cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Socioeconomic status inequalities in low-grade inflammation during childhood

Background Family socioeconomic status (SES) is an important source of child health disparities in the USA. Chronic stress is one way SES may impact children9s physiology with implications for later health inequalities. These processes may work differently across childhood due to differences in exposure and susceptibility to stressors at different ages. We assess associations between family SES and one biomarker of chronic stress exposure—low-grade inflammation detected by elevated C reactive protein (CRP)—and evaluate differences in the associations by child age. Methods We used nationally representative data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and Tobit regression models to estimate SES associations with CRP and the moderating effects of age for children age 2–18 years. Our sample was limited to CRP ≤10 mg/l to focus on low-grade inflammation (N=13 165). Results Children whose parent had less than a high school degree had 35% higher CRP than those with a college graduate parent; and, poor children had 24% higher CRP than those with high family income, net of controls. When children9s body mass index was accounted for, low education and poverty associations were reduced to 19% and 15%, respectively. Child age interactions were negative and significant for both parental education and family income. Conclusions This study provides new evidence that SES is associated with low-grade inflammation in children, and that these associations may be particularly strong during early and mid-childhood. Future research should further our understanding of stressors related to low family SES that may lead to immune system dysregulation during childhood.
Effectiveness of Sivanto in Controlling Silverleaf Whitefly in Squash, Spring 2013

This study was conducted to evaluate Sivanto in controlling silverleaf whitefly on squash. ‘Dixie’ squash seeds were sown on raised beds covered with plastic mulch on 1 Jul 2014 at Tropical Research and Education Center, University of Florida. Five treatments tested in this study were arranged in an RCB design replicated four times. Treatment plots consisted of two …
Solving Sets of Equations

After completing this module, a student should be able to: Describe a boundary value problem. Define Finite Difference, boundary condition, domain, iteration, convergence. Describe the two most common boundary conditions. Appreciate how numerical modeling software works. Construct a simple numerical model using Microsoft Excel® to solve a Laplacian system.
Distribution of murine MUC16, a homolog of human ovarian cancer marker CA125, in adult murine reproductive tissues

Proc Amer Assoc Cancer Res, Volume 47, 2006 2564 Human ovarian cancer marker CA125 is associated with greater than 80% of epithelial ovarian cancers and has been used to monitor patients with ovarian cancer. CA125 has been cloned and found encode a mucin (MUC16) of Mr >1,000 kDa with multiple tandem repeats. A murine MUC16 homolog has been identified on chromosome 9A2 encoding a protein of similar size and structure. We have examined MUC16 mRNA distribution in adult murine tissues using in situ hybridization. Strong MUC16 mRNA expression was detectable in epithelial cells of the ovarian surface, fallopian tube, oviduct and peritoneum. To characterize MUC16 protein expression in the mouse, we have developed a polyclonal antibody against a 27 kDa protein fraction of the tandem repeat domain of the murine CA125. Affinity purified antibody showed a high titer of specific activity against murine MUC16. Consistent with mRNA results, strong expression of Muc16 was detected in epithelial cells of the ovarian surface, oviduct and peritoneum, as well as the lamina propria and secretory cells of the fallopian tube. Similar to the tissue distribution of human CA125, murine MUC16 was expressed in most coelomic-epithelium-derived female reproductive tissues, including epithelial cells of ovary. Future studies will explore the functional significance of MUC 16 expression.
Real-time simulation of demand side management and vehicle to grid power flow in a smart distribution grid

The price per kilowatt-hour of energy delivered by the electric power utility varies as the total power demand supplied to the region it serves throughout the day. To save money and protect power system equipment, it may be necessary to schedule the energy consumed during these periods of high/critical demand and higher pricing. In this project, a number of demand-side management strategies (DSM) are tested and compared on a modified IEEE 37-bus distribution feeder model in real time using an OPAL-RT real time simulator. This study focuses on the use of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) as energy storage components of a smart-grid. A stochastic model is used to predict the location of BEVs and their state of charge (SOC) over a 24-hour period. During the high demand periods or fault conditions, a number of BEV users may connect to the grid and supply power by using vehicle-to-grid (V2G) power flow. This number depends on the level of consumer interest in participating in V2G service as well as the location and SOC of each vehicle. The results show that a power utility will benefit by offering incentives to consumers with BEVs that are available to supply power to the grid.
Explaining Restrictive TANF Policies: Group Threat Hypothesis and State Economy Conditions

This study examined whether TANF policies' restrictiveness is related to states' racial composition and economic conditions. The data were extracted from various reports dated 2000–2014. Results fr...
Effect of Thermal Processing on the Stability of Fumonisins

