cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Can a computer-based system be used to educate women on genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility?

Can a computer-based system be used to educate women on genetic testing for breast cancer susceptibility?
Recombinant hirudin for prevention of experimental postoperative intraocular fibrin.

• Purpose: To determine the efficacy of a specific antithrombin agent (recombinant desulphatohirudin variant 1 [Revasc, Ciba-Geigy, Ltd., Basel, Switzerland]) administered in the infusion fluid to prevent early postoperative fibrin formation in a rabbit lensectomy and vitrectomy model. • Methods: Standard fragmatome lensectomies and core vitrectomies were performed prospectively in a masked fashion on ten control eyes with lactated Ringer's infusion and on ten eyes treated with 10 μg of recombinant hirudin/ml in the infusate. The amounts of fibrin and hemorrhage were graded in a masked fashion by using slit-lamp examination and indirect ophthalmoscopy on postoperative days 1 through 5 and on day 7. • Results: The difference in the mean grade of fibrin formed on the first postoperative day in the eyes treated with recombinant hirudin (mean, 0.9) in relation to the mean grade of fibrin in the control eyes (mean, 3.5) was statistically significant (P = .004). This difference was also significant on the second postoperative day (P = .01). None of the treated eyes developed intraoperative or postoperative hemorrhage. • Conclusions: Recombinant desulphatohirudin variant 1 is an effective inhibitor of postoperative fibrin formation in a rabbit model and is not associated with an increased risk of intraoperative or postoperative bleeding at the tested dose. This drug may be a useful adjunct in vitreous surgery for both proliferative vitreoretinopathy and the complications of proliferative diabetic retinopathy.
Well-Embedding and G δ -Density in a Pointfree Setting

Translating the notion of Gδ-dense and well-embedded subspaces into a pointfree setting gives some elegant results (with remarkably simple proofs), most notably how the two concepts are related – a fact which, no doubt, is well-known to classical topologists, but is easily overlooked.
Electrically charged polymeric substrates enhance nerve fibre outgrowth In vitro

The physical, chemical and electrical properties of synthetic guidance devices are known to influence nerve regeneration in vivo. In the present study, neurons were cultured directly on electrically charged polymer growth substrates to determine if local electrical charges enhance nerve fibre outgrowth in vitro. Piezoelectric polymers such as polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) generate transient surface charges under minute mechanical strain. Mouse neuroblastoma (Nb2a) cells were cultured directly on electrically poled (i.e. piezoelectric) and unpoled (i.e. nonpiezoelectric) PVDF substrates in serum-free and serum-containing media. Nerve fibre outgrowth was analysed 24, 48, 72 and 96 h after plating. Piezoelectric PVDF substrates generated 2-3 mV at 1200 Hz when placed on standard incubator shelves and unpoled PVDF substrates showed no output. Nb2a cells grown on piezoelectric substrates exhibited significantly greater levels of process outgrowth and neurite lengths at all time periods for both media conditions. Detailed surface characterization of PVDF substrates using electron spectroscopy for chemical analysis (ESCA) and a comprehensive wettability profile revealed that poled and unpoled PVDF was chemically indistinguishable and showed similar surface wettabilities and adhesive properties. Therefore, we conclude that enhanced process outgrowth was induced by the film's piezoelectric output, making poled PVDF a unique biomaterial for which cell/polymer interactions are mediated predominantly through bulk electrical properties rather than surface properties.
Estrogen excretion of the pregnant baboon (Papio papio).

A radioimmunoassay for determination of urinary estrone (E1)1 excretion from pregnant baboons has been devised. Conjugates were hydrolyzed enzymically and E1 was extracted with diethyl ether. Following isolation by Sephadex LH-20 chromatography, E1 was assayed by competition with 3H-E1 for an estradiol-17β-BSA conjugate antiserum. During the 5 days after iv administration of 2.5 and 5.0 mg estradiol-17β to pregnant animals the increments in urinary E1 represented 52 and 57% of the dose, respectively, and thus supported our estimate of E1 excretion. E1 values in urine of nonpregnant animals were <15 µg/24 hr. Mean E, (μg/24 hr) excretion by 6 pregnant animals determined at 5-day intervals rose from 320 at 70 days to 640 at 175 days gestation. Daily determinations thereafter showed a further rise to 840 at term (184 days). Between 70 and 175 days the rate of increase of urinary E1 excretion was 3.0 ± 0.5 (SE) µ,g/24 hr and significantly different (p = < 0.01) from that during the final 9 days of gestation (...
From small group to public view: Mainstreaming the women's movement

The public attention given to the contemporary women's movement in the past decade is due in part to rhetorical developments within the movement. A fantasy theme analysis of the women's movement of the early 1970's in a large Midwestern metropolitan area reveals an early but incomplete rhetoric, labelled here the pro‐woman line. This was followed by adaptations of the early concerns in a comprehensive social reality, labelled here the “mainstreaming” rhetorical vision. Alterations in key elements of the rhetoric, including the hero/ine, villain, plot, and underpinnings are examined to illustrate how the earlier movement issues were “mainstreamed” into prevailing social views.
Hypoperfusion induces overexpression of β-amyloid precursor protein mRNA in a focal ischemic rodent model

