cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Cellular immunity in patients with partial DiGeorge syndrome who have received live viral vaccines

Abstract Rationale DiGeorge Syndrome (DGS) consists of a spectrum of midline anomalies with associated cellular immune deficits. No generally approved recommendations exist for the use of live viral vaccines (LVVs) in partial DGS patients (pDGS, detectable circulating T-lymphocytes with adequate function). Our objective is to describe cellular immune function in a patient cohort with pDGS that has received LVVs. Methods Parents and physicians were surveyed for immunization details. Medical records of 51 patients with pDGS were reviewed to obtain results of 3-6 monthly monitoring of in-vitro cellular immune function. Results Twenty-four of 51 patients received LVVs including MMR, varicella, and OPV. On initial evaluation (average age, 21 mo; range, 1-174 mo, n=24), lymphocyte phenotyping revealed low mean CD3% (47%, normal range 12-23 mo, 53-75%), normal mean CD8%, CD20%, and low CD4% (31%, normal range 12-23 mo, 32-54%). Mitogen induced proliferation was within normal limits. Fifteen patients had lymphocyte data recorded within 12 mo of receipt of LVVs, mean age 23 mo; low mean CD3% (42%), CD4% (27%), normal CD8%, and elevated CD20% (36%, normal range 12-23 mo, 16-35%). Mitogen proliferation was normal. Seven of 15 patients had lymphocyte data from the newborn period and at immunization; lymphocyte phenotyping and proliferative responses remained stable. Conclusions Cellular immune evaluation revealed adequate function in pDGS patients that had received LVVs. More importantly, in those patients with data available, cellular immune function was stable around the time of immunization without significant change from baseline.
A Comparison of the Elemental Composition of Leaf Tissue of Spartina Patens and Spartina Alternifora in Louisiana’s Coastal Marshes

Elemental concentrations in leaf tissue can identify limiting conditions in crops and can be useful in managing and restoring marshes. Coastal management and restoration plans frequently include Spartina spp. because they are common plants in coastal wetlands across North America. Researchers frequently compare results of stoichiometric studies among Spartina spp. to corroborate results, although their stoichiometry may not be comparable. We compare the stoichiometry of paired samples of Spartina patens and Spartina alterniflora collected across Louisiana. Overall differences in stoichiometry between species, seasonal changes, and effects of porewater chemistry were quantified. Manganese (Mn) concentrations and calcium (Ca) concentrations were higher in S. alterniflora and the difference in [Ca] increased seasonally. Sodium concentrations were similar, except during prolonged inundation. Short flooding durations decreased carbon (C):nitrogen (N) without increasing [Mn] or flooding stress in both species.
Rapid electrophoretic microzone membrane technique for Regan isoenzyme (placental type alkaline phosphatase) using a fluorogenic substrate

Abstract Conditions are described for adapting Beckman Microzone cell electrophoresis to the detection and quantitation of the Regan isoenzyme of alkaline phosphatase. Successful use is made of naphthol ASMX phosphate, a fluorogenic substrate, with the result that minute (1 λ) quantities of serum are all that is necessary. In practice, the specimens of heat-inactivated serum with and without antibody to placental alkaline phosphatase are placed side-by-side on the membrane and electrophoresed. A positive identification of Regan isoenzyme is made if the isozyme band in the antigen-antibody position fails to travel as far as the isozyme band in the antigen position. This technique is superior in many respects to the starch gel technique previously employed.
Gastrin-releasing peptide gene-associated peptides are expressed in normal human fetal lung and small cell lung cancer: a novel peptide family found in man.

Mammalian gastrin-releasing peptide (GRP) is found in cells of neuroendocrine and neural origin, and GRP mediates a variety of physiological and trophic responses when it binds to high affinity cell surface receptors on effector cells. Analysis of cDNA clones derived from prepro-GRP mRNAs predict the concurrent expression of a unique series of peptide hormones, the GRP gene-associated peptides (GGAPs). Alternative RNA splicing of the primary GRP gene transcript results in mRNAs that could encode 3 distinct forms of GGAPs. Using specific antisera directed against synthetic peptides representing portions of the predicted GGAPs, we found multiple GGAP forms in the endocrine cells of human fetal lung and in human small cell lung cancer cells (SCLC). Within a single pulmonary endocrine cell, at least 2 of these 3 predicted forms could be demonstrated using immunohistochemical techniques. In addition, concordant expression of GRP and GGAPs was found in 10 SCLC cell lines and 3 human SCLC tumors. These findings ...
Zeolite Coatings on Three-Dimensional Objects via Laser Ablation

A technique for coating small three-dimensional objects with zeolite molecular sieves using pulsed laser deposition (PLD) has been developed. Oriented zeolite UTD-1 films have been deposited on the surface of ∼0.5 mm galvanized steel spheres by vibrating the beads in the plume followed by a hydrothermal treatment. The resulting UTD-1 film is well-adhered and composed of planklike crystals oriented so that the one-dimensional channels are normal to the substrate surface.
The Nature of Ritalin A Response to Cooter

