cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
MR Imaging Trailing Clinical Expression of Natalizumab-Associated PML in Multiple Sclerosis: A Rare But Serious Diagnostic and Management Problem (P5.196)

OBJECTIVE: To describe a multiple sclerosis (MS) patient with natalizumab-associated progressive multifocal leukoencephalopathy (PML) in whom clinical expression preceded MRI findings by several months. BACKGROUND: PML is readily diagnosed using a combination of clinical features, characteristic imaging findings, and supportive laboratory tests. Clinically evident PML rarely lacks supportive imaging findings at initial presentation. DESIGN/METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 37-year-old JC virus antibody positive woman with previously well-controlled MS treated with natalizumab since March 2007 developed episodes of transient whole body stiffness and involuntary movements of her left arm in March 2013, six months after the frequency of natalizumab infusions had been decreased. Brain MRI revealed two new small subcortical lesions, indicative of MS. As a precaution, natalizumab was discontinued in April 2013. In May 2013, she developed dysarthria and difficulty walking, prompting treatment with a 3-day course of intravenous corticosteroids without improvement. Repeat brain MRI on June 12, 2013 showed several new lesions in the subcortical white matter and brainstem, interpreted as worsening MS. Mistrusting MRI, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) was obtained on June 13, 2013, showing >180,000 copies/mL of JC virus by PCR and thus establishing a diagnosis of PML. The patient began empirical treatments for PML, while subsequent MRIs showed no evidence of PML until July 9, 2013 when a typical confluent fluffy T2/FLAIR hyperintensity appeared in the right posterior frontal subcortical white matter. Serial clinical and imaging data will be presented. CONCLUSION: Clinical symptoms of PML may precede its appearance on MR imaging. In suspected similar situations, a high index of suspicion for PML should be maintained - even in the absence of supportive imaging findings - prompting definitive investigations (e.g., CSF JC virus PCR testing, or biopsy). Delay in diagnosing PML portends worse prognosis by delaying appropriate management. Disclosure: Dr. Muth has nothing to disclose. Dr. Hernandez has nothing to disclose. Dr. Stefoski has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Acorda Therapeutics, Serono Inc., and Teva Neuroscience as a consultant, and Biogen Idec, Teva Neuroscience, EMD Serono, Elan Corp., and Acorda Therapeutics as a speaker bureau member. Dr. Stefoski has received royalty payments from Acorda Therapeutics. Dr. Stefoski has received research support from Biogen Idec, Novartis, Serono Inc., and Pfizer Inc. Dr. Balabanov has received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, Teva Neuroscience, Questor, and Acorda Therapeutics. Dr. Balabanov has received research support from Biogen Iden and Teva Neuroscience. Dr. Kohas received personal compensation for activities with Biogen Idec, EMD Serono, and Acorda Therapeutics as a consultant and speaker.
Drug screening of newborns by meconium analysis: a large-scale, prospective, epidemiologic study.

A large-scale, prospective drug screening of newborns by meconium analysis was done to determine more accurately the prevalence and epidemiologic characteristics of drug use in a high-risk urban, obstetric population. Every other neonate delivered in a perinatal center from November 1988 to September 1989 was prospectively enrolled and their meconium was analyzed by radioimmunoassay for the metabolites of three commonly abused drugs--cocaine, morphine (opiates), and cannabinoid. In 3010 subjects studied, 44% were positive for cocaine, morphine, or cannabinoid; 31% were positive for cocaine, 21% for morphine, and 12% for cannabinoid. In contrast, only 335 (11%) mothers admitted to illicit drug use: 52% of their newborns had a positive urine drug screen and 88% had a positive meconium drug screen. Prevalence of drug use among the pregnant women varied per month. A profile of the pregnant addict in the population studied was noted (P less than .001): service patient, single, multigravid (greater than 3), and little or no prenatal care. The major problems associated with drug use during pregnancy were principally noted in the group that was exposed to cocaine and opiates and in the group where the mothers admitted to the use of illicit drugs. On the other hand, a large number of neonates who have been exposed to drugs in utero, particularly those whose mothers denied the use of drugs, appear normal at birth and may not be recognized. Improved detection of these newborns at risk can be achieved with a high index of suspicion and meconium drug analysis.
Miniature analytical methods for medical diagnostics

There is a growing trend to bring medical diagnostics closer to the patient. In his perspective, David Walt describes how advances in sensors as well as developments in micro and nanotechnologies are enabling the development of miniature diagnostic platforms. These platforms contain all the necessary functions to perform sample processing and analysis. As the systems become simpler and less expensive they will be used closer to the patient and eventually are likely to be used at home for health care and health monitoring.
Angel Groups: An Examination of the Angel Capital Association Survey

This white paper provides information on angel groups using the data from the 2007 Angel Capital Association membership survey.
Technique to apply holographic interferometry to excised animal lungs

