cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Abstract 055: Locating Genetic Determinants Of Translational Significance Using The Rat Genome

Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have detected associations of genetic elements on human chromosome 2 with hypertension but lack the ability to discern whether these associations are/are not causal factors for hypertension. Using rat genetic models of hypertension, we have identified that factors linked to the inheritance of hypertension map to rat chromosome 9, which is homologous to human chromosome 2. Here we report that by applying high resolution mapping approaches, we have prioritized two regions on rat chromosome 9, one spanning Trmp8 , Spp2 and Arl4c , which are also associated with human hypertension. Of these, there was only one nonsynonymous polymorphism within the gene Spp2 between the Dahl S and S.SHR strains used to map this locus. The expression of Spp2 was significantly higher in the S.SHR rat compared with S. We therefore prioritize Spp2 as a positional candidate for the DIRC4) . By RT-PCR using rat kidney, we detected a novel rat transcript that is potentially a rat homologue of the mouse and human predictions. Collectively, these data point to conserved syntenic regions in rats and humans that contain novel promoter sequence variants and variants within the conserved gene, Spp2 , as potential quantitative trait nucleotides for blood pressure regulation.
EFFECTS OF MINERAL SALTS IN THE DIET OF THE MEDITERRANEAN FLOUR MOTH, ANAGASTA KUEHNIELLA (ZELLER)

Thirty-two different mineral salts were added individually to a diet of whole wheat flour to investigate their effects on population numbers, times of development and longevity of the Mediterranean flour moth, Anagasta kuehniella (Zeller). The effect upon the time of development varied from inhibitory to no effect to very stimulatory. All tested salts inhibited the egg-laying in P and F1 generations but egg laying completely stopped only with all the concentrations of sodium nitrate, NaNO3 in the diet of the P generation. No single anion or cation was found which would strongly affect this stored-product insect. The effect of each salt at each concentration was found to be different.
AN AUTOMATED QUALITY CONTROL PROGRAM FOR WHOLE BREAST DIGITAL IMAGE RECEPTORS.

Quality control (QC) procedures required by manufacturers of whole breast digital equipment are based primarily on screen/film QC procedures rather than being designed specifically for digital image receptors. Inappropriate Gammex 156 phantom exposure (used for ACR mammography accreditation testing) cannot be determined by measuring the optical density of the phantom image printed by a laser onto film. Perception of the third speck group (each speck is 0.32 mm in diameter), used as a criterion of adequate imaging in the United States’ Mammography Quality Standards Act (MQSA), is inadequate for digital mammography systems. Furthermore, variations across the digital image receptor are greater than variations encountered in screen/film systems, so that phantoms which do not test the entire image receptor may also prove to be inadequate. For these reasons, development of new phantom test criteria is necessary for these new systems. At the same time, there is an opportunity to score these digital images automatically.
A GENERAL METHOD OF DETERMINING EFFECTIVE CROSS SECTIONS FOR HETEROGENEOUS MEDIA

Effective resonance cross sections for heterogeneous media are examined by a general cross section averaging method which can account for spatial nonuniformity in the neutron source distribution. A generalized reciprocity relation and energy-dependent escape cross section form the basis of the method which is applied to the analysis of a typical fast reactor critical assembly. Compensating effects due to nonuniformity in the parameters of the general method are observed and discussed.
The History and Meaning of Patient Compliance as an Ideology

Patient compliance with regimens may be one of the most studied and least understood behavioral issues in medicine. Medical compliance was defined in the late 1970s as “the extent to which the patient’s behavior (in terms of taking medications, following diets, or executing other lifestyle changes) coincides with medical or health advice” (Haynes, 1979). That definition continues to predominate almost two decades later. Virtually any North American medical journal published since the mid-1970s contains advertisements proclaiming that a particular product’s simple dosage or low level of side effects will increase patient compliance. These proclamations are frequently used to advertise treatments for common chronic conditions such as arthritis, diabetes, and hypertension. Nevertheless, studies estimate that about half of the people who have chronic conditions like these are noncompliant with their medication regimens (Sackett & Snow, 1979).
Consistent and Inconsistent Higher Order Beam and Plate Theories: Some Surprising Comparisons

In 1982 Bickford [1] used Hamilton’s principle to derive a consistent, higher order theory for the elastodynamics of beams based upon the kinematic and stress assumptions previously used by Levinson [2] for beams of rectangular cross-section. In [2] the usual beam equations of motion [3] were used to obtain a higher order beam theory. This latter theory provided a fourth order system of differential equations not too unlike the equations of Timoshenko beam theory with a difference being that in Levinson’s theory the shear stress boundary conditions on the lateral surfaces of the beam were satisfied. Bickford’s variationally consistent theory consists of a sixth order system of differential equations requiring the specification, provided by the variational formulation, of three boundary conditions at each end of the beam. A vectorial formulation of Bickford’s theory is achieved in [1] by defining a posteriori, a “...higher order moment resultant” but, as Bickford himself notes, “it remains to be seen whether or not there can be developed a rational method for constructing the vectorial equations without knowing, a priori, the variational equations.” This latter point is of no consequence since the validity of the variational equations is unquestioned.
Pneumoperitoneum for Laparoscopic Surgery During Pregnancy

