cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Insulin-like growth factor-1 and interleukin 6 predict sarcopenia in very old community-living men and women: the Framingham Heart Study.

Objectives: To assess the prognostic role of the inflammatory cytokine, interleukin 6 (IL-6), and insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) in predicting 2-year changes in fat-free mass (FFM) while controlling for potential confounders. Design: Population-based cohort, the Framingham Heart Study, examined in 1992–93 and 1994–95. Setting: General community. Participants: Two hundred thirty-two men and 326 women aged 72 to 92. Measurements: IGF-1 was measured using radio-immunoassay and cellular IL-6 production using non-cross-reacting radioimmunoassays. FFM was estimated using population-specific equations for predicting FFM from bioelectrical impedance analysis developed separately for men and women. Results: Higher IGF-1 predicted smaller loss of FFM in men than lower IGF-1 did (P=.002), after adjusting for age, baseline FFM, fat mass, and 2-year weight changes, whereas cellular IL-6 was a significant predictor of sarcopenia in women (P=.02). Weight change was a strong determinant of change in FFM in both sexes (P<.0001). Conclusion: Predictors of sarcopenia include body composition characteristics that are common to men and women and sex-specific metabolic predictors. Sarcopenia appears to reflect a withdrawal of anabolic stimuli, such as growth hormone, in men but an increase in catabolic stimuli, such as cellular IL-6, in women.
Enhanced sensitivity of Kv channels to hypoxia in the rabbit carotid body in heart failure: role of angiotensin II.

Angiotensin II (Ang II) plays an important role in the enhanced chemoreflex function that occurs in congestive heart failure (CHF), but the mechanism of this effect within the carotid body (CB) is not known. We investigated the sensitivity of Ca2+-independent, voltage-gated K+ (Kv) channels to hypoxia in CB glomus cells from CHF rabbits, and whether endogenous angiotensin II (Ang II) modulates this action. Using the conventional whole-cell patch clamp technique, we found that Kv currents (IK) under normoxic conditions were blunted in the CB glomus cells from CHF rabbits compared with sham rabbits. In addition, the inhibition of IK and the decrease of resting membrane potential (RMP) induced by hypoxia were greater in CHF versus sham glomus cells. Ang II, at 100 pm, had no direct effect on IK at constant normoxic PO2, but increased the sensitivity of IK and RMP to hypoxia in sham glomus cells. In CHF glomus cells, an AT1 receptor (AT1R) antagonist, L-158 809 (1 μm), alone did not affect IK at normoxia, but it decreased the sensitivity of IK and RMP to hypoxia. At higher concentrations, Ang II dose dependently (0.1–100 nm) reduced IK under constant normoxic conditions in sham and CHF glomus cells, with threshold concentrations of about 900 and 600 pm, respectively. Immunocytochemical and Western blot assessments demonstrated the down-expression of Kv3.4 but not Kv4.3 channels in CHF glomus cells. These results indicate that: (1) Ang II/AT1R signalling increases the sensitivity of Kv channels to hypoxia in CB glomus cells from CHF rabbits; (2) high concentrations of Ang II (> 1 nm) directly inhibit IK in CB glomus cells from sham and CHF rabbits; (3) changes in Kv channel protein expression (Kv3.4 versus Kv4.3) in the CB glomus cell may contribute to the suppression of IK and enhanced sensitivity of IK to hypoxia in CHF.
Pacific Cosmopolitans: A Cultural History of U.S.-Japan Relations – By Michael R. Auslin

From McDonald's to sushi, from baseball to anime, exchanges of popular culture between the United States and Japan have wrought changes that many people take for granted. In this book, Michael R. A...
Parental attitudes towards head lice infestation in Greece.

Background Pediculosis capitis constitutes a growing problem worldwide and is usually considered as an inconvenience. Parents often handle this infestation on their own initiative. Objective We conducted a survey in order to depict the parental attitudes towards head lice infestation in Greece. Methods Parents of children aged 3–14 years, attending a dermatology outpatient clinic at a children’s hospital, were given a questionnaire regarding head lice. Demographic data, management, and prevention strategies were included in the questionnaire. Results Three-hundred and seventy-two complete questionnaires were analyzed (response rate: 89%). Pediculosis capitis was more prevalent in the age groups 3–5 years and 6–8 years. The percentage of parents of infested children who sought advice on treatment from the pharmacist was 73%, and only 15% consulted their doctor. Chemical agents to treat head lice were used by 59% of them, products containing natural oils by 38%, and wet combing in parallel was employed by 79% of them. Preventive measures were employed by 66% of the respondents, and 54% applied botanical and synthetic products commercially available for this purpose. Conclusion There is a trend towards the use of natural oils for either prevention or treatment. More needs to be done to promote public education and rational use of either pediculicides or non-pharmacological agents for pediculosis capitis infestation.
Abstract 2827: Association between new onset hypothyroidism and clinical response in patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in phase I clinical trials

