cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Universalitat multicultural. Variacions sobre un tema il·lustrat

Despres d’una critica a la universalitat il·lustrada, on no hi havia lloc per a l’alteritat i ladiferencia, i que es feia servir per justificar la marginacio de pobles no occidentals; perotambe despres d’una critica al relativisme cultural que nega validesa a les cultures mes enlladel seu context, McCarthy troba el concepte d’«universalitat multicultural» com la manerade fer justicia a l’universal i el particular, la igualtat i la diferencia. Aquest es el concepteque vol presentar aqui.En aquest assaig, McCarthy treballa amb la idea kantiana dels «dos punts de vista», eldel participant i el de l’observador, per tal de teoritzar les relacions entre els agents i elsseus valors, creences, normes i actes, i especialment la reflexio critica sobre ells. Mes endavant,McCarthy duu a terme una interessant reflexio sobre el problema: com entenem elsaltres en les trobades entre cultures, i quines son les causes de les frequents interpretacionserronies. Estudia l’origen de l’antropologia en el si del colonialisme, i com la politica i l’economiacondicionen les interpretacions dels observadors; i presenta noves metodologiesque permeten, a aquells que hi son representats en els informes dels antropolegs, de parlaren les seves propies veus, explicar les seves histories, desafiar les perspectives de l’antropo-leg, oferir suggeriments alternatius. L’autor s’ocupa de les implicacions epistemologiques,pero no oblida que el problema de les interpretacions erronies d’altres cultures rau en lapolitica i l’economia, en les desigualtats de poder en el nostre mon.
Evolutionary rewiring of gene regulatory network linkages at divergence of the echinoid subclasses

Evolution of animal body plans occurs with changes in the encoded genomic programs that direct development, by alterations in the structure of encoded developmental gene-regulatory networks (GRNs). However, study of this most fundamental of evolutionary processes requires experimentally tractable, phylogenetically divergent organisms that differ morphologically while belonging to the same monophyletic clade, plus knowledge of the relevant GRNs operating in at least one of the species. These conditions are met in the divergent embryogenesis of the two extant, morphologically distinct, echinoid (sea urchin) subclasses, Euechinoidea and Cidaroidea, which diverged from a common late Paleozoic ancestor. Here we focus on striking differences in the mode of embryonic skeletogenesis in a euechinoid, the well-known model Strongylocentrotus purpuratus (Sp), vs. the cidaroid Eucidaris tribuloides (Et). At the level of descriptive embryology, skeletogenesis in Sp and Et has long been known to occur by distinct means. The complete GRN controlling this process is known for Sp. We carried out targeted functional analyses on Et skeletogenesis to identify the presence, or demonstrate the absence, of specific regulatory linkages and subcircuits key to the operation of the Sp skeletogenic GRN. Remarkably, most of the canonical design features of the Sp skeletogenic GRN that we examined are either missing or operate differently in Et. This work directly implies a dramatic reorganization of genomic regulatory circuitry concomitant with the divergence of the euechinoids, which began before the end-Permian extinction.
Effects of acute experimental esophagitis on mechanical properties of the lower esophageal sphincter.

Abstract The mechanical properties of the cat lower esophageal sphincter (LES) circular muscle were studied in untreated animals and in cats that had biopsyproven esophagitis induced by 30-min perfusions of 0.1 N HCl 5 cm above the LES on four consecutive days. The location of the in vivo LES was identified by the pull-through method with a pressure measuring probe. Consecutive rings were cut from the LES and esophagus and tested in vitro. Force-length curves were obtained in standard Tyrode solution, in Tyrode solution with 140 mM KCl, and in Ca-free Tyrode solution with 5 mM ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid to determine basal, total, and passive forces, respectively. The active force was measured as the difference between the total and passive forces, whereas the basal-active force was measured as the difference between the basal and passive forces. In the untreated animals, LES rings exhibited the steepest basal force—length curve and the highest active and total forces under maximal KCl stimulation. The passive force of the LES rings was equal to that of the esophageal body rings. Basal in vitro forces were significantly reduced in all acid-perfused animals, whereas the passive forces were not affected. Active and basal-active forces were also significantly reduced. The maximum active force developed by LES rings was reduced, whereas esophageal rings, four rings proximal to the ring corresponding to the high pressure point, were not affected. The reduction in LES active force was related to the intensity of histologic damage, whereas basal-active forces were uniformly reduced. This study shows that in vitro mechanical properties of the LES are affected by induction of esophagitis and suggests that the ability to develop tonus in the basal state is reduced by acid perfusion, even in animals in which the ability to develop active contraction in response to maximal KCl stimulation is preserved. The response to KCl is reduced only by more extensive histologic damage.
SDF-1 for Cardiac Repair

