cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Granulocyte and macrophage proliferation after injection of antitumor active and inactive strains of Corynebacterium parvum

Corparvax, a strain of Corynebacterium parvum with strong antitumor activity, had a greater and more prolonged effect of increasing the production of granulocytes and macrophages than did a weak antitumor strain, CN5888. Following the injection of Coparvax to mice, there was a prompt and sustained increase in serum granulocyte/macrophage colony-stimulating activity, an increase in the number of spleen granulocyte/macrophage progenitor cells, an increased rate of proliferation of the bone marrow granulocyte/macrophage progenitor cells and an increase in the number of blood granulocytes and monocytes. The time courses of the increased rates of proliferation of granulocyte/macrophage progenitor cells following the injection of Coparvax were different in the bone marrow and the spleen, suggesting that local microenvironmental factors were also important.
Analyzing Qualitative Data in Mathematics Education

The weak link in many qualitative research studies is the methodology for analyzing data. I define qualitative data analysis as a process of working with data, so that more can be gleaned from the data than would be available from merely reading, viewing, or listening carefully to the data multiple times. I describe and exemplify a recursive analysis process, which we use to analyze teaching-experiment data.
VLSI Computer Arithmetic for Real-Time Image Processing

Publisher Summary This chapter discusses the application of very large scale integration (VLSI) computer arithmetic for real-time image processing. It describes four partitioned algorithms for modular VLSI implementation of the following four classes of matrix computations: (1) lower–upper decomposition by a new variant of Gaussian elimination, (2) normal inversion of a nonsingular triangular matrix, (3) multiplication of two compatible matrices, and (4) solution of a triangular system of equations by back substitution. The feature extraction and pattern classification are the initial candidates for possible VLSI implementation. The Foley–Sammon feature extraction method and the Fisher's linear classifier have been presented in the chapter for VLSI implementation. Other methods such as the eigenvector approaches to feature selection and Bayes's quadratic discriminant functions should also be realizable with VLSI hardware. It would be advantageous also to develop VLSI computing structures for smoothing, image registration, edge detection, image segmentation, texture analysis, multistage feature selection, syntactic pattern recognition, pictorial query processing, and image database management. The potential merit lies not only in speed gains but also in reliability and cost-effectiveness.
Addressing Surgeon Fatigue: Current Understanding and Strategies for Mitigation

Summary:Fatigue is inevitable at all stages of a surgical career. The sustained high degree of concentration required for surgery is complicated by long surgeon working hours and sleep deprivation, which force surgeons to learn to manage and mitigate the effects of physical and mental fatigue on the
Huellas y recorridos de una utopìa. La emigración italiana en la Argentina

The objective of our book review is to bring to the readers’ attention a largely unexplored area of research that may offer new insights to scholars and students of modern Italian Studies, both in ...
Resistance of a Mo–Si–B-Based Coating to Environmental Salt-Based Hot Corrosion

During operation of gas turbine engines, different salts develop that lead to a hot-corrosion attack. While the hot corrosion associated with Na2SO4 and Na3VO4 has received considerable attention, MgSO4 is also a main salt component, but it has received limited examination. For operation at temperatures beyond the capabilities of Ni-base superalloys, refractory-metal alloys with a Mo–Si–B-based coating have demonstrated a robust environmental resistance including hot corrosion attack by Na2SO4 and Na3VO4. In order to evaluate the performance of Mo with a Mo–Si–B-based amorphous coating, samples were exposed to MgSO4 under thermal cycling at temperatures from 800 to 1300 °C. Mass change measurements revealed minimal attack from the MgSO4 exposure except in local regions where cristobalite and MgMoO4 were detected. Even with the local region reaction, the mass change after a cumulative 100 h of exposure was about 3.5 mg/cm2. Exposure to a composite salt mixture containing Na2SO4, NaVO3, MgSO4, CaCl, and KCl revealed signs of interactivity compared to the corrosion due to the separate effects of the individual salts, but again the mass change stabilized to a minimal level demonstrating that the Mo–Si–B-based coating is resilient to hot corrosion.
Leveraging Electronic Dental Record Data for Clinical Research in the National Dental PBRN Practices.

Objectives The aim of this study is to determine the feasibility of conducting clinical research using electronic dental record (EDR) data from U.S. solo and small-group general dental practices in the National Dental Practice-Based Research Network (network) and evaluate the data completeness and correctness before performing survival analyses of root canal treatment (RCT) and posterior composite restorations (PCR). Methods Ninety-nine network general dentistry practices that used Dentrix or EagleSoft EDR shared de-identified data of patients who received PCR and/or RCT on permanent teeth through October 31, 2015. We evaluated the data completeness and correctness, summarized practice, and patient characteristics and summarized the two treatments by tooth type and arch location. Results Eighty-two percent of practitioners were male, with a mean age of 49 and 22.4 years of clinical experience. The final dataset comprised 217,887 patients and 11,289,594 observations, with the observation period ranging from 0 to 37 years. Most patients (73%) were 18 to 64 years old; 56% were female. The data were nearly 100% complete. Eight percent of observations had incorrect data, such as incorrect tooth number or surface, primary teeth, supernumerary teeth, and tooth ranges, indicating multitooth procedures instead of PCR or RCT. Seventy-three percent of patients had dental insurance information; 27% lacked any insurance information. While gender was documented for all patients, race/ethnicity was missing in the dataset. Conclusion This study established the feasibility of using EDR data integrated from multiple distinct solo and small-group network practices for longitudinal studies to assess treatment outcomes. The results laid the groundwork for a learning health system that enables practitioners to learn about their patients' outcomes by using data from their own practice.
Chapter 7 – Series

