cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Intravenous rasburicase-induced immune tolerance is associated with depletion of specific lymphocytes and up-regulation of regulatory T cells

Therapeutic proteins can be potent agents for treating serious diseases, but in many patients these proteins provoke antibody responses that blunt therapeutic efficacy. Intravenous administration of high doses of some proteins induces immune tolerance, but the mechanisms behind this effect are poorly understood. As a model to study tolerance induction in mice, we used Rasburicase, a commercial recombinant uricase used for treatment of hyperuricemia. Intraperitoneal (i.p.) injection of Rasburicase without or with alum provoked a clear anti-Rasburicase antibody response, but intravenous (i.v.) injection did not. The lack of response to i.v. Rasburicase was apparently due to active immune suppression, since i.v.-treated mice showed blunted antibody and reduced T cell responses to subsequent i.p. injections of Rasburicase. This blunted response was associated with a decrease in Rasburicase-specific B cells and T cell proliferation, and an increase in proportion of CD4+ FoxP3+ regulatory T cells (Treg). We examined the number of lymphocytes in peripheral blood after Rasburicase i.v. injection. Intravenous injection of rasburicase temporary reduced numbers of B cells and T cells, but robustly depleted Rasburicase-specific B cells in blood. Further results showed that rasburicase i.v. injection decreased the number of lymphocytes by inducing apoptosis of B cells and activated T cells. Thus, our data suggests that Rasburicase i.v. injection-induced apoptosis and depletion of lymphocytes and up-regulation of Treg cells play important roles in the intravenous therapeutic protein-induced immune tolerance.
The effect of surface corrosion damage on the fatigue life of 6061-T6 aluminum alloy extrusions

Abstract An investigation was performed where 6061-T6 extrusions were exposed to a 3.5% NaCl solution at pH 2 for 2 days and 24 days to create distinct surface flaws. The effect of these flaws on the rotating beam fatigue life was then investigated and analyzed by using Wohler curves, Weibull statistics and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). It was determined that corrosion damage reduced the fatigue life significantly and specimens corroded for both 2-days and 24-days exhibited similar fatigue lives. Statistical analyses showed that fatigue life of all three datasets followed the 3-parameter Weibull distribution and the difference between the fatigue lives of two corroded datasets was statistically insignificant. Analysis of fracture surfaces showed that sizes of pits that led to fatigue crack initiation were very different in the two corroded datasets. Implications of the similarity in fatigue lives despite disparity in surface condition are discussed in detail in the paper.
Health Systems Science, Susan E. Skochelak, Richard E. Hawkins; AMA Education Consortium, editors. St. Louis, MO: Elsevier, 2017; 228 pp + glossary + index; $53.99 (softcover).

Medical school graduates are required to master basic science and clinical skills in order to deliver compassionate, high-quality, patient-centered care. Increasingly, however, physicians are expected to go beyond caring for an individual patient, and improve the health of communities and populations in a manner that is equitable, efficient, and cost-effective. Unfortunately, the current United States (US) health system is fragmented, complex, and unsustainably costly. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Persistent and repetitive: Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder and self-employment

Abstract Are individuals with Obsessive-Compulsive Personality Disorder (OCPD) more likely to be self-employed? Building on recent works on mental health conditions and entrepreneurship, we examine whether the persistent and repetitive habits of individuals with OCPD could increase the odds of self-employment. Based on a sample of participants from the 2001–2002 National Epidemiologic Survey on Alcohol and Related Conditions (NESARC), those with OCPD were more likely to be self-employed. Additionally, our results suggest that males with OCPD and younger individuals with OCPD (marginally supported) were more likely to be self-employed. The findings are robust to additional specifications, and have implications for research on mental health and self-employment.
Abstract 1424: Elucidating the microRNA-203 specific biological processes in glioblastoma cells from high-throughput RNA-sequencing

Glioblastoma (GBM) is the most common primary malignant intracranial adult brain tumor. Allelic deletion on chromosome 14q play an essential role in GBM pathogenesis, and this chromosome 14q site was thought to harbor multiple tumor suppressor gene associated with GBM, a region that also encodes microRNA-203 (miR-203). This study was conducted to identify gene expression profile changes associated with mir-203 expression by high-throughput RNA sequencing. Enrichment analyses for gene ontology (GO) and Kyoto encyclopedia of genes and genomes (KEGG) pathway analysis revealed that mir-203 expression had a strong, negative effect on a number of fundamental and interconnected biological processes involved in cell growth and proliferation. The biological processes mostly influenced were p53 signaling pathway, FoxO signaling pathway, DNA replication, cell cycle, MAPK signaling pathway and Apoptosis. In total, 847 upregulated and 345 downregulated differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified in control versus miR203 expressing glioma cells. After GO enrichment, the downregulated DEGs and miR-203 predicted target genes such as BCL-2, SPARC, PDGFA, CREB were found to be mainly enriched in cell cycle regulation and apoptosis processes, whereas the upregulated DEGs, such as CCND1, E2F1 were involved in the DNA replication and cell cycle regulation of gene expression. We also demonstrate that mir-203 expression suppressed BCL-2 protein and mRNA by western blotting and qRT-PCR analysis. Moreover, co-transfection experiments using a luciferase-based reporter assay demonstrated that mir-203 directly regulated BCL-2 expression and BCL-2 overexpression suppressed mir-203 mediated cell death. Knowledge gained through this profiling study can facilitate targeted therapeutic interventions. Citation Format: Bhavesh K. Ahir, Herbert H. Engelhard, Sajani S. Lakka. Elucidating the microRNA-203 specific biological processes in glioblastoma cells from high-throughput RNA-sequencing [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 1424.
A Hands-On, System-Level Analog Electronics Course