Creating a pneumoperitoneum for laparoscopic surgery is safe during pregnancy. However, attention to detail is paramount because the margins of error are smaller and the physiology more temperamental than for a nonpregnant patient. Furthermore, two persons—mother and fetus—are involved in the surgical event. The gas should be preconditioned by humidifying and warming to physiologic conditions to reduce hypothermia, decrease peritoneal damage, and improve outcomes. There should be continuous end-tidal CO2 monitoring. The patient should be in the left lateral decubitus position. Intra-abdominal pressure should not exceed 15 mmHg, but should be less if abdominal compliance warrants; the procedure can be performed safely at lower pressure without compromising the outcome. Venous thrombosis prevention should be performed using intraoperative and postoperative compression devices with early ambulation. Perioperative fetal monitoring should be done when there is a viable fetus. Tocolytic prophylaxis may be required perioperatively if there are signs of preterm labor.
The Enduring Legacy of Earle F. Zeigler (1919–2018)

Earle F. Zeigler passed away on Saturday, September 29, 2018, in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This article reviews his influential and substantive work.
Use of a Juvenile Rabbit Animal Model to Evaluate Therapeutic Interventions for Postoperative Inflammation and Fibrin Formation After Lensectomy.

Purpose We used the juvenile rabbit as a model for investigating therapeutic interventions for postoperative inflammation and fibrin formation following intraocular lens (IOL) insertion for management of pediatric cataracts. Methods Twelve 6- to 7-week-old, 600 to 900 g rabbits underwent bilateral clear-cornea lensectomy via irrigation and aspiration with IOL insertion. Following wound closure, enoxaparin 8 mg (n = 6 eyes), preservative-free triamcinolone 0.5 mg (n = 6), 8 mg enoxaparin plus 0.5 mg triamcinolone (n = 6), or balanced salt solution (n = 6) was injected into the anterior chamber. Slit-lamp examinations and optical coherence tomography (OCT) scans were performed postoperatively on days 3 through 7, and 14 to characterize levels of inflammation and fibrin. Using 17 additional rabbits, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISAs) with 100 μL of aqueous humor were performed to quantify the amount of fibrinogen and fibrin preoperatively and on postoperative day 3. Immunohistochemistry was performed to confirm the presence of fibrin. Results Enoxaparin alone and combined with triamcinolone reduced the amount of fibrin present in the anterior chamber compared to untreated eyes, which corresponded to an increase in OCT signal strength. Despite the clear visual axis shown in clinical images, the combination treatment group had the highest levels of soluble fibrin when assessed by ELISA. Immunohistochemistry confirmed the presence of insoluble fibrin seen clinically. Conclusions A combination of enoxaparin and triamcinolone appears to provide the most therapeutic benefit by reducing fibrin formation and postoperative inflammation. Translational relevance The juvenile rabbit is an excellent model to investigate inflammation and fibrin formation following lensectomy with IOL insertion and possibly any intraocular surgery in children.
161 Low haptoglobin level in lupus without hemolysis

Background Low haptoglobin indicates hemolysis in lupus patients. We present a lupus patient who was found to have low haptoglobin levels in the absence of other evidence of hemolysis. Methods Chart review. Results A 44-year-old Caucasian woman was diagnosed with lupus about 11 years ago, characterized by positive ANA, anti-dsDNA, anticardiolipin antibodies, anti-beta-2 glycoprotein, Direct Coombs, hypocomplementemia, alopecia, arthralgia, arthritis, photosensitive skin rash, serositis, mucosal ulcer, and livedo. She was treated with hydroxychloroquine, steroids, and Imuran. During her first visit in our center, she was found to have mild alopecia and subtle synovitis of 2 small joints. She was taking hydroxychloroquine 400 mg. The hematocrit was 34 (up from 30–31, 3 months prior to the visit and 3 months after the visit), haptoglobin 41 mg/dL (normal 43–212 mg/dL), absolute reticulocyte count of 73 000/mm3 (normal 20000–80000), negative Direct Coombs, low positive anti-dsDNA of 15 (negative Conclusions Further research is needed to detect anti-haptoglobin antibodies in lupus patients and elucidate the mechanism underlying these findings. Funding Source(s): Non.
Sporadic late-onset nemaline myopathy: Clinical spectrum, survival, and treatment outcomes