Proceedings: AACR Annual Meeting 2014; April 5-9, 2014; San Diego, CA Background: TKIs are a new class of novel cancer drugs that represent a significant advance in cancer therapy. TKI-induced thyroid dysfunction has been identified as an important but potentially manageable toxicity of targeted therapy. Relationship between new onset hypothyroidism and clinical response in patients with advanced cancers treated with TKI treatment was evaluated. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 410 patients from 5 clinical trials treated with therapy that included at least one TKIstarting January, 2006. Patients with preexisting thyroid disease including thyroid cancer, hypo or hyperthyroidism were excluded. Analysis of 198 patients was performed. Response was determined by RECIST 1.0. Clinical benefit described as complete response or partial response or stable disease > 4 months. Multivariable Logistic Regression Analysis was used to correlate new onset hypothyroidism with clinical benefit. Results: The median age was 58 years (13 to 85); 56% of patients were female. 27% (53/198) of patients developed hypothyroidism after therapy. Clinical benefit rates were 51% in patients with new onset hypothyroidism versus 34% in patients without hypothyroidism. In the univariate model, the odds ratio (OR) for patients who had new onset hypothyroidism was 2.0 (95% CI: 1.0, 3.7; P=0.038), suggesting they were 2 times more likely to have a clinical benefit than were patients without hypothyroidism. We grouped tumor types into two classes (good risk (breast, gyn, CRC, lung, H/N, GU, Biliary, HCC: 53/114= 46% clinical benefit) and poor risk (melanoma, pancreas, upper GI, others: 24/84= 29% clinical benefit)) based on the proportion of patients experiencing clinical benefit. When adjusted for tumor class, age (>50 years old), sex, the OR was 2.6 (95% CI: 1.3, 5.3; P=0.007) (Table). Conclusions: New onset hypothyroidism is a positive prognostic indicator for favorable clinical benefit in patients who received TKI treatment. View this table: Table Citation Format: Mehmet Asim Bilen, Amy Patel, Kenneth R. Hess, Javier Munoz, Naifa Busaidy, Maen Abdelrahim, Jennifer Wheler, Filip Janku, Gerald S. Falchook, David S. Hong, Funda Meric-Bernstam, Mohammed A. Habra, Aung Naing. Association between new onset hypothyroidism and clinical response in patients treated with tyrosine kinase inhibitor (TKI) therapy in phase I clinical trials. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 2827. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-2827
A new invariance property of Lyapunov characteristic directions

Lyapunov exponents and direction fields are used to characterize the time-scales and geometry of general linear time-varying (LTV) systems of differential equations. We bring to light new invariance properties of Lyapunov direction fields to show that they are analogous to the Schur vectors of an linear time invariant (LTI) system and reduce to the Schur vectors when computed for LTI systems. We also show that the Lyapunov direction field corresponding to the smallest Lyapunov exponent when computed for an LTI system (with real distinct eigenvalues) reduces to the eigenvector corresponding to the smallest eigenvalue and when computed for a periodic LTV system (with real distinct Floquet exponents), reduces to the Floquet direction field corresponding to the smallest Floquet exponent.
Determination of Chloride in Blood Serum, Plasma, or Other Biologic Fluids by a New Rapid Precision Method

The new, extremely sensitive and accurate precision null-point potentiometric method has been applied to the determination of chloride in blood serum or plasma and 2 simple procedures are described, one for deproteinized serum and the other for serum directly. Measurements of chloride in diluted serum samples containing only 0.02 ml. blood serum can be carried out in less than 1 minute by the precision null-point potentiometric method with relative errors less than 0.5% for the complete procedure. Sample manipulations and all other operations for the chloride determination require about 1 to 3 minutes, the longer time for deproteinizing the serum. The same procedure is suitable for chloride determinations in other biologic samples, and the general considerations are presented.
The chemical and mechanical processes of thermal fatigue degradation of an aluminide coating

The influence of strain history on the oxidation and mechanical degradation of an aluminide coating was examined by induction heating of stepped-disk specimens. The coating was applied to a single-crystal Ni-base superalloy (RENE N4) by pack aluminization. The anisotropic elasticity of the single-crystal substrate allowed simultaneously subjecting the aluminide coating to different strain amplitudes. Two distinct modes of coating degradation were observed for tests performed in air between temperature limits of 520 °C and 1080 °C: scalloping (spatially periodic surface oxidation and roughening) and cracking. The degree of scalloping became more severe as the compressive strain imposed on the coating was increased. Six thousand cycles between peak strains of -0.20 and 0.007 pct produced uniform surface oxidation, without scalloping, whereas 6000 cycles between peak strains of -0.56 and 0.01 pct gave oxidation and scalloping to 80 pct of the coating thickness. Cracks along coating grain boundaries were observed after 6000 cycles between peak strains of -0.45 and 0.16 pct. The depth of scalloping was found to correlate approximately with peak compressive substrate strain. Based on this correlation, a mechanism for scallop initiation and growth involving cyclic breakdown of the surface oxide and irreversible cyclic creep of the coating is proposed. Cracking along coating grain boundaries is attributed to tensile strains applied below the transition temperature of the coating. The results obtained from this study indicate that cyclic strain history is an important variable which should be included when determining the oxidation rate of coatings and alloys.
Archistriatal lesions enhance tonic immobility in the chicken (Gallus gallus).

