cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tick hypersensitivity and human tick‐borne diseases

Immune-mediated hypersensitivity reactions to ticks and other arthropods are well documented. Hypersensitivity to ixodid (hard bodied) ticks is especially important because they transmit infection to humans throughout the world and are responsible for most vector-borne diseases in the United States. The causative pathogens of these diseases are transmitted in tick saliva that is secreted into the host while taking a blood meal. Tick salivary proteins inhibit blood coagulation, block the local itch response and impair host anti-tick immune responses, which allows completion of the blood meal. Anti-tick host immune responses are heightened upon repeated tick exposure and have the potential to abrogate tick salivary protein function, interfere with the blood meal and prevent pathogen transmission. Although there have been relatively few tick bite hypersensitivity studies in humans compared with those in domestic animals and laboratory animal models, areas of human investigation have included local hypersensitivity reactions at the site of tick attachment and generalized hypersensitivity reactions. Progress in the development of anti-tick vaccines for humans has been slow due to the complexities of such vaccines but has recently accelerated. This approach holds great promise for future prevention of tick-borne diseases.
Voltage Pulse Propagation on a Dispersive Microstrip Transmission Line

The influence of Debye model material dispersion on transmission line dispersion using the Getsinger model is described with regard to voltage pulse propagation along the line as well as the inverse problem of the determination of the medium properties from the propagated pulse behavior.
On the Middleware Design, Cyber-Security, Self-monitoring and Self-healing for the Next-Generation IoT

Internet-of-Things (IoT) is one of the most important technological advances in the realm of Internet-powered cyber-physical and cyber-secure systems of the last decade and likely for many years to come. As such, IoT poses a number of research challenges when it comes to system scalability, availability, inter-operability, security and reliability. We study the programming abstractions, “smart middleware”, multi-agent systems and cyber-security aspects of what it will take to enable a reliable, secure, inter-operable and human-friendly next-generation IoT. In particular, three important aspects of the NG IoT are discussed in this paper. One, we address software design challenges and appropriate programming abstractions for the software agents that would provide IoT's inter-operability, enabling different users, devices and platforms to effectively communicate and coordinate with each other. We revisit agent-based computing, and especially the Actor model as a potentially perfectly suited programming paradigm for an inherently open, distributed and heterogeneous infrastructure such as NG IoT. Second, we discuss some critical capabilities of the next-generation IoT middleware. Last but not least, to address cyber-security aspects of IoT holistically, we outline several key elements of computational intelligence that could enable the self-healing and self-recovery capabilities of the NG IoT. With such self-defense/self-healing/self-recovery capabilities, future cyber-attacks would be less likely to cause a major disruption to the IoT infrastructure and users.
The Too‐Narrow Policy Debate: Lessons from Agricultural Biotechnology for Digital Technology

The COVID pandemic has brought a spectacular prominence to the role of digital technologies in public health. However, the policy discourse about digital technology has been for the most part strikingly narrow. Even as there is a discussion of the impact of particular digital tools, there is relatively little deliberation on the broader issues of how these technologies are reconstituting core aspects of health systems and polities. How did we get to a narrow debate on a vast topic? One way to understand this irony is by turning to the history of an older technology, namely agricultural biotechnology. This article focuses on two dominant framings that significantly narrowed the debates on agricultural biotechnology: first, a narrative that had a relentless focus on agricultural biotechnology as a neatly delineated field that produced stable products, and second, the ascent of a language of ethics that elided structural explanations and addressed only downstream impacts. The brief foray into the early years of agricultural biotechnology is useful in understanding contemporary politics of digital technology.
Association of pretreatment financial toxicity with time to treatment for patients with head and neck carcinoma and lung carcinoma.

131Background: Financial toxicity (FT) describes objective and subjective burden of costs associated with medical care. Patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and lung carcinoma are acutely impac...
The Second Journey to America

The second IIE lecture tour to the United States was delayed but eventually took place in 1931. Haas gave lectures on the new concept of particle waves and on questions of cosmology, an emerging topic in the scientific community. His visits covered universities all over the United States. Letters sent by Haas to his wife provide a rich and entertaining description of the academic environment of US universities at the time. With this trip, US academic institutions were very much interested in having Haas. However, the financial shortages caused by the world economic crisis did not allow for a sufficiently attractive offer and so, Haas was not convinced to abandon his actuary position, which by that time generated a considerable income.
A Comparison of Fathers and Sons in Physical Ability

Abstract Scores achieved by fathers and sons in physical ability tests at Pomona College were studied by comparing the percentage of tests failed by each, determining the difference in the mean scores, and computing correlations between father and son performance in various tests. The findings indicated that a larger percentage of the tests were passed by the fathers, and that their scores were significantly higher in three out of four of the tests. The highest, positive correlations were noted between father and son performance in the broad jump +.86) and in the 100-yd. run +.59).
[(Triethyl­ene­tetra­mine)copper(II)]-μ-cyanido-κ2N:C-[bis(cyanido-κC)copper(I)]

