cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Behind the Sultan of Kilwa’s “Rebellious Conduct”: Local Perspectives on an International East African Town

In 1331, the renowned Arab traveller Ibn Battuta visited Kilwa Kisiwani, a large prosperous trading town on the southern coast of present-day Tanzania (see Figure 1). He declared that “the city…is one of the finest and most substantially built towns” he had seen on the East African coast, and praised the generosity and power of the Sultan (Gibb 1962:380). However, only decades later the town witnessed a dramatic economic downturn, with clear indications that the Sultan had lost considerable influence locally, to recover again only by the mid fifteenth century. By the time Portuguese explorers arrived along the coast at the end of that century, Kilwa had regained some prominence as a multi-faceted destination for Indian Ocean and coastal merchants: acting as a brokering and provisioning centre for the former who sought gold and ivory, and for the latter, as a producer and distribution point for cloth and other imported items acquired through overseas trade. The Sultan of Kilwa stood at the head of these activities and held a powerful, if not controversial, position along much of the coast (Freeman-Grenville 1962a: 59-63).1
First Successful Large-Scale Introduction of an Enhanced Recovery after Bariatric Surgery (ERABS) Program in the Middle East: The Results and Lessons Learned of Tawam Hospital/Johns Hopkins, a Tertiary Governmental Center in the UAE

Although enhanced recovery after bariatric surgery (ERABS) has proven to be safe and cost-effective, this concept is relatively new in the Middle East. A retrospective analysis of consecutive registered cohorts of patients who underwent primary and purely laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy (LSG) or laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass (LRYGB) were compared before introduction of ERABS (2010–2014) and after ERABS (2015–2017) at Tawam Hospital/Johns Hopkins, the UAE. A total of 462 eligible bariatric patients (LSG 414 and LRYGB 48) were operated on before and 1602 (LSG 1436 and LRYGB 166) after introduction of the ERABS. Significant improvements of mean patient time of the patient being within the OR for LSG (from 2:27 to 1:23 min, p = 0.000) and LRYGB (from 3:17 to 1:59 min, p = 0.000) were achieved when comparing pre-ERABS with after introduction of ERABS. Furthermore, there was a significant decrease in LOS in both LSG (from 3.2 to 1.5 days, p = 0.000) and in LRYGB (from 3.5 to 1.7 days, p = 0.000). Major (CD classification III–IV) complications decreased significantly in LSG (from 13.8 to 0.8%, p = 0.000) and were similar in LRYGB (from 4.2% to 3.0%, p = NS). The readmission rate for LSG (from 2.9 to 2.6%, p = NS) or LRYGB (from 0 to 4.8%, p = NS) and the reoperation rates after LSG (from 0.7 to 0.5%, p = NS) and LRYGB (from 0 to 2.4%, p = NS) did not differ between both groups following introduction of ERABS. Implementation of a standardized ERABS program in the Middle East is feasible and safe and leads to reduced LOS and OR times.
Do I Stay or Do I Go?: Motivations and Decision Making in Social Media Non-use and Reversion

This paper explores the ways in which users give up as well as revert back to using social media based on the analysis of qualitative data from 680 respondents to a survey (N=1072). By focusing on the motivations rather than any particular social media platform, we were able to uncover reasons for voluntary non-use and reversion when users have a choice of several social media platforms. Our findings provide an ecological view of social media non-use and reversion highlighting that 1) previous findings of social media non-use and reversion reported on a single social media platform (e.g. Facebook, Twitter) are seen across several other platforms too; 2) access to multiple social media platforms in itself readily leads to non-use of one platform in favor of the use of another for reasons such as lack of differentiation and/or richness of features, device constraints of storage/ memory space or operating system support, perceptions of fading popularity, and availability of "a new kid on the block;" 3) findings of non-use and reversion practices and motivations that were seemingly incongruent between previous studies of different or same social media platforms tend to coalesce when we take a wider look at the social media landscape. By adopting the theoretical lens of cognitive biases in decision-making we were able to explain why users quit but decide to revert to using again in the environment of various positive and negative experiences on a particular platform, and to reconcile the seemingly paradoxical reasons for social media non-use and reversion.
Estimation With Fast Feature Selection in Robot Visual Navigation

We consider the robot localization problem with sparse visual feature selection. The underlying key property is that contributions of trackable features (landmarks) appear linearly in the information matrix of the corresponding estimation problem. We utilize standard models for motion and vision system using a camera to formulate the feature selection problem over moving finite-time horizons. We propose a scalable randomized sampling algorithm to select more informative features to obtain a certain estimation quality. We provide probabilistic performance guarantees for our method. The time-complexity of our feature selection algorithm is linear in the number of candidate features, which is practically plausible and outperforms existing greedy methods that scale quadratically with the number of candidate features. Our numerical simulations confirm that not only the execution time of our proposed method is comparably less than that of the greedy method, but also the resulting estimation quality is very close to the greedy method.
Availability and Characteristics of Hospital-Affiliated Tobacco-Cessation Programs in the U.S., 2000-2018.

