cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma presenting as a pelvic mass with elevated CA-125.

Abstract Background . We report a case of pelvic lymphoma with an elevated serum CA-125 level, initially misdiagnosed as ovarian carcinoma. A review of the literature is presented and a possible mechanism for CA-125 elevation in diseases other than ovarian cancer is discussed. Case . A 50-year-old woman presented with symptoms of progressive dyspnea, early satiety, fatigue, and weight loss. Workup revealed a pelvic mass and an elevated CA-125 level. Paclitaxel and carboplatin were administered to facilitate therapy and provide symptomatic relief for a presumed bulky ovarian carcinoma. A biopsy was obtained after the initiation of chemotherapy, yielding the diagnosis of diffuse large B cell non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, stage II-B. A regimen of cyclophosphamide, doxorubicin, vincristine, and prednisone followed by radiotherapy resulted in long-term disease remission. A search of the literature revealed several clinical series describing the elevation of CA-125 in a variety of diseases, both benign and malignant. Conclusions . In the setting of a newly diagnosed pelvic mass, care should be taken when interpreting an elevated CA-125 level. While ovarian cancer is high on the list of differential diagnoses, lymphoma cannot be excluded until a tissue diagnosis is obtained.
Operations Benchmarking in the Fluidized Bed Power Generation Industry

The writers analyzed data from a fluidized bed boiler survey distributed during 2001 in order to develop atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) performance benchmarks relating to the year 2000 operating data. The benchmarks pertained to technical, operating, and environmental issues. The survey respondents principally use AFBC technology in steam and power plants ranging in size from a few megawatts (MW) to several hundred MW in size. The findings of our study, displayed according to the plant size and fuel type, will inform AFBC owners and operators of contemporary concerns and issues in the industry, and help them improve decision making in the industry with respect to current and future plant startups and ongoing operations.
StoryTime: experiencing place through history

In this paper, we present our vision of the future of maps. Story Time is a system of geographically associated "stories" as told by the people who experienced them. Story Time allows visitors to a location to explore a place from a new perspective, providing insight into the lives of those who live there. We focus on individual access to stories recorded by others, and present Story Time through use of an e-paper interaction concept.
Pattern of striate cortical projections to the pretectal complex in the guinea pig.

The primary goal of this study was to determine whether the striate cortex (Oc 1) of the guinea pig projects to the pretectal nucleus of the optic tract (NOT), the first postretinal station of the horizontal optokinetic pathway, and, if so, to analyze the anatomical organization of this cortico-NOT projection. Other goals of this investigation are to identify other pretectal nuclear projections from the visual cortex in the guinea pig, and to determine whether there is any visuotopic organization in this pathway. Axonal tracers (biocytin or 3H-leucine) were injected into the striate cortex (Oc 1), and the tissue processed with histochemical or light autoradiographic techniques. All subcortical terminal labeling is ipsilateral in the basal ganglia and thalamic nuclei. Furthermore, projections are traced to the ipsilateral brainstem, including two areas of the pretectal complex: (1) one in the NOT, extending in some cases to the adjacent lateral portion of the posterior pretectal nucleus (PPN), and (2) one in the pars compacta of the anterior pretectal nucleus (APNc). The terminal fields in the APN are consistently located rostrally in the dorsolateral portion of the nucleus, independently of the injection site in Oc 1, whereas in the NOT the terminal fields shift slightly after injections placed in different locations in the striate cortex. A correlation of the injection sites in Oc 1 and terminal fields in the NOT reveals a loose topographic organization in the cortico-NOT projection; accordingly, the rostrocaudal axis of the striate cortex projects to the lateromedial axis of the NOT, with a 90 degrees rotation, whereas lateral parts of the striate cortex project diffusely throughout the rostrocaudal extent of the NOT. These data show for the first time that the NOT in the guinea pig receives a substantial projection from the visual cortex. Given the fact that in the guinea pig the optokinetic nystagmus shares some of the characteristics found in cat and monkey (i.e., consistent initial fast rise in the slow phase velocity and reduced asymmetry in monocular stimulation), the present findings lend support to the hypothesis that a cortical input to the NOT is a necessary condition for these oculomotor properties to be present.
Structure and Diversity of the Human T-Cell Receptor β -Chain Variable Region Genes

In order to characterize the variability of the expressed human T-cell receptor (TCR) beta-chain repertoire and contrast this variability to the known murine beta-chain repertoire, 15 independent complementary DNA (cDNA) clones containing TCR beta-chain variable region (V beta) genes were isolated from a human tonsil cDNA library. The nucleotide and derived amino acid sequences of these 15 V beta genes were analyzed together with 7 previously defined sequences. Fifteen different human V beta genes could be identified from 22 independent sequences. By means of DNA hybridization and sequence homology comparisons, it was possible to group these 15 genes into ten distinct V beta subfamilies, each containing from one to seven members. Minimal polymorphism was noted between individuals, except in multimember subfamilies. The amino acid sequences of these genes contain conserved amino acids that are also shared by murine TCR V beta genes and immunoglobulins; no features were found that distinguish human V beta genes from their murine counterparts. Evaluation of secondary structure showed that maximum variability coincides with generally hydrophilic portions of the amino acid sequence, while specific hydrophobic regions were conserved in all V beta genes examined.
When Preaching to the Choir Isn't Preaching to the Choir: Churches, Trees, and Environmental Perspectives

