cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Defective generation of tetanus-specific antibody-producing B cells after in vivo immunization of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients.

Abstract In vivo booster immunization with tetanus toxoid normally results in the temporal development of circulating populations of B cells that secrete antibody after in vitro culture. In assessing the humoral immunoregulatory status in patients with inflammatory bowel disease, we found that the antibody production by the B cells that spontaneously secrete tetanus-specific immunoglobulin G in vitro, and which occur in the circulation 7 days postimmunization, was highly variable and below normal in the majority of Crohn's disease and ulcerative colitis patients. The decreased in vitro antibody responses correlated with the lack of an increase in the serum antitetanus immunoglobulin G titers, but did not correlate with disease activity, location, or steroid therapy. The majority of patients who did not produce an immunoglobulin G-antitetanus toxoid antibody response similarly failed to produce an immunoglobulin G-antidiphtheria antibody response after immunization. Lymphocytes from the patients who failed to produce normal levels of antitetanus toxoid antibody did, however, proliferate normally when stimulated by tetanus toxoid in vitro. These results suggest there are in vivo humoral immune defects in inflammatory bowel disease.
Couples: Problems and Solutions

This chapter addresses using strategic solution while working with couples. It presents a format for an initial conjoint session that elicits separate problem descriptions and miracle scenarios from each partner. Indications for conjoint versus individual follow-up are suggested, and ways of dealing with animosity, secrets, and infidelity are discussed. From a systemic perspective, any time a client comes in complaining about a partner in a significant intimate relationship, the therapist addresses a “couple's problem,” regardless of whether or not that partner is in the room. The therapy that begins with both partners present may rapidly become individual therapy with one or both people; conversely, when individual therapy addresses a relationship problem, the partner may soon be involved in a conjoint appointment and/or an individual session. After both partners' perceptions of the problem have been identified, the therapist shifts the focus to elaboration of the solution.
Biofilm development with an emphasis on Bacillus subtilis.

Our understanding of the molecular mechanisms involved in biofilm formation has increased tremendously in recent years. From research on diverse bacteria, a general model of bacterial biofilm development has emerged. This model can be adjusted to fit either of two common modes of unicellular existence: nonmotile and motile. Here we provide a detailed review of what is currently known about biofilm formation by the motile bacterium Bacillus subtilis . While the ability of bacteria to form a biofilm appears to be almost universal and overarching themes apply, the combination of molecular events necessary varies widely, and this is reflected in the other chapters of this book.
The Persistence of County High School Dropout Rates in the Rural South, 1970-2000

This paper investigates Smith\'s (1989) thesis that county drop out rates have been self-perpetuating in the rural South, a pattern reinforced by the presence of mining and manufacturing employers with few skill demands. The results show that the associations of mining and manufacturing with high drop out rates, notable as late as 1980, have largely disappeared. But counties with high proportions of female headed families and low young adult (age 25-44) education continue to have little improvement in high schools completion. The extent of perpetuation of low education varies by state, whether due to differences education policies or economic structures.
DNS of Drag Reduction by Dilute Polymer Solutions in a Turbulent Channel Flow

Drag reduction by dilute polymer solutions is investigated by DNS. Computations were performed in turbulent channel flows at a base Reynolds number of Re ∼ 230 using a mixed Eulerian/Lagrangian scheme with a FENE-P dumb- bell model of the polymer. The full range of drag reduction from onset to Maximum Drag Reduction (MDR) is captured in DNS with realistic polymer parameters and concentrations. Investigation of the effect of polymer extensibility, relaxation time, and concentration on drag reduction shows the Weissenberg number (Weτ°) to be the most critical parameter in determining the magnitude of drag reduction, with the other parameters having only a secondary e3ect. Saturation with concentration, beyond which increasing the concentration has no added benefit, is observed at very dilute concentrations (β ≈ 0.95). A polymer of relaxation time is observed to suppress turbulent eddies of size l < O(λuτ). Virk's MDR asymptote is approached when l becomes comparable to the channel half width, or when Weτ° ∼ O(Reτ°).At even higher Weissenberg numbers, and in the absence of a background noise, the flow begins to relaminarize on viscous time scales. Introduction of an infinitesimal background noise on these relaminarized states re-triggers the production of turbulence and results in a flow with features in agreement with Virk's MDR asymptote. Drag reduction is initiated by suppression of turbulent eddies of size l < O(λuτ) Suppression of these eddies reduces the magnitude of the pressure-strain term, thus inhibiting the transfer of turbulence kinetic energy from the streamwise to the other components. This, in turn, leads to a drop in the Reynolds shear-stress in regions of high shear, reducing turbulence production and resulting in drag reduction.
Hemispheric mechanisms controlling voluntary and spontaneous facial expressions

The capacity of each disconnected cerebral hemisphere to control a variety of facial postures was examined in three split-brain patients. The dynamics of facial posturing were analyzed in 30-msec optical disc frames that were generated off videotape recordings of each patient's response to lateralized stimuli. The results revealed that commands presented to the left hemisphere effecting postures of the lower facial muscles showed a marked asymmetry, with the right side of the face sometimes responding up to 180 msec before the left side of the face. Commands presented to the right hemisphere elicited a response only if the posture involved moving the upper facial muscles. Spontaneous postures filmed during free conversation were symmetrical. The results suggest that while either hemisphere can generate spontaneous facial expressions only the left hemisphere is efficient at generating voluntaly expressions. This contrasts sharply with the fact that both hemispheres can carry out a wide variety of other voluntary movements with the hand and foot.
Why Silicon Is Hard