Introduction Smoking-cessation interventions can increase successful quitting, reduce healthcare costs, and enhance patients’ health and well-being. This study assesses changes in the availability of hospital-affiliated smoking-cessation programs over time in the U.S. and examines the hospital characteristics associated with such programs. Methods Data were obtained from the American Hospital Association annual surveys. Joinpoint regressions were used to estimate the trends in having hospital-affiliated cessation programs between 2000 and 2018. A logit regression was used to estimate the association between hospital characteristics (bed size, location, teaching status, ownership) and having any hospital-affiliated cessation program. Analyses were conducted in 2019. Results The percentage of U.S. hospitals with any tobacco-cessation program increased from 23.8% (95% CI=22.7, 24.9) in 2000 to 45.5% (95% CI=44.2, 46.7) in 2018. There were sharp increases in the cessation programs between 2000 and 2002 but no change between 2015 and 2018. Hospitals with ≥200 beds (vs Conclusions Less than half of U.S. hospitals reported having any hospital-affiliated cessation program in 2018. Although program prevalence nearly doubled between 2000 and 2015, this increase has not continued in recent years. Further efforts to promote and support hospital-affiliated cessation programs could be beneficial, especially among smaller, rural, nonteaching, and private for-profit hospitals.
siRNA Nanoparticle Suppresses Drug‐Resistant Gene and Prolongs Survival in an Orthotopic Glioblastoma Xenograft Mouse Model

Temozolomide (TMZ) is the standard of care chemotherapy drug for treating glioblastomas (GBMs), the most aggressive cancer that affects people of all ages. However, its therapeutic efficacy is limited by the drug resistance mediated by a DNA repair protein, O6-methylguanine-DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), which eliminates the TMZ-induced DNA lesions. Here we report the development of an iron oxide nanoparticle (NP) system for targeted delivery of siRNAs to suppress the TMZ-resistance gene (MGMT). We show that our NP is able to overcome biological barriers, bind specifically to tumor cells, and reduce MGMT expression in tumors of mice bearing orthotopic GBM serially-passaged patient-derived xenografts. The treatment with sequential administration of this NP and TMZ resulted in increased apoptosis of GBM stem-like cells, reduced tumor growth, and significantly-prolonged survival as compared to mice treated with TMZ alone. This study introduces an approach that holds great promise to improve the outcomes of GBM patients.
Kindle, Kindle Burning Bright; or, Twenty-First Century Fiction and the Poetics of Such: Prologue II

Untheories Of The Novel Literary Essays From Diderot To Markson takes a closer look at the diversity of fiction writing from Diderot to David Markson and by so doing calls into question the notion of a singular “theory of fiction,” especially in relation to the novel. Unlike Forster’s approach to “Aspects of the Novel,” which implied there is only one kind of novel to which there may be an aspect, the text deconstructs how one approach to studying something as protean as the novel cannot be accomplished, hence the notion of an “untheory” of the novel that brings to the fore the undeniable creative expansiveness of the novel. To that end, the text uses Diderot’s This Is Not A Story (1772) and David Markson’s This Is Not A Novel (2016) as a frame and between them are essays on De Maistre’s Voyage Around My Room, Machado de Assis’s Posthumous Memoirs Of Bras Cubas, Andre Breton’s Nadja, and Elizabeth Smart’s By Grand Central Station I Sat Down And Wept.
What does character education mean to character education experts? A prototype analysis of expert opinions

Having an agreed-upon definition of character education would be useful for both researchers and practitioners in the field. However, even experts in character education disagree on how they would ...
Abstract P284: Coordinating Options for Acute Stroke Therapy (COAST): Demonstrating Patient Autonomy by Examining Preferences for Acute Stroke Treatment From a Stroke Advance Directive

Introduction: Respect for patient autonomy is critical, and patients/surrogates may have various preferences about acute stroke treatment that are not fully appreciated during a stroke code. COAST ...
Brave New World Order: The Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq and the Rise of Iraqi Shī‘ī Identity Politics

This article uses the history of the Supreme Council for Islamic Revolution in Iraq, the largest Shī‘ī Islamist organization within the exiled Iraqi opposition movement, as a case study to delineat...
Major technological innovations introduced in the large antennas of The Deep Space Network

The NASA Deep Space Network (DSN) is the largest and most sensitive scientific, telecommunications and radio navigation network in the world. Its principal responsibilities are to provide communications, tracking, and science services to most of the world's spacecraft that travel beyond low Earth orbit. The network consists of three Deep Space Communications Complexes which are located on three continents: at Goldstone in Southern California's Mojave Desert; near Madrid Spain; and near Canberra Australia. Each of the three complexes consists of multiple large antennas equipped with ultra sensitive receiving systems. A centralized Signal Processing Center (SPC) remotely controls the antennas, generates and transmits spacecraft commands, and receives and processes the spacecraft telemetry.
SPH Simulations of the Early Universe