Objective To describe the clinical phenotype, long-term treatment outcome, and overall survival of sporadic late-onset nemaline myopathy (SLONM) with or without a monoclonal protein (MP). Methods We conducted a retrospective chart review of patients seen between September 2000 and June 2017 and collected clinical, laboratory, and survival data. Treatment response was classified as mild, moderate, or marked as adjudged by predefined criteria. Results We identified 28 patients with SLONM; 17 (61%) had an associated MP. Median age at symptom onset was 62 years. Diagnosis was often delayed by a median of 35 months from symptom onset. There was no difference in clinical or laboratory features between patients with or without MP. Although the majority of patients had proximal or axial weakness at onset, about 18% of patients had atypical presentations. A total of 7/9 (78%) patients receiving IV immunoglobulin (IVIg), 6/8 (75%) receiving hematologic therapy as either autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) or chemotherapy, and 1/8 (13%) receiving immunosuppressive therapies responded to treatment ( p = 0.001). All 3 patients with marked response were treated with IVIg; 2 of them had an MP. The 5-year and 10-year overall survival from symptom onset was 92% and 68%, respectively, with no difference between patients with or without MP. Conclusion SLONM has a wide spectrum of clinical presentations. In this contemporary case series, overall survival of patients did not seem to be affected by the presence of an MP. Initial treatment with IVIg is reasonable in all patients, followed by ASCT or chemotherapy as second-line therapy in patients with an associated MP.
Critical properties of the measurement-induced transition in random quantum circuits

We numerically study the measurement-driven quantum phase transition of Haar-random quantum circuits in $1+1$ dimensions. By analyzing the tripartite mutual information we are able to make a precise estimate of the critical measurement rate ${p}_{c}=0.17(1)$. We extract estimates for the associated bulk critical exponents that are consistent with the values for percolation, as well as those for stabilizer circuits, but differ from previous estimates for the Haar-random case. Our estimates of the surface order parameter exponent appear different from those for stabilizer circuits or percolation, but we cannot definitively rule out the scenario where all exponents in the three cases match. Moreover, in the Haar case the prefactor for the entanglement entropies ${S}_{n}$ depends strongly on the R\'enyi index $n$; for stabilizer circuits and percolation this dependence is absent. Results on stabilizer circuits are used to guide our study and identify measures with weak finite-size effects. We discuss how our numerical estimates constrain theories of the transition.
The new economic geography and the illicit economy

In the previous chapter, we began exploring the world through the eyes of those engaged in transnational criminal activities and examined the effects that geopolitics has on their choices of locations from which to operate. In this chapter, we apply lessons from the new economic geography literature to how locational decisions are made. This literature focuses on explaining the geographical unevenness of the economic landscape and the dynamics of spatial clustering (or dispersion) of economic activities or what is known in the literature as economic agglomeration. New economic geography provides fresh insights into where illicit actors are likely to cluster to produce, transport, and distribute illegal goods and services. In effect, through ideas concerning the economics of agglomeration, new economic geography alerts us to where black spots might form and work together to influence the nature of the illicit global economy.
Applications of Simulation-Based Interprofessional Education in Labor and Delivery

Significant strides in advancing healthcare safety have been made. The improvements can be attributed, in part, to the proliferation of simulation-based medical education (SBME). The applications and benefits of simulation-based education have been demonstrated in: (a) teaching and emphasizing teamwork behaviors, particularly in high-risk fields like obstetrics; (b) simplifying, standardizing and practicing effective communication strategies; (c) implementing evidence based guidelines and recommendations; and (d) recognizing and practicing all these skills in interprofessional teams for high risk situations. Unique opportunities for simulation-based interprofessional education exist within obstetrics. A novel program for supporting simulation-based interprofessional education for Labor and Delivery staff by a professional liability insurer (PLI) will be described and lessons learned will be shared. A review of the utility of interprofessional simulation to introduce, improve and implement obstetric emergency checklists will also be presented.
Kussmaul's Sign Correlates with Pulmonary Vascular Pathology and Reduced Exercise Right Ventricular Output Reserve

Purpose Kussmaul's sign has been associated with right ventricular (RV) pathophysiology, and yet, a pre-heart transplantation Kussmaul's sign predicts poor outcomes even post-heart transplant, suggesting a pulmonary vascular role. The current study assesses whether Kussmaul positivity primarily reflects pathology of the RV or pulmonary vasculature, or both. Methods In this study, 35 patients referred for right heart catheterization (RHC) for suspicion or evaluation of known pulmonary hypertension (PH) were prospectively assessed. All patients underwent resting and invasive exercise RHC hemodynamic testing, same-day cardiac magnetic resonance imaging, and RV pressure-volume loop assessment. Kussmaul sign was assessed by measuring right atrial pressure during deep inspiration. Kussmaul sign positivity was correlated to markers of RV and pulmonary vascular pathology. Results Of the 35 patients studied, 26 were diagnosed with PH, with 20/26 having group I pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH). Among all subjects, Kussmaul positive patients at rest had higher pulmonary artery (PA) pressures and pulmonary vascular resistance, lower cardiac output, and higher pulmonary effective arterial elastance (Table). Kussmaul positivity did not correlate with measures of RV diastolic function (peak flow rate normalized to end-diastolic volume, tau(suga), dP/dt-min) (Table). During exercise, Kussmaul patients had higher peak pulmonary pressure and resistance, lower cardiac output, and worsened ventilatory inefficiency (Table). Among PH patients only, Kussmaul positivity no longer predicted elevated pulmonary vascular pressure, but remained correlated to deficient resting and exercise cardiac output as well as worsened ventilatory inefficiency during exercise (Table). Conclusion Kussmaul positivity corresponds more closely with advanced pulmonary vascular pathology, leading to reduced right ventricular output reserve both at rest and during exercise.
Frequency of sleep-disordered breathing in a referral population of Somali-Americans

