cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
IN VITRO SYNTHESIS AND SECRETION OF LYSOZYME BY MONONUCLEAR PHAGOCYTES

Pure cultures of three types of mononuclear phagocytes-mouse peritoneal macrophages, unstimulated or after thioglycollate stimulation, and human monocytes-synthesize and secrete large amounts of lysozyme in vitro. The macrophage lysozyme is indistinguishable from authentic lysozyme in its ability to lyse M. lysodeikticus, inhibition by specific antisera, a similar size of 14,000 and cationic charge. Lysozyme secretion in culture is characterized by a large net increase in total lysozyme, 4-20-fold in 3 h, 75-95% of which is in the medium, and its continued extracellular accumulation over at least 2 wk in culture. Lysozyme is the major (14)C-labeled protein secreted into the medium by both unstimulated and thioglycollate-stimulated macrophages and the 0.75-1 microg produced per 1 x 10(6) cells/day represents 0.5-2.5% of the total cell protein. Lysozyme is a cell-specific marker for mononuclear phagocytes and the PMN, which contains preformed enzyme, since it is absent in lymphoid cells and a variety of fibroblast and epithelioid cell lines. Lysozyme production is also a useful measure of mononuclear phagocyte cell number. The rate of lysozyme production and secretion is remarkably constant for all cell types under a variety of culture conditions. Production by the mouse macrophage increases threefold on the 2nd day in culture and then remains linear with time. Production is optimal at a relatively low serum concentration, but can be maintained, in the absence of serum, in lactalbumin hydrolysate or, at a reduced level in basal media. The production and secretion of lysozyme are independent of the production of macrophage acid hydrolases. Net increase and secretion of lysozyme occur under conditions where acid hydrolases like N-acetyl beta-glucosaminidase, beta-glucuronidase, beta-galactosidase, and cathepsin D are neither accumulated nor secreted. Massive phagocytosis of latex particles has no effect on lysozyme production and secretion. Lysozyme production can be rapidly inhibited by treatment with cycloheximide (0.4 microg/ml) whereas inhibition of its production by colchicine (10(-6) M) occurs only after a lag period of more than 8 h, and is probably due to a secondary effect. These results show that mouse macrophages provide a simple in vitro system to measure lysozyme secretion and its control. These studies also indicate the possible importance of mononuclear phagocytes in the secretion of a variety of biologically active products and in the modification of their environment.
Implicit Learning of a Perceptual-Motor Skill After Stroke

Background and Purpose. A motor skill can be learned implicitly, without awareness of what is being learned. The purpose of this study was to examine the ability of adults who had unilateral stroke to learn implicitly a perceptual-motor task. Subjects. Subjects were 47 people who were poststroke and 36 control subjects. Methods. Participants performed sequences of hand movements in response to target lights in 2 conditions: a patterned sequence and a random sequence. Participants were not given explicit knowledge of the presence of the 2 conditions. Those who had stroke performed with the upper-extremity ipsilateral to the lesion. Results. Subjects who had stroke performed more slowly than control subjects. For both groups, times decreased with practice of the patterned sequence, increased with introduction of the random sequence, and decreased again with reintroduction of the patterned sequence. Group differences persisted in a retention test given the next day of the patterned sequence, and both groups showed decreased times over the course of the retention test. Discussion and Conclusion. People with stroke are able to learn a perceptual-motor task even without explicit instructions regarding the patterned sequence embedded in the task.
Geobacter bemidjiensis sp. nov. and Geobacter psychrophilus sp. nov., two novel Fe(III)-reducing subsurface isolates.

Fe(III)-reducing isolates were recovered from two aquifers in which Fe(III) reduction is known to be important. Strain BemT was enriched from subsurface sediments collected in Bemidji, MN, USA, near a site where Fe(III) reduction is important in aromatic hydrocarbon degradation. Strains P11, P35T and P39 were isolated from the groundwater of an aquifer in Plymouth, MA, USA, in which Fe(III) reduction is important because of long-term inputs of acetate as a highway de-icing agent to the subsurface. All four isolates were Gram-negative, slightly curved rods that grew best in freshwater media. Strains P11, P35T and P39 exhibited motility via means of monotrichous flagella. Analysis of the 16S rRNA and nifD genes indicated that all four strains are δ-proteobacteria and members of the Geobacter cluster of the Geobacteraceae. Differences in phenotypic and phylogenetic characteristics indicated that the four isolates represent two novel species within the genus Geobacter. All of the isolates coupled the oxidation of acetate to the reduction of Fe(III) [iron(III) citrate, amorphous iron(III) oxide, iron(III) pyrophosphate and iron(III) nitrilotriacetate]. All four strains utilized ethanol, lactate, malate, pyruvate and succinate as electron donors and malate and fumarate as electron acceptors. Strain BemT grew fastest at 30 °C, whereas strains P11, P35T and P39 grew equally well at 17, 22 and 30 °C. In addition, strains P11, P35T and P39 were capable of growth at 4 °C. The names Geobacter bemidjiensis sp. nov. (type strain BemT=ATCC BAA-1014T=DSM 16622T=JCM 12645T) and Geobacter psychrophilus sp. nov. (strains P11, P35T and P39; type strain P35T=ATCC BAA-1013T=DSM 16674T=JCM 12644T) are proposed.
Effects of Triterpenoid Glycosides from Fresh Ginseng Berry on SW480 Human Colorectal Cancer Cell Line

