cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Tolerability of sequential immune therapy and palliative radiotherapy to the cervical and thoracic spine

Use of immune therapy in metastatic cancers is rapidly expanding; however, its combination with commonly prescribed palliative radiation fields and doses is not well studied. To investigate this, we evaluated the toxicity of combined immune therapy and palliative cervical or thoracic spine radiotherapy. Patients receiving cervical or thoracic spine radiation were evaluated based on administration of immune therapy within 30 days of radiation, use of 3D conformal or simpler techniques, and minimum 1 follow-up from end of treatment. Thirty patients were evaluable. Median survival following radiotherapy was 87 days. Pembrolizumab was most commonly combined with radiation (11 patients), then nivolumab (10), ipilimumab (3), and atezoliumab (2). Four patients (13.3%) had grade 3 toxicity requiring hospitalization (vomiting, esophagitis) and 12 patients (40%) had grade 2 toxicity (esophagitis, dysphagia). Ten patients (33.3%) had no toxicity. Three of the 4 patients with grade 3 toxicity received concurrent ipilimumab and nivolumab. Median dose was 30 Gy (range, 20–39) and fractions were 10 (range, 5–15). There was a trend toward increased grade 2+ toxicity with greater number of vertebral levels irradiated, 5.7 ± 3.4, vs. 4.0 ± 1.6 for none/grade 1 (P = .086). Seven of 7 patients exposed to ipilimumab developed grade 2+ toxicity vs 39% in the remaining patients (P = .007 for interaction). Radiation dose, fractionation, and timing of immune therapy were not significant contributors. Combined immune therapy and radiotherapy for palliation of spine metastases suggests increased toxicity when a greater number of vertebral bodies are irradiated, or when combined immune therapy agents are utilized.
Abstract 2333: Genetic characterization of programmed cell death in aneuploid yeast cells

Aneuploidy is the genetic state of a cell that has a chromosomal number that is not an exact multiple of the haploid complement. It is a leading cause of spontaneous abortions and of mental retardation in humans, and is a characteristic defect in cancer. Yeast cells that are aneuploid manifest a diversity of phenotypes including cell cycle defects, genomic instability, protein imbalance, chaperone stress and proteotoxicity. We are investigating the links between aneuploidy on the budding yeast, Saccharomyces cerevisiae and programmed cell death. We have shown that aneuploid yeast cells are more sensitive to ethanol-induced cell death. In addition, we have also shown that caloric restriction protects aneuploid yeast from program cell death. [In addition to funding from the RI-INBRE Program, our laboratory is supported by grant NIGMS R15 GM110578, awarded to N. Austriaco.] Citation Format: Megan Onyundo, Matthew Sanborn, Victoria Timmel, Nicanor Austriaco. Genetic characterization of programmed cell death in aneuploid yeast cells [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2018; 2018 Apr 14-18; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2018;78(13 Suppl):Abstract nr 2333.
Reaction, Dissociation, and Energy Transfer as a Function of Initial State for H + H2 on an Accurate Ab Initio Potential Energy Surface

We present here the results of quasiclassical trajectory calculations for H + H2 collisions. Our emphasis is to examine the dependence of the energy transfer, dissociation, and atom-exchange processes on the initial internal state of the H2 molecule, including states of high internal energy. For these high-energy states the transition probabilities are large and the concern with zero point energy is minimized; these conditions help justify our use of quasi-classical trajectories for the dynamical calculations. In the present study we use an accurate potential energy surface1-3 so that the calculations are more realistic than is possible for other systems for which the uncertainties in the potential energy surface are much greater.
Virtues That Transcend: Positive Psychology in Jewish Texts and Tradition

Positive psychology, which has flourished in recent years, focuses on human strengths, wellness, and fulfillment. We posit that the virtues and character strengths studied by positive psychologists are also emphasized in the classic texts of Judaism. The current chapter focuses on the virtue of transcendence, demonstrating that each of the character strengths related to this virtue, including appreciation of beauty and excellence, gratitude, hope, humor, and spirituality/religiousness, are deeply valued in traditional Jewish thought and practice. Contemporary theoretical and empirical investigations of Jews and Judaism relevant to both transcendence and mental health and wellness are then reviewed, including research indicating that traditional Jewish concepts of transcendence may produce interventions that promote mental health and well-being.
The Viability of Using Diffusion Patterns for Segmenting International Markets: Problems and Prospects

This paper examines the application of the diffusion of innovation paradigm as a country segmentation scheme in international marketing research. International diffusion is reviewed from both a modeling and classification perspective. Although marketers can gain valuable information by assessing international diffusion patterns, these patterns should not be the sole criteria used in segmenting international markets.
Locating Dissent: Space, Law, and Protest in Jordan

