cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Femoral Tunnel Length in Low Antero-Medial Portal Anatomic ACL Reconstruction

Introduction: Injury to the anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) is the commonest cause of knee instability. Arthroscopic intra articular ACL reconstruction with soft tissue graft is the standard treatment for symptomatic ACL deficient individuals. Non anatomical ACL reconstruction results in loss of range of movement, residual laxity and graft failure. This study aims to make an assessment of femoral tunnel length through a precise low anteromedial portal for the femoral tunnel. Materials and Methods: A prospective study was conducted on fifty patients who presented with acute or chronic ACL insufficiency to the Orthopaedics Department at Baby Memorial Hospital, Calicut, during the period April 2013 to April 2014. Males aged 18 to 45 were included. Females, revisions, associated fractures, and flexion less than 110 degrees were the exclusion criteria. All patients underwent pre-operative clinical and MRI assessment. Low anteromedial portal was used in all patients for the femoral tunnel. Results: The mean age of patients was 29.42 years. Most common mode of injury was sports injuries. Femoral tunnel length was between 50 mm and 36 mm with mean length of 42.80 mm and standard deviation of 3.938. Condyle AP diameter and tunnel measurement correlation coefficient value was 0.347 and condyle width and tunnel measurement correlation coefficient value was 0.538. Conclusion: Low anteromedial portal, placed 5mm medial to the medial border of patellar tendon just above the medial meniscus, can overcome the drawback of short femoral tunnel in anatomical ACL reconstruction. Hyper flexion of the knee is recommended for femoral tunnel drilling. Femoral tunnel length is positively correlated with the lateral condyle width and AP measurement.
Utilization of a Mobile App to Assess Psychiatric Patients With Limited English Proficiency

The interactions in mental health involve a significant exchange of information to identify symptoms and formulate a working diagnosis. The inability of patients to communicate due to language limi...
Abstract P635: Effect of Patient Characteristics and DPP4 genotype on Dipeptidyl Peptidase IV Activity and Inhibition by Sitagliptin

Dipeptidyl peptidase IV (DPP4) inhibitors are a class of oral antihyperglycemic agents commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Evidence suggests that these medications also have cardiovascular effects. We tested the hypothesis that subject characteristics and genetic variability in DPP4 , the gene encoding DPP4, affect response to DPP4 inhibition with sitagliptin. We studied 56 subjects undergoing trials of sitagliptin therapy. DPP4 activity was measured during placebo and after sitagliptin and percent inhibition calculated. Subject characteristics were: 41.1% men (n=23), 19.6% African American (n=11), 30.4% with both T2DM and hypertension (HTN) (n=17), mean age 39.16±15.70 years, and mean BMI 26.71±6.24 kg/m 2 . Sitagliptin doses were 100mg daily for 4-7 days (n=31) or a single dose of 200mg (n=25). Baseline DPP4 activity decreased significantly with age (r=-0.36, p
Teaching NeuroImages: Central neurocytoma.

A woman in her mid-20s presented with a 6-month history of worsening headaches, amenorrhea, and nausea. Neurologic examination demonstrated word-finding difficulties, mild right-sided weakness of the upper and lower extremities, and mild right-sided neglect. Imaging revealed a complex, cystic, heterogeneously enhancing mass in the left lateral ventricle extending to the foramen of Monro (figure). Pathology after surgical resection was consistent with a central neurocytoma. This benign tumor, comprising 0.25%–0.5% of all brain tumors, typically affects young adults and arises from subependymal neural progenitor cells. Treatment consists of surgery and radiation therapy, and generally carries a favorable prognosis.1,2 The authors thank Kristin Kraus, MSc, for technical editing.
Effects of chronically increased VEGF-A on the aging heart

Whether approaches to chronically increase VEGF-A in the heart may have beneficial effects and prevent the development of heart failure, in part by improving cardiac perfusion, or whether this increase could have detrimental effects on cardiac performance in the aging heart, has not been tested yet. In this study, a genetic mouse model with a chronic increase in VEGF-A in the heart is shown to have increased cardiac angiogenesis and develop cardiac hypertrophy with enhanced basal cardiac performance with age progression. However, in aged hearts, this increase in VEGF-A was associated with higher expression of fetal cardiac genes and reduced cardiac performance after β-agonistic stress, features consistent with pathologic cardiac hypertrophy. Expression of Nod-like receptor protein (NLRP)-3 was increased in the hearts of the mice, and its genetic inactivation prevented increased fetal cardiac gene expression and partially rescued the impaired cardiac performance after β-agonistic stimulation in aged hearts without reducing cardiac angiogenesis or hypertrophy. Thus, although a chronic increase in cardiac VEGF-A may improve cardiac perfusion, long-term upregulation of VEGF-A leads to reduced cardiac performance under stress, an effect that can be partially inhibited by NLRP3 inactivation. Targeting NLRP3 shifts the VEGF-A-induced cardiac hypertrophy from a pathologic toward a more physiologic hypertrophy.-Marneros, A. G. Effects of chronically increased VEGF-A on the aging heart.
A reduced thermal diffusion model for H and H2

