cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Molecular studies and therapeutic targeting of Kaposi's sarcoma herpesvirus (KSHV/HHV-8) oncogenesis.

Kaposi’s sarcoma herpesvirus or human herpesvirus-8 (KSHV/HHV-8) is the etiological agent of Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), an AIDS-defining angioproliferative neoplasm that continues to be a major global health problem and, of primary effusion lymphoma (PEL), a rare incurable B-cell lymphoma. This review describes the research from our laboratory and its collaborators to uncover molecular mechanisms of viral oncogenesis in order to develop new pathogenesis-based therapies to the KSHV-induced AIDS malignancies KS and PEL. They include the discovery of the viral angiogenic oncogene G protein-coupled receptor (vGPCR), the development of mouse models of KSHV and oxidative stress-induced KS, the identification of the role of Rac1-induced ROS in viral oncogenesis of KS and the development of novel therapeutic approaches able to target both latent and lytic oncogenic KSHV infection.
IgE-mediated systemic anaphylaxis and impaired tolerance to food antigens in mice with enhanced IL-4 receptor signaling

Background In atopic subjects food ingestion drives the production of IgE antibodies that can trigger hypersensitivity reactions. The IL-4 pathway plays a critical role in this response, and genetic polymorphisms in its components have been linked to allergy. Objective We sought to test whether an activating mutation in the IL-4 receptor (IL-4R) α chain enhances allergic responses to a food antigen. Methods F709 mice, in which the IL-4Rα immunoreceptor tyrosine–based inhibitory motif is inactivated, were gavage fed with ovalbumin (OVA). Reactions to OVA challenge and immune responses, including antibody production and T H 2 responses, were assessed. Results F709 mice, but not wild-type control animals, sensitized by means of gavage with OVA and either cholera toxin or staphylococcal enterotoxin B, displayed mast cell activation and systemic anaphylaxis on enteral challenge. Anaphylaxis was elicited even in F709 mice enterally sensitized with OVA alone. Bone marrow chimera experiments established that the increased sensitivity conferred by the F709 genotype was mediated mostly by hematopoietic cells but that nonhematopoietic cells also contributed. F709 mice exhibited increased intestinal permeability to macromolecules. The F709 genotype conferred increased OVA-specific IgE but not IgG1 responses, local and systemic T H 2 responses, and intestinal mast cell hyperplasia compared with wild-type mice. Anaphylaxis was abrogated in F709 mice lacking IgE or the high-affinity receptor for IgE (FceRI). Conclusion Augmented IL-4Rα signaling confers increased intestinal permeability and dramatically enhanced sensitivity to food allergens. Unlike anaphylaxis to injected antigens, which in rodents can be mediated by either IgE or IgG antibodies, the food-induced response in F709 mice is solely IgE dependent.
Predicting Resurgence of Western Flower Thrips (Thysanoptera: Thripidae) on Onions After Insecticide Application in the Texas High Plains

Population resurgence of western flower thrips, Frankliniella occidentalis (Pergande), was observed on onions after insecticide application during two growing seasons on the Texas High Plains. Regression models were used to quantify variables influencing western flower thrips population dynamics. Thrips densities increased exponentially after being sprayed with insecticide. This resurgence was aided by degree-days (DD) between thresholds of 5 and 35°C accumulated after insecticide application, whereas accumulated DD above a threshold of 35°C greatly hindered increase. Density of western flower thrips on onions was predicted by DD and rainfall accumulations.
Fluid shear stress-induced nitric oxide production in human cavernosal endothelial cells : inhibition by hyperglycaemia

OBJECTIVE To investigate whether fluid shear stress (FSS) induces endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS) activity and NO production in isolated human corpus cavernosal endothelial cells (HCCECs), and whether this response is altered during hyperglycaemia in vitro, as haemodynamic signalling during penile erection induces eNOS-mediated NO production in vivo. MATERIALS AND METHODS ECs were cultured from HCC and characterized by the uptake of acetylated low-density lipoprotein and the expression of von Willebrand factor, VE-cadherin, CD31 and eNOS. HCCECs were exposed to FSS (1.2 Pa (12 dynes/cm2), 5 min) using a cone-and-plate viscometer in the presence or absence of high glucose (30 mm, 48 h). The phosphorylation of ser1177 on eNOS and total eNOS protein expression after FSS was examined by Western blot. NO in the conditioned media was assessed by measuring nitrate and nitrite levels. RESULTS Compared to static conditions, FSS induced a significant increase in the phosphorylation of eNOS on ser1177 in HCCECs, and the release of NO to the conditioned media. Treatment of HCCECs with high glucose levels did not alter the ratio FSS-induced phosphorylated eNOS/total eNOS, but did result in the down-regulation of total eNOS and significantly attenuated FSS-induced NO release. CONCLUSION These in vitro data suggest that FSS contributes to eNOS activation and NO release in HCCECs, and supports in vivo reports suggesting a role for haemodynamic signalling in the erectile response. Treatment with high glucose levels prevented FSS-induced NO release, suggesting a mechanism that may contribute to decreased erectile function associated with diabetes.
An Analysis of Compliance-Gaining Instrumentation in the Organizational Communication Literature:

