cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Ab Initio Calculations of Vibrational Energy Levels and Transition Dipole Moments of CO2 Molecules

Ab initio MD simulation of laser-matter interactions is a hot area in the study of the mechanisms of photo-dissociation, photo-ionization and laser induced chemical reactions. The major problems in the study of laser-molecule interactions are to determine the energies and wave functions of molecular vibration states and the molecular transition dipole moments. An efficient method is presented to calculate the intramolecular potential energies and electrical dipole moments of CO2 molecules at the electronic ground state by solving the Kohn-Sham (KS) equation for a total of 101,992 nuclear configurations. The Projector-Augmented Wave (PAW) exchange-correlation potential functionals and Plane Wave (PW) basis functions were used in solving the KS equation. The calculated intra-molecular potential function was then included in the pure vibrational Schrodinger equation to determine the vibrational energy eigen values and eigen functions. The vibrational wave functions combined with the calculated dipole moment function were used to determine the transition dipole moments. The calculated results have a good agreement with experimental values. These results can be further used to determinations of molecular spectroscopy and laser absorption coefficients.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Malonylglucoside Conjugates of Isoflavones Are Much Less Bioavailable Compared with Unconjugated β-Glucosidic Forms in Rats

Despite considerable interest in the physiologic effects of isoflavones, the in vivo bioavailability of the most common isoflavone forms, malonylglucoside conjugates, has not been determined. Differences in the bioavailability of malonylglucosides compared with the nonconjugated β-glucoside forms may explain the inconsistent findings regarding the physiologic effects of isoflavones. Therefore, our objective was to determine the effect of malonyl- conjugation on isoflavone bioavailability in an animal model. Malonylgenistin and malonyldaidzin, and their corresponding nonconjugated glucosides, were extracted from soy grits and purified using liquid chromatography. Purity of the isolated forms was confirmed by nuclear magnetic resonance analysis. Male rats were gavaged with malonylgenistin, genistin, malonyldaidzin, or daidzin at a dose of 100 μmol/kg body weight. Blood and urine samples were collected at time intervals ranging from 0 to 48 h. Isoflavone metabolites in plasma and urine were determined using stable isotope dilution-liquid chromatography/mass spectrometry. Comparisons of pharmacokinetic variables were made between nonconjugated and conjugated glucosides and over time of plasma collection. The areas under the time-concentration curve of the metabolites in the plasma obtained after the administration of nonconjugated β-glucosides were 1 to 6 times higher than those of their respective malonylglucosides (P ≤ 0.05). Additionally, maximum plasma concentration and urinary excretion of isoflavone metabolites were significantly higher (1-9 times; P ≤ 0.05) after the administration of nonconjugated β-glucosides. To our knowledge, these results demonstrated, for the first time, that nonconjugated β-glucosides are relatively more bioavailable than their respective malonylglucosides. These differences in the bioavailability of conjugated and nonconjugated β-glucosides should be considered in future studies focused on the bioactivity of isoflavones.
Safety and immunogenicity of attenuated Salmonella enterica serovar Typhimurium delivering an HIV-1 Gag antigen via the Salmonella Type III secretion system.

Abstract Background CKS257 ( Salmonella typhimurium SL1344 ΔphoP / phoQΔ aroA Δasd ΔstrA / strB pSB2131) is a live oral vaccine vector expressing HIV Gag. Methods HIV Gag was expressed as a fusion protein of a Salmonella Type III secretion system protein SopE, from a balanced lethal asd -based plasmid. Eighteen healthy adults were given single escalating oral doses of 5 × 10 6 to 1 × 10 10 CFU of CKS257 and were monitored for clinical events, shedding and immune responses. Results Adverse events were mild except at the highest dose. Volunteers shed the organism an average of 5.1 days (range 0–13 days). Eighty-three percent (15/18) of subjects had a mucosal immune response to Salmonella LPS and flagella by IgA ELISPOT assay. Seventy-two percent (13/18) of subjects seroconverted to Salmonella antigens. No volunteer had a response to recombinant Gag as measured by serology, IgA ELISPOT, or immediate ex vivo γ-interferon ELISPOT response to Gag peptide pools. Two volunteers responded to Gag peptides by IL-2 ELISPOT, and 4 of 10 volunteers receiving ≥5 × 10 8 CFU had a response to HIV peptides in a cultured γ-interferon ELISPOT assay. Conclusions Although immunogenicity of the HIV antigen needs augmentation, the attenuated Salmonella strain proved to be an excellent platform for vaccine development.
Activation of Multiply Innervated Fast and Slow Myotomal Muscle Fibres of the Teleost Myoxocephalus Scorpius

