cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Middle Ear Infections in Pediatric Patients: Treatment with Amoxicillin

Amoxicillin, a new semisynthetic penicillin, was compared with ampicillin in the treatment of otitis media. Pediatric patients from a private practice underwent aspiration of the middle ear for culture. Sixty-seven patients were treated with either amoxicillin three times a day or with ampicillin four times a day. The dose of ampicillin was approximately twice the dose of amoxicillin. Only one of 48 amoxicillin-treated and one of 19 ampicillin-treated patients failed to respond. Amoxicillin was well tolerated, with a single patient developing eosinophilia. None of the patients treated with amoxicillin developed a rash, while one treated with ampicillin did. Amoxicillin administered three times a day is an effective program for the treatment of bacterial otitis media. Middle ear infections have continued to be a problem of major importance to the practicing pediatrician; the development of many antibiotics effective against the three causative organisms (Haemophilus influenzae, Diplococcus pneumoniae, and Streptococcus pyogenes) has not lessened the incidence or significance of such infections. Amoxicillin, a new semisynthetic penicillin
Differential susceptibility to experimental glaucoma among 3 mouse strains using bead and viscoelastic injection

The purpose of this experiment was to test the susceptibility to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) axon loss and RGC layer cell loss from experimental glaucoma among 3 mouse strains, and between younger and older mice. We obstructed the mouse aqueous outflow channels by injecting 2 microL of 6 mum diameter, polystyrene beads followed by 3 microL of viscoelastic solution into the anterior chamber with a glass micropipette. We evaluated intraocular pressure (IOP) and damage to RGC as measured by optic nerve axon counts and RGC layer neuron counts in 3 strains of young mice (2 month old C57BL/6, DBA/2J, and CD1) and 10 month C57BL/6 mice. Bead and viscoelastic injection produced IOP elevation at >or=1 time point in 94.1% of eyes (112/119), with mean IOP difference from fellow eyes of 4.4 +/- 3.0 mmHg. By 6-12 weeks, injected eyes were 10.8% longer and 7.6% wider (p < 0.0001). Young DBA/2J and C57BL/6 eyes increased axial length significantly more than young CD1 or older C57BL/6 (all p <or= 0.02). RGC layer and axon loss was greatest in CD1 mice, significantly more than the other groups (p from 0.04 to <0.0001). Young C57BL/6 eyes elongated more and lost more RGC layer cells than older C57BL/6 mice (p = 0.02 and 0.01, respectively). With this mouse glaucoma model, there was differential susceptibility to ocular elongation and RGC layer and axon damage among mouse strains and by age. Factors that determine sensitivity to RGC injury can be studied using transgenic mouse strains with inducible models.
Relationship of foot-and-mouth disease virus plaque size on cell cultures to infectivity for cattle by intramuscular inoculation

With sixteen virus strains of cattle origin representing all seven types of foot-and-mouth disease virus (FMDV), infectivity for cattle by intramuscular (i.m.) inoculation was significantly related to plaque size on primary calf kidney cell cultures; the larger plaque viruses were more infectious. This relationship was not observed when these virus strains were inoculated into cattle tongues, mice or cell cultures (by CPE technique). For the 16 strains, the approximate minimum infective doses, expressed in bovine ID50 units, varied from 10 to 10,000 units for i.m. inoculation and from 0.01 to 2.0 units for tongue inoculation of cattle. The tongue route of inoculation for FMDV in cattle was from 100 to 200,000 times more sensitive for producing infection than i.m. inoculation. Of 195 cattle given various doses of FMDV by i.m. inoculation, 154 were infected, 13 were only antigenically stimulated or immunized and 28 were not clinically or serologically affected; with some strains, virus doses of as much as 15,000 bovine ID50 units failed to elicit a detectable response. Five of the FMD viruses that had 20 or more serial passages by cattle tongue inoculation produced smaller plaques in calf kidney cell cultures and were less infectious for cattle by i.m. inoculation than four field strains that had two to three laboratory passages and probably had natural passage primarily in cattle. Thus, serial passage of FMD viruses by cattle tongue inoculation may not be the ideal method for retaining field strain characteristics. Also, the hosts of natural passage may influence results.
Antagonistic bioenergies: technological divergence of the ethanol industry in Brazil.

We present evidence for the coexistence of two antagonistic sugarcane ethanol production technologies in Brazil, with the Southeast region of the country having relatively mechanized production processes, and the Northeast area using labor-intensive ones. We highlight the main differences between the hand-production and fully automated mechanical manufacturing in the Brazilian ethanol industry and examine the historical, political, and economic factors that induced this regional technology gap that is currently observed. We then construct an environmental model based on a 375-industry interregional input–output system for the Brazilian regions, in order to determine the extent to which the primitive ethanol production of Northern Brazil differs from the automated manufacture technologies of the South in terms of greenhouse gas emissions. We show that ethanol produced with modern technologies generates lower carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions than ethanol produced with traditional production processes. We also demonstrate that ethanol, regardless of the technology with which it was produced, is more carbon-efficient than petrochemical products.
Autologous Lacrimal–Lymphoid Mixed-cell Reactions Induce Dacryoadenitis in Rabbits

