cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A experiência ficcionalizada em Das Leben Geht Weiter, de Hans Keilson: uma leitura da República de Weimar

During the interwar period in Germany, known as the Weimar Republic, the New Objectivity prevailed as a literary tendency, which advocated objective, documentary writing that was committed to the political awareness of the public. This article aims to analyze Hans Keilson’s first novel, Das Leben Geht Weiter (1933), and to investigate in what ways the text, admittedly inspired by the author's personal experiences, fits in and stands out within the scope of the New Objectivity. We seek to investigate in the novel the representation of German society in the mentioned era, which is done mainly through the subjective perspective of the protagonist Albrecht Seldersen.
Telling Human Stories of Climate Change With ArcGIS Story Maps

This lesson plan positions students as part of a group of four to six, tasked with creating publicly accessible resources that tell the human stories of climate change. Groups are asked to create a...
Diagnosis of a chronic spinal cord injury via televisit in a patient from an underserved community

A 42-year-old woman from a medically underserved community in rural New England was referred by her primary care provider (PCP) for televisit during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic following 2 years of chronic neck pain and numbness in her left hand that was initially concerning for demyelinating disease. Upon further evaluation, it was revealed that she had experienced a traumatic fall with a concussion and symptoms consistent with central cord syndrome but had refused magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) at her initial medical evaluation. On MRI conducted 1 month prior to neurosurgical evaluation she was found to have a disc bulge and 4-mm T2-hyperintense lesion at the C4-C5 level that was consistent with a chronic spinal cord injury secondary to spinal trauma with associated vertebrogenic injury. This televisit confirmed the diagnosis of chronic spinal cord injury for this patient and allowed for discussion of future interventions, avoided further unnecessary referrals, and increased access to care.
Lipid droplets protect human β cells from lipotoxic-induced stress and cell identity changes

Free fatty acids (FFAs) are often stored in lipid droplet (LD) depots for eventual metabolic and/or synthetic use in many cell types, such a muscle, liver, and fat. In pancreatic islets, overt LD accumulation was detected in humans but not mice. LD buildup in islets was principally observed after roughly 11 years of age, increasing throughout adulthood under physiologic conditions, and also enriched in type 2 diabetes. To obtain insight into the role of LDs in human islet {beta} cell function, the levels of a key LD structural protein, perilipin2 (PLIN2), were manipulated by lentiviral-mediated knock-down (KD) or over-expression (OE) in EndoC{beta}H2-Cre cells, a human cell line with adult islet {beta}-like properties. Glucose stimulated insulin secretion was blunted in PLIN2KD cells and improved in PLIN2OE cells. An unbiased transcriptomic analysis revealed that limiting LD formation induced effectors of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress that compromised the expression of critical {beta} cell function and identity genes. These changes were aggravated by exogenous treatment with FFAs toxic to islet {beta} cells, and essentially reversed by PLIN2OE or using the ER stress inhibitor, tauroursodeoxycholic acid. These results strongly suggest that LDs are essential for adult human islet {beta} cell activity by preserving FFA homeostasis.
The unique opportunities and obstacles when integrating personal air pollution monitoring into studies of human fertility

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Exposure to air pollution has been associated with increased risk of infertility and pregnancy loss; however, the majority of research to date has relied on indirect measurement...
Federated Contrastive Learning for Volumetric Medical Image Segmentation.

Supervised deep learning needs a large amount of labeled data to achieve high performance. However, in medical imaging analysis, each site may only have a limited amount of data and labels, which makes learning ineffective. Federated learning (FL) can help in this regard by learning a shared model while keeping training data local for privacy. Traditional FL requires fully-labeled data for training, which is inconvenient or sometimes infeasible to obtain due to high labeling cost and the requirement of expertise. Contrastive learning (CL), as a self-supervised learning approach, can effectively learn from unlabeled data to pre-train a neural network encoder, followed by fine-tuning for downstream tasks with limited annotations. However, when adopting CL in FL, the limited data diversity on each client makes federated contrastive learning (FCL) ineffective. In this work, we propose an FCL framework for volumetric medical image segmentation with limited annotations. More specifically, we exchange the features in the FCL pre-training process such that diverse contrastive data are provided to each site for effective local CL while keeping raw data private. Based on the exchanged features, global structural matching further leverages the structural similarity to align local features to the remote ones such that a unified feature space can be learned among different sites. Experiments on a cardiac MRI dataset show the proposed framework substantially improves the segmentation performance compared with state-of-the-art techniques.
Nicotine Exacerbates TAAD Formation Induced by Smooth Muscle-Specific Deletion of the TGF-β Receptor 2.

