cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Obesity in renal transplantation: the role of induction therapy on long-term outcomes.

Abstract Obesity is a burgeoning problem among renal transplant recipients given its association with increased morbidity, graft loss, and mortality. The long-term influence of different induction therapies in obese compared to nonobese patients is uncertain. We examined the long-term effect of low-dose rabbit antithymocyte globulin (rATG; 3–5 mg/kg) induction therapy compared to two doses of 20 mg basiliximab (BSX) in nonobese and obese renal transplant patients. The medical records of all adult (>18 years) recipients of kidney transplants between June 2001 and June 2009 in our center were reviewed. Patients whose body mass index (BMI) was greater than 30 were considered to be obese. The average dose of rATG was 3.2 ± 1.6 mg/kg. A total of 475 patients were included. In the nonobese group with a BMI less than 30, 68 received BSX and 247, rATG. In the obese group, 27 patients were given BSX and 133 were given rATG. Mean follow-up was 1523 days. These four groups were similar in baseline characteristics including: donor and recipient age, percent diabetes, living donors, panel-reactive antibodies > 35, HLA mismatch, race, gender, and maintenance immunosuppression. Serum creatinine levels at 3 months and 1, 5, and 7 years were not statistically different between groups. Compared to BSX induction therapy, rATG was associated with better graft survival at 47.4 ± 10 months in obese (63.6% vs 90.3%, P
Protective action of dehydroascorbic acid on the Ah receptor-dependent and receptor-independent induction of lipid peroxidation in adipose tissue of male guinea pig caused by TCDD administration.

The effect of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) on lipid peroxidation, 3H-Me-glucose (3H-Me-glu), and 14C-dehydroascorbic acid (14C-DHA) uptakes were studied in adipose tissue of male guinea pig. Under in vitro test conditions, using isolated adipose tissue in a culture medium (explant culture), TCDD reduced the uptake of 3H-Me-glu and 14C-DHA in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. The IC50 values of TCDD's action were 0.04 and 2 nM on 14C-DHA and 3H-Me-glu uptakes, respectively. TCDD (10 nM) also suppressed glucose transporting activity within 15 minutes in explant-cultured adipocytes. Cytochalasin B (CB) and nonlabeled D-glucose inhibited 14C-DHA uptake also in a dose-dependent manner. In addition, TCDD was found to induce lipid peroxidation in explant-cultured adipose tissue. This effect of TCDD was similar to that of a typical lipid peroxidation inducer, CCl4, and it was dose and time dependent. TCDD caused a statistically significant rise in lipid peroxidation at a concentration as low as 0.1 nM after 60 minutes of treatment in explant culture. Unexpectedly, the Ah receptor partial antagonists, 4,7-phenanthroline and alpha-naphthoflavone, did not fully antagonize TCDD-induced lipid peroxidation in explant-cultured adipocytes. In vivo treatment of TCDD also induced lipid peroxidation. Among seven organs of male guinea pig tested, the levels of lipid peroxidation in adipose tissue and in liver increased at 1 and 40 days following a single i.p. dose of TCDD (1 microgram/kg). The results of an in vivo time-course study indicated that such an effect of TCDD was most pronounced after 40 days of treatment. Finally, we have tested the protective role of some antioxidants on TCDD-induced lipid peroxidation under explant-culture conditions. The results indicated that DHA, but not ascorbic acid, could completely abolish TCDD-induced lipid peroxidation. The protective effect of DHA on TCDD-induced lipid peroxidation was stronger than that of alpha-tocopherol and uric acid, and this effect was blocked by CB. We conclude from these studies that TCDD acts in this guinea pig tissue through two different routes: one is the Ah receptor-dependent route causing the reduction of the level of glucose transporters and subsequent decrease of cellular uptake of DHA and the other, the Ah receptor-independent route causing the overall lipid peroxidation. Nevertheless, it appears likely that both events are antagonized by DHA.
Effects of electron-positron correlation on positron annihilation: Self-consistent band-structure calculations in Al

A formalism has been developed for calculating positron-annihilation characteristics in perfect solids and solids containing defects taking into account the effects of electron-positron correlation self-consistently. The lifetime and two-dimensional angular-correlation spectra have been calculated for positrons annihilating in defect-free aluminum and are in excellent agreement with experiment.
Synaptic weighting for physiological responses in recurrent spiking neural networks

Recurrently connected neural networks have been used extensively in the literature to describe various neuro-physiological phenomena, such as coordinate transformations during sensorimotor integration. Due to the directed cycles that can exist in recurrent networks, there is no well-known way to a priori specify synaptic weights to elicit neuron spiking responses to stimuli based on available neurophysiology. Using a common mean field assumption in which synaptic inputs are uncorrelated for sufficiently large populations of neurons, we show that the connection topology and a neuron's response characteristics can be decoupled. This allows specification of neuron steady-state responses independent of the connection topology. We provide evidence from two case studies which serve to validate this synaptic weighting approach.
Bio-Inspired Robotic Cownose Ray Propelled by Electroactive Polymer Pectoral Fin

