cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Trajectory of lobar atrophy in asymptomatic and symptomatic GRN mutation carriers: a longitudinal MRI study.

Abstract Loss-of-function mutations in the progranulin gene (GRN) are one of the major causes of familial frontotemporal lobar degeneration. Our objective was to determine the rates and trajectories of lobar cortical atrophy from longitudinal structural magnetic resonance imaging in both asymptomatic and symptomatic GRN mutation carriers. Individuals in this study were from the ADRC and LEFFTDS studies at the Mayo Clinic. We identified 13 GRN mutation carriers (8 asymptomatic, 5 symptomatic) and noncarriers (n = 10) who had at least 2 serial T1-weighted structural magnetic resonance images and were followed annually with a median of 3 years (range 1.0–9.8 years). Longitudinal changes in lobar cortical volume were analyzed using the tensor-based morphometry with symmetric normalization (TBM-SyN) algorithm. Linear mixed-effect models were used to model cortical volume change over time among 3 groups. The annual rates of frontal (p
Primary Cutaneous CD30+ Lymphoproliferative Disorders: a Comprehensive Review

Primary cutaneous CD30+ T-cell lymphoproliferative disorders (CD30+ LPDs) are the second most common cutaneous lymphomas after mycosis fungoides and Sezary syndrome. They include primary cutaneous anaplastic large cell lymphoma (pcALCL), lymphomatoid papulosis (LyP), and borderline lesions. The purpose of this literature review is to consolidate the available evidence on the primary cutaneous CD30+ LPD in order to define the tools for correct diagnosis and appropriate treatment. The current body of knowledge regarding the clinical features, histopathologic changes, recently described genetic alterations, and therapeutic options will be covered in this comprehensive review. Primary cutaneous CD30+ LPD represent rare cutaneous lymphomas that have significant histologic overlap within the defined group as well as with other neoplastic and reactive entities. The importance of differentiating these entities is crucial, as each one has a different clinical course and prognosis.
Muslims in Contemporary American English 1990-2017: Representation of Muslims in News Media

Previous research studies show that there is a negative portrayal of Islam and Muslims in the United States of America among many other countries, some of which approach how the media in the United States contributes to this negative representation and leads to prejudice against Muslims, especially after the attacks of September 11, 2001. Using the COCA corpus, a corpus-assisted analysis is conducted in this study to investigate the portrayal of Muslims in different contexts compared to Christians and Jews in contemporary American English from 1990 to 2017, as well as the role of media in associating negative attributes to Muslims. By examining collocations, the findings demonstrate that Muslims are highly associated with negative portrayals compared to Christians or Jews and that the media contributes considerably to portraying Muslims negatively in various contexts.
Movement of synthetic organic compounds in the food web after the introduction of invasive quagga mussels (Dreissena bugensis) in Lake Mead, Nevada and Arizona, USA

Introductions of dreissenid mussels in North America have been a significant concern over the last few decades. This study assessed the distribution of synthetic organic compounds (SOCs) in the food web of Lake Mead, Nevada/Arizona, USA and how this distribution was influenced by the introduction of invasive quagga mussels. A clear spatial gradient of SOC concentrations in water was observed between lake basins downstream of populated areas and more rural areas. Within the food web, trophic magnification factors (TMF) indicated statistically significant biomagnification for nine, and biodilution for two, of 22 SOCs examined. The highest value recorded was for PCB 118 (TMF, 5.14), and biomagnification of methyl triclosan (TMF, 3.85) was also apparent. Biodilution was observed for Tonalide® (0.06) and Galaxolide® (0.38). Total SOC concentration in quagga mussels was higher than in three pelagic fishes. Also, 19 of 20 SOC examined in Largemouth Bass (Micropterus salmoides) had substantially lower concentrations in 2013, when quagga mussels had become well established, than in 2007/08, soon after quagga mussels were introduced. Estimates of SOC concentrations in the water column and quagga mussels suggest that a considerable portion (~10.5%) of the SOC mass in the lake has shifted from the pelagic to the benthic environments due to quagga mussel growth. These observations suggest that benthic species, such as the endangered Razorback Sucker, may be experiencing increased risk of SOC exposure. In addition, stable isotope analysis (carbon and nitrogen) indicated a decrease in the nutritional value of zooplankton to consumers (e.g., Razorback Sucker larvae) since quagga mussels became established. These changes could affect Razorback Sucker larval survival and recruitment. Results from this study strongly suggest that the introduction of quagga mussels has greatly altered the dynamics of SOCs and other processes in the food web of Lake Mead.
[The effect of booster dose vaccination 21- to 32-years after primary vaccination with hepatitis B vaccine in the population born from 1986 to 1996 in Zhengding County of Hebei Province]

