cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Using Giddens’s Structuration Theory to Examine the Waning Participation of African Americans in Baseball

Baseball is on the decline in African American culture. The percentage of African Americans in the major leagues is at its lowest point since 1968, for example. This article employs structuration theory, a comprehensive social theory developed by British sociologist Anthony Giddens, to examine the evolution of African Americans’ involvement in baseball from the heyday of the Negro leagues to the historically low level of participation today. Structuration theory has the capability of facilitating a rich, multifaceted analysis of this situation, at both macro and micro levels, through employing such constructs as routine, ontological security, identity, rule and resource structures, and positioning.
On the Linear Theory of the Land and Sea Breeze

Abstract Given that the earth's atmosphere may be idealized as a rotating, stratified fluid characterized by the Coriolis parameter f and the Brunt–V¨is¨l¨ frequency N, and that the diurnal cycle of heating and cooling of the land relative to the sea acts as a stationary, oscillatory source of energy of frequency ω (=2π day−1), it follows from the linear theory of motion that where f > ω the atmospheric response is confined to within a distance Nh(f−2 – ω −2)−1/2 of the coastline, where h is the vertical scale of the heating. When f < ω, the atmospheric response is in the form of internal-inertial waves which extend to “Infinity” along ray paths extending upward and outward from the coast. Near the ground, the horizontal extent of the sea breeze is given by the horizontal wale of the dominant wave mode, Nh(ω2 – f−2)−1/2. Although these concepts are familiar from the linear theory of motion in a rotating, stratified fluid, their relevance with respect to the interpretation of linear models of the land and ...
Thermal studies on dithionate compounds. I. Dithionates of calcium, strontium and barium

Abstract The decomposition of CaS 2 O 6 ·4 H 2 O, SrS 2 O 6 ·4 H 2 O and BaS 2 O 6 ·2 H 2 O was studied using TG and DTG. After dehydration, the decomposition of the anhydrous compounds involves the loss of sulfur dioxide to give the stable metal sulfates as the final products. Dehydration of SrS 2 O 6 ·4 H 2 O takes place in two steps while that of calcium and barium dithionates takes place in one step. Kinetic and thermal parameters for these reactions are presented.
The American Cancer Society and the American Health Care System

The U.S. health care system is in critical condition. Costs are rising to the point that the high price of health care is a threat to the U.S. economy. In 2010, health care was more than 17% of the gross domestic product, and if it continues to rise at current rates, health care will become more than 25% of the overall U.S. economy. This growth rate is not sustainable. While U.S. per capita costs are the highest of any country worldwide, quality is varied. Indeed, American health care outcomes for cancer and other diseases are inferior to several European countries with far lower per capita costs. The truth is many Americans cannot afford adequate health care, and health care is rationed in the U.S. While many do not get the health care they need, some are actually harmed by overconsumption of unnecessary health care. These Americans are treated outside of established guidelines and get unnecessary procedures and take unnecessary medications. A substantial number of Americans are supportive of health care reform with the goal of getting needed, high-quality health care to those Americans who currently do not get it. The American Cancer Society is committed to using the established scientific methods of epidemiology to define the problems and identify possible solutions. We are committed proponents of the rational, evidence-based use of health care to avoid the wasteful and inefficient rationing of health care.
Resonance lineshapes in two-dimensional Fourier transform spectroscopy

We derive an analytical form for resonance lineshapes in two-dimensional (2D) Fourier transform spectroscopy. Our starting point is the solution of the optical Bloch equations for a two-level system in the 2D time domain. Application of the projection-slice theorem of 2D Fourier transforms reveals the form of diagonal and cross-diagonal slices in the 2D frequency data for arbitrary inhomogeneity. The results are applied in quantitative measurements of homogeneous and inhomogeneous broadening of multiple resonances in experimental data.
Estimating Phosphorus in Agricultural Runoff Available to Several Algae Using Iron-Oxide Paper Strips

The transport of bioavailable P (BAP) in agricultural runoff can stimulate freshwater eutrophication. Previous research has shown that the amount of P removed by Fe-oxide impregnated paper strips (Fe-oxide strips) is related to the growth of Selenastrum capricornutum in laboratory incubations. As only one algal type was used, additional assays were conducted to determine if Fe-oxide strips can estimate the potential bioavailability of P in runoff to Anabaena, Ankistrodermus, and Euglena, which are common in eutrophic waters of the Southern Plains [...]
Ulcers in the eye.

