cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effect of changes in relative humidity on aerosol scattering near clouds

[1] Many investigations using satellite data have determined that aerosol optical depth and cloud cover are correlated and some have interpreted the correlation as evidence of an aerosol indirect effect on clouds. This study uses in situ aircraft observations taken during the Indian Ocean Experiment (INDOEX), February–March 1999, and mostly over the northern Indian Ocean, to show that on average, relative humidity increases as distance to the boundaries of small marine trade cumulus decreases. The increase is sufficient to cause substantial growth of hygroscopic aerosol particles and consequently greatly enhance particle scattering cross sections near clouds. The measured increase is from a relative humidity of about 90% at 1-km horizontal distance from the cloud to about 94–96% at 100 m from cloud edge. This increase would result in about a 40–80% increase in aerosol scattering cross section based on the composition used to model the aerosol. Observations of scattering in the vicinity of clouds using 30-m-resolution imagery from the Multichannel Cloud Radiometer (MCR) indicated that the increase in scattering within 1–2 km of cloud edge was about 50%, comparable to the increase calculated for the particle scattering cross sections. On the basis of these findings, global average estimates of the aerosol direct radiative effect as derived from satellite observations of cloud-free oceans is estimated to be 35–65% larger than that inferred for large (>20 km) cloud-free ocean regions. This enhancement is consistent with those derived from satellite observations.
Increased monocyte turnover is associated with interstitial macrophage accumulation and pulmonary tissue damage in SIV-infected rhesus macaques

We recently reported that increasing blood monocyte turnover that was associated with tissue macrophage death better predicts terminal disease progression in adult SIV-infected macaques than does declining CD4(+) T cell levels. To understand better mechanisms of pathogenesis, this study relates severity of lung-tissue damage to the ratio, distribution, and inflammatory responses of lung macrophage subsets during SIV infection in rhesus macaques exhibiting varying rates of monocyte turnover. In vivo BrdU incorporation was used to evaluate kinetics of monocyte/tissue macrophage turnover. Tissue damage was scored microscopically from H&E-stained lung-tissue sections, and cytokine expression was examined via immunohistochemistry and confocal microscopy. Increased monocyte turnover in SIV-infected rhesus macaques significantly correlated with severity of lung-tissue damage, as exhibited by perivasculitis, vasculitis, interstitial pneumonia, alveolar histiocytosis, foamy macrophages, multinucleated giant cells, fibrin, and edema in the alveoli. In addition, the higher monocyte turnover correlated with declining AI ratio, increased accumulation of IM in the perivascular region of the lung, and higher expression of IL-6 in the IM of the lung tissue exposed to a LPS, calcium ionophore, and tumor promoter combination stimulation ex vivo. Accumulation of IM associated with increasing monocyte turnover during SIV infection appears to contribute to chronic pulmonary inflammation and tissue damage during disease progression to AIDS.
Vegetation establishment in post-fire Adenostoma chaparral in relation to fine-scale pattern in fire intensity and soil nutrients

At fine spatial scales (0.1–10m), chaparral communities have been shown to be strongly influenced by canopy-gap patterns, leading to periodicities in vegetation at 4–5 m spatial scales. Fine-scale variations in fire behavior and post-fire erosion can lead to changes in the patterning of viable seeds and nutrients and may alter the spatial patterning of post-fire chaparral communities. This study deals with the relationship among fire behavior, post-fire nutrient availabilities and vegetation patterns in a 1-yr old, post-fire Adenostoma fasciculatum chaparral community in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, California, USA. Variations in mineral soil exchangeable cations (Ca, Mg) and extractable phosphorus (P04-P) were correlated with ash distribution. Cations and measures of ammonium and nitrate were also correlated with fire intensity, measured by the diameter of the smallest remaining A. fasciculatum twigs following fire. Fire intensity was correlated with the pattern of post-fire vegetation establishment based on first axis DC A scores. However, ash PO4-P was more highly correlated with sample DCA scores, local species richness and total cover (p < 0.01), suggesting that small-scale variations in PO4-P which correlate with ash distributions may be important in structuring this community. Two- and three-term local variance analysis revealed a maximum of pattern intensity in DCA first axis scores at 4–5 m intervals that likely corresponds to pre-fire canopy-gap patterns. However, total cover showed pattern at spatial scales of 8–10 m, and was correlated at this scale with patterns of ash distribution and fire intensity. Microtopographic patterns also occur at similar spatial scales. Microtopographic patterns appear important in determining post-fire plant nutrient and water distributions and, thereby, patterns of plant establishment. Thus, the scale and intensity of post-fire vegetation pattern may differ considerably from pre-fire conditions.
Functionally graded materials for prescribed field evolution

The present communication is concerned with a numerical procedure to determine an optimal material layout of a functionally graded material (FGM) within the context of a transient phenomenon. In particular, the physical problem considered here is transient heat conduction. The idea is to determine the effective material properties (via volume fraction of an isotropic composite) with the goal of controlling the evolution of the corresponding field quantity. The difference between the actual temperature field and a prescribed target field is minimized in a mean squares sense in space and time. Results show that the proposed methodology can be used for development of FGMs in a variety of practical applications.
General Conclusions: Spatial Statistics

The original version of our Annals in Regional Science paper enumerates a number of topics that serve as focal points for the frontiers of spatial statistics and spatial econometrics.
Improving clinical histories on radiology requisitions.

