cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Atlantic Hurricane Season of 1978

Abstract A summary of the 1978 Atlantic hurricane season is presented including detailed accounts of individual storms. There were 11 named storms this year of which five reached hurricane force. Three storms made landfall along the Gulf of Mexico coastline, two in the United States and the other in Mexico. Hurricane Greta affected portions of Central America.
Adjoint-based sensitivity analysis of flames

Simulation of chemically reacting flows using detailed chemistry introduces a large number of chemistry model parameters. While not all significantly affect the target outcomes of a simulation, the parameters that do are not always known a priori. In order to improve simulations for specified target outcomes, termed quantities of interest (QoIs), the sensitivity of these QoIs to the model parameters are needed. However, evaluating the sensitivities is computationally expensive, especially for complex fuels that may involve many parameters. For these simulations, the forward sensitivity method requires the solution of an additional number of governing equations proportional to the number of parameters. Here, an adjoint sensitivity approach is formulated where the computational cost scales as the number of QoIs and not the number of parameters. Specifically, adjoint equations are derived for laminar, incompressible, variable density reacting flow and applied to hydrogen flame simulations. From the solution ...
Partitions and indefinite quadratic forms.

Demonstration d'une identite combinatoire relative aux partitions et aux formes quadratiques indefinies
Endothelial Cells Support Persistent Gammaherpesvirus 68 Infection

A variety of human diseases are associated with gammaherpesviruses, including neoplasms of lymphocytes (e.g. Burkitt's lymphoma) and endothelial cells (e.g. Kaposi's sarcoma). Gammaherpesvirus infections usually result in either a productive lytic infection, characterized by expression of all viral genes and rapid cell lysis, or latent infection, characterized by limited viral gene expression and no cell lysis. Here, we report characterization of endothelial cell infection with murine gammaherpesvirus 68 (γHV68), a virus phylogenetically related and biologically similar to the human gammaherpesviruses. Endothelial cells supported γHV68 replication in vitro, but were unique in that a significant proportion of the cells escaped lysis, proliferated, and remained viable in culture for an extended time. Upon infection, endothelial cells became non-adherent and altered in size, complexity, and cell-surface protein expression. These cells were uniformly infected and expressed the lytic transcription program based on detection of abundant viral gene transcripts, GFP fluorescence from the viral genome, and viral surface protein expression. Additionally, endothelial cells continued to produce new infectious virions as late as 30 days post-infection. The outcome of this long-term infection was promoted by the γHV68 v-cyclin, because in the absence of the v-cyclin, viability was significantly reduced following infection. Importantly, infected primary endothelial cells also demonstrated increased viability relative to infected primary fibroblasts, and this increased viability was dependent on the v-cyclin. Finally, we provide evidence for infection of endothelial cells in vivo in immune-deficient mice. The extended viability and virus production of infected endothelial cells indicated that endothelial cells provided a source of prolonged virus production and identify a cell-type specific adaptation of gammaherpesvirus replication. While infected endothelial cells would likely be cleared in a healthy individual, persistently infected endothelial cells could provide a source of continued virus replication in immune-compromised individuals, a context in which gammaherpesvirus-associated pathology frequently occurs.
Self-control training in the classroom: a review and critique.

Self-control training in classroom settings is becoming widespread. Establishing effective self- rather than externally controlled behavior modification programs in schools would enable children to control their own academic and social behavior, while enabling teachers to devote more time to teaching. The following components of self-control are reviewed in the present article: self-recording, self-evaluation, self-determination of contingencies, and self-instruction. Self-control strategies designed for the maintenance of appropriate classroom behavior, and issues associated with self-control training, such as the reliability of self-observation, response maintenance, generalization, and the role of external control, are examined. Finally, suggestions for maximizing the potential effectiveness of self-control training in the classroom (e.g., teaching self-observational procedures, teaching students to provide themselves with instructions and praise), as well as future areas for experimental investigation (e.g., social changes that may be associated with self-control procedures), are presented.
Catalytic and inhibitory properties of a major molecular form of acetylcholinesterase isolated from Lygus hesperus knight (Hemiptera : Miridae)

Abstract 1. 1. The major form of acetylcholinesterase (AChE) from Lygus hesperus demonstrated a greater affinity to selected substrates than unresolved AChE. 2. 2. The turnover numbers of the native AChE were 7000 min−1 for acetylthiocoline, 4800 for acetyl-(β-methyl) thiocholine, 3000 for propionylthiocholine, and 390 for S-butyrylthiocholine. 3. 3. Each molecule of the major form had two active sites and each subunit had one active site. 4. 4. Paraoxon or dichlorvos had a higher affinity to the major AChE form than to the unresolved AChE, resulting in a higher potency for the inhibition. 5. 5. Some references of comparison are also made with AChE from other animal species.
Strategies to Combat Coccidioidomycosis: Are We Making Any Progress?