Using the results of cosmological simulations evolved with smoothed particle hydrodynamics, we can predict the distribution of neutral hydrogen in a (22.2 Mpc)3 comoving box at high redshifts. By converting these boxes into two-dimensional images, convolving with a Gaussian beam and adding noise appropriate to sensitivity estimates, we have simulated a series of observations by the proposed Square Kilometer Array Interferometer (SKAI). The capability of the SKAI to easily detect 1010 M⨀/beam concentrations of neutral Hydrogen (“galaxies”) should impose significant constraints upon the large scale structure proposed in a variety of cosmological models.
Chloride in the Squid Giant Axon

Publisher Summary Chloride (Cl - ) is by far the most abundant inorganic anion in squid hemolymph and axoplasm. This chapter reviews the evidence concerning the presence of Cl - in the squid axon and the modes of its transmembrane movements. The axoplasm of the squid giant axon contains significantly freer Cl - than expected from thermodynamic equilibrium considerations. An ATP-requiring, tightly coupled, cotransport process involving the uptake of Cl - , Na + , and K + is apparently responsible for the higher-than equilibrium [Cl - ]. It is not yet known whether the Na + gradient provides any energy for the uptake process or whether the required energy comes directly from ATP hydrolysis. Virtually all the unidirectional Cl - influx can be accounted for by the coupled Cl - : Na + : K + uptake process. In addition, studies suggest that Cl - contributes very little to leakage conductance. It, therefore, seems clear that the most important transmembrane pathway for Cl - entry is via the tightly coupled Cl - : Na + : K + cotransport system.
Corrosion resistant high-silica-zeolite MFI coatings

Abstract Metal corrosion is a ubiquitous problem and generally costs an industrialized country several percent of its gross domestic product. The development of satisfactory protective finishes continues to be of great importance. Many of the protective finishes used today utilize chromium, which in its hexavalent state is a known human carcinogen. We have been investigating the application of zeolite films as chromium-free protective coatings on aluminum alloys and steels [ [1] , [2] , [3] , [4] ]. In this paper we summarize our most recent works that experimentally demonstrates that high-silica-zeolite (HSZ) coating on metal and metal alloys is a viable replacement technology for corrosion protection of metals.
Trends in adverse events of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) in the USA, 1998 to 2008

Study Type – Harm (Cohort) Level of Evidence 2b What’s known on the subject? and What does the study add? In clinical trials, oral medications for BPH have been effective at managing LUTS and preventing progression to urinary retention, urinary infections, and renal insufficiency. Population-level trends of these adverse outcomes are poorly characterized. We identified a 400% increase in hospitalizations for BPH with acute renal failure, indicating that severe adverse events of BPH persist despite widespread use of oral therapies in the USA. OBJECTIVE • To determine if the adverse events (AEs) of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) have declined in tandem with increased use of oral therapy. MATERIALS AND METHODS • We used the Nationwide Inpatient Sample, a 20% sample of USA community hospitals, weighted to estimate national numbers to characterize the prevalence of AEs of BPH from 1998 to 2008. • We calculated the age-adjusted prevalence of BPH and associated conditions and analyzed prevalence trends with regression modelling. RESULTS • Of 134 million estimated eligible discharges during the study period, 7 464 730 (5.6%) had either a primary or secondary diagnosis of BPH. • The age-adjusted prevalence of BPH among all hospitalizations, irrespective of primary diagnosis, increased from 4.3% to 8% (P < 0.001) during the study period. • The age-adjusted prevalence of BPH as a primary diagnosis decreased from 0.88% to 0.48% (P < 0.001). • Discharges for BPH surgery decreased 51% (odds ratio [OR] 0.49, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.45–0.54, P-trend 400% (OR 4.28, 95% CI 3.22–5.71, P-trend <0.001). • There were no significant changes in discharges for primary BPH with urinary retention (P-trend = 0.636), bladder stones (P-trend = 0.117), or urinary infection (P-trend = 0.101) over time. CONCLUSIONS • Increased hospitalizations for BPH with acute renal failure and stable hospitalizations for other AEs of BPH indicate that severe AEs of BPH persist despite widespread use of oral therapies in the USA. • Further studies are needed to explain these trends.
Modern control theory applications to liquid metal reactors

Several linear quadratic Gaussian compensator designs are applied to the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II subsystem models. The reactor power regulation and the drum-level control tasks are accomplished successfully using linear quadratic Gaussian (LQG) control design. The preliminary results indicated that the closed-loop system using LQG control exhibits reasonable performance compared with the classical approach. Under degraded conditions, the state estimation provides robust closed-loop behavior. The designs are implemented using the control design software Matrix and a low-order model of the Experimental Breeder Reactor-II (EBR-II). >
Intravenous injection of an adenovirus encoding hepatocyte growth factor results in liver growth and has a protective effect against apoptosis.

