cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stimulus Characteristics in Picture Story Exercise Cards and Their Effects on the Social Cognition and Object Relations Scale–Global Rating Method

AbstractThis study examined the effects of stimulus characteristics from the Picture Story Exercise (PSE; Smith, 1992) on the quality of social cognition and object relational functions as expresse...
The role of emotion regulation in the relationship between empathy and internalizing symptoms in college students

Abstract Empathy is the ability to adopt another person's perspective and experience the thoughts and emotions of that individual. Existing literature has demonstrated that high levels of affective empathy may represent a risk factor for the development of internalizing symptoms in college students. The mechanisms underlying the possible relationship between empathy and psychopathology, however, are not yet understood. This study aimed to examine difficulties in emotion regulation as one possible mediator of the relationship between empathy and internalizing symptoms in a large sample of college students. Six hundred and sixteen male and female college students completed a series of self-report questionnaires measuring empathy, difficulties in emotion regulation, and symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Findings revealed that difficulties in emotion regulation mediated the relationship between affective empathy and internalizing symptoms, after controlling for participants’ year in college and gender. These results suggest that the development and practice of emotion regulation skills in college students may represent one important component of skill-oriented preventive interventions and health promotion programs buffering against the development of internalizing symptoms in those young adults who tend to demonstrate high levels of affective empathy.
Understanding human-building interactions under multimodal discomfort

Abstract The uncertainty in occupants' interactions with building systems and occupant-related factors influence the accuracy of building energy consumption estimates. Individual interactions are hard to predict, however, interaction related trends and patterns for groups of building occupants that could be retrieved from empirical studies could potentially provide insight regarding human-building interactions (HBIs) (i.e., occupants' interactions with built environments). Thus, in this study, we measured human response to multimodal sensory discomfort (i.e., multimodal perception of visual and thermal discomfort) in a simulated single occupancy office. We used perceptual decisions of occupants as enablers to understand HBIs at a micro-level. We identified the number, type, kind, hierarchical order, occurrence probabilities, patterns, response time of decisions as markers of response in a between-subjects experiment with 90 participants. We statistically analyzed two conditions (no discomfort and multimodal discomfort) with regards to participants' responses. Our results show that HBI decisions in the no discomfort condition and multimodal discomfort condition are significantly different with regards to type (i.e., thermal and visual) and kind (e.g., blind, desk fan) of immediate decisions. We also found that decisions in the no discomfort condition are very diverse across the participants and potentially reflect occupants’ thermal and visual preferences. On the other hand, the decisions in the multimodal discomfort condition reflect emerging responses of participants to address the multimodal discomfort.
Experimental procedures for low-cycle-fatigue research at high temperatures

Testing procedures are reported for lowcycle-fatigue experiments on hydraulic fatigue machines operated with closed-loop servocontrol of the strain in inductively heated test specimens of the hourglass type. Typical equipment performance data and fatigue-test results are presented.
Challenges of comparing and matching roads from different spatial datasets

Road network map is one of the datasets that are used in many different applications. Many smart cities have more than one Road Network map from different sources (government authorities, private enterprise, or volunteered). Be that as it may, there is a high chance of mismatches between road maps that represent the same area for different reasons. These reasons include: one of the datasets is not updated; datasets have different names for the same road; and so on. As a result, matching the roads in such datasets with each other is challenging. This paper introduces a framework that demonstrates methods of how two datasets for the same area can be matched to each other even though there are some data discrepancies. In addition, it gives an overview of each component of the framework and focuses mainly on the similarity measurements. These measurements are local divergence measurements and global divergence measurement. Local divergence measurements compare two roads from different datasets to each other to see if they are similar or not by deciding if these two roads have a similar shape as well as the same length. On the other hand, global divergence measurement is used in order to ensure that these two roads are similar in the real world, not different roads that happen to be beside each other having similar length and shape. This paper discusses several types of applications that could utilize this framework not only for matching different road maps and unify the information for smart cities usages but also data enrichment and being up-to-date.
That’s My DNA: Detecting Malicious Tampering of Synthesized DNA

The area of synthetic genomics has seen rapid progress in recent years. DNA molecules are increasingly being synthesized in the laboratory. New biological organisms that do not exist in the natural world are being created using synthesized DNA. A major concern in this domain is that a malicious actor can potentially tweak with a benevolent synthesized DNA molecule and create a harmful organism [1] or create a DNA molecule with malicious properties. To detect if a synthesized DNA molecule has been modified from the original version created in the laboratory, the authors in [13] had proposed a digital signature protocol for creating a signed DNA molecule. It uses an identity-based signatures and error correction codes to sign a DNA molecule and then physically embed the digital signature in the molecule itself. However there are several challenges that arise in more complex molecules because of various forms of DNA mutations as well as size restrictions of the molecule itself that determine its properties, the earlier work is limited in scope. In this work, we extend the work in several directions to address these problems.
Short note - adequate trust, human-capacity-factor, probability-distribution-function of human non-failure and its entropy

