cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Inhibition of the Oxidative Metabolism of Human Spermatozoa by a Heat-Labile Factor in Seminal Plasma *

The effect of different media on the oxidative and glycolytic metabolism and on the motility of human spermatozoa has been investigated. Sperm resuspended in Ringer's solution produce more carbon dioxide than sperm in the original seminal plasma. In addition, sperm resuspended in heated seminal plasma have a higher carbon dioxide production and higher oxygen uptake than sperm in untreated seminal plasma. The mean lactic acid production was not significantly affected by different media. The motility of sperm in heated seminal plasma was poorer than that in untreated seminal plasma, although the percentage of cells that stained with eosin did not differ in the two media. After being heated, seminal plasma not only continued to take up oxygen but did so at a higher rate. The results of the present study suggest that seminal plasma contains a heat-labile component that inhibits the oxidative metabolism of human sperm but does not significantly alter sperm glycolysis.
Effects of graded levels of dietary copper on copper and iron concentrations in swine tissues.

In a dose-response study, 120 weanling, crossbred pigs were used to determine the effect of 7.5, 15, 30, 60, 120 and 240 ppm total dietary Cu on animal performance and Cu and Fe stores in selected tissues. Pigs were killed at 56 or 91 kg average body weight. Average daily gain was not affected by dietary treatment. Dietary Cu concentrations of 7.5, 15, 30 and 60 ppm had no appreciable effect on Cu and Fe concentrations in liver and kidney of pigs slaughtered at 91 kg. However, 120 and 240 ppm dietary Cu increased (P less than or equal to .01) liver Cu 4.5- and 16-fold and decreased (P less than or equal to .05) liver Fe by 50 and 60%, respectively, compared with the other dietary treatments. A fit of liver Cu and Fe data to linear plateau models resulted in an inflection point of approximately 60 ppm dietary Cu. Kidney Cu was also increased (P less than or equal to .05) by 120 and 240 ppm dietary Cu, but the magnitude of the change was smaller than that of liver Cu. Muscle Cu and Fe were not significantly affected by dietary Cu.
In the Wake of Orlando — Taking Steps against Gun Violence

In the wreckage of destroyed lives, broken families, and a traumatized community left behind by a gunman’s rampage on June 12, Americans seemed to be asking what kind of crime this was. Another senseless mass shooting in a long line from Virginia Tech to Aurora to Newtown? A terrorist attack inspired by ISIL or other extremist groups? A hate crime against the LGBT community? Do the distinctions among these unspeakable horrors matter? Central Floridians didn’t wait for an answer; they poured into the streets and lined up at blood-donation centers ready and willing to give part of themselves in hopes . . .
Proliferation, Regeneration, and Repair of Articular Cartilage of Immature Animals

Repair of articular cartilage of the femoral condyles in immature dogs was studied histologically at various time intervals after injury in thirty complete (full-thickness) and ten incomplete (one-third to one-half thickness) defects in the weight-bearing surface and in six incomplete defects in the
10-K Disclosure of Corporate Social Responsibility and Firms’ Competitive Advantages

This paper examines whether firms that provide textual corporate social responsibility (CSR) disclosures in their 10-K filings experience operating performance consistent with consumer preference. We hypothesize that managers will disclose CSR-related information in 10-Ks when such information is decision-useful in its ability to predict future operating performance reflective of consumers’ preference to transact with more CSR-active firms. We find that CSR disclosure intensity is unassociated with future operating margin. However, when we disaggregate operating margin into gross margin and return on Selling, General and Administrative expenses (SG&A margin), we find that CSR disclosure intensity is negatively associated with future gross margin, suggesting production inefficiencies in excess of any CSR-related price premiums. CSR disclosure intensity is positively associated with SG&A margin, suggesting lower per-customer transaction costs, price premiums, and SG&A economies of scale in excess of SG&A costs of CSR activities. We also find that all our measures of positive operating performance persist to a greater degree in firms with more CSR-related information in their 10-Ks, suggesting that CSR disclosure intensity may reflect firm’s ability to sustain positive operating performance, whether or not such performance is a direct result of CSR activities. Further, we document systematic differences in the levels and persistence of performance between firms that provide different types of CSR disclosure, such as philanthropy-, business-, product-, or environment-related.
Mitoxantrone, Vinblastine, and Lomustine (MVC): Long-Term Follow-Up of Patients Treated for Hodgkin’s Disease (HD).

