cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Serial transarterial embolization for the management of unresectable malignant pulmonary hemangiopericytoma: A case report and review of the literature

Hemangiopericytomas (HPC) are perivascular neoplasms that are rarely encountered as primary lung malignancy. Surgical resection remains the mainstay therapy of HPC. A 37-year old African American female initially presented with fatigue, chest pain and palpitations. Chest radiography showed a well-circumscribed large heterogeneous vascular mass of the right hemithorax. She underwent a CT-guided biopsy of the thoracic mass and was diagnosed with low-grade pulmonary hemangiopericytoma. High tumor vascularity burden and liver metastases precluded her from being a surgical candidate. Three years ago, she referred to our facility seeking further management. She did not tolerate systemic chemotherapy. Alternatively, she had been successfully managed with serial transarterial embolization and oral angiogenesis inhibitor to date. This therapeutic approach can be further explored for long term control of unresectable pulmonary HPC.
Library Computer Workstations for Inclusive College Student Populations

Most academic library computer workstations comply with basic accessibility guidelines; however, very few are designed for all users. The technology exists which enables the differently-able population to access library materials. This research explores the reasons why academic libraries do or do not incorporate these technologies into their facilities. The author created a workstation called the “Universal Access Workstation” (UAW), which incorporates assistive and adaptive technology which enables patrons with and without disabilities equitable access to information. This study addresses the lack of UAW technology in academic libraries when inclusivity is not only broadly accepted, but enthusiastically embraced by institutions of higher learning. The review of literature addresses Universal Design and the UAW, and how effectively librarians have progressed from the ADA as a minimal standard to Universal Design and Universal Design for Learning (UDL) as a framework. Empirical evidence was collected in an online survey with questions that address academic librarians’ attitudes and opinions regarding the UAW and Universal Design in academic libraries. The study reinforces that the social construct of disability is determined, in part, by the facilities which we design. The article also reveals evidence which indicates there may be a positive trend toward acceptance of Universal Design in library technology, which should lead toward a paradigm shift away from disability as the social construct. This research concludes that libraries incorporating a UAW into their facility promote equitable access to information for all users and enable everyone to participate in the learning process.
Psychopharmacotherapy: Side Effects

This article is a revision of the previous edition article by N.R. Schooler, H. Gunduz, volume 18, pp. 12434–12439, © 2001, Elsevier Ltd.
Federal Taxes on Gratuitous Transfers: Law and Planning

This book deals with the federal income tax as it bears on gratuitous transfers and with the federal wealth transfer taxes. The federal wealth transfer taxes presently consist of a partially unified estate and gift tax and a generation-skipping tax. The federal transfer tax system is separate and apart from the federal income tax. Features of the book include: (1) emphasis on text, statutes, and regulations, rather than cases (especially cases that involve routine application of law to facts); (2) “building block” organization (simple to complex estates), rather than segmented organization according to Code sections. (3) extensive use of questions and problems to aid students. The book reconstitutes the Estate and Gift tax course from the ground up in light of modern estates practice. For example, special valuation rules are treated as basic, as opposed to being just “tacked on” as other books treat them. The book emphasizes valuation and use of FLPs. Concepts of valuation are introduced early on and integrated with other material. The authors integrate related income tax materials, including income taxation of estates and trusts. The authors relate tax doctrine to tax planning strategies, focus on doctrine that influences the practice of estate and trust law, rather than doctrine for its own sake, and make reference to state law (including recent developments) as it bears on transfer tax issues, with full coverage of issues raised by community property systems.
Multifocal displays: review and prospect

Conventional stereoscopic three-dimensional displays suffer from vergence- accommodation conflict because the stimulus to accommodation is fixed by the display panel and viewing optics, but that to vergence changes with image contents. With the recent rapid development of head-mounted displays, several methods have been proposed to offer the accommodation cues, among which multifocal display technology is an effective and practical solution. The first two decades of this century has witnessed the fast growth of multifocal displays from basic concept to mature implementations. This review systematically presents the state-of-the-art multifocal display design and development. Firstly, a comprehensive classification of numerous potential optical architectures to provide the multiplanar functionality is introduced, based on how the information is multiplexed and how the focal planes are generated. Next, the strengths and obstacles of reported or potential designs in each category are analyzed and compared with each other. In addition to enabling optics, the image rendering approaches for the multifocal planes are also described. This review presents a sufficient collection of past designs and is expected to offer a roadmap for future research and development of multifocal displays.
Evaluating the role of resilience in reducing economic losses from disasters: A multi-regional analysis of a seaport disruption