This work details the development of a new, reduced thermal diffusion model. The proposed model derives from the thermal diffusion model of Chapman and Cowling (1970). In its derivation, a set of mixture-averaged like approximations are made, which results in the number of operations being reduced from O(n^2) to sub-linear, where n is the number of species in the chemical model. With these approximations, the new, reduced model thermal diffusion coefficients can be calculated independently for each species. The model is validated against multicomponent thermal diffusion cases using multiple fuel and diluent mixtures at various pressures, temperatures, and equivalence ratios. The resulting reduced model thermal diffusion fluxes agree well with the multicomponent values, with a multiplicative scaling factor identified using a least squares regression. Unstretched laminar flame speeds are compared using the multicomponent and newly developed models. Finally, an a posteriori comparison in a turbulent configuration shows excellent agreement of both the mean and fluctuations of the thermal diffusion coefficients.
Method to investigate temporal dynamics of ganglion and other retinal cells in the living human eye

The inner retina is critical for visual processing, but much remains unknown about its neural circuitry and vulnerability to disease. A major bottleneck has been our inability to observe the structure and function of the cells composing these retinal layers in the living human eye. Here, we present a noninvasive method to observe both structural and functional information. Adaptive optics optical coherence tomography (AO-OCT) is used to resolve the inner retinal cells in all three dimensions and novel post processing algorithms are applied to extract structure and physiology down to the cellular level. AO-OCT captured the 3D mosaic of individual ganglion cell somas, retinal nerve fiber bundles of micron caliber, and microglial cells, all in exquisite detail. Time correlation analysis of the AO-OCT videos revealed notable temporal differences between the principal layers of the inner retina. The GC layer was more dynamic than the nerve fiber and inner plexiform layers. At the cellular level, we applied a customized correlation method to individual GCL somas, and found a mean time constant of activity of 0.57 s and spread of ±0.1 s suggesting a range of physiological dynamics even in the same cell type. Extending our method to slower dynamics (from minutes to one year), time-lapse imaging and temporal speckle contrast revealed appendage and soma motion of resting microglial cells at the retinal surface.
A next-generation augmented reality platform for mass casualty incidents (MCI)

It is vitally important to coordinate resources, information sharing, and two-way communication between medical incident commanders (ICs) and first medical responders (paramedics) at mass casualty incidents (MCI) sites. Information at the time of disasters also needs to be effectively analyzed and presented through intelligent user interfaces. Such interfaces need to be easy-to-use by ICs to foster critical decisions that can potentially reduce mortality rates. In this paper, we present Panacea's Cloud™---a next-generation multiple casualty management system. This system has been iteratively developed and refined based on user experience research driven methodology that employed a mixed methods approach, including the views of clinical experts. Panacea's Cloud™ is an example of a next generation MCI system that has an intelligent dashboard that integrates Internet-of-Things (IoT) technologies such as wearable devices and augmented reality technology (AR), virtual beacons, and sensor network nodes. It supports coordination between ICs and paramedics. Our research demonstrates how IoT-based web applications, especially AR and the use of smart glasses, can be futuristically designed for purposes of smart healthcare applications that have effective and efficient communication capabilities. General design recommendations for next generation multiple casualty management system development include incorporating Situational Awareness features, a Synchronous Map View system, a Hands-Free Communication service with AR and smart glasses, Digital Notes, and resilient Wi-Fi networks.
A Double-Edged Sword: Social Control in Appalachian Company Towns

The practice of constructing towns to house laborers extends from ancient times into the modern era. These towns span a continuum from primitive hovels to model communities. In the U.S., company towns built by small entrepreneurs and large corporations can be found across the landscape. It is estimated that more than 20,000 of these towns were built in the bituminous coalfields of Appalachia during the late 1800 s and early 1900 s. Growing industrialization caused large, structurally integrated corporations to open captive mines in order to satisfy the energy demands of their manufacturing plants. Housing for miners and their families was essential for successful mining operations in rural areas. In this chapter we consider two company towns, considered “models” because of their intentional design and the amenities available to residents. These Appalachian coal towns were a double-edged sword, however, providing good homes, schools, recreation, and health care while exerting strict social control over miners and their families.
BUILDINGS AND HOUSING Georgia Residential Finance Authority Act: Increase Authority to Issue Bonds to Provide Facilities for the Elderly and Mentally Disabled

The Act adds language to the Georgia Residential Finance Authority (GRFA) statute permitting the GRFA to issue bonds for two additional types of housing activities. The new bonding authority allows the GRFA to finance home equity conversion mortgages for the elderly and residential facilities for the mentally disabled. Funding limits for these new programs fall under pre-existing bond ceilings of the Authority. The Act establishes funding limits for the program and also postpones the due date for the state housing goal report from 1989 to 1990. The Act requires the filing of these reports each even-numbered year thereafter.
Approximate solutions using the virtual principles

