cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
In vivo gene expression profiling of retina postintravitreal injections of dexamethasone and triamcinolone at clinically relevant time points for patient care.

Purpose To identify retinal genes and their relevant expression pathways affected by intravitreal injections of dexamethasone (Dex) and triamcinolone acetonide (TAA) in mice at clinically relevant time points for patient care. Methods Differential gene expressions of over 34,000 well-characterized mouse genes, in the retinas of 6-week-old C57BL/6J mice, were analyzed after intravitreal steroid injections at 1 week and 1 month time points, using mouse genome microarrays. The data were analyzed using commercial microarray analysis software for biologically relevant changes in gene expression pathways. Results A common gene pathway, with differentially activated genes for both steroids and time points, was "Semaphorin Signaling in Neurons," a member of the "Axonal Guidance Signaling System." At 1 week postinjection a common theme was activation of genes expressed in retinal glial cells, tumor necrosis factor-α, and transforming growth factor-β signaling pathways and upregulation of stress response proteins (Serpina3n, Cebpd), as well as neuropeptide signaling somatostatin receptor (Sstr2). Unique for Dex was the upregulation of acute phase proteins (Gfap, Cp, Edn2) as well as Plexna2, a semaphorin signaling receptor, whereas EphrinB receptor ephexin 1 (Argef15) was downregulated. Folate signaling appears to be unique for TAA at 1 week (Folh1, Cubn), whereas aryl-hydrocarbon receptor signaling might be important for both steroids at 1 month postinjection. Conclusions Understanding the molecular and genetic effects of intraocular steroid treatments is of clinical relevance. This in vivo study has elucidated several genes and pathways that are potentially altering the neuroprotective/neurodegenerative balance between glial and retinal ganglion cells during intravitreal steroid treatment.
Effects of ketocyclazocine alone and in combination with naloxone on schedule-controlled responding in squirrel monkeys

A multiple, fixed interval 5 minutes, fixed ratio 30, schedule of food presentation (Mult FI FR) was used to evaluate the effects of ketocyclazocine, a kappa-receptor agonist, in four squirrel monkeys. Two monkeys were initially trained with 1-minute time-out (TO) periods between the components of the multiple schedule and two monkeys were initially trained without these TO periods. Ketocyclazocine dose-response functions were determined for each monkey under their original training conditions and then the conditions were reversed and dose-response functions were re-determined under the new conditions. Ketocyclazocine consistently decreased rates of responding during the FR component of the multiple schedule under both TO and no TO conditions. Under the FI component, ketocyclazocine's effects differed dependent upon dose, conditioning history, and the presence or absence of TO periods. Intermediate doses of ketocyclazocine (0.01-0.056 mg/kg) increased FI rates of responding under the no TO condition in monkeys originally trained under this condition; however, ketocyclazocine did not increase FI rates of responding under the no TO condition in monkeys originally trained under the TO condition. Under the TO condition, intermediate doses of ketocyclazocine did not increase FI rates of responding. High doses of ketocyclazocine (0.1 and 0.17 mg/kg) decreased FI rates of responding in all monkeys under both the TO and no TO conditions Naloxone, in doses up to those which decreased responding when given alone, failed to antagonize completely the rate decreasing effects of ketocyclazocine.
Structural analysis of determinants of histo-blood group antigen binding specificity in genogroup I noroviruses.

Human noroviruses (NoVs) cause acute epidemic gastroenteritis. Susceptibility to the majority of NoV infections is determined by genetically controlled secretor-dependent expression of histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs), which are also critical for NoV attachment to host cells. Human NoVs are classified into two major genogroups (genogroup I [GI] and GII), with each genogroup further divided into several genotypes. GII NoVs are more prevalent and exhibit periodic emergence of new variants, suggested to be driven by altered HBGA binding specificities and antigenic drift. Recent epidemiological studies show increased activity among GI NoVs, with some members showing the ability to bind nonsecretor HBGAs. NoVs bind HBGAs through the protruding (P) domain of the major capsid protein VP1. GI NoVs, similar to GII, exhibit significant sequence variations in the P domain; it is unclear how these variations affect HBGA binding specificities. To understand the determinants of possible strain-specific HBGA binding among GI NoVs, we determined the structure of the P domain of a GI.7 clinical isolate and compared it to the previously determined P domain structures of GI.1 and GI.2 strains. Our crystallographic studies revealed significant structural differences, particularly in the loop regions of the GI.7 P domain, altering its surface topography and electrostatic landscape and potentially indicating antigenic variation. The GI.7 strain bound to H- and A-type, Lewis secretor, and Lewis nonsecretor families of HBGAs, allowing us to further elucidate the structural determinants of nonsecretor HBGA binding among GI NoVs and to infer several contrasting and generalizable features of HBGA binding in the GI NoVs. IMPORTANCE Human noroviruses (NoVs) cause acute epidemic gastroenteritis. Recent epidemiological studies have shown increased prevalence of genogroup I (GI) NoVs. Although secretor-positive status is strongly correlated with NoV infection, cases of NoV infection associated with secretor-negative individuals are reported. Biochemical studies have shown that GI NoVs exhibit genotype-dependent binding to nonsecretor histo-blood group antigens (HBGAs). From our crystallographic studies of a GI.7 NoV, in comparison with previous studies on GI.1 and GI.2 NoVs, we show that genotypic differences translate to extensive structural changes in the loop regions that significantly alter the surface topography and electrostatic landscape of the P domain; these features may be indicative of antigenic variations contributing to serotypic differentiation in GI NoVs and also differential modulation of the HBGA binding characteristics. A significant finding is that the threshold length and the structure of one of the loops are critical determinants in the binding of GI NoVs to nonsecretor HBGAs.
Alliance for a Healthier Generation's competitive beverage and food guidelines: do elementary school administrators know about them and do they report implementing them?

