cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Laser Cooling of Radium Ions.

The unstable radium nucleus is appealing for probing new physics due to its high mass, octupole deformation, and energy level structure. Ion traps, with long hold times and low particle numbers, are excellent for work with radioactive species, such as radium and radium-based molecular ions, where low activity, and hence low total numbers, is desirable. We address the challenges associated with the lack of stable isotopes in a tabletop experiment with a low-activity ($\ensuremath{\sim}10\text{ }\text{ }\ensuremath{\mu}\mathrm{Ci}$) source where we laser-cool trapped radium ions. With a laser-cooled radium ion we measured the $7p^{2}{P}_{1/2}^{o}$ state's branching fractions to the ground state, $7s^{2}{S}_{1/2}$, and a metastable excited state, $6d^{2}{D}_{3/2}$, to be $p=0.9104(7)$ and 0.0896(7), respectively. With a nearby tellurium reference line we measured the $7s^{2}{S}_{1/2}\ensuremath{\rightarrow}7p^{2}{P}_{1/2}^{o}$ transition frequency, 640.096 63(6) THz.
Confabulations in a Chronic Alcoholic-A Subtle Presentation of Korsakoff Syndrome

A previously healthy 73-year-old male with a 10-year history of alcohol abuse presented to the ED with confusion, lethargy and weakness for 2 days and 2 episodes of vomiting in the past week
Use of vasoactive agents in postoperative pediatric cardiac patients: Insights from a national database

Objective The main goal of this study is to examine the variation in vasoactive agent prescription patterns across a large cohort of patients. In addition, we sought to determine the association between the number of vasoactive agents used during admissions and characteristics of admissions utilizing varying numbers of vasoactive agents. Methods This was a multi-institutional, cross-sectional study of the pediatric health information system database of patients who underwent congenital heart surgery and received vasoactive agents from 2004 to 2015. The international classification of disease-9 (ICD-9) codes were used to select admissions to those only pertaining to cardiac patients. The vasoactive agents investigated included epinephrine, norepinephrine, dopamine, dobutamine, milrinone, and vasopressin. Results A total of 43 441 postoperative pediatric cardiac admissions were identified and included in the final analyses. Of these, a majority used at least one vasoactive agent at some point during the admissions with the median being three vasoactives. Each vasoactive was utilized with decreasing frequency throughout the study period except for vasopressin which increased in frequency of use. After adjusting for multiple confounding factors, only milrinone was associated with decreased inpatient mortality in any postoperative subset, while the rest of the vasoactive were associated with increased inpatient mortality in some of the postoperative subsets. Conclusion Vasoactive agents have decreased in frequency of use in postoperative pediatric cardiac admissions, except for vasopressin. Only milrinone was found to be associated with decreased inpatient mortality in any subset of these patients, while all other vasoactive agents were found to be associated with increased inpatient mortality at least in one of the subsets.
Epigenetic contributions to hemisphere asymmetry in healthy brain, aging, and Parkinson\'s disease

Abstract Hemispheric asymmetry in neuronal processes is a fundamental feature of the human brain and drives symptom lateralization in Parkinson’s disease (PD), but its molecular determinants are unknown. Here, we determine epigenetic differences involved in hemispheric asymmetry in the healthy and the PD brain. Neurons of the healthy brain exhibit numerous hemispheric differences in DNA methylation, which affect genes implicated in neurodegenerative diseases. In PD patients, hemispheric asymmetry in DNA methylation is even greater and involves many PD risk genes. The lateralization of clinical PD symptoms involves epigenetic, transcriptional, and proteomic differences across hemispheres that affect neurodevelopment, immune activation, and synaptic transmission. During aging, healthy neurons show a progressive loss of hemispheric asymmetry in the epigenome, which is amplified in PD. For PD patients, a long disease course is associated with greater hemispheric asymmetry in neuronal epigenomes than a short disease course. Hemispheric differences in epigenetic gene regulation are prevalent in neurons and may affect the progression and symptoms of PD.
Ladle Furnace End Point Sulphur Content Prediction Model Based on Model Migration Method

Because of the modeling problems of the ladle furnace( LF) desulfurization process that are nonlinear,intensive dynamic and characterized of multiple conditions,end point sulphur content prediction model w as proposed based on local model migration algorithm,w here a simplified principle model w as first established to capture the main process behavior and fine corrected by local model migration method to compensate the remain prediction error caused by mechanism simplification process and condition changes. A new local model migration algorithm w as developed to automatically rectify the process nonlinearity deviation. The new method w orks by integrating several local migration models that are established in several local regions of the input space. The presented predictor show s better performance w ith respect to existing intelligent predictors due to the full exploitation of first principles,w hich is validated by the practical data.
On the Equivalence of SDP Feasibility and a Convex Hull Relaxation for System of Quadratic Equations.

