cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Perceptions of Campus Climate and Sense of Belonging Among Non-immigrant, First-Generation, and Second-Generation Students

Immigrant students in the United States may experience the campus environment in ways that have a deleterious impact on their higher education outcomes as compared to non-immigrant students. In this chapter, Hachey and McCallen explore variations in perceptions of campus climate and sense of belonging among non-immigrant, first-generation, and second-generation students. The results suggest large significant differences between non-immigrant students and their peers from immigrant backgrounds in perceptions of respect for their immigration background and feelings of belonging on campus. Contrasts between White students and students of color within the non-immigrant and first-generation groups also suggest strong differential effects in perceptions of respect for immigration background. The authors conclude by discussing implications for future research and institutional practices to increase belonging among immigrant students.
Low pressure direct injection strategies effect on a small SI natural gas two-stroke engine’s energy distribution and emissions

Abstract This paper examines methods to simultaneously improve efficiency and reduce emissions from a 34 cc air-cooled two-stroke engine configured to operate on natural gas, using tuned intake plus exhaust resonators designed from Helmholtz resonance theory to promote effective scavenging. The engine was developed for novel application in a small, free piston engine for decentralized power generation. Operation occurred at wide-open-throttle at a speed of 5400 RPM for both port injection (PI) and low-pressure direct injection (LPDI). In both cases, the electronic ignition timing was adjusted for maximum brake torque, while the fuel was adjusted such that both rich and lean combustion were examined. The LPDI engine was then operated over a variety of engine speeds. An energy balance was completed for both PI and LPDI operation, which quantified all energy pathways, as engine operating regimes changed. Results showed that exhaust chemical energy (ECE) for LPDI was reduced significantly when compared to PI, mostly due to less fuel slip. The fuel slip rate ranged from 35 to 40% for PI operation while it was in the range of 6–20% for LPDI operation. However, mixture stratification with LPDI operation increased carbon monoxide emissions. The start-of-injection (SOI) was also examined, targeting a SOI to provide the highest trapping efficiency and most stable combustion. For LPDI operation, trapping efficiency, which is function of engine speed, showed significant effects on overall efficiency and fuel slip. Air volumetric efficiency increased due to the absence of gaseous fuel within the intake manifold. It was shown that, relative to PI, the overall engine indicated efficiency increased by 90% to a maximum indicated efficiency of 30% for LPDI operation with a SOI of 180 CAD BTDC.
Practical Considerations of Caring for Patients Abroad During Short-term Medical Trips.

A 65-year-old woman presented on the second day of my week-long volunteer medical brigade to a migrant camp in Mexico. The patient had a blood pressure of 180/110 mm Hg and a heart rate of 78 beats per minute. Her presenting symptoms were itchy eyes and sneezing, which she reported were worse when she worked outside harvesting produce. She was otherwise asymptomatic.
Transmission and Distribution Co-Simulation with Possible Distribution Loops

A co-simulation algorithm for three-phase modeled distribution systems and sequence modeled transmission is developed. The approach is novel for combining looped distribution capability, i.e. alternative current paths between transmission system nodes via the distribution system, with the option to model transmission in three sequence detail instead of just positive sequence. This is achieved by placing equivalent branches in the transmission model and accounting for the loop currents. Additionally, we provide validation for co-simulation results against a full, combined three-phase model. This comparison allows to better analyze the strengths and weaknesses of different modeling choices.
Patterns of Radiotherapy Use and Outcomes in Head and Neck Soft-Tissue Sarcoma in a National Cohort.

Objectives/hypothesis We used the National Cancer Database to identify the patterns of care and prognostic factors in adult patients with head and neck soft-tissue sarcoma (HNSTS). Study design Retrospective cohort analysis. Methods Using the National Cancer Database, we identified patients age ≥ 18 years who were diagnosed with HNSTS between 2004 and 2013. Both χ2 and multivariate logistic regression were used to identify factors associated with radiation therapy (RT) utilization. Kaplan-Meier methods were used to estimate overall survival (OS) and Cox proportional regression was used to determine significant contributors to OS. Results Our final cohort included 1,282 patients (682 treated with surgery only, 199 treated with RT only, and 401 treated with surgery and RT). Patients with younger age, poor tumor grade, rhabdomyosarcoma histology, and chemotherapy treatment were more likely to receive RT alone without surgery. Among the 1,083 surgical patients, RT utilization was associated with positive margins (odds ratio [OR]: 2.18, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.36-3.48), poor grade (OR: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.95-4.38), and chemotherapy use (OR: 1.78, 95% CI: 1.15-2.76). Radiotherapy utilization among surgical patients was not affected by demographic factors (age, sex, or ethnicity) or treatment institution (academic or community). For surgical patients, poor grade, large tumor size, and rhabdomyosarcoma histology were associated with worse OS on multivariate analysis. Conclusions In this analysis of HNSTS, younger patients with poor tumor grade and rhabdomyosarcoma histology were more likely to receive RT without surgery. Among surgical patients, adjuvant RT was more likely to be used for positive margins and poor grade, with no demographic disparities identified. Poor grade and rhabdomyosarcoma histology were negative prognostic factors for surgical patients. Level of evidence NA Laryngoscope, 130:120-127, 2020.
Short-term false memories vary as a function of list type.

