cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo steroid regulation of aromatase and 5α-reductase in goldfish brain and pituitary

Abstract The full expression of testosterone (T) actions in neuroendocrine tissues requires aromatization and 5α-reduction to estradiol (E2) and 5α-dihydrotestosterone (DHT), respectively. Recently, we documented striking changes in aromatase and 5α-reductase during the annual reproductive cycle of goldfish ( Carassius auratus ). To investigate possible regulatory effects of sex steroids, goldfish were implanted with hormone-filled silastic capsules for 2–5 weeks. Conversion of [ 3 H]androstenedione to estrone or 5α-androstanedione by homogenates of anterior hypothalamus/preoptic area, remaining telencephalon, and whole pituitary (PIT) was used to estimate aromatase and 5α-reductase, respectively. Gonadosomatic index and plasma E2, T, and DHT were monitored as an index of reproductive status and capsule effectiveness. In reproductively inactive fish in which plasma steroids and aromatase were basal (October), E2 or T increased aromatase activity in brain of both sexes but stimulated activity in PIT of females only; DHT was not effective. In a subsequent experiment initiated close to the spawning peak and prior to the seasonal decline in plasma steroids and brain aromatase (April), T increased or maintained brain aromatase in a time-dependent manner. 5α-Reductase activity was unaffected by steroid treatment in both reproductively active and inactive fish. These results indicate that variations in circulating steroids are responsible, at least in part, for changes in brain aromatase during the annual reproductive cycle of goldfish and provide the first evidence for steroid control of pituitary aromatase. The steroid specificity of the induction suggests that an estrogen receptor mechanism is involved. Product (E2)-induced increases in aromatization during the spawning period may be part of a positive feedback loop leading to neural E2 accumulation and culminating in ovulation/spermiation and breeding behavior.
M-INJECTIVE MODULES AND PRIME M-IDEALS

ABSTRACT For a left R-module M, we identify certain submodules of M that play a role analogous to that of prime ideals in the ring R. Using this definition, we investigate conditions on the module M which imply that there is a one-to-one correspondence between isomorphism classes of indecomposable M-injective modules and “prime M-ideals”.
State-variable canonical forms for Prony's method

The parameters of a single-input single-output system (transfer function) are identified from the estimated parameters obtained using Prony's method to provide an exponential fit to the impulse-response data. The various relationships that exist between these two parameter sets are established by using state-variabie canonical forms. It is shown that the observability canonical form arises naturally from the algorithm that constitutes Prony's method. Finally, laboratory data involving the flow of a pesticide through an aquatic microcosm are used to illustrate the methods developed.
Political Philosophy and Sophistry: An Introduction to Plato's Protagoras

This study of Plato's Protagoras seeks not only to advance the understanding of ancient sophistry, a task both important in its own right and essential to the study of the history of political thought, but also to lay a foundation for subsequent inquiries into the connection between ancient sophistry and the relativism characteristic of our age. According to the Protagoras, the chief difference between philosopher and sophist is that the latter wrongly believes himself to be beyond or above the concern for justice as a virtue; the examination of Protagoras' moral teaching, then, proves to be the key to understanding him and therewith the intellectual position he represents.
Bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells ameliorate autoimmune enteropathy independently of regulatory T cells.

Cell-based tolerogenic therapy is a relatively new approach for the treatment of autoimmune diseases. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to be potent immunomodulatory agents in a number of experimental and clinical scenarios; however, their use in various autoimmune diseases is undefined. Herein, we report the efficacy of MSC transplantation in a multiorgan autoimmunity model. Mice with defective peripheral tolerance caused by a deficiency in regulatory T cells were used as a testbed for therapy. After screening multiple target tissues of autoimmune attack, we observed an MSC-specific improvement in the histopathology of the distal ileum of treated mice. We then showed that MSCs can reduce mesenteric lymph node (MLN) cellularity in autoimmune mice during active disease and decrease activated T-cell populations in the MLN. Trafficking studies using enhanced green fluorescent protein (eGFP)-reporter MSCs revealed no appreciable engraftment in the intestine, but it did reveal the presence of eGFP+ cells organized in clusters within the MLN, as well as ancillary nodes. Semiquantitative analysis showed no difference in the number of clusters; however, eGFP+ cells in MLNs compared with ancillary nodes had distinct fibroblastoid morphology and formed a network with neighboring eGFP+ cells. Finally, we show evidence that transplantation of MSCs caused global immunosuppression, as measured by increased CD4+ CD8+ thymocyte production and serum interleukin-10 and decreased serum interferon-γ. These data implicate the intestine as a new site of MSC tolerance induction and should motivate additional studies evaluating the use of MSCs as a treatment for autoimmune enteropathies. Disclosure of potential conflicts of interest is found at the end of this article.
A comparative analysis of pre-and in-service teacher beliefs about readiness and self-competency: Revisiting teacher education for ELLs

