cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Stress-induced analgesia: Neural and hormonal determinants ☆

Abstract Extensive evidence has indicated that distinct neural systems specifically designed to inhibit sensitivity to painful stimuli exist. Recent advances suggest that the endorphins, enkephalins and the opiate receptor interact with a descending serotonergic bulbospinal system to mediate the analgesic responses to opiates and electrical stimulation. In assessing the evolutionary and behavioral significance of this pain-inhibitory system, several laboratories discovered that acute exposure to a wide variety of stressful events results in a transient analgesia. Chronic exposure to a number of these stressors results in adaptation of the analgesic response. The purpose of this review is to identify and characterize the mechanisms by which these stressors activate pain-inhibition. The relationship of stress-induced analgesia to each of the following is reviewed: (a) the role of endorphins, enkephalins and the opiate receptor; (b) the role of the descending serotonergic bulbospinal system; (c) the role of the pituitary gland; and (d) the role of hypothalamic mechanisms. Data will be discussed in terms of “opiate” and “non-opiate” pain-inhibitory mechanisms, in which some stressors act through the former and other stressors act through the latter.
Validation of the Individual and Community Empowerment Inventory: A Measure of Rap Music Engagement among First-Year College Students

Amid robust debates about the impact of music on the lives of young people, empirically validated measures of music engagement are absent. The present study builds on the construction of the Individual and Community Empowerment (ICE) inventory, a measure to capture different types of empowerment and different types of risk potential from rap music engagement. The scientific intent of the scale development and the present validation study was to test the simultaneous presence of empowerment and risk associated with music engagement and its application to the individual and community. A unique sample existed for the present study in comparison to the original, with the bulk of respondents being first-year college students and White. Results of the present study suggest that the ICE inventory is an effective and comparative measure of risk and empowerment. Major findings about the instrument’s utility were replicated, but results were divergent from original research on certain demographic trends with respec...
Sinter-forge process for Pb,Sb-doped 110 K BiSrCaCuO superconducting phase

Abstract High- T c phase (2-2-2-3) samples of Pb,Sb-doped BiSrCaCuO superconductors were fabricated by a sinter-forge technique. Calcined powders as well as pre-sintered pellets were sinter forged at 861°C in flowing oxygen with an initial pressure of 4.5 MPa for 3.5 h and subsequently annealed. Best sinter-forged samples exhibited a majority of 2-2-2-3 phase, highly-oriented plate-like grains, and high bulk density values. The effects of processing conditions on microstructures and the electrical properties were investigated.
A review of the radiation stability of ion exchange materials

A comprehensive literature survey on the radiation stability of ion exchangers resulted in the publication of an extensive data compilation on the effects of ionizing radiation on synthetic organic ion exchangers in this journal (Vol. 97, No. 1). This paper is a brief review of the majorfindings of this literature survey along with similar information on synthetic inorganic ion exchangers. The primary goal of this literature survey is to review present knowledge on the effects of ionizing radiations on synthetic ion exchange materials used in radiochemical processing. Although there are gaps in our knowledge of the mechanisms of radiolytic changes in ion exchangers, the information available in the literature shows some general trends and similarities in observed qualitative effects by different types of organic and inorganic ion exchange materials. These trends and observations have been formulated into a set of qualitative and semi-quantitative statements that can be useful to potential users of ion exchange materials in nuclear material processing and radioactive waste management. Present knowledge, of the behavior of ion exchangers under the influence of ionizing radiations is too limited to justify quantitative predictive modeling.
Thrombin Hydrolysis of Human Osteopontin Is Dependent on Thrombin Anion-binding Exosites

The cytokine osteopontin (OPN) can be hydrolyzed by thrombin exposing a cryptic α4β1/α9β1 integrin-binding motif (SVVYGLR), thereby acting as a potent cytokine for cells bearing these activated integrins. We show that purified milk OPN is a substrate for thrombin with a kcat/Km value of 1.14 × 105 m–1 s–1. Thrombin cleavage of OPN was inhibited by unsulfated hirugen (IC50 = 1.2 ± 0.2 μm), unfractionated heparin (IC50 = 56.6 ± 8.4 μg/ml) and low molecular weight (5 kDa) heparin (IC50 = 31.0 ± 7.9 μg/ml), indicating the involvement of both anion-binding exosite I (ABE-I) and anion-binding exosite II (ABE-II). Using a thrombin mutant library, we mapped residues important for recognition and cleavage of OPN within ABE-I and ABE-II. A peptide (OPN-(162–197)) was designed spanning the OPN thrombin cleavage site and a hirudin-like C-terminal tail domain. Thrombin cleaved OPN-(162–197) with a specificity constant of kcat/Km = 1.64 × 104 m–1 s–1. Representative ABE-I mutants (K65A, H66A, R68A, Y71A, and R73A) showed greatly impaired cleavage, whereas the ABE-II mutants were unaffected, suggesting that ABE-I interacts principally with the hirudin-like OPN domain C-terminal and contiguous to the thrombin cleavage site. Debye-Huckel slopes for milk OPN (–4.1 ± 1.0) and OPN-(162–197) (–2.4 ± 0.2) suggest that electrostatic interactions play an important role in thrombin recognition and cleavage of OPN. Thus, OPN is a bona fide substrate for thrombin, and generation of thrombin-cleaved OPN with enhanced pro-inflammatory properties provides another molecular link between coagulation and inflammation.
The Revised 28-Item Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (R28REMS): Examining the Factorial Structure for Black, Latino/Hispanic, and Asian Young Adults

