cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The imagery of Greek tragedy: Three characteristics

Through a detailed analysis of the imagery of Aeschylus’ Oresteia and an overview of the imagery of numerous other plays by Aeschylus, Sophocles, and Euripides, this article examines three characteristics of the imagery of Greek tragedy: 1) the significant recurrent images of a play are closely related to the literal action or background of the play; 2) the dominant images of a play clearly reflect the overall movement of the plot; 3) “inverted imagery”; ‐ imagery in which ugly acts and emotions are associated with joyful or productive images ‐ is frequently used to suggest a world in moral and spiritual chaos. The article concludes by briefly relating these three characteristics to the imagery of Homer's Iliad and Shakespeare's tragedies.
Fine structural changes in placental labyrinth of the rat with increasing gestational age

The fine structure of rat placental labyrinth has been observed, from the day it is established until term, at intervals of every second day. At all stages the placental barrier is seen to consist of four cytoplasmic layers. In order, from maternal blood sinus to fetal capillary lumen, these are called: (a) trophoblast I; (b) trophoblast II; (c) element III; and (d) endothelium. Changes in each of these that are associated with increasing gestational age are noted. Endothelium becomes fenestrated at 16 days post coitum and exhibits both fenestrations and evidence of micropinocytotic activity until term. Trophoblast I is seen to be similarly fenestrated in 20-day to term labyrinth. Although the four cytoplasmic layers persist into late pregnancy, as a result of pore formation, the effective cytoplasmic barrier to placental transport through the labyrinth is reduced to trophoblast II and element III. Changes in these with increasing gestational age which are believed to facilitate transport are described.
The use of norplant and depo provera in adolescents

Although oral contraception is the fertility control method most frequently selected by US adolescents factors such as inconsistent usage payment inability and cognitive-emotional immaturity lead half of these young women to discontinue pill use in the first year. Norplant and Depo-Provera--long-acting hormonal methods that do not require daily compliance--offer the potential to reduce the number of unintended pregnancies among adolescents; however no data exist on the use of either method in this population. Before Norplant and Depo-Provera can be unconditionally recommended for use by adolescents numerous research questions must be addressed. For example it must be determined whether the pregnancy rates and side effects (especially on bone deposition) are the same in adolescents as in adult women. The possibility that adolescents who use long-acting contraception will abandon condom use due to the low risk of pregnancy--and thus place themselves at increased risk of sexually transmitted diseases--must be assessed. For Norplant the medical-legal issues and responsibilities regarding insertion and removal must be clarified. More research is needed on the impact of partner perceptions on method continuation. It must be determined whether the role of health care providers in ongoing reproductive health promotion will be diminished by the need for fewer clinic visits. Also in need of attention are the demographic factors associated with use of these methods and the impact of their initial high expense on accessibility. If the continuation rates among adolescents of Norplant and Depo-Provera do not exceed that for the pill the invasiveness and high cost of these methods may outweigh their benefits.
Analysis of the Mechanisms of Mitochondrial NADH Regulation in Cardiac Trabeculae

Abstract We have previously shown that increased cardiac work initially caused a rapid Ca 2+ -independent fall of mitochondrial [NADH] ([NADH] m ) to a minimum level, and this was followed by a slow Ca 2+ -dependent recovery toward control level (Brandes and Bers, Biophys. J. 71:1024–1035, 1996; Brandes and Bers, Circ. Res. 80:82–87, 1997). The purpose of this study is to improve our understanding of the factors that control [NADH] m during increased work. [NADH] m was monitored using fluorescence spectroscopy in intact rat trabeculae isolated from the right ventricular wall. Work was increased by increasing sarcomere length, pacing frequency, external [Ca 2+ ], or by decreased temperature. The results were: 1) The initial fall of [NADH] m during increased pacing frequency depends independently on increased myofilament work and on increased Ca 2+ -transport ATPase activity. 2) The [NADH] m recovery process depends on average cytosolic [Ca 2+ ] (Av[Ca 2+ ] c ), but not on absolute work level. 3) The initial fall of [NADH] m and the [NADH] m recovery are similar whether increased work is associated with low frequency and high Ca 2+ -transient amplitude or vice versa (at the same myofilament work level and Av[Ca 2+ ] c ). 4) The mechanisms associated with the smaller fall and recovery of [NADH] m at 37°C versus 27°C, may be explained by lowered Av[Ca 2+ ] c and myofilament work. The NADH control mechanisms that operate at lower temperature are thus qualitatively similar at more physiological temperatures.
Synthesis of minus-strand copies of a viral transgene during viral infections of transgenic plants