Compared with pure metals and ionic salts, covalent solids such as silicon are hard and brittle because dislocations do not move in them except at high temperatures. A satisfactory explanation for this behavior has been lacking in spite of its great importance for the mechanics of materials and structures. It is shown here that the critical atomic process leading to the observed brittleness is analogous to a chemical substitution reaction. Analysis of this analogy with the aid of a correlation diagram yields the observed high resistive stress and high activation energy. When a kink on a dislocation line moves, it breaks the atomic bonding symmetry, a forbidden process.
General Biology in the Soviet Union, 1964

Russian works in general microbiology, even in the foremost journals, lack the comprehensiveness and the rigid experimental and deductive discipline characteristic of Western world publications. This is attributable, for the most part, to publishing standards, a tendency to piecemeal papers, a preponderant emphasis on a superficial "natural history " approach, and a preoccupation with applied objectives. My on-thescene visits have edified me: publications are misleading indices of the caliber and competence of many Soviet microbiologists. The Russians are proud of their heritage in general microbiology, and the names of G. A. Nadson, A. Issachentko, V. N. Omeliansky, and S. N. Winogradsky are revered. The foremost organization of its kind in the USSR, the Academy of Sciences' Institute of Microbiology in Moscow, is housed in a five-story, typically drab, blockhouse structure which, along with the Institute of Physical Chemistry, is situated in bleak surroundings adjacent to a huge municipal power plant. The Institute measures, I estimate, 100' x 80', and like all the other scientific establish-
Plateau Burning Behavior of Ammonium Perchlorate Sandwiches and Propellants at Elevated Pressures

Further results on combustion of sandwiches made of alternating layers of ammonium perchlorate (AP) and a matrix of AP particles in polymeric binder in an expanded pressure range of 0.345-13.78 MPa (50-2000 psig), over a wide range of matrix lamina thicknesses, are reported. Inclusion of a nanoparticle-size burning rate catalyst in the matrix is also considered. The sandwich burning rates indicate plateaus over the 6.89-13.78 MPa (1000-2000 psig) pressure range for select ranges of matrix lamina thickness. These are correlated with similar plateau trends in the burning rates of composite propellant formulations with bimodal particle size distribution of the oxidizer and appropriate choice of coarse AP size, wherein the fine AP/binder matrices are of identical composition to those tested in the sandwiches. The dependence of the sandwich burning rates on the matrix lamina thickness and the quenched surface features are examined to explain the plateau burning rate trends. The results indicate that the two-dimensional coupling of heat feedback from the hot, near-surface parts of the oxidizer/fuel diffusion flamelets is diminished at elevated pressures due to their greater proximity to the burning surface and the corresponding shrinking of their lateral extent.
Ethanol disrupts chondrification of the neurocranial cartilages in medaka embryos without affecting aldehyde dehydrogenase 1A2 (Aldh1A2) promoter methylation

Abstract Medaka ( Oryzias latipes ) embryos at different developmental stages were exposed to ethanol for 48 h, then allowed to hatch. Teratogenic effects were evaluated in hatchlings after examining chondrocranial cartilage deformities. Ethanol disrupted cartilage development in medaka in a dose and developmental stage-specific manner. Compared to controls, the linear length of the neurocranium and other cartilages were reduced in ethanol-treated groups. Moreover, the chondrification in cartilages, specifically trabeculae and polar cartilages, were inhibited by ethanol. To understand the mechanism of ethanol teratogenesis, NAD + : NADH status during embryogenesis and the methylation pattern of Aldh1A2 promoter in whole embryos and adult tissues (brain, eye, heart and liver) were analyzed. Embryos 6 dpf had higher NAD + than embryos 0 or 2 dpf. Ethanol (200 or 400 mM) was able to reduce NAD + content in 2 and 6 dpf embryos. However, in both cases reductions were not significantly different from the controls. Moreover, no significant difference in either NADH content or in NAD + : NADH status of the ethanol-treated embryos, with regard to controls, was observed. The promoter of Aldh1A2 contains 31 CpG dinucleotides (− 705 to + 154, ATG = + 1); none of which were methylated. Compared to controls, embryonic ethanol exposure (100 and 400 mM) was unable to alter Aldh1A2 promoter methylation in embryos or in the tissues of adults (breeding) developmentally exposed to ethanol (300 mM, 48 hpf). From these data we conclude that ethanol teratogenesis in medaka does not induce alteration in the methylation pattern of Aldh1A2 promoter, but does change cartilage development.
Measurement of Food Availability in the Home