Ecologists are charged with understanding and communicating the ecological values of the natural world from the standpoint of science. They are trained to bring the tools of scienceobservation, experimentation,modelingto document patterns, understand processes, and make predictions following disturbance. Ecologists are also trained to communicate their research findings to other scientists in language that is efficient, technical, and targeted toward our closest peers. There is nothing wrong with this mode of understanding or communication. However, it is growing increasingly clear that scientistsat least some scientistsmust go beyond the typical modes of scientific communication if they are to be effective in motivating the large pool of non-scientists to understand, conserve, and sustainably use the natural world.
Developmental regulation of a glycolipid epitope on actively extending growth cones and central and peripheral projections in the medicinal leech.

Abstract The monoclonal antibody, A 2 B 5 , that recognizes vertebrate gangliosides also recognizes embryonic cells in the medicinal leech ( Hirudo medicinalis ) in a spatially and temporally regulated way. Furthermore, A 2 B 5 - positive glycolipids could be isolated from embryonic leeches. Early in development A 2 B 5 labeled axon tracts within the central nervous system coincident with the initial growth of axons, while later in embryogenesis, A 2 B 5 also labeled the forming peripheral nerves. This central and peripheral staining disappeared during the latter third of embryogenesis. A 2 B 5 also labeled the growing tips of an identified myo-organizing cell. This cell, the C-cell, projects an array of parallel processes and exhibits a discrete transition in the rate of growth cone extension (J. Jellies, and W. B. Kristan, Jr. 1991. Dev. Biol. 148, 334-354.). A 2 B 5 failed to recognize the relatively non motile growth cones of the C-cell during early embryogenesis. The C-cell growth cones began to exhibit A 2 B 5 labeling as they became more rapidly extending and this labeling persisted throughout the later motile phase of C-cell growth. In addition to its widespread distribution on embryonic (but not mature) cellular processes, A 2 B 5 also labeled the mitotic profiles of dividing cells in all tissues. Thus, the A 2 B 5 epitope may be presented intracellularly, or both intra- and extracellularly. When glycolipids were extracted from embryonic leeches, partitioned by elution from a silicic acid column, and analyzed using high-performance thin-layer chromatography, at least one of the major glycolipid bands was resorcinol-positive, consistent with presentation of sialic acid residues. The fraction enriched for the resorcinol-positive band was recognized by A 2 B 5 on dot blots, as was ganglioside GQ lb . While potential mechanisms remain to be examined, on the basis of the distinct distribution of the A 2 B 5 epitope and our finding of A 2 B 5 -positive glycolipids in leech embryos, we suggest that complex polar glycolipids may play a role in the extension of cellular projections in the medicinal leech.
A Study of Factors Influencing the Legibility of Televised Characters

Thirty-six volunteer subjects, screened for normal visual acuity, viewed televised displays during a one-hour testing session. There were 232 displays; each consisted of four characters (letters and numbers) of a given size and contrast condition. The study design made it possible to compare visibility across: (1) six viewing distances, (2) three viewing angles, (3) three figure-background contrasts, (4) four character sizes and (5) three time-segments within the testing session. Results indicate that no visual fatigue occurred, that black-on-white and white-on-black contrasts produced about equal visibility, and that characters subtending 10 min of vertical visual angle could be perceived with almost complete accuracy.
Differential efficacy of TNF-α antagonists in granulomatous diseases: potential explanations

Abstract TNF-α antagonists show differential efficacy in granulomatous disorders. Both infliximab and adalimumab have been shown to be effective in Crohn's disease while etanercept lacks efficacy in this disease. Somewhat similar results have been reported with regard to Wegener's granulomatosis and pulmonary sarcoidosis. It is interesting to note that cases of mycobacterium tuberculosis (TB) occur earlier and more frequently in patients with infliximab relative to etanercept. These observations would suggest that infliximab (and possibly adalimumab) is superior to etanercept in blocking granulomatous inflammation. However, no conclusive data are available at present. Three attributes of the TNF antagonists are crucial to understanding the observed differences: mode of administration, the IgG antibody backbone and the nature of TNF-α binding. Infliximab (and presumably, adalimumab) is able to bind transmembrane TNF with greater avidity than etanercept. Besides, the two TNF receptors (p55 and p75) exhibit complex interactions involving the binding of TNF. Also, TNF receptor signalling pathways are mutually influenced by effects of other TNF receptors (e.g. TRAIL, FAS, CD40). It has been shown that p55 TNF receptor conveys both survival and death (apoptotic) signals, while the p75 receptor is thought to mostly convey survival signals, yet plays a clear role in Fas-FasL mediated apoptosis or activation induced cell death. On the basis of results of available studies one can conclude that a) acute administration of infliximab reduces inflammation and cellularity through apoptotic and non-apoptotic pathways, which vary as a function of organ and or disease process, b) chronic administration of infliximab and etanercept can induce macrophage apoptosis and this correlates with clinical response, arguing against a specific role for transmembrane TNF binding in inducing apoptosis, c) either methodologic or organ system differences must account for the differential findings in vitro, and d) although it is likely pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics play some role, only studies specifically designed to address these questions will resolve these issues.
Asymmetric synthesis of substituted tropinones using the intramolecular mannich cyclization reaction and acyclic N-sulfinyl beta-amino ketone ketals.

