cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Predictors of Survival in Adrenocortical Carcinoma: An Analysis From the National Cancer Database.

Context Adrenocortical carcinoma (ACC) is rare; knowledge about prognostic factors and survival outcomes is limited. Objective To describe predictors of survival and overall survival (OS) outcomes. Design and Patients Retrospective analysis of data from the National Cancer Database (NCDB) from 2004 to 2015 on 3185 patients with pathologically confirmed ACC. Main Outcome Measures Baseline description, survival outcomes, and predictors of survival were evaluated in patients with ACC. Results Median age at ACC diagnosis was 55 (range: 18 to 90) years; did not differ significantly by sex or stage of the disease at diagnosis. On multivariate analysis, increasing age, higher Charlson-Deyo comorbidity index score, high tumor grade, and no surgical therapy (all P < 0.0001); and stage IV disease (P = 0.002) and lymphadenectomy during surgery (P = 0.02) were associated with poor prognosis. Patients with stage I-III disease treated with surgical resection had significantly better median OS (63 vs 8 months; P < 0.001). In stage IV disease, better median OS occurred in patients treated with surgery (19 vs 6 months; P < 0.001), and postsurgical radiation (29 vs 10 months; P < 0.001) or chemotherapy (22 vs 13 months; P = 0.004). Conclusion OS varied with increasing age, higher comorbidity index, grade, and stage of ACC at presentation. There was improved survival with surgical resection of primary tumor, irrespective of disease stage; postsurgical chemotherapy or radiation was of benefit only in stage IV disease.
Structural bases of TRP channel TRPV6 allosteric modulation by 2-APB

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels are involved in various physiological processes, including sensory transduction. The TRP channel TRPV6 mediates calcium uptake in epithelia and its expression is dramatically increased in numerous types of cancer. TRPV6 inhibitors suppress tumor growth, but the molecular mechanism of inhibition remains unknown. Here, we present crystal and cryo-EM structures of human and rat TRPV6 bound to 2-aminoethoxydiphenyl borate (2-APB), a TRPV6 inhibitor and modulator of numerous TRP channels. 2-APB binds to TRPV6 in a pocket formed by the cytoplasmic half of the S1-S4 transmembrane helix bundle. Comparing human wild-type and high-affinity mutant Y467A structures, we show that 2-APB induces TRPV6 channel closure by modulating protein-lipid interactions. Mutagenesis and functional analyses suggest that the identified 2-APB binding site might be present in other members of vanilloid subfamily TRP channels. Our findings reveal a mechanism of ion channel allosteric modulation that can be exploited for therapeutic design.
Gangrenous cholecystitis : five patients with intestinal obstruction

Gangrenous cholecystitis, a disease more common in older patients and diabetics, may be complicated by perforation, pericholecystic abscess, and fistula. Intestinal obstruction has rarely been reported as a complication and only in cases involving perforation or acute, nongangrenous cholecystitis. A retrospective review of hospital records between 1961 and 1989 identified 126 patients with gangrenous cholecystitis, five of whom came to the hospital with intestinal obstruction. Three were cases of paralytic ileus and two of simple mechanical obstruction without perforation. The latter group may represent the first such cases reported. Gallbladder perforation occurred in two patients and cholelithiasis was found in three. The mean age of the total patient cohort was 70.6 years; patients were predominantly male and black. Hypertension and diabetes were common concomitant diseases. Patients commonly came to the hospital with nausea and vomiting, increasing abdominal girth, and obstipation. A leukocytosis on admission was more common than fever or hyperbilirubinemia. The clinical presentation of intestinal obstruction and the lack of objective data specific for gangrenous cholecystitis made a preoperative diagnosis impossible. Thus, a high index of suspicion should increase diagnostic accuracy. The incidence of intestinal obstruction (at presentation) in cases of gangrenous gallbladders was 4 per cent. Morbidity and mortality are reduced with early operation.
The Maptree: A Fine-Grained Formal Representation of Space

This paper introduces a new formal structure, called the maptree, that is shown to uniquely specify, up to homeomorphism, the topological structure of embeddings of graphs in orientable, closed surfaces. A simple modification is made to show that the representation also works for planar embeddings. It is shown that the maptrees are capable of providing a rich representation of the topology of 2D spatial objects and their relationships. The maptree representation is then used to characterize some properties of topological change in these embeddings.
EPR Spectroscopy of Function In Vivo

EPR can be used to study free radicals in vivo, environmental and biophysical parameters in cells and tissues, and to report metabolism, physiology, and biochemistry. The authors have attempted to judge which of these types of measurements will be productive for studies in animals and in humans. It is envisioned that a large number of in vivo applications of EPR will grow in importance as well as in technical capability in the near future. The most likely clinical applications will be oximetry and radiation dosimetry.
Complicating our understanding of environmental migration and displacement: The case of drought-related human movement in Kenya:

The social work profession is increasingly concerned with human movement due to environmental changes and has issued a call to develop appropriate interventions to support the vulnerable groups tha...
Carborane superhalide bases and their conjugate Brønsted-Lowry Superacids: Electron binding energies and Dyson orbitals

