cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A K-ras oncogene increases resistance to sulindac-induced apoptosis in rat enterocytes

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: Mutations of c-K-ras occur commonly in colonic neoplasms. The aim of this study was to determine how c-K-ras mutations alter the responses to the chemopreventive agent sulindac. METHODS: The parental rat intestinal cell line IEC-18 and c-K-ras-transformed derivatives were treated with sulindac sulfide. Cell cycle distribution was determined by flow-cytometric analysis (fluorescence-activated cell sorter), apoptosis by DNA fragmentation (laddering), flow cytometry, and microscopy, and changes in gene expression by immunoblotting. RESULTS: Sulindac sulfide inhibited cell growth and induced apoptosis in a time- and dose-dependent manner more rapidly in and at lower concentrations in parental cells than ras-transformed cells. Expression of the sulindac sulfide arrested cells in G0/G1, but cells entered apoptosis throughout the cell cycle. Proapoptotic protein Bak was relatively high in untreated parental cells and increased markedly after sulindac sulfide but was low in untreated ras-transformed cells and did not increase after sulindac sulfide. Expression of other Bcl-2 family members was unchanged after sulindac sulfide. However, sulindac sulfide reduced levels of cyclin D1 protein and cyclin E- and cyclin D1- associated kinase activity. CONCLUSIONS: c-K-ras-transformed enterocytes are relatively resistant to sulindac sulfide-induced growth inhibition and apoptosis, which may result from specific reduction of bak expression. (Gastroenterology 1997 Dec;113(6):1892-900)
Defining Strategic Problems: Subjective Criteria of Executives

Top executives were surveyed to determine their subjective criteria regarding the process of strategic problem formulation. Three criteria (clarity, politicality and complexity) were identified and used to determine which activities in the SPF process contributed to explaining the criteria. It was found that a clear process was perceived to be one in which several views were considered but where a synthesis was developed.
The intracellular distribution of basic proteins in the Chinese hamster ovary cell.

Abstract Basic proteins were obtained by acid extraction from whole cells and from nuclei, nucleoli, chromatin, cytoplasmic ribosomes and lysosomes of fluid cultured Chinese hamster ovary (CHO) cells. The limits of nucleoprotein dissociation ranged from pH 2.8-0.6. Basic proteins isolated from whole cells demonstrated complex electrophoretic patterns containing approximately 30 components. Basic proteins from nuclei demonstrated less complex banding patterns, while the patterns from nucleoli and chromatin qualitatively resembled those from nuclei. Lysosomal basic protein patterns resembled those of nuclei with three additional bands which were present in whole cell preparations, were observed as trace components in ribosomal preparations and were absent in nuclear basic proteins. Ribosomal basic proteins demonstrated a complex banding pattern which appeared both to share certain fractions with nuclear and lysosomal fractions and to contain a number of unique components. A comparison of relative band staining intensities among the preparations, both visually and by means of a photodensitometer, suggested for the common bands a distribution of a mixture of basic proteins among intracellular sites, the proportions of which mixture varied according to the individual locus.
Impact of Postcensal Versus Intercensal Population Estimates on Prevalence of Selected Developmental Disabilities—Metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia, 1991–1996

Abstract Prevalence estimates often use U.S. Census Bureau estimates of the population as denominator data. Postcensal estimates are population estimates produced following a decennial census. Intercensal estimates are surrounded by 2 census years and supersede postcensal estimates. In this report we describe prevalence estimates in Atlanta for mental retardation, cerebral palsy, and hearing and vision loss for 8 year olds from 1991–1994 and 1996. We used calculations of postcensal and intercensal population estimates. Intercensal population data were consistently higher than postcensal data, and prevalence estimates for developmental disabilities were lower using intercensal population data. This discrepancy varied by race and ethnicity. Comparison of population estimates, particularly at state and local levels, should be considered to assess meaningful differences in published prevalence estimates using intercensal data.
A direct neural approach for the traveling salesman problem

It is shown that a simple modification of the neural network as proposed by J.J. Hopfield and D.W. Tank (see Biological Cybernetics, vol.52, p.141-152 (1985)) can be used to find consistently valid solutions to the traveling salesman problem (TSP) for an arbitrarily large number of cities. This direct approach requires the selection of only one parameter which can be heuristically estimated, while the remaining parameters can be directly computed. Criticisms which claim that the TSP network cannot be easily scaled to large problems are shown to be inapplicable to this method. The quality of the solutions given by the direct method is comparable to those achieved by Hopfield, averaging in the top 99% of the solution space for small problems, and progressively poorer as the problem size increases. The reasons for the decline of solution quality are identified, and are shown to be fundamental problems with the neural representation of the problem. >
Truth and Objectivity in Perspectivism