BACKGROUND: The availability of competitive foods in schools is a modifiable factor in efforts to prevent childhood obesity. The Alliance for a Healthier Generation launched the Healthy Schools Program in 2006 to encourage schools to create healthier food environments, including the adoption of nutritional guidelines for competitive beverages and foods. This study examines nationwide awareness and implementation of the guidelines in US public elementary schools. METHODS: Data were collected from a nationally representative sample of elementary schools using mail-back surveys in 2006-2007, 2007-2008, 2008-2009, and 2009-2010. RESULTS: From 2006-2007 to 2009-2010, awareness of the Alliance's beverage guidelines increased from 35.0% to 51.8% among school administrators (p < .01); awareness of the food guidelines increased from 29.4% to 40.2% (p < .01). By 2009-2010, almost one third of the schools that sold competitive beverages and foods reported having implemented or being in the process of implementing the guidelines. Implementation was higher among schools from Southern states. Schools with a majority of Black or Latino students were less likely to implement the guidelines. CONCLUSIONS: Awareness and implementation of the Alliance's beverage and food guidelines has significantly increased since the 2006-2007 school year, indicating successful diffusion of the guidelines. However, many administrators at schools who sold competitive products were not aware of the guidelines, indicating a need for continued efforts. In addition, lower implementation among schools serving minority students suggests that the Alliance's targeted efforts to provide intensive technical assistance to such schools is warranted and necessary.
CONTROL OF “HALO” IN FACTOR ANALYSIS OF A SUPERVISORY BEHAVIOR INVENTORY

Summary This paper has described a factor analysis of supervisory behavior ratings using a procedure of standardizing both by variable and by subject, in order to eliminate a component of correlation due to differences in subjective means and standard deviation. The results show that: 1. The procedure results in a large reduction in the relative size of the first principle component. 2. The procedure results in a systematic reduction in the correlations between the primary vectors of the oblique factor solution. 3. The procedure results in a more clearly defined simple structure resulting from the oblique rotation. It seems likely that these results are due primarily to the elimination of the component of a variance attributable to the differences between subjective means. It also seems likely that some of the difference between the two solutions has resulted by giving less weight to the extreme responding, nondiscriminating subjects. Both of these adjustments are judged to be desirable in helping the researcher understand the true organization of reports of individual perceptions of behavior and attitudes where the universe concerned is homogeneous with retudes where the universe concerned is homogeneous with respect to some valuative or other over-all response tendency.
Balloon-Borne Radio Altimeter

This work describes an accurate pulse radar altimeter which is simple and light enough to be carried aloft by a regular sounding balloon. The altimeter uses a single superregenerative stage serving as both the receiver and the transmitter. This stage is used in a feedback system in such a way that the period between transmitted pulses is a measure of altitude. The relatively slow rate of change of altitude allows the averaging of many returns with corresponding improvement in signal-to-noise ratio. Accurate geometric altitude of a meteorological balloon can improve atmospheric sounding. It can also replace either temperature or pressure measurements through the use of the hydrostatic equation. Geometric altitude is essential in floating superpressure balloons, where, together with a pressure measurement, it yields the necessary reference pressure. Analysis of the altimeter and details of the instrumentation are given, along with results of flight tests. Altitudes up to 20 km were measured in balloon flight tests over Lake Michigan. At midrange, the rms value of the random error was smaller than 0.07 percent. Height readings were available every 2 seconds during both the ascent and descent of the balloon payload. The peak power of the altimeter was one watt.
Uncertainty Analysis of 208Pb Neutron Skin Predictions with Chiral Interactions

We report predictions for the neutron skin in 208Pb using chiral two- and three-body interactions at increasing orders of chiral effective field theory and varying resolution scales. Closely related quantities, such as the slope of the symmetry energy, are also discussed. The sensitivity of the skin to just pure neutron matter pressure when going from order 2 to order 4 of chiral effective theory is singled out in a set of calculations that employ an empirical equation of state for symmetric nuclear matter.
Coding and cell-loss recovery in DCT-based packet video