The title compound, [Cu2(CN)3(C6H18N4)] or [Cu(trien)(CN)Cu(CN)2], where trien is triethyl­ene­tetra­mine, is a mixed-valence complex crystallizing as discrete mol­ecules, with CuI and CuII ions linked by a bridging cyanide group. The CuII ion is in a square-pyramidal coordination environment, with the N atoms of the tetra­dentate trien ligand occupying the basal positions and Cu—N bond lengths in the range 2.028 (4)–2.047 (4) A. An N-bonded cyanide group is in the apical position, with a slightly longer Cu—N bond length of 2.127 (4) A. The CuI ion exhibits a trigonal–planar coordination geometry, bonded to the C atoms of the bridging cyanide group and two terminal cyanide groups with Cu—C bond lengths in the range 1.925 (4)–1.948 (5) A. In the crystal, hydrogen bonding involving the tertiary N—H groups of the trien ligand and N atoms of symmetry-related terminal cyanide groups links mol­ecules into a ribbon extending in the b-axis direction.
Gas-Pressure Bulge Forming of Mg AZ31 Sheet at 450°C

Magnesium (Mg) sheet materials, such as wrought AZ31, possess low densities and high strength- and stiffness-to-weight ratios. These properties suggest that the use of Mg sheet is viable for reducing vehicle weight, an important goal of the automotive industry. Magnesium exhibits poor ductility at room temperature, but high-temperature forming processes may be used to manufacture complex vehicle closure panels. Tensile tests are the most common method of characterizing the plastic deformation of sheet materials. However, gas-pressure bulge tests may be more representative of the stress states that occur during the manufacture of sheet metal components. This study investigates the plastic deformation of AZ31 sheet during both biaxial and plane-strain gas-pressure bulge forming at 450°C. The heights and thicknesses of formed specimens are measured and compared. The deformation behaviors of the AZ31 sheet are related to observations of grain growth and cavitation that occur during forming.
Disjoint Paths in Expander Graphs via Random Walks: A Short Survey

There has been a significant amount of research lately on solving the edge disjoint path and related problems on expander graphs. We review the random walk approach of Broder, Frieze and Upfal.
Merton, Robert C.

Robert C. Merton is John and Natty McArthur University Professor at Harvard Business School. He shared the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences in 1997. He introduced Ito calculus to finance and economics and made significant contributions in asset pricing, corporate finance, empirical finance, and financial systems. His most notable works include the intertemporal capital asset pricing model, the Black–Scholes–Merton option pricing formula, the Merton jump-diffusion model, and the Merton structural model for credit risk. Keywords: Robert Merton; continuous-time finance; intertemporal capital asset pricing model; derivatives; options; Merton model; credit risk; institutions; financial systems
Light scattering by 3He-4He mixtures near the tricritical point

Scattering intensity and related measurements have established the tricritical exponents for the divergences of the concentration susceptibility, $\ensuremath{\gamma}$, and of the correlation length for concentration fluctuations, $\ensuremath{\nu}$, have indicated a probable value for the exponent $\ensuremath{\eta}$, and have established a region of tricritical scaling.
The Deepest Rocks in the World

New discoveries and new experimental techniques are beginning to open an unexpected window on the hidden depths and workings of the Earth. The Earth's deepest rocks that can be held in the hand were delivered to us 100 million years ago by explosive eruptions of diamond-bearing kimberlite magma. For many years, the depth of wall-rocks carried to the surface has been estimated at about 150 km. Some nodules of the rock known as eclogite, however, may have come from at least 300 km, and perhaps more than 400 km, deep. If the latter figure is correct, the rocks could be samples from the enigmatic transition zone that is defined by changes in earthquake wave velocities, and whose origin is the subject of much debate.
Time Outdoors, Visual Activity, and Myopia Progression in Juvenile-Onset Myopes

Purpose. To investigate the association between myopia progression and time spent outdoors and in various visual activities.
Expression of bovine 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 cDNA in nonsteroidogenic (COS 1) cells

Cortisol production requires the activity of only 17 alpha-hydroxylase, whereas the formation of sex steroids requires both 17 alpha-hydroxylase and 17,20-lyase activities. Studies in reconstituted enzyme systems have suggested that a single steroid hydroxylase, 17 alpha-hydroxylase cytochrome P-450 (P-450(17) alpha), catalyzes both activities. By expression of bovine adrenocortical P-450(17 alpha) in COS 1 (transformed monkey kidney) cells, which normally contain no detectable P-450(17) alpha, it has now been established in situ that a single polypeptide chain does catalyze both the 17 alpha-hydroxylase and the 17,20-lyase reactions. This heterologous system supports 17 alpha-hydroxylation of pregnenolone and progesterone with equal efficiency, but catalyzes about five times as much 17,20-lyase activity when 17 alpha-hydroxypregnenolone is the substrate than when 17 alpha-hydroxyprogesterone is the substrate. For these activities to be observed in COS 1 cells, newly synthesized apocytochrome P-450(17) alpha must bind heme and insert into the endoplasmic reticulum such that endogenous cytochrome P-450 reductase can support hydroxylation. Thus, COS 1 cells are a useful system for expression and study of various forms of cytochrome P-450.
Strange-Particle Production in 2.7-GeV/c π - p Interactions

