cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
American culture and its effect on engineering education

The author examines the primary and secondary educational system, focusing on its failure to teach arithmetic, reading, and writing adequately or to prepare students for college. He attributes this situation to an undemanding attitude that prevails in society in general, and with parents in particular, with regard to education and achievement. He then considers what can be done, suggesting that even if we cannot soon correct the problem, we can address the symptoms. >
Feasibility of Immunotherapy for Lymphangioleiomyomatosis

This Commentary discusses the feasibility of vaccines against melanoma-associated differentiation antigens for treatment of lymphangioleiomyomatosis.
Left ventricular akinesis: experimental production, haemodynamic effects, and results of excision

Myocardial infarcts were produced in 25 dogs by ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery and distal arterial injection of agar solution. The resultant infarcts were excised either acutely (one week) or chronically (four to six weeks). Left ventricular cineangiocardiography and haemodynamics were performed before and after infarctectomy. Haemodynamics were measured at rest and during infusion of angiotensin II, acetylcholine, and isoproterenol. These findings were compared with those from 11 control dogs, five of which underwent excision of normal myocardium. After infarctectomy, cardiac output was not significantly changed. Although left ventricular akinesis resulted in a measurable decrease in left ventricular function, excision of the akinetic segment did not improve function.
Overview of the conference “Vitamin D and Health in the 21st Century: an Update”

We summarize the key findings, strength of the evidence, and research needs identified in the National Institutes of Health conference “Vitamin D and Health in the 21st Century: an Update,” which was held in September 2007; a systematic evidence-based review; and a National Institutes of Health roundtable discussion held after the conference by scientists with relevant expertise. The evidencebased review addressed 5 questions on 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and functional outcomes across the life cycle and responsetoexposure,bonehealthoutcomesofsupplementation,risks andbenefitsofsunexposure,andadverseoutcomes.Thesequestions alsoframedtheconferenceandroundtablediscussions.Researchers have made considerable progress in understanding the relation of 25(OH)D to bone health outcomes in the elderly and in postmenopausal women, but we know less about its impact on other stages of the life cycle and in racial and ethnic groups. Limitations of the existing data include the failure of many studies to control for important confounders [baseline 25(OH)D concentration, skin pigmentation, body mass index, compliance, etc], sparse data on key vulnerablepopulations(dark-skinnedpersons,reproducingwomen, infants,children,andadolescents),problemsofaccuracyandexcessive variability in measuring 25(OH)D, lack of established relation of 25(OH)D with functional outcomes except in the elderly, and limited information on the effects of vitamin D independent of calcium,magnesium,andphosphate.Futureresearchshoulddetermine andvalidateacrossthelifecyclerelevantfunctionaloutcomesfor bone and other health factors as well as adverse outcomes for the biomarker of exposure, 25(OH)D, to enable assessment of the role of vitamin D status in health maintenance and disease prevention. Am J Clin Nutr 2008;88(suppl):483S–90S.
Hydrodynamic model for gas‐liquid slug flow in vertical tubes

A series of equations are developed based on the physical processes thought to take place during slug flow which are used to predict the hydrodynamic character of this complex flow pattern. New experimental results are reported which appear to validate the model.
Relationship between Endopolyploidy and Cell Size in Epidermal Tissue of Arabidopsis.

Relative quantities of DNA in individual nuclei of stem and leaf epidermal cells of Arabidopsis were measured microspectrofluorometrically using epidermal peels. The relative ploidy level in each nucleus was assessed by comparison to root tip mitotic nuclei. A clear pattern of regular endopolyploidy is evident in epidermal cells. Guard cell nuclei contain levels of DNA comparable to dividing root cells, the 2C level (i.e., one unreplicated copy of the nuclear DNA). Leaf trichome nuclei had elevated ploidy levels of 4C, 8C, 16C, 32C, and 64C, and their cytology suggested that the polyploidy represents a form of polyteny. The nuclei of epidermal pavement cells were 2C, 4C, and 8C in stem epidermis, and 2C, 4C, 8C, and 16C in leaf epidermis. Morphometry of epidermal pavement cells revealed a direct proportionality between nuclear DNA level and cell size. A consideration of the development process suggests that the cells of highest ploidy level are developmentally oldest; consequently, the developmental pattern of epidermal tissues can be read from the ploidy pattern of the cells. This observation is relevant to theories of stomate spacing and offers opportunities for genetic analysis of the endopolyploidy/polyteny phenomenon.
Fifteen common mistakes encountered in clinical research

The baseline standards for minimally acceptable science are improving as the understanding of the scientific method improves. Journals publishing research papers are becoming more and more rigorous. For example, in 2001 a group of authors evaluated the quality of clinical trials in anesthesia published over a 20 year period [Pua et al., Anesthesiology 2001;95:1068-73]. The authors divided the time into 3 subgroups and analyzed and compared the quality assessment score from research papers in each group. The authors reported that the scientific quality scores increased significantly in this time, showing more randomization, sample size calculation and blinding of studies. Because every journal strives to have a high scientific impact factor, research quality is critical to this goal. This means novice researchers must study, understand and rigorously avoid the common mistakes described in this review. Failure to do so means the hundreds and hundreds of hours of effort it takes to conduct and write up a clinical trial will be for naught, in that the manuscript with be rejected or worse yet, ignored. All scientists have a responsibility to understand research methods, conduct the best research they can and publish the honest and unbiased results.
Dynamic Mode, Probe Based High Density Data Storage: A collaborative effort with IBM, Zurich Research Labs