Tobacco smoke is an established risk factor for thoracic aortic aneurysms and dissections (TAAD). However, little is known about its underlying mechanisms due to the lack of validated animal models. The present study developed a mouse model that may be utilized to investigate exacerbation of TAAD formation by mimetics of tobacco smoke. TAADs were created via inducible deletion of smooth muscle cell-specific Tgfbr2 receptors. Using this model, the first set of experiments evaluated the efficacy of nicotine salt (34.0 mg/kg/day), nicotine free base (NFB, 5.0 mg 90-day pellets), and cigarette smoke extract (0.1 ml/mouse/day). Compared with their respective control groups, only NFB pellets promoted TAAD dilation ( vs. , ), and this efficacy was achieved at a cost of >50% acute mortality. Infusion of NFB with osmotic minipumps at extremely high, but nonlethal, doses (15.0 or 45.0 mg/kg/day) failed to accelerate TAAD dilation. Interestingly, costimulation with β-aminopropionitrile (BAPN) promoted TAAD dilation and aortic rupture at dosages of 3.0 and 45.0 mg/kg/day, respectively, indicating that BAPN sensitizes the response of TAADs to NFB. In subsequent analyses, the detrimental effects of NFB were associated with clustering of macrophages, neutrophils, and T-cells in areas with structural destruction, enhanced matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 2 production, and pathological angiogenesis with attenuated fibrosis in the adventitia. In conclusion, modeling nicotine exacerbation of TAAD formation requires optimization of chemical form, route of delivery, and dosage of the drug as well as the pathologic complexity of TAADs. Under the optimized conditions of the present study, chronic inflammation and adventitial mal-remodeling serve as critical pathways through which NFB exacerbates TAAD formation.
Factors Associated with Receipt of Oral Antibiotic Agents and Mechanical Bowel Preparation before Elective Colectomy.

Background: Pre-operative administration of combined oral antibiotic agents and mechanical bowel preparation has been demonstrated to improve post-operative outcomes after elective colectomy, howev...
A GCM investigation of dust aerosol impact on the regional climate of North Africa and South/East Asia

The climatic effects of dust aerosols in North Africa and South/East Asia have been investigated using an atmospheric general circulation model, NCEP/GCM/SSiB (Simplified Simple Biosphere Model) and the three-dimensional aerosol data simulated by the Goddard Chemistry Aerosol Radiation and Transport (GOCART) model. GCM simulations show that due to the scattering and absorption of solar radiation by dust particles, surface temperature decreases over both regions, accompanied by a reduced sensible heat flux. However, precipitation responses are different in these two regions. Due to differences in dust location and the associated heating with respect to the rainfall band and circulation, the effect of dust could either enhance or suppress precipitation. Over the North Africa region where dust particles are mainly located to the north of rainfall band, heating of the air column by dust particles forces a stronger ascent motion over dust layers, which induces an anomalous subsidence (or a weakened upward motion) and suppressed cyclonic circulation to its south where precipitation reduces. Furthermore, both humidity and cloud decrease due to the heating in the middle troposphere (semi-direct effect). In South/East Asia, dust particles are located in the upper troposphere over the major rainfall band during the monsoon season, especially Southwest India and the coastal area of Bay of Bengal. Heating of the air column increases upward motion and strengthens cyclonic circulation. Humidity also increases due to the draw-in of the low level moist air. Therefore, cloud and precipitation increase over South/East Asia associated with dust effect. During the pre-monsoon season, when dust particles are located to the north of the monsoon rainfall band, the heating effect results in shifting precipitation northward. The heating of air column due to dust particles, not surface cooling, plays the major role in precipitation changes. The anomalous upward motion over dust regions will induce a subsidence to its south and subsequently reduce precipitation over that region. Therefore, the responses of circulation and precipitation to aerosol forcing depend on the relative location of dust aerosols with respect to rainfall band, which may explain the fact that contradictory results exist regarding whether the aerosol effect would enhance or suppress precipitation. The dust induced change in precipitation is actually more of redistribution rather than the simple action of increase or decrease.
Management of the patient with an abnormal Papanicolaou smear

Abstract One hundred and ninety-one patients received multiple punch biopsies; one hundred had invasive carcinoma, and ninety-one had dysplasia, carcinoma in situ, or microinvasive carcinoma. Conization or hysterectomy confirmed the diagnosis in 90 per cent. In 10 percent more malignant disease was found. In no instance was treatment altered as a result of the discovery of more malignant disease on conization. Multiple punch biopsy with endocervical curettage is accurate in evaluation of an abnormal Papanicolaou smear. Routine conization is not necessary prior to definitive therapy. Criteria for an adequate biopsy are listed.
Male victims of sexual abuse: a case review within a child protective team.

A retrospective review of 77 cases of sexual abuse of boys seen for assessment by a multidisciplinary child protection team in Florida collected data on age at time of referral, findings of medical examinations, sex of offender, relationship of offender to child, and type of abuse. The history of abuse was categorized as (1) short-term, (2) intermediate, or (3) long-term. An examination was made of the relationship of length of abuse to (a) suicidal ideation reported by or of the boy, (b) threats by the offender directed at the victim, and (c) a history of recapitulation of sexual abuse. The findings of the review, as reported here, further the momentum of research on male victims of sexual abuse, a category of abuse that is seeing an increasing rate of referrals. Language: en
Combining GPS and Remotely Sensed Data to Characterize Time-Varying Crustal Motion