Sulfinimine-derived, enantiopure N-sulfinyl β-amino ketone ketals on hydrolysis give dehydropyrrolidine ketones that on treatment with (Boc)2O/DMAP afford substituted tropinones in good yield.
Direct measurement of cardiac output by gated equilibrium blood pool scintigraphy: validation of scintigraphic volume measurements by a nongeometric technique.

Abstract A nongeometric technique for the determination of left ventricular volumes from the count data derived from gated equilibrium blood pool scans was previously described and validated by the demonstration of an excellent correlation between the derived data and angiographically determined left ventricular volumes. To provide a further prospective evaluation of this method and to validate its ability to determine stroke volume and cardiac output by a technique that is itself independent of geometric assumptions, simultaneous measurements of cardiac output by the thermodilution technique and gated scintigraphy were performed in 21 patients without valve regurgitation or intracardiac shunts. To substantiate the reliability of scintigraphic measurements at high levels of cardiac output, seven patients had multiple measurements of cardiac output at rest and during an infusion of isoproterenol. There was an excellent correlation between thermodilution and scintigraphic values for cardiac output (scan cardiac output = 0.99 thermodilution cardiac output − 0.005 liters/min; n = 31, standard error of the estimate [SEE]= 0.175 liters/min, r = 0.97) as well as between thermodilution and scintigraphic stroke volumes (scan stroke volume = 1.03 thermodilution stroke volume − 2.8 ml; n = 31, SEE = 2.5 ml, r = 0.95). In addition, the relation between scintigraphic and angiographic measurements of left ventricular volumes continued to be excellent: In 15 patients with technically adequate angiograms, scintigraphic left ventricular volume = 0.90 angiographic left ventricular volume + 7 ml (n = 30, SEE = 10 ml, r = 0.91). Thus, this study further validates the nongeometric method of measuring left ventricular volumes with gated scintigraphy and demonstrates its ability to measure left ventricular stroke volume and cardiac output reliably.
Selenium pollution of lakes near the smelters at Sudbury, Ontario

Mining and smelting of Cu–Ni ores at Sudbury, Ontario, release about 2 tonnes of Se to the environment per day. We show here that within a 30-km radius of Sudbury, the Se concentrations in the lake waters range from 0.1 to 0.4 µg l−1; the Se contents of the suspended particulates in the lakes vary from ∼2 to 6 µg per g. The Se profiles in the lake sediments generally parallel the history of Cu–Ni production in the district. The present-day rates of Se accumulation in the sediments are found to be 0.3–12 mg m−2 yr−1. These current deposition rates exceed those of precolonial times by factors of 3–18, and are among the highest recorded anywhere in North America.
Antipredatory properties of an animal architecture: how complex faecal cases thwart arthropod attack.

Animals create a wide variety of structures to deal with abiotic and biotic challenges. We evaluated an intriguing structure whose function has never been thoroughly tested. Specifically, we evaluated the hypothesis that the body-enclosing ‘faecal case’ created and lived in by the immature stages of Neochlamisus leaf beetles reduces their risk of predation. We especially focus on the case of N. platani, which is externally covered with host-plant trichomes, and includes a distinct trichome-filled chamber (‘attic’) in the case apex. Here, we separately evaluated the effects of case, trichomes and attic on each of several behavioural stages of predator attack using N. platani and N. bimaculatus larvae and pupae. Three generalist predators (crickets, soldier bugs and lynx spiders) that represent different feeding strategies were used in our individual-level repeated observation behavioural trials. Results strongly demonstrated that the faecal case itself greatly reduced predation risk for all combinations of beetle species, life history stage and predator. Additional evidence indicated that both trichomes and attics further and independently reduced predation risk. Variation in results among treatments was also informative. For example, the capacity of faecal case components to reduce predation sometimes varied markedly among predators and between larval versus pupal life stages. Patterns of predator behaviour provided no evidence that caseless larvae have alternative means of defence. This study further presents a rare example of the co-option of a physical plant defence (trichomes) by an herbivore.
Angle between choice alleys as a critical factor in spontaneous alternation

