cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
SOCIALIZATION TO POLITICS IN MOROCCO: SEX AND REGIONAL FACTORS

Research in the West has clearly shown that attitudes developed in school greatly contribute to the views of students on societal and national issues, especially toward their country and leaders.' In the newly independent and developing countries, the schools play an even more important role in value formation, since the material used in school is often prepared with a definite and clear objective of inculcating certain specific values in the young-above and beyond the task of imparting factual, scientific information. There, school teachers also are likely to convey attitudes and values different from those received at home, especially concerning development and national integration.2 The main objective in this paper is to look at the attitudes and orientations of elementary school children in Morocco toward politics and government. This also involves an attempt to determine their knowledge of and about political leaders and issues and their sense of identity as Moroccan nationals. Sex and region will be the two independent variables that will be investigated for their impact on these attitudes. Most of the data for the study were gathered in the summer of 1980. At that time, a survey questionnaire was administered to elementary and junior highschool students in Rabat (the capital), Casablanca (the biggest city and the most politically volatile), and Marrakesh (the main city in the southern part of the country). Since it was not possible to draw a random or representative sample, a number of specific schools judged to be typical of the school population in the country were selected.3 A total of 1,269 usable questionnaires were obtained, but since we deal here with the elementary schools (Grades 3-5) only, the sample is broken down as follows: From a total of 740 students, 366 were boys and 374 were girls; 285 students were from Rabat, 282 from Casablanca, and 173 from Marrakesh. The questionnaires were administered in three schools in Rabat, three schools in Casablanca, and two schools in Marrakesh. As stated above, the main interest in this paper is to present data related to political education and knowledge as we find them in the elementary schools of urban Morocco. Since it is generally agreed that the traditional attitudes of males and females are quite different,4 our investigation will focus on the present attitudes among the young to see how much change, if any, has been effected.
Overcoming calcium catalysis during the thermal reactivation of granular activated carbon: Part I. Steam-curing plus ramped-temperature N2 treatment

Tailored thermal reactivations overcame calcium catalysis by first steam-curing spent GAG at 648 K for 60 min, and then thermally treating it in nitrogen under temperatures that ramped up to 1123 K, while some H2O remained temporarily sorbed within the GAC pores and the furnace enclosure. Pore volume distribution measurements using the density functional theory (DFT) software package revealed that this strategy increased the pore volume between 5.4 and 32 A when compared to that of its virgin counterpart, or when compared to those of spent GAGs that were conventionally reactivated. The 5.4–32 A pore range is important in terms of removing small organics from drinking water. These particular widths also represented convenient demarcations from our argon adsorption experimental protocol. The steam-curing plus ramped-temperature approach also achieved the same micropore volume (width <20 A) as that found in the virgin GAC, and also more pores between 5.4 and 100 A in width, when compared to its virgin counterpart. Pores between 5.4 and 100 A cover an important range for removing the full molecular size distribution of organics that enter a GAC bed during drinking water treatment.
Drinking Rates among College Students: An Update

Recently presented data seemed to suggest that rates of alcohol consumption among college students in the Rocky Mountain region have been relatively stable over the past 16 yr. (Condon & Carman, 1986). Over-all consumption among these students appears to have averaged about one mixed drink (can of beer, glass of wine) per day both in 1965 and 1981 when the data were collected. Additional data were recently gathered at the University of Wyoming (Priebe, 1985), one of the two universities originally surveyed, allowing an extension of the time base for testing of the hypothesis that rates have remained stable. Using the same quantity-frequency measures employed previously, 194 undergraduate students (89 men, 105 women) with similar demographic characteristics to those reported earlier were surveyed. Within this latest sample, average alcohol consumption was .77 oz. (SD = 1.25) of absolute alcohol per day (derived from total consumption of wine, beer, and liquor). This compares with rates of .52 oz. (SD = .62) in 1965 and .74 oz. (SD = 1.27) in 1981. Analysis of variance indicated that these rates were not significanrly different (F2.4. '? = 1.49). The present current data support the original conclusion that drinking rates among college students in this region are not dramatically increasing.
Use of ceruloplasmin levels to monitor response to therapy and predict recurrence of breast cancer

Ceruloplasmin (CP), an acute phase reactant, has been found to be elevated in patients with various tumors including breast cancer. We found that the CP level was elevated in 89% of 103 patients with metastatic breast cancer. In 27 patients with measurable metastatic disease that responded to treatment the mean CP level fell by 35% (p<0.001) and in 22 patients whose disease progressed on treatment, the mean CP level rose by 44% (p<0.001). Of those patients with Stage II breast cancer that were treated with adjuvant chemotherapy, only 6% of patients with a normal post mastectomy CP level have recurred, whereas 44% of patients with an elevated post mastectomy CP level have recurred (p<0.01). In following patients with breast cancer, we noted that in those patients that recurred, the CP level became elevated 16–34 weeks prior to any clinical evidence of metastases. We also noted that the CP level became elevated after initially falling in patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy and on occasion, the initially elevated CP level did not even fall. These circumstances may represent resistant microscopic disease, so that changing to a noncross-resistant chemotherapeutic regimen might be appropriate.
Short‐term bryoid and vascular vegetation response to reforestation alternatives following wildfire in conifer plantations

