cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The early philosophical discourse on language and reality and Lu Ji’s and Liu Xie’s theories of literary creation

This paper is an attempt to investigate how Lu Ji and Liu Xie develop their theories of literary creation on the foundation of the early philosophical discourse on language and reality. The first part of the paper examines various key terms, concepts, and paradigms developed in the philosophical discourse. The second part pursues a close reading of Lu’s and Liu’s texts to demonstrate how ingeniously they adapt and integrate those terms, concepts, and paradigms to accomplish two important tasks: to establish a broad framework for conceptualizing literary creation and to differentiate the complex mental and linguistic endeavors at different stages of the creative process. The paper ends with some general reflections on the impact of the two essays on the subsequent development of Chinese literary and aesthetic thoughts.
Cytochemical localization of lectin labeled vesicles in GERL region of hepatoma ascites cells.

The fate of lectin labeled internalized plasma membrane in the ascites tumor form of the Chang rat hepatoma growing under in vivo and in vitro conditions was investigated cytochemically. Ascites cells were incubated in Concanavalin A (Con A) and horseradish peroxidase (PO), either with or without prior glutaraldehyde fixation and subsequently treated with 3′,3-diaminobenzidine. In cells fixed before Con-A-PO labeling the reaction product was localized as a continuous and even layer upon the external surface of the plasma membrane. If unfixed cells were treated with Con A, coupled with PO at 4°C and reinbated in phosphate buffered saline at 37°C for varying periods of time, the Con-A-PO layer was of irregular thickness. In as little as 15 min of reincubation endocytotic vesicles containing PO positive material were closely associated with GERL components of the Golgi Apparatus. Localization of acid phosphatase (ACPase) within GERL vesicles, similar in size and location to those containing Con-A-PO reaction product, indicates that the Con-A-PO labeled vesicles may be a component of the Golgi apparatus in hepatoma cells.
Phase velocities from seismic noise using beamforming and cross correlation in Costa Rica and Nicaragua

An expression for the cross correlation of noise between seismic stations and the 2D Green's function is derived assuming that noise travels as 2D surface waves. The phase velocity is obtained directly from the noise correlation function with a phase shift of +?/4. Mean phase velocity dispersion curves are calculated for the TUCAN seismic array in Costa Rica and Nicaragua from ambient seismic noise using two independent methods, noise cross correlation and beamforming. The noise cross correlation and beamforming methods are compared and contrasted by evaluating results from the TUCAN array. The results of the two methods as applied to the TUCAN array agree within 1%, giving good confidence in the phase velocities extracted from noise.
Gamma-ray spectral imaging using a single-shutter radiation camera

As part of a program to develop mobile robots for reactor environments, we are developing a radiation-imaging camera capable of operating in medium-intensity (<2 R/h), medium-energy (<8 MeV) gamma-ray fields. A systematic study of available detectors indicated the advisability of a high-Z scintillator. The raster-scanning camera uses a lead-shielded bismuth germanate (BGO) scintillator (1.25 cm×1.25 cm right-circular cylinder) coupled to a photomultiplier tube (PMT) operated in pulse mode. Measurements yielded an angular resolution of 2.5° and energy resolution of 12.9% at 662 keV. The camera motion is totally automated and controlled by stepping motors connected to a remote computer. Several 2D images of radioactive sources have been acquired in fields of up to 400 mR/h and energies up to 2.75 MeV. Some of the images demonstrate the ability of the camera to image a polychromatic field.
Characterization of allergenic food proteins for improved diagnostic methods.

Purpose of review Diagnostic decision points for food allergen-specific serum IgE concentration and for skin prick test results have been established for several foods, reducing the requirement for food challenges in a number of patients. Many patients, however, still need to undergo oral food challenges because their food-specific IgE level is in the undefined range. In addition, diagnostic decision points could not be established for several foods. It appears that measurement of serum specific IgE concentrations to individual allergens is superior to determination of specific IgE to the crude food extract containing allergenic and nonallergenic proteins. This review will outline recent advantages in characterization of food allergens as well as the relevance of this knowledge for use in recently developed protein microarray technology. Recent findings Protein microarrays have been developed to profile allergen-specific IgE antibodies from human serum with the advantage of screening hundreds of allergens in parallel using minute amounts of blood. This technology, however, requires prior knowledge of the proteins to be studied. The identification and characterization of clinically relevant allergens have increased dramatically within the last several years. Relevant new allergens have been identified, especially in tree nuts and seeds. Interestingly, most of these allergens belong to the same family of seed storage proteins. In addition, known food allergens have been further characterized and IgE-binding sites have been determined. Moreover, 'informative' peptides shown to be predictive for the persistence of food allergy have been identified. Summary The combination of food allergen characterization and protein or peptide microarray technology will enable us to develop improved diagnostic tools in food allergy.
Identification of a HMGA2-EFCAB6 gene rearrangement following next-generation sequencing in a patient with a t(12;22)(q14.3;q13.2) and JAK2V617F-positive myeloproliferative neoplasm.

Myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) result from genetically altered hematopoietic stem cells that retain the capacity for multilineage differentiation. The study of genomic mutations identified so far suggests that they occur after a common ancestral event or that different mutations result in similar MPN phenotypes. We report analysis of a chromosomal translocation, t(12;22)(q14.3;q13.2), in a patient with a BCR-ABL1 -negative, JAK2V617F- positive MPN. Comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) array and targeted sequencing detected no mutation in nine genes reported to influence the JAK2V617F -driven MPNs ( MPL , LNK , CBL, TET2 , EZH2, IKZF1, IDH1, IDH2, ASXL1 ). Next-generation sequencing revealed a balanced HMGA2-EFCAB6 genomic rearrangement. The HMGA2 breakpoint leads to the loss of seven 3′UTR binding sites for the microRNA (miRNA) let -7 tumor suppressor. The breakpoint in the EFCAB6 gene abrogates transcription of EFCAB6 . Measurement of expression showed retention of HMGA2 transcription and no detectable EFCAB6 transcript. Allele burden comparison in a sample containing the translocation, showed 90% HMGA2-EFCAB6 versus 50% JAK2V617F allele dose, suggesting HMGA2-EFCAB6 rearrangement plays a more ancestral role, pre- JAK2V617F , in the neoplastic process. The pathogenicity of the translocation may rest on collaborations among JAK2V617F -induced constitutive activation of JAK2, the oncogenic property of HMGA2 , and disrupted pathways, such as alteration in DJ-1 expression, resulting from the impact of EFCAB6 abrogation.
Heavy Flavor Physics in STAR

Abstract The STAR experiment at the BNL Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider (RHIC) measured heavy flavor production via two independent channels: hadronic and semileptonic decays. The nonphotonic electron spectrum was measured over a wide range of pT (up to 10 GeV/c). The low-pT region was constrained by muon measurements. The extracted charm cross section, in p+p, d+Au, and Au+Au collisions, exhibits binary scaling suggestive of charm origins in the early phase of the collision. The nuclear modification factor shows a consistent pattern of suppression at high pT in central heavy-ion collisions not explained by current theoretical models.
Nonlinear fin heat transfer

Abstract The nonlinear differential equation controlling the steady state temperature variation in a fin is solved, using a substitution that is valid within previous experimental knowledge of the problem. The temperature distribution is given in terms of Jacobian elliptic functions. Plots illustrating the agreement between theory and experiment are shown for an aluminum fin and a steel fin. Fin effectiveness equations are included in the Appendix.
Purcell's method, projective n-space, and a parallelizable, sparse linear equation solver

This paper gives a brief overview of what is intrinsically a variation of Gaussian elimination, but a variation that seems well-suited for sparse systems, especially randomly sparse systems. It can be parallelized at least as well as the usual Gaussian elimination and readily vectorized as well. Detailed descriptions, discussions, error analysis, etc. will appear elsewhere.
Chemometric analysis of multisensor arrays

Abstract A review of multivariate calibration techniques and their possible application to data from partially selective sensor arrays is presented. The techniques of analysis of linear models, progressing from multiple linear regression and principal components regression to partial least squares, are discussed in terms of their respective ability to handle interferences and collinearity. Additional analysis models are introduced to detect underlying background problems for sensor arrays and the ability to quantitate analytes directly by rank annihilation factor analysis when two dimensional data are obtained.
A methodology for determining the patch-matrix compartmental location of extracellular single-unit recordings in the striatum of freely moving rats

A methodology was developed to combine extracellular electrophysiological recording techniques in awake, behaving rats with immunohistochemical protocols to determine the placement of recording sites in the patch (striosome) or matrix (extrastriosome) regions of the striatum. The recording system includes a 3-barrel glass micropipette, which can be used to deposit Pontamine Sky Blue to mark a small number of neurons at the recording site. Subsequent immunostaining for calbindin allows the site to be localized within the patch-matrix organization. Other dyes or neuroanatomical probes can be ejected from other barrels of the recording pipette to label afferent and efferent structures. The methodology can be applied to many brain regions, providing for integrative studies of behavior and nervous system structure and function.
Aerodynamics and interaction noise of streamlined bodies in nonuniform flows

Abstract The unsteady aerodynamics and interaction noise of streamlined bodies are modeled in terms of the Euler equations linearized about a nonuniform flow. The validity of the inviscid approach is supported by recent LES simulations of an airfoil in a gust indicating that for not-too-small impinging excitations, the interaction process is dominated by inertia forces. Results in the present paper are focused on the aerodynamics and interaction noise of a turbofan modeled as an annular cascade. The model accounts for the inflow-fan-duct coupling and the high frequency of the interaction process. Two high-order numerical algorithms are developed with body-fitted coordinate system. One algorithm uses a primitive variable formulation, the other uses an efficient velocity splitting algorithm and is suitable for broadband computations. Analytical and numerical analysis of disturbances in rotational flows is developed and exact inflow/outflow boundary conditions are derived, yielding directly the radiated acoustics. The upstream disturbances evolve in rotational flows and as a result the aerodynamic–aeroacoustic response of the annular cascade depends on the initial conditions location. Computational results show that the three-dimensional geometry of the annular cascade, the mean flow swirl, and the blade geometry have strong influence on the blade sectional lift and the radiated sound. These results also show the inadequacy of using the popular linear cascade model particularly for realistic fan geometry and inflow conditions.
The Effects of Rehearsal and Chunking Instructions on Children's Multitrial Free Recall.

