cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of Ethanol on Monocytic Function in Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection

We have developed a novel system to study monocytic function after human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) infection by infecting a series of human macrophage hybridoma cell lines with HIV-1. Since ethanol has detrimental effects on immune function, we investigated the effect of ethanol and its metabolites acetaldehyde and acetate on monocytic function by utilizing one human macrophage hybridoma cell line, clone 43, as well as primary monocytes. Pretreatment of clone 43 and primary monocytes with ethanol and its metabolites resulted in diminished accessory cell function for mitogen-, anti-CD3-, and antigen-induced T-cell proliferation. The decreased accessory cell function was associated with reduced interleukin 1α (IL-1α), IL-1β, and tumor necrosis factor alpha production with loss of intracellular cytokine and mRNA production and the induction of transforming growth factor β. In ethanol-, acetaldehyde-, and acetate-treated HIV-1-infected clone 43 cells (43HIV), there was a more rapid loss (3 days after infection) of accessory cell function at a lower infecting dose of HIV-1 than that in untreated 43HIV cells. We also observed a more rapid loss of surface class II antigen expression in the ethanol-, acetaldehyde-, and acetate-treated 43HIV cells, but no change in surface expression of CD80 or CD86. Ethanol-induced impairment of monocytic function may compound the immunologic defects of AIDS, making the infected individual more susceptible to the complications of the disease.
A representation for multivariable feedback systems and its use in stability analysis Part II. Non-linear systems

A representation for a general class of non-linear multivariable systems with feedback is introduced ; the structure of a multivariable system as an interconnection of scalar feedback systems is emphasized. The representation is used as a basis for obtaining new conditions which characterize the property of (zero input) stability for multi-variable systems. Since the resulting conditions determine rather explicit relationships between the variables defining the system they can be used in formulating design procedures.
The Art of Modeling the Mortality Impact of Winter-Seasonal Pathogens

Estimation of the mortality burden of winter-seasonal pathogens is notoriously difficult. In this issue of the journal, van Asten et al estimate the mortality burden of 9 viral and bacterial pathogens in Dutch persons aged >65 years using statistical time series models [1]. They report that influenza A and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) each cause approximately 1.5% of total deaths in this age group, whereas parainfluenza, influenza B, and norovirus account for respectively 0.9%, 0.6%, and 0.2% of deaths. In contrast, enterovirus, rotavirus, Campylobacter, and Salmonella were not significantly associated with mortality. The authors use multivariate regression models to link mortality statistics with pathogen-specific laboratory surveillance data. The mortality burden of acute infections has traditionally been indirectly assessed using statistical time series models because specific pathogens triggering death are rarely laboratory confirmed and identified as such. For example, only a small subset of influenza-related deaths receive an influenza code on the death certificate; rather, influenza is a “hit-and-run” pathogen that leads to secondary bacterial coinfection or exacerbation of underlying chronic diseases. Such influenza-related deaths, especially among older patients, will be captured in broader respiratory or chronic diseases death outcomes categories. Therefore, the total influenzarelated mortality burden—defined as the number of deaths that are triggered by influenza and are, therefore, in principle preventable with influenza vaccine—is estimated based on winter-seasonal elevation in mortality temporally coinciding with influenza virus activity. Recent statistical modeling approaches
Word-meaning deafness: A phonological-semantic dissociation

Abstract Word-meaning deafness represents an auditory comprehension disturbance that is due to a dissociation between accurate phonological and semantic information. The patient is unable to understand a spoken word that he can repeat and can understand when read. Two cases of word-meaning deafness are presented to demonstrate that this disorder can be due either to a breakdown prior to the accessing of stored phonological representations (“pre-access”) or to a breakdown following the accessing of stored phonological representations (“post-access”).
Theory of the propagation of UHF radio waves in coal mine tunnels

The theoretical study of UHF radio communication in coal mines, with particular reference to the rate of loss of signal strength along a tunnel, and from one tunnel to another around a corner is the concern of this paper. Of prime interest are the nature of the propagation mechanism and the prediction of the radio frequency that propagates with the smallest loss. The theoretical results are compared with published measurements. This work was part of an investigation of new ways to reach and extend two-way communications to the key individuals who are highly mobile within the sections and haulageways of coal mines.
A Quantitative Case Study of Longitudinal Changes in Identity, Intimacy, and Generativity

A quantitative case study of one woman's development was conducted in order to explore psychosocial change in early adulthood. A contentanalytic coding system for identity, intimacy, and generativity themes derived from E. H. Erikson's writing was applied to letters and diaries of the British writer Vera Brittain written when she was 20 to 21 and 30 to 31 years old. Over time, Brittain used more intimacy and generativity themes and fewer identity themes. Even though Brittain used fewer total identity themes in her writing in her early 30s, her use of one identity subcategory—occupational role—increased in frequency, and the way in which she expressed her identity concerns indicated greater certainty about her identity.
Effect of Dietary Ascorbic Acid on Iron Utilization in the Growing Chick