Publisher Summary An infinite sequence or more briefly a sequence is a real valued function s defined on the set of integers greater than or equal to a given integer N. On the contrary, a sequence {sn} is said to be bounded if there exists a number A such that |sn| ≤ A (n ≥ 0), bounded above if there exists a number M such that sn ≤ M (n ≥ 0), and (c) bounded below if there exists a number m such that sn ≤ m (n ≥ 0). The numbers A, M, and m are called a bound, an upper bound, and a lower bound, respectively, for {sn}. A sequence is said to be convergent if it has a limit and divergent if it does not have a limit. This chapter discusses a convergence criterion for sequences. It also explores monotonic sequences and subsequences. The chapter focuses on series. It illustrates infinites series and series with positive terms. A series may diverge even though its sequence of partial sums is bounded. A divergent series whose elements do not change sign cannot have bounded partial sums, as is shown by a theorem in the chapter. This theorem implies that a series of positive terms can diverge in only one way. The chapter also explains alternating series and power series and reviews differentiation and integration of power series.
Nanoparticles at liquid interfaces: Rotational dynamics and angular locking

Nanoparticles with different surface morphologies that straddle the interface between two immiscible liquids are studied via molecular dynamics simulations. The methodology employed allows us to compute the interfacial free energy at different angular orientations of the nanoparticle. Due to their atomistic nature, the studied nanoparticles present both microscale and macroscale geometrical features and cannot be accurately modeled as a perfectly smooth body (e.g., spheres and cylinders). Under certain physical conditions, microscale features can produce free energy barriers that are much larger than the thermal energy of the surrounding media. The presence of these energy barriers can effectively “lock” the particle at specific angular orientations with respect to the liquid-liquid interface. This work provides new insights on the rotational dynamics of Brownian particles at liquid interfaces and suggests possible strategies to exploit the effects of microscale features with given geometric characteristics.
Extreme value statistics of flow-induced hydrofoil vibration and resonance

Flow-induced noise and vibration produce cyclic loading on structures such as wind turbines, propellers, and vehicle control surfaces. This cyclic loading can produce fatigue damage in these structures. Additionally, large outlier loads can potentially exceed maximum design levels. Most other works have focused on the extreme value statistics of random loads, and there is limited work which considers the influence of structural resonances. The goal of this work was to study the influence of low order mode responses on extreme response statistics. To accomplish this, the flow-induced vibration response of cantilever fins forced by the wake of an upstream flow obstruction was measured in a closed-circuit water tunnel. The tunnel flow speed was increased, so the wake would excite the first bending mode. A maxima data set was determined from the measured response using the block maxima method, and the generalized extreme value (GEV) distribution was applied to each flow speed. Data were then filtered into stiffness-controlled and damping-controlled responses, and the extreme value analysis was repeated. Results indicated that the extreme response was influenced more by the damping-controlled response than the stiffness-controlled response. When excited, extreme responses from structural resonances must be considered in maximum load design
Cultural and Legal Influences and Impediments to Cultivating Peace and Human Rights in Islamic States

This article will examine the cultural and legal influences and impediments to the cultivation of peace and human rights in Islamic states. Part one considers the current context of war and peace in Islamic states, recounting the turbulence in large part inherent within most states and regions influenced by Islam. To understand why these conditions exist, and how they might change for the better or worse, part two examines how words and deeds matter under both Islamic law and as binding obligations under International law. Consistent with that study of words and deeds, in part three there are contemporary obligations and eternal covenants that rate commentary and show how regional and international alliances and treaties under Islamic law affect peace and human rights. Part four adds an additional layer of historical perspective of past being prologue regarding tribal influences, non-legal traditions, as well as laws and treaties which may affect the advancement of peace and human rights. Finally, in part five, the so-called “Twitter Revolutions” of 2010-2011 posits how social media and electronic dissemination of knowledge have been indispensable to the (re)establishment of peace, human rights, and political legitimacy in an ever-growing number of Islamic states. It is my hope that this five-part survey will aid readers to more deeply appreciate the matters discussed on the promotion of peace and waging of war, and the means of preserving and promoting the integrity and dignity of all human beings, Muslim and non-Muslim alike.
Cystoscopy and Enhanced Diagnostics

Reliable visualization of bladder tumors is crucial to the success of cancer surveillance strategies and curative intent transurethral resection of bladder tumor. Compared to conventional white light cystoscopy enhanced technologies applied to cystoscopy consistently demonstrate white light fails to detect all bladder tumors. Photodynamic diagnosis with fluorescence-emitting fluorophores and technologies focused on enhanced vascular contrast are in current use to improve bladder cancer visualization and reduced cancer recurrence rates when used in conjunction with white light. Enhanced technologies focused on creating digitally contrasted images from conventional white light cystoscopy or providing information about histopathology are under investigation. The simultaneous use of more than one enhanced technology during the same cystoscopy may lead to greater improvement in patient care. The future of enhanced cystoscopy improving patient care is promising.
Patterns of dispensed opioids after tonsillectomy in children and adolescents in South Carolina, United States, 2010-2017.

