cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Early cholecystectomy (≤ 8 weeks) following percutaneous cholecystostomy tube placement is associated with higher morbidity

Percutaneous cholecystostomy tube (PCT) placement is often the initial management approach to severe acute cholecystitis in the unstable patient. However, the timing of cholecystectomy after PCT has not been carefully examined. The purpose of this study was to compare outcomes of early versus late cholecystectomy following PCT placement. The New York SPARCS administrative database was searched for all patients undergoing PCT placement between 2000 and 2012. Patients were followed for subsequent cholecystectomy (CCX) procedures up to 2014. Subsequent cholecystectomies were divided into early (≤ 8 weeks) versus late (> 8 weeks) groups. Outcomes included overall complications, 30-day readmissions, 30-day Emergency Department (ED) visits, and length of stay (LOS). Multivariable regression models were used to examine the differences in clinical outcomes between these two groups, after adjusting for possible confounding factors. There were 9728 patients who underwent PCT placement identified during the time period, as early subsequent cholecystectomy was performed in 1211 patients (40.4%), while 1787 (59.6%) patients had a late cholecystectomy. Average time to cholecystectomy was 38 days in the early group, versus 203 days in the late group. After adjusting for other confounding factors, patients with early CCX had a significantly higher risk of overall complications and longer LOS compared to the late CCX group (P = 0.01 and P = 0.0004, respectively). There were no significant differences in 30-day readmissions and 30-day ED visits. Furthermore, there was no significant difference in the risk of CBD injury between the two groups (n = 21, 1.7% in the early cholecystectomy group and n = 26, 1.5% in the late cholecystectomy group). Early cholecystectomy (≤ 8 weeks) is associated with a higher risk of complications and longer hospital LOS compared to cholecystectomy performed at > 8 weeks. Surgeons should be aware and should delay cholecystectomy beyond 8 weeks to improve outcomes.
Eosinophils Affect Antibody Isotype Switching and May Partially Contribute to Early Vaccine-Induced Immunity against Coxiella burnetii.

ABSTRACT Coxiella burnetii is an obligate intracellular Gram-negative bacterium which causes human Q fever. An acidified citrate cysteine medium (ACCM-2) has been developed which mimics the intracellular replicative niche of C. burnetii and allows axenic growth of the bacteria. To determine if C. burnetii cultured in ACCM-2 retains immunogenicity, we compared the protective efficacies of formalin-inactivated C. burnetii Nine Mile phase I (PIV) and phase II (PIIV) vaccines derived from axenic culture 7, 14, and 28 days postvaccination. PIV conferred significant protection against virulent C. burnetii as early as 7 days postvaccination, which suggests that ACCM-2-derived PIV retains immunogenicity and protectivity. We analyzed the cellular immune response in spleens from PIV- and PIIV-vaccinated mice by flow cytometry at 7 and 14 days postvaccination and found significantly more granulocytes in PIV-vaccinated mice than in PIIV-vaccinated mice. Interestingly, we found these infiltrating granulocytes to be SSChigh CD11b+ CD125+ Siglec-F+ (where SSChigh indicates a high side scatter phenotype) eosinophils. There was no change in the number of eosinophils in PIV-vaccinated CD4-deficient mice compared to the level in controls, which suggests that eosinophil accumulation is CD4+ T cell dependent. To evaluate the importance of eosinophils in PIV-mediated protection, we vaccinated and challenged eosinophil-deficient ΔdblGATA mice. ΔdblGATA mice had significantly worse disease than their wild-type counterparts when challenged 7 days postvaccination, while no significant difference was seen at 28 days postvaccination. Nevertheless, ΔdblGATA mice had elevated serum IgM with decreased IgG1 and IgG2a whether mice were challenged at 7 or 28 days postvaccination. These results suggest that eosinophils may play a role in early vaccine protection against C. burnetii and contribute to antibody isotype switching.
Mind the Gap: Changes in Cigarette Prices After California's Tax Increase.

Objective To investigate whether California's 2017 cigarette tax increase was passed onto smokers equally. Methods Auditors recorded 4 cigarette prices in the same random sample of licensed tobacco retailers (N = 1049) before the tax increase (January-March 2017) and after (April-September 2018): Natural American Spirit (ultra-premium), Newport menthol (premium), and Pall Mall (value) all from the same manufacturer, and Marlboro (premium). Ordinary least squares regressions examined how the gap in prices (increase greater or less than $2.00 tax) varied by market segment and neighborhood demographics, controlling for store type and months since implementation. Paired t-tests assessed whether industry/retail revenue (price in excess of state and federal excise taxes) increased. Results Over-shifting (increase greater than tax) was evident for all 4 brands and was significantly greater for ultra-premium (Mean = $0.40, SD = 0.75) than premium (Mean = $0.25, SD = 0.78) and greater for premium than value brand (Mean = $0.16, SD = 0.67). However, under-shifting (increase less than tax) was evident for Newport in African-American neighborhoods and Pall Mall in Hispanic neighborhoods. After the tax increase, prices were significantly more likely to be discounted and significantly more stores advertised a discount on cigarettes. Conclusion California's tax increase was not passed onto consumers equally. Non-tax mechanisms to increase price could support intended effects of tobacco taxes.
Investigation of Proteomic and Phosphoproteomic Responses to Signaling Network Perturbations Reveals Functional Pathway Organizations in Yeast

