cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Development of Kindergartners' Ideas About What Is Written in a Written Sentence

Abstract In an eight-month longitudinal study, the strategies used by 12 nonreaders in kindergarten were examined as they tried to relate spoken words to segments of written sentences. In monthly interviews, the children were told that the interviewer was going to write “Daddy kicks the ball,” for example. After writing the sentence, the interviewer asked questions about each spoken word—whether or not it was written, and if it was, where it was written. The proportion of functor words (auxiliaries, articles, and prepositions) to content words (nouns, verbs, and adjectives) was varied in the sentences used. The study shows that children may first succeed in establishing correspondences between the temporal order of spoken words and the spatial order of written words when a sentence contains only one functor word. The study also shows the complex interaction of various strategies leading to conflicts, partial solutions, and final coordination.
Integrated Earth Observation System could help reduce impacts of natural hazards

The development of a framework for an integrated Earth observation system is on a fast track, according to Conrad Lautenbacher, administrator for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration, because of the impetus provided by a high-level summit this summer, and also because of existing Earth monitoring efforts that have laid much of the groundwork.
Transport and retention of colloidal particles in partially saturated porous media: Effect of ionic strength

[1] We directly observed pore-scale attachment of fluorescent synthetic polystyrene colloids (1.0 μm diameter) in a partially saturated sand pack (pore space saturation ranging from 0.7 to 0.9) at four solution ionic strengths (0, 1, 100, 200 mmol NaCl). Sequential confocal laser microscope images were analyzed to quantify colloid retention, particularly at air-water meniscus-solid (AWmS) interfaces. We concurrently measured effluent colloid concentrations to determine overall matrix retention. Ionic strength had no effect on meniscus contact angles (26.7 ± 3.7 degrees) or surface tension (63–67 mN/m), both important components of the capillary forces thought to play the primary role in retention at the AWmS interfaces. AWmS interfaces attachment was greatest at 1 mmol, with the 0 mmol ionic strength reducing attachment by half. Increasing ionic strength to 100 and 200 mmol markedly decreased colloid retention at the AWmS interfaces due to observed increased competing attachment at grain surfaces (solid/water interface) that reduced the number of colloids available for AWmS interface attachment.
Bacterial growth response to photoactive quinones.

Quinones are known producers of reactive oxygen species (ROS) that may be toxic in natural aquatic environments. In this study, the effects of parent quinones and their photodegradation products on bacterial growth were determined, and photochemical ROS formation rates were measured. Using 3 H-leucine incorporation to measure growth of the bacterium Pseudomonas aeruginosa and natural seawater bacterioplankton, growth inhibition was observed when samples were exposed to dichlone, chloranil and sodium anthraquinone-2-sulfonate (AQ2S). For seawater, compared with other quinones tested, dichlone showed the greatest toxicity in the dark, and AQ2S toxicity was greatest during simultaneous exposure to sunlight. Photodegraded chloranil and dichlone showed decreased toxicity compared with nonirradiated samples. For P. aeruginosa, AQ2S and its photodegradation products showed the greatest toxicity during simultaneous exposure to sunlight. Chloranil photodegradation products showed reduced toxicity compared with the parent compound during simultaneous exposure to sunlight. Dichlone was the only compound to show any toxicity to P. aeruginosa in the dark, and its photodegradation products were more toxic than the parent compound. Based on the results of dark and light controlled experiments measuring bacterial growth and estimated ROS production rates, ROS alone does not account for relative differences in toxicity between these quinones.
Time-stamping algorithms for parallelization of loops at run-time

In this paper we present two new run-time algorithms for the parallelization of loops that have indirect access patterns. The algorithms can handle any type of loop-carried dependencies. They follow the INSPECTOR/EXECUTOR scheme and improve upon previous algorithms with the same generality by allowing concurrent reads of the same location and by increasing the overlap of dependent iterations. The algorithms are based on time-stamping rules and implemented using multithreading tools. The experimental results on an SMP server with four processors show that our schemes are efficient and outperform their competitors consistently in all test cases. The difference between the two proposed algorithms is that one allows partially concurrent reads without causing extra overhead in its inspector while the other allows fully concurrent reads at a slight overhead in the dependence analysis. The algorithm allowing fully concurrent reads obtains up to an 80% improvement over its competitor.
Reading in A Digital Age: e-Books Are Students Ready For This Learning Object?

E-Books are a type of e-content based learning object whose benefits may include: hyper linking, nonlinearity, data density, customizability, greater distribution, low costs, search ability, and other multimedia features (Shiratuddin, Hassan, & Landoni, 2003). Originally introduced in the late 1990’s, the growth of e-books has been sluggish. Midgley reported (as cited in Wilson, 2003) that while proponents believe that e-books will come to change the way we understand reading and represent the future of reading in this digital age, critics explain that reading on a screen is an unpleasant experience that has, and will continue to, stymie the growth of e-books (Weeks, 2002). Concurrently, Prensky (2001) reports that the new generation of students entering higher education, the “Millennials”, are fascinated by new technologies and considers it as a natural part of their environment. This paper represents the findings of students’ reported experiences and perceptions of e-books at a historically Black university.
The World Has Changed—Have Analytical Procedure Practices?