The applications of discrete cosine transform (DCT)-based image- and video-coding methods in the asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) environment are considered. Coding and reconstruction mechanisms are jointly designed to achieve a good compromise among compression gain, system complexity, processing delay, error-concealment capability, and reconstruction quality. The Joint Photographic Experts Group (JPEG) and Motion Picture Experts Group (MPEG) algorithms for image and video compression are modified to incorporate block interleaving in the spatial domain and DCT coefficient segmentation in the frequency domain to conceal the errors due to packet loss. A new algorithm is developed that recovers the damaged regions by adaptive interpolation in the spatial, temporal, and frequency domains. The weights used for spatial and temporal interpolations are varied according to the motion content and loss patterns of the damaged regions. When combined with proper layered transmission, the proposed coding and reconstruction methods can handle very high packet-loss rates at only a slight cost in compression gain, system complexity, and processing delay. >
Mitotic arrest with anti-microtubule agents or okadaic acid is associated with increased glycoprotein terminal GlcNAc's

The two major intermediate filament glycoproteins in human simple epithelia are keratins 8 and 18 (K8/18). A dramatic increase in terminal N-acetylglucosamine (GlcNAc) residues in K8/18 was previously noted after arresting cells in G2/M using anti-microtubule agents. Here we use in vitro galactosylation to show that increased terminal GlcNAc's is a general phenomenon that occurs in glycoproteins isolated from nuclear and plasma membrane fractions after cells are arrested in mitosis using colcemid, nocodazole, or okadaic acid. All three agents also resulted in a hyperphosphorylated form of K8 as determined by phosphatase treatment and tryptic phosphopeptide mapping. The altered glycosylation was found to be independent of microtubule disassembly, and was not directly related to the G2/M phase of the cell cycle after aphidicolin synchronization. Staurosporine (1 microM) inhibited K8/18 phosphorylation in okadaic acid- or nocodazole-treated cells, and inhibited the increase in K8/18 glycosylation without inhibiting the increase in terminal GlcNAc's of membrane-associated glycoproteins. In contrast, brefeldin A resulted in a dramatic increase in terminal GlcNAc's of membrane-associated but not intermediate filament proteins. Golgi complex-related staining using anti-beta-COP antibody showed significant fragmentation under conditions associated with altered membrane protein glycosylation. Our results suggest that Golgi disruption may be involved in the observed increase in terminal GlcNAc's of membrane but not intermediate filament glycoproteins. The mechanism of increased glycoprotein terminal GlcNAc's in association with mitotic arrest appears to be distinct for intermediate filaments and membrane-associated proteins, and in the case of intermediate filament proteins, phosphorylation may play an important role. Some of the effects of agents that induce mitotic arrest may be mediated by glycosylation changes.
Ethics for the pediatrician: the persuasion of enhancements in pediatrics.

1. Ferdinand D. Yates Jr, MD, MA* 1. *Clinical Associate Professor of Pediatrics, State University of New York at Buffalo, NY. Is there anything wrong with wanting to be more alert in a school class or to do better on an entrance examination? What about having better concentration on the balance beam or greater muscle mass for a wrestling match? What about the parent who wants his average-size basketball-playing son to be 3 inches taller? Most pediatrics patients want to do well and to succeed, and their parents are generally supportive of such desire. Should we, as physicians, be complicit with their goals, and if so, to what extent do we participate? This treatise highlights some of the foundational ethical principles regarding the use of enhancements in the pediatric population, specifically the use of growth hormone (GH) as a height enhancer, as well as some of the unrealized technologies that are on the horizon. Reflective consideration of the use of enhancements must guide not only current therapeutic options, but also future possibilities. One of the core considerations in the use of the term “enhancement” is the actual purpose of the enhancement. Is the enhancement to be therapeutic or nontherapeutic? Is the enhancement designed to replace what no longer functions well or is it designed to exceed the initial limitations? Is the enhancement to make a person well or perhaps even better than well? Among the many examples of medications that enhance are: GH in short children, erythropoietin for the increased production of red blood cells, propranolol for lowering blood pressure and inducing bradycardia, steroids in asthma, and modafinil for narcolepsy. Each of these medications, and others, has legitimate medical applications, but an ethically problematic situation arises as medications are used off-label for unapproved …
Pediatric applications of abdominal vascular Doppler imaging: Part I

Ultrasound is a remarkably powerful and versatile modality for pediatric imaging, without requiring exposure to radiation or sedatives. By providing information on blood flow, Doppler sonography can reveal details about normal physiology and disease processes not discernable from gray-scale anatomic images alone. However, in routine practice in many institutions Doppler remains underutilized, in part due to uncertainty of the meaning of changes in Doppler waveforms. In part I of this review, the basics of hemodynamics and how changes in blood flow affect the Doppler waveform are reviewed. Clinical applications in the investigation of hepatic disease are then discussed.
Lead isotopes in ores and rocks of Butte, Montana

The isotopic compositions of leads in ores and rocks of Butte, Montana, suggest that the ore metals were neither late stage concentrates from the crystallizing magma that produced the Boulder batholith, nor concentrates of trace metals from nearby sedimentary rocks. The ore metals probably were concentrated and isolated in several non-shallow locations about 400 m.y. ago and were then transported into the batholith by the late stage fluids of the magma, after the batholith was emplaced 60 m.y. ago. Mixing of host rock Pb and ore mineral leads occurred in and near the ore zone.
Continuous Subcutaneous Infusion of Opiates at End-of-Life

