cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Historic Biogeography of India: Isolation or Contact?

Geophysical maps depicting continental movement have consistently shown India, as it moved northward, to be located far out in the Tethys Sea. India split off from the African east coast about 148 m.y.a. From that time onward, according to almost all geophysical accounts, India was isolated from all of other continents until the early Miocene when it made contact with Eurasia. But the biological data, both fossil and Recent, indicate that this concept cannot be correct. If India had really existed as an isolated, oceanic continent for about 100 m.y., it should have developed a peculiar biota with many endemic genera and families in its terrestrial and shallow marine habitats. But there are virtually no remains of organisms indicating that India was isolated for any substantial time (millions of years). Instead, we find that almost all Indian taxa were possessed in common with other continents. As time went on, the northern relationships became stronger and the southern ones weaker. Most of the recent geophysical accounts show India not making contact with Eurasia until the early Miocene, but fossil materials show that this event must have taken place by the early Eocene. It has been postulated that, as India moved northward, it created a biogeographic barrier that separated marine fish populations and resulted in the east-west provinces that are now apparent in the Indian Ocean. At the same time, the barrier effect was supposed to have resulted in the formation of sister species that are now located far apart. Information currently available indicates that most living, tropical marine species are probably not over 3 m.y. old. Consequently, the northward movement of India, which took place primarily between 148 and 50 m.y.a., could have no bearing on the relationships of modern species.
Eurotamandua and Palaeanodonta: convergent or related?

Middle EoceneEurotamandua from Germany has been considered to be the oldest anteater and the only known Old World xenarthran, based on numerous derived features shared with living Myrmecophagidae or Xenarthra. Many of these features are ambiguous, however, and comparison with early Tertiary Palaeanodonta reveals several detailed, derived resemblances in forelimb anatomy. This suggests thatEurotamandua may be descended from, or the sister taxon of, Palaeanodonta.
Functional consequences of ferroportin 1 mutations

The cellular iron exporter ferroportin 1 is expressed in both the duodenum and in cells of the mononuclear phagocyte system. Expression of ferroportin 1 protein on the cell surface is regulated by the interaction of ferroportin 1 with hepcidin. Hepcidin treatment of cells results in internalization and lysosomal degradation of cell surface ferroportin 1. Recently, ferroportin 1 mutations leading to hemochromatosis (HFE4) have been identified. HFE4 differs from classical hemochromatosis in that there is a greater amount of macrophage iron sequestration. The data presented here demonstrate that HFE4 mutations are heterogeneous in their effects on protein function. Some mutations result in loss of function with partial protein sequestration in the ER. Others are indistinguishable from native ferroportin 1 and have a similar ability to deplete transfected cells of iron as evidenced by activation of the iron-response proteins and cellular ferritin depletion. Significantly, all mutants appear to be unresponsive to hepcidin and do not demonstrate the expected internalization on exposure to hepcidin. The clinical phenotypes observed in patients may be secondary to cell-type-specific defects in hepcidin-mediated inhibition of ferroportin 1 expression.
The Role of Science in Postmodern Practice

Postmodern thought offers a critique to the heavily science-based approaches of the modernist discourse. Such critiques however tend to obscure the role that science has to play in postmodern practices. The current scientific-based modernist approaches faced this similar challenge when they arose in the early 1900s. In the 1800s, social agents did not base their interventions upon scientific authority, but rather, moral authority. While scientific knowledge displaced moral knowledge as the main guide for developing treatment plans, the field of social work did not abandon moral knowledge as useless. Instead, moral knowledge was transformed into a robust code of ethics—and serves the new role of circumscribing the boundaries within which one employs scientific knowledge. The postmodern discourse calls for this same displacement to occur—it seeks to have scientific knowledge circumscribe the boundaries within which an hermeneutic inquiry driven by a critical consciousness guides social work interventions.
IODINATION-COUPLED TETRAZONIUM AND FERRIC FERRICYA- NIDE REDUCTION STAINS FOR DIFFERENTIATING RED BLOOD CELLS CONTAINING FETAL OR ADULT HEMOGLOBIN

Either the iodination-coupled tetrazonium reaction or the ferric ferricyanide reduction procedure can be used to differentiate red blood cells containing fetal hemoglobin (hemoglobin F) from those containing adult hemoglobin (hemoglobin A) in blood smears. Oxalated blood is diluted with 3 parts of physiological saline, and smears are made on slides. The air-dried slides are treated with absolute ethanol for 2 min, dried, and placed in phosphate-citrate buffer of pH 3.2-3.6 for 1 min at 37°C. They are then rinsed in distilled water, and dried for storage or stained at once by either the iodination-coupled tetrazonium or the ferric ferricyanide reduction procedure. Adult hemoglobin is extracted by the buffer, so that red blood cells containing fetal hemoglobin give a much darker stain than those containing adult hemoglobin. The hemoglobin S of patients with sickle-cell anemia behaves like adult hemoglobin.
Dislocation-obstacle interactions: Dynamic experiments to continuum modeling