Study Objectives:To study the frequency of obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) in individuals of Somali ancestry referred to a clinical sleep laboratory.Methods:This was a retrospective study using a lar...
Performance-Based Framework for Evaluating Truck Collision Risk for Bridge Piers

Abstract A risk-based method implemented within a performance-based design framework is proposed for protecting bridge piers subject to truck impact. Monte Carlo simulations are performed to calcul...
Proton-conducting ceramic fuel cells: Scale up and stack integration

Abstract We present our efforts to scale up proton-conducting ceramic fuel cells (PCFCs) from the button-cell level into small, multi-cell stacks. While recent advancements with lab-scale PCFCs are encouraging, there are few reports of scaling PCFC technology to the stack level. The compatibility of protonic-ceramic materials with stack-packaging materials - metallic interconnects, current collectors, glass-ceramic sealants, gaskets - has not been demonstrated. Here we show that through tuning of materials, fabrication procedures, and operating conditions, protonic-ceramic fuel cell stacks can achieve reasonable performance and low degradation. The MEA is based around barium cerate-zirconate perovskites. Better long-term stack durability is found with BaCe0.4Zr0.4Y0.1Yb0.1O3−δ (BCZYYb) electrolyte. The anode support is a nickel-electrolyte composite, while the cathode is BaCo0.4Fe0.4Zr0.1Y0.1O3−δ (BCFZY). Planar MEAs reach 5 cm2 in active area, and are packaged within ferritic-steel interconnects and macor frames to form multi-cell stacks. Our three-cell stack demonstrates encouraging performance, reaching 0.69 and 0.47 W cm−2 under H2 and CH4 fuels, respectively, at 600 ∘C. A gadolinium-doped ceria cathode-electrolyte interlayer reduces degradation rates to 1.5% kh−1 at 0.1 A cm−2 and 3.3% kh−1 at 0.4 A cm−2 at 550 ∘C. No chromium transport is observed. Degradation mechanisms and the role of the GDC interlayer are postulated.
Ophthalmic Injuries by Less-Lethal Kinetic Weapons During the US George Floyd Protests in Spring 2020.

This study investigates the experience of academic ophthalmology residency programs to assess less-lethal weapon eye trauma after the George Floyd protests in Denver, Colorado.
Imagined Immigration: The Different Meanings of 'Immigrants' in Public Opinion and Policy Debates in Britain

Public opinion research on immigration attitudes has largely overlooked the question of how survey respondents understand the term “immigrants.” This paper investigates latent perceptions of immigrants, termed “imagined immigration,” among members of the British public. Using novel survey data, I examine who members of the British public have in mind when they think of “immigrants.” I find that public perceptions of immigration diverge significantly from the set of people identified as immigrants in government statistics and targeted by restrictionist policies. In particular, public perceptions focus on asylum seekers and permanent arrivals, while mostly ignoring international students, the largest group of immigrants to Britain and a target of new restrictive immigration policies. I also show that many common perceptions of “imagined immigration” are strongly associated with individual preferences for reduced immigration, suggesting that imagined immigration should be considered in future research as a possible determinant of anti-immigration policy preferences.
An Educational Workshop to Improve Neurology Resident Understanding of Burnout, Substance Abuse, and Mood Disorders.

Introduction Burnout, substance abuse, and mood disorders are prevalent among neurology residents. Increased recognition of concerning behaviors might encourage more access to mental health resourc...
Upstaging of Fibroepithelial Lesions: A Single-Institution Experience.

Introduction Fibroepithelial lesions of the breast (FEL) are heterogeneous lesions ranging from fibroadenomas (FA) to phyllodes tumors (PT). FEL with cellular stroma are diagnostic challenges on core needle biopsy (CNB) as it is difficult to distinguish cellular FA from PT. The purpose of this study was to determine the features of FEL on CNB that may be predictive of PT, the upstage rate to PT after excision, and the outcomes of those who did not undergo excision. Methods Overall, 305 patients with FEL on CNB between 2009 and 2019 were identified from a prospectively maintained institutional database. Presentation, imaging, and pathology were evaluated. Results Mean age at diagnosis was 43.8 years. Pathology on CNB included 97 cases of FEL favoring FA, 19 cases of FEL favoring PT, 3 cases of FEL versus pseudoangiomatous stromal hyperplasia, and 186 cases of FEL not otherwise specified. Following CNB, 96 (31.5%) patients were observed, 158 (51.8%) patients had an excisional biopsy, 48 (15.7%) patients underwent segmental mastectomy, and 3 (1.0%) patients underwent a mastectomy. The upgrade rate from FEL on CNB to PT upon excision was 25.8%. PT on final pathology was more commonly seen when the CNB identified stromal overgrowth, necrosis, and diagnosis of FEL favoring PT. On multivariable analysis, a final diagnosis of PT was associated with age >50 years, larger tumor size >2 cm, stromal overgrowth, and ≥1 mitoses/10 high power fields (HPF) on CNB. Patients who were observed had smaller tumors compared with those who underwent excision. Conclusion In this 10-year single-institution experience of FEL, the upstage rate to PT was 25.8%. Excision of FEL is recommended. Furthermore, the observation of lesions appeared to be safe in select cases, specifically in patients with smaller tumor size.
Surgical Management of Bladder Cancer

