cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Numerical Characterization of Shear Elasticity Values Estimated with the Time-of-Flight Approach

In clinical ultrasound applications, there is a need for accurate estimates of the shear elasticity, which is directly relevant to the characterization of liver fibrosis, cancer, and other pathologies. The time-of-flight (TOF) approach, which is widely used for estimating the shear elasticity, is effective in purely elastic media, but the TOF approach tends to overestimate the shear elasticity in viscoelastic shear wave phantoms and in soft tissues. To determine the range of shear viscosity values over which the TOF approach yields accurate estimates for the shear elasticity, multiple three-dimensional (3D) simulations of the acoustic radiation force and resulting shear wave particle displacement are assessed. The TOF method is evaluated for values of shear elasticity and shear viscosity within the range of values encountered in healthy liver tissue. A realistic 3D model of the acoustic radiation force is calculated using the fast nearfield method and the angular spectrum approach in FOCUS (https://www.egr.msu.edu/~fultras-web), and then the shear waves are simulated in 3D with Green's functions in viscoelastic media on a graphics processing unit (GPU). The TOF method is evaluated within a two-dimensional (2D) cross-section and is based on the Kelvin-Voigt model for a viscoelastic material. The results demonstrate that the accuracy of the TOF method is dependent on the shear elasticity and the shear viscosity, where the accuracy of the TOF method worsens as the shear viscosity increases within the ranges encountered in liver and also worsens as the elasticity increases for a fixed value of shear viscosity.
Special Session: Exploring the Struggles of Diverse Engineering Students through Stories and Imagining a Future with an Inclusive Culture

Many engineering students from marginalized populations have had negative experiences regarding their identities (race/ethnicity, sexual orientation, gender expression, etc.) as a result of the culture in engineering. These negative experiences may range from microaggressions regarding a person’s marginalized identity – “It’s impressive for a woman to be in engineering”–to outright discrimination, such as being called a demoralizing slur by a peer. Often associated with these experiences is a lack of support or intervention from faculty, advisors, or staff, as well as difficulty finding mentors that students can identify with. This special session aims to share authentic stories from diverse engineering students to facilitate a discussion of solutions amongst attendees.
Progesterone for the Prevention of Preterm Birth

Preterm birth is the leading cause of neonatal morbidity and mortality in the United States and is one of the leading causes worldwide, with the highest rates of mortality occurring in those born at less than 32 weeks’ gestation. A history of preterm birth is one of the strongest risk factors for recurrent preterm delivery; however, early cervical shortening and multiple gestations also confer an increased risk of preterm birth. The precise causal mechanisms underlying the preterm birth pathway are still under investigation; however, available evidence suggests a role of progesterone in preterm birth prevention in certain high-risk populations. Specifically, intramuscular 17-hydroxyprogesterone appears beneficial in women with a prior preterm birth at less than 37 weeks’ gestation (relative risk, 0.55; 95% confidence interval, 0.42–74) and preterm birth at less than 34 weeks’ gestation (relative risk, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.14–0.69). Vaginal progesterone has been found to reduce preterm birth in women with a foreshortened cervix as measured by transvaginal ultrasonography. There is unfortunately no evidence whatsoever that progesterone reduces preterm birth among women with multiple gestations. Additional research into the mechanisms of preterm birth and the potential for progesterone and other preventive interventions is necessary.
The Development and Perceived Impact of Mentor-Mentee Retreats on the Long-Term Development and Enhancement of Mentor-Mentee Relationships

This research to practice full paper reviews and implements evidence-based strategies to develop and institute the Pitt STRIVE annual mentor-mentee retreat at the University of Pittsburgh. While many institutions have successfully increased underrepresented scholar enrollment in doctoral engineering programs, evidence suggests that successful completion of degrees is not only dependent on student aptitude, but also an established community, immersion, and a sense of belonging within the institution.The overarching goal of the retreat is to have a sustained long-term, positive impact on mentor-mentee relationships. Thus, we chose to design an annual mentor-mentee retreat, to meet the following objectives: 1) encourage and promote cultural awareness among faculty and graduate students, 2) to humanize perceptions of faculty and graduate students to one another, 3) to create a community founded upon the desired success of underrepresented graduate students, and 4) to encourage deeper relationships among faculty and their graduate students, as well as other underrepresented graduate students, to promote academic growth and success. Given that our retreat was constructed based on developing an understanding of the University of Pittsburgh’s current climate, as well as evidenced practices, we hypothesized that measurable changes could be assessed, and serve as encouragement for other institutions with similar goals.Through field notes, analyzing the structures and agendas of the retreats, post-retreat feedback surveys, as well as reflective interviews with veteran mentors and mentees, we link assessment data to various structures of the retreat and offer a model for other graduate programs to adopt. We aim to inform other STEM graduate programs on how to adapt the retreat to improve faculty engagement and academic climate change to ensure underrepresented doctoral student success.
Photo Quiz: Hematochezia in a Patient with HIV Infection.