Governance of protein phosphorylation by kinases and phosphatases constitutes an essential regulatory network in eukaryotic cells. Network dysregulation leads to severe consequences and is often a key factor in disease pathogenesis. Previous studies revealed multiple roles for protein phosphorylation and pathway structures in cellular functions from different perspectives. We seek to understand the roles of kinases and phosphatases from a protein homeostasis point of view. Using a streamlined tandem mass tag (SL-TMT) strategy, we systematically measure proteomic and phosphoproteomic responses to perturbations of phosphorylation signaling networks in yeast deletion strains. Our results emphasize the requirement for protein normalization for more complete interpretation of phosphorylation data. Functional relationships between kinases and phosphatases were characterized at both proteome and phosphoproteome levels in three ways: (1) Gene Ontology enrichment analysis, (2) Δgene-Δgene correlation networks, and (3) molecule covariance networks. This resource illuminates kinase and phosphatase functions and pathway organizations.
Paper spray mass spectrometry for the analysis of picoliter droplets

Recent experimental efforts have shown that single particle levitation methods may be effectively coupled with mass spectrometry (MS) using paper spray (PS) ionization for compositional analysis of picoliter droplets. In this work, we characterize the response of PS-MS to analytes delivered in the form of picoliter droplets and explore its potential for identification and quantification of these samples. Using a microdroplet dispenser to generate droplets, we demonstrate sensitivity to a range of oxygenated organic molecules typical of compounds found in atmospheric secondary organic aerosol. We assess experimental factors that influence the reproducibility and sensitivity of the method and explore the linearity of the system response to increasing analyte mass in droplets containing single or multicomponent analytes. We show that the ratio of analyte signal from multicomponent samples may be used to characterize the relative composition of the system. These measurements demonstrate that the droplet PS-MS method is an effective tool for qualitative and quantitative analysis of single picoliter droplets containing picogram levels of analyte. The potential applications of this technique for characterizing the composition of levitated particles will be discussed.
Abstract P206: Diet Quality is Lower Among Adolescents Who Skip Lunch

Introduction: A healthy diet is key in preventing chronic diseases and black adults have higher rates of hypertension, obesity, and heart disease death rates compared to their white counterparts. B...
Intricate Genetic Programs Controlling Dormancy in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Mycobacterium tuberculosis (MTB) displays the remarkable ability to transition in and out of dormancy, a hallmark of the pathogen's capacity to evade the immune system and exploit susceptible individuals. Uncovering the gene regulatory programs that underlie the phenotypic shifts in MTB during disease latency and reactivation has posed a challenge. We develop an experimental system to precisely control dissolved oxygen levels in MTB cultures in order to capture the transcriptional events that unfold as MTB transitions into and out of hypoxia-induced dormancy. Using a comprehensive genome-wide transcription factor binding map and insights from network topology analysis, we identify regulatory circuits that deterministically drive sequential transitions across six transcriptionally and functionally distinct states encompassing more than three-fifths of the MTB genome. The architecture of the genetic programs explains the transcriptional dynamics underlying synchronous entry of cells into a dormant state that is primed to infect the host upon encountering favorable conditions.
Radical Tonsillectomy and Superior Pharyngeal Constrictor Anatomy: A Cadaveric and Oncologic Specimen Assessment.

Introduction The rise in primary surgical management of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma has led to varying interpretations of the histopathologic evaluation following a radical tonsillectomy. The oncologic margin may be significantly influenced by the morphologic relations and anatomic dimensions of the palatine tonsil and superior pharyngeal constrictor (SPC) muscle. Objective The aim of this study was to characterize the gross and histologic anatomic features of the palatine tonsil and SPC muscle following an en bloc radical tonsillectomy. Methods Radical tonsillectomy specimens were collected from cadaveric and oncologic subjects. Specimens were processed using standard histopathologic techniques and were analyzed by a board-certified head and neck pathologist. The thickness of the SPC muscle and relationship to the tonsillar carcinoma were assessed. Results Six cadaveric and 10 oncologic specimens were analyzed. The mean minimum SPC width for all cadaveric specimens was 1.02 ± 0.50 mm. The mean minimum width for oncologic specimens was 0.76 ± 0.46 mm. The mean distance from tonsil carcinoma to the lateral specimen margin was 1.79 ± 1.39 mm. Conclusion Due to the limited width of the SPC muscle, a margin in excess of 2 mm may not be attainable in a transoral radical tonsillectomy. Margin status may be ideally determined by the integrity of the SPC muscle in future oncologic studies, rather than an adequate distance measurement.
Traditional White Spaces: Why All-Inclusive Representation Matters

Why haven’t students been expected and required to study curricula beyond the Eurocentric perspective? This paper argues for equitable inclusion and representation in curricula and pedagogical prac...
The Environments of Ultrastrong Mg II Absorbers

