cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Histologic Correlation of In Vivo Optical Coherence Tomography Images of the Human Retina

Purpose To correlate in vivo human retina optical coherence tomography (OCT)3 images with histology. Design Case series. Methods Linear OCT3 scans through the macula and optic nerve were obtained in three eyes of three patients who then underwent exenteration surgery for orbital cancers. OCT3 images were then correlated with histology. Results On histology, two eyes were normal, and one eye had dry macular degeneration. The plexiform layers on histology correlated with the green/yellow areas on the OCT3 scans, and the nuclear layers correlated with the black areas on the OCT3 scans. Conclusions The authors are unaware of previous reports correlating histology to in vivo human retina OCT3 images. Our findings using human eyes are not different from previous animal studies, in that the plexiform layers are optically highly backscattering and the nuclear layers are not.
Carbon dioxide in enhanced oil recovery

Abstract Oil reservoirs are deep underground, with the oil and gas contained in porous rock at high temperatures and pressures. Around 5 – 20%, of the oil can be produced from the field under its own pressure (primary production), but in most fields water is injected to displace the oil. This still leaves at least 50% of the oil behind in the reservoir. Further recovery can be obtained by injecting carbon dioxide that both displaces and dissolves the remaining oil. At least 71 projects worldwide use CO2 flooding and produce a total of over 170 000 barrels of oil a day, worth around $1.3 billion a year. The cost of producing an extra barrel of oil ranges from $5 to $8 and thus is profitable at the present price of nearly $20 a barrel. In the majority of these cases, the carbon dioxide comes from natural underground sources and is piped to the oil field. The potential use of CO2 flooding would be considerably greater, if large quantities of the gas, extracted from power stations, were available at low cost. For every kilogramme of CO2 injected, approximately one to one quarter of a kilogramme of extra oil will be recovered. For most projects about as much carbon dioxide is disposed of in the reservoir as is generated when the oil is burnt. When CO2 is at a sufficiently high pressure to form mixtures with the crude oil that are miscible in laboratory tests, up to 40% of the oil remaining in the field after water flooding can be recovered. Approximately half the water flooded oil fields in the US could be exploited profitably by CO2 injection. Carbon dioxide flooding of the larger North Sea fields is a particularly attractive prospect, because the crude oil is light (composed of low molecular weight hydrocarbons) and the geology of the reservoirs is less heterogeneous than the American fields. A profitable project would be possible if the gas could be provided and piped to the reservoir at a cost of around $3.50 per thousand cubic feet or less.
Endoglin (CD105) and vascular endothelial growth factor as prognostic markers in colorectal cancer

Endoglin (CD105) has been shown to be a more useful marker to identify proliferating endothelium involved in tumor angiogenesis than panendothelial markers such as CD31. We investigated endoglin and vascular endothelial growth factor expression as possible prognostic markers in colorectal cancer. Surgical specimens from 150 patients with resected colorectal carcinomas were immunostained for endoglin, CD31 and vascular endothelial growth factor. Colorectal carcinoma cases consisted of 50 cases without lymph node metastases, 50 cases with only lymph node metastases and 50 cases with liver metastases (38 cases also had positive lymph nodes). Positively stained microvessels were counted in densely vascular foci (hot spots) at x 400 fields in each specimen. For vascular endothelial growth factor, intensity of staining was scored on a three-tiered scale. Results were correlated with other prognostic parameters. Endoglin demonstrated significantly more proliferating neoplastic microvessels than CD31 (31+/-10 vs 19+/-8/0.15 mm2 field, P<0.001). Low vascular endothelial growth factor expression within tumor cells was seen in 49 (33%) and high expression in 101 cases (67%). There was a positive correlation of endoglin, CD31 counts and vascular endothelial growth factor overexpression with the presence of angiolymphatic invasion and lymph node metastases (P<0.05). Only endoglin counts correlated significantly with liver metastases and positive vascular pedicle lymph nodes (P<0.05), while vascular endothelial growth factor showed significant correlation with the depth of invasion (P<0.01). Endoglin, by staining higher numbers of the proliferating vessels in colon carcinoma, is a more specific and sensitive marker for tumor angiogenesis than the commonly used panendothelial markers. Endoglin staining also showed prognostic significance with positive correlation with angiolymphatic invasion and metastases to lymph nodes and liver.
Optimizing the precision in T1 relaxation estimation using limited flip angles

In this article we describe the precision in the estimation of the spin-lattice relaxation time T1 from MRI signals acquired for various flip angles with the repetition time TR held constant. We review the estimation procedure itself and present a model for the propagation of noise in the signal into the calculated T1. This model is verified by both Monte Carlo simulations and experimental data taken on image phantoms. Based on this model, we find that for a given TR/T1 there exist two optimal flip angles that will minimize the uncertainty in the estimated T1. We also show how two optimal angles can be selected for a given range of TR/T1 values. In addition, T1 estimation using the two optimal angles can be comparable to or better than using multiple evenly spaced angles. Finally, in an initial comparison with the two-point saturation recovery method of calculating T1, results for equal total scanning time TRTot suggest that for T1 greater than 0.5 TRTot, the limited flip angle approach gives better T1 precision whereas for T1 less than 0.5 TRTot the saturation recovery approach is better.
Are Current IMRT Plans Superior to 3D Conformal Therapy for Prostate Cancer? A Dosimetric Comparison