ABSTRACTRacial and ethnic discrimination has adverse effects on the health and mental health outcomes of people of color. Evidence indicates that modern discriminatory behavior is often a product of brief, commonplace, and often subtle acts that convey derogatory messages to people of color, known as racial and ethnic microaggressions. Accurately measuring microaggression is essential to understanding and preventing behaviors that are consistent with this complex construct. The current study examines evidence for the reliability and validity of the Racial and Ethnic Microaggressions Scale (REMS). Data from a sample of 286 randomly selected Black, Latino/Hispanic, and Asian young adults (ages 18–35 years old) were used to examine the REMS. Exploratory factor analysis was used to assess the factor structure of the REMS across racial and ethnic groups. Findings support the reliability of the instrument but also suggest that a shorter 5-factor model offers a promising alternative to the original 6-factor inst...
Remediation of low-level mixed waste: cellulose-based materials and plutonium

Low-level mixed radioactive wastes containing cellulose-based materials and plutonium have been generated during various nuclear processing activities. Biological digestion of the organic- or cellulose- based material was examined as an environmentally acceptable and effective method of treatment for these and other similar wastes. Cellulase enzyme was used to initiate biodegradation prior to 90% destruction of the cellulose material by a sewage sludge consortium. Plutonium did not significantly effect the biodegradation. Bench-scale experimental data were used to design a batch treatment system. A cost and sensitivity analysis was performed to determine the optimal reactor size, materials of construction and media type. The sensitivity analysis indicated that while a 12-month treatment scenario using a carbon steel ball mill, sludge digester and vacuum thickener was the least expensive scenario evaluated on a levelized cost basis ($800 per ton of waste degraded per month), the 12-month scenario using stainless steel construction and the alternative dewatering system offered the most cost-effective treatment alternative and better corrosion resistance (levelized cost of $1130 per ton per month). The dewatering system consisting of a disk centrifuge and sludge dryer is capable of doubling the sludge solids content and produce an overall waste reduction of 67%. The proposed waste treatment system offers a cost savings of up to 31% compared to conventional disposal practices.
The Self-Assembling “Grow-in-Place” Process: An Environmentally Friendly Approach to Nanowire Device Fabrication

Silicon nanowires (SiNWs) were fabricated directly from the Si source gas into pre-fabricated permanent nanochannel templates by our self-assembling “grow-in-place” approach. The size, shape, position, orientation, and number of the SiNWs can be precisely controlled by the pre-fabricated nanochannel templates. Our approach is environmentally benign and friendly since only the exact number of SiNWs needed was grown and the SiNWs were always confined in the nanochannel templates. In addition, the templates can be fabricated with built-in contacts and integrated into the final devices, providing contacts, interconnects, and passivation/encapsulation. We are developing a variety of built-in ohmic and rectifying contact structures and approaches for the “grow-in-place” methodology. Some initial results will be discussed here.
Eikenella corrodens as a cause of recurrent and persistent infections of the head and neck

Four patients had Eikenella corrodens infections involving the head and neck in different ways. The organism is discussed as a pathogen in mixed infections and as the predominant organism in other processes. As part of the resident microflora of mucous membrane surfaces, it is an important potential pathogen in a number of otolaryngologic clinical settings. Careful microbiological culturing and susceptibility testing reveal the causative organism and guide the antibiotic therapy.
Miscarriage: A Historical Perspective

Ancient cultures have applied a variety of fascinating therapies to prevent the occurrence and reoccurrence of miscarriage. Ceremonies of ritual purification, special prayers, and a variety of medicinal therapies were employed throughout the ages to prevent this feared event. Rituals to memorialize and help mourn the lost pregnancy were developed in many cultures. These rituals reinforce how deeply men and women are affected by early pregnancy loss.
Monocytosis: a new observation during radiotherapy.

Abstract Absolute cell counts were performed on patients prior to, during, and after irradiation. A total of 29 patients were evaluated prior to any irradiation; approximately equal numbers had malignant disease of the pelvis and thorax. In addition 44 patients were studied randomly during irradiation only. Absolute cell counts on a 10,000 cell sample demonstrated the usual neutropenia, lymphopenia and eosinophilia. A marked consistant monocytosis also was noted. Parallel 100-cell counts done manually were statistically inconclusive. This has not been reported previously.
Measurement of average neutron energies by a counting rate ratio technique

Abstract Ratios of counts in rings of counter tubes embedded in different thickness of moderator are used to measure average energies of neutrons from spectral sources. This method offers a rapid technique for surveying a large number of spectral sources. Average energies measured by the ring ratio technique are compared to average energies calculated from the available spectra for delayed neutron precursors. Data for 93 Kr, 92−98 Rb and 141−147 Cs are reported.
Beyond Politics: A Candid Evaluation of Gender Differences - A BOOK REVIEW OF: Gender, Nature, and Nurture (2nd ed.) by Richard A. Lippa