Fumonisins, a group of mycotoxins produced by Fusarium moniliforme in corn, have been implicated in several animal and human diseases. F. moniliforme and the fumonisins are an area of increasing concern for corn producers and consumers. Consequently, there is interest in reducing human and animal exposure to these fungal toxins. Studies of the effects of biological, chemical, and physical treatments on the reduction of fumonisin levels in food have shown variable results. Work was conducted at the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, National Center for Food Safety and Technology, to determine the effects of thermal processing on fumonisins B1 (FB1) and B2 (FB2) in an aqueous buffer. Parameters that were studied included processing time (0–60 min), processing temperature (100–235°C), and buffer pH (4, 7, and 10). The rate and extent of fumonisin decomposition increased with processing temperature. Less than 27% of FB1 and less than 20% of FB2 were lost when processing temperatures were less than or equal to 125°C for 60 min. After 60 min at 150°C, losses of FB1 and FB2 were 80–90% at pH 4, 18–30% at pH 7, and 40–52% at pH 10. At temperatures greater than or equal to 175°C, more than 80% of FB1 and FB2 was lost after 60 min. These results indicate that foods reaching temperatures greater than 150°C during processing may have lower fumonisin levels. More work is needed to quantitate the effects of different processing operations (baking, extrusion, frying) on the fumonisin content of corn-based foods.
Basic DEA Models

Data Envelopment Analysis (DEA) is a body of concepts and methodologies that have now been incorporated in a collection of models with accompanying interpretive possibilities as follows: 1. the CCR ratio model (1978) (i) yields an objective evaluation of overall efficiency and (ii) identifies the sources and estimates the amounts of the thusidentified inefficiencies 2. the BCC model (1984) distinguishes between technical and scale inefficiencies by (i) estimating pure technical efficiency at the given scale of operation and (ii) identifying whether increasing decreasing, or constant returns to scale possibilities are present for further exploitation 3. the Multiplicative models (Charnes et al., 1982, 1983) provide (i) a log-linear envelopment or (ii) a piecewise Cobb- Douglas interpretation of the production process (by reduction to the antecedent 1981 additive model of Charnes, Cooper, and Seiford); and 4. the Additive model (as better rendered in Charnes et al., 1985) and the extended Additive model (Charnes et al., 1987) (i) relate DEA to the earlier Charnes-Cooper (1959) inefficiency analysis and in the process (ii) relate the efficiency results to the economic concept of Pareto optimality as interpreted in the still earlier work of T. Koopmans (1949) in the volume that published the proceedings of the first conference on linear programming.1
Spoken Discourse: Word Order

Theoretical and methodological aspects of spoken word order are considered, using Russian data as a basis for discussion. A number of major theoretical and empirical issues are addressed in detail, including the units within which the order is determined, the role of intonation, the syntactic or cognitive categories in which the order is formulated, and syntactic features important for word order that are peculiar to spoken language. Most of the discussion concerns one-unit messages roughly corresponding to simple sentences, but examples of clause ordering corresponding to subordinate sentences are also included. Comparisons with other languages are drawn where appropriate.
Replication of mismatch research: Ayres, Brooks and Ho

Abstract Perhaps the two best known critiques of the “law school mismatch” hypothesis are one jointly authored by Ian Ayres and Richard Brooks, and another by Daniel Ho. This article attempts to both reproduce and replicate these studies, and finds neither holds up well. Ayres and Brooks make outright errors in their analysis which, when corrected, reverse their results. All three authors make indefensible methodological choices that, when modified in logical ways, either support the law school mismatch hypothesis or leave it untouched.
Pediatric Patients Have Elevated Thrombomodulin Levels Prior to Onset of Transplant Associated Thrombotic Microangiopathy and Are Associated with Increased Treatment Related Mortality

Background The incidence of transplant-associated thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) is 20-40%, likely triggered by endothelial injury, which may be due to conditioning regimen, neutrophil extracellular traps, drugs or infections. Several previous studies have associated thrombomodulin (THBD) single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) variants with TMA and TRM, but use of protein levels to identify endothelial injury and predict future risk of TMA has not been reported. Objectives Primary objective was to determine whether THBD levels 14 days post hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) predict increased risk of TMA. We hypothesized that elevated serum THBD levels are associated with higher incidence of TMA and TRM as a consequence of endothelial injury. Methods Serum and DNA of 106 pediatric patients, transplanted between 2014 and 2017 were collected prior to conditioning and at day 14. THBD levels were measured using human thrombomodulin/BDCA-3 quantikine elisa kits (R and D, Minneapolis). We compared HSCT outcomes to THBD levels above and below the median. TaqMan SNP genotyping assays determined THBD genotype. Results Results of our study are summarized in figure 1. We observed increased THBD levels at day 14 in children who later developed TMA at a median of 26 days (range 0-667 days) after HSCT (p=0.05, figure 2), compared with children who never developed TMA. Moreover, mortality (at a median of 248 days, range 60-1258 days) was increased in children with THBD levels above the median at day 14 (p=0.02 figure 3). Interestingly there was no statistical difference between THBD level in children with or without graft versus host disease (GVHD), although the point estimate was higher in children with GVHD. THBD levels prior to conditioning were not predictive of TMA or TRM (P=0.95 and 0.41). THBD levels were not increased in those with a high risk genotype compared with those with a low risk genotype at baseline or day +14 (p=0.86 and 0.16, Table 1). Of the 23 deaths, 3 succumbed to infection, 7 to endothelial injury (TMA or GVHD), and 13 to relapse. Conclusion Our data show elevation of THBD as early as day +14 was associated with increased TMA and TRM at later time points. Our data indicate the importance of events happening within 14 days after HSCT in “setting up” later events and offer a window of time for potential interventions to reduce later complications. We are currently studying the kinetics of THBD during transplant recovery and mechanisms of associations of THBD levels with later outcomes.
Neoadjuvant presurgical PD-1 inhibition in oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma.

