cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A.I. as an introduction to research methods in computer science

While many computer science programs offer courses on research methods, such classes typically tend to be aimed at graduate students. In this paper, we propose a novel means for introducing undergraduate students to research experiences in computer science — via an introductory Artificial Intelligence (A.I.) course. Students explore the content areas typically covered in an upper-level A.I. course (heuristic search, constraint satisfaction, game-playing etc.), while also learning about the mechanics of how empirical research is conducted in this field.
Listeria monocytogenes induces an interferon‐enhanced activation of the integrated stress response that is detrimental for resolution of infection in mice

Type I interferons (IFNs) induce a detrimental response during Listeria monocytogenes (L. monocytogenes) infection. We were interested in identifying mechanisms linking IFN signaling to negative host responses against L. monocytogenes infection. Herein, we found that infection of myeloid cells with L. monocytogenes led to a coordinated induction of type I IFNs and activation of the integrated stress response (ISR). Infected cells did not induce Xbp1 splicing or BiP upregulation, indicating that the unfolded protein response was not triggered. CHOP (Ddit3) gene expression was upregulated during the ISR activation induced by L. monocytogenes. Myeloid cells deficient in either type I IFN signaling or PKR activation had less upregulation of CHOP following infection. CHOP-deficient mice showed lower expression of innate immune cytokines and were more resistant than wild-type counterparts following L. monocytogenes infection. These findings indicate that L. monocytogenes infection induces type I IFNs, which activate the ISR through PKR, which contributes to a detrimental outcome in the infected host.
Immunopathogenesis and Treatment of Guillain-Barre Syndrome and Chronic Inflammatory Demyelinating Polyneuropathy

This chapter discusses the clinical manifestations, pathogenesis, and treatment of Guillain-Barre syndrome (GBS) and chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy (CIDP), including recent advances in immunopathogenesis as well as the treatments in pipeline. GBS and CIDP are part of the spectrum of autoimmune-mediated neuropathy. The target antigen remains elusive in CIDP and acute inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy, the most common variant of GBS in North America. Autoimmunity against different gangliosides is involved in the pathogenesis of GBS variants, i.e., acute motor axonal neuropathy, Miller Fisher syndrome, and acute motor and sensory axonal neuropathy, as well as their sub-variants. As GBS is a monophasic disease, immunomodulatory treatment, currently consisting of intravenous immunoglobulin infusions or plasma exchange, is required only during the acute phase, unless there are relapses. On the other hand, maintenance treatment with the aforementioned treatment modalities, as well as corticosteroids or other immunosuppressants, is frequently needed in CIDP patients. Further advances in the understanding of immunopathogenesis of these diseases will likely result in development of new treatments involving targeted immunotherapy.
The role of alvimopan in reducing postoperative ileus after gastrointestinal resection

Opioid pain medications are commonly used for postoperative pain management after gastrointestinal surgery. As well as providing pain relief, opioids bind to the mu-opioid receptors of the gastrointestinal tract, which results in reduced gastrointestinal motility. Postoperative ileus is the term uses to describe the temporary interruption of intestinal activities after surgery. Alvimopan (Entereg) is a peripherally acting mu-opioid receptor antagonist that helps to reduce the loss of bowel function caused by opioids after surgery and prevent the development of postoperative ileus. Several studies have shown that the administration of alvimopan after gastrointestinal surgery results in faster gastrointestinal recovery and reduced length of hospital stay, intensive-care-unit admission and financial burden. Although alvimopan is licensed for use in the US, it is not yet licensed in the UK.
Protein interference on aflatoxin B1 adsorption by smectites in corn fermentation solution

Abstract Corn is the main feedstock used for ethanol production in the United States. To reduce wastage and toxicity to human and animal, using aflatoxin contaminated corn in biofuel industry is thought to be rational. Yet up to three-fold of increment of the mycotoxins in the co-product have detrimental impact on animal health. It would be desirable to inactivate or to remove aflatoxins during fermentation of corn. Smectites were previously found to be highly efficient for aflatoxin B 1 adsorption in ethanol and glucose solution, two major compounds in corn fermentation solution. The primary objective of the present study was to evaluate the aflatoxin B 1 adsorption efficiency by smectites in real corn fermentation solution. The secondary objective was to identify any interfering compound that might hinder aflatoxin B 1 adsorption. Aflatoxin B 1 adsorption by smectites in fermentation solution was found to be low. A calcium smectite (3MS) had aflatoxin B 1 adsorption capacity (Q max ) of 0.22 mol kg − 1 in the fermentation solution but 0.54 mol kg − 1 in the aqueous solution. The Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) analyses indicated that some compounds from fermentation solution were adsorbed on the smectites and had irreversible bonding with the clay minerals. Those compounds competed with aflatoxin B 1 for the adsorbing sites of smectites. The major infrared bands due to interfering compounds were at ~ 1653, 1532, 1451, and 1235 cm − 1 . These bands appeared when smectites were added to either clean or aflatoxin B 1 spiked fermentation solutions. Similar spectral bands were obtained after treating the smectites with zein, a major protein in corn. Thus, the major interfering compounds in fermentation solution were believed to be proteins. The XRD results proved the adsorption of the proteins in the interlayer of smectites. After heating at 300 °C, smectites reacted with fermentation solution had d-spacing of at least 15 A, whereas the pure smectites collapsed to ~ 10 A. This reflected great interferences of the compounds, most possibly proteins on aflatoxin B 1 adsorption by the smectites. However, despite of strong interferences, adsorption experiments suggested that smectites were still able to adsorb aflatoxin B 1 to some extent. Presence of characteristic aflatoxin B 1 bands at ~ 1595, 1383, 1362, 1304, 1272, and 1205 cm − 1 on smectite complexes treated in fermentation solution revealed the existence of the mycotoxins on the clay minerals. Strategies should be taken to enhance the selectivity of smectites for the aflatoxins in corn fermentation solution.
Bracing For Hurricanes: A Qualitative Analysis of the Extent and Level of Preparedness Among Older Adults.