The cownose ray (Rhinoptera bonasus) demonstrates excellent swimming capabilities; generating highly efficient thrust via flapping of dorsally flattened pectoral fins. In this paper, we present a bio-inspired and free swimming robot that mimics the swimming behavior of the cownose ray. The robot has two artificial pectoral fins to generate thrust through a twisted flapping motion. Each artificial pectoral fin consists of one ionic polymer-metal composite (IPMC) as artificial muscle in the leading edge and a passive PDMS membrane in the trailing edge. By applying voltage signal to the IPMC, the passive PDMS membrane follows the bending of IPMC with a phase delay, which leads to a twist angle on the fin. The characterization results have shown that the pectoral fin was able to generate up to 40% tip deflection and 10° twist angle with less than 1 Watt power consumption. A bio-inspired rigid body was designed using Computerized Axial Tomography (CT Scan) data of the cownose ray body and printed using a 3-dimensional printer. A light and compact on-board control unit with a lithium ion polymer battery has been developed for the free swimming robot. Experimental results have shown that the robot swam at 0.034 BL/S.Copyright © 2011 by ASME
Giant lymph node hyperplasia: A review of literature and report of two cases of plasma cell variant responding to radiation therapy

Abstract Giant lymph node hyperplasia is a benign lesion of unknown etiology, usually involving a single node or an aggregate of nodes. Treatment of choice has been surgical resection. Two patients with the plasma cell type of giant lymph node hyperplasia have received radiation therapy for unresectable lesions with resolutions of symptoms.
Education and Treatment for Boys Who Set Fires: Specificity, Moderators, and Predictors of Recidivism:

Given the relative absence of treatment outcome studies, information about the specificity and utility of interventions for children who set fires has not been reported. In a treatment outcome study with young boys referred for firesetting that compared brief home visitation from a firefighter, fire safety education (FSE), and cognitive—behavioral treatment (CBT), we examined the specificity, potential moderators, and predictors of recidivism. FSE exerted specific effects on some fire knowledge and safety measures, as expected; CBT tended to show specific effects only on positive problem solutions. Potential moderators of FSE and CBT were suggested in an exploratory analysis (e.g.,exposure to fire models/materials,child's general fire knowledge, and family functioning). Fire history,fire attraction, and externalizing behaviors were among the predictors of firesetting recidivism. Implications of these findings for assessment and intervention are discussed in the context of future research directions.
The Pomp of Power: Black Mayoralties in Urban America*

Objectives. Although urban scholarship has come to better understand the dynamics of black political incorporation in the United States, to date scant empirical attention has been paid to an important element of minority representation in local politics—the rise of black mayors. The present study addresses this gap in the extant literature. Methods. We analyze incidences of black mayoralties by fitting standard pooled and random effects probit models to a panel of 309 cities observed between 1971 and 2000. Results. Although cities' racial profiles are strongly associated with the incidence of black mayoralties, black representation on city council, black educational attainment, and reformed governments increase the odds of black mayoral emergence. On the other hand, southern location continues to depress the rise of black mayoralties, as do partisan elections, particularly in cities where no racial group constitutes a majority. Conclusions. Although our results partially confirm extant research on the diffusion of black mayoralties in American urban politics, they also call into question conventional wisdom. Our study emphasizes the need for more large-N studies of minority representation in urban politics and provides suggestions for how the independent effects of black mayors on municipal policy outcomes might subsequently be analyzed empirically.
Developing managers for the learning organization

Abstract The learning organization makes new intellectual demands on managers. Managers are being asked not just to carry out their assigned tasks but to use the skills of analysis, interpretation and synthesis to help the organization learn its way out of the novel problems it increasingly faces in a time of rapid change. Traditional management development programs, however, send a contradictory message to learners when delivery is structured in a way that negates the reasoning capability of managers who are being encouraged by the organization to rely more heavily on their own reasoning. To facilitate organizational learning four fundamental changes in the way management development programs are designed are suggested; (1) situating learning in real work, (2) defining a less central role for experts, (3) spaced rather than compressed time frames, and (4) learning in community rather than individually. Examples of five management development programs which embody these elements are provided.
A proposed method for determining a MOSFET gate electrode's bottom dimension and the on-state fringing capacitance

A novel electrical method is proposed for determining two of the most important MOSFET device performance parameters, the physical dimension of the gate electrode at the gate oxide interface (bottom dimension) and the on-state (substrate in inversion) fringing capacitance of the gate. For characterization, the method requires simple capacitors, fabricated using identical processing steps that affect the dimensions of a MOSFET gate electrode. The required data are quasi-static C-V measurements at two or more biases. The physical basis and potential accuracy of this characterization method have been verified, based on detailed two-dimensional numerical device simulation. This method potentially can be applied to monitor process variations and to studies of the cause-effect relation between processes and device performance. In addition, the accurate determination of these parameters from device wafers is fundamentally required for calibrating physically based two-dimensional process and device simulators, and improving their predictive capability. >
New and improved constructions of non-malleable cryptographic protocols