We present r'- or i'-band WIYN images of the fields of 15 Sloan Digital Sky Survey quasars that have spectra exhibiting intervening Mg II absorption-line systems with rest equivalent widths 2.7 A ≤ W ≤ 6.0 A and redshifts 0.42 < zabs < 0.84. Such systems are rare and exhibit projected absorption velocity spreads in excess of ≈300-650 km s-1. Approximately 60% are expected to be damped Lyα systems. In each of our fields we detect at least one galaxy that, if at the absorption redshift, would have impact parameter b 40 kpc and luminosity L 0.3L*. We measure a significant excess of galaxies at low b to the sight lines over a large range of luminosity. Many of the sight lines are found to pass either through or close to the optically luminous extent of a galaxy. Considering the very large velocity spreads seen in absorption, this suggests that these absorbing regions are more kinematically complex than local spirals such as the Milky Way. Our data indicate that interactions and galaxy pairs may be a contributing factor to the production of such large velocity spreads. Finally, we also find evidence that a population of galaxies with luminosities in the range 4L* L 13L* may contribute to the presence of ultrastrong Mg II absorption. Thus, some of the absorbing galaxies may represent a population intermediate to the very luminous high-redshift Lyman break galaxies and the fainter local starburst population.
Efficient MoTe2 Slot-enhanced Photodetector based on Engineering Gain-Bandwidth-Product Scaling Laws

Here we demonstrate an efficient (0.8 AW-1) plasmonic slot photodetector based on monolithically integrating MoTe2 in silicon photonics. Shrinking the source-drain distance (L) to 10 nm enables high gain-bandwidth-product detectors scaling with L^-2.
Association between Friends' Use of Nicotine and Cannabis and Intake of both Substances among Adolescents.

Nicotine and cannabis use are common among adolescents and may be associated with behavioral problems, poor academic outcomes and use disorders. The goals of this analysis were the following: (1) Describe the influence of friends’ nicotine and cannabis smoking and vaping on self-reported use. (2) Describe the relationship between friends’ nicotine and cannabis use on participants’ urinary biomarkers of nicotine (cotinine) and cannabis (11-nor-9-carboxy-Δ⁹tetrahydrocannabinol=THC-COOH). This is a secondary analysis of survey and biomarker data collected in adolescents aged 12–21 between April 2017 and April 2018, in Long Island, New York. Bivariate and multivariable analyses were conducted using SPSS 26. A cutoff value of ≥10 ng/mL was used to signify recent usage for urinary cotinine and THC-COOH levels. Over one-third of the 517 surveyed adolescents reported using tobacco and one-third reported using cannabis. A significant relationship between friends’ substance use and self-use was found. For both tobacco and cannabis, over 90% (p < 0.01) of participants with urinary biomarker levels above cutoff had friends who used the respective substance. Friends’ nicotine and friends’ cannabis use were each independently associated with urinary biomarker levels for those substances (for nicotine, beta = 88.29, p = 0.03; for cannabis, beta = 163.58, p = 0.03). Friends’ use of nicotine and cannabis is associated with adolescents’ intake, as well as the physiological exposure to those substances. These findings underscore the importance of including peer influence in the discussion with adolescents about tobacco and cannabis use.
Bcl-3 suppresses differentiation of RORγt + regulatory T cells

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) exert inhibitory function under various physiological conditions and adopt diverse characteristics following environmental cues. Multiple subsets of Tregs expressing master transcription factors of helper T cells such as RORγt, T-bet, Gata3 and PPARγ have been characterized, but the molecular mechanism governing the differentiation of these subsets remains largely unknown. Here we report that the atypical IκB protein family member Bcl-3 suppresses RORγt+ Treg accumulation. The suppressive effect of Bcl-3 was particularly evident in the mouse immune tolerance model of anti-CD3 therapy. Using conditional knockout mice, we illustrate that loss of Bcl-3 specifically in Tregs was sufficient to boost RORγt+ Treg formation and resistance of mice to dextran sulfate sodium-induced colitis. We further demonstrate the suppressive effect of Bcl-3 on RORγt+ Treg differentiation in vitro. Our results reveal a novel role of nuclear factor-kappa B signaling pathways in Treg subset differentiation that may have clinical implications in immunotherapy.
Real-World Clinical Impact of Netarsudil 0.02% at an Urban Safety-Net Hospital.

Purpose: To analyze the efficacy, safety, and accessibility of netarsudil 0.02% in patients with glaucoma (suspect, open or closed) at a safety-net academic medical center, Boston Medical Center (B...
(Re)reading the room: The literacies of escape rooms

Building a more comprehensive understanding of gaming literacies, this article explores the kinds of literacy practices that emerge through participation and play within escape rooms. Based on a da...
Source detection on networks using spatial temporal graph convolutional networks

Detecting the source of an outbreak cluster during a pandemic like COVID-19 can provide insights into the transmission process, associated risk factors, and help contain the spread. In this work we study the problem of source detection from multiple snapshots of spreading on an arbitrary network structure. We use a spatial temporal graph convolutional network based model (SD-STGCN) to produce a source probability distribution, by fusing information from temporal and topological spaces. We perform extensive experiments using popular compartmental simulation models over synthetic networks and empirical contact networks. We also demonstrate the applicability of our approach with real COVID-19 case data.
The effect of government size on the unemployment rate

