cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Avenues of Hope: Art Therapy and the Resolution of Trauma

This paper describes a method for using art therapy with adolescents in crisis. A model developed for the study defines four trauma stages and associated art therapy goals. They are Stage I, Impact—Creating Continuity; Stage II, Retreat—Building Therapeutic Alliance; Stage III, Acknowledgment—Overcoming Social Stigma and Isolation Through Mastery; and Stage IV, Reconstruction—Fostering Meaning. An example of the application of the paradigm is presented through a case study, including the art therapy approaches and method for assessing the artwork and art processes across the continuum of these stages. It is found that hope is experienced through art and generative processes. The author draws on research conducted on an intensive care burn unit to develop a new paradigm for understanding crisis and trauma through art therapy (Appleton, 1990).
Uptake of polypeptide fragments of proteins by rat intestine in vitro and in vivo

Abstract Minute amounts of intact proteins were previously shown to be taken up from the intestine into the systemic circulation of mature animals; fragments were not detected. In this study, we sought evidence for uptake of fragments in both in vitro and in vivo experiments. Polypeptide fragments produced by pepsin digestion of bovine serum albumin (ranging in molecular weight from ~6000 to 25,000) were labeled with 125 I. Everted jejunal gut sacs prepared from rat intestine were incubated with labeled fragments. After incubation, fluid exposed to the serosal surface was applied to a Sephadex G-50 gel permeation column. Radioactivity was detected in fractions corresponding to the elution position of the fragments. Transfer of fragments from the mucosal to the serosal surface was temperature-dependent. In in vivo studies, labeled fragments were infused into the jejunum of rats. Blood samples obtained from a mesenteric vein or the portal vein contained labeled fragments. After infusion of unlabeled fragments, nanogram amounts of immunoreactive fragments were detected by radioimmunoassay of mesenteric and portal venous blood. Thus, polypeptide fragments of a potential food protein were capable of being transferred across the mucosa in vitro and in vivo. Failure to detect fragments in the systemic circulation most likely results from their rapid clearance.
Pseudallescheria boydii brain abscess: Complication of an intravenous catheter

Abstract An adult patient survived a brain abscess with Pseudallescheria boydii. She received intraventricular miconazole, 20 mg every 72 hours (minimal inhibitory concentration=0.4 μg/ml), and surgery. The abscess resulted from an infected central venous catheter (Port-ACath) and steroid therapy. Miconazole caused a ventriculitis. There are 12 reported cases of P. boydii brain abscesses from 1965 to 1985 with only two survivors.
Spintronic materials and devices: past, present and future!

Spintronics utilizes the electron's spin to create useful sensors, memory and logic devices with properties not possible with charge based devices. This paper reviews the past successes, and the current and future prospects of spintronic materials and devices. A magnetic random access memory (MRAM) based on a magnetic tunnel junction memory cell promises a high performance memory with high density, speed and nonvolatility: a recent 16 Mb MRAM demonstration chip is described. Two and three terminal tunnel-junction based sources of highly spin polarized current are described as one component of possible spintronic logic devices, which have the potential for much lower power operation than charge based devices. Finally, we discuss a concept for a solid-state memory based on advanced spintronic concepts which promises as much as a hundredfold increase in the capacity of solid state memories, rivaling the capacities of hard disk drives but with no moving parts.
Changes in the Wholesale Drug Industry: A Pharmacist's View

Drug wholesaling has greatly altered in the ast thirty ears. These changes have occurred in terms of sale (w g ich have gecome more mm lex), services (which have become more specialized), ownership Pfcw locally owned companies today), and merchandise mix (much broader). It is suggested that better exchange of ideas between retailer and wholesaler are needed, that wholesalers support retail pharmacy research and that wholesaler-sponsored clerk training programs are needed.
Efficient algorithms for parallelizing Monte Carlo simulations for 2D Ising spin models

In this paper, we design and implement a variety of parallel algorithms for both sweep spin selection and random spin selection. We analyze our parallel algorithms on LogP, a portable and general parallel machine model. We then obtain rigorous theoretical runtime results on LogP for all the parallel algorithms. Moreover, a guiding equation is derived for choosing data layouts (blocked vs. stripped) for sweep spin selection. In regard to random spin selection, we are able to develop parallel algorithms with efficient communication schemes. We introduce two novel schemes, namely the FML scheme and the ?-scheme. We analyze randomness of our schemes using statistical methods and provide comparisons between the different schemes.
`They Scorn us Because We are Uneducated': Knowledge and Power in a Tanzanian Marine Park

This article addresses the relationship between science and popular knowledge within Tanzania's Mafia Island Marine Park. It examines the ways in which various forms of knowledge circulate within the park, as well as how knowledge is evaluated and used by representatives of international organizations, national government officials, and Mafia residents. Despite the ostensibly `participatory' goals of the marine park, island residents continue to be excluded because they fail to speak the language of the `educated'. At the same time, forms of knowledge within the park serve as potent cultural markers of class status, ethnicity and `modernity' in ways that buttress the social position of national and international elites and undermine that of island residents.
Mother-infant circadian rhythm: development of individual patterns and dyadic synchrony.

