cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Outcomes of Cardiac Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma in the Rituximab Era

Introduction: Cardiac lymphomas are very rare with diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) considered to be the most common histology. These lymphomas can be either local “primary cardiac” disease, or part of dissemination by systemic lymphoma. There is limited data regarding outcomes of patients with this disease. We sought to evaluate the outcomes of cardiac DLBCL in both pre- and rituximab eras using a large retrospective database. Methods: The public Surveillance, Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) database was used to identify all patients diagnosed with DLBCL and heart as the primary disease site. Data cutoff in the database was in 2016. Patients with missing date of diagnosis or survival data were excluded. Patients were divided into two groups based on diagnosis year, with rituximab cohort included all DLBCLs diagnosed in 2006 and later (2006 was FDA approval year of rituximab in untreated DLBCL). Treatment effect (surgery, radiation, chemotherapy) was analyzed when available. survival was estimated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and compared using Log-Rank test. Cox proportional hazards models were used for adjusted survival analyses. Results: Total of 106 patients were included in the final analysis, baseline characteristics are summarized in table 1. Median age at diagnosis was 69.5 years with only about 10% of patients being 50 years or younger. Most patients were white 71 (67%), had local stage I/II disease 68 (64.2%), and belonged to the rituximab era group 71 (67%). Most patients had chemotherapy 82 (77.4%), while only 25 (23.6%) had surgery, and 16 (15.1%) had radiotherapy. Median overall survival (OS) for the entire cohort was 22 months (0-292). Median OS was 16 months (95% CI, 0.55 -31) for the pre-rituximab group, and was 26 months (95% CI, 7.5 - 45) for the rituximab group which were not statistically different (p-value =0.340). Median lymphoma-specific survival (LCS) was 30 months (95% CI, 8.0 -52) for the pre-rituximab group, and was 36 months (95% CI, 16 - 158) for the rituximab group which were not statistically different (p-value =0.295). OS and LCS were also not different between the two era groups when stratified by chemotherapy (figure 1). On univariate analysis, Chemotherapy was associated with better OS [HR = 0.472, 95% CI (0.277-0.806); p-value = 0.006] but not LCS [HR = 0.690, 95% CI (0.341-1.396); p-value = 0.302]. Using a multivariate analysis model, both OS and LCS were associated with lymphoma stage, insurance status and age but not with diagnosis era or chemotherapy (table 2). Conclusion: Cardiac DLBCLs are rare and affecting mostly the elderly. No significant improvement in outcomes were noted in the current rituximab era. Age, disease stage, and having health insurance were associated with better outcomes. The role of chemotherapy needs further evaluation in larger studies. Download : Download high-res image (674KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures No relevant conflicts of interest to declare.
The Contractual Aesthetics of Sharecropping in Black Conceptualism

The impersonal legal language of contracts, termed the “aesthetic of administration” by Benjamin Buchloh, has had a strong impact on postwar conceptualist art. In the U.S., however, a two-tiered le...
Cultural awareness training for dental students.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to assess the impact of a full-day workshop on increasing cultural awareness among incoming first-year (DDS-I) and post-doctoral (PGY-I) dental students at the Columbia University College of Dental Medicine. METHODS The workshop focused on developing students' cultural awareness regarding dimensions of identity, recognition of power and privilege, importance of cross-cultural understanding and communication, and the role of self-reflection through direct teaching, interactive discussions, and reflective writing. A convenience sample of 83 DDS-I and 30 PGY-I students from the 2019 enrollment class were recruited. Assessments included pre- and post-workshop surveys, facilitator interviews, and a formal workshop evaluation. Descriptive and bivariate analyses of students' responses were performed to assess cultural awareness within and between student groups. Facilitator interviews and student feedback were analyzed qualitatively to identify emerging themes. RESULTS Global cultural awareness among both student groups was higher in the post-workshop survey (for DDS-I, mean = 3.46, SD = 0.38; for PGY-I, mean = 3.47, SD = 0.30) than in the pre-workshop survey (for DDS-I, mean = 2.98, SD = 0.34; for PGY-I, mean = 2.90, SD = 0.47), which represented a statistically significant difference (p < 0.001 for both comparisons). Quantitative analysis revealed that the workshop provided a platform to discuss sensitive topics, increased cultural awareness among students and faculty, and provided faculty with different perspectives about culture awareness. CONCLUSIONS The full-day workshop achieved its goals of increasing dental students' self-perceived cultural awareness and capacity to establish cross-cultural professional relationships.
Through a Scanner Quickly: Elicitation of P3 in Transportation Security Officers Following Rapid Image Presentation and Categorization

