cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
"Eu mato": The Linguistic and Religious Rewriting of the Tupí under Portuguese Missionary Rule (1555-1630)

Abstract: This paper investigates the relationship between Portuguese missionary grammars, imperial-indigenous relations, and Tupi resistance between 1555 and 1630. Focusing on Jose de Anchieta’s popular grammar Arte de gramatica de lingua mais usada na costa do brasil (1555) and Luis Figueira’s Arte da Lingua Brasilica (1621), it argues that the shifting focuses of these texts represent the values of the Jesuit order and the interests of Portugal in the New World. Portuguese missionaries moved from an earlier emphasis on trade and Christian conversion with an exclusively oral culture toward a more aggressive and insidious campaign for cultural and linguistic erasure in the region. While previous scholarship has examined changes in Tupi phonemes, morphemes, and syntax between the grammars, this study instead investigates the historical changes pertinent between these texts, their constructed relationships between Portuguese and Tupi, and shifts in their lexical emphases. Keywords: colonial translation; grammars; Jesuit missionaries; cultural erasure; Tupi-Guarani
Normative data for the Baseline® 5 position hydraulic pinch meter and the relationship between lateral pinch strength and pinch span.

Abstract Introduction The Baseline® 5 position hydraulic pinch meter allows pinch strength assessment at five different pinch spans. The present study used this newly developed meter to assess where pinch span force is the greatest as previous literature is conflicting. Purpose of the Study The primary aim of the study was development of normative data using health subjects, whereas the secondary aims were to evaluate meter inter-rater reliability and to identify in which pinch span the greatest force was produced. Study Design This is a clinical measurement, cross-sectional study. Methods Ten occupational therapy student raters examined inter-rater reliability by calculating an average intraclass correlation. Recruitment of normative data subjects occurred across various locations in West Michigan to include a diverse population and followed testing procedures recommended by the American Society of Hand Therapists. Data were stratified by age categories and sex to develop normative standards. Data were analyzed using a one-way repeated measures ANOVA and a three-way mixed ANOVA. Results Normative data were calculated from a sample of 605 subjects (292 males and 313 females). One-way ANOVA demonstrated a significant difference at the five different spans, noting a small effect size. Also noted were a nonsignificant three-way interaction between age category, pinch spans, and sex using both the right and left hands, along with a significant two-way interaction between spans and sex bilaterally. Discussion The meter showed an excellent inter-rater reliability with an intraclass correlation = .98 and indicated the pinch span that produced the greatest amount of force was not consistent with previous literature.
Risk-associated alterations in marrow T cells in pediatric leukemia

Current management of childhood leukemia is tailored based on disease risk determined by clinical features at presentation. Whether properties of the host immune response impact disease risk and outcome is not known. Here we combine mass cytometry, single cell genomics and functional studies to characterize the bone marrow immune environment in children with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia, and acute myelogenous leukemia at presentation. T cells in leukemia marrow demonstrate evidence of chronic immune activation and exhaustion/dysfunction, with attrition of naive T cells and TCF1+ stem-like memory T cells and accumulation of terminally-differentiated effector T cells. Marrow-infiltrating natural killer cells also exhibit evidence of dysfunction, particularly in myeloid leukemia. Properties of immune cells identified distinct immune phenotype-based clusters correlating with disease risk in acute lymphoblastic leukemia. High-risk immune signatures were associated with expression of stem-like genes on tumor cells. These data provide a comprehensive assessment of the immune landscape of childhood leukemias and identify targets potentially amenable to therapeutic intervention. These studies also suggest that properties of the host response with depletion of naive T cells and accumulation of terminal-effector T cells may contribute to the biologic basis of disease risk. Properties of immune microenvironment identified here may also impact optimal application of immune therapies, including T cell-redirection approaches in childhood leukemia.
The role of radiomics in prostate cancer radiotherapy

“Radiomics,” as it refers to the extraction and analysis of a large number of advanced quantitative radiological features from medical images using high-throughput methods, is perfectly suited as an engine for effectively sifting through the multiple series of prostate images from before, during, and after radiotherapy (RT). Multiparametric (mp)MRI, planning CT, and cone beam CT (CBCT) routinely acquired throughout RT and the radiomics pipeline are developed for extraction of thousands of variables. Radiomics data are in a format that is appropriate for building descriptive and predictive models relating image features to diagnostic, prognostic, or predictive information. Prediction of Gleason score, the histopathologic cancer grade, has been the mainstay of the radiomic efforts in prostate cancer. While Gleason score (GS) is still the best predictor of treatment outcome, there are other novel applications of quantitative imaging that are tailored to RT. In this review, we summarize the radiomics efforts and discuss several promising concepts such as delta-radiomics and radiogenomics for utilizing image features for assessment of the aggressiveness of prostate cancer and its outcome. We also discuss opportunities for quantitative imaging with the advance of instrumentation in MRI-guided therapies.
Effect of cross-flow on PEFC liquid-water distribution: An in-situ high-resolution neutron radiography study