The importance of environment on food choices has recently received increased attention. One environment likely to be influential is the home food environment. This review examines 23 studies that used either researcher-conducted open inventories or self-report checklists to assess food availability in the home. Only three were open inventories (this technique is rarely used, most likely because of low feasibility). Self-report checklists varied in length and the items included. Two checklists, validated using observation, showed high sensitivity and specificity (87% or above). We provide recommendations to develop and validate population-specific tools that measure home food availability.
Coding for error control in a computer-manufacturer's environment: a foreword

“… before the computer truly enlarges the citizen's world … I think that first of all we have to change the way we do software… .We must make it possible for everyone to communicate with a computer…. We must also increase [the computer's] reliability and think of computers not as machines in the basement but as devices that provide a service to a community and cannot fail. Let me assure you that this is an important change in the framework of mind of today's designers and manufacturers. We must achieve reliabilities that are unknown to computers today, but are feasible…”
Thermally assisted electrospray interface for liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry

An electrospray interface for liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry (LC/MS) is described that combines the direct heating of High-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) effluent that is characteristic of thermoooospray-type interfaces. This interface is called the thermally assisted electrospray interface for LC/MS. The device can accept the total effluent from a liquid chromatograph at flow rates ranging up to 500 μL/min. The HPLC effluent is nebulized into charged droplets by a combination of heat and an applied electric field. Ions emitted from charged droplets are mass-analyzed by a triple quadraupole mass spectrometer equipped with an atmospheric pressure ion sampling orifice. Singly or multiply charged ions, indicating the molecular weight of a sample, are observed with minimal fragmentation. The extent of multiple charging observed in electrospray and ion spray mass spectrometry is decreased somewhat in thermally assisted electrospray. Labile compounds which undergo thermal decomposition by conventional thermospray show no decomposition with thermally assisted electrospray.
The Role of Ir in Ternary Rh-Based Catalysts for Syngas Conversion to C2+ Oxygenates

Transition metal modified Rh-catalysts can be used for converting syngas (CO+H2) into C2+ oxygenates. It has been found that Mn has a favorable effect in the selectivity towards oxygenates, while addition of Ir to the binary Rh-Mn catalysts significantly increases the space-time yield of C2+ oxygenates. In this paper, we use quantum mechanical calculations to investigate the distribution of promoter sites within Rh rich nanoparticles and their role in the conversion of syngas towards ethanol. This work was supported by the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), Office of Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy Biomass Program. The Pacific Northwest National Laboratory (PNNL) is operated by Battelle for the DOE under Contract DE-AC05-76RL01830. A portion of the research was performed in the Environmental Molecular Sciences Laboratory (EMSL), a national science user facility sponsored by the Department of Energy’s Office of Biological and Environmental Research located at PNNL.
New data on the evolution of the Parisian organa

(1984). New data on the evolution of the Parisian organa. Journal of Musicological Research: Vol. 5, No. 1-3, pp. 85-91.
Kinetic behavior of microencapsulated beta-galactosidase.

Escherichia coli beta-D-galactosidase (E.C. 3.2.1.23) was immobilized in cellulose nitrate membrane microcapsules and the reaction kinetics with o-nitrophenyl-beta-D-galactopyranoside (ONPG), lactose, and whole milk were studied using both continuous stirred tank and packed bed reactor configurations. The results of the experiments gave effectiveness factors of 0.3 for ONPG, 0.6 to 0.7 for lactose in solution, and close to unity for lactose in milk. Using a coupled mass transfer and kinetic model, it was possible to estimate the permeability of the microcapsule membrane from the reactor data. Membrane permeabilities on the order of 5 X 10(-3) and 3 X 10(-4) cm/sec were estimated for ONPG and lactose, respectively. It was determined that the membrane was the limiting mass transfer resistance for the overall reaction. The analysis showed that within the microcapsule, the reaction is reaction rate limited for lactose and slightly diffusion limited for ONPG.
Endocarditis on Prosthetic Mitral Valves: Fatal Obstruction to Lett Ventricular Inflow

In two patients with bacterial prosthetic mitral valve endocarditis, death occurred from hemodynamic compromise after development of obstruction to left ventricular inflow by a membrane on the atrial surface of the prosthesis. One patient had a disc valve infected by Bacillus antitratum; the other, a Starr-Edwards ball valve infected by Staphylococcus epidermidis. In neither patient was evidence of new valvular dysfunction detected clinically or by fluoroscopy during the course of the infection. This complication of prosthetic valve insertion appears to progress rapidly in spite of antibiotic therapy. Early diagnosis is imperative and may be aided by bedside determination of pulmonary arterial wedge pressures.
The structure and functions of coronavirus genomic 3′ and 5′ ends

