cssi/SciSciGPT-SciSciNet huggingface dataset:
Concentration polarization in stirred ultrafiltration cells

Laminar boundary-layer theory was used to quantify concentration polarization in ultrafiltration systems in which the membrane forms the base of a stirred, cylindrical container. The flow was approximated as a rigid-body rotation above a stationary surface (Bodewadt flow), with a filtration velocity dependent on the osmotic pressure of the retained solute, and therefore varying with radial position on the surface. Because the analysis was limited to moderate solute concentrations and filtrate velocities, physical properties were assumed to be constant. The axisymmetric convective-diffusion problem was solved by a finite difference method. Boundary-layer results were compared with predictions based on the common assumption of a uniform stagnant film and with a hybrid approach of applying locally the stagnant-film relationships but allowing the film thickness to vary with position. In general, both of the approximate models underestimated polarization effects, with the hybrid approach yielding smaller errors. In one set of simulations on the osmotic reduction in filtration rate caused by a completely retained solute, predicted errors in filtration rates with the models were moderate, with a maximum discrepancy of 21% (for the stagnant-film model). In the second set of simulations concerning polarization effects on apparent sieving coefficients for permeable solutes, the error in the predicted ratio of true-to-observed sieving coefficient was as much as 78% with the stagnant-film approach, while with the hybrid model it was no more than 15%. Thus, the stagnant-film approach was much less satisfactory for inferring sieving coefficients than for predicting mean filtrate velocities. The predictive capability of the boundary-layer model was tested using previous filtration data for bovine serum albumin in two ultrafiltration cells. The agreement was excellent, provided that an appropriate value was selected for the angular velocity of the bulk fluid.
Transactional Analysis, Pastoral Care and Education

This paper explores how transactional analysis (TA) is enhancing pastoral care in mainstream and special education contexts. The author introduces TA as a powerful educational theory and provides illustrative accounts of how it is being applied in classrooms and staffrooms in the United Kingdom.
A Universal Approach To Bacterial Molecular Epidemiology By Polymerase Chain Reaction Ribotyping

Oligonucleotide primers complementary to conserved regions of the 16S and 23S ribosomal RNA genes were used to amplify the 16S-23S intergenic spacer region of bacterial pathogens. The amplification patterns produced were compared for their potential use in molecular epidemiologic analysis. This method, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) ribotyping, was applied to isolates of Staphylococcus aureus, Enterococcus faecium, Escherichia coli, and Enterobacter species. Length polymorphisms in the amplified DNA distinguished unrelated strains of all bacteria. The banding patterns of 3 S. aureus isolates from the blood of 1 patient on 3 consecutive days were identical. Plasmid analysis, biotyping, and antibiograms were also obtained on the Enterobacter isolates. All three of these methods showed considerable variability after in vitro passage of bacteria, but PCR ribotypes remained stable. Results demonstrate the utility of the conserved primers for PCR ribotyping, a widely applicable method for the molecular epidemiology of genetically diverse bacteria.
Systemic Barriers in Athletic Administration: An Analysis of Job Descriptions for Interscholastic Athletic Directors

The purpose of this study was to determine if the job descriptions for interscholastic athletic directors (AD) used by school districts contained some form of gender bias that might deny women the opportunity to compete for those positions. Job descriptions were collected from 112 school districts within the state of Texas. A content analysis of each job description showed that 17% of the job descriptions listed as a qualification that the AD also serve as the head football coach (HFC). The link between the AD position and the HFC suggests that those districts may be engaging in an unfair employment practice because the courts have determined that such a requirement fails to meet the standard as a bona fide occupational requirement. In addition to the analysis of this possible systemic barrier for women in interscholastic athletics, suggestions are offered for further research to explore the root causes of the disparity between the number of men and women who serve as athletic directors.
THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN STUDENT TRANSFERS AND DISTRICT ACADEMIC PERFORMANCE: ACCOUNTING FOR FEEDBACK EFFECTS

AbstractThis paper draws attention to a subtle, but concerning, empirical challenge common in panel data models that seek to estimate the relationship between student transfers and district academic performance. Specifically, if such models have a dynamic element, and if the estimator controls for unobserved traits by including district-level effects, then model validity does not allow for a district's academic performance, in turn, to impact future transfers. Yet it seems reasonable that families, having access to publicly available aggregated information on standardized test results, seek to move their children to better-performing districts. In this paper, we demonstrate that, not only is such feedback quantitatively and qualitatively important, but also that allowing for such feedback substantially alters the estimated relationship between transfers and district performance.
The influence of temperature on the lubricating effectiveness of MoS2 dispersed in mineral oils

The effects of oil viscosity, base oil temperature, and surface-active agents naturally present in mineral oils on the lubricating effectiveness of MoS2 dispersions under boundary lubrication conditions are investigated. Friction and wear data are obtained from tests conducted under a wide range of oil viscosities and operating temperatures. The dispersion temperature at which the friction dropped below that obtained with the base oils, depended upon the base oil viscosity and the concentration of surface-active agents present in the oil. White oils showed reductions in friction before mineral oils of like viscosity, and lower viscosity oils showed reductions in friction before heavier viscosity oils. The results show that for a given base oil, wear increases as temperature increases, while the wear obtained from a MoS2 dispersion made from the base oil remains approximately constant as temperature is increased.
Evaluation of transition matrices

