cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cytokine and cytotoxic pathways of NK cell rejection of class I-deficient bone marrow grafts: Influence of mouse colony environment

Mouse NK cells may use both cytokine, e.g. IFN-gamma, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha and IL-12, and cytotoxic, e.g. perforin and Fas-FasL, pathways to reject incompatible bone marrow cell (BMC) grafts. To begin a dissection of these two major pathways, mice bearing deletional mutations of IFN-gamma, TNF-RI/II or perforin, or mice treated with mAb to IL-12, IFN-gamma or NK1.1 were irradiated and challenged with class I-deficient BMC grafts, a system in which only NK cells are the effector cells. Proliferation of the donor-derived cells was judged in terms of splenic incorporation of [125I]iododeoxyuridine 5 or 7 days after cell transfer. All of these mice maintained in a specific pathogen-free (s.p.f.) environment were able to reject the BMC, except those treated with anti-NK1.1 mAb. However, perforin deficient mice maintained in a conventional breeding facility failed to reject class I (Tap-1)-deficient marrow cells. Transfer of mice from the pathogen-free to the conventional facility resulted in a slow and incomplete loss of the ability to reject marrow cells. Thus, the breeding colony environment can elicit otherwise undetectable defects in the rejection ability of perforin-deficient NK cells. This report will hopefully alert those investigators who have only studied immune gene knockout mice in s.p.f. facilities and found no significant abnormalities.
Nonlinear Inverse Reinforcement Learning with Gaussian Processes

We present a probabilistic algorithm for nonlinear inverse reinforcement learning. The goal of inverse reinforcement learning is to learn the reward function in a Markov decision process from expert demonstrations. While most prior inverse reinforcement learning algorithms represent the reward as a linear combination of a set of features, we use Gaussian processes to learn the reward as a nonlinear function, while also determining the relevance of each feature to the expert's policy. Our probabilistic algorithm allows complex behaviors to be captured from suboptimal stochastic demonstrations, while automatically balancing the simplicity of the learned reward structure against its consistency with the observed actions.
Uses of adsorbed reagents in the synthesis of reactive molecules via elimination reactions

Abstract The synthesis of reactive molecules (in vacuo) using reagents adsorbed on inert surfaces to effect elimination reactions has been investigated. Potassium t-butoxide adsorbed on Chromosorb W can be used to generate methylenecyclopropene from 2-chloromethylenecyclopropane and 1-vinylcyclopropene from either 1,4-dichlorospiropentane or 1-chloro-2-vinylcyclopropane. Both compounds can be characterized at low temperature using NMR and IR spectroscopy. Methyllithium on glass helices has been used in the reductive elimination of halogen from vicinal cyclopropyl dihalides to yield cyclopropenes. β-Halocyclopropylsilanes can be converted in high yield to the corresponding cyclopropene using tetra-n-butylammonium fluoride deposited on glass helices. The fluoride route has been used to generate bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-(1,6)-ene and bicyclo[4.1.0]hept-(1,7)-ene in the gas phase under conditions which allow either spectroscopic characterization or trapping as Diels-Alder adducts.
An architecture for creating collaborative semantically capable scientific data sharing infrastructures

Increasingly, scientists are seeking to collaborate and share data among themselves. Such sharing is can be readily done by publishing data on the World-Wide Web. Meaningful querying and searching on such data depends upon the availability of accurate and adequate metadata that describes the data and the sources of the data. In this paper, we outline the architecture of an implemented cyber-infrastructure for chemistry that provides tools for users to upload datasets and their metadata to a database. Our proposal combines a two level metadata system with a centralized database repository and analysis tools to create an effective and capable data sharing infrastructure. Our infrastructure is extensible in that it can handle data in different formats and allows different analytic tools to be plugged in.
The impact of virtual dissection on engineering student learning and self-efficacy

Product dissection activities are widely practiced in engineering education as a means of increasing student learning and understanding of core engineering concepts. While recent efforts in this area of research have sought to develop and utilize virtual dissection tools in order to reduce and mitigate the costs of physical dissection activities, little data exists on how virtual dissection impacts student learning and understanding. This lack of data makes it difficult to draw conclusions on the utility of virtual dissection tools for enhancing engineering instruction. In this paper we present the results of a controlled experiment conducted with first-year engineering students developed to examine the impact of virtual dissection on engineering student learning and self-efficacy. Our results revealed that student learning appeared to be unaffected through the use of virtual dissection environments. However, electro-mechanical self-efficacy gains were smaller for students who performed virtual dissection compared to students who performed physical dissection. These results add to our knowledge of the impact that virtual dissection tools can have on student learning and understanding and enable us to develop recommendations and guidelines for improving the effectiveness of these tools in engineering education.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Systems for human-powered mobile computing

This article outlines several projects aimed at generating electrical energy by passively tapping a variety of human body sources and activities. After summarizing different energy harvesting modalities and techniques, I spotlight work done in my research group at the MIT media laboratory, including a system that scavenges electricity from the forces exerted on a shoe during walking. This system uses a flexible piezoelectric foil stave to harness sole-bending energy and a reinforced PZT dimorph to capture heel-strike energy. The piezoelectric generators drive a battery-less, active RF tag, which transmits a short-range wireless ID while walking, thereby enabling location based services and active environments. Other systems that we have developed are also discussed, including a battery-less pushbutton that can send an RF ID code with a single push, sensor nodes that harvest mobility rather than energy, and power management schemes that exploit sensor diversity to achieve energy efficiency.
Optimal temperature for selective cerebral perfusion.