Abstract This study addresses differences between pre-and in-service teacher beliefs about readiness and self-competency in helping English language learners' (ELL) language and academic achievement in content area classes. It also examines the role of gender and certain background factors in mediating differences in beliefs while providing suggestions to help pre-service teachers become ready for ELLs in mainstream classes. Three beliefs questionnaires were administered to 83 in-service and 88 pre-service teachers ( n = 171). The multivariate analyses suggested several significant differences between pre-and in-service teachers' beliefs about self-competency and readiness as well as specific recommendations to improve teacher education to better serve ELLs in mainstream classes. Yet, findings also revealed that gender and some background factors appeared to play a role in mediating some of these differences in beliefs. By bringing together the perspectives of both the teachers in training and those in the classroom, this study suggests that content area teachers feel unprepared and unready for mainstream classes with ELLs where they spend most of their school day. Consistent with current approaches to teacher education that aim to empower teachers, these findings, likewise, urge for a teacher-beliefs-driven approach to content area teacher education to ensure equal and inclusive opportunities for all students.
Ionene segmented block copolymers containing imidazolium cations: Structure–property relationships as a function of hard segment content

Abstract Imidazolium ionene segmented block copolymers were synthesized from 1,1′-(1,4-butanediyl)bis(imidazole) and 1,12-dibromododecane hard segments and 2000 g/mol PTMO dibromide soft segments. The polymeric structures were confirmed using 1 H NMR spectroscopy, and resonances associated with methylene spacers from 1,12-dibromododecane became more apparent as the hard segment content increased. TGA revealed thermal stabilities ≥250 °C for all imidazolium ionene segmented block copolymers. These ionene segmented block copolymers containing imidazolium cations showed evidence of microphase separation when the hard segment was 6–38 wt%. The thermal transitions found by DSC and DMA analysis found that the T g and T m of the PTMO segments were comparable to PTMO polymers, namely approximately −80 °C and 22 °C, respectively. In the absence of PTMO soft segments the T g increased to 27 °C The crystallinity of the PTMO segments was further evidence of microphase separation and was particularly evident at 6, 9 and 20 wt% hard segment, as indicated in X-ray scattering. The periodicity of the microphase separation was well-defined at 20 and 38 wt% hard segment and found to be approximately 10.5 and 13.0 nm, respectively, for these ionenes wherein the PTMO soft segment is 2000 g/mol. Finally, the 38 and 100 wt% hard segment ionenes exhibited scattering from correlations within the hard segment on a length scale of approximately 2–2.3 nm. These new materials present structure on a variety of length scales and thereby provide various routes to controlling mechanical and transport properties.
Nitrogen trap bound states in In1−xGaxP☆

Abstract Photoluminescence and absorption data are reported for nitrogen-doped In 1− x Ga x P (0.64 ≲ x ≲ 1.0) demonstrating the existence of a shallow N-trap bound state, N Γ , in the direct-gap composition region. The N Γ state, which is derived from the Γ conduction band minimum, exists along with a deeper bound state, N X , derived from the X minima. These states, which are not observed in N-doped GaP, exhibit non-crossing behavior in the composition region of strong coupling between the N Γ and N X states. This observation is in accord with recent experimental and theoretical work indicating that the N-trap bound states in the related alloy GaAs 1- x P x are produced by a combination of long and short range potentials which should also exist in In 1- x Ga x P.
The Children of Africa in the Colonies: Free People of Color in Barbados in the Age of Emancipation

The Children of Africa in the Colonies: Free People of Color in Barbados in the Age of Emancipation, by Melanie J. Newton, Baton Rouge, Louisiana State University Press, 2008, xiii + 322 pp., US$42...
Electron microscopic immunocytochemical demonstration of blood-retinal barrier breakdown in human diabetics and its association with aldose reductase in retinal vascular endothelium and retinal pigment epithelium

Light-microscopic immunohistochemical staining for albumin has been used to localize sites of blood-retinal barrier (BRB) breakdown in ocular disorders, but the mechanism for BRB compromise cannot be resolved at this level. Using eyes up to 2 days post-mortem from normal patients or from patients with diabetic retinopathy, or other disorders known to cause BRB failure, electron-microscopic immunocytochemistry reveals focal breakdown of the inner BRB, comprised of the retinal vascular endothelium (RVE), which appears to be mediated by diffuse permeation of the RVE cells and by vesicular transport. Permeation of the retinal pigmented epithelial (RPE) cells that comprise the outer BRB also occurs, but there is no evidence of opening of tight junctions between RVE or RPE in any of the disorders evaluated. Increased aldose reductase (AR) expression in the RVE and RPE cells of diabetics as well as in the perivascular retinal astrocytes, which interact with RVE cells to establish the inner BRB, suggests that AR activity and the subsequent intracellular accumulation of sorbitol in these cell types may impair the function of the BRB in diabetes.
Characterization of an iridovirus isolated from the southern mole cricket, Scapteriscus vicinus