Corneal ulcerations are a common finding in patients presenting to the Emergency Department (ED) with a painful irritated eye. There are numerous etiologies for corneal ulcers, and differentiating between these etiologies can alter the management of the patient. We will discuss the diagnoses in two cases of corneal ulceration that presented to the ED with unilateral painful red eye. The appearance of the face and neurologic examinations were the same for both patients, and the important distinctions between the 2 patients were possible only on the slit lamp examination. Based on the results of the ED slit lamp examination, the patients were diagnosed with different etiologies for their corneal ulcers and were treated as indicated.
Imaging Neurotransmitter Uptake and Depletion in Astrocytes

An ultraviolet (UV) laser-based optical microscope and charge-coupled device (CCD) detection system was used to obtain chemical images of biological cells. Subcellular structures can be easily seen in both optical and fluorescence images. Laser-induced native fluorescence detection provides high sensitivity and low limits of detection, and it does not require coupling to fluorescent dyes. We were able to quantitatively monitor serotonin that has been taken up into and released from individual astrocytes on the basis of its native fluorescence. Different regions of the cells took up different amounts of serotonin with a variety of uptake kinetics. Similarly, we observed different serotonin depletion dynamics in different astrocyte regions. There were also some astrocyte areas where no serotonin uptake or depletion was observed. Potential applications include the mapping of other biogenic species in cells as well as the ability to image their release from specific regions of cells in response to external stimuli.
A conservative type-dependent full potential method for the treatment of supersonic flows with embedded subsonic regions

A nonlinear method based on the full potential equation in conservation form, cast in an arbitrary coordinate system, has been developed to treat predominantly supersonic flows with embedded subsonic regions. This type of flow field occurs frequently near the fuselage-canopy junction area and wing leading edge regions for a moderately swept fighter configuration. The method uses the theory of characteristics to accurately monitor the type-dependent flow field. A conservative switching scheme is developed to transition from the supersonic marching algorithm to a subsonic relaxation procedure, and vice versa. An implicit approximate factorization scheme is employed to solve the finite-differenced equation. Results are shown for a few configurations, including a wing-body-wake realistic fighter model having embedded subsonic regions.
Application of atomic force microscopy to studies of surface processes in virus crystallization and structural biology

Atomic force microscopy (AFM) investigation revealed the sources of disorder and mechanisms of their formation in crystals of an icosahedral plant virus, Cucumber Mosaic Virus (CMV) and structure of the Herpes Simplex Virus (HSV-1). The combination of defects and local disorder in CMV crystals presented here are likely the physical bases for mosaicity in virus crystals, and may be largely responsible for their limited diffraction resolution. High-resolution images of intact, enveloped HSV-1 and the underlying capsid structure demonstrate capabilities of AFM to probe structures of large macromolecular assemblies.
miR-29ab1 Deficiency Identifies a Negative Feedback Loop Controlling Th1 Bias That Is Dysregulated in Multiple Sclerosis

Th cell programming and function is tightly regulated by complex biological networks to prevent excessive inflammatory responses and autoimmune disease. The importance of microRNAs (miRNAs) in this process is highlighted by the preferential Th1 polarization of Dicer-deficient T cells that lack miRNAs. Using genetic knockouts, we demonstrate that loss of endogenous miR-29, derived from the miR-29ab1 genomic cluster, results in unrestrained T-bet expression and IFN-γ production. miR-29b regulates T-bet and IFN-γ via a direct interaction with the 3' untranslated regions, and IFN-γ itself enhances miR-29b expression, establishing a novel regulatory feedback loop. miR-29b is increased in memory CD4(+) T cells from multiple sclerosis (MS) patients, which may reflect chronic Th1 inflammation. However, miR-29b levels decrease significantly upon T cell activation in MS patients, suggesting that this feedback loop is dysregulated in MS patients and may contribute to chronic inflammation. miR-29 thus serves as a novel regulator of Th1 differentiation, adding to the understanding of T cell-intrinsic regulatory mechanisms that maintain a balance between protective immunity and autoimmunity.
MECHANISMS OF FORMATION OF Na2CO3 IN SOILS

Summary Biological transformations have been responsible for formation of Na2CO3 and resultant high alkalinity in some of the salt-affected soils of the Sacramento Valley, California. Environmental factors favouring Na2CO3 formation are high ground-water level to provide an anaerobic environment, supply of Na2SO4, and organic matter. Under these conditions, anaerobic micro-organisms reduce sulphate to sulphide and oxidize organic matter to CO2. The sulphides hydrolyse to produce free OH which combines with CO2 to form HCO3. Reduced Fe in the system inactivates the sulphides and allows accumulation of NaHCO2. Loss of CO2 from NaHCO2 during dry periods of the year results in formation of Na2CO3. In the laboratory an anaerobic environment and a supply of readily decomposable organic matter have been shown to be essential for development of HCO3 and CO3. Ultimate development of high alkalinity depends upon inactivation of soluble and exchangeable divalent bases as precipitated carbonates. Inactivation of divalent bases favours a high exchangeable Na content as well as build up of soluble NaHCO3 and Na2CO3. There is an equivalent relationship between the amount of SO4 reduced and HCO3 formed by the processes involved. The anaerobic organisms involved in the transformations obtain oxygen from the SO4 and in turn oxidize carbon of the organic matter to CO2. Development of HCO3 and CO3 is favoured in situations where organic matter and Na2SO4 concentrations are both high, but is limited in systems with a relatively low organic matter content and a high concentration of Na2SO44, or conversely, when a high content of organic matter is combined with a low salt concentration.
Mutual coupling in MIMO wireless systems: a rigorous network theory analysis

A new framework for the analysis of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) wireless systems is introduced to account for mutual coupling effects in the antenna arrays. The multiport interactions at transmit and receive are characterized by representing the channel using a scattering parameter matrix. A new power constraint that limits the average radiated power is also introduced. The capacity of the MIMO system with mutual coupling is defined as the maximum mutual information of the transmit and receive vectors over all possible transmit signaling and receive loading. Full-wave electromagnetic antenna simulations combined with a simple path-based channel model are used to demonstrate the utility of the method.
Skin biopsies in the evaluation of atypical optic neuropathies.

