cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The Effects of User-fee Policy on Attendance Rates among Kenyan Elementary Schoolchildren

What happens when a government cannot meet its obligation to provide universal primary education and enhance the quality of education for all of its citizens? The present study examines the interactions among stakeholders in the user-fee policy in primary education in Kenya. It seeks to show how this policy has affected attendance rates and drop-out rates among elementary schoolchildren. It reveals that, in addition to limiting access and contributing to attrition, user-fees significantly contribute to absenteeism. The study also exposes the dire situation of economically vulnerable citizens who do not have the resources which they need to ensure private education for their children. It concludes that together the government and household-level economic weaknesses have made it virtually impossible to attain the goal of education for all in Kenya.
Can We Ensure That All Research Subjects Give Valid Consent

To ensure that research subjects provide valid consent, most commentators direct clinical investigators to formally assess potential subjects who are at increased risk for lacking the capacity to consent. Current data reveal, however, that subjects with no known cognitive impairments often fail to give valid consent. These data imply that the prevailing focus on individuals' capacity to consent is too narrow. To protect subjects, as well as the integrity of clinical research, the actual consent of all subjects should be formally assessed. Recent development of several preliminary consent assessment tools suggests that, in addition to being ethically preferable, with additional research this approach may be practically feasible. Future research should focus on developing a postdecision questionnaire that can be adapted to individual studies and used to assess the voluntariness and understanding of all research subjects.
Carver and Whites' BIS/FFFS/BAS scales and domains and facets of the Five Factor Model of personality

Abstract Few empirical studies have investigated the relationship between Gray’s Reinforcement Sensitivity Theory (RST) and the Five-Factor Model (FFM) of personality. In a large sample of undergraduates (N = 779), we examined the relationship between FFM domains and facets and the revised RST (see Gray & McNaughton, 2000 ). Regression and partial correlation analyses indicated that only FFM Agreeableness discriminates between the BIS and FFFS. Other differences at the facet level were found for Neuroticism facets of Self-Consciousness and Angry Hostility (negatively), Agreeableness facets of Compliance and Modesty, and Conscientiousness facets of Self-Discipline and Deliberation. These findings emphasize social inhibition and constraint in the BIS, compared to the FFFS.
Sanctity and Self-Inflicted Violence in Chinese Religions, 1500–1700, by Jimmy Yu, Oxford University Press: New York, 2012, xiv + 272 pp. ISBN 978 019 984488 3, US$99.00 (hardcover); ISBN 978 019 984490 6, US$29.95 (paperback)

Jimmy Yu's book studies practices of bodily mutilation and transfiguration in 16th- and 17th-century China, particularly in the central and southern parts of the country. According to Yu, social, p...
Models of Office Market Dynamics

This study introduces a dynamic adjustment model, relating the growth rate of the supply of office spaces to the vacancy rate and the gap between actual and expected supply growth rates. A two-equation model of stock adjustments based on adaptive expectations is used to provide empirical tests. This study also presents estimates of the space absorption rate by linking it to the expected vacancy rate, office employment rate and the structural change in services sector. The connection between office and product markets is investigated. Annual data from the national office market in the US during the 1977-96 period are consistent with the adjustment equations. Both the office employment rates and the shift in employment to office jobs directly affect the rate of space absorption in office markets.
A New Cyclic Impact Test Instrument and Methodology for Hand-Struck Tools

The use of hand-struck tools is still a necessary job function for technicians in several industries throughout the world. Despite the importance of these tools, evolving concerns regarding the detrimental effects of their long-term use continue to grow. Repetitive motion injuries, nerve damage of the hands and arms, and hearing loss are some of the problems that continue to afflict users of these types of tools. Although hammer-tool systems are relatively simple mechanical systems that have required very little improvement historically, the growing concerns associated with their use necessitate a thorough evaluation of current tool designs. In addition, the introduction of new and modified tools with improved performance characteristics will be essential to maintaining their long term, effective use in the workplace. Currently, no standard test methods exist to assess the performance characteristics of hand-struck tools. This makes evaluations and comparisons very difficult since performance characteristics are significantly influenced by the user of the tool. As a result, for the purposes of assessing the performance of current hammer-tool systems as well as evaluating alternate designs, a new testing device for hand-struck tools was developed. The device is designed to simulate the approximate cyclic kinematic motion of a user repeatedly hitting a tool with a conventional hammer. A computer controller automates the striking and return stroke actions, and the resulting impact velocity and force exerted by the hammer are adjustable and approximate the performance of a human. For the purpose of development, the testing device was designed to accept steel hand-struck chisels. As configured, a chisel is placed in the device and used to shear a standard, replaceable work piece. The key output of this test is the number of impacts needed to fail the standard piece. Other features integrated into the device include a load cell under the work piece to capture the force exerted during a hammer impact, measurement of the hammer velocity at impact, noise measurements, and an automatic counter to record the number of hammer impacts required to fail the work piece. Preliminary tests with standard, conventional chisels indicate the device is capable of failing a standard 6.5 mm steel drill rod work piece in the same number of hammer blows as an experienced chisel user. Subsequent work will focus on characterizing and improving the properties of hammer-chisel systems relevant to the detrimental effects associated with their long term use.Copyright © 2003 by ASME
Familial Mediterranean fever: a review for clinical management