Background and objectives Older adults are at greater risk than other age groups throughout all stages of a disaster. To date, the bulk of empirical disaster research concerning older adults has centered on the consequences of a disaster. This study focuses on older residents in a hurricane-prone community and investigates the extent and level of their reported preparedness for hurricanes, which takes place prior to a disaster. Research design and methods This study engaged year-round older residents of Sarasota County, Florida. Semi-structured interviews were conducted for 30 older individuals of 60-90 years of age. Transcripts were analyzed by qualitative content analysis integrating both inductive and deductive coding approaches. Results Older respondents overwhelmingly practiced survival preparedness by only storing water and food supplies, but lacked efforts in planning and structural preparedness due to insufficient awareness and financial resources. Most respondents asserted hurricane readiness despite the shortage of preparation practices because "being prepared" is defined differently for different individuals. Many respondents claimed hurricane experience and subjective interpretation rather than objective nature of prior exposure appeared to have a greater influence over respondents' reported preparedness behavior. Discussion and implications This study adds to the emerging, but highly limited body of work specifically addressing disaster preparedness among older adults. The interview data inclusive of respondents' voices and values suggest that expectations by emergency managers that older individuals will follow hurricane preparedness recommendations may be misplaced. More practical and age-specific interventions are needed to promote disaster preparedness of older adults.
Spectral analysis of heart rate variability predicts mortality and instability from vascular injury.

Abstract Background Spectral analysis of continuous blood pressure and heart rate variability provides a quantitative assessment of autonomic response to hemorrhage. This may reveal markers of mortality as well as endpoints of resuscitation. Methods Fourteen male Yorkshire pigs, ranging in weight from 33 to 36 kg, were included in the analysis. All pigs underwent laparotomy and then sustained a standardized retrohepatic inferior vena cava injury. Animals were then allowed to progress to class 3 hemorrhagic shock and where then treated with abdominal sponge packing followed by 6 h of crystalloid resuscitation. If the pigs survived the 6 h resuscitation, they were in the survival (S) group, otherwise they were placed in the nonsurvival (NS) group. Fast Fourier transformation calculations were used to convert the components of blood pressure and heart rate variability into corresponding frequency classifications. Autonomic tones are represented as the following: high frequency (HF) = parasympathetic tone, low frequency (LF) = sympathetic, and very low frequency (VLF) = renin-angiotensin aldosterone system. The relative sympathetic to parasympathetic tone was expressed as LF/HF ratio. Results Baseline hemodynamic parameters were equal for the S (n = 11) and NS groups. LF/HF was lower at baseline for the NS group but was higher after hemorrhage and the resuscitation period indicative of a predominately parasympathetic response during hemorrhagic shock before mortality. HF signal was lower in the NS group during the resuscitation indicating a relatively lower sympathetic tone during hemorrhagic shock, which may have contributed to mortality. Finally, the NS group had a lower VLF signal at baseline (e.g., [S] 16.3 ± 2.5 versus [NS] 4.6 ± 2.9 P Conclusions An increased LF/HF ratio, indicative of parasympathetic predominance following injury and during resuscitation of hemorrhagic shock was a marker of impending death. Spectral analysis of heart rate variability can also identify autonomic lability following hemorrhagic injuries with implications for first responder triage. Furthermore, a decreased VLF signal at baseline indicates an additional marker of hemodynamic instability and marker of mortality following a hemorrhagic injury. These data indicate that continuous quantitative assessment of autonomic response can be a predictor of mortality and potentially guide resuscitation of patients in hemorrhagic shock.
Toxic Effects of Metals on the Synthesis and Disposition of Heme