Gender, Nature, and Nurture (2nd ed.), by Richard A. Lippa. Mahwah, NJ: Lawrence Erlbaum Associates, 2005, 335 pp. Paper, $34.50. Reviewed by Tyson C. Kreiger, Department of Psychology in Education...
Cost-effective application of stationary fuel cell technologies

ABSTRACT Fuel cells have several features that make them attractive candidates for on-site power generation. Electric conversion efficiency is good, ranging around 40 percent; overall energy efficiency, including the recovery of steam and/or hot water, is about 80 percent. Air emissions are so low that fuel cells have received exemptions from the standard environmental permitting process in some locations. Fuel cells do not rely on size economies of scale to reduce cost or improve performance, and are currently being developed at sub-kW to multi-MW sizes, which covers practically every application of interest to an end user. Currently operating fuel cells have proven to be highly reliable. In addition, fuel cells are very quiet and produce premium power for servicing sensitive electric loads. This article presents energy managers with information that will help them determine whether fuel cells could be effectively implemented at their facilities now or in the future. Included are sections providing an in...
Hypersonic propulsion flight tests as essential to air-breathing aerospace plane development

Hypersonic air-breathing propulsion utilizing scramjets can fundamentally change transatmospheric acclerators for transportation from low Earth orbits (LEOs). The value and limitations of ground tests, of flight tests, and of computations are presented, and scramjet development requirements are discussed. Near-full-scale hypersonic propulsion flight tests are essential for developing a prototype hypersonic propulsion system and for developing computation-design technology that can be used in designing that system. In order to determine how these objectives should be achieved, some lessons learned from past programs are presented. A conceptual two-stage-to-orbit (TSTO) prototype/experimental aerospace plane is recommended as a means of providing access-to-space and for conducting flight tests. A road map for achieving these objectives is also presented.
Development of a Measure to Assess Teacher Beliefs about Instructional Media

Technology-based instructional designs are rapidly becoming the most prominent designs for classroom learning. This investigation reviews the construction of an instrument developed to measure the beliefs held by preservice teachers with respect to various forms of instructional media. The 72-item survey, examining six types of instructional media, was administered to 85 preservice teachers at a major northeastern university. Factor analysis supported two strong constructs, Technological Beliefs and Traditional Beliefs, explaining 99% of the variance in scores. Whole and subscale reliabilities are also reported.
Recurrent Instability After Revision Anterior Shoulder Stabilization Surgery

Purpose The purpose of this study was to perform a systematic review of the literature to compare outcomes of revision anterior stabilization surgeries based on technique. This study also sought to compare the impact of bone defects on outcomes. Methods A systematic review of the electronic databases PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and Scopus was performed in July 2012 and March 2013. Of 345 articles identified in the search, 17 studies with Level I to IV Evidence satisfied the inclusion criteria and were analyzed according to PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Recurrent instability was defined as redislocation, resubluxation, or a positive apprehensive test after revision surgery. Procedures were categorized as arthroscopic Bankart repair, open Bankart repair, Bristow-Latarjet procedure, and other open procedures. Results In total, 388 shoulders were studied. Male patients comprised 74.1% of patients, 66.7% of cases involved the dominant shoulder, the mean age was 28.2 years, and the mean follow-up period was 44.2 months. The surgical procedures classified as "other open procedures" had the highest rate of recurrent instability (42.7%), followed by arthroscopic Bankart repair (14.7%), the Bristow-Latarjet procedure (14.3%), and open Bankart repair (5.5%). Inconsistent reporting of bone defects precluded drawing significant conclusions. Conclusions A number of different procedures are used to address recurrent instability after a primary operation for anterior shoulder instability has failed. There is significant variability in the rate of recurrent instability after revision anterior shoulder stabilization surgery. Level of Evidence Level IV, systematic review of Level I to IV studies.
An expedited approach to evaluate the importance of different crystal growth parameters on laser damage performance in KDP and DKDP

We investigate the laser-induced damage resistance at 355 nm in DKDP crystals grown with varying growth parameters, including temperature, speed of growth and impurity concentration. In order to perform this work, a DKDP crystal was grown over 34 days by the rapid-growth technique with varied growth conditions. By using the same crystal, we are able to isolate growth-related parameters affecting LID from raw material or other variations that are encountered when testing in different crystals. The objective is to find correlations of damage performance to growth conditions and reveal the key parameters for achieving DKDP material in which the number of damage initiating defects is minimized.
Intravenous Neostigmine for Postoperative Acute Colonic Pseudo-Obstruction

Objective:To review the literature on the safety and effectiveness of neostigmine for the treatment of postoperative acute colonic pseudo-obstruction.Data Sources:The MEDLINE/PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane databases from November 1969 to November 2011 were queried for articles published in English, using the search terms neostigmine, acute colonic pseudo-obstruction, postoperative, surgery, and Ogilvie syndrome.Study Selection and Data Extraction:All relevant original studies, meta-analyses, systematic reviews, guidelines, and review articles were assessed for inclusion. References from pertinent articles were examined for additional content not found during the initial search.Data Synthesis:Neostigmine may provide an effective treatment option for postoperative acute colonic pseudo-obstruction (ACPO) after conservative treatment measures have failed. One randomized controlled trial, 8 prospective and 3 retrospective observational studies, and 9 case reports evaluated neostigmine for ACPO. Included studies ...
Design and characterization of a compact dual channel virus counter.