In this issue I am pleased to introduce a new department of Intervention, called Point/Counterpoint. This department, which will appear periodically throughout the year, will present contrasting viewpoints on a particular issue. The nature of Ritalin is discussed in the following Point/Counterpoint. Robert Cooter's "Effects of Ritalin on Reading," which appeared in the May 1988 issue of Academic Therapy, described the nature of Ritalin, its use in education, and its effect on reading performance. In the present issue, Lori Bell Mick responds to Cooter's article on four specific points. Mick includes portions of Cooter's article in her response. In order for readers to distinguish between Cooter's original conclusion and Mick's disagreements, italics are used for quotations from Cooter (1988). Cooter's reaction to Mick's disagreements follow the Mick article—GW
New macroecological insights into functional constraints on mammalian geographical range size

Understanding the determinants of variation in the extent of species distributions is a fundamental goal of ecology. The diversity of geographical range sizes (GRSs) in mammals spans 12 orders of magnitude. A long-standing macroecological model of this diversity holds that as body size increases, species are increasingly restricted to occupying larger GRS. Here, we show that the body size–GRS relationship is more complex than previously recognized. Our study reveals that the positive relationship between body size and GRS does not hold across the entire size range of mammals. Instead, there is a break point in the relationship around the modal mammal body size. For species smaller than the mode, GRS actually decreases with body size. We discuss mechanisms to account for these observations in the context of the energetics of body size. We also examine the possibility that the patterns are the result of a statistical artefact from combining two random, uni-modal, skewed distributions, but conclude that the patterns we describe are not artefactual. Our results redefine our view of the functional relationship between body size, energetics and GRS in mammals with implications for assessing vulnerability to extinction resulting from range size reductions driven by large-scale environmental change.
Cuticle formation in parasitic nematodes: Ultrastructure of molting and the effects of actinomycin-D

The ultrastructure of cuticle formation and the effect of actinomycin-D on cuticle formation were examined in the second molt of Nippostrongylus brasiliensis . At the end of the first molt the rough endoplasmic reticulum of the hypodermis (epidermis) had narrow cisternae. As cuticle formation began the RER cisternae dilated and accumulated a fibrous material. These large fibrous material-containing vesicles then decreased and by the time cuticle deposition was completed they had disappeared. Actinomycin-D prevented the proliferation of RER and the formation of fibrous material-containing vesicles. Actinomycin-D induced several ultrastructural alterations in the hypodermis, the most prominent of which were large crystalline-like inclusions. Other alterations involved the configuration of RER and structure of nucleoli. These morphological aspects of cuticle formation were correlated to the molecular events that control molting.
Propagation of coherence in scattering: an experiment using interplanetary scintillation

It is well known that high-time-resolution imaging of the optical seeing disk reveals the existence of speckles inside the envelope. Since analogs of seeing disks occur in many different fields, one might expect that analogs of speckles also exist. Using radio-astronomical techniques, we have studied one such example in depth: interplanetary scintillation. By using a radio-interferometric array, we measured directly the coherence of the radiation after scattering by the solar wind and confirmed the existence of fine-scale structure similar to speckles. In order to understand further the behavior of the coherence function after scattering, we adapted and extended the theory previously developed by Cornwell and Napier [in Proceedings of the National Radio Astronomy Observatory Workshop on Radio Astronomy in Space ( National Radio Astronomy Observatory, Greenbank, W. Va., 1986); Radio Sci.23, 739 ( 1988)] for the case of coherence measurements at the focal plane of a single-reflector radio telescope. We develop and demonstrate a test for coherence of the scattered radiation, and we discuss the prospects for high-angular-resolution imaging of objects. This treatment also leads to new insights into the effect of spatial coherence of emitters on interferometric measurements.
Completely X-symmetric S-matrices corresponding to theta functions and models of statistical mechanics

We consider general expressions of factorized S-matrices with Abelian symmetry expressed in terms of θ-functions. These expressions arise from representations of the Heisenberg group. New examples of factorized S-matrices lead to a large class of completely integrable models of statistical mechanics which generalize the XYZ-model of the eight-vertex model.
Cross-linking of 2-deoxyribonolactone and its β-elimination product by base excision repair enzymes

2-Deoxyribonolactone (3) is produced in DNA as a result of reaction with a variety of DNA damaging agents. The lesion undergoes β-elimination to form a second metastable electrophilic product (4). In this study, DNA containing 2-deoxyribonolactone (3) and its β-elimination product (4) are generated at specific sites using a photolabile nucleotide precursor. 2-Deoxyribonolactone is not incised by any of the 8 AP lyases tested. One enzyme, Escherichia coli endonuclease III, cross-links to 3, and the lesion strongly inhibits excision of typical abasic sites by this enzyme. Two of the enzymes, FPG and NEIL1 known to cleave normal abasic sites (1) by effecting β,δ-elimination form cross-links to the butenolide lesion (4). The observed results are ascribable to characteristics of the enzymes and the lesions. These enzymes are also important for the removal of oxidative base lesions. These results suggest that high concentrations of 3 and 4 may exert significant effects on the repair of normal AP site and oxidat...
Functional Characteristics of Sprout-Damaged Soft White Wheat Flours