Abstract Day-old male broiler chicks were fed for three weeks a purified casein diet with the addition of different levels of iron and ascorbic acid. Dietary ascorbic acid fed at 0.4% increased the hemoglobin concentration and total body iron retention when the diets fed were low in iron (23 p.p.m.). At 0.1% level in the diet, ascorbic acid caused an increase in total body iron retention in chicks fed diets marginal in iron (40 p.p.m.) and did not affect either parameter in chicks fed diets adequate in iron (100 p.p.m.).
In Situ FTIR Investigations Of Polymer Surface Modification In Downstream Microwave Plasma Etching

In situ Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) reflection-absorption spectroscopy investigations of etching of thin polyimide and poly(methyl methacrylate) films (200-1500A) in downstream microwave NF3/O2/Ar plasmas are reported. Etch rates and surface chemistry are monitored as a function of gas phase composition, plasma treatment conditions and time. NF3/Ar plasma treatment leads to significant surface fluorination characterized by the formation of aliphatic fluorine compounds (CFx), acyl fluorides, benzoyl fluoride, and polyfluorinated benzene. Addition of oxygen to the etching gas reduces the degree of surface fluorination and modifies the chemical structure. The absorption bands due to CFx structures decrease gradually while polyfluorinated benzene rings and benzoyl fluoride are absent for NF3/O2 mixtures with more than 20% oxygen. The effect of humidity on the plasma-modified polymers is studied by comparing infrared spectra collected in situ with those after air exposure. For NF3/O2 plasma-treated polyimides significant changes are observed while samples fluorinated in NF3 show no changes after exposure to air overnight. The FTIR data are supplemented by XPS analysis.
Improving Aesthetic Outcomes in Pediatric Free Tissue Oromandibular Reconstruction

Objective To review our substantial favorable experience with oromandibular free tissue reconstruction in pediatric patients, emphasizing technical pearls, which seem to be associated with favorable long-term aesthetic and functional outcomes. Methods Retrospective review of a consecutive series of all free tissue transfers performed from 1997 to 2010 by the senior author (Y.D.) in patients younger than 18 years. Demographic data, techniques used, and complications were examined. Results A total of 51 patients were identified, and their data were available for collection. Twenty-eight were female, and 23 were male; the mean age was 10 years (range, 4-17 years). Flaps performed included 43 fibula free flaps and 8 radial forearm free flaps with successful transplantation in each case. Twenty-six patients had temporomandibular joint reconstruction as part of their initial repair. The reasons for reconstruction were trauma (in 18 cases) and oncologic (in 33 cases). Functional and aesthetic results were improved with minimal access, maximal exposure approaches as outlined. Conclusions Pediatric free tissue oromandibular reconstruction is associated with excellent outcomes in most patients. Specific technical modifications allowing for minimal visible scarring and improved function, particularly at the level of the joint, allow for rewarding results in young patients.
Changes in backwater plant communities from 1975 to 1995 in Navigation Pool 8, Upper Mississippi River

Water elevation in the Upper Mississippi River (UMR) is highly regulated by an extensive system of locks and dams. Completion of this system in the 1930s created productive, biologically diverse backwater habitats. The status of plant communities in these backwater areas may now be threatened by several factors, including sediment accumulation, recreational use, and navigation traffic. Aerial photography, taken in 1975 and from 1991 to 1995, was used to describe vegetation changes occurring in four UMR backwater areas of Navigation Pool 8. The objectives were to determine (1) if changes occurring in these areas are consistent with hydrarch succession, (2) if the diversity of their plant communities has declined since 1975, and (3) how a large flood event that occurred in 1993 affected the composition and diversity of plant communities in these areas. Three general cover classes were recognized, representing an aquatic to terrestrial gradient. Coverages of specific vegetation types were estimated and evaluated using two indices of community diversity (vegetation richness and the Shannon diversity index). Though some vegetation changes were consistent with expected successional patterns (e.g. increased terrestrialization), other changes were not (e.g. loss of marsh vegetation). Diversity indices and coverages of most aquatic macrophytes declined from 1975 to 1991/1992 but then increased following the 1993 flood. The results suggest that disturbance–diversity concepts, including the flood pulse model, are applicable to the vegetation dynamics of these systems. Published in 2001 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Ecofeminism Meets Business: A Comparison of Ecofeminist, Corporate, and Free Market Ideologies

This paper develops a psychological and ethical ecofeminist position and then compares ecofeminism to corporate and free market capitalism in terms of effects along four scales of well-being: democracy/human rights, environmental health, psychological health, and cruelty toward animals. Using aspects of symbolic interactionism and Antony Weston's self-validating reduction model, it is demonstrated that an ecofeminist belief system tends to promote moral and psychological health whereas the discussed forms of capitalistic thinking militate in the other direction. Ecofeminism is not, however, incompatible with all forms of capitalism, and toward the end of supporting this thesis the rudiments of an ecofeminist capitalism are provided, a capitalism radically divergent from traditional forms yet nevertheless respectful of certain key principles.
Public awareness and perception of climate change: a quantitative cross-national study