Incorporating the interaction of dislocations with obstacles remains a challenge in the development of predictive large-scale plasticity models. The need is particularly important in the elastic-plastic transition region where these interactions can dominate the behavior. By combining post-mortem analysis with dynamic straining in the transmission electron microscope, the atomic processes governing glissile dislocation reactions and interactions with obstacles has been determined. This information has been incorporated at least phenomenologically in models to assess the macroscopic stress-strain response. Two examples will be presented to demonstrate the methodology. The first example considers the interaction of dislocations with small vacancy Frank loops and the formation of defect-free channels in copper, and the second with the influence of imperfect annealing twin boundaries on the macroscopic stress-strain response in silver. In both examples, the importance of grain and twin boundaries as dislocation sources will be demonstrated.
Aerobic treatment of a nitrogen-limited chemical process wastewater.

Abstract Nitrogen transformations and their effect on aerobic suspended growth treatment of an industrial wastewater were studied in three parallel bench-scale reactors operated at 5 "C at mean cell residence times (MCRT) of 15, 30, and 60 days. In normal process wastewater, the bulk of influent nitrogen was in organic form, and the fraction transformed was almost totally incorporated into synthesized biomass. Assimilative control by heterotrophs maintained ammonianitrogen levels below permitted effluent levels, and nitrification was not significant. Although volatile suspended solids had a nitrogen content of only 5% to 8%, effective organics removal was maintained, and total organic carbon and filtered daily average five-day biochemical oxygen demand (BODS) were below permitted effluent levels. A marked improvement in settleability and lower effluent total suspended solids was achieved by adding ammonia-nitrogen to the wastewater in excess of stoichiometric growth requirements. During a batch production...
Rocket observations in the equatorial electrojet : current status and critical problems

The current status of in situ investigations in the equatorial electrojet is reviewed. Emphasis is placed on: (1) the relation of the vertical polarization field to the electrojet current and the electron number density; (2) the puzzling square shapes of the large amplitude kilometer-scale horizontal electric field structures; (3) the intense vertical, meter-scale waves observed on the topside of the electrojet associated with horizontal laminar-like primary two-stream waves; (4) measurements of upgoing and downgoing secondary two-stream and gradient drift wave packets driven by delta E x B drifts; (5) the nonlinear meter-scale 'turbulence' with small mean phase velocities observed by radars at altitudes outside the regions of high Cowling conductivity, and wave-particle heating by the plasma instabilities.
Mechanisms and Frequency of Resistance to Premafloxacin in Staphylococcus aureus: Novel Mutations Suggest Novel Drug-Target Interactions

Premafloxacin is a novel 8-methoxy fluoroquinolone with enhanced activity against Staphylococcus aureus. We found premafloxacin to be 32-fold more active than ciprofloxacin against wild-type S. aureus. Single mutations in either subunit of topoisomerase IV caused a four- to eightfold increase in the MICs of both quinolones. A double mutation (gyrA and either grlA or grlB) caused a 32-fold increase in the MIC of premafloxacin, while the MIC of ciprofloxacin increased 128-fold. Premafloxacin appeared to be a poor substrate for NorA, with NorA overexpression causing an increase of twofold or less in the MIC of premafloxacin in comparison to a fourfold increase in the MIC of ciprofloxacin. The frequency of selection of resistant mutants was 6.4 × 10−10 to 4.0 × 10−7 at twofold the MIC of premafloxacin, 2 to 4 log10 less than that with ciprofloxacin. Single-step mutants could not be selected at higher concentrations of premafloxacin. In five single-step mutants, only one previously described uncommon mutation (Ala116Glu), and four novel mutations (Arg43Cys, Asp69Tyr, Ala176Thr, and Pro157Leu), three of which were outside the quinolone resistance-determining region (QRDR) were found. Genetic linkage studies, in which incross of grlA+ and outcross of mutations were performed, showed a high correlation between the mutations and the resistance phenotypes, and allelic exchange experiments confirmed the role of the novel mutations in grlA in resistance. Our results suggest that although topoisomerase IV is the primary target of premafloxacin, premafloxacin appears to interact with topoisomerase IV in a manner different from that of other quinolones and that the range of the QRDR of grlA should be expanded.
Efficient capacity-based antenna selection for MIMO systems

The achieved capacity of the multiple-input-multiple-output wireless channel is typically dependent on the array configurations at the transmitter and receiver. Maximizing system capacity or throughput therefore requires that the arrays adapt to changing channel conditions, which may be accomplished by selecting an appropriate subset of available antenna elements for connection to the electronic transmit and receive modules. This work presents algorithms, derived using relatively straightforward information theoretic considerations, for efficiently and effectively selecting the antenna elements. Computational examples using a realistic channel model for indoor environments illustrate the performance of the techniques.
The “Spread” of Merit-Based College Aid Politics, Policy Consortia, and Interstate Competition