Purpose The pharmacological activities, notably the anticancer properties, of bioactive constituents fromfresh American ginseng berry have not yet been well studied. In this study, we investigated the antiproliferative effects of fresh American ginseng berry extract (AGBE) and its representative triterpenoid glycosides using the human colorectal cancer cell line SW480. Materials and methods Using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), the contents of 8 ginsenosides in AGBE were determined. The cell growth inhibitory effects of AGBE and three triterpenoid glycosides (ginsenosides Rb3, Re, and Rg3) were evaluated by proliferation assay and (3)H-thymidine incorporation assay. Cell cycle and apoptotic effects were analyzed by using flow cytometry after staining with propidium iodide and annexin V. Results HPLC analysis data showed that AGBE has a distinct ginsenoside profile. AGBE inhibited SW480 cell growth significantly in a time-dependent (24-96 hours) and concentration-dependent (0.1-1.0 mg/mL) manner. Ginsenosides Rb3, Re, and Rg3 also possess significant antiproliferative activities on SW480 cells. (3)H-thymidine incorporation assay indicated that AGBE and ginsenosides Rb3, Re, and Rg3 might inhibit the transferring and duplication of DNA in SW480 cells. Flow cytometric assay data suggested that AGBE arrested SW480 cells in S and G2/M phases, and significantly induced cell apoptosis. Conclusion AGBE and ginsenosides Rb3, Re, and Rg3 possessed significant antiproliferative effects and induced changes of morphological appearance on SW480 cells. The mechanisms of the antiproliferation of AGBE and tested ginsenosides involved could be cell cycle arrest and induction of apoptosis.
Juvenile Penalties for “Lawyering Up”: The Role of Counsel and Extralegal Case Characteristics

The presence of counsel for juveniles in the courtroom seems advantageous from a due process perspective, yet some studies suggest that juveniles receive harsher dispositions when represented by an attorney. This study tested whether a “counsel penalty” existed regardless of attorney type and, guided by prior sentencing literature, used a more comprehensive model to determine the influence of extralegal and contextual factors that may amplify the counsel penalty. Utilizing official data from a Northeastern state in a multilevel modeling strategy, this study found that regardless of the type of counsel retained, harsher sentences were received as compared with cases in which a juvenile was not represented by counsel even after controlling for offense type. Moreover, minority youth with public defenders and males with private counsel received harsher sentences while community characteristics did not appear to have a significant influence on sentencing decisions.
Pulse position modulation acoustic communications

Pulse position modulation (PPM) is a simple and effective technique for transmitting information via the underwater acoustic channel. In this paper engineering design considerations for an underwater acoustic PPM system, including the location of threshold and the effects of multipath, attenuation, and time dispersion, are discussed. Techniques for calculating the required transmitter power, pulse repetition rate, and pulse width to communicate over some specified geometry are given.
Outcomes for Acute Type A Aortic Dissection: Effects of Previous Cardiac Surgery

Background The standard of performing emergent surgical repair for acute aortic dissection type A has been questioned in patients with previous cardiac surgery. The effects of previous cardiac surgery on the presentation and operative outcome of these patients is understudied. Methods Between 1998 and 2010, 190 patients were operated on for acute type A aortic dissection; there were 159 first cardiac operations (FCO) and 31 redo operations (REDO). Stepwise logistic regression analysis identified independent predictors of hospital mortality. Propensity score-matching yielded 31 FCOs who matched the REDOs with respect to age, sex, hypertension history, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, and renal failure. The presentation, operative outcome, and complications were compared between the two groups. Results Hospital mortality rate was 16.8% (32 of 190). Regression analysis identified mental status change (odds ratio [OR] = 5.9), hypertension (OR = 4.6), concomitant coronary artery bypass grafting (OR = 3), reoperation (OR = 2.9), and age of 70 years or older (OR = 2.8) as predictors of hospital mortality. After matching there was no difference between REDO and FCO groups in the presenting symptoms, but REDOs had a higher incidence of aortic rupture (29% [9 of 31] versus 3.2% [1 of 31]; p = 0.012). Cardiac tamponade was present in 3.2% (1 of 31) of REDOs versus 16.1% of FCOs (5 of 31; p = 0.195). Patients in the REDO group required more intraoperative blood transfusion, and had longer cardiopulmonary bypass time. Major complications occurred similarly between the two groups, except REDOs had worse renal function and a higher rate of sudden cardiac arrest (14.3% [4 of 28] versus 0; p = 0.045). Conclusions Although hospital mortality is higher among REDOs, it is still lower than the reported mortality for medical management, and major complications occurred at a rate similar to that of FCOs; hence, emergent surgery remains the prudent treatment.
Importance of Antimicrobial Susceptibility Testing of Streptococcus pneumoniae