For the management purposes bladder cancer (BC) can be broadly divided into muscle invasive MIBC) and non-muscle invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). NMIBC is mainly treated endoscopically while muscle invasive disease (MIBC) needs multimodal management including surgery, chemotherapy and radiotherapy in a multi-disciplinary set up. In cases where conservative measures have failed cystectomy may be the option in NMIBC while it remains one of the main options in MIBC. In selected cases it is possible to reconstruct urinary reservoir and even orthotopic bladder using segments of bowel.
Pheochromocytoma in children

Nine cases of pheochromocytoma in children are reported, together with a review of 91 proved cases from the literature. The most persistent finding was sustained hypertension, which occurred in 88 per cent. In children the incidence of extraadrenal pheochromocytomas was 31 per cent, and of multiple tumors, as many as 6 in one patient, 32 per cent; this incidence is markedly higher than that in adults. In 5 instances a second pheochromocytoma appeared after the removal of an earlier one, as long as 4 years later. Because of recent advances in diagnostic and surgical procedures, the operative mortality rate has decreased from 45 per cent to 13 per cent. An instance of the familial occurrence of pheochromocytoma is included.
Decision making from economic and signal detection perspectives: development of an integrated framework

Behavior is comprised of decisions made from moment to moment (i.e., to respond one way or another). Often, the decision maker cannot be certain of the value to be accrued from the decision (i.e., the outcome value). Decisions made under outcome value uncertainty form the basis of the economic framework of decision making. Behavior is also based on perception — perception of the external physical world and of the internal bodily milieu, which both provide cues that guide decision making. These perceptual signals are also often uncertain: another person’s scowling facial expression may indicate threat or intense concentration, alternatives that require different responses from the perceiver. Decisions made under perceptual uncertainty form the basis of the signals framework of decision making. Traditional behavioral economic approaches to decision making focus on the uncertainty that comes from variability in possible outcome values, and typically ignore the influence of perceptual uncertainty. Conversely, traditional signal detection approaches to decision making focus on the uncertainty that arises from variability in perceptual signals and typically ignore the influence of outcome value uncertainty. Here, we compare and contrast the economic and signals frameworks that guide research in decision making, with the aim of promoting their integration. We show that an integrated framework can expand our ability to understand a wider variety of decision-making behaviors, in particular the complexly determined real-world decisions we all make every day.
A polar vortex in the Earth's core

Numerical dynamo models have been successful in explaining the origin of the Earth's magnetic field and its secular variation by convection in the electrically conducting fluid outer core1,2,3,4,5,6,7. An important component of the convection in the numerical dynamos are polar vortices beneath the core–mantle boundary in each hemisphere. These polar vortices in the outer core have been proposed as sources for both the anomalous rotation of the inner core and the toroidal part of the geomagnetic field2,8. Here we use the observed structure of the Earth's magnetic field and its variation since 1870 to infer the existence of an anticyclonic polar vortex with a polar upwelling in the northern hemisphere of the core, consistent with the polar vortices found in numerical dynamos.
A Review of Neoplasia in the Captive African Hedgehog (Atelerix albiventris)

Abstract African hedgehogs are increasingly popular pets: they are easy to care for, interesting, and interactive. Although their expected lifespan is only 1 to 4 years in the wild, sound nutritional advice and high-quality veterinary care have lengthened the captive lifespan of these animals. Unfortunately, multiple reviews document that the geriatric hedgehog, although only 3 to 5 years old, is predisposed to neoplastic disease. This article reviews previously reported neoplasms of the hedgehog by system; 24 additional cases are also described. Typical signalment, clinical signs, and tumor behavior are outlined, and appropriate diagnostics and treatment options are discussed where possible. The intent of this review is to provide the practitioner with a relevant and practical guide to the management of neoplasia in the African hedgehog.
The Impact of Assistive Technology on the Educational Performance of Students with Visual Impairments: A Synthesis of the Research.

This synthesis examined the research literature from 1965 to 2009 on the assistive technology that is used by individuals with visual impairments. The authors located and reviewed 256 articles for ...
T-cell-mediated immunological barriers to xenotransplantation.