Historically, dose escalation in prostate cancer has been limited by normal tissue toxicity, primarily in the rectum and to a lesser degree in the bladder. The introduction of CT based 3D conformal radiation therapy (3DCRT) with blocks or multileaf collimators (MLCs) provided for a significant improvement in dose conformality. With the subsequent development and introduction of intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), it is now possible to further conform the delivered dose to the outlined planning target volume (PTV), while at the same time maximize the sparing of the critical structures. This has enabled attempts to escalate the prescribed dose with the goal of not increasing toxicity. With the combination of IMRT and the inverse treatment planning algorithms currently available, dose constraints to critical structures such as the rectum and bladder can be directly included in the optimization calculation of the optimal solution. As of today, there are no standard criteria for absolute dose limits to critical structures, nor is there even a customary system to describe these criteria in the treatment of the prostate cancer. The Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) has used data from past published works in an effort to define some of the prescription parameters for 3D-CRT and IMRT treatments in prostate cancer. Early investigations, based on results from a randomized study at MD Anderson Hospital, showed the benefits of higher radiation doses to the prostate. Evaluating toxicity, they found that if no more than 25% of the rectum received 7000 cGy, the risk of rectal bleeding decreased from 46% to 16%. Those have been the parameters for subsequent studies, including the current high priority study RTOG 0415. Some cancer centers have elected to create their own criteria, which is the case at Fox Chase Cancer Center (FCCC) in Philadelphia, PA. The strict criteria they use was also reviewed in this study, to compare with the 3D and RTOG 0415 criteria. Given the significant difference in complexity between the planning and delivery of a 3DCRTplan as compared to an IMRT treatment, the scope of this present study is to investigate whether there are dosimetric advantages of employing IMRT instead of 3D-CRT, utilizing the current constraints as described in RTOG 0415. Methods and Materials
Lactate dehydrogenase and hemolysis in sickle cell disease.

To the editor: Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) is one of the enzymes of the glycolytic pathway that catalyzes the conversion of pyruvate to lactate with concurrent conversion of NADH to NAD+. It is a ubiquitous enzyme found in all tissues. Serum LDH exists in 5 separable isoenzymes numbered 1-5
The Effects of Soman Poisoning in Combination with Hypovolemic Shock

Hemorrhage is a cause of death in both combat and civilian injuries. The specific objectives of this research were: (1) to determine the pathophysiologic effects of combined injuries from sublethal amounts of an organophosphate (soman) along with hypovolemic shock, and (2) to determine the efficacy of atropine sulfate and pralidoxime (2-PAM) therapy for organophosphate poisoning when combined injuries occur. Four groups of six beagle dogs/group were used: Group V/H, vehicle administration followed by hemorrhage; Group S/H, soman administration followed by hemorrhage; Group S/A/H, soman followed by antidote (atropine and 2-PAM) and then hemorrhage; and Group S, soman only. Acetylcholinesterase (AChE) activity, hemodynamic parameters, regional blood flow, plasma enzyme, and hematological changes were monitored. Soman rapidly decreased AChE activity in RBCs, plasma, and brain tissue. Treatment with atropine and 2-PAM resulted in only slight reactivation of AChE; they helped maintain blood gases, cortisol, plasma enzymes, inspiratory volume, and blood pressure nearer baseline values. The effects of combined injuries appear to be greater than those of either injury alone. This was indicated by increased plasma lactate, plasma enzymes indicative of tissue damage (aspartate amine transferase and creatine kinase), and increased lethality in dogs subjected to both soman and hemorrhage (5/12 died). All dogs subjected to only one insult survived the 6-hr experiment.
Incremental data flow analysis via dominator and attribute update

We present an algorithm for updating data flow information derived from a program, in response to program edits. Our algorithm, applicable to intraprocedural or interprocedural data flow problems, is more general than previous methods because it can update any monotone data flow problem defined on a reducible flow graph and can handle arbitrary program edits.Rather than design yet another special-purpose data flow update algorithm, we show how to reduce the class of data flow problems to another class of problems which already has a fast update algorithm. More specifically, we reduce a monotone data flow problem formulated for solution using Graham-Wegman elimination [12] to the problem of constructing and decorating an attributed tree structurally isomorphic to the dominator tree of the program flow graph.To update this dominator tree in response to program changes, we first show how to express domination in terms of two local properties of nodes and edges in the flow graph — niceness and deepness. Domination is then updated in response to an edge addition or deletion by repeatedly performing two local operations on the dominator tree, each operation restoring the local properties violated by the edge change. Second, we extend Reps' attributed tree update techniques [19,21,20] and his complexity analysis, to update attribute values in response to changes in this structure.
Information “Sound Bites” by E-mail: Increasing Information Awareness and Improving Clinical Information Skills