I investigate the consequences of Nietzsche's perspectivism for notions of truth and objectivity, and show how the metaphor of visual perspective motivates an epistemology that avoids self-referential difficulties. Perspectivism's claim that every view is only one view, applied to itself, is often supposed to preclude the perspectivist's ability to offer reasons for her epistemology. Nietzsche's arguments for perspectivism depend on “internal reasons”, which have force not only in their own perspective, but also within the standards of alternative perspectives. Internal reasons allow a perspectivist argument against dogmatism without presupposing aperspectival criteria for theory choice. Nietzsche also offers “internal” conceptions of truth and objectivity which reduce them to a matter of meeting our epistemic standards. This view has pluralistic implications, which conflict with common sense, but it is nevertheless consistent and plausible. Nietzsche's position is similar to Putnam's recent internalism, and this is due to their common Kantian heritage.
Comparison of analytical and computational thermal models for gas metal arc braze welding

Analytical and computational models are constructed for predicting the temperature distribution in a workpiece during gas metal arc braze-welding (GMABW). Specifically, the weld zone is modeled with Rosenthal’s analytical model, a finite difference model (FDM) and a finite volume computational model, constructed in the FLUENT® software package. Each model relates controllable braze-welding process parameters, such as traverse speed and applied voltage, to the temperature field that develops during the braze-welding process. Modelbased predictions are validated by comparison with experimental data obtained from braze-welded specimens of C22000 commercial bronze alloy (CuZn90/10%wt). Temperature data are collected during the braze-welding process via thermocouples and infrared pyrometers aimed at the top surface of the specimen. Recommendations are made regarding the range of applicability and limitations of the models. In addition, opportunities are discussed for applying these models as part of an automated control framework for GMABW.
Two sniffing strategies in palinurid lobsters

Most studies of lobster chemoreception have focused on the model systems of Panulirus argus (Palinuridae) and Homarus americanus (Nephropidae). We compare antennule morphology across lobsters and conduct the first kinematic study of antennule flicking in a palinurid species other than P. argus. High-speed video analysis shows that Palinurus elephas flicks at a rate more than an order of magnitude higher than in P. argus. However, both species flick their antennular flagella at a Reynolds number (Re) of approximately one, such that an asymmetry in the speed of the flick phases causes both species to have a leaky closing flick phase and a non-leaky opening phase. The antennular flagella of P. argus are nearly seven times longer than those of P. elephas, and, when compared across palinurid genera, Panulirus species sample far greater areas of water over greater spatial and time scales than do any other palinurid genera. Palinurid lobsters appear to have two sniffing strategies: low flick rates over a large area of water (e.g. P. argus) or high flick rates over a small area of water (e.g. P. elephas). P. argus is a highly informative model system in which to study aquatic chemoreception; however, its antennule anatomy and kinematics suggest a separate strategy, unique to Panulirus species, for sensing chemical plumes in fluid environments.
Alopecia areata in infants and newborns

Alopecia areata is a common cause of nonscarring hair loss in children and adults. In newborns and very young infants, however, it is thought to be extremely rare. In this article we describe five cases of alopecia areata in patients less than 6 months of age and briefly discuss the pertinent differential diagnosis of infants and newborns with both patchy and complete hair loss. We propose that alopecia areata may be more common in this age group than the literature suggests.
Sequential optical pumping of a far-infrared ammonia laser.

We present a novel technique for resonantly pumping a continuous-wave far-infrared NH3 laser with a line-tunable mid-infrared NH3 laser that is optically pumped by a CO2 laser. In this two-step process we first convert 10-μm CO2 laser photons into 11–13-μm NH3 laser photons, which are then converted into 60–400-μm photons in a far-infrared NH3 laser. Continuous-wave laser action on 10 far-infrared lines of 15NH3, including four new ones, has been obtained with a single CO2 laser pump line.
The mouse DXZ4 homolog retains Ctcf binding and proximity to Pls3 despite substantial organizational differences compared to the primate macrosatellite

The X-linked macrosatellite DXZ4 is a large homogenous tandem repeat that in females adopts an alternative chromatin organization on the primate X chromosome in response to X-chromosome inactivation. It is packaged into heterochromatin on the active X chromosome but into euchromatin and bound by the epigenetic organizer protein CTCF on the inactive X chromosome. Because its DNA sequence diverges rapidly beyond the New World monkeys, the existence of DXZ4 outside the primate lineage is unknown. Here we extend our comparative genome analysis and report the identification and characterization of the mouse homolog of the macrosatellite. Furthermore, we provide evidence of DXZ4 in a conserved location downstream of the PLS3 gene in a diverse group of mammals, and reveal that DNA sequence conservation is restricted to the CTCF binding motif, supporting a central role for this protein at this locus. However, many features that characterize primate DXZ4 differ in mouse, including the overall size of the array, the mode of transcription, the chromatin organization and conservation between adjacent repeat units of DNA sequence and length. Ctcf binds Dxz4 but is not exclusive to the inactive X chromosome, as evidenced by association in some males and equal binding to both X chromosomes in trophoblast stem cells. Characterization of Dxz4 reveals substantial differences in the organization of DNA sequence, chromatin packaging, and the mode of transcription, so the potential roles performed by this sequence in mouse have probably diverged from those on the primate X chromosome.
Anterior cingulate activity in bulimia nervosa: A fMRI case study