Abstract A new iridovirus has been detected from diseased southern mole crickets, Scapteriscus acletus , collected in Brazil during the spring of 1986. This icosahedral virus measuring 146 nm (side-side) to 172 nm (apex-apex) has been purified via Ficoll gradient centrifugation and demonstrated to be infectious to 1st instar Scapteriscus vicinus nymphs. The cytopathology of this virus is typical of the pattern documented for other iridovirus isolates. Characterization of the structural polypeptides by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis revealed an array of 3 major and 17 minor polypeptides ranging in molecular weight from 15.1 to 152.0 kDa. Electrophoresis in agarose gels of purified DNA revealed a single band of high molecular weight. Analysis of various restriction endonuclease (REN) digests of this DNA demonstrated it to have an approximate molecular weight of 144 kilobase pairs. Based on differences in the polypeptide profile and REN profiles we believe this virus is distinct from previously characterized invertebrate iridovirus isolates.
Local Load Balancing for Globally Efficient Routing in Wireless Sensor Networks

One of the limitations of wireless sensor nodes is their inherent limited energy resource. Besides maximizing the lifetime of the sensor node, it is preferable to distribute the energy dissipated throughout the wireless sensor network in order to minimize maintenance and maximize overall system performance. Any communication protocol that involves synchronization of peer nodes incurs some overhead for setting up the communication. We introduce a new algorithm, e3D (energy-efficient Distributed Dynamic Diffusion routing algorithm), and compare it to two other algorithms, namely directed, and random clustering communication. We take into account the setup costs and analyze the energy-efficiency and the useful lifetime of the system. In order to better understand the characteristics of each algorithm and how well e3D really performs, we also compare e3D with its optimum counterpart and an optimum clustering algorithm. The benefit of introducing these ideal algorithms is to show the upper bound on performance...
Bayesian Monte Carlo estimation for profile hidden Markov models

Hidden Markov models are used as tools for pattern recognition in a number of areas, ranging from speech processing to biological sequence analysis. Profile hidden Markov models represent a class of so-called ''left-right'' models that have an architecture that is specifically relevant to classification of proteins into structural families based on their amino acid sequences. Standard learning methods for such models employ a variety of heuristics applied to the expectation-maximization implementation of the maximum likelihood estimation procedure in order to find the global maximum of the likelihood function. Here, we compare maximum likelihood estimation to fully Bayesian estimation of parameters for profile hidden Markov models with a small number of parameters. We find that, relative to maximum likelihood methods, Bayesian methods assign higher scores to data sequences that are distantly related to the pattern consensus, show better performance in classifying these sequences correctly, and continue to perform robustly with regard to misspecification of the number of model parameters. Though our study is limited in scope, we expect our results to remain relevant for models with a large number of parameters and other types of left-right hidden Markov models.
Robust and Adaptive Nonlinear Model Predictive Controller for Unsteady and Highly Nonlinear Unmanned Aircraft

The nonlinear and unsteady nature of aircraft aerodynamics in the presence of adverse conditions and external disturbances, together with a limited range of flight variables makes the use of the linear control theory inadequate in such conditions. To address these constraints and significantly enhance aircraft control capabilities, this brief presents an adaptive framework for a robust nonlinear model predictive control (NMPC). Control algorithms are tested on a 1100-pound unmanned aerial system, with nonlinear, coupled, and unstable open-loop dynamics, subjected to environmental disturbances and measurement noise. Given the usual frequency content exclusion between disturbance and noise, this solution addresses the lack of robustness in model predictive control by the inclusion of frequency-dependent weighting matrices and a nonlinear version of the mixed sensitivity approach. Furthermore, real-time aerodynamic parameter estimation and predictive model updating is carried out by online adaptive artificial neural networks. Through assessment and validity of control algorithms, it is demonstrated that two originally competing control concepts, robustness and performance, are integrally attained in real time. This is usually unreachable in the classical NMPC framework for complex systems.
MicroRNA Expression Profiling Identifies Activated B Cell Status in Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia Cells

Chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is thought to be a disease of resting lymphocytes. However, recent data suggest that CLL cells may more closely resemble activated B cells. Using microRNA (miRNA) expression profiling of highly-enriched CLL cells from 38 patients and 9 untransformed B cells from normal donors before acute CpG activation and 5 matched B cells after acute CpG activation, we demonstrate an activated B cell status for CLL. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) identified statistically-significant similarities in miRNA expression between activated B cells and CLL cells including upregulation of miR-34a, miR-155, and miR-342-3p and downregulation of miR-103, miR-181a and miR-181b. Additionally, decreased levels of two CLL signature miRNAs miR-29c and miR-223 are associated with ZAP70+ and IgVH unmutated status and with shorter time to first therapy. These data indicate an activated B cell status for CLL cells and suggest that the direction of change of individual miRNAs may predict clinical course in CLL.
pH-responsive nanogated ensemble based on gold-capped mesoporous silica through an acid-labile acetal linker.