Conventional means of storing data is primarily magnetic. The data storage densities in storing data magnetically are approaching fundamental limits. A new and promising means of achieving data storage densities in the Terabit per inch square range involves using a probe made of a sharp tip at the end of a cantilever flexure. IBM Zurich Research Labs (IBM, ZRL) has pioneered this probe based data storage technology. NanoDynamics Systems Lab. (NDSL) at University of Minnesota Minneapolis has developed new methods of interrogating matter with better resolution and at higher bandwidth. Another focus of the research at NDSL is the dynamic mode operation of this technology. The complimentary set of tools at IBM, ZRL and at NDSL has motivated a collaborative agreement between University of Minnesota and IBM. In this talk, the process by which the initial contact between the groups at IBM and NDSL was made and the means by which a common charter of research was arrived at will be described. An emphasis on some of the challenges faced caused by researchers from relatively different areas will be highlighted. The next step of formulating an IP agreement between the two establishments followed by a description of research that the agreement has facilitated will be presented. The role an NSF grant is playing in the research will be highlighted.
Penetration of Staphylococcus aureus into sutured wounds.

An animal model was developed to study whether Staphylococcus aureus could penetrate a sutured wound. Six days after bacteria were applied to sutured incisions, viable organisms could be recovered from the depths of the wounds in the majority of cases. Specifically, bacteria could be recovered in 23 of 24 wounds when they were applied 1 day after suturing, in 17 of 24 wounds when they were applied 4 days after suturing, and in 13 of 24 when applied 7 days after suturing. When Steri-strips® were used to close the wounds, bacteria could not be recovered from any of 24 wounds when bacteria were applied 4 or 7 days after wound closure. When bacteria were applied 5 min after sutures had been placed but without incision, bacteria could be recovered in three of 12 cases and in two of 12 cases when they were applied 7 days after suturing. These results demonstrate that bacteria can penetrate sutured wounds. The sutures themselves probably contributed to this phenomenon.
miR-139 modulates MCPIP1/IL-6 expression and induces apoptosis in human OA chondrocytes

IL-6 is an inflammatory cytokine and its overexpression plays an important role in osteoarthritis (OA) pathogenesis. Expression of IL-6 is regulated post-transcriptionally by MCPIP1. The 3' untranslated region (UTR) of MCPIP1 mRNA harbors a miR-139 'seed sequence', therefore we examined the post-transcriptional regulation of MCPIP1 by miR-139 and its impact on IL-6 expression in OA chondrocytes. Expression of miR-139 was found to be high in the damaged portion of the OA cartilage compared with unaffected cartilage from the same patient and was also induced by IL-1β in OA chondrocytes. Inhibition of miR-139 decreased the expression of IL-6 mRNA by 38% and of secreted IL-6 protein by 40%. However, overexpression of miR-139 increased the expression of IL-6 mRNA by 36% and of secreted IL-6 protein by 56%. These data correlated with altered expression profile of MCPIP1 in transfected chondrocytes. Studies with a luciferase reporter construct confirmed the interactions of miR-139 with the 'seed sequence' located in the 3' UTR of MCPIP mRNA. Furthermore, miR-139 overexpression increased the catabolic gene expression but expression of anabolic markers remained unchanged. Overexpression of miR-139 also induced apoptosis in OA chondrocytes. Importantly, we also discovered that IL-6 is a potent inducer of miR-139 expression in OA chondrocytes. These findings indicate that miR-139 functions as a post-transcriptional regulator of MCPIP1 expression and enhances IL-6 expression, which further upregulates miR-139 expression in OA chondrocytes. These results support our hypothesis that miR-139-mediated downregulation of MCPIP1 promotes IL-6 expression in OA. Therefore, targeting miR-139 could be therapeutically beneficial in the management of OA.
Denkdispositionen bei Mensch und Tier

Wird das Disponiertsein zum Denken als eine Beschaffenheit angesehen, die dem Menschen dauernd eigen ist, so spricht man von Intellekt und Intelligenz.
Alois Alzheimer and Gaetano Perusini: should man divide what fate united?

