cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
The effect of sera on sister chromatid exchanges in vitro.

Abstract The cultivation of Chinese hamster cells in culture media supplemented with various batches of calf or fetal calf serum (FCS) purchased from a number of commercial sources, resulted in different yields of sister chromatid exchanges (SCE). When cells were grown with sera that had been neither heat-inactivated nor dialyzed before use, SCE occurred at high frequency (5.14–7.82 SCE/cell), which was, however, reduced by the use of heat-treated serum. The effect of dialysis of the sera in reducing the SCE frequency was not as drastic as that of heat inactivation and was limited to certain batches of sera. These results indicate that untreated serum contains some SCE-inducing factors that are heat-labile and dialyzable. Even after such pretreatments of the sera, there still occurred considerable variation in the SCE frequency among cultures. Thus, the presence of other types of SCE-inducing factors in serum is strongly suggested. The nature of these factors, however, remains to be elucidated. It is possible that the wide range of variations in SCE frequencies reported for given types of cells might be partly due to the use of a variety of serum batches by different investigators.
Therapy of AIDS-associated Kaposi's sarcoma: targeting pathogenetic mechanisms

Only a small number of the many agents with the potential to inhibit factors known to stimulate KS growth have been tested clinically, and many were investigated at a time when treatment options for HIV infection were relatively ineffective. The failure of some of these agents to induce KS regression may not signify failure to achieve a relevant biologic effect in all cases, but may simply mean that in a neoplasm that expresses a broad array of growth factors, inhibition of a single factor may be insufficient to achieve tumor regression. Moreover, agents that inhibit angiogenesis may be expected to stabilize tumors rather then eradicate them, but tumor stabilization is a difficult endpoint to quantify. In fact, given the redundancy of growth factors believed to be involved in KS development, it is perhaps remarkable that members of several classes of agents (eg, a synthetic retinoid, an MMPI, thalidomide, IL-12) have induced KS regression in a substantial minority of patients. It is likely, however, that drug combinations that target several pathogenetic mechanisms will be more effective than will single drugs in suppressing KS growth. A particular need. especially in the early evaluation of therapies aimed at specific pathogenic targets, is the development of assays to measure specific biologic effects (eg, changes in the activity of signal transduction pathways within tumor biopsy specimens) related to the agent's putative mechanism of action. Greater availability and clinical application of these types of markers of biologic efficacy may speed the identification of potentially active agents that could then be "fast tracked" into larger efficacy trials and combination studies.
Calling Out the Persistence of Racism

In this issue New Political Science begins a new tradition, printing an extended review essay of the book that received the Michael Harrington Book Award at the most recent American Political Science Association Meeting. The Michael Harrington Award is given for an outstanding book that demonstrates how scholarships can be used in the struggle for a better world. In 2011, the award went to Michelle Alexander for her book The New Jim Crow: Mass Incarceration in an Age of Color-Blindness. Sanford Schram, a member of the award committee, has contributed the below review.
Fluorescent stereo microscopy for 3D surface profilometry and deformation mapping

Recently, mechanobiology has received increased attention. For investigation of biofilm and cellular tissue, measurements of the surface topography and deformation in real-time are a pre-requisite for understanding the growth mechanisms. In this paper, a novel three-dimensional (3D) fluorescent microscopic method for surface profilometry and deformation measurements is developed. In this technique a pair of cameras are connected to a binocular fluorescent microscope to acquire micrographs from two different viewing angles of a sample surface doped or sprayed with fluorescent microparticles. Digital image correlation technique is used to search for matching points in the pairing fluorescence micrographs. After calibration of the system, the 3D surface topography is reconstructed from the pair of planar images. When the deformed surface topography is compared with undeformed topography using fluorescent microparticles for movement tracking of individual material points, the full field deformation of the surface is determined. The technique is demonstrated on topography measurement of a biofilm, and also on surface deformation measurement of the biofilm during growth. The use of 3D imaging of the fluorescent microparticles eliminates the formation of bright parts in an image caused by specular reflections. The technique is appropriate for non-contact, full-field and real-time 3D surface profilometry and deformation measurements of materials and structures at the microscale.
Faster linkage analysis computations for pedigrees with loops or unused alleles

There seems to be no limit to the complexity of computations that genetic linkage analysts want to do. Two primary factors that increase the length of computations are pedigree loops and unknown genotypes. I describe the implementation in FASTLINK of some algorithmic improvements to partly address the problems of pedigree loops and unknown genotypes. LINKAGE is by far the most popular software package to do lod score computations on disease pedigrees. FASTLINK is derived from LINKAGE 5.1 and compatible with it. In contrast to LINKAGE, FASTLINK has the virtues that it is faster sequentially, runs well in parallel, is more robust against errors, and includes substantial new documentation. One of the new improvements allows the detection of violation of mendelian rules of inheritance in input pedigree files with loops. This error-detection capability was not provided in any previous version of LINKAGE or FASTLINK.
Empirical equations for nasal deposition of inhaled particles in small laboratory animals and humans