Models to estimate economic impacts of disasters have recently been augmented to include resilience. However, most research has incorporated only a limited set of resilience tactics and has not estimated their individual loss reduction effect. We present a comprehensive framework for estimating the relative effects of a broad set of post‐disaster resilience tactics. Our methodological innovation is illustrated by adapting the TERM multi‐regional CGE model for a seaport disruption, distinguishing inherent resilience working through the price system from adaptive resilience and other inherent tactics to cope with input shortages. We also overcome a path‐dependency problem in the modelling process. Los modelos para estimar los efectos economicos de los desastres se han mejorado recientemente para poder incluir la resiliencia. Sin embargo, la mayoria de las investigaciones han incorporado solo un conjunto limitado de tacticas de resiliencia y no han estimado su efecto de reduccion de perdidas individuales. Este articulo presenta un marco integral para estimar los efectos relativos de un amplio conjunto de tacticas de resiliencia posteriores a un desastre. Esta innovacion metodologica se ilustra mediante la adaptacion del modelo EGC multirregional TERM para una perturbacion de un puerto maritimo, distinguiendo la resiliencia inherente, que funciona a traves del sistema de precios, de la resiliencia adaptativa y otras tacticas inherentes para hacer frente a la escasez de insumos. Tambien se subsana el problema de dependencia de la trayectoria en el proceso de modelizacion. 災害による経済的影響を推計するモデルは、最近では、レジリエンスを含むように拡大されている。ところが、ほとんどの研究では、限定されたレジリエンス戦略しか組み込んでおらず、個々の損失低減効果の推定を行っていない。本稿では、広範な災害後のレジリエンス戦略相対的効果を推定する包括的フレームワークを提示する。我々の研究方法のイノベーションは、TERM多地域CGEモデルを港湾破壊に応用し、価格システムを通して機能する固有のレジリエンスを、適応レジリエンス及びインプット不足に対処する他の固有の戦術と区別することにより示される。また、モデリング過程における経路依存問題を克服している。
Comparing and combining retrieval practice and concept mapping

Retrieval practice enhances the learning of educational materials, and prior work has shown that practicing retrieval can enhance learning as much as or more than creating concept maps. Few studies have combined retrieval practice with other learning activities, and no prior work has explored whether concept mapping and retrieval practice might produce especially robust effects when the two activities are combined. In two experiments, students studied educational texts and practiced retrieval (by freely recalling the texts), created concept maps, or completed both activities. In the combined-activity condition, students studied and created concept maps prior to practicing retrieval. On a 1-week delayed assessment, practicing retrieval enhanced learning relative to creating concept maps. Surprisingly, combining concept mapping and retrieval practice failed to produce any benefit over retrieval practice without concept mapping, even though students in the combined condition spent substantially more time engaged with the materials than did students in single-activity conditions. (PsycInfo Database Record (c) 2021 APA, all rights reserved)
Selective and Efficient Biomacromolecular Extraction of Rare-Earth Elements using Lanmodulin

Lanmodulin (LanM) is a recently discovered protein that undergoes a large conformational change in response to rare-earth elements (REEs). Here, we use multiple physicochemical methods to demonstrate that LanM is the most selective macromolecule for REEs characterized to date and even outperforms many synthetic chelators. Moreover, LanM exhibits metal-binding properties and structural stability unseen in most other metalloproteins. LanM retains REE binding down to pH ≈ 2.5, and LanM-REE complexes withstand high temperature (up to 95 °C), repeated acid treatments, and up to molar amounts of competing non-REE metal ions (including Mg, Ca, Zn, and Cu), allowing the protein's use in harsh chemical processes. LanM's unrivaled properties were applied to metal extraction from two distinct REE-containing industrial feedstocks covering a broad range of REE and non-REE concentrations, namely, precombustion coal and electronic waste leachates. After only a single all-aqueous step, quantitative and selective recovery of the REEs from all non-REEs initially present (Li, Na, Mg, Ca, Sr, Al, Si, Mn, Fe, Co, Ni, Cu, Zn, and U) was achieved, demonstrating the universal selectivity of LanM for REEs against non-REEs and its potential application even for industrial low-grade sources, which are currently underutilized. Our work indicates that biosourced macromolecules such as LanM may offer a new paradigm for extractive metallurgy and other applications involving f-elements.
Peptides, MAbs, Molecules, Mechanisms, and More: Taking a Stab at Cluster Headache

BACKGROUND Cluster headache is a highly disabling neurological disorder. PURPOSE The purpose of this review is to highlight recent therapeutic advances in the treatment of cluster headache such as monoclonal antibodies as well as non-invasive vagus nerve stimulation, and examine future potential therapeutic targets. DISCUSSION Several therapeutic agents currently in use may have underlying mechanisms important to cluster headache pathophysiology and have yet to be completely elucidated. The psychobiological aspects of cluster headache have a significant impact on patients, as well as pose limitations for treatment. Neuropeptides may play a role in underlying mechanisms in why cluster headache patients are frequent tobacco smokers. Alterations in the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis and neuroinflammation may play a role in suicidality. The circadian nature of cluster headache may generate the development of future treatment options. New understanding of mechanisms underlying post-traumatic headache may also provide insights into cluster headache pathophysiology. CONCLUSION Molecular targets and neuromodulation advances have paved the way for a new generation of therapeutic agents in cluster headache. There are several other potential targets.
The latest recommendations from the USPSTF

In addition to releasing several new recommendations--most notably one on cervical cancer screening--the USPSTF has revised the peer review process that occurs before final recommendations are issued.
Modifiable Risk Factors Associated With Disposal of Unused Prescription Drugs by Parents of Adolescents.