False memories have primarily been investigated at long-term delays in the Deese–Roediger–McDermott (DRM) procedure, but a few studies have reported meaning-based false memories at delays as short ...
Postmaterialism and referenda voting to legalize marijuana.

Abstract This analysis of county-level voting on 22 state referenda that sought to legalize marijuana for medical purposes or recreational use is driven by hypotheses from post-materialism theory. Separate regression models for each type of policy largely, though not entirely, support our expectations. Voting to legalize both medical and recreational marijuana was greater in counties with larger college-educated populations, a partisan preference for Democratic presidential candidates, and smaller percentages of Catholic, Protestant, and Evangelical adherents. The findings for age, the other primary driver of post-materialist values, are counter-intuitive, but holding these referenda during a U.S. presidential election year had statistically significant though different impacts on the outcome. The higher turnout during presidential elections seemingly facilitated voting in favor of recreational marijuana while lower turnouts during non-presidential elections aided voting for medical marijuana. Finally, population density was not statistically significant in either model.
Multiple-factor speaker identification of normal and distorted speech

Abstract The purpose of this research was to examine the possibility that a set of speaker identification vectors were sufficiently robust to function adequately in the presence of speaker and system distortions. Twenty-five adult male talkers produced three repetitions (normal, stress and disguise) of an extended reading passage from which long-term speech spectra (LTS), speaking fundamental frequency (SFF) and speaking time (ST) were extracted for four consecutive 32 s intervals. The last three of the 32 s segments constituted a reference sample in a discriminant analysis procedure; the first segment was utilized as the test sample. Each vector was used alone and also in combination with other vectors. Distortions included limited passband as well as speech produced while the talker was under stress or attempting a disguise. While the described approach functioned adequately for the normal speaking conditions, no vector (singly or in combination) adequately differentiated talkers when speech was distorted.
Information regarding Zika virus on the Internet: A cross-sectional study of readability

The purpose of this study was to determine the readability of 100 articles posted on the Internet related to the Zika virus. An on-line readability calculator was used to generate scores on each website from 5 readability tests. Most of the material analyzed was written at a level beyond grade 10. The data in this study make a compelling case that websites containing information on the Zika virus are being written at levels beyond what is recommended. It would behoove those who create health information to consider ways to adapt their materials in a way that is consistent with recommended readability levels.
13.25 – Anticholinesterase Insecticides*

Anticholinesterase insecticides exert their toxicity by inhibiting acetylcholinesterase (AChE) in the nervous system. The resulting increase in concentration of the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (ACh) in cholinergic synapses causes hyperstimulation of many cholinergic receptors and eventual fatigue of some of them. The two main classes of anticholinesterases are organophosphorus (OP) and carbamate esters. These chemicals acylate the active site serine of AChE, thus preventing access by the normal substrate, ACh. Potency of inhibition by OP and carbamate esters can be assessed by measuring the bimolecular rate constant of inhibition (ki) or the fixed-time IC50, the concentration of inhibitor required to decrease the enzyme activity by half after a specified time of preincubation with the enzyme. Although OP and carbamate compounds can be highly potent, carbamates undergo relatively rapid spontaneous reactivation, so that inhibition is much shorter-lived. Biotransformation of OP esters can result in activation or detoxification, whereas carbamates are mainly detoxified. The main adverse effect of both classes of insecticides is acute cholinergic toxicity. Some OP compounds can produce the intermediate syndrome and others can cause OP compound-induced delayed neurotoxicity (OPIDN), but this effect is now extremely rare, seen mainly after attempted suicides. Human blood contains serine esterases whose decreased activity or the presence of chemical modifications can serve as biomarkers of exposure. Therapy for acute cholinergic toxicity consists of atropine to counteract muscarinic effects of excess ACh and pralidoxime (2-PAM) to reactivate OP-inhibited AChE. 2-PAM is not used in carbamate poisoning. There are no antidotes or specific therapies for intermediate syndrome or OPIDN.
Lenalidomide demonstrates clinical activity in anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive large B-cell lymphoma

Anaplastic lymphoma kinase-positive large B-cell lymphoma (ALK+ LBCL) is known to be a rare and aggressive form of lymphoma that relapses quickly after both conventional chemotherapy and more targeted therapy. Lenalidomide is an immunomodulator that has shown safety and efficacy in multiple myeloma and is also approved for use in several types of lymphoma. In the case described here, the patient had a significant partial response to lenalidomide, which has not previously been described in this type of lymphoma. Given how aggressive and difficult to treat ALK+ LBCL is, further research is warranted to more completely elucidate the mechanism of action of lenalidomide in ALK+ LBCL and its role in treatment.
The Best Offense is a Strong Defense: Appreciating the Strength of Education as the Strongest Alternative to Interventionism

