cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The environmental implications of monopoly regulation: A process analysis approach

Abstract This paper uses a two-input/two-output process model to analyze the qualitative implications of imposing rate-of-return regulation and effluent charges upon a profit-maximizing monopoly which produces environmental effluent. Although rate-of-return regulation is usually thought of as a monopoly policy instrument, this paper shows that the use of such regulation will have an effect upon the level of effluent. In addition, this paper demonstrates that the determination of optimal effluent charges when the polluting monopoly is already constrained by rate-of-return regulation is likely to be a much more difficult task than the general Pigouvian prescription of externality taxes would admit.
Point defects in binary Laves phase alloys

Point defects in the binary C15 NbCrQ and NbCoz, and C 14 NbFe2 systems on both sides of stoichiometry were studied by both bulk density and X-ray Iattiee parameter measurements. It was found that the vacancy concentrations in these systems after quenching from 1000"C are essentially zero. The constitutional defects on both sides of stoichiometry for these systems were found to be of the anti-site type in comparison with the model predictions. Thermal vacancies exhibiting a maximum at the stoichiometric composition were obtained in NbCr2 Laves phase alloys after quenching from 1400"C. However, there are essentially no thermal vacancies in NbFe2 alloys after quenching from 1300oC. Anti-site hardening was found on both sides of stoichiometry for all the tie Laves phase systems studied, while the thermal vacancies in NbCr2 alloys quenched from 1400'C were found to soften the Laves phase. The anti-site hardening of the Laves phases is similar to that of the B2 compounds and the thermal vacancy softening is unique to the Laves phase. Neither the anti-site defects nor the thermal vacancies affect the fracture toughness of the Laves phases significantly.
WE-C-303A-07: Robust Deformable Image Registration Using Maximum Likelihood Estimation

Purpose: To present a deformable image registration (DIR) model based on maximum likelihood estimation (MLE) with improved robustness to image noise and selection of registration parameters. Method and Materials: Optical flow based DIR, such as free‐form deformable registration (FDR), usually assumes invariance of pixel intensities, which may not be true for noisy images. Moreover, the smoothing parameter must be judiciously chosen and typically remains fixed over all iterations of the registration. A robust registration model (FDR‐MLE) based on minimization of smoothing term, standard for FDR, and MLE of the residual image is proposed. The advantages of the proposed model are 1) matching image pixels between the source image and the target image within an optimized variation to account for image noise; and 2) adaptive adjustment of the smoothing parameter during the registration process. Validations of FDR‐MLE were carried out using a simulated digital phantom and clinical lungimages. Validation criteria included correlation coefficient (CC) and average phantom error (PE). Results: FDR‐MLE outperformed FDR and was more robust to selection of registration parameters. For the same parameters (step size = 0.3, smoothing weighting factor = 2.0), in the simulated phantom, FDR‐MLE increased the CC by 11% compared to FDR. FDR‐MLE had PE=0.49 pixels, compared to 1.08 pixels for FDR. Robustness was measured by computing standard deviations (STD) of CC and PE for various step sizes. Using CC, STD of FDR‐MLE was 0.0066, which was only 12% of STD of CC for FDR (0.053). PE for FDR‐MLE was 0.044 pixels, compared to 0.21 pixels for FDR. Conclusion: The proposed FDR‐MLE model can significantly improve the registration accuracy, convergence, and robustness. It is well suited for DIR in a clinical environment where time constraints and limited expertise of the user limit optimization of the registration parameters.
An improved nutrient solution for diploid Chinese hamster and human cell lines.

Summary 1. Single cell plating of diploid Chinese hamster ovary cells (Strain CHD-3) in a medium containing a minimum supplement of purified proteins has been used to determine optimum concentrations for the components of a previously described nutrient mixture, F7. 2. The more significant results of these titrations include: (a) a high arginine requirement; (b) a low toxic limit for tryptophane; (c) a requirement for proline; and (d) a narrow optimum range for serine and glycine. 3. A new nutrient mixture, F10, has been prepared in which each component has been added at the experimentally determined optimum concentration. 4. Tests of the new nutrient mixture using strain CHD-3 revealed: (a) improved growth rate and reliability in a fetuin and albumin supplemented medium; (b) clonal growth at total protein concentrations as low as 100 μg/ml.; (c) excellent growth at reduced serum concentrations; (d) satisfactory clonal growth using batches of fetal calf serum which would not support such growth in F7 media; (e) ability to use sera other than fetal calf serum, for clonal growth. 5. Tests of media prepared from the new nutrient mixture on other cell strains revealed: (a) good growth with a fetuin and albumin supplement of strain CHL-1 Chinese hamster lung cells and strain S3-9-IV HeLa cells; (b) rapid growth of strain CHL-1 on a 2 per cent serum medium yielding dense colonies estimated to contain 1000 or more cells in five days' incubation time; (c) improved growth of a human diploid cell line; (d) excellent short term growth of human white blood cells for chromosome preparations.
Policy termination as a political process

The problem of how to terminate ineffective or outdated public policies, programs, or organizations is increasingly important. This paper argues that it is helpful to conceive of termination as a special case of the policy adoption process: there is a struggle to adopt a policy A, the substance of which is to eliminate or curtail policy B. The main distinguishing feature of this class of policy contests is the activity of “vested interests” who are able to advance a peculiarly powerful moral claim concerning the “inequity” or “unfairness” of change.
Regulation of anthrax toxin-specific antibody titers by natural killer T cell-derived IL-4 and IFNγ.

