cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Histamine antagonists: II. Summary of developments in nonspecific inhibition of histamine, anaphylaxis, and allergy

Abstract 1.1. In recent years, increased effort has been expended in the attempt to produce drugs which are antihistaminic, antianaphylactic, and antiallergic. While the first substances had a low index of efficiency and high degree of toxicity, more recent compounds have shown greater possibilities. 2.2. Fourneau and his followers, after trial of numerous synthetic substances, have finally settled on N-phenyl-N′benzyl-N-dimethylethylenediamine (2339 RP) as the most useful. This drug was claimed to be highly effective in allergic manifestations. In this country, the recent ventures in this field have consisted of experimentation, particularly with two compounds, β-dimethylaminoethyl benzhydryl ether (A-524) and pyridil-N′benzyl-N-dimethylethylenediamine (63). 3.3. Both of these drugs apparently have definite effect on some of the manifestations of allergy, such as urticaria and angioneurotic edema in a considerable percentage, and possibly on some other manifestations and pruritus. 4.4. Even at this early stage of experimentation it is evident that the use of these drugs will be limited because they will not be effective in many of the manifestations of allergy and because of the toxicity and undesirable reactions. Further limitation of their effectiveness is, of course, evident from the fact that, at best, such remedies are only palliative and that they do not produce any lasting benefit. 5.5. It is hoped that the advent of this type of therapy will not becloud the issue nor dampen the ardor of our search for information of more basic value that will help us to understand the mechanism of the allergic reaction and the constitutional background of allergy, and find a means for the correction of both.
New approaches in microbial pathogen detection

Abstract: Viruses are common causes of foodborne outbreaks. Viral diseases have low fatality rates but transmission to humans via food is important due to the high probability of consuming fecally contaminated food or water because of poor food handling. Because of the low infectious doses of some foodborne viruses, there is a need for standardization and the development of new sensitive methods for detecting viruses. The focus is on molecular and non-molecular approaches, and emerging methods for the detection of foodborne viruses. The detection of noroviruses, hepatitis A and E viruses, rotaviruses and adenoviruses will be discussed. The chapter will conclude with insights into future research directions.
The growth of bilateralism

One of the most notable international economic events over the past 20 years has been the proliferation of bilateral free trade agreements (FTAs). Bilateral agreements account for 80 percent of all agreements notified to the WTO, 94 percent of those signed or under negotiation, and currently 100 percent of those at the proposal stage. Some have argued that the growth of bilateralism is attributable to governments having pursued a policy of “competitive liberalization" - implementing bilateral FTAs to offset potential trade diversion caused by FTAs of “third-country-pairs" - but the growth of bilateralism can also be attributed potentially to “tariff complementarity" - the incentive for FTA members to reduce their external tariffs on nonmembers. Guided by new comparative statics from the numerical general equilibrium monopolistic competition model of FTA economic determinants in Baier and Bergstrand (2004), we augment their parsimonious logit (and probit) model of the economic determinants of bilateral FTAs to incorporate theory-motivated indexes to examine the influence of existing memberships on subsequent FTA formations. The model can predict correctly 90 percent of the bilateral FTAs within five years of their formation, while still predicting “No-FTA" correctly in 90 percent of the observations when no FTA exists, using a sample of over 350,000 observations for pairings of 146 countries from 1960-2005. Even imposing the higher correct prediction rate of “No-FTA" of 97 percent in Baier and Bergstrand (2004), the parsimonious model still predicts correctly 75 percent of these rare FTA events; only 3 percent of the observations reflect a country-pair having an FTA in any year. The results suggest that - while evidence supports that “competitive liberalization" is a force for bilateralism - the effect on the likelihood a pair of countries forming an FTA of the pair's own FTAs with other countries (i.e., tariff complementarity) is likely just as important as the effect of third-country-pairs' FTAs (i.e., competitive liberalization) for the growth of bilateralism.
A Tutorial on Principal Component Analysis.

Principal component analysis (PCA) is a mainstay of modern data analysis - a black box that is widely used but (sometimes) poorly understood. The goal of this paper is to dispel the magic behind this black box. This manuscript focuses on building a solid intuition for how and why principal component analysis works. This manuscript crystallizes this knowledge by deriving from simple intuitions, the mathematics behind PCA. This tutorial does not shy away from explaining the ideas informally, nor does it shy away from the mathematics. The hope is that by addressing both aspects, readers of all levels will be able to gain a better understanding of PCA as well as the when, the how and the why of applying this technique.
Understanding the Role of the Board of Patent Appeals: Ex Parte Rejection Rates on Appeal

This study provides an issue-by-issue analysis of decisions by the Board of Patent Appeals and Interferences (BPAI) of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). The study reports that most appeals from examiner rejections focus on two or more issues. Of those, the majority of rejections (61%) are affirmed and the remainder reversed. When more issues are presented, the case as a whole becomes more likely to be affirmed-in-part. In addition, I find that the likelihood that a case is affirmed has increased over time (Jan 2008 - May 2009). By far, the most common issue on appeal is obviousness. I find that 87% - 90% of cases decide an issue of obviousness. Only 4% of appeals consider neither obviousness nor novelty. The major aberration of this trend is for cases involving biotechnology and organic chemistry (TC 1600). 18% of BPAI decisions involving those technologies focus on issues other than obviousness and novelty.In comparing results by issue, I find that obviousness rejections are more likely to be affirmed than are other types of rejections. Cases that discuss neither obviousness nor novelty are reversed in 74% of cases.The BPAI is becoming increasingly important. Over the past several years, the BPAI has seen a dramatic rise in the number of appeals being filed. In addition every recent patent reform legislative proposal has included an increasing role for the Board.
Expanding the limits of life.