ABSTRACT The heme biosynthetic pathway is perturbed by many chemicals and metals, and heme and hemoprotein biosynthesis may be disrupted as a result of exposure to these agents. Cobalt treatment of rats leads to marked decreases in the rate of heme biosynthesis and in the level of hemoproteins in hepatic microsomes. Cardiac heme biosynthesis in isolated perfused rat hearts is also decreased as a result of cobalt-induced decreases of δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity. Lead acetate does not inhibit either heme biosynthesis or δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity in isolated perfused rat hearts. Fasting of rats, which may lead to increases in hepatic δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity, leads to a rapid and extensive decrease in cardiac δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity and a marked decrease in the rate of cardiac heme biosynthesis. Friend erythroleukemic cells which can be induced by dimethylsulfoxide to synthesize hemoglobin show an increase in δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity in response to cobalt exposure, and mutant forms of these cells which cannot be induced to synthesize hemoglobin because of a deficiency in ferrochelatase activity display an increase in δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase activity when exposed to cobalt. Therefore, cobalt treatment may lead to different effects on the heme biosynthetic pathway in different tissues. This response may be dependent on the physiologic function of the organ and the degree of control imposed by the end product, heme, on the rate-limiting step of the pathway, δ-aminolevulinic acid synthetase.
Propagation Simulation of Higher Order Bessel Beams Integrated in Time (HOBBIT)

The paper presents simulation results from the propagation of dynamic HOBBITs through a series of moving phase screens representing turbulence.
Deflating the Sharpe Ratio

The Deflated Sharpe Ratio (DSR) corrects for two leading sources of performance inflation:* Non-Normally distributed returns.* Selection bias under multiple testing.
Heterososis for Myelin Content in Mice: A New Model for Studying Myelination

The myelin sheath is a lipid-ladon neural membrane whose chief function is to insulate nerve fibers and facilitate saltatory conduction of nerve impulses along the axons. The formation of myelin is one of the most spectacular events in nervous system development. In man, myelination commences in late fatal life or soon after birth (Adams and Leibowits, 1972; Fishman et al. 1975; Meier, 1976); in rodents, it occurs most rapidly between 14 and 30 postnatal days of age and then progresses at a much slower rate throughout adult life (Norton and Poduslo, 1973; Matthieu et al. 1973). Studies from a number of laboratories have documented that myelinogenesis, which involves the synthesis and assembly of myelin constituents, proceeds in a regulated and ordered fashion (for review, see Benjamins and Smith, 1977; Braun et al. 1980; Norton, 1981; Waehneldt and Linington, 1980). Such a complex developmental event is necessarily under genetic control as has already been demonstrated in several mouse mutants which exhibit a retardation or disruption of myelinogenesis (Hogin, 1977; Baumann, 1980). In this paper, we describe a unique murine model which exhibits a more heavily myelinated central nervous system (CNS).
The Evolution of Matter: Nuclear Physics, Cosmic Rays, and Robert Millikan’s Research Program

When Robert A. Millikan was discharged from the Army after World War I he faced a difficult, but sweet, career problem. Before the war, he had completed a series of investigations that many believed at the time would bring him the Nobel Prize. He had just been demoblized from a post that brought him into contact with the leading scientists and scientific entrepreneurs of America. Few prior research commitments weighed upon him. He returned to Chicago and was wooed by the astrophysicist George Ellery Hale to become president of a vigorous educational enterprise in Pasadena, California, soon to be named the California Institute of Technology.1It became obvious that his new series of investigations would have to be on signigicant problems, for they would have to mirror his newly elevated status in the profession.
A Collaborative Approach: Assessing the Impact of Multi-Grade Classrooms

Catholic schools in the United States are faced with the looming challenge of declining enrollments. One possible strategy for dealing with this problem is to institute multi-grade classrooms where students from two or more grades are combined in one classroom with one instructor. In this article, the authors examined one urban Catholic school’s successful transition to multi-grade classrooms when student enrollment dropped dramatically. The transition to multi-grade classrooms did not have a significant impact on student outcomes as measured by absences, tardiness, or academic performance though other social-emotional and developmental benefits were perceived. For example, the students were more likely to nurture other students and be nurtured by them; assume shared responsibility and leadership in the classroom and at home; were involved in fewer disciplinary incidents; and were more respectful of their classmates. The researchers offer lessons learned about the transition for other Catholic school leaders who may be considering such a change.
Management and outcome of obstructive ureteral stones in the emergency department: Emphasis on urine tests and antibiotics usage.

Abstract Background Kidney stone related complaints in the Emergency Department (ED) are common. Current guidelines recommend antibiotic therapy for infected obstructive stones and stone removal in a timely fashion, but there is no clear recommendation for prophylactic antibiotic use for bacteriuria or pyuria in the setting of obstructive ureteral stones. Objectives The aim of this study is to evaluate the current management of patients with obstructive ureteral stones in a single ED with emphasis on urine tests and antibiotics use. Methods The picture archiving and communication system (PACS) was used to filter the list of patients who received a computed tomography (CT) scan of the abdomen and pelvis that positively identified obstructive ureteral stones. Demographics and clinical data were also recorded and analyzed. Results Of the patients discharged, 278 patients did not receive antibiotics in the ED or a prescription. Of these, 8 patients had positive culture, 4 patients followed up, and one developed and was treated for a urinary-tract infection. One hundred ninety two patients were not given antibiotics in the ED but received an antibiotics prescription, and 4 patients had positive cultures grow. Two followed up and had no infection-related complications. Fourteen patients were discharged without a prescription after receiving a single dose of antibiotics in the ED, with no positive urine cultures and 9 patients following up without complication. Conclusion Antibiotics were given at the discretion of the provider without clear pattern. A high rate of infectious complication did not occur in the followed up patient group.
Hydroxyl Group Stabilization for Increased Yieldsof Low-Molecular-Weight Products in the Copyrolysis of Cellulose andThermoplastics

