cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Porcine signal regulatory protein alpha binds to human CD47 to inhibit phagocytosis: Implications for human hematopoietic stem cell transplantation into severe combined immunodeficient pigs.

Background Severe combined immunodeficient (SCID) pigs are an emerging animal model being developed for biomedical and regenerative medicine research. SCID pigs can successfully engraft human-induced pluripotent stem cells and cancer cell lines. The development of a humanized SCID pig through xenotransplantation of human hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) would be a further demonstration of the value of such a large animal SCID model. Xenotransplantation success with HSCs into non-obese diabetic (NOD)-derived SCID mice is dependent on the ability of NOD mouse signal regulatory protein alpha (SIRPA) to bind human CD47, inducing higher phagocytic tolerance than other mouse strains. Therefore, we investigated whether porcine SIRPA binds human CD47 in the context of developing a humanized SCID pig. Methods Peripheral blood mononuclear cells (PBMCs) were collected from SCID and non-SCID pigs. Flow cytometry was used to assess whether porcine monocytes could bind to human CD47. Porcine monocytes were isolated from PBMCs and were subjected to phagocytosis assays with pig, human, and mouse red blood cell (RBC) targets. Blocking phagocytosis assays were performed by incubating human RBCs with anti-human CD47 blocking antibody B6H12, non-blocking antibody 2D3, and nonspecific IgG1 antibody and exposing to human or porcine monocytes. Results We found that porcine SIRPA binds to human CD47 in vitro by flow cytometric assays. Additionally, phagocytosis assays were performed, and we found that porcine monocytes phagocytose human and porcine RBCs at significantly lower levels than mouse RBCs. When human RBCs were preincubated with CD47 antibodies B6H12 or 2D3, phagocytosis was induced only after B6H12 incubation, indicating the lower phagocytic activity of porcine monocytes with human cells requires interaction between porcine SIRPA and human CD47. Conclusions We have shown the first evidence that porcine monocytes can bind to human CD47 and are phagocytically tolerant to human cells, suggesting that porcine SCID models have the potential to support engraftment of human HSCs.
Low maize pollen collection and low pesticide risk to honey bees in heterogeneous agricultural landscapes

Honey bees foraging on and around maize may be exposed to a number of pesticides, including neonicotinoids, but this exposure has not been well quantified in heterogeneous landscapes. Such landscapes may provide alternative foraging resources that add to or buffer pesticide risk. We assessed the influence of landscape context and maize pollen collection on pesticide levels during maize flowering. We quantified pesticides in (1) bee bread from 49 hives across New York and (2) pollen trapped weekly in one yard. Landscape composition and percent maize pollen were not related to pesticide levels. Furthermore, pesticide risk was low (< 1% contact LD50) in all but one of the pollen samples, and maize pollen was absent in the majority of samples. Our results suggest that hives near maize fields during maize flowering are not necessarily exposed to high levels of neonicotinoids and other pesticides in pollen, especially if uncontaminated pollen sources exist nearby.
Fractional CO2 laser ablation of porcine burn scars after grafting: Is deeper better?

Abstract Introduction Fractional CO2 lasers have been used in clinical settings to improve scarring following burn injury. Though used with increasing frequency, the appropriate laser settings are not well defined and overall efficacy of this therapy has not been definitively established. As it has been proposed that for thick hypertrophic scars proportionally greater fluence and thus deeper ablation into the scar tissue would be most effective, the goal of this study was to examine the role of ablation depth on scar outcomes in a highly-controlled porcine model for burn scars-after grafting. Methods Properties of laser ablated wells were quantified on ex vivo pig skin as a function of laser energy (20, 70 or 150 mJ). Full-thickness burn wounds were created on the dorsum of red Duroc pigs with the eschar excised and grafted with a split-thickness autograft meshed and expanded 1.5:1. After four weeks of healing, sites were treated with either 20, 70, or 150 mJ pulse energy from a fractional CO2 laser at 5% density or left untreated as a control. Sites were treated every four weeks with three total sessions. Scar area, pigmentation, erythema, roughness, histology, and biomechanics were evaluated prior to each laser treatment at day 28, 56, and 83, as well as four weeks after the final laser treatment, day 112. Additional biopsies were collected at day 112 for gene expression analysis. Results The depth of the laser ablated wells increased with increasing pulse energy while the width of the wells was smaller in the 20 mJ group and not significantly different in the 70 and 150 mJ groups. Scar properties (area, color, biomechanics) were not significantly altered by laser therapy at any of the laser energies tested versus controls. Average scar roughness was improved by laser therapy in a dose dependent manner with scars treated with 150 mJ of energy having the smoothest surface; however, these changes were not statistically significant. Assessment of matrix metalloproteinase 9 gene expression showed a slight upregulation in scars treated with 70 or 150 mJ versus control scars and scars treated with 20 mJ pulse energy. Conclusion The current study demonstrated that the properties of the ablative well (depth and width) are not linearly correlated with laser pulse energy, with only a small increase in well depth at energies between 70 and 150 mJ. Overall, the study suggests that there is little difference in outcomes as a function of laser energy. Fractional CO2 laser therapy did not result in any statistically significant benefit to scar properties assessed by quantitative, objective measures, thus highlighting the need for additional clinical investigation of laser therapy efficacy with non-treated controls and objective measures of outcome.
On the utility of quantitative modeling to the interpretation of Ca isotopes