Question: How are dynamics of early-seral post-fire vascular plant and bryoid (terrestrial mosses, lichens, and fungi) vegetation impacted by reforestation activities, particularly manual vegetation removal and planting density? Does the relationship between vegetation dynamics and vegetation removal differ between harsh (west-facing) and moderate (east-facing) aspects? Location: Five high-severity burn plantation forests of Pseudotsuga menziesii in southwestern Oregon, USA. Methods: Plantations severely burned in a recent wildfire were planted with conifer seedlings as a four-species mixture or a monoculture, at two different densities, with and without manual vegetation removal. A subset of plots was also planted on a contrasting aspect within each plantation. The contrasting aspects differed in potential solar insolation and were indicative of moderate (eastern exposure) and harsh (western exposure) site conditions. Covers of shrub, herbaceous and bryoid vegetation layers were measured during reforestation activities 2‐4yr after the fire. Dynamics of structural layer cover and community composition were compared among treatments with analysis of variance and multivariate analyses (non-metric multidimensional scaling and blocked multi-response permutation procedure). Results: Structural layer cover and community composition differed between areas that received reforestation treatments and untreated areas. However, variability within treatments in a plantation was greater than variability within treatments across plantations. Effects of vegetation removal on composition and structure were more evident than effects of planting or altering planting density. Vegetation removal decreased cover of tall and low shrub and the bryoid layer, and increased herbaceous layer cover. Bryoid community and low shrub structural layer responses were more pronounced on moderate aspects than on harsh aspects. Vegetation removal shifted vascular plant community composition towards exotic and annual species. Conclusions: These reforestation treatments may be implemented without substantially altering early-seral vegetation community composition dynamics, especially in areas with harsh site conditions. Site conditions, such as aspect, should be evaluated to determine need and potential effects of reforestation before implementation. Monitoring for exotic species establishment should follow reforestation activities.
In Vitro Activity of a New 8-Methoxyquinolone, BAY 12-8039, against Chlamydia pneumoniae

The in vitro susceptibilities of 10 strains of Chlamydia pneumoniae to a new 8-methoxyquinolone, BAY 12-8039, and to ofloxacin, doxycycline, and erythromycin were determined. The activity of BAY 12-8039 was similar to that of ofloxacin, with a MIC at which 90% of the isolates had no inclusions and a minimal chlamydicidal concentration at which 90% of the isolates had no inclusions after passage of 1.0 μg/ml, but this activity was less than those of doxycycline and erythromycin.
Long-term maintenance of virus-specific effector memory CD8+ T cells in the lung airways depends on proliferation.

Recent studies have shown that virus-specific effector memory T cells can be recovered from the lung airways long after clearance of a respiratory virus infection. These cells are thought to play an important role in the recall response to secondary viral infection. It is currently unclear whether these cells actually persist at this site or are maintained by continual proliferation and recruitment. In this study, we have analyzed the mechanisms underlying the persistence of memory CD8+ T cells in the lung airway lumina following recovery from a respiratory virus infection. The data identify two distinct populations of memory cells. First, a large population Ag-specific CD8+ T cells is deposited in the airways during the acute response to the virus. These cells persist in a functional state for several weeks with minimal further division. Second, a smaller population of Ag-specific CD8+ T cells is maintained in the lung airways by homeostatic proliferation and migration to lung airways after viral clearance. This rate of proliferation is identical to that observed in the spleen, suggesting that these cells may be recent immigrants from the lymphoid organs. These data have significant implications for vaccines designed to promote cellular immunity at mucosal sites such as the lung.
Phase I trial of concurrent thoracic radiation and continuous infusion cisplatin and etoposide in stage III non-small cell lung cancer.

Abstract Objective: Although combined modality therapy appears to be superior to radiotherapy alone for the treatment of locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), the optimal treatment regimen has not been determined. We designed this trial to determine the maximal tolerated doses (MTD) of continuous intravenous infusion (CI) cisplatin and etoposide that could be administered concurrently with thoracic irradiation. Methods: 19 patients with stage IIIA or IIIB NSCLC were treated at three different dose levels of CI cisplatin and etoposide with concurrent single daily fraction thoracic radiotherapy to 4500 cGy. This chemoradiotherapy phase of treatment was followed by a 1500–2000 cGy radiotherapy boost and three cycles of standard intermittent bolus cisplatin 80 mg/m 2 IV on day 1 and etoposide 80 mg/m 2 IV on days 1, 2 and 3. Results: The MTD of CI chemotherapy was determined to be cisplatin 5 mg/m 2 /day plus etoposide 18 mg/m 2 /day for 5 days per week over 5 weeks along with thoracic irradiation. Overall, 37% of patients required breaks in the chemoradiotherapy course and 32% required attenuation of the planned duration of CI chemotherapy. Only 42% of patients received all three planned cycles of bolus chemotherapy and 16% received Conclusions: These results demonstrate that CI cisplatin and etoposide can be administered safely to patients with locally advanced NSCLC, and that such potentially radiosensitizing strategies deserve further evaluation in this setting.
Determinants of radial artery pulse wave analysis in asymptomatic individuals