Coronaviruses (CoVs) are an important cause of illness in humans and animals. Most human coronaviruses commonly cause relatively mild respiratory illnesses; however two zoonotic coronaviruses, SARS-CoV and MERS-CoV, can cause severe illness and death. Investigations over the past 35 years have illuminated many aspects of coronavirus replication. The focus of this review is the functional analysis of conserved RNA secondary structures in the 5′ and 3′ of the betacoronavirus genomes. The 5′ 350 nucleotides folds into a set of RNA secondary structures which are well conserved, and reverse genetic studies indicate that these structures play an important role in the discontinuous synthesis of subgenomic RNAs in the betacoronaviruses. These cis-acting elements extend 3′ of the 5′UTR into ORF1a. The 3′UTR is similarly conserved and contains all of the cis-acting sequences necessary for viral replication. Two competing conformations near the 5′ end of the 3′UTR have been shown to make up a potential molecular switch. There is some evidence that an association between the 3′ and 5′UTRs is necessary for subgenomic RNA synthesis, but the basis for this association is not yet clear. A number of host RNA proteins have been shown to bind to the 5′ and 3′ cis-acting regions, but the significance of these in viral replication is not clear. Two viral proteins have been identified as binding to the 5′ cis-acting region, nsp1 and N protein. A genetic interaction between nsp8 and nsp9 and the region of the 3′UTR that contains the putative molecular switch suggests that these two proteins bind to this region.
Thinking about the future: A cognitive perspective

The promises and challenges of a cognitive approach to strategic planning and subjective forecasting are examined. Strategic thinking is viewed as comprising three components: (1) knowledge base, (2) problem representation, and (3) inference processes linking the first two. Analysis of these components, it is argued, can be an important aid to understanding and guiding managerial problem solving. We review several techniques for modeling strategic thinking and planning, including network representations, production systems, causal maps, and analyses of argumentation. We consider the strengths and weaknesses of different cognitive analysis techniques and discuss how they might be implemented. Much more experience and refinement will be needed to produce well-specified procedures for cognitive analysis of planning. We conclude, however, that even at the current stage of development, significant benefits can accrue from a cognitive approach to strategic planning.
Automated affinity capture-release of biotin-containing conjugates using a lab-on-valve apparatus coupled to UV/visible and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry.

We report a new method for automated affinity capture and release of biotin-containing conjugates on immobilized streptavidin using a lab-on-valve (LOV) bead injection apparatus. The apparatus is also coupled to UV/visible and electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS) for monitoring the captured and released biotin-containing conjugates. Dissociation rate constants for release from streptavidin of two chromophore-tagged biotin conjugates were measured by UV/visible spectrometry and the dissociation was simultaneously monitored by ESI-MS. The LOV-ESI-MS instrument was also used for repetitive assays of lysosomal β-galactosidase in human cell homogenates. Fast analysis in 4.5 min/full cycle and robust operation in 60 repetitive analyses are demonstrated that are promising for transfer of the LOV-ESI-MS technology into clinical practice.
Tuberculosis in aged γδ T cell gene disrupted mice

In young mice exposed to aerosol infection with Mycobacterium tuberculosis removal of the gammadelta T cell population by targeted gene disruption does not affect the expression of host resistance, but does influence the integrity of the early granulomatous response. The current study demonstrates that in aged gammadelta T cell gene disrupted mice similar immunopathologic changes ensued in both gene knockout and wild type control mice. Changes in cell surface marker expression, evident in other gene knockout models, was not observed in the aged gammadelta T cell knockout mice. These data imply that gammadelta T cell functions previously observed in young mice become much less important as the animal ages.
In vivo–In vitro correlations with a commercial dissolution simulator II: Papaverine, phenytoin, and sulfisoxazole

The dissolution profiles of 11 commercially available papaverine, phenytoin, and sulfisoxazole dosage forms were determined using a dissolution simulator. The products had been the subject of earlier in vivo bioavailability studies with human subjects. The use of an absorption simulator, which is designed to provide an estimate of the optimum sampling scheme for the dissolution simulator, did not provide useful data for this purpose. Good in vivo-in vitro correlations were found for the papaverine dosage forms, which included nine controlled-release products. Less satisfactory correlations were obtained for the phenytoin capsules and the sulfisoxazole tablet products.
Obliterative bronchiolitis in a 13-year-old pre-transplant cystic fibrosis patient

Cystic fibrosis (CF)-related lung disease is characterized by a broad spectrum of pathologic changes. Most of these changes relate to progressive bronchiectasis and airway destruction due to recurrent infections. Other airway pathologies include but are not limited to nasal polyposis, bronchial hyperactivity, pneumothorax and allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA). Constrictive obliterative bronchiolitis (COB) in CF is usually seen in post-transplant settings including lung and heart–lung transplants. We report a 13-year-old boy with CF and intractable deterioration in lung function that was ultimately diagnosed as COB.
On a New Concept and Foundations of an Arbitrary Reference Configuration (ARC) Theory and Formulation for Computational Finite Deformation Applications—Part I: Elasticity

Of interest here are the class of static/dynamic finite deformation problems that arise in computational mechanics, and the question of the suitability in employing the total strain measure for this class of problems is raised. An attempt to resolve the problem by proposing a new arbitrary reference configuration (ARC) framework is described in this exposition. The ARC framework consists of the ARC elasticity, which bridges the Truesdell stress rate hypo-elasticity and the St. Venant-Kirchhoff hyperelasticity, and the ARC Lagrangian formulation, which bridges the updated Lagrangian formulation and the total Lagrangian formulation. The ARC framework serves as a generalized computational framework to handle both the computational infinitesimal and the finite deformation/strain deformation applications in a consistent and unified manner. In part II of the paper [1], we further extend the ARC framework to elasto-plasticity.
Developmental differences in baserate estimates of social behaviors and attitudes