A nerve-muscle preparation from the sculpin Myoxocephalus scorpius was used to study the membrane response of fast and slow muscle fibres to stimulation of the spinal nerves. There was no significant difference between resting potential in fast (−81.9mV) and slow fibres (−80.8mV). Fast fibres responded to a suprathreshold stimulus in the spinal nerve with an action potential. Overshoots of up to +32 mV were recorded. Both junction potentials and overshooting action potentials were observed in the slow fibres. The twitch/tetanus characteristics of myotomal muscle were investigated using isolated bundles of ‘live’ fast and slow fibres. Both fibre types responded to a single stimulus with a mechanical twitch. Fused tetani were obtained at around 50Hz in fast fibres and 20 Hz in slow fibres. In the slow fibres, tetanic tension increased with frequency up to around 50Hz. At frequencies giving maximum tetanic tension, the twitch/tetanus ratio was 0.70 for fast fibres and 0.29 for slow ones. These results are discussed with reference to the polyneuronal/multiterminal innervation pattern of the myotomal muscle in teleost fish and its role in locomotion.
A computational genomics pipeline for prokaryotic sequencing projects

Motivation: New sequencing technologies have accelerated research on prokaryotic genomes and have made genome sequencing operations outside major genome sequencing centers routine. However, no off-the-shelf solution exists for the combined assembly, gene prediction, genome annotation and data presentation necessary to interpret sequencing data. The resulting requirement to invest significant resources into custom informatics support for genome sequencing projects remains a major impediment to the accessibility of high-throughput sequence data. Results: We present a self-contained, automated high-throughput open source genome sequencing and computational genomics pipeline suitable for prokaryotic sequencing projects. The pipeline has been used at the Georgia Institute of Technology and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for the analysis of Neisseria meningitidis and Bordetella bronchiseptica genomes. The pipeline is capable of enhanced or manually assisted reference-based assembly using multiple assemblers and modes; gene predictor combining; and functional annotation of genes and gene products. Because every component of the pipeline is executed on a local machine with no need to access resources over the Internet, the pipeline is suitable for projects of a sensitive nature. Annotation of virulence-related features makes the pipeline particularly useful for projects working with pathogenic prokaryotes. Availability and implementation: The pipeline is licensed under the open-source GNU General Public License and available at the Georgia Tech Neisseria Base ( http://nbase.biology.gatech.edu/). The pipeline is implemented with a combination of Perl, Bourne Shell and MySQL and is compatible with Linux and other Unix systems. Contact: king.jordan@biology.gatech.edu Supplementary information:Supplementary data are available at Bioinformatics online.
Reduction in oxidatively generated DNA damage following smoking cessation.

Background Cigarette smoking is a known cause of cancer, and cancer may be in part due to effects of oxidative stress. However, whether smoking cessation reverses oxidatively induced DNA damage unclear. The current study sought to examine the extent to which three DNA lesions showed significant reductions after participants quit smoking.
Noise Induced Dynamics in Adaptive Networks with Applications to Epidemiology

Recent work in modeling the coupling between disease dynamics and dynamic social network geometry has led to the examination of how human interactions force a rewiring of connections in a population. Rewiring of the network may be considered an adaptive response to social forces due to disease spread, which in turn feeds back to the disease dynamics. Such epidemic models, called adaptive networks, have led to new dynamical instabilities along with the creation of multiple attracting states. The co-existence of several attractors is sensitive to internal and external fluctuations, which lead to enhanced stochastic oscillatory outbreaks and disease extinction. The aim of this chapter is to explore the bifurcations of adaptive network models in the presence of fluctuations and to review some of the new fluctuation phenomena induced in adaptive networks.
Chemically and photochemically initiated DNA cleavage by an insulin-mimetic bisperoxovanadium complex

Chemically and photochemically induced cleavage of DNA by the insulin-mimetic compound NH4[VO(O2)2-(1,10-phenanthroline)], bpV(phen), have been studied. 51V NMR and absorption indicate that photoirradiation with low energy UV light of aqueous solutions containing bpV(phen) leads to the conversion of the compound to simple vanadates. Photoillumination of the compound in the presence of supercoiled pBR322 DNA results in cutting of the plasmid to produce nicked circular and linear DNA. Quantitative analysis of agarose gel data shows that bpV(phen) is a single strand nicking agent exhibiting sequence and/or base specificity.
A model for software development effort and cost estimation

Several algorithmic models have been proposed to estimate software costs and other management parameters. Early prediction of completion time is absolutely essential for proper advance planning and aversion of the possible ruin of a project. L.H. Putnam's (1978) SLIM (Software LIfecycle Management) model offers a fairly reliable method that is used extensively to predict project completion times and manpower requirements as the project evolves. However, the nature of the Norden/Rayleigh curve used by Putnam renders it unreliable during the initial phases of the project, especially in projects involving a fast manpower buildup, as is the case with most software projects. In this paper, we propose the use of a model that improves early prediction considerably over the Putnam model. An analytic proof of the model's improved performance is also demonstrated on simulated data.
Tarsals of the extinct insectivoran family Nyctitheriidae (Mammalia): evidence for archontan relationships

