cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Safety and Feasibility of High-pressure Transvenous Limb Perfusion With 0.9% Saline in Human Muscular Dystrophy

We evaluated safety and feasibility of the transvenous limb perfusion gene delivery method in muscular dystrophy. A dose escalation study of single limb perfusion with 0.9% saline starting with 5% of limb volume was carried out in adults with muscular dystrophies under intravenous analgesia/anesthesia. Cardiac, vascular, renal, muscle, and nerve functions were monitored. A tourniquet was placed above the knee with inflated pressure of 310 mm Hg. Infusion was carried out with a clinically approved infuser via an intravenous catheter inserted in the saphenous vein with a goal infusion rate of 80 ml/minute. Infusion volume was escalated stepwise to 20% limb volume in seven subjects. No subject complained of any post procedure pain other than due to needle punctures. Safety warning boundaries were exceeded only for transient depression of limb tissue oximetry and transient elevation of muscle compartment pressures; these were not associated with nerve, muscle, or vascular damage. Muscle magnetic resonant imaging (MRI) demonstrated fluid accumulation in muscles of the perfused lower extremity. High-pressure retrograde transvenous limb perfusion with saline up to 20% of limb volume at above infusion parameters is safe and feasible in adult human muscular dystrophy. This study will serve as a basis for future gene transfer clinical trials.
Diffusion studies of 95Nb in polycrystalline UO2 between 1100 and 2100° C

Abstract Diffusion of 95 Nb in polycrystalline UO 2 , prepared by pressing and sintering powders and by fusing, has been studied in the temperature range 1100 to 2100° C. Precision grinding sectioning methods allowed the penetration of 95 Nb to be determined accurately. Activity profiles given by In A(x) vs x 2 for 95 Nb penetration in both types of UO 2 consisted of curved segments near the surface followed by linear portions extending to the limit of 95 Nb detection. The character of these profiles was attributed to the combined effects of lattice and grain boundary diffusion, with the latter being primarily responsible for the deeper penetration. Meaningful diffusion coefficients could not be calculated from the near-surface region of the activity profiles. Coefficients calculated from the linear portions are considerably larger than any previously reported values for isotope diffusion in UO 2 . The results of this study indicate that future studies of diffusion in UO 2 should utilize better quality specimens of coarsegrained or single-crystal material.
A Survey of Pain Services for Pediatric Oncology Patients: Their Composition and Function

The purpose of this survey was to examine the composition and function of pain services/teams at facilities that provide pain management services to pediatric oncology patients across the United States. A questionnaire was mailed to facilities identified by the 1994 Pain Facilities Directory as providing pain services to cancer patients. Thirty-five facilities that identified oncology patients as one of the primary pediatric populations treated at their institution were the focus of this study. Eight facilities that managed bone marrow aspirations and/or lumbar punctures for pediatric oncology patients also participated in a telephone interview regarding analgesia/sedation practices for procedure-related pain. Provision of direct patient care was a primary function of the pain services surveyed, although delivery of services varied across settings. Postoperative and chronic pain were the most frequent reasons for referral. Only 17% and 3% of facilities had established written standard guidelines for pharm...
Kidney immune cell infiltration and oxidative stress contribute to prenatally programmed hypertension

Kidney immune cell infiltration and oxidative stress contribute to prenatally programmed hypertension. Background. Prenatal environment has been shown to mod- ify adult blood pressure profile, but the underlying mechanisms are not well understood. The role of renal immune cell infil- tration, oxidative stress, and nitric oxide bioavailability in the pathogenesis was investigated. Methods. Adult hypertension in rat offspring was induced by maternal low protein diet. Oxidative stress was determined by quantitative immunoblotting for nitrotyrosine, and T-cell and macrophage content by immunostaining, in offspring kid- neys before and after the onset of hypertension. Nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) were measured in 24-hour urines. A group of offspring was treated with the immunosuppressive drug my- cophenolate mofetil (MMF) to reduce inflammation, or with the superoxide dismutase mimetic Tempol to reduce oxidative stress, for a 3-week period before the onset of hypertension. Results. During the prehypertensive stage, at 4 weeks of age, the low protein diet pups exhibited an increase in kidney nitroty- rosine content and in number of immune cells, both of which persisted in untreated animals after hypertension was estab- lished, at 8 weeks of age. Urine NOx was increased at 4 weeks and unchanged at 8 weeks of age. Both MMF and Tempol treat- ment prevented the immune cell infiltration, the increase in kidney nitrotyrosine abundance, and the development of hy- pertension. The effect on blood pressure persisted throughout the 4- to 10-week observation period after discontinuation of the treatments. Conclusion. Renal oxidative stress and infiltrating immune cells may play a pathogenetic role in prenatally programmed hypertension. Nitric oxide bioavailability does not appear impaired.
Transparency in pricing and its effect on perceived price fairness

