cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Antioxidant activities of volatile components isolated from Eucalyptus species

Extracts of three species of eucalyptus leaves (Eucalyptus polyanthemos Schauer, E globulus Labill and E perriniana) and their major volatile components were assessed for antioxidant activity in two different assays. The inhibitory effect of each extract and its components towards aldehyde/carboxylic acid conversion was measured over a period of 30 days. Their inhibitory effects towards malonaldehyde formation from lipid by oxidation with Fenton's reagent were also measured; the extract from E polyanthemos inhibited the oxidation of hexanal completely for 30 days at a level of 200 and 500 µg ml−1. It also inhibited malonaldehyde (MA) formation in cod liver oil by 86% at the 160 µg ml−1 level. At the 500 µg ml−1 level, thymol, 1,8-cineole, benzyl alcohol and terpinen-4-ol identified in the extract from E polyanthemos reduced the extent of hexanal oxidation over a period of 30 days by 100, 96, 82 and 75% respectively. In the lipid/MA assay, thymol, benzyl alcohol, terpinen-4-ol and 1,8-cineole inhibited MA formation by 80, 63, 58 and 26% respectively at the level of 160 µg ml−1. Thymol exhibited potent antioxidant activity comparable to that of the known natural antioxidant α-tocopherol. © 2001 Society of Chemical Industry
Provenance-based object storage prediction scheme for scientific big data applications

Object storage has been increasingly adopted in high-performance computing for scientific, big data applications. With object storage, applications usually use object IDs, queries, or collections to identify the data instead of using files. Since the object store changes the way data is accessed in applications, it introduces new challenges for I/O prediction, which used to work based on interfile or intrafile pattern detection. The key challenge is that the inputs of object-based applications are no longer expressed as static file names: they become much more dynamic and unstable, hidden inside application logic. Traditional prediction strategies do not work well in such conditions. In this paper, we introduce the use of provenance information, which was collected for data management in high-performance computing systems, in order to build an accurate coarse-grained (object-level) input prediction. The prediction results can be preloaded into a burst buffer to accelerate future reads. To our best knowledge, this study is the first to use provenance information in object stores to predict application inputs. Evaluation results confirm the effectiveness and accuracy of our provenance-based prediction and show that the proposed prediction system is feasible for real-work deployment.
Effects of a High Saturated Fat Diet on Cardiac Hypertrophy and Dysfunction in Response to Pressure Overload

Abstract Background Dietary lipid content effects activation of peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor-α (PPAR-α) and may accelerate cardiac hypertrophy and dysfunction in response to pressure overload. This study investigated the effects of a high-fat diet on the development of cardiac hypertrophy. Methods and Results C57BL/6J mice (n = 14–16/group) underwent transverse aortic constriction (TAC) or sham surgery and were fed either standard low-fat diet (STD; 10% fat) or a high-fat diet (HFD; 60% fat) for 16 weeks. Sham mice showed no differences between STD and HFD for heart mass or echocardiographic parameters despite greater plasma free fatty acid and leptin concentrations with HFD. TAC increased heart mass and decreased ejection fraction similarly in both groups. Left ventricular end systolic and diastolic diameters with TAC were increased compared with shams on the HFD (P Conclusions Increased fat intake prevented the fall in MCAD activity and did not exacerbate the hypertrophic response to TAC compared with a low-fat diet.
Effects of Metallic Doping on Ionization Damage in MOS FETS

Detailed studies of radiation damage in metaloxide-semiconductor (MOS) transistors show that the damage due to ionizing radiation is substantially different if chromium is added to the gate oxide. Devices with chromium consistently show smaller gate threshold shifts (due to positive charge storage in the gate oxide) when irradiated with zero or negative gate bias; they also show smaller increases in interface state density. The generation of interface states by radiation is also bias dependent in chromium MOS devices. Another difference between devices with conventional and chromium-doped oxides is the lower rate of thermal annealing when chromium is used. An extended anneal at 350°C is required to remove radiation damage from these devices. A considerable degree of control over ionization damage is thus obtained by chromium doping, and it appears this control can be used to improve radiation hardness of MOS transistors.
Reduction of thermo-elastic damping with a secondary elastic field

Thermo-elastic damping is the dominant mode of energy loss due to the coupling of thermal and elastic fields in a body vibrating at or near resonant frequency. While the literature contains both exact and numerical schemes to quantify it, no technique is available yet to reduce thermo-elastic damping. We address this issue by introducing a secondary elastic field to derive an exact expression that predicts linear reduction in thermo-elastic damping with respect to frequency. Contrary to the current understanding, introduction of a static axial stress in addition to the flexural stresses is shown to increase quality factor and resonant frequency simultaneously.
ACCIDENT REDUCTION FACTORS AND CAUSAL INFERENCE IN TRAFFIC SAFETY STUDIES: A REVIEW