Abstract Liquid-water management in polymer-electrolyte fuel cells (PEFCs) remains an area of ongoing research. To enhance water removal, certain flow-fields induce cross-flow, or flow through the gas-diffusion layer (GDL) via channel-to-channel pressure differences. While beneficial to water removal, cross-flow comes at the cost of higher pumping pressures and may lead to membrane dehydration and other deleterious issues. This paper examines the impact of cross-flow on component saturation levels as determined through in-plane high-resolution neutron radiography. Various humidities and operating conditions are examined, and the results demonstrate that cell saturation levels correlate strongly with the level of cross-flow rate, and lower GDL saturation levels are found to correlate with an increase in permeability at higher flow rates. Effective water removal is found to occur at channel-to-channel pressure gradients greater than the measured breakthrough pressure of the GDL, evidence that similar liquid-water transport mechanisms exist for under-land area transport as in transverse GDL flow.
Lust, Spirit, and the Vice List in Shakespeare's Sonnet 129 and Galatians 5

Sonnet 129 ironically reinscribes Galatians 5:16–26, reconfiguring the relationship between spirit, lust, and will articulated in Paul's epistle. Paul counsels his audience not to “fulfil the luste...
Filtering for Aggregate Hidden Markov Models with Continuous Observations.

We consider a class of filtering problems for large populations where each individual is modeled by the same hidden Markov model (HMM). In this paper, we focus on aggregate inference problems in HMMs with discrete state space and continuous observation space. The continuous observations are aggregated in a way such that the individuals are indistinguishable from measurements. We propose an aggregate inference algorithm called continuous observation collective forward-backward algorithm. It extends the recently proposed collective forward-backward algorithm for aggregate inference in HMMs with discrete observations to the case of continuous observations. The efficacy of this algorithm is illustrated through several numerical experiments.
Use of biochar by sheep: impacts on diet selection, digestibility, and performance.

The objective of this study was to determine the influence of biochar obtained from exothermic production of lodgepole pine (Pinus contorta) and quaking aspen (Populus tremuloides) on sheep performance and diet digestibility and on preference for a ration enriched with this carbon-based material. Twenty-four lambs were housed in individual pens and assigned to one of three treatment groups (eight animals per group), where they received: 1) a 60:40 ration of alfalfa:barley (Control), 2) an isoenergetic and isonitrogenous ration with alfalfa, barley, and 2% biochar (BC), and 3) a simultaneous offer of the Control and BC rations (Choice). Lambs were exposed to two consecutive feeding periods (Period 1: 13 d and Period 2: 21 d), representing time intervals where the evolution of intake, animal performance, and rumen parameters were assessed; in vivo digestibility was determined during the last 5 d of the study. Ration intake did not differ among groups of lambs (P > 0.10), although during some days in Period 2, intake was greater for the BC and Choice groups than for the Control group (P 0.10), although dry matter digestibility and digestible dry matter intake was greater for lambs in the BC group than for lambs in Control group (P < 0.05). The ruminal concentration of the volatile acid acetate in Period 2 was greater for BC than for Choice (P < 0.05). During the same period, the concentration of valerate and ruminal pH values were greater in BC than in Control (P < 0.05). Thus, the addition of biochar to grain-based diets enhanced diet digestibility and influenced some ruminal parameters in lambs. Nevertheless, these positive effects were not reflected in significant improvements on ADG or feed conversion efficiencies. Lambs offered choices between Control and BC rations formed a diet with concentrations of biochar of ~1.2%, suggesting that these animals would tolerate such levels without reductions in ration palatability.
Therapeutic treatment of dietary docosahexaenoic acid for particle-induced pulmonary inflammation in Balb/c mice

The omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acid docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) has been reported to suppress inflammation. Pulmonary inflammation can be directly linked to exposure of various occupational and man-made particles leading to pulmonary diseases. Therapeutic treatments are lacking for particle-induced pulmonary inflammation. These studies evaluated DHA as a therapeutic treatment for semi-acute and chronic particle-induced pulmonary inflammation. Balb/c mice were oropharyngeal instilled with hydrophobic multi-walled carbon nanotube (MWCNT) or hydrophilic crystalline silica (SiO2) either as one instillation (semi-acute) or once a week for 4 weeks (chronic). One week later, the mice were placed on either a control or 1% DHA-containing diet for 3 weeks (semi-acute) or 12 weeks (chronic). Mice were assessed for inflammatory signaling within the lung lavage fluid, impact on phagolysosomal membrane permeability, shifts of macrophage phenotype gene expression (M1, M2a, M2b, and M2c), and pulmonary histopathology. DHA increased pulmonary inflammatory markers and lung pathology when mice were exposed to SiO2. There were trending decreases of inflammatory markers for MWCNT-exposed mice with DHA treatment, however, mostly not statistically significant. The anti-inflammatory benefits of DHA treatment depend upon the type of inflammatory particle, magnitude of inflammation, and duration of treatment.
Multimodal Data Streaming using Visual IoTs and Wearables for Telerehabilitation and Teletreatment