This Innovative Practice Category, Work in Progress paper presents an undergraduate electronics course that aims to better allow students to see the application of analog electronics at the system level. System-level analog electronics design is lacking in many of today's curricula, with many students finding the use of operational amplifiers and negative feedback techniques in application sensitive engineering confusing. The purpose of this paper is to present curriculum that attempts to address this issue by exposing students to a more top-down (as opposed to bottom-up) approach towards analog electronics. In the process, two projects are used (one in power management, and another in bio-potential instrumentation) to create a handson environment where students can test and apply the concepts taught towards realizing systems that meet certain performance specifications.
Differences in College Engagement Benchmark Scores as a Function of Honors Course Enrollment for Community College Students: A Nationwide Study

In this investigation, the extent to which differences were present in benchmark scores as a function of community college student honors course enrollment status was investigated using data from the Community College Survey of Student Engagement. Statistically significant differences were revealed for all 5 benchmark scores (i.e., active and collaborative learning, student effort, academic challenge, student-faculty, and support for learners). Students who had been enrolled in an honors course had benchmark scores that were 9 to 16 points higher than their peers who had not been enrolled in an honors course, reflecting higher levels of scholastic engagement, deeper connections with instructors and peers, and greater use of academic and student support services.
C-reactive protein and stroke risk in blacks and whites: The REasons for Geographic And Racial Differences in Stroke cohort.

Background C-reactive protein (CRP) is an inflammatory biomarker used in vascular risk prediction, though with less data in people of color. Blacks have higher stroke incidence and also higher CRP than whites. We studied the association of CRP with ischemic stroke risk in blacks and whites. Methods REGARDS, an observational cohort study, recruited and followed 30,239 black and white Americans 45 years and older for ischemic stroke. We calculated hazard ratios and 95% CIs of ischemic stroke by CRP category ( Results There were 292 incident ischemic strokes among blacks and 439 in whites over 6.9 years of follow-up. In whites, the risk was elevated for CRP in the range from 3 to 10 mg/L and even higher for CRP >10 mg/L, whereas in blacks, an association was only seen for CRP >10 mg/L. Considered as a continuous variable, the risk factor–adjusted hazard ratios per SD higher lnCRP were 1.18 (95% CI 1.09-1.28) overall, 1.14 (95% CI 1.00-1.29) in blacks, and 1.22 (95% CI 1.10-1.35) in whites. Spline regression analysis visually confirmed the race difference in the association. Conclusions CRP may not be equally useful in stroke risk assessment in blacks and whites. Confirmation, similar study for coronary heart disease, and identification of reasons for these racial differences require further study.
Mixed Methods for Human–Computer Interactions Research: An Iterative Study Using Reddit and Social Media

Researchers have called for additional empirical studies associated with video games. However, every game is novel in terms of mechanics, content, context, and agency; known variables may be operat...
Food Fraud Prevention Overview (Part 2 of 3): The Approach

This chapter presents the application and utility of the overall Food Fraud Prevention Cycle (FFPC). Each component is connected to every other component. The decisions are calibrated and correlated to the formal enterprise-wide decision-making system. Essentially the FFPC “connects everything to everything” in a dynamic and self-correcting cycle. The FFPC components include (1) overall principles (e.g., A, B, and C) and steps that are the activities (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 5, and 5).
Room acoustic modeling and auralization at an indoor firing range

Reverberation time measurements were conducted in the 21-lane indoor firing range at Wright Patterson Air Force Base. Long reverberation times resulted in poor speech transmission indices (STI) which required acoustical treatments within the range. After treatment, reverberation times were significantly reduced and STI was dramatically enhanced. Standard Sabine and Eyring models failed to accurately predict the reverberation times. A computer simulation of the range was developed to predict room acoustic conditions and auralize speech performance for perceptual evaluation in the range.
Bronchoscopic Evaluation of Pulmonary Complications in Patients Undergoing Reduced-Intensity Versus Full-Intensity Transplants.