Abstract Chickens sustaining lesions in the archistriatum intermedium showed an 8-fold increase in the duration of tonic immobility as compared with control birds. Septal lesions had no significant effect when compared with sham operates. It was assumed that the tractus occipitomesencephalicus, a possible avian variant of the primate pyramidal tract was damaged. The behavioral effect found here supports the notion that the avian archistriatum is “conjunctive” cortex and that the archistriatum cannot be described as a homolog of the mammalian amygdala without qualifications.
Simulation of the LBNL scaled final focus experiment

Abstract In the Scaled Final Focus Experiment at LBNL, the beam dynamics of the HIBALL-II final focus system are studied by scaling its beam parameters down to values suitable for laboratory experiments. The final focus system is based on vacuum ballistic focusing, in which the beam first expands and is subsequently focused onto a small spot. Particle-in-cell simulations using the WARP code were done to understand the behavior of the beam as measured in the experiment. In order to closely resemble the final focus system under consideration, the experimental conditions were replicated accurately in the simulation. Special attention was given to the non-ideal effects present in the experiment, such as fringe fields, image charges, and chromatic aberrations. It was shown that simulations can be used to determine which of these effects are likely to significantly affect the beam, and which are not.
“How Could a Mother...?” Matricide and Text-Mediated Relations of Family Discourse

On September 3, 1998, Khoua Her, a 24-year-old Hmong refugee living in St. Paul, Minnesota, killed all six of her young children and attempted suicide. On the surface the worst case of matricide in...
Adaptation or Paradigm Shift

Even scholars who have no interest in economics may find the debate about behavioral economics (beh.ec.) of great interest because it points to a major meta-theoretical, empirical, and normative divide in the social sciences. While social science textbooks, professional associations, and the academic job market are still largely organized by the oldfashioned division among disciplines, social sciences are often conducted in terms of one of two paradigms that cut across these disciplines. On one side are those who hold that all behavior can be studied in neoclassical terms, as mainstream economics does—on the other, those who hold that behavior should be studied as if the actors were homo sapiens, not homo economicus. One paradigm assumes that actors are rational individuals, seeking to maximize their self interests whether they buy, sell, vote, pray or love. The other paradigm, adopted by other members of the same disciplines, draws on a variety of conceptions that focus on cultural, historical, and structural forces, and assumes that people often act non-rationally and heed complex motives. Behavioral economics is an excellent place to compare these two paradigms and to explore where the social sciences are headed. Beh.ec. took off in the late 1970s. Its first major stars are widely recognized as the psychologists, Daniel Kahneman (winner of the 2002 Nobel Prize in Economics) and the late Amos Tversky. Previous work along similar lines had been carried out by Herbert Simon and long before that, by Adam Smith (Theory of Moral Sentiments), among others, but Kahneman and Tversky were the first to provide beh.ec. with a strong empirical backing. Scores of other scholars have since contributed to beh.ec., including some whose work has captured the public imagination, topping best-seller lists (e.g., Freakonomics by Steven Levitt and Stephen J. Dubner, and Irrational Exuberance by Robert Shiller). Three recent contributions to this field further strengthen the case that people do not and cannot behave the way the neoclassical paradigm assumes. In reviewing these works, the key question is whether the neoclassical paradigm can be corrected, and whether the mixed bag of conceptions associated with the homo sapien model can be consolidated to provide a better paradigm. To put it starkly, if the first approach is wrong (or at least deeply flawed), and the second provides none but myriad answers—where do we go from here? Dan Ariely’s Predictably Irrational employs original studies and anecdotes to show that people are congenitally unable to process information and make the calculations that utility maximization and otherwise rational conduct requires. His results are very much in line with previous findings of beh.ec., and thus add to their robustness. Many of Ariely’s findings, and those of beh.ec. in general, are centered around three axes:
Microstructure Characterization of Surface Modified 316L Stainless Steel Using an Automated Electron Diffraction Technique in the TEM

