cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
INFLUENCE OF BREAST MILK, SOY OR TWO HYDROLYZED FORMULAS ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ALLERGIC MANIFESTATIONS IN INFANTS AT RISK

Abstract Background: Infants born to atopic parents are at an increased risk of developing allergy during the first 2 years of life. Objective: To assess the effects of the early introduction of soy, extensively-hydrolyzed casein, or partially-hydrolyzed whey formulas in infants at risk for atopic diseases. Methods: This prospective, double-blind study compared allergic manifestations in 113 formula-fed and 17 breast-fed infants during the first year of life. The children were equally distributed among feeding groups by sex, birth IgE levels, and parental atopy. Study formulas were introduced in the newborn nursery. Gastrointestinal and dermatologic manifestations suggestive of allergy were evaluated at regular intervals during the first year of life. Results: The cumulative incidence of chronic or recurrent vomiting, diarrhea or atopic dermatitis in the first year of life was 18 %. Persistent symptoms led to a formula change in 18 (16 %) of the formula-fed infants (mean age of change: 2.3 months). Formula intolerance was confirmed by an open challenge with the first formula in 15 infants (13%), without significant differences in the number of children with formula changes and positive challenges across all feeding groups. Conclusions: There was no significant difference among the formula groups in the development of symptoms of food intolerance. However, introduction of hydrolyzed cow's milk or soy infant formulas at birth to infants at risk for developing allergy did not completely prevent the development of symptoms commonly attributed to food intolerance. Of the infants who developed intolerance to one of the study formulas 81% improved when changed to a second, randomly-assigned formula, suggesting that intolerance was formula specific.
Analysis of herbal teas made from the leaves of comfrey (Symphytum officinale): reduction of N-oxides results in order of magnitude increases in the measurable concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids

Objectives: To determine the relative quantities of two hepatotoxic pyrrolizidine alkaloids, symphytine and echimidine, in teas prepared from comfrey leaves (Symphytum officinale), and to determine the potential contribution of the N- oxide forms of these alkaloids to levels of the parent alkaloids. Design: Comfrey leaves were purchased from three commercial sources and used to prepare tea in a manner consistent with the methods used by consumers. An extraction scheme was devised for extraction of the alkaloids, and a gas chromatographic method was developed to quantify the two major alkaloids, symphytine and echimidine. Recognising that the N-oxide derivatives of these alkaloids have also been identified in comfrey preparations, chemical reduction was applied to determine the total quantities of the alkaloids as free bases and as N-oxide derivatives. Results: The concentration of symphytine and echimidine varied considerably between teas prepared from leaves purchased from the different vendors of plant material. Moreover, a much higher concentration of symphytine was found in the tea when steps were included to reduce N-oxides prior to analysis. The treatment of pure symphytine with hot water did not generate the N-oxide derivative de novo. Conclusions: Since the pyrrolizidine alkaloids are known to be hepatotoxic, consumption of herbal teas made from comfrey leaves may be ill-advised. The concentration of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in such teas may be underestimated substantially unless the concentration of N-oxides is taken into consideration.
A Novel Approach to Endobronchial Closure of a Bronchial Pleural Fistula

Bronchopleural fistula presents an important and challenging management problem after lung parenchymal resection. The mainstay of treatment has been surgical revision of the bronchial stump, however increasingly endobronchial therapies are being employed. We report the novel use of a liquid embolic agent with an Amplatzer vascular plug to seal a chronic bronchopleural fistula. Using rigid bronchoscopy, fluoroscopy, radio opaque liquid embolic agent, and the Amplatzer vascular plug, we were able to demonstrate not only feasibility but also safety and a marked reduction in symptoms consistent with successful closure of the bronchopleural fistula.
Nature/nurture and the anthropology of Franz Boas and Margaret Mead as an agenda for revolutionary politics

There is much more involved in the nature/nurture debate than an abstract theoretical disagreement among dispassionate scientists. Each side of the debate leads logically to significantly different views of the social order and holds different implications for social policy. In this paper I shall argue that Boas' Anthropology with its emphasis on cultural relativism was as much a social and political agenda as it was a scientific theory. The positions on public policy issues he opposed were informed (and rationalized) by what its advocates claimed to be science. To be able to counter the discriminatory policy proposals that followed from this science, it was necessary for Boas both to challenge its validity and then replace it with an alternative that would support a more liberal political agenda. This chapter of anthropology's history gains relevance in today's context as neoevolutionary, reductionist theories once more provide "scientific" support for conservative, separatist and often discriminatory social policies.
Testing for and estimating latency effects for Poisson and non-Poisson spike trains

Determining the variations in response latency of one or several neurons to a stimulus is of interest in different contexts. Two common problems concern correlating latency with a particular behavior, for example, the reaction time to a stimulus, and adjusting tools for detecting synchronization between two neurons. We use two such problems to illustrate the latency testing and estimation methods developed in this article. Our test for latencies is a formal statistical test that produces a p-value. It is applicable for Poisson and non-Poisson spike trains via use of the bootstrap. Our estimation method is model free, it is fast and easy to implement, and its performance compares favorably to other methods currently available.
Metal ions and synaptic transmission: Think zinc

