cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Immunohistochemical markers of tissue injury in biopsies with transplant glomerulitis

Transplant glomerulitis is associated with suboptimal graft function. To understand its pathogenesis and to assess the parameters of potential prognostic value, we immunostained 25 paraffin-embedded allograft biopsies showing glomerulitis for markers of complement activation (C4d), cytotoxicity (Granzyme-B), apoptosis (Bcl-XL, Bcl-2, and Fas-L), and endothelial injury (von Willebrand factor). Staining was semiquantitatively assessed in different anatomical compartments, and comparison was made with 40 control allograft biopsies without glomerulitis. Biopsies with glomerulitis had more frequent incidence of "mixed" T-cell and antibody-mediated rejection compared with controls [8/25 (32%) versus 4/40 (10%), P = .046]. Furthermore, they had higher glomerular capillary-C4d scores (1.9 ± 1.1 versus 1.2 ± 1.2, P = .015), which tended to persist when biopsies showing transplant glomerulopathy were excluded. Higher glomerular capillary-C4d scores were observed in samples with versus without donor-specific antibody (2.5 ± 0.9 versus 1.2 ± 1.2, P = .01). Compared with controls, biopsies with glomerulitis had more intraglomerular (4.8 ± 4.5 versus 0.9± 0.8 cells/glomerulus, P < .001) and interstitial mainly peritubular capillary (6.1 ± 4.1 versus 3.2 ± 3.4 cells/hpf, P = .002) Granzyme-B(+) leukocytes. Higher mesangial-von Willebrand factor scores were noted in the glomerulitis group (1.8 ± 1.0 versus 0.8 ± 0.8, P = .003) and correlated with the percentage of inflamed glomeruli (r = 0.54, P < .001). Interstitial-von Willebrand factor was associated with a higher peritubular capillaritis score (interstitial-von Willebrand factor: 1.6 ± 1.2 versus no interstitial-von Willebrand factor: 0.6 ± 0.9, P = .02). Glomerular capillary-Bcl-XL was not associated with accommodation. Finally, no difference in Bcl-2 or Fas-L was observed upon comparing glomerulitis to controls. In conclusion, glomerular injury in transplant glomerulitis appears to be mediated by complement activation and cellular cytotoxicity. Mesangial- or interstitial-von Willebrand factor identified cases with more severe microcirculation injury.
“Bread or Freedom”: The Congress for Cultural Freedom, the CIA, and the Arabic Literary Journal Ḥiwār (1962-67)

Abstract In 1950, the United States Central Intelligence Agency created the Congress for Cultural Freedom, with its main offices in Paris. The CCF was designed as a cultural front in the Cold War in response to the Soviet Cominform, and founded and funded a worldwide network of literary journals (as well as conferences, concerts, art exhibits and other cultural events). From 1962 until its scandalous collapse over the course of 1966 and the early months of 1967, Tawfīq Ṣāyigh edited the CCF’s Arabic outpost Ḥiwār from Beirut, joining a growing web of CCF journals, including London’s Encounter, Kampala’s Transition, Bombay’s Quest, and the Latin American, Paris-based Mundo Nuevo. Ḥiwār, a journal funded by the Congress for Cultural Freedom, and thus covertly by the CIA, sought to co-opt the Arab avant-garde, offering authors both material compensation for their writing, as well as the much lauded cultural freedom. By 1966, Ḥiwār’s promise to writers of both bread and freedom collapsed in the pages of the Arabic press under the weight of paradox and a worldwide scandal on the eve of the 1967 Arab defeat.
Surviving in a Material World Evidence from Ethnographic Consumer Research on People in Poverty

This article examines the consumer “cycle of poverty” using a decade of ethnographic research on the material lives of the poor. For the purposes of this article, composite portraits of six differe...
Multimedia curricula, courses, and knowledge modules

At Multimedia ’95, the Third ACM International Multimedia Conference and Exposition, the SIGMM Education Committee (MMEC) was launched. As co-chairs of this committee, we invite individuals, institutions, and associations to join with us in assisting the international cc)mmunity interested in education and training in the multimedia field. MMEC wishes to help the field by providing guidelines for curricula, courses, and knowledge modules. These are likely to be of interest to universities, colleges, and training organizations. They should help prepare students for jobs and advanced study, thus facilitating research, development, and practice. At this core, the multimedia field is interdisciplinary. We believe there will be an increasing number of new colleges arising that reflect this diversity. There will also be interdisciplinary degree programs, as well as specializations in multimedia that arise in a variety of departments, including but not limited to: computer science, computer engineering, education, communication studies, business, and the arts. In some cases there will be interdisciplinary or deparkmentrun survey courses. In other cases, various courses (e.g., architecture, database management, information retrieval, networking, operating systems, programming languages) will be enhanced with units about multimedia concerns.
Isolated First Rib Fracture: Clinical Significance after Blunt Chest Trauma

