cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Burden of Rhinitis and Rhinoconjunctivitis in Adolescents

Purpose Rhinitis and conjunctivitis are common diseases worldwide that are frequently associated. Nevertheless, the risk factors for rhinoconjunctivitis are not well-described and the impact of conjunctivitis on rhinitis and asthma in children remains unknown. This study explored the different risk factors and evaluated the burden of rhinoconjunctivitis among adolescents.
Determination of Sample Sizes for Demonstrating Efficacy of Radiation Countermeasures

SUMMARY In response to the ever increasing threat of radiological and nuclear terrorism, active development of non-toxic new drugs and other countermeasures to protect against and/or mitigate adverse health effects of radiation is ongoing. Although the classical LD50 study used for many decades as a first step in preclinical toxicity testing of new drugs has been largely replaced by experiments that use fewer animals, the need to evaluate the radioprotective efficacy of new drugs necessitates the conduct of traditional LD50 comparative studies (FDA, 2002). There is, however, no readily available method to determine the number of animals needed for establishing efficacy in these comparative potency studies. This paper presents a sample-size formula based on Student’s t for comparative potency testing. It is motivated by FDA’s requirements for robust efficacy data in the testing of response modifiers in total body irradiation experiments where human studies are not ethical or feasible. Monte Carlo simulation demonstrated the formula’s performance for Student’s t, Wald, and Likelihood Ratio tests in both logistic and probit models. Importantly, the results showed clear potential for justifying the use of substantially fewer animals than are customarily used in these studies. The present paper may thus initiate a dialogue among researchers who use animals for radioprotection survival studies, institutional animal care and use committees, and drug regulatory bodies to reach a consensus on the number of animals needed to achieve statistically robust results for demonstrating efficacy of radioprotective drugs.
On stresses and deformations of ellipsoidal shells subject to internal pressure

Abstract For many problems of the theory of thin elastic shells, membrane theory is either applicable or not applicable depending on the type of loading involved and on the nature of the boundary or edge conditions. Here we consider a special problem where the applicability of membrane theory depends on the geometry of the shell. We establish the range of validity of the membrane solution and also determine quantitative corrections to this solution.
Patterns of unscheduled DNA synthesis in mouse embryo cells associated with in vitro aging and with spontaneous transformation to a continuous cell line

Abstract Monolayer cell cultures derived from B/C mouse embryos were examined for the ability to repair ultraviolet light-induced DNA damage (50–250 erg/mm 2 ) during in vitro aging and subsequent alteration to a continuous cell line. Excision repair was measured by incubating the cultures with [ 3 H]TdR and measuring DNA specific activity, and by performing quantitative autoradiography. DNA repair capacity declined during in vitro aging, and the level of repair correlated with the fraction of cells which retained the capacity to undergo scheduled DNA synthesis. This result indicates that mouse cells aged in vitro undergo a decline in their ability to repair UV-induced DNA damage comparable to that seen in cultured human fibroblasts. In cultures which spontaneously altered into continuously proliferating cell lines, DNA repair capacity increased to high levels, as did the fraction of cells capable of initiating scheduled DNA synthesis.
Bootstraps of sums of independent but not identically distributed stochastic processes

A central limit theorem is developed for sums of independent but not identically distributed stochastic processes multiplied by independent real random variables with mean zero. Weak convergence of the Hoffmann-Jorgensen-Dudley type, as described in van der Vaart and Wellner (Weak Convergence and Empirical Processes, Springer, New York, 1996), is utilized. These results allow Monte Carlo estimation of limiting probability measures obtained from application of Pollard's (Empirical Processes. Theory and Applications, IMS, Hayward, CA, 1990) functional central limit theorem for empirical processes. An application of this theory to the two-parameter Cox score process with staggered entry data is given for illustration. For this process, the proposed multiplier bootstrap appears to be the first successful method for estimating the associated limiting distribution. The results of this paper compliment previous bootstrap and multiplier central limit theorems for independent and identically distributed empirical processes.
New journal cover

The editors and publishers are pleased to display the new cover format for the Journal of Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics. Besides the dramatic change in colors, the cover is meant to reflect that physiology usually underlies both empirical and mechanistic models used in our field. We hope that readers and authors will appreciate that each issue of the cover will display a model or diagram selected from an article in the current issue. In the present case, the cover depicts a two-compartment model with Michaelis–Menten elimination and a target-mediated disposition model found in the article by Xiaoyu Yan, Wojciech Krzyzanski, and Donald E. Mager which compares recovery of pharmacokinetic parameters using these nonlinear systems. We wish to acknowledge our appreciation to Ms. Amanda Almon for creation of the basic cover graphics.
Neutrophil Alloantibodies React With Cytoplasmic Antigens: A Possible Cause of False-Positive Indirect Immunofluorescence Assays for Antibodies to Neutrophil Cytoplasmic Antigens

