cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Crime of Forced Disappearance of Persons According to the Decisions of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights

This article briefly addresses the jurisprudence of the Inter-American Court of Human Rights regarding the crime of forced disappearance of persons and associated issues before analyzing the constitutive elements of the crime. Quoting the Rome Statute, the Court qualified the forced disappearance of persons as a crime against humanity, but there are clear and strong differences between both definitions. The first analysis of this article addresses the question of how the elements of the crime of the forced disappearance of persons should be defined in States that have signed and approved the mentioned regional Convention and the Rome Statute of the ICC. The second analysis focuses on the structure or elements that should constitute the definition of this crime. All of these elements will be studied on the basis of the concepts used by the Court and by comparison to the Rome Statute and the Convention on Forced Disappearances of Persons.
The relA Homolog of Mycobacterium smegmatis Affects Cell Appearance, Viability, and Gene Expression

The modification of metabolic pathways to allow for a dormant lifestyle appears to be an important feature for the survival of pathogenic bacteria within their host. One regulatory mechanism for persistent Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections is the stringent response. In this study, we analyze the stringent response of a nonpathogenic, saprophytic mycobacterial species, Mycobacterium smegmatis. The use of M. smegmatis as a tool for studying the mycobacterial stringent response was demonstrated by measuring the expression of two M. tuberculosis genes, hspX and eis, in M. smegmatis in the presence and absence of relMsm. The stringent response plays a role in M. smegmatis cellular and colony formation that is suggestive of changes in the bacterial cell wall structure.
Strategies for SETI target selection

The NASA High Resolution Microwave Survey consists of two complementary elements: a Sky Survey of the entire sky to a moderate level of sensitivity; and a Targeted Search of nearby stars, one at a time, to a much deeper level of sensitivity. In this paper we present a strategy for target selection and observing. The strategy has two goals: to improve the chances of successful detection of signals from technical civilizations that inhabit planets around solar- type stars, and to minimize the chances of missing signals from unexpected sites. For the main Targeted Search survey of approximately 1000 nearby solar-type stars, we argue that the selection criteria should be heavily biased by what we know about the origin and evolution of life here on earth. We propose that observations of stars with stellar companions orbiting near the habitable zone should be de-emphasized, because such companions would prevent the formation of habitable planets. We also propose that observations of stars younger than about three billion years should be de-emphasized in favor of older stars, because our own technical civilization took longer than three billion years to evolve here on earth.
CHEMICAL CHARACTERIZATION OF GLYCOPEPTIDES FROM HUMAN γM-GLOBULINS

A survey of human pathological macroglobulins revealed that γM can be divided into at least two groups on the basis of carbohydrate composition. Differences between the two groups exist in the total percentage of carbohydrate (10.69 ± 1.49% for group 1, 7.71 ± 0.65% for group II) which is attributable to variation in hexose content. Glycopeptides from macroglobulins of each group were purified from pronase digests and characterized chemically. Macroglobulins from each group contain three types of oligosaccharides. Glycopeptide I for each group consisted of mannose, galactose, and NAG with a ratio of 3:2:1 for group I and a ratio of 2:1:2 for group II. Glycopeptide II consisted of mannose, galactose, and NAG (9:1:2) for group I, and mannose, fucose, galactose, and NAG (2:1:3:2) for group II. Glycopeptide III in both groups consisted of mannose, fucose, galactose, NAG, and sialic acid with a ratio of 6:2.5:2.5:5.5:2 for group I and a ratio of 5:1:1:6:1 for group II. Molecular weight estimations by gel filtration indicates that there are 10 glycopeptides I and II and 20 units of glycopeptide III per molecule of γM.
All-electronic free-space picosecond pulse generation and detection

An all-electronic system for generating, propagating and detecting picosecond electromagnetic pulses using monolithic integrated circuits is described. With a 1.8 ps (10%–90%) nonlinear transmission line step generator driving a monopole antenna for transmission and a similar antenna driving a diode sampler for reception, the system has shown spectral coverage from 90 to 170 GHz.
Scanning Microellipsometer For The Spatial Characterization Of Thin Films

AbstractA polarization -modulated ellipsometer was constructed to investigate the optical prop-erties of surfaces and transparent thin films. In the latter case, the measurement gives aunique determination of the index of refraction n and film thickness t. Using a HeNe laserlight source, the beam was focused to a spot size of 50 gm. By stepping the sample acrossthe focal point of the laser beam in both x and y directions, the spatial uniformity couldbe measured.This apparatus was particularly useful for optical profiling laser -annealed oxide filmsgrown on GaAs. A new technique for laser annealing native oxides on GaAs produced the needfor observing spatial structure with spatial resolution of less than 100 µm. Here the laserpulse produced a "crater" in the oxide due to localized healing and subsequent densificationof the film (Figs. 1 & 2). This technique allows profiling of film index of refraction andthickness across the laser irradiated area --about 2 to 3 mm in our case. A number of appli-cations in microelectronics are suggested.Fig. 1. Photo of crater area, the large dots Fig. 2. Scanning electron microscope pictureare aluminum contacts for capacitance of crater rim running from lower leftprobing and are 0.5 mm in diameter, to upper right. Location from Fig.
Enumeration of sequences by length and spread

