cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A dynamic T cell-limited checkpoint regulates affinity-dependent B cell entry into the germinal center.

The germinal center (GC) reaction is essential for the generation of the somatically hypermutated, high-affinity antibodies that mediate adaptive immunity. Entry into the GC is limited to a small number of B cell clones; however, the process by which this limited number of clones is selected is unclear. In this study, we demonstrate that low-affinity B cells intrinsically capable of seeding a GC reaction fail to expand and become activated in the presence of higher-affinity B cells even before GC coalescence. Live multiphoton imaging shows that selection is based on the amount of peptide–major histocompatibility complex (pMHC) presented to cognate T cells within clusters of responding B and T cells at the T–B border. We propose a model in which T cell help is restricted to the B cells with the highest amounts of pMHC, thus allowing for a dynamic affinity threshold to be imposed on antigen-binding B cells.
Municipal solid waste to liquid transportation fuels – Part II: Process synthesis and global optimization strategies

Abstract This paper investigates the production of liquid transportation fuels from municipal solid waste (MSW). A comprehensive process synthesis superstructure is utilized that incorporates a novel mathematical model for MSW gasification. The production of liquid products proceeds through a synthesis gas intermediate that can be converted into Fischer–Tropsch hydrocarbons or methanol. The methanol can be converted into either gasoline or olefins, and the olefins may subsequently be converted into gasoline and distillate. Simultaneous heat, power, and water integration is included within the process synthesis framework to minimize utilities costs. A rigorous deterministic global optimization branch-and-bound strategy is utilized to minimize the overall cost of the waste-to-liquids (WTL) refinery and determine the optimal process topology. Several case studies are presented to illustrate the process synthesis framework and the nonconvex mixed-integer nonlinear optimization model presented in this paper. This is the first study that explores the possibility of liquid fuels production from municipal solid waste utilizing a process synthesis approach within a global optimization framework. The results suggest that the production of liquid fuels from MSW is competitive with petroleum-based processes. The effect that the delivered cost of municipal solid waste has on the overall cost of liquids production is also investigated parametrically.
Healthy Families New York (HFNY) randomized trial: Effects on early child abuse and neglect☆☆☆

Abstract Objective To evaluate the effects of a home visiting program modeled after Healthy Families America on parenting behaviors in the first 2 years of life. Methods A sample of 1173 families at risk for child abuse and neglect who met the criteria for Healthy Families New York (HFNY) was randomly assigned to either an intervention group that was offered HFNY or a control group that was given information and referrals to other services. Data were collected through a review of CPS records, and maternal interviews at baseline and the child's first birthday (90% re-interviewed) and second birthday (85% re-interviewed). Results HFNY mothers reported committing one-quarter as many acts of serious abuse at age 2 as control mothers (.01 versus .04, p Conclusions These findings suggest that who is offered home visitation may be an important factor in explaining the differential effectiveness of home visitation programs. Improved effects may be realized by prioritizing the populations served or by enhancing the model to meet program objectives for hard-to-serve families.
Memory performance after flurothyl treatment in rainbow trout

Fingerling rainbow trout (N=436) were trained in one trial with brief electric shock (2.0 V/cm) to suppress their spontaneous upstream swimming into a quiet well. Memory retention one day later was not influenced by the temperature at which they had been acclimated, trained and tested (10‡ C, 15‡ C or 20‡ C). When exposed 4 min after training for 2 min, to a flurothyl solution (10, 25, 50, 100 or 200 Μl/l) trout convulsed and overturned. The onset of overturn was concentration- and temperature-dependent. Flurothyl altered the one-day retention of avoidance behavior; low concentrations enhanced, whereas high concentrations impaired. Memory-enhancing low concentrations of flurothyl, applied after post-training amnesic treatment with carbon dioxide, reversed the carbon dioxide amnesia.
Neuropathology of lubag (x-linked dystonia parkinsonism)

Lubag is an x-linked recessive dystonia parkinsonism that affects Filipino men originating principally from the Panay Island. Linkage analysis has confirmed the mode of inheritance and localized the disease gene to the proximal long arm of the x-chromosome. We studied the brain of a 34 year old Filipino man affected with lubag. He developed truncal dystonia at age 30, which subsequently generalized. With disease progression, he also presented with parkinsonism including, rigidity, bradykinesia, and impaired balance. His symptoms were largely unaffected by medication and, at age 34, he underwent a right cryothalamotomy. He died suddenly 2 days after the procedure. The principal neuropathological findings were neuronal loss and a multifocal mosaic pattern of astrocytosis restricted to the caudate and lateral putamen. Similar findings have been reported in two other men with dystonia--one Filipino and the other non-Filipino. The similar pathology of the two Filipino men suggests that this is the pathology of lubag. Recognition of this pathology in a non-Filipino man suggests that the mutation causing lubag may not be restricted to the Filipino population.
Regional Center for Workforce Education: A Technology Reinvestment Project: Providing Support for the Defense Manufacturer