Frequency analysis of acoustic waves sent into, and reflected from, lung airways is being studied as a possible early indicator of lung disease. To help evaluate the acoustic impedance of the lung, a method has been developed to determine which parts of the surface of an excised lung are responding to the acoustic excitation via the trachea. Holographic interferometry, a very sensitive technique that can measure movements of a few mu m, is being used to detect the lung-surface movement. Lungs from normal guinea pigs are being analyzed. Acoustic waves at selected frequencies are sent into the trachea and a double-exposure holograph is made of the lung. Each exposure is approximately 4 ms in duration with a separation of 2 ms. The laser pulse is obtained by interrupting the beam from a 0.5-w argon ion laser. Fringe patterns produced are an indication of lung movement. Work is continuing to distinguish normal and diseased lungs using a combination of acoustic excitation and holographic interferometric techniques. >
Does the multidisciplinary approach improve oncological outcomes in men undergoing surgical treatment for prostate cancer

Objectives To determine whether oncological outcomes are improved in prostate cancer patients by using a multidisciplinary strategy as compared with a standard clinic paradigm, and whether time to treatment is delayed when using a multidisciplinary approach. Methods We retrospectively analyzed patients who were evaluated and pursued radical prostatectomy as primary treatment, by the same surgeons, in the prostate cancer multidisciplinary clinic (n = 194) and standard urology clinic (n = 741) at Duke University Medical Center from 2005 to 2009. Comparisons of baseline characteristics were examined using rank sum and χ2-tests. Differences in time to radical prostatectomy and oncological outcomes were evaluated using multivariate linear and Cox regression, respectively. Results A greater proportion of high-risk patients (D'Amico criteria) were evaluated at the multidisciplinary clinic compared with the urology clinic (23.2% vs 15.6%, P = 0.014). Mean-adjusted time from biopsy to radical prostatectomy was shorter for multidisciplinary clinic patients (85.6 vs 96.8 days, P = 0.006). After a median follow up of 21 months, no significant difference was found between the multidisciplinary clinic and urology clinic in the risk of biochemical recurrence after radical prostatectomy, whether controlling for clinical (hazard ratio 0.71, P = 0.249) or pathological variables (hazard ratio 0.75, P = 0.349). Conclusions Despite higher-risk disease, men evaluated using the multidisciplinary approach have similar oncological outcomes compared with men undergoing standard evaluation. Furthermore, time to radical prostatectomy is not delayed by the multidisciplinary management of these patients.
Muscle fatigue and the role of transverse tubules.

Skeletal muscle stimulation for 300 pulses, either as single twitches or as tetani, increases the amount of calcium extracted in a Ringer solution containing strontium. The strontium is used to pre...
A review of synoptic scale wave perturbations in the equatorial stratosphere

Abstract We review the observations of waves with periods in the range from roughly 1 day to 1month in the equatorial stratosphere and briefly compare these to the theoretical predictions. It is well established that the Kelvin and mixed Rossby-gravity waves dominate synoptic wave perturbations in the tropical stratosphere. However, there are still many open questions about the sources responsible for generating these waves, their interaction with the large-scale environment, including momentum and energy transport, the rate of decrease of the wave amplitude away from the equator, and the effect of the large-scale flow on the observed periods and vertical structure. Observations of Rossby waves have also been claimed, though usually only as the residual of the wind field once the Kelvin and mixed Rossby-gravity wave contributions have been subtracted. Theoretical predictions show that the amplitude of the meridional wind perturbation associated with the two-day wave, a specific Rossby mode, should be significant above 30 km at the equator. So far, the difficulty of observing the upper stratosphere has precluded confirmation of the theory. Recent high altitude-resolution wind measurements by balloon and radar have shown quasi-inertial waves to be a ubiquitous feature of the altitude regime covering the lowest 5–10 km of the stratosphere. The wave amplitudes and observed dissipation imply redistribution of significant amounts of energy and momentum. Also, quasi-inertial waves appear to be responsible for generating thin, long-lived turbulent layers, which are a common feature in the lower stratosphere.
Solutions to inverse problems for the Boltzmann-Fokker-Planck Equation

Abstract Equations are developed with which to evaluate the coefficients used in the one-speed Boltzmann-Fokker-Planck transport equation for strongly anisotropic scattering of photons or neutrons. The inverse equations, which are derived for a homogeneous slab target, require only measurements outside the medium. One set of equations is useful when the external illumination is nonuniformly incident over the surface, and the other set is valid for a uniform illumination of the target.
A Simple Method for Evaluation of Atomic and Ionic Ground States

A simple, direct method is detailed for evaluating the lowest energy term arising from any electronic configuration. Only a single solution is obtained and no other allowed terms can be derived. The method entails assignment of magnetic quantum numbers to electrons in uncompleted shells, according to a uniform scheme and summation of these quantum numbers algebraically to afford a number, the absolute value of which is definitive for L. With the aid of a simple diagrammatic scheme both the resultant L and S vectors defining the ground state can be seen at a glance. The method is valid for ionic ground states and is illustrated with a number of examples for atomic and ionic configurations. All terms calculated are in agreement with the established values, and the conclusion seems permissible that the method can be applied with confidence toward prediction of ionic ground states as yet undetermined experimentally.
The Development of Reliabililty in Industrial Control Systems