Biomass is a promising renewable and sustainable resource to produce energy and value-added chemicals. Fast pyrolysis is one of the simplest thermochemical methods to convert biomass into high yields of liquid products that can be upgraded into drop-in fuels or platform chemicals; however, its diverse product distributions and low product selectivity incur significant cost due to subsequent upgrading and separation operations. In this work, a strategy to promote yields of low-molecular-weight products (LMWPs) from cellulose pyrolysis via hydroxyl group stabilization using molten polymers (MPs) is presented. Three types of thermoplastics, high-density polyethylene (HDPE), polyethylene glycol (PEG), and polystyrene (PS), were copyrolyzed with cellulose to investigate the possible hydroxyl group stabilization effects caused by the ether and aromatic moieties in MPs during cellulose pyrolysis. A custom-made batch pyrolysis reactor was employed for the copyrolysis experiments. Our results showed that the combi...
Fighting Fake News Propagation with Blockchains

Fake news has become a major problem in the cyberspace with far reaching consequences. The open access and unregulated social networks are popular attack vectors that are frequently used to propagate misinformation. To fight this problem, several naive solutions have been proposed, including a blockchain implementation of news feed to distinguish facts from fiction. However, the size of social networks and the design constructs of blockchain add several new challenges that impede the real world deployment of such solutions. In this paper, we postulate a new blockchain system that overcomes the existing challenges and limits the spread of fake news across the network. Towards that, we analyze the information workflow in the social networks and construct an optimal detection system that can be effectively deployed with minimal overhead. Moreover, our proposed solution can be extended beyond social networks to other online platforms.
Controlled-Height Brush Polymer Patterns via Surface-Initiated Thiol-Methacrylate Photopolymerizations

Here, we show that the surface-initiated thiol-(meth)acrylate polymerization can be used to create brush polymer patterns with precise control over the feature height at each microscale pixel. The reaction was studied using a printer where a digital micromirror device controls light delivery to the surface, so multiple reaction conditions can be examined in each print. The resulting increases in experimental throughput and precision were demonstrated by studying systematically the effect of photocatalyst, photoinitiator, and light intensity on feature growth rate. In addition to demonstrating the utility of surface-initiated thiol-(meth)acrylate chemistry for creating complex brush polymer patterns, this work describes an improved and high-throughput approach for studying grafted-from photopolymerizations.
Evaluation of Lunar BRDF Correction for the Retrieval of Daily Viirs Black Marble Nighttime Lights

Satellite-derived Nighttime Lights (NTL) products are widely used to improve decision making across important issues, e.g., urban development, energy access, and disaster response. Moonlight is one of the dominant sources of measurement error for daily NTL time series analysis since the reflected lunar radiance is comparative to the objective human settlement signal. NASA’s Black Marble NTL product suite (VNP46) relies on lunar irradiance and bidirectional reflectance distribution function (BRDF) modeling to account for these effects. In this study, we evaluated the accuracy of the Day/Night Band (DNB) surface BRDF and the corresponding lunar correction in the final (Level 3 Gridded) Black Marble products. The results indicate that the VIIRS DNB BRDF matches well with field high spatial resolution measurements, enabling near-real-time retrievals of daily NTL values.
Monitoring of Programs of Iodine Prophylaxis in Industrialized Countries

Monitoring is an indispensable component of iodine prophylactic programs. Many examples exist of iodization programs that were initially successful but later failed for lack of sustained monitoring. While inadequate commitment is the greatest obstacle in developing an iodine program, complacency is the greatest enemy of established programs.
Atpase Family AAA Domain‑Containing Protein 2 (ATAD2) As a Novel Target in Multiple Myeloma

Multiple myeloma (MM) is a genomically heterogenous malignancy characterized by a number of copy number alterations (CNA). Moreover, there is a clear evolution of genomic changes that may affect prognosis. To identify the drivers of this inherent genomic instability, we applied an integrated genomics approach utilizing genomic data for copy number changes and transcriptomic profile. We first identified genes whose expression correlated with total copy number events in a patient dataset (gse26863, n=246). We then applied those genes to identify the genes whose elevated expression correlated with both overall and event free survival in two different datasets (IFM70, n=170; gse2408, n=559). Elevated expression of this 30 gene signature also correlated with poor overall as well as event free survival in a third myeloma dataset (MMRF; P In summary, we demonstrate that elevated ATAD2 contributes to dysregulation of DNA repair and genome stability and is required for MM cell survival, indicating that it is a promising target to inhibit growth and reduce genomic evolution in myeloma. Disclosures Munshi: BMS: Consultancy; OncoPep: Consultancy, Current equity holder in private company, Membership on an entity’s Board of Directors or advisory committees, Patents & Royalties; C4: Current equity holder in private company; Janssen: Consultancy; Adaptive: Consultancy; Legend: Consultancy; Amgen: Consultancy; AbbVie: Consultancy; Karyopharm: Consultancy; Takeda: Consultancy.
Predicting aperture crossing behavior from within-trial metrics of motor control reliability