Abstract Astragali and calcanea from the English late Eocene, attributed to the extinct «insectivoran» family Nyctitheriidae, are described for the first time. They contrast with those of the strict sense insectivorans, the Lipotyphla, in which order nyctitheres have usually been placed, and compare more closely with those of Scandentia (tree shrews) and the extinct Plesiadapiformes. Functional analysis demonstrates that inversion of the foot was possible between the astragalus and calcaneum of nyctitheres, allowing them to be interpreted as having had a tree-dwelling, probably scansorial, mode of life. These tarsal bones are compared with those of other placental mammals. Cladistic analysis of tarsal characters places nyctitheres as sister group to the Plesiadapiformes within the superorder Archonta, excluding Chiroptera (bats). An independent analysis of dental characters places them as sister group to the rest of the Archonta, but still excluding bats. Combining the dental and tarsal characters places nyctitheres as sister group to Plesiadapiformes and all modern groups of archontans except bats. A new osteological synapomorphy is proposed for the Archonta, which is thus considered to comprise Chiroptera, Deccanolestes , Nyctitheriidae, Plesiadapiformes, Dermoptera (including Mixodectidae), Scandentia and Primates. Insectivorans s.l. have long been at the centre of arguments on placental origins, although lipotyphlans are usually regarded as a monophyletic group, rather than paraphyletic stem placentals. Reidentification of an extinct lipotyphlan family as having archontan relationships raises the possibility of advances in other areas of insectivoran phylogeny when more postcranial elements become known. The early Oligocene extinction of nyctitheres may be causally related to the rise of insectivorous microchiropteran bats, which, because of their flying ability, would have been able to forage more widely.
Measurement of uterine blood flow and uterine metabolism

Abstract In recent years valuable techniques have been devised to measure blood flow to the kidneys, brain, heart, and liver, and great progress has been made in the study of the circulation and metabolism in these organs. Surprisingly, however, such studies have not as yet been satisfactorily extended to the nonpregnant and pregnant uterus, despite the obvious value which would be derived from knowledge of uterine blood flow and uterine metabolism. These studies probably would contribute to the solution of important problems in obstetrics and gynecology, such as those related to uterine and placental ischemia, uterine inertia, effects of various hormones and other therapeutic agents on uterine and fetal circulation, and presumably also dysmenorrhea and functional uterine bleeding. The present paper reviews and evaluates the studies which heretofore have been made on the measurement of uterine blood flow in experimental animals and human subjects. It also discusses the possibilities and significance of applying the newer methods and techniques used in measuring the circulation in other organs, in the determination of uterine blood flow and uterine metabolism.
Granulomatous Synovitis: The Role of Atypical Mycobacteria

Clinical data on 25 patients with granulomatous synovitis and bursitis observed from 1970 through 1977 are reviewed. The lesions occurred about the extremities, the wrists and hands being involved most often. With three exceptions, the patients had no significant underlying disease. The lesions were chronic and often followed minor trauma. Many patients had had prior surgery, steriod injections, or both. At the time of surgery for the synovitis, the gross appearance proved to be relatively characteristic, and microscopic examination revealed granulomatous inflammation. Mycobacteria were found in 20 patients. In 15 of these cases, mycobacteria were isolated in cultures; in an additional five cases, acid-fast bacilli were seen in the excised tissue but cultures were negative. The species isolated were Mycobacterium tuberculosis (four cases), Mycobacterium kansaii (six), Mycobacterium marinum (one), Mycobacterium gordonae (one), Mycobacterium avium-intracellulare (two), and Mycobacterium chelonei (one). The clinical results after therapy that combined surgery and antimicrobial agents were generally favorable. It is stressed that surgical specimens should be sent for appropriate cultures as well as for histologic study.
Distribution of Phospholipids and Triglycerides in Multivesicular Lipid Particles

The distribution of phospholipid and triglyceride molecules in themembranes forming the nonconcentric vesicular network within a multivesicular lipid particle (MLP) and its precursors was investigated. MLP formulations afford controlled release of encapsulated pharmaceuticals over a time period ranging from a few days to a few weeks. The formation of MLP requires the use of a double emulsification process and a neutral lipid such as a triglyceride. MLP formulations with the antineoplastic agent cytarabine encapsulated in the aqueous compartments were prepared that further contained [13C]carbonyl-enriched triolein, and quantitative 13C nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) experiments were performed to quantitate membrane-soluble and bulk triglyceride. In the NMR spectra of MLP, components attributable to triolein residing in a location similar to that of bilayer phospholipid were not observed. Spectral components attributable to triolein in a liquid-like phase were observed, and the intensity of these componen...
Speech Enhancement Based on Generalized Minimum Mean Square Error Estimators and Masking Properties of the Auditory System

In this paper, the family of conditional minimum mean square error (MMSE) spectral estimators is studied which take on the form (E(XEalphap/|Xp + Dp|))1alpha/, where Xp is the clean speech spectrum, and Dp is the noise spectrum, resulting in a generalized MMSE estimator (GMMSE). The degree of noise suppression versus musical tone artifacts of these estimators is studied. The tradeoffs in selection of (alpha), across noise spectral structure and signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) level, are also considered. Members of this family of estimators include the Ephraim-Malah (EM) amplitude estimator and, for high SNRs, the Wiener Filter. It is shown that the colorless residual noise observed in the EM estimator is a characteristic of this general family of estimators. An application of these estimators in an auditory enhancement scheme using the masking threshold of the human auditory system is formulated, resulting in the GMMSE-auditory masking threshold (AMT) enhancement method. Finally, a detailed evaluation of the proposed algorithms is performed over the phonetically balanced TIMIT database and the National Gallery of the Spoken Word (NGSW) audio archive using subjective and objective speech quality measures. Results show that the proposed GMMSE-AMT outperforms MMSE and log-MMSE enhancement methods using a detailed phoneme-based objective quality analysis
Field worker exposure to selected insecticides applied to corn via center-pivot irrigation.