This study examined the development of baserate estimation skills for everyday social events and attitudes. Subjects in grades one, three, and six responded to questions concerning their own rates of behavior and attitudes, and their estimates of baserates of behaviors and attitudes for their classmates. The findings indicate a general increase in accuracy for the estimation of baserates throughout the elementary school years. In addition, younger subjects were less likely to make similar estimates for themselves and their classmates than were older respondents. Developmental changes in estimation accuracy are discussed in relation to task content, use of the response scale, correspondence between self-reports and estimates, and sample variability.
Sympathetic terminal mediation of the acute cardiovascular response of γ2-MSH

Abstract Peptides of the ACTH 4–10 /γ 2 -MSH3 3–9 class produce pressor and cardioaccelerator effects upon i.v. administration. These actions appear to be mediated by peripheral catecholamines. To ascertain the role of sympathetic nerve terminals in the cardiovascular effects of these peptides, we used bretylium tosylate to prevent nerve terminal release of norepinephrine. Pretreatment with bretylium significantly attenuated the pressor and cardioaccelerator responses of γ 2 -MSH, and shifted the peak of the remaining responses to a later time point. It appears that the acute cardiovascular response to γ-MSH administration depends primarily on the release of sympathetic terminal norepinephrine, though some contribution from other pressor systems such as adrenal catecholamines is possible.
Analysis and detection of computer viruses and worms: an annotated bibliography

This annotated bibliography reviews research in analyzing and detecting computer viruses and worms. This document focuses on papers that give information about techniques and systems detecting malicious code.
Effects of host diet on the orientation, development, and subsequent generations of the Gypsy moth (Lepidoptera: Lymantriidae) egg parasitoid Ooencyrtus kuvanae (Hymenoptera: Encyrtidae)

Female Ooencyrtus kuvanae (Howard) were attracted to odors from gypsy moth, Lymantria dispar (L.), egg masses in a 4-way olfactometer. Responses to egg mass odors varied with the difference of larval diet of the host. The number of gypsy moth generations on a particular larval diet also appeared to affect parasitoid orientation to the resulting egg masses. The plant species on which gypsy moth larvae fed affected characteristics of both the egg masses and the emerging wasps. Gypsy moth egg masses derived from plant-fed larvae had larger, but fewer, eggs than those derived from larvae fed artificial diet. The effects of host larval food on egg parasitoid emergence appeared in the 2nd generation, apparently because wasp developmental substrate affected their fecundity. O. kuvanae that developed in eggs derived from oak-fed gypsy moths produced more offspring than those that developed in eggs derived from tamarack-fed gypsy moths, regardless of subsequent ovipositional substrate. The offspring sex ratio was influenced by the ovipositional and parental substrates. The proportion of females was highest in larval treatments and egg mass sections that yielded the largest eggs. O. kuvanae generally parasitized more eggs in the section of the egg mass that was laid first by the gypsy moth.
Dependence of electronic polarization on octahedral rotations in TbMnO 3 from first principles

The electronic contribution to the magnetically induced polarization in orthorhombic ${\text{TbMnO}}_{3}$ is studied from first principles. We compare the cases in which the spin cycloid, which induces the electric polarization via the spin-orbit interaction, is in either the $b\text{\ensuremath{-}}c$ or $a\text{\ensuremath{-}}b$ plane. We find that the electronic contribution is negligible in the first case, but much larger, and comparable to the lattice-mediated contribution, in the second case. However, we show that this behavior is an artifact of the particular pattern of octahedral rotations characterizing the structurally relaxed $Pbnm$ crystal structure. To do so, we explore how the electronic contribution varies for a structural model of rigidly rotated ${\text{MnO}}_{6}$ octahedra and demonstrate that it can vary over a wide range, comparable with the lattice-mediated contribution, for both $b\text{\ensuremath{-}}c$ and $a\text{\ensuremath{-}}b$ spirals. We present a phenomenological model that is capable of describing this behavior in terms of sums of symmetry-constrained contributions arising from the displacements of oxygen atoms from the centers of the Mn-Mn bonds.
Managing Confidence in Emerging Market Bank Runs

In a rational-expectations framework, we model depositors` confidence as a function of the probability of future bank bailouts. We analyze the effect of alternative bank bailout policies on depositors` confidence in an emerging market setting, where liquidity shortages of banks are revealed sequentially and governments cannot credibly commit to bailing out all potentially distressed banks. Our findings suggest that allowing early bank failures and using available liquidity for credible commitments to later bailouts can better boost confidence than early bailouts. This conclusion arises because with a high chance of liquidity shortage in the future, depositors may lose confidence and hence withdraw deposits even from potentially sound banks. Such a policy of late bailouts is likely to receive political support when a full bailout needs to be financed by taxation. The logic of late bailout remains valid even when banks may hide their distress or when closures of early distressed banks create contagion.
Lipoxin A4: a new class of ligand for the Ah receptor.