Many political scientists maintain that public policies diffuse across states and that proximate states, in particular, influence one another's policy activities. Using state-funded merit aid for college as its case, this article takes a new approach to the study of the diffusion phenomenon, leaving behind conventional techniques used by generations of innovation/diffusion scholars, and asks policy makers themselves to what they attribute state policy adoption. The authors' findings suggest that merit aid programs diffuse as a function of competition among neighboring states not only for students but also for revenue and ideas. Close policy communities and personal contacts among state policy makers and agency staff also condition policy adoption by spreading information about, and assessments of, educational innovations.
State-of-the-Art Review : Nitric Oxide and Restenosis

Restenosis after balloon angioplasty of vascu lar lesions in patients with atherothrombotic disease re mains an important complication of the procedure. At tempts to limit restenosis have been generally unsuccess ful. The endothelial cell normally produces several factors that limit the molecular and cellular events under lying the restenotic response. Chief among these is en dothelium-derived relaxing factor/nitric oxide. This sim ple molecule inhibits platelet activation, secretion, adhe sion, and aggregation; relaxes the underlying vascular smooth muscle cell; impairs leukocyte adhesion to the vessel wall; and limits vascular smooth muscle cell pro liferation. The mechanistic bases for these observations are presented in this overview, and experimental in vivo data that support the benefits of nitric oxide and nitric oxide donors in the prevention of restenosis are also re viewed.
Hospital readmissions after cardiac surgery: is it a game worth playing?

In their study in this issue of the Journal, ‘‘Uniform Standards Do Not Apply to Readmission Following Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: A Multi-Institutional Study,’’ Lancey and colleagues have highlighted several issues that limit the utility of the 30-day readmission rate as a suitable measure of quality when used as a pay for performance metric and call into question the practicality of its role in subsequent hospital reimbursement. Hospital readmissions are an obvious target for Medicare because they are costly to the health care system, accounting for more than $12 billion dollars per year, and pose significant hardship and inconvenience to patients. As a metric for scrutiny, the 30-day readmission rate is easily obtained, granular, and easy to measure. It is, however, not an ideal metric in isolation. A higher occurrence of readmission after an index admission is not necessarily representative of suboptimal care. In heart failure, for example, readmissions have been associated with lower 30-day mortality. A readmission penalty in this scenario would, in fact, penalize a hospital with lower mortality but whose subsequent greater number of discharged patients would be eligible for readmission. Moreover, the Medicare Payment Advisory Commission has stated that only 13% of readmissions are likely preventable, suggesting that even among specialties with readmission rates as high as 15% to 20%, only a small percentage of patients will benefit from strategies specifically addressing readmission. Similar to other readmission studies of cardiac surgical patients, the patients in this series were readmitted most commonly as a result of infection, arrhythmia, or an exacerbation of congestive heart failure. The date of readmission was typically within the first 2 weeks after discharge. Lancey and colleagues have additionally illustrated the difficulties that exist in identifying which specific comorbidities predispose toward readmission, and they have alluded to the
Enlisting ISPs to Improve Online Privacy: IP Address Mixing by Default

Today's Internet architecture makes no deliberate attempt to provide identity privacy--IP addresses are, for example, often static and the consistent use of a single IP address can leak private information to a remote party. Existing approaches for rectifying this situation and improving identity privacy fall into one of two broad classes: (1) building a privacy-enhancing overlay layer (like Tor) that can run on top of the existing Internet or (2) research into principled but often fundamentally different new architectures. We suggest a middle-ground: enlisting ISPs to assist in improving the identity privacy of users in a manner compatible with the existing Internet architecture, ISP best practices, and potential legal requirements.
Capital Market-Driven Corporate Finance

Much of empirical corporate finance focuses on sources of the demand for various forms of capital, not the supply. Recently, this has changed. Supply effects of equity and credit markets can arise from a combination of three ingredients: investor tastes, limited intermediation, and corporate opportunism. Investor tastes when combined with imperfectly competitive intermediaries lead prices and interest rates to deviate from fundamental values. Opportunistic firms respond by issuing securities with high prices and investing the proceeds. A link between capital market prices and corporate finance can in principle come from either supply or demand. This framework helps to organize empirical approaches that more precisely identify and quantify supply effects through variation in one of these three ingredients. Taken as a whole, the evidence shows that shifting equity and credit market conditions play an important role in dictating corporate finance and investment.
Anti-CD40 antibody induces antitumor and antimetastatic effects: the role of NK cells.

We assessed the effect of the stimulatory anti-CD40 Ab on NK cell activation in vivo and the therapeutic potential of activated NK cells in tumor-bearing mice. Single-dose i.p. injection of the anti-CD40 Ab resulted in production of IL-12 and IFN-γ in vivo, followed by a dramatic increase in NK cell cytolytic activity in PBLs. NK cell activation by anti-CD40 Ab was also observed in CD40 ligand knockout mice. Because NK cells express CD40 ligand but not CD40, our results suggest that NK activation is mediated by increased cytokine production upon CD40 ligation of APCs. Treatment of tumor-bearing mice with anti-CD40 Ab resulted in substantial antitumor and antimetastatic effects in three tumor models. Depletion of NK cells with anti-asialo GM1 Ab reduced or abrogated the observed antitumor effects in all the tested models. These results indicate that a stimulatory CD40 Ab indirectly activates NK cells, which can produce significant antitumor and antimetastatic effects.
Child mental health in Jordanian orphanages: effect of placement change on behavior and caregiving

