cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Physicians' control of the health sector: Professional values and findings from the Honduran health system

Abstract Physicians' alleged control of the health sector has been interpreted differently by various authors. The study of health decision making in Honduras suggests that physicians indeed have an almost total control of health decision making. Their decisions are influenced or correspond to their professional values and economic interests. Health decisions also reflect the dominance of the country-side by the urban sector. All these factors contribute to the development of urban hospitals of high technology and a continuous emphasis on curative health care in a country where the health needs of the population demand primary and preventive interventions.
Athletic self-concept and mathematics achievement in girls.

Summary.-Several researchers have suggested that girls' mathematics performance may be mediated by an assertive sex role or "masculine interest." The present study made the assumption that girls' athletic self-confidence reflects "masculine interest" so girls' test scores for perceived athletic competence would be related to their mathematics achievement scores. A total of 207 boys and girls in Grades 4, 5, and 6 were tested for their perceived athletic ability using the Athletic Competence subscale of Hatter's 1985 Self-perception Profile, and these scores were correlated with their mathematics achievement as measured on the Metropolitan Achievement Test and term grades. A low but significant correlation with Athletic Competence scores was found for girls on both measures of mathematics achievement. Although boys scored higher on the Athletic Competence subscale, there were no sex differences on either measure of mathematics achievement. Results are discussed in terms of both sex-role theory and cognitive development.
AIDS and rural livelihoods: dynamics and diversity in sub-Saharan Africa

AIDS and rural livelihoods: dynamics and diversity in sub-Saharan Africa, edited by Anke Niehof, Gabriel Rugalema and Stuart Gillespie, London, Earthscan, 2010, xii + 234 pp., ISBN 978-1-84971-126-...
High rabbit abundance proves detrimental to the population growth rate in European rabbit (Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) extensive breeding enclosures

The European rabbit ( Oryctolagus cuniculus L.) is a key prey species in Mediterranean ecosystems that has declined in its natural ranges as a result of diseases and loss of habitat. This situation has led to the production of wild rabbits in enclosures in which they can acclimate and breed. The efficiency of these enclosures as extensive breeding systems is defined by their population growth rate (PGR). The aim of this study is to analyse the effect of rabbit abundance on the PGR. This has been done by creating general linear models to explain autumn and spring PGR with the use of rabbit abundance estimates, enclosure size, aerial predation and previous PGR as possible explanatory variables. Rabbit abundance and enclosure size negatively affected the autumn PGR, while only rabbit abundance affected the spring PGR in the best-fit models. It is suggested that maintaining rabbit densities at fewer than 30 rabbits per hectare might help to optimise the efficiency inside enclosures.
Disease outcomes for skull base and spinal chordomas: A single center experience

Abstract Objective Chordomas carry significant morbidity due to their growth patterns and surgical constraints in resection. En bloc resection, when feasible, is the ideal treatment goal, but is associated with significant morbidity. We sought to elucidate the relationship between extent of surgery, location and radiotherapy in relation to overall disease and progression free survival (PFS). Methods We reviewed case records for all patients with a primary histopathological diagnosis of clival and spinal chordomas that was presented to our institution between 1978 and 2010. Results A total of 49 patients (location: n = 30, skull base/clival; n = 12 vertebral column; n = 7 sacrum) were identified with mean follow-up period of 6.3 years (range 0.25 months–33 years). Improved 5 year and 10 year survival rates were noted following gross total resection (n = 8, 5 year and 10 year survival = 88%) as compared to patients that underwent subtotal resection (n = 41, 55% and 31%, respectively), (p-value > 0.05, GTR versus STR). Adjuvant high-dose stereotactic fractionated radiotherapy (HS-FSRT) significantly improved 5 year PFS in craniocervical chordoma patients (70%, n = 13) as compared to standard dose radiation therapy (20%, n = 16; p-value = 0.03). Overall 10 year survival for craniocervical patients undergoing HD-FSRT (40%) was however not significantly different in comparison with conventional radiotherapy (45%). Sacral chordomas had the worst prognosis with 3 year survival of 28.6%. Conclusions GTR offers the best prognosis for improved long-term survival. Adjuvant HD FSRT for cranio-cervical/clival chordomas significantly improves disease free survival though the long-term benefits on survival have yet to be established. Sacral chordomas are associated with a worse prognosis and poor long-term survival.
Study of pretransitional behavior of laser-field-induced molecular alignment in isotropic nematic substances

We have measured the optical Kerr effect and the intensity-dependent ellipse rotation in order to study the pretransitional behavior of field-induced molecular alignment in the isotropic nematic substances $p$-methoxy-benzylidene $p\ensuremath{-}n$-butylaniline (MBBA) and $p$-ethoxy-benzylidene-$p$-butylaniline (EBBA). The results agree well with predictions of the Landau---de Gennes model. Both the order-parameter relaxation time and the steady-state field-induced birefringence show critical divergence towards the isotropic \ensuremath{\rightarrow} nematic transition with a ${(T\ensuremath{-}{T}^{*})}^{\ensuremath{-}1}$ temperature dependence. In the case of MBBA, our results are also consistent with the results from light scattering, but the method we use is perhaps more straightforward and accurate. The nonlinear refractive indices and other relevant parameters of the materials are derived from the experiment.
Pavlovian Performance of Rats Following Unexpected Reward Omissions