Viral transgenes designed to provide resistance to specific plant viruses frequently consist of the coat protein gene and a contiguous 3' untranslated region (3'UTR) of viral origin. In many RNA viruses the viral 3'UTR establishes a recognition and initiation site for viral RNA replication. Thus the transgenic transcript may contain a functional virus replication site. Experiments were designed to determine if a challenging virus would recognize this replication site on a nuclear derived transcript and synthesize the complementary RNA. These data demonstrate that upon infection by a virus that recognizes the viral replication site, a full-length complement of the transgenic transcript is produced. In these experiments the replication complex of Brome Mosaic bromovirus recognized the transgenic transcript derived from a Cowpea Chlorotic Mottle bromovirus transgene. The resulting RNA may contribute to RNA recombination events.
Assay of deoxy-deazapurines in DNA by 3'-phosphorylation and two-dimensional thin-layer chromatography

Deoxy-deazapurines (deaza-dNMPs) are incorporated into cellular DNA after administration of anti-neoplastic, anti-viral, or anti-parasitic chemotherapy. Deaza-dNMPs are stable purine analogues and can be detected via 32P-labeling cold DNA. Assay of analogue incorporation and normal base composition is carried out by radiolabeling DNA with all four deoxynucleotides (dNMPs) through nick translation. 3'-Monophosphate digest radiolabels representative dNMPs and deaza-dNMPs. Separation occurs in two-dimensional polyethyleneimine-cellulose thin-layer chromatography, which resolves all dNMPs. The technique was applied to human placental and calf thymus DNA, control and altered calf thymus DNA with cold stoichiometric replacement of deaza-dNMPs to include deoxy-deazaadenosine, deoxy-deazaguanosine, and deoxy-deazainosine. Scintillation detection and densitometry both accurately reflect dNMP content. This technique easily and quickly quantifies the low-molecular-mass deaza-dNMP analogues in DNA. Deaza-dNMP uptake into DNA may reflect clinical chemotherapeutic efficacy and host toxicity. The assay may therefore serve as an early biochemical dosimeter of drug effect and resistance.
Architecture and Performance of Radiation-Hardened 64-Bit SOS/MNOS Memory

Realization of the 64-bit MNOS/SOS memory circuit demonstrates the feasibility of the design approach. Design techniques such as two-MNOS-transistors-per-bit cell, differential read circuitry and the implementation of PMOS resistive load static logic were used in the memory circuit to test their effectiveness and suitability for much larger nonvolatile radiation-hard memory arrays in SOS. We have shown that the 64-bit MNOS/SOS memory circuit can be successfully fabricated with tight uniformity uniformity of discrete device parameters. The MNOS transistors used in the circuit were processed to perform either as a RAM-type device or as an EAROM-type device. Also, discrete devices and the circuit have exhibited memory retention times in excess of three years. Additionally, we have verified that the circuit can survive total dose irradiation greater than 300K rads and maintain stored information after transient dose irradiation up to 1012 rad/sec.
The Limits of Acceptable Biological Variation in Elite Athletes: Should Sex Ambiguity Be Treated Differently From Other Advantageous Genetic Traits?

Elite athletes are unlike other people. They are gifted with the ability to be able to work their bodies faster, harder, and more skillfully than “mere mortals.” While the exercise of prodigious discipline is undoubtedly key to their successes, genetic and other biological variants likely factor into world-class performances, although how they do so is both complicated and poorly understood. In this context, disorders of sexual differentiation (DSDs) can sometimes give female competitors a masculine edge. As the 2012 Olympic Games approach, one such athlete, Caster Semenya, a middle-distance runner from South Africa, has been cleared to compete, although not without considerable controversy that triggered an extensive medical work-up ordered by the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) that confirmed a DSD and judged her to be a woman for the purpose of competition.
An introduction to growth of the human face from infancy to adulthood

Abstract The points to be made in this introductory report are: 1. 1. That in the study of growth of the face, the meaning of increases in dimensions must be clearly understood. 2. 2. That increase of the dimension of one part may mean decrease in substance (nasal aperture), and decrease in dimension of another part may mean addition of substance (relative decrease in upper and lower face height as compared with total face height—made up by development of dentition). 3. 3. That the human face, as it is represented by this group, grows by increase in size in three planes: vertical, transverse, and anteroposterior. 4. 4. That the dimensions are measurable by some sort of a measuring rod., while growth of the dimensions is measured by anatomic manifestations. 5. 5. That the dimension of the human face, as represented by the group studied, is greatest in width, less in height and least in depth. 6. 6. That the greatest dimension increases least and the smallest most. 7. 7. That with increase in size of the human face there is a change in proportion of the dimensions studied. 8. 8. That the dimensions of the same plane, at different levels, grow at different rates. 9. 9. That, as the face grows longer, it increases vertically more in the back than in the front; transversely and anteroposteriorly more below than above. 10. 10. That some of these changes are more emphasized in the male than in the female. 11. 11. That the face of the female is relatively longer and that of the male is relatively broader and deeper. That the female jaw bones and dental arches are relatively more prognathous than those of the male. 12. 12. That when the face increases its dimensions in height and depth, there is simultaneous but alternate acceleration and retardation of growth in the two planes, at the different levels of the same plane and in different sections of the same dimension. 13. 13. That the growth stages of the face are seriated in this paper not primarily according to chronologic age, but according to the sequence of eruption and shedding of deciduous teeth and appearance of permanent teeth. 14. 14. That the greater bulk of the observations were made on the same growing individuals over periods of from two to seven years. It is planned on a subsequent occasion to report the progress of growth changes in individuals.
INFLUENCE OF SORBIC ACID ON VIABILITY AND ATP CONTENT OF CONIDIA OF Aspergillus parasiticus