Advanced-stage or relapsed/refractory HD has a poor prognosis despite aggressive chemotherapy regimens and the use of high dose therapy with autologous support. Sixty seven patients with HD(23 newly diagnosed and 45 with relapsed/refractory disease, one patient treated twice) were treated with the MVC regimen (mitoxantrone 8mg/m2/day IV days 1–3, vinblastine 8m/m2/day days 1 and 22, and CCNU 100 mg/m2 on day 1, repeated at 6 to 8 wks) in a single-arm Phase II study. This regimen combines the most effective chemotherapeutic agents of previous regimens for poor prognosis HD, and eliminates marginally active agents with unnecessary toxicities. Median age at treatment was 35 years (16–71), with 42 males and 25 females. 23 patients had previously untreated (PU) disease, staged as II (7), III (7), IV (9), and subtypes consisted of nodular sclerosis (21), mixed cellularity (1), and lymphocyte depletion (1). 45 patients were previously treated (1st relapse-20, 2nd relapse-13, 3rd relapse-12) and had relapsed after chemotherapy alone (17), radiotherapy alone (4), or combined modality treatment (24). 39 patients were relapsed and 6 refractory to treatment. This refractory/relapsed (R/R) group at diagnosis was staged II (11), III (10), IV (22), unknown (2), with 34 nodular sclerosis, 3 mixed cellularity, 1 anaplastic large cell, 1 lymphocyte predominant, 2 lymphocyte depleted, 4 unknown. All patients responded to treatment in the newly diagnosed group (OR 100%). The median response duration was 57.2 mos, and the median survival 108.1 mos. 11 complete responses are ongoing at 39+ to 189+ mos. In the prior treated patients, 41 responded to MVC (OR 91%). The median response duration for this group was 11 mos, and the median survival was 82.1 mos. Grade 3 and 4 treatment-related toxicities included neutropenia (89%), thrombocytopenia (73%), infection (40%), bleeding (20%), and two (2.9%) deaths (related to granulocytopenia and infection). Three secondary myeloid leukemias occurred, two in the de-novo, and one in the relapsed/refractory group, at a median follow-up of 16 years. In conclusion, MVC regimen for HD is very active, for both de novo and relapsed/refractory disease, with high response rates and survival that compare favorably with the results obtained by high-dose therapy with stem-cell transplantation. Although significant, the toxicities associated with this regimen were manageable. | Group | OR | CR | PR | Overall median response | Overall survival | CR median response | CR median survival | |:------------------------------------- | ---- | --- | --- | ----------------------- | ---------------- | ------------------ | ------------------ | | NR* = not reached, range 8.2-189+ mos | | PU | 100% | 83% | 17% | 57.2 mos | 108 mos | NR* | 186 mos | | R/R | 91% | 44% | 47% | 11 mos | 82 mos | 15 mos | 168 mos |
The Sermon on the Mount and Moral Theology: A Virtue Perspective

In this volume, William C. Mattison, III demonstrates that virtue ethics provides a helpful key for unlocking the moral wisdom of the Sermon on the Mount. Showing how familiar texts such as the Beatitudes and Petitions of the Lord's Prayer are more richly understood, and can even be aligned with the theological and cardinal virtues, he also locates in the Sermon classic topics in morality, such as the nature of happiness, intentionality, the intelligibility of human action, and the development of virtue. Yet far from merely placing the teaching of Aristotle in the mouth of Jesus, he demonstrates how the Sermon presents an account of happiness and virtue transformed in the light of Christian faith. The happiness portrayed is that of the Kingdom of heaven, and the habits needed to participate in it in the next life, but even initially in this one, are possible only by God's grace through Jesus Christ, and lived in the community that is the Church.
Influence of hosting a major sports event on patriotic attitudes: The EuroBasket 2013 competition in Slovenia:

Countries with short histories of nationhood often resort to sport to (re-)invent a national identity. This study uses the nationalizing nationalism and social identity frameworks to examine whethe...
Does Viewing Sacrificed Integrity as a Negotiable Cost Promote Acceptance of Fraud

ABSTRACT: The accounting profession relies heavily on professional integrity to control fraud and abuse; yet we know little about the relationship between integrity and fraud. We propose that integrity influences accountants' attitudes about fraud through rational calculations of risk and reward, where accountants weigh the loss of integrity against potential returns. We adapt and test a model that incorporates outcome bias and framing in an experiment with student participants (n = 86). When confronted with financial statement fraud, the likely outcome of the fraud influences attitudes about integrity, and integrity mediates the effect of the likely outcome of the fraud on attitudes toward the fraud. This finding suggests that attitudes about integrity partially determine attitudes about fraud. However, we argue that accountants' attitudes about integrity are corruptible, meaning the profession cannot rely on self-regulation alone to control fraud and abuse.
Coma Management and Sensory Stimulation

Coma management targets prevention of medical complications and increase of arousal in patients who remain in prolonged consciousness. Pharmacologic issues include sedating side effects of commonly used medications and the use of medications to increase arousal directly. The role of sensory stimulation is controversial and is being re-evaluated.
Some Perspectives on Ecological Modeling Focused on Upper Ocean Processes

Biological processes clearly affect the often complex distributions of many chemical elements in the ocean. The biological processes, in turn, are inherently intricate and are variable in time and space due to environmental dependencies. Modeling provides a mechanism by which complex biological-environmental interactions can be studied. This potential is evident in the progress exhibited in the construction of biological-physical subsystem models in the last decade. Future progress in these models depends on an increased understanding of how the vertical motion affects the environmental exposure of plankton and on improved capabilities of real time and space biological parameterization. From the present perspective, the latter includes not only small scale responses due to planktonic physiology and behavior but also geographic differences in oceanographic conditions. Biologically oriented subsystem models provide a powerful tool when closely coupled with laboratory and field efforts that can contribute significantly to the elucidation of upper ocean chemistry.
Cataloging Research by Design: A Taxonomic Approach to Understanding Research Questions in Cataloging

AbstractThis article asserts that many research questions (RQs) in cataloging reflect design-based RQs, rather than traditional scientific ones. To support this idea, a review of existing discussio...
Clinical Use of KTP-Laser in Neurosurgery