This article reviews five compliance-gaining instruments reported in the literature, specifically used in research conducted in the organizational context. As part of this analysis, the article examines studies from the literature using the compliance-gaining construct, assesses the reliability estimates for these instruments through a meta-analysis of psychometric data associated with them, discusses the implications of deductively and inductively derived compliance-gaining typologies, and offers directions for future research.
Adaptive Shift Control for Automatic Transmissions

Using feedback information of estimates from a model of the hydraulic clutch actuation and measurements from transmission mechanicals, a closed-loop adaptive controller is designed. The controller is structured to update at three different rates: every time instance, every shift, and every n-th number of shifts. Part of the controller is designed to operate in open-loop for the first two regions of the shift until feedback information is available. The open-loop controller adapts within the shift, thus allowing for corrections to the control design to be made during the current shift and in subsequent shifts. The model tuning parameters as well as the return spring pre-load force become the adaptive parameters, which are being adjusted so that the plant matches the model in real-time operation. The control design is validated against a high fidelity simulation model of the transmission hydraulics and mechanicals, as well as experimental data.Copyright © 2014 by ASME
Conformational changes and truncation of tau protein during tangle evolution in Alzheimer's disease

The conformation-dependent antibodies Tau-66 and Alz-50 recognize discontinuous epitopes on the tau molecule (residues 155-244 & 305-314 and 5-15 & 312-322, respectively), thereby defining two distinct conformations. In double- and triple-label immunofluorescence experiments we discovered that specific populations of neurofibrillary tangles display either the Alz-50 or the Tau-66 conformation, but not both. In combination with other antibodies to several domains of the molecule we demonstrate that the conformation recognized by Alz-50 seems to be an early event in the formation of neurofibrillary tangles. This conformation is characterized by the presence of predominantly intact N- and C- termini. By contrast, the Tau-66 conformation is likely a later event in tangle development, being favored in structures containing truncations of both the N- and C- termini. We propose a sequence of events that occurs during the formation and evolution of neurofibrillary tangles based on the initial conformation adopted by tau. In this scheme, the Tau-66 conformation in neurofibrillary tangles may arise from amino and carboxy truncation of tau after it has assumed the Alz-50 conformation. These results indicate that tau structure within the NFT is dynamic in that tau can undergo a "refolding" event following N- and C-terminal truncation.
Learning to recognize shadows in monochromatic natural images

This paper addresses the problem of recognizing shadows from monochromatic natural images. Without chromatic information, shadow classification is very challenging because the invariant color cues are unavailable. Natural scenes make this problem even harder because of ambiguity from many near black objects. We propose to use both shadow-variant and shadow-invariant cues from illumination, textural and odd order derivative characteristics. Such features are used to train a classifier from boosting a decision tree and integrated into a Conditional random Field, which can enforce local consistency over pixel labels. The proposed approach is evaluated using both qualitative and quantitative results based on a novel database of hand-labeled shadows. Our results show shadowed areas of an image can be identified using proposed monochromatic cues.
Impact of numerical variation in FMS-like tyrosine kinase receptor 3 internal tandem duplications on clinical outcome in normal karyotype acute myelogenous leukemia.

BACKGROUND: The impact of single versus multiple fms-like tyrosine kinase receptor 3 internal tandem duplication (FLT3-ITD) mutations on the clinical outcome of patients with acute myelogenous leukemia has not been well studied, and particularly has not been investigated while simultaneously accounting for the quantitative mutation burden. METHODS: The authors conducted a multivariate analysis of overall survival, event-free survival, and complete remission duration, including numeric variation (single vs multiple) and quantitative mutant burden of FLT3-ITD as variables among other clinically relevant factors. RESULTS: An analysis of a cohort of 1043 patients with AML demonstrated that, among patients with normal-karyotype acute myelogenous leukemia and FLT3-ITD mutation, overall survival and event-free survival were not affected by the number of FLT3-ITD mutations, but complete remission duration was significantly longer in patients who had multiple FLT3-ITD mutations (median, 86 weeks vs 34 weeks; P = .03). CONCLUSIONS: The current results indicated that time-to-event analyses of patients with normal-karyotype acute myelogenous leukemia and FLT3-ITD mutation should take into account the number of mutations and the mutant burden, among other factors. Cancer 2012. © 2012 American Cancer Society.
Dual-objective STORM reveals three-dimensional filament organization in the actin cytoskeleton

By combining astigmatism imaging with a dual-objective scheme, we improved the image resolution of stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (STORM) and obtained <10-nm lateral resolution and <20-nm axial resolution when imaging biological specimens. Using this approach, we resolved individual actin filaments in cells and revealed three-dimensional ultrastructure of the actin cytoskeleton. We observed two vertically separated layers of actin networks with distinct structural organizations in sheet-like cell protrusions.
The -1030/-862-linked TNF promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms are associated with the inability to control HIV-1 viremia.