Abstract Actors utilize intrinsically scaled information about their geometric and dynamic properties when perceiving their ability to pass through openings. Research about dynamic factors of affordance perception have shown that the reliability of a given movement, or the precision of one's motor control for that movement, increase the buffer space used when interacting with the environment. While previous work has assessed motor control reliability as a person-level variable (i.e., behavior is aggregated across many trials), the current study assessed how characteristics of motor control and movement reliability within a single trial impact real-time action strategies for passing through apertures. Participants walked 5 m and then passed through apertures of various widths while their motions were tracked. For each trial, we collected walking time-series data, then calculated the magnitude and complexity of the lateral sway. Assessing two behavioral measures of the buffer, we found that trial-level metrics of motor control reliability, in addition to the person-level metrics previously studied, significantly predicted the buffer on each trial. This study supports previous claims that actors pick up real-time information about their dynamic capabilities in order to perceive and act within their environment. Further, the study recommends that future affordance research consider trial-level movement data, including nonlinear analyses that inform the pattern and structure of motor control reliability.
Current Clinical Concepts: Heat Tolerance Testing.

Heat tolerance testing (HTT) has been developed to assess readiness for work or exercise in the heat based on thermoregulation during exertion. Although the Israeli Defense Force protocol has been the most widely utilized and referenced, other protocols and variables considered in the interpretation of the test are emerging. Therefore, the purpose of this "Current Clinical Concepts" manuscript is to summarize the role of HTT following an exertional heat stroke (EHS), assess the validity of HTT, and to provide a review of best practice recommendations to guide clinicians, coaches and researchers in the performance, interpretation, and future direction of HTT. Furthermore, we will provide the strength of evidence for these recommendations using the Strength of Recommendation Taxonomy system.
Statistical inference for particle systems from sieving studies

v INTRODUCTION 1 APPROXIMATE LIKELIHOOD-BASED INFERENCE FOR WEIGHTSIZE DISTRIBUTIONS FROM SIEVING DATA 4 Abstract 4
The Political Philosophy of Muhammad Iqbal: Islam and Nationalism in Late Colonial India

Introduction 1. Muslim political discourse c.1857-1940 2. 'Mera Payam Aur Hai': Iqbal's roles as an intellectual and poet 3. Reconstruction of Islam 4. Rejecting nationalism, relocating the nation 5. Development of the nation Conclusion.
Causal modeling of infection in the activated host: implications for clinical investigation in sepsis and acute respiratory distress syndrome.

Investigators establish connections among the underlying pathophysiological model of a particular disease, a clinician's perceptions of the clinical course of that disease, and the pharmacological properties and/or biologic effects related to individual components of an intervention protocol. To delineate various cause-and-effect relationships among events and a specific outcome, a causal model of the disease can be constructed by depicting longitudinally the connections between the pathophysiological model of the disease and events, occurring during the course of the disease. Connections between a causal model and a new treatment protocol can be formulated by superimposing each component of the protocol onto the specific pathway(s), affected by the treatment intervention. Flowcharting techniques are useful in producing a visual display of a causal model, with or without the superimposed protocol. It is especially important that, as emerging pathophysiological elements are identified through clinical or basic science investigations, a clinical investigator test and revise various elements and relationships of a previously accepted causal model. Moreover, if such new information is incompatible with a previously accepted causal model, a clinical investigator may need to abandon that model and formulate an alternative causal model. Finally, an example is presented that demonstrates the steps involved in formulating, testing, and revising a causal model of final outcome (i.e., survival or death) in patients with sepsis-induced acute respiratory distress syndrome and/or multiple organ dysfunction.
Endogenous hormonal changes and circadian elevation of intraocular pressure