We present a new constant round protocol for non-malleable zero-knowledge. Using this protocol as a subroutine, we obtain a new constant-round protocol for non-malleable commitments. Our constructions rely on the existence of (standard) collision resistant hash functions. Previous constructions either relied on the existence of trapdoor permutations and hash functions that are collision resistant against sub-exponential sized circuits, or required a super-constant number of rounds.Additional results are the first construction of a non-malleable commitment scheme that is statistically hiding (with respect to opening), and the first non-malleable protocols that satisfy a strict polynomial-time simulation requirement. The latter are constructed by additionally assuming the existence of trapdoor permutations.Our approach differs from the approaches taken in previous works in that we view non-malleable zero-knowledge as a building-block rather than an end goal. This gives rise to a modular construction of non-malleable commitments and results in a somewhat simpler analysis.The techniques that we use to construct our zero-knowl-edge protocol are non black-box, but are different than the non black-box techniques previously used in the context of non-malleable coin-tossing.
A numerical model for ammonia-water absorption into a constrained microscale film.

Abstract A one-dimensional, steady state model for absorption of ammonia vapor into a constrained microscale film is presented. A weak solution of ammonia–water flows in a microchannel into which ammonia vapor bubbles are injected in cross flow from a porous wall. A counter flowing coolant solution removes the heat generated due to absorption from the opposite wall. The 1-D, steady state species and energy transport equations are solved to yield, along the length of the channel, concentration and temperature profiles of the solution stream and the temperature profile of the coolant fluid stream. The model is validated from experimental measurements of global parameters. A parametric study of fluid and geometrical parameters based on the validated model is presented. Results show that a balance between the residence time within the absorber and the absorption time scales, by way of adjusting the mass flow rates of the vapor and weak solution, is needed to ensure complete absorption. A lower coolant inlet temperature significantly enhances absorption rate by increasing the local concentration difference between the saturation and bulk values. The absorption rate is more sensitive to the liquid–vapor interfacial area than to the heat transfer area between the solution and the coolant.
High Frequency: Treatment Priority Nursing Diagnoses in Critical Care

The purpose of this study was to identify high frequency-treatment priority nursing diagnoses in critical care nursing using survey research methods. Through a mailed survey the prevalence of 135 nursing diagnoses from the NANDA Diagnostic Taxonomy and other diagnoses was rated by a national, random sample of 678 critical care nurses. Six important diagnostic areas were: sleep-rest, activity, nutritional-metabolic, cognitive-perceptual, self-perception (mood state), and health management (risk) patterns. Twenty diagnoses were rated as nearly always or frequently present in their practice by 70% or more of the nurses. Findings can be used to focus clinical studies of the highly prevalent diagnoses.
X-ray diffraction characterization of the structure of zein–Oleic acid films

Wide-angle (WAXS) and small-angle X-ray scattering (SAXS) studies of dry granular zein, zein fibers, zein–oleic acid resin, and zein–oleic acid films are reported. WAXS patterns showed two diffuse rings for these samples indicative of noncrystalline structures. Measured d-spacings of ∼ 4.6 A and ∼ 10.5 A were found for zein–oleic acid resins and films, consistent with the presence of α-helical segments. The granular zein and zein fibers had ∼ 4.6-A and ∼ 9.5-A spacings. Neither the films nor the fibers showed evidence of orientation of the molecular axes. SAXS studies of zein–oleic acid films indicated that the structure of the films was affected by preparation method. Biaxially drawn resin films showed periodicities of ∼ 170 A along the film surface direction and ∼ 135 A in the thickness direction, while the cast films had weaker intensity periodicities of ca. 80 A for all beam directions; a weak, diffuse 45-A spacing was also observed for both samples. The 170-A periodicity was present in the resin before deformation and following uniaxial deformation. No SAXS periodicity was observed for the granular zein or zein fibers. Several structural models are presented for the resin films that are consistent with reports in the literature that zein, in solution, consist of prism-like particles consisting of four or more molecules. ? 1999 John Wiley & Sons, Inc. J Appl Polym Sci 71: 1267-1281, 1999
Use of a lytic enzyme system from Cytophaga sp. in the lysis of Gram-positive bacteria

Abstract A lytic enzyme system from Cytophaga sp. has been used for lysis of the Gram-positive bacteria, Bacillus and Corynebacterium. The optimum pH and temperature for the lytic reaction were 9.2 and 50°C, respectively. The effect of substrate and enzyme concentration have also been studied. Protein release was followed and the potential of using bacteriolytic enzymes for large-scale cell lysis and release of intracellular material is discussed.
Soluble and total silicon in sugar cane

The data presented throughout this paper indicate that soluble Si in plant tissues can give useful information about the Si-status of plants. In fact, this fraction of plant Si seems to be less subject to extraneous variation than does total Si. Silicon which can be extracted with dilute TCA is a discrete fraction. The amount extracted was little influenced by extraction time, amount of extractant, or number of extractions. The soluble-Si fraction was not stable before extraction. Concentration decreased with time. The rate of decrease was temperature related. Storage in a nitrogen atmosphere decreased Siimmobilization.
Tyre vertical transmissibility transient response analysis

A finite element radial-ply passenger car P205/70R14 tyre model was developed and numerically ran on the road with-a-cleat to examine the tyre transient response characteristics. The tyre vertical reaction force was recorded when the tyre encountered the cleat, and then the FFT algorithm was applied to extract the information from the frequency domain. The simulation results showed that this tyre has a clear transmissibility peak at 84 Hz. Five important tyre model parameters were investigated to validate the reliability and accuracy of the simulation algorithm. The results were compared to previous studies by analytical, computational, and experimental approaches and showed excellent agreement.
The role of cytoprotective cytokines in cardiac ischemia/reperfusion injury.