Abstract Isolated first rib fractures should be distinguished from first rib fractures involving other ribs. The mechanism of isolated first rib fracture is often trauma to the upper torso, and multisystem injuries are less frequent. Vascular injuries are rare; hence, arteriograms should be obtained for specific indications. In patients who have an isolated first rib fracture, the clinical focus should be on possible associated maxillofacial and neurological injuries, which are the major causes of morbidity and death.
Transforming Growth Factor-β Up Regulates Human Elastin Promoter Activity in Transgenic Mice

Abstract We have recently developed transgenic mice which express ∼5.2 kb of the human elastin promoter linked to the chloramphenicol acetyl transferase (CAT) reporter gene ( J. Biol. Chem. 269 :18072-18075, 1994). Previously, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) has been shown to enhance elastin gene expression, as determined at the mRNA and protein levels. To examine whether this enhancement could be explained by upregulation of the elastin promoter, TGF-β1 (100 ng) was injected subcutaneously into the transgenic animals. CAT activity in the skin of treated animals was elevated in a time-dependent manner up to ∼10-fold after a single injection. These results suggest that the 5.2-kb up-stream segment of the human elastin gene contains cis -elements responsive to TGF-β1 in vivo .
Polarization-encoded fringe-adjusted joint-transform correlator for fingerprint verification systems for high-security applications

Aed M. El-Saba and M. S. Alam Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering University of South Alabama Mobile, AL 36688 AbstractA novel polarization-encoded fingerprint verification system for high-security applications is presented. During the enrolment part the fingerprint pattern is encoded with certain parameters of polarization ellipse. We show through experimental and simulation results that polarization encoding of fingerprint images can play significant role in fingerprint verification especially in application where high security is of a great concern.Keywords: Fingerprint verification, high security, polarization encoding, imaging polarimetry, fringe-adjust joint transform correlation, false acceptance rate, and false rejection rate. 1. Introduction The ever-increasing demand for compact, fast and high precision biometric identification/verification system requires, among other items, the development of highly accurate fingerprint identification/verification systems. Biometric identification refers to the identification of an individual based on his/her distinct physiological and/or behavioral characteristics. In this process, we associate/disassociate an individual with a previously determined identity based on the distinct appearance, physiological or behavioral characteristics of each individual. Biometric based identification/verification systems are considered more secure and reliable when compared to other types of security measures such as passwords or keys that can be easily stolen, lost or forgotten. A generic biometric identification/verification system essentially consists of a database of templates, a matching algorithm, and a score that lies above or below an acceptable threshold, which subsequently renders the identification a success or a failure
Does botulinum toxin alter laryngeal secretionsand mucociliary transport

Summary Localized botulinum toxin injection disrupts cholinergic transmissionand has potential to cause focal dysautonomia. Mucociliary transport and laryngeal secretions are thought to be mediated in part by autonomic, cholinergic transmission. We questioned whether patients who receive Botox® injection for adductor spasmodic dysphonia (ADSD) report postinjection symptoms possibly related to altered mucociliary clearance or laryngeal secretions. Medical histories, audiotaped interviews, and symptom ratings were retrospectively examined for 29 patients with ADSD who were followed after one or more Botox injections. Patients had received bilateral, percutaneous Botox injections of 2.5 units using an EMG-guided approach. One or more weeks after injection, four patients reported either burning, tickling, or irritation of the larynx/throat, excessive thick secretions, or dryness. Symptoms recurred with subsequent injections in two patients and were not associated with swallowing difficulty. These symptoms are consistent with, but not diagnostic of, the known effects of botulinum toxin on cholinergic, autonomic transmission.
Preparation and water sorption properties of cellulose-polypropylene glycol block copolymers

Abstract A series of cellulose-polypropylene glycol block copolymers have been prepared by techniques described previously. The chain extension reactions used for their preparation were confirmed by i.r. and intrinsic viscosity data. The water sorption of films of the blocks was determined and the results, calculated on the cellulose content, compared with various forms of pure cellulose. It was found that lower crystallinity of the blocks was indicated by the higher water sorption values. As the size of the cellulose blocks was decreased the water sorption also decreased but the smallest block sample gave a higher value. It is believed that the polypropylene glycol blocks exert a restraining influence on the water sorption which is eventually overcome by the decrease in the crystallinity of the cellulose blocks as their size decreases.
Inelastic electron scattering and energy-selective negative ion reactions in molecular films on silicon surfaces

Abstract Careful control of plasma chemistry, particularly the negative ion production and reaction channels, could lead to nanoscale patterning, growth, and etching strategies. Since the energies of anion and electron surface collisions are relatively low (
Evolution of bisphosphonate‐related atypical fracture retrospectively observed with DXA scanning