Familial Mediterranean Fever (FMF) is a hereditary autosomal recessive, autoinflammatory disorder characterized by recurrent, self-limiting episodes of short duration (mean 24-72 h) of fever and serositis. FMF is the most frequent periodic febrile syndrome among the autoinflammatory syndromes (AS), a heterogeneous group of recently identified diseases clinically characterized by recurrent febrile attacks, in the absence of autoantibodies and antigen-specific T lymphocytes. In FMF, periodic attacks show inter- and intra-individual variability in terms of frequency and severity. Usually, they are triggered by apparently innocuous stimuli and may be preceded by a prodromal period. The Mediterranean FeVer gene (MEFV) responsible gene maps on chromosome 16 (16p13) encoding the pyrin-marenostrin protein. The precise pathologic mechanism is still to be definitively elucidated; however a new macromolecular complex, called inflammasome, seems to play a major role in the control of inflammation and it might be involved in the pathogenesis of FMF. The most severe long-term complication is type AA amyloidosis, principally affecting the kidney and the cause of chronic renal failure. Two types of risk factors, genetic and non-genetic, have been identified for this complication. Currently, the only effective treatment of Familial Mediterranean Fever is the colchicine. New drugs in a few colchicine resistant patients have been tried, but additional studies on larger series are necessary to draw definitive conclusions.
Platforms for antibiotic discovery

The spread of resistant bacteria, leading to untreatable infections, is a major public health threat but the pace of antibiotic discovery to combat these pathogens has slowed down. Most antibiotics were originally isolated by screening soil-derived actinomycetes during the golden era of antibiotic discovery in the 1940s to 1960s. However, diminishing returns from this discovery platform led to its collapse, and efforts to create a new platform based on target-focused screening of large libraries of synthetic compounds failed, in part owing to the lack of penetration of such compounds through the bacterial envelope. This article considers strategies to re-establish viable platforms for antibiotic discovery. These include investigating untapped natural product sources such as uncultured bacteria, establishing rules of compound penetration to enable the development of synthetic antibiotics, developing species-specific antibiotics and identifying prodrugs that have the potential to eradicate dormant persisters, which are often responsible for hard-to-treat infections.
Topical DMSO treatment for pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-induced palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia.

Purpose: Chemotherapeutic regimens that utilize fluorouracil, cytarabine, and doxorubicin have been shown to cause a dermatologic syndrome known as hand-foot syndrome, or palmar-plantar erythrodysesthesia syndrome (PPES). Pegylated liposomal doxorubicin has proven effective in the treatment of AIDS-related Kaposi's sarcoma, ovarian cancer refractory to platinum and paclitaxel therapies, and metastatic breast cancer. In a study of the treatment of refractory epithelial cell ovarian cancers with lipozomal doxorubicin utilizing intravenous doses of 50 mg/m2 every 3 weeks, grade 3 PPES was observed in 29% of patients (10/35) and required dose reductions and/or dose delay after a median of three therapy cycles. Methods: Current methods to prevent pegylated liposomal doxorubicin-induced PPES include dose reduction, lengthening of the drug administration interval and ultimately, drug withdrawal. Topical 99% dimethylsulfoxide (DMSO) also has shown strong activity in treating tissue extravasation reactions during intravenous administration of doxorubicin. Results: Two patients undergoing chemotherapy with pegylated liposomal doxorubicin, 50 mg/m2 every 4 weeks, developed grade 3 PPE after three cycles. Their PPES resolved over a period of 1 to 3 weeks while receiving topical 99% DMSO four times daily for 14 days. Conclusions: While these results are promising, patients must be treated in a prospective study of this topical DMSO formulation to definitively document its therapeutic efficacy.
A gene trap mutation of a murine homolog of the Drosophila stem cell factor Pumilio results in smaller testes but does not affect litter size or fertility.

Members of the Pumilio (also called PUF) gene family belong to a class of highly conserved developmental regulators that are present in both flies and humans. Much is known about the function of Pumilio genes in invertebrate development, in particular their role as stem cell factors required for maintenance and/or self-renewal of germline stem cells in Drosophila and Caenorhabditis elegans. It remains unknown whether Pumilio genes are also required for development in mammals; however, several lines of evidence suggest similar functions based on extensive sequence homology, similar RNA-binding properties to their invertebrate counterparts and well-documented interactions with germ cell factors required for fertility. Here we report characterization of a gene trap mutation that disrupts the mouse Pumilio-2 (Pum2) gene. Our data confirm that Pumilio-2 is expressed most abundantly in germ cells with the highest expression in undifferentiated gonocytes and spermatogonia. Furthermore, the mutation in Pum2 results in significantly smaller testes although the mutants are otherwise viable and fertile. In addition, we observed no stronger reproductive defects on a genetic background homozygous for a Pum2 null mutation and heterozygous for a Dazl mutation than Pum2 mutant alone. Thus, as in C. elegans where single members of the Pumilio gene family are dispensable for reproductive development and viability, this individual member of the Pumilio gene family in mice is also not essential for reproduction or viability. Mol. Reprod. Dev. 74: 912–921, 2007. © 2007 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
An Empirical Comparison of Models for Identifying Fiscal Stress in the Defense Industry