In 2001 it was noted that stem cells infused into the bloodstream within days of a myocardial infarction homed to the infarct zone. This led to the hypothesis that stem cell-based repair of injured tissue is a natural process that does not lead to significant clinical benefit due to dysregulation of the reparative system, not the lack of stem cells. At that time there was interest in defining the molecular regulators of endogenous stem cell repair of injured tissue. Stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) was identified as a key regulator of stem cell recruitment to the heart following AMI. The overexpression of SDF-1 has been shown to recruit stem cells to the heart, inhibit cardiac myocyte death, and remodel scar, which leads to improvements in cardiac dimensions and function. It recruits both cardiac stem cells and bone marrow-derived stem cells to the infarct zone. Recently using mice that lack cardiac myocyte and cardiac stem cell CXCR4 expression, it was demonstrated that the release of SDF-1 by MSC is critical for MSC-induced inhibition of cardiac myocyte death and enhancement of cardiac stem cell recruitment. These data demonstrate that an important mechanism of effect of adult stem cell therapy is activation of endogenous stem cell repair and that one benefit of adult stem cell therapy is the temporal realignment of SDF-1 secretion with CXCR4 receptor expression by end-organ cells (cardiac myocytes) and endogenous tissue-specific stem cells (cardiac stem cells). SDF-1 overexpression was evaluated in a Phase I clinical trial that sought to re-establish SDF-1 expression in the myocardium of patients with NYHA Class III chronic heart failure due to a history of myocardial infarction (NCT01082094), and subsequently enrollment has been completed in three Phase II trials in chronic heart failure (NCT01643590, NCT01961726) and critical limb ischemia (NCT01410331). The results of these trials to date demonstrate the safety and efficacy of SDF-1 therapy to induce cardiac repair. Just as important as developing therapies that can lead to improved clinical outcomes is the potential to simultaneously expand our understanding of pathophysiology of ventricular dysfunction and is the goal of defining the molecular mechanisms associated with stem cell-based tissue repair strategies to optimize cardiac function.
Modeling stiffness loss in boron/aluminum laminates below the fatigue limit

Boron/aluminum can develop significant internal matrix cracking when fatigued. These matrix cracks can result in a 40 percent secant modulus loss in some laminates, even when fatigued below the fatigue limit. It is shown that the same amount of fatigue damage will develop during stress or strain-controlled tests. Stacking sequence has little influence on secant modulus loss. The secant modulus loss in unidirectional composites is small, whereas the losses are substantial in laminates containing off-axis plies. A simple analysis is presented that predicts unnotched laminate secant modulus loss due to fatigue. The analysis is based upon the elastic modulus and Poisson's ratio of the fiber and matrix, fiber volume fraction, fiber orientations, and the cyclic-hardened yield stress of the matrix material. Excellent agreement was achieved between model predictions and experimental results. With this model, designers can project the material stiffness loss for design load or strain levels and assess the feasibility of its use in stiffness-critical parts. Previously announced in STAR as N82-24298
EMT, CTCs and CSCs in tumor relapse and drug-resistance

Tumor relapse and metastasis are the primary causes of poor survival rates in patients with advanced cancer despite successful resection or chemotherapeutic treatment. A primary cause of relapse and metastasis is the persistence of cancer stem cells (CSCs), which are highly resistant to chemotherapy. Although highly efficacious drugs suppressing several subpopulations of CSCs in various tissue-specific cancers are available, recurrence is still common in patients. To find more suitable therapy for relapse, the mechanisms underlying metastasis and drug-resistance associated with relapse-initiating CSCs need to be identified. Recent studies in circulating tumor cells (CTCs) of some cancer patients manifest phenotypes of both CSCs and epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). These patients are unresponsive to standard chemotherapies and have low progression free survival, suggesting that EMT-positive CTCs are related to co-occur with or transform into relapse-initiating CSCs. Furthermore, EMT programming in cancer cells enables in the remodeling of extracellular matrix to break the dormancy of relapse-initiating CSCs. In this review, we extensively discuss the association of the EMT program with CTCs and CSCs to characterize a subpopulation of patients prone to relapses. Identifying the mechanisms by which EMT-transformed CTCs and CSCs initiate relapse could facilitate the development of new or enhanced personalized therapeutic regimens.
A proposed parallel architecture for 3D dose computation in radiation therapy treatment planning

Computation of a three-dimensional dose distribution in an irradiated region of a patient is a challenging problem. A parallel architecture based on a recruit-on-demand (ROD) strategy is proposed to solve this problem in a reasonable time. In this architecture, an expert analyzer assesses the total requirements of a plan. The expert analyzer then assigns jobs to available processors in such a fashion that the computational load is distributed equally among processors. The processors compute the dose in parallel and deliver final results to the users. >
Targeted therapy and promising novel agents for the treatment of advanced soft tissue sarcomas.

Introduction: Soft tissue sarcomas (STS) are a rare and difficult to treat malignancy. Efforts to utilize targeted therapy have been ongoing for the last decade and have resulted in the approval of pazopanib for treatment of advanced disease. Although several other agents have been investigated, the inability to predict responses remains a limiting factor to the incorporation of these agents into treatment.Areas covered: The authors summarize recent clinical findings from studies focused on targeted agents in STS. The authors also discuss the potential approaches and ongoing clinical trials with novel agents.Expert opinion: A major challenge in the treatment of advanced STS remains a lack of predictive biomarkers to guide therapy and the heterogeneity of response among different histologies of sarcoma. Incorporation of predictive biomarker analysis into clinical trials is warranted. Additionally, mechanisms of treatment resistance and parallel pathways of tumor growth pose challenges in how we treat these...
Induced Magnetization in the Monarch Butterfly, Danaus Plexippus (Insecta, Lepidoptera)