Based upon available experimental data, a set of empirical equations was derived for nasal deposition efficiency of inhaled particles in the inertial deposition range for four small laboratory animal species: the mouse, hamster, rat, and guinea pig. An equation for nasal deposition in humans was also derived in the same mathematical form to facilitate interspecies comparison. In these equations, deposition efficiency was expressed as a function of particle inertia d2 a Q where da is the particle aerodynamic diameter and Q is the flow rate. Results from the empirical equations showed that nasal deposition was species dependent, and that at the same d2 a Q, species with smaller body weight had higher deposition efficiency. By incorporating the anatomical data of the nasal passage, the deposition equations were rewritten as a function of the product of Stokes number and the total bend angle in nasopharynx. Interspecies deposition differences were found to be greatly reduced in terms of the new variable.
Literature and Ethical Medicine: Five Cases From Common Practice

This essay is composed of five stories written by practicing physicians about their patients. Each clinical story describes a challenging ethical condition-potential abuse of medical power, gravely ill and probably over-treated newborns, iatrogenic narcotic addiction, deceived dying people. Rather than singling out one ethical conflict to resolve or adjudicate, the authors attempt, through literary methods, to grasp the singular experiences of their patients and to act according to the deep structures of their patients' lives. Examining these five stories with simple literary tools-attention to narrative frames, time, plot, and desire-reveals the mechanisms through which acts of writing and reading contribute to clinical clarity and ethical actions.
Genetic Analysis of Anterior–Posterior Expression Gradients in the Developing Mammalian Forebrain

Intrinsic regulatory factors play critical roles in early cortical patterning, including the development of the anteroposterior (A-P) axis. To identify genes that are differentially expressed along the A-P axis of the developing cerebral cortex, we analyzed gene expression in presumptive frontal, parietal, and occipital cerebral walls of E12.5 mouse using complementary DNA microarrays. We identified 106 genes, including expressed sequence tags (ESTs), expressed in an A-P gradient in the embryonic brain and screened 88 by in situ hybridization for confirmation. Central nervous system (CNS) expression patterns of many of these genes were previously unknown. Others, such as Sfrp1, CoupTF1, and FABP7, were expressed in a manner consistent with previous studies, providing independent confirmation. Two related transcription factors, previously not implicated in CNS development, Fhl1 and Fhl2, were observed to be enriched in posterior and anterior telencephalon, respectively. We studied patterning gradients in Fhl1 knockout mice but observed no changes in gene expression related to A-P regionalization in the Fhl1 knockout mice. These data provide an important set of new candidates for studies of cortical patterning and maturation.
Mechanism Matters: A Taxonomy of Cell Penetrating Peptides

The permeability barrier imposed by cellular membranes limits the access of exogenous compounds to the interior of cells. Researchers and patients alike would benefit from efficient methods for intracellular delivery of a wide range of membrane-impermeant molecules, including biochemically active small molecules, imaging agents, peptides, peptide nucleic acids, proteins, RNA, DNA, and nanoparticles. There has been a sustained effort to exploit cell penetrating peptides (CPPs) for the delivery of such useful cargoes in vitro and in vivo because of their biocompatibility, ease of synthesis, and controllable physical chemistry. Here, we discuss the many mechanisms by which CPPs can function, and describe a taxonomy of mechanisms that could be help organize future efforts in the field.
Delivering perinatal psychiatric services in the neonatal intensive care unit.

Aim To describe characteristics of mothers who would likely benefit from on-site short-term psychiatric services while their infant is in the neonatal intensive care unit (NICU). Methods For 150 consecutive mothers who were referred for psychiatric evaluation and psychotherapeutic intervention in an innovative NICU mental health programme, baseline information was collected. Data regarding their referrals, diagnosis, treatments and infants were analysed. Results Most mothers were referred because of depression (43%), anxiety (44%) and/or difficulty coping with their infant's medical problems and hospitalization (60%). Mothers of VLBW infants were disproportionately more likely to be referred. A majority of mothers accepted the referral and were treated; most only required short-term psychotherapy. A minority resisted or refused psychiatric assessment; a quarter of these had more difficult interactions with staff or inappropriate behaviours. In these cases, the role of the psychiatrist was to work with staff to promote healthy interactions and to foster maternal-infant bonding. Conclusion Overall, on-site psychiatric services have been accepted by a majority of referred NICU mothers, and most did not require long-term treatment. A considerable need exists for psychiatric services in the NICU to promote optimal parenting and interactions.
Discussion and Evaluation of the Volatility Test for Equivalency of Other Methods to the Federal Reference Method for Fine Particulate Matter

In July, 1997, the EPA promulgated a new National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for fine particulate matter (PM 2.5 ). This new standard was based on the collection of an integrated mass sample on a filter. Field studies have demonstrated that the collection of semivolatile compounds leads to artifacts and imprecision among methods. In view of such sampling artifacts, a test requirement was promulgated in Title 40, Part 53, Subpart F, Section 53.66 of the Code of Federal Regulations (40CFR53.66) to aid in the determination of methodological equivalency. In this paper, this requirement is critically reviewed and tested in terms of its feasibility and precision. The results show that the test is capable of demonstrating acceptable precision for FRM-type samplers and repeatable differences in performance among different methods. In order to maintain high precision within the entire test procedure, the loading time should be extended to 2 h for flow rates of 16.7 lpm and proportionately longer for lowe...
Atomic layer deposited Al 2 O 3 and parylene C dual-layer encapsulation for biomedical implantable devices

