cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
A technique for the separation and cryopreservation of myeloid stem cells from human bone marrow.

Abstract We have developed a technique for the cryopreservation of large volumes of human bone marrow, which reduces cell losses due to clumping and release of lysosomal enzymes from mature granulocytes. Mononuclear cells were separated from whole bone marrow by a large-scale Ficoll-Hypaque procedure. The agar colony assay for myeloid stem cells (CFU-C) was used to assess each step of the isolation and cryopreservation procedure. Conditions of varied cell and cryoprotectant concentrations and freezing and thawing rates were compared to obtain optimal recovery of mononuclear cells and CFU-C. This technique has been used to store bone marrow from 45 patients with hematologic and non-hematologic neoplasms. Up to 750 ml of marrow was obtained from each patient and separated by step-gradient centrifugation, and the cell fraction containing myeloid stem cells was cryopreserved. The mean recoveries following separation, cryopreservation, and thawing for 18 marrow storages from patients with hematological neoplasms were 8.8 ± 2.9% for mononuclear cells and 47.8 ± 20.8% for CFU-C. In comparison, values for 27 marrows from patients with non-hematological neoplasms were 14.5 ± 5.5% for cells and 57.7 ± 13.7% for CFU-C.
Tumour promoters enhance anchorage-independent growth of adenovirus-transformed cells without altering the integration pattern of viral sequences

Carcinogenesis often involves interaction between multiple factors and proceeds through several discrete steps1–8. In mouse skin two distinct phases, ‘initiation’ and ‘promotion’, have been described2. The most potent tumour-promoting agents in mouse skin are 12-O-tetradecanoylphorbol-13-acetate (TPA) and related diterpenes3–5. A significant experimental advance in studies on the mechanism of action of tumour promoters has been the demonstration that they induce specific biochemical and biological effects in cell culture6–8. These effects include phenotypic changes that mimic those seen during transformation; modulation of differentiation; enhancement of the expression of markers of transformation in cells that are already transformed; and an increased yield of transformed foci in cultures exposed to chemical carcinogens or radiation6–11. We have previously reported that TPA also increases the yield of transformed foci in rat embryo cultures previously infected with a mutant of type 5 adenovirus12. When foci of adenovirus-transformed cells are picked, cloned and serially passaged, they undergo progressive changes, the most notable of which is acquisition of anchorage-independent growth13. The present study demonstrates that although TPA enhances the acquisition of anchorage-independent growth in adenovirus-transformed cells (and not in normal cells), this alteration in growth properties is not due to a change in the integration pattern of adenovirus DNA sequences in the genome of the host cell.
Acute onset of nontraumatic upper-extremity atrophy.

A 48-year-old man was evaluated for left arm weakness. Nine months previously he awoke and realized that he was unable to lift his head off of his pillow. His neck weakness rapidly progressed to upper-trunk weakness and bilateral arm paralysis. Within 4 days he developed respiratory distress that was sufficiently severe to require mechanical ventilation for 3 months. Within 2 weeks after the onset of symptoms he experienced partial return of function in the right hand and elbow. After 9 months of extensive therapy he had recovered little function in either shoulder or in the left upper extremity. Examination of both shoulders showed global atrophy, weakness, and limited elevation (Fig. 1). The left biceps, brachialis, and triceps were graded at 2 out of 5 on the scale for muscle strength. The left hand had severe intrinsic atrophy including muscles innervated by both the ulnar and median nerves. The fingers rested in a clawed position with extension contractures of the second through fifth metacarpophalangeal joints (Fig. 2). Sensation in the hand was normal. It is rare to see an individual with acute-onset nontraumatic hand and upper-limb atrophy. Possible diagnoses include spinal muscular atrophy, Charcot-
State-space realization of three-dimensional systems using the modified Cauer form

The two-dimensional modified Cauer form continued fraction expansion has been extended to three-dimensions (3-D), and a circuit implementation is presented. Also, the problem of the state-space realization of 3-D systems that can be expanded into a 3-D modified Cauer form has been considered, resulting in a minimal state-space model realization.
The Boundary Smoothing in Discrete Topology Optimization of Structures

In discrete topology optimization, material state is either solid or void and there is no topology uncertainty caused by intermediate material state. A common problem of the current discrete topology optimization is that boundaries are unsmooth. Unsmooth boundaries are caused by corners in topology solutions. Although the outer corner cutting and inner corner filling strategy can mitigate corners, it cannot eliminate them. 90-degree corners are usually mitigated to 135-degree corners under the corner handling strategy. The existence of corners in topology solutions is because of the subdivision model. If regular triangles are used to subdivide design domains, corners are inevitable in topology solutions. To eradicate corner from any topology solution, a subdivision model is introduced in this paper for the discrete topology optimization of structures. The design domain is discretized into quadrilateral design cells and every quadrilateral design cell is further subdivided into triangular analysis cells that have a curved hypotenuse. With the presented subdivision model, all boundaries and connections are smooth in any topology solution. The proposed subdivision approach is demonstrated by two discrete topology optimization examples of structures.Copyright © 2013 by ASME
Mapping the stiffness-temperature-moisture relationship of solid biomaterials at and around their glass transition