KTP laser has recently gained use in clinical neurosurgery. No data have been published regarding the safety or efficacy of KTP in the treatment of brain or spinal cord lesions. The author wishes to report a series of lesions treated with KTP laser documenting clinical safety and efficacy.
Perceptions of Cybersecurity Readiness among Workgroup IT Managers

Any modern cybersecurity strategy relies upon IT managers who are experts in their field, who are willing to employ best practices, and who educate their users. Large corporations have developed an...
A Conversation Between Kelsey Martin and Johannes Czernin

1091 Objectives: Triple negative breast cancers (TNBCs) have a higher risk of earlier metastasis and visceral recurrence comparing to other molecular subtypes, and are associated with dismal prognosis. However, there are no specific targets for TNBCs and chemotherapy remains the only available systemic treatment. Hence, cell surface proteins that are specifically expressed in TNBC malignant cells and not expressed in normal breast tissue would be ideal biomarkers, and are potential therapeutic targets for various strategies. Recent publications showed Nectin-4, a membranous protein, was overexpressed in a variety of tumors including TNBCs. Our study aimed to evaluate the feasibility of radioimmunoimaing with 99mTc-labeled Nectin-4 monoclonal antibody (mAb) for breast cancer.Methods: Nectin-4 mAb was labeled with 99mTc by SHNH. The radiolabeling yield and radiochemical purity of 99mTc-Nectin-4 mAb were measured by instant thin layer chromatography (ITLC). Nectin-4 overexpression and underexpression breast cancer cell lines, MDA-MB-468 (TNBC cell line) and MCF-7, were used in this study. Cell uptake assays was performed to evaluate the specificity of binding to Nectin-4 in vitro. The SPECT images and biodistribution study was acquired in mice bearing tumors, and the tumor/muscle (T/M) and tumor/blood (T/B) ratio were calculated.Results: 99mTc-HYNIC-Nectin-4 mAb was successfully synthesized with high radiolabelling yield (65.50 %-79.20%) and radiochemical purity (95.03 ± 2.40%). Western blot and immunohistochemistry showed that the expression level of Nectin-4 in MDA-MB-468 was higher than that in MCF-7. 99mTc-HYNIC-Nectin-4 mAb could be accumulated by MDA-MB-468 cells specifically in vitro with the highest uptake of 4.27 ± 0.09% at 8 h. The SPECT imaging illustrated the MDA-MB-468 tumor had obviously higher 99mTc-HYNIC-Nectin-4 mAb uptake in comparison to MCF-7 tumor,and the MDA-MB-468 blocking group had relatively lower activity accumulation. The results of biodistribution study demonstrated that the MDA-MB-468 tumors had significantly higher uptake of radiolabeled probe with 15.32 ± 1.04% ID/g (36h) comparing to MCF-7 tumors (3.02 ± 0.20% ID/g, p<0.001), which could be inhibited by excess Nectin-4 mAb (4.33 ± 0.48% ID/g, p<0.001). In addition, the mice bearing MDA-MB-468 tumor exhibited superior T/M and T/B ratio (13.19 ± 4.44 and 1.37 ± 0.09) comparing to the MCF-7 group (4.16 ± 1.18 and 0.47 ± 0.05) and MDA-MB-468 blocking group (4.09 ± 0.66 and 0.38 ± 0.03), respectively.Conclusion:99mTc-labeled Nectin-4 mAb can bind to Nectin-4 with high specifically and affinity in vitro and in vivo. Its excellent Nectin-4 targeting provides the potential for multiple anti-tumor strategies translation, including radioimmunological therapy, antibody-drug conjugates (ADC), and antibody/bispecific antibody in various Nectin-4 overexpressing cancers including TNBCs. Data are expressed as mean ± SD (n = 4). Acknowledgements: This work was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (No. 81630049).
Limbic-predominant age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy differs from frontotemporal lobar degeneration.

