cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Vitamin E supplementation increases T helper 1 cytokine production in old mice infected with influenza virus

Compared with young mice, old mice infected with influenza virus have significantly higher pulmonary viral titres, although these can be reduced significantly with dietary vitamin E supplementation. T helper 1 (Th1) cytokines, especially interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma), play an important role in defending against influenza infection. However, there is an age-associated loss of Th1 cytokine production. Prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) production, which increases with age, can modulate the T helper cell function by suppressing Th1 cytokine production. To investigate the mechanism of vitamin E supplementation on reduction of influenza severity in old mice, we studied the cytokine production by splenocytes, and PGE2 production by macrophages (Mphi), in young and old C57BL mice fed semipurified diets containing 30 (control) or 500 parts per million (ppm) (supplemented) vitamin E for 8 weeks, and then infected with influenza A/PC/1/73 (H3N2). Old mice fed the control diet had significantly higher viral titres than young mice; old mice fed the vitamin E-supplemented diet had significantly lower pulmonary viral titres than those fed the control diet (P = 0.02 and 0.001 for overall age and diet effect, respectively). Following influenza infection, interleukin (IL)-2 and IFN-gamma production was significantly lower in old mice than in young mice. Vitamin E supplementation increased production of IL-2 and IFN-gamma in old mice; higher IFN-gamma production was associated with lower pulmonary viral titre. Old mice fed the control diet showed significantly higher lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-stimulated Mphi PGE2 production than old mice fed the vitamin E diet or young mice fed either diet. There was no significant age difference in IL-6, IL-1beta, or tumour necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) production by splenocytes. Young mice fed the vitamin E-supplemented diet had significantly lower IL-1beta (day 7) and TNF-alpha production (day 5) compared with those fed the control diet. Old mice fed the vitamin E-supplemented diet had significantly lower TNF-alpha production (day 2) than those fed the control diet. Our results indicate that the vitamin E-induced decrease in influenza viral titre is mediated through enhancement of Th1 cytokines, which may be the result of reduced PGE2 production caused by vitamin E.
Beijing meeting puts China on the tourist map

Abstract In Beijing from 28 February–4 March 1983. 1000 delegates from 45 countries came together for the first China International Tourism Conference. Sponsored jointly by the China National Tourism Adminis- tration and the Civil Aviation Administration of China, this conference marked an important point in the development of the tourist industry of that country. Chuck Y. Gee, Dean of the School of Travel Industry Management at the University of Hawaii, and author of an article on the tourist industry in China in this issue, attended the conference.
Quantum chemical studies of molecules incorporating a Cu2O22+ core

Abstract The utility of various computational models for characterizing the structure, energetics, reactivity, and spectroscopy of bare and supported Cu2O22+ cores is reviewed.
Scotopic sensitivity in schizophrenia

Among participants with schizophrenia there is evidence for early-stage visual processing deficits, which may arise in the rod pathways. Input to the earliest level of this pathway, however, has not been tested in this population. It has been widely hypothesized that schizophrenia participants have magnocellular deficits that occur at the pre-cortical level. To address this hypothesis, we studied absolute scotopic (dark-adapted) sensitivity in fifteen schizophrenia and fifteen matched control participants. Scotopic thresholds were assessed using a 1.85-deg, 510-nm circular test stimulus located at 10° eccentricity in the left visual field and presented in Maxwellian-view. Thresholds were obtained using a two-alternative forced-choice paradigm (an average of 200 trials per participant was obtained). Threshold estimates were derived using probit analysis. In this procedure the transformed binomial data (the inverse of the normal probability integral) is fit with a weighted linear regression. Noise was defined as the average deviation from this line. Lens optical density was also assessed by comparing absolute scotopic thresholds to the extinction spectrum of rhodopsin. Scotopic thresholds and lens density values of the two groups were evaluated using independent samples t-tests. The scotopic thresholds, and associated noise, did not differ between the schizophrenia and control participants. Lens density was also nearly identical between groups. These results suggest that magnocellular deficits in schizophrenia may not be due to problems at the level of the rods but are more likely to occur later in the visual pathway.
Automation of Aggregator Title Access with MARC Processing

The libraries in the Western North Carolina Library Network (WNCLN) seek effective ways to provide patrons with a complete list of electronic journals provided through their various aggregator services, so patrons can determine e-journal access to article citations. The WNCLN libraries (Appalachian State University, the University of North Carolina at Asheville, and Western Carolina University) accomplished this through their shared catalog (Innovative Interfaces, Inc. [INNOPAC]), data provided by Serials Solutions, and local computer programming. Brief MARC records, with locally created key titles, provide an interim solution to the complexities of aggregator services. Serials Review 2002; 28:108–112.
The effects of morphine on the relationship between fetal EEG, breathing and blood pressure signals using fast wavelet transform