Objective: Aanalysis the effect of booster one dose of hepatitis B vaccine after 21-32 years of primary immunization in Zhengding Country of Hebei Province. Methods: A total of 322 participants who were born between 1986 and 1996, received a full course of primary vaccination with plasma-derived hepatitis B vaccine (HepB), had no experience with booster vaccination, were HBsAg, anti-HBcnegative, had anti-HBs<10 mIU/ml, completed the booster and had laboratory results were enrolled between August 2017 to February 2018. A simple random method was uesd to randomly assigned 322 subjects to two groups, receiving a booster dose of HepB derived from either Saccharomyces cerevisiae ［HepB (SC), (151 cases)］ or Chinese hamster ovary-derived HepB ［HepB (CHO), (171 cases)］, the dose was 20 μg. Blood samples were collected 30 days after boosting and quantitatively tested for the geometric mean concentration (GMC) of anti-HBs to assess immunological effect. The related influencing factors of GMC and seroconversion rates of anti-HBs were analyzed by multiple linear regression and multivariate logistic regression models. Results: The 266 subjects (82.61%) had anti-HBs≥ 10 mIU/ml, and GMC was (131.63±12.94) mIU/ml.The seroconversion rates of anti-HBs in the anti-HBs<2.5 mIU/ml group and 2.5-10 mIU/ml group were 74.54% (161 cases) and 99.06% (105 cases), respectively (P<0.001).The seroconversion rates of anti-HBs after one dose of HepB (CHO) was higher than that of one dose of HepB (SC), the seroconversion rates were 87.13% (149 cases) and 77.48% (117 cases), respectively (P=0.023). Participants boostered with HepB (CHO) was the factor influencing the effect of strengthening immunization compared with boostered with HepB (SC), and OR (95%CI) was 1.91 (1.02-3.56) (P=0.042).Compared with anti-HBs<2.5 mIU/ml, prebooster anti-HBs was between 2.5 mIU/ml and 10 mIU/ml was the related factor of seroconversion rates of anti-HBs after booster immunization, and OR (95%CI) was 36.15 (4.91-266.02) (P<0.001). Conclusion: Participants boostered withone dose of HepB had a good immune response. Pre-booster anti-HBs concentration and a variety of vaccine were related factors of immune response.
Strength in numbers: Large-scale integration of single-cell transcriptomic data reveals rare, transient muscle progenitor cell states in muscle regeneration

Skeletal muscle repair is driven by the coordinated self-renewal and fusion of myogenic stem and progenitor cells. Single-cell gene expression analyses of myogenesis have been hampered by the poor sampling of rare and transient cell states that are critical for muscle repair, and do not provide spatial information that is needed to understand the context in which myogenic differentiation occurs. Here, we demonstrate how large-scale integration of new and public single-cell and spatial transcriptomic data can overcome these limitations. We created a large-scale single-cell transcriptomic dataset of mouse skeletal muscle by integration, consensus annotation, and analysis of 23 newly collected scRNAseq datasets and 79 public single-cell (scRNAseq) and single-nucleus (snRNAseq) RNA-sequencing datasets. The resulting compendium includes nearly 350,000 cells and spans a wide range of ages, injury, and repair conditions. Combined, these data enabled identification of the predominant cell types in skeletal muscle with robust, consensus gene expression profiles, and resolved cell subtypes, including endothelial subtypes distinguished by vessel-type of origin, fibro/adipogenic progenitors marked by stem potential, and many distinct immune populations. The representation of different experimental conditions and the depth of transcriptome coverage enabled robust profiling of sparsely expressed genes. We built a densely sampled transcriptomic model of myogenesis, from stem-cell quiescence to myofiber maturation and identified rare, short-lived transitional states of progenitor commitment and fusion that are poorly represented in individual datasets. We performed spatial RNA sequencing of mouse muscle at three time points after injury and used the integrated dataset as a reference to achieve a high-resolution, local deconvolution of cell subtypes. This analysis identified temporal variation in the colocalization of immune cell subtype interactions with myogenic progenitors during injury recovery. We provide a public web tool to enable interactive exploration and visualization of this rich single-cell transcriptomic resource. Our work supports the utility of large-scale integration of single-cell transcriptomic data as a tool for biological discovery.
Instantaneous Heart Rate-based Automated Monitoring of Hypertension using Machine Learning

Hypertension is a serious underlying health condition that can cause a number of severe diseases (such as sudden cardiac events, strokes, etc.) if left untreated or not detected. Wireless watch-style health trackers continuously monitor physiological data and activity that can assist in developing predictive and diagnosis systems to inform vulnerable individuals in real-time. Artificial Intelligence techniques can be extremely beneficial in learning from the existing medical data of hypertensive patients and creating implicit relationships between various relevant physiological parameters for preliminary early diagnosis of hypertension. This study investigates and compares the efficacy of various machine learning techniques for detecting hypertension condition using Instantaneous Heart Rates (IHR). The CNN-LSTM and Bi-LSTM architecture demonstrated better performance for classifying hypertension based on IHR values. The models developed in this study can be incorporated into mHealth or telemedicine applications to detect hypertension and alert the users.
Does the Census Miss the Native-Born Children of Immigrant Mothers? Evidence from State-Level Undercount by Race and Hispanic Status