Establishing quantitatively relationships between processing parameters, microstructural metrics (e.g. grain size, internal strain, grain boundary character distributions and texture) and properties of nanoscale polycrystalline aggregate materials requires experimental tools with nanometer spatial resolution that can deliver statistically significant data sets. We use automated systems for acquisition and indexing of diffraction patterns (ASTAR by Nanomegas) in the transmission electron microscope (TEM) to characterize the microand nano-scaled structure changes in 316L stainless steel in response to linear raking, a novel surface severe plastic deformation process. The system acquires precession electron diffraction patterns to identify crystal orientations of nanoscale volumes. The condensor lens system in the TEM is used to precess the incident beam with a fixed angle (Fig. 1d). The image shift lens system is used to descan the diffraction pattern (DP) to convert the hollow cone DP into a spot pattern, that includes higher order g – vectors, can be treated kinematically and easily indexed (Fig. 1d). The system uses scans the precessing beam over preselected areas that are several square microns in size providing large data sets. The electron beam probe size determines the spatial resolution limit and the automated indexing enables orientation imaging microscopy (OIM) [1]. A ~ 20nm probe was sufficient to successfully characterize quantitatively the nanoscale refined microstructure of severely plastically deformed 316L stainless steel. Figure 1 compares the microstructure of the 316L material prior to and after raking processes. From SEM images as shown in Fig. 1a we determined an average grain size of ~ 30μm for the starting material. In comparison the bright field image (BF) in Fig. 1b shows a massively refined microstructure after 0 rake angle processing. Hollow cone dark field analysis (HCDF; not shown here) yielded an average grain size on the order of 2-300nm. The corresponding diffraction pattern (Fig. 1b) shows little strain storage induced radial broadening but misorientation spread induced angular arching consistent with grain refinement rather than strain storage, indicating that 0° rake angle processing constitutes severe plastic deformation. 20° rake angle processing results in storage of large amount of strain (Fig. 1c), indicated by the increased radial broadening in the DP, identifying it as a conventional deformation process. Figure 2 shows an orientation, phase and grain boundary character analysis of the 316 L prior to and after deformation. Grain sizes obtained by orientation mapping in the TEM are consistent with BF and HCDF image analyses. Phase identification shows little to no martensite formation after the 0° rake angle processing and a large volume fraction of stress induced martensite after the 20° rake angle process. Grain boundary character analysis (Fig. 2e) shows a drastic reduction of 3 grain boundaries after the raking processes.
HIV Epidemic Model with Heterogeneous Infected Class

Abstract This work presents a novel HIV epidemic model where the infected population is described by a continuous-distributed system with an infection progression coordinate. This coordinate can represent heterogeneities of the infected population which results in a more suitable HIV characterization than the one used in multi-compartmental models. Transition rates and treatment parameters commonly defined for compartmental models are replaced by a diffusion term based on the progression coordinate. The diffusion coefficient is a function of the disease treatment strategies that affect the infection progression rate. The resulting PDE that describes the infected class dynamics is solved with standard numerical techniques. The proposed model is used to evaluate potential treatment strategies for HIV and can be extended to other infectious diseases without major modifications.
Circularly polarized luminescence of terbium (III) complexes in solution

Abstract Circular dichroism (CD), total luminescence, and circularly polarized luminescence (CPL) spectra of Tb(III) : malic acid and Tb(III) : aspartic acid complexes are measured in aqueous solution at room temperature. The CD is measured in the spectral region corresponding to the Tb(III) 7 F 6 → 5 D 4 free-ion absorption, and the CPL spectra span the Tb(III) 5 D 4 → 7 F 6 , 7 F 5 , 7 F 4 , and 7 F 3 free-ion emissions. All solutions included in the study were at pH ≈ 8.5 and had ligand : Tb(III) concentration ratios of 5:1. Experiments were conducted using the d, l, and racemic (d, l) optical isomers of the ligands. Whereas the total luminescence spectra associated with the individual 5 D 4 → 7 F J transitions are unstructured or show, at most, two components, the CPL spectra are highly structured and demonstrate considerable splitting of the J levels by the low-symmetry ligand environment. Furthermore, CPL exhibits an extraordinary sensitivity to the chemical or stereochemical nature of the ligand environment as evidenced by the different sign patterns and splittings revealed in the CPL spectra of the malic acid and aspartic acid complexes.
Domestic(ating) excess: Women's roles in Uncle Tom's cabin and its adaptations

In this essay, I examine Stowe's novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin, in relation to some of its theatrical adaptations in order to highlight some of the strengths and limitations of her novelistic rhetoric, especially as regards her vision of women's roles and functions in the slavery debate in particular and social life in general. I show how Stowe's attempt to move the slavery debate from the male‐dominated, corrupting influence of the public sphere into the domestic sphere, where it could be overseen by good Christian women, led very quickly to a highly public contest among various interpretations, misinterpretations, adaptations, rebuttals, and parodies of Stowe's book, And this led, ironically enough, to a kind of reformation of the public sphere in the form of middle‐class cultural hegemony over the institutions of theater, art, and entertainment.
A Framework for Understanding Teaching With the Internet

The Internet is widely used in K–12 schools. Yet teachers are not well prepared to teach with the Internet, and its use is limited in scope and substance. This article uses case studies of three high school science teachers to develop a framework for teaching with the Internet, exploring how the Internet shapes and is shaped by classroom practices. The framework includes five affordances of resources: (a) boundaries, (b) authority, (c) stability, (d) pedagogical context, and (e) disciplinary context. These interact with fundamental challenges of teaching to produce wide variation in Internet use. The case studies suggest that affordances vary because of activity design and characteristics of the resource. Challenges to teachers depend on how they position themselves with respect to the affordances.
Latent herpesvirus infection arms NK cells

Natural killer (NK) cells were identified by their ability to kill target cells without previous sensitization. However, without an antecedent “arming” event, NK cells can recognize, but are not equipped to kill, target cells. How NK cells become armed in vivo in healthy hosts is unclear. Because latent herpesviruses are highly prevalent and alter multiple aspects of host immunity, we hypothesized that latent herpesvirus infection would arm NK cells. Here we show that NK cells from mice latently infected with Murid herpesvirus 4 (MuHV-4) were armed as evidenced by increased granzyme B protein expression, cytotoxicity, and interferon-γ production. NK-cell arming occurred rapidly in the latently infected host and did not require acute viral infection. Furthermore, NK cells armed by latent infection protected the host against a lethal lymphoma challenge. Thus, the immune environment created by latent herpesvirus infection provides a mechanism whereby host NK-cell function is enhanced in vivo.
Long-chain α,ω-bisisothiocyanates from a marine sponge