Purpose – This research aims to examine the effects of transparency in pricing (i.e. disclosure of a price increase and extent of explanation) on perceived price fairness when a firm increases price. Design/methodology/approach – US adult consumer panelists participated in two online experiments. Findings – Consumers perceive a firm's price increase as more fair when the firm discloses the increase itself as compared to an outside source disclosing it. For a small price increase, a limited explanation was perceived as more fair; for a larger price increase, a more detailed aligned cost explanation was perceived as more fair. Research limitations/implications – Firms who must raise prices may increase consumer perceptions of price fairness by disclosing the price increase and providing an appropriate explanation matched to the size of the increase. Originality/value – This research focuses on the effects of being more transparent about pricing in the case of a price increase. Perceived price fairness is af...
The Role of Expert and Hypertext Systems in Modeling Root-Shoot Interactions and Carbon Allocation

Access to knowledge and the ability to use it wisely has always been the hallmark of successful individuals, companies and nations. Scientific progress also depends upon accessible and organized knowledge (Bauer, 1992). Over the last 50 years, an increasing number of scientists have called attention to the deteriorating condition of our scientific knowledge infrastructure, i.e., the technical literature that supports scientific progress. Vannevar Bush (1945) was among the first influential scientists to point out that management of scientific knowledge has not essentially changed for more than 200 years. He summarized the situation as follows: ...There is a growing mountain of research. But there is increased evidence that we are being bogged down today as specialization extends. The investigator is staggered by the findings and conclusions of thousands of other workers--conclusions which he cannot find time to grasp, much less to remember, as they appear. Yet specialization becomes increasingly necessary for progress, and the effort to bridge between disciplines is correspondingly superficial....
Mechanisms of ventricular arrhythmias: a dynamical systems-based perspective

Defining the cellular electrophysiological mechanisms for ventricular tachyarrhythmias is difficult, given the wide array of potential mechanisms, ranging from abnormal automaticity to various types of reentry and kk activity. The degree of difficulty is increased further by the fact that any particular mechanism may be influenced by the evolving ionic and anatomic environments associated with many forms of heart disease. Consequently, static measures of a single electrophysiological characteristic are unlikely to be useful in establishing mechanisms. Rather, the dynamics of the electrophysiological triggers and substrates that predispose to arrhythmia development need to be considered. Moreover, the dynamics need to be considered in the context of a system, one that displays certain predictable behaviors, but also one that may contain seemingly stochastic elements. It also is essential to recognize that even the predictable behaviors of this complex nonlinear system are subject to small changes in the state of the system at any given time. Here we briefly review some of the short-, medium-, and long-term alterations of the electrophysiological substrate that accompany myocardial disease and their potential impact on the initiation and maintenance of ventricular arrhythmias. We also provide examples of cases in which small changes in the electrophysiological substrate can result in rather large differences in arrhythmia outcome. These results suggest that an interrogation of cardiac electrical dynamics is required to provide a meaningful assessment of the immediate risk for arrhythmia development and for evaluating the effects of putative antiarrhythmic interventions.
Aberrant photon responses in rods of the macaque monkey

Recovery from bright light was studied in macaque rods by measuring the membrane current of single outer segments. The recovery phase of some responses displayed a plateau current of about one picoampere lasting for several seconds. The following evidence suggests these “steps” are single photon responses of abnormally long duration. (1) Over a limited range of intensities, step amplitude remained constant and summed linearly with intensity. The collecting area for step generation was about 2.6 3 10 23 mm 2 . (2) Step duration varied exponentially with a mean duration of about 6.5 s. (3) Fluctuation analysis of the tail currents was consistent with the idea that a step is evoked by isomerization of a single rhodopsin molecule, and that only 1 in 400 isomerizations leads to a response with a step-like waveform. (4) With only the distal portion of the outer segment in the electrode, the polarity of the step response reversed when the proximal portion of the outer segment was illuminated, indicating that step generation results from a local change in outer segment conductance near the site of photon absorption. (5) The probability of eliciting a step varied with the wavelength of light in the manner expected from the absorption spectrum of rhodopsin.
The Cascade-Correlation Learning Architecture

Cascade-Correlation is a new architecture and supervised learning algorithm for artificial neural networks. Instead of just adjusting the weights in a network of fixed topology. Cascade-Correlation begins with a minimal network, then automatically trains and adds new hidden units one by one, creating a multi-layer structure. Once a new hidden unit has been added to the network, its input-side weights are frozen. This unit then becomes a permanent feature-detector in the network, available for producing outputs or for creating other, more complex feature detectors. The Cascade-Correlation architecture has several advantages over existing algorithms: it learns very quickly, the network determines its own size and topology, it retains the structures it has built even if the training set changes, and it requires no back-propagation of error signals through the connections of the network.
Sequential actions of phospholipase D and phosphatidic acid phosphohydrolase 2b generate diglyceride in mammalian cells.