We show {\it semidefinite programming} (SDP) feasibility problem is equivalent to solving a {\it convex hull relaxation} (CHR) for a finite system of quadratic equations. On the one hand, this offers a simple description of SDP. On the other hand, this equivalence makes it possible to describe a version of the {\it Triangle Algorithm} for SDP feasibility based on solving CHR. Specifically, the Triangle Algorithm either computes an approximation to the least-norm feasible solution of SDP, or using its {\it distance duality}, provides a separation when no solution within a prescribed norm exists. The worst-case complexity of each iteration is computing the largest eigenvalue of a symmetric matrix arising in that iteration. Alternate complexity bounds on the total number of iterations can be derived. The Triangle Algorithm thus provides an alternative to the existing interior-point algorithms for SDP feasibility and SDP optimization. In particular, based on a preliminary computational result, we can efficiently solve SDP relaxation of {\it binary quadratic} feasibility via the Triangle Algorithm. This finds application in solving SDP relaxation of MAX-CUT. We also show in the case of testing the feasibility of a system of convex quadratic inequalities, the problem is reducible to a corresponding CHR, where the worst-case complexity of each iteration via the Triangle Algorithm is solving a {\it trust region subproblem}. Gaining from these results, we discuss potential extension of CHR and the Triangle Algorithm to solving general system of polynomial equations.
Fuzzy devices for cooling the cutting tool of the CNC machine implemented on FPGA

Abstract Heating of a cutting tool during the processing detail on CNC machine cause thermal deformations which reduce the quality of the machined surfaces. The authors propose to use Peltier thermoelement to control thermal deformations. The article presents two devices to control thermoelement based on a current generator and a field effect transistor. Both devices change the current signal transmitted to the thermoelement by using two fuzzy-logical models. We used FPGA Spartan 3E for increasing speed of fuzzy models and the both devices. Therefore, the main goal of the article is to increase the speed of information processing in fuzzy devices. We increased the speed of processing information by using singleton membership functions on the output of fuzzy models, optimizing and parallelizing the program code for calculating fuzzy operations and replacing the division operations by shifts. Time tests conducted at frequency of 200 MHz showed that the current was calculated to 380 ns, the voltage conversion was carried out to190 ns.
Abstract 109: Depletion of Microglia Does Not Improve Functional Outcomes in Aged Mice After Transient Focal Ischemia

Introduction: With aging, microglia acquire a dysfunctional phenotype characterized by dystrophic morphology, impaired phagocytosis, reduced motility, and an exaggerated response to injury. Microgl...
The "SHIFT" technique: Suprahepatic IntraFalciform tubing for placement of ventriculoperitoneal shunts.

Abstract Ventriculoperitoneal (VP) shunts in pediatric patients are an important aspect of management for patients with hydrocephalus and are fraught with complications. Surgical revision rates for VP shunts in the pediatric population are currently high, which necessitates innovation in operative techniques for placing VP shunts in attempt to decrease complication risks. Here we describe a novel approach for placement of VP shunts that we hypothesize can reduce potential morbidity among pediatric patients. By utilizing the falciform ligament of the liver and the suprahepatic recess to suspend and maintain the shunt, outcomes may portend fewer iatrogenic intra-abdominal injuries, enhanced ease of shunt removal, provide a large surface area for absorption of drained cerebrospinal fluid, and result in fewer adhesions secondary to device placement. We are referring to the operative technique as the “SupraHepatic IntraFalciform Tubing” (SHIFT) technique. In summary, the SHIFT shunt is fashioned by creating a window through the falciform ligament, inserting the shunt, and placing tubing in the suprahepatic recess.
Barriers to preparing for disasters: Age differences and caregiving responsibilities

Abstract This study examined age differences in barriers to preparing for disasters and how caregiving responsibilities are associated with these barriers among different age groups. Using a sample of 1142 individuals from the 2017 Federal Emergency Management Agency National Household Survey, binary and multinomial logistic regressions were conducted to investigate the likelihood of encountering any or one of the two types of barriers, namely, barriers related to coping appraisal (i.e., capacity) and those related to threat appraisal (i.e., risk perception). Age was the key predictor and was categorized into five groups: 18–34, 35–49, 50–64, 65–74, and 75+. The results showed that the 18–34, 35–49, and 75+ age groups were more likely to have coping appraisal barriers than those aged between 65 and 74. In addition, being a caregiver increased the likelihood of having coping appraisal barriers. Interestingly, relative to the 65–74 age group, being a caregiver in the 18–34, 35–49, and 50–64 age groups would be more likely to have coping appraisal barriers. Our findings highlighted age patterns and heterogeneity among older adults. This study also directed attention to how disaster preparation behaviors were shaped by life course experiences.
Diversity Displays and Organizational Messaging: The Case of Historically Black Colleges and Universities:

Diversity has simultaneously become a pervasive goal and euphemism for racial differences in higher education. Although discourses within the postsecondary context highlight the positive impact of ...
The impact of climate change on intensive precipitation and flood types in Bulgaria