In Volume 1 and above, trusses, beams, and pressure vessel structures have been analyzed for the ”exact stresses and displacements”, that is, ”exact” in the sense of Saint Venant’s Principle and the assumptions described in Sections 1.3 through 1.9(Vol.1). The finite element solutions for beams in Volume 1 are approximate in that average values are used for variable cross sections. In complicated beams and two and three dimensional structures it is usually necessary to solve the equations approximately. It is also necessary to make approximations in the representations for the various finite elements for two dimensional plates. This chapter is concerned with showing how the virtual principles can be used for various approximate solutions for complicated beam problems. See Chapters 6–9 for other cases of approximate solutions.
Identification, enrichment, and isolation ofThiothrix spp. from environmental samples

We have developed a method to enrich, isolate, and identifyThiothrix spp. in environmental samples. This procedure employs low concentrations of organic compounds, the addition of reduced sulfur compounds (sulfide or thiosulfate), and preparation with spring water that containsThiothrix spp. The enrichment enhanced identification ofThiothrix spp. by promoting deposition of intracellular sulfur granules and inhibiting overgrowth by other bacteria. The relatively high calcium content of the spring water contributed to the culture procedure. With this technique,Thiothrix spp. were observed in two activated sludge systems, a municipal water storage tank, three springs, and four underground freshwater caves in the phreatic zone of the Floridan aquifer. Two differentThiothrix cultures have been isolated from a freshwater cave and a water storage tank by this procedure. It appears that media prepared with spring water known to supportThiothrix spp. can be designed to provide highly selective methods for isolation ofThiothrix spp. from a wide range of environments.
Narrowing of the Boolchand intermediate phase window for amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide

Abstract Intermediate phases represent the so called “sweet spot” in amorphous material systems where the bond stretching and bond bending constraint forces are equally balanced by the total degrees of freedom in the system. They are sometimes also referred to as “Boolchand” phases in recognition of the seminal contributions of Dr. Punit Boolchand to the study of these materials. In a prior publication (King et al., J. Non-Cryst. Solids 379 (2013) 67), we presented possible evidence for the existance of an intermediate (i.e. “Boolchand”) phase in amorphous hydrogenated silicon carbide (a-SiC:H) with a wide range in mean atomic coordination (〈r〉 = 2.4 − 2.7). Support for such a wide phase window was based primarily on a correlation between the post plasma deposition bi-axial film stress and 〈r〉. However, we demonstrate in the present article that the apparent width of the Boolchand intermediate phase window in the prior study was inflated due to two competing film stress contributions, and that the true range in 〈r〉 for the phase window is substantially narrower. Specifically, opposing tensile and compressive film stress components were identified to arise during the plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD) of a-SiC:H. The tensile film stress component was attributed to film/substrate thermal contraction mismatch on cooling from the deposition temperature, while the compressive stress component was attributed to ion bombardment of the a-SiC:H growth surface during PECVD. In the prior study, the energy of the ions during PECVD was primarily modulated by the addition of a low frequency bias to the plasma and was intentionally utilized to produce films with varying compressive stress and 〈r〉. In the present study, the low frequency bias was removed from the PECVD of a-SiC:H and instead the deposition pressure was varied to produce films with varying 〈r〉 and exclusively tensile stress. Through detailed analysis of the tensile bi-axial film stress and Young's modulus dependence on 〈r〉, we found conclusive evidence that the film-substrate thermal contraction mismatch was the dominant film stress component in this case and that the magnitidue of the tensile stress was purely due to rigidity percolation in the a-SiC:H film. We therefore conclude that in our previous study the balance of the tensile and compressive stress components resulted in the deceptive appearance of a potentially wide Boolchand intermediate phase window for a-SiC:H. Based on the a-SiC:H films generated in the present study where only the tensile stress component was significant, we have found the window for a possible intermediate phase to be greatly narrowed at Δ〈r〉 ≤ 0.05.
The comparative effects of metalinguistic clue and metalinguistic explanation in computer-mediated form-focused practice: Does prior knowledge matter?

AbstractThe present quasi-experimental study investigated the comparative effects of metalinguistic clue (MC) and metalinguistic explanation (ME) on the accurate use of Japanese transaction expressions. The study recruited 25 learners in a second-semester Japanese course (i.e. non-introduced group) and 17 students in a fourth-semester course (i.e. introduced group) at an American university. They worked on computer-delivered picture description practice with either type of feedback. Their production during the practice was analyzed in terms of successful uptake, and the test instrument consisted of timed oral production and untimed true/false judgment. The results from the uptake analysis indicated that the ME elicited significantly more successful uptake than the MC. However, multiple regression analyses showed that successful uptake was only marginally predictive of immediate performance on the timed oral production. In addition, a pretest, immediate posttest, and delayed posttest demonstrated that the ...
Cages Driven Away from Equilibrium Binding by Electric Fields

Molecules and materials that are pushed away from equilibrium can produce unique dynamic and adaptive properties that cannot be attained when they are at rest. In this issue of Chem, Cockroft and co-workers study the transient binding and debinding of coordination cages to the nanopocket of α-hemolysin and show that the binding and debinding events are driven out of equilibrium by an external electric field. Strong applied fields can invert the cage-nanopore binding selectivities and can enhance enantio-inversion to enrich one chiral form of the cage over the other.
How clean is clean enough? An observational pilot study to assess central sterilization processing efficacy with adenosine triphosphate levels