A total of 1514 strange-particle events have been analyzed in a sample of 30 000 pictures of incident 2.7-GeV/c ${\ensuremath{\pi}}^{\ensuremath{-}}$ in the 72-in. hydrogen bubble chamber. Strong resonance production is observed, particularly ${K}^{*}(888)$, $Y_{1}^{*}(1385)$, and $Y_{0}^{*}(1405 \mathrm{and} 1520)$. In general, baryon systems are peaked sharply backward in the center-of-mass system, consistent with peripheral production. Partial cross sections and a study of all final states are presented. The total strange-particle cross section at this energy is calculated to be 1.49\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.07 mb.
CASE STUDY: RELIABILITY MODELS AND MISCONCEPTIONS

Reliability is a critical quality characteristic of any system that is produced. As such, more and more quality engineers are faced with the task of performing reliability analyses. In almost all cases, the system under study is repairable in nature, ye..
A dual-adsorbent preconcentrator for a portable indoor-VOC microsensor system.

The development and testing of a miniature dual-adsorbent preconcentrator for a microsensor-based analytical system designed to determine complex volatile organic chemical (VOC) mixtures encountered in indoor working environments at low part-per-billion levels is described. Candidate adsorbents were screened for thermal-desorption bandwidth and breakthrough volume against 20 volatile organic vapors and subsets thereof as a function of several relevant variables. A glass capillary (1.1 mm i.d.) packed with 3.4 mg of Carbopack X and 1.2 mg of Carboxen 1000 provides sufficient capacity for a 1-L dry-air sample containing all 20 vapors at concentrations of 100 ppb as well as providing a composite half-height peak width of <3 s at a desorption temperature of 300 °C and a flow rate of 4 mL/min. Required adsorbent masses increase to 7.0 and 1.5 mg, respectively, for the same mixture at component concentrations of 1 ppm. Vapor breakthrough volumes for the Carbopack X are unaffected by humidity from 0 to 100%RH, b...
Annealing effect on reactivity of Oxygen-Covered au(111)

We present results of an investigation into the effect of annealing on the reactivity of atomic oxygen adsorbed on Au(111) employing reactive molecular beam scattering (RMBS) and temperature-programmed desorption (TPD) techniques. Isotopically labeled water (e.g., H218O and D216O), carbon monoxide (CO), and oxygen-labeled carbon dioxide (C18O2) were used as probe molecules to investigate the reactivity of adsorbed oxygen. Our results show that the reactivity of atomic oxygen-precovered Au(111) is significantly altered by annealing. The annealed surfaces were prepared by depositing atomic oxygen (16O or 18O) at 77 K followed by annealing to temperatures ranging from 100−420 K before dosing probe molecules (H218O, CO, or C18O2) at 77 K. Without exception, annealing dramatically diminishes the reactivity of oxygen for all three probe reactions. In the case of the oxygen−water interactions, TPD indicates that annealing decreases the amount of oxygen isotope scrambling between oxygen and water. Additionally, t...
Deformation of semi-solid Sn-15 Pct Pb alloy

The rheological behavior of semisolid Sn-15 pct Pb alloy was studied using a parallel-plate viscometer. Small nondendritic and dendritic semisolid samples of the alloy were deformed under a constant load at initial pressures up to 232 kPa (33.6 psi) and at fractions solid from 0.15 to 0.60. Strain-time data for the nondendritic material obey the non-Newtonian, two-parameter, Ostwald-de-Waele, power-law model,i.e. μ = mγn−1, where μ is viscosity γ shear rate andm andn are constants. For fractions solid above about 0.30, the following empirical equation relates viscosity, shear rate and fraction solidμ = a exp (bfs) γ(cfs+d) 0.3 <fs < 0.60 wherefs is fraction solid anda, b, c, d are constants. The nondendritic alloy deformed homogeneously without cracking to very large strains (up to 80 pct). Dendritic alloys required much higher loads and cracked easily. For the nondendritic alloys the forging pressures to obtain 50 pct compression were of the order of 7 to 70 kPa (1 to 10 psi) for fractions solid under 0.55 and 172.5 to 207 kPa (25 to 30 psi) for fraction solid of about 0.60. For the dendritic alloys, the forging pressure required to achieve 10 pct compression is about 85 kPa at a fraction solid of 0.35 and increases rapidly with increasing fraction solid.
Word's Worth

In the last issue, I invited you to join me in poking a bit of fun at some of the terms used in the data processing field. A little levity can relieve some of the tension that many have felt when confronted by computer jargon and it acknowledges that computer terminology was never designed to be easily understood. Computer terms are usually shorthand for concepts their users already understand.
Cell-mediated immunity in bovine anaplasmosis and correlation with protection induced by vaccination (a review)

Abstract Information related to pathogenesis, transmission, mechanism of protection and host-parasite interaction in anaplasmosis has not been completely established. Empirical methods of prevention and control of anaplasmosis include premunition, chemotherapy, and vaccination with inactivated preparations of A. marginale; however, absolute measurement of protection has not been available. The humoral antibody response is well documented but no evidence has been produced for the existence of protective antibodies. The leukocyte migration inhibition test, blast transformation, cytotoxicity measurement, and delayed cutaneous hypersensitivity response of animals exposed to virulent, attenuated and inactivated preparations of A. marginale have indicated that the cell-mediated immune response is probably related to protection in bovine anaplasmosis. Establishment of initial infection with replicating forms of anaplasma seems to be the only means of producing solid immunity against subsequent challenge. The attenuated A. marginale vaccine recently developed in our laboratory should therefore play an important role in prevention of anaplasmosis.
Applications of ray tracing in molecular graphics