Six of 36 strains of Streptococcus pneumoniae isolated in our laboratory during 1977 showed relative resistance to penicillin G. This level of resistance was detectable only by the broth dilution method. Using the disk diffusion method, all six strains appeared susceptible (zone size > 29 mm).
Concurrent robust checkpointing and recovery in distributed systems

A checkpoint/rollback algorithm is presented for multiple processes in a distributed system that uses message passing for communication. Each process in the system can initiate the algorithm autonomously. If only one instance of the algorithm is being executed, the algorithm will force the minimal number of additional processes other than the initiator to make checkpoints (or roll back). The contributions of this research are as follows: (1) the concurrent execution of the algorithm for different global checkpointing instances and rollback instances initiated by several processes is allowed. Deadlocks or livelocks among different global checkpointing instances and rollback instances will not occur; (2) the algorithm is resilient to multiple process failures, and handles network partitioning in a pessimistic way, and (3) the algorithm does not require that messages be received in the order in which they are sent. >
Pushing the envelope of indoor wireless spatial reuse using directional access points and clients

Recent work demonstrates that directional antennas have significant potential to improve wireless network capacity in indoor environments. This paper provides a broader exploration of the design space of indoor directional antenna systems along two main dimensions: antenna configuration and antenna control. Studying a number of alternative configurations, we find that directionality on APs and clients can significantly improve performance, even over other configurations with stronger directionality. Moreover, it is sufficient to have a small number of narrow beam antennas to achieve such gains, thus making such a solution practical for actual deployment. Designing systems with directional APs and clients for increased spatial reuse comes, however, with a number of challenges in the way the directional antennas are controlled. Antenna control needs to encompass antenna orientation algorithms, an appropriate MAC layer protocol, and novel client-AP association solutions. To overcome these challenges, we propose Speed, a distributed directional antenna control system that is easy to deploy and significantly improves network capacity over existing solutions.
Variations in the Amount and Relative Distribution of Vitamin B12 and its Analog in the Bovine Rumen

Abstract The effects of various factors upon the amount and nature of vitamin B 12 -active material in the rumen of dairy heifers were studied. Animals fed silage contained a significantly higher (1.4× to 2.7×) concentration of vitamin B 12 activity in their rumen contents than those fed chopped or pelleted hay; heifers fed hay-grain contained less of the vitamin. The dorsal rumen possessed more vitamin B 12 activity than the ventral rumen or reticulum on the wet but not dry matter basis. Depending upon the ration, sampling position, and experiment, there was a tendency for the vitamin B 12 concentration to increase up to a point with time of collection of sample after feeding. Amounts of the vitamin in rumen contents were 12 to 663 times those available from the food. Correlation coefficients were calculated between vitamin B 12 concentrations and other rumen constituents. The highest of those tested was between vitamin B 12 activity and total bacterial counts. Estimates of the approximate relative distribution of vitamin B 12 and its analogs in rumen contents indicated little variation of most of them with ration. Fifteen to 20% consisted of vitamin B 12 itself. The analog composition represents the net contribution of a number of various microorganisms.
Tutorial review. Discovering flow injection: journey from sample to a live cell and from solution to suspension

Twenty years after its inception, flow injection is seen as an ever-expanding method, as new modifications are discovered such as flow injection cytoanalysis and the flow injection on renewable surfaces technique. In this review, a personal view of the future rather than the history of flow injection is given, with comment on how research is actually being conducted.
Terminal Differentiation in Epithelia: The Role of Integrins in Hensin Polymerization

Epithelia, the most abundant cell type, differentiate to protoepithelia from stem cells by developing apical and basolateral membrane domains and form sheets of cells connected by junctions. Following this differentiation step, the cells undergo a second step (terminal differentiation), during which they acquire a mature phenotype, which unlike the protoepithelial one is tissue and organ specific. An extracellular matrix (ECM) protein termed hensin (DMBT1) mediates this differentiation step in the kidney intercalated cells. Although hensin is secreted as a soluble monomer, it requires polymerization and deposition in the ECM to become active. The polymerization step is mediated by the activation of inside-out signaling by integrins and by the secretion of two proteins: cypA (a cis-trans prolyl isomerase) and galectin 3.
Disasters, migrations, and the unintended consequences of urbanization: What’s the harm in getting out of harm’s way?

Under many circumstances, the global rural-to-urban migration trend may be increasingly adopted as a short-term coping strategy to shifting ecologies and natural disasters. While offering certain benefits from macro-level economic and public health perspectives, these migrations may also have unintended psychological consequences that are not easily understood through traditional disaster studies or cost–benefit analyses. If the goal of disaster and climate change research is to promote successful adaptation, then the long-term psychological well-being of people who have survived disaster and either adapted in situ or migrated into urban environments, is paramount. This article integrates research on disasters and climate change-induced migration with emerging perspectives from environmental psychology and the psychology of natural disasters to consider the potential costs of particular migration scenarios. We apply this analysis to the case of Shishmaref, Alaska, a rural Inupiat community on the northwest coast of Alaska facing habitual flooding disasters linked to climate change. Findings from Shishmaref illustrate the cultural vitality of subsistence landscapes and the potential health risks of compromised human–ecological relationships due to migration and/or displacement. Recommendations for policy makers and researchers are offered for promoting long-term well-being among affected individuals and communities.
Parameterization of a calibrated geothermal energy pile model

