cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 396: The bile acid receptor FXR suppress colitis-induced colon cancer

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer and a major cause of cancer related death. Colitis-associated colorectal carcinoma (CAC) is a type of CRC that develops in patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD), and is associated with chronic, idiopathic intestinal inflammation. While the underlying cause(s) are poorly understood, environmental factors including high fat diets and aberrant intestinal immune responses contribute to disease progression. Bile acid (BA) overproduction is implicated in diarrhea associated with IBD and CAC. As early sensors of dietary status, BAs are critical mediators of gut inflammation and immunity, in part through their ability to affect the activity of the Farnesoid X Receptor (FXR). FXR is considered the master regulator of BA homeostasis, also a key modulator of the pro- and anti-inflammatory responses in the intestinal epithelium, whose function severely compromised in both CAC patients and in AOM/DSS mouse model. Here, we show that inflammation-induced epithelial abnormalities altered the BAs profile, given the role of the crypt-villus architecture in establishing a BA gradient necessary for homeostasis. In addition, AOM/DSS treatment enhanced immune cell infiltration, as well as induced the formation of massive tumors in the colon. Given that intestinally-restricted FXR agonist FexD can reduced tumorigenesis in APCmin/+ mice, we also treated AOM/DSS mice with FexD. Notably, FexD activated FXR signaling pathway and restored BA homeostasis. Further, it reduced fecal bleeding, intestinal permeability, and decreased serum levels of the late carcinogenesis markers CEA and CA19. Treatment of FexD also resulted in a smaller spleen and reduced pro-inflammatory cytokine levels such as IL17 and IL6. The present study highlights the role of FXR in inflammation induced colon cancer, opening new therapeutic avenues for the treatment of CAC. Citation Format: Ting Fu, Ronald Evans. The bile acid receptor FXR suppress colitis-induced colon cancer [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research 2020; 2020 Apr 27-28 and Jun 22-24. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2020;80(16 Suppl):Abstract nr 396.
Decomposing political advertising effects on vote choices

This paper studies the channels through which political television advertising influences individuals' voting decisions. Scholars are interested to learn whether advertising primarily persuades people to change their choices of candidates or mobilizes people to vote. I find that advertising does both: about 60% to 70% of advertising's effect is persuasion, and 30% to 40% of it is mobilization. Advertising's effects are stronger on those who did not plan to vote for a major-party candidate. To decompose the impact into its components, the present paper estimates a multinomial probit model that permits analysis of decisions of turnout and candidate choice jointly in a Markov chain framework. In contrast to most studies that estimate the effects of aggregated exposure to advertising on voters' choices on Election Day, I study how advertising influences peoples' monthly voting intentions leading up to Election Day. In the context of the 2008 presidential election, the magnitude of the advertising effect is not large enough to overcome John McCain's significant deficit, but it potentially could have changed the outcomes of other close elections such as those in 2000 and 2016.
NanoCaller for accurate detection of SNPs and indels in difficult-to-map regions from long-read sequencing by haplotype-aware deep neural networks

Abstract Variants (SNPs/indels) detection from high-throughput sequencing data remains an important yet unresolved problem. Long-read sequencing enables variants detection in difficult-to-map genomic regions that short-read sequencing cannot reliably examine (for example, only ∼80% of genomic regions are marked as “high-confidence region” to have SNP/indel calls in the Genome In A Bottle project); however, the higher per-base error rate poses unique challenges in variants detection. Existing methods on long-read data typically rely on analyzing pileup information from neighboring bases surrounding a candidate variant, similar to short-read variant callers, yet the benefits of much longer read length are not fully exploited. Here we present a deep neural network called NanoCaller, which detects SNPs by examining pileup information from other candidate SNPs that share the same long reads using long-range haplotype information. With called SNPs by NanoCaller, NanoCaller phases long reads and performs local realignment on two sets of phased reads to call indels by another deep neural network. Extensive evaluation on 5 human genomes (sequenced by Nanopore and PacBio long-read techniques) demonstrates that NanoCaller has greatly improved performance in difficult-to-map regions, compared to other long-read variant callers. We experimentally validated 41 novel variants in difficult-to-map regions in a widely used benchmarking genome, which cannot be reliably detected previously. Finally, we achieved the best performance in Nanopore-based variant calling from MHC regions in the PrecisionFDA Variant Calling Challenge on Difficult-to-Map Regions. In summary, by incorporating haplotype information in deep neural networks, NanoCaller facilitates the discovery of novel variants in complex genomic regions from long-read sequencing data.
Analytical solution based on spatial distortion for a time-harmonic Green's function in a transverse isotropic viscoelastic solid