Control of HIV-1 viremia and progression to AIDS has been associated with specific HLA genes. The tumor necrosis factor (TNF) and the non-classical major histocompatibility (MHC) class I chain-related A (MICA) genes are located in the genomic segment between the HLA class I and II genes and variants of both genes have been identified. We thus analyzed TNF promoter and MICA variants in a well-characterized group of HIV-1 infected individuals with different abilities to control HIV-1 viremia. In our cohort, the −1030/−862-linked TNF promoter single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), but not MICA variants, are significantly associated with lack of control of HIV-1 viremia (P=0.03). This association is independent of those HLA-B35 alleles associated with HIV-1 disease progression with which the −862 TNF SNP has previously been independently associated. Thus, non-randomly associated genes near the TNF locus are likely involved in control of HIV-1 viremia.
Blood and Urinary Fluoride Levels in Humans Associated with Ingestion of Sodium Fluoride-Containing Vitamin Tablets

Urine and blood were collected from young adults at predetermined intervals after ingesting 1.0 mg fluoride (as NaF) in a vitamin-fluoride tablet. The urinary fluoride concentration reached a maximum within two hours and returned to the normal value within six hours; blood fluoride changes paralleled those observed in urine.
Somatosensory far field potentials: studies in normal subjects and patients with multiple sclerosis.

Abstract Somatosensory evoked potentials to median nerve stimulation which arise in subcortical structures were recorded from the scalp of 15 normal subjects and 26 patients with definite multiple sclerosis (McAlpine's criteria) in non-cephalic reference leads. In normal subjects, these subcortical events consisted of 3 positive potentials which were distributed widely over the scalp and were of similar amplitude at all scalp recording locations. In some subjects, these potentials were followed by another positive potential which was recorded predominantly over frontal central scalp regions. These potentials were followed by a larger negative potential which was most prominent over the somesthetic cortex contralateral to the side of stimulation. This negative potential is thought to reflect the arrival of the afferent volley in cerebral cortical elements. The criteria for abnormality in the patient group were (a) absence of components consistently recorded in normal subjects, (b) statistically significant component peak latency differences in patients compared to normal subjects, and (c) statistically significant differences in the amplitudes of the third positive and first negative potentials to stimulation of the left median nerve as compared with right median nerve stimulation. The response in all but one of the patients was judged to be abnormal. Absent components were observed in 17 patients, prolonged peak latency differences in 13 patients and component amplitude measurements were abnormal in 3 patients. Sequential recordings obtained in 5 of 9 patients revealed loss of components or latency changes. Evoked potential abnormalities were often found in the absence of either brain stem signs or clinically evident disturbances of specific sensory systems.
Pollen and Lignin Records of Late Quaternary Vegetation, Lake Washington

Analyses of lignin oxidation products and pollen for an 11-meter core from Lake Washington provide independent but similar reconstructions of the late Quaternary vegetation in the Puget Lowland. An exception is in sediments of the late Pleistocene where pollen percentages and influx values suggest conifer forest whereas lignin compositions suggest a treeless source region. This dissimilarity appears to result from different major provenances: eolian transport of pollen to the lake from adjacent or downstream drainage basins as opposed to fluvial transport of lignified plant debris only from the Lake Washington drainage basin.
A numerical experiment on the determination of unknown parameters in an analytic system of ordinary differential equations

Abstract For the reaction A+B ⇄ k −1 =0.5 k 1 =0.5 C , the concentration C = C(t), 0 ⩽ t ⩽ 2 is computed for two cases of initial data A0, B0, C0 from the usual system of ordinary differential equations. The results (k1, k−1) of fitting the data C = C(t), 0 ⩽ t ⩽ 2, using the method of least squares via Newton's method for solving nonlinear systems of equations, are discussed. With only roundoff error in the data, the theoretical constants k1 = 0.5 and k−1 = 0.5 are obtained from the least squares process. The effect of various errors in the data A0, B0, C0, and C = C(t), 0 ⩽ t ⩽ 2, on the computed (k1, k-1) is presented and discussed.
Chemische Untersuchungen von Silikaten. XIII. Über einige chemische Eigenschaften des Pektoliths, Ca2Na[HSi3O9], und seine Synthese

Der Pektolith, Ca2Na[HSi3O9], der mit dem Wollastonit Ca3[Si3O9] isotyp ist, gibt erst oberhalb von 400° sein Konstitutionswasser ab und geht dabei nach der Gleichung: in Wollastonit, die Verbindung Ca2Na2Si3O9 und kristallisierendes Siliciumdioxyd uber. Das H-Atom des Pektoliths last sich nicht ohne vollkommene Veranderung des Anionengerustes durch Na ersetzen. Vorsichtige Hydrolyse von Ca2Na2 Si3O9 fuhrt nicht zum Pektolith. Er entsteht aber leicht durch Behandlung dieser und anderer Verbindungen oder Mischungen ahnlicher Zusammensetzung mit wenig Wasser bei 200°.
SU-GG-J-38: Assessment of Conebeam CT Image Quality in the Presence of An Electromagnetic Tracking System