Abstract Instrumental performance is usually facilitated following the unexpected omission of a reward. According to frustration theory, this effect reflects the general activating properties of primary frustration. Results based on the double runway procedure and Skinner box analogs are ambiguous because designs usually failed to match experimental and control conditions in the number and distribution of rewards. In Experiment 1, evidence of response activation was found in a Pavlovian situation with rats under equal conditions of reinforcement across groups. Auto-shaped lever-contact was the target response and food pellets were the reward. In Experiment 2, response activation was eliminated by an increase in the interval between food omission and the opportunity to respond. In Experiment 3, response facilitation was obtained when the omitted reward was a sugar solution. The results of Experiment 4 indicated that response activation can be obtained with an unexpected reduction in reward magnitude (from 5 to 1 pellet). Both between- and within-group controls were used in these experiments to eliminate a variety of potential accounts, including demotivation, competing responses, and stimulus generalization decrement. These results are consistent with an account of the response facilitation that follows unexpected reward omissions in terms of generalized activation.
Synthesis and structure of an arylpyran normal, pseudodiacid showing recognition

Oxidation of 1,4-bis(4′-oxo-2′,2′-dimethylpent-2-yl)benzene with hypochlorite produces 1,4-bis(3′-carboxy-2′-methylbut-2-yl)benzene and 3-(4′-carboxyphenyl)-3,3-dimethylpropanoic acid. Cyclization of this mixture forms 3,3,7,7-tetramethyl-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydro-s-indacen-1,5-dione, 3,3,7,7-tetramethyl-1,2,3,5,6,7-hexahydro-as-indacen-1,5-dione (5) and 6-carboxy-3,3-dimethyl-1-indanone (6). Ketoacid (6) is converted to the arylpyran pseudoacid 7-carboxy-3-hydroxy-4,4-dimethylisobenzopyran-1-one (7). In the crystal structure of (7), carboxylic acid and the pseudoacid groups each form complementary dimer hydrogen bonds linking the molecules in chains. Contact O···O distances reflect their differing energetics, with pseudoacyl O···O at 2.78(1)A and carboxylic O···O at 2.62(1)A. A normal, pseudodiacid shows complementary hydrogen bonds between the two similar functions forming chains.
Effects of in vivo administration of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D3 on in vitro proliferation of bovine lymphocytes.

Abstract Continuous infusion of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 in the bovine elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 in plasma. Plasma 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 remained elevated until infusions were discontinued. Increased 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 was associated with hypercalcemia (11 to 12 mg/dl) that continued for several days postinfusion. Elevated 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 also was associated with a significant 70% enhancement of lymphocyte proliferation in cells treated with concanavalin A. Cessation of infusion of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 resulted in the return of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 in plasma and lymphocyte proliferative response to preinfusion amounts. Proliferation in response to pokeweed mitogen was significantly inhibited on d 3 of infusions of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 . Administration of parathyroid hormone for 4 d resulted in a sustained hypercalcemia (≈ 13 mg/dl) and a transient 1-d increase in 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 in plasma. Parathyroid hormone treatment generally did not affect the response of bovine lymphocytes to mitogen. In vivo elevation of 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 is either moderately immunostimulating or exerts no effect on mitogen-stimulated proliferation of lymphocytes. These results contrast with the in vitro results suggesting that 1,25-dihydroxyvitamin D 3 is only immunosuppressive.
EDF‐based goodness‐of‐fit tests for ranked‐set sampling

Parametric statistical procedures based on ranked-set sampling are sensitive both to departures from the parametric family and to departures from perfect rankings. In this paper, we develop goodness-of-fit tests that are sensitive to departures of both types. These tests are modelled on the Kolmogorov–Smirnov and Cramer–von Mises goodness-of-fit tests for simple random sampling, and they take advantage of the fact that under perfect rankings, the cumulative distribution functions (CDFs) for the judgment order statistics are deterministic functions of the population CDF. We consider multiple ways of combining information across the judgment strata, and we find that summing or taking the maximum of separate stratum-by-stratum test statistics seems to give the best power. We prove that the best of the proposed tests are consistent against all alternatives. The Canadian Journal of Statistics 42: 451–469; 2014 © 2014 Statistical Society of Canada Resume Les procedures statistiques basees sur des echantrillons sont sensibles au tri imparfait et a la violation des hypotheses parametriques. Les auteurs presentent des tests d'adequation sensibles a ces deux faiblesses. Ceux-ci sont bases sur les tests de Kolmogorov-Smirnov et de Cramer-von Mises pour les echantillons aleatoires simples et tirent avantage du fait que, sous l'hypothese de tri parfait, la fonction de repartition empirique pour le tri est une fonction deterministe de la fonction de repartition pour la population. Les auteurs considerent diverses facons de combiner l'information entre les strates de jugement et trouvent que la somme ou le maximum des statistiques de test de chacune des strates semble produire la plus grande puissance. Ils montrent que les meilleurs tests proposes convergent sous toutes les hypotheses alternatives. La revue canadienne de statistique 42: 451–469; 2014 © 2014 Societe statistique du Canada
The thermotropic properties of human plasma fibronectin.