This note is an extension, a generalisation of and an attempt to quantify, on the probabilistic basis, the message of the recent Kaindl and Svetinovic (2019) publication Avoiding Undertrust and Overtrust. The author of the present analysis addresses some important aspects of the human-in-the-loop problem for safety-critical missions and situations, in which trust can be viewed as an essential part of the human-capacity-factor (HCF). This factor, as has been recently suggested, should be evaluated vs. mental workload (MWL), when there is a need to assure a successful and safe outcome of a particular human effort, such as, e.g., an aerospace mission or an extraordinary situation. The double exponential probability distribution function (DEPDF) for the random HCF is revisited. It is shown particularly that the entropy of this distribution, when applied to the trustee (a human, a technology, a methodology or a concept), can be viewed as an appropriate quantitative characteristic of the propensity of a decision maker to an under-trust or an over-trust judgment and, as a consequence of that, to the likelihood of making a mistake or an erroneous decision.
67) Propofol Sedation Safety Data

Propofol is a sedative-hypnotic agent approved for use in induction and maintenance of anesthesia or sedation in adult patients. Propofol use in pediatric ICUs has been hampered since Bray first described the occurrence of propofol related infusion syndrome (PRIS) in the 1980’s. The most common first reported signs of PRIS are new-onset metabolic acidosis and cardiac dysfunction. Serial lactate and CPK levels have been utilized as a screening tool. We report our institutional experience to support short term use of propofol to maintain sedation in mechanically ventilated pediatric …
Excitatory Amino Acids

Glutamate is the predominant excitatory transmitter in the mammalian central nervous system. Glutamate plays a key role in pathways known or suspected to be involved in neuropsychiatric and neurodegenerative diseases. Thus, drugs directed at glutamate mechanisms are being developed for the treatment of these diseases. This article reviews our current understanding of glutamate synaptic transmission.
El imaginario de la nación desde el exilio en la obra y en la correspondencia de Clorinda Matto de Turner

Clorinda Matto de Turner leaves Lima, Peru on April 25, 1895 to go into exile. The author of the indigenista novel Birds without a Nest arrives and settles down in Buenos Aires, Argentina where she stays until her death in 1909. Despite having been separated from the “national fraternity,” Matto de Turner continues imagining her nation and writing her testimony about it in her paraliterary work and in her epistolary correspondence. In this article, we will analyze the nation that Matto de Turner imagined in her books Boreales, miniaturas y porcelanas, Viaje de recreo and in her letters to Ricardo Palma.
Workup and Management of Primary Mitral Regurgitation

We summarize the current concepts and methods for diagnosis and management of primary mitral regurgitation due to leaflet prolapse or flail. Current practice guidelines emphasize accurate diagnosis of chronic primary severe MR, differentiating between symptomatic and asymptomatic states, and assessing both hemodynamic and functional impact, thereby ensuring timely surgical or transcatheter intervention for those who stand to benefit from it. No effective medical therapy for chronic severe mitral regurgitation has been found to date. Surgical repair has significant advantages over valve replacement in primary MR patients with favorable anatomy. Transcatheter interventions may be an option in selected patients who are at prohibitive surgical risk. Successful management of chronic severe primary MR relies on accurate diagnosis and careful timing of intervention. Care should be individualized and rely on input from a heart valve team that includes expert imagers, surgeons, and interventional cardiologists.
Grant Reviewer Perceptions of Panel Discussion in Face-to-Face and Virtual Formats: Lessons from Team Science?

Abstract In efforts to increase efficiency and convenience and reduce administrative cost, some granting agencies have been exploring the use of alternate review formats, particularly virtual panels utilizing teleconference-based (Tcon) or Web based (Wb) technologies. However, few studies have compared these formats to standard face-to-face (FTF) reviews; those that have compared formats have observed subtle differences in scoring patterns and discussion time, as well as perceptions of a decrease in discussion quality in virtual panels. Here we present data from a survey of reviewers focused on their perceptions of the facilitation and effectiveness of panel discussion from their last peer review experience in virtual (Vcon/Tcon/Wb) or FTF panel settings. Reviewers indicated that, in terms of participation, clarifying differing opinions, informing unassigned reviewers and chair leadership, the facilitation of panel discussion was viewed similarly for FTF versus Vcon/Tcon reviewers. However, significant differences were found for many of these parameters between FTF and Wb reviews, which may suggest better panel communication (and thus more effective discussion) in FTF panels. Importantly, these differences disappear for respondents with high frequency of review participation (likely study section members), suggesting perhaps that long standing teams may be more resilient in virtual communication settings. Surprisingly, no significant differences were found between any of the reviewers’ experiences in virtual or FTF settings in terms of the discussion affecting the outcome, in choosing the best science, or even whether the discussions were fair and balanced. However, significant differences were reported between Wb and FTF reviewers in terms of their perceptions of how well their expertise (as well as the expertise of their fellow reviewers) was utilized on the panel, which may suggest that the level of communication provided in FTF panels allows for better integration of expertise across panel members when evaluating research proposals as a team. Again, these differences across review setting disappeared for respondents that reviewed more often. Overall, despite clear preferences by reviewers for FTF panels, the lack of differences between FTF and Vcon/Tcon panel facilitation or discussion quality potentially supports the use of this review format by granting agencies, although subtle differences may exist that were not reported by reviewers in this survey. These results also provide some evidence of the perceived limitations in discussion quality in Wb panels, at least in non-recurring panels.
Diverting Loop Ileostomy for Clostridium Difficile Colitis: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis

Diverting loop ileostomy (DLI) with colonic lavage has been proposed as an alternative to total abdominal colectomy (TAC) for fulminant Clostridium difficile infection (CDI). Controversy exists regarding the mortality benefit and outcomes of this surgical approach. We conducted a MEDLINE database search for articles between 1999 and 2019 pertaining to DLI for the surgical treatment of CDI. Five articles met the inclusion criteria. Four studies were retrospective and one was a prospective matched cohort study. 3683 patients were included in the 5 studies; 733 patients (20%) underwent DLI, while 2950 patients (80%) underwent TAC. The only shared outcome measure across all 5 studies was mortality. The overall mortality rate for the entire cohort undergoing both procedures was 30.3%. There was no statistically significant difference in pooled mortality between DLI and TAC (OR: .73; 95% CI, .45-1.2; P = .22). Reporting of other postoperative outcomes was variable. Fulminant CDI remains a life-threatening condition with high mortality. Loop ileostomy may be a viable surgical alternative to total colectomy with similar mortality; however, further work is needed to determine specific patient characteristics that warrant routine use of DLI.
Combining Life and Health Insurance

We estimate the benefit of life-extending medical treatments to life insurance companies. Our main insight is that life insurance companies have a direct benefit from such treatments because they lower the insurer’s liabilities by pushing the death benefit further into the future and raising future premium income. We apply this insight to immunotherapy, treatments associated with durable gains in survival rates for a growing number of cancer patients. We estimate that the life insurance sector’s aggregate benefit from FDA-approved immunotherapies is $9.8 billion a year. Such life-extending treatments are often prohibitively expensive for patients and governments alike. Exploiting this value creation, we explore various ways life insurers could improve stress-free access to treatment. We discuss potential barriers to integration and the long-run implications for the industrial organization of life and health insurance markets, as well as the broader implications for medical innovation and long-term care insurance markets.
Seeking Accountability for the Unlawful Use of Force

Despite the conclusion of the International Military Tribunal at Nuremberg that aggression is the 'supreme international crime', armed conflict remains a frequent and ubiquitous feature of international life, leaving millions of victims in its wake. This collection of original chapters by leading and emerging scholars from all around the world evaluates historic and current examples of the use of force and the context of crimes of aggression. As we approach the 75th anniversary of the Nuremberg War Crimes Tribunal, Seeking Accountability for the Unlawful Use of Force examines the many systems and accountability frameworks which have developed since the Second World War. By suggesting new avenues for enhancing accountability structures already in place as well as proposing new frameworks needed, this volume will begin a movement to establish the mechanisms needed to charge those responsible for the unlawful use of force.
Arbovirus activity in Canada.

Nineteen arboviruses have been isolated in Canada, including 11 mosquito-transmitted, 6 tick-transmitted and 2 culicoides-transmitted viruses. Only 6 of these viruses have been documented to have caused symptomatic infections in humans in Canada—western equine encephalitis, St. Louis encephalitis (SLE), snowshoe hare (SSH), Jamestown Canyon (JC), Powassan, and Colorado tick fever viruses. Western equine encephalitis has been the most important arbovirus in Canada, where clinical disease has been recognized, primarily in the prairie provinces, since the 1930’s. SLE virus was first isolated in Saskatchewan in 1971 but disease in Canada due to SLE was not documented until 1975 when an outbreak of 66 cases occurred in Ontario and one case each occurred in Manitoba and Quebec. California serogroup viruses have been found throughout Canada; SSH is the most widespread serotype but the JC serotype is also prevalent. Clinical California serogroup virus infections have been recognized in Canada, due primarily to the SSH serotype; JC encephalitis has also been documented. Twelve tick-transmitted symptomatic infections have been diagnosed from 1958–1988. These include 11 Powassan virus infections from Ontario, Quebec, and New Brunswick and a case of Colorado tick fever from Alberta.
Demonstration of cross-reactivity between bacterial antigens and class I human leukocyte antigens by using monoclonal antibodies to Shigella flexneri.