In 1993, the Technology Reinvestment Project and SUNY Farmingdale established a Regional Center for Workforce Education (CWE). Using a team approach between the university and industry, the center developed and facilitated a statewide telecourse on ISO 9000. ISO 9000 certification, not yet embraced by many Long Island manufacturers, was considered a necessary component to forging new business in other than defense markets (e.g., international markets). An external evaluation was conducted to determine the efficacy of the telecourse, which was broadcast by the CWE to SUNY Farmingdale for twelve Long Island defense manufacturers as well as to eleven other locations for forty-four additional companies throughout the State. A total of one hundred eighty-nine manufacturing employees from fifty-six different companies attended the telecourse. Data clearly supported the efficacy of the ISO 9000 telecourse in providing participants with the means to begin to integrate ISO standards with their current quality standards. A one year follow-up study indicated participants had made progress toward achieving ISO or related certifications and further confirmed that CWE had positively impacted their journey toward certification and profitability.
Angiotensin II type-1 receptor subtype cDNAs: differential tissue expression and hormonal regulation.

Summary A rat angiotensin, type 1A (AT1A) receptor cDNA was cloned recently and shown to be a member of the 7-transmembrane, G-protein coupled family of receptors. Here, we report the cloning, sequencing, and expression of a previously unsuspected second form of the type 1 receptor (AT1B) in the rat which exhibits high similarity with the AT1A receptor relative to amino acid sequence (95% identity), binding of angiotensin II analogs, and utilization of Ca+2 as its intracellular second messenger. The adrenal and pituitary gland express primarily AT1B mRNA whereas vascular smooth muscle and lung express primarily AT1A mRNA. Estrogen treatment suppressed AT1B, but not AT1A mRNA levels in the pituitary gland. Thus, the unexpected existence of two putative AT1 receptor genes appears to be related to the differential regulation of their expression rather than to different functional properties of the encoded receptor proteins.
Adenyl cyclase in the haemocytes of the American cockroach

Abstract Incubation of 14 C-adenosinetriphosphate with lysed haemocytes produces 14 C-cyclic 3′,5′-adenosinemonophosphate (cAMP). The addition of phosphodiesterase to similar reaction mixtures results in the conversion of cAMP to 5′-adenosinemonophosphate. Differential centrifugation of the haemocyte preparation revealed that adenyl cyclase activity occurred in both membrane bound and soluble fractions, although the evidence suggests that the enzyme activity was originally particulate. The significance of these data is discussed in regard to the sclerotization process and the mode of action of bursicon.
Lack of effect of influenza vaccine on the pharmacokinetics of antipyrine, alprazolam, paracetamol (acetaminophen) and lorazepam

31 healthy male (n = 17) and female (n = 14) volunteers, aged 20 to 45 years, were divided into 4 groups and received on 3 separate occasions either: paracetamol (acetaminophen) 650mg intravenously (n = 9); alprazolam 1mg orally (n = 7); antipyrine (phenazone) 1g intravenously (n = 8); or lorazepam 2mg intravenously (n = 7). Doses were administered prior to influenza vaccine (0.5ml, intramuscularly) and at 7 and 21 days post-vaccination. The overall differences among the 3 trials in clearance of antipyrine were of borderline significance (p less than 0.0611), with a trend towards reduced clearance in both of the post-vaccination trials. There were no overall differences observed in the elimination half-life of antipyrine, nor were there significant differences between trials in cumulative urinary excretion or fractional recovery of intact antipyrine, 4-hydroxyantipyrine, norantipyrine, or 3-hydroxymethyl antipyrine. For paracetamol and alprazolam, there were no significant differences among the 3 trials in any of the kinetic variables. The elimination half-life of lorazepam varied significantly among trials, but differences were small and not systematic. Lorazepam clearance did not vary significantly among trials. Thus, clearance of drugs which undergo hepatic conjugative reactions such as glucuronidation and sulphation are unlikely to be affected by the coadministration of influenza vaccine. Furthermore, not all drugs which are biotransformed by hepatic microsomal oxidation necessarily have impaired clearance due to coadministration of influenza vaccine.
Language of College Dating: A Gender Study

Dating has an entire set of social expectations and norms, but these practices are very particular and unique in a university setting. This essay explores the linguistic tendencies of college students to describe the dating scene, and it also compares the use of language by gender. The results of this study show that men and women tend to have similar attitudes toward college dating, but their linguistic behavior suggests that gender impacts the manner in which students approach the topic in their daily conversations.
Reproductive Effects in F1 Adult Females Exposed In Utero to Moderate to High Doses of Mono-2-ethylhexylphthalate (MEHP)

Phthalates are widely used as plasticizers in everyday products. Yet, studies on the effects of phthalates on female reproductive health are limited. In this study, pregnant C57/Bl6 mice were exposed via oral gavage to corn oil, 100, 500, or 1000mg/kg MEHP from gestational days 17-19. Reproductive lifespan was decreased by one month in the highest F1 exposure group (9.8±0.4 versus 11.1±0.6 months in control F1 females). F1 females exhibited delayed estrous onset at the two higher exposures and prolonged estrus was observed in all MEHP-exposed females. Serum FSH and estradiol were significantly elevated at the highest exposure and altered mRNA expression was found for the steroidogenic genes LHCGR, aromatase, and StAR. At one year of age, mammary gland hyperplasia was observed in high dose MEHP-exposed females. In summary, late gestational exposure to MEHP leads to multiple latent reproductive effects throughout murine life resulting in premature ovarian senescence and mammary hyperplasia.
Chemo-radiotherapy for localized pancreatic cancer: increased dose intensity and reduced acute toxicity with concomitant radiotherapy and protracted venous infusion 5-fluorouracil.