A new pH-responsive hybrid nanogated ensemble has been developed by using acetal group linked gold nanoparticle capped mesoporous silica. The hydrolysis of acetal linker at acidic environment makes the gold nanoparticles work as a gatekeeper to control the release of guest molecules from mesoporous silica under different pH’s.
Women in Development

Women and Technological Change in Developing Countries. Roslyn Dauber and Melinda L. Cain, eds. Women and the Social Costs of Economic Development: Two Colorado Case Studies. Elizabeth Moen, Elise Boulding, Jane Lillydahl, and Risa Palm. The Domestication of Women: Discrimination in Developing Societies. Barbara Rogers.
DNA-based HLA typing of nonhematopoietic tissue used to select the marrow transplant donor for successful treatment of transfusion-associated graft-versus-host disease.

recipient. Wedescribe thecaseofan8-month-old malewitha severe combined immunodeficiency syndrome whodeveloped TAGVHD after receiving an unirradiated transfusion. Serologic HIAtyping oftheparents, thepatient, andtheblood donordemonstrated theforeign origin ofcirculating lymphocytes, confirming thediagnosis ofTAGVHD.Themanifestations of TAGVHDdidnotrespond tomedical immunosuppressive therapy, andbonemarrowtransplantation was planned totreat theunderlying immunodeficiency aswellastheTAGVHD.ByusingDNA-based class Iand class IIHLA typing, thechild's HLAtype wasdetermined fromnonhematopoietic tissues. Thisinformation proved critical inselecting thebonemarrowdonor. Thechild received immunosuppression, myeloablation, and aT-depleted, maternal bonemarrowgraft mismatched atoneHLA class IIallele. Trilineage hematopoietic engraftment occurred within 3weeks, andthechild remains clinically stable withnoevidence ofTAGVHD morethan2yearsafter thetransplant. Thiscaseillustrates thatTAGVHD canbesuccessfully treated by allogeneic bonemarrowtransplantation andthatDNA-based HIAtyping canplaya uniqueroleinthe diagnosis andmanagement ofTAGVHD.
Stress-induced cell death is mediated by ceramide synthesis in Neurospora crassa.

The combined stresses of moderate heat shock (45°C) and analog-induced glucose deprivation constitute a lethal stress for Neurospora crassa. We found that this cell death requires fatty acid synthesis and the cofactor biotin. In the absence of the cofactor, the stressed cells are particularly sensitive to exogenous ceramide, which is lethal at low concentrations. When we extracted endogenous sphingolipids, we found that unique ceramides were induced (i) by the inhibitory glucose analog 2-deoxyglucose and (ii) by combined heat shock and 2-deoxyglucose. We determined that the former is a 2-deoxyglucose-modified ceramide. By structural analysis, we identified the latter, induced by dual stress, as C18(OH)-phytoceramide. We also identified C24(OH)-phytoceramide as a constitutive ceramide that continues to be produced during the combined stresses. The unusual C18(OH)-phytoceramide is not made by germinating asexual spores subjected to the same heat and carbon stress. Since these spores, unlike growing cells, do not die from the stresses, this suggests a possible connection between synthesis of the dual-stress-induced ceramide and cell death. This connection is supported by the finding that a (dihydro)ceramide synthase inhibitor, australifungin, renders cells resistant to death from these stresses. The OS-2 mitogen-activated protein kinase, homologous to mammalian p38, may be involved in the cell death signaling pathway. Strains lacking OS-2 survived the combined stresses better than the wild type, and phosphorylated OS-2 increased in wild-type cells in response to heat shock and combined heat and carbon stress.
A Convection Reaction Diffusion (CRD) Equation Model for 2-d Transition Pressure Fluctuation Behavior

[Abstract] The focus of this research is the derivation of a model for turbulent spot generation in a laminar-turbulent transitioning boundary layer. This analysis utilizes a phenomenological differential equation (convection-reaction-diffusion; CRD) model, extended from Fowler and Howell’s [1] transitional pipe flow model to be valid for flat plate boundary layer flow. The major quantities of interest are the period/frequency and amplitude associated with the turbulent spots which then yield estimates of the associated turbulent intermittency and fluctuating velocity field. Solving the pressure Poisson equation ultimately gives the pressure fluctuation behavior. Pressure results are presented in terms of the power-spectral-density. Comparison of these quantities with available experimental data suggests that the model is both viable and practically useful. Finally we note that the analyses described here are marked by a rather high level of physical and mathematical approximation. Though perhaps inherently unsatisfying, we believe without significant freedom for approximation, there is very little potential for obtaining useable/engineering results to this problem
Do Frontline Mechanisms Matter? Impact of Quality and Productivity Orientations on Unit Revenue, Efficiency, and Customer Satisfaction