In March 2002, Jordan’s Queen Rania led a march of several hundred Jordanians as a gesture of solidarity with Palestinians during the Israeli invasion of Jenin, Nablus, and several other Palestinian towns. The widely photographed spectacle garnered significant domestic, regional, and international attention. Over the course of the previous month, thousands of Jordanians had participated in unsanctioned protests, and despite daily efforts that included tanks and tear gas, the regime proved unable to quell the demonstrations. The spectacle of the elegant Queen leading two hundred upper-class Jordanian citizens through the streets of Amman underlined the symbolic stakes of the manner in which the regime has sought to regulate public space in the ostensibly liberal-democratic monarchy. The Queen’s march took place along a route devoid of contentious political symbolism, beginning at a benign traffic circle and ending at a UNICEF office a few blocks away. Yet another Palestinian solidarity march planned by the Professionals Associations Complex (PAC) and the Islamic Action Front (IAF) to have taken place just days earlier was far more provocative: the PAC and IAF planned a march that they dubbed a “Sacred Crawl” (zahaf al-muqaddas), which was to start at PAC headquarters in the commercial district of Shmeisani and end at the Israeli Embassy - the local emissary representative of the forces directly responsible for the military invasions of the Palestinian towns and cities. Both demonstrations were intended as expressions of Palestinian solidarity, and both were planned as peaceful marches. But only the Queen’s march was legally sanctioned, despite taking place in the midst of weeks of unsanctioned marches; the Sacred Crawl was canceled at the last moment under pressure from security officials. The critical point of contention was not the content of the march - Palestinian solidarity - but space: the Jordanian government ruled that protests in close proximity to the Israeli embassy constituted a threat to public order. These two protest events demonstrate the salience of the spatial dimensions in political protests, a dynamic of political dissent that has received little systematic attention from scholars. What sorts of protest events are permitted? Where may they be held? Who may organize them? To whom are the events visible? And are there limits to what can be said? In this chapter, we explore dimensions of protest through a critical examination of the specific spaces of contestation and the legal mechanisms used for their regulation. The protest events in Jordan during the Spring 2002 invasion by Israeli troops into the Palestinian cities and towns provide a window into these complex practices of political contestation and control.
Pathogenesis of Pediatric Rhinosinusitis

Pediatric rhinosinusitis (RS) is a ubiquitous upper airway disease representing one of the most prevalent diseases in children and is characterized by inflammation and mucus hypersecretion with subsequent obstruction of the sinonasal outflow tracts. The pathogenesis of pediatric RS is difficult to understand due to the many different overlapping potential etiologies that initiate and/or sustain the inflammatory response characteristic of this disease. It is confounded by the impact of an immature pediatric immune system and contributions from RS-associated patient comorbidities. Adding further still to the complexity is the fact that RS presents with two different phenotypes defined by the presence or absence of nasal polyps (NP), which are outgrowths of hyperplastic sinus mucosa often extending into the nasal cavity. The pathogenesis of pediatric sinusitis including common comorbidities, anatomical abnormalities, and environmental factors associated with this disease will be reviewed in this chapter.
Latinxs in La Migra: Why They Join and Why It Matters:

Once an exclusively white enterprise, the last forty-five years have witnessed the emergence of a disproportionately Latinx immigration law enforcement workforce. This article addresses the questio...
Bayesian Rule Set: A Quantitative Alternative to Qualitative Comparative Analysis

We introduce Bayesian Rule Set (BRS) as an alternative to Qualitative Comparative Analysis (QCA) when data are large and noisy. BRS is an interpretable machine learning algorithm that classifies observations using rule sets, which are conditions connected by logical operators, e.g. IF (condition A AND condition B) OR (condition C), THEN Y~=~TRUE. Like QCA, BRS is highly interpretable and capable of revealing complex nonlinear relationships in data. BRS has several advantages over QCA. First, BRS makes explicit trade-offs between in-sample fitness and model complexity, thus avoiding overfitting and improving interpretability. Second, BRS is compatible with probabilistically generated outcomes and random noises that are prevalent with real-world data. Third, BRS is more computationally efficient with large datasets. We tailor BRS to social science settings, quantify its uncertainties, and develop new visualization tools to present BRS results. We illustrate BRS and these new tools using two empirical examples from sociology and political science.
Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes as an in vitro model in toxicology: strengths and weaknesses for hazard identification and risk characterization.

Human induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC)-derived cardiomyocytes is one of the most widely used cell-based models that resulted from the discovery of how non-embryonic stem cells can be differenti...
Ultrasound for Spine and Nerve Blocks

Neuraxial blockade is employed for a wide breadth of indications. It is often utilized as the ideal primary anesthetic for many surgical indications or for postoperative pain control. Additionally, many neuraxial techniques exist as therapies for patients with chronic pain. Unfortunately, accessing the epidural and subarachnoid space by traditional landmark techniques is often rendered challenging by interpatient spinal anatomy variation and abnormalities such as scoliosis. Furthermore, the upward trend of the typical body mass index of patients in the United States limits the efficacy of said landmark approach. Ultrasonography represents an easily accessible, effective means of visualizing and facilitating access to the target of interest within the spinal canal in these difficult cases. This chapter represents an overview of the relevant anatomical principles and indications for neuraxial blockade and provides a step-by-step guide to the proper ultrasonographic approach for various techniques.
Board of directors' responsiveness to shareholders: Evidence from shareholder proposals