E-mails from a clinical medical librarian integrated information education “sound bites” into clinical information and references provided to internal medicine teams. The e-mails followed adult education recommendations and physician preferences. Information education topics were short and directly applied to the clinical question discussed. Feedback has been positive and a small survey indicated that 79% of respondents learned more about Ovid MEDLINE and PubMed as information resources through clinical medical librarian e-mails and participation in patient care rounds. The sound bites project was well received and reinforced the value of information resources and of the librarian.
Gastrointestinal Bleeding in the Hospitalized Patient: A Case-Control Study to Assess Risk Factors, Causes, and Outcome

Abstract Purpose: To determine the risk factors, etiology, and outcome of clinically important gastrointestinal bleeding that occurs after hospital admission (nosocomial gastrointestinal bleeding). Patients and Methods: Cases consisted of consecutive patients who developed gastrointestinal bleeding more than 24 hours after admission to the hospital. Cases were compared with two control populations: a set of hospitalized patients without gastrointestinal bleeding matched with cases for age, gender, and length of stay; and all patients admitted to the hospital with clinically important gastroduodenal ulcer bleeding during the study period. Case and controls were compared with respect to risk factors for gastrointestinal bleeding and outcomes. Data were obtained through a comprehensive review of medical records. Results: Clinically important nosocomial gastrointestinal bleeding occurred in 67 inpatients after a mean hospital length of stay of 14 ± 10 days. The majority (64%) of the patients were not hospitalized in the intensive care unit at the onset of the bleeding. Seventy-two percent of the patients who developed bleeding had been receiving some form of bleeding prophylaxis. In a multivariate analysis, a prior intensive care unit stay (odds ratio 2.5; 95% confidence interval 1.0 to 6.1; P P = 0.03) were independent risk factors for the onset of bleeding. Nosocomial gastrointestinal bleeding was associated with poor outcome, with an associated mortality of 34%. Duodenal ulcer disease was the most common source of nosocomial gastrointestinal bleeding, accounting for 36% of cases overall. Nosocomial ulcer bleeders were less likely to have a previous history of ulcer disease (13% versus 50%; P helicobacter pylori infection (14% versus 62%; P P P Conclusions: Gastrointestinal bleeding remains an important complication of hospitalization, with a high associated mortality. Our current approaches to prevention of this complication are imperfect. Bleeding tends to occur after a prolonged hospital stay and is more likely to occur in patients with more severe underlying illnesses. Duodenal ulcer disease is the most common source of this bleeding. Nosocomial gastroduodenal ulcer disease is distinct in etiology from the ulcer disease that occurs in outpatients.
Leukocytes talking to VE-cadherin

In this issue of Blood , Vockel and Vestweber identify the molecular signaling pathway leading from T-lymphocyte adhesion to dissociation of the transmembrane phosphatase vascular endothelial–specific receptor protein tyrosine phosphatase (VE-PTP) from VE-cadherin, a key step in allowing leukocyte
Conformation Dependency of Antibodies to Poly(L-tyrosyl-L-glutamyl-L-alanylglycyl)glycine-1-14C Ethyl Ester

The synthesis of poly(L-tyrosyl-e-N-L-glutamyl-L-lysyl-L-alanylglycyl)glycine methyl ester (I) is described. This material neither crossreacts with antibodies to poly(L-tyrosyl-L-glutamyl-L-alanylglycyl)glycine-1-14C ethyl ester nor inhibits the precipitin reaction between these antibodies and the homologous antigen. It was concluded that this lack of crossreaction and inhibitory properties of I is due to the antibodies to poly(L-tyrosyl-L-glutamyl-L-alanylgly-cyl)glycine-1-14C ethyl ester being highly dependent on the conformation of their homologous antigen.
Technology and humanistic values

What I should like to talk about today is the relationship between technology and the humanities. In doing so, I shall be construing both terms very broadly. I will mean by "technology" the totality of the tools that men make and use to make and do things with. Our technology, then, is our society's toolbox, which includes, not only hand tools and machines, but also the spectrum of intellectual tools, from language, to ideas, to science, and to such latter-day techniques as computer programs, systems analysis, and program planning and budgeting systems. It is with this toolbox that our society and the people in it do their work; the nature of work cannot be understood apart from the concept of tools. When construed in this broad way, of course, the concept of technology begins to shade into the wider concept of knowledge, which is why we often hear our time referred to as a "knowledge" society. There are a number of important issues, in fact, that have very little connection with technology as such, but that are nevertheless relevant to technology by virtue of illuminating the social role of knowledge in general. Knowledge in this general sense also includes information of all sorts, intellectual methodologies of all sorts-such as the use of computers by the arts and humanistic disciplines, for example-and extends further to a commitment to the value of rationality, and to the multiplication and growth in influence of a host of knowledge institutions, from universities, to research and development institutes, to analysis and planning staffs in public and private organizations. It is through enhancing the status, office, and importance of knowledge in one or another of its forms, in other words, that science and technology may be affecting society most significantly. In that sense, understanding technology in the broader sense of knowledge-as the ancient sense of scientia, if you will-may be a precondition of understanding the relationship between technology and the humanities or any other aspect of society that we may be interested in. I construe the word "humanities" equally broadly, as naming the concern with the expressive, moral, and contemplative aspects of living, as distinct from the instrumental ones. The arts are the concern of the humanities in this sense, as are history, and philosophy-at least in its original sense-and our aesthetic, ethical, and religious values. It is to this side of life that we appeal when we speak of the value of leisure-but leisure in the best sense, not in the potentially self-defeating sense of time off from work.
Fluorometric functional assay for ion channel proteins in lipid nanovesicle membranes