Autoimmune dacryoadenitis, such as occurs in Sjogren's syndrome, is a frequent cause of lacrimal insufficiency, which in turn can cause dry eye. Rabbits are used frequently to test ocular therapies. Our goal is to develop a rabbit model of autoimmune dacryoadenitis to identify and test candidate therapies. Our approach arises from the observations that lacrimal gland epithelial cells stimulate proliferation in cultured autologous lymphocyte preparations and that an anti-MHC II antibody blocks this proliferation. The purpose of this study was to determine if injecting this proliferating autologous mixed cell reaction could induce dacryoadenitis in rabbits. After establishing that irradiated lacrimal gland epithelial cells stimulate proliferation in autologous peripheral blood lymphocytes, irradiated cells from a single lacrimal gland were co-cultured with autologous lymphocytes and after 5 days the mixed cell reaction, or components of the reaction, were injected into the contralateral lacrimal gland of the donor rabbit. After 2 weeks, the injected glands were removed and lymphocytic infiltration quantitated using digital image analysis of immunostained histological sections. Injecting an autologous mixed cell reaction of co-cultured irradiated lacrimal gland epithelial cells and lymphocytes reliably induced abundant periductal foci of >200 lymphocytes expressing CD18 and/or a rabbit thymic lymphocyte antigen (RTLA). Injection of medium or autologous lymphocytes alone elicited little response; injections of lymphocytes cultured with lysates of lacrimal gland epithelial cells elicited variable, modest responses. These lysates did not stimulate proliferation in the mixed cell reaction and proliferation was not observed if a porous membrane separated co-cultured lacrimal gland cells and lymphocytes. The results demonstrate that injecting an autologous mixed cell reaction of lacrimal gland epithelial cells and lymphocytes reliably creates a model of autoimmune dacryoadenitis. The relative ineffectiveness of components of the reaction to do the same supports the hypothesis that lacrimal gland epithelial cells trigger or exacerbate lacrimal autoimmune disease by presentation of autoantigens via MHC II. This experimental system can aid efforts to further understand mechanisms of diseases, and to identify and test candidate therapies.
‘Baby teachers’: how pre‐service early childhood students transform their conceptions of teaching and learning through an infant practicum

This qualitative study explores how working with infants changed pre‐service early childhood students’ thinking about important aspects of early childhood education. Through a qualitative analysis of four pre‐service early childhood students’ weekly dialogue journals during a required, one‐semester infant practicum, the authors discovered how the course provided a context for challenging students’ previously held notions about early childhood teaching and learning. Their findings showed that infants’ ways of being were a powerful influence on pre‐service early childhood students’ sense of themselves as teachers and emphasized the value of hands‐on experiences with infants as an important component of early childhood professional preparation.
Newborn aortic arch reconstruction with descending aortic cannulation improves postoperative renal function.

Background A clinically driven transition in perfusion technique occurred at Children's Hospital and Medical Center, Omaha, Nebraska, from primarily selective cerebral perfusion bracketed by brief periods of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest to a technique of dual arterial perfusion including innominate artery and descending aortic cannulation (DAC), with continuous mildly hypothermic (>30°C) full-flow cardiopulmonary bypass to the entire body. This study retrospectively compared outcomes in a recent cohort of neonates undergoing aortic arch reconstruction with the two techniques. Methods The clinical records of 142 consecutive neonates undergoing operations involving aortic arch reconstruction at a single institution between April 2004 and September 2012 were reviewed. Renal function changes were graded according to the pediatric RIFLE score (based on risk, injury, failure, loss, and end-stage kidney disease). Sixteen patients, 8 supported with selective cerebral perfusion bracketed by brief periods of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest and 8 with DAC, required immediate postoperative extracorporeal membrane oxygenation and were excluded from renal function analysis. Multivariable regression models evaluated predictors of pediatric RIFLE score. Results Patients with DAC had shorter median bypass support (113 versus 172 minutes; p p p p p = 0.001) required open chest. Use of selective cerebral perfusion bracketed by brief periods of deep hypothermic circulatory arrest, single-ventricular physiology, and aortic cross-clamp time were found to be multivariable predictors of serious kidney dysfunction. Conclusions Multisite arterial perfusion, including DAC, and maintenance of continuous mildly hypothermic full-flow cardiopulmonary bypass may offer advantages as a perfusion strategy for neonatal arch reconstruction. Prospective investigation of this technique is warranted.
Intellectual capital, learning, and knowledge management in agrifood supply chains

The dynamics of the food system are rapidly evolving so that intangible assets are relatively more important than tangible assets. This evolving shift in the basis of rivalry among firms puts increasing demands on corporate strategy. A future challenge for agrifood firms is to embrace strategy that includes, at least conceptually, knowledge as a strategic asset of a firm. Knowledge and its management are emerging in contemporary thought as a potential source of sustainable competitive advantage. This analysis begins by examining the next evolutionary phase in supply chain integration as a learning supply chain. Conceptually a learning supply chain offers the significant benefits of a truly agile, dynamic response capability for end-users and a fair distribution of returns to all chain participants. The focus then turns to the relationships between network embeddedness and the strategic mix between exploitation and exploration, using knowledge management logic. Managing knowledge for agrifood firms implies...
Spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings in acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis

Background We describe the spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) findings in three patients with acute syphilitic posterior placoid chorioretinitis (ASPPC). The SD-OCT images demonstrate the pathologic changes in ASPPC with a high level of anatomic detail and may provide information about the pathophysiology of the disease.
What Do We Know and How Do We Really Know It

This article presents a speech delivered by University of California president Jone L. Pearce in Irvine in April of 2003, which deals with scholarship and management.
Clinical Trials and in Vitro Studies of 13 CIS Retinoic Acid in the Myelodysplastic Syndrome

The myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) occurs in a heterogenous group of patients with varying degrees of cytopenia and an associated morphologic change in their peripheral blood and bone marrow cells which indicate an abnormality in cellular maturation. This condition is also considered to be a preleukemic state because of the tendency to progress into acute myelogenous leukemia in approximately 40% of the patients. A significant number of these patients succumb to the complications of bone marrow failure such as infection and hemorrhage from the resulting cytopenia. Currently, there is no satisfactory specific therapy available for MDS.
Slow progressing cardiac complications—a case report

Objective This case presentation describes an uncommon development of complete heart block. Within 48 hours after a motor vehicle accident with the deployment of the air bag against the patient's chest, the patient reported exertional bradycardia and shortness of breath.
Turbulent ‘polarization’ terms and the Balescu–Lenard operator

Certain unfamiliar terms in renormalized plasma turbulence theory are interpreted in terms of the familiar physics of the Balescu-Lenard collision operator. Specifically, it is argued that the so-called polarization parts of the operator which renormalizes the particle propagator are related to fluctuations of the Fokker-Planck coefficient which describes polarization drag, and to fluctuations of the effective dielectric function of the medium.
Detailed Risk Analysis for Failure Prevention in Conceptual Design: RED (Risk in Early Design) Based Probabilistic Risk Assessments

Avoiding product recalls and failures is a must for companies to remain successful in the consumer product industry. Large numbers of failed products result in significant profit losses do to repair or replacement costs as well as untraceable costs of reputation damage among customer bases. Probabilistic risk assessment (PRA) is key to preventing product failures. When risks are adequately identified and assessed the potential product failures can be mitigated and save lives as well as company profit. Risk mitigation is more effective the earlier it can be applied in the design process; therefore, the identification and assessment of risk through PRA techniques is most beneficial to the company when employed early in the design process. This paper presents new techniques for performing four common PRAs, preliminary hazards analysis (PHA), failure mode and effect analysis (FMEA), fault tree analysis (FTA), and event tree analysis (ETA), during the conceptual phase of design, when products have yet to assume a physical form. The backbone for the application of these PRA techniques during the conceptual design phase is the Risk in Early Design (RED) Method. RED generates a listing of potential product risk based on historical failure occurrences. These risks are categorized by function, which enables this preliminary risk assessment to be performed during conceptual design. A risk analysis is performed for a bicycle that demonstrates the powerful failure prevention ability of RED and PRA during conceptual product design with a Consumer Product Safety Commission recall.© 2007 ASME
Shape and material optimization for bandwidth improvement of printed antennas on high contrast substrates

It is well known that high contrast substrates, although suitable for miniaturization lead to smaller bandwidth. To overcome this limitation, a combined shape and material optimization technique is proposed to develop a miniature patch antenna with pre-specified bandwidth performance. The employed design method is the solid isotropic material with penalization (SIMP) technique formulated as a general non-linear optimization problem. As part of the solution technique an adjoint sensitivity analysis and the sequential linear programming method (SLP) are adapted. A key aspect of the proposed design method is the integration of optimization tools with a fast simulator based on the finite element-boundary integral method. This allowed for inhomogeneous material modeling and design to increase the bandwidth of a fixed size patch antenna on a high contrast substrate having a dielectric constant of /spl epsiv//sub r/=100.
Integrating research and education at research-extensive universities with research-intensive communities.