Abstract Age differences in multitrial free recall were examined by administering three instructional conditions to Ss in Grades I, V, and IX: (a) standard instructions; (b) overtly rehearse during picture presentation; (c) “chunk” the items by establishing mediational links. Recall, organization, and S-units (subjective groupings) increased with Grade. At Grade I, type of instruction had no effect on recall or organization but S-units increased under chunking instructions. All performance measures, at Grade V, were facilitated by chunking instructions. An adultlike performance pattern, a slight improvement under chunking instructions and a small decline with rehearsal instructions, was obtained at Grade IX. The discussion considered: the relation between age and memory mechanisms; the productional, mediational, and retrieval aspects of children's organization.
Optimized Connectivity Restoration in a Partitioned Wireless Sensor Network

Due to the harsh operation conditions a wireless sensor network (WSN) may suffer large scale damage where many nodes fail simultaneously causing the network to get partitioned into multiple disjoint segments. Restoring network connectivity in such a case is very crucial to avoid negative effects on the application. This paper investigates a relay node (RN) placement strategy to establish inter-segment connectivity and proposes CIST, an algorithm for forming a Connected Inter-Segment Topology. CIST uses segment representation as a means of optimization for minimizing the required number of RNs. The idea behind the algorithm is to find the best subsets of three segments and form a triangular Steiner Minimum Tree with minimum Steiner Points and federate the remaining segment through populating the RNs along mst edges. The performance of CIST is validated through simulation.
Spectra of identified particles, geometry categorization and bias and global observables in d+Au collisions

Abstract Geometry selection in d + Au / p + Pb collisions is crucial for understanding the physics underlying modified nuclear parton distribution functions, gluon saturation or shadowing, initial state energy loss, and possible hydrodynamic flow in these small systems. The PHENIX Collaboration tests for auto-correlation biases in the geometry determination in small collision systems. These biases are well understood and an order of magnitude smaller at RHIC as compared to the LHC. As a result, auto-correlation biases are unable to describe the suppression of high transverse momentum ( p T ) π 0 's seen in the ratio of central-to-peripheral d + Au collisions. The centrality dependent d + Au pion, kaon and proton yields relative to binary collision-scaled p + p yields are also reported, including the high p T π 0 and K S 0 . At intermediate p T , between 2 and 5 GeV / c , baryons are enhanced in central d + Au collisions. The baryon enhancement is present in d + Au and Au + Au collisions and increases with centrality. We compare identified particle yields in peripheral Au + Au collisions to central d + Au collisions that have a comparable number of participants and binary collisions. The p T dependence of this ratio is strikingly similar for mesons and baryons.
Reactive unbalanced magnetron sputtering of the nitrides of Ti, Zr, Hf, Cr, Mo, Ti-Al, Ti-Zr and Ti-Al-V

Reactive unbalanced magnetron sputtering was used to deposit eight different nitride coatings on hardened 440C stainless steel rolling contact fatigue (RCF) test specimens. The target materials used in this study were Ti, Zr, Hf, Cr, Mo, Ti0.5Al0.5, Ti0.5Zr0.5 and Ti-Al-V (the aircraft alloy Ti-6 wt.%Al-4wt.%V). All the coatings were characterized using X-ray diffraction, microhardness and scratch adhesion tests. Ti, Zr and Hf form the simple binary nitrides of TiN, ZrN and HfN, respectively, with an f.c.c. structure and a range in stoichiometry. Cr and Mo form a range of nitrides, starting with a solid solution of nitrogen in each of them, a Cr2N or Mo2N phase, and a CrN or MoN phase. The MoN phase was not conclusively formed in this work. Mo2N forms in two different phases, i.e. β and γ phases, depending on the nitrogen partial pressure. The Ti-alloyed nitrides all form an f.c.c. structure. The coatings selected for the RCF tests ranged in hardness from a low of 1900 kg mm−2 for Ti0.5Al0.5N and CrN to a high of 2800 kg mm−2 for Ti0.5Zr0.5N. The deposition conditions for forming these nitrides are given in this paper. Also, the similarities and differences, both in the deposition conditions and in the resulting properties, are reviewed.
An electrophoretic study of protein extracted in distilled water and in saline solution from the eye lens nucleus of the squid, Nototodarus hawaiiensis (Berry).