Antibodies to neutrophil cytoplasmic antigens (ANCA) can be detected in patients with Wegener's granulomatosis and systemic vasculitis. During pregnancy or following transfusion, subjects sometimes produce alloantibodies to neutrophil antigens. If patient sera being tested for ANCA contain alloantibodies directed at neutrophil antigens that reside in the cytoplasm, the results may be difficult to interpret. At least one neutrophil antigen, NB1, is expressed on both neutrophil plasma membranes and secondary granules. We tested alloantibodies specific for neutrophil antigens NA1, NA2, NB1, NB2, 5b, 9a, and Mart in an ANCA-indirect immunofluorescence (ANCA-IF) assay to determine if these alloantibodies reacted with neutrophil cytoplasmic or granule antigens. Alloantibodies specific for neutrophil antigens NA1, NA2, NB2, 5b, and 9a did not react with neutrophil cytoplasmic components. However, all three NB1 alloantibodies studied demonstrated a cytoplasmic pattern of immunofluorescence (C-ANCA) when N131 -positive neutrophils were tested. While control ANCA resulted in cytoplasmic immunofluorescence of all neutrophils from each donor tested, NB1 antibodies reacted with a subpopulation of neutrophils from some donors. Cytoplasmic immunofluorescence was also observed with an antibody directed against the Mart neutrophil antigen. The Mart antigen is located on integrin CR3 (CD11b/CD18). To confirm that these reactions were due to anti-Mart, monoclonal antibodies to CD11b and CD18 were also tested and found to cause cytoplasmic immunofluorescence. When the ANCA-IF assay was performed using neutrophils that did not express Mart or NB1 antigen, cytoplasmic immunofluorescence was seen with the ANCA control antisera, but not with the NB1 or Mart alloantibodies. These results show that care must be taken in interpreting ANCA-IF assays, since neutrophil antibodies produced following blood transfusion or by healthy women alloimmuni=ed during pregnancy can cause cytoplasmic immunofluorescence. These reactions could contribute to false-positive ANCA results.
Update on BK with Wilson fermions

The method proposed earlier for Wilson fermions is used with data accumulated at β = 5.7, 6.0, 6.3. We find BKa = 0 (2 GeV) = .70 ± .10 in the quenched approximation, where the error includes statistical and systematic errors.
The effect of item order on partner violence reporting: An examination of four versions of the revised Conflict Tactics Scales

Abstract In the early 1970’s scholars reported some of the first estimates of intimate partner violence using an instrument known as the Conflict Tactics Scales (CTS) (Straus, M.A., Gelles, R.J., 1979. Measuring intrafamily conflict and violence: the Conflict Tactics Scales. Journal of Marriage and the Family 41, 75–88). Since that time, the CTS and the CTS2 have become one of the most widely used measures of interpersonal violence. Despite its long history, this instrument is not without criticism. At the same time, only a few other instruments have been developed to measure intimate partner violence and consequently, the body of research representing knowledge about this topic remains primarily based on the Conflict Tactics Scales. This widespread use has occurred with only limited methodological assessment of the structure of the scale beyond initial psychometric analyses during its development. The present study evaluated the extent to which item order and format affect victimization and perpetration reporting rates as well as reliability of the CTS subscales.
Leukocytic fibrinolysis in myelomonocytic leukemia

A case of myelomonocytic leukemia is described in which an increase in primary fibrinolytic activity produced a severe hemorrhagic diathesis. The leukemic cells were demonstrated to be the source of the fibrinolytic activity. Utilizing a fibrin coated slide technique, the intact leukemic cells were shown to release their fibrinolytic activity and to induce local lysis. Intact leukocytes from normal subjects and other patients with acute leukemia of varied cell types were unable to release fibrinolytic activity although in some of the leukemic preparations, increased fibrinolytic activity was demonstrated after in vitro disruption of the cells.
Spatiotemporal Structures of Buoyancy-Induced Flow in a Vertical Channel

The present investigation deals with the development of low-order representations of transitional free convection in a vertical channel with discrete heaters. The governing equations are solved using a spectral element method. Proper orthogonal decomposition (POD) is applied to extract the most energetic eigenfunctions (and the related spatiotemporal structures) from time-dependent numerical solutions of the full model equations at a Grashof number higher than the critical value. Using the computed eigenfunctions in a truncated series expansion, reconstruction of the original flow and temperature fields is achieved in an optimal way. It is found that almost all the flow and temperature fluctuation energy is captured by the first six eigenmodes. A low-dimensional set of nonlinear ordinary differential equations that describes the dynamics of the flow and temperature fields is also derived. It is found that low-order models based on retaining at least four eigenmodes for each field predict stable, self-sust...
Managing symptoms and side effects during brain tumor illness

Malignant brain tumors and the therapies used to treat them can present challenging problems. Headache is the most common symptom during brain tumor illness. Etiology determines the exact management approach, but pharmacologic and non pharmacologic measures may be used. Seizures also commonly occur and are best managed with anti epileptic drug therapy. Infection and deep venous thrombosis are concerns and are best approached by preventive measures and early aggressive intervention if those measures fail. Depression, fatigue, memory and personality changes may complicate care and are approached on an individual basis. Early discussion about end-of-life issues is necessary because the disease itself can impair decision-making ability.
Place of electroencephalograpic biofeedback for attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder.