In this study, we introduce the fast wavelet transform (WT) as a method for investigating the effects of morphine on the electroencephalogram (EEG), respiratory activity and blood pressure in fetal lambs. Morphine was infused intravenously at 25 mg/h. The EEG, respiratory activity and blood pressure signals were analyzed using WT. We performed wavelet decomposition for five sets of parameters D 2j where -1 < j ≤ 5. The five series WTs represent the detail signal bandwidths: 1, 16---32 Hz; 2, 8---16 Hz; 3, 4---8 Hz; 4, 2---4 Hz; 5, 1---2 Hz. Before injection of the high-dose morphine, power in the EEG was high in all six frequency bandwidths. The respiratory and blood pressure signals showed common frequency components with respect to time and were coincident with the low-voltage fast activity (LVFA) EEG signal. Respiratory activity was observed during only some of the LVFA periods, and was completely absent during high-voltage slow activity (HVSA) EEG. The respiratory signal showed dominant power in the fourth wavelet band, and less power in the third and fifth bands. The blood pressure signal was also characterized by dominant power in the fourth wavelet band. This power was significantly increased during periods of respiratory activity. There was a strong relationship between fetal EEG, blood pressure and breathing movements. However, the injection of high-dose morphine resulted in a disruption of the normal cyclic pattern between the two EEG states and a significant increase in power in the first wavelet band. In addition, the high-dose drug resulted in a significant increase in the power of respiratory signal in the fourth and fifth wavelet bands, while power was reduced in the third wavelet band. Breathing activity was also continuous after the drug. The high-dose morphine also caused a temporary power shift from the third wavelet band to the fourth wavelet band for the 30-min period after injection of drug. Finally, high-dose morphine completely destroyed the correlation between EEG, breathing and blood pressure signals.
Subpicosecond and continuous-wave laser operation of (F(2)(+))(H) and (F(2)(+))(AH) color-center lasers in the 2-microm range.

We report synchronously mode-locked subpicosecond and continuous-wave color-center laser operation in the 1.8–2.4-μm wavelength range. For active materials we use (F2+)H centers in KBr:O2− and (F2+)AH centers in KBr:Na+:O2− crystals. When the lasers are pumped with a continuous-wave or mode-locked NaCl (F2+)H-center laser in a cascaded configuration, laser operation is obtained over the combined tuning range of 1.8–2.4 μm, with output powers as high as 150 mW. When synchronously mode locked with ~5-ps pump pulses, both KBr lasers yield typically ~1-ps pulse widths over the entire tuning range. Pulses as short as ~400 fs could be obtained at the expense of higher noise levels.
Evaluating the influence of charge motion control on in-cylinder flow using MTV

An experimental study is performed to investigate the effects of charge motion control on flow measurement inside an internal combustion (IC) engine assembly. Molecular Tagging Velocimetry (MTV) is used to obtain the multiple point measurement of the instantaneous velocity field. MTV is a molecular counterpart of PIV based techniques, and it eliminates the use of seed particles. A two-dimensional velocity field is obtained at various crank angle degrees (CADs) for tumble and swirl measurement planes inside an optical engine assembly [1500 and 2500 rpm engine speeds]. Effects of charge motion control are studied considering different cases of: (i) Charge motion control valve (CMCV) deactivated and (ii) CMCV activated. Both the measurement planes are used in each case to study the cycle-to-cycle variability inside an engine cylinder. Probability density functions (PDFs) of the normalized circulation (NC) are calculated from the instantaneous planar velocity to quantify the cycle-to-cycle variations of in-cylinder flows. Different geometries of CMCV produce different effects on the in-cylinder flow field. It is found that the CMCV used in this work has a profound effect on fuel-air mixing; however, its influence is not as significant during the late compression. Therefore, it can be assumed that CMCV has less contribution to enhance the flame speed during the combustion process.© 2008 ASME
Magnetic susceptibility of the impure spin-1/2 XY chain.

We use a pseudofermion representation to study the formation and magnetic-field dependence of split-off energy levels in a spin-1/2 XY chain with a small concentration of magnetic impurities. Of particular interest are split-off states whose energy at a certain magnetic field crosses the zero level corresponding to the chemical potential of pseudofermions. If this condition is satisfied, then at sufficiently low temperature the magnetic-field dependence of the chain susceptibility is significantly altered by even a small number of impurities
Current Evidence in Gastrointestinal Surgery: Natural Orifice Translumenal Endoscopic Surgery (NOTES)

Natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES) is a technique that uses transvisceral access to perform surgical procedures entirely through a natural orifice. Despite the increasing awareness of NOTES, there remain obstacles to its technical feasibility and widespread acceptance. Furthermore, with the paucity of high-level supporting evidence, NOTES currently remains an experimental technique. This article reviews the goals, applications, technical and practical challenges, and future direction of NOTES in gastrointestinal surgery.
The effect of sulfide on the blue-green algae of hot springs II. Yellowstone National Park.