This paper describes the calibration and parameterization of a numerical model for conductive heat transfer from a group of geothermal energy piles into the soil surrounding the piles. Calibration was performed using Thermal Response Test (TRT) data collected from a group of full-scale in-situ geothermal energy piles in Colorado Springs, CO. The calibration of the three dimensional model incorporated field data to represent boundary conditions including inlet temperature, atmospheric temperature, and subsurface temperatures at different locations within the pile group. Following calibration, the model was parameterized to understand the role of heat exchanger configuration with a given energy pile as well as the role of pile spacing in an energy pile group. Parametric combinations were compared using heat transfer per unit length of the energy pile (W/m). The results of the parametric study indicate that heat transfer increases by up to 8% for an even heat exchanger layout compared to an uneven layout when considering a 15.2 m long, 0.61 m ⌀ energy pile configured with a W-shape heat exchanger. These results also provide useful insight into the cross-sectional temperature distribution of the aforementioned energy pile configuration. Energy pile temperature was observed to vary by up to 20% across the core of the pile during heating for various heat exchanger layouts. This uneven temperature distribution may have implications on the estimation of in-situ thermal axial stresses in energy piles. Specifically, using measurements at strain gage locations may underestimate thermal axial stress during heating.
On a Lumped Heat Transfer Model of Freezing Process of Cryopreservation Media

In cryopreservation, biological cells are usually suspended in and cooled together with a cryopreservation medium. A lumped heat transfer model and an apparent specific heat form of energy equation were developed to formulate the cooling process of the cryopreservation media. Using glycerol as a model cryopreotective agent, the freezing process of ternary cryopreservation media (glycerol-NaCl-water) in cylindrical plastic straws were studied numerically by computer simulation. Effects of four important factors on the temperature history in the media during the cooling process were investigated. These factors include: glycerol concentration, supercooling temperature of the media, ambient constant cooling rates, and radius of the straw. Results from computer simulation showed that these factors significantly influenced the thermal history in the ternary media, especially during the water phase transition period. It was also revealed that actual cooling rate in the media varied as a function of time and the maximum rate was much higher than the ambient constant cooling rate.
The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph

The Cosmic Origins Spectrograph (COS) is a new instrument for the Hubble Space Telescope that will be installed during servicing mission 4, currently scheduled for March 2004. The primary science objectives of the mission are the study of the origins of large scale structure in the universe, the formation, and evolution of galaxies, the origin of stellar and planetary systems and the cold interstellar medium. As such, COS has been designed for the highest possible sensitivity on point sources, while maintaining moderate (λ/Δλ = 20,000) spectral resolution. In this paper, the instrument design and predicted performance is summarized, as well as summary of the instrument flight and prototype component performance to date.
Independently controlled rf micro-dielectric barrier discharge arrays

Arrays of micro dielectric barrier discharges (mDBD's) excited by radio-frequency (rf) wave forms are attractive as planar sources of radicals and charged species. The devices of interest have apertures tens of microns in diameter with spacing of tens to hundreds of microns. Independently controlled rf mDBDs can be optimized for producing UV photons and for isolation between discharges. When using the mDBDs to produce plumes of excited states and charged species, there are potential interactions between the mDBD devices. This is particularly the case when auxiliary electrodes are used to extract the charged species.
Can God Create Men and Address them Too

THE philosophical problem of whether God can create free men has a special form for Christian theologians. Among the many kinds of freedom that might be claimed for men, theologians are most interested in the kind that involves the human response to God. For Christians the important response is to God's revelation in Christ. The form of the problem of creation and freedom of chief interest to Christian theologians, therefore, is whether these two doctrines are compatible: I. that God is the creator of everything finite and contingent, including men and their responses, and 2. that through the gospel of Jesus Christ God addresses men who may respond freely. The doctrines seem incompatible. If we interpret the situation of God's address on the model of a man addressing fellow men, then it would seem that the human response ought to be the product of those addressed and not of the addressor. Otherwise their response is not free. But in the case of divine creation, if God produces men and their responses (and those surely go together), then it would seem that their responses are not free; this would make the whole logic of personal address a pretense. Both doctrines seem to be necessary interpretations of the Christian gospel. At least the Church until recently has tried to maintain both. Their apparent incompatibility has led to great tension, however, and serious attempts have been made to soften one side or the other.
Alcohol use by urban bicyclists is associated with more severe injury, greater hospital resource use, and higher mortality