The objective of this work was to determine viability and ATP content of conidia of Aspergillus parasiticus NRRL 2999 following exposure to sorbic acid solutions. The minimum inhibitory concentration of sorbic acid to A. parasiticus conidia was found to be between 0.05 and 0.10% (w/v). The viability of conidia remained constant during the first 12 hr of exposure to 0.25% sorbic acid. From 12–20 hr of exposure, a slow decline in viability became evident with a rapid decline occurring after 20 hr of exposure. When the concentration of sorbic acid was increased from 0.25 to OS%, viability of the conidia was greatly reduced and the time required for viability to decrease dropped from 20 hr to 4 hr. When ATP levels of conidia were studied, there was a rapid decline in ATP during the fist 24 hr of exposure to 0.22% (0.02M) sorbic acid, followed by a more gradual decline from 24–36 hr. At a sorbic acid concentration of 0.34% (O.O3M), the same pattern of decreasing ATP was seen, but the decline was much more rapid and the ATP concentration reached a much lower level. The data showed that the decrease in ATP level of the conidia could be related to decreased viability of the conidia after exposure to sorbic acid. This suggests that one possible mechanism of action of sorbic acid in fungal inhibition may involve depletion of ATP levels of conidia.
Higher order electrostriction in ferroelectric tungsten bronzes

Abstract The Landau: Ginsburg: Devonshire phenomenological theory for proper ferroelectrics has been extended to include sixth order electrostrictive coupling in the prototype (paraelectric) structure. These higher order terms lead to contributions to the stiffened elastic compliances sijkl P which are quadratic in polarization P, so that in the ferroelectric phase the strong temperature dependence of Ps the spontaneous polarization is reflected into the elastic response. The analysis has been applied to the tungsten bronze ferroelectric Ba0.39Sr0.61Nb2O6 and sixth order electrostriction constants measured in the prototype phase used to derive elastic behavior in the ferroelectric form. A feature which makes the phenomenology valuable is that the higher order stiffnesses and coupling terms do not change markedly with temperature or with cationic makeup, thus in principle it is possible to predict from a single family of prototypic constants quantitative trends for the dielectric, piezoelectric, elastic, a...
Application Of Holographic Associative Memories To Hybrid Binary Adder

The application of holographic associative memories to binary addition based on symbolic substitution is described. Experimental results of parallel half-addition are presented. The use of a liquid crystal television (LCTV) as a computer-programmable spatial light modulator in the hybrid binary adder is also discussed.
Habituation of the visual orienting response in young children1, 2

The eye tracks of 29 children (aged 2-7 years) were recorded by a reflection eye camera while they were looking ata4by 4 matrix of 16 white geometric shapes. When a circle suddenly changed to red, the children immediately looked at it for two-thirds of the presentation time, a reading which was 16 times the initial level before this novel color was introduced. With repeated presentations of the novel red circle display, progressively fewer fixations fell on the red circle. After 20 trials, this habituation was incomplete, and the red circle was still drawing six times the initial amount of looking found on the original white circle. Ss were apparently relatively slow to form a neural representation of the visual environment due to the wide range of choices in the original display. The age of the children had no monotonic effect on the high, and virtually equal, initial visual concentration, nor on the rate at which habituation occurred. An interesting contrast, therefore, appeared between these data and the marked age effects noted by others in the recognition of letter-like shapes. Unlike recognition tasks, orienting and habituation need a minimum of stimulus interpretation. Children, even as young as 2 years, have demonstrated a remarkable efficiency in these processes of orienting and habituation to novelty.
Mycotic aneurysms of the carotid artery: Ligation Vs. Reconstruction—Case report and review of the literature

Mycotic aneurysms of the extracranial carotid artery are very uncommon, with only twenty-nine cases reported in the medical literature. This is a report of a mycotic aneurysm of the common carotid artery caused by septic cervical lymphyadenopathy. A review of the literature is presented in an attempt to elucidate which surgical approach is superior, ligation or repair of the carotid artery.
Antitumor activity of vinzolidine in the human tumor clonogenic assay and comparison with vinblastine.