Abstract Purpose The Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) regards billing for radiologic examinations without an appropriate indication as unlawful, and both the referring physician and the radiologist are liable. HCFA regulations are interpreted as requiring that all requisitions for radiologic examinations include a current diagnosis and appropriate indication for the study. The purpose of this investigation was to determine the rates at which requisitions currently meet these criteria and to assess the effectiveness of a simple intervention designed to improve them. Materials and Methods One hundred fifty consecutive chest radiography requisitions were examined to determine the rate at which current diagnoses and appropriate indications were present. An intervention was then implemented that included a month-long effort to inform referring physicians and radiologists of HCFA regulations, followed by a 1-week period during which requested examinations were not performed unless accompanied by a clinical diagnosis and appropriate indication. Another 150 consecutive chest radiography requisitions were then assessed to determine the effect of the intervention. A 3-month follow-up sample of a third set of 150 consecutive requisitions was then obtained. Results The intervention produced a 69% decrease in the rate at which current diagnoses were missing from requisitions, and a 61% decrease in the corresponding rate for appropriate indications. Both results are significant with χ2 analysis at the P = .001 level. After 3 months with no additional intervention, rates decayed back toward baseline, with only a 35% remaining decrease for current diagnosis and an 18% decrease for appropriate indication. Conclusion The intervention performed in this study significantly reduces the rate of noncompliance with HCFA regulations. However, this improvement decays over time if it is not reinforced.
Development of proteoglycan-induced arthritis depends on T cell-supported autoantibody production, but does not involve significant influx of T cells into the joints.

Introduction Inflammatory joint destruction in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) may be triggered by autoantibodies, the production of which is supported by autoreactive T cells. Studies on RA and animal models of the disease suggest that T cells recruited in the joints can locally initiate or propagate arthritis. Herein, we investigated the role of joint-homing versus lymphoid organ-homing T cells in the development of proteoglycan-induced arthritis (PGIA), an autoimmune model of RA.
Autoantigens signal through chemokine receptors: uveitis antigens induce CXCR3- and CXCR5-expressing lymphocytes and immature dendritic cells to migrate

We tested the hypothesis that interaction between autoantigens and chemoattractant receptors may be an important step in the development of autoimmunity. The retinal autoantigens S-antigen (S-Ag) and interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) can induce autoimmune uveitis in rodent models. We evaluated the chemotactic activity of S-Ag and IRBP and found that both induced migration of human and mouse immature dendritic cells (iDCs) and lymphocytes, but not neutrophils, monocytes, or mature DCs. Cross-desensitization studies and single-receptor transfected cells revealed that subfamily of alpha chemokine receptors CXCR5 and CXCR3 mediated the chemotactic effect of IRBP, while only CXCR3 was required for the chemotactic response to S-Ag. Examination of the relationships between chemoattraction and the ability to elicit pathology at the protein or peptide levels in the mouse uveitis model revealed dissociation of the capacity to induce uveitis, lymphocyte proliferation, and chemoattraction. These studies suggest that IRBP and S-Ag can initiate innate and, in sensitive individuals, adaptive immune response by attracting iDCs and T and B cells expressing CXCR3 and CXCR5.
Cortical morphogenesis in Paramecium aurelia following amputation of the posterior region

The most anterior approximately 35 μ of the 49–50 μ long anterior region was removed from many paramecia by a transverse cut. The challenge imposed by the amputation met with the following responses in lines of successive proters (anterior products of fission). (A) Restitution of the anterior region in successive proters. Most of the restitution occurred at the first fission which yielded proters having anterior region about 55% (as compared with the approximately 30% remaining after amputation) and posterior regions 68% of normal length. Return to normal was nearly complete after the eighth fission. (B) Incomplete kineties in successive proters. The anterior termini of incomplete kineties came to be located more and more posteriorly in the course of successive fissions as growth occurred anterior to them. When the anterior termini came to be posterior to the fission plane, they were lost from the proters formed at this and subsequent fissions. Proters with reduced kineties were slenderer than normal. (C) Dorsal kinety pattern in the proters. On the dorsal field, after all short kineties were lost from the proters, the remaining kineties were normally oriented anterior-posteriorly. However, the normal arrangement of the anterior termini of kineties at the suture, on the dorsal anterior tip of the proters, was lacking. (D) Ventral kinety pattern in the regenerated anterior region. Regenerated anterior regions possessed normal or nearly normal ventral kinety patterns. Deviations from normal were minor. (E) The preoral suture. Normally this is a clear space at the juncture between the anterior ventral right and left field. The regenerated part of the suture was atypical: the clear space was lacking. (F) Inheritance and variation of total number of kineties around the cell. In a slender clone, the mean number of kineties was 67 as compared with 75 in an uncut control clone. The difference was inherited for many fissions, but not permanently. Normally, the number of kineties decreases slowly when fission rate is low due to limitation of food and rises slowly when excess food is supplied. (G) Abnormal buccal structures. Cuts made close to the vestibule, but not those further from the vestibule, resulted in death or in abnormal clones with defective buccal structures of various sorts.
Examination of the Spectral Efficiency of an Echelle Grating Monochromator

