cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The COVID-19 Pandemic, Stress, and Eating Practices in the United States

The COVID-19 pandemic has disrupted the lives of people worldwide. In this study, we assessed the burden of stress during the pandemic and its relationship with eating practices in a national random sample of American adults. Data were collected using an online survey and the participants were asked about their demographic characteristics, perceived stress, and eating practices in April 2020. Compared to their counterparts, average stress scores were statistically significantly higher for racial and ethnic minority individuals, those who were employed part-time, were single, lived in the Midwest, and were ≤35 years of age. More than one-tenth of the participants reported practicing more unhealthy eating practices during the pandemic lockdowns: fasting (16%), restricting eating (20%), skipping meals (25%), and overeating (39%). Concerning the overall perception of diet, nearly a third reported that their diet had worsened during the pandemic (31%). In adjusted and unadjusted analyses after controlling for demographic characteristics, stress scores were statistically significantly higher for those engaging in unhealthy eating practices and those who reported that their diet had worsened. Policymakers and public health practitioners should redouble their efforts in preventing morbidity and premature mortality by implementing interventions that address the multiple detrimental stressors of the COVID-19 pandemic.
A Rational Emotive, Cognitive Behavioral Approach in Clinical Work with Suicidal and Non-suicidal Self-Injurious Behaviors Among Children and Adolescents

Suicidal and non-suicidal self-injurious (NSSI) behaviors among children and adolescents have grown in prevalence over the past several years and have been linked with a multitude of adverse outcomes. Evidence-based assessment and treatment of these high-risk behaviors is crucial, especially within the school setting where school-based providers will inevitably work with students presenting with these high-risk and life-threatening behaviors. These behaviors can be challenging to assess and treat, given their inherent high-risk nature. Assessment measures will be reviewed, providing an overview of tools with an evidence base to support clinicians in managing suicide and NSSI. This chapter will provide an overview of behaviors across the suicide and self-harm spectrum, as well as assessment tools and considerations to support school-based clinicians in managing suicide and NSSI among children and adolescents. Theoretical foundations of both rational emotive behavior therapy (REBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT) are reviewed, as well as considerations for adapting these interventions for working with youth in a school setting. The research evidence for these interventions is summarized, and suggestions for clinical utilization are discussed. Finally, a case study of an adolescent presenting with suicidality and NSSI is presented, illustrating the assessment and treatment phases using a REBT approach.
Progress in Corticosteroid Use in the Era of Biologics With Room for Improvement.

ABSTRACT With the early success of their trials for the treatment of ulcerative colitis, corticosteroids gained popularity as a treatment for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). However, when used chronically, corticosteroids are not effective in maintaining remission and associated with toxic effects. Steroid-free remission has become a major treatment goal. Prolonged corticosteroid use is currently a sign of suboptimal quality of care. Trends over the past 2 decades, spanning the emergence of biologic therapies for IBD, are explored here in the University of Manitoba IBD Epidemiologic Database.
SOC Estimation Error Analysis for Li Ion Batteries

State of charge (SOC) estimation is one of the most critical functions in battery management systems. Identifying and quantifying the contribution made by each error source plays an important role in improving the accuracy of SOC estimation. This paper proposes a novel framework to analyze each error source and quantify their contributions. To demonstrate the framework, a case study was conducted to assess the error contributions from the current sensor, the Ah integration software and hardware, and the estimation of the reference Ah capacity in the Ah counting method. Three standard tests such as the capacity test, pulse test, and drive cycle test were performed on a commercial battery pack. The results indicate that the software and hardware that perform Ah integration contributed most of the inaccuracy. Also, the inaccuracy from the estimation of the reference Ah capacity contributed much more than from the current sensor.
Data-Driven Process Modeling and Optimization Aided by Material and Energy Balances: The Case of a Batch Polymerization Process

Abstract Our group recently defined two novel data-driven modeling methodologies: The Design of Dynamic Experiments (DoDE) and the Dynamic Response Surface Methodology (DRSM). These two methods enable the quick and efficient data-driven modeling of processes with a partial understanding of their inner workings. They generalize the Design of Experiments (DoE) and the Response Surfaces Methodology (RSM). DoDE allows time-varying inputs, and DRSM models time-varying process outputs. In this paper, we combine the above data-driven tools and partial knowledge of a batch polymerization process to develop an integrated data and knowledge-driven model. The optimization objective is to minimize the process’s batch time while producing the same product quality, increasing productivity. The process knowledge incorporated into the model consists of material and energy balances in which we lack a quantitative description of the rate phenomena, such as reaction or mass/heat transfer rates. The optimization is evolutionary; initially, targeting small improvements through constrained extrapolations around the normal operating conditions. Then, we build the first models and use such models to design the next set of experiments that meet our specifications. This cycle of running experiments and updating the models is repeated until an optimum is reached. After three cycles, we succeeded in reducing the batch time by 26%, while producing acceptable product.
Changes in the Scope of the Law: The Effect of Skill and Reputation on Law Enforcement