Phosphatidylcholine (PC) is a major source of lipid-derived second messenger molecules that function as both intracellular and extracellular signals. PC-specific phospholipase D (PLD) and phosphati...
The influence of stress upon symptom structure

Evaluated the influence of stress on the factor structure of symptoms in a nonclinical population. A random sample of 299 persons in the process of divorcing were subdivided into those high and low on stressful life events. Separate factor analyses of symptoms for each group provided evidence that stress does affect symptom structure. Ruminative Depression was the only stable factor. Two anxiety factors from the low stress group merged into one factor among the high stressed, while agitated depression appeared only in the low stress condition. A factor suggestive of stress response syndrome was evident among the high stressed.
Incidence Rates of First-Ever Ischemic Stroke Subtypes Among Blacks A Population-Based Study

Background and Purpose—The aim of this study was to determine the incidence rates of ischemic stroke subtypes among blacks. Methods—Hospitalized and autopsied cases of stroke and transient ischemic attack among the 187 000 blacks in the 5-county region of greater Cincinnati/northern Kentucky From January 1, 1993, through June 30, 1993, were identified. Incidence rates were age- and sex-adjusted to the 1990 US population. Subtype classification was performed after extensive review of all available imaging, laboratory data, clinical information, and past medical history. Case-control comparisons of risk factors were made with age-, race-, and sex-matched control subjects. Results—Annual incidence rates per 100 000 for first-ever ischemic stroke subtypes among blacks were as follows: uncertain cause, 103 (95% confidence interval [CI], 80 to 126); cardioembolic, 56 (95% CI, 40 to 73); small-vessel infarct, 52 (95% CI, 36 to 68); large vessel, 17 (95% CI, 8 to 26); and other causes, 17 (95% CI, 9 to 26). Of th...
Regulation of LPN Scope of Practice in Long-Term Care

With changing staffing structures and persistent quality concerns in nursing homes, registered nurses are challenged to ensure that appropriate care is delivered. We describe differences in the nurse practice acts (NPAs) and related administrative code for all 50 states and the District of Columbia for licensed practical nurse (LPN) delegation and supervision. Next, we explore relationships between these differences and quality measures from the Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services for United States nursing homes, using 2007 data. Findings indicate that how boards of nursing (BONs) regulate LPN scope of practice is directly related to care quality. States with NPAs stating that LPN practice does not include delegation and supervision have better care quality outcomes. Further, the greater the extent to which BONs are either silent or permissive in these critical areas of LPN practice, the poorer the state performance on care quality.
A Euthyphronic Problem for Kitcher's Epistemology of Science

Philip Kitcher has advanced an epistemology of science that purports to be naturalistic. For Kitcher, this entails that his epistemology of science must explain the correctness of belief-regulating norms while endorsing a realist notion of truth. This paper concerns whether or not Kitcher's epistemology of science is naturalistic on these terms. I find that it is not but that by supplementing the account we can secure its naturalistic standing.
Should We Discard the “Qualitative” versus “Quantitative” Distinction?

Editors’ Note: Recent trends in Political Science have converged around the legitimacy of qualitative methods, including the establishment of a Qualitative Methods section in the American Political Science Association (APSA). Yet, beyond accepting the idea that there is indeed a place for “qualitative” research, scholars agree on very little, not even what the term means. Should the definition of qualitative methods be based on the number of cases or does it require a particular approach to the analysis of meaning? If there are no clear boundaries, should the terminology be discarded? What might then replace it? Or does the qualitative versus quantitative distinction, despite its ambiguities, continue to provide a useful ordering principle? Contributors to this Forum tackle these fundamental issues in research and teaching. In the opening salvo, Samuel Barkin argues that the term “qualitative” poses both substantive and disciplinary problems. The lack of clearly demarcated content in the qualitative toolbox—in contrast to the long list of statistical tests that graduate students are urged to learn— undermines the use of any interpretive techniques. Courses labeled Qualitative Methods tend to cover research design and case selection more than specific tools of analysis. As a result, instructors and departments imply that qualitative techniques cannot be rigorous because they do not require formal training. By definition, Barkin concludes, qualitative research remains marginalized. Matthew Hoffmann agrees with Barkin that discussions of method often conflate data gathering and data analysis. But he does see a core in qualitative research: the exploration of questions about the quality of relationships and processes rather than a list of specific techniques of analysis. Researchers can use many tools to answer such questions. To illustrate, he explains how agent-based modeling presents a hybrid approach that uses computer simulations. The result, he suggests, diminishes the fetishization of method that Barkin …
Baroreceptor modulation of cutaneous vasodilator and sudomotor responses to thermal stress in humans.