Recent empirical studies have revealed that the size of government is inversely related to economic growth and technical efficiency. Evidence is presented linking the size of government to reported unemployment rates for the industrial countries during recent years. This finding helps to explain the empirical link between government size and poor macroeconomic performance.
“Dead White Male” in the Cornfields: The Great Books Ideal and the Illinois Wesleyan Humanities Program

This paper examines the theory and practice of the general education movement in twentieth century American higher education, especially its influence upon the curriculum development of Illinois Wesleyan University. The paper first delineated the origins of the theory of educational perennialism and its initial application in higher education in America. Then, by noticing the chronological coincidence of the IWU Humanities program with the rise of the general education movement nationwide, the paper argues that the IWU Humanities program was started under the influence of the national general education movement and the theory of educational perennialism. The national phenomenon and the IWU program shared commonality in both their specific policies as well as philosophical foundations. By extensively exploring and examining the primary sources in the Tate Archive of the Ames Library, the author carefully traced the history of the IWU Humanities 301/302 program, from its initiation to its demise. The final section of the paper was dedicated to the discussions to find out the reasons of the decline and fall of the Humanities program. In addition to perusing old university catalogs and faculty curriculum council meeting minutes, the author conducted personal interview with former director of the program and also consulted memoirs of former university presidents, in order to provide a possible answer to the question of why the IWU Humanities program declined in the 1980s and 90s, thus concluding a narrative of the history of the IWU Humanities 301/302 program.
Less is more? STI in acute and chronic HIV-1 infection

Emerging data has indicated that supervised treatment interruption (STI) of highly active antiretroviral therapy might significantly augment immune responses in HIV-1-infected patients and slow disease progression. Here the authors discuss the rationale behind STI and future directions for study.
Vision is superior to touch in shape perception even with equivalent peripheral input

Results from previous studies suggest that two-dimensional spatial patterns are processed similarly in vision and touch when the patterns are equated for effective size or when visual stimuli are blurred to mimic the spatial filtering of the skin. In the present study, we measured subjects' ability to perceive the shape of familiar and unfamiliar visual and tactile patterns to compare form processing in the two modalities. As had been previously done, the two-dimensional tactile and visual patterns were adjusted in size to stimulate an equivalent number of receptors in the two modalities. We also distorted the visual patterns, using a filter that accurately mimics the spatial filtering effected by the skin to further equate the peripheral images in the two modalities. We found that vision consistently outperformed touch regardless of the precise perceptual task and of how familiar the patterns were. Based on an examination of both the earlier and present data, we conclude that visual processing of both familiar and unfamiliar two-dimensional patterns is superior to its tactile counterpart except under very restricted conditions.
The Movement of the Egg Nucleus in Relation to the Sperm Aster in the Echinoderm Egg

The observations described in this paper indicate that the sperm nucleus is carried to the centre of the egg by the progressive enlargement of a gelated body, the sperm aster, and that the egg nucleus is carried to the sperm nucleus by a centripetal cytoplasmic flow directed toward the astral lake, within which the sperm nucleus lies. The curved path which the egg nucleus describes results from the continued change in direction of a cytoplasmic flow streaming toward the moving astral lake. The egg nucleus, when within the aster, is not only carried towards the lake by cytoplasmic streaming, but it is also moved centrally by the migration of the sperm aster toward the approximate centre of the egg.
Effect of far-infrared irradiation on the antioxidant activity of defatted sesame meal extracts

To determine the effect of far-infrared (FIR) irradiation on the antioxidant activities of sesame meal, half of sesame seeds were FIR-irradiated and then oil was extracted from the seeds. The resul...
Markov Chains and Dynamic Geometry of Polygons

In this paper we construct sequences of polygons from a given n-sided cyclic polygon by iterated procedures and study the limiting behaviors of these sequences in terms of nonnegative matrices and Markov chains.
Application of a systematic finite-element model modification technique to dynamic analysis of structures

A systematic finite-element model modification technique has been applied to two small problems and a model of the main wing box of a research drone aircraft. The procedure determines the sensitivity of the eigenvalues and eigenvector components to specific structural changes, calculates the required changes and modifies the finite-element model. Good results were obtained where large stiffness modifications were required to satisfy large eigenvalue changes. Sensitivity matrix conditioning problems required the development of techniques to insure existence of a solution and accelerate its convergence. A method is proposed to assist the analyst in selecting stiffness parameters for modification.
Determination of airborne wood dust in Button samples by diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS)