Development of more physically realistic models of interseismic crustal strain and stressing rates, postseismic effects over multiple time scales, transient deformation, and lithospheric rheology are examples of research applications requiring measurements of Earth surface motion at high spatio­temporal resolution. To address this need, the Southern California Earthquake Center (SCEC) has initiated a 5-year project to create a Southern California community geodetic model (CGM) that will leverage the complementary strengths of temporally dense GPS and spatially dense interferometric synthetic aperture radar (InSAR) data.
Searching Decision Rules in Very Large Databases Using Rough Set Theory

This paper applies rough set theory to find decision rules using ORACLE RDBMS. The major steps include elimination of redundant attributes and of redundant attribute values for each tuple. In this paper three algorithms to extract high frequency decision rules from very large decision tables are presented. One algorithm uses pure SQL syntax. The other two use sorting algorithm and binary tree data structure respectively. The performances among these methods are evaluated and compared. The use of binary tree structure improves the computational time tremendously. So pure SQL results indicate some major change to query optimizer may be desirable if it will be used for data mnining.
EXPLORING THE CORE SERVICE DELIVERY PROCESSES OF AN EVIDENCE‐BASED COMMUNITY ADVOCACY PROGRAM FOR WOMEN WITH ABUSIVE PARTNERS

Once an intervention has been found to be effective, it is important to examine the processes and factors within the program that led to its success. The current study examined survivors' reflections on the Community Advocacy Project, an empirically supported intervention for women with abusive partners. The study examined the service delivery processes that survivors affirmed or identified as core components of the intervention. Qualitative analysis of interviews with 51 survivors indicated that 3 main service delivery elements contributed to positive outcomes: orientation to the whole person, unconditional validation and acceptance, and an orientation to information provision and action. These overarching themes are described and implications for domestic violence services and dissemination are discussed. Language: en
Transcription and editing of cytochrome oxidase II RNAs in Trypanosoma cruzi.

The cytochrome oxidase subunit II (COII) gene is one of the maxicircle cryptogenes of kinetoplastids whose primary transcripts are sometimes modified by RNA editing to produce mature mRNAs. We determined the sequence of the COII gene in three strains of Trypanosoma cruzi (Y, Corpus Christi, and Tulahuen) and examined its developmental expression. Comparison of the RNA and DNA sequences encoding COII indicated that in the three strains of T. cruzi, four uridines are inserted in the pre-mRNA at the same positions as they are in the COII pre-mRNAs of Trypanosoma brucei, Leishmania tarentolae, and Crithidia fasciculata. The putative guide RNA (gRNA) sequence that serves as a template for the four uridine insertions is located in the 3'-untranslated region of the T. cruzi COII mRNA. Analysis of editing intermediates demonstrates that the COII gRNA remains attached to the pre-mRNA while participating in the formation of chimeric RNAs. Northern blots used to investigate stage-specific expression of the COII gene revealed RNAs of 800 and 900 nucleotides, similar in size to those present in T. brucei. In contrast to the differential expression observed in T. brucei, no difference occurs between the COII mRNA levels of insect and mammalian stages of T. cruzi.
Formation of the Placenta

As the lacunar spaces within the thickened syncytiotrophoblast coalesce and increase in size, irregular strands of syncytium are produced which project into the rapidly developing vascular channels. Almost immediately after their formation, cytotrophoblastic cells grow into these syncytial strands to produce the primary chorionic villi which are composed of trophoblastic cells only, i.e., centrally located cytotrophoblastic cells ensheathed by a layer of syncytial cells. Primary villi are converted to secondary chorionic villi by the invasion of a mesenchymal core derived from the extraembryonic chorionic mesoderm; vascularization of the mesenchymal core produces the functional tertiary chorionic villus. Initially, the entire chorionic surface is covered with villi but those adjacent to the decidua capsularis degenerate to produce the smooth (nonvillous) chorion laeve. Villi adjacent to the decidua basalis persist and increase in size to produce the chorion frondosum which becomes the fetal portion of the placenta.
Clocking and Clocked Storage Elements in Multi-GHz Environment

An overview of clocking and design of clocked storage elements is presented. Systematic design of Flip-Flop is explained as well as "time borrowing" and absorption of clock uncertainties. We show how different clocked storage elements should be compared against each other. The issues related to power consumption and low-power designs are presented.
High-speed and high-linearity ring oscillator based pulse width modulator

In this paper, a new pulse width modulation (PWM) converter is proposed. This structure converts the analog input signal to a PWM waveform using only inverters/charge-pumps in combination with passive elements. Thus, the proposed PWM converter does not need any operational amplifier. The added feedback path current can be used to adjust the required duty-cycle of the PWM conversion based on the dynamic range of the input signal. The behavior of the proposed PWM converter is formulated and simulated in a 0.13μm CMOS technology. From the simulation results, the proposed PWM converter achieves 74dB linearity and draws only 1.0mA at 500MHz from 1.0V supply in a 0.13μm process.
Proteasome inhibition modeling nigral neuron degeneration in Parkinson’s disease