Activation of Natural Killer-like T cells (NKT) with the CD1d ligand α-GC leads to enhanced production of anthrax toxin protective Ag (PA)-neutralizing Abs, yet the underlying mechanism for this adjuvant effect is not known. In the current study we examined the role of Th1 and Th2 type responses in NKT-mediated enhancement of antibody responses to PA. First, the contribution of IL-4 and IFNγ to the production of PA-specific toxin-neutralizing Abs was examined. By immunizing C57Bl/6 controls IL-4−/− mice and IFNγ−/− mice and performing passive serum transfer experiments, it was observed that sera containing PA-specific IgG1, IgG2b and IgG2c neutralized toxin in vitro and conferred protection in vivo. Sera containing IgG2b and IgG2c neutralized toxin in vitro but were not sufficient for protection in vivo. Sera containing IgG1 and IgG2b neutralized toxin in vitro and conferred protection in vivo. IgG1 therefore emerged as a good correlate of protection. Next, C57Bl/6 mice were immunized with PA alone or PA plus a Th2-skewing α-GC derivative known as OCH. Neutralizing PA-specific IgG1 responses were modestly enhanced by OCH in C57Bl/6 mice. Conversely, IgG2b and IgG2c were considerably enhanced in PA/OCH-immunized IL-4−/− mice but did not confer protection. Finally, bone marrow chimeras were generated such that NKT cells were unable to express IL-4 or IFNγ. NKT-derived IL-4 was required for OCH-enhanced primary IgG1 responses but not recall responses. NKT-derived IL-4 and IFNγ also influenced primary and recall IgG2b and IgG2c titers. These data suggest targeted skewing of the Th2 response by α-GC derivatives can be exploited to optimize anthrax vaccination.
Field independence and anchor effectiveness

To test the notion that attention is the mediator of contextual influence, it was assumed that field-dependent Ss’ judgments should reflect greater anchor effectiveness than field-independent Ss. The data did not support this hypothesis. Both field-dependent and field-independent Ss appear to be equally influenced by contextual effects in maenitude estimates.
Filling the Space of Possibilities: Eighteenth-Century Chemistry's Transition from Art to Science

This paper charts eighteenth-century chemistry's transition from its definition as an art to its proclaimed status as a science. Both the general concept of art and specific practices of eighteenth-century chemists are explored to account for this transition. As a disciplined activity, art orients practitioners' attention toward particular directions and away from others, providing a structured space of possibilities within which their discipline develops. Consequently, while chemists throughout the eighteenth century aspired to reveal nature's “true voice,” the path of their investigations was directed by and toward their laboratory manipulations. So long as the chemical community maintained an ethos of polite cooperation and eschewed theoretical wrangling, this point was hidden by a rhetoric of “matter of fact” reporting. But as “facts” mounted in the 1770s and 1780s, especially in pneumatic chemistry, cooperation gave way to contention as chemists sought to name and organize their findings without the guidance of a communally accepted “natural” system. Lavoisier and his fellow “new” chemists offered a forceful solution to this dilemma by introducing a revolutionary network of theories, nomenclature, and instruments that unabashedly fused the productive manipulation of their laboratory work with what they claimed as the structure and activity of nature.
Interpretative approaches to global climate governance / Democratizing global climate governance

The two books reviewed here are both concerned with the topic of discursive politics and climate change. Stevenson and Dryzek make a normative argument for deliberative policy approaches while Meth...
Movement of sodium from blood and brain into the cerebral ventricles of cats during altered CSF volume flow rates.

Abstract The movement of Na+ and of volume flow fluid into the ventricles of cats was studied during ventriculocisternal perfusion with anisotonic sucrose solutions. During perfusion with solutions ranging in osmolality from 350 to 10 mOsm, the volume flow of fluid decreased linearly to zero, but Na+ influx remained constant. During perfusion with solutions ranging from 300 to 785 mOsm, both volume flow of fluid and Na+ influx increased linearly without an apparent limit. In some experiments, intraveneous 22Na was used to trace Na+ movement from blood to brain and cerebrospinal fluid. From results of calculations of specific activities of sodium in serum, effluent fluid, and brain, it is concluded that when the cerebral ventricles are perfused with a Na+ free sucrose solution, Na+ diffuses into the ventricular fluid directly from blood flowing in the choroid plexus.
Do technology externalities justify restrictions on emission permit trading