Abstract In recent years boards have become significantly more likely to implement non-binding, majority-vote (MV) shareholder proposals. Using a sample of 620 MV proposals between 1997 and 2004, we find that shareholder pressure (e.g., the voting outcome and the influence of the proponent) and the type of proposals are the main determinants of the implementation decision, while traditional governance indicators do not seem to affect the decision. We then examine the labor market consequences of the implementation decision for outside directors and find that directors implementing MV shareholder proposals experience a one-fifth reduction in the likelihood of losing their board seat as well as other directorships.
“Valerie” Stitch for Exposure of Aortic Root

We usually mobilize the aorta from the PA for aortic root surgery. We perform most of this mobilization pre-bypass, when the fullness of the aorta and the PA make their borders distinct. We finish the mobilization quite fully right after assuming bypass.
Forecasting Stability Levels for the Countries of the Former Soviet Union

FORECASTING STABILITY LEVELS FOR THE COUNTRIES OF THE FORMER SOVIET UNION By Margaret Erin Keck, B.A. A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Mathematical Sciences (Operations Research) at Virginia Conlmonwealth University. Virginia Commonwealth University, 2006 Director: Dr. Jason Merrick, Associate Professor, Department of Statistical Sciences & Operations Research United States intelligence officers and policymakers need reliable forecasts of country, regional, and global stability or instability. Such forecasts require a methodology for identifying and analyzing factors that contribute to stability. The anticipation of this stability level can facilitate crisis warning and diplomatic strategies for various timelines, including five, ten, and twenty year forecasts. While the problem of forecasting can be tackled in various ways, in the interest of time and space, I will only go into a few of them. The approach I will use is multiple linear regression to generate a short-term forecast for the stability levels of the countries of the Former Soviet Union (FSU). This model could ultimately be used to help formulate policies that enhance stability in developing or transitioning countries.
Reliable Blind Information Hiding for Images

In this paper we present a new method for reliable blind image steganography that can hide and recover a message of substantial length within digital imagery while maintaining the original image size and dynamic range. Image processing, error-control coding, and spread spectrum techniques are utilized to conceal hidden data and the performance of the technique is illustrated. The message embedded by this method can be in the form of text, imagery, or any other digital signal. Applications for such a data-hiding scheme include in-band captioning, hidden communication, image tamperproofing, authentication, embedded control, and revision tracking.
From Polar Years to Igy

Publisher Summary The development of the International Polar Years, now culminating in the International Geophysical Year (IGY) of 1957–1958, began as an inspiration to a young Austro-Hungarian naval officer, Karl Weyprecht. At the time, when Arctic exploration subsisted on the hope of discovering new lands and the emotional drive of reaching the North Geographic Pole, Weyprecht espoused a fundamentally scientific approach. He realized that haphazard navigation of the “Sea of Ancient Ice” provided few results of basic importance. Weyprecht proposed a replacement of the born marauder by teams of careful scientific workers. His original thoughts come so close to fulfillment among the IGY objectives that it seems highly desirable to list some of his fundamental recommendations. The chapter describes the objectives of the International Polar Conference. The chapter presents briefly the First and Second International Polar Year. The fourfold objectives of the IGY are given. Some indication of the scope of the ICY can be obtained from a brief description of the planned programs in each discipline, as given in the chapter. As a promotional venture, the International Years have been tremendously successful. They have been popular with laymen, scientists, and governments. The chapter discusses the deficiencies of the International Years. The future of the International Years is elaborated in this chapter.
Buoy vandalism experienced by NOAA National Data Buoy Center

Data buoy vandalism, which is an unlawful and willful interference with moored data buoys, has been a troublesome problem for the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric (NOAA)/National Data Buoy Center (NDBC) and other buoy operators around the world. NDBC has three buoy networks -Weather and Ocean Platform (WxOP) program, Tropical Atmosphere/Ocean (TAO) buoy program, and the Tsunameter buoy program. In addition to the significant financial impact to NDBC's buoy programs and operations, vandalism disrupts the vital data collected and reported by moored buoys, which place lives, property, and economies in peril. Vandalism is not unique to just NDBC's buoy systems but is a national and international issue affecting both research and operational systems. This paper presents various vandalism incidents experienced by NDBC's three buoy networks. Prevention of buoy vandalism, including buoy and mooring system modifications, education and outreach, statutory penalty and enforcement, interagency efforts, and international cooperation and efforts, are also discussed.
Affordable fault tolerance through adaptation

Fault-tolerant programs are typically not only difficult to implement but also incur extra costs in tenors of performance or resource consumption. Failures are typically relatively rare but the fault-tolerance overhead must be paid regardless if any failures occur during the program execution. This paper presents an approach that reduces the cost of fault-tolerance, namely, adaptations to a change in failure model. In particular, a program that assumes no failures (or only benign failures) is combined with a component that is responsible for detecting if failures occur and then switching to a fault-tolerant algorithm. Provided that the detection and adaptation mechanisms are not too expensive, this approach results in a program with smaller fault-tolerance overhead and thus a better performance than a traditional fault-tolerant program. Thus, the high cost of fault-tolerance is only paid when failures actually occur.
Improving the illumination sensitivity of optical pattern recognition systems using nonlinear techniques in the Fourier domain