Vinzolidine (VZL), a semisynthetic vinblastine (VLB) derivative, was tested against a variety of solid tumors in the human tumor clonogenic assay (HTCA). The emphasis was on continuous drug exposure because of the schedule-dependency of the vincas and long half-life of VZL. Of tumor types with more than ten samples tested, the percentage of cases exhibiting inhibition (50% or less of control) of tumor colony forming units (TCFU) was as follows: melanoma (48%), lung cancer (48%), breast cancer (40%), renal cancer (33%), and ovarian cancer (24%). In tumor types tested less frequently, inhibition of TCFU after continuous or one hour drug exposure was observed in 2/7 colon cancers, 1/3 pancreatic cancers and 3/4 gastric cancers. Paired analysis of tumors tested to both VZL and VLB demonstrated no significant difference in overall activity of these two vinca alkaloids.
An analysis of 2D and 3D multiple attenuation for a canonical example

Three-dimensional formulations of free-surface multiple attenuation for multioffset seismic data are well known. They are not yet used in practice because they require very dense source-receiver coverage, which is still out of reach with existing seismic-acquisition systems. The development of alternative solutions based on 2D algorithms depends on our understanding of the relationship between 2D and 3D free-surface multiple-attenuation methods. This paper attempts to enhance this understanding by establishing the relationship between 2D and 3D inverse scattering free-surface multiple attenuation. A 3D model consisting of three scattering points (one scattered point located in the vertical plane containing the shooting line and the other two points outside this plane) in a homogeneous medium (for which the exact pressure field is analytically known) is used to show that the 2D inverse scattering multiple-attenuation algorithm predicts all free-surface multiples as does its 3D counterpart but with some tra...
ON HAMILTONIAN TRIANGULATIONS IN SIMPLE POLYGONS

An n-vertex simple polygon P is said to have a Hamiltonian Triangulation if it has a triangulation whose dual graph contains a hamiltonian path. Such triangulations are useful in fast rendering engines in Computer Graphics. We give a new characterization of polygons with hamiltonian triangulations and use it to devise O(n log n)-time algorithms to recognize such polygons. We also give efficient algorithms for several related problems.
Antipsychotic-induced suppression of locomotion in juvenile, adolescent and adult rats

Schizophrenia is a serious psychiatric disorder that is most frequently treated with the administration of antipsychotics. Although onset of schizophrenia typically occurs in late adolescence, the majority of preclinical research on the behavioral effects of antipsychotics and their mechanism(s) of action has been conducted on adult male animals. In this study, the acute effects of haloperidol (0.03-0.3 mg/kg, i.p.) and clozapine (1-10 mg/kg, i.p.) on locomotor activity were examined in juvenile [postnatal day 22 (PN22)], adolescent (PN40), and adult (>PN70) rats of both sexes. Subsequently, in order to determine whether tolerance to the activity suppressive effects of these drugs would occur in adolescents, PN40 rats were dosed and assessed for an additional nine days. While all groups exhibited some degree of suppression following acute administration of both drugs, juvenile rats were considerably more sensitive to this effect. With sub-chronic administration during late adolescent development (PN40-PN49), tolerance failed to develop. These results emphasize the importance of age in pharmacological characterization of antipsychotics and suggest that pre-adolescents may have enhanced sensitivity to the motor effects of these drugs. Further, they suggest that, similar to adults, older adolescents may not develop tolerance to the activity suppression induced by these two antipsychotics.
La experiencia de La Escuela La Salle para la Paz y la Vida como un proceso de educación popular en el barrio ‘La Reliquia’

En este documento se presenta la experiencia de La Escuela la Salle para la Paz y la Vida, institucion educativa de educacion basica primaria creada en el ano 2002 por los Hermanos de La Salle con el fin de atender a una poblacion afectada por la crisis politica, por el conflicto armado y la situacion economica de la region; en este caso, familias desplazadas por la violencia y de escasos recursos economicos que tuvieron que refugiarse en un barrio de invasion como opcion para solucionar sus problemas de vivienda. La escuela esta ubicada en el barrio “La Reliquia”, perteneciente a un area periferica de la ciudad de Villavicencio, capital del departamento del Meta.
Coherent ion acceleration at a density gradient

The paper describes a model, in which ions are accelerated against the direction of the electric field at a density gradient. A one-dimensional, inhomogeneous, steady-state is constructed, in which cold electrons stream relative to cold ions. The wavenumber and amplitude of the fluctuating potential are calculated, then used to compute the trajectories of representative ions trapped in the potential troughs. Ion acceleration to energies an order of magnitude greater than the applied potential is demonstrated.
The Church of Faith and Freedom: African–American Baptists and Social Action

Clergy have an undeniable ability to shape the political beliefs and attitudes of their congregations and thus revealing how the framing activities of clergy affect behavior and influence mobilization is vital for political sociology. This ethnographic work delineates how, in 1972, the Second Baptist Church of Evanston 's new pastor initiated a rapid change from social conservation to become one of the most politically and socially active African-American Baptist churches in the Midwest. Second Baptist's radical change confirms the power of religious elites in shaping politics in spiritual institutions, and also demonstrates the vital impact of professional socialization on the theological and political orientations of clergy.
A Battery-Aware Scheme for Routing in Wireless Ad Hoc Networks