In the Mammoth Springs (Yellowstone National Park) waters with near neutral pH and soluble sulfide (H2S, HS−, S2−) of over 1–2 mg/liter (30–60ΜM) are characterized by substrate covers of phototrophic bacteria (Chloroflexus and aChlorobium-like unicell) above 50‡C and by a blue-green alga (Spirulina labyrinthiformis) below this temperature.Synechococcus. Mastigocladus, and other blue-green algae typical of most hot springs of western North America are excluded, apparently by sulfide. The sulfide-adaptedSpirulina photosynthesized at maximum rates at 45‡C and at approximately 300 to 700ΜEin/m2/sec of “visible” radiation. Sulfide (0.6–1.2 mM) severely poisoned photosynthesis of nonadapted populations, but those continuously exposed to over 30ΜM tolerated at least 1 mM without inhibition. A normal14C-HCO3 photoincorporation rate was sustained with 0.6–1 mM sulfide in the presence of DCMU (7ΜM) or NH2OH (0.2 mM), although both of these photosystem II inhibitors prevented photoincorporation without sulfide. Other sulfur-containing compounds (S2O32− SO32−, S2O42− thioglycolic acid cysteine) were unable to relieve DCMU inhibition. The lowering of the photoincorporation rate by preferentially irradiating photosystem I was also relieved by sulfide. The most tenable explanation of these results is that sulfide is used as a photo-reductant of CO2, at least when photosystem II is inhibited. It is suggested that in some blue-green algae photosystem II is poisoned by a low sulfide concentration, thus making these algae sulfidedependent if they are to continue photosynthesizing in a sulfide environment. Presumably a sulfidecytochrome reductase enzyme system must be synthesized for sulfide to be used as a photo-reductant.
Higgs-meson production in muon-number-violating processes

We calculate cross sections for coherent production of Higgs mesons in the Coulomb field of a heavy nucleus in processes which violate conservation of muon number. Depending on the specific model for muon-number violation and on the mass of the Higgs meson, such processes could be observable at Fermilab.
Postnatal lethality of P-cadherin/desmoglein 3 double knockout mice: demonstration of a cooperative effect of these cell adhesion molecules in tissue homeostasis of stratified squamous epithelia.

To investigate the cooperativity of different cell adhesion molecules in maintaining the structural integrity of the epidermis, we have generated mice deficient for both a classical cadherin, P-cadherin, and a desmosomal cadherin, desmoglein 3. In epithelial cells, P-cadherin is localized to the adherens junction, whereas desmoglein 3 is found in desmosomes. Previous studies have shown that these two junctional complexes are important for keratinocyte cell-cell adhesion. Both P-cadherin and desmoglein 3 expression are restricted to the basal and most immediate suprabasal cells of the epidermis, whereas both proteins are found throughout the oral mucosal epithelium. Although P-cadherin mutant mice have no apparent defect in epithelial cell adhesion, the desmoglein 3 mutant phenotype resembles that of patients with the autoimmune disease pemphigus vulgaris, in that the mice develop spontaneous mucous membrane blisters and trauma-induced skin blisters. The oral lesions in DSG3–/– mice reduce their food intake, resulting in a runted phenotype; however, most animals recover and live past weaning age. In contrast, animals mutant for both P-cadherin and desmoglein 3 die before weaning. The majority of the double mutant animals die around 1 wk after birth, apparently due to malnutrition. These studies suggest that loss of P-cadherin leads to a more severe desmoglein 3 mutant phenotype in the double knockout mice. This is the first in vivo evidence of possible synergism between a classical and desmosomal cadherin.
Solid-state amorphization reaction by temperature-dependent ion mixing

A layer of amorphous Mo–Al alloy is formed by ion-assisted solid-state interdiffusion reaction of a Mo/Al bilayer. Xe ion irradiation at 200 °C enhances the long-range diffusion of the dominant moving species while the formation of equilibrium compounds remains inhibited. The idea of using the temperature-dependent ion mixing at intermediate temperatures to promote a solid-state amorphization reaction opens the possibility of growing an amorphous phase in a system where both compound formation and interdiffusion are difficult
Discrimination of tower-, cockpit-, and non-karst landforms in Guilin, Southern China, based on morphometric characteristics

Abstract Depressions are well developed in certain types of karst landform assemblages. These natural depressions should not be simply filled and removed during the preparation of DEMs. This study presents a research to distinguish karst landform assemblages which tend to have natural depressions from other karst landform assemblages and non-karst landforms in the Guilin area of China, by examining their morphometric characteristics derived from a 30-m resolution DEM. The variations in the morphometric characteristics are examined at neighborhood level instead of pixel level. The DEM is divided into square tiles with a specific spatial scale. Statistical indicators of typical morphometric characteristics such as the area ratio, elevation, slope, and curvature are calculated for each tile. Discriminant analysis (DA) is then performed to discriminate tower karst, cockpit karst, and non-karst landforms. These procedures are repeated at the scales of 0.45, 0.9, 1.8, 2.7, 3.6, and 4.6 km. Comparison of the mapping results with a reference geomorphic map shows that the DA works best for the 2.7 km tiles with an overall accuracy of 80.06%. The resulting map can be used to guide whether depressions should be retained or removed during DEM preparation. This method, with appropriate modifications and improvements, can also be used to map the karst landforms of the whole of southern China. With such a comprehensive map, geomorphologists would be able to examine the development of karst landform assemblages at a broader view to unveil their genesis and evolution processes.
Prolonged survival in patients with beta-thalassemia major treated with deferoxamine