Abstract Superacidity in protonated carboranes arises from properties of conjugate anions: shallow, uniform electrostatic potentials, large electron detachment energies and nodal structure in Dyson orbitals. Vertical electron detachment energies (VEDEs) and Dyson orbitals of closo CHB11X11− (X = H, F, Cl) carboranes calculated with ab initio electron-propagator theory in the renormalized partial third order (P3+) and non-diagonal, renormalized, second-order (NR2) approximations are in close agreement with anion photoelectron spectra. Whereas first VEDEs to 2E2 final states of all three of these superhalide anions exceed 6 eV, a more promising strategy for enhancing superacidity is increasing the anionic base’s second VEDE to the lowest 2E1 final state.
Multi-Robot Enhanced Intelligent Multi-User Millimeter-Wave MIMO Systems under Uncertain Environment

This paper investigates how to maximize the practical communication quality of multi-user millimeter-wave (mmWave) MIMO systems with uncertain environment through effectively using the mobility from multi-robots as dynamic relays and adopting machine learning techniques. mmWave MIMO has been considered as a promising wireless communication technology due to the high frequency usage efficiency from beamforming. However, the uncertain environment could seriously affect the effectiveness and practicality of beamforming since wireless channels may have a more complicated structure, and the coordination among multiple nodes could be more difficult. For instance, the uncertain distribution of mobile users could significantly affect the performance of wireless channels, and then significantly degrade practical communication quality. Therefore, this paper presents a novel Multi-Robot Enhanced Intelligent Multi-User Millimeter-Wave MIMO (MREI-MU-MIMO) system that adopt both dynamic codebook based beam training protocol and online reinforcement learning to supervise the mobility of multi-robot-relay as well as handle the serious effects form the uncertain environment. Firstly, a novel dynamic codebook development is presented that cannot only lower the complexity of existing beamforming codebooks and also handle the complicated channel structure under uncertainty during multi-user beam training. Then, a decentralized Deep Q-Network (DQN) rein-forcement learning algorithm has been developed to intelligently manage multi-robot mobility and further effectively assign the optimal MIMO to handle the uncertainty from environment. The effectiveness of the proposed design has been demonstrated through real-time simulation and experiment.
Soiled Instrument Handling in Outpatient Clinics; Our process to compliance

BACKGROUND: The outpatient clinic system of about 35 centers, including 4 ambulatory surgery centers (ASCs) with central sterilization (CS) services, was incorrectly handling and transporting soiled instruments. Non-ASC instruments were hand-carried through hallways to collection bins on countertops in clerical areas. Bins did not meet standards. Bins from outreach centers were left in mailrooms for courier collection, and were mixed with clean items. Some bins still contained a portion of the water/enzymatic soak solution. METHODS: A task force was formed to improve the process at the clinic site with the largest ASC first. The other clinic sites with ASCs and then the remaining outreach centers followed suite. New instrument bins were purchased and a new instrument spray replaced soaking. Soiled utility rooms were constructed where there were none. A policy, procedure, checklist, algorithm and training video were made and placed in an online toolkit. Couriers were given turn-by-turn directions to all the soiled utility rooms and were educated on maintaining separation of clean and dirty within the transport vans. RESULTS: With support starting at the executive level, safe soiled instrument handling and transportation resulted system-wide after seven months. Joint Commission accreditation was achieved. I, along with my coworkers, continue to educate staff as necessary to make this process their “new normal” for soiled instrument handling. CONCLUSIONS: Process change across a large healthcare system requires commitment at the executive level including funding and educational tools.
Precision Dermal Fat Grafting for Vermillion Deficiencies in Patients With Unilateral and Bilateral Cleft Lip.

Objective:Deficiencies of the upper lip vermilion occur with some frequency following repair of unilateral and bilateral clefts of the lip and can compromise the aesthetic outcome. The presence of ...
GPU Acceleration for Triaxial Induction Logging Tool Responses in Layered Uniaixal Formation

Recently, a new formulation for calculating triaxial induction logging tool responses in layered uniaxial (also called transverse isotropic) formation is developed. To obtain the tool responses in deviated wells, there are five independent Som-merfeld integrals need to be carried out, and the fast Hankel transform (FHT) is employed to do this with high efficiency. For horizontal wells, the integrals become divergent, which can be circumvented by using singularity extraction. For vertical wells, the FHT will fail, and the double-exponential (DE) rule is implemented to deal with this special situation. The computation of tool responses when the logging tool is drilling at a arbitrary dip angle in layered formation is further accelerated by exploiting the parallel programming on graphics processing unit (GPU). The responses of a large amount of logging points are calculated in parallel on GPU where one thread calculates the response of one logging point. Compared with CPU-based algorithm, the GPU-accelerated algorithm can achieve a speedup up to 100 times when the number of logging points is large.
Linguistic, Cultural, and Environmental Aspects of Ethnoprimatological Knowledge Among the Lokono, Kari’na, and Warao of the Moruca River (Guyana)