Abstract Though the utility of calcium isotopes is broad, examples of applications are still relatively sparse. Some of this paucity, as with many metal isotope systems, may derive from a perception that the analytical tool is difficult to access. Alternatively, potential users may be deterred by a sense that calcium isotopes are ambiguous, difficult to interpret, and/or complicated by too many interrelated processes. Here we provide an overview of the quantitative modeling approaches available to facilitate interpretation of calcium isotopes in Earth systems, in particular their ability to push interpretations beyond the qualitative. While no method is perfect, the variety of approaches described here offer an accessible toolset that is incredibly valuable. We suggest that the calcium isotope community should be expanding the use of such techniques, noting their limitations and striving to improve upon current methods over time.
Update on Treatment of Clostridioides difficile Infection

Clostridioides difficile infection (CDI) is the leading cause of health care-associated infections in the United States. The increasing incidence and recurrence rates of CDI together with its associated morbidity and mortality are great concerns. Newer treatment methods, such as narrow-spectrum antibiotics, monoclonal antibodies, and microbial replacement therapies, are being developed and implemented. We searched PubMed to identify published literature from 2010 to 2018 using the following keywords: Clostridium difficile, treatment, and therapy. Cited references were also used to identify relevant literature. This review focuses on the current standard of therapy and emerging therapies for CDI and summarizes the updated guidelines on treatment of CDI.
Characteristics of Marshallese with Type 2 Diabetes on Oahu

Objectives – To determine the feasibility of a resident physician-based, culturally appropriate method of decreasing the disease burden of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus (DM2) in a group of Pacific Islanders, Marshallese living in Hawai'i. Methods – Thirty Marshallese with diabetes who live on the island of Oahu, Hawaii were recruited. Baseline health status of the participants was characterized. Health parameters included HgbA1c, random blood sugar (RBS), lipid panels, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, and medical history, along with qualitative information. A focus group was held with participants prior to beginning the curriculum to determine cultural views on diabetes, health, treatment, and to identify potential obstacles to health improvement. A DM2 educational curriculum culturally relevant to Marshallese populations was then started, including instruction in lifestyle modification, adherence to medication regimens, and planned quarterly assessment of health improvement. Results – Baseline quantitative analysis revealed Marshallese with diabetes to be obese and hyperglycemic, with average BMI of 30 kg/m2 , RBS of 285, and HgbA1c of 9.3. Qualitative analysis revealed that nearly half the participants admitted to symptoms of severe hyperglycemia. The initial focus group had a substantial turnout. Attendance rapidly declined, becoming so low that classes were eventually terminated. However, in two participants who attended more than three classes there was evidence of major improvements in HgbA1c, cholesterol, and qualitative markers, which were sustained after one year. Conclusions – This pilot study of Marshallese with diabetes on Oahu showed that the majority had poor glycemic control with secondary co-morbid conditions. Although many barriers exist for successful implementation of a diabetes health improvement project in this group, the groundwork for translation of this project to the Republic of Marshall Islands (RMI) has been laid; curriculum translation and patient recruitment is currently underway to advance the project.
Characterizing the Online Presence of Interventional Radiologists: A Potential Marketing Opportunity.

Purpose Patients increasingly utilize online resources to access healthcare information. Over the years, there has been an increasing trend of websites that allow patients to review their physicians. In many instances, the information found on these websites can be inaccurate or obsolete. This can affect patients' ability to make informed decisions about their provider choices. The need for interventional radiologists (IRs) is expected to rise due to an increasing demand for minimally invasive procedures. However, there is a lack of research regarding their online presence. Therefore, this study aims to characterize the online presence of IRs in the United States. Materials The Physicians Compare National Downloadable File (PCNDF) from the Center for Medicare Services was used to identify a sample of IRs in the United States. Then, a Google Custom Search Engine was created to parse the first ten search results for each physician using a set of search parameters. A coded script analyzed the URL contents of each link and placed the search results into one of the following categories: health or hospital system, third-party, social media, academic journal, or other. Results A total of 1,666 IRs were included for analysis. The results are as follows: 26.94% were from hospital or health systems, 66.93% were from third-party websites, 5.48% were from social media sites, 0.02% were from academic journals, and 0.64% were from other. Conclusion The online presence of IRs is primarily controlled by third-party websites, many of which do not allow physicians to manage their content. As the field of interventional radiology continues to grow; a great opportunity exists for physicians to expand their digital presence to more accurately reflect their practice.
On Some Methods for the Computational Analysis of Manifolds