Mechanical changes in biomaterials at and around their glass transition are key factors in their functionality and/or stability. They are described in terms of a relationship betwen a relative stiffness R(T,M) defined as the ratio between a modulus or storage modulus at a temperature T, and moisture M, and its magnitude in the glassy state. The relationship, in turn, is expressed by the model R(T,M) = 1/[1+exp [{T-Tc,(M))/a(M)]} where Tc(M) is a critical temperature identifying the transition temperature range and a(M) a constant representing the relationship's slope. The proposed model correctly accounts for the downward concavity of the stiffness vs temperature relationship at the transition onset. Published data on biosolids indicate that Tc(M) can be described by a single exponential decay term, and so most probably also a(M). Incorporation of these terms into the model enables the creation of realistic three-dimensional maps of the relative stiffness-temperature-moisture relationship at and in the neighborhood of the glass transition region. In principle, the same method can also be used to describe the effect of plasticizers other than water if their influence on Tcand the steepness parameter can be formulated as an algebraic expression.
Overexpression of the Sarcoplasmic Reticulum Ca2+-ATPase Improves Myocardial Contractility in Diabetic Cardiomyopathy

Diabetic cardiomyopathy is characterized by reduced cardiac contractility due to direct changes in heart muscle function independent of vascular disease. An important contributor to contractile dysfunction in the diabetic state is an impaired sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) function, leading to disturbed intracellular calcium handling. We investigated whether overexpression of the SR calcium pump (SERCA2a) in transgenic mice could reduce the impact of diabetes on the development of cardiomyopathy. Diabetes was induced by streptozotocin injection (200 mg/kg), and left ventricular (LV) function was analyzed in isolated hearts 3 weeks later. In diabetic hearts systolic LV pressure was decreased by 15% and maximum speed of relaxation (-dP/dt) by 34%. Functional changes were also assessed in isolated papillary muscles. Active force was reduced by 61% and maximum speed of relaxation by 65% in the diabetic state. The contractile impairment was accompanied by a 30% decrease in SERCA2a protein in diabetic mice. We investigated whether increased SERCA2a expression in transgenic SERCA2a-overexpressing mice could compensate for the diabetes-induced decrease in cardiac function. Under normal conditions, SERCA2a overexpressors show improved contractile performance relative to wild-type (WT) mice (-dP/dt: 3,169 vs. 2,559 mmHg/s, respectively). Measurement of LV function in hearts from diabetic SERCA2a mice revealed systolic and diastolic functions that were similar to WT control mice and markedly improved relative to diabetic WT mice (-dP/dt: 2,534 vs. 1,690 mmHg/s in diabetic SERCA2a vs. diabetic WT mice, respectively). Similarly, the contractile behavior of isolated papillary muscles from diabetic SERCA2a mice was not different from that of control mice. SERCA2a protein expression was higher (60%) in diabetic SERCA2a mice than WT diabetic mice. These results indicate that overexpression of SERCA2a can protect diabetic hearts from severe contractile dysfunction, presumably by improving the calcium sequestration of the SR.
Simultaneous transapical transcatheter aortic and mitral valve replacement in a high-risk patient with a previous mitral bioprosthesis

Double aortic and mitral valve replacement can now be performedwithacceptableperioperativemorbidityandmortality in experienced hands. However, some patients are denied conventional surgery because of increased perioperative risk. We present a patient with aortic and prosthetic mitral stenosis who was at high risk for conventional surgery that was managed with transcatheter aortic and mitral valve replacement. CLINICAL SUMMARY
Man enough? Masculine discrepancy stress and intimate partner violence

Research on gender roles suggests that men who strongly adhere to traditional masculine gender norms are at increased risk for the perpetration of violent and abusive acts toward their female intimate partners. Yet, gender norms alone fail to provide a comprehensive explanation of the multifaceted construct of intimate partner violence (IPV) and there is theoretical reason to suspect that men who fail to conform to masculine roles may equally be at risk for IPV. In the present study, we assessed effect of masculine discrepancy stress, a form of distress arising from perceived failure to conform to socially-prescribed masculine gender role norms, on IPV. Six-hundred men completed online surveys assessing their experience of discrepancy stress, masculine gender role norms, and history of IPV. Results indicated that masculine discrepancy stress significantly predicted men’s historical perpetration of IPV independent of other masculinity related variables. Findings are discussed in terms of potential distress engendered by masculine socialization as well as putative implications of gender role discrepancy stress for understanding and intervening in partner violence perpetrated by men.
A Monte-Carlo evaluation of a multimodal 3-D image registration using external markers

A Monte-carlo simulation of S-D image registration Crom two different modalities using external markers is presented. The head is assumed to be a sphere with a 10 cm radius and the tranformation that is used to correlate two volume images is constituted of a rotation (Euler Angles), scaling and a translation. The 9 parameters of the transformation is obtained by optimizing the two matched sets of fiducial markers of the two modalities using non-linear minimization methods. A test image is generated in each modality to study quantitatively the precision of the registration.
Effects of immobilization on the nature of glycolytic oscillations in yeast