Soft white wheat was sprouted in the laboratory for 1, 2 and 4 days, respectively, before milling the wheat into flours. The flours were used to bake cakes and cookies and to determine thickening powers. The flours milled from wheat which had been sprouted for 2 or 4 days were slightly higher in ash and protein and darker in color than the flour from the sound wheat. Sprouting of the grain for longer than 1 day resulted in flours of poor cake baking quality. The cakes were low in volume, had a dip in the center, a coarse grain and a firm texture. Cookie spreads increased and cookie top grain score improved with longer times of sprouting of the grain, but the crust color of the cookies darkened. The flavor was not affected by sprouting. The thickening power of the sprout-damaged soft wheat flours decreased with time of sprouting of the soft wheat before milling into a flour. Generally, laboratory sprouting of soft white wheat had an adverse effect on the functionality of flours in soft wheat applications. Effects of field sprouting on soft wheat flour performance are expected to be similar to those observed with laboratory sprouted soft wheat.
Numerical Simulation of Wall Shear Stress Conditions and Platelet Localization in Realistic End-to-Side Arterial Anastomoses

Research studies over the last three decades have established that hemodynamic interactions with the vascular surface as well as surgical injury are inciting mechanisms capable of eliciting distal anastomotic intimal hyperplasia (IH) and ultimate bypass graft failure. While abnormal wall shear stress (WSS) conditions have been widely shown to affect vascular biology and arterial wall self-regulation, the near-wall localization of critical blood particles by convection and diffusion may also play a significant role in IH development. It is hypothesized that locations of elevated platelet interactions with reactive or activated vascular surfaces, due to injury or endothelial dysfunction, are highly susceptible to IH initialization and progression. In an effort to assess the potential role of platelet-wall interactions, experimentally validated particle-hemodynamic simulations have been conducted for two commonly implemented end-to-side anastomotic configurations, with and without proximal outflow. Specifically, sites of significant particle interactions with the vascular surface have been identified by a novel near-wall residence time (NWRT) model for platelets, which includes shear stress-based factors for platelet activation as well as endothelial cell expression of thrombogenic and anti-thrombogenic compounds. Results indicate that the composite NWRT model for platelet-wall interactions effectively captures a reported shift in significant IH formation from the arterial floor of a relatively high-angle (30 deg) graft with no proximal outflow to the graft hood of a low-angle graft (10 deg) with 20% proximal outflow. In contrast, other WSS-based hemodynamic parameters did not identify the observed system-dependent shift in IH formation. However, large variations in WSS-vector magnitude and direction, as encapsulated by the WSS-gradient and WSS-angle-gradient parameters, were consistently observed along the IH-prone suture-line region. Of the multiple hemodynamic factors capable of eliciting a hyperplastic response at the cellular level, results of this study indicate the potential significance of platelet-wall interactions coinciding with regions of low WSS in the development of IH.
An algorithm for collapsing sign alternating sequences of real numbers

Abstract A table with two rows and n columns may be thought of as two vectors with n components. The distance between the two rows then corresponds to the norm of the difference between the rows. We examine the problem of how to collapse the adjacent columns of the table while keeping the norm of the difference as large as possible. First a stepwise algorithm is given which achieves this end with respect to the norm of the vector of differences. After proving the optimality of the stepwise solution we extend the result to the norm which arises from minimizing the number of persons misclassified. The same algorithm suffices.
Synthesis of sequentially deuterated 1-n-Butyl-3-methylimidazolium ionic liquids

Deuterium isotopologues of the ionic liquid (IL) 1–n-butyl-3-methylimidazolium chloride ([C4mim]Cl) sequentially labeled on the C-1″, C-1′, C-2′, C-3′, and C-4′ positions of the N-alkyl groups were prepared following a strategy that minimizes the number of distinct reactions through the use of analogous synthetic routes. In several cases, good yields after the initial deuterium incorporation reaction were achieved by combining well-established chemical transformations into efficient single-step processes. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Crying That Heals: Concept Evaluation

Although much has been written about the healing power of tears, the research into this phenomenon has been fragmented, uncoordinated, and inconclusive. Nonetheless, a substantial amount of the literature across multiple disciplines has addressed the subject, both directly and indirectly. In this article, the authors submit crying that heals (CTH) as a concept of possible significance to health care and evaluate CTH using the criteria for concept evaluation proposed by Morse, Mitcham, Hupcey, and Tason (1996). Using these criteria, CTH is tentatively defined, and its characteristics, boundaries, preconditions, and outcomes are proposed and examined in the context of this definition. Suggestions for additional analysis and research are offered, and the potential importance of CTH to health care professions, especially nursing, is discussed.
A comparative spatial analysis of majoritarian and proportional elections

