cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Production and Monetization in the Subsistence Sector

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the production and monetization in the subsistence sector. An economy's degree of monetization, defined as the fraction of total income received in the form of money, rises with economic development. The world's leading developed economies are almost wholly monetized as economic transactions that do not include the use of money are of marginal significance in these economies. By contrast, the degree of monetization is characteristically much lower in the less developed countries where a sizable proportion of income is usually received in kind through barter or consumption of own services. Clearly, an analysis of the factors underlying the degree and the rate of change of monetization would assist in an understanding of the process of economic development. The chapter discusses the subsistence production, the process of monetization and the implications of this process for an economy's financial programming. It presents diagrammatically the way it is gradually absorbed into the monetized economy.
Early blocked asporogenous mutants of Bacillus subtilis 168. I. Isolation and characterization of mutants resistant to antibiotic(s) produced by sporulating Bacillus subtilis 168.

A number of mutants (abs)-resistant to antibiotic(s) produced by sporulating Bacillus subtilis 168 have been isolated from an early blocked asporogenous mutant (spoA12). At least four classes were recognized according to their phenotypic properties. Genetic analysis has shown that these mutants were neither partial revertants nor suppressor mutants of the spoA gene. Both nonsense and missense mutants of the spoA gene are reverted partially by a secondary mutation which is resistant to antibiotic of B. subtilis 168. Another asporogenous mutant, spoB, whose locus is closely linked to pheA, is also affected by the same abs mutation. The nature of abs mutants is discussed.
Metadamping: Dissipation Emergence in Elastic Metamaterials

Abstract Resonant elastic metamaterials are artificial material systems that exhibit unique dynamical properties shaped by the intrinsic interaction between resonances and traveling dispersive waves. In this chapter, we provide a technical review of the recently proposed concept of dissipation emergence in elastic metamaterials. This concept is termed “metadamping.” Unlike conventional materials used to dampen vibrations where the damping capacity is affected by the atomic configuration, defects, and/or rheological properties, here the level of dissipation is controlled via the dynamics of the metamaterial's resonant substructures. In this manner, it is possible to create a net material system that is both stiff and highly damped, to absorb vehicle vibrations for example. The chapter starts with a motivation and introduction of metadamping, and then presents an in-depth analysis and parametric study of metadamping in the context of both locally and nonlocally resonant elastic metamaterials modeled as mass-spring-dashpot systems. The effect of the core damping model (e.g., viscous vs nonviscous) is also examined. Finally, a review is given of metadamping in a pillared beam that has recently been investigated by experiments, simulations, and theory.
Fast beam photofragment translational spectroscopy of the phenoxy radical at 225 nm, 290 nm, and 533 nm

Photodissociation of the phenoxy radical (C6H5O) is investigated using fast beam photofragment translational spectroscopy. Phenoxy radicals are generated through photodetachment of phenoxide anions (C6H5O−) at 532 nm. Following photoexcitation of the radicals at 225 nm (5.51 eV), 290 nm (4.27 eV), or 533 nm (2.33 eV), photofragments are collected in coincidence to determine their masses, translational energy, and scattering angle for each dissociation event. Two-body dissociation yields exclusively CO + C5H5, and three-body dissociation to CO + C2H2 + C3H3 and CO + C5H4 + H is also seen at the two higher energies. The translational energy distributions for two-body dissociation suggest that dissociation occurs via internal conversion to the ground electronic state followed by statistical dissociation. The absorption of an additional 532 nm photon in the photodetachment region provides some C6H5O radicals with an additional 2.33 eV of energy, leading to much of the two-body dissociation observed at 533 nm and the three-body dissociation at the two higher excitation energies.
The “Resource Curse” and the Constraints on Reforming Nigeria’s Oil Sector

This book chapter analyzes the dysfunctions of Nigeria’s oil sector, often framed as the “resource curse.” The resource curse thesis has for long been employed to explain the developmental challenges of veteran oil and mineral exporters such as Nigeria. This chapter examines the weaknesses of the resource curse thesis especially its commodity determinism, and argues for a political economy approach for a more encompassing understanding of the political constraints to reforming Nigeria’s oil sector. Using a political settlements framework, the chapter argues that the horizontal elite, vertical societal, and external constraints on successive ruling elites generate suboptimal policy choices for the oil industry. These political constraints generate competitive, distributional, and fiscal pressures from key stakeholders on Nigeria’s ruling elite towards these suboptimal policy choices. The analysis here covers the twenty-first century, from 1999, when Nigeria transitioned to electoral democracy.
Safety of bariatric surgery in patients older than 65 years.