The Ah receptor is a ligand-activated transcription factor that mediates many of the biological actions of a large class of environmental compounds. Support for a role of the Ah receptor in normal physiology also has been reported, but an endogenous regulating ligand has not been identified. We have examined candidate endogenous lipophilic substances and report here the ability of the arachidonic acid metabolite, lipoxin A4, to bind to and activate the Ah receptor in Hepa-1 cells. Lipoxin A4 produced a concentration-dependent response in a DRE-driven CAT reporter construct, with a greater than 10-fold increase in CAT activity at 0.3 μM. Lipoxin A4 transformed the Ah receptor to an active DRE-binding form in a concentration-dependent manner as indicated by gel mobility shift analysis. Results of Ah receptor competitive binding experiments indicated that at a concentration of 100 nM, lipoxin A4 produced a half-maximum displacement (EC50) of [3H]TCDD binding. Results of Northern blot analyses indicated a tra...
Generalizations of open mappings

Abstract Examples are given showing that P2 and bi-quotient mappings are not the same for mappings between metric spaces. Also the range of a compact-covering mapping is classified whenever the mapping is open or almost-open.
Thermoreversible Gelation of PEG−PLGA−PEG Triblock Copolymer Aqueous Solutions

Aqueous solutions of new biodegradable triblock copolymers, poly(ethylene glycol-b-(dl-lactic acid-co-glycolic acid)-b-ethylene glycol) (PEG−PLGA−PEG), have shown to have sol-to-gel (lower transiti...
Naltrexone blocks amphetamine-induced hyperactivity, but not disruption of social and agonistic behavior in mice and squirrel monkeys

Significant anatomical overlap of opioid and dopamine receptors as well as reciprocity of control over synthesis, metabolism, and release of opioid peptides and dopamine in brain suggests functional interactions between the two systems. In the first of two studies, the behavioral effects of amphetamine and naltrexone alone, and in combination were studied in established groups of socially interacting squirrel monkeys. Naltrexone (0.1-10.0 mg/kg, IM) increased locomotion and marking behavior in subordinate monkeys. The frequency of social initiatives directed at treated subordinate monkeys by untreated members of the group was also increased. The behavior of dominant monkeys was relatively unaffected, except at the highest dose when autonomic distress was also evident. The frequency of walking bouts by both dominant and subordinate monkeys was increased by amphetamine (0.1-0.6 mg/kg, IM), and the social behavior of dominant monkeys was disrupted by drug treatment. Naltrexone (0.1 mg/kg, IM) significantly antagonized amphetamine's effects on motor behavior, and enhanced or did not affect amphetamine's effects on social behavior. In a second study, the interaction of amphetamine (0.63-10.0 mg/kg, IP) and naltrexone (0.1-10.0 mg/kg, IP) on the behavior of resident male mice during confrontations with a male intruder was studied. Naltrexone selectively reduced the frequency of attack at the highest dose tested. Amphetamine increased locomotor activity and decreased attack and threat behavior in resident mice. A low dose of naltrexone (1.0 mg/kg, IP) blocked amphetamine's effects on locomotion and enhanced the disruption of aggressive behavior. The amphetamine-naltrexone interaction on locomotor activity in mice and monkeys is consistent with opioid receptor modulation of dopamine mediated functions.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Neurokinin-1 receptor gene expression in the mouse dorsal horn increases with neuropathic pain.

Abstract Peripheral nerve injury is associated with hyperesthesia and increased neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1) expression in the dorsal horn of the spinal cord. To test the hypothesis that NK-1 gene expression underlies these responses, we used solution hybridization–nuclease protection assays to quantify NK-1 mRNA levels in dorsal quadrants of the mouse lumbar dorsal horn. Partial sciatic nerve ligation was associated with mechanical allodynia, thermal hyperalgesia, and an increase in NK-1 mRNA on the ipsilateral, but not contralateral, side. Regression analysis showed that NK-1 mRNA was significantly correlated with thermal paw withdrawal latency but not mechanical threshold. Our results support the idea that substance P is an important mediator of thermal hypersensitivity in the setting of nerve injury and suggest that increased NK-1 receptor transcription precedes increased NK-1 receptor density, ultimately leading to behavioral hypersensitivity to peripheral thermal stimulation. Perspective The therapeutic efficacy of NK-1 receptor antagonists is unclear. The current data suggest that peripheral nerve injury increases the expression of substance P (NK-1) receptors in the spinal cord dorsal horn; this is correlated with heat hypersensitivity. The analgesic effects of NK-1 antagonists might become apparent if tested against heat-evoked pain in nerve injury patients.
HP-DAEMON: High Performance Distributed Adaptive Energy-efficient Matrix-multiplicatiON☆

Abstract The demands of improving energy efficiency for high performance scientific applications arise crucially nowadays. Software-controlled hardware solutions directed by Dynamic Voltage and Frequency Scaling (DVFS) have shown their effectiveness extensively. Although DVFS is beneficial to green computing, introducing DVFS itself can incur non-negligible overhead, if there exist a large number of frequency switches issued by DVFS. In this paper, we propose a strategy to achieve the optimal energy savings for distributed matrix multiplication via algorithmically trading more computation and communication at a time adaptively with user-specified memory costs for less DVFS switches, which saves 7.5% more energy on average than a classic strategy. Moreover, we leverage a high performance communication scheme for fully exploiting network bandwidth via pipeline broadcast. Overall, the integrated approach achieves substantial energy savings (up to 51.4%) and performance gain (28.6% on average) compared to ScaLAPACK pdgemm() on a cluster with an Ethernet switch, and outperforms ScaLAPACK and DPLASMA pdgemm() respectively by 33.3% and 32.7% on average on a cluster with an Infiniband switch.
Structure-property relationships in thermoplastic elastomers III. Segmented polyacetal-polyurethanes