OBJECTIVE:To review pertinent controlled trials using the continuous subcutaneous infusion of opioids (CSIO) at end-of-life and offer insight to pharmacists and clinicians into the appropriate use of this route of administration.DATA SOURCES:A MEDLINE search for information regarding the subcutaneous administration of opioids in terminally ill patients (1975-December 2002) was conducted using the key words subcutaneous, narcotics, morphine, hydromorphone, fentanyl, pain, hospices, and palliative care. Additional references were located through review of bibliographies of the articles cited. Case reports and postsurgical studies were excluded. Searches were limited to English-language studies using humans.STUDY SELECTION AND DATA EXTRACTION:Experimental and observational studies were evaluated, using prospective trials as the evidence base for conclusions and including pertinent retrospective trials as they relate to the subcutaneous infusion of opioids at end-of-life.DATA SYNTHESIS:CSIO is effective and s...
Nutrient Content of Organically Grown Feedstuffs

SUMMARY Many smaller farms in the United States are switching to organic crop production to remain competitive with industrial agriculture. In doing so, they are cultivating crops not traditionally grown in the area. Organically grown corn, wheat, barley, oats, soybeans, field peas, buckwheat, and flaxseed samples were obtained from producers throughout the Midwest. The nutrient content of the organically grown feedstuffs was compared with published values for industrially grown counterparts.Thenutrientcontentofagivenfeedstuffhasbeenshowntovarybecauseofdifferences in climate, soil conditions, maturity, cultivar, management, and processing factors. As an emerging industry, organic crop production practices vary considerably from farm to farm. As a result, there is considerable variation in the nutrient content of organically grown feedstuffs, as noted with the samples analyzed. This variation will affect the formulation of organic livestock feeds and demonstrates the need to develop a database of the nutrient content of organically grown feedstuffs.
Ideal and actual value patterns toward domains of scholarship in three types of colleges and universities

The authors compare the ideal versus actual academic reward structures at a representative sample of nondoctoral four-year institutions and make recommendations.
Risk assessment of space radiation-induced invasive cancer in mouse models of lung and colorectal cancer

Lung cancer accounts for the most cancer-related deaths worldwide, estimated 1.3 million deaths each year. We have chosen to use a lung cancer susceptible (LA-1 K-Ras) mouse model [ 1] to examine the effects of heavy ion (56Fe−) and simulated solar particle events (SPEs) on cancer progression. The long-term goal of the study is to assess the risk of developing invasive cancers in this mouse model and to extrapolate the data to human risk projections [ 2]. The murine model (LA-1) randomly expresses mutated K-RAS in a subset of lung cells resulting in initiation and formation of lesions that mimic lung cancer progression in humans. Greater than 50% of the mice with oncogenic K-ras expression die in less than a year with a small percentage of mutant mice living to a maximum of ~600 days. About 9% of LA-1 mice spontaneously develop invasive non-small cell lung adenocarcinomas. We have compared this lung cancer susceptible mouse model with another mouse model of susceptibility to colorectal cancer (CRC) [ 3]. About 6% of CDX2P-Cre, APC+/loxP (CPC;Apc) mice spontaneously develop invasive cancers. Although the risk of normal mice to tumorigenesis upon exposure to low and high linear energy transfer radiation has been studied in the past, very limited data are available on progression of cancer-susceptible mice to more advanced, perhaps fatal, invasive cancers. Initial studies included administrating whole-body proton irradiation as a simulated SPE of 2.0 Gy over 2 h with a wide range of energies (50–150 MeV). Histopathological analysis of the irradiated LA-1 and CPC;Apc mice 1 year post-ionizing radiation (IR) demonstrated a progression in tumor grade (in the lung from 9 to 19% and in the colon from 6 to 21%). Thus, 2.0 Gy SPE demonstrated a significant increase in the progression of invasive adenocarcinomas in the lung and colon. In previous studies using the LA-1 mouse model 70 days post-fractionated 1.0 Gy 1 GeV/n 56Fe− IR, there was an increased expression of inflammatory factors within the lung (~200 days prior to the observation of invasive cancer). In studies on the CPC;Apc mice 100 days post-SPE irradiation, there was an increased expression of senescence-associated inflammatory genes in tumor-free distal colon tissues. These data suggested that chronic inflammation may be important in the progression of invasive cancer. These results indicate that exposure to simulated SPE can increase the risk of invasive adenocarcinoma progression in lung and colorectal cancer.
Throwaway Youth: The Sociocultural Location of Resistance to Schooling