Accident reduction factors are used to predict the change in accident occurrence which a countermeasure can be expected to cause. Since ethical and legal obstacles preclude the use of randomized experiments when evaluating traffic safety improvements, empirical support for the causal effectiveness of accident countermeasures comes entirely from observational studies. Drawing on developments in causal inference initiated by Donald Rubin, it is argued here that the mechanism by which sites are selected for application of a countermeasure should be included as part of a study's data model, and that when important features of the selection mechanism are neglected, existing methods for estimating accident reduction factors become inconsistent. A promising, but neglected, way out of these difficulties lies in developing rational countermeasure selection methods which also support valid causal inference of countermeasure effects.
Value allocation with economies of scale

Abstract The Aumann-Shapley Value allocation is shown to be in the Core of a benefit allocation game with non-decreasing returns to scale. The value coincides with the competitive allocation for a cost function that is homogeneous of degree one.
The socio-economic issues of Japanese beef imports†

The Japanese beef import quota will be a crucial component of US-Japanese discussions in the upcoming round of Multilateral Trade Negotiations. The focus will be on the economic issues, including the effects of policy alternatives to the quota on the Japanese cattle industry and beef imports. Several social issues, including the effects of increased imports on nutrient balance in the diet, changing tastes in Japan, and their self-sufficiency goals are at least as important to the Japanese, This article considers both the economic and social issues of increased imports and their implications for negotiations.
Transmission of 3471 a laser radiation through Cl2 and Cl2-inert-gas mixtures

Abstract Experimental results are presented on transmission and pulse-delays of the output from a frequency- doubled ruby laser through Cl 2 and Cl 2 -inert-gas mixtures. The experimental findings are consistent with the idea that the observed results are determined by competition between a not-understood quantum-mechanical coherence effect and dephasing collisions. On this assumption, we deduce reasonable estimates for applicable cross sections in collisions of Cl 2 with Cl 2 , He or Ar. Since the upper state of the absorbing molecule is unstable in times of the order of 10 -12 sec, the McCall-Hahn theory for self-induced transparency is not applicable to our system.
INDUCED MALARIA IN NARCOTIC ADDICTS

Abstract Summmary Two case-records related to an epidemic of fifty cases of needle-induced Plasmodium vivax malaria in narcotic addicts are presented. The source of infection in this outbreak was a former Serviceman who originally contracted malaria in Vietnam. The increasing use of drugs by young people and the large potential reservoir for malaria parasites in those who have returned from Vietnam are undoubtedly the main circumstances which precipitated this epidemic.
Towards Automatic Band-Limited Procedural Shaders

Procedural shaders are a vital part of modern rendering systems. Despite their prevalence, however, procedural shaders remain sensitive to aliasing any time they are sampled at a rate below the Nyquist limit. Antialiasing is typically achieved through numerical techniques like supersampling or precomputing integrals stored in mipmaps. This paper explores the problem of analytically computing a band-limited version of a procedural shader as a continuous function of the sampling rate. There is currently no known way of analytically computing these integrals in general. We explore the conditions under which exact solutions are possible and develop several approximation strategies for when they are not. Compared to supersampling methods, our approach produces shaders that are less expensive to evaluate and closer to ground truth in many cases. Compared to mipmapping or precomputation, our approach produces shaders that support an arbitrary bandwidth parameter and require less storage. We evaluate our method on a range of spatially-varying shader functions, automatically producing antialiased versions that have comparable error to 4×4 multisampling but can be over an order of magnitude faster. While not complete, our approach is a promising first step toward this challenging goal and indicates a number of interesting directions for future work.
A Space-Time Network for Telecommuting versus Commuting Decision-Making

In this article, we develop a theoretical framework for the study of telecommuting versus commuting decision-making over a fixed time horizon, such as a work week through the use of a space-time network to conceptualize the decision-makers’ choices over space and time. The decision-makers are multiclass and multicriteria ones and perceive the criteria of travel cost, travel time, and opportunity cost in an individual fashion. The model is a network equilibrium type and allows for the prediction of the equilibrium flows and, hence, the number of periods that members of each class of decision-makers will telecommute or commute. Qualitative properties of the equilibrium are obtained and an algorithm is given, along with convergence results, and applied to numerical examples.
Addition of extended-release niacin to statin therapy: effects on atherosclerotic progression.

Practice PearlThis study demonstrates that the addition of extended-release niacin therapy to ongoing statin therapy in patients with low high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels results in additional impairment of atherosclerotic plaque progression.
Prenatal and postpartum pharmacokinetics of stavudine (2',3'-didehydro-3'-deoxythymidine) and didanosine (dideoxyinosine) in pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina).