The current pandemic and the expansion of insurance coverage of telehealth for the elderly has shown the need for improvements in the automation of medical services and behavioral monitoring. Elderly individuals at home or in senior centers typically contact their physicians once a serious medical condition is obvious. There are very few systems with automated means of monitoring the health of individuals recovering from an injury or monitoring their progress when conducting telerehabilitation using wearables, remote cameras, and the cloud. To address these automation and long-term health monitoring issues, we have developed a multi-modal platform that employs common, low-cost wearables, and teleconferencing tools that takes advantage of cloud streaming services. One modality is based on Visual IoT and edge devices that automatically connect as teleconferencing clients to record human subjects’ telerehabilitation and teletreatment sessions and push these recordings to cloud storage. We performed experiments applying two different deep learning models to the cloud video streams to track whole-body skeleton motion or to detect hand keypoints during telerehabilitation. The rehabilitation maybe associated with recovery from a stroke or other similar incident. The other modality of our platform includes an Apple Watch ® App that pushes users’ physiological and kinematic data to the cloud and automatically generates data analytics dashboards for use by clinicians. Both, the wearables-based and the Visual IoT-based modalities complement each other in telerehabilitation or teletreatment controlled by clinicians. These modalities can also work together in sessions without the need for controlled (uncontrolled) telemonitoring. Our multimodality, cloud-based architecture shows very promising applications in automatic behavioral analytics, especially for elderly individuals with limited social contact that would benefit from telerehabilitation, or continuous telemonitoring.
Reconciling real scores with binary comparisons: a unified logistic model for ranking

The problem of ranking arises ubiquitously in almost every aspect of life, and in particular in Machine Learning/Information Retrieval. A statistical model for ranking predicts how humans rank subsets V of some universe U. In this work we define a statistical model for ranking that satisfies certain desirable properties. The model automatically gives rise to a logistic regression based approach to learning how to rank, for which the score and comparison based approaches are dual views. This offers a new generative approach to ranking which can be used for IR. There are two main contexts for this work. The first is the theory of econometrics and study of statistical models explaining human choice of alternatives. In this context, we will compare our model with other well known models. The second context is the problem of ranking in machine learning, usually arising in the context of information retrieval. Here, much work has been done in the discriminative setting, where different heuristics are used to define ranking risk functions. Our model is built rigorously and axiomatically based on very simple desirable properties defined locally for comparisons, and automatically implies the existence of a global score function serving as a natural model parameter which can be efficiently fitted to pairwise comparison judgment data by solving a convex optimization problem.
The Role of Visual Rhetoric in the Vegetarian Movement: â€œMeet Your Meatâ€ Video of Animal Torture on the PETA Website

Abstract: Images have the power to create natural representation of reality, vividness in human memory and have rhetorical effect. However, visual rhetoric can create positive and negative feeling to persuade people. Negative feelings can be designed to make emotional reactions and spark action. Consequently, humans will consider ways to deal with the negative and discomfort feelings. In this paper, the writer analyzes the connection between visual rhetoric and emotional appeal by examining the controversial PETA video â€œMeet your Meatâ€. The writer will use the visual rhetoric, emotions, and cognitive dissonance theory to analyze the video and increase the understanding about the human emotions, especially disgust and guilt. Abstrak: Gambar memiliki kekuatan untuk menciptakan gambaran realitas yang alami, membuat kejelasan dalam ingatan manusia dan memiliki efek retoris. Namun, retorika visual dapat menciptakan perasaan positif dan negatif untuk membujuk orang. Perasaan negatif dapat dirancang untuk membuat reaksi emosional dan memicu tindakan. Akibatnya, manusia akan mempertimbangkan cara-cara untuk mengatasi perasaan-perasaan negatif dan ketidaknyamanan. Dalam tulisan ini, penulis akan menganalisis hubungan antara retorika visual dan daya tarik emosional dengan mengkaji video kontroversial PETA â€œMeet your Meatâ€. Penulis akan menggunakan teori retorika visual, emosi, dan disonansi kognitif untuk menganalisis video dan meningkatkan pemahaman tentang emosi manusia, terutama perasaan jijik dan rasa bersalah.
Autoimmune cytotoxic granulocyte antibodies in normal persons and various diseases