A general method for evaluation of transition matrices is presented. The technique involves determination of the inverse of the modified Vandermonde matrix followed by its post multiplication with the initial vector.
The role of platinum as the high voltage electrode in the enhancement of Fenton's reaction in liquid phase electrical discharge

Pulsed electrical discharges in water produce a variety of oxidative and reductive species including hydroxyl radicals, hydrogen peroxide, and hydrogen. The reaction of ferrous ions with hydrogen peroxide (Fenton's reaction) provides additional hydroxyl radicals. Previous experiments with pulsed electrical discharges in water have shown that when ferrous sulfate is used as an electrolyte with a platinum high voltage electrode significantly higher organic compound degradation can be obtained in comparison to the case with an electrode made of nickel-chromium. In the work presented here, it is shown that particles emitted into solution from the platinum high voltage electrode enhance the production of hydroxyl radicals by forming a catalytic cycle between ferric and ferrous ions. The ferrous ions are converted to ferric ions by the Fenton's reaction utilizing hydrogen peroxide from the electrical discharge and the ferric ions are in turn converted to ferrous ions by reactions on the platinum particles emitted into solution from the high voltage electrode with molecular hydrogen formed by the electrical discharge. Based upon experiments with various scavengers it is concluded that the catalytic effect of the platinum particles is due to the presence of adsorbed hydrogen, while in contrast the nickel-chromium, which does not adsorb hydrogen, high voltage electrode and particles emitted by this electrode have no effect on the ferric ion regeneration.
Indiana Soybean System Model (ISSM): I. Crop model evaluation

Abstract A soybean crop model, SOYGRO version 5.41, satisfactorily simulates soybean growth, development and yield under Indiana conditions, following the calibration of varietal coefficients and the use of water retention values to approximate soil water limits. Century 84 (MG II) and Williams 82 (MG III) soybeans were grown at two locations during 1985–1989 to provide crop growth and yield data for model calibration and validation. Model predictions tracked the observed trends in soybean yield over the years, and the patterns of crop growth and development through the season. Predicted values of yields, leaf area index and other crop growth indicators were mostly within one standard error (SE) of observed means in 1988 (severe drought) and 1989. Simulation experiments showed that yield potential at Bedford (southern Indiana) was higher than at Throckmorton (central Indiana) for all planting dates (10 and 25 May and 5 June). Century 84 has a slight yield advantage over Williams 82 for 10 May planting. If 1988 drought is excluded, this yield advantages is stochastically dominant. For late planting (5 June), the reverse is true (Williams 82 yielded more). There was no difference for 25 May planting. Using Duncan's multiple range test groupings, a set of typical weather years were obtained. This grouping, based on crop yield potential, will be useful in simulation analysis for pest management strategy evaluation.
Stereoselective behavioral effects of Lu 19-005 in monkeys: relation to binding at cocaine recognition sites

The effects of the monoamine uptake inhibitor Lu 19-005 ((±)-trans-3-(3,4-dichlorophenyl)-N-methyl-1-indanamine) and its (+) and (−) enantiomers, Lu 20-042 and Lu 20-043, were compared with those of cocaine and the selective dopamine uptake inhibitor GBR 12909 (1-{2-[bis-(4-fluorophenyl)methoxyl]ethyl}-4-(3-phenylpropyl)piperazin e) in behavioral and radioligand binding experiments. Behavioral experiments were conducted in groups of squirrel monkeys trained under fixed-interval schedules of reinforcement in which responding was maintained either by presentation of food or by termination of a visual stimulus associated with mild electric shock. Radioligand binding studies were conducted using [3H]CFT and [3H]GBR 12935 to label elements of the dopamine uptake system in caudate-putamen membranes of cynomolgus monkeys. All drugs produced dose-related increases in response rate under the fixed-interval schedules. Lu 19-005, Lu 20-042, and Lu 20-043 had relatively slow onsets (approximately 2 h) and relatively long durations of action, with effects persisting for two or more days following administration. Stereoselectivity was evident in the behavioral effects of the enantiomers of Lu 19-005, with Lu 20-042 being approximately 14 times more potent than Lu 20-043. In radioligand binding experiments, Lu 19-005 and its enantiomers were potent inhibitors of specifically bound [3H]CFT and [3H]GBR 12935. As in behavioral experiments, Lu 20-042 was more potent than Lu 20-043. The degree of stereoselectivity, however, varied with the temperature of the assay medium. At 37° C, Lu 20-043 was approximately 36 times more potent than Lu 20-043 in inhibiting the binding of [3H]CFT, whereas at 0–4° C, the difference in potency was only about 2-fold. The increased stereoselectivity at 37° C was due to a reduced potency for Lu 20-043. The results support the view that the behavioral effects of Lu 19-005 and its enantiomers are mediated at cocaine recognition sites associated with the dopamine uptake system. The results also show that incubation temperature can be a relevant factor in determining the relative potencies of drugs at [3H]CFT binding sites in vitro.
Triploidy formation after intracytoplasmic sperm injection may be a surrogate marker for implantation.