Stavudine (5 mg/kg of body weight; n 5 7) or didanosine (3.2 mg/kg; n 5 4) was administered as an intravenousbolustopregnantpigtailedmacaques(Macacanemestrina)neartermand4to5weekspostpartum. No significant differences were found between the prenatal and postpartum total plasma drug clearance, steady-state volume of distribution, terminal plasma drug half-life, mean body residence time, or recovery of unchangeddruginurine.Thesedataindicatethatpregnancydoesnotaffectthepharmacokineticsofstavudine or didanosine inM. nemestrina. Recently, the dideoxynucleoside zidovudine has been shown to decrease the incidence of maternal-fetal human immunodeficiency virus type 1 transmission (2), which is the single most important contributor (.80%) to the increase in the incidence of pediatric AIDS (10). However, as not all pregnant women tolerate zidovudine therapy, the efficacy and toxicity of other anti-human immunodeficiency virus drugs need to be determined in this population. Stavudine (29,39-didehydro-39-deoxythymidine) and didanosine (dideoxyinosine), both dideoxynucleosides, have been approved for the treatment of AIDS but not approved presently for use during pregnancy. Given that the toxicity profiles of stavudine and didanosine are different from that of zidovudine, these drugs may be of benefit in the treatment of pregnant women who cannot tolerate zidovudine (1, 4, 12, 13). Before such clinical studies can be conducted in pregnant women, the toxicity (including fetal toxicity) and pharmacokinetics of these drugs must be determined in a representative animal model. In previous communications we have reported data from our study on the in vivo placental transfer of stavudine and didanosine in pigtailed macaques (Macaca nemestrina) (17, 18). Since the pharmacokinetics of a drug may be affected significantly by pregnancy (9, 15), in this study we have investigated the effect of pregnancy on the pharmacokinetics of these two drugs in M. nemestrina. The pigtailed macaque was chosen because the pharmacokinetics of dideoxynucleosides in this species, including the metabolic and renal clearances of zidovudine (11) and didanosine (18, 19), have been shown to be similar to those in humans. Moreover, since both human immunodeficiency virus type 2 (unpublished data from our laboratory) and simian immunodeficiency virus (16) can be transmitted from mother to fetus in M. nemestrina, future studies can be conducted to determine if drug therapy can reduce this transmission. Stavudine was provided by Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (Wallingford, Conn.), and didanosine was provided by the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (Developmental
Identification of a botulinum neurotoxin A protease inhibitor displaying efficacy in a cellular model

Herein we describe a small-molecule, non-peptidic, inhibitor for botulinum neurotoxin A protease, that displays for the first time efficacy in a cell-based assay.
What is the role of endotherapy in chronic pancreatitis

Chronic pancreatitis (CP) can have debilitating clinical course due to chronic abdominal pain, malnutrition and related complications. Medical, endoscopic and surgical treatment of CP should aim at control of symptoms, prevention of progression of the disease and correction of complications. Endoscopic management plays a specific role in carefully selected patients as primary interventional therapy when medical measures fail or in high-risk surgical candidates. Endotherapy for CP is utilized also as a bridge to surgery or to assess potential response to pancreatic surgery. In this review we address the role of endotherapy for the relief of obstruction of the pancreatic duct (PD) and bile duct, closure of PD leaks and drainage of pseudocysts in the setting of CP. In addition, endotherapy for relief of pancreatic pain by endoscopic ultrasound-guided celiac plexus block for CP is discussed.
Using CEO Succession to Integrate Acquired Organizations: A Contingency Analysis

The study proposes that organizations engaged in related acquisition may encourage CEO succession as a mechanism for integrating acquired organizations. Further, we suggest that the risk of CEO succession at the time of acquisition will vary based on the need for integrative action and the power of acquired organizations. Results show that CEO succession is more likely when the participating organizations have incompatible types of ownership and when acquired CEOs have longer tenure than their counterparts. Conversely, the probability of CEO succession is lower among larger acquired organizations. Performance of the acquired organization does not affect the relationship between related acquisition and CEO succession.
Minimum-time trajectories for two robots holding the same workpiece

The authors present an algorithm which minimizes the time for two robots holding the same workpiece to move along a given path. The method can be applied to any constrained robot system, including the case where one robot arm moves in contact with a surface. The unique feature of these systems is that they are redundantly actuated because they have more actuators then degrees of freedom. In addition to finding the optimum torque histories, the algorithm determines the contact force between each robot and the workpiece throughout the motion. Constraints on these internal forces are easily introduced into the algorithm. Examples are given for two planar arms holding a common workpiece. It is shown that arbitrary bounds on the internal forces of interaction on the workpiece may easily be imposed; this causes a reduction in the path traversal time. The motions found using this algorithm establish a performance limit on cooperating robot systems, and can be used to guide the analysis and design of such systems. >
The Wall between Church and State Begins to Crumble: One Small Community's Struggle with Sectarian Influence in the Public School.

A small community in southwest Michigan has been witness to a significant cultural divide within its school system. An influential church has permeated school leadership and in many cases has overstepped the proverbial “wall separating church and state.” A fairly high-profile case saw the Sixth Circuit Court enjoin the district to remove a portrait of Jesus. Community members were divided on this issue, which led to mistrust between the two factions. The culture that was established caused a certain sectarian group to intensify their mission of disseminating their church doctrine throughout the community with the school as a vehicle for that message. The secular constituents were highly suspicious that their First Amendment rights were being infringed upon by the activities of secularists inside and outside the school. A contingent of school employees fostered the church’s mission with several members ignoring the wall of separation. The high school principal energized the debate when he elected to use th...
Achieving Agreement in Three Rounds With Bounded-Byzantine Faults

