cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Pharmacist perceptions of competency: Identifying priority areas for a competency program development at an academic medical center.

Abstract Background Competency-based education models can serve as valuable resources for providing quality continuing education and professional development in healthcare. However, competency development programs can be stifled by scarce stakeholder involvement and insufficient recognition of resource challenges. Engaging pharmacists in program development can inform program design and prioritization of needs. Objective To describe a process to assess pharmacist perceptions about competency development and to inform program design by identifying high priority topic areas based on perceived value, confidence in abilities, and frequency of use by pharmacists. Methods Pharmacists at a large academic medical center were surveyed to examine opinions regarding competency development and identify perceived departmental value, personal confidence, and frequency of use for nine competency topic areas. Responses were aggregated to create scores for each of the three criteria related to the nine topics. Priority areas were topics with the highest relative scores in perceived value and frequency of use and lowest relative scores in confidence compared to the other areas. Results Survey responses were collected from 105 pharmacists (78.9% response rate). A majority indicated that competency assessment is a shared responsibility between the organization and individual pharmacists. Therapeutic knowledge was identified as the competency requiring the most immediate attention as it was perceived to have the highest departmental value and highest frequency of use, yet participants indicated low confidence regarding the topic. Conclusions Competency development is a critical aspect of ensuring pharmacists are prepared for the rapidly evolving needs of the healthcare system. Organizations play an important role in identifying and developing pharmacist competencies aligned with institutional and individual needs. This study suggests that pharmacists and leaders at an academic medical center identified a shared responsibility for competency development. The process described here may provide a model for other medical centers with similar competency development needs.
Development of a recombinant yellow fever vector expressing a HIV clade C founder envelope gp120

Development of a HIV-1 vaccine is a major global priority. The yellow fever virus (YFV) attenuated vaccine 17D is among the most effective of currently used vaccines. However, the stability of the YFV17D vector when carrying non-flavivirus genes has been problematic. We have constructed and expressed HIV-1 Env in YFV17D with either single transmembrane (STM) or double transmembrane (DTM) YFV E protein domains for the development of anti-HIV antibodies. Here we describe modifications of the YFV17D vector such that HIV-1 Env gp120 is expressed in up to 5 passages in Vero cells. Immunization with recombinant YFV17D vector prime followed by HIV-1 CH505 TF gp120 protein boosts were able to induce neutralizing antibodies for a HIV-1 tier 1 isolate in mice. This modified YFV vector may be a starting point for constructing HIV-1 vaccine candidate priming vectors.
The Relationship between Balance and Agility in Collegiate Athletes

Sports require many different tasks or abilities to perform movements effectively. A few of those abilities include strength, power, balance, flexibility, and agility. There have been many studies conducted to observe if the abilities play an active role in helping or improving performance in other abilities. The objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between balance and agility amongst collegiate athletes. Forty-four athletes from a Division II collegiate athletic program were examined in this study. Two testing batteries were administered: one for agility and one for balance. The agility assessment consisted of the T-Test (TT), Edgren Side Step Test (ESST), and a 30-m Zig-Zag drill (ZZD). To assess balance, a series of 11 tests were performed on a Neurocom Balance Master (NBM) force platform. The agility battery did not strongly correlate to any of the 11 balance tests. Correlations ranged from r =0.001 to r =0.45. The agility intracorrelations ranged from r =0.36 to r =0.96. The results of this study indicate that specific measures of static and dynamic balance and agility are not strongly related in a sample of young, healthy collegiate athletes.
The nation and property in Vattel’s theory of territory

This article provides an analysis of Emer de Vattel’s theory of territorial sovereignty. It argues that Vattel’s theory cannot be reduced to the agriculturalist theory of property, with which he is...
Some Transfinite Graph Theory

A peculiarity of transfinite graphs not encountered in conventional graphs is that connectedness by means of paths need not be transitive as a binary relationship between branches. In Section 3.1, we establish a criterion (Condition 3.1-2) under which transfinite connectedness through paths is transitive. The proof of this is far simpler in the present context of pristine graphs than it is for general transfinite graphs [34, Chapter 3]. Moreover, the present criterion combines the two separate ones given in [34, Conditions 3.2-1 and 3.5-1].
Neuroendocrine aspects of the serotonergic hypothesis of depression

This review examines the role of serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) in depression. Dysfunction of serotonergic neurons has been implicated as one of the causes of endogenous depression. Since serotonergic neurons innervate the hypothalamus and these neurons send collaterals to several other brain areas, it is possible that hypothalamic sites which control hormone secretion receive the same serotonergic afferents that innervate other limbic areas in the brain. Several investigators have devised neuroendocrine challenge tests measuring the effect of 5-HT agonists on plasma cortisol and prolactin in depressed patients. These tests help to identify dysfunctional 5-HT neurons, and are a “window into the brain.” The secretion of cortisol and prolactin is increased predominantly by 5-HT1 receptors. However, changes in 5-HT2 receptors have also been implicated in depression. Results from our laboratory and by others suggest that brain serotonergic neurons stimulate renin and vasopressin secretion by activation of 5-HT2 receptors. Therefore, the renin and vasopressin response to 5-HT agonists should be included in neuroendocrine tests of serotonergic function in affective disorders. Since antidepressants produce a decrease in the density of 5-HT2 receptors, renin and vasopressin could be used to evaluate the antidepressant potential of new drugs.
Cytosolic factors and the twisting path from birth to berth in aspartate aminotransferases

The two isozymes of AspAT can provide a suitable model system to analyze how different protein sequences end up adopting a nearly identical final three-dimensional structure either during spontaneous refolding in buffer or when folding is mediated by specific cellular components. The relationship of the folding process to the requirements for import of the mitochondrial form into the organelle, as well as the role of structural elements of the protein in the specificity of this biological process, are available to molecular analysis through the use of this isozyme system.
No evidence for airborne transmission of Toxoplasma gondii in a very high prevalence area in Lancaster County.