Numerous domains, ranging from medical diagnostics to intelligence analysis, involve visual search tasks in which people must find and identify specific items within large sets of imagery. These tasks rely heavily on human judgment, making fully automated systems infeasible in many cases. Researchers have investigated methods for combining human judgment with computational processing to increase the speed at which humans can triage large image sets. One such method is rapid serial visual presentation (RSVP), in which images are presented in rapid succession to a human viewer. While viewing the images and looking for targets of interest, the participant’s brain activity is recorded using electroencephalography (EEG). The EEG signals can be time-locked to the presentation of each image, producing event-related potentials (ERPs) that provide information about the brain’s response to those stimuli. The participants’ judgments about whether or not each set of images contained a target and the ERPs elicited by target and non-target images are used to identify subsets of images that merit close expert scrutiny [1]. Although the RSVP/EEG paradigm holds promise for helping professional visual searchers to triage imagery rapidly, it may be limited by the nature of the target items. Targets that do not vary a great deal in appearance are likely to elicit useable ERPs, but more variable targets may not. In the present study, we sought to extend the RSVP/EEG paradigm to the domain of aviation security screening, and in doing so to explore the limitations of the technique for different types of targets. Professional Transportation Security Officers (TSOs) viewed bag X-rays that were presented using an RSVP paradigm. The TSOs viewed bursts of images containing 50 segments of bag X-rays that were presented for 100 ms each. Following each burst of images, the TSOs indicated whether or not they thought there was a threat item in any of the images in that set. EEG was recorded during each burst of images and ERPs were calculated by time-locking the EEG signal to the presentation of images containing threats and matched images that were identical except for the presence of the threat item. Half of the threat items had a prototypical appearance and half did not. We found that the bag images containing threat items with a prototypical appearance reliably elicited a P300 ERP component, while those without a prototypical appearance did not. These findings have implications for the application of the RSVP/EEG technique to real-world visual search domains.
[17] Immunohistochemistry of leukocyte antigens in rat brain

Publisher Summary This chapter provides a concise summary of experiences with monoclonal antibodies against rat leukocyte antigens used for the monitoring of microglial activation during various neuropathological states. The availability of monoclonal antibodies directed against immune system antigens, such as major histocompatibility complex (MHC) antigens, lymphocyte, and myelomonocytic markers, has contributed significantly to our understanding of cellular neuroimmunology in recent years. Antibodies against rat leukocyte antigens have been especially useful because rat models are widely used to study a variety of neuropathologic disease mechanisms. These antibodies have been critical for defining a role of central nervous system (CNS) microglial cells as endogenous immunocompetent cells of the brain.
Observation of deterministic chaos in a passive nonlinear optical system

We report the observation of deterministic chaos in a barium titanate self-pumped phase-conjugate mirror (SPPCM). Chaotic behavior has been observed previously in optics in the form of laser instabilities1 and in the form of instabilities in a hybrid nonlinear optical system containing both optical and electronic devices.2 We have observed deterministic chaos in a passive all-optical nonlinear optical system and have measured the dimension of the chaotic attractor.
Protein tyrosine phosphorylation is induced in murine B lymphocytes in response to stimulation with anti-immunoglobulin.

Abstract Activation of both T and B lymphocytes through their membrane receptors for antigen is known to induce breakdown of inositol phospholipids. In addition, T cell activation by antigen is accompanied by increased protein tyrosine phosphorylation of components of the T cell antigen receptor. We now provide evidence that B cell activation through membrane immunoglobulin is also coupled to stimulation of protein tyrosine kinase activity. One potential candidate for a B lymphocyte protein tyrosine kinase is an 80 kd molecule that is itself phosphorylated at tyrosine residues in response to stimulation with anti-immunoglobulin antibodies.
Application-oriented routing in hybrid wireless networks

Hybrid wireless networks are a viable networking solution to combat the limitations of infrastructured wireless networks and provide Internet connectivity to ad hoc networks. This paper first analyzes the requirements for deployment of hybrid networks in different application scenarios. Then two routing schemes designed for different traffic patterns in hybrid networks are proposed to achieve optimal performance. Simulation results show that with a large percentage of short web-based traffic sessions, using a gateway as a default router results in better performance with lower latency, fewer routing table entries, and manageable control overhead. When traffic locality is high and Internet traffic is only an occasional occurrence, the reactive routing scheme results in better performance, yielding low control overhead and higher throughput.
Thoughts on the nature of identity: how disorders of sex development inform clinical research about gender identity disorders.

Disorders of sex development (DSD), like gender dysphoria, are conditions with major effects on child sexuality and identity, as well as sexual orientation. Each may in some cases lead to change of...
Photonic control of phased arrays using analog vector modulation

A compact free-space/solid optics photonic controller for phased array antennas/transducers is introduced that uses the principle of in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) vector modulation via two dimensional (2-D) spatial light modulators (SLMs). The SLMs are used as distributed optical gain control devices to implement the vector modulation operation required to generate the desired radio frequency (RF) signals with the correct phase and amplitude values. In one design, the system is fed by four independent lasers where one pair of lasers is mutually incoherent with the other pair of lasers. These lasers are modulated (directly or externally) by separate forms (different phase shifts: 0, 90, 180, 270 degrees) of the input RF carrier. Depending on the phase and amplitude of the carrier required for the nth antenna/transducer element, two predetermined laser beams from the nth pixel locations of two of the preselected SLMs are optically combined in intensity via a photosensor to generate the desired RF signal. In a similar fashion, the system can provide independent control for all N elements of the phased array.
Impact of Process Variations on Upset Reversal in a 65 nm Flip-Flop