The safe disposal of unused medications is one primary prevention strategy to reduce nonmedical prescription drug use among adolescents. We sought to identify modifiable risk factors associated with disposal of unused prescription drugs by parents of adolescents residing in ten south central Kentucky counties with disposal programs. In the fall of 2017, 4148 parents of adolescents participated in an anonymous, paper-based survey. We conducted generalized logit mixed models adjusted for within-school clustering to assess the relationship between disposal behaviors and modifiable risk factors while controlling for respondents’ sociodemographic characteristics. The analytic sample consisted of parents in households in which someone had been prescribed an opioid medication within the past 12 months (N = 627). Our findings indicated that almost 42% of parents reported disposing of unused prescription medication within the past 12 months, and the majority disposed of medications at home rather than using a disposal program. Parents who perceived that any, compared to none, of their child’s close friends engaged in nonmedical prescription opioid use had higher odds of reporting use of a disposal program. Parents who were aware of disposal programs, compared to those who were not aware, had greater odds of using them, rather than not disposing at all or disposing unused prescription medications at home. Compared to parents who perceived prescription drugs to be hard for adolescents to obtain for nonmedical use, parents who believed that prescription drugs were easily accessible to adolescents for nonmedical use had lower odds of using disposal programs than disposing of medications at home. Collectively, our findings suggest that enhancing awareness of disposal programs, while addressing parents’ perceptions of their children’s peers’ use of nonmedical prescription opioids, should be considered to facilitate the disposal of unused medications and optimize current public health prevention efforts related to adolescent nonmedical use of these drugs.
Management of Severe Acute Pancreatitis

There have been significant advancements in different aspects of management of severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Our review of the most recent literature focuses on severity prediction, fluid resuscitation, analgesic administration, nutrition, and endoscopic intervention for SAP and its extra-pancreatic complications. Recent studies on serum cytokines for the prediction of SAP have shown superior prognostic performance when compared with conventional laboratory tests and clinical scoring systems. In patients with established SAP and vascular leak syndrome, intravenous fluids should be administered with caution to prevent intra-abdominal hypertension and volume overload. Endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography improves outcomes only in AP patients with suspected cholangitis. Early enteral tube-feeding does not appear to be superior to on-demand oral feeding. Abdominal compartment syndrome is a highly lethal complication of SAP that requires percutaneous drainage or decompressive laparotomy. Endoscopic transmural drainage followed by necrosectomy (i.e., “step-up approach”) is the treatment strategy of choice in patients with symptomatic or infected walled-off pancreatic necrosis. SAP is a complex clinical syndrome associated with a high mortality rate. Early prediction of SAP remains challenging due to the limited accuracy of the available prediction tools. Early fluid resuscitation, organ support, enteral nutrition, and prevention of/or prompt recognition of abdominal compartment syndrome remain cornerstones of its management. A step-up, minimally invasive drainage/debridement is the preferred approach for patients with infected pancreatic necrosis.
Metastable piezoelectric group-IV monochalcogenide monolayers with a buckled honeycomb structure

Multiple two-dimensional materials are being na\"{\i}vely termed stable on the grounds of displaying phonon dispersions with no negative frequencies and of not collapsing on molecular dynamics calculations at fixed volume. But, if these phases do not possess the smallest possible structural energy, how does one understand and establish their actual meta stability? To answer this question, twelve two-dimensional group-IV monochalcogenide monolayers (SiS, SiSe, SiTe, GeS, GeSe, GeTe, SnS, SnSe, SnTe, PbS, PbSe, and PbTe) with a buckled honeycomb atomistic structure---belonging to symmetry group $P3m1$---displaying an out-of-plane intrinsic electric polarization are shown to be metastable by three independent methods. First, we uncover a coordination-preserving structural transformation from the low-buckled honeycomb structure onto the lower-energy $Pnm{2}_{1}$ (or $Pmmn$ for PbS, PbSe, and PbTe) phase to estimate energy barriers ${E}_{B}$ that must be overcome during such structural transformation. Using the curvature of the local minima and ${E}_{B}$ as inputs to Kramers escape formula, large escape times are found, implying the structural metastability of the buckled honeycomb phase (with the exception of PbS and PbSe, these phases display escape times ranging from 700 years to multiple times the age of the universe and can be considered ``stable'' for practical purposes in that relative sense). The second demonstration is provided by phonon dispersion relations that include the effect of long-range Coulomb forces and display no negative vibrational modes. The third and final demonstration of structural metastability is furnished by room-temperature ab initio molecular dynamics for selected compounds. The magnitude of the electronic band gap evolves with chemical composition. Different from other binary two-dimensional compounds such as transition metal dichalcogenide monolayers and hexagonal boron nitride monolayers which only develop an in-plane piezoelectric response, the twelve group-IV monochalcogenide monolayers with a buckled honeycomb structure also display out-of-plane piezoelectric properties.
Meta-Cognitive Experiences in Consumer Judgment and Decision Making

