cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Prognostic value of quantitative image analysis (QIA) for determination of proliferative index in mantle cell lymphoma (MCL) treated with sequential chemotherapy followed by high-dose therapy and autologous stem cell rescue (HDT/ASCR)

e19522 Background: Gene expression studies have demonstrated that the proliferation signature is the most important factor in determination of outcome in MCL. However, visual assessment of immunohi...
Safety of stereotactic ablative body radiation for ultracentral stage I non-small cell lung cancer

Recent data suggests that "ultra-central" tumors, generally defined as those abutting the proximal airways, are at particularly high risk for severe complications when treated with stereotactic ablative body radiation (SABR). However, this association has not been consistently demonstrated across reports, possibly due to small numbers, varying definitions of "ultra-central", and the lack of prospective data. New evidence suggests that exposure to VEGF-inhibiting agents may potentiate SABR toxicity and may partially explain the disproportionately high incidence of fatal complications in some reports. Efforts are underway to identify dose-volume limits that can predict complications involving central structures such as the proximal airways, heart, esophagus, and great vessels. The optimal dose for ultra-central SABR has not been determined, though there is a trend towards using more highly fractionated regimens. Further research into the safety of SABR for ultra-central tumors is needed, given the lack of other effective local therapy options for this clinical scenario.
A System for Handwriting Classification

In dealing with questioned document cases, examiners may encounter a questioned writing with no known suspect or a potential suspect with no writing available. The benefit and purpose of a classification system is to put at the fingertips of the examiner a means of filing and retrieving handwriting information on classified individuals who in many instances are repeat offenders and could be potential suspects. For clarification purposes, it should be stated that the classification of handwriting is not synonymous nor should be confused with the identification of handwriting. Classification simply allows the development of a mathematical formula based upon types of handwriting patterns for the purpose of retrieving information. Identification, on the other hand, is concerned not only with patterns that occur in handwriting, but individual characteristics as well as a host of other features. This paper discusses the development and implementation of a handwriting classification system used primarily to expedite the search for potential suspects where no suspects have been developed by the investigating agency, and as a source to project trends in certain handwriting characteristics as they relate to each other and to the sex and the race of known offenders.
Wear-induced microstructural evolution of nanocrystalline aluminum and the role of zirconium dopants

Abstract Wear and friction of nanocrystalline (NC) aluminum were investigated via molecular dynamics simulations and the effects of dopants were considered. Zr-doped NC Al was found to have a better wear resistance and a smaller friction force, which is consistent with a higher hardness and a higher strength of the doped sample. The underlying mechanisms are suppressed emission of dislocations from grain boundaries (GBs), suppressed GB migration, and suppressed GB sliding. After multiple sliding cycles, the trend in mechanical response was reversed, with the pure NC Al showing a better wear resistance and a lower friction force than the doped sample. One reason is that the higher dislocation density introduced during wear into the pure sample leads to more strain hardening. Another reason is that the pure NC Al has undergone more significant grain growth than the doped sample. Since the grain size of our samples is in the inverse Hall-Petch regime, here grain growth leads to strengthening of the pure sample. Mechanisms of grain growth in the pure NC Al and its suppression in the doped NC Al are analyzed and discussed.
Analytic theory for field emission driven microscale gas breakdown for a pin-to-plate geometry

Decreasing electronics size necessitates better characterization of electron emission at the micro- and nanoscales for applications including microplasmas, micro- and nanoelectromechanical systems, and directed energy. While Paschen's law (PL) has historically predicted breakdown voltage based on the Townsend avalanche, field emission must be incorporated for gap sizes below ∼15 μm. Extensive studies have modified PL to explicitly include field emission for planar geometries; however, many practical experiments use pin-to-plate geometries. We modify a previous theory coupling PL and field emission to account for pin-to-plate geometries by replacing the field enhancement factor, which has been used primarily as a fitting parameter, with the appropriate vacuum electric field. This requires explicitly accounting for the spatial dependence of ionization and non-uniform space charge in Poisson's equation. We derive a breakdown equation of the form previously obtained for planar geometry [Venkattraman and Alexeenko, Phys. Plasmas 19, 123515 (2012)] that agrees well with experimental data with the work function as the fitting parameter. The work function was consistently lower (∼2 eV) than anticipated (∼4.5 eV) but was generally fairly consistent (∼ ± 7%). We then derived closed form solutions in the limit of low ionization, corresponding to the field emission regime, and recovered an analytic solution for a parallel plate geometry in the limit of small gap distance that differed from prior analytic results because of the explicit consideration of spatial dependence in charge density. This theory may ultimately be applied to other nonplanar geometries by applying the appropriate equation for the vacuum electric field.
Le profil isocinétique des muscles rotateurs de l’épaule des joueurs de rugby professionnels ne varie pas en fonction de leur poste