Despite research going back over a century showing the U.S. census counts some groups more accurately than others at the national level, little is known about how undercount varies within the country. I focus on a population easily measured with administrative data yet known to suffer high levels of undercount—native-born young children—to document state-level variation in undercount by race and Hispanic status. Although the race-specific analysis is only possible for the 2000 census, the patterns I show for all children are similar to those in 2010, implying the results from 2000 are likely relevant to today. Undercount levels vary widely across states, with non-Black children having the highest rates in the south and southwest, and Black children in the northeast. Results by Hispanic status show non-Black Hispanic young children are highly undercounted in several states with high Hispanic populations, but not all, and are also highly undercounted in the northeast and New England. In several states with high non-Black Hispanic undercounts, non-Black non-Hispanic children are also undercounted at a high rate. I find a very strong correlation between the fraction of births to foreign-born mothers in the state and the undercount of Black and non-Black children—in fact, it is the strongest correlate with the undercount of native-born Black children of those I investigate. The fraction of foreign-born mothers does not correlate with the undercount of non-Black Hispanic and non-Hispanic young children, although Hispanic status of the parents do. My results suggest a group-specific, local focus for future work is needed to determine the causes of census undercount.
Apigenin, a Natural Flavonoid, Attenuates EAE Severity Through the Modulation of Dendritic Cell and Other Immune Cell Functions

Apigenin, a natural flavonoid, found in several plants, fruits, vegetables, herbs, and spices, is known to have anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties that are evident in the use of these substances for centuries as medicinal approaches to treat asthma, insomnia, Parkinson's disease, neuralgia, and shingles. However, there is a considerable dearth of information regarding its effect on immune cells, especially dendritic cells (DC) that maintain the critical balance between an immunogenic and tolerogenic immune response, in an immunospecialized location like the central nervous system (CNS). In this paper we looked at the anti-inflammatory properties of Apigenin in restoration of immune function and the resultant decrease in neuroinflammation. In vivo, a significant reduction in severity of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE) progression and relapse was observed in C57BL/6 (progressive) and SJL/J (relapse-remitting) mouse models of multiple sclerosis upon treatment with Apigenin. Apigenin treated EAE mice show decreased expression of α4 integrin and CLEC12A on splenic DCs and an increased retention of immune cells in the periphery compared to untreated EAE mice. This correlated consequently with immunohistochemistry findings of decreased immune cell infiltration and reduced demyelination in the CNS. These results indicate a protective role of Apigenin against the neurodegenerative effects resulting from the entry of DC stimulated pathogenic T cells into the CNS thus implicating a potential therapy for neuroinflammatory disease.
David, King of Israel, and Caleb in Biblical Memory

1. Slings and arrows - remembering King David 2. Flesh and stone - from war monuments to the David story 3. King of Judah - the earliest account of David's life 4. Tales of loyalty and betrayal - the cases of Keilah and Ziph 5. The bones of Saul - the loyalty of the Gileadites 6. Uriah the Hittite - a tale of royal modesty 7. Ittai the Gittite - mercenary allegiance versus national solidarity 8. David in exile - priests, statehood, and the Benjaminites 9. Territorial transitions - the Transjordan, Israel, and Judah 10. Chronicles - David as a catalyst of national unity 11. Caleb and the conquest - inventing a new hero 12. Caleb the warrior - the evolution of legends 13. Caleb the Judahite - an iconic figure 14. War-torn David - conclusions.
Abstract 182: Increased Adipose-Derived Mesenchymal Stem Cells Counts and Pro-B-Type Natriuretic Peptide in Patients With Critical Limb Ischemia

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been shown to improve regeneration of injured tissues in vivo. Several in vitro studies and animal models have demonstrated improvement in MSCs paracrine effects under hypoxic conditions. Moreover, several studies suggested that the pro B-type natriuretic peptide (pro-BNP) could be involved in the stimulation of postischemic vascular regeneration. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of critical limb ischemia, in a human model, on in-situ adipose derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADMSCs) and to determine whether serum levels of N-terminal pro-BNP correlate with ADMSCs counts and associated paracrine effects. Lipoaspirate samples of ≥ 10mL were collected from ischemic limbs (ischemic group) and compared to control (without ischemia). MSCs were characterized by frequency, viability, differentiation potential, cytokines expression, and cell surface markers. Serum NT pro-BNP was measured as well. MSCs counts were 9-to-10-fold higher in patients with ischemic limbs (mean 7952 MSC/mL ± 542) than controls (mean 790 MSC/mL ± 65). Pro-BNP levels (1878-4757 pg/mL) were approximately 8-to-26-fold higher than in age- and sex-matched controls. Furthermore, there were positive correlations between pro-BNP levels and MSCs counts in the ischemic group. In conclusion, patients with critical limb ischemia (CLI) have higher levels of pro-BNP and MSCs counts than controls. Increased levels of pro-BNP and MSCs counts can be considered humoral and cellular surrogates of ischemia and hypoxia in patients with CLI. This supports recent studies that suggest that the increase production of peripheral BNP may be a stem cells-mediated response to stimulate angiogenesis in the ischemic skeletal muscles.
Abstract W P110: ABCA1 Partially Mediates D-4F Protection of White Matter After Stroke