Background There is strong evidence showing the need for quantitative assessment of the efficacy of cleaning medical devices. Studies comparing visual and microscopic analysis have demonstrated that visual inspection alone is insufficient to determine cleanliness. Our objective was to collect baseline adenosine triphosphate testing data for surgical instruments to inform future quality improvement programs, and to develop a process to comply with standards recommended by the Association for the Advancement of Medical Instrumentation. Methods The central sterilization processing department (CSPD) identified difficult to clean tools in hip, spinal fusion, and colon procedures. Instruments used during the procedures were swabbed at arrival to the CSPD, after manual washing, and after a standard 24-minute machine wash cycle. Each instrument was swabbed in a uniform manner on surface areas including hinged joints and teeth, consistent with manufacturer recommendations. Instruments were tagged to ensure accuracy of tracking. Results The mean relative light unit (RLU) readout of all instruments on entry to the CSPD, postmanual wash, and postmachine wash was 240,416, 3,352, and 47, respectively. A total of 97.7% of all instruments had a passable final RLU readout. One Rongeur had a failed final RLU readout of 171. Conclusions This study suggests that the current cleaning process is adequate for the instruments tested. Ongoing quality assessment would be beneficial to validate other instruments.
Second Looks at Sentences under the First Step Act

Under the First Step Act of 2018, federal prisoners may now petition courts directly for reduction of their sentences, and judges may grant such requests if “extraordinary and compelling reasons” support reduction. Judges are also in the process of imposing reduced sentences in thousands of cases where the First Step Act has retroactively reduced statutory penalties. Not only does the First Step Act offer prisoners new opportunities for sentence reduction, but the law also may change how federal judges understand the impact of their sentencing decisions. Before now, in federal cases, judges rarely had the chance to take a second look at the prison sentences they (or their colleagues) imposed. Encounters between judges and the people they sentenced typically occurred only if a person violated the terms of supervised release after leaving prison. Now, judges can reassess sentence length while someone is still in prison and evaluate whether a reduction in the sentence is warranted. This newfound power allows judges to see their sentencing decisions in a new light and may influence how they conceive of the prison time they impose in future cases.
Inductance investigation of single layer and multilayer YBa 2 Cu 3 O 7-δ thin films grown by reactive coevaporation

The performance of Josephson based devices strongly depend on the inductance properties associated with the material and circuit design. Here we compare the inductance of $\mathbf{YBa}_{2}\mathbf{Cu}_{3}\mathbf{O}_{7-\delta}$ films with and without superconducting ground planes grown by reactive coevaporation. Specifically, we fabricated several superconducting quantum interference devices from single and multi-layer films with different geometries using a focused helium ion beam. Measurements of device electrical transport properties were analyzed to experimentally determine the sheet inductance. Additionally, measurements of the temperature dependence of the inductance was used to separate the contributions from geometric and kinetic inductance. We find that the presence of the ground plane in the multi-layer structure reduces the contribution of geometric inductance with no detectable change in the kinetic inductance.
Dynamic current steering with phantom electrode in cochlear implants.

Abstract Phantom electrode (PE) stimulation can extend the lower limit of pitch perception with cochlear implants (CIs) by using simultaneous out-of-phase stimulation of the most apical primary electrode and the adjacent basal compensating electrode. The total electrical field may push the excitation pattern beyond the most apical electrode to elicit a lower pitch, depending on the ratio of current between the compensating and primary electrodes (i.e., the compensation coefficient σ). This study tested the hypothesis that dynamic current steering of PE stimuli can be implemented by varying σ over time to encode spectral details in low frequencies. To determine the range of σ for current steering and the corresponding current levels, Experiment 1 tested CI users’ loudness balance and pitch ranking of static PE stimuli with σ from 0 to 0.6 in steps of 0.2. It was found that the equal-loudness most comfortable level significantly increased with σ and can be modeled by a piecewise linear function of σ. Consistent with the previous findings, higher σ elicited either lower or similar pitches without salient pitch reversals than lower σ. Based on the results of Experiment 1, Experiment 2 created flat, rising, and falling pitch contours of 300–1000 ms using dynamic PE stimuli with time-varying σ from 0 to 0.6 and equal-loudness current levels. In a pitch contour identification (PCI) task, CI users scored 80% and above on average. Increasing the stimulus duration from 300 to 1000 ms slightly but did not significantly improve the PCI scores. Across subjects, the 1000-ms PCI scores in Experiment 2 were significantly correlated with the cumulative pitch-ranking sensitivity in Experiment 1. It is thus feasible to use dynamic current steering with PE to encode low-frequency pitch cues for CI users.
CARDIAC SARCOIDOSIS: A RARE CAUSE OF FULMINANT MYOCARDITIS