The spectral efficiency of an echelle grating monochromator has been examined. The frequently cited advantage that "echelles are blazed at all wavelengths" is observed to be a result of the periodic character of the echelle efficiency as compared with the continually decreasing efficiency from the blaze wavelength for conventional gratings. The periodic character of the echelle efficiency may be also a disadvantage, particularly when regions near the ends of the orders are utilized, since the efficiency may drop significantly below the theoretical decrease of 50%. An awareness of the efficiency character of the echelle grating monochromator should facilitate the choice of wavelength region in which to work.
HITOP-A. A tool to facilitate interdisciplinary manufacturing systems design

Computer-based manufacturing systems face generally high rates of failure and disappointment in their implementation. Among many causes, the match between features of the embedding organization, features of the people working with the technologies, and features of the technologies themselves have proven central. This study reports on the design and implementation of a software package for design, decision support, and simulation of human infrastructures for advanced manufacturing systems, called HITOP-A. We discuss the rationales behind HITOP-A, along with its overall design and implementation, and lessons and insights we have gained. In addition, we give several illustrations of the operation of some key modules of the HITOP-A system, showing actual HITOP-A output and results.
Effects of Light Environment and Population Density on Growth Performance of Male Turkeys:2. Physiological Changes

Abstract This study was designed to determine the effects of intermittent white light [2 h of light (L) followed by 2 h of dark (D) repeated six times per day] vs. diurnal white, blue, and red light (12L:12D), light intensities of 86.1 lx (high) vs. 5.4 lx (low) at high and low population densities, and season of the year on changes in the pineal, pituitary, and adrenal glands and testes of male turkeys. Pineal gland weights were unaffected by any of the factors under study. Pituitary gland weights significantly increased only in 12-wk-old males reared during the fall and winter compared with those reared during the spring and summer, but were unaffected by the imposed light environments or population density. Adrenal glands were significantly larger in males reared under high population density conditions in comparison with those reared under low density housing. The different light environments were ineffective in altering the effects of population density on adrenal response. Intermittent, high intensity light caused precocious sexual development when males were between 12 and 23 wk of age. White light and red-filtered light stimulated testes activity and seminiferous tubule development, whereas blue-filtered light was nonstimulatory.
Basic Simulation Models of Phase Tracking Devices Using MATLAB

The Phase-Locked Loop (PLL), and many of the devices used for frequency and phase tracking, carrier and symbol synchronization, demodulation, and frequency synthesis, are fundamental building blocks in today's complex communications systems. It is therefore essential for both students and practicing communications engineers interested in the design and implementation of modern communication systems to understand and have insight into the behavior of these important and ubiquitous devices. Since the PLL behaves as a nonlinear device (at least during acquisition), computer simulation can be used to great advantage in gaining insight into the behavior of the PLL and the devices derived from the PLL. The purpose of this Synthesis Lecture is to provide basic theoretical analyses of the PLL and devices derived from the PLL and simulation models suitable for supplementing undergraduate and graduate courses in communications. The Synthesis Lecture is also suitable for self study by practicing engineers. A significant component of this book is a set of basic MATLAB-based simulations that illustrate the operating characteristics of PLL-based devices and enable the reader to investigate the impact of varying system parameters. Rather than providing a comprehensive treatment of the underlying theory of phase-locked loops, theoretical analyses are provided in sufficient detail in order to explain how simulations are developed. The references point to sources currently available that treat this subject in considerable technical depth and are suitable for additional study.
The Influence of Injection Site upon the Form of Dye-Dilution Curves

The validity of the serial compartment analysis of dye dilution curves was tested by injecting dye into the right auricle, pulmonary artery, a pulmonary vein and the aorta consecutively while sampling blood from the carotid artery. It was found that the serial compartment analogy is valid and that the lungs are the largest volume in the series. In curves obtained by injecting into the pulmonary artery and sampling from the left auricle it was shown that under the conditions of the experiments, the lungs act like a single volume from which dye is washed out in exponential fashion.
A new femoral bypass graft catheter

A three-dimensional left coronary bypass graft catheter with a sidewinder configuration is described. It is best suited for superior origins of left coronary bypass grafts. This graft catheter has been used successfully from the femoral route in more than 620 patients without serious complications. The method for using this catheter from the femoral route is described.
Performance Tool Support for MPI-2 on Linux