Of 400 female and 58 normal nonommunized male sera approximately 10% were cytotoxic for a panel of allogeneic granulocytes. Sera with strong alloreactivity were also autoreactive, which emphasized the large autoimmune component of most alloantisera against granulocytes. The cytotoxic granulocyte autoantibodies were complement dependent, of the IgM class, and exhibited optimum cytotoxic activity in vitro at 5 degrees C precomplement incubation temperatures with papain-treated cells. The sera were unreactive with autologous or allogeneic B and T lymphocytes, monocytes, and red blood cells but were cytotoxic for adult and cord granulocytes, eosinophils, and chronic myeloid leukemia cells. Granulocyte autoantibodies were present in 53% of sera from 57 patients with systemic lupus erythematosus (p less than 0.00002) but were not found in increased frequency in the sera of patients with 28 other diseases. We conclude that a single tissue-specific antigenic determinant(s) called “G” may be present on granulocytes and is the target of naturally occurring autoantibodies.
Measuring hospital performance: A non-parametric approach

In this paper a technique for assessing the relative performance of firms is introduced and applied to a sample of hospitals in California. Hospitals are compared on the basis of their relative technical efficiency. The reference technology is constructed from observed outputs and inputs (including physicians) using programming techniques, and efficiency is assessed relative to the frontier of the technology using measures similar to those suggested by Farrell. The technique used here imposes no prespecified functional form, allows for multiple outputs and inputs (allowing for differences in case mix), and yields information on the productive performance of individual hospitals. This technique can also be used to determine whether different types of hospitals use different technologies. Our results, although illustrative rather than definitive, suggest that ownership affects 'efficiency' as measured here: public and NFP hospitals have 'different' best practice frontiers, and public hospitals appear to use relatively fewer resources. These results could reflect differences in quality of care by ownership.
Denotational translation validation

In this dissertation we present a simple and scalable system for validating the correctness of low-level program transformations. Proving that program transformations are correct is crucial to the development of security critical software tools. We achieve a simple and scalable design by compiling sequential low-level programs to synchronous data-flow programs. Theses data-flow programs are a denotation of the original programs, representing all of the relevant aspects of the program se- mantics. We then check that the two denotations are equivalent, which implies that the program transformation is semantics preserving. Our denotations are computed by means of symbolic analysis. In order to achieve our design, we have extended symbolic analysis to arbitrary control-flow graphs. To this end, we have designed an intermediate language called Synchronous Value Graphs (SVG), which is capable of representing our denotations for arbitrary control-flow graphs, we have built an algorithm for computing SVG from normal assembly language, and we have given a formal model of SVG which allows us to simplify and compare denotations. Finally, we report on our experiments with LLVM M.D., a prototype denotational translation validator for the LLVM optimization framework.
HOPOVER: a new handoff protocol for overlay networks

This paper presents a new handoff protocol named HOPOVER (HandOff Protocol for OVERlay networks). This protocol is compatible with Mobile IP and is designed specifically for overlay networks where handoffs happen both horizontally and vertically. Handoff performance is enhanced by a number of measurements including pre-reserving resources, packet buffering in the new network and packet forwarding from the old network to the new network. Our simulation proved the effectiveness of these measurements.
The simplified-FitzHugh-Nagumo model with action potential duration restitution: effects on 2D wave propagation

Abstract A modification of the simplified FitzHugh-Nagumo (FN) equations is proposed for introducing a residual component of the slow variable, which determines the restitution of action potential duration (APD) also known as the interval-excitation duration relationship. The three-step-wise approximation of ϵ( E ) which is widely used in current publications is replaced in a new model by a four-step approximation. This change is used for studying by computer simulation the effects of APD restitution properties independently of the APD and refractory period on 2D wave propagation in an isotropic matrix (made by 128 × 128 nodes). The method for fitting the model to the given experimental restitution data (obtained from myocardial cells) is presented. The computer simulations implemented on a massively parallel computer (Connection Machine) showed at least three important qualitative distinctions in behavior which demonstrate the effect of APD restitution: changes in the speed and wavelength of propagated waves with the period of stimulation, non-stationary propagation of spiral waves, and site-specific induction of spiral waves with premature stimulation not on the tail of the previous wave. Quantitative effects of differing restitution properties are expressed in the size and location of a window of vulnerability in 2D excitable media. These windows are characterized by the appearance of single and double spiral waves in response to premature stimulation applied inside the window. Thus the APD restitution incorporated in the FN model produces a significant effect on the formation and propagation of spiral waves.
Atropine Sulfate and 2-Pyridine Aldoxime Methylchloride Elicit Stress-Induced Convulsions and Lethality in Mice and Guinea Pigs

The present study demonstrates that dose combinations of atropine sulfate and 2-pyridine aldoxime methylchloride (2-PAM), which do not produce any overt toxic effects on the behavior of mice or guinea pigs in a stable environment, elicit clonic-tonic convulsions and death when the animals are physically stressed by cold water swimming. Phenoxybenzamine (1-6 mg/kg), diazepam (0.625 and 1.25 mg/kg) and pilocarpine (2.5 and 5 mg/kg) significantly decreased (or abolished) the occurrence of atropine and 2-PAM stressed-induced convulsions and/or lethality. In contrast, propranolol (20 mg/kg), was ineffective in preventing either convulsions or lethality. Changes in plasma glucose levels and internal body temperature did not appear to explain the precipitation of convulsions or ensuing death. These results suggest that during acute physical stress, relatively low doses of atropine and 2-PAM produce toxic and lethal effects due to the activation of alpha-adrenergic mechanisms along with a concomitant inactivation of cholinergic mechanisms.
Interplay of concurrent positive and negative interpersonal events in the prediction of daily negative affect and fatigue for rheumatoid arthritis patients