Abstract Purpose: Although concomitant radiation therapy (RT) and bolus 5-Fluorouracil (5-FU) have been shown to improve survival in locally confined pancreatic cancer, most patients will eventually succumb to their disease. Since 1994, we have attempted to improve efficacy by administering 5-FU as a protracted venous infusion (PVI). This study compares treatment intensity and acute toxicity of consecutive protocols of concurrent RT and 5-FU by bolus injection or PVI. Methods and Materials: Since 1986, 74 patients with resected or locally advanced pancreatic cancer were treated with continuous course RT and concurrent 5-FU by bolus injection (n = 44) or PVI throughout the course of RT (n = 30). Dose intensity was assessed for both 5-FU and radiotherapy. Toxicity endpoints which could be reliably and objectively quantified (e.g., neutropenia, weight loss, treatment interruption) were evaluated. Results: Cumulative 5-FU dose (mean = 7.2 vs. 2.5 gm/m 2 , p 2 /wk, p p = 0.02). No difference was seen for patients with locally advanced disease (72% vs. 76%, p = n.s.). Grade II-III neutropenia was less common for patients treated with PVI (13% vs. 34%, p = 0.05). Grade II-III thrombocytopenia was uncommon (≤ 3%) in both treatment groups. Mean percent weight loss (3.8% vs. 4.1%, p = n.s.) and weight loss ≥ 5% of pre-treatment weight (21% vs. 31%, p = n.s.) were similar for PVI and bolus treatment groups, respectively. Treatment interruptions for hematologic, gastrointestinal or other acute toxicities were less common for patients receiving PVI 5-FU (10% vs. 25%, p = 0.11). Conclusion: Concurrent RT and 5-FU by PVI was well tolerated and permitted greater chemotherapy and radiotherapy dose intensity with reduced hematologic toxicity and fewer treatment interruptions compared with RT and bolus 5-FU. Longer follow-up will be needed to assess late effects and the impact on overall survival.
Acute effects of baclofen, a γ-aminobutyric acid-B agonist, on laboratory measures of aggressive and escape responses of adult male parolees with and without a history of conduct disorder

Abstract Rationale. The possible role of γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) in human aggression was evaluated by administering baclofen, a GABA-B agonist and comparing the effects on laboratory measures of aggression and escape among subjects with and without a history of conduct disorder. Methods. Twenty male subjects with a history of criminal behavior participated in experimental sessions, which measured aggressive and escape responses. Ten subjects had a history of childhood conduct disorder (CD+) and ten control subjects had no history of CD. Aggression was measured using the point subtraction aggression paradigm (PSAP), which provides subjects with aggressive, escape, and monetary-reinforced response options. Results. Acute doses (0.07, 0.14 and 0.28 mg/kg) of baclofen had remarkably different effects on aggressive responses among CD+ subjects relative to control subjects. Aggressive responses of CD+ subjects decreased, while aggressive responses of control subjects increased following baclofen administration. Baclofen decreased escape responses for both CD+ and control subjects. No changes in monetary-reinforced responses were observed, indicative of no central nervous system stimulation or sedation. Conclusions. The GABA-B agonist baclofen suppressed aggressive responses in subjects with a history of childhood CD, while producing the opposite effect in control subjects. These suggest a possible unique role for GABA in the regulation of aggression in CD+ population.
Single-residue substitution in homopolypeptides: perturbative helix-coil theory at a single site.

Based on Lifson–Roig's helix–coil transition theory, substitution of a single heteroresidue into a homopolymer host is studied. This study models recent experiments that substitute a single amino acid into a small peptide in water [A. Chakrabartty, J. A. Schellman, and R. L. Baldwin (1991), Nature, Vol. 351, pp. 586–688]. Our formalism, which is based on a perturbation method, differs from the existing theory for sequenced polymers and is naturally analogous, hence likely to be useful, to substitution experiments in the laboratory. It is shown that the intrinsic helix propensity w is directly proportional to the equilibrium constant for the helix–coil equilibrium of a single residue in a host peptide. This intuitive new result will simplify experimental data interpretations for measurements of the helical conformation on the single amino acid level. It is also shown that substitution affects the total helicity of the host peptide according to two considerations: the helicity of the replaced residue prior to the substitution, and the sensitivity of the site, a measure of neighboring interactions. The relationship between substitution stability and thermal stability is explored. © 1993 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Neural Encoding of Relative Position.