Background Toxoplasma gondii (T. gondii) has been associated with acute food-borne illness, chronic low-grade inflammation, neuropsychiatric conditions and reactivation of chronic latent infection in immunocompetent hosts. Primary infection with T. gondii in pregnant women can lead to congenital toxoplasmosis. In addition to well-known oral tissue-cyst or oocyst ingestion, we hypothesized that the very high prevalence of T. gondii in certain populations exposed to agricultural dust could be, in part, a consequence of airborne infection with oocysts. Methods Wo collected environmental dust samples from an area with a reportedly high T. gondii seroprevalence in the Old Order Amish population, in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Samples included: a) air filters from air-conditioning units; b) swabs of settled dust; and c) vacuum filters containing airborne field dust. Pools of the swabs and shredded sub-samples of the air filters were fed to pigs, with inoculation into mice of heart tissue from seroconverted pigs. We also investigated the presence of T. gondii DNA using PCR amplification. Results Only one pig seroconverted. However, bioassay of pig heart tissue further inoculated into mice showed no evidence of T. gondii infection. Consistently, no evidence of T. gondii DNA was revealed in any sample. Conclusions No evidence of airborne transmission was found in the environmental samples that were examined.
Relational Style and Couple Sexual Style: Similar or Different:

Relational style focuses on how a couple organizes their relationship and deals with differences and conflicts. In contrast, the couple sexual style refers to how each person maintains their sexual...
Deletion of TLR4 in Townes SS Mice Prevents Microvascular Stasis in Response to Hemin, LPS and Hypoxia/Reoxygenation: Role of Inflammation

We have previously shown that heme, a damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), released from sickle RBCs interacts with the innate immune toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) on endothelium and blood cells to activate cell signaling. This activates the pro-inflammatory transcription factor NF-κB leading to the production of cytokines and adhesion molecules that promote inflammation, coagulation, and vaso-occlusion (VO). Previous studies in our lab have demonstrated that inhibition of TLR4 in Townes-SS mice with TAK242 reduces microvascular stasis in response to hemin, hypoxia/reoxygenation and LPS. To further delineate the role of TLR4 in sickle cell disease (SCD), we bred a global Tlr4-/- deficiency state into Townes-AA mice expressing normal human adult hemoglobin A and Townes-SS mice expressing sickle hemoglobin S. These Tlr-/- Townes mice were backcrossed 10 generations to homogenize their genetic background with our Tlr4+/+ Townes colony. Townes-SS Tlr4-/- mice developed less microvascular stasis than Townes-SS Tlr4+/+ mice in response to challenges with heme infusion (4% vs 30% at 1 hr, p We next measured the complete blood counts, serum chemistries, and urine analytes in the Tlr4+/+ and -/- mice. We also quantified mRNA levels via qPCR for liver and kidney cytokines, adhesion molecule, heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1) and coagulation factors in all four genotypes (AA Tlr4+/+; AA Tlr4-/-; SS Tlr4+/+; SS Tlr4-/-). Hemoglobin levels in SS mice were lower than AA mice, but there were no differences between Tlr4+/+ and Tlr4-/- mice. WBC counts were greater in SS than AA mice, but there were no differences between Tlr4+/+ and Tlr4-/- mice. Bilirubin and liver function tests (LFTs) were higher in SS than AA, but there were no differences between Tlr4+/+ and Tlr4-/- mice. In the liver, adhesion molecules and HO-1 were higher in SS than AA, but there were no differences between Tlr4+/+ and Tlr4-/- mice. To define a potential mechanism for decreased microvascular stasis in response to hemin infusion in SS Tlr4-/-, we measured cytokines and adhesion molecule expression after heme challenge. When SS Tlr4+/+ mice were infused with hemin, we found increased expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines and cell adhesion molecules. SS Tlr4-/- mice infused with hemin had reduced expression of cytokines and cell adhesion molecules compared to SS Tlr4+/+ mice; most notably in IL-6 in the liver, adhesion molecules VCAM-1 and ICAM-1 in the liver and kidneys (p Download : Download high-res image (507KB) Download : Download full-size image Disclosures Belcher: Mitobridge, an Astellas Company: Consultancy, Research Funding. Vercellotti: Mitobridge, an Astellas Company: Consultancy, Research Funding.
“So Much for Protect and Serve”: Queer Male Survivors’ Perceptions of Negative Police Experiences:

The author employs a critical queer criminology approach to examine the negative reporting experiences of queer men who have been sexually assaulted. Based on qualitative, in-depth interviews, find...
Sarcoidosis: An atypical mimicker of acne keloidalis nuchae.