Research on the extent and sources of international differences in climate change awareness and perception among general publics could improve understanding of the opportunities and challenges of formulating politically feasible and effective international climate policies. However, few studies have attempted to explain cross-national variation in climate change public opinion. This study builds on the relatively small body of existing research on this topic by investigating several cross-national predictors of public awareness and perception of climate change with ordinary least squares (OLS) and robust regression models using national-level data from the 2007–2008 and 2010 Gallup World Polls, which provide the largest available international datasets on climate change public opinion. The following results were most consistent across the surveys and models: 1) awareness of climate change is greater in countries that are wealthier and more highly educated, and is not influenced by political orientation or...
Major League Soccer and the Corrupted 2022 FIFA World Cup Bidding: Proving Harm and Recovering Damages

Overlooked in the indictments of top FIFA officials and continuing investigations into corruption in the bidding process for the 2022 World Cup is the harm to Major League Soccer from not having the event in the United States. Applying current data about MLS revenues to a concept studied by economists — the “World Cup bump” in attendance for the tier-one soccer league of a nation that hosts the event — reveals that MLS could suffer harm in excess of $1 billion related to lost profits, diminution of business value, and lost television revenue. One means for MLS to win that amount as money damages is a U.S. lawsuit against Mohamed Bin Hammam, a Qatari billionaire and former FIFA Executive Committee member who allegedly engaged in collusion and bribery to win the World Cup for his native country. MLS could prevail on a claim for tortious interference with prospective economic advantage, but potential obstacles to recovering damages include proving causation, overcoming the statute of limitations, and ensuring the judgment is enforceable in light of Qatari policy and shari’a law.
Arabidopsis CALCINEURIN B-LIKE10 functions independently of the SOS pathway during reproductive development in saline conditions

The accumulation of sodium in soil (saline conditions) negatively affects plant growth and development. The Salt Overly Sensitive (SOS) pathway in Arabidopsis (Arabidopsis thaliana) functions to remove sodium from the cytosol during vegetative development preventing its accumulation to toxic levels. In this pathway, the SOS3 and CALCINEURIN B-LIKE10 (CBL10) calcium sensors interact with the SOS2 protein kinase to activate sodium/proton exchange at the plasma membrane (SOS1) or vacuolar membrane. To determine if the same pathway functions during reproductive development in response to salt, fertility was analyzed in wild type and the SOS pathway mutants grown in saline conditions. In response to salt, CBL10 functions early in reproductive development before fertilization, while SOS1 functions mostly after fertilization when seed development begins. Neither SOS2 nor SOS3 function in reproductive development in response to salt. Loss of CBL10 function resulted in reduced anther dehiscence, shortened stamen filaments, and aborted pollen development. In addition, cbl10 mutant pistils could not sustain the growth of wild-type pollen tubes. These results suggest that CBL10 is critical for reproductive development in the presence of salt and that it functions in different pathways during vegetative and reproductive development.
Aralkylpolyamine complexes-III: Some thiocyanate and selenocyanate complexes of copper(II), nickel(II) and cobalt(II) with n-benzylethylenediamine and N,N′-dibenzylethylenediamine

Abstract Eight new complexes are reported: [Cu(C 9 H 4 N 2 ) 2 (SCN)2], [Cu(C 9 H 4 N 2 ) 2 (SeCN)]NO 3 , [Ni(C 9 H 14 N 2 ) 2 (NCS)(NO 3 )], [Ni(C 9 H 14 N 2 ) 2 (NCSe)(NO 3 )], [Ni(C 16 H 20 N 2 ) 2 (NCSe) 2 ], [Ni(C 16 H 20 N 2 ) 2 (NCS) 2 ], [Co(C 16 H 20 N 2 ) 2 (NCS) 2 ], and [Co(C 16 H 20 N 2 ) 2 (NCSe) 2 ]. Their structures are deduced from reflectance spectra at room temperature and at liquid nitrogen temperature, visible spectra in solution, i.r. and far i.r. spectra, magnetic susceptibility measurements, and conductivity measurements in DMF. The dibenzylethylenediamine complexes are all octahedral; the benzylethylenediamine complexes are tetragonal; and all of the complexes are high spin. [Cu(C 9 H 14 N 2 ) 2 (SeCN)]NO 3 is the first copper(II) complex that we know of with a bridging SeCN group. A method of distinguishing between N-bonded and S- or Se-bonded SCN or SeCN groups, based on far i.r. spectra, is suggested.
PAH formation under single collision conditions: reaction of phenyl radical and 1,3-butadiene to form 1,4-dihydronaphthalene.