Rats were tested for spontaneous alternation in a variety of mazes differing in the angle between choice alleys. Uniformly high alternation rates were found at all angles from 330 down to 90 deg. At 45 or 0 deg, the rates approximated a chance 50%, and at angles between 45 and 90 deg the alternation rates were also intermediate. The hypothesis that the spatial distance between goal regions is the critical factor was rejected, and it was concluded that the angle between alleys is the principal factor determining alternation under these conditions. The results support the idea that alternation in the rat is basically a vestibular phenomenon.
Quick turn around ASIC size estimation and tradeoff for new designs and technology migration using user driven careabouts

A system that provides quick turnaround for ASIC feasibility evaluation and tradeoff for design, test, and manufacturability is described. During proposal or design phase, users can estimate ASIC size and performance for both new designs and technology migration, as the design architecture, system budget, user careabouts, ASIC technology, packaging, and other alternatives are selected. >
Infiltrating lipomas of the upper extremities

The typical lipoma is an encapsulated subdermal tumor, usually easily removed if necessary. We recently encountered two lipomas that infiltrated muscles of the forearm. Excision of infiltrating lipomas may be complicated by their deep location and potential involvement of vascular and neural structures. This paper should increase dermatologists' awareness of this uncommon variant and facilitate appropriate referral for definitive treatment. We believe that this is the first report in the dermatologic literature of infiltrating lipoma of the upper extremity.
EIR1, a root-specific protein involved in auxin transport, is required for gravitropism in Arabidopsis thaliana.

The EIR1 gene of Arabidopsis is a member of a family of plant genes with similarities to bacterial membrane transporters. This gene is expressed only in the root, which is consistent with the phenotypes of the eir1 mutants—the roots are agravitropic and have a reduced sensitivity to ethylene. The roots of eir1 mutants are also insensitive to the excess auxin produced by alf1-1 and fail to induce an auxin-inducible gene in the expansion zone. Although they fail to respond to internally generated auxin, they respond normally to externally applied auxin. Expression of the EIR1 gene in Saccharomyces cerevisiae confers resistance to fluorinated indolic compounds. Taken together, these data suggest that the EIR1 protein has a root-specific role in the transport of auxin.
Natural IgM Mediates Complement-Dependent Uptake of Francisella tularensis by Human Neutrophils via Complement Receptors 1 and 3 in Nonimmune Serum

A fundamental step in the life cycle of Francisella tularensis is bacterial entry into host cells. F. tularensis activates complement, and recent data suggest that the classical pathway is required for complement factor C3 deposition on the bacterial surface. Nevertheless, C3 deposition is inefficient and neither the specific serum components necessary for classical pathway activation by F. tularensis in nonimmune human serum nor the receptors that mediate infection of neutrophils have been defined. In this study, human neutrophil uptake of GFP-expressing F. tularensis strains live vaccine strain and Schu S4 was quantified with high efficiency by flow cytometry. Using depleted sera and purified complement components, we demonstrated first that C1q and C3 were essential for F. tularensis phagocytosis, whereas C5 was not. Second, we used purification and immunodepletion approaches to identify a critical role for natural IgM in this process, and then used a wbtA2 mutant to identify LPS O-Ag and capsule as prominent targets of these Abs on the bacterial surface. Finally, we demonstrate using receptor-blocking Abs that CR1 (CD35) and CR3 (CD11b/CD18) acted in concert for phagocytosis of opsonized F. tularensis by human neutrophils, whereas CR3 and CR4 (CD11c/CD18) mediated infection of human monocyte-derived macrophages. Altogether, our data provide fundamental insight into mechanisms of F. tularensis phagocytosis and support a model whereby natural IgM binds to surface capsular and O-Ag polysaccharides of F. tularensis and initiates the classical complement cascade via C1q to promote C3 opsonization of the bacterium and phagocytosis via CR3 and either CR1 or CR4 in a phagocyte-specific manner.
Antigen-presenting cells for unprimed T cells

The triggering requirements of T cells differ for primed and unprimed cells: primed T cells can be triggered to produce lymphokines without viable antigen-presenting cells (APCs), apparently by crosslinking the T-cell receptor (TCR). Unprimed T cells do, however, require viable APCs and here Jonathan Sprent and Mary Schaefer review what type of cells can carry out this function, with particular reference to APCs for unprimed CD8+ cells.
Community Mental Health Services for Hispanics: A Test of the Culture Compatibility Hypothesis

It has been reported repeatedly thatHispanics underuse available mental health services because those services were not compatible with Hispanic culture. Data collected and presented in an earlier ...
Error Profiling: Toward a Model of English Acquisition for Deaf Learners

In this paper we discuss our approach toward establishing a model of the acquisition of English grammatical structures by users of our English language tutoring system, which has been designed for deaf users of American Sign Language. We explore the correlation between a corpus of error-tagged texts and their holistic proficiency scores assigned by experts in order to draw initial conclusions about what language errors typically occur at different levels of proficiency in this population. Since errors made at lower levels (and not at higher levels) presumably represent constructions acquired before those on which errors are found only at higher levels, this should provide insight into the order of acquisition of English grammatical forms.
Metabolomics as a tool for personalizing medicine: 2012 update.