Abstract The ALADIN-Climate regional model was used to simulate climate change with a reference period 1961–90 and a future period 2021–50. The model operates with precipitation amounts for 6 hours. This imposes the use of one of the thresholds accepted in the practice of NIMH, as well as on the Meteoalarm website of 15 mm/6 hours, as a necessary condition for the occurrence of floods. The climate change signal shows an increase of cases with intensive rain in some areas, although the amount of precipitation may decrease overall. The least affected area of high rainfall intensity is Eastern Bulgaria, except Strandja Mountain. The areas with an increased number of intensive rainfall cases are Western and Northwestern Bulgaria. It was also investigated how climate change would affect the intense rainfall at NIMH climate stations. Rain measurements in the climate stations during the period 1961–90 are for 24 hours. Comparing the 24-hour amounts with the rainfall intensity measured by automatic stations installed in a later period, it was found that rainfall with intensity greater than 15 mm/6 hours can be observed if the 24-hour rainfall exceeds 35 mm/24 hours. This value was used to analyze climate change in 52 climate stations. It is known that intensive rainfall occurs mainly in warm seasons. Climate experiments show an increase in temperature in the future for all seasons. Observation records do not indicate whether precipitation is snow or rain, or whether it is stratiform or convective. To have comparability between the reference and future period, instead of the seasons, we used the condition that the minimum and maximum temperatures during the day should be above 10°C and 20°C, respectively, no matter what the season is. This gives a priority to the convective rainfall, which is the main type of precipitation causing flooding. The impact of climate change on the spatial and temporal variability of flood characteristics has been evaluated. Special attention was paid to flash and pluvial floods that are most affected by climate change.
Racial and Gender Shoulder Arthroplasty Utilization Disparities of High- and Low-Volume Centers in New York State

Author(s): Markes, Alexander R; Pareek, Ayoosh; Mesfin, Addisu; Benjamin Ma, C.; Ward, Derek
The impact of obesity on laparoscopic appendectomy: Results from the ACS National Surgical Quality Improvement Program pediatric database.

Abstract Background Childhood obesity is a worsening epidemic. Little is known about the impact of elevated BMI on perioperative and postoperative complications in children who undergo laparoscopic surgery. The purpose of this study was to examine the effects of obesity on surgical outcomes in children using laparoscopic appendectomy as a model for the broader field of laparoscopic surgery. Study design Using the Pediatric National Surgical Quality Improvement Program (NSQIP) data from 2012, patients aged 2–18years old with acute uncomplicated and complicated appendicitis who underwent laparoscopic appendectomy were identified. Children with a body mass index (BMI)≥95th percentile for their age and gender were considered obese. Primary outcomes, including overall morbidity and wound complications, were compared between nonobese and obese children. Multivariate regression analysis was conducted to identify the impact of obesity on outcome. Results A total of 2812 children with acute appendicitis who underwent appendectomy were included in the analysis; 22% were obese. Obese children had longer operative times but did not suffer increased postoperative complications when controlling for confounders (OR 1.3, 95% CI: 0.83–0.072 for overall complications, OR 1.3, 95% CI: 0.84–1.95 for wound complications). Conclusions Obesity is not an independent risk factor for postoperative complications following laparoscopic appendectomy. Although operative times are increased in obese children, obesity does not increase the likelihood of 30-day postoperative complications.
Por uma historia rizomatica : apontamentos teorico-metodologicos sobre a pratica de uma cartografia

O artigo pretende compartilhar apontamentos teorico-metodologicos incorporados em pesquisa desenvolvida em uma cidade metropolitana do Sul do Brasil. O trabalho apoiou-se nos estudos desenvolvidos por Gilles Deleuze e Felix Guattari. A principal ideia adotada reside na pratica de uma cartografia que se vale, prioritariamente, do uso de depoimentos orais. Sao problematizados os conceitos de tempo, memoria e subjetividade, desdobrados em estudo de caso que aspirou investigar a construcao de territorios de existencia de moradores de um bairro especifico da cidade elencada, a partir do processo de urbanizacao que (re)configurou a regiao apos a decada de 1960.
Diversification of livelihood activities in Ghana's households: effects of HIV, stress and selected socioeconomic factors