Objective Although combinations of hypothermic circulatory arrest and antegrade selective cerebral perfusion are used for cerebral protection during arch surgery, there is no consensus regarding the optimal temperature during selective cerebral perfusion. This study explored the effect of different temperatures during selective cerebral perfusion on cerebral metabolism and neurologic outcome. Methods In this blinded study, 40 pigs (19–21 kg) were randomized into 4 groups after 30 minutes of hypothermic circulatory arrest at 20°C. During a 60-minute interval of selective cerebral perfusion, with flow regulated to maintain a perfusion pressure of 50 mm Hg, pigs were perfused at 10°C, 15°C, 20°C, and 25°C. Fluorescent microspheres enabled calculation of cerebral blood flow during perfusion and recovery. Hemodynamics, intracranial pressure, cerebrovascular resistance, and oxygen consumption were also monitored. Behavioral scores were obtained for 7 days after surgery. Results Cerebral blood flow decreased significantly ( P P = .0001) and remained higher during recovery ( P = .0001). Oxygen consumption decreased significantly with cooling ( P = .0001), remained low during perfusion, and rebounded with rewarming but was significantly lower at 10°C to 15°C than at 20°C to 25°C throughout selective cerebral perfusion ( P = .003) and after CPB was discontinued ( P = .001). Postoperative behavioral scores were significantly better after selective cerebral perfusion at 10°C to 15°C than at 20°C to 25°C ( P = .001). Conclusions This study suggests that selective cerebral perfusion at 10°C to 15°C provides better cerebral protection than selective cerebral perfusion at 20°C to 25°C, even though oxygen consumption remains low for hours after selective cerebral perfusion at 10°C to 15°C. Prompt return of metabolism to baseline levels after hypothermic circulatory arrest/selective cerebral perfusion does not necessarily predict superior behavioral outcome.
The Regulation of the p53-mediated Stress Response by MDM2 and MDM4

Regulation of the p53-mediated stress response by the essential inhibitory proteins MDM2 and MDM4 is critical for survival. In response to stressors such as ionizing radiation, p53 induces a number of potentially lethal but tumor-suppressive processes, including cell cycle arrest, senescence, and apoptosis (reviewed by Horn and Vousden 2007). Both MDM2 and MDM4 are critical to surviving the p53-mediated stress response to whole body ionizing irradiation as mice with reduced levels of either protein undergo p53-dependent death after exposure to doses of radiation that are sublethal to wild-type mice (Mendrysa et al. 2003; Terzian et al. 2007). MDM2 and MDM4 are also required to control p53 function during development, as shown by the early embryonic death of mice lacking either MDM2 or MDM4, unless they also lack p53 (Jones et al. 1995; Montes de Oca Luna et al. 1995; Parant et al. 2001; Migliorini et al. 2002). Although both MDM2 and MDM4 are essential for development, they are detrimental to long-term survival when in excess, because both are oncogenic. Both MDM2 and MDM4 confer the tumorigenic phenotype on cultured cells when experimentally overexpressed (Fakharzadeh et al. 1991; Danovi et al. 2004). In addition, targeted expression of MDM2 in the mammary gland results in tumorigenesis (Lundgren et al. 1997). In people, single nucleotide polymorphisms that reduce expression of either of the orthologs of MDM2 or MDM4 (also referred to as Hdm2 and Hdm4) correlate with increased risk for breast cancer (Bond et al. 2004; Atwal et al. 2009). Approximately 10% of human tumors have been found to overexpress either MDM2 or MDM4 and many of these express wild-type p53 (reviewed in Toledo and Wahl 2006). Because the majority of human cancers express mutant forms of p53, overexpression of MDM2 and MDM4 in the subset of tumors expressing wild-type p53 supports the notion that excessive MDM2 and MDM4 promote tumorigenesis, at least in part, by blocking p53 function. Thus, limiting the activities of MDM2 and MDM4 is important to prevent cancer.
Airway Management in Patients with Robin Sequence

Airway management in infants with Robin sequence (RS) remains controversial, ranging from conservative to operative modalities. In some centers, tracheostomy remains the mainstay for those infants with severe respiratory obstruction. We present here a retrospective review of 61 infants with RS at a large tertiary center from 1994 to 2010. Patients who had undergone tracheostomy were identified. Baseline demographics, complications, mortality, and time to decannulation without further surgical intervention (i.e., “natural” decannulation) were recorded. We witnessed that tracheostomy in infants with RS is associated with inordinately high rates of mortality and morbidity and long-term tracheostomy dependence, particularly patients with syndromic RS.
Valuing Green Home Designs: A Study of ENERGY STAR® Homes

A number of researchers have attempted to isolate the incremental effect of energy efficiency on home value; however, few studies have benefited from the availability of a comprehensive and continu...
Theoretical Prediction of Magnetism in C-doped TlBr