The article discusses the possibilities of how life evolved through the analysis of a previously undiscovered hot vent ecosystem, named the Lost City, on the seafloor. In 2000 researchers discovered an undersea hydrothermal vent that they sampled and analyzed. The samples revealed a unique chemistry as well as the presence of microorganisms that were able to exploit it. Topics include an in-depth discussion regarding the origin of life within an environment like the Lost City.
CTLA-4 up-regulation plays a role in tolerance mediated by CD45

Cytolytic T lymphocyte-associated antigen 4 (CTLA-4) is a critical down-regulatory molecule in T cells that plays a major role in peripheral tolerance. Although the CD45 protein tyrosine phosphatase is a potent immunomodulatory target, the mechanisms by which antibody against CD45RB isoforms (anti-CD45RB) induces allograft tolerance remain unclear. We show here that anti-CD45RB treatment alters CD45 isoform expression on T cells, which is associated with rapid up-regulation of CTLA-4 expression. These effects appear specific and occur without up-regulation of other activation markers. Administration of a blocking monoclonal antibody to CTLA-4 at the time of transplantation prevents anti-CD45RB therapy from prolonging islet allograft survival. In addition, treatment with cyclosporin A blocks anti-CD45RB-induced CTLA-4 expression and promotes acute rejection. These data suggest that anti-CD45RB acts through mechanisms that include CTLA-4 up-regulation and demonstrate a link between CD45 and CTLA-4 that depends on calcineurin-mediated signaling. They demonstrate also that CTLA-4 expression may be specifically targeted to enhance allograft acceptance.
Charity in the 21st century: Trending toward Decay

The Article argues that the federal tax law framework relating to charitable organizations is decaying. Through an overview of the historical development of the law relating to charity in the 20th century, the Article shows that the statutory law has passively accommodated significant growth of the charitable sector without demanding any rigor of the sector in the form of positive requirements or quantitative measures. This has led to growth without meaningful oversight – a recipe for problems. The Article then provides an overview of many of the scandals that engulfed the sector during the early 21st century and shows that the scandals not only seriously eroded the “halo” effect of charitable organizations and enabled passage of reform legislation, but also illustrate the consequences of unchecked growth. The Article then discusses the central features of current law that are under pressure in part because of this growth without oversight: the breadth of the charitable standard, a regulatory framework based on the distinction between public charity and private foundation, and a facts and circumstances and all-or-nothing approach to enforcement. The Article analyzes the legislation enacted between 2004-2006, and in 2010 (as part of health care reform), and finds that although these efforts were not comprehensive reform, the legislation nevertheless planted seeds indicative of a shifting legislative policy toward charity, one that favors more substantive distinctions among charities for exemption purposes, undermines the current basis for distinguishing among charities, and points toward brighter enforcement lines. The Article concludes that we are asking too much of current tax law, and suggests a new approach based on developing different standards for the charitable tax benefits in order to focus attention more directly on the tax system’s support for the charitable sector.
Decay of Grid Turbulence in Superfluid 4He

We study grid turbulence in helium II that has no mean flow. We present preliminary results that support that the two fluids are coupled after some initial time and that vorticity decays as predicted for a classical fluid, approaching a power law of -3/2 at long times. The experiment is capable of achieving mesh Reynolds numbers of 2×105 and can span a range in ρn/ρ from 90% to 10%.
The validity of vaginal smear diagnosis in carcinoma in situ of the cervix; a report of 60 cases.

Abstract 1.1. The initial vaginal smears obtained in 60 cases of carcinoma in situ were correctly diagnosed on first examination in 70 per cent. 2.2. The highest diagnostic accuracy attainable by the vaginal smear technique in cases of carcinoma in situ of the cervix was found to be 82 per cent. 3.3. Vaginal smears were accurate in 54 per cent of 24 cases showing only surface malignancy, and were correct in 81 per cent of 36 cases with glandular involvement. 4.4. The average age found in this series was 35.2 years, 25 per cent of the patients being under 30 years of age. Twenty patients complained of abnormal bleeding on admission, and 40 had leucorrhea or were asymptomatic; only 9 per cent of the patients were found to have cervices that bled easily on examination. 5.5. A positive smear should be regarded with extreme caution and every effort made to confirm the diagnosis and locate the lesion before the patient is treated. A positive smear should never be considered as providing conclusive evidence of the disease. 6.6. Cervical aspirations contain more numerous cervical cells, and when submitted with a vaginal smear in a suspicious case will often facilitate a diagnosis of malignancy.
Wake-induced ‘slaloming’ response explains exquisite sensitivity of seal whisker-like sensors

