cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Activation of Invariant NKT Cells Ameliorates Experimental Ocular Autoimmunity by A Mechanism Involving Innate IFN-γ Production and Dampening of the Adaptive Th1 and Th17 Responses

Invariant NKT cells (iNKT cells) have been reported to play a role not only in innate immunity but also to regulate several models of autoimmunity. Furthermore, iNKT cells are necessary for the generation of the prototypic eye-related immune regulatory phenomenon, anterior chamber associated immune deviation (ACAID). In this study, we explore the role of iNKT cells in regulation of autoimmunity to retina, using a model of experimental autoimmune uveitis (EAU) in mice immunized with a uveitogenic regimen of the retinal Ag, interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein. Natural strain-specific variation in iNKT number or induced genetic deficiencies in iNKT did not alter baseline susceptibility to EAU. However, iNKT function seemed to correlate with susceptibility and its pharmacological enhancement in vivo by treatment with iNKT TCR ligands at the time of uveitogenic immunization reproducibly ameliorated disease scores. Use of different iNKT TCR ligands revealed dependence on the elicited cytokine profile. Surprisingly, superior protection against EAU was achieved with α-C-GalCer, which induces a strong IFN-γ but only a weak IL-4 production by iNKT cells, in contrast to the ligands α-GalCer (both IFN-γ and IL-4) and OCH (primarily IL-4). The protective effect of α-C-GalCer was associated with a reduction of adaptive Ag-specific IFN-γ and IL-17 production and was negated by systemic neutralization of IFN-γ. These data suggest that pharmacological activation of iNKT cells protects from EAU at least in part by a mechanism involving innate production of IFN-γ and a consequent dampening of the Th1 as well as the Th17 effector responses.
Evaluation of vitamin A toxicity.

Toxicity has been associated with abuse of vitamin A supplements and with diets extremely high in preformed vitamin A. Consumption of 25,000-50,000 IU/d for periods of several months or more can produce multiple adverse effects. The lowest reported intakes causing toxicity have occurred in persons with liver function compromised by drugs, viral hepatitis, or protein-energy malnutrition. Certain drugs or other chemicals may markedly potentiate vitamin A toxicity in animals. Especially vulnerable groups include children, with adverse effects occurring with intakes as low as 1,500 IU.kg-1.d-1, and pregnant women, with birth defects being associated with maternal intakes as low as approximately 25,000 IU/d. The maternal dose threshold for birth defects cannot be identified from present data. An identifiable fraction of the population surveyed consumes vitamin A supplements at 25,000 IU/d and a few individuals consume much more. beta-Carotene is much less toxic than vitamin A.
Event sequence processing: new models and optimization techniques

Many modern applications, including online financial feeds, tag-based mass transit systems and RFID-based supply chain management systems transmit real-time data streams. There is a need for a special-purpose event stream processing technology to analyze this vast amount of sequential multi-dimensional data to enable online, operational decision making. Existing techniques such as traditional online analytical processing (OLAP) systems are not designed for real-time pattern-based operations, while state-of-the-art Complex Event Processing (CEP) systems designed for sequence detection do not support OLAP operations. Supporting complex pattern queries at different concept and pattern hierarchies must be devised by providing efficient computation and data sharing. In this dissertation, we propose a novel E-Cube model that combines CEP and OLAP techniques for multi-dimensional event pattern analysis at different abstraction levels. Further, we go beyond the linear sequence pattern queries targeted by ECube core system towards supporting an expressive composite pattern query language (composed of arbitrarily nested sequence, negation, recursion, AND and OR operators) to express powerful pattern matching requests.
Thyroxine effects upon the mitotic activity of the medulla oblongata after unilateral excision in embryos of the frog

Abstract The right half of the hindbrain of Rana pipiens embryos was removed at stage 16 in order to determine whether thyroxine would influence regeneration of the deleted half. Thyroxine was found to accelerate the mitotic activity of the ependyma of both the right regenerating and left intact halves. However, this activity did not enhance restitution of the deleted half. Thyroxine-treated embryos experienced peaks of mitotic activity between stages 24 and 25. The decline which followed reached levels lower than those of controls by stage I. Findings in this study suggest that at embryonic stages exogenous thyroxine merely accelerates mitotic activity in neurons ready or nearly ready to divide and that upon termination of division an overall decline in proliferation occurs due to growth and synthetic processes occurring in daughter cells.
Temporal Comparisons of Genetic Diversity in Lake Michigan Steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss, Populations: Effects of Hatchery Supplementation