Patients with atypical clinical presentations of common optic neuropathies such as optic neuritis (ON), anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (AION), or optic neuropathy of unknown etiology (UON) are difficult to distinguish from inflammatory autoimmune optic neuropathy (AON) which is typically associated with a poor visual prognosis, unless treated with high doses of corticosteroids and/or immunosuppressive agents. The authors retrospectively evaluated 34 patients [AON (n = 12); AION (n = 5); ON (n = 9); UON (n = 8)] with visual loss which deteriorated over weeks to months or followed an atypical course, for the presence of immunological markers suggestive of AON. These markers included serological testing for antiphospholipid (APA) and antinuclear (ANA) antibodies, and evaluation of histopathologic and immunofluorescent staining of skin biopsies. All patients underwent a skin biopsy. Four of the 12 patients with AON had urticarial cutaneous lesions which revealed leukocytoclastic and/or lymphohistiocytic v...
Matrix Isolation Infrared and ab Initio Study of the 1:1 Complexes of Cyclopentadiene with Nitrogen and Oxygen Bases: C-H---N(O) Hydrogen Bonding Involving an sp3-Hybridized Carbon

Hydrogen-bonded complexes of cyclopentadiene with the strong bases ammonia, trimethylamine, and dimethyl ether have been isolated and characterized for the first time in argon matrices at 16 K. Coordination of the acidic alkyl hydrogen to the electron donor was evidenced by distinct red shifts of the CH 2 stretching modes of cyclopentadiene in the infrared spectrum. An additional `‚‚‚‚﷿ interaction was evidenced by the red shift of an olefinic C-H stretching mode. Ab initio calculations yield a complex with NH3 located above the ring, oriented by both of these hydrogen-bonding interactions. The calculated interaction energy of the complex is 2.40 kcal/mol, with the energy being divided equally between these two interactions. This study represents the first example of an sp 3 -hybridized carbon on a hydrocarbon taking part in a C-H‚‚‚N(O) hydrogen bond.
Hyperspectral in vivo two-photon microscopy of intrinsic contrast

In vivo two-photon imaging of intrinsic contrast can provide valuable information about structural tissue elements such as collagen and elastin and fluorescent metabolites such as nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide. Yet low signal and overlapping emission spectra can make it difficult to identify and delineate these species in vivo. We present a novel approach that combines excitation scanning with spectrally resolved emission two-photon microscopy, allowing distinct structures to be delineated based on their characteristic spectral fingerprints. The amounts of intrinsic fluorophores present in each voxel can also be evaluated. We demonstrate our method using in vivo imaging of nude mouse skin.
Phosphorus flux from lake sediments: Effect of epipelic algal oxygen production

Previous studies utilizing oxygen-sensitive microelectrodes have demonstrated that as a result of epipelic algal photosynthesis and microbial metabolism, and regardless of the oxygen concentration of the overlying water, sediments within the euphotic zone of lakes undergo marked diel fluctuations in the extent of oxygen penetration. This investigation utilized oxygen-sensitive microelcctrodes, 32P0,3- radiotracer, and a novel flow-through system to examine the effect of epipelic algal photosynthesis on sediment oxygen dynamics and the concomitant pattern of phosphorus release from lake sediments. Epipelic algae mediated release of phosphorus from sediments to overlying water via daily formation and breakdown ofthe oxidized microzone. During illumination, surficial sediments rapidly became oxygenated, and release of phosphorus diffusing from deeper sediment layers was inhibited. During darkness the microzone became anoxic, and phosphorus was released to overlying water at an accelerated rate, producing marked diel fluctuation in efflux rate. Observed patterns of release are consistent with recent evidence for a mechanism consisting of rapid uptake or rclcase of dissolved phosphate by sediment microorganisms in response to respective oxic or anoxic conditions. Microbial metabolism in aquatic sediments regenerates inorganic phosphate that accumulates in interstitial water and forms concentration gradients. Subsequent diffusive transport to overlying water can be retarded by a number of processes that either temporarily or permanently immobilize phosphate. Mortimer (1941, 1942) demonstrated that the presence of an oxidized microzone at the sediment surface inhibited phosphorus release but that a decrease in redox potential of the microzone following the onset of anoxic conditions in the overlying water stimulated the reduction of Fe(III), thus releasing phosphate bound in hydrous oxides and gels at the sediment surface. This key role of oxygen has been substantiated in numerous studies in various lake and sediment types @Lamp-Nielsen 1974; Patrick and Khalid 1974; Frevert 1980). Also identified as factors affecting the rate of P flux from sediments are pH, tem
Partial molar entropy of electrons in a jellium model: Implications for thermodynamics of ions in solution and electrons in metals