The crossed beam reactions of the phenyl radical (C6H5, X2A1) with 1,3-butadiene (C4H6, X1Ag) and D6-1,3-butadiene (C4D6, X1Ag) as well as of the D5-phenyl radical (C6D5, X2A1) with 2,3-D2-1,3-butadiene and 1,1,4,4-D4-1,3-butadiene were carried out under single collision conditions at collision energies of about 55 kJ mol–1. Experimentally, the bicyclic 1,4-dihydronaphthalene molecule was identified as a major product of this reaction (58 ± 15%) with the 1-phenyl–1,3-butadiene contributing 34 ± 10%. The reaction is initiated by a barrierless addition of the phenyl radical to the terminal carbon atom of the 1,3-butadiene (C1/C4) to form a bound intermediate; the latter underwent hydrogen elimination from the terminal CH2 group of the 1,3-butadiene molecule leading to 1-phenyl-trans-1,3-butadiene through a submerged barrier. The dominant product, 1,4-dihydronaphthalene, is formed via an isomerization of the adduct by ring closure and emission of the hydrogen atom from the phenyl moiety at the bridging carbo...
Sticktight Flea Control on Chickens with Malathion Dust Self-Treatment

Two applications of 4% malathion dust at an interval of 28 days in natural soil wallows or in prepared dust bath boxes at the rate of 15 pounds of dust per 100 chickens and by complete coverage of the floor area of pens at the rate of 1 pound of dust per each 20 sq. ft. gave control of the sticktight flea, Echidnophaga gallinacea (Westwood) for 150 days after the second application . Application in wallows or dust bath boxes required less malathion dust, only three-eighths the amount in range pens or three-fourths the amount in floor management houses, than the amount necessary for complete coverage of floor surface.
Survival. Activism. Feminism?: Exploring the Lives of Trans* Individuals in Chicago

Radical lesbian feminist Sheila Jeffreys (1997, 2003, 2014) argues that trans individuals are destroying feminism by succumbing to the greater forces of the patriarchy and by opting for surgery and thus conforming to normative ideas of sex and gender. Jeffreys is not alone in her views. Janice Raymond (1994, 2015) also maintains that trans individuals work either as male-to-females (MTFs) to uphold stereotypes of femininity and womanhood, or as female-to-males (FTMs) to join the ranks of the oppressors, support the patriarchy, and embrace hegemonic masculinity. Both Jeffreys and Raymond conclude that sex/gender is fixed by genitals at birth and thus deny trans individuals their right to move beyond the identities which they were assigned at birth. Ironically, a paradox is created by these feminist theorists, who deny trans individuals the right to define their own lives and control their own bodies. Such essentialist discourse, however, fails to recognize the oppression, persecution, and violence to which trans individuals are subjected because they do not conform to the sex that they were assigned at birth. Jeffreys (1997) also claims there is an emergency and that the human rights of those who are now identifying as trans are being violated. Their critiques are not only troubling to me, as a self-identified lesbian feminist, but are also illogical and transphobic. My research, with trans identified individuals in Chicago, presents a different story and will begin to show another side of the complex relationship between trans and lesbian feminist communities. When considering the lives of my research participants, another agenda, counter to that of what is assumed by Jeffreys and Raymond, emerges and shows how trans individuals are moving forward to embrace themselves and their communities, while also establishing, or in some cases maintaining, a relationship with feminist values and politics.
Comparison between the load models with considering distribution network directly or indirectly

Two kinds of load models were compared in this paper, one is a classic load model (CLM) which could consider the effects of distribution network indirectly, and another is a synthesis load model (SLM) which could consider the effects of distribution network directly. In the aspect of initialization, two models have no nature difference. In the aspect of parameter determination, the parameters of SLM can not be determined with a single methodology, the composite impedance can be identified uniquely, and it is recommended to determine the equivalent distribution line impedance at first and then to identify the induction motor impedance. With measured results, the model parameters were compared, the results show that the composite impedance of CLM is mostly less than SLM, however, there is no definite rule for motor percentage between two models.
The FTC's Study and Advocacy Authority in its Second Century: A Look Ahead

The Federal Trade Commission’s authority extends beyond antitrust law enforcement to include unique tools for industry study and competition advocacy that allow it to construct a broader competition policy program. These non-enforcement tools are especially important during times of change, when technology and other developments can trigger significant disruptions in the business environment. With respect to industries affected by such developments, it is essential that the agency uses these tools to continually upgrade its knowledge and performance capabilities and to give voice to the interests of consumers. This Essay discusses two specific tools: prospective study and competition advocacy in heavily regulated industries. It argues that these tools will become increasingly important in the FTC’s second century and will provide unique benefits to the agency, consumers, and the business community.
Modulation of therapy-induced senescence by reactive lipid aldehydes

Current understanding points to unrepairable chromosomal damage as the critical determinant of accelerated senescence in cancer cells treated with radiation or chemotherapy. Nonetheless, the potent senescence inducer etoposide not only targets topoisomerase II to induce DNA damage but also produces abundant free radicals, increasing cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS). Toward examining roles for DNA damage and oxidative stress in therapy-induced senescence, we developed a quantitative flow cytometric senescence assay and screened 36 redox-active agents as enhancers of an otherwise ineffective dose of radiation. While senescence failed to correlate with total ROS, the radiation enhancers, etoposide and the other effective topoisomerase inhibitors each produced high levels of lipid peroxidation. The reactive aldehyde 4-hydroxy-2-nonenal, a lipid peroxidation end product, was sufficient to induce senescence in irradiated cells. In turn, sequestering aldehydes with hydralazine blocked effects of etoposide and other senescence inducers. These results suggest that lipid peroxidation potentiates DNA damage from radiation and chemotherapy to drive therapy-induced senescence.
Structure-Based Modeling of Reversed N9-C10 Bridge Antifols with Human, PC and TG DHFR