Abstract Objectives Tonsillectomy (with or without adenoidectomy) is a common pediatric surgical procedure requiring post-operative analgesia. Because of the respiratory depression effects of opioids, clinicians strive to limit the use of these drugs for analgesia post-tonsillectomy. The objective of this study was to identify demographic and medication use patterns predictive of persistent opioid dispensing (as a proxy for opioid use) to pediatric patients post-tonsillectomy. Patients and methods Retrospective cohort of South Carolina (USA) Medicaid-insured children and adolescents 0–18 years old without malignancy who had tonsillectomy in 2014–2017. We evaluated opioid dispensing pre-surgery and in the 30 days exposure period after hospital discharge. The main outcome, persistent opioid dispensing, was defined as any subject dispensed ≥1 opioid prescription 90–270 days after discharge. Group-based trajectory analyses described post-procedure opioid dispensing trajectories. Results There were 11,578 subjects representing 12,063 tonsillectomy procedures. Few (3.5%) procedures were followed by persistent opioid dispensing. Any opioid dispensing during the exposure period was associated with an increased odds of persistent opioid dispensing status during the follow up period (OR 1.51 for 1–6 days of exposure and OR 1.65 for 7–30 days of opioid exposure), as was pre-procedure opioid dispensing, having >1 tonsillectomy procedure, and having complex chronic medical conditions. Group-based trajectory analyses identified 4 distinct patterns of post-discharge opioid dispensing. Conclusions Any opioid dispensing during the 30 days after tonsillectomy increased the odds of persistent opioid dispensing by > 50%. Multivariable and group-based trajectory analyses identified patient and procedure variables that correlate with persistent opioid dispensing, primarily driven by groups receiving pre-tonsillectomy opioids and a second group who experienced multiple episodes of tonsillectomy.
Statin use and association with postoperative estimated glomerular filtration rates in patients undergoing robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy.

OBJECTIVE To evaluate the association between preoperative statin use with changes in estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) following robotic-assisted partial nephrectomy (RAPN). METHODS 389 consecutive patients undergoing RAPN were evaluated. Associations of preoperative statin use with change in eGFR from pre-RAPN to POD1, 1 month, 6 months, and 12 months after RAPN were evaluated using longitudinal mixed-effects regression models with random patient-specific intercepts and slopes while accounting for imbalance of preoperative patient and tumor characteristics between groups with stabilized inverse propensity score weighting. Post-operative eGFR change from baseline was measured as total change, maintaining eGFR within 10% of baseline, and as going from eGFR > 60 ml/min/1.73m2 to < 60 ml/min/1.73m2. RESULTS 167 (43.0%) of 389 patients were on statin therapy preoperatively. Statin patients were older (66 vs. 58 years old) and had higher rates of comorbidities including diabetes mellitus (31.7% vs. 14.9%) and hypertension (82.6% vs. 45%). Statin patients tended to have lower preoperative eGFR (mean±SD, 71.1±17.6 vs. 77.4±19.4 ml/min/1.73m2). There was no evidence of an association of preoperative statin use with changes in eGFR at any time point following RAPN (P=0.66). CONCLUSION Patients on pre-operative statins undergoing RAPN had lower eGFR preoperatively compared to those not taking those medications. There was no evidence of an association between preoperative statin use and change in post-RAPN eGFR in the immediate post-operative period or at 1 year following surgery.
Future Prospects for Sensor-Based Robots

First generation industrial robots have been largely characterized by being entirely preprogrammed with at most a capability to make continuation of motion conditional on a switch closure or other confirmation signal. In contrast, much research in artificial intelligence has been directed toward adaptive motion control in which information obtained from visual, tactile, and other types of sensors is used to modify the commands to a computer-controlled manipulator. A similar approach has been taken in studies of artificial-legged locomotion systems. With the continuing decline in the cost and physical size of small computers, sensor control is becoming increasingly attractive for industrial applications. This paper attempts to summarize the current status of this trend and offers some predictions regarding future prospects for industrial utilization of sensor-based robots.
Development and Integration of Antibody-Drug Conjugate in Non-Hodgkin Lymphoma.