(1995). An Empirical Comparison of Models for Identifying Fiscal Stress in the Defense Industry. The Journal of Cost Analysis: Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 105-129.
A REMINISCENCE OF TALCOTT PARSONS, SEPTEMBER 1970 TO APRIL 1979

On Shakespeare's stage. the rattle of thunder framed the comings and goings of princes. Other heralds bracket the years of this story: the rattle o f choppers crossing the Parrot's Beak, and stirring the sand at Desert One. But in Cambridge, such distant cues are masked by the nearer cacophony of commuters and scholarly discourse; here a shy little man stood astride the world of theory for half a century. He responded to everything, near and distant, in the same manner: in his own time, in his own roundabout way, with the inborn assurance of a compass needle centering on true north.
Good is better than excellent: bowel preparation quality and adenoma detection rates

Background Inadequate bowel cleansing is associated with missed lesions, yet whether polyp and adenoma detection rates (PDR, ADR) increase at the highest levels of bowel cleanliness is unknown. Objective To evaluate the association between bowel preparation quality by using the Boston Bowel Preparation Scale (BBPS) and PDR and ADR among colonoscopies with adequate preparation. Design Cross-sectional analysis. Setting Boston Medical Center (BMC) and the Clinical Outcomes Research Initiative (CORI). Patients Average-risk ambulatory patients attending screening colonoscopy with adequate bowel preparation defined as BBPS score ≥6. Interventions Colonoscopy. Main Outcome Measurements PDR and ADR stratified by BBPS score. Results Among the 3713 colonoscopies at BMC performed by 19 endoscopists, the PDR, ADR, and advanced ADR were 49.8%, 37.7%, and 6.0%, respectively. Among the 5532 colonoscopies in CORI performed by 85 endoscopists at 41 different sites, the PDR was 44.5%, and the PDR for polyps >9 mm (surrogate for advanced ADR) was 6.2%. The PDR associated with total BBPS scores of 6, 7, and 8 were higher than those associated with a BBPS score of 9 at BMC (BBPS 6, 51%; BBPS 7, 53%; BBPS 8, 52% vs BBPS 9, 46%; P = .002) and CORI (BBPS 6, 51%; BBPS 7, 48%; BBPS 8, 45% vs BBPS 9, 40%; P Limitations Retrospective study. Conclusion The PDR and ADR decreased at the highest levels of bowel cleanliness. Endoscopists finding a pristine bowel preparation should avoid a sense of overconfidence for polyp detection during the inspection phase of screening colonoscopy and still perform a careful evaluation for polyps. Furthermore, endoscopists expending additional effort to maximize cleansing of the bowel should never sacrifice on their inspection technique or inspection time.
[ 3 H]Lysergic Acid Diethylamide: Cellular Autoradiographic Localization in Rat Brain

Intravenous administration of [ 3 H]lysergic acid diethylamide(LSD) to rats resulted in accumulation of the drug in the brain within 15 minutes. Autoradiographic methods were used to differentiate free and bound [ 3 H]LSD in brain tissue.Free [ 3 H]LSD was generally distributed in the pituitary and pineal glands, cerebellum, hippocampus,and choroid plexus.Bound [ 3 H]LSD was localized in neurons of the cortex, caudate nucleus, midbrain, and medulla,as well as in choroid plexus epithelium.
Variability in susceptibility — how big, how often, for what responses to what agents?

This paper surveys some recent available observations in humans on interindividual variability in exposure-related parameters, pharmacokinetics, and pharmacodynamics. Overall, I think two inferences are warranted. First, the drug and epidemiological literatures do contain information that can shed new light on the extent of variability in the doses associated with different non-cancer responses. These data are waiting to be systematically extracted and analyzed. Second, I think it is likely that with more systematic measurement and analysis of interindividual variability we are likely to find that there are systematic tendencies for some kinds of responses to some categories of agents to occur at more variable exposures/doses than others. If we gather and analyze additional data of this type, we may be able to recommend adaptive modifications to the ten-fold safety factor tuned to these differences.
Capitalizing on crisis: venture philanthropy’s colonial project to remake urban education

This article focuses on the increased power of venture philanthropy to shape education in urban communities of color in the USA. The author situates venture philanthropy’s expanded influence in urban school districts in the nexus of urban disinvestment, neoliberal governance, wealth concentration, and economic crisis. The author argues that billionaire philanthropists are using the fiscal crisis of the state to shape education policy and governance, operating as part of the ‘shadow state’. Capitalizing on austerity politics and their philanthropies’ embeddedness in the state and advocacy organizations, venture capitalists deploy their enormous wealth and political influence to restructure urban school districts that predominantly serve low-income African American, Latino, and other students of color. The goal of their neoliberal agenda is to restructure education to serve economic competitiveness and to open up the public education sector to capital accumulation. The fusion of the state and capital, throu...
Stabilizing a vehicle near rollover: An analogy to cart-pole stabilization