Abstract This study identifies a frontline mechanism comprising autonomy, cohesion, and feedback that helps explain when and why the simultaneous pursuit of quality and productivity orientations has positive or negative effects on unit revenue, efficiency, and customer satisfaction. An empirical test of the proposed framework using data from 423 employees in 30 strategic business units and longitudinal unit-level performance data indicates that frontline autonomy mediates the positive impact of productivity and quality orientations on unit revenue and customer satisfaction and their negative impact on unit efficiency. Feedback amplifies the influence of frontline autonomy by simultaneously enhancing its positive effect on satisfaction and its negative effect on efficiency. In contrast, unit cohesion strengthens the positive effect of frontline autonomy on revenue and customer satisfaction without augmenting its negative effect on unit efficiency. The results urge managers to shift their focus toward unit-...
Metabolic syndrome and arterial elasticity in youth

Objective To compare arterial elasticity in children, adolescents, and young adults with and without metabolic syndrome (MetS), and to assess which MetS components, demographic measures, and body composition measures are associated with arterial elasticity.
In Vivo Imaging of the Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor 1 (mGluR1) with Positron Emission Tomography: Recent Advance and Perspective

The metabotropic glutamate 1 receptors (mGluR1) have been shown to play a role in neuropathic pain and neu- rological and psychiatric disorders such as ischemia, epilepsy, anxiety, as well as schizophrenia and other cognition- related disorders. As a result, mGluR1 has been an important target for drug development. As a radiotracer-based in vivo imaging technique Positron Emission Tomography (PET) is an important tool in the investigation of receptor function in the living brain under normal conditions and its dysfunction in diseases, as well as in the study of receptor occupancy by experimental therapeutic agents. In this report we review the development and evaluation of PET radiotracers for mGluR1 and provide an assessment of the tracers that are likely to succeed in the imaging and quantification of mGluR1 in hu- mans.
Assessment of Liver Fibrosis: Can Serum Become the Sample of Choice?

Chronic hepatitis is a relatively common problem; worldwide, an estimated 350 million individuals are chronically infected with hepatitis B (HBV), 170 million are chronically infected with hepatitis C (HCV), and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease is predicted to reach epidemic proportions with the rapidly increasing prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes mellitus. Chronic hepatitis causes relatively minor symptoms by itself, but it may progress to cirrhosis (the 10th leading cause of death in the United States) and hepatocellular carcinoma (the 3rd leading cause of cancer death world wide). Although exact figures are lacking, it is estimated that ∼20%–30% of persons with chronic HBV or HCV will develop cirrhosis if untreated; however, successful treatment of HBV and HCV seems to prevent progression to cirrhosis and reduces the likelihood of or prevents development of hepatocellular carcinoma (1)(2). There are two major components to chronic hepatitis: necroinflammatory activity and fibrosis. The laboratory finding most correlated with activity is release of hepatocyte cytoplasmic enzymes such as aspartate and alanine aminotransferases. Unfortunately, the feature that best correlates with likelihood of developing cirrhosis is fibrosis; there is no correlation between aminotransferase activities and fibrosis. Liver biopsy has been considered the gold standard for evaluation of extent of fibrosis, but it has considerable limitations. Biopsy is an expensive, invasive procedure with a considerable risk of complications (particularly bleeding) and a small chance (<1:1000) of death. Chronic hepatitis does not affect the liver uniformly; the extent of fibrosis may vary from one part of the liver to another, and liver biopsy samples only 1:50 000th of the mass of the liver. Even with adequate-sized biopsies, cirrhosis may be missed in 15%–30% of liver biopsies. Moreover, inter- and intraobserver agreement in liver biopsy interpretation are less than optimal, although agreement is generally high for the more …
Ethical issues in research with homeless youths

Title. Ethical issues in research with homeless youths. Aim. This paper is a report of a study to documente researcher, healthcare provider and programme administrators’ experiences with ethical issues in research with homeless youths in North America. Background. While there are legal and ethical guidelines for research with adolescents and with vulnerable populations in general, there are no specific guidelines for the ethical conduct of research with homeless youths. Methods. Using a web-based questionnaire, healthcare and social service providers, programme administrators and researchers working with homeless young people throughout the United States of America and Canada were surveyed in 2005. The survey group consisted of 120 individuals; a total of 72 individuals completed the survey. Survey questions included experiences with using incentives in research with homeless youths, consent and experiences with ethics review boards. Numerical data were analysed using frequencies and cross-tabulations. Text data were analysed qualitatively. Findings. Researchers doing mental health and/or substance use research tended to use money as a research incentive, whereas healthcare providers and programme administrators tended to use non-monetary incentives. The majority of respondents reported using written consent for research from homeless youths, including minors. Respondents reporting difficulties with ethics review boards were mainly involved with intervention research. Conclusion. Consensus is needed from a variety of stakeholders, including homeless youths and service providers, on use of various types of research incentives for different types of research, as well as use of consent for homeless youths who are minors.
Is ginger effective for the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome? A double blind randomized controlled pilot trial.