Background Although there is a growing need in the field of biotechnology to rapidly and accurately quantify viruses, time-consuming techniques such as the plaque titer method remain the “gold standard.” Flow cytometric methods for virus quantification offer the advantages of rapid analysis and statistical treatment. The technique presented in this work represents the first demonstration of a flow cytometric determination of a viral count that is directly related to the count obtained by plaque titer. Methods A flow cytometric instrument for rapid quantification of virus particles was designed, constructed, and thoroughly characterized. A two-color method, which involved staining the viral genome and the protein coat for baculoviruses, was developed in addition to an algorithm to identify simultaneous events on the DNA and protein channels. Results The instrument was fully characterized, which included analysis of the data acquisition rate, sampling time, flow rate, detection efficiency, linear dynamic range, channel cross-talk, and the limit of detection. Baculovirus samples were analyzed and the results were compared with concentrations obtained by a one-channel flow cytometer and plaque assay. Conclusions The dual channel virus counter yields a representative value for the concentration of active viruses in an unpurified sample when compared with plaque assay and a one-channel flow cytometer. The technique is rapid (within minutes), requires only minimal sample preparation and minimum sample size (∼100 μl). © 2005 Wiley-Liss, Inc.
Mass Spectrometric Analysis of Long-Chain Lipids

Electrospray and matrix assisted laser desorption ionization generate abundant molecular ion species from all known lipids that have long chain fatty acyl groups esterified or amidated to many different polar headgroup features. Molecular ion species include both positive ions from proton addition [M+H](+) and negative ions from proton abstraction [M-H](-) as well as positive ions from alkali metal attachment and negative ions from acetate or chloride attachment. Collisional activation of both MALDI and ESI behave very similarly in that generated molecular species yield product ions that reveal many structural features of the fatty acyl lipids that can be detected in tandem mass spectrometric experiments. For many lipid species, collision induced dissociation of the positive [M+H](+) reveals information about the polar headgroup, while collision induced dissociation of the negative [M-H](-) provides information about the fatty acyl chain. The mechanisms of formation of many of these lipid product ions have been studied in detail and many established pathways are reviewed here. Specific examples of mass spectrometric behavior of several molecular species are presented, including fatty acids, triacylglycerol, phosphatidic acid, phosphatidylcholine, phosphatidylethanolamine, phosphatidylinositol, phosphatidylserine, phosphatidylglycerol, ceramide, and sphingomeylin.
Effect of ethylene in the storage environment on quality of ‘Bartlett pears’

The effect of ethylene on the quality of ‘Bartlett pears’ stored at either � / 1o r 28C was examined. Fruit from three different harvest dates were stored for 3 months in 0, 1, 5 or 10 m ll � 1 ethylene. Quality attributes, including skin color, firmness, scald and internal browning, were assessed when the fruit were removed from storage and after 4 days ripening at 20 8C. All levels of ethylene increased the incidence of physiological disorders. However, the effect of ethylene was minor compared with the influence of temperature. Fruit stored at � /1 8C remained firm and green, subsequently ripening normally at 20 8C, irrespective of exposure to ethylene. In contrast, all of the pears kept at 2 8C softened and yellowed during storage, and developed symptoms of superficial scald and internal browning. The severity of these disorders increased when fruit were ripened at 20 8C. It was concluded that although it is desirable to minimize ethylene in the storage atmosphere, benefits are likely to be minor compared with the potential gains from good temperature management. # 2002 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.
The osteology and phylogeny of the Hawaiian finch radiation (Fringillidae: Drepanidini), including extinct taxa

The monophyly and phylogeny of the adaptive radiation of Hawaiian finches (Fringillidae: Drepanidini; honeycreepers, auct.) were studied using parsimony analysis of comparative osteology, combined with Templeton (Wilcoxon signed-ranks) tests of alternative phylogenetic hypotheses. Eighty-four osteological characters were scored in 59 terminal taxa of drepanidines, including 24 fossil forms, and in 30 outgroup species. The optimal phylogenetic trees show considerable agreement, and some conflict, with independently derived ideas about drepanidine evolution. The monophyly of a large Hawaiian radiation was upheld, although one fossil taxon from Maui fell outside the drepanidine clade. The finch-billed species were placed as basal drepanidine taxa, and continental cardueline finches (Carduelini) were identified as the radiation’s closest outgroups. The study found anatomical as well as phylogenetic evidence that the radiation had a finch-billed ancestor. The optimal trees identify the red-and-black plumage group as a clade, and suggest that the tubular tongue evolved only once in the radiation. Because comparative osteology provides too few characters to strongly support all the nodes of the tree, it was helpful to evaluate statistical support for alternative hypotheses about drepanidine relationships using the Templeton test. Among the alternatives that received significant statistical support are a relationship of the drepanidines with cardueline finches rather than with the Neotropical honeycreepers (Thraupini), classification of the controversial genera Paroreomyza and Melamprosops as drepanidines, and a secondary loss of the tubular tongue in Loxops mana. The hypothesis of monophyly for all the Hawaiian taxa in the study was not rejected statistically. The study provides a framework for incorporating morphological and palaeontological information in evolutionary studies of the Drepanidini. © 2004 The Linnean Society of London, Zoological Journal of the Linnean Society, 2004, 141, 207‐255. ADDITIONAL KEYWORDS: adaptive radiation ‐ comparative anatomy ‐ evolution ‐ fossils ‐ Hawaiian honeycreepers ‐ island biogeography ‐ morphology ‐ palaeontology ‐ Passeriformes.
Neogene climate change and uplift in the Atacama Desert, Chile