Abstract Background The increase in life expectancy along with the obesity epidemic has led to an increase in the number of older patients undergoing bariatric surgery. There is conflicting evidence regarding the safety of performing bariatric procedures on older patients. Objective The purpose of this study was to compare the safety of laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (SG) and Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (RYGB) for older patients (>65 yr). Setting Nationwide analysis of accredited centers. Methods The Metabolic and Bariatric Surgery Accreditation and Quality Improvement Program 2015 to 2017 database was used to identify nonrevisional laparoscopic RYGB and SG procedures. Comparisons were made based on patient age. Clinical outcomes included postoperative events and mortality. Results There was a total 13,422 and 5395 matched pairs for SG and RYGB in comparing patients aged 18 years to those aged 65 and >65 years, respectively, and 5395 matched RYGB and SG procedures performed in patients >65 years. The complication rate was higher in older patients undergoing RYGB compared with SG (risk difference=2.39%, 95% confidence interval: 1.57%–3.21%, P Conclusions Overall complication rates of bariatric surgery are low in patients >65 years. SG appears to have a favorable safety profile in this patient population compared with RYGB. The overall complication rate for RYGB is not significantly different between the older and younger groups.
Eating junk-food has opposite effects on intrinsic excitability of nucleus accumbens core medium spiny neurons in obesity-susceptible vs. -resistant rats

The nucleus accumbens (NAc) plays critical roles in motivated behaviors, including food-seeking and feeding. Differences in NAc function contribute to over-eating that drives obesity, but the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. In addition, there is a fair degree of variation in individual susceptibility vs. resistance to obesity that is due in part to differences in NAc function. For example, using selectively bred obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats, we have found that excitability of medium spiny neurons within the NAc core is enhanced in obesity-prone vs. resistant populations, prior to any diet manipulation. However, it is unknown whether consumption of sugary, fatty junk-food alters MSN excitability. Here, whole-cell patch clamp recordings were conducted to examine MSN intrinsic excitability in adult male obesity-prone and obesity-resistant rats with and without exposure to a sugary, fatty junk-food diet. We replicated our initial finding that basal excitability is enhanced in obesity-prone vs. obesity-resistant rats and determined that this is due to a lower IA in prone vs. resistant groups. In addition, the junk-food diet had opposite effects on excitability in obesity-prone vs. obesity-resistant rats. Specifically, junk-food enhanced excitability in MSNs of obesity-resistant rats; this was mediated by a reduction in IA. In contrast, junk-food reduced excitability in MSNs from obesity-prone rats; this was mediated by an increase in IKIR. Thus, individual differences in obesity-susceptibility influence both basal excitability and how MSN excitability adapts to junk-food consumption.
Laparoscopic Gastrostomy Tube Placement with Transabdominal Suture

Abstract Introduction: We present a novel transabdominal suture technique for laparoscopic gastrostomy tube placement. This technique may help reduce the risk of tube dislodgement in the early post...
Rethinking Harmonic-Rejection Mixer in Wideband Receivers - A Systems Perspective

Harmonic-rejection mixer (HRM) is a commonly used circuit block to reduce the mixing of spurious harmonic tones in wideband receivers. The overall performance of HRMs, however, is limited by gain and phase mismatches among the polyphase mixers. In this review paper, the harmonic distortion problem is viewed as a multiuser detection problem in communications. Digital compensation techniques can then be employed to significantly improve HRM performance. Furthermore, the insights gained from this perspective are used to also suppress the intermodulation distortion products. A prototype chip has been built as proof of concept.
Associations between home injury falls and prior hospitalizations in community dwelling older adults: A population case-crossover study

Abstract Objective The purpose of this study was to examine risk factor and temporal associations between acute care hospitalization and post-discharge home injury falls in a population-based analysis sample of community dwelling older adults. Methods We applied a unidirectional case-crossover design to a retrospective analysis sample derived from healthcare administrative data from all non-federal licensed hospitals in the State of California. The analysis sample was comprised of California residents age 65 years or older with a record of treatment for injury fall occurring at home from January 1, 2014 to December 31, 2014. A conditional Poisson regression with fixed person effects and a robust estimator of variance was used to calculate the incidence rate ratio of acute care admissions during the 90 day period immediately preceding an injury fall, with the period of 360–271 days prior to index fall as reference. Results The rate of acute care admissions was 121% greater (IRR: 2.21; 95% CI 2.15–2.27) during the 90 days immediately preceding the index injury fall than 181–360 days prior. Period effects on rates of admissions were significantly higher in the acute care treatment subsample (IRR 2.63; 95% CI 2.51–2.76) than the emergency department treatment subsample (IRR 2.00; 95% CI 1.94–2.07). Discharge to post-acute care facilities; discharge to home health and Elixhauser comorbidity index all significantly modified period effects on acute care admissions. Conclusions Older adults have an increased risk of falling at home after being discharged from an acute care hospitalization, with highest risk occurring during the 90-day post-discharge period. Special consideration should be given to assessing hospital-associated changes in fall risk among geriatric patients prior to discharge directly home. Discharge planning should include efforts to reduce home fall risk during the period of transition from hospital care.
A GENERALIZED TEST FOR FOUR TYPES OF REGRESSION SPECIFICATION ERROR