Impairment of the ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) has been proposed to play an important role in the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD). Mice with UPS impairment in the nigra have been used for investigating mechanisms underlying neurodegeneration and for testing pre-clinical drugs to treat PD. However, the pathological, biochemical and behavioral features of UPS impairment animal model of PD have not been fully evaluated. For this purpose, we developed a UPS impairment model of nigral dopamine (DA) neuron degeneration by microinjection with proteasome inhibitors lactacystin, PSI or MG-132 into the medial forebrain bundle (iMFB) of C57BL/6 mice and then systematically examined the animal's locomotor activities, and various pathological and biochemical markers of PD. We found that lactacystin iMFB induced a sustained DA neuron degeneration, which can be reproduced by PSI iMFB and MG-132 iMFB. In the animal model, DA neuron degenerated preferentially in the substantia nigra, accompanied by profound inhibition of proteasomal activity, activation of caspase 3, elevated insoluble ubiquitin conjugates and α-synuclein positive inclusion-like granules, activated glia, and decreased motor activities. Thus, this model recapitulates many neuropathological and behavioral features of PD, rendering it likely suitable for studying the mechanisms of nigral DA neuron degeneration and for testing the potential anti-PD medications.
THE POLITICS OF YHWH: John Howard Yoder's Old Testament Narration and Its Implications for Social Ethics

The apparent tension between the moral codes of the Old and New Testaments constitutes a perennial problem for Christian ethics. Scholars who have taken this problem seriously have often done so in ways that presume sharp discontinuity between the Testaments. They then proceed to devise a system for identifying what is or is not relevant today, or what pertains to this or that particular social sphere. John Howard Yoder brings fresh perspectives to this perennial problem by refuting the presumption of intratestamental discontinuity. Throughout multiple scattered works on the Old Testament, Yoder offers a coherent and provocative narration that culminates in the way of Christ and establishes the ethical continuity of the entire biblical canon. This essay presents the basic parameters of Yoder's Old Testament narration, suggests points where revision is needed, and highlights several implications for social ethics.
Cerebral Palsy: Results of Surgical Releases Augmented with Electrical Stimulation: A Case Study

The purpose of this case study was to evaluate a patient with diplegic cerebral palsy who underwent soft tissue lengthening augmented with intramuscular electrical stimulation. This is a prospective case study, pre- and post-test design. The patient underwent soft tissue lengthenings of the lower extremities, augmented with placement of intramuscular neuromuscular electrodes. Baseline, 4-, 8-, and 12-month follow-up data were obtained which included range of motion, manual muscle strength testing, motion analysis, oxygen consumption, Gross Motor Function Measure, and Pediatric Evaluation of Disability Inventory. All measured parameters, except knee extensor strength, improved during the postoperative period (baseline to 4-month follow-up) and continued to improve during the rehabilitative period (4–12 month follow-up), despite no formal therapy or home exercise program during this period. We conclude that surgical releases augmented with electrical stimulation resulted in a satisfactory clinic outcome, and may offer a new approach to the treatment of patients with cerebral palsy.
The role of tympanostomy tubes in surgery for acquired retraction pocket cholesteatoma.

Abstract Objective 1. To determine whether intraoperative tympanostomy tubes (TT) during surgery for acquired retraction pocket cholesteatoma (ARPC) can decrease recurrence of ARPC and retraction pockets (RP). 2. To determine the need for subsequent TT in children that did not initially receive TT. Study design Retrospective review of children who underwent primary surgery for ARPC. Setting Tertiary care children's hospital. Subjects and methods Audiometry, operative reports, office findings, and recurrence of ARPC and RP were analyzed. Univariate analysis with Fisher's exact test, Wilcoxon rank-sum and t test, as well as multivariate analysis with logistical regression, were used for statistical analyses. Results 21 patients had TT at initial surgery and 34 patients did not. The recurrence of ARPC was 24% for the TT Group versus 44% for the no TT group (p = 0.09). The incidence of RP was 33% in the TT group versus 41% in the no TT groups (p = 0.35). 35% of the no TT group subsequently required TT. Audiometric outcomes were not different between groups. TT placement did not significantly affect the odds of recurrent ARPC and RP (95% CI 0.12–1.83, p = 0.28 for ARPC and 95% CI 0.30–4.60, p = 0.82 for RP). However, the odds of recurrent ARPC and RP were significantly increased in children with stapes and malleus erosion by cholesteatoma. Children with stapes and malleus involvement had 5.28 and 11.8 times higher odds of recurrent ARPC compared to those without ossicular erosion (95% CI 1.09–25.6, p = 0.04 stapes and 95% CI 1.58–88.3, p = 0.02 malleus). Similarly, children with malleus involvement had an 18.6 times higher odds of recurrent RP (95% CI 1.62–214, p = 0.02) compared to those who did not. Incus erosion was not a significant predictor for recurrent ARPC and RP. Conclusion There was no statistical difference in recurrence or audiometric outcomes between patients who underwent TT versus those who did not during initial surgery for ARPC. However malleus and stapes erosion were significantly associated with recurrent ARPC and RP. These findings suggest that TT at initial ARPC surgery did not play a role in preventing recurrence, but malleus and incus erosion, was predictive of recurrent disease. A larger, prospective study of TT at initial surgery for ARPC is needed.
Semiquantitative laser-induced fluorescence in flames☆

Abstract Laser-induced fluorescence (LIF) provides a selective, sensitive, and nonintrusive means of measuring reactive intermediates in combustion chemistry. This article examines ways in which LIF can be used in a semiquantitative manner to gain insight into certain features of flame chemistry mechanisms, through concentration estimates accurate to within perhaps a factor of three. Experiments detecting NH and NS are described, and extensions of semiquantitative LIF to multiple-species detection including two-dimensional imaging are discussed.
Intracarotid pressure measurements in the evaluation of a computer model of the cerebral circulation.