Although methodological weaknesses limited early research into electroencephalograpic (EEG) biofeedback (EBF) for treatment of attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), recent stronger rando...
Analysis of a finite capacity assembly system

Consider a finite capacity automatic assembly system consisting of a set of tandem work stations linked by a material handling system. Each work station consists of a set of machines and a local preprocessed inventory. The material handling system consists of a set of continuous line conveyors. Each conveyor has a beginning and an end with a specified length, velocity and capacity. The performance of the above manufacturing system is analyzed based on a mixed queuing network model, in the steady state. A methodology is presented for controlling blocking of the manufacturing system such that the probability of finding either a work station or a conveyor blocked will be sufficiently close to zero. Finally, numerical results are provided and the concluding remarks are discussed.
Spectral information coding by infrared photoreceptors

Spontaneous pulsing has been observed in circuits containing cryogenically cooled silicon p-i-n (p+-n-n+) diodes under dc forward bias. The intensity of infrared radiation incident on the diodes controls the pulse rate with no appreciable effect on the shape or size of the pulses. A strong similarity is noted between these properties and the nearly universal means of coding of visual information by animal photoreceptors and neural networks. It is proposed that exploitation of this remarkable analogy could lead to radically new approaches to acquisition and processing of infrared optical information. Infrared analogs of neural color coding and color vision are proposed based on analysis of p-i-n spectral response measurements.
Linearized Oscillations for Even-Order Neutral Differential Equations

Abstract We are concerned with the oscillation of all bounded solutions of some even-order linear neutral delay differential equations. We establish a comparison theorem and a linearized oscillation result, and we prove the existence of a bounded positive solution.
Breaking the glass ceiling for high resolution Nd isotope records in early Cenozoic paleoceanography

Abstract We report an optimized method for extracting neodymium (Nd) from fossil fish teeth with a single-stage column (125 µl stem volume; LN Resin, Eichrom Industries, Darien Illinois) for isotopic analysis by multi-collector inductively coupled mass spectrometry (MC-ICMPS). Three reference materials (basalt: BCR-2, BHVO-2; phosphate: fossil bone composite) and splits of fossil fish teeth samples previously processed with existing two-stage column methods were processed using the single-stage column method. 143 Nd/ 144 Nd values of reference materials agree within error with published values, and the values for fish teeth correspond with sample splits processed with two-stage columns. Precision to ± ∼ 0.23 e Nd was achieved for 30 ng Nd samples of reference materials, and Nd isotope measurements of fossil fish tooth sample replicates as small as 7 ng Nd were reproducible within long term instrumental uncertainty. We demonstrate the utility of the new method with the first high resolution Nd isotope record spanning the ∼ 40.0 Ma middle Eocene Climatic Optimum, which shows an excursion of 0.65 e Nd during the peak warming at the study site (Ocean Drilling Program Leg 119, Site 738; 30 kyr sample spacing from 40.3 to 39.6 Ma). LN Resin is already used in standard methods for separating Nd, and Nd isotopes are routinely measured by MC-ICPMS with high efficiency inlet systems. Our innovation is a single, small volume LN Resin column for Nd separation. The streamlined approach results in a 10× increase in sample throughput.
The use of finite impulse response filters in pulse design.

We develop a new way of synthesizing pulse sequences with desirable frequency characteristics. By combining our previous results with techniques from the theory of finite impulse response filters, we can specify (1) the total duration of the pulse sequence, (2) the frequency ranges it is desired to perturb, (3) the desired perturbation, and (4) the frequency range it is desired not to perturb. We can then synthesize a hard pulse sequence which will yield that desired perturbation with the minimal possible error. The minimum error is global, in the sense that no pulse sequence can do better at achieving the specifications, and is not just a local minimum, around the pulse sequences close to the derived pulse. © 1989 Academic Press, Inc.
Uncertainty and method choice in discrete multiobjective programming problems

Abstract Discrete multiobjective programming problems are examined under uncertain knowledge of the payoff values. Besides mean value analysis, two types of distributions are considered, triangular and uniform probability density functions (PDFs). A problem in forestry management illustrates the methodology. The numerical results are analyzed and compared with a set of distance based methods.
Detecting subtle fingertip sensory and motor dysfunction in adults with type II diabetes

Although evidence has emerged regarding functional neural impairment of all four limbs with a diagnosis of type II diabetes (T2D), there is conflicting evidence regarding impairment in manual function with the disease. The purpose of the current study was to evaluate hand/fingertip function in T2D as compared to healthy age- and gender-matched controls. Ten adults with T2D and ten healthy age- and gender-matched control subjects underwent a battery of clinically validated and laboratory-based evaluations of sensory function, motor function, and quality of life evaluation. The T2D group exhibited sensory dysfunction and altered kinetic output and inconsistent differences in clinically-validated timed performance tasks as compared to age-matched controls. No difference in quality of life was found between the two groups. Sensory dysfunction and some timed evaluations correlated with disease severity. Linear kinetic features did not covary with diminished sensation; however, nonlinear measures did covary with sensation changes. None of the recorded measures were related to clinical diagnosis of peripheral neuropathy. The relationship among exhibited behavioral changes is discussed in terms of small fiber neuropathy, micro-vascular adaptations, and endothelial dysfunction co-occurring with T2D.
Weight change amongst Nauruans over 6.5 years: extent, and association with glucose intolerance