Abstract Savin and White (1978) suggested a simultaneous test for two types of specification error. This paper generalizes their test to cover all four common sources of specification errors: functional form, autocorrelated disturbances, heteroskedasticity, and missing variables. The Savin-White test, as well as standard tests for one specific error, are special cases of the test developed. The generalized test is applied to data in an example.
Pedagogical linguistics: A view from L2 pragmatics

Abstract The positive effects of instruction on the acquisition of second-language pragmatics has been well documented by numerous recent published studies (81 in the 10 years between Rose, 2005, and Bardovi-Harlig, 2015), but we have yet to see a corresponding increase in the teaching of pragmatics in second and foreign language classrooms or language textbooks. This article explores some of the potential causes for the lack of implementation of pragmatics instruction in second and foreign language classrooms (Skyes, 2013) and suggests means of overcoming such challenges. Pedagogical linguistics, in the form of pedagogical pragmatics, offers insight into meeting the challenges of limited theoretical support for curricular development, lack of authentic input in teaching materials, lack of instructor knowledge, and lack of reference books and pedagogical resources for teachers. The final challenge for pedagogical linguistics and pragmatics researchers is conveying relevant research findings to teachers; means for accomplishing this are discussed in the final section of the article.
Abstract P484: The Role of Excessive Body Weight in Hypertension Risk Among Youth

Objective: To determine the hypertension risk associated with elevated body mass index (BMI) for age in children. Study design: In a retrospective cohort of 706,903 children ages 3-18 years in an i...
A retrospective comparison of phenobarbital and levetiracetam for the treatment of seizures following cardiac surgery in neonates

Objective To compare the safety and efficacy of phenobarbital and levetiracetam in a cohort of neonates with seizures following cardiac surgery. Methods We performed a retrospective single-center study of consecutive neonates with electrographically confirmed seizures managed with antiseizure medication after cardiac surgery from June 15, 2012 to December 31, 2018. We compared the safety and efficacy of phenobarbital and levetiracetam as first-line therapy. Results First-line therapy was phenobarbital in 31 neonates and levetiracetam in 22 neonates. Phenobarbital was associated with more adverse events (P = .006). Eight neonates (14%) experienced an adverse event related to phenobarbital use, including seven with hypotension and one with respiratory depression. No adverse events were reported with levetiracetam use. The cessation of electrographic seizures was similar in both groups, including 18 neonates (58%) with seizure cessation after phenobarbital and 12 neonates (55%) with seizure cessation after levetiracetam (P = 1.0). The combined cessation rates of phenobarbital and levetiracetam when used as first- or second-line therapy were 58% and 47%, respectively (P = .47). Significance Phenobarbital was associated with more adverse events than levetiracetam, and the two drugs were equally but incompletely effective in treating electrographically confirmed seizures in neonates following cardiac surgery. Given its more acceptable safety profile and potential noninferiority, levetiracetam may be a reasonable option for first-line therapy for treatment of seizures in this population. Further prospective studies are needed to confirm these results.
The carbon implications of declining household scale economies

In the United States, average household size decreased significantly over the past half century. From 1950 to 2010, the number of households increased 72% faster than population size. In this paper we consider how this drift toward more and smaller households, occurring alongside rising affluence, undermines efforts to curb carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions by eroding household scale economies of consumption and associated CO2 emissions. To estimate the household scaling of CO2 emissions, we link consumer expenditure data to an economic input–output life-cycle assessment model. We find that the CO2 scaling benefits of cohabitation are compellingly large, with the carbon footprint of a representative person cohabiting with others being 23% less, on average, than if that same person lived alone. Additionally, we find that household scale economies: 1) decrease in income, reflecting the rise in the percentage of household expenditures devoted to more rival goods and services; and 2) increase intuitively in household size, reflecting the direct expenditure sharing benefits of cohabitation. The combined downward pressure on scale economies from declining household size and rising incomes, typifying the trajectory of developing societies toward more and smaller households and rising affluence, places significant upward pressure on CO2 emissions globally.
Whitebark Pine in the National Parks of the Pacific States: An Assessment of Population Vulnerability

Whitebark pine (Pinus albicaulis) is a long-lived tree found in high-elevation forests of western North America that is declining due to the non-native white pine blister rust (Cronartium ribicola) and climate-driven outbreaks of mountain pine beetle (Dendroctonus ponderosae; MPB). The National Park Service established a monitoring program for whitebark pine in seven parks, including Sequoia & Kings Canyon, Yosemite, Lassen Volcanic, Crater Lake, Mount Rainier, Olympic, and North Cascades National Parks. Using these data, we summarized stand structure, presence of blister rust, and MPB prevalence to provide a baseline for future monitoring. Next, we used a stochastic, size-structured population model to speculate on future trends in the seven national park populations under conditions of increased MPB activity and ongoing blister rust infection observed in Crater Lake. We found that blister rust infected 29 to 54% of whitebark pine in all the parks except the two southernmost, Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Yosemite, where infections rates were 0.3% and 0.2%, respectively. The proportion of dead trees in Sequoia & Kings Canyon and Yosemite was low (0 to 1%), while they ranged from 10 to 43% in the other parks. Model projections suggested an average population decline of 25% in the parks over the next century using Crater Lake conditions, declines which are possible if blister rust continues to spread and climate change results in a significant increase in the frequency or severity of MPB outbreaks. Overall, our study describes conditions at seven western parks and illustrates potential rates of whitebark pine decline if pest outbreaks and/or blister rust infections worsen.
Cross-section ratio sigma(. nu. n)/sigma(. nu. p) for charged-current and neutral-current interactions below 10 GeV

