cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Effects of Varying Levels of Chloride Salts on Clostridium Botulinum Toxin Production in Turkey Frankfurters

Inhibitory effects of sodium chloride (NaCl), potassium chloride (KCl), and magnesium chloride (MgCl2) on C. botulinum inoculated turkey frankfurter emulsions were determined. Ionic strengths (I.S.) of 0.42, 0.55, and 0.68 were compared (equivalent to 2.5%, 3.25%, and 4.0% NaCl). Sodium nitrite levels were constant at 150 ppm. Inoculated emulsions (103 spores/g) were incubated and maintained at 27°C. In-creasing NaCl from I.S. 0.42 to 0.68 delayed toxin production from 4 days to at least 40 days. KCl was almost as effective as NaCl at I.S. 0.42, but inferior at higher levels. MgCl2 did not demonstrate any inhibitory effect. Fifty percent substitution of 2.5% NaCl with KCl or MgCl2 generally reduced time for toxin production to occur.
A flexible method for preparation of peptide homo- and heterodimers functionalized with affinity probes, chelating ligands, and latent conjugating groups.

Dimerization of peptides can provide high binding entities to serve as targeted diagnostics or therapeutics. We developed methods for the preparation of homo- and heterodimer peptides bearing functional molecules (affinity probes, chelating ligands, or latent conjugating moieties). Monomer peptides, optionally bearing spacer groups, are tethered using a bifunctional linker, (di-succinimidyl glutarate, DSG) to provide the dimers. Protected or unprotected peptides can be employed for dimer assembly. Multiple lysine Nϵ-amino groups are controlled using the (4,4-dimethyl-2,6-dioxocyclohex-1-ylidene)-3-methylbutyl (ivDde) protecting group. Functional molecules are optionally incorporated into the component peptides or into the assembled dimer. The methods are efficient and scaleable. © 2006 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Biopolymers (Pept Sci) 84: 576–585, 2006 This article was originally published online as an accepted preprint. The “Published Online” date corresponds to the preprint version. You can request a copy of the preprint by emailing the Biopolymers editorial office at biopolymers@wiley.com
In vitro adventitious rooting of Cornus florida microshoots

Cornus florida L. (flowering dogwood) has been successfully micropropagated, but low rooting of microshoots makes the system inefficient. This study was conducted to increase rooting efficiency of flowering dogwood microshoots over that previously achieved. Microshoots originating from acclimatized axillary and nodal bud stock cultures were excised and treated with different concentrations and combinations of various auxins including indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and indole-3-butyric acid (IBA). Effect of microshoot age on rooting efficiency was also examined. Of the auxins tested, maximum rooting was observed with 4.4 μM IBA. The age of microshoot explants had a significant effect on rooting. Five to seven-week-old microshoots treated continuously with 4.9 μM IBA in Woody plant medium (WPM) consistently had the best and most consistent rooting efficiency (about 83%).
Clonal Analysis Reveals a Common Progenitor for Endothelial, Myeloid, and Lymphoid Precursors in Umbilical Cord Blood

Rationale: Several studies demonstrate that hematopoietic tissues are a source of endothelial progenitor cells, which contribute to newly formed blood vessels during tissue repair in adults. However, it is not clear which cell type in these hematopoietic tissues gives rise to endothelial progenitor cells. Objective: To identity the origin of endothelial progenitors within the hematopoietic hierarchy and to assess their in vivo revascularization potential. Methods and Results: Using a single-cell sorting approach and in vitro multilineage differentiation assays, here we show that individual CD34 + CD45 + CD133 + CD38 + cells from cord blood uniquely have the ability to differentiate into T- and B-lymphoid, myeloid, and endothelial cells. The latter were characterized by the expression of VE-cadherin, KDR, von Willebrand factor, endothelial nitric oxide synthase, the lack of CD45, CD133, and c-fms (colony stimulating factor-1 receptor). Unexpectedly when transplanted into hindlimb ischemic NOD-scid IL2Rγ null mice, freshly isolated CD34 + CD45 + CD133 + CD38 + cells maintained their hematopoietic identity and were rarely found to integrate into host blood vessels. Nevertheless, they significantly improved perfusion, most likely through a paracrine mechanism. On the other hand, CD34 + CD45 + CD133 + CD38 + cells differentiated in vitro into endothelial cells were able to form vessels in vivo in both Matrigel plug and hindlimb ischemia transplantation assays. Conclusions: These findings indicate that the CD34 + CD45 + CD133 + CD38 + cell fraction contains a common progenitor for the hematopoietic and vascular lineages and may represent a valuable cell source for therapeutic applications.
A Closer Picture of the K Channel Gate from Ion Trapping Experiments

This is a wildly exciting period in the study of ion channels. Since the sequencing of Na+ and K+ channels was accomplished ([Noda et al., 1984][1], [Tempel et al., 1987][2]), many of the functional parts of the channels have been located within the sequence. These include the pore through which
A Comparative Study of the Effects of Insulin and Growth Hormone on Hexose Metabolism in Adipose Tissue