Summary We are reporting here the extent of weight change over 6.5 years of follow-up amongst 366 randomly selected Nauruans initially surveyed in 1975–1976. Although the initial level of obesity was high (mean body mass index: males 30.8 kg/m 2 , females 33.0 kg/m 2 ), further increase in body mass index subsequently occurred in 285 subjects (78%). The weight loss that occurred amongst the other 81 subjects was generally mild (mean = 5.3 kg), and only 12 persons lost more than 10 kg. Weight loss was far more common amongst the older subjects: 40% of those older than 50 years compared with 10% of those less than 30 years showed a decrease in body mass index ( P P P P P
Game design & programming concentration within the computer science curriculum

This paper describes initiatives at Marist College to develop a Game Concentration in the undergraduate Computer Science curriculum. These initiatives contemplate recommendations for existing courses as well as adoption of new courses. We also consider activities of the Association of Computing Machinery (ACM) in this area and opportunities for students beyond the classroom.
Antigen presentation of myoglobin: profiles of T cell proliferative responses following priming with synthetic overlapping peptides encompassing the entire molecule

Recently, the regions of myoglobin, which are recognized by T cells (T sites), were localized by a comprehensive synthetic strategy in which uniform synthetic overlapping peptides encompassing the entire protein chain were examined for stimulation of T cell proliferative activity. In this study, we report about the proliferative response to these peptides, as well as to the native protein, of lymph node cells from mice primed with the overlapping peptides either individually or in a mixture. Some, but not all, of the T site-containing peptides were effective in priming for an anti-myoglobin T cell response. Further, several peptides, which were highly immunogenic as free synthetic peptides, were not associated with any of the known T sites in this protein. Thus, the pattern of T cell recognition following priming with the overlapping peptides differs from the pattern observed when the native protein is the priming antigen. If antigen processing proceeds via fragmentation, then only those regions containing T sites would be expected to be effective in priming for a T cell response to the intact protein and, conversely, highly immunogenic peptides would correspond to T sites of the protein. Therefore, these findings indicate that the current concept of antigen fragmentation as a prerequisite for its presentation must be reappraised. We suggest that, in the presentation of a protein antigen, the protein is recognized predominantly intact and that the crucial aspects of presentation are determined by interaction with the cell membrane which trigger cellular activating events.
Deformation of till beneath ice stream B, West Antarctica

The behaviour and possible instability of the West Antarctic ice sheet depend fundamentally on the dynamics of the large ice streams which drain it. Model calculations show that most ice-stream velocity arises at the bed1,2, and radar sounding has shown the bed to be wet3, but the basal boundary condition is not well understood. Seismic evidence from the Upstream B camp (UpB) on the Siple Coast of West Antarctica4 shows that the ice stream there rests on a layer of unconsolidated sediment averaging 5 or 6 m thick, in which the water pressure is only ∼50 kPa less than the overburden pressure. Because this thin layer occurs well inland beneath an active ice sheet and rests on a surface showing flutes4 characteristic of glacial erosion5, we presume that it is glacial till. We propose here that deformation within the till is the primary mechanism by which the ice stream moves, and we discuss implications of this hypothesis.
Quantitative Measurement of Reduction of Phosphorus Diffusion by Substitutional Carbon Incorporation

Complete suppression of transient enhanced boron diffusion (TED) and oxidation enhanced boron diffusion (OED) in silicon have been achieved using substitutional carbon to reduce the excess point defect concentration in the dopant region [1]. Recent efforts have focused on removing the carbon from the active regions of the device [2,3] to avoid device degradation due to electrically active carbon defects [4] and exploring remote carbon’s effect on boron TED and OED, while using the boron diffusion to probe point defect concentrations. In this paper we measure quantitatively the effect of remotely located carbon on phosphorus and boron diffusion above a buried SiGeC layer at 850°C in oxygen or nitrogen ambients. Remote carbon, located 1250 A below the phosphorus edge, is found to reduce the phosphorus diffusion enhancement factor due to OED from 8 to 2. The effect of the remotely located SiGeC buried layer on the excess interstitial concentration profile, which is responsible for the enhanced dopant diffusion, is probed by measuring boron and phosphorus diffusivites of in-situ doped boron and phosphorus layers above a buried SiGe(C) layer after oxidation or nitrogen anneals at 850°C. The enhanced boron diffusivity during oxidation is found to have a near linear dependence on depth ranging from 5–1.25. Finally, using x-ray diffraction and photoluminescence measurements of as-grown, buried, strained SiGe(C) structures and annealed SiGe(C) structures in oxygen or nitrogen ambient at 850°C the number of substitutional carbon atoms effectively consumed by oxidation is unambiguously correlated to the absolute number of injected interstitials using published values for the interstitial injection rate during oxidation [5].
Application of the single pellet reactor for direct mass transfer studies: I. Mass transfer in porous media