Research suggests that feedback relationships exist between HIV/AIDS and households’ livelihoods. HIV/AIDS affected people often loose their ability to contribute to household livelihoods as their health status deteriorates. In addition due to HIV/AIDS relating stigma and social isolation peoples’ options to diversify their livelihood activities may shrink and result in the greater risk of poverty which can further aggravate the HIV/AIDS epidemic. This study hypothesizes that households with HIV positive members begin experiencing negative effects of HIV on their livelihoods systems before the symptoms of AIDS become manifest. Thus, it is hypothesized that households with HIV-positive members would have significantly lower scores on the diversification of livelihood activities when compared to households with HIV negative mothers. This hypotheses is supported in the panel of households with HIV-positive and negative mothers in Eastern Ghana. The results of the ANOVA test and SEM growth curve analysis (GC) suggest that HIV-positive group has significantly lower diversification scores and, unlike the group with HIV-negative mothers, experienced steady decrease in the measure of diversification over the 12 months period. This study argues that timely and adequate
Frequency of mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor gene (MET) and the catalytic subunit of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PIK3CA) copy number elevation and correlation with outcome in patients with early stage breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: The current study was conducted to determine the frequency and association between recurrence-free survival (RFS) and MET and catalytic subunit of phosphoinositide-3-kinase (PIK3CA) copy number elevations in patients with early stage breast cancer. METHODS: Tumor DNA was extracted from 971 formalin-fixed, paraffin-embedded early breast cancers for molecular inversion probes arrays. Data were segmented using the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP)-FASST2 segmentation algorithm. Copy number gains were called when the copy number of each segment was greater than 2.3 or 1.7, respectively. RFS was estimated by the Kaplan-Meier method. Cox proportional hazards models were fit to determine independent associations between copy number and RFS. RESULTS: Of the 971 tumors studied, 82 (8.44%) and 134 (13.8%) had an elevation of the MET or PIK3CA copy number, respectively, and 25.6% of tumors with a MET copy number elevation had a PIK3CA copy number elevation. Patients with either a MET or PI3KCA high copy number tended to have poorer prognostic features (larger tumor size, higher tumor grade, and hormone receptor negativity). Both MET and PIK3CA high copy numbers were more likely to occur in patients with triple receptor-negative disease (P = .019 and P < .001, respectively). At a median follow-up of 7.4 years, there were 252 cases of disease recurrence. The 5-year RFS rates were 63.5% and 83.1% for MET high copy number and MET normal/low copy number, respectively (P = .06) and 73.1%, and 82.3% for PIK3CA high copy number and PIK3CA normal/low copy number, respectively (P = .15). A high copy number for either gene was not found to be an independent predictor of RFS. CONCLUSIONS: A high copy number of MET or PIK3CA was found to be associated with poorer prognostic features and triple receptor-negative disease. Coamplification was frequent. Patients with tumors with high MET copy numbers tended to have a worse RFS. Cancer 2013. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Voriconazole does not affect the steady-state pharmacokinetics of digoxin.

Aims Voriconazole is a triazole antifungal agent with potent fungicidal activity against Aspergillus species. Digoxin is a commonly prescribed cardiac glycoside with a narrow therapeutic index. This aim of this study was to investigate the effect of multiple-dose voriconazole on the steady-state pharmacokinetics of digoxin in healthy male volunteers. Methods This was a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled, parallel-group study. All subjects received daily administration of oral digoxin for a total of 22 days (0.5 mg twice daily on day 1, 0.25 mg twice daily on day 2 and 0.25 mg once daily on days 3–22). In addition, on days 11–22 the subjects were randomized to receive either voriconazole (200 mg twice daily) or matching placebo. Results Concomitant administration with voriconazole did not significantly alter the Cmax, AUCτ, tmax or CLR of digoxin at steady state. The ratios between groups for Cmax and AUCτ at day 22, corrected for baseline (day 10) were 109.8%[90% confidence interval (CI) 97.1, 124.1] and 100.5% (90% CI 91.4, 110.5), respectively. In addition, group mean Cmin values were similar in both treatment groups throughout the study. There were no significant differences between treatments with respect to the incidence of adverse events, all of which were classified as mild and transient in nature. Conclusions The steady-state pharmacokinetics of digoxin are not affected in a clinically relevant manner by the concomitant administration of voriconazole.
Computer-Assisted Detection and Diagnosis

Computer-aided diagnosis (CAD) is defined as a diagnosis made by a radiologist who takes into account the output of a computerized analysis of a medical image. There are in general two different types of CAD schemes: one to locate suspicious regions in the image, computer-aided detection (CADe) and another to classify a suspicious region into one of two or more classes, computer-aided diagnosis (CADx). The goal of CAD is to improve the performance of radiologists, to reduce variation within and between radiologists, and to make radiologists more efficient. This article describes motivation for developing CAD, the basic principles, current issues in CAD research, and future areas for development. Keywords: radiology; computer; radiography; carcinoma; diagnosis; detection; diagnostic errors; computer-assisted; algorithms; mammography; breast cancer; technology assessment
Constricting Products Liability: Reforms in Theory and Procedure

"Constricting Products Liability" argues that expansive reforms, in theory and procedure, make it impractical for an attorney to take a small products liability case. Several defenses are examined as are the impact of the discovery process and Daubert. The role of the Restatement (Third) Products Liability and the present state of design defect, warnings, and preemption are also considered. Possible solutions are evaluated.
Enzymatic Action on the Capsular Material Produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa of Cystic Fibrosis Origin

Doggett, Robert G. (Texas Institute for Rehabilitation and Research, Houston), Gunyon M. Harrison, Richard N. Stillwell, and Everett S. Wallis. Enzymatic action on the capsular material produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa of cystic fibrosis origin. J. Bacteriol. 89:476-480. 1965.-An enzymatic study of the action of alpha- and beta-amylases on the slime envelope produced by Pseudomonas aeruginosa originating from patients with cystic fibrosis (CF) has been reported. It has been shown that these two enzymes in combination prevent the formation of the abnormal ethanol-benzene insoluble mucoid present in the slime layer of the above organism of CF origin. Evidence is also given which suggests that this organism can serve as a tool for studies of chemical abnormalities in the mucous metabolism of CF individuals.
Infectious agents in immunodeficient murine models: pathogenicity of Nocardia asteroides in congenitally athymic (nude) and hereditarily asplenic (Dh/+) mice