A unique circadian rhythm of intraocular pressure (IOP) occurs in laboratory rabbits housed in a light-dark environment. The IOP is low in the light and high in the dark. In 32 rabbits studied, the IOP was 18.7 +/- 0.3 mm Hg (mean +/- the standard error of the mean) at 2 hr before the onset of dark and 24.9 +/- 0.6 mm Hg at 2 hr into the dark. The changes in endogenous hormones corresponding to this elevation of IOP were studied. Concentrations of norepinephrine (NE), epinephrine (Epi), corticosterone, and melatonin in the plasma and NE and melatonin in the aqueous humor were determined. Changes in plasma catecholamines were variable and statistically insignificant. A decrease of plasma corticosterone and an increase of plasma melatonin in the dark were observed. Norepinephrine and melatonin levels in the aqueous humor increased in the dark. In ten rabbits with unilateral transection of the cervical sympathetic trunk, the elevation of IOP was absent only in the decentralized eye. The changes in plasma NE, Epi, and melatonin levels from the light to the dark phase were insignificant. The plasma corticosterone level decreased. In the dark phase, aqueous humor NE level in the decentralized eye was significantly lower than that in the intact eye. Melatonin levels in these two eyes were indifferent. In 22 rabbits housed in a constant dark environment, aqueous humor NE concentration increased corresponding to the circadian elevation of IOP. The authors conclude that the activation of ocular sympathetic nerves is directly related to the circadian elevation of IOP.
Demodulation of Amplitude Modulated RF Waves in a Plasma at Resonance

A laboratory simulation experiment was performed to study the mechanism of the detection of audio waves from nearby radio broadcasting stations by spacecraft-borne audio detectors in the ionosphere, where the carrier frequencies of the detected radio stations seem to depend on the altitude of space probes within the ionosphere. Two electrodes were immersed in a low density plasma, and an RF wave amplitude modulated by an audio wave was fed to one of them while the other electrode was used to detect the audio wave. The detection of the audio wave is a result of the rectification and integration by the sheath around the electrode (antenna), which has a nonlinear voltage-current characteristic. The dependence of the carrier frequency on the altitude is explained as a result of series resonance of an inductive plasma with the sheath capacitance. This is just the same as the ordinary resonance probe and the resonance frequency is slightly smaller than the plasma frequency. For a higher modulation frequency, the audio output has a phase lag caused by the integration by a high plasma and sheath impedance. The audio output has a strong dependence on the potential of the receiving electrode (antenna) with respect to the plasma, and it reverses the polarity at the potential where the second derivative with respect to the voltage of the voltage-current characteristic of the receiving electrode in plasma, is equal to zero. For higher potentials, the amplitude of the audio output shows a large broad maximum, and more than an order of magnitude larger output can be obtained than with the ordinary resonance probe.
Respite care: a new social program for children at risk

A working definition and general overviews of the concept of respite care are provided, along with the value of such temporary care for the multitudes of children who suffer abuse and neglect (2.2 million in 1988). Existing programs are identified, with the scope of their services and number of clients discussed. The pediatric dentist is advised to become aware of such programs to offer assistance to families dealing with the stresses of caring for children with special needs. Language: en
Ion Transport by Heart Mitochondria XII. ACTIVATION OF MONOVALENT CATION UPTAKE BY SULFHYDRYL GROUP REAGENTS

Abstract The energy-linked transport of K+ and other monovalent cations in isolated heart mitochondria is markedly activated by p-chloromercuriphenylsulfonate (CMS) and other mercurial reagents. The accumulation is supported by either respiration or exogenous ATP and is accompanied by reversible swelling. Respiration with physiological substrates is initially activated by CMS but becomes severely inhibited as the reaction proceeds. Sustained cation accumulation can be obtained with ascorbate and N,N,N',N'-tetramethylphenylenediamine as substrate. The energy-linked uptake of Li+, Na+, and other cations also appears to be activated by CMS. Maximum response is obtained in the presence of K+ and Li+, however. The activated accumulation of K+ can be abolished by the addition of cysteine and delayed by EDTA. We have previously reported that Zn++ and other heavy metal cations produce an activation of K+ accumulation similar to that seen with CMS. Zn++ added in addition to CMS produces enhanced uptake of K+ and swelling under most conditions, but the synergistic effect of the two reagents depends on the order of addition and the composition of the suspending medium. The effects of Zn++ are enhanced in media containing phosphate whereas those of CMS are inhibited by Pi. The amount of CMS which reacts with the membrane under the conditions of activated cation uptake depends on the concentration of CMS and the time of reaction. CMS uptake corresponding to about 10 to 20 mµmoles of "fast reacting" thiol groups results in maximum activation of monovalent cation uptake. The bulk of the total mitochondrial thiol groups are not available to the mercurial under the conditions of activated ion uptake. The reaction of mercurials with the mitochondrial membrane can be reversed by cysteine, and under these conditions the activated rate of swelling and ion uptake is inhibited.
Advanced Materials for PEM-Based Fuel Cell Systems