Field workers were monitored for dermal and respiratory exposure to chlorpyrifos (with and without crop oil), carbaryl, and permethrin at reentry intervals of 2, 4, 8, 24, and 48 h after application. Insecticides were applied to R3 stage corn through an overhead center-pivot irrigation system. Dermal exposure was measured by analyzing 18 gauze pads attached to the clothing of workers to represent human body regions. Hand exposure was determined using cotton gloves. Respiratory exposure was determined using portable air samplers equipped with polyurethane foam plugs to trap ambient insecticide residues. Gas liquid chromatography was used to quantify residues of chlorpyrifos and permethrin in gauze pads, gloves, and foam plugs. Carbaryl residues in pads, gloves, and foam plugs were analyzed using high-performance liquid chromatography. Highest dermal and respiratory exposures were found at the 2-h reentry interval. Exposures decreased as reentry interval increased. Dermal exposure was primarily confined to the hands. Residues detected by air samplers ranged from 0 to 0.03 pg/liter. Based on the estimated percentages of acute toxic dose (all < 0.00038%), the risk of acute toxicity to workers at the intervals studied was low.
Graminofolium Nickle: a new genus of katydid with two species from northern South America

Abstract Two new species of a new genus of katydids collected in the understory of rainforests of northern Peru are described and figured. Observations on one species suggests that both may be predaceous or, at least, opportunistic predators. Placement of this genus into either Copiphorinae or Agraeciinae has not been resolved and demonstrates the need for studies to refine subfamilial and tribal relationships among the tettigoniids.
MICROPROPULSION SYSTEM SELECTION FOR PRECISION FORMATION FLYING SATELLITES

Several of NASA's upcoming scientific interferometry missions (ST-3, LISA, TPFt etc.) are pushing the limits of precision positioning of satellites. These spacecraft will require position and attitude control actuation on exceedingly small scales, which has not previously been performed. The several candidate propulsion systems for these missions include: colloid thrusters, field emission electrostatic propulsion thrusters (FEEP), pulsed plasma thrusters (PPT) and miniature cold gas thrusters. In order to assess the appropriateness of each of the candidate micropropulsion systems, a model of each is constructed. The models created are conglomerations of basic physical concepts and empirically founded relationships. Emphasis is placed on the determination of key operating parameters that are most relevant to the systems level of design. Along with models of propulsion system performance, a common set of metrics is defined to allow varied concepts to be compared fairly. High-level propulsion system design has been performed for each mission, employing the propulsion models created. These designs are evaluated according to the metrics developed and judgements about the most useful requirements for which to use the different propulsion systems are made.
Abstract 204: Emergency Department Visits for Heart Failure and Subsequent Hospitalization or Observation Unit Admission

Background: Although the majority of hospitalizations for heart failure (HF) originate in the emergency department (ED), many of these patients might be adequately treated and released in the ED or managed for a short period in an observation unit. Both ED and observation management have been shown to reduce costs and avoid the penalties related to rehospitalization. The purpose of this study was to examine trends in ED visits for HF and disposition following these visits. Because of increasing policy pressure to reduce rehospitalization for HF, we hypothesized that the number of HF patients hospitalized by ED providers decreased over time with a concurrent increase in admissions to the observation unit. We further hypothesized that the overall number of ED visits for HF decreased as a result of improved therapy for HF the last two decades. Methods: We used the National Hospital Ambulatory Medical Care Survey (NHAMCS) to estimate rates and characteristics of ED visits for HF between 2002 and 2010. The primary outcome was the discharge disposition from the ED. Regression models were fit to estimate trends and predictors of hospitalization and admission to an observation unit. Results: The number of ED visits for HF remained stable over the period, from 914,739 in 2002 to 848,634 in 2010 (annual change -0.7%; 95% CI -3.7% - +2.5%). Of these visits, 74.2% led to hospitalization while 3.1% led to observation unit admission (Figure). The likelihood of hospitalization did not change during the period (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) 1.00; 95% CI 0.99-1.01 for each additional year) while admission to observation increased annually (aPR 1.11; 95% CI 1.00-1.23). We observed significant regional differences: as compared to other regions, patients in the Northeast were more likely to be hospitalized (aPR 1.15; 95% CI 1.07-1.22) but less likely to be admitted to an observation unit (aPR 0.43; 95% CI 0.19-1.02). Conclusions: The number of ED visits for HF has remained stable in the last decade. Although observation unit admissions increased during this period, they constituted a relatively small number of dispositions and did not appear to attenuate the substantial number of ED visits that resulted in hospitalization. Opportunities may exist to reduce hospitalizations by increasing short term management of HF in the observation unit. ![][1] [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
AN OUTBREAK OF ADENOVIRUS TYPE 3 DISEASE AT A PRIVATE RECREATION CENTER SWIMMING POOL