Abstract Bacterial envelope proteins which share immunodeterminants with the human leukocyte antigen (HLA) class I histocompatibility antigen HLA-B27 may invoke spondyloarthritic disease through the process of molecular mimicry in patients expressing this phenotype. Monoclonal antibodies generated by the immunization of BALB/c mice with envelope proteins of Shigella flexneri type 2a were tested for reactivity against cultured lymphoblastoid cell lines of defined HLA phenotype. As measured by flow microfluorometry, four immunoglobulin M monoclonal antibodies reacted preferentially with HLA-B27-positive lymphocytes (HOM-2, MM) as compared with a B27-loss mutant line (1065) or cells lacking major histocompatibility complex class I antigen (Daudi, K562). Monoclonal antibodies also reacted with mouse EL-4 cells transfected with and expressing the HLA-B7 gene. Western immunoblot analysis of isolated enterobacterial envelopes demonstrated that the reactive epitope was present on bacterial proteins with an apparent relative molecular mass of 36 and 19 kilodaltons. The structural basis for the cross-reactivity of bacterial antigen and HLA-B27 appeared to reside in the portion of the HLA molecule that is responsible for allotypic specificity (amino acids 63 through 83), since monoclonal antibodies were positive by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay with synthetic polypeptides corresponding to this segment.
Regulation of heme oxygenase and metallothionein gene expression by the heme analogs, cobalt-, and tin-protoporphyrin.

Two heme analogs, cobalt- and tin-protoporphyrin (CoPP and SnPP, respectively) have been used to probe the heme-hemopexin interaction, hemopexin receptor binding, and the mechanism of regulation of heme oxygenase (HO) and metallothionein-1 (MT-1) gene expression by hemopexin. Both CoPP and SnPP are HO inhibitors and hemopexin binds SnPP (Morgan, W. T., Alam, J., Deaciuc, V., Muster, P., Tatum, F. M., and Smith, A. (1988) J. Biol. Chem. 263, 8226-8231) and CoPP. The association of CoPP with hemopexin produces characteristic changes in the absorbance spectrum of CoPP and quenches the intrinsic fluorescence of hemopexin. Binding of CoPP is tight (Kd ca. 3 x 10(-7) M) although of lower affinity than heme itself (Kd
The p75 neurotrophin receptor influences NT-3 responsiveness of sympathetic neurons in vivo.

To determine the role of the p75 neurotrophin receptor (p75NTR) in sympathetic neuron development, we crossed transgenic mice with mutations in p75NTR, nerve growth factor (NGF) and neurotrophin-3 (NT-3). Neuron number is normal in sympathetic ganglia of adult p75NTR–/– mice. Mice heterozygous for a NGF deletion (NGF+/–) have 50% fewer sympathetic neurons. In the absence of p75NTR (p75NTR–/– NGF+/–), however, neuron number is restored to wild-type levels. When NT-3 levels are reduced (p75NTR–/– NGF+/– NT3+/–), neuron number decreases compared to p75NTR–/– NGF+/– NT3+/+. Thus, without p75NTR, NT3 substitutes for NGF, suggesting that p75 alters the neurotrophin specificity of TrkA in vivo.
The Second Intifada: Background and Causes of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict

What caused the outbreak of the second intifada? The conventional wisdom places the blame on one of two central figures, Ariel Sharon or Yasser Arafat. In one version, Sharon, then the leader of the Israeli opposition, started the intifada by going on an intentionally provocative visit to the Temple Mount on 28 September 2000. Alternatively, Arafat, President of the Palestinian Authority (PA), decided that the new State of Palestine should be launched in blood and fire; he unleashed Palestinian militants rather than accept a negotiated resolution of the conflict.
Responding to the Bottomlessness of Human Being

If the linguistic turn in twentieth century philosophy succeeded in establishing anything of enduring importance to education, it is that the deep hidden truth of the species Homo sapien is there is no deep hidden truth. We are not born with an essence, a mind, a self, rationality, free will, nor are we made in God’s image. On this matter, philosophers as diverse as Friedrich Nietzsche, Ludwig Wittgenstein, Martin Heidegger, Michel Foucault, and Jacques Derrida agree.
A novel approach to ring-type foreign body removal: the “U-wire”

Abstract Background: Foreign body ingestions are common, especially in pediatric, edentulous, psychiatric, and incarcerated populations. For the 20% of foreign bodies that do not pass spontaneously through the gastrointestinal tract, removal using modern, flexible endoscopes has become routine. Methods: We describe the successful endoscopic removal of a ring-type or "closed loop" foreign body by means of a novel technique. Utilizing a nasogastric tube inserted alongside the endoscope, a guidewire inserted through the tube is directed through the ring with a "rat-tooth" grasping forceps passed through the accessory channel of the endoscope. The wire is snared and pulled up through the endoscope creating a "U," with both ends of the wire outside of the patient. The nasogastric tube, endoscope, and foreign body may then be removed safely. Results: The technique was easy to perform and the foreign body was removed without complication. Conclusions: Using the U-wire technique, ring-type foreign bodies may be readily and safely removed.
American Cinema of the 1960s: Themes and Variations, Barry Keith Grant, ed. New Brunswick, NJ: Rutgers University Press, 2008

Given traditional understandings of American film history, the 1960s might appear as an unremarkable decade, as the contemporaneous brilliance of the European art cinema and of the American avant-g...
The erosion-corrosion behavior of protective coatings☆