Hepatocyte growth factor/scatter factor (HGF/SF) is a pleiotropic cytokine with mitogenic, motogenic and morphogenic effects for a wide variety of cells. Previous studies have reported that the in vivo infusion in normal, untreated mice of recombinant HGF results in low levels of DNA synthesis and liver proliferation. In this study, we examined whether liver regeneration could be obtained by the in vivo injection of a recombinant adenoviral vector encoding human HGF (Ad.CMV.rhHGF) in normal, intact mice. C57BL/6 mice were infused intravenously with doses increasing from 1 to 4 × 1011 particles of the recombinant human HGF (rhHGF) adenoviral vector or with a control virus encoding Escherichia coli β-galactosidase (Ad.CMV.lacZ). At day 5, mice were sacrificed and evaluated for the presence of hepatocyte mitogenesis and liver regeneration (5-bromo-2′-deoxyuridine (BrdU) assays and liver weight determination) and for the presence of liver damage (serum alanine amino-transferase (ALT) measurements and TUNEL assays). In vivo administration of rhHGF stimulated DNA synthesis of hepatocytes and liver weight in a dose-dependent fashion. The maximal effect was seen after the infusion of 3 × 1011 particles which resulted at day 5 in >130% increase in relative liver mass with little cytopathic effect. In contrast, administration of the lacZ adenoviral vector caused little hepatocyte replication, but induced high levels of serum ALT (∼3 times higher than the rhHGF vector) and significant apoptotic cell death. This study shows that a single injection of Ad.CMV.rhHGF alone is able to induce in vivo and in a very short period of time, robust DNA synthesis and liver proliferation in normal mice without liver injury or partial hepatectomy. This recombinant adenoviral vector has a lower toxicity than the control lacZ adenovirus. This suggests that HGF may have a protective effect against adenovirus-induced pathology.
Third-Party Payor Billing and Reimbursement for Nursing Services: Infant Apnea Management

Abstract This article examines the process of implementing a program for billing third-party payors for the services of the pediatric clinical nurse specialist. Factors to consider when initiating a billing program are discussed, as well as guidelines for structuring the charges, obstacles to reimbursement and strategies to overcome them, and benefits (both direct and indirect) of implementing such a program. Examples are cited from apnea management programs at two major children's hospitals in the southwestern United States. Implications are made regarding generalizing these methods to other nursing services and practices.
Amygdala inactivation impairs eyeblink conditioning in developing rats

The amygdala facilitates acquisition of eyeblink conditioning in adult animals by enhancing conditioned stimulus (CS) inputs to the cerebellum and the unconditioned response circuitry. Ontogenetic changes in amygdala modulation of eyeblink conditioning have not been investigated directly. We examined the effects of amygdala inactivation on the ontogeny of eyeblink conditioning and conditioned freezing in rat pups. Rat pups received bilateral infusions of saline or bupivacaine into the central nucleus of the amygdala before each of the first 5 training sessions, which consisted of paired CS-US trials on postnatal days (P)17-19, P21-23, or P24-26. The final session consisted of CS-alone test trials to assess the effect of amygdala inactivation during training on conditioned freezing. Amygdala inactivation impaired acquisition of eyeblink conditioning in all of the age groups and impaired freezing to the context during the extinction test. The results indicate that the amygdala modulates cerebellar learning as soon as it begins to emerge ontogenetically.
Identification and Characterization of the Cytoplasmic Antiproteinase (CAP) in Human Platelets EVIDENCE FOR THE INTERACTION OF CAP WITH ENDOGENOUS PLATELET PROTEINS

Abstract To define the presence and potential role of platelet-associated protease inhibitors, we initiated a study designed to characterize the platelet components that are responsible for the formation of two SDS-stable complexes of approximately 58 and 70 kDa initially observed following the incubation of I-thrombin and human platelets. We demonstrate that thermal-mediated unfolding of the 58-kDa complex between I-thrombin and a nonsecreted platelet protein leads to an apparent molecular mass of 70 kDa. This platelet component is functionally and immunologically indistinguishable from the cytoplasmic antiproteinase (CAP), also known as placental thrombin inhibitor, a recently cloned member of the ovalbumin family of intracellular serpins (serine proteinase inhibitors). CAP-specific mRNA and antigen were detected in human platelets, suggesting that CAP synthesis occurs concurrent with platelet development. Utilizing quantitative immunoblotting, CAP antigen was estimated at 1.014 ± 0.181 μg/109 nonstimulated platelets. After platelet activation with the calcium ionophore A23187, CAP antigen was detected in released microparticles at approximately 0.195 ± 0.031 μg/109 platelets and a fraction of platelet CAP was proteolytically modified. We provide evidence that these lower molecular mass species arise by cleavage of CAP at or near the reactive site loop. Most importantly, molecular sieving chromatography indicates the presence of an approximately 68-kDa SDS-labile complex between cleaved CAP and a cellular component in A23187-stimulated platelets, suggesting a physiological target of this intracellular serpin and a potential role for this inhibitor in regulating proteolytic activity that may be formed during platelet activation.
A low cost, low power, S-band radar for atmospheric turbulence studies