Abstract A universal relationship between the partial molar entropy of electrons in a conductor and the absolute thermoelectric power of the conductor was previously established using macroscopic thermodynamics. This relationship may depend on temperature but not on the type of material. Building on this, a recent comment published in this journal, as well as some earlier work, has argued that the partial molar entropy of electrons in a conductor is essentially equivalent to the absolute thermoelectric power of the metal. The argument was based on the thermodynamic and transport properties of a free electron Fermi gas. To further validate the relationship the present paper extends this approach to a jellium model of electronic structure. If the proposed equivalence between partial molar entropy and absolute thermoelectric power is valid it opens the way for an experimental thermodynamic method to measure quantities that have previously been considered un-measurable, such as partial molar entropies of ions in solution and electric fields in homogeneous conductors placed in a temperature gradient. It also relates to questions about the completeness of current thermodynamic theory and the possibility of a new principle or law of thermodynamics.
Enhancement of token bus protocols for multimedia applications

The authors describe a method to enhance the medium access control (MAC) function of shared resource networks, such as buses. A new addressing field is introduced in the transmitted frames that allows multiple token visits in the same node within a single token rotation cycle. This method provides the capability to efficiently support dynamic bandwidth allocation and, thus, implement isochronous communications. >
Localized and computationally efficient approach to shift-variant image deblurring

A new localized and computationally efficient approach is presented for shift/space-variant image restoration. Unlike conventional approaches, it models shift-variant blurring in a completely local form based on the recently proposed Rao transform (RT). RT facilitates almost exact inversion of the blurring process locally and permits very fine-grain parallel implementation. The new approach naturally exploits the spatial locality of blurring kernels and smoothness of underlying focused images. It formulates the deblurring problem in terms of local parameters that are less correlated than raw image data. It is a fundamental advance that is general and not limited to any specific form of the blurring kernel such as a Gaussian. It has significant theoretical and computational advantages in comparison with conventional approaches such as those based on singular value decomposition of blurring kernel matrices. Experimental results are presented for both synthetic and real image data. This approach is also relevant to solving integral equations.
PcrA-mediated disruption of RecA nucleoprotein filaments—essential role of the ATPase activity of RecA

The essential DNA helicase, PcrA, regulates recombination by displacing the recombinase RecA from the DNA. The nucleotide-bound state of RecA determines the stability of its nucleoprotein filaments. Using single-molecule fluorescence approaches, we demonstrate that RecA displacement by a translocating PcrA requires the ATPase activity of the recombinase. We also show that in a ‘head-on collision’ between a polymerizing RecA filament and a translocating PcrA, the RecA K72R ATPase mutant, but not wild-type RecA, arrests helicase translocation. Our findings demonstrate that translocation of PcrA is not sufficient to displace RecA from the DNA and assigns an essential role for the ATPase activity of RecA in helicase-mediated disruption of its filaments.
Molecular phylogenetic relationships and the coevolution of placentotrophy and superfetation in Poecilia (Poeciliidae: Cyprinodontiformes).

Members of Poeciliidae are used as model organisms for experimental studies on natural and sexual selection, and comparative studies of life-history evolution. The latter have demonstrated multiple origins of both superfetation and placentotrophy within Poeciliidae. Most recently, placentotrophy has been described in five species of Poecilia (Pamphorichthys), but only one of these (P. hasemani) shows evidence of superfetation. Here, we use a molecular phylogeny based on concatenated nuclear and mitochondrial gene sequences to test hypotheses of correlated evolution between superfetation and placentotrophy in Poecilia. Taxon sampling included all species in the subgenera Micropoecilia and Pamphorichthys for which the presence or absence of placentotrophy and superfetation have been determined, as well as representatives of all other Poecilia subgenera (Acanthophacelus, Limia, Mollienesia, Poecilia, Pseudolimia). Phylogenetic analyses were performed with maximum parsimony, maximum likelihood, and Bayesian methods; ancestral states for life-history characters were reconstructed with parsimony and SIMMAP; correlation analyses were performed with SIMMAP; and divergence times were estimated using a relaxed molecular clock. All subgenera in Poecilia were recovered as monophyletic. The basal split in Poecilia is between P. (Acanthophacelus )+ P .( Micropoecilia) and the other five subgenera. In the latter clade, P .( Poecilia) is the sister-group to the remaining four subgenera. Within P. (Pamphorichthys), all analyses with the combined data set recovered P. (Pamphorichthys) araguaiensis as the sister taxon to P .( Pamphorichthys) hollandi, and P .( Pamphorichthys) scalpridens as the sister taxon to P .( Pamphorichthys) minor. P .( Pamphorichthys) hasemani was either the sister taxon to P .( Pamphorichthys) hollandi + P .( Pamphorichthys) minor (maximum likelihood, Bayesian) or the sister taxon to all other Pamphorichthys species (maximum parsimony). Ancestral state reconstructions suggest that placentotrophy and superfetation evolved on the same branch in P .( Micropoecilia), whereas placentotrophy evolved before superfetation in P .( Pamphorichthys). SIMMAP analyses indicate a statistically significant association between placentotrophy and superfetation. Within P. (Micropoecilia) both placentotrophy and superfetation evolved in 64 million years. Within P .( Pamphorichthys), superfetation evolved in 69 million years on the P .( Pamphorichthys) hasemani branch, and placentotrophy evolved in 610 million years in the common ancestor of this subgenus.
Physiological and anatomical characteristics of spindling-sprouted Potato tubers.