Abstract Background It is difficult to predict which patients will tolerate occlusion of the internal carotid artery. This difficulty arises primarily because of uncertainties in the prediction of the adequacy of collateral circulation. Because of these uncertainties, balloon test occlusion and other methods have been developed to determine a priori the safety of carotid occlusion. However, all the methods are associated with significant false-positive and false-negative rates, as well as other neurologic complications. Because of these problems, more accurate and less invasive methods for predicting tolerance of carotid occlusion are needed. Methods In this report, we present the initial clinical evaluation of a new method for assessing the collateral circulation aided by a mathematical model of the cerebral vasculature. Data from the angiograms of 14 patients who underwent carotid endarterectomy were used to create individualized simulations of their cerebral circulations. As a test of the accuracy of the simulations, we compared values of the intracarotid stump pressures predicted by the model to those measured at surgery during the period of carotid occlusion. Results The pressure predictions of the model correlated well with those measured at surgery. Linear regression analysis of measured versus predicted values yielded a line with slope 1.05. The line with slope 1.00, which denotes perfect agreement between predictions and measurements, is within the 95% confidence interval of the slope determined from the regression analysis. Conclusions Mathematical models of the cerebrovascular circulation can provide good predictions of intravascular pressure in the collateral circulation, and may provide accurate predictions of the flow as well. The present study reveals several areas that need further development, such as the models of the microvasculature, measurement of the arterial dimensions from angiograms, and consideration of other collateral sources such as the leptomeningeal and retrograde ophthalmic sources of flow. Incorporation of these improvements may lead to a clinically useful, noninvasive assessment of the state of the cerebrovascular collateral circulation in the individual patient.
Detection of hydrogen peroxide and other molecules of biologicl importance at an electrocataltic surface on a carbon fiber microelectrode

The electrocatalytic oxidation of hydrogen peroxide in solution at a modified carbon fiber electrode has been investigated. A simple electrochemical procedure has been developed to dramatically improve the voltammetry for the peroxide, NADH, and several other species under steady state and fast scan voltammetry. The surface is generated by the electrochemical oxidation of NASH followed by exposure to peroxide. This procedure yields a surface which is sensitive to peroxide and stable in air for more than 90 days. This oxidation occurs at a potential such that it is easily discriminated from the analytes tested in this study.
Identification of the factors associated with compliance to therapeutic diets in older adults with end stage renal disease.

Objective : To identify theory based factors pertinent to compliance with therapeutic diets. Design : A paper and pencil survey was read to volunteer hemodialysis patients in outpatient dialysis clinics. Subjects : A convenience sample of 276 hemodialysis patients aged 50 years and older who agreed to be interviewed during treatment. Statistical analysis : Descriptive statistics were used to report responses to all survey questions. The Fisher exact test was used to test associations between the dependent variable, dietary compliance, and independent variables, which included knowledge, perceived severity of illness, attitudes toward compliance, environmental factors, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, and perceived health benefits. Principal Components Analysis determined final scale items. Logistic regression was used to develop a model of independent variables profiling the compliant patient. Results : Subjects were more likely to be compliant if they indicated favorable attitudes toward compliance ( P = .0076), a supportive environment ( P = .0107), and knowledge about their diet ( P = .0014). A logistic regression model of compliance indicated that subjects who followed their special diets were more likely to have higher knowledge (odds ratio [OR] = 1.092, 95% CI=1.006, 1.186), perceived fewer barriers (OR = 1.094, 95% CI=0.841, 1.226), being white race (OR = 0.710, 95% CI=0.399, 1.263), and having gout (OR = 9.349, 95% CI=1.139, 76.714). Application : Health professionals should apply these findings in providing dietary education focused on improving not just knowledge, but attitudes and family support. Nutrition education and health promotion applications geared to non-white populations could be particularly important as tools to improve dietary compliance.
A simulation model to estimate the cost and effectiveness of alternative dialysis initiation strategies.