Abstract Background Noninvasive techniques to evaluate arterial stiffness include noninvasive radial artery pulse contour analysis. Diastolic pulse contour analysis provides a separate assessment of large (C1) and small artery (C2) elasticity. Analysis of the systolic pulse contour identifies two pressure peaks (P1 and P2) that relate to incident and reflected waves. This study aimed to compare indices from systolic and diastolic pulse contour analysis from the radial pressure waveform and to correlate these indices with traditional risk factors in asymptomatic individuals screened for cardiovascular disease. Methods In 298 consecutive subjects (206 male and 92 female healthy subjects with a mean age of 50 ± 12 years), noninvasive radial artery pressure waveforms were acquired with a piezoelectric transducer and analyzed for 1) diastolic indices of C1 and C2 from the CR-2000 CVProfiler, and 2) systolic indices of augmentation as defined by augmentation pressure (AP), augmentation index (AIx), and systolic reflective index (SRI = P2/P1). These indices were then correlated to each other as well as to individual traditional risk factors and the Framingham Risk Score. Results Diastolic indices were significantly and inversely correlated to systolic indices with C2 showing a stronger inverse association than C1. C2 and Alx were significantly correlated with height, weight, and body mass index in men but not in women. All indices correlated better to blood pressure in women than men. In women, only systolic indices were significantly correlated to HDL cholesterol and only diastolic indices were significantly correlated to LDL cholesterol. All indices were significantly correlated to the Framingham Risk Score, which was stronger in women then men, but when adjusted for age only diastolic indices remained significant in women. Conclusions Diastolic and systolic indices of pulse contour analysis correlate differently with traditional risk factors in men and women.
Estimating scattering attenuation from vugs or karsts

Cavities in carbonate rock, such as vugs or karsts, cause scattering attenuation in passing waves. The degree of such attenuation is often difficult to quantify because the exact scale and structure of the cavities is unknown. Taking the exact vug structure from X-ray computerized-tomography scans of two carbonate cores, we use 3D finite-difference modeling to determine the P-wave scattering attenuation in these cores at ultrasonic frequencies. The predicted scattering attenuation is quite high, with Q of 15 and 8 near the source frequency of 250 kHz. In spite of the sharp contrast in medium properties between cavity and rock, and the violation of the small perturbation assumption, the computed scattering attenuation is roughly comparable to that predicted by various random medium scattering theories. This suggests that if the volume fraction and typical size of vugs or karsts can be estimated, then a rough estimate of frequency-dependent scattering attenuation can be made.
MR Lymphography with a Lymphotropic T1‐Type MR Contrast Agent: Gd‐DTPA‐PGM

A model system of a paramagnetic lymphotropic MR contrast agent (Gd-DTPA labeled polyglucose associated macrocomplex, PGM) for T1-weighted MR imaging of lymph nodes in rats and rabbits was evaluated. Pharmacokinetic (tissue accumulation) and MR imaging data (optimal dose and timing parameters) were obtained in normal rats (n = 88) after subcutaneous (SC) injection of paramagnetic, radiolabeled [111In]Gd-DTPA-PGM. A rabbit model of lymph node metastases (n = 8) was ultimately used to demonstrate the potential of MR imaging with Gd-DTPA-PGM for nodal tumor detection. Maximum concentrations of Gd-DTPA-PGM were found in popliteal and paraaortic lymph nodes within 24 h after SC administration, and highest lymph node SNR values were obtained by MR imaging at this time point. The optimum imaging dose was 6-12 mumol Gd/kg. Tumor-lymph node contrast increased from 0.0 +/- 1.2 precontrast to 19.2 +/- 6.5 (spoiled gradient echo sequence, TR 50/TE 7/flip angle 60 degrees) postcontrast and conspicuity of nodal metastases was improved. Gd-DTPA-PGM accumulates in lymph nodes after SC administration and significantly enhances lymph node signal intensity of normal animals but not metastatic lymph nodes.
Use of GIS mapping and modeling approaches to examine the spatial distribution of seagrasses in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey

Due to the ecological importance of seagrasses and recent indications of disease and dieback, we have synthesized existing mapped survey information concerning the spatial and temporal distribution of seagrass beds (primarily eelgrass,Zostera marina) in Barnegat Bay, New Jersey. Mapped surveys from the 1960s, 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s were digitized and compiled in a geographic information system to facilitate analysis. Comparison of the earlier maps with the 1990s survey shows an overall decrease of approximately 2,000 to 3,000 ha in the area of seagrass beds. While there are indications of seagrass decline, due to the great difference in mapping methods used for each of the surveys, we are cautious in directly attributing the decrease in mapped eelgrass acreage to a large-scale dieback. We examined the extent to which light could be used to predict the distribution of seagrass in Barnegat Bay. Data on Secchi depth throughout the bay were combined with a modification of an existing model (Duarte 1991) of the relationship betweenZ. marina compensation depths and light attenuation coefficients to predict the distribution of seagrasses in Barnegat Bay. When compared with mapped seagrass distribution in the bay, the model correctly predicts seagrass presence-absence over two-thirds of the time. The majority of the model error is due to errors of commission, i.e., the model predicts seagrass occurrence where it was not observed to occur. Most of this commission error is located in specific geographic areas (i.e., southern third of Little Egg Harbor and the western shoreline of the bay).
Sialic acid binding preference of influenza A viruses regulates pathological leukocyte recruitment (VIR2P.1012)