We present a novel bi-layer encapsulation method combining atomic layer deposited Al2O3 and Parylene C to extend the lifetime of biomedical implantable devices. The atomic layer deposited alumina and Parylene C bi-layer coated interdigitated electrodes had leakage current of about 20 pA and impedance of 3.5 MΩ after 260 days of soaking in phosphate buffered solution at 67°C (roughly 6 years of equivalent lifetime at 37°C). Also 5 VDC continuous bias had no measurable effect on the lifetime of bi-layer coating while it shortened the lifetime of Parylene coating by 75%. The long-term low leakage current and high insulation performance under continuous bias demonstrated its suitability for encapsulation of chronic implantable devices.
A publication index that is independent of age

The Hirsch h-index is widely used to measure a researcher's major publications. It has the advantage of being easy to compute. However, it increases steeply with time and therefore does not allow a comparison of young and mature researchers. We find that if the h-index is divided by the number of decades since publication of the researcher's first paper, the result is statistically constant with age. Then the resulting index can be compared for young and old researchers. Its accuracy is the same as that of the h-index and is as easy to compute as the h-index.
Caught in the act: Serial, real time images of a thrombus traversing from the right to left atrium across a patent foramen ovale

Aims: To illustrate the association between a patent foramen ovale (PFO) and paradoxical embolization. Methods and results: We report a unique case of a paradoxical embolization across a PFO noted during a transesophageal echocardiographic study. Serial images demonstrate the thrombus migrating from the superior vena cava to the left atrium across the PFO. Conclusions: This case establishes the association between the PFO and paradoxical embolism unequivocally. a 2005 The European Society of Cardiology. Published by Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
Objective habitual physical activity and estradiol levels in obese Latina adolescents.

Background: Lifetime physical activity (PA) is associated with decreased breast cancer (BC) risk; reports suggest that PA during adolescence contributes strongly to this relationship. PA lowers production of sex hormones, specifically estradiol, or decreases insulin resistance (IR), thereby lowering risk. Overweight Latina adolescents are insulin resistant and exhibit low levels of PA, potentially increasing their future BC risk. Methods: 37 obese Latina adolescents (15.7 ± 1.1 yrs) provided measures of PA using accelerometry; plasma follicular phase estradiol, sex-hormone binding globulin, total and free testosterone, dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS); IR using HOMA-IR; and body composition via DEXA. Partial correlations and stepwise linear regressions assessed cross-sectional relationships between sex hormones, IR and PA. Body composition, and age were included a priori as covariates. Results: Estradiol was negatively associated with accelerometer counts per minute (CPM; r = −0.4; P = .02), percent...
The Effects of the Combination of Inhaled Ipratropium and Oral Theophylline in Asthma

Background In comparison to (s-agonist drugs, which are the primary bronchodilator drugs in current use in asthma, both oral theophylline and inhaled ipratropium have a weaker bronchodilating action in asthma. Although a number of studies have shown an additive effect of ipratropium in combination with (s-agonist bronchodilator drugs in asthmatics, to our knowledge, the effects of combined treatment with ipratropium and theophylline have not been assessed. Study objective To assess whether the combination of oral theophylline and inhaled ipratropium has an additive bronchodilator effect in asthmatics. Design Double-blind, placebo-controlled, crossover study. Subjects Nineteen patients (8 male, 11 female) with mild-to-moderate stable asthma. Methods Initially the optimal single oral dose of theophylline required to achieve therapeutic blood levels (10 to 20 µg/mL) was established in each patient. They then returned at varying intervals on 4 subsequent days. On each day, they received, in a random, placebo-controlled, double-blind, crossover design, one of four different therapies: oral and inhaled placebo; oral theophylline at the established optimal dose (range, 300 to 700 mg) plus inhaled placebo; oral placebo plus inhaled (40 µg) ipratropium; and the combination of theophylline and ipratropium. Spirometry was performed at baseline and at 15 min, 30 min, and hourly intervals for 6 h after therapy. Results Each drug regimen resulted in a significant (p 1 , but the combined regimen resulted in a significantly greater bronchodilation (p 1 =3.00±0.75 L vs 2.48±0.77 L vs 2.61±0.72 L, respectively, at 3 h postdrug). Conclusions There was a significant, early, sustained additive bronchodilator effect of the combination therapy; there were no untoward side effects. These findings indicate that the addition of inhaled ipratropium to oral theophylline provides greater bronchodilation than either drug alone and may be a useful therapeutic modality in asthma.
Network Coding Based Cooperative Peer-to-Peer Repair in Wireless Ad-Hoc Networks