Proton exchange membrane fuel cells (PEMFCs) are quickly becoming attractive alternative energy sources for transportation, stationary power, and small electronics due to the increasing cost and environmental hazards of traditional fossil fuels. Two main classes of PEMFCs include hydrogen/air or hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells and direct methanol fuel cells (DMFCs). The current benchmark membrane for both types of PEMFCs is Nafion, a perfluorinated sulfonated copolymer made by DuPont. Nafion copolymers exhibit good thermal and chemical stability, as well as very high proton conductivity under hydrated conditions at temperatures below 80 degrees C. However, application of these membranes is limited due to their high methanol permeability and loss of conductivity at high temperatures and low relative humidities. These deficiencies have led to the search for improved materials for proton exchange membranes. Potential PEMs should have good thermal, hydrolytic, and oxidative stability, high proton conductivity, selective permeability, and mechanical durability over long periods of time. Poly(arylene ether)s, polyimides, polybenzimidazoles, and polyphenylenes are among the most widely investigated candidates for PEMs. Poly(arylene ether)s are a promising class of proton exchange membranes due to their excellent thermal and chemical stability and high glass transition temperatures. High proton conductivity can be achieved through post-sulfonation of poly(arylenemore » ether) materials, but this most often results in very high water sorption or even water solubility. Our research has shown that directly polymerized poly(arylene ether) copolymers show important advantages over traditional post-sulfonated systems and also address the concerns with Nafion membranes. These properties were evaluated and correlated with morphology, structure-property relationships, and states of water in the membranes. Further improvements in properties were achieved through incorporation of inorganic fillers, such as phosphotungstic acid and zirconium hydrogen phosphate. Block copolymers were also studied due to the possibility to achieve a desired combination of homopolymer properties as well as the unique morphologies that are possible with block copolymers. Bezoyl substituted poly(p-phenylene) blocks were combined with poly(arylene ether) blocks to merge the structural rigidity of the poly(p-phenylene) with the ductility and high protonic conductivity of the poly(arylene ether)s. As evidenced by our many refereed publications and preprints, the research that we have conducted over the past several years has made a valuable and significant contribution to the literature and to the state of understanding of proton exchange membranes. Our early efforts at scale-up have suggested that the directly polymerized disulfonated poly(arylene ether sulfone) copolymers are commercially viable alternatives for proton exchange membranes. A new process for bipolar plates was developed and is described. An important single domain PEMFC model was developed and is documented in herein.« less
Recurrent cochlear implant infection treated with exteriorization and partial mastoid obliteration

Objective and importance: Preoperative chronic otitis media (COM) is a risk factor for postoperative infection after cochlear implantation (CI), but its management varies by surgeon. Our case highlights a strategy for implant preservation in a patient with a history of recurrent cochlear implant infection.Clinical presentation: A 70-year-old woman with a history of chronic lymphocytic leukemia presented in 2005 with bilateral COM and sensorineural hearing loss meeting CI candidacy. Four months after left mastoid obliteration with abdominal fat graft and external auditory canal closure, a left CI was placed. Subsequent postauricular cellulitis resolved with oral antibiotics. A similar two-stage CI was performed on the right without complication. During the following year, numerous left-sided infections and fluid collections developed but were treated unsuccessfully with intravenous (IV) antibiotics and operative debridement. With concern for biofilm colonization, the implant was explanted and the electrode...
Gains from Services Sector Deregulation

Despite recent reforms, the services sector remains more regulated in France than in most OECD countries. This paper reviews evidence of the potential gains from a deregulation of the services sector. First, it provides evidence that past regulatory reforms had a positive impact on the productivity of the deregulated sectors. Second, it discusses the impact of a deregulation of the services sector for the whole economy. Literature suggests that, because services are an important and growing input for other sectors, this impact would be large for France leading to substantial macroeconomic gains in terms of productivity and export growth.
Evaluation of Sulfobutylether-β-Cyclodextrin Exposure in a Critically Ill Patient Receiving Intravenous Posaconazole While Undergoing Continuous Venovenous Hemofiltration

We present a 31-year-old female who had undergone an allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and who was started on intravenous posaconazole for pulmonary mycosis while undergoing continuous venovenous hemofiltration (CVVH). We performed steady-state pharmacokinetic evaluations for both posaconazole and sulfobutylether-β-cyclodextrin (SBECD). SBECD was effectively removed by CVVH, with observed exposure similar to that for patients with moderate renal impairment. Intravenous posaconazole at standard doses may be utilized in critically ill patients undergoing CVVH without significant risk of SBECD accumulation.
Architectural approaches to reducing power related system costs

The power dissipation of modern processors is steadily increasing, keeping pace with growing transistor counts and increasing clock frequencies. In an effort to counteract this trend, integrated circuit designers are aggressively employing design optimizations to minimize circuit power consumption. Power reduction was a key focus of the Intel Pentium 4 processor design team, and the design team focused from the beginning on reducing power consumption without compromising other design targets. Many techniques, both innovative and pre-existing, were applied across all functional units in the processor in an effort to eliminate unnecessary power consumption. The mass adoption of these techniques resulted in a significant reduction in both maximum and typical processor power dissipation.
Photo-cross-linking of guanine nucleotides to the nucleotide binding site of elongation factor G.