We predict that C, N, and O dopants in TlBr can display large, localized magnetic moments. Density functional theory based electronic structure calculations show that the moments arise from partial filling of the crystal-field-split localized $p$ states of the dopant atoms. A simple model is introduced to explain the magnitude of the moments.
Current status of carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) and CEA-S assays in the evaluation of neoplasm of the gastrointestinal tract

Carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) is heterogeneous and may represent a set of closely related glycoproteins which have been referred to as isomeric species of CEA. The existence of other CEA-related glycoproteins such as non-specific cross reacting antigen (NCA) has been recognized. Recently a highly purified homogeneous isomeric species of CEA described as CEA-S has shown differences in diagnostic results upon analysis of clinical sera as well as quantitative immunochemical differences. In a blind study of 308 sera, the CEA and CEA-S assays were compared. A significant difference in false positive results was observed between the CEA and CEA-S assay results. In contrast to the low but significant evidence of elevated CEA in sera of random normal persons and patients with liver disease or inflammatory disease of the gastrointestinal tract or lung, none of the sera had elevated concentrations of CEA-S. Among patients with tumor of the gastrointestinal tract that were considered surgically resectable, 46 percent were elevated using the CEA-S assay and only 34.7 percent were elevated above 5 nanograms per ml by the CEA assay. The CEA assays detect CEA-related molecules produced by lung, breast and other tumors; the CEA-S assay appears equally sensitive to CEA of gastrointestinal origin but detects only a small subgroup of breast, lung and, rarely, other types of tumors.
Monitoring results of welding fume concentrations in 16 enterprises of Fengxian District of Shanghai City from 2009-2011

[Objective]To investigate the occupational hazards in welding operation environment of 16 enterprises in Fengxian District of Shanghai City from 2009-2011,and provide scientific evidence for operation environment improvement and workers' health protection.[Methods]Repeatedly(3 times) short time sampling method and personal sampling(unfixed) were adopted to estimate and measure the time weighted average(TWA) concentration.[Results] The total welding fume concentration was 3.18 mg/m3,the average concentration of area sampling welding fume was 1.33 mg/m3,and the average concentration of personal sampling welding fume was 3.80 mg/m3.The total qualified rate of welding fume concentration of was 79.3%,the area sampling qualified rate was 85.7% and personal sampling qualified rate was 75.6%.The comparison of total qualified rate of welding fumes exposure length 4 h and 4 h showed the difference between area sampling and personal sampling with exposure length 4 h was significant(χ2=6.815,P0.01),while the difference 4 h was not significant(χ2=0.046,P0.05).Comparing exposure to welding fumes qualified rate of area sampling 4 h and 4 h,the difference was statistically significant(χ2=8.018,P0.01).The difference of qualified rate of personal sampling between exposure length4 h and 4 h was significant(χ2=24.05,P0.01).Comparing the welding fume concentrations inner head tank with external in the pressure vessel manufacturing enterprises,the qualified rates were 41.67% and 90.7% respectively,the difference was significant(χ2=8.852,P0.01).[Conclusion]The concentrations of welding dust is significantly different between welding workers with different exposure length.With time extension,the welding fume concentration has increased.The welding fume concentration inner head tank is higher than that external.The different operation length and protective measures should be adopted according to workers with different exposure time and different operation environments.
New Arrangement Patterns for Quality Rice in Early and Late Seasons and Their Key Cultivation Technologies at Double-rice Region in Hunan

Four kinds of arrangement patterns and their cultivation technologies were concluded,by investigation and analysis on quality rice production and planting patterns in main quality rice base counties in Hunan province in the last few years.Those patterns were as follows:(1) medium maturity early indica quality rice and medium maturity late indica quality rice;(2) early maturity early indica quality rice and late maturity middle-high grade quality rice;(3)early rice planting using medium maturity early indica quality rice and "Dao Zhong Chun"(i.e.summer planting with the seeds of spring planting);(4) combining planting economic crops and middle-high grade quality rice as single-cropping late rice or single cropping rice.The former two patterns are suitable planting as double cropping rice for counties of quality rice base and commodity grain base in Hunan province,and the latter two patterns could be choose according to the market demand and breed character in local conditions.
Two-photon LIF on the HIT-SI3 experiment: Absolute density and temperature measurements of deuterium neutrals

Two-photon laser-induced fluorescence measurements were performed on the helicity injected torus (HIT-SI3) device to determine the density and temperature of the background neutral deuterium population. Measurements were taken in 2 ms long pulsed plasmas after the inductive helicity injectors were turned off. Attempts to measure neutrals during the main phase of the plasma were unsuccessful, likely due to the density of neutrals being below the detection threshold of the diagnostic. An unexpectedly low density of atomic deuterium was measured in the afterglow; roughly 100 times lower than the theoretical prediction of 1017 m−3. The neutral temperatures measured were on the order of 1 eV. Temporally and spatially resolved neutral density and temperature data are presented.
Family ownership, control and corporate capital structure: An examination of small capitalization public firms