Abstract 1. 1. Left lens nuclei from fourteen squid, Nototodarus hawaiiensis , were separately extracted in distilled water; right lens nuclei were extracted in 0.14 g% saline solution. 2. 2. Electrophoretic separation of the proteins extracted in each medium produced six different patterns of five to eleven fractions, with most patterns having six bands. Anodally migrating protein extracted in distilled water produced the most distinctive pattern variations. 3. 3. The method of electrophoretic separation of nuclear lens protein is applicable to identifying separate breeding populations of squid. 4. 4. Nuclear lens protein of squid and of vertebrates is alike in solubility characteristics, in most migrating toward the cathode and in varying intra-specifically.
Enhancing the Influence of Distal Primes on Creativity: The Role of Contextual and Personal Variables

Through two experiments, we confirm that environmental primes promote both the quantity and quality of consumer creativity. More importantly, primes interact with mood, gender, and expectations of performance feedback. Study 1 revealed an interaction between prime type and mood where distal primes enhanced the quantity but not the quality of creative solutions for those in a negative mood. Study 2 showed an interaction between prime type and expectation of performance feedback where distal primes increased the total number of creative solutions and novelty. Lastly, there was a gender and mood interaction in Study 1. Theoretical and managerial implications are offered.
Validity Concerns in the Measurement of Women’s and Men’s Report of Intimate Partner Violence

The measurement of intimate partner violence (IPV) has proven to be more complex than originally anticipated and content and construct validity need to be greatly improved for IPV assessment. For measurement of IPV in the United States, these validity issues range from providing the most accurate wording for the content domain to controversies as to when violent actions are counted (e.g., self-defense) or whether to include mild aggression (e.g., psychological conflict tactics) that may be more normative and not harmful. The three major forms of IPV (i.e., physical, sexual, and psychological abuse) have distinct validity issues and may require different modalities for assessment. Gender needs to be considered when establishing construct validity due to differences in the meaning of aggression, impacts of abuse, and even patterns of violence for women and men. External threats to validity include potential bias of self-report and motivations when reporting on a partner, discrepancies in couples’ reports, the influence of response styles, and design issues affecting reporting. Traditional methods used to establish validity for IPV scales are reviewed and critiqued. Recommendations for enhancing validity in IPV assessment are provided.
Oxygen Uptake-Oxygen Delivery Alterations in the Isolated Liver After Hydrogen Peroxide Challenge

Abstract Acute, diffuse lung injury is frequently complicated by systemic organ injury and alterations in the relationship between oxygen uptake (VO2) and oxygen delivery (QO2). In this regard, systemic organ neutrophil accumulation and morphologic alterations consistent with systemic organ injury often occur in nonpulmonary organs in these settings. However, whether VO2-QO2 matching is also altered in these injured systemic organs remains unproven. Thus, the present study was designed to test the hypothesis that hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), a product of neutrophil oxidative metabolism, will cause systemic organ structural abnormalities and alter VO2-QO2 matching. To test this hypothesis, VO2-QO2 relationships, morphologic changes, and organ water content were evaluated in both uninjured, isolated perfused rabbit livers and in isolated perfused rabbit livers after injury with 5 mmol/L H2O2. Following H2O2 injury, peak VO2 fell from 1.36 ± 0.35 mL/min/ 100 g to 0.79 ± 0.16 mL/min/ 100 g (P
PREPARATION OF PHOSPHORANES FROM TRIVALENT PHOSPHORUS COMPOUNDS AND 1,2-DIOXANE

Abstract 1,2-Dioxane has been allowed to react with a variety of trivalent phosphorus compounds. In some cases pentacoordinate phosphorus compounds were formed, whereas in others tetrahydrofuran and the appropriate phosphoryl containing compound were produced. The mechanism of the reaction is discussed.
Asymmetrical effect of unilateral cortical lesions and amphetamine on DRL-20: A time-loss analysis

Male Sprague Dawley rats received unilateral 1.5 mm diameter focal suction lesions of either the left or right orbito-frontal cortex and were tested for response to 6 doses of amphetamine sulfate ranging from 0.5 to 1.5 mg/kg on a DRL-20 schedule of reinforcement. Right hemispheric lesion animals obtained a greater number of control reinforcements and were more sensitive to amphetamine's disruptive effects, showing a greater dose-related decrease in water rewards obtained than left lesion animals. An analysis method is introduced which combines the interactive effects of premature responses and their IRT value in a way that relates directly to reinforcement attainment. Calculated total session time made unavailable for reinforcement due to premature responding, correlated negatively (r = -.942) with the number of reinforcements obtained.
Professional development in photonics: the advanced technology education projects of the New England Board of Education

Since 1995, the New England Board of Education (NEBHE) has been providing curriculum and professional development as well as laboratory improvement in optics/photonics to middle school and high school teachers and college faculty across the United States. With funding from the National Science Foundation's Advanced Technology Education program, NEBHE's optics/photonics education projects have created a national network of educational and industry alliances resulting in opportunities in optics and photonics for students at participating schools and colleges. The cornerstone of NEBHE projects is collaboration among educational levels, career counselors and teachers/faculty, and industry and academia. In such a rich atmosphere of cooperation, participants have been encouraged to create their own regional projects and activities involving students from middle school through four-year universities. In this paper we will describe the evolution of teacher/faculty professional development from a traditional week-long summer workshop to a collaborative distance learning laboratory course based on adult learning principles and supported by a national network of industry mentors.
Reproducibility of jumping mechanography and traditional measures of physical and muscle function in older adults