The purpose of the present study was to examine the interaction of daily concurrent positive interpersonal events (PIE) and negative interpersonal events (NIE) on the daily experience of negative affect and fatigue in a sample of men and women with rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The blunting hypothesis posits that NIE nullify the beneficial influence of PIE whereas the buffering hypothesis posits that PIE offset the adverse influence of NIE. Participants completed up to 30 consecutive daily diaries in which they reported ratings for fatigue and negative affect, along with the occurrence of PIE and NIE throughout the day. Multilevel modeling was used to examine the interaction of daily PIE and NIE on daily negative affect and fatigue. In support of the blunting hypothesis, on days when NIE were diminished, PIE were associated with a greater reduction in fatigue. In contrast, consistent with the buffering hypothesis, on days when PIE were elevated, NIE were associated with a lesser increase in negative affect. Whereas the main effects of PIE and NIE carried over to the next day, the joint effects of PIE and NIE did not. The clinical utility of assessing the impact of co-occurring PIE and NIE is discussed.
Intranasal and oral cocaine kinetics

Plasma cocaine levels were determined in 7 subjects after intranasal and oral cocaine. Intranasal doses of 0.19, 0.38, 0.75, 1.5, and 2.0 mg/kg were given as a 10% aqueous solution; 0.38 mg/kg was given as crystalline cocaine HCl. Oral cocaine was administered in doses of 2.0 and 3.0 mg/kg. Intranasal cocaine kinetics were described by a 1-compartment open model with 2 consecutive first-order input steps and first-order elimination. Oral cocaine disposition was described by a 1-compartment open model with a lag time followed by a single first-order input phase and first-order elimination. The mean elimination half-life (t½) for cocaine by the intranasal route to 7 subjects was 75 ± 5 min (mean±SE). The mean t½ after oral administration to 4 subjects was 48 ± 3 min. The relative bioavailability [as determined by the area under the concentration-time curve (AUC)] for the 2.0-mg/kg dose by the intranasal and oral routes was not different. There was a linear increase in AUC with increasing intranasal dose. Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics (1980) 27, 386–394; doi:10.1038/clpt.1980.52
Heat shock protein defenses in the neocortex and allocortex of the telencephalon

The telencephalic allocortex develops protein inclusions before the neocortex in many age-related proteinopathies. One major defense mechanism against proteinopathic stress is the heat shock protein (Hsp) network. We therefore contrasted Hsp defenses in stressed primary neocortical and allocortical cells. Neocortical neurons were more resistant to the proteasome inhibitor MG132 than neurons from 3 allocortical subregions: entorhinal cortex, piriform cortex, and hippocampus. However, allocortical neurons exhibited higher MG132-induced increases in Hsp70 and heat shock cognate 70 (Hsc70). MG132-treated allocortical neurons also exhibited greater levels of protein ubiquitination. Inhibition of Hsp70/Hsc70 activity synergistically exacerbated MG132 toxicity in allocortical neurons more than neocortical neurons, suggesting that the allocortex is more reliant on these Hsp defenses. In contrast, astrocytes harvested from the neocortex or allocortex did not differ in their response to Hsp70/Hsc70 inhibition. Consistent with the idea that chaperones are maximally engaged in allocortical neurons, an increase in Hsp70/Hsc70 activity was protective only in neocortical neurons. Finally, the levels of select Hsps were altered in the neocortex and allocortex in vivo with aging.
Correcting Point-Biserial and Biserial Correlation Coefficients for Chance Success:

Formulas are provided for correcting point-biserial and biserial item-test correlations for the effect of chance success by guessing. It is pointed out that these chance-corrected correlations may sometimes exceed unity.
Compatibility of daptomycin with commercially available syringe filters.