Numerous factors in conjunction with an individual’s genetic make up will determine predisposition to disease, adverse or beneficial effects of drug treatment or therapy, and disease progression. A major limitation of current clinical measures is that the disease phenotype, which is comprised of the genotype and other environmental factors, is underestimated. Rather, each disease is treated similarly even though the disease process is highly complex. Methods that evaluate the interaction of genotype and environmental factors would likely be a better indicator of patients’ response to medical treatments. The omics technologies, specifically metabolomics, will play a major role in the movement towards personalized medicine. Metabolomics is phenotype driven and should provide better clinical biomarkers. Furthermore, recent studies have shown that associations between genetic variants and downstream metabolite changes can provide a unique description of an individual’s genotype and phenotype, which will furth...
Targeting B-Raf as a treatment strategy for polycystic kidney disease.

polycystic kidney disease (PKD) is a genetic disorder characterized by the formation of fluid-filled cysts, primarily within the kidneys but also in the liver. Autosomal dominant PKD (ADPKD) has an incidence rate of 1:400–1,000 and is the most common genetic cause of renal failure. ADPKD has been
The Political-Economic Dimension of Pensions: The Case of Japan

This article examines how pensions are interwoven with the public and private financial system in Japan and the consequences for pension reform. A growing literature focuses on the multifaceted ways in which pensions are interwoven with the larger political economy. This study builds on this literature and finds that (a) public and private pensions have been integrated deeply into Japan's system of developmental finance, (b) this integration has created new economic and political problems as governments have attempted to shift away from its developmental model through deregulation, liberalization, and administrative reform, and (c) because pension reform is intimately linked with these reforms, it involves addressing fundamental issues regarding the role of the state, finance, and firms. These findings collectively illustrate that pension reform is not only driven by issues of fiscal viability and benefit levels, but also by the nature of the way in which pensions are integrated into a country's system of finance.
How safe are adolescents at Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous meetings? A prospective investigation with outpatient youth

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) and Narcotics Anonymous (NA) have proven to be cost-effective recovery resources for adults and also appear helpful for youth. However, anecdotal concerns about adolescents' safety at meetings have dampened enthusiasm regarding youth participation. Unfortunately, little information exists to evaluate such concerns. Outpatients (N = 127; 24% female) were assessed at intake and at 3, 6, and 12 months regarding perceived safety at AA/NA, experience of negative incidents, and reasons for nonattendance/discontinuation. By 12-month follow-up, 57.5% reported some AA/NA attendance with a combined lifetime exposure of 5,340 meetings. Of these, 21.9% reported at least one negative experience, which was more common among NA than AA attendees. Overall, youth reported feeling very safe at meetings, and ratings did not differ by age or gender. Reasons for discontinuation or nonattendance were unrelated to safety or negative incidents. Weighing risks against documented benefits, these preliminary findings suggest that referral to AA/NA should not be discouraged, but, similar to adults, youth experiences at meetings should be monitored.
Managing Pediatric Atopic Dermatitis

Although atopic dermatitis is a very common inflammatory skin condition in children and results in many pediatric healthcare visits, its exact cause is unknown. No single laboratory test can reliably diagnose atopic dermatitis, but a relatively simple set of diagnostic criteria was recently validated for use by practicing physicians. Because existing remedies for atopic dermatitis do not cure the disorder, a program of disease control and management should be pursued. Patients and their caregivers should be advised that current therapies are primarily preventive and palliative. However, a comprehensive plan that includes routine general skin care, medical management of symptoms, identification and avoidance of aggravating factors (including psychological factors), and attention to quality-of-life issues can reduce the occurrence of skin flares. Successful treatment of acute flare-ups can be achieved with appropriate use of topical corticosteroids, but occasionally children afflicted with severe atopic dermatitis require more intensive therapies (e.g., ultraviolet light exposure systemic corticosteroids, and cyclosporine) that need close physician monitoring. Physicians must remain mindful of the psychological and quality-of-life burdens imposed on children with atopic dermatitis and their families and tailor treatments to the needs of each individual patient.
Structure Prediction of Domain Insertion Proteins from Structures of Individual Domains

Multidomain proteins continue to be a major challenge in protein structure prediction. Here we present a Monte Carlo (MC) algorithm, implemented within Rosetta, to predict the structure of proteins in which one domain is inserted into another. Three MC moves combine rigid-body and loop movements to search the constrained conformation by structure disruption and subsequent repair of chain breaks. Local searches find that the algorithm samples and recovers near-native structures consistently. Further global searches produced top-ranked structures within 5 A in 31 of 50 cases in low-resolution mode, and refinement of top-ranked low-resolution structures produced models within 2 A in 21 of 50 cases. Rigid-body orientations were often correctly recovered despite errors in linker conformation. The algorithm is broadly applicable to de novo structure prediction of both naturally occurring and engineered domain insertion proteins.
Interval analysis application for stability margin computation of linear uncertain systems