This article illuminates the ways in which resistant youth challenge attempts toward cultural homogenization within public school systems. We trace how youth from historical and lived traumatic experiences such as African American, Native American, and youth with histories of domestic violence, navigate the dominant narrative of pity and punishment in public schools. We argue that these resistive youth have been tagged with constructed identities as “broken youth.” The article situates the practice of school discipline in terms of traditional and neoliberal agendas that seek to throw away noncompliant students and label them as deviant and/or disordered. Drawing from Bauman's (2009) conception of a world where vast numbers of human beings are increasingly seen as expendable and unworthy of a dignified existence, this article seeks to uncover how disciplinary and labeling practices become a vital part of the school-to-prison pipeline. We trace how deficit oriented discourses of historical and familial dome...
An In Situ Ultrasonic Technique for Simultaneous Measurement of Longitudinal and Shear Wave Speeds in Solids

Ultrasonic wave speed measurements are widely used to infer the elastic properties of solids. In the standard method, longitudinal and shear transducers are used separately to measure the corresponding wave speeds in a material. A new experimental method is introduced for simultaneously measuring the longitudinal and the shear wave speeds using a single set of longitudinal or shear transducers. The method can also be used to measure the wave speeds in situ during deformation by placing the transducers along the loading axis. The transducers are housed in a specially designed fixture such that they are not subjected to loading. The technique is demonstrated by performing uniaxial compression experiments on fully dense isotropic solids (where the wave speeds are not expected to change during deformation) and in polymeric foams (where the wave speeds are affected by damage).
Male Reference Group Identity Dependence A Theory of Male Identity

This article presents a theory of male identity developed to address the question of why men vary in their masculinity ideology and in their conformity to standards of masculinity. The theory, male reference group identity dependence, is based on two other theories—reference group theory and ego identity development theory. Reference group identity dependence is defined as the extent to which males are dependent on a reference group for their gender role self-concept. An overview of relevant masculinity research, theoretical foundations for the construct of reference group identity dependence, theoretical postulates, and associated behavioral and psychological characteristics are presented. Research implications of the theory are discussed and future research directions are provided.
Altered metabolism of androgens in elderly men with benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Kinetics of testosterone, dihydrotestosterone (DHT) and 5α-androstane-3α,17β-diol (3α-diol) were studied in 7 elderly healthy men (ages 61 to 80 years) with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Clearance rates were determined by the constant infusion technique with labeled testosterone and DHT. Metabolic clearance rate (MCR), conversion ratio (CR), the transfer constants (ρ) and production rates (PB) were calculated. Plasma androgens were measured by specific radioimmuno-assays. Plasma testosterone was 516 ± 314 (sd) ng/dl, plasma DHT was 74.6 ± 19.6 (sd) ng/dl and plasma 3α-diol was 16.4 ± 4.1 (sd) ng/dl. An elevated DHT level in elderly men with BPH was confirmed. MCRT was 620 ± 65 (sd) liter/day and MCRDHT was 393 ± 50 (sd) liter/day. Both MCRT and MCRDHT in elderly men were significantly lower than in young men. PBT was 3.2 ± 2.1 (sd) mg/day and PBDHT was 291 ± 87 (sd) μg/day. PBDHT was the same in elderly and young men. DHT production is maintained in elderly men despite reduction of testosterone prod...
Dyslipidemia, statins and prostate cancer

Dyslipidemia and prostate cancer are two of the most common medical conditions affecting adult males in the USA. In recent years, a large volume of research has focused on investigating the relationship between these two disease processes as well as the effect of the cholesterol-lowering medications, such as 3-hydroxyl-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A reductase inhibitors (better known as 'statins'), on the development and progression of prostate cancer. While there is a paucity of prospective research, encouraging results have been reported in several retrospective clinical studies. Additionally, basic science research has identified interactions between lipids and prostate cancer cells in several key areas. This article will discuss recent clinical and basic science research examining the relationship between dyslipidemia, statins and prostate cancer.
Investigation of progressive breakdown and non-Weibull failure distribution of high-k and SiO 2 dielectric by ramp voltage stress

In this work, the progressive breakdown (PBD) phase and non-Weibull final failure distributions of multi layer high-k and SiO 2 gate dielectric were investigated by voltage ramp stress (VRS) technique. A new hybrid two-stage constant voltage stress/voltage ramp stress methodology was developed to exclusively evaluate the PBD phase. Then the VRS technique was applied to investigate the non-Weibull failure distribution at a specified current (I FAIL ) with large sample-size (∼1000) experiments. An excellent agreement was achieved in both cases in comparison with the conventional CVS technique, thus demonstrates that VRS is an effective technique to replace the CVS technique for investigation of post-BD and non-Weibull statistics in both SiO 2 and high-k dielectrics.
Bacteriophage Diversity In The Ecology Of Qatar