We present an optoelectronic pattern recognition system that can perform image detection in the presence of unknown input scene illumination. The binary joint transform correlator with unknown light illumination is investigated for different thresholding methods. >
A quantitative linkage score for an association study following a linkage analysis

Currently, a commonly used strategy for mapping complex quantitative traits is to use a genome-wide linkage analysis to narrow suspected genes to regions on a scale of centiMorgans (cM), followed by an association analysis to fine map the genetic variation in regions showing linkage. Two important questions arise in the design and the resulting inference at the association stage of this sequential procedure: (1) how should we design an efficient association study given the information provided by the previous linkage study? and (2) can an association in a linkage region explain, in part, the detected linkage signal? We derive a quantitative linkage score (QLS) based on Haseman-Elston regression (Haseman and Elston 1972) and make use of this score to address both questions. In designing an association study, the selection of a subsample from the linkage study sample can be guided by the linkage information summarized in the QLS. When heterogeneity exists, we show that selection based on the QLS can increase the proportion of sample individuals from the subpopulation affected by a disease allele and therefore greatly improves the power of the association study. For the resulting inference, we frame as a hypothesis test the question of whether a linkage signal in a region can be in part explained by a marker allele. A simple one sided paired t-statistic is defined by comparing the two sets of QLSs obtained with/without modeling a marker association: a significant difference indicates that the marker can at least partly account for the detected linkage. We also show that this statistic can be used to detect a spurious association. All our results suggest that a careful examination of QLSs should be helpful for understanding the results of both association and linkage studies.
PURIFICATION AND ACTIVITY OF PROTEINASE OF STREPTOCOCCUS FAECALIS VAR. LIQUEFACIENS.

Shugart, Lee R. (University of Tennessee, Knoxville) and Raymond W. Beck. Purification and activity of proteinase of Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens. J. Bacteriol. 88:586–590. 1964.—A proteolytic enzyme from Streptococcus faecalis var. liquefaciens was purified 480-fold by ammonium sulfate fractionation and treatment with calcium phosphate gel. Approximately 20% of the original enzyme activity was recovered in the purified fraction. Optimal enzyme activity was found to be at pH 7.6 and 35 C. The enzyme is apparently more susceptible to heat denaturation when complexed with substrate than when heated in the absence of substrate. Michaelis-Menten constants were found to be 0.655% for hemoglobin and 0.133% for casein. Apparent energies of activation on these substrates were calculated to be 9,060 and 12,020 cal, respectively.
Effect of scopolamine on the efflux of dopamine and its metabolites after clozapine, haloperidol or thioridazine.

The extracellular concentrations of dopamine (DA) and its metabolites, dihydroxyphenylacetic acid (DOPAC) and homovanillic acid (HVA), in the striatum and the nucleus accumbens were measured in awake, freely-moving rats. Clozapine (20 mg/kg, i.p.) increased extracellular DA and HVA in both regions but increased DOPAC only in the striatum. Scopolamine (1 mg/kg), although it had no effect by itself in the striatum or nucleus accumbens, inhibited the ability of clozapine to increase extracellular DA, DOPAC and HVA concentrations in the striatum. The clozapine-induced increase in DA in the frontal cortex was not blocked by scopolamine. Haloperidol (1 mg/kg, i.p.) and thioridazine (10 mg/kg, i.p.) also increased extracellular DA, DOPAC and HVA in the striatum, but scopolamine pretreatment did not inhibit these increases. The results suggest that clozapine differs from haloperidol and thioridazine in that the effect of clozapine, but not that of the two neuroleptic drugs, to increase DA release in the striatum acutely depends on muscarinic receptor stimulation. These results suggest that clozapine, despite its strong muscarinic antagonist properties, does not produce full blockade of muscarinic receptors in vivo in the striatum. The interaction of clozapine with the cholinergic system in the striatum could be relevant to its lack of ability to produce extrapyramidal symptoms or tardive dyskinesia.
Cell density regulates prolyl 4-hydroxylase activity independent of mRNA levels.