Background. Patients with end-stage renal disease (ESRD) require dialysis to maintain survival. The optimal timing of dialysis initiation in terms of cost-effectiveness has not been established.Met...
Nitrate and Chloride in Ground Water Under Irrigated Agriculture in Central Wisconsina

Results of this study indicate that the nitrate and chloride concentrations in the ground water of the central Wisconsin sand plains are significantly above background, and that the main source is the irrigated agriculture in the region. Nitrate-N concentrations ranged from nil to 56 mg/1 and chloride from nil to 68 mg/1. Nitrate-N concentrations exceeded 10 ppm in 15 of 33 irrigation wells and in 2 of 3 domestic wells. Nitrate-N and chloride concentrations varied widely between adjacent wells but the CI/NO3-N ratio was much less variable. This suggests similar relative inputs of nitrogen and chloride presumably from nitrogen and potassium (potassium chloride) fertilizers. The study was conducted at three levels of intensity; a small field during one growing season, a University Experimental Farm over several years, and many local farms during part of a growing season. Differences in concentrations of nitrate-N and chloride in the surface of the ground water underlying the moderately fertilized potato field closely reflected the fertilizer and irrigation management on different parts of the field during that season. This detailed study of one field showed that solute transit times through the 16 feet (5 m) of unsaturated zone to the surface of the ground water are less than a year. Differences in concentration of nitrate-N and chloride between irrigation wells on the Experimental Farm closely reflected the irrigation and fertilizer practices on surrounding fields. Nitrate-N and chloride concentrations in ground water were lower where the adjacent land had been idle for many years and only recently cropped. However, levels were high where fertilizer and irrigation inputs. On a larger scale, the nitrate-N and chloride concentrations in area farmer irrigation wells were as different between wells on the same farm as farm as between the various farms.
Gaussian mixture parameter estimation with known means and unknown class-dependent variances

This paper develops a recursive, convergent estimator for some parameters of Gaussian mixtures. The M class conditional (component) densities of the mixture random variable are Gaussian with known and distinct means and unknown and possibly different variances. A joint estimator of M prior (mixing) probabilities and M class conditional variances is derived. Sufficient conditions on the data and control parameters are derived for the estimator to converge. Convergence of the estimator follows from the use of a stochastic approximation theorem. Techniques to extend the estimators for the case of successive class labels forming a Markov chain are mentioned. The estimator has applications in blind parameter estimation in digital communication with symbol dependent noise variance and in image compression.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A=231, 235, 239*

Abstract The available experimental data pertaining to the nuclear structure of nuleic with mass numbers A=231, 235, and 239 are compiled. The results from various decay and reaction measurements, as available through February 1977 are compared and evaluated. Q-values referenced as 75ScYK are obtained from a least-squares adjustment as explained in Table 3, 76Sc02. The values of r0 parameter, used to calculate α HF, were obtained as in 72ElSc, section A and Figure 1.
Evaluation of a new Rift Valley fever vaccine: safety and immunogenicity trials.

Abstract A formalin-inactivated Rift Valley fever vaccine prepared in primary monkey kidney cells has been used to protect laboratory workers from disease since 1967. A similar but improved vaccine was prepared in 1978–1979 using well characterized diploid fetal rhesus lung cells. In initial clinical trials reported here, the new vaccine elicited high levels of plaque neutralizing antibodies and caused only minimal local reactions at the injection site. Significant variability was observed in the geometric mean titre evoked by various vaccine lots. This variability had not been predicted by conventional pre-filtration or pre-inactivation virus infectivity assays, or the results of animal potency tests. These findings emphasize the need for statistically valid human potency testing and the development of accurate predictive preclinical measurements for this and other vaccines.
Mast cell tryptase may modulate endothelial cell phenotype in healing myocardial infarcts

Mast cells and macrophages infiltrate healing myocardial infarcts and may play an important role in regulating fibrous tissue deposition and extracellular matrix remodelling. This study examined the time-course of macrophage and mast cell accumulation in healing infarcts and studied the histological characteristics and protease expression profile of mast cells in a canine model of experimental infarction. Although macrophages were more numerous than mast cells in infarct granulation tissue, macrophage density decreased during maturation of the scar, whereas mast cell numbers remained persistently elevated. During the inflammatory phase of infarction, newly recruited leucocytes infiltrated the injured myocardium and appeared to be clustered in close proximity to degranulating cardiac mast cells. During the proliferative phase of healing, mast cells had decreased granular content and were localized close to infarct neovessels. In contrast, macrophages showed no selective localization. Mast cells in healing canine infarcts were alcian blue/safranin-positive cells that expressed both tryptase and chymase. In order to explain the pro-inflammatory and angiogenic actions of tryptase--the major secretory protein of mast cells--its effects on endothelial chemokine expression were examined. Chemokines are chemotactic cytokines that play an important role in leucocyte trafficking and angiogenesis and are highly induced in infarcts. Tryptase, a proteinase-activated receptor (PAR)-2 agonist, induced endothelial expression of the angiogenic chemokines CCL2/MCP-1 and CXCL8/IL-8, but not the angiostatic chemokine CXCL10/IP-10. Endothelial PAR-2 stimulation with the agonist peptide SLIGKV induced a similar chemokine expression profile. Mast cell tryptase may exert its angiogenic effects in part through selective stimulation of angiogenic chemokines.
Ligand-Induced Conformational Change of Lipoprotein(a)†