1. The influence of baroreceptor unloading on cutaneous vasodilatation was investigated in ten human subjects during dynamic supine cycle ergometer exercise at 28 degrees C. Increases in forearm skin blood flow (venous occlusion plethysmography) and arterial blood pressure (non-invasive) were measured and used to calculate forearm vascular conductance while local chest sweating rate was measured by dew-point hygrometry. Subjects performed two similar exercise protocols with and without baroreceptor unloading induced by application of -40 mmHg lower body negative pressure (LBNP). The LBNP condition was reversed (i.e. either removed or applied) after 15 min while exercise continued for an additional 20 min. 2. During exercise without LBNP, the body core temperature threshold for vasodilatation (measured as oesophageal temperature, Tc) averaged 37.06 +/- 0.12 degrees C (+/- S.E.M.) and increased to 37.30 +/- 0.09 degrees C (P < 0.05) during exercise with LBNP. The rate of rise of forearm vascular conductance (FVC) per unit increase in Tc (an expression of thermal sensitivity) and peak FVC at 15 min was significantly attenuated during baroreceptor unloading. These effects were rapidly reversed when LBNP was turned off. 3. Baroreceptor unloading during the first 15 min of exercise attenuated the local chest sweating rate, which was also reversed when LBNP was removed. 4. The time course and quickness in which baroreceptor unloading modulated thermoregulatory control of skin blood flow and local chest sweat rate suggests that the interaction between these two homeostatic mechanisms is primarily neurally mediated. The ability of baroreceptor activity to modulate both control of skin blood flow and sweating suggests a common site of interaction, more proximal than the effector organs, and involving the active vasodilator system.
Recoverable polyimides. (II): DSC studies of copolymers from 4, 4′‐dithiodianiline bismaleimide (DTDA‐BM) and aromatic diamines

Interest in the recently reported polyimide resins containing disulfide bonds, which could be cleaved by reduction for reprocessing and/or recovery, prompted the present investigation of polymers and copolymers of the DTDA bismaleimide previously described. Differential scanning calorimetry (DSC) studies were carried out to identify the structures, curing conditions and modifications of reduced products of potential value for industrial applications. Results have shown that selected cured copolymers of DTDA bismaleimide with aromatic diamines can be solubilized by reduction and reset in subsequent reactions to yield thermosets of satisfactory properties.
Selecting Principal Components in a Two-Stage LDA Algorithm

Linear Discriminant Analysis (LDA) is a well-known and important tool in pattern recognition with potential applications in many areas of research. The most famous and used formulation of LDA is that given by the Fisher-Rao criterion, where the problem reduces to a simple simultaneous diagonalization of two symmetric, positive-definite matrices, A and B; i.e. B^-1 AV = VA. Here, A defines the metric to be maximized, while B defines the metric to be minimized. However, when B has near-zero eigenvalues, the Fisher-Rao criterion gets dominated by these. While this works well when such small variances describe vectors where most of the discriminant information is, the results will be incorrect when these small variances are caused by noise. Knowing which of these near-zero values are to be used and which need to be eliminated is a challenging yet fundamental task in LDA. This paper presents a criterion for the selection of those vectors of B that are best for classification. The proposed solution is based on a simple factorization of B^-1 A that permits the re-ordering of the eigenvectors of B without the need to effect the end result. This allows us to readily eliminate the noisy vectors while keeping the most discriminant ones. A theoretical basis for these results is presented along with extensive experimental results to validate the claims.
Reply to D.A. Palma et al and A. Addeo et al.

We thank Palma et al for their insightful comments on our study of carboplatin and paclitaxel (CP) versus etoposide and cisplatin (EP) using the Veterans’ Affairs Central Cancer Registry. In our initial analysis, we did not include International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, code 508.0 as radiation pneumonitis because it is most often a clinical diagnosis with no definitive diagnostic test. Furthermore, in our clinical experience, it is infrequently coded and largely underreported. We have since performed an analysis using this International Classification of Diseases, 9th revision, code and found that this adverse event did not differ between treatment arms and was infrequent overall. Specifically, it was reported in 6.3% of CP treatments and 6.8% of EP treatments (P .001, Pearson ). We agree with Palma et al that the lack of difference in our study, when compared with the individual patient data meta-analysis and randomized clinical trial (RCT), could be because of the patient populations studied. In response to Addeo and Comins, we agree that in the absence of a large, well-powered, prospective RCT, there will be no definitive answer as to either inferiority or superiority of CP versus EP. However, as is often the case in oncology, we must use the best available evidence to guide clinical decision making. We believe that our work adds to this evidence base. In particular, using multiple approaches (multiple regression, propensity score, and instrumental variables) to analyze rich clinical data can increase the usefulness of observational data analyses. We acknowledge the concerns of Addeo and Comins regarding retrospective analysis of observational data. We believe that our analysis comparing the outcomes of CP versus EP in a relatively uniform patient population, along with the limited availability of informative RCTs, establishes sufficient equipoise to justify the conduct of RCTs to settle this important question. In the meantime, our data suggest that after controlling for important clinical variables, patients treated with these two regimens have equivalent survival.
Notes on Immigration, Youth, and Ethnographic Silence

