cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cisplatin, 5-fluorouracil, and high-dose oral leucovorin for advanced head and neck cancer

Both cisplatin and leucovorin may increase the activity of 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) by increasing the intracellular concentration of reduced folates. Therefore, a Phase I study was conducted in patients with recurrent or metastatic head and neck cancer in which high doses of oral leucovorin were added to the combination of cisplatin and 5-FU. Patients received intravenous cisplatin 100 mg/m2 on day 1, followed by a continuous intravenous infusion of 5-FU at 600 mg/m2/day for 5 days. Leucovorin 50 mg/m2 orally was administered from the start of the cisplatin infusion and then every 6 hours throughout the 5-FU infusion. The dose of 5-FU was increased to 800 mg/m2/day and 1 g/m2/day according to observed toxicity. In a second phase of the study, the dose of leucovorin was increased to 50 mg/m2 orally every 4 hours. Twenty-five patients were registered: 23 had recurrent head and neck cancer after extensive treatment; two had newly diagnosed metastatic disease. The maximum tolerated dose of 5-FU was 800 mg/m2/day with leucovorin administered every 6 hours. Toxicities at that level included mild-to-moderate myelosuppression. Mucositis in the previously irradiated field prevented the further increase of the 5-FU dose to 1 g/m2/day. Identical toxicities were observed when administering 5-FU at 800 mg/m2/day with 50 mg/m2 of leucovorin every 4 hours. Eighteen patients were evaluated for response: one had a pathologic complete response; nine had a partial response (including four who had previously received cisplatin and 5-FU as induction chemotherapy). Eight patients did not respond. The median survival for all 25 patients was 6.5 months. It was concluded that the combination of cisplatin, 5-FU, and leucovorin is active in the treatment of recurrent head and neck cancer. The maximum tolerated dose of 5-FU in previously treated patients is 800 mg/m2/day, with mucositis being the dose-limiting toxicity. Further investigation of this regimen as neoadjuvant chemotherapy in previously untreated patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer is in progress.
Fertilizer injury to potatoes as affected by fertilizer source, rate and placement

To investigate fertilizer injury to potatoes under field conditions, a three year study from 1979 to 1981 was undertaken in Central New York. The study was carried out on a well drained Howard gravelly silt loam; pH 6.6–6.8 with high organic matter (6.1–6.4%) and cation exchange capacity (CEC) of 13.4–14.9. When applied at a normal rate equivalent to 1,685 kg/ha of 10-15–15-1.2 the blended fertilizer containing urea N did not significantly reduce the tuber yield compared to ammoniated fertilizer and blended fertilizer containing ammonium nitrate (AN). However, when it was placed in contact with the seedpiece, the urea delayed emergence and early growth of the plant. Fertilizers containing urea-diammonium phosphate (DAP) and ureatriple superphosphate (TSP), applied at higher than normal rates and placed in contact with the seedpiece, significantly delayed emergence and reduced tuber yield.
Potential of agricultural by-product-based activated carbons for use in raw sugar decolourisation.

The physical (bulk density and hardness) and chemical (pH and mineral content) characteristics of granular activated carbons (GACs) made from rice straw, pecan shells and hulls of soybean and rice were determined. The adsorption properties (iodine test, molasses test and raw sugar decolourisation efficiency) of these by-product-based carbons were also evaluated. A commercial decolourising carbon (Calgon CPG LF) was used as a comparison. Pecan-based carbons had bulk densities and hardness numbers higher than Calgon CPG LF. They also showed a mineral content and pH similar to or lower than the commercial carbon. The adsorption properties of the pecan-based carbons were, however, about 40% below that of the reference carbon. In contrast, rice (hull and straw)-based carbons exhibited good adsorption properties similar to the reference carbon in both iodine test and molasses test, but their ash content and their inherent pHs were higher than Calgon CPG LF. Both types of rice-based carbons were also more friable and had lower bulk densities than the commercial carbon. However, rice-hull-based carbon was statistically as effective as Calgon CPG-LF in decolourising raw sugar solutions at the 5% confidence level. Of the by-product-based carbons evaluated, pecan-shell-based GACs would be most suitable as raw sugar decolourisers if their adsorption efficiencies could be improved.
Synthesis and evaluation of 3-123I-iodo-5-[2-(S)-3-pyrrolinylmethoxy]-pyridine (niodene) as a potential nicotinic α4β2 receptor imaging agent

Nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) are downregulated in disease conditions such as Alzheimer's and substance abuse. Presently, (123)I-5-IA-85380 is used in human studies and requires over 6h of scanning time, thus increases patient discomfort. We have designed and synthesized 3-iodo-5-[2-(S)-3-pyrrolinylmethoxy]pyridine (niodene) with the aim to have faster binding kinetics compared to (123)I-5-IA-85380, which may reduce scanning time and help in imaging studies. Binding affinity K(i) of niodene for rat brain α4β2 receptors in brain homogenate assays using (3)H-cytisine was 0.27 nM. Niodene, 10nM displaced >95% of (18)F-nifene bound to α4β2 receptors in rat brain slices. By using the iododestannylation method, (123)I-niodene was obtained in high radiochemical purity (>95%) but with low radiochemical yield (<5%) and low specific activity (∼100 Ci/mmol). Autoradiograms show (123)I-niodene localized in the thalamus and cortex, which was displaced by nicotine (thalamus to cerebellum ratio=4; cortex to cerebellum ratio=1.6). Methods of radioiodination need to be further evaluated in order to obtain (123)I-niodene in higher radiochemical yields and higher specific activity of this potentially useful new SPECT imaging agent.
Big data text-oriented benchmark creation for Hadoop

Massive-scale Big Data analytics is representative of a new class of workloads that justifies a rethinking of how computing systems should be optimized. This paper addresses the need for a set of benchmarks that system designers can use to measure the quality of their designs and that customers can use to evaluate competing systems offerings with respect to commonly performed text-oriented workflows in Hadoop™. Additions are needed to existing benchmarks such as HiBench in terms of both scale and relevance. We describe a methodology for creating a petascale data-size text-oriented benchmark that includes representative Big Data workflows and can be used to test total system performance, with demands balanced across storage, network, and computation. Creating such a benchmark requires meeting unique challenges associated with the data size and its often unstructured nature. To be useful, the benchmark also needs to be sufficiently generic to be accepted by the community at large. Here, we focus on a text-oriented Hadoop workflow that consists of three common tasks: categorizing text documents, identifying significant documents within each category, and analyzing significant documents for new topic creation.
Food restriction in female Wistar rats. II. β-adrenoceptor density in the cerebellum and in the splenic lymphocytes

The effect of diet restriction, applied on an every-other-day schedule from 3.5 months of age on, has been investigated on the beta-adrenoceptor density in the cerebellum and in the splenic lymphocytes of old female Wistar rats. Comparing animals 6 months and 24 months old fed ad libitum, a 75% age-dependent reduction in specific binding of the agonist dihydroalprenolol was observed in cerebellar membrane preparations, while the beta-adrenoceptor density of lymphocytes remained unaltered. Diet restriction induced a partial recovery of the age-related decrease of this parameter in the cerebellum without affecting the receptor density of lymphocytes. Present results suggest that undernutrition delays the appearance of those alterations related to aging.
Flow in axisymmetrical glass model aneurysms

Abstract Experiments have been performed on the flow of water with a dye tracer in rigid glass models of axisymmetrical spherical aneurysms. Streamlines have been visualized, pressure drops over the surface of the bulbs have been measured, and a critical Reynolds number for the onset of turbulence in the aneurysms has been determined. Boundary layer separation and recirculating flow with closed streamlines was observed in all models for flow rates below those necessary for turbulence. Pressures on the aneurysm walls for both laminar and turbulent flow were found to be of the same order of magnitude as those immediately upstream and downstream with no large pressure differences over the bulb surfaces. An inviscid mathematical model of the flow field was developed and shown to give good agreement with experiment for high Reynolds number laminar flow. The use of a suitably defined critical Reynolds number as an aid in the decision to operate on fusiform aneurysms is noted, as well as the limitations imposed on the experimental and theoretical results by the neglect of flow periodicity and nonhomogeneity.
Control of late postoperative ventricular arrhythmias with phenytoin in young patients.

Abstract Ventricular arrhythmias probably initiate the events leading to sudden death in patients who have recovered uneventfully from surgery for congenital heart disease. It is therefore recommended that antiarrhythmic therapy be given to all patients who have had surgery for congenital heart defects and who have ventricular arrhythmias found in a routine electrocardiogram taken after the immediate postoperative period. The response of ventricular arrhythmias to treatment was studied in six ambulatory patients aged 7 to 27 years (mean 16.5) who had had surgery a mean of 10.7 years before the arrhythmia was recognized. Four patients had unsatisfactory repair of the congenital defect; the two other patients had only a palliative operation. Each patient's electrocardiogram was monitored continually by tape recording. Each received phenytoin, 3.75 mg/kg body weight, every 6 hours for four doses, then 1.9 mg/kg every 6 hours until the serum concentration of phenytoin was 15 to 20 μg/ml. This serum concentration was maintained with the daily administration of 2.5 to 3 mg/kg every 12 hours. In the 24 hours before treatment, two patients had ventricular tachycardia, two had paired premature ventricular complexes and two had 10 or more single premature ventricular complexes/hour. After treatment, all patients had “effective control” (one or less premature ventricular complex/hour for 12 consecutive hours). This control was achieved with phenytoin in five patients, but one patient required the addition of disopyramide (2 mg/kg every 6 hours). All five patients undergoing a treadmill test before treatment had premature ventricular complexes during or after exercise; after treatment, only one had premature ventricular complexes after exercise. The patient who required two drugs was unable to perform a treadmill test. The mean effective serum phenytoin concentration, 15.7 μg/ml (range 8.5 to 20.0), was reached at a mean time of 61.2 hours (range 42 to 80) after the start of phenytoin therapy. Ataxia occurred in two patients with serum phenytoin concentrations of 16 and 20 μg, but not in the other four, three of whom had serum concentrations greater than 20 μg/ml. Echocardiographic, hematopoletic, hepatic and renal function indexes remained constant with treatment. It is concluded that (1) phenytoin suppressed ventricular arrhythmias in six children and young adults after surgery for congenital heart disease; (2) the effective serum concentration of phenytoin was approximately 15 μg/ml, but varied widely; and (3) this concentration was achieved within 48 to 72 hours when an oral loading dose was administered.
Studies of the overproduction of dihydrofolate reductase by variant hamster cells in culture