Abstract Thermal denaturation profiles for human plasma fibronectin under a variety of conditions have been determined. Although a single melting curve for this protein, with a thermal transition midpoint of 58.4 ± 1.0 °C and a calorimetric enthalpy change (ΔHc) of 1040 ± 100 kcal/mol, is obtained in dilute neutral salt solutions, it is estimated that a total of seven to eight independent two-state thermal transitions are present in this endotherm. These values are not significantly altered by the presence of Ca2+, up to levels of at least 20 m m . Upon variation of the pH, no distinct thermal transitions are noted at values below pH 5.0 and above pH 10.0. Between pH 7.0 and 10.0, virtually no alterations in the thermotropic properties of fibronectin are observed, indicating that the individual domains of this protein, which contribute to the thermogram, are preserved in this pH range. Upon alteration of the ionic strength of the buffer, from 0.05 to 0.4 m KCl, small changes are observed in the thermal transition profiles of fibronectin, indicative of conformational changes in the protein resulting in a larger number of cooperative units undergoing the temperature-induced unfolding reaction.
Cytotoxic activity of isoantibody on sarcoma I.

SummaryUnder favorable experimental conditions Sa 1 is completely sensitive to cytotoxic isoantibody in vitro. Similar results may also be obtained with small inocula of Sa 1 in vivo. In view of these results, it no longer seems possible to retain the past distinctions based on differences in isoantibody sensitivity between tumors of different origins.
The relationship between the light scattering properties of zymogen granules and the release of their contained proteins.

The optical density of suspensions of the digestive enzyme-containing zymogen granule, a roughly spherical 1 μm diameter membrane-enclosed subcellular structure isolated from the exocrine pancreas of mammals, is reduced greatly when they are suspended in physiological media. This reduction in optical density is accompanied by the release of the granule's protein contents. It has traditionally been assumed that this property is due to granule lysis; that is, dissolution of the particle and its consequent disappearance as a strongly scattering object. Thus, lysis would decrease optical density by decreasing the number density of suspended spheres ( N ) according to Beer's law. However, as a general matter, changes in the optical density of suspensions of spheres may be a function of changes in the refractive index ( m ) or radius ( r ) of the objects as well. In this study, we apply Mie theory of scattering by small particles, which, in conjunction with Beer's law, allows us to evaluate whether changes in the scattering properties of granule suspensions are due to changes in N , m and r . Scattering by granule suspensions was reduced in three ways — pH, calcium ion concentration, and detergent concentration. A simple reduction in particle number did not account for decreased scattering and protein release in any of these circumstances. Instead, the changes appear attributable to decreases in particle size and refractive index.
SU-E-T-340: Use of Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) for Reducing the Dose to Cochlea in Craniospinal Irradiation (CSI) of Pediatric Patients

Purpose: To evaluate use of intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and number of beams for sparing cochlea in treatment of whole brain for pediatric medulloblastoma patients. Methods: In our institution, craniospinal irradiation patients are treated in supine position on our proton gantries using pencil beam scanning with each beam uniformly covering the target volume (SFUD). Each treatment plan consists of two opposed lateral whole brain fields and one or two spinal fields. For sparing the cochlea for the whole brain treatment, we created three different plans using IMPT for five pediatric patients. The first plan consisted of two lateral fields, the second two lateral fields and a superior-inferior field, and the third two lateral fields and two superior oblique fields. Optimization was performed with heavy weights applied to the eye, lens and cochlea while maintaining a dose prescription of 36 Gy to the whole brain. Results: IMPT plans reduce the dose to the cochlea. Increasing the number of treatment fields was found to lower the average dose to the cochlea: 15.0, 14.5 and 12.5 Gy for the two-field, three-field, and four-field plans respectively. The D95 for the two-field plan was 98.2%, compared to 100.0% for both the three-field and four-field plan. Coverage in the mid-brain was noticeably better in the three- and four-field plans, with more dose conformality surrounding the cochlea. Conclusion: IMPT plans for CSI and the whole brain irradiations are capable of sparing cochlea and reduce the dose considerably without compromising treating brain tissues. The reduction in average dose increases with three and four field plans as compared to traditional two lateral beam plans.
Computing powers of arbitrary Hessenberg matrices

Abstract An efficient algorithm for the computation of powers of an n × n arbitrary lower Hessenberg matrix is presented. Numerical examples are used to show the computational details. A comparison of the algorithm with two other methods of matrix multiplication proposed by Brent and by Winograd is included. Related algorithms were proposed earlier by Datta and Datta for lower Hessenberg matrices with unit super-diagonal elements, and by Barnett for the companion matrix.
Overcoming Technological Determinism in Understanding the Digital Divide: Where Do We Go From Here?