Late ventral visual areas generally consist of cells having a significant degree of translation invariance. Such a "bag of features" representation is useful for the recognition of individual objects; however, it seems unable to explain our ability to parse a scene into multiple objects and to understand their spatial relationships. We review several schemes (e.g., global features and serial attention) for how to reconcile bag-of-features representation with our ability to understand relationships; we review structural description theories that, in contrast, suggest that a neural binding mechanism assigns the features of each object in a scene to a separate "slot" to which relational information for that object is explicitly bound. Four functional magnetic resonance imaging-adaptation experiments assessed how ventral stream regions respond to rearrangements of two objects in a minimal scene that depict scene translations and relational changes. Changes of relative position (e.g., elephant above bus changing to bus above elephant) produced larger releases of adaptation in the anterior lateral occipital complex (LOC) than physically equivalent translations, providing evidence that spatial relations are explicitly encoded in the anterior LOC in agreement with structural description theories.
An analysis of front tracking for chromatography

We prove that front tracking has a convergent subsequence for the equations of chromatography for initial data with large variation. We show that this is also true for a variant of front tracking which tracks all waves. An example of a computation with the latter is presented.
Theory of localized bipolar wave-structures and nonthermal particle distributions in the auroral ionosphere

Abstract. Bipolar wave structures and nonthermal particle distributions measured by the FAST satellite in regions of downward current are interpreted in terms of the nonlinear evolution of a two-stream instability. The instability results in holes, both in the electron distribution in phase space and in the electron density in real space. The wave potential energy, which traps the electrons, has a single minimum, and the associated electric field is bipolar. The early bipolar structures are coherent over hundreds of Debye lengths in the direction perpendicular to the magnetic field. After thousands of plasma periods the perpendicular coherence is lost, the structures break up, and electrostatic whistlers begin to dominate. Simulations and preliminary analysis of this breakup and emission process are presented.
Detection of yellow fever virus by polymerase chain reaction.

Abstract Background: Yellow fever virus continues to cause major epidemics. A sensitive rapid diagnostic test is required to identify cases and contacts in order to implement emergency immunization campaigns. Objectives: To identify YFV envelope protein gene fragments, construct a polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay and test its utility in identifying viruses isolated from laboratory and clinical specimens. Study design: YFV RNA was transcribed with reverse transcriptase and the cDNA amplified by PCR using primers encoding a portion of the viral envelope protein gene. The identity of the 482 bp amplified product was confirmed by restriction enzyme analysis and by dot blot hybridization with a labelled oligonucleotide probe. The assay was tested for sensitivity and specificity on isolates from South America and Africa. Detection limits were determined using different probe labels. PCR inhibitory effects were analyzed with laboratory and clinical specimens. Results: The assay was specific for YFV and did not detect any of 15 other flaviviruses. The amplified region was conserved among all 32 South American and African isolates tested. Four strains from Africa did not hybridize with the probe, indicating sequence divergence in the envelope protein gene. Samples containing 30 pfu of virus were detected by visual inspection of the ethidium bromide stained 482 bp DNA amplimer and 10 pfu were detected with a digoxigenin labelled probe. Inhibitory effects of human serum on the PCR were overcome by diluting samples 4-fold in buffer. Viral neutralizing antibody in experimental samples did not affect the sensitivity of detection. Yellow fever virus in serum from experimentally infected Cynomolgus monkeys (103.7–107.0 pfu/0.1 ml) was detected with signal intensities corresponding to the amount of virus in the sample. When YFV was added to normal human serum and held at 27°C and 80% humidity, the RNA could be detected for up to 3 weeks in samples that had no infectious virus. Conclusions: A PCR assay was constructed which detected YFV RNA in isolates from patients infected in South America and Africa. This assay is specific for YFV but some African strains were not detected. More clinical samples should be tested.
An Experimental Test of Kin Recognition in Harvester Ants

Many animals direct assistance selectively toward relatives and/or aggression toward non-relatives; the ability to differentiate between kin and non-kin should evolve when doing so incurs fitness benefits. We detail a field-based experiment that tests whether workers of a large-bodied, abundant, and hardy seed-harvester ant are capable of kin recognition. We use this exercise in an undergraduate animal-behavior class to introduce concepts associated with eusocial insects and the study of kin recognition, as well as to reinforce principles of hypothesis testing, experimental design, and scientific writing. Students collect data, analyze and interpret results, and write a formal report; this experiment is one of several we use as models to prepare students for designing and performing their own follow-up studies.
EPICS: A Service Learning Program at Butler University

In this paper we present our experiences teaching EPICS (engineering projects in community service) at Butler University, a small, private university, from within the Department of Computer Science and Software Engineering. The EPICS program began at Purdue University in 1995. The idea behind EPICS is to have undergraduate students earn college credit for working on long-term, multi-semester projects to benefit charity and non-profit organizations. The projects are student-driven, under faculty supervision. There are many good reasons for having an EPICS program in an undergraduate computer science major. It is excellent for leveraging knowledge from other areas of computer science such as databases, networks, operating systems, and of course software engineering. The students are highly motivated because the project is real: there are real clients who use the software, making the software lifecycle come to life. Students practice teamwork, project management, professionalism, and communication skills. In our paper, we share feedback from our students on what EPICS means to them. At Butler, EPICS has been a success. Our EPICS program started in the fall 2001 semester. We now have two ongoing projects: Spanish-in-action (SIA), with Spanish middle school teachers from Crispus Attuchs Middle School in Indianapolis as clients, and social assets and vulnerabilities indicators (SAVI), with the POLIS Center at IUPUI as the client. We describe both projects in some detail in our paper. EPICS currently counts towards both the computer science major and the software engineering major as an elective at Butler. Our department has about 50 students and 4 full-time faculty, and each semester we have roughly 15 students enrolled in EPICS. We elaborate on how EPICS fits into our curriculum and provide details on how we deliver this course in our paper
GLOGER'S RULE, FEATHER-DEGRADING BACTERIA, AND COLOR VARIATION AMONG SONG SPARROWS