A three-round algorithm is presented that guarantees agreement in a system of K (nodes) greater than or equal to 3F (faults) +1 nodes provided each faulty node induces no more than F faults and each good node experiences no more than F faults, where, F is the maximum number of simultaneous faults in the network. The algorithm is based on the Oral Message algorithm of Lamport et al. and is scalable with respect to the number of nodes in the system and applies equally to the traditional node-fault model as well as the link-fault model. We also present a mechanical verification of the algorithm focusing on verifying the correctness of a bounded model of the algorithm as well as confirming claims of determinism.
An automated tool for efficiently generating a massive number of random test cases

Certain software systems, such as process control and avionics systems, require an extremely large amount of testing to measure their reliability according to the ultra-high reliability requirements imposed on them. Therefore, it is essential to speed up the test generation process to reduce the certification time. We develop techniques to enhance the effectiveness of an automated program for generating random test data. Our approach consists of three major phases, viz. (1) a predicate decomposition phase, (2) a test data generation program creation phase and (3) a random data generation phase. During the phase 1, the predicate is decomposed into independent subpredicates resulting in a partition of the input variables. Test data can then be independently generated for every subset of variables subject to satisfying the corresponding subpredicate. During phase 2, the source code of the test data generation program is created according to the results of predicate decomposition of phase 1. The actual test data points are generated in phase 3 by compiling and running the program generated in phase 2. A preliminary performance evaluation is presented.
Lead exposure, begun in utero, decreases renin and angiotensin II in adult rats.

Male rats were exposed continously to Pb in utero and after birth by giving their mothers, during pregnancy and lactation, drinking water containing 0, 5, or 25 ppm Pb (as Pb acetate) and then continuing this regimen after weaning for approximately 5 months. At the time of sacrifice (5 months) the 5- and 25-ppm groups had mean blood Pb concentrations of 5.6 and 18.2 ..mu..g/dl, respectively. No differences in systolic blood pressure occurred between groups. Rats exposed to 25 ppm manifested a significant decrease in basal plasma renin activity (PRA) but a significant increase in PRA during stimulation of renin release by acute volume depletion. In this latter state, the ratio of angiotensin II to PRA was significantly reduced in the 25-ppm group. Groups exposed to 5 and 25 ppm both had significant decreases in renal renin concentration. We conclude that chronic exposure of rats to doses of Pb which produce blood Pb concentrations similar to those generally present in urban human populations does not induce hypertension but does inhibit renin synthesis and release, as well as reducing plasma angiotension II concentration at any given PRA, either by inhibiting conversion of AI to AII or by enhancing AII catabolism.
Morphology and syllabification domains

Abstract The morphological level that serves as a domain for syllabification rules is commonly seen as a parameter along which languages differ. An examination of syllabification at different levels of affixation in English, German, Dutch, and French narrows the relevant levels down to two, the word and the ‘morpheme’. In languages which use the latter domain, syllabification is adjusted postcyclically across ] brackets to create onsets for vowel-initial suffixes. The parametric variation is possibly related to differences in the role played by morphology in particular languages.
Alteration of Soybean Seedling Development in Darkness and Light by the Stay-green Mutation cytG and Gd1d2

The stay-green mutations cytG and Gd1d2 prevent the normal yellowing during senescence of soybean (Glycine max) leaves and cotyledons. Because light plays such an important role in regulating morphogenesis and it promotes the formation of chlorophyll (Chl), we determined the effect of cytG and Gd1d2 (in a cv. Clark background) on the development and some light responses of seedlings. Although cytG and Gd1d2 seeds, particularly the cotyledons, are green when mature, 44 and 71 % respectively of this Chl broke down when the seeds were germinated in darkness. Chlorophyllides and phaeophytins were not present in the seeds in significant amounts. cytG and Gd1d2 as well as wild type (cv. Clark) seedlings developed a full etiolation syndrome (morphology and lack of Chl) in darkness. Light induced rapid Chl accumulation in the dark-grown seedlings with no apparent difference among the three isolines. A short (8 h) exposure to light induced some Chl in the cotyledons of dark-grown plants, and 22 h of light produced four times more. Following return to darkness, the 8-h group showed very little breakdown over the next 12 d. After the 22-h group was returned to darkness, the wild-type lost Chl steadily, but Gd1d2 and eventually also cytG inhibited this breakdown. In the 22-h group, the Chl a/b ratio decreased in wild type and cytG indicating preferential breakdown of Chl a relative to Chl b; however, Gd1d2 prevented this change. cytG and Gd1d2 seem to act preferentially on Chl breakdown rather than synthesis.
Children with and without gestational cocaine exposure: a neurocognitive systems analysis.