Scalea J, Hanecamp I, Robson SC, Yamada K. T-cell-mediated immunological barriers to xenotransplantation. Xenotransplantation 2012; 19: 23–30. © 2012 John Wiley & Sons A/S. Abstract: Xenotransplantion remains the most viable option for significant expansion of the donor organ pool in clinical transplantation. With the advent of nuclear transfer technologies, the production of transgenic swine has become a possibility. These animals have allowed transplant investigators to overcome humoral mechanisms of hyperacute xenograft rejection in experimental pig-to-non-human primate models. However, other immunologic barriers preclude long-term acceptance of xenografts. This review article focuses on a major feature of xenogeneic rejection: xenogeneic T cell responses. Evidence obtained from both small and large animal models, particularly those using either islet cells or kidneys, have demonstrated that T cell responses play a major role in xenogeneic rejection, and that immunosuppression alone is likely incapable of completely suppressing these responses. Additionally, both the direct and indirect pathway of antigen presentation appear to be involved in these anti donor processes. Enhanced understanding of (i) CD47 and its role in transduced xeno-bone marrow (ii) CD39 and its role in coagulation dysregulation and (iii) thymic transplantation have provided us with encouraging results. Presently, experiments evaluating the possibility of xenogeneic tolerance are underway.
Serial and interleaved architectures for computing real FFT

The Fast Fourier transform (FFT) is an important operation in digital signal processing applications. In applications such as biomedical signal processing, the signals are real. The real-valued signals exhibit conjugate symmetry, giving rise to redundant values in the outputs. This property can be exploited to reduce arithmetic computations, area and power consumption. This paper presents hardware architectures for computing real FFT that exploits this conjugate symmetry property where the inputs are processed in a serial manner. This is facilitated by pushing the twiddle factor values across various butterfly stages. In this paper, two different serial FFT architectures are presented: one using real and the other using hybrid datapaths. These architectures process one sample per clock cycle and are well suited for low-sample-rate applications such as biomedical. These architectures are also modified so that two independent computations can be interleaved in the same datapath. The advantage of interleaving is reduction in area, and is attractive for applications where FFT computation of two independent real signals is required.
Sociopolitical Development in Educational Systems: From Margins to Center.

This is a challenging moment for supporters of public education: the status quo is untenable but the options offered by “reformers” appear equally dangerous. In this context we need arguments for the democratic purposes of education that offer an alternative to existing inequities on one hand and technocratic or privatized solutions on the other. New formations of parents, teachers, and young people call for schools that raise young people who feel connected to their communities, can critically interpret their social and political worlds, and possess the academic skills and agency to empower their communities (Warren in Transforming public education: the need for an education justice movement. N Engl J Public Policy 26(1), Article 11. http://scholarworks.umb.edu/nejpp/vol26/iss1/11 , 2015). This special issue, which originated in a series of interdisciplinary seminars, proposes sociopolitical development (SPD) as a core feature of democratic education and human development. Making SPD central to education requires a compelling mix of theory, rigorous evidence, and practical strategy. In this article we provide a scholarly context for SPD in education and introduce the contents of the special issue.
Kinematic Rigid-Bodies Model

This chapter discusses the kinematic rigid-bodies model. Kinematic motion is motion without considerations of mass and force. This includes motion described by keyframe animations systems, geometric constraints, and direct user manipulation. This module provides a basic expression of the kinematic motion of rigid bodies. It provides a simple structure for describing collections of bodies and a mechanism for describing bodies constrained in fixed hierarchies. The module is administrative rather than technical. The chapter presents a basic model and notation for rigidly moving bodies, kinematic relationships between bodies, and the behavior of points fixed on a body. The conceptual model for kinematic rigid bodies is quite simple.
A comparison of different delinquency measures derived from self-report data

Abstract The purpose of this research was to explore different ways of using self-report data to derive measures of juvenile delinquent behavior. The subjects were 161 public school children in the Omaha area, and 1,030 public school children and 665 adjudicated delinquents in the metropolitan areas of Baltimore, Indianapolis, and Phoenix. The Omaha youths responded to twenty-eight self-report items two times with an intervening period of three weeks and then rated the items for seriousness. Four measures of delinquency were derived from the data: frequency of activity, diversity of activity, seriousness of activity, and progression into delinquent behavior. The four measures were shown to be highly reliable and strongly intercorrelated; none was shown to be consistently better than the other three. Rated seriousness and reported frequency of behavior were highly negatively correlated, giving support to the use of frequency measures in building delinquency scales. All four scales showed differences within the Omaha sample as a function of sex, age, and birth order; but the differences were not always in the same directions when the four measures were used.
Engineering Uncertainty: The role of uncertainty in the design of complex technological and business systems

Abstract Engineering Uncertainty is a Science Fiction Prototype that explores the inevitability of uncertainty in increasingly complex computational and business systems. We explore the human, legal, cultural affects and business affects of embracing uncertainty as an engineering and business practice. This new approach to innovation and design could have radical effects on current business theory and practices.
Liver glycogen bodies: ground-glass hepatocytes in transplanted patients