Human reasoning is accompanied by meta-cognitive experiences, most notably the ease or difficulty of recall and thought generation and the fluency with which new information can be processed. These experiences are informative in their own right. They can serve as a basis of judgment in addition to, or at the expense of, declarative information and can qualify the conclusions drawn from recalled content. What exactly people conclude from a given meta-cognitive experience depends on the naive theory of mental processes they bring to bear, rendering the outcomes highly variable. The obtained judgments cannot be predicted on the basis of accessible declarative information alone; we cannot understand human judgment without taking the interplay of declarative and experiential information into account.
Sacral Augmentation: Comprehensive Review

Sacral insufficiency fractures (SIF) require prompt intervention, as they are associated with high morbidity and worsened quality of life. Standard of care currently involves a multimodal approach of rehabilitation and pharmacological therapies. However, these measures may not provide significant pain relief and pose additional risks relating to prolonged immobility and analgesic dependence. Sacroplasty is a minimally invasive imaging-guided alternative to conservative management in the treatment of SIF. This procedure involves the injection of polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) cement under guidance of computed tomography and/or fluoroscopy to reinforce the stability and durability of SIF. Sacroplasty is associated with rapid pain relief, improvement of functional status, and decreased analgesic use. Complications, most commonly cement extravasation, are few and generally clinically insignificant.
Response to comments from Dr. Miguel Bruno and Dr. Celia Lessa Kerstenetzky on the paper, "Using G2 to measure income inequality in two Latin American upper middle income countries"

In this paper, I respond to the important and insightful comments made by Dr. Bruno and Dr. Kerstenetzky on the paper, Using G2 to measure income inequality in two Latin American upper middle income countries (hereinafter, the “Using G2 paper.”) Since many comments by these two experts overlap, this paper first responds to these common comments, and then discusses additional comments made by the authors. An attempt was made to obtain comments on the Using G2 paper from experts in Mexico, but as of the writing of this response, these comments have not yet been received.
Genome-Wide Linkage Scan for Essential Tremor: The FASET Study (P4.070)

OBJECTIVE: To perform a genome-wide linkage scan in 52 ET families from the Family Study of Essential Tremor (FASET) to identify susceptibility loci for ET. BACKGROUND: Family and twin studies provide evidence for high heritability and a contribution of genetic factors to ET disease etiology. Previous linkage mapping efforts have identified 3 loci for ET (ETM1, 3q13; ETM2, 2p24.1 and ETM3, 6p23), however causal genes and mutations have not been identified. DESIGN/METHODS: ET cases (probands) and their reportedly affected first-and second-degree relatives were enrolled in FASET, a genetic family study of ET at Columbia University Medical Center. We enrolled 242 individuals (61 probands and 181 relatives). For the current analyses, we excluded enrollees who were diagnosed with PD, dystonia or psychogenic movements. The final sample included 207 individuals (52 probands and 155 relatives), including 160 ET, 28 borderline ET, and 19 normal. We genotyped all available affected individuals within each family. SNP genotyping was conducted using Illumina Omni Express Array. Extensive QC steps of SNP data was performed prior to linkage analysis. We also excluded SNPs to reduce LD (r2>0.20 and r2>0.10) in order to minimize false-positive linkage findings. Multipoint nonparametric linkage analyses were performed using MERLIN version 1.1.2. RESULTS: A total of 52 families and 207 individuals were successfully genotyped, including on average 3 individuals per family (range 2-5, 2 mean affected). An initial genome wide linkage scan identified specific chromosomal regions with HLOD scores 蠅3. CONCLUSIONS: Initial results of this genome-wide linkage scan provide evidence for novel susceptibility loci for ET among the families analyzed. Of note, the regions identified in this study do not overlap with previously reported loci for ET (ETM1, ETM2 and ETM3). Additional analyses are ongoing and the results will be presented. Study Supported by: National Institutes of Health NS073872 and The Parkinson9s Disease Foundation Disclosure: Dr. Clark has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hernandez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ottman has nothing to disclose. Dr. Ionita-Laza has nothing to disclose. Dr. Louis has nothing to disclose.
A Critical Assessment of Seven Reports on Financial Reform: A Minskyan Perspective, Part I