Resume Introduction Les blessures de l’epaule des rugbymen professionnels sont frequentes, souvent liees a des traumatismes de haute intensite. Leur prevention par une evaluation isocinetique fait partie integrante de la preparation physique des joueurs. Cependant, les profils isocinetiques des muscles rotateurs internes (RI) et externes (RE) d’epaule des joueurs de rugby, precedemment definis, ne prennent pas en compte leur poste de jeu. Le but de cette etude etait de comparer le profil isocinetique des muscles RE et RI des joueurs de rugby en fonction de leur poste : avants et arrieres. Methodes Quarante-deux joueurs de rugby professionnels etaient evalues. Un dynamometre Con–Trex etait utilise pour tester les muscles RI et RE des deux epaules. Les donnees etaient obtenues successivement en mode concentrique a 60°/s et 240°/s puis en mode excentrique a 60°/s. Le pic de couple (PC), le pic de couple rapporte au poids des RI et RE et le ratio RE/RI etaient mesures a chaque vitesse angulaire. Resultats Le pic de couple des RI et RE etait plus eleve pour les avants par rapport aux arrieres pour le cote dominant pour tous les modes de contraction (p 0,05), sur le ratio RE/RI (p > 0,05) et sur le ratio mixte (p = 0,54). Conclusion Les avants avaient une plus grande force musculaire des epaules que les arrieres. En rapportant les resultats au poids, la force musculaire et le profil isocinetique etaient similaires.
Intersecting Structural Oppression and Black Sexual Minority Men's Health

Introduction Although evidence indicates that Black gay, bisexual, and other sexual minority men experience vast psychological and behavioral health inequities, most research has focused on individual rather than structural drivers of these inequities. This study examines the associations between structural racism and anti–lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer policies and the psychological and behavioral health of Black and White sexual minority men. Methods Participants were an Internet-based U.S. national sample of 1,379 Black and 5,537 White sexual minority men during 2017–2018. Analysis occurred in 2019–2020. Structural equation modeling tested the associations from indicators of structural racism, anti‒lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer policies, and their interaction to anxiety symptoms, depressive symptoms, perceived burdensomeness, heavy drinking, and HIV testing frequency. Separate models for Black and White sexual minority men adjusted for contextual and individual covariates. Results For Black participants, structural racism was positively associated with anxiety symptoms (β=0.20, SE=0.10, p=0.04), perceived burdensomeness (β=0.42, SE=0.09, p Conclusions Results highlight the intersectional nature of structural oppression and suggest that racist and anti–lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer policies must be repealed to rectify health inequities facing Black sexual minority men.
Characterization and response to inflammatory stimulation of human endometrial-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells.

Abstract Background aims The human endometrium has emerged as an attractive source of endometrial-derived mesenchymal stem/stromal cells (eMSCs) that can be easily isolated by non-invasive procedures. The prominent capacity of the endometrium for efficient and scarless regeneration each menstrual cycle indicates the increased eMSC immunomodulatory and pro-angiogenic properties. Herein the authors investigated the molecular responses of eMSCs to an inflammatory environment and whether those intrinsic responses affected their functional attributes. Methods Human eMSCs immunophenotypic, transcriptional and secretory profiles were evaluated at passage three (P3) and passage eight (P8) to determine culture effects. Functionally, P3 and P8 non-induced and TNF-α/IFN-γ-induced eMSCs were interrogated for their capacity to suppress stimulated peripheral blood mononuclear cell (PBMC) proliferation, whereas non-induced eMSCs were assessed for their support to vascular network formation in co-cultures with human umbilical vein endothelial cells in vitro. Results Non-induced P3 and P8 eMSCs exhibited similar spindle-shaped morphology and clonogenic capacity. Nevertheless, P8 eMSCs showed reduced growth rate capacity and telomere length. The eMSCs displayed the typical MSC-related immunophenotypic profile, with P3 and P8 eMSCs expressing high levels (>98%) of CD140β, intermediate levels (35–60%) of CD146 and SUSD2 and low levels (∼8%) of NG2 pericytic markers. Non-induced P3 and P8 showed similar transcriptional and secretory profiles, though the expression of immunomodulatory HLA-G and IL-8 genes was significantly downregulated in P8 compared with P3 eMSCs. Upon TNF-α/IFN-γ induction, eMSCs showed an immunophenotypic profile similar to that of non-induced eMSCs, except for significant upregulation of HLA-DR protein expression in both induced P3 and P8 eMSCs. However, induced P3 and P8 eMSCs showed significant upregulation of CD10, HLA-G, IDO, IL-6, IL-8, LIF and TSG gene expression compared with non-induced cultures. TNF-α/IFN-γ induction strongly increased the secretion of inflammatory-/angiogenesis-related molecules, whereas growth factor secretion was similar to the non-induced eMSCs. Functionally, P3 and P8 eMSCs showed a strong inhibitory effect on stimulated PBMC proliferation and the capacity to support neovascularization in vitro. Conclusions The authors’ study suggests that serial expansion does not affect eMSC immunophenotypic, transcriptional and secretory profiles. This is directly reflected by the functional immunomodulatory and pro-angiogenic properties of eMSCs, which remain unaltered until P8 in vitro. However, exposure of eMSCs to inflammatory environments enhances their immunomodulatory transcriptional and inflammatory-/angiogenesis-related secretory profiles. Therefore, the resulting evidence of eMSCs serial expansion and exposure to inflammation could serve as a foundation for improved eMSCs manufacturing and potential clinical translation efforts.
Cohen, Jozef B. 1921–1995