We present a frequency modulated continuous wave (FMCW) radar capable of measuring atmospheric turbulence profiles within the Earth’s surface layer. Due to the low cost and easily automated design, a number of units may be built and deployed to sites of interest around the world. Each unit would be capable of collecting turbulence strength, as a function of altitude, with a range of about 50 meters above the antenna plane. Such data is valuable to developers of directed energy, laser communications, imaging, and other optical systems, where good engineering design is based on an understanding of the details of the turbulence in which those systems will have to operate. The radar is based on the MIT “coffee can” design 1,2 . It is FCC compliant, operating in the 2.4 GHz instrumentation, science, and medical (ISM) band with less than 1 watt effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP). It is expected to cost less than $1000 per unit and is built from commercial off the shelf parts, along with easily constructed horn antennas. Major modifications to the design in 1,2 are the inclusion of horn antennas for directivity, and a straight forward processing software change that increases integration times to the order of tens of seconds to a minute. Here, a prototype system is described and preliminary data is presented.
Accelerating Value-at-Risk estimation on highly parallel architectures

Values of portfolios in modern financial markets may change precipitously with changing market conditions. The utility of financial risk management tools is dependent on whether they can estimate Value-at-Risk (VaR) of portfolios on-demand when key decisions need to be made. However, VaR estimation of portfolios uses the Monte Carlo method, which is a computationally intensive method often run as an overnight batch job. With the proliferation of highly parallel computing platforms such as multicore CPUs and manycore graphics processing units (GPUs), teraFLOPS of computation capability is now available on a desktop computer, enabling the VaR of large portfolios with thousands of risk factors to be computed within only a fraction of a second. Achieving such performance in practice requires the assimilation of expertise in the following three areas: (i) application domain; (ii) statistical analytics; and (iii) parallel computing. This paper demonstrates that these areas of expertise inform optimization perspectives that, when combined, lead to 127×speedup on our CPU-based implementation and 538×speedup on our GPU-based implementation. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Quantification of HIV-1 latency reversal in resting CD4+ T cells from patients on suppressive antiretroviral therapy

Reversal of proviral latency is being pursued as a curative strategy for HIV-1 infection. Recent clinical studies of in vivo administration of the histone deacetylase inhibitor suberoylanilide hydroxamic acid (SAHA; vorinostat) show increases in unspliced cellular HIV-1 RNA levels in resting CD4(+) T cells. A critical unknown, however, is the proportion of latent proviruses that can be transcriptionally reactivated by SAHA or T-cell activation. In this study, we quantified the fraction of HIV-1 proviruses in resting CD4(+) T cells from patients on suppressive antiretroviral therapy that were reactivated ex vivo with SAHA or antibodies to CD3/CD28. At concentrations of SAHA achieved clinically, only 0.079% of proviruses in resting CD4(+) T cells were reactivated to produce virions, compared with 1.5% of proviruses in cells treated with anti-CD3/CD28 antibodies after correcting for spontaneous virion production in the medium control. A significant positive correlation (ρ = 0.67, P < 0.001) was found between levels of virions in the supernatant and unspliced cellular HIV-1 RNA following anti-CD3/CD28 treatment, but not following SAHA treatment (ρ = 0.21, P = 0.99). These results reveal that the majority of HIV-1 proviruses are not reactivated by current therapeutic approaches and that more effective means of reversing proviral latency will likely be required to deplete HIV-1 reservoirs.
Production cross-sections of some I, Te, Ba and Cs isotopes from the interaction of 1, 2, and 2·9-GeV protons with uranium

Abstract Cumulative and independent cross sections have been determined radiochemically for the production of the isobaric chains 127, 129, 132, 134 and 139 from the reactions of 1, 2, and 2·9-GeV protons with uranium. Comparisons were made with the results of other workers. The presently reported data of the neutron-deficient nuclides are consistent with the neutron-deficient wings of the existing charge dispersion curves (cross section vs. neutron to proton ratio) at these energies and the production cross sections for neutron-excess nuclei lie considerably higher than the charge-dispersion curves. The half life of 127Ba is also determined to be 13·0±0·5 min in this work.
Ceramic Laser Materials for the Solid-State Heat Capacity Laser

LLNL's SSHCL experience with 10x10x2 cm Nd:YAG amplifier slabs from Konoshima Ltd. is described. Slabs framed with ceramic Sm:YAG for ASE suppression by co-sintering and other ceramic materials being investigated are also discussed.
Factors affecting the turnaround time for manufacturing, testing, and release of cellular therapy products prepared at multiple sites in support of multicenter cardiovascular regenerative medicine protocols: A Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN) study

BACKGROUND: Cellular therapy studies are often conducted at multiple clinical sites to accrue larger patient numbers. In many cases this necessitates use of localized good manufacturing practices facilities to supply the cells. To assure consistent quality, oversight by a quality assurance group is advisable. In this study we report the findings of such a group established as part of the Cardiovascular Cell Therapy Research Network (CCTRN) studies involving use of autologous bone marrow mononuclear cells (ABMMCs) to treat myocardial infarction and heart failure. STUDY DESIGN AND METHODS: Factors affecting cell manufacturing time were studied in 269 patients enrolled on three CCTRN protocols using automated cell processing system (Sepax, Biosafe SA)-separated ABMMCs. The cells were prepared at five good manufacturing practices cell processing facilities and delivered to local treatment sites or more distant satellite centers. RESULTS: Although the Sepax procedure takes only 90 minutes, the total time for processing was approximately 7 hours. Contributing to this were incoming testing and device preparation, release testing, patient randomization, and product delivery. The mean out-of-body time (OBT), which was to be less than 12 hours, averaged 9 hours. A detailed analysis of practices at each center revealed a variety of factors that contributed to this OBT. CONCLUSION: We conclude that rapid cell enrichment procedures may give a false impression of the time actually required to prepare a cellular therapy product for release and administration. Institutional procedures also differ and can contribute to delays; however, in aggregate it is possible to achieve an overall manufacturing and testing time that is similar at multiple facilities.
Biocytin and biotin uptake into NB2a neuroblastoma and C6 astrocytoma cells.