Abstract Elongation factor G (EF-G) is rapidly inactivated when irradiated at 253.7 nm. The inactivation follows first-order single-hit kinetics with a quantum efficiency of 3.15 × 10 −5 μmol/μE. Inclusion of either GTP or GDP in the irradiation mixture does not alter the kinetics of inactivation, but does result in the covalent attachment of nucleotide to between 10 and 20% of the EF-G. This relatively low percentage of cross-linking is due to the rapid rate of photoinactivation as compared to the slower rate of covalent attachment. If EF-G is reacted before irradiation with N -ethylmaleimide, a modification known to block the nucleotide binding site [ Rohrbach and Bodley (1976) J. Biol. Chem. 251 , 930 ], essentially no nucleotide can be photo-cross-linked to EF-G. Treatment of the photo-cross-linked GTP-EF-G with Raney nickel led to the liberation of the nucleotide moiety, indicating that the photo-cross-link to EF-G occurred through a sulfur atom. Although the formation of the EF-G nucleotide complex has been shown to be an obligatory first step in the formation of the EF-G nucleotide ribosome complex [ Rohrbach and Bodley (1976) Biochemistry 15 , 4565 ], the covalent EF-G-nucleotide adduct cannot form a ternary complex with the ribosome. The presence of both nucleotide and ribosomes during irradiation drastically alters the kinetics of inactivation. The inactivation under these conditions follows multiple-hit kinetics with an initial period during which no EF-G activity is lost. Following this lag period, EF-G is inactivated at the same rate at which ribosomes lose their ability to bind EF-G. No nucleotide is cross-linked to EF-G or the ribosome under these conditions.
Maternity homes for adolescents: A national portrait

Abstract Study Objective: The extent to which maternity homes across our nation provide services for homeless, pregnant girls is unknown. We initiated the first investigation to identify and describe all of the group residential facilities in the United States for pregnant adolescents under the age of 18 years. Design: We created a national list of maternity homes on a state-by-state basis through information gathered from local human services departments, local WIC offices, and from maternity homes that were aware of others in their region. We contacted an official at each maternity home by telephone to confirm the nature of the facility and to seek their participation in the project by answering a 28-item questionnaire to be sent by mail. Unreturned questionnaires were followed by a reminder letter and a duplicate questionnaire. The collected data were then organized and tabulated. Results: From all 50 states, we found and contacted by telephone 215 maternity homes admitting girls under the age of 18 years (the number of homes ranged from 19 in California, to 0 in Wyoming) and a total of 174 (81%) completed and returned our postal questionnaire. Of responding homes, 10% had been in operation 100 years or more, 29% admitted girls dependent on illicit drugs or alcohol, 59% functioned as part of a larger organization, 20% were unlicensed, 89% received private donations, 23% received federal funds, and 42% offered private rooms. The most frequent maternal bed capacity was eight. Typically they had from two to four full-time employees. Benefits provided included childbirth classes (84%), social services (90%), dietary counseling (49%), accredited, on-site schooling (35%), and vocational training (54%). Prenatal care was mostly provided through private physicians (63%) and hospital-based prenatal clinics (59%), with 99% of deliveries in hospitals. The most frequent age of residents was 16 years, staying an average of 4.7 months antepartum and 2.4 months postpartum. The most frequent maximum allowed length of stay was up to 9 months. The mean number of babies bora per responding home in 1991 was 29.4. Conclusion: In the United States, maternity homes for adolescents are an important source of services for approximately 6,000 pregnant teens each year.
Systematic approach to stationary phase selection in gas chromatography

Abstract A method is presented for selecting gas chromatographic (GC) stationary phases, based on both selectivity and strength parameters. This scheme indicates that additional liquid phases are needed not only for improved stability, but, more importantly, for selectivity in two of the three corners of the selectivity triangle. The method can be automated for computer-controlled GC optimization.
Synchronization and relaxation for a class of globally coupled Hamiltonian systems

Abstract A class of coupled Hamiltonian systems is examined in which identical nonlinear oscillators are coupled through a mean field. The system is shown to have a steady desynchronized solution which becomes linearly unstable as the coupling strength is increased. We observe, in the stable case that the order parameter of the system decays to zero. For a wide class of initial conditions, the decay is exponential onan intermediate time scale and then as t−3/2, as t → ∞. This system shares many similarities to the Vlasov-Poisson equation and as well as Kuramoto's model.
The major rheumatoid factor cross-reactive idiotype is dominantly expressed by Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I-activated CD5+ control B cells.

Abstract Some seropositive (RF+) and seronegative (RF−) rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients selectively express high concentrations of the major RF cross-reactive idiotype (RCRI) in their sera and generate high frequencies of RCRI+ pokeweed mitogen (PWM)-induced plasma cells from their peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBM). To determine if normal individuals can express RCRI in vitro, B cells from controls were activated with Staphylococcus aureus Cowan strain I (SAC) bacteria to identify RCRI and RF production. In addition, we studied the relationship of RCRI expression with the subset of B cells bearing CDS. Control CD5+ B cells are responsible for RCRI expression following SAC activation. We also observed that RCRI is dominantly expressed by control SAC-induced B cells in frequencies comparable to that expressed by some RA and juvenile rheumatoid arthritis patients' PBM activated by PWM. Therefore, the frequency of RCRI+ B cells in control and arthritis patients' PBL may be similar, or the selection and/or regulation of RCRI+ B-cell expression in vitro and in vivo may be different in arthritis patients compared to normal individuals.