This paper presents a numerical method to compute the stability margin of a linear parametric uncertain system. For an admissible uncertainty set in the weighted l/sub /spl infin// norm space, a branch and bound algorithm is proposed to obtain the stability margin. Bisection is performed to generate the nondecreasing sequence of the stability radii and the corresponding stability box. For each indeterminate box, feasibility is tested by solving an unconstrained optimization problem based on interval analysis. The algorithm is simple and efficient.
Impacts of flickers, harmonics and faults on synchronous generator operations

Synchronous generators are important components in power systems and their performance plays a pivotal role in maintaining system reliability. Various types of disturbances such as flickers, harmonics and faults may occur in the system, which may have impacts on the generator performance. This paper investigates the effects of these disturbances on generator performance. Results based on simulation studies are presented. Such analysis may provide guidance in designing generator monitoring systems and control schemes in mitigating any potential adverse impacts.
Leukocyte Immunoglobulin-Like Receptors Maintain Unique Antigen-Presenting Properties of Circulating Myeloid Dendritic Cells in HIV-1-Infected Elite Controllers

Elite controllers maintain undetectable levels of HIV-1 replication in the absence of antiretroviral therapy, but the correlates of immune protection in this patient population are ill defined. Here, we demonstrate that in comparison to patients with progressive HIV-1 infection or healthy persons not infected with HIV-1, elite controllers have circulating myeloid dendritic cells with significantly increased antigen-presenting properties, while their ability to secrete proinflammatory cytokines is substantially diminished. This unique functional profile is associated with a distinct surface expression pattern of immunomodulatory leukocyte-immunoglobulin-like receptors (LILR) and a strong and selective upregulation of LILRB1 and LILRB3. Blockade of these two receptors by monoclonal antibodies or short interfering RNA (siRNA) abrogated the specific antigen-presenting properties of dendritic cells, implying an important regulatory role of these molecules. These data reveal previously unrecognized innate components of immune protection against HIV-1 in elite controllers and offer novel perspectives for the manipulation of host immunity for the prevention and treatment of HIV-1 infection.
Investigating Uncertainty in Capability versus Cost Decision-Making

Decision-making within a technology research organization requires knowledge of forecasting technological possibilities, technology delivery schedule, customer driven requirements, and past performance history. The decision maker’s intent is to maximize the impact of technology development to improve performance of existing applications or introduce new capabilities, within the constraints of resources available – funding, manpower, and time. The decision maker must often rely on deterministic valuations of future capabilities, which are sensitive to variability throughout the research and development process, and will impact costs for production, operation, and maintenance. Further, when considering technology development for an existing application, variability in that platform may alter the final results, potentially yielding much smaller improvements than originally projected. This effort outlines a methodology for developing a capability versus cost metric, application to a generic aerospace platform by selecting appropriate performance and cost parameters, and quantification of uncertainty within the methodology through variation of parameters by probabilistic distribution. Deterministic and nondeterministic results illustrate the intuitive result that there is a maximum efficiency for redesign, where increasing costs outpace increasing capability.
Some Econometric Issues in Studying Nonprofit Revenue Interactions Using NCCS Data

Several econometric issues arise in using nonprofit data. After controlling for unduly influential observations and heteroskedasticity, regression analysis performed on National Center for Charitable Statistics “digitized data” from 2001 to 2003 found mixed evidence of economically significant associations between donations and other revenue streams; regressions without these controls support different conclusions. Testing does indicate that government support sends greater quality signals than program support or investment income.
Introns are inconsequential to efficient formation of cellular thymidine kinase mRNA in mouse L cells.

Abstract TK mRNA levels were determined in mouse L cells transformed with intron deletion mutations of the chicken TK gene. Whether normalized per cell, per integrated gene, or per internal control signal, intron deletion did not diminish the efficiency of TK mRNA formation in transformed L cells. The results demonstrated that introns are not required for efficient biogenesis of cellular mRNA in transformed mouse L cells.
Circulating Autoantibodies in Age-Related Macular Degeneration Recognize Human Macular Tissue Antigens Implicated in Autophagy, Immunomodulation, and Protection from Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis.