Abstract In embryonic avian tendon, cell density regulates collagen production. This control is propagated through the α-subunit of prolyl 4-hydroxylase where protein levels were previously shown to rise fivefold with increasing cell density. In contrast, mRNA levels are now shown not to change by both Northern and RNAse protection assays. This lack of increase contrasts with previous reports as does the mRNA length: this is 50% larger as confirmed by sequencing the 3′ end. Alternative sites for cell density regulation of the enzyme could rely on its sensitivity to sulfhydryl groups. Using a fluorescent sulfhydryl probe as well as a sulfhydryl inhibitor, one observes a strong cell density response, supporting the hypothesis that cellular redox potential could alter protein stability.
Dispersal of Three Species of Coccinellids in Corn Fields

To determine the dispersal of coccinellids in corn fields, two methods were used: sticky traps were placed at different elevations to catch the beetles in flight, and a sucrose solution was sprayed on the upper or lower portions of plants to concentrate beetles.The results show that the distribution on the plants is closely related to the manner of dispersal of the species, the Hippodamia species fly at a greater height than C. maculata, and H. convergens and H. 13-punctata are, respectively, about 15 and 9 times as mobile as C. maculata. The results generally support the idea that entomophagous coccinellids are more nomadic than their phytophagous relatives.
Generation Y: Understanding the Trend and Planning for the Impact

Our world is always changing but we are about to experience change like never before. We are now more connected than ever, while at the same time distributed across multiple countries, cultures and companies. There is a new generation of students, employees and consumers pushing much of this change called "Generation Y" (or Millennials or Echo Boomers). This is a specific group of individuals born from 1983 to 1994, and they have never known a world without cell phones, cable tv and the Internet. Their demands and expectations are having a profound effect on academia, work environments and consumer spend. Gen Yers, their use of the internet, along with the "device formerly known as the mobile phone" are pushing changes on all fronts. Understanding this trend is key to adapt to the critical change underway in the way technology will integrate the spheres of work, education and our communities.
The orientation of learner language use in peer work: teacher role, learner role and individual identity

This study investigates the orientation of language-use practices during in-class peer work of second-year college learners of German in three different sections (classes) of a multi-section course, taught by three different teachers at a public American Midwestern research university. Qualitative analyses of recordings made over the course of an academic semester focused on differences among the three sections in terms of (1) the use of slang and profanity; (2) student dis/engagement with the task and each other; and (3) the use of the first language (English). Results show that the learners in the three course sections oriented themselves between norms established during teacher-led instruction, their institutional learner role and their individual identity. In sociocultural theoretical terms, the teacher proved a shadow participant in peer interaction and the notion of situated learning, as applied in Activity Theory, was expanded to account for the specific language-use conventions, situated in the re...
Interaction patterns of two newly formed groups of stumptail macaques (Macaca arctoides)

Shortly after two groups of stumptail macaques were formed, their individual and social behavior was observed. Similar overall behavior of the two groups arose from different interaction patterns within the groups. Hierarchical stabilities and instabilities were related to selective affilliation patterns. The main instabilities were found at the top of the hierarchy of one group and in the middle of the other. The roots of later changes in group structure were displayed in individual association preferences.
Interlayer magnetic coupling in Fe/Cr multilayered structures

We have calculated the mgnetic coupling of two layers of iron through an intervening layer of chromium. We use the mixing interaction between iron atoms at the interfaces with the conduction electrons of chromium and the band structure of paramagnetic chromium. When we take into account the roughness of the interface, our calculated coupling reproduces the essential features of the coupling found in Fe/Cr superlattices.
National Storage Laboratory: a collaborative research project

Large scientific, engineering and commercial applications are straining storage and networking facilities, a condition compounded by new supercomputers, massively parallel processors, and high-performance workstations. An application driven, industry-led, collaborative, high-performance storage testbed project centered at Lawrence Livermore National Laboratory (LLNL), called the National Storage Laboratory (NSL), has been organized to investigate, demonstrate, and commercialize technology to remove performance bottlenecks and to provide new needed storage system functionality. The experience of the project will also contribute to the work of the IEEE Storage System Standards Working Group [3].
Recommendations for mechanical ventilation during donor care

The organ procurement coordinator usually directs adjustments to the mechanical ventilator during donor care. It is often difficult to achieve optimal oxygen uptake and carbon dioxide removal while avoiding barotrauma or undesirable effects on the cardiac output. Interrelationships among a variety of ventilator parameters must be understood in order to achieve the desired goal of providing the best organs possible. These recommendations review the key ventilator parameters of tidal volume; positive end-expiratory pressure; auto-positive end-expiratory pressure; fraction of inspired oxygen; and flowrate and frequency and their interactions in controlling peak, plateau, and mean and end-expiratory airway pressures.
Food advertising targeted at school-age children: a content analysis.

Abstract Objective To determine whether the contents of food and beverage advertisements are associated with physical activity and athletic ability more often than those for toys and games, and to describe persuasive techniques used in advertising food and beverages to children. Design A content analysis of advertisements during 31 hours of school-age children’s television programming. Analysis Chi-square tests were used to examine differences in depictions of physical activity. Types of persuasive techniques were tabulated and, within each advertisement, categorized as implicit or explicit. Results Food and beverage ads depicted children engaged in physical activity and associated the advertised product with athletic ability significantly more than toy and game ads. Food was most often associated with fun and good times (75%), pleasant taste (54.1%), being hip or cool (43.2%), and feelings of happiness (43.2%). Implications for Research and Practice These findings raise concern that greater levels of physical activity and athletic ability in food advertising, in which the product is frequently associated with fun, may promote overconsumption, especially of calorie-dense, nutrient-poor foods. Further research would elucidate whether this concern is warranted. On the other hand, since food advertisements are presumably effective, health educators can use these techniques to formulate messages for nutritious foods. This concept should be tested with well-designed interventions.
Adeno-associated virus-mediated osteoprotegerin gene transfer protects against particulate polyethylene-induced osteolysis in a murine model.