Although the Boyer Commission (1998) lamented the lack of research opportunities for all undergraduates at research-extensive universities, it did not provide a feasible solution consistent with th...
The knowledge management puzzle: human and social factors in knowledge management

Knowledge management is often seen as a problem of capturing, organizing, and retrieving information, evoking notions of data mining, text clustering, databases, and documents. We believe that this view is too simple. Knowledge is inextricably bound up with human cognition, and the management of knowledge occurs within an intricately structured social context. We argue that it is essential for those designing knowledge management systems to consider the human and social factors at play in the production and use of knowledge. We review work—ranging from basic research to applied techniques—that emphasizes cognitive and social factors in knowledge management. We then describe two approaches to designing socially informed knowledge management systems, social computing and knowledge socialization.
Food system strategies for preventing micronutrient malnutrition

Micronutrients are defined as substances in foods that are essential for human health and are required in small amounts. They include all of the known vitamins and essential trace minerals. Micronutrient malnutrition affects 1 =3–½ of the global population. It causes untold human suffering and levies huge costs on society in terms of unrealized human potential and lost economic productivity. The goal of this paper is to identify deficiencies in the food system that lead to micronutrient malnutrition and explore and evaluate strategies for its prevention. We examine the impact of agricultural practices on micronutrients in the food supply, including cropping systems, soil fertility and animal agriculture. We then discuss the potential of biofortification – i.e. increasing the concentration of micronutrients in staple food crops through conventional plant breeding or genetic engineering– as a means to reduce micronutrient deficiency. In addition, we discuss the impact of food losses and food waste on micronutrients in the food supply, and we explore successful strategies to preserve micronutrients from farm to plate, including food fortification. Our review of the literature sheds light on the advantages and limitations of alternative interventions to reduce micronutrient deficiencies along the supply chain. We end with recommendations for actions that will reduce the prevalence of micronutrient malnutrition.
COMPENSATORY DYNAMICS IN ZOOPLANKTON COMMUNITY RESPONSES TO ACIDIFICATION: MEASUREMENT AND MECHANISMS

Previous studies indicate substantial variation in ecological responses to perturbation. In some cases, ecosystems are resilient to perturbation due to compensatory dynamics in which losses of sensitive species are offset by population increases of species that perform similar ecological functions. Here, we report a detailed evaluation of compensatory dynamics in zooplankton community responses to the experimental acidification of Little Rock Lake, Wisconsin, USA. We used a variance ratio to quantify compensatory dynamics in functional groups of zooplankton containing species that use similar resources and are vulnerable to the same predators. We also used first-order autoregressive models to explore mechanisms driving the dynamics of each functional group. Our results indicate that responses of functional groups to acidification can be highly variable. Herbivorous copepods and medium-sized herbivorous cladocerans exhibited significant compensatory dynamics in response to acidification, whereas other functional groups exhibited independent or synchronous dynamics. First-order autoregressive models indicated that groups exhibiting compensatory dynamics contained both acid-tolerant and acid-sensitive species that competed. In contrast, groups that contained only acid-sensitive or acid-tolerant species exhibited more independent or synchronous dynamics. Overall, our study highlights the combined roles of sensitivity to environmental perturbation and species interactions in determining the extent of compensatory dynamics in zooplankton functional group responses to acidification.
Immunoelectronmicroscopic Demonstration of Surface Tumor Antigen Ca 125

Tissue from a serous cystadenocarcinoma of the ovary was incubated with a monoclonal antibody, OC 125, which reacts with a surface tumor antigen in serous, endometrioid, and some clear cell carcinomas of the ovary. Electron microscopic preparation demonstrated the surface nature of the antigen. It is seen as a linear electron-dense deposit that extends onto villous surfaces. It is in some areas focally discontinuous. No other cell structures reacted with the antibody.
Multicity Outbreak of Linezolid-Resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis Associated with Clonal Spread of a cfr-Containing Strain

We report a multicity outbreak of cfr-containing linezolid-resistant Staphylococcus epidermidis in Ohio. Thirty-nine isolates were obtained from 2 hospitals. Two clones with different mechanisms of linezolid resistance were circulating in hospital A. One of these contained the cfr gene, and the other a ribosomal mutation. The clone containing cfr was identical in both hospitals.
The utility of returns to scale in DEA programming: An analysis of Michigan rural hospitals

Abstract In 1984, Banker, Charnes, and Cooper introduced the capability of using data envelopment analysis to assess increasing, decreasing, or constant returns to scale. This analysis would appear to make an important contribution to the health care field because of the regulatory environment within which the industry exists and the competition among hospitals for additional services and capacity. In many states, hospitals must submit a “certificate of need” to prove eligibility to add capacity or services. Agency administrators at the state level should analyze each hospital's production performance to determine the effectiveness of resource utilization. Residents of a state where hospitals are regulated need to know the effectiveness of agencies in allowing resources to be properly allocated to hospitals. Returns to scale analysis can help provide answers to these concerns. We examine Michigan rural hospitals and propose a simple, yet logical procedure for evaluating returns to scale for technically inefficient hospitals.
Parallel Response of Myofibrillar Contraction and Relaxation to Four Different Nucleoside Triphosphates

The Mg chelates of ITP, GTP, and UTP in addition to that of ATP were shown to be capable of causing complete relaxation of myofibrils as indicated by the complete inhibition of syneresis and the reduction of the NTPase activity to that of isolated myosin. For ITP and GTP the required concentrations were about 100 times higher than those for ATP, whereas UTP was maximally effective also in low concentrations (0.2 mM). For all NTP's the concentrations for relaxation were related to those necessary for contraction so that NTP concentrations which gave 80–90% maximal NTPase activity in the presence of Ca caused complete relaxation in the absence of Ca. Thus, these experiments do not support the view that relaxation is caused by the binding of NTP to a special inhibitory site but are quite compatible with the idea that relaxation depends on the extent to which the hydrolytic site is saturated with NTP. The Ca concentration required for contraction depends on the nature of the NTP base and its concentration; it is lower for ITP than for ATP and decreases with decreasing concentrations of ITP.
On the complexity of propositional quantification in intuitionistic logic