Antifolates have been shown effective against dihydrofolate reductase (DHFR) from Pneumocystis carinii (pc) and Toxoplasma gondii (tg) which are targets for drug design studies. Activity data for a series of pyridopyrimidines with a reversed N9-C10 bridge and variable benzyl methoxy substitution patterns revealed that those analogues with a 2′,5′-or 3′,5′-dimethoxy substituted benzyl ring were more potent for fungal DHFR than those with 3′,4′,5′-trimethyoxy substitutions (Fig. 1) (1).
Radioactive Decay and Pallet Artifacts in SPECT Imaging

Our purpose is to discuss two types of corrections for count loss that occur while performing SPECT studies. These corrections will improve image quality. Radioactive decay correction should be considered with the development of new short-lived radiopharmaceuticals for SPECT imaging, such as technetium-99m (99mTc) HMPAO. The count rate is reduced by approximately 8.3% from radioactive decay of 99mTc during a standard 45-min SPECT acquisition. This can easily be corrected by multiplying each frame in the raw data by the decay factor. Count loss also occurs due to the attenuation of the pallet as the camera rotates under the patient. Pallet attenuation can be visualized and calculated by doing a 360° acquisition of a SPECT phantom filled with 99mTc. We have evaluated the attenuation from different manufacturer’s pallets and head holders. There is as much as a 12.6% loss in count rate from the Siemens heavy-duty pallet and as little as 3.5% from the G.E. attachable head holder. A computer algorithm could be developed to correct for pallet attenuation, but the problem can be avoided by changing the system design for different types of SPECT acquisitions, especially when scanning the brain or heart. Some departments begin their SPECT acquisition in the posterior or lateral position and thereby compound the decay and pallet attenuation problems by causing the last few frames of the study to be acquired directly beneath the pallet where maximum attenuation will occur during maximum decay loss. Both the decay and pallet attenuation problems can combine to create as much as a 15%-20% loss of counts from the first to last image in a given 99mTc SPECT study.
Testing Aspects of Nanotechnology Trends

Publisher Summary Emerging nanoscale devices will enable an extremely high density of components to be integrated onto a single substrate. This chapter reveals some of the most promising emerging nanoscale devices, namely resonant tunneling diodes (RTDs), quantum-dot cellular automata (QCA), carbon nanotubes/silicon nanowires, and carbon nanotube field effect transistors (CNFETs). It discusses some test challenges and presents test generation techniques for these devices. In particular, it discusses defect characterization, fault modeling, and test generation of circuits based on RTDs and QCA. It also describes built-in self-test (BIST) of carbon-nanotube-based crossbar array architectures and presents imperfection and variation tolerance in logic circuits implemented by CNFETs. It concludes with a discussion of future challenges and trends in nanoscale computing. Regardless of which devices make their way into the mainstream of nanoscale computing, there is a general consensus that testing will be a key issue, as these devices are expected to have high defect rates. Consequently, some sort of defect and fault tolerance schemes will have to be built into nanoscale circuits, systems, and architectures. Ultimately, the testability and reliability of these devices will need to become an additional constraint during system design.
A Case for Philanthropic Informatics

In this chapter, I argue that a focus on the design of information technologies for nonprofit organizations—or any institutional form for that matter—is too narrow a focus to support the full breadth of philanthropic activity and the full diversity of stakeholders in this domain. Instead, I challenge the research community to take up a more holistic unit of analysis, one that engages in the study and design of information and communication technologies to support any philanthropic work that is being done, in whatever context or contexts that might be. I draw from examples of previous research to make three related cases for why philanthropic informatics is a more fruitful and compelling perspective: nonprofit organizations are shapeshifters, nonprofit organizations have ill-defined boundaries, and organizational genres are increasingly blurred. From each case, I draw implications for the sociotechnical study of philanthropic work.
Diffusion tensor imaging predicts motor outcome in children with acquired brain injury.

