cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effectiveness of percutaneous and endoscopic therapy for biliary strictures and leaks after liver transplantation in children

Purpose To determine the effectiveness of percutaneous and endoscopic therapeutic interventions for biliary strictures and leaks following liver transplantation in children. Materials and Methods Retrospective analysis of 38 consecutive pediatric patients (18 female, average age at transplant 5.9 years) treated at our institution from 1997 to 2010 for biliary leak and/or biliary stricture following liver transplantation (29 deceased donor liver transplants, 9 living related liver transplants) was performed. Six patients had a choledochocholedochostomy while the rest had a Roux-en-Y hepaticojejunostomy biliary anastomosis. Patients with a hepaticojejunostomy anastomosis were managed by a percutaneous approach (percutaneous transhepatic biliary drain placement followed by balloon dilation of the stricture), whereas endoscopic approach was feasible in 8 of the patients with choledochocholedochostomy. 32 patients had a stricture at the biliary anastomosis, while 6 patients had an anastomotic leak. Minimally invasive approach was considered clinically successful if it resulted in patency of the narrowed biliary segment ( Results After an average of 9.1 years of follow-up, non-surgical management was clinically successful for 4 patients (67%) with a biliary leak and for 20 patients (63%) with a stricture. Patients with a leak required a mean of 3.7 invasive procedures and spent a mean of 44.3 days with a transhepatic biliary catheter. Conversely, patients with a stricture had a mean of 7.1 invasive procedures, and spent a mean of 386 days with a transhepatic biliary catheter. Leak recurred in 1 patient. As a result, 3 patients (50%) with leaks ultimately required surgical intervention. Strictures recurred in 5 patients, and a total of 15 patients required surgical revision of the biliary anastomosis (47%). Conclusion Percutaneous and endoscopic management of biliary strictures and leaks after liver transplantation in children is associated with a durable result in approximately 50% of patients.
Negative heat capacity of small systems in the microcanonical ensemble

We propose a new mechanism to explain the origin of negative heat capacity in small systems. We show how a particular structure of the potential energy surface combined with a microcanonical treatment results in negative heat capacity. Moreover, this effect occurs under true equilibrium conditions. An energy landscape with a sudden and spatially large opening leads to a negative heat capacity. The magnitude of this effect is related to the extent of the opening and the number of particles in the system.
A Locking Compliant Device Inspired by the Anatomy of the Spine

A device reminiscent of the mammalian spine has been designed and built with the ability to lock each individual joint in a string of ball joints. The assembly may be controlled in a manner similar to other hyper-redundant robots, with the added advantage of locking in a straight or axial position. Locking is achieved by orienting two mating collars in a singular configuration that forces compression against neighboring collars and prohibits bending or rotation. Locking is desirable for added strength in supporting objects, as well as for stabilization and power efficiency when bending is not necessary. The split locking mechanism represents a biologically inspired structure with added strength and stability for use in robotics.
Community-Based Child Abuse Prevention: Outcomes Associated With a Differential Response Program in California:

Traditionally, the American child welfare system intervenes in cases of evident and severe maltreatment. Families in need of help, but who have not reached a crisis, are excluded from typical services. Some suggest that if these families were served, few would be rereferred to the child welfare system. California's Differential Response (DR) has three tracks, of which ''Track 1'' targets families screened out of child protective services (CPS) and refers them to agencies that provide voluntary, home-based services and referrals. This study examined child-welfare trajectories for families receiving Track 1 DR services in one California county. Using survival analysis, treatment group children (N = 134) were compared to children eligible for services but denied due to program capacity (comparison group N = 511). Findings suggest no statistically significant differences between groups on the likelihood of a re-report following program participation, timing of maltreatment reports, or report investigations. The ability to draw strong conclusions from this study, however, is limited by selection bias because prior child maltreatment reports were more common in the treatment group. The intervention may provide families with important supports, but evidence for maltreatment prevention may not be supported. Future studies should examine potential effects on a range of family domains.
The spontaneous insertion of proteins into and across membranes: the helical hairpin hypothesis

We propose that the initial event in the secretion of proteins across membranes and their insertion into membranes is the spontaneous penetration of the hydrophobic portion of the bilayer by a helical hairpin. Energetic considerations of polypeptide structures in a nonpolar, lipid environment compared with an aqueous environment suggest that only alpha and 3(10) helices will be observed in the hydrophobic interior of membranes. Insertion of a polypeptide is accomplished by a hairpin structure composed of two helices, which will partition into membranes if the free energy arising from burying hydrophobic helical surfaces exceeds the free energy "cost" of burying potentially charged and hydrogen-bonding groups. We suggest, for example, that the hydrophobic leader peptide found in secreted proteins and in many membrane proteins forms one of these helices and is oriented in the membrane with its N terminus inside. In secreted proteins, the leader functions by pulling polar portions of a protein into the membrane as the second helix of the hairpin. The occurrence of all categories of membrane proteins can be rationalized by the hydrophobic or hydrophilic character of the two helices of the inserted hairpin and, for some integral membrane proteins, by events in which a single terminal helix is inserted. We propose that, because of the distribution of polar and nonpolar sequences in the polypeptide sequence, secretion and the insertion of membrane proteins are spontaneous processes that do not require the participation of additional specific membrane receptors or transport proteins.
Electronic Structure of the Thiophene/Au(111) Interface Probed by Two-Photon Photoemission