Epididymal adipose tissue segments from hypophysectomized rats were incubated in vitro in the presence of growth hormone or insulin and various concentrations of glucose, mannose, fructose or galactose, uniformly labeled with 14C. Both hormones significantly increased the uptake of all 4 sugars and their oxidation to 14CO2. Both hormones also increased the incorporation into fatty acids of 14C from glucose, mannose and fructose, but not galactose. Increasing the concentration of the sugars in the incubation medium brought about similar increases in hexose uptake and utilization. Insulin, but not growth hormone, increased the incorporation of 14C from glucose into glycogen, even when both hormones produced identical increases in glucose uptake, oxidation and conversion to fatty acids. These observations are consistent with the hypothesis that both growth hormone and insulin accelerate the entrance of hexoses into adipose tissue. The additional action of insulin, but not growth hormone, on glycogen synthesi...
The New Deal, Administrative Reform, and the Transcendence of Partisan Politics

This study examines the relationship between party politics and administrative reform during the 1930s. The basic thesis of this article is that the politics of the Democratic party and the executive department converged in such a way during the genesis of the New Deal so that the presidency is institutionalized and strengthened while the traditional party system is weakened. In effect, Franklin D. Roosevelt's party leadership and the policies that gave shape to the New Deal transformed the Democratic party into a party of administration, which extensively displaced party politics with executive administration. This suggests that the postwar decline of political parties grew out of a party program of administrative reform, which was directed to lessening the importance of traditional party politics in favor of nonpartisan, albeit progressive, administration.
CROSSING AND DIPPING: Some Terms for Approaching the Interface between Natural Understanding and Logical Formulation

Gendlin proposes experimental concepts as bridges between phenomenology and logical formulation. His method moves back and forth, aiming to increase both natural understanding and logical formulation. On the subjective side, the concepts require direct reference to felt or implicit meaning. There is no equivalence between this and the logical side. Rather, in logical "explanation", the implicit is carried forward, a relation shown by many functions. The subjective is no inner parallel. It performs specific functions in language. Once these are located, they also lead to developments on the formulated side. To show some of this, Gendlin modifies Lakoff and Johnson's theory of metaphor, and expands it into a theory of all language use. He denies that a metaphor consists of a pattern or image, shared by two situations. There is only one situation - the metaphoric one. The original situation is actually a family of many uses (in the Wittgensteinian sense). As in all speech, a word makes sense only as its use-family "crosses" with an actual situation in the actual spot in a sentence. Subjectively, a metaphor means this crossing. From it, long chains of new similarities and differences can be generated. Ways to study the functions and features of this crossing are proposed.
Altered expression of sialylated glycoproteins in breast cancer using hydrazide chemistry and mass spectrometry

Sialylation is one of the altered protein glycosylations associated with cancer development. The sialoglycoproteins in cancer cells, however, largely remain unidentified because of the lack of a method for quantitative analysis of sialoglycoproteins. This manuscript presents a high throughput method for quantitative analysis of N-linked sialoglycoproteins using conditional hydrazide chemistry, liquid chromatography, and tandem mass spectrometry. We further applied the sialoglycoproteomic method to the profiling of breast cancer tissues and compared findings with the results from the total glycoproteomic analysis using the original hydrazide chemistry method. We identified altered expression of sialoglycoproteins, as well as the total glycoprotein changes associated with breast cancer. Using lectin and Western blot analysis, we characterized one of the sialoglycoproteins, versican, and confirmed that versican was most sialylated and elevated in breast cancer. Furthermore, we showed that versican was detected in both cancer epithelial cells and peritumoral stromal cells using immunohistochemistry. Tissue microarray analysis revealed that epithelial expression of versican had significant relations to lymph node metastasis and pathological stages. This is the first quantitative sialoglycoproteomic and glycoproteomic analysis of breast cancer and noncancerous tissues. These findings present a significant addition of the method to the identification of altered expression of sialylated glycoproteins associated with breast cancer development.
Monolithic serial InGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs laser diode arrays

Top-contact monolithic serially-biased InGaAs-GaAs-AlGaAs (/spl lambda//spl sim/0.93 /spl mu/m) broad area strained-layer quantum well laser arrays have been fabricated on a semi-insulating GaAs substrate. The laser array consists of four individual laser diodes and operates up to 2.8 W at 3.6 A (supply limited) per uncoated facet under pulsed conditions (15 kHz, 2 /spl mu/s). The threshold current is /spl sim/0.5 A, and the peak slope efficiency and the peak electrical-to-optical conversion efficiency of an individual laser element are /spl sim/0.53 W/A and 14%, respectively. The near-field intensity distribution is shown to be broad enough to fill the entire active region under the p-metal stripe (125 /spl mu/m) of the individual laser diodes at high current levels. >
One Tera-Sample/sec Real-Time Transient Digitizer

We demonstrate a real-time transient digitizer with a record 1 TSa/s (Tera-Sample/sec) sampling rate. This is accomplished by using a photonic time stretch preprocessor which slows down the electrical waveform before it is captured by an electronic digitizer
Frequency converter development for the National Ignition Facility