We define a propositionally quantified intuitionistic logic H π + by a natural extension of Kripke's semantics for propositional intuitionistic logic. We then show that H π + is recursively isomorphic to full second order classical logic. H π + is the intuitionistic analogue of the modal systems S5 π +, S4 π +, S4.2 π +, K4 π +, T π +, K π + and B π + , studied by Fine.
Inhibitory Effects of Melatonin, Prostaglandin E1, Cyclic Amp, Dibutyrylcyclic AMP and Theophylline on Rat Seminiferous Tubular Contractility in vitro

Autorhythmic contractions (frequency) of seminiferous tubules from adult male rats responded biphasically to PGEin vitro. At low concentrations (10 9M), the frequency increased, but at higher concentrations (b0�' or 108M), the rate of contractions was diminished. Depth or intensity of tubular contractions showed a similar trend with a decreased magnitude at 10.6 M. Tonus of the tubules was increased at 109M concentration of PGE1, but not at higher concentrations. Silastic implants of either cyclic AMP or dibutyryl cyclic AMP decreased contractility of rat seminiferous tubules in vitro as did the incubation of seminiferous tubules with dibutyryl cyclic AMP (2 mM) and theophylline (2.8 X 104M). Subcutaneous injections of melatonin (250, 500 and 1,000 pg/day) also diminished both the frequency and depth of contractions, but not tonus of siminiferous tubules. It was concluded that cyclic AMP could be a second messenger for PGE1 , but not for melatonin.
Power supply of a rural off-grid health center — A case study

Presently, more than 7 million Haitians have no access to power nor basic energy related services. Available generation capacity of Haiti reaches 212 MW, which is insufficient to meet the estimated peak demand of more than 500 MW in the whole country. This deficit severely impacts basic essential facilities such as health care centers. The IEEE Student Branch PES Chapter at Georgia Tech established a project to design and implement a microgrid to supply power to a recently established health center in the mountains of Thoman, Haiti. Several combinations of power generating units were evaluated on an economic basis, including: a standalone diesel generator (DG), photovoltaic (PV) panels with batteries, and PV panels with batteries and a DG. Key parameters including power rating, daily energy production, maximum annual capacity shortage, etc., were also incorporated into the economic evaluation. This paper outlines the preliminary microgrid design steps, assessment of topology alternatives, site visit, detailed design and the fundraising process. Only commercial off-the-shelf parts were considered for device selection. To verify the preliminary design, a site visit was conducted in February 2015. Installation and commissioning is expected to take place later this year.
The Dance of Cultural Identity: Exploring Race and Gender with Adolescent Girls

This article examines the use of embodied narrative, a movement-based interpretation of narrative identity theory, with adolescent participants to create a performance piece centered on the question: What does it mean to be a girl in the twenty-first century? The three reasons for using dance in this project were: (a) to facilitate understanding of one’s identity through movement as narrative; (b) to gather and analyze qualitative data through the vehicle of movement; and (c) to disseminate the findings of the project in an informative and easily accessed performance format. Community-based-participatory-research (CBPR) was the method used to gather and analyze data. The results echoed the tenets of third wave feminism, demonstrating an era of “girl power,” choice, and gender equality. Although it is not without flaws and limitations, CBPR facilitates the use of research as a method for improving community structures by employing community members as active participants who are involved in most, if not all, of the research process. Participants were included in the process of gathering and analyzing data, the creation of the performance, and the dissection of performance impact on audience.
Drug binding properties of an alpha-bungarotoxin-binding component from rat brain.

The drug binding properties of an α-bungarotoxin-binding component in a crude membrane preparation from whole rat brain were investigated by analyzing the effects of various neuroactive drugs on the rate of toxin binding. High affinities were found for nicotinic ligands such as d-tubocurarine, nicotine, gallamine, and dihydro-β-erythroidine, whereas interaction with choline and muscarinic compounds was observed to be weak and presumably due to nonspecific electrostatic forces. Little interaction was seen with other putative neurotransmitters. No evidence was obtained for more than one type of toxin binding site. The findings are interpreted as supporting the notion that the α-bungarotoxin-binding macromolecule in the central nervous system is a nicotinic acetylcholine receptor.
Wilms' tumour: trials and tribulation.