A strategy of spatial distortion to make an anisotropic problem become isotropic has been previously validated in two-dimensional transverse isotropic (TI) viscoelastic cases. Here, the approach is extended to the three-dimensional problem by considering the time-harmonic point force response (Green's function) in a TI viscoelastic material. The resulting wave field, exactly solvable using a Radon transform with numerical integration, is approximated via spatial distortion of the closed form analytical solution to the isotropic case. Different distortions are used, depending on whether the polarization of the wave motion is orthogonal to the axis of isotropy, with the approximation yielding differing levels of accuracy.
Going Beyond Hooked Participants: The Nibble-and-Drop Framework for Classifying Citizen Science Participation

Many citizen science (CS) programs aim to grow and sustain a pool of enthusiastic participants who consistently contribute their efforts to a specific scientific endeavor. Consequently, much research has explored CS participants’ motivations and their relationship to participant recruitment and retention. However, much of this research has focused on actively participating citizen scientists. If researchers want to elucidate the relationship between participant factors (such as demographics and motivations) and participant retention, it is necessary to develop a more comprehensive picture of the different degrees of participation in CS. This paper presents a framework for classifying participation throughout the participant’s engagement in a CS project/program. We suggest a CS participation model that captures the dynamic nature of participation across an arc of volunteering. Called the Nibble-and-Drop Framework, the model describes multiple exit points and stages of contribution typical of participation in a CS program. Applying the framework to the NASA GLOBE Observer (GO) CS program, we found that it captured the dynamics of participation in a global-scale, mobile, app-based, contributory-style CS project. The framework guided our analysis of how different participant factors correlate with degrees of participation. We found that participants were motivated to initially participate because they wanted to contribute to NASA research and science. Participants who dropped out of the program at various points often initially engaged through specific collection events and did not feel the need to continue contributing beyond the event; other drop-outs doubted whether their contributions were meaningful, showing again the need to ensure that participants understand the value of their engagement in a CS project.
Incidence and Risk Factors for Postpartum Depression among Women with Preterm Prelabor Rupture of Membranes.

OBJECTIVE Patients admitted for preterm prelabor rupture of membranes are more likely to have risk factors for postpartum depression, including preterm delivery, low-birthweight infants, and a stressful life event. However, there is a paucity of data characterizing the development of postpartum depression in this population. We aim to evaluate the incidence of and describe risk factors for postpartum depression among patients admitted with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. STUDY DESIGN This is a retrospective cohort study of patients admitted for preterm prelabor rupture of membranes in a single health system between 2013 and 2019. Patients who developed depression were compared with patients who did not develop depression. Demographic, antepartum/intrapartum/postpartum, and neonatal characteristics were compared. Bivariate statistics were used to compare outcomes and logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios. RESULTS Of 132 included patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes, 25 (18.9%) had postpartum depression. Factors significantly (p < 0.05) associated with postpartum depression included history of depression, anxiety, or any prior mental health condition. Earlier admission gestational age, rupture of membranes < 28 weeks, earlier delivery gestational age, neonatal morbidity, and neonatal necrotizing enterocolitis also were significantly associated with postpartum depression. Latency, maternal postpartum length of stay, and neonatal intensive care unit length of stay were not significantly associated. In regression models, only a history of depression (odds ratio [OR], 11.89; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.78-50.95) and neonatal morbidity (OR, 5.01; 95% CI, 1.15-21.89) remained associated with postpartum depression. CONCLUSION Postpartum depression occurred in nearly one in five patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes. Pre-existing depression and adverse neonatal outcomes strongly predicted postpartum depression. There is an urgent need to prioritize maternal mental health among patients with preterm prelabor rupture of membranes in the peripartum period. Further research is needed to identify optimal resources for mitigating the risk of postpartum depression in this cohort. KEY POINTS · After PPROM, postpartum depression is common.. · Maternal depression and neonatal morbidity are risk factors for PPD.. · Hospital admission permits intervention for PPD..
Challenges in the Diagnosis and Management of Inflammatory Bowel Disease in the Elderly.

Among inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) patients, 4–12 % is diagnosed after the age of 60. Both the rates of elderly and IBD are increasing worldwide. In older patients, the diagnosis of Crohn’s disease (CD) and ulcerative colitis (UC) is made more difficult due to polypharmacy and multimorbidity along with disease processes that mimic IBD. The clinical presentation in older-onset IBD differs from younger patients, and there is minimal disease progression over time. The management of the older IBD patient involves a combination of medical and surgical strategies. Few treatment efficacy studies exist in elderly IBD as most authors have focused on the adverse events related to therapy. A vast number of incident CD and UC cases in elderly have been treated with 5-aminosalicylic acid agents and do not require the use of immune modifying agents or biologics. Many other older IBD patients are prescribed long-term corticosteroids despite guidelines recommending more effective and safer maintenance therapy regimens. Serious infections, malignancy, and drug interactions are the most concerning complications of medical therapy. There are particularly important health care maintenance issues in older IBD patients including vaccinations, colorectal cancer screening, and bone loss prevention.
Wound Inflammation: Emerging Role of miRNA