The electronic structure of thiophene adsorbed on Au(111) has been investigated by two-photon photoemission (2PPE) spectroscopy and density functional theory (DFT) calculations. The dominant interfacial feature observed in the 2PPE spectra is a nondispersive unoccupied state whose width and energy (referenced to the Fermi level) decrease with increasing coverage. We assign this feature to a thiophene LUMO-derived state of mixed sulfur and carbon p−π character. DFT calculations indicate that the experimentally observed decrease in width of this state with increasing coverage is a result of weakening of the thiophene−Au(111) interaction. Increasing the molecular density forces the thiophene plane to tilt away from the surface, rotating the molecular orbitals away from an orientation more favorable for S−Au and π−Au hybridization. We attribute the ∼0.2 eV shift of the LUMO toward the Fermi level to stabilization of the transient anion due to the increasing effect of charge-induced polarization of the neighbo...
Gender in the college classroom: An assessment of the "chilly climate" for women.

Previous research suggests that female students participate less often and less assertively than male students in college classrooms, and that teachers' discriminatory behaviors are partly responsible. Two in-class surveys of college students (N = 1375)—one at a university and one at a small college—assessed perceptions of student-teacher interaction. Factor analysis revealed a number of analytically distinct dimensions of classroom climate: what the class is like in general, what the class is like for the individual student, and what specific positive and negative teacher behaviors affect interaction. Class size affected each of these dimensions. Gender of student was significant only in the college survey, with males participating more, but this gender difference was not due to teachers' discrimination. Female teachers were more likely to create a participatory climate for all students. Creating a better classroom climate for female students creates a better learning environment for all students.
Ferroelectric oxide epitaxial thin films: synthesis and non-linear optical properties

Abstract Metalorganic vapor-phase epitaxy (MOVPE) is being developed for growth of ferroelectric oxide films for electro-optic and nonlinear optical applications. With this technique, epitaxial BaTiO 3 optical waveguides and electro-optic modulators have been fabricated. MOVPE is expected to be a promising technique for the fabrication of a wide variety of thin film electro-optic and nonlinear optical devices and for their integration.
A Method for Determining Cirrus Cloud Particle Sizes Using Lidar and Radar Backscatter Technique

Abstract A method to determine cirrus cloud effective radii remotely using lidar and radar backscatter data is presented. The difference in backscattered returns from instruments widely separated in wavelength holds information on the characteristic sizes of the scatterers. The method compares theoretically expected backscatter coefficients to observed backscatter returns from NOAA's 3.2-cm and 8.6-mm radars and the 10.6-µm lidar. Measurements were taken during a two-phase cloud experiment held in northeastern Colorado from 6 September to 5 October 1989 and 15 February to 31 March 1991. It was found that the particle sizes estimated from the lidar-radar method agree closely with in situ aircraft measurements. Case studies are presented to demonstrate the method and the potential for multiwavelength remote sensing of cirrus cloud radiative properties.
Understanding security architecture

This paper is an attempt to explain and understand what security architecture means and represents. A starting point was to include all elements of security architecture such as: network, host-based, applications, information, software, hardware, databases and physical elements. Any security architecture should also include principles and process laid out in this paper. Models to capture security architecture and an example are presented. Finally techniques used to capture and assess security architectures are mentioned.
Income attainment among land-grant colleges of agriculture alumni

Abstract Using panel data from a sample of agriculture graduates from 20 land-grant universities, this research examines factors associated with income attainment after graduation. Findings indicate that educational attainment was the best single predictor of income earnings. As expected, highly educated agricultural alumni earned higher income on their first jobs than those with only baccalaureate degrees.
The abundance of ammonia in the atmosphere of Jupiter

A laboratory curve of growth analysis was made on the lines in two ammonia bands located at 6450 A and 10800 A and the abundance of ammonia in the atmosphere of Jupiter was determined. Lines in the 6450 A band appear to fall on the weak line section of the curve of growth, while those in the 10800 A band fall in the transition region. The abundance values obtained from these bands are 13.0±3 m atm and 15±8 m atm, respectively.
Aging reduces asymmetries in interlimb transfer of visuomotor adaptation.