This study estimates spatial representations of recent elections in Canada, France, The Netherlands and Israel. Its purpose is to test whether there exist systematic differences in the extent of spatial dispersion among parties and candidates in the majoritarian and proportional electoral systems. Canada and France are majoritarian systems, while The Netherlands and Israel are highly proportional. The study uses a measure of central tendency developed by Kollman; Kollman and Kollman and non-parametric statistical tests to compare the relative dispersion of parties and candidates across the maps. The analysis reveals that parties and candidates in the majoritarian systems are located significantly closer to the center of the distribution of voters than those in proportional systems. The estimated spatial maps also provide information useful for interpreting the bases of electoral politics in each country.
Preparation and characterization of p-toluene sulfonyl ester and amino derivatives of tri- and poly(ethylene glycol)

Methods described in the literature are inadequate for the preparation of pure polyethylene glycol (PEG) tosylate. Therefore an improved method is presented. The hydroxyl groups on PEG can be quantitatively converted into the tosylate and isolated from the reaction medium free from impurities with no chain cleavage or reduction in molecular weight. 1,2-Di(N-phenyl 2-aminoethoxy) ethane, α,ω-di(N-phenyl 2-aminoethyl) poly(oxyethylene), and α,ω-di(N-phenyl, N-benzyl 2-aminoethyl) poly(oxyethylene) were prepared from the tosylates of tri- and poly(ethylene glycol)s and the corresponding primary and secondary aromatic amines.
A sorting nexin-1 homologue, Vps5p, forms a complex with Vps17p and is required for recycling the vacuolar protein-sorting receptor.

Abstract A number of the Saccharomyces cerevisiae vacuolar protein-sorting (vps) mutants exhibit an altered vacuolar morphology. Unlike wild-type cells that contain 1-3 large vacuolar structures, the class B vps5 and vps17 mutant cells contain 10-20 smaller vacuole-like compartments. To explore the role of these VPS gene products in vacuole biogenesis, we cloned and sequenced VPS5 and characterized its protein products. The VPS5 gene is predicted to encode a very hydrophilic protein of 675 amino acids that shows significant sequence homology with mammalian sorting nexin-1. Polyclonal antiserum directed against the VPS5 gene product detects a single, cytoplasmic protein that is phosphorylated specifically on a serine residue(s). Subcellular fractionation studies indicate that Vps5p is associated peripherally with a dense membrane fraction distinct from Golgi, endosomal, and vacuolar membranes. This association was found to be dependent on the presence of another class B VPS gene product, Vps17p. Biochemical cross-linking studies demonstrated that Vps5p and Vps17p physically interact. Gene disruption experiments show that the VPS5 genes product is not essential for cell viability; however, cells carrying the null allele contain fragmented vacuoles and exhibit defects in vacuolar protein-sorting similar to vps17 null mutants. More than 95% of carboxypeptidase Y is secreted from these cells in its Golgi-modified p2 precursor form. Additionally, the Vps10p vacuolar protein-sorting receptor is mislocalized to the vacuole in vps5 mutant cells. On the basis of these and other observations, we propose that the Vps17p protein complex may participate in the intracellular trafficking of the Vps10p-sorting receptor, as well as other later-Golgi proteins.
Angiosarcomas and Other Sarcomas of Endothelial Origin

Although benign hemangiomas are among the most common diagnoses among connective tissue tumors, angiosarcomas and other sarcomas arising from blood vessels are rare, even among sarcomas. Because endothelial tumors have unique embryonal derivation compared with other sarcomas, it is not surprising they have unique characteristics. Herein are reviewed some of these unique characteristics and therapeutic options for patients with some of these diagnoses, highlighting the potential of new agents for these tumors, which will in all likelihood also impact treatment on more common cancers.
A Test of a Habitat Evaluation Procedure for Rocky Mountain Bighorn Sheep

Habitat analysis is an important component of animal population restoration. We tested a habitat evaluation procedure for Rocky Mountain bighorn sheep (Ovis canadensis canadensis) using a geographic information system (GIS). We applied the model to eight bighorn sheep translocation sites in Colorado and compared the model's habitat suitability assessments with translocation results. The model considered the habitat unsuitable for four failed translocations, and did not recognize suitable habitat for four successful translocations. We performed a sensitivity analysis to determine how individual parameters affected model suitability assessments. To improve the model's ability to distinguish between suitable and unsuitable habitat, we relaxed the suitability criteria for four parameters: barriers created by dense vegetation, barriers created by fences, buffer zones on human use areas, and horizontal visibility. The refined model can be useful to bighorn sheep restoration efforts by facilitating evaluation of large areas of potential habitat, but numerical thresholds for required amounts of suitable habitat must consider the scale of data used for analysis.
Efficient Rendering of Extrudable Curvilinear Volumes