Purpose: A novel electromagnetictracking system is being used for real‐time tracking during treatment delivery. On board cone‐beam CTimaging is routinely being used for real‐time imaging and localization. Concurrent use of these two modalities might prove beneficial for correlating imaging and tracking information. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of the presence of the electromagnetictracking system on the CBCTimage quality. Method and Materials: A commercial CT performance phantom (Catphan, Phantom Laboratory, Salem, NY) containing various image quality assessment tools was imaged using a kilovoltage on‐board cone‐beam CT system (Varian Medical Systems, Palo Alto). An electromagnetictracking system (Calypso® 4D Localization System, Calypso Medical, Seattle, WA) uses an electromagnetic array for tracking transponder positions. The imaging quality assessment phantom was imaged with and without the electromagnetictracking system in place. To quantify the effect on the image quality, the CT number accuracy, spatial integrity, image uniformity, high and low contrast resolution were compared. Results: CT number accuracy, spatial linearity and high contrast resolution were unaffected by the presence of the array. The visibility of the 1% cylindrical low contrast resolution targets was 15 mm and 7 mm for with and without the array respectively. The inherent streaking artifacts degraded the low contrastimage quality significantly. Conclusion: Presence of an electromagnetic array significantly degrades CBCT low contrast resolution while other image performance parameters are minimally affected. For imaging human anatomy, algorithms to improve image quality may need to be developed. Conflict of Interest: This work is supported in part from a grant from Calypso Medical Systems.
An accurate and stable algorithm for high strain-rate finite strain plasticity

A computational scheme is introduced for the integration of rate-dependent constitutive relations for the high strain-rate finite inelastic deformation and failure of metallic materials. Fundamental issues of accuracy, stability, and stiffness that are intrinsically related to the evolution of dynamic inelastic deformation and failure modes, such as shear-band formation, are addressed. Due to this evolution, accuracy, and stability characteristics of the constitutive relations change throughout the integration domain. Stiffness, a stability problem, may occur due to widely dispersed solution components that result from material instabilities. An adaptive methodology is introduced to classify these characteristics, and appropriate numerical methods were used. The current deformation configuration was updated by obtaining the current total deformation and the plastic deformation-rate tensors. The total deformation-rate tensor was obtained by an explicit finite element method. A nonlinear initial value problem is derived to update the plastic deformation-rate tensor. A combination of a fifth-order accurate explicit Runge-Kutta variable-step method and the A-stable backward Euler method were used to integrate this initial value system. The explicit method was used in nonstiff domains, where accuracy is required. If a time-step reduction was due to stability, a harbinger of numerical stiffness, the algorithm was automatically switched to the A-stable method. To distinguish a time-step reduction due to stability from one due to accuracy, a stiffness ratio is defined to measure the eigenvalue dispersion of the initial-value system. The adaptability of the proposed algorithm to a wide class of inelastic constitutive relations is illustrated by applications to crystal plasticity. This study underscores the importance of understanding the origin of numerical instabilities, such that these instabilities are not mistaken for inherent material instabilities.
WRIST AND HAND OVERUSE SYNDROMES

Overuse syndromes in the wrist or hand can occur from repetitive use of the wrist and hand or from recurrent direct trauma to the hand area. Tendinitis syndromes due to overstretching or shear stress are seen commonly on both the extensor and flexor sides of the wrist. Overuse syndromes also can take the form of neurovascular syndromes, resulting in compression syndromes of the median, ulnar, and superficial branch of the radial nerve in the wrist area and trauma to the ulnar and digital vessels supplying the hand. Treatment in most cases involves rest with splinting, icing, and NSAIDs in acute cases, although surgical decompression is indicated in chronic or recurrent cases.
A novel neutron spin echo technique for measuring phonon linewidths using magnetic Wollaston prisms

A new method of implementing neutron spin echo measurement of phonon linewidths on a triple-axis neutron spectrometer is introduced, based on recently developed superconducting magnetic Wollaston prisms. Each arm of the spectrometer is composed of two Wollaston prisms with a rectangular field region between them. By introducing triangular and rectangular field regions, loci of constant spin echo phase can be manipulated easily to achieve the so-called phonon focusing condition. Unlike the neutron resonance spin echo method, which is tuned by physically tilting the field boundaries, the new device can be tuned electromagnetically to achieve the phonon focusing condition. By adjusting the field configurations, the linewidths of phonon excitations with high energy and large group velocity can be measured. By employing superconducting films to define the various field regions, high neutron transmission and good neutron polarization efficiency can be obtained.
Eigenstates in quantum dots confined by an inhomogeneous magnetic field

Abstract We study the eigenstates in quantum dots in which electrons are confined by the application of an inhomogeneous perpendicular magnetic field, focusing on the effect that the specific details of the shape of confining field has on determining these states. In contrast to the edge state picture established in studies on circular dots, we find that dots with more irregular geometries show a more complicated behavior in the interior of the dot. In particular, we find that certain states show indications of having their amplitude enhanced along particular classical periodic orbits in the interior, a phenomenon known as ‘scarring’.
Socio-Economic Level and Maternal Attitudes Toward Parent-Child Relationships