Background: Rehabilitation in children with acquired brain injury is a challenging endeavour. There is a large variability in motor recovery between patients, and a need to optimize therapies by exploiting cerebral plasticity and recovery mechanisms. This retrospective study aims to identify tract-based markers that could serve as predictors of functional outcome following rehabilitation. Methods: Twenty-nine children with traumatic brain injury (n = 14) or stroke (n = 15) underwent a 3 T Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) measurement, including Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) between admission to the Hospital and onset of rehabilitation therapy at the Rehabilitation Centre. The Functional Independence Measure for Children (WeeFIM) was routinely applied at admission and discharge from the Rehabilitation Centre. Distinguishing between children with good versus poor functional independence was performed using ROC-analysis. A non-parametric partial correlation analysis between the DTI and WeeFIM motor scores was performed with age, time in rehabilitation, and time of MRI scan after injury as covariates. Results: Mean fractional anisotropy (FA) from the DTI in the ipsilesional corticospinal-tract provided the highest predictive accuracy (sensitivity = 95 %, specificity = 78 %, Youden Index = 0.73, Area under the curve = 0.9), in comparison to the lesion volume or other clinical variables. Mean FA of the ipsilesional corticospinal-tract correlated positively with the WeeFIM discharge motor scores (ρ = 0.547, p = 0.004). Prediction was poorer for the lesion volume or Glasgow Coma Scale. Conclusion: The results suggest that DTI data could improve the prediction of functional outcome after rehabilitation in children and adolescents with stroke or traumatic brain injury. Specifically, mean FA shows the highest predictive accuracy in comparison to lesion volume or clinical scales.
TNFRSF6 (Fas Antigen) Mutations in Patients with Sinus Histiocytosis with Massive Lymphadenopathy (Rosai-Dorfman Disease).

Sinus histiocytosis with massive lymphadenopathy (SHML or Rosai-Dorfman disease) is a rare histiocytic proliferation of unknown etiology. There is a known association between SHML and immune disorders. Recently, histologic changes of SHML have been found in lymph nodes of patients with autoimmune lymphoproliferative syndrome (ALPS), a disorder most commonly associated with mutations in the TNFRSF6 gene that encodes the Fas antigen. We retrospectively analyzed tissue from 22 patients with SHML for TNFRSF6 gene mutations using isolated genomic DNA from paraffin-embedded tissue followed by screening of PCR products for the promoter regions and all exons (1–9) of the gene for possible mutation by high performance liquid chromatography. Mutations were confirmed by direct sequencing. We identified six patients (27%) with SHML and mutations of the TNFRSF6 gene as listed below, including three cases (14%) with potentially significant mutations (*) involving promotor and splice donor regions, and frameshift mutations. The samples with mutations had a 4:2 male:female ratio with a mean/median age of 39/43 years (range 7–68 years) compared to a 9:7 male:female ratio, mean/median age of 42/43 years (range 12–76 years) for the non-mutated samples. No differences in site of disease were identified in the mutated versus non-mutated groups. None of the samples had morphologic features to suggest ALPS. These results suggest that at least a subset of cases of SHML are associated with disruption of the Fas apoptotic pathway. Additional study of other components of the apoptotic pathway may be warranted in this disease. Cases with TNFRSF6 mutations.
Pagpopook ng Kapangyarihang Politikal: Prosesong Elektoral sa Lalawigan ng Tayabas, 1846–1895 (Contextualizing Political Power: Electoral Process in the Province of Tayabas, 1846–1895)

ABSTRAK Sinusuri sa artikulong ito ang kapangyarihang politikal ng simbahan, estado, at katutubong elit sa konteksto ng halalang lokal, lalo na sa paghalal ng gobernadorcillo, sa Lalawigan ng Tayabas mula 1846 hanggang 1895. Nakapaloob sa mga batas, dekreto, at sirkular ng pamahalaang Espanyol ang prosesong elektoral at pamamaraan para sa pagpili ng gobernadorcillo. Ang mga batas panghalalang tatalakayin sa artikulong ito ay ang Ordenanzas de Buen Gobierno de 1768; Circular de 5 de Octubre de 1847; at Real Decreto de Mayo 19 de 1893. Tatalakayin din sa pag-aaral na ito kung paanong ang pamahalaang Espanyol ay naglatag ng mga repormang panghalalan para pigilan ang pagmamalabis sa kapangyarihan mula sa simbahan at estado. Kasama sa reporma sa prosesong elektoral ang pagpapantay ng kapangyarihan na ipinatupad sa pamamagitan ng sistemang politikal na tinatawag na check and balance. Mga Susing Salita: kapangyarihang politikal, prosesong elektoral, batas panghalalan, lokal na naghaharing-uri, kolonyalismong Espanyol ABSTRACT This article examines the political power of the church, state, and local elite in the context of the local elections, particularly the elections of the gobernadorcillo, in the Province of Tayabas from 1846 to 1895. Contained in the laws, decrees, and circulars of the Spanish government were the electoral process and method for the election of the gobernadorcillo. The election laws that will be discussed in this article are the Ordenanzas de Buen Gobierno de 1768; Circular de 5 de Octubre de 1847; and Real Decreto de Mayo 19 de 1893. This research will also discuss how the Spanish government instituted electoral reforms to prevent the abuse of power from the church and state. Part of the reform in the electoral process was to preserve the balance of power which was implemented through the political system called “check and balance”. Keywords: political power, electoral process, election laws, local elites, Spanish colonialism
Russian Patronal Politics Beyond Putin