To determine whether survival of patients with β-thalassemia major has been prolonged by management that utilizes hypertransfusion and chelation with deferoxamine, we analyzed longevity by the Kaplan-Meier product-limit method. Group 1 patients (n=71) followed between 1960 and 1976 with a low-transfusion regimen (pretransfusion hemoglobin level 7 to 8 gm/dl) and no chelation had an estimated median age of survival of 17.4 years, whereas it was 31.0 years for group 2 subjects (n=80), who began hypertransfusion between 1976 and 1978 (pretransfusion hemoglobin level 10.5 to 11.5 gm/dl) and chelation with deferoxamine (20 to 60 mg/kg per day) ( p 1.05 gm/kg; the ratio for them exceeded 31. These patients were characterized by poor compliance with chelation or by late start of therapy, with inability to receive enough deferoxamine before death. Death was preceded by arrhythmia requiring therapy in all but one, and by cardiac failure in all. Of 41 similarly iron-loaded survivors, 33 had a ratio of
Michigan Information Transfer Source: Fee‐Based Information Service

Founded in 1980, Michigan Information Transfer Source primarily provides information services to corporations and industries for a fee. Requests requiring in excess of 15 minutes help are candidates for this service. This program complements and does not compete with other library programs and services. It is totally self‐supporting, although all staff are subject to University policies and benefits.
STUDY HABITS AND INTROVERSION-EXTROVERSION

The mastery of effective study habits remains one of the chief goals of university students. Even casual observation reveals dramatic differences among students in choice of places to study. Some students try to avoid other people at all costs, leaving their own rooms if a roommate is present, while others seek out the visual presence of other people in large study halls and maintain that they need some form of auditory and visual stimulation lest they lose interest and alertness. A previous investigation of library study places showed some students immediately tried to lose themselves in the stacks while others headed straight for the public areas (Sommer, 1966). The assumption made by some librarians (Ellsworth, 1965) that almost all university students prefer private sn~dy carrels was not supported by these data. In view of the gross differences in kinds of environment used, it seemed reasonable to ask whether personality factors influence choice of study places. A 12-item questionnaire dealing with study habits was administered to 130 st~ldents in introductory psychology classes along with the Maudsley scale of introversion-extroversion. The group was then divided into approximate thirds on the basis of their scores on the Maudsley, scores of 3 to 22 were introverts, 23 to 31 a middle group, and 32 to 46 extroverts. All differences were evaluated by chi square tests. There was no difference in the most effective snidy time, but introverts tended to study more on Friday nights than extroverts. Introverts tended to study while sitting at a desk or table, while extroverts preferred to sit on a couch or a bed. Extroverts also snacked considerably more than introverts ( p < .001), and smokers tended to smoke more while studying ( p < .01). Over 95 % of the 130 Ss took breaks during study periods, but there was a significant trend for extroverts ( p < .02) to spend the break with other people. Finally, there was an interesting trend ( p < .05) for introverts to earn higher grade point averages than extroverts: 4196 of the introverts reported GPAs of B or better, 29% of the middle group, and 24% of the extroverts. While these differences do not mean that study places must be prescribed like medicines according to individual personality, they do suggest some degree of flexibility in planning, so that an individual can select the kind of space he wants and adapt it to his needs. Built-in furninire and fixtures and homogeneous study halls in the library or dormitory prevent needed flexibility.
Coherent photon transport from spontaneous emission in one-dimensional waveguides

A two-level system coupled to a one-dimensional continuum is investigated. By using a real-space model Hamiltonian, we show that spontaneous emission can coherently interfere with the continuum modes and gives interesting transport properties. The technique is applied to various related problems with different configurations, and analytical solutions are given.
Meaningfulness of conclusions from combinatorial optimization

Abstract This paper summarizes the theory of meaningful statements from the literature of measurement theory and applies the concept of meaningfulness to combinatorial optimization. A variety of statements of the type usually made in combinatorial optimization are analyzed with regard to their meaningfulness and further directions of analysis are indicated. The analysis is applied to such problems as shortest path, maximum weighted acyclic subgraph, minimum spanning tree, utility maximization, and maximization of average performance.
Degeneration and the origins of Mexico's war on drugs.

In the early twentieth century, the concept of ““degeneration”” helped to turn ““drugs”” into a problem of national importance in Mexico. By invoking this concept, Mexico9s sanitary authorities secured provisions in the Constitution of 1917 which specifically authorized a newly constituted Department of Public Sanitation to lead a nation-wide campaign against drug abuse. That Department then inaugurated Mexico9s modern war on drugs when, in 1920, it declared a law governing the import and distribution of the opiates, cocaine, and marijuana nationwide. This essay examines the idea of degeneration and how it came to play this crucial role in the foundation of Mexico9s modern war on drugs.
Control con balón de la vena cava inferior suprahepática: nueva técnica para la trombosis asociada al carcinoma de células renales