A 47-year-old Caucasian male with an 11-year history of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) presented with new-onset hematochezia (blood in stool), constipation, and rectal pain with defecation for 1 month. He denied any abdominal pain, diarrhea, fever, rash, weight loss, recent travel, new
Pediatric SARS-CoV-2 Seroprevalence During Mitigation Procedures in Southwestern Pennsylvania

Abstract Background Children infected with SARS-CoV-2 are often asymptomatic or have only mild symptoms, leading to underestimation of disease prevalence in symptom-based testing strategies. Objectives This study sought to determine pediatric SARS-CoV-2 disease burden during local mitigation efforts by using antibody testing to compare seroprevalence estimates to cumulative PCR prevalence estimates. Study design In this cross-sectional study, we collected 1142 strict phase and 1196 relaxed phase remnant blood specimens from patients less than 19-years-old in southwestern Pennsylvania (SWPA). Patients were excluded if their residential zip code was outside the region of interest, if they were under 6-months-old, or they had recently received antibody-modifying treatments. Demographic, encounter, and laboratory electronic medical record information was extracted. Samples were tested for SARS-CoV-2 spike protein IgG using an EUA ELISA, and PCR results were recorded from county health department data. Seroprevalence and Clopper-Pearson exact 95% confidence intervals were calculated. Results The observed seroprevalence of SARS-CoV-2 spike protein antibodies in children during strictest mitigation was 0.53% (95% CI 0.19, 1.14) and 0.92% (95% CI 0.46,1.64) during moderately relaxed. Strict and relaxed phase PCR-based prevalence were significantly higher, 2.87% (95% CI 1.95, 4.08) and 3.64 (95% CI 3.01, 4.38), respectively. Conclusions Estimates of pediatric seroprevalence were significantly lower than cumulative PCR prevalence estimates, and less than adult seroprevalence estimates, potentially due to biological, population, or sampling differences. Biological differences in pediatric immune responses to SARS-CoV-2 may make serosurvey interpretation challenging and these differences warrant further study.
Managers’ Use of Forward and Non-Forward-Looking Narratives in Earnings Press Releases

Narrative disclosure provides an opportunity for managers to directly discuss their firms’ future (i.e., forward-looking disclosure) or to provide information about the past that has future implications (i.e., non-forward-looking disclosure). Managers can potentially use these types of disclosures to communicate differences in their expectations and beliefs regarding future and past performance to investors. Consistent with this conjecture, we first find that managers’ use of non-forward-looking narrative disclosure is more responsive to changing economic conditions than is their use of forward-looking narrative disclosure. We then examine how forward and nonforward-looking narrative disclosures add to the informativeness of earnings press releases. We find that the market’s response to non-forward-looking narrative disclosure news is more than eight times larger in economic magnitude than that for forward-looking news. To explain these findings, further analysis suggests that non-forward-looking narrative disclosures are more informative because they are more precise and predict future earnings better. Overall, in light of regulatory pressures for enhanced forward-looking disclosures, our findings underscore the importance of non-forward-looking narrative disclosures as a relevant source of information for market participants.
Debunking Rationalist Defenses of Common-Sense Ontology: An Empirical Approach

Debunking arguments typically attempt to show that a set of beliefs or other intensional mental states (e.g., intuitions) bear no appropriate explanatory connection to the facts they purport to be about. That is, a debunking argument will attempt to show that beliefs about p are not held because of the facts about p. Such beliefs, if true, would then only be accidentally so. Thus, their causal origins constitute an undermining defeater. Debunking arguments arise in various philosophical domains, targeting beliefs about morality, the existence of God, logic, and others. They have also arisen in material-object metaphysics, often aimed at debunking common-sense ontology. And while most of these arguments feature appeals to ‘biological and cultural contingencies’ that are ostensibly responsible for our beliefs about which kinds of objects exist, few (if any) of them take a serious look at what those contingencies might actually be. The purpose of this paper is twofold. First, to remedy this by providing empirical substantiation for a key premise in these debunking arguments by examining data from cognitive science, evolutionary biology, and developmental psychology that support a ‘debunking explanation’ of our common-sense beliefs and intuitions about which objects exist. Second, to argue that such data also undermines a particular kind of rationalist defense of common-sense ontology, sometimes employed as a response to the debunking threat.
Deletions in the tRNA(Lys) primer-binding site of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 identify essential regions for reverse transcription.