The experiences of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) migrant youth are often found in between narratives, complicated by the current political climate that makes it difficult for migrant students to disclose information about their lives. In this two-year ethnography of a public school that serves LGBTQ young people, the author suggests that teachers and education practitioners must learn to not only recognize the subtext of student narratives—the recognition of ethnographic silence and to listen for what is not being said—but also to create safe spaces in schools where LGBTQ migrant students feel comfortable to reveal identities without fear of reprisal.
2-D lid-driven cavity flow of nematic polymers: an unsteady sea of defects

A classical benchmark for viscous and viscoelastic fluid codes is the lid-driven cavity, a model problem which highlights effects arising from a recirculating, geometrically confined flow. Here we simulate a square 2-D cavity for nematic liquid crystalline polymers (LCPs), which adds the physics of ordered phases and distortional elasticity to earlier cavity simulations. The range of local flow types within the cavity create ideal conditions for strong orientational conflicts: nematic polymers are prone to steady alignment in extension-dominated flow, yet sustained dynamic responses (tumbling, wagging, kayaking) in shear-dominated flow. Orientational conflicts are mediated by defects, or disordered phases, whose genesis and evolution in fully confined 2-D flows are explored here for the first time. Our algorithm extends previous LCP-flow solvers by implementation of physical boundary conditions on velocity and the orientational distribution at all four walls. We impose uniform orientational anchoring at the cavity walls (parallel on top and bottom, normal on sides) to suppress corner defect anomalies, and apply the method of Shen (J. Shen, J. Comp. Phys., 1991, 95, 228–245) for smoothing of the corner flow singularities due to the standard no-slip flow condition on solid walls. The same code simulates a viscous fluid by decoupling the orientational stress from the Navier–Stokes equations. We choose a Reynolds number for which the viscous simulation develops a stationary flow structure with a central rotating eddy and three corner eddies. We then simulate the Doi–Hess–Marrucci–Greco orientation tensor model for nematic polymers coupled to the flow equations, and apply level-set detection, tracking and graphics of defect domains (X. Yang, M. G. Forest, W. Mullins and Q. Wang, J. Rheology, 2009, 53 (3), 589–615). The viscous flow structure is qualitatively preserved, albeit with weaker corner vortices; the orientation field, however, consists of a highly transient, defect-laden texture. Our diagnostics continuously detect and track defect domains through strong fluctuations in topology as defects spawn, propagate, merge, collide and annihilate ad infinitum.
Three-Component LDV Measurements in the Wake of a Compressor Cascade With Flow Separation

Measurements were taken of the vortex system and turbulent flow that resulted from the interaction between a stator blade and the approaching endwall boundary layer in a linear cascade of compressor blades. Data were taken at a Reynolds number based on blade chord of 640,000. Five-hole pressure measurements were conducted upstream and downstream of the blade row. The approaching boundary layer was also characterized with the laser-Doppler velocimeter. Downstream three-component laser-Doppler velocimetry surveys were conducted at three streamwise stations to map the location and velocity characteristics of the wake and vortex system. Results clearly showed the extent of the vortex emanating from the separation of the boundary layer on the suction side of the blade. Finally, all components of mean flow velocity and turbulence are documented for the last survey station. These data will form a challenging test case for numerical code validation.
Direct metal‐catalyzed tritiation of organic compounds

The metal catalyzed tritium labelling of diverse biologically relevant compounds at PerkinElmer Health Sciences is described. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
A NEW SPECIES OF EOCONODON (TRIISODONTIDAE, MAMMALIA) FROM THE SAN JUAN BASIN, NEW MEXICO

ABSTRACT Species of the early Paleocene (Puercan North American Land Mammal Age) triisodontid Eoconodon were among the first eutherians in the northern Western Interior to evolve body masses significantly larger than those of the latest Cretaceous mammals of the area. Description of additional specimens of Eoconodon nidhoggi from the Tullock Formation, northeastern Montana, sets the stage for formal diagnosis of a new species of Eoconodon, E. ginibitohia sp. nov., in the Betonnie-Tsosie local fauna, Puercan 2, Hemithlaeus kowalevskianus – Taeniolabis taoensis Zone, San Juan Basin, New Mexico. The taxonomic diversity of the species of Eoconodon as well as their stratigraphic and biogeographic ranges support the hypothesis that the first representatives of the clade entered the Western Interior at the beginning of the Puercan as immigrants from currently poorly sampled areas probably in North America or Asia. During the Puercan the clade both diversified and expanded its biogeographic range in the Western I...
Laser scribed graphene for energy storage application

In this paper, a method of laser reduction to produce reduced graphene oxide is explored. Results show that the resultant graphene layer, together with proper electrolyte, can be used to fabricate high energy density supercapacitors.
Microbial mat research: The recent past and new perspectives