Objective Osteoprotegerin (OPG), a natural negative regulator of osteoclastogenesis and bone resorption, may be a potential therapeutic agent for treatment of osteolysis-associated prosthetic joint loosening. Using an in vivo adeno-associated virus (AAV)–mediated gene transfer technique, this study was designed to evaluate the protective effects of OPG transgene against orthopedic wear debris–induced bone loss in a murine model of osteolysis. Methods Bone tissue was implanted into established pouches on BALB/c mice, followed by the introduction of ultra-high-molecular-weight polyethylene (UHMWPE) particles to provoke inflammation and osteolysis. The viruses encoding human OPG gene (rAAV-hOPG) or β-galactosidase marker gene (rAAV-LacZ) were injected into the air pouches, and the tissue was harvested 7 days after viral infection for histologic and molecular analyses. Results Successful transgene expression was confirmed by the detection of OPG by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and positive X-Gal staining of pouch tissue (LacZ). Real-time polymerase chain reaction indicated significant diminishment of messenger RNA expression of osteoclast markers in OPG-transduced pouches compared with rAAV-LacZ–transduced pouches. The transduction and expression of OPG also markedly decreased the gene copies of the biologic receptor activator of nuclear factor κB. The expression of OPG in the bone-implanted pouch reduced bone calcium release by a mean of 39% compared with the calcium release in the other 2 groups. Computerized image analysis revealed that expression of OPG significantly protected against bone collagen loss. Conclusion OPG gene transfer mediated by rAAV effectively protects against particulate polyethylene–induced bone resorption in this experimental model. Data suggest that gene transfer using rAAV-OPG may be a feasible and effective therapeutic candidate to treat or prevent wear debris–associated osteolysis and aseptic loosening.
Subspace Identification with Multiple Data Sets

Most existing subspace identification algorithms assume that a single input to output data set is available. Motivated by a real life problem on the F18-SRA experimental aircraft, we show how these algorithms are readily adapted to handle multiple data sets. We show by means of an example the relevance of such an improvement.
Multi-stage chromatographic procedure for the isolation of a single oligomeric species (vinyl chloride tetramer) from poly(vinyl chloride) resin used for food packaging applications

Abstract A multi-stage chromatographic procedure is described whereby low-molecular-weight material initially obtained by soxhlet diethyl ether extraction from food grade poly(vinyl chloride) (PVC) resin, is fractionated to yield firstly a mixture of vinyl chloride oligomers and then a single species free from other impurities. A number of column chromatographic procedures were evaluated, and a combination of high-performance size exclusion columns using initially tetrahydrofuran solvent followed by toluene solvent were shown to produce the most effective separation. The isolation and purification of a vinyl chloride tetramer was monitored by capillary column gas chromatography with specific chlorine detection (Hall electrolytic conductivity detector) and the identification confirmed by mass spectrometry. Using this newly developed procedure 0.5 mg of vinyl chloride tetramer was isolated from a PVC base resin.
Intra-LATA toll elasticities

Abstract Regulatory commission hearings on intra-LATA toll competition have focused, for the purpose of revenue rebalancing, on the market elasticity of demand for intra-LATA toll service. This paper presents estimates of the intra-LATA toll elasticity based on a detailed model of residential customers' demand for short-haul service. The results are compared with those from other studies. The consensus of the studies indicates a residential elasticity of around -0.4.
The Use of Equine Follicle Stimulating Hormone to Increase Equine Chorionic Gonadotropin in the Pregnant Mare

Equine chorionic gonadotropin (eCG), obtained from pregnant mares, is used for assisted reproductive technologies in laboratory rodents and livestock. The objective of the present study was to use equine follicle-stimulating hormone (eFSH) to increase the incidence of twin pregnancies, through multiple ovulations, and increase eCG. Nineteen light horse–type mares were enrolled in the study. The control group (n = 9) was bred with fresh or cooled semen and given human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) at the time of breeding. The second group (n = 10) was given 12.5 mg of eFSH intramuscularly twice a day beginning 5–7 days after ovulation. Prostaglandin F2α was administered intramuscularly the second day of eFSH treatment. Treatment with eFSH continued until follicles were >35 mm in diameter, and mares were then given no treatment for 36 hours. The mares were then bred with fresh or cooled semen from the same stallion as the control group and given hCG. Blood samples were taken weekly from day 35 to day 105 after ovulation. Serum concentration of eCG was obtained, and data were analyzed with multivariate analysis using the mixed procedure. Significance was set at P < .05. Data were combined for all mares carrying twins and compared with those carrying singletons. The group of mares carrying twins had higher peak concentrations of eCG and higher values for area under the curve compared with mares carrying singletons (P < .05). These results suggest inducing twins could be a method used to increase eCG production.
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS, ENERGY LEVEL AND CELL AMINO 1617 ACID IMBALANCE IN CHRONIC UREMICS