We present a technique for memory-efficient and time-efficient volume rendering of curvilinear adaptive mesh refinement data defined within extrudable computational spaces. One of the main challenges in the ray casting of curvilinear volumes is that a linear viewing ray in physical space will typically correspond to a curved ray in computational space. The proposed method utilizes a specialized representation of curvilinear space that provides for the compact representation of parameters for transformations between computational space and physical space, without requiring extensive preprocessing. By simplifying the representation of computational space positions using an extrusion of a profile surface, the requisite transformations can be greatly simplified. Our implementation achieves interactive rates with minimal load time and memory overhead using commodity graphics hardware with real-world data.
Packaging of multibeam spatially-fed antenna arrays

Discrete lens antenna arrays (DLAs) have been introduced for multibeam applications. In a DLA, two antenna arrays, in which element pairs are connected with true time-delay lines of varying length across the array, perform a discrete spatial Fourier transform. The lens array produces a focal surface along which feed antennas are placed, each corresponding to a beam in a different direction. The DLA can be used to transmit, receive or both. The DLA is a three-dimensional device with planar, typically multilayer, lens antennas, and a curved focal surface. Packaging the feed antennas along the focal surface needs to be solved, and some issues related to this problem are the focus of the paper. Radiation patterns of feed antenna elements have been measured with and without an absorber placed in the focal volume. A package has been designed to house over 20 beam feeds for a lens array to be used an X-band satellite ground station application.
High‐order compact scheme for the steady stream‐function vorticity equations

A higher-order compact scheme that is O(h4) on the nine-point 2-D stencil is formulated for the steady stream-function vorticity form of the Navier-Stokes equations. The resulting stencil expressions are presented and hence this new scheme can be easily incorporated into existing industrial software. We also show that special treatment of the wall boundary conditions is required. The method is tested on representative model problems and compares very favourably with other schemes in the literature.
Apoptosis during macrophage-dependent ocular tissue remodelling

We have characterized the nature and pattern of cell death during regression of the pupillary membrane, a developmentally transient capillary network found in the anterior chamber of the eye. This analysis has revealed that the cellular components of the pupillary membrane include vascular endothelial cells in an intricate network of fine capillaries as well as attendant macrophages. The capillaries are situated on the anterior surface of the lens and held in relative position by a cobweb-like meshwork of extracellular matrix fibres that regress along with the cellular components of this structure. Cell death during regression of the pupillary membrane is characteristic of apoptosis. Specifically, apoptotic bodies containing condensed chromatin can be observed in vascular endothelial cells and genomic DNA isolated from the pupillary membrane shows the nucleosomal fragmentation pattern typical of apoptotic cells. Using a method for labelling fragmented DNA in tissue preparations (TUNEL), we have assessed the overall pattern of apoptotic cell death during pupillary membrane regression. We find that apoptosis occurs either in single cells in healthy vessels or synchronously along the entire length of a capillary segment. Both morphological and TUNEL analysis indicate that capillary regression occurs from junction to junction one segment at a time. We propose a model to explain the pattern of capillary regression observed and conclude from these and previous experiments (Lang and Bishop (1993) Cell 74, 453-462), that during regression of the pupillary membrane, the macrophage elicits target cell death by inducing apoptosis.
Exploring adaptive dialogue based on a robot's awareness of human gaze and task progress

When a robot provides direction--as a guide, an assistant, or as an instructor--the robot may have to interact with people of different backgrounds and skill sets. Different people require informat on adapted to their level of understanding. In this paper, we explore the use of two simple forms of awareness that a robot might use to infer that a person needs further verbal elaboration during a tool select on task. First, the robot could use an eye tracker for inferring whether the person is looking at the robot and thus in need of further elaboration. Second, the robot could monitor delays in the individual's task progress, indicating that he or she could use further elaboration. We investigated the effects of these two types of awareness on performance time, selection mistakes, and the number of questions people asked the robot. We did not observe any obvious benefits of our gaze awareness manipulation. Awareness of task delays did reduce the number of questions participants' asked compared to our control condition but did not significantly reduce the number of select on mistakes. The mixed results of our investigation suggest that more research is necessary before we can understand how awareness of gaze and awareness of task delay can be successfully implemented in human-robot dialogue.
Value of Musical Instruments Used by the Therapist to Elicit Responses from Individuals in Various Stages of Alzheimer's Disease