2574Background: Oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC) is a highly prevalent surgically-treated subset of head and neck cancer with frequent recurrence and poor survival. Immunotherapy has dem...
Remembering Intervention: Parthia in Rome’s Civil Wars

The Arsacid rulers of the Parthian empire intervened repeatedly in the civil wars of the late Republic. Previous analyses of these interventions have been misled by post-Republican ideas about the Roman-Parthian relationship or confined to discussions of individual episodes. This article comprehensively surveys Parthian intervention and traces divergent Roman attitudes towards it over time. It is argued that Roman observers sometimes perceived Parthia’s involvement as a singular external intrusion on the circumscribed domain of civil war - but only in the early imperial period, when the Arsacid kingdom’s status as an imperial arch-rival forced a reconsideration of the Republican past.
Multi-objective Optimization Approach to find Biclusters in Gene Expression Data

Gene expression levels of organisms are measured by DNA microarrays. Finding biclusters in gene expression matrices provides invaluable information about effects of disease at the genetic level. These biclusters could identify which genes are up-regulated/down-regulated under certain conditions. This paper investigates a methodology for evolutionary-based biclustering using the NSGA-II algorithm. It also presents an improvement to the recovery and relevance external validation metrics as well as a new method for synthetic data generation for biclustering. Results obtained demonstrate its effectiveness in discovering useful biclusters on varied synthetic data when applied with the average Spearman's rho measure as the fitness function.
Effects of Rate Manipulation on Intelligibility in Children With Cerebral Palsy

Purpose We evaluated the effects of a speech supplementation strategy to reduce rate and improve intelligibility in children with cerebral palsy. Method Twenty-five children with cerebral palsy (M ...
Endovascular thrombectomy in octogenarians and nonagenarians with large vessel occlusion: Technical aspects and clinical outcome.

Abstract Background Safety and efficacy of thrombectomy in patients ≥80-year-old is not fully understood as this age group is underrepresented in major clinical trials. Objectives To review the procedural aspects and clinical outcome of thrombectomy among octogenarians and nonagenarians in a busy comprehensive stroke center. Methods We retrospectively identified all patients ≥80-year-old who underwent thrombectomy for acute ischemic stroke with emergent large vessel occlusion (ELVO) in the anterior circulation in our institution. Demographics, procedural variables, anesthesia modality, and clinical outcome measures were extracted. The rates of successful recanalization (defined as TICI ≥ 2B), symptomatic hemorrhagic transformation and favorable clinical outcome (defined as mRS Results A total of 113 patients were identified. The median age for the cohort was 85 years (range: 80-103). Median admission NIHSS score was 18 (IQR: 14–25). Successful recanalization was achieved in 101 patients (89%). Monitored anesthesia care (MAC) was used in 78% of the patients. Groin puncture to recanalization time was shorter in patients under MAC (45±36 vs 120±50; p=0.006); however, no statistically significant difference in the rate of 90-day favorable outcome was observed between MAC and general anesthesia(23% vs 20%, p=0.77). From 72 patients with baseline mRS Conclusion Thrombectomy in octogenarians and nonagenarians is technically feasible and associated with high rate of recanalization. Anesthesia type was not a predictor of outcome and does not pose a threat on procedural time. Nearly one out of four patients in this study had a favorable clinical outcome.
How do task characteristics affect learning and performance? The roles of simultaneous, interactive, and continuous tasks

Why are some tasks more difficult to learn than others? Hoffman et al. (Accelerated expertise: training for high proficiency in a complex world. Psychology Press, New York, 2014) hypothesized that certain task characteristics-termed "dimensions of difficulty"-hindered learning and performance. Previously, we tested two dimensions: consistent vs. variably mapped and static vs. dynamic. Here, we test three more dimensions of difficulty: sequential vs. simultaneous, discrete vs. continuous, and separable vs. interactive. In each study, we manipulate a single task feature (dimension of difficulty) while holding all others constant. Tasks with continuous (rather than discrete) features slowed participants' performance but did not impair learning. Learning and performance were unimpaired in tasks with interactive (rather than largely separable) processes. By contrast, we found strong evidence that simultaneous tasks (i.e., those that demand multitasking) inhibit learning, slow performance, and increase task errors. Importantly, this occurred in the absence of perceptual and mechanical bottlenecks present in most other studies of multitasking. We also are the first to examine simultaneity on learning a new task while controlling for other dimensions of difficulty. We discuss the potential impact of these results on current theory and application to real-world domains.
Small Airway Diseases