TAR-DNA binding protein-43 (TDP-43) proteinopathy is seen in multiple brain diseases. A standardized terminology was recommended recently for common age-related TDP-43 proteinopathy: limbic-predominant, age-related TDP-43 encephalopathy (LATE) and the underlying neuropathological changes, LATE-NC. LATE-NC may be co-morbid with Alzheimer's disease neuropathological changes (ADNC). However, there currently are ill-defined diagnostic classification issues among LATE-NC, ADNC, and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with TDP-43 (FTLD-TDP). A practical challenge is that different autopsy cohorts are composed of disparate groups of research volunteers: hospital- and clinic-based cohorts are enriched for FTLD-TDP cases, whereas community-based cohorts have more LATE-NC cases. Neuropathological methods also differ across laboratories. Here, we combined both cases and neuropathologists' diagnoses from two research centres-University of Pennsylvania and University of Kentucky. The study was designed to compare neuropathological findings between FTLD-TDP and pathologically severe LATE-NC. First, cases were selected from the University of Pennsylvania with pathological diagnoses of either FTLD-TDP (n = 33) or severe LATE-NC (mostly stage 3) with co-morbid ADNC (n = 30). Sections from these University of Pennsylvania cases were cut from amygdala, anterior cingulate, superior/mid-temporal, and middle frontal gyrus. These sections were stained for phospho-TDP-43 immunohistochemically and evaluated independently by two University of Kentucky neuropathologists blinded to case data. A simple set of criteria hypothesized to differentiate FTLD-TDP from LATE-NC was generated based on density of TDP-43 immunoreactive neuronal cytoplasmic inclusions in the neocortical regions. Criteria-based sensitivity and specificity of differentiating severe LATE-NC from FTLD-TDP cases with blind evaluation was ∼90%. Another proposed neuropathological feature related to TDP-43 proteinopathy in aged individuals is 'Alpha' versus 'Beta' in amygdala. Alpha and Beta status was diagnosed by neuropathologists from both universities (n = 5 raters). There was poor inter-rater reliability of Alpha/Beta classification (mean κ = 0.31). We next tested a separate cohort of cases from University of Kentucky with either FTLD-TDP (n = 8) or with relatively 'pure' severe LATE-NC (lacking intermediate or severe ADNC; n = 14). The simple criteria were applied by neuropathologists blinded to the prior diagnoses at University of Pennsylvania. Again, the criteria for differentiating LATE-NC from FTLD-TDP was effective, with sensitivity and specificity ∼90%. If more representative cases from each cohort (including less severe TDP-43 proteinopathy) had been included, the overall accuracy for identifying LATE-NC was estimated at >98% for both cohorts. Also across both cohorts, cases with FTLD-TDP died younger than those with LATE-NC (P < 0.0001). We conclude that in most cases, severe LATE-NC and FTLD-TDP can be differentiated by applying simple neuropathological criteria.
Vancomycin-Induced Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis.

Vancomycin-Induced Linear IgA Bullous Dermatosis A 67-year-old man presented with a diffuse bullous eruption while receiving treatment with vancomycin. Direct immunofluorescence revealed linear dep...
Examining vocabulary, reading comprehension, and content knowledge instruction during fourth grade social studies teaching

Teaching vocabulary and reading comprehension during social studies instruction is critical for reading development and the acquisition of content knowledge. This study systematically investigated how elementary teachers integrate vocabulary and reading comprehension instruction during social studies teaching, as well as the extent to which this instruction aligned with evidence-based practices. Thirty-three fourth grade teachers from 12 schools across three school districts recorded their social studies instruction for a total of 2429 min. Findings revealed that two-thirds of social studies instructional time integrated practices for developing vocabulary and reading comprehension. Yet, the approaches for teaching comprehension and methods for instructional delivery (e.g., explicit instruction, high-quality feedback) teachers used infrequently aligned with those identified as effective in previous research. We present opportunities for improving content-area instruction and future research.
Vascular optical spectroscopy for the detection of contrast-agent perfusion during X-ray angiography in peripheral artery disease patients undergoing a surgical intervention

In patients with peripheral artery disease (PAD), plaque is accumulating in arteries which leads to a reduction in blood supply to the extremities. In advanced stages, surgical intervention is required to reopen the arteries and restore limb perfusion. During this procedure, it is important to correctly identify which areas of the foot lack perfusion. The standard procedure to obtain this information is X-ray angiography, which is performed repeatedly during the intervention. The disadvantage of this procedure is the relatively high radiation dose and extensive use of contrast agents. To reduce this problem, we evaluate in this pilot study (involving 4 patients) the ability of vascular optical spectroscopy (VOS) to detect the X-ray contrast agent permeating the angiosomes in the foot. We show that the contrast agent can be detected by optical measurements as it temporarily replaces the blood in the different angiosomes, which leads to a 1% to 5% change in the signal amplitude. In addition, measurements of the blood pooling in the foot were performed before the intervention. We observed a strong correlation between the angiosomes that showed a worsen state in the measurement done before the intervention and the absence of angiographic contrast agent signals during the intervention itself. Among the 4 patients monitored, 2 showed a response to the contrast agent in their angiosomes and they corresponded to the patients with a relatively better perfusion in the pre-intervention measurements.
Activation of Cellulose with Alkaline Earth Metals

Alkaline earth metal ions accelerate the breaking of cellulose bonds and control the distribution of products in the pyrolysis of lignocellulose to biofuels and chemicals. Here, the activation of cellulose via magnesium ions was measured over a range of temperatures from 370 to 430 ⁰C for 20 to 2000 milliseconds and compared with activation of cellulose via calcium, another naturally-occurring alkaline earth metal in lignocellulose materials. The experimental approach of pulse heated analysis of solid/surface reactions (PHASR) showed that magnesium significantly catalyzes cellulose activation with a second order rate dependence on the catalyst concentration. An experimental barrier of 45.6 ± 2.1 kcal mol-1 and a pre-factor of 1.18 x 1016 (mmol Mg2+ / g CD)-2 * s-1 was obtained for the activation of α-cyclodextrin (CD), a cellulose surrogate, for catalyst concentrations of 0.1 to 0.5 mmol Mg+2 per gram of CD. First principles density functional theory calculations showed that magnesium ions play a dual role in catalyzing the reaction by breaking the hydrogen bonds with hydroxymethyl groups and destabilizing the reacting cellulose chain, thus making it more active. The calculated barrier of 47 kcal mol-1 is in agreement with the experimentally measured barriers and similar to that for calcium ion catalysts (~50 kcal mol-1).
Psychological trauma in postpartum women who experienced maternity care during the stringent COVID-19 pandemic restrictions.