To the Editor: Cubicin (daptomycin for injection; Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Lexington, MA) is a cyclic lipopeptide antibacterial indicated in the United States for the treatment of complicated skin and skin structure infections and Staphylococcus aureus bloodstream infections, including those with right-sided infective endocarditis.1 Daptomycin’s prescribing information states that parenteral drug products should be inspected visually for particulate matter prior to administration, however, medical inquiries regarding the use of filters after reconstitution are common.1 Cubist conducted a study to evaluate the compatibility of reconstituted daptomycin with 5 commercially available syringe filters, based on comparison of both appearance and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) potency of the filtered solution to an unfiltered control. Compatibility was defined for the filtered samples as no visible difference in the appearance versus the unfiltered control and no more than a 5% decrease in potency from the unfiltered control. Ten vials of daptomycin lot CDC079 were reconstituted with 10 mL of 0.9% sodium chloride for injection USP and pooled into a clear container. Fifteen milliliters of the pooled solution was first removed using an unfiltered syringe and transferred into a scintillation vial as a control sample. Utilizing a syringe with each of the syringe filters listed in Table 1, 15 mL of the pooled solution was withdrawn through the syringe. The filter was subsequently removed, and the filtered material was transferred into 1 of 5 scintillation vials. After visual inspection of each solution, the color and clarity of each were recorded and any discrepancy between the filtered solutions and the control solution was documented. Potency analysis was subsequently performed for each solution by reverse-phase HPLC using a C8 column, with a qualified daptomycin reference standard, lot 010903A. Table 1. Compatibility of daptomycin with selected syringe filters Analysis of the solutions demonstrated that the 5 filters tested did not impact the appearance of the solution (ie, no visual differences were observed between the filtered samples and the unfiltered control) or cause a significant decrease in potency (the percent difference from the control ranged from 0.39% to 2.23%, meeting the acceptance criteria defined in the protocol). All 5 filters evaluated in this study are considered compatible with reconstituted daptomycin.
Expression of a protective gene-prolongs survival of T cells in human immunodeficiency virus-infected patients

Abstract The resistance of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) to traditional drug therapy has prompted a search for alternative treatments for this disease. One potential approach is to provide genetic resistance to viral replication to prolong latency. This strategy requires the definition of effective antiviral genes that extend the survival of T cells in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected individuals. We report the results of a human study designed to determine whether a genetic intervention can prolong the survival of T cells in HIV-infected individuals. Gene transfer was performed in enriched CD4+ cells with plasmid expression vectors encoding an inhibitory Rev protein, Rev M10, or a deletion mutant control, deltaRev M10, delivered by gold microparticles. Autologous cells separately transfected with each of the vectors were returned to each patient, and toxicity, gene expression, and survival of genetically modified cells were assessed. Cells that expressed Rev M10 were more resistant to HIV infection than those with deltaRev M10 in vitro. In HIV-infected subjects, Rev M10-transduced cells showed preferential survival compared to deltaRev M10 controls. Rev M10 can therefore act as a specific intracellular inhibitor that can prolong T-cell survival in HIV-1-infected individuals and potentially serve as a molecular genetic intervention which can contribute to the treatment of AIDS.
Mammalian pyruvate kinase hybrid isozymes: Tissue distribution and physiological significance

The purpose of this study was to examine the pyruvate kinase isozymic patterns of a wide variety of tissues from rats and mice, particularly regarding hybrid isozymes. For these studies, we employed longer electrophoresis times than used in most earlier studies in order to improve the resolution of closely spaced bands. The tissue distributions of types K, L, and M pyruvate kinases were found to be approximately the same as those reported earlier for rats and other mammals. In addition, K–M hybrids could be detected in most tissues examined in relative quantities which differed from one tissue to another in the same organism, in corresponding tissues from different species, and within a single tissue during development. Hybrid isozymes containing type L subunits occur in only a few tissues of either the fetus or the adult of either animal. In earlier studies utilizing L–M hybrid isozymes produced in vitro, we showed that the kinetic properties of a given subunit are profoundly affected by the nature of its neighbors within the tetramer (Dyson and Cardenas, ['73] J. Biol. Chem., 248: 8482–8488). Based on these altered kinetic properties, we suggest that there is little need for an organism to suppress completely the gene activity for one subunit type of pyruvate kinase during the synthesis of larger quantities of a second subunit type.
Experimental Study of Powered Fontan Hemodynamics in an Idealized Total Cavopulmonary Connection Model

Cardiac single ventricle birth defects are a leading cause of death among birth defects for children under one years of age. Fontan palliation is the current clinical treatment for patients with these birth defects and result in a single working ventricle to power the entire system by forming a total cavopulmonary connection (TCPC). A significant number of patients with univentricle Fontan circulation develop Fontan failure caused by the inability of the single ventricle to power the Fontan circulation. The use of mechanical cavopulmonary assist device has been proposed as a treatment for these patients. Particularly, the application of a percutaneous, catheter driven, viscous impeller pump (VIP) has been identified to provide promising cavopulmonary support [1]. Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations have demonstrated that this VIP pump can satisfactorily augment cavopulmonary blood flow at pressures sufficient to overcome increased downstream resistance. Experimental characterization of flow induced by the VIP in the TCPC, including detailed flow structures and hemodynamic performances, needs to be conducted for minimizing risk of hemolysis and thrombosis while maximizing the pump performance, and for validating the results from high-fidelity CFD simulations.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Which factors predict bowel complications in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer being treated with bevacizumab