El carcinoma de celulas renales tiene tendencia a diseminarse a traves de la vena renal a la vena cava inferior (VCI) y describimos un nuevo abordaje para esta situacion. Un hombre de 64 anos de edad se presento con carcinoma de celulas renales derecho metastasico y un trombo tumoral que se extendia en la VCI. Las tecnicas de diagnostico por imagen efectuadas revelaron un gran hemangioma adyacente a la VCI, que complicaba potencialmente la movilizacion hepatica. Usamos un balon para ocluir la VCI suprahepatica, fijando el cateter en la vena hepatica derecha. Con la VCI infrarrenal y la vena renal izquierda ocluidas, se extrajo el trombo a traves de una venotomia renal derecha/cavotomia parcial con una hemorragia minima. La oclusion con balon de la VCI suprahepatica ofrece una alternativa segura al control quirurgico de este vaso en las situaciones dificiles. Ademas, permite la practica de una nefrectomia a traves de un abordaje retroperitoneal pequeno mas que la exposicion prolongada necesaria para el control de la VCI. El posicionamiento del cateter en la vena hepatica impide la manipulacion del trombo durante la insercion del balon.
A re-examination of international seasonalities

Abstract Previous studies argue that market returns in the United States are higher in January than in the other months. Other studies corroborate this seasonality for other markets. This study reconsiders those conclusions by controlling for the numeraire used, the definition of returns, changes in the levels of segmentation, and the length over which seasonal returns are sought. We find that the results are sensitive to each of these factors. Finally, these results are sensitive to the statistical tests employed.
Radiation-induced rf loss measurements and thermal-stress calculations for ceramic windows

Abstract Irradiation with high energy neutrons can cause increases in loss tangent and thermal resistivity for some ceramics. Loss tangents over the range 0.02 to several MHz have been measured for single and polycrystalline aluminum oxide after irradiation with a spallation neutron source. Some samples of single crystal aluminum oxide were also irradiated with 14-MeV neutrons at RTNS-II to compare spectral effects. Significant increases in loss tangent were observed at the higher frequencies for the RTNS-II irradiated material. Numerical calculations of thermal stresses in RF windows, based on heating from dielectric losses and thermal conductivities, show that stresses can exceed measured fracture strengths in these materials.
Solid-State 95Mo NMR Studies of Some Prototypal Molybdenum Compounds: Sodium Molybdate Dihydrate, Hexacarbonylmolybdenum, and Pentacarbonyl Phosphine Molybdenum(0) Complexes

Molybdenum-95 nuclear quadrupolar coupling constants, χ(95Mo), and quadrupolar asymmetry parameters, η, for sodium molybdate dihydrate, hexacarbonylmolybdenum(0), pentacarbonyl-5-methyldibenzophospholemolybdenum(0), and pentacarbonylbis(diphenylphosphino)methanemolybdenum(0) were obtained from solid-state 95Mo NMR measurements at 26 MHz (9.4 T). The first direct measurements of 1J(95Mo,13C) and 1J(95Mo,31P) from solid-state 95Mo NMR spectra are reported. Also, the first example of a 13C/12C isotope effect on 95Mo shielding is reported for solid Mo(CO)6: 1ΔMo(13/12C) = −0.316 ppm. Direct-dipolar spin−spin interactions involving protons and molybdenum (i.e., 1H−95Mo) are relatively weak and do not appear to make significant contributions to 95Mo NMR line shapes when spectra are acquired with magic-angle spinning. Hexacarbonylmolybdenum is proposed as a useful setup sample for solid-state 95Mo NMR studies. Our results for the pentacarbonyl phosphine molybdenum complexes indicate that solid-state 95Mo NMR st...
Core FOBS: A hybrid functional and object-oriented language

We describe a computer language that is a hybrid between functional and object-oriented languages. The language is based on a simple structure called a FOB (functional-object), capable of being used as a function, or accessed as an object. FOBS is a dynamically typed, referentially transparent language, designed for use as a universal scripting language. An extensive library is integral to the language. The library implements the primitive types and provides an interface to the external environment, allowing scripting actions to be carried out. FOBS is structured as an extended language, that is reduced to a core language by macro expansion. Our paper provides an introduction to the core language, a brief discussion of the extended language, and formal specifications of syntax and semantics for the core. The formal semantic description for FOBS is somewhat unusual for a scripting language. However, this description ensures that the FOBS semantics is well-specified, allowing programmers to write well understood programs, increasing program reliability.
Series Expansions for Quadratic Forms in Normal Variables

Abstract A differential operator is defined and applied to the gamma density function. By formal mathematical manipulation the resulting function can be identified with linear combinations of independent gamma variates and central and noncentral definite quadratic forms in independent normal variates. Laguerre series expansions in which the choice of parameters is of a general nature are given. These Laguerre series and chi-square, power and Edgeworth series are then compared in the effectiveness in evaluating the distribution function of quadratic forms.
Associative satiation or selective activation

Two experiments, differing only in mode of response elicitation (oral, discrete, or written, continuous), were conducted to study the effects of verbal satiation. A 4 × 3 × 2 design was used: There were four conditions of satiation (self-, synonym-, and unrelatedsatiation, plus a nonverbal control), three levels of S-primary R strength (high, medium, and low), and two satiation intervals (4 and 60 sec). Neither experiment supported the associative satiation hypothesis. An alternative explanation of selective associative activation is suggested.
Inverse Lax-Wendroff procedure for numerical boundary conditions of conservation laws