Abstract Pulmonary complications are common following hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). The role of fiberoptic bronchoscopy with broncho-alveolar lavage (BAL) in recipients of reduced-intensity (RI) and full intensity (FI) transplants is now reported. Between January 2001-May 2008, 803 allogeneic transplants (212 RI, 591 FI) were performed on 784 patients at the University of Michigan Medical Center. Pulmonary complications, defined as either hypoxia > 24 hours, or clinical/radiographic features of pneumonitis, were identified in 313 (39.9%) patients post-transplant. Bronchoscopy was performed on 265 (84.7%) patients with pulmonary complications, including 69 patients undergoing RI transplants (median age 56 yrs, 10–68 yrs) and 196 patients undergoing FI transplants (median age 41 yrs, 1–64 yrs). The time to BAL was similar for recipients of RI when compared to recipients of FI transplant [median: 89 days (0–1854 days) vs. 104 days (7–1533 days)]. Pathogenic organisms were identified in 31.8% (RI) and 25.2% (FI) of BAL procedures. Invasive fungi were the most commonly identified organisms, identified on 48.1% (RI) and 45.2% (FI) of BALs in which pathogens were noted. The incidence of bacterial, viral (including CMV), and mycobacterial pulmonary infections were similar in recipients of RI and FI transplants. The frequency with which pathogens were identified varied with the timing of the bronchoscopy (see Table), with non-infectious pulmonary complications twice as likely to occur in the first 100 days post-transplant in FI than RI transplant recipients (p Conclusion: The incidence of pulmonary complications, as evaluated by bronchoscopy post HSCT, was similar for recipients of RI and FI conditioning regimen. Within the first 100 days post-transplant, non-infectious etiologies for pulmonary dysfunction were significantly more common in FI than RI patients. There were no other significant differences in the timing of pulmonary complications or the type of pathogenic organisms identified following a FI or RI transplant. Broncho-alveolar lavage is a safe procedure in patients following allogeneic transplants, altering medical management in over 50% of cases. Time post-transplant and % BAL with a pathogenic organism identified Day 0–100 * Day > 100 Total RI 32.4% 31.3% 31.8% FI 15.8% 31.8% 25.2%
Establishment and application of women thyroid function indicators reference interval during pregnancy in Fujian Province.

Objective Using Beckman assay kit to establish women thyroid function indicators reference interval during pregnancy in Fujian Province. Methods Two iodine sufficient areas were selected in Fujian randomly, and the women who did pregnancy test in local hospital were investigated. A questionnaire study and physical examination were conducted and women's serum samples were collected to detect the thyroid function [thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free triiodothyronine (FT3), free thyroxine (FT4), total triiodothyronine (TT3), and total thyroxine (TT4)] using Beckman chemiluminescence analyzer access-2 and assay kit. Reference interval was shown with median (M) and P2.5-P97.5. At the same time, the newly established reference interval was used to evaluate the thyroid function of 830 pregnant women. Result A total of 455 pregnant women were detected (early, middle and late pregnancies were 146, 157 and 152, respectively). Most of the thyroid function indexes presented skewed distribution. The thyroid function index reference intervals in early, middle and late pregnancies were TSH: 0.80 (0.02-2.96), 1.13 (0.07-3.56), 1.18 (0.09-3.76) mU/L; FT3: 4.28 (3.30-5.76), 3.74 (2.78-4.83), 3.63 (2.81-4.56) pmol/L; FT4: 11.78 (8.66-19.68), 9.34 (7.03-12.76), 8.55 (6.20-11.73) pmol/L; TT3: 1.91 (1.09-2.95), 2.00 (0.90-2.96), 1.98 (0.91-3.02) nmol/L; and TT4: 123.00 (79.62-194.85), 115.42 (58.78-175.85), 117.43(58.29-192.00) nmol/L. The thyroid dysfunction rate diagnosed by our reference interval was 22.0% (183/830), whilch was lower than 28.0% (232/830) diagnosed by American Thyroid Association (ATA) reference interval (χ2= 7.714, P < 0.05). Conclusions Women thyroid function indicators reference interval during pregnancy in Fujian Province is successfully established. The study shows that each area and laboratory should establish the thyroid hormone reference interval of pregnant women for diagnosis and treatment of thyroid disease. Key words: Pregnancy; Thyroid function; Reference interval
Predicting the Likelihood a DCD Donor Will Expire

Donation after cardiac death has increased the pool of potential organ donors; however, many donors do not die within the specified time limits leading to wasted resources. It is important for providers to have an accurate way to screen and identify potential donors. There are three main prediction tools that are used, the University of Wisconsin DCD tool, UNOS criteria, and DCD-N tool, which will be discussed in detail.
Application of a High Throughput and Automated Workflow to Therapeutic Protein Formulation Development

Rapid and efficient formulation development is critical to successfully bringing therapeutic protein drug products into a competitive market under increasingly aggressive timelines. Conventional application of high throughput techniques for formulation development have been limited to lower protein concentrations, which are not applicable to late stage development of high concentration therapeutics. In this work, we present a high throughput (HT) formulation workflow that enables screening at representative concentrations via integration of a micro-buffer exchange system with automated analytical instruments. The operational recommendations associated with the use of such HT systems as well as the efficiencies gained (reduction in hands-on time and run time by over 70% and 30%, respectively), which enable practical characterization of an expanded formulation design space, are discussed. To demonstrate that the workflow is fit for purpose, the formulation properties and stability profiles (SEC and CEX) from samples generated by the HT workflow were compared to those processed by ultrafiltration/diafiltration, and the results were shown to be in good agreement. This approach was further applied to two case studies, one focused on a formulation screen that studied the effects of pH and excipient on viscosity and stability, and the other focused on selection of an appropriate viscosity mimic solution for a protein product.
A Conformational Change in the N Terminus of SLC38A9 Signals mTORC1 Activation