Influenza A virus (IAV), a seasonal respiratory pathogen, has a high capacity to cause pandemic infections resulting in severe lung pathology. Multiple studies using pathological IAV strains have demonstrated the importance of macrophages and neutrophils, but whether the pathological inflammation induced by different IAV isolates is identical has not been directly compared. Here we demonstrate that while both A/WSN/33 (WSN) and A/PR/8/34 (PR8) influenza viruses cause significant immunopathology in mice the inflammatory milieu differs between the two isolates. Specifically, PR8 infection was associated with greater neutrophil recruitment and CCL4 and CXCL2 expression; in contrast, WSN infection was associated mast cell activation, recruitment of a unique Ly6ghigh Ly6chigh monocyte population, and elevated levels of IFNα, G-CSF, and CCL2. One difference between WSN and PR8 is their hemaggultinin molecules preferentially bind to α2,6- and α2,3-linked sialic acids, respectively. Using a recombinant WSN strain whose sialic acid binding preference is switched to α2,3-linkages, we observed minimal mast cell activation and a switch to a more neutrophilic inflammation. Thus, sialic acid binding preference of IAV isolates has clinically important alterations to the inflammatory cascade(s) activated. These findings have important implications for our ability to therapeutically target the host inflammatory response to limit morbidity following influenza virus infection
A full-plane block Kalman filter for image restoration

A two-dimensional method which uses a full-plane image model to generate a more accurate filtered estimate of an image that has been corrupted by additive noise and full-plane blur is presented. Causality is maintained within the filtering process by using multiple concurrent block estimators. In addition, true state dynamics are preserved, resulting in an accurate Kalman gain matrix. Simulation results on a test image corrupted by additive white Gaussian noise are presented for various image models and compared to those of the previous block Kalman filtering methods. >
Triangulations Loosing Bundles and Weight

We introduce bundle-free triangulations, that are free of large collection of triangles overlapping a circle empty of vertices. We prove that bundle-free Steiner triangulations can be used as an approximate solution for the minimum weight Steiner triangulation problem. We present new algorithms, implementations and experimental study for computing minimum weight Steiner triangulations.
Aberrant cortico-subcortical functional connectivity among women with poor motor control: toward uncovering the substrate of hyperkinetic perseveration.

Objective: Hyperkinetic perseveration (HKP) refers to perseverative repetition of rudimentary motor output. Although HKP is known to be associated with brain injuries and certain neurodegenerative disorders (primarily those involving the frontal lobes and the basal ganglia), an increased tendency to exhibit HKP is also commonly associated with apparently normal aging (i.e., in the absence of known neuropathology). The purpose of the present study was to examine anomalies in brain functioning associated with HKP tendencies in a non-injured brain. Method: The present study examined functional MRI connectivity patterns associated with HKP in a sample of 24 “young” (ages 25–35 years) and 20 “old” (ages 65–75 years) healthy community dwelling women. Participants performed a motor learning task (the Push-Turn-Taptap task: PTT) known to elicit HKP. On a separate day, participants were scanned on a Siemens 3T Trio MR scanner with a 12-channel head coil, while performing a block-design motor sequence learning task that was designed to be a scanner analog for the PTT task. Cortico–subcortical connectivity patterns involving two subcortical regions of interest (putamen and thalamus) and three cortical regions (sensory-motor cortex, Brodmann Area 6, inferior frontal gyrus) were examined. Results: Older participants exhibited a higher rate of HKP compared to younger participants. Age-related HKP was associated with hemispheric asymmetry marked by a relatively stronger right-hemisphere cortico–subcortical connectivity involving the sensory-motor cortex and, to a lesser extent, Brodmann Area 6. These patterns were distinct from connectivity patterns associated with aging alone. Conclusions: HKP is related to anomalies involving frontal–subcortical circuits. Future research should examine specific components of the basal-ganglia circuitry.
Expedient route to volatile zirconium metal-organic chemical vapor deposition precursors using amide synthons and implementation in yttria-stabilized zirconia film growth

This communication reports rapid, efficient syntheses of the zirconium-organic metal-organic chemical vapor deposition (MOCVD) precursors Zr(acac)4 and Zr(dpm)4 (acac = acetylacetonate; dpm = dipivaloylmethanate) as well as a new, highly volatile, air- and moisture-stable Zr precursor based on a tetradentate Schiff-base ligand, Zr(tfacen)2 (tfacen = bis-trifluoroacetylacetone-ethylenediiminate). The improved one-step synthetic routes employ tetrakis(dimethylamido)zirconium as a common intermediate and represent a major advance over previous methods employing ZrCl4 or diketonate metathesis. Furthermore, Zr(tfacen)2 is shown to be an effective metal-organic precursor for the MOCVD-mediated growth of (100) oriented yttria-stabilized zirconia thin films.
Rhinovirus infection induces expression of type 2 nitric oxide synthase in human respiratory epithelial cells in vitro and in vivo.