Commentary on : Sanders J and Blaylock R. “Anxious and traumatized”: Users’ experiences of maternity care in the UK during the COVID-19 pandemic. Midwifery 2021;102. doi: 10.1016/j.midw.2021.103069. There is a growing body of evidence supporting the emotional, psychological and physical trauma inflicted on women who experienced visitor restrictions while receiving maternity care after 11 March 2020 during the COVID-19 pandemic.1 The study employed the quantitative and qualitative format to demonstrate the number of women who experienced this trauma from the implementation of visitor’s restrictions in the UK maternity ward.1 The researchers conducted an …
Beyond HR: The New Science of Human Capital (Book Summary)

Beyond HR: The New Science of Human Capital by John Boudreau and Peter RamstadHarvard Business School Press (2007)
Modeling Relationships among Multiple Graphical Structures

Many researchers have investigated the social and cognitive processes underlying organizational behavior, with particular interest in understanding the interaction between the social and cognitive dimensions. Because of the widespread use of graphs as models of social and cognitive structures, these studies frequently encounter the problem of analyzing collections of graphical structures. Such analyses have used a variety of approaches to address specific aspects of such structures. However, no single unified approach has emerged that supports the several different types of analyses required. The purpose of this paper is to define such an approach, based on a mathematical model for capturing the relationships among multiple graphs, and to demonstrate its application to the investigation of social and cognitive structures in organizations.
Genetic studies at the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission-Radiation Effects Research Foundation: 1946-1997

It is difficult, some 52 years later, to recreate the intensity of the concern about the delayed effects of exposure to the atomic bombs, as well as other radiation exposures, that surfaced in the first few months after the bombings. It is not generally appreciated that the survival in Japan of so many persons receiving exposures to ionizing radiation up to the amount compatible with survival was unexpected. The physicists on the Manhattan Project had assumed that anyone close enough to the hypocenter of the explosion to have received significant amounts of radiation would have been killed by the blast or thermal effects of the bombs (1). The survivors within 2 km of the hypocenter of the explosion, this being the radius of significant radiation, were, therefore, a group without parallel in human history, regardless of individual feelings about the use of the two bombs, and the significance of an intensive follow-up of this group was at that time immediately apparent to laypersons and scientists alike of all nationalities. Dr. Putnam (2) has outlined the developments that led to the involvement of the Academy in the organization of the long-term studies of the atomic bomb survivors carried out by the Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission (ABCC). Elsewhere, I have described the somewhat unusual circumstances that resulted in then First Lieutenant Neel, Medical Corps, U.S. Army, being assigned to the small survey team that first touched down in Japan on November 25, 1946, charged with advising the Academy’s new Committee on Atomic Casualties concerning both the potentialities and the problems inherent in any study the Academy might undertake (3). Because my background at that time included a Ph.D. in genetics as well as my medical training, I covered the genetic beat for the group. It was obvious from the outset that …
Preparation of Bovine Xanthine Oxidase and the Subunit Structures of Some Iron Flavoproteins

Abstract A new preparative procedure for bovine milk xanthine oxidase avoids exposure of the enzyme to proteases. The enzyme so obtained exhibited a molecular weight of about 300,000 as did chicken liver xanthine dehydrogenase. The former readily yielded species with a molecular weight of 150,000 in guanidine and in acid but could not be resolved into smaller subunits. Aldehyde oxidase of rabbit liver exhibited a molecular weight of 275,000 and again deaggregated into molecules of about half that size in guanidine and in acid but was not further deaggregated. Dihydroorotic dehydrogenase has a molecular weight of 112,000 to 124,000 and deaggregated into 4 identical subunit molecules in guanidine solution. The major features of the optical rotatory dispersion spectra of xanthine oxidase were associated with the large absorption peaks due to its flavin and iron complexes and were abolished by the procedures which led to deaggregation into subunits.
A Review of “Straight: The Surprisingly Short History of Heterosexuality”

Historian Hanne Blank's engaging account of the birth and evolution of heterosexuality in the late 19th century offers a timely counterpoint to the current mantra that “I was born this way.” The au...
Hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis in a female patient due to a heterozygous XIAP mutation and skewed X chromosome inactivation.

Genetic forms of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) are caused by mutations in autosomal recessive genes affecting perforin-dependent cytotoxic function and two X-linked genes affecting distinct cell signaling pathways: SH2D1A and XIAP. HLH caused by mutations in X-linked genes is typically found only in males. Here we report the occurrence of HLH in a female caused by a heterozygous mutation in XIAP. Flow cytometric studies confirmed the absence of XIAP protein expression, while an X chromosome inactivation assay revealed an extreme skewing ratio of 99:1. This finding demonstrates that females are susceptible to X-linked forms of HLH through skewed X chromosome inactivation. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2015;62:1288–1290. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
Host defenses against Staphylococcus aureus infection require recognition of bacterial lipoproteins

Toll-like receptors and other immune-signaling pathways play important roles as sensors of bacterial pattern molecules, such as peptidoglycan, lipoprotein, or teichoic acid, triggering innate host immune responses that prevent infection. Immune recognition of multiple bacterial products has been viewed as a safeguard against stealth infections; however, this hypothesis has never been tested for Staphylococcus aureus, a frequent human pathogen. By generating mutations that block the diacylglycerol modification of lipoprotein precursors, we show here that S. aureus variants lacking lipoproteins escape immune recognition and cause lethal infections with disseminated abscess formation, failing to elicit an adequate host response. Thus, lipoproteins appear to play distinct, nonredundant roles in pathogen recognition and host innate defense mechanisms against S. aureus infections.
Solubility of alkanes in protein solutions.