The economic analysis of deterrence emphasizes the role of expected sanctions in creating costs to illegal behavior. Typically, the enforcement of the law is compressed into a single probability. This variable is intended to summarize all relevant information regarding not only the chance of observing the violation, but also includes the decisions of the police officers, prosecutors, defense attorneys, judges, jurors, parole boards, etc. While a substantial literature has developed for assessing the objectives of and influences on judges and prosecutors, the incentives facing police officers has been relatively neglected. Our objective is to develop a theoretical environment to assess determinants of policing decisions.
The Trichomonad Hydrogenosome

Trichomonads are deep-branching protists that are thought to be early-diverging eukaryotes (Sogin, 1991). These organisms belong to the phylum Parabasalia which encompasses both non-parasitic and parasitic trichomonads. The two best studied parasitic trichomonads are the cattle-infective parasite, Tritrichomonas foetus and the human-infective parasite, Trichomonas vaginalis. These parasites are flagellated, extracellular organisms that are sexually transmitted and reside in the urogenital tracts of their hosts. Over 150 million cases of human trichomoniasis are reported each year and significant financial losses are frequently suffered due to trichomoniasis in cattle, making these parasites important in both the medical and agricultural communities. Aside from their medical and agricultural importance, a number of unusual biochemical properties of Trichomonas have captured the attention of scientists. The appeal of trichomonads from a biological viewpoint stems, in large part, from properties that reflect both their primitive nature and parasitic lifestyle. For example, trichomonads lack two organelles typically found in eukaryotes, the mitochondrion and the peroxisome, but instead contain an organelle involved in carbohydrate metabolism called the hydrogenosome.
Reported literacy, media consumption and social media use as measures of relevance of Spanish as a heritage language

Aims and objectives:This paper explores one dimension of language maintenance among college-aged heritage speakers of Spanish (HSS) in three communities of the U.S. Midwest. The aim was to understand whether Spanish was relevant at a point in life in which they were developing their own networks away from their families. Research questions: Were reading and writing in Spanish relevant for the participants? Did they use Spanish when on social media? Did they text in Spanish? Was Spanish relevant for them when consuming content on electronic media?Methodology:This analysis is part of a larger study on HSS in communities of recent Latino settlement. Respondents participated in an oral interview and responded to an online survey.Data and analysis:Results presented here come from a study designed to gather data on reported interlocutors, reading and writing, electronic media consumption, and social media use. Respondents were 71 HSS between the ages of 19 and 29. Results were compared with two control groups: ...
Regulation of apolipoprotein E biosynthesis by cAMP and phorbol ester in rat ovarian granulosa cells.

Abstract Apolipoprotein E (apoE) is synthesized by the liver and many peripheral cells. Rat ovarian granulosa cells synthesize and secrete apoE, and this apoE production is increased by agents that increase cellular cAMP. In these studies of granulosa cell apoE synthesis we have examined the effect of agents that stimulate various cell kinases, including protein kinases A, G, and C. The cell content of apoE mRNA was measured simultaneously. Cholera toxin (1.25 micrograms/ml), dibutyryl-cAMP (5 mg/ml), and forskolin (10(-4) M), all of which increase cellular cAMP, stimulate apoE accumulation in the medium 7-10-fold. On the other hand, dibutyryl-cGMP (20 mg/ml) has no effect on apoE synthesis or secretion. The phorbol ester 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol 13-acetate (100 ng/ml), a protein kinase C stimulator, increases apoE accumulation in the medium 8-10-fold, while 4 alpha-phorbol 12,13-didecanoate, the inactive phorbol congener, has no such effect. The cAMP effect on apoE synthesis by granulosa cells is maximal at 48 h, while the phorbol ester effect is maximal at 72-96 h in culture. The data indicate that agents whose effects are mediated by activation of protein kinases A and C, but not G, stimulate granulosa cell apoE production. These effects on the amount of secreted apoE are temporally preceded by increases in the granulosa cell content of apoE messenger RNA. Together, these data suggest that the regulation of apoE production in the rat ovarian granulosa cell could involve transcriptional and post-transcriptional mechanisms.
Sonoporation: Mechanical DNA delivery by ultrasonic cavitation