The mandate of the United Nations and the efficacy of its actions serve as a focal point of academic and popular attention. The recent Syrian uprising leads many to ask again whether the United Nations, the United Nations Security Council, or any of the other principal organs of the international organization are the proper entities to maintain international peace and security. Since its establishment following the Second World War, scores of multilateral treaties continue to pass the desk of the Secretary-General aspiring to resolve global problems. Although, in many instances, these multilateral treaties receive support from a majority of the United Nations’ member states, there is often time little incentive to prevent a nation from fully realizing its good faith obligation to a treaty or international agreement. The Charter of the Untied Nations and basic tenets of international law hold the sovereignty of each state supreme. While interventionism can serve a legally valid, and focused purpose, its narrowly-tailored suitability within the United Nations framework need not expand to better serve the interests of the international community. Instead, the creed and mandate of the United Nations is best served by strict compliance with the principle tenets of international law and deference to the decisions implemented by each member state unilaterally. The solution of education provides a promising alternative to interventionism. This paper references the successful inurement of education in the countries of Chile and Mexico in the recent years and provides for an argument that human rights abuses in conflict with the Universal Declaration of Human Rights may be served better through education rather than interventionism.
Patterns of black and white hysterectomy incidence among reproductive aged women

Objective To investigate the intersection of race and economic context in treatment with hysterectomy among reproductive aged women with noncancerous gynecologic conditions. Data sources We combined administrative billing records of inpatient and outpatient hysterectomy procedures (N = 28 301) occurring in North Carolina between 2011 and 2014 with census data to calculate county-level hysterectomy rates. Study design Spatial analysis techniques examined the distribution of black and white hysterectomy rates across counties, and county-level black and white rate differences were compared across economic contexts. Data collection/extraction We restricted to those of premenopausal age identifying as non-Hispanic black or white, undergoing hysterectomy for nonemergent causes (N = 28 301 procedures). Principal findings County-level hysterectomy rates were spatially patterned (Moran's I, P .05 and 10/10 000 PY, P > .05, respectively). Conclusion Socioeconomic context is important to understand, particularly for black-white disparities in hysterectomy. Efforts should be made to understand the causes of higher rates of hysterectomy among blacks than whites, especially in counties in the highest economic tier.
Deconvolution of ultrasound biomicroscopy images using generative adversarial networks to visualize and evaluate localization of ocular structures

High frequency ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) images are used in clinical ophthalmology due to its ability to penetrate opaque tissues and create high resolution images of deeper intraocular structures. Because these inexpensive, high frequency (50 MHz) systems use single ultrasound elements, there is a limitation in visualizing small structures and anatomical landmarks, especially outside focal area, due to the lack of dynamic focusing. The wide and axially variant point spread function degrade image quality and obscure smaller structures. We created a fast, generative adversarial network (GAN) method to apply axially varying deconvolution for our 3D ultrasound biomicroscopy (3D-UBM) imaging system. Original images are enhanced using a computationally expensive axially varying deconvolution, giving paired original and enhanced images for GAN training. Supervised generative adversarial networks (pix2pix) were trained to generate enhanced images from originals. We obtained good performance metrics (SSIM = 0.85 and PSNR = 31.32 dB) in test images without any noticeable artifacts. GAN deconvolution runs at about 31 msec per frame on a standard graphics card, indicating that near real time enhancement is possible. With GAN enhancement, important ocular structures are made more visible.
Herbert Hovenkamp as Antitrust Oracle: Appreciating the Overlooked Contributions of the New Harvard School

My colleague, Herbert Hovenkamp, is almost universally recognized as the most cited and the most authoritative US antitrust scholar. Among his many honors, his status as the senior author of the authoritative Areeda and Hovenkamp treatise makes him the unquestioned leader of the New Harvard School, which has long served as the bellwether for how courts are likely to resolve emerging issues in modern antitrust doctrine. Unfortunately, its defining tenets and its positions on emerging issues remain surprisingly obscure. My contribution to this festschrift explores the core commitments that distinguish the New Harvard School from other approaches to antitrust. It then explores Hovenkamp’s scholarship on key issues, including tying, the neo-Brandeisian/hipster antitrust movement, and digital platforms. A better understanding of Hovenkamp’s work and the New Harvard School should prove invaluable to anyone wishing to understand antitrust’s likely future.
Potential New Therapeutic Approaches for Myelofibrosis

Introduction The field of myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) has entered a new, exciting era since the clinical development and FDA-approval of the JAK1/2 inhibitor ruxolitinib in 2011 and the JAK2 inhibitor fedratinib in 2019 for treatment of myelofibrosis (MF), the most aggressive MPN. Notwithstanding the unprecedented clinical benefits, including transformative improvement in quality-of-life that the approved JAK inhibitors have elicited in MF patients and their widespread use, a tenacious quest for novel MF treatment strategies has been pursued. Research endeavors have focused on developing new monotherapies and rational combination treatments that exhibit complementary activity or act synergistically with ruxolitinib.1,2 The new regimens in clinical development are aimed at addressing major unmet medical needs, such as anemia and thrombocytopenia, progression of MF to acute myeloid leukemia, suboptimal response or resistance to ruxolitinib,3 and the short overall survivals associated with the former settings.4,5 The novel investigational agents may target alternate biological pathways besides JAK/STAT and/or enhance the efficacy of ruxolitinib. In this abstract, we have highlighted select, promising investigational agents that are currently evaluated in pivotal phase 3 clinical trials for MF (Table 1).
The SKN Method I: A High-Order Transport Approximation to Neutron Transport Problems