Abstract 1. 1. The solubility of homologous alkanes in solutions of different proteins was studied. The alkanes employed were pentane, heptane, nonane, and mixtures of pentane and nonane. The proteins were bovine serum albumin, β-lactoglobulin, chicken ovomucoid, and chicken ovalbumin. The amount of binding was determined by measuring the amount of dissolved alkane by gas-liquid chromatography. 2. 2. The amount of alkane bound was primarily a function of the weight of alkane and the weight of protein. Ovalbumin, however, bound approximately half the amount of pentane bound by the other three proteins. 3. 3. In mixtures of pentane and nonane, the binding was primarily a function of the relative amounts of the two alkanes.
Acute abdominal aorta embolism caused by primary cardiac echinococcus cyst

Embolism of the abdominal aorta by an echinococcus cyst is extremely rare and is due to rupture of an intracardiac hydatid cyst. We report a case of abdominal aortic embolism by a primary intracardiac echinococcus cyst which was treated successfully with bilateral femoral embolectomy followed by direct aortotomy. We found only 16 previous cases reported and only one caused by a primary cyst.
NMR-based metabolomics approach to target biomarkers for human prostate cancer

In the era of genomics and proteomics, metabolomics offers a unique way to probe the underlying biochemistry of malignant transformations. In the context of oncological metabolomics, the study of the global variation of metabolites involved in the development and progression of cancers, few existing techniques offer as much potential to discover biomarkers as nuclear magnetic resonance techniques. The most fundamental magnetic resonance methodologies with regard to human prostate cancer are magnetic resonance spectroscopy and magnetic resonance spectroscopic imaging. Recent in vivo explorations have examined crucial metabolites that may indicate cancerous lesions and have the potential to direct treatment; while ex vivo studies of prostatic fluids and tissues have defined novel diagnostic parameters and indicated that magnetic resonance methodologies will be paramount in future prostate cancer management.
Multixial Creep Life Prediction of Ceramic Structures Using Continuum Damage Mechanics and the Finite Element Method

High temperature and long duration applications of monolithic ceramics can place their failure mode in the creep rupture regime. A previous model advanced by the authors described a methodology by which the creep rupture life of a loaded component can be predicted. That model was based on the life fraction damage accumulation rule in association with the modified Monkman-Grant creep rupture criterion. However, that model did not take into account the deteriorating state of the material due to creep damage (e.g. cavitation) as time elapsed. In addition, the material creep parameters used in that life prediction methodology, were based on uniaxial curves displaying primary and secondary creep behavior, with no tertiary regime. The objective of this paper is to present a creep life prediction methodology based on a modified form of the Kachanov-Rabotnov continuum damage mechanics (CDM) theory. In this theory, the uniaxial creep rate is described in terms of stress, temperature, time, and current state of material damage. This scalar damage state parameter is basically an abstract measure of the current state of material damage due to creep deformation. The damage rate is assumed to vary with stress, temperature, time, and the current state of damage itself. Multiaxial creepmore » and creep rupture formulations of the CDM approach are presented in this paper. Parameter estimation methodologies based on nonlinear regression analysis are also described for both, isothermal constant stress states and anisothermal variable stress conditions. This creep life prediction methodology was preliminarily added to the integrated design code named Ceramics Analysis and Reliability Evaluation of Structures/Creep (CARES/Creep), which is a postprocessor program to commercially available finite element analysis (FEA) packages. Two examples, showing comparisons between experimental and predicted creep lives of ceramic specimens, are used to demonstrate the viability of this methodology and CARES/Creep program.« less
Effects of pyriproxyfen and buprofezin on immature development and reproduction in the stable fly

The stable fly, Stomoxys calcitrans (L.) (Diptera: Muscidae), is one of the most significant biting flies that affect cattle. The use of traditional insecticides for stable fly control has only a limited success owing to the insect's unique feeding behaviours and immature development sites. A laboratory study was conducted to evaluate the effects of two insect growth regulator (IGR) products, pyriproxyfen and buprofezin, on the development of the immature stages of the stable fly and the effects of pyriproxyfen on oviposition and egg hatch. Both pyriproxyfen and buprofezin had significant inhibitory effects on immature development. The LC(50) s of pyriproxyfen and buprofezin were 0.002 and 18.92 p.p.m., respectively. Topical treatment of adult females with different doses of pyriproxyfen had significant negative effects on both female oviposition and egg hatching when 1- and 3-day-old females were treated, and the effects were dose dependent. A significant reduction in the mean number of eggs laid was observed only at the highest pyriproxyfen dose (8 µg/fly) and egg hatch was unaffected by pyriproxyfen treatment when 5-day-old females were treated. Results from the present study indicate that pyriproxyfen has the potential to be used as part of an integrated stable fly management programme.
Non-isothermal viscoelastic flow through an axisymmetric sudden contraction