Silent stroke is one of the risk factors of dementia. In the present study, we used a novel focal ischemic animal model to investigate the effects of comparatively small changes of cerebral blood flow (CBF) on the expression of β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) mRNA. Focal ischemia was achieved by introducing a 4-0 monofilament to the bifurcation of anterior and middle cerebral arteries. Brain samples were harvested from ischemic core and penumbra of cortices at 1, 4 and 7 days following ischemia. The expression of APP mRNA was assessed by RT-PCR. The CBF was decreased to 50% for 1 day after stroke and recovered to 90% at the fourth day after stroke. The changes of CBF were accompanied by an increase in the expression of APP mRNA. APP mRNA increased to 208% and 152% in the penumbra and core ischemic regions, respectively, on the fourth day after MCAO and remained high through the seventh day of ischemia. This study suggests brain hypoperfusion enhances APP mRNA expression and may contribute to the progression of cognitive impairment after silent stroke.
Telomere extension occurs at most chromosome ends and is uncoupled from fill-in in human cancer cells

Telomeres are thought to be maintained by the preferential recruitment of telomerase to the shortest telomeres. The extension of the G-rich telomeric strand by telomerase is also believed to be coordinated with the complementary synthesis of the C strand by the conventional replication machinery. However, we show that under telomere length-maintenance conditions in cancer cells, human telomerase extends most chromosome ends during each S phase and is not preferentially recruited to the shortest telomeres. Telomerase rapidly extends the G-rich strand following telomere replication but fill-in of the C strand is delayed into late S phase. This late C-strand fill-in is not executed by conventional Okazaki fragment synthesis but by a mechanism using a series of small incremental steps. These findings highlight differences between telomerase actions during steady state versus nonequilibrium conditions and reveal steps in the human telomere maintenance pathway that may provide additional targets for the development of anti-telomerase therapeutics.
The DNA-membrane fraction of Pneumococcus contains a DNA replication complex.

Abstract A DNA/membrane fraction extracted from cell suspensions of pneumococci (containing polyadenylic acid (poly(A)) and DNA precursors) with sodium lauroyl sarcosinate (Sarkosyl) contains a DNA-replication complex. Almost all of the nascent DNA, 70% of the nascent RNA and protein and 85% of the nascent phospholipid were detected in this fraction. The initial rate of synthesis calculated from incorporation of precursors in vivo corresponds to the incorporation of 2.66 × 105 nucleotides/min/cell. The entire fraction formed a pellicle at the meniscus of CsCl density gradients. Some of the DNA and other macromolecules could be dissociated upon treatment with nucleases, pronase or phospholipase. The sedimentation velocity of nascent DNA in the complex was smaller (9 to 12 s) than that of bulk DNA (16 to 20 s). The DNA/membrane fraction was capable of synthesizing new DNA in vitro with no external DNA template added when either deoxyribonucleoside triphosphates, deoxyribonucleoside mono-phosphates or ribonuoleoside diphosphates were added together with appropriate cofactors. A procedure designed to purify the complex with respect to in vitro DNA synthesis not only increased the specific activity of triphosphate- and mono-phosphate-initiated DNA synthesis but produced a “minimal” complex containing 9% of the total cell DNA and 8% of the protein. Experiments with puromycin suggested that enzyme activities in the DNA/membrane fraction were not due to nascent polypeptide chains on polysomes, but rather to “complete” enzymes.
Aromatization of epitestosterone by human placenta.

Homogenates of human term placenta incubated with epitestosterone 1,2-3H and NADPH yielded 17α-estradiol as the major product of aromatization. This suggests that 17α-estradiol is formed in the human placenta daring pregnancy and agrees with the reported excretion of 17α-estradiol in the bile and of 11-dehydro-17α-estradiol in the urine of pregnant women. (Endocrinology 86: 912, 1970)
Simplified preparation and properties of undergraded rat liver transfer ribonucleic acid.

Abstract A procedure is outlined for separating ribonucleic acid (RNA), as obtained via phenol extraction of whole cells, into three distinct fractions by successive precipitations with 1 M NaCl and ethanol. These can be characterized in the ultracentrifuge as A, high molecular weight; B, low molecular weight; and C, nonsedimentable RNA. When tested with amino acid activating enzyme (“pH 5” fraction), fraction B accepts amino acid, establishing its identity as transfer RNA.
Testicular teratoma presenting as a transilluminating scrotal mass

Prepubertal testicular neoplasms are uncommon and differ from adult neoplasms in histopathologic features and presentation. The presented case describes a 3-year-old boy with an enlarged, transilluminating scrotal mass. Ultrasonography revealed a heterogeneous mass and absence of a hydrocele. After right radical orchiectomy, pathologic examination confirmed the mass as a mature teratoma. Although tumor registries cite yolk sac tumor as the most common prepubertal testis neoplasm, more recent studies have demonstrated benign tumors such as teratomas to be more common. Although rare, some prepubertal tumors such as teratomas may transilluminate. Ultrasonography should be used to evaluate hydroceles when the testis is impalpable.
Correlations, Sample Size, and Practical Significance: A Comparison of Selected Psychological and Medical Investigations