We develop a high order finite difference numerical boundary condition for solving hyperbolic conservation laws on a Cartesian mesh. The challenge results from the wide stencil of the interior high order scheme and the fact that the boundary intersects the grids in an arbitrary fashion. Our method is based on an inverse Lax-Wendroff procedure for the inflow boundary conditions. We repeatedly use the partial differential equation to write the normal derivatives to the inflow boundary in terms of the time derivatives and the tangential derivatives. With these normal derivatives, we can then impose accurate values of ghost points near the boundary by a Taylor expansion. At outflow boundaries, we use Lagrange extrapolation or least squares extrapolation if the solution is smooth, or a weighted essentially non-oscillatory (WENO) type extrapolation if a shock is close to the boundary. Extensive numerical examples are provided to illustrate that our method is high order accurate and has good performance when applied to one and two-dimensional scalar or system cases with the physical boundary not aligned with the grids and with various boundary conditions including the solid wall boundary condition. Additional numerical cost due to our boundary treatment is discussed in some of the examples.
Threshold and Associative Based Classification for Social Spam Profile Detection on Twitter

Online Social Networks (OSNs) such as Facebook and Twitter are the fastest growing online entities. Because they do not require much authentication for a user to create an account, they are susceptible to social spam attacks. These low-quality, unsolicited, and unwanted bulk messages commonly originate from Social Spam Profiles (SSPs). Spam messages may contain harmful virus links that infect users and propagate throughout OSNs. Twitter, a fast growing OSN site, has a large number of SSPs that have the potential to harm legitimate users. In this paper, a fast and scalable approach is proposed to detect SSPs on Twitter using content, behavioral, and graph-based data. After various investigations, a threshold and associative based classifier is created. Then, the new classifier is compared with the supervised machine learning algorithm, SVM, and two other existing algorithms in terms of accuracy, precision, sensitivity, and specificity. The new classifier with an accuracy of 79.26% is better than SVM with an accuracy of 69.32%. In summary, SSPs are younger, have more statuses, more tweets in succession, and contain keywords that differentiate a spam profile from a non-spam profile.
Disproportionate available to dissipated energy density model related to emission of CO2 and evaluation of structural energy efficiency

Abstract Continuing deterioration of the climate has been attributed to the notoriously low efficiency (30–40%) of power generation plants and energy conversion processes in general. This is not because of the shortcoming of technical know how but rather the lack of effective policy making. The need for a model that can rank the energy based efficiency of housing and building is apparent. Consistency can then be achieved to make check and balance of energy thresholds. The available and dissipated energy density ratio is chosen as the pertinent parameter for reaching the tolerable threshold of CO2 at the time t∗. This concept was applied to three models, namely the IPPC (ISP92a), K-e-a and S&P, each of which would yield different years for the CO2 level to reach 700 ppm as the assumed tolerable level. The estimated years are ta = 2090 for IPPC (ISP92a), tk = 2066 for K-e-a and t∗ = 2077 for S&P model. Note that the models of IPPC (ISP92a) and K-e-a are, respectively, the upper and lower limits. The time t∗ = 2077 to point 6∗ in a time plot of the available to dissipated energy density ratio. This happens to correspond with the result for the S&P model that is close to being the average of ta and tk. The means for quantifying the efficiency of stationary structures and high speed vehicles are also defined and computed. The operating efficiency of ordinary buildings can be improved from about 30% to 50% by adapting energy saving technologies. The efficiencies of the Boeing 787-3, -8 and -9 that use 50% composite material air transports were found to be 38.7%, 49.9% and 53.0%, respectively. The metal structure Boeing 757-200 had a considerable lower efficiency of 28%. While the Boeing 787-9 has the highest passenger capacity and hence the largest energy dissipation but it has the highest efficiency. This is because the 787-9 has the lowest dissipation to available energy density ratio. The consideration of energy efficiency is vital to controlling the emission of green house gas such as carbon dioxide and nitrous oxide.
Constant Composition Studies Verify the Utility of the Cabrera−Vermilyea (C-V) Model in Explaining Mechanisms of Calcium Oxalate Monohydrate Crystallization

The classic theory of Cabrera and Vermilyea (C-V) postulates that inhibition of crystallization by impurities is the result of pinning of step motion. Although generally accepted, the predictions of the C-V model have not been previously linked to studies of impurity adsorption in macroscopic crystallization systems. Since calcium oxalate monohydrate (COM) is the primary constituent of most human kidney stones, effects of impurities on COM crystallization are biologically relevant. Recent in situ atomic force microscopy (AFM) studies suggest that citrate molecules adsorb to COM step edges on the (−101) face, thereby pinning step motion and decreasing the velocity of the steps. We have now investigated the crystallization kinetics of COM in the presence of citrate at 37 °C and I = 0.15 mol L-1 using the constant composition (CC) method. The dependence of growth rate on both supersaturation and citrate concentration were measured, and the behavior of the COM−citrate system was found to be in reasonable agre...
Intradural extramedullary causes of myelopathy

This article emphasizes the utility of contrast-enhanced MRI in the detection of intradural extramedullary causes of myelopathy. Recognition of morphological pattems, signal intensities, and enhancement patterns frequently permits a specific diagnosis or a limited differential diagnosis.
A three-dimensional He-NaH potential energy surface for rovibrational energy transfer studies.