Abstract Background. Increased rates of bowel perforation in patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian cancer (EOC) treated with bevacizumab have been reported, but the risk factors for this association are uncertain. We sought to identify factors associated with bowel perforation and fistula formation in recurrent EOC patients treated with bevacizumab. Methods. A chart review of all patients treated with bevacizumab for recurrent EOC at a single institution was performed. Pertinent patient characteristics and treatment information were collected. Univariate logistic regression was performed to analyze multiple variables. Results. One hundred twelve patients who were treated with 160 different bevacizumab regimens were identified. The median age was 60 years (range, 29–78 years). Patients had received a median of 4 prior chemotherapy regimens (range, 1–10). The median number of cycles was 4 (range, 0.5–31). Ten patients (9%) were diagnosed with bowel perforations, and another 2 patients (1.8%) were diagnosed with fistulas. The 30-day mortality following perforation was 50%, with 30% of patients dying within 1 week. Patients with rectovaginal nodularity were more likely to develop a bowel perforation or fistula than those who did not have this finding, OR=3.64 (95% CI=1.1 to 12.1, p =0.04). None of the other variables were significantly associated with bowel perforations or fistula formation. Conclusions. Rectovaginal nodularity is associated with an increased risk of bowel perforation or fistula formation for patients with recurrent EOC treated with bevacizumab. Careful consideration should be given prior to initiating bevacizumab treatment in EOC patients with rectovaginal nodularity since the mortality rate with bevacizumab associated bowel perforations is 50%.
Thermal transitions in mixtures of polydeoxyribodinucleotides.

Oligo d(C-A) and oligo d(T-G) of known average lengths, prepared by a combination of chemical and enzymatic procedures, have been mixed in 0.02 M and 0.07 M Na+, and absorbance has been studied as a function of increasing temperature. The transitions have been analyzed for the temperature of maximum slope Tm, the breadth of the transition, the value of the slope at Tm, and the maximum hyperchromicity. Linear expressions have been found relating the inverse of the length in nucleotide units (n−1) of the shorter oligomer, irrespective of its identity, to Tm and also to the transition breadth. From a difference in slope between the Tm versus n−1 expressions for the two molarities, the entropy and enthalpy of melting have been calculated as a function of n−1.
Drought Avoidance Assessment for Summer Annual Crops Using Long-Term Weather Data

Seasonal rainfall is a key factor determining yield of nonirrigated, summer crops. In temperate regions, however, systematic analyses of long-term weather data have not been used for directing breeding programs or for crop management options. We evaluated long-term weather data (36-98 yr) for 16 sites in four geographical regions in the USA to assess the potential for drought avoidance. For each day of year when the probability (P) of having a minimum temperature 50 mm was defined as a drought. For the Midsouth, there were approximately 62 d at both the beginning and end of the growing season with P ≤ 0.20 of drought. In the Southeast, there were approximately 48 d and 121 d at the beginning and end of the growing season, respectively, with P ≤ 0.20 of drought. For the Midwest, P of drought was ≤0.20 throughout the growing season for three of the four sites, and it was concluded that a 50-mm water deficit was not likely to be a production constraint on the deep soils of the Midwest. For the Northern Great Plains, P of drought was >0.20 for more than half of the region's growing season. This meteorological approach for assessing drought may provide insights for drought avoidance in breeding and crop management.
Nuclear Data Sheets for A = 210

Abstract Evaluated spectroscopic data for all nuclei with mass number A=210, and corresponding level schemes from radioactive decay and reaction studies are presented. Highlights of this evaluation include: An extensive study of the 208 Pb( 7 Li,5γ) reaction (2001Ba79), which has provided new information on the level structure of 210 At up to an energy of of about 9 MeV. Also, strong evidence for the discovery of a new isotope, 210 Th (1995Uu01,1995Le41).
In vivo EPR imaging of the distribution and metabolism of nitroxide radicals in human skin.

Abstract While altered cellular free radical and redox metabolism are critical factors in many human diseases, it has not been previously possible to both measure and image these processes in humans. The development and application of electron paramagnetic resonance instrumentation capable of in vivo spectroscopy and imaging of free radicals in human skin are reported. The instrumentation uses a specially designed topical resonator and a 2.2-GHz microwave bridge. Noninvasive measurements of the distribution and metabolism of the topically applied nitroxide, 15 N-perdeuterated tempone (100 mM), in forearm skin were performed. A single broad peak due to the concentrated label at the skin surface was initially observed, followed by a sharp doublet from the diluted label that permeated the skin. The penetration of the label into the skin and its metabolic clearance were modeled using kinetic equations. It was observed that the penetration process from the skin surface into the dermis and subcutaneous regions, as well as its clearance from these regions, could be described by single exponential functions. Phantom imaging experiments using the nitroxide showed that a spatial resolution of up to 50 μm could be achieved. The skin imaging measurements showed two bands in the distribution of the label along the skin depth. The first band appeared in the outer 400 μm of the skin, the epidermis region, whereas the second band was centered at a depth of 1000 μm in the subcutaneous region with a thickness about 400 μm. These two bands decayed and merged into a single band with time. The results are important in the understanding of the permeability and metabolism of free radicals in human skin.
Glutamine: Role in the Fetus and Low-birthweight Infant