The mechanism(s) underlying the beneficial effects of adult mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) after myocardial infarction (MI) is poorly understood. One possible explanation is the ability of MSCs to secrete cytokines, which modulate cardiomyocyte survival and function. MSCs express at least two cytoprotective cytokines, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) and stromal cell-derived factor-1 α (CXCL12). The aim of our study was to compare the effects of these two cytokines administered acutely post-MI. We subjected adult male Lewis rats to myocardial ischemia/reperfusion injury. Immediately upon reperfusion, polymers saturated with HGF or CXCL12 were placed onto the infarcted anterior wall and the rats were allowed to recover. Echocardiographic analysis at 4 wk post-MI to assess left ventricular (LV) function revealed that LV ejection fraction was increased in the HGF treated group compared with the phosphate-buffered saline (PBS) control group. Likewise, LV end diastolic dimension was reduced in the HGF treated group compared with the PBS control group. Similarly, invasive hemodynamics at 12 wk showed improved contractility and relaxation in the HGF treated group compared with the PBS control group. In contrast, no significant effect on LV function was seen in the CXCL12 treated group. To determine the potential mechanism for this effect, infarct size (IFS) at 72 h was determined. IFS was decreased 4.2-fold in the HGF treated group compared with the PBS control group. Thus, HGF acutely post-MI using polymer delivery reduces IFS, leading to beneficial effects on post-MI LV remodeling.
The effects of hormone replacement therapy on postmenopausal breast cancer biology and survival.

Abstract Background The goal of this study was to compare the characteristics of breast cancers and survival rates in HRT users versus nonusers. Methods Data were analyzed for 1055 patients ≥50 years of age who had definitive therapy for breast cancer from 1994 through 2002. Results There were 471 (45%) HRT users. The median age at diagnosis was 61.0 years for HRT users and 68.0 years for HRT nonusers ( P P = .007), node negative ( P = .033), and grade I ( P = .016). HRT users had a decreased risk of death versus nonusers (hazard ratio=.438, 95% confidence limit=.263 to .729, P = .002). Conclusions HRT users developed breast cancer at a younger age than nonusers; HRT use was associated with the development of biologically more favorable cancers than those that developed in nonusers; and overall and disease-free survival rates were higher in HRT users than nonusers.
Recurrent Glioblastoma: A Fresh Look at Current Therapies and Emerging Novel Approaches

Despite international efforts, the treatment of recurrent glioblastoma (GBM) remains challenging. Although advances in surgical resection, the use of radiotherapy, and, predominantly, improved medical therapies have led to incremental improvements in median survival, few options exist for the management of recurrent or resistant disease. Insight into the molecular pathogenesis of GBM has led to the recent development of targeted therapeutic strategies aimed at the interruption of key molecular signaling pathways. However, due to the complex and redundant activation of the signaling mechanisms in GBM tumors, the evaluation of targeted agents in clinical trials has been largely limited. The ongoing effort to identify effective strategies for the treatment of recurrent GBM includes combination strategies with agents that target complementary or redundant pathways. Incorporation of novel trial designs that permit simultaneous evaluation of several agent combinations and allow for rapid discontinuation of ineffective regimens can accelerate the clinical evaluation of such candidate regimens. This review discusses strategies and outcomes of existing and emerging treatment approaches, and the challenges associated with the integration of novel therapies into clinical practice.
Influence of dietary calcium content on intestinal permeability in rat.

Background & objectives: Agents that increase the permeability of intestinal epithelium promote the absorption of nutrients by the gut. High calcium concentration in the gut has been shown to enhance passive transport of glucose in the rat intestine. An increase in the permeability of the intestinal epithelium may account for this observation. The present study was aimed at monitoring the permeability of intestine of rats fed high or low calcium diets. Methods: Everted intestinal sacs were used to study transports of substances across the gut. While radioactive and non radioactive calcium isotopes were employed to study the active transport and passive transport of calcium, transport of labelled mannitol was taken as a measure of passive permeability.
Evolution of developmental functions by the Eomesodermin, T-brain-1, Tbx21 subfamily of T-box genes: insights from amphioxus.