Abstract Let a be a fixed nonnegative integer and let Nj(n, k) denote the number of sequences (a1, a2,…, an) such that 0 ≤ a s ≤ a ( 1 ≤ s ≤ n ) , a n = j ∑ s = 1 n − 1 | a s − a s + 1 | = k The numbers Nj(n, k) are evaluated by means of the generating functions F j ( x , y ) = ∑ n = 1 ∞ ∑ k = 0 ∞ N j ( n , k ) x n y k Moreover it is proved that Nj(n, k) is a polynomial in n of degree k.
Predictive modeling techniques for nanosecond-laser damage growth in fused silica optics

Empirical numerical descriptions of the growth of laser-induced damage have been previously developed. In this work, Monte-Carlo techniques use these descriptions to model the evolution of a population of damage sites. The accuracy of the model is compared against laser damage growth observations. In addition, a machine learning (classification) technique independently predicts site evolution from patterns extracted directly from the data. The results show that both the Monte-Carlo simulation and machine learning classification algorithm can accurately reproduce the growth of a population of damage sites for at least 10 shots, which is extremely valuable for modeling optics lifetime in operating high-energy laser systems. Furthermore, we have also found that machine learning can be used as an important tool to explore and increase our understanding of the growth process.
Analysis of the rds/peripherin.rom1 complex in transgenic photoreceptors that express a chimeric protein.

Mice homozygous for the retinal degeneration slow (rds) mutation completely lack photoreceptor outer segments. The rds gene encodes rds/peripherin (rds), a membrane glycoprotein in the rims of rod and cone outer segment discs. rds is present as a complex with the related protein, rom1. Here, we generated transgenic mice that express a chimeric protein (rom/D2) containing the intradiscal D2 loop of rds in the context of rom1. rom/D2 was N-glycosylated, formed covalent homodimers, and interacted non-covalently with itself, rds, and rom1. The rds.rom/D2 interaction was significantly more stable than the non-covalent interaction between rds and rom1 by detergent/urea titration. Analysis of mice expressing rom/D2 revealed that rds is 2.5-fold more abundant than rom1, interacts non-covalently with itself and rom1 via the D2 loop, and forms a high order complex that may extend the entire circumference of the disc. Expression of rom/D2 fully rescued the ultrastructural phenotype in rds+/- mutant mice, but it had no effect on the phenotype in rds-/- mutants. Together, these observations explain the striking differences in null phenotypes and frequencies of disease-causing mutations between the RDS and ROM1 genes.
Turnover of fibrinogen and platelets in dogs undergoing induced intravascular coagulation

Abstract Dogs were continuously infused for 3 weeks with canine brain thromboplastin at various concentrations. When platelet counts and fibrinogen levels had stabilized (second and third weeks), platelet ( 51 Cr) and fibrinogen ( 125 I) turnovers were estimated. All concentrations of thromboplastin increased fibrinogen turnover two- to fourfold and at the lower dose levels this led to hyper-fibrinogenemia. Only the higher concentrations of thromboplastin increased platelet turnover remarkably and were accompanied by a modest decrease in platelet count. Within our experimental framework, the dogs attempted to compensate for the intravascular coagulation, but too successfully in the case of fibrinogen and only partially successfully in the case of platelets.
Nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage: A diagnostic tool for ventilator-associated pneumonia

ISSUE: Significant mortality and morbidity is attributed to ventilator-associated pneumonia (VAP). Diagnosis of bacterial and fungal VAP is complicated by contaminating upper airway microbial flora and by nonspecific diagnostic criteria. False-positive VAP diagnosis is estimated at 23%–65%. Smear and culture results are critical to identifying the responsible pathogen and selection of appropriate antimicrobial therapy. Care must be taken in assessing intubated patients to distinguish among tracheal colonization, upper respiratory tract infection, or normal colonization and early onset pneumonia. Inaccurate culture results can lead to inappropriate antibiotic therapy and the emergence or selection of resistant microorganisms. Quantitative cultures of lower respiratory tract secretions may differentiate contaminates from pathogens. PROJECT: This medical center is a level one-trauma center with a 44-bed surgical intensive care unit (SICU). Ventilator days average 630 per month. In 2004, respiratory therapists were trained to perform nonbronchoscopic bronchoalveolar lavage (NBBAL), BAL Cath™ (Ballard Medical Products, Draper, Utah). The NBBAL procedure consisted of the blind placement of a double lumen catheter into the lung to retrieve a bronchoalveolar lavage (BAL) fluid specimen. RESULTS: Between April 2004 and December 2004, 158 BAL specimens were collected in the SICU, a 66% increase in quantitative respiratory specimens compared with those collected between April 2003 and December 2003 (prior to the use of NBBAL). Microbial results from 69 NBBAL quantitative cultures showed 36 samples with pathogens only, 18 with no pathogens, and 15 with likely contamination or colonizers. Respiratory sputum cultures were not routinely collected at the time of the NBBAL. When available, sputum cultures from same patients were identified and evaluated. LESSONS LEARNED: NBBAL use increased validity of suspected respiratory infection by 66%. The presence of pathogens was substantial in 52% of patients and excluded in 26% of patients and required interpretation of likely contaminates or colonizers in 22%. Overall, 36% fewer microbial species were included in the NBBAL samples than in paired sputum samples submitted on the same patient. NBBAL is less expensive, more readily available because a skilled bronchoscopist is not required, and less invasive while providing improved assessment of VAP in the ICU setting.
Effect of Wild Radish on Preimaginal Development of Diabrotica balteata and Agrotis ipsilon