For nearly a Century now the concept of a manifold has played a fundamental role throughout mathematics. In the global view of modern mechanics, pioneered by H. Poincare, the phase-space of a dynamical system constitutes a differentiable manifold. Accordingly, manifolds have become essential tools wherever a global study of nonlinear phenomena is undertaken. A Ii st of such areas would be extensive. It would include, for example, bi-furcation theory and the study of stability and chaos in dynamical systems, gravitational studies and other work involving modern field theories in physics, as well as many other problems concerning nonlinear operator equations.
Examination of inertinite within immature Eagle Ford Shale at the nanometer-scale using atomic force microscopy-based infrared spectroscopy

Abstract The nanoscale molecular composition of sedimentary organic matter is challenging to characterize in situ given the limited tools available that can adequately interrogate its complex chemical structure. This is a particularly relevant issue in source rocks, as kerogen composition will strongly impact its reactivity and so is critical to understanding petroleum generation processes during catagenesis. The recent advent of tip-enhanced analytical methods, such as atomic force microscopy-based infrared spectroscopy (AFM-IR), has allowed for the major compositional features of kerogen and other types of in situ organic matter to be elucidated at spatial resolutions at or below 50 nm. Here AFM-IR was applied to examine inertinite, an important organic matter type, present in a thermally immature Eagle Ford calcareous mudstone. The data show that the nanoscale molecular composition of the examined inertinite is (i) less heterogeneous than solid bitumen in more thermally mature Eagle Ford samples and (ii) more hydrogen- and oxygen-rich than inertinite examined in the New Albany Shale.
Influence of residual stress and fluid–structure interaction on the impact behavior of fused filament fabrication components

Abstract Despite the proliferation of cellular fused filament fabrication (FFF) polymer components for a variety of industrial applications, few studies have investigated their fluid–structure interaction (FSI) behavior during loading, particularly under dynamic impact conditions. Furthermore, the extent to which residual stresses from the FFF build process affect the dynamic load bearing characteristics has not been addressed. In this work, simulations and experiments are conducted for cylindrical nylon specimens fabricated with two different internal closed-cell cavity structures to assess the influence of the entrapped fluid and the FFF residual stresses on the state of stress during high strain-rate impact. The demonstrated 2-stage computational approach includes a thermomechanical model of the FFF build to calculate residual stress and distortion, which forms the initial state for a subsequently executed dynamic impact model using smoothed particle hydrodynamics (SPH) to capture the effects of air within the internal cavities. Dynamic displacement boundary conditions for the FSI simulations are identified using digital image correlation (DIC), obtained from impact experiments on the FFF specimens performed using split Hopkinson pressure bar (SHPB) tests. Findings reveal that FFF residual stresses significantly influence the stress–strain response during dynamic impact, even at strain rates of 500–600 s−1. In addition, while the influences of both FFF residual stress and FSI vary with internal cellular structure, the study reveals that their coupled effects must be considered to accurately characterize the impact behavior. Validity of the 2-stage numerical approach, as well as significance of FFF residual stress and the influence of FSI, are justified by comparing numerical predictions with experimental measurements, and observing root-mean-square stress errors within 12.77% and 11.87%, and peak stress errors within 1.93% and 1.34% for the two specimens.
The Leak in the Academic Pipeline: on Black Women Sociologists

There exists a “leak” in the academic pipeline centered on Black women sociologists. This leak exists in large part due to gatekeepers, who have attempted to protect the hidden curricula used to preserve predominantly male, White, old, conservative spaces (Romero 2017). Victim blaming, stigmatizing, exclusion, and tracking begin during the professionalization process in graduate school for many women of color and continue into their academic career (Margolis and Romero 1998). Mentoring in academia has been cited as a major contributing factor to professional success and career advancement; yet, access and quality of mentoring remain an issue for women of color (Pitt 2016). After moving from graduate school, salary differentials are cited as another contributor, leading to job dissatisfaction, decreased retention, higher rates of battle fatigue, and workplace stress (Pitt 2016). The state of Black women sociologists in the twenty-first century oddly has not changed much over the past century (Wilson 2012). This piece identifies structures of oppression that act as barriers to the incorporation of Black women sociologists in academic spaces, causing the leak. We then mitigate these entities by offering strategies to develop spaces of equity to combat the multiple jeopardies faced by Black women sociologists (Collins 2000).
Recent advances in cellular biosensor technology to investigate tau oligomerization

Tau is a microtubule binding protein which plays an important role in physiological functions but it is also involved in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease and related tauopathies. While insoluble and β-sheet containing tau neurofibrillary tangles have been the histopathological hallmark of these diseases, recent studies suggest that soluble tau oligomers, which are formed prior to fibrils, are the primary toxic species. Substantial efforts have been made to generate tau oligomers using purified recombinant protein strategies to study oligomer conformations as well as their toxicity. However, no specific toxic tau species has been identified to date, potentially due to the lack of cellular environment. Hence, there is a need for cell-based models for direct monitoring of tau oligomerization and aggregation. This review will summarize the recent advances in the cellular biosensor technology, with a focus on fluorescence resonance energy transfer, bimolecular fluorescence complementation, and split luciferase complementation approaches, to monitor formation of tau oligomers and aggregates in living cells. We will discuss the applications of the cellular biosensors in examining the heterogeneous tau conformational ensembles and factors affecting tau self-assembly, as well as detecting cell-to-cell propagation of tau pathology. We will also compare the advantages and limitations of each type of tau biosensors, and highlight their translational applications in biomarker development and therapeutic discovery.
Abstract 183: Collagen Type V (Col V) Contributes to the Development of Aortic Dissections and Aneurysms