Scientists of diverse interests, and even laymen, are beginning to understand what is meant by a “microbial mat”. But this knowledge is still superficial even for the specialist, both figuratively and literally. Most of what we know of microbial mats up to this point is still relegated to the superficial upper layer or layers which are usually composed mainly of photosynthetic prokaryotes. It is these that are responsible for the accretion and for the conversion of atmospheric and aqueous CO2 into reduced energy-rich compounds on which the rest of the community is dependent. It is also these superficial layers that define most of the Precambrian remnants of microbial mats, the lithified mats or stromatolites which also contain the microfossils that are often recognizable as morphotypes of cyanobacteria. The laminae or underzones of even living mats are still “black boxes” for the most part, with little known of the actual microbial makeup, the matrix of exopolymers, and of the species interactions and metabolic activities. Although the microbial mat community may be regarded as an ecosystem characterized by primarily a molecular flow of carbon and chemical energy (since grazing invertebrates and even smaller phagotrophs are generally rare or absent), most mat communities are now known to be of considerable taxonomic and biochemical complexity, and a great diversity of communities exists.
Maintaining Local Public Goods: Evidence from Rural Kenya

Political Scientists have produced a substantial body of theory and evidence that explains variation in the availability of local public goods in developing countries. Existing research cannot explain variation in how these goods are maintained over time. I develop a theory that explains how the interactions between government and community institutions shape public goods maintenance. I test the implications of this theory using a qualitative case study and a randomized field experiment that assigns communities participating in a waste management program in rural Kenya to three different institutional arrangements. I find that localities with no formal punishments for littering experienced sustained reductions in littering behavior and increases in the frequency of public clean-ups. In contrast, communities in which government administrators or traditional leaders could punish littering experienced short-term reductions in littering behavior that were not sustained over time.
Abstract #LB-145: Targeting multiple coinhibitory pathways for immunotherapy of melanoma

AACR Annual Meeting-- Apr 18-22, 2009; Denver, CO Abstract CD160 and BTLA are inhibitory ligands for HVEM but in contrast, LIGHT is a stimulatory ligand. Both inhibitory ligands bind to the cysteine-rich domain-1 (CRD) of HVEM whereas stimulatory ligands bind to CRD2/3. Our previous studies showed that deletion of CRD1 of HVEM (HVEM\#916;CRD1) converted HVEM from an inhibitory molecule into a stimulatory molecule. To test if HVEM\#916;CRD1 could enhance the anti-tumor immune response, we transduced the B16-GMCSF melanoma tumor cell line with HVEM\#916;CRD1 and used it as adjuvant for tumor therapy. Our data showed that subcutaneous injection of irradiated HVEM\#916;CRD1 transfected B16-GMCSF cell lines, or blocking either PD-1 or CTLA4 with monoclonal antibody alone slightly enhanced survival after challenge with 50,000 wild type B16 tumor cells (treatment on D0, D3, D6 and D9, tumor challenge on D0). However, combining anti-PD1, anti-CTLA4 and irradiated HVEM\#916;CRD1 transfected B16-GMCSF cell lines together significantly enhanced B16 tumor survival to 75%. The enhanced survival correlated with enlarged spleen, enhanced Trp-2 specific IFN-gamma production by CD8 T cell ELISPOT, and enhanced CD8 T cell infiltration into the tumor. Together, our data revealed a new therapeutic strategy for melanoma. Citation Information: In: Proc Am Assoc Cancer Res; 2009 Apr 18-22; Denver, CO. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; 2009. Abstract nr LB-145.
Identification of Rare Variants in ATP8B4 as a Risk Factor for Systemic Sclerosis by Whole‐Exome Sequencing

Objective To determine the contribution of rare variants as genetic modifiers of the expressivity, penetrance, and severity of systemic sclerosis (SSc). Methods We performed whole-exome sequencing of 78 European American patients with SSc, including 35 patients without pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) and 43 patients with PAH. Association testing of case–control probability for rare variants was performed using the unified sequence kernel association test with optimal kernel weighting and small sample adjustment by comparing all SSc patients with a reference population of 3,179 controls from the Exome Sequencing Project 5,500 exome data set. Replication genotyping was performed in an independent sample of 3,263 patients (415 patients with SSc and 2,848 controls). We conducted expression profiling of messenger RNA from 61 SSc patients (19 without PAH and 42 with PAH) and 41 corresponding controls. Results The ATP8B4 gene was associated with a significant increase in the risk of SSc (P = 2.77 × 10−7). Among the 64 ATP8B4 variants tested, a single missense variant, c.1308C>G (F436L, rs55687265), provided the most compelling evidence of association (P = 9.35 × 10−10, odds ratio [OR] 6.11), which was confirmed in the replication cohort (P = 0.012, OR 1.86) and meta-analysis (P = 1.92 × 10−7, OR 2.5). Genes involved in E3 ubiquitin-protein ligase complex (ASB10) and cyclic nucleotide gated channelopathies (CNGB3) as well as HLA–DRB5 and HSPB2 (heat-shock protein 27) provided additional evidence of association (P < 10−5). Differential ATP8B4 expression was observed among the SSc patients compared to the controls (P = 0.0005). Conclusion ATP8B4 may represent a putative genetic risk factor for SSc and pulmonary vascular complications.
Induction of Interferon in Ovine Leukocytes by Species of Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma

SummaryTwelve different species of Mycoplasma and Acholeplasma were shown to induce interferon in ovine peripheral blood leukocyte cultures. Interferon production reached mean peak levels ranging from 35 units/ml for M. hominis to 960 units/ml for M. pneumoniae by 24-48 hr after infection. Two other mycoplasmas, M. arginini and M. neurolyticum, were able to induce low levels of interferon on only one occasion. Acholeplasma axanthum, M. hyosynoviae, M. mycoides var. capri, and Mycoplasmatales virus MVL51 failed to induce interferon in the leukocyte cultures. All 17 mycoplasmal species tested were capable of replicating in the sheep leukocyte cultures, although certain species (e.g., M. pulmonis) failed to multiply in every experiment. There was no consistent correlation between the degree of replication and the amount of interferon induced, and interferon production did not appear to relate to leukocyte cytotoxicity secondary to the mycoplasmal infection. The antiviral substance induced by the mycoplasmas ...
Foraging differences between the native snail, Fossaria sp. and the invasive New Zealand mudsnail ( Potamopyrgus antipodarum ) in response to phosphorus limitation

Animals require food adequate in quantity and quality to grow and reproduce. Therefore, environments limited in key nutrients may promote competitive interactions, with the organisms best equipped to exploit these resources gaining a competitive advantage. We compared the foraging behavior of the New Zealand mudsnail (Potamopyrgus antipodarum), a worldwide invader that can dominate secondary productivity to Fossaria (Bakerlymnaea) bulimoides which is native to western North America to determine whether either of these animals modify their behavior to compensate for nutrient limitation. We used the amount of dietary phosphorus (P) as a measure of food quality, because P is often a limiting resource in freshwater ecosystems. We compared the feeding rate and food preference of each snail species to food containing two levels of P. Because potential competitors can also affect foraging decisions, we conducted additional experiments comparing the effects of conspecifics and heterospecifics under low and high biomass. Consistent with predictions, both species increased feeding rate of low P food, and P. antipodarum consumed more food per unit mass than Fossaria. However, only Fossaria displayed a preference for high P food. The two snails also differed in their response to interacting snails. Fossaria significantly reduced foraging activity in the presence of both conspecifics and heterospecifics, while P. antipodarum spent more time feeding under high conspecific density. Although the presence of high densities of P. antipodarum may negatively impact Fossaria in its native habitat, Fossaria’s ability to locate and preferentially feed on higher quality resources may mitigate some of the impact, potentially facilitating coexistence between these two species.
Clonal chromosome abnormalities in patients with Waldenström's and CLL-associated macroglobulinemia: significance of trisomy 12.

We performed cytogenetic analyses by Q- and G-banding techniques of unstimulated or B-mitogen-stimulated spleen, bone marrow, and peripheral blood cells from six patients with malignant macroglobulinemia [two with Waldenstrom's macroglobulinemia (WM) and four with chronic lymphocytic leukemia associated macroglobulinemia (CLL-M)]. Normal karyotypes were obtained in two of the treated patients (one with WM in remission and the other with CLL-M in relapse). An extra chromosome 12 (trisomy 12) was observed in all four untreated patients. In patient no. 2 (K.R.) and no. 3 (F.G.) with CLL- M, an abnormal karyotype, with trisomy 12 as the only abnormality, was identified. In patient no. 1 (C.C.) with WM, there were two clonal chromosome changes, identified: 47, XX, -9, +12, plus marker chromosome and 48, XX, -9, +12, plus both marker and minute chromosomes. In patient no. 4 (R.M.) with CLL-M, a minute chromosome with or without loss of a G-group chromosome was seen in some metaphases without trisomy 12, in addition to metaphases with trisomy 12 alone. Each of the four untreated patients with WM or CLL-M had clonal chromosome abnormalities, suggesting that chromosome changes may be more frequently associated with WM or CLL-M than with typical CLL without macroglobulinemia. These observations also suggest that trisomy 12 may be the primary karyotypic change in malignant macroglobulinemia, whereas the appearance of the minute or marker chromosome as well as the loss of G-group chromosomes or chromosome no. 9 may be secondary karyotypic changes resulting from clonal evolution in these malignancies.
Health education effects of health guide for Beijing primary and middle school students