Abstract International emission trading is an important flexibility mechanism, but its use has been often restricted on the ground that access to international carbon credits can undermine the domestic abatement effort reducing the incentive to innovate and, eventually, lowering the pace of climate policy-induced technological change. This paper examines the economics that is behind these concerns by studying how a cap to the trade of carbon offsets influences innovation, technological change, and welfare. By using a standard game of abatement and R&D, we investigate the main mechanisms that shape these relationships. We also use a numerical integrated assessment model that features environmental and technology externalities to quantify how limits to the volume, the timing, and the regional allocation of carbon offsets affect climate policy costs and the incentive to invest in innovation and low-carbon technologies. Results indicate that, for moderate caps on the amount tradable emissions permits and sufficiently high technology spillovers, global innovation and technical change would increase and that this additional innovative effort could lead to economic efficiency gains. The numerical analysis confirms that when constraints are close to 15% of domestic abatement, efficiency losses are small because they are partly compensated by more technological spillovers and lower energy prices. Under a broad range of parameters, restrictions are costly for the constrained countries, but always beneficial for unconstrained ones.
Psychographic clustering of blood donors in Egypt using Kohonen's self-organizing maps

Blood donation has historically been marketed as one of the purest examples of altruistic or pro-social behavior. The recruitment of blood donors is, however, a challenge as transfusion centers worldwide strive to attract and retain blood donors. This study uses self-organizing maps (SOM) to examine the effect of various psychographic and cognitive factors on blood donation in Egypt. SOM is a machine learning method that can be used to explore patterns in large and complex datasets for linear and nonlinear patterns. The results show that major variables affecting blood donation are related to altruistic values, perceived risks of blood donation, blood donation knowledge, attitudes toward blood donation, and intention to donate blood. The study also shows that SOM models are capable of improving clustering quality while extracting valuable information from multidimensional data. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Plasma‐Enhanced Chemical Vapor Deposition of Silicon Dioxide Deposited at Low Temperatures

Thin silicon dioxide films are commonly used as insulating layers in metal-insulator structures, such as integrated circuits and multichip modules. These films are either thermally grown or deposited by thermal or plasma-enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The advantage of PECVD is that lower deposition temperatures can be used avoiding defect formation, diffusion, and degradation of the metal layer. However, the low deposition temperature of the PECVD process has a negative effect on the quality of the silicon dioxide. Oxides produced at low temperatures contain more silanol and water impurities and are more porous than those deposited at higher temperatures. The deposition parameters, including substrate temperature, RF power, pressure, and reactant gas flow rate, affect the silanol and water concentration. The substrate temperature has the largest effect on the silanol concentration of the oxide. Using a large RF power, high pressure, and low nitrous oxide to silane ratio will minimize the silanol concentration at a given temperature. This will minimize the dielectric constant and maximize the etch resistance of the oxide produced.
Melanoma mutagenesis and aberrant cell signaling.

Background: Malignant melanoma is the most fatal type of skin cancer. Traditional melanoma classification has been based on histological subtype or anatomical location. However, recent evidence suggests that melanoma comprises a group of diseases characterized by distinct molecular mutations. These mutations affect disease behavior but provide unique opportunities for targeted therapy. Methods: In this review, several signaling pathways in melanoma are described as well as how mutations of BRAF, NRAS, KIT, GNAQ, and GNA11 genes cause aberrant signaling and malignant transformation. Results: Multiple genes affecting both the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K) pathway are mutated in melanoma. Melanomas harboring the BRAF V600E mutation have demonstrated sensitivity to both RAF and MAPK/extracellular signal regulated kinase (ERK) inhibitors in vitro and in vivo. In addition, KIT-mutant melanomas, often arising from mucosal, acral, and chronically sun-damaged skin surfaces, have shown clinical response to several inhibitors of the type III transmembrane receptor tyrosine kinase KIT. Uveal melanoma, which often harbors GNAQ or GNA11 mutations, may also be sensitive to MAPK/ERK or protein kinase C/PI3K pathway inhibition. Conclusions: Emerging knowledge of these molecular alterations has led to clinical advances in patients with melanoma. The study of known mutations and identification of new potential targets must continue in an effort to develop more effective therapies for this disease.
Medical epidemiology of patients surviving ten years after liver transplantation.

The transition into extended long-term follow-up after liver transplantation raises a new series of issues with respect to continuing care of this population. A retrospective study was performed, analyzing patients who underwent orthotopic liver transplant (OLT) and survived ≥10 yr at a single institution. Long-term comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus (DM), hypertension (HTN), chronic kidney disease (CKD), coronary artery disease (CAD), and obesity were identified and standardized prevalence ratios ([SPR]) utilized to compare with the general US population. There was an increased prevalence of HTN ([SPR] = 2.25 ± 0.61), DM ([SPR] = 2.67 ± 0.72), and CKD ([SPR] = 15.3 ± 4.04) but not CAD or obesity. In multivariate analysis, non-viral etiology of end-stage liver disease was associated with CKD (OR 3.42 CI 1.11-10.53), and an initial glomerular filtration rate (GFR) <60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) (CKD stages III-V) was associated with HTN (OR 4.62 CI 1.14-18.73) after OLT. Creatinine ≥ 1.5 mg/dL at 10 yr was associated with an initial GFR <60 mL/min per 1.73 m(2) (p = 0.000) and CAD after OLT (p = 0.012). Patients, 10 yr after OLT, have a significantly higher prevalence of HTN, DM, and CKD than the general population, which is not confounded by obesity. Increased vigilance and proactive management are required to further improve long-term outcomes.
A standardized excitation approach for classification of buried UXO