Uptake of biocytin and biotin was investigated in cultured transformed variants of neuronal (NB2a neuroblastoma) and glial (C6 astrocytoma) CNS cells. NB2a cells took up both compounds but biocytin was transported more efficiently than biotin in the nanomolar concentration range. In NB2a cells a single transport mechanism was found for biocytin with different kinetic parameters in the presence of high extracellular Na+ (Km 0.4 μM, Vmax 20 pmol/min/mg), K+ (Km 1.7 μM, Vmax 32 pmol/min/mg), or choline+ (Km 0.1 μM, Vmax 5 pmol/min/mg). Two transport systems (Km1 17 μM, Vmax1 53 pmol/min/mg; Km2 314 μM, Vmax2 360 pmol/min/mg) were identified for biotin with only system 1 being Na+-dependent. Biocytin uptake was competitively inhibited by excess biotin but not vice versa. Inhibition studies with structural analogs indicated different specificities for biotin and biocytin uptake. Biocytin uptake into C6 cells was hardly detectable whereas biotin was taken up by diffusion (kD 0.6 μl/min/mg) and a single saturable mechanism (Km 70 μM, Vmax 119 pmol/min/mg) at high extracellular Na+. High extracellular K+ enhanced biotin diffusion into C6 cells. Inhibition studies with structural analogs revealed a less specific biotin uptake mechanism in C6 than in NB2a cells. Biocytin normalized deficient biotin-dependent propionyl-CoA carboxylase activity within 4 h in biotin-deficient NB2a cells whereas in C6 cells reactivation was <20% thereby confirming that biocytin is only poorly transported into C6 cells. Specific biocytin uptake into NB2a cells is to our knowledge the first demonstration of a carrier-mediated transport mechanism for this compound. Neuronal biocytin uptake might contribute to the pathogenesis of biotinidase deficiency where biocytin is present in elevated levels.
Altered mRNA expression in renal biopsy tissue from patients with IgA nephropathy

Altered mRNA expression in renal biopsy tissue from patients with IgA nephropathy. Background Immunoglobulin A (IgA) nephropathy (IgAN) is a renal disease characterized by glomerular deposition of IgA-dominant immune deposits that cause glomerular inflammation and sclerosis. Gene expression changes induced in renal tissues/cells as a result of the disease are largely uncharacterized. Methods A sensitive differential mRNA display technique, restriction endonucleolytic analysis of differentially expressed sequences (READS®) compared similarly processed normal renal tissue to renal biopsy RNA from patients with IgAN, minimal change disease, and necrotizing crescentic glomerulonephritis. A subset of genes with altered expression in IgAN as identified by the READS® technology was further characterized and expression levels confirmed using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis (TaqMan®) in all RNA. Results Initial READS® analysis showed IgAN samples have lower mRNA levels relative to normal renal tissue mRNA samples based upon total RNA as measured by ribosomal RNA. One hundred seventy-five differentially expressed non-redundant fragments were found from 860 initial candidate fragments. Twenty genes were selected for additional TaqMan® analysis, and 13 of 20 genes showed statistically different expression when comparing biopsies from normal individuals and IgAN patients. Expression differences were seen in these genes in biopsies of IgAN of differing clinical activities. Gene expression cluster analysis using the Ward method detailed disease- and gene-related clusters. Detailed examination of the promoter regions of the genes within two gene clusters revealed common gene transcriptional regulatory protein-binding sites. Conclusion IgAN leads to significant changes in overall mRNA transcription levels within the renal tissue, in addition to gene-specific mRNA level changes. Disease-related patterns of expression were identified and gene-specific clusters suggest common mechanisms of transcriptional alteration.
Delirium in Postacute and Long-term Care

Delirium is a classic geriatric syndrome that occurs commonly among the frail elders who make up many of the residents in postacute and long-term care facilities. The prevalence of the disorder in these settings may be increasing as a result of the pressure to reduce hospital length of stay. Clinicians often do not recognize when patients in their care are delirious, but simple and practical means exist to allow its diagnosis. Those who practice in long-term care must be knowledgeable about the risk factors for the disorder, as well as how to recognize, diagnose, prevent, and treat it.
Assessing the Reliability and Validity of the Jump$tart Survey of Financial Literacy