Objective Triploidy after intracytoplasmic sperm injection (ICSI) is due mostly to retention of the second polar body. Our interest was to determine the predictors of triploidy and to determine whether the presence of triploidy can serve as a surrogate marker of implantation for the remaining cohort of zygotes. Design Cohort study. Setting Academic research center. Patient(s) Infertile couples undergoing IVF/ICSI. Intervention(s) None. Main Outcome Measure(s) Triploid zygote (3PN) rate, implantation rate. Result(s) The 3PN rate is a significant predictor of implantation rate for the remaining cohort of zygotes. The starting and total dose of gonadotropins administered and the total days of stimulation are independent predictors of the 3PN rate. Conclusion(s) In couples with a normal semen analysis undergoing IVF/ICSI, the 3PN rate may serve as a surrogate marker of oocyte quality and may be altered by adjusting the stimulation protocol.
The relation of trauma of the hand to occupation

Abstract In a group involving a variety of manual occupations, the greatest economic loss from hand and finger injuries is due to infections and fractures. In clerical types of occupations there is practically no incidence of serious hand trauma. Electrical workers are exposed to an injury peculiar to their occupation. The different types of trauma to the hand and fingers present individual treatment problems from the standpoint of diminished disability and permanent defect. The possibility of permanent defect can be anticipated according to the nature of the trauma received. The economic loss due to hand trauma warrants more emphasis on this branch of surgery.
Comanagement of diabetic kidney disease by the primary care provider and nephrologist.

Diabetic kidney disease (DKD) is a common disorder, and few patients achieve current therapeutic targets. Careful collaboration between all health care providers and the creation of disorder-specific health care systems seem to offer the best opportunity for improving the management and clinical outcomes of these patients. This article explores the barriers to effective collaboration between physicians in the management of patients with DKD, attitudes and perceptions of physicians toward collaborative management, and the physiologic challenges in patients with DKD that would warrant specialist involvement in their care. A model for collaborative DKD care delivery is also proposed.
Noncardiac Surgery in Children With Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome

Abstract Background/Purpose: Hospital mortality rate among children with hypoplastic left heart syndrome (HLHS) after cardiac repair is well documented, but comparable data after noncardiac, surgical procedures are unknown. The authors hypothesized an increasing number of noncardiac procedures were being performed on children with HLHS, less than 2 years of age, from 1988 to 1997, and that these procedures were associated with a substantial mortality rate. Methods: A retrospective review of hospital discharge data for 2,457 children less than 2 years of age with HLHS for 1988 through 1997 was performed. The authors examined the outcomes of HLHS children undergoing only noncardiac surgical procedures during their hospital stay. Differences in hospital mortality rates between 1988 through 1992 versus 1993 through 1997 were assessed using the X 2 square statistic. Results: Nineteen percent of the 147 children with HLHS undergoing noncardiac, surgical procedures died (95% CI, 13% to 25%). Comparing the 2 study periods, there was no significant change in outcome among HLHS children undergoing noncardiac, surgical procedures (78% v. 83%; P >.1). There was no significant difference in the percentage of hospital discharges with noncardiac, surgical procedures performed per year. Conclusions: Although children with HLHS were not undergoing an increase in the number of noncardiac surgical procedures performed annually, even minor surgical procedures were associated with considerable mortality. Outcomes after noncardiac surgery in high-risk children with congenital heart disease warrant further investigation. J Pediatr Surg 37:1399-1403. Copyright 2002, Elsevier Science (USA). All rights reserved.
Guidelines for Opioid Prescription: Why Emergency Physicians Need Support

In January 2013, the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene released guidelines to help reduce the misuse of prescription opioid analgesics by establishing standards for prescribing ...
The effect of spin transport on spin lifetime in nanoscale systems

Pure spin transport determines the spin lifetime in nanoscale ensembles of spin centres in diamond.
Induction of tolerance to a soluble antigen following irradiation and bone marrow reconstitution

Antigen-specific tolerance was induced in mice by lethal irradiation followed by reconstitution with syngeneic, anti-T-cell-treated bone marrow and injection of the protein antigen lysozyme. Animals tolerized with lysozyme responded normally to a second antigen, sheep red blood cells, and animals treated with the same tolerizing regimen using a different protein antigen, bovine serum albumin, responded normally to lysozyme. Challenge of the tolerant mice with lysozyme covalently coupled to LPS induced an antilysozyme response indicating that if tolerance was expressed on the B-cell level that antigen-specific B-cells were still present. These results eliminate clonal abortion and clonal selection as the mechanism of tolerance generation. The tolerance generated by this procedure is either expressed on the T-cell level or is produced by a state of B-cell clonal anergy which can be overcome by the use of antigen coupled to lipopolysaccharide.
Flash program modeling using nonquasi-static and tunneling techniques