Abstract A common interpretation of correlation coefficients is that values of r that are less than .30 are considered “low.” Correlations at about this value are quite common in psychological studies, and this situation often leads to questions concerning the validity of the findings. In this article, some comparative correlational findings in medical research are presented, showing that many important medical and societal decisions have been made on the basis of similar or lower calculated correlation coefficients. The influence of sample size and issues of practical significance are also discussed.
Vicker's Hardness of glass

Abstract An equation has been derived for the direct calculation of Vicker's hardness number of glasses from their chemical compositions. The method is based on a consideration of deformation during indentation, which was related to Young's modulus and the average single bond strength of a glass. Excellent agreement is obtained between calculated and measured values of Vicker's hardness number for a variety of glasses.
Physiochemical properties of oviductal fluid from rabbits exposed to heat stress.

Abstract Oviductal fluids (OF) were collected at 24 hour intervals from 27 does. Fluids were collected from all does during estrus and subsequent pregnancy or pseudopregnancy. After collecting OF for 15 days from all does maintained at 21°C and 45% relative humidity (RH), approximately one-half of the does were then subjected to heat stress (33.20±0.75°C and 65.4±2.3% RH). Oviductal fluid was then collected for 5 days from heat stressed estrous does (HSER), after which all does (both control and HSER) were mated to fertile bucks. Human chorionic gonadotropin was administered to each doe to insure ovulation. Fluids were compared between HSER and heat stressed pregnant rabbits (HSPR) and control estrous (NHER) and pregnant rabbits (NHPR) for volume, pH, various protein concentrations, and total protein content. Fluid volume decreased due both to heat stress and pregnancy. Heat stress increased pH, whereas pregnancy resulted in a decrease. Protein concentration of OF from HSER declined due to heat stress. Protein concentration of OF from NHPR increased prior to breeding, peaking at day 3 of pregnancy, then declined to initial levels. While from HSPR there was also a tendency to have a similar increase, the peak in protein concentration was on day 4 and then decreased on day 5. Total protein content (concentration × volume) of OF from HSER decreased due to heat stress. Total protein content from HSPR and NHPR had similar changes with or without heat stress, although the total protein content from OF of HSPR was less (except for day 3) for the entire 5 day period studied. Relative percentages of albumin decreased and postalbumin increased during the first day of pregnancy (NHPR). These trends were reversed (a relative increase in albumin and a decrease in postalbumin) in OF from HSPR.
Small airway obstruction in allergic rhinitis.

Applying newer techniques to assess the reactivity of small peripheral airways, we studied the effects of saline and methacholine inhalation in patients with allergic rhinitis. The maximum midexpiratory flow rate (MMF) and the maximum terminal flow (MTF) were used to assess the degree of small airway obstruction. Four rhinitis patients (13 per cent) had abnormal baseline MMF and/or MTF and 12 patients (38 per cent) developed a decrease in MMF and/or MTF after saline inhalation. Twenty-one patients (66 per cent) responded to methacholine inhalation with a greater than 20 per cent fall in the MMF and/or MTF. This response was significantly different from that of the control subjects (p
Ceftaroline ‐ a cause for neutropenia

Summary What is known and Objective The US Food and Drug Administration approved ceftaroline in 2010 for the treatment of community-acquired pneumonia and skin and soft-tissue infections. The most common adverse reactions are diarrhoea, nausea and rash. To present the first case of neutropenia directly related to ceftaroline. Case Summary A 90-year-old female was given ceftaroline for treatment of a pneumonia complicated by methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus bacteraemia and possible vertebral osteomyelitis. After 25 days of ceftaroline, she developed neutropenia. Ceftaroline was discontinued and her white blood cell count returned to normal within one week. What is new and Conclusion Although neutropenia is a potential cephalosporin class effect, we present the first case of neutropenia directly related to ceftaroline. Agranulocytosis and neutropenia are rare, yet potentially life-threatening adverse effects of cephalosporins. Healthcare providers should be aware of the potential for ceftaroline to cause neutropenia, particularly in patients treated for greater than two weeks.
Strategies for Molecularly Enhanced Chemotherapy to Achieve Synthetic Lethality in Endometrial Tumors with Mutant p53

Serous uterine endometrial carcinomas are aggressive type II cancers with poor outcomes for which new treatment strategies are urgently needed, in particular, strategies that augment sensitivity to established chemotherapy regimens. The tumor suppressor gene TP53 is dysregulated in more than 90% of serous tumors, altering master regulators of the G2/M cell cycle checkpoint in unique and predictable ways and desensitizing cells to chemotherapy. We hypothesized that synthetic lethality can be achieved in endometrial cancer cells with mutant p53 by combining paclitaxel with agents to overcome G2/M arrest and induce mitotic catastrophe. The combination of BIBF1120, an investigational VEGFR, PDGFR, and FGFR multityrosine kinase inhibitor with established anti-angiogenic activity, with paclitaxel abrogated the G2/M checkpoint in p53-null endometrial cancer cells via modulation of G2/M checkpoint regulators followed by induction of mitotic cell death. In endometrial cancer cells harboring an oncogenic gain-of-function p53 mutation, synthetic lethality was created by combining paclitaxel with BIBF1120 and a histone deacetylase inhibitor, which serves to destabilize mutant p53. These cells were also sensitive to an inhibitor of the G2/M kinase Wee1 in combination with paclitaxel. These findings reveal that, in addition to antiangiogenic activity, the angiokinase inhibitor BIBF1120 can be used to restore sensitivity to paclitaxel and induce mitotic cell death in endometrial cancer cells with non-functional p53. These preclinical data serve as a critical platform for the creative design of future clinical trials utilizing molecularly enhanced chemotherapy to achieve synthetic lethality based on the mutational landscape.
An SO(10) supersymmetric grand unified theory