Coccidioidomycosis is caused by the dimorphic fungi Coccidioides immitis and Coccidioides posadasii. One of the endemic mycoses, this organism has been found solely in the semiarid to arid life zones of the southwestern United States, Mexico, and parts of Central America and South America. Clinical manifestations of disease vary greatly between patients and are largely dependent upon both the extent of exposure and the immune status of the host. The incidence of coccidioidomycosis continues to rise within the United States. Primary coccidioidal pneumonia accounts for close to 25% of all community-acquired pneumonia within endemic regions, reflecting the substantial burden of disease and health care costs associated with this infection. Although most patients with coccidioidomycosis resolve their initial infection without long-term complications, a minority of patients develop complications of disease ranging from asymptomatic pulmonary nodules to life-threatening disease such as meningitis. This review focuses on the epidemiology, clinical manifestations, spectrum of disease, and treatment options currently available for coccidioidomycosis.
Medial axis generation in a model of perceptual organization

Axial skeletons are promising intermediate representations of shape which are used in machine vision and higher level theories of vision to provide a concise and intuitive description of the shape. More recently, physiological correlates of axial skeletons have been reported. We show that a stable approximation of the medial axis can be generated based on an existing neurally plausible model of perceptual organization.
S4 mutations alter the single-channel gating kinetics of Shaker K+ channels

The S4 sequence comprises at least part of the voltage sensor in Shaker K+ channels. Two site-directed mutations in the Shaker S4 sequence, R368Q and R377K, which decrease the voltage dependence of the whole-cell current, alter voltage-dependent gating at the single-channel level. Compared with the wild-type channel, they increase the latency to first opening, destabilize the open state, and alter the equilibria of voltage-dependent transitions, so that some of the charge movement occurs after the first opening. Whether these changes reflect a new mechanism of activation is a key question. Although the mutations alter the kinetics of many steps in the gating process, we conclude that the mutant channels are likely to activate using the same fundamental mechanism as wild-type channels.
Global seismographic network records the Great Sumatra‐Andaman earthquake

On 26 December 2004 the Indonesian sub-duction zone near the northern end of Sumatrabegan to rupture at 58 minutes,47 secondspast midnight Greenwich Mean Time.The rup-ture continued for approximately seven min-utes,extending northwestward along the SundaTrench for roughly 1200 km to the AndamanIslands.The seafloor displacement generateda massive tsunami that swept ashore with 10-mamplitude in northern Sumatra and expandedacross the Indian Ocean and Andaman Sea,striking Sri Lanka and Thailand within twohours of the rupture.Confirmed deaths alongthe coastlines of 11 Indian Ocean nationsexceed 220,000,marking this as one of themost lethal natural disasters in human history.The 2004 Sumatra-Andaman earthquake isthe largest event since the 1964 Good FridayAlaskan earthquake (
Consonant Lingual-Palatal Contacts Produced by Normal-Hearing and Hearing-Impaired Children

Ten normal hearing (NH) and 18 profoundly hearing-impaired (HI) children were recorded using palatometry and audiotape while producing the consonants /t,d,k,g,s,z,∫/ in CV syllables (V=/i, α/). The...
The early diagnosis of ischemic necrosis of bone

One hundred sixty-nine patients with radiographic or histologic evidence of ischemic necrosis of bone (INB) were evaluated. Ninety-nine (59%) of the 169 patients had multiple sites of INB, with 310 bones affected. Two hundred sixty-three (85%) of the 310 ischemic bones were symptomatic. Routine radiography produced negative findings in 58 (20%) of the bones with histologically confirmed INB. Results of hemodynamic studies, including baseline bone marrow pressure, saline stress test, and/or intraosseous venography, were abnormal in 243 (94%) of 259 ischemic bones so evaluated. Most importantly, hemodynamic studies detected 51 (93%) of the 55 bones that were radiographically normal but had histologically confirmed INB.
Concurrent Spatial Mapping of the Elasticity of Heterogeneous Soft Materials via a Polymer-Based Microfluidic Device: A Preliminary Study

This paper presents a preliminary study on achieving concurrent spatial mapping of the spatially-varying elasticity of heterogeneous soft materials via a polymer-based microfluidic device. Comprised of a single compliant polymer rectangular microstructure and a set of electrolyte-enabled distributed resistive transducers, this device is capable of detecting continuous distributed loads. Through pressing a specimen against the device by a rigid probe with precisely-controlled displacements, the spatially-varying elasticity of a specimen is captured by continuous distributed loads acting on the device and is further registered as discrete resistance changes at the locations of the transducers in the device. Concurrent spatial mapping is conducted on homogeneous and heterogeneous specimens, and the related data analysis is performed on the measured results to extract their elasticity. The obtained results demonstrate the feasibility of concurrent spatial mapping of the spatially-varying elasticity of heterogeneous soft materials via this polymer-based microfluidic device.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Effects of water sorption at different temperatures on permanent changes in an epoxy

Crosslinked epoxy resins, tetraglycidyl 4,4′-diamino diphenyl methane cured with 4,4′-diamino diphenyl sulfone, were soaked in water at either 25°C or 70°C for varying lengths of time. The infrared spectra and DSC thermograms were obtained for samples that were soaked, or soaked and dried. There was a monotonic decrease in exothermic reaction energy with water content. The glass transition was also lowered, although samples soaked at 70°C showed a leveling in the Tg around 115°C. When the soaked samples were dried, the exothermic reaction energy showed near reversibility for samples soaked at 25°C while the 70°C samples were highly irreversible. IR of the latter samples showed that the 70°C water soaking resulted in reaction of some of the unreacted epoxide groups that remained after the initial cure.
Endotoxin and adjunctive therapies in gram-negative sepsis