Cohen was born in Brookline, M.A on July 21, 1921. He attended grade and high schools in Brookline and obtained an undergraduate degree in psychology from the University of Chicago. He moved on to Cornell University where he got involved in the psychophysics of color. In 1945, he graduated with a Ph.D. in psychology.
P-014 Reperfusion catheter malfunction during stroke intervention: an analytical review of the FDA’s maude database

Background In December 2020, the JET7 Xtra Flex reperfusion catheter was voluntarily recalled after reports of injury and death associated with device malfunction. The FDA’s MAUDE (Manufacturer and User Facility Device Experience) database aggregates reports of adverse events and product problems involving medical devices. We present the first analytical review of all MAUDE reports involving FDA cleared reperfusion catheters in order to summarize safety events to date and characterize unique modes of device failure. Methods All publicly available MAUDE datasets were downloaded and linked, and all events associated with catheters carrying product code ‘NRY’ were extracted. Product code ‘NRY’ encompasses all devices intended to restore blood flow by removing thrombus/clots in patients experiencing ischemic stroke. Note that this review does not include catheters used off-label for aspiration thrombectomy. Event characteristics including device type, malfunction and adverse events were collected directly as reported on MedWatch Form 3500. In order to characterize procedure-specific details, narrative information submitted in MedWatch Form 3500 Sections B and H was coded by 2 independent raters. Results Between 1/1/2003 and 8/31/2020, there were 1,808 reperfusion catheter defects and/or malfunctions reported in the MAUDE database. Of these, 93.4% did not result in any adverse effect on patients. There were 112 malfunctions associated with an adverse event, of which 98 (87.5%) resulted in injury, and 14 (12.5%) resulted in death. A summary of malfunctions is available in table 1. When interpreting these findings, it is important to note that FDA surveillance of these devices does not include data on the number of units sold, thus event rates cannot be determined or compared across devices. Of 14 reported deaths, 13 involved malfunctions of the Jet 7 Xtra Flex catheter. All of these cases reported mechanical failure at the tip of the catheter, 10 of which involved tip rupture or ballooning following contrast injection. Ballooning was unique to the Jet 7 Xtra Flex, and was also responsible for 3 patient injuries and 37 cases of malfunction that did not result in adverse outcomes. One death and 45 injuries involved the 3 MAX Reperfusion catheter. All of these events were caused by catheter fracture leading to fragment embolization or vessel injury. This mechanism of failure was not unique to the 3 MAX, and was present in 61.2% of all malfunctions resulting in injury. Among malfunctions that did not result in adverse events, the majority (59.1%) were attributable to damage that occurred on the back table during device preparation. Detailed descriptions of unique malfunction mechanisms for each catheter are omitted from this brief abstract but are available for presentation. Conclusion Reperfusion catheter failures resulting in injury or death are rare. These findings suggest that current methods of FDA surveillance have effectively identified outliers. Disclosures D. Bageac: None. B. Gershon: None. R. De Leacy: None.
A Critical Evaluation and Modification of the Padé-Laplace Method for Deconvolution of Viscoelastic Spectra.

This paper shows that using the Pade–Laplace (PL) method for deconvolution of multi-exponential functions (stress relaxation of polymers) can produce ill-conditioned systems of equations. Analysis of different sets of generated data points from known multi-exponential functions indicates that by increasing the level of Pade approximants, the condition number of a matrix whose entries are coefficients of a Taylor series in the Laplace space grows rapidly. When higher levels of Pade approximants need to be computed to achieve stable modes for separation of exponentials, the problem of generating matrices with large condition numbers becomes more pronounced. The analysis in this paper discusses the origin of ill-posedness of the PL method and it was shown that ill-posedness may be regularized by reconstructing the system of equations and using singular value decomposition (SVD) for computation of the Pade table. Moreover, it is shown that after regularization, the PL method can deconvolute the exponential decays even when the input parameter of the method is out of its optimal range.
Light Chain-Restricted Plasmacytoid Cells in Hyperplastic Germinal CentersA Clinicopathologic Investigation.

Objectives Follicular hyperplasias (FHs) with light chain-restricted (LCR) plasmacytoid/plasma cells (PCs) within germinal centers (GCs) based on immunohistochemistry (IHC)/in situ hybridization (ISH) can potentially lead to diagnostic error. This study aims to better characterize such cases, including their clinical implications. Methods LC expression by IHC/ISH was quantitatively assessed in GCs of 17 FHs with LCRGCs. BCL2, CD10, BCL6, BCL2, immunoglobulin (Ig) heavy chains, IgG4, and Epstein-Barr encoding region stains were performed. In total, 8 cases had polymerase chain reaction (PCR)-based clonality studies. Results All cases showed FH, including 4 with progressively transformed GCs (PTGCs); 0.8% to 52% (median, 21%) of the GCs were LCR; 13 of 17 had both κ- and λ-LCRGCs, and 4 of 17 had only κ-LCRGCs; 7 of 16 had prominent intrafollicular IgG4-positive cells. One case demonstrated BCL2-positive cells in focal LCRGCs but lacked BCL2 rearrangement. B-cell monoclonality was demonstrated in 3 of 8 cases (only after microdissection). Seven patients had autoimmune disorders, and 1 had had a transplant. Three patients had a history of lymphoma, 1 developed lymphoma, and 1 developed lymphomatoid granulomatosis subsequently. Conclusions FHs with LCRGC by IHC/ISH are typically not associated with the development of lymphoma, even though they can express BCL2 and show monoclonality by PCR. They may be associated with increased intrafollicular IgG4-positive cells, PTGC, and autoimmunity.
Coupled effect of expansive agent and curing on mechanical and shrinkage properties of fiber-reinforced Eco-Crete