Abstract Recent studies in this laboratory have concerned the regulation of dihydrofolate reductase in cultured hamster cells. Variant sublines highly resistant to Methotrexate due to markedly increased reductase activity were isolated. The reductase, purified by affinity chromatography, exists in hamster cells in two basic forms, which have different physical and kinetic properties but the same fingerprint patterns, and which cannot be interconverted. In the variant cells the main form has the same fingerprint pattern, and the minor form also is probably not altered. Turnover studies, first with antiserum to the enzyme and subsequently with affinity chromatography, indicate that the increase in reductase activity is entirely due to an increased rate of enzyme synthesis rather than decreased degradation. Polysomal RNA from the resistant cells, combined with a cell-free protein-synthesizing system, stimulates the in vitro production of reductase at an increased rate which accounts for half or more of the increased rate of enzyme production in the resistant cells. Possible mechanisms causing overproduction of the reductase are discussed, in addition to our current related studies.
Bacterial and Yeast Endophytes from Poplar and Willow Promote Growth in Crop Plants and Grasses

Endophytic associations with plants have a beneficial effect for many different plant species with some of them being host specific. Several endophytes isolated from poplar and willow were screened for their effects on commercially important crops including corn, tomato, pepper, squash, sunflower, and grasses. Most of these endophytes produce growth hormones such as indoleacetic acid (IAA) and have the nitrogenase gene required for nitrogen fixation. The effects of these isolates on plant growth and yield were evaluated under greenhouse conditions. We found that inoculated plants not only had better viability and earlier flowering and fruiting, they also had increased plant growth and fruit yields when grown in nitrogen-limited soil. In a particular variety of perennial rye grass, the endophytes increased the total nitrogen content of the plants, indicative of nitrogen fixation, in addition to promoting plant growth. The use of specific endophytes may be preferable to the use of chemical fertilizers because of the monetary and environmental costs, contributing to more sustainable agricultural systems.
Game theory based autonomous vehicles operation

In this paper, we propose a game theory based approach to decision making with application to the operation of autonomous ground vehicles in highway setting. The mixed-motive game theory is utilised as a decisionmaking strategy in the context of a two-player game involving autonomous vehicles. The payoff matrices are defined by considering the safety of each player’s decision combination in view of their desire to stay within a given lane or to change lanes in consideration of the traffic conditions that the vehicles encounter. By analysing the payoff matrix, either a pure (deterministic)strategy or a mixed (probabilistic) strategy is selected. Three 10 km velocity profiles are predefined for simulation purposes. The simulation results demonstrate effective driving performance. In particular when it is compared with non-game theory cases, game theory based results show larger payoff for both vehicles and smaller payoff differences, securing safe manoeuvring via lane change manoeuvre (LCM) and adaptive cruise control (ACC).
Transporting critically ill children

Abstract Increasing centralization of paediatric intensive care services and a reduction in the numbers of children cared for in adult intensive care units over the last 15–20 years has led to an increase in the numbers of critically ill children being transferred between clinical centres throughout the UK. Seventy-seven per cent of these retrievals are conducted by a specialist paediatric intensive care unit (PICU) team, the remainder by various other teams (with and without specialist intensive care experience). Various pressures made it increasingly difficult for PICUs to facilitate the timely retrieval of critically ill children whilst maintaining the provision of quality care to children already under their supervision. This situation has led to the development of regional, stand-alone transport teams throughout the UK. A typical example of such a team is the North West & North Wales Paediatric Transport Service (NWTS). This team uses the structured approach ‘ACCEPT', advocated by the Advanced Life Support Group, Neonatal, Adult and Paediatric Safe Transfer and Retrieval (NAPSTaR) course. This acronym summarizes the key components of transfer: Assessment, Control, Communication, Evaluation, Preparation/Packaging, Transportation and places the evaluation, planning and execution of these elements in context by considering the defining features of transport medicine summarized as ‘SCRUMP': Shared assessment, Clinical isolation, Resource limitations, Unfamiliar equipment, Movement and Safety and Physiology. Regional transport teams have improved patient outcomes and experiences when compared to previous models of service delivery. The approach used by these services may be adopted by all teams providing intra- and inter-hospital transfer of the sick or injured child.
Cross-Linked Smectites. III. Synthesis and Properties of Hydroxy-Aluminum Hectorites and Fluorhectorites