We have measured the cross-section ratio $\frac{\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\nu}n)}{\ensuremath{\sigma}(\ensuremath{\nu}p)}$ for both charged-current and neutral-current interactions at low energy. The experiment used the wide-band neutrino beam at Brookhaven National Laboratory. The detector was the 7-foot bubble chamber filled with a 62% neon-hydrogen mixture. For charged-current events we find that the ratio reaches an asymptotic value of 1.80\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.19 for neutrino energies above 1 GeV. For neutral-current events we measure the ratio to be 1.07\ifmmode\pm\else\textpm\fi{}0.24. Both of these results are in agreement with the quark model.
The Characteristics of Social Network Structure in Later Life in Relation to Incidence of Mild Cognitive Impairment and Conversion to Probable Dementia.

Background Larger, or more active social networks are estimated to be associated with lower risks of cognitive decline. However, roles of various social relationships in a broad social network in protecting against cognitive decline remain to be elucidated. Objective We aimed to investigate how social roles within a social network and number of social network members are associated with cognitive decline. Methods Six waves of National Health and Aging Trends Study (2011-2016, NHATS) were utilized to examine the development of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) and probable dementia determined using validated criteria. Multivariable-adjusted multi-state survival models were used to model incidences and transitions, jointly with misclassification errors. Results A total of 6,078 eligible NHATS participants were included (average age: 77.49±7.79 years; female: 58.42%; non-Hispanic white: 68.99%). Multivariable-adjusted analyses revealed that having more social network members was associated with lower hazards of conversion from MCI to probable dementia (adjusted Hazard Ratio; aHR = 0.82; 95%confidence intervals; 95%CI = [0.67-0.99]), meanwhile having at least one college-educated family member within a social network was associated with lower incidence of probable dementia (aHR = 0.37 [0.26-0.51]). Having at least one friend within a social network was associated with a lower hazard of incidence of probable dementia (aHR = 0.48 [0.33-0.71]), but a higher risk of mortality in the MCI group (aHR = 2.58 [1.47-4.51]). Conclusion Having more social network members, having at least one friend, and having at least one college-educated family member within a social network, were associated with lower risks of incidence of dementia or conversion from MCI to dementia.
Interviews with Scholars of the Ming: Questions for Professor Chün-Fang Yü

It is easy to answer why I decided to study Buddhism of the Ming period. My dissertation was on the Ming Buddhist monk, Yunqi Zhuhong 雲棲祩宏 (1535–1615). This topic was suggested by my dissertation a...
A review of the clinical assistant workforce during COVID-19 at a district general hospital

COVID-19 forced UK medical schools to suspend teaching, placements and exams in March 2020. Left with months of free time, a significant proportion of medical students joined the NHS.1 At Northampton General Hospital (NGH), a new workforce of paid clinical assistants (CAs) were quickly trained to contribute to the pandemic response from April 2020. This project aimed to explore both participants’ and clinicians’ perceptions of this novel scheme. Two separate questionnaires were designed for CAs and clinicians, investigating their ideas of the scheme’s successes, failures and impact on medical education using a mixture of open and closed questions. …
Temporal top- k search in social tagging sites using multiple social networks

In social tagging sites, users are provided easy ways to create social networks, to post and share items like bookmarks, videos, photos and articles, along with comments and tags. In this paper, we present a study of top-k search in social tagging sites by utilizing multiple social networks and temporal information. In particular, besides the global connection, we consider two main social networks, namely the friendship and the common interest networks in our scoring functions. Based on the degree of participation in various networks, users can be categorized into specific classes that differ in their weights on each scoring component. Temporal information, usually ignored by previous works, can enhance the popularity and freshness of the ranking results. Experiments and evaluations on real social tagging datasets show that our framework works well in practice and give useful and intuitive results.
Abstract P349: A Randomized Trial of a High Potassium Dietary Intervention to Lower Blood Pressure in Urban African Americans With Hypertension in the Primary Care Setting: The “Five Plus Nuts and Beans” Trial