Abstract The initiation of human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) reverse transcription occurs by the extension of a tRNA primer bound near the 5' end of the genomic RNA at a position termed the primer-binding site (PBS). The PBS is an 18-nucleotide region of the HIV-1 genome complementary to cellular tRNA(Lys). To further investigate the sequence requirements for the PBS in reverse transcription, deletions in the PBS were created and subcloned into a plasmid containing the infectious HIV-1 proviral genome. The mutations deleted the entire PBS (delta PBS) or the first 9 (delta 1-9), the second 9 (delta 10-18), or 12 (delta 7-18) nucleotides of the PBS. An additional mutation in the PBS was created in which the second nine nucleotides were deleted and nine additional nucleotides were substituted [Lys(1-9)]. The transfection of plasmids containing the wild-type or mutant proviral genomes into tissue culture cells resulted in expression of the HIV-1 gag and env gene products, as determined by immunoprecipitation using sera from AIDS patients. HIV-1 virus was released from the transfected cells, as determined by analysis of the supernatants for reverse transcriptase activity. The infectivity of the viruses derived from the transfection was examined by coculture experiments with SupT1 cells, which support high-level replication of HIV-1. The transfection of plasmids containing HIV-1 proviral genomes with the delta PBS and PBS (delta 1-9) mutations did not produce infectious virus. In contrast, the HIV-1 proviral genomes with the delta 10-18, delta 7-18, and Lys(1-9) mutations in the PBS produced infectious virus upon transfection, although the kinetics of appearance was significantly delayed for the mutant viruses compared with the wild type. To further explore the nature of this defect, the PBS region from integrated proviral genomes was amplified by polymerase chain reaction and individual DNA products were subcloned into M13mp19, followed by a sequence analysis of the PBS region from individual M13 phage clones. In each of the PBS regions examined, the 18-nucleotide PBS complementary to tRNA(Lys) was present. However, nucleotide deletions and insertions were found 3' to the PBS from the samples derived from the transfection of plasmids containing mutant proviral genomes. Upon reinfection, the revertant viruses maintained the deletions 3' to the PBS and had kinetics of replication similar to that of the wild-type virus.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Upper Gastrointestinal Tract

The application of immunohistochemistry (IHC) in diagnostic gastrointestinal (GI) pathology is similar to that in many other organ systems. The most commonly used markers are epithelial cell markers, such as cytokeratin AE1/3, cytokeratin 7, cytokeratin 20 and CDX-2, and markers for common mesenchymal tumors such as CD117, CD34, S100, and desmin, etc. Tumors of neuroendocrine origin are probably more commonly seen in the digestive and pulmonary systems. A synaptophysin and chromogranin immunostain generally can confirm their neuroendocrine nature. Use of IHC to evaluate dysplasia in Barrett’s esophagus is investigational, although many have found p53 overexpression helpful in confirming dysplasia, particularly in high-grade dysplasia. The use of IHC in nonneoplastic diseases of the GI tract is limited. A few new markers like GATA-3, PAX8 and SATB-2 were found helpful in differentiating certain metastases, such as lobular carcinoma of the breast, from primary GI tumors, including gastric signet ring cell carcinoma. Interpretation of IHC results needs to be in the right histopathologic context and proper clinical setting to avoid pitfalls. A few rare GI tract tumors described in recent years, including plexiform fibromyxoma of the stomach and GI neuroectodermal tumor (GNET), are worth mentioning. Finally, in conjuction with immunohistochemistry, molecular pathology will broaden its role in pathology practice as demonstrated by Her-2/neu amplification, CDH-1 and Kit gene mutation tests in upper GI tract tumors.
Acid-base abnormalities in humans associated with the use of the Gibbon-Mayo pump

Summary 1.With use of a Gibbon-Mayo pump with a flow rate of 2 to 2.4 L. per square meter of body surface area per minute and after an average time of 39 minutes of bypass, less metabolic acidosis was found to be present in the blood than was present in the donor blood prior to bypass. The blood oxygen arteriovenous differences are acceptable (artery, 96 per cent; vein, 67 per cent). 2.The poor clinical status, metabolic acidosis, and marked arteriovenous differences in pH, CO 2 , pCO 2 , and oxygen saturation observed in some of the patients develop postoperatively and are probably due to poor cardiac output or vasospasm or a combination of both. Possible causes for this state have been enumerated. 3.Studies are in progress to evaluate directly the cardiac output of these patients in the postoperative state.
A measurement of the antiproton flux in the cosmic rays

A balloon-borne instrument has been used to detect cosmic-ray antiprotons. These are identified topologically by the appearance of annihilation prongs in a thick lead-plate spark chamber. The initial recording of the data is enriched in potential antimatter events by a selective trigger. After a small subtraction for background, 14 identified antiprotons yield a flux of 1.7 plus or minus 0.00005 antiproton/(sq m ster sec MeV) between 130 and 320 MeV at the top of the atmosphere. When combined with higher energy antiproton flux measurements, this result indicates that the antiprotons have a spectrum whose shape is the same as that of the protons, but with a magnitude reduced by a factor of 1/3000.
Multifractal and lacunarity analysis of microvascular morphology and remodeling.

Objective Classical measures of vessel morphology, including diameter and density, are employed to study microvasculature in endothelial membrane labeled mice. These measurements prove sufficient for some studies; however, they are less well suited for quantifying changes in microcirculatory networks lacking hierarchical structure. We demonstrate that automated multifractal analysis and lacunarity may be used with classical methods to quantify microvascular morphology. Methods Using multifractal analysis and lacunarity, we present an automated extraction tool with a processing pipeline to characterize 2D representations of 3D microvasculature. We apply our analysis on four tissues and the hyaloid vasculature during remodeling. Results We found that the vessel networks analyzed have multifractal geometries and that kidney microvasculature has the largest fractal dimension and the lowest lacunarity compared to microvasculature networks in the cortex, skin, and thigh muscle. Also, we found that, during hyaloid remodeling, there were differences in multifractal spectra reflecting the functional transition from a space filling vasculature which nurtures the lens to a less dense vasculature as it regresses, permitting unobstructed vision. Conclusion Multifractal analysis and lacunarity are valuable additions to classical measures of vascular morphology and will have utility in future studies of normal, developing, and pathological tissues.
Rethinking U.S. Antitrust and Intellectual Property Rights