Background: Negative remodeling of extracellular matrix (ECM) is a key pathological feature associated with aortic dissections and aneurysms. Col V is a minor fibrillar collagen that incorporates i...
Organizational Ideology and Institutional Problem-Solving: Hazing Within Black Fraternities

Hazing has been a persistent issue in collegiate fraternities and sororities for generations. In forty-four states, legislatures have passed anti-hazing statutes. However, the law has not meaningfully curtailed said conduct. That is because, at least in part, organizations have ideologies — just like people — that range from conservative to liberal. These institutional, ideological worldviews arguably influence the ways in which organizations approach problems like hazing. Here, we contend that the extent to which hazing exists and persists in black fraternities, by way of example, is at least partially a result of the conservative or liberal ideology within these organizations and around this issue. As such, we explore the history of hazing within black fraternities. Also, we explore the various ways in which conservatives and liberals differ according to social scientists. We apply these findings to differences in how members and leaders of black fraternities view and approach hazing.
A Vision of Criminal Violence, Punishment, and Relational Justice

Since the inception of a state-run criminal justice system, many have debated and critiqued its features and goals. Often this dialogue takes place largely among academics and theorists with limited impact on policy and an even more marginal influence on the day to day reality of those most affected by the system. In every generation or so, however, a consequential movement emerges, for better or worse. These include movements regarding the evolution of the prison system, the creation of a rehabilitative juvenile court system, the implementation of “tough on crime” provisions of the 1980s, as well as others. With these types of exceptions, efforts to truly reshape the justice system often remain theoretical. In contemporary times, however, there is the potential for major reform of the criminal justice system as courts, states, and the federal government take some actions to recalibrate sentencing laws and procedures. Consequently, pundits and scholars author a plethora of books and articles about “criminal justice reform,” making it a hot topic for theory and academic discourse. Many of these pieces, however, risk a lack of implementation because they do not recognize all the actors in the criminal justice system, but focus on a subset that is of interest to the author. As for the other actors, if authors recognize them at all, it is to pillory them as the problem “to be fixed,” rather than a stakeholder in the system with whom one should collaborate. Thus, some advocates for sentencing reform focus on the incarcerated individuals, often ignoring the offenders’ victims to a large part. Some characterize most prosecutors as unethical attorneys focused on conviction at all costs and law enforcement in an equally negative light. Conversely, advocates for a stronger law enforcement approach often focus solely on the victims’ experience, not considering the offender, and characterize the system of offender rights as a series of loopholes to impede justice. The result of this polarized discussion is that the needle moves very little to improve our system and the human toll is great. In the midst of this, Samuel H. Pillsbury offers a new book—and a refreshing new perspective—that has the potential to move the needle to an improved criminal justice system. What makes Imagining a Greater Justice—Criminal Violence, Punishment and Relational Justice so potentially impactful is Pillsbury’s inclusion of the perspectives of all the actors in the system to produce a thoughtful analysis which understands the practical reality of an authentic criminal justice system, as well as the need to attain more for all.
Sketches by MoSSaRT: Representative Selection from Manifolds with Gross Sparse Corruptions

Abstract Conventional sampling techniques fall short of selecting representatives that encode the underlying conformation of non-linear manifolds. The problem is exacerbated if the data is contaminated with gross sparse corruptions. In this paper, we present a data selection approach, dubbed MoSSaRT, which draws robust and descriptive sketches of grossly corrupted manifold structures. Built upon an explicit randomized transformation, we obtain a judiciously designed representation of the data relations, which facilitates a versatile selection approach accounting for robustness to gross corruption, descriptiveness and novelty of the chosen representatives. simultaneously. Our model lends itself to a convex formulation with an efficient parallelizable algorithm, which coupled with our randomized matrix structures gives rise to a highly scalable implementation. Theoretical analysis guarantees probabilistic convergence of the approximate function to the desired objective function and reveals insightful geometrical characterization of the chosen representatives. Finally, MoSSaRT substantially outperforms the state-of-the-art algorithms as demonstrated by experiments conducted on both real and synthetic data.
Molecular and biochemical mechanisms of Pasteurella haemolytica leukotoxin-induced cell death.