Blindfolded harbour seals are able to use their uniquely shaped whiskers to track vortex wakes left by moving animals and identify objects that passed by 30 s earlier, an impressive feat, as the flow features have velocities as low as . The seals sense while swimming, hence their whiskers are sensitive enough to detect small-scale changes in the flow, while rejecting self-generated flow noise. Here we identify and illustrate a novel flow mechanism, causing a large-amplitude ‘slaloming’ whisker response, which allows artificial whiskers with the identical unique undulatory geometry as those of the harbour seal to detect the features of minute flow fluctuations when placed within wakes. Whereas in open water the whisker responds with very low-amplitude vibration, once within a wake, it oscillates with large amplitude and, importantly, its response frequency coincides with the Strouhal frequency of the upstream cylinder, making the detection of an upstream wake and an estimation of the size and shape of the wake-generating body possible. This mechanism has some similarities with the flow mechanisms observed in actively controlled propulsive foils within upstream wakes and trout swimming behind bluff cylinders in a stream, but there are also differences caused by the unique whisker morphology, which enables it to respond passively and within a much wider parametric range.
Minimally invasive rapid deployment Edwards Intuity aortic valve implantation.

The corresponding video is a rapid deployment aortic valve replacement (RDAVR) using the first generation of the Intuity RDAVR system (Edwards Lifesciences; Irvine, CA, USA) via a minimally invasive approach (Video 1). The patient is a 73-year-old female with symptomatic, severe aortic stenosis. She has NYHA III symptoms with a mean aortic valve gradient of 50 mmHg. The patient has a mildly dilated ascending aorta (4.0 cm) and a previous pacemaker insertion, without any other significant comorbidities. The left ventricular function and coronary arteries are normal. Exposure is achieved through an upper hemi-sternotomy approach using an inverted T-incision extending into the fourth intercostal space. RDAVR was chosen in order to facilitate the minimal invasive approach.
A vital dye analysis of the timing and pathways of avian trunk neural crest cell migration

To permit a more detailed analysis of neural crest cell migratory pathways in the chick embryo, neural crest cells were labelled with a nondeleterious membrane intercalating vital dye, DiI. All neural tube cells with endfeet in contact with the lumen, including premigratory neural crest cells, were labelled by pressure injecting a solution of DiI into the lumen of the neural tube. When assayed one to three days later, migrating neural crest cells, motor axons, and ventral root cells were the only cells types external to the neural tube labelled with DiI. During the neural crest cell migratory phase, distinctly labelled cells were found along: (1) a dorsolateral pathway, under the epidermis, as well adjacent to and intercalating through the dermamyotome; and (2) a ventral pathway, through the rostral portion of each sclerotome and around the dorsal aorta as described previously. In contrast to those cells migrating through the sclerotome, labelled cells on the dorsolateral pathway were not segmentally arranged along the rostrocaudal axis. DiI-labelled cells were observed in all truncal neural crest derivatives, including subepidermal presumptive pigment cells, dorsal root ganglia, and sympathetic ganglia. By varying the stage at which the injection was performed, neural crest cell emigration at the level of the wing bud was shown to occur from stage 13 through stage 22. In addition, neural crest cells were found to populate their derivatives in a ventral-to-dorsal order, with the latest emigrating cells migrating exclusively along the dorsolateral pathway.
A priori stability estimates and unconditionally stable product formula algorithms for nonlinear coupled thermoplasticity

Abstract This article describes new a priori stability for the full nonlinear systems of coupled thermoplasticity at finite strains and presents a fractional step method leading to a new class of unconditionally stable staggered algorithms. These results are shown to hold for general models of multiplicative plasticity that include, as a particular case, the single-crystal model. The proposed product formula algorithm is designed via an entropy based operator split that yields one of the first known staggered algorithms that retains the property of nonlinear unconditional stability. The scheme employs an isentropic step, in which the total entropy is held constant, followed by a heat conduction step (with nonlinear source) at fixed configuration. The nonlinear stability analysis shows that the proposed staggered scheme inherits the a priori energy estimate for the continuum problem, regardless of the size of the time-step. In sharp contrast with these results, it is shown that widely used staggered methods employing an isothermal step followed by a heat conduction problem can be at most only conditionally stable. The excellent performance of the methodology is illustrated in representative numerical simulations.
The American Community College

Now in its sixth edition, The American Community College has, for over 30 years, provided an introduction to and an important resource about an institution that has become an increasingly critical ...
C-terminal domains of Na+/H+ exchanger isoform 3 are involved in the basal and serum-stimulated membrane trafficking of the exchanger