Hierarchical organization and distributed computing capability are the keys to the highly fault-tolerant, plant-wide control and management systems users demand today.
Emergence of the giant component in special Marcus-Lushnikov processes

Author(s): Aldous, D | Abstract: Component sizes in the usual random graph process are a special case of the Marcus-Lushnikov process discussed in the scientific literature, so it is natural to ask how theory surrounding emergence of the giant component generalizes to the Marcus-Lushnikov process. Essentially no rigorous results are known; we make a start by proving a weak result, but our main purpose is to draw this topic to the attention of random graph theorists. © 1998 John Wiley a Sons, Inc. Random Struct. Alg., 12, 179-196, 1998.
Volume Management and Resuscitation in Trauma

Trauma remains an enormous burden on the American medical system. While patients of all ages sustain severe trauma, it remains the most common cause of death in young adults. Exsanguination from uncontrolled hemorrhage is the leading cause of preventable death among the traumatically injured. The lethal triad of trauma is a culmination of coagulopathy, acidosis, and hypothermia that can rapidly deteriorate and lead to a patient’s demise if not treated accordingly. The goal of trauma resuscitation is to prevent or halt this triad while minimizing iatrogenic injury. The provider has many options available in his armamentarium for resuscitation, but each carries its own risks and benefits. Over the past two decades, trauma research has given us a better understanding of and improved management strategies for this triad. This chapter will explore the various resuscitative options available and summarize the most recent literature regarding their use.
Microscopic visualization of insect cell-bubble interactions. I: Rising bubbles, air-medium interface, and the foam layer

Through the use of microscopic, high-speed video technology, the interactions of two suspended insect cell lines, Trichoplusia ni (TN-368) and Spodoptera frugiperda (SF-9), with air and oxygen bubbles were studied. Events such as cell-bubble attachment, cell-bubble collision, cell transport into the foam layer, and trapping of cells in the foam layer are presented and discussed. Based on these observations and those in a companion paper (Chalmers, J. J.; Bavarian, F. Biotechnol. Prog. 1991, following paper in this issue) and the experimental and theoretical work of other researchers, several mechanisms of cell damage as a result of sparging are presented.
GABAergic modulation of D-1 dopamine receptor-mediated 3H-acetylcholine release from rabbit retina.

Dopamine evokes calcium-dependent release of 3H-acetylcholine from superfused rabbit retina labeled in vitro with 3H-choline, through activation of a D-1 dopamine receptor. This study investigates the activation of this receptor by endogenous dopamine and the modulation of the spontaneous and dopamine-evoked release of 3H-acetylcholine from rabbit retina labeled with 3H-choline by GABAergic agonists and antagonists. Endogenous dopamine, released from dopaminergic amacrine neurons by the indirect amines tyramine or D-amphetamine evoked the calcium-dependent release of 3H-acetylcholine from rabbit retina. The release of 3H-acetylcholine elicited by tyramine (10 μM) or D-amphetamine (10 μM) was attenuated by the selective D-1 antagonist SCH 23390 (0.1 μM) and by the dopamine uptake inhibitor nomifensine (3 μM). At concentrations of 1 mM and 1 μM respectively, GABA and muscimol inhibited the spontaneous release of tritium from rabbit retina labeled in vitro with 3H-choline. Picrotoxin and bicuculline (10 μM) increased the spontaneous release of tritium. GABA and the GABA agonist muscimol (0.01–100 μM) inhibited in a concentration-dependent manner the release of 3H-acetylcholine elicited by 100 μM dopamine with IC50 values of 4.5 μM and 0.02 μM respectively. The inhibition of dopamine-evoked 3H-acetylcholine release by GABA (10 μM) and muscimol (0.1 μM) was antagonized by the GABA antagonists bicuculline and picrotoxin. Picrotoxin and bicuculline (10 μM) increased the spontaneous release of tritium, and potentiated the release of 3H-acetylcholine evoked by 100 μM dopamine consistant with a tonic, inhibitory GABAergic input to the cholinergic amacrine neurons in rabbit retina. Dopamine-evoked acetylcholine release in rabbit retina may be of physiological importance as D-1 dopamine receptor-mediated increases in 3H-acetylcholine release from rabbit retina can be elicited by endogenous dopamine. In addition, activation of GABA receptor sites modulates the spontaneous and dopamine-evoked acetylcholine release from rabbit retina.
Cross-sectional imaging in acute pancreatitis

Acute pancreatitis is a common disease with potentially serious outcomes. Multiple imaging modalities can be used to evaluate the disease process and its associated complications. Familiarity with the pathogenesis of this disease, indications for imaging, imaging protocols, staging systems, and the strengths and weaknesses of various modalities will help the radiologist optimize patient care.
Citizenship education and diversity : Implications for teacher education

In the first part of this article, the author argues that teachers should help students to develop a delicate balance of cultural, national, and global identifications because of the rich diversity in the United States and throughout the world. To help students become effective citizens, teachers need to acquire reflective cultural, national, and global identifications. In the second part of this article, the author describes how he tries to help the students in one of his teacher education courses to challenge and critically examine their cultural and national identifications.
Computational Simulation of Shock Tube and the Effect of Shock Thickness on Strain-Rates