Abstract Background Mutual circadian rhythm is an early and essential component in the development of maternal–infant physiological synchrony. Aims The aim of this to examine the longitudinal pattern of maternal–infant circadian rhythm and rhythm synchrony as measured by rhythm parameters. Study design In-home dyadic actigraphy monitoring at infant age 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Subjects Forty-three healthy mother–infant pairs. Outcome measures Circadian parameters derived from cosinor and non-parametric analysis including mesor, magnitude, acrophase, L5 and M10 midpoints (midpoint of lowest 5 and highest 10 h of activity), amplitude, interdaily stability (IS), and intradaily variability (IV). Results Mothers experienced early disruption of circadian rhythm, with re-establishment of rhythm over time. Significant time effects were noted in increasing maternal magnitude, amplitude, and IS and decreasing IV ( p p r = 0.704), L5 ( r = 0.453) and M10 ( r = 0.479) midpoints. Conclusions Development of mother–infant synchrony reflects shared elements of circadian rhythm.
Formation and stability of the platinum and rhodium oxides at high oxygen pressures and the structures of Pt3O4, β-PtO2 and RhO2

Abstract The systems Pt-O and Rh-O have been investigated at high oxygen pressures (up to 3500 atm) and temperatures ranging from 400 ° to nearly 900 °C. Three platinum oxide phases were found: the hexagonal α-PtO2, already described in the literature, a new phase, β-PtO2 (CaCl2 structure), and Pt3O4 (NaxPt3O4 structure). β-PtO2 andPt3O4 are black, highly insoluble solids, which can be easily synthesized in bulk at high oxygen pressures. The tetragonal PtO phase reported by Moore and Pauling was not encountered in this study and neither was the b.c.c. Pt3O4 found by Galloni and Roffo . In the system Rh-O we found (besides the already-known, two Rh2O3 polymorphs) a new RhO2 phase with the rutile structure. RhO2 is a black, easily synthesized solid, which is highly insoluble even in hot aqua regia. “Goldschmidt radii” were derived for Pt4+ and Rh4+ and found to be 0.66 A and 0.64 A, respectively.
A friction model for use with a commingled fiberglass-polypropylene plain-weave fabric and the metal tool during thermostamping

This research focuses on the friction mechanism at the tool/fabric interface during thermostamping of woven commingled glass-polypropylene plain-weave fabric. A friction model was derived after completing an experimental investigation into the effect of processing parameters on the steel/fabric friction mechanism. This friction model was incorporated into ABAQUS as a user subroutine for use with a finite element model of a thermostamping operation. Parametric finite element studies were conducted to investigate the effect of changing the binder-ring force and punch velocity on the reaction force of the punch during the thermostamping process. Punch velocity was found to have a much greater effect on the reaction force of the punch and state of strain in the fabric than the binder-ring force.
Geometric characterization of multi-axis multi-pinhole SPECT.

A geometric model and calibration process are developed for single photon emission computed tomography (SPECT) imaging with multiple pinholes and multiple mechanical axes. Unlike the typical situation where pinhole collimators are mounted directly to rotating gamma ray detectors, this geometric model allows for independent rotation of the detectors and pinholes, for the case where the pinhole collimator is physically detached from the detectors. This geometric model is applied to a prototype small animal SPECT device with a total of 22 pinholes and which uses dual clinical SPECT detectors. All free parameters in the model are estimated from a calibration scan of point sources and without the need for a precision point source phantom. For a full calibration of this device, a scan of four point sources with 360 deg. rotation is suitable for estimating all 95 free parameters of the geometric model. After a full calibration, a rapid calibration scan of two point sources with 180 deg. rotation is suitable for estimating the subset of 22 parameters associated with repositioning the collimation device relative to the detectors. The high accuracy of the calibration process is validated experimentally. Residual differences between predicted and measured coordinates are normally distributed with 0.8 mmmore » full width at half maximum and are estimated to contribute 0.12 mm root mean square to the reconstructed spatial resolution. Since this error is small compared to other contributions arising from the pinhole diameter and the detector, the accuracy of the calibration is sufficient for high resolution small animal SPECT imaging.« less
Examining the most relevant conceptualization of the socioeconomic status construct for cancer research.