Abstract The mass transfer behavior of a binary gas system in an alumina-supported platinum catalyst is destermined from experimental studies interpreted in terms of the “dusty gas” model. The effective Knudsen diffusivities and an effective D'Arcy flow parameter are calculated from permeability measurements. The effective molecular diffusivity is calculated from a single counterdiffusion measurement. The results indicate that the diffusive behavior of the catalyst lies within the so-called intermediate region.
Integrated sensor detection/localization for multi-source data

In this paper, the detection/localization of a target based on radio-frequency (RF) and infra-red (IR) data sources problem is addressed. The target is assumed to radiate an RF signal to multiple widely distributed sensors in space and is imaged using multiple frames of an IR sensor. The goal is to integrate RF and IR data to reliably detect and localize the target. The generalized likelihood ratio test (GLRT) approach is employed to find the detector. In order to reduce the computation required by a straightforward GLRT, the random basis function (RBF) approach is used.
THE EARNINGS EFFECT OF ETHNIC LABOUR MARKET CONCENTRATION UNDER MULTI-RACIAL METROPOLITAN CONTEXTS IN THE UNITED STATES

Urban labour market segmentation along the lines of ethnicity/race has drawn considerable attention with the huge influx of immigration in the United States. Using data from the US 2000 Public Use Microdata Sample (PUMS), this study employs a multilevel approach (1) to compare job earnings of non-Hispanic White, Black, Hispanic and Asian workers in their respective concentrated and non-concentrated sectors and (2) to examine how metropolitan characteristics influence these earnings. The findings show that engaging in ethnic niche labour market sectors is the main source of earning inequalities among different ethnic groups. Structural conditions including ethnic composition, growth of immigration, racial residential segregation, economic structure and macroeconomic conditions vary across regional labour markets at the metropolitan area level and significantly affect job earnings between niche and non-niche sectors across racial/ethnic groups.
Mixed chimerism to induce tolerance: lessons learned from nonhuman primates

The mixed chimerism approach has been demonstrated to be an effective means of inducing allograft tolerance. Based on our rodent studies on mixed chimerism, we previously developed a clinically relevant nonmyeloablative preparative regimen that permits the induction of mixed chimerism and renal allograft tolerance following donor bone marrow transplantation in major histocompatibility complex fully mismatched cynomolgus monkeys. This approach has been successfully extended to HLA matched or mismatched kidney transplant recipients. In the manuscript, we summarize some of the important conclusions made in our laboratories regarding induction of mixed chimerism and allograft tolerance in a nonhuman primate model.
The beginning of quantum nonlinear optics [Invited]

A description by the author of the early days of nonlinear optics (NLO), and the motivation for the formulation of the quantum theory of NLO, implications to a number of diverse areas, and the background for the prediction of spontaneous parametric fluorescence.
Curricula in information science: Analysis and development

The Curriculum Committee of the Special Interest Group/Education Information Science of ASIS is charged with the responsibility for determining the scope and characteristics of information science programs in the U.S. & Canada in terms of curriculum developments and course offerings. To fulfil this responsibility, questionnaires were developed to elicit reliable information concerning courses being offered relating to information storage and retrieval, information science and/or documentation. The data requested included course levels, pre- and post-requisite courses, textbooks used, topics covered, frequency with which offered, etc. Responses were received from 45 schools, providing information about 185 courses and 242 topics. Using several methods of clustering the data, it was difficult to arrive at firm results, because of the diversity and scatter of the topics included in this field. It was therefore decided to hold a workshop of experts which would examine the validity of the questionnaire results. This workshop, using the Delphi technique to arrive at consensus, was held at the University of Pittsburgh on September 21–23, 1970. Sixteen specialists in the field representing universities, industry and government were brought together to participate. Consensus was reached in identifying nine factors which contribute to the curriculum in information science and seven courses which constitute the core for the Master's program. The topics to be included in each of these courses were also isolated. The 9 factors are: Psychology/Behavioral Science, Language/Linguistics, Management, Statistics, Library Science, Systems, Mathematics, Information and Communication Theory, and Computer Science/Automata. The 7 courses are: Introduction to Information Science, Systems Theory and Applications, Mathematical Methods in Information Science, Computer Organization and Programming Systems, Abstracting/Indexing/Cataloging, Information and Communication Theory, and Research Methods. The topics relating to these courses are given in Appendix III. Not all the objectives have been attained. The “meat” surrounding the core has not yet been supplied; the core for a Doctoral program must also be determined. The committee feels that some conventions for evaluating the levels of professionalism reached at the completion of such programs could result as a byproduct of ths study.
The effects of competence and social class on degree of modeling of self-reward patterns