Wound inflammation occurs in response to injury. It is a coordinated process involving tissues, cells, and an array of soluble, cell-associated, and intracellular factors. The role of certain microRNAs in wound healing and inflammation, in particular (a key process underpinning wound healing), has emerged in recent years. Here, mechanisms involving inflammatory cells, secreted molecules, and miRNAs that can affect wound healing are reviewed. Of interest miR-155, miR-146a, and miR-21, among others, have been shown to have a number of specialized roles in the inflammatory process, Toll-like receptor signaling, and efferocytosis. Other important miRNAs that regulate inflammation are also discussed.
Management's disclosure of hedging activity

Purpose – This study aims to examine how market participants changed the way they process earnings information after learning of the implementation of hedging activities.Design/methodology/approach – Using a sample of derivative user and non‐user firms, this study empirically compares earnings predictability, forecast revision behavior, and the earnings response coefficients before and after the disclosure of sustained hedging activity.Findings – The findings indicate that analysts’ forecast accuracy increased and that unexpected earnings were incorporated into subsequent earnings forecasts to a greater extent subsequent to disclosure of sustained hedging activity. Additionally, the findings indicate an increase in the earnings‐return relation in the hedging activity period.Research limitations/implications – This evidence empirically supports the claim that, when a company communicates that hedging activities have been started, market participants are better able to forecast earnings and view subsequent ...
Anthropology Is Dead! Long Live Anthropology!

Cultural Studies. Lawrence Grossberg, Cary Nelson, and Paula A. Treichler, eds. New York: Routledge, 1992. 798 pp.
A ROSE-Based OpenMP 3.0 research compiler supporting multiple runtime libraries

OpenMP is a popular and evolving programming model for shared-memory platforms. It relies on compilers to target modern hardware architectures for optimal performance. A variety of extensible and robust research compilers are key to OpenMP’s sustainable success in the future. In this paper, we present our efforts to build an OpenMP 3.0 research compiler for C, C++, and Fortran using the ROSE source-to-source compiler framework. Our goal is to support OpenMP research for ourselves and others. We have extended ROSE’s internal representation to handle all OpenMP 3.0 constructs, thus facilitating experimenting with them. Since OpenMP research is often complicated by the tight coupling of the compiler translation and the runtime system, we present a set of rules to define a common OpenMP runtime library (XOMP) on top of multiple runtime libraries. These rules additionally define how to build a set of translations targeting XOMP. Our work demonstrates how to reuse OpenMP translations across different runtime libraries. This work simplifies OpenMP research by decoupling the problematic dependence between the compiler translations and the runtime libraries. We present an evaluation of our work by demonstrating an analysis tool for OpenMP correctness. We also show how XOMP can be defined using both GOMP and Omni. Our comparative performance results against other OpenMP compilers demonstrate that our flexible runtime support does not incur additional overhead.
Optimum Reaction Conditions for Human Lactate Dehydrogenase Isoenzymes as They Affect Total Lactate Dehydrogenase Activity

Optimum reaction conditions at 30° ± 0.5° for two continuous spectrophotometric assay procedures, lactate to pyruvate (L → P) and pyruvate to lactate (P → L), were determined with respect to pH at 30° (pH 30 ) substrate concentration, and coenzyme concentration for the human LDH isoenzymes. For the P → L procedure, broad pH 30 optima were within the range of 7.20-7.40 for all the LDH isoenzymes. The coenzyme optima were identical for all of the isoenzymes tested at a reduced NAD concentration of 1.5 x 10 -4 M. Pyruvate substrate optima ranged from 7.5 x 10 -4 M for LDH 1 to 1.7 x 10 -3 M for LDH 5 at pH 30 7.30. For the L → P procedure, the pH 30 optima were within the range of 8.30-8.88 for the LDH 5 through LDH 1 isoenzymes, respectively. Optimum activity was obtained at a NAD concentration of 6.0 x 10 -3 M and remained constant at least to 1.8 x 10 -2 M for each of the isoenzymes tested. L-Lactate substrate optima ranged from 4.0 x 10 -2 M for LDH 1 to at least 7.2 x 10 -2 M for LDH 5 . From the isoenzyme studies, the degree of variation possibly involved in either method due to variations in isoenzyme distribution was calculated for total LDH samples. These calculations showed that both methods, P → L and L → P, were essentially equivalent. This equivalency was verified by a comparative study of the two methods on human serum samples.
Rostovtzeff's “Social and Economic History of the Hellenistic World” 1

Systems resembling modern etatisme can be traced to antiquity. So can other measures: planned economy in various fields, monopolies with their fixed prices and other burdens, forms of state control which benefited the state or particular individuals, but which compromised the best interests of the people. On the other hand, paying salaries to the poor, unemployed citizens to avert the outbreak of social revolutions, “soaking the rich” by excessive and even ruinous taxation were among the economic measures known to the ancient world also. So were other present-day phenomena: the presence of “haves and have-nots,” inflation, strikes, and the low purchasing power of the masses.
High-stakes information: deciding what constitutes quality in our products of communication