Dihydroxy-terminated polyacetals had been synthesized from aldehydes and glycols and used as soft segments to obtain segmented polyurethane block copolymers. For soft segment ≥ 1700Mn, the Tg ranges from–48 to −58°C and is insensitive to the structures of diisocyanate and chain extender. The Tg of PacPU with 1350 Mn polyacetals is raised to −38°C, and none was observed for shorter polyacetal chains. The copolymers can be synthesized to have a broad range of mechanical properties, such as modulus from 0.5 to 130 MPa, stress at break from 0.7 to 21 MPa, and elongation at break from 66 to 1300% through the variation of the constituents and composition. The rheologic properties are only slightly dependent on temperature for symmetrical diisocyanates but quite temperature sensitive with asymmetric diisocyanate copolymers. The polyacetals are selected to build in acid-catalyzed thermal decomposition of the thermoplastic elastomers. The extreme acid sensitivity of the polyacetal block is buffered in the coplymers.
Blood giving unusual reaction with Bauhinia lectin.

A white individual of European origin has been found whose erythrocytes, though they are diagnosed as M by a variety of absorbed rabbit sera, give a strong reaction with apparently N-specific Bauhinia lectin. For reasons given in the text, the authors feel that this is probably not due to the presence in the erythrocytes of the individual in question of a variant of the N antigen, but of another antigen not closely related to N. The anti-N of Vicia graminea does not agglutinate the cells of this individual.
Ventilator-associated pneumonia: clinical considerations.

Nosocomial (i.e., originating or taking place in a hospital) pneumonia is the leading cause of death from acquired nosocomial infections. The estimated prevalence of nosocomial pneumonia in intensive care units ranges from 10% to 65%, with fatality rates of 13-55%. Ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP) specifically refers to nosocomial pneumonia in a mechanically ventilated patient that was neither present nor already developing at the time of intubation (i.e., clinical evidence of VAP occurring > 48 hr after intubation). During the past decade, some studies have suggested that VAP can be an important determinant of out-come for critically ill patients requiring mechanical ventilation. Recent investigations have provided new insights into the pathogenesis of VAP, and improved techniques have been developed for its diagnosis. Most important, emerging clinical data now suggest that new management strategies for VAP, including more specific indications for antimicrobial use, may significantly improve patient...
Current research on school-based bullying: A social-ecological perspective

Bullying perpetration and victimization are issues of increasing concern for researchers, educators, clinicians, parents, and youth today. Bullying broadly refers to aggressive behaviors including physical aggression (hitting, shoving, tripping, etc.), verbal aggression (teasing, name-calling, and threatening), as well as relational aggression (rumor spreading, exclusion, and isolation from a clique). Bullying is thought to differ from normal peer conflict in that it is often repeated and involves a difference in power between the bully and victim. Bullying behaviors also extend to the use of the internet and cell phones to harass and intimidate recipients. Bullying through these mediums is commonly referred to as cyberbullying. Although initially studied in the context of schools, bullying research has since been extended to sibling relationships, workplace interactions, and dating and intimate relationships.
Powering Next Generation Networks by Laser Light over Fiber

Power over fiber has successfully introduced optical fiber for current measurements in high-voltage electrical networks. The technology is ready to power additional electronic circuitry for network monitoring and restoration in passive, optical fiber communications networks.
Classical invariant theory and the equivalence problem for particle Lagrangians. I. Binary forms

Abstract The problem of equivalence of binary forms under linear changes of variables is shown to be a special case of the problem of equivalence of particle Lagrangians under the pseudogroup of transformations of both the independent and dependent variables. The latter problem has a complete solution based on the equivalence method of Cartan. There are two particular rational covariants of any binary form which are related by a “universal function.” The main result is that two binary forms are equivalent if and only if their universal functions are identical. Construction of the universal function from the syzygies of the covariants, and explicit reconstruction of the form from its universal function are also discussed. New results on the symmetries of forms, and necessary and sufficient conditions for the equivalence of a form to a monomial, or to a sum of two n th powers are consequences of this result. Finally, we employ some syzygies due to Stroh to relate our result to a theorem of Clebsch on the equivalence of binary forms.
Transmission-Line Model and Propagation in a Negative-Index, Parallel-Plate Metamaterial to Boost Electron-Beam Interaction

A negative-index metawaveguide (NIMW) comprised of stacks of planar metal sheets loaded with periodic split-ring resonator apertures is modeled using a transmission-line (TL) analysis, and analyzed in detail. The proposed model provides a useful tool to extract the wave impedance and effective homogenized parameters of the metamaterial, ideal for design and optimization purposes. The dominant mode of the NIMW is transverse-magnetic, with a large longitudinal component of the electric field that enables its strong interaction with an electron beam and opens new opportunities for microwave generation and radiation detection. The inherent bi-anisotropy of its loaded inclusions is also examined within our TL theoretical framework, and a solution design to suppress its effect is presented. Finally, since the proposed geometry is shown to support an additional transverse-electromagnetic mode due to strong spatial dispersion, proper excitation of the NIMW is discussed and simulated.
Sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelids: Personal experience with 60 cases