Aqueous extracts of wild radish (Rhaphanus raphanistrum L.) roots, stems, and leaves combined were examined for antibiotic effects on hatching and larval development of the banded cucumber beetle, (Diabrotica balteata Le Conte [Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae]) and black cutworm (Agrotis ipsilon [Hufnagel] [Lepidoptera: Noctuidae]). Hatching was delayed significantly in eggs of D. balteata exposed to the wild radish extract for 18 h. In some trials, the hatching percentage increased to levels similar to other treatments by the third and final day of hatching; in others, the percentage hatching remained significantly less among eggs exposed to wild radish extract for the duration of the study. The mortality rate of D. balteata larvae was increased significantly by exposure to the wild radish extract. Hatching of A. ipsilon eggs was delayed significantly after an 18 h exposure to the aqueous wild radish extract 4 d after treatment in only one of the six trials. In that trial, all treatment results were similar by...
Effect of hematoporphyrin derivative 2 on estrogen receptors in experimental mammary tumors

This study reports the effect of hematoporphyrin derivative 2 (HPD2) on estrogen receptors (ER) in the animal model used to develop the clinical ER assay. Fifty 200-g female Sprague-Dawley rats were given 20 mg of dimethylbenzanthracene by gastric intubation. Spontaneous mammary tumors occurred in 35 animals. Animals were anesthetized and 50% of each tumor was removed when the tumors were 2 cm in diameter. Animals were then randomized to receive 5 mg/kg (group A), 10 mg/kg (group B), or 0 mg/kg (group C) HPD2 intravenously 48 hours after biopsy. The remaining tumor was excised 48 hours post HPD2 injection. All samples were weighed, placed on ice, and frozen to -70 degrees C. ER assay was performed by batch run. Results (fmol/mg cytosol) were as follows: All animals (n = 35) pre HPD2 34.2 +/- 5.4, post HPD2 34.2 +/- 5.8; group A: (n = 11) pre HPD2 33.9 +/- 7.9, post HPD2 37.1 +/- 7.8; group B: (n = 13) pre HPD2 29.2 +/- 3.8, post HPD2 25.5 +/- 3.6; group C: (n = 11) pre HPD2 40.3 +/- 5.2, post HPD2 41.5 +/- 7.9. HPD2 does not affect ER in this animal model. Confirmatory studies with human tumor material must be completed.
Underrecognition of tardive dyskinesia and drug-induced parkinsonism by psychiatric residents☆☆☆

Recognition of tardive dyskinesia (TD) and other neuroleptic, drug-induced, extrapyramidal side effects presents a major challenge in modern clinical psychopharmacology. Failure to recognize these disorders can lead to poor patient care and may contribute to societal pressure for external control of psychiatric practice. This study reports the occurrence of tardive dyskinesia and drug-induced parkinsonism (DIP) in 101 inpatients, and documents underrecognition of both disorders by resident physicians. Researchers noted TD in 28% of cases and residents only described TD (or symptoms of TD) in 12%. The researcher determined DIP prevalence rate of 26% contrasted with an 11% rate found by residents. Patients with psychotic disorders were more likely than other patients to have researcher-identified TD, whereas DIP (researcher cases) occurred more often in patients with affective diagnoses. Residents tended to miss milder cases of TD, and to miss DIP in younger patients and in patients with affective disorders. Improved teaching and clinical exams are recommended to improve recognition.
Mississippi's Articulation Process: A Work in Progress.

The integrity of Career and Technical programs in Mississippi has increased in large part due to the implementation of research-based practices in both the curriculum and assessment processes. The use of standard measures has increased the likelihood that postsecondary instructors and administrators accept articulated credit, and secondary instructors are more comfortable using a standard for students across the state. Beginning with only a handful of courses has been positive because problems and other issues can be addressed quickly and easily. Both secondary and postsecondary instructors are included on the curriculum writing and revision teams, which has improved communication. Another benefit of this process has been the ease of transition for students from secondary to postsecondary in program areas. Although articulation is still a “work in progress” in Mississippi, consistency and communication has improved the development process and the benefits to students.
The solar cycle variation of coronal mass ejections and the solar wind mass flux