mTORC1 is a central hub that integrates environmental cues, such as cellular stresses and nutrient availability to modulate metabolism and cellular responses. Recently, SLC38A9, a lysosomal amino acid transporter, emerged as a sensor for luminal arginine and as an activator of mTORC1. The amino acid-mediated activation of mTORC1 is regulated by the N-terminal domain of SLC38A9. Here, we determined the crystal structure of zebrafish SLC38A9 (drSLC38A9) and found the N-terminal fragment inserted deep within the transporter, bound in the substrate-binding pocket where normally arginine would bind. This represents a significant conformational change of the N-terminal domain (N-plug) when compared with our recent arginine-bound structure of drSLC38A9. We propose a ball-and-chain model for mTORC1 activation, where N-plug insertion and Rag GTPase binding with SLC38A9 is regulated by luminal arginine levels. This work provides important insights into nutrient sensing by SLC38A9 to activate the mTORC1 pathways in response to dietary amino acids.
Fellowship training influences learning curves for laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy

Laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) is the most commonly performed bariatric surgical procedure. Little is known about how surgeon training background influences the learning curve of this procedure. We examined operating times (OT), weight loss outcomes, and 30-day complications between surgeons with and without fellowship training in LSG. We hypothesize that post-residency training specific to LSG influences learning curves. Surgeons from a single institution were split into two groups: those who had not completed fellowship training in LSG (NF, n = 3), and those who had completed LSG specific training in fellowship (SGF, n = 3). OTs, BMI changes at 1 year, and 30-day readmissions, reoperations, and complications were extracted for the first 100 LSG cases of each surgeon. Data were analyzed in bins of 20 cases. Comparisons were made between cohorts within a bin and between adjacent bins of the same surgeon cohort. Logistic regression analyses were performed of OT and weight loss outcomes. SGF surgeons showed no difference in OTs over their first 100 cases. NF surgeons had statistically significant increased OTs compared to SGF surgeons during their first 60 cases and progressively shortened OTs during that interval (109 min to 78 min, p < 0.001 for NF surgeons vs. 73 min to 69 min, SGF surgeons). NF surgeons had a significantly steeper slope for improvement in OT over case number. There was no correlation between case number and weight loss outcomes in either group, and no differences in 30-day outcomes between groups. Surgeons who trained to perform LSG in fellowship demonstrate faster and consistent OR times on their initial independent LSG cases compared to surgeons who did not, with no correlation between case number and weight loss outcomes or safety profiles for either group. This suggests that learning curves for LSG are achieved during formal case-specific fellowship training.
Treatment of Metastasis

Metastasis is the major cause of death in human cancer patients. Understanding the pathogenesis of metastasis will improve the treatment and prognosis of cancer.
Alpaca growth curves

Evaluating animal growth characteristics is an effective monitoring tool to assess adequacy of the nutritional program. Growth will be directly influenced post-weaning by the amount and quality of the diet consumed. Early growth is indirectly affected by nutrition through the effect of nutrient supply on maternal milk production. Growth curves have been generated for various species, including llamas, but none exist yet for the alpaca. The objective of this project was to develop standardized growth curves for the alpaca from birth through maturity.
Recommendations for perioperative care of adolescents at risk for suicide.

Suicide is one of the leading causes of death for the adolescent population, and as such, should be considered when adolescents have any contact with the healthcare system, including perioperative ...
Storying climate knowledge: Notes on experimental political ecology

Abstract Political ecology emphasizes critique, and, through critique, its ability to better understand nature-society relations. Recently, calls have been made from within the sub-discipline to move beyond critique, and towards engaging nature-society relations more experimentally. This paper asks: is it possible for political ecology to be less reactive and more proactive? Rather than studying events that have already happened, is it possible to study events currently happening or that have not yet happened? This paper is an attempt to do political ecology more experimentally by staging an intervention and studying its outcomes. Given the abstract nature of climate change, and given storytelling’s capacity for helping people make sense of the world around them, this project combined political ecology analysis and storytelling, resulting in an experimental process of collaborative climate knowledge production in regions, and with people, central to the changing climate. Research for this paper took place over fourteen months in Appalachia and Alaska, climate-vulnerable regions with economies tied to fossil fuel industries and with culturally rich storytelling traditions. The aim of this paper is threefold. First, I will examine political ecology scholarship that already engages with experimentation as a way of making the case for a more experimental political ecology. Second, I will discuss the process and outcomes from my experimental research, namely that storytelling is a meaningful way of building climate knowledge. Finally, by outlining the challenges of doing this research, this paper ends with lessons for future iterations of more experimental research.
Adaptive Transfer Learning: a simple but effective transfer learning