Introduction Eating disordered patients (EDp) who binge-eat appear to present impulse control deficits that influence treatment outcome. The present bulimia nervosa (BN) study tests the function of brain areas involved in top-down control of behavior, associated with the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), at the individual level. Methods ACC activity was analyzed in two women with BN and one matched control with a reliable and simple cue imperative target paradigm for response anticipation and response conflict processing using an event-related functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) design. Results Patients showed meaningful ACC patterns of activation, less recruitment for response anticipation, and abnormal for response conflict, when they had to suppress an inappropriate response. Discussion Preliminary evidence suggests a BN neurocognitive model of impaired executive control-related brain activity. Reliable fMRI paradigms may be clinically useful to determine ACC dysfunction in EDp, to inform treatment and track changes.
Hospice Utilization and End-of-Life Care Decision Making of African Americans:

Multiple, complex factors influence end-of-life (EOL) decisions for all persons. In the African American population, these factors include history of disparities and discrimination in health care, which may affect the individual and the family, family system beliefs, values, and practices, and health care system issues. Family dynamics have an especially important role in treatment decisions for loved ones with advanced disease. A family systems framework can guide the clinicians in appreciating care needs and preferences at EOL. Understanding why so many African Americans choose aggressive and often burdensome care, even at the expense of suffering, is important for communication about options at the EOL and the delivery of quality care at the EOL.
Ancillary follicle and secondary corpora lutea formation following exogenous gonadotropin treatment in the domestic cat and effect of passive transfer of gonadotropin-neutralizing antisera.

A combination regimen of equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG) and human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) was used to stimulate ovarian follicular development in domestic cats. The rate of elimination of eCG from circulation was estimated, and, following follicular aspiration, the formation of ancillary follicles and secondary CL was characterized. The effect of gonadotropin-neutralizing antisera on the development of secondary ovarian structures, CL function and humoral immune responses also was evaluated. After intramuscular injection, initial serum eCG concentrations were variable, with the elimination half-life estimated at 39 to 55 h and eCG persisting in circulation for several days. Following follicular aspiration, queens formed CL equal to the number of aspirated follicles and exhibited a rapid increase in progesterone concentration but developed high numbers of ancillary follicles by 5 d post aspiration. By 15 d post aspiration, all ancillary follicles had luteinized to form secondary CL. Treatment with neutralizing antisera at the time of follicular aspiration slowed (P 0.05) the number of ancillary follicles or secondary CL. Progesterone concentrations did not differ (P > 0.05) from control queens while secondary humoral immune responses to eCG were qualitatively similar between groups. In summary, eCG was eliminated slowly from cats following intramuscular injection and this persistence in circulation may have contributed to the development of ancillary follicles and secondary CL. However, the administration of neutralizing antisera at the time of follicular aspiration was ineffective in preventing the formation of these secondary ovarian structures.
3D reconstruction of coronary arteries: correlation of CT calcium to vessel location

The authors review a methodology for accurate 3-D reconstruction of the coronary artery vascular bed from multiview ECG (electrocardiography) correlated digital cardiac angiography. A technique for registration of angiographically determined vessel morphology with cardiac image detail obtained using ultrafast computed tomography is presented. Some preliminary registration results are provided. >
Nonverbal communication in the elementary classroom

(1971). Nonverbal communication in the elementary classroom. Theory Into Practice: Vol. 10, The Challenge of Nonverbal Awareness, pp. 282-287.
An approach to program understanding by natural language understanding

An automated tool to assist in the understanding of legacy code components can be useful both in the areas of software reuse and software maintenance. Most previous work in this area has concentrated on functionally-oriented code. Whereas object-oriented code has been shown to be inherently more reusable than functionally-oriented code, in many cases the eventual reuse of the object-oriented code was not considered during development. A knowledge-based, natural language processing approach to the automated understanding of object-oriented code as an aid to the reuse of object-oriented code is described. A system, called the PATRicia system (Program Analysis Tool for Reuse) that implements the approach is examined. The natural language processing/information extraction system that comprises a large part of the PATRicia system is discussed and the knowledge-base of the PATRicia system, in the form of conceptual graphs, is described. Reports provided by natural language-generation in the PATRicia system are described.
Reciprocal mutagenesis between human α(L349, M528) and rainbow trout (M317, I496) estrogen receptor residues demonstrates their importance in ligand binding and gene expression at different temperatures