Abstract Eighteen long-chain aliphatic α,ω-bisisothiocyanates were isolated from a marine sponge, Pseudaxinyssa sp. from Fiji. Eight compounds are di-, ten are monolefinic. Three additional constituents are α-isothiocyano-ω-formyl compounds.
Sex differences in the factor structure of a modified Sexual Experiences Questionnaire.

Sexual harassment has long been a problem in educational, employment, and military populations. It is unclear whether existing questionnaires used to measure sexual harassment in the U.S. military—...
Corporate social responsibility, durable‐goods and firm profitability

Utilizing a two-period durable-goods framework, we show that in uncommitted sales markets a firm may earn higher profits as it increases its level of corporate social responsibility (CSR). We find that this occurs even though CSR has no direct impact other than increasing the durable-goods firm's manufacturing costs. We show that in sales markets, CSR may allow the firm to credibly commit itself to lower production in the future. This, in turn, can enhance their profits even though the CSR activities are costly and provide no direct demand or marketing benefit in our model. This is important because it provides another, hereto unexplored, strategic rationale for the willingness of profit-maximizing firms to undertake costly CSR activities. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
The management of chest tubes after pulmonary resection

Most patients who undergo pulmonary resection can have one chest tube and have it removed by postoperative day 3. Air leaks are probably best treated with water seal (passive suction) for most patients with small leaks. If they develop a new or enlarging pneumothorax or subcutaneous emphysema, some suction (active suction) is needed and alternating suction at night with waters seal during the day may be best. Most patients with persistent air leaks can be discharged home safely on an outpatient device and have their tubes removed in 2 to 3 weeks even if they still have an air leak.
Monte Carlo calculation of multielectron effects on synchrotron radiation

The phase space distribution and time structure of an electron beam have fundamental influences on synchrotron radiation properties. These influences are due to the superposition of radiation from all electrons, each following a different trajectory. When the radiation wavelength is longer than the electron bunch length, coherent superposition occurs and results in the observed coherent synchrotron radiation. Usually the wavelength we use is much shorter, so incoherent superposition occurs and the emittance effect is the dominant multi- electron effect. The Monte Carlo simulation is a straightforward and generally valid approach to compute the multi-electron effects on synchrotron radiation. In this paper, we show how the Monte Carlo method can model these multi-electron effects systematically and discuss the statistical principles governing such simulation and their implication on the computing power requirement. We also describe the implementation of an efficient algorithm to calculate a single electron radiation spectrum, which is important to make the Monte Carlo simulation practical.
The state and evolution of privacy by design

"Privacy by design" (PbD) represents a distinct philosophical movement and a shift away from the dominant legal-oriented approach to privacy and toward an approach that is more proactive, technical, and embedded. However, it suffers from the general absence of organized systematic techniques for carrying it out. In part, this gap reflects a failure to appropriately leverage and organize existing ideas and methods, but it also reflects the need to develop new methods capable of addressing the complexities of new socio-technical systems. This tutorial aims to survey the state of PbD and what will be required to move it into the realm of actionable and structured techniques.
Slit/Robo signaling regulates cell fate decisions in the intestinal stem cell lineage of Drosophila.

Summary In order to maintain tissue homeostasis, cell fate decisions within stem cell lineages have to respond to the needs of the tissue. This coordination of lineage choices with regenerative demand remains poorly characterized. Here, we identify a signal from enteroendocrine cells (EEs) that controls lineage specification in the Drosophila intestine. We find that EEs secrete Slit, a ligand for the Robo2 receptor in intestinal stem cells (ISCs) that limits ISC commitment to the endocrine lineage, establishing negative feedback control of EE regeneration. Furthermore, we show that this lineage decision is made within ISCs and requires induction of the transcription factor Prospero in ISCs. Our work identifies a function for the conserved Slit/Robo pathway in the regulation of adult stem cells, establishing negative feedback control of ISC lineage specification as a critical strategy to preserve tissue homeostasis. Our results further amend the current understanding of cell fate commitment within the Drosophila ISC lineage.
Associating functional recovery with neurocognitive profiles identified using partially ordered classification models