In this paper, a new discrimination procedure is presented to enhance classification of buried metallic object. This algorithm is based on a standardized source set (SSS) approximation, applicable for an arbitrary highly conducting and permeable metallic objects placed in a low frequency (from 10's of Hertz up to several 100's of kHz) time varying electromagnetic field. The method treats accurately all near field, heterogeneity, and internal interaction effects. In the SSS approach, any input primary magnetic field is represented as a sum of magnetic fields produced by a set of sources distributed over on an auxiliary surface outside the fictitious surface. The object's response corresponding to unit amplitudes of any of these input field sources is likewise quantified in terms of a set of (responding) sources, which can be derived from measured data. Thereafter, the object's response to any excitation can be expressed just by different superpositions of these standardized inputs. The spatial distribution and frequency dependence features of responding equivalent sources are analyzed and used for target discrimination. The numerical results are given for an actual unexploded ordinance (UXO)
Pre-oedipal phenomena, affect disorders, and biological psychiatry.

Avec l'emergence de la psychiatrie biologique en tant que force politique, conceptuelle et therapeutique, le diagnostic de depression endogene est applique a une vaste gamme de tableaux cliniques. Dans ce climat, la controverse autour de l'entreprise diagnostique, du traitement somatique des troubles de l'affectivite et des concepts de la psychopathologie pose un important defi a la psychologie d'inspiration psychanalytique dans l'environnement medical. Cas d'une adolescente de 18 ans cataloguee sous l'etiquette de «trouble affectif majeur»
Mixed redox catalytic destruction of chlorinated solvents in soils and groundwater.

A new thermocatalytic method to destroy chlorinated solvents has been developed in the laboratory and tested in a pilot field study. The method employs a conventional Pt/Rh catalyst on a ceramic honeycomb. Reactions proceed at moderate temperatures in the simultaneous presence of oxygen and a reductant (mixed redox conditions) to minimize catalyst deactivation. In the laboratory, stable operation with high conversions (above 90% at residence times shorter than 1 s) for perchloroethylene (PCE) is achieved using hydrogen as the reductant. A molar ratio of H2/O2 = 2 yields maximum conversions; the temperature required to produce maximum conversions is sensitive to influent PCE concentration. When a homologous series of aliphatic alkanes is used to replace hydrogen as the reductant, the resultant mixed redox conditions also produce high PCE conversions. It appears that the dissociation energy of the C–H bond in the respective alkane molecule is a strong determinant of the activation energy, and therefore the reaction rate, for PCE conversion. This new method was employed in a pilot field study in Tucson, Arizona. The mixed redox system was operated semicontinuously for 240 days with no degradation of catalyst performance and complete destruction of PCE and trichloroethylene in a soil vapor extraction gas stream. Use of propane as the reductant significantly reduced operating costs. Mixed redox destruction of chlorinated solvents provides a potentially viable alternative to current soil and groundwater remediation technologies.
Development And Adjustment Policy For A Low Income Farm Area1

This paper attempts to develop profit-maximizing plans for a low income farm area and to indicate the magnitude of resource adjustment required to meet this optimum. A secondary objective is to evaluate the usefulness of the variable resource programming technique as a device for determining resource misallocation and as a guide to regional and national policy. The study set out to develop optimum plans for the individual farm units and for the area using the variable resource programming technique. The results of the individual farm programs indicate that considerable income development potential exists on farms through internal farm resource reorganization and development. Results of the area programs suggest a need for substantial farm unit adjustment in order to achieve efficient resource use, particularly in achieving minimum farm income needs of the future.
Evolution of Yttrium Aluminum Garnet Films by Solid-State Reaction

Yttrium aluminum garnet (YAG) films were produced by reacting thin Y2O3 layers with single-crystal Al2O3 substrates. Y2O3 films were deposited using pulsed-laser deposition (PLD), which produced smooth textured films on specially prepared (0001) α-Al2O3 substrates. Solid-state reaction of the Y2O3 with the Al2O3 was induced by specific heat treatments. Transmission-electron microscopy was used to characterize the reaction products of each heat treatment. For a reaction temperature of l200°C, cross-sectional TEM specimens revealed the development of monoclinic Y4Al2O9 at the interface between the Y2O3 and the Al2O3. Development of YAG was seen to occur at the interface between the Al2O3 and the Y4Al2O9 for a slightly higher reaction temperature of l250°C. The metastable Y4Al2O9 phase and the Y2O3 phase were found to be consumed at higher reaction temperatures to form the equilibrium Y3Al5O12 (YAG) phase. The morphology of the YAG film was characterized by scanning-electron microscopy.
Environmental impacts of ethylene production from diverse feedstocks and energy sources