Etude sur Saccharomyces cerevisiae immobilisees par fixation a la surface de gelatine liee par reticulation au glutaraldehyde. Mesure du NADH par fluorescence
Gas-Phase Polymerization: Ultraslow Chemistry

The mechanism of formation of polymer molecules in the gas phase is difficult to study because the involatile polymers tend to condense out of that phase. However, new techniques, involving the use of cloud chambers, have enabled workers to use the nucleation of liquid drops in supersaturated monomer vapors to detect single polymer molecules and therefore to work with so few simultaneously growing polymers that aggregation and condensation are avoided. Chain polymerization in which the chain carriers are either radicals or ions can therefore be studied in the vapor. Furthermore, the ability to work with such small concentrations of growing polymeric radicals, for example, makes it possible to avoid encounters between them that lead to recombination and the formation of "dead" polymers that are incapable of further growth. Many aspects of gas-phase polymerization can be studied including, besides radical and ion chains, ring-opening polymerization, initiation, radiation-induced polymerization, and especially "ultraslow" chemistry.
A consideration of phase distortion in linear power amplification of QPSK and two tone sinusoidal stimuli

The effects of phase distortion, resulting from AM-PM conversion in an RF power amplifier, and the amplifier's linearity, power, and efficiency performance is examined for two tone sinusoidal and quadrature phase shift key (QPSK) digitally modulated RF stimuli. These effects are examined using the quadrature modeling technique based on single tone CW derived I/Q gain transfer functions. Amplifier performance characteristics are evaluated for varying amounts of phase distortion as well as for several stimuli. The results indicate that even moderate amounts of phase distortion significantly degrade the available efficiency performance of the amplifier at a given level of spectral distortion. Consequently, compensating the phase distortion via pre-distortion or by other means, potentially allows the amplifier to be driven further into gain compression thereby achieving higher efficiency at peak power.
Alteration in gene expression at the onset of hormone-dependent mammary tumor regression.

Two hormone-dependent mammary carcinomas regressing after hormone removal, [one primary 7,12-dimethylbenz(α)anthracene induced, and the other transplanted MTW9] were used as models to test the hypothesis that the regression of hormone-dependent mammary tumors is triggered by a modification of the genetic expression. In support of the hypothesis, we observed that: ( a ) the in vitro translation products of poly(A)+ RNAs differ between growing and regressing tumors; ( b ) the difference is localized in four protein bands ( M r 53,000, 35,000, 22,000 and 20,000) of the electrophoretic pattern that decrease in their concentrations and one protein band ( M r 20,500) that increases during regression; ( c ) the changes in the translation products occur within 6 hr post-hormone removal, and the changes are reversed when resumption of tumor growth was induced by replenishment of the hormone to the host rats; and ( d ) three autonomously growing tumors exhibit a unique translation pattern which differs from that of hormone-dependent tumors, and the pattern does not change upon hormone removal. The results suggest that hormonal regulation of mammary tumor growth is related to specific genetic transcripts, and loss of hormone dependence of growth may correlate with the changes in this genetic control.
A comprehensive evaluation of IL4 variants in ethnically diverse populations: association of total serum IgE levels and asthma in white subjects ☆

Abstract Background The role of variation in the IL4 gene in asthma and allergy susceptibility is controversial. This cytokine is important in IgE isotype switching and the regulation of allergic inflammation; however, published studies have not delineated the specific role of variation in this gene in allergic disorders. Objective We sought to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in IL4 and to evaluate the association of SNPs and haplotypes with asthma and allergic phenotypes (total serum IgE) in white, African American, and Hispanic asthmatic populations. Methods Sixteen individuals were resequenced, and 19 SNPs were identified; 2 novel and 17 SNPs were previously reported. Eleven of the SNPs were used to evaluate association in the 3 groups. Results Nine polymorphisms were associated with total serum IgE levels in white subjects (.0012 ≤ P ≤ .034), and 5 of these were also associated with asthma in this population (.010 ≤ P ≤ .031). Three common haplotypes were observed, and all were associated with either high or low serum IgE levels in white subjects (.00008 ≤ P ≤ .004). Inspection of the haplotypes revealed that 3017 G/T in intron 2 was the only SNP concordant with serum IgE levels (G allele with lower levels and T allele with higher levels). Conclusions After a comprehensive genetic evaluation, our data suggest that the 3017 G/T variant or the haplotype it identifies influences IL4 's ability to modulate total serum IgE levels. Inconsistencies with previously reported IL4 associations might be due to population differences in allele frequencies, the extent of linkage disequilibrium with this SNP or haplotype, or both.
Population and economic development

Abstract The traditional view has been that population growth has adverse effects on real per capita incomes. China's restrictive population policy appears to have been based on the traditional view. There is substantial evidence that contradicts the conclusion that population growth is adverse to economic growth. Most empirical analyses of the relationship between population and economic growth do not find that there is an adverse effect. The history of the world has been that periods of low population growth have been periods of low economic growth and that high rates of economic growth have occurred when population growth is also high. Most of human history has had low population and low economic growth. Only recently has there been both rapid population and economic growth.
Overview of Oral Modified-Release Opioid Products for the Management of Chronic Pain:

Objective:TO evaluate pharmaceutical and pharmacotherapeutic differences in oral opioid modified-release products used in the management of chronic pain.Data Sources:Searches of MEDLINE (1966–May 2006) and an extensive review of peer reviewed journals were conducted using the key search terms opioid, morphine, hydromorphone, and oxycodone. Supplemental information was gathered through the American Pain Society, and limited but relevant information was obtained from manufacturers' labeling.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All articles identified from the data sources were evaluated. Information deemed relevant was included for this review if it introduced new or well supported concepts or clarified clinical practice issues.Data Synthesis:The recognition and treatment of pain has become a major focus of healthcare professionals. The Joint Commission on Accreditation of Healthcare Organizations mandates compliance with recommended standards, outcome measures, and other initiatives. A general review of pai...
Increased agitation intensity increases CD13 receptor surface content and mRNA levels, and alters the metabolism of HL60 cells cultured in stirred tank bioreactors

Flow cytometry and Northern blotting were used to examine the effects of hydrodynamic forces in stirred tank bioreactors on CD13 receptor surface content and mRNA levels of HL60 (human promyelocytic leukemia) cells. A step increase in agitation rate from 80 to 300 or 400 rpm reduced the apparent HL60 growth rate in a dose-dependent manner. This step increase in agitation rate (to 300 or 400 rpm) also increased the CD13 receptor surface content on averge by 30% and 100%, respectively. This increase in CD13 receptor surface content was correlated with a 10% and a 60% increase in CD13 mRNA levels. We also observed a significant and very reproducible drop in CD13 expression over the course of a batch bioreactor run (80 rpm). Although we have no explanation for this, we show that the decrease in CD13 receptor surface content can be (at least partially, if not fully) explained by the corresponding decrease in CD13 mRNA. HL60 cell cultures agitated at 300 and 400 rpm exhibited glucose consumption and lactate production rates that were approximately 40% and 90% greater than values of the cultures agitated at 80 rpm. The physiological and practical implications of these results are discussed.
Thin film growth of the 2122-phase of BCSCO superconductor with high degree of crystalline perfection

Thin films of the 80 K-phase of BiCaSrCu-oxide superconductor having the composition of Bi2Ca1.05Sr2.1Cu2.19O(x) and high degree of crystalline perfection have been grown on c-axis oriented twin free single crystal substrates of NdGaO3. This has been achieved by carefully establishing the growth conditions of the LPE experiments. The temperature regime of 850 to 830 C and quenching of the specimens on the termination of the growth period are found to be pertinent for the growth of quasi-single crystalline superconducting BCSCO films on NdGaO3 substrates. The TEM analysis reveals a single crystalline nature of these films which exhibit 100 percent reflectivity in infrared regions at liquid nitrogen temperature.
GaInNAsSb Solar Cells Grown by Molecular Beam Epitaxy

The first GaInNAsSb solar cells are reported. The dilute nitride antimonide material, grown by molecular beam epitaxy, has a bandgap of 0.92 eV and maintains excellent carrier collection efficiency. Internal quantum efficiency of nearly 80% at maximum is obtained in the narrow bandgap GaInNAsSb cells. The short-circuit current density produced by the GaInNAsSb cells underneath a GaAs sub-cell in a multijunction stack, determined from the overlap of the quantum efficiency and the low-AOD spectrum, is 14.8 mA/cm2. This is sufficient to current match the GaInNAsSb sub-cell to the other sub-cells in a GaInP/GaAs/GaInNAsSb solar cell. However, the open-circuit voltage and fill factor of the antimonide devices, 0.28 V and 0.61, are somewhat reduced when compared to GaInNAs devices with 1.03 eV bandgaps. The GaInNAsSb devices had wider depletion regions, which improves the collection efficiency but adversely affects the fill-factor and dark current by increasing depletion region recombination.
A reduced orbital period for the supermassive black hole binary candidate in the quasar PG 1302-102?

Graham et al. (2015) have detected a 5.2 year periodic optical variability of the quasar PG 1302-102 at redshift $z=0.3$, which they interpret as the redshifted orbital period $(1+z)t_{\rm bin}$ of a putative supermassive black hole binary (SMBHB). Here we consider the implications of a $3-8$ times shorter orbital period, suggested by hydrodynamical simulations of circumbinary discs (CBDs) with nearly equal--mass SMBHBs ($q\equiv M_2/M_1\gtrsim 0.3$). With the corresponding $2-4$ times tighter binary separation, PG 1302 would be undergoing gravitational wave dominated inspiral, and serve as a proof that the BHs can be fueled and produce bright emission even in this late stage of the merger. The expected fraction of binaries with the shorter $t_{\rm bin}$, among bright quasars, would be reduced by 1-2 orders of magnitude, compared to the 5.2 year period, in better agreement with the rarity of candidates reported by Graham et al. (2015). Finally, shorter periods would imply higher binary speeds, possibly imprinting periodicity on the light curves from relativistic beaming, as well as measurable relativistic effects on the Fe K$\alpha$ line. The CBD model predicts additional periodic variability on timescales of $t_{\rm bin}$ and $\approx 0.5 t_{\rm bin}$, as well as periodic variation of broad line widths and offsets relative to the narrow lines, which are consistent with the observations. Future observations will be able to test these predictions and hence the binary+CBD hypothesis for PG 1302.
Sick and edgy: walk-counting as a metric of epidemic spreading on networks