Ray tracing is an elegant and powerful technique for creating computer-generated images. The wide variety of geometric primitives and realistic effects, such as reflections, transparency, and shadows, make it one of the most popular rendering methods in use today. We present a brief introduction to ray tracing and discuss some of the computational issues involved. Examples illustrate ray tracing's effectiveness for producing high-quality visualizations of molecular structures.
The highest energy cosmic ray

Abstract One should keep in mind that the highest energy cosmic rays may be photons or neutrinos. We discuss the particle assignment of the 3 × 10 20 eV shower recently observed by the Fly's Eye detector. We show that the event is not initiated by a photon and that the assignments of a proton and neutrino as the primary particle are, arguably, equally valid. Neither assignment is totally satisfactory.
Low molecular weight protamine : A potential nontoxic heparin antagonist

Protamine sulfate is the universal clinical antagonist to heparin and is used routinely after cardiovascular surgery to neutralize the anticoagulant function of heparin. Its clinical use, however, is associated with adverse effects including idiosyncratic fatal reactions. An examination of the mechanism of heparin neutralization and protamine toxicity suggests that the reversal of heparin anticoagulation may only require a small arginine-rich fragment of protamine to electrostatically dissociate antithrombin III from its binding to a specific pentasaccharide sequence in heparin. A review of literature indicates that chain-shortened peptide fragments derived from their parent proteins are normally accompanied with significantly reduced antigenicity and immunogenicity, which are two primary contributing factors to protamine-induced life-threatening toxic effects via an immunoglobulin-mediated pathway. Based on these observations, we propose our general hypothesis: if a chain-shortened low molecular weight protamine fragment containing the heparin-neutralizing domain could be derived directly from a native protamine, it could be a potent and nontoxic heparin antagonist. In this article, we present our experimental results to support the above hypothesis. LMWP fragments containing an intact arginine sequence and an average molecular weight of approximately 1.1 kDa were prepared successfully by enzymatic digestion of native protamine with thermolysin. In vitro studies demonstrated that such LMWP fragments completely neutralized the anticoagulant functions of heparin, based on the anti-Xa chromogenic assay and aPTT clotting time assay. Our in vivo results indicated that while administration of protamine to mice led to obvious production of antiprotamine antibodies, injection of LMWP did not elicit any detectable immunogenic responses. In addition, the LMWP fragments showed a significantly reduced antigenicity or, in other words, cross-reactivity towards the mice antiprotamine antibodies produced by the administration of protamine.
INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARY EXPERIENCES BY THE UNITED NATIONS

Abstract. Over the last few decades, the United Nations (UN) has been approached by Security Council and Member States on international boundary issues. The United Nations regards the adequate delimitation and demarcation of international boundaries as a very important element for the maintenance of peace and security in fragile post-conflict situations, establishment of friendly relationships and cross-border cooperation between States. This paper will present the main principles and framework the United Nations applies to support the process of international boundary delimitation and demarcation activities. The United Nations is involved in international boundary issues following the principle of impartiality and neutrality and its role as mediator. Since international boundary issues are multi-faceted, a range of expertise is required and the United Nations Secretariat is in a good position to provide diverse expertise within the multiple departments. Expertise in different departments ranging from legal, political, technical, administrative and logistical are mobilised in different ways to provide support to Member States depending on their specific needs. This presentation aims to highlight some of the international boundary projects that the United Nations Cartographic Section has been involved in order to provide the technical support to different boundary requirements as each international boundary issue requires specific focus and attention whether it be in preparation, delimitation, demarcation or management. Increasingly, the United Nations is leveraging geospatial technology to facilitate boundary delimitation and demarcation process between Member States. Through the presentation of the various case studies ranging from Iraq – Kuwait, Israel – Lebanon (Blue Line), Eritrea – Ethiopia, Cyprus (Green Line), Cameroon – Nigeria, Sudan – South Sudan, it will illustrate how geospatial technology is increasingly used to carry out the support. In having applied a range of geospatial solutions, some of the good practices that have been applied in preceding projects, but there have been challenges and limitations faced. However, these challenges need to be seen as an opportunity to improve the geospatial technology solutions in future international boundary projects. This presentation will also share the aspirations that the United Nations Cartographic Section has in becoming a facilitator in geospatial technical aspects related to international boundary issues as we increasingly develop our geospatial institutional knowledge base and expertise. The presentation will conclude by emphasizing the need for more collaboration between different actors dealing with geospatial technology on borderland issues in order to meet the main goal of the United Nations – to live and work together as "We the Peoples of the United Nations".
Effects of nanocrystalline CeO2 supports on the properties and performance of Ni–Rh bimetallic catalyst for oxidative steam reforming of ethanol