Analytical Procedures (APs) provide a means for auditors to evaluate the “reasonableness” of financial disclosures by comparing a client’s reported performance to expectations gained through knowledge of the client based on past experience and developments within the company and its industry. Thus, APs are fundamentally different than other audit tests in taking a broader perspective of an entity’s performance vis-a-vis its environment. As such, APs have been found to be a cost-effective means to detect misstatements, and many have argued that a number of prior financial frauds would have been detected had auditors employed effective APs. With several dramatic and far-reaching developments over the past decade, the current study examines whether and how APs have changed during this period. In particular, we focus on the impact of significant “enablers” and “drivers” of change such as technological advancements and the enactment of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act. We also compare our findings to an influential study of the practices of APs by Hirst and Koonce (1996) that was conducted over 10 years ago. We interview 36 auditors (11 seniors, 13 managers, and 12 partners) from all of the Big 4 firms using a structured questionnaire. The data reveal some similarities in findings when compared to prior research (e.g., auditors continue to use fairly simple analytical procedures). However, there are a number of significant differences reflecting changes in AP practices. For instance, as a result of technology auditors now rely more extensively on industry and analyst data than previously. Further, auditors report that they develop more precise quantitative expectations and use more non-financial information. They also appear to rely more on lower level audit staff to perform APs, conduct greater inquiry of non-accounting personnel, and are willing to reduce substantive testing to a greater extent as a result of APs conducted in the planning phase. Finally, the Sarbanes-Oxley Act has had an impact in greater consideration and knowledge of internal controls, which is seen as the most important factor driving the use and reliance on APs.
Time course of histological progression in primary biliary cirrhosis

Histological staging is used for stratification and assessment of treatment efficacy in therapeutic trials for primary biliary cirrhosis (PBC). Knowledge of the rate of progression of the histological changes would be helpful in the design (duration) and conduct of clinical trials. The histological stages were recorded for liver biopsies performed annually on 222 patients during a randomized, placebo-controlled clinical trial in which therapy with D-penicillamine (DPCA) was shown to be ineffective. These data were analyzed using a Markov model to describe the time course of histological progression in PBC. At study entry, 15 patients were stage I, 56 were stage II, 96 were stage III, and 55 were stage IV. Histological progression was observed after 1 year in 41%, 43%, and 35% of the patients, and after 2 years in 62%, 62%, and 50% of the patients who were stage I, stage II, and stage III at entry, respectively. After 4 years biopsies showed cirrhosis in 31% and 50% of the patients in stage I and stage II at entry, respectively. A minority (20%) of the precirrhotic patients showed histological stability; sustained histological regression was rarely observed (2%). Our data suggest that a majority of patients with PBC will progress histologically within 2 years. The distribution of histological stages over time may be helpful in determining the number of patients and length of time necessary to appreciate a treatment effect on histological progression in clinical trials for PBC.
A Dynamic Adaptive Calibration of the CLONALG Immune Algorithm

The control of parameters during the execution of bio-inspired algorithms is an open research area. In this paper, we propose a new parameter control strategy for the immune algorithm CLONALG. Our approach is based on reinforcement learning ideas. We focus our attention on controlling the number of clones and the number of selected cells which follow a mutation process for improvement. Their values allow a trade-off between intensification and diversification of the search. Our approach provides an efficient and low cost adaptive technique for parameter control. We use instances of the Travelling Salesman Problem that has been tackled before by using CLONALG. The results obtained are very encouraging.
Evaluation of gyrase B as a drug target in Mycobacterium tuberculosis

Results: Novobiocin and AB-1 have both been shown to be active against Mtb with MIC values of 4 and 1 mg/L, respectively. Only AB-1 exhibited time-dependent bactericidal activity against drug-susceptible and drug-resistant mycobacteria, including a fluoroquinolone-resistant strain. AB-1 had potent activity in the low oxygen recovery assay model for non-replicating persistent Mtb. Additionally, AB-1 has no interaction with isoniazid and rifampicin, and has no cross-resistance with fluoroquinolones. In a murine model of TB, AB-1 significantly reduced lung cfu counts in a dose-dependent manner. Conclusions: Aminobenzimidazole inhibitors of GyrB exhibit many of the characteristics required for their consideration as a potential front-line antimycobacterial therapeutic.
N-Methyl-D-Aspartic Acid Receptor Activation Downregulates Expression of δ Subunit-Containing GABAA Receptors in Cultured Hippocampal Neurons