An analogy between the dynamics of a cart-pole system and vehicle rollover dynamics is used to derive a controller for tipping up and stabilizing a planar model of a passenger vehicle near rollover by controlling lateral tire friction forces. The controller is based on a previously published controller for stabilizing a cart-pole using partial feedback linearization and energy shaping. A necessary condition for tip-up is given based on the surface friction coefficient and the location of the vehicle center of gravity (c.g.). A multi-body vehicle model with suspension is presented in the form of the robotic manipulator equations. Simulation results are presented demonstrating the effect of friction and suspension properties on the tip-up problem.
Improving product copy consolidation by architecture-aware difference analysis

Software product lines (SPL) are a well-known concept to efficiently develop product variants. However, migrating customised product copies to a product line is still a labour-intensive challenge due to the required comprehension of differences among the implementations and SPL design decisions. Most existing SPL approaches are focused on forward engineering. Only few aim to handle SPL evolution, but even those lack support of variability reverse engineering, which is necessary for migrating product copies to a product line. In this paper, we present our continued concept on using component architecture information to enhance a variability reverse engineering process. Including this information particularly improves the difference identification as well as the variation point analysis and -aggregation steps. We show how the concept can be applied by providing an illustrating example.
Large margin classifiers and Random Forests for integrated biological prediction

Incorporating various sources of biological information is important for biological discovery. For example, genes have a multiview representation. They can be represented by features such as sequence length and pairwise similarities. Hence, the types vary from numerical features to categorical features. We propose a large margin Random Forests (RF) classification approach based on RF proximity kernals. Random Forests accommodate mixed data types naturally. The performance on four biological datasets is promising compared with other state of the art methods including Support Vector Machines (SVMs) and RF classifiers. It demonstrates high potential in the discovery of functional roles of biomolecules.
Telomeres revisited: RTEL1 variants in pulmonary fibrosis

For decades, it has been recognised that cases of pulmonary fibrosis cluster in families. While previous studies have implicated mutations in several surfactant-related proteins [1–3] and telomere-related genes [4–12], in most families the genetic basis of their disease has remained uncertain [13]. In this issue of the European Respiratory Journal , Kannengiesser et al. [14] report that rare genetic variants in regulator of telomere elongation helicase 1 ( RTEL1 ) are associated with familial pulmonary fibrosis (FPF). Coupled with two other recent reports [7, 10], this work suggests that mutations in RTEL1 represent an important genetic cause of pulmonary fibrosis, responsible for disease in approximately 6% of families. Mutations in the telomere pathway gene RTEL1 represent an important cause of familial pulmonary fibrosis
Upper mantle seismic anisotropy beneath the West Antarctic Rift System and surrounding region from shear wave splitting analysis

SUMMARY We constrain azimuthal anisotropy in the West Antarctic upper mantle using shear wave splitting parameters obtained from teleseismic SKS, SKKS and PKS phases recorded at 37 broad-band seismometres deployed by the POLENET/ANET project. We use an eigenvalue technique to linearize the rotated and shifted shear wave horizontal particle motions and determine the fast direction and delay time for each arrival. High-quality measurements are stacked to determine the best fitting splitting parameters for each station. Overall, fast anisotropic directions are oriented at large angles to the direction of Antarctic absolute plate motion in both hotspot and no-net-rotation frameworks, showing that the anisotropy does not result from shear due to plate motion over the mantle. Further, the West Antarctic directions are substantially different from those of East Antarctica, indicating that anisotropy across the continent reflects multiple mantle regimes. We suggest that the observed anisotropy along the central Transantarctic Mountains (TAM) and adjacent West Antarctic Rift System (WARS), one of the largest zones of extended continental crust on Earth, results from asthenospheric mantle strain associated with the final pulse of western WARS extension in the late Miocene. Strong and consistent anisotropy throughout the WARS indicate fast axes subparallel to the inferred extension direction, a result unlike reports from the East African rift system and rifts within the Basin and Range, which show much greater variation. We contend that ductile shearing rather than magmatic intrusion may have been the controlling mechanism for accumulation and retention of such coherent, widespread anisotropic fabric. Splitting beneath the Marie Byrd Land Dome (MBL) is weaker than that observed elsewhere within the WARS, but shows a consistent fast direction, possibly representative of anisotropy that has been ‘frozenin’ to remnant thicker lithosphere. Fast directions observed inland from the Amundsen Sea appear to be radial to the dome and may indicate radial horizontal mantle flow associated with an MBL plume head and low upper mantle velocities in this region, or alternatively to lithospheric features associated with the complex Cenozoic tectonics at the far-eastern end of the WARS.
Modelling the heritage world: Economic, legal and political considerations