Abstract Background Concern for effects of gestational cocaine exposure (GCE) on human neurocognitive (NC) development is based on effects of cocaine on blood flow to the fetus and impact of cocaine on developing monoaminergic systems. GCE has been shown to affect language, attention and perceptual reasoning skills. Objective Our objective was to investigate effects of GCE on 7 NC systems, assessed behaviorally in middle school-aged, low socioeconomic status subjects followed prospectively since birth. Methods 55 GCE and 65 non-exposed Control subjects were tested with a battery of 14 tasks adapted from neuroimaging and lesion literature designed to tap 3 frontal systems (Cognitive Control, Working Memory, and Reward Processing) and 4 non-frontal systems (Language, Memory, Spatial Cognition, and Visual Cognition). Using multivariate analysis of covariance, we assessed the relation between NC functioning and GCE status with the following covariates: age at testing; gender; gestational exposure to cigarettes, alcohol and marijuana; foster care placement; caregiver current cocaine use; and two indices of childhood environment. Results None of the analyses showed an effect of GCE on NC function. In contrast, child characteristics, including age at testing and childhood environment, were associated with NC function. Conclusions In this cohort there is either no effect of GCE on NC function at middle school age, or that effect is less pronounced than the effect of age or childhood environment.
ANALYSIS OF A MULTI-SERVER QUEUE WITH MARKOVIAN ARRIVALS AND SYNCHRONOUS PHASE TYPE VACATIONS

We study a MAP/M/c queueing system in which a group of servers take a simultaneous phase type vacation. The queueing model is studied as a QBD process. The steady-state analysis of the model including the waiting time distribution is presented. Interesting numerical results are discussed.
Close Encounters: Analyzing How Social Similarity and Propinquity Contribute to Strong Network Connections

Models of network formation emphasize the importance of social similarity and propinquity in producing strong interpersonal connections. The positive effect each factor can have on tie strength has been documented across a number of studies, and yet we know surprisingly very little about how the two factors combine to produce strong ties. Being in close proximity could either amplify or dampen the positive effect that social similarity can have on tie strength. Data on tie strength among teachers working in five public schools were analyzed to shed light on this theoretical question. The empirical results indicate that teachers who were similar in age were more likely to be connected by a strong tie, especially teachers for whom age similarity was more likely to be salient. Moreover, teachers who took breaks at the same time or who had classrooms on the same floor communicated more frequently and felt more emotionally attached. Among the public school teachers, propinquity amplified the positive effect that age similarity had on tie strength. The strongest network connections occurred among age-similar teachers who had classrooms on the same floor. The empirical results illustrate the value of considering how social similarity and propinquity contribute to strong ties independently and when combined with each other.
The USDA Automated Multiple-Pass Method accurately assesses population sodium intakes

Background: Given current sodium-reduction strategies, accurate and practical methods to monitor sodium intake in the US population are critical. Although the gold standard for estimating sodium intake is the 24-h urine collection, few studies have used this biomarker to evaluate the accuracy of a dietary instrument. Objective: Our objective was to compare self-reported dietary intake of sodium with 24-h urinary excretion obtained in the USDA Automated Multiple-Pass Method (AMPM) Validation Study. Design: Subjects were healthy, weight-stable volunteers aged 30–69 y recruited from the Washington, DC, area. Data from 465 subjects who completed at least one 24-h recall and collected a complete 24-h urine sample during the same period were used to assess the validity of sodium intake. Reporting accuracy was calculated as the ratio of reported sodium intake to that estimated from the urinary biomarker (24-h urinary sodium/0.86). Estimations of sodium intake included salt added in cooking but did not include salt added at the table. Results: Overall, the mean (95% CI) reporting accuracy was 0.93 (0.89, 0.97) for men (n = 232) and 0.90 (0.87, 0.94) for women (n = 233). Reporting accuracy was highest for subjects classified as normal weight [body mass index (in kg/m 2 ) ,25]: 1.06 (1.00, 1.12) for men (n = 84) and 0.99 (0.94, 1.04) for women (n = 115). For women only, reporting accuracy was higher in those aged 50–69 y than in those who were younger. Conclusion: Findings from this study suggest that the USDA AMPM is a valid measure for estimating sodium intake in adults at the population or group level. Am J Clin Nutr 2013;97: 958–64.
The chronic psychiatric patient: problems, promises and perspectives, past, present and future

Objective: To present an overview of the issues involving the severely and chronically mentally ill over the past 50 years and summarize new research that may aid them. Method: To present the problems that have faced and will face this population, the promises that have been made about and to them, and assess how well we fulfilled our promises and handled the problems. Results: We have made some but not enough progress in solving the problems facing the severely and chronic mentally ill in the past and at present, but the future holds more hope if recent solid, practical, economically feasible mental health services research is translated through policy and practice into better patient care. Conclusion: As pessimistic as we often are about the plight of the chronic mentally ill, their future can be better if recent research is implemented.
RESEARCH ENVIRONMENTS IN NURSING: RATIONALE AND REQUIREMENTS FOR COMPUTING.