Abstract A realistic supersymmetric SO(10) grand unified theory is explicitly constructed. The neutrino masses turn out to be 10−5 eV or less. It is also found that the proton life time can be longer than 1031 yr.
Treatment of Social Isolation and Loneliness in a Sample of Visually Impaired Elderly Persons

An experimental study was conducted to evaluate the effectiveness of an outreach program for 84 isolated elderly persons who had been legally blind for many years. Visual impairment and restriction...
On intersections of pairs of steiner triple systems

Numerous articles exist in the literature concerning the intersection properties of collections of Steiner triple systems based on the same point set ([4], [5], [11], [12], [14], [15], [16], [19], [20]). In this paper we discuss several methods, first used by the authors in [7], for treating such problems. We apply these methods to reprove some known results and to furnish several new results.
Information Management and Tracking of Drugs in Supply Chains within the Pharmaceutical Industry

The authors examine information management and tracking of drugs in supply chains within the pharmaceutical industry. The focal concern in this setting is counterfeit drugs, a dilemma of paramount importance for public health and the well-being and safety of patients. The authors advocate RFID and related technologies, including EPCglobal's Electronic Product Code Information Services (EPCIS) and IBM's RFID Information Center system that, in turn, provide a suitable infrastructure for the tracking and tracing of uniquely identifiable, i.e. mass-serialized, products throughout the supply chain. A two-pronged theoretical framework is presented utilizing Transaction Cost Theory and Collective Action Theory to view the present research setting. Several regulatory efforts and compliance regimes are presented and a call for collective action for all stakeholders within the supply chain in the pharmaceutical industry is advanced.
Women's status, environmental changes and child health in the riverine area of Ondo State, Nigeria

The viewpoint that most health problems are environmentally related has always been promoted by medical geography. In recent times, concern about environmental degradation has been of high priority for many national and international organizations as ‘we human beings become a threat to our planet’. There is also a need to specifically focus attention on the impact of so-called development efforts on the health of women and children, in particular those living in highly marginalized regions which often contribute substantially to the overall development of their countries.
A Mastery Rubric for the design and evaluation of an institutional curriculum in the responsible conduct of research

We describe a Mastery Rubric for the design and evaluation of an institutional curriculum in the responsible conduct of research (RCR), motivated by new federal (US) research funding requirements for documenting this training over investigators’ careers. A Mastery Rubric outlines the desired knowledge, skills and abilities (KSAs) for a course or curriculum, rather than for an assignment, together with descriptions of a learner’s performance and/or capabilities from novice to proficiency, expertise or mastery of the curricular target(s). Our MR encompasses, formalises and provides a roadmap for the institutional implementation of career-spanning training in RCR. The rubric highlights the KSAs that support learning goal articulation for the targeted content areas; it also promotes assessment that demonstrates development in the target KSAs and encourages reflection and cognitive self-monitoring throughout RCR training over the scientist’s career. It represents a flexible, criterion-referenced definition of ...
Management of technology

Technology management is a topic of increasing importance as technology itself becomes more significant in the running of economic, educational and business institutions. This results in a competitive situation which demands effectiveness and efficiency for commercial survival. The key to success is good management. People have much greater difficulty solving the human and organisational problems than the technical ones. It seems that society is very effective at solving technical problems but comparatively poor at motivating and organising individuals to employ their technical expertise in the best way for the common good. In attempting to improve this situation, the three most important aspects requiring management attention are: people, goals and change.< >
Optical phase demodulation using a coherent receiver with an ultra-compact grating beam splitter

We describe the design and fabrication of an integrated coherent receiver incorporating a novel grating beam splitter for linear optical phase demodulation. The open loop behavior of the receiver is measured in a link experiment.
Scalable techniques and tools for reliability analysis of large circuits

With the rapid advancement of CMOS and non-CMOS nanotechnologies, circuit reliability is becoming an important design parameter. In recent years, a number of reliability evaluation methodologies based on probabilistic model checking, probabilistic transition matrices, etc., have been proposed. Scalability has been a concern in the wide applicability of these methodologies to the reliability analysis of large circuits. In this paper, the similarities between these reliability evaluation methodologies were discussed and focus mainly on the scalability issue. In particular, a scalable technique for the model checking-based methodology was developed, and how this technique can be applied to the other methodologies was shown. A tool called SETRA was also developed that can be used to integrate the scalable forms of these methodologies in the conventional circuit design flow
Species Delimitation under the General Lineage Concept: An Empirical Example Using Wild North American Hops (Cannabaceae: Humulus lupulus)