Cooperative Peer-to-Peer Repair (CPR) has been proposed to recover from packet losses incurred during 3G broadcast. CPR leverages the increasing presence of multi-homed mobile devices having both 3G cellular and IEEE 802.11 wireless interfaces. Mobile devices can, therefore, draw upon IEEE 802.11 peering links to cooperatively achieve out-of-band repair of 3G broadcasting losses. This paper considers the problem of employing Network Coding (NC) to exploit the broadcast nature of the wireless medium towards enhancing the efficiency of CPR. We show that the minimum latency scheduling problem for NC based CPR (NC-CPR) is NP-Hard. We present heuristics for NC-CPR that assume a priori topology and packet loss information. Insights gained from our heuristics are leveraged to propose NC-DCPR, a fully distributed protocol for NC-CPR. We conduct extensive simulation experiments under realistic network conditions. Our results show that employing network coding significantly improves the efficiency of CPR.
Effects of Goal Specificity and Goal Difficulty upon Skill Acquisition of a Selected Shooting Task

This study investigated the effect of goal specificity and goal difficulty upon skill acquisition of a selected shooting task Utilizing a two-stage sampling technique, nine classes (90 subjects) were randomly assigned to one of three conditions: specific difficult goals, specific moderate goals, and generalized “do your best” goals. Following a pretest trial under a “do your best” condition, subjects performed five skill acquisition trials on a kneeling task under their assigned conditions. A 3×2×5 (Goal Groups × Sex × Trials) multivariate analysis of covariance with repeated measures on the last factor and pretest performance as the covariate indicated that the group with a specific difficult goal was significantly superior to the “do your best” group. There was also a significant main effect for trials, however, none of interactions were significant. The results are discussed as they relate to existing investigations in industrial, laboratory, and physical education situations.
A Novel Liquid Metal and Microfluidic Based Temperature Sensor

We present a novel liquid metal based temperature sensor. This sensor utilizes thermal expansion property when temperature changes. The liquid metal (mercury) is used for electrical interconnect between capacitors as it expands through a microfluidic channel. Among various temperature sensing methods, platinum resistive thin film devices [1] and acoustic wave devices [2] are commonly being used. The platinum thin film based device utilizes a unique property that the resistant of the thin film changes with respect to temperature variation. A complete sensor can be realized in a balanced wheat stone bridge. When the temperature changes, the resistance of the thin film changes correspondingly and the bridge is no longer balanced. There is a current flow through the bridge upon the amount of temperature variation. However, the current brings a self-heating problem, which negatively affects the performance. On the other hand, the acoustic wave device utilizes a property that a resonance frequency shifts per temperature variation. There are many difficulties in calibrating this device and, in liquid environment, there is a significant drop of q factor [3], which decreases the sensitivity of the sensor. Our new device can overcome many difficulties described above.Copyright © 2008 by ASME
The power of some tests of normality against weibull alternatives

The powers of the Kolmogorov-Smirnov, Weisberg-Bingham and Anderson-Darling tests of normality are determined by Monte Carlo sampling ror Weibull alternatives with 10 shape parameters ranging from 1.0 to 10.0 and seven sample sizes from 10 to 100. There is, in general, good agreement at the relatively few points for which power values have previously been published. The usefulness of examining the power as a function of the parameter(s) of an alternate distribution family is outlined.
Teachers' Conceptions of Proof in the Context of Secondary School Mathematics.

Current reform efforts in the United States are calling for substantial changes in the nature and role of proof in secondary school mathematics - changes designed to provide all students with rich opportunities and experiences with proof throughout the entire secondary school mathematics curriculum. This study examined 17 experienced secondary school mathematics teachers' conceptions of proof from their perspectives as teachers of school mathematics. The results suggest that implementing "proof for all" may be difficult for teachers; teachers viewed proof as appropriate for the mathematics education of a minority of students. The results further suggest that teachers tended to view proof in a pedagogically limited way, namely, as a topic of study rather than as a tool for communicating and studying mathematics. Implications for mathematics teacher education are discussed in light of these findings.
A multi-expert system for material cutting plan generation

Abstract Construction firms specializing in large commercial buildings must often design and build steel structural elements as a part of each project. Such firms must purchase large steel plates, cut them into pieces and then weld the pieces into H-beams and other construction components. We formalize the material ordering and cutting problem faced by this industry and propose an expert system for efficiently combining steel elements into plates to control relevant costs. This expert system is based on the procedural knowledge of multiple experts rather than on the rules of a single expert as is more common. We tested the expert system using data supplied by Lien-Kang Heavy Industrial Company, Ltd. (LK) as well as using simulated data with known optimal solutions. Comparison to LK's solutions indicates that the expert system solution is less costly in every historical project. Testing on 40 simulated projects reveals how problem parameters affect performance. The expert system has been embedded into a decision support system (DSS) that LK is currently using. The qualitative benefits of using this computerized system include a significant reduction in the time and effort required for generating a solution and increased report accuracy.
Residual Prestress Forces and Shear Capacity of Salvaged Prestressed Concrete Bridge Girders