A three-dimensional potential energy surface for the He-NaH van der Waals complex is calculated at the coupled cluster singles-and-doubles with noniterative inclusion of connected triples [CCSD(T)] level of theory. Estimates of CCSD(T) interaction energies for an infinitely large basis set is obtained using a basis set extrapolation scheme. The He-NaH potential energy surface is much different than the He-LiH surface. In particular, the He-NaH system has a binding energy of De=19.73 cm−1 in comparison to De=176.7 cm−1 for He-LiH. These minima are at the θ=180° linear geometry where the helium is located at the metal end of the metal hydride. The He-NaH and He-LiH potentials are very similar for the θ=0° linear geometry. The He-NaH potential energy surface supports one vibrational bound state with E=−1.48 cm−1. Since this energy is smaller than the accuracy of the potential energy surface, the existence of a bound He-NaH complex is questionable.
Single-stage sacral coccygectomy and repair using human acellular dermal matrix (AlloDerm®) with bilateral gluteus maximus flaps for hernia prophylaxis

Sacrococcygectomy is often necessary for the ablation of malignancies involving the sacrum and coccyx, and can result in deep posterior peritoneal defects with disruption of the pelvic floor. Such a radical procedure is frequently associated with significant morbidity, including sacral herniation. Numerous techniques for the closure of the surgical defect have been described, with varying degrees of success in avoiding future herniation. We report the first single-stage coccygectomy and partial sacrectomy with closure utilizing human acellular dermal matrix (HADM) (AlloDerm®; LifeCell Corporation, Branchburg, NJ) and bilateral gluteus maximus transposition flaps.
Trp56 of Rac1 Specifies Interaction with a Subset of Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors

Signaling specificity of Rho GTPase pathways is achieved in part by selective interaction between members of the Dbl family guanine nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and their Rho GTPase substrates. For example, Trio, GEF-H1, and Tiam1 are a subset of GEFs that specifically activate Rac1 but not the closely related Cdc42. The Rac1 specificity of these GEFs appears to be governed by Rac1-GEF binding interaction. To understand the detailed mechanism underlying the GEF specificity issue, we have analyzed a panel of chimeras made between Rac1 and Cdc42 and examined a series of point mutants of Rac1 made at the switch I, switch II, and β2/β3 regions for their ability to interact with and to be activated by the GEFs. The results reveal that Rac1 residues of both the switch I and switch II regions are involved in GEF docking and GEF-mediated nucleotide disruption, because mutation of Asp38, Asn39, Gln61, Tyr64, or Arg66/Leu67 into Ala results in the loss of GEF binding, whereas mutation at Tyr32, Asp65, or Leu70/Ser71 leads to the loss of GEF catalysis while retaining the binding capability. The region between amino acids 53–72 of Rac1 is required for specific recognition and activation by the GEFs, and Trp56 in β3 appears to be the critical determinant. Introduction of Trp56 to Cdc42 renders it fully responsive to the Rac-specific GEF in vitro and in cells. Further, a polypeptide derived from the β3 region of Rac1 including the Trp56 residue serves as a specific inhibitor for Rac1 interaction with the GEFs. Taken together, these results indicate that Trp56 is the necessary and sufficient determinant of Rac1 for discrimination by the subset of Rac1-specific GEFs and suggest that a compound mimicking Trp56 action could be explored as an interfering reagent specifically targeting Rac1 activation.
Statistical Power of Training Evaluation Designs.

Sample size requirements needed to achieve various levels of statistical power using posttest-only, gain-score, and analysis of covariance designs in evaluating training interventions have been developed. Results are presented which indicate that the power to detect true effects differs according to the type of design, the correlation between the pre- and posttest, and the size of the effect due to the training program. We show that the type of design and correlations between the pre- and posttest complexly determine the power curve. Finally, an estimate of typical sample sizes used in training evaluation design has been determined and reviewed to determine the power of the various designs to detect true effects, given this sample-size specification. Recommendations for type of design are provided based on sample size and projected correlations between pre- and posttest scores.
Palliative Care and Psychosocial Contributions in the ICU

Psychosocial domains and palliative care medicine are the connective tissue of our fragmented health care system. The psychosocial domains of palliative care are central to creating new partnerships with physicians, patients, and their caregivers in emotionally charged medical environments, especially Intensive Care Units. Managing the psychological, social, emotional, spiritual, practical and existential reactions of patients and their loved ones supports effective action and problem-solving. Practical aspects to establishing realistic goals of care among the health care team and other specialists, communicating effectively with patients and families in crisis, using the diverse and ambiguous emotional responses of patients, families, faculty and staff therapeutically, and helping to create meaning in the experience is essential to whole-patient and family care centered. The family conference is an excellent vehicle to create an environment of honest and open communication focused on mobilizing the resources of the patient, family and health care team toward a mutually agreed upon plan of action resulting in clearly defined goals of care.
An ontological fuzzy Smith-Waterman with applications to patient retrieval in Electronic Medical Records