Abstract The metal wastage caused by the impact of small solid particles on surfaces that are simultaneously corroded at elevated temperatures is a problem in several types of energy system. These systems cover a spectrum from heat exchanger tubes in fluidized bed combustors to steam turbine nozzles and blades. The use of protective coating systems of various kinds to extend the life of the components has been demonstrated to increase part life several times over. The behavior of various compositions and morphologies of coatings applied using several different processes in erosion and erosion-corrosion service environments is presented. The factors which determine their protective capabilities and the mechanisms by which they resist their operating environments are discussed. What is required of a coating system to be protective is defined.
Drought impacts on biogeochemistry and microbial processes in salt marsh sediments: a flow-through reactor approach

The effects of drought on salt marsh sediments from Sapelo Island, Georgia, were examined in flow-through reactor experiments. Three hydrological treatments were employed: a continuously flooded anoxic control, a periodic drought treatment that experienced alternate periods of flooding and drying, and a severe drought treatment, where sediment was exposed to drought (drying) for several weeks and then flooded; the effect of both buffered and non-buffered flooding solutions were examined. In permanently anoxic sediments as well as in sediments exposed to drought, organic carbon oxidation was dominated by SO4 2− reduction (SR) and SR rates increased over time. The shift from anoxic to oxic conditions in drought treatments significantly altered sediment geochemistry and pathways of microbial metabolism. Drought conditions favored suboxic mineralization processes, such as Fe(III) reduction and denitrification, which was fueled by NH4 + oxidation promoted by O2 delivered during drought conditions. Other major drought-induced changes included pH decrease, and altered concentrations of solid phase adsorbed metals.
The apology of Richard M. Nixon

On August 8, 1974, having been toppled from power by the Watergate scandal, Richard M. Nixon became the first President to resign his office before completing his term. In his resignation speech, Mr. Nixon attempted to vindicate himself before the American people. Analysis of Mr. Nixon's address reveals that his strategies of denial of intent and transcendence to a larger context were largely unsuccessful in securing closure with his audience.
Predetermining visibility priority in 3-D scenes (Preliminary Report)

The principal calculation performed by all visible surface algorithms is the determination of the visible polygon at each pixel in the image. Of the many possible speedups and efficiencies found for this problem, only one published algorithm (developed almost a decade ago by a group at General Electric) took advantage of an observation that many visibility calculations could be performed without knowledge of the eventual viewing position and orientation—once for all possible images. The method is based on a “potential obscuration” relation between polygons in the simulated environment. Unfortunately, the method worked only for certain objects; unmanagable objects had to be manually (and expertly!) subdivided into managable pieces.Described in this paper is a solution to this problem which allows substantial a priori visibility determination for all possible objects without any manual intervention. The method also identifies the ( hopefully, few) visibility calculations which remain to be performed after the viewing position is specified. Also diescussed is the development of still stronger solutions which could further reduce the number of these visibility calculations remaining at image generation time.The reduction in overall processing and memory requirements enabled by this approach may be quite significant, especially for those applications (e.g., 3-D simulation, animation, interactive design) in which numerous visible surface images are generated from a relatively stable data base.
Potential for Cone Beam Scatter Imaging in Screening Mammography

A system using a wide slot beam and simple anti-scatter grid has been designed to provide a localized map of tissue type that could be overlaid on the simultaneous conventional transmission image to provide an inexpensive, low dose adjunct to conventional screening mammography. The system was demonstrated to differentiate between scatter peak angles corresponding to adipose tissue and carcinoma. Adequate intensity in the coherent scatter image can be achieved at a dose commonly used for screening mammography. Depth information is obtainable from the stereoscopic viewing angles. Phantom imaging measurements and Monte Carlo simulations show good agreement.
Techniques for the preparation and identification of transplutonium elements

A short review of the discovery of transuranium elements is given and methods of preparing and identifying them are described. The results of a thorough experimental check of the work of a group of scientists from the USA, Britain, and Sweden on the preparation of element 102 are given.
Thickness dependent modulus of vacuum deposited organic molecular glasses for organic electronics applications

The thin film mechanical properties of a series of glassy triarylamines [4,4′-N,N′-dicarbazole-biphenyl (CBP), N,N′-diphenyl-N,N′-bis(3-methylphenyl)-1,1′-biphenyl-4,4′-diamine (TPD) and N,N′-di-(1-naphthyl)-N,N′-diphenyl-1,1′-biphenyl-4-4′-diamine (NPD)], which are commonly used in organic light emitting devices (OLEDs), are examined using surface wrinkling to elucidate their elastic moduli at ambient temperature. As mechanical properties are closely associated with molecular packing and morphology, these measurements provide an effective route to study the correlation between the structure and the related thickness dependent morphology of organic thin films. For all molecular glasses examined in this article, the modulus remains statistically invariant for films thicker than 20 nm. However, a large variation in the modulus is observed for films thinner than 20 nm. This behaviour is found to be correlated with the bulk glass transition temperature (Tg) of the materials. For both CBP and TPD with Tg of approximately 60 °C, the modulus decreases by a factor of two when the thin film thickness is approximately 10 nm. Conversely, the modulus of NPD with Tg of 95 °C increases by nearly a factor of two with the decrease of film thickness to 20 nm or less, similar to the trend observed for tris(8-hydroxyquinolinato)aluminum (Tg = 175 °C). This work provides critical information to consider for the applications of organic electronic devices, which frequently use organic thin films with sub-50 nm thickness.
Analogue Computer for Multicomponent Fractionation Calculations