We present a case of a 61-year-old female with history of long-term bisphosphonate therapy for osteoporosis initially diagnosed by screening dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA). After 4 years of treatment with bisphosphonates, the patient presented to primary care with left hip pain. Diagnostic hip radiographs were interpreted as normal, and she continued to take bisphosphonates. Two months later, she experienced a complete transverse subtrochanteric left femur fracture after minimal trauma. The patient underwent open reduction and internal fixation. Review of the patient's postoperative films revealed lateral subtrochanteric cortical beaking at the fracture. This type of “atypical” fracture has been reported to be a result of chronic bisphosphonate-associated fractures with high specificity. In addition, the right femur also showed cortical beaking with a horizontal linear lucency in an identical location, suggesting an impending fracture. Longitudinal review of the both diagnostic radiographs as well as DXA images shows a stepwise development of these subtrochanteric abnormalities in both femurs. A current hypothesis regarding the pathophysiology of bisphosphonate-associated fracture is that the medication inhibits bone turnover and repair of microscopic trauma. A cycle of defective repair and continual microtrauma compounded over time gradually weakens the bone and creates an architectural conduit for transverse or “atypical” fracture. Standard practice is not to use DXA as a diagnostic “image.” We present this case to show that a common location and classic appearance of subtrochanteric bisphosphonate-associated fractures may be clearly visualized on absorptiometry images long before fracture. This observation is important because the majority of patients taking bisphosphonate therapy also receive regular DXA imaging. Because of the chronicity of standard bone-density monitoring for these patients throughout their treatment regimen, DXA may find a role for early detection of cortical abnormalities. © 2012 American Society for Bone and Mineral Research
Intra-articular hyaluronic acid increases cartilage breakdown biomarker in patients with knee osteoarthritis

Intra-articular hyaluronic acid has been used in treatment of patients with knee osteoarthritis. Though its effect on pain has been well studied, it is not clear how it affects the articular cartilage. This is a preliminary study to evaluate the kinetics of urinary collagen type-II C-telopeptide (CTX-II) as a biomarker of collagen breakdown in response to intra-articular hyaluronic acid injection in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Intra-articular injections of hyaluronan were administered to ten patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Urine collection for urinary CTX-II was obtained at baseline, before each injection and once every other week for a total of 6 months. Urine CTX-II was measured using a CartiLaps© ELISA kit. There was a statistically significant increase (p = 0.0136) in CTX-II a week after the third intra-articular injection of hyaluronic acid (6,216 ng/mmol ± 4,428) compared with baseline (2,233 ng/mmol ± 1,220). This increase in CTX-II was sustained throughout the entire 6 months follow-up period (repeated measures ANOVA, p < 0.015). This is the first study of changes in an osteoarthritis biomarker after intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. Contrary to our initial hypothesis that CTX-II levels should decrease after intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections, we found a significant increase in urinary CTX-II levels that was sustained throughout the study. These observations suggest that intra-articular hyaluronic acid injections may accelerate cartilage breakdown in patients with symptomatic knee osteoarthritis. The responsible mechanisms are unknown and warrant further study.
Humanitarian Interorganizational Information Exchange Network: How Do Clique Structures Impact Network Effectiveness?

Humanitarian information coordination and sharing continue to challenge the international community. Interorganizational networks are believed to be a way to improve coordination and collaboration among humanitarian organizations. Although researchers have devoted a considerable amount of time exploring the influence of network structure on network performance and effectiveness, little work has been done in the humanitarian relief field. We use the theoretical lens of social network to investigate the relationship between network cliques and network effectiveness. Data were collected through multiple sources among members of GlobalSympoNet, a community of humanitarian organizations engaged in humanitarian information management and exchange. Our findings suggest that, similar to the public health service delivery sector, network effectiveness can be explained by network integration and network cliques in the humanitarian relief field. We discuss these findings and provide some implications of our research in designing interorganizational networks within the humanitarian relief field.
Graph Partitioning by Eigenvectors

Let A be the adjacency matrix of a connected graph 9. If z is a column vector, we say that a vertex of ?? is positive, nonnegative, null, etc. if the corresponding entry of z has that property. For z such that AZ > OLZ, we bound the number of components in the subgraph induced by positive vertices. For eigenvectors z having a null element, we bound the number of components in the graph induced by nonnull vertices. Finally, bounds are established for the number of null elements in an eigenvector, for the multiplicity of an eigenvalue and for the magnitudes of the second and last eigenvalues of a general or a bipartite graph.
1991 SIGGRAPH Educators' Slide Set

SIGGRAPH'91 and its fixst-ever educators' program is also accompanied by the first SIGGRAPH Educators' Slide Set. This set is intended to provide instructors with sets of slides that support common subjects in computer graphics courses at all levels. In this first year, we are pleased to cover three topics that should be of interest to instructors at many levels and in many subject areas. The areas are outlined below.Interested instructors are encouraged to contact the editor if they have or are planning to prepare instructional slides on an area of computer graphics. We would like to continue to provide educational resources for computer graphics. This year marks the first educators' slide set, but we do not want it to be the last!
Accuracy of casts produced from alginate and hydrocolloid impression materials

The dimensional accuracy o f casts produced from two alginate hydrocolloid materials, one hydrocolloid material, and a polyether rubber, used as a control, was evaluated. The accuracy of casts produced from two alginate hydrocolloids (irreversible), one hydrocolloid (reversible), and a polyether rubber were compared. The polyether impression material produced the most accurate casts. The hydrocolloid (reversible) casts were the second most accurate, and the alginate hydrocolloid (irreversible) produced the least accurate casts.
Persistence of variances for stochastic, discrete-time, population growth models.