Three points of interest lie in considering how Alzheimer, and more significantly Perusini, struggled to throw light on the cause of this devastating disease. There is a stimulating possibility that Perusini believed presenile forms of Alzheimer’s disease described the same disease as senile forms. If so this would anticipate current opinion, and reveal Perusini to dissent from Kraepelin. In addition, Perusini may have understood the pathological relationship between neuritic plaques and vascular changes, once more foreseeing the modern view of Alzheimer’s disease. Finally, Perusini and Alzheimer disagreed with Jung's view concerning the relationship between neuropathology and clinical psychiatry. This point highlights the major change occurring at that time from classical neurology to the psychoanalytic era. In his last work (1911) Alzheimer quoted his Italian disciple many times, even speaking of ‘Perusini's cases’ (Perusinischen Falle). This article is an attempt to change the eponym of Alzheimer’s disease into the Alzheimer-Perusini disease. This is a brief history of a master and his disciple, whose scientific lives were, by events, divided.
Oleic acid-induced mucosal injury in developing piglet intestine

A role for luminal nutrients, in particular products of lipid digestion, in the pathogenesis of mucosal injury to developing intestine has been postulated. We evaluated changes in mucosal permeability and light and electron microscopic histology induced by luminal perfusion with the long-chain fatty acid oleate in developing piglet intestine as a function of age and concentration of the fatty acid. 51Cr-labeled EDTA plasma-to-lumen clearance was measured in jejunum and ileum of 1-day-, 3-day-, 2-wk-, and 1-mo-old piglets during sequential perfusion with saline control (20 min); 0, 1, 5, and 10 mM oleic acid/10 mM taurocholate in saline (20 min); and normal saline (60 min). The jejunum of piglets < or = 2 wk showed significantly greater increases in mucosal permeability compared with 1-mo-old animals after perfusion with oleic acid. This effect was dependent on the luminal concentration of the fatty acid and was associated with mucosal injury evident under light and electron microscopy. In contrast, the overall response in ileum was more attenuated compared with jejunum. Thus oleic acid, a common dietary fatty acid, induces dose- and age-dependent injury in developing piglet intestine. Investigation of the mechanisms of this injury may provide the basis for dietary modifications directed at decreasing the risk of mucosal injury during enteral feeding in neonatal intestine.
Reproducibility of blood oxygen level-dependent signal changes with end-tidal carbon dioxide alterations.

Summary Hypercapnia has been utilized as a stimulus to elicit changes in cerebral blood flow (CBF). However, in many instances it has been delivered in a non-controlled method that is often difficult to reproduce. The purpose of this study was to examine the within- and between-visit reproducibility of blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) signal changes to an iso-oxic square wave alteration in end-tidal carbon dioxide partial pressure (PetCO2). Two 3-Tesla (3T) MRI scans were performed on the same visit, with two square wave alterations administered per scan. The protocol was repeated on a separate visit with minimum of 3 days between scanning sessions. PetCO2 was altered to stimulate changes in cerebral vascular reactivity (CVR), while PetO2 was held constant. Eleven subjects (six females; mean age 26·5 ± 5·7 years) completed the full testing protocol. Excellent within-visit square wave reproducibility (ICC > 0·75) was observed. Similarly, square waves were reproducible between scanning sessions (ICC > 0·7). This study demonstrates BOLD signal changes in response to alterations in PetCO2 are reproducible both within- and between-visit MRI scans.
Discrepancy in reports of support exchanges between parents and adult offspring: Within- and between-family differences.

Using data from 929 parent-child dyads nested in 458 three-generation families (aged 76 for the oldest generation, 50 for the middle generation, and 24 for the youngest generation), this study investigated how discrepancies in reports of support that parents and their adult offspring exchanged with one another vary both within and between families, and what factors explain variations in dyadic discrepancies. We found substantial within- and between-family differences in dyadic discrepancies in reports of support exchanges. For downward exchanges (from parents to offspring), both dyad-specific characteristics within a family (e.g., gender composition, relative levels of relationship quality, and family obligation) and shared family characteristics (e.g., average levels of relationship quality) showed significant effects on dyadic discrepancies. For upward exchanges (from offspring to parents), however, only dyad-specific characteristics (e.g., gender composition, coresidence, relative levels of positive relationship quality, and family obligation) were significantly associated with discrepancies. Discrepancies in support exchanges were mainly associated with dyad-specific characteristics, but they also appeared to be influenced by family emotional environments. The use of multiple informants revealed that families differ in discrepancies in reports of exchanges, which has implications for quality of family life as well as future exchanges.
Predicting The Chemistry In Cvd Systems

Tailoring the chemical and physical nature of CVD deposits for specific applications requires understanding and controlling the chemical processes occurring in a deposition reactor. This implies understanding the combined equilibrium, kinetic, and transport processes. The occurring processes produce composition gradients in the reactor which can cause variations in the deposition chemistry. Derived physical and mathematical models of possible mechanisms provide critical tools for manipulating and controlling the chemical and physical nature of CVD deposits. Examples of silicon boride deposition from SiH 4 , BC1 3 , and H 2 mixtures are used to illustrate thermochemical modeling techniques which utilize the concept of partial equilibrium. Predictions of limits on the chemical behavior, and comparison of these limits with experimental observations are used to hypotheses deposition mechanisms.
Passive Location Algorithm by Frequency Measurements of Single Satellite Based on Probability

A passive location algorithm by frequency measurements of single satellite based on probability is proposed.This algorithm utilizes Doppler frequencies acquired by one satellite at different places to locate the radiant points on the earth.After the location principle and algorithm are introduced,the relationship between accuracy of positioning and the quality of parameter measurements is indicated by simulation results.
MEMLET: An Easy-to-Use Tool for Data Fitting and Model Comparison Using Maximum-Likelihood Estimation.