In recent years, there has been an upsurge of interest in the social aspects of medicine, with medicine and sociology cooperating in a number of studies of social factors in health and illness.1 Many of these studies2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8 have presented data suggesting that there is a relationship between socioeconomic level and the incidence, prevalence, and treatment of mental illness. Further, in the preventive as well as in the treatment programs, similar relationships have been observed.
Fixed-Order Dynamic Compensation for a High-Performance Fighter Aircraft

This paper presents a robust fixed-order dynamic compensator design for a high-performance fighter aircraft. The compensator design methodology is based on an approximate loop transfer recovery technique. Full-state gains are first designed for the dual system, which is the equivalent of designing a full-order observer. Then the loop characteristics at the dual system input are approximated with' a compensator in controller canonical form. Finally, the optimal gains are implemented in the dual compensator to insure robustness and tracking performance at the plant output. The fixed-order dynamic compensator developed here is compared with a previously published full-order observer design.
Stem cell responses in myelosuppressed mice following sequential treatment with recombinant human interleukin 1 (rHuIL‐1), recombinant murine interleukin 3 (rMuIL‐3) and recombinant human macrophage colony‐stimulating factor (rHuM‐CSF)

In vivo, recombinant human interleukin 1 alpha (rHuIL-1 alpha) + recombinant human macrophage colony-stimulating factor (rHuM-CSF) (IL-1 + M-CSF) effectively serves as a rescue agent for myelosuppression by enhancing the recovery of hematopoietic stem cell (HSC) subpopulations following treatment with 5-fluorouracil (5-FU). Because in vitro studies have suggested that hematopoietic recovery in 5-FU-treated bone marrow (FUBM) may proceed from a 5-FU resistant, (IL-1 + IL-3 + M-CSF-responsive) high proliferative potential HSC subpopulation of colony forming cells (HPP-CFC), studies were carried out to determine whether the addition of recombinant murine interleukin 3 (rMuIL-3) (IL-3) to either IL-1 or IL-1 + M-CSF would further enhance the recovery of HSC subpopulations in myelosuppressed C57Bl/6 mice. With the exception of the HPP-CFC, IL-3 dampened, rather than enhanced, the accelerated recovery of 8 d and 12 d colony forming units-spleen (8 d and 12 d CFU-S) and the committed macrophage progenitor (CFU-M) associated with in vivo treatment with IL-1 alone. Similarly, IL-3 interfered with the enhanced recovery of those HSC subpopulations in FUBM influenced by the synergistic interaction of IL-1 + M-CSF. This interference, however, was observed only when the rMuIL-3 was administered on day 2 or 3 of a four-day treatment with IL-1 + M-CSF. There was, however, no evidence that IL-3 exerted a negative influence on the restoration of granulocytes in the myelosuppressed animals. Moreover, sequencing studies provided data suggesting that the dampening effects of IL-3 on the synergistic interaction of IL-1 + M-CSF resulted from both an enhanced differentiation of the more primitive HSC subpopulations and a significant, but preferential, mobilization of the more mature 8 d CFU-S and CFU-M to extramedullary organs and that the mobilization of these more mature HSC subpopulations was temporally linked to their generation from the recovering HPP-CFC and 12 d CFU-S subpopulations.
The unifying role of Tolstoy's conception of childhood

In his fictionalised autobiography entitled Childhood, as well as throughout his more purely fictional writings, Tolstoy expresses a sense of nostalgia for the childhood years. In many of his works, the author presents the state of childhood as being far preferable to adulthood, and especially to ‘civilised’ adulthood. The following quote, taken from The Death of Ivan I&h, is emblematic of this sentiment:
Origins of Cigarette Smoking in Academic Achievement, Stress and Social Expectations: Does Gender Make a Difference?

This research is based on a panel study of urban black adolescents (N = 536) with six to eight years intervening between measuring the predictors and measuring subsequent smoking initiation. Prior research with white and largely school-drawn samples has demonstrated that poor school achievement has a significant influence on smoking initiation. The same relationship held in this black youth sample, with a stronger effect noted for females than for males. Two major competing explanations of this relationship then were tested: (1) psychogenic, which postulated smoking as a means of coping with school related stress and; (2) differential socialization, which postulated smoking as an outcome of adherence to divergent social norms. Separate prediction models were tested for males and females. Psychogenic variables (worry about school performance) significantly increased females' smoking risk, but not males'. Social expectancy (perceptions of one's chances in the opportunity structure), an indicator of differen...
Relationship between Vertical Space Perception and a Dynamic Non-Locomotor Balance Task

A group of 30 junior high school age girls were selected because of their extreme scores on the rod-and-frame test of perceptual style. Test scores for the 15 field-independent and 15 field-depende...
Carnauba wax—Product of a Brazilian palm

Carnauba occupies a leading position among vegetable waxes because of its hardness, good luster and high melting point, which make it especially desirable for floor polishes. The only source region of this important vegetable wax is northeastern Brazil.
High signal-to-noise FLASH imaging at 8 Tesla.