We have identified an amphioxus T-box gene that is orthologous to the Eomesodermin, T-brain-1, and Tbx21 genes of vertebrates, and we have characterized its expression pattern during embryonic and larval development. AmphiEomes/Tbr1/Tbx21 is maternally expressed in oocytes and cleavage stage embryos. After the onset of zygotic transcription at the blastula stage, it is expressed in invaginating mesendoderm cells during gastrulation, but it is downregulated in presumptive ectoderm and neurectoderm. Expression is seen in both axial and paraxial mesendoderm in neurulae and early larvae, but it is not detected in differentiated endoderm, somites, or notochord. Expression persists in mesendoderm cells of the tail bud in early larvae, but it disappears between 1 to 1.5 days post fertilization. Unlike orthologous genes in basal deuterostomes or vertebrates, no anterior neural expression domain is detected at any stage of development. Integrating phylogenetic and developmental data, we have reconstructed the evolutionary history of the Eomesodermin/Tbr1/Tbx21 subfamily of T-box genes from a single ancestral locus that originated very early in metazoan evolution, before the evolution of triploblasts from their diploblast ancestor.
Cautions in assessing spurious Moderator effects

Lubinski and Humphreys (1990) illustrated how moderator effects uncovered using hierarchical multiple regression procedures may be spurious and that the predictor-criterion functional relationship may be better characterized by a nonlinear function. They recommended concurrently inspecting nonlinear functions when examining moderator effects. This article reviews the evidence presented by Lubinski and Humphreys to substantiate their argument and the generality of their findings beyond their data. Although an examination of nonlinear functions may be justified in their specific illustration, the blanket recommendation of inspecting polynomial terms when examining moderator effects is troublesome and may itself lead to spurious conclusions. In a recent article in Psychological Bulletin, Lubinski and Humphreys (1990) presented a thoughtful discussion of how moderator effects uncovered using hierarchical multiple regression analyses (HMRA) may be spurious. Using data from the Project Talent Data Bank (Flanagan et al, 1962), Lubinski and Humphreys illustrated empirically that a nonlinear term (e.g., X1 or X1'1) may characterize the functional relationship between predictors (in their case, quantitative and spatial abilities) and the criterion (exceptional levels of mathematical sophistication) better than the interaction term. As a consequence, Lubinski and Humphreys concluded that researchers examining moderator effects should concurrently inspect nonlinear functions. In this article I review the evidence presented by Lubinski and Humphreys to substantiate their argument and the generality of their findings beyond their data set. Although an examination of nonlinear functions may be justified in their specific illustration, the blanket recommendation of inspecting polynomial terms when using HMRA to examine moderator effects is troublesome and may itself lead to spurious conclusions.
Electrical Properties of Metal-Oxide-Silicon Structures Wrm Sol-Gel Oxides

The authors have investigated the electronic properties of sol-gel derived films on silicon substrates. Our investigation involves SiO/sub 2/, aluminosilicate and borosilicate oxides on silicon. Some sol-gel oxides are excellent insulators; some sol-gel films on silicon also exhibit quite low oxide/silicon interface trap densities. We have also subjected sol-gel films on silicon to 4 Mrad(SiO/sub 2/) of radiation and have found that these structures appear to be radiation hard (very little radiation induced oxide space charge or interface trap generation). Our results strongly suggest that sol-gel processing could provide insulating films for a variety of microelectronic device applications.
Race Categorization and the Regulation of Business and Science

Despite the lack of consensus regarding the meaning or significance of race or ethnicity amongst scientists and the lay public, there are legal requirements and guidelines that dictate the collection of racial and ethnic data across a range of institutions. Legal regulations are typically created through a political process and then face varying kinds of resistance when the state tries to implement them. We explore the nature of this opposition by comparing responses from businesses, scientists, and science-oriented businesses (pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies) to U.S. state regulations that used politically derived racial categorizations, originally created to pursue civil rights goals. We argue that insights from cultural sociology regarding institutional and cultural boundaries can aid understanding of the nature of resistance to regulation. The Food and Drug Administration's guidelines for research by pharmaceutical companies imposed race categories on science-based businesses, leading to objections that emphasized the autonomy and validity of science. In contrast, similar race categories regulating first business by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) and later scientific research sponsored by the National Institutes of Health (NIH) encountered little challenge. We argue that pharmaceutical companies had the motive (profit) that NIH-supported scientists lacked and a legitimate discourse (boundary work of science) that businesses regulated by the EEOC did not have. The study suggests the utility of a comparative cultural sociology of the politics of legal regulation, particularly when understanding race-related regulation and the importance of examining legal regulations for exploring how the meaning of race or ethnicity are contested and constructed in law.
Depression in Schizophrenia: Methodological Artifact or Distinct Feature of the Illness?

In schizophrenia, there is a conceptual overlap between depressive and negative symptoms. This study examined the dimensional structure of depressive symptoms and their overlap with negative symptoms in a large sample of older medicated schizophrenia outpatients. Self-reported depression was obtained with the Beck Depression Inventory-II (BDI-II). Three components from this scale (i.e., dysphoria, psychosomatic and regret domains) showed excellent factorability and good consistency. However, adequate construct validity and correlates with outcomes were found for the dysphoria and regret domains, but not for the total score or the psychosomatic domain. Thus, the evaluation of domains within the BDI-II provides a more pure and clinically-relevant assessment of depressed mood in schizophrenia than the use of this scale as a whole.
The Extraction Degree of Cale Monoids