Rituximab, a monoclonal antibody (MAb) against CD20, was the first MAb approved by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for treatment of B cell non-Hodgkin lymphoma (B-NHL). Conjugating toxins to MAb was a technical challenge; however, with improvements in linker technology, immunoconjugates were constructed and revolutionized cancer treatment. Gemtuzumab ozogamicin was the first antibody drug conjugate (ADC) approved by the FDA. Because of the success of brentuximab vedotin and ado-trastuzumab emtansine in treating Hodgkin lymphoma (HL) and HER2-positive breast cancer, respectively, newer ADCs are being investigated. Brentuximab vedotin is approved for both HL and anaplastic large cell lymphoma. Newer ADCs, such as polatuzumab vedotin (targeting CD79b), pinatuzumab vedotin (targeting CD22), inotuzumab ozogamicin (targeting CD19), SAR3419 (targeting CD19), IMGN529 (targeting CD37), and SGN-CD19A (targeting CD19), have shown promising preclinical and early clinical activity. These findings will change the landscape of B-NHL treatment away from age-old “CHOP”-based chemotherapies.
A customer value, satisfaction, and loyalty perspective of mobile application recommendations

Although both anecdotal and academic sources have suggested that interpersonal recommendation is an important means to promote mobile applications (apps), little to no research has investigated this topic. To fill the void, we develop a research model based on the Customer Value, Satisfaction, and Loyalty Framework (VSL). While prior VSL studies treated customer value as a black box and examined its effects as a whole, this research breaks down customer value to utilitarian benefits (consisting of app utility and app quality), hedonic benefits (consisting of app aesthetics and enjoyment), monetary sacrifices and non-monetary sacrifices (consisting of technicality, knowledge of alternative quality and privacy risk). This research extends VSL to the mobile app context and discerns factors that influence app recommendation. Based on the data analysis of 347 app users, we found that intention to recommend is a strong predictor of app recommendation behavior. Satisfaction with apps, users' app continuance intention, and hedonic benefits obtained from using apps are the direct antecedents of intention to recommend. Moreover, non-monetary sacrifices and utilitarian benefits have indirect effects on intention to recommend through satisfaction and app continuance intention. Contrary to our hypotheses, we did not find the significant effects of monetary sacrifices in the refined VSL. We also provide a detailed discussion about these findings, and the theoretical and practical implications of the research. This paper initially examines why people recommend apps to others, an IT behavior that is critical to the success of mobile apps.The present paper develops a research model based on the customer value, satisfaction, and loyalty framework (VSL) and identifies specific benefits and sacrifices associated with app usage to refine the VSL model.The identification of the knowledge of alternative quality factor examines users' IT behaviors with consideration of the effects of alternatives.This paper contributes to the electronic word-of-mouth research by looking into (1) how individuals' perceive the value of mobile applications and (2) why individuals are willing to make the recommendation.
A KNOWLEDGE POSITIONING FRAMEWORK OF ORGANIZATIONAL GROUPS

This research offers a knowledge-positioning framework that allows for incorporation and recognition of the many forms of knowledge at work in organizations. Early frameworks aimed at representing and unifying organizational knowledge, are used as a basis for a more connected knowledge framework. From an academic perspective the research builds on established theoretical work in the area of organizational knowledge, which calls for a more integrated and all-encompassing view to be taken of both organizational knowledge and organizational knowing. Case material on the knowledge management activity at two medical device organizations (referred to as Case A and Case B hereafter) is used to illustrate various points within the conceptual design.
Regulating Democracy Through Democracy: The Use of Direct Legislation in Election Law Reform

The study examines a wealth of election law reforms - term limits (for governor and state legislators), campaign finance reform (contribution limits and public funding), redistricting (pre-Baker v. Carr and creation of commissions), creation and regulation of primaries, and women's suffrage - to figure out whether differences exist between the election law regimes in initiative and non-initiative states and whether these differences (if any) might be attributed to the use of the initiative process. We find that in very few cases - legislative term limits and perhaps redistricting commissions - do initiative states differ noticeably from non-initiative states, and in most initiative states election reforms pass through normal legislative means. However, in some cases, such as with contribution limits, laws passed through the initiative process differ in character from those passed through the legislature.
Modular Type-Safety Proofs using Dependant Types

While methods of code abstraction and reuse are widespread and well researched, methods of proof abstraction and reuse are still emerging. We consider the use of dependent types for this purpose, introducing a completely mechanical approach to proof composition. We show that common techniques for abstracting algorithms over data structures naturally translate to abstractions over proofs. We first introduce a language composed of a series of smaller language components tied together by standard techniques from Malcom [2]. We proceed by giving proofs of type preservation for each language component and show that the basic ideas used in composing the syntactic data structures can be applied to their semantics as well.
The use of transform domain LMS algorithm to adaptive equalization

In this paper, a preselected discrete cosine transform-least mean squares (PDCT-LMS) algorithm is proposed. In this method, after a DCT operation, a tapped-delay-line (TDL) form and LMS algorithm are implemented for some preselected DCT bins. Each bin corresponds to an assigned carrier frequency of the signal. Several DCT-LMS algorithms are parallelly implemented, so that fast convergence rate and frequency encoded signals is easily obtained. >
Antagonists of DNA synthesis in corneal epithelial cells of the dogfish.