The relationship between Andean uplift and extreme desiccation of the west coast of South America is important for understanding the interplay between climate and tectonics in the Central Andes, yet it is poorly understood. Here we use soil morphological char- acteristics, salt chemistry, and mass independent fractionation anomalies ( 17 O values) in dated paleosols to reconstruct a middle Miocene climatic transition from semiaridity to extreme hyperaridity in the Atacama Desert. Paleosols along the southeastern margin of the Calama Basin change from calcic Vertisols with root traces, slickensides, and gleyed horizons to an extremely mature salic Gypsisol with pedogenic nitrate. We interpret this transition, which occurred between 19 and 13 Ma, to represent a change in precipitation from 200 mm/yr to 20 mm/yr. This drastic reduction in precipitation likely resulted from uplift of the Central Andes to elevations 2 km; the uplift blocked moisture from the South American summer monsoon from entering the Atacama. The mid-Miocene Gyp- sisol with pedogenic nitrate is located at elevations between 2900 and 3400 m in the Cal- ama Basin, significantly higher than modern nitrate soils, which occur below 2500 m. Modern and Quaternary soils in this elevation zone contain soil carbonate and lack ped- ogenic gypsum and nitrate. We infer that 900 m of local surface uplift over the past 10 m.y. displaced these nitrate paleosols relative to modern nitrate soils and caused a return to wetter conditions in the Calama Basin by decreasing local air temperatures and creating an orographic barrier to Pacific air masses.
On the Limitation of Linear MMSE Detection

This correspondence highlights the performance limitation of linear minimum mean-squared error (mmse) detection in underdetermined vector Gaussian channels (as in overloaded code-division multiple-access (CDMA) systems) where the number of symbols (users) exceeds the signal space dimension (spread factor). It is shown that for such a simple receiver it is not possible to construct signal sets (or spreading codes) to even satisfy the basic requirement that every user's symbol error probability decays exponentially as noise power vanishes. This result holds for arbitrary received energies, modulation schemes, and any strictly underdetermined system with a finite signal space dimension and a finite number of users
Microtubule asymmetry during neutrophil polarization and migration.

The development of cell polarity in response to chemoattractant stimulation in human polymorphonuclear neutrophils (PMNs) is characterized by the rapid conversion from round to polarized morphology with a leading lamellipod at the front and a uropod at the rear. During PMN polarization, the microtubule (MT) array undergoes a dramatic reorientation toward the uropod that is maintained during motility and does not require large-scale MT disassembly or cell adhesion to the substratum. MTs are excluded from the leading lamella during polarization and motility, but treatment with a myosin light chain kinase inhibitor (ML-7) or the actin-disrupting drug cytochalasin D causes an expansion of the MT array and penetration of MTs into the lamellipod. Depolymerization of the MT array before stimulation caused 10% of the cells to lose their polarity by extending two opposing lateral lamellipodia. These multipolar cells showed altered localization of a leading lamella-specific marker, talin, and a uropod-specific marker, CD44. In summary, these results indicate that F-actin– and myosin II-dependent forces lead to the development and maintenance of MT asymmetry that may act to reinforce cell polarity during PMN migration.
The basis for the circadian rhythm of mating in Paramecium bursaria

Puromycin completely blocked the appearance of mating ability in Paramecium bursaria when administered before the onset of mating in untreated controls. Suspension in this antibiotic at any time during the period of mating competence resulted in the loss of mating ability; actinomycin D produced a comparable effect. Neither antibiotic was found to have a direct effect on the mating-type substances. It is concluded that protein synthesis is necessary for the appearance and maintenance of mating ability. The diurnal loss of mating competence was observed to be an active process requiring the intact cell.
Laparoscopic versus robotic rectal resection for rectal cancer in a veteran population.