Eighteen preserved monarch butterflies, Danaus plexippus L., were analysed for their magnetic characteristics using a superconducting cryogenic magnetometer. These dead butterflies were either non-magnetic or possessed a natural romanent magnetization (NRM) indistinguishable from the background noise of the magnetometer (2 × 10 −8 e.m.u. or less). Using a 500-gauss magnet, each specimen was induced with a magnetization which had a mean value of 1.27 × 10 −6 e.m.u., indicating the presence of magnetic material in the monarch body. Cutting the specimens into pieces, re-applying a strong field, and remeasuring revealed that most (about two-thirds or more) of the magnetization is concentrated in the head-thorax rather than the abdomen in contrast to the opposite situation reported for honey bees. The direction of the induced NRM, particularly in the horizontal plane, closely tracked the direction of the applied field. The intensities of induced magnetization and tracking of the applied field are similar to those reported for honey bees. There is no significant difference in the intensity or alignment of induced magnetization between males and females.
Impact of watercore on gas permeance and incidence of internal disorders in 'Fuji' apples

The impacts of watercore on incidence of internal disorders and other physiological characteristics of ‘Fuji’ apples (Malus domestica Borkh) were determined following short-term exposure at 20 °C in 20 kPa CO2 (high pCO2 )o r long-term storage at 0.5 °C in 0.5 kPa O2+0.05 kPa CO2 (low pCO2) or 1.5 kPa O2 + 3 kPa CO2 (medium pCO2). CO2-injury (brown-heart) occurred in apples exposed to high pCO2 or medium pCO2, but no internal disorders were observed in fruit held at 20 °C in air or 4 months at 0.5 °C in low pCO2, regardless of watercore severity at harvest. Depending on harvest date and orchard, the severity of CO2-injury was significantly correlated with watercore severity. Watercored tissue has a lower intercellular air space volume, reduced permeance to gas diffusion and increased internal pCO2. Accumulation of ethanol and acetaldehyde occurred in watercored ‘Fuji’ apples even under ambient (21 kPa O2) conditions and this accumulation increased with watercore severity regardless of storage environment. © 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
Comment on "Resolution of the Einstein-Podolsky-Rosen and Bell Paradoxes"

In a recent letter [1], Pitowsky has given a model of electron spin in which “Every electron at each given moment has a definite spin in all directions” but which, he claims, does not imply Bell’s inequality. A non-Kolmogorov probability theory in the model prevents the usual proofs of Bell’s inequality from going through. I give here a very simple proof of a Bell-type inequality from the quoted statement. The inequality shows that the statement is inconsistent with quantum mechanics. Let N pairs of electrons, each with total spin zero, emerge in opposite directions from an interaction. Let N(A : C) be the number of pairs in which the left member has spin up in the A direction and the right member has spin up in the C direction. Let N(A C− :) be the number in which the left member has spin up in the A direction and spin down in the C direction. According to the quoted statement, these are meaningful quantities. Then
Early Chk1 Phosphorylation Is Driven by Temozolomide-Induced, DNA Double Strand Break- and Mismatch Repair-Independent DNA Damage

Temozolomide (TMZ) is a DNA methylating agent used to treat brain cancer. TMZ-induced O6-methylguanine adducts, in the absence of repair by O6-methylguanine DNA methyltransferase (MGMT), mispair during DNA replication and trigger cycles of futile mismatch repair (MMR). Futile MMR in turn leads to the formation of DNA single and double strand breaks, Chk1 and Chk2 phosphorylation/activation, cell cycle arrest, and ultimately cell death. Although both pChk1 and pChk2 are considered to be biomarkers of TMZ-induced DNA damage, cell-cycle arrest, and TMZ induced cytotoxicity, we found that levels of pChk1 (ser345), its downstream target pCdc25C (ser216), and the activity of its upstream activator ATR, were elevated within 3 hours of TMZ exposure, long before the onset of TMZ-induced DNA double strand breaks, Chk2 phosphorylation/activation, and cell cycle arrest. Furthermore, TMZ-induced early phosphorylation of Chk1 was noted in glioma cells regardless of whether they were MGMT-proficient or MGMT-deficient, and regardless of their MMR status. Early Chk1 phosphorylation was not associated with TMZ-induced reactive oxygen species, but was temporally associated with TMZ-induced alkalai-labile DNA damage produced by the non-O6-methylguanine DNA adducts and which, like Chk1 phosphorylation, was transient in MGMT-proficient cells but persistent in MGMT-deficient cells. These results re-define the TMZ-induced DNA damage response, and show that Chk1 phosphorylation is driven by TMZ-induced mismatch repair-independent DNA damage independently of DNA double strand breaks, Chk2 activation, and cell cycle arrest, and as such is a suboptimal biomarker of TMZ-induced drug action.
Dynamic charge states and energy deposition of swift helium ions in neon

Abstract We report pilot calculations using the method of electron nuclear dynamics for study of charge changing and energy deposition characteristics of low energy He ions in Ne. In the spirit of the binary encounter approximation, trajectories, charge changing cross sections and energy deposition are calculated for single encounters.
Drag Prediction with Vorticity Confinement

*† This paper examines the use of vorticity confinement (VC) on unstructured grids coupled with the wake-integration method for drag prediction from CFD results. The VC method is added to unstructured Euler code FLUENT. Flow about rectangular planform NACA0012 wing is examined. Parameters of VC are tuned by solving model problem of preserving the Rankine vortex and the advantages of use of variable confinement parameter are demonstrated. Application of VC results in that the CFD-predicted aerodynamic drag becomes invariant of wake-integration plane location, the obtained drag become close to its theoretical lifting-line value, and the spurious entropy drag is suppressed.
Lipid raft localization regulates the cleavage specificity of protease activated receptor 1 in endothelial cells.