As more information is digitized or born online, issues with assessment and preservation, in the forms of determining, reviewing, and describing it, increase. This is particularly true for what we might term high-stakes information, or information that if not carefully assessed or preserved can result in harmful consequences. With the premise that scholarly information is high-stakes information, the panel will take a tripartite approach to the consideration of what constitutes information quality in three distinct contexts: quality as an element of the research process, quality as a component of the scholarly communication process, and quality as a factor in the storage and long-term access of the product of research. The researchers on this panel will present reviews of the literature and their research findings. After the presentations, the panelists will raise a series of questions in order to foster discussion with the audience.
Pion photoproduction and T> versus Z nuclei

Abstract The T> and T Z nuclei cannot be unambiguously identified in photonuclear reactions. In charged pion photoproduction, their analogs may be so identified (at least for the spinflip levels), as illustrated here with a 13C target.
Beyond the reward hypothesis: alternative functions of nucleus accumbens dopamine

According to the dopamine (DA) hypothesis of reward, DA systems in the brain, particularly in the nucleus accumbens, are thought to directly mediate the rewarding or primary motivational characteristics of natural stimuli such as food, water and sex, as well as various drugs of abuse. However, there are numerous problems associated with this hypothesis. Interference with accumbens DA transmission does not substantially blunt primary motivation for natural rewards such as food, but it does disrupt the propensity of animals to engage in effortful responding to obtain food. Electrophysiological and voltammetric studies indicate that novel stimuli, conditioned stimuli that predict reward, and instrumental behaviors that deliver natural rewards all act to stimulate DA activity. Accumbens DA acts as a modulator of several functions related to motivated behavior, and can influence normal and pathological cognitive function, activational aspects of motivation, anergia or psychomotor slowing in depression, the impact of conditioned stimuli, plasticity and a variety of sensorimotor functions.
Lifetime distributions under unknown environment

Abstract In many reliability applications, lifetime distributions of components of a system are usually assumed to be independent. A drawback to the independence assumption is that the influence of the environment of the system is ignored. In this paper, two similar but different models which incorporate unknown environmental factors are discussed. These models can also be applied to model paired experimental data in clinical trial situations.
Low doses of antigen coupled to anti-CR2 mAbs induce rapid and enduring IgG immune responses in mice and in cynomolgus monkeys

Abstract The complement system and B cell complement receptor 2 (CR2), specific for C component C3dg, play important roles in both the innate and adaptive immune response. We used hapten and protein conjugates of anti-CR2 mAbs as models for C3dg-opsonized antigens and immune complexes to examine the handling of and immune response to these reagents in mice and in non-human primates (NHP). Mice immunized and boosted i.v. with only 100 ng of Alexa 488 rat anti-mouse CR1/2 mAb 7G6 had strong IgG immune responses to the Alexa 488 hapten and to rat IgG, compared to very weak immune responses in mice treated with a comparable isotype control; larger doses of Alexa 488 mAb 7G6 did not increase the immune response. A vaccine constructed by cross-linking anthrax protective antigen to mAb 7G6 proved to be effective at low doses in generating sufficiently high titer serum IgG antibodies to neutralize anthrax lethal toxin in vitro and to protect mice from i.v. challenge with anthrax lethal toxin. When biotinylated HB135, a mouse mAb specific for human CR2, was injected i.v. into NHP, the probe manifested the same initial marginal zone B cell binding and subsequent localization to follicular dendritic cells as we have previously reported for comparable experiments in mice. Moreover, i.v. immunization of NHP with 1 μg/kg of Alexa 488 mAb HB135 promoted an IgG immune response to the Alexa 488 hapten and to mouse IgG. Taken together, these results demonstrate the efficacy of using anti-CR2 mAbs as antigen carriers for i.v. immunization with small amounts of antigens without adjuvant.
Coupling of lactulose and furosine indices for quality evaluation of sterilized milk

The lactulose and furosine indices, describing the extent of lactose isomerization and early Maillard reaction (MR), respectively, are widely used to evaluate the heat load in milk sterilization processes. In this work, the combination of furosine and lactulose values for sterilized milk has been used to provide additional information about the thermal history of the end-product. Samples of UHT milk and inbottle sterilized milk processed under defined conditions (n = 46) or collected from the market (n = 160) were considered. The effects of raw milk pH, of addition of reconstituted milk powder, of processing conditions, and of prolonged storage were investigated. A high correlation between lactulose and furosine levels was found for all the milk samples of known origin and freshly prepared. When lactulose (y) was expressed as mg L−1 and furosine (x) as mg 100 g protein−1, the function of the correlation line was y = 3.02 x– 41.51, with r = 0.99. High values of milk pH enhanced lactose isomerization but did not affect MR. On the contrary, milk drying only promoted intensive MR. This behaviour was also found after prolonged preheating or long storage of sterilized milk. The presence of reconstituted milk powder or overheating of milk was identified in some commercial samples of sterilized milk.
Teaching with robots: a service-learning approach to mentor training