Abstract Equations for the means, variances, and covariances of age-dependent population growth are developed for very general conditions and transition matrices derived to trace changes in those moments. Linear recursion equations which show the existence of permanent disequilibria in age-class distributions are derived under assumptions of independence between population density and probabilities of births and survivals.
Modelling bicommunal conflict: 3. simulation and validation☆

Abstract Some of the mathematical and computing technicalities of the model of bicommunal conflict are explained, eg the structure of the data file, time delays. The validation exercise has concentrated on the minority community submodel; unfortunately, it proved difficult to replicate any arousal of massive communal mobilisation, despite inputs reflecting discrimination and deprivation, while a number of other aspects of bicommunal conflict behaviour did occur.
Hexanedione effects on protein phosphorylation in rat peripheral nerve

Abstract Rats were treated with either 2,5-hexanedione (2,5-HD), 1,6-hexanediol (1,6-HDIOL), or saline for 7, 15 or 24 days. Protein phosphorylation was measured in proximal and distal sciatic nerve segments following incubation with [ 32 Porthophosphate. In proximal segments, 2,5-HD administration caused selective time-dependent increases in isotope incorporation in a 55 kDa protein, tentatively identified as tubulin, and a 180 kDa protein. Enhanced phosphorylation was highest at 24 days when motor function was most impaired. Administration of 1,6-HDIOL produced no consistent phosphorylation changes. Animals intoxicated with 3,4-dimethyl-2,5-hexanedione for 12 days showed proximal region increases in phosphorylation of the 55 and 180 kDa proteins and the major myelin proteins, P o and P r .
A Gene-Expression Inhibitor that Targets an α-Helix-Mediated Protein Interaction

Protein−protein interactions are harder to target by small organic molecules than by enzymes or nuclear hormone receptors. Here we report the discovery of an organic compound that inhibits the expression of the Her2 oncogene by disrupting an α-helix-mediated protein interaction. The druglike molecule we named adamanolol competitively inhibited the interaction between the two cancer-linked nuclear proteins, ESX (an epithelial-specific transcription factor) and Sur-2/DRIP130 (a Ras-linked subunit of the human mediator complex), which is important for the overexpression of Her2 gene in malignant breast cancer cells. Adamanolol impaired Her2 expression and caused cell death selectively in Her2-positive breast cancer cells. NMR signals of adamanolol suggest that its rigid conformation plays a role in forming a helixlike surface for the interaction.
Confronting the West: China as David and Goliath in the Korean War

The use of the biblical reference in the subtitle to this paper is an opportunity to examine some familiar references to the images that often inform both the cliches of popular culture and the assumptions of scholars who study international conflict. China's transformation in the course of the Korean War was indeed one of power, both as image and as reality, in Chinese eyes and much of the rest of the world as well. The question is pinpointing the nature and degree of the transformation. To what extent can China be compared to the figure of David with five smooth stones and with courage and justice, fighting against a Goliath, nine feet tall with an armor of bronze weighing five thousand shekels and a spear with an iron point weighing six hundred shekels? To what extent did China become a Goliath by the end of the war? This theme will be explored in three different directions. The first, which the largest, is China's transformation to world status as mea sured by military and economic power. The second is China's exer cise of its new status as a world power in diplomacy. And the third is the choice of keywords and uses of memory in assessing China's role in the Korean War. The term used by Chinese leaders then was "people's war," which was distinctive to China's historical setting and drew upon the large corpus of Mao Zedong's military writings during the Yan'an years. Communist military efforts then have often been described as guerilla warfare. But Chinese military histories further define warfare then as mobile and positional, and they divide their statistics on casualties and losses from the years of resistance against Japan to the Korean War years, accordingly.1
Private Prisons in Public Discourse: Measuring Moral Legitimacy

New policies require legitimacy to survive. Prison privatization represents a policy challenged by initial perceptions of illegitimacy. In the 1980s, governments began to allow private firms to run correctional facilities, shifting an inherently coercive, traditionally governmental function—incarceration—to the private sector. With data from 706 articles in four major American newspapers spanning 24 years, this research uses Freudenburg and Alario’s concept of diversionary reframing to measure and track the moral legitimacy of prison privatization across time and place. Findings suggest that initially high levels of moral legitimacy facilitated some states’ adoption of private prisons, while initially low levels of moral legitimacy stunted the growth of privatization in other states. This study presents a novel way of measuring moral legitimacy, demonstrates how the concept may be used to help explain controversial public policy changes, and documents the cultural content of private prison debates in the ...
Hemodynamic effects during rest and exercise of bucindolol in hypertensive men.