There appears to exist in the oil industry a definite use for a computing machine which may be employed to shorten the multi-component fractionation plate-to-plate calculations. A machine believed to be of satisfactory accuracy and reliability has been designed and is in operation. It is estimated that it reduces the computing man hours to about ten per cent of that of the former procedures. The machine can be employed not only on the design of new equipment, but also on the study of possible design and feed variations which might be made in existing fractionation columns.
Structure of Human Serum Lipoproteins: Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Supports a Micellar Model

High-resolution proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectra of low- and high-density lipoproteins from human serum closely resemble those of dispersions of lipoprotein lipids in water. Linewidths of hydrocarbon proton absorptions are not increased in the lipoproteins. In contrast, apolar binding of lysolecithin on serum albumin causes extensive line-broadening and an upfield chemical shift of the hydrocarbon proton resonances of lysolecithin. The results are consistent with a predominantly micellar structure for the lipoproteins rather than with extensive hydrophobic association of lipid and protein.
Computed tomography evaluation of tracheoesophageal fistula

Four cases of tracheoesophageal fistula evaluated by computed tomography are presented. In addition to demonstrating the site of fistula, computed tomography was helpful in suggesting etiology and detecting pulmonary and mediastinal complications. Due to its ease of performance in critically ill patients and its unequivocal display of anatomy, we believe computed tomography should be the recommended diagnostic modality for tracheoesophageal fistula.
Sport communication, endorsement, and return on investment: a content analysis of the coverage of Tiger Woods in ESPN The Magazine.

This content analysis examined the coverage of Tiger Woods' endorsement of Nike products in the first 203 issues of ESPN The Magazine. The results revealed that more than 40% of the issues included at least one photograph of Woods' endorsing a Nike product. Nike logos appeared 241 times in numerous locations, sizes, and settings. Collectively, this coverage provides significant added value to Nike's contract with Woods.
A unique form of endoplasmic reticulum in endocardial endothelia of the desert iguana.

A unique and elaborate network of endoplasmic reticulum has been found in the endocardial endothelia of the desert iguana. The organelle consists of branched and anastomosed tubules which lack ribosomal particles. The tubules vary greatly in size and may be divided categorically into two groups of primary and secondary tubules, with average diameters of 750 A and 250 A, respectively. The tubular system appears to be arranged in a regular pattern. In some planes of section, most of the secondary tubules are seen to twist around one another in ropelike formations. In other planes of section, groups of one primary and two secondary tubules cut at different angles are arranged in definite rows. The most orderly configuration is observed in the endothelial cells resting upon noncontractile regions and appears distorted upon contraction of the underlying myocardia. In all circumstances, the amount of endoplasmic reticulum is unusual for endothelial cells because it occupies their entire cytoplasm. The tubules and membraneous surface of the endoplasmic reticulum are so abundant as to suggest some special physiological or biological activity although the true function of this interesting organelle is unknown.
The differential interaction of p38 MAP kinase and tumor necrosis factor-α in human alveolar macrophages and monocytes induced by Mycobacterium tuberculois

Cellular signaling by TNF-alpha is mediated through activation of mitogen activated protein (MAP) kinases. In particular, p38 MAP kinase is activated in mononuclear phagocytes and may be important in sustaining TNF-alpha activity. Here, we compared the activation and mutual regulation of p38 MAP kinase and TNF-alpha by MTB in human alveolar macrophages (AM) and blood monocytes (MN). AM and autologous MN were prepared, and stimulated by MTB at 1:1 (bacteria/cell). MAP kinase activation was assessed by immunoprecipitation and kinase activity. TNF-alpha mRNA was assessed by real-time RT-PCR, and TNF-alpha immunoreactivity was assessed by ELISA. MTB-induced p38MAP kinase rapidly in AM as compared to MN, and inhibition of p38 MAP kinase by SB203580 reduced both TNF-alpha mRNA and protein. Activation of ERK (1/2) by MTB followed similar kinetics in both AM and MN. TNF-alpha produced by MTB sustained p38 MAP kinase activation in MN only. These data suggest that interaction of resident pulmonary macrophages and the more immature MN with MTB differ with regard to both p38 MAP kinase activation and TNF-alpha expression.
Fine-structural characterization of plant microbodies.