This study focuses on the effects of the CeO2 support properties on the catalyst properties and performance of bimetallic Ni?Rh/CeO2 catalysts containing 5 wt% Ni and 1 wt% Rh for the oxidative steam reforming (OSR) of ethanol for hydrogen production and fuel cell applications. Three CeO2 supports with different crystal sizes and surface areas were examined. The surface areas of these supports increases in the order of CeO2-I (74 m2/g) < CeO2-II (92 m2/g) < CeO2-III (154 m2/g), but their crystallite sizes were about 10.2, 29.3, and 6.5 nm, respectively. The properties of Ni?Rh/CeO2 catalysts were investigated by XRD, TPR, H2 chemisorption, and in situ XPS techniques. The Rh metal dispersion increased while the Ni metal dispersion decreased with decreasing crystallite sizes of CeO2. TPR studies revealed the existence of a Rh?CeO2 metal?support interaction as well as Ni?Rh interaction in the Ni?Rh bimetallic catalyst supported on CeO2-III with a crystallite size of about 6.5 nm. The in situ XPS studies corroborated the TPR results. The reduced Ni and Rh species were reversibly oxidized, suggesting the existence of Ni?Rh redox species rather than NiRh surface alloy in the present catalyst system. The Rh species became highly dispersed when the crystallite sizemore » of CeO2 support was smaller. Comparing the catalytic performance in the OSR of ethanol was compared with the properties of the catalysts demonstrated that both ethanol conversion and H2 selectivity increased and the selectivity for undesirable byproducts decreased with increasing Rh metal dispersion. Best catalytic performance for OSR was achieved by supporting Ni?Rh bimetallic catalysts on the nanocrystalline CeO2-III. The Ni?Rh/CeO2-III catalyst exhibited stable activity and selectivity during on-stream operations at 450 C and as well as at 600 C.« less
A case of metastatic mucoepidermoid carcinoma complicated by resistant hypercalcemia.

Tumors of salivary glands are uncommon and comprise of about 2%–4% of all head and neck tumors. About 75%–80% of these tumors are benign and include pleomorphic adenoma, monomorphic adenoma, oncocytoma, and papillary cystadenoma lymphomatosum. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma is the most common malignant tumor of salivary glands, representing 5–10% of all salivary gland tumors. Although known to be metastatic to local lymph nodes, distant metastases are rare (especially, with low and intermediate grade tumors). Histologic grade and the expression of various mucin glycoproteins are useful prognostic indicators. We present a case of mucoepidermoid carcinoma of parotid gland origin with distant metastases which is an uncommon occurrence with intermediate grade tumors. Also, this is the first reported case of humoral hypercalcemia of malignancy secondary to mucoepidermoid carcinoma.
Sedimentary framework of the Potomac River estuary, Maryland

Analyses of seismic-reflection profiles, sediment cores, grab samples, and side-scan sonar records, along with previously collected borehole data, reveal the characteristics, distribution, and geologic history of the shallow strata beneath the Potomac River estuary. The lowermost strata are sediments of the Chesapeake Group (lower Miocene to lower Pleistocene) that crop out on land near the shore but are buried as much as 40 m below the floor of the estuary. The top of these sediments is an erosional unconformity that outlines the Wisconsinan valley of the Potomac River. This valley has a sinuous trend, a flat bottom, a relief of 15 to 34 m, and axial depths of 34 to 54 m below present sea level. During the Holocene transgression of sea level, the ancestral valley was filled with as much as 40 m of sandy and silty, fluvial-to-shallow estuarine sediments. The fill became the substrate for oyster bars in the upper reach and now forms most marginal slopes of the estuary. Since sea level approached its present position (2,000 to 3,000 yr ago), the main channel has become the locus of deposition for watery, gray to black clay or silty clay, and waves and currents have eroded the heterogeneous Quaternary sediments along the margins, leaving winnowed brown sand on shallow shoreline flats. Pb-210 analyses indicate that modern mud is accumulating at rates ranging from 0.16 to 1.80 cm/yr, being lowest near the mouth and increasing toward the head of the estuary. This trend reflects an increased accumulation of fine-grained fluvial sediments near the turbidity maximum, similar to that found in nearby Chesapeake Bay. The present annual accumulation of mud is about 1.54 million metric tons; the cumulative mass is 406 million metric tons.
Rapid growth of large-scale (40–55 cm) KH2PO4 crystals

KDP (KH2PO4) single crystals up to 45 cm in size have been grown by the rapid growth technique on the point seed in glass crystallizers of 1000 L in volume at growth rates of 10–20 mm/day in both the [0 0 1] and [1 0 0] directions.
Psychiatric considerations in renal transplant surgery.

Abstract Kidney transplantation offers the patient with end stage renal disease an opportunity for a prolonged and nearly normal life. However, the procedure itself may create fear, anxiety, and depression in the recipient. Other problems include sexual dysfunction, distorted self-image, and suicide risk. Using a composite case history, the authors describe the complex reactions that may occur in the individual and his family. The psychiatrist can function as an integral part of the transplant team both in helping to prevent problems and in helping to meet the needs of the patient when difficulties do occur.
Characterization of mono-, di-, and tri-O-acetylated sialic acids on human cells.