Competence of model, competence of subject, and social class were varied in an experiment on the acquisition of standards of excellence. The major finding was a social class effect; lower class Ss, in comparison to middle class Ss, showed little adoption of a model’s standard of excellence. It was suggested that lower class Ss do not adopt high standards set by a model.
IL-4 induced leucocyte trafficking in cynomolgus monkeys: correlation with expression of adhesion molecules and chemokine generation

Summary Background Interleukin-4 (IL-4) is an immunoregulatory cytokine which has a wide variety of effects on immune cell function. In addition, recent studies suggest that IL-4 may have effects on other cells including endothelial cells in terms of the regulation of adhesion molecule expression and leucocyte extravasation from the vascular space to sites of tissue inflammation. Consequently, IL-4 may have an important role in the pathogenesis of allergic inflammation and disease. Objective The purpose of this study was to learn more about the potential role of IL-4 in inflammatory disease, specifically in regard to the potential of IL-4 to induce the expression of adhesion molecules on vascular endothelial cells and promote the adherence and transmigration of circulating leucocytes to sites of tissue inflammation. Methods Single subcutaneous injections of human IL-4 were administered to cynomolgus monkeys and tissue biopsy samples were obtained and analysed for adhesion molecule expression on vascular endothehum and inflammatory cell infiltrates. In another series of experiments, multiple subcutaneous injections of human IL-4 were administered (bid on four consecutive days) and the effects on peripheral blood leucocytes and plasma levels of various cytokines and chemokines were examined. Results Intradermal injection of IL-4 induced the expression of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-l) on cutaneous vascular endothelium that was present at 8hr and persisted out to 24h post injection. The expression of VCAM-1 was associated with an inflammatory cell infiltrate comprised of granulocytes and mononuclear cells. Multiple injections of IL-4 resulted in a dose-related decrease in the relative percentage and total number of circulating lymphocytes and an increase in circulating neutrophils (4.6 ± 1–2.1 ± 0.2 ± 106/mL and 1.7 ± 0.3–7.0 ± 1 ± 106/mL, respectively). Analysis of cell surface markers by flow cytometry revealed a transient decrease in the number of CD4+ T lymphocytes and a sustained decrease in CD16+ cells. In addition. IL-4 administration resulted in a large increase in plasma MCP-1 concentration. Conclusion This is the first study to demonstrate an acute eflect of IL-4 consistent with lymphocyte trafficking out of the vascular space, the induction of VCAM-l expression on vascular endothelium and increases in plasma levels of MCP-1 in vivo. We suggest that IL-4 may be involved in the early recruitment of mononuclear cells to sites of tissue inflammation by the upregulation of VCAM-l expression on vascular endothelium and the generation and release of potent chemoattractants.
Sequencing and analyzing the t(1;7) reciprocal translocation breakpoints associated with a case of childhood-onset schizophrenia/autistic disorder.

We characterized a t(1;7)(p22;q21) reciprocal translocation in a patient with childhood-onset schizophrenia (COS) and autism using genome mapping and sequencing methods. Based on genomic maps of human chromosome 7 and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) studies, we delimited the region of 7q21 harboring the translocation breakpoint to a ∼16-kb interval. A cosmid containing the translocation-associated 1:7 junction on der(1) was isolated and sequenced, revealing the positions on chromosomes 1 and 7, respectively, where the translocation occurred. PCR-based studies enabled the isolation and sequencing of the reciprocal 7:1 junction on der(7). No currently recognized gene on either chromosome appears to be disrupted by the translocation. We further found no evidence for copy-number differences in the genomic regions flanking the translocation junctions in the patient. Our efforts provide sequence-based information about a schizophrenia/autism-associated translocation, and may facilitate future studies investigating the genetic bases of these disorders.
[High-resolution imaging of intracellular calcium ion concentration using rapid scanning confocal microscopy].

Recently, the technique for high time- and spatial-resolution imaging of intracellular calcium ion concentration ([Ca2+]i) has been developed using rapid scanning confocal microscopy to investigate calcium dynamics in restricted areas of cells. Here, the techniques are summarized and the images obtained are introduced. For such imaging, the development of fast scanning confocal microscopes was indispensable. Therefore, the UV-applicable video-rate (30 frames/sec) scanning confocal microscope in which a resonant galvanometer scanner is used for fast horizontal scans has been developed. The microscope enabled us to obtain ratio-images of [Ca2+]i using indo-1, a ratio-imaging probe. The key to success in high time- and temporal-resolution imaging is to find the best probe-loading condition, which depends on the probes and the cells. It is also very important to increase the signal-to-noise ratio value without any effects on the cells. Using the technique, we have succeeded in kinetic analysis of calcium waves in cultured hepatocytes. We have also succeeded in determining the relationship between calcium sparks to calcium transients in excitation-contraction coupling.
Biotypic diversity in greenbug (Hemiptera: Aphididae): characterizing new virulence and host associations