Steelhead, Oncorhynchus mykiss, were first introduced into the Great Lakes in the late 1800s. Subsequently, natural recruitment across the Lake Michigan basin has been regularly supplemented by primarily one hatchery strain. Recently, multiple strains derived from locations across the species native range along the west coast of the United States have also been stocked by different management agencies. Prior to 1983, hatchery supplementation of Lake Michigan steelhead populations in Michigan was largely unsuccessful due to low smolting rates of small ( 150 mm) have been stocked exclusively since 1983, increasing estimates of survival to smolting (90%). Consequently, the proportion of hatchery adults in spawning runs increased to 13–79%. We examined the effects of changes in stocking practices on straying rates of hatchery steelhead and to temporal changes in levels of genetic diversity and relationships among populations. We used microsatellite loci to estimate allele frequencies for six populations sampled for two time periods (1983–1984 and 1998–1999). Measures of inter-population divergence (mean FST) were not significant for either time period. However, spatial genetic relationships among historical and contemporary populations were significantly correlated with geographic distance; a result not expected if gene flow (natural straying) among populations was mediated solely by hatchery supplementation. Increased numbers of alleles in spawning adults from populations can be attributed to alleles specific to recently introduced hatchery strains.
Voluntary Associations and Social Network Structure: Why Organizational Location and Type Are Important

Are voluntary associations integrative forces in our society because they promote diverse social ties, or do they primarily promote ties between socially similar people? The answer depends on the location and type of the organization. Neighborhood organizations reinforce network density and homogeneity, whereas more distant organizations enhance network diversity. In contrast to instrumental organizations, expressive organizations increase network density and homogeneity. When organizational location and type are taken into account, the influence of membership on network diversity does not vary by gender. Neighborhood racial composition does not moderate the relationship between membership in neighborhood organizations and network racial diversity.
Gas Phase Sulfur Anions: Synthesis and Reactions of H2NS- and Related Ions,

Abstract Many gas-phase anions react with carbonyl sulfide by sulfur atom transfer to form RS − ions. The properties of H 2 NS − , formed in this way from H 2 N − and OCS, are described.
Light-emitting p+nn+-heterotransistors with nn-heterojunction base/collector

We consider a p+nn+-heterodiode with an additional nn-heterojunction in the n-base that plays a role of the base/collector junction. Such a device can be a very effective light-emitting phototransistor or transistor. A depletion layer of the added intermediate heterojunction splits the diode n-base into two new bases: wider-bandgap phototransistor (transistor) base 1 and narrower-bandgap light emitting base 2 that serves simultaneously as the collector region of the phototransistor (transistor). A coefficient of light-to-light conversion (of an input light absorbed in base 1 into an output light emitted from base 2) can be very high due to very photo transistor gain. Effects of avalanche multiplication on the depletion layer of the intermediate heterojunction, edge multiplication in an accumulation layer of the same junction, and thermionic emission across a conduction band discontinuity barrier are taken into account. This discontinuity barrier can be high enough (> 0.5 - 0.7 eV) for effective implementation of the suggested transistor, phototransistor and light-to-light converter. We discuss various material systems appropriate for implementation of these devices (namely InAs/GaSb/AlSb-system and InGaAs/InAlAs/InP-system). Criteria of stability of the described transistor regime are considered, and transition to a thyristor (light emitting photothyristor) regime is discussed.
A general ion-optical correction element

Abstract A general purpose type of multipole magnet is described which provides some unique advantages. It produces a very uniform dipole field which can be rotated about the longitudinal axis of the magnet. Higher-order multipoles can also be rotated and can be simultaneously excited without the use of independent coils. A magnet having octupole geometry was built and shown to verify the basic ideas.
Stimulation of proline transport by cupric ion in membrane vesicles from mycobacterium phlei

Abstract Membrane vesicles of M. phlei actively take up proline in the absence of exogenously provided electron donors. Evidence is provided that endogenous transport is coupled to the oxidation-reduction of low-potential electron carriers, but does not involve the cytochromes. The endogenous transport was found to be enhanced under either aerobic or anaerobic conditions by the addition of certain artificial electron acceptors such as Cu 2+ .
Oil well perforator design using 2D Eulerian code

The purpose of the present study is to obtain a good shaped charge design using a 2D Eulerian code such that the high speed jet of the liner creates a large hole in the well casing and a small hole in the gun pipe. Double-velocity inverse gradients, one at the tip of the liner and another one located near the middle section of the jet, are described for conical and elliptical shaped charges. A series of computer simulations are performed for jet formation and penetration into the casing wall as well as the surrounding rocks. For a typical liner material, the penetrated casing hole size is related to the liner geometry, the amount of the explosive charge, and the shape as well as the thickness of the charge case. From this study, it is shown that the geometry and the thickness of the liner are the most pertinent parameters for a good charge design.
Archaeology to refine Holocene subsidence rates along the Nile delta margin, Egypt

Archaeological material and sites in the northern Nile delta record rates of land subsidence that are higher than those derived from radiocarbon-dated subsurface sediments. Reassessment of subsidence-rate calculations reveals that previous subsidence measurements of 1-5 mm/yr for the delta are minimum rates, because sediment reworking can result in radiocarbon-dated core ages that are older than the ages of final burial. Integration of archaeological and geologic subsurface data is essential for accurate age determinations, differentiation of sub-sidence from sea-level rise, and more precise calculation of vertical earth movement. Application herein of archaeological data to geological problems helps to refine subsidence-rate measurements between the flexure zone (landward margin of the Holocene Nile delta depocenter) and the coast.
Synaptic organization of tuberal hypothalamus in tissue culture: effects of electrical stimulation and blockers of synaptic transmission.