Neurocognitive deficits are a core feature of schizophrenia and a significant cause of functional disability. However, targeting these deficits with new treatment approaches will only yield functional improvements if those cognitive operations that are responsible for different dimensions of functional recovery can be identified. A major challenge is that conventional neuropsychological tests, the most practical tools for broadly sampling cognitive functions in treatment trials, are polyfactorial, so that task performance is influenced by multiple cognitive operations. Hence, it is difficult to pinpoint exactly for which cognitive operations a low scoring subject may have poor functionality. We have previously applied in a neuropsychological test battery administered to 220 patients having schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder, Bayesian statistical methods (yielding partially ordered sets, or posets) designed to mimic the expert analysis of a neuropsychologist by classifying patients into discrete groupings or "states" each having a unique cognitive profile. Here, we report on the association of attributes describing these states (viz. working memory, capacity for divergent thinking, cognitive flexibility and psychomotor speed) with two domains of functional outcome (work/education and residential functioning) rated up to 18 months later. After multiplicity correction, only working memory was associated with work/education outcome. While working memory was not associated with residential outcome, the remaining three attributes were. These findings suggest that different neurocognitive operations may be responsible for different outcome domains. Findings support the use of the poset methodology for clarifying patterns of relationships between discrete neurocognitive attributes and domains of functional outcome.
Granulomatous reactions in mycosis fungoides

Granulomatous reaction characterized by the formation of noncaseating accumulations of epithelioid histiocytes and multinucleated giant cells of the foreign-body type is a rare, poorly understood, and generally ignored phenomenon seen in various types of lymphoma. Its presence in cutaneous infiltrates of mycosis fungoides is equally unusual, but some favorable prognostic significance has been ascribed to it previously. In this paper, four patients with typical mycosis fungoides and granulomas demonstrated histologically in their cutaneous infiltrates are presented. All four died of disseminated disease with evidence of central nervous system involvement in three of them. These clinical histories lend no support to the notion that granulomatous mycosis fungoides is a benign variant of this lymphoma. Relevant literature is reviewed and discussed.
Urologic manifestations of Henoch-Schönlein purpura

Henoch-Schonlein purpura involves the kidneys in about 50 per cent of cases. In adults the classic signs are usually absent. Open renal biopsy is valuable from a prognostic standpoint since the severity of the renal lesion can be correlated with the future clinical course.
Investigation of the Dinuclear Fe Center of Methane Monooxygenase by Advanced Paramagnetic Resonance Techniques: On the Geometry of DMSO Binding

We report an extensive advanced paramagnetic resonance characterization of the mixed-valence dinuclear Fe center of methane monooxygenase hydroxylase (MMOHmv) from Methylococcus capsulatus (Mc) (Bath) and of binding to it by the exogenous ligand DMSO. We employ continuous wave and pulsed electron nuclear double resonance (ENDOR) spectroscopy, both at Q-band microwave frequencies, to examine 14,15N, 1,2H, 13C, and 57Fe nuclei. Preliminary 1H ENDOR results were communicated previously (DeRose, V. J.; Liu, K. E.; Hoffman, B. M.; Lippard, S. J. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1993, 115, 6440−6441). ENDOR-derived 14,15N hyperfine tensors are interpreted in terms of the spin distribution on histidyl ligands bound to the dinuclear center. Determination of the 57Fe hyperfine tensors gives a complete picture of the spin-coupled Fe2+ and Fe3+ ions. The 1,2H ENDOR results disclose the presence of a bridging hydroxide and an aqua ligand in both native and DMSO-treated enzyme. A novel procedure for describing the 1H hyperfine tenso...
664 DEATH COUNSELING AS IT RELATES TO ADEQUATE PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT BY THE PHYSICIAN FOR THE DYING CHILD AND FAMILY

664 DEATH COUNSELING AS IT RELATES TO ADEQUATE PSYCHOSOCIAL SUPPORT BY THE PHYSICIAN FOR THE DYING CHILD AND FAMILY
ADP-induced platelet activation.

AbstractPlatelet activation is central to the pathogenesis of hemostasis and arterial thrombosis. Platelet aggregation plays a major role in acute coronary artery diseases, myocardial infarction, unstable angina, and stroke. ADP is the first known and an important agonist for platelet aggregation. ADP not only causes primary aggregation of platelets but is also responsible for the secondary aggregation induced by ADP and other agonists. ADP also induces platelet shape change, secretion from storage granules, influx and intracellular mobilization of Ca2+, and inhibition of stimulated adenylyl cyclase activity. The ADP-receptor protein mediating ADP-induced platelet responses has neither been purified nor cloned. Therefore, signal transduction mechanisms underlying ADP-induced platelet responses either remain uncertain or less well understood. Recent contributions from chemists, biochemists, cell biologists, pharmacologists, molecular biologists, and clinical investigators have added considerably to and enh...
Development and characterization of murine models of medulloblastoma extraneural growth in bone.