With the introduction of Electronic Medical Records (EMR) systems in health care institutions, a huge data repository has been created. By employing computational intelligence (CI) techniques, this data repository can be used to address important health care issues such as improving quality and reducing medical errors. In this paper, we introduce a general word sequence alignment method based on a fuzzy version of the Smith-Waterman (SW) dynamic programming algorithm. The word similarity matrix used in computing the sequence alignment is calculated based on a domain ontology (taxonomy). The fuzzy version of the SW algorithm is designed to accommodate words not present in the initial dictionary used to precompute the similarity matrix, hence avoiding its recalculation. We apply the developed algorithm for patient retrieval in an EMR. Each patient is described by an ordered sequence of ICD9 diagnoses. We analyze various properties of the proposed algorithm on a patient dataset that contains 107 patients described by ICD9 diagnose sequences.
De novo fatty acid synthesis and elongation of fatty acids by subcellular fractions of lung.

Fatty acid synthesis by subcellular fractions of rabbit lung was studied by measuring the incorporation of either radioactive acetyl coenzyme A or malonyl coenzyme A into long-chain fatty acids. Evidence is presented to support the conclusions that the 95,000 g-supernatant fraction contains the enzymes, i.e., fatty acid synthetase and acetyl coenzyme A carboxylase, necessary for de novo fatty acid synthesis and is capable of synthesizing long-chain fatty acids, probably palmitic acid, under the appropriate conditions. The mitochondrial fraction incorporates the short-chain coenzyme A derivatives into fatty acids predominantly by the elongation pathway. It is suggested that the palmitic acid synthesized in vivo by the de novo fatty acid synthetic pathway, demonstrated in vitro in rabbit lung, may be a source of the lecithin palmitic acid utilized in the synthesis of pulmonary surfactant.
Carbon-14-and carbon-13-labeled phosphoric acid [2-4-(4-cyanophenyl)-thiazol-2-yl]-(2,4-difluorophenyl)-1-[1,2,4]triazol-4-yl-methylpropoxymethyl] monoester dilysine salt, a prodrug of ravuconazole

4-Bromobenzoic acid [carboxyl-14C] and 4-(2-bromoacetyl) [Ar-13C6]benzonitrile were transformed into the title compounds containing [ring14C-thiazol-4-yl] and [Ar-13C6-benzonitrile]. 14C-Ravuconazole was prepared in 37% yield and Purity >99%. 13C6-Ravuconazole was made in 56% overall yield and Purity of >98%. Each labeled compound was converted by additional reaction steps to the corresponding labeled prodrug. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd
“Those Anime Students”: Foreign Language Literacy Development Through Japanese Popular Culture

Using multiliteracies and sociocultural perspectives on language and literacy learning, this article describes three Japanese as a foreign language (JFL) students' literacy development through involvement with Japanese popular culture. As part of a larger qualitative ethnographic study, the author interviewed JFL learners who have a particular interest in Japanese popular culture. Analysis suggests that JFL learners develop literacy skills such as word recognition, listening, and pronunciation in the social contexts provided by anime, or Japanese animation. It appears that “anime students” are simultaneously developing foreign language literacy skills, taking up a critical stance toward media, and constructing identities within anime culture.
Understanding the Non-Metropolitan—Metropolitan Digital Divide

A consistent gap exists between home Internet use in metropolitan areas and in non-metropolitan areas in the U.S. This digital divide may stem from technology differences in home Internet connectivity. Alternatively, differences in education, income, and other household attributes may explain differences in metropolitan and non-metropolitan area home Internet access. Effective programs to reduce the metropolitan-non-metropolitan digital divide must be based on an understanding of the relative roles that technology and household characteristics play in determining differential Internet usage. The household Internet adoption decision is modeled using a logit estimation approach with data from the 2001 U.S. Current Population Survey Internet and Computer Use Supplement. A decomposition of separate metropolitan and non- metropolitan area estimates shows that differences in household attributes, particularly education and income, account for 63 percent of the current metropolitan-non-metropolitan digital divide. The result raises significant doubts that policies which focus solely on infrastructure and tech- nology access will mitigate the current metropolitan-non-metropolitan digital divide.
Maternal depressive disorder and contextual risk: Contributions to the development of attachment insecurity and behavior problems in toddlerhood

Research has shown that offspring of depressed caregivers are at increased risk for maladaptive development and emotional difficulties. Specifically, infants and toddlers of depressed mothers have been shown to evidence higher percentages of insecure attachments and more behavioral difficulties than offspring of nondisordered mothers. However, even in studies that reveal significant differences between children of depressed and nondepressed caregivers, a substantial number of children with depressed caregivers do not evidence dysfunction. Such findings have resulted in increased attention to the broader social context in which children of depressed mothers develop. This investigation examined the direct influences of maternal depression on child development, as well as the role of contextual risks that may be particularly heightened in families with depressed parents. Toddlers with depressed mothers evidenced significantly more insecure attachments than did toddlers with nondisordered mothers, and this difference was not accounted for by contextual risk. In predicting child behavior problems, contextual risk was found to mediate the relation between maternal depression and child behavior problems. Father-report data on child behavior corroborated the mother report data. Results are discussed in terms of the diversity of functioning in offspring of depressed caregivers that can be attributed to varied levels of contextual risk accompanying depression.