Concentration of a growth-promoting substance (IAA) was significantly higher in Russet Burbank spindling-sprouted tuber extracts than in extracts from normal tubers, whereas an inhibiting substance was present in significant amount only in normal tuber extracts. No differential in growth regulators was observed in tubers of the White Rose variety. Two organic acids, one similar in Rf value to tartaric acid, observed in chromatograms of extracts from spindling-sprouted tubers, were absent from chromatogramed extracts of normal tubers. Differences in chlorogenic acid were not consistent in the two tuber types. Rapid tests for specific gravity, soluble solids and ultraviolet fluorescent patterns appeared reliable for detection and separation of known spindling-and normal-sprouted tubers. Abnormal tubers in general measured low in specific gravity and high in soluble solids. The ferric chloride test for chlorogenic acid was not reliable for separating abnormal and normal tubers. Callose deposits were observed in the internal phloem of lacmoidstained sections of spindling-sprouted tubers by microscopic examination. Comparable callose deposits were not evident in normal-sprouted tuber tissue.
2‐Substituted‐1,3‐Cyclohexadienes by Intermolecular, Methylene‐Free Tandem Enyne Metathesis

Propargyl alcohol Benzoyl chloride Triethylamine 4-Pyridinamine, N,N-dimethyl (DMAP) Propargyl benzoate cis-Polybutadiene Ethyl vinyl ether Ruthenium [1,3-bis-(2,4,6-trimethylphenyl)-2-imidazolidinyidine]- Keywords: cyclohexadienes; methylene-free; tandem enyne methathesis; grubb's second generation catalyst; tandem transformation; ring synthesis; waste disposal
Art and Science in the Age of Digital Reproduction: From Mimetic Representation to Interactive Virtual Reality

This paper places the digital humanities generally and virtual archaeology in particular into the larger context of the evolution of the arts and sciences from antiquity through the Middle Ages and Renaissance to the present, postmodern period.The argument is made that the basis of virtual reality representations of cultural objects is not primarily mimetic but interactive and that in this sense virtual archaeology reflects larger trends in contemporary science and the arts.
Effect of gastrointestinal motility and feeding tube site on aspiration risk in critically ill patients: a review.

Abstract Objective The purpose of this literature review is to examine the effect of the interaction between gastrointestinal motility and feeding site on the aspiration risk in critically ill, tube-fed patients. Methods and results A single answer to the question of the preferred feeding site is not likely to be found because the degree of aspiration risk varies significantly according to individual variations in gastrointestinal motility and multiple pre-existing and treatment-related risk factors. However, regardless of the feeding site, it is ultimately regurgitated gastric contents that are aspirated into the lungs. For this reason, the clinical assessment of greatest interest is the evaluation of gastric emptying, usually monitored clinically by measuring gastric residual volumes. Conclusion Current recommendations for monitoring residual volumes and preventing aspiration are provided.
Planar to Linear Structural Transition in Small Boron-Carbon Mixed Clusters: CxB5-x - (x ) 1-5)

Bulk carbon and boron form very different materials, which are also reflected in their clusters. Small carbon clusters form linear structures, whereas boron clusters are planar. For example, it is known that the B5− cluster possesses a C2v planar structure and C5− is a linear chain. Here we study B/C mixed clusters containing five atoms, CxB5−x− (x = 1−5), which are expected to exhibit a planar to linear structural transition as a function of the C content. The CxB5−x− (x = 1−5) clusters were produced and studied by photoelectron spectroscopy; their geometric and electronic structures were investigated using a variety of theoretical methods. We found that the planar-to-linear transition occurs between x = 2 and 3: the global minimum structures of the B-rich clusters, CB4− and C2B3−, are planar, similar to B5−, and those of the C-rich clusters, C3B2− and C4B−, are linear, similar to C5−.
Transformation-specific cell killing by a cancer-associated galactosyltransferase acceptor and cellular binding.