Purpose – The purpose of this paper is to explain how family firm ownership and management control affect corporate capital structure strategy after controlling for other significant variables. The authors argue that, although family ownership has a positive effect on a firm’s leverage, family control through the CEO position and equity performance moderate its impact. Design/methodology/approach – Using a stratified random sample of 200 US public firms in the S & P Small-Cap 600 index from 1999 to 2007, this study uses random effect panel regressions to test the impact of family ownership on market value and book value debt ratios and the moderating effects of family control and equity performance after controlling for firm, industry, and macroeconomic variables. Findings – The initial panel regression suggests that family ownership is not related to debt ratios. However, further examination with controls for family CEO and equity performance shows that family ownership is positively related to market an...
Teaching Sensation–Perception Psychology with De Anima

In De Anima, which is translated “On the Soul,” Aristotle tries to define the nature and major characteristics of the human “psyche” or soul. Aristotle argues that the psyche consists of different faculties which are responsible for performing different functions. The “lowest” level of the psyche consists of the “nutritive function.” The next level of the psyche is what he calls the “perceptive function” and consists of what we today would consider “sensation–perception.” This part of the soul is responsible for registering information coming from each of the five senses (sensation) as well as organizing this information into unified percepts (perception). Students also read the chapter on Sensation and Perception from the introductory textbook. Class time is devoted to comparing and contrasting Aristotle’s approach to sensation and perception with modern accounts.
Employment Protection Legislation and Firm Operating Performance

Exploiting intertemporal variations in employment protection across OECD countries, we show that laws increasing employee protection (EPL) positively impact operating profits over the 1985-2013 period. This result does not seem to be driven by pre-treatment differences between treatment and control firms and is robust to a long list of sensitivity checks and alternative design choices. Consistent with the EPL effect being due to changes in employment protection laws, the evidence also indicates that the effect is largely driven by the labor-intensive firms. While firms reduce employment and capital expenditures after an increase in employee protection, we find little evidence that they reduce their sales volumes, consistent with EPL increasing labor productivity. The positive EPL effect disappears as the level of unionization in a country increases, consistent the notion that very high levels of employee protection reduce firms’ operating flexibility and can result in lower operating profitability.
Establishment of HK-2 Cells as a Relevant Model to Study Tenofovir-Induced Cytotoxicity

Tenofovir (TFV) is an antiviral drug approved for treating Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and Hepatitis B. TFV is administered orally as the prodrug tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) which then is deesterified to the active drug TFV. TFV induces nephrotoxicity characterized by renal failure and Fanconi Syndrome. The mechanism of this toxicity remains unknown due to limited experimental models. This study investigated the cellular mechanism of cytotoxicity using a human renal proximal tubular epithelial cell line (HK-2). HK-2 cells were grown for 48 h followed by 24 to 72 h exposure to 0-28.8 μM TFV or vehicle, phosphate buffered saline (PBS). MTT (MTT, 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-Diphenyltetrazolium Bromide) and Trypan blue indicated that TFV diminished cell viability at 24-72 h. TFV decreased ATP levels at 72 h when compared to vehicle, reflecting mitochondrial dysfunction. TFV increased the oxidative stress biomarkers of protein carbonylation and 4-hydroxynonenol (4-HNE) adduct formation. Tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNFα) was released into the media following exposure to 14.5 and 28.8 μM TFV. Caspase 3 and 9 cleavage was induced by TFV compared to vehicle at 72 h. These studies show that HK-2 cells are a sensitive model for TFV cytotoxicity and suggest that mitochondrial stress and apoptosis occur in HK-2 cells treated with TFV.
Influence of tapped density on the degradation profile of multiwall carbon nanotubes

Abstract Twelve multiwall carbon nanotubes (MWCNTs) with nominally identical diameters and surface chemistry but having different average lengths in the range of 820–2160 nm, different tapped bulk densities in the range of 53143 kg/m 3 and different powder sizes in the range of 0.425–3.3 mm were analyzed by thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). This work shows that at heating rates normally used in TGA measurements, tapped bulk density affects the thermal degradation of CNTs. In fact, a linear correlation between CNT tapped bulk density and the ending oxidation temperature was found for a given family of CNTs with similar characteristics. Further, with different sieved particle sizes, the ending oxidation temperature did not follow the linear correlation with the tapped bulk density, indicating that the density of the individual particles also plays a role. To prove that these effects originate from mass transfer limitations, we show that at much lower heating rates the curves from various densities almost merge together and also that by compressing (i.e. increasing the density) the MWCNT powders the degradation behavior can be modified. In the literature, contradictory reports have been presented on the influence of nanotube length on the degradation profile and we believe that these contradictions are due to not considering this mass transfer effect. Additionally, since increasing the diameter and number of walls likely increases the tapped bulk density, the reported increase in thermal stability as the diameter and number of walls are increased may be also related to a mass transfer effect.
A Major Step in Opening the Black Box of High-Molecular-Weight Dissolved Organic Nitrogen by Isotopic Labeling of Synechococcus and Multibond Two-Dimensional NMR