Summary. Background: The endothelial protein C receptor (EPCR)-dependent cleavage of protease activated receptor 1 (PAR-1) by either activated protein C (APC) or thrombin in lipid rafts initiates protective signaling responses in endothelial cells. Objectives: To investigate the mechanism by which APC and thrombin interact with and cleave PAR-1 in lipid rafts. Methods: We constructed two types of PAR-1 cleavage reporter constructs in which a secreted alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was fused to the extracellular domain of PAR-1. The first construct has a transmembrane domain capable of uniformly anchoring the fusion protein to the membrane surface, while the second construct has the recognition sequence for targeting the fusion protein to lipid rafts/caveolae in transfected cells. Results: Both APC and the Gla-domainless (GD)-APC cleaved the PAR-1 exodomain with similar efficiency in HUVECs transfected with the first construct. Unlike APC, GD-APC did not cleave PAR-1 in cells transfected with the second construct; however, prior treatment of cells with S195A mutants of either protein C or thrombin led to the GD-APC cleavage of PAR-1 with a comparable or higher catalytic efficiency. The same results were obtained if the cellular signaling properties of APC and GD-APC were monitored in the TNF-α-induced endothelial cell apoptosis and permeability assays. Conclusions: The lipid raft localization renders the scissile bond of the PAR-1 exodomain unavailable for interaction with coagulation proteases. The binding of either the Gla-domain of protein C to EPCR or exosite-1 of thrombin to the C-terminal hirudin-like sequence of PAR-1 changes the membrane localization and/or the conformation of the PAR-1 exodomain to facilitate its recognition and subsequent cleavage by these proteases.
Aerofoil-Vortex in a Rotational and Strained Field

We show that a plane region (vortex) of uniform vorticity ω 0 and whose boundary shape is a certain aerofoil is a steady solution of a free-boundary value problem involving the angular velocity and the strain rates of order not exceeding 3 as bifurcation parameters. We also determine the stability of such steady states. Classical results, in this direction, of Kirchhofif and Love are obtained here as special cases.
Doppler evaluation of homograft valved conduits in children

Abstract To assess the flow characteristics of homograft valved conduits in the immediate postoperative period, 69 children with 71 homograft conduits underwent 2-dimensional and Doppler echocardiographic examination at 1 to 40 days (mean 8) after surgery. Of the 71 conduits studied, 19 were aortic and 52 were pulmonary homograft valved conduits. Two aortic homograft valved conduits were inserted in the aortic position, whereas all remaining homografts were placed in the pulmonary position. On the immediate postoperative echocardiogram, 25 (35%) of the conduit valves had no regurgitation and 44 (62%) had 1+ (mild) regurgitation. Two pulmonary valved conduits (3%) in the pulmonary position had 2+ (moderate) regurgitation and right ventricular dimensions >95% for body surface area. The peak velocity across the homograft valve was normal ( 2.6 m/s in the immediate postoperative period. To assess the fate of homograft valved conduits in the intermediate-term follow-up period, 38 children with 38 conduits had a repeat echocardiogram at 6 to 25 months (mean 15 ± 6) after surgery. Of the 38 conduits examined, 10 (26%) had no regurgitation, 25 (66%) had 1+ regurgitation and 3 (8%) had 2+ regurgitation. Progression of the amount of regurgitation occurred in 11 (29%) patients. At the follow-up examination, peak velocity was ≤1.4 m/s across 34 conduit valves, between 1.4 and 2.6 m/s across 3 valves and >2.6 m/s across 1 valve. This latter patient had a 3.2-m/s jet across the proximal insertion of the conduit and no further increase across the valve itself. Thus, no patient had evidence of conduit valve stenosis. Of the 38 patients, 9 had Doppler evidence of obstruction at the conduit insertion (8 at the distal end and 1 with the aforementioned proximal obstruction). Most obstructions were of mild to moderate severity and only 2 patients (5%) had severe conduit stenosis. Thus, in the immediate postoperative period, normally functioning homograft valved conduits frequently have mild regurgitation (62%) and rarely have moderate or severe regurgitation (3%), with peak velocities reaching Thus, in the immediate postoperative period, normally functioning homograft valved conduits frequently have mild regurgitation (62%) and rarely have moderate or severe regurgitation (3%), with peak velocities reaching
Methylthio group cleavage from methylthioadenosine. Description of an enzyme and its relationship to the methylthio requirement of certain cells in culture.