The extraction degree measures commonality of factorization between any two elements in a commutative, cancellative monoid. Additional properties of the extraction degree are developed for monoids possessing a Cale basis. For block monoids, the complete set of extraction degrees is calculated between any two elements, between any two irreducible elements, and between any irreducible element and any general element.
Specific recognition of non-denatured nitrite-oxidizing system ofNitrospira moscoviensis by monoclonal antibody Hyb 153-3

The objective of this research project is to develop a rapid molecular method for monitoring nitrification in a wastewater reactor. In the developed method, a monoclonal antibody (Hyb 153-3) was used because it can specifically recognize non-denatured enzymes responsible for nitrite oxidation in Nitrobacter and Nitrospira. The recognition of these enzymes under non-denatured conditions can significantly simplify the procedures of future immunoassays for environmental samples collected from various natural and engineered systems. This paper presents the ability of the selected Hyb 153-3 antibody to recognize the non-denatured form of the nitrite-oxidizing enzyme of Nitrospira in an aqueous phase as well as when the enzyme has been immobilized on a solid surface. Copyright © 2005 Society of Chemical Industry
NMR docking of a substrate into the X-ray structure of staphylococcal nuclease.

The conformation of the staphylococcal nuclease-bound metal-dTdA complex, previously determined by NMR methods [Weber, D.J., Mullen, G.P., Mildvan, A.S. (1991) Biochemistry 30:7425-7437] was docked into the X-ray structure of the enzyme-Ca(2+)-3',5'-pdTp complex [Loll, P.J., Lattman, E.E. (1989) Proteins: Struct., Funct., Genet. 5:183-201] by superimposing the metal ions, taking into account intermolecular nuclear Overhauser effects from assigned aromatic proton resonances of Tyr-85, Tyr-113, and Tyr-115 to proton resonances of the leaving dA moiety of dTdA, and energy minimization to relieve small overlaps. The proton resonances of the Phe, Tyr, and Trp residues of the enzyme in the ternary enzyme-La(3+)-dTdA complex were sequence specifically assigned by 2D phase-sensitive NOESY, with and without deuteration of the aromatic protons of the Tyr residues, and by 2D heteronuclear multiple quantum correlation (HMQC) spectroscopy and 3D NOESY-HMQC spectroscopy with 15N labeling. While resonances of most Phe, Tyr and Trp residues were unshifted by the substrate dTdA from those found in the enzyme-La(3+)-3',5'-pdTp complex and the enzyme-Ca(2+)-3',5'-pdTp complex, proton resonances of Tyr-85, Tyr-113, Tyr-115, and Phe-34 were shifted by 0.08 to 0.33 ppm and the 15N resonance of Tyr-113 was shifted by 2.1 ppm by the presence of substrate. The optimized position of enzyme-bound dTdA shows the 5'-dA leaving group to partially overlap the inhibitor, 3',5'-pdTp (in the X-ray structure). The 3'-TMP moiety of dTdA points toward the solvent in a channel defined by Ile-18, Asp-19, Thr-22, Lys-45, and His-46. The phosphate of dTdA is coordinated by the metal, and an adjacent inner sphere water ligand is positioned to donate a hydrogen bond to the general base Glu-43 and to attack the phosphorus with inversion. Arg-35 and Arg-87 donate monodentate hydrogen bonds to different phosphate oxygens of dTdA, with Arg-87 positioned to protonate the leaving 5'-oxygen of dA, thus clarifying the mechanism of hydrolysis. Model building of an additional 5'-dGMP onto the 3'-oxygen of dA placed this third nucleotide onto a surface cleft near residues Glu-80, Asp-83, Lys-84, and Tyr-115 with its 3'-OH group accessible to the solvent, thus defining the size of the substrate binding site as accommodating a trinucleotide.
Spata6 is required for normal assembly of the sperm connecting piece and tight head-tail conjunction.

“Pinhead sperm,” or “acephalic sperm,” a type of human teratozoospermia, refers to the condition in which ejaculate contains mostly sperm flagella without heads. Family clustering and homogeneity of this syndrome suggests a genetic basis, but the causative genes remain largely unknown. Here we report that Spata6, an evolutionarily conserved testis-specific gene, encodes a protein required for formation of the segmented columns and the capitulum, two major structures of the sperm connecting piece essential for linking the developing flagellum to the head during late spermiogenesis. Inactivation of Spata6 in mice leads to acephalic spermatozoa and male sterility. Our proteomic analyses reveal that SPATA6 is involved in myosin-based microfilament transport through interaction with myosin subunits (e.g., MYL6).
Unpuzzling American Climate: New World Experience and the Foundations of a New Science

In the early exploration and colonization of the Americas, Europeans encountered unfamiliar climates that challenged received ideas from classical geography. This experience drove innovative efforts to understand and explain patterns of weather and seasons in the New World. A close examination of three climatic puzzles (the habitability of the tropics, debates on the likelihood of a Northwest Passage, and the unexpectedly harsh weather in the first North American colonies) illustrates how sixteenth- and seventeenth-century observers made three intellectual breakthroughs: conceiving of climates as a distinct subject of inquiry, crossing the hitherto-separated disciplines of geography and meteorology, and developing new theories regarding the influence of prevailing winds on patterns of weather and seasons. While unquantified and unsystematic, these novel approaches promoted a new understanding of climates critical to the emergence of climate science. This study offers new insights into the foundations of climatology and the role of the New World in early modern science.
The hole pressure problem: On the Higashitani-Pritchard theory for transverse and axial slots