The plethora of research on the digital divide has illustrated that in essence the gap between digital “haves” and “have-nots” is a complex phenomenon with local and global characteristics (Barzila...
Calculation of fusion product angular correlation coefficients for fusion plasmas

The angular correlation coefficients for fusion products are calculated in the cases of Maxwellian and beam-target plasmas. Measurement of these coefficients as a localized ion temperature or fast-ion diagnostic is discussed. 8 refs., 7 figs., 1 tab.
Theory of isotachophoresis (displacement electroporesis, transphoresis)

Abstract The fundamental formulas of electrophoresis are derived microscopically and applied to the problem of isotachophoresis. A simple physical model of the isotachophoresis front is proposed. The front motion and structure are studied in the simplified case without convection, diffusion and non-electric external forces. This is an essential improvement of Kohlrausch's theory.
Distant regulatory elements in a Sox10-βGEO bac transgene are required for expression of Sox10 in the enteric nervous system and other neural crest-derived tissues

Sox10 is an essential transcription factor required for development of neural crest-derived melanocytes, peripheral glia, and enteric ganglia. Multiple transcriptional targets regulated by Sox10 have been identified; however, little is known regarding regulation of Sox10. High sequence conservation surrounding 5' exons 1 through 3 suggests these regions might contain functional regulatory elements. However, we observed that these Sox10 genomic sequences do not confer appropriate cell-specific transcription in vitro when linked to a heterologous reporter. To identify elements required for expression of Sox10 in vivo, we modified bacterial artificial chromosomes (BACs) to generate a Sox10betaGeoBAC transgene. Our approach leaves endogenous Sox10 loci unaltered, circumventing haploinsufficiency issues that arise from gene targeting. Sox10betaGeoBAC expression closely approximates Sox10 expression in vivo, resulting in expression in anterior dorsal neural tube at embryonic day (E) 8.5 and in cranial ganglia, otic vesicle, and developing dorsal root ganglia at E10.5. Characterization of Sox10betaGeoBAC expression confirms the presence of essential regulatory regions and additionally identifies previously unreported expression in thyroid parafollicular cells, thymus, salivary, adrenal, and lacrimal glands. Fortuitous deletions in independent Sox10betaGeoBAC lines result in loss of transgene expression in peripheral nervous system lineages and coincide with evolutionarily conserved regions. Our analysis indicates that Sox10 expression requires the presence of distant cis-acting regulatory elements. The Sox10betaGeoBAC transgene offers one avenue for specifically testing the role of individual conserved regions in regulation of Sox10 and makes possible analysis of Sox10+ derivatives in the context of normal neural crest development.
Unified modeling of non-homogeneous 3D objects for thermal and visual image synthesis

Abstract This paper presents a new approach to integrated modeling of 3D objects for generating multi-sensory images. Specifically, the model supports the generation of visual and thermal images under different viewing, ambient and internal conditions. The model also predicts the values of features that are used by multisensory image interpretation systems. A representation known as the volume surface octree is used for object modeling. It is shown that the above representation is well suited for thermal modeling of complex objects with non-homogeneities and heat generation. An improved volume surface octree construction technique is presented. This technique increases storage efficiency without degrading the quality of image synthesis. A technique to incorporate non-homogeneities and heat generation using octree intersection is described. A computationally efficient, implicit finite difference method is described for heat flow simulation of objects with large number of octree nodes and with non-homogeneities. Several examples of the generated thermal and visual images are presented in this paper, which illustrate the usefulness of the approach. The model is designed to be used in a multi-sensor vision system that would use the images and features predicted by this model in a hypothesize-and-verify scheme.
Demo abstract: A compact, inexpensive, and battery-powered software-defined radio platform

ABSTRACT We present μSDR, a compact, inexpensive, and battery-powered software-defined radio (SDR) platform built on a single-chip, flash-based FPGA fabric and ARM Cortex-M3 processor, enabling lower power and tighter hardware/soft-ware integration than prior commodity SDR platforms. Our architecture, unlike prior designs, is well-suited to hand-held or battery-operated systems and also supports cleaner partitioning since hardware can be easily mapped into the software addresses space, and vice versa. Building on this flexi-bility, we show how highly time-critical MAC protocols can be implemented on this platform and deployed using just AAA batteries.
The effect of induction of aldolase on the livers of senescent mice.