Medulloblastoma is a malignant pediatric brain neoplasm with an unusual predilection for metastasis to the skeleton. The objective of this study was to generate and characterize murine models of medulloblastoma extraneural growth in bone as ‘discovery tools’ for the identification of unrecognized signal transduction pathways and factors driving metastatic bone disease. To this end, the human Daoy and D283 medulloblastoma cell lines were inoculated into the intratibial medullary space of athymic nude mice. Daoy injected mice developed a primarily osteolytic radiographic and histological phenotype. In contrast, both areas of osteolytic and osteosclerotic activity were evident in D283 inoculated bones. D283 and Daoy cell conditioned media increased in vitro osteoblast differentiation and is consistent with the enhanced bone turnover characteristic of bone metastases. Daoy cells also significantly increased bone marrow osteoclast formation, consistent with the robust in vivo osteolytic phenotype. A survey of secreted factors implicated in bone metastasis and expressed by D283 and Daoy was performed. High expression of the bone-homing factor, CXCR4, was observed in both Daoy and D283 tissues. Consistent with the skeletal phenotypes, Daoy cells, while secreting the osteoblastic factor ET-1, abundantly produced the osteolytic factors RANKL, PTHrP and TNFα. D283 cells produced high levels of both RANKL and ET-1. These newly described animal models of medulloblastoma bone metastasis are expected to serve as platforms to aid in the elucidation of novel bone metastasis signaling cascades and to test therapeutics that target both medulloblastoma metastasis and the primary tumor.
Using chromatic confocal apparatus for in situ rolling thickness measurement in hot embossing process

The in-situ measurements for continuously rolling optical films by the chromatic confocal apparatus have been successfully achieved by the authors. The apparatus presented here consists of chromatic confocal to avoid the vibrations caused by the roller machine while working. Without the need of the vertical z axis scan, chromatic confocal can give instant thickness measurements. Therefore, the apparatus possesses the characters of high resolution and fast response. We believe that this system can highly monitor and improve the yield rate in production lines.
Globalization of an ethnocentric firm: An evolutionary perspective

This paper investigates the globalization process at one traditionally ethnocentric firm. Whereas there has been substantial research on how multinational corporations (MNCs) structure and manage worldwide activities, little research has investigated how MNCs move toward proposed integrated network structures. The paper develops an evolutionary perspective of this process at traditionally ethnocentric firms, suggesting that it is driven by a shifting mix of strategic objectives over time, each of which differs in its impact on various functions. The paper suggests that globalization occurs at the level of the function, rather than the firm, and highlights important differences in the timing, sequence, and objectives of the process across functions. It also describes the importance of development patterns across functions, as changes in one function create opportunities and requirements for changes in others. Finally, the paper develops a framework of the process that can be tested at subsequent sites.
Immunobiology and Therapeutic Applications of Protein C/Protein S/Thrombomodulin in Human and Experimental Allotransplantation and Xenotransplantation

Abstract Protein C (PC), protein S (PS), and thrombomodulin (TM) constitute a well-established, physiologically important anticoagulant pathway, but they also possess significant antiinflammatory and immunoregulatory properties through their ability to regulate macrophage activation. In vivo and in vitro data concerning these antiinflammatory actions are reviewed, with an emphasis on changes in the levels of these proteins during allograft and xenograft rejection, and potential therapeutic applications arising from their exogenous administration, or genetic engineering to maintain their expression, posttransplantation. (Trends Cardiovasc Med 1997;7:174–183). © 1997, Elsevier Science Inc.
Efficacy of FIT produce wash and chlorine dioxide on pathogen control in fresh potatoes.

: A commercial fresh pack potato operation was used as a model to evaluate FIT fruit and vegetable wash effectiveness in reducing levels of microorganisms on potatoes and in flume water. Fresh potatoes were washed in flume water with or without FIT, or treated with a spray bar utilizing either FIT, 9 ppm chlorine dioxide (ClO2), or a water control. Both flume treatments were also evaluated for APC and Gram-negatives. There were no significant differences in reduction of these microorganisms on treated or control potatoes. However, levels of Gram-negative bacteria in FIT-amended flume water were reduced by 5.95 log CFU/g, and the APC was reduced by 1.43 log CFU/g. To validate plant trial findings, this test was repeated using solutions of sterile potato flume water from the fresh pack operation, containing a typical level of dissolved and suspended solids. Treatment solutions prepared with flume water or deionized water containing FIT, 9 ppm ClO2, or a water control were inoculated with E. coli O157:H7, Salmonella Typhimurium, or Pectobacterium carotovorum ssp. carotovorum. FIT and ClO2 prepared with deionized water reduced levels of microorganisms by >6.1 to 6.6 log CFU/g to below the detection limit. FIT prepared with flume water reduced levels of all organisms by >6.0 to 6.4 log CFU/g to below the detection limit, whereas ClO2 prepared from flume water reduced bacterial levels of all organisms by only 0.7 to 1.4 log CFU/g. Neither FIT nor ClO2 was particularly efficacious against E. coli O157:H7, S. Typhimurium, APC, yeasts, or molds on potato surfaces.
CALIFORNIA'S PROPOSITION 36: A SUCCESS RIPE FOR REFINEMENT AND REPLICATION