Seven prestressed concrete bridge girders that had been in service for 42 years, and represented two span lengths and reinforcement designs, were tested to determine their effective prestress force and ultimate shear capacity. A cracking moment test was used to determine the effective prestress force in the girders. The measured effective prestress force was compared with calculated values according to the AASHTO LRFD prestress loss equations to investigate their adequacy. The AASHTO refined method was shown to provide the most accurate results to within 10% of the measured values. An ultimate shear test was also performed on two of the girders. An external load was applied near the support and increased until the girder failed in shear. The various procedures in the AASHTO LRFD specifications were compared with the measured results. The AASHTO simplified procedure predicted only 51% and 39% of the average measured shear capacity for the short and long span girders, respectively. The strut-and-tie models were found to estimate the shear capacity more accurately. The AASHTO refined method was shown to provide the most accurate results.
Phagocytosis of Light- and Dark-Adapted Rod Outer Segments by Cultured Pigment Epithelium

Pigment epithelial cells in culture retain their ability to phagocytize rod outer segments. These cells phagocytize rod outer segments isolated from light-adapted rats, or from dark-adapted rats killed after the time at which the lights would normally be turned on. However, they phagocytize for fewer rod outer segments prepared in the dark from the retinas of rats killed before the onset of the normal light cycle. Phagocytosis of dark rod outer segments is variable, but that of light outer segments is reproducible. It is postulated that the effect of light is to synchronize the chemical events that occur at the surface of the rods to prepare them for phagocytosis. These processes also occur in the dark, but more slowly and irregularly than in the light.
Nuclear Factor-κB Activation Contributes to Vascular Endothelial Dysfunction via Oxidative Stress in Overweight/Obese Middle-Aged and Older Humans

Background We tested the hypothesis that nuclear factor-kappaB (NF-kappaB) activity contributes to vascular endothelial dysfunction with aging and obesity in humans. Methods and results We conducted a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled crossover study in 14 nondiabetic overweight or obese (body mass index > or =25 kg/m(2)) middle-aged and older (age 52 to 68 years) adults. Salsalate (nonacetylated salicylate, 4500 mg/d), a compound that inhibits NF-kappaB activity, or placebo was administered for 4-day periods. Plasma salicylate concentrations reached the midtherapeutic range (21.8+/-1.1 mg/100 mL, P Conclusions Our findings provide the first direct evidence that NF-kappaB, in part via stimulation of oxidative stress, plays an important role in mediating vascular endothelial dysfunction in overweight and obese middle-aged and older humans.
Noise, turbulence, and thrust of subsonic freejets from lobed nozzles

A study of noise benefit, vis-a-vis thrust penalty, and its correlation to turbulence intensities was conducted for free jets issuing from lobed nozzles. Four convergent nozzles with constant exit area were used in the experiments. Three of these were of rectangular lobed configuration having six, ten and fourteen lobes; the fourth was a circular nozzle. Increasing the number of lobes resulted in a progressive reduction in the turbulence intensities as well as in the overall radiated noise. The noise reduction was pronounced at the low frequency end of the spectrum. However, there was an increase in the high frequency noise that rendered the overall benefit less attractive when compared on a scaled-up A-weighted basis. A reduction in noise was accompanied by a commensurate reduction in the turbulent kinetic energy in the flow field. As expected, increasing the number of lobes involved progressive reduction in the thrust coefficient. Among the cases studied, the six-lobed nozzle had the optimum reduction in turbulence and noise with the least thrust penalty.
A Parallel Simulated Annealing Algorithm for the Placement of Macro-Cells

A modification of the classical Simulated Annealing algorithm for the macro-cell placement problem is proposed for implementation on multiprocessor systems. The algorithm has been implemented on the Sequent Balance 8000, a multiprocessor system with a shared-memory architecture. Experimental results show that the new algorithm obtains results comparable in quality to those of the single processor version; processor utilization is greater than 80 percent using up to eight processors.
Technology Requirement for Computed Tomographic Imaging

Computed Tomographic (CT) scanning is an ad- vanced cross sectional imaging method using scanning x- ray beams directed through the body and computer recon- struction of the transmission measurements. This technique is widely used with the number of scanners in the U.S. (>8000) now exceeding the total number of hospitals and clinics (7000). CT offers tremendous benefits in x-ray diagnosis, but its use is limited by several technological restrictions in the present generation of equipment. Tech- nological advances in the areas of array processor, data acquisition systems, x-ray generators, and image process- ing software would be of great benefit in extending the range of clinical applications of CT and in lowering the cost of a CT examination.
Factors Affecting Pathogen Survival in Finished Dairy Compost with Different Particle Sizes Under Greenhouse Conditions.