Interaction of La3+- and Ce3+-exchanged hectorites with oligomeric hydroxy-Al cations results in the formation of cross-linked hectorites possessing moderately high surface areas (~ 220–280 m2/g) and high thermal stability. The basal spacings of these products were generally in the range 17.0–18.0 A, the exact d(001) value depending on the age of the hydroxy-Al oligomeric solution and on the pH of the starting hectorite dispersion. Interaction of Li- or Ce-fluorhectorite with hydroxy-Al oligocations produced the corresponding cross-linked fluorhectorites, which showed markedly higher basal spacings (18.2–20.0 A for air-dried samples), surface areas (~300–380 m2/g), and thermal stability, as compared with those of the cross-linked hectorites. The cross-linking agent applied in the synthesis of the hydroxy-Al hectorite and fluorhectorite products consisted of a solution of hydroxy-Al oligomers aged for periods of 7 to 27 days. A constant ratio of 2.0 mmole Al/g of smectite was used in all preparations. The high basal spacings and porosity of the newly synthesized products are consistent with a structure similar to that previously proposed for cross-linked hydroxy-Al montmorillonite.
Performance evaluation of nickel-cadmium and nickel-hydrogen aerospace cells with electrochemically deposited nickel electrodes

Eagle-Picher Ind. Inc. (EPI) began production of Ni-H/sub 2/ and Ni-Cd cells for Hughes Aircraft Co. (HAC) and other users in 1988. The cells use electrochemically-deposited (ED) positive plates that are produced through a process that is unique to EPI and HAC. Since that time EPI has delivered over 1,200 Ni-H/sub 2/ cells providing battery systems for 23 active satellites. EPI has produced over 1,400 Ni-Cd cells which now support 8 active satellites. Sampex, the only LEO type satellite currently in flight that is supported by EPI cells (Sampex is outfitted with Super Ni-Cd/sup TM/) is expected to exceed design life. There are three more LEO programs currently in production. All other programs are GEO type satellites and are performing well. This paper reviews the performance of some of these programs and address some special storage requirements. >
Differential Localization of Complement Component 3 within the Capsular Matrix of Cryptococcus neoformans

The polysaccharide capsule of Cryptococcus neoformans is a powerful activator of the complement system. The goal of the present study was to assess serum and cellular variables that influence the sites for C3 binding within the capsular matrix. Confocal microscopy using fluorophore-labeled polyclonal anti-C3 and anticapsular monoclonal antibodies and rosetting of fluorescent microspheres coated with anti-C3 were used to identify sites of C3 binding relative to the capsular edge. The results showed that the source of serum was a major variable influencing localization of C3. C3 bound at or very near the capsular edge in the case of human serum. C3 deposition was further from the capsule edge with guinea pig and rat sera; in the case of mouse serum, there was no binding of C3 in the outer region of the capsule. Addition of human C3 to mouse serum led to deposition of the C3 at the capsular edge, indicating that distinct properties of mouse and human C3 account for the differential localization of C3. Finally, the density of the capsular matrix was an important variable in determining sites for C3 deposition. Yeast cells with a high concentration of polysaccharide near the capsule edge supported deposition of mouse C3 at or near the capsular edge, whereas cells with a low matrix density showed deposition well beneath the edge. Taken together, these results indicate that the spatial deposition of C3 within the capsular matrix is a complex process that is influenced by the serum source and the density of the capsular matrix.
Diarrheagenic Escherichia coli

Escherichia coli is the predominant nonpathogenic facultative flora of the human intestine. Some E. coli strains, however, have developed the ability to cause disease of the gastrointestinal, urinary, or central nervous system in even the most robust human hosts. Diarrheagenic strains of E. coli can be divided into at least six different categories with corresponding distinct pathogenic schemes. Taken together, these organisms probably represent the most common cause of pediatric diarrhea worldwide. Several distinct clinical syndromes accompany infection with diarrheagenic E. coli categories, including traveler’s diarrhea (enterotoxigenic E. coli), hemorrhagic colitis and hemolytic-uremic syndrome (enterohemorrhagic E. coli), persistent diarrhea (enteroaggregative E. coli), and watery diarrhea of infants (enteropathogenic E. coli). This review discusses the current level of understanding of the pathogenesis of the diarrheagenic E. coli strains and describes how their pathogenic schemes underlie the clinical manifestations, diagnostic approach, and epidemiologic investigation of these important pathogens.
Aging Cartilage and Osteoarthritis--What's the Link?