We present MEMLET (MATLAB-enabled maximum-likelihood estimation tool), a simple-to-use and powerful program for utilizing maximum-likelihood estimation (MLE) for parameter estimation from data produced by single-molecule and other biophysical experiments. The program is written in MATLAB and includes a graphical user interface, making it simple to integrate into the existing workflows of many users without requiring programming knowledge. We give a comparison of MLE and other fitting techniques (e.g., histograms and cumulative frequency distributions), showing how MLE often outperforms other fitting methods. The program includes a variety of features. 1) MEMLET fits probability density functions (PDFs) for many common distributions (exponential, multiexponential, Gaussian, etc.), as well as user-specified PDFs without the need for binning. 2) It can take into account experimental limits on the size of the shortest or longest detectable event (i.e., instrument "dead time") when fitting to PDFs. The proper modification of the PDFs occurs automatically in the program and greatly increases the accuracy of fitting the rates and relative amplitudes in multicomponent exponential fits. 3) MEMLET offers model testing (i.e., single-exponential versus double-exponential) using the log-likelihood ratio technique, which shows whether additional fitting parameters are statistically justifiable. 4) Global fitting can be used to fit data sets from multiple experiments to a common model. 5) Confidence intervals can be determined via bootstrapping utilizing parallel computation to increase performance. Easy-to-follow tutorials show how these features can be used. This program packages all of these techniques into a simple-to-use and well-documented interface to increase the accessibility of MLE fitting.
Isomorphism classes of k-involutions of algebraic groups of type \({{\mathrm{E}}}_6\)

Automorphisms of order 2 are studied in order to understand generalized symmetric spaces. The groups of type \({{\mathrm{E}}}_6\) we consider here can be realized as both the group of linear maps that leave a certain determinant invariant, and also as the identity component of the automorphism group of a class of structurable algebras known as Brown algebras. We will classify the k-involutions of these groups of type \({{\mathrm{E}}}_6\) using aspects of both descriptions.
The Good, the Bad, and the Ugly: Bioarchaeology and the Modern Gun Culture Debate

In his controversial book Arming America: The Origins of a National Gun Culture, historian Michael A. Bellesiles argued that personal gun ownership was uncommon prior to 1850. His book triggered an intense re-examination of the American gun culture. A subsequent investigation into his alleged misuse of antebellum probate records to support his thesis resulted in his forfeiture of the prestigious Bancroft Prize and the loss of his position at Emory University. Historical archaeologists can contribute to the debate on the popularity of guns in early America armed with objective data on the frequency and distribution of gun-related artifacts. Analysis of historic period human remains provides another dimension to the modern gun-culture debate through documentation of the prevalence of gunshot wounds, including those among minority groups whose rates of firearms trauma were generally unreported in official statistics before the 1930s. By accurately recognizing and systematically recording gunshot wounds among historical population samples, bioarchaeologists are uniquely positioned to report the actual frequency and, in many cases, the contexts within which such wounds occurred in the past.
Dissection of the Role of Connexin-43 in Hematopoietic Progenitors and Stromal Cells Unveils Distinct Hematopoietic Intrinsic and Extrinsic Regulatory Functions.

Bone marrow (BM) stromal cells seem to be crucial in the establishment of the hematopoietic niches in bone marrow. BM stromal cells can communicate through gap junctions, which consist of narrow channels between contacting cells and are composed by connexins. Connexin 43 (Cx43) is expressed by BM stromal cells and upon adhesion to stroma, by hematopoietic stem cells and progenitors (HSC/P). Cx43 has been shown to be essential in controlling osteoblast and fibroblast function. We have previously reported that Cx43 is critical for the interaction between stroma and HSC/P in CAFC assays (Cancelas J.A. et al., Blood 2000) and in adult hematopoiesis after 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) administration in Mx1-Cre-Tg;Cx43KO mice (Presley C, et al., Cell Comm. Adh., 2005). We have also previously shown that after 5-FU administration, Cx43 is predominantly expressed in the endosteum and the deficiency of Cx43 in stroma of Collagen I (ColI)-Cre;Cx43KO and chimeric mice impairs their hematopoiesis by impairing the homing of wild-type (WT) hematopoietic progenitors and after 5-FU administration, the hematopoietic progenitor cycling inducing a ∼30% expansion of the long-term stem cell compartment in BM (Li L et al., ASH 2006). Interestingly, stromal Cx43-deficient mice contain around twice as many CFU-F as wild-type (WT) mice. Now, we have further investigated the role of stromal Cx43 expression in the regulation of hematopoietic progenitor adhesion to stroma, trans-stromal migration and mobilization. Cx43-deficient stromal cells display complete absence of intercellular communication as assayed by calcein dye transfer which can be reverted by retroviral transduction of Cx43. Trans-stromal migration of hematopoietic progenitors through Cx43-deficient irradiated stroma is impaired (7.8% vs 13.8% in WT stroma, p=0.015) but primary adhesion to Cx43-deficient irradiated stroma and in vivo mobilization response to G-CSF in ColI-Cre;Cx43KO mice were similar to WT controls, suggesting that stromal Cx43 plays a role in the regulation of the post-adhesion migration of HSC/P. On the other hand, Cx43-deficient HSC/P from Vav1-Cre;Cx43KO primary and chimeric mice show severe impairment of blood cell formation during the recovery phase after 5-FU administration (day +14) compared to wild-type controls (ANC: 0.23±0.12 vs 1.40±1.25 x 10 9 neutrophils/L; Platelet count: 135±91 vs 572±205 x 10 9 platelets/L; p in vivo, suggesting that, under stress, hematopoietic regeneration depends on complete Cx43 channels communicating HSC/P and stromal cells.
Knee Osteoarthritis Is Associated With Previous Meniscus and Anterior Cruciate Ligament Surgery Among Elite College American Football Athletes