Lipoprotein(a) undergoes a dramatic, reversible conformational change on binding 6-aminohexanoic acid (6-AHA), as measured by a decrease in the sedimentation rate, the magnitude of which is directly proportional to apo(a) mass. A similar reversible transition from a compact to an extended form has been shown to occur in plasminogen on occupation of a weak lysine binding site. The magnitude of the change in Lp(a) with large apo(a) is about 2.5 times that seen for plasminogen, however. Regardless of apo(a) size, binding analysis indicated that 1.4−4 molecules of 6-AHA bound per Lp(a) particle; the midpoint of the conformational change occurs at 6-AHA concentrations of 100−200 mM. Since rhesus Lp(a), which lacks both kringle V and the strong lysine binding site on kringle IV 10, also undergoes a similar conformational change, the phenomenon may be attributable to weak sites, possibly located in K-IV 5−8. Compact Lp(a), i.e., native Lp(a), had a frictional ratio (f/fo) of 1.2 that was independent of apo(a) ma...
Properties of Novel Hydroxypropyl Methylcellulose Films Containing Chitosan Nanoparticles

ABSTRACT: In this study, chitosan nanoparticles were prepared and incorporated in hydroxypropyl methylcellulose (HPMC) films under different conditions. Mechanical properties, water vapor and oxygen permeability, water solubility, and scanning and transmission electron microscopy (SEM and TEM) results were analyzed. Incorporation of chitosan nanoparticles in the films improved their mechanical properties significantly, while also improving film barrier properties significantly. The chitosan poly(methacrylic acid) (CS-PMAA) nanoparticles tend to occupy the empty spaces in the pores of the HPMC matrix, inducing the collapse of the pores and thereby improving film tensile and barrier properties. This study is the first to investigate the use of nanoparticles for the purpose of strengthening HPMC films.
AnO(nL) infeasible-interior-point algorithm for LCP with quadratic convergence

The Mizuno-Todd-Ye predictor-corrector algorithm for linear programming is extended for solving monotone linear complementarity problems from infeasible starting points. The proposed algorithm requires two matrix factorizations and at most three backsolves per iteration. Its computational complexity depends on the quality of the starting point. If the starting points are large enough, then the algorithm hasO(nL) iteration complexity. If a certain measure of feasibility at the starting point is small enough, then the algorithm has $$O(\sqrt {nL} )$$ iteration complexity. At each iteration, both “feasibility” and “optimality” are reduced exactly at the same rate. The algorithm is quadratically convergent for problems having a strictly complementary solution, and therefore its asymptotic efficiency index is $$\sqrt 2$$ . A variant of the algorithm can be used to detect whether solutions with norm less than a given constant exist.
Spatial properties of electronic excited-state energy transport in three-dimensional disordered systems: picosecond transient grating studies

Abstract The picosecond transient grating technique is used to measure directly the excited state energy transport diffusion constant of dye molecules in solution. Extremely narrow grating fringe spacings (
Neuritic Pathology as a Correlate of Synaptic Loss in Dementia With Lewy Bodies

Synaptic loss is present in Alzheimer's disease and correlates with the severity of dementia. Loss of synapses in dementia with Lewy bodies (DLB) does not correlate as clearly with cognitive status and its cause is unclear. To begin to understand the relationship between cognition and synaptic loss in DLB, we assessed immunoreactivity for the synaptic-terminal specific protein, synaptophysin, in the hippocampus in 14 DLB cases. Quantitative synaptic data were obtained using an Image-Pro semiautomated analysis system. We determined Braak stage, β-amyloid, Lewy bodies (LBs), and Lewy neurites (LN). We found significant correlations (r = 0.617, P < .01) between Braak stage and synaptophysin score and marginal correlation between LN score and synaptophysin loss ( r = 0.694, P < .06). Correlations of β-amyloid and of LB density with synaptophysin score were unimpressive. These data support the hypothesis that synaptic loss in DLB is related to neuritic degeneration.
Housing demand and disequilibrium

Abstract Researchers have recently begun relying heavily on samples of recent movers to estimate housing demand parameters. Estimates from mover, equilibrium, and disequilibrium samples are compared to determine whether significant differences exist. The results suggest that income elasticities are not affected by the sample distinctions, but demographic effects vary across the different subsamples.
EFFECTS OF MAINTENANCE TEMPERATURE ON THE GLUCOSE AND MALTOSE CONTENT OF BIOMPHALARIA GLABRATA SNAILS AS DETERMINED BY HIGH PERFORMANCE THIN-LAYER CHROMATOGRAPHY-DENSITOMETRY

High performance thin-layer chromatography-densitometry was used to determine the glucose and maltose content of the digestive-gland gonad complex (DGG) of adult Biomphalaria glabrata snails maintained at 17, 24, and 31°C as well as the whole bodies of juvenile B. glabrata snails maintained at the same temperatures. Sugars were extracted in ethanol-water (70:30) from the snails. The major sugars detected in both experimental groups were glucose and maltose. Sugars were separated on silica gel preadsorbant plates with the mobile phase 1-butanol-glacial acetic acid-diethyl ether-deionized water (27:18:5:3). The sugars were detected using an α-naphthol-sulfuric acid reagent and quantified by densitometry at 515 nm. One week after the study was initiated, adult snails maintained at 31°C had a significantly higher glucose content than those maintained at the lower temperatures. An elevated metabolic rate of the adult snails maintained at the highest temperature probably accounted in part for the high glucose c...
A fluorous phosphate protecting group with applications to carbohydrate synthesis