Bucindolol is an investigational beta-adrenergic blocking agent with intrinsic sympathomimetic and vasodilatory activity in animals. In a double-blind, six-way, crossover study of six mild-to-moderate hypertensive men, the effects of bucindolol 100, 200, and 300 mg/d on resting blood pressure, heart rate, forearm blood flow, and vascular resistance measured by pneumoplethysmography, and blood pressure and heart rate after cycle and handgrip exercise were compared with those of propranolol 160 and 320 mg/d and placebo after q12h administration for five doses. Both bucindolol and propranolol significantly suppressed heart rate after cycle exercise in comparison with placebo (-33 to -48 beats/min), demonstrating beta blockade. Suppression of resting heart rate by propranolol (-20 beats/min) was significantly (P less than .05) greater than bucindolol (-7 to -8 beats/min); a similar treatment difference in heart rate was noted after handgrip exercise (-18 to -19 vs -1 to -8 beats/min, respectively). Bucindolol and propranolol decreased resting blood pressure to the same extent (in comparison with placebo; P less than .05 at peak activity, 2 hr postdose). Bucindolol tended to increase forearm blood flow and decrease forearm vascular resistance (P less than .05 at 4 hr postdose) in comparison with placebo. The effect of propranolol on forearm blood flow and forearm vascular resistance was not significant compared with placebo. These data are consistent with intrinsic sympathomimetic and vasodilatory activity of bucindolol in hypertensive men.
The effect of CO2 inhalation on the electroencephalogram of patients with cerebral infarction.

Abstract The effect of 7 per cent CO 2 inhalation upon the slow wave focus in the electroencephalogram of twelve patients with focal cerebral infarction was studied. CO 2 inhalation was accompanied by a statistically significant decrease in focal cerebral slow wave activity in 50 per cent of the cases studied. Those individuals not demonstrating a significant decrease in slow activity either showed some decline in slow activity (17 per cent) or had records in which no significant change could be ascertained (25 per cent). A single patient (9 per cent) demonstrated maximum improvement of the electroencephalogram with O 2 inhalation alone. No significant clinical changes were noted in the patients during or following gas inhalation. It is concluded that the inhalation of 7 per cent CO 2 in oxygen has an apparently beneficial immediate effect on the electroencephalogram of certain patients with encephalomalacia. The clinical value of this mode of treatment remains to be demonstrated. The non-specific effect of the gas on the EEG is discussed briefly.
Embryological development and large vestibular aqueduct syndrome.

Objectives/Hypothesis Large vestibular aqueduct syndrome (LVAS) is a significant cause of hearing loss in early childhood. Many theories on the origins and causes of LVAS have been proposed, including arrest or maldevelopment of the vestibular labyrinth in embryonic life. Prior studies have described postnatal and adult vestibular aqueduct anatomy, but none has analyzed aqueduct growth throughout embryonic life. This study was undertaken to characterize the growth of the developing vestibular aqueduct to gain a better understanding of the possible origins of LVAS. Study Design Basic science, temporal bone histopathological study. Methods Serial sections from 48 temporal bones from human embryos ranging in age from 5 weeks' gestation to full term were studied with computer image analysis. Measurements of vestibular aqueduct internal and external aperture, midportion diameter, and length were analyzed to obtain a growth model of development. Results The vestibular aqueduct grows in a nonlinear fashion throughout embryonic life. All parameters fit a similar growth curve and never reached a maximum or began narrowing during development. Growth in one parameter correlated well with growth of another. There was good side-to-side correlation with all but the external aperture. Conclusions Most of the membranous labyrinth reaches adult size by 20 weeks' gestation, but the vestibular aqueduct grows throughout embryonic life. The measurements and growth model obtained in this study are not consistent with the theory that LVAS results from an arrest in development early in fetal life. The data suggest that LVAS may result from postnatal and early childhood maldevelopment.
Ecological responses of a large shallow lake (Okeechobee, Florida) to climate change and potential future hydrologic regimes.

We considered how Lake Okeechobee, a large shallow lake in Florida, USA, might respond to altered hydrology associated with climate change scenarios in 2060. Water budgets and stage hydrographs were provided from the South Florida Water Management Model, a regional hydrologic model used to develop plans for Everglades restoration. Future scenarios include a 10 % increase or decrease in rainfall (RF) and a calculated increase in evapotranspiration (ET), which is based on a 1.5 °C rise in temperature. Increasing RF and ET had counter-balancing effects on the water budget and when changing concurrently did not affect hydrology. In contrast, when RF decreased while ET increased, this resulted in a large change in hydrology. The surface elevation of the lake dropped by more than 2 m under this scenario compared to a future base condition, and extreme low elevation persisted for multiple years. In this declining RF/increasing ET scenario, the littoral and near-shore zones, areas that support emergent and submerged plants, were dry 55 % of the time compared to less than 4 % of the time in the future base run. There also were times when elevation increased as much as 3 m after intense RF events. Overall, these changes in hydrologic conditions would dramatically alter ecosystem services. Uncertainty about responses is highest at the pelagic–littoral interface, in regard to whether an extremely shallow lake could support submerged vascular plants, which are critical to the recreational fishery and for migratory birds. Along with improved regional climate modeling, research in that interface zone is needed to guide the adaptive process of Everglades restoration.
Image enhancement by nonlinear joint transform processing