When expressed either in polarized epithelial cells or in fibroblasts, two Na(+)/H(+) exchanger isoforms, NHE1 and NHE3, have different subcellular distributions. Using a quantitative cell surface biotinylation technique, we found PS120 cells target approximately 90% of mature NHE1 but only 14% of NHE3 to the cell surface, and this pattern occurs irrespective of NHE protein expression levels. In this study, we examined surface fractions of NHE3 C-terminal truncation mutants to identify domains involved in the targeting of NHE3. Removing the C-terminal 76 amino acids doubled surface fractions to 30% of total and doubled the V(max) from 1300 to 2432 microM H(+)/s. Removal of another 66 amino acids increased surface levels to 55% of total with an increase in the V(max) to 5794 microM H(+)/s. Surface fractions did not change with a further 105 amino acid truncation. We postulated that inhibition of the basal recycling of NHE3 could result in the surface accumulation of the NHE3 truncations. Accordingly, we found that, unlike wild-type NHE3, the truncations were shown to internalize poorly and were not affected by PI3 kinase inhibition. However, while the truncations demonstrated reduced basal recycling, they retained the same serum response as full-length NHE3, with a mobilization of approximately 10% of total NHE to the surface. We conclude that basal recycling of NHE3 is controlled by endocytic determinants contained within its C-terminal 142 amino acids and that serum-mediated exocytosis is independently regulated through a different part of the protein.
Introduction of the per-oral endoscopic myotomy technique to pediatric surgical practice

Per-oral Endoscopic Myotomy (POEM) is a transmural endoscopic surgical technique that is gaining widespread adoption in the management of adult achalasia. The endoscopic approach offers excellent access to the muscular wall of the esophagus enabling division of the abnormal circular fibers. The procedure offers the benefits of having no visible scars, preserving the outer longitudinal esophageal muscle fibers and avoiding a hiatal dissection. After extensive advanced endoscopy training sessions and IRB review, a POEM was successfully performed in a 16 yo female with achalasia. The POEM was performed without complication by a pediatric surgeon with an operative time of 184 min. The patient has had significant improvement in both dysphagia and regurgitation at 1 month. Advanced endoscopy is developing the capacity to treat what are currently considered surgical diseases including achalasia. As intraluminal, transmural, and transluminal endoscopic procedures evolve, pediatric surgeons will have to define their role in advanced endoscopy.
In vitro and in vivo characterization of [3H]CNS-5161--a use-dependent ligand for the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor in rat brain.

Glutamate is the major excitatory neurotransmitter in the brain. Glutamate activation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor subtype is thought to mediate important physiological and pathological processes, including memory formation and excitotoxicity. The goal of the present work was to characterize and validate a candidate agent for noninvasive positron emission tomography (PET) imaging of this receptor. [(3)H]-labeled N-[3-(3)H]-methyl-3-(thiomethylphenyl)cyanamide (CNS-5161) was incubated with rat brain homogenates at increasing concentrations, temperatures, and times to establish the binding kinetics and affinity of the ligand in vitro. Nonspecific binding was measured with 100 microM MK-801. The compound was also injected i.v. in rats pretreated with saline, NMDA, MK801, or a combination, and organ and brain regional uptake was assessed at various times after injection by autoradiography or dissection. Blood and brain samples were assayed for metabolites by high-performance liquid chromatography. CNS-5161 binds brain membranes with high affinity (K(d) thalamus > striatum > cerebellum, and a cortex/cerebellum ratio of 1.4. Pretreatment with NMDA increased the hippocampus-to-cerebellum ratio to 1.6-1.9 while MK801 abolished this increase, resulting in ratios close to 1. Thus, CNS-5161 binds preferentially to the activated state of the NMDA receptor channel in vitro and in vivo. The high affinity and fast kinetics make it compatible with PET imaging of a carbon-11 labeled CNS-5161.
DC capacitor simulation by the boundary element method

When the direct current (DC) metallized thin film capacitor is fully charged the electromagnetic fields can be considered to have reached a steady state in which the governing equation is Laplace's equation. It is the computational analysis of the electrostatic state that is considered in this paper. The capacitor is modelled as a stack made up of infinitesimally thin layers of metal on polymer. An integral equation method from the BEMLAP package (www.boundary-element-method.com (Introduction to the Boundary Element Method for Scientists and Engineers: The BEMLAP Fortran Library for Laplace Problems)) for modelling the electric field, based on the methods described in Kirkup (Fortran codes for computing the discrete Helmholtz integral operators; Adv. Comput. Math. 1998; 9:391–409). The method is applied to a typical capacitor structure and encouraging results are obtained
Rapamycin: FK506's fraternal twin or distant cousin?