Quantitative cradle-to-gate environmental impacts for ethylene production from naphtha (petroleum crude), ethane (natural gas) and ethanol (corn-based) are predicted using GaBi® software. A comparison reveals that the majority of the predicted environmental impacts for these feedstocks fall within the same order of magnitude. Soil and water pollution associated with corn-based ethylene are however much higher. The main causative factor for greenhouse gas emissions, acidification and air pollution is the burning of fossil-based fuel for agricultural operations, production of fertilizers and pesticides needed for cultivation (in the case of ethanol), ocean-based transportation (for naphtha) and the chemical processing steps (for all feedstocks). An assessment of the environmental impacts of different energy sources (coal, natural gas and fuel oil) reveals almost similar carbon footprints for all the fossil fuels used to produce a given quantity of energy. For most of the environmental impact categories, the GaBi® software reliably predicts the qualitative trends. The predicted emissions agree well with the actual emissions data reported by a coal-based power plant (Lawrence Energy Center, Lawrence, KS) and a natural gas-based power plant (Astoria Generating Station, Queens, NY) to the United States Environmental Protection Agency. The analysis shows that for ethylene production, fuel burning at the power plant to produce energy is by far the dominant source (78–93 % depending on the fuel source) of adverse environmental impacts.
Replication pattern of a large homogenously staining chromosome region in antifolate-resistant Chinese hamster cell lines.

We have investigated the replication pattern of a large, homogenously staining chromosome region (HSR) in two antifolate-resistant Chinese hamster cell lines. This region is believed to be the location of an amplified genetic sequence which includes at least the gene coding for dihydrofolate reductase and which may be present in as many as 200 copies. It is shown that the HSR in both cell lines is among the first chromosome regions to begin DNA synthesis after reversal of an early G1 block. In cells synchronized in the S period with hydroxyurea, it is also clear that the HSR in both cell lines begins replication at many sites within its length in early S. The replicons comprising the HSR therefore may respond to a common initiation signal in early S. In one cell line (A3), replication of the HSR requires, at most, 3 hours of a 7-hour S period; in a second line (MQ19), replication proceeds for approximately 5 hours. In neither line does replication of the HSR occur concomitantly with synthesis of characteristic late replicating regions. These results were confirmed in exponential cultures using a retroactive labeling technique. The significance of these findings is discussed with reference to the possible origin and arrangement of the amplified sequence in these two cell lines.
Sedimentology of cherts in the Early Proterozoic Wishart Formation, Quebec-Newfoundland, Canada

The siliciclastic Wishart Formation of the Early Proterozoic Labrador trough is a high-energy shelf deposit. Wishart sandstones contain both interstitial chert with textures of void-filling cement and thin chert intercalations contaminated with siliciclastic mud. Although volumetrically minor, these cherts occur in several thin, areally extensive stratigraphic intervals. The Wishart contains intraclasts of both the chert-cemented sandstone and the impure chert layers (as well as several other types of chert sand and gravel). This suggests the cherts formed penecontemporaneously, which is consistent with the absence of any signs of replacement in all but one of the chert types and the clear-cut distinctions between chert types, even where they are side by side in a single thin section. The origin which appears to be most compatible with available evidence is that the cherts represent silica precipitated from thermal waters that rose through the sediments of the Wishart shelf and discharged into suprajacent seawater. A biogenic origin is unlikely in view of the lack of appropriate organisms during the Early Proterozoic and the rapidity with which the cements formed. A volcanogenic origin is unlikely because volcaniclastic textures are plentiful in associated formations but absent from the Wishart. Precipitation induced by evaporative concentration is unlikely in view of the widespread evidence of tidal currents and the lack of evidence of desiccation in the Wishart. Finally, the cherts are not restricted to the lowest-energy facies, and therefore they presumably did not accumulate as a background sediment. Deposition of silica above the sediment/water interface was probably made possible by ambient concentrations of silica that were significantly higher than those of Phanerozoic seawater. Cherts with similar textures occur in other Early Proterozoic sediments, most notably arenitic or granular iron-formations.
Aldosteronism and Peripheral Blood Mononuclear Cell Activation: A Neuroendocrine-Immune Interface

Aldosteronism eventuates in a proinflammatory/fibrogenic vascular phenotype of the heart and systemic organs. It remains uncertain whether peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) are activated before tissue invasion by monocytes/macrophages and lymphocytes, as is the case for responsible pathogenic mechanisms. Uninephrectomized rats treated for 4 weeks with dietary 1% NaCl and aldosterone (ALDOST, 0.75 μg/h) with or without spironolactone (Spi, 100 mg/kg per daily gavage) were compared with unoperated/untreated and uninephrectomized/salt-treated controls. Before intramural coronary vascular lesions appeared at week 4 of ALDOST, we found (1) a reduction of PBMC cytosolic free [Mg 2+ ] i , together with intracellular Mg 2+ and Ca 2+ loading, whereas plasma and cardiac tissue Mg 2+ were no different from controls; (2) increased H 2 O 2 production by monocytes and lymphocytes together with upregulated PBMC gene expression of oxidative stress–inducible tyrosine phosphatase and Mn 2+ -superoxide dismutase and the presence of 3-nitrotyrosine in CD4 + and ED-1–positive inflammatory cells that had invaded intramural coronary arteries; (3) B-cell activation, including transcription of immunoglobulins, intracellular adhesion molecule-1, and CC and CXC chemokines and their receptors; (4) expansion of B lymphocyte subset and myosin heavy chain class II–expressing lymphocytes; and (5) autoreactivity with gene expression for antibodies to acetylcholine receptors and a downregulation of RT-6.2, which is in keeping with cell activation and associated with autoimmunity. Spi cotreatment attenuated the rise in intracellular Ca 2+ , the appearance of oxidative/nitrosative stress in PBMCs and invading inflammatory cells, and alterations in PBMC transcriptome. Thus, aldosteronism is associated with an activation of circulating immune cells induced by iterations in PBMC divalent cations and transduced by oxidative/nitrosative stress. ALDO receptor antagonism modulates this neuroendocrine-immune interface. The full text of this article is available online at http://www.circresaha.org.
Murine embryonic spinal cord and adult testis Hox-1.4 cDNAs are identical 3′ to the homeo box

