cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Commodification in Multiple Registers: Child Workers, Child Consumers, and Child Labor NGOs in India

Using the term ‘commodity’ as an analytic, this chapter considers the persistence of an iconography of victimhood in dominant representations of child labor in India favored by ‘blanket ban’ NGOs. Drawing on a historiography of child labor legislations, dating from nineteenth century Britain, I explore ‘child labor’ as an affective commodity based on its victimhood imagery, which is readily recognized and consumed in global humanitarian markets today. In the context of NGOs in India, such affective representations also perform a particular NGO identity, one that delineates the “uncompromising” abolitionist stance of blanket ban NGOs, in contrast to the more accommodating stance of the Indian state. The affective logics of ‘child labor’ however, do not square well with the desires and aspirations of “real” working children who are economic agents and desiring subjects in their own right. Drawing on ethnographic research, I describe how ‘child labor,’ as an affective commodity, serves to discipline the Kanchipuram’s working children—in particular the consumption desires of boys—who are now increasingly represented by NGOs as victims of consumerism.
Review – New Media Caucus Showcase A perspective on consciousness within digital practices

Presentations by the following NMC members: Sophia Brueckner, Assistant Professor, University of Michigan Martin Calvino, Artist-in-residence at Rutgers University Zach Duer, Assistant Professor, Creative Technologies, Virginia Tech Carter Eggleston, MFA candidate in Creative Technologies, Virginia Tech Elizabeth Flyntz, Artist, Writer, and curator Jeffrey Gangwisch, strikeWare co-founder and Adjunct Professor, Anne Arundel Community College Chelsea Heikes, candidate at European Graduate School Laura Hyunjhee Kim, Ph.D. candidate, University of Colorado Boulder George Legrady, Distinguished Professor of Interactive Media and director of Experimental Visualization Lab, UC Santa Barbara Maya Livio, Ph.D Candidate, University of Colorado Boulder, Curator of Media Archaeology Lab, Curator of MediaLive at BMoCA Eric Souther, Associate Professor of New Media, Indiana University South Bend Deirtra Thompson, Independent artist, practitioner, and researcher Masha Vlasova, Lecturer and Lead Faculty, University of North Texas Michelle Hernandez, MFA alumna, Hunter College, CUNY Dominika Ksel, Adjunct Assistant Professor of New Media, Baruch College, CUNY.
Analysis of Readability, Quality, and Content of Online Information Available for “Stem Cell” Injections for Knee Osteoarthritis

Abstract Background An increasing number of patients use the Internet to obtain health information, although online information is unregulated and highly variable. We aimed to assess the readability, quality, and content of online information available for “stem cell” injections for knee osteoarthritis. Methods A cross-sectional analysis was performed on March 2019, inputting the search term “stem cells osteoarthritis” into the 3 most popular global search engines: Google, Bing, and Yahoo. The first 50 search results of each engine were evaluated/categorized. Readability was assessed using Flesch-Kincaid Ease/Grade Level. Quality/content was assessed through DISCERN score and a stem cell content score created for this study. Results Eighty-two websites were analyzed (18 academic websites, 21 commercial, 13 government/non-profit, 30 physician). Among all websites, mean Flesch-Kincaid readability was 35.9 with a grade level of 13.6. The average DISCERN score was 49.5/80 with statistically significant differences between academic vs physician websites (64.6 vs 38.1, P Conclusion Readability of online materials available for patients regarding “stem cell” treatment for knee osteoarthritis is significantly higher than the grade 6-8 recommended by the National Institutes of Health. The quality and content of websites is highly variable, with physician websites scoring especially low. Improving quality and readability of online materials that discuss risks/benefits of stem cell injections may potentially enhance the physician-patient therapeutic alliance and indirectly lead to better patient outcomes.
Attachment style and self-handicapping: The mediating role of the imposter phenomenon.

Many students pursuing post-secondary education will experience the imposter phenomenon at some point in their academic career. The imposter phenomenon can lead to anxiety, self-doubt, and self-handicapping strategies that can impair academic success for students. Self-presentation strategies can be adaptive in the competitive and evaluative environment that is education in the U.S., but not all students use these strategies in the same way. To understand the differences, this study looked at how attachment style relates to the imposter phenomenon from an interpersonal perspective. Due to the evaluative and social nature of education, we also looked at how social comparison changes how students portray themselves to others or how they view themselves. We studied 946 university students and found an indirect effect from the imposter phenomenon and self-handicapping via avoidant attachment. Further, social comparison moderated the indirect relation between avoidant attachment and self-handicapping. Specifically, the indirect effect from avoidant attachment and self-handicapping was weaker with higher levels of social comparison. Results highlight the importance of tailoring counseling and career development interventions to the student and emphasize how educators can address social comparison in the classroom.
Spatial Visualization in Construction Management Education: A Review and Validation of the Literature Using Professionals and Related Practitioners

Little research exists concerning the differences of spatial abilities among Construction Professionals (CP) compared to other STEM and Non-STEM Professionals. The literature on spatial abilities i...
Different Human Immune Lineage Compositions Are Generated in Non-Conditioned NBSGW Mice Depending on HSPC Source