Abstract This paper presents the development and implementation of computing facilities at the Bolton School of Nursing, Case Western Reserve University. Its approach, however, differs from previous descriptions of school-based computing facilities in that it presents the professional and scientific context within which the system was conceived; the expected outcomes, direct and indirect, of investing in computing facilities; and the scientific and technical requirements to maximize its relevance to the mission and goals of the institution. A functional perspective of research development and facilitation among faculty and doctoral students is emphasized. The model system described is organized as a Local Area Network of microcomputers with additional mainframe access.
Singular Integral Equations

The theory introduced in previous chapters, especially the Fredholm Theory, was presented under the restrictive assumptions that the kernel was continuous on its domain of definition and that the interval of integration was finite. There is no guarantee that those results or similar ones will hold if the kernel has an infinite discontinuity or if the interval of integration is infinite.
Percutaneous biliary drainage effectively lowers serum bilirubin to permit chemotherapy treatment

For digestive tract cancers, the bilirubin threshold for administration of systemic chemotherapy can be 5 or 2 mg/dL (85.5 or 34.2 μmol/L) depending upon the regimen. We examined the ability of percutaneous biliary drainage (PBD) in patients with malignant biliary obstruction to achieve these clinically relevant endpoints. 106 consecutive patients with malignant biliary obstruction and a baseline serum bilirubin >2 mg/dL underwent PBD. Time to achieve a bilirubin of 5 mg/dL (85.5 μmol/L), 2 mg/dL (34.2 μmol/L), and survival was estimated by Kaplan–Meier analysis. Potential technical and clinical prognostic factors were subjected to univariate and multivariate analysis. Categorical variables were analyzed by the log rank test. Hazard ratios were calculated for continuous variables. Median survival was 100 days (range 1–3771 days). Among 88 patients with a pre-drainage bilirubin >5 mg/dL, 62% achieved a serum bilirubin ≤5 mg/dL within 30 days and 84% within 60 days, median 21 days. Among 106 patients with a pre-drainage bilirubin >2 mg/dL, 37% achieved a serum bilirubin ≤2 mg/dL by 30 days and 70% within 60 days, median 43 days. None of the technical or clinical factors evaluated, including pre-drainage bilirubin, were significant predictors of time to achieve a bilirubin ≤2 mg/dL (p = 0.51). Size and type of biliary device were the only technical variables found to affect time to bilirubin of 5 mg/dL (p = 0.016). PBD of malignant obstruction achieves clinically relevant reduction in serum bilirubin in the majority of patients within 1–2 months, irrespective of the pre-drainage serum bilirubin, sufficient to allow administration of systemic chemotherapy. However, the decision to undergo this procedure for this indication alone must be considered in the context of patients’ prognosis and treatment goals.
Natural Killer Cells and Innate Interferon Gamma Participate in the Host Defense against Respiratory Vaccinia Virus Infection.

ABSTRACT In establishing a respiratory infection, vaccinia virus (VACV) initially replicates in airway epithelial cells before spreading to secondary sites of infection, mainly the draining lymph nodes, spleen, gastrointestinal tract, and reproductive organs. We recently reported that interferon gamma (IFN-γ) produced by CD8 T cells ultimately controls this disseminated infection, but the relative contribution of IFN-γ early in infection is unknown. Investigating the role of innate immune cells, we found that the frequency of natural killer (NK) cells in the lung increased dramatically between days 1 and 4 postinfection with VACV. Lung NK cells displayed an activated cell surface phenotype and were the primary source of IFN-γ prior to the arrival of CD8 T cells. In the presence of an intact CD8 T cell compartment, depletion of NK cells resulted in increased lung viral load at the time of peak disease severity but had no effect on eventual viral clearance, disease symptoms, or survival. In sharp contrast, RAG −/− mice devoid of T cells failed to control VACV and succumbed to infection despite a marked increase in NK cells in the lung. Supporting an innate immune role for NK cell-derived IFN-γ, we found that NK cell-depleted or IFN-γ-depleted RAG −/− mice displayed increased lung VACV titers and dissemination to ovaries and a significantly shorter mean time to death compared to untreated NK cell-competent RAG −/− controls. Together, these findings demonstrate a role for IFN-γ in aspects of both the innate and adaptive immune response to VACV and highlight the importance of NK cells in T cell-independent control of VACV in the respiratory tract. IMPORTANCE Herein, we provide the first systematic evaluation of natural killer (NK) cell function in the lung after infection with vaccinia virus, a member of the Poxviridae family. The respiratory tract is an important mucosal site for entry of many human pathogens, including poxviruses, but precisely how our immune system defends the lung against these invaders remains unclear. Natural killer cells are a type of cytotoxic lymphocyte and part of our innate immune system. In recent years, NK cells have received increasing levels of attention following the discovery that different tissues contain specific subsets of NK cells with distinctive phenotypes and function. They are abundant in the lung, but their role in defense against respiratory viruses is poorly understood. What this study demonstrates is that NK cells are recruited, activated, and contribute to protection of the lung during a severe respiratory infection with vaccinia virus.
Effect of castration or testosterone treatment on hypothalamic FSH-RF and pituitary FSH of male rats.

SummaryFollowing castration of adult, male rats there was a decline in hypothalamic FSH-RF, when assayed by an in vitro method, which was apparent within 8 day and persisted for at least 29 days postoperatively. When intact rats were treated with a large dose of testosterone propionate (2 mg/day) for 2 weeks, there was no consistent alternation in the level of stored FSH-RF. Castration and testosterone treatment were associated with alteration in weights of sex accessories, anterior pituitary weight, and FSH concentration. The decline in hypothalamic FSH-RF in castrates, at a time when FSH release is increased above normal levels, was considered to be consistent with the view that enhanced release of FSH-RF may play a role in augmenting FSH release in this condition.
A New Class of Advanced Accuracy Satellite Instrumentation for Earth Observation

The prototype was developed for a new class of advanced accuracy FTS satellite instrumentation to make high-accuracy measurements of the earth& rsquo;s outgoing thermal radiance, for benchmarking climate change and testing climate models.
Coupled electrochemical reactions at bipolar microelectrodes and nanoelectrodes.