To assess the mental health and behavioral problems of children in institutional placements in Jordan to inform understanding of current needs, and to explore the effects of placement change on functioning and staff perceptions of goodness-of-fit. An assessment was completed of 134 children between 1.5–12 years-of-age residing in Jordanian orphanages. The Child Behavior Checklist was used to assess prevalence rates of problems across externalizing and internalizing behavior and DSM-IV oriented subscales. Also included was caregiver perceived goodness-of-fit with each child, caregiving behavior, and two placement change-clock variables; an adjustment clock measuring time since last move, and an anticipation clock measuring time to next move. 28% were in the clinical range for the internalizing domain on the CBCL, and 22% for the externalizing domain. The children also exhibited high levels of clinical range social problems, affective disorder, pervasive developmental disorder, and conduct problems. Internalizing problems were found to decrease with time in placement as children adjust to a prior move, whereas externalizing problems increased as the time to their next age-triggered move drew closer, highlighting the anticipatory effects of change. Both behavioral problems and the change clocks were predictive of staff perceptions of goodness-of-fit with the children under their care. These findings add to the evidence demonstrating the negative effects of orphanage rearing, and highlight the importance of the association between behavioral problems and child-caregiver relationship pathways including the timing of placement disruptions and staff perceptions of goodness-of-fit.
Antigen-Specific B-Cell Responses by Neonatal Calves After Early Vaccination

Abstract The objective of this research was to evaluate the effects of early vaccination on the phenotype (i.e., activation marker expression) and functional capacity of B cell populations in neonatal calves. In the first of 2 experiments, 6 calves were vaccinated with ovalbumin at 3 and 5 wk of age. Three of the 6 calves also were vaccinated with Mycobacterium bovis, strain bacillus Calmette-Guerin (BCG) at 3 wk of age. Mycobacterium bovis lipoarabinomannan-reactive IgG 1 and IgG 2 were detected in calf sera prior to vaccination, indicative of colostral transfer of maternal Ig cross-specific to BCG. Ovalbumin-specific IgG 1 and IgG 2 were not detected before vaccination. Vaccination of 3-wk-old calves with ovalbumin elicited antigen-specific IgG 1 and IgG 2 anti-body responses that were amplified by secondary vaccination. Vaccination with BCG did not elicit a measurable antibody response. In the second experiment, 6 calves were vaccinated with ovalbumin at 3 and 5 wk of age in addition to BCG at 3 wk of age. Lymph node cell populations stimulated with ovalbumin had decreased CD5, CD21, and CD40 expression and increased B-B2, CD25, and CD80 expression on IgM + cells. Stimulation of the same population with purified-protein derivative increased CD25 and CD80 expression on IgM + cells. Expression of activation molecules on ovalbumin- and purified protein derivative-stimulated CD5 + IgM + cells was similar to expression on the larger IgM + cell population. An increased expression of major histocompatibility class II on CD5 + IgM + cells after stimulation was the only exception. Interestingly, IgM + cells isolated from the superficial cervical lymph node draining the vaccination site, but not from the opposing cervical lymph node, responded to antigen stimulation in vitro. In conclusion, calves generated B cell responses to ovalbumin and BCG after vaccination. Additional studies are necessary to determine whether maternal immunologic experience transferred via colostral immunoglobulin inhibits production of mycobacteria-specific immunoglobulin production in the calf.
Catheter-directed Thrombolysis in Deep Venous Thrombosis with Use of Reteplase: Immediate Results and Complications from a Pilot Study

PURPOSE To prospectively determine the thrombolytic success and complication rates of catheter-directed thrombolytic infusions in deep vein thrombosis (DVT) with use of reteplase. MATERIALS AND METHODS After approval by the institutional review board, prospective, detailed data were obtained for 25 consecutive patients with acute and chronic DVT of the upper or lower extremity (seven upper extremity; 14 lower extremity; four vena cava). Infusion rates were 1.0 U/h in five patients and 0.5 U/h in the remaining 20. Subtherapeutic heparin doses of 300–400 U/h were administered. Thrombolytic success was defined as 95% thrombolysis with return of antegrade flow. Data, including complications such as bleeding, need for transfusions, and laboratory values (fibrinogen, platelets, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and prothrombin time) were obtained throughout the infusions. RESULTS The total dose of reteplase administered ranged from 2.5 to 42 U (median, 16.5 U). The total infusion time ranged from 0.3 to 84 hours (median, 29 h). Thrombolytic success was achieved in 92% of patients. Endovascular stent placement and/or percutaneous transluminal angioplasty were required in 52% of patients to ensure maintenance of patency. Pre- and postprocedural average fibrinogen levels were 340 mg/dL and 315.3 mg/dL, respectively. The lowest mean fibrinogen levels for the two dose groups were 265.86 mg/dL for the 0.5 U/h group and 314.18 mg/dL for the 1.0 U/h group. The lowest fibrinogen level during the procedure was 252.3 mg/dL (range, 35 to>700). There were only two instances of fibrinogen levels that decreased to below 90 mg/dL: 35 mg/dL and 43 mg/dL. Thrombolytic failures occurred in two patients: one with acquired immune deficiency syndrome in a hypercoagulable state and one with a major bleeding complication. This was the only patient with a bleeding complication (4%). Hemorrhage occurred from the site of a previous mediastinal biopsy—which should have rendered her ineligible for the study—performed 18 hours before the thrombolysis. If thrombolysis had not been attempted in this patient, the complication rate would have been 0%. CONCLUSION Although there are reports of thrombolytic therapy in peripheral vascular occlusive disease, this study is one of the first to evaluate thrombolytic drugs in the deep venous system exclusively. Reteplase was found to be effective in the thrombolytic treatment of acute and chronic DVT.
Molecular sieving using nanofilters: Past, present and future