Improved approaches to assess functional change over time are needed to optimally reduce fall/fracture risk; jumping mechanography (JM) may be one such methodology. In this study, JM parameters were more reproducible than traditional functional tests. JM may be better able to demonstrate efficacy of interventions to mitigate sarcopenia. Jumping mechanography (JM), a tool using maximal countermovement jumps performed on a force plate, may more reliably assess muscle function than traditional methods. The purpose of this study was to examine JM retest reliability in older adults compared with commonly used muscle and physical function assessments. Community-dwelling individuals age ≥70 years performed physical and muscle function assessments including the short physical performance battery (SPPB), grip strength, and JM on multiple occasions over 3 months. JM parameters included body weight-corrected peak power and jump height. Appendicular lean mass was measured by dual energy x-ray (DXA). Mixed effects linear regression models were used to estimate between- and within-person variability summarized as intra-class correlation coefficients (ICC). Ninety-seven individuals (49 females, 48 males, mean age 80.7 years) participated. All testing was well tolerated; no participant sustained injury. Jump power, height, and grip strength were greater (p < 0.0001) in men than women. Grip strength, jump power, and height had excellent ICCs (0.95, 0.93, and 0.88, respectively); chair rise, SPPB score, and gait speed had lower ICCs (0.81, 0.77, and 0.76, respectively). In older adults, JM has excellent retest reliability, is stable over time, and can be performed safely. JM retest reliability was comparable to grip strength and possibly better than SPPB and gait speed. JM is a promising tool for muscle function assessment in older adults. Comparison of this approach with traditional assessment tools in longitudinal interventional studies is needed.
NORMAL COORDINATES AND CURVATURE TERMS IN AN INTERFACE HAMILTONIAN

For a system displaying two-phase coexistence at low temperatures, the dominant modes are those associated with fluctuations of an interface between the phases. The lowest-order terms in the effective hamiltonian are proportional to the area and curvatures (mean and gaussian) of the interface. A geometrically transparent approach to these terms is shown.
Placental hormones, genomic imprinting, and maternal—fetal communication

Placental hormones are produced by one genetic individual (the fetus) to act on the receptors of another genetic individual (the mother). Mothers are probably able to extract some information from placental hormones, but this information may be limited to a crude measure of fetal vigor. Placental hormones are most easily interpreted as fetal attempts to manipulate maternal metabolism for fetal benefit. An evolutionary model is presented for a hypothetical hormone that increases the nutrient content of maternal blood. The model predicts that, at an evolutionary equilibrium, the hormone will be produced solely by the mother or solely by the placenta, but not by both. If the gene for the hormone is subject to genomic imprinting, the paternally-derived allele will be active and the maternally-derived allele will be silent. Hormone production benefits the members of the mother's current litter at some cost to future litters. Therefore, paternity changes between litters increase the level of hormone production. On the other hand, offspring that produce less of the hormone than litter-mates share the benefits but have lower costs. Therefore, multiple paternity within litters reduces the level of hormone production.
Application of Response Surface Methodology to systematically optimize image quality in computer tomography: A case study using fresh chestnuts (Castanea spp.)

The objective of this study is to describe a method that will systematically and efficiently obtain a model of computerized tomographic (CT) scanning factor levels, which returns optimized high quality CT images. Chestnut (Castanea spp.) two-dimensional CT images were used to describe this optimization procedure, considered to be a critical step in the development of a fast, nondestructive technique, capable of assessing fresh internal quality attributes and components of chestnuts, and other agricultural commodities. Response Surface Methodology (RSM), using a three-factor, three-level Box-Behnken statistical design and digital image processing, were used to optimize the factors affecting image quality, which include X-ray voltage, current, and slice thickness. Response variables representing image quality were digitally and automatically inferred from fresh chestnut image Signal to Noise Ratio, Teflon(R) cylinder reference volume accuracy, quality assurance (QA) High Contrast Spatial Resolution phantom, and QA Low Contrast Detectability phantom. Second-order RSM prediction models for each response variable reflected a combined maximized CT image quality at a voltage, current, and slice thickness equal to 120kV, 170mA, and 2.5mm respectively. The experiment yielded optimal chestnut CT images that can accurately reflect internal decay of fresh chestnuts with an overall accuracy rate equal to 96%, taking as reference data the of Subjective Quality Rating of five trained chestnut experts.
A Chinese perspective on Kohlberg's theory of moral development

Abstract This essay uses the Chinese culture as an example to underline the culturally specific contextual problems regarding Kohlberg's theory of moral development and to point to a new direction for cross-cultural research in this area. The Western view of man as an autonomous being who makes free and rational choices as a moral agent is clearly reflected in Kohlberg's stages of moral development as well as his methodology. The Confucian view of man as an integral part of an orderly universe with an innate moral sense to maintain harmony is quite different. Further, the preferred mode of resolving human conflict in China is reconciliation and collective decision making rather than individual choice, commitment, and responsibility as in the West. In the light of these fundamental differences in the two cultural traditions, an alternative to Kohlberg's theory is suggested.
Acute Disseminated Encephalomyelitis in Children