The design of the NIF incorporates a type I/type II third harmonic generator to convert the 1.053-micrometers fundamental wavelength of the laser amplifier to a wavelength of 0.351 micrometers for target irradiation. To understand and control the tolerances in the converter design, we have developed a comprehensive error budget that accounts for effects that are known to influence conversion efficiency, including variations in amplitude and phase of the incident laser pulse, temporal bandwidth of the incident laser pulse, crystal surface figure and bulk non-uniformities, angular alignment errors, Fresnel losses, polarization errors and crystal temperature variations. The error budget provides specifications for the detailed design of the NIF final optics assembly and the fabrication of optical components. Validation is accomplished through both modeling and measurement, including full-scale Beamlet tests of a 37-cm aperture frequency converter in a NIF prototype final optics cell. The prototype cell incorporates full-perimeter clamping to support the crystals, and resides in a vacuum environment as per the NIF design.
Nuclear Strategy, Nonproliferation, and the Causes of Foreign Nuclear Deployments:

Why do countries deploy nuclear weapons abroad? Since 1945, more than twenty states have hosted foreign nuclear weapons on their territory, and five countries continue to do so today. These deploym...
Analytic evaluation of sampled aperture ultrasonic imaging techniques for NDE

This paper presents a theoretical comparison of three generic sampled aperture ultrasonic imaging systems for nondestructive evaluation. The imaging systems are categorized according to their source-receiver combination for data acquisition: common-source, back-scatter, and full-array imaging. First, forward modeling is performed for a point source and a point receiver. This is then used to model the received data set for each of the imaging categories. Subsequently, the inversion algorithm for each category is derived, and their performance is evaluated in terms of resolution, noise, and computation. We show that in terms of resolution, back-scatter imaging is the best, followed by full-array and common-source imaging. However, in terms of material noise, full-array imaging is the best, with back-scatter and common-source imaging having the same material noise response. Full-array imaging is the only system with inherent redundancy to reduce electronic noise, but at the expense of significantly more computation. The physical transducer is in the full-array category, allowing mechanical scanning to be traded for dynamic focusing and computational power. >
Recent advances in monolithic millimeter-wave arrays

It is pointed out that advances in both HEMT technology and array technology have made it feasible to fabricate solid-state arrays at the lower millimeter-wave frequencies, such as Ka-band. An overview of the relevant developments is presented, and it is noted that the basis for optimism is fourfold: rapid advances in GaAs monolithic circuits; radiating elements at millimeter waves are becoming much better understood; the understanding of thermal control issues is now more comprehensive and advanced; and a good practical understanding of different array constructs has been gained. >
A general method for FDTD modeling of wave propagation in arbitrary frequency-dispersive media

A general formulation is presented for finite-difference time-domain (FDTD) modeling of wave propagation in arbitrary frequency-dispersive media. Two algorithmic approaches are outlined for incorporating dispersion into the FDTD time-stepping equations. The first employs a frequency-dependent complex permittivity (denoted Form-1), and the second employs a frequency-dependent complex conductivity (denoted Form-2). A Pade representation is used in Z-transform space to represent the frequency-dependent permittivity (Form-1) or conductivity (Form-2). This is a generalization over several previous methods employing either Debye, Lorentz, or Drude models. The coefficients of the Pade model may be obtained through an optimization process, leading directly to a finite-difference representation of the dispersion relation, without introducing discretization error. Stability criteria for the dispersive FDTD algorithms are given. We show that several previously developed dispersive FDTD algorithms can be cast as special cases of our more general framework. Simulation results are presented for a one-dimensional (1-D) air/muscle example considered previously in the literature and a three-dimensional (3-D) radiation problem in dispersive, lossy soil using measured soil data.
Ecosystem response to elevated CO2 levels limited by nitrogen-induced plant species shift

Terrestrial ecosystems gain carbon through photosynthesis and lose it mostly in the form of carbon dioxide (CO(2)). The extent to which the biosphere can act as a buffer against rising atmospheric CO(2) concentration in global climate change projections remains uncertain at the present stage. Biogeochemical theory predicts that soil nitrogen (N) scarcity may limit natural ecosystem response to elevated CO(2) concentration, diminishing the CO(2)-fertilization effect on terrestrial plant productivity in unmanaged ecosystems. Recent models have incorporated such carbon-nitrogen interactions and suggest that anthropogenic N sources could help sustain the future CO(2)-fertilization effect. However, conclusive demonstration that added N enhances plant productivity in response to CO(2)-fertilization in natural ecosystems remains elusive. Here we manipulated atmospheric CO(2) concentration and soil N availability in a herbaceous brackish wetland where plant community composition is dominated by a C(3) sedge and C(4) grasses, and is capable of responding rapidly to environmental change. We found that N addition enhanced the CO(2)-stimulation of plant productivity in the first year of a multi-year experiment, indicating N-limitation of the CO(2) response. But we also found that N addition strongly promotes the encroachment of C(4) plant species that respond less strongly to elevated CO(2) concentrations. Overall, we found that the observed shift in the plant community composition ultimately suppresses the CO(2)-stimulation of plant productivity by the third and fourth years. Although extensive research has shown that global change factors such as elevated CO(2) concentrations and N pollution affect plant species differently and that they may drive plant community changes, we demonstrate that plant community shifts can act as a feedback effect that alters the whole ecosystem response to elevated CO(2) concentrations. Moreover, we suggest that trade-offs between the abilities of plant taxa to respond positively to different perturbations may constrain natural ecosystem response to global change.
Transmission of Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis to wood frogs (Lithobates sylvaticus) via a bullfrog (L. catesbeianus) vector.