Sarcoidosis is a multisystemic disease of unknown etiology characterized by the formation of noncaseating granulomas in several organs. The skin is the second most commonly involved organ with cutaneous involvement occurring in 25% to 30% of patients.1 Two types of cutaneous lesions are recognized in sarcoidosis: specific cutaneous sarcoidal lesions and nonspecific reactive lesions.1 Specific lesions manifest as noncaseating granulomas on skin biopsies; non-specific lesions are reactive to systemic sarcoidosis but do not have granulomas on biopsy.1 Sarcoidosis of the scalp most commonly manifests as alopecia, which may be scarring or nonscarring, and is primarily seen in women of African descent.1,2 Sarcoidal scalp morphologies include erythema and indurated plaques and nodules, which may have scale, and all of which demonstrate noncaseating granulomas on biopsy. We present an unusual case of sarcoidosis imitating acne keloidalis nuchae (AKN).
Latina/o/x Immigrant Youth’s Motivations for Disclosing their Family-Undocumented Experiences to a Teacher(s): A Latent Transition Analysis

Using the revelation risk model (RRM), we examined factors that might motivate family-undocumented youth (i e , youth who are undocumented or who have an immediate family member who is undocumented) to confide in a teacher(s) Latent transition analysis with 414 Latina/o/x 9th-12th grade students uncovered three profiles: concerned indirect revealers (i e , moderate teacher-student relational closeness, highest perceived risk of disclosing, lowest communication efficacy, moderate indirect disclosure, low direct disclosure), relationally-close revealers (i e , strongest teacher-student closeness, low perceived risk of disclosing, low communication efficacy, and highest moderate indirect and direct disclosure), and confident nonrevealers (i e , moderate teacher-student closeness, lowest perceived risk of disclosing, highest communication efficacy, and lowest indirect and direct disclosure) Greater fear of deportation at Wave 1 predicted relationally-close revealers becoming concerned indirect revealers three months later These findings identify experiences that could affect the extent to which family-undocumented youth turn to a teacher(s), which has implications for youth’s well-being
Graph Networks with Spectral Message Passing

Graph Neural Networks (GNNs) are the subject of intense focus by the machine learning community for problems involving relational reasoning. GNNs can be broadly divided into spatial and spectral approaches. Spatial approaches use a form of learned message-passing, in which interactions among vertices are computed locally, and information propagates over longer distances on the graph with greater numbers of message-passing steps. Spectral approaches use eigendecompositions of the graph Laplacian to produce a generalization of spatial convolutions to graph structured data which access information over short and long time scales simultaneously. Here we introduce the Spectral Graph Network, which applies message passing to both the spatial and spectral domains. Our model projects vertices of the spatial graph onto the Laplacian eigenvectors, which are each represented as vertices in a fully connected "spectral graph", and then applies learned message passing to them. We apply this model to various benchmark tasks including a graph-based variant of MNIST classification, molecular property prediction on MoleculeNet and QM9, and shortest path problems on random graphs. Our results show that the Spectral GN promotes efficient training, reaching high performance with fewer training iterations despite having more parameters. The model also provides robustness to edge dropout and outperforms baselines for the classification tasks. We also explore how these performance benefits depend on properties of the dataset.
Advances and Challenges in Small‐Molecule DNA Aptamer Isolation, Characterization, and Sensor Development

Aptamers are short oligonucleotides isolated in vitro from randomized libraries that can bind to specific molecules with high affinity, and offer a number of advantages relative to antibodies as biorecognition elements in biosensors. However, it remains difficult and labor-intensive to develop aptamer-based sensors for small-molecule detection. Here, we review the challenges and advances in the isolation and characterization of small-molecule-binding DNA aptamers and their use in sensors. First, we discuss in vitro methodologies for the isolation of aptamers, and provide guidance on selecting the appropriate strategy for generating aptamers with optimal binding properties for a given application. We next examine techniques for characterizing aptamer-target binding and structure. Afterwards, we discuss various small-molecule sensing platforms based on original or engineered aptamers, and their detection applications. Finally, we conclude with a general workflow to develop aptamer-based small-molecule sensors for real-world applications.
Cervical 1-2 Posterior Instrumented Fusion Utilizing Computer-Assisted Navigation With Harvest of Rib Strut Autograft: 2-Dimensional Operative Video

Nonunion of a type II odontoid fracture after the placement of an anterior odontoid screw can occur despite careful patient selection. Countervailing factors to successful fusion include the vascular watershed zone between the odontoid process and body of C2 as well as the relatively low surface area available for fusion. Patient-specific factors include osteoporosis, advanced age, and poor fracture fragment apposition. Cervical 1-2 posterior instrumented fusion is indicated for symptomatic nonunion. The technique leverages the larger posterolateral surface area for fusion and does not rely on bony growth in a watershed zone. Although loss of up to half of cervical rotation is expected after C1-2 arthrodesis, this may be better tolerated in the elderly, who may have lower physical demands than younger patients. In this video, we discuss the case of a 75-yr-old woman presenting with intractable mechanical cervicalgia 7 mo after sustaining a type II odontoid fracture and undergoing anterior odontoid screw placement at an outside institution. Cervical radiography and computed tomography exhibited haloing around the screw and nonunion across the fracture. We demonstrate C1-2 posterior instrumented fusion with Goel-Harms technique (C1 lateral mass and C2 pedicle screws), utilizing computer-assisted navigation, and modified Sonntag technique with rib strut autograft. Posterior C1-2-instrumented fusion with rib strut autograft is an essential technique in the spine surgeon's armamentarium for the management of C1-2 instability, which can be a sequela of type II dens fracture. Detailed video demonstration has not been published to date. Appropriate patient consent was obtained.
Long noncoding RNA regulation of spermatogenesis via the spectrin cytoskeleton in Drosophila

