenital dacryoceles are commonly associated with intranasal mucoceles, dacryocystitis, and preseptal cellulitis. Respiratory distress is common in bilateral cases. Bilateral nasolacrimal duct probing should be considered in unilateral cases because of the high incidence of occult contralateral involvement. (J AAPOS 2000;4:46-53)
Occurrence of Leuco-anthocyanin in Pears

THE anthocyanin pigments of plants may occur in two possible colourless forms, as the pseudo-base and as leuco-anthocyanins1,2. In both cases conversion to the corresponding anthocyanin occurs on acidification, but is slower in the latter case. Although leuco-anthocyanins have been isolated only from cacao beans3 and Australian heartwood of Acacia melanoxylon4 their occurrence is implied on the basis of the vanillin test and chromatographic identification of anthocyanins2,5. The occurrence of leuco-anthocyanins in pears (Pyrus communis) was suggested by Joslyn6 to explain the reddening that occurs in tinned pears stacked before they are completely cooled, and by Bate-Smith1 to explain the reddening of stewed pears. Kiesser et al.7 reported the occurrence of leuco-anthocyanins in perry pears on the basis of chemical and chromatographic examination of the insoluble matter causing haze and turbidity and depositing as a sediment in perry. The red pigment obtained by treatment of the sediment with warm dilute acid was found to contain small quantities of phloroglucinoi, protocatechuic acid, catechol and cyanidin but was composed chiefly of complex leuco-anthocyanixs related to cyanidin. We have recently examined Bartlett pears for the occurrence of leuco-anthocyanins and found evidence for the presence of the leuco-anthocyanin related to cyanidin.
Occult systemic Non-Hodgkin's Lymphoma (NHL) in patients initially diagnosed as Primary Central Nervous System Lymphoma (PCNSL): How much staging is enough?

To demonstrate the extent of staging necessary to exclude occult systemic stage IV NHL before making a diagnosis of stage I AE PCNSL. The diagnosis of PCNSL requires the demonstration of malignant lymphocytes within the CNS (usually by biopsy) and finding no evidence of systemic NHL. Different staging approaches have been recommended, ranging from extensive systemic evaluation (including bone marrow examination) to a more focused approach (abdominal and pelvic CT) to no systemic evaluation. We have employed a staging regimen that included: ophthalmologic evaluation (including slit lamp examination); CT of chest, abdomen, and pelvis; bilateral iliac crest aspirate and biopsy; flow cytometry of circulating lymphocytes; and, in men, testicular ultrasound. We carried out a retrospective review of 128 patients entered into the Mayo Lymphoma Project data bank (1975–1994). Between the years 1975 and 1994, five patients (3.9%) were identified who fulfilled criteria for the diagnosis of PCNSL (typical clinical history, pathognomonic neuro-imaging, and histologie proof of NHL in brain tissue) but who had occult systemic NHL on staging (bone marrow 1, abdominal lymph nodes 3), or at autopsy (colon 1). Case histories are presented. Patients with apparent PCNSL may have systemic NHL. Complete staging is essential to the initial management of patients presenting as PCNSL to exclude systemic stage IV disease.
Temperature Sensitive Simian Virus 40 Large T Antigen Immortalization of Murine Odontoblast Cell Cultures: Establishment of Clonal Odontoblast Cell Line

During tooth formation instructive epithelial-mesenchymal interactions result in the cytodifferentiation of ectomesenchymal cells into odontoblasts which produce the dentin extracellular matrix (DECM). The purpose of our study was to establish a stable murine odontoblast cell line by immortalization of odontoblasts using retrovirus transfection. In order to accomplish this goal, we utilized a previously characterized odontoblast monolayer cell culture system supportive of odontoblast cytodifferentiation from dental papilla mesenchyme (DPM), expression and secretion of a DECM and dentin biomineralization. First mandibular molars from E-18 Swiss Webster mice were dissected, the DPM isolated, and pulp cells dissociated. Pulp cells (5 x 10(5)/well) were plated as monolayers and grown in alpha-MEM supplemented with 10% FCS, 100 units/ml penicillin and streptomycin, 50 micrograms/ml ascorbic acid. Cultures were maintained for 6 days at 37 degrees C in a humidified atmosphere of 95% air and 5% CO2, with media changes every two days. Immortalization was performed using a recombinant defective retrovirus containing the temperature sensitive SV-40 large T antigen cDNA and the neomycin (G418) resistance gene recovered from CRE packaging cells. Cultures were infected for 24 h with CRE conditioned medium containing 8 micrograms/ml of polybrene, the media was replaced with selective media containing 300 micrograms/ml of G418, and the cultures incubated at 33 degrees C for one month with media changes every 3-5 days. Neomycin resistant cells were cloned by serial dilution to single cells in 96-well culture plates and grown in selection medium at 33 degrees C.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Therapeutic administration of the direct thrombin inhibitor argatroban reduces hepatic inflammation in mice with established fatty liver disease.