The Hox-1.4 murine homeo box containing gene is expressed in both embryonic spinal cord and adult testis where different sized Hox-1.4 transcripts are detected. In order to compare the sequences of these transcripts, Hox-1.4 cDNA clones were isolated from cDNA libraries prepared from mouse embryonic spinal cord and mouse adult testis. Sequence analysis showed these clones to be identical and extend from an internal EcoRI site at position 55 in the homeo box to a poly (A) stretch 20 nucleotides 3' to the polyadenylation signal. These data indicate that murine Hox-1.4 mRNAs expressed in embryonic spinal cord and adult testis are identical 3' to the homeo box and utilize the same polyadenylation signal.
Gender Differences in Diabetes Self-Management Among African American Adults:

The rising incidence of diabetes complications among African Americans is a major health concern. Few studies have addressed gender differences in diabetes self-management in this population. The purpose of this study was to determine whether gender differences in facilitators and barriers to self-management exist among African American adults with type 2 diabetes. Thirty-eight participants were recruited from community agencies and each participated in one of seven audio-recorded focus group sessions. Regular health care visits, positive outlook, prioritization of health, and independence facilitated self-management behaviors in men, whereas acceptance of diabetes was a facilitator for women. Lack of time at work, lack of family support, and lack of knowledge were barriers for men, whereas lack of finances, embarrassment, negative outlook, perceived lack of disease control, and adverse effects of medications were barriers for women. Further research is necessary to design and test gender-specific tailored interventions to improve diabetes self-management in this population.
Effects of Bilateral Enucleation on the Size of Visual and Nonvisual Areas of the Brain

Alterations in the activity of one sensory system can affect the development of cortical and subcortical structures in all sensory systems. In this study, we characterize the changes that occur in visual and nonvisual areas of the brain following bilateral enucleation in short-tailed opossums. We demonstrate that bilateral enucleation early in development can significantly decrease brain size. This change is driven primarily by a decrease in the size of the thalamus, midbrain, and hindbrain, rather than a decrease in the size of the cortical hemispheres. We also found a significant decrease in the size of the lateral geniculate nucleus in bilaterally enucleated animals. Although the overall size of the neocortex was the same, the percentage of neocortex devoted to visual areas V1 (primary visual area) and caudotemporal area were significantly smaller in bilaterally enucleated opossums and the percentage of neocortex devoted to the primary somatosensory area (S1) was significantly larger, although S1 did not change in size to the same extent as V1. Our data suggest that during development the relative activity patterns between sensory systems, which are driven by activity from unique sets of sensory receptor arrays, play a major role in determining the relative size and organization of cortical and subcortical areas.
The Study / Teacher Practices Around Exclusionary School Discipline

The study explained in this book interrogates teacher practices around exclusionary school discipline. Analysis of those practices generates points of hope, which are helpful for discerning, interpreting, and transforming dominant ideology.
Ethylene prunes translation.

Ethylene regulates many aspects of plant growth and development. In the presence of ethylene, the C terminus of EIN2 (EIN2C) translocates into the nucleus and activates transcription. Li et al. and Merchante et al. show that EIN2C also regulates translation through an interaction with the 3′ UTRs of transcripts.
ANALISIS FENOTIPICO DEL COMPLEX Trichophyton rubrum EN LOS MEDIOS DE SABOURAUD, LACTRIMEL, Y LA TECNICA DE FISCHER & KANE: UNA EXPERIENCIA REGIONAL

Con el proposito de comparar el rendimiento y la eficiencia de los medios utilizados de rutina en el laboratorio de Micologia para la identificacion de las especies que integran el complex T. rubrum presentes en la V Region, Chile, seleccionamos: Agar glucosa Sabouraud (SDA), Agar Lactrimel (AL) y el medio solido leche, glucosa, adicionado con el indicador de purpura de bromocresol (Fischer & Kane, 1971) (BCP-MS-G). Estos fueron probados en 304 cepas consideradas como T. rubrum en el medio SDA, provenientes de pacientes dermatologicos. Los parametros que se consideraron fueron rango de crecimiento, pigmentacion al reverso de las colonias y presencia de fructificaciones. Las variedades del complex identificadas fueron T. rubrum var. algodonosa (72,4%) y T. rubrum var. granular (14,5%) ademas de integrantes del complex T. mentagrophytes (13,2%) que no se consideraron en el estudio. La zona anatomica mas afectada fueron las unas de los pies (80,7%). La fructificacion en los 3 medios fue considerada como el «gold standard» y en base a este criterio se establecio su sensibilidad y especificidad, obteniendose para la var. granular una especificidad de un 100, 98,6 y 83,9% en BCP-MS-G, AL y SDA, respectivamente. Para la var. algodonosa, la mayor sensibilidad se obtuvo en BCP-MS-G (71,9%), pero con una nula especificidad, por lo que se sugiere considerar el rango de crecimiento limitado a los 7 dias y la pigmentacion al reverso de la colonia en este medio. La identificacion fue Boletin Micologico Vol. 21 : 91 - 97 2006 complementada con la prueba de la ureasa, que fue 100% negativa para todo el complex T. rubrum. Se sugiere el uso del medio de Fischer & Kane en conjunto con AL y SDA para diferenciar las variedades de este complex.
The relationship between elevation roughness and tornado activity: A spatial statistical model fit to data from the central great plains