Transfer learning (TL) leverages previously obtained knowledge to learn new tasks efficiently and has been used to train deep learning (DL) models with limited amount of data. When TL is applied to DL, pretrained (teacher) models are fine-tuned to build domain specific (student) models. This fine-tuning relies on the fact that DL model can be decomposed to classifiers and feature extractors, and a line of studies showed that the same feature extractors can be used to train classifiers on multiple tasks. Furthermore, recent studies proposed multiple algorithms that can fine-tune teacher models' feature extractors to train student models more efficiently. We note that regardless of the fine-tuning of feature extractors, the classifiers of student models are trained with final outputs of feature extractors (i.e., the outputs of penultimate layers). However, a recent study suggested that feature maps in ResNets across layers could be functionally equivalent, raising the possibility that feature maps inside the feature extractors can also be used to train student models' classifiers. Inspired by this study, we tested if feature maps in the hidden layers of the teacher models can be used to improve the student models' accuracy (i.e., TL's efficiency). Specifically, we developed 'adaptive transfer learning (ATL)', which can choose an optimal set of feature maps for TL, and tested it in the few-shot learning setting. Our empirical evaluations suggest that ATL can help DL models learn more efficiently, especially when available examples are limited.
Treatment Refusal and the Patient’s Choice: Foundations in History, Law, and Ethics

This chapter addresses the first of the three central issues for advance directives: the nature and extent of the patient’s right of choice. What kinds of health care decisions should patients be permitted to make? The chapter provides a general foundation in the moral and legal basis for informed consent and refusal of treatment, a brief look at the impact of technology upon how patients’ choices are regarded, and an examination of what it means to say that a patient has, or lacks, the capacity to make his or her own health care decisions, especially decisions that will or may result in death.
Purification and characterization of a lipid thiobis ester from human neutrophil cytosol that reversibly deactivates the O2- generating NADPH oxidase

Intact neutrophils possess a cellular mechanism that efficiently deactivates the microbicidal O2-generating NADPH oxidase during the respiratory burst (Akard, L. P., English, D., and Gabig, T. G. (1988) Blood 72, 322-327). The present studies directed at identifying the molecular mechanism(s) involved in NADPH oxidase deactivation showed that a heat- and trypsin-insensitive species in the cytosolic fraction from normal unstimulated neutrophils was capable of deactivating the membrane-associated NADPH oxidase isolated from opsonized zymosan- or phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate-stimulated neutrophils. This cytosolic species also deactivated the cell-free-activated oxidase. Deactivation by this cytosolic species occurred in the absence of NADPH-dependent catalytic turnover and was reversible, since NADPH oxidase activity could be subsequently reactivated in the cell-free system. The sedimentable particulate fraction from unstimulated neutrophils did not demonstrate deactivator activity. Deactivator activity was demonstrated in the neutral lipid fraction of neutrophil cytosol extracted with chloroform:methanol. Following complete purification of cytosolic deactivator activity by thin layer chromatography and reversed phase high performance liquid chromatography, the deactivator species was shown to be a lipid thiobis ester compound by mass spectroscopy. Cellular metabolism of this compound in human neutrophils may reveal a unique mechanism for enzymatic control of the NADPH oxidase system and thereby play an important role in regulation of the inflammatory response.
Research and implementation of the controller parameters fast generated method

This paper discusses an aspect of the limitations of fuzzy control, and proposes a controller parameters fast generated method. Using the proposed method, we generate a kind of controller parameters and simulate to prove the correctness of the result.
Optimal multilevel interconnect architecture aspect ratios for GSoCs

A methodology for optimal design of the reverse-scaled interconnect stack is used to optimize the interconnect cross-sectional aspect ratios to increase performance or reduce area. For a 100 nm generation macrocell in a GSI system-on-a-chip (GSoC), using an optimal aspect ratio is demonstrated to achieve 40% increase in clock frequency or 53% decrease in macrocell area. The effects of inductance and repeater insertion on the optimum aspect ratio are illustrated using a case study from the 45 nm technology generation. Comparison with a commercial 130 nm process generation shows good matching with the model predictions for the aspect ratios of the upper metal levels, while recommendations are suggested for a better design of the lower metal levels.
“Down home” criminology: The place of indigenous theories of crime

Comparative criminology continues to develop at an accelerated pace. Today, cross-national empirical studies of crime are quite common and comparative theories of crime, such as the Durkheimian-modernization theory, Marxian World Systems/Dependency theory, and ecological opportunity theory have been formulated. There also have been several cross-national analyses of American theories of crime, yet very little attention has been given to theoretical developments unique to the historical, cultural, and social structural characteristics of lesser known societies. The central thesis of this article is that criminology can benefit from the theories and concepts formulated outside the United States. The purpose of this article was to examine theoretical developments and concepts indigenous to various societies and to compare them with theories prevalent in American criminology. The benefits of integrating non-American theories and concepts with dominant American theories of crime are discussed.
Voice outcomes following laser cordectomy for early glottic cancer: A physical model investigation

Objective The voice effects following laser cordectomy for early glottic cancer are poorly described. We investigated the voice outcomes of subligamentous cordectomy of progressive anterior-posterior extent of excision.
Spectrum and atmosphere models of irradiated transiting giant planets

We show that a consistent fit to observed secondary eclipse data for several strongly irradiated transiting planets demands a temperature inversion (stratosphere) at altitude. Such a thermal inversion significantly influences the planet/star contrast ratios at the secondary eclipse, their wavelength dependences, and, importantly, the day-night flux contrast during a planetary orbit. The presence of the thermal inversion/stratosphere seems to roughly correlate with the stellar flux at the planet. Such temperature inversions might be caused by an upper-atmosphere absorber whose exact nature is still uncertain.
Mean-field theory of the localization transition of hard-core bosons.