Abstract Background: Human rhinovirus (HRV) infections are the predominant cause of the common cold and are associated with exacerbations of asthma. Nitric oxide (NO) may play an important role in host defense by means of its potent antiviral properties. Objective: We sought to determine whether epithelial expression of type 2 nitric oxide synthase (NOS 2), which produces NO, is induced on rhinovirus infection in vitro and in vivo. Methods: Primary cultures of human airway epithelial cells were infected with HRV-16, and NOS 2 mRNA expression was assessed by conventional and real-time RT-PCR and NOS 2 protein by using Western blot analysis. Human subjects were also infected with HRV-16 in vivo, and mRNA for NOS 2 was assessed in nasal epithelial scrapings obtained before and after infection. Results: NOS 2 mRNA levels increased within 8 hours after HRV-16 infection of cultured cells and remained elevated up to 48 hours after infection. NOS 2 protein was elevated at 24 hours. Induction of NOS 2 did not occur with UV-inactivated HRV-16 but could be reproduced by using double-stranded RNA, indicating that induction was dependent on viral replication. Increased NOS 2 expression was also observed in nasal epithelial scrapings during symptomatic colds. Conclusion: Increased epithelial expression of NOS 2 mRNA occurs as part of the host response to HRV infection in vitro and in vivo. Given the antiviral effects of NO, we speculate that increased host production of NO may play an important role in host defense during HRV infections. (J Allergy Clin Immunol 2001;107:235-43.)
Impacts of single-walled carbon nanotubes on microbial community structure in activated sludge

Aims: Single-walled carbon nanotubes (SWNTs) are likely to become increasingly widespread and yet their environmental impact is not well understood. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate the impact of SWNTs on microbial communities in a ‘sentinel’ environmental system, activated sludge batch-scale reactors. Methods and Results: Triplicate batch reactors were exposed to SWNTs and compared to control reactors exposed to impurities associated with SWNTs. Automated ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (ARISA) was used to assess bacterial community structure in each reactor. SWNT exposure was found to impact microbial community structure, while SWNT-associated impurities had no effect, compared to controls. 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis indicated that dominant phylotypes detected by ARISA included members of the families Sphingomonadaceae and Cytophagacaceae and the genus Zoogloea. ARISA results indicated an adverse impact of SWNTs on the sphingomonad relative to other community members. Changes in community structure also occurred in both SWNT-exposed and control reactors over the experimental time period and with the date on which activated sludge was obtained from a wastewater treatment facility. Conclusions: These results indicate that SWNTs differentially impact members of the activated sludge reactor bacterial community. Significance and Impact of the Study: The finding that community structure was affected by SWNTs indicates that this emerging contaminant differentially impacted members of the activated sludge bacterial community and raises the concern that SWNTs may also affect the services it provides.
The use of combination of zeolites to pursue integrated refined pyrolysis oil from kraft lignin

A mixture of Y and M type zeolites were applied to pyrolyze kraft softwood (SW) lignin with the objective of studying the combination effect of different types of zeolite on pyrolysis. The chemical structures of the subsequent pyrolysis oils were examined. Nuclear Magnetic Resonance (NMR) spectroscopy including 13C, 31P of phosphitylated bio-oils, Heteronuclear Single-Quantum Correlation (HSQC)-NMR, and Gel Permeation Chromatography (GPC) were used to characterize the pyrolysis oils. The yields of pyrolysis products (light oil, heavy oil and char) from the zeolites combination ‘Y + M’ catalyzed pyrolysis ranged between the pyrolysis oil yields from zeolite Y or M catalyzed pyrolysis. 31P NMR analysis of the phosphitylated bio-oils revealed that the mixture of ‘Y + M’ during pyrolysis could decrease the carboxyl groups by 84%, which is close to the effect of the M zeolite. The yields of hydroxyl groups and other functional groups in the ‘Y + M’ generated bio-oil was between the individual Y and M generated oils. The molecular weight of the pyrolysis oil using a zeolite mixture of ‘Y + M’ was similar to the individual zeolite Y assisted pyrolysis. These results show that the zeolite mixture of ‘Y + M’ manifests additive characteristics for pyrolysis.
The absence of an apolipoprotein epsilon4 allele is associated with a more aggressive form of Alzheimer's disease.