Abstract Cancer-associated galactosyltransferase acceptor (CAGA glycoprotein), a small glycoprotein purified from human malignant effusion that selectively kills transformed cells, was tritiated by reductive methylation in the presence of NaB3H4. CAGA-glycoprotein-sensitive cells (baby-hamster kidney cells transformed by polyoma virus and chick-embryo fibroblasts infected with Ts68 temperature-sensitive mutant of Rous sarcoma virus grown at 37°C, the permissive temperature) bound 3–5-fold more 3H-labelled CAGA glycoprotein than did their CAGA-glycoprotein-resistant non-transformed counterparts. The Rous-sarcoma-virus-infected chick-embryo fibroblasts grown at non-permissive temperature (41°C) bound an intermediate amount of 3H-labelled CAGA glycoprotein; however, this intermediate amount appeared to be sufficient to induce inhibition of cell growth when the infected chick-embryo fibroblasts treated at 41°C were switched to 37°C. Binding of 3H-labelled CAGA glycoprotein was time- and temperature-dependent and was not inhibited by monosaccharide. Binding was completely inhibited by the oligosaccharide liberated by endoglucosaminidase H treatment or by exhaustive Pronase digestion of intact CAGA glycoprotein. However, the isolated oligosaccharide failed to demonstrate the growth-inhibition characteristics of the intact glycopeptide. Binding of 3H-labelled CAGA glycoprotein was unaffected by co-incubation with the peptide core released by endoglucosaminidase H treatment. 3H-labelled CAGA glycoprotein bound to intact cells could be removed by trypsin treatment up to 4h after addition of the glycoprotein but not thereafter. This time course paralleled the decreasing reversibility of growth inhibition. However, all 3H-labelled CAGA glycoprotein was found in the supernatant when cells were first disrupted by sonication followed by trypsin treatment for up to 12h. 3H-labelled CAGA glycoprotein linked to Sepharose 4B failed to cause growth inhibition in CAGA-glycoprotein-sensitive cells. These findings suggest that binding of CAGA glycoprotein occurs via its oligosaccharide moiety. Binding appears to be a necessary but not sufficient condition to induce cell killing. Growth inhibition appears to depend on internalization of the glycoprotein and the presence of a transformation-specific cell process.
Black Germany: The making and unmaking of a diaspora community, 1884–1960

Building from Afro-German Katharina Oguntoye’s 1997 Eine afro-deutsche Geschichte: Zur Lebenssituation von Afrikanern und Afro-Deutschen in Deutschland von 1884 bis 1950 (An Afro-German History: On...
Hypertensive ischemic ulcer. A review of 40 cases.

Abstract The histories of 40 patients with typical hypertensive ischemic ulcers of the leg were reviewed. Arteriosclerosis obliterans was present in 19 patients, venous insufficiency in 16, and diabetes mellitus in 9; only 14 patients had hypertension with no other vascular disease and 2 of these had diabetes mellitus. There were only 4 patients who had no hypertension and no hypertensive changes in their optic fundi. Almost all the ulcers were painful, and an average of four months was required for an ulcer to heal. The ulcers healed in only 10 of the 19 patients who had arteriosclerosis obliterans but in 19 of 21 patients who did not. Results were also worse in the 9 diabetics. Once healed, these ulcers nearly always remain healed but most patients have recurrences in new areas of the same or opposite leg. The typical skin infarction and the tendency for the ulcers to recur distinguish these lesions from those usually seen with venous stasis or major arterial insufficiency.
Gastroplasty in Morbid Obesity

Gastroplasty is effective only when a small fundic reservoir is formed with a nonexpanding 12-mm channel. Support of the channel with a seromuscular suture appears to achieve this goal. Candidates for gastroplasty should be carefully screened before surgery and given support and nutritional education after surgery.
Convergence with Probability One: Martingale Difference Noise

Much of the classical work in stochastic approximation dealt with the situation where the “noise” in each observation Y n is a martingale difference, that is, where there is a function g n (·) of θ such that E [Y n |Yi, i < n, θ0] = g n (θ n ) [17, 40, 45, 47, 56, 79, 86, 132, 154, 159, 169, 181]. Then we can write Y n = g n (θ n ) + δM n where δM n is a martingale difference. This “martingale difference noise” model is still of considerable importance. It arises, for example, where Y n has the form Y n = F n (θ n , ψ n ) where ψ n are mutually independent. The convergence theory is relatively easy in this case, because the noise terms can be dealt with by well-known and relatively simple probability inequalities for martingale sequences. This chapter is devoted to this martingale difference noise case. Nevertheless, the ODE, compactness, and stability techniques to be introduced are of basic importance for stochastic approximation, and will be used in subsequent chapters.
Coal and Its Derivatives

Coal is the most plentiful of all “conventional”* fossil fuels in the United States and around the world. Its distribution is uneven. U.S. coal resources exceed oil resources by about a factor of 10, and U.S. natural gas resources by a less certain but probably comparable factor. Removing it from the ground is, on the whole, not technically difficult and these several attractions have stimulated the U.S. government and many other public and private organizations to plan large increases in the use of coal during the coming years. The 400–500 billion tons of economically and technologically available reserves in the United States would last 600 years at present rate of use, and an estimated 4 trillion tons of ultimate resource would last much longer. The USSR and China are comparably rich in coal; Australia, Indonesia, India, and other countries have large or at least substantial deposits, so for some countries at least, raw availability is no problem. But for reasons to be given shortly, the actual increases will be more modest than have recently been prophesied.
The Adaptive Immune Response and Histocompatibility Genes