This paper describes a program in which undergraduates mentor teams of local middle and high school students on robotics projects. These teams learn and apply the scientific, mathematical, and computing fundamentals behind the construction of robots and the design of control algorithms. The mentors play a crucial role in the effectiveness of the program. Mentor training has evolved over the five-year life of the program from ad-hoc preparation to a service-learning course where students learn both the technical skills required to design, construct, and test, mobile robots and the pedagogical techniques necessary to mentor middle and high school students. We provide an overview of the program and some evaluation results.
Gram-negative arthritis with a simultaneous urinary tract infection in a renal transplant recipient

Infections are common causes of morbidity in the renal transplant population, but infectious arthritis is rarely encountered. Gram-negative joint infections in the nontransplant population are often associated with simultaneous urinary tract infections. We report a case of Escherichia coli monoarthritis and a concomitant urinary tract infection in a renal transplant recipient and consider the possible predisposing factors for the infection.
Dilemmas of Practice: Challenges to Program Quality Encountered by Youth Program Leaders

To create and sustain high quality youth development programs it is important to understand the challenging situations and dilemmas that emerge in program leaders’ daily work with youth. In this research the experiences of leaders in 12 programs were followed over a 2–9 month period, which led to the identification of 250 dilemma situations. Qualitative analyses identified 5 categories and 12 subcategories of dilemmas that reflected distinct types of considerations (e.g., youth’s personalities, relationships with the community). The analyses also found that the experienced leaders in the study typically responded to these dilemmas in ways that were youth-centered and that balanced multiple considerations. It is argued that researchers need to go beyond identifying features of high quality programs, and more fully examine how effective leaders create and sustain high quality in response to the challenging situations of practice.
Use of percutaneous transperineal 198Au seeds to treat recurrent prostate adenocarcinoma after failure of definitive radiotherapy.

Patients who fail external radiation therapy for prostatic cancer pose a therapeutic challenge. No further external radiation treatment can be delivered safely to the local lesion, although some patients are candidates for salvage surgery. In this study, 31 patients who failed prior external beam radiotherapy received percutaneous transperineal placement of gold seeds (198Au). Initial prostate volume was 17.7 cc and decreased to 10 cc 24 months after 198Au implantation. Of 15 patients biopsied at 12 months after treatment, 4 (27%) were positive, 6 (40%) were negative, and 5 (33%) showed prostate cancer with radiation changes. Two of three patients have died of prostate cancer, with an overall 5-year estimated survival of 67%. Interstitial brachytherapy was found to be an additional welltolerated treatment modality in this group of 31 patients. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
The Founding of Specialist Firms in a Global Fragmenting Industry

The study examines what drives the founding of specialist firms. Two theoretical explanations are tested for the founding of specialists: density dependence and resource partitioning. The study finds that specialists' foundings are dependent on the population's density at the global level, but not at the United States level. The evidence from a fragmented industry does not support the resource partitioning hypothesis, either at the global level or the United States national level. The study shows how multi-level analyses can suggest if an industry is multi-domestic or globally integrated.
An extension of McGarvey’s theorem from the perspective of the plurality collective choice mechanism

In 1953, David McGarvey showed that if the number of voters is unrestricted, then the set of outputs obtained from majority rule is a very general class of binary relations. We will present an extension of McGarvey’s Theorem based on the plurality collective choice mechanism.
Substance Abuse, Aggression, and Violence: What Are the Connections ?: Clinical Update

The authors review the scientific literature linking the use of specific psychoactive substances with aggressive and violent behavior. In general, the effects of alcohol and other drugs on aggression and violence are influenced through the complex interaction of 1) the particular pharmacological effects and dose of the specific drug, 2) the psychological and biological characteristics of substance-using individuals, and 3) the situational context in which the drug use occurs. Furthermore, a model is advanced that delineates the relationship between individual dispositional factors promoting aggression and the resultant occurrence of violent behavior. The authors conclude that the multifactorial nature of this problem emphasizes the need for multimodal strategies of intervention and prevention to reduce the societal impact of violence involving alcohol and other drugs.
Investigation of the multiplet structure in Shpol'skii spectra by calculation of the aromatic—alkane-lattice interaction

Abstract The various insertion modes of coronene and triphenylene in heptane are theoretically determined by finding out the minima of the solute—matrix interaction energies as the orientation of the solute in the solvent cage changes and found to be in agreement with observation. For coronene, distortion is required to reproduce the observed multiple sites. Triphenylene is found to replace two (instead of three) heptane molecules and only one site is found as observed.
Propagation of infinitesimal thermo-mechanical waves during the finite-deformation loading of a viscoelastic material: general theory