Abstract Extracts of certain malignant murine hematopoietic cells are shown to contain an enzyme which catalyses the release of the methylthio group from methylthioadenosine. The enzyme is extractable from cells of five cell lines which grow well in vitro without addition of S-methylthio compounds (RSSCH 3 ). The enzyme activity is not present in cells of four lines which require methylthio groups for proliferation in vitro . The findings are consistent with the theory that the methylthio group is required in all dividing cells and that this group may be the essential product of the polyamine synthetic pathway.
TWO NEW FAMILIES OF MUCORALES

SUMMARY Two new families of Mucorales are described. SakstflWefk:eae Hessel~ tine & Ellis is typified by StJksenaea Saksena and includes EchiftO­ sporangium Malloch. Radiomycetfk:eae Hesseltine & Ellis is typified by Radiomyces Embree and includes Hesseltinella Upadhyay. 01ar­ acteristics of the genera are summarized. For some time it has been apparent that the genera Saksenaea Saksena, Echinosporangium Malloch, Radiomyces Embree, and Hessel­ tinella Upadhyay do not fit well into the known families of Mucorales. Consequently, two new families centered around Saksenaea and Radio­ myces are described here. Saksenaeaceae Hesseltine & Ellis, fam. nov. Hyphae floccosae, aeriae, plerumque aseptatae; hyphae substrati large rantosae; sporangia fiunt aeria, ampulliformia sen botuIiformia, numquam globosa seu pyriformis; sporangia aut habentia. aut carentia columellis; mm sporangiorum politi, sen paucas habentes spinas, persistentes ; sporangiola conidiaque non formantar. Zygospori ignoti. Aerial hyphae floccose, generally aseptate; substrate hyphae abun­ dantly branched; sporangia borne aerially, flask shaped or sausage shaped, never globose or pyriform; sporangia with or without columellae; sporangia! wall smooth or with a few spines, persistent; sporangiola and conidia not formed. Zygospores unknown.
Resolution issues in scanning optical microscopies

Several issues concerning lateral spatial resolution in scanning optical microscopes, SOM's, are addressed. After identifying what is meant by resolution in an SOM, the role of probe tip morphology is discussed. Consideration of the physical mechanism of signal transduction is made, and fundamental differences between near field SOM's and evanescent field SOM's are underscored. Therole of dithering of the probe tip in improving resolution is demonstrated and discussed.
Predicting Day-to-Day Changes in Students' School-Related Affect from Daily Academic Experiences and Social Interactions.

This study examined the role that everyday academic successes and failures—and the interactions with family members and peers that follow these events—play in predicting day-to-day changes in children's emotional responses to school. Middle school students (N = 101; mean age = 11.62 years) completed daily assessments of their academic experiences, performance disclosures, perceptions of emotional support, and school-related affect. Data were analyzed using hierarchical linear modeling. Results indicated that students’ daily academic experiences and social interactions varied by both sex and interaction partner, and that students’ daily academic experiences and social interactions were predictive of day-to-day changes in both positive and anxious affect. The implications of these findings for students’ interpersonal relationships and school adjustment are discussed.
Three‐dimensional earthquake sequence simulations with evolving temperature and pore pressure due to shear heating: Effect of heterogeneous hydraulic diffusivity

[1] A new methodology for three-dimensional (3-D) simulations of earthquake sequences is presented that accounts not only for inertial effects during seismic events but also for shear-induced temperature variations on the fault and the associated evolution of pore fluid pressure. In particular, the methodology allows to capture thermal pressurization (TP) due to frictional heating in a shear zone. One-dimensional (1-D) diffusion of heat and pore fluids in the fault-normal direction is incorporated using a spectral method, which is unconditionally stable, accurate with affordable computational resources, and highly suitable to earthquake sequence calculations that use variable time steps. The approach is used to investigate the effect of heterogeneous hydraulic properties by considering a fault model with two regions of different hydraulic diffusivities and hence different potential for TP. We find that the region of more efficient TP produces larger slip in model-spanning events. The slip deficit in the other region is filled with more frequent smaller events, creating spatiotemporal complexity of large events on the fault. Interestingly, the area of maximum slip in model-spanning events is not associated with the maximum temperature increase because of stronger dynamic weakening in that area. The region of more efficient TP has lower interseismic shear stress, which discourages rupture nucleation there, contrary to what was concluded in prior studies. Seismic events nucleate in the region of less efficient TP where interseismic shear stress is higher. In our model, hypocenters of large events do not occur in areas of large slip or large stress drop.
A Reactive-Transport Model for Weathering Rind Formation on Basalt