Filtration of molecules by nanometer-sized structures is ubiquitous in our everyday life, but our understanding of such molecular filtration processes is far less than desired. Until recently, one of the main reasons was the lack of experimental methods that can help provide detailed, microscopic pictures of molecule–nanostructure interactions. Several innovations in experimental methods, such as nuclear track-etched membranes developed in the 70s, and more recent development of nanofluidic molecular filters, played pivotal roles in advancing our understanding. With the ability to make truly molecular-scale filters and pores with well-defined sizes, shapes, and surface properties, now we are well positioned to engineer better functionality in molecular sieving, separation and other membrane applications. Reviewing past theoretical developments (often scattered across different fields) and connecting them to the most recent advances in the field would be essential to get a full, unified view on this important engineering question.
Radiographic and Anatomic Evaluation of Tibial Tubercle to Trochlear Groove Distance

Background A lateralized tibial tubercle is an important anatomic predictor of patellar instability and can be used as an indication for a distal realignment procedure. Currently, tibial tubercle to trochlear groove (TT-TG) distance is measured on computed tomography (CT); however, radiographs could be a safer and more efficient modality. The aim of this study is to evaluate and compare TT-TG measurements obtained using CT, anatomical dissections, and a novel radiographic technique. Furthermore, we evaluated the effects of knee flexion and tibial rotation on these measurements. Methods TT-TG distances were measured on 11 fresh cadaver specimens with CT and compared with anatomic measurements obtained from dissection in full knee extension and 90-degree flexion. Both imaging- and dissection-derived measurements were obtained in neutral, external, and internal tibial rotation. The TT-TG distance was also measured on a modified sunrise X-ray view (knee at 90 degrees). Results The TT-TG distance obtained on CT was 13.00 ± 1.05 mm and was comparable to measurements derived from anatomic dissections in extension (14.88 ± 1.10 mm) and 90 degrees (12.40 ± 1.93 mm) (p ≥ 0.05). The X-ray measurements of TT-TG distance (5.62 ± 1.16 mm) were significantly different than those measured on CT (p ≤ 0.05). TT-TG distances in neutral tibial position measured on CT and dissection were significantly different than distances measured in full external (19.79 ± 1.33 and 20.92 ± 1.15 mm, respectively) and internal tibia rotation (6.45 ± 1.00 and 10.33 ± 1.19 mm, respectively) (p ≤ 0.05). Conclusions TT-TG distance measured on CT is comparable to measurements from dissections in both full extension and 90-degree flexion. Tibial rotation has a significant effect on TT-TG measurements. Radiographic measurements did not correlate with CT and anatomic measurements. Clinical Relevance CT-derived TT-TG measurements are accurate throughout knee range of motion; however, it is important to maintain neutral lower leg rotation to not generate a false-positive or false-negative measurement. Radiographic measurement of TT-TG ration is not currently recommended.
Invariance and Scientific Representation

This paper argues for an invariantist view of scientific representation. First, it introduces the deflationary view that sees models in science as no different in essence from symbolic vehicles, which are derivative and adopted pragmatically, as a matter of convention. After analyzing this deflationary view and pointing out its shortcomings, it argues that representations play at least two radically different roles: one purely symbolic and therefore conventional, and the other epistemic. Finally, it argues that although it is correct to say that all particular external vehicles are introduced via some conventions, they get their jobs done because they are invariant with respect to particular conventions.
Hypoxia-induced increased permeability of endothelial monolayers occurs through lowering of cellular cAMP levels