Ground-glass hepatocytes have been described in Lafora’s disease, fibrinogen deposition, hepatitis B, type IV glycogenosis, and alcohol aversion (cyanamide) therapy. We encountered ground-glass hepatocytes with intracytoplasmic inclusions in four liver biopsies from three transplanted patients who had none of the above-mentioned underlying diseases. One patient was a 4-year-old boy who had a kidney transplant for severe ureterovesical reflux. Patient 2 was a 52-year-old man who had two liver transplants because of hepatitis C. The third patient was a 7-month-old girl who underwent a multivisceral transplant because of necrotizing enterocolitis and liver failure induced by total parenteral nutrition. The patients developed liver abnormalities from 45 days to 4 years after their transplants. The livers showed conspicuous ground-glass hepatocytes in 90% of the children’s samples and 30% of the adult liver cells. The cytoplasmic bodies stained strongly for Gomori methenamine-silver; they were positive for periodic acid-Schiff without diastase, but negative after diastase digestion. They were negative for colloidal iron and hepatitis B core and surface antigens. Electron microscopy revealed non-membrane bound aggregates of glycogen. Idiopathic ground-glass hepatocytes occur in transplanted patients and represent accumulation of altered glycogen. However, their clinical significance and cause are not entirely elucidated.
Long-term induction of Fos-related antigen-2 after methamphetamine-, methylenedioxymethamphetamine-, 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine- and trimethyltin-induced brain injury

Abstract A long-term induction of Fos-related antigens has been shown in neurons after brain injury, suggesting that Fos-related antigens are involved in enhancing the transcription of genes related to the process of regeneration and repair. In the present study, we report that levels of Fos-related antigen-2 are elevated in several models of chemically induced brain injury. Trimethyltin, which causes degeneration of neurons primarily in the hippocampus and other limbic regions, results in a five-fold induction of Fos-related antigen-2 immunoreactivity in neurons in the pyramidal and dentate layers of the hippocampus starting at seven days post-treatment and persisting for 60 days. Methamphetamine and methylenedioxymethamphetamine, agents which cause degeneration of dopaminergic nerve terminals in the striatum of the mouse, cause an increase in Fos-related antigen-2 immunoreactivity which begins at three days post-treatment and returns to basal levels by days 5 and 15, respectively. Treatment with 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine elevated levels of Fos-related antigen-2 in the mouse striatum at three days post-treatment. This abbreviated time-course of Fos-related antigen-2 induction is consistent with less severe insult (terminal damage) relative to trimethyltin (cell death), but induction occurs during the period of regeneration and repair in both models. Dexfenfluramine, a non-neurotoxic amphetamine, does not induce Fos-related antigen-2 expression. Decreasing core temperature of the mouse, which blocks amphetamine-induced neurotoxicity, also blocks Fos-related antigen-2 induction. In summary, Fos-related antigen-2 is induced in models of both cell death and terminal degeneration, suggesting that this transcription factor may serve as a universal signal transduction molecule involved in the regulation of genes related to regeneration and repair in the CNS.
Structural Mechanism Of Redox Modulation In The Kv1-Kvβ Complex

The Shaker type voltage-dependent K+ channels (Kv1) are expressed in a wide variety of cells and essential to regulating membrane potential and cellular excitability. All Kv1 channels assemble with cytoplasmic β subunits (Kvβ) to form a macromolecule complex. Kvβ is a functional aldo-keto reductase that utilizes NADPH as cofactor, and in addition to being a functional enzyme, certain Kvβs have an N-terminal segment that blocks the channel by the N-type inactivation mechanism. The enzymatic activity and the N-type inactivation are functionally coupled: when the Kvβ-bound NADPH is oxidized, the N-type inactivation is inhibited and channel current increases as a result. Further studies showed that loss of the N-type inactivation is not due to dissociation of Kvβ upon NADPH oxidation. To understand the structural basis of the coupling mechanism, Kvβ was co-crystallized with either NADPH or NADP+, and high-resolution data sets were collected. Since NADPH is easily oxidized, for the Kvβ-NADPH complex special cares were taken to preserve the reduced cofactor throughout the crystallization process. The redox state of the cofactor was also monitored during synchrotron data collection by a micro-spectrophotometer. Results obtained from both structural analysis and functional studies led us to propose a novel mechanism of channel modulation.
Neural Correlates of Corporate Camaraderie and Teamwork

Corporate citizenship creates an ethical and professional accountability among the employee, the organization, and the outside market. Teamwork is an essential part of this corporate accountability because it increases communication and confidence within the organization and promotes camaraderie and goal completion. Cognitive neuroscience research has been able to localize socialization to various areas of the limbic system, which includes, among other structures, the hypothalamus and amygdala, and is associated with the prefrontal cortex. These neurocortical areas can be monitored while set tasks are performed experimentally or observed naturally. Within the framework of cognitive neuroscience, one can evaluate the neural architecture involved in various states of organizational behavior. One can then use this framework as an overlay in the corporate environment to track project completion and profitability.
Forgiveness: Who Does It and How Do They Do It?:

Forgiveness is a suite of prosocial motivational changes that occurs after a person has incurred a transgression. People who are inclined to forgive their transgressors tend to be more agreeable, more emotionally stable, and, some research suggests, more spiritually or religiously inclined than people who do not tend to forgive their transgressors. Several psychological processes appear to foster or inhibit forgiveness. These processes include empathy for the transgressor, generous attributions and appraisals regarding the transgression and transgressor, and rumination about the transgression. Interpreting these findings in light of modern trait theory would help to create a more unified understanding of how personality might influence forgiveness.
Estimation of income expectations models using expectations and realization data