Alcohol use is a risk factor for severe injury in pedestrians struck by motor vehicles. Our objective was to investigate alcohol use by bicyclists and its effects on riding behaviors, medical management, injury severity, and mortality within a congested urban setting. A hospital-based, observational study of injured bicyclists presenting to a Level I regional trauma center in New York City was conducted. Data were collected prospectively from 2012 to 2014 by interviewing all bicyclists presenting within 24 h of injury and supplemented with medical record review. Variables included demographic characteristics, scene-related data, Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), computed tomography (CT) scans, and clinical outcomes. Alcohol use at the time of injury was determined by history or blood alcohol level (BAL) >0.01 g/dL. Of 689 bicyclists, 585 (84.9%) were male with a mean age of 35.2. One hundred four (15.1%) bicyclists had consumed alcohol prior to injury. Alcohol use was inversely associated with helmet use (16.5% [9.9-25.1] vs. 43.2% [39.1-47.3]). Alcohol-consuming bicyclists were more likely to fall from their bicycles (42.0% [32.2-52.3] vs. 24.2% [20.8-27.9]) and less likely to be injured by collision with a motor vehicle (52.0% [41.7-62.1] vs. 67.5% [63.5-71.3]). 80% of alcohol-consuming bicyclists underwent CT imaging at presentation compared with 51.5% of non-users. Mortality was higher among injured bicyclists who had used alcohol (2.9% [0.6-8.2] vs. 0.0% [0.0-0.6]). Adjusted multivariable analysis revealed that alcohol use was independently associated with more severe injury (Adjusted Odds Ratio 2.27, p = 0.001, 95% Confidence Interval 1.40-3.68). Within a dense urban environment, alcohol use by bicyclists was associated with more severe injury, greater hospital resource use, and higher mortality. As bicycling continues to increase in popularity internationally, it is important to heighten awareness about the risks and consequences of bicycling while under the influence of alcohol.
Evaluated Kinetics of the Reactions of H and CH3 with n-Alkanes: Experiments with n-Butane and a Combustion Model Reaction Network Analysis

Presented is a combined experimental and modeling study of the kinetics of the reactions of H and CH3 with n-butane, a representative aliphatic fuel. Abstraction of H from n-alkane fuels creates alkyl radicals that rapidly decompose at high temperatures to alkenes and daughter radicals. In combustion and pyrolysis, the branching ratio for attack on primary and secondary hydrogens is a key determinant of the initial olefin and radical pool, and results propagate through the chemistry of ignition, combustion, and byproduct formation. Experiments to determine relative and absolute rate constants for attack of H and CH3 have been carried out in a shock tube between 859 and 1136 K for methyl radicals and 890 to 1146 K for H atoms. Pressures ranged from 140 to 410 kPa. Appropriate precursors are used to thermally generate H and CH3 in separate experiments under dilute and well-defined conditions. A mathematical design algorithm has been applied to select the optimum experimental conditions. In conjunction with ...
Solenopsis invicta Buren: Influence on Louisiana Pasture Soil Chemistry

Solenopsis invicta Buren colonies were shown to significantly alter chemical properties of soils. Ant mounds in clay and loam soils contained significantly greater concentrations of phosphorus than adjacent nonmound areas. Mounds had increased p H and decreased organic matter. Potassium was concentrated in mounds on loam soil but not on clay. Grass growing on mounds contained significantly higher concentrations of protein, carotene, and phosphorus as compared to that growing in nonmound areas.
Confinement, Transport Gap, and Valley Polarization in Graphene from Two Parallel Decorated Line Defects

Quantum transport calculations show that a transport gap approximately Eg = 2ℏvF/W can be engineered in graphene using two parallel transport barriers, separated by W, extended along the zigzag direction. The barriers, modeled by chemically decorated observed line defects, create confinement and resonance bands tracing the bands in zigzag nanoribbons. The resonance bands terminate at the dimensional crossover, where the states become boundary-localized, leaving the transport gap. The structure also allows for nearly perfect valley polarization.
Analysis on heart rate variability and deceleration capacity of heart rate in preschoolers with viral myocarditis

Objective To discuss the clinical significance of the changes in heart rate variability(HRV)and deceleration capacity(DC)of heart rate among children with viral myocarditis.Methods Fifty-six cases of preschoolers with viral myocarditis in study group and 58 normal children in control group were examined using 24 hours ECG Holter recording.Heart rate variability(HRV)and deceleration capacity(DC)of heart rate were analyzed by DMS Holter analysis system.The correlation between DC and other indicators was analyzed by nonparametric statistics.Results HRV time-domain parameters including the standard deviation of normal sinus RR intervals(SDNN),the average standard deviation of normal sinus RR interval(SDANN)every 5 minutes,the root mean square of RR interval(RMSSD),and the low-frequency power(LF)of frequency-domain analysis were not significantly different between children with viral myocarditis and normal children(P 0.05).The high-frequency power(HF)was significantly lower in study group(P 0.05).Furthermore,there was a significant difference(P 0.01)in deceleration capacity(DC)of heart rate between two groups.Correlation analysis showed that DC was positively correlated with SDNN,LF and HF,and the strongest correlation existed between DC and HF(r = 0.51,P 0.01).Conclusions HF and DC,the indications of the vagus nerve functions were significantly decreased.Moreover HF and DC were significantly correlated.It is suggested that there is vagus nerve damage in children with viral myocarditis.
Predictors of survival in patients with sarcoma admitted to the intensive care unit