Emerging concerns regarding the toxicity of inhaled wood dust support the need for techniques to quantitate wood content of mixed industrial dusts. The diffuse reflectance infrared Fourier transform spectroscopy (DRIFTS) analysis technique was applied to the determination of wood content of 181 inhalable dust samples (geometric mean concentration: 0.895 mg/m(3); geometric standard deviation: 2.73) collected from six wood product industry factories using 25mm glass fibre filters with the Button aerosol sampler. Prior to direct DRIFTS analysis the filter samples were treated with ethyl acetate and re-deposited uniformly. Standards ranging from 125 μg to 4000 μg were prepared for red oak, southern yellow pine, and red cedar and used for quantitation of samples depending upon the wood materials present at a given factory. The oak standards spectra were quantitated by linear regression of response in Kubelka-Munk units at 1736 cm(-1), whereas the pine standards and the cedar standards spectra were quantitated by polynomial regression of response in log 1/R units at 1734 cm(-1), with the selected wavenumbers corresponding to stretching vibration of free C=O from cellulose and hemicelluloses. For one factory which used both soft- and hardwoods, a separate polynomial standard curve was created by proportionally combining the oak and pine standards polynomial regression equations based on response (log 1/R) at 1734 cm(-1). The analytical limits of detection were approximately 52 μg of oak, 20 μg of pine, 30 μg of cedar, and 16 μg of mixed oak and pine for the factory with mixed woods. Overall, the average of dry wood dust percentage of inhalable dust was approximately 56% and the average dry wood dust weight was 0.572mg for the Button samples. Across factories, there were statistically significant differences (p<0.001) for the percentage of dry wood dust in inhalable dust with factory averages ranging from 33.5 to 97.6%.
Sex-identification interference in the audio-visual measurement of language achievement

This responses of 65 Portuguese-as-a-second-language (PSL) and 178 English-as-a-second-language (ESL) children in early grades to an audiovisually administered aural comprehension test were analyzed for distortions attributable to sex identification with puppets used in the test items. PSL children exhibited significantly more identifications with their same-sex models when opposite-sex models offered correct responses, but significant results were not obtained for ESL children. It was recommended that, beyond concern for sex imbalances in tests, test items not be constructed to include choices between opposite-sex models.
Experience with mitomycin in the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer

Mitomycin has proven to be among the most active drugs available for the single-agent treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). In combination with vinca alkaloids and cisplatin, mitomycin can produce response rates greater than or equal to 50% in properly selected patients. In our experience, such responses were achieved using moderate doses (7 or 8 mg/m2) of mitomycin, which also resulted in fewer hematologic and other toxicities. Delivery of MVP (mitomycin/vinca alkaloid/cisplatin) to 150 patients with stages III and IV NSCLC during the last decade showed maximal response was achieved after two or three cycles of therapy. A comparative analysis of results reported using MVP regimens suggests that high response rates are associated with greater dose-intensive use of cisplatin and lesser dose-intensive use of mitomycin. Although the role of MVP in the treatment of advanced NSCLC is unclear, use of mitomycin-containing regimens as part of a multidisciplinary approach to stage IIIA NSCLC has yielded high response rates and has successfully downstaged patients prior to surgery. Randomized clinical trials will be required to validate these findings, but the focus of future research should be on discovering new agents with greater activity and on developing new approaches wherein these agents can be delivered with maximum efficacy and minimum toxicity.
Equity and inequity as a source of reward and punishment

An experiment was performed to test the hypothesis, derived from equity theory, that equity and unfavorable inequity can act as a source of reward and punishment in addition to any reward provided by an individuals own outcomes. The results supported the hypothesis. It was also found that the choice behavior of females was more strongly influenced by equity and inequity than was that of males.
Childhood Environmental Tobacco Smoke Exposure A Smoking Gun for Atherosclerosis in Adulthood

In the 1960s the US Surgeon General and American Heart Association issued reports warning of the dangers of smoking on fatal coronary artery disease.1-3 Since those early publications, 32 US Surgeon General Reports and thousands of studies have been released exposing the harmful effects of cigarette smoking on cardiovascular health.4,5 Yet over a half a century later, the toxic legacy continues to unravel. Cigarette smoking is now well established as a causal risk factor for cardiovascular disease (CVD). Pooled data from almost 1 million people reveals that the risk of ischemic heart disease for current smokers is 2.6 (95%CI 2.4, 2.7) times higher for men and 3.0 (2.8, 3.2) times higher for women compared to nonsmokers.6 Secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure has emerged as a significant risk factor for CVD among nonsmokers, demonstrating a dose-dependent relationship with higher risk of CVD among those with higher SHS exposure.7-9 In epidemiological studies the risk of coronary heart disease among SHS exposed non-smoking adults is 1.25 times (1.17, 1.32) higher than unexposed.10
Routine endocrine screening for patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure

Objective: To evaluate the usefulness of routine screening for other associated autoimmune endocrine disorders in patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure. Methods: One hundred nineteen women with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure (FSH exceeding 40 mIU/mL) who desired fertility were evaluated at a tertiary care academic center by physical examination, measurement of serum free thyroxine and TSH, ACTH stimulation test, fasting serum glucose, 3-hour glucose tolerance test, measurement of serum electrolytes including total calcium, and measurement of serum vitamin B 12 . Results: Twenty-two of 119 patients (18.5%) were known to have hypothyroidism and three were known to have Addison disease. Ten new cases of hypothyroidism and three new cases of diabetes mellitus were discovered. However, no new cases of adrenal insufficiency, hypoparathyroidism, or pernicious anemia were found. Conclusion: Screening for hypothyroidism and diabetes appears justified in those patients with karyotypically normal spontaneous premature ovarian failure who desire fertility. However, our findings suggest that in these patients, testing for other associated autoimmune endocrine disorders may be reserved for those with clinical indications.
Carbon import among vegetative tillers within two bunchgrasses: assessment with carbon-11 labelling.