Abstract This study evaluates the effectiveness of various shrinkage mitigating strategies on the properties of economical and ecological concrete (referred to here as Eco-Crete) made with a low binder content and 55% substitution of cement with fly ash and slag cement. Shrinkage mitigating strategies were included the use of Type G expansive agent (EA), saturated lightweight sand (LWS) for internal curing, and 0.5% micro–macro steel fibers. The coupled effect of these materials along with external moist curing (MC) of 1 and 14 days on mechanical and shrinkage properties was investigated. Eight plain and eight fiber-reinforced Eco-Crete mixtures were tested for compressive strength, flexural strength, drying shrinkage, and restrained expansion. Induced stress resulting from the restrained expansion of the Eco-Crete mixtures was determined, and a multiple regression model was developed to estimate the internally induced stress. MC, EA content, fiber volume, and coupled effect of EA-fiber were found to be significant in enhancing the induced stress. The Eco-Crete mixtures including 10% EA and 14 days of MC exhibited the maximum initial expansion and minimum shrinkage in both shrinkage and restrained expansion length change experiments. The coupled effect of EA and fiber reduced 112-d shrinkage and restrained expansion length change by up to 26% and 54%, respectively, compared to the system made with EA, LWS, and fiber. The highest induced stress and flexural strength of 25 kPa and 6.2 MPa, respectively, were obtained by the mixture made with 10% EA and 0.5% fiber.
Maximizing mechanical advantage: surgical technique increases stiffness in spinal instrumentation.

PURPOSE While there has been a great improvement in the treatment of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis, sagittal deformity correction has remained challenging. Increased rod stiffness has been shown to reduce thoracic flattening. We propose that the surgical technique can increase rod stiffness. A mechanical study was created to quantify the effect this has on construct stiffness. METHODS The sagittal bending stiffness of a constrained over contoured rod was measured using four different commonly used instrumentation systems. Pedicle screws were secured into custom printed blocks. One block was completely immobilized, while the other block was subject to four levels of constraint. This includes no constraint, mild constraint, moderate constraint, and maximal constraint with both blocks immobilized. The rod apex was loaded until 1 cm of displacement occurred. The stiffness was then calculated and compared between groups. RESULTS All four rod types showed increased bending stiffness as the construct became more constrained. The moderately constrained and the maximally constrained groups had a significantly higher stiffness compared to the unconstrained groups in all rod types (p < 0.05). The 6.0 mm titanium circular rods showed the highest increase in stiffness between maximal and no constraint, which became 3.02 × stiffer. CONCLUSIONS Rod stiffness is not only determined by size, shape, and metal alloy, but also by surgical technique. Constraining the spinal instrumentation by first locking the rod to the proximal and distal anchors significantly increases the sagittal bending stiffness. In a mechanical model this technique increases rod bending stiffness regardless of the material or shape.
Boomers in the ’Burbs

here, however, is a discussion of the applicability to these exchanges of world-systems theory, a particularly vibrant field of debate in the past decade. Also missing is a thorough discussion of what is meant by “civilization.” This term had been abandoned by archaeologists of the processual school because of its origins in Western self-glorification and the corresponding denigration of nonWestern societies as barbarous or savage. Civilization is back, but without its cousins, and often, as it is here, without being defined explicitly. For the Bronze Age, Wengrow’s understanding of civilization appears to revolve around durable aspects of elite iconography and cosmology. In an interesting but somewhat tangential second part of the book, Wengrow investigates a great paradox in the study of Egypt and the ancient Near East. These places are simultaneously viewed as the birthplaces of civilization, the condition that Western scholars use to describe their own societies, and also its antithesis. Wengrow sees this paradox as “a distinct product of modern Europe’s attempt to grapple with its own, more recent history of sacral kings and dynastic power” (p. 154). What Makes Civilization? is well written for a student or educated-layperson audience. It omits an in-text citation apparatus in favor of bibliographic essays at the end of the book. Wengrow’s initial impetus toward the subject, inspired by Huntington, is a good one: when the past is being employed to understand the present or predict the future of human societies, archaeologists must be part of the discussion. The success of Jared Diamond at introducing archaeology into contemporary debates should be emulated, ideally by practicing archaeologists with a solid grasp of the underlying data. Wengrow’s inspiration appears not to be Diamond but rather an earlier synthesizer and popularizer, V. Gordon Childe, who also emphasized interconnections between civilizations. Similarities extend beyond the subject matter: the page formatting, font, and size of the book itself recall the first editions of Childe’s great best sellers Man Makes Himself (1936) and What Happened in History (1942). Childe’s writing brought archaeology to a broad audience, and more contemporary archaeologists should follow him and Wengrow in communicating the relevance of our work to the public.
Conditional operationality and explanation-based generalization