The first fluorous protecting group for phosphate is reported. This group can be used as a facile tag for purification and be removed under mild reducing conditions using zinc and ammonium formate. Synthesis of a disaccharide from Leishmania using this fluorous protecting group demonstrated the group’s stability to the acidic conditions necessary for glycosylation as well as its orthogonality to several other common protecting groups.
A structural model of a micropolar continuum

Abstract In their crystal lattice theory, Born-Von Karman have shown that the long wave approximation to their model yields the equations of the classical theory of elasticity. The Born-Von Karman model assumed that the interaction between the particles can be characterized by a simple spring which allows extensions only. Also, in their model, the dimensions of the particles are shrunk to zero thus resulting in non-orientable mathematical points. In this paper, a two dimensional model composed of orientable points, joined by extensible and flexible rods is presented in order to explain the foundations of the Cosserat [1] or the micropolar continuum [2]. As the long wave approximation from this model, one gets the coupled displacement and microration equations of the micropolar medium, similar to those given by Eringen and Suhubi[2, 3] and by Mindlin[4, 5].
Detection of Maternal Antibodies in Infantile Autism

Abstract Maternal antibodies reactive with antigenic proteins expressed on the cell surface of paternal lymphocytes can be detected in couples with histories of more than one miscarriage or stillbirth. It is possible, but not proven, that these antibodies also react with tissues of the fetus and result in fetal death. Since many mothers of autistic children have a history of pregnancy disorder, antibodies were studied in 11 mothers of autistic children who were 6 years of age or younger. Six of the mothers had antibodies that reacted with lymphocytes of the autistic child. Five of these six mothers had a history of pregnancy disorder. Since antigens expressed on lymphocytes are found on cells of the central nervous system and, perhaps, other tissues of the developing embryo, it is suggested that aberrant maternal immunity may be associated with the development of some cases of infantile autism. J. Am. Acad. Child Adolesc. Psychiatry , 1990, 29, 6:873–877.
Impact of localized deformation on IASCC in austenitic stainless steels

Abstract Localized deformation has been identified as a potential primary contributor to IASCC. Seven austenitic alloys were irradiated to 1 and 5 dpa at 360 °C using 2–3.2 MeV protons and were tested both in simulated BWR environment and in argon. Cracking susceptibility was evaluated at both 1% and 3% strain intervals using crack length per unit area. Stacking fault energy (SFE), hardness, radiation-induced segregation (RIS) and localized deformation were characterized and their correlations with cracking were evaluated using a proposed term, correlation strength. Both SFE and hardness contributed to cracking but neither was the dominant factor. RIS did not play an important role in this study. The correlation strength of localized deformation with IASCC was found to be significantly higher than for others parameters, implying that localized deformation is the most important factor in IASCC. Although not well understood, localized deformation may promote cracking through intensive interaction of dislocations in slip channels with grain boundaries.
A fourth-order-accurate difference approximation for the incompressible Navier-Stokes equations☆

Abstract We discuss fourth-order-accurate difference approximations for parabolic systems and for the incompressible Navier—Stokes equations. A general principle for deriving numerical boundary conditions for higher-order-accurate difference schemes is described. Some difference approximations for parabolic systems are analyzed for stability and accuracy. The principle is used to derive stable and accurate numerical boundary conditions for the incompressible Navier—Stokes equations. Numerical results are given from a fourth-order-accurate scheme for the incompressible Navier—Stokes equations on overlapping grids in two- and three-space dimensions.
Complications of chemotherapy in patients with brain and spinal cord tumors

Complications of chemotherapy in pediatric brain tumor patients tend to be acute and short-lived with some special exceptions such as permanent hearing impairment secondary to cisplatin, infertility and an increased risk of second primary neoplasms. Chemotherapy will be better tolerated and probably more effective in brain tumor patients following a major surgical resection, especially when agents such as cisplatin and cyclophosphamide are administered which require intensive intravenous hydration. Neoadjuvant or pre-radiotherapy chemotherapy administration may reduce chemotherapy-related side effects such as leukoencephalopathy secondary to high-dose intravenous methotrexate, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia following intensive chemotherapy, especially when craniospinal radiotherapy is required. The use of bone marrow ablative chemotherapy followed by autologous marrow rescue poses a new spectrum of organ toxicities. New supportive care measures significantly improved tolerance of chemotherapy such as mesna, a drug minimizing hemorrhagic cystitis following ifosfamide, ondonsetron, a highly effective antiemetic, and the hematopoietic growth factors such as G-CSF and GM-CSF which reduce the incidence and severity of symptomatic neutropenia. Chemotherapy may prolong life in patients with recurrent disease and contribute to curative therapy in newly diagnosed patients. The neurooncology community is becoming more familiar with the measures to improve its tolerance and thereby increase its efficacy.