As the treatment of any medical condition becomes more effective, it is difficult to make further progress in management. Where there is general agreement over the role of treatment modalities, the subject of trials and their design, which might give further insight into therapy, becomes more important; yet for rare lesions individual units are unable to gain sufficient accrual of patients to perform what would be regarded as an acceptable clinical trial. Where the subject under investigation has a very low incidence in the population, it may be impossible to organise a comparative clinical trial as such on a national basis, as is the case in the United Kingdom for patients with Wilms’ tumour. Areas with larger populations, such as the United States or mainland Europe, have been able to arrange trials comparing two treatments concurrently, but, with large numbers of patients in different centres, the control of the study and assessment of individuals does become a serious problem. Central collation of data, as in the United Kingdom Children’s Cancer Study Group (UKCCSG), often reveals minor irregularities in treatment protocols when close scrutiny is made of each case, which are insufficient to withdraw a patient from the study but may explain some of the minor variations in results. The dangers of assessing current therapy against historical data are well illustrated by the different results obtained from the same chemotherapy protocol for stage II, stage III, and stage IV patients with Wilms’ tumour in the first national study in the United States, and the poorer results from the second national study [1].
Multiple germline functional VL genes contribute to the IgL repertoire in ducks.

In the immunoglobulin light chain gene loci of nearly all bird species examined to date, there is only a single functional variable gene segment that can recombine with joining gene segments. Thus, Ig light chain diversity relies on gene conversion using pseudogenes as sequence donors to modify the single rearranged variable gene. In the present study, we have sequenced a bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) clone containing the entire duck Igλ light chain gene locus. Although only a single pair of Jλ and Cλ was found, 88 Vλ gene segments were identified upstream of the Jλ and Cλ segments. Among the identified Vλ gene segments, 79 appear to be pseudogenes, the remaining 9 are structurally intact and all are able to functionally rearrange with the Jλ. Phylogenetic analyses suggest that the 9 functional variable genes may have been derived from a single gene through duplication events. Although these multiple functional variable gene segments can be subject to VJ recombination, both gene conversion and somatic hypermutation are also actively involved in the generation of diversity in duck Igλ light chains. These data provide significant insight into understanding the duck Ig system.
The absence of an allotropie transformation

Field-electron emission techniques show that an allotropic transformation does not occur in vanadium at high temperatures if the samples are of high purity. Such purity can be obtained by heating for a sufficiently long time in a high vacuum or by zone refining.
The Evolution of Algic Verbal Stem Structure: New Evidence from Yurok

1. The Algic language family consists of the Algonquian language family and its relatives Wiyot and Yurok, two native languages of northwestern California. In this paper, I will use internal reconstruction to propose an account of the evolution of verbal stem structure in the early prehistory of Yurok; the earliest stages in this development probably occurred in Proto-Algic. Thus, while the evidence adduced here is exclusively from Yurok, I will suggest that the account has ramifications for our understanding of the Algonquian languages (and Wiyot). I begin with a brief description of Algonquian word structure. Algonquian words contain “initials” (roots) as well as “medial” and “final” suffixes, described as follows by Bloomfield (1946: 104): “Final suffixes appear at the end of the stem; ... we can distinguish between abstract finals, which merely determine the form-class ..., and concrete finals, which add some more palpable meaning ... [T]he final suffix is often preceded by a medial suffix ... Medial suffixes have concrete meaning.” Given in (1) is the scheme of Nishnaabemwin word structure, along the same lines, presented by Valentine (2001: 333).
Integrate the Teaching Method of American University to Improve University Engineering Education

The authors collaborate with North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University and piloted a curriculum——Modeling,simulation and optimization of manufacturing process. The curriculum simultes American classroom teaching ways,instructs knowledge with English,builds exchange- interactive learning environmrnt. And based on the practical programe,the paper introduces how to build the physical model of manufacturing processes. It focuses on improving the critical thinking and skills of solving problem,and avoids traditional cramming methods. The paper mainly introduces the design and teaching method of the curriculum,and also discusses the future plans for further improving teaching quality of other engineering curriculums.
The Return of the Vulnerable Plaque: Optical Coherence Tomography Imaging of a Case of a Late In-Stent Restenotic Chronic Total Occlusion

Although the use of drug-eluting stents (DES) has dramatically decreased the incidence of in-stent restenosis (ISR), concerns regarding the late manifestations of ISR remain. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging provides unique insights into characteristics and patterns of ISR. We report a case of late DES ISR with unusual heterogeneous intracoronary luminal characteristics suggestive of vulnerable atherosclerotic plaque activity by OCT imaging. This case demonstrates that late ISR after DES may involve more than mere neointimal hyperplasia with lesion-associated craters, septae, and neoatherosclerosis. The use of OCT provides novel insights into the mechanisms and potential biology of the late DES ISR.
PLASMA VITAMIN E AND OTHER ANALYTE LEVELS IN NEPALESE CAMP ELEPHANTS (ELEPHAS MAXIMUS)