Abstract Explanation-based generalization (EBG) finds the weakest preconditions of a proof to form a generalization covering all cases for which the proof succeeds. The generalization must be operational; that is, it must satisfy some criterion on the merit of the generalization for the problem solver. When the generalizations created by EBG are conditionally operational for fine-grained definitions of operationality, the conditions on the operationality of a generalization should be determined and included with the generalization. This chapter describes an implementation of EBG called ROE (Reasoning about Operationality for EBG) that proves that the predicates used in a generalization are operational for the particular situation on which it is based, and generalizes the proof of operationality to determine the weakest conditions on when the generalization should be used. These conditions are included in the results of ROE to restrict their use to situations in which they are operational. Reasoning about and generalizing operationality is accomplished by using ROE itself on a domain theory that concludes whether predicates are operational for whatever notion of operationality the user encodes.
Athletes with Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillators

Athletes with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) represent a diverse group of individuals who may be at an increased risk of sudden cardiac death when engaging in vigorous physical activity. Therefore, they are excluded by the current guidelines from participating in most competitive sports except those classified as low intensity, such as bowling and golf. The lack of substantial data on the natural history of the cardiac diseases affecting these athletes as well as the unknown efficacy of ICDs in terminating life-threatening arrhythmias occurring during intense exercise has resulted in the restrictive nature of these now decade old guidelines.
Provision of Online Access to Digital Materials in the Temple University Libraries: Cataloging Issues

Abstract As the recipients of an IMLS grant in April 2000, Temple University Libraries embarked on a project to digitize, index, and preserve three distinct collections of visual materials. The article discusses the conceptual and practical decisions, as well as the procedures, developed by the Bibliographic Services Department in cooperation with special collections librarians, curators, systems staff, and faculty members to provide access through bibliographic description to digital collections of visual materials.
Abstract 1700: A combination of two tropical spice compounds potentiates chemotherapy response in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells

Introduction: Patients with castration resistant advanced prostate cancer (CRPC) respond poorly to potent chemotherapeutic drugs (e.g., Docetaxel or Mitoxantrone) with survival advantages that last less than 4 months. Since chemotherapy itself has morbidity in the elderly patients, adding another such drug is unlikely to improve the outcome. We investigated the potential therapeutic benefits of treating CRPC with a combination of two natural dietary anti-proliferative compounds: Curcumin and Piperine. They are derived from the tropical spices, turmeric and black pepper, respectively. Both are orally bioavailable and can be consumed over a long period of time. Materials and methods: The cytotoxicity of Curcumin, Piperine, and Docetaxel were individually tested on a CRPC cell line PC-3, which was incubated for 48 hours or 72 hours. Cytotoxicity was evaluated by cell counting, a colorimetric assay and by clonogenic survival, colony-formation assay. Enhancement of Docetaxel cytotoxicity by natural compounds was evaluated by treating cells with these compounds 24 hours before adding Docetaxel or with co-incubation. The potential mechanism of cytotoxicity was examined by an apoptosis assay and changes in cell cycle phase-fractions. The efficacy of the combination was evaluated by Isobologram analysis and ANOVA. Results: All three drugs tested on PC-3 showed cytotoxicity, Docetaxel was the most cytotoxic (IC50∼ 25 nM) and Piperine was the least cytotoxic (IC50∼ 100 μM). Curcumin alone was significantly cytotoxic to PC-3 cells at 10 μM but it enhanced the cytotoxicity of Docetaxel. Piperine, when combined with Curcumin or Docetaxel, significantly increased the cytotoxicity by 50%. Prior exposure to Piperine resulted in enhanced cytotoxicity of Docetaxel and Curcumin more than when in co-incubation. The increased cytotoxicity in combination therapy was mainly due to increased apoptotic activity. Conclusion: This study demonstrated that combining diet-derived antiproliferatinve compounds with a chemotherapy drug can potentially enhance tumoricidal activity and therefore, potentially reduce morbidity and mortality of patients with CRPC. Pretreatment with dietary compounds could potentially enhance subsequent treatment with chemotherapy agents. Citation Format: Taaha A. Mendha, Shamaladevi Nagarajarao, Balakrisha L. Lokeshwar. A combination of two tropical spice compounds potentiates chemotherapy response in castration-resistant prostate cancer cells. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 105th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2014 Apr 5-9; San Diego, CA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2014;74(19 Suppl):Abstract nr 1700. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2014-1700
Infrared properties of extragalactic H II complexes

Infrared observations of relatively isolated giant H II complexes in the LMC and the spiral arms of M33 and M101 are discussed, and complexes which extend over several kiloparsecs near the galactic centers are examined. The 30 Doradus nebula is emphasized, showing the variation of the 50-100 micron color temperature with position in that object. Ten-micron scans through the nucleus of NGC 1097 are compared to a visual photograph, showing the enhanced infrared emission which occurs at the nucleus and at the ring of H II regions about 1 kpc from the nucleus.
Advancing cancer systems biology: introducing the Center for the Development of a Virtual Tumor, CViT.