Blast-induced neurotrauma has become an increasing concern with the advancement of explosive devices and high rates of loading. Recent experiments show that under blast loading conditions, brain tissue undergoes small displacements that are much lower than the threshold of traumatic brain injury. Based on the nonlinear viscoelastic nature of brain tissue, stress waves generated in the tissue due to blast loading can evolve into shock waves, which create high spatial and temporal pressure gradients at the shock front. In this study, the effect and importance of shock front thickness in simulating the response of tissues in shock tube scenarios has been investigated. It is shown that such measures can have a significant effect on prediction on injury in computational models.
The vortex patterns of dynamic separation: A parametric and comparative study

Abstract The vortical pattern development during dynamic separation in accelerating flow around airfoils is visualized and described. The descriptive language developed for this task is subsequently presented in a ‘dictionary’ for generic use. This dictionary is applied to a comparative study of vortex patterns of several dynamically separating flow configurations.
Nonlinear evolution of dust waves driven by cross-field electron currents

[1] The nonlinear evolution of dust waves generated by a low-frequency Hall current instability in a magnetized collisional dusty plasma is investigated with theory and nonlinear numerical simulations. This instability is believed to have broad applications to irregularity production in regions where dust is present in the earth's ionosphere such as noctilucent clouds and meteor trails. The instability is driven by an electron current and is an analog, in the dust acoustic type wave regime, of the well-known Farley-Buneman instability. The results indicate that the instability nonlinearly saturates with dust heating and the production of secondary waves that propagate in a direction perpendicular to the primary dust acoustic type waves.
Gonadal steroids regulate GABAA receptor subunit mRNA expression in NT2-N neurons.

Changes in gonadal steroid hormone levels during the menstrual cycle affect seizure frequency in women with catamenial epilepsy. Since GABAA receptors (GABARs) contribute to the prevention and termination of seizures by reducing neuronal excitability, we hypothesized that fluctuating gonadal steroid levels might affect GABAR subunit expression, which could alter inhibitory tone leading to increased seizure activity. To address this question in a simplified environment in vitro, we examined the effects of gonadal steroids on NT2-N neuronal cells. We have previously shown that NT2-N cells express functional GABARs, and that the expression pattern of GABAR subunits is regulated by chronic benzodiazepine exposure and hypoxia. NT2-N neurons were exposed to progesterone (0.1 μM), β-estradiol (3 nM), or vehicle (DMSO) for 2 days or 7 days prior to RNA harvesting. GABAR subunit mRNA levels were assessed by semiquantitative RT-PCR normalized to actin levels. Progesterone exposure for 7 days increased α2 and γ3 and decreased α5 subunit mRNAs, while β-estradiol caused significant increases in α3, β3 and e expression. Further analysis revealed differential regulation of α4, α5, e and π subunit expression. Plots of relative PCR density in progesterone-treated cells for α2 vs. α5, α5 vs. γ3 and α2 vs. γ3 showed correlation between samples, suggesting coordinate regulation. Both progesterone and estrogen nuclear receptor mRNAs were detected by RT-PCR, and 2 days but not 7 days estrogen exposure upregulated progesterone receptor mRNA. Gonadal steroid fluctuations regulate GABAA receptor subunit expression in NT2-N cells. Such changes, if observed in vivo, could affect seizure frequency.
CAMEO: A novel context-aware middleware for opportunistic mobile social networks

Abstract Mobile systems are characterized by several dynamic components such as user mobility, device interoperability, and interactions among users and their devices. In this scenario, context-awareness and the emerging concept of social-awareness become a fundamental requirement to develop optimized systems and applications. In this paper we present CAMEO, a light-weight context-aware middleware platform for mobile devices designed to support the development of real-time mobile social network (MSN) applications. MSNs extend the paradigm of online social networks with additional interaction opportunities generated by user mobility and opportunistic wireless communications among users which share interests, habits, and needs. Specifically, CAMEO is designed to collect and reason upon multidimensional context information, derived by the local device, the local user, and their physical interactions with other devices and users. It provides a common application programming interface to MSN applications through which they can exploit context- and social-aware functionalities to optimize their features. CAMEO has been implemented on an Android platform together with a real example of an MSN application. Validation and performance evaluation have been conducted through an experimental testbed.
The Doctrine of Power and Party Conflict.