In the period June 6--July 24, 1977, and outbreak of illness due to adenovirus type 3 (AV3) occurred in residents of a suburban community (Community A), Dekalb County, Georgia. Based on surveys, at least 105 cases occurred. The illness was primarily characterized by sore throat, fever, headache, and anorexia. Conjunctivitis affected only 34 of 105 (32%) of the individuals in two surveys. Frequent use of a private swimming pool was associated with illness in Community A residents. The outbreak coincided with a temporary defect in the pool filtration system which probably prevented maintenance of proper chlorine levels in the pool water, and suggested that the infection was spread by pool water. However, the predominant mode of transmission could not be shown conclusively to be waterborn rather than person-to-person.
BWROPT: A multi-cycle BWR fuel cycle optimization code

Abstract A new computer code for performing BWR in-core and out-of-core fuel cycle optimization for multiple cycles simultaneously has been developed. Parallel simulated annealing (PSA) is used to optimize the new fuel inventory and placement of new and reload fuel for each cycle considered. Several algorithm improvements were implemented and evaluated. The most significant of these are variable sampling probabilities and sampling new fuel types from an ordered array. A heuristic control rod pattern (CRP) search algorithm was also implemented, which is useful for single CRP determinations, however, this feature requires significant computational resources and is currently not practical for use in a full multi-cycle optimization. The PSA algorithm was demonstrated to be capable of significant objective function reduction and finding candidate loading patterns without constraint violations. The use of variable sampling probabilities was shown to reduce runtime while producing better results compared to using constant sampling probabilities. Sampling new fuel types from an ordered array was shown to have a mixed effect compared to random new fuel type sampling, whereby using both random and ordered sampling produced better results but required longer runtimes.
Microdetermination of serum calcium by parallel fast analyzer.

An adaptation of a direct microdetermination of serum calcium based upon its colored reaction product with cresolphthalein complexone for use with a parallel fast analyzer is described. It is simple, reliable and clinically accurate. Twenty microliters of sample are employed in a final volume of 650 μ l. Comparison studies with an atomic absorption method resulted in a correlation coefficient (r) of 0.94. Replicate analyses at normal (8.5 mg. per dl.) and abnormal (12.1 mg. per dl.) levels showed inter-day coefficients of variation of 3.2 and 2.3%, respectively. Assays of sera of male and female donors (age range: 17–60 years) showed normal ranges of 8.5–10.8 and 8.5–10.5 mg. per dl., respectively. Moderate hemolysis and jaundice and mild lipemia are associated with spuriously high results. Magnesium in serum showed no significant effect below 4.0 mEq. per 1.
The Economic Significance of Recent Price Legislation

THE PRICE legislation to which reference is made in this session in ludes, I presume, the Robinson-Patman Act, the various state resale price maintenance laws together with the MillerTydings amendment, and the minimum price laws. These laws have different specific objectives, but they have enough in common to enable us to discern a general movement of which these are special manifestations. Some of the features which these laws have in common will be suggested as we proceed. Ostensibly, these laws are aimed at different alleged evils. The RobinsonPatman Act purports to prevent unwarranted price favoritism in the purchase of goods. The state resale price maintenance laws give to a manufacturer the legal right to specify the price at which his branded goods will be resold, and the Miller-Tydings amendment is an attempt on the part of the national government to give effect to the purpose of the state laws. The laws against selling below cost are aimed at preventing some retailers from injuring others by an uneconomical retail price policy. The laws thus impinge upon prices in apparently different ways: the first deals with relative prices paid by retailers, the second with prices relative and absolute charged by retailers for identical branded goods, and the third group with prices charged by retailers on any and all goods relative to the costs of those goods. Let us consider these laws individually a little further. The Robinson-Patman Act represents an extension of the rule against discrimination on the part of a seller between buyers. As a general principle, the undesirability of arbitrary discrimination has been long recognized. As to public utilities, this attitude has long existed even in the common law and, more specifically, in statute such as the Interstate Commerce Act. And as to other businesses, it was prohibited in the Clayton Act. Furthermore, I think it is fair to say that business men themselves recognized that discrimination, in the absence of some specially justifying circumstances, was questionable on ethical grounds. Competitive forces might make it necessary, but there was an apologetic attitude toward it very much as there is an apologetic attitude toward the practice of reciprocity even on the part of many business men who engage in it. In a sense, therefore, the Robinson-Patman Act was merely giving more practical ffect to a principle which was approved by the common sense of the business community as well as approved by legislation. The price maintenance laws also apparently put into effect a principle that has long had a considerable support in this country. That principle is that a manufacturer who has attached his name or brand to an article of his production should be permitted to specify at the time of sale the conditions under which it could be resold. This principle did not have as wide an acceptance as * Paper read before the joint meeting of the American Marketing Association and the American Accounting Association at Detroit in December 1938.
Study on the effects of BCG-PSN injection on immune and pulmonery function of asthmatic children