We study the theory of propagation of infinitesimal thermo-mechanical waves in a special class of nonlinear viscoelastic materials under homogeneous and inhomogeneous finite static and time-varying deformations. These results are based on a thermodynamically consistent finite-deformation nonlinear viscoelastic model that reduces to a general linear viscoelastic model of integral form. On a thermo-mechanically deforming body, we impose a thermo-mechanical perturbation history and obtain the equations to solve for the perturbation parameters from the constitutive model and the balance laws. We use these equations to study the characteristics of different perturbations. We develop the special equations for both time-harmonic and time-damping plane waves for homogeneous pre-loads.
Leo Strauss’s discovery of the theologico-political problem

Leo Strauss once called the theologico-political problem ‘the theme of my investigations’ from the 1920s on. What justified this remark is by no means obvious. This article examines the origins of Strauss’s concern with political theology in his earliest writings on Zionism and Jewish thought during the Weimar period. Here we see Strauss, at the outset of his career as a young Zionist committed to a programme of political atheism, slowly begin to develop the idea that the conflict between unbelief and belief (Unglauben und Glauben) was the ‘deepest theme of world history’. This awareness, I argue, slowly led Strauss to reassess the adequacy of political Zionism as an answer to the Jewish question and to justify his later claim about the centrality of the theologico-political problem.
Quantification of Trace and Ultra-trace Elements in Nuclear Grade Manufactured Graphites by Fast-Flow Glow Discharge Mass Spectrometry and by Inductively Coupled Plasma – Mass Spectrometry after Microwave – Induced Combustion Digestions

FF-GDMS and MIC-ICP-MS methods were developed for the determination of mg/kg- and μg/kg-level B, Mg, Al, Ca, Ti, V, Cr, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, Zr, Mo, Sb, W and Pb in nuclear-grade graphite. Consistent results have been achieved in determining trace elements like B, Ti, Cr, Mn, Zr, Sb and Pb by both methods, which vary mostly less than ±30%, and are in line with the manufacturer reference values. On Mg, Al, Fe, Co, Zn, Mo and W, FF-GDMS analyses also show good agreement with the manufacturer’s data. Continuing efforts in identifying source of interference, which has limited the MIC-ICP-MS analysis of these elements, is currently underway.
Biochemical characterization of the lysosomes of ehrlich ascites tumor cells

Abstract 1. 1. The presence of lysosome-like particles in Ehrlich ascites tumor cells has been demonstrated by the use of biochemical methods. The intracellular distribution pattern of 4 lysosomal marker enzymes (deoxyribonuclease II, aryl sulfatase, acid phosphotase, and β-galactosidase) and the demonstration of the latency of these enzymes were the two major criteria applied to the identification of the organelles in the particulate fraction obtained by differential centrifugation. Studies on the physical properties of these lysosomes revealed an increased stability as compared to similar particles of rat liver and kidney. The tumor cell lysosomes are further distinguished from those of liver, for example, by having a lower density than mitochondria, the liver lysosomes being denser than mitochondria. 2. 2. A partial purification of deoxyribonuclease II from Ehrlich ascites cells was undertaken because of the contradictory reports in the literature concerning the presence of the enzyme in these cells. The results show that the enzyme is indeed present and displays the characteristics of the deoxyribonuclease II found in normal tissues.
Diet Studies in the Romantic Period

The burgeoning interdisciplinary field of diet studies examines representations of food, eating and drinking, and other aspects of consumption in literary and non-literary texts. It emerged in the field of British Romanticism, at the intersection of materialist and formalist criticisms, and draws on food anthropology, food history and consumption studies. It also seeks to intervene into philosophy and aesthetics by revealing the corporeal and gustatory tropes that sometimes ground these fields. The Romantic period has proven to be a fertile literary moment for questions about diet. Coinciding historically with the consumer revolution, the period between the 1780s and 1830s saw many changes in diet, including the rise of haute cuisine, and the introduction of luxury foods like tea, sugar, coffee and chocolate. Dietary reformers also sought to introduce potatoes into the diets of the poor in the wake of food shortages. In tandem with this historical context, the 18th century is also known as the ‘century of taste’, and diet studies examine the gustatory dimensions of the aesthetic concept of taste. In diet studies, food is read as a sign that can demystify ‘Romantic ideology’ but that can also maintain its status as a figure. In this article, I review some of the most important works in the field, and suggest some of the reasons that diet studies has proved to be such a productive intervention into Romantics studies.
NiO(100) valence-band density of states during hydrogen reduction.