Abstract Feathers tend to be darkly colored in habitats where relative humidity is high and pale where it is low. We suggest that this correlation, known as Gloger's rule, results, in part, from selection for dark feathers that are more resistant than light feathers to bacterial degradation, which is a severe problem in humid habitats where bacteria thrive and a lesser problem in arid habitats. In May and June 2000–2002 we sampled feather-degrading bacteria (Bacillus licheniformis) from the plumage of Song Sparrows (Melospiza melodia) in southeastern Arizona and northwestern Washington. Under standardized laboratory conditions, feather-degrading bacteria from the plumage of sparrows in the humid Northwest degraded feathers more rapidly and more completely than feather-degrading bacteria from sparrows of the arid Southwest. The differences in feather-degrading bacteria and in relative humidity produce a difference in the intensity of selection, which in turn produces the difference in color described in Gl...
A policy-aware switching layer for data centers

Data centers deploy a variety of middleboxes (e.g., firewalls, load balancers and SSL offloaders) to protect, manage and improve the performance of applications and services they run. Since existing networks provide limited support for middleboxes, administrators typically overload path selection mechanisms to coerce traffic through the desired sequences of middleboxes placed on the network path. These ad-hoc practices result in a data center network that is hard to configure and maintain, wastes middlebox resources, and cannot guarantee middlebox traversal under network churn.To address these issues, we propose the policy-aware switching layer or PLayer, a new layer-2 for data centers consisting of inter-connected policy-aware switches or pswitches. Unmodified middleboxes are placed off the network path by plugging them into pswitches. Based on policies specified by administrators, pswitches explicitly forward different types of traffic through different sequences of middleboxes. Experiments using our prototype software pswitches suggest that the PLayer is flexible, uses middleboxes efficiently, and guarantees correct middlebox traversal under churn.
Turbulent Boundary-Layer Properties Downstream of the Shock-Wave / Boundary-Layer Interaction

An experimental investigation was conducted to study the interaction between a shock wave and a turbulent boundary layer. Compression corner models mounted on a wind tunnel floor were used to generate the oblique shock wave in the Mach 2.94 flowfield. Ramp angles of 8, 12, 16, 20, and 24 deg were used to produce the full range of possible flowfields, including flow with no separation, flow with incipient separation, and flow with a significant amount of separation. The principal measurement technique used was laser Doppler velocimetry (LDV), which was used to make two-component coincident velocity measurements within the redeveloping boundary layer downstream of the interaction. The results of the LDV measurements indicated that the boundary layer was significantly altered by the interaction. The mean streamwise velocity profiles downstream of the separated compression corners were very wake-like in nature, and the boundary-layer profiles downstream of all the interactions showed an acceleration of the flow nearest the wall as the boundary layers began to return to equilibrium conditions. Significant increases in turbulence intensities and Reynolds stresses were caused by the interactions, and indications of the presence of large-scale turbulent structures were obtained in the redeveloping boundary layers.
POLICY ATTRIBUTES AND STATE POLICY INNOVATION

This paper generates new hypotheses for research on policy innovations. Some of these hypotheses explore the extent and speed of the diffusion of innovations across states. Others consider the circumstances and conditions when later adopters either expand the scope of innovations or reinvent the policy of leaders. The focus here is on the attributes of innovations rather than the characteristics of adopters. The goal is to encourage studies that compare diffusion patterns among policies as well as among states.
Esophageal Cancer: Ultrasonography

Esophageal malignancy is a major source of morbidity and mortality, despite the recently increased attention to screening and early detection. Prognosis for esophageal cancer remains grim, with advanced tumor stage and lymph node metastases conferring even graver outcomes. Several studies have demonstrated that the addition of preoperative neoadjuvant chemoradiotherapy may improve survival in patients with locally advanced tumor (T3) disease or local lymph node metastases. It is here that endoscopic ultrasonography finds its niche in the precise staging of these tumors and the subsequent use of stage-dependent treatment protocols.
GHB-induced delirium: A case report and review of the literature on gamma hydroxybutyric acid

We describe what we believe is the first psychiatric hospitalization due to GHB-induced delirium reported in the medical literature. We examine the use of the substance gamma hydroxybutyric acid (GHB) and describe the clinical findings in a patient who presented to an acute inpatient psychiatric unit with a chief complaint of feeling suicidal and a 1-year history of GHB use. A review of the literature and GHB's availability through the Internet are discussed.
024 NonViral Gene Transfer of Keratinocyte Growth Factor in a Murine Wound