Abstract Saprolite formation rates influence many important geological and environmental issues ranging from agricultural productivity to landscape evolution. Here we investigate the chemical and physical transformations that occur during weathering by studying small-scale “saprolites” in the form of weathering rinds, which form on rock in soil or saprolite and grow in thickness without physical disturbance with time. We compare detailed observations of weathered basalt clasts from a chronosequence of alluvial terraces in Costa Rica to diffusion-reaction simulations of rind formation using the fully coupled reactive transport model CrunchFlow. The four characteristic features of the weathered basalts which were specifically used as criteria for model comparisons include (1) the mineralogy of weathering products, (2) weathering rind thickness, (3) the coincidence of plagioclase and augite reaction fronts, and (4) the thickness of the zones of mineral reaction, i.e. reaction fronts. Four model scenarios were completed with varying levels of complexity and degrees of success in matching the observations. To fit the model to all four criteria, however, it was necessary to (1) treat diffusivity using a threshold in which it increased once porosity exceeded a critical value of 9%, and (2) treat mineral surface area as a fitting factor. This latter approach was presumably necessary because the mineral-water surface area of the connected (accessible) porosity in the Costa Rica samples is much less than the total porosity ( Navarre-Sitchler et al., 2009 ). The model-fit surface area, here termed reacting surface area, was much smaller than the BET-measured surface area determined for powdered basaltic material. In the parent basalt, reacting surface area and diffusivity are low due to low pore connectivity, and early weathering is therefore transport controlled. However, as pore connectivity increases as a result of weathering, the reacting surface area and diffusivity also increase and weathering becomes controlled by mineral reaction kinetics. The transition point between transport and kinetic control appears to be related to a critical porosity (9%) at which pore connectivity is high enough to allow rapid transport. Based on these simulations, we argue that the rate of weathering front advance is controlled by the rate at which porosity is created in the weathering interface, and that this porosity increases because of mineral dissolution following a rate that is largely surface-reaction controlled.
Powerful Ejection of Matter from Tidally Disrupted Stars near Massive Black Holes and a Possible Application to Sagittarius A East

When a star is tidally disrupted by a massive black hole, approximately half of its mass is ejected within a solid angle ? 16(R*/Rp)1/2(M*/Mh)1/2 radians2, where R*, Rp, M*, and Mh are the stellar radius, pericentric distance of the orbit, stellar mass and the black hole mass, respectively. The energy of the ejecta is E ? 3.8 × 1054(M*/M?)2(R?/R*)(Mh/106M?)(R*/Rp)2 ergs. The impact of the disrupted matter efflux on the surrounding gas may be like that of a supernova, although with considerably greater energy and with an anisotropy in the ensuing shell structure compared to that of a "standard" supernova event. For the conditions in the Galactic center, these events should occur roughly once every 104-105 yr. Sgr A East, one of the components in the Sgr A complex enshrouding the Galactic nucleus, may be the remnant of a solar mass star disrupted by a 106 M? black hole at a pericentric distance Rp ? 10 R?, which results in an explosion with energy ? 4 × 1052 ergs.
Mortality after kidney transplant failure: the impact of non-immunologic factors.

Mortality after kidney transplant failure: The impact of non-immunologic factors. Background One third of cadaveric kidney transplant recipients suffer graft loss within five years of transplantation. Non-immunologic factors that predict mortality among non-transplant patients also may be potentially modifiable risk factors for mortality among patients with transplant failure. Methods Applying multivariate survival analysis to data from the United States Renal Data System, we determined the effect of immunologic or transplant related factors and non-immunologic factors on mortality in patients who initiated dialysis after kidney transplant failure in the United States between April 1995 and September 1998. Results A total of 4741 patients were followed for a median ± standard deviation of 15 ± 11 months after initiation of dialysis after transplant failure. The majority of the 1016 (21%) deaths were due to cardiac (36%) or infectious (17%) causes. Patients in the following groups had an increased risk for all-cause mortality: older patients [hazard ratio (HR) = 1.04 per year, 95% confidence interval (95% CI) 1.03–1.04], women (HR = 1.31, 95% CI 1.10–1.56), patients of white race (HR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.32–2.84), patients with diabetes (HR = 1.76, 95% CI 1.43–2.16), peripheral vascular disease (HR = 1.94, 95% CI 1.54–2.43), congestive heart failure (HR = 1.26, 95% CI 1.05–1.53), drug use (HR = 2.23; 95% CI 1.08–4.60), smokers (HR = 1.35, 95% CI 1.01–1.81), first transplant recipients (HR = 1.32, 95% CI 1.02–1.69), and patients with a higher glomerular filtration rate (GFR) at dialysis initiation (HR = 1.04 per mL/min higher, 95% CI 1.02–1.06). Those with private insurance (HR = 0.67, 95% CI 0.49–0.93) and higher serum albumin (HR = 0.73 per g/dL higher, 95% CI 0.64–0.83) had a decreased risk for all-cause mortality. Acute rejection, antibody induction, donor source, duration of graft survival and the maximum attained GFR during transplantation did not predict all-cause mortality. Conclusions Non-immunologic factors predicted mortality among patients with transplant failure but immunologic and transplant related factors did not. Prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of co-morbid conditions and the complications of chronic kidney disease may improve the survival of patients with transplant failure.
Improving Therapeutic Properties of Protein Drugs through Alteration of Intracellular Trafficking Pathways

Although intracellular trafficking processes can play a central role in the physiological function of a protein, these same processes can also limit the benefit of the protein when it is taken out of its physiological context and used as a protein drug. Therefore, the properties of certain protein drugs may be improved by manipulating their trafficking pathways to suit their therapeutic function. A detailed consideration of the factors that govern how protein traffic is routed among different cellular destinations can be used to ascertain molecular design criteria for engineering a protein drug so as to alter its trafficking pathway in a beneficial manner. In this review, we summarize studies that have applied this approach to achieve the following three improvements in protein drug function: (1) half-life extension of the Fc fragment of IgG, (2) half-life extension of granulocyte colony-stimulating factor, and (3) increase in cellular association of transferrin.
Esophageal dilation / dilators