The category of small airway diseases applies to three major groups of lung diseases. These include respiratory bronchiolitis, follicular bronchiolitis, and constrictive bronchiolitis. Though many inflammatory diseases of the lung have small airway pathology as a secondary component and descriptions of those will be found in other chapters (interstitial lung diseases, pneumoconiosis, and infections), in these three diseases, the small airway pathology represents the primary pathology seen in the lung. These pathologic diseases are characterized by the common clinical features of shortness of breath, cough, decreased expiratory volumes, and/or hypoxia. These are found in multiple clinical settings including smoking/environmental exposures, immune deficiencies, and transplantation, the latter of which includes both primary rejection of the lung allograft and graft-versus-host disease in the lung secondary to bone marrow transplantation. Though cytopathology evaluation in these diagnoses is limited, both imaging and small biopsies specimens can be helpful, if evaluated within the appropriate clinical context.
Concepts of extracellular matrix remodelling in tumour progression and metastasis

Tissues are dynamically shaped by bidirectional communication between resident cells and the extracellular matrix (ECM) through cell-matrix interactions and ECM remodelling. Tumours leverage ECM remodelling to create a microenvironment that promotes tumourigenesis and metastasis. In this review, we focus on how tumour and tumour-associated stromal cells deposit, biochemically and biophysically modify, and degrade tumour-associated ECM. These tumour-driven changes support tumour growth, increase migration of tumour cells, and remodel the ECM in distant organs to allow for metastatic progression. A better understanding of the underlying mechanisms of tumourigenic ECM remodelling is crucial for developing therapeutic treatments for patients.
179 The prevalence of CIN II-III in positive visual inspection using acetic acid (VIA) at a tertiary government hospital

Early detection is a key to reducing cervical cancer related mortality. Cervical cancer typically is preceded by preinvasive changes known as Cervical Intraepithelial lesion (CIN) II-III. Objective The aim of the study is to determine the prevalence of CIN II-III in VIA positive result. Methodology This is retrospective cross-sectional study conducted at a tertiary government hospital outpatient clinic from January 2017 to May 2019. 373 asymptomatic Filipino women, ages 20–65 years old were included in the study. All underwent cervical cancer screening using VIA. Women who had VIA positive results underwent colposcopically guided cervical punch biopsy. Results Among 373 patients, there were 97 (26.01%) who had a positive VIA result. Of these positive VIA women, nine had CIN II-III, and five patients with squamous cell carcinoma. Conclusion The prevalence of CIN II-III among women with positive VIA was estimated at 9.28% (95% CI 4.3–16.88), while those with squamous cell carcinoma was at 5.15% (95% CI 1.69 – 11.62%).
Trends over time in adult cannabis use: A review of recent findings.

Abstract In the United States, policies regarding the medical and nonmedical use of cannabis are changing rapidly. In 2021, a total of 34 US states have legalized cannabis for adult medical use, and 15 of these states have legalized adult non-medical use. These changing policies have raised questions about increasing prevalences of cannabis use, changing perceptions regarding frequent use, and potentially related outcomes such as comorbid psychiatric illness or driving under the influence of cannabis. Research regarding the correlates of any and frequent cannabis use is also developing quickly. This article reviews recent empirical studies concerning (1) adult trends in cannabis use, (2) state cannabis laws and related outcomes, and (3) emerging evidence regarding how the global coronavirus 19 pandemic may impact cannabis use patterns. We summarize recent findings and conclude with suggestions to address unanticipated effects of rapidly changing cannabis laws and policies.
Endogenous Regulation and Pharmacological Modulation of Sepsis-Induced HMGB1 Release and Action: An Updated Review

Sepsis remains a common cause of death in intensive care units, accounting for approximately 20% of total deaths worldwide. Its pathogenesis is partly attributable to dysregulated inflammatory responses to bacterial endotoxins (such as lipopolysaccharide, LPS), which stimulate innate immune cells to sequentially release early cytokines (such as tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and interferons (IFNs)) and late mediators (such as high-mobility group box 1, HMGB1). Despite difficulties in translating mechanistic insights into effective therapies, an improved understanding of the complex mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of sepsis is still urgently needed. Here, we review recent progress in elucidating the intricate mechanisms underlying the regulation of HMGB1 release and action, and propose a few potential therapeutic candidates for future clinical investigations.
The Invitation Circle: Creating Space for Decolonizing and Humanizing Inquiry

This article discusses an invitation circle, a process of inviting workshop and classroom participants into collaborative and humanizing inquiry, and provides guidelines for initiating an invitation circle. Drawing from indigenous and posthuman traditions, invitation circles model decolonizing inquiry, encourage participants to develop humanizing connections with one another, and foster imagination of futures unconstrained by the colonial imaginary.
Spectacles of Truth in Classical Greek Philosophy: Theoria in its Cultural Context

In fourth-century Greece (BCE), the debate over the nature of philosophy generated a novel claim: that the highest form of wisdom is theoria, the rational 'vision' of metaphysical truths (the 'spectator theory of knowledge'). This 2004 book offers an original analysis of the construction of 'theoretical' philosophy in fourth-century Greece. In the effort to conceptualise and legitimise theoretical philosophy, the philosophers turned to a venerable cultural practice: theoria (state pilgrimage). In this practice, an individual journeyed abroad as an official witness of sacralized spectacles. This book examines the philosophic appropriation and transformation of theoria, and analyses the competing conceptions of theoretical wisdom in fourth-century philosophy. By tracing the link between traditional and philosophic theoria, this book locates the creation of theoretical philosophy in its historical context, analysing theoria as a cultural and an intellectual practice. It develops a new, interdisciplinary approach, drawing on philosophy, history and literary studies.
Excision Repair and Bypass