There is an emerging consensus that the intent of most species concepts is to identify evolutionarily distinct lineages. However, the criteria used to identify lineages differ among concepts depending on the perceived importance of various attributes of evolving populations. We have examined five different species criteria to ask whether the three taxonomic varieties of Humulus lupulus (hops) native to North America are distinct lineages. Three criteria (monophyly, absence of genetic intermediates, and diagnosability) focus on evolutionary patterns and two (intrinsic reproductive isolation and niche specialization) consider evolutionary processes. Phylogenetic analysis of amplified fragment length polymorphism (AFLP) data under a relaxed molecular clock, a stochastic Dollo substitution model, and parsimony identified all varieties as monophyletic, thus they satisfy the monophyly criterion for species delimitation. Principal coordinate analysis and a Bayesian assignment procedure revealed deep genetic subdivisions and little admixture between varieties, indicating an absence of genetic intermediates and compliance with the genotypic cluster species criterion. Diagnostic morphological and AFLP characters were found for all varieties, thus they meet the diagnosability criterion. Natural history information suggests that reproductive isolating barriers may have evolved in var. pubescens, potentially qualifying it as a species under a criterion of intrinsic reproductive isolation. Environmental niche modeling showed that the preferred habitat of var. neomexicanus is climatically unique, suggesting niche specialization and thus compliance with an ecological species criterion. Isolation by distance coupled with imperfect sampling can lead to erroneous lineage identification using some species criteria. Compliance with complementary pattern- and process-oriented criteria provides powerful corroboration for a species hypothesis and mitigates the necessity for comprehensive sampling of the entire species range, a practical impossibility in many systems. We hypothesize that var. pubescens maintains its genetic identity, despite substantial niche overlap with var. lupuloides, via the evolution of partial reproductive isolating mechanisms. Variety neomexicanus, conversely, will likely persist as a distinct lineage, regardless of limited gene flow with vars. lupuloides and pubescens because of ecological isolation--adaptation to the unique conditions of the Rocky Mountain cordillera. Thus, we support recognition of vars. neomexicanus and pubescens as species, but delay making a recommendation for var. lupuloides until sampling of genetic variation is complete or a stable biological process can be identified to explain its observed genetic divergence.
Mineralogic Controls on Ree Mobility During Black-Shale Diagenesis

ABSTRACT The Llandeilo-Caradoc black shales of southwest Wales, U.K. record a paragenetic sequence that requires redistribution of rare earth elements (REE) on a mineralogic scale during diagenesis. The main evidence for this redistribution is formation and replacement of REE-rich apatite and monazite and variations in whole-rock REE patterns. The processes that produce these mineralogic changes create a diagenetic overprint on the Llandeilo-Caradoc black shales that obscures geochemical information related to both provenance and paleoenvironmental conditions of deposition. Periods of open-system conditions existed during the diagenetic alteration of the Llandeilo-Caradoc black shales, which allow an evaluation of the extent and timing of the REE redistribution inferred from petrography. The observed variations in La/Sm ratios in the whole-rock REE patterns are strong evidence that REE were redistributed on a scale greater than an individual hand sample. This change in the whole-rock REE pattern altered the Cerium anomaly by as much as 20% and produced a range in the Sm/Nd ratio from 0.14 to 0.20. This change in the whole-rock Sm/Nd ratio indicates a disturbance in the Sm-Nd isotopic system at about 460 Ma that can be directly linked to the formation and dissolution of diagenetic apatite and monazite during diagenesis. One effect of this disturbance is to alter the range in Nd model age for the Llandeilo-Caradoc black shales from 1.6 to 1.8 Ga to about 1.4 to 2.25 Ga, thus complicating any interpretation of provenance. The ability to link petrographic observations from a black shale to measurable whole-rock geochemical changes provides us with one tool to evaluate the presence of a diagenetic overprint on trace elements commonly used in paleoenvironmental reconstruction.
Pain, Cancer, and Older Adults (CE)

Pain is the most common symptom associated with cancer. Despite the fact that appropriate pain management exists, cancer pain often is inadequately controlled. Sixty percent to 85% of individuals with advanced cancer have either severe or chronic pain. Issues associated with cancer pain and pain management in later life include the effect of pain on the person, friends, and family; the influence of hope; the perception that older adults are less sensitive to painful stimuli; the special problems of drug management in older adults; and the unique issues of older women affected by cancer. This article concludes with implications for nurses. Future research needs to be directed to pain management at home, the ethics of pain management, pain in the cognitively impaired person, and the specific needs of older women.
A Tale of Two Trajectories: Civil-Military Relations in Pakistan and India

Since the partition of the British Indian Empire in August 1947, the two emergent nations, India and Pakistan, have followed markedly divergent trajectories. Though both trace their roots to the sa...
Phase I dendritic cell p53 peptide vaccine for head and neck cancer.