Advances in treatment of sarcoma patients has prolonged survival but has led to increased disease- or treatment-related complications resulting in greater number of admissions to the intensive care unit (ICU). Survival and long-term outcome information about such critically ill patients with sarcoma is unknown. The primary objective of the study was to determine the ICU and post-ICU survival rates of critically ill sarcoma patients. Secondary objectives included determining the modifiable and non-modifiable predictors of poor survival. We performed a retrospective chart review of sarcoma patients admitted to the ICU at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between January 1, 2005, and December 31, 2012. Main outcome measures were ICU mortality, in-hospital mortality and 1, 2, and 6-month survival rates. Covariates such as histological diagnosis, disease characteristics, chemotherapy use, Charlson comorbidity index, Sequential Organ Failure Assessment (SOFA) scores, and clinical findings leading to ICU admission were analyzed for their effects on survival. We identified 172 admissions over the 8-year study period hat met our inclusion criteria. The study population was 45.9 % males with a median age of 52 years. The most common sarcoma subgroups were high-grade unclassified sarcoma (25 %) and bone tumors (17.4 %). The ICU mortality rate was 23.3 % (95 % confidence interval [CI], 16.9–29.6 %), and an additional 6.4 % of patients died before hospital discharge (95 % CI, 22.9–37.1 %). 6-month OS rates were 41 %. The median SOFA scores on admission were 6 (inter quartile range (IQR), 3.5–9) in ICU survivors and 10 (IQR, 6.5–14) in ICU non-survivors. Increase in SOFA scores ≥6 led to poor outcomes (ICU survival 13.3 %, OS 6.7 %). Charlson comorbidity index (HR 1.139, 95 % CI 1.023–1.268, p = 0.02) and discharge SOFA scores (HR 1.210, 95 % CI 1.141–1.283, p < 0.0001) correlated with overall survival. Our results suggest that patients that are admitted to the ICU for respiratory failure, cardiac arrest, septic shock, acute renal failure or acidosis and also have a high SOFA score with subsequent worsening in the ICU have poor prognosis. Based on the retrospective data which needs further validation we can recommend that judicious approach should be taken in patients with predictors of poor survival before subjecting them to aggressive treatment.
Pulmonary vascular permeability and resistance measurements in control and ANTU-injured dog lungs

Because questions have arisen regarding pulmonary vascular permeability and resistance measurements in isolated, perfused lungs, we sought to determine the 1) stability of repeated measurements of permeability and resistance in control lungs; and 2) magnitude of change in these measurements when permeability was greatly increased. Using blood-perfused dog lungs, we measured filtration coefficient (Kf) and isogravimetric capillary pressure (Pci) as indexes of vascular permeability, and we also determined total vascular resistance (Rt) as well as the segmental resistances using the double-occlusion pressure (Pdo). In a control group (n = 8), the base-line measurement of Kf (0.21 +/- 0.02 ml.min-1.cmH2O-1.100 g-1) and Pci (10.2 +/- 0.9 cmH2O) did not change over 4 h, indicating no changes in endothelial barrier function. Base-line Rt (13.9 +/- 2.6 cmH2O.l-1.min.100 g) also did not significantly increase. In a second group (n = 5), alpha-naphthylthiourea (ANTU) increased the initial Kf more than eight times (from 0.17 +/- 0.03 to 1.40 +/- 0.32 ml.min-1.cmH2O-1.100 g-1) and decreased Pci by 56% (from 9.4 +/- 0.6 to 4.1 +/- 0.4 cmH2O) at 1 h, indicating severely damaged endothelium. In addition, the Pdo determined during isogravimetric conditions correlated very well with Pci not only in control lungs (observed previously) but also in very permeable lungs (not previously reported). We conclude that this experimental model provides an excellent means of assessing changes in pulmonary microvascular permeability, with a spectrum ranging from no changes in hourly measurements for 4 h to obvious changes in permeability by 1 h.
RESEARCH PROBLEMS IN EDUCATION

This chapter discusses the research problems in education. The increasing differentiation of occupation and economic roles, which is associated with the growth of technological economies, gives rise to two broad conflicting pressures in the educational system—innovation and achievement versus conservation and ascription. The first pressure is related to the need for specialized manpower, selected from the society's most able individuals—coupled with the need to make the process of selection as effectively and efficiently as possible. The networks of social pressures and constraints are such that changes come about in a particular way, adaptive to structural differentiation. Preconditions and first-order consequences of these changes are rapid geographical and social mobility in an increasingly urban society and a system of meritocratic advancement, which vies with the traditional ascriptive order. The chapter discusses the push-and-pull forces that are the central concerns of educational policy of economically developed and developing nations and of those underdeveloped nations who aspire to technological progress. The ways in which the attendant structural dilemmas are solved and the social priorities decided varies somewhat in each case, while the fundamental structural problems remain the same.
Droplet Concentration and Spectral Broadening in Southeast Pacific Stratocumulus Clouds

AbstractSeveral airborne field experiments have been conducted to verify model descriptions of cloud droplet activation. Measurements of cloud condensation nuclei and updraft are inputs to a parcel model that predicts droplet concentration and droplet size distributions (spectra). Experiments conducted within cumulus clouds have yielded the most robust agreement between model and observation. Investigations of stratocumulus clouds are more varied, in part because of the difficulty of gauging the effects of entrainment and drizzle on droplet concentration and spectra. Airborne lidar is used here to supplement the approach used in prior studies of droplet activation in stratocumulus clouds.A model verification study was conducted using data acquired during the Southern Hemispheric VAMOS Ocean–Cloud–Aerosol–Land Study Regional Experiment. Consistency between observed and modeled droplet concentrations is achieved, but only after accounting for the effects of entrainment and drizzle on concentrations produced...
Mitochondrial Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Are Involved in Coated Platelet Formation and Platelet Procoagulant Activity.