Abstract Gram-negative infections remain a major cause of morbidity and mortality. The death rate from septicemia is increasing and now surpasses acquired immunodeficiency syndrome as a cause of death. Initial attempts at adjunctive therapy using monoclonal antibodies directed against the lipid A core of endotoxin (HA-1A, E5) have not provided consistent benefit in large-scale trials. The only other agent targeting endotoxin is bactericidal permeability increasing protein, for which a phase III trial in children with meningococcemia has been completed. Other strategies being developed include modifying the effect of mediators of endotoxin toxicity, including CD14, soluble CD14, and lipopolysaccharide binding protein; detoxifying endotoxin by binding with polymyxin B; and implementing antagonists of endotoxin or compounds that inhibit the biosynthesis of endotoxin. Copyright © 2001 by W.B. Saunders Company
Increased oxidation of ethylene glycol to formaldehyde by microsomes after ethanol treatment: role of oxygen radicals and cytochrome P450.

Abstract The production of ferryl-type oxidants by microsomes from ethanol-fed rats and pair-fed controls was determined by assaying for the production of formaldehyde from ethylene glycol. Microsomes from the ethanol-fed rats were more reactive than controls in oxidizing ethylene glycol. Catalase was a powerful inhibitor for this reaction, Superoxide dismutase was slightly inhibitory and hydroxyl radical scavengers had no effect. These results suggest an important role for H 2 O 2 , but not O 2 or OH in the overall pathway for oxidizing ethylene glycol to formaldehyde. The production of H 2 O 2 ; by microsomes was increased after ethanol treatment, the extent of increase corresponding to the increase in oxidation of ethylene glycol. A variety of inhibitors and ligands of cytochrome P450, including miconazole, diethyldithiocarbamate, tryptamine, and 4-methylpyrazole, inhibited formaldehyde production by both microsomal preparations. Anti-cytochrome P4502E1 IgG also inhibited the reaction with both microsomal preparations and prevented the increase caused by ethanol treatment. These results indicate that microsomes from ethanol-treated rats are more reactive than pair-fed controls in generating ferryl-type oxidants and that increased production of H 2 O 2 ; by cytochrome P4502E1 plays a role in the elevated oxidation of ethylene glycol to formaldehyde.
Damage and failure in low energy impact of fiber-reinforced polymeric composite laminates

We analyze the damage initiation, damage progression, and failure during 3-dimensional (3-D) elastoplastic deformations of a fiber reinforced polymeric laminated composite impacted by a low speed rigid sphere, and compare computed results with experimental findings available in the literature. Damage is assumed to initiate when one of Hashin’s failure criteria is satisfied, and its evolution is modeled by an empirical relation proposed by Matzenmiller, Lubliner and Taylor. The transient nonlinear problem is solved by the finite element method (FEM). Contributions of the work include considering damage in 3-D rather than plane stress deformations of a laminated structure and elasto-plastic deformations of the composite. This has been accomplished by developing a user defined subroutine and implementing it in the FE software ABAQUS. From strains supplied by ABAQUS the material subroutine uses a micromechanics approach based on the method of cells and values of material parameters of constituents to calculate average stresses in an FE, and checks for Hashin’s failure criteria. If damage has initiated in the material, the subroutine evaluates the damage developed, computes resulting stresses, and provides them to ABAQUS. The damage evolved at a material point is not allowed to decrease during unloading. The delamination failure mode is simulated by using the cohesive zone model available in ABAQUS. The computed time histories of the axial load acting on the impactor are found to agree well with the experimental ones available in the literature, and various damage and failure modes agree qualitatively with those observed in tests.
Targeted Deletion of ER Chaperone GRP94 in the Liver Results in Injury, Repopulation of GRP94-Positive Hepatocytes, and Spontaneous Hepatocellular Carcinoma Development in Aged Mice

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) often results from chronic liver injury and severe fibrosis or cirrhosis, but the underlying molecular pathogenesis is unclear. We previously reported that deletion of glucose regulated protein 94 (GRP94), a major endoplasmic reticulum chaperone, in the bone marrow and liver leads to progenitor/stem cell expansion. Since liver progenitor cell (LPC) proliferation can contribute to liver tumor formation, here we examined the effect of GRP94 deficiency on spontaneous liver tumorigenesis. Utilizing liver-specific Grp94 knockout mice driven by Albumin-Cre (cGrp94(f/f)), we discovered that while wild-type livers are tumor free up to 24 months, cGrp94(f/f) livers showed abnormal small nodules at 15 months and developed HCC and ductular reactions (DRs) by 21 months of age, associating with increased liver injury, apoptosis and fibrosis. cGrp94(f/f) livers were progressively repopulated by GRP94-positive hepatocytes. At 15 months, we observed expansion of LPCs and mild DRs, as well as increase in cell proliferation. In examining the underlying mechanisms for HCC development in cGrp94(f/f) livers, we detected increase in TGF-β1, activation of SMAD2/3, ERK, and JNK, and cyclin D1 upregulation at the premalignant stage. While epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) was not evident, E-cadherin expression was elevated. Correlating with the recurrence of GRP94 positive-hepatocytes, the HCC was found to be GRP94-positive, whereas the expanded LPCs and DRs remained GRP94-negative. Collectively, this study uncovers that GRP94 deficiency in the liver led to injury, LPC expansion, increased proliferation, activation of oncogenic signaling, progressive repopulation of GRP94-positive hepatocytes and HCC development in aged mice.
Electronic structure and transport measurements of amorphous transition-metal oxides: observation of Fermi glass behavior