Abstract This study investigated the survival of Escherichia coli O157:H7 and Salmonella Typhimurium in finished dairy compost with different particle sizes during storage as affected by moisture content and temperature under greenhouse conditions. The mixture of E. coli O157:H7 and S. Typhimurium strains was inoculated into the finished composts with moisture contents of 20, 30, and 40%, separately. The finished compost samples were then sieved into 3 different particle sizes (>1000, 500–1000, and 1000, 500–1000, and <500 μm were 2.15, 2.27, and 2.47 log colony-forming units (CFU) g–1 within 5 days of storage in summer, respectively, as compared with 1.60, 2.03, and 2.26 log CFU g–1 in late fall, respectively, and 2.61, 3.33, and 3.67 log CFU g–1 in winter, respectively. The average E. coli O157:H7 reductions in compost sam...
Phase I-II Study of Clofarabine-Melphalan-Alemtuzumab Conditioning for Allogeneic Hematopoietic Cell Transplantation

We conducted a phase I-II study of transplantation conditioning with clofarabine-melphalan-alemtuzumab for patients with advanced hematologic malignancies. Ten patients were accrued to the phase I portion, which utilized an accelerated titration design. No dose-limiting toxicity was observed, and clofarabine 40 mg/m2 × 5, melphalan 140 mg/m2 × 1, and alemtuzumab 20 mg × 5 was adopted for the phase II study, which accrued 72 patients. Median age was 54 years. There were 44 patients with acute myelogenous leukemia or myelodysplastic syndromes, 27 with non-Hodgkin lymphoma, and nine patients with other hematologic malignancies. The largest subgroup of 35 patients had American Society for Blood and Marrow Transplantation high-risk, active disease. All evaluable patients engrafted with a median time to neutrophil and platelet recovery of 10 and 18 days, respectively. The cumulative incidence of treatment-related mortality was 26% at 1 year. Cumulative incidence of relapse was 29% at 1 year. Overall survival was 80% (95% confidence interval [CI], 71-89) at 100 days and 59% (95% CI, 47-71) at 1 year. Progression-free-survival was 45% (95% CI, 33-67) at 1 year. Rapid-onset renal failure was the main toxicity in the phase II study and more frequent in older patients and those with baseline decrease in glomerular filtration rate. Grade 3-5 renal toxicity was observed in 16 of 74 patients (21%) treated at the phase II doses. Clofarabine-melphalan-alemtuzumab conditioning yields promising response and duration of response, but renal toxicity poses a considerable risk particularly in older patients.
The coastal component of the U.S. integrated ocean observing system.

The combined effects of human activities and natural variability present significant challenges to the goals of protecting, restoring, and sustaining coastal ecosystems. Meeting these challenges and resolving conflicts in an informed fashion will require: (1) more timely detection and prediction of environmental changes and their consequences; and (2) more timely access to relevant environmental information. The achievement of these goals depends on the development of a sustained and integrated coastal ocean observing system (ICOOS) that insures timely access to the data and information required to improve: (1) climate predictions and the effects of changes in the weather on coastal populations; (2) efforts to sustain and restore healthy coastal marine ecosystems and living marine resources; and (3) compliance monitoring and evaluations of the efficacy of environmental policies. Although the responsible federal and state agencies all require similar environmental information, many separate programs have evolved for collecting, managing, and analyzing data for various purposes. Consequently, there is too much redundancy; access to diverse data from disparate sources is limited and time consuming; and individual programs are inevitably underfunded and too limited in scope. A system is needed that coordinates and integrates many of the elements of these programs to minimize redundancy, be more comprehensive, provide more timely access to data and information, and satisfy the information needs of a greater number of user groups in a more cost-effective fashion. This is the purpose of the ICOOS.
Hydrogel-Immobilized Antibodies for Microfluidic Immunoassays

The integration of immunoassays in microfluidic devices is a rapidly developing research area combining the power of immunoassays with the inherent benefits of microfluidics. Here, a general overview of microfluidic-based immunoassays is presented along with a method for immobilizing antibodies in polyacrylamide gel plugs set in microfluidic channels. These antigen-specific hydrogels can be rapidly formed by photopolymerizing monomer solutions mixed with antibodies or other large proteins. The resulting antigen-specific hydrogels contain pore sizes appropriate for physical entrapment of large antibodies while remaining permeable to smaller proteins. The open structure of these hydrogels enables the capture and concentration of target antigens present at low concentrations. Such physical entrapment provides a conceptually simple method of immobilization compared with immobilization of proteins on surfaces and offers advantages such as resistance to chemical and thermal denaturation.
A Novel Approach for Analyzing Single Buffer Queueing Systems with State-Dependent Vacation and Correlated Input Process under Four Different Service Disciplines

The author presents performance analysis of a single buffer multiple-queue system. Four different types of service disciplines i.e., non-preemptive, pre-emptive repeat different, state dependent random polling and globally gated are analyzed. His model includes correlated input process and three different types of non-productive time i.e., switchover, vacation and idle time. Special cases of the model includes server with mixed multiple and single vacations, stopping server with delayed vacation and stopping server with alternating vacation and idle time. For each of the four service disciplines the key performance measures such as average customer waiting time, loss probability, and throughput are computed. The results permit a detailed discussion of how these performance measures depends on the customer arrival rate, the customer service time, the switchover time, the vacation time, and the idle time. Moreover, extensive numerical results are presented and the four service disciplines are compared with respect to the performance measure. Previous studies of the single buffer multiple-queue systems tend to provide separate analysis for the two cases of zero and nonzero switchover time. The author is able to provide a unified analysis for the two cases. His results generalize and improve a number of known results on single buffer multiple-queue systems. Furthermore, this method does not require differentiation while it is needed if one uses the probability generating function approach. Lastly, the author's approach works for all single buffer multiple-queue systems in which the next queue to be served is determines solely on the basis of the occupancy states at the end of the cycle time.
The Role of Music and Music Therapy in Aphasia Rehabilitation