Here we report the voltammetric study of coupled electrochemical reactions on microelectrodes and nanoelectrodes in a closed bipolar cell. We use steady-state cyclic voltammetry to discuss the overall voltammetric response of closed bipolar electrodes (BPEs) and understand its dependence on the concentration of redox species and electrode size. Much of the previous work in bipolar electroanalytical chemistry has focused on the use of an “open” cell with the BPE located in an open microchannel. A closed BPE, on the other hand, has two poles placed in separate compartments and has remained relatively unexplored in this field. In this work, we demonstrated that carbon-fiber microelectrodes when backfilled with an electrolyte to establish conductivity are closed BPEs. The coupling between the oxidation reaction, e.g., dopamine oxidation, on the carbon disk/cylinder and the reduction of oxygen on the interior fiber is likely to be responsible for the conductivity. We also demonstrated the ability to quantitati...
The promise of apolipoprotein A-I mimetics.

Purpose of reviewSynthetic high-density lipoprotein (HDL) and apolipoprotein (apo) A-I mimetic peptides emulate many of the atheroprotective biological functions attributed to HDL and can modify atherosclerotic disease processes. Administration of these agents as HDL replacement or modifying therapy
Cyclic Hydrogen Bonding in Indole Carboxylic Acid Clusters

Monolayers of indole-2-carboxylic acid and indole-3-carboxylic acid on gold are studied using ultrahigh-vacuum scanning tunneling microscopy. Both molecules form symmetric, cyclic, hydrogen-bonded pentamers, a structure that is stabilized by the presence of a weak hydrogen-bond donor (NH or CH) adjacent to the carboxylic acid on the five-membered ring. In addition to pentamers, indole-2-carboxylic acid forms hexamers and catemer chains, while indole-3-carboxylic acid monolayers are generally disordered. Density functional theory calculations show that pentamers and hexamers have stability comparable to dimers or short catemers. The coexistence of all of these structures likely arises from the nonequilibrium conditions present in solution during pulse deposition of the monolayer.
Lamotrigine (Lamictal) in Intractable Epilepsies

The efficacy of lamotrigine (LTG) in an open, add-on, prospective study of 56 children with refractory generalized epilepsies is reported from British Columbia’s Children’s Hospital, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
APcK 110, a novel Inhibitor of Kit, Extends Survival of NOD-SCID Mice in An AML Xenograft Model.

Abstract 1045 Poster Board I-67 Kit is a type III receptor protein tyrosine kinase and membrane receptor for stem cell factor (SCF). Tight regulation of the activity of kit is a crucial component of normal hematopoiesis. Mutations of the KIT gene have been identified in blasts of patients with AML predominantly those with core-binding factor leukemias. As the presence of mutations of KIT has been associated with higher likelihood of relapse and shorter survival, targeting Kit may be of therapeutic benefit. Therapeutic activity may extend to cases with Kit overexpression. We have recently described the activity of APcK110, a novel inhibitor of Kit, in vitro where we have shown potent proapoptotic and antiproliferative effects in AML cell lines and primary AML samples irrespective of mutation status but with measurable expression of Kit (Faderl S et al. Cancer Res 2009; 69: 3910-3917). Here we extend our investigations to the activity of APcK110 in vivo in a xenograft mouse model. After exposure of 8-weeks-old female NOD-SCID mice (NOD.CB17-PRKDS SCID\J) to 30cGy sub-lethal WBXRT, 1 × 105 OCI/AML3 cells (human AML cell line) were injected I.V. Ten days later, the mice were injected I.P. every other day with the same volume of either APcK110 or PBS. The mice were sacrificed according to experimental protocol or when they became moribund, unable to obtain food or water, or if they lost > 20% of their body weight. Necropsy was performed on all animals. Marrow, blood and organs were preserved in formalin for histological analysis. Kaplan-Meier estimates were applied to calculate survival of the mice. We could show that 1) all mice injected with OCI/AML3 cells developed a clinical and histological picture consistent with AML. Wright stains of blood and marrow confirmed presence of a large, heterogeneous blast population, which was negative for myeloperoxidase, but stained positive for butyrate and anti-human CD45. Histological analysis of lung and liver tissue revealed dense infiltration with AML blasts as confirmed by anti-human CD45-positive sheets of cells in these tissues; 2) survival of APcK110-treated mice was significantly improved compared with mice which were injected with PBS (p=.02); 3) Marrow histology showed residual AML following injection of mice with APcK110. In conclusion, APcK110 is a novel kit kinase inhibitor with anti-AML activity in vitro and in vivo. Further evaluation in toxicology and clinical studies should be pursued. Disclosures: Pal:Patent Office: patent application pending. Bornmann:Patent office: Patent application pending. Estrov:Patent Office: Patent application pending.
Soil Evaluation Methods for Calcium for Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) Production in the Coastal Plain