Hemispheric asymmetry reduction in older adults (HAROLD) has been reported in previous imaging studies that employed not only cognitive, but also motor tasks. However, whether age-related reductions in asymmetry of hemispheric activations affect the symmetry of motor behavior in older adults remains largely untested. We now examine the effect of aging on lateralization of motor adaptation and transfer by investigating adaptation to novel visuomotor transformations in both old and young age groups. We have previously reported substantial asymmetries in interlimb transfer of learning these transformations in young adults, and attributed these asymmetries in transfer to hemispheric lateralization for motor control, as detailed by our dynamic dominance hypothesis. Based on the HAROLD model, we reasoned that older adults should recruit more symmetrical hemispheric activity, and thus show more symmetrical transfer of adaptation across the arms. Half of the subjects in each age group first adapted to a rotated visual display with the left arm, then with the right arm; and the other half in the reversed order. Naive performance with one arm and the same-arm performance following opposite arm adaptation were compared to determine the extent of transfer in each age group. Our results showed that interlimb transfer of initial direction information only occurred from the nondominant to dominant arm in young adults, whereas it occurred in both directions in older adults. Our findings clearly indicate substantially reduced asymmetry in visuomotor adaptation in older adults, and suggest that this reduced motor asymmetry might be related to diminished hemispheric lateralization for motor control.
Carcass fatty acid mapping

Abstract We hypothesized that subcutaneous (s.c.) adipose tissue would differ in monounsaturated (MUFA) and saturated fatty acid (SFA) composition among different depots throughout a beef carcass. To test this, 50 carcasses from a variety of breed types and backgrounds were sampled. External fat samples were collected from eight different carcass locations: round, sirloin, loin, rib, chuck, brisket, plate and flank. The brisket was significantly lower (P = 0.001) in palmitic (16:0) and stearic (18:0) acid than the other seven sampling sites. The brisket contained the highest concentration of MUFA (P = 0.001) and the lowest concentration of trans-vaccenic acid (P = 0.002) and SFA (P ⩽ 0.002). There was a high, negative correlation between palmitoleic and stearic acid (R2 = 0.76). The flank had the highest slip point (39 °C; a measure of melting point), whereas the brisket had the lowest slip point (25 °C) (P ⩽ 0.001). We conclude that substantial differences exist in fatty acid composition across fat depots, which may be useful in formulating value-added processed beef products.
Feature Preserving Image Smoothing Using a Continuous Mixture of Tensors

Many computer vision and image processing tasks require the preservation of local discontinuities, terminations and bifurcations. Denoising with feature preservation is a challenging task and in this paper, we present a novel technique for preserving complex oriented structures such as junctions and corners present in images. This is achieved in a two stage process namely. All image data are pre- processed to extract local orientation information using a steerable Gabor filter bank. The orientation distribution at each lattice point is then represented by a continuous mixture of Gaussians. The continuous mixture representation can be cast as the Laplace transform of the mixing density over the space of positive definite (covariance) matrices. This mixing density is assumed to be a parameterized distribution, namely, a mixture of Wisharts whose Laplace transform is evaluated in a closed form expression called the Rigaut type function, a scalar-valued function of the parameters of the Wishart distribution. Computation of the weights in the mixture Wisharts is formulated as a sparse deconvolution problem. The feature preserving denoising is then achieved via iterative convolution of the given image data with the Rigaut type function. We present experimental results on noisy data, real 2D images and 3D MRI data acquired from plant roots depicting bifurcating roots. Superior performance of our technique is depicted via comparison to the state-of-the-art anisotropic diffusion filter.
Is chronic fatigue syndrome the same illness as fibromyalgia: evaluating the ‘single syndrome’ hypothesis

Chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS) and fibromyalgia (FM) are medically unexplained syndromes that can and often do co-occur. For this reason, some have posited that the two are part of the same somatic syndrome—examples of symptom amplification. This hypothesis would suggest that few differences exist between the two syndromes. To evaluate this interpretation, we have searched the literature for articles comparing CFS to FM, reviewing only those articles which report differences between the two. This review presents data showing differences across a number of parameters—implying that the underlying pathophysiology in CFS may differ from that of FM. We hope that our review encourages other groups to look for additional differences between CFS and FM. By continuing to preserve the unique illness definitions of the two syndromes, clinicians will be able to better identify, understand and provide treatment for these individuals.
Implantable physiologic controller for left ventricular assist devices with telemetry capability

Objective Rotary type left ventricular assist devices have mitigated the problem of durability associated with earlier pulsatile pumps and demonstrated improved survival. However, the compromise is the loss of pulsatility due to continuous flow and retained percutaneous driveline leading to increased mortality and morbidity. Lack of pulsatility is implicated in increased gastrointestinal bleeding, aortic incompetence, and diastolic hypertension. We present a novel, wirelessly powered, ultra-compact, implantable physiologic controller capable of running a left ventricular assist device in a pulsatile mode with wireless power delivery. Methods The schematic of our system was laid out on a circuit board to wirelessly receive power and run a left ventricular assist device with required safety and backup measures. We have embedded an antenna and wireless network for telemetry. Multiple signal processing steps and controlling algorithm were incorporated. The controller was tested in in vitro and in vivo experiments. Results The controller drove left ventricular assist devices continuously for 2 weeks in an in vitro setup and in vivo without any failure. Our controller is more power efficient than the current Food and Drug Administration–approved left ventricular assist device controllers. When used with electrocardiography synchronization, the controller allowed on-demand customization of operation with instantaneous flow and revolutions per minute changes, resulting in a pulsatile flow with adjustable pulse pressure. Conclusions Our test results prove the system to be remarkably safe, accurate, and efficient. The unique combination of wireless powering and small footprint makes this system an ideal totally implantable physiologic left ventricular assist device system.
Characterization of Strain-Rate Sensitivity and Grain Boundary Structure in Nanocrystalline Gold-Copper Alloys