Neurosteroids are endogenous allosteric modulators of GABAA receptors (GABARs), and they enhance GABAR-mediated inhibition. However, GABARs expressed on hippocampal dentate granule neurons of epileptic animals are modified such that their neurosteroid sensitivity is reduced and δ subunit expression is diminished. We explored the molecular mechanisms triggering this GABAR plasticity. In the cultured hippocampal neurons, treatment with N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) (10 μM) for 48 hours reduced the surface expression of δ and α4 subunits but did not increase the expression of γ2 subunits. The tonic current recorded from neurons in NMDA-treated cultures was reduced, and its neurosteroid modulation was also diminished. In contrast, synaptic inhibition and its modulation by neurosteroids were preserved in these neurons. The time course of NMDA’s effects on surface and total δ subunit expression was distinct; shorter (6 hours) treatment decreased surface expression, whereas longer treatment reduced both surface and total expression. Dl-2-amino-5-phosphonopentanoic acid (APV) blocked NMDA’s effects on δ subunit expression. Chelation of calcium ions by 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N9,N9-tetra-acetic acid tetrakis (acetoxymethyl ester) (BAPTA-AM) or blockade of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) 1/2 activation by UO126 (1,4-diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis[2-aminophenylthio] butadiene) also prevented the effects of NMDA. Thus, prolonged activation of NMDA receptors in hippocampal neurons reduced GABAR δ subunit expression through Ca2+ entry and at least in part by ERK1/2 activation.
Survey of Four Damage Models for Concrete

Four conventional damage plasticity models for concrete, the Karagozian and Case model (K&C), the Riedel-Hiermaier-Thoma model (RHT), the Brannon-Fossum model (BF1), and the Continuous Surface Cap Model (CSCM) are compared. The K&C and RHT models have been used in commercial finite element programs many years, whereas the BF1 and CSCM models are relatively new. All four models are essentially isotropic plasticity models for which 'plasticity' is regarded as any form of inelasticity. All of the models support nonlinear elasticity, but with different formulations. All four models employ three shear strength surfaces. The 'yield surface' bounds an evolving set of elastically obtainable stress states. The 'limit surface' bounds stress states that can be reached by any means (elastic or plastic). To model softening, it is recognized that some stress states might be reached once, but, because of irreversible damage, might not be achievable again. In other words, softening is the process of collapse of the limit surface, ultimately down to a final 'residual surface' for fully failed material. The four models being compared differ in their softening evolution equations, as well as in their equations used to degrade the elastic stiffness. For all four models, the strength surfaces are cast inmore » stress space. For all four models, it is recognized that scale effects are important for softening, but the models differ significantly in their approaches. The K&C documentation, for example, mentions that a particular material parameter affecting the damage evolution rate must be set by the user according to the mesh size to preserve energy to failure. Similarly, the BF1 model presumes that all material parameters are set to values appropriate to the scale of the element, and automated assignment of scale-appropriate values is available only through an enhanced implementation of BF1 (called BFS) that regards scale effects to be coupled to statistical variability of material properties. The RHT model appears to similarly support optional uncertainty and automated settings for scale-dependent material parameters. The K&C, RHT, and CSCM models support rate dependence by allowing the strength to be a function of strain rate, whereas the BF1 model uses Duvaut-Lion viscoplasticity theory to give a smoother prediction of transient effects. During softening, all four models require a certain amount of strain to develop before allowing significant damage accumulation. For the K&C, RHT, and CSCM models, the strain-to-failure is tied to fracture energy release, whereas a similar effect is achieved indirectly in the BF1 model by a time-based criterion that is tied to crack propagation speed.« less
Nuclear Division in the Ameboflagellate Adelphamoeba galeacystis

SYNOPSIS Nuclear division in synchronized cultures of the ameboflagellate Adelphamoeba galeacystis has been described. Division in this organism is typically promitotic. It occurs within an intact nuclear membrane and is characterized by the persistence of the nucleolus and its transformation into 2 polar masses. The nucleolus is stained with pyronin-Y by the methyl green pyronin-Y technic, and with Heidenhain's hematoxylin, but is unstained by the Feulgen reaction. The reaction with these stains is removed after digestion of the nucleolus by ribonuclease. During mitosis the nucleolus undergoes an orderly series of vacuolizations before forming the polar masses. The chromatin is Feulgen positive, stains with methyl green by the methyl green pyronin-Y technic and undergoes a series of characteristic changes during the division process. Synchronization of amebae grown on coverglasses was accomplished by transfer of cells from 30 to 38.5 C for a period of 100 min. A temporal sequence of nucleolar and chromatin participation in the nuclear division of this organism is suggested.
Outage due to polarization effects in a trans-oceanic system

We developed and validated a Stokes parameter model that was used to calculate the penalty due to polarization effects in a trans-oceanic system. We calculate the outage probability.
Receptor redistribution does not accompany terbutaline-induced down regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors on human mononuclear leukocytes

Mononuclear leukocytes are easily accessible cells for investigating the regulation of beta-adrenergic receptors in humans. We have previously shown that brief incubations with agonists redistribute (? internalize) most of the beta-adrenergic receptors on mononuclear leukocytes away from the cell surface without changing total receptor number. However, negligible redistribution occurred after exercise or an infusion of isoproterenol. The current study was designed to ask whether receptor redistribution occurs over a longer time course after administration of terbutaline, a beta 2-adrenergic agonist that is known to cause a decrease in receptor number. Normal volunteers were given terbutaline, 5 mg t.i.d. for 6 days. As expected, the number of beta-adrenergic receptors decreased. However, the remaining receptors were not redistributed. Redistribution also did not occur after 1 or 2 days of terbutaline, at which time down regulation was minimal. We also found that terbutaline did not alter the ability of the receptors to be redistributed or desensitized by a preincubation with isoproterenol.
Mercury Content in Pacific Troll-Caught Albacore Tuna (Thunnus alalunga)