Background We investigated sera from elderly subjects with and without age-related macular degeneration (AMD) for presence of autoantibodies (AAbs) against human macular antigens and characterized their identity. Methods Sera were collected from participants in the Age-Related Maculopathy Ancillary (ARMA) Study, a cross-sectional investigation ancillary to the Health ABC Study, enriched with participants from the general population. The resulting sample (mean age: 79.2±3.9 years old) included subjects with early to advanced AMD (n = 131) and controls (n = 231). Sera were tested by Western blots for immunoreactive bands against human donor macular tissue homogenates. Immunoreactive bands were identified and graded, and odds ratios (OR) calculated. Based on these findings, sera were immunoprecipitated, and subjected to 2D gel electrophoresis (GE). Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was used to identify the targets recognized by circulating AAbs seen on 2D-GE, followed by ELISAs with recombinant proteins to confirm LC-MS/MS results, and quantify autoreactivities. Results In AMD, 11 immunoreactive bands were significantly more frequent and 13 were significantly stronger than in controls. Nine of the more frequent bands also showed stronger reactivity. OR estimates ranged between 4.06 and 1.93, and all clearly excluded the null value. Following immunoprecipitation, 2D-GE and LC-MS/MS, five of the possible autoreactivity targets were conclusively identified: two members of the heat shock protein 70 (HSP70) family, HSPA8 and HSPA9; another member of the HSP family, HSPB4, also known as alpha-crystallin A chain (CRYAA); Annexin A5 (ANXA5); and Protein S100-A9, also known as calgranulin B that, when complexed with S100A8, forms calprotectin. ELISA testing with recombinant proteins confirmed, on average, significantly higher reactivities against all targets in AMD samples compared to controls. Conclusions Consistent with other evidence supporting the role of inflammation and the immune system in AMD pathogenesis, AAbs were identified in AMD sera, including early-stage disease. Identified targets may be mechanistically linked to AMD pathogenesis because the identified proteins are implicated in autophagy, immunomodulation, and protection from oxidative stress and apoptosis. In particular, a role in autophagy activation is shared by all five autoantigens, raising the possibility that the detected AAbs may play a role in AMD via autophagy compromise and downstream activation of the inflammasome. Thus, we propose that the detected AAbs provide further insight into AMD pathogenesis and have the potential to contribute to disease biogenesis and progression.
Simulations of the Sampling Distribution of the Mean Do Not Necessarily Mislead and Can Facilitate Learning

Recently Watkins, Bargagliotti, and Franklin (2014) discovered that simulations of the sampling distribution of the mean can mislead students into concluding that the mean of the sampling distribut...
Selective two-photon functional imaging through scattering media based on binary phase shaping

We demonstrate experimentally selective two-photon functional imaging through a scattering medium (a thin slice of chicken) based on concepts of coherent control. The selectivity, achieved using binary phase shaping, is maintained by the ballistic photons.
Middle classes, democratization, and class formation

This analysis of the South Korean case demonstrates the importance of the historical context for understanding the political role of the middle classes. In late industrialization, as occurred in South Korea and other East Asian countries, the new middle class has emerged as a significant social class, before the capitalist class established its ideological hegemony and before industrial workers developed into an organized class. Neither of these two major classes was able to offer an ideological or organizational leadership to the middle classes. In this context, the middle class can act as more than merely a “dependent variable.” In South Korea, the minjung movement led by an intellectual segment of the middle class played a critical role in the formation of the working class, by providing an opposition ideology, new politicized languages, organizational networks, and other resources.
Pharmacologic Approach to Heart Failure in Children

Heart failure may result from a wide variety of causes and present with varying degrees of severity. In large part patients present with varying degrees of congestion and compromised cardiac output. In this review a pathophysiologic construct is provided to guide the pharmacologic management of acute heart failure that leads to decreased congestion and improved cardiac output. Pharmacologic therapies that are used to treat chronic heart failure are also highlighted and provide the framework for transitioning from acute to preventative pharmacologic strategies.
Cornual pregnancies in patients with prior salpingectomy undergoing in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer

Objective To examine the frequency of cornual pregnancy in patients with prior salpingectomy undergoing IVF. Design Review. Setting Private fertility practice. Patients Women undergoing IVF. Main Outcome Measure Cornual ectopic pregnancy. Results Of 26 ectopic pregnancies detected after ET during a 7-year period, 7 were located in the cornu or tubal stump after prior salpingectomy. Conclusions Patients with prior salpingectomy undergoing IVF are at particular risk for cornual pregnancy.
Organic disease presenting as a psychiatric syndrome.

Organic illnesses may be misdiagnosed as psychiatric disorders if emotional symptoms precede medical signs or if the medical symptoms mimic a common psychiatric syndrome. Diseases presenting such diagnostic pitfalls include the endocrine syndromes, certain metabolic abnormalities, some neoplastic conditions, multiple sclerosis, and systemic lupus erythematosus. Thorough initial and periodic medical evaluation, including examination of the patient's mental status, is recommended.
Sex chromosome-autosome translocations in the leaf-nosed bats, family Phyllostomidae. II. Meiotic analyses of the subfamilies Stenodermatinae and Phyllostominae.