In excision repair, damaged DNA is recognized as altered and the damage is cut out. Two types of excision repair, each with important variations, can be distinguished. The first, base excision repair (BER), uses particular enzymes, the DNA N-glycosylases to sense specific damaged bases. The second, nucleotide excision repair is a multiprotein system which recognizes generalized deformation in the DNA. The clear requirement for the RecA protein is explained by the need to support the strand exchanges required for recombination and for the filling of gaps left by the blockage of DNA synthesis along one strand only at the site of pyrimidine dimer or other lesion. The Escherichia coli genome codes for at least five different DNA polymerases. The dynamics of the bypass process involving the different DNA polymerases are described in this chapter. The complete replication system is in place and DNA is being replicated, either by progression of the complex along a chromosome, as usually thought, or, as has been suggested for Bacillus subtilis, by the chromosomal DNA moving through a fixed replication site. E. coli has a variety of enzymes which cooperate to detect and remove damage from the DNA. Operation of these mechanisms is dependent on the location of the lesions with respect to DNA growing points. Lesions far from such growing points are detected either by small DNA glycosylases that continually test the DNA for aberrant bases or by the UvrA2UvrB protein complex, which detects helix distortions and searches the distorted helix for altered bases.
Pulsed fourier transform NMR of substituted aryltrimethyltin derivatives : IV. Proton and carbon-13 NMR data for ortho-, 2,6-, and poly-substituted aryltrimethyltins

Abstract Proton and carbon-13 NMR data recorded in the Fourier transform mode are reported for ten ortho -substituted, six 2,6-disubstituted, and six miscellaneous polysubstituted aryltrimethyltin compounds. Although ¦ 1 J ( 13 C  1 H)¦ and ¦ 2 J ( 119 SnC 1 H)¦ coupling constants are rather insensitive to substituent variation, tin methyl proton chemical shifts reflect the increasing inductive effects as methyl-, chloro-, fluoro-, and trifluoromethyl-groups are brought into juxtaposition with the trimethyltin moiety. Resonances in the natural-abundance carbon-13 NMR spectra for the tin derivatives are assigned on the basis of additivity relationships, proton undecoupled spectra, and relative magnitudes of ¦ J ( 119 Sn 13 C)¦ and ¦ J ( 13 C  19 F)¦ coupling constants. Mutually deshielding γ-, δ-, and ϵ-effects in the carbon-13 chemical shifts of substituent carbons are rationalized in terms of steric crowding between the trimethyltin group and neighboring substituents. Deshieldings in ring carbons formally para - to conjugating substituents are discussed in terms of the steric inhibition of resonance model. Previous conclusions concerning lack of significant higher coordination at tin in aryltin derivatives bearing substituents with lone pair electrons are corroborated in this work.
An Intelligent Information Dictionary for Semantic Manipulation of Relational Databases

This paper describes an intelligent information dictionary (IID) which serves as a knowledge-based interface between a database user and the query language of a relational database management system. IID extends the traditional roles of a data dictionary by enabling a user to view, manipulate, and verify semantic aspects of relational data. Our use of IID focuses on the interactive creation of simulation-specific databases from large "public" databases in the domain of military simulation and modeling. We have identified classes of database-related activities performed by a simulation developer when preparing databases as input to simulation models. Three categories of IID capabilities supporting these activities are explanation and browsing, customized data manipulation, and interactive consistency checking. In this paper we detail specific features of these categories and present examples of their use.
Overview of Nondestructive Inspection Techniques

Numerous nondestructive inspection techniques are available today for the detection of flaws in a variety of materials including ceramics. The purpose of this paper is to present an overview of current NDT principles and techniques including criteria for the proper selection of effective test methods. The process of selecting and developing suitable test procedures for a particular quality assurance purpose is governed by several factors. One is the nature of the flaws anticipated, another the characteristics of materials and structures involved, and a third the location and configuration of defects.
What do we really know about cold nuclear matter effects

The measurement of charmonium suppression in relativistic heavy ion collisions is posited to be an unambiguous probe of the properties of the strongly interacting quark gluon plasma (sQGP). In hot and dense QCD matter Debye color screening prevents charm and anti-charm quark pairs from forming J/ψ mesons if the screening radius is smaller than the binding radius. However, one must have a clear understanding of the expected suppression in normal density QCD matter before interpreting any additional anomalous suppression. The PHENIX experiment has measured J/ψ production from colliding proton + proton and deuteron + gold beams at 200 GeV from the relativistic heavy ion collider (RHIC). The deuteron + gold data can be compared to the proton + proton baseline in order to establish the typical suppression in cold nuclear matter (CNM). For PHENIX, a suppression of J/ψ in cold nuclear matter is observed as one goes forward in rapidity (in the deuteron-going direction), corresponding to a region more sensitive to initial state low-x gluons in the gold nucleus. These results can be convoluted with the nuclear-environment-modified parton distribution functions, extracted from deep inelastic scattering (DIS) and Drell-Yan (DY) data, in order to estimate the J/ψ break up cross section in cold nuclear matter. One can also use a data driven method that does not rely on the assumption of the production mechanism, or PDF parameterization, to extrapolate to the heavy ion collision case. At this time both the predictions for CNM effect suppression in heavy ion collisions are somewhat ambiguous. Future results using the data acquired by the PHENIX experiment in run-6 (p + p) and run-8 (d + Au) will be vital for our understanding. These data, which are in the process of being analyzed, will provide a needed improvement in the statistical and systematic precision of constraints for CNM effects. These constraints must be improved in order to make firm conclusions concerning additional hot nuclear matter charmonium suppression in the sQGP.
A primer in computed axial tomographic anatomy.