This work postulates a mechanism, upset reversal, and analyzes the impact of process variations on the mechanism. Process variations are shown to affect the onset of upset reversal for a 65 nm flip-flop.
Detector position estimation for PET scanners

Physical positioning of scintillation crystal detector blocks in Positron Emission Tomography (PET) scanners is not always exact. We test a proof of concept methodology for the determination of the six degrees of freedom for detector block positioning errors by utilizing a rotating point source over stepped axial intervals. To test our method, we created computer simulations of seven Micro Crystal Element Scanner (MiCES) PET systems with randomized positioning errors. The computer simulations show that our positioning algorithm can estimate the positions of the block detectors to an average of one-seventh of the crystal pitch tangentially, and one-third of the crystal pitch axially. Virtual acquisitions of a point source grid and a distributed phantom show that our algorithm improves both the quantitative and qualitative accuracy of the reconstructed objects. We believe this estimation algorithm is a practical and accurate method for determining the spatial positions of scintillation detector blocks.
Size effect on the effective bulk modulus of nanocomposites with core–shell nanospherical inclusions

Abstract Closed-form solutions are presented for the internal stress and effective bulk modulus of a nanocomposite by considering the effect of interface energy. The nanocomposite is made of three-phase structures: a nanospherical inclusion, a spherical shell on the surface of the spherical inclusion, and a macroscopically isotropic material. The results reveal the size-dependence of the effective bulk modulus of the nanocomposite. The elastic response of the nanocomposite depends on the interface energy and the characteristic dimensions of the nanospherical inclusion and spherical shell.
The Biosynthesis Characteristics of TTP and TNF Can Be Regulated through a Posttranscriptional Molecular Loop

The abundant expression of tumor necrosis factor (TNF) is a hallmark of chronic inflammation of the gastrointestinal tract. Prolonged inflammation can lead to inflammatory bowel disease. TNF biosynthesis is regulated both at transcription and posttranscriptional levels. However, the stimulation-induced increase in translation rate is much larger. This might indicate the possibility of a posttranscriptional regulatory mechanism. How, during basal conditions, is the free concentration of TNF tightly regulated at low levels? The stability and translational efficiency of TNF transcript are regulated by an AU-rich element (ARE) in the 3′-UTR of messenger RNA. A transacting protein, TTP, binds to ARE and enhances the mRNA turnover. Here, we examine a proposal that TNF homeostasis is regulated by a TTP-TNF interaction loop at the posttranscriptional level. We propose a computational framework of this regulatory loop by modeling the role of AREs in mediating the messenger RNA stability and translation. This posttranscriptional regulatory loop between TTP and TNF is composed of two feedback loops (i.e. positive and negative). The mutual interaction of these feedback loops regulates the biosynthesis response of TNF during basal and inflammatory conditions. Here, we also propose an explanation for why the p38 inhibitors become insensitive for TTP knock-out mice.
Brønsted acid catalysis of achiral enamine for regio- and enantioselective nitroso aldol synthesis

Two types of chiral Bronsted acid catalysts have been shown to catalyze regio- and enantioselective nitroso aldol synthesis between nitrosobenzene and achiral enamine. The combination of Bronsted acidity and amine moiety of enamine realizes complete regioselectivity with high enantioselectivity. After a survey of Bronsted acid catalysts, 1-naphthyl glycolic acid is found to be optimal in the O-nitroso aldol pathway, while 1-naphthyl TADDOL is the best catalyst for the N-nitroso aldol pathway. This is based on our finding on the control of regioselectivity by changing the amine moiety of enamine and the choice of Bronsted acidity.
Analysis of B-6 vitamers and pyridoxic acid in plasma, tissues and urine using high performance liquid chromatography

Abstract We developed an HPLC (high performance liquid chromatography) method for analysis of vitamin B-6 metabolites, including the excretory form, that is suitable for plasma, tissues and urine. The method is based on modifications of the reverse-phase ion-pairing procedure of Gregory and Feldstein (1), and can be used to separate pyridoxal phosphate, pyridoxamine phosphate, pyridoxal, pyridoxine, pyridoxamine and pyridoxic acid in samples from laboratory animals and humans. Samples were extracted with metaphosphoric acid and analyzed using binary linear gradient elution to separate B-6 vitamers. Recoveries were near 100% with analytical precision of 7% or less for all vitamers. Detection limits ranged from 0.5–2.0 pmol (0.1–0.4 ng)/injection, which will permit accurate analysis of samples that contain low concentrations of B-6 vitamers, such as plasma from humans and animals in marginal or deficient B-6 nutritional status. Vitamer concentrations in rat liver obtained with this method agreed closely with values obtained with the established HPLC method of Coburn and Mahuren (2) for vitamin B-6.
Improving Police Encounters with Juveniles: Does Training Make a Difference?:

Law enforcement training programs rarely address how juvenile developmental differences affect police encounters with aggressive or potentially aggressive juveniles. This neglect is surprising since a large percentage of police threat of or use of force contacts are with juveniles. While additional training represents one strategy to address this shortcoming, it is unclear whether such training affects the police officers' perceptions of juveniles and their attitudes toward handling juvenile aggression. This study examines the effectiveness of an experimental training program designed to improve officers' recognition of juveniles' developmental difference and change their attitudes toward their role in handling aggressive or potentially aggressive juveniles. Results showed that training affected officer responses in the desired direction directly following training and at follow-up. Additionally, these findings indicated that a majority of trained officers who encountered aggressive juveniles utilized ver...
Hormonal Contraception and Migraine: Clinical Considerations

Migraine is highly prevalent in women, particularly in the reproductive years when contraception may be needed. Preventive strategies are known to be underutilized for migraine. Women of reproductive age may not only benefit from the use of hormonal contraceptives for contraception, but also for the purpose of reducing the burden of menstrual-related migraine. Although migraine is associated with an increased risk of stroke, the use of low-dose hormonal contraceptives in otherwise healthy women does not appear to confer additional risk.
The volcanoes and caldera of Talasea, New Britain: Mineralogy

The Talasea Peninsula is composed of a chain of Quaternary volcanoes whose lavas range from basalt to rhyolite. The peninsula is situated in an orogenic environment and the lavas, while essentially calc-alkaline, show some differences from other orogenic suites on the Pacific rim. The most distinctive feature of the Talasea series is absolute iron enrichment in some lavas. Mineralogically, the andesites are characterized by phenocrysts of plagioclase, orthopyroxene, clinopyroxene and titanomagnetite, while the basalts lack titanomagnetite phenocrysts but contain olivine. The acid rocks have a mineralogy similar to that of the andesites, but also contain quartz, amphibole, biotite and ilmenite. The compositions of coexisting titanomagnetite and ilmenite in the acid lavas indicate equilibration temperatures in the range 920° to 860° C and oxygen fugacities ( $$f_{O_2 } $$ ) above those of the fayalitemagnetite-quartz buffer assemblage. The mineralogical evidence supports the hypothesis of a crystal fractionation origin for this series and there is a possibility that the $$f_{O_2 } $$ was more or less constant during the early stages of its evolution. The iron enriched lavas may be an offshoot from the main line of descent, resulting from near-surface fractionation, with the dominance of plagioclase in the crystal residuum producing an iron-rich liquid.
Spectral Decomposition of Multicolor Imaging in Multifocal Multiphoton Microscopy

For imaging multiple fluorophores, spectral decomposition is often necessary due to the spectral overlap of emission signals. While decomposition techniques have been developed, further improvement in spectral separation may be possible with Poisson noise removal.
Receptor-ligand binding in the cell-substrate contact zone: a quantitative analysis using CX3CR1 and CXCR1 chemokine receptors.

Receptor−ligand binding analyses have generally used soluble components to measure thermodynamic binding constants. In their biological context, adhesion receptors bind to an immobile ligand and the binding reaction is confined to the cell−substrate contact zone. We have developed a new procedure based on the spinning disk technology to measure the number of receptor−ligand bonds in the contact zone. Application of this methodology to the CX3CR1−fractalkine and the CXCR1−IL-8 receptor−ligand systems demonstrated that the level of binding to an immobilized ligand is reduced by several orders of magnitude in comparison to solution binding. A comparison of the solution binding and contact zone binding constants shows that the effect of ligand immobilization was similar for each system. In contrast, although the CXCR1−IL-8 bond had the higher affinity, the average bond strength was only 10% of that for the CX3CR1 bond. Because fractalkine can be expressed as a cell surface-bound protein, CX3CR1 has been propo...
THE LUKE RELIABILITY TREND CHART

In electronic systems, it is important to understand exactly how the reliability is changing with time. Dynamic performance changes when a system passes from infant mortality stage into life phase and when the system changed when the is redesigned or wh..
Synthesis, Crystal Structures, and Dual Donor Luminescence Sensitization in Novel Terbium Tetracyanoplatinates

A series of novel terbium tetracyanoplatinate compounds all incorporating tridentate 2,2′:6′2″-terpyridine (terpy) or 4′-chloro-2,2′:6′2″-terpyridine (terpy-Cl) were synthesized and used to investigate the phenomenon of dual-donor sensitization of Tb3+. Judicious choice of the Tb3+ salt and reaction conditions results in the isolation of {Tb(terpy)(H2O)2(NO3)Pt(CN)4}·CH3CN (1A), {Tb(terpy)(H2O)2(NO3)Pt(CN)4}·3.5H2O (1B), {Tb(terpy-Cl)(H2O)2(NO3)Pt(CN)4}·2.5H2O (2), [Tb(terpy)(H2O)2(CH3COO)2]2Pt(CN)4·4H2O (3), or [Tb2(terpy)2(H2O)2(CH3COO)5]2Pt(CN)4·7H2O (4). The compounds 1A, 1B, and 2 contain one-dimensional polymeric structures with bridging of [Tb(L)(NO3)(H2O)2]2+ (L = terpy or terpy-Cl) moieties by cis-bridging tetracyanoplatinate (TCP) anions as determined via single-crystal X-ray diffraction studies. Both 3 and 4, however, contain Tb3+ coordinated by multiple acetate ligands and terpy, but not TCP, and are classified as zero-dimensional complex salts. Platinophilic interactions that dominate tetracy...
Nitrogen-doped porous aromatic frameworks for enhanced CO2 adsorption