Rapamycin (RPM) is the latest in a series of new bacterial-derived immuno-suppressants. Here, Randall Morris compares and contrasts the mechanism of action and immune-modulating potential of RPM with the structurally-similar FK506.
The impact of peripheral arterial disease on circulating platelets

Abstract Introduction : To test the hypothesis that circulating platelets display evidence of reversible interactions with atherosclerotic lesions, platelet α-granule content and propensity for microaggregate formation were measured in samples from normal donors ( n =65) and from patients with either peripheral arterial disease ( n =47) or renovascular hypertension ( n =22). To measure the effect of a defined arterial injury on platelet function, platelet samples were compared before and 30 min after elective angioplasty. Materials and methods : P-selectin was measured after strong stimulation of ultra-dilute platelets with thrombin (10 nM). Microaggregation was measured as a platelet count deficit in citrate-anticoagulated platelet-rich plasma (PRP) relative to that predicted from the count in EDTA-anticoagulated blood. Results : Platelet α-granule P-selectin was significantly lower from platelets of patients compared to normal donors. In addition, platelets from patients have a significantly greater propensity to form microaggregates in citrate anticoagulant. In contrast to atherosclerotic renovascular hypertension, platelets from patients with fibromuscular dysplasia, a distinct non-inflammatory cause of arterial stenosis, do not differ significantly from normal donors. Other than the PRP platelet count, which rose transiently following angioplasty, other platelet measures were unchanged by the injury. Conclusions : Atherosclerotic arterial disease is associated with an increased share of platelets unable to express P-selectin and an increased fraction of platelets that microaggregate in citrate anticoagulant. These platelet alterations are not completely explained by either focal arterial injury or abnormal rheology associated with arterial stenosis but appear to be an effect of the atherosclerotic process.
Humanism and Technology, a Model for Integrating Educational Technology in the Humanities Classroom.

The strides made in higher education to improve learning and teaching in the sciences have not been matched in the humanities. Teachers in the humanities perceive a fundamental conflict between the...
Forced convection in vertical Bridgman configuration with the submerged heater

Abstract Ga-doped Ge single crystals were grown in vertical Bridgman configuration, using the submerged heater method (SHM). When used without rotation, the submerged heater drastically reduces convection at the solid-liquid interface. When the submerged heater is set in to rotation or oscillatory rotation, it acts as a centrifugal viscous pump, inducing forced convection (radial-inward flow) along the interface. The flow produced by a rotation and oscillatory rotation of the submerged heater was visualized using a 1 : 1 scale model. The vigorous mixing produced by the oscillatory rotation creates a nearly perfectly stirred melt, and yields a uniform lateral distribution of the dopant. The crystals were free of unintentionally produced striae.
Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Markers for MRI-Guided High-Dose-Rate Brachytherapy: Novel Marker-Flange for Cervical Cancer and Marker Catheters for Prostate Cancer

Purpose To present a novel marker-flange, addressing source-reconstruction uncertainties due to the artifacts of a titanium intracavitary applicator used for magnetic resonance imaging (MRI)-guided high-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy (BT); and to evaluate 7 different MRI marker agents used for interstitial prostate BT and intracavitary gynecologic HDR BT when treatment plans are guided by MRI. Methods and Materials Seven MRI marker agents were analyzed: saline solution, Conray-60, copper sulfate (CuSO 4 ) (1.5 g/L), liquid vitamin E, fish oil, 1% agarose gel (1 g agarose powder per 100 mL distilled water), and a cobalt–chloride complex contrast (C4) (CoCl 2 /glycine = 4:1). A plastic, ring-shaped marker-flange was designed and tested on both titanium and plastic applicators. Three separate phantoms were designed to test the marker-flange, interstitial catheters for prostate BT, and intracavitary catheters for gynecologic HDR BT. T1- and T2-weighted MRI were analyzed for all markers in each phantom and quantified as percentages compared with a 3% agarose gel background. The geometric accuracy of the MR signal for the marker-flange was measured using an MRI-CT fusion. Results The CuSO 4 and C4 markers on T1-weighted MRI and saline on T2-weighted MRI showed the highest signals. The marker-flange showed hyper-signals of >500% with CuSO 4 and C4 on T1-weighted MRI and of >400% with saline on T2-weighted MRI on titanium applicators. On T1-weighted MRI, the MRI signal inaccuracies of marker-flanges were measured 4 was 0.42 ± 0.14 mm. Conclusion The use of interstitial/intracavitary markers for MRI-guided prostate/gynecologic BT was observed to be feasible, providing accurate source pathway reconstruction. The novel marker-flange can produce extremely intense, accurate signals, demonstrating its feasibility for gynecologic HDR BT.
Sintering process of Y2O3 and Al2O3-doped Si3N4

The sintering process of Y2O3- and Al2O3-doped Si3N4 has been investigated by dilatometry and microstructural observations. The densification progressed through three processes. The bulk density increased to 85% theoretical without the formation of β-Si3N4 in the initial process. The densification once terminated after the second process. The α/β transformation of Si3N4 and the related formation of prismatic grains reduced the densification rate in the second process, although the grain size and the aspect ratio were very small. The final process was the densification of β-Si3N4, where the fibrous grains grew remarkably. The kinetic order for the densification of α-Si3N4 indicated a diffusion-rate controlling mechanism with the activation energy of 244 kJ mol−1 ( 1450 ° C). The influence of heating rate on the grain growth was characterized by a parameter derived from kinetic parameters. The relationships between grain growth and densification behaviour have also been discussed.
Universality in the one-dimensional chain of phase-coupled oscillators