AbstractThe statistical relationship between elevation roughness and tornado activity is quantified using a spatial model that controls for the effect of population on the availability of reports. Across a large portion of the central Great Plains the model shows that areas with uniform elevation tend to have more tornadoes on average than areas with variable elevation. The effect amounts to a 2.3% [(1.6%, 3.0%) = 95% credible interval] increase in the rate of a tornado occurrence per meter of decrease in elevation roughness, defined as the highest minus the lowest elevation locally. The effect remains unchanged if the model is fit to the data starting with the year 1995. The effect strengthens for the set of intense tornadoes and is stronger using an alternative definition of roughness. The elevation-roughness effect appears to be strongest over Kansas, but it is statistically significant over a broad domain that extends from Texas to South Dakota. The research is important for developing a local climato...
Seismic Instrumentation of the I-40 Mississippi River Bridge in Memphis, Tennessee

The purpose of this paper is to describe installation of a seismic instrumentation system which is proposed to be deployed on and in the vicinity of the I-40 Hernando DeSoto Mississippi River Bridge in Memphis, Tennessee. This bridge is planned to be retrofitted to withstand a magnitude (mb) 7 event at 65 km distance from the site with a depth of 20 km. The goal of the retrofit is to have this bridge fully operational following the maximum probable earthquake (2500 year return period). As part of the I-40 bridge retrofit, Friction Pendulum™ Isolation Bearings will be used to insure the integrity of the main spans of the bridge.The I-40 bridge is scheduled to be retrofitted in several phases. The first phase of the retrofit is scheduled to begin in year 2000. Therefore, there is a window of opportunity to install an integrated system of seismic strong-motion instruments on and around the vicinity of the bridge during the retrofit construction phase. A strong-motion instrumentation with 65 data channels at 25 different locations on the bridge and at the free-field in the vicinity of the bridge is proposed to be installed. This will provide needed data to better understand the ground motion and ground failure and the response of the retrofitted bridge in a strong earthquake. In addition. the instrumentation will strengthen the free-field strong-motion network in the metropolitan Memphis area.
Evaluating Educational Needs of Parents at Newborn Discharge: A Pilot Study

OBJECTIVE: The delivery of anticipatory guidance regarding newborn care is a standard practice for pediatricians. The purpose of this prospective study was to analyze the preexisting knowledge of routine newborn care in postpartum mothers. METHODS: Inclusion criteria included all postpartum mothers of live-born infants at least two hours following delivery that had not yet received formal instruction in newborn care. Each eligible mother that agreed to the voluntary survey was asked four multiple-choice questions which evaluated her knowledge of newborn care. The four questions addressed knowledge of safe sleep, car seat position, feeding behavior, and neonatal fever. A standardized template was used to ensure validity. Results were recorded in Microsoft Excel. RESULTS: Of the study population, 42% (55/131) of surveyed mothers were first-time mothers. Overall, results of the survey demonstrated that postpartum mothers answered the surveyed questions correctly 88% of the time previous to receiving anticipatory guidance. CONCLUSIONS: Postpartum mothers appear to have a high preexisting knowledge of routine newborn care in this study. Further studies are needed to determine if postpartum mothers’ knowledge base increases with inpatient education.
Classifying cotton bark and grass extraneous matter using image analysis

Cotton extraneous matter (EM) and special conditions are the only cotton quality attributes still determined manually by US Department of Agriculture Agricultural Marketing Service (USDA-AMS) class...
Familial Adenomatous Polyposis

Familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), caused by a germline mutation in the adenomatous polyposis coli (APC) gene on chromosome 5q21, is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by hundreds to thousands of adenomas throughout the gastrointestinal tract. A variety of extraintestinal manifestations, including thyroid, soft tissue, and brain tumors, may also be present. These patients inevitably develop colorectal carcinoma by the fourth decade of life. In this review, the pathology, epidemiology, and genetic features of FAP are discussed.
Amyloidosis of the urethra.

AbstractPrimary, localized amyloidosis of the urethra is rare. The patient usually presents with hematuria and the appearance of urethral carcinoma. However, the disease is benign and it is treated effectively with local removal. We report our experience with 5 cases.
Clinical outcome and management of prenatally diagnosed primary megaureters.