Esophageal dilation is the treatment of choice for most patients with esophageal dysphagia (functional and mechanical). Multiple forms of esophageal dilators are available. Mechanical dilators (guidewire/nonguidewire assisted) are the major forms of dilators used. Balloon dilator use has increased but they offer only a marginal advantage over traditional mechanical dilators at a greatly increased cost (2° to single use). Comparative trials are biased in favor of balloon dilators, but balloon dilators are not indicated for empiric dilation for dysphagia. Empiric dilation for solid food dysphagia is still controversial. Dilation is rarely associated with complications and is rarely contraindicated unless previous dilation attempts have been unsuccessful. Special circumstances such as caustic strictures, radiation stricture, and dysphagia associated with eosinophilic esophagitis should engender cautious dilation. Attention to detail about placement of guidewires and stricture type are still critical for safety. Predilation barium studies are not needed in all patients but should be employed if the endoscope is not able to pass the stricture and stricture length and angulation are unknown. Intralesional steroids and proton pump inhibitor therapy are important adjuvant treatments for resistant strictures and reflux associated strictures. Balloon dilation for achalasia is still a viable alternative, but it is likely to decrease in usage with the advent of more widespread laparoscopic myotomy.
Cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation outcome reports: Update and simplification of the Utstein templates for resuscitation registries. A statement for healthcare professionals from a task force of the international liaison committee on resuscitation

Abstract Outcome following cardiac arrest and cardiopulmonary resuscitation is dependent on critical interventions, particularly early defibrillation, effective chest compressions, and advanced life support. Utstein-style definitions and reporting templates have been used extensively in published studies of cardiac arrest, which has led to greater understanding of the elements of resuscitation practice and progress toward international consensus on science and resuscitation guidelines. Despite the development of Utstein templates to standardize research reports of cardiac arrest, international registries have yet to be developed. In April 2002 a task force of ILCOR met in Melbourne, Australia, to review worldwide experience with the Utstein definitions and reporting templates. The task force revised the core reporting template and definitions by consensus. Care was taken to build on previous definitions, changing data elements and operational definitions only on the basis of published data and experience derived from those registries that have used Utstein-style reporting. Attention was focused on decreasing the complexity of the existing templates and addressing logistical difficulties in collecting specific core and supplementary (i.e., essential and desirable) data elements recommended by previous Utstein consensus conference. Inconsistencies in terminology between in-hospital and out-of-hospital Utstein templates were also addressed. The task force produced a reporting tool for essential data that can be used for both quality improvement (registries) and research reports and that should be applicable to both adults and children. The revised and simplified template includes practical and succinct operational definitions. It is anticipated that the revised template will enable better and more accurate completion of all reports of cardiac arrest and resuscitation attempts. Problems with data definition, collection, linkage, confidentiality, management, and registry implementation are acknowledged and potential solutions offered. Uniform collection and tracking of registry data should enable better continuous quality improvement within every hospital, EMS system, and community.
Online FDA Regulations: Implications for Medical Writers

Availability of online Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regulations is contributing to a shift in medical writers' organizational role from a peripheral to a central role where their responsibilities for the persuasiveness of documents and compliance with evolving regulations have increased dramatically. Therefore, curricula for medical writers should include instruction in persuasion, collaboration, strategic and project management, the drug development process, and the location and interpretation of FDA regulations.
Recovering the evolutionary history of Africa’s most diverse viper genus: morphological and molecular phylogeny of Bitis (Reptilia: Squamata: Viperidae)

Assessing evolutionary relationships among wide-ranging species can be particularly beneficial to our understanding of speciation patterns and biogeography of taxa, with broad implications for conservation and applications for human health. Integrative phylogenetic analyses that incorporate multiple independent datasets (e.g., DNA, protein, phenotype) can resolve many problematic issues in systematics such as cryptic diversity and incongruence between datasets. Vipers in the genus Bitis are widely distributed throughout much of sub-Saharan Africa, filling a variety of ecological niches and presenting an important public health problem. However, evolutionary relationships among this medically and ecologically important genus have not been fully resolved due to inadequate taxon sampling and lack of informative characters. Here, we conduct the first phylogenetic study incorporating complete sampling of known species within the genus Bitis. Using morphological, molecular, and combined approaches under multiple criteria, we recovered many of the species groups detected by previous investigators, further validating four currently recognized subgenera. Bitis arietans and Bitis worthingtoni appear to be early-diverging, monotypic lineages, while the “big Bitis” group and the small southern African species form distinct clades. Although our study provides additional information regarding the interspecific relationships within Bitis, the placement of Bitis albanica, Bitis heraldica, and Bitis inornata remains problematic. This study enhances our understanding of the evolutionary history of species within the genus Bitis incorporating a combined evidence approach to phylogenetics.
Sequentiality and Consistency in the development of reflective judgment: A six-year longitudinal study