Background:Football puts athletes at risk for knee injuries such meniscus and anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears, which are associated with the development of osteoarthritis (OA). Previous knee surgery, player position, and body mass index (BMI) may be associated with knee OA.Hypothesis:In elite football players undergoing knee magnetic resonance imaging at the National Football League’s Invitational Combine, the prevalence of knee OA is associated with previous knee surgery and BMI.Study Design:Retrospective cohort.Level of Evidence:Level 4.Methods:A retrospective review was performed of all participants of the National Football League Combine from 2005 to 2009 who underwent magnetic resonance imaging of the knee because of prior knee injury, surgery, or knee-related symptoms or concerning examination findings. Imaging studies were reviewed for evidence of OA. History of previous knee surgery—including ACL reconstruction, meniscal procedures, and articular cartilage surgery—and position were recorded...
On the Vocabulary Agreement in Software Issue Descriptions

Many software comprehension tasks depend on how stakeholders textually describe their problems. These textual descriptions are leveraged by Text Retrieval (TR)-based solutions to more than 20 software engineering tasks, such as duplicate issue detection. The common assumption of such methods is that text describing the same issue in multiple places will have a common vocabulary. This paper presents an empirical study aimed at verifying this assumption and discusses the impact of the common vocabulary on duplicate issue detection. The study investigated 13K+ pairs of duplicate bug reports and Stack Overflow (SO) questions. We found that on average, more than 12.2% of the duplicate pairs do not have common terms. The other duplicate issue descriptions share, on average, 30% of their vocabulary. The good news is that these duplicates have significantly more terms in common than the non-duplicates. We also found that the difference between the lexical agreement of duplicate and non-duplicate pairs is a good predictor for the performance of TR-based duplicate detection.
Comparing the effectiveness of Henderson instructions and expert testimony: Which safeguard improves jurors’ evaluations of eyewitness evidence?

The New Jersey Supreme Court recently determined that jurors may not be able to effectively evaluate eyewitness evidence on their own. As a result, the Court proposed the use of judicial instructions to assist jurors (called Henderson instructions) and suggested the implementation of these instructions would reduce the need for expert testimony. We tested the efficacy of these instructions compared to alternative instructions and expert testimony. We utilized a mock trial paradigm, randomly assigning 452 participants to 1 of 20 videotaped trial conditions that varied the quality of eyewitness evidence (both witnessing and identification conditions) and the type of safeguard presented during the mock trial. Jurors were sensitive to the quality of identification conditions on their own. Jurors were more likely to convict when identification conditions were good and less likely when identification conditions were poor. This relationship was mediated by eyewitness credibility ratings. Expert testimony resulted in skepticism by reducing the likelihood that jurors would convict regardless of the quality of witnessing and identification conditions. No variation of the instructions influenced verdicts. While jurors were sensitive to the quality of identification conditions on their own, we observed no such effect for the quality of witnessing conditions, even with the aid of instructions and/or expert testimony. Both Henderson instructions and expert testimony may be insufficient for assisting jurors to effectively evaluate problematic witnessing conditions. Future research should examine the use of alternative safeguards.
Arbuscular Mycorrhizae: Effect of Rhizosphere and Relation with Carbon Nutrition

More than 90 % of terrestrial plants form symbiotic association with mycorrhizae which develop and promote cooperation belowground in rhizosphere. Mycorrhizal fungi produces spores in the soil and vegetative propagules in root fragments which respond to stimulation of root exudates in the rhizosphere. As a result, symbiotic relationship takes place where physiology and morphology of both participants rely on each other. Mycorrhizae are present in a range of horticultural, agricultural, forestry and other plant species. Along with mycorrhizae, other beneficial microbes also add in plant growth promotion, nutrient and uptake and stress tolerance either biotic or abiotic. The presence of bacteria in rhizosphere synchronizes with mycorrhizae termed as ‘mycorrhizae helper bacteria’ and increases plant growth by focusing on N and P in particular while micronutrients in general. Besides that, carbon has important structural and functional role in symbiotic association, because of mycorrhizal reliance on plants for food. Additionally, movement of C to the roots is an interesting area for exploration due to recent global focus on addressing climate change and carbon mitigation approaches particularly for sustainable agriculture. AM symbiosis can influence soil CO2 emissions and soil in ecosystems dominated by mycorrhizal plants that contain 70 % more carbon per unit nitrogen than soil in ecosystems dominated by non-AM-associated plants. Absorption of CO2 by mycorrhizae is contributing in climate change mitigation and translated as plant biomass production.
Maneuvering vehicle tracking with Bayesian changepoint detection