Abstract A nonlinear joint transform processor is presented that can perform image enhancement. Image enhancement results are obtained for different degrees of nonlinearity applied to the joint power spectrum. The first order harmonic term at the output plane produces the enhanced image which has the exact Fourier phase information of the input image and a Fourier magnitude of the input modified by the nonlinearity. For compression types of nonlinearities, the thresholding will redistribute the energy in the Fourier magnitude of the image by increasing the magnitude of the higher spatial frequencies. Thus, the fine details of the image that are contained in the high spatial frequencies of the joint power spectrum are enhanced. The effects of various types of nonlinearities on the enhanced images are investigated. Analytical expressions for the enhanced images obtained by the nonlinear techniques will be provided. Computer simulations of the nonlinear processor for image enhancement are presented to study the performance of the system. It is shown that the nonlinear technique produces reasonably good results.
A NUP98-HOXD13 leukemic fusion gene leads to impaired class switch recombination and antibody production

Myelodysplastic syndrome is a clonal process characterized by ineffective hematopoiesis and progression to acute leukemia. Although many myelodysplastic syndrome and leukemic patients have compromised immunity, the role of underlying mutations in regulating immune function is poorly understood. Recent studies show that NUP98-HOXD13 (NHD13) fusion gene results in myelodysplastic syndrome and impairs lymphocyte differentiation in transgenic mice. In our studies, we sought to elucidate the mechanism by which NHD13 affects B-lymphocyte development and function. Based on our preliminary findings that transgenic mice had increased levels of IgM and reduced IgG1 and IgE, we hypothesized that the fusion gene might impair class switch recombination (CSR). Mice were immunologically challenged with dinitrophenol. NHD13 mice showed a marked reduction in B-lymphocyte differentiation in their bone marrow and spleen following dinitrophenol stimulation and had reduced production of dinitrophenol-specific antibodies. Spleen follicles from these mice were small and hypocellular, indicating failure of clonal expansion. When isolated NHD13 B lymphocytes were stimulated in vitro using Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide or lipopolysaccharide + interleukin-4, they failed to undergo sufficient CSR and proliferation. Taken together, our findings show that expression of NUP98-HOXD13 impairs CSR and reduces the antibody-mediated immune response, in addition to its role in leukemia. Further delineation of the NUP98-HOXD13 transgene may reveal novel pathways involved in CSR.
A Comparative Study on Hydraulic Bulge Testing and Analysis Methods

Hydraulic bulge testing is a material characterization method used as an alternative to tensile testing with the premise of accurately representing the material behavior to higher strain levels (∼70% as appeared to ∼30% in tensile test) in a biaxial stress mode. However, there are some major assumptions (such as continuous hemispherical bulge shape, thinnest point at apex) in hydraulic bulge analyses that lead to uncertainties in the resulting flow stress curves. In this paper, the effect of these assumptions on the accuracy and reliability of flow stress curves is investigated. The goal of this study is to determine the most accurate method for analyzing the data obtained from the bulge testing when continuous and in-line thickness measurement techniques are not available. Specifically, in this study the stress-strain relationships of two different materials (SS201 and Al5754) are obtained based on hydraulic bulge test data using various analysis methods for bulge radius and thickness predictions (e.g., Hill’s, Chakrabarty’s, Panknin’s theories, etc.). The flow stress curves are calculated using pressure and dome height measurements and compared to the actual 3-D strain measurement from a stereo optical and non-contact measurement system ARAMIS. In addition, the flow stress curves obtained from stepwise experiments are compared with the ones from above methods. Our findings indicate that Enikeev’s approach for thickness prediction and Panknin’s approach for bulge radius calculation result in the best agreement with both stepwise experiment results and 3D optical measurement results.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
Lithium chloride treatment induces epithelial cell proliferation in xenografted human endometrium

methods: Human endometrial samples were obtained from normal volunteers, then implanted under the kidney capsule of nude mice, and treated with estradiol-17s (E2) or LiCl. Xenografts were assessed for protein expression of MKI-67, mini-chromosome maintenance protein-2, estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR) and cyclin D1. results: Both E2 and LiCl induced a robust proliferative response in the epithelium. Only lithium treatment produced clear nuclear localization of cyclin D1 consistent with the proliferative response observed. Regenerated endometrium had detectable ER and PR expression. conclusion: Xenografted human endometrium provides a dynamic model of uterine biology. Administration of LiCl in the absence of E2 induced epithelial proliferation, supporting the hypothesis that human and murine endometrial proliferation may share key regulatory pathways. These data suggest a possible link between the increased menstrual disturbances in women with affective disorders taking lithium and the consequent potential for the development of endometrial proliferative disorder.
Are We Becoming Part of the Problem? Gender Stereotypes in Negotiation Research