Voltage-gated membrane proteins function as biomolecular transistors, making them attractive components for biologically based nanodevices. A functional assay for purified channel proteins is described and demonstrated with sodium selective, voltage-gated NaChBac ion channels. Purified NaChBac proteins were incorporated into a nanovesicle system utilizing oxonol VI, a fluorescent indicator of trans-membrane voltage. The ionophore valinomycin was used to trigger a change in membrane potential, allowing the observation of sodium permeability using a fluorometer. This method is suitable for concurrently testing a large population of purified proteins prior to incorporation in nanodevices.
Names, and what they are names of

Terms designating substances and kinds function grammatically much like proper names of individuals. This supports Ruth Millikan's theory, but it also poses the question of how we can understand the reference of kind terms when the ontological status of the kind term is uncertain or disputed.
Observation and prediction of out-of-plane deformation in CuAlNi

This paper discusses the out-of-plane deformation caused by stress-induced shape memory phase transformations in CuAlNi. Using three-dimensional optical profilometry, the step-like phase transformation is measured and compared to predictions from the crystallographic theory of martensite. By examining the deformation around a notch in mode I loading, it is observed that the martensite plates formed cause the area near the notch tip to displace into the sample. This behavior is an additional constraint on deformation in shape memory alloys.
A performance perspective on the Active Memory System

Abstract One major problem of using Java in real-time and embedded devices is the non-deterministic turnaround time of dynamic memory management systems (memory allocation and garbage collection). For the allocation, the non-determinism is often contributed by the time to perform searching, splitting, and coalescing. For the garbage collection, the turnaround time is usually determined by the size of the heap, the number of live objects, the number of object collected, and the amount of garbage collected. Even with the current state-of-the-art garbage collectors (generational and incremental schemes), they may or may not guarantee the worst-case latency. Moreover, such schemes often prolong overall garbage collection time. In this paper, the performance analysis of the proposed Active Memory Module (AMM) for embedded systems is presented. Unlike the software counterparts, the AMM can perform a memory allocation in a predictable and bounded fashion (14 cycles). Moreover, it can also yield a bounded sweeping time regardless of the number of live objects or heap size. By utilizing the proposed system, the overall speedup can be as high as 23% compared to the garbage collection system of the JDK 1.2.2 running in classic mode.
Welfare pluralism and the future of retirement-income protection in the United States

Like other Western countries, the United States has a pluralist system of retirement provision that has been managed by the state and has worked well. However, this system is changing as defined-benefit occupational pensions are gradually being replaced by individual retirement accounts and as efforts to privatise the Social Security system have intensified. This trend is indicative of a gradual shift towards a welfare consumerist system in which retirement accounts play a vital role. The implications of this trend for the future of retirement-income protection in the United States are considered.
Antagonism of a behavioral effect of LSD and lisuride in the cat

These experiments investigated the role of serotonin (5-HT) and dopamine (DA) receptors in the limb-flick (LF) response elicited by the hallucinogenic ergot LSD and its nonhallucinogenic structural congener lisuride. Pretreatment with either the 5-HT antagonist pizotifen (BC-105) or the DA antagonist haloperidol significantly attenuated LF elicited by either LSD or lisuride. Thus, the LF model failed to differentiate the neuropharmacological actions of LSD and lisuride. Cocaine also prevented LSD- and lisuride-elicited LF simply by reducing the activity of cats (response competition) suggesting the need for caution in interpreting ‘antagonism’ of the LF response.
Polyglutamine toxicity in non-neuronal cells

The neurodegenerative polyglutamine diseases are caused by an expansion of unstable polyglutamine repeats in various disease proteins. Although these mutant proteins are expressed ubiquitously in neuronal and non-neuronal cells, they cause selective degeneration of specific neuronal populations. Recently, increasing evidence shows that polyglutamine disease proteins also affect non-neuronal cells. However, it remains unclear how the expression of polyglutamine proteins in non-neuronal cells contributes to the course of the polyglutamine diseases. Here, we discuss recent findings about the expression of mutant polyglutamine proteins in non-neuronal cells and their influence on neurological symptoms. Understanding the contribution of non-neuronal polyglutamine proteins to disease progression will help elucidate disease mechanisms and also help in the development of new treatment options.
Priming of the neutrophil respiratory burst is species-dependent and involves MAP kinase activation☆☆☆