Recently synthesized porous aromatic frameworks (PAFs) exhibit extremely high surface areas and exceptional thermal and hydrothermal stabilities. Using computer-aided design, we propose new PAFs, designated as NPAFs, by introducing nitrogen-containing groups to the biphenyl unit and predict their CO2 adsorption capacities with grand canonical Monte Carlo (GCMC) simulations. Among various NPAFs considered, one with imidazole groups shows the highest adsorption capacity for CO2 (11.5wt % at 1bar and 298K) , in comparison with 5wt % for the parent PAF (PAF- 1) at the same condition. At higher pressures (around 10bar) ,though, another NPAF with pyridinic N groups performs much better than the rest due to its greater pore volume in addition to the N functionality. This research suggests that adding N functionality to the organic linkers is a promising way to increase CO2 adsorption capacity of PAFs at ambient condition.
Identification of the Leaf Vacuole as a Major Nitrate Storage Pool

Highly purified vacuoles were isolated from protoplasts derived from green barley (Hordeum vulgare var. Numar) leaves, in order to determine their role as a NO3− storage sink. α-Mannosidase and acid phosphatase activities were used as markers to identify vacuoles, α-mannosidase being the more suitable. Nitrate and α-mannosidase, which were released from vacuoles destroyed during lysis of protoplasts, moved at unequal rates in the density gradient used for vacuole isolation. Purified vacuoles retained less NO3− than α-mannosidase during a single washing. Empirically determined corrections were used to account for NO3− movement in estimating the percentage of total cellular nitrate found in the vacuole. Vacuoles from plants grown in the presence of NO3− contained 58% of the total cellular NO3− and therefore represent a major NO3− storage pool.
Characteristics of an Hsp70 Homolog Localized in Higher Plant Chloroplasts That Is Similar to DnaK, the Hsp70 of Prokaryotes

Members of the 70-kD heat-shock protein (Hsp70) family are important cellular factors that are thought to mediate protein folding and assembly. A chloroplast-localized Hsp70 homolog (Chsp70) was recently identified based on its similarity to DnaK, the Hsp70 homolog of Escherichia coli (D. Amir-Shapira, T. Leustek, B. Dalie, H. Weissbach, N. Brot [1990] Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 87: 1749-1752). To learn more about the function of Chsp70, we purified the protein from Spinacia oleracea chloroplasts by ATP-agarose affinity chromatography. A single, 75,000-D protein was isolated which becomes phosphorylated on a threonine residue when incubated with [gamma-32P]ATP and 10 mM Ca2+, a property similar to DnaK. Chloroplast fractionation and immunoblot analysis showed that Chsp70 is a soluble stromal protein. Chsp70-specific antiserum was used to clone a partial cDNA that shows greater homology with Hsp70 from prokaryotes than with cytoplasmic Hsp70 from eukaryotes. The antiserum and cDNA were used to study Chsp70 expression. Following heat shock of spinach seedlings at 37 degrees C, Chsp70 synthesis increase 12-fold, the level of Chsp70 mRNA increases 5-fold, and the level of Chsp70 protein increases less than 2-fold. Chsp70 is constitutively expressed in all spinach tissues, indicating that it is likely to be localized in all plastid types. The highest levels occur in seeds, leaves, florets, and seedlings grown in the light. Lower levels occur in roots, stems, and etiolated seedlings.
The thyroid gland of the woodchuck, Marmota monax: A morphological study of seasonal variations in the follicular cells

The morphology of the thyroid gland of the woodchuck, Marmota monax, was studied during the four seasons of the year. In the spring the thyroid is extremely heterogenous in appearance. Some follicular cells appear quite active. They contain a well defined Golgi apparatus, abundant large colloid droplets and pseudopodia but few, if any, apical vesicles. Other less active cells have poorly defined rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum and lack a well developed Golgi apparatus. They do not contain apical vesicles or colloid droplets. Summer thyroids have uniformly small follicles which are lined by high cuboidal cells containing numerous mitochondria, apical vesicles, abundant rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum, and lipid droplets but few colloid droplets. There is extensive lateral and basal infolding of the cytoplasmic membranes in these cells. In the fall and winter the follicles are larger than in the summer and contain more colloid. Numerous heterogeneous dense bodies appear in the cytoplasm of the follicular cells in the fall and increase in number in the winter when there is an obvious sparsity of such glycoprotein synthetic organelles as Golgi apparatus and rough surfaced endoplasmic reticulum. These morphologic changes are compared with previous studies of thyroid structure and function in other animals and are correlated with the seasonal physiologic activities of the woodchuck.
Effects of 17β-estradiol and progesterone on agonist-stimulated inositol phospholipid breakdown in uterine smooth muscle