Introduction: White matter (WM) damage is associated with neurological deficits after stroke. Neuroinflammation increases WM damage. The ATP-binding cassette transporter A 1 (ABCA1) mediates the efflux of cholesterol to ApoA-1 and ApoE and is antiinflammatory and promotes axonal remodeling. D-4F is an ApoA-I mimetic peptide. We tested the hypothesis that D-4F treatment of stroke regulates WM damage and improves neurological functional outcome. Methods: C57BL/6 white type mice were subjected to permanent middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAo) and were orally administered different doses of D-4F (2, 4, 8, 16 or 32mg/kg) starting at 2h after MCAo and daily for 7 days. Functional outcomes, blood biochemistry, BBB leakage, infarct volume, and WM and axonal changes were evaluated. Results: D-4F treatment did not alter the blood levels of HDL and total cholesterol, infarction volume and BBB leakage compared to control group. Treatment of stroke with D-4F 16mg/kg 1) significant improved neurological functional outcome (mNSS: 5.2±0.9 vs control 3.9±0.6; Left-foot-fault: 26.7±2.5 vs control 21.4±1.6); 2) did not change the number of oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and oligodendrocytes in the ischemic boundary zone (IBZ) of the striatum; 3) significant increased the density of axons (30.1±1.8% vs control: 19.9±1.7%), phosphorelated neurofilament (39.4±3.5 vs control: 25.3±2.7) and myelin (40.4±2.4 vs control: 25.2±3.6) in the WM bundles in the IBZ of the striatum; 4) increased ABCA1 and decreased TNFα expression in the ischemic brain (n=11/group). In vitro, neurite outgrowth in primary cultured neurons (PCNs) derived from brain specific ABCA1 deficient (ABCA1-B/-B) mice were significantly decreased after hypoxic ischemia compared with PCNs derived from floxed-control (ABCA1fl/fl) mice; D-4F (200ng/ml) treatment significantly increased neurite outgrowth in the ABCA1fl/fl-PCNs, but failed in ABCA1-B/-B-PCNs; D-4F treatment did not increase OPC proliferation, but decreased OPC death of cultured OPCs. Conclusions: D-4F treatment initiated 2h after MCAo decreases WM damage and improves functional outcome after stroke. Increasing ABCA1 expression in the ischemic brain may contribute to D-4F induced WM and axonal protection after stroke.
Motivation for Achievement: Possibilities for Teaching and Learning

Understanding student and teacher motivation and developing strategies to foster motivation for students at all levels of performance are essential to effective teaching. This text is designed to help prospective and practicing teachers achieve these goals. Its premise is that current research and theory about motivation offer hope and possibilities for educators —teachers, parents, coaches, and administrators—to enhance motivation for achievement. The orientation draws primarily on social-cognitive perspectives that have generated much research relevant to classroom practice. Ideal for any course that is dedicated to, or includes coverage of, motivation and achievement, the text focuses on two key roles teachers play in supporting and cultivating motivation in the classroom: establishing the classroom structure and instruction that provides the environment for optimal motivation, engagement, and learning; and helping students develop the tools that will enable them to be self-regulated learners and develop their potential. Pedagogical features aid the understanding of concepts and the application to practice: Strategy boxes present guidelines and strategies for using the various concepts. Exhibit boxes include forms for different purposes (for example, goal setting), examples of teacher beliefs and practices, and samples of student work. Reflection boxes stimulate readers’ thinking about motivational issues inherent in the topics, their experiences, and their beliefs. A motivational toolbox at the end of each chapter helps readers identify important points to think about, lingering questions, strategies to use now, and strategies to develop in the future. NEW IN THE THIRD EDITION Updated research and new topics are added throughout as warranted by current inquiry in the field. Chapters are reorganized to provide more coherence and to account for new findings. New and updated material is included on issues of educational reform, standards for achievement, and high-stakes testing, and on achievement goal theory, especially regarding performance goals and the distinction between performance-approach and performance-avoidance goals as relevant to classroom practice.
Reflecting point-countable families

It is shown that if every ≤ ω 1 -sized subspace of a (regular) space X of density ≤ ω 1 has a point-countable base, then so does X. Similar results hold for meta-Lindelofness. Dow's reflection theorem and a number of other results are deduced as corollaries and applications.
Remote-controlled automatic injector vs. manual injection technique in ictal SPECT imaging of seizure patients: Experience from a children's hospital