We investigated the relationship between APOE genotype and rate of disease progression and survival in 99 patients with probable Alzheimer's disease (AD) who were followed biannually for up to 6 years. Patients were stratified into two groups, those with and without at least one APOE ϵ4 allele. The rate of decline in modified Mini-Mental State Examination scores was slower, the presence of extrapyramidal signs was decreased, and the development of myoclonus occurred later among patients with APOE ϵ4 alleles compared with patients with other genotypes. Compared with patients with other genotypes. Compared with patients without an APOE ϵ4 allele, the risk of mortality was also decreased in patients with at least one ϵ4 allele (RR = 0.38; CI = 0.17−0.84, P < 0.02). Because the decline in mental ability as well as the development of myoclonus and extrapyramidal signs are consistent manifestations of disease progression, our results imply that APOE ϵ4 is associated with a less aggressive form of AD.
Using infrared eye-tracking to explore ordinal numerical processing in toddlers with Fragile X Syndrome

Background: Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common cause of inherited intellectual disability and non-idiopathic autism. Individuals with FXS present with a behavioral phenotype of specific and selective deficits in an array of cognitive skills. Disruption of number processing and arithmetic abilities in higher-functioning adults and female adolescents with FXS has been well established. Still, both numerical skills and developmentally antecedent cognitive processes have just begun to be investigated in toddlers with FXS. The goal of the current study was to assess how very young children with FXS respond to ordinal relationships among numerical magnitudes. Methods: Infrared eye-tracking was used to explore infants’ novelty recognition during passive viewing of ordinal numerical sequences; t-tests were used to analyze group differences in looking time. Results: Ordinal recognition of numerical magnitudes is significantly impaired in young toddlers with FXS. Conclusions: This study is the first to experimentally evaluate early number sense and ordinal recognition in toddlers with FXS, and our findings reveal that ordinal recognition of numerical magnitudes is significantly impaired in young toddlers with FXS, suggesting that later arithmetic impairments associated with FXS may have their origins in a developmental impairment of this more basic aspect of numerical cognition.
Intracellular and Extracellular Fluid and Electrolyte Alterations in Cirrhosis of the Liver with Edema and Ascites

Summary Samples of deltoid and gastrocnemius muscle from six patients with proven cirrhosis of the liver complicated by ascites and edema were analyzed and compared with similar analyses in normal human skeletal muscle. Four patients were studied by the metabolic balance technique under the following conditions: 1) a control period with an intake of 3.0 gm. of sodium chloride; 2) a similar diet with 45 gm. of cation exchange resin added daily; 3) similar diet but with an intake of 1.5 gm. of sodium chloride per day, together with 45 gm. of cation exchange resin; and 4) a final period comprising the conditions of the third period and the administration of mercurial diuretic on alternate days. The deltoid and gastrocnemius muscles were biopsied again at the conclusion of the entire study, following obvious decreases in the ascites and edema. The gastrocnemius and deltoid muscles of edematous cirrhotics contained an increased amount of extracellular water without significant alteration in intracellular water; the fluid content of the gastrocnemius exceeded that of the deltoid, reflecting the influence of gravitational factors. After disappearance of the obvious edema, the volume of extracellular fluid in the gastrocnemius muscle decreased; the extracellular fluid of deltoid muscle did not change significantly; both remained higher than normal. The combined concentrations of intracellular cations, sodium and potassium, did not differ significantly from the normal. The pattern of weight loss during therapy was partitioned by utilizing the balance data and revealed that, under the conditions of this study, the loss of edema fluid was isotonic and extracellular in composition.
L1-Predual Spaces

In this chapter we shall study both real and complex Banach spaces X such that X* is linearly isometric to an abstract L1 space. We call such spaces L1-predual spaces. There are several classes of classical Banach spaces which have this property (e. g. abstract M spaces and spaces of the type C(T,ℂ). Lindenstrauss was the first one to undertake a systematic study of them (although Grothendieck did study certain types of them, the so called G spaces). In [182] he developed the beginnings of a general structure theory for the real case and has also made many other contributions to the area (see [175], [176], [186], [187], [190], and [193]). Recently interest in the complex case has brought about some significant results (see [289], [291], [292], [293], and [294]). We shall also present some of these, especially in section 23.
Molybdopterin biosynthesis in man. Properties of the converting factor in liver tissue from a molybdenum cofactor deficient patient.

Molybdenum cofactor deficiency is an inborn error of metabolism resulting from an inability to synthesize functional molybdopterin, the organic pterin component of the molybdenum cofactor.1 Cofactor deficient patients exhibit combined deficiencies of the three known molyboenzymes in man, sulfite oxidase, xanthine dehydrogenase and aldehyde oxidase. Molybdopterin biosynthesis requires a multistep pathway, and patients with defects at two different points in the pathway comprise two identified complementation groups.2 The terminal step in molybdopterin biosynthesis is carried out by a protein, termed converting factor, that uses as its substrate a desulfo, cyclic phosphopterin, precursor Z.3 The reaction catalyzed by the converting factor and the structures of precursor Z, molybdopterin and the molybdenum cofactor are outlined in Figure 1.
Safe and flexible adaptation via alternate data structure representations