Cardiac Sarcoidosis(CS) is an extremely rare infiltrative heart disease that usually manifests as conduction abnormalities or ventricular tachyarrhythmias and very rarely, with fulminant myocarditis. 60/M with history of untreated sarcoidosis from hilar LN biopsy was admitted with fatigue, exercise
InGaN Photonic Crystal Green Micro LEDs with Ultra-Stable Operation

We report the demonstration of InGaN photonic nanocrystal green micro LEDs. The LEDs exhibits nearly invariant emission peak position and spectral linewidth with injection current. The measured spectral linewidth is ~8 nm. A relatively small efficiency droop is observed.
E-NEST Remote Learning Transition in STEM Education

This research analyzes how remote learning models are utilized in STEM Education. The E-NEST project developed online teaching models to instruct teaching interns during the unprecedented times of the coronavirus pandemic including mentorships, internships and culturally responsive teaching summer workshops. Based on key findings from data collection and program evaluations from the National Science Foundation Robert Noyce Teacher Scholarship program, a comprehensive online learning classroom was created to teach cultural diversity in STEM Education with modified project management and recruitment approaches. As a result, E-NEST online internships and professional development workshops were effective and promoted student achievement during the transition to remote learning. The project team learned the functions of online apps to instruct students and gained experience in facilitating online learning classes.
Shaker-structure interaction modeling and analysis for nonlinear force appropriation testing

Abstract Nonlinear force appropriation is an extension of its linear counterpart where sinusoidal excitation is applied to a structure with a modal shaker and phase quadrature is achieved between the excitation and response. While a standard practice in modal testing, modal shaker excitation has the potential to alter the dynamics of the structure under test. Previous studies have been conducted to address several concerns, but this work specifically focuses on a shaker-structure interaction phenomenon which arises during the force appropriation testing of a nonlinear structure. Under pure-tone sinusoidal forcing, a nonlinear structure may respond not only at the fundamental harmonic but also potentially at sub- or superharmonics, or it can even produce aperiodic and chaotic motion in certain cases. Shaker-structure interaction occurs when the response physically pushes back against the shaker attachment, producing non-fundamental harmonic content in the force measured by the load cell, even for pure tone voltage input to the shaker. This work develops a model to replicate these physics and investigates their influence on the response of a nonlinear normal mode of the structure. Experimental evidence is first provided that demonstrates the generation of harmonic content in the measured load cell force during a force appropriation test. This interaction is replicated by developing an electromechanical model of a modal shaker attached to a nonlinear, three-mass dynamical system. Several simulated experiments are conducted both with and without the shaker model in order to identify which effects are specifically due to the presence of the shaker. The results of these simulations are then compared to the undamped nonlinear normal modes of the structure under test to evaluate the influence of shaker-structure interaction on the identified system’s dynamics.
I'll Play on My Other Account: The Network and Behavioral Differences of Sybils

This article studies the effects and implications of sybils (secondary accounts created by a person in an online platform) through the game World of Tanks from interdisciplinary, mixed-methods perspectives. Considering sybils allows us to access a "person based'' network, instead of an "account based" network, revealing formerly undetected patterns. We move on to behavioral differences between the "parent" (the initial account) and "child" (those created afterwards) accounts in a sybil relationship. We explore the behavioral patterns of sybils using network, chat, and gameplay data. We find that sybils represent players experimenting with new roles or features without damaging their play record. We find that there are significant behavioral differences between different sybil accounts, and we leverage them to build a machine learning classifier to differentiate sybils. This classifier is able to identify sybil accounts with over 95% accuracy for sybil/non-sybil, 61% for parent/child. This study demonstrates the underexplored but rich potential for sybils to improve research and industry practitioners' understandings of user practices and experiences.
The Princeton Job Offer

This chapter conveys an intriguing story of the 1933 Princeton University job offer to Van der Waerden and his views of the young Nazi state.
The Critical Role of Protein Kinase C-θ in Fas/Fas Ligand-Mediated Apoptosis

A functional immune system not only requires rapid expansion of antigenic specific T cells, but also requires efficient deletion of clonally expanded T cells to avoid accumulation of T cells. Fas/Fas ligand (FasL)-mediated apoptosis plays a critical role in the deletion of activated peripheral T cells, which is clearly demonstrated by superantigen-induced expansion and subsequent deletion of T cells. In this study, we show that in the absence of protein kinase C-theta (PKC-theta), superantigen (staphylococcal enterotoxin B)-induced deletion of Vbeta8(+) CD4(+) T cells was defective in PKC-theta(-/-) mice. In response to staphylococcal enterotoxin B challenge, up-regulation of FasL, but not Fas, was significantly reduced in PKC-theta(-/-) mice. PKC-theta is thus required for maximum up-regulation of FasL in vivo. We further show that stimulation of FasL expression depends on PKC-theta-mediated activation of NF-AT pathway. In addition, PKC-theta(-/-) T cells displayed resistance to Fas-mediated apoptosis as well as activation-induced cell death (AICD). In the absence of PKC-theta, Fas-induced activation of apoptotic molecules such as caspase-8, caspase-3, and Bid was not efficient. However, AICD as well as Fas-mediated apoptosis of PKC-theta(-/-) T cells were restored in the presence of high concentration of IL-2, a critical factor required for potentiating T cells for AICD. PKC-theta is thus required for promoting FasL expression and for potentiating Fas-mediated apoptosis.
The complement system in bullous pemphigoid. II. Immunofluorescent evidence for both classical and alternate-pathway activation.