Objective To describe clinical features, management, and prognosis of sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid and adjacent structures. Design Single-center retrospective interventional case series. Participants Sixty consecutive patients with sebaceous carcinoma of the eyelid and adjacent structures. Methods Retrospective chart review and literature review. Main outcome measures Presenting features, sites of origin, location, growth patterns, management, histopathologic findings, incidence of recurrence, metastasis, and mortality. Results The median age at referral was 72 years, with 73% female. Four patients had prior irradiation to the area where the sebaceous carcinoma developed. Initial clinical diagnoses elsewhere were sebaceous carcinoma (32%), blepharoconjunctivitis (25%), chalazion (20%), basal cell carcinoma (13%), and squamous cell carcinoma (10%). Initial histopathologic diagnoses elsewhere were sebaceous carcinoma (50%), squamous cell carcinoma (18%), basal cell carcinoma (8%), and others or not available (24%). Initial anatomic sites were upper eyelid (75%), lower eyelid (22%), caruncle (2%), and bulbar conjunctiva (2% [1 case]). Orbital exenteration was necessary in 13%. Recently introduced techniques of posterior lamellar resection of the eyelids with reconstruction (7%) hopefully will decrease this incidence in the future. Pathologically, 47% showed intraepithelial (pagetoid) involvement, 27% of sebaceous carcinomas arose from the meibomian glands, and 18% arose from both meibomian and Zeis glands. Local recurrence developed in 18%, metastasis in 8%, and death from metastasis in 6%. Conclusions Despite the fact that the clinical features of sebaceous carcinoma have been widely reported, the diagnosis was suspected initially in only 32% of patients at first examination elsewhere and in only 50% at histopathologic examination elsewhere. Orbital exenteration was necessary in 13%, mostly patients seen in the earlier years of the study. With more recently employed treatment methods, there is a tendency to avoid exenteration and to use more conservative methods of treatment. It is hoped that these modern therapeutic approaches will result in fewer cases of recurrence and metastasis.
Conservation and expression of IQ-domain-containing calpacitin gene products (Neuromodulin/GAP-43, Neurogranin/RC3) in the adult and developing oscine song control system

Songbirds are appreciated for the insights they provide into regulated neural plasticity. Here, we describe the comparative analysis and brain expression of two gene sequences encoding probable regulators of synaptic plasticity in songbirds: neuromodulin (GAP-43) and neurogranin (RC3). Both are members of the calpacitin family and share a distinctive conserved core domain that mediates interactions between calcium, calmodulin, and protein kinase C signaling pathways. Comparative sequence analysis is consistent with known phylogenetic relationships, with songbirds most closely related to chicken and progressively more distant from mammals and fish. The C-terminus of neurogranin is different in birds and mammals, and antibodies to the protein reveal high expression in adult zebra finches in cerebellar Purkinje cells, which has not been observed in other species. RNAs for both proteins are generally abundant in the telencephalon yet markedly reduced in certain nuclei of the song control system in adult canaries and zebra finches: neuromodulin RNA is very low in RA and HVC (relative to the surrounding pallial areas), whereas neurogranin RNA is conspicuously low in Area X (relative to surrounding striatum). In both cases, this selective downregulation develops in the zebra finch during the juvenile song learning period, 25-45 days after hatching. These results suggest molecular parallels to the robust stability of the adult avian song control circuit.
Preliminary Validation of a Vision-Dependent Activities of Daily Living Instrument on Adults With Homonymous Hemianopia

OBJECTIVE. This study sought to validate the use of the Self-Report Assessment of Functional Visual Performance (SRAFVP) as a measure of the severity of activity of daily living (ADL) limitations in people with homonymous hemianopia (HH). METHOD. Thirty adults with HH from stroke rated their level of difficulty in completing the SRAFVP. RESULTS. The Cronbach’s αs of the SRAFVP and its three subscales (Reading, Eye–Hand Coordination, and Functional Mobility) ranged from .73 to .99. All three subscales were significantly correlated with each other and with the total SRAFVP score. Paired t tests revealed that Functional Mobility was significantly less difficult for participants to complete than Reading or Eye–Hand Coordination. Participants with complete HH reported greater difficulty in completing the Reading tasks than those with macular sparing. CONCLUSION. The SRAFVP demonstrated acceptable reliability and validity in evaluating the severity of ADL impairment in people with HH
Total Factor Productivity in the Contiguous United States, 1977–1986

A linear programming technique is used to measure total factor productivity change in the contiguous 48 states during the period 1977 to 1986. The technique allows the decomposition of productivity change into its constituent parts: technological change, changes in pure technical efficiency, and changes in scale economies. This decomposition is used to identify “innovative” states that are pushing out the production frontier as opposed to states that are primarily in the process of ‘catching-up.’