Development of nonviral gene transfer methods would be a valuable addition to the gene-therapy armamentarium, particularly for localized targeting of specific tissue volumes. Ultrasound can produce a variety of nonthermal bioeffects via acoustic cavitation including DNA delivery. Cavitation bubbles may induce cell death or transient membrane permeabilization (sonoporation) on a single cell level, as well as microvascular hemorrhage and disruption of tissue structure. Application of sonoporation for gene delivery to cells requires control of cavitation activity. Many studies have been performed using in vitro exposure systems, for which cavitation is virtually ubiquitous. In vivo, cavitation initiation and control is more difficult, but can be enhanced by cavitation nucleation agents, such as an ultrasound contrast agent. Sonoporation and ultrasonically enhanced gene delivery has been reported for a wide range of conditions including low frequency sonication (kilohertz frequencies), lithotripter shockwaves, HIFU, and even diagnostic ultrasound (megahertz frequencies). In vitro, a variety of cell lines has been successfully transfected, with concomitant cell killing. In vivo, initial applications have been to cancer gene therapy, for which cell killing can be a useful simultaneous treatment, and to cardiovascular disease. The use of ultrasound for nonviral gene delivery has been demonstrated for a robust array of in vitro and mammalian systems, which provides a fundamental basis and strong promise for development of new gene therapy methods for clinical medicine.
Consolidated Global Entrepreneurship Monitor Adult Population Survey: Data Overview

The Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) research program was developed to provide harmonized comparisons among countries related to the level of participation in entrepreneurial activities. Download the slides at: http://papers.ssrn.com/paper=1028027 Download the audio file at: http://papers.ssrn.com/paper=1028836
Secondary hyperparathyroidism in children with chronic renal failure: pathogenesis and treatment.

Despite advances in the management of patients with chronic renal failure, histologic features associated with secondary hyperparathyroidism remain the predominant skeletal findings; however, over the last decade the prevalence of adynamic bone has increased in both adult and pediatric patients with chronic renal failure.
Effects of Nuclear Burning on X-Ray and UV Emission from Accreting Nonmagnetic Degenerate Dwarfs

The energy liberated by nuclear burning of matter accreting onto degenerate dwarfs can be more than an order of magnitude greater than that available from the release of gravitational potential energy. Nuclear burning therefore significantly alters the characteristics of X radiation from such stars. Here we report the results of calculations in which steady burning occurs at the accretion rate, and compare them with our calculations (Kylafis and Lamb 1979, hereafter KL) which assumed no burning. These two studies illustrate the maximum and minimum effects of nuclear burning. Results for intermediate burning rates can be found by scaling from them.
GEOSO - a geo-social model: from real-world co-occurrences to social connections

As the popularity of social networks is continuously growing, collected data about online social activities is becoming an important asset enabling many applications such as target advertising, sale promotions, and marketing campaigns. Although most social interactions are recorded through online activities, we believe that social experiences taking place offline in the real physical world are equally if not more important. This paper introduces a geo-social model that derives social activities from the history of people's movements in the real world, i.e., who has been where and when. In particular, from spatiotemporal histories, we infer real-world co-occurrences - being there at the same time - and then use co-occurrences to quantify social distances between any two persons. We show that straightforward approaches either do not scale or may overestimate the strength of social connections by giving too much weight to coincidences. The experiments show that our model well captures social relationships between people, even on partially available data.
Biochemical and Immunological Effects of Listeria monocytogenes Hemolysin

The biochemical and immunological effects of Listeria monocytogenes hemolysin in CD-1 mice were studied. Intraperitoneal injection of 256 complete hemolytic units (CHU) caused a twofold increase in plasma β-glucuronidase levels but was not lethal. In contrast, 256 or more CHU caused 100% lethality in 4 to 5 min when administered intravenously. Intravenous administration of 50 CHU caused a 10- to 11-fold increase in plasma β-glucuronidase levels and was lethal for a variable percentage of the animals. Carbon clearance experiments showed the phagocytic index to be depressed by relatively small amounts of intravenously administered hemolysin and suggested that hemolysin may function as a leucocidal agressin during listeric infection. Increased plasma levels of ornithine carbamyltransferase after intravenous injection of hemolysin indicated hepatocellular damage. Liver carbohydrate and blood glucose determinations on fasted mice showed a reduced gluconeogenic capability in hemolysin-treated animals. Mice immunized with purified hemolysin or live vaccine were more resistant to several of the toxic parameters studied. The data indicate that hemolysin is produced during listeric infection and is antigenic, but not necessarily a protective immunogen.
Multiple oligo(A) tracts associated with inactive sea urchin maternal mRNA sequences

Abstract Maternal RNA of sea urchin eggs and embryos was analyzed for short poly(A) sequences by digesting hybrids formed between [3H]poly(U) and poly(A) with RNase at 4°C. When the undigested [3H]poly(U) is precipitated with CTAB, all (A)n tracts longer than 6 nucleotides are detected. This assay revealed a poly(A) content severalfold higher than is obtained with a similar assay using RNase at higher temperatures. On polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis, most of the previously undetected (A)n tracts ran as a peak of oligo(A) of less than 20 nucleotides which accumulated at the dye front. The oligo(A) sequences were resolved into a single peak of (A)10 when sized on Sephadex G100. These (A)10 sequences were associated with large mRNA-sized molecules of about 3000 nucloetides average length which comprised 0.5 to 2% of the total maternal RNA. However, the (A)10 sequences were not in mRNA molecules containing 3′-terminal poly(A) of 50–120 nucleotides nor did they remain in RNA that entered polysomes upon fertilization. However, hybridization studies showed that all sequences represented in the maternal poly(A)-containing RNA appeared to be present in the RNA molecules containing only (A)10 sequences. The results suggest that the (A)10-containing RNA might be incompletely processed mRNA precursor-like molecules.
Global Modeling of high frequency devices