We apply a recently developed renormalization-group (RG) method to study synchronization in a one-dimensional chain of phase-coupled oscillators in the regime of weak randomness. The RG predicts how oscillators with randomly distributed frequencies and couplings form frequency-synchronized clusters. Although the RG was originally intended for strong randomness, i.e., for distributions with long tails, we find good agreement with numerical simulations even in the regime of weak randomness. We use the RG flow to derive how the correlation length scales with the width of the coupling distribution in the limit of large coupling. This leads to the identification of a universality class of distributions with the same critical exponent v. We also find universal scaling for small coupling. Finally, we show that the RG flow is characterized by a universal approach to the unsynchronized fixed point, which provides physical insight into low-frequency clusters.
Physiological recovery from prolonged 'starvation' in larvae of the Pacific oyster Crassostrea gigas

Abstract Previous studies of energy metabolism in larvae have described a developmental “point of no return” (PNR), a time by which larvae of planktotrophic marine species must feed in order to survive and grow. This study investigated the effects of long-term food deprivation on developing larvae of the oyster Crassostrea gigas with the goal of providing a biochemical and metabolic description of larvae at the PNR in this species. Mortality of unfed larvae was low for the first 14 days without the addition of phytoplankton foods. Even after 33 days without food, larvae were still swimming. Unfed larvae did not lose their ability to capture and digest algal cells when provided with food after 33 days. Growth, metabolic rate and biochemical constituents all increased at the same or greater rates in larvae whose feeding was delayed for 5, 8, 11, 14 or 17 days compared to larvae fed at 2 days old, when feeding was possible. These results show that larvae of C . gigas can survive long feeding delays while maintaining a constant rate of metabolism. These results suggest that oyster larvae have the capacity to survive ‘starvation’ using alternative sources of energy. If there is a “point of no return” beyond which larvae of C . gigas must feed on microalgae to survive, our findings suggest this point may be set by the availability of detrital material or dissolved organic carbon that can fuel maintenance metabolism for extended periods equivalent to over four times the predicted lifespan.
Rituximab in Relapsing and Progressive Forms of Multiple Sclerosis: A Systematic Review

Background Rituximab is an anti-CD20 monoclonal antibody approved for non Hodgkin lymphoma and rheumatoid arthritis. It is being considered for the treatment of MS. Objectives To evaluate the efficacy and safety of rituximab for MS treatment. Data collection Studies were selected if they were clinical trials, irrespective of the dosage or combination therapies. Main results Four studies with a total of 599 patients were included. One assessed the efficacy of rituximab for primary progressive (PP) MS while the other three focused on relapsing-remitting (RR) MS. In the PPMS study, rituximab delayed time to confirmed disease progression (CDP) in pre-planned sub-group analyses. The increase in T2 lesion volume was lower in the rituximab group at week 96 compared with placebo. For the RRMS studies, an open-label phase I study found that rituximab reduced the annualized relapse rate to 0.25 from pre-therapy baseline to week 24, while in the randomized placebo-controlled phase II trial, annualized relapse rates were 0.37 in the rituximab group and 0.84 in the placebo group (p = 0.04) at week 24. Rituximab dramatically reduced the number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions on brain MRI scans for both RRMS studies. Off-label rituximab as an add-on therapy in patients with breakthrough disease on first-line agents was associated with an 88% reduction when comparing the mean number of gadolinium-enhancing lesions prior to and after the treatment. Although frequent adverse events classified as mild or moderate occurred in up to 77% of the patients, there were no grade 4 infusion-related adverse events. Author’s conclusion Despite the frequent mild/moderate adverse events related to the drug, rituximab appears overall safe for up to 2 years of therapy and has a substantial impact on the inflammatory disease activity (clinical and/or radiological) of RRMS. The effect of rituximab on disease progression in PPMS appears to be marginal.
Economic growth and resource allocation: the case of China

Purpose – This paper aims to examine the factors of growth of a developing country such as China. Because of the existence of domestic distortions, the traditional approach of using the growth of gross domestic product (GDP) to represent economic growth of the economy is not appropriate. This paper seeks to estimate how a change in resource misallocation may affect the measured growth rate of GDP.Design/methodology/approach – Using provincial data for four southern provinces of China for the years from 2000 to 2004, the paper considers two hypothetical cases, one in which labor allocation is fixed, and one in which labor allocation is assumed to be optimal both before and after growth. The growth factors for GDP in these two hypothetical cases are compared with the observed growth factors.Findings – This paper argues that the growth rate of GDP has overestimated the growth rate of the economy in this period. It can thus be said that the degree of the distortion caused labor misallocation decreases over ti...
Tetralogy of Fallot in triplet siblings