Prolonged exposure to hypoxia, as at high altitude, results in increased vascular permeability that may be ameliorated by administration of glucocorticoids. To understand mechanisms underlying these observations, cultured bovine aortic and pulmonary artery endothelial cells (ECs) were subjected to hypoxia, and changes in monolayer permeability and adenosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphate (cAMP) levels were assessed. Exposure of both types of cultured ECs to hypoxia (PO2 approximately 14 Torr) led to a time- and dose-dependent increase in monolayer permeability, as measured by diffusion of radiolabeled solutes, which was associated with a progressive decrease in EC cAMP levels from 60 to 15 pmol/mg protein, and a decrease in EC adenylate cyclase activity. The change in endothelial barrier function was prevented by addition of cAMP analogues. Pertussis toxin protected EC monolayers from hypoxia-mediated increase in permeability while maintaining cAMP levels and adenylate cyclase activity. Addition of dexamethasone to EC monolayers before or simultaneously with their incubation under hypoxic conditions blocked the hypoxia-mediated increase in monolayer permeability. Dexamethasone pretreatment also prevented the decline in cAMP and adenylate cyclase levels in oxygen-deprived cultures. These data indicate that hypoxia decreases EC barrier function by lowering adenylate cyclase activity and cellular cAMP levels. They suggest that dexamethasone may exert its protective effect, in part, by preventing the hypoxia-induced decline in adenylate cyclase activity, leading to an increase in cellular cAMP and maintenance of EC barrier function.
Hydrogen Storage and Production Project

This is the final technical report. This report is a summary of the project. The goal of our project is to improve solar-to-hydrogen generation efficiency of the PhotoElectroChemical (PEC) conversion process by developing photoanodes with high absorption efficiency in the visible region of the solar radiation spectrum and to increase photo-corrosion resistance of the electrode for generating hydrogen from water. To meet this goal, we synthesized nanostructured heterogeneous semiconducting photoanodes with a higher light absorption efficiency compared to that of TiO2 and used a corrosion protective layer of TiO2. While the advantages of photoelectrochemical (PEC) production of hydrogen have not yet been realized, the recent developments show emergence of new nanostructural designs of photoanodes and choices of materials with significant gains in photoconversion efficiency.
Concentration of Arsenic in Blood Subsequent to Serial Administion of Neoarsphenamine.

A number of investigations∗ have shown that when arsphenamine and neoarsphenamine are intravenously introduced, the arsenicals rapidly disappear from the blood stream, part apparently going to immediate excretion, and part to storage in the tissues. Usually, however, these results have been obtained from 1, or in some instances from 2 or 3 injections of the arsenical. To determine whether the number of injections would play any role in the disposition of arsenic we have followed the quantity of arsenic present in the blood after serial administration of neoarsphenamine to dogs, maintained upon a constant fixed diet. The drug was introduced into either the jugular or femoral vein, and blood was drawn from an artery, usually of the leg. Each animal received 0.3 gram neoarsphenamine at intervals of 4 days. The arsenic was determined in 10 cc. samples of blood, by the combined methods of Chittenden and Smith, and Sanger and Black, the total quantity in the body being derived from a calculation of the blood vo...
Investigation of the mechanism of nickel electroless deposition on functionalized self-assembled monolayers.

We have investigated the seedless electroless deposition (ELD) of Ni on functionalized self-assembled monolayers (SAMs) using scanning electron and optical microscopies, X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy, and time-of-flight secondary ion mass spectrometry. For all SAMs studied, the Ni deposition rate is dependent on the bath pH, deposition temperature, and complexing agent. In contrast to the physical vapor deposition of Ni on SAMs, electrolessly deposited Ni does not penetrate through the SAM. This behavior indicates that ELD is a suitable technique for the deposition of low-to-moderate reactivity on organic thin films. We demonstrate that Ni can be selectively deposited on SAMs using two different methods. First, selectivity can be imparted by the formation of Ni(II)–surface complexes. As a demonstration, we selectively deposited Ni on the −COOH terminated SAM areas of patterned −COOH/–CH3 or −COOH/–OH terminated SAMs. Here, Ni2+ ions form Ni2+–carboxylate complexes with the −COOH terminal group, which c...
A Review on Opinions and Suggestions on the Revised Draft of Corporation Law

Compared with the current corporation law,the revised draft has made considerable progress,such as corporate capital system,corporate governance,one man's company of limited liability and the independent director of listed company and shareholder's direct action and representative action.The revised draft also reflects the basic direction of the amendment of current corporation law.However,some problems with the draft still need to be discussed.The corporation legislation first of all involves the interaction between government control and corporation's self-governance,and in modern society which is governed by law,the "control" of government on corporation shall be transferred to "government by law" step by step;since the corporation legislation also involves the interaction among the shareholders,directors,high-level managers and common staff inside corporation,the legislation should entrust the power that may not only balance all the parties,but avoid conflicts as much as possible;law governance inside the corporation is the direction of corporation legislation.
Chemotherapy Pharmacodynamics and Neuroimaging and Neurocognitive Outcomes in Long-Term Survivors of Childhood Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia

PurposeTo examine associations among methotrexate pharmacodynamics, neuroimaging, and neurocognitive outcomes in long-term survivors of childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia treated on a contemporary chemotherapy-only protocol.Patients and MethodsThis longitudinal study linked pharmacokinetic assays collected during therapy to neurocognitive and brain imaging outcomes during long-term follow-up. A total of 218 (72.2%) of 302 eligible long-term survivors were recruited for outcome studies when they were more than 5 years post-diagnosis and older than 8 years of age. At long-term follow-up, survivors were an average of 13.8 years old and 7.7 years from diagnosis, and 51% were male. Neurocognitive testing, functional magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) during an executive function task, and structural MRI with diffusion tensor imaging were conducted. Generalized linear models were developed to identify predictors, and models were adjusted for age at diagnosis, sex, and parent education.ResultsIntelligence was ...
An exploration of designers’ perspectives on human health and environmental impacts of interior textiles