The choice of data structures is crucial for achieving high performance. For applications that are long-running and/or operate on large data sets, the best choice for main data structures can change multiple times over the course of a single execution. For example, in a graph-processing application where the graph evolves over time, the best data structure for representing the graph may change as the program executes. Similarly, in a database or a key-value store application, with changes in relative frequencies of different types of queries over time, the most efficient data structure changes as well. We introduce an approach that allows applications to adapt to current conditions (input characteristics, operations on data, state) by switching their data structures on-the-fly with little overhead and without the developer worrying about safety or specifying adaptation points (this is handled by our compiler infrastructure). We use our approach on different classes of problems that are compute- and memory-intensive: graph algorithms, database indexing, and two real-world applications, the Memcached object cache and the Space Tyrant online game server. Our results show that off-the-shelf applications can be transformed into adaptive applications with modest programmer effort; that the adaptive versions outperform the original, fixed-representation versions; and that adaptation can be performed on-the-fly safely and with very little runtime overhead.
Law, expertise, and settler conflicts over land in early colonial Zimbabwe, 1890–1923:

Using archival sources, this paper examines the uses of law and expert knowledge in conflicts over land among officials and settlers in early colonial Zimbabwe. Land settlement laws, together with ...
MORPHOLOGICAL VARIABILITY AND ASYMMETRY IN THE CHEETAH (ACINONYX JUBATUS), A GENETICALLY UNIFORM SPECIES.

The African cheetah (Acinonyx jubatus) is an unusual species because of its extremely low amount of biochemical genetic variation. A comparative analysis of morphological variation of 16 cranial characters from four species of Felidae (ocelot, Leopardus pardalus; margay, L. wiedii; leopard, Panthera pardus; and cheetah) was undertaken to evaluate the consequence of biochemical monomorphism on morphological variation. The species were selected because the cheetah has been shown previously to possess extremely low amounts of biochemical genetic variation as opposed to the other three species which retain comparatively high levels of allozyme heterozygosity. The cheetah sample showed dramatically greater fluctuating asymmetry but was not outstanding in morphological variability. Elevated levels of fluctuating asymmetry have been interpreted as a reflection of developmental instability, which is a common consequence of inbreeding. The inverse correlation of genetic variation and developmental stability (homeostasis) observed here fulfills prior expectations and further emphasizes the genetic invariability of the cheetah species.
Electron bubbles in liquid He 4 containing a small number of electrons

It has been shown that a bubble in liquid helium containing two electrons is unstable against fission. In this paper, we consider the stability of electron bubbles containing 4, 6, or 12 electrons. We find that a bubble with four electrons is unstable at zero pressure and presumably breaks up into single electron bubbles. Our calculation is not accurate enough to determine whether a bubble with six electrons is stable at zero pressure. We find that in liquid $^{4}\mathrm{He}$ a bubble with 12 electrons is stable over a pressure range from $\ensuremath{-}0.32$ to 0.5 bar.
Self-adaptive QoS Mechanism for Composite Model Solving Based on Multi-agent

On the basis of network-based distributed application system,this paper discusses the process description of composite model collaborative solving for large scale complexity problem.An multi-agent based active control strategy is put forward to support distributed domain problem solving,including four kinds of agent named user agent(UA),system agent(SA),collaborative agent(CA),model agent and data agent(MADA)separately.By using the multi-agent architecture,an adaptive QoS adjusting mechanism for composite model collaborative solving is presented to enhance the capability of network resource sharing both in the scope of model-base system and database system.An algorithm to schedule and plan the composite model sequence for distributed problem solving is implemented so as to improve the running efficiency and quality of service under distributed computing environment.
Application of 10kJ ZDF-3 sparker on large distance layer CT

The limited power of small energy sparker has confined its wide application on the elastic wave CT in layered medium. This paper introduces the ZDF-3 type high-power sparker as well as its application in cross-hole elastic wave CT, aided by seismic instruments. Two examples of ground-based CT were demonstrated, showing that the cost of large-distance CT detection was lower than the traditional shot-distance CT detection. This study indicates that the application of high- energy sparker of the large cross-hole CT has a good prospect.
The Role of Glutathione and the Glutathione-Linked Enzyme Systems in Brain Tumor Drug Resistance

The current standard of care for patients diagnosed with primary brain tumors consists of surgical resection, when feasible, followed by radiotherapy with concomitant and/or adjuvant chemotherapy. Unfortunately, complete surgical resection is extremely rare due to the location of these tumors and their diffuse and proliferative nature and radiation therapy can enhance the necrotic environment resulting in further tissue damage and more aggressive tumors. A common problem with chemotherapy, that limits its clinical efficacy for brain tumor treatment, is that high doses are required to circumvent drug resistance mechanisms that result in drug-related and dose-limiting toxicities. Therefore, strategies and approaches that target the mechanisms of drug resistance in brain tumors will allow dose reductions in chemotherapy while maintaining clinical efficacy and limiting drug-related toxicities. The contributions of glutathione (GSH) and the GSH-related enzymes to drug resistance in brain tumors have been largely overlooked. The major components of the GSH-related enzyme system, including glutamate cysteine ligase (GCL), glutathione synthetase (GS), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), glutathione reductase (GR), glutathione-S-transferases (GST), and GSH export transporters (GS-X pumps) are often dysregulated and promote the detoxification of various anticancer agents and confer a more drug resistant phenotype. Improving our understanding of the mechanisms of GSH-mediated drug resistance will be critical to develop targeted therapeutic approaches to chemosensitize brain tumors to treatments and to improve clinical outcomes.
Subdural Empyema in the Setting of Multimodal Intracranial Monitoring.