Programmers of message-passing codes for clusters of workstations face a daunting challenge in understanding the performance bottlenecks of their applications. This is largely due to the vast amount of performance data that is collected, and the time and expertise necessary to use traditional parallel performance tools to analyze that data. This paper reports on our recent efforts developing a performance tool for MPI applications on Linux clusters. Our target MPI implementations were LAM/MPI and MPICH2, both of which support portions of the MPI-2 Standard. We started with an existing performance tool and added support for non-shared file systems, MPI-2 one-sided communications, dynamic process creation, and MPI Object naming. We present results using the enhanced version of the tool to examine the performance of several applications. We describe a new performance tool benchmark suite we have developed, PPerfMark, and present results for the benchmark using the enhanced tool.
High Data Rate WLAN

This paper considers the problem of providing gbps/user data-rate in indoor environments. The technology that we study uses the 60 GHz spectrum whose special propagation properties make it ideal when combined with antenna array technology. We present two algorithms. The first algorithm is SINR threshold based which uses dynamic spectrum allocation and adaptive modulation. We show data rates of 2 Gbps per user even when 10 users are present in a small room. The second algorithm dynamically assigns users to channels without using a fixed SINR threshold. The results show that it can achieve up to 4 Gbps/user for the 10 users case. We obtain a bandwidth efficiency of up to 12 b/s/hz.
The Veterans Affairs Low Vision Intervention Trial (LOVIT): design and methodology.

Background Visual impairment is a major public health problem. Vision rehabilitation programs have the potential to restore independence and improve quality of life for persons with permanent visio...
Packet Broadcast Networks&#8212;A Performance Analysis of the R-ALOHA Protocol

In packet broadcast networks, users are interconnected via a broadcast channel. The key problem is multiple access of the shared broadcast channel. The performance of the R-ALOHA protocol for multiple access is studied in this paper. Two user models with Poisson message arrivals are analyzed; each message consists of a group of packets with a general probability distribution for group size. In the first model, each user handles one message at a time. In the second model, each user has infinite buffering capacity for queueing. Analytic models are developed for characterizing message delay and channel utilization. Bounds on channel throughput are established for two slightly different protocols. Numerical results from both analysis and simulation are presented to illustrate the accuracy of the analytic models as well as performance characteristics of the R-ALOHA protocol.
Higher cortical and lower subcortical metabolism in detoxified methamphetamine abusers.

Objective: Methamphetamine has raised concerns because it may be neurotoxic to the human brain. Although prior work has focused primarily on the effects of methamphetamine on dopamine cells, there is evidence that other neuronal types are affected. The authors measured regional brain glucose metabolism, which serves as a marker of brain function, to assess if there is evidence of functional changes in methamphetamine abusers in regions other than those innervated by dopamine cells. Method: Fifteen detoxified methamphetamine abusers and 21 comparison subjects underwent positron emission tomography following administration of [ 18 F]fluorodeoxyglucose. Results: Whole brain metabolism in the methamphetamine abusers was 14% higher than that of comparison subjects; the differences were most accentuated in the parietal cortex (20%). After normalization for whole brain metabolism, methamphetamine abusers exhibited significantly lower metabolism in the thalamus (17% difference) and striatum (where the differences were larger for the caudate [12%] than for the putamen [6%]). Statistical parametric mapping analyses corroborated these findings, revealing higher metabolism in the parietal cortex and lower metabolism in the thalamus and striatum of methamphetamine abusers. Conclusions: The fact that the parietal cortex is a region devoid of any significant dopaminergic innervation suggests that the higher metabolism seen in this region in the methamphetamine abusers is the result of methamphetamine effects in circuits other than those modulated by dopamine. In addition, the lower metabolism in the striatum and thalamus (major outputs of dopamine signals into the cortex) is likely to reflect the functional consequence of methamphetamine in dopaminergic circuits. These results provide evidence that, in humans, methamphetamine abuse results in changes in function of dopamine- and nondopamine-innervated brain regions.
Computational Analysis of Human Adenovirus Type 22 Provides Evidence for Recombination among Species D Human Adenoviruses in the Penton Base Gene

Recombination in human adenoviruses (HAdV) may confer virulence upon an otherwise nonvirulent strain. The genome sequence of species D HAdV type 22 (HAdV-D22) revealed evidence for recombination with HAdV-D19 and HAdV-D37 within the capsid penton base gene. Bootscan analysis demonstrated that recombination sites within the penton base gene frame the coding sequences for the two external hypervariable loops in the protein. A similar pattern of recombination was evident within other HAdV-D types but not other HAdV species. Further study of recombination among HAdVs is needed to better predict possible recombination events among wild-type viruses and adenoviral gene therapy vectors.
Utilization of Major Fucosylated and Sialylated Human Milk Oligosaccharides by Isolated Human Gut Microbes