We present a detailed and accurate physics based transient simulation for modeling flash memory programming characteristics using nonquasi-static and tunneling equations versus the typical Lucky-Electron Model. The result is a set of simple expressions that were originally developed for a MOSFET and adapted for use in floating gate memory. Of greater importance is the extensive use of physical parameters as opposed to the scale factors and probabilities used in other models. This technique allows floating gate memory designers to determine the nominal programming characteristics of single-level and multi-level memory cells prior to the fabrication process. This technique also allows designers to determine the effects of fabrication tolerances on the performance of the memory cell. The accuracy of this model was validated through comparison with experimental data and simulation results presented in several publications.
Efficient share tenancy contracts under risk: The case of two rice-growing villages in Thailand☆

Abstract Two categories of Thai sharecroppers are observed to be efficient: those under high poverty and high risk, and those in a long-term relation of gift exchange with their landlord. Econometric estimates show that use of variable factors by these sharecroppers is insignificantly different from that by owner-operators and significantly higher than that by generic sharecroppers. Interpretations for this behavior are provided by models of sharecropping under safety-first and of repeated contracts with gift exchange.
Pancreatic injury in rats induced by fatty acid ethyl ester, a nonoxidative metabolite of alcohol.

Abstract BACKGROUND & AIMS: The mechanism by which alcohol injures the pancreas remains unknown. Alcohol-intoxicated humans have high levels of fatty acid ethyl esters (FAEEs), nonoxidative products of ethanol metabolism, in blood, pancreas, and liver. The aims of this study were to determine whether FAEEs are toxic to the pancreas in vivo and, if so, to assess whether this injury is specific to the pancreas and to compare it to the injury observed in acute pancreatitis. METHODS: FAEEs were infused into Sprague-Dawley rats. Levels of FAEEs in plasma and pancreas were measured, and pancreatic injury was assessed during a 48-hour period for edema formation and ectopic trypsinogen activation and by light and electron microscopy. RESULTS: FAEEs induced highly significant increases in pancreatic edema, pancreatic trypsinogen activation, and vacuolization of acinar cells. These findings were specific to the pancreas and were not found in liver, lung, myocardium, skeletal muscle, or subcutaneous fat. CONCLUSIONS: FAEEs at concentrations found in human plasma produce a pancreatitis-like injury in rats, providing direct evidence that FAEEs can produce organ-specific toxicity. Thus, FAEEs may contribute to acute alcohol-induced damage to the pancreas. (Gastroenterology 1997 Jul;113(1):286-94)
Part-Time employment: Reasons, demographics, and trends

worked part time, that is, less than 35 hours a week. This group has been studied frequently as concern over changes in the quality of jobs has grown. Several reports have asserted that an increasing share of the U.S. work force has become part time, because employers have used such employment to cut labor costs. The reports suggested that, as employers offered more part-time jobs than employees were willing to accept, the number of involuntary part-time employees, those who want full-time jobs but must settle for part-time work, increased dramatically, l Certainly, a rise in involuntary part-time employment should cause concern, since it represents an underutilization of the nation's labor resources similar to unemployment. Nevertheless, it should be noted that the vast majority of persons who work part time (71 percent) still do so voluntarily. I examine the differences between the voluntary and involuntary part-time employees. The data show that part-time employees can be classified in three distinct groups, based on their reasons for working a part-time schedule and their usual weekly work schedule. These groups differ in a number of ways, including the characteristics typical of the people in them, the industries in which they are found, and their pattern of growth over the last two decades. I also examine some new data on part-time employment available from the revised Current Population Survey (CPS) which began in January 1994. This revised survey should expand and improve the information about part-time employment. Before examining the data, the source of the information and the basic concepts and definitions relating to part-time work are described.
Art of the Andes: From Chavin to Inca

1. Introduction 2. Early and Chavin Art 3. Paracas and Nasca 4. Moche Art and Architecture 5. Tiwanaku and Wari Imperial Styles 6. Late Intermediate Period Styles 7. Inca Art and Architecture
Multispacecraft observations of the harmonic structure of Pc 3–4 magnetic pulsations

Harmonically related Pc 3-4 pulsations (7-100 mHz) are observed simultaneously by the three geosynchronous satellites ATS 6, SMS 1, and SMS 2, which are separated 20 deg from one another. At a given instant the frequency of the same harmonic is different from one spacecraft to another and each spacecraft observes a decrease in the fundamental frequency as it moves from morning (15 mHz) to afternoon (10 mHz). This frequency behavior is explained in terms of standing Alfven waves, for which the frequency is determined by the local magnetic field and plasma density. Occurrence of harmonic Pc 3-4 waves only during daytime hours (0400-2000 LT) and their frequency characteristics suggest a broadband energy source located on the dayside. Possible azimuthal wave number m and azimuthal phase velocity V(phi) of the second through fourth harmonics are determined from an unusual interval during which identical harmonic frequencies were observed at SMS 1 and ATS 6. Under the assumption of tailward propagation of constant-phase fronts at the same velocity for all these harmonics, V(phi) of about 1700 km/s is obtained.
Stroke Progress Review Group Summary of Successes and Lack of Progress