Abstract Poststimulus histograms were used to quantitate effects of focal electrical stimulation on spontaneously active neurons in tuberal hypothalamic tissue cultures. After electrical stimulation, changes in firing patterns were observed in 94 of 108 spontaneously active units. Three possible components were observed: an early excitation, a subsequent inhibition, or a prolonged facilitation. The early, presumably antidromic, activation was resistant to perfusion by Ca2+-free/high-Mg2+ salt solution; later, synaptic effects were abolished. Perfusion of 10−5 m picrotoxin reduced or abolished these longer-latency inhibitions in a majority of cells. These results suggest first, that there is a high degree of functional synaptic connection in tuberal hypothalamic tissue cultures, and second, that there exist intrinsic inhibitory interneurons in this region, which utilize γ-aminobutyric acid as their transmitter and are involved in the generation of the normally encountered firing patterns.
Dynamically shimmed multivoxel 1H magnetic resonance spectroscopy and multislice magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging of the human brain.

In vivo multivoxel Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy (MRS) and multislice Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopic Imaging (MRSI) are extremely susceptible to poor homogeneity of the static magnetic field. Existing room-temperature (RT) shim technology can adequately optimize the B0 homogeneity of local volumes, such as single voxels. However, the widespread global homogeneity required for in vivo spectral acquisitions from multiple volumes in the human brain cannot be attained with a single RT shim setting. Dynamic shim updating (DSU) allows for use of local RT shim B0 homogeneity compensation capabilities in a global fashion. Here, by updating first- and second-order shims on a voxel- and slice-specific basis using a pre-emphasized DSU system, we present multivoxel MRS and multislice MRSI of the human brain. These results demonstrate that DSU can increase multivoxel MRS acquisition capabilities and significantly improve the quality of multislice MRSI data. Magn Reson Med 57:587–591, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Reduction of severe macular edema in eyes with poor vision after panretinal photocoagulation for proliferative diabetic retinopathy.

Currently available data from multicenter randomized trials on laser treatment of diabetic macular edema refer only to eyes with pretreatment visual acuities of 20/160 or better. After observing reduction of more severe macular edema and visual improvement following panretinal photocoagulation (PRP) alone in some patients, we reviewed our experience with this problem. In 18 eyes of 14 patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy and visual acuity of 20/200 or worse, secondary to severe macular edema were identified. At 6 months after PRP without focal macular laser treatment, macular edema was reduced in 13 eyes, 8 of which improved by ≥ 2 lines of vision. Among the latter 8 eyes, the visual acuity of 4 recovered to 20/80 or better; the remaining 10 eyes, which had chronic retinal pigment epithelial atrophy or extensive macular ischemia, did not improve. Based on these observations, we suggest that peripheral PRP performed in multiple sessions over several months may have a beneficial effect on severe macular edema in some eyes with adequate macular perfusion.
Use of monocytes in HLA-A, B, C and DR typings.

A simple method of improved serologic typing of monocytes for HLA-A, B, C and DR specificities is described. The method employs monocytes recovered from frozen samples of peripheral blood mononuclear cells; it chiefly involves pretreatment of monocytes with 0.01% iodoacetamide (IAA) prior to typing. The advantage of this method lies principally in the lowering of the background nonspecific cytotoxicities and false positive readings upon IAA addition to the monocyte preparations. Using this method monocytes can be typed for HLA-A, B, C determinants. Although the addition of IAA results in substantial typing improvements, we found the assignment of A, B, C specificities difficult due to the presence of extra positive reactions when monocytes were compared to Tlymphocyte typings, probably due to the presence of DR or monocyte specific antibodies in the routinely used HLA antisera. This method proved to be most useful in DR typings where monocytes in the presence of IAA were compared with autologous B cells in the absence of IAA. The differences in typings due to a decrease in false positive cytotoxic readings were significantly in favor of using IAA treated monocytes in DR typings (P > 0.0001). The use of IAA in the course of B cell or T cell typings had no adverse consequences on either A, B, C or DR typings, respectively. Our results indicate a potential usefulness for the use of IAA in typing monocytes for HLA determinants in general and for the DR determinants in particular.
Dioxin-inducible, Ah receptor-dependent transcription in vitro.

Abstract We have developed a homologous in vitro transcription system that requires (i) 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (called TCDD or dioxin), (ii) the Ah receptor, and (iii) a dioxin-responsive enhancer for activity. Unfractionated nuclear extracts from mouse hepatoma cells contain an inhibitor and fail to direct transcription in vitro. However, following phosphocellulose chromatography and reconstitution, the fractionated nuclear extract directs accurate transcription in vitro, using as a template the promoter/enhancer region from the mouse cytochrome P1-450 gene (Cyp1a1) linked to a "G-free cassette" (which generates a transcript with no guanosine residues). Extracts from TCDD-treated cells exhibit higher activity than extracts from untreated cells when transcribing a template containing both the promoter and enhancer but not when transcribing a template containing the promoter alone. Extracts from Ah receptor-defective cells fail to direct in vitro transcription in a TCDD-inducible fashion. A regulatory element that contains two binding sites for the liganded Ah receptor plus a truncated Cyp1a1 promoter suffices to direct TCDD-inducible, Ah receptor-dependent transcription in vitro. The inducible, receptor-dependent, enhancer-dependent properties of this system make it appropriate for analyzing in vitro the mechanism of dioxin action and the function of the Ah receptor.
New funds for major equipment