Dissolved organic nitrogen (DON) comprises the largest pool of fixed N in the surface ocean, yet its composition has remained poorly constrained. Knowledge of the chemical composition of this nitrogen pool is crucial for understanding its biogeochemical function and reactivity in the environment. Previous work has suggested that high-molecular-weight (high-MW) DON exists only in two closely related forms, the secondary amides of peptides and of N-acetylated hexose sugars. Here, we demonstrate that the chemical structures of high-MW DON may be much more diverse than previously thought. We couple isotopic labeling of cyanobacterially derived dissolved organic matter with advanced two-dimensional NMR spectroscopy to open the “black box” of uncharacterized high-MW DON. Using multibond NMR correlations, we have identified novel N-methyl-containing amines and amides, primary amides, and novel N-acetylated sugars, which together account for nearly 50% of cyanobacterially derived high-MW DON. This study reveals u...
Comparing the Mathematical Structure of W. Brian Reddaway's IS-LM Model Contained in His 1936 Economic Record Review of Keynes's General Theory with Keynes's December, 1933 IS-LP(LM) Model and Keynes's IS-LP(LM) Model in Sections IV to VI of Chapter 21 of the General Theory

W Brian Reddaway’s IS-LM model ,contained in his 1936 Economic Record paper that reviewed the General Theory, is inferior to both the original December, 1933 Keynes model, originally presented to his students, that Keynes updated in November, 1935 and the 1936 IS-LP(LM) model that Keynes briefly presented in Section IV of chapter 15 and then presented formally in extreme detail in sections IV to VI of Chapter 21 of the General Theory. Keynes, following his usual correspondence style, did not point out to Reddaway that his model was an inferior version of both the original 1933 student notes model, as well as the model contained in Chapter 21 of the General Theory. Reddaway was misled by his misbelief that Keynes was a Marshallian methodologist and follower of Marshall’s concerning the very limited formal role that mathematics played in an economic analysis. Keynes’s views on the role of formal mathematical analysis were also influenced by Bertrand Russell, Alfred North Whitehead, A. C. Pigou and especially William Ernest Johnson, whose Economic Journal article in 1913 contains extensive mathematical analysis, similar in nature to Samuelson’s 1941 dissertation, that Keynes argued that all economists should be familiar with. Reddaway fixated on Keynes’s comments on pages 297-298 of the General Theory and completely failed, as all other economists after him have failed, to read Section IV of chapter 21 where all of the elements of Keynes’s entire IS-LP(LM) model are brought together and rigorously critiqued and discussed.
Imaging of Vascular Lesions of the Head and Neck

This article provides an overview of imaging findings of common and uncommon vascular lesions in the head and neck and showcases images highlighting imaging findings. Both hemangiomas and vascular malformations are covered.
Do we need a different staging system for tongue and gingivobuccal complex squamous cell cancers

Abstract Objectives To determine the need for a separate staging system for gingivobuccal complex squamous cell cancers (GBCSCC) based on 5-year overall survival (OS), disease-specific survival (DSS), and recurrence-free survival (RFS) data from one institution. Patients and methods An Institutional Review Board (IRB)-approved retrospective analysis was performed on an oral cavity cancer patient database. Patients from 1985 to 2012 with primary surgical treatment for biopsy-proven squamous cell cancer (SCC) from either the oral tongue (TSCC Group) or gingivobuccal complex (GBCSCC Group), were selected as two separate subgroups. The clinicopathologic data were used to stage the patients based on the American Joint Committee on Cancer 7th edition. Survival outcomes including 5-year OS, RFS, and DSS were calculated and analyzed. A multivariate analysis was performed to identify if subsite was an independent predictor for the survival outcomes, adjusting for other variables. A p-value of less than .05 was considered statistically significant. Results 936 patients with TSCC and 486 patients with GBCSCC were considered eligible for the analysis. Patients with GBCSCC were more likely to be older (p Conclusion With similar survival outcomes by stage, there is no justification for using a different staging system for GBCSCC.
Optical Interconnects for Large Scale Computing Systems: Trends and Challenges

Future large scale systems will be faced with increasing challenges to maintain bandwidth growth trends. Tighter integration of optics with switch and compute chips, optical switching and specialized networks are potential solutions.
Mutation in and lack of expression of tyrosinase-related protein-1 (TRP-1) in melanocytes from an individual with brown oculocutaneous albinism: a new subtype of albinism classified as "OCA3".

Most types of human oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) result from mutations in the gene for tyrosinase (OCA1) or the P protein (OCA2), although other types of OCA have been described but have not been mapped to specific loci. Melanocytes were cultured from an African-American with OCA, who exhibited the phenotype of Brown OCA, and his normal fraternal twin. Melanocytes cultured from the patient with OCA and the normal twin appeared brown versus black, respectively. Melanocytes from both the patient with OCA and the normal twin demonstrated equal amounts of NP-40-soluble melanin; however, melanocytes from the patient with OCA contained only 7% of the amount of insoluble melanin found from the normal twin. Tyrosinase- related protein-1 (TRP-1) was not detected in the OCA melanocytes by use of various anti-TRP-1 probes. Furthermore, transcripts for TRP-1 were absent in cultured OCA melanocytes. The affected twin was homozygous for a single-bp deletion in exon 6, removing an A in codon 368 and leading to a premature stop at codon 384. Tyrosine hydroxylase activity of the OCA melanocytes was comparable to controls when assayed in cell lysates but was only 30% of controls when assayed in intact cells. We conclude that this mutation of the human TRP-1 gene affects its interaction with tyrosinase, resulting in dysregulation of tyrosinase activity, promotes the synthesis of brown versus black melanin, and is responsible for a third genetic type of OCA in humans, which we classify as "OCA3."
The Varieties of Being in Aristotle