Coronal mass ejections (CMEs) are an important aspect of coronal physics and a potentially significant contributor to perturbations of the solar wind, such as its mass flux. Sufficient data on CMEs are now available to permit study of their longer-term occurrency patterns. Here we present the results of a study of CME occurrence rates over more than a complete 11-year solar sunspot cycle and a comparison of these rates with those of other activity related to CMEs and with the solar wind particle flux at 1 AU. The study includes an evaluation of correlations to the CME rates, which include instrument duty cycles, visibility functions, mass detection thresholds, and geometrical considerations. The main results are as follows: (1) The frequency of occurrence of CMEs tends to track the solar activity cycle in both amplitude and phase; (2) the CME rates from different instruments, when corrected for both duty cycles and visibility functions, are reasonably consistent; (3) considering only longer-term averages, no one class of solar activity is better correlated with CME rate than any other; (4) the ratio of the annualized CME to solar wind mass flux tends to track the solar cycle; and (5) near solar maximum, CMEs can provide a significant fraction (i.e., approximately equals 15%) of the average mass flux to the near-ecliptic solar wind.
An electrostatic precipitator backup filter for sampling systems

Abstract An alternative technique for filtering the aerosol effluent from particle sampling systems has been developed. A two-stage electrostatic precipitation system was designed to collect with high efficiency the paniculate material in a gas stream. The principal advantage of an electrostatic precipitator over conventional glass fiber backup filters is the ability to sample for long times without encountering filter pluggage or an excessive pressure differential across the system. Tests of a prototype electrostatic precipitator backup indicate collection efficiency for submicrometer diameter particles of 97 to greater than 99%.
Endocardial Wave Front Organization During Ventricular Fibrillation in Humans

Abstract Objectives This study was designed to characterize the organization of ventricular fibrillation (VF) on the endocardium of humans. Background Most proposed mechanisms for the maintenance of VF postulate the propagation of a number of activation wave fronts that reenter to maintain the arrhythmia. We tested the hypothesis that, in patients undergoing internal cardioverter-defibrillator implantation, VF consists primarily of a few large wave fronts on the endocardium. Methods Electrograms were recorded from a 36-electrode catheter in the left ventricle of 16 patients during VF. Activation times were chosen for a 2-s epoch for each fibrillation episode, and a two-dimensional Kolmogorov-Smirnov test was performed to determine if activation occurred randomly along the catheter over that time interval. The maximum cross-correlation was found for all possible pairs of electrodes on the catheter, and these values were plotted relative to the distance between the two electrodes. An exponential curve was then fit to the data, and a length constant was determined. Activation times were grouped into wave fronts along the catheter, and the lengths of the wave fronts were estimated. Results The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test showed that activation was not random along the catheter in any of the patients studied. The correlation length determined was 9 ± 2 cm. The number of wave fronts recorded by the catheter was 9.2 ± 2.9 wave fronts/s. The length of the pathway of each wave front along the catheter was 6.5 ± 4.5 cm. Conclusions Ventricular fibrillation is well organized on the endocardial surface of humans, consisting primarily of a few large wave fronts on the order of 6 to 9 cm.
Assessment of Cumulative Impacts to Water Quality in a Forested Wetland Landscape

One important focus of applied ecology is the assessment of environmental impacts and the recommendation of ways to avoid or minimize these impacts. Cumulative impacts result from the accumulation of many human activities whose impacts, although not individually measurable, together sum to significant adverse effects. Assessment of cumulative impacts requires a landscape approach and large-scale analysis. In our procedure for determining cumulative impacts in bottomland hardwood forests (BLHF), changes in landscape integrity over time were assessed using structural and functional ecosystem indices. In this article we present a historical analysis of water quality in the Tensas Basin, Louisiana, as part of the cumulative impacts analysis of this BLHF landscape. Historical records of suspended sediment, N, P, and turbidity from three streams in the Tensas Basin were analyzed. Significant positive relationships between water levels in these streams and concentrations of total P, total Kjeldahl N, total suspended sediment, and turbidity confirmed a loading phenomenon characteristic of watersheds in which much of the original forest cover has been cleared. Eighty-five percent of the original forest in the Tensas Basin has been converted to agricultural fields. Temporal trends in nutrient concentration show that water quality has been declining steadily since 1958 in one river, whereas in the other two the decline largely occurred before then. Nitrogen/phosphorus ratios in two of the three rivers (2.9:1 and 4.6:1 by weight, 6.4:1 and 10.2:1 by molar ratio) were lower than expected in P-limited freshwater systems, where N/P ratios are generally > 10 to 15 by molar ratio. Most of the excess in P is probably related to the geochemical adsorption of P to sediment particles and selective loading of P during erosive storm events. As a result, in much of the Tensas Basin the nutrient limiting aquatic primary productivity—and thus the most critical nutrient to control—may be N. Between 1978 and 1986, P levels exceeded 0.1 mg L⁻¹ 96% of the time (P concentrations > 0.1 mg L⁻¹ signal eutrophy in lotic systems). Total suspended sediment concentration patterns were erratic and in excess of 80 mg L⁻¹ over half the time in two of the three streams studied (1966–1986). A goal-oriented management plan for improved water quality in the Tensas Basin was devised based on this cumulative impact assessment. Improvement of the aquatic ecosystem can be achieved in a number of ways, including the reestablishment of natural hydrologic flow wherever possible, the use of agricultural practices that reduce runoff, the protection of existing forested corridors along streams, and the mitigative creation of new buffering zones. In this conservation plan, site-by-site permitting occurs within the context of a comprehensive plan for managing the renewable resources of the entire Tensas Basin landscape; a plan based on the intensity of past cumulative impacts to the ecosystem.
The Futurity of God in Lutheran Theology