On November 7, 2000, California voters mandated that firstor secondtime nonviolent drug possession offenders be offered drug treatment rather than incarceration. The voters, by a margin of 61%, provided for $660 million dollars over five and half years to fund drug treatment, probation, and ancillary services for such offenders. This mandate was accomplished through the passage of Proposition 36, the Substance Abuse and Crime Prevention Act of 2000. On the day Proposition 36 passed, the situation confronting Californians who misuse drugs had reached a level of crisis. During the two decades preceding the passage of Proposition 36, the nation as a whole had experienced a profound increase in the rates of incarceration for drug use, with California leading the way. In 1980, only 7.5 of every 100,000 Californian’s were imprisoned for drug-related crimes, comfortably below the national average. Just 20 years later, in 2000, 130.5 per 100,000 Californian’s were imprisoned for drugs, an increase of over 1600%, well above the national average (Males et. al., 2002). During this same period, the percentage of people imprisoned for drugs who were guilty of mere possession jumped from 35.2% to 54.4%, and in 1999 alone, 6,191 Californian’s (11% of all people sent to prison) were imprisoned for possession of a small amount of drugs with no other current offenses and no prior serious or violent offenses (Males et al., 2002). These dramatic increases in incarceration were the product of changes in drug policy, not changes in drug use prevalence (Office of National Drug Control Policy, 2002). At the same time that legislatures were ratcheting up the sentences for drug possession offenses and funding more and more prisons, millions of Americans lacked access to drug and alcohol treatment, psychiatric care, housing and other crucial services. According to the National Survey on Drug Use and Health, conducted by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration, over 800,000 Californians needed but did
Learning from spatial variability: Aspen persistence in the Centennial Valley, Montana

Abstract Quaking aspen ( Populus tremuloides ) is commonly believed to be declining throughout western North America. A literature review of recent local-scale aspen studies, however, indicates that regional-scale spatial variability in aspen dynamics is greater than previously recognized and there are areas of successful aspen regeneration and recruitment. This study examines 20th century aspen recruitment and regeneration patterns along a 15 km long lower forest–grassland ecotone in the Centennial Valley, Montana to determine if the Centennial Valley ecotone aspen stands support the observation that there are areas of successful recruitment and regeneration and provide another example of such areas. A total of 525 adult aspen stems were cored and 8924 aspen suckers were counted and mapped in 106 rectangular plots randomly distributed along the ecotone. Aspen-age distribution was constructed at a decadal time scale to examine 20th century recruitment patterns. Sucker density was examined to evaluate aspen regeneration. The tree-age distribution patterns indicated successful aspen recruitment during the 20th century, while the sucker density assessment suggested successful regeneration. The Centennial Valley ecotone aspen stands appear to support the observation that aspen recruitment and regeneration are spatially variable and there are areas of aspen persistence. Learning about the underlying factors that enable successful aspen regeneration and recruitment in such areas can help management and restoration activities at other locales. Recognizing the regional-scale spatial variability in aspen dynamics can inform regional-level policy and management.
Spectroscopic and Functional Characterization of Iron-Bound Forms of Azotobacter vinelandiiNifIscA

The ability of Azotobacter vinelandiiNifIscA to bind Fe has been investigated to assess the role of Fe-bound forms in NIF-specific Fe–S cluster biogenesis. NifIscA is shown to bind one Fe(III) or o...
Megakaryocytes express functional Aurora-B kinase in endomitosis

Endomitosis (EnM) in megakaryocytes (MKs) is characterized by abortion of mitosis in late anaphase and failure of cytokinesis; subsequent reinitiation of DNA synthesis results in polyploidy. Ablation of chromosomal passenger proteins including Aurora-B kinase causes defects in late anaphase and cytokinesis in diploid cells; thus one hypothesis is that the expression or function of these proteins in polyploid MKs is abnormal. It has been reported that Aurora-B kinase mRNA is decreased in polyploid megakaryocytic cells, suggesting that deficiency of Aurora-B kinase is responsible for EnM. We examined the localization of Aurora-B kinase and additional members of the chromosomal passenger protein and aurora kinase families in MKs. We found that in EnM MKs (1) Aurora-B kinase is present and appropriately localized to centromeres in early EnM; (2) in low-ploidy human MKs, centromeric localization of survivin and inner centromere protein (INCENP) can also be demonstrated; (3) the function of Aurora-B kinase, as measured by Ser10 phosphorylation of histone H3, is intact; and (4) aurora-A kinase localizes appropriately to centrosomes in EnM. These results suggest that EnM MKs appropriately express functional Aurora-B kinase and related proteins in early anaphase, making a simple deficiency of this protein an unlikely explanation for polyploidy in this cell type.
Evaluation of Modified German Rotating Flask

The rolling thin film oven (RTFO) test has been found to be inadequate for aging polymer-modified binders. A modified German rotating flask (MGRF) was evaluated as a replacement for the RTFO aging method. Evaluation involved three phases by using a wide range of asphalt binders, primarily polymer-modified asphalt binders. Phase I was conducted to evaluate the effects of temperature and rotation speed on aging. Phase II identified off-the-shelf components to facilitate the assembly of MGRF. A fully functional, off-the-shelf MGRF was developed at the completion of Phase II. The cost of this equipment was approximately $3,500. Phase III was conducted to evaluate the effects of the MGRF aging procedure on a wide range of asphalt binders. In Phase III, a full range of binder physical properties was determined to grade all binders according to AASHTO M320 and MP1-a. The MGRF aging procedure did not significantly affect the performance grade of the asphalt binders studied. Therefore, from the available data, MGRF aging appears to be equivalent to RTFO. The advantage of using the MGRF is that it does not have the run-out problems faced by the modified binders in an RTFO oven.