The presence of mono-, di-, and tri-O-acetylated sialic acids on human cells was demonstrated by using radiochromatographic and chemical techniques. Human melanoma cells and fresh colon tissue were biosynthetically labeled with 6- (3H) glucosamine. Radiolabeled sialic acids were hydrolytically removed from cellular glycoconjugates, purified by ion-exchange chromatography, and separated by paper chromatography on the basis of the number of O-substitutions on each sialic molecule, This analytical technique characterized radiolabeled sialic acids that migrated with the same Rf as synthetic mono-, di-, and tri-O-acetylated 14C-labeled sialic acids. The mono-O-acetylated sialic acids were characterized by their sensitivity to sodium periodate oxidation and a crude mouse liver esterase preparation. The di- and tri-O-acetylated sialic acids were characterized by their resistance to sodium periodate oxidation and sensitivity to the action of crude mouse liver esterase. Chromatographically separated di- and tri-O-acetylated sialic acids from normal human colon tissue were characterized by their respective ion molecular weights by using fast-atom bombardment-mass spectrometry. Using these methods, we chemically characterized mono, di-, and tri-O-acetylated sialic acids expressed on human cells. Aberrant expression of O-acetylated sialic acids was associated with adenocarcinoma of the colon, leading to a nearly complete loss of di- and tri-O-acetylated sialic acids.
Simulation studies of the behavior of positrons in a microtrap with long aspect ratio

The storage capacity of positrons in micro-Penning-Malmberg traps with large length to radius aspect ratios and radii of tens of microns was explored. Simulation studies were conducted with the WARP code and Charged Particle Optics program. A new design of the Penning-Malmberg trap consisting of an array of microtraps with substantially lower end electrode potential than conventional traps was considered. Simulations demonstrated each microtrap with 50 μm radius immersed in a 7T uniform magnetic field could store positrons indefinitely with a density of 1.6 × 1011cm-3 while the confinement voltage was only 10V. For microtraps with radii between 100 μm and 3 μm, the particle density scaled as r -2. Charge clouds developed the expected radial density distribution (that of a soft edge) and rigid rotation evolved to some extent. Plasma confinement time was independent of trap length.
Dissociation of Its Opposing Immunologic Effects Is Critical for the Optimization of Antitumor CD8+ T-Cell Responses Induced by Interleukin 21

Purpose: Interleukin 21 (IL-21) is a promising new cytokine, which is undergoing clinical testing as an anticancer agent. Although IL-21 provides potent stimulation of CD8 + T cells, it has also been suggested that IL-21 is immunosuppressive by counteracting the maturation of dendritic cells. The dissociation of these two opposing effects may enhance the utility of IL-21 as an immunotherapeutic. In this study, we used a cell-based artificial antigen-presenting cell (aAPC) lacking a functional IL-21 receptor (IL-21R) to investigate the immunostimulatory properties of IL-21. Experimental Design: The immunosuppressive activity of IL-21 was studied using human IL-21R + dendritic cells. Antigen-specific CD8 + T cells stimulated with human cell–based IL-21R - aAPC were used to isolate the T-cell immunostimulatory effects of IL-21. The functional outcomes, including phenotype, cytokine production, proliferation, and cytotoxicity were evaluated. Results: IL-21 limits the immune response by maintaining immunologically immature dendritic cells. However, stimulation of CD8 + T cells with IL-21R - aAPC, which secrete IL-21, results in significant expansion. Although priming in the presence of IL-21 temporarily modulated the T-cell phenotype, chronic stimulation abrogated these differences. Importantly, exposure to IL-21 during restimulation promoted the enrichment and expansion of antigen-specific CD8 + T cells that maintained IL-2 secretion and gained enhanced IFN-γ secretion. Tumor antigen-specific CTL generated in the presence of IL-21 recognized tumor cells efficiently, demonstrating potent effector functions. Conclusions: IL-21 induces opposing effects on antigen-presenting cells and CD8 + T cells. Strategic application of IL-21 is required to induce optimal clinical effects and may enable the generation of large numbers of highly avid tumor-specific CTL for adoptive immunotherapy.
Pelvic Inflammatory Disease in a Virginal Adolescent: A Case Report

between pill strength prescribed and endometrial complex thickness (EML) (r 1⁄4 0.37, p 1⁄4 .79). There was no significant difference in presence of hemorrhagic cyst or EML on ultrasound in patients that had a positive BD workup versus those whose workup was negative. Patients diagnosed with a BD were more likely to have been prescribed a 50mcg pill, prior to diagnosis, than those who did not carry a diagnosis however this did not reach statistical significance (21.9% vs 10.7%, p1⁄40.07). Conclusion: Patients that report severe HMB are more likely to be prescribed a high dose COC at this institution. EML is unlikely to be an important aspect of the work for adolescents with HMB as it was not greater for patients reporting severe HMB or those diagnosed with a BD. Additionally, hemorrhagic cysts were rare in all groups regardless of pill prescribed or outcome of BD workup.
Comparative Evaluation of the Tolerability of Cefazolin and Nafcillin for Treatment of Methicillin-Susceptible Staphylococcus aureus Infections in the Outpatient Setting