A network structure metric is herein suggested for the investigation of the behaviour of epidemic spreading processes in general network-structured populations. This simple measure, based on the algebraic powers of the adjacency matrix associated with the network in question, is shown to admit a heuristic interpretation as a representation of a spreading process similar to standard epidemic models. It is further shown that the values of this metric may be of use in understanding the dynamic pattern of epidemic spread on networks of greatly varying structural properties (e.g. the degree distribution, the assortativity/dissortativity and the clustering).
Prevalence and risk factors for bloodborne exposure and infection in correctional healthcare workers.

objective. To determine the prevalence and risk factors for bloodborne exposure and infection in correctional healthcare workers (CHCWs). design. Cross-sectional risk assessment study with a confidential questionnaire and serological testing performed during 1999-2000. setting. Correctional systems in 3 states. results. Among 310 participating CHCWs, the rate of percutaneous injury (PI) was 32 PIs per 100 person-years overall and 42 PIs per 100 person-years for CHCWs with clinical job duties. Underreporting was common, with only 25 (49%) of 51 PIs formally reported to the administration. Independent risk factors for experiencing PI included being age 45 or older (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 2.41 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.31-4.46]) and having job duties that involved needle contact (aOR, 3.70 [95% CI, 1.28-10.63]) or blood contact (aOR, 5.05 [95% CI, 1.45-17.54]). Overall, 222 CHCWs (72%) reported having received a primary hepatitis B vaccination series; of these, 150 (68%) tested positive for anti-hepatitis B surface antigen, with negative results significantly associated with receipt of last dose more than 5 years previously. Serologic markers of hepatitis B virus infection were identified in 31 individuals (10%), and the prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection was 2% ( ). The high hepatitis B vaccination rate limited the ability to identify risk factors for infection, n p 7 but hepatitis C virus infection correlated with community risk factors only. conclusion. Although the wide coverage with hepatitis B vaccination and the decreasing rate of hepatitis C virus infection in the general population are encouraging, the high rate of exposure in CHCWs and the lack of exposure documentation are concerns. Continued efforts to develop interventions to reduce exposures and encourage reporting should be implemented and evaluated in correctional healthcare settings. These interventions should address infection control barriers unique to the correctional setting. Infect Control Hosp Epidemiol 2007; 28:24-30
Genotype-guided use of oral antithrombotic therapy: a pharmacoeconomic perspective

Pharmacogenomics focuses on tailoring therapy to the individual as opposed to the historical model of fitting the individual to the therapy, and it offers the potential to maximize medication efficacy while reducing adverse events. By its very nature, personalized medicine is conducive to a patient-centered care model. Oral antithrombotics as a class could benefit immensely from this type of approach because an imbalance of safety and efficacy in either direction can yield deadly consequences. Since the current healthcare climate in the USA requires thoughtful allocation of resources, pharmacoeconomic analysis has become critical for all stakeholders, and the adoption of new technologies hinges upon economic impact. This article summarizes the current state of genetics in oral antithrombotic therapy, including clinical relevance as well as cost–effectiveness from a US healthcare system perspective, and provides insight into the future of pharmacogenomics in treating and preventing thromboembolic disorders.
Stereo Types: The Operation of Sound in the Production of Racial Identity

Discussions of race and identity have often privileged the visual field and its representations as a site of cultural identity. In contrast, this paper examines how sound and its organization have been implicated in the constructions of “whiteness” as a normative category during the colonial epoch. Using a set of case studies, it examines the network formed between sound and vision through what the author calls a harmonic system of representation. After mapping this dominant system, the paper describes tactics that have been used to disrupt it. The possibility of heterogeneous subjectivity, often called the cyborg, is explored as an alternative, in relation to different organizations of sound.
Monoclonal Antibody—Mediated Toxicity in Cryptococcus neoformans Infection: Mechanism and Relationship to Antibody Isotype

Antibody reagents represent an alternative for the therapy of human cryptococcosis, and monoclonal antibody 18B7 (IgG1) is a candidate for phase I trial in humans with cryptococcosis. However, antibody administration to mice with established Cryptococcus neoformans infection has been reported to produce acute lethal toxicity (ALT). The present study confirmed this phenomenon and investigated the mechanism of ALT. ALT was associated with hemoconcentration, hypotension, and circulatory collapse; however, toxicity could be prevented by platelet-activating factor inhibitor, rat antibody to Fc receptor, or IgM before IgG1. Significant isotype-specific differences were found in ALT, which can be interpreted as consistent with the hypothesis that there are distinct Fc receptors for murine IgG1 and IgG3. The IgM and IgG3 isotype preference in antibody responses to polysaccharide antigens in mice may translate to a lack of toxicity of antigen-antibody complexes during the course of infections with encapsulated pathogens.
Determination of activity coefficients by accurate measurement of boiling point diagram

Abstract Scott, L.S., 1986. Determination of activity coefficients by accurate measurement of boiling point diagram. Fluid Phase Equilibria 26: 149–163. An improved technique has been developed for the rapid and accurate measurement of the boiling point diagram of binary mixtures in and out of the infinite dilution region. The data can be used to calculate activity coefficients in the infinite dilution region and over the entire composition range.
Neighborhood Disadvantage and Variations in Blood Pressure.