Background. p53 accumulation in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) cells creates a targetable tumor antigen. Adjuvant dendritic cell (DC)-based vaccination against p53 was tested in a phase I clinical trial. Methods. Monocyte-derived DC from 16 patients were loaded with two modified HLA-class I p53 peptides (Arm 1); additional T-helper(Th) tetanus toxoid peptide (Arm 2) or additional Th wt p53-specific peptide (Arm 3). Vaccine DC (vDC) were delivered to inguinal lymph nodes at 3 time points. Vaccine (vDC) phenotype, circulating p53-specific T-cells and regulatory T-cells (Treg) were serially monitored by flow cytometry and cytokine production by Luminex. vDC properties were compared to those of DC1 generated with an alternative maturation regimen. Results. No grade II-IV adverse events were observed. Two-year disease-free survival (DFS) of 88% was favorable. p53-specific T-cell frequencies were increased post vaccination in 11/16 patients (69%), with IFN-γ secretion detected in 4/16 patients. Treg frequencies were consistently decreased (p=0.006) relative to pre-vaccination values. The phenotype and function of DC1 were improved relative to vDC. Conclusion. Adjuvant p53-specific vaccination of HNSCC patients was safe and associated with promising clinical outcome, decreased Treg levels, and modest vaccine-specific immunity. HNSCC patients9 DC required stronger maturation stimuli to reverse immune suppression and improve vaccine efficacy.
Toxicity and composition of protease-inhibited Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis crystals.

A procedure is described in which the protein crystals produced by Bacillus thuringiensis var. israelensis were solubilized in 50 mM NaOH with 10 mM EDTA at pH 11.7. This solubilization procedure gave protein gel profiles identical with those for intact crystals while maintaining full biological activity in the form of erythrocyte lysis capability. Crystals with and without protease activity were equally toxic to Aedes aegypti larvae.
Assessing Student Kearning in Study-Abroad Programs: A Conceptual Framework and Methodology for Assessing Student Learning in Study-Abroad programs

Conventional wisdom dictates that international education promotes student development and the acquisition of worthwhile knowledge, skills, and attitudes. Accrediting agencies, however, demand concrete evidence to substantiate such claims. This article describes the development of a conceptual frame work and methodology for the academic assessment of student learning in study-abroad programs with reference to knowledge acquisition, skills acquisition, attitudinal development, and social development. Conceptually, the framework is derived from the developmental theory of Erik Erikson and the tax onomies of educational objectives developed by Benjamin Bloom and his associates. Methodologically focus groups are employed to generate assessment data, in a procedure akin to small-group instructional diagnosis (SGID). Based on data collected in two focus groups conducted as a pilot study, more narrowly circumscribed coding categories were constructed within the broader domains of cognitive learning, behavioral s...
Pressure drop through raw food waste compost containing synthetic bulking agents

Abstract The pressure drop of air forced through a column of raw vegetable waste compost was measured for six different synthetic bulking agents and compared to pine bark as a reference. The volume of each bulking agent used per mass of compost material, referred to as the bulking agent ratio, was used to compare these bulking agents. Results indicate that synthetic bulking agents reduce the pressure drop significantly more than pine bark for any given bulking agent ratio and air flow. The pressure drop measurements were regressed to three pressure drop-flow models, and these models were similarly successful in predicting the observed pressure drop behaviour. To quantify the impact of bulking agent ratio on pressure drop, a two-parameter empirical relationship was proposed between the bulking agent ratio and the linear coefficient of Ergun's model (model 3) or the coefficient in Shedd's model (model 1) forced to an exponent of 1·0 or 1·1. One of the parameters in this proposed model is the bulking agent ratio necessary to reduce by 50% the viscous energy losses of air flow through the compost column. Using the empirical model to compare this parameter among bulking agents used, the synthetic bulking agents were demonstrated to be approximately 3–10 times more effective than pine bark. The utility of this model to aid the optimization of the bulking agent ratio is also discussed.
Introduction: SSAT/AGA/ASGE State-of-the-Art Conference: Necrotizing Pancreatitis: Novel Minimally Invasive Strategies

Background Necrotizing pancreatitis is the most severe end of the spectrum of acute pancreatitis. Interventional treatment (i.e., “who, when, and how”) of necrotizing pancreatitis is an ongoing source of considerable controversy. Novel minimally invasive strategies are being increasingly employed to perform pancreatic necrosectomy.
Optical ordinal optimization

Ordinal optimization is a relatively new field of mathematics that seems never to have been applied to optics. Optics has made extensive use of traditional cardinal optimization. This paper explores the possibility that ordinal optimization might be useful in optics. The conclusion is: Not directly but indirectly.
Ice water submersion for rapid cooling in severe drug-induced hyperthermia

AbstractContext. The optimal method of cooling hyperthermic patients is controversial. Although controlled data support ice water submersion, many authorities recommend a mist and fan technique. We report two patients with drug-induced hyperthermia, to demonstrate the rapid cooling rates of ice water submersion. Case details. Case 1. A 27-year-old man presented with a sympathomimetic toxic syndrome and a core temperature of 41.4°C after ingesting 4-fluoroamphetamine. He was submerged in ice water and his core temperature fell to 38°C within 18 minutes (a mean cooling rate of 0.18°C/min). His vital signs stabilized, his mental status improved and he left on hospital day 2. Case 2. A 32-year-old man with a sympathomimetic toxic syndrome after cocaine use was transported in a body bag and arrived with a core temperature of 44.4°C. He was intubated, sedated with IV benzodiazepines, and submerged in ice water. After 20 mins his temperature fell to 38.8°C (a cooling rate of 0.28°C/min). He was extubated the fol...
The Healthy College Student