NBSGW mice are highly immunodeficient and carry a hypomorphic mutation in the c-kit gene, providing a host environment that supports robust human hematopoietic expansion without pre-conditioning. These mice thus provide a model to investigate human hematopoietic engraftment in the absence of conditioning-associated damage. We compared transplantation of human CD34+ HSPCs purified from three different sources: umbilical cord blood, adult bone marrow, and adult G-CSF mobilized peripheral blood. HSPCs from mobilized peripheral blood were significantly more efficient (as a function of starting HSPC dose) than either cord blood or bone marrow HSPCs at generating high levels of human chimerism in the murine blood and bone marrow by 12 weeks post-transplantation. While T cells do not develop in this model due to thymic atrophy, all three HSPC sources generated a human compartment that included B lymphocytic, myeloid, and granulocytic lineages. However, the proportions of these lineages varied significantly according to HSPC source. Mobilized blood HSPCs produced a strikingly higher proportion of granulocyte lineage cells (~35% as compared to ~5%), whereas bone marrow HSPC output was dominated by B lymphocytic cells, and cord blood HSPC output was enriched for myeloid lineages. Following transplantation, all three HSPC sources showed a shift in the CD34+ subset towards CD45RA+ progenitors along with a complete loss of the CD45RA-CD49f+ long-term HSC subpopulation, suggesting this model promotes mainly short-term HSC activity. Mice transplanted with cord blood HSPCs maintained a diversified human immune compartment for at least 36 weeks after the primary transplant, although mice given adult bone marrow HSPCs had lost diversity and contained only myeloid cells by this time point. Finally, to assess the impact of non-HSPCs on transplantation outcome, we also tested mice transplanted with total or T cell-depleted adult bone marrow mononuclear cells. Total bone marrow mononuclear cell transplants produced significantly lower human chimerism compared to purified HSPCs, and T-depletion rescued B cell levels but not other lineages. Together these results reveal marked differences in engraftment efficiency and lineage commitment according to HSPC source and suggest that T cells and other non-HSPC populations affect lineage output even in the absence of conditioning-associated inflammation.
Supernumerary neurons within the cerebral cortical subplate in autism spectrum disorders.

Abstract Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) involve alterations to cortical connectivity that manifest as reduced coordinated activity between cortical regions. The neurons of the cortical subplate are a major contributor to establishing thalamocortical, corticothalamic and corticocortical long-range connections and only a subset of this cell population survives into adulthood. Previous reports of an indistinct gray-white matter boundary in subjects with ASD suggest that the adjacent subplate may also show organizational abnormalities. Frozen human postmortem tissue samples from the parietal lobe (BA7) were used to evaluate white-matter neuron densities adjacent to layer VI with an antibody to NeuN. In addition, fixed postmortem tissue samples from frontal (BA9), parietal (BA7) and temporal lobe (BA21) locations, were stained with a Golgi-Kopsch procedure, and used to examine the morphology of these neuronal profiles. Relative to control cases, ASD subjects showed a large average density increase of NeuN-positive profiles of 44.7 percent. The morphologies of these neurons were consistent with subplate cells of the fusiform, polymorphic and pyramidal cell types. Lower ratios of fusiform to other cell types are found early in development and although adult ASD subjects showed consistently lower ratios, these differences were not significant. The increased number of retained subplate profiles, along with cell type ratios redolent of earlier developmental stages, suggests either an abnormal initial population or a partial failure of the apoptosis seen in neurotypical development. These results indicate abnormalities within a neuron population that plays multiple roles in the developing and mature cerebral cortex, including the establishment of long-range cortical connections.
A case of multiple synchronously diagnosed brain metastases from alveolar soft part sarcoma without concurrent lung involvement.

Background Alveolar soft part sarcoma (ASPS) is a rare soft-tissue sarcoma with a propensity for early hematogenous dissemination to the lungs and frequent brain metastasis. The development of lung metastasis almost invariably precedes intracranial involvement. There are no previously reported cases in which a patient was synchronously diagnosed with ASPS and multiple brain metastasis without lung involvement. Case description A 29-year-old gentleman was found to have three intracranial lesions following the onset of generalized seizures. Staging studies identified a soft-tissue mass in the left thigh and an adjacent femoral lesion. Biopsy of the soft-tissue mass was consistent with ASPS. The patient then underwent neoadjuvant stereotactic radiotherapy to all three brain lesions, followed by en bloc resection of the dominant lesion. The patient was then started on a programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) inhibitor. Subsequent surgical resection of the primary lesion and femur metastasis demonstrates a histopathologic complete response of the bony metastasis and partial response of the primary lesion. At present, the patient has received 14 cycles of atezolizumab without recurrence of the primary or bony lesions and the irradiated intracranial disease has remained stable without recurrence of the resected dominant lesion. Conclusion While intracranial involvement is relatively common in ASPS, a case with multiple, synchronously diagnosed brain metastasis without concurrent lung metastasis has not been described. The presented case discusses the safety and efficacy of aggressive management of intracranial disease in the setting of atezolizumab. Prospective evaluation of the efficacy of checkpoint inhibitors and the prognostic value of PD-L1 expression in ASPS with brain metastasis are necessary.
Reply to Rennie, "Zinc Concentration Affects Metallo-Beta-Lactamase Susceptibility Testing of Enterobacterales".