The epithelial cells of the cornea of the dogfish continue to incorporate thymidine into their DNA during incubation in elasinobranch Ringer's solutions under appropriate conditions. This incorporation of H3 thymidine can be markedly inhibited by including IUDR in the medium, or by preirradiation of the cells with gamma rays or UV light. WK, hen the epithelial cells of the cornea of the dogfish are mechanically injured, a rapid incorporation of tritium-labeled thymidine (H3 thymidine) into deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) takes place. Incubation in vitro of conical epithelial cells of the dogfish also demonstrates a significant degree of incorporation of thymidine into DNA. 1 The depression of thymidine uptake when the temperature is lowered (to 0° C.)> or when oxygen tension is decreased, indicates a metabolic dependence. The purpose of this study was to observe the effects of iododeoxyuridine (IUDR), ultraviolet (UV) light, and gamma-ray
Cache Conscious Algorithms for Relational Query Processing

The current main memory (DRAM) access speeds lag far behind CPU speeds. Cache memory, made of static RAM, is being used in today’s architectures to bridge this gap. It provides access latencies of 2-4 processor cycles, in contrast to main memory which requires 15-25 cycles. Therefore, the performance of the CPU depends upon how well the cache can be utilized. We show that there are significant benefits in redesigning our traditional query processing algorithms so that they can make better use of the cache. The new algorithms run 8%-200% faster than the traditional ones.
Histórias em quadrinhos de super-heroínas: do movimento feminista às questões de gênero

The discussions that have occurred in history over the past one hundred years were always reflected on the pages of superheroes comic books (known as Comics, and here in Brazil called Gibi) - especially the question on the difference and gender. These comics were the first ones to bring this discussion to the means of mass communication. The woman has always had her role in the superheroes comics, at first performing a supporting role, being the object of the machinations of villains, and after some time, with the feminist movements and the movements for human rights, performing the main role, being the super heroine of the stories.
Clinical research informatics: a conceptual perspective.

Clinical research informatics is the rapidly evolving sub-discipline within biomedical informatics that focuses on developing new informatics theories, tools, and solutions to accelerate the full translational continuum: basic research to clinical trials (T1), clinical trials to academic health center practice (T2), diffusion and implementation to community practice (T3), and ‘real world’ outcomes (T4). We present a conceptual model based on an informatics-enabled clinical research workflow, integration across heterogeneous data sources, and core informatics tools and platforms. We use this conceptual model to highlight 18 new articles in the JAMIA special issue on clinical research informatics.
Overproduction and localization of components of the polyketide synthase of Streptomyces glaucescens involved in the production of the antibiotic tetracenomycin C.

Abstract Three proteins, including the beta-keto acyl synthase and the acyl carrier protein, involved in the synthesis of the polyketide antibiotic tetracenomycin C by Streptomyces glaucescens GLA.0 were produced in Escherichia coli by using the T7 RNA polymerase-dependent pT7-7 expression vector. Changing the N-terminal codon usage of two of the genes greatly increased the level of protein produced without affecting mRNA levels, suggesting improvements in translational efficiency. Western immunoblot analysis of cytoplasmic and membrane fractions of S. glaucescens with antibodies raised to synthetic oligopeptides corresponding to the two presumed components of the beta-keto acyl synthase indicated that both proteins were membrane bound; one appears to be proteolytically cleaved before or during association with the membrane. The beta-keto acyl synthase could be detected in stationary-phase cultures but not in rapidly growing cultures, correlating with the time of appearance of tetracenomycin C in the medium.
Hispanic. An epidemiologically meaningless term.

In recentyears, the medical literature has seen a spate of works using Hispanic individuals as the study cohort. A review of the literature for the years 1991 through 1993 has uncovered 525 studies related to sociomedical issues in Hispanic subjects, of which 81 alone deal with the subject of stroke or related risk factors. Some studies are broad based 1 and refer to Hispanics in general; other studies are more restricted and limit their scope to a circumscribed county population of Hispanic individuals. 2 There are articles comparing black, Caucasian, and Hispanic families 3 or distinguishing between Hispanic and non-Hispanic whites, 4 or studying the differences between English- and Spanish-speaking populations. 5 In yet another study, surname data are used for the analysis of the mortality of US Puerto Ricans. 6 The concept of Hispanic appears to be in constant flux from study to study. Readers have an intuitive
Cellular structure and ultrastructure of the black coral Antipathes aperta: 1. Organization of the tentacular epidermis and nervous system.