To improve protein synthesis (PS) and Energy charge (Ech) should require correction of imbalanced intracellular amino acid levels. In 40 adult chronic uremics stabilized by hemodialysis, multiple regression analysis identified combinations of cell amino acid levels predicting intracellular PS (3 H-Leucine incorp) (PS=10.8 + 0.02 ASP -0.127 VAL + 0.54 ILE + 0.032 ORN -0.12 LYS -0.10 TRP (R2= 0.40, p=0.019)) and Energy charge (Ech=ATP + 1/2 ADP/ATP + ADP + AMP) (Ech (x 103) = 766 -0.75 ASP + 0.18 GLU + 0.59 GLY + 0.53 ORN -0.33 ARG (R2=0.33, p=0.036)). PS and Ech were reduced compared to 32 normals. The leukocyte (∼90% Pm neutrophils) was used as the cell model. 18 adult chronic uremics, stabilized on 3x/wk hemodialysis, were infused with 500ml 10% amino acid solution after each dialysis, dialyzer detached, for 3 months, receiving in toto ≅ 1.5-1.9kg synthetic amino acids. Baseline studies showed decreased (p<.05) PS, Ech and in vitro glycolytic flux (glucose → lactate). The amino acid infusions led to decreased blood pressure and plasma cholesterol level, but did not significantly improve cell bioactivities. The intracellular amino acid imbalance worsened: valine, isoleucine, leucine, methionine, lysine and ornithine were reduced; arginine + glycine were increased. Only tyrosine and phenylalanine levels normalized. We ascribe failure to correct cell bioactivities to failure to correct the cell amino acid imbalance. The leukocyte is a useful cell model to formulate and evaluate therapies to correct abnormal cell metabolism in uremics.
Male Aedes aegypti mosquitoes use JH III transferred during copulation to influence previtellogenic ovary physiology and affect the reproductive output of female mosquitoes

The effect of male accessory gland substances on female reproductive physiology has been previously described as "activating" egg development. However, no mechanism has been described that can explain how male mosquitoes are able to influence egg development in female mosquitoes. To investigate how male mosquitoes are able to influence ovarian physiology and reproductive output we explored three main questions: (1) Do mating and male accessory gland substances affect ovarian physiology and alter markers of oocyte quality during the previtellogenic resting stage? (2) Does the male accessory gland contain JH III and is JH III transferred to the female during copulation? (3) Finally, does the nutritional history of the male affect the amount of JH III transferred to the female and alter reproductive output? By answering these questions it is clear that male mosquitoes are able to alter the female's resource allocation priorities towards reproduction by transferring JH III during copulation; reducing the rate of previtellogenic resorption and increasing the amount of stored ovarian lipids. These changes improve an individual follicle's likelihood of development after a blood meal. In addition, males maintained under better nutritional conditions make and transfer more JH III, prevent more follicular resorption and realize higher fecundities than other males. Together these results illustrate one mechanism behind the "activating" effect of mating described as well as the role sugar feeding plays in male mosquitoes.
Inhibition of antigen-induced histamine release by ouabain.

Abstract The effect of ouabain, a specific sodium-potassium dependent adenosine triphosphatase (Na + -K + -ATPase) inhibitor, on antigen-induced histamine release was studied using guinea pig lung fragments sensitized in vitro with rabbit antibodies against bovine serum albumin. Histamine was assayed spectrafluorometrically. When sensitized tissue had been preincubated with ouabain (≤ 1.0 × 10 −4 M) for 10 min prior to antigenic challenge, release of histamine was significantly inhibited (maximum 54%, p −2 M) inhibited the histamine release and had additive effects to ouabain action. Dibutyryl cyclic AMP (≤ 5 × 10 −3 M), which could enhance the release, strongly antagonized the inhibition. Glucose removal from the medium did not abolish the ouabain effect. The results seem to indicate that immunologic release of histamine is under the influence of the membrane Na + -K + -ATPase activity.
The angle-dependent redistribution functions R III and R IV : line absorption probability distribution functions and reemission coefficients.

The line absorption probability distribution functions and the reemission coefficients are derived for the non-coherent scattering functionsRIII andRIV. The appropriate line profile function forRIII is shown to be a simple Voigt function, while forRIV, the line absorption probability distribution function is more complex involving a linear combination of two Voigt functions and another more complex probability distribution. The structure of the reemission coefficients forRIII andRIV is then discussed.
Building sustainable professional capacity in African public sectors: retention constraints in Kenya

Significant investments are being made by aid agencies to increase Master's-level training of African professionals serving in the public sector. Yet no case studies present detailed data or analysis of past efforts to build sustainable human capacity in governmental institutions. The article reviews career and retention data on 169 economists, planners, and statisticians trained under funding provided by 6 long-term aid projects for targeted posts in Kenyan ministries. After reviewing retention constraints revealed by this data and other evidence, it offers recommendations that might assist governments and aid agencies to design and implement capacity building initiatives with a higher probability of ensuring that returned graduates serve for adequate periods of time in the positions for which they were trained. © 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Public Admin. Dev. Vol. 17, 307–324 (1997). No. of Figures: 0. No. of Tables: 1. No. of Refs: 31.
Choledochoduodenostomy: Is It Really So Bad?