We appreciate Dr. Rennie's1 interest in our recently published study evaluating the impact of zinc on susceptibility testing of metallo-β-lactamase (MBL)-harboring Enterobacterales.2 We thank Dr. Rennie for bringing up an important point regarding the standard documents referenced in our study. While we referenced CLSI M1003 for interpretation of broth microdilution susceptibility results, we acknowledge that the M074 standard, despite being referenced in the M100 document, should have been clearly identified as the reference methodology utilized in this study.
Connectivity of Alternating Sign Triangle

Alternating sign triangles were introduced by Carroll and Speyer in relation to cube recurrence, by analogy to alternating sign matrices for octahedron recurrence. In this paper, we prove the connectivity of alternating sign triangles, which is analogous to the connectivity of alternating sign matrices.
The Sky Is Not Falling: Why Name, Image, and Likeness Legislation Does Not Violate Title IX and Could Narrow the Publicity Gap Between Men’s Sport and Women’s Sport Athletes

For decades, the National Collegiate Athletic Association’s (“NCAA”) amateurism rules have largely prevented NCAA athletes from commercializing their names, images, and likenesses (“NIL”). The right to license and profit from one’s own image, often referred to as the “Right of Publicity,” is explicitly recognized by statute or common law in 35 states. No federal Right of Publicity statute exists, but in 1977, the United States Supreme Court recognized the right. However, until 2021, NCAA athletes were precluded from benefiting from this right, as under the NCAA’s amateurism principle, “An individual loses amateur status and thus shall not be eligible for intercollegiate competition in a particular sport ...” if he “[u]ses athletics skill (directly or indirectly) for pay in any form in that sport.” Until July 1, 2021, by becoming an NCAA athlete and complying with the NCAA’s Bylaws to maintain eligibility, NCAA athletes gave up their right to benefit from their NIL while competing in NCAA athletics. This relinquishment put full commercial marketing control of the athlete, their team, and the college sport in the NCAA’s hands. Research shows that despite the application of Title IX to sport in 1975, NCAA women’s sports have not been commercially marketed in parity with NCAA men’s sports, with NCAA men’s sports experiencing significant publicity and sponsorship windfalls. This article examines the recent decision by the NCAA to allow NCAA athletes to benefit from their NIL, the potential Title IX implications of the decision, and how the decision could narrow the publicity gap between NCAA men’s and women’s sport athletes in furtherance of the plain language and intent of Title IX.
Respirator Cycle Control Modes

The goal of mechanical ventilation is to provide or improve ventilation, oxygenation, lung mechanics, and patient comfort while minimizing complications. Traditionally, volume control modes have been favored because of the ability to guarantee a preset tidal volume (V T) and minute ventilation (V E) enabling straightforward manipulation of ventilation in response to changes in the partial pressure of carbon dioxide in the blood (PaCO2). However, during volume control modes, there is no guaranteed limit of peak airway pressure. This lack of limitation of airway pressure may result in high peak airway pressures associated with changes in the patient’s compliance and resistance, causing alveolar overdistension and barotrauma. In contrast, pressure control ventilation (PCV) allows control, or limitation, of the peak inspiratory pressure (PIP) and inspiratory time (T i) with no guarantee of V T.
MO-F-CAMPUS-I-03: GPU Accelerated Monte Carlo Technique for Fast Concurrent Image and Dose Simulation

Purpose: To develop an accurate and fast Monte Carlo (MC) method of simulating CT that is capable of correlating dose with image quality using voxelized phantoms. Methods: A realistic voxelized phantom based on patient CT data, XCAT, was used with a GPU accelerated MC code for helical MDCT. Simulations were done with both uniform density organs and with textured organs. The organ doses were validated using previous experimentally validated simulations of the same phantom under the same conditions. Images acquired by tracking photons through the phantom with MC require lengthy computation times due to the large number of photon histories necessary for accurate representation of noise. A substantial speed up of the process was attained by using a low number of photon histories with kernel denoising of the projections from the scattered photons. These FBP reconstructed images were validated against those that were acquired in simulations using many photon histories by ensuring a minimal normalized root mean square error. Results: Organ doses simulated in the XCAT phantom are within 10% of the reference values. Corresponding images attained using projection kernel smoothing were attained with 3 orders of magnitude less computation time compared to a reference simulation using many photon histories. Conclusion: Combining GPU acceleration with kernel denoising of scattered photon projections in MC simulations allows organ dose and corresponding image quality to be attained with reasonable accuracy and substantially reduced computation time than is possible with standard simulation approaches.
Oronasal fistula as a complication of sarcoid disease: case report and review of the literature: Oronasal fistula as a complication of sarcoidosis