The Stroke Progress Review Group (PRG) was formed in 2001 to produce research recommendations to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NINDS) for the next 10 years. The PRG produced a progress report in 2006, and a final report in 2012. The PRG process used expert study groups covering 16 areas of research. Each group was tasked to summarize progress in their field and then come up with research priorities. The proceedings were published in the journal Stroke and online.1,2 For planning the next decade, NINDS has reconfigured the PRG process with the intention of identifying a narrowed focus on the most critically important priorities, and obtaining more input from the wider community of healthcare workers involved with stroke and from the public using a dedicated web page: http://www.ninds.nih.gov/strokerfi Eventually, work-groups will be configured on stroke treatment, stroke prevention, and stroke recovery with the intention to narrow down priorities to 2 to 3 per area. I will describe progress on the basis of current decision to of NINDS to divide the field into 3 broad topics: acute stroke treatment, stroke prevention, and stroke repair/recovery/rehabilitation. Other aspects of stroke research that were considered priorities by the PRG between 2001 and 2012 will be covered in a fourth category (Other). ### Acute Stroke Treatment 1. Improve reperfusion therapy: the first priority in the area of acute stroke treatment that was identified in the reports of 2001, 2006, and 2012 was to improve reperfusion therapy. The following is a list of research progress in this area: 1. Enhanced thrombolysis—randomized trials: Study of Tenecteplase in Acute Ischemic Stroke (TNK), Ancrod, …
Digital fecal occult blood testing in the ambulatory urology clinic.

Background This study was designed to evaluate the use and yield of fecal occult blood testing (FOBT) in an ambulatory urology clinic. Study Design Patients seen in the ambulatory urology clinic were prospectively evaluated with FOBT. The test was performed only on patients when a rectal examination was indicated as part of their urologic evaluation. Patients who were found to have a positive FOBT were then referred for additional gastrointestinal evaluation. Results One hundred eight patients were evaluated, including 57 men and 51 women. Eight patients (7%), including six men and two women, were found to be positive for fecal occult blood. Two patients were found to have upper gastrointestinal sources of bleeding (one gastritis with Barrett's esophagitis and one with a duodenal ulcer). Two patients had benign lower gastrointestinal sources of bleeding, including one with hyperplastic polyps and one with a tubular adenoma. One patient was diagnosed with a moderately differentiated adenocarcinoma of the sigmoid colon. One had negative followup fecal occult blood test, and two were lost to followup. Conclusions Addition of FOBT to routine digital rectal examination performed in the ambulatory urology clinic is an inexpensive and simple test that can detect otherwise asymptomatic underlying gastrointestinal pathology. Although the six-sample test is a preferred test for colorectal cancer screening, a digital FOBT during routine urologic evaluation can detect a clinically significant upper or lower gastrointestinal lesion, at the same time increase compliance with FOBT. Larger, prospective studies are needed to confirm the benefit of digital FOBT during a routine urologic visit.
Models of steady-state and dynamic gas exchange responses to vapor pressure and light in Douglas fir (Pseudotsuga menziesii) saplings

Three-dimensional empirical models were constructed, depicting the response surface of water use efficiency (WUE) of Pseudotsuga menziesii saplings in relation to different levels of both irradiance and leaf-to-air vapor pressure difference (VPD). The two models developed depict responses of (1) previous season needles during autumn, winter, and early spring and (2) current year needles during the summer. The steady-state stomatal and gas exchange responses to irradiance and VPD suggest that factors determining adaptive stomatal performance in Douglas fir are complex and may differ according to needle age, developmental stage, and season. Stomatal response to light varied seasonally, with the stomata being responsive during the summer and unresponsive during the autumn, winter, and early spring. Previous season needles exhibit higher maximum WUE, but can be less conservative in their total use of water than the more VPD-sensitive maturing needles.
Self-Organized-Expert Modular Network for Classification of Spatiotemporal Sequences

In this paper, we investigate a form of modular neural network for classification with a pre-separated input vectors entering its specialist expert networks, b specialist networks which are self-organized radial-basis function or self-targeted feedforward type and c which fuses or integrates the specialists with a single-layer net. When the modular architecture is applied to spatiotemporal sequences, the Specialist Nets are recurrent; specifically, we use the Input Recurrent type.The Specialist Networks SNs learn to divide their input space into a number of equivalence classes defined by self-organized clustering and learning using the statistical properties of the input domain. Once the specialists have settled in their training, the Fusion Network is trained by any supervised method to map to the semantic classes.We discuss the fact that this architecture and its training is quite distinct from the hierarchical mixture of experts HME type as well as from stacked generalization.Because the equivalence classes to which the SNs map the input vectors are determined by the natural clustering of the input data, the SNs learn rapidly and accurately. The fusion network also trains rapidly by reason of its simplicity.We argue, on theoretical grounds, that the accuracy of the system should be positively correlated to the product of the number of equivalence classes for all of the SNs.This network was applied, as an empirical test case, to the classification of melodies presented as direct audio events temporal sequences played by a human and subject, therefore, to biological variations. The audio input was divided into two modes: a frequency or pitch variation and b rhythm, both as functions of time. The results and observations show the technique to be very robust and support the theoretical deductions concerning accuracy.
Honokiol-mediated inhibition of PI3K/mTOR pathway: a potential strategy to overcome immunoresistance in glioma, breast, and prostate carcinoma without impacting T cell function.