The paper discusses three claims as the framework for rethinking the relationship between antitrust and intellectual property rights (IP) in the United States: (1) the claim that antitrust has always been the product of a fundamental tension between competition policy and private property rights; (2) the claim that IP reflects its own tensions between competition and property rights - in particular, the paper argues that patent law, like copyright, advances progress best when it fosters competition in ideas, when it replenishes the reservoir of public knowledge; (3) the corollary claim that understanding the relationship between antitrust and patent law calls for recognition of the dual competition regime involved - antitrust law for commercial markets, patent law for the marketplace of ideas. The paper concludes with a brief discussion of the "So what?" question: What difference would it make - this new vision of two competition logics working in these two linked but separate domains?
Unwounded plants elicit Agrobacterium vir gene induction and T-DNA transfer : transformed plant cells produce opines yet are tumour free

Agrobacterium tumefaciens is well known to cause crown gall tumours at plant wound sites and to benefit from this plant association by obtaining nutrients called opines that are produced by these tumours. Tumourigenesis requires expression of the vir regulon in response to chemical signals that are thought to be released from wound sites. Here, we examine chemical interactions between A. tumefaciens and unwounded plants. To determine whether unwounded plants can release significant amounts of vir gene inducers, we constructed an A. tumefaciens strain carrying a PvirB-gfp fusion. This fusion was strongly induced by co-culture with tobacco seedlings that have been germinated without any intentional wounding. The release of phenolic vir gene inducers was confirmed by GC/MS analysis. We also constructed a strain containing the gfp reporter located on an artificial T-DNA and expressed from a plant promoter. A. tumefaciens efficiently transferred this T-DNA into cells of unwounded plants in the absence of exogenous vir gene inducers. Many cells of seedlings colonized by the bacteria also produced octopine, which was detected using a Pocc-gfp reporter strain. This indicates transfer of the native T-DNA. However, these transformed plant cells did not form tumours. These results suggest that successful colonization of plants by A. tumefaciens, including T-DNA transfer and opine production, does not require wounding and does not necessarily cause cell proliferation. Transformation of plant cells without inciting tumours may represent a colonization strategy for this pathogen that has largely been overlooked.
Lymph node density--prognostic value in head and neck cancer.

Background The purpose of this study was to determine the prognostic value of lymph node density in head and neck cancer. Methods We utilized a prospective, multicenter database of 223 patients with head and neck cancer to identify patients who underwent lymph node dissection before chemoradiation to assess the prognostic significance of lymph node density. Results In 38 patients who met study criteria, lymph node density ≤0.20 predicted for improved overall survival (OS; 79% vs 50%; p = .04). Lymph node density was also associated with a trend toward improved 3-year locoregional control (96% vs 79%; p = .14) and distant metastasis–free survival (93% vs 78%; p = .13). In the patients with treatment failure distantly or locoregionally, that failure was earlier in patients with lymph node density >0.20 than in patients with lymph node density ≤0.20 (median, 12.7 months vs 5.2 months; p = .004). Conclusion Our data suggest that lymph node density predicts for OS in patients with head and neck cancer and that the difference in OS may be because of differences in time to failure. © 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 36: 266–272, 2014
Resolution of singularities and modular Galois theory

I shall sketch a brief history of the desingularization problem from Riemann thru Zariski to Hironaka, including the part I played in it and the work on Galois theory which this led me to, and how that caused me to search out many group theory gurus. I shall also formulate several conjectures and suggest numerous thesis problems.
Human brain glucose utilization and cognitive function in relation to age

Brain oxidative metabolism was examined with positron emission tomography and [18F]2-deoxy-D-glucose in 40 healthy men aged 21 to 83 years, under conditions of reduced visual and auditory stimulation. The mean cerebral metabolic rate for glucose (CMRglc) equaled 4.6 to 4.7 mg X 100 gm-1 X min-1 and did not correlate significantly with age (p greater than 0.05). Regional cerebral metabolic rates for glucose (rCMRglc) and Q ratios (rCMRglc/CMRglc), which had lower coefficients of variation than did rCMRglc, also did not correlate with age. Hyperfrontality of cerebral metabolism was absent at all ages. Age decrements were demonstrated in the error score on the Benton Revised Visual Retention Test and in the Performance Subtest scaled score of the Wechsler Adult Intelligence Scale (WAIS) but not in the Verbal Subtest scaled score of the WAIS. The cognitive test scores did not correlate with brain metabolic rates. The results indicate that brain oxidative metabolism, when measured under resting conditions with reduced sensory input, is not reduced in relation to age in healthy men. Furthermore, no significant relations between intelligence and resting cerebral metabolism are evident.
The Contextual Nature of Interpersonal Communication in Management Theory and Research