The power-law dependence of strength on strain rate provides a measure of the strain-rate sensitivity. In general, strength increases as grain size decreases from the microscale into the nanoscale regime for many cubic metals. The method of microscratch testing is used to measure microhardness in order to evaluate material strength. The strain-rate dependence of hardness is measured by varying the microscratch velocity. New results for nanocrystalline gold alloys show that the exponent (m) of the power-law dependence of stress on strain rate increases to 0.20 as grain size decreases to values less than 10 nm. A high-resolution electron microscopy examination of grain boundary structure reveals that an increase in the strain-rate sensitivity exponent (m) is found with an increase in the grain boundary misorientation.
L-mode validation studies of gyrokinetic turbulence simulations via multiscale and multifield turbulence measurements on the DIII-D tokamak

A series of carefully designed experiments on DIII-D have taken advantage of a broad set of turbulence and profile diagnostics to rigorously test gyrokinetic turbulence simulations. In this paper the goals, tools and experiments performed in these validation studies are reviewed and specific examples presented. It is found that predictions of transport and fluctuation levels in the mid-core region (0.4 < ρ < 0.75) are in better agreement with experiment than those in the outer region (ρ ≥ 0.75) where edge coupling effects may become increasingly important and multiscale simulations may also be necessary. Validation studies such as these are crucial in developing confidence in a first-principles based predictive capability for ITER.
Screening Pelvic Examination in Adult Women: A Clinical Practice Guideline From the American College of Physicians

Description: The American College of Physicians (ACP) developed this guideline to present the evidence and provide clinical recommendations on the utility of screening pelvic examination for the detection of pathology in asymptomatic, nonpregnant, adult women. Methods: This guideline is based on a systematic review of the published literature in the English language from 1946 through January 2014 identified using MEDLINE and hand-searching. Evaluated outcomes include morbidity; mortality; and harms, including overdiagnosis, overtreatment, diagnostic procedure–related harms, fear, anxiety, embarrassment, pain, and discomfort. The target audience for this guideline includes all clinicians, and the target patient population includes asymptomatic, nonpregnant, adult women. This guideline grades the evidence and recommendations using the ACP’s clinical practice guidelines grading system. Recommendation: ACP recommends against performing screening pelvic examination in asymptomatic, nonpregnant, adult women (strong recommendation, moderate-quality evidence).
Assessing the Efficacy of a Modified Therapeutic Community on the Reduction of Institutional Write-Ups in a Medium Security Prison

This study explored the impact a modified TC (Therapeutic Community) had on reducing institutional disorder as documented by institutional write-ups. The number of institutional write-ups exhibited by clients participating in a modified TC was compared with the number of write-ups exhibited by inmates in five non-treatment units over a four-year period. ANOVA (analysis of variance) revealed that the number of write-ups exhibited by clients in the TC was significantly lower than the number exhibited by inmates in the other five dorms (F(4, 24) = 5.61, p < 0.002). Further, when examined by category of offense (major/minor), it was found that the write-ups of clients in the TC generally were not as severe as those exhibited by inmates in the general prison population. The implications of these findings for corrections administrators are discussed and specific recommendations are provided.
Safety and efficacy of transradial aortoiliac interventions.

Background: This study compares transradial approach (TRA) aortoiliac angioplasty/stenting to the transfemoral approach (TFA). Methods: We reviewed our peripheral database for aortoiliac interventions performed between 2007 and 2009. Demographics, clinical characteristics, procedural, and lesion details were collected. The efficacy endpoints included procedural success, ankle-brachial index (ABI) improvement, and time to discharge. The safety endpoints were as follows: occurrence of intra-/periprocedural complications, 30-day MACE, and access-site complications (minor/major). The subjects were divided into two groups, TRA and TFA, and compared using appropriate statistics. Results: Twenty-seven patients had 33 lesions treated via TRA, and 41 patients had 47 lesions treated via TFA access. Baseline demographic differences between the TRA and TFA groups were similar, including mean Rutherford category (2.9 vs. 2.6, P = 0.31) and preintervention ABI (0.64 vs. 0.67, P = 0.80). There was a significantly higher percentage of total occlusions in the TRA group (27.3 vs. 8.5%, P = 0.03). Dye use (238 vs. 213 mL, P = 0.35) and fluoroscopy time (30 vs. 27 min, P = 0.60) were similar. Procedural success rate was similar (87.9 vs. 97.8%, P = 0.15), as well as the improvement in mean ABI (TRA: 0.64–0.77 and TFA: 0.67–0.85, P = 0.77). The time to discharge was significantly shorter for the TRA group (14.4 vs. 20.9 hr, P = 0.003). There were no 30-day MACE or major access-site complications, but minor access-site complications were lower in the TRA group (0.0 vs. 7.3%, P = 0.28), although nonsignificant. Conclusions: The TRA to aortoiliac interventions is as safe and effective as the TFA with the advantage of a lower rate of access-site complications and shorter hospitalization time. © 2009 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Effects of Calorie Restriction on Transforming Growth Factor β1 and Proinflammatory Cytokines in Murine Sjogren's Syndrome