BACKGROUND Although previous research has established a link between socioeconomic status (SES) and cancer outcomes, there is still little understanding of the processes that contribute to these outcome disparities. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to describe the ways a family's SES influences their healthcare behavior after a child is diagnosed with cancer. METHODS The sample included 5 case study families and in-depth interviews with 21 parents. Case study families were interviewed and observed once a month for 6 months. RESULTS Parents' finances influenced their ability to maintain household expenses and to pay for healthcare expenses and household help. Wealth and help from friends and family are important aspects of families' financial statuses. Parents' educational attainment affected their ability to understand diagnosis and treatment options, their confidence and communication with healthcare professionals, and the utility of their social networks. Parents' occupation influenced their work schedule flexibility, fringe benefits, and their access to and quality of employer-sponsored health insurance. CONCLUSIONS Findings suggest that 3 overarching domains of SES (eg, financial, education, and occupation) have important implications for parents' healthcare navigation. This study underscores the need to use a nuanced set of SES measures (beyond income and education) in future research to enhance our understanding of how SES affects healthcare navigation and refine intervention initiatives designed to help reduce health disparities. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE Cancer education initiatives should focus on enhancing patient-provider interactions, health communication, accessing health information, and resolving work and financial barriers to cancer care.
3-Dimensional Computerized Tomographic Reconstruction of Colovesical Fistulas

AbstractPurpose: Use of 3-dimensional tomographic reconstruction in evaluating colovesical fistulas is discussed.Materials and Methods: We compared 3-dimensional computerized tomographic (CT) images of colovesical fistulas to conventional CT images.Results: Successful surgical repair was facilitated by preoperative radiographic data.Conclusions: Three-dimensional CT reconstruction provides superior spacial detail and can clarify complex anatomical relationships preoperatively.
High Performance Multilayer MoS2 Transistors with Scandium Contacts

While there has been growing interest in two-dimensional (2-D) crystals other than graphene, evaluating their potential usefulness for electronic applications is still in its infancy due to the lack of a complete picture of their performance potential. The focus of this article is on contacts. We demonstrate that through a proper understanding and design of source/drain contacts and the right choice of number of MoS2 layers the excellent intrinsic properties of this 2-D material can be harvested. Using scandium contacts on 10-nm-thick exfoliated MoS2 flakes that are covered by a 15 nm Al2O3 film, high effective mobilities of 700 cm2/(V s) are achieved at room temperature. This breakthrough is largely attributed to the fact that we succeeded in eliminating contact resistance effects that limited the device performance in the past unrecognized. In fact, the apparent linear dependence of current on drain voltage had mislead researchers to believe that a truly Ohmic contact had already been achieved, a miscon...
HOMICIDE, STRUCTURAL FACTORS, AND THE RACIAL INVARIANCE ASSUMPTION

Structural theories in criminology generally assume that the effects of structural conditions on homicide are the same for all race-groups. However, previous homicide research testing this assumption contains methodological shortcomings and has produced inconsistent findings. Therefore, the validity of the “racial invariance assumption” remains highly questionable. Using 1990 data for 125 U.S. cities, this study addresses some of the limitations of previous research in an effort to provide a more definitive examination of race differences in the effects of important structural factors on homicide rates. Contrary to the expectations of the structural perspective, the results from this study reveal substantial and statistically significant race differences. Specifically, the associations between homicide and several measures of socio-economic deprivation (e.g., poverty, unemployment, income inequality, female-headed households, deprivation index) are found to be stronger among whites than blacks. A primary implication of these results is that the current versions of many structural theories need revision in order to account for observed race differences in the effects of structural factors and to explain fully the black-white gap in homicide rates.
SCORPIO: A scalable two-phase parallel I/O library with application to a large scale subsurface simulator

Inefficient parallel I/O is known to be a major bottleneck among scientific applications employed on supercomputers as the number of processor cores grows into the thousands. Our prior experience indicated that parallel I/O libraries such as HDF5 that rely on MPI-IO do not scale well beyond 10K processor cores, especially on parallel file systems (like Lustre) with single point of resource contention. Our previous optimization efforts for a massively parallel multi-phase and multi-component subsurface simulator (PFLOTRAN) led to a two-phase I/O approach at the application level where a set of designated processes participate in the I/O process by splitting the I/O operation into a communication phase and a disk I/O phase. The designated I/O processes are created by splitting the MPI global communicator into multiple sub-communicators. The root process in each sub-communicator is responsible for performing the I/O operations for the entire group and then distributing the data to rest of the group. This approach resulted in over 25X speedup in HDF I/O read performance and 3X speedup in write performance for PFLOTRAN at over 100K processor cores on the ORNL Jaguar supercomputer. This research describes the design and development of a general purpose parallel I/O library called Scorpio that incorporates our optimized two-phase I/O approach. The library provides a simplified higher level abstraction to the user, sitting atop existing parallel I/O libraries (such as HDF5) and implements optimized I/O access patterns that can scale on larger number of processors. Performance results with standard benchmark problems and PFLOTRAN indicate that our library is able to maintain the same speedups as before with the added flexibility of being applicable to a wider range of I/O intensive applications.
Sensitive far uv spectrograph with a multispectral element microchannel plate detector for rocket-borne astronomy

An evacuated high transmission prism spectrograph using a microchannel plate detection system with resistive strip readout was flown behind a precision pointing telescope on a sounding rocket. The construction, preparation, flight performance, and calibration stability of the system are discussed. Despite the adverse environmental conditions associated with sounding rocket flights, the microchannel detector system performed well. Far uv spectra (1160–1750 A) of stellar and planetary objects were obtained; spectral features with fluxes as low as 0.06 photons cm−2 sec−1 were detectable. This was achieved by operating the plates at lower than normal gains, using sensitive pulse counting electronics with both upper and lower limit discriminators, and maintaining the spectrograph and detector at a pressure of ~10−6 Torr until reaching altitude.
Ultrafast photogeneration of charged polarons in conjugated polymers