Ninety-one albacore tuna (Thunnus alalunga) captured during the 2003 commercial fishing season were tested for total mercury content in muscle tissue. The fish were harvested between 32.72°N (off Southern California) and 48.30°N (off the northern tip of Washington) between July and November. Fish weighed from 3.14 to 11.62 kg and were 50.8-86.4 cm long. Total mercury content in the albacore muscle tissue ranged from 0.027 ppm (µg/g) to 0.26 ppm. The average total mer- cury content was 0.14 ± 0.05 ppm, which is below the U.S. Food and Drug Administration action level and Canadian standards (1.0 ppm methylmercury and 0.50 ppm total mercury, respectively). Total mer- cury concentrations showed positive correlations with length and weight of albacore (R 2 = 0.40 and 0.38, respectively), but there was no correla- tion with date of capture or lipid content. Results indicate that Pacific troll-caught albacore have low levels of total mercury in the edible flesh and are well within international safety standards for mercury levels in fish. (Article copies available for a fee from The Haworth Document Delivery Service: 1-800-HAWORTH. E-mail address: Website: © 2004 by The Haworth Press, Inc. All rights reserved.)
Decision-making in high-dose methotrexate cancer chemotherapy

Computer tools for data analysis such as CLINFO can be combined with modern laboratory measurement techniques to provide quantitative practical rules for therapeutic decision-making in cancer chemotherapy. The analysis of extensive data on the clearance of methotrexate from the blood following a high-dose (50–200 mg/kg) methotrexate infusion on a fixed protocol provides a decision rule for increasing citrovorum rescue to prevent toxicity. This example demonstrates a computer-based approach to improve the reliability of chemotherapeutic pharmacology.Des outils informatiques tels que CLINFO peuvent ětre associes a des techniques de mesures tres modernes. Cette association permet d'elaborer des regles quantitatives pratiques de decision dons la chimiotherapie des cancers. L'analyse de la clearance sanguine du methotrexate, a la suite de la perfusion d'une forte dose de 50 a 200 mg/kg, donne une regle de decision pour ajuster la quantite de citrovum a visee antitoxique. Cet exemple apporte la preuve qu'un sup...
Styles of male social behavior and their endocrine correlates among low-ranking baboons.

We have previously studied the relationship between dominance rank and physiology among male olive baboons (Papio anubis) living freely in a national park in Africa. In stable hierarchies, such males have distinctive secretory profiles of glucocorticoids and of testosterone. We find that these endocrine features are not, in fact, purely markers of social dominance; instead, they are found only among dominant males with particular stylistic traits of social behavior. One intercorrelated stylistic cluster revolved around the intensity with which the male is involved in sexual consortships (e.g., frequency of copulation, of grooming, degree to which feeding is suppressed by being in consortship). Males most involved in such consortships had the lowest basal cortisol concentrations and smaller cortisol stress-responses. A second stylistic cluster revolved around the degree of social affiliation (e.g., rate of grooming and interacting positively with non-estrus females and infants). Males who were highly affiliated had low basal cortisol concentrations and an attenuated cortisol stress-response. A third cluster revolved around the degree to which males could distinguish between highly threatening interactions with rivals and neutral or mildly threatening ones. Males most adept at this had lower basal cortisol concentrations. These behavioral/endocrine clusters were independent of each other. This suggests that the same adaptive physiological feature (e.g., low basal cortisol concentrations) may arise from different and independent personality styles. © 1992 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
AMERICAN WHITE PELICAN SOARING FLIGHT TIMES AND ALTITUDES RELATIVE TO CHANGES IN THERMAL DEPTH AND INTENSITY

Abstract We compared American White Pelican (Pelecanus erythrorhynchos) soaring flight times and altitudes to model-produced estimates of thermal depth and intensity. These data showed that pelican soaring flight was confined to the thermal layer, and that the vertical extent of the soaring flight envelope increased with increases in thermal depth. Pelicans soaring cross-country between foraging and breeding sites flew mainly within the middle of the thermal layer, regardless of its depth. In contrast, pelicans engaged in wandering flight near foraging sites typically confined their flight to the lower thermal layer. Pelicans soaring cross-country likely flew higher in the thermal layer to maximize cross-country soaring performance, while pelicans soaring locally presumably flew lower because additional altitude was unneeded for gliding short distances. An analysis of pelican flight times relative to model-produced estimates of thermal intensity suggested that pelicans began soaring as soon as sufficientl...
A type system for expressive security policies

Certified code is a general mechanism for enforcing security properties. In this paradigm, untrusted mobile code carries annotations that allow a host to verify its trustworthiness. Before running the agent, the host checks the annotations and proves that they imply the host's security policy. Despite the flexibility of this scheme, so far, compilers that generate certified code have focused on simple type safety properties rather than more general security properties.Security automata can specify an expressive collection of security policies including access control and resource bounds. In this paper, we describe how to instrument well-typed programs with security checks and typing annotations. The resulting programs obey the policies specified by security automata and can be mechanically checked for safety. This work provides a foundation for the process of automatically generating certified code for expressive security policies.
NONRIBOSOMAL INCORPORATION OF AMINO ACIDS INTO THE TROPONIN‐LIKE PROTEIN FROM SYNAPTOSOMES