Abstract Background Robotic rectal cancer resection remains controversial. We compared the safety and efficacy of laparoscopic vs robotic rectal cancer resection in a high-risk Veterans Health Administration population. Methods Patients who underwent minimally invasive rectal cancer resection were identified from an institutional colorectal cancer database. Baseline characteristics and outcomes were compared between robotic and laparoscopic groups. Results The robotic group (n = 13) did not differ significantly from the laparoscopic group (n = 59) with respect to baseline characteristics except for a higher rate of previous abdominal surgery. Robotic patients had significantly lower tumors, more advanced disease, a higher rate of preoperative chemoradiation, and were more likely to undergo abdominoperineal resection. Robotic rectal resection was associated with longer operative time. There were no differences in blood loss, conversion rates, postoperative morbidity, lymph nodes harvested, margin positivity, or specimen quality between groups. Conclusions The robotic approach for rectal cancer resection is safe with similar postoperative and oncologic outcomes compared with laparoscopy.
Galectin 15 (LGALS15): A Gene Uniquely Expressed in the Uteri of Sheep and Goats that Functions in Trophoblast Attachment

Galectins are a family of secreted animal lectins with biological roles in cell adhesion and migration. In sheep, galectin 15 (LGALS15) is expressed specifically in the endometrial luminal (LE) and superficial glandular (sGE) epithelia of the uterus in concert with blastocyst elongation during the peri-implantation period. The present study examined LGALS15 expression in the uterus of cattle, goats, and pigs. Although the bovine genome contains an LGALS15-like gene, expressed sequence tags encoding LGALS15 mRNA were found only for sheep, and full-length LGALS15 cDNAs were cloned only from endometrial total RNA isolated from pregnant sheep and goats, but not pregnant cattle or pigs. Ovine and caprine LGALS15 were highly homologous at the mRNA (95%) and protein (91%) levels, and all contained a conserved carbohydrate recognition domain and RGD recognition sequence for integrin binding. Endometrial LGALS15 mRNA levels increased after Day 11 of both the estrous cycle and pregnancy, and were considerably increased after Day 15 of pregnancy in goats. In situ hybridization detected abundant LGALS15 mRNA in endometrial LE and sGE of early pregnant goats, but not in cattle or pigs. Immunoreactive LGALS15 protein was present in endometrial epithelia and conceptus trophectoderm of goat uteri and detected within intracellular crystal structures in trophectoderm and LE. Recombinant ovine and caprine LGALS15 proteins elicited a dose-dependent increase in ovine trophectoderm cell attachment in vitro that was comparable to bovine fibronectin. These results support the hypothesis that LGALS15 is uniquely expressed in Caprinae endometria and functions as an attachment factor important for peri-implantation blastocyst elongation.
Nuclear Pro-IL-16 Regulation of T Cell Proliferation: p27KIP1-Dependent G0/G1 Arrest Mediated by Inhibition of Skp2 Transcription

The precursor for IL-16 (pro-IL-16) is a nuclear and cytoplasmic PDZ domain-containing protein. In this study we have found that pro-IL-16 is absent or mutated in four T lymphoblastic leukemia cell lines examined. Ectopic expression of pro-IL-16 in pro-IL-16-negative Jurkat cells blocks cell cycle progression from G 0 /G 1 to S phase associated with elevated levels of the cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor p27 KIP1 . Pro-IL-16 decreases p27 KIP1 degradation by reducing transcription and subsequent expression of Skp2, a key component of the SCF Skp2 ubiquitin E3 ligase complex. Taken together, these findings identify pro-IL-16 as a novel regulator of Skp2 expression and p27 KIP1 levels and implicate a role for pro-IL-16 in T cell proliferation.
PDMS well platform for culturing millimeter-size tumor spheroids

Multicellular tumor spheroids are widely used as in vitro models for testing of anticancer drugs. The advantage of this approach is that it can predict the outcome of a drug treatment on human cancer cells in their natural three-dimensional environment without putting actual patients at risk. Several methods were utilized in the past to grow submillimeter-size tumor spheroids. However, these small models are not very useful for preclinical studies of tumor ablation where the goal is the complete destruction of tumors that can reach several centimeters in diameter in the human body. Here, we propose a PDMS well method for large tumor spheroid culture. Our experiments with HepG2 hepatic cancer cells show that three-dimensional aggregates of tumor cells with a volume as large as 44 mm(3) can be grown in cylindrical PDMS wells after the initial culture of tumor cells by the hanging drop method. This is a 350 times more than the maximum volume of tumor spheroids formed inside hanging drops (0.125 mm(3)).
Graft survival is better without prior surgery in cardiac transplantation for functionally univentricular hearts

Background The effect of surgical history on graft outcomes in patients with functionally univentricular hearts (UH) is not well understood. We compared graft outcomes after heart transplantation in children with a UH between patients who received allografts without prior cardiac surgery (Group A) and patients who underwent transplantation after prior cardiac surgery (Group B). Methods We reviewed all patients who received allografts for UH at our institution from 1990 to 2009. Differences in the probability of acute rejection (AR), incidence of graft vasculopathy (GV), and incidence of death or retransplantation were compared between Group A and Group B. Student's t -test, Mann-Whitney U -test, the log-rank test, logistic regression, and Cox proportional hazards modeling were used as appropriate. Results During the study period, 180 patients with a UH received allografts: 105 in Group A and 75 in Group B at a median (interquartile range) age of 84 (47–120) days vs 584 (168–2,956) days, respectively ( p p = 0.034) and graft loss ( p = 0.003). Median graft survival was 18 years in Group A vs 8 years in Group B. The risk of graft loss after 5 years post-transplant was higher in Group B patients who were aged ≥ 1 year at time of transplant ( p Conclusions Heart transplantation without prior cardiac surgery in patients with a UH was associated with better graft survival and lower probability of AR. The effect of age is complex and time-dependent, with age affecting outcomes after 5 years.
From At Risk to At Promise: Developing Scholar Identities Among Black Males:

Black males and females are consistently underrepresented in gifted programs. Just as unfortunate, countless reports and studies indicate that too many Black males are not succeeding in school settings. A scholar identity model, grounded in various achievement-based theories, is shared in this article as one solution to addressing the educational and social plight of Black male adolescents. In addition to presenting the model, suggestions for prevention and intervention are provided.
The Application of the Principle of Intention–to–Treat to the Analysis of Clinical Trials:

A chronology of populations of patients eligible for analysis in clinical trials is discussed. A practical definition of the intention–to–treat population is given and its role relative to the efficacy analyzable population discussed for both parallel groups and crossover trials. Sensitivity analyses are proposed to address dilemmas as to which population of patients is appropriate for the final analysis of the trial. Associated issues regarding multiple comparisons, exclusion analyses, and post hoc analyses are discussed in the context of the intention–to–treat approach to statistical analysis. Examples for analgesia, intermittent claudication, anxiety or depression, and duodenal ulcers are given to illustrate the points discussed.
Hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure in insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus. Recent antecedent hypoglycemia reduces autonomic responses to, symptoms of, and defense against subsequent hypoglycemia.

We hypothesize that in patients with insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus (IDDM), recent antecedent iatrogenic hypoglycemia is a major cause of hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure, a disorder distinct from classical diabetic autonomic neuropathy (CDAN), and that hypoglycemia-associated autonomic failure, by reducing both symptoms of and defense against developing hypoglycemia, results in recurrent iatrogenic hypoglycemia, thus creating a vicious cycle. We used the hyperinsulinemic (12.0 pmol.kg-1.min-1) stepped hypoglycemic clamp technique to assess autonomic and symptomatic responses to hypoglycemia and the insulin infusion test (4.0 pmol.kg-1.min-1) to assess defense against hypoglycemia on mornings before and after clamped afternoon hypoglycemia (approximately 2.8 mmol/liter) and hyperglycemia (approximately 11.1 mmol/liter) in patients with IDDM. Compared with nondiabetic subjects, IDDM with or without CDAN exhibited reduced epinephrine (P = 0.0222 and 0.0040) and pancreatic polypeptide (P = 0.0083 and 0.0056) responses to hypoglycemia. After afternoon hypoglycemia, lower plasma glucose concentrations were required to elicit autonomic and symptomatic responses during morning hypoglycemic clamps in patients without CDAN. At the 2.8 mmol/liter step, mean (+/- SE) epinephrine levels were 1,160 +/- 270 and 2,040 +/- 270 pmol/liter (P = 0.0060), pancreatic and total symptom scores were 22 +/- 3 and 41 +/- 7 (P = 0.0475) after afternoon hypoglycemia and hyperglycemia, respectively. During morning insulin infusion tests after afternoon hypoglycemia, nadir plasma glucose concentrations were 2.6 +/- 0.2 mmol/liter compared with 3.3 +/- 0.3 mmol/liter (P < 0.001) at the corresponding time points after afternoon hyperglycemia. Thus, we conclude: (a) elevated glycemic thresholds for autonomic responses to hypoglycemia are a feature of IDDM per se, not classical diabetic autonomic neuropathy; and (b) a single episode of afternoon hypoglycemia results in both elevated glycemic thresholds for autonomic and symptomatic responses to hypoglycemia and impaired physiological defense against hypoglycemia the next morning in IDDM.
A novel quasi-dielectrically isolated bipolar transistor using epitaxial lateral overgrowth

A new, quasi-dielectrically isolated (QDI) bipolar structure using epitaxial lateral overgrowth (ELO) is presented. A main application for QDI is in power integrated circuits, where isolation of high-power devices and low-power logic is necessary. The ELO-QDI structure uses of combination of dielectric isolation and junction isolation providing better isolation properties than junction isolation, while providing better heat dissipation than dielectric isolation. The ELO silicon was grown at a low-temperature, 950 degrees C, low-pressure, 150 torr, in a RF-heated pancake-type reactor. Fabricated transistors have gains, ideality factors, and leakage currents comparable to those of bulk-devices. >
Adenosine A 2A Receptor Antagonists as Drugs for Symptomatic Control of Parkinson’s Disease in Preclinical Studies

Parkinson’s disease (PD) is primarily a neurological basal ganglia (BG)-related disorder caused by progressive degeneration of the nigrostriatal dopaminergic neurons, which results in the cardinal motor symptoms of PD, including bradykinesia (slow movement and difficulty in initiation movement), resting tremor, muscle tone rigidity, postural instability, and sensorimotor integration deficits. The gold standard of PD therapy is characterized by the dopamine precursor L-DOPA however, after several years, this therapy leads to neuropsychiatric and motor complications, including fluctuations in motor response and dyskinesias, which develop in the majority of patients. Consequently, one of the main targets of research in PD is to identify alternative therapeutic approaches to ameliorate PD symptoms without inducing motor complications. Among the non-dopaminergic strategies for PD, one of the most promising is represented by adenosine A2A receptor antagonists, due to the colocalization of these receptors and dopamine D2 receptors in the striatopallidal neurons of the BG, which provides the anatomical basis for the existence of a functional antagonistic interaction between these receptors. Thus, extensive preclinical studies have been performed to prove the effectiveness of adenosine A2A receptor blockade in counteracting the cardinal motor symptoms of PD.
Mixed continuous and discrete catalog-based design modeling and optimization