A radio frequency (RF) and gradient spoiled fast low angle shot technique was used to acquire images from the human brain at 8 Tesla. The resulting FLASH images, obtained with a 17° nutation, a 70 ms repetition time, and a 17 ms echo time, displayed an average signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of 220:1 (slice thickness 2.2 mm, field-of-iew 24 cm, matrix 256 × 128). These images were compared with images obtained at 1.5 Tesla using identical parameters yielding a signal-to-noise of less than 10:1. As such, the 8 Tesla images display a remarkable improvement in SNR with increasing field strength. The images also show little evidence of susceptibility distortion, chemical shift, or RF penetration limitations.
Second-look ultrasound: Only for biopsy or more?

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is a clinically important and increasingly utilized modality in breast imaging. As with any breast imaging modality, there is need for an accurate and well-tolerated biopsy method to establish or exclude malignancy for suspicious lesions detected at breast MRI. When breast MRI was first utilized widely in the clinical setting, the systems needed for direct MRIguided core biopsy was relatively limited. Instead, second-look ultrasound examination (and subsequent ultrasound-guided core biopsy) were performed. Second-look ultrasound is a targeted ultrasound examination of the breast, which may be performed after detection of a breast lesion that is not definitively benign at MRI [1,2]. Information regarding lesion type, morphology, size, and location are obtained from the MRI examination and translated into the ultrasound examination. Second-look ultrasound examination should be performed using high-quality ultrasound equipment and careful technique, taking into account patient (and therefore breast) positional differences during MRI (prone) versus ultrasound (supine or decubitus) examinations [3]. In recent years, sophisticated equipment and software have been developed and marketed for core biopsy using direct MRI guidance. These methods have been shown to be safe and reliable. Nevertheless, second-look ultrasound examination (and subsequent ultrasound-guided core biopsy) remain a clinically relevant approach, as ultrasound-guided biopsy offers some advantages over MRI-guided biopsy. In particular, biopsy guided by ultrasound can be visualized in real-time and is generally less costly, more readily available, and more comfortable for the patient. Additionally, ultrasound-guided biopsy can be performed at the same time as the second-look ultrasound examination, does not require intravenous contrast administration, and certain areas of the breast (e.g. posterior lesions near the chest wall, axillary lesions, lesions near the nipple) are more accessible to ultrasound-guided biopsy than MRI-guided biopsy. However, MRI-guided core biopsy may be indicated if it cannot be established with certainty that the MRI lesion and the finding identified at second-look ultrasound are indeed one and the same [4–6]. Not uncommonly in cases of benign histology, a followup MRI is indicated to evaluate whether or not the clip placed after biopsy at second-look ultrasound correlates with the initial MRI finding, in order to confirm that the finding identified and biopsied at second-look ultrasound is the same finding as the initial MRI finding.
Single cell analyses of cytokine production

Subsets of T lymphocytes have been defined by their secretion of polarized patterns of cytokines. Type 1 and Type 2 subsets have been characterized in a variety of model systems both in vivo and in vitro and are a useful framework for studying immune responses. Recent technical advances have made it possible to analyze cytokine production by these populations at the level of individual cells.
Novel Isoform of β1 Integrin Expressed in Skeletal and Cardiac Muscle

Abstract We describe a novel isoform of the β1 integrin subunit called β1D, which contains a unique cytoplasmic domain, and is expressed specifically in skeletal and cardiac muscle. The β1D isoform arises from splicing into the final transcript of an additional exon located between exons 6 and 7. The nucleotide sequence of β1D predicts a cytoplasmic domain of 50 amino acids in which the last 21 amino acids of the β1A integrin isoform are replaced by a related sequence of 24 amino acids. A β1D-specific anti-peptide polyclonal antibody was prepared and immunoprecipitation of tissue extracts with subsequent immunoblotting showed expression of β1D isoform only in striated muscle cells.
The internet underwater: an IP-compatible protocol stack for commercial undersea modems

Recent underwater sensor network research has focused on developing physical, medium access control, and network layer protocols to enable high data rate, energy-efficient and reliable acoustic communications. However, it is now essential to design and standardize architectures that will enhance the usability and interoperability of underwater networks.This paper proposes a networking architecture to efficiently provide interoperability with traditional TCP/IP protocol stacks for commercial underwater modems. The proposal is based on an adaptation layer located between the data link layer and the network layer, such that the original TCP/IP network and transport layers are preserved unaltered to the maximum extent. The adaptation layer performs header compression and data fragmentation to guarantee energy efficiency. Furthermore, the proposed architecture includes mechanisms for auto-configuration based on router proxies that can avoid human-in-the-loop and save energy when broadcast is needed. The proposed architectural framework was implemented as a Linux device driver for a commercial underwater network modem SM-75 by Teledyne Benthos. Testing and simulation results illustrate that the architecture efficiently provides interoperability with TCP/IP.
Cell wall lipids from Mycobacterium bovis BCG are inflammatory when inoculated within a gel matrix: Characterization of a new model of the granulomatous response to mycobacterial components ☆