This four-part study is a critical analysis of several reports dealing with the reform of the financial system in the United States. The study uses Minsky’s framework of analysis and focuses on the implications of Ponzi finance for regulatory and supervisory policies. The main conclusion of the study is that, while all reports make some valuable suggestions, they fail to deal with the socioeconomic dynamics that emerge during long periods of economic stability. As a consequence, it is highly doubtful that the principal suggestions contained in the reports will provide any applicable means to limit the worsening of financial fragility over periods of economic stability. The study also concludes that any meaningful systemic and prudential regulatory changes should focus on the analysis of expected and actual cash flows (sources and stability) rather than capital equity, and on preventing the emergence of Ponzi processes. The latter tend to emerge over long periods of economic stability and are not necessarily engineered by crooks. On the contrary, the pursuit of economic growth may involve the extensive use of Ponzi financial processes in legal economic activities. The study argues that some Ponzi processes - more precisely, pyramid Ponzi processes - should not be allowed to proceed, no matter how severe the immediate impact on economic growth, standards of living, or competitiveness. This is so because pyramid Ponzi processes always collapse, regardless how efficient financial markets are, how well informed and well behaved individuals are, or whether there is a 'bubble' or not. The longer the process is allowed to proceed, the more destructive it becomes. Pyramid Ponzi processes cannot be risk-managed or buffered against; if economic growth is to be based on a solid financial foundation, these processes cannot be allowed to continue. Finally, a supervisory and regulatory process focused on detecting Ponzi processes would be much more flexible and adaptive, since it would not be preoccupied with either functional or product limits, or with arbitrary ratios of 'prudence.' Rather, it would oversee all financial institutions and all products, no matter how new or marginal they might be. See also, Working Paper Nos. 574.1, 574.3, and 574.4.
Repeated observation models

Repetition is an important phenomenon in a variety of domains, such as music, computer programs and architectural drawings. A generative model for these domains should account for the possibility of repetition. We present repeated observation models (ROMs), a framework for modeling sequences that explicitly allows for repetition. In a ROM, an element is either generated by copying a previous element, or by using a base model. We show how to build ROMs using n- grams and hidden Markov models as the base model. We also describe an extension of ROMs in which entire subsequences are repeated together. Results from a music modeling domain show that ROMs can lead to dramatic improvement in predictive ability.
A Rogue Doctrine?: The Role of Strategic Culture on US Foreign Policy Behavior

To further explore the impact of strategic culture on foreign policy, this article examines the development of the “Rogue Doctrine” within US strategic culture following the Cold War. Critics allege that this doctrine constrains strategic choice resulting in aggressive policies toward alleged rogue states. To assess the impact of this security narrative, the operational codes of two US presidents, William J. Clinton and George W. Bush, are examined. Analysis reveals distinct differences between their perceived interactions with rogue and nonrogue states. The resulting interactions manifest the unique nature of US-rogue state interactions as these US leaders possess starkly different images of both rogue others as well as self. In the context of dealing with rogue states, these leaders' perceptions of self undergo major transformations indicating tendencies toward more aggressive tactics and the use of force.
Percutaneous Radiofrequency Ablation of Colorectal Cancer Liver Metastases: Factors Affecting Outcomes—A 10-year Experience at a Single Center

Attaining sufficient ablation margins (>5 mm, and, ideally, >10 mm) can result in significant lowering of local tumor progression rates after percutaneous radiofrequency ablation of colorectal cancer liver metastases; in addition, a modified clinical risk score for ablation can be used as a prognostic stratification tool.
Effect of Pressure on F-Center Absorption in Alkali Halides

Measurements are reported for the effect of hydrostatic pressure to 5000 atmospheres on the $F$-center absorption of seven alkali halides. An interpretation is made of the shift of the absorption band maximum with pressure, and of the difference between the shift with pressure and that with temperature. The shift with pressure depends almost entirely on the local interionic distance at the $F$ center. The shift with temperature is largely governed by this same factor, but it must be supplemented by a contribution from the interaction of the $F$-center electron with the optical vibrations of the lattice. Effects of the pressure-induced structure transformation in RbCl are described for both photochemically and additively colored crystals.
The effects of partial bonding in load carrying capacity of single lap joints

Abstract The effects of the presence and size of gaps in the band single lap joint geometry were studied. Two types of adhesives: a deformable, acrylic tape and epoxy putty were used as model adhesives. When using the epoxy putty, the substrate overlap end conditions were also varied by machining 10° end tapers in some joints. For both adhesive types, the introduction of the gap had a moderate negative effect on the load carrying characteristics of the joint, but joints utilizing the epoxy putty maintained joint strength as the gap size was increased to 9.53 mm (38% gap), while the highly deformable acrylic tape case displayed a constant decline and maintaining constant ultimate shear stress values. We suspect that this variation is due to a combination of the different failure modes of each adhesive and their differing moduli, as well as how these relate to the peeling stresses at the ends of the bond length. In the epoxy putty series, the samples with tapered substrates consistently carried higher loads than those with unmodified substrates. This improvement is a manifestation of the ability of the tapered joint geometry to reduce peeling stresses experienced within the adhesive layer.
Activity-dependent plasticity in descending synaptic inputs to respiratory spinal motoneurons.

This review focuses on recent evidence for short- and long-term activity-dependent plasticity in descending synaptic inputs to respiratory spinal motoneurons. In anesthetized rats, application of high frequency (100 Hz) conditioning stimulation to descending inputs to phrenic motoneurons elicits short-term potentiation of spontaneous inspiratory bursts. In turtle brainstem-spinal cords in vitro, 10-100 Hz conditioning stimulation elicits short-term potentiation in descending inputs to inspiratory-related serratus motoneurons; 100 Hz stimulation also elicits long-term potentiation in some preparations. In contrast, 1-10 Hz stimulation of descending synaptic inputs to expiratory-related pectoralis motoneurons elicits depression during conditioning stimulation (temporal depression), and long-term depression following stimulation. We hypothesize that inspiratory descending pathways to spinal motoneurons express short-term potentiation, with little evidence for long-term activity-dependent plasticity; other forms of long-lasting plasticity (e.g. serotonin-dependent long-term facilitation) may predominate in these pathways. In contrast, expiratory descending pathways appear biased towards activity-dependent depression possibly to conserve resources during passive expiration.
Coefficients of reflection of magnesium oxide and magnesium carbonate.