2713 Objectives The success of imaging the epileptogenic focus lies in injecting the radiotracer as soon as the patient starts to seize. The availability of a remotely controlled automatic injector allows the nurse to inject in a timely manner. We analyzed the 2 groups of patients who underwent ictal SPECT imaging using such automatic injections compared with conventional manually performed injections. Methods A total of 74 pediatric patients who had been injected with Tc-99m HMPAO with either manual or the automatic technique were retrospectively analyzed. A total of 33 patients have had the tracer administered via the automatic injector while 41 were injected manually. The other parameters such as the seizure duration, radiopharmaceutical dosage, the injection-to-imaging time were reasonably comparable. In addition to measuring the times from seizure onset-to-injection (latency time), we also compared the repeat number of imaging studies, and the rates of localization of the epileptogenic foci between these two subsets. Results The average injection latency time was 15 seconds with a range of 4-20 seconds in the automatic injector group, while the average manual injection latency time was 25 seconds with a range of 14-35 seconds. Also, in 30 out of 33 patients with automatic injection, the seizure focus was correctly identified, whereas in the manual injection group only 20 out of 41 had a positive single focus on the ictal SPECT imaging. Conclusions The automatic injector performed well compared to the conventional manual injection technique and had better positive ictal SPECT imaging results in terms of identification of the epileptogenic seizure focus in pediatric patients. This could also potentially drive down the cost of repeat imaging studies, prolonged hospitalization and provide for better patient outcomes.
Mood and Information Processing: When Happy and Sad Look the Same

Two studies were conducted to demonstrate that sad and happy moods can cause individuals to be similarly sensitive to the valence of observed stimuli with regard to how effortfully such stimuli are processed. In Study 1, individuals in whom a sad or happy mood had been induced unitized a behavior sequence less finely when its contents were neutral as opposed to positive. Individuals in a neutral mood state maintained a comparable level of unitization regardless of the valence of the behavior sequence. In Study 2, individuals in whom a sad or a happy mood had been induced processed the arguments in a persuasive communication more extensively when its contents were affectively uplifting rather than depressing. Sad individuals showed this pattern only if no prior affective expectation was provided. Taken together, these studies may fit with the notion that under certain conditions sad and happy individuals similarly decrease the amount of information processed from a neutral (Study 1) or depressing (Study 2), relative to a positive, stimulus.
Accumulating daily-varied dose distributions of prostate radiation therapy with soft-tissue–based kV CT guidance

Even with daily image guidance based on soft tissue registration, deviations of fractional doses can be quite large due to changes in patient anatomy. It is of interest to ascertain the cumulative effect of these deviations on the total delivered dose. Daily kV CT data acquired using an in-room CT for five prostate cancer patients were analyzed. Each daily CT was deformably registered to the planning CT using an in-house tool. The resulting deformation field was used to map the delivered daily dose onto the planning CT, then summed to obtain the cumulative (total delivered) dose to the patient. The delivered cumulative values of prostate D100 on average were only 2.9% less than their planned values, while the PTV D95 were 3.6% less. The delivered rectum and bladder V70s can be twice what was planned. The less than 3% difference between delivered and planned prostate coverage indicates that the PTV margin of 5 mm was sufficient with the soft-tissue-based kV CT guidance for the cases studied.
Some reflections on double fertilization, from its discovery to the present

Contents Summary 000 I. Introduction 000 II. Discovery of double fertilization 000 III. Seed development without double fertilization 000 IV. A case for double fertilization in gymnosperms 000 V. Structural and cytological perspectives on double fertilization 000 VI. In vitro double fertilization 000 VII. Genetic and molecular perspectives 000 VIII. Concluding comments 000 Acknowledgements 000 References 000 Summary The fusion of one sperm with the egg cell to form the embryo and of the other sperm with the polar fusion nucleus to give rise to the endosperm (‘double fertilization’) was discovered by Nawaschin in 1898 in the liliaceous plants, Lilium martagon and Fritillaria tenella. The occurrence of two fusion events analogous to double fertilization has recently been described in some gymnosperm species although the product of the second fusion is a transient embryo, rather than the endosperm as in angiosperms. Recent investigations in angiosperms describe the cell biology and nuclear cytology of double fertilization and the successful in vitro demonstration of the two fusion events using isolated egg cells, central cells, and sperm cells and the development of the fusion products into the embryo and endosperm. Molecular and genetic studies on the component elements of double fertilization have focused on the identification of mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana that display developmental patterns in the seed that result in autonomous endosperm development and even partial embryogenesis in the absence of fertilization. Characterization of the genes and their protein products has provided evidence for a predominant effect of maternal gametophytic genes and of silencing of paternal genes during double fertilization.
Effect of Controlled Resonant Interactions and Mode Detuning on Turbulent Transition in Boundary Layers

The simultaneous generation of phase-coupled plane TS waves and oblique waves with respective wave numbers (α1, 0) and (α2 , β 1), (α2, β 2) are used to study the growth of three-dimensional disturbances in a Blasius boundary layer. This was accomplished using a computer controlled array of line heaters to produce time periodic, spanwise-phase-varying velocity perturbations. Conditions for subharmonic resonance with a TS mode (α,0) and symmetric oblique modes (α/2,+β) and (α/2, −β)have been fully documented for different streamwise and spanwise wave numbers. Of special interest was the growth of higher harmonic modes including (3/2α, ±β), (5/2α, ±2β), (α,±2β) and (0, ±2β). Contrasted with these are nonlinear interactions produced by initial nonfundamental/subharmonic modes. Comparisons point to the role of detuned modes as a mechanism for energy saturation and spectral filling associated with laminar-to-turbulent transition.
Analysis of serotypes and electropherotypes of equine rotaviruses isolated in the United States.