Morphology and distribution of the relatively less well known organelles of plants have been studied with the electron microscope in tissues fixed in glutaraldehyde and postfixed in osmium tetroxide. An organelle comparable morphologically to the animal microbody and similar to the plant microbody isolated by Mollenhauer et al. (1966) has been encountered in a variety of plant species and tissues, and has been studied particularly in bean and radish roots, oat coleoptiles, and tobacco roots, stems and callus. The organelle has variable shape and is 0.5 to 1.5 μ in the greatest diameter. It has a single bounding membrane, a granular to fibrillar matrix of variable electron density, and an intimate association with one or two cisternae of rough endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Microbodies are easily the most common and generally distributed of the less well characterized organelles of plant cells. It seems very probable that they contain the enzymes characteristic of animal lysosomes (containing hydrolases) or animal microbodies (containing catalase and certain oxidases). Spherosomes are also possible sites of enzyme activity but are not as common or as widely distributed as microbodies. For this reason it appears likely that the particles designated as “plant lysosomes”, “spherosomes”, “peroxisomes”, etc., in some of the cytochemical and biochemical studies on enzyme localization will prove to be microbodies. Variations in the morphology and ER associations of microbodies in tissues of bean and radish are described and discussed. “Crystal-containing bodies” (CCBs) are interpreted as a specialized type of microbody characteristic of metabolically less active cells. Stages in the formation of CCBs from microbodies of typical appearance are illustrated for Avena. The general occurrence of microbodies in meristematic and differentiating cells and their close association with the ER suggest that they may play active roles in cellular metabolism. The alterations in their morphology and numbers that are observed in certain differentiating cells suggest further that the enzyme complements and metabolic roles of microbodies might change during cellular differentiation. If so, microbodies could be the functional equivalent of both microbodies and lysosomes of animal cells.
Angiotensin II binding in area postrema and nucleus tractus solitarius of SHR and WKY rats

The distribution of angiotensin II (AII) binding sites in the area postrema (AP) and adjacent nucleus tractus solitarius (NTS) was compared in spontaneously hypertensive (SHR) rats and normotensive Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rats. 125I[Saralasin-1-Isoleucine8]-Angiotensin II (125I[SI]-AII) binding density was quantitated from autoradiographic images by computer-assisted image analysis. Seventeen 30 microns serial coronal sections inclusive of the entire AP were analyzed as either individual sections or as groups of sections designated as caudal, middle, or rostral area postrema regions. 125I[SI]-AII binding density was greatest in caudal AP and declined progressively in the rostral direction in both strains; however, binding density in SHR was significantly higher than in WKY rats at each level of the AP analyzed. 125I[SI]-AII binding in the entire area postrema was approximately 46% higher in SHR rats. In the NTS, however, there were no differences in binding density between strains. At the middle level of the AP, 125I[SI]-AII binding was highest in the ventral midline and lowest in the dorsolateral region. In the NTS, the highest 125I[SI]-AII binding density was found in the pars commissuralis and pars medialis. In conclusion a) 125I[SI]-AII binding density was nonhomogeneous in the AP and NTS of both strains, b) qualitatively similar patterns of nonhomogeneity of binding in the AP and NTS were noted in both strains; however, c) the SHR strain consistently had higher density AII binding than WKY in AP, but not in NTS.
Tissue fillers: assessing the risks.

Physicians and their patients today may choose products from any of various classes of tissue fillers.1 However, when advising patients and developing a treatment plan to best address individual needs, the physician's responsibility is to consider both potential benefits and risks. With regard to long-term outcomes and safety, some filler products have well established track records, while complications data for others are still emerging. Non-animal stabilized hyaluronic acid (NASHA)–derived fillers have been widely adopted as an integral part of facial rejuvenation. Educational initiatives developed by professional societies in multiple specialties (dermatology, otolaryngology–head and neck surgery, oculoplastic surgery, and plastic surgery) have helped practitioners develop a high level of competency in both basic and advanced uses of this category of fillers. NASHA fillers appear capable of producing good outcomes that persist in the range of 9 to 12 months, with a low risk of adverse events.2,3 Patients return for serial treatments to fill lip lines or volumize facial regions. While lumpiness can occur with NASHA fillers, it can be easily resolved with a needle puncture/expression or, in some cases, injection …
Cycles of protein synthesis during pupal diapause in the flesh fly, Sarcophaga crassipalpis

Protein synthesis is cyclic during pupal diapause in Sarcophaga crassipalpis. These cycles are in phase with infradian MO2 cycles, which have a periodicity of about 4 days at 25°C. Mean incorporation of [35S]methionine by diapausing pupae was 5.4% during the 2 days of highest MO2 but dropped to 1.7% during the 2 days of low MO2. Diapausing pupae treated with a juvenile hormone analog prior to pupariation had a constant high MO2 similar to peak values observed in untreated pupae, and such pupae consistently incorporated [35S]methionine at a high rate (7.7%). [35S]Methionine incorporation by nondiapausing pupae and pharate adults was eightfold higher than the peak rates observed during diapause. Autoradiography of in vivo labeled proteins indicated quantitative and qualitative changes in the synthesis of proteins by diapausing pupae during different phases of the MO2 cycle. Brains from diapausing pupae labeled in vitro showed higher incorporation at the peak of the MO2 cycle than at the nadir of the cycle, but no such differences were detected for integument, fat body, or fat body supernatant. Theses differences in tissue response indicate that control of protein synthesis during diapause is not cell autonomous, but is a function of the metabolism of the intact organism.
Combining mutations of charged residues at the A2 domain interface enhances factor VIII stability over single point mutations.