Both magnesium carbonate and magnesium oxide are used in laboratories as reflectors of visible radiation and a knowledge of their spectral characteristics is desirable. The method here used to measure coefficients of reflection depends on the variation of brightness within a spherical integrator when a section of the surface is removed or added. The photometry was done with a Macbeth instrument and interference filters were used to get six zones in the spectrum. The centroids were computed for low levels of luminosity. By taking photometric readings with three part-spheres of different degrees of completeness, the coefficients can be computed for three different combinations, and comparison of results indicates the consistency of results. The average coefficient of magnesium carbonate was found to be about 0.983, while that of the oxide was about 0.991, and both have a slight selectivity in favor of the red end of the spectrum.
PKR mediated regulation of inflammation and IL-10 during viral encephalomyelitis

Double-stranded RNA-dependent protein kinase (PKR) regulates antiviral activity, immune responses, apoptosis and neurotoxicity. Gliatropic coronavirus infection induced PKR activation in infected as well uninfected cells within the central nervous system (CNS). However, PKR deficiency only modestly increased viral replication and did not affect IFN-α/β or IL-1β expression. Despite reduced Il-6, Ccl5, and Cxcl10 mRNA, protein levels remained unaltered. Furthermore, PKR deficiency selectively reduced IL-10 production in CD4, but not CD8 T cells, without affecting CNS pathology. The results demonstrate the ability of PKR to balance neuroinflammation by selectively modulating key cytokines and chemokines in CNS resident and CD4 T cells.
Uptake, elimination, and metabolism of14C-picric acid and14C-picramic acid in the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica)

The uptake, elimination, and metabolism of14C-picric acid (2,4,6-trinitrophenol) and14C-picramic acid (2-amino-4,6-dinitrophenol) were determined for the American oyster (Crassostrea virginica). The oyster accumulated statistically significant amounts of picric and picramic acid above two exposure concentrations in a biphasic uptake pattern. The 42-day14C-accumulation factors (14C-AF) for American oysters continuously exposed to picric acid concentrations of 0.45 mg/L and 0.05 mg/L were 65.5 and 16.5, respectively. Oysters exposed to 0.24 mg/L and 0.02 mg/L picramic acid had 42-day14C-AFs of 49.3 and 86.8, respectively. Steady state bioconcentration factors could not be calculated (hence the use of the term14C-AF), because 1) it is not clear that an equilibrium was reached for either picric or picramic acid uptake during the 42 days of exposure, particularly for the high picric acid and low picramic acid exposure concentrations, and 2) some of the parent compounds were metabolized to other compounds.
α2-Macroglobulin does not function as a C3 homologue in the plasma hemolytic system of the American horseshoe crab, Limulus

Abstract A major problem of comparative immunology is the characterization of the internal defense systems that lyse foreign cells, such as bacteria and other microbial pathogens that have gained entry into the body. The plasma cytolytic system of the American horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus, is sensitive to treatment with methylamine, which inactivates the abundant plasma defense protein α2-macroglobulin. This has been interpreted to mean that α2-macroglobulin plays an important role in hemolysis, analogous to the role of complement component C3 of the mammalian complement system (Enghild et al., 1990). Sensitivity to methylamine has been suggested to reflect an evolutionary homology with the plasma cytolytic system of mammals, in which the complement system is inactivated by the reaction of methylamine with complement components C3 and C4, C3, C4 and α2-macroglobulin contain an internal thiol ester bond linking cysteinyl and glutamic acid residues and methylamine inactivates all three proteins by reaction with the thiol-esterified glutamic acid. However, we have recently shown that the principal effector of hemolysis in Limulus is the plasma lectin, limulin (Armstrong et al., 1996). In this article we show that native, unreacted α2-macroglobulin is not involved directly in hemolysis but instead that methylamine-reacted α2-macroglobulin inhibits the hemolytic activity of limulin. Thus the thiol ester proteins α2-macroglobulin and C3 operate very differently in the hemolytic systems of Limulus and mammals and are not functionally homologous. Limulus α2-macroglobulin functions indirectly in hemolysis: its inactivation yields an inhibitory molecule for limulin-mediated hemolysis.
Vertical Velocity Characteristics of Oceanic Convection