Futurity is God's gift to us. To understand God in light of Infinite Trinitarian Futurity places eschatological redemption closer to us than we are to ourselves. One legacy of the Lutheran branch of the Reformation is the “turn to Futurity” as we see it in Luther, Kierkegaard, Braaten, Jensen, Jungel, Pannenberg, and Peters.
Toque macaque food calls: Semantic communication concerning food distribution in the environment

Upon the rare occasions that wild toque macaques (Macaca sinica) discover a large quantity of food in their natural forest environment they give distinctive calls. The durations of feeding bouts and the rates of feeding are significantly greater at sites where food calls are given than at sites of the same food types where no foods call are given. The calls designate a new location of a large quantity of any one of several food types. Dispersed group members hearing the call immediately run to the site of the call and feed there. I conclude that food calls are semantic signals (or symbols) that evoke the same response (rapid direct approach) as seeing the external referent of the calls (a source of abundant food) itself would. Food calls convey information about the presence of an edible food source, its quantity and location in the environment. As a general type, food calls appear to be related to, but are distinct from, contact calls which function to mintain group cohesion.
Cultural Competencies: Essential Elements of Caring-Centered Multicultural Education

Caring-centered multicultural education is a framework in the field of education with the major goal of providing all students with equitable education and to address the achievement gap between mainstream and culturally diverse students. Within this orientation, culture is seen as a core component of effective teaching. Therefore, cultural competencies must be foundational in teacher preparation and professional development. Cultural competencies for K–12 educators must include reviewing biases and cultural misconceptions, implementation of English language development strategies, teaching of high-level discipline content, and guiding students in decision making and critical thinking skills.
Devolution, Grants, and Fiscal Competition

Following half a century of fiscal activism and federal leadership, the call now is for downsizing the federal budget and a devolution of fiscal responsibilities to states and localities. The call for "federalism," meant to secure a stronger center in James Madison's time, now seeks to decentralize. This paper outlines the main features of fiscal federalism as I see them, sketching a vision which differs in major respects from that offered by the lead paper in this symposium. First I highlight the role of distribution, which I see as a central function. Then, I focus attention on grants-in-aid and their role in the federal system. Finally I consider competition, cooperation, and coordination between jurisdictions.
‘The “Heartlessness” of Words’: Michael Heller and Hugh Seidman, Objectivist poetics and the problem of language

Comparing the poetry of Michael Heller and Hugh Seidman – two poets who have been in dialogue for almost their entire adult lives and who were mentored respectively by the Objectivist poets George Oppen and Louis Zukofsky – foregrounds an extreme linguistic skepticism, a lack of optimism about the efficacy of verbal expression to bespeak the reality of the world, in the younger poets' writing, and discloses an aspect of the poetics of the late Modernist Objectivist poets having to do with what this essay terms the adequate statement. Heller's and Seidman's skepticism as regards language is embodied in their poems both as theme and aesthetics, both as subject and mechanics. Through close readings of their work, integrated into a discussion of the Objectivists' achievement, what becomes clear is that Heller and Seidman are fully aware of the dynamic both Zukofsky and Oppen involve themselves in – the poet's struggle with, as Oppen writes in ‘Route’, ‘the “heartlessness” of words’, ‘their lack of generosity ...
Spatial mapping of the neurite and soma proteomes reveals a functional Cdc42/Rac regulatory network

Neurite extension and growth cone navigation are guided by extracellular cues that control cytoskeletal rearrangements. However, understanding the complex signaling mechanisms that mediate neuritogenesis has been limited by the inability to biochemically separate the neurite and soma for spatial proteomic and bioinformatic analyses. Here, we apply global proteome profiling in combination with a neurite purification methodology for comparative analysis of the soma and neurite proteomes of neuroblastoma cells. The spatial relationship of 4,855 proteins were mapped, revealing networks of signaling proteins that control integrins, the actin cytoskeleton, and axonal guidance in the extending neurite. Bioinformatics and functional analyses revealed a spatially compartmentalized Rac/Cdc42 signaling network that operates in conjunction with multiple guanine-nucleotide exchange factors (GEFs) and GTPase-activating proteins (GAPs) to control neurite formation. Interestingly, RNA interference experiments revealed that the different GEFs and GAPs regulate specialized functions during neurite formation, including neurite growth and retraction kinetics, cytoskeletal organization, and cell polarity. Our findings provide insight into the spatial organization of signaling networks that enable neuritogenesis and provide a comprehensive system-wide profile of proteins that mediate this process, including those that control Rac and Cdc42 signaling.
Standardized Assessment of Phonological Awareness Skills in Low-Income African American First Graders

Accurate identification of students with poor phonological awareness skills is important to providing appropriate reading instruction. This is particularly true for segments of the population, such...
Investigations into the structure and fixation properties of cytoplasmic lamellae in the hamster oocyte.