Biotypic diversity of the greenbug, Schizaphis graminum (Rondani) (Hemiptera: Aphididae), was assessed among populations collected from cultivated wheat, Triticum aestivum L., and sorghum, Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench, and their associated noncultivated grass hosts. Greenbugs were collected during May through August 2002 from 30 counties of Kansas, Nebraska, Oklahoma, and Texas. Discounting the presumptive biotype A, five of the remaining nine letter-designated greenbug biotypes were collected; however, biotypes C, F, J, and K were not detected. Biotypes E and I exhibited the greatest host range and were the only biotypes collected in all four states. Sixteen greenbug clones, collected from eight plant species, exhibited unique biotype profiles. Eleven were collected from noncultivated grasses, three from wheat, and two from sorghum. The most virulent biotypes were collected from noncultivated hosts. The great degree of biotypic diversity among noncultivated grasses supports the contention that the greenbug species complex is composed of host-adapted races that diverged on grass species independently of, and well before, the advent of modern agriculture.
Convergence studies of mass transport in disks with gravitational instabilities. I. the constant cooling time case

We conduct a convergence study of a protostellar disk, subject to a constant global cooling time and susceptible to gravitational instabilities (GIs), at a time when heating and cooling are roughly balanced. Our goal is to determine the gravitational torques produced by GIs, the level to which transport can be represented by a simple α-disk formulation, and to examine fragmentation criteria. Four simulations are conducted, identical except for the number of azimuthal computational grid points used. A Fourier decomposition of non-axisymmetric density structures in cos (m), sin (m) is performed to evaluate the amplitudes Am of these structures. The Am , gravitational torques, and the effective Shakura & Sunyaev α arising from gravitational stresses are determined for each resolution. We find nonzero Am for all m-values and that Am summed over all m is essentially independent of resolution. Because the number of measurable m-values is limited to half the number of azimuthal grid points, higher-resolution simulations have a larger fraction of their total amplitude in higher-order structures. These structures act more locally than lower-order structures. Therefore, as the resolution increases the total gravitational stress decreases as well, leading higher-resolution simulations to experience weaker average gravitational torques than lower-resolution simulations. The effective α also depends upon the magnitude of the stresses, thus αeff also decreases with increasing resolution. Our converged αeff is consistent with predictions from an analytic local theory for thin disks by Gammie, but only over many dynamic times when averaged over a substantial volume of the disk.
An observational study of the effectiveness and safety of intramuscular olanzapine in the treatment of acute agitation in patients with bipolar mania or schizophrenia/schizoaffective disorder

Objective To determine the effect of intramuscular (IM) olanzapine in severely agitated patients. Methods This was an open-label multicenter 1-week observational study of IM olanzapine treatment in severely agitated inpatients and psychiatric emergency services with bipolar mania (n = 22) or schizophrenia (n = 52). Mean change from baseline to 2 h post-first injection (LOCF) in agitation was assessed by PANSS-Excited Component (PANSS-EC) (score range: 5–35 points) mean change from baseline to 15, 30, 45, 60, 90, and 120 min post-first injection, and visit-wise mean changes from mixed-model repeated measures analysis of variance. Kaplan–Meier survival curve analyses estimated time to categorical response (rating of ≤3 points each PANSS-EC item). Results Two hours post-injection of olanzapine (mean dose = 9.9 mg), patients exhibited mild calmness and agitation was significantly reduced by 19.2 ± 1.0 points (p < 0.001) (mean baseline = 29.0). Over 90% of the patients received only one injection in the first 24 h and 50% had a categorical response within 30 min. Conclusions Severely agitated patients responded rapidly after a single injection of olanzapine with mild levels of sedation and without serious treatment-emergent adverse events. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantitative and comparative visualization applied to cosmological simulations

Cosmological simulations follow the formation of nonlinear structure in dark and luminous matter. The associated simulation volumes and dynamic range are very large, making visualization both a necessary and challenging aspect of the analysis of these datasets. Our goal is to understand sources of inconsistency between different simulation codes that are started from the same initial conditions. Quantitative visualization supports the definition and reasoning about analytically defined features of interest. Comparative visualization supports the ability to visually study, side by side, multiple related visualizations of these simulations. For instance, a scientist can visually distinguish that there are fewer halos (localized lumps of tracer particles) in low-density regions for one simulation code out of a collection. This qualitative result will enable the scientist to develop a hypothesis, such as loss of halos in low-density regions due to limited resolution, to explain the inconsistency between the different simulations. Quantitative support then allows one to confirm or reject the hypothesis. If the hypothesis is rejected, this step may lead to new insights and a new hypothesis, not available from the purely qualitative analysis. We will present methods to significantly improve the Scientific analysis process by incorporating quantitative analysis as the driver for visualization. Aspects of this work are included as part of two visualization tools, ParaView, an open-source large data visualization tool, and Scout, an analysis-language based, hardware-accelerated visualization tool.
Deuterium tracer study of the conversion of methylcyclohexane/n-octane mixtures with Pt/SiO2 and Pt/Al2O3 catalysts