Carbon allocation among bunchgrass tillers was examined with carbon-11 (11CO2) steady state labelling. Labelled carbon was continuously transported from parent tillers to anatomically attached daughter tillers at a time when morphological characteristics indicated that tiller maturation had occurred. Steady state levels of import into monitored daughter tillers increased within 30 min of either defoliation or shading. Import levels decreased within 30 min of the removal of shading, but remained accelerated throughout an 84 h observation period following defoliation. A second defoliation further increased carbon import into a monitored tiller above the previously accelerated level resulting from the initial defoliation. Carbon import by vegetative tillers in the two bunchgrass species examined may be most appropriately viewed as a series of potentially accelerated import levels above a low level of continuous import.
Homogeneous cytochrome b5 from human erythrocytes.

Abstract Homogeneous cytochrome b5 has been isolated from large volumes of human erythrocytes by sequential chromatography on DEAE-cellulose, Amberlite CG-50, Bio-Gel P-60, and DEAE-Sephadex A-50. A molecular weight of 15,300 was determined by SDS disc gel electrophoresis. Trypsin converted the protein to a smaller hemepeptide which was indistinguishable from trypsin-cytochrome b5 of human liver microsomes by disc gel electrophoresis. The data suggest that erythrocyte cytochrome b5 has the same structure as a segment of liver microsomal cytochrome b5 and is intermediate in size between the trypsin- and detergent-solubilized forms of the liver protein.
Isolation and characterization of membranes from the cultivated mushroom.

The membranes of sporophore cap tissue from the cultivated mushroom, Agaricus bisporus (Lange) Sing., were isolated using discontinuous sucrose gradient ultracentrifugation of a tissue homogenate. A membrane-rich fraction was concentrated at the 1.16/1.18 g/cc interface and a mitochondria-rich fraction at the 1.18/1.20 g/cc interface. The membrane fraction was judged to be greater than 90% membrane vesicles by electron microscopy. The protein to lipid ratio of the membrane fraction was 1.1; the molar ratio of sterol to phospholipid was 0.77. The specific radioactivity of a Mg-activated ATPase was 2.5 times greater in the membrane fraction than in the homogenate. No 5′-nucleotidase or Na-K-Mg-activated ATPase activity was observed.
Encouraging user participation in a course recommender system: An impact on user behavior

User participation emerged as a critical issue for collaborative and social recommender systems as well as for a range of other systems based on the power of user community. A range of mechanisms to encourage user participation in social systems has been proposed over the last few years; however, the impact of these mechanisms on users behavior in recommender systems has not been studied sufficiently. This paper investigates the impact of encouraging user participation in the context of CourseAgent, a community-based course recommender system. The recommendation power of CourseAgent is based on course ratings provided by a community of students. To increase the number of course ratings, CourseAgent applies an incentive mechanism which turns user feedback into a self-beneficial activity. In this paper, we describe the design and implementation of our course recommendation system and its incentive mechanism. We also report a dual impact of this mechanism on user behavior discovered in two user studies.
Record of the younger part of the Pringle Falls excursion at Long Valley, California

SUMMARY The younger of two closely spaced palaeomagnetic excursions at Pringle Falls, Oregon, is recorded in lacustrine silts that crop out in Long Valley, California. Assigned an age of about 220 000 years, the virtual geomagnetic poles of the younger excursion form a clockwise loop that reached 35°S latitude east of South America before returning to the northern hemisphere in the Pacific Ocean west of Central America. The poles then form a narrow band across North America while moving to high northern latitudes. This record matches extremely well feature B of the original excursion record from Pringle Falls reported by Herrero-Bervera et al. (1994) and is similar to this excursion at Summer Lake, Oregon (Negrini et al. 1994), in that the pole path is confined primarily to the east‐central Pacific Ocean. On the basis of an assumed sedimentation rate of 30 cm per thousand years, the younger excursion (feature B at Pringle Falls) spans an estimated 1200 years and followed by about 1000 years a larger excursion (feature A at Pringle Falls) previously discovered at the same Long Valley site. At a second Long Valley site 30 m away, the younger excursion (feature B) is only partially recorded because of a presumed small hiatus in the sedimentary section.
Nucleotide sequences responsible for generation of internally deleted Sendai virus defective interfering genomes.