Indigenous people possess extensive knowledge of the environment they inhabit. Indigenous languages, a reserve of this knowledge, astound in turn with the number of ethnobiological categories encoded and the diversity of principles according to which they are organized. Even more confounding is the mosaic of languages that has crystalized in precontact South America, the fragments of which scientists try to piece together. The Moruca River in northwestern Guyana, inhabited by three linguistically unrelated peoples (the Lokono, Kari’na, and Warao), is one piece of this puzzle. Its multiethnic character renders it a perfect setting for the study of environmental adaptation and cultural exchange among indigenous peoples, two forces that may have played an important role in shaping the linguistic and cultural landscape of Amazonia. It is from this angle that ethnoprimatological knowledge and the related vocabulary are analyzed in this chapter. The data reveal that the three languages are highly sensitive to environmental pressures. The languages retain, borrow, and drop terms for primates, or even change their meanings, fine-tuning their lexical resources to the environmental niches, in which they have been spoken. The results also unravel patterns of areal convergence and borrowing of cultural practices involving primates. However, the linguistic and cultural borrowings do not align. The observed linguistic borrowings are cases of classic lexical borrowing motivated by the need to name unknown referents, independently of the cultural import of their referents.
Bearing the Burden: Outcomes and Moderators of Social Burden in the Workplace

In this study, we sought to replicate and extend the findings of past research dealing with social burden. Social burden is defined as behaviors from colleagues that elicit social support from coworkers. Previous research has demonstrated that social burden often leads to detrimental outcomes, despite the fact that the social burden is not, by definition, negative. However, further research is still needed to understand just how social burden impacts organizations and those within them. Using a large, diverse sample (N = 632), we assessed the effects of social burden on various attitudinal, well-being, and behavioral outcomes. In addition, we assessed interaction effects of both hostile attribution bias and negative reciprocity beliefs on the relationship between social burden and counterproductive work behavior. Results replicated previous findings and uncovered a novel interaction within the social burden and counterproductive work behavior relationship: higher levels of negative reciprocity beliefs strengthen the relationship between social burden and counterproductive work behavior. In addition, post-hoc analysis of the social burden construct found significant differences between the more emotion-laden social burden items and the more instrumental social burden items in their relationship with counterproductive work behavior.
Emerging Role of Nef in the Development of HIV Associated Neurological Disorders

Despite adherence to treatment, individuals living with HIV have an increased risk for developing cognitive impairments, referred to as HIV-associated neurological disorders (HAND). Due to continued growth in the HIV population, particularly amongst the aging cohort, the neurobiological mechanisms of HAND are increasingly relevant. Similar to other viral proteins (e.g. Tat, Gp120, Vpr), the Negative Factor (Nef) is associated with numerous adverse effects in the CNS as well as cognitive impairments. In particular, emerging data indicate the consequences of Nef may be facilitated by the modulation of cellular autophagy as well as its inclusion into extracellular vesicles (EVs). The present review examines evidence for the molecular mechanisms by which Nef might contribute to neuronal dysfunction underlying HAND, with a specific focus on autophagy and EVs. Based on the these data, we propose an integrated model by which Nef may contribute to underlying neuronal dysfunction in HAND and highlight potentially novel therapeutic targets for HAND. Graphical abstract.
Selecting Representative and Qualified Candidates for President: Proposals to Reform Presidential Primaries

The presidential primary processes used by the two major parties misses opportunities to engage voters and incorporate their input in selecting nominees. This report by Fordham Law School's Democracy Clinic advances several reforms to make the primaries more inclusive, including reordering the primary calendar to give voters in more states a meaningful voice, eliminating caucuses, and opening primaries to independent voters. Additionally, the political parties should make primary debates more informative and limit party leaders’ opportunities to have disproportionate input in selecting presidential candidates.
Financial Self-Efficacy and the Financial Satisfaction of Credit-Card Users

This study tests whether an individual’s sense of financial self-efficacy mitigates the effects of credit-card mismanagement on users’ financial satisfaction. We first replicate the results of a previous study of credit-card usage and risk tolerance and find that credit-card mismanagement is associated with lower financial satisfaction for only borrowers with low risk tolerance. We then use data from the Health and Retirement Study and find that credit-card mismanagement reduces the financial satisfaction of borrowers with lower financial self-efficacy only. These results also demonstrate the usefulness of FSE as a predictor of borrower behavior, and reinforce the theoretic connection between FSE and individual risk preferences.
Constructing Alpha: Structures of Hegemony

This chapter examines linguistic structures in the discourse corpora following a three-tiered approach. Examination distinguishes between clauses as exchanges, involving participant relations projected into morpho-syntactic structures; clauses as messages, implicating pragmatic patterns that enlanguage contextual meanings; and clauses as representations, incorporating concepts from Systemic Functional Linguistics (Halliday and Matthiessen, Introduction to functional Grammar. 4th ed. London: Routledge, 2004). At each level, data attest to the variable positioning of Alpha vis-a-vis Beta and Women. These positionings are argued to be structured realizations of hegemony: Alpha participants hold outsized power as possessors and behavers, their agency is directed against others, and they are holders of knowledge. Beta and Women, on the other hand, are enlanguaged as holders of emotion, negative or failed agency, and the locus of desire, inability, and need.
Analysis of Social Media Discussions on (#)Diet by Blue, Red, and Swing States in the U.S.