Integrative cancer biology research relies on a variety of data-driven computational modeling and simulation methods and techniques geared towards gaining new insights into the complexity of biological processes that are of critical importance for cancer research. These include the dynamics of gene-protein interaction networks, the percolation of sub-cellular perturbations across scales and the impact they may have on tumorigenesis in both experiments and clinics. Such innovative ‘systems’ research will greatly benefit from enabling Information Technology that is currently under development, including an online collaborative environment, a Semantic Web based computing platform that hosts data and model repositories as well as high-performance computing access. Here, we present one of the National Cancer Institute’s recently established Integrative Cancer Biology Programs, i.e. the Center for the Development of a Virtual Tumor, CViT, which is charged with building a cancer modeling community, developing the aforementioned enabling technologies and fostering multi-scale cancer modeling and simulation.
Perceived Characteristics of Men Abused by Female Partners: Blaming, Resulting, Blaming-Excuses, or Normal?

Societal stigma communicated about male abuse victims is purported to result from societal messages valuing masculinity and suppression of weakness in men. To test these assumptions, a cross-sample of men and women (n = 1,942) provided openended descriptions of a hypothetical “male friend abused by his female romantic partner.” This study presents thematic coding of characteristics resulting in 11 categories, which represent larger themes of Blaming, Resulting, Blaming-Excuses, and Normal. Findings are discussed in terms of applications to victims and generalized society, with implications for societal institutions and theories of gender socialization.
Infection dynamics and clinical features of cryptosporidiosis in SCID mice.

Cryptosporidial infections in severe combined immune deficient (SCID) mice produce a chronic disease state which in the later stages leads to extraintestinal involvement and hepatic dysfunction. To further characterize the infection dynamics in this model and monitor the changes in the hepatic system, a dose titration of the oocyst inoculum was performed and alkaline phosphatase levels in the sera were assayed. Ten SCID mice per dose were inoculated with 10(3), 10(4), 10(5), 10(6), or 10(7) oocysts. Oocyst shedding in the feces was quantified by microscopic enumeration. Mice inoculated with 10(6) oocysts and those inoculated with 10(7) oocysts demonstrated similar oocyst shedding patterns, but the 10(7)-oocyst group exhibited signs of distress (e.g., weight loss and icterus) earlier. The intensity of the infection increased markedly approximately 14 days postinoculation (p.i.) and continued to increase steadily over the next 6 weeks. Inoculation with lower oocyst doses produced a delay in patency (e.g., it occurred 7 days later with the 10(5)-oocyst inoculum and 14 days later with the 10(4)-oocyst inoculum). Mean serum alkaline phosphatase levels in the 10(7)-oocyst group were more than twice control values at 5 weeks p.i. and continued to increase over the next 8 weeks. Oocyst doses and alkaline phosphatase levels were positively correlated with hepatobiliary colonization (r = 0.71) and liver necrosis (r = 0.65) at 13 weeks p.i. A strong positive correlation between hepatobiliary colonization and liver necrosis at 13 weeks p.i. (r = 0.87) was observed.
Workshop - using Cyber Defense Competitions (CDCs) to engage and recruit students with IT: how to organize and run your own cyber defense competition

Cyber defense competitions (CDCs) can be used to engage students with information technology and recruit them into a field of study. Iowa State University has hosted over 15 CDCs for varying age levels of students ranging from high schools and community colleges to four-year institutions. Currently, we host the world's largest CDC with 40 teams participating. In our CDCs students don't just defend a network; they must conceptualize and build a computer network based on a scenario, as well as develop a plan and method to secure their network. In addition to defending their network, the students also participate in numerous challenges (anomalies) throughout the competition which ask them to make changes to their network to support their end users. In this workshop, we discuss the use of educational materials developed at ISU to get students with little or no security background involved in the competitions. Information on the equipment needed to run a competition, how to staff the event, how to handle remote setup, how to score the event, as well as materials needed to run the competition are included. While designed for faculty who teach in a computer or IT-related discipline, a background in computer security is not necessary.
Reactive blending of functionalized polypropylene and polyamide 6: In situ polymerization and in situ compatibilization

Compatibilized polypropylene/polyamide 6 blends were prepared with polypropylene, e-caprolactam and maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene via in situ polymerization and in situ compatibilization in a batch mixer. Scanning electron microscopy and differential scanning calorimetric analysis showed that the compatibilizing effect was significantly enhanced through use of this method compared to the classic method of blending premade polymers. The optimum processing parameters were obtained for the reactive blends and the effect of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene content, and the effect of relative weight fraction of maleic anhydride grafted polypropylene to e-caprolactam on the overall morphology of the blend system was investigated. It was found that the domain sizes of the polypropylene and polyamide components in the blends could be easily controlled through proper management of the polymerization and compatibilizing reactions during processing. Polym. Eng. Sci. 44:648–659, 2004. © 2004 Society of Plastics Engineers.
Conserved cell cycle regulatory properties within the amino terminal domain of the Epstein–Barr virus nuclear antigen 3C