The tentacular epidermis of the black coral Antipathes aperta is organized into three distinct regions, containing at least nine different types of cells. The outermost region is dominated by spirocytes along with two types of nematocytes, organized into discrete wart-like batteries. The two nematocyte types both contain microbasic b-mastigophore nematocysts. The outer boundary of the wart is marked by the presence of both spumous and vesicular mucus cells. The ciliation of the wart is contributed principally by the spirocytes. Warts are enveloped and separated from one another by an unusual neurosensory cell complex that extends from the tentacular surface to the mesogleal connective tissue foundation. Funnel-like, flagellated cells composing the complex connect with ganglion cells composing the dominant portion of the nerve net system. Branches of this complex also penetrate the central portion of the wart, making direct contact with the cnidae. The tentacular mid-region is composed of nematocytes and spirocytes in various stages of maturation, along with epitheliomuscular cell (EMC) somata. The EMC's narrow apically extend toward the tentacle surface, forming contacts with the cnidae. The basal end of the EMC expands to form the larger portion of the tentacular musculature. The inner region of tentacular epidermis is marked by a neuromuscular complex sheathed by extensions of mesoglea. The ganglion cells occur as a plexus deep within the tentacle and form polarized junctions with the EMC's, but neuromuscular synapses are not well enough defined for documentation. Polarized synapses lacking well-defined membrane thickenings characterize the interneuronal junctions. Granular cells lining the mesogleal surface appear to be responsible for mesogleal fibrillogenesis.
Expansion of human amniotic fluid stem cells in 3-dimensional fibrous scaffolds in a stirred bioreactor

Abstract Human amniotic fluid stem cells (AFSCs) are emerging as an important cell source for tissue engineering and regenerative medicine due to their easy accessibility and broad multi-potentiality. In clinical applications, a large number of human AFSCs are required, which cannot be provided in conventional 2-dimensional (2-D) culture systems. To address this issue, the expansion of human AFSCs in 3-dimensional (3-D) polyethylene terephthalate (PET) scaffolds in a stirred bioreactor was evaluated. The results showed that 3-D PET scaffold with in vivo-like environment and a large specific surface area for cell adhesion promoted cell expansion (66-fold vs. 38-fold) compared to 2-D culture. A dynamic fibrous bed bioreactor (FBB) was used to expand AFSCs to reach a high cell density of 3.2 × 106 cells/mL. The bioreactor-expanded cells maintained clonogenic ability and high levels of expression (95.5–99.8%) of characteristic stem cell surface makers, including CD29, CD44, CD90 and CD105. The differentiation of bioreactor-expanded AFSCs into osteogenic and adipogeneic lineages was demonstrated with Alizarin red S and Oil Red O staining, respectively, and further confirmed by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) analysis. This study demonstrated the feasibility of using the FBB to mass-produce human AFSCs for potential applications in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.
Values, nature, and culture in the American corporation

The article reviews the book "Values, Nature and Culture in the American Corporation," by William C. Frederick.
Computer program for quasi-random stimulus sequences with equal transition frequencies

C language routines are presented for the generation of randomized stimulus sequences constructed from multiple presentations of m stimuli satisfying sequential constraints with respect to the frequencies of the occurrence of n-gram subsequences. Applications are suggested for sequential experiments in which main effects for the present stimulus and the stimuli in the preceding (n−1)-length substring can be tested, as well as the interactions among stimuli at the various positions in the substrings.
Autoradiographic localization of substance P ligand binding sites and distribution of immunoreactive neurons in the periaqueductal gray of the rat

Abstract The autoradiographic localization of substance P (SP) binding sites and the distribution of SP immunoreactive (SP-ir) neurons in the periaqueductal gray (PAG) of the rat were studied. The autoradiograms reveled an uneven distribution of specific SP binding sites in the PAG. Throughout the rostrocaudal extent, the densest ligand binding sites were observed in the medial PAG adjacent to the aqueduct, and extended into the dorsal medullary region and to the dorsal raphe nucleus midline region. The distribution of binding sites were denser in the dorsal PAG than the ventral half. In the cuneiform nucleus, a lesser and a denser binding site were observed in the medial and lateral halves respectively. Optical density readings of autoradiograms also supported the differences between these areas. The distribution of SP-ir neurons was also found uneven. In the rostral PAG, SP-ir neurons were found in the entire dorsoventral region. In the caudal PAG, SP-ir neurons were found as 3 clusters: in the dorsomedial, dorsolateral and ventrolateral regions. The present study revealed more SP-ir neurons in the PAG than previously reported.
Protection of Myocytes From Hypoxia-Reoxygenation Injury by Nitric Oxide Is Mediated by Modulation of Transforming Growth Factor-β1

Background— Reoxygenation injury is a result of several complex events, including release of reactive oxygen species, protein kinase C (PKC) activation, and altered expression of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1). Nitric oxide (NO) generally protects tissues from reperfusion injury. Methods and Results— We examined the modulation of TGF-β1 expression and activity and PKC activation in cultured rat heart myocytes exposed to a brief period of hypoxia-reoxygenation (H-R) by NO donor 3-morpholino-sydnonimine (SIN-1). H-R resulted in an increased expression of total TGF-β1 (mRNA and protein) but a decrease in the release of active TGF-β1. Myocyte PKC-α protein level was not altered by H-R, but its phosphorylation was augmented. Pretreatment of myocytes with SIN-1 diminished myocyte injury quantified as lactate dehydrogenase release. Simultaneously, release of active TGF-β 1 increased and total TGF-β1 expression decreased (all P<0.05 versus H-R alone). PKC-α phosphorylation increased further in cells treat...
Microbial Lithotrophic Oxidation of Structural Fe(II) in Biotite