The purpose of this study was to determine the value of designated musical instruments used by the therapist to elicit responses from persons with Alzheimer's disease (AD) during group sessions. In Experiment 1, 15 individuals in the early and middle stages of AD echoed rhythm patterns played by the therapist via the djembe, claves, paddle drum, and maraca. Results indicated significance for the rhythm patterns used, p < .05, and the types of instruments used, p < .05. A significant difference occurred for interaction of instruments by rhythms, p < .001. Rhythmic accuracy was highest when the therapist presented rhythms on the djembe, followed by the paddle drum, maraca, and claves. The most accurate rhythm pattern was 8 eighth-notes, the second most accurate was 4 quarter-notes, and the third was 2 eighths followed by a quarter note, repeated. Ten individuals in the middle to later stages of AD participated in Experiment 2. The treatment conditions consisted of 6 musical instruments used by the therapists to elicit responses during movement, singing, and rhythm activities. Average participation at any level (singing and moving/playing, singing only, and moving/playing only) in the 6 treatment conditions was highest during a cappella singing (63%), followed by djembe (61%), keyboard (60%), guitar and djembe (57%), and then guitar (54%) and autoharp (54%). Average participation at any level in the four activities, without any consideration of instruments, was as follows: 83% for the rhythm activity, 51% for the movement activity, and 49% for the first as well as second singing activity. Results indicated significant differences for the treatment conditions, p < .001, and for types of activities, p < .05. Significant difference, p < .01, occurred for interaction of treatment condition by activity.
Adriamycin-induced delayed erythropoietic injury expressed following anemia stress.

The present studies were undertaken to compare anemiainduced erythropoietic responses in femoral marrows and spleens of mice pretreated with Adriamycin (ADR) or 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine with those of untreated age-matched controls. Mice were bled 45 or 120 days after drug treatment. The erythropoietic response to bleeding was quantitated by morphological, gravimetric, and radioiron methods 48 hr after bleeding. At 120 days after ADR, prebleeding base-line cellularity parameters were, in general, similar to those found in untreated age-matched controls. The response to the anemia stress was compared in drug-treated animals and in age-matched untreated controls, and the response deficit was expressed as residual injury (RI). At 120 days, ADR-induced RI was observed to be dose dependent in both femoral marrow and spleen. ADR-induced RI in femoral marrow and spleen were similar at 45 and 120 days, with no significant recovery. Although marrow RI was noted 45 days after 200 mg 1-β-d-arabinofuranosylcytosine per kg, there was no RI at 120 days. The results indicate that ADR can induce a long-lasting hematopoietic injury which is not obvious from measures of homeostatic cellularity, but which can be expressed after induction of an acute proliferative demand.
Stability-indicating HPLC method for the determination of the stability of oxytocin parenteral solutions prepared in polyolefin bags

Oxytocin is very commonly used in clinical settings and is a nonapeptide hormone that stimulates the contraction of uterine smooth muscles. In this study the stability of extemporaneously compounded oxytocin solutions was investigated in polyolefin bags. The sterile preparations of oxytocin were compounded to the strength of 0.02 U/mL in accordance with United States Pharmacopeia (USP) standards. In order to carry out the stability testing of these parenteral products, the solutions were stored under three different temperature conditions of -20°C (frozen), 2-6°C (refrigerated), and 22-25°C (room temperature). Three solutions from each temperature were withdrawn and were assessed for stability on days 0, 7, 15, 21, and 30 as per the USP guidelines. The assay of oxytocin was examined by an HPLC method at each time point. No precipitation, cloudiness or color change was observed during this study at all temperatures. The assay content by HPLC revealed that oxytocin retains greater than at least 90% of the initial concentrations for 21 days. There was no significant change in pH and absorbance values for 21 days under all the conditions of storage. Oxytocin parenteral solutions in the final concentration of 0.02 U/mL and diluted in normal saline are stable for at least 30 days under frozen and refrigerated conditions for 30 days. At the room temperature, the oxytocin solutions were stable for at least 21 days. The stability analysis results show that the shelf-life of 21 days observed in this study was far better than their recommended expiration dates.
Osmotic Demyelination Syndrome: Central Pontine Myelinolysis and Extrapontine Myelinolysis

Osmotic demyelination syndrome (ODS) refers to central pontine myelinolysis and extrapontine myelinolysis. These disorders are characterized by insults to regions of the brain with anatomical features predisposing white matter tracts to myelin injury in the setting of osmotic disturbances and their attempted correction. Occurring independently or in combination, central pontine myelinolysis and extrapontine myelinolysis share a characteristic timing of onset, but distinct clinical features. Imaging features demonstrate characteristic findings that suggest ODS, but must be correlated with clinical features. Once thought to be universally devastating, ODS currently can have a variable clinical outcome.
Chemopreventive n-3 Polyunsaturated Fatty Acids Reprogram Genetic Signatures during Colon Cancer Initiation and Progression in the Rat

The mechanisms by which n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) decrease colon tumor formation have not been fully elucidated. Examination of genes up- or down-regulated at various stages of tumor development via the monitoring of gene expression relationships will help to determine the biological processes ultimately responsible for the protective effects of n-3 PUFA. Therefore, using a 3 × 2 × 2 factorial design, we used Codelink DNA microarrays containing ∼9000 genes to help decipher the global changes in colonocyte gene expression profiles in carcinogen-injected Sprague Dawley rats. Animals were assigned to three dietary treatments differing only in the type of fat (corn oil/n-6 PUFA, fish oil/n-3 PUFA, or olive oil/n-9 monounsaturated fatty acid), two treatments (injection with the carcinogen azoxymethane or with saline), and two time points (12 hours and 10 weeks after first injection). Only the consumption of n-3 PUFA exerted a protective effect at the initiation (DNA adduct formation) and promotional (aberrant crypt foci) stages. Importantly, microarray analysis of colonocyte gene expression profiles discerned fundamental differences among animals treated with n-3 PUFA at both the 12 hours and 10-week time points. Thus, in addition to demonstrating that dietary fat composition alters the molecular portrait of gene expression profiles in the colonic epithelium at both the initiation and promotional stages of tumor development, these findings indicate that the chemopreventive effect of fish oil is due to the direct action of n-3 PUFA and not to a reduction in the content of n-6 PUFA.
Peri-procedure Pharmacotherapy, Preparation, and Infection Control