Ultrastructural studies show most of the ionic zinc detected by histochemical stains in the above-mentioned areas is localized within synaptic vesicles of glutamatergic neurons (1), and researchers have thus suspected for many years that zinc acts as a neurotransmitter or neuromodulator at excitatory synapses. Staining for synaptic zinc is especially intense in hippocampal mossy fibers (2), which project from granule cells in the dentate gyrus to the CA3 region of the hippocampus, and stimulation of these fibers causes the release of zinc from synaptic boutons (3). The zinc concentration in the synaptic cleft is estimated to reach nearly 300 μM during strong stimulation (4), certainly enough to have profound effects. Despite this accumulation of data, however, determining the true function of vesicular zinc has been problematic, in part because of the lack of any specific method to inhibit synaptic zinc function and because of ignorance about interactions between zinc and glutamate transmitter. Wenzel et al. (5) have taken a step toward amending these difficulties by showing that a putative zinc transporter (ZnT-3) is specifically localized to the surfaces of glutamate-containing synaptic …
Heating of the Interstellar Diffuse Ionized Gas via the Dissipation of Turbulence

We have recently published observations that specify most of the turbulent and mean plasma characteristics for a region of the sky containing the interstellar diffuse ionized gas (DIG). These observations have provided virtually all of the information necessary to calculate the heating rate from dissipation of turbulence. We have calculated the turbulent dissipation heating rate employing two models for the interstellar turbulence. The first is a customary modeling as a superposition of magnetohydrodynamic waves. The second is a fluid-turbulence-like model based on the ideas of Higdon. This represents the first time that such calculations have been carried out with full and specific interstellar turbulence parameters. The wave model of interstellar turbulence encounters the severe difficulty that plausible estimates of heating by Landau damping exceed the radiative cooling capacity of the interstellar DIG by 3-4 orders of magnitude. Clearly interstellar turbulence does not behave like an ensemble of obliquely propagating fast magnetosonic waves. The heating rate due to two other wave dissipation mechanisms, ion-neutral collisional damping and the parametric decay instability, are comparable to the cooling capacity of the diffuse ionized medium. We find that the fluid-like turbulence model is an acceptable and realistic model of the turbulence in the interstellar medium once the effects of ion-neutral collisions are included in the model. This statement is contingent on an assumption that the dissipation of such turbulence because of Landau damping is several orders of magnitude less than that from an ensemble of obliquely propagating magnetosonic waves with the same energy density. Arguments as to why this may be the case are made in the paper. Rough parity between the turbulent heating rate and the radiative cooling rate in the DIG also depends on the hydrogen ionization fraction being in excess of 90% or on a model-dependent lower limit to the heating rate being approximately valid. We conclude that the dissipation of turbulence is capable of providing a substantial and perhaps major contribution to the energy budget of the diffuse ionized medium.
Derivation of a size-independent variable for scaling of cardiac dimensions in a normal paediatric population.

Aims It is general practice to correct cardiac chamber size for body size by the process of scaling or normalization. Normalization is most commonly performed using simple linear or isometric correction; however, there is increasing evidence that this approach may be flawed. Likewise, there is little agreement concerning the appropriate scaling variable (measure of body size) for normalization. Therefore, we aimed to establish the optimal method for correcting the differences in body size in a large population of echocardiographically normal paediatric subjects.
Selected benefits of thoracotomy and chemotherapy for sarcoma metastatic to the lung.

To determine the benefit of aggressive surgical therapy, we studied 77 consecutive patients presenting to our sarcoma registry with pulmonary metastases. Detailed follow-up was available on all patients; the median follow-up of the 13 long-term survivors was 72 months from the date of diagnosis of the primary tumor. Survival of these 77 patients with metastatic disease was independent of the size, location, and histology of the primary tumor. Once metastases developed, survival of patients with pulmonary metastases was not influenced by the extent of surgical resection of the primary tumor or by the use of radiation therapy. Pulmonary metastases were initially treated with thoracotomy and metastasectomy in 34 patients. The median survival after thoracotomy was 26 months. Seven patients were alive more than 4 years after their diagnosis. Pulmonary metastases were treated with chemotherapy alone in 43 patients. Although the survival was shorter (median survival 14 months) in patients treated with chemotherapy, an objective response to chemotherapy was obtained in 13 (30%) patients. Four of these patients were alive 4 years after their diagnosis. These data demonstrate that both thoracotomy and chemotherapy are associated with long-term survival of patients with sarcoma metastatic to the lung. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Use of a Daily Calendar to Increase Responsibilities Fulfilled by Secondary Students with Special Needs

This paper describes the use of a personal calendar to increase responsibilities fulfilled by secondary students with special needs. A multiple baseline, across-skills design demonstrated that students with disabilities can be taught to carry and use a personal calendar. Using a calendar was associated with an increase in the extent to which personal responsibilities were accomplished. Finally, follow-up data indicated that calendar usage and responsibility completion was maintained beyond initial training.
Cardiorespiratory status of erythroblastotic newborn infants. II. Blood volume, hematocrit, and serum albumin concentration in relation to hydrops fetalis.