A mean-field theory of the localization transition for strongly interacting bosonic systems is developed. Localization is shown to be sensitive to the distribution of the random site energies. It occurs in the presence of a triangular distribution, but not a uniform one. The inverse participation ratio, the single site Green's function, the superfluid order parameter, and the corresponding susceptibility are calculated, and the appropriate exponents determined. All of these quantities indicate the presence of a new phase, which can be identified as the Bose glass.
Shingled Magnetic Recording on Bit Patterned Media at 10 ${\rm Tb/in}^{2}$

In this work, we have combined shingled magnetic recording and bit patterned media (BPM) to achieve an areal density of 10 Tb/in2. In our design, the gradient of the write field along the cross track direction is as high as 700 Oe/nm. Composite BPM are utilized and the ratio of thermal stability to switching field is optimized accordingly. Assuming 5% switching field distribution, 5% timing error, 5% jitter error and 5% track misregistration, the write field is 7.8 kOe and the BER is 8.0×10-4 for 10 Tb/in2 with 5.4 × nm 5.4 nm dots; the write field is 7.9 kOe and the BER is 1.0×10-3 for 9.6 Tb/in2 with 4.4 nm 4.4 nm dots.
The Thymus Plays a Role in Oral Tolerance in Experimental Autoimmune Encephalomyelitis

The oral administration of myelin proteins has been used for the successful prevention and treatment of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE). We questioned whether the thymus was involved in oral tolerance. In this study, euthymic myelin basic protein (MBP) TCR transgenic mice are protected from EAE when fed MBP but are not protected when thymectomized. Similarly, in a cell transfer system, T cell responses to OVA measured in vivo were suppressed significantly only in the OVA-fed euthymic mice but not in the thymectomized mice. We observed that the absence of the thymus dramatically enhanced the Th1 response. We explored three alternatives to determine the role of the thymus in oral tolerance: 1) as a site for the induction of regulatory T cells; 2) a site for deletion of autoreactive T cells; or 3) a site for the dissemination of naive T cells. We found that Foxp3+CD4+CD25+ T cells are increased in the periphery but not in the thymus after Ag feeding. These CD4+CD25+ T cells also express glucocorticoid-induced TNFR and intracellular CTLA4 and suppress Ag-specific proliferation of CD4+CD25− cells in vitro. The thymus also plays a role in deletion of autoreactive T cells in the periphery following orally administered MBP. However, thymectomy does not result in homeostatic proliferation and the generation of memory cells in this system. Overall, the oral administration of MBP has a profound effect on systemic immune responses, mediated largely by the generation of regulatory T cells that act to prevent or suppress EAE.
Cytologic evaluation of the endometrium in women with postmenopausal bleeding.

Abstract The records of 143 patients who had postmenopausal bleeding and underwent diagnostic curettage were reviewed. Of these patients 69 per cent had benign endometrial tissue and in 8 per cent there was insufficient tissue for histologic interpretation; 23 per cent of the patients had endometrial carcinoma. In order to ascertain if endometrial cytology could predict which patients may be harboring endometrial carcinoma, a prospective study was carried out on 69 patients complaining of postmenopausal bleeding. Prior to curettage, an endometrial cell sample was obtained with a disposable endometrial cell sampler. The preliminary data indicate good correlation between endometrial cytology and histology. There was one false-negative cytology report and one false positive report. Such a technique could eliminate an endometrial curettage in those patients in whom there is no clinical suspicion of endometrial carcinoma and the cytology is negative.
The Tao of Pleading: Do Twombly and Iqbal Matter Empirically?

This article is an empirical study of the effect of Bell Atlantic Corp. vs. Twombly, 550 U.S. 544 (2007), and Ashcroft vs. Iqbal, 129 S. Ct. 1937 (2009), two recent Supreme Court cases that portend the decline of “notice pleading” in federal civil practice.The article analyzes how Twombly and Iqbal have begun to dismantle the regime of notice pleading by not only discarding the “no set of facts” standard of Conley vs. Gibson, 355 U.S. 41 (1957), but by changing or ignoring other principles that federal courts have followed for decades on 12(b)(6) motions. The statistical study then examines how Twombly and Iqbal may have affected federal district court rulings on 12(b)(6) motions in practice.The statistical analysis of 1,039 cases shows that 49% of 12(b)(6) motions were granted (with or without leave to amend) in the cases selected (from May 2005 to August 2009). Further, the rate of granting such motions increased from 46% of motions decided under Conley, to 48% of motions decided under Twombly, to 56% of motions decided under Iqbal. A multinomial logistic regression indicates that under Twombly, the odds that a 12(b)(6) motion would be granted with leave to amend, rather than denied, were 1.81 times greater than under Conley, holding all other variables constant. Under Iqbal, the odds that a 12(b)(6) motion would be granted with leave to amend, rather than denied, were over four times greater than under Conley, holding all other variables constant. Moreover, the largest category of cases in which 12(b)(6) motions are filed was constitutional civil rights. Motions to dismiss in constitutional civil rights cases were granted at a higher rate (53%) than in cases overall (49%), and the rate of granting 12(b)(6) motions in constitutional civil rights cases increased in the cases selected from Conley (50%) to Twombly (55%) to Iqbal (60%).The article concludes that Twombly and Iqbal have resulted in a noticeable increase in the granting of 12(b)(6) motions by district courts, and suggests that such a result, if desirable, should be accomplished by the normal rule-amendment process.
Topography of lymphocyte surface immunoglobulin using scanning immunoelectron microscopy.