In this work, we utilize the Finite-Difference Time Domain (FDTD) Method coupled to a full-band, Cellular Monte Carlo (CMC) simulator to model the behavior of high-frequency devices. Replacing the quasi-static Poisson solver with a more exact electromagnetic (EM) solver provides a full-wave solution of Maxwell’s equations, resulting in a more accurate model for determining the high-frequency response of microwave transistors.
Intersecting fuzzy hypergraphs

Intersecting fuzzy hypergraphs possess a number of attributes which parallel properties of crisp intersecting hypergraphs. We explore this phenomenon in detail. We also develop an interesting dialogue between intersecting fuzzy hypergraphs and fuzzy transversals.
Characterization of damage in electron cyclotron resonance plasma etched compound semiconductors

Abstract Plasma-induced changes to the near-surface of compound semiconductors can be categorized as follows: (i) introduction of deep-level, non-radiative centers due to energetic ion bombardment, (ii) passivation of dopant impurities by atomic hydrogen, even when hydrogen is not an explicit part of the plasma chemistry, (iii) alteration of the near-surface stoichiometry through preferential loss of the more volatile element, (iv) deposition or creation of contaminating films, especially polymers. The use of high density plasma sources such as electron cyclotron resonance or inductively coupled plasma reduces ion bombardment damage except at very high ion fluxes, and allows use of hydrogen and polymer free plasma chemistries such as Cl 2 /Ar to etch all III–V compounds. Control of the near-surface stoichiometry is possible by balancing the removal rates of group V and group III etch products.
Synthesis and secretion of plasminogen activators and collagenases in human cells transformed by Kirsten murine sarcoma virus and N-methyl-N'-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine.

Abstract The secretion of elevated levels of proteinases is considered to be a distinct property of most transformed cells. The cellular and secreted levels of plasminogen activators and collagenases have been examined in the non-malignant human osteosarcoma (HOS), the malignant Kirsten murine sarcoma virus transformed ( KHOS NP ), the temperature sensitive revertant of virus transformed HOS (KHOS-240S) and N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitrosoguanidine transformed HOS ( MNNG HOS ) clones. Virus and MNNG transformed clones exhibit 100- and 7-fold higher cellular and and 270- and 30-fold higher extracellular plasminogen activator (PA) activity as compared with untransformed HOS controls. The cellular PA activity of the revertant clone is similar to but the secreted level is slightly higher than the HOS controls. SDS-PAGE in the presence of casein and plasminogen is consistent with the major PA species of urinary type (u-PA) and with the absence of PA inhibitor in the parent and revertant clones. The cellular levels of active collagenase are low in all the clones. However, on activation by trypsin, the two active collagenase bands of similar intensity are observed for all the lines in SDS-PAGE in the presence of gelatin. While there appears to be some elevation of secreted collagenase prior to trypsin activation, the activated collagenases appear to have the same size and activity in all of the clones.
Bioerodible polyphosphazenes and their medical potential

An account is presented of the development, evaluation, and current status of an unusual series of polymers optimized specifically for biomedical applications. The polymers are based on the polyphosphazene platform with side groups chosen for their ability to sensitize the polymers to hydrolysis to benign small molecules that can be metabolized or excreted from the body. The largest class of these polymers consists of macromolecules with amino acid ester side groups and these are the main focus of the article. However, a variety of polymers with other side groups also show promise as bioerodible species, and these are mentioned later in the article.
THE EFFECT OF HYDROGEN ION CONCENTRATION UPON THE INDUCTION OF POLARITY IN FUCUS EGGS II. THE EFFECT OF DIFFUSION GRADIENTS BROUGHT ABOUT BY EGGS IN CAPILLARY TUBES