Product design typically involves a mix of custom, semi-custom, and standard components. A mathematical model of a design problem may also mix custom models and cataloged models that represent standard elements or families of elements. Further, design problem models are often decomposed into subsystems and delegated to appropriate experts, each of whom may use their own preferred modeling and analysis tools. A degree of coupling usually exists between these subsystems so they cannot be optimized independently, yet it can be difficult to understand their integrated system performance. Ideally, it would be possible to link this set of heterogeneous and distributed models to represent the complete product in a way that facilitates rapid exploration of design tradeoffs and global optimization.
State of the art in biobehavioral approaches to the management of chronic pain in childhood

Chronic pain in childhood is prevalent, persistent and significantly impactful on most domains of life. The chronic pain experience occurs within a complex biopsychosocial framework, with particular emphasis on the social context. Currently, psychological treatments involve a cognitive-behavioral therapy treatment plan, providing some combination of psychoeducation, self-regulation training, maladaptive cognition identification, behavioral exposure and parent involvement. New treatment areas are emerging, such as group- and internet-based cognitive-behavioral therapy, motivational interviewing, comorbid obesity intervention and intensive multidisciplinary rehabilitation. Preliminary studies of emerging treatments demonstrate encouraging results; however, treatment effectiveness hinges on accurate matching of patient to treatment modality. Overall, the current direction of the field promises many innovative breakthroughs to ameliorate suffering in youth with chronic pain.
OBSERVATIONS FROM SOME GNOME SEISMOGRAMS

abstract Comparison of gnome seismic signals at four stations with seismograms from an explosion in tuff show relatively more energy in the Pg phase than would be predicted from first phase amplitudes. Dispression curve for a surface layer Rayleigh mode is given.
MECHANISMS OF SYNFUEL DEGRADATION. I. EFFECTS OF ORGANIC NITROGEN COMPOUNDS ON THE STABILITY OF A SHALE DERIVED DIESEL FUEL

ABSTRACT A reliable accelerated fuel stability teat regimen has been developed and applied to the study of the storage stability of a shale derived diesel fuel marine (DFM). The results of a survey of nitrogen compounds as dopants in a stable shale DFM base fuel indicate that 3ome pyrroles and indoles may play significant roles in storage stability. A complete stability test matrix has been developed for the temperatures of 43, 65 and 80°C, for time periods between A and 179 days, and for a ten-fold concentration range of a model dopant, 2,5-dimethylpyrrole (DMP). Stability was defined by the amount of total insoluble material (filterable sediment and adherent gum) produced after stress, and also by the amount of titratable peroxide present in the filtrates of stressed fuel samples. A very regular pattern for insolubles formation was found within the test matrix. Deposit formation rates exhibited a first-order dependence on DMP concentration, with an apparent activation energy of 11-12 kcal/mol. The sedim...
Ricoeur's theory of narrative time and one hundred years of solitude

Paul Ricoeur´s narrative theory of time proposes that we, during our reading, move backwards and forward in narrative time and that “temporality springs forth in the plural unity of future, past and present” (167) . In utilizing his theory of time and the idea of cyclical time as a prominent characteristic in twentieth century literature, I attempt to apply his intriguing theory to an exemplary novel, One Hundred Years of Solitude (1967) by the Colombian Gabriel Garcia Marquez. The essay demonstrates how the circularity of the imaginary travel and the linearity of the quest as such are thus put together. Indeed, time is circular and recurrent rather than rectilinear and progressive in this novel wherein readers are moved between present, past and future time.
Priming Assad: An Experiment of Ethnic Priming and Attitudes Toward Military Action in Syria

Americans’ low level of support for intervening in Syria presents a puzzle, raising questions about how democracies approach conflict. Scholars have noted that the US’s public may need to view opponents in conflict as different from themselves before military force is used. But what is the tipping point between perceiving someone as “one of us” or “one of them?” Syrian President Bashar al-Assad’s actions fit the model of a villain, but his appearance represents a divergence from recent leaders cast as enemies of the United States. Using a unique experiment examining citizen evaluations of the Syrian crisis, we demonstrate that a subtle manipulation, darkening Assad’s skin tone, led respondents to view him more negatively, as well as increasing support for US intervention to effect regime change. The effect was magnified among subjects with more ethnocentric beliefs. Our experiment’s findings have implications for racial priming, ethnocentrism, and American foreign policy.
Herder and India: The Genesis of a Mythical Image

The lines above, where Herder refers to the chief figures in the play Sakuntala, by the Sanskrit dramatist Kalidasa, identify India as a holy land for which he yearns. These lines might serve as a motto to characterize his attitude toward India, an attitude of extreme reverence and adulation which resulted finally in the formulation of a mythical image. The term “mythical image” implies an imaginative conception of India, and one can trace the development of such an image in the fancy of Herder.