Chytridiomycosis, an emerging infectious disease caused by the chytrid fungus Batrachochytrium dendrobatidis, threatens anuran populations worldwide. Effects of B. dendrobatidis on frog species are variable. Some species typically develop nonlethal infections and may function as carriers; others typically develop lethal infections that can lead to population declines. Nonlethal infections in the bullfrog (Lithobates catesbeianus) are well-documented. In contrast, recently metamorphosed wood frogs (L. sylvaticus) can die from chytridiomycosis. We conducted an ex-situ experiment between May and July 2010 to determine whether B. dendrobatidis-infected bullfrogs could transmit the fungus to wood frog tadpoles when the two species shared a body of water. We tested for B. dendrobatidis infections with quantitative polymerase chain reactions (qPCR) in a subsample of the wood frog tadpoles and in all metamorphosed wood frogs and compared risk of death of froglets exposed and unexposed to infected bullfrogs. We de...
Analytic models of multitask processes

Asynchronous multitask processes occur in a wide variety of control applications ranging from industrial control to computer operating systems, yet no analytical methods are available for studying their detailed behavior. The preliminary results reported here illustrate that a very general class of such processes can be represented by discontinuous hybrid-state discrete-time systems.
Myasthenia Gravis: A Review

Acquired myasthenia gravis is a relatively uncommon disorder, with prevalence rates that have increased to about 20 per 100,000 in the US population. This autoimmune disease is characterized by muscle weakness that fluctuates, worsening with exertion, and improving with rest. In about two-thirds of the patients, the involvement of extrinsic ocular muscle presents as the initial symptom, usually progressing to involve other bulbar muscles and limb musculature, resulting in generalized myasthenia gravis. Although the cause of the disorder is unknown, the role of circulating antibodies directed against the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor in its pathogenesis is well established. As this disorder is highly treatable, prompt recognition is crucial. During the past decade, significant progress has been made in our understanding of the disease, leading to new treatment modalities and a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality.
The Use of Transureteroureterostomy in the Management of Complex Ureteral Problems

AbstractPurpose: Transureteroureterostomy has primarily been performed for benign disease in children with reflux or undergoing undiversion, and in adults with lower ureteral injury. We report the use of transureteroureterostomy for other than these traditional indications, including malignant disease.Materials and Methods: Transureteroureterostomy was performed in 6 patients at the time of tumor resection to bypass large ureteral defects and in 4 as a secondary operation, usually associated with a ureteral leak after previous surgery.Results: Complications related to transureteroureterostomy included 1 ureteral stricture and 1 ureteral leak. Good renal function was maintained with a mean followup of 77.9 months.Conclusions: Our experience suggests that transureteroureterostomy can be useful for urinary diversion when a segment of lower ureter is involved with malignant disease.
Genetics of Allopatric Populations of the Montane Vole (Microtus montanus) and Mogollon Vole (Microtus mogollonensis) in the American Southwest

Variation at 21 allozyme loci and 10 restriction enzymes within the mitochondrial DNA control region was assessed among 3 allopatric populations of montane vole (Microtus montanus) in the American Southwest. Among populations of M. montanus, the population from the White Mountains, Arizona, was most genetically divergent. Genetic and biogeographic evidence supported recognition of the White Mountains population as a distinct subspecies, M. m. arizonensis. Results also supported recognition of the Mogollon vole (Microtus mogollonensis) as distinct from the Mexican vole (Microtus mexicanus).
Thorough and Thought-provoking: A Review of Packer's The Science of Qualitative Research

The conflict between qualitative and quantitative directions in educational research is not new; however, this debate has resurfaced in the accountability era. The Science of Qualitative Research by Martin Packer (2011) is a thought-provoking book that explains why one should engage in qualitative research. Artfully combining history, examples, and his own reflections on the topic, Packer offers a list of well-grounded arguments that show the importance of and the need for qualitative research. Although this book does not explain how to design and conduct qualitative studies, it makes a good read for all those interested in theories behind modern qualitative work and for those who want to better understand the roots of scientific social research and common misconceptions about
Bessel Sequences and Bases in Hilbert Spaces

In this chapter and the next we focus on bases and basis-like systems in Hilbert spaces. Our goal in this chapter is to understand bounded unconditional bases in Hilbert spaces, but in order to do this, we first need to study sequences that need not be bases but which do have a property that is reminiscent of Bessel’s Inequality for orthonormal bases. These Bessel sequences will also be very useful to us in Chapter 8 when we consider frames in Hilbert spaces
Preoperative Evaluation and Preparation of Cardiac Surgical Patients

With cardiovascular disease so prevalent, the likelihood of anesthesia and surgery in patients with cardiovascular problems is high. Since morbidity and mortality from surgery are higher in the cardiac patient, it is essential to evaluate all patients for cardiovascular diseases (118). Usually the diagnosis has been established previously and preoperative evaluation is required only to document the severity of the disease for perioperative management and prevention of complications. The extent of the evaluation will depend not only on the type of disease and its symptomatology, but also the proposed operative procedure. A cardiac patient undergoing a noncardiac procedure will usually not receive cardiac catheterization or coronary angiography, whereas the patient for cardiac surgery will have an extensive invasive evaluation.
The Role of Infections in the Rheumatic Diseases: Molecular Mimicry Between Bacterial and Human Stress Proteins?