— A preparation of synaptosomal cytoplasm was isolated from forebrain of young rats and incubated with various amino acids in vitro. Incorporation of amino acids into protein was observed. This incorporation did not occur by ribosomal protein synthesis. The amino acid incorporating system was not stimulated by ATP and was inhibited by calcium. The system incorporated amino acids enzymatically. An electrophoretic analysis of the synaptosomal preparation, following incubation in the presence of radioactive amino acids, showed only three labelled protein species (molecular weights 37,000, 26,000 and 20,000). This incorporation of amino acids was found to have a high degree of specificity for three protein species. Migration of the three protein species was found to be nearly identical to that of rabbit muscle troponin. The proteins incorporating amino acids were also found to have other characteristics of the troponin subunits. A possible role of troponin modification is discussed.
The isolation and characterization of growth hormone from anterior lobes of whale pituitaries.

SUMMARY A procedure has been described for the isolation of growth hormone in highly purified form from anterior pituitaries of humpback whales. The biological activity of whale growth hormone as measured by the tibia test was found to be comparable to that of bovine growth hormone. The isoelectric point of whale somatotropin was determined to be 6.2 and the molecular weight calculated from molecular kinetic data was found to be 39,000. The N-terminal residue determined by the fluorodinitrobenzene reaction was phenylalanine in an amount of nearly 1 mole per mole of the hormone protein. The hormone was further characterized by quantita- tive determination of tyrosine and tryptophan and by its ultraviolet ab- sorption spectrum. The authors wish to express appreciation to the American Cancer So- ciety, and to the Albert and Mary Lasker Foundation, for grants in partial support of this work.
Reversal of P-glycoprotein-mediated multidrug resistance by siRNA in chemoresistant osteosarcoma cell lines

2277 Overexpression in osteosarcoma cells of the P-glycoprotein (P-gp) encoded by the MDR1 gene results in multidrug resistance (MDR) to many chemotherapeutic drugs, a major cause for treatment failures and relapses in osteosarcoma patients. We evaluated the in vitro inhibition of P-gp expression and reversal of the MDR phenotype in two chemoresistant osteosarcoma cell lines by RNA interference (RNAi) targeting the MDR1 gene. Four different siRNA constructs per cell line were liposome-transfected at 3 different concentrations (50, 100 and 150 nM) into the chemoresistant human osteosarcoma cell line 1547 and the rat osteosarcoma cell line 1661. Effect of RNAi on P-gp expression was evaluated by Western-Blot performed on total cell proteins extracted 24 to 96 hours after transfection. The reversion of the MDR phenotype was evaluated by cell cytotoxicity and cell proliferation assays over the same period of time. For each cell line, two of the 4 siRNA constructs transfected at concentrations of 100 nM led to efficient down-regulation of the MDR1 expression with less than 20% of the total P-gp expression remaining as early as 24 hours after cell transfection. More importantly, the down regulation of P-gp expression in vitro induced a 24-hour reversal of the MDR phenotype associated with a significant increase in chemosensitivity to methotrexate and cisplatinum (40% increase compared to controls), and to a lesser extent, to doxorubicin and vincristin (25% increase). Our results show that the MDR phenotype is reversible in vitro in chemoresistant osteosarcoma cell lines using siRNA-mediated MDR1 suppression. We are currently evaluating the potency of combination of different siRNAs in vitro and in vivo in an orthotopic osteosarcoma model in rats using a clinical-grade, tumor-targetted nanomolecular gene delivery system.
Abstract 263: Ultrasound Enhancement of Bevacizumab Release from Echogenic Liposomes for Inhibition of Atheroma Progression

Background: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is a signal protein that induces vasculogenesis and angiogenesis, which are important to atheroma progression. Bevacizumab is a humanized monoclonal antibody specific for VEGF that causes regression of existing microvessels and has been shown to inhibit atheroma progression. Previous studies demonstrated the inhibitory efficacy of bevacizumab and bevacizumab-loaded echogenic liposomes (BEV-ELIP) for human umbilical vein cell (HUVEC) proliferation and VEGF expression (assayed by VEGF ELISA). Hypothesis: Bevacizumab activity can be enhanced by pulsed Doppler ultrasound treatment of BEV-ELIP. Methods: Bevacizumab (1 μg/ml) was added to 18-hour HUVEC cultures in 96-well plates, followed by 10 nM phorbol 12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA) 4 hours later and incubated for 24 hours. Cell proliferation was measured by the tetrazolium dye MTT. BEV-ELIP in a latex condom was submerged in a water bath and exposed to 6 MHz color Doppler ultrasound (MI = 0.4 ) for 5 min for bevacizumab release. Results: BEV-ELIP treated with US inhibited VEGF expression by 90% relative to non-treated controls and by 70% relative to BEV-ELIP without US (Fig. 1). Also, BEV-ELIP inhibited cell proliferation by 64% relative to untreated controls and by 45% relative to BEV-ELIP without US (Fig. 2). Conclusions: Ultrasound treatment of BEV-ELIP enhanced the agent’s ability to inhibit cell proliferation in the MTT assay and VEGF expression in the VEGF ELISA, consistent with US-triggered BEV release observed in previous studies. This BEV-ELIP formulation can now be translated to in vivo studies for atheroma inhibition.
SIMPLE AND SENSITIVE METHOD FOR DEMONSTRATING MERCAPTAN PRODUCTION BY MICROORGANISMS.