1. When a Fucus egg develops near one end in a close fitting capillary tube of pyrex glass or silica (quartz), diffusion of substances passing to and from the egg is more impeded on the side of the egg toward the far end of the tube. 2. The egg therefore develops in a gradient of its own diffusion products, and of oxygen tension. 3. More than 600 eggs have been reared, each near one end in a capillary, in sea water at various regulated and measured pH values. 4. When the medium, which is initially homogeneous inside and outside the capillary, is initially at pH 6.5 to 7.6, nearly all of the eggs develop rhizoid protuberances on the sides of the eggs toward the far ends of the capillaries. This is on the sides of the eggs where the concentration of substances diffusing from the eggs is greatest. 5. The polarity and developmental pattern of the egg is thus determined either by a concentration gradient of products diffusing from it, or by a gradient of oxygen tension. The former interpretation is favored. 6. This is regarded as an extension of earlier observations that rhizoid protuberances form on the sides of two neighboring eggs in the direction of the neighbor if the sea water is acidified. 7. It appears hardly possible that a mitogenetic effect could be responsible for the response of an egg to its own diffusion gradients. 8. When the medium is made more basic, the percentage of the eggs which form rhizoid protuberances toward the far end of the tube decreases to about 20 or 25 per cent between pH 8.1 and 8.6. The response of the egg to the gradients which it produces is thus statistically reversed. The determination of the polarity of the eggs by the diffusion gradients does not become as complete in alkalinized as in acidified sea water. 9. When the pH of the sea water is elevated to 9.1 or 9.2, salts precipitate out. The type of development is altered and the control of the diffusion gradients over the polarity of the eggs decreases.
Bound waves and sea-surface slopes

For several years, suggestions have been made that sea surface roughness cannot be adequately explained in terms of weakly interacting, wind-generated waves. Rather, ripples that are generated by longer waves, are tilted by them, and are moving at nearly the speed of the longer wave have been postulated to coexist with waves that are directly generated by the wind, that is, with free waves. Effects of these bound waves have been detected in microwave backscatter on the ocean and in wind-wave tanks, and in surface-slope probability density functions (PDFs) in wind-wave tanks. Here we show that Cox and Munk's sea-surface slope PDFs are fully consistent with this bound wave/free wave model. From the fits of these PDFs to the model, we conclude that probabilities of finding bound waves are nearly the same in wind-wave tanks and on the ocean, and both are much higher than the probability of observing whitecaps. Variances of both bound and free waves are larger on the ocean than in tanks.
On the discretization of an elastic rod with distributed sliding friction

A one-dimensional elastic system with distributed contact under fixed boundary conditions is investigated in order to study dynamic behavior under sliding friction. A partial differential equation of motion is established and its exact solution is presented. Due to the friction the eigenvalue problem is non-self-adjoint. Mathematical methods for handling the non-self-adjoint system, such as the non-self-adjoint eigenvalue problem and the eigenvalue problem with a proper inner product, are reviewed and applied. The exact solution showed that the undamped elastic system under fixed boundary conditions is neutrally stable when the coefficient of friction is a constant. The assumed mode approximation and the lumped-parameter discretization method are evaluated and their solutions are compared with the exact solution. As a cautionary example the assumed modes approximation leads to false conclusions about stability. The lumped-parameter discretization algorithm generates reliable results.
Toward the Multicultural University

The article reviews the book, “Toward the Multicultural University,” edited by Benjamin P. Bowser, Terry Jones and Gale Auletta Young.
Water Limitations and Plant Community Development in a Polar Desert

Polar deserts of the High Arctic contain vast areas of minimal plant cover and low primary productivity. Significant development of polar desert plant communities is largely restricted to areas with considerable cover of a cryptogamic soil crust, which develops in sites exposed to continued surface runoff from melting snow for some of the short growing season. Thus, soil drought and plant water stress have often been assumed to be major constraints to plant community development in polar deserts. To examine this issue, water availability and plant water relations of common herbaceous perennial plants were studied over three growing seasons in a typically barren ("noncrusted") site and a site with a well—developed cryptogamic crust and vascular plant community ("crusted"). Soil water content was consistently higher in the crusted site than the noncrusted site through all growing seasons. These differences had limited biological relevance because subsurface soils at both sites remained effectively saturated...
Estimation of Target Scattering Centers Using Neural Network Learning Algorithms

Abstract An adaptive neural network learning algorithm is used to estimate the location of radar targetscattering centers. The performance of the implemented spectral estimation scheme depends onlearning rate, number of training vectors, and the length of each training vector. The neural networklearning spectral estimation algorithms used in this study is an attractive alternative to traditionalhigh resolution spectral estimation schemes because the number of spectral peaks depends not onlyon a model order assigned a priori, but also on the level of training, learning rate, and convergence. Also, neural networks are adaptive to changes in data, fault tolerant, and may be implementedusing analog circuitry. Scattering features extracted using neural networks are used for target classification. The performance of the proposed target recognition scheme is compared with that ofnearest neighbor based classifier. I. Introduction This papers uses a point scattering model to characterize radar signatures. It is assumed thatradar returns at frequency f can be modeled as
Adrenomedullin and adrenomedullin-binding protein-1 downregulate inflammatory cytokines and attenuate tissue injury after gut ischemia-reperfusion