This article presents a reconceptualization of the contextual nature of interpersonal communication in management theory and research. The current literature related to the area of interpersonal ma...
Impulse voltage characteristics of circuit breakers

Insulation co-ordination is a major consideration in the cost and design of a complete electric power system and of all individual pieces of apparatus. Basic impulse levels have been standardized so that apparatus and protective equipment can be co-ordinated. These levels are measured by withstands on specified test waves. Depending upon the type of protective device and the physical arrangement of the station, short-time voltage surges having crests above the basic impulse level may be present and will require special consideration to insure insulation co-ordination.
Bistability in cerebellar Purkinje cell dendrites modelled with high-threshold calcium and delayed-rectifier potassium channels

Phase-plane analysis of the ionic currents underlying dendritic plateau potentials was carried out to study the nonlinear dynamics and steady-state transfer properties of the dendritic tree in cerebellar Purkinje cells. The results of an analysis of the P-type calcium and delayed rectifier potassium channel system are presented in this study. These channels constitute a simple system that can support bistability and plateau potentials. By requiring both the steady-state current-voltage curve and nullclines to mimic basic plateau potential properties, we obtained well-defined ranges of specific conductance that can support bistability. Hysteresis was found to be surprisingly prevalent in this simple ion-channel system. Using the steady-state current voltage relationship, we derive concise, algebraic expressions for the voltage and current thresholds of state transitions as functions of specific conductance. The significance of bistability in this ion-channel system is discussed with respect to the generation of plateau potentials in Purkinje cells dendrites and the role of the cerebellum in motor control.
Aristotle and the classical Greek concept of despotism

(1990). Aristotle and the classical Greek concept of despotism. History of European Ideas: Vol. 12, No. 2, pp. 175-187.
Paraprofessional Catalogers in ARL Libraries

The authors conducted a survey of ARL member libraries to identify the minimum education and experience required of paraprofessional catalogers. The majority of surveyed libraries responded that they use paraprofessionals to catalog various types of materials. A higher number of libraries use paraprofessionals in copy cataloging than in original cataloging. Although no single model of education and training for paraprofessional catalogers exists, certain patterns emerge. The educational expectations for copy catalogers are lower than those for original catalogers. Training takes place on the job. The library profession is not as far along in developing structured paraprofessional degree requirements along the same lines as other professions, such as law or medicine.
Epilogue on Absolute Majority Rule

T HE NOTION THAT DEMOCRACY necessarily implies absolute majority rule continues to pose a most troublesome problem for democratic theorists. It is an uncomfortable problem, the sort that prompts vigorous discussion when it is first brought up, but which leaves its investigators in the final analysis frustrated and "up in the air." Democracy, it is argued, surely involves majority rule, but a majority can support persecution and oppression and can bring, and so far as can be determined has brougkt, tyrants to power and can thereafter sustain them in office. But institutional limitations on majority rule do not satisfy either, for they necessarily involve some form of minority rule which is apparently antithetical to democracy. This fundamental puzzle presents itself in many contexts. The problem is by no means one of narrow academic interest, worthy of consideration only as a device with which to befuddle undergraduates in political theory. Clearly, it is a matter of considerable importance so far as the functioning of one of the highest decision-making bodies in American government is concerned. At least one justice of the United States Supreme Court seems to adopt a position of extreme "self-restraint" because he regards the institution of which he is a part as "non-democratic" and "inherently oligarchic,"1 a view which seems to presuppose an absolute majority rule position. The whole question of the ultimate legitimacy of the institution of judicial review is tied very closely to the question of "limited" vs. "absolute" majority rule as a feature of democratic government. It is, of course, possible to argue that the institution of judicial review was established on the basis of a proper reading of the language of the Constitution of the United States as Charles L. Black of the Yale Law School has recently done,2 but it is still reasonable to contend that the Constitution is wrong, i.e., undemo-
Influence of NaCl and pH on intracellular enzymes that influence Cheddar cheese ripening

L'influence du NaCl et d'une reduction du pH a ete determinee sur les aminopeptidases, les lipases/esterases, ainsi que l'aptitude a produire du methanethiol de bacteries lactiques et de brevibacteries selectionnees dans des conditions de fabrications fromageres simulees. Les observations, dans ces conditions, etaient confirmees, dans le cas du cheddar a teneur en matieres grasses reduites de 60 %. Les activites de chaque enzyme diminuaient avec l'addition de NaCl et lorsque le pH etait abaisse a des niveaux proches des conditions de fabrication du cheddar (NaCl 5 % et pH 5,2). L'activite aminopeptidasique intracellulaire residuelle etait dominee par l'activite aminopeptidasique generale (aminopeptidase N et/ou aminopeptidase C) au laboratoire, en conditions fromageres simulees, et dans un caille de cheddar a teneur en MG reduite de 60 %. Pendant le vieillissement des fromages, l'activite totale lipase/esterase atteignait un pic a 120 jours puis diminuait, meme si les populations de levains demeuraient elevees. L'aptitude a produire du methanethiol se manifestait en conditions fromageres simulees dans les cellules entieres, mais non dans les extraits depourvus de cellules. Les peptides Met et Met-contenant induisaient une aptitude a produire du methanethiol sur deux ou trois generations, et pouvaient etre reinduits ulterieurement dans le cycle de croissance de Brevibacterium linens BL2. L'activite aminopeptidase et lipase/esterase dans le fromage a teneur reduite en matiere grasse n'etait pas correlee avec une augmentation de la saveur de type cheddar, mais l'aptitude d'une culture a produire du methanethiol etait associee a des notes de preference plus elevees chez les consommateurs de fromages. Les resultats suggerent que l'utilisation de conditions fromageres simulees peut aider a la selection de cultures, pour augmenter les flaveurs souhaitees en fabrication de fromage a faible teneur en matiere grasse. De plus, les donnees suggerent que les cellules entieres sont importantes dans le developpement d'une flaveur correcte dans le cheddar a teneur en matiere grasse reduite de 60 %.
Catalyzed Ignition of Bipropellants in Microtubes