Abstract : A simple and sensitive test for demonstrating mercaptan formation by microorganisms has been described. A positive test for mercaptans is indicated by the formation of white vapors when a few drops of iodine-azide reagent (3 grams of sodium azide in 100 milliliters of 0.1N iodine) is added to one or two milliliters of a broth culture. A positive reaction has been observed with several species of Pseudomonas, a species of Serratia, and a few lactose fermenting species.
Two New Species of Homalometron (Digenea: Apocreadiidae) from Nearctic Freshwater Fundulids, Elucidation of the Life Cycle of H. cupuloris, and Molecular Phylogenetic Analysis of Some Congeners

Abstract: Two species of digeneans belonging in Homalometron are described from Nearctic freshwater fundulid fishes: Homalometron robisoni n. sp. is described from the Blackstripe Topminnow, Fundulus notatus, from Oklahoma and Homalometron frocioneae n. sp. is described from the Banded Killifish, Fundulus diaphanus, from New York. Homalometron robisoni n. sp. differs from all congeners by having vitelline follicles that extend into the forebody, a feature that necessitates altering the generic diagnosis for the genus. Homalometron frocioneae n. sp. may be distinguished from North and Middle American congeners by the position of the intestinal bifurcation (relatively more posterior in the forebody than in other species) and tegumental spine coverage on the body (spines are absent from the posterior body extremity and on most of the dorsal surface). Comparison of ribosomal DNA (ITS 1 and 2 regions, 5.8S gene, and partial fragment of 28S gene) from the 2 new species and some congeners from the Western Hemis...
Exchangeable potassium content and distribution in normal subjects and uraemic patients on chronic haemodialysis.

1. Exchangeable potassium, sulphate space and intracellular fluid have been determined in eight normal males and in seven uraemic male patients on a regime of twice weekly 8 h dialysis. 2. Intracellular water was more closely correlated with exchangeable potassium than were body weight or lean body mass. 3. There was no correlation between exchangeable potassium and plasma or erythrocyte potassium. 4. Uraemic patients had a 20% potassium depletion that may have been due to a restricted oral intake (40 mmol/day) and too little potassium (0–1 mmol/l) in the dialysis fluid.
A review of the use of intrinsically 14C and rare earth-labeled neutral detergent fiber to estimate particle digestion and passage.

Methodology that allows simultaneous measurement of dynamic events affecting NDF digestion in passage from the rumen should improve our understanding of factors influencing intake and digestion. Ideally, particle flow is measured with a marker indelibly attached to or intrinsically part of the feed. If flow measurements are to reflect physiological conditions, marked and unmarked feed must be digested and passed with identical fractional rates. Application of 14C-labeled plant fiber to the study of ruminal dynamics has been slow because of expense and difficulty in producing 14C-labeled plant material. Recently, alfalfa was intrinsically labeled with 14C under field conditions to produce plant material similar in composition to unlabeled material. Carbon-14 specific activity was similar in all particle sizes, and in indigestible and digestible NDF. Greater concentrations of ytterbium (Yb) were associated with smaller vs larger particles. Larger differences in turnover rates among animals than differences attributable to treatments force comparisons of markers to be made within animal or with in vitro systems. The uncertainty about how extrinsic markers respond under various environments resulting from interaction of feed properties and gut function, and the high error inherent in measuring dynamic systems, raise serious questions on the interpretability of results. Advantages of 14C-labeledmore » NDF over other markers include simultaneous measurements of particle breakdown, digestion and passage rates as well as the potential to study microbial attachment, VFA, CO2 and CH4 production and rate of incorporation of labeled metabolites into tissues. 36 references.« less
Absorption of H3-beta-sitosterol in the lymph fistula rat.

SummaryAdministration of 44 mg of H3-β-sitosterol to lymph fistula rats and analysis of feces, intestinal contents, intestine, and lymph gave the following results: (1) balance data indicated approximately 40% absorption in 48 hours, (2) there was increased fecal excretion of cholesterol and related sterols, (3) there was considerable uptake of H3-β-sitosterol by the intestinal wall, but essentially no transfer into the lymph. Explanations for the apparent disappearance of H3-β-sitosterol are discussed.
Experimental Researches on the Advanced Oily Sewage Treatment Using Hydrocyclones in Two Stage Series

The oily sewage treatment status in an oil field,the testing technological process in the site of sewage treatment,and major tests,were presented.The advanced oily sewage treatment in oil fields was realized using hydrocyclones in two stage series,the separate efficiency calculated through tests was used to select the structure shapes of hydrocyclones at each stage,the final combination form and operation parameters of the two-stage hydrocyclones were determined.The testing result shows that the total efficiency of the two-stage hydrocyclones can reach up to about 94%.
Performance Study of A Near-Optimum Modulation Diversity Assisted Ultra-Wideband Receiver