Summary The chronic inflammatory response to Mycobacterium generates complex granulomatous lesions that balance containment with destruction of infected tissues. To study the contributing factors from host and pathogen, we developed a model wherein defined mycobacterial components and leukocytes are delivered in a gel, eliciting a localized response that can be retrieved and analysed. We validated the model by comparing responses to the cell wall lipids from Mycobacterium bovis bacillus Calmette–Guerin (BCG) to reported activities in other models. BCG lipid-coated beads and bone marrow-derived macrophages (input macrophages) were injected intraperitoneally into BALB/c mice. Input macrophages and recruited peritoneal exudate cells took up fluorescently tagged BCG lipids, and matrix-associated macrophages and neutrophils produced tumor necrosis factor, interleukin-1 α , and interleukin-6. Leukocyte numbers and cytokine levels were greater in BCG lipid-bearing matrices than matrices containing non-coated or phosphatidylglycerol-coated beads. Leukocytes arrived in successive waves of neutrophils, macrophages and eosinophils, followed by NK and T cells (CD4 + , CD8 + , or γ δ ) at 7 days and B cells within 12 days. BCG lipids also predisposed matrices for adherence and vascularization, enhancing cellular recruitment. We submit that the matrix model presents pertinent features of the murine granulomatous response that will prove to be an adaptable method for study of this complex response.
TEMPORAL CONSISTENCY AND STABILITY OF THREE SCALES FOR MEASURING STRESS IN ADULTS

We investigated the 30-min. temporal consistency and temporal stability of three focal scales for measuring stress: the Cognitive Anxiety Scale-State, the Focusing Inventory Scale-State, and the Somatic Symptom Scale-State. These scales are applicable for individually measured reduction in stress in research on outcome with older adolescents and adults. All possess excellent internal consistency. All manifested significant temporal consistency and good to excellent temporal stability over 30 min. in a nonclinical sample of 60 undergraduates. Small significant differences in means on the Cognitive Anxiety Scale-State and the Somatic Symptom Scale-State were noted. The phenomenological states associated with stress were stable and consistent over 30 min., the optimal time interval used in research on stress.
A 15-Year Longitudinal Study of Halstead-Reitan Neuropsychological Test Performance

Using a two-stage growth curve analysis, change over time in performance on tests in the Halstead-Reitan Battery and Average Impairment Rating (AIR) was assessed for 53 individuals who varied in age and health status. In the first stage of the analysis, estimated slope and intercept values were calculated for each individual by regressing longitudinal data points on time. In the second stage, estimated slope and intercept values obtained in the first-stage analysis were regressed on age at entry into the study with statistical control for health status, education, occupation, and gender. Control for health status had an insignificant influence on magnitude of associations between age and test performance. Age-at-entry into the study was associated with statistically significant increasing change over time (poorer performance) for tests placing relatively heavy demands on speed of psychomotor performance and for AIR.
Characterization of Gene Expression Profiles of 3 Different Human Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma Cell Lines With Different Invasion and Metastatic Capacities

Purpose The gene expression of 3 oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) human cell lines, BHY, HN, and HSC-3, were studied based on their reported ability to invade adjacent bone or metastasize to cervical lymph nodes and/or distant organs. Materials and Methods The characteristics of each cell line were confirmed on scid mice using micro-positron emission tomography (PET)/computerized tomography (CT) imaging techniques. Complimentary DNA (cDNA) microarray techniques were used to determine the gene expression profile differences between each of the three OSCC cell lines. Results BHY, HN, and HSC-3 cell lines expressed 139, 214, and 128 up-regulated genes; and 117, 262, and 117 down-regulated genes, respectively. The clusterization of data showed that there are 13 genes that are up-regulated and 83 genes that are down-regulated in all 3 OSCC cell lines. Collection of genes organized by pathway may cause aggregate evaluation of anomalies. Thus the pathway analysis performed for each cell line based on cDNA microarray results showed BHY, HN, and HSC-3 cell lines to have 8, 10, and 3 up-regulated pathways and 3, 9, and 6 down-regulated pathways, respectively. Conclusions This study showed that cDNA microarray analysis is an effective tool for mapping molecular signatures. With this technique it is possible to observe the entire genome of a malignant tumor so as to appreciate the simultaneous interactions among thousands of genes.
A Review of Peter Temin's The Roman Market Economy

Herein, I review Peter Temin's book, "The Roman Market Economy", and take the occasion to alert economists to the exciting work that is being done and could be done in the economic history of the ancient world. (JEL C80, N01, N13, N73)
Feed Withdrawal Alters Small-Intestinal Morphology and Mucus of Broilers

In an effort to reduce carcass contamination and consequent reprocessing, market-age broilers are often subjected to feed withdrawal (FW) before processing to reduce intestinal content and intestinal ruptures during processing. However, little is known regarding the effects of FW on mucus content and intestinal morphology. Therefore, 2 experiments were conducted to determine the effects of FW on intestinal characteristics. Male broilers were raised in floor pens on standard industry diets to 42 and 39 d of age for Experiments (Exp.) 1 and 2, respectively. In Exp. 1, feed was removed 24, 12, 8, and 0 h before sampling, respectively (n = 5 birds/time). Birds remained on litter with access to water for the first 4-h of the FW period and were then placed in crates. Body weights, left pectoralis major weights, and distal ileal and jejunal segments were collected for determination of morphological characteristics. For Exp. 2, birds (n = 8 birds/time) were subjected to 0, 12, and 24 h of FW. Birds were injected with 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine and thymidine at 24 and 21 h, respectively, before sampling to determine epithelial cell migration rates. One-centimeter distal ileal segments were collected for mucus quantification at 0, 12, and 24 h. In Exp. 1, ileal villi heights were unaffected by FW, but villus width and crypt depth decreased with increasing FW time (P < or = 0.05). Jejunal villus height increased as FW progressed. Jejunal crypt depths increased until 12 h of FW and then declined at 24 h. Mucus content decreased linearly and was reduced by 46% from 0 to 24 h FW (P < 0.05). The intestinal morphology alterations and the depletion of intestinal mucus that occur during a short-term FW may reduce the integrity of the intestine.
Thinking not a Usual: Adding the Intercultural Perspective