The spectrin cytoskeleton has been shown to be critical in diverse processes such as axon development and degeneration, myoblast fusion, and spermatogenesis. Spectrin can be modulated in a tissue specific manner through junctional protein complexes, however, it has not been shown that long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) interact with and modulate spectrin. Here, we provide evidence of a lncRNA CR45362 that interacts with α-Spectrin, is required for spermatid nuclear bundling during Drosophila spermatogenesis. We observed that CR45362 showed high expression in the cyst cells at the basal testis, and CRISPR-mediated knockout of CR45362 led to sterile male, unbundled spermatid nuclei, and disrupted actin cones. Through chromatin isolation by RNA precipitation-mass spectrometry (ChIRP-MS), we identified actin-spectrin cytoskeletal components physically interact with the lncRNA CR45362. Genetic screening on identified cytoskeletal factors revealed that cyst cell-specific knockdown of α-Spectrin phenocopied CR45362 mutants and resulted in spermatid nuclear bundle defects. Consistently, CR45362 knockout disrupted the co-localization of α-Spectrin and spermatid nuclear bundles in the head cyst cells at the basal testis. Thus, we uncovered a novel lncRNA CR45362 that interacts with α-Spectrin to stabilize spermatid nuclear bundles during spermatid maturation.
Gross primary production and light response parameters of four Southern Plains ecosystems estimated using long-term CO2-flux tower measurements

[1] Gross primary production (GPP) is one of the most important characteristics of an ecosystem. At present, no empirically based method to estimate GPP is available, other than measurements of net CO2 exchange and calculations of respiration. Data sets from continuous CO2 flux measurements in a number of ecosystems (Ameriflux, AgriFlux, etc.) for the first time provide an opportunity to obtain empirically based estimates of GPP. In this paper, using the results of CO2 flux tower measurements during the 1997 season at four sites in Oklahoma (tallgrass prairie, mixed prairie, pasture, and winter wheat crop), we describe a method to evaluate the average daytime rate of ecosystem respiration, Rd, by estimation of the respiration term of the nonrectangular hyperbolic model of the ecosystem-scale light-response curve. Comparison of these predicted daytime respiration rates with directly measured corresponding nighttime values, Rn, after appropriate length of the night and temperature correction, demonstrated close linear relationship, with 0.82 ≤ R2 ≤ 0.98 for weekly averaged fluxes. Daily gross primary productivity, Pg, can be calculated as Pg = Pd + Rd, where Pd is the daytime integral of the net ecosystem CO2 exchange, obtained directly from measurements. Annual GPP for the sites, obtained as the sum of Pg over the whole period with Pg > 0 were: tallgrass prairie, 5223 g CO2 m−2; winter wheat, 2853 g CO2 m−2; mixed prairie, 3037 g CO2 m−2; and pasture, 2333 g CO2 m−2. These values are in agreement with published GPP estimates for nonforest terrestrial ecosystems.
Optical Absorption in Ge Se 0.75 Te 0.25

Ge${\mathrm{Se}}_{0.75}$${\mathrm{Te}}_{0.25}$ is a new IV-VI compound which has electrical properties similar to those of the degenerate semiconductors GeTe and SnTe. Optical absorption has been measured in single crystals of Ge${\mathrm{Se}}_{0.75}$${\mathrm{Te}}_{0.25}$ grown by an iodine transport process. The measurements show a sharp absorption edge followed by a rapid rise in absorption at long wavelengths caused by the large free-carrier concentration (${10}^{20}$ holes ${\mathrm{cm}}^{\ensuremath{-}3}$). The absorption edge is interpreted as the fundamental absorption edge of a semiconductor. It is concluded that Ge${\mathrm{Se}}_{0.75}$${\mathrm{Te}}_{0.25}$ is a degenerate semiconductor which has a band gap considerably less than 0.82 eV.
Effect of Exercise on Serum Enzyme Levels in Untrained Males

Abstract The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of increasing the intensity of exercise on serum enzyme levels in untrained males. Subjects exercised on a treadmill at one of four inclines for 15 minutes, and serum enzyme determinations were made before and after exercise. Results showed a greater increase in mean serum enzyme levels after strenuous exercise than after either mild or moderate exercise. Variations in serum enzyme concentrations between subjects, as well as differences in the relative increases of enzymes, were shown to exist.
Design for the Super Mileage Competition

Twenty vehicles from eighteen schools competed in the Second SAE Super Mileage Competition. The winner obtained 702 miles/gallon. The designs of the successful vehicles stressed lightness, aerodynamic streamlining, low rolling resistance and efficient drive trains. Some engines were also modified to improve efficiency. The integrated optimization of all variables within the severe constraints of budget, manpower, time and manufacturing facilities presented an excellent engineering experience for the students.
Observational and Synoptic Analyses of the Winter Precipitation Regime Change over Utah