The topographical distribution of the surface immunoglobulin (Ig) of rabbit blood lymphocytes has been determined using immunoelectron microscopic labels and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Direct and indirect immunolatex labeling on aldehyde fixed cells reveals a loosely clustered pattern of surface Ig; a diffuse labeling pattern is not observed. Much of the immunolatex label appears to be specifically associated with surface microvilli; areas of smooth unlabeled membrane are conspicuous. Dense patchlike aggregations of surface Ig occur with multivalent labeling reagents on live cells at 0°C, but a sparse and loosely clustered pattern is observed on aldehyde fixed cells. It is postulated that the loosely clustered pattern observed represents the natural arrangement of surface immunoglobulin.
The Pittsburgh Girls Study: Overview and Initial Findings

The Pittsburgh Girls Study is a longitudinal, community-based study of 2,451 girls who were initially recruited when they were between the ages of 5 and 8 years. The primary aim of the study was testing developmental models of conduct disorder, major depressive disorder, and their co-occurrence in girls. In the current article, we summarize the published findings from the past 5 years of the PGS and place those results in the context of what it known to date about developmental psychopathology in girls. Key results suggest that DSM-IV mental disorders tend to have an insidious onset often beginning with subsyndromal symptom manifestation, and that there appear to be shared and unique developmental precursors to disorder in subgroups of girls based on race and poverty.
Anomalous magnetic properties of Tb doped YBa2Cu3O7 single crystals

Abstract High quality single crystals of Y1−xTbxBa2Cu3O7 (0 ⩽ x ⩽ 0.4) have been grown and the magnetic susceptibility χ(T, H) has been measured. These results reveal a wide range of unusual properties including the large temperature independent contribution to χ(T, H) which scales with the Tb concentration and is similar to that reported for (Y, Pr)Ba2Cu3O7, an insensitivity of the superconducting transition temperature Tc to Tb doping and an anomalously large anisotropy in χ(T, H). These observations largely deviate from the well-known behavior of the other rare earth substitute YBa2Cu3O7. The unusual magnetic behavior of Y1−xTbxBa2Cu3O7 may be attributed to a unique 4f-electron hybridization that is not typical of that seen in other rare substituted YBa2Cu3O7 including the anomalous (Y, Pr)Ba2Cu3O7 system.
The expected probability of Condorcet's paradox

Abstract Let P ( n,p ) be the probability that there is a Condorcet winner on three alternatives for n (odd) voters. The vector p defines the probability that a randomly selected voter will have any of the six linear rankings on three alternatives as his or her preference ranking. It is shown that if all p vectors are equally likely, the expected value of P ( n,p ) is given by 15( n +3) 2 /[16( n +2)( n +4)].
Some Lessons Learned About Teaching Via Teleconference

This article evaluates use of a teleconferencing system (the Optel Telewriter 110) to teach a senior level psychology course. The second author taught The Psychology of Thinking and Decision Making either on campus or via the telewriter. Multiple-choice examination scores were comparable for students in the telewriter and traditional lecture sections; however, telewriter students' course evaluations were less positive than those of on-campus students. The instructor's course ratings in subsequent sections of The Psychology of Thinking and Decision Making improved after his first course with the telewriter. Suggested modifications in class activities may produce more effective telelearning courses.
The Comparison Group Problem in Bereavement Studies and the Retrospective Pretest

An elaboration of Campbell and Stanley's (1963) retrospective pretest design to include a "surrogate comparison group" is described. The successful use of the design is illustrated and tested using data from a longitudinal investigation of bereavement outcome following pregnancy loss. The bereaved group was not significantly different from the surrogate comparison group of currently pregnant women in their retrospection of their prepregnancy mental health status. The pregnant surrogate group's current mental health status also did not differ from the bereaved group's retrospections concerning their mental health during their pregnancies. Implications for the use of the design are also discussed.
Expression Profiling in the Muscular Dystrophies Identification of Novel Aspects of Molecular Pathophysiology