The Science Education Alliance (SEA) Phage Hunters Advancing Genomics and Evolutionary Science, or PHAGES, is a national initiative in the United States, funded by the Howard Hughes Medical Institute (HHMI) and led by Professor Graham Hatfull from the University of Pittsburgh. This project is built around the discovery and analysis of mycobacteriophages in the biodiversity of the United States. For the first time, this research is being done in Qatar at Carnegie Mellon University to discover the possible existence of bacteriophages within the soil and sand of this Gulf State. The aim was to isolate and purify the phages present within the local ecology to be used as subjects of phage related medicinal therapy. Mycobacterium smegmatis (M.smeg) was used as the host bacteria strain in order to identify the presence of its phages within the sand and soil. This host was chosen due to its non pathogenic nature, fast growing ability and for being a universal host. M.Smeg also has physiological similarities with pathogenic species from the same family; M.tuberculosis causes tuberculosis, and M.leprae causes leprosy. Such efforts are intended to allow us to better understand the mechanisms by which to treat such bacterial diseases using phage therapy as opposed to using increasingly ineffective drugs. Although M.smeg failed to act as a host for the isolated phages from local environmental samples, future works to identify the suitability of other bacterial hosts such as Arthrobacter sp. for these phages will be carried out. Furthermore, analysis of the microbial composition of environmental samples will be conducted to identify specific bacteria hosts that exist in Qatar's ecology.
'Out of Sight Out of Mind' Political Complacency in the Black Community

150 years after the end of slavery and 50 years after the landmark civil rights legislation of the 1960’s, the black race lags behind most of America in the fundamental socioeconomic indicators of education and employment. The black community’s insufficient access to high quality education and sustainable jobs has severely hindered their ability to tap into the social mobility of the “American Dream”. Surprising, the black community is not currently involved in any drastic national campaign pushing for socioeconomic equality. This study will explain the current political complacency of black America today in contrast with their economic reality. It will illustrate the post-civil rights generations’ uncertainty of their role in the advancement of the black race in America. Also, the paper will examine the low public visibility of the economic and educational deprivation in the black community. To help demonstrate the state of the black community, there will be an analysis and comparison of America’s public opinion polls on racial equality, with the actual results of the census’s socio economic indicators.
Islam and power legitimation: instrumentalisation of religion in Central Asian States

ABSTRACTHow can Islam play multiple and contradictory roles as a source of violence and peace, and a marker of identity differences and national unity? This study argues that religion, as a system of beliefs, manifests itself through discourses, which not only render intelligibility to religious practices and beliefs but also serve as the instruments of social control and regulation. An infinite variety of organizational and ideological differences within Islam presents the possibility for instrumentalisation of religion by stakeholders interested in accomplishing distinctive political aims connected to political legitimation. The study offers an empirical analysis of instrumentalisation of Islam by governments of Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan and uses this evidence for developing a framework linking various discursive representations of religion to their political uses.
Conservative Consciousness and the Press: The Institutional Contribution to the Idea of the ‘Liberal Media’ in Right-Wing Discourse:

This article examines the construction of conservative consciousness toward the establishment press, namely the articulation of the idea of the liberal media. Using discursive institutionalism and ...
Epidemic Hemorrhagic Fever Revisited

Epidemic hemorrhagic fever is a disease characterized by phases of sequential fever, hypotension, oliguria, and polyuria. This disease represented a major hazard for American soldiers during the Korean War (1950-1953) and is a persistent problem in Asia, the USSR, and northern Europe. Advances in the etiology, epidemiology, and therapy of epidemic hemorrhagic fever are discussed.
Design and evaluation of a foveated video streaming service for commodity client devices

Humans see only a tiny region at the center of their visual field with the highest visual acuity, a behavior known as foveation. Visual acuity reduces drastically towards the visual periphery. 'Foveated' video coding/compression techniques exploit this non-uniformity to gain significant efficiency by compressing more in the periphery and less in the center. We propose a practical and scalable method to use such a technique for video streaming service over the Internet. The essential idea is to use a commodity webcam on the user side to provide real-time gaze feedback to the server with the server sending appropriately coded video to the client player. We develop a multi-resolution video coding approach that is scalable in that it is possible to pre-code the video in a small number of copies for a given set of resolutions. The coding approach is designed to match the error performance of an eye tracker built using commodity webcams. We demonstrate that the technique is energy efficient and thus usable in mobile devices. We develop a methodology for performance evaluation of such a system when network budgets may vary and video quality may fluctuate. Finally, we present a comprehensive user study that demonstrates a bandwidth reduction of a factor of 2 for the same user satisfaction.
Robotic pyelolithotomy for staghorn nephrolithiasis during partial nephrectomy.

).Intraoperatively after colon mobilization and hilum dissection, the Gerota’s fascia was in-cised and the entire surface of the kidney was ex-posed. The ureter was carefully dissected up to the renal pelvis. Intraoperative ultrasound identified the stone location and delineated the tumor bor-ders. A posterior pyelotomy was performed using cold scissors and the stone removed in its entirety. A double J stent was inserted in an anterograde manner followed by the pyelotomy closure. The partial nephrectomy was then performed using our standard technique (3).
Experimental systems to study the origin of the myofibroblast in peritoneal fibrosis

Peritoneal fibrosis is one of the major complications occurring in long-term peritoneal dialysis patients as a result of injury. Peritoneal fibrosis is characterized by submesothelial thickening and fibrosis which is associated with a decline in peritoneal membrane function. The myofibroblast has been identified as the key player involved in the development and progression of peritoneal fibrosis. Activation of the myofibroblast is correlated with expansion of the extracellular matrix and changes in peritoneal membrane integrity. Over the years, epithelial to mesenchymal transition (EMT) has been accepted as the predominant source of the myofibroblast. Peritoneal mesothelial cells have been described to undergo EMT in response to injury. Several animal and in vitro studies support the role of EMT in peritoneal fibrosis; however, emerging evidence from genetic fate-mapping studies has demonstrated that myofibroblasts may be arising from resident fibroblasts and pericytes/perivascular fibroblasts. In this review, we will discuss hypotheses currently surrounding the origin of the myofibroblast and highlight the experimental systems predominantly being used to investigate this.
Flexible Displays: Attributes, Technologies Compatible with Flexible Substrates and Applications.