Introduction: Growth factors have been shown to affect the complex cascade of wound healing; however, interaction between different growth factors during dermal and epidermal regeneration are still not entirely defined. In the present study we determined the interaction between keratinocyte growth factor (KGF), an epidermal growth factor, administered as liposomal cDNA, with other dermal and epidermal growth factors and collagen types I, III, and IV synthesis in an acute wound. Method: Adult male Sprague-Dawley rats received 30% total body surface area scalds under general anesthesia. They were then divided into two groups to receive weekly subcutaneous injections of liposomes plus the Lac Z gene (0.2 μg, vehicle), or liposomes plus the KGF cDNA (2.2 μg) and Lac Z gene (0.2 μg), for 4 weeks. Immunological assays, histological, and immunohistochemical techniques were used to determine growth factor concentrations and different types of collagen (I, III, and IV), rate of reepithelialization and dermal morphology, after KGF cDNA gene transfer. Results: KGF cDNA transfer significantly increased IGF-I (Insulin-like Growth Factor-I), IGFBP-3 (Insulin-like Growth Factor Binding Protein-3), and FGF (Fibroblast Growth Factor) and decreased TGF-β(Transforming Growth Factor–beta) levels (p < 0.05). KGF had no effect on PDGF (Platelet-Derived Growth Factor). KGF cDNA significantly increased collagen type IV (p < 0.02) at the wound edge as well as the wound bed, while it had no effect on collagen type I and III. KGF cDNA significantly increased reepithelialization compared to the control group. Conclusion: Exogenous KGF cDNA increases IGF-I, IGF-BP3, FGF expression and decreases TGF-β concentration in an acute wound. It accelerates re-epithelialization, improves dermal morphology and increases basement membrane formation, without a concomitant increase in inflammation or scarring. Acknowledgments: Clayton Foundation for Research
Stability of Frequency Locked Loops

Passive frequency standards are characterized by the use of a reference resonance to stabilize the frequency of an external probe oscillator. A common configuration is shown in Fig. 1 [1–6]. The probe oscillator generally has phase modulation imposed on the carrier in order to interrogate the resonance with a minimum of offset. The resulting amplitude modulation is demodulated to yield an error curve that is essentially the derivative of the resonance. Although Fig. 1 shows a transmission system, similar schemes are sometimes possible in reflection [5]. The error signal from the demodulator is used to steer the probe signal toward the center of the resonance line [1–9]. For analysis times longer than one period of the modulation cycle, and under the condition that the probe oscillator wanders less than the half width of the error curve in the loop attack time, we can treat this curve as approximately static[1–4]. Near line center the loop error voltage VD at the synchronous detector, is approximately VD = k (v o o - vR) + Vn where k is the slope of the error curve, vR is the resonance frequency of the reference, and v o o is the open loop frequency of the probe oscillator and Vn is the detector noise. If we now close the loop with gain G(f), it can be shown that the spectral density of fractional frequency fluctuations Sy(f) for the probe source becomes where Sy o(f) is the open-loop spectral density of fractional frequency fluctuations of the probe source, SyR(f) is that of the reference, and SyN(f) is that of the detector and interrogation noise referred to the demodulator output.
Using Dynamical Systems Concepts in Multidisciplinary Design

A general multidisciplinary design problem features coupling and feedback between contributing analyses. This feedback may lead to convergence issues requiring significant iteration to obtain a feasible design. This work casts the multidisciplinary design problem as a dynamical system to leverage the benefits of dynamical systems theory in a new domain. Three areas from dynamical system theory are chosen for investigation: stability analysis, optimal control, and estimation theory. Stability analysis is used to investigate the existence of a solution to the design problem. Optimal control techniques allow the requirements associated with the design to be incorporated into the system and allow for constraints that are functions of both the contributing analysis outputs and input values to be handled simultaneously. Finally, estimation methods are employed to evaluate the robustness of the multidisciplinary design. These three dynamical system techniques are then combined in a methodology for the rapid robu...
Development of hepatic pseudotumors for image-guided interventional and surgical research in a large animal model.

Abstract Purpose Real-time image guidance and navigation have become increasingly important in an era of minimally invasive interventional and surgical procedures in the liver. To develop, test, and implement tools for real-time image guidance, the authors sought to create an in vivo tumor mimic with realistic imaging and treatment capabilities. Materials and Methods Hepatic pseudotumors were created by injecting 1–2 mL of alginate (a hydrocolloid) directly into the liver parenchyma in eight live pigs and two dog cadavers. Tumors were imaged by B-mode ultrasound (US), US elasticity imaging, multi–detector row computed tomography (CT), CT fluoroscopy, and magnetic resonance (MR) imaging to assess imaging capabilities. Procedures performed with the alginate pseudotumors included radiofrequency (RF) ablation and robotic needle guidance. Results Twenty-four hepatic pseudotumors were created, ranging in size from 10 mm to 28 mm at an average depth of 6 mm. Average time of preparation and insertion was 3 minutes. All tumors were palpable under the surface of the liver and were easily visible on B-mode US, US elasticity imaging, CT, and MR imaging. Tumors were successfully “treated” with RF ablation, and gross examination of the liver showed good encompassment of the tumor by the zone of thermal coagulation. In addition, the pseudotumors allowed for easy introduction of various types of needles, including RF ablation probes and experimental steerable needles. Conclusions Alginate pseudotumors can easily be imaged and allow for different procedures to be performed. This model can be used for various research purposes.
New drug use among agricultural workers