Background: African Americans and persons with low income have greater exposure to poor food environments and are more likely to have deficiencies in micronutrients that lower blood pressure (BP). Objective: We conducted a 2-arm randomized trial to test the hypothesis that delivery of nutritional advice to adopt a diet rich in potassium, tailored to availability of foods from a local supermarket, relevant to patients’ preferences, and combined with provision of targeted foods by a food delivery system, will reduce BP in urban African Americans with hypertension. Methods: We recruited adults with controlled hypertension from an urban primary care clinic in Baltimore City, Maryland, and implemented the trial in partnership with a community supermarket and the Baltimore City Health Department. Participants in the DASH-Plus intervention group received 8 weeks of dietary advice and coach assistance with weekly online ordering of high potassium foods ($30/week) delivered by the supermarket to a neighborhood public library. Participants in the control group received a printed DASH diet brochure along with a debit account of equivalent value at the same supermarket. The primary outcome was BP. Results: We randomized 123 participants and had 100% follow-up. At baseline, mean (SD) age was 58.6 (9.5) years, 71% were women, median household income was $20K-$30K/yr, BMI was 34.5 (8.2) kg/m2, and 28% had diabetes. At follow-up, compared to the control group, there was no effect on SBP and DBP, but the intervention group had significant increases in self-reported fruit and vegetable consumption, dietary intake of potassium, and in measured urine potassium excretion, along with a significant decrease in urine sodium excretion (see table). Conclusion: Our intervention program in urban African Americans with controlled hypertension did not reduce BP, but improved dietary patterns. Limitations of this pragmatic trial approach included medication changes during the trial that affected BP and reliance on a single BP measurement at follow-up. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
OXIDATION AND HEAT TRANSFER STUDIES IN GRAPHITE CHANNELS: III. THE CHEMICAL REACTIVITY OF BNL GRAPHITE AND ITS EFFECT ON THE LENGTH OF CHANNEL COOLED BY AIR

Thermal equilibria between the heat produced by graphite oxidation and the heat removed by coolant air streams were investigated in the temperature range from 650 to 735 deg C. The studies were made on graphite channels whose reactivities differed by a factor of eight. Equilibrium occurs in channels shorter than 10 ft if the numerical value of the reactivity (cal/cm/sup 2/-sec) is 100-fold greater than the heat transfer coefficient (cal/cm/sup 2/-sec- deg C). The length of channel cooled depends on the heat transfer coefficient and is insensitive to the reactivity when the heat transfer coefficient is numerically equal to or greater than the reactivity of the graphite. (auth)
Follistatin-Like Protein 1 Promotes Arthritis by Up-Regulating IFN-γ

Follistatin-like protein-1 (FSTL-1) is a poorly characterized protein that is up-regulated in the early stage of collagen-induced arthritis and that exacerbates arthritis when delivered by gene transfer. The current study was designed to determine the mechanism by which FSTL-1 promotes arthritis. FSTL-1 was injected into mouse paws, resulting in severe paw swelling associated with up-regulation of IFN-γ transcript and the IFN-γ-induced chemokine, CXCL10. Mice depleted of T cells were protected. A central role for IFN-γ was confirmed by the finding that mice deficient in IFN-γ failed to exhibit paw swelling in response to injection of FSTL-1. Furthermore, IFN-γ secretion from mouse spleen cells exposed to a weak TCR signal was increased 5-fold in the presence of FSTL-1. FSTL-1 could be induced by innate immune signals, including TLR4 agonists and the arthritogenic cytokine, IL-1β, via an NFκB pathway. Finally, FSTL-1 was found to be overexpressed in human arthritis and its neutralization inhibited murine collagen-induced arthritis and suppressed IFN-γ and CXCL10 production in arthritic joints. These findings demonstrate that FSTL-1 plays a critical role in arthritis by enhancing IFN-γ signaling pathways and suggest a mechanism by which FSTL-1 bridges innate and adaptive immune responses.
A simple transfer function for nonlinear dendritic integration.

Relatively recent advances in patch clamp recordings and iontophoresis have enabled unprecedented study of neuronal post-synaptic integration (“dendritic integration”). Findings support a separate layer of integration in the dendritic branches before potentials reach the cell’s soma. While integration between branches obeys previous linear assumptions, proximal inputs within a branch produce threshold nonlinearity, which some authors have likened to the sigmoid function. Here we show the implausibility of a sigmoidal relation and present a more realistic transfer function in both an elegant artificial form and a biophysically derived form that further considers input locations along the dendritic arbor. As the distance between input locations determines their ability to produce nonlinear interactions, models incorporating dendritic topology are essential to understanding the computational power afforded by these early stages of integration. We use the biophysical transfer function to emulate empirical data using biophysical parameters and describe the conditions under which the artificial and biophysically derived forms are equivalent.
B cell signalling as therapeutic target.