Abstract Hydrogen/deuterium exchange has been determined for mixtures of n-octane-d18/methylcyclohexane-d0 and n-octane-d0/methylcyclohexane-d14 as well as n-octane-d0/methylcyclohexane-d0/D2 at low (300-400°C) and high (482°C) temperatures. H/D exchange occurred in both reactants and products at the low temperatures. At 482°C, exchange did not occur in the reactants but did occur in the products. The results are consistent with the high temperature conversions occurring by a mechanism with a rate-limiting step of adsorption of the reactant.
Every covering of a compact Riemann surface of genus greater than one carries a nontrivial L2 harmonic differential

This paper contains the proof of the assertion in its title. My motivation for considering this problem was the following. Let M be a compact differentiable manifold and let D be an elliptic differential operator between the spaces of C ~ sections of two bundles on M. In [4] M. F. Atiyah proves that if index D>0, then, for every Galois covering AT/---~M, the operator / ) induced by D on ~ /has nontrivial L 2 solutions/)u=0. Atiyah goes on to ask whether the same is true for coverings which are not Galois. His guess is that the answer is negative in general but that the counter-example will be difficult to construct. The simplest situation to consider in this connection is that of a surface and the operator whose index is the Euler characteristic. For infinite coverings, since every L 2 harmonic function would be constant and nonzero constants are not in L 2, Atiyah's question reduces to the question of existence of L 2 harmonic forms of degree one. It is shown here that a counter-example will not be found in this simple setting. From now on S will denote an oriented, compact surface of genus g=g(S)>l equipped with a smooth Riemannian metric. S--%S will be an arbitrary (usually infinite) covering of S, and A = A will be the Laplace operator on S with respect to the pull back metric. A differential (exterior form of degree one) on S is harmonic, i.e. Ao)=0, and in L 2 if and only if (cf. [15], Theorem 26)
The use of diffraction in the characterization of piezoelectric materials

X-ray and neutron diffraction have become powerful characterization tools in materials research. Their leading use in the characterization of piezoelectric ceramics includes the determination of structure, phase evolution, crystallographic texture, and lattice strain. The inherent electromechanical coupling of piezoelectric materials also allows the direct characterization of the converse piezoelectric effect. New advances in diffraction capabilities have recently enabled new problem solutions within this field. For example, the use of microdiffraction has the potential to characterize structural defects including cracks and domain walls. The development of time-resolved techniques has further opened doors to characterizing ferroelectrics in real-time under the application of cyclic electric fields. These recent advances as well as traditional uses of X-ray and neutron diffraction in the characterization of piezoelectric materials and the phenomenon of piezoelectricity are explored in this review. A focus is on characterization of bulk, polycrystalline ceramics, though novel approaches in thin films and single crystals are also reviewed. Challenges and future opportunities are discussed.
Managing psychosis in Parkinson’s disease

SUMMARY Psychotic symptoms are common in drug-treated Parkinson’s disease patients. These consist primarily of visual hallucinations, but also include other symptoms, in particular auditory symptoms. Delusions are considerably less common but are more problematic because they are most commonly paranoid in nature. Psychotic symptoms carry a poor prognosis in terms of an increased risk of imminent dementia, nursing home placement and death. Only clozapine has level I evidence to support its use, but quetiapine is usually used first as it is sometimes helpful and is the only other antipsychotic drug proven not to worsen motor function in Parkinson’s disease. There is less support for the use of cholinesterase inhibitors. Electroconvulsive therapy may be used in extremis, when all else fails.
Analysis and Sentiment Detection in Online Reviews of Tax Professionals: A Comparison of Three Software Packages

ABSTRACT: This study analyzes the “tax talk” in online client reviews of tax preparers, and evaluates off-the-shelf (SentiStrength, LIWC2007, and DICTION 6.0) and customized software packages' detection of sentiment in these reviews. Compared to human-coded sentiment, three off-the-shelf programs poorly assess client sentiment. We adapted two software packages, SentiStrength and LIWC2007, to “tax talk” by splitting the sample into learning and holdout segments (n = 50 each). Results for SentiStrength with a customized dictionary and keywords evidenced high validity. The results suggest that client reviews of tax preparers contain unique taxation language. Data Availability: Data used in this study are available from the corresponding author upon request.
Cultural context of ocean fertilization

All environmental law and policy, including potential policy governing ocean fertiliza- tion, involves trade-offs between the state of the world's biophysical ecology, by which we mean all of the non-human elements, and the state of the world's human ecology, by which we mean humans and their relationships with one another, including their governance institutions. All rules of gover- nance affect — and only directly affect — human behavior, and through that behavior shape the bio- physical world. All law is an expression of human culture. Legal statutes and rules are those elements of culture that we feel strongly enough about and share enough with each other that we write them down as rules of behavior and create some form of sanction for their transgression. In this paper I will discuss the broad-brush history of human value-based governance with respect to human use of the ocean and the kinds of decisions that face us with respect to the question of ocean fertilization. The general thesis is that ocean fertilization is essentially a 'cultivation' activity, even if done for the pur- pose of carbon sequestration for environmental conservation or market (carbon trading) purposes, and that such 'cultivation' is a new arena for ocean policy and regulation.