The present study was carried out to determine whether restricting dietary calories prevents salivary gland abnormalities and modulates expression of transforming growth factor beta and proinflammatory cytokines, IL-6, and TNF alpha in major salivary glands (SG) of autoimmune lupus-prone (NZB x NZW)F1 (B/W) female mice. These mice develop focal lymphocytic interstitial and periductal round cell infiltrates in salivary glands similar to those of humans with Sjogren's syndrome. Weanling B/W mice were fed a nutritionally adequate semipurified diet either ad libitum (AL) or a calorie-restricted (CR; 40% less calories than AL) diet. The mice were sacrificed at 3.5 months (young) and 8.5 months (old) of age. Histopathologic and histomorphometric analyses as well as growth factor and cytokine protein and mRNA expression were carried out in the SG. Histomorphometric analysis of SG from young mice showed no differences between AL and CR mice, but old AL (vs old CR) had a 7.3-fold higher focus score and a 34-fold increase in percentage area inflammation. mRNA analysis revealed significantly higher levels of TGF beta 1 in SG of old CR (6.8-fold) mice. In contrast, CR reduced mRNA expression of proinflammatory cytokines (IL-6, 2.9-fold for young and 4.8-fold for old; TNF alpha, old 3.9-fold). By immunoblotting, significantly higher levels of TGF beta 1 protein was detected in old CR mice (vs old AL; 13.2-fold). IL-6 and TNF alpha proteins were undetectable in both young and old CR groups, whereas an increase in IL-6 (4.7-fold) and TNF alpha (9.3-fold) was observed in old AL mice. These results indicate that amelioration of the histological severity of disease in SG of B/W mice is paralleled and possibly mediated by increased expression of immunosuppressive TGF beta 1 and decreased expression of proinflammatory cytokines.
Estimation of Respiratory Rate From Photoplethysmogram Data Using Time–Frequency Spectral Estimation

We present a new method that uses the pulse oximeter signal to estimate the respiratory rate. The method uses a recently developed time-frequency spectral estimation method, variable-frequency complex demodulation (VFCDM), to identify frequency modulation (FM) of the photoplethysmogram waveform. This FM has a measurable periodicity, which provides an estimate of the respiration period. We compared the performance of VFCDM to the continuous wavelet transform (CWT) and autoregressive (AR) model approaches. The CWT method also utilizes the respiratory sinus arrhythmia effect as represented by either FM or AM to estimate respiratory rates. Both CWT and AR model methods have been previously shown to provide reasonably good estimates of breathing rates that are in the normal range (12-26 breaths/min). However, to our knowledge, breathing rates higher than 26 breaths/min and the real-time performance of these algorithms are yet to be tested. Our analysis based on 15 healthy subjects reveals that the VFCDM method provides the best results in terms of accuracy (smaller median error), consistency (smaller interquartile range of the median value), and computational efficiency (less than 0.3 s on 1 min of data using a MATLAB implementation) to extract breathing rates that varied from 12-36 breaths/min.
High-Resolution Real-Time Spiral MRI for Guiding Vascular Interventions in a Rabbit Model at 1.5T

MAGNETIC RESONANCE IMAGING (MRI) guidance of interventional procedures offers several advantages over x-ray fluoroscopy. MRI is not limited to projection imaging and provides excellent soft-tissue contrast, which allows imaging of the vessel lumen, the vessel wall, and the surrounding tissue. Also, MRI does not involve the use of iodinated contrast material or ionizing radiation. However, MRI has the primary disadvantage of providing lower spatial and temporal resolution (e.g., 0.5– 0.7 mm over 14 heartbeats for coronary MRA
Mixing and Residence Time Analysis of Municipal Solid Waste Particles by Different Numbers of Moving Bars and Reciprocation Speeds of a Grate System

The grate systems of waste-to-energy (WTE) mass-burn combustion chambers, which historically stem from coal combustion technology, have an important role in controlling the mixing of heterogeneous MSW during the combustion process. They are designed for providing efficient flow and mixing of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) in the combustion chamber. This study presents results from a numerical analysis for grate design and chamber operation, i.e., number of reciprocating bars and reciprocation speed that influence the degree of mixing and residence time of MSW particles. A particle-based bed model of MSW and a physical model of reverse-acting grate were used in order to quantify the mixing diffusion coefficient of MSW particles. We analyzed the particle mixing with different parameters: particle size (d=6-22 cm diameter), reciprocation speed of moving bars (Rr =0-90 recip./h), and number of moving bars (Nb=1-16 bars). According to the size segregation in the particle mixing process in the MSW bed, the undersized waste particles in the MSW bed on the reverse-acting grate have a higher diffusion coefficient than those of oversized and mean size particles. Also the number of moving bars, Nb, as well as reciprocation speed, Rr, were quantitatively related to a diffusion coefficient equation for MSW particle mixing.
Academic probabilism and Stoic epistemology