The specific activities of aldolase on cytosols isolated from the livers of 31 month old female mice were significantly lower than those isolated from 2.5 or 7.5 month old female animals. This age decrement resulted from the presence of inactive aldolase molecules as indicated by the decrease in the specific activity of the purified enzyme. Induction of aldolase in 7.5 and 31 month old animals by feeding a high fructose-no fat diet for two days resulted in an increase in the specific activity of the cytosol. The specific activity of the purified aidolase of 7.5 month old mice was not affected by induction. On the other hand, the specific activity of the purified aldolase of the induced 31 month old mice was higher than that of normal animals of the same age and was essentially the same as that of the younger animals. These data indicate that not only do altered enzymes result from post-translational modifications but such changes cannot be immediate.
Development and Application of Ultrafast Laser Spectroscopy for Combustion Sensing

Optical measurement techniques are powerful tools for detailed study of combustion chemistry and physics. Ultrafast (picosecond- and femtosecond-pulsed) lasers are driving the enhancement of existing diagnostic techniques and enabling the development of new measurement approaches.
Nucleic acid nanostructures: Bottom-up control of geometry on the nanoscale

DNA may seem an unlikely molecule from which to build nanostructures, but this is not correct. The specificity of interaction that enables DNA to function so successfully as genetic material also enables its use as a smart molecule for construction on the nanoscale. The key to using DNA for this purpose is the design of stable branched molecules, which expand its ability to interact specifically with other nucleic acid molecules. The same interactions used by genetic engineers can be used to make cohesive interactions with other DNA molecules that lead to a variety of new species. Branched DNA molecules are easy to design, and they can assume a variety of structural motifs. These can be used for purposes both of specific construction, such as polyhedra, and for the assembly of topological targets. A variety of two-dimensional periodic arrays with specific patterns have been made. DNA nanomechanical devices have been built with a series of different triggers, small molecules, nucleic acid molecules and proteins. Recently, progress has been made in self-replication of DNA nanoconstructs, and in the scaffolding of other species into DNA arrangements.
Retroreflectance measurements of photometric standards and coatings. Part 2.

Using a technique that we have developed, the opposition effect (brightening in the retroreflection direction) has been measured for MgCO3, BaSO4 paint, and sulfur in the visual region with incandescent illumination and found to be 1.3, 1.5, and 1.3, respectively, independent of wavelength. Nextel red, blue, white, and black paints are generally similar. However, in comparison to incoherent illumination, 0.6328-μm laser illumination shows a reduction in diffuse reflectance for angles less than 40° from the incident direction. In addition, the coherent opposition effect may be very large for dark paints. The opposition effect in photometric standards can lead to calibration errors at near opposition and spurious responses in integrating spheres coated with such materials.
INTERSEXUALITY AND THE ENDOCRINE ASPECT OF SEX

ANSWERING the invitation of the editor for a review of the work on sex-intergrades from the viewpoint of endocrinology, we propose to consider in a sweeping form the aspect of the sex-theory as it appears to the author, both in conclusion of his own work and from an open—minded consideration of all the work done upon the different aspects of the problem. In doing so, we think it will become clear wherein the endocrine aspect of the problem enters, and what are its possibilities and limitations. The more recent work upon the sex-problem started from very different viewpoints and used very different methods, the methods of cytology, genetics, teratology, physiology, serology, endocrinology, etc. The result is a vast amount of information which, if viewed critically and without prejudice in favor of any method of working or thinking, allows us, we are convinced, to assign to every single phase of that research a place within a general conception of sex. The basic problem of sex is the question why a differen...
Quantity of Lead Released to the Environment in New Jersey in the Form of Motor Vehicle Wheel Weights

Lead is a well-known pollutant with documented toxicity. Lead-containing weights used to balance motor vehicle wheels are regularly lost from vehicles and enter the environment. Lead weights deposited on roadways in the vicinity of Trenton, NJ were gathered and measured from February 2006 to January 2009. Measurements included loss of mass from specific weights exposed to traffic. Extrapolation of the results to the entire state suggests that approximately 12 tons per year of lead in the form of wheel weights are deposited on New Jersey roadways, and that approximately 40 kg of lead enters the environment in the form of small particles formed from the abrasion and grinding action of traffic on weights deposited on roadways. This quantity of small particles is much less than the approximately 60 tons per year of lead estimated by an earlier study to enter New Jersey in precipitation, some of which may result from the combustion of leaded aviation fuel. The quantity is also likely small compared with the fluxes of lead into the environment that still continue from leaded paint and with the residue of finely dispersed lead from historical uses of leaded gas in motor vehicles that remains in the environment. The quantity of lead released to the environment in the form of wheel weights appears likely to decline in the future because of legislation, voluntary phase-outs by manufacturers, and new trends in wheel technology
A Bioimage Informatics Based Reconstruction of Breast Tumor Microvasculature with Computational Blood Flow Predictions

Induction of tumor angiogenesis is among the hallmarks of cancer and a driver of metastatic cascade initiation. Recent advances in high-resolution imaging enable highly detailed three-dimensional geometrical representation of the whole-tumor microvascular architecture. This enormous increase in complexity of image-based data necessitates the application of informatics methods for the analysis, mining and reconstruction of these spatial graph data structures. We present a novel methodology that combines ex-vivo high-resolution micro-computed tomography imaging data with a bioimage informatics algorithm to track and reconstruct the whole-tumor vasculature of a human breast cancer model. The reconstructed tumor vascular network is used as an input of a computational model that estimates blood flow in each segment of the tumor microvascular network. This formulation involves a well-established biophysical model and an optimization algorithm that ensures mass balance and detailed monitoring of all the vessels that feed and drain blood from the tumor microvascular network. Perfusion maps for the whole-tumor microvascular network are computed. Morphological and hemodynamic indices from different regions are compared to infer their role in overall tumor perfusion.
HR past, present and future: A call for consistent practices and a focus on competencies ☆