Cartilage aging can contribute to the development of osteoarthritis (OA), the most common cause of chronic pain and disability in older adults. Articular cartilage is a unique tissue from the perspective of aging in that the cells (chondrocytes) and the majority of the extracellular matrix proteins experience little turnover, resulting in a tissue that must withstand years of use and can also accumulate years of aging-associated changes. Accumulation of advanced glycation end products (AGEs) occurs in cartilage, and the potential role of AGEs in the development of OA is being investigated. An age-associated reduction in growth factor signaling and an increase in oxidative stress may also play an important role in the age-OA connection. Further elucidation of mechanisms that affect chondrocyte function with aging should lead to novel interventions designed to slow the aging process in cartilage with the goal of preventing age-associated OA.
Tumor loci and their interactions on mouse chromosome 19 that contribute to testicular germ cell tumors

Complex genetic factors underlie testicular germ cell tumor (TGCT) development. One experimental approach to dissect the genetics of TGCT predisposition is to use chromosome substitution strains, such as the 129.MOLF-Chr 19 (M19). M19 carries chromosome (Chr) 19 from the MOLF whereas all other chromosomes are from the 129 strain. 71% of M19 males develop TGCTs in contrast to 5% in 129 strain. To identify and map tumor loci from M19 we generated congenic strains harboring MOLF chromosome 19 segments on 129 strain background and monitored their TGCT incidence. We found 3 congenic strains that each harbored tumor promoting loci that had high (14%-32%) whereas 2 other congenics had low (4%) TGCT incidences. To determine how multiple loci influence TGCT development, we created double and triple congenic strains. We found additive interactions were predominant when 2 loci were combined in double congenic strains. Surprisingly, we found an example where 2 loci, both which do not contribute significantly to TGCT, when combined in a double congenic strain resulted in greater than expected TGCT incidence (positive interaction). In an opposite example, when 2 loci with high TGCT incidences were combined, males of the double congenic showed lower than expected TGCT incidence (negative interaction). For the triple congenic strain, depending on the analysis, the overall TGCT incidence could be additive or could also be due to a positive interaction of one region with others. Additionally, we identified loci that promote bilateral tumors or testicular abnormalities. The congenic strains each with their characteristic TGCT incidences, laterality of tumors and incidence of testicular abnormalities, are useful for identification of TGCT susceptibility modifier genes that map to Chr 19 and also for studies on the genetic and environmental causes of TGCT development. TGCTs are a consequence of aberrant germ cell and testis development. By defining predisposing loci and some of the locus interactions from M19, this study further advances our understanding of the complex genetics of TGCTs, which is the most common cancer in young human males.
Measuring cellular structure at submicrometer scale with light scattering spectroscopy

We present a novel instrument for imaging the angular distributions of light backscattered by biological cells and tissues. The intensities in different regions of the image are due to scatterers of different sizes. We exploit this to study scattering from particles smaller than the wavelength of light used, even when they are mixed with larger particles. We show that the scattering from subcellular structure in both normal and cancerous human cells is best fitted to inverse power-law distributions for the sizes of the scattering objects, and propose that the distribution of scattering objects may be different in normal versus cancerous cells.
FastR: fast database search tool for non-coding RNA

The discovery of novel non-coding RNAs has been among the most exciting recent developments in biology. Yet, many more remain undiscovered. It has been hypothesized that there is in fact an abundance of functional non-coding RNA (ncRNA) with various catalytic and regulatory junctions. Computational methods tailored specifically for ncRNA are being actively developed. As the inherent signal for ncRNA is weaker than that for protein coding genes, comparative methods offer the most promising approach, and are the subject of our research. We consider the following problem: Given an RNA sequence with a known secondary structure, efficiently compute all structural homologs (computed as a function of sequence and structural similarity) in a genomic database. Our approach, based on structural filters that eliminate a large portion of the database, while retaining the true homologs allows us to search a typical bacterial database in minutes on a standard PC, with high sensitivity and specificity. This is two orders of magnitude better than current available software for the problem.
Heating‐cooling plate for flawless open casting of agarose gels

A heating-cooling plate for open casting of agarose gels is described. Use of this plate provides a flawless and convenient means of producing 0.8 mm or thicker gels of any size up to 25 × 30 cm on glass plates (0.5 mm thick gels tend to pull slightly away from the edge of the glass plate during pouring). Gels of of any thickness (0.5 mm or greater) can be prepared if GelBond film is used.
44-Year-Old Man With Left-Sided Paresthesias and Homonymous Hemianopsia.

44-year-old man who had been living in the Philippines as a missionary worker for 15 years recently returned to the United States for evaluation of a new medical problem. Three months before his return to the United States, he had 4 episodes of transient paresthesias involving the left side of his face and his left arm, and leg. A week after the onset of these symptoms, he experienced severe generalized headaches that later localized to the occiput. The headaches were associated with floaters and bright sparkling lights in his left visual field. He had a remote history of giardiasis and intestinal amebiasis. He had traveled previously to Thailand, Mexico, and Taiwan with his family, who had not experienced any health problems. Results of a tuberculin skin test were negative. He was not taking any medications and did not smoke or consume alcohol or drugs. A review of systems was negative for fever, chills, weakness, diplopia, dysarthria, dysphagia, loss of consciousness, or loss of bowel or bladder control. Vital signs included a temperature of 36.8C, blood pressure of 118/78 mm Hg, pulse rate of 80 beats/min, and respiratory rate of 16 breaths/min. Visual field testing revealed a left homonymous hemianopsia. No abnormalities were detected on examinations of mental status, cranial nerves, motor and cerebellar function, and gait. The patient’ ss ymptoms suggested a neurologic lesion.
A method for rapid dose-response screening of environmental chemicals using human embryonic stem cells.