Abstract The gammaherpesviruses Rhesus lymphocryptovirus (LCV) and Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) are closely related phylogenetically. Rhesus LCV efficiently immortalizes Rhesus B cells in vitro. However, despite a high degree of conservation between the Rhesus LCV and EBV genomes, Rhesus LCV fails to immortalize human B cells in vitro. This species restriction may, at least in part, be linked to the EBV nuclear antigens (EBNAs) and latent membrane proteins (LMPs), known to be essential for B cell transformation. We compared specific properties of EBNA3C, a well-characterized and essential EBV protein, with its Rhesus counterpart to determine whether EBNA3C phenotypes which contribute to cell cycle regulation are conserved in the Rhesus LCV. We show that both EBNA3C and Rhesus EBNA3C bind to a conserved region of mammalian cyclins, regulate pRb stability, and modulate SCF Skp2 -dependent ubiquitination. These results suggest that Rhesus LCV restriction from human B cell immortalization is independent of the conserved cell cycle regulatory functions of the EBNA3C protein.
Youth Sport Leadership Development: Leveraging the Sports Captaincy Experience

Leadership has been identified as an important but underdeveloped life skill among youth athletes. This article discusses a recent effort to develop leadership by taking a formal educational approach to the sport captaincy experience. More specifically, the Institute for the Study of Youth Sports has partnered with the Michigan High School Athletic Association to create the MHSAA Captain's Leadership Training Program. The program's design, structure, and content are discussed as well as our biggest successes, challenges, and future directions. Implications for sport consultants, coaches, and other practitioners are provided.
Ulrich C. Luft and physiology on Nanga Parbat: the winds of war.

Abstract Rodway, George W. Ulrich C. Luft and physiology on Nanga Parbat: the winds of war. High Alt. Med. Biol. 10:89–96, 2009.—Ulrich Cameron Luft (1910–1991) is a significant figure in the annals of high altitude physiology and medicine. He combined a passionate interest in mountaineering with an equally passionate interest in human physiology at a pivotal time in modern history. His involvement in the 1937 and 1938 German Nanga Parbat expeditions as mountaineer and scientist set the stage for his subsequent work in aviation physiology carried out in Germany and then later in America when aerospace medicine was emerging as a specialty. His postwar career as a scientist and educator was equally distinguished by virtue of the large numbers of young scientists he trained and his contributions to aerospace medicine over the course of several decades.
Biotic and abiotic consequences of differences in leaf structure

Both within and between species, leaves of plants display wide ranges in structural features. These features include: gross investments of carbon and nitrogen substrates (e.g. leaf mass per unit area); stomatal density, distribution between adaxial and abaxial surfaces, and aperture; internal and external optical scattering structures; defensive structures, such as trichomes and spines; and defensive compounds, including UV screens, antifeedants, toxins, and silica abrasives. I offer a synthesis of selected publications, including some of my own. A unifying theme is the adaptive value of expressing certain structural features, posed as metabolic costs and benefits, for (1) competitive acquisition and use of abiotic resources (such as water, light and nitrogen) and (2) regulation of biotic interactions, particularly fungal attack and herbivory. Both acclimatory responses in one plant and adaptations over evolutionary time scales are covered where possible. The ubiquity of trade-offs in function is a recurrent theme; this helps to explain diversity in solutions to the same environmental challenges but poses problems for investigators to uncover numerous important trade-offs. I offer some suggestions for research, such as on the need for models that integrate biotic and abiotic effects (these must be highly focused), and some speculations, such as on the intensity of selection pressures for these structures.
Nucleation kinetics of sodium disilicate

Abstract The kinetics of crystal nucleation in Na 2 O · 2SiO 2 have been determined over the range of undercoolings between 173 and 373°C. The plot of log( I v ƞ) versus 1 ΔT 2 r T 3 r is a straight line of negative slope over some 13 orders of magnitude in I v . The slope of this relation indicates a nucleation barrier of about 45 kT at ΔT r = 0.2, and the intercept at 1 ΔT 2 r T 3 r = 0 is 10 26 cm -3 sec -1 . poise. The results are in good agreement with predictions of the theory of homogeneous nucleation, even in the pre-exponential factor.
Direct uptake of detrital carbon by the deposit-feeding polychaete Euzonus mucronata (Treadwell)☆

Abstract Bacteria and other microbes colonizing detrital particles are assimilated efficiently by detritivores; in some cases the non-living detrital matter is relatively refractory. This comparison has led to the hypothesis that the bacterial component of detritus, rather than the non-living material, is the principal food resource of detritivores. This hypothesis was tested by feeding radiolabelled detritus to the deposit-feeding polychaete Euzonus mucronata (Treadwell), an abundant inhabitant of Pacific coastal sand beaches. The assimilation of carbon from sterile detritus at a concentration of 0.3 mg ash-free dry weight of detritus per g dry sand (0.03 % organic content) was sufficient to provide about one-half of the carbon requirements of E. mucronata. There was no significant difference in assimilation from chemically-extracted or water-extracted sterile detritus (representing relatively refractory and available material, respectively), or from the same materials after microbial colonization. Thus, the major source of carbon may have been the supposedly refractory component of the detritus. Despite a low estimated assimilation efficiency (0.76–1.72%), the carbon requirements of E. mucronata would be met entirely by direct assimilation of detrital carbon if only 10% of the total organic carbon in the sand is as available as the chemically-extracted detritus in this experiment. Low assimilation efficiency does not preclude the acquisition of nutritionally important quantities of carbon by direct assimilation from detritus.
Transition metal-promoted decomposition of urushiol from poison ivy