Purpose: To examine the extent to which neighborhood disadvantage accounts for variation in blood pressure. Methods: Demographic, biometric, and self-reported data from 19 261 health screenings were used. Addresses of participants were geocoded and located within census block groups (n = 14 510, 75.3%). Three hierarchical linear models were formulated to identify individual and census block group risk factors for hypertension. Neighborhood-level deprivation was determined using the Townsend Deprivation Index. Results: Of the 14 510 participants, 24% had a systolic blood pressure (SBP) of ≥ 140 mmHg, and 15% had a diastolic blood pressure (DBP) of ≥ 90 mmHg, indicating hypertension. At the neighborhood level, significant variation in average SBP and DBP across census block groups (P < .001) was found. Model 2 suggested that deprivation accounts for some of the variability in average SBP and DBP between block groups (P < .001). After controlling for individual-level risk factors in model 3, deprivation rema...
Attitudes toward and Use of Knowledge about Family Planning among Ghanaian Men

This study examines knowledge of and attitudes about family planning and its use by a convenience sample of men in Ghana. It considers sociocultural factors such as spousal communication and cultural misconceptions about family planning that contribute to the low level of male involvement in use of contraceptives by men in Ghana. The findings indicate that demographic factors such as education, religion, types of marital relationship, and exposure to mass-media education have significant effects on the participants’ increased knowledge, changing attitudes, and practices of family planning and reproductive decision-making. The study identifies sociocultural misconceptions resulting from lack of knowledge and education as the main deterrents for the use of different family planning methods including vasectomy. The study calls for further research and male-friendly programs that would clarify myths surrounding the use of contraceptive devices, their benefits and effects on the physiology of the users.
Automatic 3D neuron tracing using all-path pruning

Motivation: Digital reconstruction, or tracing, of 3D neuron structures is critical toward reverse engineering the wiring and functions of a brain. However, despite a number of existing studies, this task is still challenging, especially when a 3D microscopic image has low signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) and fragmented neuron segments. Published work can handle these hard situations only by introducing global prior information, such as where a neurite segment starts and terminates. However, manual incorporation of such global information can be very time consuming. Thus, a completely automatic approach for these hard situations is highly desirable. Results: We have developed an automatic graph algorithm, called the all-path pruning (APP), to trace the 3D structure of a neuron. To avoid potential mis-tracing of some parts of a neuron, an APP first produces an initial over-reconstruction, by tracing the optimal geodesic shortest path from the seed location to every possible destination voxel/pixel location in the image. Since the initial reconstruction contains all the possible paths and thus could contain redundant structural components (SC), we simplify the entire reconstruction without compromising its connectedness by pruning the redundant structural elements, using a new maximal-covering minimal-redundant (MCMR) subgraph algorithm. We show that MCMR has a linear computational complexity and will converge. We examined the performance of our method using challenging 3D neuronal image datasets of model organisms (e.g. fruit fly). Availability: The software is available upon request. We plan to eventually release the software as a plugin of the V3D-Neuron package at http://penglab.janelia.org/proj/v3d. Contact: pengh@janelia.hhmi.org
Glass transition: A unified treatment

A unified kinetic and thermodynamic description of the glass transition in undercooled liquids at normal pressure is established. The following results are obtained for the first time: (1) The glass transition temperature Tg is determined to be in the range of Ts < Tg < Tn. Both Ts and Tn are material-dependent and each of them is characterized by a different Ω(T) = TΔslc(T)/Δslc(T) with Δhlc as the excess enthalpy and Δslc the excess entropy. (2) Being above Kauzmann’s isentropic temperature, the lowest limit Ts is determined by Ω(Ts) = 1 −2/(3γ) with γ being the ratio between the total energy and the free energy of the liquid-crystal interface. (3) Although a glass preserves the entropy and enthalpy values of the liquid at Tg, the ratio Ω(Tg) is found to be bound by a Tg-independent material constant 1 −2/(3γ). (4) Tg increases linearly with the logarithm of the cooling rate and such a linear relationship is found to be not always valid. (5) The observed cooling-rate dependent glass transition at Tg is the kinetically modified reflection of an underlying cooling-rate independent transition at Ts, and the underlying transition at Ts is kinetically equivalent to the sudden and strong divergence of the structure relaxation time of the liquid. (6) It is shown that if the cooling rate exceeds a minimum value determined here as a function of temperature, the atoms of an undercooled liquid will not have sufficient time to rearrange themselves into the corresponding crystalline configuration; consequently, crystalline nucleation can be prevented. The results are supported by the available experimental evidence. A systematic test of the results on different systems is possible since the results are in terms of experimentally accessible quantities.
Genotype diversity of Salsola tragus and potential origins of a previously unidentified invasive Salsola from California and Arizona.