Objective: To observe the effect on immune and pulmonery function in asthmatic children treated with Polysaccharide nucleic acid of BCG (BCG-PSN) injection. Method: 18 cases (treatment group) with additional BCG-PSN injection and 15 case (control group) with only normal treatment were studied in contrast. They were all observed in PPD skin test, pulmonery function and assaied the level of IL-4、IFN-γ in PBMCs and plasm total IgE using ELISA kits six months before and after the treatment. Results: The number of treatment group with PPD skin test-positive is 8 cases after BCG-PSN therapy. In comparison with the asthma control, BCG-PSN immunization could increases the level of IFN-γ, the ratio of IFN-γ/IL-4 whereas decreases the level of IL-4 in PBMC and the plasma total IgE. Good result can be attained in symptom and pulmonary function. Conclusion: BCG-PSN can recover the balance of Th1/Th2. And excellent effects of BCG-PSN injection in treament on immune and pulmonery function of asthmatic children were found.
Application of IPv6 in Distribution Communication Network

Aiming at the dramatically increasing trend of the quantity of intelligent distribution terminals and the diverse trend of services carried on the distribution communication network, this paper focuses on analyzing the situations and business requirements of the distribution communication network, studies the technical characteristics of IPv6, and concludes that transition to IPv6 in distribution communication network is inevitable. Further, this paper compares three mainstream evolution technologies including the dual-stack technology, the tunneling technology and NAT/PT from the IPv4 to the IPv6, and gives the transition technology and construction reformation solution used in the evolution process from the IPv4 to the IPv6 in the distribution communication network.
Identification of solid materials using HSI spectral oscillators

Our research aims to characterize solid materials through LWIR reﬂectance spectra in order to improve com-positional exploitation in a hyperspectral imaging (HSI) sensor data cube. Speciﬁcally, we aim to reduce false alarm rates when identifying target materials without compromising sensitivity. We employ dispersive analysis to extract the material oscillator resonances from reﬂectance spectra with a stepwise ﬁtting algorithm to estimate the Lorentz or Gaussian oscillators eﬀectively present in the HSI spectral measurements. The proposed algorithm operates through nonlinear least squares minimization through a grid search over potential oscillator resonance frequencies and widths. Experimental validation of the algorithm is performed with published values of crys-talline and amorphous materials. Our aim is to use the derived oscillator parameters to characterize the materials that are present in an HSI pixel. We demonstrate that there are material-speciﬁc properties of oscillators that show subtle variability when considering changes in morphology or measurement conditions. The experimentally veriﬁed results include variability in material particle size, measurement angle, and atmospheric conditions for six mineral measurements. Once a target material’s oscillators are characterized, we apply statistical learning techniques to form a classiﬁer based on the estimated spectral oscillators of the HSI pixels. We show that this approach has good initial identiﬁcation results that are extendible across localized experimental conditions.
Pathological stage grouping of patients with resected carcinoma of the lung.

Data from a series of 569 patients with “curative” resection of non-oat cell tumors were analyzed by the life-table method to evaluate the validity of the postresection pathological staging classification suggested by the American Joint Committee. The cell types were as follows: squamous, 305; adenocarcinoma, 172; large cell, 73; and mixed, 19. Each patient was assigned a pathological TN classification on examination of the resected specimen (all patients were judged clinically to have no distant metastases—M0). There were 173 lesions classified as T1 N0, 37 as T1 N1, 212 as T2 N0, 115 as T2 N1, and 32 as either T3 with any N or N2 with any T. In analyzing the data, we identified a subset of lesions (25), initially staged as T2 N0, which were small central lesions, 3 cm or less, located distal to a lobar takeoff. Regardless of the presence of atelectasis or pneumonitis to the hilar area, patients with these lesions had a survival rate similar to that of patients with more peripherally located lesions of similar size. Three-year survival rates of 66.5% and 68.5% respectively, were noted in these two groups of patients, as compared to a 53.6% rate for the patients with lesions larger than 3 cm, which could be classified as T2 N0 regardless of their location. When lymph nodes were affected (N1), patients with small central lesions (20) had a better survival rate than the patients with either T1 N1 or other T2 N1 lesions. It is therefore suggested that all small central lesions, 3 cm or less, distal to a lobar takeoff be considered T1 lesions. Patients with T1 N1 lesions had a 3 year survival rate of only 36.7%, which is similar to the 39.8% 3-year survival rate of those with T2 N1 lesions. The other patients in Stage I had a much better survival rate: Patients with T1 NO lesions had 3 and 5 year survival rates of 68.5% and 54.4%, and those with T2 N0 lesions, 53.6% and 40.0%, respectively. Therefore, it would appear more appropriate to classify these patients as having Stage II rather than Stage I disease.
Western Blotting of High and Low Molecular Weight Proteins Using Heat