Plasma concentrations of a-tocopherol (vitamin E) and other analytes in Asian elephants (Elephas maxi mus) in Nepal were determined during typical work camp management of the elephants. Elephants foraged for food for 4-6 hr each day under the control of mahouts and were also provided daily with cut forage and supplements of unhusked rice, cane molasses, and salt. Blood samples were taken monthly for 1 yr without chemical restraint from 26 female elephants in four camps. Elephants were 6-60+ yr of age. Mean (?SEM) a-tocopherol concentration was 0.77 ? 0.047 |xg/ml, with a range of 0.23-1.57 |xg/ml. Subadults had lower concentrations than did older elephants, and there were significant differences in mean concentrations from different camps and in mean monthly concentrations. Plasma a-tocopherol concentration appears to vary widely between individuals, and a single value of g/ml. Subadults had higher concentrations than did older elephants, and mean retinal values differed significantly among camps. Beta-carotene was not found in plasma. Twenty-five other analytes determined or derived were generally similar to those reported in other Asian and African (Loxodonta africana) elephants. Estimates of nutrient intake, based upon diet composition, suggested that dietary concentrations of zinc and sodium may have been marginal, but the absence of signs of any nutrient deficiencies indicates that dietary husbandry in these elephant camps was generally satisfactory.
Dose response to codeine in patients with chronic cough.

A dose-response curve for oral codeine phosphate was established in 12 adult male patients with chronic cough. The response measured was the per cent reduction in cough counts following 4 doses of codeine as compared to placebo. The curve of response on the log of the dose used was found to be linear, and a single oral dose of 15 to 20 mg. of codeine seemed to be optimum under the conditions of this study. No correlation between the objective cough counts and the patient's subiective evaluation of the drugs was established.
Tyrosine Phosphatase Inhibitors Selectively Antagonize β-Adrenergic Receptor-Dependent Regulation of Cardiac Ion Channels

β-Adrenergic receptor stimulation regulates the activity of several different cardiac ion channels through an adenylate cyclase/cAMP/protein kinase A-dependent mechanism. Previous work has suggested that basal tyrosine kinase activity attenuates the β-adrenergic responsiveness of these cardiac ion channels, supporting the idea that tyrosine phosphorylation exerts an inhibitory effect at some point in the common signaling pathway. To determine which element in the β-adrenergic pathway is regulated by tyrosine kinase activity, we studied the effects of various protein tyrosine phosphatase (PTP) inhibitors on the cAMP-dependent regulation of the L-type Ca2+ current in guinea pig ventricular myocytes. Three such compounds, sodium orthovanadate, peroxovanadate, and bpV(phen), had no effect on the basal Ca2+ current, yet each caused a pronounced inhibition of the Ca2+ current stimulated by the β-adrenergic receptor agonist isoproterenol. These observations are consistent with the idea that basal tyrosine kinase activity is capable of inhibiting β-adrenergic responses. However, these PTP inhibitors had no effect on cAMP-dependent stimulation of the Ca2+ current via activation of adenylate cyclase with forskolin or activation of H2-histaminergic receptors with histamine. These results are consistent with the idea that inhibition of PTP activity produces an inhibitory effect involving a tyrosine kinase-dependent mechanism acting selectively at the level of the β-adrenergic receptor. This signaling mechanism does not seem to be linked to tyrosine kinase activity associated with insulin and insulin-like growth factor receptors, because acute exposure to agonists of these receptors did not inhibit isoproterenol regulation of the Ca2+ current.
Influence of cement alkalis on mortar expansion of ASTM C 1260

The main objective of this study was to evaluate the influence of three dosages of cement alkalis, such as 0·42, 0·84 and 1·26% Na2Oeq, on the alkali–silica reactivity-induced expansion of mortar bars prepared with 14 aggregate groups for 1·0, 0·5 and 0·25 N sodium hydroxide solutions at test durations of 14, 28, 56 and 98 d. For each alkali solution, the percentage contribution of cement alkali, test duration and their interaction to mortar expansion was also evaluated. The study revealed that, regardless of aggregate mineralogy, the influence of cement alkalis on mortar expansion depended mainly on the alkali solution concentration and test duration. The effect was more severe for the reduced concentration of alkali solution and early test duration, whereas the influence was minor for higher concentrations of alkali solution and extended test durations. Elevating cement alkalis resulted in a greater increase in the expansion of reactive aggregates for 0·25 N sodium hydroxide as compared to that of innoc...
Abstract 3296: Tumor treatment fields slow cell proliferation and enhance radiosensitivity in a model of non-small cell lung cancer