Abstract Equine group A rotaviruses isolated over a 10-year period in New York State, New Jersey, Kentucky, and Texas were compared serotypically and electropherotypically. All isolates were determined to be serotype 3 by reaction with hyperimmune antiserum to the serotype 3 H-2 strain of equine rotavirus. All displayed RNA electrophoretic migration patterns related to that of the H-2 strain but distinct from that of serotype 5 strain H-1. A serologic survey of 184 mares in Kentucky, which was done to determine the incidence of H-1 and H-2 infections, showed geometric mean serum neutralizing titers to the H-2 strain of equine rotavirus to be significantly higher than those to the H-1 strain. These data suggest that the serotype 3 H-2 strain is the dominant equine rotavirus in Kentucky and perhaps elsewhere in the United States. We were unable to produce confirmational evidence that the H-1 strain occurs as a natural infection in the United States.
Chronic neuropathy presenting as a floppy infant with respiratory distress.

Respiratory distress was the presenting feature in a 4-month-old male infant suffering from Dejerine-Sottas disease, an inherited sensory-motor polyneuropathy. This unusual but potentially benign disorder can be diagnosed upon peripheral nerve biopsy by noting extensive demyelination with "onion bulb" formation. Polyneuropathy should be considered in the differential diagnosis of infantile neuromuscular weakness including or solely involving bulbar and respiratory muscles.
The Use of Fluorometric Assays to Assess the Immune Response to DNA in Murine Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

Antibodies to DNA (anti-DNA) play an important role in the pathogenesis of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). In blood, these antibodies may exist in a free, unbound state or as part of complexes with DNA. Furthermore, circulating DNA may be either complexed or free. Because of the central role of these immunoreactants (anti-DNA and DNA) in the disease, monitoring of their levels could provide valuable information for both clinical and investigative purposes. In these studies, we have explored the use of a DNA-binding dye, PicoGreen, for the detection of circulating DNA, either total or immune complex bound. In addition, we have used this dye for Farr-type antibody assays. Using autoimmune MRL/lpr mice as a model, we have shown that, while the levels of free DNA in the plasma of these mice were comparable with those of normal BALB/c mice, the amounts in complexes precipitable by ammonium sulfate were significantly greater. Furthermore, we showed that Farr assays using PicoGreen reliably detect levels of free anti-DNA, with values correlated with anti-DNA levels by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Together, our results suggest that a fluorometric dye can accurately monitor DNA and anti-DNA antibody levels in SLE and may provide important information on immunopathogenesis.
Assessment of children with intellectual giftedness and reading disabilities

This article discusses the current issues involved in the evaluation of children who have both intellectual gifts and a specific learning disability (SLD) in reading. Given recent changes in federal special education law (i.e., the Individuals With Disabilities Education Improvement Act of 2004), the use of a unified assessment model that integrates responsiveness to intervention techniques with state-of-the-art psychometric tools is most appropriate for this population. Use of the Cattell-Horn-Carroll (K.S. McGrew, 2005) and the Planning, Attention, Simultaneous, Successive (J.A. Naglieri & J.P. Das, 1997b) cognitive assessment theories are highlighted due to their clear relevance to the assessment of both intellectual strengths for gifted children and psychological processing weaknesses for children with SLDs. Recommendations for assessment practices and areas in need of further research are explicitly stated. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Psychol Schs 43: 855–869, 2006.
Impact of UV radiation on activity of linear furanocoumarins and Bacillus thuringiensis var. kurstaki against Spodoptera exigua: Implications for tritrophic interactions