Flexible displays are an exciting development because of their physical and performance attributes and their capability to enable new products requiring displays with unique form factors that the current rigid glass substrate based displays cannot support. Flexible displays can be very thin, light weight, have unique form factors and be highly rugged and not prone to breakage on impact unlike rigid and flat glass substrate based displays. The flexible form factors such as having an arbitrary shape, ability to be curved, conformal, bendable, and rollable can enable a variety of new applications and products. In this chapter, we will discuss the various attributes of the flexible displays, their potential applications, and the display media appropriate for flexible displays. List of Abbreviations: AM EPD, Active Matrix Electrophoretic Display; AM LCD, Active Matrix Liquid Crystal Display; AM OLED, Active Matrix Organic Light Emitting Display; EPD, Electrophoretic Display; LCD, Liquid Crystal Display; MEMS, Micro-electromechanical Systems; OLED, Organic Light Emitting Diode; OTFT, Organic Thin Film Transistor; RTR, Roll-to-Roll
The Anti-Proliferative Effect of Immunotoxin Gemtuzimab Ozogamycin (GO) (Mylotarg) to Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) Cells Is Associated with the Level of Protein Kinase Syk Exspression.

AML cells express the cell surface antigen CD33 that serves as a down-regulator of cell growth. Anti-CD33 monoclonal antibody (mAb) coupled to a toxin is a licensed drug for the treatment of relapsed AML (Mylotarg). Syk is not only an essential element in several cascades coupling antigen receptors to cell responses, but also SYK is a tumor suppressor gene. Silencing of SYK by hypermethylation results in absence of Syk expression and unresponsiveness of tumor cells to various treatments.. Earlier we demonstrated that about 30% of the AML samples were Syk-negative and the response of leukemia cells to CD33 ligation correlated with Syk expression. Therefore, here we investigated whether or not the response of the AML cells to GO treatment also depends on the level of Syk expression. It is even more intriguing since 50% of Mylotarg is not conjugated to calicheamicin, and hence some of its activity is in fact due to anti-CD33 mAb signaling. Primary leukemia cells were analyzed for their level of the Syk expression (11 Syk positive and 6 Syk-negative) and then treated with GO. In both groups GO mediated dose-dependent inhibition of proliferation, however the level of inhibition in Syk-positive group was significantly higher (p 100 ng/ml) this effect was diminished. Moreover, 8 of 11 (72.7%) samples in Syk-positive group were “good” responders to GO (inhibition>50%), while in Syk-negative group only 1 of 6 (16.6%) samples demonstrated similar response. This difference was statistically significant and suggesting a correlation between the level of Syk expression in AML cells and their response to Mylotarg. After treatment of Syk-negative AML samples with methylation inhibitor 5-aza-cytidine in 2 of 6 samples Syk protein expression was restored. However, in all 6 samples after 5-aza-CdR treatment GO inhibitory activity was significantly higher (p
Armoring confined bubbles in the flow of colloidal suspensions

We study the process of coating the interface of a long gas bubble, which is translating in a horizontal circular capillary tube filled with a colloidal suspension. A typical elongated confined bubble is comprised of three distinct regions: a spherical front cap, a central body that is separated from the tube wall by a thin liquid film, and a spherical cap at the back. These three regions are connected by transitional sections. Particles gradually coat the bubble from the back to the front. We investigate the mechanisms that govern the initial accumulation of the particles and the growth of the particle-coated area on the interface of the bubble. We show that the initial accumulation of particles starts at the stable stagnation ring on the rear cap of the bubble, and the particles will completely coat the spherical cap at the back of the bubble before accumulating on the central body. Armoring the central interface of the bubble with particles thickens the liquid film around the bubble relative to that around the particle-free interface. This effect creates a rather sharp step on the interface of the bubble in the central region, which separates the armored region from the particle-free region. After the bubble is completely coated, the liquid film around the body of the bubble will adjust again to an intermediate thickness. We show that the three distinct thicknesses that the liquid film acquires during the armoring process can be well described analytically.
Selective resolution of photocurrent generating pathways in transition metal dichalcogenides by ultrafast microscopy (Conference Presentation)