Ultrafast photoinduced absorption by infrared-active vibrational modes (IRAV) is used to detect charged photoexcitations (polarons) in conjugated luminescent polymers. The experiments, carried out in zero applied electric field, show that polarons are generated instantaneously (within \ensuremath{\sim}100 fs) with appreciable quantum efficiencies, ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{\mathrm{ch}}\ensuremath{\sim}10%.$ The ultrafast photoinduced IRAV absorption, the weak pump-wavelength dependence of ${\ensuremath{\varphi}}_{\mathrm{ch}}$ and linear dependence of charge density on pump intensity indicate that both charged polarons and neutral excitons are independently generated even at the earliest times. Several mechanisms for charge generation proposed in the literature are eliminated by these results.
The millimeter and submillimeter spectrum of NO2: A study of electronic effects in a nonsinglet light asymmetric rotor

425 new lines of 14N16O2 have been observed by high resolution microwave techniques in the spectral region between 100 and 600 GHz. These data have been analyzed and fit to within experimental uncertainty (∼0.05 MHz). This analysis provides accurate predictions of the results of a number of previous experiments as well as an accurate map of the ground state energy level structure of 14N16O2 over a wide range of states.
Larval settlement behavior in the jellyfishAurelia aurita (Linnaeus) (Scyphozoa: Semaeostomeae)

The distribution of sessile marine invertebrates is often the consequence of the selection of a suitable substrate by motile larvae. Motile planulae larvae ofAurelia aurita (Linnaeus) are exposed to an artificial substrate in the laboratory to determine if they possess the capacity both for specific orientation and for discrimination of surface texture at time of attachment. More than 90% (P<0.001) of the planulae fasten to the underside of objects. As a result, developing scyphistomae hang with the oral surface downward as commonly encountered in the field. The effect of surface texture on planula attachment is equivocal; this may reflect an indifference to surface texture, a limited capacity to locomote across rough substrate, or a mechanism of response sensitive only to large surface irregularities. These results are compared with those obtained for the planulae ofCyanea capillata (Linnaeus). The planular effected orientation of the scyphistoma may be generally true for coastal representatives of the Semaeostomeae, and perhaps for other shallow water Scyphozoa (including the Class Cubozoa).
Choice and Ego-Depletion: The Moderating Role of Autonomy

The self-regulatory strength model maintains that all acts of self-regulation, self-control, and choice result in a state of fatigue called ego-depletion. Self-determination theory differentiates between autonomous regulation and controlled regulation. Because making decisions represents one instance of self-regulation, the authors also differentiate between autonomous choice and controlled choice. Three experiments support the hypothesis that whereas conditions representing controlled choice would be egodepleting, conditions that represented autonomous choice would not. In Experiment 3, the authors found significant mediation by perceived self-determination of the relation between the choice condition (autonomous vs. controlled) and ego-depletion as measured by performance.
Serum Zinc Levels and Alzheimer's Disease

Concentrations of zinc in postmortem serum and four brain regions were measured by flame atomic absorption spectrometry and instrumental neutron activation analysis, respectively, in nine Alzheimer’s disease (AD) and eight control subjects. A statistically significant elevation of zinc serum was observed in AD subjects (136.4±66.8 µg/dL) compared with age-matched control subjects (71.1±35.0 µg/dL). No significant differences were observed between AD and control zinc concentrations in the amygdala, hippocampus, cerebellum, and superior and middle temporal gryi.
cAMP-dependent and tissue-specific expression of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes in bovine luteal and granulosa cells in primary culture.

Abstract Steroidogenic enzymes are differentially expressed throughout the ovarian cycle. The complex pattern of cell-specific up- and down-regulation accounts, at least in part, for the cyclic production of estrogens, androgens and progesterone. The gonadotropins follicle-stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone are the main regulators of ovarian steroid hormone production and act primarily via the cAMP second-messenger system. Previous studies have identified cAMP-responsive sequences (CRS) in a number of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes. In the present study we attempted to compare the cAMP responsiveness of some of these sequences with each other and with the classical cAMP-responsive element (CRE), as identified in the somatostatin gene. In addition, we were interested to determine whether or not the information for tissue-specific expression is contained by these sequences. Using transient transfection of reporter gene constructs, comprizing the CRS of bCYP11A, bCYP17, hCYP21B and bovine adrenodoxin, we investigated cAMP-dependent and tissue-specific expression in primary cultures of bovine luteal and granulosa cells. Treatment of transfected luteal cells with forskolin markedly increased the expression of all but the CYP17-specific reporter gene constructs. A similar pattern of forskolin responsiveness was observed when these reporter gene constructs were transfected in bovine granulosa cells in primary culture. Furthermore, when a reporter gene construct containing the classical CRE genomic was transfected in bovine luteal cells, its expression was also highly stimulated upon treatment with forskolin. Thus, the classical cAMP/CRE system appears to be functional in these cells. Northern blot analysis of primary cultures of bovine luteal and granulosa cells revealed that bCYP21B and bCYP21B are not expressed in control and forskolin-treated cultures. In order to explain why the CYP21B-specific reporter gene construct is highly expressed in forskolin-treated cells, whereas the endogenous gene is not, we examined the regulation of expression of a set of chimeric DNA constructs containing increasing deletions of the hCYP21B 5' flanking region. These experiments indicated that the control of tissue-specific expression of this gene may lie within the region −612 to −250 bp. In conclusion, the data presented in this study suggest that cAMP-dependent regulation of genes encoding steroidogenic enzymes is mediated by different molecular mechanisms, distinct from the classical cAMP/CRE system. In addition, we provide evidence that the information for tissue-specific expression may be located within (CYP17) or outside (CYP21B) the cAMP-responsive sequences.
DNA index, genome size, and electronic nuclear volume of vertebrates from the Miami Metro Zoo.