Background. Nafcillin and cefazolin are considered first-line therapy for most infections with methicillin-susceptible Staphylococcus aureus (MSSA), and recent studies have suggested similar clinical efficacy. Limited data are available on the comparative tolerability of these agents. Methods. In this retrospective cohort analysis of patients treated with either nafcillin or cefazolin for MSSA infection in the outpatient parenteral antimicrobial therapy clinic at Massachusetts General Hospital from 2007 to 2011, the frequency of premature antimicrobial discontinuation (PAD) and drug-emergent events (DEEs) was calculated. Results. Three hundred sixty-six and 119 patients were treated with nafcillin or cefazolin, respectively. The median anticipated duration of therapy was comparable at 28 (interquartile range [IQR], 16–37) and 29 (IQR, 24–39) days, respectively, for those treated with nafcillin and cefazolin. Fewer patients completed the prespecified treatment course with nafcillin than with cefazolin (PAD rate, 33.8% vs 6.7%; P < .0001). The hazard ratio for PAD in the nafcillin vs cefazolin groups was 2.81 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.26–3.68). More patients in the nafcillin group developed rash (13.9% vs 4.2%; P = .002), renal dysfunction (11.4% vs 3.3%; P = .006), and liver function abnormalities (8.1% vs 1.6%; P = .01). Overall rates of DEEs per 1000 patient-days were 16.9 (95% CI, 10.4–27.3) and 4.8 (95% CI, 1.1–10.2), respectively. In 9 cases of nafcillin discontinuation, treatment was changed to cefazolin; all 9 completed treatment with no further observed DEEs. Conclusions. Nafcillin treatment was associated with higher rates of both PAD as well as DEEs compared with cefazolin treatment. This difference in tolerability, in addition to efficacy and cost, should be considered when decisions for outpatient parenteral MSSA treatment are made.
Partial purification and characterization of the DNA polymerase from the cyanelles of Cyanophora paradoxa

A DNA polymerase was partially purified and characterized from the photosynthetic organelles (cyanelles) of the protist, Cyanophora paradoxa. While cyanelles have several cyanobacterial features, such as a lysozyme-sensitive cell wall, unstacked thylakoids and light harvesting phycobilisomes, their genome size and structure resemble those of chloroplasts, suggesting that cyanelles occupy a unique intermediate position between chloroplasts and their phylogenetic ancestors, the cyanobacteria. When comparing the biochemical characteristics of the cyanelle DNA polymerase to those of its counterparts from higher plant chloroplasts and from a cyanobacterium, it is clear that the cyanelle enzyme resembles chloroplast DNA polymerases which are eukaryotic γ-type enzymes.
Specific heat of RbCl

Abstract The specific heat of RbCl has been measured in the temperature range of 0.8 K to 16 K. The Debye temperature at 0 K is estimated to be 166 ± 2.5 K.
3D Beamlet Prestack Depth Migration Using the Local Cosine Basis Propagator

Wave equation based beamlet poststack and prestack depth migration using Local Cosine Basis LCB prop agator is further developed and tested The idea of the method consists of a beamlet propagator and local per turbations for each window of the wave eld decom position using an orthogonal local cosine basis We present a semi analytical beamlet propagator which is easy to be tabulated Combined with phase correction operators the e ciency is greatly improved for prac tical use The numerical experiments in an individ ual beamlet propagation in a homogeneous medium show the beam s localization properties in both space and wavenumber direction Poststack and prestack depth migration applications to the SEG EAGE salt model data demonstrate the great potential of this ap proach
Charge Transport Asymmetry in Cryogenic High Purity Germanium

The SuperCDMS experiment relies on detection of free charges generated in high purity germanium (HPGe) crystals by particle interactions. To better understand long-term trapping effects which make carriers unavailable for such rapid ionization measurements, we used infrared LEDs ( $$\lambda $$ = 940 nm) to create electron-hole pairs near each face of a HPGe SuperCDMS detector operated under applied electric field at 400 mK. By alternating the polarity of an applied electric field, we were able to study propagation of each carrier through the crystal separately. Asymmetry in the resulting current transients revealed differences in trapping characteristics between electrons and holes at these low temperatures.
Enhancement of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal status of an established ginger crop through a mycorrhizal onion companion crop

Mycorrhiza-free and mycorrhizal seedlings of onion were transplanted in the field along rows of previously established plants of ginger in order to evaluate the possibility of enhancing arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) colonization of ginger via a companion crop. Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungal colonization of roots determined 138 days after transplanting of onion showed that roots of all plants were colonized by the fungi. However, the level of AM fungal colonization of onion roots was significantly higher if onion seedlings were colonized by the fungi prior to transplanting than if they were not. Dry matter yield of onion was more than tripled by AM fungal inoculation. The level of AM fungal colonization of ginger roots was significantly enhanced in the presence of a mycorrhizal companion onion, not in the presence of a non-mycorrhizal one. However, the yield of ginger was unaffected by the presence of onion irrespective of mycorrhizal status. Our data raise the possibility that the mycorrhizal status of an es...
Small noncleaved follicular center cell (FCC) lymphoma: Burkitt and non-Burkitt variants in the United States. I. Clinical features†