Abstract Several fish proteins exhibit compromised function at temperatures outside of their normal physiological range. In this study, the effect of temperature on the ligand binding and the transactivation abilities of the rainbow trout estrogen receptor (rtER) and human estrogen receptor alpha (hERα) were examined. Saturation analysis and gene expression assays, using GST-ER and Gal4-ER fusion proteins consisting of the D, E and F domains of human (hERαdef) and rainbow trout (rtERdef) receptors, show that GST-rtERdef E2 binding affinity and transactivation ability decrease with increasing temperature. A comparison of the amino acid sequence differences between their ligand binding pockets identified two conservative amino acid residue substitutions in rtER (M317, I496) and hERα (L349, M528). The effect of these substitutions on ligand binding and transactivation were examined by constructing reciprocal mutants, which effectively exchanged the binding pockets between rtER and hERα. The rtERdef M317L:I496M double mutant exhibited increased E2 binding affinity and transactivation ability at higher temperatures, and displayed hERα phenotypic behavior for the phytoestrogen, coumestrol. The hERαdef L349M:M528I double mutant also exhibited a modest trend towards adopting the rtER phenotype. These studies demonstrate that conservative changes in residue hydrophobicity and volume can significantly affect ER ligand binding and transactivation ability in a temperature-dependent manner. The lack of a complete exchange of phenotypes between rtER and hERα indicates that factors outside of the ligand binding pocket are also involved.
Quantum jump statistics for two-atom systems

The quantum jump statistics in the fluorescence intensity from two three-level atoms is studied. A rate-equation description valid for strong driving fields is derived, and a partial analysis of quantum jump statistics which goes beyond the strong-excitation limit is presented. As the main result, it is shown that collective effects, such as unusual intensity levels and double quantum jumps, can occur in two-atom systems. However, their observation requires that the atoms be localized within a wavelength of light. >
The Effect of Initial Graft Tension After Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction A Randomized Clinical Trial With 36-Month Follow-up

Background:The initial graft tension applied at the time of anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction alters joint contact and may influence cartilage health. The objective was to compare outcomes between 2 commonly used “laxity-based” initial graft tension protocols.Hypotheses:(1) The high-tension group would have less knee laxity, improved clinical and patient-oriented outcomes, and less cartilage damage than would the low-tension group after 36 months of healing. (2) The outcomes of the high-tension group would be equivalent to those of a matched control group.Study Design:Randomized controlled trial; Level of evidence, 1.Methods:Ninety patients with isolated unilateral ACL injuries were randomized to undergo ACL reconstruction using 1 of 2 initial graft tension protocols: (1) autografts tensioned to restore normal anterior-posterior (AP) laxity at the time of surgery (ie, low tension; n = 46) and (2) autografts tensioned to overconstrain AP laxity by 2 mm (ie, high tension; n = 44). Sixty matche...
An eclectic model of supervision: A developmental sequence of beginning psychotherapy students.

A supervision model is suggested that uses both individual and group formats and incorporates the following three foci: facilitation of personal growth and awareness, acquisition of practical skills, and mastery of cognitive and theoretical knowledge. The initial experiences and needs of beginning psychotherapy students are used\to illustrate this model. ' The trainees' needs are divided into three stages: role definition, skill acquisition, and practice solidification and evaluation, all of which match the three foci. The article offers practical suggestions and a more systematic understanding of the supervisory process.
Similarities and Differences between First and Second Language Acquisition: Setting the Parameters of Universal Grammar

We know that all children learn a first language except in cases of extreme deprivation, (e.g., in the case of Genie as reported by Curtiss (1977). We also know that adults are capable of learning a language, although not all do. This ability to learn a language, whether it be the first or the second, is a distinct human capacity. How this learning occurs is not well understood, although, in general, we know more about first language (L1) acquisition than we do about second language (L2) acquisition.
Tubal plastic surgery.

44 patients who had tubal surgery during the period 1/62 to 12/64 to cure infertility were evaluated as to type of surgery performed on eahc side of the pelvis. 28 patients exhibited postoperative patency of tubes upon insufflation or hysterosalpingography. Tubal patency however does not ensure adequacy of physiologic activities. The mammalian oviduct plays a significant role in the transport and development of gametes. Adhesions around the tubes interfere with ovum pickup or with tubal peristalsis. Often patients with adhesions do not have intrinsic tubal disease and this accounts for the good results associated with lysis of adhesions for treatment of infertility. In this series 6 of 14 patients who had lysis of adhesions subsequently conceived. In terms of patency and subsequent pregnancy bilateral cornual reimplantation of the tubes did not prove successful in this series. Only 2 term pregnancies occured in patients who had bilateral surgery. The poor results may have been due to endometrial blockage of tubal opening into the uterus. Increased knowledge of tubal function and physiology may significantly improve results of tubal surgery.
Distributed XML Twig Query Processing Using MapReduce