Pasteurella haemolyticaleukotoxin (LKT) is a member of the RTX family of pore-forming toxins that kill bovine immune cells. Several studies have suggested that RTX toxins kill target cells by the induction of apoptosis. In the present study, BL3 bovine leukaemia cells were exposed to LKT and assessed by molecular and flow cytometric techniques that measure different aspects of apoptotic cell death. The intoxicated cells demonstrated morphological, light scatter and Hoechst 33258 staining characteristics consistent with cells undergoing apoptosis. The cells also exhibited internucleosomal DNA fragmentation and poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase (PARP) cleavage, both indicators of apoptosis. LKT-treated cells bound annexin-V-FITC indicating that phosphatidylserine groups were translocated from the inner to the outer leaflet of the cell membrane. The effect of LKT on cells was dose dependent and inhibitable by incubation with anti-LKT monoclonal antibody. Finally, an early step for induction of apoptosis appears to be the binding of LKT to a β2 integrin since pre-incubating cells with anti-β2 integrin antibodies inhibited LKT-induced apoptosis. This study provides new insights into understanding the pathogenesis of bovine pasteurellosis and could lead to the development of both preventative and therapeutic strategies for disease management.
An Analog/Digital Integrated Circuit Interface for Automotive Sensors

A unique and very versatile circuit is described which converts changes in physical parameters such as capacitance, resistance, and inductance into a proportional pulse width modulated digital signal. This circuit, in combination with sensors which utilize these physical parameters in their operation, can be used to provide digital inputs to microprocessors and other digital control and diagnostic systems. Advantages of this particular circuit are its potential for high reliability, accuracy, and low cost. Several applications are described and an integrated circuit version of the circuit is discussed.
New Variants of a Method of MRI Scale Normalization

One of the major drawbacks of Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) has been the lack of a standard and quantifiable interpretation of image intensities. This causes many diffculties in image display and analysis. We have devised a two-step method wherein all images can be transformed in such a way that for the same protocol and body region, in the transformed images similar intensities will have similar tissue meaning. Normalized images can be displayed with fixed windows without the need of per case adjustment. More importantly, extraction of quantitative information about healthy organs or about abnormities, such as tumors, can considerably be simplified. This paper introduces and compares new variants of this normalization method that can help to overcome some of the problems with the original method.
Experience of use of bedside ultrasonography for detection of Abdominal aortic aneurysm in a tertiary medical center in Taiwan, ROC

Background Rupture of abdominal aortic aneurysm is one of the lifethreatening diseases in Emergency Department (ED) and it can be misdiagnosed. It happens mostly in the people who are in average of age 75 to 84 years.Use of bedside ultrasonography has been became more common in daily practice of emergency physician (EP) for approaching patient in ED, which has chief complaint of acute abdomen.Especially in the life-threatening rupture abdominal aortic aneurysm, bedside sonography can be more safe and adequate time-saving tool for EP for detection, diagnosis and next crucial management. We reviewed the database of an tertiary medical center for collection of first diagnosis of abdominal aortic aneurysm made in Emergency Department.
Mouse mammary tumor biology: a short history.

For over a century, mouse mammary tumor biology and the associated Mouse mammary tumor virus (MMTV) have served as the foundation for experimental cancer research, in general, and, in particular, experimental breast cancer research. Spontaneous mouse mammary tumors were the basis for studies of the natural history of neoplasia, oncogenic viruses, host responses, endocrinology, and neoplastic progression. However, lacking formal proof of a human mammary tumor virus, the preeminence of the mouse model faded in the 1980s. Since the late 1980s, genetically engineered mice (GEM) have proven extremely useful for studying breast cancer and have become the animal model for human breast cancer. Hundreds of mouse models of human breast cancer have been developed since the first demonstration, in 1984, that the mouse mammary gland could be molecularly targeted and used to test the oncogenicity of candidate human genes. Now, very few scientists can avoid using a mouse model to test the biology of their favorite gene. The GEM have attracted a new generation of molecular and cellular biologists eager to apply their skills to these surrogates of the human disease. Newcomers often enter the field without an appreciation of the origins of mouse mammary tumor biology and the basis for many of the prevailing concepts. Our purpose in writing this short history of mouse mammary tumor biology is to provide a historical perspective for the benefit of the newcomers. If Einstein was correct in that “we stand on the shoulders of giants,” the neophytes should meet their giants.
Terminal care and the pregnant woman: ethical reflections on In Re: A.C.

In June 1987, a Washington, DC, court, stating that it had an interest in protecting viable fetal life, ordered a 27-year-old woman dying of cancer to undergo a cesarean section to deliver a 26 1/2-week fetus. The child died within hours, and the woman within days, of the surgery. The ruling was appealed. In April 1990, the court vacated its order, stating that because the court had not first determined the woman's wishes, either as expressed by herself or through a substituted judgment, it was not possible to find a state interest in protecting fetal life which outweighed her own. Beyond this legal issue lie the ethical questions of appropriate care for the pregnant, terminally ill woman. This article argues that it is important to distinguish a decision not to deliver at this time from a decision to terminate a pregnancy. Further, because a cesarean section, unless there is a threat to her life, is not of any clear benefit to the woman, it is wrong to insist that a dying woman must always endure burdensome treatment for the sake of a viable fetus. Should the mother decide to take on such burdens, it is important also to recognize that a cesarean section is not always in the interest of the fetus simply because it is viable. Given the ambiguity of the prognosis for survival and the risks of significant handicaps for the preterm or low birth weight fetus, it may be ethically appropriate to omit an act on behalf of the fetus. Finally, the fact that the fetus' only chance of survival is a preterm delivery does not make the delivery ethically mandatory. The issue is not whether a preterm delivery is the fetus' only hope, but whether a preterm delivery is in the interest of the fetus.
Effect of Secretin and Cholecystokinin on Gastric Emptying and Gastric Secretion in Man