Purpose: Mounting evidence suggests that tumor treatment fields (TTF) are an effective and non-invasive treatment for Glioblastoma (GBM), non-small lung cancer (NSCLCs) and pancreatic cancer. TTF is known to inhibit microtubule spindle formation, leading to mitotic arrest and ultimately cell death. Relatively few studies explore the biological effects of TTF on cells and the mechanism of action of tumor control remains unclear. Therefore, in this study we investigated the mechanism of TTF-induced cell death in NSCLC and explored the potential conditional lethality of combining radiation and TTF. Methods: All studies were conducted in vitro using a panel of NSCLC cell lines and TTF was generated using the Inovitro system developed by Novocure (Haifa, Israel). Experiments assessing the effects of TTF on cell proliferation, cell viability, cell cycle distribution, and clonogenic survival when combined with radiation were conducted to assess the potential effectiveness of TTF in the treatment of NSCLC. Results: Optimized TTF (frequency) was applied to a panel of NSCLC cell lines displaying different genetic characteristics (H1299, H1650, and A549) and resulted in a significant reduction in cell proliferation irregardless of genotype. Trypan blue exclusion determined that 96 hours of TTF the percentage of cell death was significantly elevated in H1650 and H1299, but not in A549 cells indicating that TTF may be slowing, rather than killing cells. Furthermore, cell cycle analysis revealed a dramatic shift in cell cycle distribution in the first 24-48 hours in some cell lines, a phenotype that was reversed by 96 hours, indicating that the cell population may be adapting to TTF. To determine if the observed shift in cell cycle distribution effected radiation sensitivity, clonogenic survival assays were performed on cells irradiated with an acute dose of 2 Gy γ-rays followed by 48 and 72 hours of TTF. TTF significantly enhanced the effect of radiation exposure after both time points examined, however TTF enhancement of radiation induced cell killing in A549 and H1650 after 48 hours of TTF (SF 2 = 0.41, 0.16) was greater than that observed after 72 hours of TTF (SF 2 = 0.55, 0.38) indicating that the adaptive response of cells to TTF observed in cell cycle analysis may be effecting cellular radiosensitivity. Conclusions: These results indicate that TTF dramatically slows cell proliferation and significantly enhances radiation-induced cell killing of NSCLC cells. The mechanisms of cell death and molecular responses to TTF are now under investigation. Citation Format: Kalayarasan Srinivasan, Brock Sishc, Debabrata Saha, Michael D. Story. Tumor treatment fields slow cell proliferation and enhance radiosensitivity in a model of non-small cell lung cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 106th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2015 Apr 18-22; Philadelphia, PA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(15 Suppl):Abstract nr 3296. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2015-3296
Sensing ssDNA Molecules with Single Lysenin Channels

In this work we exploit the use of wild-type lysenin as a stochastic sensor for characterization of ssDNA molecules. Lysenin, a potent pore-forming toxin, self-oligomerizes into lipid membranes to form large conductance pores. The large size of the pore (∼3 nm) is deemed suitable for translocation of charged macromolecules driven by electric fields. In our experiments, we exploited the biophysical properties of lysenin channels to build a sensing device based on the long-revered resistive pulse technique, largely used for single molecule analysis by employing either synthetic or biological nanopores.
A review of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation for adolescents with treatment-resistant depression

This review examines the efficacy and safety of repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) as a treatment for treatment-resistant depression in adolescents. A systematic review of six databases was conducted. Ten multi-subject trials, all uncontrolled, and five case reports met inclusion criteria. Twelve studies focused on treatment efficacy, whereas three studies focused exclusively on adverse events. All efficacy studies focused on adolescents only; 10 of these studies indicated that rTMS may demonstrate some benefit. Improvement within 2-8 weeks was reported in most studies, with a few studies indicating potential long-term benefits. A variety of adverse events occurred including scalp pain, which was the most common, as well as seizures. Controlled studies of rTMS are warranted to further examine whether this treatment is a potential option for adolescents with treatment-resistant depression.
Behavioral Economic Predictors of Alcohol and Sexual Risk Behavior in College Drinkers

Heavy alcohol use among college students is a major public health concern. Alcohol use commonly occurs with sexual risk behaviors, but etiology remains unclear. Behavioral economics has yielded insights into decision-making processes underlying problematic health choices, including alcohol use and sexual risk behavior. In particular, the reinforcer pathologies framework has integrated behavioral economic demand and delay discounting to improve our understanding of addiction, but has yet to be extended to the study of sexual risk. In order to account for past sexual risk behavior and alcohol consumption, the current study examined college students’ demand for alcohol, money delay discounting, alcohol delay discounting, and sexual partners delay and probability discounting. Results revealed that behavioral economic variables (i.e., demand intensity, sexual partners delay discounting, alcohol delay discounting, and money delay discounting) were significant predictors of sexual risk and alcohol consumption levels. Additionally, consistent with the reinforcer pathologies model, an inability to delay sexual gratification (sexual delay discounting) and overvaluation of alcohol (demand intensity) interacted to account for significant variance in alcohol consumption and sexual risk. These findings highlight the importance of considering both sexual and alcohol decision making in research and intervention with college students.
Eutrophication will increase during the 21st century as a result of precipitation changes.

Eutrophication, or excessive nutrient enrichment, threatens water resources across the globe. We show that climate change–induced precipitation changes alone will substantially increase (19 ± 14%) riverine total nitrogen loading within the continental United States by the end of the century for the “business-as-usual” scenario. The impacts, driven by projected increases in both total and extreme precipitation, will be especially strong for the Northeast and the corn belt of the United States. Offsetting this increase would require a 33 ± 24% reduction in nitrogen inputs, representing a massive management challenge. Globally, changes in precipitation are especially likely to also exacerbate eutrophication in India, China, and Southeast Asia. It is therefore imperative that water quality management strategies account for the impact of projected future changes in precipitation on nitrogen loading.