Aim: To report a new intraoral manifestation of sarcoid disease and review the literature. Methods: We present a case of oronasal fistulation as a previously unreported complication of sarcoid disease. A review of the literature was carried out to find documented cases of the oral manifestations of sarcoid disease. The types of intraoral lesions identified were recorded. Results: Seventy-two documented cases of oral sarcoid disease were identified. Soft tissue lesions were the most common, described as nodular or ulcerative and having a predilection for the buccal mucosa. Bony lesions presented as asymptomatic swellings, non-healing tooth sockets or mobile teeth. As far as we are aware, there are no reported cases of an oronasal fistula occurring as a complication of sarcoid disease. Conclusion: Sarcoidosis is a multisystem non-caseating, granulomatous condition of unknown aetiology, most commonly presenting in young adults. Pulmonary and lymph node involvement are common and although oral lesions can occur, these are rare. This is a case report of a man in his 40s who presented with symptoms associated with an oronasal fistula through the hard palate, secondary to sarcoid disease. To our knowledge, this has not been reported previously in the literature.
Response of the Receiving System

This chapter is concerned with the response of the receiving system that accepts the signals from the antennas, amplifies and filters them, and measures the cross-correlations for the various antenna pairs. We show how the basic parameters of the system affect the output. Some of the effects were introduced in earlier chapters and are here presented in a more detailed development that leads to consideration of system design in Chaps. 7 and 8. At some point in the processing chain between the antenna and the correlator output, the form of the signals is changed from an analog voltage to a digital format, and the resulting data are thereafter processed by computer-type hardware. This does not affect the mathematical analysis of the processing and is not considered in this chapter. However, the digitization introduces a component of quantization noise, which is analyzed in Chap. 8
Targeted Application of Seasonal Load Duration Curves Using Multivariate Analysis in Two Watersheds Flowing Into Lake Houston1

Teague, Aarin, Philip B. Bedient, and Birnur Guven, 2011. Targeted Application of Seasonal Load Duration Curves Using Multivariate Analysis in Two Watersheds Flowing Into Lake Houston. Journal of the American Water Resources Association (JAWRA) 47(3):620-634. DOI: 10.1111/j.1752-1688.2011.00529.x Abstract: Water quality is a problem in Lake Houston, the primary source of drinking water for the City of Houston, Texas, due to pollutant loads coming from the influent watersheds, including Spring Creek and Cypress Creek. Statistical analysis of the historic water quality data was developed to understand the source characterization and seasonality of the watershed. Multivariate analysis including principal component, cluster, and discriminant analysis provided a custom seasonal assessment of the watersheds so that loading curves may be targeted for season specific pollutant source characterization. The load duration curves have been analyzed using data collected by the U.S. Geologic Survey with corresponding City of Houston water quality data at the sites to characterize the behavior of the pollutant sources and watersheds. Custom seasons were determined for Spring Creek and Cypress Creek watersheds and pollutant source characterization compared between the seasons and watersheds.
Hard Tissue Replacement II: Joints and Teeth

The articulation of joints poses some additional problems as compared with long bone fracture repairs. These include wear and corrosion and their products, as well as complicated load transfer dynamics. In addition, the massive nature of the (total) joint replacements such as the knee and the elbow and their proximity to the skin also renders the greater possibility of infection. More importantly, if the replacement fails for any reason, it is much more difficult to replace the joint a second time since a large portion of the natural tissue has already been destroyed.
Infrared studies of coordination compounds containing high oxidation-state metals—I: Diarsine complexes

Abstract Infrared spectra of diarsine(dias) complexes of the types, [M(dias)2]X2 (M = Ni(II), Co(II), Pd(II) and Pt(II), and X = Cl, Br or ClO4, [MX2(dias)2]Yn (M = Ni(III), Ni(IV), Fe(II), Fe(III) and Fe(IV), X = Cl and Br, Y = Cl, Br, ClO4 or BF4, and n = 0, 1 or 2) have been measured. The MX and MAs stretching vibrations have been assigned based on isotopic shifts due to the 58Ni62Ni or 54Fe57Fe substitution. The MAs stretching bands are very weak. These vibrations appear at 325–295 cm−1 for the Ni, Co and Fe complexes, and at 270–210 cm−1 for the Pd and Pt complexes. The MCl stretching bands of the Fe(IV), Fe(III) and Ni(IV) complexes are at 420–390 cm−1. However, this band is shifted markedly to a lower frequency (240 cm−1) in the Ni(III) complex. The same trend is seen in the bromo analog. Possible origins of this abrupt drop in frequency have been discussed.
Hepatoid Variant of Pancreatic Cancer: Insights from a Case and Literature Review

Context “Hepatoid” cancer refers to an extrahepatic neoplasm with hepatocellular differentiation. The stomach is the most common site and pancreatic origin is distinctly uncommon. Case report We describe a patient with hepatoid pancreatic tumor who presented with inoperable metastatic disease. Conclusion Serum levels or tissue staining with alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) may not be a reliable tumor marker in these cases and an experienced pathologist and appropriate immunohistochemical staining are essential for early diagnosis. This report incorporates a comprehensive literature review outlining the clinical presentation, diagnostic difficulties, management and outcomes associated with this rare pathological entity. Image: Liver biopsy.
Phase diagram of a polyunsaturated lipid mixture: Brain sphingomyelin/ 1-stearoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/cholesterol