Infections can cause or exacerbate the rheumatic diseases in several ways, including immune cross-reactivity between bacterial heat shock proteins and similar proteins in normal human tissues. This may lead to autoimmunity in rheumatoid arthritis and systemic lupus. In addition, increased activation of the gene regulating the synthesis of a heat shock protein has been found in scleroderma fibroblasts. As an infection-induced model for other rheumatic diseases, rheumatic fever (RF), with its well-established link to prior group A streptococcal infection, will be revisited. The lessons learned from RF and other rheumatic diseases directly linked to infection will be applied to ankylosing spondylitis, rheumatoid arthritis, Sjogren's syndrome and polymyositis, for which a mounting body of circumstantial evidence suggests a probable infectious cause. The interplay of genetic susceptibility and infection with particular organisms and the implications of this new information for present and future therapy of the rheumatic diseases will also be presented.
Plasma Growth Hormone During Sleep in Young and Aged Men

Plasma growth hormone measured at 20-min intervals across the night via indwelling venous cannula revealed a significant reduction in 16 healthy aged men as compared with 14 healthy young men. The decrease in growth hormone was entirely confined to the first 3 hours of the night (M +/- SEM for the integrated level was 5.0 +/- 1.2 and 21 +/- 4.2 ng . hr/ml). Growth hormone across the latter part of the night did not differ. Day and evening growth hormone levels measured hourly in five of the aged and nine of the young men failed to reveal an age effect. Growth hormone release is known to be associated with sleep onset, and particularly with slow wave sleep, stage 3 and 4, which was reduced in amount in these aged men (9.9 +/- 1.9 and 22.8 +/- 2.3% of time in bed for aged and young groups, respectively). Sleep stage 3 and 4 correlated significantly with growth hormone level (R = .463, p less than .01) for young and aged men combined, but not for either age group alone, indicating that growth hormone does not have a direct, simple relationship with slow wave sleep.
Vapor and solution deposited OTFTs

For commercial application OTFTs must demonstrate characteristics that differentiate them from other device technologies, especially a-Si:H TFTs. Characteristics of high-mobility vapor and solution-deposited OTFTs will be discussed in this context.
Cytochemical and biochemical observations on the digestive tracts of digenetic trematodes. II. Ultrastructural localization of acid phosphatase in Haematolechus medioplexus

Abstract Nonspecific acid phosphatase activity in the gastrodermis of Haematoloechus medioplexus is localized in the cavities of the superficial digestive vacuoles, on the membranes of the cytoplasmic processes, and, possibly, in portions of the endoplasmic reticulum. The enzyme can hydrolyze a variety of phosphomonoesters and is fluoride sensitive. It is postulated that the enzyme is hydrolytic in its function and acts, as one of several acid hydrolases, in the digestive process of the organism.
TH-CD-201-05: Characterization of a Novel Light-Collimating Tank Optical-CT System for 3D Dosimetry

Purpose: Comprehensive 3D dosimetry is highly desirable for advanced clinical QA, but costly optical readout techniques have hindered widespread implementation. Here, we present the first results from a cost-effective Integrated-lens Dry-tank Optical Scanner (IDOS), designed for convenient 3D dosimetry readout of radiochromic plastic dosimeters (e.g. PRESAGE). Methods: The scanner incorporates a novel transparent light-collimating tank, which collimates a point light source into parallel-ray CT geometry. The tank was designed using an in-house Monte-Carlo optical ray-tracing simulation, and was cast in polyurethane using a 3D printed mould. IDOS spatial accuracy was evaluated by imaging a set of custom optical phantoms, with comparison to x-ray CT images. IDOS dose measurement performance was assessed by imaging PRESAGE dosimeters irradiated with simple known dose distributions (e.g., 4 field box 6MV treatment with Varian Linac). Direct comparisons were made to images from our gold standard DLOS scanner and calculated dose distributions from a commissioned Eclipse planning system. Results: All optical CT images were reconstructed at 1mm isotropic resolution. Comparison of IDOS and x-ray CT images of the geometric phantom demonstrated excellent IDOS geometric accuracy (sub-mm) throughout the dosimeter. IDOS measured 3D dose distribution agreed well with prediction from Eclipse, with 95% gamma pass rate at 3%/3mm. Cross-scanner dose measurement gamma analysis shows >90% of pixels passing at 3%/3mm. Conclusion: The first prototype of the IDOS system has demonstrated promising performance, with accurate dosimeter readout and negligible spatial distortion. The use of optical simulations and 3D printing to create a light collimating-tank has dramatically increased convenience and reduced costs by removing the need for expensive lenses and large volumes of refractive matching fluids.
Immune Therapy: Principles & Techniques