Presented is a method, referred to as the Changepoint Filter (CPF), to track dynamic maneuvering vehicles given only a set of noisy measurements. This is accomplished by utilizing a single parametrized model and detecting vehicle maneuvers with online Bayesian changepoint detection. The state of the vehicle and the changepoint probability are jointly computed at each time step. Also presented is a derivation for an exact discrete-time kinematic motion model for planar moving vehicles. This changepoint tracking method is applied with the presented planar kinematic model for both simulated and real data and the results are compared to other existing methods.
Action–reaction? Forensic evidence analysis and forensic awareness in sexual homicide

This chapter focuses on the role of forensic evidence in criminal investigations, and on how offenders reacted and adapted proper forensic awareness in cases of sexual homicide. The findings from the studies are informative as they show that, although our abilities to find and analyze less substantial forms of forensic evidence have increased, unfortunately crime labs have not been able to meet the increased demand for analysis. Forensic awareness is a term that has been used to describe the greater knowledge of law enforcement personnel as well as the public concerning forensic science and forensic evidence. The National Institute of Justice has recently funded several studies to examine the analysis of forensic evidence in criminal investigation. The “Green River” killer was able to elude detection even after a major task force was formed in 1984 consisting of over 50 investigators.
Scaling from Metabolism to Population Growth Rate to Understand How Acclimation Temperature Alters Thermal Performance.

SYNOPSIS The mean and variance of environmental temperature are changing as a consequence of human activities. Ectotherms are sensitive to these temperature changes in the short term, typically displaying a unimodal response of most biological rates to temperature (thermal performance curves; TPCs). Many organisms, however, may acclimate or evolve in response to new temperature regimes. In particular, population growth rate TPCs (r TPCs) reflect the ability to maintain positive growth under a range of temperatures, and therefore shifts in r TPCs due to acclimation are fundamental to our understanding of how ectotherms will respond to changes in climate. Here, we derive a model for r TPCs rooted in temperature dependent metabolic rate (through enzyme kinetics and activity). We then use this model to interpret the effects of acclimation to different temperatures on r TPCs of the protist Paramecium bursaria. Intermediate acclimation temperatures generally resulted in higher upper critical thermal limits, thermal optima, maximum population growth rate, and the area under the TPC. Lower critical thermal limits increased linearly with acclimation temperature, causing a decrease in thermal breadth with increased acclimation temperature. Thus, rather than showing improved performance at the acclimation temperature, P. bursaria appeared to pay a price at all temperatures for acclimating to higher temperatures. The fits of our data to our model also suggest that changes in the structure and function of metabolic enzymes may underlie the changes in the TPCs. Specifically, our results suggest that both the delta heat capacity and delta enthalpy of formation of metabolic enzymes may have increased with acclimation. Since these two factors are correlated across acclimation temperatures, our data also suggest potential trade-offs that may constrain changes in TPCs.
Radioembolization for hepatocellular carcinoma: Statistical confirmation of improved survival in responders by landmark analyses.

Does imaging response predict survival in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC)? We studied the ability of post-therapeutic imaging response to predict overall survival. Over 14 years, 948 HCC patients were treated with radioembolization. Patients with baseline metastases, vascular invasion, multifocal disease, Child-Pugh>B7 and transplanted/resected were excluded. This created our homogenous study cohort of 134 Child-Pugh≤B7 patients with solitary HCC. Response (using European Association for Study of the Liver [EASL] and Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumors 1.1 [RECIST 1.1] criteria) was associated with survival using Landmark and risk-of-death methodologies after reviewing 960 scans. In a sub-analysis, survival times of responders were compared to those of patients with stable disease (SD) and progressive disease (PD). Uni/multivariate survival analyses were performed at each Landmark. At the 3-month Landmark, responders survived longer than nonresponders by EASL (HR:0.46; CI:0.26-0.82; P=0.002) but not RECIST 1.1 criteria (HR:0.70; CI:0.37-1.32; P=0.32). At the 6-month Landmark, responders survived longer than nonresponders by EASL (HR:0.32; CI:0.15-0.77; P<0.001) and RECIST 1.1 criteria (HR:0.50; CI:0.29-0.87; P=0.021). At the 12-month Landmark, responders survived longer than nonresponders by EASL (HR:0.34; CI:0.15-0.77; P<0.001) and RECIST 1.1 criteria (HR:0.52;CI 0.27-0.98; P=0.049). At 6 months, risk of death was lower for responders by EASL (P<0.001) and RECIST 1.1 (P=0.0445). In sub-analyses, responders lived longer than patients with SD or PD. EASL response was a significant predictor of survival at 3, 6, and 12 month Landmarks on uni/multivariate analyses. Conclusion: Response to radioembolization in patients with solitary HCC can prognosticate improved survival. EASL necrosis criteria outperformed RECIST 1.1 size criteria in predicting survival. The therapeutic objective of radioembolization should be radiologic response and not solely to prevent progression. This article is protected by copyright. All rights reserved.
Jenseits der Reife. Zu Bildung und Nachhaltigkeit bei Stifter

This essay poses the question of how ‘Bildung’ can be narrated without following the script of maturation. In close readings of Stifter’s Brigitta and Nachsommer , the essay argues that these texts, by employing the notion of ‘sustainability’, develop moments of dynamics in stasis that open up the Bildungserzahlung .
Imaging doxorubicin and polymer-drug conjugates of doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity with bispecific anti-myosin-anti-DTPA antibody and Tc-99m-labeled polymers.