Research on drug use onset rarely examines the spatial dimensions of onset, owing to a literature that is overwhelming from urban areas of an industrialized country (United States). Narrative interviews from drug-using agricultural workers in contrast reveal another side of drug use onset, where influence of familiarity with place becomes evident, despite the expectation that the novelty and/or adventure within a lifestyle of seasonal employment and migratory labor that requires overnight accommodations on-the-season is likely to push/pull one into the first use of a new drug or the first drug that an individual has ever used.
Magnetic resonance imaging of the cauda equina in chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy

We report a patient with biopsy proven chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy whose magnetic resonance imaging demonstrated abnormal enhancement of the cauda equina after administration of gadolinium. Enhancement may reflect alteration of the blood-nerve barrier secondary to inflammation. Magnetic resonance imaging of the cauda equina could be a useful adjunct in the early diagnosis of chronic inflammatory demyelinating polyneuropathy.
Ambulatory Activity and Simple Cardiorespiratory Parameters at Rest and Submaximal Exercise

The purpose of this study was to explore the relationship between objectively determined ambulatory activity and simple cardiorespiratory parameters (heart rate and blood pressure at rest and during submaximal exercise) in individuals who were stratified for self-reported participation (yes/any vs. no/none) in vigorous physical activity (PA). Ninety-eight subjects (African Americans: 7 M, 16 F; Caucasians: 33 M, 42 F; mean age 46.4 ± 15.4 yrs; mean BMI 26.7 ± 4.8) wore a pedometer for 21 consecutive days and completed a 10-min submaximal treadmill graded exercise test with HR (beats/min) and BP (mmHg) measured while walking at 4.8 km/hr and a 10% grade. Subjects averaged 7,618 ± 3,045 steps/day. There were no differences in steps/day by self-reported vigorous PA strata. There was an inverse relationship (r = −0.35, p = 0.03) between steps/day and resting HR in subjects who reported no vigorous PA. There was an inverse relationship (r = −0.22, p = 0.04) between steps/day and submaximal HR in all subjects. When stratified for self-reported vigorous PA, the inverse relationship between steps/day and submaximal HR was stronger for those reporting no vigorous PA (r = −0.39, p = 0.01) vs. those reporting any vigorous PA (r = 0.28, p = 0.05). There was no relationship between steps/day and BP at rest or during exercise in this normotensive sample. En Francaise: Le but de cette etude est d'analyser la relation entrel'activite ambulatoire etablie objectivement et des variables cardiorespiratoires (frequence cardiaque et pression sanguine au repos et a l'effort) chez des individus regroupes a la suite de leur auto-evaluation comme ayant oui ou non participe a des activites physiques vigoureuses (PA). Quatre-vingt-dix-huit sujets (Afro-americains: 7 H, 16 F; Blancs: 33 H, 42 F; dont l'âge est de 46,4 ± 15,4 ans et l'IMC est de 26,7 ± 4,8) portant un podometre, durant 21 jours consecutifs, participent a une epreuve sous-maximale d'intensite progressive sur tapis roulant d'une duree de 10 min; la frequence cardiaque (bpm) et la pression sanguine (mmHg) sont mesurees a une vitesse de marche de 4,8 km/h sur une pente de 10%. En moyenne, les sujets ont fait 7 618 pas ± 3 045 par jour. Le nombre de pas par jour ne differe pas d'un groupe a l'autre. La relation entre le nombre de pas par jour et la frequence cardiaque de repos chez les sujets n'ayant participe a aucune activite physique vigoureuse est inverse (r = −0,35, p = 0,03). La relation entre le nombre de pas par jour et la frequence cardiaque sous-maximale est inverse chez tous les sujets (r = −0,22, p = 0,04). La relation entre le nombre de pas par jour et la frequence cardiaque sous-maximale est plus importante chez les individus n'ayant participe a aucune activite physique vigoureuse: (non, r = −0,39, p = 0,01; et oui, r = −0,28, p = 0,05). Chez ces individus normotendus, il n'y a aucune relation entre le nombre de pas par jour et la pression sanguine au repos ou a l'effort.
Anti-Phospholipase A2 Receptor Antibodies in Recurrent Membranous Nephropathy

About 70% of patients with primary membranous nephropathy (MN) have circulating anti-phospholipase A2 receptor (PLA2R) antibodies that correlate with disease activity, but their predictive value in post-transplant (Tx) recurrent MN is uncertain. We evaluated 26 patients, 18 with recurrent MN and 8 without recurrence, with serial post-Tx serum samples and renal biopsies to determine if patients with pre-Tx anti-PLA2R are at increased risk of recurrence as compared to seronegative patients and to determine if post-Tx changes in anti-PLA2R correspond to the clinical course. In the recurrent group, 10/17 patients had anti-PLA2R at the time of Tx versus 2/7 patients in the nonrecurrent group. The positive predictive value of pre-Tx anti-PLA2R for recurrence was 83%, while the negative predictive value was 42%. Persistence or reappearance of post-Tx anti-PLA2R was associated with increasing proteinuria and resistant disease in 6/18 cases; little or no proteinuria occurred in cases with pre-Tx anti-PLA2R and biopsy evidence of recurrence in which the antibodies resolved with standard immunosuppression. Some cases with positive pre-Tx anti-PLA2R were seronegative at the time of recurrence. In conclusion, patients with positive pre-Tx anti-PLA2R should be monitored closely for recurrent MN. Persistence or reappearance of antibody post-Tx may indicate a more resistant disease.
Treatment of Transformation Products