Investigators transplanted tumors between outbred mice during the early decades of the twentieth century, leading to the discovery of cell surface molecules (proteins) responsible for tumor rejection. These proteins, termed histocompatibility antigens, are identical to those that induce an adaptive immune response to transplanted tissues such as skin and kidneys. The development of inbred strains of animals facilitated localization of the genes coding for these molecules to a chromosomal region, termed the major histocompatibility complex. Surgeons performing organ transplants beginning in the 1950s were confronted with histocompatibility antigens on foreign grafts that stimulated graft rejection. The physiological function of the antigens remained unappreciated until the mid-1970s. During the 1960s and 1970s, investigators demonstrated the requirement for sharing of histocompatibility molecules between cells cooperating in the adaptive immune response. Finally, Rolf Zinkernagel and Peter Doherty established that T lymphocytes capable of killing virally infected cells needed to share histocompatibility antigens with the target cells. This observation stimulated a flurry of research, resulting in identification of the genes that code for histocompatibility antigens and the role these proteins play in the adaptive immune response.
Brain imaging with synthetic MR in children: clinical quality assessment

Synthetic magnetic resonance imaging is a quantitative imaging technique that measures inherent T1-relaxation, T2-relaxation, and proton density. These inherent tissue properties allow synthesis of various imaging sequences from a single acquisition. Clinical use of synthetic MR imaging has been described in adult populations. However, use of synthetic MR imaging has not been previously reported in children. The purpose of this study is to report our assessment of diagnostic image quality using synthetic MR imaging in children. Synthetic MR acquisition was obtained in a sample of children undergoing brain MR imaging. Image quality assessments were performed on conventional and synthetic T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and FLAIR images. Standardized linear measurements were performed on conventional and synthetic T2 images. Estimates of patient age based upon myelination patterns were also performed. Conventional and synthetic MR images were evaluated on 30 children. Using a 4-point assessment scale, conventional imaging performed better than synthetic imaging for T1-weighted, T2-weighted, and FLAIR images. When the assessment was simplified to a dichotomized scale, the conventional and synthetic T1-weighted and T2-weighted images performed similarly. However, the superiority of conventional FLAIR images persisted in the dichotomized assessment. There were no statistically significant differences between linear measurements made on T2-weighted images. Estimates of patient age based upon pattern of myelination were also similar between conventional and synthetic techniques. Synthetic MR imaging may be acceptable for clinical use in children. However, users should be aware of current limitations that could impact clinical utility in the software version used in this study.
Tang, EricUnsettled: Cambodian Refugees in the NYC HyperghettoPhiladelphia, PA: Temple University Press234 pp., $24.95 paperbackISBN: 978-1-4399-1165-5Publication Date: October 2015

Eric Tang's important book, Unsettled: Cambodian Refugees in the NYC Hyperghetto, provides a timely examination of U.S. refugee policy and its devastating impact on Cambodian refugees. As the title...
Effects of Cognitive Distortions on the Link Between Dating Violence Exposure and Substance Problems in Clinically Hospitalized Youth.

PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to examine whether cognitive distortions (e.g., cognitive errors; negative views of self, world, and future) influence the association between dating violence and problematic substance use behaviors in a sample of psychiatrically hospitalized adolescents. METHOD: Participants included 155 adolescents, aged 13-17 years, who had initiated dating. Adolescents completed measures of dating violence, substance-related problems (alcohol and marijuana), and cognitive distortions. RESULTS: Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the direct and interactive effects of dating violence exposure and cognitive distortions on likelihood of recent problematic substance use. RESULTS suggested a main effect of dating violence on problematic alcohol and other drug use as well as an interactive effect of dating violence and cognitive distortions. Specifically, the relationship between dating violence and odds of substance-related problems was higher among those with greater (vs. fewer) cognitive distortions. CONCLUSION: Study results suggest the need for careful screening of cognitive distortions among adolescent dating violence victims, particularly those in mental health treatment.© 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Language: en
Cloud Colonography: Distributed Medical Testbed over Cloud

Cloud Colonography is proposed in this paper, using different types of cloud computing environments. Databases from the Computed Tomographic Colonography (CTC) screening tests among several hospitals are explored. These networked databases are going to be available in the near future via cloud computing technologies. Associated Multiple Databases (AMD) was developed in this study to handle multiple CTC databases. When AMD is used for assembling databases, it can achieve very high classification accuracy. The proposed AMD has the potential to play a role of the core classifier in the cloud computing framework. AMD for multiple institutions databases yields high detection performance of polyps using Kernel principal component analysis (KPCA). Two cases in the proposed cloud platform are private and public. We adapted a university cluster as a private platform, and Amazon Elastic Compute Cloud (EC2) as a public. The computation time, memory usage, and running costs were compared using three representative databases between private and public cloud environments. The proposed parallel processing modules improved the computation time, especially in the public cloud environments. The successful development of a cloud computing environment that handles large amounts of data will make Cloud Colonography feasible for a new health care service.
Trauma and Mental Health: The Development, Treatment, and Future of

Trauma seems to be an integral part of any given society. When most people think of psychological trauma, soldiers who were engaged in battle during wartime are most often what comes to mind. However, most trauma occurs in before an individual reaches adulthood. Research has shown that dysfunction results from exposure to trauma at any given point across the lifespan. Children who suffer from trauma often grow up to be adults with psychological dysfunction, passing on this dysfunction to the next generation. The objective of this paper is to identify some of these other areas of traumatic exposure and understand how these influential factors can result in mental health disorders. This will be followed by an exploration of these disorders and various treatment interventions. We will then conclude with a personal analysis in regard to the direction we seem to be headed as a society, and where we could be headed. Trauma and Mental Health P a g e | 2
Tribbles ortholog NIPI-3 and bZIP transcription factor CEBP-1 regulate a Caenorhabditis elegans intestinal immune surveillance pathway.