Summary. Background: Factor (F) VIII consists of a heavy chain (A1A2B domains) and light chain (A3C1C2 domains), while the contiguous A1A2 domains are separate subunits in the cofactor, FVIIIa. Recently we reported that procofactor stability at elevated temperature and cofactor stability over an extended time course were increased following replacement of individual charged residues (Asp(D)519, Glu(E)665 or Glu(E)1984) with either Ala (A) or Val (V) (Wakabayashi et al., Blood, 112, 2761, 2008). Objectives: In the current study we generated combination mutants at these three sites to examine any additive and/or synergistic effects of these mutations on stability. Methods: Studies assessing FVIII stability involved monitoring decay rates of FVIII at 55 °C or in guanidinium, decay of FVIIIa following A2 subunit dissociation, and thrombin generation at low (0.3 nmol L−1) FVIII concentration. Results and conclusions: Similar tendencies were observed within each group of variants. Variants with mutations at D519 and either E665 or E1984 (Group A) generally showed significantly better stability as compared with single mutants. Most variants with mutations at E665 and at E1984 (Group B) did not show significant improvement. Triple mutants with mutations at D519, E665 and E1984 (Group C) showed improvement to a similar degree as the Group A double mutants. Overall, these results indicate that selected combinations of mutations to reduce charge and/or increase hydrophobicity at the A2/A1 and A2/A3 domain interfaces yield FVIII reagents with improved stability parameters.
The construction of λ transducing phages containing deletions defining regulatory elements of the lac and trp operons in E. coli

Two sets of plaque-forming λ transducing phages have been isolated which carry parts of the tryptophan (trp) and lactose (lac) operons. The λptrp-lac set of phages carry the trp and lac operons in the same orientation connected by deletions which enter the lac regulatory region from the i side. These deletions start at various sites in or near the trp operon and end either late in the lac i gene, within the promoter, between the promoter and the operator, within the operator, between the operator and the z gene, or very early in the z gene. Starting with one particular trp-lac fusion strain, a series of transducing phages were isolated which contain varying portions of the trp operon extending from the trp A gene towards the trp operator. The other set of phages, which are designated λptrp/lac, carry trp and lac in opposing orientations. These λptrp/lac phages contain deletions which remove all of the lac structural genes and end between the operator and the z gene.
Successful Treatment of Chronic Psychogenic Vomiting by Self-Monitoring

A 25-yr.-old male psychiatric inpatient with a history of chronic psychogenic vomiting was treated using self-monitoring. Vomiting ceased after introduction of self-monitoring and reoccurred once prior to discharge.
Mechanism and stereoselection in a Y-catalyzed transacylation reaction. A computational modeling study.

Density functional theory calculations were performed to evaluate the proposed mechanism of a yttrium−salen complex-catalyzed acylation of secondary alcohols using an enol acetate as the acyl-trans...
Effect of ascorbic acid deficiency on the in vivo synthesis of carnitine

The effects of ascorbate deficiency on carnitine biosynthesis was investigated in young male guinea pigs. Liver and kidney carnitine levels werenot affected by the defficiency, but scorbutic animals had 50% less carnitine in heart and skeletal muscle than control animals. Labeled carnitine precursors, 6-N-trimethyl-L-lysine and 4-N-trimethylaminobutt4yrate, both of which require ascorbate for their enzymatic hydroxylation, were injected into the vena cava of control, pair-fed and scorbutic animals. The distribution of isotope in compounds present in the liver and kidney after 1 h was determined. The uptake of trimethyllysine by the liver was <2% in 1 h, while the kidney took up approx. 20% of the 14C. Control and pair-fed animals converted trimethyllysine to kidney trimethylaminobutyrate 8–10 times as well as did scorbutic animals. Trimethylaminobutyrate hydroxylase, present in the liver but almost absent from the kidney, converted nearly all of substrate taken up by the liver to carnitine in both the scorbutic and control animals.
Alzheimer’s Disease: Distinct Stages in Neurogenic Decline?

The functional connection of Alzheimer’s disease (AD) with adult neurogenesis remains a lingering question in the field. A deep understanding of the detrimental effects of AD pathology on neurogenesis and a potentially compensatory role for newborn neurons in dementia may lead to a more complete picture of AD pathology and new therapeutic avenues. The few human autopsy studies that have been conducted are as inconsistent as the results from mouse models, including diametrically opposed reports in some cases. The study by Ekonomou et al. (1) tries to resolve this issue by applying stringent exclusion criteria for the examination of a clearly defined population of postmortem AD brains at various stages. Using multiple neurogenic markers for different maturation levels along with glial markers, the aim of this study is to complement the pathologic picture. The main observation of the study by Ekonomou et al. is a decrease in newly generated neurons in the dentate gyrus (DG) with advancing Braak stages (more severe tau pathology). This decrease was found only at the level of immature
Denying the body? Memory and the dilemmas of history in Descartes.

Observant la familiarite de l'argumentation cartesienne sur les relations esprit-corps au sein des populutions colonisees d'Amerique, a travers les temoignages de P. Marshall et W. Harris, l'A. examine le dilemme entre la memoire du corps humain et la non-historicite de la raison chez Descartes