Lamellar structures have been revealed in the cytoplasm of rapidly growing hamster oocytes by glutaraldehyde fixation and by fixation in 30% ethanol followed by osmication. The structures are not preserved after osmium tetroxide either used alone or followed by glutaraldehyde; nor are they preserved by absolute ethanol, formaldehyde, glyceraldehyde, glyoxal, 2-hydroxy-adipaldehyde or potassium permanganate. Immersion in 30% ethanol followed by extraction in distilled water and fixation in glutaraldehyde and osmium tetroxide exposes the lattice-like skeletal structure of the lamellae. The lamellae are present but slightly altered after short digestion in pepsin. Longer digestion results in complete dissolution of the structures.
Postoperative Pulmonary Edema in Postcoronary Artery Bypass Graft Patients: Relationship of Total Serum Protein and Colloid Oncotic Pressures

A blinded, prospective study of 52 consecutive male patients undergoing coronary artery bypass grafting was designed to determine which factors were associated with pulmonary edema (PE) in the postoperative period. PE was demonstrated in 18 patients, but not in the remaining 34 patients. PE correlated with the maximum left atrial pressure (p
Improved Toxicity Profile Following High-Dose Postprostatectomy Salvage Radiation Therapy With Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

Background: With salvage radiation therapy (SRT) in the postprostatectomy setting, the need to deliver sufficient radiation doses to achieve a high probability of tumor control is balanced with the risk of increased toxicity. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in the postprostatectomy salvage setting is gaining interest as a treatment strategy. Objective: Compare acute and late toxicities in patients treated with IMRT and threedimensional conformal radiation therapy (3D-CRT) in the postprostatectomy salvage setting. Design, setting, and participants: A total of 285 patients who were treated at our institution between 1988 and 2007 with SRT after radical prostatectomy for biochemical recurrence were identified. All medical records were reviewed and toxicity recorded. Median follow-up was 60 mo. Intervention: All patients were treated with SRT with either 3D-CRT (n = 109) or IMRT (n = 176). A total of 205 patients (72%) were treated with doses 70 Gy. Measurements: Late gastrointestinal (GI) and genitourinary (GU) toxicities were recorded using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events v. 3.0 definition. Results and limitations: The 5-yr actuarial rates of late grade2 GI and GU toxicity were 5.2% and 17.0%, respectively. IMRT was independently associated with a reduction in grade 2 GI toxicity compared with 3D-CRT (5-yr IMRT, 1.9%; 5-yr 3D-CRT, 10.2%; p = 0.02). IMRT was not associated with a reduction in risk of grade 2 GU toxicity (5-yr IMRT, 16.8%; 5-yr 3D-CRT, 15.8%; p = 0.86), urinary incontinence (5-yr IMRT, 13.6%; 5-yr 3D-CRT, 7.9%; p = 0.25), or grade 3 erectile dysfunction (5-yr IMRT, 26%; 5-yr 3D-CRT, 30%; p = 0.82). Of patients who developed late grade 2 GI or GU toxicity, 38% and 44%, respectively, experienced resolution of their symptoms prior to the last follow-up. Conclusions: Our experience with high-dose IMRT in the postprostatectomy salvage setting demonstrates that the treatment can be delivered safely with an associated reduction in late GI toxicity.
Multispectral laser-induced fluorescence imaging system for large biological samples

A laser-induced fluorescence imaging system developed to capture multispectral fluorescence emission images simultaneously from a relatively large target object is described. With an expanded, 355-nm Nd:YAG laser as the excitation source, the system captures fluorescence emission images in the blue, green, red, and far-red regions of the spectrum centered at 450, 550, 678, and 730 nm, respectively, from a 30-cm-diameter target area in ambient light. Images of apples and of pork meat artificially contaminated with diluted animal feces have demonstrated the versatility of fluorescence imaging techniques for potential applications in food safety inspection. Regions of contamination, including sites that were not readily visible to the human eye, could easily be identified from the images.
Treatment of acute pseudophakic cystoid macular edema: Diclofenac versus ketorolac.

Purpose: To investigate whether topical diclofenac sodium 0.1% solution (Voltaren Ophthalmic®) is as efficacious as topical ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% solution (Acular®) in the treatment of established, chronic cystoid macular edema (CME) after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract extraction with posterior chamber intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. Setting: Referral-based vitreoretinal private practice. Methods: This randomized prospective study comprised 34 consecutive patients with clinical CME after uneventful phacoemulsification cataract extraction with posterior chamber IOL implantation who were referred to a private vitreoretinal practice for evaluation and management. Exclusion criteria included a history of previous intraocular surgery, vitreous loss during cataract surgery, CME, uveitis, and vitreoretinal pathology. The eye with CME was treated with 1 drop 4 times daily of diclofenac sodium 0.1% solution or ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% solution. Outcomes were measured by observing for improvement in CME and visual acuity. Results: Both treatment methods resulted in a significant reduction in CME and a significant improvement in visual acuity. Within 26 weeks, diclofenac reduced CME in 16 patients (89%) and ketorolac, in 14 patients (88%) (P = .92, confidence interval [CI] 95%). Within 26 weeks, diclofenac eliminated CME in 14 patients (78%) and ketorolac, in 12 patients (75%) (P = .86, CI 95%). The mean time to initial CME reduction was 7.5 weeks with diclofenac and 8.0 weeks with ketorolac (P = .41, CI 95%). The mean time to CME resolution was 13.6 weeks with diclofenac and 12.8 weeks with ketorolac (P = .49, CI 95%). Conclusions: Diclofenac sodium 0.1% solution and ketorolac tromethamine 0.5% topical ophthalmic solution eyedrops were equally effective in reducing the severity and duration of CME after uneventful phacoemulsification with posterior chamber IOL implantation. Either solution may be considered for CME after cataract surgery, especially in patients who may not tolerate corticosteroid treatment.
GLOBALIZATION, SYNCRETISM, AND RELIGIOSITY IN THE UNITED STATES