We measured hematocrit and serum albumin concentration at birth and red blood cell and plasma volume soon after birth in prematurely born infants with erythroblastosis fetalis of varying severity and examined the realtionships between these variables and the presence and severity of hydrops fetalis. Blood volumes in most of these infants were similar to the established normals for newborn infants without erythroblastosis. There was no simple association between blood volume and the presence of hydrops. Nonhydropic and severely hydropic infants had, on the average, similar and normal blood volumes, while mildly hydropic infants had low blood volumes. Anemia correlated fairly well with severity of hydrops but almost a quarter of the infants with severe hydrops were only mildly anemic. Red blood cell volume decreased and plasma volume increased proportionally with the degree of anemia at birth. Thus, hydropic infants with severe anemia had large plasma volumes while those with milder anemia did not. On the other hand, hypoalbuminemia was common and correlated closely with severity of hydrops. We suggest that hydrops results at least in part from low plasma colloid osmotic pressure due to hypoalbuminemia.
Engineering university-industry projects: A design for six sigma framework

As the world's economy becomes global, graduate workforce readiness is increasingly necessary. There has been a gradual shift in industry expectations of graduates from exhibiting academic expertise in a chosen discipline to a commercially adroit candidate with a strong command of, and immediate ability to apply, a broad range of skills deemed essential in the workplace [1]. With the globalization of technology and the rapid changes in the way companies do business, it is becoming imperative that graduates start performing and processing from their first day on the job [2]. Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) is an approach that can be helpful in pushing towards better-prepared graduates for the workforce. This study aims to use current student project work to analyze preparedness, particularly in terms of students' abilities to organize and communicate their thoughts. Preliminary findings show that more needs to be done in institutions of higher education to align the process of executing projects in universities with what is widely employed in industry.
Altered IL-12 Signaling Pathways Contribute to the Deficient IFN-γ Production by T Splenocytes from Tumor-bearing Mice

IFN-γ is a crucial cytokine produced by T and NK cells. Previous work from our laboratory has reported that in T cells of BALB/c mice bearing the D1-DMBA-3 mammary tumor, IFN-γ production is down-regulated, due to decreased expression of IL-12 by macrophages of tumor bearers. IL-12 is the main inducer of IFN-γ production in T and NK cells. To exert its function, IL-12 interacts with its receptor (IL-12R), activating a JAK/STAT signaling pathway. Our investigation suggests that there is also a deficiency in the response to IL-12 by T cells from tumor hosts. The present work reports the results of RT-PCR experiments in the study of the IL-12R expression on T cells from normal and tumor bearers. Data showed a deficient expression of the IL-12Rβ2 chain on T cells from tumor hosts. Gene expression arrays on IL-12-activated T cells from normal and tumor bearers confirmed the RT-PCR results, and also showed decreased expression of IL-18Rα in tumor bearers' T cells. Arrays also showed down-regulated expression of JAK2, STAT 1, 3, 4 and IRF-1. Finally, increased expression of SOCS 1,3,4,5 and 7, as well of Protein inhibitor of activated STATs (Pias) 1 and y was also observed in tumor bearers' T cells.
Kinetic analysis of the initiated chemical vapor deposition of poly(vinylpyrrolidone) and poly(4-vinylpyridine)

Abstract Initiated chemical vapor deposition (iCVD) is used to deposit poly(vinylpyrrolidone) (PVP) and poly(4-vinylpyridine) (P4VP). Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and gel permeation chromatography were used to confirm the deposition of the polymers. Reactor conditions, including gas pressure and substrate temperature, were varied to determine the effect on the deposition rate of the polymer. The rate of reaction was found to increase with increasing pressure and decrease with increasing substrate temperature. Understanding the kinetics of the reaction provides a basis for applications of PVP and P4VP thin films in dye sensitized solar cells and other alternative energy applications.
Robustness quantification methods comparison in volumetric modulated arc therapy to treat head and neck cancer

Abstract Background To compare plan robustness of volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and to compare the effectiveness of 3 plan robustness quantification methods. Methods and materials The VMAT and IMRT plans were created for 9 head and neck cancer patients. For each plan, 6 new perturbed dose distributions were computed using ±3 mm setup deviations along each of the 3 orientations. Worst-case analysis (WCA), dose-volume histogram (DVH) band (DVHB), and root-mean-square dose-volume histogram (RVH) were used to quantify plan robustness. In WCA, a shaded area in the DVH plot bounded by the DVHs from the lowest and highest dose per voxel was displayed. In DVHB, we displayed the envelope of all DVHs in band graphs of all the 7 dose distributions. The RVH represents the relative volume on the vertical axis and the root-mean-square-dose on the horizontal axis. The width from the first 2 methods at different target DVH indices (such as D 95% and D 5% ) and the area under the RVH curve for the target were used to indicate plan robustness. Results were compared using Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results The DVHB showed that the width at D 95% of IMRT was larger than that of VMAT (unit Gy) (1.59 vs 1.18) and the width at D 5% of IMRT was comparable to that of VMAT (0.59 vs 0.54). The WCA showed similar results between IMRT and VMAT plans (D 95% : 3.28 vs 3.00; D 5% : 1.68 vs 1.95). The RVH showed the area under the RVH curve of IMRT was comparable to that of VMAT (1.13 vs 1.15). No statistical significance was found in plan robustness between IMRT and VMAT. Conclusions The VMAT is comparable to IMRT in terms of plan robustness. For the 3 quantification methods, WCA and DVHB are DVH parameter–dependent, whereas RVH captures the overall effect of uncertainties.
Abstract 2913: Autophagy resulting from specific ablation of the proapoptotic function of cytochromec