Photoelectron spectroscopy with incident photons of 40--120 eV has been used to determine the valence-band structure of NiO(100) as the surface undergoes slow hydrogen reduction. Low pressure and moderate temperature conditions (1.3\ifmmode\times\else\texttimes\fi{}${10}^{\mathrm{\ensuremath{-}}2}$ Pa and 625 K) allow oxygen to be removed from the near-surface region with a minimal disruption in the NiO(100) substrate. Both NiO(100) ultraviolet photoemission spectroscopy (UPS) and low-energy electron-diffraction features persist at NiO(100) reduced surfaces throughout the reduction process. In addition, reduced nickel features slowly grow into the UP spectra, with the most intense peak found in the NiO band gap. Chemisorbed hydrogen, hydroxyls, and oxygen are also present. Initially, the reduction produces isolated reduced metal species. After \ensuremath{\approxeq}50% depletion of the near-surface oxygen, nucleation of extended Ni metal clusters is observed.
Assessment of In Situ Scour Profile in Sand Using a Jet Probe

Work in this paper presents a device and a process for in situ assessment of erosion potential with depth. The proposed device is termed “in situ erosion evaluation probe” (ISEEP), and the process is developed based upon advancing a rod fitted with a truncated cone jet nozzle into the soil. As water exits the nozzle with controllable velocity and flow rate (induced by an external pump) the probe advances into the subsurface profile and the rate of advancement is measured. The jet flow velocity and the advancement rate of the probe are correlated with a stream power value, and used to estimate soil erodibility parameters. Results from laboratory testing show the feasibility of the concept. An approach for the estimation of a critical stream power and a detachment rate coefficient is presented. Numerical modeling and deployment of the device at a North Carolina barrier island site after hurricane Irene are used to demonstrate the applicability of the proposed concept. Correlations between scour magnitudes, estimated by ISEEP parameters, and those estimated through modeling and field observation are presented and illustrate the viability of ISEEP’s soil erosion parameters as defined by a critical stream power and a detachment rate coefficient.
Open borders: A global-humanist approach to the refugee crisis

Abstract This essay presents a global-humanist approach to assessing, and seeking to ameliorate, the global refugee crisis. Emphasis is placed on the structural roots of the crisis in different forms of violence: inter- and intrastate conflict and underdevelopment. Macro- and microlevel steps to diminish the violence should emphasize expanding recourse to international law and organizations, promoting human rights, and giving the highest priorities to environmental protection and social justice in development assistance to refugees and the Third World states from which most of them have fled.
The Origin of the Differences in (R)- and (S)-Desmethyldesferrithiocin: Iron-Clearing Propertiesa

The iron clearance properties, toxicity, and pharmacokinetics of (R)- and (S)-desmethyldesferrithiocin (DMDFT) are described. The studies were performed in rodent and primate models. While both enantiomers were found to be effective iron chelators with minimal toxicity in the rodents, only (S)-DMDFT was able to induce the clearance of any iron in the primates. In addition, two out of nine of the monkeys given (R)-DMDFT died within 24 h of drug administration. The reason for the differences in iron clearance properties and the apparent toxicity of the (R)-enantiomer in the primates is likely related to the disparities in the pharmacokinetics of the two analogues. The pharmacokinetic data suggest enantioselectivity in renal clearance of the desferrithiocins and their iron complexes with (S)-DMDFT clearance 3.5 times greater than that of (R)-DMDFT, and FeIII [(S)-DMDFT]2 clearance 6.8 times greater than that of FeIII [R-DMDFT]2. In all primates studied FeIII [(R)-DMDFT]2 in the plasma exceeded 25 mg/L (50 microM) for several hours and remained above 10 mg/L (20 microM) at 8 h while levels of FeIII [(S)-DMDFT]2 never exceeded 50 microM and were at or below the limits of detection 8 h post-injection.
THE RATE OF INCREASE IN HYPOPHYSEAL GONADO TROPIC CONTENT FOLLOWING OVARIECTOMY IN THE RAT, WITH OBSERVATIONS ON GLAND WEIGHTS1,2

IN 1929, Evans and Simpson (1) published a report on the rate of increase in pituitary gonadotropic potency following ovariectomy. Hypophyses from rats spayed previously were implanted into immature rats, and ovary weights were taken as the index of gonadotropic activity. The results indicated that a great increase occurred within two weeks after castration, and that the increase thereafter was at a slower rate. Since these authors did not measure hypophyseal potency in terms of some standard unit, and because the implantation methods are subject to considerable error, it was thought worthwhile to re-investigate the problem, using the improved technics of Heller, Lauson and Sevringhaus (2), and to extend it by observations on the effect of castration upon various gland weights.
Somatization symptoms in pediatric abdominal pain patients: relation to chronicity of abdominal pain and parent somatization.

Symptoms of somatization were investigated in pediatric patients with recurrent abdominal pain (RAP) and comparison groups of patients with organic etiology for abdominal pain and well patients. Somatization scores were higher in RAP patients than well patients at the clinic visit, and higher than in either well patients or organic patients at a 3- month followup. Higher somatization scores in mothers and fathers were associated with higher somatization scores in RAP patients, but not in organic or well patients. Contrary to the findings of Ernst, Routh, and Harper (1984), chronicity of abdominal pain in RAP patients was not significantly associated with their level of somatization symptoms. Psychometric information about the Children's Somatization Inventory is presented.
Traumatic bone cyst of the condylar region: report of 2 cases.