A high-order transport approximation, the SKN method, is introduced for solving the integral transport equation. The method relies on approximating the integral transport kernels by a sum of diffus...
Demographic and Social Predictors of Intimate Partner Violence in Colombia

Intimate partner violence (IPV) is a major health and human rights problem globally. However, empirical findings on the predictors of IPV cross-culturally are highly inconsistent, and the theory of IPV is underdeveloped. We propose a new analytical framework based on cooperative game theory in which IPV is a function of the power relations of the dyadic relationship, not simply the actors involved. Using data from the 2005 Colombian Demographic and Health Survey, we test the hypothesis that IPV is predicted by large asymmetries in dyadic power using a hierarchical generalized linear model. Results suggest that education, urban residence, age at sexual debut, whether the woman has other sexual partners, and the age difference between spouses have strong effects on the log-odds of a woman experiencing IPV. Cooperative game theory and social network analysis offer a general approach to the problem of intimate partner interactions which can be applied broadly cross-culturally.
Growth regulation of the interstitial cell population in hydra. III. Interstitial cell density does not control stem cell proliferation.

The interstitial cells of hydra contain a stem cell population which produces several classes of differentiated cell types. A model has been proposed which governs the growth rate of the interstitial cell population. This model, based on the density of interstitial cells in the tissue, makes specific predictions about the relationships among this density, the proportion of stem cells in the interstitial cell population, the growth rate of the interstitial cell population, and the amount of nematocyte differentiation. Hydroxyurea treatments were used to experimentally reduce interstitial cell numbers, and the validity of these expected correlations was tested. The results demonstrate that the predictions of the interstitial cell density model were not upheld. Furthermore, the findings suggest that the interstitial cells are a heterogeneous population, containing some cells which are no longer stem cells but which do retain a limited capacity for proliferation. In the following paper (S. Heimfeld and H. R. Bode, 1986, Dev. Biol. 115, 59–68) we have proposed an alternative mechanism to explain the observed correlations, which incorporates this heterogeneity into amplification divisions of interstitial cells already committed to differentiation.
East Africa-India Security Relations/China-Africa Partnership: the Quest for Win-Win Relationship

Kenyan media as well as international media such as VOX Africa continue to report that Uhuru Kenyatta returned this week with an investment package totaling 425 billion shillings (5 billion dollars) from China. The target domains are railroad from Mombasa to Kisumu and energy generation. The move is interpreted as the enactment of the often-touted Kenya’s “Look East Policy”. It is yet to be seen what investment deal Kenya will broker with India and other Asian countries in the next few years. Evidently, one deal with China cannot qualify as an entire East policy; one swallow does not make a summer. Nonetheless, there are new developments from China and India that command attention in Africa. Key words: India, China, Africa, foreign, policy, relations
Pilot Plant Glycerol Production with a Slow-Feed Osmophilic Yeast Fermentation

A slow feed batch fermentation is described for the production of glycerol from sugar. The conversion efficiency was approximately 1 mole of glycerol produced per mole of glucose utilized after the cell growth phase. The glycerol production phase was extended several-fold by periodic glucose addition. The yeast cell count remained constant during this time as limited by phosphate, a deficiency required for an efficient glycerol fermentation. A small amount of phosphate was supplied during the extended fermentation, maintaining an active culture, by the normal autolysis of spent cells. Interfering or inhibitory by-products did not accumulate, and the osmophilic yeasts are tolerant of high glycerol concentrations. These factors combined to allow a particularly efficient fermentation well suited to product enrichment by supplying large quantities of substrate over an extended period.
Role of the cytoplasmic domains of viral glycoproteins in antibody-induced cell surface mobility.

Abstract We have investigated the role of the cytoplasmic domains of the influenza virus hemagglutinin (HA) and the parainfluenza virus type 3 (PI3) fusion (F) glycoproteins as a determinant of their ability to undergo antibody-induced redistribution on plasma membranes. The viral envelope genes were truncated in their cytoplasmic domains by using oligonucleotide-directed mutagenesis and expressed by using recombinant vaccinia viruses. In HeLa cells, the truncated HA (HAt), like the full-length HA, did not cap in response to specific antibody. In CV-1 cells, HAt showed patchy surface immunofluorescence with few caps, whereas full-length HA exhibited capping in many cells in response to bivalent antibody. Quantitation of cap formation indicated a sevenfold decrease in the frequency of capping of HAt in comparison with full-length HA. Similarly, truncated F also exhibited a significant decrease in cap formation in comparison with full-length F. These results indicate that the ability of influenza virus HA and PI3 F to undergo redistribution in response to bivalent antibody has been altered by truncation of the viral glycoproteins and suggest that capping may involve interactions between the cytoplasmic domain of the viral glycoproteins and host cell components.
Synopsis of Couepia (Chrysobalanaceae) in Costa Rica, with a description of two new species