AbstractPrevious studies have indicated a widespread decline in snowpack over Utah accompanied by a decline in the snow–precipitation ratio while anecdotal evidence claims have been put forward that measured changes in Utah’s snowpack are spurious and do not reflect actual change. Using two distinct lines of investigation, this paper further analyzes the winter precipitation regime in the state of Utah. First, by means of observation-based, gridded daily temperature, precipitation, and remotely sensed data, as well as utilizing a climatological rain–snow threshold (RST) temperature method, the precipitation regime of Utah was scrutinized. Second, a comprehensive synoptic analysis was conducted as an alternate means that is independent from surface observations. It was found that the proportion of winter (January–March) precipitation falling as snow has decreased by 9% during the last half century, a combined result from a significant increase in rainfall and a minor decrease in snowfall. Meanwhile, observ...
A Serious Flaw in the Collegiate Learning Assessment [CLA] Test

The Collegiate Learning Assessment Test (CLA) has become popular and highly recommended, praised for its reliability and validity. I argue that while the CLA may be a commendable test for measuring critical-thinking, problem-solving, and logical-reasoning skills, those who are scoring students’ answers to the test’s questions are rendering the CLA invalid.
Magnetic Resonance Studies of Manganese (II) Binding Sites of Pyruvate Kinase TEMPERATURE EFFECTS AND FREQUENCY DEPENDENCE OF PROTON RELAXATION RATES OF WATER

The stoichiometry and dissociation constant of the binary rabbit muscle pyruvate kinase-manganese(II) complex have been investigated in the temperature range 5–37° by monitoring the amount of Mn(II) free in solution utilizing electron paramagnetic resonance spectrometry. The results have been interpreted in terms of an equilibrium mixture of two conformational forms of the enzyme, one which has four binding sites for Mn(II) ("active") and another which does not bind Mn(II) ("inactive"). The equilibrium is affected by monovalent ions; potassium, an activator of the pyruvate kinase reaction, stabilizes the "active" form as compared to the enzymatically inert tetramethylammonium ion. Longitudinal proton relaxation rates of water in solutions of pyruvate kinase and Mn(II) have been measured by pulsed nuclear magnetic resonance spectrometry as a function of temperature (5–37°) and frequency (8 to 60.0 MHz) in order to gain some insight into the mechanism of relaxation and to determine the number of protein ligands to the metal. The proton relaxation rates due to bound Mn(II), highly enhanced relative to the Mn(II) aquo-ion, have been analyzed according to the Solomon-Bloembergen-Morgan scheme. The rationale and method of analysis are presented in detail. Unlike the Mn(II) aquo-ion for which the relevant correlation time for the interaction between Mn(II) and the water protons is the rotational time and consequently frequency-independent, it has been found that the relevant correlation time for proton relaxation of water in the vicinity of bound Mn(II) is, at least in part, frequency-dependent. The frequency-dependent component is identified with the longitudinal electron spin relaxation time of the bound Mn(II) and the other component with the mean residence time of a water molecule in the first hydration sphere, i.e. the reciprocal of the water ligand exchange rate. From the results the number of water molecules coordinated to Mn(II) bound to pyruvate kinase has been estimated to be 3. It may be concluded that the enzyme probably provides three ligands for Mn(II) and thus the conformational changes previously detected by protein difference spectroscopy due to the binding of a divalent metal ion may be rationalized. Although the binding constant of the binary Mn(II)-enzyme complex varies upon substitution of tetramethylammonium for potassium ion, the enhancement of the proton relaxation rate of water for the binary complex is invariant with monovalent ion.
Operators on Lattices of omega-Herbrand Interpretations

Interpretations defined by J. Herbrand in early 1930's have found new applications when logic programming emerged in 1970's. Now they are being used as a major technical tool in the theory underlying construction of languages such as Prolog.
pANCA Represents a Cross-Reactivity to Enteric Bacterial Antigens

pANCA (perinuclear antineutrophil cytoplasmic antibodies) occur at a high frequency in patients with ulcerative colitis. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of pANCA in different mouse models of colitis and to determine whether there is any cross-reactivity of pANCA with bacterial antigens. Sera from 146 colitic mice and controls and from 30 patients with ulcerative colitis were tested for the presence of pANCA by indirect immunofluorescence with or without prior absorption with homogenized murine cecal bacteria. pANCA was found in 24 of 36 IL10–/– mice. In contrast to the human pANCA, both nuclear and perinuclear staining was found. Absorption of either human or mouse pANCA-positive sera with enteric bacterial antigens greatly reduced or abolished the specific perinuclear staining of pANCA. We conclude that pANCA occurs not only in humans but also in IL10–/– mice with colitis and likely represents a cross-reactivity with enteric bacterial antigens.
Magnetic and Crystallographic Transitions in Sc 3 + , Cr 3 + , and Ga 3 + Substituted Mn 2 O 3 , S.