Apoptosis and autophagy are two evolutionarily conserved and sometimes mutually exclusive cell death regulatory mechanisms. The balance and cross talk between these two processes determine cell fate and have an important role in therapeutic response to anticancer agents. It has been shown that apoptosis can cross talk with autophagy through the actions of the Bcl-2 family proteins. For example, Bcl-2 inhibits autophagy by interacting with Beclin-1, the master regulator of autophagy. However, the underlying mechanisms by which apoptosis and autophagy regulate each other remain unclear. In this study, we investigated whether cytochrome c (cyto c), a critical regulator of the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway, is involved in regulating autophagy. A cyto c mutant (K72A) that retains its normal electron transfer function but fails to bind to Apaf-1 was knocked into HCT116 colorectal cancer cells by homologous recombination. Although the mutant cyto c can still be released from the mitochondria into the cytosol in response to apoptosis induction, caspase activation and other execution steps of apoptosis were inhibited. Remarkably, a significant increase in autophagy was observed in the cyto c-knockin cells, as indicated by formation of GFP-LC3 puncta and increased conversion of LC3-I into LC3-II. Furthermore, knockdown of Beclin-1 by siRNA suppressed autophagy in the cyto c-knockin cells. These results indicate that the execution steps of apoptosis downstream of cytochrome c release, including formation of apoptosome and activation of caspases, can inhibit autophagy. Autophagy can be unleashed when apoptosis is initiated, but fails to be executed. Citation Format: {Authors}. {Abstract title} [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 101st Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2010 Apr 17-21; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2010;70(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 2913.
Influence of No-Tillage Planting on Foliage-Inhabiting Arthropods of Alfalfa in Kentucky

A study was conducted to determine the influence of no-tillage planting on the foliage-inhabiting insects of alfalfa in Kentucky. Pest populations did not increase significantly under no-tillage conditions, and in the case of the potato leafhopper, Empoasca fabae (Harris), populations may have been reduced due to increased populations of grass weeds. Foliage-inhabiting predator populations were not significantly greater under no-tillage conditions.
Effect of subsonic microjets on cold flow in dump combustors

Fluidic control of shear layers in air-breathing liquid-fuel combustors is considered as a viable means for improving performance. The increasing demand for compact combustion accompanied by low drag, high turndown ratio, and a reliable flame anchor calls for concurrent application of advanced control strategies such as counter-current shear and microjets. Traditional flame holders, such as the backward-facing step dump combustor, provide a protective environment for the flame to reside. However, these systems also carry a significant drag penalty. The focus of this research is to explore the role of microjets as a shear layer control strategy in dump combustors via numerical simulation. The simulations have been conducted within the Reynolds-averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) framework. Results for cold flow have shown that increasing the momentum of the microjets leads to greater non-uniformity in the turbulent flow field. Microjets can also affect the recirculation zone, thus influencing flame stabilization. Many parameters such as the location, size, mass flow rate ratio, and momentum ratio of the microjets determine the overall performance. A detailed parametric study is conducted to investigate the effect of various parameters.
Water-Resource Related Geophysical Activities Of The U.S. Geological Survey: Mission Of The Branch Of Geophysical Applications And Support

The Branch of Geophysical Applications and Support (BGAS), serves as the focus point for the water-resource related geophysical activities of the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS). The mission of BGAS is to support the USGS and cooperating Federal, State, and local agencies by providing technology transfer and training for the application and use of existing and newly developed geophysical methods. The BGAS also carries out independent and cooperative applied research on the use of geophysical methods in solving water-resource problems. Most technology transfer and training activities of the USGS are conducted in support of other Federal agencies, including the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Departments of Defense and Energy, and Federal Highway Administration. Examples of technology that BGAS has recently brought to the USGS include optical televiewer, borehole radar, borehole electromagnetic flowmeter, two-dimensional resistivity, and continuous seismic profiling. BGAS training programs emphasize a ‘tool-box’ approach that integrates the use of multiple complementary geophysical methods and stresses the beneficial role of forward modeling for geophysical method selection and study design. Recent research activities include the integrated use of geophysics to: (1) define fracture flow in boreholes that are equipped with innovative collapsible liners and packer assemblies, (2) monitor ground-water tracer tests and remediation activities, and (3) characterize and map sediments in shallow-water environments. BGAS maintains a Website (http://water.usgs.gov/og;w/bgas) to provide information about the mission and operational program of BGAS and to serve as a training tool. The Website contains lists of available geophysical equipment and copies of recent publications, details current research interests, and provides links to other Websites related to geophysics.
The Use of Balsam Fir Shoot Elongation for Timing Spruce Budworm Aerial Spray Programs in the Lake States