Abstract HR's past is relatively long and humble. The present is both positive and challenging, and the future of HR presents the profession with opportunities and even more thought-provoking challenges. This article will briefly discuss where the profession has come from and where it is today, and focus primarily on the opportunities and choices available to those individuals who deeply care about the profession and those who may take more notice of the profession in the future. Among the opportunities are HR standards, HR competencies, consistent HR curriculum, HR professional development and HR research. This article is intended as a practical, not theoretical, discussion that will offer a set of recommendations for students, academicians, practitioners, and HR professional associations.
The Noble Traders: the Islamic Tradition of “Spiritual Chivalry” (futuwwa) in Bosnian Trade‐guilds (16th−19th centuries)

Abstract: Originally linked to the military associations of the Middle Ages, the Islamic tradition of futuwwa was with time inherited by artisanship associations. The Anatolian Akh?s of the 14th century represent an important link in the evolution of the futuwwa tradition, and it was thanks to them that this tradition survived well into the Ottoman era, this time within the framework of the more centralized, professional trade-guilds. Together with other Ottoman institutions, administrative, military and economic, Ottoman crafts and their trade-guilds appeared in Bosnia soon after the final fall of the country to the Ottomans in 1463. Sources which provide information on the organization and activities of Bosnian guilds also give a picture of their religious character and, related to it, the presence of futuwwa tradition within them. The most important of these sources are those that originate from the guilds themselves, the guild defters and their statutes, which are often called futuvetnames. A number of documents of this kind found in Bosnia illustrate a strong presence of different futuwwa traditions within Bosnian guilds from their establishment well into the 19th century, while some also provide valuable information on the futuwwa tradition in Ottoman guilds in general.
Targeted inhibition of telomerase activity combined with chemotherapy demonstrates synergy in eliminating ovarian cancer spheroid-forming cells

Abstract Objective Telomerase activity (TA) is often used as a molecular marker for cancer aggressiveness. Our objectives were to determine the TA in ovarian cancer cell lines and the effectiveness of targeting telomerase for cancer therapy. Methods Ovarian cancer cell lines of various histologic subtypes were chosen to correspond to decreasing levels of clinical aggressiveness. Cells were grown in non-adherent growth conditions to form spheroid-forming cells (SFC). Telomerase activity was quantified using the TRAPeze RT Telomerase Detection Kit and confirmed with luciferase reporter plasmid containing promoter of human telomerase reverse transcriptase (hTERT). Cell proliferation survival assays were performed after treatment with a small molecule telomerase inhibitor BIBR1532 both with and without multiple chemotherapeutic agents. Results Compared to monolayer, TA from SFC correlated to the innate clinical aggressiveness of ovarian cancer cell lines ES2, SKOV3, and TOV112D. Treatment with BIBR1532 resulted in up to a 12-fold decrease in TA compared to controls. SFCs were significantly more resistant to BIBR1532 compared to monolayer cell lines; however, it showed reasonable efficacy at 100uM. In combination assays, the addition of BIBR1532 to carboplatin yielded the most favorable results in regards to synergy in all three cell lines evaluated. Conclusions Telomerase activity appears to correlate to the clinical aggressiveness seen in histologic subtypes of ovarian cancer. BIBR1532 demonstrated significant inhibition of TA as well as reasonable efficacy as a single agent. Inhibition of telomerase with BIBR1532 in combination with carboplatin demonstrated a more than additive effect in-vitro and could represent a novel targeted therapy for ovarian cancer.
Overcoming vascular anatomic challenges to cardiac catheterization by the radial artery approach: specific techniques to improve success.

Anatomical variations in the peripheral vasculature can result in decreased procedural success rates for cardiac catheterization performed through the radial artery approach. We describe four categories of vascular challenges encountered in our catheterization laboratory: severe spasm, severe tortuosity, vascular stenosis, and congenital anatomical variations (e.g., accessory radial artery, radioulnar loop). For each situation, we provide a case report illustrating techniques that allowed for successful completion of the case.
Presence of metanephrine and normetanephrine in normal human urine.

IN 1957, Axelrod reported that epinephrine and norepinephrine were O-methylated at the C-3 position, giving metanephrine (3-O-methylepinephrine) and normetanephrine (3-O-methylnorepinephrine), respectively, in the rat1 ; in addition, he found that these compounds were normally excreted in rat urine2. The excretion of normetanephrine in the urine of humans with pheochromocytoma has also been reported3. More recently, the importance of the pathway for 3-O-methylation of epinephrine has been confirmed in man4. This report concerns the identification of metanephrine and normetanephrine of endogenous origin in the urine of normal human males.
The role of microdosimetry in radiobiology.