Phospholipids having a polyunsaturated acyl chain are abundant in biological membranes, but their behavior in lipid mixtures is difficult to study. Here we elucidate the nature of such mixtures with this report of the first ternary phase diagram containing the polyunsaturated lipid SDPC in mixtures of BSM/SDPC/Chol (brain sphingomyelin/1-stearoyl-2-docosahexaenoyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine/cholesterol). These mixtures show coexisting macroscopic liquid-disordered (Ld) and liquid-ordered (Lo) phase separation, with phase boundaries determined by FRET and by fluorescence microscopy imaging of giant unilamellar vesicles (GUVs). Surprisingly, SDPC mixes with BSM/Chol similarly to how DOPC and POPC mix with BSM/Chol. Notably, intermediate states are produced within the Ld+Lo liquid-liquid immiscibility region upon addition of fourth component POPC. These mixtures of BSM/SDPC/POPC/Chol exhibit nanoscopic Ld+Lo domains over a very large volume of composition space, possibly because Ld/Lo line tension is not high.
The relationship between treatment attendance, adherence, and outcome in a caregiver-mediated intervention for low-resourced families of young children with autism spectrum disorder

Rates of participation in intervention research have not been extensively studied within autism spectrum disorder. Such research is important given the benefit of early intervention on long-term prognosis for children with autism spectrum disorder. The goals of this study were to examine how family demographic factors predicted treatment attendance and adherence in a caregiver-mediated randomized controlled trial targeting core deficits of autism spectrum disorder, and whether treatment attendance and adherence predicted outcome. In all, 147 caregiver–child dyads from a low-resourced population were randomized to in-home caregiver-mediated module or group-based caregiver education module treatment. Treatment attendance, adherence, and outcome (time spent in joint engagement) were the primary outcome variables. The majority of families who entered treatment (N = 87) maintained good attendance. Attendance was significantly predicted by socioeconomic status, site, and treatment condition. Families in caregiv...
Bargaining for Motherhood: Postadoption Visitation Agreements

This Article is about the use of contract in family formation. More specifically, I want to look at how contract is now used by parents in the process of acquiring children and, as we shall see, also as a means of retaining interests in those same children under the developing regime of open adoption. In thinking about the contractual acquisition of relatives, the more familiar example is probably marriage. We know that historically, marriages, particularly among the propertied, were often the result of bargaining between families, if not ministers of state when diplomatic or dynastic concerns were at stake. Over time, individual men and women contracted their own marriages with one another. By the nineteenth century, couples were regarded as contractually bound to one another by virtue of their engagement alone; thus the lively nineteenth-century cause of action for breach of the promise to marry. 1 There were also less congenial examples of the contractual acquisition (and de-acquisition) of
HEAVILY LICHENIZED PHYSOLINUM(CHLOROPHYTA) FROM A DIMLY LIT CAVE IN MISSOURI

Heavily lichenized Physolinum monile (De Wildem.) Printz from damp limestone walls in a dimly lit cave located in Missouri was studied from fresh collections and specimens fixed in situ, and from cultures. The narrow (7-13 μm wide thallus), profusely branched plant consisted of filaments of the alga P. monile ensheathed by clear fungal cells (5-8 in a single layer) that adhered tightly to each other and completely covered the algal cells. Cells of P. monile filaments were uninucleate, each containing a single massive chloroplast with numerous tightly packed thylakoids and lipid droplets and surrounded by a thin layer of cytoplasm. No plasmodesmata occurred in the cellulosic crosswalls between adjacent cells. The ensheathing fungal cells contained concentric bodies, produced haustoria that penetrated the algal cells, and developed hyphae (the tips of which formed clusters of conidia). Ensheathing fungal cells were well situated and constructed to concentrate light on the algal cells. Colonies of blue-green algae were firmly attached to the surface of the fungal cells. The association was slow growing but frequently produced and released aplanospores from the algal cells. Aplanospores were single (not attached to each other) with smooth walls or united in groups of two or more. Structures resembling lichen soredia, composed of aplanospore-like cells attached to one or more comdia-like cells, commonly occurred among the lichenized Physolinum filaments. The single chloroplast that occupies most of the cell's volume, the numerous, tightly packed thylakoids, and light focusing by ensheathing fungus cells may enable the organism to survive in a dimly lit environment. Because the filamentous alga reproduces only by aplanospores, we propose resurrection of the genus Physolinum. The lichenized Physolinum somewhat resembles the lichens Coenogonium moniliforme Tuck. and Cystocoleus Thwaites.
An optical study of isolated rat adrenal chromaffin cells