Abstract Background: Priming of the neutrophil respiratory burst has been implicated in the pathogenesis of multi-system organ failure (MSOF) after sepsis and trauma. The intracellular signal transduction pathways that mediate priming are unclear. Methods: Human, porcine, rabbit, rat, and mouse neutrophils were assayed by luminol-dependent chemiluminescence in whole blood and purified neutrophil preparations. Multiple priming agents and agonists were studied, as was inhibition of priming by the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) inhibitor SB203580 and the Mek 1/2 inhibitor PD98059. Results: Priming by tumor necrosis factor α (TNF-α), interleukin-8 (IL-8), and granulocyte-macrophage colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF) was significantly inhibited by SB203580, whereas platelet-activating factor (PAF) priming was unaffected. Neither TNF-α nor PAF primed polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) within whole blood for N-formyl-methionyl-leucyl-phenylalanine (f-MLP) activation, in contrast to activation by complement-opsonized zymosan (OPZ) or low-dose phorbolmyristate acetate (PMA). Both TNF-α and PAF, however, primed purified neutrophils for f-MLP activation. In contrast to human and porcine PMNs, rabbit, rat, and mouse PMNs could not be primed by TNF-α or PAF, regardless of the final agonist. Conclusions: Priming of the PMN respiratory burst proceeds through multiple signaling pathways, depending on the particular priming agent and agonist pair. Differences in priming between PMNs in whole blood and purified preparations may be physiologically significant. There is a pronounced species dependency in the ability to prime the neutrophil respiratory burst. (Surgery 1999;126:248-54.)
The 2011 UN General Assembly on noncommunicable diseases: How neurologic disorders got left out

On September 19–20, the United Nations (UN) General Assembly held a meeting in New York to address the global burden of noncommunicable diseases (NCD). This meeting should have been relevant to neurologists, especially those interested in public health, international health, or both. Neurologic disorders, particularly in less developed regions of the world, are dominated by nonfatal, noncommunicable chronic conditions often affecting relatively young populations. Epilepsy, neuropathies, intellectual impairment, and developmental disabilities plague low-income countries, while higher income, older populations are devastated by Alzheimer dementia, Parkinson disease, and stroke.1 Headache disorders affect those at all income levels and engender substantial global economic loss.2 Unfortunately, among all the neurologic NCDs previously recognized by the World Health Organization (WHO) (table 1), only stroke was considered in the plan by the NCD Alliance in September.3 In fact, the NCDs addressed at this landmark meeting were limited to cancer, diabetes, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and cardiovascular disorders (CVD).4 View this table: Table 1 Noncommunicable diseases previously recognized by WHO6 Addressing all NCDs in a single program would have been daunting. The broad range of conditions, many with unrelated risk factors, makes it difficult to develop a cohesive approach. Some are preventable and others have cost-effective treatments. Consequently, developing a marketable “sound bite” is a challenge in this era of budget deficits and debt …
Computer simulation for an ultra-low range sidelobe pulse compression scheme

A canceling range sidelobes scheme has been suggested by Yang Guangzheng, et al.,(1997) this technology is based on the fact that all sidelobe of group correlation function of ideal sets are zero. At first, this paper gives the best ideal sets (i. e. the best biphase code sets whose maximal sidelobe not more than 2) for all code length N≤12, which have been obtained from binary sequences by means of the best codes sieving method suggested by Yang Guangzheng, et al.(1997) Computer simulation for group correlation property of best ideal sets for code length N=12 on various conditions is made. Simulation result shows that the sidelobe level of best ideal set with no weighting is zero, under condition of zero-Doppler shift and has ultra-low sidelobe on Doppler up to 5kHz with no weighting and whose tolerance of phase and amplitude distortion is bigger too.
A mathematical model for determining the lifetime of plates with systems of cracks under long-term static breaking loads and high temperatures

We formulate a mathematical model for studying the processes of fracture of plates with systems of cracks under long-term static breaking loads and high temperatures. Using the solutions of this problem, we calculate the residual lifetime of a plate with periodic and biperiodic systems of cracks.
Conformational changes of recombinant human granulocyte-colony stimulating factor induced bypH and guanidine hydrochloride