The study of gender and negotiation has come a long way since the basic sex difference research carried out in the infancy of the field More recent study of contextual factors (roles, styles, gender composition of the dyad) often have the effect of reinforcing gender stereotypes. By expanding the diversity of populations studied, by selecting more gender neutral contexts, by considering purpose in choice of style and roles, and by locating our studies of how gender plays out in negotiation in different organizational contexts, we will be in a better position to move beyond the stereotypes that dominate so much of the current work.
Religious attendance and social adjustment as protective against depression: A 10-year prospective study

Abstract Background Previous research has identified elevated social adjustment and frequent religious attendance as protective against depression. The present study aims to examine the association of frequency of religious services attendance with subsequent depression, while accounting for the effects of social adjustment. Method Participants were 173 adult offspring of depressed and nondepressed parents, followed longitudinally over 25 years. Diagnosis was assessed with the Schedule for Affective Disorders and Schizophrenia—Lifetime Version. The Social Adjustment Scale—Self Report (SAS—SR) was used to assess social adjustment and frequency of religious services attendance was self-reported. In a logistic regression analysis, major depression at 20 years was used as the outcome measure and the frequency of religious services attendance and social adjustment variables at 10 years as predictors. Results Frequent religious services attendance was found to protect against subsequent depression at a trend level. High functioning social adjustment was found to protect against subsequent depression, especially within the immediate and extended family. Adults without a depressed parent who reported attending religious services atleast once a month had a lower likelihood of subsequent depression. Among adults with a depressed parent, those with high functioning social adjustment had a lower likelihood of subsequent depression. Limitations Measurement of social adjustment was non-specific to religious services. Conclusions Frequent religious attendance may protect against major depression, independent from the effects of social adjustment. This protective quality may be attenuated in adults with a depressed parent. High functioning social adjustment may be protective only among offspring of depressed parents.
Technology management for reshaping the world

The world is changing rapidly, and technology is playing the central role in making the changes happen. The events since PICMET '01 have made it clear that every society everywhere in the world is affected not only by the changes, but also by the technology behind them. There are few events in the world today that are not dominated, or at least influenced, by technology. This observation can be explained by recognizing the current period in the history of the world as the "technology era." When technology is properly used and managed, it leads to the reshaping of the world for the benefit of humankind. If technology is not managed well, humankind becomes a slave to it. This paper discusses the role of technology in society and the importance of properly managing it in the technology era.
Human Teeth With and Without Dental Caries Studied by Visible Luminescent Spectroscopy

The visible emission spectra and fluorescent life-time from decayed and nondecayed regions of teeth were measured and compared. The spectrum from carious lesions is different from that of noncarious tooth regions. This may offer a non-X-ray method for diagnosing dental caries in humans.
Peer networks and sensation seeking: some implications for primary socialization theory.

This article draws on recent work in sensation seeking and peer influences in drug use prevention and considers some possible implications for primary socialization theory. A particular point of focus is a postulate of the theory that an individual's personal characteristics and personality traits do not directly relate to drug use and deviance but ordinarily influence those outcomes only when they affect interactions between the individual and the primary socialization sources. The article suggests a more broadly encompassing perspective which holds that socialization learning through the primary socialization sources gives people's lives direction; it may be the tugs of activation needs which provide impetus for the actions. The authors cite a recent study in which they developed a structural equation model of influence of individual and peer variables on later alcohol and marijuana use. The model indicates an indirect route from individual sensation seeking through peers to drug and alcohol use, with a...
Comparison of transfer curve induced distortions to distortions in nonlinear physical TWT models

Summary form only given, as follows. AM/AM and AM/PM curves are widely used to describe the non-linear behavior of Traveling Wave Tubes (TWTs). Several authors have studied these curves with large signal codes. It has been stated that the phase nonlinearity is related to the slowing down of electrons and the phasing of the charge density with respect to the circuit voltage. Furthermore, in the case of multifrequency inputs, for drive levels restricted to the linear portion of the AM/AM curve, intermodulation distortions are predicted by the phase nonlinearity. In this case again the phase of the charge density with respect to the circuit voltage is shown to be important. However, a direct connection between the distortions generated by the transfer curves and the physical models has not been made. For example, neither the AM/AM nor the AM/PM curves produce distortions about the harmonics of the carrier frequency, which are widely known to exist. Recently we have developed an approximate nonlinear physical model of the TWT, valid prior to saturation, that is analytically solvable. We compare the analytic solution of the AM/PM curve and its role in intermodulation generation to the direct analytic prediction of intermodulation distortions afforded by the solutions to the physical model.
Long-acting risperidone increases medication costs and does not improve outcomes in unstable schizophrenia.