Financial education represents an area of popular interest, owing largely to the Jump$tart surveys of financial literacy. However, while the surveys represent indicators of financial knowledge among high school seniors, these measures have not been statistically validated. This article describes an assessment of the surveys’ reliability (internal consistency), and validity. It reports a moderately high degree of consistency overall, however, discloses low to moderate internal consistencies among subscales. It also finds significant response differences to one quarter of comparable items between surveys. The researcher observes challenges to affirming the surveys’ validity and offers statistics suggesting social bias among survey items. He calls for further research into measures of financial literacy.
Effect of dissolved humic material on accumulation of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons: Structure-activity relationships

Abstract The effect of binding of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) to dissolved humic material (DHM) on the uptake and bioaccumulation of PAHs is examined in the cladoceran Daphnia magna. To the extent that a PAH binds to DHM, which is related to its hydrophobicity, it becomes unavailable for uptake by the organisms. The structure-activity relationship developed here suggests that the high affinity for binding to DHM and the resultant decrease in bioavailability might mitigate the biological impact of those very hydrophobic contaminants having the greatest potential for bioaccumulation and transfer to man via food chains.
Preventing the heterosexual spread of AIDS: what is the best advice if compliance is taken into account?

Generalizing the results of Fienberg the effects of optimistic assumptions on prevalence and infectivity and pessimistic assumptions about the effectiveness of barrier methods on estimates of the risk of HIV infection are demonstrated. Using the Pearl index as a basis for estimating the efficiency of a barrier method it is shown that condoms -- preferably used together with spermicides -- and suppositories containing the spermicide nonoxynol-9 should be recommended for casual contacts among heterosexuals The risk of HIV infection depends on the prevalence of HIV and its infectivity the compliance of the individual to the strategy i.e. the probability that the guidelines are followed and the effectiveness of the strategy. It is misleading to conclude that "choosing a partner who is not in any high-risk group provides almost 4 orders of magnitude (5000-fold) of protection compared with choosing a partner who is in the highest-risk category (with a prevalence of 5%.) With realistic assumptions the protection cannot be in excess of 230-fold -- prevalence among randomly selected partners divided by prevalence among low-risk partners. Further one cannot ignore the sensitivity of identifying high-risk partners. Finally the influence of emotions or alcohol may even lead to sexual encounters with identified high-risk partners. Avoiding high risk partners with a compliance of 90% cannot provide more than 5-fold protection. For a given sensitivity and compliance rate the use of barrier methods provides more protection than choice of low-risk partners. Due to the fact that barrier methods also provide protection against other sexually transmitted diseases which might be cofactors for HIV infection the actual protective effect of these methods most likely will be even higher.
Electron microscopic evaluation and fission product identification of irradiated TRISO coated particles from the AGR-1 experiment: A preliminary review

Post-irradiation examination of coated particle fuel from the AGR-1 experiment is in progress at Idaho National Laboratory and Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In this paper a brief summary of results from characterization of microstructures in the coating layers of selected irradiated fuel particles with burnup of 11.3% and 19.3% FIMA will be given. The main objectives of the characterization were to study irradiation effects, fuel kernel porosity, layer debonding, layer degradation or corrosion, fission-product precipitation, grain sizes, and transport of fission products from the kernels across the TRISO layers. Characterization techniques such as scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy, energy dispersive spectroscopy, and wavelength dispersive spectroscopy were used. A new approach to microscopic quantification of fission-product precipitates is also briefly demonstrated. Microstructural characterization focused on fission-product precipitates in the SiC-IPyC interface, the SiC layer and the fuel-buffer interlayer. The results provide significant new insights into mechanisms of fission-product transport. Although Pd-rich precipitates were identified at the SiC-IPyC interlayer, no significant SiC-layer thinning was observed for the particles investigated. Characterization of these precipitates highlighted the difficulty of measuring low concentrations of Ag in precipitates with significantly higher concentrations of Pd and U. Different approaches to resolving this problem are discussed. An initial hypothesis is provided to explain fission-product precipitate compositions and locations. No SiC phase transformations were observed and no debonding of the SiC-IPyC interlayer as a result of irradiation was observed for the samples investigated. Lessons learned from the post-irradiation examination are described and future actions are recommended.
Aging: I don’t want to be a cyborg!

Examination is made of a range of cyborg solutions to bodily problems due to damage, but here with particular reference to aging. Both technological and animal implants, transplants and prosthetic devices are phenomenologically analyzed. The resultant trade-off phenomena are compared to popular culture technofantasies and desires and finally to human attitudes toward mortality and contingency. The parallelism of resistance to contingent existence and to becoming a cyborg is noted.
The nature of the C18 polyethenoic fatty acids of butter fat

Methyl C18 polyenoate concentrates were prepared from two samples of butter fat by low temperature crystallization and fractional distillation. The concentrates were fractionated on a silicic acid column and the resulting fractions were analyzed by ultraviolet and infrared spectrophotometric methods. About 42 and 30% repectively, of the non-conjugated dienoate in the two samples were shown to have thecis,trans configuration. Fractions rich in dienoate and trienoate were prepared from the C18 polyene concentrates by silicic acid chromatography and the nature of these acids was studied by bromination, lipoxidase enzyme methods, and by alkali isomerization for varying periods of time. About 65 and 73%, respectively, of the non-conjugated dienoate in the two samples investigated were found to consist of linoleic acid while 79 and 71% of the trienoate were linolenic acid. Linoleic and linolenic acids were identified by preparing the characteristic tetra- and hexabromostearic acids. Atrans,trans isomer of linoleic acid does not seem to be present in butter fat. A major proportion of the non-conjugated dienoic acid other than linoleic acid was found to have widely separated double bonds withcis,trans configuration. Occurrences of a C15 saturated acid, a branchedchain C17 saturated acid, and a heptadecenoic acid were indicated by gas chromatography.
An examination of the variance minimization tendencies of a supraglacial stream