Radiolabeled anti-myosin imaging is well-established for imaging doxorubicin-induced cardiotoxicity. However, to enable imaging of drug-induced cardiotoxicity in small experimental animals, pretargeting with bispecific anti-myosin-anti-DTPA-Fab-Fab’ and targeting with high-specific radioactivity Tc-99m-DTPA-succinylated-polylysine (DSPL) was developed. Mice were injected biweekly with 10 mg/kg Dox or its equivalent as D-Dox-PGA. Tc-99m-DSPL myocardial activity after pretargeting with bsAb-Fab-Fab’ was determined after gamma imaging performed at day 7 for Dox-treated mice and day 39 for all others. Mice treated with 10 mg/kg Dox lost 10% total body weight in 1 week and 20% after a second dose. Pretargeted mice treated with 30 mg/kg cumulative D-Dox-PGA dose showed no loss of body weight for the duration of the study. Cardiotoxicity was confirmed by gamma imaging and scintillation counting (1.9 ± 0.25 [mean% ID/g ± SD]) after 1 dose of Dox. Mice injected with 3 × 10 mg/kg Dox equivalent as D-Dox-PGA (0.4 ± 0.04, P < .01) and untreated 2 control groups (0.20 ± 0.05 and 0.19 ± 0.04, P < .01) showed significantly lower myocardial anti-myosin radioactivity relative to the 10 mg/kg Dox group. Pretargeting with bsAb-Fab-Fab’ and targeting with Tc-99m labeled high-specific activity polymers enabled early visualization of doxorubicin induce cardiotoxicity in mice. Tolerated dose of D-Dox-PGA was greater than to 30 mg/kg Dox-equivalent dose with minimal cardiotoxicity.
Tie-Break: Host and Retrotransposons Play tRNA.

tRNA fragments (tRFs) are a class of small, regulatory RNAs with diverse functions. 3′-Derived tRFs perfectly match long terminal repeat (LTR)-retroelements which use the 3′-end of tRNAs to prime reverse transcription. Recent work has shown that tRFs target LTR-retroviruses and -transposons for the RNA interference (RNAi) pathway and also inhibit mobility by blocking reverse transcription. The highly conserved tRNA primer binding site (PBS) in LTR-retroelements is a unique target for 3′-tRFs to recognize and block abundant but diverse LTR-retrotransposons that become transcriptionally active during epigenetic reprogramming in development and disease. 3′-tRFs are processed from full-length tRNAs under so far unknown conditions and potentially protect many cell types. tRFs appear to be an ancient link between RNAi, transposons, and genome stability.
Antenatal hydronephrosis. Fetal and neonatal management.

In 1% of pregnancies, a significant structural fetal anomaly is detected by antenatal sonography. 38 Approximately half of these anomalies involve the central nervous system, whereas 20% are genitourinary, 15% are gastrointestinal and 8% are cardiopulmonary. Prenatal sonography allows the recognition of urologic abnormalities that otherwise would not be identified until later in life, when symptoms of pyelonephritis, stone disease, abdominal pain, or renal colic occur. 26 The probability of detecting a genitourinary abnormality depends on the experience and skill of the sonographer and usually is better late in gestation, when the fetus is larger and an anomaly is easier to image. 33 Most structural abnormalities of the urinary tract are characterized by hydronephrosis, which generally is assumed to be obstructive; however, often hydronephrosis is not caused by obstruction; examples include vesicoureteral reflux, multicystic kidney, and certain abnormalities of the ureteropelvic and ureterovesical junction. An abnormality involving the genitourinary tract may be suspected in as many as 1 in 100 pregnancies, depending on the sonogram criteria. 42,56 The goal of management is to recognize and treat congenital anomalies that may adversely affect renal function or cause urinary infection or sepsis.
Breast Imaging by Ultrasonic Computer-Assisted Tomography

The purpose of our applying acoustic tomographic methods in the breast is directed toward the early detection of carcinoma of the breast. Our rationale is based on the principle that early detection of cancer is not only dependent upon the spatial resolution of the physical method of detection but also depends upon sensitivity for detecting changes in basic properties of tissue which can be logically related to the normal and abnormal histologic elements and spatial organization of the organ under investigation. For the breast, detection of such changes demands methods which are capable of delineating the basic elements of the normal breast such as fat, inter- and intralobar connective tissue, ducts and acinar tissue as well as the localization of common lesions of the breast such as fibrocystic disease, cysts, fibroadenomas, medullary carcinoma, and scirrhous carcinoma. Development of such capabilities of histologic and spatial tissue differentiation should allow one not only to find an established advanced lesion, but also to detect early changes in the morphology of the normal breast by detecting focal changes in the acoustic properties of normal tissue constituents which may imply the presence or the potential of development of a neoplasm.
Measuring Internet Marketing Productivity: A Study of Fortune 1,000 Companies