The following scans (Figures 1-4) were made on an EMI Scanner CT5000 with a 160 • 160 matrix. This device utilizes a 10-degree, fan-shaped x-ray beam. Alter attenuation of this beam by tissues in its path, a primary array of 30 sodium iodide crystal detectors and photomultipliers measures the emergent x-rays. The x-ray source and the diametrically opposed detector array traverse linearly across the patient and then index through an arc of l0 degrees around the patient, before another linear traverse across the patient is initiated. This sequence is repeated 18 times for each scan; consequently, the latter includes the data gathered from 18 linear traverses spanning 180 degrees around the patient. The thickness of each transverse tomographic section is 13 ram. During each linear traverse, 18,000 density measuremerits are made, and, since each completed scan consists of 18 linear traverses, 324,000 density measurements are available fbr formulation of the final scan image. The latter is projected on a 160 x 160 matrix and is therefore made up of 25,600 picture elements (pixels). Scans for the illustrations were made in the slog' scan option (80 sec per scan) rather than in the fast scan mode (20 sec per scan) that is used in most clinical circumstances. The illustrations were derived from scans of the embalmed body of a 48-year-old male whose death was due to a cerebrovaseular accident. The entire trunk was scanned at I-cm intervals to assure overlapping tomographic sections. Appropriate marks were made on the skin to permit reasonable accuracy
Everolimus Eluting Stents Versus Coronary Artery Bypass Graft Surgery for Patients With Diabetes Mellitus and Multivessel Disease

Background— In patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel disease, coronary artery bypass graft surgery and percutaneous coronary intervention are treatment options. However, there is paucity of data comparing coronary artery bypass graft surgery against newer generation stents. Methods and Results— Patients included in the New York State registries who had diabetes mellitus and underwent isolated coronary artery bypass graft surgery or percutaneous coronary intervention with everolimus eluting stent (EES) for multivessel disease were included. Propensity score matching was used to assemble a cohort with similar baseline characteristics. The primary outcome was all-cause mortality. Secondary outcomes were myocardial infarction (MI), stroke, and repeat revascularization. Short-term (within 30 days) and long-term outcomes were evaluated. Among 16 089 patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel disease, 8096 patients with similar propensity scores were included. At short-term, EES was associated with a lower risk of death (hazard ratio [HR] =0.58; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.34–0.98; P =0.04) and stroke (HR=0.14; 95% CI, 0.06–0.30; P <0.0001) but higher risk of MI (HR=2.44; 95% CI, 1.13–5.31; P =0.02). At long-term, EES was associated with a similar risk of death (425 [10.50%] versus 414 [10.23%] events; HR=1.12; 95% CI, 0.96–1.30; P =0.16), a lower risk of stroke (118 [2.92%] versus 157 [3.88%] events; HR=0.76; 95% CI, 0.58–0.99; P =0.04) but a higher risk of MI (260 [6.42%] versus 166 [4.10%] events; HR=1.64; 95% CI, 1.32–2.04; P <0.0001) and repeat revascularization (889 [21.96%] versus 421 [10.40%] events; HR=2.42; 95% CI, 2.12–2.76; P <0.0001). The higher risk of MI was not seen in the subgroup of EES patients who underwent complete revascularization (HR=1.37; 95% CI, 0.76–2.47; P =0.30). Conclusions— In patients with diabetes mellitus and multivessel disease, EES was associated with lower upfront risk of death and stroke when compared with coronary artery bypass graft surgery. However, at long-term, EES was associated with similar risk of death, a higher risk of MI (in those with incomplete revascularization), and repeat revascularization but a lower risk of stroke.
Preparation and characterization of cellulose nanocrystals from rice straw

Abstract Pure cellulose have been isolated from rice straw at 36% yield and hydrolyzed (64% H2SO4, 8.75 mL/g, 45 °C) for 30 and 45 min to cellulose nanocrystals (CNCs), i.e., CNC30 and CNC45, respectively. CNC45 was smaller (11.2 nm wide, 5.06 nm thick and 117 nm long) than CNC30 (30.7 nm wide, 5.95 nm thick and 270 nm long). Freeze–drying of diluted CNC suspensions showed both assembled into long fibrous structures: ultra-fine fibers (∼400 nm wide) from CNC45 and 1–2 μm wide broad ribbons interspersed with CNC clusters from CNC30. The self-assembled fibers from CNC30 and CNC45 were more highly crystalline (86.0% and 91.2%, respectively) and contained larger crystallites (7.36 nm and 8.33 nm, respectively) than rice straw cellulose (61.8%, 4.42 nm). These self-assembled fibers had essentially nonporous or macroporous structures with the CNCs well aligned along the fiber axis. Furthermore, the self-assembled ultra-fine fibers showed extraordinary structural stability, withstanding vigorous shaking and prolong stirring in water.
Electromagnetically-Induced Surface Microstructures and Enhanced Field Effects in Laser Processing*