Congenitally athymic (Nu/Nu), hereditarily asplenic (Dh/+), and littermate control mice were given intravenous injections of homogeneous cell suspensions of the virulent Nocardia asteroides GUH-2. Kill curve, 50% lethal dose, and kidney clearance data were obtained over a period of 3 months postinfection. N. asteroides initiated both an acute infectious process and a chronic, progressive disease in these animals when given intravenously. The heterozygous (Nu/+) mice appeared to be slightly more susceptible to the acute phase of infection than their nude littermates. In contrast, nude mice were at least 50 times more susceptible to chronic nocardial infection than were the heterozygous (Nu/+) controls. Swiss Webster specific pathogen-free mice were similar to heterozygous (Nu/+) mice in their susceptibility to N. asteroides. The hereditarily asplenic (Dh/+) mice were not as susceptible to lethal infection as were nude mice. However, asplenic mice demonstrated an inability to eliminate nocardia from infected kidneys, whereas their littermate control (+/+) mice were able to mount an effective response and destroy most of the organisms within the kidneys. Similar observations were noted when nude and heterozygous (Nu/+) littermate mice were infected in the footpad. The nude mice developed a systemic infection and died within 4 weeks with little inflammation of the footpad and no macroscopic lesions. In contrast, heterozygous (Nu/+) mice developed extensive local abscesses in the foot that persisted for at least 4 weeks. There was no animal death and no evidence of dissemination. The data presented herein indicate that T cells are essential for adequate host response against infection with a virulent strain of N. asteroides.
Strain-Dependent Differences in Murine Susceptibility to Coccidia

Differences in susceptibility of strains of mice to Eimeria ferrisi were observed by infecting eight strains of mice with six infectious dose levels and comparing the mortality rate among the strains for a period of 12 days. Mice of the C57BL/6 and HA/ICR strains were susceptible, and those of A/He, AKR, BALB/c, CBA, C3H/Anf, and DBA/2 strains were resistant to coccidial infection. Resistance was a dominant genetic expression, as indicated by the resistant response of F(1) hybrids of susceptible C57BL/6 and resistant CBA, C3H/Anf, or DBA/2 strains. An E. ferrisi infection in congenitally athymic nu/nu mice and phenotypically normal heterozygous nu/+ mice was used to determine how thymus-dependent immunoincompetence in cell-mediated immunity of the nu/nu mouse affected resistance to infection in a genetic background of the resistant BALB/c mouse. Results of primary and challenge infections in these two strains of mice suggested that resistance is thymus dependent. Furthermore, impairment of thymus-dependent cell-mediated immunity in resistant AKR mice by treatment with mouse antithymus serum led to partial susceptibility. However, susceptible C57BL/6 and HA/ICR strains are phenotypically normal mice, and previous evidence showed that C57BL/6 mice are not completely immunoincompetent in cell-mediated reactivity to coccidia. Collectively, our data show that cell-mediated immunity is necessary for resistance but may be subjected to modification by genetic expression of the host. The possible role of immune response genes in the control of coccidial immunity is discussed.
A Statistician Reads the Sports Pages: Easy to Criticize, Harder to Verify: Fourth and Goal in Post-2011 NFL Overtime

Quarterback Matt Flynn had been Aaron Rodgers' backup for four seasons in Green Bay before signing on with Seattle in 2012 with the hope of being their starting quarterback. When Rodgers went down ...
Three-dimensional heart locator and compressed sensing for whole-heart MR angiography.

Purpose We sought to develop a whole-heart magnetic resonance angiography technique with three-dimensional (3D) respiratory motion compensation and reduced scan time. Methods A novel respiratory motion compensation method was implemented that acquires a 1D navigator (NAV) and a low-resolution 3D-image of the heart (3D-LOC) just before the angiography data. The central 10% of SSFP k-space was fully acquired using NAV-gating, and then 10% of peripheral k-space was randomly undersampled to complete the scan. Spatial registration of the 3D-LOC information was used to correct the central and peripheral k-space lines for the bulk respiratory motion in three dimensions, and then the remaining k-space data was estimated using compressed sensing (CS). Ten volunteers each underwent two angiography acquisitions with 1 mm3 resolution: (i) conventional NAV with CS, and (ii) the new 3D-LOC with CS. Results Compared with conventional NAV, the new 3D-LOC with CS technique had a shorter scan time (4.8 ± 1.1 versus 6.3 ± 1.7 min; P < 0.001), better objective vessel sharpness for all three coronary arteries (P < 0.05), and no difference in subjective vessel sharpness for all three coronary arteries. Conclusion Compared with conventional NAV with CS, acceleration and respiratory motion correction using 3D-LOC with CS reduces scan time and improves objective vessel sharpness. Magn Reson Med, 2015. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Regulation of Epidermal Expression of Keratin K17 in Inflammatory Skin Diseases