Russian politics from the tsars through Vladimir Putin has been shaped by patronalism, a social equilibrium in which personal connections dominate, collective action happens primarily through individualized punishments and rewards, and trends in the political system reflect changing patterns of coordination among nationwide networks of actual acquaintances that typically cut across political parties, firms, nongovernmental organizations, and even the state. The “chaotic” Yeltsin era reflects low network coordination, while the hallmark of the Putin era has been the increasingly tight coordination of these networks’ activities around the authority of a single patron. In at least the next decade, Russia is unlikely to escape the patronalist equilibrium, which has already withstood major challenges in 1917 and 1991. The most promising escape paths involve much longer-term transitions through diversified economic development and integration with the Western economy, though one cannot entirely rule out that a ...
Vector competence of Amblyomma americanum (Acari: Ixodidae) for Rickettsia rickettsii

Rickettsia rickettsii - the etiologic agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever (RMSF) - is widely spread across the Americas. In the US, Dermacentor spp. ticks are identified as primary vectors of R. rickettsii and Rhipicephalus sanguineus s.l. has been implicated in transmission of this pathogen in several locations in the Southwest. Conversely, ticks of the genus Amblyomma are recognized vectors of RMSF in Central and South America, but not in the US. A. americanum is one of the most aggressive human-biting ticks in the US, whose geographical range overlaps with that of reported RMSF cases. Despite sporadic findings of R. rickettsii DNA in field-collected A. americanum and circumstantial association of this species with human RMSF cases, its vector competence for R. rickettsii has not been appropriately studied. Therefore, we assessed the ability of A. americanum to acquire and transmit two geographically distant isolates of R. rickettsii. The Di-6 isolate of R. rickettsii used in this study originated in Virginia and the AZ-3 isolate originated in Arizona. Under laboratory conditions, A. americanum demonstrated vector competence for both isolates, although the efficiency of acquisition and transovarial transmission was higher for Di-6 than for AZ-3 isolate. Uninfected larvae acquired the pathogen from systemically infected guinea pigs, as well as while feeding side by side with Rickettsia-infected ticks on non-rickettsiemic hosts. Once acquired, R. rickettsii was successfully maintained through the tick molting process and transmitted to susceptible animals during subsequent feedings. Guinea pigs and dogs infested with infected A. americanum developed fever, scrotal edema and dermatitis or macular rash. R. rickettsii DNA was identified in animal blood, skin, and internal organs. The prevalence of infection within tick cohorts gradually increased due to side-by-side feeding of infected and uninfected individuals from 33 to 49% in freshly molted nymphs to 71-98% in engorged females. Moreover, R. rickettsii was transmitted transovarially by approximately 28% and 14% of females infected with Di-6 and AZ-3 isolates, respectively. Hence, A. americanum is capable of acquiring, maintaining and transmitting R. rickettsii isolates originating from two different geographical regions of the US, at least under laboratory conditions. Its role in ecology and epidemiology of RMSF in the US deserves further investigation.
Distinguishing Biologically Relevant Hexoses by Water Adduction to the Lithium-Cationized Molecule

A method to distinguish the four most common biologically relevant underivatized hexoses, d-glucose, d-galactose, d-mannose, and d-fructose, using only mass spectrometry with no prior separation/derivatization step has been developed. Electrospray of a solution containing hexose and a lithium salt generates [Hexose+Li]+. The lithium-cationized hexoses adduct water in a quadrupole ion trap. The rate of this water adduction reaction can be used to distinguish the four hexoses. Additionally, for each hexose, multiple lithiation sites are possible, allowing for multiple structures of [Hexose+Li]+. Electrospray produces at least one structure that reacts with water and at least one that does not. The ratio of unreactive lithium-cationized hexose to total lithium-cationized hexose is unique for the four hexoses studied, providing a second method for distinguishing the isomers. Use of the water adduction reaction rate or the unreactive ratio provides two separate methods for confidently (p ≤ 0.02) distinguishing...
Incompressible Plane Strain Elements: Locking-Free in the x and y Directions

A procedure, which takes the Poisson’s ratio ν to be exactly 1∕2, is developed here by selecting only those Rayleigh mode vectors that point-wise satisfy the isochoric, i.e., zero-volume-change, condition. A more research-type expose can be found in Dasgupta (Acta Mech 223:1645–1656, 2012). A continuum mechanics treatment of the isochoric formulation in Cartesian coordinates can be found in Spencer (Continuum mechanics. Longman, Harlow, 1980) (Spencer indicated the dilatation by Δ; we use Θ instead, in this textbook.).
Beat It: Tax Reform and Tax Treaties

The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) includes several provisions that may be viewed as potential violations of US tax treaties. However, most of those potential violations, such as new IRC section 951A and to a large extent new IRC section 59A, are covered by the Savings Clause (US model article 1(4)). The only remaining question is whether IRC section 59A (the “Base Erosion Anti-Abuse Tax”, or BEAT) violates the non-discrimination provision (article 24), which is exempted from the Savings Clause. The answer is no, because foreign related parties are not comparable to US related parties receiving interest or royalties.
The Relationship of Biosecurity to Sanitation