The traumatic bone cyst (TBC) has been a recognized entity since 1929, when it was described by Lucas, and subsequently further defined by Rushton. Although “traumatic bone cyst” may misrepresent the nature of the lesion, authors have noted the popularity of this label. This intraosseous entity is also known by a variety of synonyms including solitary bone cyst, simple bone cyst, hemorrhagic bone cyst, unicameral cyst, idiopathic bone cavity, and progressive bone cyst or cavity. Because the classical scalloped radiographic appearance is not diagnostic, nor does the lesion possess clinical specificity, it is important to differentiate it from other forms of pathology occurring in the maxillofacial region, including aneurysmal bone cyst, eosinophilic granuloma, central giant cell granuloma, ameloblastoma, brown tumor of hyperparathyroidism, and osteosarcoma. Most commonly, the TBC involves the body or symphysis of the mandible. It is rarely found in the condyle, with approximately 10 cases currently available. This report describes 2 new cases of TBC in the region of the mandibular condyle.
Relationship between regional shortening and asynchronous electrical activation in a three-dimensional model of ventricular electromechanics.

Introduction: Asynchronous electrical activation can cause abnormalities in perfusion and pump function. An electromechanical model was used to investigate the mechanical effects of altered cardiac activation sequence. Methods and Results: We used an anatomically detailed three-dimensional computational model of the canine ventricular walls to investigate the relationship between regional electrical activation and the timing of fiber shortening during normal and ventricular paced beats. By including a simplified Purkinje fiber network and anisotropic impulse conduction in the model, computed electrical activation sequences were consistent with experimentally observed patterns. Asynchronous time courses of regional strains during beats stimulated from the left or right ventricular epicardium showed good agreement with published experimental measurements in dogs using magnetic resonance imaging tagging methods. When electrical depolarization in the model was coupled to the onset of local contractile tension development by a constant time delay of 8 msec, the mean delay from depolarization to the onset of systolic fiber shortening was 14 msec. However, the delay between the onset of fiber tension and initial shortening varied significantly; it was as late as 60 msec in some regions but was also as early as −50 msec (i.e., 42 msec before depolarization) in other regions, particularly the interventricular septum during free-wall pacing. Conclusion: The large variation in delay times was attributable to several factors including local anatomic variations, the location of the site relative to the activation wavefront, and regional end-diastolic strain. Therefore, we conclude that these factors, which are intrinsic to three-dimensional ventricular function, make the regional sequence of fiber shortening an unreliable surrogate for regional depolarization or electromechanical activation in the intact ventricles. (J Cardiovasc Electrophysiol, Vol. 14, pp. S196-S202, October 2003, Suppl.)
Antihormonal agents. Part 1: HPLC of RU 38486 and its metabolites

Procedures are described for the TLC and reverse phase HPLC analysis of the antihormonal steroid RU 38486 and its metabolites. Conditions are developed for the HPLC of the pure drug substance and a tablet formulation, and also for following its pharmacokinetics and metabolism.
Damage diagnosis and fixture classification using impedance-based sensors

Abstract Assembly fixtures are commonly used to locate rigid and compliant components for joining operations. Piezoelectric (PZT) impedance sensors can be used to individually monitor assembly fixtures and have been proven effective for structural health monitoring applications. The sensors rapidly record significant quantities of data, but must be bonded to a fixture in order to transmit an input signal and record the corresponding output signal. Thus, PZT impedance sensors become a permanent feature of an assembly fixture and may create unique systems defined by the assembly fixture and impedance sensor (AFIS). Previous research has shown success in detecting fixture damage using PZT impedance sensors. This paper extends previous fixture damage detection work to damage diagnosis through the use of data mining classifiers. Classifiers were used in three studies; the first was to show that classifiers can be trained to classify a healthy fixture, fixture damage, and multiple severities of fixture damage in an isolated AFIS. In the second study, classifier generalization was tested by simulating an unknown damage. Lastly, classifiers were used to study the uniqueness (i.e. fixture classification) of two AFIS, which could have implications related to the practical application of classifier models to any AFIS.
The innervation of frog's taste organ: "a histochemical study".

Abstract Morphological investigations on the fungiform papilla of the frog (Rana pipiens) have shown that this taste organ contains two distinct populations of cells: associate and sensory. Messages received by the sensory cells are believed to be transmitted through the mediation of an adrenergic transmitter. This chemical was shown by fluorescence microscopy and electron histochemistry to be stored in synaptic granular vesicles which accumulate at the membrane of the cytoplasmic processes of the sensory cells in typical chemical synaptic complexes. The sensory cell cytoplasmic processes form the presynaptic component of these complexes whose post synaptic components are the nerve fibres supplying the taste buds. These sensory nerve fibres contain agranular vesticles and are probably cholinergic, since they show positive cholinesterase activity at the light and electron microscopical levels.