In this paper, I shall try to enhance our understanding of Aristotle’s thought by relating it to certain contemporary problems and insights of philosophical logicians. Now one of the most central current issues in philosophical logic is a challenge to a hundred-year old dogma. Almost all twentieth-century philosophers in English-speaking countries have followed Frege and Russell and claimed that the words for being in natural languages — “is”, “ist”, έστι, etc. — are ambiguous between the is of predication, the is of existence, the is of identity, and the generic is. The significance of this ambiguity thesis has not been limited to topical discussions but has extended to historical studies, including studies of ancient Greek philosophy. A generation or two of scholars working in this area used the Frege — Russell ambiguity thesis as an important ingredient of their interpretational framework. Cases in point are Cornford, Ross, Guthrie, Cherniss, Vlastos, Ryle, and (from the German-language area) Heinrich Maier. Indeed, the Frege — Russell distinction is still being invoked occasionally by Aristotelian scholars; see e.g., Moravcsik (1967, p. 127), Kirwan (pp. 100–101, 141), Weidemann (1980, p. 78) and Gomez-Lobo (1980–81, p. 79).
Walking to the Northern Mines: Mesoamerican Migration in New Spain

The end of the sixteenth century witnessed large movements of indigenous populations from the Mesoamerican center of New Spain to the northern imperial borderlands that were opening up to mining industries. The literature often portrays this migration as a simple phenomenon, as a movement from one point to another, and as a recreation of home communities in a foreign land in the form of ethnically segregated communities of laborers. Mapping migrations renders another view of these movements, one that is much more complex, and that illustrates multicultural spaces and reveals multiethnic communities. This chapter will explore how encounters and adaptation influenced the creation of new indigenous identities in the mining town of San Luis Potosi at the turn of the seventeenth century.
Employing Bessel-Gaussian Beams to Improve Physical-Layer Security in Free-Space Optical Communications

Physical-layer security in free-space optical communications channels can be compromised when an eavesdropper performs optical beam-splitting attacks over an atmospheric channel. Previous simulations have shown that Laguerre-Gaussian orbital angular momentum-carrying beams can provide higher secrecy capacities compared to that of ordinary Gaussian beams. In this paper, we determine if Bessel-Gaussian beams can provide further improvement over their corresponding Laguerre-Gaussian counterparts. Using computer simulations and experiments with spatial light modulators, an increase in secrecy capacity of 10 to 30 bits/sec/Hz in the weak to medium turbulence regimes is demonstrated. This verifies that Bessel-Gaussian beams have more resiliency to atmospheric turbulence effects than Laguerre-Gaussian beams. Furthermore, research on optimizing the quality of these beams can help to realize a practical system for more secure communications.
Iron-Catalyzed Hydroamination and Hydroetherification of Unactivated Alkenes

The hydrofunctionalization of alkenes, explored for over 100 years, offers the potential for a direct, atom-economical approach to value-added products. While thermodynamically favored, the kinetic barrier to such processes necessitates the use of catalysts to control selectivity and reactivity. Modern variants typically rely on noble metals that require different ligands for each class of hydrofunctionalization, thereby limiting generality. This Letter describes a general iron-based system that catalyzes the hydroamination and hydroetherification of simple unactivated olefins.
Imatinib Treatment Experience in a Public Health System, Minority Patient Population with Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia (CML).