Keratin K17, the myoepithelial keratin, is expressed in psoriasis but is not present in healthy skin. Psoriasis is associated with production of γ interferon(IFN γ ), which induces the expression of keratin K17 by activating transcription factor STAT1. Our hypothesis states that the induction of K17 is specific for the inflammatory reactions associated with high levels of IFN γ and activation of STAT1. One of the corollaries of the hypothesis is that the STAT1-activating cytokines should induce the expression of keratin K17, whereas those cytokines that work through other mechanism should not. Furthermore, because the STAT activation pathway is dependent upon protein phosphorylation events, phosphorylation inhibitors should attenuate the induction of keratin K17, whereas protein phosphatase, inhibitors should attenuate the induction of keratin K17, whereas protein phosphatase inhibitors should augment it. To test this hypothesis, we analyzed lesional samples of inflammatory diseases using immunoflurorescence, transfected keratinocytes with K17 gene promote DNAs in the presence of various cytokines, and followed nuclear translocation of STAT1 in keratinocytes using specific antibodies. Confirming the hypothesis, we found that K17 is induced in psoriasis and dermatitis caused by delayed type hypersensitivity, which are associated with high levels of IFN γ , but not in samples of atopic dermatitis, which is not. Two cytokines, interleukin-6 and leukemia inhibitory factor, which can induce phosphorylation of STAT1, can also induce K17 expression, whereas interleukin-3, interleukin-4, interleukin-10, and granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor have no effect on K17 expression. As expected, staurosporine and genistein inhibited, whereas okadaic acid augmented, the induction of K17 by IFN γ . Our data indicate that inflamitory skin diseases, lymphocytes, through the cytokines they produce, differently regulate not only each other, but also keratin gene expression in the epidermis, one of their target issues
Structure and composition of drusen associated with glomerulonephritis: implications for the role of complement activation in drusen biogenesis.

Purpose The ocular fundi of many patients with membranoproliferative glomerulonephritis type II (MPGN-II) are characterised by the presence of deposits within Bruch's membrane that resemble drusen, hallmark lesions associated with age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Glomerulonephritis (GN)-associated drusen appear at a younger age, however, than do drusen in individuals with AMD. In light of recent evidence that immune-mediated events participate in drusen biogenesis and AMD, we examined the structure and composition of drusen in eyes obtained from human donors with two distinct glomerulopathies, both of which involve complement deposition within glomeruli. These features were compared with those of drusen from patients with clinically documented AMD. Methods Eyes obtained from two human human donors diagnosed with membranous and post-streptococcal GN, respectively, were analysed histochemically, immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally. Results Subretinal pigment epithelial (RPE) deposits in both types of GN are numerous and indistinguishable, both structurally and compositionally, from drusen in donors with AMD. GN-associated drusen exhibit sudanophilia, bind filipin, and react with antibodies directed against vitronectin, complement C5 and C5b-9 complexes, TIMP-3 and amyloid P component. Drusen from the membranous GN donor, but not the post-streptococcal GN donor, reacted with peanut agglutinin and antibodies directed against MHC class II antigens and IgG. The ultrastructural characteristics of these deposits were also identical with those of AMD-associated drusen. Conclusions The composition and structure of ocular drusen associated with membranous and post-streptococcal/segmental GN are generally similar to those of drusen in individuals with AMD. In view of the recent data supporting the involvement of complement activation in drusen biogenesis and the pathobiology of AMD, further studies of the biological relationships between AMD and diseases associated with complement activation are warranted.
Space Vehicle Propulsion Systems: Environmental Hazards of Low Earth Orbit-Lunar Domain

Introduction T HE methodology used for this investigation involved an examination, enumeration, and assessment of the open literature for detailed descriptions of the hazards to be discussed. Given this body of information, the potential of these hazards for degradation, disruption, or possible termination of performance of LOX-LH2 as well as other rocket engines, was considered. The mode of study was that of a selective literature search, in which candidate documents were selected on a basis of being current, as well as giving adequate quantitative detail. The hazards were then classified as to pervasiveness, abruptness, the capability of producing long-term hardware degradation and deterioration. They were then considered in relation to their specific influence in various mission modes in geolunar space. The overview of results and conclusions that follow came from approximately 350 citations and 200 extended documents. In view of time constraints, these numbers do not fully represent the total wealth of applicable and potentially useful literature on this subject. Table 1 summarizes the objective and findings of this study. We now consider the relevant space hazards and locales. For illustrative purposes, Table 2 enumerates these hazards in conjunction with the regions in geolunar space and their relative importance. Given the four dominant hazards—radiation, meteoroids, monatomic oxygen, and thermal gradient and thermal shock— Table 3 displays the space-hazard descriptions and anticipated deleterious effects. With the condensed information contained in Tables 1-3, we now present a detailed discussion of these hazards.
Comparison of selective dissemination of information systems