Twig query processing is one of the core operations of XML queries. Centralized holistic twig algorithms suffer great efficiency losses when large-scale XML documents are partitioned and stored in the cloud. Previous work on distributed twig query processing have some limitations, e.g., utter dependence on priori knowledge of query patterns, iteration of MapReduce jobs, etc. In this paper, our arbitrary XML partitioning and storage strategy require no knowledge of query pattern; twig queries can be efficiently processed in a single-round MapReduce job with good scalability. Extensive experiments are conducted to verify the efficiency and scalability of our algorithms.
Mobilizing Subjectivity: An Interview with Victoria Marks

HB—The theme for this particular issue of The International Journal of Screendance is community, and when we were discussing this idea as an editorial board, your work came immediately to mind because I think this has been a constant refrain in the works you've made both for screen and stage. I think our readers will be familiar with your work with Margaret Williams from the 1990s— Outside In , Mothers and Daughters , and Men are quite canonical—but they might be less familiar with your more recent film Veterans and your work with what you call Action Conversations. I'm hoping that you could reflect just briefly on those earlier works to think through the questions you were asking with those pieces, and how those questions have either shifted or remained the same in your more recent work. VM—My work took a major shift when I worked with Candoco and Margaret Williams on Outside In . I think there were a few conditions that led to that change, and those were that I was making a 13 minute film for broadcast, and that I was working with an "integrated dance company," a group of dancers who were physically disabled and non-disabled. The opportunity, I felt I had, was to change the way disability is thought about in 13 minutes. Now, I know that's absurd, but it's also a great call to what choreography could do. Going into the project, I didn't say "okay, here's what I want to make a piece about," or "here's a movement idea I want to explore," as much as to say "please teach me the issues for your community," and then to work with those ideas in as poetic and compelling a way as possible using choreography as a medium. I say that because I think one could walk in with a very didactic approach to representation—"this is how I want to be represented, so let's concretely do that." I think I really wanted to look at it as a choreographic and cinematic enterprise—and Margaret also. But because of that piece, I began to think that there was a way to enter into making things that wasn't so much about "Here's the idea that I have," as much as to say "Let me listen very carefully and think about the ways in which you are interacting and the ways in which you wish to be represented, set alongside the ways in which I see you." So, not necessarily consciously, that changed a great deal of my work, which I started calling choreo-portraiture.
Oligodendrocyte precursors originate at the ventral ventricular zone dorsal to the ventral midline region in the embryonic rat spinal cord.

The precursors for oligodendrocytes, the myelinating cells of the vertebrate CNS, appear to be initially restricted to ventral regions of the embryonic rat spinal cord. These cells subsequently populate dorsal spinal cord regions where they acquire the mature characteristics of oligodendrocytes. To determine the location and timing of proliferation of oligodendrocyte precursors in the ventral spinal cord, and to map their pathways of migration in vivo, an assay that identifies mitotic cells was used in conjunction with antibodies that distinguish astrocytes, oligodendrocytes and their precursors. Between E16.5 and E18.5, two hours after a maternal injection of BrdU, the majority of proliferating cells were located in a discrete cluster at the ventral ventricular zone dorsal to the ventral midline region of the developing spinal cord. By contrast, 12–24 hours following a BrdU injection at E16.5, increasing numbers of labeled cells were seen in the dorsal and more lateral locations of the spinal cord. These observations suggest that BrdU-labeled ventral ventricular cells, or their progeny migrate dorsally and laterally during subsequent spinal cord development. To determine the nature of these proliferating cells, cultures of dorsal and ventral spinal cord from BrdU-labeled animals were double-labeled with antibodies that identify oligodendrocytes or astrocytes and anti-BrdU. In dorsal spinal cord cultures derived from animals that had received a single injection of BrdU at E16.5, the majority of proliferating cells differentiated into astrocytes while, in ventrally derived cultures from the same animals, the majority of proliferating cells differentiated into oligodendrocytes. In dorsal cultures prepared from animals that received multiple injections of BrdU between E16.5 and E18.5, many more cells were labeled with BrdU and approximately half of these differentiated into oligodendrocytes. These observations suggest that during embryonic development proliferating oligodendrocyte precursors are initially located at the ventral ventricular zone dorsal to the ventral midline region of the spinal cord and during subsequent maturation these cells or their progeny migrated dorsally in the ventricular region of the spinal cord, and laterally to reside in the developing white matter.
A Review of CIGRE 2008 on HVDC and Power Electronics Technologies

Special reports and papers for high voltage direct current (HVDC) and power electronic (PE) technologies in study committee B4 of CIGRE 2008 are introduced. The main issues include operational performance of existing HVDC projects, feasibility studies, planning, designing and reliability criteria of HVDC projects, as well as new development of ±800 kV UHVDC projects and HVDC projects based on voltage source converter (VSC), flexible AC transmission system (FACTS) applications and its new progress, new power electronic equipment development and its applications, etc.
Forays into the backstage: volunteer tourism and the pursuit of object authenticity