The effects of secretin and cholecystokinin on gastric emptying and gastric secretion of acid were studied in man. The intravenous administration of secretin in a dose of 1 U per kg of body weight caused a significant decrease in gastric emptying measured 15 min after the intragastric instillation of 500 ml of normal saline solution in 10 subjects. The mean percentage of gastric emptying following the administration of secretin was 40.7% as compared with a control value of 85.2%. A decrease in gastric emptying of similar magnitude was observed in 9 subjects following the intravenous administration of cholecystokinin in a dose of 0.5 Ivy dog unit per kg. Gastric secretion of acid was stimulated by a continuous intravenous infusion of pentagastrin or histamine acid phosphate and both gastric and duodenal contents were collected simultaneously. The intravenous administration of secretin in a dose of 1 U per kg resulted in marked inhibition of acid secretion stimulated by either pentagastrin in a dose of 0.12 μg per kg per hr or histamine acid phosphate in a dose of 0.02 mg per kg per hr in 10 subjects. Secretin appeared to have a greater inhibitory effect on acid secretion stimulated by pentagastrin than on histamine-stimulated secretion. Inhibition of acid secretion similar in magnitude to that produced by secretin was observed following the administration of cholecystokinin in a dose of 1 U per kg. Gastric secretion of acid stimulated by pentagastrin in a dose of 6 μg per kg per hr or histamine acid phosphate in a dose of 0.04 mg per kg per hr, however, was not influenced by the same dose of secretin in a dose similar to that which inhibited smaller doses of these stimuli.
A culturally and linguistically responsive vocabulary approach for young Latino dual language learners.

Purpose This study examined the role of the language of vocabulary instruction in promoting English vocabulary in preschool Latino dual language learners (DLLs). The authors compared the effectiveness of delivering a single evidence-informed vocabulary approach using English as the language of vocabulary instruction (English culturally responsive [ECR]) versus using a bilingual modality that strategically combined Spanish and English (culturally and linguistically responsive [CLR]). Method Forty-two DLL Spanish-speaking preschoolers were randomly assigned to the ECR group (n = 22) or CLR group (n = 20). Thirty English words were presented during small-group shared readings in their preschools 3 times a week for 5 weeks. Multilevel models were used to examine group differences in postinstruction scores on 2 Spanish and 2 English vocabulary assessments at instruction end and follow-up. Results Children receiving instruction in the CLR bilingual modality had significantly higher posttest scores (than those r...
Characterizing leaf gas exchange responses of cotton to full and limited irrigation conditions

Abstract Plant responses to water deficit need to be monitored for producing a profitable crop as water deficit is a major constraint on crop yield. The objective of this study was to evaluate physiological responses of cotton (Gossypium hirsutum) to various environmental conditions under limited water availability using commercially available varieties grown in South Texas. Soil moisture and variables of leaf gas exchange were measured to monitor water deficit for various varieties under different irrigation treatments. Lint yield and growth variables were also measured and correlations among growth parameters of interest were investigated. Significant differences were found in soil moisture, leaf net assimilation (An), stomatal conductance (g), transpiration rate (Tr), and instantaneous water use efficiency (WUEi) among irrigation treatments in 2006 while no significant differences were found in these parameters in 2007. Some leaf gas exchange parameters, e.g., Tr, and leaf temperature (TL) have strong correlations with An and g. An and WUE were increased by 30–35% and 30–40%, respectively, at 600 μmol (CO2) m−2 s−1 in comparison with 400 μmol (CO2) m−2 s−1. Lint yield was strongly correlated with g, Tr, WUE, and soil moisture at 60 cm depth. Relative An, Tr, and TL started to decrease from FTSW 0.3 at 60 cm and FTSW 0.2 at 40 cm. The results demonstrate that plant water status under limited irrigation management can be qualitatively monitored using the measures of soil moisture as well as leaf gas exchange, which in turn can be useful for describing yield reduction due to water deficit. We found that using normalized An, Tr, and TL is feasible to quantify plant water deficit.
SUMO-1 Protease-1 Regulates Gene Transcription through PML

During a screen to identify c-Jun activators, we isolated a cysteine protease, SuPr-1, that induced c-Jun-dependent transcription independently of c-Jun phosphorylation. SuPr-1 is a member of a new family of proteases that hydrolyze the ubiquitin-like modifier, SUMO-1. SuPr-1 hydrolyzed SUMO-1-modified forms of the promyelocytic leukemia gene product, PML, and altered the subcellular distribution of PML in nuclear PODs (PML oncogenic domains). SuPr-1 also altered the distribution of other nuclear POD-associated proteins, such as CBP and Daxx, that act as transcriptional regulators. SuPr-1 action on transcription was enhanced by PML, and SuPr-1 failed to activate transcription in PML-deficient fibroblasts. Our studies establish an important role for SUMO proteases in transcription.
Failure of immunosuppressive drug levels to predict T-cell reactivity in pediatric transplant patients.