After completing this article, readers should be able to: 1. Describe the glutamine-glutamate shuttle. 2. Delineate the effects of glutamine supplementation during total parenteral nutrition, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy in animals. 3. Describe the beneficial effects of glutamine supplementation in low-birthweight infants and in critically ill adults. 4. List the primary actions of glutamine in the intestine. The importance of glutamine for optimal growth of cells in culture has been known since the 1950s, when Eagle published his landmark paper in Science .1 His work demonstrated that of all the amino acids, cell growth in culture relied most on glutamine. Numerous subsequent studies have established the importance of glutamine for a variety of metabolic processes in the entire organism and are beginning to demonstrate that nutritional supplementation of this amino acid may be highly beneficial under certain circumstances. Glutamine and glutamate are structurally similar five-carbon amino acids. Glutamine is a neutral amino acid at pH 7.0 that contains an alpha-amino group and a deltaamide group. In glutamate, the amide nitrogen of glutamine is replaced by a carboxy-group, conferring to it a net negative charge at pH 7.0. This at least partially accounts for the transport of these two amino acids across cell membranes via different transport systems. The presence or absence of the amide group is responsible for different metabolic interactions of these amino acids. The array of metabolic processes in which glutamine is involved is highlighted by its relationship to its metabolites and the citric acid cycle (Fig. 1⇓ ).Glutamine, via glutamate, is readily converted to alpha-ketoglutarate, an integral component of the citric acid cycle. Deamidation of glutamine via glutaminase produces glutamate, a precursor of gamma-amino butyric acid (GABA), a neurotransmission inhibitor. Proline also is produced by the cyclization of glutamate. Proline is an important amino acid component of collagen and …
Design of an automated test bed for experimental Si and SiC SGTO devices

In a collaborative effort between Army Research Lab (ARL) and Texas Tech University's center for Pulsed Power and Power Electronics (P3E) lab, a high power, high energy test bed meant to characterize experimental Si and SiC Super Gate Turn Off (SGTO) devices was designed and built. The system was engineered to run the devices through an arbitrary number of test cycles while recording all pertinent data automatically. Test parameters are set through a windows GUI which communicates with a microprocessor - based control system that orchestrates timing and settings of each subsystem as well as acquiring voltage and current waveforms with high speed ADCs operating simultaneously in parallel. The test waveform itself is generated by a Pulse Forming Network (PFN) which accurately controls rise time, fall time and pulse width. The PFN is charged by a Rapid Capacitor Charger (RCC) system designed at the P3E lab that is capable of 10 kW and allows precise charge voltage levels to be set. Waveforms are acquired through isolated probes specifically designed to capture desired signals even in the presence of a large bias voltages.
Personality in International Law

The overwhelming majority of writers on international law seem still inclined to advocate that states only be recognized as legal persons in international law. Since, however, neither the term “state” nor the term “legal personality” is unequivocal, it may well be questioned whether a conclusion reached by means of a mere combination of these terms is adequate to clarify the pertinent problems.Through constant repetition, the unqualified designation of the state as the only legal person in international law became seemingly self-evident. Yet it should not be overlooked that the concept of the state is much older than the description of the state in terms of legal personality, since the latter terminology does not appear before the middle of the seventeenth century. There seems to be general agreement that Thomas Hobbes originated the usage of speaking of the “state” as a “person,” when he proposed to define a “body politic” as “a multitude of men, united as one person by a common power.”
The role of interferon in the regulation of virus infections by cytotoxic lymphocytes.

Interferon (IFN) induced during a virus infection mediates antiviral effects both by direct inhibition of virus replication and by influencing the proliferation, differentiation, and chemotaxis of cyto-toxic lymphocytes which control the infection. Cells from tissue taken from virus-infected mice are conditioned by IFN to resist lysis by natural killer (NK) cells, while they become increasingly susceptible to lysis by cytotoxic Tlymphocytes (CTL). This is due to marked IFN-induced biochemical changes, including an up-regulation of major histocompatibility antigens, which are targets for CTL. Cytopathic viruses, which inhibit cellular RNA and protein synthesis, render target cells refractory to IFN-mediated protection against NK cells, thereby providing a mechanism for NK cells to mediate antiviral effect by preferentially lysing virus-infected but not uninfected cells.
Anesthetic Implications for Patients With Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Implantable cardioverter defibrillators have become one of the preferred methods for treating many life- threatening ventricular arrhythmias. Many tens of thou sands of these devices have been implanted and this, together with the ease of worldwide travel, has made it more likely that anesthesiologists everywhere may come into contact with these patients either for elective or emergency surgery. These patients present unique anesthetic challenges because of the combination of the device and severe underlying cardiac disease. This article presents an overview of the implantable defibril lator as it affects the anesthesiologist, including device function, device assessment, electromagnetic interfer ence, and perioperative management.