Microorganisms are known to participate in the weathering of primary phyllosilicate minerals through the production of organic ligands and acids and through the uptake of products of weathering. Here we show that the lithotrophic Fe(II)-oxidizing, nitrate-reducing enrichment culture described by Straub et al. (K. L. Straub, M. Benz, B. Schink, and F. Widdel, Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 62:1458-1460, 1996) can grow via oxidation of structural Fe(II) in biotite, a Fe(II)-rich trioctahedral mica found in granitic rocks. Oxidation of silt/clay-sized biotite particles was detected by a decrease in extractable Fe(II) content and simultaneous nitrate reduction. Mossbauer spectroscopy confirmed structural Fe(II) oxidation. Approximately 1.5 × 10(7) cells were produced per μmol of Fe(II) oxidized, in agreement with previous estimates of the growth yield of lithoautotrophic circumneutral-pH Fe(II)-oxidizing bacteria. Microbial oxidation of structural Fe(II) resulted in biotite alterations similar to those found in nature, including a decrease in the unit cell b dimension toward dioctahedral levels and Fe and K release. Structural Fe(II) oxidation may involve either direct enzymatic oxidation, followed by solid-state mineral transformation, or indirect oxidation as a result of the formation of aqueous Fe, followed by electron transfer from Fe(II) in the mineral to Fe(III) in solution. Although it is not possible to distinguish between these two mechanisms with available data, the complete absence of aqueous Fe in oxidation experiments favors the former alternative. The demonstration of microbial oxidation of structural Fe(II) suggests that microorganisms are directly responsible for the initial step in the weathering of biotite in granitic aquifers and the plant rhizosphere.
Confirmatory Factor Analysis of a Revised Death Transcendence Scale

Using a sample of 296 university students, this study examined the reliability and factorial validity of the Death Transcendence Scale (DTS; Hood & Morris, 1983) using Confirmatory Factor Analysis (CFA). Reliability analyses found that with the exclusion of one item from the Nature subscale, all five DTS subscales (i.e., Mystical, Religious, Creative, Nature, Biosocial) showed satisfactory reliability. A CFA completed to test the goodness of fit of a correlated five-factor model produced mostly positive support for the test, though there were some indications of poor fit. Initial revisions to the model did not result in substantive improvement of overall fit in a second CFA. In response to the perception of item content manifesting some degree of overlap and redundancy, the authors elected to shorten all subscales by only retaining items with high corrected item-to-subscale total correlations. A CFA of the 15-item test produced notably stronger fit statistics for the overall model but found evidence that the subscales are not ubiquitously intercorrelated. The article concludes with a brief discussion of the meaning and implications of the study and directions for future research.
Intertrial Correlations under Variations in Effort

Abstract In each of two identical experiments, four groups of subjects (40 subjects to a group) rotated a crank handle as fast as they could for 5 min. 'One group practised with a light load, the second with a heavy load, while the other two groups alternated between the light and heavy loads after each minute of practice and out of phase with each other. The mean results of these experiments were published earlier (Bilodeau 1951, 1952). In this study correlations between the number of times the crank handle was turned in each 20 sec period of practice and every other were calculated for all four groups in both the original and repeat experiments. The eight matrices which resulted were not appreciably different either in level or pattern of correlation. This invariance of the intertrial correlations under variations in the force required to turn the crank was congruent with previous findings by Kientzle (1946, 1949) that intertrial correlations were invariant under different distributions of practice. The...
An Evidence-Based Approach to the Diagnosis and Staging of Pancreatic Cancer

Technology has revolutionized the diagnosis and staging of pancreatic malignancy. Previously, staging of disease was accomplished by exploratory laparotomy. Now, however, tumor size, lymph node and vascular involvement and the presence of metastases can be reliably assessed prior to operation using a widely available series of diagnostic tests, facilitating a preoperative assessment of tumor resectability. Appropriate use of these tests often spares patients with unresectable disease the need for operative intervention. As part of our staging algorithm we routinely employ a combination of clinical suspicion, a high-resolution helical CT scan and a serum CA 19-9 level. Endoscopic ultrasonography is useful in the patient in whom CT findings are equivocal, or in whom a tissue diagnosis is desired. Laparoscopy is reserved for patients with suspected advanced disease despite imaging findings to the contrary. Using this strategy, pancreatic malignancy may be diagnosed as expeditiously and as cost-effectively as is possible given current technology.
Susceptibility of small mammals to nonvirulent spotted fever group rickettsiae.