Abstract Isolated rat adrenal chromaffin cells were studied with laser light scattering and Nomarski differential interference contrast microscopy. Evidence of organelle movement and of the fusion of secretory granules with the plasma membrane was obtained. A specially modified microscope was used to collect, coherently, laser light scattered from groups of 1–3 cells. Autocorrelation analysis of intensity fluctuations of the scattered light indicated that relative movements of cytoplasmic particles of about 0.1 μm or larger took seconds or longer, compared with the millisecond time periods that would be expected for free diffusion of the cytoplasmic organelles of the cells in a medium with a viscosity equal to that of water. Cytochalasin B (CB) and reduced temperature were found to reduce the relatively fast component of the decay of the autocorrelation, indicating decreased motion in the cells. Fixation with formaldehyde reduced the autocorrelation amplitude to zero, indicating the absence of motion. It is suggested that the intensity fluctuations were a consequence of organelle motility within the cells. Time-lapse photomicrography with Nomarski differential interference contrast optics indicated that the movements of the cytoplasmic particles which could be distinguished were highly restricted, except for occasional observations of distinct particle saltations at about 0.2 μm/sec. No change was observed in particle motion during stimulation with secretagogues, but microspikes formed on the cell surfaces, presumably due to the addition of secretory granule membranes to the plasma membrane as a consequence of exocytosis.
Picosecond acoustics for the characterization of sub-micron polymeric films

Abstract To characterize 5–50 nm poly(vinyl-2-pyridine) (PVP) films, we generate ultra-high frequency longitudinal acoustic waves (30–150 GHz) in Al using femtosecond laser pulses in a time delayed ‘pump’ and ‘probe’ beam configuration. For polymer film thicknesses of 12 nm we find an enhanced longitudinal wavespeed of 3858 m s−1. The acoustic response from a PVP film with a thickness of 5 nm has been detected.
Optimization of the radiotherapy treatment plan

A nonlinear minimization search method is proposed for optimizing the radiotherapy treatment plan. The basic implicit assumptions in clinical radiotherapeutic practice are reviewed in light of their implications for treatment-plan optimization. A tumor dose function is defined for unconstrained conditions pertaining to dose uniformity or minimized dose gradient over the tumor bed, and for constrained conditions relating to isodose curve levels or anatomic points of interest. The optimization strategy followed in the case of single and multiple beam variables is described and illustrated in a clinical case study.
Computer-aided determination of stability robustness measure of linear discrete-time systems

Abstract In this paper several upper bounds for parameter variations of a linear discrete-time system that is expressed in either matrix or polynomial form are presented. Within these upper bounds the system remains asymptotically stable. These upper bounds, which are only a set of sufficient conditions, are then used iteratively in a computer-aided algorithm to reach to the largest numerical such upper bounds. The largest numerical upper bound is called the stability robustness measure of the discrete-time dynamic system.
Insight into the roles of tyrosine 82 and glycine 253 in the Escherichia coli adenine glycosylase MutY

The oxidation product of 2'-deoxyguanosine, 7,8-dihydro-8-oxo-2'-deoxyguanosine (OG), produces G:C to T:A transversion mutations. The Escherichia coli base excision repair glycosylase MutY plays an important role in preventing OG-associated mutations by removing adenines misincorporated opposite OG lesions during DNA replication. Recently, biallelic mutations in the human MutY homologue (hMYH) have been correlated with the development of colorectal cancer. The two most common mutations correspond to two single amino acid substitutions in the hMYH protein: Y165C and G382D [Al-Tassan, N., et al. (2002) Nat. Genet. 30, 227-232]. Previously, our laboratory analyzed the adenine glycosylase activity of the homologous variant E. coli MutY enzymes, Y82C and G253D [Chmiel, N. H., et al. (2003) J. Mol. Biol. 327, 431-443]. This work demonstrated that both variants have a reduced adenine glycosylase activity and affinity for substrate analogues compared to wild-type MutY. Recent structural work on Bacillus stearothermophilus MutY bound to an OG:A mismatch-containing duplex indicates that both residues aid in recognition of OG [Fromme, J. C., et al. (2004) Nature 427, 652-656]. To determine the extent with which Tyr 82 and Gly 253 contribute to catalysis of adenine removal by E. coli MutY, we made a series of additional modifications in these residues, namely, Y82F, Y82L, and G253A. When the substrate analogue 2'-deoxy-2'-fluoroadenosine (FA) in duplex paired with G or OG is used, both Y82F and G253A showed reduced binding affinity, and G253A was unable to discriminate between OG and G when paired with FA. Additionally, compromised glycosylase activity of Y82F, Y82C, and G253A MutY was observed using the nonoptimal G:A substrate, or at low reaction temperatures. Interestingly, adenine removal from an OG:A-containing DNA substrate by Y82C MutY was also shown to be extremely sensitive to the NaCl concentration. The most surprising result was the remarkably similar activity of Y82L MutY to the WT enzyme under all conditions examined, indicating that a leucine residue may effectively replace tyrosine for intercalation at the OG:A mismatch. The results contained herein provide further insight regarding the intricate roles of Tyr 82 and Gly 253 in the OG recognition and adenine excision functions of MutY.
ADAM17 limits the expression of CSF1R on murine hematopoietic progenitors.