Mitotic analyses using RBA- and C-banding were performed on Stenodermatine bats with X-autosome (XY1Y2) and X- and Y- autosome (neo-XY) translocations. RBA-banded metaphases of females revealed differential replication of the inactive X chromosome. An early replicating band comprises the short arm of the X, and an intermediate replicating band is located interstitially on the long arm. The early replicating short arm has a homologous counterpart either in the form of a free autosome (the Y2) or as part of the Y. Both the "autosomal" short arm of the X and its homologue fused to the Y are C-band negative and behave autonomously from the remainder of the sex chromosomes. They are separated from X and Y chromatin by centromeric heterochromatin which presumably acts as a barrier. The intermediate replicating region of the long arm of the X is also present in the subfamily Phyllostominae. In both subfamilies this region lacks a homologous counterpart. However, it may also represent a translocated autosome which, unlike the short arm of the X, is not separated from the inactive X by centromeric heterochromatin. Its intermediate replication time may represent a retarded replication due to its juxtaposition to late replicating X chromatin. These data are discussed in light of the theory of the evolution of sex chromosome heteromorphism, specifically as it applies to mammals.
Medical therapy of prostate cancer: 1999.

Prostate cancer is the most commonly diagnosed male malignancy and the second most common cause of male cancer death in the U.S. The principles of management of newly diagnosed metastatic prostate cancer have changed little in the last 50 years. Medical therapy continues to have no standard role in the management of localized disease. The various hormonal monotherapy approaches targeting androgen deprivation yield comparable results in the treatment of advanced disease. Supplementing an LHRH agonist (but not orchiectomy) with an antiandrogen may improve survival in men with minimal disease, but the economic cost and the risk for significant impairment of quality of life are quite high. The benefit of combined androgen blockade for patients with more extensive disease remains unclear, with support for this approach waning in recent years. New chemotherapeutic agents and combinations of such, as well as agents with entirely new mechanisms of action, recently have shown encouraging results in the treatment of HRPC. Much additional research is needed to improve our armamentarium against this epidemic disease.
Exposure to morphine-associated cues increases mu opioid receptor mRNA expression in the nucleus accumbens of Wistar Kyoto rats

The Wistar-Kyoto (WKY) rat has been proposed as a model of anxiety vulnerability as it exhibits pronounced behavioral inhibition, passive avoidance, exaggerated startle response, enhanced HPA-axis activation, and active avoidance that is resistant to extinction. Accumulating evidence suggests that WKY rats respond differently to rewarding stimuli when compared to outbred strains of rat. Conditioned responding to drug-associated cues is linked with alterations in the activation of mu opioid receptors (MOR) and kappa opioid receptors (KOR) in the nucleus accumbens (NAc). Furthermore, alterations in KOR expression/activation in the NAc of WKY rats are implicated in the regulation of some of the components that make up the unique behavioral phenotype of this strain. The purpose of this study was to extend upon previous work from our laboratory by investigating conditioned morphine reward in adult male WKY and SD rats, and to examine levels of KOR mRNA and MOR mRNA in the NAc at baseline and after acquisition of morphine CPP. Our results demonstrate that SD rats displayed morphine-induced CPP to each of the six doses of morphine tested (0.5, 1.25, 2.5, 5, 7.5, or 10mg/kg). Interestingly, WKY rats demonstrated CPP for only the 1.25, 2.5, and 5mg/kg doses, yet no preference at the lowest (0.5mg/kg) or highest (7.5 and 10mg/kg) doses. qPCR analysis of MOR and KOR in the NAc revealed no strain differences in basal levels of MOR, but higher levels of KOR in WKY rats compared to those of SD rats. Interestingly, after completion of the CPP task, WKY rats had overall higher levels of NAc MOR mRNA compared to SD rats; the initial basal differences in NAc KOR levels persisted without change due to CPP in either strain. These results demonstrate that the WKY rat exhibits a unique pattern of behavioral responding to morphine and implicates differences in NAc KOR signaling as a potential source of aversion to higher doses of morphine. Additionally, the CPP-induced upregulation of NAc MOR mRNA in WKY rats warrants further investigation in terms of its potential role as a factor constituting a unique vulnerability to subsequent drug exposure.
Geology of Geothermal Regions

This chapter provides the geologic framework within which high-temperature geothermal resources can be understood, both with regard to their occurrence and their nature. Geothermal energy—earth heat—can be found anywhere in the world. But the high-temperature energy that is needed to drive electric generation stations is found in relatively few places. It refers to the theory of plate tectonics, now universally accepted, and which provides with the basic tools to understand the origins of high-temperature geothermal resources. There remains much uncertainty about the detailed structure of the inner earth. A great deal of research has gone into exploring and characterizing the earth's atmosphere but only one or two projects have aimed at probing the depths of the earth. Currently there is an international consortium of eleven countries called the International Continental Scientific Drilling Program that funds projects to give insight into earth processes and to test geologic models. There are three other forms of geothermal energy that someday may reach the commercial stage and are briefly described. They are: hot dry rock, HDR (or enhanced geothermal systems, EGS); geopressure; and magma energy. The intent of a geothermal development project is to locate such systems and produce them by means of strategically drilled wells. Considerable research has gone into development of the HDR concept and a good deal continues today.