Objective To understand the health education effect of Health Guide for Beijing Primary and Middle School Students,and to provide the basis for the health education. Methods Multi-stage cluster sampling method was used. Students were selected from 16 primary schools and 16 junior middle schools in 8 districts and counties in Beijing. Questionnaire survey was conducted before and after promotion of Health Guide for Beijing Primary and Middle School Students. Results Before and after promotion of the health guide,the awareness rate for eight health-related items among primary school students was 6. 11%-91. 82% and 12. 71%- 95. 50%,respectively. For junior middle school students,the awareness rate for eleven health-related items was 2. 62%- 98. 16% and 44. 94%- 98. 79%,respectively. Formation rate for eleven health behaviors among primary school students was 43. 95%- 94. 66% and 51. 02%- 96. 03% before and after the promotion of the health guide. For junior middle school students,the formation rate for twelve health behaviors was 28. 35%- 89. 76% and 41. 70%- 92. 91%,respectively. Conclusion After the promotion of the health guide,the awareness rate of health knowledge and formation rate of health behavior in primary and middle school students have increased with varying degrees,but there is still room for improving. The propaganda of health knowledge and health behavior should be strengthened to cultivate good health habit among students in primary and middle schools.
STOCHASTIC MODELLING IN HEALTHCARE SYSTEMS

We are at a point in time where healthcare (in USA) is getting more attention from law makers, government agencies, doctors, hospitals, pharmaceutical companies, and population at large. The costs for healthcare have been steadily growing. The healthcare system offers challenging and interesting opportunities for operations researchers from both theoretical and practical points of view. This paper is an attempt to use simulation as a tool to study a healthcare system at a macroscopic level.
From Monads to Effects and Back

The combination of monads and effects leads to a clean and easy to reason about programming paradigm. Monadic programming is easy to reason about, but can be cumbersome, as it requires explicit lifting and binding. In this paper, we combine monads and effects within a single programming paradigm: we use monads to define the semantics of effect types, and then, use the effects to program with those monads. We implemented an extension to the effect type system of Koka [15] with user defined effects. We use a type-directed translation to automatically lift effectful into monadic programs, by inserting bind - and unit operations.
Development of the AHCPR-sponsored heart failure guideline: methodologic and procedural issues.

Article-at-a-Glance Background RAND, a nonprofit research and policy organization, served as contractor for the Agency for Health Care Policy and Research (AHCPR)-sponsored guideline on the management of patients with heart failure due to left-ventricular systolic dysfunction. Panel At meetings of the 16-member panel, discussions concerning practice recommendations were held until a consensus was reached. A draft algorithm was the key tool, serving as a starting point for panel discussion. The algorithm was revised after almost every panel meeting. Key Methods and Procedural Issues Early decisions included how best to (1) focus the guideline and literature review, (2) rate the strength of evidence underlying practice recommendations, and (3) determine the relationship between strength of evidence and strength of recommendation. In the absence of data, or when panelists did not share a common opinion, the panel attempted to achieve a consensus. An example of this process—when and how patients should be evaluated for possible coronary artery revascularization—is discussed at length. Unlike previous AHCPR guideline panels, this panel solicited opinions of national experts early and often during guideline development. This process helped the panelists arrive at conclusions on certain controversial issues. Conclusions The guideline development process was complex and painstaking. The panelists and project staff believe that frequent peer review helped produce a guideline that can be widely accepted across clinical and geographic lines.
POLYPEPTIDE MODULATORS OF PROSTATIC GROWTH AND DEVELOPMENT

Normal and abnormal developmental events in the prostate are strongly influenced by androgens. There is abundant evidence, however, that androgens are not the only substances present that have the capacity to influence prostatic growth. A number of polypeptides that either stimulate or inhibit growth have now been identified in the prostate. These include members of the HBGF family, TGF-beta family, EGF and TGF-alpha, PDGF, NGF, and the less well characterized osteoblast growth factors. In some cases, the prostatic cell population, stromal or epithelial, that synthesizes the growth factor and its receptor is known. This information and the properties of the growth factors suggest ways in which these polypeptides may be involved in regulating growth of the prostate, including benign prostatic hyperplasia and prostate cancer.
Synthesis and crystal structure of 3β-p-bromobenzoyloxy-14α, 15α-epoxy-5α-cholest-7-ene

The chemical synthesis of 3beta-bromobenzoyloxy-14alpha, 15alpha-epoxy-5alpha-cholest-7-ene is described. Single crystal structral analysis was employed to unambiguously determine the location and absolute configuration of the epoxide moiety in the 3beta-p-bromobenzoyloxy-14alpha, 15alpha-epoxy-5alpha-cholest-7-ene. The space group of the crystal was P1, with unit cell parameters: a=10.873 A, b=13.841 A, c=11.037 A, alpha=75.19 degrees, beta=78.79 degrees, gamma=101.57 degrees, and two molecules per unit cell. Intitial phases were derived from the two bromine atoms. Least squares refinements on all non-hydrogen atoms were carried out to a final unweighted R value of 0.10 and weighted R value of 0.04. The epoxide ring was located at the 14, 15 position and was found to extend to the alpha side of the molecule. Molecular measurements for asymmetry parameters of the sterol nuceus indicate that ring A has a symmetrical chair conformation and ring B has a half chair conformation due to the double bond at C(7). Ring C has a fairly distorted chair conformation due to the trigonal C(8) on one sie and the almost planar 5-membered ring on the other. Ring D has the 17alpha-envelope conformation.