We used expression profiling to define the pathophysiological cascades involved in the progression of two muscular dystrophies with known primary biochemical defects, dystrophin deficiency (Duchenne muscular dystrophy) and α-sarcoglycan deficiency (a dystrophin-associated protein). We employed a novel protocol for expression profiling in human tissues using mixed samples of multiple patients and iterative comparisons of duplicate datasets. We found evidence for both incomplete differentiation of patient muscle, and for dedifferentiation of myofibers to alternative lineages with advancing age. One developmentally regulated gene characterized in detail, α-cardiac actin, showed abnormal persistent expression after birth in 60% of Duchenne dystrophy myofibers. The majority of myofibers (∼80%) remained strongly positive for this protein throughout the course of the disease. Other developmentally regulated genes that showed widespread overexpression in these muscular dystrophies included embryonic myosin heavy chain, versican, acetylcholine receptor α-1, secreted protein, acidic and rich in cysteine/osteonectin, and thrombospondin 4. We hypothesize that the abnormal Ca2+ influx in dystrophin- and α-sarcoglycan–deficient myofibers leads to altered developmental programming of developing and regenerating myofibers. The finding of upregulation of HLA-DR and factor XIIIa led to the novel identification of activated dendritic cell infiltration in dystrophic muscle; these cells mediate immune responses and likely induce microenvironmental changes in muscle. We also document a general metabolic crisis in dystrophic muscle, with large scale downregulation of nuclear-encoded mitochondrial gene expression. Finally, our expression profiling results show that primary genetic defects can be identified by a reduction in the corresponding RNA.
Listeria monocytogenes responds to cell density as it transitions to the long-term-survival phase.

Abstract Listeria monocytogenes was recently found to enter a long-term-survival (LTS) phase, which may help explain its persistence in natural environments and within food processing plants. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of initial cell density, initial pH and type of broth (fresh vs. spent) on the transition of L. monocytogenes to the LTS phase and model the change in viable population density with time. Initial cell density (~ 10 6 –~ 10 10 CFU/ml) and initial pH (5.36–6.85) both significantly affected the transition of L. monocytogenes to the LTS phase ( P P > 0.05). After 30-d incubation no significant differences in cell densities were observed between either type of broth or between any of the initial cell density/pH treatment combinations ( P > 0.05), where the mean viable cell density was 4.3 ± 1.1 × 10 8 CFU/ml. L. monocytogenes responded to viable cell density in accordance with the logistic equation during transition to the LTS phase. The Agr quorum-sensing system does not appear to play a role in the transition to the LTS phase. Further research is needed to better understand the control mechanisms utilized by L. monocytogenes as it transitions to a coccoid, resistant and stable density state in the LTS phase.
Taxonomy of New World Columbicola (Phthiraptera: Philopteridae) from the Columbiformes (Aves), with descriptions of five new species.

Twelve previously described species of Columbicola are recognized and redescribed. The species Columbicola extinctus Malcomson, previously recognized only from the extinct passenger pigeon, Ectopistes migratorius (L.), is “brought back” from extinction by showing it to be conspecific with lice from the extant band-tailed pigeon, Columba fasciata Say. Five new species are described: drowni [type host Metriopelia melanoptera (Molina)], altamimiae [type host Metriopelia aymara (Prevost)], adamsi (type host Columba speciosa Gmelin), waggermani (type host Columba squamosa Bonnaterre), and waltheri [type host Geotrygon linearis (Prevost)]. Columbicola triangularis Eichler and Columbicola gymnopeliae Eichler are removed from synonymy and recognized as valid species. Columbicola pseudolipeurusque Eichler is considered a junior synonym of Columbicola passerinae (Wilson) rather than of Columbicola macrourae (Wilson). We remark on informal groupings of the species and provide a key for the identification of the 17 species recognized in this article.
Anaerobic magnetite production by a marine, magnetotactic bacterium

Bacterial production of magnetite represents a significant contribution to the natural remanent magnetism of deep-sea and other sediments1–5. Because cells of the freshwater magnetotactic bacterium Aquaspirillum magnetotacticum require molecular oxygen for growth and magnetite synthesis6, production of magnetite by magnetotactic bacteria has been considered to occur only in surficial aerobic sediments7. Moreover, it has been suggested that deposits of single-domain magnetite crystals are palaeooxygen indicators presumably having been formed under predominantly microaerobic conditions5–8. In contrast, some nonmagnetotactic, dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria, such as the recently described strain GS-15 by Lovley et al.7, synthesize extracellular magnetite from hydrous ferric oxide under anaerobic conditions. We now report the first isolation and axenic culture of a marine, magnetotactic bacterium, designated MV-1, that can synthesize intracellular, single-domain magnetite crystals under strictly anaerobic conditions. We conclude that magnetotactic bacteria do not necessarily require molecular oxygen for magnetite synthesis and suggest that they, as well as dissimilatory iron-reducing bacteria, can contribute to the natural remanent magnetism of even long-term anaerobic sediments.
Age and Fearfulness: Personal and Situational Factors

Recent research in the quality of life has identified a sense of security as a significant component. Taking its negative, fear, the personal and structural factors associated with fear of walking around one's neighborhood were assessed in a secondary analysis using data from a 1973 representative national sample collected from the National Opinion Research Center. Although the direct effect of age on fear was minimal, clear and significant age differentials on fear were found by income, size of city of residence, and the presence or absence of others in the household.