Inhibition of the phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K)/mammalian target ot rapamycin (m TOR) pathway is an appealing method for decreasing the immunoresistance and augmenting T cell-mediated immunotherapy. A major impediment to this strategy is the impact of conventional PI3K/mTOR pathway inhibitors on T cell function. In particular, rapamycin, is a well-known immunosuppressant that can decrease the activity of the PI3K/mTOR pathway in tumor cells, but also has a profound inhibitory effect on T cells. Here we show that Honokiol, a natural dietary product isolated from an extract of seed cones from Magnolia grandiflora, can decrease PI3K/mTOR pathway-mediated immunoresistance of glioma, breast and prostate cancer cell lines, without affecting critical proinflammatory T cell functions. Specifically, we show that at doses sufficient to down-regulate levels of phospho-S6 and the negative immune regulator B7-H1 in tumor cells, Honokiol does not significantly impair T cell proliferation or proinflammatory cytokine production. In contrast to classic inhibitors, including LY294002, wortmannin, AKT inhibitor III and rapamycin, Honokiol specifically decreases the PI3K/mTOR pathway activity in tumor cells, but not in freshly stimulated T cells. Collectively, our data define a unique application for Honokiol and provide the impetus to more fully elucidate the mechanism by which T cells are resistant to the effects of this particular inhibitor. Honokiol is clinically available for human testing and may serve to augment T cell-mediated cancer immunotherapy.
Introduction to Forces for Change: The Continuing Struggles

(1995). Introduction to Forces for Change: The Continuing Struggles. Sociological Focus: Vol. 28, Forces for Change: The Continuing Struggles, pp. 1-8.
Comparison of Netilmicin and Amikacin in Treatment of Complicated Urinary Tract Infections

Abstract Netilmicin and amikacin, two recently developed aminoglycosides, were compared in a prospective, randomized study of 57 male patients with complicated urinary tract infections. Both drugs were administered intramuscularly every 12 h for 7 to 10 days, netilmicin at 2 mg/kg and amikacin at 7.5 mg/kg. The two groups were comparable as to infecting bacteria and underlying pathology of the urinary tract. No patients had indwelling catheters. All microorganisms isolated were sensitive to both antibiotics. A total of 69% of the patients treated with netilmicin and 57% of the patients treated with amikacin were cured of the infection, as defined by a negative culture at 7 days after discontinuation of treatment. No major side effects were recorded, and no significant changes were noted in parameters of renal function. Of the patients treated with amikacin, 21% experienced temporary local pain at the injection site; no such effect was noted in the netilmicin-treated group. Therefore, netilmicin appeared to be as effective and better tolerated than did amikacin in the treatment of complicated urinary tract infection.
Union attainment of first contracts: Do service unions possess a competitive advantage?

This study examines differences between service and manufacturing unions with respect to first contract attainment and organizing efficiency. Service unions were found to have a higher first-contract attainment rate, larger election units, and longer campaigns. For cases where the union attained a first contract, there was no difference in efficiency between service and manufacturing unions. However, service unions enjoyed an advantage over manufacturing unions when overall organizing efficiency was examined.
On the Policy Ineffectiveness Proposition and a Keynesian Alternative

One of the most controversial macroeconomic developments of the last decade has been the rise of the so-called 'new classical' (NC) approach to macroeconomic theory and policy. Lucas (I972), Sargent and Wallace (I975), and Barro (I 976) have presented models which combine the Friedman (i968)-Phelps (I970) natural rate theory, with assumptions of market clearing and rational expectations. As is well known, these models deliver the striking result that the mean values of real variables cannot be affected by the government's monetary policy.' The publication of the theoretical work establishing the impotency result led to much empirical testing of the NC models. One of the most successful approaches from the point of view of NC advocates is contained in a series of papers by Barro (I977, I978, I98I), Barro and Rush (I980), and Rush (I986). Recently, Pesaran (I982) has questioned Barro's results and claimed that once an 'implausible assumption' is discarded, Barro's work can be rejected in favour of a Keynesian alternative. Because Pesaran has put forth an explicit counter-model to Barro's work, his results are potentially quite important. This paper examines in detail Pesaran's work and conclusions.
A concentration of quasars in the Sculptor region of the sky

The strip of sky 5° wide and centred at dec −40° is the largest area of the sky which has been completely searched for quasars1. The strip is long and narrow and runs from RA≲22 h to RA≳4 h. Near the centre of the strip, at 0 h<RA<1 h, there is an evident concentration of quasars. Osmer2 and Smith3 have argued that this concentration is caused by the sensitivity of the plates taken at larger and smaller right ascensions being less than those taken in 0h<RA<1 h region. In the original report of the survey, there was no note that any regions showed systematically poorer seeing or lower sky-density for a given exposure. It seems necessary to substantiate such an a posteriori hypothesis with quantitative systematic differences in the plate quality. In this report the reality of this concentration has been tested by asking whether all quasars show this concentration or only certain kinds of quasars.
Chemically-mediated mate choice in red-spotted newts: Do males select or just detect females?