Question: What is the effect of long-acting injectable (LAI) risperidone on healthcare costs and outcomes in people with unstable schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder? Patients: In total, 369 adult patients who had Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders IV (DSM-IV) diagnosis of schizophrenia or schizoaffective disorder and were at risk of psychiatric hospitalisation (those hospitalised in the previous 2 years and those whose use of mental health services to prevent relapse had been increasing). Setting: Nineteen Veterans Affairs medical centres, USA; 2006–2008. Intervention: LAI risperidone 25–50 mg every 2 weeks or psychiatrist’s choice of oral antipsychotic medication (control). Outcomes: Utilisation of health services and medication (acute medical/surgical hospital stays, acute psychiatry hospital stays, residential and other inpatient hospitalisation and outpatient visits); healthcare cost (inpatient stays, outpatient visits and outpatient medications; analysed from the perspective of the US Medicaid healthcare sponsor); symptoms of schizophrenia using Positive and Negative Syndrome Scale and health-related quality of life using Quality of Well-Being (QWB) Scale. Patient follow-up: Not reported.
Cell growth control by G protein-coupled receptors: from signal transduction to signal integration.

Cell growth control by G protein-coupled receptors: from signal transduction to signal integration
Petroleum refining process control and real-time optimization

With tighter emission requirements on fuels and the changing world supply of crude oil, more detailed methods for characterizing refinery feed and product streams are needed to make the complicated decisions required to control and optimize refinery operations. Changes in analytical measurement technology provide additional data for fingerprinting the molecular structure of these hydrocarbon mixtures. Integrating this molecular characterization of the materials with advances in compositional modeling methods, model reduction techniques, optimization, and equation-solving methods, along with continued implementation of model predictive control, improves operational effectiveness at all levels of the refinery from the individual process level to the refinery-wide planning optimization. The examples presented highlight progress toward capturing the highest value of every molecule at every point in the refining complex
Effects of Pulsatile Shear Stress on Nitric Oxide Production and Endothelial Cell Nitric Oxide Synthase Expression by Ovine Fetoplacental Artery Endothelial Cells

Placental blood flow, endothelial nitric oxide (NO) production, and endothelial cell nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) expression increase during pregnancy. Shear stress, the frictional force exerted on endothelial cells by blood flow, stimulates vessel dilation, endothelial NO production, and eNOS expression. In order to study the effects of pulsatile flow/shear stress, we adapted Cellco CELLMAX artificial capillary modules to study ovine fetoplacental artery endothelial (OFPAE) cells for NO production and eNOS expression. OFPAE cells were grown in the artificial capillary modules at 3 dynes/cm2. Confluent cells were then exposed to 10, 15, or 25 dynes/cm2 for up to 24 h. NO production by OFPAE cells exposed to pulsatile shear stress was inhibited to nondetectable levels by the NOS inhibitor l-NMMA and reversed by excess NOS substrate l-arginine. NO production and expression of eNOS mRNA and protein by OFPAE cells were elevated by shear stress in a graded fashion (P < 0.05). The rise in NO production with 25 dynes/cm2 shear stress (8-fold) was greater (P < 0.05) than that observed for eNOS protein (3.6-fold) or eNOS mRNA (1.5-fold). The acute shear stress-induced rise in NO production by OFPAE cells was via eNOS activation, whereas the prolonged NO rise occurred by elevations in both eNOS expression and enzyme activation. Thus, elevations of placental blood flow and physiologic shear stress may be partly responsible for the increases in placental arterial endothelial eNOS expression and NO production during pregnancy.
Le paradoxe de la globalisation et l’émergence des familles spirituelles en Afrique : Essai sur l’« autre » mondialisation

Dans la perspective du peripherique, la globalisation apparait, en fin de compte, dans ses structures economiques, ses institutions politiques et ses instances culturelles, comme une dynamique profonde d’erosion de la destinee des individus et de perversion de l’histoire de leurs collectivites. C’est la que git le paradoxe. La reduction ne debouche pas sur la totale fossilisation des individus et des institutions. Elle est comme le site de la remise en question de l’ordre global par et dans la conscience et l’emergence d’une spiritualite qui institue et informe les nouvelles familles spirituelles sur le continent. Ce sont ces familles qui sont percues, jusque dans leurs ambiguites, comme les agents privilegies d’une mondialisation differente, « d’une mondialisation autrement », mieux d’une « mondialisation a visage humain ».
The Decline of Cash Welfare and Implications for Social Policy and Poverty

This article highlights the scope of cash welfare as a poverty program and the policy context that led to the legislative distinctions between pre- and post-1996. Trends in welfare, employment, and poverty for single-mother families are presented, as are hypotheses that guide studies of the effects of welfare reform. Social science and policy research on how the reforms have affected economic outcomes, how reform has been implemented, and how it affects children are highlighted. I next summarize research on child care subsidies, an example of an effective family support that was part of welfare reform. I also highlight lessons from studies of recipient perspectives and those focused on how leavers get by without welfare. I identify gaps in understanding the reduced role of cash welfare for low-income families and offer continuing policy and research questions for addressing poverty in the current economic crisis and recovery.