We provide a synopsis to the Costa Rican species of Couepia (Chrysobalanaceae), including a description of two new species: C. hallwachsiae and C. janzenii.
Characterizing Pressure and Flow Rate for Aqueous Immersion Surgery

Hemorrhage control during surgery remains a major clinical challenge for surgeons. Bleeding can affect the safety and efficacy of any surgical procedure. There are well-established methods to address this side-effect of surgery, but all current technologies require the surgeon to direct attention to hemostasis rather than the continuance of the procedure. We have developed a novel surgical method, titled aqueous immersion surgery (AIS), that is able to sustain a bloodless surgical field by providing a controlled hydraulic pressure (immersion pressure) on the bleeding site. Together with the replenishment of an immersion fluid (immersion flow rate), AIS maintains optical clarity of the surgical field. This numerical study was undertaken to investigate the influence of the rate exchange of the immersion fluid on the concentration of blood, hence optical clarity therein. A 3-dimensional multicomponent simulation was performed to evaluate the mixing of blood from an idealized arterial bleeding vessel under pu...
1Prevention of immune dysfunction, vitamin E deficiency, and loss of Cryptosporidium resistance during murine retrovirus infection by T cell receptor peptide immunization

Abstract C57BL6 mice were immunized with peptide corresponding to CDR1 of human T cell receptor (TCR) Vs8.1 and immunoglobulin lambdachain MCG after murine retrovirus (LP-BM5) infection. Immunization with the TCR peptide largely prevented the retrovirus-induced reduction in B and T cell proliferation, tissue vitamin E, and Th1 (T helper 1) cytokine (IL-2 and IFN-τ) secretion. The TCR peptide also prevented retroviral stimulation of Th2 cytokine (IL-6 and IL-10) production and lipid peroxidation. Cryptosporidiosis was established in all retrovirus immunosuppressed mice, while non-retrovirus infected mice were refractory to parasite infection. Cryptosporidium parvum colonization of intestinal villi was significantly reduced in immunosuppressed animals that received TCR Vs8.1 peptide immunization. Thus, immune dysfunction with the loss of parasite resistance, induced by murine retrovirus infection, was largely prevented by TCR Vs CDR1 peptide immunization. However, no significant change in survival of the retrovirally infected mice was observed as the lymph nodes continued to expand which induced eventual death from asphyxiation.
Magnetic Nanorod—Superconductor Hybrids

A novel type of magnet–superconductor hybrid is discussed: an array of magnetic nanorods/nanowires embedded into a superconducting film. The general behavior of the phase diagram of this system can be understand in the framework of mean field theory and the hysteresis curve of the magnetic nanostructure. Magnetic nanorods/nanowires can strongly increase vortex pinning and, consequently, the critical current and critical field. The results of experimental and theoretical studies of this new class of superconducting systems are discussed.
Changes in RNA in relation to growth of the fibroblast. III. Posttranscriptional regulation of mRNA formation in resting and growing cells

Abstract The proportion of hnRNA processed into cytoplasmic mRNA in resting and growing 3T3 and 3T6 cells has been investigated by measuring the efficiency of transfer of nuclear poly(A) to the cytoplasm. When nuclear poly(A) is either labeled continuously with precursor or pulse labeled and then chased with cordycepin, growing cells transfer approximately twice as much of the poly(A) from the nucleus to the cytoplasm as do resting cells. When cells undergo a serum-induced transition from the resting to growing state, the efficiency of poly(A) transfer is increased to that characteristic of growing cells by 3 hr after the addition of the serum. On the other hand, the proportion of hnRNA which is polyadenylated and the total nuclear poly(A) content are the same in resting and growing cells. It appears that the principal means by which the cell regulates its poly(A)+ mRNA content in the growing and resting states is by regulating the efficiency with which nuclear poly(A)+ RNA is converted to cytoplasmic mRNA.
Austenitic stainless steels with improved resistance to radiation-induced swelling☆

Stainless steel specimens were bombarded with Ni ions at elevated temperatures to simulate fast neutron damage. Results show that type 316 stainless steel with additions of silicon and titanium exhibits low swelling over the entire swelling temperature range under high-dose nickel-ion bombardment. Neutron irradiation data on commercial alloys and ion data on high-purity alloys also indicate that the most effective suppression of swelling is achieved with combinations of silicon and titanium. It is suggested that suppression of swelling by alloying with silicon and titanium may be effective over a range of nickel and chromium base composition levels and will provide the basis for the development of low-swelling alloys that are technologically similar to type 316 stainless steel. It should be noted that the influence of silicon and titanium on swelling is likely to depend strongly on the concentrations of other elements such as carbon, oxygen, and nitrogen and on the extent to which silicon and titanium partition to various phases.
Effect of storage on microsomal mixed function oxidase activity in mouse liver.