Wireless ad hoc networks have played an increasingly important role in a wide range of applications. A key challenge in such networks is to achieve maximum lifetime for battery-powered mobile devices with dynamic energy-efficient algorithms. Recent studies in battery technology have revealed that the behavior of battery discharging is more complex than we used to know. Battery-powered devices might waste a huge amount of energy if their battery discharging is not carefully scheduled and budgeted. In this paper, we introduce a novel energy model for batteries and study the effect of battery behavior on routing in wireless ad hoc networks. We first propose an online computable discrete-time mathematical model to capture battery discharging behavior. The model has low computational complexity and data storage requirement. It is therefore suitable for online battery capacity computation in routing. Our evaluations indicate that the model can accurately capture the behavior of battery discharging. Based on this battery model, we then propose a battery-aware routing (BAR) scheme for wireless ad hoc networks. BAR is a generic scheme that implements battery awareness in routing protocols and is independent of any specific routing protocol. By dynamically choosing the devices with well-recovered batteries as routers and leaving the “fatigue” batteries for recovery, the BAR scheme can effectively recover the device's battery capacity to achieve higher energy efficiency. Our simulation results demonstrate that, by adopting the BAR scheme, network lifetime and data throughput can be increased by up to 28% and 24%, respectively. The results also show that BAR achieves good performance in various networks composed of different devices, batteries, and node densities. Finally, we also propose an enhanced prioritized BAR (PBAR) scheme for time-sensitive applications in wireless ad hoc networks. Our simulation results illustrate that PBAR achieves good performance in terms of end-to-end delay and data throughput.
Impact of visual error augmentation methods on task performance and motor adaptation

We hypothesized that augmenting the visual error feedback provided to subjects training in a point-to-point reaching task under visual distortion would improve the amount and speed of adaptation. Previous studies showing that human learning is error-driven and that visual error augmentation can improve the rate at which subjects decrease their trajectory error in such a task provided the motivation for our study. In a controlled experiment, subjects were required to perform point-to-point reaching movements in the presence of a rotational visual distortion. The amount and speed of their adaptation to this distortion were calculated based on two performance measures: trajectory error and hit time. We tested how three methods of error augmentation (error amplification, traditional error offsetting, and progressive error offsetting) affected the amount and speed of adaptation, and additionally propose definitions for “amount” and “speed” of adaptation in an absolute sense that are more practical than definitions used in previous studies. It is concluded that traditional error offsetting promotes the fastest learning, while error amplification promotes the most complete learning. Progressive error offsetting, a novel method, resulted in slower training than the control group, but we hypothesize that it could be improved with further tuning and indicate a need for further study of this method. These results have implications for improvement in motor skill learning across many fields, including rehabilitation after stroke, surgical training, and teleoperation.
“The Arithmetic of ‘All-In’ Investment Expenses”: Author Response

This material comments on “The Arithmetic of ‘All-In’ Investment Expenses: A Comment”. (May/June 2014).
Do Real Options Lead to Escalation of Commitment

I examine the concern that unconstrained real options can lead to escalation of commitment and identify contexts in which escalation of commitment is likely. I argue that these situations fall primarily outside the realm of unregulated for-profit organizations and also that the predictions of agency and attribution theories counter the predictions of the escalation of commitment framework. Finally, I assert that optimality requires flexibility in the timing of the exercise of real options when returns on investment are volatile.
For better or worse: Exploring the meanings of same-sex marriage within the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community

This study examines how gay, lesbian, bisexual and transgendered (LGBT) men and women assign meaning to legally recognized same-sex marriage and its impact on their understanding of the LGBT community. Open-ended web-based survey questions asked participants (N = 288) to consider the ways in which legally recognizing same-sex marriage may positively and negatively affect the LGBT community. The understanding of legally recognized same-sex marriage that emerges is multilayered, with an overarching theme of equality forming a surface over deeper dialectical themes describing tensions in the perceived influence of same-sex marriage on same-sex romantic relationships, the LGBT community, and the relationship between the LGBT community and heterosexual others. The findings of the study suggest that same-sex marriage should be considered as a context for all future discussions of married and unmarried same-sex partnerships.
THE DOWNFALL OF EXTRAVERTS AND RISE OF NEUROTICS: THE DYNAMIC PROCESS OF STATUS ALLOCATION IN TASK GROUPS

We advance previous research that has associated extraversion with high status and neuroticism with low status in newly formed task groups by examining how variations in personality affect status c...
Bioinformatic searches using a single-chip shared-memory multiprocessor

A single-chip shared-memory multiprocessor architecture is introduced which is particularly well suited to common bioinformatic computing tasks. The architecture uses asynchronous bus interfaces to create an integrated circuit design methodology allowing for scaling of the multiprocessor with very little design effort. A key aspect of this design methodology is that it is not necessary to expend significant design resources and chip area on the clock tree. An analysis of the Smith-Waterman alignment algorithm running on this architecture shows that the performance penalty due to increased bus latency compared to a fully synchronous architecture is negligible.
The depletion of NK cells prevents T cell exhaustion to efficiently control disseminating virus infection