Increased vascular oxidative stress has been demonstrated in many pathological conditions associated with an increased predisposition for thrombotic events, including atherosclerosis, diabetes mellitus, and hypertension. We hypothesized that oxidative stress may promote thrombosis through increases in platelet procoagulant activity and coated platelet formation. Upon activation with convulxin (an agonist for the collagen receptor GPVI) and thrombin, approximately 70% of murine platelets acquired the coated platelet phenotype, characterized by increased alpha granule protein retention, decreased binding of the α2bβ3 activation-dependent antibody JON/A, and increased binding of annexin V. Dual stimulation with convulxin and thrombin also resulted in a 4-fold increase in platelet procoagulant activity (measured in a prothrombinase assay) together with rapid oxidation of the redox-sensitive dye, H 2 DCF. Only small increases in H 2 DCF oxidation were observed in platelets stimulated with thrombin or convulxin alone demonstrating a unique effect of dual agonist stimulation on platelet oxidant production. Formation of coated platelets and platelet procoagulant activity following stimulation with convulxin and thrombin were inhibited with the non-specific antioxidants, Tiron or Trolox. No inhibitory effect was observed using the NADPH oxidase inhibitor diphenylene iodonium or the NO synthase inhibitor L-NNA. The mitochondrial electron transport inhibitor, rotenone, effectively inhibited ROS production, coated platelet formation, and platelet procoagulant activity (53 ± 7%) (p 2 O 2 ) could effectively substitute for convulxin in mediating these dual-stimulated activities. Stimulation with H 2 O 2 (100 mM) in the presence of thrombin (0.5 U/mL) resulted in a 4-fold increase in coated platelets and annexin V binding and a 3-fold increase in platelet procoagulant activity relative to platelets stimulated with thrombin alone (p 2 O 2 in the absence of thrombin. Together these results suggest a central role for oxidant signaling and mitochondrial ROS production in platelet procoagulant activity and coated platelet production and point to a possible mechanism for thrombosis in pathological conditions associated with increased oxidative stress.
Becoming an Efficient and Effective Reader of Capsule Endoscopy in Screening and Surveillance of Small Bowel Polyposis Syndromes and Masses

Capsule endoscopy (CE) has become a powerful tool for endoscopic evaluation of the small bowel. This chapter will focus specifically on the use of CE in the identification of small bowel lesions in patients with familial adenomatous polyposis (FAP), Peutz-Jeghers syndrome (PJS), and small bowel masses. This chapter will focus on the efficient and effective application of CE in the evaluation and management of patients with small bowel polyposis and masses.
Improving 3D surface reconstruction from endoscopic video via fusion and refined reflectance modeling

Shape from shading (SFS) has been studied for decades; nevertheless, its overly simple assumptions and its ill-conditioning have resulted in infrequent use in real applications. Price et al. recently developed an iterative scheme named shape from motion and shading (SFMS) that models both shape and reflectance of an unknown surface simultaneously. SFMS produces a fairly accurate, dense 3D reconstruction from each frame of a pharyngeal endoscopic video, albeit with inconsistency between the 3D reconstructions of different frames. We present a comprehensive study of the SFMS scheme and several improvements to it: (1) We integrate a deformable registration method into the iterative scheme and use the fusion of multiple surfaces as a reference surface to guide the next iteration’s reconstruction. This can be interpreted as incorporating regularity of a frame’s reconstruction with that of temporally nearby frames. (2) We show that the reflectance model estimation is crucial and very sensitive to noise in the data. Moreover, even when the surface reflection is not assumed to be Lambertian, the reflectance model estimation function in SFMS is still overly simple for endoscopy of human tissue. By removing outlier pixels, by preventing unrealistic BRDF estimation, and by reducing the falloff speed of illumination in SFS to account for the effect of multiple bouncing of the light, we improve the reconstruction accuracy.
Lessing und die Aufklärung

In der Vorrede zu seinerKritik der reinen Vernunft (1781) charakterisierte Immanuel Kant sein Zeitalter und den kultur- und philosophiegeschichtlichen Grundsatz der deutschen Spataufklarung mit den folgenden Worten: »Unser Zeitalter ist das eigentliche Zeitalter der Kritik, der sich alles unterwerfen mus« (Kant 1903 ff., Bd. 4, 9).
Sinonasal Secretory Carcinoma of Salivary Gland with High Grade Transformation: A Case Report of this Under-Recognized Diagnostic Entity with Prognostic and Therapeutic Implications