Studies in Minnesota in spruce-fir stands heavily depleted by the spruce budworm ( Choristoneura fumiferana (Clemens)) have shown that larval development was closely correlated with balsam fir shoot elongation. With this as a basis, a method was developed using balsam fir shoot elongation for timing spruce budworm aerial spray programs in the Lake States. Two methods of calculating total shoot growth for the coming season are presented in this paper.
Maxima and Minima of Finite Sums

(1936). Maxima and Minima of Finite Sums. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 43, No. 3, pp. 164-172.
Twists and Turns in Glassy, Liquid Crystalline Polymer Networks

Three-dimensional shape control is an enabler of dexterous motion in nature. Herein, we report on the thermally initiated out-of-plane (torsional) responses observed in a series of glassy, liquid crystalline polymer networks prepared with a range of cross-link densities. The three-dimensional shape of these materials is strongly dictated by both cross-link density as well as the preparation conditions (polymerization temperature). All of the materials examined herein undergo torsional inversion of the handedness with increasing temperature. The temperature at which the material flattens (crossover between handedness inversion) can be positioned by the polymerization temperature. Monoliths prepared with either multimaterial composition or multidirector orientations are shown to exhibit spatial variation in shape adaptivity.
Where there’s a will there’s a way: a longitudinal investigation of the interplay between recovery motivation and self-efficacy in predicting treatment outcome.

The psychological construct of self-efficacy plays a key role in both general, as well as addiction specific, models of health behavior change and is well supported empirically. As a predictor of treatment outcome it has proven useful; however, in order to further clarify the nature and role of self-efficacy in predicting the complexities of addiction recovery, it would seem crucial also to consider an individuals’ motivation to carry out that future behavior, because the degree to which a measure of self-efficacy predicts behavior may be contingent upon whether that individual is also motivated to enact it. To this end, we tested an interaction model of self-efficacy and motivation on treatment outcome. Young adults (N=302; M age 20; 74% male) undergoing residential SUD treatment were assessed at treatment intake, discharge, and 3, 6, and 12 months post-discharge on self-efficacy (SE), motivation for sobriety (MS), and percent days abstinent (PDA). Hierarchical Linear Modeling (HLM) results revealed main effects for abstinence SE and MS across time but a significant interaction was detected, indicating that the influence of SE on PDA depended on MS. Further analysis revealed that for patients high in SE the level of MS made a small, but significant, difference on PDA, while for those low in SE, high MS made a substantial difference, such that their outcome was not different than patients with high SE. Findings highlight conceptual nuances in self-efficacy theory; and, clinically, convey optimism that, even if a patient reports low confidence in their ability to remain abstinent, it does not necessarily follow that they will have poor outcome, especially if they have a strong recovery motivation.
Low Temperature Rhombohedral Single Crystal SiGe Epitaxy on c-plane Sapphire

Current best practice in epitaxial growth of rhombohedral SiGe onto (0001) sapphire (Al2O3) substrate surfaces requires extreme conditions to grow a single crystal SiGe film. Previous models described the sapphire surface reconstruction as the overriding factor in rhombohedral epitaxy, requiring a high temperature Al-terminated surface for high quality films. Temperatures in the 850-1100 C range were thought to be necessary to get SiGe to form coherent atomic matching between the (111) SiGe plane and the (0001) sapphire surface. Such fabrication conditions are difficult and uneconomical, hindering widespread application. This work proposes an alternative model that considers the bulk sapphire structure and determines how the SiGe film nucleates and grows. Accounting for thermal expansion effects, calculations using this new model show that both pure Ge and SiGe can form single crystal films in the 450-550 C temperature range. Experimental results confirm these predictions, where x-ray diffraction and atomic force microscopy show the films fabricated at low temperature rival the high temperature films in crystallographic and surface quality. Finally, an explanation is provided for why films of comparable high quality can be produced in either temperature range.
Rubella serology in reproductive women of Henan province,China

Objective To study the serological status in reproductive women for rubella virus(RV) in Henan province,China.MethodsA total of 860 women at the reproductive age between 15-45 years of age were randomly selected and their sera were collected for the detection of IgG RV antibody.ResultsThe overall anti-RV positive rate of 860 women was 86.6% with the geometric mean concentration(GMC) at 86.7IU/ml.Both positive rates and the GMC were dropping down with the increase of age with the highest at 15-20 years of age(89.6%,122.0 IU/ml) group and the lowest at 41-45 years group(51.6%,79.5 IU/ml)(P0.05 for both comparisons).There were no significant difference of anti-RV rates among various executive regions in Henan province(χ2=0.561,P0.05) although the anti-RV GMC levels of different regions show significant differences with the highest from populations of rural areas(F=3.8,P0.05).ConclusionsThe immunity against rubella in reproductive women of Henan province is at high levels,whereas the negative rate is still substantially high and the immunity level decreases with the increase of age.It is of great importance and necessity to screen and vaccinate the reproductive women to prevent rebella especially the congenital rebella syndrome(CRS).
Research progress of MDR-TB