A method for the electrophoretic transfer of high and low molecular weight proteins to nitrocellulose membranes following sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS) polyacrylamide gel is described here. The transfer was performed with heated (70-75 °C) normal transfer buffer from which methanol had been omitted. Complete transfer of high and low molecular weight antigens (molecular weight protein standards, a purified protein, and proteins from a human tissue extract) could be carried out in 10 min for a 7 % (0.75 mm) SDS polyacrylamide gel. For 10 and 12.5 % gels (0.75 mm) the corresponding time was 15 min. A complete transfer could be carried out in 20 min for 7, 10, and 12.5 % gels (1.5 mm gels). The permeability of the gel is increased by heat, such that the proteins trapped in the polyacrylamide gel matrix can be easily transferred to the membrane. The heat mediated transfer method was compared with a conventional transfer protocol, under similar conditions. The conventional method transferred minimal low molecular weight proteins while retaining most of the high molecular weight proteins in the gel. In summary, this procedure is particularly useful for the transfer of high molecular weight proteins, very rapid, and avoids the use of methanol.
Back to the Woodshop: Black Education, Imperial Pedagogy, and Post-Racial Mythology Under the Reign of Obama

For centuries, European thinkers, and their contemporary white followers, have run rampant in the halls of academia prematurely championing the success of liberalism to speak to the experience of t...
Governments and Constitutions

The previous chapter developed a theory of rights that showed how, in an exchange setting, people would find it in their interest to claim rights and how others would find it in their interests to observe them. A structure of rights and of social interaction could thereby arise purely as a result of exchange. Even in the most primitive of societies, individual exchange accounts for only a small fraction of the rights that people can exercise. Most rights are dictated by social and governmental institutions that specify which people are entitled to what rights. These institutions are the outcome of an exchange process like that described in the previous chapter. This chapter extends the exchange model to describe how governments are established, how the rights of various individuals are determined, and how constitutions are developed as an integral part of any government.
Vergil's de Rerum Natura

The first lines of Vergil's Georgics make clear the literary debt: Vos, o clarissima mundi lumina, labentem caelo quae ducitis annum; Liber et alma Ceres … (G.1.5-7) (You, brightest lights of the firmament, who lead the year as it glides its course through the heavens, Bacchus and nurturing Ceres …) The reader recalls immediately Lucretius' invocation to Venus: Aeneadum genetrix hominum divumque voluptas alma Venus caeli subter labentia signa … ( De Return Natura 1.1-2) (Mother of Aeneas' sons, delight of gods and of men, nurturing Venus, who, beneath the gliding standards of the heavens …) Parallels of subject are obvious. Lucretius' famous pessimism about the earth's ability to renew herself, at the conclusion of his second book, is behind Vergil's insistence, in Georgics I, that the farmer prepare all his resources to bolster a faltering soil; the famous picture of rustic celebration and the pleasures of soft grass and jovial interchange with which Georgics II ends is an elaboration of Lucretius' spring-time, when men stretch at leisure on greening grass inter se prostrati (‘relaxing with each other’); the hideous account of Athens' plague in Lucretius, Book VI, is matched by Vergil's description of Noricum at the end of his third book.
Abstract 3035: Decrease Of Aortic Valve Area In A Hypercholesterolemic Rabbit Model Is Reversed By Short-term ApoAI-treatment

Background. Aortic valve stenosis (AVS) is the second most common indication for heart surgery. Althoug recent observations linked AVS and atherosclerosis, medical treatment of AVS is limited. ApoAI-Milano (ApoAI-M) is a mutant form of ApoAI. We have recently shown that ApoAI-M rapidly regressed established atherosclerotic lesions in a hypercholesteremic rabbit model. The aim of this study was to test whether hypercholestermia decreases AVA in rabbits and whether this can be reversed by short-term ApoAI-M-treatment. Methods. We used transthoracic echocardiography (Philips HD 11 XE echograph with a 12-MHz phased-array probe) to compare AVA, as determined by continuity equation, of 14 white New Zeeland rabbits, fed with atherogenic diet (0.2 % of cholesterol) for nine month, with 6 healthy controls. The hypercholesterolemic animals were then randomized into ApoAI-M (ETC-216; Pfizer): 2 injections (75mg/Kg) in 4 days, or placebo. Six days after the last dose, we assessed aortic valve morphology by echocardiography and histopathology. Results. Hypercholesteremic diet resulted in a markedly reduced AVA compared to controls (0.17±0.02cm2 vs. 0.21±0.03cm2, p Conclusion. We show that reduction of AVA can be induced experimentally in hypercholesterolemic rabbits and can be investigated by transthoracic echocardiography. In addition, this study provides for the first time evidence that AVA can be increased pharmacologically, namely by treatment with ApoAI-M.
Trends in Methyl tert-Butyl Ether Concentrations in Private Wells in Southeast New Hampshire: 2005 to 2015

In southeast New Hampshire, where reformulated gasoline was used from the 1990s to 2007, methyl tert-butyl ether (MtBE) concentrations ≥0.2 μg/L were found in water from 26.7% of 195 domestic wells sampled in 2005. Ten years later in 2015, and eight years after MtBE was banned, 10.3% continue to have MtBE. Most wells (140 of 195) had no MtBE detections (concentrations <0.2 μg/L) in 2005 and 2015. Of the remaining wells, MtBE concentrations increased in 4 wells, decreased in 47 wells, and did not change in 4 wells. On average, MtBE concentrations decreased 65% among 47 wells whereas MtBE concentrations increased 17% among 4 wells between 2005 and 2015. The percent change in detection frequency from 2005 to 2015 (the decontamination rate) was lowest (45.5%) in high-population-density areas and in wells completed in the Berwick Formation geologic units. The decontamination rate was the highest (78.6%) where population densities were low and wells were completed in bedrock composed of granite, metamorphic, an...
Screams from a Glass Coffin