Abstract Introduction Human embryonic stem cells (hESC) provide an invaluable model for assessing the effects of environmental chemicals and drugs on human prenatal development. However, hESC are difficult to adapt to 96-well plate screening assays, because they survive best when plated as colonies, which are difficult to count and plate accurately. The purpose of this study is to present an experimental method and analysis procedure to accomplish reliable screening of toxicants using hESC. Methods We present a method developed to rapidly and easily determine the number of cells in small colonies of hESC spectrophotometerically and then accurately dispense equivalent numbers of cells in 96-well plates. The MTT assay was used to evaluate plating accuracy, and the method was tested using known toxicants. Results The quality of the plate set-up and analysis procedure was evaluated with NIH plate validation and assessment software. All statistical parameters measured by the software were acceptable, and no drift or edge effects were observed. The 96-well plate MTT assay with hESC was tested by performing a dose–response screen of commercial products, which contain a variety of chemicals. The screen was done using single wells/dose, and the reliability of this method was demonstrated in a subsequent screen of the same products repeated three times. The single and triple screens were in good agreement, and NOAELs and IC 50 s could be determined from the single screen. The effects of vapor from volatile chemicals were studied, and methods to monitor and avoid vapor effects were incorporated into the assay. Discussion Our method overcomes the difficulty of using hESC for reliable quantitative 96-well plate assays. It enables rapid dose–response screening using equipment that is commonly available in laboratories that culture hESC. This method could have a broad application in studies of environmental chemicals and drugs using hESC as models of prenatal development.
Branding Peru: Cultural heritage and popular culture in the marketing strategy of PromPerú

Nation brands reveal how a country would like to be perceived and what it considers to be its most appealing attributes. Of course, there is not necessarily concordance between the brand and reality, either as perceived inside or outside the country or both. Ideally, however, the brand can be sustained in the face of examination—domestic and foreign. It can deliver on what it promises. When a nation’s people are mobilized in support of the brand, when they affiliate themselves with the brand’s message, when there is popular buy-in, when the brand taps into the prevailing zeitgeist, then the brand becomes iconic in the country and amazing things can happen. This chapter discusses Peru’s new nation brand: la marca Peru. That brand was created by PromPeru, the national Commission for the Promotion of Peru. The brand is wildly successful in Peru because it has drawn together a strategic cluster of positive cultural ideas about what Peru and Peruvianess are. The brand has overcome the pathology of Michael Herzfeld’s cultural intimacy pervasive in the country so as to generate a performative and embodied pride of self as a member of this imagined community. Popular culture in Peru has become one of the foundations of la marca Peru. Popular culture joins Peru’s spectacular ancient civilizations, ethnic diversity, and breathtaking scenery to create what PromPeru calls a “unique, special, and multifaceted image of the country.”
Screening for diabetes in patients receiving second-generation atypical antipsychotics.

Purpose Results of a study to assess adherence with a consensus statement for diabetes screening in patients receiving atypical antipsychotics and to evaluate the role of pharmacists in a patient-centered medical home in improving guideline adherence are presented. Summary For patients prescribed atypical antipsychotics, records were reviewed for glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) testing within the past 12 months. If no HbA1c results were found within that time frame, physicians were sent an alert in the patient’s electronic medical record requesting an HbA1c order. Patient medical records were reviewed to analyze the number of HbA1c orders before and after pharmacist intervention. Prior to pharmacist intervention, 17 of 120 (14%) patients were screened with HbA1c. As a result of pharmacist intervention, 86 alerts were sent to physicians to order an HbA1c level, 24 (28%) of which included an order for an HbA1c level. Eleven of 24 (46%) HbA1c test results were collected during study follow-up, and one prediabetic patient was identified. Conclusion After pharmacist intervention, a greater number of patients receiving atypical antipsychotic medications had HbA1c levels monitored for evidence of type 2 diabetes.
Pyruvate and Metabolic Flexibility: Illuminating a Path Toward Selective Cancer Therapies

Dysregulated metabolism is an emerging hallmark of cancer, and there is abundant interest in developing therapies to selectively target these aberrant metabolic phenotypes. Sitting at the decision-point between mitochondrial carbohydrate oxidation and aerobic glycolysis (i.e., the ‘Warburg effect'), the synthesis and consumption of pyruvate is tightly controlled and is often differentially regulated in cancer cells. This review examines recent efforts toward understanding and targeting mitochondrial pyruvate metabolism, and addresses some of the successes, pitfalls, and significant challenges of metabolic therapy to date.
Comparison of state- and information-based sensor fusion