Studies on the impact of health behaviors on morbidity often focus on the limited impact of a single behavior or a limited group of behaviors. In this study, we examine college student behaviors and investigate the link of these behaviors with a 2-week illness profile. Through self-reported surveys, we measure acute illness and a general illness burden, a cumulative measure of major and minor ailments. We explore how daily routines correlate with these illness measures. Eighty-four students from a random sample of 90 students attending a small liberal arts school completed the survey for a response rate of 93%. Living arrangements, exercise, sleep patterns, eating preferences and habits, and “social” behaviors were all significantly associated with illness burden. Students living in “singles” and those who got regular exercise and an average of 7 hr of sleep per night reported less illness. Most interesting is the effect of social behaviors. Students who greet others with a handshake reported higher illne...
Improved hydrodynamics from the AdS/CFT duality

We generalize (linearized) relativistic hydrodynamics by including all order gradient expansion of the energy-momentum tensor, parametrized by four momenta-dependent transport coefficients, one of which is the usual shear viscosity. We then apply the AdS/CFT duality for $\mathcal{N}=4$ SUSY in order to compute the retarded correlators of the energy-momentum tensor. From these correlators we determine a large set of transport coefficients of third- and fourth-order hydrodynamics. We find that higher order terms have a tendency to reduce the effect of viscosity.
Hieronymus, Thomas A., Economics of Futures Trading, for Commercial and Personal Profit, New York, Commodity Research Bureau, Inc., 1971, xiii + 338 pp. ($12.95)

ments that are intriguing, but vague. For example, he states: "Transport variations can be optimized by balancing costs against savings. More depot sites mean that fewer vans will be required, but more bulk-carrying vehicles. It can be shown graphically that the best general balance is obtained with one central supply site and about ten regional depots. Below ten depots, costs rise quite sharply and above this number the costs rise only slowly." No further explanation is given. Questions that occurred to this reviewer include: Why does this relationship exist? Does it apply only to the United Kingdom, or does it also apply to larger countries, such as the United States? Finally, the author occasionally makes invalid generalizations. At one point he states, "There is no scientific method for deciding the number or capacities of warehouses .. ." (p. 61). Undoubtedly he is not familiar with the well-known BowmanStewart formulation for determining the optimum area of coverage per warehouse. In the section on warehousing, the author includes a comprehensive discussion of storage warehouses, but he has failed to mention distribution warehouses which function as consolidation points to achieve transportation savings by means of larger shipments. His failure to discuss distribution warehouses may reflect their more limited usage in a relatively small country such as the United Kingdom. This book benefits from the author's wealth of experience in solving distribution problems. The pages are filled with numerous personal experiences of physical distribution problems and their solutions gleaned from years of experience as a physical distribution consultant. While the book lacks organization and is subject to minor flaws, it is a well-written, practically oriented physical distribution study. JAMES C. JOHNSON The University of Tulsa
On Snow Line Depression and Atmospheric Circulation in the Tropical Americas during the Pleistocene

Abstract Field observations during travels through the high mountain regions of the Tropical America evaluated in conjunction with available air photographs and reports In the pertment literature. Results indicate a decrease of the pleistocene snow line depression in the western Cordillera from more than 1500 m at 300 S to about 700 m at 12°S, an increase to 70 S and a depression consistently larger than 1 000 m fromthere throughout the equatorial belt, to l0°N; values of less than 900 mand about 700 m are indicated for 19°N and 37°N, respectively. The pleistocene snow line depression decreases from the Pacific to the Atlantic side of the Andes, but particularly strongly so on the poleward fringe of the Atacama Desert. A reversal of the zonal snowline pattern is borne out for about 29°S.
Dietary Effects on Content of Hepatic Lipid, Plasma Minerals, and Tissue Ascorbic Acid in Hens and Estrogenized Chicks

The purpose of this study was to determine if plasma mineral levels and plasma or hepatic ascorbic acid would be affected by the composition of the diet fed to chickens with higher circulating estrogen levels. Three-week-old broiler chicks were implanted with estradiol dipropionate to give estimated release rates of 0, 3.2, and 8.0 micrograms/bird/day. The chicks were fed a corn-soy diet (CS) or a diet containing 5% fish meal, 5% alfalfa meal and 10% torula yeast (FAY). The FAY diet resulted in significantly lower hepatic lipid and plasma iron, copper, manganese, and zinc in chicks administered the highest level of estrogen. In two experiments laying hens were fed either CS or diets containing fish meal (FM), alfalfa meal (AM), distillers dried grains with solubles (DDGS) or wheat-soy (WS) for 4 weeks. In the first experiment, liver lipid content was not significantly affected by diet composition, but plasma iron was significantly reduced by the AM, DDGS, and WS diets. No significant effects on copper, manganese, and zinc in plasma were observed among the dietary treatments. In the second experiment, relative liver weight was significantly reduced with the AM, DDGS, and WS diets and liver lipid by the AM diet. Plasma iron levels were significantly reduced by feeding all diets compared with the CS diet, but no significant differences in total iron binding capacity were observed. Plasma and hepatic ascorbic acid were significantly increased by the AM, DDGS, and WS diets, but no significant differences in hepatic ascorbic acid were observed when calculated per unit of fat-free dry matter.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
More Than Meets the Eye: The Merging of Perceptual and Conceptual Knowledge in the Anterior Temporal Face Area.