ABSTRACTVolunteer tourism is a form of travel that combines traditional leisure pursuits with opportunities to volunteer in an organized fashion. The popularity of volunteer tourism stems from many factors, but the one motivation that appears in virtually every study is a desire for object authenticity, defined as the authenticity of toured objects, people, and settings. The purpose of this paper is to explore the role played by object authenticity in the motivations and experiences of volunteer tourists in the province of Chiang Mai in northern Thailand. Based on interviews with 62 volunteers and 15 directors, managers, and staff members from volunteer tourism organizations based in Chiang Mai, this paper argues that volunteer tourists conceive of object authenticity both as a package of cultural stereotypes focused on authentic people, and as authentic backstage settings where ‘real’ Thai reside. Aside from demonstrating that the desire for object authenticity is the central motivation for international...
Update on pediatric flexible bronchoscopy

Technological advances in flexible bronchoscopy have expanded the clinician's ability to diagnose and treat pulmonary disease in children. During the neonatal period, flexible bronchoscopy has contributed to the understanding of the incidence and factors responsible for acquired airway lesions. The ability to selectively collect lower airway secretions has contributed to the care of immunocompromised patients with new pulmonary infiltrates. New therapies may use the flexible bronchoscope to specifically target lower airway tissues of interest. Because of the breadth of both current and future applications, most pediatricians will require a working familiarity with the benefits of flexible bronchoscopy in their patients.
Ethical Conflicts at the End of Life in Patients with Malignant Brain Tumors (S17.002)

Background : Malignant brain tumors (MBT) cause severe neurologic dysfunction and often carry a poor prognosis. Hospital ethics consultations assist in resolving conflicts regarding difficult clinical care decisions. The reasons for ethics consultations in the specific context of neuro-oncologic diseases have not been explored. Methods : IRB-approved review of ethics consultations in patients with primary and metastatic MBT, 2007-2015. Core clinical and ethical issues were reviewed as well as the resolution of the presenting conflicts. Results : 37 cases were identified. 17(46[percnt]) were men and ages ranged from 4-86 years. Diagnoses were glioma in 15(40[percnt]) cases, brain metastases in 14(38[percnt]), and other primary brain tumors in 8(22[percnt]). Conflict was perceived between patients and family members in 17(46[percnt]), and/or between a patient or surrogate and medical teams 33(89[percnt]), and/or between medical teams in 11(30[percnt]). Many cases had multiple concerns prompting consultation, however the primary reasons included futility of medical care in light of poor prognosis 28(76[percnt]), clarification of a surrogate 5(13[percnt]), and a surrogate reversing a patient’s previously stated wishes 4(11[percnt]). Conflicts regarding religious beliefs, legalities, or clinical trial participation were frequently concurrent. In 27(73[percnt]) cases, the patient’s lack of capacity and/or ability to communicate contributed to the ethical dilemma. 11(30[percnt]) patients had a DNR order prior to the consultation, and 25(68[percnt]) did afterwards. The primary intervention of the ethics team was facilitation of communication regarding prognosis and the patient’s wishes and values; the conclusion of 25(68[percnt]) cases was to pursue comfort-oriented care. Conclusions : Ethics consultations play an important role in resolving conflicts about goals of care in patients with MBT. In the specific context of MBT, ethical conflicts centered upon patients’ incapacity and futility of treatments in later stages of disease, as well as discordance between patient’s and surrogate’s treatment preferences. Future study about ethical issues specific to neuro-oncology is merited. Disclosure: Dr. Neil has nothing to disclose. Dr. McCabe has nothing to disclose. Dr. Carver has nothing to disclose. Dr. Prigerson has nothing to disclose. Dr. Diamond has nothing to disclose.
Loss of MyoD Promotes Fate Transdifferentiation of Myoblasts Into Brown Adipocytes

Brown adipose tissue (BAT) represents a promising agent to ameliorate obesity and other metabolic disorders. However, the abundance of BAT decreases with age and BAT paucity is a common feature of obese subjects. As brown adipocytes and myoblasts share a common Myf5 lineage origin, elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the fate choices of brown adipocytes versus myoblasts may lead to novel approaches to expand BAT mass. Here we identify MyoD as a key negative regulator of brown adipocyte development. CRISPR/CAS9-mediated deletion of MyoD in C2C12 myoblasts facilitates their adipogenic transdifferentiation. MyoD knockout downregulates miR-133 and upregulates the miR-133 target Igf1r, leading to amplification of PI3K-Akt signaling. Accordingly, inhibition of PI3K or Akt abolishes the adipogenic gene expression of MyoD null myoblasts. Strikingly, loss of MyoD converts satellite cell-derived primary myoblasts to brown adipocytes through upregulation of Prdm16, a target of miR-133 and key determinant of brown adipocyte fate. Conversely, forced expression of MyoD in brown preadipocytes blocks brown adipogenesis and upregulates the expression of myogenic genes. Importantly, miR-133a knockout significantly blunts the inhibitory effect of MyoD on brown adipogenesis. Our results establish MyoD as a negative regulator of brown adipocyte development by upregulating miR-133 to suppress Akt signaling and Prdm16.
Obligatory and Voluntary Identity Discrepancies, Self-Evaluation, and Psychological Distress:

In identity theory, inconsistencies between self-views and perceptions of others’ views of self (identity discrepancies) are considered stressors that can compromise well-being. The particular outcome(s) affected by a given identity discrepancy may depend upon the type of identity being considered. Using telephone survey data (n = 501) from a national probability sample of adults in the United States and structural equation modeling techniques, the author compares the impact of discrepancies in obligatory and voluntary identities on two components of self-evaluation (self-esteem and self-efficacy) and three types of psychological distress (depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms). Results confirm that discrepancies associated with obligatory and voluntary identities differentially affect these outcomes. Obligatory identity discrepancies have a direct association with somatic symptoms, whereas voluntary identity discrepancies are indirectly related to depressive, anxiety, and somatic symptoms through sel...
Ways of Desiring: Postcolonial Animals and Affect in The Whale Caller

This chapter considers the different desires that occur in the relationships between the eponymous protagonist of Zakes Mda’s The Whale Caller (2005), Saluni, and a whale named Sharisha. In the setting of a highly stratified ecotourist village in South Africa where most characters relate to marine animals only through consumption and capitalization, the human–whale relationship between the protagonist and Sharisha offers a different mode of comportment. The chapter contends that the novel’s contribution to ecocritical thought is its insistence on positing non-human desire as a mode of resistance to neocolonial capitalist violence. Through a reading of Mda’s novel, it argues that an affective politics holds more promise than a rights approach to addressing the plight of humans, animals, and the environment in South Africa.
Myalgias and joint pain in a traveler to India

A 54-year-old Indian female with no significant past medical history presented with fever, headache, myalgias, and joint pain which began while she was vacationing in India. Just 3 days before, she had returned from a 2-week trip to Delhi to visit family. One week into her stay in Delhi, she developed fevers up to 101 °F, headache, myalgias, and severe joint pain. She also had swelling and erythema of the wrists, knees, ankles, and feet. Two days later, she developed a pruritic rash that started on the legs and later spread to her trunk and arms. The patient’s father and brother-in-law reported similar symptoms.
Systems engineering and the innovation environment in US defence organisations

Innovation may involve new designs and creations of products and services or improvement of existing products and services of an organisation. A major element of measuring organisational strength is its innovation and ability to build on and sustain such strength. The environment of this research was comprised of the intersection of systems engineering within the context of US defence organisations. The goal was to determine the significant factors that could be used to determine innovation in projects within the specific environment using traditional statistics and data mining modelling techniques. 112 experts in the field of innovation and systems engineering from major defence organisations were interviewed and 300 projects were analysed. Several factors were found that characterised the most innovative projects such as security and organisational leadership.
Avenues for top management involvement in successful MIS development

Top management and MIS directors have been increasingly urged to improve the way in which their information systems development efforts are being managed. Although the problems of designing and implementing company-wide integrated information systems are primarily managerial rater than technical, little is known about the role of management practices in MIS development or the most appropriate areas or avenues for top management involvement. Through field studies of thirty-three organizations, the author explores the ways in which these firms have managed their information systems operations and how this has influenced their success. This article develops a framework for assessing top management's role in providing guidance for information systems development efforts, contrasts the management practices of firms with successful versus unsuccessful development efforts, and suggests guidelines for improving the way in which development activities are managed.
An Evaluation of DFP32 and Cr51 as Methods of Measuring Red Cell Life Span in Man

DFP32 or Cr51 red cell survival studies were performed in 39 patients with hematologic disorders. In each case the erythrocyte life span was also determined using the C14-labeled glycine technic. Good agreement was found between the survival data obtained by the DFP32 and the glycine method. The red cell Cr51 T½ failed to reflect moderate shortening of red cell survival in a significant number of cases when a 25 day half-time was taken as the lower limit of normal. The occasional discrepancy between the erythrocyte life spans obtained with labeled glycine and the Cr51 halftime is probably the result of the limitations of the prevalent method of Cr51 data analysis and of the wide range of Cr51 elution rates in disease. Because of its simplicity and reliability, the DFP32 technics appears to be the method of choice for the determination of red cell survival.
The Use of Thermal and Ultrasonic Data to Calculate the Pressure Dependence of the Gruneisen Parameter

A knowledge of the Gruneisen parameter is a prerequisite to any practical or theoretical evaluation of the pressure or temperature dependence of thermodynamic properties in equation of state studies. As demonstrated by Gruneisen (1) and others (2,3,4), the Gruneisen ratio may be determined from mechanical properties (such as the bulk modulus and sound velocities), and from thermal properties such as volume coefficient of expansion and specific heat data.
The Three Species of Relevancy in Gurwitsch