Developments in the Academy from the time of Arcesilaus to that of Carneades and his successors tend to be classified under two heads: scepticism and probabilism. Carneades was principally responsible for the Academy's view of the latter subject, and our sources credit him with an elaborate discussion of it. The evidence furnished by those sources is, however, frequently confusing and sometimes self-contradictory. My aim in this paper is to extract a coherent account of Carneades' theory of probability from the testimony with a further end in view, namely to understand better the uses to which that theory was put by the Academy in its debate with the Stoa. Though it is not its principal object, the investigation should also help make clear how the Academy's scepticism and its probabilism were related to each other as parts of a single consistent practice of philosophy.
Characterization of T cell phenotype and function in a double transgenic (collagen-specific TCR/HLA-DR1) humanized model of arthritis

T cells orchestrate joint inflammation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA), yet they are difficult to study due to the small numbers of antigen-specific cells. The goal of this study was to characterize a new humanized model of autoimmune arthritis and to describe the phenotypic and functional changes that occur in autoimmune T cells following the induction of pathological events. We developed a double transgenic mouse containing both the HLA-DR1 transgene and an HLA-DR1-restricted collagen-specific TCR in order to obtain large numbers of antigen-specific T cells that can be used for immunologic studies. In vitro, CII-specific T cells from this mouse proliferated vigorously in response to the CII immunodominant peptide A2 and the cells altered their phenotype to become predominately CD62Llow and CD44high “activated” T cells. The response was accompanied by the production of Th1, Th2, and Th17-type cytokines. Following immunization with bovine CII/CFA, these mice develop an accelerated arthritis compared to single transgenic HLA-DR1 mice. On the other hand, when the mice were treated orally with the analog peptide A12, (a suppressive analog of collagen we have previously described), arthritis was significantly suppressed, despite the fact that >90% of the CD4+ T cells express the TCR Tg. In GALT tissues taken from the A12-treated mice, IL-2, IFN-γ, and IL-17 production to the autoimmune collagen determinant dropped while high levels of IL-10 and IL-4 were produced. We have developed a humanized model of autoimmune arthritis that will be useful for the study of T cell directed therapies as well as T cell mediated mechanisms of autoimmune diseases.
Biomechanical and histomorphometric properties of four different mini-implant surfaces.

Objectives: To investigate the effects of surface roughness on the removal torque and bone-to-implant contact of four different orthodontic mini-implants. Materials and methods: Mini-implants and circular discs were made from alloy Ti6Al4V grade 5. On the basis of surface treatment, the study was divided into four groups—group 1: machined ( n = 32), no surface treatment; group 2: acid etched ( n = 32), with hydrochloric acid; group 3 ( n = 32), grit blasted with alumina; and group 4, grit blasted + acid etched ( n = 32). Mean surface roughness (Ra) and quadratic average roughness (Rq) from each group were measured two dimensionally in non-contact mode by the optical profilometer. Contact angle measurement of discs from each group was done with a contact angle goniometer. Contact angle of liquids with different hydrophobicity and hydrophilicity was measured: 1. highly hydrophilic liquid sodium chloride (NaCl), 2. lightly hydrophobic liquid dimethylsulfoxide, 3. distilled water, and 4. human blood. One hundred and twenty-eight miniscrews, differing in surface treatment, were placed into the tibias and femurs of adult male New Zealand white rabbits. Rabbits were euthanized after 8 weeks and removal torque and bone-to-implant contact were measured. Results: Surface roughness of group 3 was significantly greater than other groups ( P < 0.05). Group 4 had significantly lower contact angle measurements, both for blood and sodium chloride (NaCl; 40.26 degrees, 27.20 degrees) when compared to other three groups ( P ≤ 0.01). Group 4 had significantly higher torque and bone-to-implant contact than group 3 ( P = 0.007), group 2 ( P = 0.003), and group 1 ( P = 0.0002). Conclusion: Surface roughness and wettability of mini-implants influence their biological response.
Investigation of Liquid and Gas Chromatography Techniques for Separation of Diastereomers of β-(α-Methylbenzyl) Amino Isobutyric Acid