Presently, there exists no reliable in-situ time-resolved method that selectively isolates both the recombination and escape times relevant to photocurrent generation in the ultrafast regime. Transport based measurements lack the required time resolution, while purely optical measurement give a convoluted weighted-average of all electronic dynamics, offering no selectivity for photocurrent generating pathways. Recently, the ultrafast photocurrent (U-PC) autocorrelation method has successfully measured the rate limiting electronic relaxation processes in materials such as graphene, carbon nanotubes, and transition metal dichalcogenide (TMD) materials. Here, we unambiguously derive and experimentally confirm a generic U-PC response function by simultaneously resolving the transient absorption (TA) and U-PC response for highly-efficient (48% IQE at 0 bias) WSe2 devices and twisted bilayer graphene. Surprisingly, both optical TA and electrical U-PC responses give the same E-field-dependent electronic escape and recombination rates. These rates further accurately quantify a material’s intrinsic PC generation efficiency. We demonstrate that the chirality of the incident light impacts the U-PC kinetics, suggesting such measurements directly access the ultrafast dynamics need to complex electronic physics such as the valley-Hall effect. By combining E-field dependent ultrafast photocurrent with transient absorption microscopy, we have selectively imaged the dominant kinetic bottlenecks that inhibit photocurrent production in devices made from stacked few-layer TMD materials. This provides a new methodology to intelligently select materials that intrinsically avoid recombination bottlenecks and maximize photocurrent yield.
An empirical analysis of the mutation operator for run-time adaptive testing in self-adaptive systems

A self-adaptive system (SAS) can reconfigure at run time in response to uncertainty and/or adversity to continually deliver an acceptable level of service. An SAS can experience uncertainty during execution in terms of environmental conditions for which it was not explicitly designed as well as unanticipated combinations of system parameters that result from a self-reconfiguration or misunderstood requirements. Run-time testing provides assurance that an SAS continually behaves as it was designed even as the system reconfigures and the environment changes. Moreover, introducing adaptive capabilities via lightweight evolutionary algorithms into a run-time testing framework can enable an SAS to effectively update its test cases in response to uncertainty alongside the SAS's adaptation engine while still maintaining assurance that requirements are being satisfied. However, the impact of the evolutionary parameters that configure the search process for run-time testing may have a significant impact on test results. Therefore, this paper provides an empirical study that focuses on the mutation parameter that guides online evolution as applied to a run-time testing framework, in the context of an SAS.
Adhesion and Crosslink Gradient in a Photoresist

Using chloroform and hexane as extraction solvents, we determined the fraction of reacted monomer as a function of exposure energy in a Riston®** photoresist film. We have also measured adhesion at the resist-substrate interface and find that adhesion is inversely correlated to the crosslinking at the interface.
Sanctions, Transnational Organized Crime

This article, which will appear in the Encyclopedia of Transnational Crime and Justice when it is published in the spring of 2012, discusses Executive Order 13581, which blocks property of certain "significant transnational criminal organizations" (TCOs), determined by the Secretary of the Treasury under powers the International Economic Emergency Powers Act (IEEPA). The article reviews the origins and uses of IEEPA, and notes the parallels between the designation processes for TCOs, and the Secretary of State's powers to designate Foreign Terrorist Organizations under the Anti-Terrorism and Effective Dealth Penalty Act (AEDPA).The Obama Administration also released the Strategy to Combat Transnational Organized Crime simultaneously with the Executive Order. The Strategy further describes the growing national security threats posed by TCOs, and how the U.S. Government plans to disrupt the threats posed by and dismantle those groups, using all elements of national power. The article will appear in the Encyclopedia as "Sanctions, Transnational Organized Crime."
Foreigners in a strange land: self-construal and ethnic identity in male Arabic immigrants.

Many authors have emphasized the importance of cultural sensitivity in delivering mental health services to immigrants. Self-construal and ethnic identity are important components of the acculturative process, which may be useful in the diagnosis, assessment, and treatment of immigrant clients. This study investigated the self-construal and ethnic identity of male Arabic immigrants in the United States. Based on pilot interview data and existing measures, a Male Arabic Ethnic Identity Measure (MAEIM) was developed using a sample of 115 male Arabic immigrants. Satisfactory reliability is reported for the overall MAEIM as well as its four factor analytically derived scales, including Religious–Family Values, Sense of Belonging/Ethnic Pride, Friendship, and Ethnic Arabic Practices. Arabs reporting a strong Arabic ethnic identity had a more salient interdependent sense of self than those reporting a weaker ethnic identity. Independent self-construal was not significantly correlated with any of the individual MAEIM scales or the total MAEIM scale. The implications of these findings for research and clinical practice are discussed.
Chronic Energy Intake Restriction: Influence on Longevity, Autoimmunity, Immunodeficiency, and Cancer in Autoimmune-Prone Mice

The role of diet in the prevention of diseases of aging and the maintenance of good health has been the subject of great interest and much investigation in recent years. Over the past two decades we have investigated this complex interrelationship, beginning with observations of the immunological damage caused by protein-calorie malnutrition accompanied by deficiencies of zinc and essential nutrients and moving on to investigations of the effects of dietary manipulations such as calorie restriction on immune function, autoimmune disease, and spontaneously occurring cancers in inbred short-lived mouse strains prone to develop age-associated autoimmune disorders and spontaneously occurring cancers.