China is MDR-TB high-burden country,about 120 000 new patients are reported. MDR-TB treatment drugs have 5 kinds in China which is similar with WHO classification. Some new drugs to treat TB have progressed to laboratory research and clinical trials world-wide,but not yet in clinical application stage. In view of the serious epidemic of MDR-TB,it is very important to further improve and strengthen the implementation of MDR-TB control strategy.
TOPSIS Method for The Quality Evaluation of AIDS Control and Prevention in Tianjin City

[Objective]To explore the method for the comprehensive evaluation of AIDS control and prevention in the grassroots level. [Methods]The examination indexes were established according to the guide of Tianjin public health bureau for AIDS control and prevention,a comprehensive evaluation by TOPSIS (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Solution) was conducted in 18 CDCs of county level in Tianjin for the work quality in 2007. [Results]Through TOPSIS analysis,18 districts and counties could be divided into 18 ranks,from high to low is:G、Q、R、C、K、H、J、E、N、F、D、O、I、P、L、M、A、B (The above-mentioned letter were county code),with simple calculation,the results were more in line with the actual work. [Conclusion]The method is simple,practical and objective and has a certain practical value in management of AIDS prevention and control in the grassroots level.
Atmospheric Tidal Variations within the ERICA Drifting-Buoy Data

The impact of atmospheric tides on surface pressure is studied by analyzing observations from the drifting-buoy network in the northwest Atlantic Ocean in winter 1988/89. These small, relatively inexpensive buoys, deployed for the Experiment on Rapidly Intensifying Cyclones over the Atlantic (ERICA), reported 10-min averages of air pressure, temperature, and sea surface temperature through satellites. Tidal oscillations are evident within the pressure variations and these tidal variations can be extracted and analyzed because they have a known constant period. The analyzed tides are compared with past observations and the similarities and differences are discussed
“Infantile” Botulism in an Adult

A diagnosis of adult-onset “infant” botulism was confirmed by identification of botulinum toxins A and E in stool and serum of a 32-year-old woman with cystic fibrosis treated for a pseudomonas pneumonia and having a percutaneous gastrostomy tube placed for poor intake and weight loss, at the Department of Neurology, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis.
The Third-Person Effect of Online Advertising of Cosmetic Surgery: A Path Model for Predicting Restrictive Versus Corrective Actions

Using survey data with a national representative of U.S. adult women, the current study tested both the perceptual and behavioral hypotheses for the third-person effect of online advertising of cosmetic surgery (OACS) in a theoretical process model. A strong third-person perception (TPP) was observed in assessing the influence of OACS. The results of a path analysis revealed that the self–other exposure gap and social undesirability were positive predictors of the TPP. TPP had a direct impact on support for regulation (SFR) of OACS and an indirect effect on corrective actions. Both SFR and online political self-efficacy (OPSE) were the good predictors for corrective actions.
Mitógrafo de Paradoxos – De que maneira o Legado de Friedrich Kittler Importa (Trad. Sueli Cavendish)

Hans Ulrich Gumbrecht e teorico da literatura, cujo trabalho abrange a filologia, a filosofia, historia literaria e cultural e as epistemologias do cotidiano. Professor da Stanford University desde 1989, ocupa a catedra Albert Guerard, nos Departamentos de Literatura Comparada, Frances e Italiano da Divisao de Literaturas, Linguas e Culturas. E tambem afiliado com os departamentos de Estudos Germânicos, Cultura Iberica e Latino Americana e com o Departamento de Pensamento moderno e Literatura. Tradutora: Sueli Cavendish de Moura , e nsaista, t radutora, professora de literaturas de lingua inglesa, editora-chefe de Eutomia.
Does bowel preparation for inflammatory bowel disease surgery matter

Aim The purpose of this study was to determine if bowel preparation influences outcomes in patients with inflammatory bowel disease undergoing surgery. Methods The database of the American College of Surgeons National Surgical Quality Improvement Program, Procedure Targeted Colectomy, from 2012 to 2014 was analyzed. Inflammatory bowel disease patients undergoing colorectal resection with or without bowel preparation were included in the study. Results In all, 3679 patients with inflammatory bowel disease were identified. 42.5% had no bowel preparation, 21.5% had mechanical bowel preparation only, 8.8% had oral antibiotic bowel preparation only and 27.2% had combined mechanical and oral antibiotic preparation. Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic preparation is associated with lower rates of anastomotic leak, ileus, surgical site infection, organ space infection, wound dehiscence and sepsis/septic shock. Conclusion Combined mechanical and oral antibiotic preparation for inflammatory bowel disease patients undergoing colectomy is associated with decreased rates of surgical site infection, anastomotic leak, ileus. Combined bowel preparation should be the standard of care for inflammatory bowel disease patients undergoing colorectal resection.
Emergency Optic Canal Decompression for Vision Salvage in Fibrous Dysplasia