Analysis of the Higashitani-Pritchard (HP) theory for a transverse slot provides insight into the nature of the errors involved. The effects of geometry, elasticity and asymmetry on the errors in the HP theory are also discussed. Inertial effects and the effect of asymmetry are included in the HP theory for a transverse slot, through modification of the pressure term in the momentum equation; the extended HP theory proposed in this work provides evidence as to the reasons for the failure of the Newtonian hole pressure as a correction term at higher Reynolds numbers. Finally, the HP theory is used to analyse a control volume of fluid in the axial slot geometry and deduce a rigorous sufficient condition for secondary flows to exist. This analysis illustrates the nature of the role played by the second normal-stress difference (N2) in causing secondary flows, and suggests the possibility of the direction of the secondary flows being related to the sign ofN2. A computational study of all three aspects of the HP theory investigated in this work seems worth-while.
THE EVOLUTION OF SELF-FERTILIZATION AND INBREEDING DEPRESSION IN PLANTS. II. EMPIRICAL OBSERVATIONS.

A bimodal distribution of outcrossing rates was observed for natural plant populations, with more primarily selfing and primarily outcrossing species, and fewer species with intermediate outcrossing rate than expected by chance. We suggest that this distribution results from selection for the maintenance of outcrossing in historically large, outcrossing populations with substantial inbreeding depression, and from selection for selfing when increased inbreeding, due to pollinator failure or population bottlenecks, reduces the level of inbreeding depression. Few species or populations are fixed at complete selfing or complete outcrossing. A low level of selfing in primarily outcrossing species is unlikely to be selectively advantageous, but will not reduce inbreeding depression to the level where selfing is selectively favored, particularly if accompanied by reproductive compensation. Similarly, occasional outcrossing in primarily selfing species is unlikely to regularly provide sufficient heterosis to maintain selection for outcrossing through individual selection. Genetic, morphological and ecological constraints may limit the potential for outcrossing rates in selfers to be reduced below some minimum level.
A Critical, Rhetorical Analysis of Man Therapy The Use of Humor to Frame Mental Health as Masculine

To address high numbers of suicides by men in America, the mental health promotion campaign Man Therapy attempts to destigmatize mental health as staunchly opposed to masculinity through overtly humorous constructions of therapy designed for hegemonically masculine men. Through a critical analysis of the campaign, including the interactive website, modeled as the fictitious office of Dr. Rich Mahogany, this project addresses the influences of humor within the confines of hegemonic masculinity, mental health, and suicide. The goal of the analysis is to better understand, through a critical deconstruction, the ways in which Man Therapy successfully combats stigma in men's mental health, while at the same time, perhaps, reifying hegemonic discourses that have the potential to abject parts of the target audience. Language: en
The changes and clinical significance of serum levels of HMGB1,VEGF before and after operation in patients with ovarian carcinoma

Objective To investigate the changes and clinical significance of serum levels of HMGB1,VEGF before and after operation in patients with ovarian carcinoma. Methods The serum levels of HMGB1 and VEGF were detected by ELISA in 40 patients with ovarian cancer before and after operation,60 patients with benign ovarian tumor and 30 healthy subjects. Results The serum levels of HMGB1 and VEGF were obviously increased in ovarian carcinoma group,as compared with those in the other two groups( P 0. 05). However there were no significant differences between normal control group and benign ovarian tumor group( P 0. 05). After operation,the serum levels of HMGB1 and VEGF were significantly decreased in ovarian carcinoma group,as compared with those before treatment( P 0. 05). Conclusion Detection of serum levels of HMGB1 and VEGF has important reference value for evaluating therapeutic efficacy and prognosis of patients with ovarian carcinoma.
Education and distance learning: changing the trends.

Training and instruction are activities deeply ingrained in human relations and derive from the critical need for the young to learn survival skills. The responsibility in primitive society for such training almost certainly fell to parents who continued their pedagogical role after childhood issues to include hunting, gathering, fine motor activities and other life skills needed for personal or family survival. Such instruction only ended when the young were ready for independent life and- contribution to tribal well-being. Delegation of teaching to others was inevitable. Teaching has become a specialty and has at least one interesting story in ancient literature. Ulysses was certain to be away at the Trojan War and subsequent adventures for many years. He would not be able to provide his son, Telemachus, with the guidance and training to prepare him for adulthood. Therefore, he asked Mentor to act In Loco Parentis and instruct the young man toward competence and adult success. Teaching as a profession and discipline has been through many stages and many controversies. Socrates was a great teacher with a distinct technique for learning by questioning. His influence on his students was profound. Plato was such a good student he recorded all the master's works. Socrates has never been credited with even the briefest lecture note. As great as he was Socrates was forced to drink the bitter hemlock because his teaching was considered a corruption of youth rather than a proper preparation for effective adulthood. Dissonance between the expectations of learners, parents and teachers has a rich history. Certainly even now education is not something the professoriate may invent for the naive learner and then expect grateful acquiesce with faithful learning. Learning has -dimensions in human psychology and communication. The learners' autonomy, privacy and motivation cannot be denied. Learning is collaboration with teacher and the endpoint is the acquisition of new knowledge or skill.
Online learning in music: foundations, frameworks, and practices