Abstract The stability of mixed function oxidase components from hepatic microsomes of mice was studied. Microsomal pellets were overlaid with isotonic, buffered KCl and frozen at −20° for up to 20 days. Ethyl morphine N-demethylase and aniline hydroxylase were the least stable, showing significant decreases in activity after 3 and 5 days of storage respectively. NADPH cytochrome c reductase and cytochrome P-450 were both stable for at least 10 days. Electron micrographs of resuspended pellets after storage showed an increasing tendency toward aggregation of microsomal vesicles as the length of storage increased.
784 BONE MARROW TRANSPLANTATION (BMT) IN CHILDREN

BMT is used with increased frequency to treat aplastic anemia (AA) and acute leukemia (AL). We report the results of 90 BMT performed on children at UCLA through June, 1980. Thirty-three BMT were done on previously transfused AA patients; 18 recipients survive (55%). In 17 of these 33 patients, low-dose (3Gy) total body irradiation (TBI) was added to the cyclophosphamide conditioning regimen (CY) to decrease the risk of graft rejection. Thirteen of these patients survive (76%, median = 791 + d). Failure to use TBI was associated with a 43% rejection rate, while use of 10Gy TBI was associated with an 83% risk of fatal graft versus host disease (GVHD). Fifty-seven patients had BMT for AL. Three of 34 patients transplanted in relapse survive (>3.5 y). There were 6 early deaths; 17 of the remaining 28 patients developed GVHD (16 fatal), and 9 of the remaining 12 patients relapsed. Twenty-three had BMT during remission: there were 2 early deaths, 6 cases of fatal GVHD and 6 patients relapsed. Nine patients survive (39%, median = 264 + d). No relapses occurred among 6 patients who had BMT for AML in first remission, using a matched sibling donor. We conclude that BMT is the treatment of choice for children with severe AA, if a compatible sibling donor is available. Addition of low-dose TBI to CY improves the survival of previously transfused AA patients. BMT offers the possibility of prolonged disease-free survival to patients with ultra-high-risk AL.
The free inverse semigroup on two commuting generators

Abstract In this paper we utilize the zig-zag representations to characterize the free inverse semigroup on two commuting generators.
Emerging gene and stem cell therapies for the treatment of erectile dysfunction

Erectile dysfunction is a prevalent condition that leads to significant morbidity and distress, not just for affected men but also for their partners. Very few currently available treatments ameliorate the underlying causes of the disorder and 'cure' the disease state. Much recent effort has been focused on the development of gene and cell-based approaches to rectify the molecular and tissue defects responsible for ED. Gene therapy has been investigated in animal models as a means to restore normal function to the penis; at this time, however, only one human trial has been published in the peer-reviewed literature. Recent gene therapy studies have focused on the modulation of enzymes associated with the NOS/cGMP pathway, and supplementation of trophic factors, peptides and potassium channels. Stem cell therapy has been a topic of interest in more recent years but there are currently very few published reports in animal models and none in human men. Although stem cell therapy offers the potential for restoration of functional tissues, legitimate concerns remain regarding the long-term fate of stem cells. The long-term safety of both gene and stem cell therapy must be thoroughly investigated before large-scale human studies can be considered.
Lidar depth image compression using clustering, re-indexing, and JPEG2000

Large LiDAR (Light Detection And Ranging) data sets are used to create depth mapping of objects and geographic areas. The suitability of image compression methods for these large LiDAR data sets was explored, analyzed and optimized. Our research interprets LiDAR data as intensity based "depth images", and uses k-means clustering, reindexing and JPEG2000 to compress the data. The first step in our method applies the k-means clustering algorithm to an intensity image creating a small index table, an index map and residual image. Next we use methods from previous research to re-index the index map to optimize compression when using JPEG2000. And lastly we compress both the reindexed map and residual image using JPEG2000, exploring the use of both lossless and lossy compression. Experimental results show that in general we can compress data to 23% of the original size losslessly and even further allowing for small amounts of loss.
Carbohydrate involvement in sperm-egg interaction in the chicken.

AbstractThe solubilized perivitelline layer (PL) of the chicken ovum contains one or more components which behave in a manner analogous to sperm-receptors. Electrophoretic analyses of solubilized PL confirmed the existence of three major glycoproteins having apparent molecular weights of 33,000, 53,500 and >200,000. The role of carbohydrate in sperm receptor activity was evaluated by extensive deglycosylation of the solubilized PL with trifluoromethanesulfonic acid (TFMS). Sperm receptor activity as measured by an in vitro competition assay was extremely sensitive to TFMS. Pretreatment of spermatozoa with solubilized PL exposed only to TFMS buffers inhibited sperm attachment and digestion of intact PL by 81% (9.67 ± 1.76 sperm/mm2) as compared with the controls (i.e., no pretreatment of spermatozoa with solubilized PL; 51.33 ± 6.24 sperm/mm2), a value similar to that observed with spermatozoa exposed to untreated solubilized PL (0.17 ± 0.17 sperm/mm2). In comparison, PL treated with TFMS inhibited sperm a...
Elimination of cavity relaxation oscillation in vertical-cavity surface-emitting lasers with photoactive feedback