Fast fashion and fast furnishings contribute to the unsustainability of the textile industry in multiple ways, and the deleterious impacts of fast furnishings, in particular, have encouraged some companies to embrace more holistic and sustainable approaches to interior textile design. As such, the purpose of this study was to explore designers’ perspectives on if and how decisions made during the design process for interior textiles may impact human health and the environment throughout the product life cycle, and if and how these decisions may be influenced by the engagement with and/or responsibilities toward stakeholders. This research was informed by multiple frameworks, including the design for the environment (DfE), product life cycle assessment (LCA), and stakeholder theory. Data were collected using an interpretive, qualitative research method that involved in-depth interviews with 12 US designers/design managers who specialize in the development of residential and/or commercial interior textiles. Findings revealed that participants demonstrated professional understanding of human health and environmental issues during the preliminary stages of the life cycle, including raw material selection, textile fabrication, and finishes and treatments, whereas understanding of such issues at the later stages of the life cycle (packaging and transportation, consumer care, and post use) tended to be more theoretical rather than strategic. Findings also revealed differences among designers employed by DfE-oriented companies and designers employed at more conventional companies with respect to their apparent understanding of how decisions made during the design process may impact human health and the environment throughout the product life cycle. This research contributes to our understanding of the role that designers may play in mitigating the negative impacts of interior textiles throughout the product life cycle. A limitation of this study is the size of the sample; conclusions are based upon the insights gained from 12 designers of interior textile products, and thus may not be generalizable to all designers/companies in the residential and/or commercial interior textile industry.
Lysophosphatidic acid does not cause blood/lymphatic vessel plasticity in the rat mesentery culture model.

Understanding the mechanisms behind endothelial cell identity is crucial for the goal of manipulating microvascular networks. Lysophosphatidic acid (LPA) and serum stimulation have been suggested to induce a lymphatic identity in blood endothelial cells in vitro. The objective of this study was to determine if LPA or serum induces blood-to-lymphatic vessel phenotypic transition in microvascular networks. The rat mesentery culture model was used to observe the effect of stimulation on blood and lymphatic microvascular networks ex vivo. Vascularized mesenteric tissues were harvested from adult Wistar rats and cultured with LPA or 10% serum for up to 5 days. Tissues were then immunolabeled with PECAM to identify blood vessels and LYVE-1 or Prox1 to identify lymphatic vessels. We show that while LPA caused capillary sprouting and increased vascular length density in adult microvascular networks, LPA did not cause a blood-to-lymphatic phenotypic transition. The results suggest that LPA is not sufficient to cause blood endothelial cells to adopt a lymphatic identity in adult microvascular networks. Similarly, serum stimulation caused robust angiogenesis and increased lymphatic/blood vessel connections, yet did not induce a blood-to-lymphatic phenotypic transition. Our study highlights an understudied area of lymphatic research and warrants future investigation into the mechanisms responsible for the maintenance of blood and lymphatic vessel identity.
Anatomy and embryology of the parathyroid gland

Experienced parathyroid surgeons recognize that the embryology of the parathyroid glands would guide them in their anatomic dissections to localize the abnormal glands. This becomes particularly important in circumstances when the glands are not in their “normal” locations. Surgeons must be familiar with the embryology that is so inherently linked with the final anatomic location of the glands. It is not uncommon for patients to have undergone failed surgical explorations secondary to parathyroid glands being in ectopic locations that were not appreciated. Parathyroid embryology knowledge can bridge that gap and direct the surgeon to those sites. In this article, variations in anatomic location, relation to critical structures including the recurrent laryngeal nerve, the number of glands, and even gland size and morphology would be explored and thereby provide the platform for parathyroid surgery.
Managing Integrity in Deed by Clarity of Word

As the field of modern American healthcare continues to flex its newly grown muscles under the Affordable Care Act, the need for commitment to corporate integrity becomes ever more apparent. In a perfect world, the question of whether such leadership should come through an edict from the Federal Government or be provided as a matter of course within each individual company should not be a subject of debate, and yet recent failures on the part of of certain corporate giants within the health care community have forced the issue to the forefront, making those tasked with compliance ask the question “where does compliance begin?” The unnerving truth is that in today’s age of regulatory enforcement, the existence of an integrity agreement is little more than a necessary prerequisite, and its effectiveness suffers greatly as a result.
Modelling Agent Forecast Distributions

Problems in the analysis and interpretation of uncertain inferences obtained from individuals, or agents, are considered in the context of forecasting a scalar random quantity. Based on new theoretical results presented by West and Crosse, Bayesian updating is developed for cases in which agents' opinions are proveded in terms of full forecast distributions (discrete or continuous), or parital summaries such as forecast means and variances. A particular focus is on problems in which partial agent information is communicated in terms of a few sumary probabilities or, alternatively, quantiles of the agent's distribution. Example models highlight the key features of the theory and illustrate applications
Depressive Symptomatology and Priming Effects Among Younger and Older Adults.