Microdosimetry is a branch of radiological physics that provides quantitative characterization of the non-uniformity of energy deposition in uniformly irradiated matter. Considerations based on microdosimetry indicate that the action of ionizing radiation on the cells of higher organisms depends on the square of the specific energy absorbed in subcellular volumes. This is the basis of the Theory of Dual Radiation Action. The basic postulate of this theory is reviewed and four factors are discussed that modify its elementary formulation.
Epstein-Barr Virus: The Path from Association to Causality for a Ubiquitous Human Pathogen

Epstein-Barr virus is notorious for causing multiple kinds of cancer. It has also been increasingly linked to multiple sclerosis. What evidence now supports or can be sought potentially to strengthen this linkage?
Factors in scrapie-infected mouse tissues that influence the metabolism of polyadenylated-RNA in cell cultures

Abstract Previous studies have shown in vivo changes in the amounts of polyadenylated-RNA (poly A + -RNA) in the brain and spleen of scrapie-affected mice. In the present studies, centrifuged tissue extracts were prepared from control and scrapie-affected mice at various times in the incubation period. These extracts, and dilutions therefrom were incubated with mouse L fibroblast cells. In those cells exposed to extracts from scrapie-infected mice the poly A + -RNA levels were altered. It is, therefore, suggested that changes in the metabolism of poly A + -RNA observed in vivo are mediated by a soluble factor or factors present in tissues of scrapie-infected mice.
Scotus as the Father of Modernity. The Natural Philosophy of the English Franciscan Christopher Davenport in 1652

This article examines the philosophical teaching of a colorful Oxford alumnus and Roman Catholic convert, Christopher Davenport, also known as Franciscus a Sancta Clara or Francis Coventry. At the peak of Puritan power during the English Interregnum and after five of his Franciscan confreres had perished for their missionary work, our author tried boldly to claim modern cosmology and atomism as the unrecognized fruits of medieval Scotism. His hope was to revive English pride in the golden age of medieval Oxford and to defend English Franciscans as more legitimately patriotic and scientifically progressive than Puritan millenarians.
Abstract 4599: Sequential monitoring of single-cell copy number variation in metastatic prostate cancer.

The high-definition circulating tumor cell (HD-CTC) assay provides for an enrichment-free approach to CTC identification. Here, we utilized the HD-CTC approach to study androgen receptor (AR) expression combined with single-nucleus sequencing for genome-wide analysis of copy number variation (CNV) in sequential CTCs samples obtained from a patient with metastatic prostate cancer treated with abiraterone acetate (an androgen synthesis inhibitor). At baseline, before initiation of abiraterone treatment, we observed a balanced proportion of AR-negative and AR-positive CTCs. During a brief period of clinical response (marked with a decreased serum PSA and decreased pain) the proportion of AR-positive CTCs declined followed by a rapid increase associated with clinical progression (increased PSA and pain). CNV analysis of single CTCs revealed multiple genomic rearrangements, such as AR amplification along with the chromosomal gains and losses typical of prostate cancer, in multiple cells at baseline. During treatment response, the frequency of CNV alterations significantly declined, followed by a reemergence to a pattern of multiple, complex alterations associated with clinical progression. Detailed analysis of the CNV profiles revealed that many abnormalities were commonly shared between the CTC populations, but a number were unique to the AR+ resistant/hormone refractory CTC population including increased MYC amplification alteration and the AR amplicon that include additional adjacent genes. Remarkably, the reconstruction of tumor lineage history based on the CTC genomic profiles enables us to trace and identify the precise treatment time point where the putative therapy-resistant CTC clone emerges, under therapeutic pressure, until it eventually expanded to become the AR+ resistant CTC population at the point of therapeutic relapse. Overall, our results demonstrated that the integration of the HD-CTC enumeration technology with protein expression and single cell genomic analyses could successfully be applied to real time monitoring of ADT therapy emergent change in a prostate cancer patient, and may provide a direct roadmap for personalized cancer medicine in the near future.
Non-sense mutations in the dihydropyridine receptor β1 gene, CACNB1, paralyze zebrafish relaxed mutants

Contractions by skeletal muscle require proper excitation-contraction (EC) coupling, whereby depolarization of the muscle membrane leads to an increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) and contraction. Changes in membrane voltage are detected by dihydropyridine receptors (DHPR) that directly interact with and activate ryanodine receptors to release Ca(2+) from the sarcoplasmic reticulum into the cytosol. A genetic screen for motility mutations isolated a new allele of the immotile zebrafish mutant relaxed. Muscles in relaxed embryos do not contract in response to potassium chloride (KCl) thus appear unresponsive to membrane depolarization, but do contract when stimulated by caffeine, an agonist of ryanodine receptors. This suggests that relaxed mutant muscles are defective in EC coupling. Indeed, immunohistochemical analysis demonstrated that mutants lack DHPRs in skeletal muscles. The mutant phenotype results from non-sense mutations in the zebrafish CACNB1 gene that encodes the DHPR beta1 subunit. The zebrafish CACNB1 gene is expressed in skeletal muscles, PNS and CNS. Electrophysiological recordings showed no obvious abnormalities in the motor output of relaxed mutants, presumably due to redundancy provided by other beta subunits. The structural and functional homology of CACNB1 in zebrafish and mammals, suggests that zebrafish can be useful for studying EC coupling and potential neuronal function of CACNB1.
Atypical Ductal Hyperplasia in Directional Vacuum-Assisted Biopsy of Breast Microcalcifications: Considerations for Surgical Excision