Earth sciences laboratories in the academic world have been in desperate need to replace, improve, or otherwise obtain research apparatus in recent years. The grants available from federal government agencies have not allowed for major equipment purchases, but very recent changes in fund allocation now provide for the purchase of major apparatus for analysis, experimentation, field studies, and for computation and data processing in the earth sciences. Such equipment is described by a guideline brochure recently released by the National Science Foundation (NSF), Division of Earth Sciences, as being ‘commonly too expensive and of too broad potential use to be adequately justified by a regular research proposal.’ To initiate the program, NSF has allocated $5 million for earth sciences equipment in fiscal year 1984.
The optimal level of budgetary goal difficulty: an experimental study

Budgets are commonly used for multiple purposes. Whereas planning budgets reflect organisations' 'best guesses' of future events, control budgets are intended to motivate high levels of effort. Budgetary control mechanisms modelled in a principal-agent setting typically find that the use of such schemes is Pareto optimal only when the budgetary goals are set to very difficult levels. This project studies how individual effort levels vary with different levels of goal difficulty in an experimental setting. We use a between-subjects factorial design. Subjects are assigned to either linear or budget-based compensation schemes at levels of goal difficulty ranging from 10% to 50% probability of goal attainment after controlling for skill and learning effects. An ink-stamping task is used to measure subjects' effort levels. Results indicate that the optimal level of budgetary goal difficulty may be less than that prescribed by information economics models.
X-ray absorption studies of atomic and electronic structures of Nd2−xMxCuO4 (M = Ce and Th)

Abstract Cu K and Ce L3-edge X-ray absorption near-edge structure (XANES) and extended fine structure (EXAFS) are employed to study the electronic and atomic structures of Ce and Th doped Nd2CuO4 electron superconductors. A particular effort is made to identify possible monovalent copper impurity phases that can affect the interpretation of spectroscopic data in terms of the intrinsic electronic property of the doped materials. For samples with no impurity phase detectable in either EXAFS or X-ray diffraction, our XANES data show that excess electrons are introduced to the Cu site by Ce and Th doping. In support of electron doping, Ce is demonstrated to have a valence greater than 3+, similar to that in CeO2.
The neutral composition of the stratosphere and mesosphere

Abstract Our present understanding of the factors that control the distribution of minor species in the mesosphere and stratosphere is discussed. Attention is devoted to the odd hydrogen, odd oxygen, odd nitrogen, sulfate and aerosol systems. The results of recent measurements and a comparison with model calculations are presented. Emphasis is on the portion of the atmosphere in which the distribution appears to be controlled by chemistry and vertical eddy transport. It is shown that reasonably good agreement between observation and theory now exists in the region above 50 km for odd hydrogen, nitrogen and oxygen systems, but that serious shortcomings exist in our empirical knowledge of minor species and of the coupling between dynamics and chemistry in the stratosphere.
Study on the AE Characteristics and Wave Velocity of Concrete during the Total Failure Process

This paper introduces an example on AE monitoring and ultrasonic wave velocity measurement of concrete (C20). Experiment on AE characteristic of the full failure process of concrete is carried out on the pressing machine. AE sensors can be surface mounted. A system (the 8-channels, high-speed acquiring and analyzing AE signal), called HUS (Hyperion Ultrasonic System), was employed to acquire and record AE characteristics. AE signals were recorded during loading (fracture propagation) subject to the uniaxial compressive loading until failure. Using a simplex location algorithm allows AE event location from first arrival times to be determined by the AE sensors. The mechanical properties of concrete and acoustic emission characteristic, including the full stress-strain curves, AE counts, and AE rate and ultrasonic wave velocity, were obtained. The relations among AE counts, AE rate, stress levels, ultrasonic wave velocity and time are analyzed in detail. This paper reports AE observations made with an array of this new high-fidelity. Crack initiation and crack propagation due to the uniaxial compressive loading were monitored for AE activity and compared with visual observation. Meanwhile, stress changing influence the wave velocity of concrete; with the initial crack expands, up to the rock sample failure, the wave velocity falls gradually. Some insight into the percentage of AE events that must actually be detected to describe the health of concrete sample was gained.
Covariate selection for semiparametric hazard function regression models

We study a flexible class of nonproportional hazard function regression models in which the influence of the covariates splits into the sum of a parametric part and a time-dependent nonparametric part. We develop a method of covariate selection for the parametric part by adjusting for the implicit fitting of the nonparametric part. Asymptotic consistency of the proposed covariate selection method is established, leading to asymptotically normal estimators of both parametric and nonparametric parts of the model in the presence of covariate selection. The approach is applied to a real data set and a simulation study is presented.
Influence of Reaction Conditions on Diacid Formation During Au-Catalyzed Oxidation of Glycerol and Hydroxymethylfurfural