The purpose of this article is to fill the gap between the emphasis in higher education on subject matter content and the acquisition of intellectual competencies. The authors suggest that these intellectual competencies are subject to triple conceptual reductionism, manifested in the following assumptions: (1) these skills are acquired through the content of established academic disciplines; (2) once learned, they transfer to other domains; and (3) they are "culture-free" and thus universally applicable. Contrary to these assumptions, the article attempts to demonstrate that these intellectual skills and their components are not learned automatically in traditional disciplines or by osmosis, and that they are influenced by the cultures in which they are practiced and taught. The authors selected three such competencies for review and examination: intercultural competence; critical thinking; and comparative thinking. Their analysis indicates that teaching of intercultural competence continues to be domina...
Podem as pedagogias críticas sustar as políticas de direita

Grande parte da literatura sobre “pedagogias criticas” tem sido politica e teoricamente importante e nos ajudou a avancar em varias frentes. Com muita frequencia, no entanto, ela nao tem sido relacionada o bastante com os modos pelos quais o atual movimento em direcao ao que pode ser mais bem chamado de “modernizacao conservadora” alterou o senso comum e transformou as condicoes materiais e ideologicas que cercam o ensino. Desse modo, ela as vezes torna-se uma forma do que pode ser mais bem chamado de retorica do “romantismo das possibilidades”, na qual a linguagem da possibilidade substitui uma analise habilidosa e consistente do que realmente e o equilibrio de forcas e o que e necessario para mudar as politicas neoliberais e neoconservadoras na alfabetizacao e em toda a esfera da educacao. Examino os modos pelos quais o terreno social e cultural da politica e do discurso educacionais tem sido alterado “in loco”, por assim dizer. Afirmo que precisamos estabelecer conexoes mais proximas entre nossos discursos teoricos e criticos, de um lado, e as transformacoes reais que estao atualmente deslocando politicas e praticas educacionais para direcoes fundamentalmente de direita, de outro. Desse modo, parte da minha discussao e conceitual e politica; mas parte dela precisara ser de natureza empirica para que eu possa ordenar o que se conhece sobre os efeitos reais e materiais do deslocamento para a direita na educacao.
Closed orbit analysis for RHIC

The authors examine the effects of four types of errors in the RHIC (Relativistic Heavy Ion Collider) dipoles and quadrupoles on the on-momentum closed orbit in the machine. They use the PATRIS tracking/analysis code both to handle statistically the effects of kick-modeled errors and to check the performance of the Fermilab correcting scheme in a framework of a more realistic modeling. On the basis of the accepted RMS (root-mean-square) values of the lattice errors, it is concluded that in about 40% of all studied cases the lattice must be to some extent precorrected in the framework of the so-called first turn around strategy, in order to get a closed orbit within the aperture limitations at all. For approximately two thirds of the remaining cases it is found that a single-pass algorithm of the Fermilab scheme is not sufficient to bring closed-orbit distortions down to acceptable levels. The authors have modified the scheme and have allowed repeated applications of the otherwise unchanged three-bump method, and in doing so they have been able to correct the orbit in a satisfactory manner. >
A genetic algorithm for self-optimization in safety-critical resource-flow systems

Organic Computing tries to tackle the rising complexity of systems by developing mechanisms and techniques that allow a system to self-organize and possess life-like behavior. The introduction of self-x properties also brings uncertainty and makes the systems unpredictable. Therefore, these systems are hardly used in safety-critical domains and their acceptance is low. If those systems should also profit from the benefits of self-x properties, behavioral guarantees must be provided. In this paper, a genetic algorithm for the self-optimization of resource-flow systems is presented. Further, its integration into an architecture which allows to provide behavioral guarantees is shown.
Energy-efficient resource management in Wireless Sensor Network

This paper studies energy-efficient resource allocation schemes in Wireless Sensor Network (WSN) where sensor nodes are densely deployed on the network with infrastructure support. We first construct a network scheme and compute the energy consumption with no intelligent resource management scheme for a given quality-of-service constraint defined as Signal-to-Interference-plus-Noise Ratio (SINR). Under the SINR constraint, optimum energy saving strategies are introduced based on common and adaptive transmit power. Simulation results show that for a given channel bandwidth, minimum energy consumption can be achieved when nodes adaptively control transmit signal power depending on the channel condition.