Aron Gurwitsch’s central category of relevancy is difficult for some to grasp. It is approached here through comments on its generic signification but chiefly through seeking its species and their examples. On this basis, not only can relevancy in general as well as its species be more clearly grasped via generalizing universalization, but the possibility of further phenomenology can be seen.
Mechanical and compaction properties of graphite nanoplatelet-modified asphalt binders and mixtures

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the properties of asphalt binders and mixtures modified with graphite nanoplatelets (GNPs). The focus is on studying the effects of GNP addition...
End of the cycle: assessing ETA’s strategies of terrorism

In May 2018, the Basque insurgent group Euskadi Ta Askatasuna (ETA) officially disbanded after a 60-year struggle. This inquiry assesses ETA’s violent campaigns using recent conceptual and theoretical advancements from the field of terrorism studies. Three conclusions concerning the group’s strategies of terrorism are advanced. First, ETA regularly targeted civilians to achieve goals other than coercing the Government of Spain; these objectives included outbidding rival separatist groups and spoiling negotiation processes. Second, ETA’s most rapid period of organizational growth occurred as the result of an aggressive terrorist campaign, demonstrating that civilian targeting can serve as a stimulus to rebel group recruitment. Finally, while terrorism did not advance ETA’s primary political objective of creating an independent Basque state, it did enable the group to assume a leading position within the radical Basque separatist movement, helping extend ETA’s lifespan and making the group an embedd...
Data-driven methods for dockless bike infrastructure planning

In this work we address the problem of data-driven placement of critical bike infrastructure to address user route demand. The proposed framework uses trip origin-destination data that is commonly produced by bike share operators and included in standard data feeds. It does not require intermediate trip GPS data, which is not yet widely available. To compensate for lack of full path information in the data, the proposed method estimates the path of each trip using a shortest path routing algorithm, which runs on a bike-accessible network graph with user preferences. We apply this path estimation to each trip, which results in a volume estimate on each edge in the network graph. We can then assess the effectiveness of infrastructure upgrades from trip distance coverage and user impact perspectives. The framework is applied on a data set of tens of thousands of dockless bike share trips that occurred during the first month of a pilot program with ofo bikes at Vanderbilt University. Case study findings demonstrate that approximately 40% of observed trip distance can be covered by improving only 5% of the infrastructure and 75% of trips will travel some portion of their path on the upgraded infrastructure. This highlights the significant potential benefits for a modest infrastructure investment. While the capture rates may be different on each network, the methodological tools are applicable to data from any docked or dockless bike share system and infrastructure network. The tools will serve as the basis for a software platform that will help any city analyze data collected from shared use mobility devices including bikes and electric scooters and assess infrastructure investment.
Chronic, Twice-Daily Dosing of an NK2 Receptor Agonist [Lys5,MeLeu9,Nle10]-NKA(4-10), Produces Consistent Drug-Induced Micturition and Defecation in Chronic Spinal Rats

Acute administration of [Lys5,Me,Leu9,Nle10]-NKA(4-10) (LMN-NKA) produces contractions of the detrusor and rectum with voiding in intact and acutely spinal cord injured (SCI) rats. In the current s...
A pilot trial of complement inhibition using eculizumab to overcome platelet transfusion refractoriness in human leukocyte antigen allo‐immunized patients

Heavily transfused patients frequently develop human leukocyte antigen (HLA) allo-immunization resulting in platelet transfusion refractoriness and a high risk for life-threatening thrombocytopenia. Data suggest complement activation leading to the destruction of platelets bound by HLA allo-antibodies may play a pathophysiologic role in platelet refractoriness. Here we conducted a pilot trial to investigate the use of eculizumab, a monoclonal antibody that binds and inhibits C5 complement, to treat platelet transfusion refractoriness in allo-immunized patients with severe thrombocytopenia. A single eculizumab infusion was administered to 10 eligible patients, with four (40%) patients overcoming platelet refractories assessed measuring the corrected platelet count increment (CCI) 10-60 min and 18-24 h post transfusion. Responding patients had a reduction in the requirement for subsequent platelet transfusions and had higher post-transfusion platelet increments for 14 days following eculizumab administration. Remarkably, three of the four responders met CCI criteria for response despite receiving HLA-incompatible platelets. Our results suggest that eculizumab has the ability to overcome platelet transfusion refractoriness in patients with broad HLA allo-immunization. This study establishes proof of principle that complement inhibition can treat platelet transfusion refractoriness, laying the foundation for a large multicentre trial to assess the overall efficacy of this approach (ClinicalTrials.gov, identifier: NCT02298933).
Educational supports and career goals of five women in a graduate astronomy program

Women graduate student study in astronomy emphasizes the importance of multiple life goals in determining a student's pathway, and potentially suggests that career trajectories for faculty need to be reconsidered to diversify the field.