The fundamental problem in politics is that of the balance of power. It is a balance which has to be struck not only in foreign affairs but, quite as much, in the domestic management of states. Only, it may be suggested, when real equilibrium has been secured, is that efficient, smooth and healthy working of the social system possible which finds external expression in a normal and resilient form of conservatism as distinct from the tetanus of the morbid and hysterical form. But it is futile to speak of striking a balance of social interests unless we are justified in supposing that the units have a certain constancy of characteristics and persistence of activity. Now the units of social force are, in the last analysis, the so-called 'free wills' of the individuals necessarily brought into contact as component members of a society. The contact is necessary: civilization admits of no 'wild ass freedom.' To assert that these 'persons with a will of their own' behave in accordance not only with an 'altruistic' gregarious tendency but also with a differentiating, assertive tendency, is to make a psychological assumption. To affirm that this self-assertive tendency may perhaps be religiously sublimated but that it is under all circumstances inextinguishable, is to make another psychological assumption. As to whether these assumptions are sound it is not the office of a political experimental' scientist to express an opinion.
Pressure-less and current-activated pressure-assisted sintering of titanium dual matrix composites: Effect of reinforcement particle size

Abstract This paper investigates a microstructural design that can allow the tailorability of the properties of titanium–titanium boride composites. A powder processing sequence is used to allow the in situ growth of TiB whiskers in localized regions (of controlled size) of the microstructure leaving predominantly ductile titanium in between these reinforced regions. Both current-activated pressure-assisted sintering (CAPAS) and pressure-less sintering were used as high temperature consolidation processes for the powders. Superior composites in terms of consolidation, hardness and reaction completion were produced using CAPAS as opposed to pressure-less sintering. For CAPAS processed materials, the size of the reinforced regions had a significant effect on the hardness of the composites, with values ranging from 652 to 777 VHN (a 19% difference).
Subgroups of the group E6(q) which are generated by root subgroups

Suppose G z G,(q) is a group of type w defined over the field GF(q). Then there is a class of subgroups, X, called root subgroups which generate G; each has order q and is parameterized by the field. Furthermore, the classes of groups in {(x, y): x, y E X} is rather small. In [3], McLaughlin considered the irreducible subgroups B of a group A,(q) z SL,+,(q) which are generated by root subgroups, where q # 2, and showed B = A,(q) or n is odd and B z Cta+I),z(q) z SP,+,(q). In [4], Stark determined those subgroups B of an orthogonal group S,(q) g enerated by root subgroups for the long roots such that B is transitive on the singular points of the associated orthogonal space. In this paper we consider a similar problem for the groups of type E,(q). More precisely we prove:
Cirrhosis increases mortality and splenectomy rates following splenic injury.

Abstract Background Cirrhosis may be a risk factor for mortality following blunt splenic injury (BSI) and it predicts the need for an operative intervention. Methods We performed a case–control study at 3 level 1 trauma centers. Comparisons were made with chi-square test, Wilcoxon rank-sum test, and binary logistic regression, and stratified by propensity for splenectomy. Data are presented as odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs). Results Mortality was 27% (21/77) and cirrhosis was a strong risk factor for death (OR 8.8, 95% CI 3.7 to 21.1). Compared with controls, cirrhosis was an independent risk factor for splenectomy (OR 5.4, 95% CI 2.5 to 11.5), and only splenic injury grade was associated with splenectomy (OR 2.2, 95% CI 1.3 to 3.6). Only admission model for end-stage liver disease was independently associated with mortality after an operation (OR 1.7, 95% CI 1.1 to 2.8). After propensity score matching, we found no association between splenectomy and mortality in cirrhotic patients. Conclusion Cirrhosis dramatically increases mortality and the odds of an operative intervention in BSI patients with pre-existing cirrhosis, and BSI requires vigilant attention and early intervention should be considered.
Progressive Chronic Kidney Disease After Pediatric Lung Transplantation

The development of chronic kidney disease (CKD) was evaluated in a large cohort of pediatric lung transplant recipients. Retrospective chart review identified 125 patients undergoing first lung transplant at St. Louis Children's Hospital and surviving 1 year. Mean age at transplant was 10.3 +/- 0.55 years, while mean time after transplant was 4.9 years. Serum creatinine nearly doubled from baseline 0.48 mg/dL +/- 0.02 (n = 125) to 0.87 mg/dL +/- 0.04 (n = 120) at 1 year, and tripled to 1.39 mg/dL +/- 0.15 (n = 23) by 7 years after transplant. The glomerular filtration rate (GFR), as estimated by the Schwartz formula, decreased from baseline 163 +/- 5.9 mL/min/1.73 m(2) (n = 109) to 88 +/- 2.5 (n = 104), reaching 69 +/- 9.0 (n = 6) by 10 years (p < 0.01). Seven patients developed end-stage kidney disease, and by 5 years after transplant, 38% of patients reached GFR < 60 mL/min. Older age at transplant and primary diagnosis of cystic fibrosis (CF) were both associated with decreased renal survival by Kaplan-Meier (KM) analysis. In summary, pediatric lung transplant recipients experience significant loss of renal function over time, as observed in other solid organ transplant recipients, and is most dramatic in adolescents.
Revision of the stereostructure of mirabazole C

Abstract The stereostructure of mirabazole C is revised to 11 on the basis of total synthesis.
Increased susceptibility of mice infected with Schistosoma mansoni to recombinant vaccinia virus: Association of viral persistence with egg granuloma formation