Summary Objectives Ginger is one of the most commonly used herbal medicines for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) but no data exists about its effectiveness. Design Double blind randomized controlled trial. Setting University of North Carolina, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA. Intervention Forty-five IBS patients were randomly assigned to three groups: placebo, 1 g of ginger, and 2 g of ginger daily for 28 days. Main outcome measures The IBS severity scale (IBS-SS) was administered, as well as adequate relief of symptoms scale. A responder was defined as having at least 25% reduction in IBS-SS post-treatment. Results There were 57.1% responders to placebo, 46.7% to 1 g and 33.3% to 2 g of ginger. Adequate relief was reported by 53.3% on placebo and 53.3% in both ginger groups combined. Side effects were mild and reported by 35.7% in the placebo and 16.7% in the ginger groups. Conclusions This double blind randomized controlled pilot study suggests ginger is well tolerated but did not perform better than placebo. Larger trials are needed before any definitive conclusions can be drawn.
Examining the safety of prednisolone acetate 1% nasal spray for treatment of nasal polyposis.

Background: Topical intranasal corticosteroid sprays are a mainstay of treatment for nasal polyposis. Newer treatment strategies for refractory polypoid disease include “off label” topical steroids such as prednisolone acetate. This study investigates the safety of intranasal prednisolone acetate; evaluating its effect on serum cortisol and adrenocorticotropin hormone (ACTH) levels. Methods: This retrospective study included adult patients with refractory nasal polyposis, who had not taken oral steroids for 3 months prior to entry into the study. Patients applied 2 sprays of 1% prednisolone acetate delivered via a 15-mL standardized spray bottle twice daily. Morning serum cortisol and ACTH levels were collected prior to treatment and 6 to 8 weeks posttreatment. Pretreatment and posttreatment values were compared. Results: Nine patients were included in this study. The average serum cortisol and ACTH levels prior to treatment was 12.09 μg/dL (95% confidence interval [CI], 6.94–17.24) and 12.33 ng/L (95% CI, 8.97–15.70), respectively. After 6 to 8 weeks of treatment, the average serum cortisol and ACTH levels were 11.76 μg/dL (95% CI, 9.51–14.00) and 13.22 ng/L (95% CI, 10.68–15.77), respectively. There was no statistically significant difference between pretreatment and posttreatment values for cortisol (p = 0.89) or ACTH (p = 0.63). Conclusion: Intranasal delivery of prednisolone acetate, at the specified dose, does not result in suppression of the adrenal axis. It can be considered as a safe alternative for management of aggressive nasal polyposis refractory to traditional treatment strategies. © 2012 ARS-AAOA, LLC.
Nucleotide Diversity in Gorillas

Comparison of the levels of nucleotide diversity in humans and apes may provide valuable information for inferring the demographic history of these species, the effect of social structure on genetic diversity, patterns of past migration, and signatures of past selection events. Previous DNA sequence data from both the mitochondrial and the nuclear genomes suggested a much higher level of nucleotide diversity in the African apes than in humans. Noting that the nuclear DNA data from the apes were very limited, we previously conducted a DNA polymorphism study in humans and another in chimpanzees and bonobos, using 50 DNA segments randomly chosen from the noncoding, nonrepetitive parts of the human genome. The data revealed that the nucleotide diversity (pi) in bonobos (0.077%) is actually lower than that in humans (0.087%) and that pi in chimpanzees (0.134%) is only 50% higher than that in humans. In the present study we sequenced the same 50 segments in 15 western lowland gorillas and estimated pi to be 0.158%. This is the highest value among the African apes but is only about two times higher than that in humans. Interestingly, available mtDNA sequence data also suggest a twofold higher nucleotide diversity in gorillas than in humans, but suggest a threefold higher nucleotide diversity in chimpanzees than in humans. The higher mtDNA diversity in chimpanzees might be due to the unique pattern in the evolution of chimpanzee mtDNA. From the nuclear DNA pi values, we estimated that the long-term effective population sizes of humans, bonobos, chimpanzees, and gorillas are, respectively, 10,400, 12,300, 21,300, and 25,200.
FIR digital filtering of delta modulated signals

The problem of the implementation of an FIR (finite impulse response) filter which has delta modulated (DM) signals of the same step size and bit rate at input and output is considered. Algorithms are proposed for the direct implementation of a DM multiplier with arbitrary constant and a full-adder using piecewise linear approximation. Error analysis is performed for these algorithms, and simple hardware implementations are proposed. The design of DM systems so that the direct arithmetic operations are possible is considered. Finally, FIR filters based on the proposed arithmetic units are designed, and computer simulation results are presented. >
Subtypes of Non-Suicidal Self-Injury Based on Childhood Adversity