Thanksgiving Day at New Jersey Poison Information and Education System progressed as it had for many years before. Calls from frightened people when they realized they forgot to remove the bag of organs from inside the turkey before baking it. Others asked what temperature and for how long to cook the turkey. All in all things were pretty quiet. The next day was filled with the usual assortment of poison center calls punctuated by those people who thought they may have developed food poisoning from the meal. Although it is never really boring at the poison hotline, the work is often tedious. Things were about to change a bit for the medical director and staff of the poison center.
Cutting Type Affects Rooting Percentage of Vegetatively Propagated Sparkleberry (Vaccinium arboreum)

Commercial blueberries, particularly Vaccinium corymbosum, have very specific needs for optimum growth; hence, growing sites are limited. Plants require acidic soil (pH 4.0–5.5), good drainage, tho...
Wrong-Way Driving: A Regional Transportation Systems Management and Operations Approach to a Regional Problem:

Wrong-way driving (WWD) has been problematic on United States highways for decades despite its rare occurrence. Since WWD crashes are rare, recent researchers have studied WWD non-crash events such...
DOES INCREASING WOMEN'S EDUCATION REDUCE THEIR RISK OF INTIMATE PARTNER VIOLENCE? EVIDENCE FROM AN EDUCATION POLICY REFORM

Although scholars have employed rigorous causal methods to examine the relationship between education and crime, few studies have taken a causal approach to the study of education and intimate partner violence (IPV) specifically. From a social causation perspective, improving women's education should protect them from violence, yet from a social selection perspective, education could proxy for unobserved factors that explain negative associations between education and IPV. This study adjudicates between the two possibilities using an exogenous source of variation in education-a 1990s compulsory schooling reform in Peru. Specifically, the author conducts an instrumented regression discontinuity that implicitly controls for women's unobserved endowments by comparing women who were aged just above (N=8,195) and below (N=6,645) the school-age cutoff at the time of the reform. Consistent with the social causation perspective, increasing women's schooling reduced both their recent and longer-term probabilities of psychological, physical, and sexual IPV, and their recent and longer-term probabilities of experiencing any IPV and poly-victimization. Supplemental mediation analyses provide support for three interrelated causal pathways-improvements in women's personal resources, delayed family formation, and changes in partner selection. These findings confirm the protective effects of women's education and further illuminate mechanistic processes by which this occurs.
I.G. Farben revisited: Industry and ideology ten years later

I am grateful for this occasion to return my attention to scholarly matters that overlap with my current research but are no longer identical with it. To draw up a balance sheet of writing on the German chemical industry both before and since my own book on I.G. Farben appeared is a gratifying experience, since it entails taking stock not only of my own contributions, but also of the substantial advances in our knowledge that others have achieved. The process of looking back is seldom free of regrets, however, and mine in this instance reflect my sense at the distance of ten years that Industry and ideology may have helped close more questions than it opened. It resolved perhaps a generation of predominant concerns about the history of the German chemical industry and, I hope, in this way served the field well. But it largely left to others the task of turning our attention in new and fruitful directions.
GENETIC, SEX AND DIET EFFECTS ON PIG GROWTH AND FEED USE

SUMMARY Direct and interaction effects of breed of dam, line of pig, sex of pig and diet on growth, feed consumption and feed conversion were investigated in a 2 x 2  2 x 3 factorial arrangement of treatments. Each of the 24 subclasses consisted of two pens, each with two pigs, on test from 8 weeks of age to 100 kg in weight. Pigs were allowed ad libitum one of three corn-soybean meal diets containing (1) 12% crude protein, (2) 16% crude protein or (3) 12% crude protein plus supplemental lysine and methionine to approximate their levels in diet (2). Duroc and Yorkshire parents were crossed reciprocally within low-fat lines or control lines from a previous long-term study in which selection was based on backfat thickness. Breed of dam (B) had no significant effect on average daily gain (ADG), but crosses with Duroc dams ate more feed per day (ADF) and had poorer feed conversion ratios (FC) than pigs with Yorkshire dams. Control-line crosses had higher ADG and ADF than low-fat crosses, but the crosses did not differ in FC. Barrows averaged higher in ADG and ADF than gilts, but sex (S) effects on FC were essentially zero. Diets 2 and 3 did not differ for ADG or FC, but both exceeded diet 1 for these traits. B  line of pig (L) interaction effects were nonsignificant. L  S effects were significant for ADG; B x S, L  diet (D) and S x D interactions significantly affected FC. Low-fat crosses had better FC on diet 2, but control-line crosses were more efficient in FC on diet 1. Barrows had better FC than gilts on diet 1, but no significant sex differences in FC were noted on diets 2 and 3.