Secretory carcinoma (SC) is a recently described salivary gland carcinoma with characteristic ETV6-NTRK3 fusion. In this case report, we described a SC of the maxillary sinus that underwent high grade transformation in a 61-year-old patient. The diagnosis was confirmed by the presence of ETV6 translocation. Within the sinonasal tract, SC is an important differential diagnosis especially of sinonasal adenocarcinoma, non-intestinal type (non-ITAC), as these two entities bears histologic and immunophenotypic similarity. Distinction between these two tumors can be challenging based on the morphology alone and may require additional immunohistochemical and molecular studies. It is important to recognize that SC can occur in the sinonasal tract as correctly diagnosing SC may be prognostic relevant and may provide new targeted therapeutic avenues for these patients.
High detectivity visible-blind SiF4 grown epitaxial graphene/SiC Schottky contact bipolar phototransistor

We report the performance of a bipolar epitaxial graphene (EG)/p-SiC/n+-SiC UV phototransistor fabricated with a Schottky (EG)/SiC junction grown using a SiF4 precursor. The phototransistor showed responsivity as high as 25 A/W at 250 nm in the Schottky emitter (SE) mode. The Schottky collector (SC) mode showed a responsivity of 17 A/W at 270 nm with a visible rejection (270 nm:400 nm)>103. The fastest response was seen in the SC-mode, with 10 ms turn-on and 47 ms turn-off, with a noise equivalent power of 2.3 fW at 20 Hz and a specific detectivity of 4.4 × 1013 Jones. The high responsivity is due to internal gain from bipolar action. We observe additional avalanche gain from the device periphery in the SC-mode by scanning photocurrent microscopy but not in the SE-mode. This high-performance visible-blind photodetector is attractive for advanced applications such as flame detection.
A simple mathematical method to estimate ammonia emission from in-house windrowing of poultry litter.

In-house windrowing between flocks is an emerging sanitary management practice to partially disinfect the built-up litter in broiler houses. However, this practice may also increase ammonia (NH3) e...
Capacity, Debility and Differential Inclusion: The Politics of Microfinance in South India

This article uses a critical disability lens to map how differential inclusion shatters the promise of democratizing capital in microfinance. Based on an ethnographic study of disability microfinance projects of the World Bank in India, it traces the dynamics of inclusion through the exclusion of debilitated bodies that cannot be capacitated within the neoliberal logic of entrepreneurship. A disability perspective brings into relief the pernicious ways that microfinance operates through webs of ableism, capitalism, and other axes of power and domination. It builds upon and contributes to the ongoing debates on microfinance as a form of neoliberal populism by showing what disability has to say about political futures amidst globalizing desires for inclusion, social mobility, and democratizing access to capital. Examining disability as a culturally-specific configuration of precarity and marginalization that is deepened by microfinance programs allows us to challenge the inclusionist claims of finance capital, and re-envision ethically and socially responsible frameworks. Generating culturally grounded knowledge on disability in the global south, this article also makes an important contribution to the field of disability studies, which scholars have argued remains implicated within the hegemony of 'scholarly colonialism' (Meekosha, 2011).
Climate Change and Drought: From Past to Future

Drought is a complex and multivariate phenomenon influenced by diverse physical and biological processes. Such complexity precludes simplistic explanations of cause and effect, making investigations of climate change and drought a challenging task. Here, we review important recent advances in our understanding of drought dynamics, drawing from studies of paleoclimate, the historical record, and model simulations of the past and future. Paleoclimate studies of drought variability over the last two millennia have progressed considerably through the development of new reconstructions and analyses combining reconstructions with process-based models. This work has generated new evidence for tropical Pacific forcing of megadroughts in Southwest North America, provided additional constraints for interpreting climate change projections in poorly characterized regions like East Africa, and demonstrated the exceptional magnitude of many modern era droughts. Development of high resolution proxy networks has lagged in many regions (e.g., South America, Africa), however, and quantitative comparisons between the paleoclimate record, models, and observations remain challenging. Fingerprints of anthropogenic climate change consistent with long-term warming projections have been identified for droughts in California, the Pacific Northwest, Western North America, and the Mediterranean. In other regions (e.g., Southwest North America, Australia, Africa), however, the degree to which climate change has affected recent droughts is more uncertain. While climate change-forced declines in precipitation have been detected for the Mediterranean, in most regions, the climate change signal has manifested through warmer temperatures that have increased evaporative losses and reduced snowfall and snowpack levels, amplifying deficits in soil moisture and runoff despite uncertain precipitation changes. Over the next century, projections indicate that warming will increase drought risk and severity across much of the subtropics and mid-latitudes in both hemispheres, a consequence of regional precipitation declines and widespread warming. For many regions, however, the magnitude, robustness, and even direction of climate change-forced trends in drought depends on how drought is defined, with often large differences across indicators of precipitation, soil moisture, runoff, and vegetation health. Increasing confidence in climate change projections of drought and the associated impacts will likely depend on resolving uncertainties in processes that are currently poorly constrained (e.g., land-atmosphere interactions, terrestrial vegetation) and improved consideration of the role for human policies and management in ameliorating and adapting to changes in drought risk.