A stroke results in brain damage, often causing loss or reduction in speech and language capacity. Music and music therapy can contribute to the recovery of speech and provide emotional support to individuals with aphasia. There is a diverse body of research on the links between music and language. Musical structure is related to language syntax. Singing songs from one’s culture, the emotional act of singing, the theatrics of singing, and musical improvisation can all influence speech output. The purpose of this article is to review current research on the links between language and music in brain function in order tofurther explore, through case study and analysis of music therapy application, how music might be employed as part of acomprehensive, multimodal approach to speech and language rehabilitation.
Importing phenomenology: the early editorial life of Philosophy and Phenomenological Research

SUMMARYThis paper examines the reception of Edmund Husserl's phenomenology in Philosophy and Phenomenological Research, a philosophy quarterly which was founded in conjunction with the International Society of Phenomenology and for which Marvin Farber served as editor until his death in 1980. From its founding in 1940, Farber relied on the editorial support of many of Husserl's enthusiastic students who found themselves intellectual exiles, including Husserl's son. Farber's professional and personal interaction with Husserl's ardent followers reveals a dramatic story of former students who were ever vigilant about maintaining the core values of the Master's unique philosophy, and Farber's personal philosophical transformation from a publicist of Husserl's work to a guarded critic intent on avoiding the promotion of sectarianism.
Temperature-Dependent Phase Changes in Multicolored ErxYbyZr1–x–yO2/Eu0.02Y1.98O3 Core/Shell Nanoparticles

We combine forced hydrolysis and homogeneous precipitation to synthesize metal-oxide precursors with spherical core/shell morphology. The core consists of an amorphous ErxYbyZr1–x–yO2 precursor, and the shell consists of an amorphous Eu0.02Y1.98O3 precursor. Upon heating, the doped metal-oxide precursors undergo gradual irreversible phase changes toward their crystalline oxide phases. The crystalline ZrO2 phase of the core forms at a lower temperature than the crystalline Y2O3 phase of the shell. The Er3+, Yb3+, and Eu3+ dopants can be photoexcited at specific wavelengths to emit their characteristic visible emissions. Depending on the Er3+/Yb3+ dopant ratio, the Er3+ dopant emission appears green, red, or yellow-brown, whereas the Eu3+ dopant emission appears orange-red. The irreversible temperature-induced phase changes are correlated with changes in the optical spectra of these materials. These temperature-induced phase changes and the respective changes in the optical spectra are detectable even when ...
Voluntary Sleep Loss in Rats.

Study objectives Animal sleep deprivation (SDEP), in contrast to human SDEP, is involuntary and involves repeated exposure to aversive stimuli including the inability of the animal to control the waking stimulus. Therefore, we explored intracranial self-stimulation (ICSS), an operant behavior, as a method for voluntary SDEP in rodents. Methods Male Sprague-Dawley rats were implanted with electroencephalography/electromyography (EEG/EMG) recording electrodes and a unilateral bipolar electrode into the lateral hypothalamus. Rats were allowed to self-stimulate, or underwent gentle handling-induced SDEP (GH-SDEP), during the first 6 h of the light phase, after which they were allowed to sleep. Other rats performed the 6 h ICSS and 1 w later were subjected to 6 h of noncontingent stimulation (NCS). During NCS the individual stimulation patterns recorded during ICSS were replayed. Results After GH-SDEP, ICSS, or NCS, time in nonrapid eye movement (NREM) sleep and rapid eye movement (REM) sleep increased. Further, in the 24 h after SDEP, rats recovered all of the REM sleep lost during SDEP, but only 75% to 80% of the NREM sleep lost, regardless of the SDEP method. The magnitude of EEG slow wave responses occurring during NREM sleep also increased after SDEP treatments. However, NREM sleep EEG slow wave activity (SWA) responses were attenuated following ICSS, compared to GH-SDEP and NCS. Conclusions We conclude that ICSS and NCS can be used to sleep deprive rats. Changes in rebound NREM sleep EEG SWA occurring after ICSS, NCS, and GH-SDEP suggest that nonspecific effects of the SDEP procedure differentially affect recovery sleep phenotypes.
The Manipulation of Perception: Barbara Probst's Exposure #106