The relationship between political affiliations and diet-related discussions on social media has not been studied on a population level. This study used a cost- and -time effective framework to leverage, aggregate, and analyze data from social media. This paper enhances our understanding of diet-related discussions with respect to political orientations in U.S. states. This mixed methods study used computational methods to collect tweets containing “diet” or “#diet” shared in a year, identified tweets posted by U.S. Twitter users, disclosed topics of tweets, and compared democratic, republican, and swing states based on the weight of topics. A qualitative method was employed to code topics. We found 32 unique topics extracted from more than 800,000 tweets, including a wide range of themes, such as diet types and chronic conditions. Based on the comparative analysis of the topic weights, our results revealed a significant difference between democratic, republican, and swing states. The largest difference was detected between swing and democratic states, and the smallest difference was identified between swing and republican states. Our study provides initial insight on the association of potential political leanings with health (e.g., dietary behaviors). Our results show diet discussions differ depending on the political orientation of the state in which Twitter users reside. Understanding the correlation of dietary preferences based on political orientation can help develop targeted and effective health promotion, communication, and policymaking strategies.
p$^\dagger$q: A tool for prototyping many-body methods for quantum chemistry

p$^\dagger$q is a C++ accelerated Python library designed to generate equations for many-body quantum chemistry methods and to realize proof-of-concept implementations of these equations for rapid prototyping. Central to this library is a simple interface to define strings of second-quantized creation and annihilation operators and to bring these strings to normal order with respect to either the true vacuum state or the Fermi vacuum. Tensor contractions over fully-contracted strings can then be evaluated using standard Python functions ({\em e.g.}, \np's einsum). Given one- and two-electron integrals these features allow for the rapid implementation and assessment of a wide array of many-body quantum chemistry methods.
Wayfinding Information Cognitive Load Classification Based on Functional Near-Infrared Spectroscopy

AbstractAmid the rapid development of building information technologies, wayfinding information has become more accessible to building users and first responders. As a result, a realistic risk of c...
Coefficients and Periods of Cusp Forms on SL 2 ( Z )

In pioneering work, Eichler [E 2] discovered relations between periods of cusp forms, extended by Shimura [Sh 1]. Manin [Man 4] made more explicit the connection of these relations with the coefficients in the q-expansion, by using the Hecke operators and continued fractions, and in this chapter, we reproduce part of his paper, after stating the Eichler-Shimura relations.
Stroke outreach in an inner city market: A platform for identifying African American males for stroke prevention interventions

Abstract Background: There are significant racial disparities in stroke incidence and mortality. Health fairs and outreach programs can be used to increase stroke literacy, but they often fail to reach those at highest risk, including African American males. Methods: We conducted a stroke outreach and screening program at an inner city market in order to attract a high-risk group for a stroke education intervention. A modified Framingham risk tool was used to estimate stroke risk and a 10-item quiz was developed to assess stroke literacy among 80 participants. We report results of the demographic and stroke risk analyses and stroke knowledge assessment. Results: The program attracted a majority male (70%) and African American (95%) group of participants. Self-reported hypertension (57.5%), tobacco use (40%), and diabetes (23.8%) were prevalent. Knowledge of stroke warning signs, risk factors, and appropriate action to take for stroke symptoms was not poor when compared to the literature. Conclusions: Stroke outreach and screening in an inner city public market may be an effective way to target a high-risk population for stroke prevention interventions. Stroke risk among participants was high despite adequate stroke knowledge.
Genetic blocks and unique features in the biosynthesis of 5'-phosphoribosyl-N-formylglycinamide in Salmonella typhimurium.

Purine-requiring mutants of Salmonella typhimurium have been examined for the ability to synthesize 5′-phosphoribosyl-N-formylglycinamide in a coupled reaction involving the first three enzymes of the biosynthetic pathway for purine nucleotides. Extracts prepared from mutants belonging to the distinct genetic classes, pur F and pur D, were inactive in this assay but were active when mixed together. Further analysis showed that pur F mutants were deficient in the first enzyme, 5-phosphoribosyl 1-pyrophosphate amidotransferase (ribosylamine-5-phosphate:pyrophosphate phosphoribosyltransferase, EC 2.4.2.14), and pur D mutants were apparently deficient in the second enzyme, phosphoribosylglycinamide synthetase (ribosylamine-5-phosphate:glycine ligase, EC 6.3.1.3). The third enzyme, phosphoribosylglycinamide formyltransferase (5′-phosphoribosyl-N-formylglycineamide:tetrahydrofolate 5,10-formyltransferase, EC 2.1.2.2), was present in all mutants, and a genetic deficiency for this enzyme has not been found. Attempts to limit the action of this enzyme by creating folate deficiencies were unsuccessful. This and other considerations suggest a uniqueness in the formyltransferase system different from the equivalent nonbacterial systems.
On the statistical strength of nicalon fibers and its characterization