Abstract Inositol phospholipid breakdown, from a [3H]inositol-labelled pool, induced by a variety of contractile agents was monitored in uterine smooth muscle slices pretreated with estradiol-17β or estradiol-17β and progesterone by measuring the accumulation of [3H]inositol phosphates. Agonist potencies for stimulating [3H]IP accumulation were not affected by hormone treatment but the maximum responses were dependent upon hormonal state. Maximum responses to carbachol, norepinephrine, prostaglandin F2α were increased in progesterone-dominated tissues but maximum responses to oxytocin were unaffected. Inhibition of agonist-induced responses by competitive receptor antagonists confirmed the receptor specificity of carbachol-, norepinephrine- and oxytocin-mediated responses. Partial membrane depolarization (25 mM K+) did not affect agonist-induced maximal responses in either estrogen- or progesterone-dominated tissue. These data suggest that gonadal steroid hormones affect agonist-dependent intracellular calcium mobilization processes.
Mental Health Stigma, Self-Concealment, and Help-Seeking Attitudes among Asian American and European American College Students with No Help-Seeking Experience

The present study examined whether mental health stigma (i.e., negative attitudes toward people with a psychological disorder) and self-concealment are unique predictors of help-seeking attitudes in Asian American and European American college students with no history of seeking professional psychological services. The Asian American group had less favorable help-seeking attitudes overall, lower levels of stigma tolerance and interpersonal openness, greater mental health stigma, and greater self-concealment than the European American group. Mental health stigma and self-concealment were unique predictors of help-seeking attitudes overall in both groups. However, mental health stigma was not a unique predictor of recognition of need for psychotherapeutic help and confidence in mental health practitioners, the components of help-seeking attitudes theorized to be most associated with actual help-seeking behavior. Self-concealment was a unique predictor of confidence in mental health practitioners in the Asian American group, but not in the European American group.
Model-based assurance of security controls

We present an innovative way to assess the effectiveness of security controls where measurable aspects of controls are first captured in models and then the models are used to analyze the security data gathered from the IT environment. The aim is to lift the risk and security control assessment lifecycle from a series of people based processes to one where model based technology enhances and automates the process.
Photochemical Targeting Of Phagocytic Trabecular Meshwork Cells Using Chlorin E6 Coupled Microspheres

We have investigated a novel and efficient delivery system utilizing photosensitizer-coupled-latex microspheres to photochemically target and kill phagocytic trabecular meshwork (TM) cells. TM cells are the most actively phagocytic cells within the anterior chamber of the eye and are located within an optically accessible discrete band. This delivery system, along with the property of cell photocytosis, will achieve double selectivity by combining preferential localization of the photosensitizer to the target cells with spatial localization of illumination on the target cells. All experiments were performed with preconfluent bovine TM cells, 3rd to 4th passage, plated in 15 mm wells. Chlorin e6 monoethylene diamine monoamide was conjugated to the surface of 1.0 Am MX Duke Scientific fluorescent latex microspheres. Spectroscopic analysis revealed an average of 1.3 x 10 -17 moles of chlorin e6 per microsphere. TM cells were incubated for 18 hours with 5 x 10 7 microspheres/ml in MEM with 10% FCS, washed with MEM, and irradiated through fresh media using an argon-pumped dye laser emitting .2 W at 660 nm. A dose-survival study indicated that energy doses of 10 J/cm2 or greater resulted in greater than 95% cell death as determined by ethidium bromide exclusion. Cell death could be demonstrated as early as 4 hours post-irradiation. TM cells incubated with a solution of chlorin e6 at a concentration equal to that conjugated to the microspheres showed no cell death. Unirradiated controls also showed no cell death.
Characteristics of BRCA1 mutations in a population-based case series of breast and ovarian cancer

Breast and ovarian cancers account for approximately 210000 newly diagnosed cases per year. More than half a million American women are estimated to be carriers of a breast cancer susceptibility gene. The purpose of this study was to assess the association of characteristics such as, age at diagnosis, race/ethnicity and family history of cancer with inherited BRCA1 mutations in a population-based sample of breast and ovarian cancer cases. No selection was made by race, age at diagnosis or positive family history of breast or ovarian cancer. The population under study was all breast cancer cases diagnosed in Orange County, CA, during the 1-year period beginning 1 March 1994 and all ovarian cancer cases diagnosed in Orange County during the 2-year period beginning 1 March 1994. This report focuses on the first consecutively ascertained 802 participating probands enrolled in the study, of which 9 were male breast cancer probands, 673 were female breast cancer probands and 120 were ovarian cancer probands. We observed 11 BRCA1 mutations or 1.6% (95% CI: 0.8-2.9) among the 673 female breast cancer probands and 4 BRCA1 mutations or 3.3% (95% CI: 0.8-8. 3) among the 120 ovarian cancer probands. No BRCA1 mutations were identified among the 98 non-white breast and ovarian cancer probands. The prevalence of BRCA1 mutations in non-Hispanic-white breast cancer cases below the age of 50 years was 2%. Positive family history of breast or ovarian cancers was significantly associated with BRCA1 mutation status among breast cancer probands. Similarly, positive family history of breast or ovarian cancer was significantly associated with BRCA1 mutation status among the ovarian cancer probands. In summary, we present results on the prevalence of BRCA1 mutations in a significantly larger sample of population-based breast and ovarian cancer cases than previously reported. The results indicate that, using a conservative approach to targeted genotyping of BRCA1, the frequency of mutations was consistent with those reported using similar methods of population-based case ascertainment.
Iron(III)-Chelex resin complex as a prototypical heterogeneous catalyst for phosphodiester hydrolysis