Minimizing endoscopic complications includes attention to the details about each patient's current medical condition before they undergo an invasive procedure. This article focuses on critical issues about proper preparation for endoscopic procedures and examines potential modifications to a patient's medical regimen near the time of an endoscopic procedure, highlighting recently published standards and guidelines. This article also reviews important issues related to infection control in endoscopy.
Toward a More Comprehensive Understanding of Peer Maltreatment: Studies of Relational Victimization

Although many past studies of peer maltreatment have fo- cused on physical victimiza- tion, the importance of an empirical focus on relational victimization has only recently been recognized. In relational victimization, the perpetrator attempts to harm the target through the manipulation of re- lationships, threat of damage to them, or both. We review what is currently known about rela- tional victimization with three issues in mind: (a) developmen- tal changes in the manifesta- tion of relational victimization, (b) gender differences in the likelihood of being victimized, and (c) evidence that relational victimization is harmful.
Magnet end design: the main injector dipoles

The theory of magnet end design is reviewed. The design of the end of the dipole magnets of the proposed Fermilab main injector is analyzed in a detailed manner using TOSCA, a 3-D finite-element code. Provided the limitations of the code are well understood by the user, the integrated field profile is satisfactorily predicted. >
Memory for stories in language-impaired children

Memory for content, or gist recall, was studied in groups of normal and language-impaired children, matched on age and sex, using a story recall task. The children were pretested for their ability to comprehend individual sentences in the stories. Following a practice session, two test stories were read to each child and oral recall was requested immediately after each story. The content of the recall protocols was analyzed into propositions and scored for accuracy, organization, and temporal ordering. The results showed that the groups differed primarily in the amount of accurate recall, with the language-impaired group recalling considerably less than the normal group. It was concluded that language-impaired children do exhibit deficits in gist recall for material which is within their linguistic grasp.
Book Review: So Sexy so Soon: The New Sexualized Childhood and What Parents Can Do to Protect Their Kids by Diane E. Levin, Ph.D. & Jean Kilbourne, Ed.D. (Ballantine Books, 2008) [Unpublished/Unabridged Version]

Drs. Diane E. Levin and Jean Kilbourne have recently written a book with cross-disciplinary appeal and particular relevance to those of us in the legal community. In the first four chapters of their aptly titled book, Levin and Kilbourne educate the reader about the modern reality of children who are constantly bombarded by electronic media and aggressive marketing with implicit and/or explicit sexual themes. The authors describe the frightening (and often heartbreaking) impact of such media and marketing on young children. In the final five chapters of the book, Levin and Kilbourne shift gears to counsel parents on personalized strategies to guide their children through the sexualized messages they are being fed. In the book, Levin and Kilbourne reference parenthetically the legal landscape that led to the current problem of sexualized children, and they summarize potential legal strategies to help rectify it. However, as non-lawyer experts on childhood development, the authors largely sidestep the legal issues they raise. Nonetheless, Levin and Kilbourne make clear that the modern sexualized childhood is rooted in legal changes implemented in recent decades, and the current problem is too ubiquitous for parents to tackle in isolation. In reading So Sexy So Soon, it quickly becomes apparent that changes in law must be part of a broader, more effective solution. Lawyers must take leadership in that area, but they must first understand the problem. Levin and Kilbourne’s book is an excellent resource to provide such background.Nevertheless, the book has some flaws. Levin and Kilbourne permit certain cultural biases in their book, and they exaggerate some dangers in a somewhat quixotic fashion. This book review examines these biases and exaggerations in some depth because they provide cautionary tales for lawyers interested in working to effect legal solutions. Such lawyers would need to muster significant amounts of political will to secure legislative or even administrative changes to existing law. Because of the scale of the entrenched problem of sexualized children, it would be extremely imprudent to alienate any potential political allies.
A Network Model to Optimize Upstream and Midstream Biomass-to-Bioenergy Supply Chain Costs