BALB/c mice infected 7 weeks previously with Schistosoma mansoni and challenged with a recombinant vaccinia virus vPE16 expressing the human immunodeficiency virus envelope protein gp160 show a marked delay in hepatic viral clearance as compared to mice infected with vPE16 alone. This increase in viral persistence is accompanied by reduced gp120-specific Th1-associated cytokine responses as well as by impaired cytotoxic T lymphocyte (CTL) activity against targets expressing epitopes of the same antigen. To investigate the contribution of these defects to the observed delay in clearance of recombinant vaccinia virus, animals were challenged with vPE16 at different times following S. mansoni infection, and virus titers in tissues and viral-specific immune responses were measured simultaneously in the same animals. While normal resolution of virus occurred in schistosome-infected mice prior to parasite egg deposition, persistence within the liver was observed in animals challenged during the onset and peak phase of granuloma formation (6 to 8 weeks after S. mansoni infection). At later times, when schistosomiasis is in its chronic phase, normal viral clearance returned. This time course of viral resolution correlated in part with the observed pattern of decreased Th1 cytokine production toward viral antigens but was clearly less temporally related to the defect in virus-specific CTL activity. Immunohistochemical staining of liver sections from vaccinia/S. mansoni co-infected mice with polyclonal anti-vaccinia antibodies revealed that viral epitopes are localized primarily within granulomas. These experiments suggest that egg granulomas, by providing a microenvironment for viral expression, in combination with the cytokine imbalance present during schistosome infection, can promote the expansion of vaccinia virus and possibly other viral agents.
Evaluating stochastic discount factors from term structure models

Abstract This paper examines the feasibility of applying the stochastic discount factor methodology to fixed-income data using modern term structure models. Using this approach the researcher can examine returns on bond portfolios whose exact composition is unknown, as is often the case. This paper proposes an observable proxy for the SDF from continuous-time models and documents via Monte Carlo methods the properties of the GMM estimator based on using this proxy.
From Corn to Cash: Change and Continuity within Mayan Families

Dramatic changes in the mode of production in a community often lead to parallel changes in the home and thus significantly disrupt socialization practices and children's everyday lives. This article describes a case among Yucatec Maya corn farmers in which this did not happen. Over 20 years, several external factors made corn farming alone untenable for most families and spurred a change in mode of production. The response was to manipulate new economic opportunities to maximize the conservation of the family structure and the pattern of daily life, which maintained children's traditional position in the familly as workers and child caregivers. A comparison of these Mayan children's daily activities in 1980 and 2000 demonstrates a remarkable continuity in the face of significant economic change.
Effect of N'-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) on murine palatal fusion in vitro.

Abstract Maternal smoking has been linked to an increased risk for orofacial clefts. N ′-nitrosonornicotine (NNN) is one of the tobacco-specific nitrosamines that has been shown to be linked to the deleterious effects of tobacco and could be linked to the formation of cleft palate birth defects. The effect of NNN on palatal fusion was examined using an in vitro organ culture model of palatal development. The organ cultures were exposed to NNN (0.01, 0.1, 1, 10 and100 mM) and the effects on palatal development characterized at defined points. Palatal fusion was evaluated at embryonic day 13 (E13) + 72 h by characterizing the remaining medial edge epithelium (MEE) and determining the extent of fusion compared to controls. The NNN-treated group (1 mM) had more MEE remaining in the palatal midline than the untreated group at E13 + 72 h ( P P P P
ANALYSIS OF DIFFERENT PARTITIONING SCHEMES FOR PARALLEL GRAM-SCHMIDT ALGORITHMS

In this paper we analyze implementations of parallel Gram-Schmidt orthogonalization algorithms. One of the first parallel orthogonalization of Gram-Schmidt was the row-wise partitioning of O'Leary and Whitman. In this paper we describe a pipelined implementation which uses column-wise partitioning schemes. Timing models for the column-wise parallel algorithms are derived. We compare our column-wise partitionings against the row-wise partitioning and validate our study with computational results. The pipelined orthogonalization algorithm is important because the timing analysis is independent of the architecture model. Threshold values of m max, which is the number of rows where row partitioning becomes better than column partitioning are found theoretically and verified with our experiments
Mallory-Weiss Tear in the Duodenum

Mallory-Weiss tears are mucosal lacerations caused by forceful retching and are typically located at the gastroesophageal junction. Mallory-Weiss tears have not been described in the duodenum. We report of a Mallory-Weiss tear in the descending duodenum of a 57-year-old man who presented with hematemesis preceded by forceful retching. We discuss the pathophysiology of a duodenal injury in comparison to typical tears occurring at the gastroesophageal junction.
Viruses Evade the Immune System through Type I Interferon-Mediated STAT2-Dependent, but STAT1-Independent, Signaling

Summary Understanding, treating, and preventing diseases caused by immunosuppression and/or persistent infections remain both a major challenge in biomedical research and an important health goal. For a virus or any infectious agent to persist, it must utilize strategies to suppress or evade the host's immune response. Here, we report that two dissimilar viruses employ a common maneuver to cause a profound immunosuppression. Measles virus (MV) and lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus (LCMV) interfere with dendritic cell (DC) development and expansion in vivo and in vitro. The underlying mechanism for this is through the generation of type I interferon (IFN) that acts via a signal transducer and activator of a transcription (STAT)2-dependent, but STAT1-independent, pathway. Thus, viruses subvert the known antiviral effect of type I IFN through STAT2-specific signaling to benefit their survival. These observations have implications for understanding and developing therapies to treat diseases caused by immunosuppression and/or persistent infections.
Two Different Simulations of the Southern Oscillation and El Nino with Coupled Ocean--Atmosphere General Circulation Models