X-ray diffraction and magnetic susceptibility measurements have been used to determine the phase diagrams, including magnetic phases, of the systems ${({\mathrm{Mn}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{M}_{x})}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$, where $M\ensuremath{\equiv}{\mathrm{Sc}}^{3+}, {\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}, {\mathrm{Ga}}^{3+}$. Maximum values of $x$ are 0.02, 0.13, and 0.27, respectively. Of the substituent ions ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$, ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}$, ${\mathrm{Sc}}^{3+}$ and ${\mathrm{Ga}}^{3+}$, ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ reduces the crystallographic transition temperature least rapidly, ${\mathrm{Ga}}^{3+}$ and ${\mathrm{Sc}}^{3+}$, most rapidly. ${\mathrm{Ga}}^{3+}$ ion substitution reduces the upper N\'eel temperature ${T}_{N1}$ about as rapidly as does ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}$ ion substitution to $x\ensuremath{\approx}0.06$, and it appears that if specimens could be made to $xg0.38$, there would be no more magnetic ordering in the ${({\mathrm{Mn}}_{1\ensuremath{-}x}{\mathrm{Ga}}_{x})}_{2}{\mathrm{O}}_{3}$ system. ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ ion does not decrease ${T}_{N1}$ as drastically as either ${\mathrm{Ga}}^{3+}$ or ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}$; at 12-at% ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$, ${T}_{N1}$ is 68 K, while for an equal amount of ${\mathrm{Ga}}^{3+}$, for example, it is 40 K; for 12-at.% ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}$, it is 25 K. These results imply that in this structure, empty ${t}_{{e}_{g}}$ orbitals are particularly important to the magnetic interactions, and that ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ with two empty ${t}_{{e}_{g}}$ orbitals is more compatible with the ${\mathrm{Mn}}^{3+}$ ion than is any ion with a filled, half-filled, or empty $d$ shell. ${\mathrm{Sc}}^{3+}$ ions reduce the lower N\'eel temperature ${T}_{N2}$; but ${\mathrm{Cr}}^{3+}$ ions raise it, apparently to meet ${T}_{N1}$ at about 11 or 12% substitution. ${\mathrm{Ga}}^{3+}$-ion substitution also raises ${T}_{N2}$ at first; but beyond $x=0.032$, it is not clear what happens to ${T}_{N2}$ in this system. Nevertheless, it does seem that substituent ions smaller than ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}$ raise ${T}_{N2}$, while ${\mathrm{Fe}}^{3+}$ and ${\mathrm{Sc}}^{3+}$ lower it.
Hands-free input devices for wearable computers

The advent of wearable computers marks a potential revolution in human-machine interaction and necessitates an expansion of control and display capabilities. Several emerging technologies can provide operators with a variety of new channels for interacting with wearable computers. Enabling technologies use signals from the brain, muscles, voice, lips, head position, eye position, and gestures for the control of computers. These hands-free, head-up controllers may be required to fully exploit the advantages of wearable computers. This paper describes several hands-free controllers that are candidate input devices, either individually or as part of a multimodal interface. Controller design, task-controller mapping and other application issues are also presented.
Superficial corneal squamous cell carcinoma occurring in dogs with chronic keratitis.

Objective Canine corneal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare tumor, with only eight cases previously published in the veterinary literature. The Comparative Ocular Pathology Lab of Wisconsin (COPLOW) has diagnosed 26 spontaneously occurring cases, 23 in the past 4 years. This retrospective study describes age and breed prevalence, concurrent therapy, biologic behavior, tumor size and character, and 6-month survival rates after diagnosis. Results A search of the COPLOW database identified 26 corneal SCC cases diagnosed from 1978 to 2008. There is a strong breed predilection (77%) in brachycephalic breeds, particularly those prone to keratoconjunctivitis sicca. The mean age was 9.6 years (range 6–14.5 years). Follow-up information >6 months was available for 15 of 26 cases. Recurrence occurred in the same eye in nine cases, seven of which were incompletely excised at the time of first keratectomy. No cases were known to have tumor growth in the contralateral eye and no cases of distant metastases are known. Where drug history is known, 16 of 21 dogs had a history of treatment with topical immunosuppressive therapy (cyclosporine or tacrolimus) at the time of diagnosis. Conclusion Chronic inflammatory conditions of the cornea and topical immunosuppressive therapy may be risk factors for developing primary corneal SCC in dogs. SCC should be considered in any differential diagnosis of corneal proliferative lesions. Superficial keratectomy with complete excision is recommended, and the metastatic potential appears to be low.
Aroclor 1254 ® residues in birds: Lethal levels and loss rates

Lethal residues of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) were determined experimentally in four species of wild birds given dietary dosage of 1,500 ppm of Aroclor 1254® until one-half had died, sacrificing the survivors, chemically analyzing the tissues, and comparing results in dead birds and survivors. For all species, residues of 310 ppm or higher in the brain showed increasing likelihood of death from PCB poisoning. Residues in dead birds did not differ among species except for starlings (Sturnus vulgaris), which averaged slightly lower than the others. However, the species differed in the length of time to 50% mortality and in the levels of PCBs in brains at sacrifice. Concentrations in bodies and livers were not diagnostic when expressed on a wet weight basis. On a lipid basis, however, concentrations of PCBs in bodies of dead birds were higher than in sacrificed birds, but in both groups residues increased with time, suggesting that overlapping values could be expected. Loss rates were followed in grackles (Quiscalus quiscula) fed 1,500 ppm PCBs for 8 days, then given untreated feed and sacrificed at intervals of 7, 28, 56, 112, and 224 days. PCB residues were lost from bodies at somewhat irregular rates; overall, the rate was estimated at 0.77% per day (half-life 89 days). Residues in brains generally were related to the percentage of body fat, but also showed a somewhat irregular pattern.
Teaching Obstetrics at Home: Medical Schools and Home Delivery Services in the First Half of the Twentieth Century