The selective oxidation of glycerol and 5-hydroxymethylfurfural (HMF) to diacids over supported gold catalysts (Au/C and Au/TiO2) in liquid water at mild temperatures was a strong function of the added base such as NaOH. Use of hydrotalcite as a solid base in place of NaOH in the HMF reaction medium facilitated the production of diacid over Au/TiO2, but extensive leaching of magnesium suggested that hydrotalcite was consumed stoichiometrically in the reaction. Production of diacids from glycerol oxidation over supported Au catalysts was promoted by operating in a continuous flow reactor and by increasing the catalyst loading in a semi-batch reactor. Trace inhibitors formed by conversion of the product monoacid are proposed to account for the generally low selectivity to diacids over gold catalysts.
Reaction coordinate analyses of transition metal catalyzed CH and CS activation steps

Abstract The application of first-principle quantum chemical calculations toward analyzing and understanding heterogeneously catalyzed C X bond activation is reviewed. More specifically, two industrially relevant systems, methane activation and thiophene desulfurization are discussed. Density functional theoretical (DFT) calculations are used to examine C H activation of acetate a precursor to acetate decar☐ylation and C S activation of thiophene. Both systems require a sufficient cluster size model for the catalyst in order to predict energetic information, and hence model periodic trends. C H activation of acetate closely mimics the activation of methane. The reaction path is characterized by a late transition state with respect to the C H bond stretch. There is considerable M H and M C bond formation. The predicted barrier is +115 kJ/mol. Thiophene hydrodesulfurization which occurs via η1 adsorption of thiophene, is initially activated by hydrogenating thiophene to 2,5 dihydrothiophene (DHT). DHT activation proceeds via a metal atom insertion into the C S bond. The formation of an additional M S bond (two-fold sulfur) stabilizes the metallocycle intermediate and lowers the barrier of DHT C S bond breaking from +250 to +150 kJ/mol.
Learning to select rankers

Combining evidence from multiple retrieval models has been widely studied in the context of of distributed search, metasearch and rank fusion. Much of the prior work has focused on combining retrieval scores (or the rankings) assigned by different retrieval models or ranking algorithms. In this work, we focus on the problem of choosing between retrieval models using performance estimation. We propose modeling the differences in retrieval performance directly by using rank-time features - features that are available to the ranking algorithms - and the retrieval scores assigned by the ranking algorithms. Our experimental results show that when choosing between two rankers, our approach yields significant improvements over the best individual ranker.
Importance of presurgical breast MRI in patients 60 years of age and older.

Objective: To demonstrate the importance of presurgical bilateral breast Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) in women 60 years of age and older. Materials and Methods: Institutional review board approval was obtained with waiver of informed consent for this retrospective review. From December 2003 to December 2011, all patients 60 years and older who had presurgical bilateral breast MRI were reviewed, revealing 1268 presurgical MRI examinations; 310 had a new lesion identified by MRI. Cases were excluded due to incomplete or missing data, resulting in 243 patients with 272 findings eligible for analysis. Data recorded included patient demographics, core biopsy method and pathology, type of surgery, and surgical pathology results. Results: Of 1268 exams performed in this population, 272 (21.5%) patients with suspicious MRI findings underwent needle biopsy. Malignancy was found in 114 (42%), benign findings in 127 (47%), and atypia in 31 (11%). Of the malignancies, 83 were in the ipsilateral breast and 31 in the contralateral breast to the original diagnosis. Of the ipsilateral findings, 47 were in the same quadrant as the primary diagnosis, 28 in a different quadrant, and 8 were metastatic lymph nodes. Of the 31 atypical findings, 14 were contralateral to the primary diagnosis and 17 were ipsilateral. Two hundred and thirty-three patients underwent surgical excision; 111 changed their surgical management as a lesion was seen on MRI and was diagnosed as cancer on needle biopsy. Conclusions: Among the patients aged 60 years and above who had presurgical bilateral breast MRI, we found additional cancers in 9.0% ( n = 114/1268) and atypia in 2.4% ( n = 31/1268). A change in management as a result of the MRI-detected lesion occurred in 8.8% ( n = 111/1268). These results demonstrate that performing presurgical bilateral breast MRI is of value in women 60 years of age and above.
Pathology with clinical correlations of primary central nervous system non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. The Massachusetts General Hospital experience 1958-1989.