Background Flow cytometry is a rapid and reliable method for measuring nuclear DNA content and genome size. Fluorochrome binding characteristics, sample preparation and differences in DNA condensation, and availability of binding sites can cause variations in results obtained. Methods Blood samples from 82 vertebrate species were collected in 10% dimethyl sulfoxide and stained with propidium iodide/hypotonic citrate or 4,6-diamidino-2-phenylindole dihydrochloride for analysis of DNA content and electronic nuclear volume (ENV). Trout red blood cells (TRBCs), human peripheral blood lymphocytes, and human buccal cavity cells were used as internal standards. Results Mean fluorescence channel (MFC) values of TRBC and buccal cavity cells used as internal standards were stable at 15 to 120 min of propidium iodide staining. TRBCs mixed with other cells especially human peripheral blood cells showed an increase in MFC. ENV and MCF values were less variable in different species of birds than in reptiles or mammals. Genome size based on use of buccal cavity cells as the internal standard showed a high degree of correlation with previous reports. Conclusions Proper selection and use of internal standards and sample preparation are essential for reliable determination of DNA content and genome size in vertebrates by flow cytometry. © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Factors influencing the probability of employee promotions: A comparative analysis of human capital, organization screening and gender/race discrimination theories

This study examines the effects that a manager's formal education, on-the-job training, race and gender had on the probability of being promoted from different jobs during his or her career in a company. Having a bachelor's degree with a major in business or engineering had significant screening effects on the probability of being promoted. The education screening was much stronger for low performing managers than for high performers. There was no evidence of gender or race or race discrimination effects. The importance of determining screening variables is discussed.
The use of barium and strontium abundances in human skeletal tissues to determine their geographic origins

Decades of research show that barium and strontium enter skeletal tissues in proportion to their dietary abundance and, hence, to local environmental levels. Among regions that contrast geologically or climatologically, the environmental abundance of these elements can vary substantially and exceed variation due solely to local dietary differences. Because dental enamel develops during childhood and retains the original levels of these elements, it can provide a chemical signature of the geographic origins of individuals. Copyright © 2003 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
Terminal-Phase Chronic Myelogenous Leukemia: Approaches to Treatment

The prognosis of patients with CML has improved little in the past 50 years. The relatively benign chronic phase invariably deteriorates to a refractory and rapidly fatal terminal phase. This terminal stage has been found to have two major subtypes as defined by morphologic, cytochemical, immunologic, and enzymatic criteria--myeloblastoid and lymphoblastoid. Aggressive combination chemotherapy has achieved minimal improvement in survival once the terminal phase has begun, perhaps because only Ph1-positive stem cells remain to repopulate the marrow at this stage. Bone marrow transplantation has also been unsuccessful as therapy for the terminal phase, possibly because the patients are too debilitated to tolerate transplantation once the terminal phase has begun. Combination chemotherapy has been applied in an effort to eliminate the Ph1 chromosome-containing clone during the chronic phase. This goal has not yet been consistently achieved. Chemotherapy has also not been able to delay the onset of the terminal phase nor to prolong survival. Even in those patients in whom the Ph1 chromosome-containing clone has been eliminated, relapse to the chronic phase with return of the Ph1 chromosome has generally occurred within a brief period of time. Bone marrow transplantation during the chronic phase may hold the promise of true cure for CML, with permanent elimination of the malignant clone. However, the chronic phase can be unpredictably long and patients in the chronic phase often have few, if any symptoms. Therefore, there has been a reluctance to employ drastic therapy during the chronic phase. Techniques to predict the transformation to the terminal phase prior to overt morphologic or clinical conversion are now being developed. It may be possible in the future to attempt HLA-matched sibling donor bone marrow transplantation at the earliest signs of transformation from the chronic to the terminal phase. In this manner, optimal survival might be achieved by allowing patients to be maintained in the chronic phase for as long as possible prior to the initiation of aggressive therapy. Until this is routinely possible, continued research designed to improve the therapy of the terminal phase must be pursued. These attempts are likely to include the development and evaluation of new chemotherapeutic agents, novel methods of administration of existing drugs to better exploit their pharmacokinetics (for example, continuous infusion), and the utilization of newly described treatment approaches (such as the use of "differentiating" agents in an attempt to prevent progression to blastic transformation).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 400 WORDS)
Resistant hepatic allograft rejection successfully treated with cyclophosphamide and plasmapheresis.