We characterized the conduction mechanisms in thin sputtered films of three representative binary Me–O (Me=Ta, W, and Nb) systems as a function of oxygen content, by combining in situ chemical state and electronic band structure studies from X-ray photoemission with temperature-dependent transport measurements. Despite certain differences, these amorphous films all displayed Fermi glass behavior following an oxidation-induced transition from metallic to hopping conduction, down to a sub-percolation threshold. The electron localization estimated from the band structure was in good agreement with that from the transport measurements, and the two were used to construct phase diagrams of conduction in the degree of oxidation-conductivity coordinates, which should prove important in the design of resistive switching and other electronic devices.
Weapons of Mass Destruction

While our national leaders agonize about the threats in the Middle East from missiles, bombs, and automatic weapons that might fall into terrorist hands, they have remained eerily silent about the unlimited access to weapons of mass destruction in our own backyard. In a sickening recapitulation of terror wrought in schools, movie theaters, and malls, our nation grieves for the large number of innocents murdered in a few minutes by a single American gunman. Yet the gun lobby has successfully muzzled political debate about guns, shut down federal research on gun-related injuries, and promoted legislation that prevents physicians from asking patients about gun-related risks. In the last few years, Supreme Court cases resulted in judgments that affirmed the right to keep guns in the home for protection. Recently, a federal appeals court ruled that our citizens even have a constitutional right to carry loaded guns outside their homes.1 Although legal scholars have questioned the current relevance of the Second Amendment, now that men no longer have to bring their private weapons to join the local militia,2 the Supreme Court has spoken, and for now we must live with its interpretation. Our sense of security, already seriously shaken by the launching of long-range missiles by rogue countries, by attacks on our citizens abroad, and by brazen terrorist assaults at home, now has us looking over our shoulders when we send our children to school or go to Macy's to buy a shirt. This state of chronic anxiety over safety is new; it is damaging individually and to our national psyche, and we must ameliorate the threats. We must not tolerate a situation in which some irrational, seriously disturbed person with a grudge can quickly blow us to bits along with dozens of others. Many approaches to prevent this kind of mayhem have been proposed. Some have suggested arming the public: the more guns, they argue, the greater the likelihood that someone will be able to “take down” a shooter. But imagine asking school nurses, librarians, sales clerks, and movie ushers to “pack heat.” Would they kill the shooter or, accidentally, each other? If we judge by recent experiences, this strategy is wanting. In Florida, a “neighborhood watch coordinator” killed an unarmed boy who was acting suspiciously; and near the Empire State Building, police fire injured 9 pedestrians while they were subduing 1 shooter. Would “more guns” lead to fewer gun deaths? Unlikely....[excerpt] Language: en
Bilirubin: An Endogenous Molecule with Antiviral Activity in vitro

Bilirubin-IX-alpha (BR) is the final product of heme metabolism through the heme oxygenase/biliverdin reductase (HO/BVR) system. Previous papers reported on the microbicidal effects of the HO by-products biliverdin-IX-alpha, carbon monoxide and iron, through either direct or indirect mechanisms. In this paper the evidence of a virucidal effect of BR against human herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1) and the enterovirus EV71 was provided. Bilirubin-IX-alpha, at concentrations 1-10 µM, close to those found in blood and tissues, significantly reduced HSV-1 and EV71 replication in Hep-2 and Vero cell lines, respectively. Bilirubin-IX-alpha inhibited viral infection of Hep-2 and Vero cells when given 2 hours before, concomitantly and 2 hours after viral infection. Furthermore, BR retained its antiviral activity even complexed with a saturating concentration of human serum-albumin. Moreover, 10 µM BR increased the formation of nitric oxide and the phosphorylation of JNK in Vero and Hep-2 cell lines, respectively, thus implying a role of these two pathways in the mechanism of antiviral activity of the bile pigment. In conclusion, these results support the antiviral effect of BR against HSV-1 and enterovirus in vitro, and put the basis for further basic and clinical studies to understand the real role of BR as an endogenous antiviral molecule.
Chromosome segmental dosage analysis of maize morphogenesis using B-A-A translocations.