Biological therapy holds the promise of specificity of intervention. Recent progress in development of such therapies has proved that rational targeting can lead to clinical benefit. B cells pose an attractive target in autoimmunity. Approaches currently being tested lead to depletion of B cells or at least circulating B cells.1–3 Such therapies appear remarkably benign, but the effects of repeated depletion, which might be required to fight autoimmune disease, have yet to be defined. Fundamental studies have uncovered pathways of B cell activation. This work opens the possibility of targeting activated B cells. This review asks how we might approach therapeutic manipulation of activated B cells. The underlying assumption is that it is the activated B cells that are important in pathophysiology of autoimmune disease. The activation pathways lead to the differentiation of self-reactive B cells to plasmablasts that produce the autoantibodies, which may be directly pathogenic.4 In addition, activation of B cells leads to the expression of ligands on B cells that bind costimulatory receptors on T cells.5 Along with presentation of self-derived peptides on surface major histocompatibility complex class II molecules, this drives activation of autoimmune T cells.6 Targeting activated B cells would eliminate both contributions of B cells to disease without depletion of resting memory B cells acquired from previous infection or immunisation. The white pulp in the spleen is organised around the terminal branches of the arterioles. The periarteriolar lymphoid sheath (PALS), which surrounds the arteriole, is rich in T cells. Budding eccentrically off the PALS are collections of B cells, which form the follicular mantle. This is bounded by the marginal sinuses, around which are abundant macrophages. The marginal zone is a band of B cells and macrophages lying between the marginal sinuses and the red pulp. These structures are …
Gradient descent techniques for feature detection template generation

An algorithm is described for estimating the weights of gray-scale templates used for morphological feature detection. The problem of finding optimal templates for object detection is formulated as a statistical estimation problem. The problem is solved using a gradient descent algorithm. This procedure is applied to the problem of detecting trucks in simulated SAR imagery. Good performance is achieved with 22 of 24 trucks being identified in a test set and no false alarms.
Aminopeptidases of newborn bovine nasal turbinate epithelial cell cultures

Abstract Newborn bovine nasal turbinate epithelial cell cultures were grown to confluent monolayers and characterized by electron and light microscopy. The passaged nasal turbinate cells retain some similar but not identical morphological characteristics (e.g., microvilli, cuboidal shape, dome formation, apparent mucin granules) exhibited by parent tissue. Morphological properties, however, were consistent with other nasal cell culture systems that have been used to elucidate transport and metabolic features of nasal mucosa. The activity of aminopeptidases in homogenates of the turbinate cell cultures was assayed with 4-methoxy-2-naphthylamides of leucine, alanine, and arginine as substrates. The observed pattern of hydrolysis, apparent kinetic parameters, and inhibition by typical aminopeptidase inhibitors, puromycin and bestatin, were consistent with reported characteristics of aminopeptidases associated with excised nasal epithelial cells. Results here form the basis for consideration of the continuous newborn bovine nasal turbinate epithelial cell line in examining the role of aminopeptidases in determining the metabolic fate of intranasally administered peptides and proteins.
Unoccupied surface states on Ta(100) observed with inverse photoemission

In an attempt to understand the interrelation of surface electronic structure and surface geometry, we have used inverse photoemission to measure the unoccupied surface states on the (100) face of tantalum. Tantalum has one fewer electron than tungsten and the Ta(100) surface is bulk terminated at room temperature, while the W(100) surface is reconstructed. We observe several well-defined features within 2 eV of the Fermi level in the Ta(100) spectra that show strong sensitivity to surface contamination and are therefore associated with surface states and/or resonances. It is difficult to relate the observed features to the W surface states in an empirical way. The two-dimensional dispersion of these states is rather flat, as expected for d-derived states. The results are compared in detail to a recent slab calculation. The spectral intensity of the surface states is significantly weaker than for states on Cu and Ag, a fact that we relate to the higher density of unoccupied states immediately above the Fermi level for the 5d metals as compared to the 3d metals. A peak seen near the Fermi level for the normal-incidence spectrum is related to a strong surface state or resonance below the Fermi level broadened so that itmore » spans the Fermi level. The most likely origin of this broadening is coupling to bulk bands.« less
The dental bridge between Australia and Asia: following Macintosh into the East Asian hearth of humanity

In many of Macintosh's scholarly works he made comparisons between the physical anthropology of Australian Aborigines and East Asians in order to identify Aboriginal origins. One of his last papers (with Larnach, 1976) ended with the remarkable and unexplained speculation that it was out of South China, some 70,000 years ago, that modern humans explosively radiated overland to Europe, the Americas, SE Asia, and by watercraft to Australmelanesia. The present paper is sympathetic to that speculation and offers some dental morphological data in its support, and a preliminary suggestion for defining dentally modern humans. At the same time, these data can be interpreted differently, but nevertheless show the great mportance of native Australians and Melanesians for eventually understanding where and how anatomically modern humans originated and evolved.
Sex differences in the motor inhibitory and stimulatory role of dopamine D1 receptors in rats.