Background The most common neurologic manifestations of fibrous dysplasia (FD) are vision and hearing loss. Optic decompression for progressive vision loss has been shown to yield positive results in terms of visual outcomes; however, emergency optic decompression surgery for sudden loss of vision in FD has not to date been reported in the pediatric population. We report the first case of FD presenting with sudden vision loss and successfully managed with emergency optic decompression. Case Description A 10-year-old male patient known to have FD with a 2-month history of progressive vision loss in his left eye presents with sudden blindness. Emergency decompression surgery restored vision in his left eye to 20/40, which remained stable on long-term follow-up. Conclusion There is no consensus on the benefit and safety of prophylactic optic decompression, yet therapeutic decompression has been shown to prevent vision deterioration. Our findings suggest that therapeutic decompression even when done in the emergency setting yields positive results, while prophylactic decompression carries an inherent risk for loss of vision in a seeing eye.
Gain/Loss Framing Effects on Learning in Economic Decision Making Investigated with Eye Tracking:

Previous research has revealed a domain-based bias when people estimate payout likelihoods for probabilistic choice options that minimize losses versus those that maximize gains (Kuhnen, 2015). For...
News You Can Use or News That Moves

This study investigates how journalists covering international humanitarian crises make decisions regarding what types of information to include in stories. Specifically, the inclusion/exclusion of solutions-oriented information is addressed, since crises represent a key time during which the potential for international engagement is discussed in the mainstream media. Interviews with journalists covering hunger crises in Africa reveal an internal tension between maintaining a neutral, unbiased position and writing in a way that supports engagement and action. Ironically, perhaps, journalists find that including solutions-oriented information amounts to unethical and biased coverage, despite the fact that inclusion of solutions to social problems is an accepted and institutionalized aspect of the US news media’s mandate to the public. Reasons for this seeming contradiction are discussed, and I argue that solutions-oriented information not only can be included without demonstrating bias, but that it ought t...
The Reservist Perspective: Service Before and During “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell”

The Army Reserve has undergone many changes from the early 1980s to now. With unit mobilization now more common along with an evolution in thought on LGBT service, the reserve units of today have a different culture. That evolution and its implications on serve members are discussed.
Mechanistic study of dry reforming of ethane by CO2 on a bimetallic PtNi(111) model surface

Ethane (CH3CH3), one of the primary components of shale gas, is an attractive candidate for the production of syngas (CO + H2) and ethylene (CH2CH2) via the selective C–C and C–H bond cleavage, respectively. Understanding the origin of the selective conversion is essential to the design of a good catalyst for CH3CH3 activation. Herein, we combined density functional theory (DFT) calculations with kinetic Monte Carlo (KMC) simulations to shed light on the mechanism of the oxidative C–H and C–C bond cleavage of CH3CH3 on a PtNi(111) model catalyst using CO2 as an oxidant, where the estimated selectivity is in good agreement with the experimental results on PtNi nanoparticles supported on CeO2. Our calculations show that PtNi is selective to CO via direct CO2 dissociation and the oxidative C–C bond scission of CH3CH3via the oxygenated (*C2HyO) intermediates. By comparison the CH2CH2 selectivity via the selective C–H bond scission of *CH3CH3 is much lower. The kinetic analysis suggests that the selectivity of PtNi toward syngas can be enhanced by facilitating the formation of key *C2HyO intermediates, while the selectivity toward CH2CH2 is promoted mainly by accelerating the C–H bond scission of *CH3CH2 to produce *CH2CH2.
Dacron and Glass Wool Filtration of Blood

The use of glass or plastic wool filaments to remove adhesive and aggregated platelets and leukocytes from blood being transfused was suggested in 1961 (SWANK, 1961). Since then this method of blood treatment has been tested by a number of investigators in animals (HIRSCH et al., 1964; ALLWEIS et al., 1967; GILBOE et al., 1967), and is now being tested in man1. The principles involved, and methods for both continuous filtration in an extracorporeal system, and for filtration of blood prior to individual transfusions will be the subject of this communication.
Secreted Frizzled-Related Protein-2 Inhibits Doxorubicin-Induced Apoptosis Mediated through the Akt-mTOR Pathway in Soleus Muscle.

Doxorubicin (Dox) is a potent chemotherapeutic drug known for its dose-dependent and serious adverse effects, such as cardiotoxicity and myotoxicity. Dox-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC) and muscle toxicity (DIMT) have been studied; however, the mechanisms of Dox-induced apoptosis in soleus muscle are not well defined. Our data shows that with Dox treatment, there is a significant increase in oxidative stress, apoptosis, proapoptotic protein BAX, pPTEN levels, and wnt3a and β-catenin activity (). Moreover, Dox treatment also resulted in decreased antioxidant levels, antiapoptotic BCL2, pAKT, p-mTOR, and endogenous levels of sFRP2 in the soleus muscle tissue (). Secreted frizzled-related protein 2 (sFRP2) treatment attenuated the adverse effects of DIMT and apoptosis in the soleus muscle, evidenced by a decrease in oxidative stress, apoptosis, BAX, pPTEN, and wnt3a and β-catenin activity, as well as an increase in antioxidants, BCL2, pAKT, p-MTOR, and sFRP2 levels (). This data suggests that Dox-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis is mediated through both the Akt-mTOR and wnt/β-catenin pathways. Moreover, the data also shows that sFRP2 modulates these two pathways by increasing signaling of Akt-mTOR and decreased signaling of the wnt/β-catenin pathway. Therefore, our data suggests that sFRP2 has valuable therapeutic potential in reversing Dox-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in soleus muscle mediated through the Akt-mTOR pathway.
“Why my students didn’t read according to their level?”: An instructor’s reflection in an extensive reading class