ABSTRACT Successful peanut production requires adequate Ca in the pegging zone. Soil testing for Ca based on pegging zone samples provides scientific basis for Ca supplementation for peanut, but concerns regarding inaccuracy of certain soil testing methods have been brought up by previous studies; therefore, reevaluation of routine soil testing methods for Ca on pegging zone samples is necessary. The objective of this study was to evaluate relationships and predictability of four major soil tests including Mehlich 1 (M1), Mehlich 3 (M3), 1 N neutral ammonium acetate (AA), and 0.01 M sodium nitrate (SN) for Ca, K, and Mg for peanut production in Coastal Plain soils common in the major peanut producing regions of the Southeast. Results showed that the four tests extracted varied amount of Ca, K, and Mg from soil. Soil treatments that included an addition of gypsum or lime reduced availability of soil K and Mg. Correlations were strong among soil K and Mg determined using M1 and M3, but the relationship was ...
Optimal coupling in cavity optomechanical systems

We analyze a cavity optomechanical system suitable for foundry-level fabrication. Contrary to many structures, in which only the cavity design is optimized, we find an optimal coupling strength resulting in maximized optomechanical interaction and readout.
Predicting Coronary Artery Aneurysms in Kawasaki Disease at a North American Center: An Assessment of Baseline z Scores

Background Accurate risk prediction of coronary artery aneurysms (CAAs) in North American children with Kawasaki disease remains a clinical challenge. We sought to determine the predictive utility of baseline coronary dimensions adjusted for body surface area ( z scores) for future CAAs in Kawasaki disease and explored the extent to which addition of established Japanese risk scores to baseline coronary artery z scores improved discrimination for CAA development. Methods and Results We explored the relationships of CAA with baseline z scores; with Kobayashi, Sano, Egami, and Harada risk scores; and with the combination of baseline z scores and risk scores. We defined CAA as a maximum z score (zMax) ≥2.5 of the left anterior descending or right coronary artery at 4 to 8 weeks of illness. Of 261 patients, 77 patients (29%) had a baseline zMax ≥2.0. CAAs occurred in 15 patients (6%). CAAs were strongly associated with baseline zMax ≥2.0 versus P Conclusions In a North American center, baseline zMax ≥2.0 in children with Kawasaki disease demonstrated high predictive utility for later development of CAA. Future studies should validate the utility of our findings.
Advice To A New Journal Editor

On April 14, 2017, the scholarly discipline-based education research community lost all-too-soon one of its innovative thought leaders, Ronald C. Clute (1944-2017). After a successful career in traditional University academia, Dr. Clute (Ph.D. Notre Dame) became one of the first highly successful alternative academics, alt-ac, by starting and nurturing the Clute Institute as a family-run, academic publishing company that today serves as a national model for helping scholars distribute their work internationally. Always generous with advice, some of the most important ideas he shared with new editors were to: (i) Invest in authors with great ideas, even when the writing is lousy; (ii) If a submission isn’t a great idea, don’t bother already too-busy reviewers with it; (iii) Plan on revising authors always being slower at responding than reviewers; (iv) Allocate more time to growing and nurturing your reviewer pool than you think; (v) Increase submissions by being visible at meetings and talking to presenters and (iv) run a formative review process that makes papers better rather than a summative rejection service. These ideas are offered in respect for his longstanding work.
South Africa’s Ubuntu BRICS and Nigeria’s Afri-Capitalist MINTS: The Comparative Political Economy of (Pan) African Risings

This chapter examines a theory of New Pan African economics in national, African contexts on the ground in Nigeria and South Africa, countries that have produced Afri-capitalism and Ubuntuism respectively. The chapter reveals why and how there are important reasons why new Pan Africanisms in business are emerging in Nigeria and South Africa. Drawing from their economic identities in the global political economy as BRICS (Brazil, Russia, India, China, and South Africa) and MINTs (Mexico/Malaysia, Indonesia, Nigeria, and Thailand/Turkey), the chapter engages an argument that states that as leading African political economies in the continent with diverse and stratified populaces, transformative new middle classes, as well as incipient developmentalist states and democracies, both countries epitomize the paradoxes played up by their statuses as Africa Rising models as well as Pan African business progenitors. That is to say that given each country’s distinctive histories of race, ethnicity, and dynamic economic stratification (urban classes, bourgeoisie, state capitalists) in constructing Africa’s new middle classes in the contemporary global era, both countries provide important contexts help us to understand the complex and varied dimensions that make up the contours and dynamics of the drivers of current narratives shaping Africa Rising and Pan Africanist economics that have produced and are manifest in the Africapitalist and Ubuntu business case studies.
Generation of multi-mode NOON states with three photons using linear optics

We propose a setup to generate multi-mode NOON states with N = 3 using single photons, coherent states, and single-photon detectors, which has great importance in simultaneous multi-phase estimation with higher efficiency than individual estimation.