NK cells have well-established functions in immune defense against virus infections and cancer through their cytolytic activity and production of cytokines. In this study, we examined the frequency of NK cells and their influence on T cell responses in mice given variants of lymphocytic choriomeningitis virus that cause acute or persisting infection. We found increased frequencies of circulating NK cells during disseminating infection compared with uninfected or acutely infected mice. Consistent with recent reports, we observed that the depletion of NK cells in mice with disseminated infection increased peak numbers of virus-specific cytokine producing CD8+ T cells and resulted in the rapid resolution of disseminated infection. Additionally, we show that NK cell depletion sustained T cell responses across time and protected against T cell exhaustion. The positive effects of NK cell depletion on T cell responses only occurred when NK cells were depleted within the first 2 d of infection. We find that the improved CD8+ T cell response correlated with an enhanced ability of APCs from NK cell–depleted mice to stimulate T cell proliferation, independently of the effects of NK cells on CD4+ T cells. These results indicate that NK cells play an integral role in limiting the CD8 T cell response and contribute to T cell exhaustion by diminishing APC function during persisting virus infection.
Efficacy and Safety of Rituximab Combined with ESHAP Chemotherapy for the Treatment of Relapsed/Refractory Aggressive B-Cell Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma

Abstract Background We evaluated the efficacy and safety of adding rituximab to nonanthracycline ESHAP (etoposide/methylprednisolone/ cytarabine/cisplatin) chemotherapy for relapsed/refractory aggressive non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL). Patients and Methods Patients with intermediate- or high-grade NHL were to receive 6 rituximab doses and 6 ESHAP cycles. Rituximab 375 mg/m 2 was administered 1 week and 1 day before cycle 1 of standard ESHAP (etoposide 40 mg/m 2 on days 1-4; methylprednisolone 500 mg/m 2 on days 1-5; cytarabine 200 mg/m 2 on day 5; and cisplatin 25 mg/m 2 on days 1-4). Rituximab was repeated before the third and fifth 21-day ESHAP cycles (on days 48 and 90 of protocol, respectively), followed by 2 additional rituximab doses after cycle 6 (on days 134 and 141 of protocol). Use of growth factors was permitted. Thirteen patients were enrolled (median age, 56 years); all had previously treated NHL, 12 (92%) had diffuse large B-cell lymphoma, 10 (77%) had stage III/IV disease, and 2 (15%) had chemotherapy-refractory disease. Results The most common grade 3/4 toxicities were neutropenia and thrombocytopenia, with 3 cases of febrile neutropenia. Seven patients exhibited complete response (CR) and 3 had partial response, for an objective response rate of 77%. Median duration of response for all responders was 14 months (range, 2-51 months). Among 6 patients completing all 6 cycles, 4 (67%) had a CR, 1 had a partial response, and 1 had progressive disease. Three of the 4 CRs have remained for a median of 48 months (range, 46-51 months). Conclusion Rituximab plus ESHAP led to durable responses with acceptable toxicity in patients with relapsed/refractory aggressive NHL, most of whom had advanced disease.
Early tolerance in pediatric liver allograft recipients

The authors report on six pediatric liver transplant recipients for whom allograft tolerance occurred shortly after transplantation (ie, less than 1.5 years). All the patients had associated life-threatening viral complications. They are currently immunocompetent. The tolerant state may be related to the development of a TH2 cytokine pattern.
A Hydrologic Retention System and Water Quality Monitoring Program for a Human Decomposition Research Facility: Concept and Design†

Forensic taphonomy is an essential research field; however, the decomposition of human cadavers at forensic science facilities may lead to nutrient loading and the introduction of unique biological compounds to adjacent areas. The infrastructure of a water retention sys- tem may provide a mechanism for the biogeochemical processing and retention of nutrients and compounds, ensuring the control of runoff from forensic facilities. This work provides a proof of concept for a hydrologic retention system and an autonomous water quality monitoring pro- gram designed to mitigate runoff from The Southeast Texas Applied Forensic Science (STAFS) Facility. Water samples collected along a sam- ple transect were analyzed for total phosphorous, total nitrogen, NO 3 ,N O 2 ,N H4 ,F , and Cl. Preliminary water quality analyses confirm the overall effectiveness of the water retention system. These results are discussed with relation to how this infrastructure can be expanded upon to monitor additional, more novel, byproducts of forensic science research facilities.
Characterization of Solubilized Opiate Receptors from Human Placenta

A solubilized opiate receptor from human placental membranes binds [3H]etorphine saturably, reversibly, and stereospecifically. The binding activity is shown to be truly soluble because it migrates between two soluble proteins on Sepharose CL-6B. The solubilized macromolecular complex behaves as a molecule with an apparent Stokes radius of 70 A and contains a protein as an essential constituent. The solubilized receptors bind [3H]ethylketocyclazocine with high affinity in a saturable and stereospecific manner. Naloxone inhibits [3H]etorphine and [3H]ethylketocyclazocine binding to the solubilized receptor. Sodium inhibits [3H]etorphine but not [3H]naloxone binding. These observations indicate that the solubilized receptor from human placental membranes is active and retains properties of membrane-bound receptors.
Transparent Electronically Controlled DNA Chips1