Nicalon fibers are one of the most attractive ceramic fibers for reinforcing high temperature structural composites. Experiment show that the diameter variation (from 8 to 22 {mu}m) in a tow of commercial Nicalon fibers has an effect on statistical strength distribution of Nicalon fibers. Therefore, an appropriate characterization of the statistical distribution of fiber strength, capable of accounting for the effect of diameter variation, is required. The two-parameter single-modal Weibull distribution is found inadequate for characterizing the strength of Nicalon fibers. This work demonstrates that a 3-parameter modified Weibull distribution can successfully characterize the strength of Nicalon fibers; this distribution yields a higher {beta} value, which indicates less scatter in fiber strength than with the 2-parameter single modal Weibull distribution. It more accurately treats the strength variation caused by diameter variation. It is also much easier to use than the 4-parameter bimodal. Moreover, it is seen to more accurately treat the strength variation caused by diameter variation than the single modal 2-parameter analysis.
Requirements engineering pattern structure

The pattern is one of the effective tools to record and reuse the knowledge and know-how concerning software development. Although various patterns have been previously presented, we find it difficult to describe and acquire engineering patterns to support the software development process. We collected requirements engineering patterns and studied the structures of them. In the results of the study, three kinds of problems have been discovered. The first problem is that previously presented pattern forms are not suitable to describe engineering patterns. The second problem is that it is hard to find a desired pattern from a multitude of various patterns. The third problem is that there are qualitative differences between descriptions of patterns. We considered that the cause of these problems is the form of each pattern and, established two types of pattern structures: inside structure and outside structure. This paper presents a pattern structure for requirements engineering.
Triadic relations: an algebra for the semantic web

This paper introduces and develops an algebra over triadic relations (relations whose contents are only triples). In essence, the algebra is a severely restricted variation of relational algebra (RA) that is de.ned over relations with exactly three attributes and is closed for the same set of relations. In particular, arbitrary joins and Cartesian products are replaced by a single three-way join. Ternary relations are important because they provide the minimal, and thus most uniform, way to encode semantics wherein metadata may be treated uniformly with regular data; this fact has been recognized in the choice of triples to formalize the Semantic Web via RDF. Indeed, algebraic de.nitions corresponding to certain of these formalisms will be shown as examples. An important aspect of this algebra is an encoding of triples, implementing a kind of rei.cation. The algebra is shown to be equivalent, over non-rei.ed values, to a restriction of Datalog and hence to a fragment of .rst order logic. Furthermore, the algebra requires only two operators if certain .xed in.nitary constants (similar to Tarski's identity) are present. In this case, all structure is represented only in the data, that is, in the encodings that these in.nitary constants represent.
Neurodegeneration in Striatum Induced by the Mitochondrial Toxin 3-Nitropropionic Acid: Role of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 in Early Blood-Brain Barrier Disruption?

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) dysfunction is a potential mechanism involved in progressive striatal damage induced by the mitochondrial excitotoxin, 3-nitropropionic acid (3-NP). After activation by proteases and free radicals, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), particularly MMP-9 and -2, can digest the endothelial basal lamina leading to BBB opening. Using CD-1 mice, we show that MMP-9 expression by zymography is increased in the injured striatum compared with the contralateral striatum 2 hr after 3-NP injection [133.50 ± 57.17 vs 50.25 ± 13.56; mean ± SD of optical densities in arbitrary units (A.U.); p < 0.005] and remains elevated until 24 hr (179.33 ± 78.24 A.U.). After 4 hr, MMP-9 expression and activation are accompanied by an increase in BBB permeability. MMP inhibition attenuates BBB disruption, swelling, and lesion volume compared with vehicle-treated controls. There is a clear spatial relationship between MMP-9 expression and oxidized hydroethidine, indicating reactive oxygen species (ROS) production. Furthermore, transgenic mice that overexpress copper/zinc-superoxide dismutase (SOD1) show decreased lesion size and edema along with decreased immunoreactivity for MMP-9, compared with wild-type littermates (lesion: 38.8 ± 15.1 and 53.3 ± 10.3, respectively, p ≤ 0.05; edema: 21.8 ± 11.2 and 35.28 ± 11, respectively, p ≤ 0.05; MMP-9-positive cells: 352 ± 57 and 510 ± 45, respectively, p ≤ 0.005), whereas knock-out mice deficient in SOD1 display significantly greater swelling (48.65 ± 17; p ≤ 0.05). We conclude that early expression and activation of MMP-9 by ROS may be involved in early BBB disruption and progressive striatal damage after 3-NP treatment.
Cutting Edge: Selective Impairment of CD8+ T Cell Function in Mice Lacking the TNF Superfamily Member LIGHT