Online Learning in Music: Foundations, Frameworks, and Practices, by Judith Bowman, is divided into 3 main sections with 10 chapters that address background, theoretical frameworks, and practices f...
Not-For-Profit Pricing: Theory & Application

Pricing in most not-for-profit organizations has been a matter of guess rather than system. However, the demands on sources of funds in today’s economy has forced many administrators to take a new look at pricing practices. This article reviews the basic pricing theory as it applies to the not-for-profit sector. In addition, the reader will find an application of pricing as it would fit a Y.M.C.A. The method suggested is a working system and soundly based on theory. A sample pricing work sheet is also shown as an appendix. Systematic pricing will help not-for-profit agencies in many ways as indicated in the article.
Friendship networks and sun safety behavior among children

Social networks, particularly those defined by friendships, influence many childhood and adolescent health behaviors such as the use of alcohol, tobacco, and other drugs, as well as diet and physical activity. Few, if any, studies have examined the concordance between friendship networks and sun exposure/safety behaviors. This study examines the friendship networks and sun safety behaviors for a group of fourth and fifth grade students taking part in a larger sun safety intervention, “SunSmart” (n = 128). Intra-class correlation, homophily hypothesis testing, and exponential random graph models were used to test friendship homophily based on sun safety behaviors. Peer Leaders were identified through social network popularity, and sun safety change scores were compared between Peer Leaders and non-leaders. Results show that students cluster based on shared demographic characteristics and some sun safety behaviors, and that there was a trend for Peer Leaders to respond better to the SunSmart intervention than non-leaders. Implications for future sun safety interventions using Peer Leaders as champions for sun safety behavior change are discussed.
A review of Territories of Poverty: Rethinking North and South, Edited by Ananya Roy and Emma Shaw Crane

Territories of Poverty is an edited volume of essays on poverty and development, six of which were written by UC-Berkeley students who helped organize a conference leading up to the book. Following...
Membrane Trafficking Mechanisms: Exocytosis and Endocytosis in Dendrites

The large size of neurons poses great challenges for membrane traffic. Dendrites are often hundreds of micrometers in length, intricately branched, and studded with postsynaptic specializations. How is membrane traffic in dendrites organized to support the large size, the intricate morphology, and the spatial heterogeneity in order to create a functional neuron integrated properly into a circuit? Since dendrite form and function are disrupted when membrane traffic is disturbed, understanding membrane traffic in dendrites is important. In addition, a large number of receptors require accurate trafficking in order to participate in localized neuronal functions. The overall composition of the plasma membrane, which receptor is localized where and at what levels, is also regulated by spatially and temporally precise exo- and endocytosis. This chapter will discuss the basic cell biology of exocytic and endocytic traffic and lay out how the basic mechanisms are the same or are different in dendrites to accommodate the large size and spatial heterogeneity of neurons.
Universal tolerance of nab-paclitaxel for gynecologic malignancies in patients with prior taxane hypersensitivity reactions.

Objective To report on the incidence of nab-paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions (HSRs) in patients with prior taxane HSR. Methods From 2005 to 2015, all patients who received nab-paclitaxel for a gynecologic malignancy were identified. Chart abstraction included pathology, prior therapy, indication for nab-paclitaxel, dosing, response, toxicities including any HSR, and reason for discontinuation of nab-paclitaxel therapy. Results We identified 37 patients with gynecologic malignancies with a history of paclitaxel HSR who received nab-paclitaxel. Six patients (16.2%) had a prior HSR to both paclitaxel and docetaxel while the other 31 patients had not received docetaxel. No patients experienced a HSR to nab-paclitaxel. Median number of cycles of nab-paclitaxel was 6 (range 2-20). Twelve patients received weekly dosing at 60 to 100 mg/m². The remainder of patients received 135 mg/m² (n=13), 175 mg/m² (n=9), or 225 mg/m² (n=3). Thirty four patients (91.9%) received nab-paclitaxel in combination with carboplatin (n=28, 75.7%), IP cisplatin (n=1, 2.7%), carboplatin and bevacizumab (n=3, 8.1%), or carboplatin and gemcitabine (n=2, 5.4%). Reasons for discontinuing nab-paclitaxel included completion of adjuvant therapy (n=16), progressive disease (n=18), toxicity (n=1), and death (n=1). There were no grade 4 complications identified during nab-paclitaxel administration. Grade 3 complications included: neutropenia (n=9), thrombocytopenia (n=4), anemia (n=1), and neurotoxicity (n=1). Conclusion Nab-paclitaxel is well-tolerated with no HSRs observed in this series of patients with prior taxane HSR. Given the important role of taxane therapy in nearly all gynecologic malignancies, administration of nab-paclitaxel should be considered prior to abandoning taxane therapy.