A novel modulation diversity assisted (MDA) ultra-wideband (UWB) communication system was recently proposed. In this scheme, pulse position modulation and pulse amplitude modulation are applied to successive transmitted pulses alternately. The resulting modulation diversity helps to overcome channel estimation difficulties in typical UWB channels and permits low complexity receiver design. This paper considers a near-optimum receiver for MDA-UWB systems and studies its performance. A maximum likelihood (ML) estimator is also derived as a performance benchmark. Although the proposed receiver has a very simple structure, its performance approaches that of the ML receiver as signal-to-noise ratio increases. Our theoretical analysis is verified by computer simulations
The analyze of study on the condition iodine deficiency disorders in the high risk area of Tibet to focus groups in 2007

Objective To propose prevention and control strategy against iodine deficiency disorders to prevent new cases of endemic cretinism from occurring. Methods In April and August 2007, all the suspected cretinism patients born after the first of January, 1997 were searched for in 16 counties from Lhasa, Shannan, Nyingchi, Qamdo and Xigaze. Meanwhile, 60 children aged 8-10 years were selected in each of the two rural villages of each county chosen. Goiter was examined using palpation and B-ultrasound, urinary iodine was determined, inteligence quotient(IQ) was tested; 30 women of childbearing age from each village chosen underwent urinary iodine test and household salt semi-quantitative detection. Results No new cases of endemic cretinism had been found; Palpation identified goiter at 4.5% (257/5680) in children, B-ultrasound revealed a rate of 4.7% (258/5433). Median of urinary iodine was 159.4 μg/L, the averaged IQ was 78.3±14.5; women of childbearing age had a median urinary iodine of 70.2 μg/L. The coverage rate of iodized salt was 52.8%. Conclusions Goiter rate in children, urinary iodine level meet the standard set for the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders; however, the low IQ children, low coverage of iodized salt and the level of urinary iodine in women of childbearing age are less than desirable. Iodine deficiency disorders prevention and control need to be strengthened. Key words: Iodine; Deficiency diseases; Intelligence tests; Data collection
Book Publishers Should Support Changes in the Office of the Copyright and the Register of the Copyright Office

The U.S. Copyright Office and the Register of Copyrights supervise a myriad of major functions, from recording a copyright to providing the U.S. Congress with reports and suggestions regarding the state of the law. Yet this office is part of the Library of Congress, which controls its budget and appoints the Register. Should the book publishing community support the creation of an Office of Copyrights as a separate agency of the U.S. Government? What can or should the book publishing community do to address these issues and questions? This article explores the development of the Copyright Office, the Register of Copyrights, and provides some suggestions and recommendations.
Appreciative Organizing: Understanding the Underlying Dynamics of Positive Institutions

Linking the current state of the art in corporate sustainability (with special focus on the sustainability-as-flourishing perspective) and the theory of positive (or strength-based) change, this ar...
The Making of the Neoliberal Subject: Response to Whyte:

In her recent essay, Jessica Whyte has challenged the tendency to repurpose Friedrich Hayek’s thought for a progressive and participatory politics. Objecting to such thinkers as Michel Foucault and...
Engineered Tumor-Targeted T Cells Mediate Enhanced Anti-Tumor Efficacy Both Directly and through Activation of the Endogenous Immune System.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) T cell therapy has proven clinically beneficial against B cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia and non-Hodgkin's lymphoma. However, suboptimal clinical outcomes have been associated with decreased expansion and persistence of adoptively transferred CAR T cells, antigen-negative relapses, and impairment by an immunosuppressive tumor microenvironment. Improvements in CAR T cell design are required to enhance clinical efficacy, as well as broaden the applicability of this technology. Here, we demonstrate that interleukin-18 (IL-18)-secreting CAR T cells exhibit enhanced in vivo expansion and persistence and significantly increase long-term survival in syngeneic mouse models of both hematological and solid malignancies. In addition, we demonstrate that IL-18-secreting CAR T cells are capable of modulating the tumor microenvironment, as well as enhancing an effective endogenous anti-tumor immune response. IL-18-secreting CAR T cells represent a promising strategy to enhance the clinical outcomes of adoptive T cell therapy.
Can Teaching For Creativity and Teaching For Content Knowledge Mix

If you want to remember something, will you remember it better (a) if you simply read about it or (b) if you think about it actively and in different ways and connect it to other things you already know?
Influence of Diabetes Mellitus on the Recovery Trajectories of Function, Strength, and Self-Report Measures After Total Knee Arthroplasty.