Interactions of LIGHT and its receptors, herpesvirus entry mediator on T cells and lymphotoxin β receptor on stromal cells, are implicated in the regulation of lymphoid organogenesis, costimulation of T cells, and activation of dendritic cells. In this work we report that LIGHT-deficient mice had normal lymphoid organs with T cells and APCs that normally responded to Ag stimulation and normally stimulated T cells. Although the number of Vβ8+ T cells in naive LIGHT+/+ and LIGHT−/− mice was identical, Vβ8+CD8+ T cell proliferation in response to staphylococcal enterotoxin B was significantly lower in LIGHT−/− mice. Consistently, induction and cytokine secretion of CD8+ CTL to MHC class I-restricted peptide was also reduced in LIGHT−/− mice. However, the proliferative response of Vβ8+CD4+ T cells to staphylococcal enterotoxin B was comparable in LIGHT−/− and LIGHT+/+ mice. Our results suggest that LIGHT is required for activation of normal CD8+ T cells but not CD4+ T cells.
A dynamic approach to improve sparsely encoded associative memory capability

A method for improving sparsely encoded associative memory storage capacity based on dynamic thresholding is presented. Under the dynamic thresholding scheme, the sparsely encoding method is shown to have greater storage capacity than the ordinary associative memory. The results are also considered from the storage sensitivity point of view. Simulation results are consistent with the quantitative analysis. It is found that system capacity is strongly dependent on the selected threshold. Selection of threshold is based on each neuron working close to its threshold assumption. This makes it possible to find a more reasonable storage capacity by using signal part and mean noise only. >
Infectious Diseases in Wild Animals in Utah VI. Experimental Infection of Birds with Rickettsia rickettsii

Lundgren, D. L. (University of Utah, Salt Lake City), B. D. Thorpe, and C. D. Haskell. Infectious diseases in wild animals in Utah. VI. Experimental infection of birds with Rickettsia rickettsii. J. Bacteriol. 91:963–966. 1966.—Chickens, pigeons, pheasants, sparrow hawks, red-tailed hawks, ravens, magpies, and a marsh hawk were inoculated with Rickettsia rickettsii, the etiological agent of Rocky Mountain spotted fever. The development and persistence of complement-fixing (CF) antibodies and rickettsemias were tested for in these birds. Rickettsiae were recovered from the blood of a number of birds up to the 16th day after inoculation, whereas only the pigeon was found to develop high CF antibody titers. It was concluded that certain species of birds have the potential of contributing to the dissemination of R. rickettsii in nature, and that the CF test is generally unsuitable for serological diagnosis of this organism in birds.
Test-Optional Admission at a Liberal Arts College: A Founding Mission Affirmed

In this essay, Father Brian J. Shanley discusses Providence College's pilot program to eliminate standardized test scores from the required components of an admission application. Building on the college's ninety-year history of opening the doors of higher education to underrepresented populations, Providence College's test-optional policy is designed to ensure that students with strong academic preparation are not excluded from matriculating because of poor test performance. Shanley provides insight into the college's process of holistic application review and the institution's plan to study the impact of its new policy on the makeup and success of its student body.
Lateral Earth Pressure Coefficients for Anchored Sheet Pile Walls

AbstractConventional methods used for the design of anchored sheet pile walls are based on the lateral force and moment equilibrium of active and passive earth pressures and anchor force. Although it has been known for decades that the stress concentration occurs around the anchor level because of the restricted wall movements, this stress concentration is not considered in determining the lateral earth pressures. A parametric study using conventional and numerical methods was performed to investigate the behavior of single-level anchored sheet pile walls, and the lateral earth pressures, wall bending moments, and anchor forces were analyzed. The study results indicate that the conventional methods for the conditions considered and cases studied overestimate the wall bending moments, whereas the anchor forces are underestimated. New lateral earth pressure coefficients that consider the stress concentration around the anchor level were developed and proposed to be used in the design of single-level anchore...
Anomalous behavior of ε(ω) in glasses at low temperature due to bias application

We report new evidence for the importance of interactions between tunneling two level systems in the ac dielectric response of glasses at very low temperatures (500μK to 150mK). After the application of a large dc electric field we observed logarithmic relaxations in ∈′(ω) and ∈″(ω) for up to 104 s. The frequency dependence of the relaxation in ∈′(ω) observed previously at higher temperatures vanishes for temperatures well below the minimum of ∈′(ω,T), in agreement with a model incorporating 1/r 3 interactions to the density of states of the two level systems. We also see a feature in fast continuous bias sweeps supporting the coexistence of responses due to an interaction-modified density of states and a change in level population.
Optically Trapping Confocal Raman Microscopy of Individual Lipid Vesicles: Kinetics of Phospholipase A2-Catalyzed Hydrolysis of Phospholipids in the Membrane Bilayer

Phospholipase A2 (PLA2)-catalyzed hydrolysis at the sn-2 position of 1,2-dimyristoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine in optically trapped liposomes is monitored in situ using confocal Raman microscopy. Individual optically trapped liposomes (0.6 μm in diameter) are exposed to PLA2 isolated from cobra (Naja naja naja) venom at varying enzyme concentrations. The relative Raman scattering intensities of C−C stretching vibrations from the trans and gauche conformers of the acyl chains are correlated directly with the extent of hydrolysis, allowing the progress of the reaction to be monitored in situ on a single vesicle. In dilute vesicle dispersions, the technique allows the much higher local concentration of lipid molecules in a single vesicle to be detected free of interferences from the surrounding solution. Observing the local composition of an optically trapped vesicle also allows one to determine whether the products of enzyme-catalyzed hydrolysis remain associated with the vesicle or dissolve into solution...
Improved visualization algorithms for vertical annular flow