The aim of this study was to examine the latent clusters in non-suicidal self- injury (NSSI) based on childhood adversity. Data were derived from Waves I (2001-2002) and II (2004-2005) of the National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Con- ditions, a nationally representative sample of U.S. adults. Individuals engaging in NSSI (N = 672) comprised the analytic sample. Latent class statistical analysis was undertaken to elucidate the latent structure of NSSI based on child experiences of physical and sexual abuse, neglect, and family violence. Four-classes of respondents were identified vis-a `-vis childhood adversities. A low abuse/neglect class (35.7 % of respondents, 91.1 % male) demonstrated less mental health and substance use comorbidity and antisocial behavior. A sexual abuse class (43.1 % of respondents, 98.6 % female) evinced somewhat lower levels of antisocial behavior than the other classes but similarly high levels of mental health disorder and a non-sexual abuse/neglect class (8.3 % of respondents, 91.5 % male) char- acterized by varied and intensive forms of antisocial and externalizing behaviors. Finally, a severe high abuse/neglect/family violence class (12.95 % of respondents, 100 % female) demonstrated high levels of clinical psychiatric and personality disorders. The current project is a nationally representative study of NSSI latent clusters and extends and vali- dates the existence of NSSI subtypes revealed by prior research.
A Measurement-Based Model for Workload Dependence of CPU Errors

This paper proposes and validates a methodology to measure explicitly the increase in the risk of a processor error with increasing workload. By relating the occurrence of a CPU related error to the system activity just prior to the occurrence of an error, the approach measures the dynamic CPU workload/failure relationship. The measurements show that the probability of a CPU related error (the load hazard) increases nonlinearly with increasing workload; i.e., the CPU rapidly deteriorates as end points are reached. The load hazard is observed to be most sensitive to system CPU utilization, the I/O rate, and the interrupt rates. The results are significant because they indicate that it may not be useful to push a system close to its performance limits (the previously accepted operating goal) since what we gain in slightly improved performance is more than offset by the degradation in reliability. Importantly, they also indicate that conventional reliability models need to be reevaluated so as to take system work-load explicity into account.
Effect of compensation and correlation on conduction near the metal non-metal transition

This paper reviews the experimental evidence which demonstrates that the critical impurity concentration N c for the metal non-metal transition increases when the concentration n of charge carriers...
Patient perspectives on intraoperative awareness with explicit recall: report from a North American anaesthesia awareness registry

Background Awareness during general anaesthesia is a source of concern for patients and anaesthetists, with potential for psychological and medicolegal sequelae. We used a registry to evaluate unintended awareness from the patient's perspective with an emphasis on their experiences and healthcare provider responses. Methods English-speaking subjects self-reported explicit recall of events during anaesthesia to the Anesthesia Awareness Registry of the ASA, completed a survey, and submitted copies of medical records. Anaesthesia awareness was defined as explicit recall of events during induction or maintenance of general anaesthesia. Patient experiences, satisfaction, and desired practitioner responses to explicit recall were based on survey responses. Results Most of the 68 respondents meeting inclusion criteria (75%) were dissatisfied with the manner in which their concerns were addressed by their healthcare providers, and many reported long-term harm. Half (51%) of respondents reported that neither the anaesthesia provider nor surgeon expressed concern about their experience. Few were offered an apology (10%) or referral for counseling (15%). Patient preferences for responses after an awareness episode included validation of their experience (37%), an explanation (28%), and discussion or follow-up to the episode (26%). Conclusions Data from this registry confirm the serious impact of anaesthesia awareness for some patients, and suggest that patients need more systematic responses and follow-up by healthcare providers.
A Lighthouse for Urban Agriculture: University, Community, and Redefining Expertise in the Food System

This article advances the concept of the agroecological “lighthouse” as a civic space for learning and participating in the principles and practices of urban food production. As urbanization threatens to encourage the increased industrialization of agriculture, growing food in cities promises to alleviate this pressure while creating new opportunities for community empowerment and greater access to sustainable, healthy, and affordable food. This kind of transition, I argue, will demand social relations that bridge science, practice, and movement—and that cut in surprising ways across traditional boundaries between university and community. Drawing from a recent experience in an Urban Agroecology shortcourse in Berkeley, California, I illustrate what such relationships might look like, profiling the caretaker of one backyard garden in the Bay Area. This urban grower effuses what James Scott calls metis , moving fluidly across institutional boundaries, experimenting with agroecological innovations, and offering his space as a lighthouse commons for participatory learning. Interestingly, he is not a PhD, but a retired postal worker. With the stakes mounting for progress in food security across the urban-rural divide, the agroecological lighthouse opens up potential for new researcher-farmer partnerships as well as a means for expanding what we consider legitimate knowledge-making communities. Advancing the notion of a “lighthouse extension model,” I challenge the discourse of mainstream cooperative extension, arguing that a more egalitarian food system will likely emerge from participation by those traditionally excluded from shaping it.
Libros escolares y educación primaria en la ciudad de Lima durante el siglo XIX.