This paper addresses the need to understand the physics and chemistry involved in propellant combustion processes in micro-scale combustors for propulsion systems on micro-spacecraft. These spacecraft are planned to have a mass less than 50 kilograms with attitude control estimated to be in the 10 milli-Newton thrust class. These combustors are anticipated to be manufactured using Micro Electrical Mechanical Systems (MEMS) technology and are expected to have diameters approaching the quenching diameter of the propellants. Combustors of this size are expected to benefit significantly from surface catalysis processes. Miniature flame tube apparatus is chosen for this study because microtubes can be easily fabricated from known catalyst materials and their simplicity in geometry can be used in fundamental simulations to more carefully characterize the measured heat transfer and pressure losses for validation purposes. Experimentally, we investigate the role of catalytically active surfaces within 0.4 and 0.8 mm internal diameter micro-tubes, with special emphases on ignition and extinction processes in fuel rich gaseous hydrogen and gaseous oxygen. Flame thickness and reaction zone thickness calculations predict that the diameters of our test apparatus are below the quenching diameter of the propellants in sub-atmospheric tests. Temperature and pressure rises in resistively heated platinum and palladium micro-tubes are used as an indication of exothermic reactions. Specific data on mass flow versus preheat temperature required to achieve ignition are presented.
USGS PAH contaminants studies could be among budget cut victims

Traffic congestion, smog, and loss of open space and wildlife habitat are among the unwelcome effects of sprawl development in many urban areas in the United States. However, another problem that the typical commuter may not be as aware of is the increases in polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) that degrade air and water quality and that may be linked to urban sprawl and traffic on the roadways.
Identification of Transcriptional Activation and Repression Domains in Human CCAAT/Enhancer-binding Protein ε

Human CCAAT/enhancer-binding protein e (C/EBPe), a new member of the C/EBP family, significantly up-regulates both the mim-1 and human myeloperoxidase promoters, suggesting an important role for C/EBPe in the transcriptional regulation of a subset of myeloid-specific genes. To elucidate the structure and function of C/EBPe in transcriptional activation, amino acid residues 1–115, 147–249, or 1–249 of C/EBPe were fused to the yeast GAL4 DNA binding domain. These expression vectors were cotransfected with a chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene and, in all cell lines tested, only the GAL-C/EBPe-(1–115) fusion protein significantly activated expression from the chloramphenicol acetyltransferase reporter gene. Sixteen deletion mutants of C/EBPe mapped the transactivation domain to amino acids 1–18 at the N terminus and revealed the presence of a transcription repression element between amino acid residues 116 and 162. Expression vectors containing the repression domain of C/EBPe strongly inhibited gene transcription from TK, SV40, and adenoviral major late promoters bearing GAL4 binding sites. Fusion of this repression domain to the VP16 activation domain inhibited the transactivation function of VP16. Deletion of this repression domain increased gene transcription from a neutrophil elastase promoter-luciferase reporter. Taken together, these data suggest that C/EBPe regulates transcription by utilizing both activation and repression functions.
Outcomes of Adults with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia Relapsing after Allogeneic Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

Abstract For patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) who relapse after allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT), treatment options are limited, and the clinical course and prognostic factors affecting outcome have not been well characterized. We retrospectively analyzed outcomes of 123 adult patients with ALL who relapsed after a first HSCT performed at our center between 1993 and 2011. First-line salvage included second HSCT (n = 19), donor lymphocyte infusion with or without prior chemotherapy (n = 11), radiation therapy (n = 6), cytoreductive chemotherapy (n = 30), mild chemotherapy (n = 27), or palliative care (n = 23), with median postrelapse overall survival (OS) of 10 months, 6.5 months, 3 months, 4 months, 4 months, and 1 month, respectively. Despite a complete remission rate of 38% after first-line salvage in the treated patients, the OS rate remained limited with 1- and 2- year OS rates of 17% (95% confidence interval, 13 to 29) and 10% (95% confidence interval, 6 to 20), respectively. On univariate analysis, adverse factors for OS included active disease at the time of first HSCT and short time to progression from first HSCT (
Chemical and Isotopic Evidence for the Petrogenesis of the Northeastern Idaho Batholith