Currently available on‐line systems historically have been used as retrospective search methodologies. With interest in on‐line retrieval increasing by leaps and bounds, the application of these inverted‐file oriented systems to selective dissemination of information (SDI) services bears investigation. Within given user‐specified demands and system constraints, what is the best method of providing an SDI service? A typical batch system is compared with four types of commonly available on‐line SDI systems. The operating parameters of each are outlined, and estimates of bottom‐line costs are given.
Buying, borrowing, and bibliographers: Some observations on collection development flexibility

The decision to collect always entails a decision on what to collect. This conference has been about collection development, generally, and about one question specifically. That question is: Why do we collect materials? Sometimes, 1 am tempted to think it is just the pack-rat coming out in us; but, we do not really buy books just to hoard them. They are bought to be used. If that is so, then we are buying many of them for other people, and presumably we are buying what we either expect or know they will want to read. The amount of use and the amount of satisfaction expressed give some indication of how successful we have been. But budgets also set limits to the amount of satisfaction we can provide. X dollars will buy only Y books. If expectations can be represented as Y + Z, and they usually can, then we are in trouble and have to face the question of what expectations we should plan to satisfy by purchase. Some guidelines are available. Various enquiries into scholarly communication provide some clues as to scholarly expectation. This is very important to academic librarians. Faculty represent the most permanent part of our consti tuency and can also be expected to influence graduate student demand, the next most important factor. What sorts of things do these people expect? Even though our concerns may lie principally with the humanities and the social sciences, it is important to be aware of the impact of the needs of science and technology. As indicated in several recent studies (see Bibliography) scientists are principally interested in a wide range of current information. Such information comes mostly from periodicals and serials but also requires the support of indexes, abstracts, and data bases. Therein lies a double budgetary problem. First, the average cost for scientific and technical periodicals is double that for the humanities and social sciences; the costs of scientific indexes are considerably higher; and, a greater number of both is needed. Second, despite the preponderance of periodical citation in certain fields such as engineering, scientific research also requires access to a wide range of books, especially conference proceedings. So it is not simply a matter of saying that one can buy periodicals and not buy books. For most libraries, these facts mean that a very high proport ion of their book budgets must be predicated for the support of science and technology. Because most of the sum allocated will be for serials, it must also come off the top.
Biomphalaria glabrata genetics: Spire formation as a sublethal character

Abstract Adult Biomphalaria glabrata with projecting spires were observed in genetic stocks showing frequent embryos with the first whorl open and with high embryonic mortality. Frequencies of spire embryos and the associated sublethal effect in snail lines selected for these tendencies suggested polygenic inheritance with penetrance incomplete. Appearance of spired snails and the sublethal effect in descendants of normal-line snails following mating with spire-line snails indicated the character can be genetically transmitted in cross-fertilization.
The Tension Mounts: Mechanics Meets Morphogenesis and Malignancy

The tissue microenvironment regulates mammary gland development and tissue homeostasis through soluble, insoluble and cellular cues that operate within the three dimensional architecture of the gland. Disruption of these critical cues and loss of tissue architecture characterize breast tumors. The developing and lactating mammary gland are also subject to a plethora of tensional forces that shape the morphology of the gland and orchestrate its functionally differentiated state. Moreover, malignant transformation of the breast is associated with dramatic changes in gland tension that include elevated compression forces, high tensional resistance stresses and increased extracellular matrix stiffness. Chronically increased mammary gland tension may influence tumor growth, perturb tissue morphogenesis, facilitate tumor invasion, and alter tumor survival and treatment responsiveness. Because mammary tissue differentiation is compromised by high mechanical force and transformed cells exhibit altered mechanoresponsiveness, malignant transformation of the breast may be functionally linked to perturbed tensional-homeostasis. Accordingly, it will be important to define the role of tensional force in mammary gland development and tumorigenesis. Additionally, it will be critical to identify the key molecular elements regulating tensional-homeostasis of the mammary gland and thereafter to characterize their associated mechanotransduction pathways.
Comparison of growth and nutritional status of juvenile Komodo monitors (Varanus komodoensis) maintained on rodent or poultry‐based diets

Nutrition and growth data were collected on six juvenile Komodo monitors (Varanus komodoensis) over 20 months. The animals were captive-bred from two separate clutches, laid 6 months apart. Three animals were fed a rodent diet, and the other three were fed a poultry-based diet. The animals were all weighed and measured weekly. Blood samples were collected monthly. Blood samples were analyzed for sodium (Na), potassium (K), calcium (Ca), phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), 25-OH-D, and cholesterol. Significant differences (P<0.05) were observed in dry matter intake (DMI) (1.12 vs. 0.90 %BW) and gross energy intake (GEI) (182.3 vs. 143.0 kcal GE/d), between rodent and poultry-based diets, respectively. However, there were no differences in growth (average daily gain=6.13 vs. 6.33 g BW/d) between the two dietary treatments. Blood Na, K, Ca, P, Mg, and 25-OH-D concentrations were similar across treatments, while cholesterol levels were higher in the animals maintained on the rodent-based diet. Zoo Biol 23:239–252, 2004. © 2004 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Deep ocean circulation and transport where the East Pacific Rise at 9–10°N meets the Lamont seamount chain