Objective. To describe the epidemiologic, clinical, neuroimaging, and laboratory features; treatment; and outcome in a cohort of children with acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). Methods. A 6-year retrospective chart review of children with the diagnosis of ADEM was conducted. Results. Eighteen cases were identified. Sixteen patients (88%) presented in either winter or spring. Thirteen children (72%) had a recent upper respiratory tract illness. Patients presented most often with motor deficits (77%) and secondly with altered consciousness (45%). Spinal fluid abnormalities occurred in 70%. Despite rigorous microbiologic testing, a definite microbiologic diagnosis was established only in 1 child with Epstein-Barr virus disease and probable or possible diagnoses in 3 children with Bartonella henselae, Mycoplasma pneumoniae, or rotavirus disease. Brain magnetic resonance imaging identified lesions in the cerebral cortex in 80%, in subcortical white matter in 93%, in periventricular white matter in 60%, in deep gray matter in 47%, and in brainstem in 47% of patients. Eleven patients (61%) were treated with corticosteroids, and 2 were treated with intravenous immunoglobulins. All patients survived. Three patients (17%) had long-term neurologic sequelae. Conclusions. Epidemiologic evidence from this study suggests an infectious cause for ADEM. The agent is most likely a difficult-to-diagnose winter/spring respiratory virus. Magnetic resonance imaging was the neuroimaging study of choice for establishing the diagnosis and for following the course of the disease. Prognosis for survival and outcome was excellent. Recurrent episodes of ADEM must be differentiated from multiple sclerosis.
Electron temperature in an electrodeless discharge.

Electron temperature distributions in low pressure electrodeless discharge determined by spectrometric techniques and semicorona model
An Infrared Study of Metal Isopropoxide Precursors for SrTiO3

A Sr/Ti bimetallic isopropoxide complex was synthesized by two methods. The complex served as a precursor to the production of homogeneous SrTiO3 powders via alkoxide hydrolysis. Infrared spectra were obtained for Sr(OPri)2, Ti(OPri)4, and the product of the syntheses. In addition, the IR spectra of the solutions of each of the alkoxides were followed as hydrolysis reactions proceeded. Detailed analysis of the spectral features support the existence of a 1:1 Sr/Ti bimetallic alkoxide. The new Sr/Ti compound exhibits characteristic absorption bands at (1017, 993, 972, 961 cm−1), (844, 838, 827 cm−1) and (620, 596, and 572 cm−1). A band at 819 cm−1 might also be associated with the new Sr/Ti bimetallic alkoxide. The infrared spectra suggest that the isopropoxide ligands in the bimetallic alkoxide are in at least three separate local environments. This information offers insight into possible structures for the complex.
THE POLITICAL UNCONSCIOUS OF THE HUMAN SCIENCES

The relationship between knowledge, society, and power has been considerably rethought recently. Few defend the idea that knowledges such as the human sciences are merely representational practices. Instead, knowledge is approached as a social power to be analyzed for its social productivity. Assuming a tight link between knowledge and power, this paper aims to sketch a non-Whiggish framework for narrating the development of human sciences. I underscore how the scientization of social knowledge has, on the one hand, produced subaltern interpretative communities and, on the other hand, how these communities-as the repressed unconscious of the human sciences-have continued to shape and trouble the epistemic and social claims to authority by the human sciences. I wish to make the argument that there is a political unconscious to the human sciences. This refers to ways disciplinary conventions operate, often without the explicit intentions of social scientists, to suppress, if not erase, epistemological and social differences. This is a political willfulness that has been alternatively denied or celebrated as the progress of reason and humankind. However, this assault on difference has never been fully successful, for at least some epistemic and social "others" have flourished in nonacademic social spacessometimes on the periphery, other times in the social center. Indeed, and somewhat ironically, subjugated knowledges and communities of discourse have never ceased actively to shape the formation of the human sciences. They do so in part through their inevitable production-and subjugation-as "other" by the human sciences and in part through their equally inevitable mobilization, from time to time, against their marginalized status in relation to the human sciences. This is a history and political willfulness that should be exposed, not to nourish an ethos of antiscience but to make "us" aware of the self-limiting aspects of Western disciplinary culture and to release "us" from the cultural fixations that often unknowingly inflict social harm and occasion human suffering. This dark side to the progress of science has been veiled in the dominant Enlightenment culture, a case perhaps of the victors writing their own story of triumph. We in the West, particularly in the United States, have absorbed a master Englightenment narrative relating a tale of science superseding myth, truth overpowering fiction, freedom triumphing over bondage, and progress installed in place of a tireless cycle of social advancement and decline. The Enlightenment signifies more than a master narrative; its core beliefs and values are woven into Western institutional practices and legitimations. Of course, this culture has been con
Spectrophotometric determination of tartaric acid with β-naphthol