The immunologic approach to the treatment of malignant diseases has been discussed in medical literature and developed on the experimental level for more than a century. During the past decade a variety of immunologic modalities have been used in studies in human cancer patients to control the disease Immunotherapy is conceived of as a possible coequal or adjunct to chemotherapy and radiotherapy in the treatment of certain malignancies. Although the role of immunotherapy has not yet been clearly delineated, studies in animals and patients serve as a foundation on which to build future treatment programs.
Handling New Wessex

As is reasonably well known by now, the sequence of stories and anecdotes at first called ‘Wessex Folk’, written as soon as he had finished Tess of the d’Urbervilles, exists in a draft manuscript version — the only substantial piece of Hardy’s fiction for which this is the case. Hardy’s friend Alfred Parsons drew for Harper’s New Monthly Magazine an illustration to the opening paragraph, which makes it clear that the market town intended is Casterbridge/ Dorchester, though Hardy does not name it.
Genetics of Familial Infantile Convulsions

Four families from northwestern France with autosomal dominant benign infantile convulsions and paroxysmal choreoathetosis were studied genetically by linkage analysis at the Wellcome Trust Centre for Human Genetics, University of Oxford, UK, and at Genetic Clinics in Amiens, France.
Comparison of gestational dating methods and implications for exposure-outcome associations: an example with PM2.5 and preterm birth

Objectives Estimating gestational age is usually based on date of last menstrual period (LMP) or clinical estimation (CE); both approaches introduce potential bias. Differences in methods of estimation may lead to misclassification and inconsistencies in risk estimates, particularly if exposure assignment is also gestation-dependent. This paper examines a ‘what-if’ scenario in which alternative methods are used and attempts to elucidate how method choice affects observed results. Methods We constructed two 20-week gestational age cohorts of pregnancies between 2000 and 2005 (New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Ohio, USA) using live birth certificates: one defined preterm birth (PTB) status using CE and one using LMP. Within these, we estimated risk for 4 categories of preterm birth (PTBs per 10 6 pregnancies) and risk differences (RD (95% CIs)) associated with exposure to particulate matter (PM 2.5 ). Results More births were classified preterm using LMP (16%) compared with CE (8%). RD divergences increased between cohorts as exposure period approached delivery. Among births between 28 and 31 weeks, week 7 PM 2.5 exposure conveyed RDs of 44 (21 to 67) for CE and 50 (18 to 82) for LMP populations, while week 24 exposure conveyed RDs of 33 (11 to 56) and −20 (−50 to 10), respectively. Conclusions Different results from analyses restricted to births with both CE and LMP are most likely due to differences in dating methods rather than selection issues. Results are sensitive to choice of gestational age estimation, though degree of sensitivity can vary by exposure timing. When both outcome and exposure depend on estimate of gestational age, awareness of nuances in the method used for estimation is critical.
Recurrence in Localized Renal Cell Carcinoma: a Systematic Review of Contemporary Data.

Purpose of Review Patients with localized renal cell carcinoma (RCC) are at risk of recurrence. The purpose of this review was to characterize the literature on recurrence rates and risk factors after diagnosis of localized RCC.
Identification of vortex structures in a cohort of 204 intracranial aneurysms.

An intracranial aneurysm (IA) is a cerebrovascular pathology that can lead to death or disability if ruptured. Abnormal wall shear stress (WSS) has been associated with IA growth and rupture, but little is known about the underlying flow physics related to rupture-prone IAs. Previous studies, based on analysis of a few aneurysms or partial views of three-dimensional vortex structures, suggest that rupture is associated with complex vortical flow inside IAs. To further elucidate the relevance of vortical flow in aneurysm pathophysiology, we studied 204 patient IAs (56 ruptured and 148 unruptured). Using objective quantities to identify three-dimensional vortex structures, we investigated the characteristics associated with aneurysm rupture and if these features correlate with previously proposed WSS and morphological characteristics indicative of IA rupture. Based on the Q -criterion definition of a vortex, we quantified the degree of the aneurysmal region occupied by vortex structures using the volume vortex fraction ( vVF ) and the surface vortex fraction ( sVF ). Computational fluid dynamics simulations showed that the sVF , but not the vVF , discriminated ruptured from unruptured aneurysms. Furthermore, we found that the near-wall vortex structures co-localized with regions of inflow jet breakdown, and significantly correlated to previously proposed haemodynamic and morphologic characteristics of ruptured IAs.
Proliferative and in situ Ductal and Lobular Breast Lesions

Proliferative breast lesions range from benign fibrocystic changes or “low risk” lesions that warrant no further intervention, to in situ malignancy, the treatment of which overlaps that for invasive carcinomas. Also included in this category are “high risk” lesions in between, for which there are controversies regarding management. Many of these entities, along with cases demonstrating radiology-pathology correlation essential in their diagnoses, are discussed in this chapter, and some of the controversies in management are also presented.
Individual differences explain regional differences in honor-related outcomes