Models of annular flow often focus on the liquid film at the periphery of the flow channel. Recent two-region models have used wave intermittency as a measurement of the disturbance wave contribution to gas-to-liquid momentum transfer and pressure loss. Data reduction algorithms for film thickness distribution, from planar laser-induced fluorescence imaging; and disturbance wave intermittency, from high-speed, backlit videos, have been improved. The revised data reduction results are then considered with regard to a recent two-region model. Outputs of average film thickness, pressure gradient, and average wave velocity are modeled with mean absolute errors of 8.70, 17.42, and 19.14 %, respectively.
Metaphors of hierarchy in mathematics education discourse: the narrow path

This paper adopts a rhetorical perspective in order to examine language about children in the discourse of mathematics education through a study of metaphor. Previous research has tended to emphasize the notion of ‘beliefs’, which locates responsibility for problematic conceptions of children within the heads of individuals, particularly practising and preservice teachers. Using the notion of metaphor, this paper examines several texts in US mathematics education, including conversations in an elementary classroom, a university mathematics methods classroom, mathematics textbooks, and standards documents. All of these texts draw on the metaphor of children’s learning as travel along a physical path, which supports talking and thinking about children in hierarchical ways. The dominance of this metaphor presents a new challenge for teacher educators concerned with equity: that of examining their own language and practices for hierarchical language.
Soil Moisture, Native Revegetation, and Pinus lambertiana Seedling Survival, Growth, and Mycorrhiza Formation Following Wildfire and Grass Seeding

Grass seeding is widely used for erosion control, but its consequences for soil and regeneration following fire have been measured only infrequently. This study investigates the effect of grass seeding on the type and extent of plant cover; soil moisture percentage; and moisture stress, survival, growth, and root-tip and mycorrhiza formation of Pinus lambertiana (sugar pine) seedlings in a clearcut intensely burned by wildfire. One-year-old containerized sugar pine seedlings were planted in seeded and nonseeded areas in Spring 1988 and 1989 in the Longwood Fire area of southwest Oregon. In 1988, tree seedlings in grass-seeded plots experienced intense competition from the grass, reduced root-tip and mycorrhiza formation, low levels of soil moisture to meet evapotranspirational demand, high levels of mortality, and reduced growth. In 1989, however, the opposite was true: tree seedlings in nonseeded plots experienced competition from invading native annuals and perennials, low levels of soil moisture in summer, and higher levels of mortality. The studies we report here further indicate that, in an area characterized by extended summer drought, annual ryegrass impeded regeneration of sugar pine during the first season following the fire. Native species cover and richness have been significantly reduced in the seeded area and may affect long-term soil stability, productivity, and conifer restoration. Seeding of annual ryegrass at high rates under these conditions would seem ill advised.
Promotion of epidermal carcinogenesis by repeated damage to mouse skin.

Chemically induced epidermal carcinogenesis is usually divided into two stages: initiation, which involves the conversion of some epidermal cells into latent neoplastic cells; and promotion, which results in tumors. The hallmark of chemical promoters is epidermal hyperplasia. The hyperplasia caused by a strong promoter, such as 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA), differs morphologically from that caused by weak promoters, such as acetic acid and mezerin. The epidermal regeneration that follows abrasion results in a hyperplastic epidermis that resembles the effects of strong promoters. Repeated mechanical injuries are capable of enhancing papillomas and carcinomas in mouse skin initiated with 7,12-dimethylben-zanthracene (DMBA). Thus, a regenerative epidermal hyperplasia appears to be a precondition for tumor promotion. It is highly probable that many epidermal cells are initiated during the lifetime of man. In the work place, repeated mechanical injury could predispose to epidermal neoplasms.
P-010 Head and Neck Tumour Embolisation Using n-BCA with Guide Catheter 5% Dextrose Infusion, Series in 18 Patients