In this paper, state and information space estimation methods used in both linear and nonlinear systems are compared. General recursive estimation and in particular the Kalman filter is discussed and a Bayesian approach to probabilistic information fusion is outlined. The notion and measures of information are defined. This leads to the derivation of the algebraic equivalent of the Kalman filter, the linear information filter. The characteristics of this filter and the advantages of information space estimation are discussed. Examples are then implemented in software to illustrate the algebraic equivalence of the Kalman and Information filters. The benefits of information space are also explored in these case studies. State estimation for systems with nonlinearities is considered and the extended Kalman filter treated. Linear information space is then extended to nonlinear information space by deriving the extended information filter. This establishes all the necessary mathematical tools required for exhaustive information space estimation. The advantages of the extended information filter over the extended Kalman filter are presented and demonstrated. This extended information filter constitute an original and significant contribution to estimation theory made in this paper. Examples of systems involving both nonlinear state evolution and nonlinear observations are simulated. Thus, the algebraic equivalence of the two filters is illustrated and the benefits of nonlinear information space manifested.
A Method to Regulate Cofilin Transport Using Optogenetics and Live Video Analysis

Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disease, where early stages of learning and memory loss are associated with a pronounced loss of synapses and dendritic spines. The actin-severing protein cofilin regulates the remodeling of dendritic spines in neurons, which are small protrusions on the surface of dendrites that receive inputs from neighboring neurons. However, the underlying mechanisms that mediate this are unclear. Previous studies have reported that phosphorylation regulates cofilin activity, but not much is known about the spatiotemporal dynamics of cofilin in synapses and spines. Here, an optogenetic method was developed to modulate the activity of cofilin, and video bioinformatics tools were used to study cofilin transport in dendritic spines and its effects on synapses. Gaining further insight into the workings of cofilin in spines can lead to potential therapies that regulate synaptic connectivity in the brain. In this chapter, a light-inducible, multichannel, live video imaging system was used to track the localization of cofilin, regulate its activity, and modulate synaptic connectivity in cultured hippocampal neurons.
LINEAR PARAMETER-VARYING FLOW CONTROL FOR A DRIVEN CAVITY USING REDUCED-ORDER MODELS

Flow control can potentially impact many engineering applications; however, the design of such controllers is extremely challenging. Some of the reasons for the challenging nature of this control design problem is the complexity of the uid dynamics, inherent nonlinearity and the associated numerical cost of computation. The degree of dicult y is increased when the boundary conditions or functional parameters change through control intervention during the normal evolution of the system. This paper presents a method to model uid dynamics and design associated o w controllers using the linear parameter-varying framework. The formulation of a model which is amenable to control design makes use of proper orthogonal decomposition to derive reduced-order representations of the open-loop uid dynamics. The resulting representations are shown to depend anely on a parameter, which is dened as the product of the Strouhal number and the Reynolds number, in a linear parameter-varying fashion. Controllers are then designed for this special model that are scheduled to work across a range of the parameter. A disturbance rejection problem is solved to demonstrate how this method generates controllers that achieve desired levels of performance even acting on the full-order nonlinear system.
Effects of radiotoxic dosages of I131 upon thyroid and contiguous tissues in mice.

SummaryDosages of I131 from 3 to 50 millicuries per kilogram were given to young mice on a normal diet. Higher dosages produced complete thyroidal destruction within a few days. Lower dosages permitted survival of some thyroidal epithelium in the iathmus and cranial apex of the thyroid for as long as 120 days after injection, but resulted in loss of the parathyroids. Lesions were noted in the tracheal epithelium with all does ages, md in the recurrent laryngeal nerve with higher dosages.
Preventative Insecticidal Control of Green Peach Aphids, 2014

The study was conducted in a greenhouse at the AgriLife Research and Extension Center in Overton, TX. The objective of the trial was to assess the efficacy of different rates of Mainspring™ Cyantraniliprole (MoA 28), as a preventative treatment for green peach aphid ( Myzus persicae Sulzer) control on pansies ( Viola tricolor ), compared to that of Endeavor, a known effective product. Treatments were assigned to individual plans in 4-inch pots (experimental units) in a CRD with six replicates. Plants were kept in individual mesh cages (item …
Social Responsibility as a Matter of Justice: A Proposal to Expand Business Ethics Education

Business ethics education has focused primarily on the moral formation of individual leaders and managers in the context of legal compliance, ethical codes, and organizational culture. As valuable as this approach is, it does not generate a sufficient level of business responsibility to satisfy legitimate social concerns regarding the use of natural resources, environmental sustainability, reasonable limitation of systemic risk in capital markets, and fair allocation of goods and services. It is my aim to strengthen the external accountability inherent in business ethics, drawing upon the foundational morals of human systems of exchange as the foundation for education in business ethics as a matter of justice and the pragmatic pursuit of the good.
Fluorescence Labeling of Surface Antigens of Attached or Suspended Tissue-Culture Cells