Abstract Purpose In children, therapeutic management of immunosuppression relies on allograft function, drug levels, and clinical insight. Using a Food and Drug Administration–approved test for T-cell response, T-cell activation in vitro can be measured to monitor the immune response. Methods In a retrospective study, 92 posttransplant children who received either a liver and/or kidney transplant and were followed by routine screening had their T-cell response tested by the Cylex ImmuKnow assay (Columbia, MD). After phytohemagglutinin-L stimulation of T-cells, adenosine triphosphate (ATP) concentrations were measured. In this assay, light emission at λ = 562 nm is proportional to the ATP concentration (ng/mL). Immunosuppressive drug trough levels were also measured. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) viral titers were determined for 2 patients. Results Separating the results into younger than 12 years and 12-year or older populations, we found that for the younger than 12 years, 28% of patients were in the low immune function category, 47% in the moderate, and 25% in the high category. For the 12 years or older, 25% of patients were in the low immune function category, 47% in the moderate, and 28% in the high category. The immune function distribution was not different ( P = not significant) between the younger than 12 years and 12-year or older groups. Tacrolimus trough levels were 6.3 ± 2.4 ng/mL for younger than 12 years and 5.6 ± 3.3 ng/mL for 12 years or older ( P = not significant), and rapamycin was similar, but both showed no correlation to immune function. We observed increased ATP values with decreased EBV viral loads. Conclusions These results suggest that tacrolimus and/or rapamycin levels do not adequately determine the biologic effect of immunosuppression. We expect that future T-cell activation monitoring will allow us to diminish rejection and infection events posttransplantation and lead to a healthier pediatric transplant population.
Beyond the Bay of Pigs: The Cuban Volunteer Program and the Reorientation of Anti-Castroism

(1999). Beyond the Bay of Pigs: The Cuban Volunteer Program and the Reorientation of Anti‐Castroism. The Historian: Vol. 62, No. 2, pp. 357-374.
QPRIMER: a quick web-based application for designing conserved PCR primers from multigenome alignments.

UNLABELLED We have developed a quick web-based application for designing conserved genomic PCR and RT-PCR primers from multigenome alignments targeting specific exons or introns. We used Pygr (The Python Graph Database Framework for Bioinformatics) to query intervals from multigenome alignments, which gives us less than a millisecond access to any intervals of any genome within multigenome alignments. PRIMER3 was used to extract optimal primers from a gene of interest. QPRIMER creates an electronic genomic PCR image from a set of conserved primers as well as summary pages for primer alignments and products. QPRIMER supports human, mouse, rat, chicken, dog, zebrafish and fruit fly. AVAILABILITY http://www.bioinformatics.ucla.edu/QPRIMER/.
Perpendicular giant magnetoresistance of multilayered Co/Cu nanowires.

We have successfully fabricated multilayered Co/Cu nanowires with different diameters and various layer thicknesses by electrodeposition. They display a large perpendicular giant magnetoresistance up to 11% at room temperature and 22% at 5 K. The spin-flip diffusion length has been directly measured to be about 210 for this system. © 1995 The American Physical Society.
Augmented reality: “The future's so bright, I gotta wear (see-through) shades”

The fledgling field of wearable computers, where augmented reality (AR) technologies will play a critical role, recently attracted 400 enthusiasts to MIT for the Wearables Computer Symposium. (Editor's note: See Joan Truckenbrod's symposium review later in this issue.) The well-established ACM UIST Conference, held the following week, gathered only half that number. I was intrigued by this phenomenon and decided to learn more about AR. The most up-to-date reference is the August 1997 issue of the MIT Press journal Presence: Teleoperators and Virtual Reality [4] which is dedicated to describing state-of-the-art AR (abstracts are under the "Science and Technology" category at http://mitpress.mit.edu/ journals.tcl). Distilled from the August issue of Presence and a few other sources, the following article gives a quick introduction to AR.AR, sometimes called mediated reality, has an interesting past and a bright future. It will probably surprise no one that Ivan Sutherland, the father of interactive computer graphics, is also credited with inventing AR. In 1968 Sutherland built a head-mounted display (HMD) with monochrome monitors and mirrors. The half-silvered mirrors enabled the observer to see through the computer graphics display into the real world. That was 30 years ago. It seems likely that 30 years (or less) from now some people will choose to be constantly on-line via lightweight non-obtrusive glasses capable of dynamically compositing or blending high-resolution stereo 3D graphics with a view of the real world.
Capacity of the retinogeniculate pathway to reorganize following ablation of visual cortical areas in developing and mature cats.