L'A. explique pourquoi l'enseignement de l'obstetrique s'effectua a la fois a l'interieur et a l'exterieur de l'hopital pendant une longue periode, jusqu'a ce que l'obstetrique soit reconnue comme une specialite medicale par les autorites de sante au debut du XX e siecle
SU-F-BRF-07: Impact of Different Patient Setup Strategies in Adaptive Radiation Therapy with Simultaneous Integrated Volume-Adapted Boost of NSCLC

Purpose: To evaluate the potential impact of several setup error correction strategies on a proposed image-guided adaptive radiotherapy strategy for locally advanced lung cancer. Methods: Daily 4D cone-beam CT and weekly 4D fan-beam CT images were acquired from 9 lung cancer patients undergoing concurrent chemoradiation therapy. Initial planning CT was deformably registered to daily CBCT images to generate synthetic treatment courses. An adaptive radiation therapy course was simulated using the weekly CT images with replanning twice and a hypofractionated, simultaneous integrated boost to a total dose of 66 Gy to the original PTV and either a 66 Gy (no boost) or 82 Gy (boost) dose to the boost PTV (ITV + 3mm) in 33 fractions with IMRT or VMAT. Lymph nodes (LN) were not boosted (prescribed to 66 Gy in both plans). Synthetic images were rigidly, bony (BN) or tumor and carina (TC), registered to the corresponding plan CT, dose was computed on these from adaptive replans (PLAN) and deformably accumulated back to the original planning CT. Cumulative D98% of CTV of PT (ITV for 82Gy) and LN, and normal tissue dose changes were analyzed. Results: Two patients were removed from the study due to large registration errors. For themore » remaining 7 patients, D98% for CTV-PT (ITV-PT for 82 Gy) and CTV-LN was within 1 Gy of PLAN for both 66 Gy and 82 Gy plans with both setup techniques. Overall, TC based setup provided better results, especially for LN coverage (p = 0.1 for 66Gy plan and p = 0.2 for 82 Gy plan, comparison of BN and TC), though not significant. Normal tissue dose constraints violated for some patients if constraint was barely achieved in PLAN. Conclusion: The hypofractionated adaptive strategy appears to be deliverable with soft tissue alignment for the evaluated margins and planning parameters. Research was supported by NIH P01CA116602.« less
Modern Exploration of Galileo's New Worlds

Four hundred years ago Galileo turned his telescope to the heavens and changed the way we view the cosmos forever. Among his discoveries in January of 1610 were four new 'stars', following Jupiter in the sky but changing their positions with respect to the giant planet every night. Galileo showed that these 'Medicean stars', as he named them, were moons orbiting Jupiter in the same manner that the Earth and planets revolve about the Sun in the Copernican theory of the solar system. Over the next three centuries these moons, now collectively named the Galilean satellites after their discoverer, remained tiny dots of light in astronomers' telescopes. In the latter portion of the twentieth century Galileo's new worlds became important targets of exploration by robotic spacecraft. This paper reviews the history of this exploration through the discoveries made by the Galileo mission from 1995 to 2003, setting the stage for on-going exploration in the new century.
User-Friendly software

Jack Jobst and Billie Wahlstrom in their article, '~ow 'Friendly' Should Effective Software Be?" addressed the need for userfriendly software but questioned the degree of friendliness in terms of its conduciveness to learning. They raised the consideration that, depending upon the student, the teacher's attitude may be more conducive to learning than the user-friendliness of a program (Jobst and Wahlstrom, 1984). Regardless of the accuracy of their observation--their point in general seems to be well taken--their conclusion rests upon the assumption that the computer in CAI is the instructor. This concept of software-instructor seems to indicate CI versus CA1. If, however, we regard the computer not as the primary instructor but as an "assistant" or "tutor," then we may be able to provide a more accurate fit between audience and instructional strategy.
Distinctive expression of the T4 antigen in normal and stimulated lymphocytes

Abstract Correlated light scatter and fluorescence flow cytometric analysis of human peripheral blood lymphocytes showed that the expression of the T4 antigen was higher in the larger lymphocytes than in the smaller lymphocytes. A similar expression pattern was observed for HLA Class I antigens but not for T3 and T8, whose expression was independent of cell size. Results with lymphocytes from spleen, lymph node, and tonsil were comparable to those of peripheral blood. Thymocytes, however, were smaller and expressed less T4 and T8 than peripheral lymphocytes. In studies of lymphocytes stimulated in vitro with allogeneic cells or pokeweed mitogen, two populations of T4-positive cells were observed: one of large cells expressing high amounts of T4 and one of small cells expressing low amounts of T4. Similar patterns were seen with T8, although less consistently. In contrast, the expression of T3 was the same in both large and small cells. The large cells expressing high amoungs of T4 were not restricted to cells engaged in DNA synthesis or mitosis. This was established by selectively analyzing cells in the G 0 G 1 phases of the cell cycle and by studying stimulated lymphocytes no longer undergoing proliferation. Taken together, these results suggest that immature T lymphocytes are small and express low amounts of T4 and T8. We postulate that as they differentiate, cell size and T4 expression increase proportionally, both parameters increasing even further after antigenic or mitogenic stimulation. The quantitative expression of T4, and probably of T8 but not of T3, is therefore intimately related to maturation and activation of lymphocytes, a fact that may conceivably be related to a functional role of these surface molecules.
Chemistry of Southern Chesapeake Bay sediments

The depositional and early diagenetic environments in southern Chesapeake Bay are interpreted in terms of horizontal and vertical variations of percent content by weight of sediment of (1) organic and inorganic arbon, (2) total phosphorus, (3) total iron, (4) calcium and magnesium, (5) sodium and potassium, and (6) Kjeldahl nitrogen. Sediment reworking activities by benthic invertebrates are shown by non-laminated structure of the sediment and homogeneous vertical distribution of the major cations. Organic carbon and total iron contents are highest in the fine, deepest water sediments. The existence of organoiron complexes in the sediment is supported by a positive correlation between organic carbon and total iron. An aerobic hydrosol condition of the surface sediments is indicated by high phosphorus contents. Organic carbon: Kjeldahl nitrogen ratios suggest that the organic matter of subsurface sediments is largely refractory.
The Use of Self-Assessments in Examining.