How productive is Internet marketing? Results of a nationwide survey show that only 52 percent of Internet marketing users have specific, measurable objectives with the most popular being mechanical or communication measures. Even though multiple criteria are common, fewer than one in six firms use financial productivity measures.
Skin (Melanoma and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers)

Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and melanoma. Historically there have been a wide range of doses utilized for NMSC, depending on tumor location, age/performance status of patients, desired cosmetic outcome, and presence of high-risk features such as PNI. Melanoma has been thought of as a more radioresistant tumor; however, this thinking is changing based on newer data. This chapter summarizes the use of hypofractionated RT for both NMSC and melanoma in the definitive setting.
Identification of a Novel OX40L + Dendritic Cell Subset That Selectively Expands Regulatory T cells

We have previously shown GM-CSF derived bone-marrow dendritic cells (G-BMDCs) can induce the selective expansion of Tregs through the surface-bound molecule OX40L; however, the physiological role of this ex vivo derived DC subset remained to be elucidated. We determined GM-CSF administration to mice induced the generation of in vivo derived OX40L+ DCs, phenotypically similar to ex vivo OX40L+G-BMDCs, in the spleen, brachial lymph nodes and liver. The generation of OX40L+ DCs correlated with increased percentages of functionally suppressive Tregs in the spleen, brachial lymph nodes, and liver of GM-CSF treated mice. DCs from GM-CSF treated mice expanded Tregs in CD4+ T-cell co-cultures in an OX40L dependent manner, suggesting OX40L+ DCs may play a role in peripheral Treg homeostasis. Furthermore, comparing the transcriptome data of OX40L+ DCs to that of all immune cell types revealed OX40L+ DCs to be distinct from steady-state immune cells and, microarray analysis of OX40L+G-BMDCs and OX40L-G-BMDCs revealed higher expression of molecules that are associated with tolerogenic phenotype and could play important roles in the function of OX40L+ DCs. These findings suggest that OX40L+ DCs may represent a unique DC subset induced under inflammatory conditions that may play an essential role in maintaining Treg homeostasis.
The Portrayal of Czechoslovakia in the American Print Media, 1938–1989 Edited by Gregory C. Ference Boulder, Colo.: East European Monographs/New York: Columbia University Press, 2006, 181 Pp.

(2007). The Portrayal of Czechoslovakia in the American Print Media, 1938–1989 Edited by Gregory C. Ference Boulder, Colo.: East European Monographs/New York: Columbia University Press, 2006, 181 Pp. American Journalism: Vol. 24, No. 4, pp. 211-212.
The Fibula Osteocutaneous Free Flap: Surgical Approach

The fibula is the workhorse osseous flap for mandibular and maxillary reconstruction. The fibula may be harvested as a purely osseus flap or be combined with muscle, fascia, and skin to provide soft-tissue elements that may be required for reconstruction. The flap has an excellent pedicle with large-diameter vessels and a significantly sized skin paddle designed on the lateral leg, and the flexor hallucis longus muscle can be harvested in its entirety to provide excellent soft-tissue fill. The bone has both an intraosseous blood supply and a periosteal blood supply that allows for the ability to perform multiple osteotomies, which can be shaped to create the various contours of the mandible or the maxilla. The highly reliable fibula flap can be dissected simultaneously with the resection for trauma or disease in the head and neck, significantly decreasing operating time. This chapter describes the author’s surgical approach to harvesting the fibula osteo-myo-cutaneous flap.
Aminoglycoside-induced Hearing Loss Among Patients Being Treated for Drug-resistant Tuberculosis in South Africa: A Prediction Model.

Background Individuals treated for drug-resistant tuberculosis (DR-TB) with aminoglycosides (AGs) in resource-limited settings often experience permanent hearing loss, yet there is no practical method to identify those at higher risk. We sought to develop a clinical prediction model of AG-induced hearing loss among patients initiating DR-TB treatment in South Africa. Methods Using nested, prospective data from a cohort of 379 South African adults being treated for confirmed DR-TB with AG-based regimens we developed the prediction model using multiple logistic regression. Predictors were collected from clinical, audiological, and laboratory evaluations conducted at the initiation of DR-TB treatment. The outcome of AG-induced hearing loss was identified from audiometric and clinical evaluation by a worsened hearing threshold compared with baseline during the 6-month intensive phase. Results Sixty-three percent of participants (n = 238) developed any level of hearing loss. The model predicting hearing loss at frequencies from 250 to 8000 Hz included weekly AG dose, human immunodeficiency virus status with CD4 count, age, serum albumin, body mass index, and pre-existing hearing loss. This model demonstrated reasonable discrimination (area under the receiver operating characteristic curve [AUC] = 0.71) and calibration (χ2[8] = 6.10, P = .636). Using a cutoff of 80% predicted probability of hearing loss, the positive predictive value of this model was 83% and negative predictive value was 40%. Model discrimination was similar for ultrahigh-frequency hearing loss (frequencies >9000 Hz; AUC = 0.81) but weaker for clinically determined hearing loss (AUC = 0.60). Conclusions This model may identify patients with DR-TB who are at highest risk of developing AG-induced ototoxicity and may help prioritize patients for AG-sparing regimens in clinical settings where access is limited.