Abstract The economic literature on heritage has primarily analysed the impact of building preservation on real‐estate values and community redevelopment. Recently, economists have expanded their study on heritage to include everything from historic buildings and antiques to museums and monuments. However, this research ignores the political and legal characteristics of heritage and is used primarily to justify government expenditures on heritage. The economic study of heritage should include a conceptual framework to explain the process through which certain artefacts acquire historic significance and value. This framework would provide guidance to establish which economic agents form part of the heritage world and what incentives guide them to join it. With this framework in place., we can evaluate how the tools used by these agents to obtain their own goals affect the provision of historic resources.
Numerical simulation of medium energy heavy ion reactions

Reactions between heavy ions at medium energy are calculated using the Boltzmann-Uehling- Uhlenbeck equation. This equation incorporates the effects of a mean field as well as Pauli b)ocking of the nucleon-nucleon collisions. The numerical solution for two light systems, ' O+' C at 253 MeV bombarding energy and ' C+' C at 844 MeV bombarding energy, is presented and discussed in detail. In tne absence of nucleon-nucleon collisions, the theory reduces to classical mean-field physics and agrees well with the quantal time-dependent Hartree-Pock theory. With collisions, the system is driven toward equilibrium even at the lower bombarding energy. The final state nucleon distribution is compared to single-particle spectra and is found-to agree quite well in shape. The study of collisions between heavy ions at medium energy is a subject which is still poorly understood. At low energy, the time-dependent Hartree-Fock (TDHF) theory' provides a powerful tool for describing single- particle observables. At high energies, nucleon-nucleon collisions dominate the dynamics, and the intranuclear cascade (INC) models are applicable. ' Unfortunately, the approximations in these methods are not valid in the medium energy regime. Hartree-Fock theory requires that the residual interaction be neglected in comparison to the mean field generated by the nucleons. At low energy the residual interactions have small effects because of Pauli blocking. However, at medium energy the available phase space is enlarged and the residua1 interactions are important, producing collisions between the nucleons. Attempts have been made to include a collision term in TDHF calculations in order to extend the range of appli- cability to higher energies. Due to the enormous mathematical complexity, these calculations have not yet produced useful results for interpretation of the experi- mental data. It should also be mentioned that the repre- sentation of quantum corrections to the mean-field theory by a collision integral may not even be well justified under the conditions found in medium-energy nucleus-nucleus collisions. In deriving a collision integral, one must as- sume that the time scale for the mean-field evolution is long compared with the time scale of the collisions. How- ever, a more general approach without the collision ap- proximation gives a theory which is even more difficult to solve numerically. Despite the theoretical uncertainties, we feel it is worthwhile to make further approximations in order to arrive at a computationally feasible theory. It appears that a manageable description from a computational point of view is obtained from a classical treatment of the single-particle density in the quantum transport equation. First numerical results were obtained by the Michigan State University group. ' The
The political ecology of police reform

Recent events of police misconduct and corruption produced widespread calls for law enforcement reform. Reformers apply one of four models, each of which predicts successful reform, exclusive of other models. Each model requires substantial theoretical elaboration in order to permit rigorous testing of model effectiveness. Offers model elaboration and predicts that the models will be more effective to the extent that they operate interactively.
Carbohydrate export from the leaf - A highly regulated process and target to enhance photosynthesis and productivity.

The phloem is a central component of the plant9s complex vascular system that plays a vital role in moving photoassimilates from sites of primary acquisition to the heterotrophic tissues and organs of the plant. Indeed, as much as 50-80% of the CO2 photoassimilated in a mature leaf is transported out of the leaf in the phloem to satisfy the needs of the non-photosynthetic organs of the plant (Kalt-Torres et al., 1987). In recent years, new data has shown that the phloem also plays a key role in moving information molecules that coordinate many facets of plant growth and development (Turgeon and Wolf, 2009). This update will focus on phloem loading9s contribution to assimilate partitioning, and its role in balancing photosynthetic activity with sink utilization of photoassimilates.
Functional characterization of human 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase isoform 8: Cloning, tissue distribution, gene structure, and enzymatic activity

Glycerophospholipids and triglycerides are synthesized de novo by cells through an evolutionary conserved process involving serial acylations of phosphorylated glycerol. Various isoforms of the enzyme, 1-acylglycerol-3-phosphate acyltransferase (AGPAT), acylate lysophosphatidic acid at the sn-2 position to produce phosphatidic acid. We cloned a cDNA predicted to be AGPAT isoform and designated it AGPAT8. Human and mouse AGPAT8 proteins are 89% homologous, and their gene structure is also highly conserved. AGPAT8 is most closely related to AGPAT5, and its cDNA is expressed most in the heart, while AGPAT5 is expressed more in the prostate and testis. In cell lysates, AGPAT8 shows moderate acyltransferase activity with [(3)H]oleoyl-CoA but lacks acyl-CoA:lysocardiolipin acyltransferase activity. In whole cells upon incubation with [(14)C]linoleic acid, most of the radioactivity was recovered in phosphatidyl ethanolamine, phosphatidyl choline and phosphatidic acid fraction. Of the two well conserved acyltransferase motifs, NHX(4)D is present in AGPAT8, whereas arginine in the EGTR motif is substituted by aspartate. However, mutation of EGTD to EGTR did not increase enzymatic activity significantly. Based on the X-ray crystallographic structure of a related acyltransferase, squash gpat, a model is proposed in which a hydrophobic pocket in AGPAT8 accommodates fatty acyl chains of both substrates in an orientation where the NHX(4)D motif participates in catalysis.
Displaced bacterial colonies indicating Strongyloides larval migration on agar plates