We report 2 patients who underwent ABO compatible orthotopic liver transplantation with acute rejection that appears to be cellular ― as well as antibody-mediated
Retention of lepirudin at the tip of a silicone catheter: a better catheter flush solution?

Because central venous catheters often become blocked by clot at their tip despite heparin flushes, a more effective anticoagulant is needed. We hypothesize that lepirudin, a recently introduced protein anticoagulant, might be more effective than heparin because of its tendency to adsorb to silicone, a commonly used catheter material. We preliminarily tested this hypothesis in vitro by measuring residual lepirudin and heparin activity at the tip of a catheter that had been submerged in a flowing stream of water for various periods of time. We observed that lepirudin is less readily removed than heparin from the catheter by fluid washing over it. This “slow-release” property of lepirudin might provide prolonged protection against clot formation at the catheter tip. A clinical trial will be necessary, however, to determine whether this property translates into significant improvement in catheter function.
THE POTENTIAL FOR CARBON MONOXIDE PRODUCTION IN VASCULAR TISSUES.|[dagger]| 407

Evidence is accumulating that carbon monoxide (CO) can be an endogenous regulator of various physiologic processes in the brain and vascular tissues. CO is primarily a product of the heme catabolic pathway, of which the enzyme, heme oxygenase (HO), controls the rate limiting step and is responsible for the production of CO from erythropoietic- and hemoprotein heme. CO has been shown to affect vascular tone in smooth muscle cells. Thus, CO could be a factor in regional or systemic blood pressure regulation. We determined HO activity and its in vitro inhibition by 33 μM of chromium mesoporphyrin (CrMP) in homogenate preparations of rat aorta, vena cava and human umbilical cord artery and vein and Wharton's jelly and compared it to activity in rat liver. HO activity (mean±SD) was determined by measuring the in vitro production rate of CO with gas chromatography: Table We conclude that vascular tissue preparations have HO activity comparable to that in liver. The study of CO biology in vascular structures may provide insight into the control of regional or systemic blood flow during development.
Electromagnetic scattering from slot antennas on waveguides with arbitrary terminations

A numerical technique is presented to study the scattering of electromagnetic waves from slot antennas fed by waveguides with arbitrary terminations. The technique employs the method of moments in conjunction with the entire-domain basis functions to solve the integral equation derived for the field in the slots. The validity and accuracy of the proposed technique are demonstrated by comparing the numerical results to the solution obtained using the finite-element method. © 1995 John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
Initiation Codon Scanthrough versus Termination Codon Readthrough Demonstrates Strong Potential for Major Histocompatibility Complex Class I–restricted Cryptic Epitope Expression

Accumulating evidence shows that the repertoire of major histocompatibility complex class I–restricted epitopes extends beyond conventional translation reading frames. Previously, we reported that scanthrough translation, where the initiating AUG of a primary open reading frame is bypassed, is most likely to account for the presentation of cryptic epitopes from alternative reading frames within the influenza A PR/8/34 nucleoprotein gene. Here, we confirm and extend these findings using an epitope cassette construct that features two well-defined CD8+ T cell (TCD8+) epitopes in alternative reading frames, each preceded by a single start codon. Expression of one epitope depends on scanning of the ribosome over the first AUG with translation initiation occurring at the second AUG. We find that scanthrough translation has great potency in our system, with its impact being modulated, as predicted, by the base composition surrounding the first initiation codon, the number of start codons preceding the point of alternate reading frame initiation, and the efficiency with which the epitope itself is generated. Additionally, we investigated the efficiency of eukaryotic translation termination codons, to assess codon readthrough as a mechanism for cryptic epitope expression from 3′ untranslated regions. In contrast with initiation codons, eukaryotic stop codons appear to be highly efficient at preventing expression of epitopes encoded in 3′ untranslated regions, suggesting that 3′ untranslated regions are not a common source of cryptic epitope substrate. We conclude that scanthrough is a powerful mechanism for the expression of epitopes encoded in upstream alternative open reading frames that may contribute significantly to TCD8+ responses and to tolerance induction.
Equatorward Propagation of Coupled Air–Sea Disturbances with Application to the Annual Cycle of the Eastern Tropical Pacific

Abstract A simple coupled ocean–atmospheric boundary layer model is used to study the annual variability in the eastern tropical Pacific. The air–sea coupling, particularly the feedback of the total wind speed effect on evaporation and wind mixing entrainment, produces a rapid equatorward and westward propagation of annual disturbances. For reasonable parameters, both amplitude and phase of the annual disturbance can be reproduced fairly well over most of the Tropics. It is then suggested that a substantial part of equatorial annual variability may come from the extratropics (say beyond 15°) due to the propagation of coupled waves.
Efficacy of the routine admission urinalysis