The B–A–A translocations have enabled us to simultaneously assess the possible dosage-sensitive interactions of two nonhomologous chromosome segments in affecting maize plant development. Maize B–A–A translocations contain segments of two nonhomologous essential A chromosomes in tandem arrangement attached to a segment of the long arm of a supernumerary B chromosome. By utilizing the frequent nondisjunction of the B centromere at the second pollen mitosis we produced plants containing an extra copy of the two A chromosome segments. We compared these hyperploid plants with nonhyperploid plants by measuring leaf width, plant height, ear height, internode length, stalk circumference, leaf length, and tassel-branch number in 20 paired families that involved one of the chromosome arms 1S, 1L, 4L, 5S, and 10L. One or more of the seven measured traits displayed dosage sensitivity among 17 of the 20 B–A–A translocations, which included the involvement of chromosome arms 2L, 3L, 5L, 6L, and 7L. The most obvious effect of an increased dosage of the B–A–A translocation was a significant decrease in the traits in the hyperploid plants. These effects may be either the additive effects of hyperploidy for the two chromosome segments or a result of gene interaction between them.
The changing field of ICTD: content analysis of research published in selected journals and conferences, 2000--2010

In this study, we report the results of a content analysis of 948 papers from selected peer reviewed journals and conferences published between 2000 and 2010 in the academic literature on the interdisciplinary field of Information and Communication Technologies for Development (ICTD or ICT4D). Results indicate that the majority of the literature focuses on business and empowerment as the primary domains of ICTD work, and on ICT in general and on information systems as the most common technology objects of analysis, with a growing trend toward mobile phones. Furthermore, most of the literature consists of studies of individual countries or of organizations, and the most frequent contributions are field studies and best practices, with a growing trend towards contributing theory and policy recommendations. This is the first-ever comprehensive analysis of the ICTD literature across multiple sources over ten years; it offers important insights about the trends and directions of research in the ICTD field. Further analysis will explore additional dimensions, such as the goals of development, the relationship between ICT and society, and the epistemological stances in the research, in order to offer a better understanding of the changes over time and the differences across the different journals and conferences studied.
Prospective, Observational Validation of a Multivariate Small-Bowel Obstruction Model to Predict the Need for Operative Intervention

improved. STUDY DESIGN: Data from 100 consecutive patients with small-bowel obstruction and concurrent CT were collected prospectively. New features evaluated included obstipation and the absence of colonic gas on CT. RESULTS: Overallmortalitywas8%.Twenty-ninepatientshadall4clinicalfeatures,22ofwhomrequired operative exploration (concordance index 0.75), confirming the validity of the old model. Intraperitoneal free fluid (odds ratio [OR]: 2.6, 95% CI: 1.0 to 6.9) and vomiting (OR: 1.5, 95% CI: 0.5 to 4.5) were not predictive of operative exploration; however, mesenteric edema (OR: 4.2, 95% CI: 1.1 to 15.8) and lack of the small-bowel feces sign were (OR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.4 to 8.8). Obstipation was associated with the need for exploration (OR: 2.8, 95% CI: 1.2 to 6.6), but absence of colonic gas was not. A new model was equally predictive of the need for exploration: mesenteric edema (OR: 5.6, 95% CI: 1.5 to 20.7), lack of the small-bowel feces sign (OR: 5.1, 95% CI: 1.9 to 13.6), and obstipation (OR: 3.2, 95% CI: 1.2 to 8.3). The concordance index for this new model was 0.77. CONCLUSIONS: Ourcurrentprospectivestudyvalidatedouroriginalmodelandwassuccessfullyimproved.Our new model demonstrated equivalent predictive ability and was simpler to use. When all 3 features of the new model are present, strong consideration for early operative exploration should be entertained and may decrease the rate of missed strangulation obstructions. (J Am Coll Surg 2011;212:1068–1076. © 2011 by the American College of Surgeons)
IFN-γ Suppresses STAT6 Phosphorylation by Inhibiting Its Recruitment to the IL-4 Receptor

Polarized Th1 cells show a stable phenotype: they become insensitive to IL-4 stimulation and lose the potential to produce IL-4. Previously, we reported that IFN-gamma played a critical role in stabilizing Th1 phenotype. However, the mechanism by which IFN-gamma stabilizes Th1 phenotype is not clear. In this study, we compared STAT6 phosphorylation in wild-type (WT) and IFN-gamma receptor knockout (IFNGR(-/-)) Th1 cells. We found a striking diminution of STAT6 phosphorylation in differentiated WT Th1 cells, but not in differentiated IFNGR(-/-) Th1 cells. The impairment of STAT6 phosphorylation in differentiated WT Th1 cells was not due to a lack of IL-4R expression or phosphorylation. Jak1 and Jak3 expression and phosphorylation were comparable in both cell types. No differential expression of suppressor of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1), SOCS3, or SOCS5 was observed in the two cell types. In addition, Src homology 2-containing phosphatase mutation did not affect IL-4-induced STAT6 phosphorylation in differentiated Th1 cells derived from viable motheaten (me(v)/me(v)) mice. These results led us to focus on a novel mechanism. By using a pulldown assay, we observed that STAT6 in WT Th1 cells bound less effectively to the phosphorylated IL-4R/GST fusion protein than that in IFNGR(-/-) Th1 cells. Our results suggest that IFN-gamma may suppress phosphorylation of STAT6 by inhibiting its recruitment to the IL-4R.
Surface segmentation from stereo