Fluorescence and circular dichroism were used to follow thepH-dependent conformational changes of granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF). Tryptophan fluorescence of the spectra monitored at 344 nm, or after deconvolution of the emission spectra, at 345 nm, showed a decrease in intensity on going frompH 7 to 4, with a midtransitionpH of 5.8. On the other hand, tyrosine fluorescence measured either by the ratio of intensity at 308 nm to that at 344 nm, or by the fluorescence intensity at 303 nm after deconvolution of the spectra, increased in intensity as thepH was changed from 6 to 2.5, with a midtransitionpH of 4.5. Near UV circular dichroic spectra also showed changes betweenpH 7.5 and 4.5, which correlated with the transition monitored by the tryptophan fluorescence. The guanidine hydrochloride-induced conformational changes of G-CSF at fivepH values from 2.5 to 7.5 were also studied. Circular dichroic and fluorescence spectra revealed minor conformational changes by the addition of 1 or 2 M guanidine HCl at allpH values examined, while the major conformational transition occurred between 2 and 4 M guanidine hydrochloride. The secondary structure of the protein was most stable betweenpH 3.3 and 4.5. The guanidine HCl-induced denaturation of G-CSF involved more than a two-state transition, with detectable intermediate(s) present, and the structure of the intermediate(s) appeared to depend on thepH used. These results are consistent with thepH dependence of the structure described above, and demonstrate the complex conformational properties of G-CSF.
Human trafficking: the need for human rights and government effectiveness in enforcing anti-trafficking

Human trafficking constitutes a global problem. Involving exploitation of individuals through forced labour, sex, or organ removal, trafficking is an egregious human rights violation and illegal in many countries. Although laws have arisen to combat trafficking, it has persisted and inconsistent enforcement of anti-trafficking measures has been a concern. Using new data on trafficking, the enforcement patterns of 168 countries from 2001 to 2011 are examined. Findings suggest enforcement is predicted by the interaction of states’ world culture ties and government effectiveness, trafficking flows, and other state-level political mechanisms. Theoretically important factors, such as female legislators or various economic measures, are insignificant.
Driven from New Orleans: How Nonprofits Betray Public Housing and Promote Privatization

One of the most powerful stories highlighted in Arena's provocative illustration of the amalgamation between neoliberal agendas and Black urban regimes is that of the St. Thomas public housing deve...
The effects of intravenous succinylcholine on cerebral function and muscle afferent activity following complete ischemia in halothane-anesthetized dogs

The effects of iv succinylcholine (SCh) on cerebral blood flow (CBF), the electroencephalogram (EEG), muscle afferent activity (MAA), electromyographic activity (EMG), and PaCO2 were tested in six halothane-anesthetized dogs (1.0 MAC) more than 1 h after a 10-min period of complete cerebral ischemia. All dogs received treatments of both iv SCh (1.0 mg.kg-1) and saline placebo in a random sequence. Fasciculations and substantial increases in EMG activity were observed in all dogs following SCh administration. At the onset of fasciculations, there was an increase in MAA to a peak value of 353 +/- 74% of control (mean +/- SE; n = 5 for MAA; n = 6 for all other variables) at the 1-min measurement point. Thereafter, MAA gradually declined toward control values. There were delayed increases in PaCO2 throughout the 45-min study period, achieving values of 106 +/- 1% to 118 +/- 4% of control (an increase in PaCO2 of 2-7 mmHg). Despite the increases in MAA and PaCO2, there were no significant increases in CBF during the study. The control EEG 1-h after complete cerebral ischemia, but immediately before administering the drug treatments, consisted predominantly of a delta rhythm, denoting cerebral dysfunction. In one dog, SCh administration produced transient attenuation of the delta rhythm, a change consistent with cerebral stimulation. In the remaining five dogs, SCh had no effect on the EEG. Treatment with saline placebo did not affect any variable measured. The authors conclude that, in the electrically dysfunctioning brain (e.g., as occurs following resuscitation from complete cerebral ischemia), the cerebral (i.e., CBF and EEG) response to iv SCh is attenuated when compared to the previously reported response in normal brain.
diagnostic Molecular Microbiology: Nucleic Acid Probes and Microbes

This review describes a case of an HIV-infected individual that conveys important lessons for the use of molecular methods in medical microbiology. The practical roles of viral load testing and genotyping (resistance testing) are discussed in the context of patient diagnosis and management.
On the cofinalities of Boolean algebras and the ideal of null sets

We will show that if the cofinality of the ideal of Lebesgue measure zero sets is equal to $ \scr{w}_1 $ then there exists a Boolean algebra B of cardinality $ \scr{w}_1 $ which is not a union of strictly increasing $ \scr w $ -sequence of its subalgebras. This generalizes a result of Just and Koszmider who showed that it is consistent with $ \textrm{ZFC}+ \neg \textrm{CH} $ that such an algebra exists.
Local spatial heteroscedasticity (LOSH)

In keeping with the Annals of Regional Science 50-year tradition of emphasizing spatial analytic contributions, a new statistic, H i , is introduced as an extension of the recent work on map pattern analysis using local spatial criteria. In conjunction with local statistics for the mean level of a spatial process, H i tests for local spatial heteroscedasticity. The statistic measures spatial variability while attempting to avoid the pitfalls of using the non-spatial F test in georeferenced situations. H i is defined and suitably scaled, and an inferential procedure is given. Three artificial cases are explored: a random pattern, a cluster pattern of high values, and a binary-based cluster. The statistic may be used to identify boundaries of clusters and to describe the nature of heteroscedasticity within clusters.
THow diet interacts with longevity genes.