The Fe 3þ complex (but not Cu 2þ and Zn 2þ complexes) of the cross-linked polystyrene Chelex resin is found to be an efficient and selective catalyst toward phosphodiester hydrolysis. The hydrolysis of bis-(p-nitrophenyl)phosphate (BNPP) by Fe 3þ –Chelex complex exhibits a pre-equilibrium kinetics with a second-order catalytic proficiency (in terms of rate ¼ k2 [Fe–Chelex][BNPP]) reaching one million at ambient temperature and pH 9.0. � 2003 Published by Elsevier B.V.
Controlling Ebola Trials

There are currently no therapeutic agents that have been shown to be effective against Ebola virus disease (EVD). A number of experimental therapies are in the early stages of testing in humans. Th...
Multichannel Fabry-Perot spectrometer for infrared astronomy.

A multichannel design which makes use of the radiation normally rejected in a Fabry-Perot spectrometer is described, with application to infrared astronomy. The present optical design minimizes the diameters of the etalon and optics. The use of spherical mirrors ensures that no radiation is lost through the entrance aperture, and the beams can be completely collimated at the etalon. Laboratory studies demonstrate that the ability to employ eight channels increases by a factor of four the flux integrated during a given time period compared with that of a single-channel instrument. The spectrometer is nondispersive, and the source can be imaged at each of several output spectral positions.
Advancing Geriatric Education: Development of an Interprofessional Program for Health Care Faculty

To improve the health care of older adults, a faculty development program was created to enhance geriatric knowledge. The University of Alabama at Birmingham (UAB) Geriatric Education Center leadership instituted a one-year, 36-hour curriculum focusing on older adults with complex health care needs. Content areas were chosen from the Institute of Medicine Transforming Health Care Quality report and a local needs assessment. Potential preceptors were identified and participant recruitment efforts began by contacting UAB department chairs of health care disciplines. This article describes the development of the program and its implementation over three cohorts of faculty scholars (n = 41) representing 13 disciplines, from nine institutions of higher learning. Formative and summative evaluation showed program success in terms of positive faculty reports of the program, information gained, and expressed intent by each scholar to apply learned content to teaching and/or clinical practice. This article describes the initial framework and strategies guiding the development of a thriving interprofessional geriatric education program.
What is the Real Steric Impact of Triphenylphosphite? Solid-State and Solution Structural Studies of cis- and trans-Isomers of M(CO)4[P(OPh)3]2 (M = Mo and W)

The steric requirements for the triphenylphosphite ligand in several molybdenum and tungsten carbonyl derivatives have been shown by X-ray crystallography to exceed the original Tolman’s cone angle of 128°. That is, due to various accessible conformers possible for P(OPh)3, solid-state data predict a considerably larger cone angle for the ligand of between 140° and 160°. Importantly, the solution behavior of cis-M(CO)4[P(OPh)3]2 (M = Mo or W), coupled with similarly reported observations on a series of cis-Mo(CO)4[PR3]2 derivatives, support this conclusion, for these molecules both undergo thermal rearrangement to the more stable trans-isomers. On the other hand, the electronically similar but sterically much smaller cis-Mo(CO)4[P(OCH2)3CEt]2 complex is thermally stable under much harsher conditions. Furthermore, a comprehensive survey of structural data for transition-metal−triphenylphosphite derivatives available in the Cambridge Crystallographic Database reveals that most molecules display conformation...
Effect of experience with pine (Pituophis melanoleucus) and king (Lampropeltis getulus) snake odors on y-maze behavior of pine snake hatchlings

The abilities of hatchling pine snakes (Pituophis melanoleucus) and king snakes (Lampropeltis getulus) to discriminate the chemical trails of pine and king snakes was investigated inY-maze experiments. Pine snakes were housed for 17 days either with shavings impregnated with pine snake odor, king snake odor, or no odor to test for the effect of experience on choice. Both pine and king snake hatchlings entered the arm with the pine snake odor and did not enter the arm with the king snake odor. The data support the hypothesis that hatchlings of both species can distinguish conspecific odors from other odors and that our manipulation of previous experience was without effect for pine snake hatchlings.
Processing the information contained in another's behavior