Abstract The deletion points of four internally deleted defective interfering (DI) RNA species (7a, 7b, 7c, and 7d) that reside in a single Sendai virus strain were defined by nucleotide sequencing. DI RNA 7a ( M r 1.24 × 10 6 ) retained the entire NP gene with the complete NP protein-coding sequence, except for the last two U residues of the polyadenylation signal, fused to an 1800-nucleotide sequence comprising 5′-terminal genome and adjacent L gene sequences. DI RNA 7b ( M r 0.70 × 10 6 ) consisted of 100 3′-terminal nucleotides fused to 1900 5′-terminal bases; the deletion point in the NP gene precedes the NP protein initiation codon. DI RNA 7c ( M r 0.55 × 10 6 ) retained 420 3′-terminal and 1150 5′-terminal nucleotides. The sequence just downstream of the sequenced deletion site is M gene specific, indicating that 7c arose from at least two deletion events and that it comprises NP , M , and L gene fragments. Transcription of RNA 7c could yield an mRNA encoding a fusion protein with a 14,000 M r (N-terminal NP sequence fused to out of frame M -specific amino acids). DI RNA 7d ( M r 0.92 × 10 6 ) retained 1027 3′-terminal nucleotides fused to 1600 bases from the 5′ terminus. It has an open reading frame for a 33,000 M r N-terminal NP protein fragment. Nucleotide sequences flanking each deletion and just downstream of the NP gene deletion site suggested that these DI genomes were generated by a copy-choice mechanism, involving polymerase jumping during replication of negative polarity virus genome templates. In this process, the termination and reinitiation of RNA synthesis would involve recognition of sequences that regulate virus genome transcription and replication.
One-dimensional simulation of a free-electron laser oscillator using a diffraction grating as a cavity mirror

Abstract The free electron laser (FEL) oscillator is known to excite parasitic sideband wavelengths in addition to the fundamental wavelengths at high intracavity power. When a tapered wiggler is used, the sidebands reduce extraction efficiency. We studied an FEL cavity with one of the mirrors ruled as a diffraction grating. The diffraction grating deflects the light in the cavity selectively according to the wavelength: the sidebands can be eliminated by deflection to off-axis of the cavity. Because the grating mirror must be mounted with an angle, the laser pulse is stretched after diffraction. The pulse stretching reduces optical intensity. We studied the effect of pulse stretching numerically using a one-dimensional FEL code FELP. (FELP is a one-dimensional free electron laser code written by B.D. McVey, MS-E531, Los Alamos National Laboratory, Los Alamos, NM 87545, USA.) Using this code, the free electron laser performance is calculated and compared with different line densities of grating for the following three wigglers: an untapered wiggler, a 12% wavelength tapered wiggler, and a wiggler tapered in wave number by 30%. The wavelength aperture caused by the grating also is studied as a function of line density.
Blockade of TNF-α Decreases Both Inflammation and Efficacy of Intrapulmonary Ad.IFNβ Immunotherapy in an Orthotopic Model of Bronchogenic Lung Cancer

Adenoviral immuno-gene therapy using interferon-beta has been effective in an orthotopic model of lung cancer. However, pulmonary inflammation induced by adenoviral (Ad) vectors will almost certainly limit the maximally tolerated dose. On the other hand, the strong innate immune response generated by the vector may be helpful in initiating the adaptive immune response required for efficacy. The goals of this study were to develop an effective approach to inhibit Ad.IFNbeta-mediated acute pulmonary inflammation and to determine whether this reduction of Ad-mediated inflammation decreased the therapeutic efficacy of Ad.IFNbeta in a mouse model of bronchioloalveolar cancer. Our data show that anti-TNF-alpha antibodies can blunt the innate pulmonary immune response induced by Ad vectors, even in sensitized animals. However, this effect also inhibited the ability of the animal to generate anti-tumor immune responses and reduced survival in an orthotopic lung cancer model responsive to Ad.IFNbeta treatment. Interestingly, in a flank model of tumor using a cell line derived from the lung tumor, TNF-alpha blockade did not inhibit efficacy. These data suggest that the innate immune response to adenovirus in the lung may be important in immuno-gene therapy of lung cancer. Therapeutic application of anti-inflammatory therapy in immuno-gene therapy strategies should thus be undertaken with caution.
Why computer algebra systems sometimes can't solve simple equations

Among the basic equations one might wish a computer to solve symbolically is the inverse of the power function, solving y = zw for z. (Note: zw ≡ exp(w ln z)). While many special cases, easily solved, abound, the general question is fraught with implications: if this is so hard, how can we expect success in other ventures? Having solved this, we can naturally use it in a "composition" of solution methods for expressions of the form y = f(z)w.Can't we already do this? Is it not the case that the solution of y = za+bi is trivially z = y1/(a+bi)) ?Not so. if this were the case, then a plot of the function t(y) := y - (y1/(1+i)))1+i would be indistinguishable from t(y) ≡ 0. For many values, t(y) is (allowing for round-off error), zero. But if your computer system correctly computes with values in the complex plane, then, (to pick two complex points from a region described later), t(-10000 + 4000i) is not zero, but about -9981 + 3993i and t(-0.01 + 0.002i) is about 5.34 - 1.06i. These strange numbers are not the consequence of round-off error or some other numerical phenomena. The alleged solution is just not mathematically correct.Computer algebra systems as usually programmed lack the expressive capability to return the exact and complete set of solutions, in general.
Introduction to computability logic