Human milk oligosaccharides (HMOS) are not digested in the proximal intestine. In distal intestine, HMOS collectively modify the microbiota, but the response of individual bacteria to individual components of the HMOS is not well defined. Here, each of 25 major isolates of the human intestinal microbiota was fed individual major fucosylated and sialylated HMOS in anaerobic culture. This allowed for an assessment of the influence of specific HMOS on the growth and metabolic products of individual microbiota bacteria. Most Bifidobacteria spp. and Bacteroides spp. grew, induced α-L-fucosidase activity, and produced abundant lactate or short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) when fed 2'-fucosyllactose (2'-FL), 3-FL, and lactodifucotetraose (LDFT). Lactobacillus delbrueckii ATCC7830, Enterococcus faecalis ATCC19433, and Streptococcus thermophilus ATCC19258 exhibited slight growth, pH reduction, and lactate production when supplemented with 2'-FL or 3-FL, but not LDFT. Supplementation with 3'-sialyllactose (3'-SL) and 6'-SL promoted moderate growth of Bifidobacterium longum JCM7007, 7009, 7010, 7011, 1272, 11347, ATCC15708, Bacteroides vulgatus ATCC8482, and B. thetaiotaomicron ATCC29148; accordingly, these bacteria exhibited greater neuraminidase activity and produced copious lactate, SCFA, or both. Lactobacillus delbrueckii ATCC7830 also consumed 6'-SL. In contrast, Clostridium spp., L. rhamnosus ATCC53103, E. faecalis ATCC29200, Staphylococcus spp., Enterobacter spp., and Escherichia coli K12 did not consume milk oligosaccharides nor produce appreciable acidic fermentation products. Specific Bifidobacteria and Bacteroides differentially digest specific individual HMOS, with the major fucosylated milk oligosaccharides most strongly stimulating key species of mutualist symbionts. This suggests strategies for treating dysbiosis of the microbiota and associated inflammatory disorders.
Condensation studies in gas permeable membranes

Membrane gas transfer can be compromised by water condensation during operation. Experiments reported here show that the feed gas is rapidly saturated with water, whose transport is controlled by resistances in the membrane and the gas phase. This gas then becomes supersaturated because of gas dissolution, which is controlled by transport in the liquid phase. The water in the supersaturated gas is not normally transported back into the liquid, but forms droplets on the gas side of the membrane. While this condensation cannot normally be avoided, module design can facilitate condensate removal.
1944–1945: Ruby Payne-Scott – The First Woman Radio Astronomer

Ruby Payne-Scott’s career as a radio astronomer began in 1944 and extended to her retirement in July 1951. Her remarkable career, which led to many of the early discoveries in solar radio astronomy, can be roughly divided into four phases. The early phase began in March 1944 and extended to late 1945, a period of transition from wartime radar research to early solar noise research. In this period Payne-Scott, under the leadership of J. L. Pawsey, along with others, was laying the groundwork for the beginnings of solar radio astronomy. The following period from October 1945 to late 1947 marked the groundbreaking solar work at Dover Heights and the publication of their first important research papers on solar physics. Her contributions to Fourier radio astronomy imaging were crucial at this stage. In 1948, Payne-Scott had an interlude working on her own at the Hornsby field station; the detailed properties of Type III bursts were elucidated in this period. Starting in 1949, up to the end of her career at RPL in July 1951, she was mainly involved in the building and use of the high resolution swept-lobe interferometer at Potts Hill Reservoir in Sydney, a collaboration with Alec Little. There was a brief coda in August 1952 during the URSI International Assembly in Sydney. In this chapter we will study the work Ruby did as a proto-radio astronomer in 1944 and 1945.
Postnatal undernutrition slows development of bronchiolar epithelium in rats

The lung's small conducting airways are sites of dysfunction early in the course of chronic lung diseases that are prevalent in humans; furthermore, there is evidence that aspects of childhood environment may adversely influence small airway function in adulthood. Because there is considerable early postnatal morphological maturation of the bronchiolar epithelium in rats, these considerations led to the present study in which we assessed the effect of early postnatal undernutrition in rats on the anatomic development of the bronchiolar epithelium. We found undernutrition, produced by increasing rat litter size shortly after birth, led to delayed development of the mitochondria and rough endoplasmic reticulum of bronchiolar Clara cells. Of particular interest, underfeeding resulted in considerably diminished mitosis by Clara cells, decreased nuclear numerical density of bronchiolar ciliated cells, evidence of diminished conversion of Clara cells to ciliated cells, and an abnormal cellular composition of the small airway epithelium that persisted well beyond the period of underfeeding. We conclude that early neonatal events can have long-term effects on the bronchiolar epithelium.
Corruption: Greed, Culture, and the State