Background. Primary central nervous system non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL-CNS) is an enigmatic disease of uncertain origin. At the Massachusetts General Hospital, 104 patients with NHL-CNS were seen from 1958 through 1989. An impression of changes in the frequency of diagnosis, character of the tumors, and therapy for this disease prompted this study of the pathologic features, clinical data, and natural history of this tumor in these 104 patients. Methods. Histologic slides (neurosurgical specimens and autopsy tissues) were available for 99 patients. The tumors were classified by the Working Formulation classification. Immunostaining data and all clinical data were retrieved from the relevant offices and hospital charts. Results. Primary central nervous system non-Hodgkin's lymphoma tripled in frequency (5.66 cases per year in 1978-89 versus 1.75 cases per year in 1958-77) and now represents 6.6% of all primary brain neoplasms (versus 3.3% before 1978; x2 = 17.52, P < 0.01). For the 99 tumors histologically classified, 89% were high grade. Intermediate grade lymphomas, once the second most common subtype, have disappeared since 1983. All tumors had diffuse architecture; 77% (including all 11 patients with acquired immune deficiency syndrome) were large cell subtypes. Two cases were intravascular lymphoma. With one exception, all of the 41 tumors evaluated were B-cell types; 32 of 40 had monotypic surface immunoglobulin. There was 1 T-cell lymphoma. Of 64 tumor recurrences, 29 were at the initially defined site; 12 were in the leptomeninges, 29 were in other sites in the neuraxis, and 8 were in systemic sites. Systemic metastases have not occurred since 1984. Median survival for the 68 patients who survived after diagnostic surgery and for whom follow-up information could be obtained was 19 months; 9 months for those with high grade tumors and 30.5 months for those with intermediate grade tumors. This difference was not significant (P = 0.13). A separate set of seven patients had focal tumorlike lymphoid infiltrates composed of benign-appearing lymphocytes, which were associated with good long term survival. The differential histologic diagnosis of NHL-CNS was occasionally difficult, and the spectrum of this differential was broader than generally stated. Conclusions. Primary central nervous system non-Hodgkin's lymphoma has increased in frequency even in nonimunocompromised patient populations. This increase has been accompanied by the disappearance of intermediate grade histologic types, suggesting a fundamental shift in the biology of the neoplasms. The introduction of chemotherapeutic regimens appears to have altered the natural history such that systemic metastases outside the central nervous system no longer occur, and there are now some long term survivors of this formerly uniformly fatal disease.
From Labeling Possessions to Possessing Labels: Ridicule and Socialization among Adolescents

This research explores ridicule as a mechanism through which adolescents exchange information about consumption norms and values. The author finds that adolescents use ridicule to ostracize, haze, or admonish peers who violate consumption norms. Targets and observers learn stereotypes about avoidance groups, consumption norms of aspirational groups, the use of possessions to communicate social linkages and achieve acceptance goals, and social consequences of nonconformity. As a result, many targets and observers of ridicule alter their perceptions, acquisition, use, and disposition of objects in order to avoid unwanted attention.
Evaluation sensitivity as a moderator of communication disorder in schizophrenia.

Background Communication disturbance (thought disorder) is a central feature of schizophrenia that predicts poor functioning. We investigated the hypothesis that memory and attention deficits interact with beliefs about the gravity of being rejected (i.e. evaluation sensitivity) to produce the symptoms of communication disorder. Method Seventy-four individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia or schizo-affective disorder completed a battery of tests assessing neurocognition (attention, working and verbal memory, abstraction), symptomatology (positive, negative and affective), functioning, and dysfunctional beliefs. Results Patients with communication deviance (n=33) performed more poorly on the neurocognitive tests and reported a greater degree of sensitivity to rejection than patients with no thought disorder (n=41). In a logistic regression analysis, evaluation sensitivity moderated the relationship between cognitive impairment and the presence of communication disorder. This finding was independent of hallucinations, delusions, negative symptoms, depression and anxiety. Conclusions We propose that negative appraisals about acceptance instigate communication anomalies in individuals with a pre-existing diathesis for imperfect speech production.
“I Wasn’t Prepared for the Emotion”: Archival Research in Religious and Theological Studies

One might think that primary research in library and church archives would be a dry, lifeless endeavor, far removed from the present–day spiritual urgency that quickens the religious studies classroom. After all, archives raise the specter of musty tomes housed in dark, dank, and isolated basements. To the contrary, based on interviews with several students and teachers doing such research, this article maintains that primary archival research in religious and theological studies is often experienced as empowering, connecting researchers to their subjects with an immediacy that secondary sources simply cannot provide. Diaries, letters, hymns, administrative reports, and church–school teaching notes are the sorts of documentary evidence and personal effects at issue, and these offer unexpected insights to researchers who brave the archives.
Surfactant co-assembly and ion exchange to modulate polyelectrolyte multilayer wettability

Coatings with controllable wettability are of interest in a number of applications. Modulation of surface wettability is often necessary for these applications. It has been demonstrated many times that surface topography is key to the ability to make superhydrophobic surfaces, but at the same time surface chemistry is key. The layer-by-layer technique of fabricating coatings based on the complexation of oppositely charged polyelectrolytes can be a versatile method for producing precisely controlled thin films with a wide range of properties. In order to control wettability, hierarchical textures are generally needed, but the underlying surface energy of the material is also important. Generally, these films are made out of commercially available polymers, thereby limiting the range of available surface energies. Ion exchange of the counterions on the surface of the film is one way to modify materials properties, but we show that co-assembly with a surfactant is another way to achieve an even greater range of surface wettabilities. Our films have contact angles of as high as 110° with ion exchange and even up to 140° with surfactant co-assembly without any added texture to the surfaces. Co-assembly with a surfactant has not been widely studied with respect to polyelectrolyte multilayers and may prove to be a more general method to modify film properties.
Stereoelectronic Factors That Influence Kinetic and Thermodynamic Sites of Protonation of (η6-Arene)molybdenum(phosphine)3 Complexes