An emerging body of research has supported the existence of a small face sensitive region in the ventral anterior temporal lobe (ATL), referred to here as the “anterior temporal face area”. The contribution of this region in the greater face-processing network remains poorly understood. The goal of the present study was to test the relative sensitivity of this region to perceptual as well as conceptual information about people and objects. We contrasted the sensitivity of this region to that of two highly-studied face-sensitive regions, the fusiform face area and the occipital face area, as well as a control region in early visual cortex. Our findings revealed that multivoxel activity patterns in the anterior temporal face area contain information about facial identity, as well as conceptual attributes such as one’s occupation. The sensitivity of this region to the conceptual attributes of people was greater than that of posterior face processing regions. In addition, the anterior temporal face area overlaps with voxels that contain information about the conceptual attributes of concrete objects, supporting a generalized role of the ventral ATLs in the identification and conceptual processing of multiple stimulus classes.1 Introduction Over a decade of neuroimaging work has characterized the neural basis of face perception and identified several nodes that preferentially respond to faces relative to other objects (Haxby, Hoffman, & Gobbini, 2000; Nancy Kanwisher & Yovel, 2006). Most of this work has focused on the fusiform face area (FFA) and the occipital face area (OFA) (Kanwisher, McDermott, & Chun, 1997; Kanwisher & Yovel, 2006; Pitcher, Walsh, Yovel, & Duchaine, 2007), however an emerging literature has implicated an anterior temporal face area, on the ventral surface of the right anterior temporal lobes (vATLs) in or near perirhinal cortex, in facial processing (Avidan et al., 2013; Pinsk et al., 2009; Rajimehr, Young, & Tootell, 2009; Tsao, Moeller, & Freiwald, 2008). The function of the anterior temporal face area remains unclear. One body of research implicates this region in perception. Using single-cell recordings it has been shown that the identity of previously unfamiliar faces is represented in the population code of monkey vATL face
Wellbore integrity factors for CO2 storage in oil and gas producing areas in the Midwest United States

The condition of legacy oil and gas wells is an important issue for geologic CO2 storage projects. Many regions with large CO2 point sources coincide with historical oil and gas fields. This is especially apparent in the Midwestern United States, where over one million oil and gas wells are present dating back to the late 1800s. To investigate wellbore integrity factors in this region, the condition of oil and gas wells in Michigan and Ohio was summarized based on well status, depth, construction, age, and plugging specifications. To better understand the impact of well integrity on a local scale, six test study areas were also analyzed. These hypothetical test study areas were based on subsurface area necessary for an industrial scale CO2 storage application. Detailed records were used to categorize well conditions, and corrective actions necessary to repair the wells were then assigned. The results of the test study area analysis provide a real representation of the level of effort necessary to prepare sites for CO2 storage. Actions may involve relatively low-effort tasks to examine wellheads or more extensive well re-entry and plugging. The analysis indicated that many areas may have hundreds of wells, but no wells penetrating the deeper CO2 storage zones. At sites where many wells require corrective action, it may be challenging to efficiently plug and abandon wells. Options such as testing wellhead pressures, surface monitoring of CO2 leakage, and less extensive plugging requirements may help offset costs associated with remediating a large number of wells. © 2016 Society of Chemical Industry and John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crónica, épica y novela: La Historia verdadera de la conquista de la Nueva España y "El mundo nuevo" de Terra Nostra

En este trabajo me propongo demostrar como el verdadero modelo generico de "El mundo nuevo" (segunda parte de Terra Nostra) es la Historia verdadera de la conquista de la Nueva Espana de Bernal Diaz del Castillo. Este texto presenta una vacilacion contraria al espiritu epico de las demas cronicas de Indias que la convierte en "la primera novela hispanoamericana". This article intends to show how the true generic model of "El mundo nuevo" (the second part of Terra Nostra) is the Historia verdadera de la conquista de la Nueva Espana, by Bernal Diaz del Castillo. This text contains a vacillation contrary to the epic spirit of the other Cronicas de Indias which makes it the "first Spanish-American novel". In this novel, Fuentes exploits this fissure in order to give a new version of the conquest.
The Importance of the Biological Impact of Exposure to the Concept of the Exposome.

Background:The term “exposome” was originally coined in 2005 and defined as the totality of exposures throughout the lifetime. The exposome provides an excellent scientific framework for studying h...
Therapeutic Principles and Techniques

Cryosurgery is based on removing heat from a tissue by applying cold and this is accomplished by using a cryogen with a probe, spray or cotton swab. The selection depends on the depth of freeze needed to accomplish removing a lesion and a cotton swab may be used for a wart but is inadequate for a skin cancer. The size of the target is also important as lesions over 2 cm may be treated in stages or referred for excision or MOHS surgery.