Objective As the proportion of individuals with diabetes mellitus (DM) in the aging population and the number of total knee arthroplasties (TKAs) both continue to grow, understanding the outcomes for these patient populations is critical. The purpose of this study was to determine whether patients with and without DM differed in the recovery of 3 physical performance measures during the first 90 days following a TKA. Methods Data collected at ATI Physical Therapy from 169 patients (37 with DM, and 132 without) were available. Physical performance measures included the 4-meter walk test, the 30-second sit-to-stand test (30STS), and the timed-up-and-go test (TUG). A mixed-effects model was performed to determine differences in the rate of recovery and 90-day postoperative scores for all measures. Results Both groups had similar baseline values for all measures. Patients with DM demonstrated a slower rate of recovery for the 4-meter walk test, and worse scores for the 4-meter walk test, 30STS, and TUG at the end of 90 days when accounting for significant covariates. Conclusion Our findings show a negative relationship between the presence of DM and the recovery trajectories of all physical performance measures. Clinicians should closely monitor patients with DM, knowing that they are at higher risk for sustained functional deficits and early complications.
“Praying Does Not Stop His Fist From Hitting My Face”: Religion and Intimate Partner Violence From the Perspective of Survivors and Service Providers:

More than two in five women have experienced sexual violence, physical violence, and/or stalking by an intimate partner in Utah. The purpose of this study was to examine the lived experiences of su...
Impact of an Inclusive Postsecondary Education Program on Implicit and Explicit Attitudes Toward Intellectual Disability

People with intellectual disability (ID) experience negative consequences as a result of stigmas held by the public. Students with ID involved in inclusive postsecondary education (IPSE) programs demonstrate positive outcomes. This study examines the impact of an IPSE program on typically matriculating student attitudes toward ID. Explicit and implicit attitudes were measured at the start and end of a semester among IPSE volunteer peer mentors (n = 17) and an uninvolved student group (n = 14). Findings indicate that volunteers demonstrated lower discomfort after their volunteer experience, as measured by the Attitudes Toward Intellectual Disability Questionnaire (ATTID). Volunteers also demonstrated higher knowledge of causes and preference for interaction with people with ID than nonvolunteers. This demonstrates that volunteer involvement in IPSE positively impacts attitudes toward people with ID among typically matriculating college students.
DNA Hydroxymethylation at the Interface of the Environment and Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is one of the most prevalent forms of chronic liver disorders among adults, children, and adolescents, and a growing epidemic, worldwide. Notwithstanding the known susceptibility factors for NAFLD, i.e., obesity and metabolic syndrome, the exact cause(s) of this disease and the underlying mechanisms of its initiation and progression are not fully elucidated. NAFLD is a multi-faceted disease with metabolic, genetic, epigenetic, and environmental determinants. Accumulating evidence shows that exposure to environmental toxicants contributes to the development of NAFLD by promoting mitochondrial dysfunction and generating reactive oxygen species in the liver. Imbalances in the redox state of the cells are known to cause alterations in the patterns of 5-hydroxymethylcytosine (5hmC), the oxidative product of 5-methylcytosine (5mC), thereby influencing gene regulation. The 5hmC-mediated deregulation of genes involved in hepatic metabolism is an emerging area of research in NAFLD. This review summarizes our current knowledge on the interactive role of xenobiotic exposure and DNA hydroxymethylation in the pathogenesis of fatty liver disease. Increasing the mechanistic knowledge of NAFLD initiation and progression is crucial for the development of new and effective strategies for prevention and treatment of this disease.
The Definition and Diagnosis of Frailty in the Research and Clinical Settings

Frailty is characterized by reduced physiological reserve and increased vulnerability to health stressors, and it is prevalent among patients with cirrhosis and particularly in those listed for liver transplantation. It is recommended to base frailty diagnosis on physical function or performance-based testing. Pending the development of consensus documents and clinical practice guidelines, multiple tools can be used to objectively assess frailty in patients with cirrhosis, including the Liver Frailty Index, gait speed testing, and the 6-minute walk test. In research settings, cardiopulmonary exercise testing is expected to provide additional information on exercise physiology. Regardless of the used tool, there is almost universal agreement on the association of frailty with worse clinical outcomes. Given the evidence linking frailty to increased healthcare costs, it is of the utmost importance to develop a model of care that includes baseline evaluation and frailty monitoring as part of the routine care of patients with cirrhosis.
Deep Q-Learning for Chunk-based Caching in Data Processing Networks

A Data Processing Network (DPN) streams massive volumes of data collected and stored by the network to multiple processing units to compute desired results in a timely fashion. Due to ever-increasing traffic, distributed cache nodes can be deployed to store hot data and rapidly deliver them for consumption. However, prior work on caching policies has primarily focused on the potential gains in network performance, e.g., cache hit ratio and download latency, while neglecting the impact of cache on data processing and consumption.In this paper, we propose a novel framework, DeepChunk, which leverages deep Q-learning for chunk-based caching in DPN. We show that cache policies must be optimized for both network performance during data delivery and processing efficiency during data consumption. Specifically, DeepChunk utilizes a model-free approach by jointly learning limited network, data streaming, and processing statistics at runtime and making cache update decisions under the guidance of powerful deep Q-learning. It enables a joint optimization of multiple objectives including chunk hit ratio, processing stall time, and object download time while being self-adaptive under the time-varying workload and network conditions. We build a prototype implementation of DeepChunk with Ceph, a popular distributed object storage system. Our extensive experiments and evaluation demonstrate significant improvement, i.e., 43% in total reward and 39% in processing stall time, over a number of baseline caching policies.