Cryptophycins are macrolides investigated as potential anticancer agents. These large cyclic molecules are generated via a convergent process, utilizing the coupling of several smaller fragments synthesized individually. During early synthetic development of the beta-amino acid fragment C, analytical methods are necessary for the characterization of products resulting from the various routes being studied. One route being evaluated produces (RR) and (RS) diastereomers of beta-(alpha-methylbenzyl) amino isobutyric acid as intermediates. To measure diastereomeric excess (%de), assay conditions using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) and capillary gas chromatographic (GC) techniques are explored. Derivatization methods using trifluoroacetyl- and silyl-derivatives are investigated for use with capillary GC. The results of the GC investigations are found to be only partially successful. Ion-pair HPLC is determined to be the optimal technique, utilizing pentanesulfonic acid as the counter ion to the amine group of beta-(alpha-methylbenzyl) amino isobutyric acid.
A Bayesian model for SNP discovery based on next-generation sequencing data

A single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) is a single base change in the DNA sequence and is the most common polymorphism. Since some SNPs have a major influence on disease susceptibility, detecting SNPs plays an important role in biomedical research. To take fully advantage of the next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology and detect SNP more effectively, we propose a Bayesian approach that computes a posterior probability of hidden nucleotide variations at each covered genomic position. The position with higher posterior probability of hidden nucleotide variation has a higher chance to be a SNP. We apply the proposed method to detect SNPs in two cell lines: the prostate cancer cell line PC3 and the embryonic stem cell line H1. A comparison between our results with dbSNP database shows a high ratio of overlap (≥95 %). The positions that are called only under our model but not in dbSNP may serve as candidates for new SNPs.
Localized Surface Plasmon Resonance Spectroscopy of Single Silver Triangular Nanoprisms

The plasmonic properties of single silver triangular nanoprisms are investigated using dark-field optical microscopy and spectroscopy. Two distinct localized surface plasmon resonances (LSPR) are observed. These are assigned as in-plane dipolar and quadrupolar plasmon excitations using electrodynamic modeling based on the discrete dipole approximation (DDA). The dipole resonance is found to be very intense, and its peak wavelength is extremely sensitive to the height, edge length, and tip sharpness of the triangular nanoprism. In contrast, the intensity of the quadrupole resonance is much weaker relative to the dipole resonance in the single particle spectra than in the ensemble averaged spectrum. Several parameters relevant to the chemical sensing properties of these nanoprisms have been measured. The dependence of the dipole plasmon resonance on the refractive index of the external medium is found to be as high as 205 nm RIU-1 and the plasmon line width as narrow as ∼0.17 eV. These data lead to a sensin...
Effective size of fluctuating salmon populations

Pacific salmon are semelparous but have overlapping year classes, which presents special challenges for the application of standard population genetics theory to these species. This article examines the relationship between the effective number of breeders per year ( N b ) and single-generation and multigeneration effective population size ( N e ) in salmon populations that fluctuate in size. A simple analytical model is developed that allows calculation of N e on the basis of the number of spawners in individual years and their reproductive contribution (productivity) to the next generation. Application of the model to a 36-year time series of data for a threatened population of Snake River chinook salmon suggests that variation in population dynamic processes across years reduced the multigeneration N e by ∼40–60%, and reductions may have been substantially greater within some generations. These reductions are comparable in magnitude to, and in addition to, reductions in N b within a year due to unequal sex ratio and nonrandom variation in reproductive success. Computer simulations suggest that the effects of variable population dynamics on N e observed in this dataset are not unexpected for species with a salmon life history, as random variation in productivity can lead to similar results.
HEAVY-ION IMAGING APPLIED TO MEDICINE

Heavy particle radiography is a newly developed noninvasive low dose imaging procedure with increased resolution of minute density differences in soft tissues of the body. The method utilizes accelerated high energy ions, primarily carbon and neon, at the BEVALAC accelerator at the Lawrence Berkeley Laboratory. The research program applied to medicine utilizes heavy-ion radiography for low dose mammography, for treatment planning for cancer patients, and for imaging and accurate densitometry of skeletal structures and brain and spinal neoplasms. The presentation will be illustrated with clinical cases under study. Discussion will include the potential of heavy-ion imaging, and particularly reconstruction tomography, as an adjunct to existing diagnostic imaging procedures in medicine, both for the applications to the diagnosis, management and treatment of clinical cancer in man, but also for the early detection of small soft tissue tumors at low radiation dose.
Record values of the Lomax distribution

In this paper, firstly an introduction to the idea of record values for a sequence of independent and identically (Lomax or Pareto II) distributed random variables is given. Some of the distributional properties of these record values and moments up to second order are derived. These moments clearly depend on the location, scale and shape parameter of the Lomax distribution and two types of estlmators of these parameters, based on a series of observed record values are presented.
Traumatic Pediatric Orthopedic Emergencies: An Approach to Evaluation and Management

Pediatric orthopedic injuries are commonly seen in emergency departments, and each injury has a unique management plan that differs from interventions in the adult population. This is largely attributed to the open physes in skeletally immature children, creating a “weak link” for fracture sites to occur. With advancements in the evaluation and management of traumatic orthopedic emergencies, it is important to review current management trends. This review focuses on changes seen in neurological compromise, vascular compromise, acute compartment syndrome, open fractures and fractures requiring urgent reduction. Overall, it is best to consult orthopedic surgery early in the course with any of these injuries, though timing of specific interventions has changed over the years. We have reviewed the current literature and best practices for each topic and provide an overview of the findings, current recommendations, and consensus of management as well as our recommendations if no standard management exists.
Beyond vertical and horizontal programs: a diagonal approach to building national immunization programs through measles elimination.