Abstract Nonlinear dynamics of non-isothermal viscoelastic flow in an axisymmetric sudden contraction geometry are studied for a highly elastic polyisobutylene (PIB) based polymer solution (referred to as PIB-Boger fluid). Temperature gradient in the flow is generated by the external heating or cooling imposed at the boundaries of the system. The critical conditions for the onset of the elastic instabilities at different wall temperatures are determined by accurate instantaneous measurements of pressure drop across the contraction plane and temperature measurements in the flow. These results along with flow images by streakline photography are presented for various values of wall-to-fluid temperature differences and Deborah numbers (dimensionless flow rates). It is shown that the thermal effects have profound consequences for the onset, development, and structure of the vortical flows in viscoelastic entry flows. Thermal instabilities are not detected in these flows for the range of flow rates and wall temperatures used in the present observations.
Functional characterization of membrane components of cytotoxic peritoneal exudate T lymphocytes. I. Search for T cell receptor activity in lymphocyte membrane fractions.

Two approaches were employed to investigate the existence of a T lymphocyte receptor component responsible for target cell binding by effector lymphocytes engaged in lymphocyte-mediated cytolysis (LMC): (1) Crude lysates or purified vesicular membrane from cytotoxic T lymphocytes were tested for their ability to inhibit the in vitro destruction of 51Cr-labeled tumor target cells by intact cytotoxic lymphocytes. (2) Membrane proteins of cytotoxic T lymphocytes labeled with 125I by the lactoperoxidase method were either collected after spontaneous turnover into the medium or isolated in the vesicular membrane fraction, and assayed for specific binding to target cells. The results of this study have shown that a biologically active receptor component was not detected when disrupted cytotoxic lymphocytes, their plasma membranes, or the spontaneously released products of membrane turnover were tested for their ability to inhibit LMC and to bind specifically to target cells in vitro. Theoretical considerations concerning the possible structure of a T lymphocyte receptor are discussed.
EFFECTS OF PICTORIAL RELATIVE SIZE AND GROUND-INTERCEPT INFORMATION ON JUDGMENTS ABOUT POTENTIAL COLLISIONS IN PERSPECTIVE DISPLAYS

Using perspective displays, observers judged whether two objects that approached each other in midair would collide. When objects were different sizes, observers often did not detect imminent collisions. Errors decreased with equal-sized objects or ground-intercept information. Results from these limited conditions suggest that judgments about collision in perspective displays (e.g., three-dimensional displays of aircraft) can be enhanced by minimizing ambiguities created by pictorial relative size cues. Results are consistent with studies of judgments about object-self collisions.
Loss of response to treatment with leukotriene receptor antagonists but not inhaled corticosteroids in patients over 50 years of age.

Background There are limited published data describing the relative efficacy of available treatment options in younger versus older patients with persistent asthma. Objective To compare the efficacy of fluticasone propionate (FP) and zafirlukast (Z) in younger (12 to 49 years of age) versus older (50 years and older) patients with asthma. Methods A retrospective analysis of five randomized, double-blind, double-dummy studies 4 to 12 weeks in duration of 1,742 patients Results Treatment with FP resulted in significantly greater improvements than Z in all efficacy measurements (except for nighttime awakenings) regardless of age. In older patients, treatment with FP significantly increased pulmonary function compared with Z: FEV 1 (FP= +0.19 L; placebo=−0.34 L; Z=−0.06 L); am peak expiratory flow rate [PEFR] (FP = +25 L/minute; placebo=−18 L/minute; Z=+4 L/minute); pm PEFR (FP = +24 L/minute; placebo=−24 L/minute; Z=+5 L/minute; P ≤ 0.023; for all comparisons). Compared with Z, treatment with FP in older patients also resulted in significantly greater increases in the percentage of symptom-free days (25% vs 13%) and rescue-free days (35% vs 17%); and significantly greater reductions in albuterol use (−1.6 vs −0.3 puffs/day) and the percentage of patients with exacerbations (2.7% vs 14.3%; P ≤ 0.031). Conclusions Regardless of age, treatment with FP in patients with asthma significantly improved pulmonary function and overall asthma control. In contrast, treatment with Z in older patients with asthma resulted in small improvements in asthma symptoms, whereas lung function improved minimally or not at all, and exacerbations increased. These data suggest that FP effectively controls inflammation in older patients, whereas Z may mask inflammation and may not provide the level of bronchodilatory or anti-inflammatory activity needed for effective asthma control in older patients.
Predictive Factors in the Quality of Life of Cancer Inpatients

ABSTRACT The purpose of the study was to determine whether sense of coherence (SOC), and demographic variables (age, gender, race, education, length of illness) predict quality of life (QOL) in cancer inpatients. SOC is the extent to which one finds life comprehensible, manageable, and meaningful. Participants were 49 inpatients (66% female) with various forms of cancer, mostly African American (71%), with a mean age of 54.5 years. The mean QOLS of cancer inpatients (84.6) was lower than a healthy population (90.0), however, their mean item scores indicated that they are “mostly satisfied” with most areas of QOL except for active forms of past-time and health. The mean SOC score (133.8) was also lower than other groups; however without appropriate norms, it cannot be concluded that cancer inpatients have a weak SOC. Multiple regressions showed that SOC was a significant predictor of QOL, and that the demographic variables were not predictive of QOL, except when combined with SOC. All findings may be limit...
Positive feedbacks amplify rates of woody encroachment in mesic tallgrass prairie