A number of models of young adult cognitive development postulate stage characteristics. However, with few exceptions, only weak stage-related claims have been tested. The primary purpose of this study was to evaluate the stage properties of the Reflective Judgment model using six-year longitudinal data on three groups of young adults. The secondary purpose was to examine cohort effects on Reflective Judgment scores. Kitchener and King's (1981) Reflective Judgment Interview (RJI) was used as a measure of Reflective Judgment. RJI mean scores increased significantly (p < .01), Davison's test of sequentiality (1979) supported the sequence of the model, stage reversals could be attributed to error, and, using a conservative definition, stage skipping occured in only 14% of the cases. The overall correlation between RJI score and age was .79. Subjects' modal score was consistent across problems 75% of the time. A cohort effect was also found. The data support the sequentiality of the Reflective Judgment stages and the consistency of subjects across problems.
Subsurface Evaluation of Ground Ceramics

Abstract Subsurface damage evaluations are performed using a combination of scanning electron microscopy and damage inspection techniques on silicon nitride, alumina, and silicon carbide ground by diamond wheels with various grit sizes. Two forms of subsurface damage are identified, material pulverization in the superficial layer forming a powder regime and void generation in the subsurface layer. Both forms of damage are assessed and characterized with respect to type of workpiece material and grit size of grinding wheel. The penetration depth of subsurface damage is shown to be predictable using an analytical model δ = ( 200 a g ) 1 / log ( λ H K c ) .
Calcium signals in prostate cancer cells: specific activation by bone-matrix proteins

Cancer of the prostate commonly metastasizes to bony sites where cells acquire an aggressive, rapidly proliferating, androgen-independent phenotype. The interaction between bone and prostate, thus, becomes a key factor in disease progression. Fluctuations in intracellular ionized Ca2+[Ca2+]iare rapid, regulated signal transduction events often associated with cell proliferation. Hence, Ca2+signals provide a convenient measure of early events in cancer cell growth. This study developed single cell fluorescent imaging techniques to visualize Ca2+signals in Fura-2 loaded prostatic cancer cell lines of various metastatic phenotypes. Solubilized bone fractions containing extracellular matrix and associated proteins were tested for the ability to trigger Ca2+signals in prostate cancer cell lines. Fractions representing the complete repertoire of non-collagenous proteins present in mineralized bone were tested. Results demonstrated that two bone fractions termed D3b- and D4a-triggered Ca2+signals in prostate cancer cells derived from bone (PC-3), but not brain (DU-145) metastases of prostate cancer. Lymph-node derived LNCaP cells also did not produce a Ca2+signal in response to addition of soluble bone matrix. No other bone fractions produced a Ca2+signal in PC-3 cells. It is of interest that bone fractions D3b and D4a contain a number of non-collagenous matrix proteins including osteonectin (SPARC) and osteopontin (OPN), as well as prothrombin. Moreover, antibody LM609 that recognizes the αvβ3integrin, blocks the ability of OPN to trigger a Ca2+transient in PC-3 cells. These studies support a conclusion that bone-matrix proteins play a role in the growth and progression of metastatic prostate cancer, and that prior growth in bone may be associated with development of a bone-matrix-responsive phenotype.
Lattice Polygons and the Number 12

(2000). Lattice Polygons and the Number 12. The American Mathematical Monthly: Vol. 107, No. 3, pp. 238-250.
Mechanism governing a stem cell-generating cis-regulatory element

The unremitting demand to replenish differentiated cells in tissues requires efficient mechanisms to generate and regulate stem and progenitor cells. Although master regulatory transcription factors, including GATA binding protein-2 (GATA-2), have crucial roles in these mechanisms, how such factors are controlled in developmentally dynamic systems is poorly understood. Previously, we described five dispersed Gata2 locus sequences, termed the −77, −3.9, −2.8, −1.8, and +9.5 GATA switch sites, which contain evolutionarily conserved GATA motifs occupied by GATA-2 and GATA-1 in hematopoietic precursors and erythroid cells, respectively. Despite common attributes of transcriptional enhancers, targeted deletions of the −2.8, −1.8, and +9.5 sites revealed distinct and unpredictable contributions to Gata2 expression and hematopoiesis. Herein, we describe the targeted deletion of the −3.9 site and mechanistically compare the −3.9 site with other GATA switch sites. The −3.9−/− mice were viable and exhibited normal Gata2 expression and steady-state hematopoiesis in the embryo and adult. We established a Gata2 repression/reactivation assay, which revealed unique +9.5 site activity to mediate GATA factor-dependent chromatin structural transitions. Loss-of-function analyses provided evidence for a mechanism in which a mediator of long-range transcriptional control [LIM domain binding 1 (LDB1)] and a chromatin remodeler [Brahma related gene 1 (BRG1)] synergize through the +9.5 site, conferring expression of GATA-2, which is known to promote the genesis and survival of hematopoietic stem cells.
The Onus of “Developmental Tasks” and other Reactions to Duvall's Family Development in its Fourth Edition:

The new edition of Duvall's Family Development is reviewed from the viewpoint of a gerontologist looking for insight into family development in the second half of life. Problems arising from a too ...