In laboratory mice, suppression of growth hormone (GH) signaling by spontaneous mutations or targeted disruption of GH- or IGF1-related genes can lead to an impressive increase of longevity. Hypopituitary Ames dwarf (Prop1 df ) and GH receptor knockout (GHRKO) mice live 35-70% longer than their normal littermates. Many phenotypic characteristics of these longlived mutants resemble findings in genetically normal animals subjected to calorie restriction (CR). Microarray and RT-PCR studies of gene expression suggest that effects of the “longevity assurance genes” (Prop1 df or Ghr-/-) and CR are overlapping but not identical. Subjecting Ames dwarf mice to 30% CR starting at 2 months of age leads to a further significant extension of their average and maximal lifespans. In contrast, identical CR regimen has either no or very little effect (depending on gender) on longevity of GHRKO mice. We suspect that this difference in response is related to the fact that CR improves insulin sensitivity in Ames dwarfs but does not further increase the extreme insulin sensitivity of GHRKO mice. To search for effects of CR associated with extension of longevity, we are studying expression of insulin and IGF1-related genes in the liver, skeletal muscle and heart of normal and GHRKO mice. Results obtained to date suggest that reduced Akt phosphorylation and PPAR β/δ expression in the liver, reduced JNK1 phosphorylation and increased PGC1α expression in the muscle, and increased expression of IGF1 and insulin receptor in the heart are either related to mechanisms of CR action on longevity or represent potential biomarkers of delayed aging.
K+/H+ antiport in mitochondria.

Mitochondria contain a latent K+/H+ antiporter that is activated by Mg2+-depletion and shows optimal activity in alkaline, hypotonic suspending media. This K+/H+ antiport activity appears responsible for a respiration-dependent extrusion of endogenous K+, for passive swelling in K+ acetate and other media, for a passive exchange of matrix42K+ against external K+, Na+, or Li+, and for the respiration-dependent ion extrusion and osmotic contraction of mitochondria swollen passively in K+ nitrate. K+/H+ antiport is inhibited by quinine and by dicyclohexylcarbodiimide when this reagent is reacted with Mg2+-depleted mitochondria. There is good suggestive evidence that the K+/H+ antiport may serve as the endogenous K+-extruding device of the mitochondrion. There is also considerable experimental support for the concept that the K+/H+ antiport is regulated to prevent futile influx-efflux cycling of K+. However, it is not yet clear whether such regulation depends on matrix free Mg2+, on membrane conformational changes, or other as yet unknown factors.
Genetic organization of the mouse t complex

The mouse t complex (also known as the T locus or T/t complex) is a large region of chromosome 17 that has intrigued geneticists for more than 50 years with its striking and unorthodox features. These include suppression of recombination, disturbances of embryonic development and alterations of sperm differentiation and function. Much of our knowledge concerning the properties of this genetic complex is based on the early work performed by S. Gluecksohn Waelsch and L. C. Dunn with mutant forms of the t complex called t haplotypes (previously known as t alleles or t mutations). Many t haplotypes are characterized by lethal actions at particular stages during early embryogenesis. Lethal t haplotypes can be placed into a number of groups where members of each group do not complement each other. Complementation between t haplotypes of different groups is not complete, and prenatal death occurs in many, but not all, doubly heterozygous (V/t”) embryos. Furthermore, all males doubly heterozygous for two lethal haplotypes are completely sterile. Other genes defined separately from t haplotypes but mapping within the t complex include Brachyury (T), Kinky (Fuk’) and Knobbly (Fukb), which are recessive embryonic lethals; Hybrid sterility-l (Hst-7) and Quaking (qk), which cause male-specific sterility; Hye, which affects the level of male-specific H-Y antigen expression; and Gtl, which determines acceptance or rejection specifically of embryonal carcinoma cell grafts. All observations to date imply a crucial role for the t complex in mechanisms of development and differentiation. At the present time, however, the molecular events responsible for these t complex effects remain elusive. This review will therefore focus on recent advances in our understanding of the structure, rather than the function, of this region. All known t haplotypes originated from wild populations, and almost all wild mouse populations analyzed from around the world have been found to be polymorphic for lethal or semi-lethal t haplotypes. Maintenance of a deleterious gene in a wild population is unexpected, but can be accounted for in this case by a further property of t haplotypes called transmission-ratio distortion (also known as segregation distortion). A wild heterozygous (+/t) male can transmit his t haplotype to more than 95% of his offspring, and it appears that the advantage of the t haplotype at fertilization can overcome the disadvantage of a certain frequency of homozygous lethality in the population as a whole. Genetic systems that involve the maintenance of deleterious gene complexes in wild populations by transmission-ratio distortion have been identified in other well studied species, and include the SD complex of Drosophila melanogaster, and the Spore Killer (SK) complex in Neurospora (Turner and Minireviews
Creating an Institutional Resource for Research Education and Career Development: A Novel Model from Oregon Clinical and Translational Research Institute

We have created an education and career development program within the CTSA structure at OHSU that serves the entire institution. We believe that this is unusual in scope among CTSA programs and has contributed to an increase in career development funding and research skills among fellows and faculty. While the key element is the institutional scope, important elements include: Tailoring programs of emphasis to points of inflection on the career pathway. Minimizing barriers to education by creating a flexible, tuition-free program. An integrated one-stop education and career development approach. An institutional program for career development award applicants as well as recipients. This career development program was developed within the context of a midsize health science university but the overall strategy may be applied to other CTSAs to simplify and reduce costs of education program development.
Hormones, weight change and menopause.