Knowledge of the threat of bioterrorism in food processing and preparation is essential to the maintenance of a safe food supply. The US Department of Agriculture (USDA) has provided some beneficial guidelines for the processing, storage, and protection against bioterrorism, and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has implemented guidelines for enforcement of the Bioterrorism Act. The development of a functional food defense plan that is developed, implemented, tested, reviewed, and maintained is the cornerstone of a food defense program.
GETTING COMPUTER LITERACY INTO THE PRE-COLLEGE CURRICULUM IN SCIENCE

Publisher Summary This chapter focuses on including computer literacy in the precollege science curriculum. Much of the data available today on science education supports the fact that the enrollment into the science curriculum is declining and suggests implications for incorporating computer education into the school curriculum. The knowledge that teachers have about science, enrollment in science courses beyond the junior high school level, and children's knowledge in science at all levels are all declining. There is a crisis of confidence in science, school budgets are lower for science than ever before, less hands-on science is being taught with teachers returning to the less threatening styles of textbook and lecture teaching, and there is less time for teaching science than other subjects.
Answer set programming with default logic.

We develop an Answer Set Programming formalism based on Default Logic. We show that computing generating sets of extensions in this formalism captures all ΣP2 search problems.
Surveying Manchuria: Imperial Russia’s Topographers at Work

Russia’s eastward expansion in Manchuria during the last decade of the nineteenth and the first decade of the twentieth century was one of the most ambitious colonisation projects by a European power in Asia. Geographic and military expeditions to Manchuria were persistent and wide—ranging, examining geography, climate, natural resources, indigenous peoples and local traditions. Russian topographic surveys produced detailed maps of Manchuria and facilitated railway expansion in this region. However, accounts of Russian military topographers reveal the difficulties of travelling and collecting data in Manchuria. They were less enthusiastic about the prospect of occupying this region, but their voices rarely reached the high echelons of power. As a result, Russia’s colonial enterprise in Manchuria was accompanied by constant frustrations. Russian territorial expansion beyond its own borders had common features with the colonial ambitions of European empires in China, Asia and elsewhere during the high tide of global imperialism.
The Chief Complaint

Acute graft-vs-host disease Acute porphyrias Carcinoid syndrome Black widow spider bite Degos disease
Brand Blanshard’s Rationalistic Idealism

In the present era the anti-rationalistic forces have been dominant factors. Reason has often been impotent in dealing with the passions of individuals, in reconciling the conflicts of economic and political groups, and in harmonizing the interests of races and nations. Yet many desire the healing guidance of reason. Among contemporary philosophers Brand Blanshard has been one of the strongest advocates of reason. In his writings as well as in his activities he has championed reason against the destructive forces of irrationalism. In this pursuit we would be happy to join him. But Blanshard as a philosopher has developed a rationalistic idealism which goes far beyond the usual use and meaning of reason, an aspect which deserves an independent examination.
Surfactant-Enhanced NAPL Remediation: From the Laboratory to the Field

Pump-and-treat remediation has routinely been prescribed for subsurface nonaqueous phase liquid (NAPL) contamination. However, pump-and-treat systems have proven incapable of remediating contaminated aquifers in a timely and economical manner. Cost overruns of 80% and cleanup times as much as three time longer than original estimates are typically reported (Olsen and Kavanaugh 1993). Several factors have been identified that contribute to the inefficiency of pump-and-treat remediation, including: (1) diffusion limitations for contaminants from low conductivity zones to high conductivity zones; (2) hydrodynamic isolation, such as dead end zones; (3) rate-limited desorption of contaminants from solid surfaces; and (4) liquid-liquid dissolution of residual NAPLs (Bouwer et al. 1988; Keely 1989; Mackay and Cherry 1989; Haley et al. 1991; Schmelling et al. 1992; NRC 1994). When residual NAPL is present, subsurface contamination can be categorized into three zones: the source/residual zone, the concentrated plume (center of mass of the groundwater plume), and the dilute groundwater plume. Innovative technologies are necessary for residual phase materials as pump-and-treat alone will be extremely inefficient in this zone.
Decommissioning of Nuclear Facilities and Stakeholder Concerns

The decommissioning of nuclear facilities provides good examples of stakeholder issues and concerns and approaches to resolution. Nuclear power stations, licensed by the Nuclear Regulatory Commission (NRC), typically strive for license termination conditions that would permit unrestricted use of the site so that, in some cases, reutilization of the site would be possible for a specific use. Former nuclear weapons production facilities are decommissioned to a variety of end states, consistent with the ongoing mission of the site. In all cases, stakeholder concerns must be factored into the decision and the overseeing agencies, the NRC, the Department of Energy (DOE), the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), and State oversight agencies must be sensitive to their concerns.
The CLARAty Project: Coping with Hardware and Software Heterogeneity

Developing reusable robotic software is particularly difficult because there is no universally agreed upon definition of what a robot is. Over the past half-century, robots took many forms. Some were inspired by their biological counterparts such as humanoids, dogs, snakes, and spiders. Others were designed for particular domains such as manufacturing, medical, service, military, or space applications. They took the form of arms, wheeled robots, legged robots, hoppers, blimps, underwater vehicles, sub-surface diggers, and even reconfigurable robots.