The present paper is a novice teacher reflection in an Extensive Reading (ER) course. It attempts to explore the extent to which reflecting on critical incident of a reading level contributes to new understanding of Day and Bamford’s ER principles utilized to design the course. This study found that reflection through critical incidents provides a systematic structure to develop practical pedaogigcal knowledge into teaching. By exercising a critical incident reflection on ER, I was able to critically contextualize Day and Bamford’s ER principles into my current teaching context. It concludes by pointing out how a narrative reflection on critical incidents is needed to understand a novice teacher’s experience when practicing a new approach in teaching.
Clinical Outcomes and Prognostic Features of Angiosarcoma: Significance of Prior Radiation Therapy.

Abstract Aims Angiosarcoma is a rare and aggressive malignancy with a poor prognosis. There is limited literature describing prognostic factors and guidelines for treatment. We aim to describe outcomes in angiosarcoma, including the impact of patient-, tumour- and treatment-related factors on prognosis. Materials and methods Patients with non-metastatic angiosarcoma diagnosed between 2008 and 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. Univariable and multivariable Cox proportional hazards methods were used to evaluate factors associated with locoregional recurrence, distant failure and overall survival. The Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank statistics were used to compare outcomes among patients with and without a history of prior radiation therapy. Results The cohort included 65 patients. The median age at diagnosis was 68 years (35–93). Nineteen patients had a history of receiving prior radiation therapy at the anatomic location of their angiosarcoma. Treatment modalities included surgery (n = 19), surgery + radiation therapy (n = 12), surgery + chemotherapy (n = 8), chemotherapy + radiation therapy (n = 7) and all three modalities (n = 14). The median follow-up was 18 (2–192) months. The 2-year locoregional control, distant control and overall survival were 61.8, 63.6 and 58.9%, respectively. On multivariable analysis, a history of previous radiation therapy was associated with inferior outcomes with respect to locoregional recurrence (hazard ratio 89.67, 95% confidence interval 8.45–951.07, P Conclusion Angiosarcomas that arise as a result of previous radiation therapy have worse outcomes compared with primary angiosarcomas. Although selection bias and compromise of clinical care in radiation therapy-induced angiosarcoma are partially to blame, differences in genomic profiles of the tumours need to be characterised to evaluate the underlying biological differences, as this may guide future treatment management. This study adds to the existing body of literature on angiosarcoma. Results from the current study are presented alongside previously published data to further characterise outcomes and prognostic factors on this rare and aggressive malignancy.
PoeceptibleVR: Reinterpreting Chinese Traditional Calligraphic Poetry in VR with Multiple Scales and Senses

PoeceptibleVR reinterprets Chinese ancient poetry as a multi-sensorial cross-scale aesthetic experience in virtual reality. It enhances, or rather restores the Chinese traditional poem, Chinese characters and character parts to their animated three-dimensional form, allowing viewers to “walk” through and “feel” the poem coming to life. PoeceptibleVR is intended to enable a global audience with little to no knowledge of the Chinese language to appreciate Chinese traditional poetry. It also invites the Chinese to defamiliarize with and rediscover their cultural heritage.
Z.4–5, Essence

Z.4–5 can be understood to investigate form under the guise of essence. Chapter 8 explains why Z.4 says that, strictly speaking, only substantial species have and are essences. Only they have essences said of them simply in virtue of themselves. Other things, including individual composites, have essences secondarily and derivatively. Z.5 sets out an aporia about snub’s essence that can be generalized to be about matter-form essences without offering a solution. Z.4 says that what have essences, strictly speaking, substantial forms, are primary, and not one thing said of another. This doesn’t commit Aristotle to substantial forms as basic constituents. It only means that substantial forms are primary when it comes to having an essence. Individual composites could still be basic constituents.
Military Bases in East Asia: The Case of Okinawa

Okinawa is host to around 70 per cent of Japan’s U.S. bases. The U.S. presence has been and continues to be a controversial issue that is of great concern in the region. When Japan lost the Pacific War in 1945, it was occupied by the Allied forces up until 1952, but Okinawa was occupied for 20 more years, only to be reverted to Japan in 1972. Upon reversion, the main island of Okinawa, occupying only 0.6 per cent of Japan’s land mass, hosted what can be argued to be the densest number of U.S. military bases in the region. This reality has contributed to Okinawa’s contentious history as a peripheral part of the Japanese nation-state, as well as the ambivalences Okinawans feel towards the Japanese mainland.