Abstract Skin lesions of 15 bullous pemphigoid patients were examined for the presence of Clq, C3, C3 proactivator (C3PA), and properdin in addition to immunoglobulins (IgG, IgA, and IgM) and fibrin using immunofluorescent (IF) techniques. Properdin and C3 were present along the skin basement-membrane zone in all of the lesions studied in addition to immunoglobulins. Deposition of C3PA was found in only 5 of 15 skin speciments with considerably less staining intensity than that observed for C3 and properdin. Deposition of Clq was present in 12 of 15 skin lesions while fibrin deposition was present in 11 of 15 skin lesions. Absorption of anti-C3PA and antiproperdin with C3PA and properdin, respectively, blocked the specific staining reactions. These studies, therefore, suggest local activation of complement, by both the classical and alternate pathways, in bullous pemphigoid skin lesions.
Archaeologies of Race and Urban Poverty: The Politics of Slumming, Engagement, and the Color Line

For more than a century, social reformers and scholars have examined urban impoverishment and inequalities along the color line and linked “slum life” to African America. An engaged archaeology provides a powerful mechanism to assess how urban-renewal and tenement-reform discourses were used to reproduce color and class inequalities. Such an archaeology should illuminate how comparable ideological distortions are wielded in the contemporary world to reproduce longstanding inequalities. A 20th-century neighborhood in Indianapolis, Indiana, is examined to probe how various contemporary constituencies borrow from, negotiate, and refute long-established urban impoverishment and racial discourses and stake claims to diverse present-day forms of community heritage.
Fish Associations among Un-notched, Notched and L-head Dikes in the Middle Mississippi River

Wing dikes and other anthropogenic modifications have heavily altered riverine ecosystems. Recent efforts to reach a compromise between the needs of the river transportation industry and natural resource conservation include dike modification. Dike notching permits water flow through the landward portion of the dike and has been purported to provide suitable habitat for fish and other river biota while maintaining the navigation channel. L-head dikes are flow-control structures that create calm backwater-like habitats downstream. However, few researchers have examined the actual effects of dike notching on water quality or fish communities. We compared standardized catch per unit effort and overall community structure for 50 fish species among un-notched dikes, notched dikes and L-head dikes in the Middle Mississippi River, sampled as part of the US Geological Survey's Long-Term Resource Monitoring Program. There were no differences in standardized catch per unit effort for 64% of the fishes examined. Five species known to be associated with lotic habitats were most abundant near L-head dikes. Seven species were more abundant at un-notched dikes than notched dikes, while six species were more abundant at notched dikes than un-notched dikes. Non-metric multidimensional scaling suggested differences in overall fish community structure between un-notched and other dike types. Detailed physical habitat studies should be conducted to better understand the effects of dike modification. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
White Gold and Troubled Waters in Southern Africa: Hydropolitical Policy's Effect on Peace in Lesotho and South Africa

Over recent decades, scholars have debated the connection between resource scarcity and conflict. Does resource scarcity produce conflict, or does scarcity demand development and international cooperation? Can environmental stress be an occasion for peace, or does international cooperation during an environmental crisis indicate local or intrastate conflicts? Toward responding to these questions, this analysis examines the effects the Lesotho Highlands Water Project (LHWP) and shows that while the LHWP helped to put a stop to international conflicts between Lesotho and South Africa, the Project's consequences (ecocide, displacement, and unequal distribution of basic resources) have intensified tensions within these states. Related Articles Bakenova, Saule. 2008. “Interpreting the Emergence of Water Export Policy in Canada.” Politics & Policy 36 (4): 676–719. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2008.00125.x/abstract Moreno-Jaimes, Carlos. 2011. “Is Local Spending Responsive to the Poor? An Appraisal of Resource Allocation and Electoral Rewards in Mexico.” Politics & Policy 39 (6): 1021–1052. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2011.00328.x/abstract Elliott-Teague, Ginger. 2011. “‘Public’ Interests and the Development of Tanzanian Environmental Policy.” Politics & Policy 39 (5): 835–861. http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/j.1747-1346.2011.00318.x/abstract Related Media AfricaGlobalisation. 2013. “White Gold.” YouTube Video, May 27. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKj7G5QR0To Greyl, Lucie. 2015. “Lesotho Highlands Water Project Lesotho.” Ejolt/Environmental Justice Atlas. http://ejatlas.org/conflict/lesotho-highlands-water-project-lesotho Lesotho Highlands Development Authority. 2015. “Lesotho Highlands Water Project.” http://www.lhda.org The World Bank. 2011. “Abundant Waters: Harnessing Water for Lesotho's Future.” http://www.worldbank.org/en/news/video/2011/03/15/Abundant-Waters-Harnessing-Water-Lesotho-Future
Synchronous rotation in the long-period RS CVn binary BM camelopardalis