Background Recent studies have shown that adrenomedullin (AM) and AM-binding protein-1 (AMBP-1) possess anti-inflammatory properties in sepsis. We hypothesized that administration of AM/AMBP-1 after gut ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) downregulates inflammatory cytokines and attenuates tissue injury. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats (275-325 g) were used. Gut ischemia was induced by placing a microvascular clip across the superior mesenteric artery (SMA) for 90 minutes. Upon release of the SMA clamp, the animals were treated by AM (12 μg per kilogram of body weight) and AMBP-1 (40 μg per kilogram of body weight) in combination, or vehicle (1 mL 0.9% NaCl) over 30 minutes via a femoral vein catheter. The animals undergoing sham operation or ischemia for 90 minutes only, did not receive AM/AMBP-1 treatment. At 60 minutes after the completion of the treatment (ie, 90 minutes after reperfusion), blood samples were collected. Plasma AM and AMBP-1 were measured by radioimmunoassay and Western blot analysis, respectively. Serum levels of TNF-α, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6, IL-10, transaminases (ie, alanine aminotransaminase, aspartate aminotransaminase), lactate, and creatinine were determined with the use of enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and other standard methods. In additional groups of animals, the 10-day survival rate was recorded after gut I/R. Results Ischemia alone was sufficient to downregulate both AM and AMBP-1. Unlike AMBP-1 that remained decreased, AM levels increased significantly after reperfusion. I/R but not ischemia alone significantly increased serum levels of inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, I/R-induced tissue injury was evidenced by increased levels of transaminases, lactate, and creatinine. Administration of AM/AMBP-1 after ischemia, however, markedly reduced cytokine levels, attenuated tissue injury, and improved survival. Conclusions AM/AMBP-1 may be a novel treatment to attenuate the reperfusion injury after gut ischemia.
Immigrants, Immigration, and Sociology: Reflecting on the State of the Discipline*

The growth of the field of immigration in multiple directions and across disciplines and areas presents an opportune juncture to pause and reflect on the central role sociology has played in the study of immigrants and immigration, as well as to assess the contributions that immigration research has made to sociology. This essay discusses three subfields in Sociology in which the sociological study of immigrants has contributed to bring new light to long-standing questions: family, religion, and ethnic and racial studies. At the same time, it brings up areas ‐ culture and arts, social movements and civic engagement, and citizenship, belonging and the state ‐ in which immigration scholars in sociology could establish a more vibrant intellectual dialog with those subfields. Far from exhausting the discussion, these comments are intended to offer potential avenues for further research and discussion.
Three-body bound states in a harmonic waveguide with cylindrical symmetry

The energy spectrum of two identical fermions and a third distinguishable particle in a cylindrical geometry is calculated for short-range interspecies $s$-wave interactions, and a new class of universal three-body bound states is predicted.
Functional anatomy and sexual dimorphism of the cephalic clasper in the pacific ratfish (Chimaera collei)

The cephalic clasper of the male Chimaera collei is a cartilaginous rod equipped with denticles and presumably used to grasp the female during copulation. It is attached to the skull by ligaments but there is no joint cavity or articular surface. It has no intrinsic muscles, its movements being provided by attachments to muscles of the lower jaw and labial cartilages. The cephalic clasper is apparently elevated by a branch of the preorbitalis muscle, whose main function is to elevate the lower jaw. It appears to be forcefully depressed during copulation by M. levator anguli oris, whose primary function is to move the labial cartilages. When not in use, the cephalic clasper is held passively depressed by an elastic tendon from M. preorbitalis. In the female the cephalic clasper is represented by an apparently functionless rudiment.
Penecontemporaneous metamorphism, fragmentation, and reassembly of ordinary chondrite parent bodies

The thermal histories of ordinary chondrites and the canonical internal heating or onion shell models, which predict an inverse relation between the petrologic type of chondrites and the metallographic cooling rate, are reviewed. The thermal and accretional requirements of the 'metamorphosed planetesimal' model proposed by Scott and Rajan (1981) are analyzed, and an alternative model consistent with the metallographic cooling rate constraints is suggested in which ordinary chondrite parent bodies are collisionally fragmented and then rapidly reassembled before metamorphic heat has been dissipated.
Respiratory Failure in Lambert-Eaton Myasthenic Syndrome

Five patients with the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome who required more than 48 hours of mechanical ventilation for respiratory failure are described. All five had small cell bronchogenic carcinoma. In one patient with associated chronic bronchitis, one with interstitial pulmonary fibrosis, and one other, respiratory failure requiring mechanical ventilation developed as a result of the Lambert-Eaton myasthenic syndrome. The two other patients had received muscle relaxant drugs, but the acute respiratory failure episode in one of the two was not clearly related to their administration. One patient had an initial response to plasmapheresis, which allowed assisted mechanical ventilation to be discontinued. This improvement was not sustained, and the patient subsequently died in respiratory failure. Three patients survived to be dismissed from the hospital after they were weaned from mechanical ventilation.
Cell-surface carbohydrates and their interactions: I. NMR of N-acetyl neuraminic acid