Background Choledochoduodenostomy (CDD) has been shunned by some surgeons for the management of the benign distal common bile duct stricture due to the potential complication of “sump syndrome.” The feared sump syndrome is theorized to occur from bile stasis and reflux of duodenal contents into the terminal common bile duct with bacterial overgrowth, resulting in cholangitis or hepatic abscess. The true incidence and resultant morbidity of sump syndrome, however, are not well defined.
Host immune response in renal cell cancer: interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-10 mRNA are frequently detected in freshly collected tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes.

Human renal cell cancer (RCC) is clearly responsive to immunotherapy. Clinical responses may be mediated by "non-specific" (e.g. natural killer, NK, cells) or "specific" MHC-class-I-restricted tumor-specific CD8+ T lymphocytes. Typically RCC progresses, however, despite significant infiltration of various lymphoid cells. We examined freshly isolated RCC tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TIL) derived from seven RCC patients for cytokine expression by the polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Established RCC tumor cell lines derived from these RCC patients were negative for interleukin-2 (IL-2), IL-4, IL-10, and interferon gamma and found to be positive for tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF alpha), IL-6, IL-1 beta, granulocyte/macrophage-colony-stimulating factor (GM-CSF), and transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF beta 1) message as detected by PCR. An identical pattern of cytokine mRNA expression was identified in other long-term RCC lines and in normal human kidney cells upon culture, but not in two Wilms tumor cell lines tested. Short-term-, and long-term-established RCC lines, but not Wilms tumor lines, secreted substantial levels of GM-CSF, TNF alpha, IL-1 beta, and IL-6 as detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Both RCC lines and Wilms tumor lines secreted TGF beta 1. In comparison, normal kidney cells secreted IL-6 and GM-CSF, but not IL-1 beta, or TFG beta 1 under identical in vitro cell culture conditions. We applied PCR-based methods to characterize the cytokine mRNA expression pattern in immune cells infiltrating into renal cell cancer without the need for expansion of such effector cells in vitro. Examining freshly collected RCC TIL by PCR from patients with primary cell cell cancer, we could demonstrate that such cells, but not lympho-mononuclear cells harvested from normal human kidney tissue, typically exhibit IL-4 and IL-10 mRNA expression.
Contributing Factors for Cancellations of Outpatient Pediatric Urology Procedures: Single Center Experience

Purpose: Surgery cancellations in the pediatric population are often due to preventable causes and can lead to decreased operating room efficiency. We hypothesized that clinical and demographic patient factors are associated with preventable cancellations of scheduled outpatient pediatric urology procedures at our institution.Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of cancelled outpatient pediatric urology procedures from January 1 to July 31, 2010 was performed. Data regarding demographics, procedure type, time to surgery from preoperative visit, reason for cancellation, potential operating room and surgeon lost revenue, and ultimate patient outcome were extracted from the electronic medical record.Results: We identified 114 cancellations during the study period, comprising 13.3% of scheduled outpatient procedures. Preventable cancellations included insurance/financial related (11.4%), preoperative fasting violation (8.8%) and condition improved the day of surgery (4.4%). Nonpreventable cancellatio...
Managing sleep disorders in Parkinson’s disease

Sleep-related problems are frequent complaints of patients with Parkinson’s disease. Although initially recognized by James Parkinson in his famous monograph ‘An essay on the shaking palsy’ in 1817, disturbed nocturnal sleep and daytime sleepiness have only recently received appropriate medical attention. The aim of this review is to provide an overview of the most common disturbances of nocturnal sleep and daytime alertness in patients with Parkinson’s disease, with special emphasis on diagnosis and therapeutic strategies.
Charge hopping in molecular wires as a sequence of electron-transfer reactions

Charge transport in molecular wires is investigated theoretically within the framework of a simple hopping model. The model suggests that each elementary hopping step can be treated as an electron-transfer reaction between ionic and neutral states of π-conjugated structural units coupled through σ-bonded spacers. Within this mechanistic picture, the ability of wire to transport a charge depends crucially on the internal reorganization energy, λ. Using unrestricted Hartree−Fock and density functional theory methods, we evaluate λ for benzene, 3-methylbiphenyl, 2,6-dimethyl-1-phenyl-pyridinium (DMPP), and 4-(p-suflhydrylphenylpyridinium-1‘-yl)-2,6-dimethylpyridinium, selected as representative examples of structures used for chemical attachment to σ-bonded structural spacers in real molecular wires. The results are exploited to estimate the upper and lower limits of hole and electron mobility in wires that consist of aromatic ring units linked to the antipodal bridgeheads of σ-bonded molecular “cages”, bicy...