The presence of microstructures on surfaces undergoing laser processing modifies the electromagnetic boundary conditions and can lead to dramatic changes in the intensity of the local electromagnetic fields and hence in the reaction rates and final morphologies resulting from the laser reaction. Examples are presented for periodic structures on planar surfaces — the rippling of Ag surfaces during laser oxidation; and for isolated dielectric structures — enhanced scattering (∼ 100x) due to dipolar resonances in Si particles.
Asymptotic Behaviour of Solutions of Semi-Linear Elliptic Equations in ℝ n

In this paper we discuss the asymptotic behavior, as |x| → ∞, of solutions of the problem $$egin{array}{*{20}{c}}{elta u + feft( u ight) = 0inmega } {u o 0aseft| x ight| o nfty } {u n {C^2}eft( mega ight),}nd{array}$$ (1) where Ω is the complement of some closed ball in ℝ n . We will always assume that f is continuous and f(0) = 0. Since the behavior of u is known if f has a negative derivative at the origin (see [2]), we will concentrate on the case where f(u)= o(|u|) as u → 0. Our results will apply in particular to classical solutions of $$egin{array}{*{20}{c}}{elta u + feft( u ight) = 0in{athbb{R}^n}} {u o 0aseft| x ight| o nfty }nd{array}$$ (2)
Potential Expanded Use of Pharmacoeconomics and Outcomes Research in China

In an era of cost containment and managed care, pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research are increasingly used in both public and private sectors to improve the allocation of healthcare and pharmaceutical resources. While this trend has been well observed in developed nations, little is known about its status in developing countries. This article presents an overview of pharmacoeconomics and outcomes research in China.
A new technique for the surgical removal of osteoma of the jaw.

Abstract A simple, safe technique is described whereby silver nitrate is applied to osteomas or areas of condensing osteitis (sclerosis) that require surgical removal. The case histories of three patients are described.
Competitive substrate inhibition in the histochemistry of cholinesterase activity in Alzheimer's disease.

Abstract We used acetylcholine and butyrylcholine to competitively inhibit the cleavage of acetylthiocholine or butyrylthiocholine in plaques and tangles of Alzheimer's disease. Butyrylcholine was much more effective than acetylcholine in reducing the histochemical reaction for acetylcholinesterase not only in neuronal fibers, but also in plaques and tangles. This is in keeping with biochemical data on acetylcholinesterase and supports the existence of true acetylcholinesterase activity within plaques and tangles. However, 2–4 times higher acetylcholine and buturylcholine concentrations were necessary to inhibit the plaque and tangle bound enzyme. Together with the previously reported different pH optima, this suggests that the plaque- and tangle-bound acetylcholinesterase may represent an altered form of this enzyme.
Vapor-grown carbon fibers: Status and prospects

Abstract Vapor-grown carbon fibers are produced by exposing a metal catalyst particle (usually Fe) of a few nanometers in diameter to a gas supersaturated in carbon. Under these conditions, the catalyst particles can produce rapidly lengthening carbon filaments of nanometer diameter. Macroscopic fibers may be obtained by vapor deposition of carbon on these filaments. Several different approaches are now being used to exploit this concept. In the first, Fe particles are deposited on a substrate on which the fibers are grown. This method can produce fibers of good uniformity, stiffness of 240 GPa (34 Msi), and tensile strength of 2.9 GPa (420 ksi). It has been researched in Japan, France, and the U.S.A. without the fibers being made available in commercial quantities. In a more recent conception, an organometallic containing iron dissolved in a liquid hydrocarbon is sprayed into a reactor under conditions where filaments can form. The filaments are of smaller diameter and length than the fibers grown on substrates, and their mechanical properties are inferior. However, because this process has a high reactor productivity and can be made continuous, several groups are now attempting to make these fibers commercially available. These fibers could find many applications in composite materials.
Trigeminal lesions and maternal behavior in Norway rats: II. Disruption of parturition.