Abstract 1. 1. The proteon nuclear magnetic resonance spectrum of the sialic acid N -acetyl neuraminic acid was measured and completely assigned. The coupling constants for interactions between protons are obtained and the assignments checked by calculating the observed line intensities. 2. 2. It was verified that the pyranose ring exists in the 1C ( 1 C 4 ) conformation as the α-D anomer and no mutarotation was detectable. Coupling constants for the glycerol side chain were interpreted to yield its most likely conformation.
Effect of testosterone on the rat adrenal cortical 11β-hydroxylation system☆

Abstract The influence of testosterone on the adrenal mitochondrial steroid hydroxylation system was investigated in the female Sprague-Dawley rat. After the injection of animals with testosterone for 10 days, it was possible to demonstrate impairment of progesterone metabolism in adrenal homogenates. The formation of corticosterone and 18-hydroxy-11-deoxycorticosterone was lower than in controls and there was an accumulation of 11-deoxycorticosterone (DOC). Adrenal mitochondria isolated from testosterone-treated rats showed low rates of conversion of DOC-4-14C to corticosterone and 18-hydroxy-DOC, confirming the low activity of steroid 11β- and 18-hydroxylases. Rates of corticosterone formation from unlabeled DOC were also lower in adrenal mitochondria from testosterone-treated animals. Accompanying these low steroid hydroxylation activities in isolated mitochondria were decreased levels of adrenal mitochondrial cytochrome P-450. In addition, spectral studies revealed that the DOC-induced spectral change was considerably less in the adrenal mitochondria from testosterone-treated rats. The results described in this communication are consistent with the concept that, after injection into the rat, testosterone reaches the adrenal cortex and there interacts with the mitochondrial cytochrome P-450 in such a way that the natural substrate, DOC, is less able to be bound and hydroxylated. This hypothesis was confirmed by the addition of testosterone to rat adrenal mitochondria in vitro and the observation of inhibition of both DOC-induced spectral changes and steroid hydroxylation.
Cardiorespiratory effects of endoscopic esophageal variceal sclerotherapy

Endoscopic variceal sclerotherapy (EVS) is an effective means of controlling variceal hemorrhage, which develops as a consequence of portal hypertension. While esophageal perforation, ulceration, strictures, and mediastinitis are potential complications associated with this procedure, it is not clear whether isolated pleuropulmonary events such as pleuritis, pneumonitis, and adult respiratory distress syndrome are causally related to the EVS. Endoscopy and sedation with the attendant risk of aspiration, particularly in the background of hepatic encephalopathy, may account for some of these events. Recent controlled studies of respiratory function demonstrate that EVS as such results in minor changes in gas exchange, lung volumes, and pulmonary and systemic hemodynamics. Most pulmonary complications have been reported with the use of sodium morrhuate sclerosant. Comparative studies among different sclerosants are necessary to evaluate relative safety. Finally, there have been rare reports of myocardial ischemia and pericarditis reported in association with EVS, but these are of a transient nature. Chest symptoms, roentgenographic pleuropulmonary changes, pulmonary hemodynamics, and cardiac perturbations are transient and should not preclude offering EVS to patients with variceal hemorrhage.
Modification of porous silica particles with poly(acrylic acid)

The surface of porous silica particles was modified with poly(acrylic acid) by reacting the carboxyl groups on poly(acrylic acid) with the amino groups of pregrafted aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APS). The chemical modifications by APS and polymer were characterized by infrared spectroscopy and the amount of APS and poly(acrylic acid) grafted to the surface were determined by thermal gravimetric analyses. The wettability of the modified silica particles, based on the rate of water penetration, was pH-dependent with PAA; at pH 1.5 the wettability increased but at pH 5.5 it decreased dramatically. The pore size and size distribution of the silica particles decreased with APS and polymer grafting. Copyright © 2000 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Perceived familiarity with and importance of family health history among a medically underserved population

Inadequate knowledge of family health history (FHH) continues to be a major obstacle limiting its usefulness in public health and clinical practice; strategies to facilitate FHH dissemination are needed. Data (N = 1,334) were obtained through waiting-room surveys completed by a diverse sample of patients attending three community health centers. Perceptions about the importance of genetic information (β = 0.13, p 50 years) reported higher familiarity than those in the youngest (18–25 years). Those with higher familiarity were significantly less likely to answer “don’t know” when reporting diabetes and heart disease diagnoses among immediate (OR = 0.35 and OR = 0.29, respectively) and extended (OR = 0.50 and OR = 0.46, respectively) family members. Having a wider health communication reach within a family may be beneficial in increasing familiarity with FHH; however, the reported levels of communication reach were limited among most participants. Women, older-generation family members, and those who believe in the importance of genetics in health or feel confident about using genetic information may be particularly important as targets of public health interventions to facilitate FHH dissemination within families.
On the phase factors in inversions

The phase factors which can appear in the definition of the inversions,C, P, T and their products are discussed. It is shown that because of the existence of « physically equivalent » Hamiltonians, the phases inC, CP, T andTP for complex fields are unmeasurable. For the remaining inversions, it is possible to construct interactions which require more general phases for complex fields than the usual ±1, ±i, when and only when the theory contains certain discrete multiplicative symmetries. Examples of such interactions are given.
Residual stress measurements on polycrystalline diamond