Les mâles de Notophthalmus viridescens testes dans un labyrinthe en Y choisissent preferentiellement la branche contenant une femelle par rapport a une branche soit vide soit occupe par un mâle. Lorsque les mâles ont le choix entre deux femelles, ils se dirigent plus frequemment vers la plus grosse. Ceci suggere que les mâles peuvent augmenter leur succes reproducteur en choississant grâce a des reperes chimiques des partenaires plus grandes. L'influence de la concentration des odeurs produites par les femelles sur leur attractivite sexuelle est examinee
Clients with MMPI High D-PD: Therapy Implications.

The personal characteristics of 80 clients with elevated 2-4 (D-PD) scales on their MMPIs were compared with those of 109 clients without these elevations. Clients with the 2-4 elevated were significantly more depressed, had lower self-esteem, and were more likely to come from disturbed families. They also had poor relationships with the opposite sex, became more dependent on the therapist, and often made little improvement in therapy. In comparison to previous descriptions of hospitalized patients with similar profiles, the counseling center clients continue to function in the community and show less pathological behavior. Implications for therapy are discussed.
Mean and fluctuating components of drag and lift forces on an isolated finite-sized particle in turbulence

We perform fully resolved direct numerical simulations of an isolated particle subjected to free-stream turbulence in order to investigate the effect of turbulence on the drag and lift forces at the level of a single particle, following Bagchi and Balachandar’s work (Bagchi and Balachandar in Phys Fluids 15:3496–3513, 2003). The particle Reynolds numbers based on the mean relative particle velocity and the particle diameter are Re = 100, 250 and 350, which covers three different regimes of wake evolution in a uniform flow: steady axisymmetric wake, steady planar symmetric wake, and unsteady planar symmetric vortex shedding. At each particle Reynolds number, the turbulent intensity is 5–10% of the mean relative particle velocity, and the corresponding diameter of the particle is comparable to or larger than the Kolmogorov scale. The simulation results show that standard drag values determined from uniform flow simulations can accurately predict the drag force if the turbulence intensity is sufficiently weak (5% or less compared to the mean relative velocity). However, it is shown that for finite-sized particles, flow non-uniformity, which is usually neglected in the case of the small particles, can play an important role in determining the forces as the relative turbulence intensity becomes large. The influence of flow non-uniformity on drag force could be qualitatively similar to the Faxen correction. In addition, finite-sized particles at sufficient Reynolds number are inherently subjected to stochastic forces arising from their self-induced vortex shedding in addition to lift force arising from the local ambient flow properties (vorticity and strain rate). The effect of rotational and strain rate of the ambient turbulence seen by the particle on the lift force is explored based on the conditional averaging using the generalized representation of the quasi-steady force proposed by Bagchi and Balachandar (J Fluid Mech 481:105–148, 2003). From the present study, it is shown that at Re = 100, the lift force is mainly influenced by the surrounding turbulence, but at Re = 250 and 350, the lift force is affected by the wake structure as well as the surrounding turbulence. Thus, for a finite-sized particle of sufficient Reynolds number supporting self-induced vortex shedding, the lift force will not be completely correlated with the ambient flow. Therefore, it appears that in order to reliably predict the motion of a finite-sized particle in turbulence, it is important to incorporate both a deterministic component and a stochastic component in the force model. The best deterministic contribution is given by the conditional average. The influence of ambient turbulence at the scale of the particle, which are not accounted for in the deterministic contribution, can be considered in stochastic manner. In the modeling of lift force, additional stochastic contribution arising from self-induced vortex shedding must also be included.
Blood Oxygen Saturation Measurements using Photoacoustic Z-scan Technique

Blood oxygen saturation (sO2) estimation is important in medicine. Nonlinear absorption coefficient (β) of various sO2 level blood samples were measured using photoacoustic Z-scan technique. Results depict linear dependency between β and sO2.
Mass spectrometry-based strategies for characterization of histones and their post-translational modifications

Due to the intimate interactions between histones and DNA, the characterization of histones has become the focus of great attention. A series of mass spectrometry-based technologies have been dedicated to the characterization and quantitation of different histone forms. This review focuses on the discussion of mass spectrometry-based strategies used for the characterization of histones and their post-translational modifications.
Local diversity in heterogeneous landscapes: quantitative assessment with a height-structured forest metacommunity model