Abstract Oceanic cumulonimbus updraft and downdraft events observed in the Western Pacific during the TAMEX program by NOAA P-3 research aircraft are analyzed and discussed. The basic dataset consists of flight-level data from 10 missions in the Taiwan region during May and June 1987. The 1 Hz time series of vertical velocity is used to define convective updrafts using the criteria that the velocity must be continuously positive for at least 0.5 km and exceed 0.5 m s−1 for 1 s. A subset of the strongest drafts, termed cores, are defined as events that exceed 1 m s−1 for 0.5 km. Downdrafts and downdraft cores are defined analogously. The statistics are from a total of 12 841 km of flight legs and consist of 359 updrafts and 466 downdrafts at altitudes from 150 m to 6.8 km MSL. The populations of average vertical velocity, maximum vertical velocity, diameter, and mass transport for both drafts and cores are approximately log-normally distributed, consistent with the results of previous studies of convective...
Low flow data logger in membrane distillation: An interdisciplinary laboratory in process control

Providing students opportunities to appreciate interdisciplinary systems remains a challenge for educators at all levels. Sensing and data-logging in the environment and in engineered systems offer a unique opportunity for students to explore the connections between engineering processes, analog signals, and digital outputs. Here, we present the design of a device that uses an infrared sensor and microcontroller to measure and record low liquid flow rates. We designed this device using the open-source Arduino™ microcontroller platform, which can stand alone or interface with a PC to display data in real time. In order to demonstrate the usefulness of this device in the undergraduate learning laboratory, we have incorporated it into a membrane distillation system. Building and experimenting with such devices helps students practice and learn creativity, troubleshooting, and programming fundamentals, allowing them to understand the importance of electrical engineering and computer programming in the context of chemical and environmental engineering.
Agronomic and Quality Characteristics of 1AS.1AL-1DL Translocation Lines of Durum Wheat Carrying Glutenin Allele Glu-D1d

Markets for durum wheat (Triticum turgidum L. var. durum) could be expanded if cultivars with dual-purpose end-use could be developed. The Glu-Dld allele, located on chromosome 1D of bread wheat (T. aestivum L.), encodes for high-molecular-weight glutenin subunits 1Dx5 and 1Dy10, and this allele is highly desirable for good baking quality. Lines of durum carrying Glu-D1d on a 1AS.1AL-1DL translocation chromosome and also segregating for the low-molecular-weight I (LMWI; weak gluten) or low-molecular-weight II (LMWII; strong gluten) allele of Glu-B3 were available for this study. Our objective was to test the agronomic and baking quality of the 1AS.1AL-1DL trans location lines. The translocation lines in a 'Renville' background, and carrying either the LMWI or LMWII banding patterns, were grown in yield trials conducted at two North Dakota environments from 1998 through 2002. Grains from translocation lines were milled and mixing and baking characteristics were determined. Grain yield of translocation lines were lower than that of Renville, but the two highest yielding translocation lines were similar to Renville for lodging score, heading date, and plant height. The translocation lines had reduced 1000-kernel weight and a significant genotype × environment interaction for farinogram characteristics. Compared with Renville, mean loaf volumes were not improved. Translocation lines having LMWI had better mixing stability and loaf volume than lines having LMWII. While the results suggest agronomic traits can be sufficiently improved, commercial production of the translocation lines may not be feasible without more consistent mixing traits and improved baking characteristics.
Effect of nitrogen compounds on deactivation of hydrotreating catalysts by coke

Abstract A series of coked catalysts containing different levels of coke were prepared in a batch Autoclave by treatment of a sulfided CoMo catalyst with mixtures of vacuum gas oil (VGO) in mineral oil at 35 atm hydrogen and temperatures between 280°C and 370°C. A similar series of coked catalysts were prepared with acridine or carbazole added to the VGO mixture. After extraction with xylene and resulfiding, the coked catalysts were analyzed for C, N, pore volume and surface area, and tested for hydrogenation of naphthalene and carbon -nitrogen hydrogenolysis of indole. The presence of the nitrogen compound in the VGO mixture resulted in higher coke levels on the catalyst. All conversions decreased with coke content. However, for the same level of coke, the nitrogen-coked catalysts showed less deactivation as compared to the normal coked catalysts. This was attributed to strong adsorption of the nitrogen compounds on nonactive sites of the catalyst.
Constriction of Human Umbillcal Arteries Interaction between Oxygen and Bradykinin

Experiments on perfused segments or isolated rings of human umbilical artery showed that the magnitude of their contraction in response to bradykinin, epinephrine, or serotonin depended on the Po2 of the perfusing or bathing solution. Constriction to bradykinin varied directly with the O2 tension and was greatest when the Po2 was approximately that of umbilical arterial blood during the transition from the fetal to the neonatal period. Catecholamine beta-receptors were not demonstrated (not present or not functional) in the umbilical artery, since there was no vascular response to either isoproterenol or to propranolol. Alpha-receptors were not required for O2 or bradykinin constriction since these agents constricted the umbilical artery after enough phentolamine had been given to block constriction by norepinephrine. Because of the interaction between O2 and vasoconstrictor agents the O2 environment of umbilical vessels must be rigidly controlled in experiments measuring vascular reactivity. Sensitizatio...
A general approach to one-step iterative methods with application to eigenvalue problems