The purpose of the present study was to determine the pattern and density of retinal projections to the dorsal lateral geniculate nucleus (dLGN) following ablation of visual cortical areas in developing cats of different postnatal ages and in mature cats. The terminations of retinal projections to the dLGN were evaluated following the injection of tritiated amino acids into one eye. Regardless of age, a visual cortical ablation of areas 17 and 18 induces massive death of neurons within the regions of the dLGN that are linked topographically to the cortical areas removed. However, the pattern of retinal projections to these degenerated regions of the dLGN differs depending upon whether the cortical lesion is incurred early in postnatal life or in adulthood. Following ablation on the day of birth (P1), virtually all surviving cells were found in the C-complex of dLGN with only a token number in the A-laminae. Correspondingly, retinal projections were maintained to the C-complex of the nucleus and were barely detectable in the degenerated A-laminae. However, in cats in which areas 17 and 18 had been removed in adulthood (≥ 6 months of age) retinal projections were maintained to the A-laminae even though nearly all neurons in those laminae had degenerated. Moreover, a subgroup of animals that incurred area 17 and 18 ablations at P1 showed that the modification of retinal projections to the A-laminae occurs within the first postnatal month, and an additional subgroup showed that retinal projections become increasingly resistant to the degenerative events in the dLGN that follow ablation of areas 17 and 18 at progressively older ages during the first postnatal month. Furthermore, retinal inputs also respond, in an age-dependent way, to degeneration of neurous in the C-complex induced by extension of the cortical ablation to include extrastriate visua areas. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Book Review: Rethinking Project Management: An Organizational Perspective by E.S. Andersen

Rethinking Project Management: An Organizational Perspective, by E.S. Andersen. Harlow, Prentice Hall, 2008. 345pp. ISBN: 978-0-273-71547-4
A monitoring technique providing quantitative rodent behavior analysis

Abstract Behavior profiles of mice with different social roles can be monitored by dorsally or ventrally implanting small Alnico VIII magnets in the animal. The magnetically tagged mice trigger electronic checkpoints at colony nest boxes and a Hall Effect detector activates counting circuits, timers, and an event recorder. This new technique allows complete freedom of movement since there is no external hardware and permits behavioral analysis while the animal is socially interacting in a home environment.
Effect of gender on the interactions between mothers and their medically at‐risk infants

This study examined effects of gender on interactions between mothers and their medically at‐risk infants: 108 premature infants, 67 medically fragile infants, and 83 infants seropositive for HIV. Systematic observation and the HOME Inventory were used to describe the mother–infant interaction. General Linear Mixed Models were used to determine whether the effect of gender was longitudinally related to the interactions between mothers and each sample of medically at‐risk infants after controlling for maternal demographics. No gender‐differentiated mother–infant interactions were found; however, premature infants and infants seropositive for HIV showed less negativism, while medically fragile infants showed more social behaviours over time. Mothers of premature and medically fragile infants were increasingly restrictive to their infants, while HIV‐positive mothers did not show this tendency. Mothers who were older, had more years of education, and married were more attentive and less restrictive to their i...
Fertilization abnormalities following human in vitro fertilization and intracytoplasmic sperm injection.

Fertilization abnormalities are commonly encountered following in vitro fertilization. The widespread introduction of assisted fertilization methods has rapidly led to a changes in both the incidence and types of these aberrations. Such abnormalities can be identified by careful morphological evaluation at the early zygote stage, of pronuclei as well as of polar body formation, and may be confirmed by cytogenetic assessment. The recognition and understanding of fertilization abnormalities have led to the development of novel techniques aimed at preventing them, as well as recent bold attempts at correction. Removal of one pronucleus may allow some triploid embryos to revert to a normal diploid stage. These new developments should provide insight into the understanding of parthenogenesis, androgenesis, and gynogenesis in the human. Microsc. Res. Tech. 61:358-361, 2003.
Neutrino oscillations and the dark matter problem

The LSND experiment has observed a beam-on minus beam-off excess of events which are consistent with oscillations of v¯ μ→ v τ. While the chance that this is a statistical fluctuation is −3 , evidence for neutrino mass cannot be claimed unless the effect appears also in the v μ → v e channel, currently being analyzed. If v μ → v e is observed also, then Δ m μc 2 is most likely ∼6 eV 2 . Should a neutrino ( v μ or v e ) have a mass ∼ 2.4 eV, then current models of a low density universe do not work, and a critical density universe is favored. If two nearly degenerate neutrinos exist ( v e → v τ to explain the solar neutrino deficit or v μ → v τ to account for the atmospheric v μ / v e ratio), then the resulting ∼ 20% hot dark matter when combined with ∼ 75% cold dark matter and ∼ 5% baryonic matter explains the structure of the universe on all scales and solves the age problem, because the Hubble constant has to be close to 50 km·s −1 · Mpc −1 . Constraints from supernova nucleosynthesis can be avoided by making m ve > m vu , or by having v e → v s explain solar neutrinos, since the sterile neutrino may even aid nucleosynthesis.