Thrombin generation is increased in patients with nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) and in mouse models of diet-induced obesity. Deficiency in the thrombin receptor protease activated receptor-1 reduces hepatic inflammation and steatosis in mice fed a Western diet. However, it is currently unclear whether thrombin inhibitors can modify the pathogenesis of established NAFLD. We tested the hypothesis that thrombin inhibition could reverse hepatic steatosis and inflammation in mice with established diet-induced NAFLD. Low-density lipoprotein receptor–deficient LDLr−/− mice were fed a control diet or a Western diet for 19 weeks. Mice were given the direct thrombin inhibitor argatroban ∼15 mg/kg/day or its vehicle via a miniosmotic pump for the final 4 weeks of the study. Argatroban administration significantly reduced hepatic proinflammatory cytokine expression and reduced macrophage and neutrophil accumulation in livers of mice fed a Western diet. Argatroban did not significantly impact hepatic steatosis, as indicated by histopathology, Oil Red O staining, and hepatic triglyceride levels. Argatroban reduced serum triglyceride and cholesterol levels in mice fed a Western diet. Argatroban reduced both α-smooth muscle actin expression and Type 1 collagen mRNA levels in livers of mice fed a Western diet, indicating reduced activation of hepatic stellate cells. This study indicates that therapeutic intervention with a thrombin inhibitor attenuates hepatic inflammation and several profibrogenic changes in mice fed a Western diet.
Changes in Herb and Dietary Supplement Use in the US Adult Population: A Comparison of the 2002 and 2007 National Health Interview Surveys

Abstract Background Past national surveys indicate that use of herbs and dietary supplements rose rapidly in the United States during the 1990s and early 2000s. Additional research is needed to determine whether this growth rate and associated patterns of use have persisted over time. Objectives The objectives of this study were: (1) to assess population and subpopulation changes in rates of herb and supplement use; and (2) to assess changes in rates of disclosure of herb and supplement use to conventional medical providers. Methods This study used data from the 2002 (n = 30,427) and 2007 (n = 22,657) Adult Complementary and Alternative Medicine File to the National Health Interview Survey (NHIS). Weighted group and subgroup comparisons used the Wald χ2 tests to compare differences in herb and supplement use between 2002 and 2007. Results The number of adults in the United States that ever used herbs or supplements grew slightly, from 50.6 million in 2002 to 55.1 million in 2007. However, the proportion of adults who reported use of herbs or supplements in the past 12 months dropped significantly: from 18.9% in 2002 to 17.9% in 2007 (P Conclusions Herbal preparations and dietary supplements remain popular in the United States, but the user population and patterns of use are changing. Ongoing surveillance of this health behavior is a public health priority.
Asymptotic expansions of matrix coefficients: The real rank one case

Let G be a real reductive Lie group of class H, and suppose that the split rank of G is one. We show that the asymptotic expansions of the Eisenstein integrals given in Harish-Chandra (1) give uniform approximation off of a certain naturally defined compact subset of A, the unitary dual of A; G = KAN being an Iwasawa decomposition of G.
Effect of heat treatment on the flexural properties of a titanium matrix composite

Titanium matrix composites (TMC) reinforced with carbon fibers are widely used in the aerospace industry due to their light weight, high strength and modulus and the retention of their strength and modulus at elevated temperatures. Liquid infiltration, a low cost technique for making TMCs, has been little used due to the extent of the reaction between titanium and carbon during fabrication. Rapid infrared processing (RIP) has been developed as a technique for reducing interfacial reaction during composite fabrication. The strength and modulus of composites produced using RIP were higher than or comparable to those for other composites. This paper examines the effect of heat treatment on the room temperature flexural strength and modulus of TMC produced using RIP. The experiments carried out are described and results are presented. Results showed increased flexural strength of the composites upon aging at temperatures of 800 and 900 degrees C. This increased strength may be due to increased strength of the matrix.
Performance of a Cohesive Layer Model in the Prediction of Interfacial Crack Growth in Sandwich Beams