Theory and simulations demonstrate that photoactive layers placed in vertical-cavity surface-emitting laser (VCSEL) cavities eliminate the power modulation during laser switch-on. As is well known, this power modulation is caused by the increasing rate of carrier depletion that occurs with increasing photon flux ∂(dN/dt)/∂P 0, which means a decreasing depletion rate with increasing laser power. The relaxation frequency then becomes pure imaginary, and the laser cavity behaves as an overdamped oscillator that asymptotes to the final steady state without power modulation or spiking. A flat frequency response over order(s)-of-magnitude higher bandwidth is predicted under direct VCSEL modulation.
Entrance and propagation pattern of high-frequency electrical currents in biological tissues as applied to fractional skin rejuvenation using penetrating electrodes.

Background Fractional resurfacing of the skin using radiofrequency devices has been used for collagen remodeling and rejuvenation. Objectives To determine how radiofrequency current enters and propagates through tissue, and the pattern of the resulting effect. Materials and Methods An electrosurgical device with a 0.4 MHz frequency output was used as the source of radiofrequency current. Current was applied via a metallic needle introduced into a large piece of cow liver, with different amounts of energy delivered at multiple points. Cross-sections of the liver were then studied for tissue effect. Results Thermal coagulation of tissue started from the tip of the electrode. With higher energy, a rim of coagulated tissue formed around the entire length of the needle. This rim of coagulated tissue was thicker around the tip of the electrode. Conclusion Radiofrequency currents have a tendency to move toward the center of the bulk of tissue. When an electrode of a fractional radiofrequency device enters the skin, maximum heating effect will be around the tip of the electrode in the dermis. This phenomenon can preserve epidermis from injury during dermal heating, reducing post-procedural skin surface side effects seen with many skin rejuvenation procedures.
Investigation of the frictional response of osteoarthritic human tibiofemoral joints and the potential beneficial tribological effect of healthy synovial fluid

Summary Objective This study tests the hypothesis that the natural progression of osteoarthritis (OA) in human joints leads to an increase in the friction coefficient. This hypothesis is based on the expectation that the wear observed in OA may be exacerbated by higher friction coefficients. A corollary hypothesis is that healthy synovial fluid (SF) may help mitigate the increase in the friction coefficient in diseased joints. Design The friction coefficient of human tibiofemoral joints with varying degrees of OA was measured in healthy bovine SF and physiological buffered saline (PBS). Two testing configurations were adopted, one that promotes sustained cartilage interstitial fluid pressurization to investigate the effectiveness of this mechanism with advancing OA, and another that allows interstitial fluid pressure to subside to investigate the effectiveness of boundary lubrication. Results Seven specimens were visually staged to be normal or mildly degenerated (stages ≤ 2 on a scale of 1 to 4) and nine others had progressive degeneration (stages > 2 and ≤ 3). No statistical differences were found in the friction coefficient with increasing OA, whether in migrating or stationary contact area configurations; however, the friction coefficient was significantly lower in SF than PBS in both configurations. Conclusions The friction coefficient of human tibiofemoral cartilage does not necessarily increase with naturally increasing OA, for visual stages ranging from 1 to 3. This outcome may be explained by the fact that interstitial fluid pressurization is not necessarily defeated by advancing degeneration. This study also demonstrates that healthy SF decreases the friction coefficient of OA joints relative to PBS.
Electroreflectance and conductance

Summary Two relatively new electrochemical techniques, reflectance and conductance, have been used to study the electrochemical interphase. The relfectance measurements were made using internal reflection and an optically transparent electrode. The electroreflectance effect was calculated by considering both the free and bound electron contributions to the dielectric constant. Other possible contributions to the electrorflectance were considered, i.e., possible refractive index changes of the double layer, the surface roughness effect, and surface free electron scattering. The calculated electroreflectance compared favorably with the measured electroreflectance for both copper and gold films. The conductance changes of the electrode are probably caused by the change in the surface electron density and the surface scattering by adsorbed species. As an in is adsorbed the conductance, decreases regardless of ionic charge. The conductance is sensitive to small changes in the electrode surface, e.g., slight ionic adsorption or changes in the electrode hydration sheath as observed with Na+ and K+ electrolytes. Used together, the reflectance and conductance measurements provide a new sensitive method for observing the electrode interphase.
Apparent Phytochrome Synthesis in Pisum Tissue

The increase of phytochrome in pea plants which have been irradiated with red light and then returned to the dark is related to the initial decrease of phytochrome (after irradiation) below a certain critical amount. The increase may result from the re-establishment of photo-reversibility in a fraction of the phytochrome present in a non-reversible pool.
Synthesis and characterization of surface oxide films on CoGa(100)