The clinical efficacy of routine admission urinalyses was evaluated in 301 patients admitted to the internal medicine wards of a university teaching hospital. Using a consensus analysis approach, three Department of Medicine faculty members reviewed the patients' charts to determine which tests were performed routinely and which test results led to diagnostic or therapeutic management changes. Of the 243 urinalyses performed, 123 (51 percent) were ordered routinely for patients without recognizable medical indications. Results of the routine urinalyses were abnormal in 42 (34 percent) of the patients and led to additional laboratory testing in 20 (16 percent) of the cases. However, the test results led to therapeutic changes in only three (2.4 percent) of the patients, and in two of these patients, the treatment instituted probably was unnecessary. It is concluded that the impact of routine admission urinalysis on patient care is very small and that there is little justification for ordering this test for all patients admitted to the hospital.
5-HYDROXYTRYPTAMINE INCREASES EXCITABILITY OF CA1 HIPPOCAMPAL PYRAMIDAL CELLS

In the presence of spiperone to block the 5-HT1A-mediated inhibition of pyramidal cell activity, 5-hydroxytryptamine (serotonin, 5-HT) produces a rapid transient increase in amplitude of the extracellularly recorded population spike from area CA1 of the hippocampus. Intracellular recording techniques in area CA1 of rat hippocampal slices were used to identify the ionic mechanism and to characterize the 5-HT receptor mediating this excitatory response to 5-HT. Most of the experiments were conducted in the presence of spiperone to block the 5HT1A hyperpolarization. Since spiperone also has high affinity for 5-HT2 receptors, any response mediated by 5-HT2 receptors would also be blocked. Bath perfusion of the slice with 5-HT increased the rectification of pyramidal cells in the subthreshold region, increased the resistance, and increased the amplitude of subthreshold excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) to initiate spike firing. The 5-HT2,1C-selective agonist DOI mimicked this effect of 5-HT, and the 5-HT2,1C antagonist ketanserin (1 microM) blocked the effect of DOI. There was no change in the amplitude of the slow afterhyperpolarization (sAHP) or the amplitude of evoked inhibitory postsynaptic potentials (IPSPs). The increase in rectification and EPSP amplitude by 5-HT occurred even in the presence of the 5-HT4-selective antagonist BRL 24924 to prevent the decrease in amplitude of the sAHP by 5-HT. We conclude that 5-HT produces a fast excitatory response by increasing subthreshold conductance in CA1 hippocampal pyramidal cells. The identity of the receptor mediating this response was not conclusively identified, but resembled the 5-HT1C receptor.
Synthesis and purine receptor affinity of 6-oxopurine nucleosides and nucleotides containing (N)-methanocarba-pseudoribose rings

6-Oxopurine derivatives containing a northern (N) methanocarba modification (i.e., fused cyclopropane and cyclopentane rings in place of the ribose) were synthesized and the adenosine receptor affinity measured. Guanine or hypoxanthine was coupled at the 7-position, or 1,3-dibutylxanthine was coupled at the 9-position. The pseudoribose ring was also substituted at the 5′-position with an N-methyluronamide or with phosphate groups.
MECHANISMS OF ISCHEMIA-INDUCED CAVERNOSAL SMOOTH MUSCLE RELAXATION IMPAIRMENT IN A RABBIT MODEL OF VASCULOGENIC ERECTILE DYSFUNCTION

AbstractPurpose: To determine the effects of hypercholesterolemia and atherosclerosis-induced chronic cavernosal arterial insufficiency on cavernosal smooth muscle tone, nitric oxide synthase (NOS) activity and cavernosal tissue synthesis of constrictor eicosanoids. To study whether inhibition of the cyclooxygenase pathway by indomethacin and tissue treatment with nitric oxide (NO) precursor L-arginine improve hypercholesterolemia and ischemia-induced impaired endothelium-dependent and neurogenic relaxation of cavernosal tissue.Materials and Methods: New Zealand White rabbits were divided into control (n = 10, fed a regular diet), hypercholesterolemia (Hch, n = 13, fed a diet containing 0.5% cholesterol) and chronic cavernosal ischemia (CCI, n = 14) groups. The CCI group underwent balloon de-endothelialization of iliac arteries and received a diet containing 0.5% cholesterol. After 16 weeks, we examined the effects of Hch and balloon de-endothelialization induced arterial occlusive disease on iliac arteri...
Determining embedding dimension for phase-space reconstruction using a geometrical construction

We examine the issue of determining an acceptable minimum embedding dimension by looking at the behavior of near neighbors under changes in the embedding dimension from d\ensuremath{\rightarrow}d+1. When the number of nearest neighbors arising through projection is zero in dimension ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{E}}$, the attractor has been unfolded in this dimension. The precise determination of ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{E}}$ is clouded by ``noise,'' and we examine the manner in which noise changes the determination of ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{E}}$. Our criterion also indicates the error one makes by choosing an embedding dimension smaller than ${\mathit{d}}_{\mathit{E}}$. This knowledge may be useful in the practical analysis of observed time series.
miR-Explore: Predicting MicroRNA Precursors by Class Grouping and Secondary Structure Positional Alignment