This paper considers the use of expectations and realizations data to estimate income expectations conditional on observed attributes. When the researcher has no expectations data, inferring expectations from realizations requires knowledge of the information individuals possess and how they process this information to form expectations. While income expectations data may be used to avoid this requirement, the data may also be used to supplement or replace realizations data in estimation of these expectations formation models. The strength of the maintained assumptions and the potential usefulness of expectations data for identification and estimation are discussed in the context of models adopted in the consumption and saving literature. Estimates of these models based on Survey of Economic Expectations data and Panel Study of Income Dynamics realizations data yield strikingly similar findings, highlighting the potential complementary of the two forms of data.
Three-dimensional quantitative textural analysis of metamorphic rocks using high-resolution computed X-ray tomography: Part I. Methods and techniques.

Macroscopic textures resulting from different atomic-scale mechanisms for metamorphic crystallization display different degrees of order, clustering, intergrowth and relative isolation of porphyroblasts. Data on the sizes and locations of thousands of crystals in a three-dimensional volume are required to identify reliably the mechanisms governing nucleation and growth of porphyroblasts from these textural features. These data can now be acquired by means of high-resolution computed X-ray tomography. Numerical models that simulate porphyroblast formation governed by either interface-controlled or diffusion-controlled reaction mechanisms indicate that quantitative textural analysis can discriminate between these possibilities. These numerical models also allow a comparison between textures predicted for different crystallization mechanisms and textures measured in natural samples, from which inferences can be drawn concerning the relative importance of these mechanisms in nature. An independent test of the validity of such inferences is possible for porphyroblasts such as garnet that may preserve prograde growth zoning and allow the examination of normalized radius–rate relations.
Screening Asymptomatic Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus for Coronary Artery Disease: Does It Improve Patient Outcome?

The increasing global burden, the reported high prevalence of rapidly progressive coronary artery disease (CAD), and the atypical nature of CAD presentation in type 2 diabetes mellitus have encouraged development of strategies for detecting occult CAD in this population. Several recent prospective studies have addressed the value of screening for CAD in asymptomatic diabetic patients. The overall message of these studies is that despite detection of silent ischemia in a notable proportion of these patients, the dynamic nature of myocardial ischemia, the prohibitive cost of screening all asymptomatic patients, and the proven efficacy of primary preventive strategies would mandate implementation of better clinical risk stratification strategies for identifying at-risk individuals. Questions still remain as to what best strategy would allow proper patient selection through logical stepwise approaches to screening and whether that would alter patients’ outcome when added to rigorously implemented primary preventive measures.
Protein composition of unusual tobacco mosaic virus strains.

SUMMARY Amino acid analyses have been made of the proteins of single-lesion isolates of five strains of tobacco mosaic virus (TMV) differentiated by Lycopersicon hosts. These hosts differed in their genetical control of resistance to TMV, and the virus strains had therefore survived specific selection pressures. Two of the five strains differed in their amino acid composition from type TMV and from all other tomato strains of TMV previously examined. Symptoms induced by the five strains in four tomato lines and in Nicotiana tabacum cvs White Burley and Kawala are described.
Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) levels are elevated in rats bearing rejecting heart-lung allografts

Abstract Intra-abdominal heart-lung grafts were transplanted into 8 rats across a major histocompatibility barrier. Four of the 8 rats were treated with Cyclosporin A (CsA) to prevent rejection. Atrial natriuretic factor (ANF) levels measured 6 days after transplantation revealed a significantly (p
Lactic acid inhibition of gap junctional intercellular communication in in vitro astrocytes as measured by fluorescence recovery after laser photobleaching.

Lactic acid can permeate plasma membranes, causing intracellular acidosis. Gap junctions are sensitive to pHi and can be reversibly uncoupled by weak acids. In this study, dye coupling between in vitro astrocytes, presumably mediated by gap junctions, was measured in the absence and presence of lactic acid. Fluorescence recovery after laser photobleaching (gap-FRAP analysis) was used to measure dye coupling. Astrocytes bathed in Eagle's minimum essential medium (EMEM) with lactic acid, pHo 5.5-6, showed no difference in their dye coupling (mean recovery of fluorescence 30%) when compared to control astrocytes (mean recovery of fluorescence 26%). However, 24 mM lactic acid in EMEM, pHo 4.5, decreased dye coupling (mean recovery of fluorescence 2.0%). This effect occurred within 5 min of treatment. When lactic acid-EMEM, pH 4.5, was removed from astrocytes after 30 min and the cells were incubated in EMEM for 24 hr, decreased coupling was not reversed (mean recovery 4.0%). When lactic acid-treated astrocytes were incubated in EMEM for 48 hr, the mean recovery of fluorescence increased to 15% (i.e., 42% of the recovery seen in controls). These observations suggest that brief exposure to high concentrations of lactic acid can have immediate and long-lasting effects on glial gap junctional communication.more » Under pathological circumstances, such a sequence could be initiated, and this might impair astrocytic control of the central nervous system microenvironment mediated by spatial buffering.« less