Abstract Introduction: Imatinib (STI571/ Gleevec) is a tyrosine kinase inhibitor that functions by blocking the binding of ATP to the bcr-abl tyrosine kinase, inhibiting its activity and preventing myeloid proliferation, a characteristic of CML. We report our experience with imatinib use in a minority patient population. Methods: Data from 67 patients (pts) with CML treated at Cook County Hospital, Chicago, Illinois over a 4 year period were collected. Demographics, presentation, dosage schedule, tolerability and response were analyzed. Continuous data were analyzed via Student's T test and categorical data via Fisher's Exact test. Results: 57 pts with complete data [mean age at diagnosis 42.8 yrs, range 19–72 yrs, 46 (80.7%) males and 11 (19.3%) females] were identified and analyzed as a retrospective cohort. 41 pts (71.9%) were between 30 and 60 yrs of age and 17 pts (29.8%) had ≥ 1 major comorbidity at presentation. 28 (49.1%) were African American (AA), 4 (7%) Asian, 5 (8.8%) Eastern European, 17 (29.8%) Hispanic, and 3 (5.3%) Middle Eastern. 50 pts (87.7%) were in chronic phase, 5 (8.8%) in accelerated phase, 2 (3.5%) in blast phase, 2 (3.5%) had granulocytic sarcomas and 5 pts (8.8%) had second malignancies at presentation. 54 pts (94.7%) were started on 400mg of imatinib. 19 pts (33.3%) had imatinib-related toxicities including skin rash, cytopenias and nausea. 17 pts (29.8%) were non-compliant with imatinib therapy. AA pts were as old as the non-AA pts [44.8 ± 12.6 yrs vs 40.9 ± 13.8 yrs, p 0.27]. Non-AA pts were predominantly male. Following imatinib therapy a hematologic response (HR) was noted in 45.7± 54.6 days (d) in AA vs 31.3 ± 23.9 d in non-AA (p= 0.27), a major cytogenetic response (MCR) in 351 ± 342.6 d in AA pts vs 289±132.7 d in non-AA (p=0.58) and a complete cytogenetic response in 664±265.1 d in AA vs 642±292.5 d in non-AA pts (p=0.87). 11 AA pts failed imatinib therapy vs 8 non-AA pts. These pts were then subjected to imatinib dose escalation (600mg or 800mg) with only 4 pts in the AA group attaining MCR and 1 pt in the non-AA group attaining CCR. 4 AA pts then received Dasatanib and 2 went on to Allogeneic Stem Cell Transplant (ASCT) and 3 pts in the non-AA group received Nillotinib or Dasatanib and 2 went on to ASCT. There were 3 deaths in the AA group vs 1 in the non-AA group. Conclusion: In this primarily minority-based cohort there appears to be no significant difference in the age or gender distribution of the AA or non-AA pts although there appeared to be a male preponderance amongst the non-AA pts. The ethnic background does not appear to affect the time to significant hematologic response, major cytogenetic response or complete cytogenetic response to imatinib therapy in the AA or non-AA pts. Since the number of patients is small, definitive conclusions in either cohort cannot be made. Further investigation in minority patients is warranted.
G25(P) RCPCH national diabetes quality improvement [QI] initiative: our journey so far

Background Our team provides tertiary specialist care for approximately 220 Type 1 Diabetes patients aged 0–17. We joined the national initiative offering training in QI methodology and over the past year have planned and undertaken a number of small projects designed to help achieve our stated aim. We recognised a problem with poor control in the first year after diagnosis and identified the need to drive change to be able to achieve improvement in outcomes for our patients. We also identified the need to provide our patients with bespoke education to empower them to manage their Diabetes effectively. Aim To achieve HBA1c of Methods The first project was the introduction of carbohydrate counting from diagnosis which required a huge amount of work to upskill colleagues working on the wards and to design new charts for use in educating staff and patients. Subsequent projects include the introduction of Expert Meters from diagnosis and downloading these at home via Diasend to allow team members to offer advice on blood glucose readings remotely and empower self-management. We are also delivering a package of micro-teaching in clinic. PDSA cycles and Driver Fish Bone diagrams were used in the designing of projects and metrics including time to first carbohydrate counting, HBA1c and average blood glucose are being plotted on run charts. A knowledge survey prior to starting micro-teaching has been performed and will be repeated once the project is embedded. Results The table 1 below shows improvement in HBA1c. Conclusion We have learned to be brave, fail fast and have already significantly improved outcomes for patients.
The Current Literature on Bioabsorbable Stents: a Review

The purpose of this review is to explore the evolution of the coronary stent, from the advent of bare-metal stents, to the newest adopted technology of bioresorbable vascular scaffolds (BVS) used in bioresorbable stents. To date, there have been conflicting data regarding the safety and efficacy of BVS stents, especially when compared to current-generation drug-eluting stents (DES). This review will cover the data that exist regarding current BVS stents, as well as the active clinical trials for future iterations of BVS. The ABSORB BVS, the most widely circulated stent of its class, was promised to decrease rates of stent thrombosis and target vessel revascularization. Several randomized control trials, however, found the opposite to be true, with the ABSORB BVS demonstrating higher rates of thrombosis, target vessel revascularization, and even target lesion myocardial infarctions when compared to current-generation DES. These data caused the product to be pulled from all markets, leaving the field with uncertainty as to the role of BVS in coronary interventions. Coronary stents have evolved significantly from 1977, when they were first introduced. The original bare-metal stent was later fitted with a drug-eluting polymer, to prevent restenosis and thrombosis over time. Subsequent iterations of the stent attempted to further mitigate that risk by replacing the durable polymer to one that is bioresorbable. The final step in this progression was to create a stent that was fully bioresorbable, which Abbott did with the creation of their ABSORB BVS stent. The product, however, was found to perform poorly when compared to current-generation drug-eluting stents, with several trials showing high rates of stent thrombosis (ST), late stent thrombosis (LST), target-lesion myocardial infarction, and target vessel revascularization. Observational studies of BVS stents have proposed several mechanisms for their thrombogenicity, including higher stent-strut profiles leading to turbulent flow, low radial strength leading to strut disruption, and a higher propensity for neoatherosclerosis. Given the failure of the first-generation BVS stent, but the lingering desire for fully bioresorbable scaffolds, various manufacturers have proposed their solutions with new stents. Until data from their clinical trials emerge, it remains unclear whether fully bioresorbable stents will play any role in coronary interventions.
Beauty and the Be(a)st: Aesthetics, Pedagogy, and Andragogy