We investigated sex differences in the motor responses to the full and selective dopamine D1-like receptor agonist, (±)-6-chloro-7,8-dihydroxyl-1-phenyl-2,3,4,5-tetrahydro-1H-3-benzazepine hydrobromide (SKF-81297; 0.3, 3, and 10 mg/kg, s.c.), in non-habituated adult rats. In general, SKF-81297 produced a biphasic effect on motor activity (including locomotion, rearing and exploratory activity) which consisted of an initial short inhibition followed by a long-lasting stimulation. These effects were dose- and sex-dependent. The inhibitory phase was more pronounced in males than females while the opposite was true for the stimulatory phase. Importantly, the motor inhibitory effects of SKF-81297 were not due to an increase in stereotypy (e.g., grooming activity). These biphasic effects on several motor parameters suggest the presence of two distinct dopamine D1 receptor populations which have opposite effects on motor activity and which are, in part, sexually dimorphic.
Downstream hydraulic geometry and channel adjustment during a flood along an ephemeral, arid-region drainage

In September 1997, a dissipating tropical storm caused a flood with an estimated maximum discharge of 240 m 3 /s along Yuma Wash, an ephemeral braided system draining 186 km 2 in southwest Arizona. Older high-water marks that record a flood peak of 1280 m 3 /s provide a reasonable estimate for the probable maximum flood along the wash. Detailed channel crosssectional surveys during 1995 and again in 1998, <6 months after the 1997 flood, facilitated examination of downstream hydraulic geometry and channel adjustment during the flood. Channel width increased substantially downstream (exponent of 0.78), presumably because of low bank resistance, whereas hydraulic depth and velocity had modest downstream increases (0.15 and 0.14, respectively). Channel aggradation generally occurred along wider, braided reaches; moreover, degradation occurred in narrow reaches with fewer channels. Aggradation and degradation also appeared to be governed by a threshold relationship between flow depth and vegetated bars. Degradation occurred where flow was confined within a channel or subchannel. At discharges sufficiently high to overtop vegetated bars, greater roughness facilitated sediment deposition and channels aggraded. A discriminant function correctly classified nearly 90% of the cross-sections as scoured or filled using a single hydraulic variable, maximum depth of flow during the dissipating tropical storm. D 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Multimodality imaging manifestations of the Meckel diverticulum in children

Meckel diverticulum is the most common congenital abnormality of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, occurring in approximately 2% of the general population. The lifetime complication rate from a Meckel diverticulum is 0.5%–2%. The most common complications include bleeding, obstruction, inflammation and perforation. However, the clinical manifestations of a Meckel diverticulum are frequently nonspecific. As a result, complications secondary to Meckel diverticulitis can mimic a variety of more common intra-abdominal processes, such as appendicitis, inflammatory bowel disease and any other cause of small bowel inflammation or obstruction. The radiologist should be aware of potential manifestations of the disease on different imaging modalities. In this pictorial essay, we illustrate several complications related to the Meckel diverticulum, in multiple modalities.
Radiative corrections to the e- e+- scattering amplitude at infinite energy

In the high-energy limit of $\mathrm{ee}$ elastic scattering, as given by all possible multiphoton exchanges, we have considered a large class of radiative corrections. This class of radiative corrections is one in which one ignores processes involving pair creations and anihilations. The resultant amplitude is found to be proportional to the square of the c.m. energy, multiplied by the product of the e.m. form factors and the eikonal form.
Mineralogy and morphological properties of buried polygenetic paleosols formed in late quaternary sediments on upland landscapes of the central plains, USA.

Abstract East central Kansas is largely comprised of alternating, level beds of Permian shale and limestone of the Central Plains, USA. Polygenetic upland soils of east central Kansas have been formed though multiple and likely different sets of soil forming factors. Upland soils in this region have a complex genesis, often contain one or more paleosols, and form in multiple parent materials including loess, locally reworked loess or colluvium, and residuum. The depth to bedrock rarely exceeds 2 m. Upland hillslope soils commonly contain one or more paleosols, and can be observed on a variety of hillslope positions on the landscape. Generally, the lower paleosols are recognized by strongly expressed structure, thick continuous clay coatings on all faces of peds, and strong reddish color with either 7.5YR or 5YR hues. Soil textures of the paleosols often feel less clayey than the overlying horizons in field determinations. At first, this was attributed to a decrease in clay content, stickiness, and plasticity. However, subsequent laboratory characterization revealed that the clay content was usually highest in the lower paleosol horizons, and that the clay mineralogy of the modern soil was dominated by smectite, while the paleosols contained a mixed suite of minerals. Therefore, the perceived decrease in clay content was caused by a change in clay mineralogy, a feature that can be exploited in future field descriptions in order to more accurately distinguish between stratigraphic units in these thin, welded polygenetic soils. The age of the paleosols sampled in this study were typical for the late Quaternary-aged Severance formation, clustering in two age ranges, which were ≈ 19,000 to 20,000 and ≈ 22,500 to 27,700 uncalibrated 14 C yr BP. The results from this study illustrate that although they might be thin, truncated, and welded, late Quaternary-aged loess-derived soils and paleosols occur in regular, predictable patterns on many upland hillslopes in the Bluestem Hills Major Land Resource Area, and this region should be included in future regional investigations of the Central Plains.
Live-attenuated intranasal parainfluenza virus type 2 vaccine candidates developed by reverse genetics containing L polymerase protein mutations imported from heterologous paramyxoviruses