An algorithm for extracting and segmenting surface descriptions from stereo images is presented. Compared with the advance of range image segmentation, the progress of surface segmentation from stereo images is slow. The algorithm integrates the boundary-based and region-based approaches to achieve more satisfactory segmentation results. The algorithm yields such a rich description of a scene in terms of global surface patches and closed surface boundaries. These shape primitives are useful for subsequent high-level processing. >
Spectrophotometric determination of gallium with 1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenylazo)-2-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid

Abstract A new spectrophotometric method for the determination of gallium is described using 1-(2,4-dihydroxyphenylazo) -2-naphthol-4-sulfonic acid (DHPAN) as a reagent. The color reaction has a sensitivity of 0.013 μg Ga per cm2 for log 10/1=0.005 at 500 mμ and obeys Beer's law up to 2.8 p.p.m. The effects of pH, time, order of addition of the reagents, temperature and diverse ions were investigated. Gallium is separated from interfering ions by solvent extraction.
School Extracurricular Activity Participation as a Moderator in the Development of Antisocial Patterns.

This research involves a longitudinal study of antecedents and moderators in the development of antisocial patterns. Participants included 695 boys and girls who were interviewed annually from childhood to the end of high school and again at ages 20 and 24. Cluster analyses identified four configurations of boys and girls that were reasonably homogeneous with respect to behavior and academic performance at the beginning of the investigation. When tracked over time, the configurations differed significantly in patterns of early school dropout and criminal arrests. Boys and girls in the “multiple risk configuration” were more likely than those in other configurations to show long-term antisocial patterns. Participation in school extracurricular activities was associated with reduced rates of early dropout and criminal arrest among high-risk boys and girls. The decline in antisocial patterns was dependent on whether the individuals' social network also participated in school extracurricular activities.
Primary care and specialty care: a role reversal?

Knowledge about primary care has been accumulating at a rapid rate. We know what primary care is and what it does; in contrast, we know almost nothing about specialty care, except for that part of it that takes place in the inpatient setting, and even that knowledge is spotty and unrepresentative. Professor Pereira Gray has posed a remarkable hypothesis: that there is role reversal between specialists and primary care physicians in that primary care physicians can now claim responsibility for a considerable proportion of lifesaving care, whereas specialists are increasingly assuming the role of ‘remediators’. There is much to ponder in his short exposition. His hypothesis is provocative. Can it be supported with evidence? 1
Goal orientations and the motivation to share knowledge

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to develop a model that takes into account both personal and contextual factors in explaining individuals’ motivation to share their knowledge. Design/methodology/approach – Drawing from research on achievement motivation and social exchange, it is posited that goal orientations provide a framework for individuals’ knowledge sharing by shaping how they cognitively value the costs and benefits associated with sharing their knowledge. It is argued each of the goal orientations is associated with preferences for sharing specific types of knowledge and is that a focus on different aspects of the knowledge provider-recipient relationship. Research limitations/implications – The model provides a possible explanation for some of the inconsistencies in existing knowledge-sharing research on the factors that motivate knowledge sharing as well as expanding understanding of the conditions that facilitate knowledge sharing.
Concurrent Failure of Active and Redundant Ventricular Epicardial Electrodes in Children

Implanting an unused or redundant epicardial ventricular pacing electrode in children at the time of initial electrode placement for later use is a common practice. To investigate the ultimate utilization of this redundant electrode, the records of 38 children who had undergone implantation of 47 redundant epicardial electrodes between 1974 and 1987 were reviewed. As the primary electrode remains functional, 12 electrodes have not been in-vasively tested or used; 11 were in nine children lost to follow-up. The remaining 24 redundant electrodes implanted in 16 children, (ages 1 day to 18 years, median 5 years, at implantation) together with the utilized electrode were evaluated at the time of pacing system revision. At implant, all electrodes had thresholds < 1.4 volts at a pulse duration of0.5 msec. At follow-up 0.2 to 11.7 years (mean 3.7 years) after implant, an electrode was considered functional if the threshold at 0.5 msec pulse duration was < 2.5 volts, and 14 of 24 redundant electrodes were nonfunctional. Of the ten functional redundant electrodes, the active electrode was functional in seven cases. In only three of 24 cases was the redundant electrode functional when the active electrode was nonfunctional. In all cases, when the active electrode exhibited exit block, the redundant electrode also exhibited exit block. Two of five redundant electrodes paired with a fractured active electrode were fractured. Two other redundant electrodes were fractured when the active electrode was functional. The state of the redundant and the active electrode was the same in 80% of the cases, P < 0.03. Of the 36 redundant electrodes implanted for which follow-up data is available, 33 had not been used by the end of the study period. (J Interven Cardiol 1989:2:1)
The spatial distribution of smoking violations on a no-smoking campus: Implications for prevention