Abstract The occurrence of congenital heart disease in siblings of multiple births, particularly in twins, has been documented. 1–6 Because of the rarity of triplet gestations, few triplets have been included in even the largest population-based studies. Triplet infant boys were recently referred for evaluation of precordial murmurs. All 3 infants had tetralogy of Fallot, each with a different type and degree of pulmonary stenosis.
Fundamental Issues in Affective Intelligent Social Machiness

In the early 1990s, computer scientists became motivated by the idea of rendering human-computer interactions more humanlike and natural for their users in order to both address complaints that technologies impose a mechanical (sometimes even anti-social) aesthetic to their everyday environment, and also investigate innovative ways to manage system-environment complexity. With the recent development of the field of Social Robotics and particularly Human- Robot Interaction, the integration of intentional emotional mechanisms in a system's control architecture becomes inevitable. Unfortunately, this presents significant issues that must be addressed for a successful emotional artificial system to be developed. This paper provides an additional dimension to documented arguments for and against the introduction of emotions into artificial systems by highlighting some fundamental paradoxes, mistakes, and proposes guidelines for how to develop successful affective intelligent social machines.
Exact Results for `Bouncing' Gaussian Wave Packets

We consider time-dependent Gaussian wave packet solutions of the Schrodinger equation, with arbitrary initial central position, x0, and momentum, p0, for an otherwise free particle, but with an infinite wall at x = 0, so-called bouncing wave packets. We show how difference or mirror solutions of the form ψ(x,t) − ψ(−x,t) can, in this case, be normalized exactly, allowing for the evaluation of a number of time-dependent expectation values and other quantities in closed form. For example, we calculate p2t explicitly which illustrates how the free-particle kinetic (and hence total energy) is affected by the presence of the distant boundary. We also discuss the time dependence of the expectation values of position, xt, and momentum, pt, and their relation to the impulsive force during the `collision' with the wall. Finally, the x0, p0 → 0 limit is shown to reduce a special case of a non-standard free-particle Gaussian solution. The addition of this example to the literature then expands of the relatively small number of Gaussian solutions to quantum mechanical problems with familiar classical analogs (free particle, uniform acceleration, harmonic oscillator, unstable oscillator, and uniform magnetic field) available in closed form.
Differential conditioning and subsequent choice: Partial vs. continuous reward

Three groups of rats received 0, 48, or 138 differential conditioning trials in which 50% of the responses to one cue were rewarded and 100% of the responses to the other cue were rewarded. With extensive training speeds to the 50% cue exceeded those to the 100% cue in starting and running segments of the alley, while the reverse relationship obtained in the goal-entry speeds. Subsequent choice of cues was little affected by the differential conditioning.
The US temporal and geographic variations of diseases related to Helicobacter pylori.

OBJECTIVES. If Helicobacter pylori plays an important role in the occurrence of three distinct diseases--gastric cancer, gastric ulcer, and duodenal ulcer--their individual epidemiologic behaviors should show a resemblance to one common pattern. METHODS. To test this hypothesis, birth cohort and linear regression analyses were used to study the US temporal and geographic variations, respectively, of mortality from the three diseases. RESULTS. US mortality from gastric ulcer in males and duodenal ulcer in both sexes showed a clear-cut peak of occurrence in subjects born around 1885, whereas gastric cancer declined continuously in all Americans born since 1855. The geographic distributions showed a strong correlation between gastric and duodenal ulcer, as opposed to weak correlations between either ulcer type and gastric cancer. CONCLUSIONS. The similarities in the behavior of the three diseases support the idea that identical risk factors play a crucial role in their occurrence. However, the time lag betwe...
Drug Treatment Utilization Among Illicit Drug Users Receiving HIV Prevention Services in Los Angeles County

The aim of this project was to examine factors associated with substance use treatment participation among individuals using illicit drugs who were also receiving other health and social services. Data were collected from 1,189 respondents sampled in the Countywide Risk Assessment Survey in Los Angeles County, California. A binary logistic regression was used to examine behavioral model indicators and HIV risk behaviors associated with treatment use. Differences were found with regard to predisposing and need variables and to HIV risk behaviors between those who accessed treatment and those who did not. There are implications for targeted prevention strategies and triangulated service integration.
Biological and social implications of a medieval burial from Cyprus for understanding leprosy in the past.

Abstract An early 15th-century burial from a basilica at Polis Chrysochous provides the first archaeological evidence of leprosy in Cyprus, extending the temporal depth and illuminating the biological and social history of this disease on the island. The skeletal remains of a young adult female (age 20–34 years) display pathognomonic features of lepromatous leprosy including maxillary alveolar resorption with antemortem loss of all but one incisor, remodeling of the margin of the nasal sill and resorption of the anterior nasal spine, with diaphyseal remodeling of hand and foot phalanges and the distal third through fifth metatarsals of both feet. Periosteal reaction on distal tibiae and the majority of both fibulae demonstrates tracking of inflammation from the feet to lower legs. Use wear on the remaining maxillary incisor signals participation in common occupational activities in life. Although disfigured and debilitated, burial inside the narthex of the basilica indicates that the community did not ostracize this woman in death. This contextualized analysis provides insight into the biological and social consequences of living with leprosy and illustrates the changing attitudes toward those afflicted with this disease in Cyprus.
The age-related decline in antibody response is transferred by old to young bone marrow transplantation.