Abstract This study investigates attributions based on behavior congruent with situational demands (in-role) and those based on behavior incongruent with situational demands (out-of-role). By analyzing these processes in terms of a Bayesian inference model, it was possible to determine (a) the diagnostic values observers intially assign to behaviors, (b) the actual informational impact of these behaviors, and (c) the degree of optimality in processing information contained therein. The main results can be summarized as follows: (1) The diagnostic value and actual informational impact of out-of-role behaviors were much higher than those of inrole behaviors. (2) Information about out-of-role behaviors was less optimally processed than information about in-role behaviors. (3) Observers assigned smaller diagnostic values to behaviors which were described in great detail than to behaviors which were described in summary statements. (4) Observers' attitudes influenced their initial beliefs about the actors but not the processing of new information about the actor. (5) The Bayesian inference model predicted observers' inferences reasonably well.
Valuable and Unessential: The Paradox of Preservice Teachers' Beliefs About the Role of Play in Learning

Using a basic qualitative methodology, this study explores the following research question, what are preservice teachers' beliefs about the role of play in learning? This study focuses on the beliefs of seven preservice teachers enrolled in an early childhood practicum at a small liberal arts university in south central Texas. Findings indicated that the preservice teachers believe that play is valuable and not essential to children's learning. Moreover, they seemed to privilege the learning in not-play activities over the learning in play activities. These findings suggest that early childhood teacher educators need to assist preservice teachers in confronting contradictions within their beliefs about play, educate preservice teachers about how play encourages academic learning, and teach preservice teachers how to assess children's learning during play.
Knowledge About Hospice Care and Beliefs About Pain Management Exploring Differences Between Hispanics and Non-Hispanics

Context:Among Hispanics, incomplete knowledge about hospice care may explain low rates of utilization and culturally-specific beliefs about pain and pain treatments may contribute to disparities in...
On rare-earth element behavior in igneous rocks

Abstract Trends of the past decade in geochemical investigations of trace elements are reflected in studies of rare-earth elements (REE). Substantial improvements have been made in accuracy, sensitivity and convenience of REE analysis, mainly through improved techniques and equipment for neutron-activation analysis and mass spectrometric isotope dilution. The most detailed studies have been on mafic rock systems, with a shift away from broad surveys to detailed examinations of single regions or formations. Ocean ridge tholeiitic basalts have been shown to derive from mantle sources partly depleted by earlier melting. Associated basalts deviating from typical ocean ridge tholeiite have been attributed to invading plumes of more primitive mantle matter. Lunar mare basalts and highland KREEP basalts have been characterized as having REE distributions roughly analogous to terrestrial ocean and continental distributions. Models for genesis of mafic liquids as products of partial melting or fractional crystallization have been developed and applied. These models are dependent on values for distribution coefficients. Such values are not well known or the factors affecting them well characterized. Experimental techniques for estimating distribution coefficients are still being developed and tested. Present models cannot yet account quantitatively for the REE concentrations and distributions observed in even the best understood natural systems. The semiquantitative results on a variety of mafic systems nevertheless constitute important gains in understanding of both trace element behavior and igneous rock petrogenesis.
THE SOMATIC CHROMOSOME COMPLEMENT OF HABRANTHUS ROBUSTUS

MEMBERS OF the Zephyrantheae have received but slight cytological attention. The small number and favorable size of the chromosomes of Habranthus robustus Herbert, of this tribe, were noted in the course of some routine chromosome counts. Since the cytological evidence also lends support to recent taxonomic contentions, it seems desirable to report the facts at hand. The chromosome descriptions reported here deal with external morphology and are based on studies of root-tip cells in smear preparations. The preparations were made after Warmke's (1935) method and Brown's (1937) modification of it. The chromatin so nearly fills the cell in division that it is necessary to flatten the cells, often to the bursting point, in order
Soybean stem colonization by genotypes A and B of Cadophora gregata increases with increasing population densities of Heterodera glycines

ABSTRACT Growth chamber experiments were conducted to investigate whether parasitism by increasing population densities of Heterodera glycines, the soybean cyst nematode, increases the incidence and severity of stem colonization by the aggressive genotype A and the mild genotype B of Cadophora gregata (Phialophora gregata), causal agents of brown stem rot of soybeans. Soybean genotypes with three combinations of resistance and susceptibility to H. glycines and genotype A of C. gregata were inoculated with each genotype of C. gregata alone or each genotype with two population densities of H. glycines eggs, 1,500 or 10,000 per 100 cm3 of soil. Stems of two H. glycines-susceptible soybeans were more colonized by both aggressive and mild genotypes of C. gregata in the presence of high than in the presence of low H. glycines population density.
Venous access in children

Abstract Obtaining venous access can be a challenge and it can be the most stressful part of a child’s care. Venous access in childhood may be short or long term, central or peripheral. This paper discusses the devices available, techniques for insertion and the risks.
Where To Go From Here? Thoughts on Future Directions for Research on Individual-Level Technology Adoption with a Focus on Decision Making ∗

This article recognizes the maturity of individual-level technology-adoption research and suggests three broad future research directions. They are: (i) business process change and process standards, (ii) supply-chain technologies, and (iii) services. Each of these areas is identified based on the topics likely of interest to the readers of the Decision Sciences by closely examining Decision Sciences' editorial mission and the recent research published in it. Within each of these three different broad topic areas, a few different specific directions are identified. The directions outlined here are not meant to be exhaustive but rather potential directions that can result in a theoretical contribution to individual-level technology-adoption research and the specific topic area.