ABSTRACT Objective: The present study extends research on campus smoking bans by examining where smokers are violating the policy at a large university in the southeastern region of the United States. Participants: The data collection was conducted by one graduate student from the university in August of 2014. Methods: A global positioning system device was used to collect the geo-coordinates of littered cigarette butts as a proxy measure for smoking violations. Results: A hot spot analysis found a number of spatial concentrations on campus, largely around classroom and administrative buildings along with parking lots and garages. Conclusions: The implications of such findings can direct enforcement to target these areas in order to reduce offenses and fulfill the initial goals of policy-makers and university administrators who support smoke-free campuses.
Prefatory Note to the Frege-Wittgenstein Correspondence

The historical record concerning Wittgenstein was significantly augmented in June 1988, when around five hundred letters to him, from a variety of correspondents—including Georg Trakl, Bertrand Russell, and many others—were discovered in the store room of a real-estate broker in Vienna. The woman who had been ordered to dispose of the old papers noticed the name “Wittgenstein” and stopped to examine them just before they were shredded.2 Among this trove, now housed at the Brenner Archives at the University of Innsbruck, were twenty-one letters from Frege to Wittgenstein. The first is dated 11 October 1914, the last 3 April 1920. These form the entire correspondence between them that is presently known still to exist.
Missouri's Political Women: 'Stepping Up to Power' and Beyond

This paper examines the unique contributions women have made in Missouri politics from its transition from territory to statehood to the present through qualitative analysis of biographical accounts and personal interviews. I argue that Missouri women in state and national level politics have provided an exemplary example of targeting and achieving political offices for women, particularly fueled by the ground breaking efforts of Harriet Woods. This example can provide a road map for women's political goals in states where women have yet to emerge as important political players. Particular attention is paid to those candidates who have utilized family connections to achieve office or enable other family members to achieve office. I also argue that in Missouri, kinship ties have become an important means for women to achieve elective office.
Preparation of Functionalized Polymers by Reactions of Poly(Vinylbenzyl Chloride)

Functionalized polymers are of interest in a variety of applications including but not limited to fire retardants, selective sorption resins, chromatography media, controlled release devices and phase transfer catalysts. This research has been conducted in an effort to functionalize a polymer with a variety of different reactive sites for use in membrane applications. These membranes are to be used for the specific separation and removal of metal ions of interest. A porous support was used to obtain membranes of a specified thickness with the desired mechanical stability. The monomer employed in this study was vinylbenzyl chloride, and it was lightly crosslinked with divinylbenzene in a photopolymerization. Specific ligands incorporated into the membrane film include dimethyl phosphonate esters, isopropyl phosphonate esters, phosphonic acid, and triethyl ammonium chloride groups. Most of the functionalization reactions were conducted with the solid membrane and liquid reactants, however, the vinylbenzyl chloride monomer was transformed to vinylbenzyl triethyl ammonium chloride prior to polymerization in some cases. The reaction conditions and analysis tools for uniformly derivatizing the crosslinked vinylbenzyl chloride / divinyl benzene films are presented in detail.
A Survey and Surveillance Issues in Smart Homes Environment for Assistive Living

A surveillance system for assisting the elderly in remaining independent in their familiar environment is one of the subjects interest in recent healthcare studies. When mature, it is expected that this system will have the ability to track objects that a resident may lose periodically, detect falls within the home, alert family members or healthcare professionals to abnormal behaviors. This paper addresses the early stages and issues of the development of such a system, the physical characteristics of the system that is being designed, early results, and guidance on the future work that will have to be completed in the future.
Internet Programmable IoT: On the role of APIs in IoT: The Internet of Things (Ubiquity symposium)

With everything and everyone accessible as a virtual resource on the web, novel applications that are created out of existing capabilities will continue to emerge. This article discusses the role and challenges for APIs in transforming the IoT capabilities.
Weighted Rank Estimators

Rank-based estimators are important tools of robust estimation in popular semiparametric models under monotonicity constraints. Here we study weighted versions of such estimators. Optimally weighted monotone rank estimator (MR) of Cavanagh and Sherman (1998) attains the semiparametric efficiency bound in the nonlinear regression model and the binary choice model. Optimally weighted maximum rank correlation estimator (MRC) of Han (1987) has the asymptotic variance close to the semiparametric efficiency bound in single-index models under independence when the distribution of the errors is close to normal, and is consistent under deviations from the single index assumption. Under moderate nonlinearities and nonsmoothness in the data, the efficiency gains from weighting are likely to be small for MR and MRC in the binary choice model and for MRC in the transformation model, and can be large for MR and MRC in the monotone regression model.
Self-management of type 1 diabetes across adolescence

PurposeThe purpose of this study was to examine differences in self-management behaviors (Collaboration with Parents, Diabetes Care Activities, Diabetes Problem Solving, Diabetes Communication, and...
Dissolution and Dissolved State of Cytochrome c in a Neat, Hydrophilic Ionic Liquid