Abstract It has been shown that a Ga 2 O 3 film forms on the surface of CoGa alloy crystals when exposed to oxygen (Pan, 2001 and Vlad, 2010). In this work we report the results of the characterization of surface oxides on CoGa(100) using X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS), low energy electron diffraction (LEED), and ion scattering spectroscopy (ISS). The oxides were synthesized using either O 2 or NO 2 as the oxidant at 300 K or in excess of 700 K. ISS scans showed that cobalt was always present in the top surface layer regardless of oxidation conditions. XPS showed that depending on the oxidant and the temperature, the composition of the oxide films vary depending on oxidation treatment, with some oxides being nearly all Ga 2 O 3 and ordered with a sharp LEED pattern consisting of (2 × 1) domains rotated by 90o and others being Co–Ga mixed oxides that gave no diffraction pattern.
Inhibition of sexual reflexes by lumbosacral injection of a GABAB agonist in the male rat.

Abstract The effects of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) agonists on penile reflexes were investigated. An intrahecal injection of baclofen (0.2, 0.4, or 0.8 μg), a GABA B receptor agonist, into the subarachnoid space of the lumbosacral spinal cord (L5-S1), resulted in a dose-related decrease in the number of animals responding in a penile reflex test. Doses of 0.2 and 0.4 μg of baclofen decreased the number of erections; 0.4 μg also increased the latency to the first glans erection. The highest dose of baclofen (0.8 μg) completely inhibited penile responses in these tests. None of these doses, however, prevented rats from copulating to ejaculation. Antecedent ejaculation, which facilitated the onset of penile reflexes in saline controls, also blocked the inhibitory effects on penile responses by the lower doses (0.2 and 0.4 μg) of baclofen, but was ineffective in animals treated with 0.8 μg. In contrast to the inhibitory effects of baclofen in the lumbosacral cord, an intrathecal injection of baclofen (0.8 μg) at thoracic segments (T8–T10) did not affect penile erections elicited following an ejaculation. The role of spinal GABA A receptors in sexual reflexes was assessed by intrathecal injection of a GABA A agonist, THIP (0.5, 1, or μg), onto the lumbosacral cord. Only at the largest dose of THIP were slight inhibitory effects on penile reflexes observed. Together, these data indicate that stimulation of GABA B receptors in the lumbosacral spinal cord inhibits erectile mechanisms ex copula.
The p53 Pathway as a Target in Cancer Therapeutics: Obstacles and Promise

A large fraction of human tumors carry p53 mutations, which allow tumor initiation and progression; furthermore, it is now clear that restoration or reactivation of wild-type p53 function prompts rapid elimination of tumors. The discovery and design of compounds that reactivate or enhance the p53 pathway has resulted in the identification of promising drug candidates that have now entered clinical trials for anticancer strategies. However, some of these agents appear to elicit undesirable toxic effects on normal cells and tissues and therefore are restricted in the dose that can be applied in tumors. In this Review, we discuss the concerns about and promise of these p53 activators and propose ways to expand and optimize screening strategies to identify such molecules.
SECONDARY DRYING OF DRUM‐DRIED THERMOPLASTIC FOODS

An investigation was initiated to obtain data on basic drying rates for design of secondary driers which can handle fruit products between drum drying and final finishing. It was found that by using the staged drying principle, it is possible to successfully drum dry foods that are low melting, thermoplastic, or heat sensitive. Rate data obtained in this investigation may now be used as a rational basis for the design of secondary driers to supplement drum-drying operations.
Increased Catalytic Activity of Glucokinase in Isolated Islets From Hyperinsulinemic Rats

The high K m glucose phosphorylation enzyme glucokinase is believed to be the α-cell glucose sensor, i.e., the site in glucose metabolism that determines the sensitivity and specificity of glucose-induced insulin secretion. We investigated the regulation of this enzyme by measuring glucokinase V max and protein levels in isolated islets from hyperinsulinemic rats. Rats were infused for 48 h with 2 ml/h of 20% glucose, 50% glucose, or 0.45% NaCl (control rats). At the end of the infusion, 20% glucose-infused rats were normoglycemic and hyperinsulinemic (2.3-fold rise in basal plasma insulin level). Their islets had a 2.3-fold increase in insulin secretion at 8.3 mM glucose (51 ± 10% of capacity vs. 22 ± 5% in NaCl rats, P V max and little if any increase in glucokinase protein level (111 ± 3% of control). The rats infused with 50% glucose had marked hyperglycemia and higher basal plasma insulin levels. Their islets were maximally stimulated by 8.3 mM glucose in combination with a 270% increase in glucokinase V max and a 69 ± 11% increase in glucokinase protein level. Hexokinase V max was also doubled. Thus, compensatory increases in β-cell glucose phosphorylation are a key mechanism for adaptive hyperinsulinemia. Our results show two types of regulation for the β-cell high K m phosphorylation enzyme, glucokinase. The content of glucokinase protein is controlled by the plasma glucose level. Variable catalytic activity of this protein was also observed in this study.