Acidic fogs with a pH of 2.0 and duration of 2 hr did not reduce the efficacy ofBacillus thuringiensis var.Kurstaki (Berliner). Therefore, the impact of UV radiation was investigated on the interactions between (1) levels of the antibacterial linear furanocoumarins psoralen, bergapten, and xanthotoxin inApium graveolens (L.) occurring following a 2.0 pH acidic fog episode, (2) the noctuidSpodoptera exigua (Hubner), and (3) a sublethal dosage of the microbial pathogenB. thuringiensis var.Kurstaki. Mean time to pupation in the absence of UV radiation (survival was too low to conduct this analysis for insects exposed to UV) was significantly extended by the addition of either psoralens orB. thuringiensis. Larvae developing on diets containingB. thuringiensis plus psoralens required nearly 40% longer to pupate than controls, but their effects were additive as the interaction was not significant. Although the mean times to adult emergence were significantly different, time spent in the pupal stage did not vary significantly between treatments, indicating that increases in larval developmental time were responsible for the observed decrease in developmental rate. Mean time to mortality, a weighted average time of death, was not significantly affected by any of the treatments. In a 2 × 2 × 2 factorial analysis, all main effects (linear furanocoumarins.B. thuringiensis, UV radiation) reduced survival significantly, as did the three-way interaction. Thus, antagonistic interactions with psoralens that would reduce the effectiveness ofB. thuringiensis in the field were not observed. When pairs of main effects were nested within the two levels (presence and absence) of the third factor, several two-way interactions were found. Interestingly, the activity ofB. thuringiensis and the psoralens, individually or in combination, was enhanced by exposure to UV radiation. Implications of this research are discussed for both natural and agricultural ecosystems.
An approach to the development of drugs for appetite disorders.

This review covers some modern concepts in the development of drugs to treat appetite disorders. Specific attention is paid to the peripheral satiety system and the role of gastrointestinal peptides s
Plague in Free-ranging Mammals in Western North Dakota

From July through October of 1996, 48 blood samples were collected from coyotes (Canis latrans), badgers (Taxidea taxus), and raccoons (Procyon lotor) in western North Dakota (USA) for the purposes of determining antibody titers to the plague bacterium, Yersinia pestis. The passive hemagglutination paper-strip blood-sampling technique was utilized with hemagglutination inhibition controls. Two positive samples were obtained from McKenzie county, one from a coyote with a titer of 1:64 and one from a badger with a titer of 1:256. Considering coyote and badger population dynamics, this study documents plague in western North Dakota.
Launch Processing System operations with a future look to Operations Analyst (OPERA)

The Launch Processing System architecture and the ground support operations required to provide Shuttle System engineers with the capability to safely process and launch an Orbiter are described. The described ground operations are the culmination of eleven years of experience and redesign. Some of the 'lessons learned' are examined, and problem areas which ground support operations have identified over the years as the Shuttle and Launch Processing Systems continue to grow in complexity are discussed. The Operational Analyst for Distributed Systems (OPERA), a proposed set of expert systems for the Launch Processing System Operational assistance, is discussed along with its extensions to prospective future configurations and components for the Launch Processing System.
Fast high-resolution spectroscopy of dynamic continuous-wave laser sources

Researchers demonstrate a coherent dual-comb-based spectrometer capable of measuring continuous-wave optical waveforms at time resolutions of 30 µs and 320 µs over terahertz bandwidths. The device is potentially useful for sensing applications such as multispecies gas detection, coherent laser radar and optical metrology.
Substrate specificity in pectin synthesis.

Abstract Particulate preparations from higher plants incorporate galacturonic acid from UDP-galacturonate into a “pectin-like” material. The enzymatic reaction is fairly specific for UDP-GalUA although some incorporation of TDP-GalUA was observed with tomato particles, and a slight incorporation of CDP-GalUA with mung bean particles. The radioactive product formed from UDP-GalUA liberated GalUA, DiGalUA, and TriGalUA when treated with pectinase, indicating that it was polygalacturonic acid. More extensive studies on the nature of the product are being communicated elsewhere ( Villemez, et al. , 1965 ).
Overdispersion tests for truncated Poisson regression models

Abstract Score tests of extra-Poisson variation in left- or right-truncated Poisson regression models are derived for alternatives in the left- or right-truncated negative binomial family and for arbitrary truncation points. Using asymptotic expansions of the score function, adjustment factors are derived for the tests which are expected to improve their small sample properties. Overdispersion tests for the untruncated Poisson model in the econometric and statistical literature are special cases of the tests derived in this paper. A Monte Carlo investigation of the new tests when data are truncated at zero show that the effect of truncation produces a significant size distortion and power reduction, especially in small samples, but also that the corrections suggested by asymptotic expansions improve the performance of the tests.
Near Infrared Measurement of Cotton Fiber Micronaire by Portable Near Infrared Instrumentation

In the U.S.A., cotton is classed (pri- mary quality parameters) by the Uster ® High Vol- ume Instrument (HVI), which must be maintained under tightly controlled laboratory environmental conditions. Improved and fast response quality measurement systems and tools are needed to rap- idly assess the quality of cotton. One key area of emphasis and need is the development and imple- mentation of new fast-response quality measure- ments that can be used not only in the laboratory but which also can be adapted to field and at-line quality measurements. A program was imple- mented to determine the ability of portable near- infrared (NIR) instrumentation to monitor critical fiber properties of cotton samples in the laboratory, at-line, and in the field, with initial emphasis on the laboratory measurement of cotton fiber micro- naire. Micronaire is a key cotton property, and it is an indicator of the fiber's maturity and fineness. Distinct NIR spectral differences between samples with varying micronaire were observed. A compara- tive evaluation was performed to determine opti- mum instrumental conditions for laboratory cotton micronaire measurements. The comparative evalu- ation established that the optimum instrumental conditions for laboratory measurements of micro- naire was obtained with the use of a glass-covered sampling port and increased instrumental gain, with high R 2 values, low residuals, and with ≤ 12% outliers. For a NIR measurement with potential for multiple simultaneous analyses and non-labo- ratory measurements, the micronaire measure- ment was fast (< 3 min per sample) and easy to perform. The rapid and accurate laboratory meas- urement of cotton fiber micronaire with portable NIR instrumentation was demonstrated.
The Studsvik Inter Ramp Project: An international power ramp experimental program