The dissolution and dissolved molecular state of cytochrome c were investigated in the room temperature ionic liquid ethylmethylimidazolium ethylsulfate, [EMIM][EtSO4], by viscometry, optical and vibrational spectroscopies, and peroxidase activity. In dilute mixtures, viscometry demonstrated true molecular dissolution of cytochrome c in the ionic liquid and uncovered a molecular size larger than that in aqueous buffer, suggesting altered solvation or slight denaturation. The protein's heme unit absorbs light outside the spectral range masked by [EMIM], enabling conformational assessments by UV-visible and circular dichroism spectroscopies. Adding trends from fluorescence and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, unchanged secondary but perturbed tertiary structures were determined, consistent with the appreciable peroxidase activity measured. Different than in aqueous buffers, denaturation is not accompanied by aggregation. Results are relevant to the proposed application of ionic liquids as media for room temperature preservation of biomacromolecules.
Patterns of Activity in Host-Seeking Adult Ixodes scapularis (Acari: Ixodidae) and Host-Produced Kairomones

Adult blacklegged ticks, Ixodes scapularis Say, were confined to clay islands each surmounted with a vertical glass rod, and tick activities were videotaped continuously for 48 h. Some rods were treated basally or apically with substances rubbed from pelage associated with the tarsal or interdigital glands of white-tailed deer, Odocoileus virginianus (Zimmermann). Except for the activity immediately following their release, tick activity on both days was greatest during the period from 1700 to 2300 hours, which coincided with the onset of scotophase. Ticks were most active when rods had interdigital gland substances applied to their basal 2 cm, whereas they were least active when confined with rods treated with tarsal gland substances on their apical 2 cm. Overall, ticks spent more time on the apical 2 cm of the glass rods during the scotophase than during the photophase. The highest level of apical arrestment among treated and untreated rods occurred when the rod tips were treated with tarsal gland substances, with female ticks on the apical 2 cm of the rods 70-100% of every 3-h period beginning with the period from 2000 to 2300 hours on day 1. In contrast, when tarsal gland substances were applied to the basal 2 cm of the rods, the ticks spent < 40% of every period on day 2 on the rod tips.
PROTECTION AGAINST CARDIOVASCULAR COLLAPSE IN ACUTE ADRENALECTOMY BY AUTONOMIC BLOCKING AGENTS.

SummaryAcute adrenalectomy in the anesthetized dog resulted in cardiovascular collapse which developed over a 30-60-minute period and was characterized by a decrease in left ventricular contractile force, mean arterial blood pressure, and femoral blood flow and the occurrence of prominent, tachycardia. Pretreatment with appropriate doses of cortisol, hexamethonium, pentolinium and phenoxybenzamine prevented these hemodynamic alterations. Treatment with these agents after the development of the collapse had no beneficial effect.
Systematically Teaching Students With Autism Spectrum Disorder About Expository Text Structures

Students with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) represent an increasing number of learners in general education classrooms. While reading comprehension instruction has received growing attention, learners with ASD continue to experience poor academic outcomes. This article describes a research-based approach to teaching students with ASD to comprehend expository text in the context of standards-based instruction. Included is a description of the characteristics of ASD that influence expository text comprehension.
Micelle Structure and Hydrophobic Hydration.

Despite the ubiquity and utility of micelles self-assembled from aqueous surfactants, longstanding questions remain regarding their surface structure and interior hydration. Here we combine Raman spectroscopy with multivariate curve resolution (Raman-MCR) to probe the hydrophobic hydration of surfactants with various aliphatic chain lengths, and either anionic (carboxylate) or cationic (trimethylammonium) head groups, both below and above the critical micelle concentration. Our results reveal significant penetration of water into micelle interiors, well beyond the first few carbons adjacent to the headgroup. Moreover, the vibrational C-D frequency shifts of solubilized deuterated n-hexane confirm that it resides in a dry, oil-like environment (while the localization of solubilized benzene is sensitive to headgroup charge). Our findings imply that the hydrophobic core of a micelle is surrounded by a highly corrugated surface containing hydrated non-polar cavities whose depth increases with increasing surfa...
Synthesis of p Fluorophenyl Propyl Ketone

The p fluorophenyl propyl ketone was synthesized with fluobenzene (Ⅰ) and butyryl chloride (Ⅱ).Effects of catalyst (Ⅲ,AlCl 3) amount,the solvent (Ⅳ,CS 2) amount,the reaction time,the reaction temperature and the ratio of reactants were investigated.The optimum conditions are follows:a molar ratios of Ⅱ/Ⅰ=1.4/1,Ⅲ/Ⅰ=2.5/1,and a ratio of Ⅳ/Ⅰ=250 ml/molⅠ,reaction temperature is 45℃ and reaction time is 6 hours.The yield under the optimum conditions was up to 68.1%.The product was characterized by IR and elementary analysis.
Molecular epidemiologic analysis of Norwalk-like virus in Guangzhou area

The molecular epidemiology of the Norwalk-like virus in Guangzhou area was investigated by means of the nucleotide sequencing of the II type Norwalk-like virus isolated from stools of food poisoning patients, in which the viral nucleic acid taken from stool specimens of patients was amplified by RT-PCR, the positive clones were underwent to sequencing and the products were compared with the sequences in GenBank. It was found that there were 4 representative sequences with low similarity rate. From the above observations it is concluded that the food poisoning caused by Norwalk-like virus is present in China and there are variations among the conserved gene fragments coding for RNA-polymerase.