Introduction Preoperative embolisation for hypervascular tumours leads to decreased intraoperative bleeding, operative time, and improved patient morbidity. In an effort to delay glue precipitation and increase distal penetration we used 5% dextrose infusion in the guide catheter. We describe our experience with N-butyl cyanoacrylate (n-BCA)/Ethiodol mix, for preoperative brain tumour embolisation and for therapy for uncontrollable haemorrhagic head and neck tumours. Materials/Methods A retrospective review of all patients who underwent brain, and head and neck tumour embolisation was performed from2007–2012. Patient who underwent n-BCA/Ethiodol embolisation with 5% dextrose guide catheter infusion were selected. N-BCA in Ethiodol concentrations used varies from 1:4–1:9. The concomitant use of dextrose infusion in the guide catheter allowed delay glue precipitation and distal tumour penetration (up to 180cc of dextrose infused during n-BCA embolisation). There were a total of 18 patients (19 embolisation sessions, 6 women, 12 men). Tumour type, location, endovascular and surgical treatment, percent of tumour embolisation, intraoperative tumour related bleeding, and complications were evaluated retrospectively. Results There was total of 7 intracranial and 11 extra-cranial tumours. A total of 24 arteries were embolised, with at least 70% tumour embolisation achieved in all cases. There were no complications or patient morbidity related to the embolisation. No embolisation to normal intracranial vessels was encountered. N-BCA injection ranged from 30 sec up to 4 minutes, with no retained microcatheters during any of the procedures. Pathological sections for resected tumours (meningioma, choroid plexus papilloma, hemangiopericytoma, hemangioendothlioma) showed n-BCA cast in small vessels (20 μm) indicating small vessel penetration. For tumours that underwent resection, no tumour bleeding was encountered during surgical resection. All nine-tumour embolisations for haemorrhage had a 100% response to treatment with no recurrent bleeding; these corresponded squamous cell carcinoma from the nasopharynx extending to the larynx. Patients were followed up to 1–14 months with no repeat episodes of tumour associated bleeding. Conclusion NBCA/ethiodol augmented with 5% dextrose infusion through the guide catheter provides improved tumour embolisation by deepening vascular penetration. Our preliminary experience has been promising with 19 sessions demonstrating near complete tumour embolisation resulting in minimal tumour related blood loss and complete response to the therapeutic embolisation. Disclosures A. Alaraj: 2; C; Cordis-Codman. N. Mehta: None. R. Dashti: None. V. Aletich: 2; C; Cordis-Codman.
Degrees of Anthropocentrism in Accounts of Wildlife-Vehicle Collisions

An investigation of language use in news stories about collisions involving vehicles and nonhuman animals in the wild reveals that reports of bird-airplane collisions tend to focus on the safety of the humans involved, even to the point of constructing the bird as a projectile, rather than a victim. Reports of land vehicles and boats colliding with larger nonhuman animals tend to demonstrate a greater concern for nonhuman participants, attributing greater responsibility to humans for the collisions, although they are more dangerous to humans. Although similar patterns are found in news reports in several languages and in several English-speaking countries, anthropocentrism alone does not fully explain the patterns in journalists’ choice of expressions and structures in these news stories.
Physical properties of blends of soap and lime soap dispersants

The mechanism of action of soap lime-soap dispersant (LSDA) combinations is based on a close association between these two components. In deionized water this association is mixed micellar. Surface tension curves confirm the presence of mixed micelles in deionized water and show a combination of optimum surface active properties (low critical micelle concentrations (CMC), high surface concentration and low surface tension above the CMC). Solubilization of high Krafft point soap by LSDA and of difficultly soluble LSDA by soap are related results of this association. Analysis of dispersions of mixtures of soap and LSDA in hard water shows that the dispersed particles are mixtures of soap and LSDA in the same proportion as they were originally added. These findings are inconsistent with the view that soap reacts separately with hard water ions and that the resulting lime soap is suspended by surface adsorption of LSDA. The suspended particles are responsible for surface active properties and detergency and do not permit deposits on the fabric like those found with soap alone.
Comprehensibility of patient consent forms for radiation therapy of cervical cancer

Abstract Objective The construct of Health Literacy (HL) deals with patients' capacity to understand their health-related instructions, consent forms, and other documents. A significant challenge of providing healthcare to patients with low HL is the complex nature of the disease process, and of requisite treatments. In radiation oncology specifically, the delivery of ionizing radiation is difficult enough to describe; describing radiation toxicity in terms of the underlying physics and biology is daunting. A multimodal analysis of a small sample of patient consent forms was undertaken in order to address this issue more closely, and identify the extent to which such literature contributes to the challenges faced by patients with low HL. Methods Members of national cooperative group panels dealing with gynecologic cancer were asked to submit copies of consent forms provided to patients with stage II cervical cancer. Four such forms were submitted and reviewed by a single person with expertise in linguistics using standard tools. Results Three of the four consents scored within the lower portion of the “adequate“ range. One consent was not suitable. Consent readability ranged from grades 12.18 to 16.13; this means that they required at least a high school education to interpret, and in two cases required post-graduate coursework. Conclusion There is significant room for improvement in consent form design and structure. When considering cultural and socioeconomic appropriateness of patient consent forms, input of staff with expertise in linguistics should be sought.
LABOUR INFERIORITY, ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT AND THE FACTOR PROPORTIONS PROBLEM*

Factor inferiority has been well explored in the theoretical literature of economic development, although it has been considered to be of little empirical relevance. This paper explores, for the first time, two interrelated questions in the theory of economic development: Is the theory of factor inferiority particularly relevant to the circumstances of developing countries and can the concept of labor inferiority offer a plausible theoretical explanation for the factor proportions problem? This paper demonstrates that both these questions can be answered affirmatively. In so doing, it also demonstrates that the dualistic surplus labor development model has greater realism than has recently been believed. Copyright 1991 by Blackwell Publishers Ltd and The Victoria University of Manchester