A new electronically controlled DNA chip that consists of a glass substrate and indium tin oxide electrodes (ITO) has been developed. The glass substrate with ITO electrodes makes the chip transparent and enables detection of hybridization from below the surface of the chip via a CCD array which allows simplified detection optics and, possibly, improved sensitivity. ITO, however, is not inert and is susceptible to degradation or modification due to electrolysis, at the electrodes. A chip design that incorporates donut-shaped platinum electrodes with ITO in the center hole was made to demonstrate functionality of the new transparent chips hybridization and single base discrimination was demonstrated using a 20 nucleotide, perfectly matched duplex and single base mismatched duplexes with the mismatch located at different positions along the duplex. Single base discrimination was confirmed between the perfect match and all single base mismatched duplexes with the exception of that at the 3′ and 5′ ends. No noticeable degradation of the reactive ITO surface was seen during the tests indicating that the use of the transparent chips with ITO electrodes may be a feasible alternative to present silicon based chips with the advantage of simplified detection optics and possible improved sensitivity.
Prognostic impact of BRAF and KRAS mutations and their relationship to DNA mismatch repair (MMR) status in 2,686 stage III colon cancer patients (pts) treated in a phase III study of adjuvant FOLFOX with or without cetuximab: NCCTG N0147.

3514 Background: Activating mutations in the BRAF oncogene (mutBRAF) are associated with deficient MMR (dMMR) in sporadic colon cancers and are mutually exclusive with KRAS mutations (mutKRAS). We evaluated BRAF and KRAS in relation to MMR and disease-free survival (DFS) in stage III pts treated with adjuvant FOLFOX +/-cetuximab; study was amended mid-way to require prospective KRAS testing (Alberts SR, ASCO 2010). Methods: Extracted DNA from archival tumors was analyzed for BRAF exon 15 (V600E) and KRAS exon 2 mutations by allele specific RT-PCR. Tumors with loss of any MMR protein (MLH1, MSH2, MSH6) were categorized as dMMR vs proficient (pMMR). DFS was censored at 4 yrs; median follow-up was 3.1 yrs. Results: Among 2,686 pts, 12% (314/2580) of tumors were dMMR; 28% (716/2579) had mutKRAS, and 14% (346/2515) had mutBRAF of which 43% (150/346) were dMMR. mutBRAF was associated with high grade, proximal site, T3-4, >4 LNs, and dMMR (all p<0.002); mutKRAS with low grade, proximal, <3 LNs, and pMMR (all p<0...
Declining Car Usage Among Younger Age Cohorts: An Exploratory Analysis of Private Car and Car-Related Expenditures in the United States

The impact of the personal automobile in the American society and its importance to the American culture has been the subject of a significant amount of research since the beginning of 20th century. This paper aims to add to that body of knowledge by analyzing the presence of the car in the American society of the 21st century, and assess if it is possible the so-called “digital age” (the overwhelming presence of digital devices – smartphones, tablets, etc. – in contemporary people’s lives) is somehow affecting the relationship between younger Americans (aged 15 through 34) and the automobile. Using a range of official sources from the United States (Bureau of Labor Statistics, Federal Highway Administration, and the Census Bureau, among other) and other reports from relevant sources regarding drivers licensed, automobile usage, consumer expenditure, and digital media consumption this paper analyzes trends and the evolution of a number of key variables, with a focus of the evolution of these variables on the younger cohorts (15-24 and 25-34) from the years 2000 to 2010. Results indicate that automobile usage has reached a plateau that has lasted half a decade so far, and that car-related expenditures have declined since 2000. On top of that, getting a driver’s license seems to be less a priority nowadays for younger cohorts than it used to be. In the realm of digital consumption, smartphones and tablets reached high levels of market penetration, expenditures on cell phone services have increased threefold in real terms in 10 years, and data traffic on handheld devices is expected to grow by great amounts in the coming years. What the findings in automobile usage and expenditure in America, combine with the ever increasing “digitalization” of the life younger Americans will mean for the future is difficult to assess at this point: will the smartphone displace the automobile? Will automobile usage return to have high levels of growth? If not, what will that mean in terms of infrastructure needs, capacity and investment, land use, etc.? Further research will be needed to assess the true impact of these findings.
Altered mitochondrial gene expression in the nonchromosomal stripe 2 mutant of maize.

Abstract The genetic and molecular analyses of higher plant mitochondria can be facilitated by studying maternally-inherited mutations, such as the nonchromosomal stripe (NCS) mutants of maize, that have deleterious effects on plant growth. We have previously demonstrated a correlation between specific alterations in mitochondrial DNA and the expression of NCS phenotypes. In the present studies, the effects of the NCS2 mutation on mitochondrial gene expression are evaluated. Proteins synthesized by mitochondria isolated from NCS2 mutants and from related plants with normal growth have been compared. NCS2 mitochondria synthesize much reduced amounts of a single polypeptide. Probes corresponding to the mitochondrial DNA region altered in NCS2 hybridize to an aberrant set of transcripts in NCS2 mitochondria. Transcripts homologous to several previously characterized plant mitochondrial genes are similar in NCS2 and related non-mutant mitochondria.
Impact of Environmental Enrichment Devices on NTP In Vivo Studies.