Various Salsola spp. have been introduced to the USA, and some of these are considered noxious or invasive in certain regions. The genus is taxonomically challenging, and recent morphological, cytological, and molecular work has shown that an unknown taxon, previously identified as S. tragus, but recently temporarily designated as Type B, with unknown origins, exists in California and Arizona. Type B’s origins and identity are a point of concern for biological control efforts, as it is much less affected by fungal biological control agents than the sympatric invasive S. tragus. Initial studies in 2005 indicated that Type B is morphologically very similar to S. kali subsp. austroafricana which has been collected in southern Africa. Here we use DNA sequence data from a PEPC intron to compare USA and Old World specimens, and results indicate that S. kali subsp. austroafricana is genetically identical to Type B and distinct from S. tragus. It is unclear if S. kali subsp. austroafricana is native to southern Africa or to the northern hemisphere of the Old World, and further investigations in both regions are needed.
Telomerase Expression Predicts Unfavorable Outcome in Osteosarcoma

Purpose Osteosarcoma is distinct from most cancers in that the majority of osteosarcomas lack telomerase expression and use the alternative lengthening of telomeres (ALT) mechanism to maintain telomeres. Laboratory studies suggest that compared with ALT, telomerase expression is associated with increased tumor aggressiveness. We evaluated the clinical significance of telomerase expression in human osteosarcoma. Patients and Methods Fifty-six osteosarcomas from 51 patients treated at St Jude Children's Research Hospital between 1982 and 2003 were evaluated for telomerase enzyme activity, mRNA expression of the catalytic component of telomerase (TERT), and presence of the ALT pathway. Results Outcome analysis was based on TERT mRNA expression in the primary tumor samples from 44 patients. Fourteen primary tumors expressed TERT mRNA (32%; eight TERT only, six TERT and ALT) and 30 did not express TERT mRNA (68%; 29 ALT, one no ALT). Progression-free survival (PFS) was inferior in the TERT-positive group compa...
cAMP-induced phosphorylation of 26S proteasomes on Rpn6/PSMD11 enhances their activity and the degradation of misfolded proteins

Although rates of protein degradation by the ubiquitin-proteasome pathway (UPS) are determined by their rates of ubiquitination, we show here that the proteasome’s capacity to degrade ubiquitinated proteins is also tightly regulated. We studied the effects of cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) on proteolysis by the UPS in several mammalian cell lines. Various agents that raise intracellular cAMP and activate PKA (activators of adenylate cyclase or inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4) promoted degradation of short-lived (but not long-lived) cell proteins generally, model UPS substrates having different degrons, and aggregation-prone proteins associated with major neurodegenerative diseases, including mutant FUS (Fused in sarcoma), SOD1 (superoxide dismutase 1), TDP43 (TAR DNA-binding protein 43), and tau. 26S proteasomes purified from these treated cells or from control cells and treated with PKA degraded ubiquitinated proteins, small peptides, and ATP more rapidly than controls, but not when treated with protein phosphatase. Raising cAMP levels also increased amounts of doubly capped 26S proteasomes. Activated PKA phosphorylates the 19S subunit, Rpn6/PSMD11 (regulatory particle non-ATPase 6/proteasome subunit D11) at Ser14. Overexpression of a phosphomimetic Rpn6 mutant activated proteasomes similarly, whereas a nonphosphorylatable mutant decreased activity. Thus, proteasome function and protein degradation are regulated by cAMP through PKA and Rpn6, and activation of proteasomes by this mechanism may be useful in treating proteotoxic diseases.
Hypnosis in the Management of Stress Reactions

The modality known in modern times as hypnosis has been a useful and recognized remedial method for more than 200 years. Originally conceptualized by Franz Anton Mesmer (1734–1815) as a physical fluid (animal magnetism) that could be transferred from one person to another, that theory has since been discredited; but even today, the fundamental principles and mechanisms underlying hypnosis have not yet been definitively established. Even so, there are useful applications of hypnosis in numerous areas, including stress management.
Existence of a Chloride Pump in Molluscs

The electrical activity of isolated epithelia has been a source of intense interest and much physiological study since the early reports of DuBois-Reymond (1848) and Galeotti (1904). However, it was not until the brilliant and innovative studies of Ussing and his collaborators (Ussing and Zerahn 1951) on frog skin in the mid 1950s and, later, those of Leaf (1965) and his co-workers on toad urinary bladder, that the nature of the bioelectric potential across isolated epithelia was defined. The defined interrelationship between bioelectric potential and active Na+ transport ushered in the modern era of the study of ion transport by epithelia. Skou (1965) defined in molecular terms the nature of Na+ transport with his ingenious work on the (Na+ + K+)-stimulated ATPase enzyme. For years thereafter, active Na+ transport across epithelia was intensively studied, with Cl− assuming a secondary role of passive counter-ion. However, within the past 10–15 years there has been an explosive interest in transepithelial Cl− movement, primarily because Cl− has been found to be moved actively in a wide range of species (Frizzell et al. 1979; Gerencser 1983a, 1986; Gerencser et al. 1988).
McDermott v. AmClyde: The Quiet Achiever