Tartaric acid (50-800 mug) is reacted with beta-naphthol (5 mg) in 90 % sulphuric acid (2 ml) for 30 min on a steam-bath. The solution is cooled and diluted to 25 ml with 90% sulphuric acid and the absorbance is measured at 603 nm. Several absorption maxima are observed and the ratio and intensity of these depend on the concentration of acid during and after the reaction, and on the beta-naphthol concentration. All tartaric acid isomers give essentially the same colour and absorbance. Interference studies are reported.
Special Delivery for MHC II via Autophagy

In this issue of Immunity, Blanchet et al. (2010) report that human immunodeficiency virus-1 inhibits macroautophagy in dendritic cells, attenuating MHC II presentation. Lee et al. (2010) previously revealed the requirement of autophagic machinery for MHC II presentation of herpes viral antigens.
Screening for microalbuminuria simplified by urine specific gravity.

Background: The albumin-to-creatinine ratio and the 24-hour urine collection to measure microalbuminuria are inconvenient and expensive. The newer rapid and less expensive dipstick
Overlap between molecular markers expressed by naturally occurring CD4+CD25+ regulatory T cells and antigen specific CD4+CD25+ and CD8+CD28− T suppressor cells

Abstract Alloantigen specific CD8 + CD28 − T suppressor (T S ) cells differ from naturally occurring CD4 + CD25 + T-regulatory (natural T R ) cells not only by their phenotype but also by their mechanism of action. Natural T R have been extensively studied, leading to the identification of characteristic “molecular markers” such as Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), glucocorticoid-induced tumor necrosis factor receptor-related protein (GITR) and cytotoxic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4). We have investigated the expression of these genes in alloantigen specific T S and CD4 + CD25 + T regulatory (T R ) cells and found that they are expressed at levels similar to those observed in natural T R . Furthermore, similar to natural CD4 + CD25 + T R , antigen-specific CD8 + CD28 − CD62L + T S cells have more suppressive capacity than CD8 + CD28 − CD62L − T S cells. In spite of these similarities, natural T R are not antigen-specific and inhibit other T cells by T cell-to-T cell interaction, whereas T S are antigen-specific and exert their inhibitory function by interacting with antigen-presenting cells and render them tolerogenic to other T cells. The molecular characterization of T S cells may contribute to a better understanding of mechanisms involved in inhibition of immune responses in autoimmunity, transplantation, and chronic viral infection.
Hands-on activity for nephron physiology education: one example of active learning

Physiology has traditionally been a difficult subject to teach because student success relies on conceptual understanding more than memorization of facts. The use of engaging instructional methods, such as manipulative models, dramatizations, and interactive computer programs not only helps to maintain students’ attention but also to enhance learning and understanding. Here we present an active learning activity for use in renal physiology education. The activity utilizes a manipulative model of the nephron that is inexpensive and simple to construct. Working in small groups, students were asked to apply their knowledge by identifying the correct placement of various transporters and ion channels along the various segments of the nephron. The activity provides students with the opportunity to model and understand the relative changes in concentrations of various filtered solutes as they move through the nephron. The hands-on portion of the activity is paired with didactic explanations of key concepts and intermittent large-group debriefs the keep all students focused and address questions. Overall, the manipulative serves as a unique teaching tool that may be adapted for use in a wide variety of classroom settings. In our experience, the manipulative helped students identify gaps in knowledge and enhance their understanding of nephron physiology while having fun learning alongside their classmates. Keywords: Active learning; Urinary tract physiology; Manipulative. Revista HUPE, Rio de Janeiro, 2014;13(4):52-56 doi: 10.12957/rhupe.2014.13954
Haptic controlled three degree-of-freedom microgripper system for assembly of detachable surface-micromachined MEMS

Abstract In this work, we describe the implementation of a three degree-of-freedom meso to microscale manipulation system for handling MEMS and micro-objects. A number of commercially available hardware components have been integrated to produce this system. Microgrippers, with an operational range of 0–100 μm, were used as the end-effector for the manipulation system. Three-axis control of the microgripper's position was obtained using micromanipulators coupled to stepper motors. For each of the three linear axes, a total travel of ∼24 mm, with ∼0.5 μm/step size, was achieved. A haptic was used as the primary human interface to the system to control the actuation of the microgripper and control its position. To demonstrate the functionality of the system, the microgripper was used to manipulate micro-objects and to pick and place a surface-micromachined microgripper. The micro-objects included ∼100 μm diameter polysilicon chess pieces that were moved around a microscale polysilicon chessboard (∼ 1 mm × 1 mm). A microgripper was taken off the substrate it was fabricated on and assembled on a printed-circuit board. The assembled surface-micromachined microgripper was demonstrated in handling another microgripper. The entire system is interfaced by LabVIEW software.
The quantitation of altered hepatic foci during multistage hepatocarcinogenesis in the rat: Transforming growth factor α expression as a marker for the stage of progression