Emotions are involved in nearly every thought, decision, and action we make. Aesthetic emotions motivate us to approach or avoid any object of our aesthetic contemplation. Jonathan Haidt has shown that intuitions, which are much like emotions, guide our moral decisions. Sarah Rose Cavanaugh has summarized the use of emotions in Andragogy. Emotions cause us to pay attention in class and pay attention to assignments; maximize working memory potential; encode information into our long-term memory and to retrieve information from long-term memory; and to be motivated to attend class, to study for exams, and to complete assignments. Sona Farid-Arbab notes that attraction to beauty (the prototypical aesthetic emotion) motivates us toward personal and collective transformation. Panos Paris argues that moral beauty bridges the gap between making deliberative moral judgments and acting morally, by motivating us toward virtue and away from vice. General education courses, such as Introduction to Psychology and Developmental Psychology, can be infused with the beauty of story-telling, myth, paintings, music, and poetry; and thus motivate students more effectively. Developmental Psychology is an excellent course in which to encourage the morally beautiful development of college students while they are studying the moral development of children and adults.
Platypnea-Orthodeoxia Syndrome With Normal Right Heart Pressures in an Octogenarian

Abstract We describe a case of platypnea-orthodeoxia syndrome in an 88-year-old man who presented with progressive dyspnea. Right-to-left shunting through a patent foramen ovale (PFO) was seen in t...
Extract-and-Inject Analysis of Veterinary Drug Residues in Catfish and Ready-to-Eat Meats by Ultrahigh-Performance Liquid Chromatography – Tandem Mass Spectrometry

BACKGROUND Validated analytical methods are needed to conduct regulatory monitoring of ready-to-eat meats and fish for food safety, risk assessment, and other purposes. The methods should be cost-effective, high-throughput, and meet acceptable performance standards for a wide scope of drugs and matrixes. OBJECTIVE The goal of this study was to demonstrate the validity for possible implementation in the US National Residue Program of an efficient method for qualitative and quantitative analysis of 176 targeted drugs at levels as low as 10 ng/g in hot dogs, catfish and swai (Siluriformes), chicken tenders, fried bacon, and sausage using ultrahigh-performance liquid chromatography - tandem mass spectrometry (UHPLC-MS/MS). METHODS Sample preparation simply involved a 5 min extraction by shaking 2 g comminuted samples with 10 mL of 4/1 (v/v) acetonitrile/water followed by centrifugation and UHPLC-MS/MS analysis of 2 μL injections. For cleanup comparison purposes only, sausage extracts were also prepared using a cartridge-based EMR-Lipid method prior to analysis. RESULTS Acceptable validation of 70-120% recoveries with <25% RSDs was met for 156-176 out of 186 drugs and quality control analytes without cleanup depending on the matrix. The EMR-Lipid method for sausage improved results for some analytes, such as mectin anthelmintics, due to reduction of indirectly interfering fats in the final extracts, but it also led to significantly worse results for several other drugs, resulting in 32 fewer analytes meeting the given validation criteria than without cleanup. CONCLUSIONS The simple, high-throughput method was demonstrated to be valid to meet routine regulatory and other monitoring needs for many diverse targeted drugs in fish and ready-to-eat meat matrixes.
Presence of Neck or Shoulder Pain Following Sport-Related Concussion Negatively Influences Recovery

Our objective was to examine the effect of current neck or shoulder pain on concussion outcomes. Variables included symptom resolution and return-to-sport time, symptom severity, amount of school missed, and sleep disturbances. Three hundred twelve patients (37% female; median age = 15.0 years; evaluated median = 9 days postinjury) reported experiencing current neck or shoulder pain at initial evaluation, and 268 did not (31% female; median age = 14.7 years; evaluated median = 8 days postinjury). Neck or shoulder pain was associated with longer symptom resolution time (β = 6.38, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 2.44, 10.31; P = .002), more severe symptoms (β = 7.06, 95% CI = 4.91, 9.21; P 5 days of school (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.89, 95% CI = 1.23, 2.93; P = .004), and postinjury sleep problems (aOR = 2.20, 95% CI = 1.51, 3.21; P < .001). Experiencing neck or shoulder pain during the initial postinjury clinical evaluation was associated with worsened clinical outcomes. Clinicians may consider referral to early rehabilitation following concussion among those who report neck or shoulder pain.
Clinical effect of montelukast sodium combined with cetirizine hydrochloride on cough variant asthma in children

Objective To investigive the clinical effect of montelukast sodium combined with cetirizine hydrochloride on cough variant asthma in children.Methods Eighty children with cough variant asthma were recruited into this study,and they were divided into two groups.Observation group received montelukast sodium and cetirizine hydrochloride therapy for 3 months.Control group received seretide evohaler therapy for 3 months.The clinical effect of the two groups were observed.Results There was no significant difference in effective rate between the two groups (P =0.615).Conclusions Montelukast sodium combined with cetirizine hydrochloride is safe and effective in the treatment of cough variant asthma in children. Key words: Montelukast sodium; Cetirizine hydrochloride; Cough variant asthma; Children