Two different coupled ocean-atmosphere models simulate irregular interannual fluctuations that in many respects resemble El Nino Southern Oscillation phenomena. For example, the spatial structure of various fields at the peaks of the warm El Nino and cold La Nina phases of the oscillation are realistic. This success indicates that the models capture certain aspects of the interactions between the ocean and atmosphere that cause the Southern Oscillation. The principal difference between the models, namely the prominence of oceanic Kelvin waves in one but not the other, causes the two models to differ significantly in the way El Nino episodes evolve, and in the mechanisms that cause a turnabout from El Nino to La Nina and vice versa. It is possible that the different processes that determine the properties of the simulated oscillations all play a role in reality, at different times and in different regions. Each of the models captures some aspects of what is possible. However, reality is far more complex than any model developed thus far and additional processes not yet included are also likely to have a significant influence on the observed Southern Oscillation.
Susceptibility of wireworms to aldrin in eastern Washington.

Larvae of the sugar-beet wireworm, Limonius californicus (Mannerheim), were exposed continuously for 26 and 80 days to soil treated with 2.5 and 1.56 ppm, respectively, of aldrin. Survival exceeded 20%. Aldrin was rapidly epoxidized to dieldrin and concentrated within the larvae. The total content of aldrin and dieldrin in exposed larvae rapidly declined after the larvae were placed in insecticide-free soil. Some insecticide was probably excreted. The susceptibility of larvae from 3 locations in eastern Washington did not vary significantly. Larvae tested in 1964 were much less susceptible than those tested in Washington during 1949-51.
Widely-tunable femtosecond operation of Cr:LiSAF lasers using broadband saturable Bragg reflectors

We describe a low-cost diode-pumped Cr:LiSAF laser, mode-locked using a broadband saturable Bragg reflector. The laser produces continuously tunable sub-200-fs pulses from 800 nm to 905 nm.
A high-affinity protein stain for western blots, tissue prints, and electrophoretic gels

A method for protein staining using copper phthalocyanine 3,4',4'',4'''-tetrasulfonic acid tetrasodium salt is described. The procedure is applicable to protein blots and tissue prints, as well as to polyacrylamide and agarose gels. It is also simple, involving only application of the stain and rinsing. For protein blots and tissue prints the staining is rapid, taking less than 1 min to completion, and more sensitive than any previously described dye-based nonspecific protein staining system. The staining is easily reversible, requiring only a change in pH to remove the dye.
The Mechanism of State Charter School Policy Adoption: The Case of American States

This article concentrates on charter school policy that is regarded as the fastest growing innovative policy in America. Its adoption is more impressive than other innovative policies in the public educational area. By 2008, 40 states among 50 American states have passed charter school law since Minnesota became the first pathfinder to create charter school law about two decades ago. However, 10 states have not adopted charter school law. Based on this dichotomous policy phenomenon, the primary research question of the study focuses on clarifying what factors drive American states to adopt charter school policy. To obtain answers for this research question, the study dedicates to analyzing main hypotheses from the regional diffusion model and state characteristics, using event history analysis. The results demonstrate that the three predictor variables—regional diffusion, similar innovation, and gubernatorial political tendency—positively have significant effects in explaining the adoption of American sta...
Optimal monetary policy in a world with risky investments and financial intermediaries

Abstract This paper investigates investment decisions and monetary policy when financial intermediaries provide a middleman service between borrowers and lenders, and provide an inside money serving as a substitute for outside money. The direction of the Tobin effect is found to depend on the cost of producing inside money. Further, moral hazard problems lead to the possibility of credit rationing in equilibrium. Each of these factors influences optimal monetary policy. Whereas inflation is always optimal in a world with credit rationing, either inflation or deflation is optimal without rationing.
Experimental and numerical modeling of buckling instability of laser sheet forming

New experimental results show that laser bending can be extended to generate a bending angle not only towards but also away from the laser beam, giving more flexibility to the process. In order to explain this buckling instability, a series of experiments have been carried out with real-time measurement of the bending angle for different materials, thicknesses, scanning speeds, laser beam diameters and laser powers, pre-bending conditions, and cooling conditions. Furthermore, a 3-D FEM simulation has been performed that includes a non-linear, transient, indirect coupled, thermal–structural analysis accounting for the nonlinear geometric and material properties. The buckling deformation, bending angle and distribution of stress–strain and temperature, as well as residual stresses, have been obtained from the simulations. The bending angle is affected by the temperature distribution and gradient, the mechanical and thermal properties of the sheet metal material, and the process parameters, such as the laser power, the laser beam diameter, the scanning speed, the material, the sample geometry, and other bending conditions. The buckling mechanism can be illustrated by the simulation results.  2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved.
Characterization of composite nanoparticles using an improved light scattering program for coated spheres