Abstract The experimental three-stage hepatocarcinogenesis protocol of initiation, promotion, and progression, coupled with the analytical technique of stereology, permits quantitative analysis of the carcinogenic process, including the derivation of biologically based risk assessment models. The aberrant expression of the placental isozyme of glutathione S -transferase (PGST) is an efficient marker for initiated, preneoplastic, and neoplastic hepatocytes. Putatively initiated cells and their clonal progeny can be identified, enumerated, and their growth characteristics determined on the basis of their aberrant expression of this protein. A lack of suitable markers has made the identification and quantitation of hepatocytes in the early stage of progression more difficult. One characteristic of cells in the stage of progression is the evolution of relatively autonomous growth. The alteration of growth factor signalling pathways may provide one mechanism for this observation. The expression of transforming growth factor α (TGF α ) is seen in many malignancies. The initiation-promotion-progression protocol has been used to induce progression in the rat liver. The focal expression of TGF α was found to correlate with areas of progression in rats subjected to this protocol. The ability to identify and quantitate cells in the stage of progression should facilitate application of the Moolgavkar-VenzonKnudson model for assessing human risk from carcinogens active at each of these three stages. Validation of this model will require determination of the number and growth characteristics of hepatocytes in the stage of progression.
Regional chemotherapy in an experimental model of Wilms' tumor in rats.

A s. c. experimental model of Wilms' tumor in rats was used to compare the effects of intratumoral treatment with vincristine plus actinomycin D to i.v. treatment with these chemotherapeutic drugs. The Wilms' tumor model is a fast-growing solid tumor that has been shown to be resistant to traditional clinical treatment procedures used for Wilms' tumor in man. Injection of the chemotherapeutic drugs directly into the tumor mass was found to be more effective than i.v. therapy in causing long-term remission of the tumor. Intratumoral therapy was also less toxic to the animals than i.v. therapy when measured by post-treatment survival rates and weight loss during the 1st week following treatment. However, intratumoral treatment caused an initial fibrosis of the tumor tissue, which resulted in a slower rate of absorption of the resultant fibrotic tumor mass than was seen in tumors treated i.v. Also, intratumoral injection resulted in necrosis of the overlying skin, which healed as the fibrotic tumor tissue was absorbed. Intratumoral treatment of a cervical tumor was found to cause the remission of a second major tumor mass located at some distance from the initial injection (i.e., in the lumbar region). No significant benefits were noted when dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) was used in place of aqueous mannitol as a vehicle to deliver the chemotherapeutic agents. There was a significant correlation between the drug dose-to-tumor-size ratio (D/T ratio) and the effectiveness of the chemotherapy. When this ratio was high enough, a single treatment with a combination of vincristine and actinomycin D usually resulted in total remission of the experimental Wilms' tumor in response to either intratumoral or i.v. therapy.
Differential Requirement for SUB1 in Chromosomal and Plasmid Double-Strand DNA Break Repair

Non homologous end joining (NHEJ) is an important process that repairs double strand DNA breaks (DSBs) in eukaryotic cells. Cells defective in NHEJ are unable to join chromosomal breaks. Two different NHEJ assays are typically used to determine the efficiency of NHEJ. One requires NHEJ of linearized plasmid DNA transformed into the test organism; the other requires NHEJ of a single chromosomal break induced either by HO endonuclease or the I-SceI restriction enzyme. These two assays are generally considered equivalent and rely on the same set of NHEJ genes. PC4 is an abundant DNA binding protein that has been suggested to stimulate NHEJ. Here we tested the role of PC4's yeast homolog SUB1 in repair of DNA double strand breaks using different assays. We found SUB1 is required for NHEJ repair of DSBs in plasmid DNA, but not in chromosomal DNA. Our results suggest that these two assays, while similar are not equivalent and that repair of plasmid DNA requires additional factor(s) that are not required for NHEJ repair of chromosomal double-strand DNA breaks. Possible roles for Sub1 proteins in NHEJ of plasmid DNA are discussed.
Acid‐fume peeling of some food products

It is possible to peel some fruit and vegetables by loosening the cellulosic connexion of the exocarp with acid fumes. An experimental procedure for a number of products is reported.
A combined approach to multi-label multi-task learning

In this paper, we present a method for jointly learning r > 1 similar classification tasks. We consider a set of classification tasks whose relevant features may have some overlap. This potential overlap encourages the idea of learning tasks simultaneously. Our method is based on the idea of using two regularizers which control the underlying structure of the model from completely unrelated tasks to practically the same tasks. We show that this problem is equivalent to a convex optimization problem. Our results on simulated and real data sets demonstrate that our proposed method dramatically improves the performance on partially related tasks in comparison to independently learning the tasks or other multi-task approaches.
Cyclic 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate phosphodiesterase of Escherichia coli.

The cyclic 3′,5′-adenosine monophosphate (c-AMP) phosphodiesterase from Escherichia coli has been partially purified. The enzyme has an apparent molecular weight of 30,000, a Michaelis constant of 0.5 mM c-AMP, and a pH optimum of 7. The partially purified enzyme requires for activity the presence of a reducing compound and of either iron or a protein which seemingly acts as iron carrier.