Live-attenuated recombinant human parainfluenza virus type 2 (rHPIV2) vaccine candidates were created using reverse genetics by importing known attenuating mutations in the L polymerase protein from heterologous paramyxoviruses into the homologous sites of the HPIV2 L protein. Four recombinants (rF460L, rY948H, rL1566I, and rS1724I) were recovered and three were attenuated for replication in hamsters. The genetic stability of the imported mutations at three of the four sites was enhanced by use of alternative codons or by deletion of a pair of amino acids. rHPIV2s bearing these modified mutations exhibited enhanced attenuation. The genetically stabilized mutations conferring a high level of attenuation will be useful in generating a live-attenuated virus vaccine for HPIV2.
Pixel size limit in holographic memories

The bandwidth of holographic recording in LiNbO3 (Fe doped) in the 90° geometry is studied theoretically and experimentally. The wide holographic bandwidth of LiNbO3 makes it possible to record submicrometer pixels and reconstruct them by phase conjugation in a holographic memory system. This approach reduces the system cost and increases the system storage density. We demonstrate the recording and the phase-conjugate reconstruction of various pixel sizes down to 1 μm × 1 μm . The signal–noise ratio and the bit-error rate are examined.
Seasonal variations of 210Pb and 210Po concentrations in an oligotrophic lake

Abstract The vertical distribution of 210Pb and 210Po in the dissolved ( 0.4 μm) phases was measured in Crystal Lake, Wisconsin, to examine the spatial and temporal variability during the seasonal cycle of this oligotrophic lake. The concentration of unsupported 210Pb in the water column is maintained principally by atmospheric input. However, most of the 210Po in Crystal Lake is produced in situ from radioactive decay of 210Pb. Mass balance considerations indicated that the removal rates of 210Pb and 210Po from the water column to the sediment varied temporally by nearly an order of magnitude. During transient periods of high biological productivity, a large net flux of these nuclides into the sediment occurred. In addition, 210Pb was rapidly stripped from the water column during fall turnover. It was during these short-lived events that most of the annual net removal of 210Pb and 210Po occurred. The mean removal residence time was estimated to be 0.095 yr for 210Pb and 0.26 yr for 210Po. These residence times suggest that there is a difference between 210Pb and 210Po in the extent of their recycling in the water column. Calculations indicated that there was a cyclic response of the water column 210Po inventory corresponding to successive time periods where there was a net loss or net gain. This cycling is attributed to rapid biological removal and subsequent release from the sediment of freshly deposited 210Po. For 210Pb, replenishment of the water column appeared to occur mainly from atmospheric input.
Gene interventions in the β-adrenergic system for treating heart failure

Abstract Cardiovascular disease accounts for nearly 40% of all deaths annually in this country. Prevention management and advances in medical treatments have dramatically reduced the overall mortality rate due to heart disease. However, death due to chronic heart failure (HF) continues to rise, and effective therapy, particularly for end-stage HF, has been elusive. The myocardial β-adrenergic receptor (βAR) system is critical not only in chronic HF but also in acute settings where cardiac function is compromised. Adding to its importance is the fact that drugs that act by altering βAR signal transduction are at the forefront of conventional HF therapeutic strategies. Accordingly, the ability to genetically manipulate βAR signaling in the heart is of great interest since it may provide unique inotropic support and improve existing therapeutic strategies for HF. © 2003 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
Analysis of Research Concerning Free and Reduced Tuition Programs for Senior Citizens.

Abstract Within the past 10 years a number of studies have been conducted on free and reduced tuition for senior citizens in the United States. Since George Miller's bench mark study in 1975 a body of research has been accumulating. The research has begun to show increasing differentiation as additional scholars investigate different facets of the topic. This paper provides an overview of some of the major research reported in the literature. At the present time most investigations on the subject seem to fall into one of five categories: surveys of institutions, surveys of coordinating boards, surveys and interviews of senior citizens, institutional self‐studies, and literature reviews or metaresearch. These approaches are noted and the methodology, scope, and focus of the research are discussed. The findings of different studies generally agree in broad topical areas such as enrollments, students, relationships with other students, kinds of programs, and course content. In addition some comments about th...
Wegener granulomatosis Unusual cause of necrotizing urethritis

We report a case of Wegener granulomatosis presenting as a destructive urethral mass. The initial clinical impression was carcinoma, and a urinary diverting procedure was considered before the correct diagnosis was established. The importance of recognizing this unusual disease and its dramatic response to appropriate therapy are emphasized.
Normal left renal vein mimicking left renal artery aneurysm

On transverse ultrasound scans a small number of patients with a paucity of retroperitoneal fat show an initial false impression of a left renal artery aneurysm due to the confluence of two normal findings. The left renal vein is unusually prominent from the hilum of the left kidney to the area between the superior mesenteric artery and the aorta; and part of the normal aortic wall, adjacent to the left renal vein, is incompletely imaged. Explanations for the prominence in the left renal vein and the partial visualization of the aortic wall are discussed, and various maneuvers that allow for accurate identification of both are described. The use of this analysis should prevent the incorrect diagnosis of a left renal artery aneurysm, which might lead to more invasive diagnostic procedures.