Abstract This work is an attempt to lay foundations for a theory of interactive computation and bring logic and theory of computing closer together. It semantically introduces a logic of computability and sets a program for studying various aspects of that logic. The intuitive notion of (interactive) computational problems is formalized as a certain new, procedural-rule-free sort of games (called static games) between the machine and the environment, and computability is understood as existence of an interactive Turing machine that wins the game against any possible environment. The formalism used as a specification language for computational problems, called the universal language, is a non-disjoint union of the formalisms of classical, intuitionistic and linear logics, with logical operators interpreted as certain—most basic and natural—operations on problems. Validity of a formula is understood as being “always computable”, and the set of all valid formulas is called the universal logic. The name “universal” is related to the potential of this logic to integrate, on the basis of one semantics, classical, intuitionistic and linear logics, with their seemingly unrelated or even antagonistic philosophies. In particular, the classical notion of truth turns out to be nothing but computability restricted to the formulas of the classical fragment of the universal language, which makes classical logic a natural syntactic fragment of the universal logic. The same appears to be the case for intuitionistic and linear logics (understood in a broad sense and not necessarily identified with the particular known axiomatic systems). Unlike classical logic, these two do not have a good concept of truth, and the notion of computability restricted to the corresponding two fragments of the universal language, based on the intuitions that it formalizes, can well qualify as “intuitionistic truth” and “linear-logic truth”. The paper also provides illustrations of potential applications of the universal logic in knowledgebase, resourcebase and planning systems, as well as constructive applied theories. The author has tried to make this article easy to read. It is fully self-contained and can be understood without any specialized knowledge of any particular subfield of logic or computer science.
A note on the degree of approximation with an optimal, discrete polynomial

Abstract A saturation theorem and an asymptotic theorem are proved for an optimal, discrete, positive algebraic polynomial operator. The operator is based on the Gauss-Legendre quadrature formula.
Laser conditioning characterization and damage threshold prediction of hafnia/silica multilayer mirrors by photothermal microscopy

Laser conditioning has been shown to improve the laser damage threshold of some optical coatings by greater than 2x. Debate continues within the damage community regarding laser-conditioning mechanisms, but it is clear that nodular ejection is one of the byproducts of the laser conditioning process. To better understand why laser conditioning is so effective, photothermal microscopy was used to measure absorption of coating defects before and after laser exposure. Although a modest absorption reduction was expected due to the lower electric field peaks within a pit and the absence of potentially absorbing nodular seeds, surprisingly, absorption reductions up to 150x were observed. Photothermal microscopy has also been successfully used to correlate laser-induced damage threshold and absorption of defects in hafnia/silica multilayer optical coatings. Defects with high absorption, as indicated by high photothermal signal, have low damage thresholds. Previously a linear correlation of damage threshold and defect photothermal signal was established with films designed and damage tested at 1(omega) (1053 nm) and Brewster's angle (56.4 degree(s)), but characterized by photothermal microscopy at 514.5 nm and near-normal angle of incidence (10 degree(s)). In this study coatings designed, characterized by photothermal microscopy, and damage tested at the same wavelength, incident angle, and polarization did not have a correlation between defect photothermal signal and absorption.
The effects of living mulches and weed cover on the dynamics of foliage- and soil-arthropod communities in three crop systems.

Abstract The effects of vegetation background in the form of living mulches and weed cover on the population dynamics of foliage and soil arthropods were studied in corn, tomato and cauliflower crop systems in California. In Davis (Central Valley site) herbivores (especially aphids and lygaeids) were more abundant in the weed cover than in the clover mulch, whereas leafhoppers were most common in the clover mulch. Higher numbers of natural enemies were observed in the clover plots. Significantly more ground predators (Carabidae, Staphylinidae, spiders) were caught in pitfalls placed in the weedy and clover plots, than in the clean cultivated plots. In Albany (Coastal area), specialized herbivore (cabbage aphids and flea-beetles) densities were significantly reduced in plots with additional vegetation cover. It is not clear if this reduction was due to plant diversity or density effects, to the effects of natural enemies or to the lower quality of plants in the weedy and mulched plots, as crop growth and yields were drastically reduced in these plots at both sites. Further agronomic work is warranted to minimize the competitive effects of legume covers on crops, so that the entomological advantages reported here can be used in a practical way.
Use of modified RECIST criteria to improve response assessment in targeted therapies: challenges and opportunities.

Commentary to:CT response assessment combining reduction in both size and arterial phase density correlates with time to progression in metastatic renal cancer patients treated with targeted therapiesP.D. Nathan, A. Vinayan, D. Stott, J. Juttla and V. Goh
Effect of Specific Antibodies on the Excitability of Internally Perfused Squid Axons

Giant axons from the squid Dosidicus gigas were internally perfused with rabbit antiaxoplasm antibodies and their effect upon the action potential and the membrane potential was studied. Necessary requirements for the antibodies to affect these parameters in a consistent manner were: (a) removal of the bulk of axoplasm from the perfused zone, accomplished by initially perfusing with a cysteine-rich (400 mM) solution, and (b) addition of small amounts of cysteine (30 mM) to the antibody-containing solution. When these experimental conditions were met, conduction block ensued generally within 3 hr of the first contact of the axon inner surface with the antibody Antineurofilament antibodies and nonspecific antibodies had no effect. External application of antiaxoplasm antibodies had no effect.