Nonmotile bacteria that have been plated on agar generally display colony growth along the path of streaking. Rarely, in sputum samples, organisms that are part of the normal respiratory flora may be found unrelated to areas of streaking as groups of colonies arranged in a characteristic undulating pattern. Accidental contamination by a medical technologist or an external vector in the microbiology laboratory, such as an insect, might conceivably cause such a phenomenon. When accidental caus
Burns to the Face, Trunk, and Extremities

A 25-year-old man (weight 70 kg) arrives to the emergency department an hour after sustaining burn injuries in a house fire. He is awake but appears confused and disoriented. He complains of a severe headache. At initial exam, his temperature is 101.6 °F, blood pressure is 90/74 mmHg, heart rate is 120/min, respiratory rate is 26/min, and oxygen saturation is 89 %. He has blistering, painful burns to the face with singed nasal hairs, and carbonaceous sputum. The burns on his chest and back are painless, circumferential, white, dry, and leathery and are insensate. The bilateral upper extremities are also burned with painful, swollen, mottled areas with blisters that appear to have open weeping surfaces. The remainder of his skin that is not burned has a cherry-red appearance. He also has sunken eyes, a dry tongue, and slow capillary refill.
A Meteorological Reanalysis for the 1991 Gulf War

Abstract In support of the Department of Defense's Gulf War Illness study, the Naval Research Laboratory (NRL) has performed global and mesoscale meteorological reanalyses to provide a quantitative atmospheric characterization of the Persian Gulf region during the period between 15 January and 15 March 1991. This paper presents a description of the mid- to late-winter synoptic conditions, mean statistical scores, and near-surface mean conditions of the Gulf War theater drawn from the 2-month reanalysis. The reanalysis is conducted with the U.S. Navy's operational global and mesoscale analysis and prediction systems: the Navy Operational Global Atmospheric Prediction System (NOGAPS) and the Coupled Ocean–Atmosphere Mesoscale Prediction System (COAMPS*). The synoptic conditions for the 2-month period can be characterized as fairly typical for the northeast monsoon season, with only one significant precipitation event affecting the Persian Gulf region. A comparison of error statistics to those from other mes...
Determinants of Hypofiltration during Acute Renal Allograft Rejection

ABSTRACT. This study sought to determine the extent to which GFR is decreased during acute renal allograft rejection in human subjects and to determine the mechanism of the decrease in GFR. Eight patients with biopsy-proven acute rejection were compared with 18 recipients of optimally functioning renal allografts. GFR and renal plasma flow (RPF) were measured as the clearance of inulin and para -aminohippuric acid, respectively. Arterial BP was determined, blood was sampled, and plasma oncotic pressure (π A ) was measured. Glomeruli obtained by biopsy during rejection were subjected to morphometric analysis, for determination of K f . Control morphometric values for healthy glomeruli were provided by 10 living donors from whom biopsies were obtained at the time of organ donation. The subjects in the acute rejection group exhibited a significantly reduced GFR of 17 ± 4 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 , compared with 72 ± 4 ml/min per 1.73 m 2 for control subjects ( P para -aminohippuric acid extraction ratio, the RPF rate was calculated to have likely been significantly decreased, by 45 to 70%, in the acute rejection group. Neither the plasma oncotic pressure nor the mean arterial pressure differed between the two groups. Morphometric analysis revealed no difference in the single-nephron K f values for the acute rejection group, compared with the control group. These results indicate that acute renal allograft rejection causes a profound decrease in GFR, which is attributable to a decrease in RPF alone or in combination with a decrease in the glomerular transcapillary hydraulic pressure gradient (Δ P ).
Nausea, vomiting, and right upper quadrant pain.

A 50-year-old woman presented to the emergency department because of nausea, vomiting, and right upper quadrant pain. She had a low-grade fever, leukocytosis, and an elevated alkaline phosphatase. Radiographic and computed tomography (CT) images are shown below (Figures ​(Figures11–4). Figure 1 Abdominal radiograph shows the small bowel (arrows) and stomach (arrowheads) to be markedly dilated. The colon is not dilated. Figure 4 CT image demonstrates a significant abnormality. Can you identify the abnormality and make the correct diagnosis? For diagnosis and discussion, see the following page. DIAGNOSIS: Gallstone ileus.
Percutaneous debridement and washout of walled-off abdominal abscess and necrosis using flexible endoscopy: a large single-center experience.