Studies were performed to evaluate the significance of the Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus lateralis tescorum, the Columbian Ground Squirrel, Spermophilus columbianus columbianus, and the Yellow-pine Chipmunk, Eutamias amoenus, as sources of infection for the nonvirulent spotted fever group rickettsiae Rickettsia montana (M/5–6 B strain) and R. rhipicephali (3–7 ♀ 6 strain). Results indicated that none of 16 animals developed a rickettsemia following intraperitoneal (i.p.) inoculation of 200 egg-infectious doses (e.i.d.) of R. montana. Similarly, none of 12 animals developed detectable rickettsemias following i.p. inoculation of R. rhipicephali. Conversely, all 6 animals, 2 per species, responded with rickettsemias following inoculation of virulent R. rickettsii (Sawtooth ♀ 2 strain). Furthermore, none of 991 ticks that fed on animals inoculated with R. montana showed evidence of rickettsial infection, whereas low infection rates of 0.9 and 0.5% were recorded for ticks that fed on a single Golden-mantled Ground Squirrel and chipmunk, respectively, that had been inoculated with R. rhipicephali. None of 781 ticks that fed on the remaining 4 rodents showed evidence of infection. However, infection rates up to 11.0% were noted in nymphal ticks that had fed as larvae on Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels, chipmunks, and Columbian Ground Squirrels infected with R. rickettsii. These observations suggest that Golden-mantled Ground Squirrels, chipmunks, and Columbian Ground Squirrels are of little or no significance in infecting ticks with R. montana or R. rhipicephali.
The MAPKERK-1,2 pathway integrates distinct and antagonistic signals from TGFα and FGF7 in morphogenesis of mouse mammary epithelium

Transforming growth factor-alpha (TGFalpha) and fibroblast growth factor-7 (FGF7) exhibit distinct expression patterns in the mammary gland. Both factors signal through mitogen-activated kinase/extracellular regulated kinase-1,2 (MAPK(ERK1,2)); however, their unique and/or combined contributions to mammary morphogenesis have not been examined. In ex vivo mammary explants, we show that a sustained activation of MAPK(ERK1,2) for 1 h, induced by TGFalpha, was necessary and sufficient to initiate branching morphogenesis, whereas a transient activation (15 min) of MAPK(ERK1,2), induced by FGF7, led to growth without branching. Unlike TGFalpha, FGF7 promoted sustained proliferation as well as ectopic localization of, and increase in, keratin-6 expressing cells. The response of the explants to FGF10 was similar to that to FGF7. Simultaneous stimulation by FGF7 and TGFalpha indicated that the FGF7-induced MAPK(ERK1,2) signaling and associated phenotypes were dominant: FGF7 may prevent branching by suppression of two necessary TGFalpha-induced morphogenetic effectors, matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3/stromelysin-1), and fibronectin. Our findings indicate that expression of morphogenetic effectors, proliferation, and cell-type decisions during mammary organoid morphogenesis are intimately dependent on the duration of activation of MAPK(ERK1,2) activation.
Director networks/director selection: The board's strategic role

Abstract The strategic role of the board of directors is gaining renewed research attention. It may be significantly influenced by the process of selecting directors and by multiple board memberships (interlocks). Donald O'Neal and Howard Thomas describe a research project in which a series of personal interviews with board members offers new insights into the board's strategic role.
69: Relationships and male influence on young women’s use of a microbicide-proxy

Purpose: Vaginal microbicides are proposed as woman-controlled, potentially surreptitious methods of STD prevention. However, little is known about how such products are used in the context of romantic and sexual relationships of adolescent and young adult women.
Stability of incomplete explosive crystal growth.

We study a model of explosive crystallization of an amorphous thin film in which the film is not necessarily crystallized completely. We assume instead that only a fraction of the film crystallizes, and that this fraction depends on the local temperature at which the transition takes place. Steady states of the model can be found in the same way as in the case when the transition is assumed to go to completion. In addition, the linear stability analysis of these steady states is simply related to that with complete crystallization: A single new parameter appears which measures the sensitivity of the rate of latent heat release to the temperature at the transition front, and the theoretical parameters on which the stability depends are rescaled by this new parameter. If the rate of latent heat release actually decreases as the interface temperature increases, then the steady state is always linearly stable. Similar results can be obtained for laser-driven growth.
Enhanced glycolipid: α-galactosyltransferase activity in contact-inhibited hamster cells, and loss of this response in polyoma transformants*

Summary The activity of UDP-gal:lactosylceramide α-galactosyltransferase enhanced 2–3 fold in hamster BHK and NIL cells when the growth of these cells was contact-inhibited as compared to the same enzyme activity of the same cells at lower cell population density. The activity of this enzyme in polyoma transformed NIL-2E and BHK was 10–50% of the activity of the growing normal cells, and was not influenced by cell population density. The activity of UDP-gal:glucosylceramide β-galactosyltransferase did not increase as cell population density increased and was not effected by transformation. The activity of α-galactosidase was higher in polyomatransformed cells.
Application of additive-reaction-times law to the mixed-control kinetics of oxygen leaching of chalcopyrite

article i nfo In this technical note we have applied the law of additive reaction times for fluid-solid systems (Sohn's Law) to the experimental data of oxygen leaching of chalcopyrite from ore fragments. Good agreement between the ap- plied model and experimental data for a wide range of operating conditions examined in this study is observed. Possible reasons for the deviation of the mode to experimental data are also discussed. The results of this study demonstrate the application of Sohn's Law to model mixed-controlled kinetics and the advantage of using a closed-form solution is realized.