This chapter deals with the detection of antigens that are accessible on the surface of isolated living cells using fluorochrome labels. By incubating live cells at 4 degrees C, to prevent endocytosis of bound molecules, the attached antibody can remain on the cell surface, and either be observed in the live state or subsequently fixed. This method yields the greatest sensitivity and best morphologic preservation for detection of surface molecules using antibodies for microscopy.
Introduction: Three Ways Out

It was a revolt within the Armed Forces of the Philippines (AFP), made successful by President Marcos’s own cousin General Fidel V. Ramos, that occasioned the 1986 “People Power” revolution, exemplary even in a period when many other peoples were throwing off the yoke of tyranny. But the four American helicopters that descended on Malacanang Palace at nine in the evening of 25 February 1986 symbolized the American role in the crisis; they were so much larger than what the Philippine Armed Forces could muster. They took Ferdinand Edralin and Imelda Romualdez Marcos, their family, and their close friend (and most prominent of the business cronies) Eduardo “Danding” Cojuangco from the palace to Clark Air Force Base, hence to an ignominious American exile. There was no way out, other than this, from the great crisis of 1986, itself the product of Marcos’s own engineering. The old Philippine republic was overthrown.1
Test for Creative Thinking—Drawing Production

(1995). Test for Creative Thinking—Drawing Production. Gifted and Talented International: Vol. 10, No. 2, pp. 90-91.
Proteomic Studies of HIV-1 and Its Posttranslational Modifications

HIV requires many proteins to complete its life cycle. Many of these proteins are decorated with biologically critical modifications that alter structure and function. In fact, there are many different types of posttranslational modifications (PTMs) involved in the virus life cycle (Fig. 6.1). In this chapter, we will reintroduce the virus life cycle from the perspective of PTMs. While these modifications will be described in detail later in the chapter, we will highlight new modifications in bold as they are introduced.
Single-cell sequencing maps gene expression to mutational phylogenies in PDGF- and EGF-driven gliomas.

Glioblastoma multiforme (GBM) is the most common and aggressive type of primary brain tumor. Epidermal growth factor (EGF) and platelet‐derived growth factor (PDGF) receptors are frequently amplified and/or possess gain‐of‐function mutations in GBM. However, clinical trials of tyrosine‐kinase inhibitors have shown disappointing efficacy, in part due to intra‐tumor heterogeneity. To assess the effect of clonal heterogeneity on gene expression, we derived an approach to map single‐cell expression profiles to sequentially acquired mutations identified from exome sequencing. Using 288 single cells, we constructed high‐resolution phylogenies of EGF‐driven and PDGF‐driven GBMs, modeling transcriptional kinetics during tumor evolution. Descending the phylogenetic tree of a PDGF‐driven tumor corresponded to a progressive induction of an oligodendrocyte progenitor‐like cell type, expressing pro‐angiogenic factors. In contrast, phylogenetic analysis of an EGFR ‐amplified tumor showed an up‐regulation of pro‐invasive genes. An in‐frame deletion in a specific dimerization domain of PDGF receptor correlates with an up‐regulation of growth pathways in a proneural GBM and enhances proliferation when ectopically expressed in glioma cell lines. In‐frame deletions in this domain are frequent in public GBM data. ![][1] An approach is presented for mapping single‐cell expression profiles to sequentially acquired mutations identified by exome sequencing. Phylogenies of EGF‐driven and PDGF‐driven gliomas are constructed, modeling transcriptional kinetics during tumor evolution. Mol Syst Biol. (2016) 12: 889 [1]: /embed/graphic-1.gif
A Psychosocial Test of the Maturity Gap Thesis

Previous tests of the maturity gap thesis incorporated one-dimensional autonomy-based measures of social maturity. We present the first test of the maturity gap thesis to incorporate psychosocial m...
Inflammatory Breast Cancer

Inflammatory breast cancer is a rare and aggressive form of breast cancer typically presenting with skin changes instead of a breast lump. Hybrid PET/MR imaging provides the anatomic detail and metabolic assessment to characterize the cancer and localize a biopsy target site as well as evaluate for axillary nodal spread and distant metastases.
In vitro fertilization.

In vitro fertilization (IVF) and pre-embryo replacement in the donor is one of several techniques now available or under consideration from a large therapeutic armamentarium for the treatment of the infertile couple. Other related techniques include (1) in vivo fertilization of oocytes obtained by superovulation, followed by pre-embryo transfer into synchronized recipients; (2) IVF followed by transfer of fresh or cryopreserved pre-embryos into another recipient (synchronization is necessary when a fresh pre-embryo is transferred); and (3) oocyte replacement into the uterine cavity, accompanied by previous or subsequent insemination (natural or artificial).
Indomethacin induced ductus arteriosus closure in midgestation fetus

This article reports a rare but potentially serious complication of ductus arteriosus closure resulting from second-trimester indomethacin exposure. Serial echocardiograms are indicated to monitor for development of right heart dysfunction and to ensure delivery prior to the onset of right heart failure and hydrops fetalis.