Este articulo identifica las obras que se usaban con mayor frecuencia en las escuelas primarias de la ciudad de Lima durante el siglo XIX y explica los motivos por los cuales gozaron de la preferencia de los maestros e, indirectamente, de los padres de familia. En este texto se examinan en detalle los objetivos asignados a la educacion primaria por el gobierno central, las autoridades locales y los intelectuales de la epoca. Luego se analizan las motivaciones culturales y practicas que los maestros tuvieron para adoptar determinados textos. --- This article identifies the textbooks which were most frequently used in primary schools in Lima during the XIX century and analyzes the motives which explain why they were preferred by teachers and, indirectly, parents. The article examines in detail the objectives of primary education as determined by the central government, local authorities, and intellectuals during this period. Finally, it will analyze the cultural motivations and practices which led the teachers to adopt certain texts.
Atmospheric Moisture-Precipitation Relations

Relationships are established between water vapor inflow, precipitable water depth, and surface precipitation, in Illinois, under average and extreme weather conditions. The water vapor inflow and precipitable water depth normally maximize in summer, but the percentage of the water vapor precipitated as rain or snow is greatest in spring. Normally, nearly 50% of the water vapor is contained in the lower 5,000 ft. Studies of severe rainstorms indicate that an extremely moist atmosphere is not necessary for the development of such storms, although the moisture inflow and concentration is usually above normal. The average precipitation efficiency in winter and summer storms is found to be nearly equal, with heavier summer rainstorms resulting from a greater inflow of water vapor. Analyses of dry periods of five days or longer and of a severe twelve-month drought indicate no distinct trend for large departures from normal depths of precipitable water in such periods.
Computing rock physics trends using sandstone micro‐CT images and digital mineral precipitation

Modern imaging technology provides high-resolution x-ray computer tomographies of Fontainebleau sandstone on the microscale. The 3-D images of the true rock microgeometries allow hydraulic and elastic rock properties to be estimated accurately and efficiently with the help of digital rock physics. Furthermore, image processing algorithms allow to add an additional material phase to the pore space, thus making it possible to compute porosity-permeability trends which reflect the effects of mineral precipitation. Based on the distance of individual pore voxels to the grain walls, three different precipitation patterns are generated. It turns out that at permeabilities around 0.15, the permeability is insensitive to the distribution of precipitated solid material in the pore space. At low porosities close to the percolation threshold, material in small pores may close flowpaths and may create a significant amount of disconnected porosity, which effectively reduces hydraulic permeability. The computer simulations are in agreement with laboratory measurement of permeability changes associated with salt precipitation.
Molecular Simulations on the Structure and Dynamics of Water Methane Fluids between Na-Montmorillonite Clay Surfaces at Elevated Temperature and Pressure

The structure and dynamics of water–methane fluids between clay surfaces are investigated through the grand-canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) and molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. The chemical potentials of water and methane at the temperatures and pressures corresponding to different burial depths are calculated. These chemical potentials are used in the GCMC simulations to determine the water and methane contents in the clay interlayer at a burial depth of 6 km. The results are used as initial inputs for further MD simulations to investigate the static and dynamic properties of the confined fluid. Simulation results show that initial clay swelling is dominated by water adsorption into clay interlayer, followed by the formation of methane hydrates as the basal spacing increases. Methane content in clay is found to increase in a step fashion, from initial inner-sphere complex to both inner- and outer-sphere structures. It is found that methane is not fully coordinated by water molecules due to the low densi...
Applying Rock Physics Inversion for Understanding Depositional Architecture in Deepwater Clastic Reservoirs: Okume Field, Equatorial Guinea

Summary: One of the primary roles of the production subsurface team is to make dynamic models of the reservoir that can be used for production forecasting, reserve determination, and reservoir management. The presence of baffles and barriers associated with the sand distribution impact the behavior within the reservoir of oil production flow, water injection flow and aquifer encroachment. The effectiveness of a water injection program and of reservoir drainage cannot be effectively modeled without first understanding the distribution of the discontinuities of these baffles and barriers in the hydrocarbon bearing zones as well as in the connected aquifers. The Beacon Channel paper discussed by Beaubouef et al. (2011) demonstrated that the ability to history match complex deepwater reservoirs where it is difficult to accurately map the fine details of the reservoir, can be done reasonably well if the major baffle and barrier sites can be modelled correctly. Through the integration of both time lapse difference volumes and 3D/4D RPI data it is possible to identify and map likely barriers in complex deepwater reservoirs.
The Reservoir Characteristics and Controlling Factors of Changxing Formation in Yuanba Area

Comprehensive analyses and researches were performed based on cast thin section,drilling core data and the data of predecessors' studies,it was considered that the reef beach facies of platform edge and biodetritus shallow facies of platform edge were the most favorable facies for reservoir development in the area,intercrystal dissolved pores and intercrystal pores were the main types of reservoir space,the next was residual intergranular pores,residual dissolved pores,developed pores,dissolved vugs,fractures.Low porosity and low permeability and middle porosity and high permeability reservoir were dominated,the correlation between porosity and permeability was good.Pore and fractured pore types reservoirs are dominated,reservoirs of Type II,III are the main ones,Type I is developed.The analysis of reservoir characteristics shows that the good quality reservoirs are controlled by sedimentary facies,the growth of fractures contributes to the improvement of reservoir property,the latest diagenesis is the key factor of good reservoir development.