Drinking water and wastewater treatment processes play an important role regarding formation and removal of transformation products. As such, treatment processes directly impact human and environmental health risks, as they affect both exposure and toxicity of the pool of synthetic organic compounds. In this chapter, the key drinking water and wastewater processes that may cause further transformation of transformation products are reviewed and prioritized, as are the key partitioning mechanisms.
Universal Induction Motor Model with Low-to-High Frequency Response Characteristics

A three-phase induction motor model which represents the motor behavior over a wide range of frequencies from 10 Hz ? 10 MHz is presented in this paper. The model is universal in the sense that common mode, differential mode and bearing circuit models are combined into one three-phase equivalent circuit model. The proposed model is basically an extension of the low frequency IEEE Standard 112 circuit model. The proposed model was simulated and verified experimentally with results presented.
Practical Examination of a Nonporous Silica Stationary Phase for Reversed-Phase Fast LC Applications

The performance of a nonporous silica reversed-phase highperformance liquid chromatographic stationary phase (1.5 μm) is examined and contrasted with that of a conventional stationary phase. The conventional column exhibits classic van Deemter behavior with respect to the impact of flow rate on efficiency, but the "fast" liquid chromatographic (LC) column's efficiency is not as strongly affected by flow rate because of its lessened contributions of longitudinal diffusion and stagnant mobile phase mass transfer effects and greater sensitivity to system void volume effects. Both columns exhibit roughly equivalent efficiencies on a per meter basis; however, the efficiency of the fast LC column was more strongly influenced by solute capacity factor. Retention by the fast LC column is more strongly influenced by mobile phase composition. In general, the fast LC column produces multispecies separations more rapidly with a weaker mobile phase than does the conventional column, which results in considerable reduction in solvent usage without a significant loss of efficiency. The performance of the fast LC column is strongly influenced by the system configuration, especially with respect to total system void volume.
The Legal Process in Foreign Affairs: Military Intervention -- A Testing Case

In the wake of the United States intervention in Cambodia in April I970, Secretary of State Rogers sent a memorandum to his departmental advisers urging that, "When crises occur in any area of the world, those in the Department who are most directly involved should be careful to ensure that the legal implications are not overlooked."' Secretary Rogers urged particular care in situations involving the potential use of United States armed forces. The memorandum was sent in response to criticisms, in Congress and elsewhere, that legal advice had not been sought in advance of United States ground action in Cambodia. The absence of any references to legal issues in the published portions of the Pentagon Papers suggests that the failure was not limited to the Cambodian affair. This paper suggests procedures by which law may be brought to bear on the process of deciding whether and how to use United States military force short of full-scale war. Particular attention is focused on foreign civil strife, for in the past-and predictably in the future-most decisions by our government on whether to use force have involved such conflicts.2 This area of foreign policy is perhaps the most difficult for the legal process. The reason for the difficulty is less the significance of decisions to intervene than the character of the factors involved in the decisions. The United States Government decision in I968 to support trade preferences for developing countries had a greater impact on our national interestshowever defined-than the I965 decision to land troops in the Dominican
Abstract NS7: The Texas Awareness Puppet Experience Leads to Improved Public Awareness of Stroke Symptoms and Response

Background and Purpose: Stroke treatment rates have been hindered by under recognition of stroke symptoms, delayed presentation and lack of utilization of Emergency Medical Services (EMS). The comm...
The Foreign Corrupt Practices Act: Prosecute Corruption and End Transnational Illegal Logging

Transnational illegal logging, especially logging of protected species within protected areas, causes many irreparable harms, including decreasing biodiversity, increasing carbon emissions, deforestation, and economic and social harms to the communities where the illegal logging occurs. The United States is one of the world’s largest consumers of wood products and thus drives the illegal logging industry far beyond our borders. Illegal logging is facilitated by corruption and bribery within many contexts, including bribes from those engaged in illegal logging to police, officials, regulators, and customs and export officials who are entrusted with the task of preventing illegal logging. No existing methods have succeeded in combating the flow of illegally harvested timber into the United States timber market. This Note suggests that the recently amended Lacey Act, which is intended to be used in illegal logging prosecutions, is not suited for this purpose, as its terms have been interpreted and defined through years of litigation in the wildlife trafficking context. This Note argues that the Department of Justice should begin using the Foreign Corrupt Practices Act’s (“FCPA”) anti-bribery provisions as an alternative method to prosecute those engaged in illegal logging. The expansively drafted FCPA is the perfect tool, as it can be applied to a wide range of actors and conduct that facilitates illegal logging.