OBJECTIVE: To determine total body weight change occurring in women at mid-life, specifically with respect to occurrence of menopause and use of estrogen. DESIGN: Retrospective analysis of body weight measurements accumulated in two cohorts of healthy women participating in studies of skeletal metabolism. SUBJECTS: Cohort 1: 191 healthy nuns enrolled in a prospective study of osteoporosis risk, aged 35–45 in 1967; cohort 2: 75 women aged 46 or older and still menstruating, enrolled in 1988 in a study of bone cell dynamics across menopause. Roughly one-third of each group received hormone replacement after menopause. MEASUREMENTS: Body weight and height, age, menstrual status and use of estrogen replacement. Cohort 1: 608 measurements at 5 y intervals spanning a period from 17 y before to 22 y after menopause; cohort 2: 1180 measurements at 6-month intervals spanning a period from 5 y prior to 5 y after menopause. RESULTS: In cohort 1 weight rose as a linear function of age (both chronological and menopausal), both before and after cessation of ovarian function, at a rate of ∼0.43% y−1. Neither the menopausal transition nor the use of estrogen had an appreciable effect on this rate of gain. In cohort 2 the rate of gain seemed to diminish slightly at menopause. As with cohort 1, hormone replacement (or its absence) had no appreciable effect on weight. CONCLUSIONS: The long-term, total body weight trajectory at mid-life is not influenced appreciably by either cessation of ovarian function or by hormone replacement.
UV radiative transfer and photolysis in Jupiter's atmosphere☆

Abstract A complete quantitative calculation of UV radiative transfer and photolysis in a model Jovian atmosphere, including scattering by H2 and He and absorption by H2, He, CH4, NH3, and H2S, in the region λ ⩽ 1700 A , has been carried out. This shows that the principal reactions are the photolysis of NH3 above the NH3 clouds and the photolysis of H2S in the NH4SH clouds, if there are gaps in the NH3 clouds allowing penetration of UV radiation further into the atmosphere. The photolysis of CH4 is considerably less important and, in particular, the production of ionized CH4 is minimal. This implies that the production of substantial amounts of polymers in the upper atmosphere is unlikely, in agreement with the observation that there appear to be no large gaseous absorptions other than those of H2, CH4, and NH3, above the NH3 clouds. The colorations of the planet are proposed to be due to the photolysis of NH3 and H2S gases in cloud regions and the freezing out of photolysis products in cloud particles.
Quality of life after macular translocation with 360° peripheral retinectomy for age-related macular degeneration

Purpose To determine patients' quality of life (QOL) after macular translocation with 360° peripheral retinectomy (MT360) for age-related macular degeneration. Design Prospective, interventional, consecutive, noncomparative case series. Methods A prospective study assessed QOL 1 year after MT360 and its relation to postoperative visual function. The 25-item National Eye Institute Visual Function Questionnaire (NEI VFQ-25) and the Medical Outcomes Study 12-item short form (SF-12) health survey were used to assess vision-related QOL and general health, respectively. Surveys were administered preoperatively and postoperatively. Postoperative NEI VFQ-25 QOL and SF-12 subscale scores for all patients were compared with the preoperative scores. Preoperative and postoperative distance and near visual acuities (VAs) and reading speed were assessed. Changes in NEI VFQ-25 QOL subscale scores were compared in patients with and without improved visual function. Postoperative NEI VFQ-25 QOL subscale scores in patients with distance VA of ≥69 Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study letters, near VA of ≥20/70, and reading speed of ≥90 words per minute were compared with subscale scores in patients with worse postoperative visual function. Main outcome measures National Eye Institute VFQ-25 and SF-12 QOL scores and their association with distance VA, near VA, and reading speed. Results In total, 50 patients with a mean age of 76.9 years were studied. Postoperative mean NEI VFQ-25 QOL scores were higher than the preoperative mean scores, and this difference was significant for important vision-specific subscales. Patients with improved visual function had greater mean changes in NEI VFQ-25 QOL scores than those with no improvement. Patients with the outlined higher levels of visual function had greater mean NEI VFQ-25 QOL scores than those who had worse visual function. Preoperative and postoperative mean SF-12 QOL scores were similar. Conclusions Macular translocation with 360° peripheral retinectomy was associated with improvement in vision-related QOL. The amount of improvement was greatest in patients with postoperative improvement in visual function, and the best postoperative vision-related QOL was seen in patients with better postoperative visual function. This was not associated with a change in patients' general health.