All-lymphoid progenitors (ALPs) yield few myeloid cells in vivo, but readily generate such cells in vitro. The basis for this difference remains unknown. We hypothesized that ALPs limit responsiveness to in vivo concentrations of myeloid-promoting cytokines by reducing expression of the corresponding receptors, potentially through posttranscriptional mechanisms. Consistent with such a mechanism, ALPs express higher levels of CSF1R transcripts than their upstream precursors, yet show limited cell-surface protein expression of colony-stimulating factor 1 receptor (CSF1R). All-lymphoid progenitors and other hematopoietic progenitors deficient in A disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain 17 (ADAM17), display elevated cell surface CSF1R expression. ADAM17 --/-- ALPs, however, fail to yield myeloid cells upon transplantation into irradiated recipients. Moreover, ADAM17 --/-- ALPs yield fewer macrophages in vitro than control ALPs at high concentrations of macrophage colony stimulating factor. Mice with hematopoietic-specific deletion of ADAM17 have normal numbers of myeloid and lymphoid progenitors and mature cells in vivo. These data demonstrate that ADAM17 limits CSF1R protein expression on hematopoietic progenitors, but that compensatory mechanisms prevent elevated CSF1R levels from altering lymphoid progenitor potential.
Detection of Mutated K- ras DNA in Urine, Plasma, and Serum of Patients with Colorectal Carcinoma or Adenomatous Polyps

Our previous studies demonstrated that urine contains DNA derived from the circulation and that this DNA originated, in part, from organ sites and tumors distal to the urinary tract. To explore the potential use of DNA from urine as compared to other body fluids as a source for circulating DNA for cancer detection, the DNA concentration and the frequency of detection of mutated Kristin-ras (K-ras) DNA in serum, plasma, and urine were examined. The concentration of DNA in the urine was similar to that in the serum, but the DNA concentration in plasma was significantly lower than in either urine or serum (P < 0.05). When DNA derived from 10 μL of body fluid was used in each mutation assay, the detection frequency of mutated K-ras DNA was comparable among serum, plasma, and urine. However, when DNA derived from 200 μL of body fluid was used, the incidence of detecting mutated K-ras DNA in urine was significant higher (95%) than in either serum (35%) or plasma (40%) (P < 0.0005), suggesting that inhibitory factors in serum/plasma may be more limiting than in urine. The use and practicality of urine as a source of circulating DNA for cancer detection are discussed.
Akt phosphorylation of zyxin mediates its interaction with acinus-S and prevents acinus-triggered chromatin condensation

Akt phosphorylation of zyxin mediates its interaction with acinus-S and prevents acinus-triggered chromatin condensation
The Economics of Professional Boxing Contracts

This article analyzes the characteristics and incentive effects of contractual practices in professional boxing. A boxer’s “purse” is linked to past rather than contemporaneous performance, thereby creating an incentives problem. Although consumption-smoothing considerations alleviate this problem, savings act as further insurance, and the likelihood of moral hazard increases. Observation of a boxer being poorly prepared for a fight after earning a very large purse is consistent with this prediction. These disappointing outcomes are likely driven by the absence of a strategic principal in the boxing market and by the prevalence of “casual” boxing fans.
The Spectrum of Comet Austin from 910 to 1180 Å

A spectrum of Comet Austin (1988 c1) has been obtained from 910 to 1180 A. Three bright emission lines were detected, including a forbidden oxygen line (1128 A), which are attributable to radiative pumping of neutral oxygen by solar Lyman-beta. The relative strengths of the observed features should prove to be a useful diagnostic of the physical conditions and radiation fields in cometary comae. In addition, the absence of strong spectral features from highly volatile species such as He, Ar, or N2 can be used to place constraints on the thermal environment under which the comet was formed and has been processed.
An integrative approach to information policy research

Abstract The decentralized nature of the evolution of information policy in the USA has resulted in a fragmented approach to both policy development and analysis. A significant problem for information policy research is therefore to provide an integrative outlook for policy analysis. Three models are used to construct a research framework which provides this integrative element. This article presents an example of this framework in a research agenda to examine privacy, software protection and transborder data flow.
Contact hole photo process improvement by multiple exposures with matched illumination settings

A multiple exposure with matching illumination settings has been applied to the advanced photo process. We combine some special illumination settings which are good for each specific duty ratio and produce a good through-pitch performance. For example, we can combine OAI for dense and conventional with low sigma for Iso to optimize through pitch performance. With this method we can fine tune all illumination parameters, including NA, sigma, exposure dose, focus and pupil type. For sub-wavelength photolithography, the proximity effect of single illumination setting causes limited DOF through pitch so a compromise between isolated and dense pattern performance must be taken. Traditional exposure method using a single illumination setting can not fulfill the optimal illumination setting for patterns at all pitches. With this invention using multi-illumination settings, we can combine multiple exposures with the advantage of different illumination settings to perform better process capability include DOF and proximity through all pitches. Experimental data shows that the single exposure DOF of isolated hole and dense hole are below 0.2um but DOF can be enlarged to 0.4um by multiple exposure. And we get smaller proximity effect at the same time.
Antagonistic behavioral effects of calcitonin and amphetamine in the rat