The case of McDermott, Inc. v. AmClyde has had a significant impact on the body of reported law, not just in maritime cases but wherever law recognizes joint and several liability, as it does in the federal contexts, for example, of ERISA, securities fraud, and civil-rights tort claims pursuant to 42 U.S.C. § 1983. The proportionate share approach to partial settlement espoused in McDermott is also generally the rule of tort law in those states that retain joint and several liability for cases involving multiple tortfeasors, and several states have adopted just such a rule after reference to McDermott. But the true influence of the case should be measured not only in decisions by courts but also in the day-to-day practice of lawyers, both maritime and non-maritime. That influence is underestimated by the number of its references in reported decisions because McDermott was concerned with what happens when cases settle. Its real force is in those cases that do not reach the point of judicial decision. It is probably no exaggeration to say that McDermott is considered by some practicing lawyer somewhere every day.
On-road Driving Performance of Patients With Bilateral Moderate and Advanced Glaucoma.

Purpose To compare on-road driving performance of patients with moderate or advanced glaucoma to controls and evaluate factors associated with unsafe driving. Design Case-control pilot study. Methods A consecutive sample of 21 patients with bilateral moderate or advanced glaucoma from Washington University, St Louis, Missouri and 38 community-dwelling controls were enrolled. Participants, aged 55–90 years, underwent a comprehensive clinical evaluation by a trained occupational therapist and an on-road driving evaluation by a masked driver rehabilitation specialist. Overall driving performance of pass vs marginal/fail and number of wheel and/or brake interventions were recorded. Results Fifty-two percent of glaucoma participants scored a marginal/fail compared to 21% of controls (odds ratio [OR], 4.1; 95% CI, 1.30–13.14; P = .02). Glaucoma participants had a higher risk of wheel interventions than controls (OR, 4.67; 95% CI, 1.03–21.17; P = .046). There were no differences detected between glaucoma participants who scored a pass vs marginal/fail for visual field mean deviation of the better ( P = .62) or worse ( P = .88) eye, binocular distance ( P = .15) or near ( P = .23) visual acuity, contrast sensitivity ( P = .28), or glare ( P = .88). However, glaucoma participants with a marginal/fail score performed worse on Trail Making Tests A ( P = .03) and B ( P = .05), right-sided Jamar grip strength ( P = .02), Rapid Pace Walk ( P = .03), Braking Response Time ( P = .03), and identifying traffic signs ( P = .05). Conclusions Patients with bilateral moderate or advanced glaucoma are at risk for unsafe driving—particularly those with impairments on psychometric and mobility tests. A comprehensive clinical assessment and on-road driving evaluation is recommended to effectively evaluate driving safety of these patients.
Parthenogenesis in Cockroaches

Parthenogenesis has been considered rare among cockroaches (Chopard, 1938), but, as Chopard (1948) later pointed out, fewer observations have been made on these insects than on other Orthoptera. However, a number of workers have attempted from time to time to determine whether some of the common, cosmopolitan species of cockroaches can reproduce without fertilization of the eggs. Most of the results have been negative, the writers claiming that either no eggs are deposited by unfertilized females, or if eggs are laid, they fail to develop. Unfortunately, many of these observations were based on small numbers of individuals; the length of the experimental periods were too short; or hatching of eggs was used as a criterion of parthenogenesis; therefore, many facts concerning parthenogenesis in cockroaches were not elucidated.
A quaternary question.

In the News Focus by R. A. Kerr (“A time war over the period we live in,” 25 January, p. [402][1]), stratigraphers wish to rid the geological time scale of the Quaternary, on the grounds that “boundaries on the time scale are not delineated by climate changes.” How very odd, then, that the
POSTCOLONIAL VOICES: VINDICATING THE HARKIS

L'A. revient sur les motivations des Harkis, et sur les raisons de leur choix de la France. Il examine egalement l'image du harki dans deux romans recemment signes par des auteurs d'origine algerienne, Le Harki de Meriem de Medhi Charef et L'Odyssee d'Ali de Mohand Khellil, et montre a partir de ces exemples et de travaux historiques recents que la question des harkis est en train d'etre reexaminee et qu'une rehabilitation de ces derniers devient possible. Dans les deux romans cites en particulier, le harki apparait en effet a present comme une victime de l'ordre colonial plutot que comme un traitre
Application of Whole Body Vibration Training in Sports Training and Rehabilitation and Its Research Progress

As a new method of muscle strength training,whole body vibration training has gained more and more attention in sports training and rehabilitation in recent years. This paper reviewed the papers communicated on the ACSM's 61 st annual meeting,and discussed whole body vibration training in four respective,which are its effect on competitive level,its application in sports rehabilitation,its new progress,its safety and acceptability. It hopes to provide some kinds of help to researchers who focus on exercise rehabilitation and clinic rehabilitation. The results indicated that the positive effects of whole body vibration on muscle strength and power,body composition,metabolism and endocrine as well as diseases occurred in skeleton,muscle,and cardiovascular are depended on the kind,frequency,intensity and time of vibration training. In general,the high frequency vibration is benefit for body and low frequency is bad. But we need large sample tests for deeper research to construct a better theory system of whole body vibration training,and to find better vibration parameters to guide clinical rehabilitation.