We have previously reported (J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1995, 117, 12639) the arene complex (η6-C6H6)Mo(TRIPOD) (1), where TRIPOD = 1,1,1-tris(diphenylphosphinomethyl)ethane, is protonated upon addition of 1 equiv of D+ to yield the metal−hydride [(η6-C6H5D)Mo(TRIPOD)H]+ (1H+-d1) via exo addition of D+ to the arene ligand followed by migration to the metal of the endo proton of the putative η5-cyclohexadienyl complex [(η5-C6H6D)Mo(TRIPOD)]+ (1‡). The opposite isotopomer is obtained when (η6-C6D6)Mo(TRIPOD) (1-d6) is employed to give [(η6-C6D5H)Mo(TRIPOD)D]+ (1D+-d6). Our recent investigation of the electronic structure of 1 and its one-electron oxidized derivative [(η6-C6H6)Mo(TRIPOD)]+ (1+) suggested the mechanism of protonation is not driven entirely by electronic factors; steric factors are likely important for indirect protonation of 1. Consistent with that conclusion, we report herein that some other phosphine derivatives are protonated directly at the metal center. Thus, under the same reaction conditions th...
Polymorphic Medical Ontologies: Fashioning Concepts of Disease

L'A. tente de standardiser la nosologie medicale, en argumentant une logique medicale plus sophistiquee capable de distinguer les valeurs culturelles et religieuses qui donnent des informations sur les concepts de la sante et de la maladie
Allocation of pyloric caecum reserves in FED and starved sea stars, Pisaster giganteus (Stimpson): somatic maintenance comes before reproduction

Abstract Pyloric caeca were removed through the raytips of sea stars, Pisaster giganteus (Stimpson), beginning their seasonal period of gonad growth. Four months later their feeding rate, gonad growth, and gametogenic activity were lower than those of intact animals, while body growth rate remained the same. Removal of only the raytips also depressed feeding rate and gonad growth. When sea stars were starved, gonad growth and gametogenic activity were lower in animals without pyloric caeca, but body weight loss was the same as in intact animals. We conclude that when food is abundant, materials are utilized to enhance somatic and gonad growth. With decreasing reserves, due either to reduced food intake and/or pyloric caecum removal, somatic maintenance and growth have priority over gonad growth in material and energy allocation. Such a pattern of resource allocation is appropriate for long-lived iteroparous animals, such as these sea stars.
Abiotic U(VI) reduction by aqueous sulfide

Abstract Reactions with aqueous sulfide are important in determining uranium (U) geochemistry under sulfate reducing conditions. This paper reports on abiotic reduction of U(VI) by aqueous sulfide under a range of experimental conditions using batch reactors. Dissolved U concentration was measured as a function of time to study the effects of chemical variables including pH, U(VI), S(−II), total dissolved carbonate (CARB = H 2 CO 3 * + HCO 3 − + CO 3 2− ), and Ca 2+ concentration on the U(VI) reduction rate. Solid phase reaction products were characterized using X-ray diffraction, X-ray absorption spectroscopy, and transmission electron microscopy. The chemical variables had impacts on the solid phase U(VI) reaction products as well as the reduction rates by aqueous sulfide. The solid U reaction product at circumneutral pH was identified as uraninite (UO 2+ x (s) ). Under basic pH conditions, whether a precipitate occurred depended on Ca 2+ and CARB concentrations. U(VI) reduction was faster under higher S(−II) concentrations but was slowed by increased dissolved Ca 2+ or CARB concentration. In the absence of dissolved CARB and Ca 2+ , a rapid decrease in dissolved U concentration occurred at circumneutral pH, while virtually no decrease was observed at pH 10.7 within the experimental timeframe of two days. The U(VI) reduction rate was proportional to the total concentration of free uranyl plus its hydrolysis complexes even at minor to trace concentrations. Dissolved Ca 2+ and CARB slow abiotic U(VI) reduction by forming stable Ca–U(VI)–carbonato soluble complexes that are resistant to reaction with aqueous sulfide. U(VI) reduction was slow in a synthetic solution representative of groundwater at a uranium mill tailings site. This study illustrates that abiotic U reduction by aqueous sulfide can significantly vary under typical ranges of chemical conditions in groundwater and newly demonstrates the importance of dissolved Ca 2+ in the abiotic U(VI) reduction by aqueous sulfide. The results contribute to our understanding of the impact of sulfate reducing conditions on U speciation in groundwater systems undergoing bioreduction conversion of U(VI) to less mobile U(IV) solid phases.
A comparison of CVM survey response rates, protests and willingness-to-pay of Native Americans and general population for fuels reduction policies