Plans for reducing and eventually eradicating measles globally include achieving and maintaining high vaccination coverage with two doses of measles containing vaccines (via routine and mass vaccin...
Inverse changes of serum glucuronidase and esterase of breast cancer patients on estrogen therapy.

SummarySimultaneous sera glucuronidase, and esterase determinations have been carried out on the blood samples of 37 post-age 50 healthy control subjects (17 males and 20 females), 11 patients with advanced breast cancer and not on hormone therapy, and on 12 patients with advanced breast cancer receiving estrogen therapy. It was found that the control male subjects had both a higher serum glucuronidase and serum esterase than did the control female subjects. An inverse relationship was found for the changes in sera activity levels of glucuronidase and esterase in the patients with breast cancer subjected to variations in estrogen therapy.
Networks and Democracy It Ain't Necessarily So

Networks may appear to enhance democracy and abolish hierarchy, yet their many undemocratic implications are rarely examined. To quote Zbigniew Brzezinski, they “obscure asymmetries of power and influence.” The people's voice is attenuated by silent partners in organizations and public institutions. The networks examined include public-private partnerships, informal summitry, stakeholder conferences, client-patron relationships and interlocking directorates. Participants in network governance include citizens, non -governmental organizations, political parties, governments, inter-governmental organizations, private profit making corporations and non-profit corporations, especially foundations. We maintain that some participants in network governance are vastly more powerful than others. As for “civil society” organizations, support from corporate or private foundations is essential to almost all civil rights, social justice or environmental organizations that wish to be viable and visible; the funders exe...
Enhanced plasmon resonance and light absorption in diabolo metal bar optical antennas

Enhanced plasmon optical resonance and light absorption in diabolo metal bar optical antennas area investigated with numerical simulation and device fabrication.
Becoming a U.S. Citizen: The Role of Immigrant Enclaves

The United States provides a path to citizenship for its newcomers. Unlike other immigration countries, however, the United States does not have policies that ease assimilation or directly promote naturalization, such as easily accessible and widely advertised language and civic instruction courses. Immigrants are by and large left on their own when facing legal and financial barriers or seeking instruction to pass the citizenship test. Not surprisingly, we find that immigrants’ attributes, such as educational attainment, English language proficiency, and income, affect naturalization rates. This article analyzes whether naturalization rates are also affected by neighborhood characteristics and informal networks for assistance and information. We estimate a binary model of immigrants’ citizenship status, specifying the size of the immigrant enclave and its level of assimilation as key explanatory variables. The study uses 2005 American Community Survey data and focuses on immigrants from the Caribbean islands now living in the New York area. The results suggest that who they are and where they live substantially affect immigrants’ propensities to have acquired U.S. citizenship. Citizenship is unlikely for recent arrivals and for people who speak English poorly or not at all, are poorly educated, and have a low income. Living in a neighborhood with a well-assimilated immigrant enclave enhances the chance of acquiring U.S. citizenship. This effect is stronger for highly educated immigrants than it is for poorly educated immigrants and, thus, misses the more vulnerable segments of the immigrant population. In poorly assimilated enclaves, enclave size has a positive effect on immigrants’ propensities to become U.S. citizens, whereas we find the opposite effect in neighborhoods with well-assimilated enclaves.
Mechanisms of Recovery From Neutropenia Induced by Hemodialysis

Profound, transient neutropenia is observed early in hemodialysis. The present studies were performed during 11 twin-coil dialyses in eight patients with chronic renal failure to determine if the rapid recovery reflects remobilization of sequestered neutrophils and/or if marrow reserves are utilized. In five studies, in vitro cell tagging with diisopropylfluorophosphate-32P (DF 32P) and reinfusion were performed 4-6 hr before routine hemodialysis. In all 11 studies a marked decrease of the absolute neutrophil count occurred within 15 min of starting blood return from the coil. In nine studies carried on over a sufficient period of time, a rebound of the neutrophil count to levels significantly higher than the highest control counts occurred by 1½-3½ hr after starting dialysis. In the radioactive studies during the rebound phase, most or all of the expected number of labeled neutrophils returned to the circulation, but simultaneously in all cases a large number of extra unlabeled neutrophils appeared in circulation. Since there are two sources for additional circulating neutrophils—the marginated pool and the marrow reserves—and since the marginated pool under the study conditions would be expected to have the same specific radioactivity as the circulating pool, the data are consistent with the hypothesis that there was an immediate marrow response to neutropenia.
Critical Point Anosognosia

Since it was first published in 1980, A People's History of the United States by Howard Zinn has sold over a million copies and become one of the most influential works of history in the US. A popular textbook in schools and colleges, it claims to focus on "hidden episodes of the past when, even if in brief flashes, people showed their ability to resist, to join together, occasionally to win".