Abstract Using an automated testing apparatus, the hypermotility induced by amphetamine had previously been found to be inhibited by intracerebroventricular (ICV) administration of salmon calcitonin (CT). The present study used a computer-supported direct observational method to characterize further the interactions of CT and amphetamine. After treatment with amphetamine (1.5 mg/kg, IP), the incidence of rearing, nose poking, and locomotion was reduced in rats that were pretreated with 85 pmol salmon CT ICV; the incidence of sniffing and grooming remained unchanged. CT-induced dyskinesia, a unique consequence of central CT treatment, was attenuated but not abolished by administration of amphetamine. These results support the premise that a compound with receptor recognition characteristics similar to those of salmon CT may act as neurotransmitter-modulator in the central nervous system.
Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of Amifostine (Ethyol©) in Patients with Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer

AbstractPurpose: While amifostine has been demonstrated to reduce the toxicity of some antineoplastic regimens, it is costly and its value in NSCLC is unknown. This analysis determined the cost-effectiveness of administering amifostine to patients with NSCLC from a hospital'S perspective.Methods: A Markov model was developed to predict the costs of care for patients receiving cisplatin, carboplatin, or paclitaxel, with and without amifostine. Each monthly cycle, patients received chemotherapy or had it held. Outcomes and costs of toxicity (febrile neutropenia, thrombocytopenia, and anemia) were assigned to patients each month at a rate consistent with their treatment group. Inputs were derived from a clinical patient registry (patient identification), medication dispensing (transition rates) and laboratory databases (blood product administration), clinical literature (effect of amifostine), and costing catalogs (cost of blood products, medications, and their administration). One-way sensitivity analyses a...
"I have never heard that one": young girls' knowledge and perception of cervical cancer

With the advent of a vaccine for the human papillomavirus (HPV), many are claiming that cervical cancer may become a health worry of the past. While the vaccine certainly represents an important step forward in the fight against HPV and cervical cancer, it does not diminish the importance of health education or screening interventions particularly amongst adolescents. This study explores the existing state of cancer and cervical cancer knowledge of Latina and African American adolescent girls from low-income, urban neighborhoods. We found that the study participants expressed a range of attitudes toward cancer. Knowledge of cancer also was varied and somewhat anecdotal, showing no unified body of knowledge, but instead representing an assemblage of information culled from formal and informal sources. Participants were most familiar with breast and lung cancer and mentioned these types of cancer most frequently in the focus groups. Most participants had never heard of cervical cancer, while a few were familiar with several aspects of the disease. Cancer knowledge seemed to be gleaned mostly from personal stories, perhaps suggesting the pervasiveness of cancer incidence in their community. The predominant attitudes expressed toward cancer included fear, uncertainty, and anxiety. Our findings suggest that considerable continued health promotion efforts are needed to improve knowledge about cancer in general, and particularly about cervical cancer, to reduce fear and to highlight the effectiveness of prevention and screening.
1136 COLONIZATION AND INFECTION RELATED TO CONTAMINATED ENTERAL FEEDINGS

Although tube feeding formulae are known to frequently be contaminated with bacteria, few cases of sepsis related to tube feedings have been reported. A premature infant admitted to the Special Care Nursery appeared to develop sepsis in this manner. She had received hyperalimentation for one month followed by enteral tube feedings of PregestimilR formula. One month later, she became septic; E. cloacae and K. pneumoniae were isolated from the blood. E. cloacae and P. aeruginosa were isolated from the stool. Samples of the formula, which had been distributed to the patient unit, as well as a portion which had remained in the pharmacy after mixing, were cultured and found to contain the following: E. cloacae (105 cfu/ml), P. aeruginosa (3-5×104 cfu/ml), K. pneumoniae (2-8×104 cfu/ml), and P. calcoaceticus, var. antratus (.5-8×104 cfu/ml). Since the formula was found to be contaminated while still in the pharmacy where it had been mixed, investigations focused on the preparation of the formula. Formula had been prepared from a powder using utensils and a technique considered “clean” but not sterile. Changes were introduced to insure a 3 minute hand scrub prior to mixing, the use of sterile and/or disposable utensils, disinfection of the work areas and the mixing of formula under a laminar flow hood. Subsequent cultures of formula remained negative and no further cases were seen over the ensuing 12 months.
Fabrication of an integrated, planar silicon ink-jet structure

A new design and fabrication technique for ink-jet nozzles fabricated from silicon is described. The single,
Congenital cerebral and ocular malformations induced in rhesus monkeys by Venezuelan equine encephalitis virus.

Rhesus monkey fetuses were inoculated with Venezuelan Equine Encephalitis (VEE) vaccine virus by the direct intracerebral route at approximately 100 days gestation to determine possible teratogenicity of the virus. Congenital micrencephaly, hydrocephalus and cataracts were found in all animals and porencephaly in 67% of the cases. The virus replicated in the brain and other organs of the fetus. VEE vaccine virus is teratogenic for non-human primates and must be considered a potential teratogen of man.