AbstractThe objective of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of infants diagnosed perinatally with primary obstructive megaureter, and to determine which anatomical and physiological indexes best predict such outcome. A total of 67 megaureters thought to be due to primary vesicoureteral junction obstruction was detected in 53 newborns as a result of prenatally diagnosed hydronephrosis or hydroureteronephrosis. These patients were followed nonoperatively using periodic ultrasound and 99mtechnetium-diethylenetriaminepentaacetic acid (Tc-DTPA) renal scans. After a mean followup period of 3.1 years 23 dilated ureters (34%) spontaneously resolved while 33 (49%) persisted. Repair was performed on 11 megaureters (17%) because of breakthrough urinary infections in 3 and deteriorating renal function in 8. Postoperatively, all renal units showed improved drainage on 99mTc-DTPA renal scan, while half of those with decreased renal function regained the lost function. None had further deterioration in rena...
An outbreak of dermatitis caused by Pyemotes ventricosus parasitic in tristletail in a kindergarten

2009年4月9日至5月19日,广州市白云区某幼儿园多名儿童陆续发生皮疹;经过联合调查确认为是一起由球腹蒲螨(Pyemotes ventricosus)引起的皮炎暴发.现将结果报道如下. 1.对象与方法:广州市白云区某幼儿园陆续发生皮疹;发生病例100例,其中幼儿发病89例,罹患率45.9%;老师发病11例,罹患率31.4%.主要临床特征:患者手臂、颈部、躯干和腿部出现红色斑丘疹,尤以背部多见,新鲜皮疹为一些梭形、粟粒样中间有针尖大小叮咬痕迹的丘疹或丘泡疹,部分融合成风团块;恢复期皮疹只看到暗褐色的疤痕;皮疹有瘙痒感但无痛感,大部分患者可见有皮肤抓挠的痕迹;病程一般3～4 d,病情均较轻,无重症并发症和住院病例。
Resilient welded steel moment connections by enhanced beam buckling resistance

Abstract This study develops two (2) simple but effective techniques for enhancing buckling resistance of welded steel moment connections (WSMCs). The ANSI/AISC 358-10 prequalified connections satisfy the 4% interstory drift requirement, however experimental studies have shown that their strength degradation may initiate as early as 3% drift. This strength degradation has been observed to be initiated by buckling of the beam web which is followed by buckling of the beam flange and twisting of the beam. Consequently, buildings with the prequalified connections may sustain significant buckling damages under severe earthquakes and it is questionable as to whether these connections are capable of resisting gravity loads or lateral loads from strong aftershocks following a severe earthquake. To improve upon these shortcomings, two (2) performance enhancing techniques are proposed and investigated through finite element analysis (FEA). The more promising of the two involves reinforcing the beam web in the expected plastic hinge with a web reinforcement plate. Finite element analysis demonstrated that this reinforcement enhances the beam buckling resistance of WSMCs and thereby significantly reduces the beam buckling damages even at 5% interstory drift. The potential of this technique is analytically and experimentally demonstrated for the recently developed heat-treated beam section (HBS) WSMC. Test results confirm that the web reinforcement plate was effective in reducing local buckling damage and associated strength degradation, thereby improving the performance of HBS WSMCs. Areas for application and future development of the proposed techniques are identified.
Health and the Economy, 2nd Ed.

Health and health care systems interrelate with the economy in a number of ways, but the multiple causal mechanisms that define this relationship divide naturally into two categories. The first comprises the linkages between health and the growth rate and distribution of income. The second concerns the relationships among health care delivery institutions, health finance policies, and economic outcomes. The two major sections of this chapter follow this division of topics.
CHAPTER 31 – The identification of dendritic cells in cancer

Langerhans cell histiocytosis (LCH), is a clonal disorder in which abnormal Langerhans cells accumulate at various body sites not usually known to harbor them. The cells of LCH have the phenotype of immature Langerhans cells because 86 LCH cells also retain their Birbeck granules, while activated Langerhans cells tend to lose theirs. In addition to CD1a, LCH cells express paranuclear CD68, S100 protein, and CD4, but not fascin or CD83. The cutaneous lesion juvenile xanthogranuloma and its systemic counterparts, which can involve deep soft tissues, brain, and meninges as well as other organs, appear to be lesions of the dermal and interstitial dendritic cells (DCs). The histology encompasses a mixture of angular histiocytes, lipid-filled xanthomatous forms, and multinucleated Touton-type giant cells. The in situ phenotype is generally fascin, factor XIIIa + , CD68 + , S100, and CD1a - .
Proficiency influences orthographic activations during L2 spoken-word recognition

Aims and objectives:Previous research has demonstrated that literate adults activate orthographic representations to map spoken words onto printed referents as they hear a word. This study examined the time course of orthographic activation during spoken-word recognition in L2 context, taking into account of L2 proficiency.Methodology:We used the printed-word visual-world paradigm, in which participants saw four words on a computer screen and clicked on the word that matched spoken input. Twenty-one native Japanese speakers and 55 learners of Japanese with the L1 English background took part in this study.Data and analysis:The eye-movement data were analyzed using time-dependent mixed-effect logistic regression models. Our models included time and proficiency as fixed effects and participants and item as random effects.Findings:The pattern of the results identified the activation of orthography during speech processing by native Japanese speakers. The results from the L2 learner group showed that L2 profi...