My thesis analyzes a series of photographs entitled Exposure #106, by contemporary photographer Barbara Probst, through the lens of understanding visualized information. In the viewers’ attempt to discern the information within Probst’ photographs, they begin to “map” the space visually. I demonstrate, however, that the viewers come to find their attempts to map the space ineffective due to Probst’s use of camera angles, color, and the grid installation. Instead, viewers must find an alternative to grasp the space. Thus, I evaluate Exposure #106 by employing urbanist Kevin Lynch’s concept of cognitive mapping, or our ability to orient ourselves in the external world by mentally locating and organizing our surroundings. I argue Probst’s Exposure #106 may only fully be accessible to viewers via this method of cognitive mapping, in that it allows them to create their own cognitive map utilizing the content of Probst’s photographs as landmarks and boundaries in order to navigate visually the seemingly unmappable space of Probst’s fictitious world.
Conflicts of Interest on Expert Committees: The Case of FDA Drug Advisory Committees

Governments and firms often use committees of experts to help them make complex decisions, but conflicts of interest could bias experts’ recommendations. We focus on whether financial ties to drug companies bias FDA drug advisory committee (AC) members’ voting on drug approval recommendations. We find little significant evidence that AC members vote in their financial interests. We find stronger evidence that experts’ characteristics such as expertise level or associations with advocacy groups drives voting tendencies (biases) either for or against approval. We show that a Congressional Act that effectively excluded financially-conflicted AC members resulted in a sharp drop in average AC member expertise, and an unintended increase in approval voting. Our results have implications for the popular goal of eliminating financial conflicts from all medical decisions. Eliminating conflicts could sharply reduce the level of expertise of the decision makers and lead to unexpected voting tendencies.
Yttrium-90 Radioembolization for Unresectable Combined Hepatocellular-Cholangiocarcinoma

Combined hepatocellular-cholangiocarcinoma (cHCC-CC) is a rare mixed cell type primary liver cancer with limited data to guide management. Transarterial radioembolization with yttrium-90 microspheres (RE) is an emerging treatment option for both hepatocellular carcinoma and intrahepatic cholangiocarcinoma. This study explored the safety and efficacy of RE for unresectable cHCC-CC. Patients with histopathologically confirmed cHCC-CC treated with RE were retrospectively evaluated. Clinical and biochemical toxicities were assessed using the Common Toxicity Criteria for Adverse Events v4.03. Radiological response was analyzed using the Response Criteria in Solid Tumors (RECIST) v1.1 and modified RECIST criteria. Survival times were calculated and prognostic variables identified. Ten patients (median age 59 years; six men, four women) with unresectable cHCC-CC underwent 14 RE treatments with resin (n = 6 patients) or glass (n = 4 patients) microspheres. Clinical toxicities were limited to grade 1–2 fatigue, anorexia, nausea, or abdominal pain. No significant biochemical toxicities were observed. Median overall survivals from the first RE treatment and from initial diagnosis were 10.2 and 17.7 months, respectively. Six of seven patients with elevated tumor biomarker levels before RE showed decreased levels after treatment (median decrease of 72%, range 13–80%). Best hepatic radiological response was 60% partial response and 40% stable disease by modified RECIST, and 100% stable disease by RECIST v1.1. Poor performance status and the presence of macrovascular invasion were identified as predictors of reduced survival after RE. RE appears to be a safe and promising treatment option for patients with unresectable cHCC-CC. Level 4.
Zika Virus Vaccines — A Full Field and Looking for the Closers

Two studies of messenger RNA Zika virus vaccines show that they protect against infection in animal models.
Acute nonlymphocytic leukemia following etoposide and cisplatin combination chemotherapy for advanced non-small-cell carcinoma of the lung.

Combination chemotherapy is frequently used in the therapy of advanced non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC), but late complications are rarely recognized because of the short survival of most patients. Of 119 patients with advanced NSCLC treated with cisplatin and other drugs, four patients developed acute nonlymphocytic leukemia (ANLL). All four patients received etoposide and cisplatin with or without vindesine. Leukemia was diagnosed at 13, 19, 28, and 35 months after start of treatment. Three patients had morphologic and/or cytogenetic features of acute leukemia with significant monoblastic involvement; the fourth patient had trilineage dysplasia and cytogenetic abnormalities more commonly associated with therapy-related leukemia. Detailed analysis of the subgroup who survived longer than 1 year (24 patients) suggests that high cumulative doses of etoposide are leukemogenic; the median etoposide dose was 6,795 mg/m2 (first year only) in the four leukemic patients compared with 3,025 mg/m2 in the 20 nonleukemic patients (P less than .01). The rate of ANLL was 0.30 per person-year after the first year (95% confidence limits 0.11 to 0.90), with a cumulative risk of 15% +/- 11% at 2 years, and 44% +/- 24% at 2.5 years. We conclude that high doses of etoposide are potentially leukemogenic, and can induce a syndrome with features of acute monoblastic leukemia de novo that is distinct from other secondary leukemias.
Local content and emission taxes when the number of foreign firms is endogenous

There is a wide range of countries which have employed local content requirements to promote jobs and meet national green energy objectives. At the same time market-based policies (e.g., emission taxes) have been implemented to address environmental degradation. This paper considers a Cournot model in the presence of emission taxes and local content requirements where the number of foreign, more efficient firms, is endogenous. The analysis explores conditions under which an emission tax and/or local content may lower emissions and encourage foreign direct investment. The analysis of policy reform is also explored.