This paper considers the problem of finding the zeros of an operator G on a Hilbert space subject to a constraint of the general form P(x)=x. Convergence theorems are given for a class of iterative methods and, using these results, we derive several techniques for solving eigenvalue problems, one of which exhibits ''cubic'' convergence.
An Analysis of Sodium, Total Fat and Saturated Fat Contents of Packaged Food Products Advertised in Bronx-Based Supermarket Circulars

Americans' consumption of sodium, fat, and saturated fat exceed federally recommended limits for these nutrients and has been identified as a preventable leading cause of hypertension and cardiovascular disease. More than 40% of the Bronx population comprises African-Americans, who have increased risk and earlier onset of hypertension and are also genetically predisposed to salt-sensitive hypertension. This study analyzed nutrition information for packaged foods advertised in Bronx-based supermarket circulars. Federally recommended limits for sodium, saturated fat and total fat contents were used to identify foods that were high in these nutrients. The proportion of these products with respect to the total number of packaged foods was calculated. More than a third (35%) and almost a quarter (24%) of the 898 advertised packaged foods were high in saturated fat and sodium respectively. Such foods predominantly included processed meat and fish products, fast foods, meals, entrees and side dishes. Dairy and egg products were the greatest contributors of high saturated fat. Pork and beef products, fast foods, meals, entrees and side dishes had the highest median values for sodium, total fat and saturated fat content. The high proportion of packaged foods that are high in sodium and/or saturated fat promoted through supermarket circulars highlights the need for nutrition education among consumers as well as collaborative public health measures by the food industry, community and government agencies to reduce the amounts of sodium and saturated fat in these products and limit the promotion of foods that are high in these nutrients.
Decreased CD3‐mediated interferon‐γ production in relapsing‐remitting multiple sclerosis

Multiple sclerosis (MS) is a chronic inflammatory disease of the central nervous system that has been postulated to be T-cell mediated. We examined the proliferation and cytokine secretion of mononuclear cells after stimulation with OKT3 (anti-CD3) monoclonal antibody concanavalin A, or ionomycin plus myristic acid palmityl ester in subjects with stable relapsing-remitting MS. Control subjects demonstrated good proliferation to anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody whereas subjects with relapsing-remitting MS showed a significantly decreased anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody-mediated response. There was no difference in concanavalin or ionomycin plus myristic acid palmityl ester stimulation between control subjects and MS subjects. Secretion of interferon-gamma was significantly decreased and transforming growth factor-beta was significantly increased from cultures stimulated with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, but not ionomycin plus myristic acid palmityl ester or concanavalin A, in MS patients compared to control subjects. Secretion of interleukin-10 and tumor necrosis factor-alpha was not different between control subjects and MS patients following stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody, concanavalin A, or ionomycin plus myristic acid palmityl ester, or of interleukin-2 and interleukin-4 following stimulation with anti-CD3 monoclonal antibody or concanavalin A. An abnormality of signal transduction and secretion of the immunomodulatory molecule interferon-gamma may exist in MS via the CD3 T-cell receptor complex.
Contacts in Context: Promoter Specificity and Macromolecular Interactions in Transcription

Here we have provided a brief account of some recent advances in the study of eukaryotic transcriptional regulation. It now appears that at least a portion of the eukaryotic RNA polymerase II resides in preassembled complexes containing various GTFs and multiple other protein subunits. One of the GTFs, TFIID, is a multifunctional complex that participates in core promoter DNA recognition of both TATA boxes and initiator elements, while also acting as a mediator of transcriptional activation by contacting activation domains. The importance of protein–protein contacts in transcriptional activation is now well documented, but how these interactions ultimately result in enhanced levels of transcription will need further study. Finally, we must remember that most natural promoters contain complex regulatory regions with unique core promoter sequences and binding sites for multiple distinct activators and repressors. It is therefore increasingly evident that future studies of the intricacies of transcriptional regulation should include more detailed examinations of the role of gene-specific promoter elements and macromolecular contacts in directing transcription from native RNA polymerase II promoters.
Particle-associated misorientation distribution in a nickel-base superalloy

An approach was developed to quantify the relationship between the location of carbide particles and grain boundaries during the annealing of a typical nickel-base superalloy, Waspaloy. The average grain size increased during supersolvus heat treatment at 1100 °C for 1 h despite an absence of carbide coarsening and changes in the global texture. It was determined that the spatial distribution of carbides which developed during annealing was correlated to the grain-boundary misorientation distribution.
Antimicrobial peptides in mammalian and insect host defence

During the past year, additional insights into systems that regulate antimicrobial peptide production in Drosophila were reported. Granulysin, a peptide stored in the cytoplasmic granules of human natural killer cells and cytolytic T cells, was shown to kill Mycobacterium tuberculosis. More data implicating antimicrobial peptides in the pathogenesis of bronchopulmonary infections in cystic fibrosis appeared. Studies that examined the potential contributions of antimicrobial peptides to regional innate immunity gained in prominence. Efforts to design peptide analogues to prevent or treat infections continued.