The objectives of this paper are twofold. First, the paper developed an improved algorithm to perform light scattering calculations by coated spheres. The improved algorithm was implemented in FORTRAN90 as a subroutine to allow flexible application of the code. Second, the new program was applied to the characterization of composite aluminum nanoparticles. In this application, multiple elements of the Mueller scattering matrix were measured at multiple angles to infer the properties of the nanoparticles, including the size distribution function and the thickness of the coating. The new program played a key role in the fitting of the measured data, and this application demonstrated the advantages of the new program in situations that demand high efficiency and reliability.
Within- and Between-Subjects Differences in the Effect of Morphine in Mice:

Summary.-Within- and between-subjects experimental designs were used to assess the effects of morphine in mice. In the within-subjects design, mice were tested for activity and responsivity to pain before and after an injection of morphine (15 mg/kg), and the effect of morphine was calculated as a difference between pre- and post-injection tests. In the between-subjects design, mice were tested for activity and responsivity to pain after an injection of either morphine or saline and the effect of morphine was calculated as a difference between morphine- and saline-injected animals. The between-subjects design was more sensitive than the within-subjects design in detecting morphine-induced locomotor and analgesic effects across four repeated injections of morphine. Morphine-induced changes in behavior have been assessed typically using either within- or between-subjects experimental designs. In within-subjects designs, animals are tested before and after an injection of morphine, and the drug effect is calculated as a difference between pre- and post-injection tests. In between-subjects designs, animals are tested after an injection of either morphine or saline, and the drug effect is calculated as a difference between morphine- and saline-injected animals. (For a detailed description of within-subjects and between-subjects designs, see Kirk, 1968.) Within- and between-subjects designs have been used extensively to assess the effect of morphine in producing hyperactive and analgesic effects in mice (Bhargava, 1978; Gebhart & Mitchell, 1973; Oliverio & Castellano, 1974a, 1974b; Shuster, Webster, Yu, & Eleftheriou, 1975). Within-subjects designs are partially confounded, however, because mice given repeated open-field and hot-plate tests in the absence of morphine display decreased activity and increased paw-lick response latencies across repeated tests (Collins & Whitney, 1978). If within-subjects designs measure changes which reflect repeated testing as well as changes associated with morphine per se, then within-subjects designs might be expected to yield different magnitudes of drug effect than between-subjects designs. Since this possibility has not been directly examined in a single experiment, we used both within- and between-subjects designs to assess the locomotor and analgesic effects of morphine in mice.
Influence of small dams on downstream channel characteristics in Pennsylvania and Maryland: implications for the long-term geomorphic effects of dam removal.

Abstract: We evaluate the effects of small dams (11 of 15 sites less than 4 m high) on downstream channels at 15 sites in Maryland and Pennsylvania by using a reach upstream of the reservoir at each site to represent the downstream reach before dam construction. A semi-quantitative geomorphic characterization demonstrates that upstream reaches occupy similar geomorphic settings as downstream reaches. Survey data indicate that dams have had no measurable influence on the water surface slope, width, and the percentages of exposed bedrock or boulders on the streambed. The median grain diameter (D50) is increased slightly by dam construction, but D50 remains within the pebble size class. The percentage of sand and silt and clay on the bed averages about 35% before dam construction, but typically decreases to around 20% after dam construction. The presence of the dam has therefore only influenced the fraction of finer-grained sediment on the bed, and has not caused other measurable changes in fluvial morphology. The absence of measurable geomorphic change from dam impacts is explicable given the extent of geologic control at these study sites. We speculate that potential changes that could have been induced by dam construction have been resisted by inerodible bedrock, relatively immobile boulders, well-vegetated and cohesive banks, and low rates of bed material supply and transport. If the dams of our study are removed, we argue that long-term changes (those that remain after a period of transient adjustment) will be limited to increases in the percentage of sand and silt and clay on the bed. Thus, dam removal in streams similar to those of our study area should not result in significant long-term geomorphic changes.
Transgenic expression of Notch-1 intracellular active domain (N1IC) in T cells: a potential therapy to overcome suppression induced by tumors

Meeting abstracts An impaired anti-tumor immunity is found in patients with cancer and represents a major obstacle in the successful development of different forms of immunotherapy. Several pathways have been described to explain the induction of T cell anergy in tumors; however, the translation of
Analysis of solvent evaporation rates in the vapor diffusion protein crystal growth experiments from the STS-61C Space Shuttle Mission

Abstract Protein crystal growth experiments employing the hanging drop, vapor diffusion method were carried out on the STS-61C Mission of the Space Shuttle. We have analyzed photographs of hanging drops taken during the flight in order to assess the effect of microgravity on the rate of evaporation. By comparing the results of our analysis with a theory of evaporation, which has been confirmed by earth-based experiments, the droplets on STS-61C seem to have evaporated more slowly than if they had been for the same time on earth. This difference may be due to the dense boundary layer which forms in the droplet at its interface with the air space. Uncertainties associated with the timing of the photographs on STS-61C prevent a complete interpretation and suggest that additional well-controlled space experiments are needed.