Abstract A contingent valuation method (CVM) study was used to compare survey response rates, protest refusals to pay, and median willingness-to-pay (WTP) of Native American communities in Montana compared to Montana's general population for two wildland fire mitigation strategies. Understanding differences in response rates, protest refusals to pay, and median WTP between Native Americans in the United States and the general population may shed some light on how well the method may work for indigenous people in other developed countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Native Americans survey response rates were not significantly different from Montana residents for the initial contact (first wave), but were significantly different for the follow-up in-depth phone interviews (second wave). Native Americans protest rate for the prescribed burning program was not statistically different from Montana residents. Conventionally calculated, protest rates for the mechanical fuels reduction program are higher for Montana's residents than Native Americans. Results from bivariate probit with sample selection models indicate that there is no significant difference between the Native American and Montana general populations’ median WTP for either program. This suggests that in Montana, Native Americans and members of the general population generally yield similar results to CVM questionnaires of forest fire management.
Adaptive near-optimal compensation in lossy polyphase power systems

The paper provides a formulation and solution for the problem of optimizing power flows in polyphase power systems with significant source (line) impedance. An optimal solution considering significant line impedance has been already obtained in recent works. Unfortunately, it relies on network and load parameters that are not easy to determine during operation. This motivates our approach in searching for a sub-optimal easy-to-implement solution that relies only on measurements of the load voltage and current.
Higher Vibrationally Excited Levels of the 3pπ 2Π Rydberg State of HCO

Using the output of a frequency-tripled, pulsed dye laser, we have extended the ionization-detected one-photon absorption spectrum of HCO to include higher excited vibronic levels of the 3pπ 2 Π Rydberg state in the interval from 47 900 to 50 500 cm - 1 . Included in this spectrum are band systems associated with bending overtones from (030) through (060), as well as cold-band transitions to bend-CO-stretch combinations from (011) through (031). The use of a separate, synchronized, fixed-frequency visible ionization pulse, in a technique that we term assisted REMPI, reveals a number of weak features. We find sequence-band transitions to confirmed states as well as to the higher excited levels, (041) and (070), which fall out of range as cold bands. We find a very weak structure that we assign to the (100)-(000) transition terminating on the CH-stretch fundamental. This band appears in the 3pπ state at a frequency very close to the value found for ω 1 in the HCO + cation. Continuing a trend established in earlier observations, we find that the Renner-Teller coupling of the electronic orbital and vibrational angular momentum in the 3pπ 2 Π state of HCO varies with bending quantum number, decreasing linearly with υ 2 in both fundamental as well as bend-CO-stretch combination states.
Citrate–nitrate synthesis of nano-structured titanium dioxide ceramics for gas sensors

Abstract Nano-structured TiO 2 -based ceramics were synthesized using a citrate–nitrate auto combustion method. Phase purity, particle size, and surface area of TiO 2 nano-powder were studied as a function of citrate-to-nitrate ratio (C/N = 0.1–0.5), water addition during synthesis (0 and 10 vol%), and yttrium as a metal ion dopant (0 and 10 wt.%). The powder X-ray diffraction data showed that all synthesized TiO 2 -based powder was primarily anatase phase. BET surface area analysis showed an increase in specific average surface area up to 48 m 2 /g with increasing C/N ratio and the addition of water during synthesis. Powder XRD, BET, and TEM measurements confirmed particle size ranged from 10 to 50 nm depending on synthesis parameters. C/N ratio of 0.5 and addition of water during synthesis resulted in the smallest particle size. Sintered compacts made from this nano-powder showed an increase in bulk conductivity with increasing temperature inside a tube furnace open to the air. Addition of yttrium increased conductivity by 3 times over that of pure TiO 2 . Higher conductivity was attributed to higher energy of electrons to overcome conduction barriers and higher carrier concentrations caused by both temperature effects and yttrium addition. Thick film sensors made from the synthesized TiO 2 nano-powder with higher surface area showed an improved response to carbon monoxide at 600 °C. Yttrium doping in TiO 2 also increased response to CO compared with pure TiO 2 .
Facial Expression and Sarcasm

This study examined facial expression in the presentation of sarcasm. 60 responses (sarcastic responses = 30, nonsarcastic responses = 30) from 40 different speakers were coded by two trained coders. Expressions in three facial areas—eyebrow, eyes, and mouth—were evaluated. Only movement in the mouth area significantly differentiated ratings of sarcasm from nonsarcasm.
ESTIMATED THRESHOLDS IN THE RESPONSE OF OUTPUT TO MONETARY POLICY: ARE LARGE POLICY CHANGES LESS EFFECTIVE?

This paper investigates the potential sources of the mixed evidence found in the empirical literature studying asymmetries in the response of output to monetary policy shocks of different magnitudes. Further, it argues that such mixed evidence is a consequence of the exogenous imposition of the threshold that classifies monetary shocks as small or large. To address this issue, I propose an unobserved-components model of output, augmented by a monetary policy variable, which allows the threshold to be endogenously estimated. The results show strong statistical evidence that the effect of monetary policy on output varies disproportionately with the size of the monetary shock once the threshold is estimated. Meanwhile, the estimates of the model are consistent with a key implication of menu-cost models: smaller monetary shocks trigger a larger response on output.