Background/Study Context: This study examined the potential impact of self-reported depressive symptoms on the age-related capacity for inhibition and suppression, utilizing a negative priming paradigm.Methods: One hundred eighty-five community-residing adults varying in age (98 younger adults, Mage = 22; 87 older adults, Mage = 69) completed a nonconscious priming task, the Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS), the White Bear Suppression Inventory (WBSI), the Depression Sensitivity Scale (DSS), a free thought suppression task, as well as several measures indexing overall cognitive ability and psychomotor speed. Hierarchical regressions investigated the interaction of depressive symptoms with age and its effect on both positive and negative priming performance, indexing both facilitation and inhibition effects, respectively.Results: Results support the hypothesis that noncognitive factors affect effortful performance among older adults, although this influence varied with the specific component of the GDS, i....
First-Year Faculty of Color: Narratives about Entering the Academy

The experiences of first-year, tenure-track faculty have been missing in the literature about new or junior faculty. Furthermore, the extant literature about new faculty does not offer a critical o...
Asynchronous broadcast-based decentralized learning in sensor networks

In this paper, we study the problem of decentralized learning in sensor networks in which local learners estimate and reach consensus to the quantity of interest inferred globally while communicati...
PCI or CABG for severe unprotected left main coronary artery disease: making sense of the NOBLE and EXCEL trials.

In the United States four percent of all patients without a prior history of coronary artery bypass graft (CABG) who undergo coronary angiography have severe unprotected left main coronary artery disease (ULMCAD) (1).
Abstract DPOC-002: A NOVEL CELL LINE BASED IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL TP53 EXPRESSION PATTERN CONTROL PANEL

BACKGROUND:TP53 gene mutation status is known to be manifested through distinct p53 immunohistochemical staining patterns; diffuse, “wild-type” and null. This stratified staining pattern is commonly utilized in subtyping ovarian and endometrial cancer subtypes as well as distinguishing between ovarian low- and high-grade serous carcinoma. EXPERIMENTAL PROCEDURES: Three ovarian cancer cell lines consistently demonstrating either diffuse, wild-type or null p53 staining were utilized in the construction of an immunohistochemical control panel slide that highlights each TP53 expression pattern. Cell lines were expanded, harvested and resuspended in agarose gel and subsequently sectioned onto a microscope slide (Figure 1A). Procured tissue specimens were submitted along with either standard control tissue or the TP53 cell line control panel to three pathologists of varying experience. RESULTS: Interobserver variability was demonstrated to be similar with the use of the TP53 expression panel (Fleiss kappa= 0.79 vs 0.76) and there was a net decrease in categorization errors. The TP53 cell line expression pattern control panel sections demonstrated consistent clean and easily interpretable diffuse, wild-type and null p53 staining (Figure 1B). CONCLUSIONS: We developed a novel cell line-based TP53 expression pattern control panel with refined quality assurance potential that would act, as a minimum, a model for antibody optimization. This study suggests the addition of a cell line TP53 control panel could potentially increase the accuracy of identification for ovarian and endometrial cancer subtypes as well as ovarian low grade versus high-grade serous carcinoma distinction. This control panel has the potential to be utilized in other disease states where TP53 expression pattern assists in diagnosis. Citation Format: Viqar Syed PhD, Imran Hussain, BSc, Jeptha Johnson MD, Patrick Malafronte MD, Justin Wells MD, Yaling Zhou PhD, Deyin Xing MD PhD, John D. Andersen DO. A NOVEL CELL LINE BASED IMMUNOHISTOCHEMICAL TP53 EXPRESSION PATTERN CONTROL PANEL [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 11th Biennial Ovarian Cancer Research Symposium; Sep 12-13, 2016; Seattle, WA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Clin Cancer Res 2017;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr DPOC-002.
An iterative reconstruction algorithm for amplitude sampling

Traditional data acquisition systems rely on sampling of bandlimited signals at uniformly spaced time instants with high-precision amplitude representation. Amplitude sampling, as previously introduced by the authors, is based on uniform amplitude sampling with high precision timing information. This paper presents an iterative algorithm for signal recovery from amplitude samples and compares the results with the use of iterative recovery from the nonuniform time samples implied by the amplitude sampling process. The iterative amplitude sampling reconstruction algorithm (IASR) proposed and evaluated in this paper is based on the interpretation of amplitude sampling as uniform sampling of an associated function obtained from a reversible transformation of the bandlimited input signal. The IASR algorithm exploits uniform sampling and the frequency- and time-domain properties of the amplitude-time function. The IASR algorithm is compared with the use of iterative nonuniform sampling reconstruction as proposed by Voroni. While in numerical simulations the Voronoi algorithm converges to marginally better reconstruction than IASR, the convergence rate of IASR is significantly better.