The goal of this study was to determine whether the use of nesting material or polycarbonate shelters as enrichment devices would have an impact on end points commonly measured during the conduct of the National Toxicology Program (NTP) 13-week studies. The study design was consistent with the NTP 13-week toxicity studies. Harlan Sprague-Dawley (HSD) rats and their offspring and B6C3F1/N mice were assigned to control (unenriched) and enriched experimental groups. Body weight, food and water consumption, behavioral observations, fecal content, clinical pathology, gross pathology, organ weights, and histopathology were evaluated. Enriched male mice and male and female rats exhibited decreased feed intake without a subsequent decrease in body weight; this may have been the result of the nesting material reducing the effect of cold stress, thereby allowing for more efficient use of feed. There were statistical differences in some hematological parameters; however, these were not considered physiologically rel...
Assessment of Phagocytic Activity of Cultured Macrophages Using Fluorescence Microscopy and Flow Cytometry

Phagocytosis is the process by which phagocytes, including macrophages, neutrophils and monocytes, engulf and kill invading pathogens, remove foreign particles, and clear cell debris. Phagocytes and their ability to phagocytose are an important part of the innate immune system and are critical for homeostasis of the host. Impairment in phagocytosis has been associated with numerous diseases and disorders. Different cytokines have been shown to affect the phagocytic process. Cytokines including TNFα, IL-1β, GM-CSF, and TGF-β1 were found to promote phagocytosis, whereas high mobility group box-1 (HMGB1) inhibited the phagocytic function of macrophages. Here, we describe two commonly used methods to assess the phagocytic function of cultured macrophages, which can easily be applied to other phagocytes. Each method is based on the extent of engulfment of FITC-labeled latex minibeads by macrophages under different conditions. Phagocytic activity can be assessed either by counting individual cells using a fluorescence microscope or measuring fluorescence intensity using a flow cytometer.
Velocity amplitudes in global convection simulations: The role of the Prandtl number and near-surface driving

Abstract Several lines of evidence suggest that the velocity amplitude in global simulations of solar convection, U , may be systematically over-estimated. Motivated by these recent results, we explore the factors that determine U and we consider how these might scale to solar parameter regimes. To this end, we decrease the thermal diffusivity κ along two paths in parameter space. If the kinematic viscosity ν is decreased proportionally with κ (fixing the Prandtl number P r = ν / κ ), we find that U increases but asymptotes toward a constant value, as found by Featherstone and Hindman (2016). However, if ν is held fixed while decreasing κ (increasing P r ), we find that U systematically decreases. We attribute this to an enhancement of the thermal content of downflow plumes, which allows them to carry the solar luminosity with slower flow speeds. We contrast this with the case of Rayleigh–Benard convection which is not subject to this luminosity constraint. This dramatic difference in behavior for the two paths in parameter space (fixed P r or fixed ν ) persists whether the heat transport by unresolved, near-surface convection is modeled as a thermal conduction or as a fixed flux. The results suggest that if solar convection can operate in a high- P r regime, then this might effectively limit the velocity amplitude. Small-scale magnetism is a possible source of enhanced viscosity that may serve to achieve this high- P r regime.
Validation of LEWICE 2.2 Icing Software Code: Comparison With LEWICE 2.0 and Experimental Data

We present in this paper some results on the verification and validation of LEWICE 2.2 icing software code. The validation carried out a detailed analysis of ice accretion under a wider range of icing conditions. We performed a verification of the code options; analyzed and tested the LEWICE 2.2 code to ensure that no changes have been made to the previous validated ice shape simulation capability; performed grid and time -step size sensitivity analysis; material properties and body dimensions s ensitivity analysis; and validation of LEWICE 2.2 using thermal analysis. The validation tests have shown that the program is working properly. It is sending the right errors messages; the output results are consistent, and the software is properly modelin g the ice growth behavior. For the validation of LEWICE 2.2 using thermal analysis, the results show that the experimental data obtained with thermocouple do not compare well with the results of the numerical prediction. The error on the average temperatur e is too high (up to 60%) for all the sections and for both the inside and outside surface. More work is needed for the validation of the thermal performance of LEWICE 2.2.
Aerial Robotic Autonomous Patrol and Surveillance System

As part of this project, undergraduate students design, develop and test various components of the Autonomous Patrol and Surveillance System (APSS). APSS is intended to be an Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) system. The mission of APSS is to assist the campus police by patrolling the campus of Southern Polytechnic State University, capturing aerial imagery of the campus and relaying that information live to a ground station at the police department. In this paper, the goals and objectives of the project are discussed. Honors students are involved to help the faculty members conduct the research. Students not only learn the methods for conducting research, ways to seek funding, and ways to solve the complex multidisciplinary problem, but they also develop the interpersonal and communication skills, and learn lessons of time and resource management. This long term ongoing project requires several students to work collaboratively. Some of the challenges and lessons learned during the project are highlighted.