Abstract The immune response declines with age. This decline correlates with thymic involution and involves primarily a loss in T-cell function, whereas humoral immunity is more variably affected. In the current experiments we have measured immunoglobulin synthesis in vitro after mitogen stimulation, and specific antibody response after vaccination. We found that the response to pokeweed mitogen by non-specific immunoglobulin production, and the response to tetanus vaccine were deficient in old mice. With regard to the latter finding, the reduced response to vaccine was shown to be transferred to lethally irradiated young mice by old to young bone marrow transplantation. Both pokeweed mitogen and tetanus toxoid require T-cell help for optimal response, and, therefore, our observations are in accordance with the age-associated decline in T-cell immunity. The finding that young hosts transplanted with old bone marrow produce less antibody than young hosts transplanted with young bone marrow highlights the importance of the decline in cellular function with age.
The frequency and significance of megakaryocytic emperipolesis in myeloproliferative and reactive states

Sixty-three bone marrow (BM) biopsy paraffin sections from patients with platelet counts of 1000×109/1 or greater were examined to determine the incidence of megakaryocytic emperipolesis for the various myeloproliferative disorders (MPDs) and for reactive thrombocytosis. Of those cases classified as specific MPDs, 77% of primary thrombocythemia (PT) specimens, 100% of the polycythemia vera (PV) specimens, a single idiopathic myelofibrosis (IMF) specimen, and 17% of the chronic granulocytic leukemia (CGL) specimens demonstrated emperipolesis within megakaryocytes. Two of three cases grouped as MPDs but not further classified also demonstrated emperipolesis. Of the cases of reactive thrombocytosis (RT), 75% showed the presence of emperipolesis. Our results indicate that, with the exception of CGL, emperipolesis can be found in the BM megakaryocytes of the great majority of patients who have extreme thrombocytosis. The underlying cause, whether myeloproliferative or reactive, does not apparently influence the incidence of the phenomenon.
The validity of the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits: Part 1 (BISCUIT: Part 1).

A top priority in the field of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is the development of precise early diagnostic tools that can be completed with minimal time and training. We report on the convergent and divergent validity of the Baby and Infant Screen for Children with aUtIsm Traits (BISCUIT), specifically the BISCUIT-Part 1. Previous research with this scale has determined its reliability and sensitivity/specificity. In this study, a sample of 1,007 toddlers 17–37 months of age were assessed individually. The BISCUIT-Part 1 demonstrated good convergent validity with the Modified CHecklist for Autism in Toddlers (M-CHAT) and the Personal Social domain from the Battelle Developmental Inventory, Second Edition (BDI-2). Additionally, divergent validity was demonstrated by its small correlation with the Adaptive and Motor domains from the BDI-2.
The histologic spectrum, prognosis, and histogenesis of the sarcomatoid carcinoma of the pancreas

A series of 12 cases of pancreatic carcinoma with sarcoma-like transformation were studied. Four distinctive histologic types were identified: spindle cell carcinoma, malignant giant cell tumor, pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma, and round cell anaplastic carcinoma. The spindle cell carcinoma had a predominance of malignant spindle and undifferentiated cells. Hemorrhage and sarcomatoid stroma with abundant osteoclast-like giant cells were the features in the malignant giant cell tumor. The pleomorphic giant cell carcinoma was characterized by abundant malignant giant cells. The round cell anaplastic type was formed by monotonous sheaths of small, round, and plump cells with rare giant cells. The first three types are considered to be ductal in origin, whereas the fourth type is believed to arise from acinar or possibly insular tissue. The differential diagnosis includes various types of true sarcoma. Although the malignant giant cell tumor of the pancreas might have a better prognosis, the prognosis in the other three types does not differ significantly from that of the ordinary type of pancreatic carcinoma.
Interaction of S with W(001)

Abstract Sulfur chemisorbed on W(001) has been studied by soft X-ray and ultraviolet photoelectron spectroscopy (UPS), Auger electron spectroscopy and work function measurements. Two distinct S 2p photoemission states have been identified as a function of sulfur coverage and sample annealing temperature. Below 0.5 ML, virtually all of the sulfur exists in a single state. Above 0.5 ML, a second state emerges at a lower binding energy. At 1 ML of sulfur, the two states have comparable intensity if the sample is annealed to 600 K. However, if the sample is annealed to 900 K nearly all of the sulfur resides in the low binding energy state. The high and low binding energy states have been associated with sulfur adsorbed in hollow and bridge sites, respectively. Possible reasons for the change in binding energy for sulfur adsorbed in the two different sites include an initial state (charge transfer) effect and a change in reference potential due to a change in height above the surface in the two types of adsorption site. The UPS, work function change and S(LMM) Auger lineshape results all indicate a change in S-W bonding at sulfur coverages above 0.5 ML.