The magnitude of the residual stresses in thick samples of polycrystalline diamond were measured by the sine squared, angular resolved x-ray diffraction (XRD) technique and by detailed analysis of electron channeling patterns from individual grains in polished diamond films using a scanning electron microscope. The XRD measurements were made on samples produced by both plasma torch and microwave plasma low pressure growth techniques with a range of microstructures. Results show that residual levels of stress +/- 0.3 GPa can be generated inside the thinner films on substrates by thermal expansion mismatches, while average residual stress in free standing 0.5 to 2 mm thick diamond plates is negligible. Within the individual grains of the thicker films, localized stress variations on the order of +/- 0.5 to 0.8 GPa can be distinguished.
Structural and Functional Analysis of the CspB Protease Required for Clostridium Spore Germination

Spores are the major transmissive form of the nosocomial pathogen Clostridium difficile, a leading cause of healthcare-associated diarrhea worldwide. Successful transmission of C. difficile requires that its hardy, resistant spores germinate into vegetative cells in the gastrointestinal tract. A critical step during this process is the degradation of the spore cortex, a thick layer of peptidoglycan surrounding the spore core. In Clostridium sp., cortex degradation depends on the proteolytic activation of the cortex hydrolase, SleC. Previous studies have implicated Csps as being necessary for SleC cleavage during germination; however, their mechanism of action has remained poorly characterized. In this study, we demonstrate that CspB is a subtilisin-like serine protease whose activity is essential for efficient SleC cleavage and C. difficile spore germination. By solving the first crystal structure of a Csp family member, CspB, to 1.6 A, we identify key structural domains within CspB. In contrast with all previously solved structures of prokaryotic subtilases, the CspB prodomain remains tightly bound to the wildtype subtilase domain and sterically occludes a catalytically competent active site. The structure, combined with biochemical and genetic analyses, reveals that Csp proteases contain a unique jellyroll domain insertion critical for stabilizing the protease in vitro and in C. difficile. Collectively, our study provides the first molecular insight into CspB activity and function. These studies may inform the development of inhibitors that can prevent clostridial spore germination and thus disease transmission.
Clinical implications of radiation-induced genomic instability.

Radiation-induced genomic instability encompasses a range of measurable end points such as chromosome destabilization, sister chromatid exchanges, gene mutation and amplification, late cell death and aneuploidy, all of which may be causative factors in the development of clinical disease, including carcinoma. Clinical implications of genomic instability can be broadly grouped into two main areas: as a marker for increased cancer risk/early detection, and as a consequence of radiation therapy (IR) that may be causative of, or a strong marker for, the induction of a therapy-induced second malignancy. Research in human populations has been limited, but broadly encompasses three populations: those exposed to α-particle irradiation, those with a cancer diagnosis who were examined for lymphocyte sensitivity to IR as a biomarker for risk of cancer induction, and those who successfully completed radiation therapy for an index cancer and who were examined for the induction of a second malignancy. This review examines each of those populations in turn and offers some potential future research directions to better elucidate the role of radiation-induced genomic instability in clinical disease.
Collateral evolution of applications and databases

Separating the evolution of an application from the evolution of its persistent data, or from the evolution of the database system used to store the data can have collateral effects, such as data loss, program failure, or decreased performance. In this paper, we use empirical evidence to identify challenges and solutions associated with the collateral evolution of application programs and databases. We first perform an evolution study that identifies changes to database schemas in two popular open source applications. Next, we study the evolution of database file formats for three widely-used database management systems. We then investigate how application programs and database management systems cope with these changes, and point out how collateral evolution can lead to potential problems. Finally, we sketch solutions for facilitating and ensuring the safety of application and database evolution, hence minimizing collateral effects.
PCI in ARCA

Angioplasty of anomalous coronary arteries can be technically challenging because of the difficulty in selectively cannulating the aberrant vessel. I present my experience with angioplasty of an anomalous right coronary artery. A 6- Fr amplatz left 1 guiding catheter was used to obtain stable position in the right coronary artery and angioplasty was performed.
Multi-Directional Blending for Heterogeneous Object Modeling

This paper presents a new multi-directional blending technique for heterogeneous object modeling. Contrary to earlier studies, this paper introduces material blending through multiple features with different material composition. Firstly, the Voronoi diagram of multiple-target curves is constructed to generate bisector of the geometric domain. Then, metamorphosis from the generator feature to target features is performed in two steps. First, optimum curve matching between target features and enclosing Voronoi cells is obtained. Then, an optimum ruling line alignment and insertion technique between the Voronoi diagram and generator features is developed. Next, multi-directional material composition is mapped based on a set of relations. The proposed methodologies are implemented and illustrative examples are given in this paper.Copyright © 2012 by ASME