The concept of corruption is contested in some quarters, requiring an analysis of deep questions defining the relationship between state and society. This essay introduces these issues by confronting the seemingly disparate views of free market libertarians and of those ethnographers who study corruption as an aspect of state/society relations. Both are skeptical of the modern state and frequently see “corruption” as a superior alternative to abiding by the formal law. The essay than considers how free-marketeers and cultural ethnographers confront what is called ”grand corruption” - involving political leaders and multi-national firms. Here, corporate interests, that in other circumstances emphasize the value of the free market, characteristically invoke local cultural practices as an excuse for making payoffs. In contrast, scholars of local cultural practices invoke the predominance of economic incentives - that is, the greed and the profit motive of multi-national firms - to condemn grand corruption. After confronting these curious convergences and conceptual reversals, the essay presents the author’s own view. Call it the “democratic legitimacy” approach. It stresses the way pervasive corruption undermines the competence, fairness, and democratic legitimacy of the modern state. It substitutes the criteria of willingness-to-pay for criteria based on desert, need, efficiency, and other values. This approach leads to a suggested reform agenda consistent with the goal of strengthening state capacity and accountability.
Effects of multisensory yoga on behavior in a male child with Apert and Asperger syndrome

This case focused on a 7-year-old boy with Apert and Asperger's syndrome who attended 8, 45 min multisensory yoga sessions, twice a week, during 4-week camp. Results from the pre- and post-tests on Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Social Skills Assessment showed improvements in the total score changes from 19 to 7 for disruptive behaviors. Sparks Target Behavior Checklist scores changed from eight to one showing progression in ability to stay on task. Yoga Pose Rating Scale displayed the transformation in total scores from 80 = emerging to 115 = consistency in pose performance. The field notes revealed the positive development in expressive emotions, social engagement, and decline in looking around. Outside class parent and school behavioral specialist reported the improved ability to self-regulate stress using lion's breath and super brain. These findings indicate an improvement in behaviors that influenced the physical performance, emotional expression, and social interaction after yoga training for this child.
A Subcortical Pathway for Rapid, Goal-Driven, Attentional Filtering.

Prefrontal cortex can exercise goal-driven attentional control over sensory information via cortical pathways. However, recent work demonstrates that prefrontal cortex can also influence thalamic relay nuclei via the thalamic reticular nucleus. This suggests the prefrontal–thalamic pathway mediates rapid and goal-driven attentional filtering at the earliest stages of sensory processing.
Comparison of serum C-reactive protein, glycoprotein and seromucoid in cancer, arthritis, tuberculosis and pregnancy.

Summary and ConclusionsC-reactive protein has been found to be present in cancer as well as in acute inflammatory states. In cancer, acute rheumatoid arthritis and active tuberculosis, CRP is significantly corrated with seromucoid. A lesser but significant correlation was found between serum glycoprotein and CRP in these conditions. In pregnancy which was characteristically accompanied by elevated serum glycoprotein and normal seromucoid concentrations, CRP was only occasionally found. This suggests that the elevated serum glycoprotein levels of pregnancy may be due to causes other than inflammation.
Revealing targets for combinatorial chemotherapy using genome-wide RNAi

C246 The use of combinatorial chemotherapy shows clear advantages over single agents in treating cancer. The challenge is to identify effective drug combinations, an empirical task that involves a long trial and error process. We have approached this problem using large-scale loss of function to rationally identify genes that collaborate with a non-toxic dose of paclitaxel to kill lung tumor cells. Paclitaxel is thought to inflict mitotic catastrophe due to aberrant chromosome segregation, however its effectiveness is limited by its neurotoxicity. A genome-wide siRNA library was employed to individually reduce expression of every gene in the genome followed by treatment with vehicle or a non-lethal dose of paclitaxel. We identified 87 genes that sensitize cancer cells to paclitaxel. Among the novel validated hits was a group of genes whose expression is normally restricted to tissues involved in gametogenesis and which have previously been classified at cancer-testis antigens(CT-Antigens). These targets could represent optimal intervention points for therapy due to their restricted expression patterns and particularly because most are not expressed in females. Many of these genes have been implicated in tumorigenesis due to correlative expression studies in tumors, however, a causal role in tumor progression has not been established. The identification of these genes in our screen indicates, for the first time, that they are required for tumor cell survival. Specifically, depletion of one of these CT-antigens, ACRBP, phenocopies the loss of a core component of the γ-tubulin ring complex suggesting this protein may be engaged to support the often unstable process of tumor cell mitosis. Furthermore, an increase in the resistance of cells to paclitaxel treatment is observed upon overexpression of ACRBP. Apoptotic machinery is restrained by ACRBP as its depletion increases protein levels of the pro-apoptotic protein, BIM. These observations suggest the possibility that tumors may have a unique cadre of proteins, some aberrantly expressed, that promote survival under normally toxic conditions, such as chromosomal instability. Activation of the ACRBP gene is observed in 20 to 40% of a wide variety of tumors. Strikingly, 70 % of ovarian tumors have activated ACRBP expression. This observation has driven forward our interest in examining the requirement of ACRBP for ovarian tumor survival. We are examining the functional relationships between ACRBP and ovarian cancer using primary patient derived cell cultures. In both primary and established ovarian tumor lines, the loss of ACRBP induces aberrant mitosis, similar to the impact its depletion has in lung tumor cells. The high mortality rates associated with ovarian cancer are a strong indication of the requirement for more effective treatment regimens, and the identification of ACRBP as a frequently expressed core component of the ovarian tumor cell network is an important step in developing novel therapy.
The association between familial ASD diagnosis, autism symptomatology and developmental functioning in young children