Abstract Much research has been devoted to the investigation of both the culture of honor residing in the American South and the individual difference ideologies that stem from this culture. The purpose of our study was to investigate the ability of individual differences in masculine honor beliefs (Saucier et al., 2016) to explain the regional differences that Southern and Northern men showed on the original measures of honor-related outcomes employed by the seminal scholars in culture of honor research (e.g., Cohen & Nisbett, 1994; Nisbett, 1993). Consistent with hypotheses, our results replicate regional differences in honor-related responses, but also show that individual differences in masculine honor beliefs mediate these regional differences. Thus, our research extends the notion of cultures of honor beyond their regional boundaries, and highlights the value in conceptualizing honor as a psychological individual difference factor.
Long and Intermediate Wavelength Flaw Reconstruction

An automated multiviewing ultrasonic transducer and a first generation signal processing program have been developed for the purpose of detecting and characterizing flaws in materials. The multiviewing transducer has been designed and developed to exploit advances in theoretical inverse elastic wave scattering in the long and intermediate wavelength regime made in recent years. The signal processing algorithm has been assembled as a first step in the development of a decision-tree algorithm for flaw characterization. First results that have been obtained in a completely automatic mode are given in this paper. It is concluded that this new long and intermediate wavelength, model-based reconstruction is feasible and potentially very useful in quantitative NDE applications on real systems.
A Markovian analysis of hurricane transitions

The present study considers the random phenomenon that is hurricane tracking in terms of hurricane intensity as measured by hurricane category defined by the newly proposed scale outlined by Wooten and Tsokos, (2007); in conjunction with conditional and unconditional Markov chains. The bi-conditional Markov chains are defined by a previous pressure index and the hurricane stage; that is, before or after the storm reaches its peak intensity or wind speed.
The Formulation of Engineering Identities: Storytelling as Philosophical Inquiry

Along with the development of knowledge and skills, professionals in the early stages of their careers strive to formulate a sense of their worthiness or fit for a profession. Developing this sense of ‘fitting in’ involves a process of identification whereby an individual categorizes him or herself and others for purposes of answering the questions: Who am I? and Who are we? A common means of making sense of one’s experiences is to organize experiences into a story or narrative. The self-reflective formulation of one’s identity into a narrative draws upon individual and social data to develop a coherent view of oneself, similar to the process of philosophical inquiry, which attempts to create an orderly and coherent account of the world.
Cellular Phases of the Immune Response Following Immunization with Mammalian and Bacterial Ribosomes

With the avalanche of information concerning nucleic acids currently accumulating from many scientific disciplines, a more complete knowledge of the biological role of nucleic acids is evolving simultaneously. As immunologists, it is necessary to consider that any given animal host is actually a complete and functioning ecological unit of specialized cells, all of which were derived from one fertilized ovum. As yet, we are still uncertain as to what particular cells function as immunocompetent cells in maintaining the integrity of the animal in a continually changing environment. All somatic cells of a given individual in interphase supposedly contain the same genetic material (DNA) of which only a small portion is involved or “turned on” in the transcription of messenger RNA (Frenster, 1965). It is tempting to speculate that the “turning-on” and “turning-off” of genes might well be one physiological function of the host’s immune system. With this perspective, we wish to present a portion of our research experience in the immunization of experimental animals with mammalian and bacterial ribosomes.
Biological and Mechanical Evaluation of Novel Prototype Dental Composites

The breakdown of the polymeric component of contemporary composite dental restorative materials compromises their longevity, while leachable compounds from these materials have cellular consequences. Thus, a new generation of composite materials needed to be designed to have a longer service life and ensure that any leachable compounds are not harmful to appropriate cell lines. To accomplish this, we have developed concurrent thiol-ene-based polymerization and allyl sulfide-based addition-fragmentation chain transfer chemistries to afford cross-linked polymeric resins that demonstrate low shrinkage and low shrinkage stress. In the past, the filler used in dental composites mainly consisted of glass, which is biologically inert. In several of our prototype composites, we introduced fluorapatite (FA) crystals, which resemble enamel crystals and are bioactive. These novel prototype composites were benchmarked against similarly filled methacrylate-based bisphenol A diglycidyl ether dimethacrylate / triethylene glycol dimethacrylate (bisGMA/TEGDMA) composite for their cytotoxicity, mechanical properties, biofilm formation, and fluoride release. The leachables at pH 7 from all the composites were nontoxic to dental pulp stem cells. There was a trend toward an increase in total toughness of the glass-only-filled prototype composites as compared with the similarly filled bisGMA/TEGDMA composite. Other mechanical properties of the glass-only-filled prototype composites were comparable to the similarly filled bisGMA/TEGDMA composite. Incorporation of the FA reduced the mechanical properties of the prototype and bisGMA/TEGDMA composite. Biofilm mass and colony-forming units per milliliter were reduced on the glass-only-filled prototype composites as compared with the glass-only-filled bisGMA/TEGDMA composite and were significantly reduced by the addition of FA to all composites. Fluoride release at pH 7 was greatest after 24 h for the bisGMA/TEGDMA glass + FA composite as compared with the similarly filled prototypes, but overall the F- release was marginal and not at a concentration to affect bacterial metabolism.
Lung dendritic cells correlate to small airway abnormality & lung CD4+ T cells: SPIROMICS bronchoscopy study