[1] We report the first 3-D numerical model study of abyssal ocean circulation and transport over the steep topography of the East Pacific Rise (EPR) and adjoining Lamont seamount chain in the eastern tropical Pacific. We begin by comparing results of hydrodynamical model calculations with observations of currents, hydrography, and SF6 tracer dispersion taken during Larval Dispersal on the Deep East Pacific Rise (LADDER) field expeditions in 2006–2007. Model results are then used to extend observations in time and space. Regional patterns are pronounced in their temporal variability at M2 tidal and subinertial periods. Mean velocities show ridge-trapped current jets flowing poleward west and equatorward east of the ridge, with time-varying magnitudes (weekly average maximum of ∼10 cm s−1) that make the jets important features with regard to ridge-originating particle/larval transport. Isotherms bow upward over the ridge and plunge downward into seamount flanks below ridge crest depth. The passage (P1) between the EPR and the first Lamont seamount to the west is a choke point for northward flux at ridge crest depths and below. Weekly averaged velocities show times of anticyclonic flow around the Lamont seamount chain as a whole and anticyclonic flow around individual seamounts. Results show that during the LADDER tracer experiment SF6 reached P1 from the south in the western flank jet. A short-lived change in regional flow direction, just at the time of SF6 arrival at P1, started the transport of SF6 to the west on a course south of the seamounts, as field observations suggest. Approximately 20 days later, a longer-lasting shift in regional flow from west to SSE returned a small fraction of the tracer to the EPR ridge crest.
Laser excitation-induced structure distortion and persistent spectral hole burning of Eu3+ in BaFCl

Abstract Persistent spectral hole burning (PSHB) has been demonstrated in the inhomogeneously broadened 7 F 0 → 5 D 0 transition of Eu3+ ions in crystals of BaFCl at temperatures below 77 K. It was shown that the observed PSHB effect was due to laser excitation-induced site conversion. In the lattice of BaFCl, multiple Eu3+ sites formed due to charge imbalance and the presence of defects. Eu3+ population at one site could be depleted and converted to another site. This process was not optically reversible and holes were erased only when temperature was increased to 150 K. Persistent holes burned at 3 K had an average width of 500 MHz while hyperfine transient holes burned at the same temperature were only 25 MHz wide. Although cycling of sample temperature did not affect the shape of the persistent hole, hole width and peak position were quadratic functions of temperature.
A Textbook that Gets Students Excited about Microbiology

Review of : Microbiology: An Evolving Science , 3rd ed.; Joan L. Slonczewski and John W. Foster; (2014). W.W. Norton & Company, Inc., New York, NY. 1184 pages.
Sedation and analgesia in critically ill children

Abstract Effective analgesia and sedation in the Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU) encompasses the provision of physical comfort and caring for the psychological well-being of critically ill children. In the UK the most commonly used sedative and analgesic agents for critically ill children are midazolam and morphine; consensus clinical practice guidelines for the provision of sedation and analgesia in critically ill children were published in 2006 by the UK Paediatric Intensive Care Society. It is important to treat pain, and in addition to the obvious immediate effects of untreated pain there is increasing evidence that pain experienced early in life may result in long-term changes in neurosensory function. There are however emerging concerns that sedative and analgesic agents may themselves be associated with developmental neurotoxicity, particularly amongst neonates. The extent and impact of psychological morbidity associated with the use of sedative and analgesic agents are poorly understood. Withdrawal syndrome and delirium probably represent part of a spectrum of adverse psychological effects. There appears to be considerable overlap in the features of psychological morbidity contributed to by pharmacological agents, and other disease states encountered in the critically ill. The most important single factor in reducing avoidable psychological morbidity in survivors of PICU is to minimize the administered doses of sedative and analgesic agents.
Distinct phases in the positive selection of CD8+ T cells distinguished by intrathymic migration and T-cell receptor signaling patterns

Positive selection of CD8 T cells in the thymus is thought to be a multistep process lasting 3-4 d; however, the discrete steps involved are poorly understood. Here, we examine phenotypic changes, calcium signaling, and intrathymic migration in a synchronized cohort of MHC class I-specific thymocytes undergoing positive selection in situ. Transient elevations in intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) and migratory pauses occurred throughout the first 24 h of positive selection, becoming progressively briefer and accompanied by a gradual shift in basal [Ca(2+)]i over time. Changes in chemokine-receptor expression and relocalization from the cortex to medulla occurred between 12 and 24 h after the initial encounter with positive-selecting ligands, a time frame at which the majority of thymocytes retain CD4 and CD8 expression and still require T-cell receptor (TCR) signaling to efficiently complete positive selection. Our results identify distinct phases in the positive selection of MHC class I-specific thymocytes that are distinguished by their TCR-signaling pattern and intrathymic location and provide a framework for understanding the multistep process of positive selection in the thymus.
The “Studio Abroad” as a Mode of Transcultural Engagement in Urban Planning Education A Reflection on Ten Years of Sino-Canadian Collaboration

This article reviews the dynamics and achievements of a ten-year series of collaborative planning studios and field research between faculty and students from urban planning and design programs in ...