Abstract The Studsvik Inter Ramp Project is an experimental power ramping project internationally sponsored by 14 different organizations and managed by Studsvik Energiteknik AB of Sweden. The objective of the project is to investigate failure propensity and characteristics of 20 unpressurized fuel rods of typical 8 × 8 BWR design when subjected to overpower ramp operation after having completed prior extended irradiations (9 to 23 GWd/MTU accumulated peak burnups) containing idealized cyclic power-level variations. All irradiations were performed in the Studsvik R2 reactor in conditions simulating BWR coolant temperatures and pressures. Fuel rod design variables included fuel-cladding gap size, initial cladding heat treatment, and fuel density. The power ramping tests produced 11 failures (leaking rods) out of the 20 total in highly-consistent patterns strongly linking ramping performance to integral effects created during the preceding extended irradiations — i.e., the results indicated power shock was more dominant than peak ramp power. Permanent cladding deformation was small (generally 0.05–0.1) and burnup dependence of failure appeared negligible for the range studied.
Single-Frequency, Widely-Tunable, and Multi-Watt Polycrystalline CW Cr2+:ZnSe Lasers

We demonstrate polycrystalline Cr2+:ZnSe CW rapidly-tunable (4.5 μm/s) high-power (150 mW) single-longitudinal-mode laser; widely-tunable (2.12-2.77 μm) multi-watt (2 W) laser; high-power (6 W) highly-efficient (48%) laser; and high-power (3 W) highly-efficient (41%) microchip laser.
Hate speech and its harms: a communication theory perspective

In this article I analyze harms caused by hate speech using Carey's (1989) contrasting transmission and ritual models of communication. Adoption of the transmission model directs the attention of courts and legislative bodies to effects of hate speech such as emotional and behavioral changes in the recipients of the speech. In contrast, the ritual model illustrates the reinforcement of racist attitudes and disparate treatment of minorities that occurs with the repetitive use of hate speech. Although the ritual model serves a heuristic function by providing courts with a framework for understanding harm caused by hate speech, its judicial adoption to determine liability for individual instances of racist or sexist communication raises troublesome First Amendment issues
A case/comparison study in the Eastern Region of Ghana on the effects of incorporating selected reproductive health services on family planning services

Abstract Objective: to assess the impact on the provision of family planning (FP) services when FP providers were also trained to provide additional, selected, reproductive health services. Design: case/comparison study. Participants and settings: twenty-four FP service delivery points in which training in sexually transmitted infection prevention and control services or post-abortion care services had been initiated (case facilities), were compared to 19 control facilities in which similar provider training had not yet been targeted. All settings were located in the Eastern Region of Ghana. Measurements: service statistics for three study years (1996–1998) were reviewed. Structured interviews with providers, managers and clients provided qualitative data concerning impact and satisfaction. Findings: case facilities which had integrated these additional reproductive health (RH) services experienced consistently higher numbers of clients and the total number of clients receiving FP services increased over time. There was also a statistically significant increase in continuing FP clients within case facilities. In contrast, the number of FP clients serviced in the comparison area remained basically unchanged over time. Key conclusions: interviews conducted with providers and managers in both types of settings indicated strong support for receipt of training to provide these integrated services and a request for additional training in an even broader array of RH and adult/child services. Clients also perceived the benefit of additional RH services and perceived these services to be of high quality. Implications for practice: expanding the repertoire of clinical skills of FP providers, enabling these practitioners to render RH services that augment basic FP services, has the potential to increase the number of new and continuing FP clients, and increases the satisfaction of both providers and consumers with respect to these services.
Concurrent drinking by pigeons on fixed-interval reinforcement schedules

Abstract Three experienced pigeons were exposed to at least ten consecutive 100-min sessions on each of three food-reinforced fixed-interval (FI) schedules: FI 50-sec, FI 100-sec and FI 200-sec. Water was freely available. Drinking was largely confined to the first third of each fixed interval, and the mean sessional water intake was directly related to the food-reinforcement rate for each animal. The animals drank very quickly, i.e., 3–4 ml/sec, but the drinking bouts were brief, i.e., 0.8–1.4 sec, and infrequent, i.e., 2–5/hr. The parameters describing concurrent drinking in the pegion are strikingly different from those describing rats' drinking under similar reinforcement schedules, which may contribute to the difficulty in demonstrating schedule-induced polydipsia in the pigeon.