Variability of the bright (V = 6~25) long-period RS CVn binary 12 Cam, subsequently named BM Cam, was discovered by Eaton et al. (1980). By attributing the variability to rotational modulation of the KO III star (seen alone in the spectrum), its surface darkened unevenly by starspot activity, they concluded that the rotation was synchronized with the orbital motion to within a few percent. The long period of BM Cam, 804174469 ± 04000003 according to Abt. et al. (1969), was then and still is the longest orbital period, among the chromospherically active binaries, in which synchronous rotation has been established. Here we present additional photometry obtained at 17 different observatories by the 16 observers collaborating with us, listed in Table I. Some observed in all three bandpasses of the UBV system but most observed in V only. Observations were obtained on a total of 509 nights, all with HR 1688 as comparison star. The light curve in V is shown in Figure l, where each point is a nightly mean of generally three individual differential measures, each corrected for differential atmospheric extinction and transformed differentially to V of the UBV system with known transformation coefficients. Along with the 1979 and 1980 light curves of Eato~ et al. (1980), we now have coverage for seven years. Inspection of Figure i shows beautifully that the light curve has undergone a gradual but dramatic metamorphosis. At the beginning in 1981 it was roughly sinusoidal with a period around 80 days, as Eaton et al. (1980) had found in 1979 and 1980. The first clear trace of a developing secondary minimum appeared in the 1982 light curve. By 1983 that secondary minimum had matured, making the light curve clearly asy~netric and not at all sinusoidal. In 1984 the light curve would be described best as roughly slnusoidal but with a period around 40 days. Most recently, in 1985, there were still two equally deep minima, separated by about 40 days, but the maxima in between were no longer equally bright. Meanwhile the amplitude, from maximum to minimum, varied from as large as 0~18 in 1981 to as small as 0~04 in 1985. The mean brightness also varied dramatically, from AV = +0~04 in 1981 to AV = -0~04 in 1985. The most reasonable interpretation of this metamorphosis involves two spot groups on a synchronously rotating star, at first situated close together in stellar longitude and acting in phase to produce a photometric period equal to the 80-day rotational period, later separating in longitude and acting out of phase to produre a photometric period equal to half the rotational period. For this reason we compiled a list of times of minimum light. These are given in Table II, where the first two are taken from Eaton et al. (1980), the rest were determined graphically from our 1981-1985 light curve, and the association with the two different spot groups is
Nonspecific Recruitment of Memory CD8+ T Cells to the Lung Airways During Respiratory Virus Infections

Previous studies have shown that heterologous viral infections have a significant impact on pre-existing memory T cell populations in secondary lymphoid organs through a combination of cross-reactive and bystander effects. However, the impact of heterologous viral infections on effector/memory T cells in peripheral sites is not well understood. In this study, we have analyzed the impact of a heterologous influenza virus infection on Sendai virus-specific CD8(+) effector/memory cells present in the lung airways. The data show a transient increase in the numbers of Sendai virus nucleoprotein 324-332/K(b)-specific CD8(+) memory T cells in the airways of the influenza-infected mice peaking around day 4 postinfection. Intratracheal transfer studies and 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation demonstrate that this increase is due to the recruitment of resting memory cells into the airways. In addition, the data show that these immigrating memory cells are phenotypically distinct from the resident memory T cells of the lung airways. A similar influx of nonproliferating Sendai virus nucleoprotein 324-332/K(b)-specific CD8(+) memory T cells is also induced by a secondary (homologous) infection with Sendai virus. Together, these data suggest that inflammation can accelerate memory T cell migration to nonlymphoid tissues and is a part of the normal recall response during respiratory infections.
Airborne GPS radio occultation refractivity profiles observed in tropical storm environments

Airborne GPS radio occultation (ARO) data have been collected during the 2010 PRE-Depression Investigation of Cloud systems in the Tropics (PREDICT) experiment. GPS signals received by the airborne Global Navigation Satellite System Instrument System for Multistatic and Occultation Sensing (GISMOS) are used to retrieve vertical profiles of refractivity in the neutral atmosphere. The system includes a conventional geodetic GPS receiver component for straightforward validation of the analysis method in the middle to upper troposphere, and a high-sample rate (10 MHz) GPS recorder for postprocessing complex signals that probe the lower troposphere. The results from the geodetic receivers are presented here. The retrieved ARO profiles consistently agree within ~2% of refractivity profiles calculated from the European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecasting model Interim reanalyses as well as from nearby dropsondes and radiosondes. Changes in refractivity obtained from ARO data over the 5 days leading to the genesis of tropical storm Karl are consistent with moistening in the vicinity of the storm center. An open-loop tracking method was implemented in a test case to analyze GPS signals from the GISMOS 10 MHz recording system for comparison with geodetic receiver data. The open-loop mode successfully tracked ~2 km deeper into the troposphere than the conventional receiver and can also track rising occultations, illustrating the benefit from the high-rate recording system. Accurate refractivity retrievals are an important first step toward the future goal of assimilating moisture profiles to improve forecasting of developing storms using this new GPS occultation technique.
Immigrants, Crime and Prison Commitments in the Netherlands: A Time Series Analysis (1952-1988