A cohesive layer model is employed for the prediction of initiation and tracking of interfacial crack growth in sandwich composite beams. A feature of the model is that it can be used for geometrically non-linear problems as it is formulated in terms of appropriate stresses and strains. Two types of sandwich specimens are selected for study: a sandwich beam specimen carrying a delamination at the top facing core interface with its bottom edge restrained, and a delaminated column specimen carrying axial compression. The beam was used to investigate the influence of the properties of cohesive layer material on its ability to predict the onset and progress of crack growth. It is found that the cohesive layer model is fairly robust and is not sensitive to change in parameters other than the critical strain energy release rate in the opening mode. Thus there is wide a latitude in the selection of parameters of the cohesive layer. The compression specimen exhibited a variety of phenomena, viz. delamination buck...
Erosion rate in badlands of central Italy: estimation by radiocaesium isotope ratio from Chernobyl nuclear accident

Abstract The input of137Cs into the troposphere from the Chernobyl nuclear accident made intriguing the use of fallout137Cs as a tool for estimating the rate of soil erosion over Europe. The present paper reports on the adoption of137Cs/134Cs activity ratio to differentiate the vertical distribution of137Cs prioir to and following the Chernobyl accident. The137Cs/134Cs activity ration in the radioactive clouds is required to calculate pre and post- 1986137Cs amounts, considering that the whole134Cs was actually derived from Chernobyl. By using this procedure, the erosion rates could be evaluated for the badland area, the Paglia River basin (central Italy), before and after the Chernobyl accident. Nine sites from two areas of this basin were sampled and analyzed. Erosion rates, ranging from 1.5 to 8.4 mm/a were measured, the values depending both on the basin lithology and site slope. These first results are consistent with those yielded by quantitative geomorphologic methods.
Radiative capture of fast neutrons by 165Ho and 238U

Abstract Radiative capture of fast neutrons by the deformed nuclei 165 Ho and 238 U was measured over the 7 to 15 MeV incident neutron energy range. The γ-ray detector was a large NaI(T1) anti-Compton spectrometer, and time-of-flight techniques were used to suppress background. The total radiative capture cross section exhibits an energy dependence that clearly indicates the importance of the direct-semidirect reaction mechanism. Theoretical calculations compare favorably with experimental observations. However, the shapes of the observed γ-ray spectra differ from those calculated, indicating problems in estimating the distribution of single-particle strength for these deformed nuclei.
Reply to hassan and reen

Hassan and Reen make several important points. First, although the mouse is a valuable animal model, human and murine neonatal T cells might have different functional properties. In particular, whereas murine neonatal T helper (Th) activity is often Th2-skewed, such bias is not clearly evident in human neonates. As Hassan and Reen indicate, this may be at least partially due to the fact that humans are immunologically more mature at birth than murine neonates. Nonetheless, it is clear that both human and murine neonatal T cells are capable of mounting mature Th responses under some circumstances. Thus, as pointed out, the antigen-presenting cell compartment in neonates may be pivotal in regulating neonatal T-cell function. In my opinion, a major challenge for the future of neonatal immunology is to define the relative roles of the T cells versus the neonatal environment in Th responses in vivo.
Frequency and significance of early postoperative silent myocardial ischemia in patients having peripheral vascular surgery.

Abstract Coronary disease causes the majority of perioperative complications after peripheral vascular surgery. Twenty-four patients with stable coronary disease undergoing peripheral revascularization were studied using continuous electrocardiographic monitoring to determine the incidence of perioperative asymptomatic myocardial ischemia and its relation to postoperative clinical ischemic events. Patients were monitored preoperatively (17 ± 1 hours), intraoperatively and postoperatively (29 ± 2 hours) using 4-channel calibrated amplitude-modulated units. Fifteen patients (63%) had early postoperative silent ischemia; 3 also had preoperative silent ischemia and 5 intraoperative transient ischemia. Patients with and without silent ischemia had similar clinical characteristics, perioperative antianginal medications and postoperative episodes of hemodynamic instability. However, 8 of 15 patients (53%) with silent ischemia had postoperative clinical ischemic events (2 had myocardial infarction, 2 had new congestive heart failure and 4 had new rest angina), versus only 1 of 9 patients (11%) without silent ischemia who had angina (p
Reconfigurable thinned arrays

Thinning has been traditionally used to provide a spatial amplitude taper across large arrays to lower the sidelobes. The active elements have T/R modules while the inactive elements are connected to matched loads. If T/R modules with switches are placed at every element, then the thinning can be adaptively changed in order to either lower the sidelobe level or place nulls in order to reduce interference.
Decay of an excited molecule near a small metal sphere

The decay of an excited molecule near a small metal sphere is considered from the viewpoint of electromagnetic theory. The total decay rate of the emitting dipole is obtained by considering the two mechanisms through which energy is dissipated. One is the radiative loss, which is calculated from the Poynting vector, and the other is the nonradiative decay which is calculated from the Ohmic losses inside the sphere. Numerical computations are performed for the case of a molecule near a small silver sphere, and the results are compared with those for a molecule near the planar boundary of a silver half‐space.