MicroRNAs (miRNAs) are small noncoding RNAs that regulate gene expressions by targeting the mRNAs especially in the 3′UTR regions. The identification of miRNAs has been done by biological experiment and computational prediction. The computational prediction approach has been done using two major methods: comparative and noncomparative. The comparative method is dependent on the conservation of the miRNA sequences and secondary structure. The noncomparative method, on the other hand, does not rely on conservation. We hypothesized that each miRNA class has its own unique set of features; therefore, grouping miRNA by classes before using them as training data will improve sensitivity and specificity. The average sensitivity was 88.62% for miR-Explore, which relies on within miRNA class alignment, and 70.82% for miR-abela, which relies on global alignment. Compared with global alignment, grouping miRNA by classes yields a better sensitivity with very high specificity for pre-miRNA prediction even when a simple positional based secondary and primary structure alignment are used.
Laboratory testing of the HEXIS hard x-ray imager balloon telescope

The High Energy X-ray Imager Survey (HEXIS) Coded Mask balloon instrument will test the performance of the electronics and the detector for the proposed MIRAX satellite mission, and measure the background in a near space environment. HEXIS is a Coded Mask Imager based upon a 100 x 100mm Tungsten MURA mask and a set of four Cadmium-Zinc-Telluride (CZT) crossed strip detectors assembled as one detector module with 40 cm2 detector area and 0.5mm pitch strips creating an effective 126 x 126 grid of 0.5 x 0.5mm2 pixels. Each detector strip can be read out individually using Readout Electronics for Nuclear Application (RENA)-ASICs developed by NOVA R&D. The system has an operating energy range of <10 to 200 keV. The telescope has a passive shield as part of the instrument structure, which is surrounded by an active anti-coincidence shield of plastic scintillators with embedded wavelength shifting and light transmitting fibers. The first HEXIS balloon flight is planned for Spring 2007. We present the lab performance for one module using RENA ASICs and for the scintillator shield. The MIRAX Hard X-ray Imager (HXI) will contain two cameras with 9 detector modules each.© (2006) COPYRIGHT SPIE--The International Society for Optical Engineering. Downloading of the abstract is permitted for personal use only.
Progressive resistance, whole body long-axis rotational training improves kicking motion motor performance

Abstract Objectives To evaluate lower extremity muscle activation, peak resultant ground reaction force (GRF) production and quickness during performance of a kicking motion following progressive resistance, whole body long-axis rotational training. Design Randomized, controlled study. Setting Kinesiological research laboratory. Participants Thirty-six healthy subjects were assigned to a training (Group 1) or to a control (Group 2) group. Main outcome measures Time-synchronized EMG (1000 Hz), peak resultant GRF (1000 Hz) and two-dimensional kinematic (60 Hz) data were collected as subjects responded to an audio cue by kicking a cone. Group mean change differences (MCD) were compared using independent sample t -tests. Fisher's exact tests were used to determine group differences in the proportion of subjects that displayed earlier activation responses post-training. Results Group 1 MCD revealed earlier gluteus maximus, gluteus medius, rectus femoris, medial hamstrings, and biceps femoris activation timing than Group 2 ( P ≤ 0.006) and more Group 1 subjects displayed earlier activation of these muscles post-training ( P ≤ 0.041). Group 1 MCD also revealed earlier peak resultant GRF timing and improved "kick quickness" than Group 2 ( P ≤ 0.014) and more Group 1 subjects displayed earlier response timing for these variables post-training ( P = 0.035). Conclusion Progressive resistance, whole body long-axis rotational training may improve performance during sports movements that require quick, integrated trunk-lower extremity function.
Molecular Pathways: Tumor-Derived Microvesicles and Their Interactions with Immune Cells In Vivo

Cancer is not merely a cell-intrinsic genetic disease but also the result of complex cell-extrinsic interactions with host components, including immune cells. For example, effector T lymphocytes and natural killer cells are thought to participate in an immunosurveillance process, which eliminates neoplastic cells, whereas regulatory T lymphocytes and some myeloid cells, including macrophages, can create a milieu that prevents antitumor activity, supports tumor growth, and reduces survival of the host. Increasing evidence supports the notion that carcinoma cells communicate with immune cells directly, both within and away from the tumor stroma, and that this process fosters suppression of immunosurveillance and promotes tumor outgrowth. An important mode of communication between carcinoma cells and immune cells may involve tumor-derived microvesicles (tMV), also known as exosomes, ectosomes, or microparticles. These microvesicles carry lipids, proteins, mRNAs and microRNAs and travel short or long distances to deliver undegraded and undiluted material to other cells. Here, we consider the capacity of tMVs to control tumor-associated immune responses and highlight the known and unknown actions of tMVs in vivo. We also discuss why microvesicles may play a role in cancer diagnostics and prognostics and how they could be harnessed for anticancer therapy.