Sr, Pb, and REE data from samples from igneous rocks, metasedimentary inclusions, and intruded metasedimentary country rocks of the northeastern portion of the Idaho batholith indicate a significant contribution from a lower crustal source region to the intrusive rocks. Rb-Sr and U-Pb data indicate that the source region was depleted in Rb and U and that it was heterogeneous. Zircons separated from a sample collected from the interior of the batholith were found to have rounded cores and euhedral overgrowths. U-Pb isotopic analysis of these zircons and monazite yields a lower intercept age of 60 Ma and an upper intercept age of ~1710 Ma. This is interpreted to be a mixing line between the crystallization age of the granitic rocks (60 Ma old overgrowths) and the average age of the source (1710 Ma old cores). The zircon cores are most likely inherited from the source region of the granite, and not assimilated from the intruded country rocks.
Inundative Releases of Aphidius smithi Against Acyrthosiphon pisum

In 1965, 1966, 1967, and 1969, field tests were conducted in the Walla Walla, Washington, area with an estimated 100–300 million cage-reared Aphidius smithi Sharma & Subba Rao (inundative releases) in an effort to control populations of the pea aphid, Acyrthosiphon pisum (Harris) on alfalfa. The objective was to prevent migration of the aphids from their overwintering site in the alfalfa to about 100,000 acres of peas grown for processing. Parasites from 14 pairs of cages effectively controlled pea aphids on 2500 acres of seed alfalfa in 1967, until the area was sprayed for Lygus spp. When parasitic, natural, and chemical control systems were compared in 1967, averages of 13, 56, and 82 aphids/100 sweeps, respectively, were obtained. The population in the field exposed to chemical control oscillated wildly, but the population in the field exposed to parasitic control remained uniformly low. Use of aphid parasites in this manner appears impractical at present because of production and distribution requirements.
Depolymerization of a synthetic lignin in vitro by lignin peroxidase

Abstract Lignin peroxidases, although believed to catalyze the first step of fungal ligninolysis in vivo , have never been demonstrated to depolymerize unmodified lignin in vitro . It is shown here that crude Phanerochaete chrysosporium lignin peroxidase, in the presence of H 2 O 2 and veratryl alcohol, will catalyze the partial fragmentation of a 14 C β -labeled synthetic hardwood lignin in Na acetate (pH 4.5)/ N , N -dimethylformamide, 9:1. Gel permeation chromatography of the treated lignin demonstrated that fragments with molecular weights as low as ca. 170 were products of this reaction. Determinations of total 14 C showed that 25–30% of the radiolabel originally present was converted to volatile products during enzymatic oxidation. No evidence for depolymerization was found in control reactions from which lignin peroxidase or H 2 O 2 had been omitted, and little change in the lignin was discernible in reactions that lacked veratryl alcohol.
Simulation in advanced endoscopy: state of the art and the next generation

Simulation is an important component of training in gastrointestinal endoscopy. Each endoscopic procedure has unique risks. Risks are more serious in advanced endoscopic procedures, such as endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography (ERCP), interventional endoscopic ultrasound (EUS), and natural orifice translumenal endoscopic surgery (NOTES). Using simulation of advanced endoscopic procedures before performing these procedures in humans is beneficial. Because equipment and accessories change rapidly with developing technology, the use of simulators is also important for maintaining skills of practicing endoscopists as well as teaching new procedures in formal fellowships or training programs. Each simulation platform has its own menu of pros and cons. This review includes recent developments and simulation possibilities for ERCP, EUS, and NOTES with an outlook into future possibilities.
Preventing Excess Disability in an Elderly Person With Alzheimer's Disease

Staff of an adult day treatment facility reported that a client diagnosed with Alzheimer's disease was exhibiting physical and verbal aggression toward other clients. Direct observation of the clie...
A Subgroup Analysis of Cognitive-Behavioral Treatment Studies

SummarySeveral studies of graded activity-oriented cognitive behavioral treatment for chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS), all conducted in England, have reported dramatic improvements in functioning and substantial reductions in symptomatology. On the other hand, cognitive behavioral intervention studies conducted in Australia and the United States have not found significant improvements in functioning or CFS symptoms. Based on a review and synthesis of data from these clinical trials, naturalistic outcome investigations, and illness comparison studies, this articles argues that two CFS subgroups, distinguished by functional status and symptom severity, may account, in part, for the differences in outcome in cognitive behavioral treatment studies. It is also argued that differences in treatment duration may have influenced clinical outcomes. This article concludes with recommendations for specific cognitive behavioral interventions in CFS.
Lindane-Induced Elimination of Gap Junctional Communication in Rat Uterine Myocytes Is Mediated by an Arachidonic Acid-Sensitive cAMP-Independent Mechanism