Few studies have directly compared individuals with and without a relative diagnosed with ASD on various domains. The present study aimed to examine the relationship between familial ASD diagnosis and the exhibition of ASD symptoms in young children with and without ASD diagnoses. Participants included 8353 children aged 17-37 months old and their families. They were divided into four groups based on individual and family diagnosis, then compared on autism symptomatology and developmental domains. No differences were found between ASD groups on overall scores and each of the factor domains, indicating no association between family ASD diagnosis and ASD symptomatology or developmental functioning. Disparate results were found for atypically developing groups with and without relatives diagnosed with ASD. Implications of these results are discussed.
Notes on Podaxis Argentinum from North America

(1980). Notes on Podaxis Argentinum from North America. Mycologia: Vol. 72, No. 1, pp. 195-199.
Lake Orta chemical status 25 years after liming: problems solved and emerging critical issues

Lake Orta, located in Piedmont, northwestern Italy, has been severely affected by industrial pollution since the 1930s. A successful liming intervention, performed in 1988-1990, returned pH levels in the lake to neutrality, and accelerated the reduction of aqueous trace metal concentrations. In this paper, we present an update knowledge of the chemical status of Lake Orta, focusing on the data collected from 1990 to 2014. In this period we sampled the lake at its deepest point (Qualba station), on a monthly (1990-2000) or seasonal (since 2001) basis. Samples were collected at nine depths through the water column, and analyzed for pH, conductivity, alkalinity, major ions, nutrients, and trace metals. Collectively, these data allowed us to evaluate the long-term response of the lake to the restoration treatment, with particular regard to its acid-base status; they also provided insights into emerging or potential critical issues, including eutrophication and re-suspension of trace metals that still linger in the lake. Furthermore, the evaluation of the present chemical condition of the lake is a precondition for any successive restoration measure, such as fish introduction. The recent data confirmed the lake’s water quality has recovered, i.e. returned to a pre-pollution chemical state. Lake water values of pH and concentrations of ammonium, sulphate and base cations have stabilized. Alkalinity and nitrate concentrations are also expected to reach stable level in the next few years. Levels of nitrate, reactive silica, and phosphorus compounds are now regulated by algal uptake, providing indirect evidence of a partial biological recovery. For instance, both the inter-annual average decline and the reappearance of a seasonal signal in silica confirmed the presence of a stable diatom community. The lake is presently oligotrophic, and concentrations of both N and P compounds are steady and low throughout the year. However, a monthly check of nutrient levels of the lake and inflowing waters is recommended. The monitoring of base chemical variables, major ions and trace metals should be maintained to assess the overall status of the ecosystem in response to various drivers, including climate change.
Determination of trace iodide in drinking water by ion chromatography coupled with integrated amperometric detection

Objective To establish the method for determination of trace iodide in drinking water by ion chromatography coupled with integrated amperometric detection.Methods An anion exchange column,Ionpac AS11 column,was used,and 40 mmol/L NaOH solution was used as elute,iodide was separated and detected by integrated amperometry on a silver working electrode.After filtration by 0.22 μm filter,water samples could be injected directly.Results The retention time of iodide was less than 6 min.A good linear relationship was achieved in the range of 1.0-500 μg/L,r=0.999 7.The limit of detection was 0.3 μg/L and the limit of quantification was 1.0 μg/L.The relative standard deviation of the method for 10 μg/L iodide was 1.8%.The average recoveries for spiked samples were in the range of 96.0%-103.5%.Conclusion The method reveals several advantages including sensitivity,simplicity,broad linear range and accuracy,and it is applicable to the batch analysis of trace iodide in drinking water samples.
Consecutive oculomotor nerve palsy from a De Novo cerebral aneurysm

A 26-year-old woman presented with a partial left oculomotor nerve palsy and an acute subarachnoid hemorrhage. Bilateral angiography showed a left posterior communicating artery aneurysm and a normal right anterior circulation. The aneurysm was successfully clipped. At 4 1/2 years later, she had an acute, nearly complete, right oculomotor nerve palsy. Repeat bilateral angiography showed a right posterior communicating artery aneurysm, in a previously angiographically normal region, and continued closure of the original left-sided aneurysm. New aneurysms may develop from angiographically normal locations. It is possible that certain patients are more susceptible than average to aneurysm formation or that aneurysm repair leads to a higher rate of new aneurysm occurrence. The previous cases of de novo aneurysms are summarized and the implications for repeat aneurysm screening, using current technology, are discussed.
Novel infrared phototransistors for atmospheric CO/sub 2/ profiling at 2 /spl mu/m wavelength