Although the phenomenon of “globalization” has become a central focus of intellectual interest, the globalization of religion and religiosity has largely been ignored. This is in spite of the fact that religion has both changed and been changed by the forces of globalization. Focusing on a comparative study of religion and religious change in Britain and Western Europe, it is found that the United States has taken a direction apart from other postindustrial societies. The central postulate is derived that major social institutions are not “unilinear” vis-a-vis the dynamics of globalization. This is clearly seen by considering the effects of differential rationalization. Additionally, the structural forces in the United States that have facilitated “micro” changes in religious affiliation have progressively led to qualitative changes with respect to religious “dwelling” and “seeking.”
Posttraumatic Stress Syndrome Associated With Stays in the Intensive Care Unit: Importance of Nurses’ Involvement

More patients in the intensive care unit are surviving their critical illnesses because of advances in medical care. This change in survival has led to an increased awareness of the emotional consequences of being critically ill. Posttraumatic stress disorder has been identified in approximately 9% to 27% of critically ill patients compared with 7% of the general US population. Risk factors such as treatment with mechanical ventilation, sedation, delusional memories, and agitation are associated with development of posttraumatic stress disorder in patients in the intensive care unit. Individuals with posttraumatic stress disorder are more likely to experience negative physical and psychiatric health outcomes and a lower quality of life than are patients without the disorder. Early identification and treatment of patients experiencing these signs and symptoms may reduce these physical and psychological comorbid conditions. Through careful monitoring of medications, early mobilization, sleep promotion, and pain management, nurses may be able to reduce signs and symptoms of posttraumatic stress disorder. (Critical Care Nurse. 2015;35[3]:44-54)
Fenton oxidation of TCE vapors in a foam reactor

Oxidation of dilute TCE vapors in a foam reactor using Fenton's reagent was investigated. The new process relies on rapid mass transfer from the gas undergoing treatment to a fine aqueous foam and oxidation by Fenton's reagents. Laboratory investigations demonstrated that TCE elimination capacity was as high as 56–61 g TCE m−3reactorh−1 with a removal efficiency of 62% and TCE mineralization of 83% at gas retention time of 30 s and TCE inlet concentration of 0.6 g m−3. Compared to oxidation in wet scrubbers packed with commercially available plastic packings and using the same composition of Fenton's reagents, the foam reactor configuration provided a higher rate absorption and greater elimination capacity of TCE vapors. The treatment performance far exceeded those of current bioreactors and was comparable to those of advanced oxidation techniques such as TiO2/UV and ozone/UV, suggesting that Fenton oxidation in foam reactors may be a promising technique for treating TCE and other recalcitrant vapors. © 2007 American Institute of Chemical Engineers Environ Prog, 2007
B-tropic oncornavirus production by BALB/c methylcholanthrene-induced sarcoma cells.

Six oncogenic cell lines were established from primary sarcomas that had been induced in thymec-tomized, aged, BALB/cSt mice by the injection of 3-methylcholanthrene. Of these lines, three produced B-tropic murine leukemia virus (MuLV), i.e. MuLV that would patently infect fibroblasts of BALB/c origin but not those from NIH Swiss mice. One of these lines, M-138, produced large quantities of virus, permitting the isolation of milligram quantities of B-tropic MuLV. Neonatal BALB/c mice injected with the M-138 MuLV developed high plasma levels of the species-specific virion antigen p30, but during 9 months of observation failed to manifest clinical signs of leukemia. Plasma p30 levels of NIH Swiss mice (non-permissive host) that were inoculated also as neonates with the same virus preparation, remained undetectable by radioimmunoassay. Xenotropic MuLV, i.e. that which infects cells of species other than the species of origin, was released by one of the three remaining cell lines. Two of the six original lines have remained free of detectable oncornavirus production. Our results suggest that cell lines that are stable sources of large quantities of B-tropic MuLV may be easily obtainable by the described manipulations. Equally important, however, is the fact that these data re-emphasize the danger that is inherent in assuming that a cell line is virus-free simply because it was isolated from a chemical carcinogen-induced neoplasm.
MIMO field directionality estimation using orientation-diverse linear arrays

This paper addresses the estimation of power versus azimuth and elevation using a sparse sensor array. In MIMO radar, clutter and noise field directionality can be measured both from the transmit array and to the receive array. In applications where sparse arrays must be used, however, often substantial ambiguities in the field directionality map occur due to spatial under-sampling and/or sidelobe leakage. In this paper, we propose an alternative field-directionality mapping approach which incoherently combines the outputs of several uniform linear arrays with different orientations. The proposed orientation-diverse multi-line array (ODMA) treats the 1-D field directionality estimate from each line array as a projection of a 2-D spatial spectrum. Two methods for reconstruction from these projections are presented: 1) least-squares estimation subject to a positivity constraint, and 2) maximum likelihood estimation using the EM algorithm. Simulation results suggest both methods achieve ODMA field directionality maps with improved ambiguity resolution and sidelobe performance versus conventional beamforming techniques.
Does infectious disease cause global variation in the frequency of intrastate armed conflict and civil war