Abstract Profound deficits in maternal behavior occur following postpartum bilateral infraorbital denervation (IO-X), with substantial recovery 12–24 h later. In the present experiment, primiparous rats were subjected to IO-X or sham surgery on gestation day 22. Whereas parturition behavior was normal in controls, it was severely disrupted in all IO-X dams. Impairments included absent, abbreviated, or delayed perioral behaviors—nest building, participation in delivery, placentophagia, licking and retrieval of pups—accompanied by increased general activity and delayed onset of nursing. There was increased mortality in the litters of IO-X dams at birth and by postpartum day (PD) 3, and impaired retrieval by IO-X dams on PD1–3. A surgery-birth interval of _ 22 h was associated only with poor litter growth. Thus, prepartum IO-X disrupts onset of maternal behavior during parturition, with long-term consequences for offspring well-being.
Letter and Semantic Fluency in Alzheimer’s, Huntington’s, and Parkinson’s Dementias

Abstract A pattern of semantic fluency worse than letter fluency has been presented as evidence of impaired semantic networks in “cortical” dementias (e.g., Alzheimer’s disease), distinguishing them from “subcortical” dementias (e.g., Parkinson’s disease, Huntington’s disease). However, there have been few systematic studies of this propositions. The present study compared Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, and Huntington’s disease subjects with mild dementia to each other and to matched normal controls on letter and semantic fluency tasks. Results revealed parallel semantic/letter fluency patterns for all groups, suggesting that there is no unique pattern of semantic/letter fluency deficits for “cortical” or “subcortical” dementias. Qualitative errors (repetitions, intrusions) were also evaluated. Huntington’s subjects had significantly more repetition errors than all other groups, and Alzheimer’s subjects had significantly more repetition errors than Parkinson’s subjects and normal controls. There were no differences in number of intrusion errors. Findings suggest that semantic fluency deficits are not unique to Alzheimer’s dementia and may not help to differentiate between different etiologies of dementia.
Cytokine production by non-adherent mouse splenocyte cultures to Echinacea extracts.

Abstract Background: Echinacea is commonly used in oral dosage as an immune stimulant to increase resistance to viral, bacterial and fungal infections of the upper respiratory tract. It has been suggested that Echinacea is able to stimulate innate immune responses, including those regulated by macrophages and natural killer cells. Indeed, macrophages respond to purified polysaccharide and alkylamide preparations. However, the mechanisms for stimulation of cells responsible for adaptive immunity have not been fully elucidated for other molecules present in Echinacea purpurea preparations. Methods: Adherent and non-adherent mouse splenocyte populations were incubated in vitro with Echinacea, or with water or alcohol soluble Echinacea extract preparations. Supernatants were collected at 48-h post-incubation, and tested by standard ELISA for presence of secreted cytokines and proinflammatory mediators. Results: Whole splenocyte populations were capable of producing significant amounts IL-6 (1014 pg/ml) in response to Echinacea preparations. The response was primarily contained towards products isolated to the water extract preparation; no IL-6 was produced upon challenge with the alcohol extract. The IL-6 response was produced by the non-adherent cellular population, which made 4912 pg/ml IL-6 when treated with water soluble extract at 1 mg/ml. Likewise, the water soluble extract of Echinacea was able to stimulate non-adherent splenocyte populations to produce TNF-α (2082 pg/ml), IL-10 (892 pg/ml) and MIP-1α (6486 pg/ml) from non-adherent splenocytes, but only significant concentrations of TNF-α and MIP-1α mediators were produced from adherent populations at similar dose concentrations. Neither population of splenocytes was capable of stimulating significant production of IFN-γ, IL-2 or IL-12 to any preparation of Echinacea examined. Conclusions: The immune stimulatory ability of components contained within E. purpurea extracts offer insight into possible therapeutic potential of this product to regulate non-adherent lymphocytes in immune responses and activation events.
The gestalt awareness-expression cycle as a model for sex therapy

Conceptual models and treatment modalities generally used in Gestalt therapy are specifically applicable to sex therapy. Healthy sexual functioning requires self-regulation in which the person becomes aware of the dominant need in the situation and expresses himself to satisfy that need and to complete the Gestalt. The Gestalt awareness-expression cycle is a model for understanding both the processes of sexual functioning and dysfunction and of the therapeutic encounter. The concepts of awareness, excitement, action, and contact as components of the cycle are related conceptually both to modes and points of interruption of self-regulation and to specific treatment modalities and methods. Three major modalities of Gestalt therapy, awareness, experiment, and contactful encounter, and illustrative Gestalt methods are introduced in the context of sex therapy.
The high resolution infrared spectrum of the ν1 band of HOCl

Abstract The ν1 bands of HO35Cl and HO37Cl have been recorded. Both the A- and B-type rotational transitions of these hybrid bands have been completely assigned, and spectroscopic constants have been obtained for both the ground and upper state. The ratio of the electric dipole moment derivatives ( ∂μ a ∂Q 1 ) ( ∂μ b ∂Q 1 has been found to be 0.985 ± 0.05 for ν1.
Professor Derek S. Henderson and the Fourier transform

Derek Henderson played a critical role in the introduction and development of Computer Science at the University of the Witwatersrand - and, by the way, in my career as well. There were no Computer Science courses at Wits when I started my Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering studies in 1961. I did learn, though, at some point that a "computer" would soon arrive and be installed in the Electrical Engineering building. I did not know what that might be, but it sure sounded interesting! To cut a long story short, because of Dr Henderson's kindness, I was able to learn how to use it, and in 1965 Pieter Kritzinger and I ended up doing our Bachelor's theses on a comparison of optimal signal filtering methods using analogue and digital computers. This was on the Computer Centre's IBM 1620, which, by the way, was a lot less finicky than the analogue computer with its numerous failure-prone op-amps that it was competing against.