With the understanding that Burkitt's lymphoma was of follicular center cell (FCC) derivation, Lukes and Collins classified the tumor, descriptively, as small noncleaved FCC lymphoma. Two subtypes were described: Burkitt and non-Burkitt. Attempting to define the clinicopathologic features of the subtypes, we studied 42 patients: 25 Burkitt and 17 non-Burkitt. Histologically, the Burkitt tumor demonstrated remarkable uniformity of nuclear size and contour, whereas the non-Burkitt variant had greater variability. Immunoglobulin monoclonality was demonstrated in 83% of Burkitt and 81% of non-Burkitt cases. Burkitt patients tended to be younger. Gastrointestinal disease was seen in 15 Burkitt and only four non-Burkitt patients (P less than 0.05). Disseminated disease was found in the majority of both variants. Marrow involvement was demonstrated in 4.5% of Burkitt and 37.5% of non-Burkitt patients (P less than 0.05). Median survival of Burkitt patients was 10.5 months versus 7.7 months in the non-Burkitt group. The authors believe that significant biologic differences between the variants have been demonstrated, which may be of potential value to the clinician.
Teaching linear systems theory using Cramer's rule

A pedagogical approach based upon Cramer's rule is outlined for the presentation of linear systems theory in a first course for engineering students. The Laplace complex variable, or the Heaviside derivative operator, is used with Cramer's rule from elementary mathematics to allow students to expeditiously gain a foothold on linear dynamic systems theory. The approach applies to the broad class of finite-dimensional linear time invariant systems as they can be readily expressed as a square system of equations in the form Ax=Bu. The elements of the system's A and B matrices are, in general, polynomials in the Laplace complex variable or the Heaviside derivative operator. Cramer's rule permits an explicit solution for this square nonhomogeneous system for a desired unknown, or output, with respect to an input of interest. Consequently, Cramer's rule gives rise to a general method with pedagogical appeal for obtaining desired system transfer functions. The computational tasks may be done initially by hand and then by appropriate software as problems of greater complexity are examined. >
Waiting and propagating fronts in nonlinear diffusion

Abstract A nonlinear diffusion equation is considered, where the nonlinearity arises due to the variation of the diffusion coefficient with concentration. If this diffusion coefficient vanishes at a certain value of the concentration, this produces a number of interesting interfacial effects, such as the finite propagation speed of interfaces (in contrast to the infinite propagation speed of linear diffusion) and waiting-time behavior (in which the interfaces can remain stationary for a finite time before beginning to move). A relatively simple singular perturbation analysis is given to explain these effects.
Structure Based Prediction of Protein Folding Intermediates

Abstract The complete unfolding of a protein involves the disruption of non-covalent intramolecular interactions within the protein and the subsequent hydration of the backbone and amino acids side-chains. The magnitude of the thermodynamic parameters associated with this process is known accurately for a growing number of globular proteins for which high-resolution structures are also available. The existence of this database of structural and thermodynamic information has facilitated the development of statistical procedures aimed at quantifying the relationship existing between protein structure and the thermodynamic parameters of folding/unfolding. Under some conditions proteins do not unfold completely, giving rise to states (commonly known as molten globules) in which molecule retains some secondary structure and remains in a compact configuration after denaturation. This phenomenon is reflected in the thermodynamics of the process. Depending on the nature of the residual structure that exists after denaturation, the observed enthalpy, entropy and heat capacity changes will deviate in a particular and predictable way from the values expected for complete unfolding. For several proteins, these deviations have been shown to exhibit similar characteristics, suggesting that their equilibrium folding intermediates exhibit some common structural features. Employing empirically derived structure-energetic relationships, it is possible to identify in the native structure of the protein those regions with the higher probability of being structured in equilibrium partly folded states. In this work, a thermodynamic search algorithm aimed at identifying the structural determinants of the molten globule state has been applied to six globular proteins; α-lactalbumin, barnase, III Gle , interleukin-1β, phage T4 lysozyme and phage 434 repressor. Remarkably, the structural features of the predicted equilibrium intermediates coincide to a large extent with the known structural features of the corresponding intermediates determined by NMR hydrogen-exchange experiments.
Cloning of distributions

Consider a parent bivariate distribution on [0, 1]2. From this distribution, we construct cloned distributions on [0, 1]2 by decreasing the parent distribution times in each direction and repeating the decreased distribution m 2 times, which generates the m 2 ‘clones’ of the parent distribution. Classes of m distributions constructed in this manner are studied and the corresponding statistical properties and dependence structures are derived. Applications include cell counts in contingency tables and, more generally, any operation that is repeated in a pre-assigned pattern.
Modeling the development of written language

Alternative models of the structure of individual and developmental differences of written composition and handwriting fluency were tested using confirmatory factor analysis of writing samples provided by first- and fourth-grade students. For both groups, a five-factor model provided the best fit to the data. Four of the factors represented aspects of written composition: macro-organization (use of top sentence and number and ordering of ideas), productivity (number and diversity of words used), complexity (mean length of T-unit and syntactic density), and spelling and punctuation. The fifth factor represented handwriting fluency. Handwriting fluency was correlated with written composition factors at both grades. The magnitude of developmental differences between first grade and fourth grade expressed as effect sizes varied for variables representing the five constructs: large effect sizes were found for productivity and handwriting fluency variables; moderate effect sizes were found for complexity and macro-organization variables; and minimal effect sizes were found for spelling and punctuation variables.