This article reports on the results of a time series analysis of Dutch data for a 37-year time period (1952-1988) to test a macro-level model of changes in sentence severity. The model incorporates components of Green and Allen's (1981-1982) "Synthesized Societal Response Model" with the added variable of unemployment. The tested model includes the following variables: (1) severity of punishment (t) and (t-1); (2) certainty of punishment (t-1); (3) crime rate (t-1); (4) social complexity (t-1); (5) normative diversity (t-1); and (6) unemployment (t-1). Normative diversity is measured by the annual num ber of immigrants entering The Netherlands. The analysis shows that the find ings for The Netherlands are consistent with established thinking about the determinants of incarceration policies; it confirms the usefulness of incorpo rating measures of changing population composition (i.e., immigration) in macro-level analyses; and it suggests that Green and Allen's proposal for a syntheses of models of social ...
Optical disk associative memory performance simulation

A highly parallel correlation system concept has been developed to rapidly locate data stored as free form text on an optical disk. A simulation using realistic component noise, and media characteristics predicts correlation outputs for an optical disk based data retrieval system using text data recorded in varying formats. Projected performance of a breadboard system is included.© (1992) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effectiveness of citizen review panels

Abstract In 1996, the U.S. congress passed legislation mandating citizen review panels (CRP) for child protective services in all states. These panels are composed of citizen-volunteers who are charged with evaluating state child welfare systems and making suggestions for improvement. Although millions of federal dollars are being used to fund these panels, no research has been conducted as to what aspects of the review process are viewed by participants in CRPs as being most effective in influencing policy. This study reports the findings of a survey relative to variables that contributed to the effectiveness of citizen review panels in a 10-state area in the Midwest and South. The findings suggest that the perceived effectiveness of panels in influencing policy is related to increased communication, an awareness of roles and limitations, legitimate collaboration, and realistic goals. Factors that impede effectiveness include lack of trust, time constraints, unclear roles, and weak communication.
Some demographic and economic correlates of primate cities: A case for revaluation

Ciertas auioridadee respetables en materia de desarrollo economico han manifestado que todos, o por lo menos una mauoria, de los paises en desarrollo estan “superurbanizados.” Mas aun se ha dicho que la estructura urbana esta dominada par una sola gran metropolis. Se afirma que tales “ciudades primaciales son parasitarias y que impiden el desarrollo economico limitando el crecimienio de una jerarquia mas balanceada y mas dispersa de lugares urbanos. Esta hipotesis es insostenible, tanto sobre bases teoricas como empiricas. Una revision del papel que juegan estas grandes ciudades sugiere que en muchos casos estan a la vanguardia del desarrollo economico, y que se habria logrado mucho menos progreso si los limitados recursos personales y urbanos de la nacion estuviesen ampliamente distribuidos y menos integrados. Ademas, un estudio empirico que correlaciona el producto nacional bruto per capita y varias variables socio-economicas y demograficas con indices del grado de supremacia (predominio de las ciudades primaciales), revela que las probabilidades de que los paises subdesarrollados tengan una estructura urbana que descansa en una ciudad primacial no son mayores que las de los paises economicamente desarrollados del mundo. Las diferencias entre las naciones en desarrollo en cuento a la medida del exito que logran en su progreso economico no parecen estar correlacionadas con la mencionada supremacia. De hecho, la primacia parece explicarse principalmente por el tamano de la nacion y la naturaleza de la economia.
Examiner Differences among Stanford-Binet Items:

Two reports noted examiner (E) differences for Stanford-Binet IQ scores. Relevant data provided the hypothesis that Es elicit higher IQs from Ss of the opposite sex. 5 male and 5 female Caucasian Es each tested at least 9 4-yr.-old Negro Ss (N = 446). A factorial design evaluated effects of sex of Ss, sex of Es, between-E differences, and several interactions. Major dependent variables were IQs and an index of number of items administered each S. The expected interaction between sex of Es and sex of Ss was not obtained. Significant (p < .05) E differences were found for IQs and for number of items administered, but only between female Es. There was no relationship between rank orderings of the female Es on the two variables. There were significant (p < .05) E differences for pass-fail scores on 11 of the 28 items administered, disregarding all sex differences. The most dominant item characteristic related to E differences was item-difficulty level. Briefly discussed is the need for extensive investigation...
Binding sites for zinc(II) in bacitracin

Abstract Formation of the bacitracin-Zn +2 complex has been studied by spectrophotometric titration, optical rotatory dispersion and nuclear magnetic resonance. ORD spectra indicate that the bacitracin thiazoline provides one coordination site for metal ions. A second site is suggested by titration data which give a pK of 6.2 for complex formation, thus implicating the histidine residue. NMR studies provide additional evidence in agreement with titration data. In the presence of Zn +2 the imidazole C-4 and C-2 hydrogen peaks are shifted downfield by 0.18-0.20 ppm, suggesting that the metal ion coordinates with the nitrogen atom at position 3 in the histidine residue.