Self-assessments combined with other evidences such as achievements and test scores lead to increased accuracy and fairness in examining. The use of self-ratings to evaluate an applicant requires adjustment for degree of understanding of the element to be rated and for applicant's subjective base for rating. However, raw ratings may be used for psychometric analysis. Since minorities are usually represented in significant numbers among applicants but not in employed groups, this kind of analysis appears promising for studies designed to reduce adverse impact of tests and other measuring devices. An initial exploratory example of such analysis is described in detail.
Traumatic injury to the immature brain: inflammation, oxidative injury, and iron-mediated damage as potential therapeutic targets

Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is the leading cause of morbidity and mortality among children and both clinical and experimental data reveal that the immature brain is unique in its response and vulnerability to TBI compared to the adult brain. Current therapies for pediatric TBI focus on physiologic derangements and are based primarily on adult data. However, it is now evident that secondary biochemical perturbations play an important role in the pathobiology of pediatric TBI and may provide specific therapeutic targets for the treatment of the head-injured child. In this review, we discuss three specific components of the secondary pathogenesis of pediatric TBI — inflammation, oxidative injury, and iron-induced damage — and potential therapeutic strategies associated with each. The inflammatory response in the immature brain is more robust than in the adult and characterized by greater disruption of the blood-brain barrier and elaboration of cytokines. The immature brain also has a muted response to oxidative stress compared to the adult due to inadequate expression of certain antioxidant molecules. In addition, the developing brain is less able to detoxify free iron after TBI-induced hemorrhage and cell death. These processes thus provide potential therapeutic targets that may be tailored to pediatric TBI, including anti-inflammatory agents such as minocycline, antioxidants such as glutathione peroxidase, and the iron chelator deferoxamine.
Abstract 3725: Anti-DLL4 (demcizumab) inhibits tumor growth and reduces cancer stem cell frequency in patient-derived ovarian cancer xenografts.

Ovarian cancer in a major cause cancer related death in women and this disease is often characterized by resistance to chemotherapy and tumor recurrence. Cancer stem cells (CSCs) have been shown to be relatively insensitive to chemotherapeutic agents. Several lines of evidence indicate that aberrant Notch signaling plays a major role in ovarian cancer progression and resistance to standard therapies. DLL4 is a key ligand that activates the Notch pathway and has been shown to regulate both CSC function and tumor angiogenesis. DLL4 expression in tumor and endothelial cells has also been associated with resistance to bevacizumab treatment. In these studies, we investigated the role of anti-DLL4 in a panel of patient-derived ovarian cancer xenograft models. We utilized anti-human DLL4 (OMP-21M18) and anti-murine DLL4 to block Notch signaling in both the tumor and stromal/vascular cells in the xenografts. We found that anti-DLL4 treatment was broadly efficacious in these ovarian cancer models, significantly inhibiting tumor growth both as a single agent and in combination with paclitaxel. We carried out serial transplantation studies to investigate the effect on cancer stem cells and found that anti-DLL4 in combination with paclitaxel profoundly reduced the tumor initiating cell frequency. In contrast, treatment with paclitaxel alone had the opposite effect and increased ovarian CSC frequency. These data suggest that anti-DLL4 treatment sensitizes chemoresistant ovarian tumorigenic cells to therapy and provide compelling evidence that anti-DLL4 (demcizumab) is a promising strategy for the clinical treatment of ovarian cancer. Citation Format: Wan-Ching Yen, Marcus M. Fischer, Jalpa Shah, Jie Wei, Jennifer Cain, Pete Yeung, Lucia Beviglia, Belinda Cancilla, Ann Kapoun, John Lewicki, Austin Gurney, Timothy Hoey. Anti-DLL4 (demcizumab) inhibits tumor growth and reduces cancer stem cell frequency in patient-derived ovarian cancer xenografts. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 104th Annual Meeting of the American Association for Cancer Research; 2013 Apr 6-10; Washington, DC. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2013;73(8 Suppl):Abstract nr 3725. doi:10.1158/1538-7445.AM2013-3725
Synthesis, structural characterization, and preliminary cancer cell study results for poly(amine esters) derived from triphenyl-group VA organometallics and norfloxacin

Abstract Poly(amine esters) are rapidly formed employing the interfacial condensation of group VA triphenylmetal dihalides with the antibacterial agent norfloxacin in moderate yield and low to high polymers with respect to average chain length. Infrared spectroscopy shows the formation of M-oxygen and M N bonds. The products are largely bridging structures about the metal atom. Proton NMR and MALDI MS results are consistent with the formation of the poly(amine esters). All of the polymers show good activity against several of the tested cancer cell lines.