Two-micron detectors are critical for atmospheric carbon dioxide profiling using the lidar technique. The characterization results of a novel infrared AlGaAsSb/ InGaAsSb phototransistor are reported. Emitter dark current variation with the collector-emitter voltage at different temperatures is acquired to examine the gain mechanism. Spectral response measurements resulted in responsivity as high as 2650 AAV at 2.05 /spl mu/m wavelength. Bias voltage and temperature effects on the device responsivity are presented. The detectivity of this device is compared to InGaAs and HgCdTe devices.
Occipital Cortex Initiating Generalized Epilepsy in Jeavons Syndrome

Researchers at the Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, studied the interictal, ictal, and clinical findings on video-EEG in 12 children (11 female; mean age 4.9 years, range 1.5-9 years) with Jeavons syndrome (JS).
Oxytocin trajectories and social engagement in extremely premature infants during NICU hospitalization

Extremely premature infants, born 28 weeks gestation or less, are at high risk for impaired socioemotional development, due in part to exposure to early stressful social experiences that alter brain development. Understanding mediators that link experience with outcomes is necessary to assess premature infant responses to social experiences that are critical to brain development. The hormone oxytocin (OT), released during supportive interactions, has potential as a biomarker of the premature infant's responses to social experiences. The purpose of this study was to examine associations among infant plasma OT trajectories and maternal-infant social engagement behaviors during initial hospitalization. This study also examined demographic correlates of engagement behaviors in mothers and infants. Plasma from 28 extremely premature infants, born gestational ages 25-28 6/7 weeks, was collected at 14 days of life, then weekly until 34 weeks. Social engagement behaviors were measured by the Parent-Child Early Relational Assessment during a videotaped feeding when the infant was receiving one-quarter full oral feeds. Maternal-infant demographics were extracted from the medical record. Higher infant plasma OT was associated with lower infant social engagement, but no associations were found with maternal social engagement. Infant social engagement was positively related to maternal social engagement. Maternal parity was related to maternal social engagement, and infant demographics did not predict infant social engagement. The significant, yet negative, association between infant OT and engagement provides support for the measurement of OT as a neurobiological antecedent to infant social behaviors. Finally, this research suggests that during the earliest period of infant socio-behavioral development, premature infants are behaviorally reactive to the social engagement behaviors of their mothers.
Preparation and fabrication of a full-scale, sagittal-sliced, 3D-printed, patient-specific radiotherapy phantom

Purpose Patient-specific 3D-printed phantoms have many potential applications, both research and clinical. However, they have been limited in size and complexity because of the small size of most commercially available 3D printers as well as material warping concerns. We aimed to overcome these limitations by developing and testing an effective 3D printing workflow to fabricate a large patient-specific radiotherapy phantom with minimal warping errors. In doing so, we produced a full-scale phantom of a real postmastectomy patient. Methods We converted a patient's clinical CT DICOM data into a 3D model and then sliced the model into eleven 2.5-cm-thick sagittal slices. The slices were printed with a readily available thermoplastic material representing all body tissues at 100% infill, but with air cavities left open. Each slice was printed on an inexpensive and commercially available 3D printer. Once the printing was completed, the slices were placed together for imaging and verification. The original patient CT scan and the assembled phantom CT scan were registered together to assess overall accuracy. Results The materials for the completed phantom cost $524. The printed phantom agreed well with both its design and the actual patient. Individual slices differed from their designs by approximately 2%. Registered CT images of the assembled phantom and original patient showed excellent agreement. Conclusions Three-dimensional printing the patient-specific phantom in sagittal slices allowed a large phantom to be fabricated with high accuracy. Our results demonstrate that our 3D printing workflow can be used to make large, accurate, patient-specific phantoms at 100% infill with minimal material warping error.
Advances in immunotherapy for pediatric acute myeloid leukemia.

Introduction: Achieving better disease control in patients diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) has proven challenging. Overall survival has been impacted by addressing treatment related mor...
How normative debates about immigration shape analyses of the assimilation processes of second-generation youth: lessons from Spanish Legacies

ABSTRACTIn Spanish Legacies, Portes, Aparicio, and Haller offer the results of their longitudinal study on the assimilation of the children of immigrants in Spanish society. Thanks to their study design, which parallels the earlier Children of Immigrants Longitudinal Study conducted by Portes and Rumbaut, the authors are able to compare assimilation trajectories in Spain with those of second-generation youth in the United States. This comparison raises important considerations about how immigration policy shapes assimilation processes. More centrally, the contrast between the cases invites a deeper consideration of normative questions that not only undergird immigration policy but also shape the assimilation experiences of the second generation. The juxtaposition of the two cases also elicits provocations about how the sociological theories about assimilation might have been different if they had been developed based on the Spanish, rather than the American, experience, and how those Spanish-inflected the...