Dozier, J., 1976. An examination of the variance minimization tendencies of a supraglacial stream. J. Hydrol., 31: 359--380. Synthesis of landscape evolution based upon the actual processes of transfer of energy and material is difficult, because the hydraulics of erodible channels are not fully understood. Previous workers have utilized variance minimization postulates to derive certain hydraulic relations, but these have been unsatisfactory because of the lack of a mechanism for variance minimization. This study examines the validity of the variance-minimization principle through an investigation of the changes in the longitudinal distribution of the bed-shear~stress components over a two-month period in two reaches, one meandering and one straight, of a rapidly eroding supraglacial stream. During this time the coefficients of variation of bed shear stress, skin resistance, and form resistance decreased in both reaches. Except for skin resistance, the values were lower for the curved reach than for the straight. Spectral analysis of the paths of the reaches and of the stress distributions indicates that the scale of the regularities decreases with decreasing discharge. Cross-spectral analysis of the shear-stress components on different dates indicates that in the curved reach, the locations of the minimum shear stresses at the end of the summer coincide with the locations of the maximum skin resistances at the beginning of the summer.
Vibrational frequencies and structural determination of tetraethynylstannane

Abstract The normal mode frequencies and corresponding vibrational assignments of Sn(CCH)4 are examined theoretically using the gaussian 98 set of quantum chemistry codes. Each of the vibrational modes was assigned to one of six types of motion predicted by a group theoretical analysis (Sn–C stretch, CC stretch, C–H stretch, CC–H bend, Sn–CC bend, and C–Sn–C bend) utilizing the Td symmetry of the molecule. A set of uniform scaling factors were derived for each type of motion. Predicted infrared and Raman intensities are reported.
Judicial Review as a Constraint on Tyranny of the Majority

We develop a theoretical model to analyze the role of judicial review in preventing tyrannies of the majority. The model identifies conditions under which the optimal role of the court may be to allow tyranny of the majority – and the tyrannized minority will be better off as a result. This implication hinges on the timing of two events: the lifting of the veil of ignorance with respect to who gains and who loses from the policy subject to judicial review, and the revelation of new information (modeled as a random shock) that affects the level of the payoffs generated by that policy. We explain how the model applies to three controversial rulings (Serrano v. Priest, Kelo v. City of New London, and In re Marriage Cases). In so doing, we demonstrate how the model can help distinguish scenarios in which judicial constraints on majority rule are socially beneficial from those in which they are harmful.
Essential physics of nuclear acoustic resonance imaging

Nuclear acoustic resonance (NAR), like nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), can be used as a spectroscopic imaging tool to detect and characterize soft tissue densities and differences on the atomic scale. Whereas NMR uses electromagnetic radiation to induce energy level transitions, NAR uses acoustic radiation. The frequency of this radiation is typically 1 to 100 MHz; NAR imaging therefore uses ultrasonic energy to induce transitions among the nuclear spin energy levels. By means of piezoelectric transducers, polarized acoustic waves are generated and propagated within a specimen. If these perturbations are in resonance with the specimen's nuclear spin system, then the acoustic waves will periodically modulate an internal magnetic dipole or electric quadrupole interaction as acoustic energy is absorbed. The measurement of this acoustic energy absorption is analogous to the computation of the spin-lattice relaxation time, T1, caused by the release of radiofrequency energy into the surrounding lattice of an excited nucleus and used in magnetic resonance imaging. Accordingly, NAR imaging combines the tools of ultrasound with the techniques of MRI to yield a new and potentially valuable medical imaging modality. The purpose of this paper is to discuss the essential physics of NAR, and to suggest how NAR signals can be processed for medical imaging.© (1997) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Effects of naloxone and naltrexone on morphine-elicited changes in hamster locomotor activity

Four experiments investigated the effects of naloxone (0.4 mg/kg) and naltrexone (1.0 mg/kg) on morphine(15 mg/kg)-elicited sedation and hyperactivity in the hamster. Experiments 1 and 2 demonstrated that naloxone blocks morphine sedation and hyperactivity, respectively. Experiments 3 and 4 demonstrated that naltrexone blocks morphine sedation and hyperactivity, respectively. Moreover, in Experiments 2 and 4, morphine-elicited hyperactivity was replaced by sedation following administration of the antagonists. In Experiment 1, morphine-elicited sedation was replaced by hyperactivity following administration of naloxone. These results are consistent with the hypothesis that morphine’s biphasic time-effect curve is the behavioral resultant of two underlying processes.