Background and study aims: Direct percutaneous endoscopic necrosectomy has been described as a minimally invasive intervention for the debridement of walled-off pancreatic necrosis (WOPN). In this retrospective cohort study, we aimed to confirm these findings in a US referral center and evaluate the clinical value of this modality in the treatment of pancreatic necrosis as well as other types of intra-abdominal fluid collections and necrosis. Patients and methods: Twelve consecutive patients with WOPN or other abdominal abscess requiring debridement and washout underwent computed tomography (CT)-guided drainage catheter placement. Each patient then underwent direct percutaneous endoscopic necrosectomy and washout with repeat debridement performed until complete. Drains were then removed once output fell below 30 mL/day and imaging confirmed resolution. The primary endpoints were time to clinical resolution and sustained resolution at 1-year follow up. Results: Ten patients were treated for WOPN, one for necrotic hepatic abscesses, and one for omental necrosis. The median time to intervention was 85 days with an average of 2.3 necrosectomies performed. Complete removal of drains was accomplished in 11 patients (92 %). The median time to resolution was 57 days. No serious adverse events occurred; however, one patient developed pancreaticocutaneous fistulas. Ten patients completed 1-year surveillance of which none required drain replacement. No patients required surgery or repeat endoscopy. Conclusions: This series supports the premise that direct percutaneous endoscopic necrosectomy is a safe and effective intervention for intra-abdominal fluid collections and necrosis in appropriately selected patients. Our study demonstrates a high clinical success rate with minimal adverse events. This modality offers several potential advantages over surgical and transgastric approaches including use of improved accessibility, an excellent safety profile, and requirement for only deep or moderate sedation.
EFFICIENT BROADBAND TUNING OF A BLUE-GREEN XeF(C→A) EXCIMER LASER

The electron-beam excited XeF(C→A) laser is broadly tunable by means of injection-control and has the potential for a relatively high efficiency as well as narrow band width operation [1]. However, efficient broadband tuning is impaired by absorption from transient species and decreasing gain in the wings of the XeF(C→A) gain profile. Recent experiments have shown that the transient absorbers appear to be saturable through the use of an intense injection laser pulse [2]. Using a long pulse coaxial flash lamp pumped dye laser as an injection source, continuous wavelength tuning has been achieved between 470 and 500 nm with a spectral width of 0.6 nm. Wavelength tunability to both shorter and longer wavelengths will also be discussed.
Identifying domains of EFHC1 involved in ciliary localization, ciliogenesis, and the regulation of Wnt signaling

EFHC1 encodes a ciliary protein that has been linked to Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy. In ectodermal explants, derived from Xenopus laevis embryos, the morpholino-mediated down-regulation of EFHC1b inhibited multiciliated cell formation. In those ciliated cells that did form, axoneme but not basal body formation was inhibited. EFHC1b morphant embryos displayed defects in central nervous system (CNS) and neural crest patterning that were rescued by a EFHC1b-GFP chimera. EFHC1b-GFP localized to ciliary axonemes in epidermal, gastrocoele roof plate, and neural tube cells. In X. laevis there is a link between Wnt signaling and multiciliated cell formation. While down-regulation of EFHC1b led to a ~2-fold increase in the activity of the β-catenin/Wnt-responsive TOPFLASH reporter, EFHC1b-GFP did not inhibit β-catenin activation of TOPFLASH. Wnt8a RNA levels were increased in EFHC1b morphant ectodermal explants and intact embryos, analyzed prior to the on-set of ciliogenesis. Rescue of the EFHC1b MO's ciliary axonemal phenotypes required the entire protein; in contrast, the EFHC1b morpholino's Wnt8a, CNS, and neural crest phenotypes were rescued by a truncated form of EFHC1b. The EFHC1b morpholino's Wnt8a phenotype was also rescued by the injection of RNAs encoding secreted Wnt inhibitors, suggesting that these phenotypes are due to effects on Wnt signaling, rather than the loss of cilia, an observation of potential relevance to understanding EFHC1's role in human neural development.
Asbestos Induces Oxidative Stress and Activation of Nrf2 Signaling in Murine Macrophages: Chemopreventive Role of the Synthetic Lignan Secoisolariciresinol Diglucoside (LGM2605)