Over the last century, many grasslands worldwide have transitioned from a graminoid to a tree/shrub-dominated state in a short period of time, a phenomenon referred to as woody encroachment. Positive feedbacks and bi-stability are thought to be important drivers of woody encroachment, but there is little empirical evidence to suggest that positive feedbacks accelerate the woody encroachment of mesic grasslands. In mesic tallgrass prairie, shrub establishment does not directly facilitate seedling establishment. Yet, shrub establishment may facilitate the clonal spread of existing shrubs into nearby patches, because clonal reproduction might circumvent barriers that typically limit woody seedlings. Our results show that when Cornus drummondii (the predominate encroacher of mesic tallgrass prairie) extends rhizomatous stems into open grasslands, these stems use the same deep soil water sources as mature stems—thereby avoiding competition with grasses and gaining access to a reliable water source. In addition...
Utilizing angiogenic agents to expedite the neovascularization process in skin flaps.

The revascularization of a skin flap after flap transposition is an important step in flap survival. This study investigates the efficacy of certain angiogenic agents to expedite the neovascularization process and to increase the viability of skin flaps. Eighty-four island skin flaps were designed on the auricles of 42 New Zealand White rabbits to achieve 90% necrosis over a 7-day period. Thirty-six flaps were treated with Endothelial Cell Growth Supplement (ECGS) or Endothelial Cell Growth Factor (ECGF) at several concentrations topically or immersed in Gelfoam. The remaining flaps were used as normal saline controls. Flap viability and peripheral neovascularization were documented by polar planimetry, angiography, and histological analysis. The flap viability of the ECGS-Gelfoam(r)-treated flaps was 100% greater than their normal saline-Gelfoam controls (p = .021). Flap angiograms demonstrated increased vascular ingrowth among the treated flaps compared to the controls. This study suggests that angiogenic agents can expedite flap neovascularization and have the potential to increase flap viability.
Instability of stationary and uniformly moving cylindrical fluid bodies—I. Newtonian systems

Abstract The early work of Tomotika provides a basis for analyzing the instability of stationary and uniformly moving cylindrical fluid bodies. The classical results of Rayleigh, Christiansen and Weber for critical growth rates and wavenumbers are obtained as zero order limits of Tomotika's general solution expanded in terms of the key characteristic parameters: the viscosity ratio, the density ratio and the dispersed and continuous phase Ohnesorge numbers. By employing more than one characteristic time, these limits, as well as others, are obtained in a general solution framework. Numerical results provide insights into the effects of the physical forces, as well as criteria and bounds for the application of the limiting cases.
Is Bound Charm Found

We argue that the newly discovered narrow resonance at 3.1 GeV is a $^{3}S_{1}$ bound state of charmed quarks and we show the consistency of this interpretation with known meson systematics. The crucial test of this notion is the existence of charmed hadrons near 2 GeV.
Single-mode nonlinear-optical polymer fibers

We report on the successful demonstration of a single-mode polymer-optical fiber with an 8-µm-diameter nonlinear-optical core composed of a dye-chromophore-doped polymer. Both solid-solution cores and copolymer cores were successfully fabricated. Using an imaging system, we show that the far-field transverse light pattern is that of a single-mode guide. We find that the loss at 1064 nm for the single-mode fiber is approximately 0.2 dB/cm and that it preserves polarization to better than 99.8%/cm.
97 Autoimmunity to Cardiac Myosin Is Associated with Acute and Chronic Rejection of Cardiac Allografts in Non-Human Primates

Purpose Immune responses to autoantigens have been described in animal and human allograft recipients. We previously reported immunity to vimentin with development of cardiac allograft vasculopathy (CAV) in non-human primates. Here we report immunity to cardiac myosin, a heart-specific autoantigen, after transplantation in this model. Methods and Materials Cynomolgus monkeys received a heterotopic heart allograft and were separated into 3 groups based on graft outcome: 1) Acute rejection (AR, median survival time [MST] 90 days), observed with CsA+anti-CD20. Antibodies (IgM and IgG) against human and monkey CM were assayed by ELISA until the time of graft explant. Positive samples were assayed for αCM IgG by western-blot. Results AR was associated with increased αCM IgM (9/15) and/or IgG (7/15) levels, detected within 30 days post transplantation. CsA was associated with moderate to severe CAV (CAV score >2); CM Abs were detected in 83% (5/6). When AR and CAV were prevented with CsA+B-cell depletion (CAV score Conclusions Detection of humoral immunity to cardiac myosin is closely associated with both acute and chronic rejection of cardiac allografts, but is not detected when CAV is prevented. We conclude that increasing titer of antibody against CM is a biologic marker for chronic cardiac allograft injury. Whether loss of immunoregulation (tolerance) to the autologous CM protein is an epiphenomenon or pathogenic remains to be determined. If immunity against CM contributes significantly to allograft injury, inducing robust tolerance to CM may help attenuate heart allograft injury.