“Mass effects,” in which “sink populations” of locally inferior competitors are maintained by dispersal from “source populations” elsewhere in the landscape, are thought to play an important role in maintaining plant diversity. However, due to the complexity of most quasi-realistic forest models, there is little theoretical understanding of the strength of mass effects in forests. Here, we develop a metacommunity version of a mathematically and computationally tractable height-structured forest model, the Perfect Plasticity Approximation, to quantify the strength of mass effects (i.e., the degree of mixing of locally dominant and subordinate species) in heterogeneous landscapes comprising different patch types (e.g., soil types). For realistic levels of inter-patch dispersal, mass effects are weak at equilibrium (i.e., in the absence of disturbance), even in some cases where differences in growth, mortality, and fecundity rates between locally dominant and subordinate species are too small to be reliably detected from field data. However, patch-scale transient dynamics are slow following catastrophic disturbance (in which post-disturbance initial abundances are determined exclusively by immigration) so that at any given time, subordinate species are present in appreciable numbers in most patches. Less severe disturbance regimes, in which some seeds or individuals survive the disturbance, should result in faster transient dynamics (i.e., faster approach to the low-diversity equilibrium). Our results suggest that in order for mass effects to play an important role in tree coexistence, niche differences must be strong enough to prevent neutral drift, yet too weak to be reliably detected from field data.
Synchronously Loaded Optical Packet Buffer

Synchronous optical packet buffering is demonstrated utilizing a fiber-based synchronizer with a photonic integrated circuit packet buffer. Asynchronously arriving packets are optically synchronized to a local frame clock and loaded synchronously into the optical buffer. The synchronizer is a four-stage design with a resolution of 853 ps and a dynamic tuning range of 12.8 ns. The optical packet buffer consists of an integrated 2 t 2 InP switch coupled to a silica-on-silicon 12.8-ns delay line. Packet recovery measurements of 40-B return-to-zero packets at 40 Gb/s show-error free performance for several combinations of synchronizer and buffer delays.
A pilot study evaluating alternative approaches of academic detailing in rural family practice clinics

Background: Academic detailing is an interactive, convenient, and user-friendly approach to delivering non-commercial education to healthcare clinicians. While evidence suggests academic detailing is associated with improvements in prescribing behavior, uncertainty exists about generalizability and scalability in diverse settings. Our study evaluates different models of delivering academic detailing in a rural family medicine setting. Methods: We conducted a pilot project to assess the feasibility, effectiveness, and satisfaction with academic detailing delivered face-to-face as compared to a modified approach using distance-learning technology. The recipients were four family medicine clinics within the Oregon Rural Practice-based Research Network (ORPRN). Two clinics were allocated to receive face-to-face detailing and two received outreach through video conferencing or asynchronous web-based outreach. Surveys at midpoint and completion were used to assess effectiveness and satisfaction. Results: Each clinic received four outreach visits over an eight month period. Topics included treatment-resistant depression, management of atypical antipsychotics, drugs for insomnia, and benzodiazepine tapering. Overall, 90% of participating clinicians were satisfied with the program. Respondents who received in person detailing reported a higher likelihood of changing their behavior compared to respondents in the distance detailing group for five of seven content areas. While 90%-100% of respondents indicated they would continue to participate if the program were continued, the likelihood of participation declined if only distance approaches were offered. Conclusions: We found strong support and satisfaction for the program among participating clinicians. Participants favored in-person approaches to distance interactions. Future efforts will be directed at quantitative methods for evaluating the economic and clinical effectiveness of detailing in rural family practice settings.
Blue functions: probability and current density propagators in non-relativistic quantum mechanics

Like a Green function to propagate a particle's wavefunction in time, a Blue function is introduced to propagate the particle's probability and current density. Accordingly, the complete Blue function has four components. They are constructed from path integrals involving a quantity like the action that we call the motion. The Blue function acts on the displaced probability density as the kernel of an integral operator. As a result, we find that the Wigner density occurs as an expression for physical propagation. We also show that, in quantum mechanics, the displaced current density is conserved bilocally (in two places at one time), as expressed by a generalized continuity equation.
Curvature effect of median filtering on range images

The effect of median filtering on range images was investigated experimentally. Median filtering was utilized to remove noise from the range images. First- and second-order derivatives were utilized to locate the similarities between the processed and the original images. Range depth information was converted into spatial coordinates, and a set of coefficients which describe three-dimensional objects was generated using an existing algorithm. Range images of spheres and cylinders were used for experimental purposes. >
Stability analysis and stabilization of switched discrete-time systems subject to actuator saturation

This paper studies the problem of stability analysis and stabilization of switched discrete-time linear systems subject to actuator saturations. Switched saturation-dependent Lyapunov functions are exploited to derive new stability conditions. Furthermore, based on the new stability criterion, new methods for designing stabilizing state feedback controllers and the estimation of domain of attraction are presented in terms of solutions of a set of linear matrix inequalities (LMIs). A numerical example is given to show the effectiveness of the proposed methods.