Growing awareness and concern within society over the use of and reliance on fossil fuels has stimulated research efforts in identifying, developing, and selecting alternative energy sources and energy technologies. Bioenergy represents a promising replacement for conventional energy, due to reduced environmental impacts and broad applicability. Sustainable energy challenges, however, require innovative manufacturing technologies and practices to mitigate energy and material consumption. This research aims to facilitate sustainable production of bioenergy from forest biomass and to promote deployment of novel processing equipment (mobile bio-refinery units). The study integrates knowledge from the renewable energy production and supply chain management disciplines to evaluate economic targets of bioenergy production with use of qualitative and quantitative techniques. The decision support system method employs two phases: (1) classification of potential biomass harvesting sites via decision tree analysis and (2) optimization of the supply network through a mixed integer linear programming model that minimizes the costs of upstream and midstream supply chain segments. While mobile units are shown to reduce biomass-to-bioenergy supply chain costs, production and deployment of the units is limited due to undeveloped bioenergy supply chains and quality uncertainty. It is reiterated that future research must address process-related and systemic issues in pursuit of sustainable energy technology development.Copyright © 2015 by ASME
Rocky Shore Golf Links: Douglas Peterson

For Douglas Peterson and his two 10-year-old golf partners, it had been a memorable round at a world-class course with a caddy who contributed greatly to their enjoyment. For caddy Donald Andrews, the round was among the most challenging, physically and mentally, in which he had participated. As the group walked up the 18th fairway, Peterson reflected on the size of an appropriate tip for the caddy while Andrews wondered how he might influence the size of the tip.
Diffusion Tensor Imaging in chronically shunted patients

Chronically shunted patients with functioning shunts are often characterized as having slit or smaller than normal ventricles and chronic headaches. In this study, we used Diffusion Tensor Imaging (DTI) to quantitatively analyze the directionality of water diffusion in the internal capsule (IC) and the corpus callosum (CC) in these patients which have been shown to be affected in untreated hydrocephalus patients [1].
Abstract PL02-01: Inclusion of African Americans in cancer clinical trials: Potential quality of life, comorbidity, and pharmacogenetic-related barriers

Murthy et al showed that 9.2% of patients enrolled on NCI funded clinical trials between 1996 and 2002 were African American (AA) while census estimates suggest that more than 14% of the US population self-identify as AA. Clearly this minority group is underrepresented in NCI sponsored cancer research studies. Much thought has been given to why this disparity exists and how it can be overcome. Patient, physician, and protocol related barriers can inhibit individuals from choosing a cancer clinical trial option. Multiple validated tools exist to assess quality of life (QOL) that range from the simple Uniscale that assesses global QOL along a line with 10 subdivisions to multipage forms with hundreds of individual questions. QOL is frequently assessed at the time of trial entry and at prescribed points during the patient9s time on many studies. Baseline assessments can provide insight into disparities among the subpopulations that enter trials. Understanding the QOL issues that handicap or prevent patients from enrolling in studies are incompletely captured by queries that poll only enrolled patients. It is clear that issues such as performance score, social support, economic status, transportation barriers, comorbidities, familial attitudes, baseline QOL and potential toxicities influence whether an individual agrees to be in a clinical trial. Those factors may be distinctly different in their frequencies among AAs versus other populations. Emerging data also suggest the potential for pharmacogenetic variability among populations that influence drug related toxicities and correlate with race. Study designers cognizant of these issues can minimize barriers to accrual and maximize the value of studies for minority as well as majority populations. Citation Format: Richard M. Goldberg. Inclusion of African Americans in cancer clinical trials: Potential quality of life, comorbidity, and pharmacogenetic-related barriers. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Sixth AACR Conference: The Science of Cancer Health Disparities; Dec 6–9, 2013; Atlanta, GA. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Epidemiol Biomarkers Prev 2014;23(11 Suppl):Abstract nr PL02-01. doi:10.1158/1538-7755.DISP13-PL02-01
Host mechanisms for resistance to TAL effectors: Thinking outside the UPT box

Abstract Transcriptional activator like (TAL) effectors are important virulence factors of several plant pathogenic species of Xanthomonas. Members of this secreted protein family may activate transcription of; susceptibility factors, favoring disease, or resistance genes, triggering immunity. Accordingly, most research in this area has focused on the responses of a few model varieties of plants to the transcriptional activities of TAL effectors. However, a few studies suggest that plants may have evolved a diversity of additional responses to TAL effectors that are not well understood. These could include resistance to the effects of the TAL-activated susceptibility factors such as carbohydrate transporters, genomic multiplication of off-target effector binding sites, direct receptor recognition of the conserved TAL effector structure, or mutation of the host machinery required for TAL effector function. A better understanding of the diversity of plant responses to TAL effectors will be important for harnessing the potential of these proteins for agricultural applications.
Digital dancing

The author considers how a dance community has evolved in cyberspace. The emergence of the World Wide Web has led to an upsurge of creative exploration by dance artists as they discover, in ever-increasing numbers, this new technology's potential. The pervasiveness of information and communications technologies has produced new levels of thought, new concepts, and new types of human interaction. The author discusses the Cassandra Project performance which uses a videoconferencing system over the Internet. Computer networks connecting performers in real time with other performers and audiences at remote sites allow for text, dance and music to serve as improvisational material during the performance.