Our goal was to analyze clinicopathologic features of patients with atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) diagnosed on directional vacuum-assisted biopsy (DVAB) targeting microcalcifications to identify factors predicting the presence of carcinoma. We retrospectively evaluated the clinical, mammographic, and histologic features of 140 patients with DVAB-diagnosed ADH who underwent either segmental excision (86.4%) or mammographic follow-up (≥2 years; 13.6%). Cases with mass lesions or ipsilateral cancer were excluded. In 16 cases, carcinoma was found on excision. All cases without excision showed no new abnormalities on mammographic follow-up. Only the amount of calcifications removed (≤95%) significantly correlated with the rate of upgrade of ADH to carcinoma (P = .037). Significant histologic predictors of upgrade to carcinoma included number of terminal duct-lobular units (TDLU; >2) involved (P = .0306), presence of significant cytologic atypia suspicious for intermediate or high-grade carcinoma (P 2 TDLU involved) was not a significant predictor of carcinoma (P = 1.0000). ADH associated with calcifications in the absence of a mass lesion can be categorized into different risk groups using a multidisciplinary approach with correlation of histologic and mammographic findings. ADH lesions with significant cytologic atypia and/or necrosis are most likely to be associated with carcinoma and should be excised. ADH without these features, regardless of extent of involvement, and with >95% removal of the targeted calcifications, is associated with a minimal risk (<3%) of carcinoma and may undergo mammographic follow-up only.
Network Institutionalism and NGO Studies

Understanding the institutional identity (as opposed to the organizational one) of non-governmental organizations (NGOs) within structures of global governance is the main theme underpinning this work. Studies documenting the quantitative rise of the NGO sector in world politics have largely neglected the qualitative impact of that development. The institutional identity of NGOs is particularly important when considering the NGOs in light of the new links and relationships they have created with state-centric structures of world politics. To this end, this article offers network institutionalism as a theoretical tool to address that gap and to serve as a bridge between NGO studies and international relations (IR). In an effort to develop an institutional perspective on NGO studies, the article integrates network theories with historical and sociological strands of the new institutionalism. Building on this theoretical discussion, and after introducing the key assumptions of network institutionalism, it offers four broad clusters of research directions for further NGO studies as a way to think about future NGO studies in a more comprehensive manner while also stimulating new research directions that can strengthen the study of NGOs and the study of IR.
Biologic response modifiers: the future of cancer therapy?

Biologic response modifiers are agents or approaches that modify the relationship between the host and the tumor, with resultant therapeutic effects. Current agents under evaluation include interleukin-2, interferons, tumor necrosis factor, colony-stimulating factors, monoclonal antibodies, and muramyl peptides. In addition, chemotherapeutic drugs have shown some potential as immunomodulators. These agents have shown promise in laboratory animal tumor models and in early clinical trials on humans.
An Empirical Study of Gender Difference in the Relationship between Self‐Concept and Mathematics Achievement in a Cross‐Cultural Context

The reciprocal relationship between mathematics achievement and self‐concept is examined in this study to expand the existing knowledge to a cross‐cultural setting. Based on analyses of educational data two years before and after Hong Kong’s sovereignty switch in 1997, this investigation shows a weak reciprocal relationship among the eighth‐grade students across gender categories. With the introduction of a new policy to promote Chinese instruction, changes in the perceived importance of English have been assessed by education stakeholders, and the results are used to indicate a latent factor of “English push” behind the learning process. In the context of cross‐cultural transition, gender differences have been found in path coefficients toward mathematics achievement and self‐concept. Limited by the four‐year research period, one may speculate whether it would take longer to demonstrate a large effect size in the reciprocal relationship.
Interaction Between the Oxygen and Tryptophan Dependence of Synaptosomal Tryptophan Hydroxylase

The substrate dependence of tryptophan hydroxylase activity in rat striatal synaptosomes was examined. The Km for tryptophan in air to 8--13 microM, comparable to the concentration present in cerebrospinal fluid. The reaction is inhibited by amino acids with large nonpolar side chains. For leucine the inhibition appears competitive; it results from a decrease in the steady state levels of intrasynaptosomal tryptophan. The oxygen Km at 10 microM-tryptophan is 3--4 mm Hg, which is increased when the reaction is assayed with low levels of tryptophan in the medium, and in the presence of amino acids such as leucine. Similarly, the tryptophan Km is increased at low oxygen tensions; at 9 mm Hg of oxygen it is 23 microM. These interactions between tryptophan and oxygen dependence of the reaction are discussed in terms of likely physiological significance and implications for the pharmacological use of tryptophan.