Background Multimodal intracranial monitoring is becoming an increasingly common tool in the management of patients with traumatic brain injury. Although numerous reports detailing the benefits of such advanced monitoring exist in the literature, there is minimal discussion of the possible complications that may arise in this patient population. Case Description We report the case of a 32-year-old patient who had been assaulted and presented initially at an outside facility with a Glasgow Coma Scale score of 8. After transfer to our hospital, his Glasgow Coma Scale score was noted at 7T and multimodal monitoring with the Integra Licox brain tissue oxygen monitor and the Hemedex Bowman perfusion monitor was implemented, along with an external ventricular drain when a standard intracranial pressure monitor indicated increasing intracranial pressure. The patient's intracranial pressure normalized but he did require a course of antibiotics during this time for a fever and methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus . The patient subsequently developed multifocal subdural empyemas requiring surgical evacuation. Postoperatively, the patient's intraoperative cultures remained without bacterial growth, likely related to the 2-week broad-spectrum antibiotic use. Conclusions To our knowledge, this is the first reported incidence of a subdural empyema developing in this setting. Although the safety profile of multimodal intracranial modeling is excellent, with increasing numbers of invasive bedside procedures, neurosurgeons must remain acutely vigilant for the development of infectious complications.
Flavin nucleotides act as electron shuttles mediating reduction of the [2Fe-2S] clusters in mitochondrial outer membrane protein mitoNEET.

MitoNEET, a primary target of type II diabetes drug pioglitazone, has an essential role in regulating energy metabolism, iron homeostasis, and production of reactive oxygen species in mitochondria. Structurally, mitoNEET is anchored to the mitochondrial outer membrane via its N-terminal transmembrane α-helix. The C-terminal cytosolic domain of mitoNEET hosts a redox active [2Fe-2S] cluster via three cysteine and one histidine residues. Here we report that the reduced flavin nucleotides can rapidly reduce the mitoNEET [2Fe-2S] clusters under anaerobic or aerobic conditions. In the presence of NADH and flavin reductase, 1 molecule of flavin nucleotide is sufficient to reduce about 100 molecules of the mitoNEET [2Fe-2S] clusters in 4min under aerobic conditions. The electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR) measurements show that flavin mononucleotide (FMN), but not flavin adenine dinucleotide (FAD), has a specific interaction with mitoNEET. Molecular docking models further reveal that flavin mononucleotide binds mitoNEET at the region between the N-terminal transmembrane α-helix and the [2Fe-2S] cluster binding domain. The closest distance between the [2Fe-2S] cluster and the bound flavin mononucleotide in mitoNEET is about 10A, which could facilitate rapid electron transfer from the reduced flavin nucleotide to the [2Fe-2S] cluster in mitoNEET. The results suggest that flavin nucleotides may act as electron shuttles to reduce the mitoNEET [2Fe-2S] clusters and regulate mitochondrial functions in human cells.
Synthesizing a Question-Centric Design Thinking Model

A question-centric design thinking model, which describes a structure for design thinking, can be synthesized from the findings of this research. This entails reconsidering the empirical findings within the context of the theoretical frameworks on the nature of questions asked while designing and design performance. My synthesis method consists of the following steps: 1. Assigning meaning to the empirical findings by developing three paradigms that treat question asking in design as a: Process Creative negotiation act Mechanism for managing divergent-convergent thinking modes 2. Using the third paradigm to outline a process for arriving at design decisions by asking questions. 3. Considering the implications of the verified hypotheses in light of these three paradigms. 4. Operationaling the key elements of the insights gained in the preceding steps by mapping them onto the design process.
The TGF- β Family Member Growth Differentiation Factor 15 (GDF15) Regulates the Self-Renewal of Multiple Myeloma Cancer Stem Cells

Abstract Abstract 2954 Multiple myeloma (MM) cancer stem cells (CSCs) possess both enhanced tumorigenic potential and relative drug resistance suggesting they play a major role in disease relapse and progression. Therefore, a better understanding of the processes regulating MM CSCs may lead to the development of novel therapies that prevent tumor regrowth and improve long-term outcomes. Normal stem cells are tightly regulated by factors within the local microenvironment that include both soluble factors and direct contact with accessory cells. However, external factors regulating MM CSCs have not been identified. Recent studies have demonstrated that stromal cells in the MM bone marrow microenvironment secrete growth differentiation factor 15 (GDF15), a member of the TGF-b family. We initially studied the role of this cytokine in the pathogenesis of MM by examining circulating GDF15 levels in MM patients. Compared to healthy volunteers, we found that median GDF15 levels were significantly increased in MM patients (821 vs. 390 pg/ml; n=16; p Download : Download high-res image (25KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures: No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.