The interaction of asbestos fibers with macrophages generates harmful reactive oxygen species (ROS) and subsequent oxidative cell damage that are key processes linked to malignancy. Secoisolariciresinol diglucoside (SDG) is a non-toxic, flaxseed-derived pluripotent compound that has antioxidant properties and may thus function as a chemopreventive agent for asbestos-induced mesothelioma. We thus evaluated synthetic SDG (LGM2605) in asbestos-exposed, elicited murine peritoneal macrophages as an in vitro model of tissue phagocytic response to the presence of asbestos in the pleural space. Murine peritoneal macrophages (MFs) were exposed to crocidolite asbestos fibers (20 µg/cm²) and evaluated at various times post exposure for cytotoxicity, ROS generation, malondialdehyde (MDA), and levels of 8-iso Prostaglandin F2α (8-isoP). We then evaluated the ability of LGM2605 to mitigate asbestos-induced oxidative stress by administering LGM2605 (50 µM) 4-h prior to asbestos exposure. We observed a significant (p < 0.0001), time-dependent increase in asbestos-induced cytotoxicity, ROS generation, and the release of MDA and 8-iso Prostaglandin F2α, markers of lipid peroxidation, which increased linearly over time. LGM2605 treatment significantly (p < 0.0001) reduced asbestos-induced cytotoxicity and ROS generation, while decreasing levels of MDA and 8-isoP by 71%-88% and 41%-73%, respectively. Importantly, exposure to asbestos fibers induced cell protective defenses, such as cellular Nrf2 activation and the expression of phase II antioxidant enzymes, HO-1 and Nqo1 that were further enhanced by LGM2605 treatment. LGM2605 boosted antioxidant defenses, as well as reduced asbestos-induced ROS generation and markers of oxidative stress in murine peritoneal macrophages, supporting its possible use as a chemoprevention agent in the development of asbestos-induced malignant mesothelioma.
Assessment of secondary immunodeficiency – the role of laboratory testing

Clinical immunology is in a historically significant phase of escalation of targeted immunotherapeutics that will continue to transform the management of immune mediated diseases. Each of these novel agents manipulates the immune system in different ways with adverse events including a spectrum of opportunistic infections, malignancies and paradoxical inflammatory reactions. A key clinical challenge for prescribers at the bedside is the selection and titration of the most suitable agents for maximum benefit and minimum toxicity. In this context, it is worth reviewing what has been achieved to date in measuring the functional immune reserve in an individual patient. At the simplest level immunodeficiency can be characterised by the susceptibility to infection. This approach presents two problems. First, infections are a universal experience of otherwise healthy individuals, and second, the prevention of episodes of infection is a key clinical ambition. Conventional immunopathology tests may provide data to help identify which patients are at greatest risk of immunosuppression complications, but when critically appraised, fall short of what is required in practice. This paper will review current laboratory approaches to assessing secondary immunodeficiency and will highlight the need for immunopathology laboratories to adapt to the new therapeutic opportunities.
Gene Therapy for Immunologic Tolerance: Using Bone Marrow-Derived Cells to Treat Autoimmunity and Hemophilia

Bone marrow derived cells, especially B lymphocytes, have been shown to function as tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells (APC's) both in vivo and in vitro. In addition, it is well established that immunoglobulins can function as potent tolerogenic carriers for associated epitopes. We have taken advantage of these properties to develop a gene therapy approach to induce unresponsiveness in a number of animal models for clinical diseases. In our system, we engineered target peptide-IgG constructs into retroviral vectors and transduced hematopoietic cells to create tolerogenic antigen-presenting cells. In this review, we discuss the strategies and mechanism of our gene therapy approach mediated by B cells, as well as by bone marrow cells, for tolerance acquisition in various mouse models for autoimmune disease and hemophilia A. Our results show that MHC class II and co-stimulatory molecules must be expressed on the tolerogenic antigen presenting cells for efficacy. This therapy requires regulatory T cells for both the induction and maintenance of tolerance. The putative role of epitopes provided by the IgG carrier in this process. Studies in non-human primates and with human T cell clones in vitro are in progress to transition this approach to the clinic. The use of stem cells and B cell-delivered gene therapy in human clinical diseases may soon become a reality.
Targeted Radionuclide Therapy of Melanoma

An estimated 60,000 individuals in the United States and 132,000 worldwide are yearly diagnosed with melanoma. Until recently, treatment options for patients with stages III-IV metastatic disease were limited and offered marginal, if any, improvement in overall survival. The situation changed with the introduction of B-RAF inhibitors and anti-cytotoxic T-lymphocyte antigen 4 and anti-programmed cell death protein 1 immunotherapies into the clinical practice. With only some patients responding well to the immune therapies and with very serious side effects and high costs of immunotherapy, there is still room for other approaches for the treatment of metastatic melanoma. Targeted radionuclide therapy of melanoma could be divided into the domains of radioimmunotherapy (RIT), radiolabeled peptides, and radiolabeled small molecules. RIT of melanoma is currently experiencing a renaissance with the clinical trials of alpha-emitter (213)Bi-labeled and beta-emitter (188)Rhenium-labeled monoclonal antibodies in patients with metastatic melanoma producing encouraging results. The investigation of the mechanism of efficacy of melanoma RIT points at killing of melanoma stem cells by RIT and involvement of immune system such as complement-dependent cytotoxicity. The domain of radiolabeled peptides for targeted melanoma therapy has been preclinical so far, with work concentrated on radiolabeled peptide analogues of melanocyte-stimulating hormone receptor and on melanin-binding peptides. The field of radiolabeled small molecule produced radioiodinated benzamides that cross the cellular membrane and bind to the intracellular melanin. The recent clinical trial demonstrated measurable antitumor effects and no acute or midterm toxicities. We are hopeful that the targeted radionuclide therapy of metastatic melanoma would become a clinical reality as a stand-alone therapy or in combination with the immunotherapies such as anti-PD1 programmed cell death protein 1 monoclonal antibodies within the next few years.