Many pathogens secrete toxins that target key host processes resulting in the activation of immune pathways. The secreted Pseudomonas aeruginosa toxin Exotoxin A (ToxA) disrupts intestinal protein synthesis, which triggers the induction of a subset of P. aeruginosa-response genes in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans. We show here that one ToxA-induced C. elegans gene, the Tribbles pseudokinase ortholog nipi-3, is essential for host survival following exposure to P. aeruginosa or ToxA. We find that NIPI-3 mediates the post-developmental expression of intestinal immune genes and proteins and primarily functions in parallel to known immune pathways, including p38 MAPK signaling. Through mutagenesis screening, we identify mutants of the bZIP C/EBP transcription factor cebp-1 that suppress the hypersusceptibility defects of nipi-3 mutants. NIPI-3 is a negative regulator of CEBP-1, which in turn negatively regulates protective immune mechanisms. This pathway represents a previously unknown innate immune signaling pathway in intestinal epithelial cells that is involved in the surveillance of cellular homeostasis. Because NIPI-3 and CEBP-1 are also essential for C. elegans development, NIPI-3 is analogous to other key innate immune signaling molecules such as the Toll receptors in Drosophila that have an independent role during development. See also companion paper by Kim et al. http://bmcbiol.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.1186/s12915-016-0320-z .
406. Development and Optimization of PSCA-Specific CAR T Cells for the Treatment of Bone Metastatic Prostate Cancer

Prostate Cancer (PCa) is the third most common cancer type in the United States, with over 200,000 new cases projected to be diagnosed this year. In approximately 80% of PCa patients, tumor phenotype includes overexpression of prostate stem cell antigen, or PSCA. Furthermore, PSCA is expressed on nearly 100% of bone metastatic prostate cancers, making it an attractive immunotherapeutic target. We have genetically engineered T cells to express chimeric antigen receptors (CARs) which specifically target PSCA. Recent clinical trials with CARs targeting CD19 for B-cell malignancies have demonstrated impressive results, yet replicating this success with other antigen targets remains elusive. Immunotherapy against solid tumors poses a more difficult tumor challenge because of the immunosuppressive microenvironment that can significantly hinder CAR efficacy. Additionally, there have been instances of on-target, off-tumor toxicity due to low levels of antigen expression on normal tissue.In the current project we have modified various components of our CAR constructs to improve specificity and overall therapeutic efficacy. Through various in vitro functional assays and in vivo xenograft models, we have evaluated and optimized a PSCA-targeting CAR. We first compared two single-chain variable fragments with different paratopes. While both show comparable potency, one of the scFvs showed nonspecific activity against PSCA-negative tumor lines. Similarly, our data suggest that the 28ζ-costimulatory domain, regardless of linker length, also shows non-specific activation and killing of PSCA-negative tumor lines as compared to the 4-1BB costimulatory domain. Finally, we have demonstrated differences between long, middle, and short linker lengths in intracellular cytokine production, activation, and killing capacities in vitro and in vivo. By modifying both the ectodomain and intracellular region, we are able to improve the specificity and functionality of our PSCA-CARs, which is essential to developing effective immunotherapies for this advanced disease.
Role of endoscopic stenting in the duodenum

Summary Background Gastric outlet obstruction may cause the presenting symptoms, or may develop during the course of pancreatic or biliary malignancy. Treatment options for malignant gastric outlet obstruction are limited. Surgical gastrojejunostomy is commonly performed, but carries significant morbidity and mortality. Methods Over the past two years, we conducted a prospective study to determine the safety, feasibility and outcomes of the newly-designed Wallstent Enteral® (Scneider, Minneapolis, MN) to treat a variety of malignant gastric outlet obstructions. We deployed stents 16 to 22 mm in diameter and 60 to 90 mm in length directly through the endoscope. Results Twelve patients (10 women ans 2 men, mean age = 59.7 years) underwent the procedure. After stenting, six patients were able to eat a regular diet, and three were able to eat a pureed diet. In three patients, the procedure was unsuccessful because of multiple obstructions that were not recognized prior to stenting in one and stents that were deployed either too proximally in one or too distally in another. Three patients were discharged within 24 hours after stenting and three had the procedure as an outpatient. Conclusions Placement of the Wallstent Enteral through the endoscope is safe and effective palliation for a variety of malignant gastric outlet obstructions, and leads to significant improvement in many aspects of patients' quality of life.