Geographic and cross-national variation in the frequency of intrastate armed conflict and civil war is a subject of great interest. Previous theory on this variation has focused on the influence on human behaviour of climate, resource competition, national wealth, and cultural characteristics. We present the parasite-stress model of intrastate conflict, which unites previous work on the correlates of intrastate conflict by linking frequency of the outbreak of such conflict, including civil war, to the intensity of infectious disease across countries of the world. High intensity of infectious disease leads to the emergence of xenophobic and ethnocentric cultural norms. These cultures suffer greater poverty and deprivation due to the morbidity and mortality caused by disease, and as a result of decreased investment in public health and welfare. Resource competition among xenophobic and ethnocentric groups within a nation leads to increased frequency of civil war. We present support for the parasite-stress model with regression analyses. We find support for a direct effect of infectious disease on intrastate armed conflict, and support for an indirect effect of infectious disease on the incidence of civil war via its negative effect on national wealth. We consider the entanglements of feedback of conflict into further reduced wealth and increased incidence of disease, and discuss implications for international warfare and global patterns of wealth and imperialism.
Glucose intolerance, insulin resistance, and pathological features of Alzheimer disease in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging.

Importance Peripheral glucose homeostasis has been implicated in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer disease (AD). The relationship among diabetes mellitus, insulin, and AD is an important area of investigation. However, whether cognitive impairment seen in those with diabetes is mediated by excess pathological features of AD or other related abnormalities, such as vascular disease, remains unclear. Objective To investigate the association between serial measures of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance and in vivo brain β-amyloid burden, measured with carbon 11–labeled Pittsburgh Compound B (11C-PiB), and AD pathology at autopsy. Design Scores calculated from the Consortium to Establish a Registry for Alzheimer’s Disease (CERAD) and Braak criteria were correlated with measures of hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, glucose intolerance, and insulin resistance in 197 participants who underwent autopsy after death and who had undergone 2 or more oral glucose tolerance tests (OGTT) using grouped analyses and a continuous mixed-models analysis. The same measures of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance were also correlated with brain11C-PiB retention in an additional 53 living subjects from the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging neuroimaging study. Setting Prospective, serially assessed cohort of community-dwelling subjects. Participants Cohort 1 consisted of 197 participants enrolled in the Baltimore Longitudinal Study of Aging who had 2 or more OGTTs during life and a complete brain autopsy after death. Cohort 2 consisted of 53 living subjects who had 2 or more OGTTs and underwent brain11C-PiB positron emission tomography. Exposures Autopsy and11C-PiB positron emission tomography. Main Outcomes and Measures The correlation of brain markers of AD, including CERAD score, Braak score, and11C-PiB retention, with serum markers of glucose homeostasis using grouped and continuous mixed-models analyses. Results We found no significant correlations between measures of brain AD pathology or11C-PiB β-amyloid load and glucose intolerance or insulin resistance in subjects who had a mean (SD) of 6.4 (3.2) OGTTs during 22.1 (8.0) years of follow-up. Thirty subjects with frank diabetes mellitus who received medications also had AD pathology scores that were similar to those of the cohort as a whole. Conclusions and Relevance In this prospective cohort with multiple assessments of glucose intolerance and insulin resistance, measures of glucose and insulin homeostasis are not associated with AD pathology and likely play little role in AD pathogenesis. Long-term therapeutic trials are important to elucidate this issue.
Biosynthesis of porphyrins and the origin of the "mauve factor".

Abstract Theories of porphyrin biosynthesis consistent with experimental results are presented. It is proposed that kryptopyrrole, a compound found in the urine of a significant percentage of psychotic patients, is an abnormal side product of this biosynthetic pathway.
Gradient of Integrin α6A Distribution in the Myocardium During Early Heart Development

The interactions of cells with extracellular matrices (ECM)1 are likely to be key determinants of embryonic development. Integrin adhesion receptors are ideally positioned to mediate some of these interactions since, in addition to mechanical adhesion, they transduce signals affecting cell proliferation and differentiation. We investigated expression of the integrin αβ1, a receptor for the ECM component, laminin in the early mouse embryo. An intriguing feature of this integrin is the existence of α6 subunit isoforms. The A and B isoforms, which differ in the cytoplasmic tails., are expressed in cell-type specific fashion, and are likely to implement distinct cellular interactions with laminin. By RT-PCR, α6B but not α6A mRNA was detectable in embryo extracts from fertilized oocytes to 6.5 d.p.c. In subsequent stages, up to 11.5 d.p.c., α6A mRNA was observed in mRNA extracts from whole embryos, but still in significantly lower amounts than α6B. However, in extracts from isolated heart (9.5 to 11.5 d.p.c.),...