Abstract Previous studies by this laboratory showed that the pesticide lindane rapidly and potently inhibits gap junctional communication in myometrial smooth muscle cells. This study examined the possible role of cAMP or arachidonic acid in lindane′s elimination of myometrial gap junctional communication. Lindane produced concentration-dependent increases in cAMP of 1.21, 2.94, 6.06, and 8.69 pmol/mg protein with 0.1, 1, 30, and 100 μM lindane, respectively, compared to solvent-treated controls (1.27 pmol/mg protein). Lindane also increased release of tritiated arachidonic acid to 342, 509, 852, 1236, 1639, and 4454 dpm/μg protein with 0.01, 0.1, 1, 10, and 100 μM lindane, respectively, compared to solvent controls (342 dpm/mu g protein). Transfer of Lucifer Yellow dye was used as a measure of gap junctional communication. Both 8-br-cAMP (98, 97, 54, and 4% transfer seen with 0, 1, 10, and 100 μM cAMP) and arachidonic acid (98, 73, 54, 31, and 0% dye transfer for 0.1, 1, 10, 100, and 1000 nM arachidonic acid) depressed dye transfer in cultured myocytes. Although the adenylate cyclase inhibitor 2′,3′-dideoxyadenosine completely reversed forskolin-induced depression of dye transfer (1 μM forskolin, 22% transfer), it had no effect with lindane, indicating that lindane′s depression of dye transfer was independent of adenylate cyclase activation. Lindane′s inhibition of dye transfer was effectively reversed by growing myometrial cells under arachidonic acid-free conditions in the presence of eicosapentaenoic acid, a fatty acid that competes with arachidonic acid for the sn-1,2 position of membrane phospholipids: 0, 15, 40, and 88% dye transfer occurred in the presence of 0.01, 0.1, 1, and 10 μM eicosapentaenoic acid with 30 μM lindane. This implies that arachidonic acid release may be a critical event associated with lindane′s inhibition of gap junctional communication in uterine myocytes.
What we know about facilitative glucose transporters: Lessons from cultured cells, animal models, and human studies

Glucose uptake by all cells in the organism by glucose transport proteins is among the most essential processes in life. The process of glucose uptake into tissues is performed by glucose transporters. This review focuses on the biology of facilitative glucose transporters (GLUTs). The knowledge that has accumulated for more than a decade with respect to the regulation of GLUT expression and function in various experimental conditions points to the great potential for GLUTs to be utilized as targets for designing therapies for treatment of diseases related to impaired regulation of glucose homeostasis including type 2 diabetes.
Effect of an endovascular stent on healing of an end-to-end polytetrafluoroethylene–artery anastomosis in a canine model

A canine model of end-to-end anastomosis between the iliac arteries and polytetrafluoroethylene grafts was developed; a self-expanding Wallstent was placed across one anastomosis. The opposite limb acted as a control. Animals were killed at 4 or 12 weeks. Sections were taken and the intimal thickness and luminal area calculated. At 12 weeks intimal thickness was significantly greater at anastomoses in control sections (P = 0.007), and at the interface between the proximal stent and graft in stented graft limbs (P = 0.01). Control graft limbs had significantly enhanced intimal thickness at the anastomotic level at 12 weeks compared with that at 4 weeks (P = 0.0002), while there was no such increase for the stented side. There was no significant difference in luminal area between control and stented graft limbs. Anastomotic neointimal hyperplasia in a canine graft-artery bypass model is modified by endovascular stenting.
Effects of pravastatin on angiogenic and placental hypoxic imbalance in a mouse model of preeclampsia

In order to determine the effects of pravastatin (Pra) on angiogenic and placental hypoxic imbalance in a model of preeclampsia induced by overexpression of soluble fms-like tyrosine kinase 1 (sFlt-1), we randomly allocated pregnant CD1 mice to injection with adenovirus-carrying sFlt-1 or mFc (control). The sFlt-1 group received either Pra (sFlt-1 + Pra) or water (sFlt-1). Mice were sacrificed at day 18, and serum levels of sFlt-1 and soluble endoglin (sEng) were measured. Placental expression of placental (PLGF) and vascular endothelial (VEGF) growth factors and other markers of angiogenesis and hypoxia were assayed. We observed that Pra treatment in sFlt-1 mice reduced sFlt-1 and sEng concentrations at day 18 to levels similar to control group. Placental PLGF and VEGF expression were upregulated, and markers of hypoxia downregulated to levels similar to control group. Hence, Pra prevents the rise in circulating antiangiogenic factors in a mouse model of preeclampsia. Statins may represent a novel approach to prevention of preeclampsia.
Late relapse of non-typhoidal salmonella vascular graft infection after 5 years

Salmonella bacteremia can be complicated by mycotic aneurysm with the potential for a catastrophic presentation. Treatment involves prompt surgery with debridement, extraanatomic bypass, and prolonged antibiotic therapy. Any relapse tends to occur within the 1(st) year after surgery. We describe a case of Salmonella enteritidis mycotic aneurysm in a 56-year-old man 5 years after the initial presentation, emphasizing the importance of aggressive initial therapy and long-term surveillance.
Selective cytotoxicity of intense nanosecond-duration electric pulses in mammalian cells.

Background Nanosecond electric pulses (EP) disrupt cell membrane and organelles and cause cell death in a manner different from the conventional irreversible electroporation. We explored the cytotoxic effect of 10-ns EP (quantitation, mechanisms, efficiency, and specificity) in comparison with 300-ns, 1.8- and 9-μs EP.