Background: Active smoking promotes small airway abnormality (SAA), an early COPD lesion. Smoking also increases maturation of lung dendritic cells (DC), and decreases CD4+ T cells in bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL). DC control adaptive immunity by activating or tolerizing T cells, but whether lung DC impact SAA is unknown. Aim: To define if BAL DC subsets (cDC1, cDC2, pDC) in current- and ex-smokers correlate with parametric response mapping functional small airways disease (PRMfSAD), a surrogate for histologic SAA, and with BAL CD4+ T cell numbers. Methods: We used flow cytometry to phenotype and quantify DC and CD4+ T cells (per mL BAL) of current- (n=45) and ex-smokers (n=61) with and without COPD in the SPIROMICS cohort. PRMfSAD was measured on paired inspiratory/expiratory CT scans. We tested associations using Spearman correlation and regression models stratified by smoking status and adjusted for age, sex, FEV1% predicted, emphysema (log –950 HU), and inhaled corticosteroid use. Results: In all subjects, cDC1, cDC2, but not pDC, negatively correlated with PRMfSAD. CD4+ T cells positively correlated with cDC1 (r=0.2711, p Conclusions: These data suggest that lung cDC may limit SAA via beneficial T cell polarization occurring only in ex-smokers. Confirming differences based on smoking status in DC-CD4+ T cell interactions in the lungs will require functional assessments, which are planned in SPIROMICS II.
Relación microbioma, salud y producción en las ciencias pecuarias

El Microbioma (o la microbiota,) la coleccion de microorganismos que colonizan y habitan las cavidades, superfcies y epitelios de la anatomia mamifera, juega roles fundamentales en el estado fsiologico animal. Este sistema microbiano, compuesto por trillones de celulas y sus genes, codifca funciones imprescindibles, que extienden las capacidades fsiologicas de los animales, y que garantizan la efciencia de procesos nutricionales, inmunes y de bienestar. Aunque la importancia del microbioma en la salud y la produccion animal ha sido historicamente reconocida en el contexto de las ciencias pecuarias, nuevas tecnicas en biologia molecular, secuenciacion masiva, ciencias meta-OMICAS, bioinformatica, mineria de datos y aprendizaje automatico para estudiar microbiomas (tecnicas microbiOMICAS), han revelado que la complejidad estructural y funcional de estas comunidades microbianas es mucho mayor de lo que nos imaginabamos, y que el microbioma impacta multiples procesos fsiologicos animales de diversas maneras, y de forma simultanea. Adicionalmente, la aplicacion de estas tecnicas microbiOMICAS en diferentes sistemas de produccion, ha dado cuenta del potencial de intervenciones nutricionales y de manejo que puedan modular el microbioma animal para mejorar la efciencia de estos sistemas. Estrategias para modular el microbioma animal cobran una importancia critica, en vista de los retos en sostenibilidad, seguridad alimentaria, equilibrio ambiental y produccion limpia, que como investigadores en ciencias pecuarias, afrontamos hoy en dia. Esta conferencia tiene como objetivo principal presentar una perspectiva actual sobre la inﬂuencia del microbioma en los sistemas de produccion animal. Se hara enfasis en los mecanismos moleculares que sostienen el eje animal-microbio-dieta, y en la relacion indisoluble entre nutricion, inmunidad (salud) y produccion. Igualmente, con base en evidencia recopilada hasta la fecha, se analizan diferentes escenarios de manipulacion nutricional y/o ambiental para modular el microbioma, donde ha sido posible inﬂuenciar fenotipos productivos y de salud, en favor de sistemas mas efcientes.
Luteinizing Hormone Receptor Number and Affinity in Corpora Lutea from Prepuberal Gilts Induced to Ovulate and Spontaneous Corpora Lutea of Mature Gilts

This study was designed to determine if luteal cell receptors for luteinizing hormone/human chorionic gonadotropin (LH/hCG) contribute to the previously demonstrated abnormal function of induced corpora lutea (CL) in gilts. Twenty-five prepuberal (P) gilts, induced to ovulate with 1,500 IU pregnant mare serum gonadotropin followed 72 h later with 500 IU hCG (d 0 = day of hCG), and 22 mature (M) gilts that had displayed two or more estrous cycles were ovariectomized (OVX) on d 10, 14, 18, 22 or 26 after the onset of estrus. All gilts except those OVX on d 10 were hysterectomized between d 6 and 9 to ensure luteal maintenance. The CL were stored at -196 degrees C until determination of LH/hCG receptor number and dissociation constant (KD) by saturation analysis. Receptor number was greater for M than for P gilts on d 14 (P less than .07) and d 18 (P less than .01). The KD was greater in M than in P gilts on d 14 (P less than .01) and d 18 (P less than .0001). The LH/hCG receptor number and KD of P gilts remained the same throughout the days studied. The LH/hCG receptor number (fmol/mg protein) of M gilts was elevated on d 10, 14, and 18 (50.8, 50.4 and 51.4, respectively) and decreased on d 22 (26.5) and d 26 (25.4) to values similar to those of P gilts. In M gilts, KD increased on d 14, remained high on d 18 and decreased on d 22. We suggest that abnormal function of induced CL in P gilts may be due to an elevated LH receptor number.