Abstract The active irritant in poison ivy, urushiol, has been extracted from native plants for the investigation into its metal-catalyzed oxidative decomposition. The decomposition of urushiol by atmospheric oxygen is promoted by complexes of Fe(III), including those of the ligands tris(2-methylpyridyl)amine (TPA) and nitriolotriacetate (NTA), and by simple Fe(III) salts. This is evidenced by the disappearance of the urushiol aromatic proton signal in the 1 H-NMR spectrum, as well as by identification of some of the oxygenation products by GC-MS. Analogous reactions using Zn(II) and Ni(II) complexes and salts show that substantial amounts of urushiol remain unreacted. This suggests that reactivity similar to that of catechol-dioxygenase enzymes may be the mechanism of the oxidative decomposition, and that simple coordination to transition metals may not be the mechanism by which urushiol is inactivated, as has been previously reported.
Effects of Calcium "Antagonists" on Vertebrate Skeletal Muscle Cells

Clinically potent skeletal muscle relaxants are used primarily for their effects on the central nervous system. But they also have direct effects on muscle contraction that possibly involve Ca2+ channels. We compared the effects of dantrolene, an agent known to have a direct action on vertebrate skeletal muscle, with other substances used as (1) relaxants and (2) antagonists of Ca-dependent excitation-contraction coupling. Isolated intact frog muscle cells were injected with the photoprotein aequorin, and membrane potential changes, intracellular Ca2+ transients, and contractile force were measured. Dantrolene (10(-8) to 10(-5) M) decreased the amplitude of Ca2+ transients, did not affect their rates of decay, and reduced contractile force. We also used an integrated digital-imaging system to record microscopic changes, namely, active shortening in myofibrils and changes in striation spacing. Dantrolene did not increase the time between contraction in myofibrils near the surface compared with myofibrils near the center of a cell. Hence dantrolene does not suppress Ca2+ transients by disturbing current flow in the transverse tubular system. Each of the following actually increased Ca2+ transients and contractile force evoked by action potentials: baclofen (10(-7) to 10(-5) M) less than flordipine (10(-6) M) less than meprobamate (10(-7) to 10(-3) M) less than chlordiazepoxide (10(-5) X 10(-4) M) less than procaine (10(-5) to 5 X 10(-4] less than GABA (10(-5) M) less than D-600 (10(-6) M) less than nylidrin (10(-5) M)--in order of increasing potency. Ca2+ channels in the sarcoplasmic reticulum of intact skeletal muscle are evidently inhibited by dantrolene but not by Ca2+ antagonists.
Plasmon-Enhanced Light Emission from InGaN Quantum Wells Using Chemically Synthesized Silver Nanoparticles

A simple technique to couple solid-state light-emitting materials to plasmonic nanostructures is demonstrated, based on chemically synthesized silver nanoparticles embedded in flexible resin films. Substantial photoluminescence efficiency enhancements are correspondingly obtained from InGaN quantum wells.
Hypothermic cardiopulmonary bypass: A comparison between alpha and pH stat regulation in the dog

The accepted normal pH of 7.40 may not be optimal at lower temperatures. This study evaluated the effect of maintaining pH in the accepted normal range at hypothermia (group 1, pH stat) or at nonnothermia (group 2, alpha stat) on organ blood flow and hemodynamics in dogs. The desired pH was achieved at all temperatures by adjusting pCOz. Hypothermia to 20°C was induced by high flow bypass in both groups followed by 45 min of reduced flow before rewarming. In group 1 (n = lo), pH was 7.45 f 0.02 at 20°C and in group 2 (n = 11) it was 7.64 f 0.0 1. A greater base excess developed by the end of the low flow period in pH stat animals (-9.4 + 1.1 vs -2.8 +- 0.8, P < .OO 1) and resulted in continued acidosis after rewarming in the pH stat group compared to those in the alpha stat group (7.32 k 0.03 vs 7.38 + 0.01, P < .02). Expressed as a percentage of baseline, regional blood flows after rewarming for group 1 were: brain 112 f 8%, renal cortex 48 + 8% (P < 0.005, rewarm vs baseline), renal medulla 36 + 9% (P < 0.005, rewarm vs baseline), epicardium 198 f 40% (P < 0.05, rewarm vs baseline), endocardium 15 1 + 25%. The values for group 2 were: brain 108 + 1 l%, renal cortex 59 f 8% (P < 0.005, rewarm vs baseline), renal medulla 63 + 15%, epicardium 158 f 18% (P < 0.005, rewarm vs baseline), endocatdium 129 t 10% (P < 0.025, rewarm vs baseline). There were no significant differences between groups 1 and 2. Relative to baseline, there were no differences in cardiac output, mean systemic pressure or mean pulmonary artery pressure between the two groups. This study indicates that alterations in pH and pC02 control between alpha and pH stat regulation assume lesser importance for regional blood flow when normal systemic flow is maintained during cooling and rewarming.